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SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1223 90191 9705
REFERENCE BOOK
Not to be taken from the Library
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofmarinco00munr
HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
IGNACIO PACHECO.
HISTORY
-OF-
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA;
INCLUDING ITS
Geography, Geology, Topography and Climatography;
TOGETHER WITH
A Full and Particular Record of the Mexican Grants; Its Early History and Settlement, Compiled from the most Authentic Sources ; Names of Original Spanish and American Pioneers ;
A Full Record of its Organization; A Complete Political History, including a Tabular Statement of Office-holders since the Formation of the County ;
Separate Histories of Bolinas, Nicasio, Novato, Point Reyes, San Antonio, San Rafael, Saucelito, and Tomales Townships;
Incidents of Pioneer Life, and Biographical Sketches of its Early and Prominent Settlers and Representative Men ;
-ALSO-
An Historical Sketch of the State of California, In which is embodied the Raising of the Bear Flag.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1880.
ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1880, BY ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, AT WASHINGTON, D. C.
× 979.462 H629 A
634827 REFERENOE
PACIFIC PRESS, PRINTERS, STEREOTYPERS AND BINDERS, VAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
PREFACE.
" Here land o' cakes, and brither Scots, Frae Maidenkirk to John O'Groats', If there's a hole in a' your coats I rede ye 'tent 'it, A chiel's amang ye takin' notes, An', faith, he'll prent it."
WE offer no apology to our patrons in presenting them with these pages. Our portion of the compact has been carried out, it remains for them to. perfect theirs. For our work we disclaim any literary merit; we have not dealt in monstrous hard words nor mazy sentences with hazy meanings ; a. true and unvarnished record of Marin county has been our aim, and we. . think we have succeeded in bringing to light much that would otherwise. have remained in darkness.
To compile such a volume has been a task requiring much patience, a certain amount of skill, and a very great deal of application, yet happily our labors have been gladdened by many a cheering word and much information, pleasantly obtained from several of the residents of Marin, both; young and aged, old and new. To those ladies and gentlemen we tender our most sincere acknowledgments. Still, our quest for reliable data has not been all of a roseate hue. We have practically tested the truth of the adage that "hope deferred maketh the heart sick." Through unredeemed promises' much in respect to prominent matters has been per force omitted-this through no fault of ours; notwithstanding these, we ven- ture to predict for the History of Marin County, a full recognition from those gentlemen who have done us the honor to place their names on our subscription list.
In conclusion we offer our heartiest thanks to the county officers one- and all, who cordially granted us every facility for examining the archives ;;
viii
PREFACE.
to Messrs. S. F. Barstow, of the Marin County Journal, and J. H. Wilkins, of the Tocsin, for much valuable material received from their files, as well as for many kindly notices; while to our own staff, Messrs. L. L. Palmer, A. M., who has supplied the chronicles of all the townships, save those of San Rafael and Tomales; W. A. Slocum, and L. L. Bowen, are due a thorough appreciation of their valuable services.
J. P. MUNRO-FRASER, Historian.
ALLEY, BOWEN & CO.
INDEX.
GENERAL HISTORY.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CAL.
17
THE BEAR-FLAG WAR
58
HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY
87
Derivation of Name.
88
Topography
88
Geology
90
THE GENERAL HISTORY AND SET-
TLEMENT OF MARIN COUNTY 95
MEXICAN GRANTS
151
Rancho Corte de Madera del
Presidio
189
Rancho Soulajulle
189-193
Angel Island
190
Laguna de San Antonio
191
Arroyo de San Antonio
191
Novato
191
Olompali
191
San Pedro, Santa Margarita
and Las Gallinas
191
Tinicasia
191
Canada de Herrera
192
Saucelito
192
Tomales and Baulinas
192
San Jose_
192
Bolsa de Tomales
192
Corte de Madera de Novato -
192
Nicasio
193-194
Mission San Rafael
194
Temalpais or Tamalpais
194
Punta Reyes
194
Las Baulines
194
Buachoca.
194
Punta de los Reyes
194
San Geronimo
194
THE
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF
MARIN COUNTY
195
The Organization of the Co
195
Post-offices
204
Court House
205
The Political History of Marin
County
206
County Government Bill
228
Tabular Statement of County
Officers
231-237
THE HOMICIDES OF MARIN CO.
238
Crockett Eberman
238
Grazier and Wife.
