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 9
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).
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 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
59
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
the part of the American settlers in this high- handed act, they all seemed to have assented to the faet that the bridges had been burned behind them, and all they had to do now was to " fight it out on that line if it took them all summer."
It was the 11th of June that Merritt and his followers returned with Castro's horses. They seem to have acted on the principle of " making hay while the sun shines," for on that afternoon the company was increased to twenty men, still led by Ezekiel Merritt, who took their departure in the direction of Sonoma. That night they reached Gordon's on Cache Creek where they halted for refreshments, and then made a night march to Napa Valley, which they reached on the forenoon of June 12th. In Napa Valley they remained two days, evidently for the pur- pose of strengthening their force; which they did by the enrollment of twelve or thirteen additional men. The force now numbered either thirty-two or thirty-three, who, so far as is now ascertainable, responded to the following names: Ezekiel Merritt, William B. Ide, John Grigsby, Robert Semple, II. L. Ford, William Todd, William Fullon, William Knight, Will- iam Hargrave, Sam Kelsey, G. P. Swift, Sam Gibson, W. W. Scott, Benj. Dewell, Thomas Cowie, William B. Elliott, Thomas Knight, Horace Sanders, Henry Booker, Dav. Hudson, John Sears, and most of the following: J. II. Kelly, C. C. Griffith, Harvey Porterfield, John Seott, Ira Stebbins, Marion Wise, Ferguson, Peter Storm, Pat. MeChristian, Bartlett Vines, Fowler, John Gibbs, Andrew Kelsey, and Benj- amin Kelsey. It was about midnight of Satur- day the 13th of June that this motley crowd of frontiersmen took to saddle and proceeded across the hills intervening between Napa Valley and the Pueblo of Sonoma. Just at break of day they reached that fortified stronghold of north- ern California, and neither baying of wateh- dog nor caekling of goose aroused the sleeping Sonomans to a sense of impending danger. Every reader will expeet to hear, in detail, ex- actly what transpired on that memorable occa-
sion. Hubert Howe Bancroft has in his pos- session many of the original documents con- nected with that event, or authenticated copies. Ile is certainly in a position to give as near the absolute facts in connection therewith as will ever be attainable, as very many of the partici- pants in the capture of Sonoma are now dead. We have had from General Vallejo's own lips a statement of the individual part he played in the event, and it is substantially the same as recited by Mr. Bancroft. Believing that hist- orian Bancroft gives a true and reliable version of the whole occurrence we incorporate it here. It is as follows:
" At daybreak Vallejo was aroused by a noise. and on looking out saw that his house was sur- rounded by armed men. This state of things was sufficiently alarming in itself, and all the more so by reason of the uncouth and even tero- cions aspect of the strangers. Says Semple: Almost the whole party was dressed in leather hunting-shirts, many of them very greasy; tak- ing the whole party together. they were about as rough a looking set of men as one could well imagine. It is not to be wondered at that any one would feel some dread in falling into their hands. And Vallejo himself declares that there was by no means such a uniformity of dress as a greasy hunting-shirt for each man would imply. Vallejo's wife was even more alarmed than her husband, whom she begged to eseape by a back door, but who deeming such a course undignified as well as impracticable, hastily dressed, ordered the front door opened, and met the intruders as they entered his sala, demanding who was their chief and what their business. Not much progress in explanation was made at first, though it soon became appar- ent that the Colonel, while he was to consider himself a prisoner was not in danger of any per- sonal violence. Lieutenant-Colonel Prudon and Captain Salvador Vallejo entered the room a few minutes later. attracted by the noise, or possibly were arrested at their houses and brought there: at any rate, they were put under arrest like the Colonel. Jacob P. Leese was sent for to serve
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
as interpreter, after which mutual explanations progressed more favorably.
" Early in the ensuing negotiations between prisoners and filibusters, it became apparent that the latter had neither acknowledged leader nor regular plan of operations beyond the seizure of government property and of the officers. Some were acting, as in the capture of Arce's horses, merely with a view to obtain arms, animals, and hostage-to bring about hostilities, and at the same time to deprive the foe of his resources: others believed themselves to have. undertaken a revolution, in which the steps to be immediately taken were a formal declaration of independence and the election of officers, Merritt being regarded rather as a guide than captain. All seemed to agree, however, that they were acting under Fremont's orders, and this to the prisoners was the most assuring feat- ure in the ease. Vallejo had for some time favored the annexation of California to the United States. lle had expected and often predicted a movement to that end. There is no foundation for the suspicion that the taking of Sonoma and his own capture were planned by himself, in collusion with the filibuster chiefs, with a view to evade responsibility ; yet it is eer. tain that he had little if any objection to an en- forced arrest by officers of the United States as a means of escaping from the delieaey of his posi- tion as a Mexican officer. Accordingly, being assured that the insurgents were acting under Fremont, he submitted to arrest, gave up keys to public property, and entered upon negotia- tions with a view to obtain guarantees of protec- tion for non-combatants.
