An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, Part 12

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786

USA > California > Sonoma County > An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

in his youth to the State of Guadalajara, Mex- ico. In 1774, when a young man, being of an adventurous nature, he secretly joined an ex- pedition under Captain Rivera for the explora tion of Upper California. He was probably with Captain Rivera's party on the 4th of December, when the large wooden cross was erected on the peninsula of San Francisco, which his son, General Vallejo, says he saw standing in 1829. At all events, he was an eye-witness of the founding of the mission of San Francisco, which event occurred October 4, 1776.

On his arrival in Monterey, Señor Ignacio Vallejo saw for the first time his future wife. It was the day of her birth. lle then asked permission of the parents of the infant to wed their daughter when she should become of age. Subsequently, this proposition, made half in jest, was renewed, the señorita then being a blooming young girl, and Señor Vallejo a bachelor of forty. The marriage proved a happy one, and Mariano G. Vallejo was the eighth of thirteen children, the fruit of the union.

Young Vallejo availed himself of every op- portunity to improve his mind by reading and study during his minority. Ile got possession of a library when quite young, which was of great service. From this source he probably acquired a fund of information, which made him the peer of the learned and distinguished persons from all parts of the world, with whom he was destined in after life to be associated.

At the age of sixteen years he was a cadet in the army, and private secretary of Governor Arguello.

In 1829 he was placed in charge of the P're- sidio of San Francisco, which position he held until 1834, organizing in the interval the first eity or town government of San Francisco.

Governor Figueroa, the most popular of all the Mexican Governors, had control of affairs in 1834. Having learned that a large number of colonists, some four hundred odd, were on their way to California from Mexico, he deter- mined to locate them in Sonoma, partly with

the view of shutting out the Russians, and partly because it was one of the most inviting spots to colonize over which he had ever cast his experienced eyes. Hle selected Lientenant Val- lejo as the most suitable of his officers to com- mand the frontier, and execute his plans. Together they visited the country, taking in their tour of observation the stronghold of the Russian squatters at Ross. Returning to the Santa Rosa Valley the Governor selected a site on Mark West Creek for the future colony, giving it the name of " Santa Anna y Ferias," nniting these names probably because he could not tell which of the rival political chiefs would be on top when he next heard from Mexico. He left a camp of soldiers there who were under the command of General Vallejo. The colonists were under the direction of Señor Ilihas, who was a quarrelsome, ambitions and avaricious man. Governor Figueroa had received orders to turn over the control of affairs to Hihas, On his return from Sonoma he met a courier with orders, countermanding the former instruction, and continuing the direction of affairs solely in his own hands.

The colonists arrived in March, 1835, and were temporarily quartered in Sonoma. lihas and his coadjutors among the colonists were much disaffected, and threatened rebellion. Figueroa ordered their arrest. This order was executed by General Vallejo with much skill and judgment, withont bloodshed or any per- sonal collision. Hlihas and his cosmopolitan company were taken to San Francisco, and were soon after sent back to Mexico.

General Vallejo remained in charge of the frontier. Ile removed his headquarters from Santa Anna y Ferias, on Mark West, to Sonoma, when, by order of Figueroa, he, in the month of June, 1835, established the town of Sonoma.

General Figueroa died soon after these events. Ilis successor, Governor Carrillo, was deposed by Alvarado. The new governor appointed General Vallejo to the position of Command- ante General of the frontier.

In this position General Vallejo did all in his

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

power to promote the settlement of the frontier. Expeditions were sent ont against the Indians, agricultural industries were extended, and the raising of cattle, sheep and horses was in every way encouraged.

Between 1840 and 1845 a large number of immigrants came to northern California. They were well received by the General, though the home government was continually " nagging" him because he did not send the foreigners out of the country, at the same time giving him neither men nor means to carry out their order.

In the early part of the year 1846, affairs in California were rapidly approaching a crisis. In April, a junta was called to meet at Monterey to consider the condition of affairs. Revere gives a summary of some of the speeches made. That of General Vallejo was as follows:

