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A- 4
A PICTURE
Llioneer Times in California
Gc 979.4 W58p 1265859
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
EX LIBRIS
SAN CARLOS 1769
ROBERT ERNEST COWAN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 5851
A PICTURE
OF
PIONEER TIMES
IN CALIFORNIA
ILLUSTRATED WITH
ANECDOTES AND STORIES TAKEN
FROM REAL LIFE.
BY WILLIAM GREY.
AUTHOR'S EDITION
SAN FRANCISCO :
PRINTED BY W. M. HINTON & (0. 336 CLAY STREET. 1881.
:
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by WILLIAM M. HINTON, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
1-7/01/5
1265859 INTRODUCTION.
This book is respectfully dedicated to the boys and girls born on the Pa- cific Slope, of pioneer parents.
Its object is to draw a correct and faithful picture of pioneer times in California, and thus expose the misstatements of itinerant lecturers and thoughtless or vicious writers, who seem to delight in wholesale misrepresen- tation of the habits and character of the first American settlers of this coast. The time has come when this matter should be discussed and set right; for the pioneers are fast passing away, and in a few short years not one will be left to contradict and expose the slanderous charges now constantly put forth against them.
In the picture I have drawn, I have sought to avoid claiming for the pio- neers one virtue not fairly theirs; nor have I attempted to conceal their errors. When speaking of individuals, I have tried to avoid undue praise or unjust censure. How far I have succeeded in making my picture a truthful repre- sentation, I leave my fellow pioneers to judge.
COWAN LIBRARY, 1936
The destinies of the great young States of the Pacific are fast passing into the hands of the children of the pioneers, and we, the parents, cheer- fully resign our trust, feeling sure that the amor patric with them is most heartfelt, and, burning brightly, will be "the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day " to guide them onward, and ensure a great future to the States of their birth. In resigning our leadership, it ought to be our ambition that our children should honor our memory, and feel proud that they are the children of California and Oregon pioneers.
It is this ambition that has prompted the writing of this volume. It is directly addressed to our young people; but I hope it will be found attrac- tive and interesting to every American citizen, and especially so to all our pioneers, who, day by day, as the shades of evening fall on their path, and their numbers lessen, grow nearer and nearer to each other, and more and more attached to all the recollections of the days when, as a band of brothers they, with cheerful hearts, faced every danger, side by side, and aroused into life this whole Pacific Coast.
If my fellow pioneers find that I have performed the task I assigned myself but indifferently, I hope they will at least credit a good intention and an earnest endeavor to the author.
WILLIAM GREY
WITHDRAWN
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 -" The Annals of San Francisco." Their unpardonable errors-The founding of the Missions-The good they accomplished-Their great wealth-Influence upon the Indians-The traducers of the Mission Fathers-Mr. Dwinelle's address at the centennial celebration of the founding of the Mission Dolores-Miss Skidmore's poem. 1 Chapter II-" Reflections of the " Annals."-The future of the American Republic-Our truc policy -- The London " Times" and the civil war 16
Chapter III-The conquest of California-The absurd account of it given in the " Annals." Exaggerations and misstatements -- Stockton, Kearny and Fremont-Stockton's march to Los Angeles-His reception at San Francisco-His alleged project of invading Mexico-Second reduction of California.
