History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 20

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206

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Have we not all lived under a monarchy far more despotic than that of France or England, and were not our people happy under it? Have not all the leading men among our agriculturists been bred beneath the royal rule of Spain, and have they been happier since the mock republic of Mexico has supplied its place ? Nay, does not every man abhor the miserable abortion christened the Republic of Mexico, and look back with regret to the golden days of the Spanish monarchy? Let us restore that glorious era. Then may our people go quietly to their ranchos, and live there as of yore, leading a thoughtless and merry life, untroubled by politics or cares of State, sure of what is their own, and safe from the incursions of the Yankees, who would soon be forced to retreat to their own country."

It was a happy thing for California, and, as the sequel proved, for the Govern- ment of the United States, that a man was found at this juncture whose ideas were more enlightened and consonant with the times than those of the rulers of his country, both civil and military. Patriotism was half his soul; he therefore could not silently witness the land of his birth sold to any monarchy, however old; and he rightly judged that, although foreign protection might postpone, it could not avert that assumption of power, which was beginning to make itself felt. Possessed at the time of no political power and having had early advantages above the common order, still his position was so exalted, and his character so highly respected by both the foreign and native population, that he had been invited to participate in the deliberations of the Junta. This man was Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Born in California, he commenced his career in the army as an alferes, or ensign, and in this humble grade he volunteered, at the suggestion of the Mexican Government, with a command of fifty soldiers, to establish a colony on the north side of the Bay of San Francisco, for the protection of the frontier. He effectually subdued the hostile Indians inhab- iting that then remote region, and laid the foundation of a reputation for integrity, judgment, and ability unequaled by any of his countrymen. Though yet a young man, he had already filled the highest offices in the province, and had at this time retired to private life near his estates in the vicinity of the town of Sonoma. He did not hesitate to oppose with all his strength the views advanced by Pico and Castro. He spoke nearly as follows :-

" I cannot, gentlemen, coincide in opinion with the military and civil function- aries who have advocated the cession of our country to France or England. It is most true that to rely any longer upon Mexico to govern and defend us would be idle and absurd. To this extent I fully agree with my distinguished colleagues. It is also true that we possess a noble country, every way calculated from position and resources to become great and powerful. For that reason I would not have her a mere dependency upon a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at least indif- ferent, to our interests and our welfare. It is not to be denied that feeble nations have, in former times, thrown themselves upon the protection of their powerful neighbors. The Britons invoked the aid of the warlike Saxons, and fell 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 dependence, ought we to go

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to distant Europe for a master? What possible sympathy could exist between us and a nation separated from us by two vast oceans? But waving this insuperable objection, how could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarchy ? For, although others speak highly of that form of government, as a free man 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 him- self 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 protection of France or England, what shall we do? I do not come here to support the existing order of things, but I come prepared to propose instant and effective action to extricate our country from her present forlorn condition. My opinion 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 it 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 our 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 Governor, but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and distinctly-it is annex- ation to the United States. In contemplating this consummation of our destiny, I feel nothing but pleasure, and I ask you to share it. Discard old prejudices, disre- regard old customs, and prepare for the glorious change which awaits our country. Why should we shrink from incorporating ourselves with the happiest and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be the most wealthy and powerful? Why should we go abroad for protection when this great nation is our 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 prosperous, happy, and free. Look not, therefore, with jealousy upon the hardy pioneers who scale our mountains and cultivate our unoccupied plains, but rather welcome them as brothers who come to share with us a common destiny."

Such was the substance of General Vallejo's observations; those who listened to him, however, were far behind in general knowledge and intelligence. His arguments failed to carry conviction to the greater number of his auditors, but the bold position taken by him was the course of an immediate adjournment of the Junta, no result having been arrived at concerning the weighty affairs on which they had met to. deliberate. On his retirement from the Junta he embodied the views he had expressed in a letter to Don Pio Pico, and reiterated his refusal to participate in any action having for its end the adoption of any protection other than that of the United States. In this communication he also declared that he would never serve

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under any Government which was prepared to surrender California to an European power; he then retired to his estate, there to await the issue of events.

