purchase our property we would agree to leave the in eighteen months. I did this to shew them that we meant to be honorable with them. If they would sell to us we could buy their property and soon pay them, or if they would buy us out we will leave them. But if we go away from here, where shall we go. If I ever leave here I want to go where the southern spirit does not reign. If you go to there is that spirit predominant which has harassed us all the while. The American settlers have been ordered away from seems to be the place to my mind to answer the purpose which we want. I think if the population of this church were to begin to emigrate to we would soon have the control of the whole country. The probability is that will ultimatly become subject to the British government. The colonists under the British government seem to [p. [15]]
In July 1843 the Mexican government issued orders to the governor of the Californias, explaining that because “it is not proper for natives of the United States of the North to reside in your department,” all such settlers should be forced to leave “in the reasonable time which you may fix for that purpose; and that henceforward no individual belonging to the said United States is to be allowed to enter the said department.” After pressure from the United States, the Mexican government clarified that the expulsion order applied only “to foreigners, of whatever nation, who, from their misconduct, are considered as vagabonds, and as injurious to public tranquility.” Nevertheless, recent immigrants “should not be allowed to settle,” though they could remain for the purpose of “engaging in commerce.” (“Official Papers,” Daily National Intelligencer [Washington DC], 13 July 1844, [2].)
Daily National Intelligencer. Washington DC. 1800–1869.