USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The annals of San Francisco; containing a summary of the history of California, and a complete history of its great city: to which are added, biographical memoirs of some prominent citizens > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
Gc 979.402 Sa519s 1148460
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION -
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01149 0700
-
ALTA
037
SALES ROOM
FEILS FARGO &CO
GENEALOGY COLLECTION .
THE
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO ;
CONTAINING
A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST DISCOVERY, SETTLEMENT, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT CONDITION OF
CALIFORNIA,
AND A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ALL THE IMPORTANT EVENTS CONNECTED WITH
ITS GREAT CITY:
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SOME PROMINENT CITIZENS.
BY FRANK SOULÉ, JOHN H. GIHON, M. D., AND JAMES NISBET.
ILLUSTRATED WITH ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FINE ENGRAVINGS.
" Go to, let us build us a city, and a tower, Whose top may reach unto heaven; And let us make us a name."
NEW YORK : D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 346 & 348 BROADWAY. SAN FRANCISCO: MONTGOMERY STREET. LONDON: 16 LITTLE BRITAIN.
M. DCCC.LV.
ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by D. APPLETON & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.
TO THE
"SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS,"
THIS WORK
IS
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY
.
2
THE AUTHORS.
1148460
PREFACE.
WERE not the plan, scope and purpose of the present volume sufficiently explained in the text of the work itself, we should despair of adequately initiating the reader in these subjects in the limited space necessarily assigned to a Preface. It is not necessary to offer a reason for the ap- pearance of these " Annals." To read and to know something of the history of this new Tadmor which has grown up so suddenly in the midst of what was but recently merely a desert, the centre of that vast trade which the golden smile of California opened at once to the world, is so natural and inevitable a desire, that it may be taken for granted, and dismissed as a foregone conclusion. The plan of the work is such as its nature seemed to require, and the style and manner of treatment must rest for approval and criticism with the Public, for whom it was written and to whom it is now submitted.
To avoid the necessity of frequent references in the body of the work to authorities, and to those who have generously extended to the authors facilities for its production, the Preface has been selected as the most fitting place for expressing our obligations. For unrestricted access to the " Californian," the " California Star," and the " Alta California " newspaper files, we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Edward Conner, one of the proprietors of the last named journal. Much valuable statis- tical and other information has been derived from the " San Francisco Herald," full files of which were kindly placed at our disposal by its editor and proprietor, Mr. John Nugent. The " California Chronicle," from its commencement to the date of publication of this volume, was also placed by the proprietors at our service. We are likewise indebted.
6
PREFACE.
to Messrs. T. J. Nevins and Wm. H. O'Grady for information respect- ing the public schools ; to Mr. J. L. Van Bokkelin, for important facts concerning the fire department ; to Mr. A. G. Randall, for particulars in regard to military organizations ; to Rev's T. Dwight Hunt, Albert Wil- liams, J. L. Ver Mehr, S. H. Willey and O. C. Wheeler, for matter relating to the early state of religion and churches in San Francisco ; to Messrs. Thomas O. Larkin, William A. Richardson, Jacob P. Leese, Jacob R. Snyder, James Caldwell Low, Hiram Pierson, J. D. Steven- son, Samuel Brannan, R. H. Perry, David Jobson, Samuel J. Bayard, Nathaniel Gray and James King of William, for much useful and inter- esting information regarding the early and present history of the city ; to Mr. J. M. Ford, daguerreian artist, for gratuitous services in taking portraits of many of the gentlemen whose memoirs are given; and to our citizens generally who have freely responded to our call for informa- tion, whenever they have been appealed to for that purpose. Many bio- graphical sketches designed for this work have been omitted for want of room, the volume having extended to nearly double the size originally intended and promised. These, however, with other interesting matters connected with the progress of San Francisco, and a history of all the important cities and towns of California, will be published at an early day, in another volume, a great portion of the material for which is al- ready prepared.