239
- Leonard
239
William Randall
239
William'Swinerton
240
- Mclaughlin
240
Thomas Spaulding
240
John McPhelan
240
John Harris
240
- Johnson
241
- Ingolls
241
Mrs. Rosanna Jensen
242
Mrs. Cronin
242
T. J. McKeon
243
- Williamson
244
Harry Jones
244
Charles Taylor
244
Emma Spohrs
244
Senora Garcia
245
John Messina
245
Patrick Monehan
246
John McKnight
247
William Brown
247
X
INDEX.
Aleyer Hubert- 248
Carl Peter Rush
248
Antonio Fulton 254
Karl Herman Kohler 255
C. P. Severance 256
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
BOLINAS 261
Geography
261
Saw-Mills 287
Topography -
262
Soil
262
Climate
262
Timber
262
Products 263
NOVATO 290
Early Settlement, Bolinas 264
Geography 290
Saw-Mills 269
Topography 290
Ship Building 270
Soil
290
Shipwrecks
271
Cord-wood
272
Bolinas Navigation Company 272
Copper Mines
272
Churches, Methodist 273
66
Presbyterian 274
66
Catholic. 275
Temperance Cause. 274
Schools 275
Geography. 296
Druids' Grove 275
Topography.
296
Deaths by Drowning 276
Soil
296
Post-office 276
Climate 297
Products 297
Timber
301
Official and Business Directory 279
Early Settlement
301
The Paper Mill 279
Powder Mills 281
NICASIO 282
Geography.
282
Topography
282 Soil 1
282
Climate 282
Products 282 Timber 283
SAN ANTONIO 312
Geography
312
Catholic Church 287
Schools 287
Soil
312
Products 290
Climate 292
Timber
292
Early Settlement 292
NOVATO 295
Schools 295
POINT REYES 296
1
OLEMA-Early Settlement 276
Schools 278
Schools 304
Light-House 304
Fog-Whistle 304
Grants 304
Shipwrecks 306
Drake's Bay 308
Gold 311
Granite 311
Early Settlement 283
Blass Talamontas 254
Chung Hing-Hoot 249
Paul Rieger. 250
Hotel 287
SAN GERONIMO 288
Gold Mines 288
Indians 288
Topography . 312
-
INDEX. xi
Climate 312
Products 312
Timber
312
Early Settlement
313
Grants
313
Schools
313
SAN RAFAEL
314
Geography 314
Climate
314
Descriptive
318
SAN RAFAEL
322
POINT SAN PEDRO
3446
Ross LANDING .
347
POINT SAN QUENTIN
34
THE STATE PRISON
348
Report of Resident Director 350
Official Force
356
Brick-Yard
357
Buildings and Improvem'ts 357
Financial Statement
359
Report of Moral Instructor 367
Medical Deptment Report_ 370
CHURCHES
373
First Presbyterian Church_ 373
Methodist Church 375
LODGES
376
Marin Lodge, No. 191, F.
and A. M. 376
Marin Lodge, No. 200, I. O. O. F. 377
San Rafael Lodge, I. O. G.
T., No. 24 377
San Rafael Lodge, A. O. U. W. 378
San Rafael and Coast Range
Mines
378
SAUCELITO 383
Geography
. 1
1 383
Topography 1 383 Soil 1 383
Climate 384 1
Products
384
Early Settlement 384
Mills
388
Lumber
389
Saucelito Water Works 389
Recruiting Station
389
Old Grave Yards
390
Saucelito Land and Ferry Company . 391
Official and BusinessDirectory 391
Yacht Club Houses.
391
Lodge No. 20, A. O. U. W
392
Newspapers
392
Smelting Works
392
Manganese Mine
392
Telegraph
392
Light-House and Fog-Siren 392
Shipwrecks
396
Schools
398
Church
398
Angel Island
39S
The Pioneer Buggy Ride
399
TOMALES
401
Streams
401
Timber
401
Topography
401
Mexican Grants
401
1
1
Soil
401
401
Crops
Settlement
402
TOMALES
406
Presbyterian Church 408
Lodge No. 233, I. O. O. F
409
Bank of Tomales
409
North Pacific Coast R. R.
411
Union Hotel
412
Plank House
412
Tomales Cheese Factory
412
Carriage Manufactory
413
Public Hall
413
MARSHALLS
413
xii
INDEX.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BOLINAS.
Bourne, Peter L.
417
McKennan, Hugh 424
Briones, Pablo
418
McMullin, David 424
Burge, George
418
Nelson, John 425
Clark, Samuel
419
Randall, William E. 425
Codoni, Joseph
420
Randall, William James 426
Crandell, William O. L.