20
Chapter IV-Conditions which made the conquest of California an easy one-The murder of Foster-The tell-tale revolver-The vaquero's story -- Capture of Mariana-His ex- amination-Subsequent escape-Mr. Breen's story -- The old woman and the dying man-Mr. Breen and the man-The Mexican's confession-The murder of his affi- anced and an American-Death of the Cary brothers-The Mexican's murder of his own friend-His remorse -- Father Anzer's visits-The burial -- Other murders .. 31 Chapter V-Discovery of gold by Marshall -- Unsuccessful endeavor to keep the matter secret -- Life in California -- Incorrect account of it in the " Annals."-Allegel dis- sipation of all classes-General indulgence in gambling -- Amusements, etc .... 48
Chapter VI-The nature of our early immigration-Difficulties and expense-The writer's own experiences-The South Carolina-Character of the voyagers, and their amuse- ments-The only lady passenger-Rio-Three scalawags and their fates-The Em- peror's garden-Puzzling money-Slave trade and civil rights-Isaac Friedlander, Conroy and O'Connor-John A. McGlynn, W. T. Shaw, D. J. Oliver, Wm. F. White-Air castles-Dead and living. 67
Chapter VII -- Island of Juan Fernandez-Escape of the convicts-Entering the Golden Gate-Unwillingness of captains to command California bound ships -- Preparations to check mutiny -- Mutinies on two ships, and their justification . 79
Chapter VIII -- First impressions of San Francisco-Its hurry of business -- Meeting old faccs -- $7,000 gain on an investment of nothing -- A lesson from "Tony"-First brick building-John A. McGlynn and one of San Francisco's two wagons -- The monthly mail-Curious government accounts-Mr. McGlynn at the great fire .. ... Chapter IX-The three classes of citizens -- The gentlemen politicians-The cause of the Vigilance Committees-The typical miner -- Welcome arrivals-Ingenious furniture. Early law courts
95
Chapter X-Bill Liddle -- A dangerous pass in the mountains-Old Kate's intelligence -- The meeting in the pass-Valor of old Kate -- The discomfited conductor-The trial, and the Alcalde's decision -- Comparison between the old and new methods of settling disputes - Life of a politician -- A Cabinet Minister's advice to a young applicant for a position
115
vi
CONTENTS.
Chapter XI -- Strange recognitions -- Stoien money returned-Monterey-Hospitality of its inhabitants-Its deeay -- A fandango -- Don David Spense and Don Juan Cooper. Meeting of old friends-Talbot H. Green -- His generosity-Refusal of nominations for United States Senator and Mayor-His marriage -- Recognition by a lady-The Democratic Convention -- Green's identification as an absconder-Denial of the charge -- His departure from San Francisco -- Subsequent career 122
Chapter XII-Wages and merchandise-A slow English firm-A customer for bowie knives. A shrewd speculation in sheetings. 132
Chapter XIII -- John W. Geary-History of his advancements -- As Alcalde and as Mayor ... 139 Chapter XIV -- The Society of California Pioneers-Their indorsement of the "Annals." "Woman's rights"-True sphere of a woman --- Resources of California-News- papers, banks and manufactories -- The judiciary-The railroads and the new con- stitution-Californians who have won laurels in the East -- Loss of the Central America-Rescue of the women and children by the brig Marine-Terrible part- ings-Cowardice of two men-Others saved-General Sherman's account -- A pas- senger's story 162
Chapter XV-Fascination of pioneer times-Anecdotes and stories in illustration. 173
Chapter XVI -- A California miser-A speculation in hogs -A marriage of a bashful woman. A life saved by New York law-A lawyer's first appearance in court-A good speech reserved- Squatters dispersed by refusing to talk-A case won by using an Irish authority-A "divide " with robbers and lawyers -- Dan Murphy loses his cash .... 179
ELLEN HARVEY; OR, THE WIFE'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
Chapter 1-On board of the steamer. 213
II-A pleasant lunch party-Retrospect. 219
Ill-The proposal of marriage 230
IV-Departure for California. 236
V-Sickness -- Susan Marsh, the nurse 241
VI-Mrs. Gabit-The wife's anguish 249
VII-Ellen and the Rev. Father. 262
VIII- Frank's letter to his wife. 273
IX-The wife's letter to her husband 282
X-Susan Marsh's subsequent history-Conclusion 287
ADA ALLEN; OR, THE HUSBAND'S SURPRISE.
Chapter I-Arrival in San Francisco-Captain Casserly 293
II-Edmund Allen-A beautiful girl 301
III -- A troublesome column of figures 307
IV -- The poor widow -- Mr. Morehouse and Edmund. 312
V-The song -- The proposal of marriage 320
VI-News from California-A terrible dream 325
VH-Minnie Wagner-Brother and sister 329
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CONTENTS
VIII -- The girl's errand -- Ada and Minnie. 337
IX -- Desire to go to California-Departure .. 343
X -- First letter from Edmund-Mrs. Bucket .. 348
XI-Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse and Mrs. Bucket. 357
XII-The welcome letter from Edmund 365
XIII The wife's anxiety-Departure. 369
XIV-San Francisco-The pretty little cottage. 383
XV -- From the theater-The joyful meeting . 387
XVI -- Waiting for letters -- Mrs. Bucket again. 393
XVII -- A housekeeper's difficulties-Conclusion. . 395
MINNIE WAGNER; OR, THE FORGED NOTE.
