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GENERAL LIBRARY -- OF THE-
PARK CHURCH -IN- ELMIRA, N. Y. No. 1705
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02303 5170
Gc 979.4 B22H v. 4 BANCROFT, HUBERT HOWE. HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA
V
M. L.
REFERENCE AMERICANA COLLECTION
THE WORKS
OF
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.
THE WORKS
OF
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.
VOLUME XXI.
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.
VOL. IV. 1840-1845.
SAN FRANCISCO : A. L. BANCROFT & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 1886.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1886, by HUBERT H. BANCROFT, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
All Rights Reserved.
Bartfield - $375.00 (quals)
CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.
1216834
CHAPTER I.
ALVARADO'S RULE-THE GRAHAM AFFAIR. 1S40-1842. PAGE
Governor's Policy-Spirit of Foreigners-Fears and Rumors-Padre Real's Warning-In the Junta-Garner's Denunciation-The Horse- race-Theories-Castro and Vallejo-A Foreign Plot-Diary of a Crazy Man-The Arrest-Documentary Record-Alvarado's Procla- mation-In the South-Exaggerations and Falsehoods-Lists of Names-Arrest of Graham and Morris-In Prison at Monterey- Thomas J. Farnham-Trial-The Voyage-At Sta Bárbara-At Tepic -Efforts of British Consul Barron-Action of Government-Return of Nineteen Exiles-Castro's Trial in Mexico-The Danaïde and St Louis at Monterey-Visit of the Curacoa-English Claims-Commodore Jones and the American Claims.
1
CHAPTER II.
MISSION ANNALS AND INDIAN AFFAIRS. 1836-1840.
Condition of Missions in 1836-Secularization-Acts of Authorities 1836- 8-Chico's Policy-Secularization of Five Missions-New Missions Proposed-The Revolution and its Effect-Spoliation-Alvarado's Efforts for Reform-Reglamento of 1839-Hartnell as Visitador Gen- eral-Reglamento of 1840-Duran's Views-Hartnell's Second Visita Resignation-Mission Statistics-President and Prefect-Ecclesias- tical-García Diego as Bishop-Stipends of Friars-Pious Fund- Indian Affairs-Troubles on the San Dicgo Frontier-Ranchos Plun- dered-Sonoma Frontier-Vallejo's Policy-Fights and Treaties- Small-pox-South of the Bay-Horse-thieves-The Chaguanosos- Seasons and Earthquakes.
CHAPTER III.
COMMERCE, FINANCE, AND MARITIME AFFAIRS. 1836-1840.
General Remarks-Statistics of Trade-New Mexican Traders-Otter Skins-Smuggling-Chico's Bando-Action of California Congress- ( vii )
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Vessels of 1836-Regulations-Hawaiian Trade-Cattle Driven to Oregon by Young-Edward's Diary-Vallejo's Plans-Fleet and Revenues of 1837-Carrillo's Decree-Vessels and Statistics of 1838 -Otter-hunting-Captain Baneroft Killed by Indians-Silver for Duties-Coasting Trade to be Prohibited-Vessels of 1839-Alva- rado's Policy-Stearns as a Smuggler-Fleet of 1840-Officers of Cus- tom-house and Comisaría-Financial Administration-Distribution of Revenues-Alphabetical List of Vessels, 1836-40
79
CHAPTER IV.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AND PIONEERS.
1836-1840.
Foreign Influence in the Revolution-Interference as a Current Topic- Attitude of Different Classes-French Relations-Rumored Cession of California to England-Quotations frem American Papers-Policy in 1837-8-Horse-thieves-Restrictions of 1839-40-The Exiles-Pi- oneers-Personal Items-Authorities-Statistics-Something about the Old Settlers-Their Character and Influence-Prominent Names -New-comers of 1836-40-Most of Them Transient Visitors-Immi- gration-Annual Lists-Chronological Items-The Lausanne and her Passengers at Bodega.
107
CHAPTER V. SUTTER'S FORT-VISITS AND BOOKS. 1836-1840.
John A. Sutter's Early Life-Comes to California via Oregon, Honolulu, and-Sitka-Reception at Monterey-Purchases on Credit-Trip up the Sacramento-Nueva Helvecia Founded-Relations with Sonoma -Annals of 1839-40-Indian Policy-Cattle, Beaver-skins, and Brandy-Sutter's Plans-Phelps' Visit-Recruits-Sutter a Mexican Citizen-Bibliography of Foreign Visits-The Peacock-Ruschenber- ger's Narrative-The Sulphur-Belcher's Narrative-Survey of the sacramento-Slaeum's Visit-The Venus-Petit-Thouars' Voyage -- Forbes on California-The Artémise-Laplace, Campagne-Phelps' Fore and Aft-Farnham's Life in California-J. F. B. M. 122
CHAPTER VI.