We left William Knight at Fremont's camp, at the junction of the Yuba and Feather Rivers, where he had arrived on the morning of June 9, 1846, imparting his information regarding Lieutenant de Arci, his movements, and the intentions of Gen- eral Castro. At IO A. M. of that day a party of eleven men, under the oldest settler, Ezekiel Merritt, started in pursuit of the Lieutenant and his horses. On arrival at Hock Farm they were joined by two more men, and, thereafter, having crossed the American River at " Sinclair's," reached Allen Montgomery's ranch, sixty miles from Fremont's camp at the Buttes, towards evening, and there supped. At this point they received the intelligence that Arci had reached Sutter's Fort on the 8th, and had that morning resumed his march, intending to camp that night at the ranch of Martin Murphy, twenty miles south on the Cosumnes River. Supper finished, and a short rest indulged in, the party were once more in the saddle, being strengthened by recruiting Montgomery and another, making their total force fifteen in number. Pro- ceeding to within about five miles of Murphy's, they there lay concealed until day- light, when they were again on the move and halted within half a mile of the Lieuten- ant's camp. Unperceived, they now cautiously advanced to within a short distance of the Mexican officer and his party, when, suddenly charging, they, as well as the horses, were secured. Lieutenant Arci was permitted to retain his sword; each of his party was given a horse to carry him to Santa Clara; and a person traveling under his escort was permitted to retain six of the horses, as he claimed them as private prop- erty. The Americans at once returned to Montgomery's ranch with the captured animals in their possession, and there breakfasted; that night, the roth, they camped twenty-seven miles above Sutter's, on the rancho of Nicholas Allgier, a German, not far from the mouth of Bear River, and, in the morning, ascertaining that Fremont had moved his camp hither from the Buttes, they joined him on the 11th at IO A. M., having covered a distance of one hundred and fifty miles in forty-eight hours. These are the details attending the capture of Arci, and reported to Castro on June 12, 1846, when on his way from Monterey to Santa Clara.

On arriving at Fremont's camp it was found that the garrison had been consid- erably augmented by the arrival of more settlers, who were all ardently discussing the events of the last two days and their probable results. After a full hearing it was determined by them that, having gone so far, their only chance of safety was in a rapid march to the town of Sonoma, to effect its capture, and to accomplish this before the news of the stoppage of Lieutenant Arci and his horses could have time to reach that garrison. It was felt that should this design prove successful all further obstacles to the eventual capture of the country would have vanished. The daring band then reorganized, still retaining in his position of Captain, Ezekiel Merritt. At 3 P. M., June 12th, under their leader, they left Fremont's camp for Sonoma, one hundred and twenty miles distant, and, traveling all night, on their way called at the ranch of William Gordon, about ten miles from the site of the pres- ent town of Woodland, in Yolo County, whom they desired to inform all Americans that could be trusted, of their intentions. At 9 A. M. on the 13th they reached Captain John Grigsby's, at the head of Napa Valley, and were there joined by William L.

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Todd, William Scott, and others. Here the band, which now mustered thirty-three men, was reorganized and addressed by Doctor Robert Semple, of Benicia. Not desiring, however, to reach Sonoma till daylight, they halted here until midnight, when they once more resumed their march, and before it was yet the dawn of June 14, 1846, surprised and captured the garrison of Sonoma, consisting of six soldiers, nine pieces of artillery, and some small arms, etc., "all private property being religiously respected; and in generations yet to come their children's children may look back with pride and pleasure upon the commencement of a revolution which was carried on by their fathers' fathers upon principles as high and holy as the laws of eternal justice."

Their distinguished prisoners were General Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Lieutenant-Colonel Don Victor Prudon, Captain Don Salvador Vallejo, brother to the General, and Mr. Jacob Primer Leese, brother-in-law to the General.

Let us now lay before the reader the account of this episode in California's his- tory as described by the veteran General himself, at the Centennial exercises held at Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, July 4, 1876 :-

" I have now to say something of the epoch which inaugurated a new era for this country. A little before dawn on June 14, 1846, a party of hunters and trappers, with some foreign settlers, under command of Captain Merritt, Doctor Semple, and William B. Ide, surrounded my residence at Sonoma, and without firing a shot, made prisoners of myself, then Commander of the northern frontier; of Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Prudon, Captain Salvador Vallejo and Jacob P. Leese. I should here state that down to October, 1845, I had maintained at my own expense a respectable garrison at Sonoma, which often, in union with the settlers, did good service in campaigns against the Indians; but at last, tired of spending money which the Mexican Government never refunded, I disbanded the force, and most of the soldiers who had constituted it left Sonoma. Thus in June, 1846, the Plaza was entirely unprotected, although there were ten pieces of artillery, with other arms and munitions of war. The parties who unfurled the Bear Flag were well aware that Sonoma was without defense, and lost no time in taking advantage of this fact, and carrying out their plans. 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 equivalent 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 inhumanity of these orders, their execution was physically impossible-first, because the immigrants came in autumn, when snow covered the Sierra so quickly as to make a return impracticable. Under the circum- stances, not only I, but Commandante General Castro, resolved to provide the immi- grants with letters of security, that they might remain temporarily in the country. We always made a show of authority, but well convinced all the time that we had no power to resist the invasion which was coming upon us. With the frankness of a soldier I can assure you that the American immigrants never had cause to complain of the treatment they received at the hands of either authorities or citizens. They

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carried us as prisoners to Sacramento, and kept us in a calaboose for sixty days or more, until the authority of the United States made itself respected, and the honor- able and humane Commodore Stockton returned us to our hearths."