Chapter I-A happy breakfast-Arrival in California 401
II -- Sir John Cameron -- Agnes and Lusk. 409
III-A selfish child -- Father and daughter 417
IV -- The robbers trapped -- Young Lusk. 422
V -- Escape-Capture of a Chilean vessel -- The fight. 430
VI-News from Walter -- Mrs. Lighthead. 439
VII -- Minnie's plan to meet her brother 458
XIII-Rich gold diggings-John Ward. 463
IX -- Discovery -- Wild and Jim Becket-In danger 481
X -- Pursuit-The villains foiled-New friends. 497
XI-The drunken messenger -- The forged note. 509
XII -- Waiting-Attempted abduction-The villains' fate. . 516
XIII-A visit from Captain Ward-Somber thoughts. 533
XIV-James De Forest and Minnie -- The Colonel's cattle. 539
XV-Preparing for sea-Captain Ward and Brown.
545
XVI -- Confession of love-Captain Ward's arrival ..
551
XVII -- Attempted assassination -- A consultation . XVIII-The robbery-Minnie's encouragement. ..
. 559
XIX-More trouble for Walter-Minnie's request. .. . 580
XX-Arrival of James De Forest -- Minnie's generosity . . 588
YXI-A note from Captain Ward -- " A boat ahoy !"
. 599
XXII -- A visit to Father Maginnis -- Captain Ward's proposal. 605
XXIII-Walter and Ward-Caught in a trap. 613
XXIV-Miss Scott and Lizzie-The struggle. 626
XXV -- Anxiety for Walter and Minnie -- On the track. 639
XXVI-The prisoners -- Captain Ward's horrid fate 644
XXVII-At sea in an open boat-Rescued by De Forest. . 657
XXVIII-Happy events- Conclusion 672
566
A PICTURE OF PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER I.
"THE ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO"-THEIR UNPARDONABLE ERRORS-THIE FOUNDING OF THE MISSIONS - THE GOOD THEY ACCOMPLISHED - THEIR GREAT WEALTII- INFLUENCE UPON THE INDIANS-THE TRADUSERS OF THE MISSION FATHERS-MR. DWINELLE'S ADDRESS AT THE CENTENNIAL CELE- BRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MISSION DOLORES-MISS SKIDMORE'S POEM.
In the year 1854, when the duration of the American rule in California was yet but little over five years, three well known citizens, then residing in San Francisco, wrote and published a book entitled "The Annals of San Francisco," and dedicated it to the "Society of California Pioneers." This book was nei. her more nor less than a caricature of the manners and habits of the early American settlers of this coast. We all knew of its grave misrepresentations, and looked upon it with contempt, not only for that, but because it was plainly got up to puff individuals mostly unworthy, and because it was written in a style of hold, immoral bravado, that was disgusting to all true Californians. Notwithstanding this, it was for a time widely circulated, and read almost without adverse comment, for in the rush and ex- citement of those days no one had time to attack it and expose its true character. It had its run; and, as is the case with all such books, it soon dropped out of sight. Its publication and its fate, however, prevented any attempt by others to write a more faithful history of the times; so that to-day it remains the only book claiming to be a regular, authentic history of the pioneer times in California.
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PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
As I have said, it was dedicated to the Society of Cali- fornia Pioneers, and they never repudiated the dedication. The book, therefore, went forth with their indorsement. This gave it a standing it never could have had otherwise. As the Society of California Pioneers is of the very first respectability, each individual member is supposed to be a competent witness to the truth of its assertions. This criminal neglect by the society, in not repudiating the dedication, was most serious in its conse- quences; for, although the book is very seldom met with in pri- vate libraries, we find it constantly quoted by lecturers and writers on California, as first class authority.