THE RUSSIANS IN CALIFORNIA. 1831-1841.
Yearly Vessels-Résumé-Report of 1831-Khlébnikof's Mission-Vic- toria's Policy -- Figueroa's Diplomacy-Vallejo's Mission to Ross- Wrangell and Beechey-Annals of 1834-9-Kostromitinof Succeeded by Rotchef-Warehouse at Sauzalito-Wrangell's Plan of Extension - His Failure in Mexico, 1836-Resolve to Abandon Ross, 1838-9 --
ix
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Proposed Sale to Hudson's Bay Company-Affair of the Lausanne, 1810-Vallejo and Kuprianof-Proposed Sale to Vallejo-Land and Buildings-Absurd Instructions from Mexico-Sale to Sutter-Con- tract and Deed-No Land Purchased-Russian Title to Ross-The Muldrow Claim of Later Years-Departure of the Colonists-How the Debt was Paid, 1845-59
153
CHAPTER VII.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND GENERAL CONDITION. 1841.
Events of the Year-Small Part Played by Californians-Apathy in Poli- tics-A Season of Drought-At the Capital-Governor Alvarado- Jimeno Acting Ruler-No Session of the Junta Departamental-No Excess of Government-Administration of Justice-Mission Affairs -Continued Spoliation-Mofras' Statistics-Pueblo of San Juan de Argüello-The Bishop's Arrival-Indian Affairs-A Time of Peace -Military Items-Alvarado and Vallejo-Policy and Motives of the Comandante General-Unfounded Charges-Action in Mexico- Reconciliation-Castro or Prudon-Vallejo's Plans for Reform .... 190
CHAPTER VIII.
COMMERCIAL AND MARITIME AFFAIRS-THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY- VISITS AND BOOKS. 1841.
Trading Regulations-Coasting Trade Suspended and Restored-New Mexican Caravan - Smuggling -- Vallejo's Plau - Otter-hunting -- Whalers-List of Vessels-Statistics of Revenue-Financial Admin- istration-Hudson's Bay Company iu California-Visit and Journal of Sir James Douglas-The Fur-hunters Licensed-Purchase of Live- stock-Proposed Trading-post-Rae's Establishment at Yerba Buena -Visit of Sir George Simpson and Chief Factor McLoughlin-The Company and Sutter-Simpson to Vallejo-Map-Simpson's Narra- tive-Quotations-Warner's Lecture on California-Peirce's Visit and Journal. 203
CHAPTER IX.
SUTTER'S FORT-U. S. EXPLORING EXPEDITION-DUFLOT DE MOFRAS. 1841-1849.
Progress at New Helvetia-The Fort-Indians-Industries-Vioget's Map-Sutter's Land Grant-Visitors-Purchase of Ross-Views of Peirce and Simpson-Sutter's Troubles-Debts-Trade and Trapping -Vallejo and Sutter-Threats of Revolt-Letter to Leese-U. S. Exploring Expedition-The Fleet-Published Results-Operations in California-Ringgold on the Sacramento-Emmons' . Overland
x
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Trip from Oregon -- Map-Wilkes' Narrative-Serious Defects-Quo- tations-Duflot de Mofras-His Movements-His Experience at Monterey, Yerba Buena, and Sonoma-His Character-Book-Map. 226
CHAPTER X.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AND IMMIGRATION.
1841.
Hopes and Plans of Foreign Nations-United States-Manifest Destiny -Wilkes and Warner-Foreign Opinions-British Projects-Simp- son's Views-Aspirations of France-Mofras on a Catholic Protecto- rate-Sutter as a Frenchman-Advantages of Yankee Methods -- Beginning of Overland Immigration-Excitement in the Frontier States-Bartleson Party from Missouri-Bidwell's Diary-Narratives of Belden, Chiles, and Hopper-Crossing the Desert and Sierra-List of Names-Arrival and Reception-Policy toward Foreigners- Vallejo's Acts-Dr Marsh-The Workman-Rowland Party from New Mexico-Wilson's Narrative-Rowland's List Other Parties -Mrs Walker and Mrs Kelsey-List of New-comers for 1841-Items about Old Settlers
256
CHAPTER XI.