The necessity of condensing within the reasonable space of a single volume, the history of a city which has occupied for the five or six years of its existence so much of the attention of the world, and the unavoid- able collateral history of California, has prevented, to some extent, a natural impulse and inclination to indulge more at length in many inter- esting details. But it is believed that the gist of the whole matter is embraced in the history as written, and that no important event has been omitted, which would have been of interest to the general reader.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
CHAPTER I .- Proposed treatment of the work .- Etymology of the name California .- Lower or Old California .- Grixalva and Mendoza .- First discovery .- Expeditions of Cortez .- Cabrillo .- Ferrelo,-Drake .-- Drake's description of the natives .- Bodega and San Francisco Bays .- Sir Francis Drake's Bay .- Captain Thomas Cavendish .- Captain Woodes Rogers .- His description of the natives .- The English buccaneering expeditions along the west coasts of the Americas,- Political reasons why the Spanish Government strenuously proscented the discovery and settle- ment of California. p. 21
CHAPTER II .- Expeditions of Viscaino .- Admiral Otondo and Father Kino .- First settlement, and introduction of the priest rule in the Californias .- Failure and withdrawal of the first missions. -Renewed attempts to make settlements .- Father Salva-Tierra and his coadjutors. - Final estab- lishment of the Jesuits in the country .- Geographical discoveries of Father Kino .- Jesuits ex- pelled and superseded by Franciscan Friars ; these, in turn, by the Dominican Monks .- Population and physical character of Old or Lower California 38
CHAPTER III .- First settlement of New or Upper California by Franciscan Monks .- Supposed earliest discovery of San Francisco Bay .- Origin of the name .- Establishment of a Mission and Presidio there, and ceremonies on the occasion .- Gradual establishment of Missions and Presidios over the country .- List of these, and population of some at varlous dates .- The gente de razon and the bestias, or the rational creatures and beasts of the country .- Causes why free white set- tlers few in number .- Character of the natives as given by Venegas, and other writers .- Progress and apparent destiny of the Anglo-Saxons on the Pacific 45
CHAPTER IV .- Conduct of the Fathers towards the natives .- Their mode of instructing, employ- ing and subsisting the converts .- The Fathers do not appear to have promoted the true welfare of the aborigines, or done any good to humanity .- Pictures, if gaudily colored and horrible in subject, great aids to conversion .- Missions and population of the country at recent dates .- Table on this subject .- Tables of the farm produce and domestic cattle of the country .- Table of priees 56
CHAPTER V .- Pious Fund of California .- General description of the Missions .- Patriarchal kind of life of the Fathers .- Reflections on the subject .- General description of the Presidios, Castillos, and their garrisons, and of the free Pueblos and Ranchios 67
CHAPTER VI .- Independence of Mexico in 1822, and gradual changes in the character and constitu- tion of the Missions .- Manumission of the Indians in 1826 ; but plan found nnworkable, and re- turn to the old state of things .- Gradual disappearance of the Pions Fund .- Increasing riches of the Fathers .- Changes of 1833 and 1834 in the Missions, and attempts by the Mexican Congress to seenlarize their property .- Santa Anna .- Attempted Centralization of the Mexican Govern- ment .- Overthrow of the old Federal Constitution in 1836 .- Revolt and Declaration of Indepen ence of the Californians .- Continnal sinking of the Fathers, and final fall of the Missions in IS45 .- Indian converts sent adrift, and Mission property sold or rented .- Cost of the support of the Missions to the Spanish and Mexican Governments 74
S
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII. - California distinet in physical character and national fecling from the other Mexlean provinces .- Beginning and progress of immigration into the country .- The Russians at Bodega Bay .- Later great increase of foreign white settlers ; Americans largely preponderating. -Outrage committed upon the settlers by Mexican authorities-Commodore Jones takes pos- session of Monterey .- Foreign settlers seatter themselves over the whole country, and silently, but rapidly, revolutionize or Amerieanize it .- Origin of the war of 1846 between the Mexican and American States 81
CHAPTER VIII .- Col. John C. Fremont .- General José Castro .- Fremont declares war against Callfornia .- Capture of Sonoma .- Proclamation of William B. Idc .- Letter of Pio Pieo, Governor of the Californlas, to Thomas O. Larkin, Consul of the United States .- Thomas O. Larkin's reply to l'io Pico .- California declared independent .- California desired by the American Government. -Col. Stevenson's regiment .- Movements of General Kearny .- Seizure of Monterey .- Proclama- tion of Com. Sloat .- Commander Montgomery takes possession of Yerba Buena and Fremont of San Juan. 90