"I cannot, gentlemen, coincide with the mili- tary and civil funetionaries who have advocated the cession of our country to France or Eng- land. It is most true that to rely any longer on Mexico to govern and defend us would be idle and absurd. To this extent 1 fully agree with my colleagues. It is also true that we possess a noble country, every way calculated, from posi- tion and resources, to become great and power- ful. For that very reason I would not have her a mere dependency upon a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at least indifferent to our in- terests and our welfare. It is not to be denied that feeble nations have in former times thrown themselves npon the protection of their power- ful neighbors. The Britons invoked the aid of the warlike Saxons, and tell an easy prey to their protectors, who seized their lands and. treated them like slaves. Long before that time, feeble and distracted provinces had appealed for aid to the all-conquering arms of imperial Rome, and they were at the same time protected and subjugated by their grasping ally. Even could we tolerate the idea of depend- ence, ought we to go to distant Europe for a master? What possible sympathy could exist between ns and a nation separated from ns by two vast oceans? But waiving this insuperable

objection, how could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarchy? For, although others speak lightly of a form of goverment, as a freeman, I cannot do so. We are republicans --- badly governed and badly situated as we are -- still we are all, in sentiment. republicans. So far as we are governed at all, we at least profess to be self.governed. Who, then, that possesses true patriotism will consent to subject himself and his children to the caprices of a foreign king and his official minions? But it is asked, if we do not throw ourselves upon the protec- tion of France and England, what shall we do? I do not come here to support the existing order of things. but I come prepared to propose in- stant and effective action to extricate our country from her present forlorn condition. My opin- ion is made up that we must persevere in throwing off the galling yoke of Mexico, and proclaim our independence of her forever. We have endured her official cormorants and her villainous soldiery until we can endure no longer. All will probably agree with me that we ought at once to rid ourselves of what may remain of Mexican domination. But some profess to doubt our ability to maintain onr position. To my mind there comes no doubt. Look at Texas, and see how long she withstood the power of united Mexico. The resources of Texas were not to be compared with ours, and she was much nearer to her enemy than we are. Our position is so remote, either by land or sea, that we are in no danger from Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we hesitate still to assert our independence? We have indeed taken the first step by electing our own Gover- nor, but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and distinctly -- it is annex- ation to the United States. In contemplating this consommation of our destiny, I feel noth- ing but pleasure, and I ask you to share it. Discard old prejudices, disregard old enstoms, and prepare for the glorious change which awaits our country. Why should we shrink from in- corporating ourselves with the happiest and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

the most wealthy and powerful? Why should we go abroad for protection when this great nation is onr adjoining neighbor? When we join our fortunes to hers, we shall not become subjects, but fellow-citizens, possessing all the rights of the people of the United States, and choosing our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a stable government and just laws. California will grow strong and flourish, and her people will be prosperons, happy and free. Look not, therefore, with jealousy upon the hardy pioneers who seale onr mountains and enltivate our unoccupied plains; but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a com- mon destiny."

Lieutenant Revere was in Monterey when the junta met; its proceedings were secret, but he says it was notorions that two parties existed in the country, and that General Vallejo was the leader of the American party. while Castro was at the head of the European party. He says he had his report of the meeting from doenmentary evidence, as well as sketches of the principal speeches. He also says that so soon as General Vallejo retired from the junta he addressed a letter to Governor Pio Pico embodying the views he had expressed in his speech and refusing ever again to assist in any project having for its end the establishment of a protectorate over Califor- nia by any other power than the United States.

At last the long threatened storm broke upon the town of Sonoma, and its commandante and little garrison were captured by the Americans. General Vallejo was kept as a prisoner for about a month, and released by order of Commodore Stockton.

General Vallejo, speaking of the condition of affairs in Northern California previous to the taking of Sonoma, said:

" Years before I had urgently represented to the Government of Mexico the necessity of stationing a sufficient force on the frontier, else Sonoma would be lost; which would be equiva- lent to leaving the rest of the country an easy prey to the invader. What think you, my friends, were the instructions sent me in reply

to my repeated demands for means to fortify the country? These instructions were that I should at once force the immigrants to recross the Sierra Nevada and depart from the territory of the Republic. To say nothing of the in- humanity of these orders, their execution was physically impossible; first, because I had no military force; and second, because the immi- grants came in the autumn, when snow covered the Sierra so quickly as to render return im- practicable. Under the circumstances not only 1, but Commandante-General Castro, resolved to provide the immigrants with letters of security. that they might remain temporarily in the country. We always made a show of anthority, but were well convinced all the time that we had no power to resist the invasion which was eom- ing in npon ns. With the frankness of a sol- dier I can assure yon that the American immi- grants never had eanse to complain of the treatment they received at the hands of either anthorities or citizens."

General Vallejo on his release at once made his great influence as a friend of the United States felt throughout the country. He took active interest in public affairs always on the side of order and good government. Ile was elected a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion which met in Monterey, and was a Senator from the Sonoma District in the first Legislature of California. And from that period down to the present he has been an enterprising, useful, and honored citizen of Sonoma. In priority of settlement, he is the first of the 35,000 inhabi- tants now living in this county.