ALVARADO, VALLEJO, AND MICHELTORENA.
1842.
Prudon at Monterey-Alvarado's Plots-Bustamante or Santa Anna- The Governor's Despatches-Departure of the Comisionados Casta- ñares and Prudon-Too Late-Manuel Micheltorena Appointed Governor and Comandante General-His Instructions-Raising an Army of Convicts-The Journey-Batallon Fijo-List of Officers -- Arrival at San Diego-At Los Angeles-Vallejo Turns over the Mil- itary Command-Alvarado Disappointed but Submissive-Proclama- tion-Micheltorena Assumes the Governorship at Angeles in De- cember-Junta Departamental-Tribunal de Justicia-Discovery of Gold. . 281
CHAPTER XII.
COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY. 1842.
English, French, and American Schemes-Jones' Instructions-The French Fleet-English Fleet-Rumors of War-Cession of Californias- Monroe Doctrine-The United States and Cyane at Monterey-Cap- ture of the Guipuzcoana-Jones' Position and Motives-Occupation and Restoration of the Capital-Authorities in Manuscript and Print-Jones at San Francisco and Sonoma-Reports-Arrival of the Dale and Yorktown -- In the South-Micheltorena's Valor-Mex-
xi
CONTENTS.
PAGE
ican Bombast-Repor's to Mexico-Claims for Damages-The Tasso and Alert-Jones at Los Angeles-Bocanegra-and Thompson in Mex- ico-Webster and Almonte in Washington-In Congress-The Press -Jones Recalled. 298
CHAPTER XIII. MISSIONS, COMMERCE, AND FOREIGNERS.
1842.
Mission Management-Decree of Restoration-Duran and Alvarado- Local Items-Bishop García Diego at Santa Bárbara-Grand Episco- pal Plans-The Pious Fund in Mexico-Santa Anna Takes It from the Bishop-Incorporated in the National Treasury-The Result- Indian Affairs-No Hostilities and Few Rumors-Commercial and Maritime Affairs-List of Vessels-Financial Items-Foreigners- List of Pioneers and Visitors for the Year-Part of the Bartleson Company Return Overland-Miuor Items-New Mexican Immigra- tion-Bibliography of 1842-Robinson's Life in California-Visit of the King's Orphan-Bidwell's Journey-Marsh's Letter to Jones- Peirce's Letter
330
CHAPTER XIV. MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 1843.
The Governor at Los Angeles-Financial Troubles-Warfare against Destitution-A Junta of Angelinos-Aid from Citizens, from Vallejo, and from Limantour-Symptoms of Controversy-Micheltorena with his Batallon Comes to Monterey-Reception-Rumors of Revolt- Graham's Offer-Junta of Officers at Monterey-Prefectures Sup- pressed-Absence of Records-Swearing of the Bases-Vote for Santa Anna-Junta Departamental-Elections-Castañares for Congress- Indian Affairs-Expedition to Mendocino or Clear Lake-The Cho- los at Angeles and Monterey-Exaggerated Accusations ... 350
CHAPTER XV.
MISSIONS-COMMERCE-MARITIME AFFAIRS. 1843.
Anticipation of a Change-Policy of Governor and Padres-Micheltorena's Decree Restoring the Missions to the Friars-Motives-The Change Effected-Mission Lands-Missionary Personnel and Officials-The Bishop and his Financial Troubles-Tithes-García Diego and Vallejo-Patroness of the Diocese-Friars not to be Politicians- Scandal Prevented-Commercial Regulations-Smuggling-Fear of Losing the Boston Trade-Whalers-Minor Items-Custom-house Officials-Finance-Falling-off of Revenues-List of Vessels ..... 368
xiv
CONTENTS.
PAGE
-Constitutional Reforms-Prefectures Restored-Vote for Presi- dent-Jones and Larkin-Castillero's Mission-Military Organiza- tion-September Revolt at Angeles-Elections-Alvarado for Con- gress-Varela Revolt at Angeles-Carrillo Exiled-Flores Revolt at Santa Bárbara-Indian Affairs-Contract with Gantt and Marsh -Local Items 518
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE MISSIONS-COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
1845.