CHAPTER IX .- Commodore Stockton takes charge of the American forces in California .- Hostility of the Californians,-Proclamation of Com. Stockton .- Landing at San Pedro, and manœuvres of the sailor army .- Castro's commissioners .- March on Los Angeles, and flight of General Castro .- Triumphant entry into Los Angeles .- Provisional government formed .- The difficulties of Stockton's march, and the complete snecess of his plans .- Reported hostility of the Walla- Walla Indians,-Enthusiastic reception of Stockton at San Francisco and other places .- Satis- faction of the people of California with the new government .- Stockton designs to eross Mexico and unite with the forces of General Taylor 101
CHAPTER X. - Insurrection of the Californians. - Proclamation of General Flores. - Defeat and surrender of Talbot and Gillespic .- Captain Mervine defeated, with the crew of the Savannah .- Com. Stockton defeats the Californians at San Diego .- Defeat of General Kearny at San Pasqual. -The official relations of Com. Stockton and Gen. Kearny,-Movement against Los Angeles. -Battles of the Rio San Gabriel, and the Plains of the Mesa .- Fremont negotiates with General Flores and Andreas Pico .- Fremont appointed Governor, and subsequently tried by Court Mar- tial .- Arrival of Commodore Shubrick, and the confirmation of General Kearny as Governor .- Mexican Governors of California .- Foreign Consuls in the Territory 118
CHAPTER XI .- Peaco concluded between the Mexican and American States .- Terms of the Treaty. -California ceded to the United States .- The country ruled provisionally by American Govern- ors .- Rapid inereaso of population by immigration .- Discovery of gold on the American River by Mr. James W. Marshall .- Great excitement in consequence of the discovery, and rush of peo- ple to the gold placers-Mixed character of the population .- Necessity for the establishment of a proper form of Government .- Independent sectional legislation inadequate and unsatisfactory. -Meetings held to effect a general eivil organization .- General Riley issues a proclamation for a meeting to be held at Monterey to adopt a State Constitution .- Names of delegates appointed. -Meeting at Monterey .- Constitution of California adopted, and rejoicings on the occasion .. 129
CHAPTER XII .- Geographical limits of Upper California .- General description of the country .-- Two great divisions of the northern part of the State .- Fertility of the soil .- Peculiarities of the climate .- Two seasons: wet and dry .- Products of the country .- Fogs and winds on the coast .- The harbors .- Country west of the Sierra Nevada .- The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and their valleys .- This region of country abounds in timber .- Excessive heat in the dry season .- Localities of the chief gold placers .- Immense size of trees .- Silver, lead, copper and coal mines .- Advantages to the Immigrant 140
PART II.
CHAPTER I .- Description of the Golden Gate .- Origin of the name .- The Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun .- Rivers emptying into Suisun Bay .- Description of the adjacent eoun- try .- Indian tradition .- Remarkable fertility of the soil .- Farm produce and mode of farining. - Location of the City of San Francisco .- The name Yerba Buena -The first house built .- Dis- advantages of the locality .- No provision made for desirable public squares or parks. 149
9
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER II .- The Mission and Presidio of San Francisco .- Formation and survey of the village of Yerba Buena .- Disputes and litigation in regard to Yerba Buena being a Pueblo .- Captain Richardson the first Harbor Master .- Visits of national and other vessels to Yerba Buena Cove. -Reasons why the whale ships ceased to enter the harbor for supplies .- Traffic between Yerba Buena and foreign ports .- Hides and tallow the chief exports .- Prices obtained for these .- Heavy rains and their effects .- Earthquakes .- Unnsnal drought .- Mr. Jacob P. Leese establishes himself at Yerba Buena .- Celebration of the Fourth of July at Leese's house .- First child born. -Limits of the original survey . .. 162
CHIAPTER III .- Removal of the Hudson's Bay Company .- Rapid growth and increase of population of Yerba Buena .- First newspapers established in California .- Tables showing the number of inhabitants in 1847, with their places of birth, ages, sexes and occupations .- Ordinance of the alcalde changing the name of Yerba Buena to San Francisco .- W. A. Bartlett was the first alcalde under the American flag, who was succeeded by George IIyde, and he by Edwin Bryant .- Pow- ers of an alcalde .- Great sale of beach and water lots, agreeably to a decree of General Kearny. -Price of grants of property, and subsequent increased value of city lots .- Width of the streets. -Municipal regulation restricting purchasers 173