"The guarantees sought were then drawn up in writing and signed by the respective parties. The originals of those documents are in my possession, and are given in a note."
The following are the documents referred to by Mr. Bancroft:
" SONOMA, June 14, 1846.
"Be it known by these presents, that, having been surprised by a numerons armed force which took me prisoner, with the chief and offi-
cers belonging to the garrison of this place that the said force took possession of, having found it absolutely defenseless, myself as well as the undersigned officers pledge our word of honor that, being under the guarantees of prisoners of war, we will not take up arms for or against the said armed forces, from which we have received the present intimation, and a signed writing which guarantees our lives, families, and prop- erty, and those of all the residents of this ju- risdiction, so long as we make no opposition.
M. J. VALLEJO, VICTOR PRUDON, SALVADOR VALLEJO."
" We, the undersigned, have resolved to es- tablish a government of on (npon?) republican principles, in connection with others of our fellow-citizens, and having taken up arms to support it, we have taken three Mexican officers as prisoners, Gen. M. J. Vallejo, Lieut .- Col. Vietor Prudon, and Capt. D. Salvador Vallejo. having formed and published to the world no regular plan of government, feel it our duty to say it is not our intention to take or injure any person who is not found in opposition to the cause, nor will we take or destroy the property of private individuals further than is necessary for our support.
EZEKIEL MERRITT, R. SEMPLE, WILLIAM FALLON, SAMUEL KELSAY."
Mr. Bancroft. continuing says: "It was naturally to be expected, under the circum- stances, that the arrested officers would be re- leased on parole. Such was evidently the view taken on both sides at first. Ford says there were some who favored such a course. Leesc. who had the best opportunities for understand- ing the matter, and who gives a more detailed account than any other writer, tells us that such a decision was reached; and finally, the documents which I have presented, Nos. 1 and 2, being to all intents and purposes regular pa- role papers, leave no doubt upon the subject. But now difficulties arose, respecting some
54
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
phase of which there is contradictory testi- mony.
" Thus far only a few of the insurgent leaders had entered, or at least remained in the house; and the negotiations had in reality been eon- dneted by Semple and Leese very much in their own way. Ide testifies that Merritt, Semple and Win. Knight, the latter accompanying the expedition merely as an interpreter, were the first to enter the house, while the rest waited ontside; that presently hearing nothing, they became impatient, determined to choose a cap- tain, and eleeted John Grigsby, who thereupon went in; and after waiting what appeared an age, the men again lost patience and called upon the writer, Ide, to go and investigate the causes of delay. Now the diserepancies in testimony begin. Ide describes the state of things which met his view as follows: 'The General's gen- erous spirits gave proof of his usual hospitality, as the richest wines and brandies sparkled in the glasses, and those who had thus uneere- moniously met soon became merry companions; more especially the merry visitors. There sat Dr. S., just modifying a long string of articles of capitulation. There sat Merritt, his head fallen: there sat Knight, no longer able to in- terpret; and there sat the new-made captain, as mnte as the seat he sat upon. The bottles had well-nigh vanquished the captors!' Leese also states that the brandy was a potent factor in that morning's event; but according to his ver. sion, it was on the company outside that its in- tluence was exerted, rendering them noisy and unmanageable, though an effort had been made by his advice to put the liquor out of reach. I do not, however, deem it at all likely that the leaders drank more than it was customary to drink in a Californian's parlor, or more than they eould carry; but that some of the rough characters in the company became intoxicated we may well believe.