On the 6th of March, 1832, he married Señorita Benicia Francesca Carillo, who still survives with her distinguished husband.

In person General Vallejo, even at his ad- vanced age, is a strikingly handsome man. Ile is tall and erect in carriage, with the military air of one disciplined to arms in his early youth. Ile is a brilliant conversationalist, an eloquent speaker, even in English, which he acquired late in life. To these accomplishments may be added the grace of gesture and manner which he in

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

herits with his blood from an ancestry of Spanish cavaliers.

GENERAL JON A. SUTTER.

As the name of Captain John A. Sutter is so intimately woven with the history of the State as to be a part of the same, and as his purchase of the Ross property identified him directly with the early history of Sonoma County, we give place to the following letter written by him in 1845. It is interesting as showing the real conditions in California at the time it was written:

NEW HELVETIA, 1st Jan., 1845.

SIR AND DEAR FRIEND :- My reasons for not writing sooner is that I laeked an opportunity. since your young man was afraid of bad weather.

I was in hopes all the time that perhaps I might have the pleasure of seeing you at Yerba Buena.

I spoke to Mr. Snyder and Alemans, who both promised to go to Sonoma and pay you a visit. The representation, ete., for Mr. Castill- ero, I have left in the hands of Mr. Forbes, and hope that the former will have received them before his departure from California to Mexico.

I was astonished to hear over there the news that I had sold my establishment to the Govern- ment, and in fact Mr. Estudillo told me that you had gone to see those gentlemen at the Moqnelumne River, so that it seems that they have not kept the matter seeret. What is your opinion about it, sir? Do you think that the Government will buy it? I wish I was certain of that, so that I might take the necessary measures. In ease the Government decided about this purchase, do yon think it would be possible to obtain a part of the sum on account. enough to pay a part of my debts?

I could put them in possession of the estab- lishment at the end of the harvest. It seems to me that the Government ought not to neglect that affair; for next autumn many emigrants are bound here from the United States, and one thing comforts me, that there will be many

Germans, French and Swiss amongst them. I have received letters to that effect from a few friends, through the last little party of ten men.

At all events, nothing could be more neces- sary for the Government than a respectable posi- tion here, in this place.

Among the emigrants who intend coming. are gentlemen of great means, capitalists, ete.

By some letters that I have received from New York, I see that one will bring over all the machinery fit for two steamers; one is destined to be a coaster, while the other will sail the bay to Sacramento. The Russians (or Russe) will also bring a little one for the Cap- tain Leidesdorff, and the Russian Captain (or the Captain Russe) Leinderherg, my friend, has made me a present of a little machine large enough for a sloop, which he had made for his pleasure: that will be very nice for the river. The Dr. MeLoughlin, at Vancouver (Colombia). has retired from the Hudson Bay Co., and in- tends to come and live here. He will give a new impulse to business; he is the great protec- tor of agriculture. A ship is going to bring us printing material, and I intend to have a news- paper published, half Spanish, half English. Sneh progress are made throughout civilization, and here we are so much behind. Even in Tahiti, there is a lithography, and a newspaper is published: L'Oceanic Francaise,

We expect a ship from New York in the course of abont a month; it will bring us all the necessary implements of agriculture selected on purpose for our valley, comprising many plows. with farmers' garments, ete., ete. This ship would enter withont paying the Custom House duties, if the thing was possible, or, at least, pay them at a moderate rate; or do yon think that arrangements could be made with Mr.

by paying him four or six thousand dollars, that he might let the ship enter for the benefit of the inhabitants of Sacramento. This would render him quite popular among us; the advan- tage derived for the country would be great ; the inhabitants of --- would have the same ad- vantage as we. In April will arrive another

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

ship, with another cargo well suited for our valley. The proprietor of these two ships are very rich, and form one of the wealthiest firms in New York and London. They contemplate buying a lot near the Bay or Sacramento River, to open warehouses, and keep a stock of articles we may need. They would sell on credit to all the farmers who would desire their trust, and take in payment wheat or any other of the pro- duets of the country, as well as a great quantity of salted salmon. The other merchants who transact business in this unfortunate country. refuse to receive anything but leather and tallow. This is the ruin of the country. If there was such a market and such a competition open, you would soon see a great difference.

I hope that you will find some means of hav- ing that ship enter; perhaps Mr.