In this volume I do not pretend to give a regular history of pioneer times in California; but simply a picture of them, intend- ing to show the true character of the emigrants who flocked to this State on the discovery of gold in 1848, and later. This pic- ture of mine will be found so entirely different from any that could be drawn from the "Annals," that, to satisfy my readers that I do not condemn that book unjustly, it is necessary for me to give some parts of it in a short review.
In many instances the " Annals " give the facts of history . correctly, but the trouble is the authors are not satisfied to let the facts speak for themselves, when the impression given is op- posed to their views and prejudices. No; in such cases they do all they can to make "truth seem a lie," or vice versa, as may be agreeable to them.
For instance, let us take the history of the early Missions in California, just as it is recorded in the "Annals," without the comments, sneers and "reflections" of the authors themselves, and what do we find ? We find that, a little over one hundred years ago, in 1776, this beautful State of ours lay almost asleep here on the Pacific slope, inhabited only by about seventy-five thousand Indians. According to the "Annals," we find those Indians to be of the most degraded caste, making a precarious and miserable livelihood by hunting, fishing and collecting the acorns that are found on a sort of scrub oak in the mountain dis- tricts. They were naked and houseless. Then we find coming on the scene the Missionary Fathers, at first four in number, and according to the "Annals" men of wonderful energy, of surprising judgment, pious and virtuous -- "pure in their lives, and faithful to their calling," they tell us. They had nothing of self to work for. Their lives were simple as frugality could make
3
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
them. They had no wives and children to be aggrandized and made rich. They had no string of poor relations hanging around them to be cared for. No; according to the facts given us in the "Annals," they had nothing to urge them on but the purest be- nevolence and their anxiety to bring those benighted, poor, miserable human beings to the knowledge of the true and only God, and at the same time to relieve their physical wants by clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. According to the "Annals," the Missionaries succeeded in converting more than twenty-five thousand of these people to the knowledge of God and the Christian religion; and then we find these Indians clothed, fed, housed, and happy. We find them industrious and hard working, as the monuments left attest. We find, by the testimony of the "Annals," that the government under which the Missionary Fathers had brought them was of a kind, parental character. The same authority tells us that "towards the converts and actually domesticated servants the Fathers always showed such an affectionate kindness as a father pays to the youngest and most helpless of his family." Then, from the "Annals" we learn, that the labors of the Missionaries were crowned with success to the fullest, changing this idle, vagabond people into an industrious, productive farming community, as the following statement of live stock raised by the Missionaries in 1825, and of the farming produce of the harvest of 1831, will attest:
In 1825 the Mission Dolores, of this city, had 76,000 head of cattle, 950 tame horses, - breeding mares, 84 stud of choice breed, 820 mules, 79,000 sheep, 2,000 hogs, 456 yoke of working oxen, 18,000 bushels of grain, $35, - 000 worth of merchandise, and $25,000 in specie.
In 1823 Santa Clara branded 29,400 calves as the year's increase, and owned 74,280 head of full-grown cattle, 407 yoke of working oxen, 82,540 sheep, 1,890 trained horses, 4,235 mares, 725 mules, 1,000 hogs, and $120,- 000 in goods.
San Jose had, in 1825, 3,000 Indians, 62,000 head cf cattle, 840 tame horses, 1,500 mares, 420 mules, 310 yoke of oxen, and 62,000 sheep.
San Juan Batista, in 1820, owned 43,870 head of cattle, 1,360 tame horses, 4,879 mares, colts and fillies, 69,530 sheep, 321 yoke of working oxen, $75,- 000 in goods, and $20,000 in specie.
In 1825, San Carlos branded 2,300 calves, and had 87,600 head of cattle, 1,800 horses and mares, 365 yoke of oxen, 5,400 sheep, much merchandise, and $40,000 in specie.
Santa Cruz, in 1830, had 48,200 head of cattle, 3,200 horses and mares, 72,500 sheep, 200 mules, large herds of swine, and $25,000 worth of silver plate.
