Letter from Henry Wager Halleck regarding Territory of Cal

Transcription:

State Dept of the Territory of California

Monterey Sep. 18th 1847

Sir

It is desirable to ascertain as near as practicable the present population of California, and as there is no means provided for taking an official census of the Territory, the Governor is induced to request Military officers and private individuals, to furnish him with such information as they may conveniently collect. It is thought that by making such inquiries and examinations as may be convenient, you will be able before the close of the present year to form a pretty accurate estimate of the population of your district.

You will please arrange any information of this character which you may communicate according to the following table:

Population | Males | Females | Total | Remarks

Whites

Tame Indians or "Neophites"

Wild Indians or "Gentiles"

Sandwich Islanders

Negros

Any other statistical information such as the number of houses, schools, cattle, horses etc. will also be most thankfully received.

Your district will include all the country bounded by the San Joaquin River, the Bay of San Francisco, an east and west line through the Mission farm of San Mateo and the line of latitude through the point where the road from San Jose to San Juan Bautista strikes the Arroyo de Llaga.

Very respectfully, your obt servant

H. W. Halleck

[?] of Engrs & Secty of State

Original is held at History San Jose Collection Center with the Spanish-Mexican Records of the San Jose Pueblo.