-- can assist you in the matter; (indeed I have heard that he was on very good terms with the jovial captain), and that affair ought to have quite as mueh interest for him as for us.

I regret very much being so far from you, and not having more opportunities of corre- sponding, which is especially the case in winter.

I wish you could write to me as soon as pos- sible, for I feel convineed that you would easily settle these affairs, since your position as seere- tary to --- , and your friendly terms with Capt. -- are advantages which would soon lead us to enrich ourselves, with good manage- ment.

The Capt. Fremont of the United States Army has gone to meet his other company, commanded by the Capt. Walker (under his orders), who had been sent after the discovery of another passage through the mountains, more to the south; I expect them daily; they will spend the winter here, and depart again in spring for Columbia.

Another small party of ten men has arrived since from the United States; this will be the last; they were fortunate in escaping the snow which fell in great abundance in the mountains at their arrival.

Samuel Smith has been here during my ab- ;

sence to Yerba Buena, and unfortunately 1 for- got to leave orders for his arrest. They told him that I had orders to detain him a prisoner. and he answered that he would come another time when I should be present, but that he did not care to be a prisoner; since then he has not returned.

I believe that he is still somewhere on the other side, and that he is likely to join, by and by, the company now preparing to go to Columbia. Among the people in the upper valley are a few bad characters who stole some of my horses, and some mares and cows of Mr. Corelna's. They are disposed to steal a great deal more, and intend coming near Sonoma be- fore their departure, to steal as many cattle as possible. We must try to imprison some of the principal ones, and I hope I can depend on Capt. Fremont and his men. Ile will doubtless enable me to make his countrymen prisoners, for, to look over such aets, would be the worst influence for the future. However, in ease Mr. Fremont refuses to assist in the capture of the worst of his countrymen, I shall try to do it alone; and if I have not sufficient power to she- ceed, I shall write to Mr. Vallejo for an anxil- iary, etc., etc.

It was with the greatest displeasure that I heard from Mr. Wolfsquiell, who came here from Los Angeles, of that bad rascal Flugge not being dead, but hope that yon will do your best to seeure that lot of ground which will prove, no further than next year, a fortune for you

I hope that Mr. Covarubias will assist you.

In a few weeks the launche will come to Sonoma with some of Beaulien's garments, and will bring at the same time some tanned leather for Mr. Vallejo. I therefore beg that you would deliver the ten fanegas of wheat to Maintop, (captain of the launche). If you have any corn, I shall buy some. As for the deer skins which yon have, I shall write by the same means and tell you whether I shall take them or not.

How inconvenient it is for us in the north, that the capitol should be so far distant. It

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

takes at least four or five months before receiv- ing an answer: it would be almost as well not to write at all, for it tires one so much.

I make no more reports to the Government, except to Mr. Castro, as he is the nearest, and he ean make his statement to the government if he judges it necessary.

I have not as yet received an answer from the Padre Real about the letter that you were kind enough to write for me about fruit trees and vines.

You know that Mr. Castro has given me the permission of receiving as much as I needed. Advise me, if you please, on what I can do. Will it be possibe to receive " some vine trees " in Sonoma? If you could have them ready in about three weeks, something like 2,000 of them, I would pay you as much as they cost.

If I have vines here, you can have them quite near your farm. ( ??? )

Leidesdorff is appointed agent of the Co. Amer. Russe, to receive the prodnets from me, and buy from them. I had the pleasure to see the Captain de Lion, Mr. Bonnet, who told me the troop alone in Marquesas and Tahiti. leav- ing out the inhabitants, consume 650 arobas of Hour a day, and that the Government would pre- fer to send here for the provisions, if we ean sell them at the same price as in Chili, $4 the. quintal; we could very well compete at that price if that eursed Custom House ceased to exist.

If this country derived any utility from the Custom House one would not complain so mueh, but it is only good to provide for a lot of useless officers who devour the very marrow of the country. If at last a paper could be pub- lished that would unseal the blind men's eyes, I trust that you may take a part and interest in that affair of printing.

I am now constructing a mill with two pairs of mill-stones, for a great quantity of flour will be needed next autumn when the emigrants arrive.

A much better road, some 400 miles shorter, has been discovered, and the Captain Fremont

has also found in the last chain of mountains a much easier passage than the one known so far; every trip they make some new discovery. I can assure you that in five years more there will be a railroad from the United States here. 1 ean see that. Already the Rocky Mountains commenee to be peopled, where eight years ago I could see nothing but deserts with Indians. and where now stand quite considerable cities. The crowd of emigrants arriving in the United States increase the population to such an extent that it will find its way even to the Pacific shores. A year and two more and no power will be able to stop that emigration.