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PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
Soledad, in 1826, owned 36,000 head of cattle, 300 yoke of oxen, 70,000 sheep, and more horses and mares than any other Mission. So rapidly did its horses increase that they were given away in order to preserve the pas- tures for cattle and sheep.
In 1822, San Antonio owned 52,800 head of cattle, 1,800 tame horses, 3,000 mares, 500 yoke of working oxen, 600 mules, 48,000 sheep, and 1,000 swine
San Miguel, in 1821, owned 91,000 head of cattle, 1,100 tame horses, 3,000 mares, 2,000 mules, 170 yoke of working oxen, and 47,000 sheep.
San Fernando, in 1826, owned 56,000 head of cattle, 1,500 horses and mares, 200 mules, 400 yoke of working oxen, 64,000 sheep, 2,000 swine, $50,- 000 in merchandise, and $90,000 in specie. Its vineyards yielded 4,000 gallons of wine and brandy per annum.
In 1829, San Gabriel had 70,000 head of cattle, 1,200 horses, 3,000 mares, 400' mules, 120 yoke of working oxen, and 54,000 sheep. Its annual income from wine was $12,000.
In 1826, San Luis Rey had 70,000 head of cattle, 2,000 horses, 140 yoke of tume oxen, and 68,000 sheep.
At one time San Luis Obispo had 80,000 head of grown cattle, 2,000 tame horses, 3,500 mares, 3,700 mules, and 72,000 sheep.
La Purissima, in 1830, had over 40,000 head of cattle, 300 yoke of working oxen, 2,600 tame horses, 4,000 mares, 30,000 sheep, and 5,000 swine.
Santa Inez, in 1820, owned $800,000 worth of property:
Santa Barbara, in 1828, had 40,000 head of cattle, 1,000 horses, 2,000 mares, 80 yoke of oxen, 600 mules, and 20,000 sheep.
San Buenaventura, in 1825, owned 37,000 head of cattle, 600 riding horses, 1,300 mares, 200 yoke of working oxen, 500 mules, 30,000 sheep, 200 goats, 2,000 swine, orchards, vineyards, $35,000 in foreign goods, $27,000 in specie, with church ornaments and clothing valued at $61,000.
The harvest of 1831 was:
Bushels of wheat. 62,860
Bushels of corn 27,315
Bushels of beans and peas 6,817
In what an absurd light this showing puts the sneers of the authors of the "Annals!" Supposing these Indians to be of our own race and intelligence, could they have done much better, considering their numbers and the primitive sort of farming tools in their possession, and the total absence of farming ma- chinery ?
There is not one material fact cited in the whole account by the "Annals" affecting the character of the Missionary Fath- ers. The picture of contentment, happiness and physical com- fort this people present to our view is most charming, so much so that even the authors of the " Annals " themselves cannot help exclaiming: "The great beauty and peacefulness of such
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PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
a life must be a delightful subject of contemplation to the wear- ied spirits who labored through the turmoils, anxieties and vex- ations of the great world." These Missions flourished in all their splendor for about seventy-five years, and for that long period more than thirty thousand human beings were well fed, well clothed and well housed. They were taught to be indus- trious and useful workers, while their leisure hours were made happy by the inauguration of innocent amusements. Not only the authors of the " Annals," but every writer of credit who has treated of these Missions, agrees in saying that the Indians, while under the control of the Missionary Fathers, were virtu- ous, industrious, good and happy. "A tree is known by its fruit," and one would suppose that the " Annals " would have been content to give the facts of history in regard to the Mis- sions, and let their readers form their own conclusions. They, however, do nothing of that sort; they interlard the whole account with sneering comments and absurd " reflections," that do them no credit if they pretend to be believers in Christianity. They go to the expense of having wood-cuts prepared for their book, intended to bring ridicule on the Missionary Fathers. They assert that the Indians were only seemingly converted, and that, after their seeming conversion, they were nothing but " lazy, fat, over-fed beasts," worse than when they were naked, hungry and houseless, under the control of sorcerers in religion. Then, with a self-complacency that is refreshing, they say: " California and humanity owe nothing to the Missionary Fath- ers. Away with them!" You, my young readers, who are natives of this California of ours, will, I trust, feel it a duty to examine this subject for yourselves, and see how far the " An- nals " are justified in the judgment the authors pronounce with such apparent satisfaction to themselves. When you do so, I think you will find every fact of history in relation to these Mis- sions a condemnation of the flippant judgment they give, even if you search no further than their own book. If it were other- wise, how could it have been possible for the Missionary Fath- ers to accomplish the wonders they tell us of? If the Indians, when fed, clothed and housed, were not immensely improved, morally, intellectually and physically, could they have made the showing recorded in the " Annals " in stock-raising and general farming? If men do not believe in religion of any sort, of course they will, as the authors of the "Annals " do in this