" At any rate, disagreement ensned, the men refused entirely to ratify the capitulation made by their former leaders, insisting that the pris- oners inst be sent to the Sacramento; some of
them were inclined to be insubordinate and eager for plunder: while the lawless spirits were restrained from committing outrages by the eloquence of Semple and the voice of the ma- jority; yet the leaders could not agree. Cap- tain Grigsby declined to retain the leadership that had been conferred upon him. So William B. Ide was chosen in his stead, and the revolu- tionists immediately took possession of all pub- lie property, as well as of such horses and other private property as they needed, at the same time loeking up all citizens that could be found. It would seem that the second of the documents I have presented was torn, and the third drawn up and signed at an early stage of the disagree- ments, after it became apparent that it might be best to send the prisoners to the Sacramento, the signatures showing that it could not have been later. Vallejo, though not enconraged at seeing that the leaders were not permitted by their followers to keep their promises, was not very much displeased at being sent to New Helvetia. He was assured that the insurgents were aeting by Fremont's orders: his own views were known to be favorable to the schemes of the United States; and he had no reason to doubt that on meeting Fremont he and his companions would at once be released on parole.
" Before the departure of the prisoners and their escort a formal meeting of the revolution- ists was held. That Semple, secretary, made a speech connselling united action and modera- tion in the treatment of the natives, and that William B. Ide was chosen eaptain, is all that is known of this meeting, except what we may learn from Ide' snarrative. The leaders differed in their ideas, not only respeeting the dispo- sition to be made of the prisoners, but about the chief objeet of the movement. Evidently there had been no definitely arranged plan of operations. Fremont had sneceeded in bring- ing about a state of open hostility withont committing himself. Some of the men re- garded their movement as merely intended to provoke Castro to make an attack on Fremont; or at least they dreaded the responsibility of
55
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
engaging in a regular revolution, especially ; 'neutral conquest ' left us alone in our glory." when it was learned that no one could produce I find no reason to doubt that this version, though somewhat highly colored, is in sub- stanee accurate; that Merritt, having captured horses and prisoners, was content to rest on his laurels; that Grigsby was timid about assuming the responsibility of deelaring independence without a positive assurance of Fremont's co- operation; that Semple, while in favor of inde- pen lenee, preferred that Sacramento should be the center of operations, unless -- what Vallejo and Leese also favored-Fremont could be in- dneed to establish his headquarters åt Sonoma; or finally, that Ide and his associate influenced the majority to complete their revolutionary work and take no backward steps. I think, how- ever, that Ide and all the rest counted con- tidently on Fremont's support; and that Semple and Grigsby were by no means regarded as abandoning the canse when they left Sonoma. any definite promise from Fremont in black and white to support such a movement. Others were in favor of an immediate declaration of independence. That such differences of opinion did exist as Ide states, is in itself by no means improbable; and it is confirmed to some extent by the fact that Grigsby did resign his leader- ship, and by the somewhat strange circumstance that three such prominent men as Grigsby, Merritt and Semple should have left Sonoma to accompany the prisoners. Ide writes that when Grigsby heard that no positive orders from Fremont could be produced, his fears of doing wrong overcame his patriotism, and he inter- rupted the speaker by saying: 'Gentlemen, I have been deceived; I cannot go with you; I resign and back out of the serape. I can take my family to the mountains as cheap as any of you' -- and Dr. S. at that moment led him into the house. Disorder and confusion prevailed. One swore he would not stay and guard the prisoners; another swore we would all have our throats eut; another called for fresh horses; and all were on the move, every man for himself, when the speaker [Ide] resumed his efforts, raising his voice louder and more lond, as the men receded from the place, saying: . We need no horses; saddle no horse for me; I can go to the Spaniards and make freemen of them. I will lay my bones here before I will take upon my- self the ignominy of commencing an honorable work and then flee like cowards, like thieves, when no enemy is in sight. In vain will you say you had honorable motives. Who will be- lieve it? Flee this day, and the longest life cannot wear ont your disgrace! Choose ye this day what you will be! We are robbers or we must be conquerors!' and the speaker in despair turned his back on his receding companions. With new hope they rallied around the despond- ing speaker, made him their commander, their chief; and his next words commanded the " They eneamped that night at Vaea's rancho. No special pains were taken to gnard the prison- ers, who, with Leese, slept on a pile of straw taking of the fort." Subsequently " the three leaders of the party of the primitive plan of
"It was about 11 A. M., on June 14th, when the three prisoners, accompanied by Leese as interpreter at their request and that of the captors-not himself a prisoner as has been generally stated -- and guarded by Grigsby, Semple. Merritt, Hargrave, Knight and four of five others, started on horses from Vallejo's herds for the Sacramento. It will be most convenient to follow them before proceeding to narrate later developments at Sonoma. Before starting, and on the way, Vallejo was often questioned by Californians as to the situation of affairs; but could only counsel them to remain quiet, announcing that he would probably return within four or live days. His idea was that Fremont, after releasing him and his companions on parole, might be induced to establish his headquarters at Sonoma, an idea shared by Semple, Grigsby and Leese. Relations between captives and captors were altogether friendly, exeept in the case of some hostile feeling among a few individuals against Don Salvador.