Next week you shall have more news from your devoted friend,

J. A. SUTTER.

While the above letter shows that Captain Sutter had an eye strictly to business. it also shows that he took in the real situation and knew that American rule was the ultimate des- tiny of California.

We cannot better close this chapter than by appending the following names of those who helped to establish permanent settlements on the north side of San Francisco Bay:

SONOMA DISTRICT PIONEERS.

The "Society of California pioneers, compris- ing the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Men- doeino and Marin," was organized December 25, 1867.

Those who arrived in California prior to the 9th day of September, 1850, and their male de- scendants, are eligible to membership. The past presidents have been: Uriah Edwards, 1867-68; Nicholas Carriger, 1868-72; William M. Boggs, 1872-'74; William Mel'herson Hill, 1874-76; John Cavanaugh, 1876-78; Julius A. Poppe, 1878 79; Thomas Earl, 1879-'81; Daniel D. Davisson, 1881-'54.

The members are: William C. Adams, Louis Adler, Pierre Augards, Stephen Akers, John Abbott, S. J. Agnew, O. S. Allen, J. M. Arm- strong, Joseph Albertson, W. G. Alban, Thomas Allen, E. G. Alban, Horatio Appleton, N. H.

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

Amesbury, D. H. AAlderson, John Hall Allison, Charles H. Allen, W. F. Allen, Charles Alex- ander, Charles G. Ames, William M. Boggs, J. B. Beam, William H. Brady, Herman Baruh, 1. 1. Basignano, E. Biggs, Louis Bruck, Edward F. Bale, John Brown, Samuel Brown, William Board, John F. Boyce, JJ. S. Brackett, David Burris, I. S. Bradford, R. Bunnell, R. T. Barker, .P. F. Barker, John N. Bailache, E. N. Boynton, Ar. Barney, J. D. Beam, HI. HI. Brower, Will iam l'. Boyce, M. C. Briggs, H. W. Baker, J. W. Boggs, Erwin Barry, Sim H. Buford, San- ford Bennett, H. E. Boggs, Elias Barnett, William Baldbridge, A. C. Boggs, John M Boggs, George W. Boggs, Joseph O. Boggs, Theodors W. Boggs, L. W. Boggs, Jr., J. N. Bennett, P. G. Baxter, Jesse Beasley, Z. Briggs, Robert Brownlie, Jonathan E. Bond, Peter D Bailey, John Bright, T. C. Brown, A. B. Bor- rell, John Bailiff, William Bradford, HI. C. Boggs, Nicholas Carriger, Julio Carrillo, Will- iam Cory, Columbus Carlton, John Cavanagh, Howard Clark, G. W. Clark, Solomon II. Car- riger, W. W. Carpenter, C. C. Carriger, A. B. Carriger, B. L. Cook, T. S. Cooper, J. R. Cooper, W. L. Copeland. R. Crane, J. Clark, O. W. Craig, G. W. Cornwell, W. M. Coleman, E. Coleman, H. K. Clark, S. B. Carpenter, V. B. Cook, D. Chamberlin, J. Cairn, O. Clark. W. R. Coburn, D. W. Carriger, J. L. Cook, J. J. Cogill, Sr., L. Carson, J. ( Crigler, J. Clay- man, J. Chiles, JJ. Custer, B. Capell, J. Cyrus, 1. J. Cox, S. Clark, L. Chapman, N. Coombs, D. C. Crockett, Dr. C. Crouch, W. R. Cook, I. Chauvet, II. Decker, M. Donohue, II. W. Dick- inson, D. D. Davidson, W. Dorman, B. W. Diffendurffer, E. L. Davis, N. Dunbar, J. Dick- enson, A. J. Dollarhide, J. W. Easter, T. Earl, E. Emerson, B. E. Edsall, L. F. Eaton, W. Edgington, A. Y. Easterby, W. Ellis, J. Fer- nald, J. F. Fowler, J. M. Freeman, A. J. W. Faure, J. T. Fortson, J. Fulton, JJ. W. Flavell, HI. Fowler, W. Fowler, W. A. Fisher, 1. Far- ley, S. W. Fandre, F. Fisher, J. M. Gregson, T. C. Grey, F. P. Green, O. Greig, J. Gibson, W. Green, J. F. Green, J. Gallagher, W. W. Green-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, Part 12

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 786

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786