History of California, Volume I, Part 58

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 852

USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 58
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 58

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14 Revilla-Gigedo, Informe de 13 de Abril 1793, 137. Oct. 31st, Sal writes to Gov. Arrillaga that he judges from Cuadra's remarks that the English want the mouth of San Francisco Bay for a boundary. St. Pap., Sac., MIS., i. 119. Sept. 9th, Sal had written to Arrillaga that he had seen a suspicious vessel off the port on the 7th, and fired 6 shots at her. She anchored for the night about a league from Musscl Point. Id., i. 69-71.

510

RULE OF ARRILLAGA.

In April of this year Captain George Vancouver in the Discovery with the Chatham under Lieutenant Broughton, on a grand exploring voyage round the world, had crossed over from the Sandwich Islands and made observations on the California coast as he sailed northward from just below Cape Mendocino.15 Now six months later, coming from Nootka, the English navigator sailed down the coast without anchoring, and on November 14th, in the Discovery, entered San Francisco Bay at nightfall and anchored in front of Yerba Buena Cove, having received a salute of two guns as he passed the fort. 16 Next day he was visited in the morning by Sergeant Pedro Amador and Padre Landaeta, and later by Commandant Sal and Father Dantí; while on the 16th by advice of the Spaniards, Private Miranda serving as pilot, the Dis- covery was transferred to the usual anchorage nearer the presidio.17

Vancouver's reception at San Francisco was most cordial and satisfactory. Every attention was shown and every possible aid furnished the visitors by Com- mandant Sal and his wife and the friars at the mission. Couriers were despatched to Monterey with a message for Cuadra. Facilities were afforded for obtaining wood and water; feasts were given at both presidio and mis- sion, and meat and vegetables were sent on board the vessel. Indeed everything the Spaniards had in this the most poverty-stricken of their establishments was at the disposition of the strangers. On the 20th of November Vancouver and seven of his officers made an excursion on horseback to Santa Clara, being the first foreigners who had ever penetrated so far into

15 Vancouver's Voyage, i. 196-200. For his northern explorations with maps, see Ifist. N. W. Coast, i. 274, et seq.

16 Id., i. 432; Sal to Arrillaga Nov. 14, 1792, in St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 115- 17; Id. to Id., Nov. 30th, in Id., iii. 22. It is strange that Sal makes the day of arrival Nov. 13th, while the voyager's diary has it Nov. 14th. The same discrepancy exists respecting the date of changing anchorage. On the location of Yerba Buena, see chap. xxx. of this volume.

17 The commander of the Santa Gertrudis had left a note for Vancouver, and a horseman had therefore been stationed at the heads to give notice of his approach. St. Pap., Sac., vi. 72.

511

VANCOUVER'S FIRST VISIT.

the interior. They were escorted by Amador with a squad of five soldiers, and were delighted with much of the intermediate country. After most hospitable treatment by fathers Peña and Sanchez at Santa Clara, they returned to San Francisco on the 22d. The Chatham had meanwhile arrived, and preparations were hastened for departure. For supplies furnished 18 Don Hermenegildo would take no pay, acting as he said under instructions from Bodega y Cuadra; but he accepted from Vancouver some implements and ornaments besides a hogshead each of wine and rum, all to be distributed to the presidio and two missions. The two vessels sailed away the 26th and anchored next morning at Monterey.19

Vancouver found lying at anchor in the harbor of Monterey the Dedalus, his store-ship which had joined the fleet at Nootka, the Activa bearing Cuadra's broad pennant, the Aranzazu, and the IIor- casitas. The presidio and Cuadra's flag each received a salute of thirteen guns and each returned the con- pliment. From Cuadra, Argüello, Caamaño, and all the Spanish officials the Englishmen received the same courteous attentions as at San Francisco, and a series of social entertainments followed on shore and on deck which were mutually agreeable and produc- tive of good-feeling. Orders recently received from Spain not to molest English vessels but to capture all those of other nations led both commanders to believe that the Nootka difficulties had been settled by their respective governments; consequently Van- couver made arrangements with Cuadra to send Broughton to England via San Blas and Mexico, to

18 These supplies were, according to a list in St. Pap., Sac., MS., iii. 21-2, for acet. of Cuadra-11 cows, 7 sheep, 10 arrobas of lard; freo from Sal-2 cows, 2 calves, 4 sheep, 190 pumpkins, 10 baskets vegetables, a cart-load of ditto, 95 fowl, 400 eggs.