6
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
case, ridicule as absurd the attempts that religious men are con- stantly making all the world over to bring heathens to the knowledge of God and His religion. If this is the position of our authors, we can understand them, so far as religion goes; but they should explain to us how it is that humanity owes nothing to those who, as they tell us, rescued thousands, and tens of thousands, of poor human beings from nakedness, hull- ger and cold, and changed them into a happy, well-fed, prosper- ous people. They tell us the Missionaries were virtuous, good, and faithful to their calling. Why is it that that calling was not a noble one which they so faithfully followed for over seventy-five years ? Why is it that if the authors of the " An- nals " had saved ten human beings from cold and starvation, be their skins white, black or red, they would expect their praises to be sung throughout the land ? And so they surely would be. Yet, the mighty work of the Missionaries " deserves nothing from humanity!" Why is it that the name of Florence Nightin- gale is a household word with the English-speaking people all the world over? Yet, what comparison is there in what she did to earn her well-deserved renown to the life-long charity of the Missionary Fathers in California ? Yet the " Annals " tell us they " deserve nothing from humanity." It is to be regretted that such a man as Doctor Stillman should also yield to early- imbibed prejudices so far as to chime in with these authors of the " Annals" in an onslaught on the California Missions, as he does in his very entertaining book entitled, "Seeking the Golden Fleece." His statements to the disadvantage of the Missionaries are supported by quotations from the reports of some early navigators on this coast-one a Frenchman, another a Russian, and two more, Englishmen. Every one of these men was the bitterest natural enemy of Spain, and anxious that their own respective nations should get possession of this beau- tiful country. Some of them were badly treated here, and were generally only permitted to remain a few days in the country. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that the reports they gave of all they saw in California should be most unfavora- ble to the Spanish authorities, and especially to the Mission- aries. But why go back so far to get testimony for or against the Missionaries of California, when we have it here at home, where its truth can be tested ? Why did not the Doctor go to Santa Clara, or any of the other principal old Missions, and in-
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PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
terview old men, wno are there to be found even now, who lived at those Missions at the very time some of the Doctor's witnesses are said to have visited this coast, and ascertained from those living witnesses the truth as to the conduct of those Missions when under the rule of the Missionaries? When we came here, in '49, there were Americans, Englishmen and Scotchmen living here who had been on this coast from ten to twenty years before our time, and of course while the Missions were in the hight of their power, yet not a word had any of them to say that would corroborate Doctor Stillman's represen- tations. The Doctor's statement, in brief, is about this: That the Missionaries were " cruel " and " brutally tyrannical " in their government of the Indians. That they sunk the Indians to a lower state of " nastiness and filth " and " general degrada- tion " than they found this people in when they came among them. Then the Doctor concludes by telling us, in sober earnestness, that "The three great divisions of Christendom, Catholic, Greek Catholic and Protestant, give a fearful array of evidence " to prove that all this is so. One division he makes out to be the Frenchman, as he supposes him to be a Catholic. The second division of Christendom he calls the Rus- sian, as he takes him to be a Greek Catholic. The third division is his English witness, as he supposes him to be a Protestant. If the Doctor is right in holding that Christendom or Christian- ity was embodied in these three men, the evidence they give is undoubtedly very important; but if the plain truth were known, I think there are nine chances to one that not one of these sail- ors cared a fig about religion of any sort. They were all men of the world, attached to their own nationalities and against all others, with the strong prejudices of those times. They un- doubtedly agreed on one point, and that was, that all done by Spain was badly done, and must be represented to the home government in the worst possible light.
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