420
Sebrean, John B. 426
Easkoot, Alfred Derby
420
Shafter, Hon. J. McM. 515
Garcia, John
421
Stinson, Nathan H. 426
Gibson, J. C.
421
Strain, Henry 427
Ingermann, Albert
421
Walker, Hugh 427
Lauff, Charles August
422
Weeks, Samuel P. 428
Miller, Frank
423
Wilkins, William Wallace 428
NICASIO.
Allen, Oliver
431
McIsaacs, Neil 436
Boreham, George.
433
Partee, B. F 516
Cheda, Louis
434
Righetti, A. 436
Dickson, John Calvin
434
Rogers, Russell A.
436
Dickson, William J.
434
Roy, James 437
Estey, Thomas H
435
Roy, Thomas B. 437
Lamb, Timothy G.
435
Taft, H. F.
437
Magce, Richard R.
435
Tognazzini, G. 438
Mazza, Luigi
436
Tonini, S.
438
NOVATO.
Atherton, John William 439
Myers, David 442
Brink, N. J.
439
McDonald, Daniel 442
De Long, Francis
439
Pacheco, Gumescendo 443
De Long, Frank Coye
440
Redmond, John B 443
Dessart, John P.
441
Rush, Carl P. 443
Faggiano, J. B. 441
Schlake, H. 443
Haven, George S.
441
Schlieker, Frederick 444
Hayden, Amaziah
441
Scown, A. G. 444
Hayden, E. W
442
Sedgwick, John 444
Losee, Welman
442
Sweetser, J. R. 444
Maybee, J. S.
442
Tomasini, Louis
445
POINT REYES.
Claussen, Henry
446
Pierce, Abram Jewell
447
Crandell, Thomas B.
446
Smith, Charles H 448
Farley, James M.
447
xiii
INDEX.
SAN ANTONIO.
Bloom, James 449
Martin, Charles 452
Bradley, A. F.
449
Matheson, Alfred C. 452
Brown, William 449
Neil, John 452
Davidson, Byard
451
Pierce, Wilbur 453
De Martini, Andrew 451
Respini, Michele 453
Ehlers, Henry 451
Respini, Jeremiah 454
Farley, Robert K.
451
Tonini, Peter 454
Filippini, Paul 451
Ward, Porter
454
Light, Elisha
452
Wilson, Allen T. 454
SAN RAFAEL.
Almy, Joseph 455
Kinsella, Richard 466
Anderson, William N.
457
Lucas, John 466
Austin, Hiram 457
Lund, Nes Madsen 466
Barney, Ai 457
Mahon, Edward Barry 467
Barstow, Simon Fitch 459
Mahncken, John 471
Blankenberger, Adam E. F. 459
Mason, George 471
Boyen, Henry 459
Mayer, Leopold 471
Bresson, Joseph.
460
Clayton, George Francis
460
Murray, Michael 473
Currey, Thomas 461
O'Connor, Michael 473
Davis, George W. 461
Pacheco, Ignatio 474
Eden, Edward 461
Pacheco, Salvador 474
Gordon, Upton McRea 462
Pratt, Frederick H. 474
Grosjean, C. 463
Tunstead, James 475
Hechheimer, Leopold 464
Ross, James 476
Hunter, James 464
Sale, William T 476
Jacobs, Francis J. 464
Shaver, Isaac 476
Short, J. O. B. 477
Zopf, Herman 478
SAUCELITO.
Boyle, Hugh A. 479
Cairns, Doctor John
179
Deffenbach, Thomas Boileau 480
Dye, Charles G. 480
Gardner, James H. 481
Read, John Joseph 482
TOMALES.
Ables, Thomas J 483
Alexander, John 484
Armstrong, W. 484
Bailey, Robert
484
Burbank, D. B. 489
Burbank, Hon. George Wilton 489
Bean, Alexander 485
Hood, George J. 481
Kuhn, F. M. 481
Rutherford, R. M. 482
Severance, Ch. C. P. 482
Blake, Jeremiah Ladd 485
Buchanan, John 488
Bunn, George. 488
Bassett, Thomas 485
Church, S. H.
489
Jewell, Omar 465
Jewell, Alva 465
.
Miller, James 472
xiv
INDEX.
Dillon, George 490
Lang, F. H. 502
Dutton, Albert Warren 490
Lindemann, Charles 502
Dutton, Geo. Washington, M.D. 490
Manning, Andrew 502
Dutton, Reed 491
Marshall, Alexander S. 503
Dutton, Warren 492
Elphick, Henry 493
Ephraim, Solomon
516
Fairbanks, W. R.