50
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
near the camp. Vallejo had desired to travel all night; but the men declined to do so, having had no sleep the night before. Before dawn on the morning of the 15th, a Californian succeeded in reaching the captives, and informed Vallejo that a company of his countrymen had been organized to effect his rescue, and only awaited his orders, The Colonel refused to permit snch an attempt to be made, both because he had no reason to fear any unpleasant results from his enforced visit to the Sacramento, and because he feared retaliation at Sonoma in case an attempt to escape should bring harm to any of the guards. On the 15th the party reached llardy's place on the Sacramento. Here Merritt left the others, intending to visit F'remont's eamp and return next morning, but as he did not eome back Leese, with one companion, started in the forenoon of the 16th, also in quest of Fremont. Arriving at Allgeier's place, they learned that the Captain had moved his camp
to the American River; and starting for that point, they rejoined their companions before arrival. Here Grigsby presented an order from Fremont for Leese's arrest, for which, so far as known, no explanation was given.
"Late in the afternoon they reached the camp, and the prisoners were brought into the presence of Fremont. That officer's reception of them was very different from what had been anticipated. Ilis words and manner were re- served and mysterions, He denied when Vallejo demanded for what offenses and by what anthority he had cansed their arrest, that he was in any way responsible for what had been done; declared that they were prisoners of the people, who had been driven to revolt for self-protection; refused to accept their paroles, and sent them that same night, under a guard composed in part if not wholly of his own men-Kit Carson and Merritt being sent in ad- vance to be locked up at Sutter's Fort."
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
3. 00
THE BEAR FLAG STARS AND STRIPES.
CHAPTER VII.
THE PRISONERS OUT OF THE WAY, THE REVOLUTIONISTS CAME DOWN TO THE SERIOUS CONCERNS OF FOUNDING A NEW GOVERNMENT -THEY ADOPT THE BEAR FLAG -HOW IT WAS MADE AND BY WHOM-THEY HAVE NINE CANNONS AND TWO HUNDRED MUSKETS-CAPTAIN IDE ISSUES A PROC- LAMATION-LIEUTENANT MISSROON FROM THE AMERICAN MAN OF WAR, PORTSMOUTH, ARRIVES AND GETS ASSURANCE FROM THE REVOLUTIONISTS THAT THEY WILL BE CONSIDERATE OF THE RIGHTS OF THE FORMER CITIZENS OF SONOMA-THE KILLING OF COWIE AND FOWLER AT SANTA ROSA-THE BATTLE OF OLOMPALI -- CASTRO SENDS TROOPS ACROSS THE BAY-A SWIFT MESSEN- . GER SENT TO FREMONT -- FREMONT HASTENS TO SONOMA WITH NINETY MEN - GOES TO SAN RAFAEL -RETURNS TO SONOMA AND CELEBRATES THE FOURTH OF JULY THERE-ON THE 5TH THE CALIFORNIA BATTALION ORGANIZE WITH FREMONT AND GILLESPIE AS OFFICERS-FREMONT STARTS ON THE 6TH TO HEAD THE BAY AND GO SOUTH AFTER CASTRO-NEWS HAVING REACHED CAPTAIN MONTGOMERY, OF THE PORTSMOUTH, THAT WAR EXISTED BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, HE, ON THE MORNING OF THE 9TH OF JULY DISPATCHED LIEUTENANT REVERE TO SONOMA WITH AN AMERICAN FLAG, AND AT NOON OF THAT DAY THE BEAR FLAG CAME DOWN AND THE STARS AND STRIPES WENT UP.