CHAPTER IV .- Captain Montgomery hoists the American flag on Portsmouth Square .- Arrival of the ship Brooklyn from New York, with a large company of Mormon and other immigrants,- Disputes among her passengers, leading to the first jury trial in San Francisco .- Grand ball at the residence of Wm. A. Leidesdorff .- Nautical fête given by Capt. Simmons .- Public reception of Com. Stockton .- Attempts to establish a public school .- Name of town changed to San Fran- cisco .- Number of buildings and inhabitants .- Suffering immigrants in the Sierra Nevada .- Trustees of the proposed school chosen .- Delegates to represent the District of San Francisco in the new legislative council .- Arrival of Col. Stevenson and New York Volunteers .- Vessels in the harbor, 13th March, 1847 .- " The California Star " adopts the name of San Francisco .- Mails established between San Francisco and San Diego .- Proposed erection of a church .- Grand illu- mination in honor of Gen. Taylor's victory at Buena Vista .- Celebrations of Anniversaries .- Public meeting to consider the claims of Col. Fremont to the office of Governor of the Terri- tory .- Sale of beach and water lots .- Election of the first town council .- The first public school. -Gales in San Francisco Bay .- The first steamboat .- Thanksgiving Day .- Commercial Statis- tics 185
CHAPTER V .- Resolutions concerning gambling .- Public sale of City Property .- Price Current published .- Condition and population of the town .- Overland express to Independence, Mo .- George Hyde, alcalde, resigned, and succeeded by Dr. J. Townsend .- Death of Wm. A. Leides- dorff .- Discovery of gold, and immediate effects .- Illumination in celebration of the peace be- tween Mexico and the United States .- Dr. T. M. Leavenworth elected alcalde .- First brick house .- Public meeting to regulate the price of gold dust .- First square-rigged vessel discharged at Broadway wharf .- Judicial limits of the town .- Rev. T. D. Hunt chosen chaplain .- First issue of the "Star and Californian."-State of the markets .- Public meeting to organize a Pro- visional Government .- New town council elected .- Election declared invalid .- Duties collected at the Custom-House. 199
CHAPTER VI .- General Effects of the Gold Discoveries 209
CHAPTER VII .- The Alta California newspaper established .- Delegates elected to the proposed convention to be held at San José .- New town council elected .- Three town councils at one time .- Meeting of the convention to frame a civil government postponed .- Public meeting re- specting the conflicting conncils .- Public meeting concerning negro slavery .- Town councils resigned, and legislative assembly chosen .- Arrival of the steamship California .- Address of delegates to civil government convention .- Arrival of steamship Oregon, and Col. John W. Geary with the first United States mails .- General Riley announced territorial governor .- Acts of the legislative assembly and of the governor .- Meetings concerning municipal and State govern- ments .- Growth, population and general prosperity of the city .- Gambling and other vices and crimes 218
CHAPTER VIII .- The Hounds .- Election of Supreme Judge, delegates to convention and mu- nicipal officers .- Alcalde's address to the Ayuntamiento .- Duties of prefects .- The prison brig Euphemia and store-ship Apollo .- Churches .- Regulations and appointments of the Ayunta-
10
CONTENTS.
mlento .- The " Paciffe News" commenced .- Meeting of the Constitution Convention at Mon- terey. - Merchants' Exchange. - Steam Navigation. - Death of Nathan Spear. - First demo- cratie meeting .- Clrens opened .- Constitution approved and State officers elected .- First habita- tion on Rincon Point .- Thanksgiving Day .- Judge Almond's court .- The " Alta California."- l'irst great fire. 22.
CHAPTER IX .- Increase of population -No proper homes .- Character of the houses .- Condition of the streets .- Employments of the people .- Every thing in apparent confusion ; still nobody idle, and much business accomplished .- How the inhabitants lived .- Money rapidly made and freely spent .- Gambling .- Shipping deserted .-- Extravagantly high priees obtained for every thing .- l'ents and wages .- The mines the source of all the wealth .- Destitution, sickness and leath .- Increase of erime -Aspect of the Plaza .- Mixed character of the inhabitants .- The Post- office .- A pleasant prospect. 243
CHAPTER X .- Great sale of water lots,-An election day .- Newspapers-Approval by the ayunta- miento of the City Charter, and limits of San Francisco .- Squatter difficulty at Rincon Point .- Political meeting on Portsmouth Square .- The Colton grants .- First county election .- Col. John C. Hayes elected Sheriff .- City Charter adopted by the State Legislature .- First election under the City Charter .- Changes in the Common Council. 264
CHAPTER XI .- Third great fire .- Aldermen's salaries .- Indignation meetings .- Veto message of the mayor .- Shipping in San Francisco Bay .- Celebration of the Fourth of July .- The Oregon Liberty Pole .- Custom-honse at the corner of California and Montgomery streets. - Departure from California of General Riley .- Society of California Pioneers-Squatter riots at Sacramento. -Suffering immigrants .- Presentation of Chinese Books .- Funeral ceremonies on occasion of the death of President Taylor .- A Chinese document. 277
CHAPTER XH .- The first City Directory published .- Monetary crisis .- Fourth great fire .- Death of Captain Bezer Simmons .- The wharves .- Celebration on account of the admission of California into the Union of American States .- Explosion of the steamer Sagamore .- City Hospital burned. -Improvements in the city .- Plank road to the Mission Dolores .- Death of the mayor of Sacra- mento .- Thanksgiving Day .- Fire in Sacramento-street. 289