Secularization to be Completed-Pico's Policy-Chronological Develop- ments Views of President Duran-Bandos of April, May, and Octo- ber-Preparations and Inventories-Debts-Pico's Regulations for Sale and Renting of the Missions-Three Establishments Sold-Four Rented-Ecclesiastical Affairs-Pious Fund-Commerce-Foreign Goods-A New Class of Smuggling-Whalers-Custom-house-AI- varado as Administrator-Minor Ports-Treasury-Ábrego and Valle-Financial Difficulties and Statistics-Castro and Pico-The Star of the West Wrecked -- Distribution of Debt and Revenue-List of Vessels, 1841-45. 546
CHAPTER XXIV.
IMMIGRANT COMPANIES AND PIONEERS.
1845.
Overland Immigration-New Mexicans-The McMahon-Clyman Com- pany from Oregon in July-Clyman's Diary-Oregon Train of 1845- Palmer's Journal-Cooke's Scenes-Californian Agents at Fort Hall The Swasey-Todd Company-Sublette and his Men-The Grigsby- Ide Company-Names-Women and Children-Recollections of Miss Ide-Statements of Knight, Gregson, Dewell, Elliott, and Tustin- Frémont's Third Expedition-Over the Sierra by Two Routes in De- cember-A Blunder-Kings River and Kern River-Bibliography- The Hastings-Semple Company-A Narrow Escape-Pioneers and Visitors of 1845. 571
CHAPTER XXV.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
1845.
Foreign Consulates-Larkin, Leidesdorff, Forbes, Gasquet, and Lataillade -British Schemes-Nothing but Suspicions-Hudson's Bay Com- pany-Suicide of Rae-Schemes of the United States-Buchanan to Larkin-Plans of Marsh and Weber-Impending War-Arrest of Smith-Orders from Mexico-Pico's Proclamations-Military Prep- arations-Kind Treatment of Immigrants-Mexicau Orders for Ex-
XV
CONTENTS.
PAGE
pulsion of Americans -- Castro Permits Them to Remain-Affairs on the Sacramento-Sutter's Welcome to New-comers-The Russians Want their Pay-Sutter Wishes to Sell out-Diary of New Helve-
tia 589
CHAPTER XXVI.
LOCAL ANNALS OF THE SOUTH.
1841-1845.
Population-San Diego-Last of the Presidial Company-Municipal Af- fairs-Ranchos-Mission San Diego-San Luis Rey-Padre Ibarra- Wasting-away of the Estates-San Juan Capistrano-Pueblo of San Juan de Argüello-San Dieguito, San Pascual, and Las Flores-Los Angeles District-Statistics-City and Suburbs-Local Events-Pre- fecture and Municipal Government-Criminal Record-Ranchos- San Pedro-San Gabriel-Decadence under Majordomos-San Ber- nardino-Agua Mansa-San Fernando-Mission Rented-Santa Bárbara District-Presidio and Town-Sub-prefect and Jueces de Paz-Ranchos-Mission-Inventories and Renting-San Buenaven- tura-Santa Inés-Padre Moreno-The College-Purísima-Padre 617 Abella-Small-pox-Ruin and Salc.
CHAPTER XXVII.
LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.
1841-1845.
Population of the North and of California-Monterey District-Events at the Capital-Military Items-Prefecture-Municipal Affairs- List of Ranchos-San Carlos-San Luis Obisbo -- A New Pueblo- Sale of Ex-mission Property-San Miguel-San Antonio-Soledad- San Juan de Castro-Santa Cruz-Villa de Branciforte-San Fran- cisco District-Population-Events-Pueblo Matters-Sub-prefect- ure-Military-Growth of Yerba Buena-New Custom-house-Land Grants in the North-Mission Dolores-San Rafael-Solano- Pue- blo of Sonona-Ross and Bodega-New Helvetia-San José Mission -Padres Muro, Gutierrez, and Quijas-Santa Clara-Padre Mercado -Pueblo of San José. 649
PIONEER REGISTER AND INDEX. 'Ibañez' to 'Quivey' ....... . . 688
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER I.
ALVARADO'S RULE-THE GRAHAM AFFAIR. 1840-1842.