493
Muscio, David
505
Fallon, James L. 493
McCausland, James 505
Freeman, William Darius. 494
MeCausland, William 505
Gericke, Adolph 494
McCleave, Henry Paddock 506
Graham, James 494
Griffin, John
494
Norton, Patrick 507
Guay, John 495
Nowlin, James H. 507
Guldager, Hans Hansen 495
Osborn, Lewis 508
Guldager, Louis Hansen 496
Plank, Fred. A. 508
Harrington, Jr., Benjamin 496
Polhemus, Henry D. 508
Harvey, Joel. 496
Prince, N. J. 509
Holland, Franklin W. 497
Rowland, William 510
Howard, Charles
497
Siemsen, H. G. F.
510
Hubbell, O.
497
Thompson, C. T.
510
Huff, Abraham
498
Thornby, Thomas A 511
Huntley, Joseph 498
Turner, Obed W. 511
Irvin, Joseph 499
Thrasher, David. 511
Israel, Ch. S. 499
Vanderbilt, William 512
James, John T 499
Weber, Martin 513
Johnston, Thomas M. 499
Keys, John
500
Williams, Wallace L. 514
Kowalsky, Henry I. 500
Woodworth, Abijah 514
Ladner, Edwin 501
ADDENDA
515
PORTRAITS.
Pacheco, Ignatio (deceased) ...
Frontispiece
Barney, Ai
16
Almy, Joseph 32
Dutton, Warren 48
Ables, T. J. 176
Lauff, Charles A.
64
Dickson, W. J 192
De Long, Francis 80
Bailey, Robert 208
Burbank, Hon. G. W.
96
Crandell, T. B. 112
Brown, William (deceased) 128
Blake, Jeremiah, L. 144
Claussen, H. 160
Magee, R. 224
Molseed, Robert 503
Morrisy, Peter 504
Morton, Eugene. 505
McGreevey, William 507
Whitaker, J. P. 513
XV
INDEX-ERRATA.
Bunn, George 240
Wilkins, W. W. 256
Vanderbilt, William 264
Pierce, A. J.
272
Whitaker, J. P. 288
O'Connor, M. 304
McCausland, James 320
Dutton, G. W., M.D.
336
Jewell, Omar (deceased) 352
Freeman, W. D.
368
Weeks, S. P. 384
Nelson, J. 400 I
Irvin, J. 416 1
Osborn, L.
432
Thornby, Thomas A 448
McCausland, William 464
Griffin, J.
480
Ingerman, A.
496
Strain, H. 512
James, John P.
488 .
Marshall, A. S.
504
ERRATA.
Page 87, line 9, for five thousand
122, " 14, " J. A. Morgan
I. A. Morgan. 204, " 43, " Fairfood
219, " 32, " David Clengan
read twelve thousand.
Fairford.
David Clingan.
270, 34, " "Joseph Almy" 66 "H. C. Almy."
66 473, 20, " M. O'Conner 66 M. O'Connor.
1
Cliffaman
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CALIFORNIA,
J. FENNIMORE COOPER, in one of his most able works, says: "On the human imagination events produce the effects of time. Thus, he who has traveled far and seen much is apt to fancy that he has lived long; and the history that most abounds in important incidents soonest assumes the aspect of antiquity. In no other way can we account for the venerable air that is already gathering around American annals. When the mind reverts to the earliest days of colonial history, the period seems remote and obscure, the thousand changes that thicken along the links of recollections, throwing back the origin of the nation to a day so distant as seemingly to reach the mists of time; and yet four lives of ordinary duration would suffice to transmit, from mouth to mouth, in the form of tradition, all that civilized man has achieved within the limits of the republic." The gifted author here speaks of the many changes which the comparatively few short years have worked upon the banks of the noble Hudson. He remarks: "Other similar memorials of the infancy of the country are to be found scattered through what is now deemed the very centre of American civilization, affording the plainest proofs that all we possess of security from invasion and hostile violence, is the growth of but little more than the time that is frequently filled by a single human life." If such may be deemed remarkable on the shores of that stream, how much more closely do they apply to the giant strides effected by the indomitable will of man on the Pacific coast.