19 On Vancouver's stay at San Francisco, visit to Santa Clara, and voyage, see Voyage, ii. 1-30. Argüello reports to Arrillaga on Nov. 30th, the arrival of tho Dedalus on the 22d ' commanded by Geo. Anson,' and of the Discovery and Chatham on the 25th, one day before Vancouver's date, as at San Fran- cisco. St. Pap., Sac., MS., v. 97. The date is given as Nov. 25th also in Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 93.

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RULE OF ARRILLAGA.

which end the Spanish commander offered every fa- cility. The Discovery and the Chatham remained at Monterey for about fifty days for reloading and repairs. A tent and observatory for astronomical observations were set up on the beach, and the Dæ- dalus sailed in December for New South Wales with a load of cattle and other supplies generously fur- nished by the Spaniards.

Vancouver and party went over to San Carlos the 2d of December, and were hospitably entertained, as La Pérouse had been six years before, by President Lasuen and the other friars. The natives gave an exhibition of their skill in killing deer by stratagem. Back at the port a dinner was given on board the Discovery which proved agreeable until Señora Argü- ello and other ladies as well as some gentlemen were forced by sea-sickness to retire to tierra firme. A pic- nic dinner at the presidio garden several miles away was another day's programme. Subsequently a dis- play of fireworks delighted the Spaniards and aston- ished the aborigines. When this pleasant intercourse was over and the day of departure drew near Bodega y Cuadra, who in addition to constant kindness had prolonged his stay at Monterey for no other purpose than to carry Broughton to San Blas, refused to take pay for cattle or other stores supplied to the fleet; and Vancouver was obliged to be content with a new distribution of such useful utensils as his vessels could supply.20 At last January 15, 1793, after an ineffectual pursuit of two deserters21 and the reluctant acceptance

20 Revilla-Gigedo, Informe de 13 de Abril, 139, says Vancouver's gifts were worth about $2,000. Salazar, Condicion actual de Cal., MS., 67, estimates all of Vancouver's presents in his three visits at $10,000, and says that Santa Cruz received $1,000 with which a mill was built. By the viceroy's order of Sept. 30, 1794, any debts on Vancouver's account except expenses for secur- ing deserters were charged to the San Blas department as expenses of the boundary commission. Prov, St. Pap., MS., xi. 200.

21 About these deserters there is no lack of information in the archives. Besides the 2 from the Chatham there were 3 from the Dædalus. Governor to viceroy March 16, 1793, says that 3 are Catholics and deserted because not allowed to attend mass; the others desire to become Catholics. They were prisoners at Monterey. Cuadra on Jan. 19th had ordered them sent, if caught, to Nootka via Loreto. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 94-7. Gov. to Ar-

513

VANCOUVER'S DEPARTURE.

by Vancouver of the only smith at the presidio in place of the lost armorer, the fleet of five sail, two English and three Spanish, disappeared in the south- west behind Point Pinos and left to Monterey its usual solitude.22