GOVERNOR'S POLICY-SPIRIT OF FOREIGNERS-FEARS AND RUMORS-PADRE REAL'S WARNING-IN THE JUNTA-GARNER'S DENUNCIATION-THE HORSE-RACE-THEORIES-CASTRO AND VALLEJO-A FOREION PLOT- DIARY OF A CRAZY MAN-THE ARREST-DOCUMENTARY RECORD-ALVA- RADO'S PROCLAMATION-IN THE SOUTH-EXAGGERATIONS AND FALSE- HOODS-LISTS OF NAMES-ARREST OF GRAHAM AND MORRIS-IN PRISON AT MONTEREY-THOMAS J. FARNHAM-TRIAL-THE VOYAGE-AT STA BÁRBARA-AT TEPIC-EFFORTS OF BRITISH CONSUL BARRON-ACTION OF GOVERNMENT-RETURN OF NINETEEN EXILES-CASTRO'S TRIAL IN MEX- ICO-THE 'DANA"DE' AND 'ST LOUIS' AT MONTEREY-VISIT OF THE 'CURAÇOA '-ENGLISH CLAIMS-COMMODORE JONES AND THE AMERICAN CLAIMS.
WE have now reached a period in the annals of California when the doings of foreigners become a more important element than those of natives or Mexi- cans, though the territorial ownership of the latter was not yet disputed. Indeed, matters pertaining directly or indirectly to the subject of foreign rela- tions fill two thirds of the space in this volume, which brings the country's history in all its phases down to 1845. Though the preceding volume brought politi- cal annals down to 1840, the chronological limits assigned to this volume are 1836-45, since several chapters are devoted to developments of earlier date- than 1840, one on the Russian establishment reaching back to 1831. This overlapping, as already explained, VOL. IV. 1
2
ALVARADO'S RULE-THE GRAHAM AFFAIR.
is unavoidable, except by the sacrifice of symmetrical subject-grouping; and in this instance it will prove obviously a convenience to the reader by throwing to- gether a large amount of matter pertaining to foreign affairs, and preliminary to a narrative of the so-called conquest of 1846-8, to be given in another volume. The Pioneer Register is continued in this volume, to be completed in the next.
The arrest and exile of Isaac Graham and his com- panions in 1840 belong properly to the subject of foreign relations, to be treated separately for this as for preceding periods; but as the narrative is much too long to be included in the chapter on that general subject for 1836-40, and as the topic is one of the most prominent in the annals of the year, I prefer to present it here in a separate chapter, the last of seven devoted to the political history of the half-decade, before proceeding to consider general institutionary matters of the same period.
The Graham affair is one which presents unusual difficulties to the historian. It is now, and probably will ever be, impossible to give a version that can be regarded as accurate in every particular. Much false testimony is before me on both sides respecting cer- tain phases of the matter; while on other phases the record, if accurate, is unsatisfactory. The version best known to the world is the partisan one published by Farnham, Wilkes, Hastings, and others who have followed those writers-a version grossly exaggerated, to say the least, against the Californians and in behalf of the American settlers. A statement much more moderate and just in tone, if somewhat less detailed in matter, is that of Alfred Robinson, reproduced in substance by Tuthill. The narrative of Duflot de Mofras is favorable to the Californians, and has been followed by Gleeson and one or two other writers .. My material from the archives and other original sources is plentiful, and I am in a position to correct
3
VIEWS OF THE SETTLERS.
many erroneous statements made by others, and to throw new light on the subject generally, even if I cannot clear away all uncertainty respecting it.
The number of foreign residents was considerably increased in these years, and many of the new-comers were men of a turbulent and undesirable class, being for the most part deserters from vessels on the coast. During the troubles of 1836-8, the government had been unable to enforce the restrictions required by the laws; indeed, Governor Alvarado could not consist- ently oppress a class of men who had done so much to put him in power, even if he could afford to make enemies of any in those troublous times. Many who exercised a sort of leadership over the foreigners were not satisfied with the results of the revolution, or with their failure to make of California another Texas; while Texan history served also on the other hand as a warning to the Californian authorities. The for- eigners, lawless and boisterous by nature and educa- tion, regarding all Spaniards as of an inferior and despicable racc, took advantage of existing circum- stances to become not only independent in their actions and annoyingly familiar in manner,1 but loud, boast-
1 'I was insulted,' said Alvarado to Alfred Robinson, Life in Cal., 179-84, 'at every turn by the drunken followers of Graham; and when walking in the garden, they would come to its wall and call to me in terms of the greatest familiarity: "Ho! Bautista, come here, I want to speak to you;" Bautista here, Bautista there, and Bautista everywhere.' Any one familiar with the spirit of English and American sojourners in a foreign land, and with their opinions of all that is Spanish since the days of Sir Francis Drake, may easily imagine the airs put on by these fellows. Farnham, Life in Cal., 66, etc., writes as follows: 'Alvarado became suspicions of the foreigners who had aidedl him in the revolution, and sought every means of annoying them. They might depose him as they had done Echeandia. And if vengeance were always a certain consequent of injustice, he reasoned well. The vagabond had prom- ised, in the day of his need, to bestow lands on those who had saved his neck and raised him to power. This he found it convenient to forget. Like Spaniards of all ages and countries, after having been well served by his friends, he rewarded them with the most heartless ingratitude.' 'Another cause of the general feeling against the Americans and Britons in California was the fact that the señoritas, the dear ladies, in the plenitude of their taste and sympathy for foreigners, preferred them as husbands. Hence José Castro was heard to declare a little before the arrest, that such indignities could not be borne by Castilian blood; "for a Californian cavaliero cannot woo a seño- rita if opposed in his suit by an American sailor, and these heretics must be cleared from the land." Such were the causes operating to arouse the wrath and ripen the patriotism of the Californians. The vengeance of baffled gal-
4
ALVARADO'S RULE-THE GRAHAM AFFAIR.