America was discovered by Columbus on the twelfth day of October, 1492, and what a feat was this! Not so much a marvel is it that he came upon the vast continent, as that, in those so-called dark ages there were found men of such great courage and knowledge, unscientific though that may be, to sail away into the darkness, as it were, and sustain themselves against peril on every hand to eventually give, not only to their country, but to mankind the rarest continent of a beatific creation. As the veriest schoolboy knows and utters in a sing-song drawl, America was discovered as stated above, and became the territory of Spain. The Pacific ocean was given to the world by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, who looked down from the heights of Panama upon its placid bosom on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1513. In 1519 Mexico was conquered by Hernando Cortez, and sixteen years thereafter, in 1537,
18
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CALIFORNIA.
his pilot, Zimenez, discovered Lower California. In 1542 a voyage of discovery was made along the Californian coast by the famous Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, on the 5th July of which year, he landed at Cape St. Lucas, in Lower California, and following the coast he finally entered the delightful harbor of San Diego, in Upper California, on September 28th. This place he named San Miguel, which was afterwards changed by Viscaiño to that which it now bears.
The noted English voyager, Sir Francis Drake, sailed along the coast in 1579, but historians are doubtful as to whether he discovered the San Fran- cisco bay. It would appear that this voyage was made from Oregon, where it is said his Spanish pilot, Morera, left him, and thence found his way over- land to Mexico, a distance of three thousand five hundred miles. The name of New Albion was given to the country by Drake, with the evident intention of securing it for the British crown.
It was not until 1602, however, that the Spaniards took any actual steps to possess and colonize the continent. In that year Don Sebastian Vis- caiño was dispatched by the Viceroy of Mexico, acting under the instructions of his royal master, King Philip III, on a voyage of search in three small vessels. He visited various points on the coast, among them San Diego; was well pleased with the appearance of the country, and on December 10th discovered and entered a harbor, which he named in honor of Count de Monterey, the Viceroy who had dispatched him on the cruise. We are told that part of this expedition reached as high as the Columbia river, and that the whole subsequently returned to Acapulco. Its efforts were pronounced satisfactory, a glowing description of the landscape was given, but whether they discovered the San Francisco bay is as much a matter of conjecture and doubt as Drake's visit.
For some unexplained cause not much use had been made of the informa- tion gained from these trips, which were of frequent occurrence, and it was not for one hundred and sixty-eight years that any steps towards the permanent settlement of Upper California were undertaken. Under the joint manage- ment of .Church and State a plan with this end in view was commenced in the year 1683, but it failed, the State being there represented by Admiral Otondo, and the Church by a Jesuit Father named Kino, La Paz being their point of operation; but we believe we are correct in stating that they did not all visit Upper California. The settlement of the peninsula was finally undertaken fourteen years later, when sixteen missionary establishments were founded by Father Salva Tierra. The order which he represented falling into disgrace in Europe, however, was banished from the dominions of Spain and Lower California in 1768, after laboring for seventy years. They were in turn succeeded by the Franciscans and Dominicans, the former of whom, under the guidance of Father Junipera Serra, proceeded to the conquest and conversion of this part of the country. This Reverend Father is recognized
19
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CALIFORNIA.
by the Catholic Church as the apostle of Upper California, and acknowledged in history as its founder.
The first permanent settlement was made in San Diego in 1769, when was also established the first mission, whence further operations were directed and new missions founded. On July 14, 1769, Gaspar de Portala, who com- manded the expedition that called a halt at San Diego, left that place for Monterey, and there erected a cross.
"Pious Portala, journeying by land, Reared high a cross upon the heathen strand, Then far away, Dragged his slow caravan to Monterey."
With Father Junipera Serra, he continued his northward journey and, by the merest accident, came upon the world-renowned bay of San Francisco.
Finding it a place answering every requirement he named it after San Francisco de Asis, and seven years later, June 27, 1776, possession was taken of the spot and a presidio established, the mission being located on the site of the present church. There may be a doubt as to whether the bay was ever discovered by Drake or Viscaiño, but there is none of the visit of Gaspar de Portala, then Governor of the Californias. Henceforward the establishment of missions was rapid, as will be gathered from the accompanying list :
Mission San Diego, in San Diego county, founded under Carlos III, July 16, 1769; containing 22.24 acres.
Mission San Luis Rey, in San Diego county, founded under Carlos IV, June
13, 1798; containing 53.39 acres.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, in Los Angeles county, founded under Carlos III, November 10, 1776; containing 44.40 acres.
Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, in Los Angeles county, founded under Carlos III, September 8, 1771; containing 190.69 acres. Patented.