ENERAL VALLEJO certainly had a right to be surprised at the foregoing treatment by Fremont. That he appreciated the real condition of affairs is made very plain by the following correspondence, a careful perusal of which will show that General Vallejo, when taken prisoner at Sonoma, felt warranted in looking to United States authorities for protec- tion. From lohn B. Montgomery, command- ing United States ship Portsmouth, he certainly received more of consideration and cheer than from General Fremont, and yet in both instances the action of the Bear Flag party seems to have been repndiated and ignored entirely. Viewed from this stand-point it is not a matter of
wonder that Captain Grigsby and others of the Bear Flag party may have felt a tickling sensa- tion around the neek when they ascertained that their taking of Sonoma was not backed by any positive anthority from Fremont or any body else clothed with United States anthority. The rank and file of the Bear Flag party evi- dently acted npon the principle that a " wink was as good as a nod of assent;" and taking their lives in their hands they struck the blow, and took the cliances. Like John Adams who, after affixing his name to the Declaration of Inde- pendence, remarked, " well, if we hang, we all hang together," they captured Sonoma, and left to the future what the outcome of the venture
58
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
should be. The following is the correspondence referred to:
" HISTORICAL CORRESPONDENCE.
" General Vallejo's message to Captain Mont- gomery, the day of the capture of Sonoma Montgomery's reply - Lieutenant Miss. roon's account of the revolutionists-Highly creditable conduct of the Bears - Ide's pledge to Mission.
" IUNITED STATES SHIP PORTSMOUTH. " SAN FRANCISCO, August 17, 1847.
" MY DEAR GENERAL: I am now about to sail for Monterey, and avail myself of this mode of expressing to yon my regret that I shall thus most probably be deprived of seeing you on your contemplated visit to Yerba Buena to- morrow, having anticipated much pleasure from this event; but you well know how little we servants of the public are left to the disposition of our own time.
" I reached the Portsmouth from Sonoma very comfortably on Friday last abont 6 o'clock in the afternoon, greatly pleased with my visit, and gratified by the very kind and hospitable attentions of my esteemed friends there, the re- membrance of which I shall long continue to eherish.
" In compliance with your expressed wishes while I was at Sonoma, I herewith inclose you, iny dear General, copies of the doemnent for- warded to you by De la Rosa in the commence- ment of the late revolution, and those having reference to Lientenant Missroon's visit to Sonoma by my orders, with overtures to the in- surgent chief in behalf of prisoners and the helpless inhabitants of that place, which you are at liberty to use as you shall think proper.
" From Monterey it is most probable I shall make a cruise to the southward, and am not without hopes of soon returning with the pleas- ing intelligence of peace between the United States and Mexico, which I feel assured will be most welcome tidings for you and all who are interested in the prosperity of California.
" Be pleased to present my most respectful re-
gards to Madam Vallejo and all the members of your interesting family, and express to them my sense of their kind hospitality and attention to me and my little son during our recent visit; and believe me, my dear General, I am and shall ever be, with highest esteem and friend- ship, sincerely your obedient servant,
" JOHN B. MONTGOMERY. "Gen. Guadalupe Vallejo, Sonoma."
Statement of the interview between Senor Don José de la Rosa and Commander John B. Montgomery, commanding United States ship Portsmouth, Lieutenant W. A. Bart- lett, United States Navy, interpreter. By order of the commander, John B. Mont- gomery.
" Don José de la Rosa, on coming on board the ship, desired to inform Captain Montgomery that he brought information from Don Gnada- lupe Vallejo, military commandante of Sonoma, which he desired to give the moment Captain Montgomery could receive him.
" On being received by Captain Montgomery I was directed to aet as interpreter, when Señor de la Rosa proceeded to deliver his message, which I wrote, as follows:
" Don Guadalupe Vallejo desires to inform Captain Montgomery of the proceedings which took place at Sonoma yesterday morning, at 5 o'clock. There arrived at Sonoma a party of about eighty men, as they said, from the Sacra- mento. They at onee took forcible possession of the place, and posted themselves on the "Cuartel." They then made prisoners of Gien- eral Vallejo, Captain Don Salvador Vallejo, and Lieutenant-Colonel Don Victor P'rudhon, all of whom are officers of the Mexican army.
" Then a Mr. Merritt, who appeared to have command or exercise the authority with the party, handed the General a convention demand- ing of him the surrender of all the arms and government property in Sonoma, which place they should not leave.
" The General replied that he must surrender to the foree in arms, and did so surrender, when
59
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
the party demanded further that all the above- named officers should go with them to their camp on the Sacramento River.
"General Vallejo then requested them to show their anthority or determination (ahajo que plano); and as they said they were Americans, he desired they should exhibit their authority from the Government of the United States. They replied that they did not come under the authority of the United States; but having seen a proclamation of Gen. Castro, threatening to drive all foreigners out of the country, they had taken up arms in self-defense.
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.