Governor Arrillaga was not pleased when he heard of the excessive freedom that had been allowed Van- couver, and especially did he disapprove of the Eng- lishman's visit to Santa Clara. He felt that a kind reception to the boundary commission according to viceregal instructions did not include such extraordi-

güello March 27th, Deserters not to be delivered to any English vessel except Vancouver's and then only on his paying the expenses. The 2 not to be admitted to Catholic faith until further orders, except in danger of death. To be supplied at rate of 18 cents per day for rations and clothes. May be employed at their trades. Arrillaga disapproves sending them to Loreto. St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 107, 109-10; vii. 82; Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 161-2. Aug. 10th, They must be given up to an English vessel or sent to San Blas. Clothes furnished to be charged to account of boundary commission. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xi. 95-6. In Sept. 1793 the 5 deserters were sent to San Blas on the Princesa. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 117. Jan. 9, 1794, viceroy tells gov. that they will be sent back for delivery to Van- couver. Jan. 22d, Vancouver is charged with $250 expenses at San Blas. He must return the three borrowed sailors. Id., xi. 153, 158, xxi. 142. May 16th, viceroy to gov., The 5 have been sent by the Concepcion; charges $228 to be paid by Vancouver; else they are to be sent to Nootka for delivery to some English vessel. Id., xi. 171-2. June 9th, Id. to Id. Another deserter taken at San Diego is to be given up. Id., xi. 173-4. June 12th, Gov. to viceroy, As Vancouver had no Spanish money he has presented the amount in the name of the Spanish nation. Id., xxi. 144. Sept. 12th, Arrillaga to Argüello, Arrival of the G in Concepcion, the $2SS and rations to be collected from Vancouver. Id., xii. 167-9. Sept. 30th, Argüello to Arrillaga, keeps the 6 under surveillance; will deliver them to Vancouver, to an English vessel, or to a Spanish vessel bound for Nootka. Some want to be Catholics and some to enlist. Id., xii. 148-9. Nov. 5th, Argüello to Capt. Puget of C'hatham, sur- rendering 2 of the G. Total bill $747. Id., xii. 170-1. Nov. 16th, Vancouver to gov., Finds that 3 of the 6 are not British subjects and will not claim them. Las no instructions to pay the bill but will lay the account before the admiralty. Id., xii. 154-5. Nov. 16th (or 17th), Gov. to Vancouver inter- ceding for the 3 deserters given up and charging $325 for expenses. The three not given up were 2 Portuguese and one Dane. Id., xii. 172-3. The purport of 2 preceding communications in Vancouver's Voyage, iii. 333-4. Nov. 20, 1794, Fidalgo takes the 3 remaining deserters on board his vessel to work out the $421 of charges. Id., xii. 171-2, 174.

22 Jancouver, A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and round the World. . . 1790-5. London, 1798, 3 vols. 4to, and folio atlas. On this visit to Monterey, sce vol. ii. 20-49, 99-105. Other editions and translations of Vancouver's voyage with numerous abridged narratives and references all drawn from this original source I do not deem it necessary to notice here. Dec. 13, 1792, Lasuen writes to Vancouver thanking him for his gifts to the missions. Arch. Sta. Bárbara, MS., vi. 260-1. March 13, 1793, Viceroy to Vancouver, has given Lieut. Broughton all possible aid, and with the greatest pleasure. Proc. St. Pap., MS., xi. 93-4.

HIST. CAL. VOL. I. 33

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RULE OF ARRILLAGA

nary license to a foreign power. He was only tem- porary governor and he entertained a nervous dread of overstepping the literal instructions of his superiors. He feared that what had taken place would be disap- proved, and that he would be held responsible. His trouble was increased by an order from the viceroy dated November 24, 1792, to be on his guard against English ships, and especially to prevent the weakness of the Spanish establishments from becoming known to foreigners.28 No wonder he was alarmed and that on his way up to Monterey in the spring of 1793 he wrote to chide Sal for having permitted Vancouver to gain a knowledge of the country, at the same time instrueting him and other commandants to limit their courtesies to foreign vessels in the future to the mere granting of needed supplies as demanded by the laws of hospitality.24 The presence of two English vessels on the coast in March did not tend to allay the gov- ernor's fears.25 Sal humbly confessed that in permitting the visit to Santa Clara he had committed an inex- cusable fault. " I am human and I fell into an error which I cannot mend," says he. But he claims that with Father Landaeta he endeavored to dissuade his guest from his purpose, thus exciting his displeasure, and that there was no other way to prevent the intru- sion but to remove the horses. This differs materially from Vancouver's account, where no trouble is hinted

23 Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xix. 1, 2; xx. 3, 4.