Upon the seizure of their prisoners the revolutionists at once took steps to appoint a Captain, who was found in the person of John Grigsby, for Ezekiel Merritt wished not to retain the permanent command; a meeting was then convened at the barracks, situated at the northeast corner of the Plaza, under the presidency of William B. Ide; Doctor Robert Semple being Secretary. At this conference Semple urged the independence of the country, stating that having once commenced they must proceed, for to turn back was certain death. The convention had not been dissolved, however, when it was rumored that secret emissaries were being dispatched to the native rancheros to make them acquainted with recent events; such being the case it was deemed politic to transfer the prisoners to safe-keeping in Sutter's Fort. Prior to this being done, however, the captors and captives entered into a treaty or covenant, the English and Spanish of which we here append :-

" We, the undersigned, having resolved to establish a government upon Repub- lican 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, General M. G. Vallejo, Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Prudon, and Captain D. Salvador Vallejo; having formed and published to the world no regular plan of government, feel it our duty to say that 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 immediate support.

EZEKIEL MERRITT. R. SEMPLE. WILLIAM FALLON. SAMUEL KELSEY.

"Conste pr. la preste. qe. habiendo sido sorprendido pr. unanumeros a fuerza armada qe. me tomó prisionero y à los gefes y officiales qe. estaban de guarnicion en esta plaza de la qe. se apoderó la espresada fuerza, habiendola encontrado absolutamte: indefensa, tanto yo. como los S. S. officiales qe. suscribero comprometemos nuestra palabra de honor de qe. estandobajo las garantias de prisionero de guerra, no tomar- emos las armas ni à favor ni contra repitida fuerza armada de quien hemos recibiro la intimacion del monto. y un escrito firmado qe. garantiza nuestras vidas, familias dè intereses, y los de todo el vicindario de esta jurisdn. mientras no hagamos oposicion.

Sonoma, Junio 14 de 1846. VCR. PRUDON.

M. G. VALLEJO. SALVADOR VALLEJO."

But to our tale! A guard consisting of William B. Ide, as Captain, Captain Grigsby, Captain Merritt, Kit Carson, William Hargrave, and five others, being, happily for their comfort, supplied with horses by General Vallejo, took up the line of march for Sutter's Fort, but not being used to "wars alarums," they, with peculiar inconsistency, on their first night's encampment placed neither sentry nor vidette and courted Morpheus in serene confidence. Indeed so sound was the sleep of all, that

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Jaun de Padilla and his party completely surrounded them during that night, and their chief absolutely held verbal communication with General Vallejo while his cap- tors slept. Padilla's mission was to inform his compatriots that he had then with him force strong enough to surprise and slay the Americanos before there was time for them to fly to arms, but that he did not wish to put the scheme into execution without the instructions and consent of the General, whose rank entitled him to the first place in such a demonstration. With a self-sacrifice that cannot be too highly commended, Vallejo refused his consent to the perpetration of so diabolical a plan, but stated that he would accompany his custodians, believing in their honor; that he would be detained but a short time, and finally advised Padilla and his followers to return to their homes and disperse, else their action would lead to disastrous consequences to all, without the attainment of any good. Of this episode Lieutenant Revere says: " This was not told to me by Vallejo, but by a person who was present, and it tallies well with the account given by the revolutionists themselves, several of whom informed me that no guard was kept by them that night, and that the prisoners might have easily escaped had they felt so inclined. The same person also told me that when Vallejo was called out of bed and made a prisoner in his own house, he requested to be informed as to the plans and objects of the revolutionists, signifying his readiness to collect and take command of a force of his countrymen in the cause of inde- pendence."

Pushing on ahead of the main party, on the morning of the 16th June, Captain Merritt and Kit Carson carried the news of the taking of Sonoma and the capture of the General and his officers. In the evening of that day they were handed over to the safe-keeping of Captain Sutter who with soldierly courtesy received them.