Mission San Buenaventura, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos III. March 31, 1782; containing 36.27 acres.
Mission San Fernando, in Los Angeles county, founded under Carlos IV. September 8, 1797; containing 76.94 acres.
Mission Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos III. December 4, 1786; containing 37.83 acres.
Mission Santa Inez, in Santa Barbara county. founded under Carlos IV. September 17, 1804; containing 17.35 acres.
Mission La Purisima Concepcion, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos III, December 8, 1787.
Mission San Luis Obispo, in San Luis Obispo county, founded under Carlos III, September 1, 1772, containing 52.72 acres. Patented.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel, in San Luis Obispo county, founded under Carlos IV, July 25, 1797; containing 33. 97 acres. Patented.
20
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CALIFORNIA.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, in San Luis Obispo county, founded under Carlos III, July 14, 1771; containing 33.19 acres. Patented.
Mission La Soledad, in Monterey county, founded under Carlos IV, October 9, 1791; containing 34.47 acres. Patented.
Mission El Carme, or San Carlos de Monterey, in Monterey county, founded under Carlos III, June 3, 1770; containing 9 acres. Patented.
Mission San Juan Bautista, in Monterey county, founded under Carlos IV, June 24, 1797; containing 55.33 acres. Patented.
Mission Santa Cruz, in Santa Cruz county, founded under Carlos IV, August 28, 1791; containing 16.94 acres. Patented.
Mission Santa Clara, in Santa Clara county, founded under Carlos III, January 18, 1777; containing 13.13 acres. Patented.
Mission San Jose, in Alameda county, founded under Carlos IV, June 11, 1797; containing 28.33 acres. Patented.
Mission Dolores, or San Francisco de Asis, in San Francisco county, founded under Carlos III, October 9, 1776; two lots, one containing 4.3 acres, and the other 4.51 acres. Patented.
Mission San Rafael Arcangel, in Marin county, founded under Fernando VII, December 18, 1817; containing 6.48 acres. Patented.
Mission San Francisco Solano, in Sonoma county, founded under Fernando VII, August 25, 1823; containing 14.20 acres.
If Sir Francis Drake did not actually enter the broad sheet of water now known as the Bay of San Francisco, in 1579, he must have tarried in its vicinity, for the historian of that famous voyage wrote: "They here discov- ered a hay, which, entering with a favorable gale, they found several huts by the water side, well defended from the severity of the weather. Going on shore they found a fire in the middle of each house, and the people lying round it upon rushes. The men go quite naked, but the women have a deer skin over their shoulders, and around their waists a covering of bulrushes, after the manner of hemp. These people, bringing the Admiral a present of feathers, and cauls of net-work, he entertained them so kindly and generously, that they were extremely pleased, and soon afterwards they sent him a present of feathers and bags of tobacco. A number of them coming to deliver it, gath- ered themselves together on the top of a small hill, from the highest point of which one of them harangued the Admiral, whose tent was placed at the bottom. When the speech was ended they laid down their arms and came down, offering their presents; at the same time returning what the Admiral had given them. The women remaining on the hill, tearing their hair and making dreadful howlings. The Admiral supposed them engaged in making sacrifices, and thereupon ordered divine service to be performed in his tent, at which these people attended with astonishment.
"The arrival of the English in California being soon known through the country, two persons in the character of ambassadors, came to the Admiral
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CALIFORNIA.
and informed him in the best manner they were able, that the King would assist him if he might be assured of coming in safety. Being satisfied on this point, a numerous company soon appeared, in front of which was a very comely person bearing a kind of sceptre, on which hung two crowns and three chains of great length; the chains were of bones and the crowns of net-work curi- ously wrought with feathers of many colors.
"Next to the sceptre-bearer, came the King, a handsome, majestic person, surrounded by a number of tall men, dressed in skins, who were followed by the common people, who, to make the grander appearance, had painted their faces of various colors, and all of them, even the children, being loaded with presents. The men being drawn up in line of battle, the Admiral stood ready to receive the King within the entrance of his tent. The company having halted at a distance, the sceptre-bearer made a speech, half an hour long, at the end of which he began singing and dancing, in which he was followed by the King and all his people-who, continuing to sing and dance, came quite up to the tent; when, sitting down, the King taking off his crown of feathers, placed it on the Admiral's head, and put upon him the other ensigns of royalty; and it is said he made him a solemn tender of his whole kingdom. All of which the Admiral accepted in the name of the Queen, his sovereign, in hope these proceedings might, one time or other, contribute to the advantage of England.
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