24 Arrillaga to Sal, March 26, 1793. Only the commander or his represent- ative must be permitted to land. Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 142-4, May 2d, Arri- llaga says he has given orders not to let any English land. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 98-9. April 1st, meat and vegetables to be supplied sparingly as a matter of policy only. Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 162.

25 March 16, 1793, Sal to, governor, announces the arrival of an English vessel under Captain Brown, asking for water, wood, and meat. She had a suspicious appearance, said she came from Monterey and was bound for Nootka, and was said by the natives to have been hanging about the coast for two months. St. Pap., Sac., MS., ii. 131-2. Two English vessels, one of them the Princess, obtained wood and water at Monterey early in March. Prov. Rec., MS., ii, 162. March or February, an English vessel at mouth of San Francisco, and another at Bodega with guns landed. The presidios are unde- fended and the English have noticed it, saying that pirates are numerous and an invasion not unlikely. So sa s the governor to the viceroy. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 94.

515

COAST DEFENCES.

at, and it is only said that in consequence of despatches received by Sal, and the indisposition of one of the friars, they begged leave to decline the engagement.26

Together with his order requiring precautions against the English and other foreigners with a special view of keeping Spanish weakness from their knowl- edge, and subsequently, the viceroy announced his intention of remedying that weakness by strengthen- ing the four presidios and by the immediate occupation of Bodega. The 16th of July Arrillaga sent in a report on the state and needs of Californian defences.27 Vancouver, unwisely permitted to investigate, had been surprised to find California so inadequately pro- tected, and the Spaniards seem to have realized the utter insufficiency of their coast defences at about the same time; but nothing was accomplished in 1793 beyond an unsuccessful effort to occupy Bodega Port. Their Bodega scheme and the whole project of strengthening the Californian defenses were devised by Viceroy Revilla Gigedo, and urged most ably in his report of April 12, 1793, a document which covers the whole northern question from a Spanish stand- point, and although little consulted by modern writers is really a most important authority.28 After giving

26 April 30, 1793, Sal to Arrillaga in St. Pap., Sac., MS., v. 6; Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 1G. I suspect that a night's sleep calmed the Spaniards' enthusiasm somewhat, and showed them that they were going too far; therefore they made excuses intended as a hint which the Englishman did not care to tal:c. 27 Arrillaga, Informe al Virey sobre defensa de la Costa, 1793, MS. Feb. 16, 1793, viceroy to governor, approves fortification of the presidios and has ordered artillery and other material sent. Id., xx. 4. The governor says that Monterey has 8 guns and 3 pedreros; San Francisco 2 useless guns; Santa Bárbara 2 guns and a pedrero with nobody to manage them; and San Diego 3 guns dismounted. The nominal force free for action in the 4 presidios is 35, but after deductions only one or two men to cach fort. He recommends a force of 264 men; wants a vessel at Monterey or San Francisco; and approves the occupation of Bodega.

28 Revilla Gigedo, Informe de los Sucesos ocurridos en la Península de Cali- fornias y departamento de San Blas, desde el año de 1768. Mexico 12 de Abril de 1793, in Bustamante, Suplemento á la Ilist. de los Tres Siglos de Mexico, iii. 112-64. Another important work belonging to this year and written by the same author is Revilla Gigedo, Carta dirigida á la corte de España contestando ú la real órden sobre establecimientos de misiones, Mexico, 27 de Diciembre de 1793, in Diccionario Universal, v. 426-70. The part relating to the California

516

RULE OF ARRILLAGA.

a complete history of his subject the distinguished author argues that distant and costly outposts in the north are not desirable for Spain; and attention should be given exclusively to the preservation and utilization of the establishments now existing in Cali- fornia, and to the prevention of too near approach by any foreign power. To this end Bodega should be held and the English plan of making a boundary of San Francisco Bay be thus defeated. Probably this one measure may suffice in the north; Nootka may be given up, and Fuca, and also the Entrada de Heceta, or Columbia River, unless it should prove to afford a passage to the Atlantic or to New Mexico. Mean- while the presidios should be put in an effective con- dition; a new one should be founded on the Rio Colorado, and an able successor to Romeu be selected as governor. The department of San Blas should be transferred to Acapulco, and certain reforms be intro- duced in the management of the pious fund and of the salt-works.