On the seizure of the citadel of Sonoma, the national ensign of Mexico was found floating from the flagstaff-head by the Independents, as they sometimes called them- selves; it had escaped their notice during the excitement of the morning. It was at once lowered, and then arose a discussion as to the manner of banner they should claim as their own. There were no two questions as to the necessity of their being a star in the ground-work, but finding that the " lone star " had been claimed by Texas, their ingenuity was taxed to the utmost, with what result we shall show below, to devise an appropriate flag; first, however, let us follow the diversity of opinions which obtain as to the date on which Sonoma was captured by the Independents.

Mr. Thomas C. Lancey, whose communications to The Pioneer, a newspaper published in San José, have been read with much avidity, and is an authority on " early times," remarks: "There have been so many questions raised during this year (1878) in relation to the date of the hoisting of the 'Bear Flag,' who made it and what material it was manufactured from, as well as the date of the capture of Sonoma, and the number of men who marched that morning, that I shall give the statements of several who are entitled to a hearing, as they were actors in that drama.

"The writer of this (Mr. Lancey) was here in 1846, and served during the war, and has never left the country since, but was not one of the . Bear Flag party,' but claims, from his acquaintance with those who were, to be able to form a proper opin- ion as to the correctness of these dates. Dr. Robert Semple, who was one of that party from the first, says, in his diary, that they entered Sonoma at early dawn on the

Wm Whidden

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14th of June, 1846, thirty-three men, rank and file. William B Ide, who was chosen their commander, says in his diary the same. Captain Henry L. Ford, another of this number, says, or rather his historian, S. H. W., of Santa Cruz, who I take to be the Rev. S. H. Willey, makes him say they captured Sonoma on the 12th of June with thirty-three men. Lieutenant William Baldridge, one of the party, makes the date the 14th of June, and number of men twenty-three. Lieutenant Joseph Warren Revere, of the United States ship Portsmouth, who hauled down the ' Bear Flag,' and hoisted the American flag on the 9th of July, and at a later date commanded the garrison, says the place was captured on the 14th of June." To these must be added the documentary proof produced above, fixing the date of the capture of General Vallejo and therefore the taking of Sonoma as June 14, 1846.

Of the manufacture of the ensign, the same writer says: "A piece of cotton was obtained, and a man by the name of Todd proceeded to paint from a pot of red paint a star in the corner. Before he was finished, Henry L. Ford, one of the party, proposes to paint on the center, facing the star, a grizzly bear. This was unanimously agreed to, and the grizzly bear was painted accordingly. When it was done, the flag was taken to the flagstaff and hoisted amid the hurrahs of the little party, who swore to defend it with their lives."

Lieutenant Revere says of it : " A flag was also hoisted bearing a grizzly bear rampant, with one stripe below and the words ' Republic of California' above the bear, - and a single star in the Union." This gentleman was he who hauled down the"flag, July 9, 1846.

The Western Shore Gazetteer has the following version: "On the 14th of June, 1846, the little handful of men proclaimed California a free and independent republic, and on that day hoisted their flag, known as the 'Bear Flag;' this consisted of a strip of worn-out cotton domestic, furnished by Mrs. Kelly, bordered with red flannel, fur- nished by Mrs. John Sears, who had fled from some distant part of Sonoma for safety, upon hearing that war had been thus commenced. In the center of the flag was a repre- sentation of a bear, en passant, painted with Venetian red, and in one corner was painted a star of the same color. Under the bear were inscribed the words 'Republic of California,' put on with common writing ink. This flag is preserved by the Cali- fornia Pioneer Association, and may be seen at their rooms in San Francisco. It was designed and executed by W. L. Todd."

Under the caption, " A True History of the Bear Flag," the Sonoma Democrat tells this story: "The rest of the revolutionary party remained in the town. Among them were three young men, Todd, Benjamin Duell, and Thomas Cowie. A few days after the capture, in a casual conversation between these young men, the matter of a flag came up. They had no authority to raise the American flag, and they deter- mined to make one. Their general idea was to imitate, without following too closely, their national ensign. Mrs. W. B. Elliott had been brought to the town of Sonoma by her husband from his ranch on Mark West Creek, for safety. The old Elliott cabin may be seen to this day on Mark West Creek, about a mile above the Springs. From Mrs. Elliott, Ben. Duell got a piece of new red flannel, some white domestic, needles and thread. A piece of blue drilling was obtained elsewhere. From this material, without consultation with any one else, these

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 20

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood Number of Pages: 1206

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206