Presidio of San Francisco by the Government transport brig Floyd to G. A. H. Blake, May 4, 1861

Maj. G. A. H. BLAKE, First Dragoons, Fort Tejon, Cal.: SIR: Report at this place in person instantly for special duty. Answer.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., May 6, 1861.

Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal. : SIR: Yourcommunication of the 25th ultimo reached me on the 29th, and your telegraphic dispatch was received on the 2d instant, being dated on the 26th ultimo, 2 p. m. The light battery and Companies G and M, Third Artillery, are now embarking on the steamer Cortez. The troops areunder the command of Capt. E. O. C. Ord, Third Artillery. I beg to call the attention of the general to the fact that but one small company is left at this post, numbering about fifty men all told. It will berecollected that this is a very important position at this moment, being the main depot from which all the troops in the district, excepting the small force on the waters of Puget Sound, are supplied. One company, even were it full, could not properly guard the public property, storehouses, and other buildings of this large post. Weshould have atleast three companies. It is believed that companies can be drawn from the posts east of the Cascades without detriment to the service. As Ihave no authority to move troops, or, in fact, to give any orders in the district, with a single exception, a remote contingency, I trust this subject may receive the early attention of the general commanding the department. I beg leave to ask the attention of the commanding general to Orders, No, 2, from the headquarters of the Department of the Pacific, dated January 17, 1861, which, taken in connection with the communication addressed to me from the same headquarters on the 13th of February, 1861, which will show that the special powers delegated to the commander of this district, under the provisions of General Orders, No. 10, of November 22, 1860, from the headquarters of the Army, are very limited—in fact, practically the district commander is powerless. The letter of February 13, above referred to, places even Major Babbitt, the depot staff officer at my headquarters, beyond my control.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,