Because of its supposed excellence as a harbor, and because of its vicinity to San Francisco, making its occupation by England equivalent to an occupation of that harbor for purposes of contraband trade, it was decided to found a Spanish settlement at Bodega. Moreover there were rumors that foreigners were already taking steps in that direction.29 To this end the 10th of February the viceroy announced the giving of orders to the commandant at San Blas to despatch a schooner and long-boat for the service, and Arri- llaga was directed to go to San Francisco to meet the vessels. He gave orders the 20th of March to have

missions is found on pp. 427-30; and this portion in manuscript is also in St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., i. 2-28. See also extracts in Jones' Report on Land Titles, No. 6; Hayes' Mission Book, 176. This report is a careful statement of the mission condition and system at the time, and is used in another chapter. 29 Oct. 8, 1792, Sal informs the governor that according to Indian reports two vessels-presumably English, for the men wore red-were at Bodega, got wood, water, and deer, and asked the natives to get cattle for them. St. Pap., Src., MS., vi. 67-8. Jan. 15, 1793, two English ships said to be at Bodega. Five shots heard off San Francisco on 16th and 17th. Id., vi. 98.

517

ATTEMPT TO OCCUPY BODEGA.

a road opened from San Francisco across to Bodega. These instructions came up on the Aranzazu, which arrived at San Francisco the 24th of July.30 Arrillaga obtained boats from the vessels, set across some thirty horses, and on the 5th of August Lieutenant Goycoe- chea with a sergeant and ten men set out to open the road and to meet at Bodega Matute, who with the Sutil and Mexicana had probably been sent direct to that port from San Blas. Unfortunately I have not found Goycoechea's diary which was sent to Mexico, and we know absolutely nothing of either the explora- tion by sea or land, save that Matute returned to San Francisco on August 12th, and five days later Arri- llaga informs the viceroy that the occupation of Bodega is put off for this year. The postponement proved to be a permanent one, for some unexplained cause, and the ten soldiers and five mechanics with some stores intended for Bodega were retained by Sal at San Francisco.31

Coming from the Hawaiian Islands Vancouver touched again the shores of California, or of New Albion as he is careful to call it, in the spring of 1793. From the 2d to the 5th of May the Discovery was at

30 The Princesa, Fidalgo, from Nootka, arrived at San Francisco June 21st, San Diego, Oct. 24th; Aranzazu, Menendez, from San Blas, San Francisco, July 24th, Monterey, Aug. 25th, San Diego, Oct. 24th; Activa, Elisa, from San Blas, San Francisco, Ang. 11th, San Diego, Oct. 24th; Sutil and Mex- icana, Matute, from San Blas, San Francisco, Aug. 12th-Oct. 16th; Van- couver's vessels, Trinity Bay, May 2d, San Francisco, Oct. 19th, Montercy, Nov. Ist, Santa Barbara, Nov. 9th, San Diego, Nov. 27th. On the arrivals and departures of vessels for 1793, there being as usual some confusion in tho dates, sce Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 163; xxi. 101, 109, 111, 121-2; St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. G1; Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 162.