ful, and even threatening in their talk. These circum- stances were non-interference in the matter of pass- ports, the aid some of them had rendered to Alvarado, their increasing number and that of their natural allies the trappers of the interior, the well known dis- sensions between the Californian leaders, the danger of new revolts in the south, and the threatening atti- tude of the Indians in different parts of the depart- ment; and the same circumstances which made the foreigners bold and impudent rendered the Califor- nians timid. Alvarado knew that the southern oppo-
sition to his rule was not extinct. He was beginning to regard Vallejo as a new and formidable foe in the north; and the latter had constantly insisted that dall- ger, exaggerated perhaps in the interest of his military schemes, was impending from foreign encroachments. The governor and others knew that the presence of these lawless, uncontrollable strangers was not desira- ble. It was feared, and with much reason, that they would either seize upon a favorable opportunity to take possession of the country with aid from outside, or that they might at least enable some one of the hostile factions to overthrow the administration and plunge the country again into civil strife. The fear was real and wide-spread; but under such circumstances it is not unlikely that undue importance was attached to par- ticular rumors, nor impossible that in certain quarters pretexts were even sought for ending the suspense by bringing the matter to an early issue.
lantry bit at the ear of Capt. Jose Castro; the fear of being brought to justice by Graham tugged at the liver of Alvarado; and love, the keenest, and hate, the bitterest, in a soul the smallest that was ever entitled to the breath of life, buruished the little black eyes and inflamed the little thin nose of ono Corporal P'into. These were the worthies who projected the onslaught on the foreigners. Their plan of operations was tho shrewdest one ever concocted in California.' I give more space to Farnham's ravings than they would otherwise deserve, because he was in Cal. at the time, and had better oppor- tunities to learn the truth respecting the Graham affair than about other matters which he attempts to treat. Ilis views are echoedl by Wilkes, Nar- rative, v. 180, etc., by Hastings, Emigrant Guide, 118, etc., and by some others. There is, however, nothing to show any oppression or treachery in the treatment, or any general spirit of hatred or jealousy in the feelings of Californians toward foreigners in theso years. There was fear, and it was well founded.
5
A CONSPIRACY REVEALED.
At the end of March or early in April 1840 Padre Suarez del Real of San Carlos warned Alvarado in a letter of an intended uprising of American residents, subsequently stating that the plot was revealed at the confessional by a foreigner supposed to be at the point of death, and claiming for that reason exemption from being obliged to make a legal declaration on the subject.2 On April 4th the subject came up before the junta. Gonzalez remarked that expressions used by certain foreigners in places of public resort seemed to show that a plot was to be feared; whereupon the governor stated that he had knowledge of such a plot, and that while his information was of such a nature that it could not be made public, the conspirators were under surveillance, and their plans would not be per- mitted to succeed.3 Soon William R. Garner con- firmed the existence of revolutionary schemes, in which he himself had been involved apparently, and denounced Isaac Graham as chief of the conspirators. It is not clear whether Garner gave his testimony voluntarily to favor Alvarado and Castro, to prevent an outbreak, or to gratify some personal dislike, or was induced to confess by stratagem or threats on the part of Castro. There are indications that he was entrapped by a trick into making a partial revelation, and that he made an effort to warn the foreigners. There is little or no foundation for the extravagant charges made against him by the latter in their anger.4
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