CHAPTER XIII .- Population in 1850 .- City improvements .- Grading and planking streets .- Wharves, steamers, manufactures .- Supply and demand for goods .- Mines yielding abundantly. -Expresses established .- Moral progress .- Better state of things .- Cholera .- California admitted to the Union .- City Charter granted .- First Common Council .- The gold medals for Aldermen .- Corruption of officials .- Colton Grants .- Lcidesdorff Estate .- City finances .- Outrages and fires. -The prisons and police .- Lynch Law agitated. 300
CHAPTER XIV .- The Gold Bluffs and Pacific Mining Company .- The excitement at the City Hall In February, 1551 .- Attempt to Lynch Burdue and Windred .- Their subsequent escape .- Burn- ing of the steamers Hartford and Santa Clara. 311
CHAPTER XV .- Judge Parsons and the case of William Walker for contempt of Court .- Act of Legislature ceding Beach and Water Lots to the City of San Francisco .- Act to re-incorporate the city .- New city limits .- First election of municipal officers under revised charter .- Act passed to fund the State debt .- Act to establish State Marine Hospital .- Act to fund the floating debt .- Indebtedness of the city .- Municipal officers trafficking in city serip .- Fifth great fire. 322
CHAPTER XVI .- T. Butler King removing the enstom-house deposits .- Frank Ball's song, and custom-house appointment. - Dr. Robinson's rhymes. - Incendiarism. - The case of Lewis, charged with arson .- The facilities with which criminals escaped from punishment .- The Vigi- lance Committee .- Contracts of Mr. Merrifield and the Mountain Water Lake Company to supply the city with water. 33-1
CHAPTER XVII .- The sixth great fire .- Destruction of old buildings .- Excention by the Vigi- lance Committee of Stuart, Whittaker and Mckenzie .- County and city elections .- The Vigi- lance Committee suspend operations,-Wells & Co. suspend payment .- Opening of the Jenny LItud Theatre .- The American Theatre opened .- Shipping in San Francisco Bay .- Ball of the Monumental Fire Company .- Indian disturbances and volunteer military companies .- Severe storm 341
11
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIII .- Immigration diminished .- Females comparatively few .- Great city improve- ments .- Productions of the country, game, &c., in the markets,-Character of the community changing for the better .- The circulating medium,-Extravagance in living, dress, &e .- Personal rencontres and other outrages common .- Titles to real estate uncertain .- Legal decisions .- De- preciated value of merchandise .- Amusements, dissipation and recreation .- The foreign popula- tion. - Great crimes less frequent .- The finances of the city . .. 357
CHAPTER XIX .- Dr. Peter Smith .- His contract with the city to take charge of the indigent sick. -The city's indebtedness .- Smith's judgments and executions .- Injunctions of the conimission- ers of the funded debt .- Sale and sacrifice of the city property under Smith's judgments ... 370
CHAPTER XX .- The Chinese in California .- Aet passed to fund the floating debt of the State. -The State Marine Hospital .- Act te convert into a seven per cent. stock the floating debt of the County of San Francisco .- Anniversary of fires .- Meetings of the Vigilance Committee. 378
CHAPTER XXI .- Clipper Ships .- Enormous Taxation .- Purchase of the Jenny Lind Theatre by the Common Council .- Times and Transcript removes to San Francisco .- Fourth of July cele- bration .- Great scarcity of printing paper .- Duel between Hon. Edward Gilbert and General Denver .- Custom of Duelling .- Funeral ceremonies on occasion of the death of Ilenry Clay. 391
CHAPTER XXII .- Australian gold mines .- Restlessness of miners .- Many who emigrated to Aus- tralia return to California. - Superior advantages of the latter place. - Second city directory published .- California Telegraph Company .- General election .- Fire in Sacramento City .- Another fire in San Francisco .- Intelligence received of the death of Daniel Webster .- Falling of the waters of Lake La Mercede .- Another city directory .- Firemen's election .- Legal exe- cution of José Forni .- Destructive storm. 402
CHAPTER XXIII .- Increase of population .- Mixed character of the immigrants .- Chinese, Peru- vians, Chilenos, and other foreigners, notoriously vicious .- Sufferings of the overland immigrants. -Greater attention paid to agricultural pursuits .- City improvements still progressing .- Great fires no longer possible .- Fire insurance agencies established .- Manufactories .- New gold dis- coveries .- Emigration to Australia .- Merchandise and provisions commanding high prices .- The clipper ships .- Filthy condition of the streets .- Great abundance of rats .- The city exten- sion, bay, and shipping .- The strong winds preventive of disease .- Peculations of officials .- San Francisco only suitable for the industrious .- The city growing in importance .- Change of inhabitants .- Fascinations of San Francisco life .- Reflections concerning the moral condition of the city 411
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