31 Governor to viceroy, July 16th, Ang. 17th, 20th, in Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 107, 111, 113. Aug. 3d, gov. orders Sal to receive the men and stores. Prov. Ree., MS., ii. 144-5. Aug. 4th, gov. instructs Goycoechea to use cau- tion, treat the Indians well, etc. Id., i. 206. Sept. 24th, gov. to viceroy, asking for a boat for Bodega to carry timber; so that the project was not yet quite abandoned. Pror. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 117. Feb. 28, 1794, viceroy has heard that the Sutil and Mexicana have sailed, leaving the 10 soldiers and a bricklayer for Bodega. Id., xi. 160. As late as July 6, 1793, the viceroy repeated the orders to open a road. Id., xi. 92; but June 9, 1794, he answers the request for a boat by saying that it will not be needed, as the new estab- lishment is suspended. Id., xi. 175. July 25, 1794, Sal mentions the suspen- sion. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xix. 5.

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RULE OF ARRILLAGA.

anchor in Trindad Bay, where Vancouver found the cross set up by Cuadra in 1775 with its inscription Carolus III. Dei G. Hyspaniorum Rex. Obtaining water, surveying and sketching the region, after some intercourse with the natives the voyagers departed with a very unfavorable idea of the harbor, and sailed northward.32

Returning southward some months later the Dis- covery anchored at San Francisco the 19th of Octo- ber.38 Commandant Sal came on board, courteous as before, with welcome European news; but mindful of his former indiscretion34 he sent letters asking a formal statement, for the governor, of Vancouver's object, the length of his stay, the supplies needed; also making known the current orders respecting for- cign vessels, and politely informing the visitor that only himself and one officer could be permitted to land and visit the presidio. This restriction seemed to Vancouver "ungracious and degrading, little short of a dismission from San Francisco," due as he was given to understand to "sentiments apparently not the most favorable towards foreign visitors" enter- tained by "a captain named Arrillaga," who had taken command the preceding spring, and whose orders Sal seemed to obey with reluctance. It was a chilling reception certainly in comparison with that of the year before and with the Englishman's glowing ex- pectations. But he complied with the formalities, and on the 24th as soon as he had been joined by the Chatham, which had been exploring Bodega and had obtained a supply of water, he sailed for Monterey.85

Having anchored at Monterey November 1st, Van-

32 Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 240-50. Hist. N. W. Coast, i. 291, for northern voyage.

33 Strangely enough in this case as in that of the former visit the Spanish records make the arrival a day earlier than the voyager's narrative.

3+ Oct. 21st, the governor had ordered Sal to furnish Vancouver what he absolutely needed, and to insist on his sailing at once without visiting any other port. Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 145-6.

35 Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 432-8. Puget in a slight examination of Bodega had understood from the natives that the Spaniards were then in possession of a part of the bay. Just out of San Francisco the Dedalus from across

519

VANCOUVER'S SECOND VISIT.

couver held a short interview with Arrillaga, and a written correspondence followed, in which the gov- ernor explained the hospitalities to which foreign vessels were entitled in Californian ports, asked for a formal statement of the voyager's aims, and, while desiring harmony, insisted on the enforcement of orders that only the commander with one or two officers could land. Vancouver replied explaining the scientific na- ture of his voyage, and the benefits to be derived from its results by Spain as well as England, alluding to his kind reception of the year before, inclosing let- ters of the viceroy which approved the attentions pre- viously shown him, and stating his desire to refit his vessels, transfer stores, make astronomical observa- tions, and give his men some exercise and recreation on shore. Arrillaga's answer was that the viceroy had sent no orders respecting a second visit, that there were no royal orders in Vancouver's favor as in the case of La Pérouse, and that Cuadra even had left instructions that the former attentions were for that time only and need not be repeated.36 Yet as he desired to render all possible aid to so worthy a cause, he would permit the landing of stores, which might be deposited in the warehouse at the landing under lock and key or elsewhere if the warehouse were not deemed suitable, in care of one or two men from the vessels and protected by a Spanish guard; but on the condition that all the rest of the Englishmen retire to the vessels at night. Astronomical observations must have been well advanced during the former long stay, yet an observatory, to be used in daytime only, might be

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History of California, Volume I, Part 58

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 852

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 852