Brevet Major Sixth Infantry, March 21, 1861

SIR: I have the honor to state that having heard on the morning of the 17th instant that Señor Esparza had been superseded as Governor of Lower California by Mathias Moreno, with an armed body of men, acting under orders from the Government of Mexico, which force sailed from La Paz and landed at a place called Descanso, which Senor Esparza had fortified, which they took by surprise, I proceeded immediately to a ranch called Oti, about fifteen miles from here and about three miles from the line, as near as I could get to the line with wood, water, and grass, and from thence sent word to the Indians that they must take no part in the matter either on one side or the other. I do not think they will. Frequent occurrences of the foregoing nature have produced and continue to cause great disquiet on this frontier. I beg leave to say that the four men against whom charges were forwarded by the last mail should be tried. This is the second time one of the men has deserted (Stapleton). There is no artillery at this post. If the general would have two 6-pounders sent here I could teach my men the artillery drill, and they might otherwise be useful.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,