USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 77
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 77
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In 1793-4 complaints and calls for aid continued, but attention was given almost exclusively to new fortifications on the shore to the neglect of the presidio
5 Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 7-9. There is a communication from Sal to Arrillaga dated Nov. 29th, stating that work on the building was finished, tile roofs on the church, warehouses, and nine new houses for soldiers; but this does not agree with the other records, and I am at a loss to know why such a letter was written. St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 118. August 20, 1793, the gov- ernor informs the viceroy of the bad condition of the buildings, although $1,400 have been spent on repairs since the foundation. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 114-15. Dec. 29th, Sal to Borica, the $1,200 gratuity for the troops for building the presidio not yet received; nor are there any lists. Hints that the other presidios get $4,000. Id., xi. 54, 57.
697
PROGRESS IN BUILDINGS.
square.6 Late in 1794 Sal proposed removal to a better site near Fort Point. Borica would not consent until he had made a personal examination; but in June 1795 he reported in favor of the scheme and esti- inated the cost of the new presidio at $11,716. The viceroy disapproved so large an outlay for buildings of doubtful utility, the matter was dropped, and the rains and winds continued their ravages," the drifting sand contributing to the devastation by covering the powder-magazine, notwithstanding the soldiers' efforts. Quarters of some kind must have been built for the volunteers and artillerymen,8 but I find no evidence that there was any material improvement within the presidio square from the date of Vancouver's visit to 1800.
Still there was some building done in the way of fortifications. In the general movement' already
6 Aug. 8, 1794, Perez Fernandez and others state that nothing has been done, and the soldiers are overburdened with work. The buildings should be solidly constructed to avoid later repairs, and he and the commandant will guarantee to complete the work economically and well if a few mechanics can be furnished. St. Pap., Sac., MS., v. 108-10. Arrillaga informs Borica of the needs of San Francisco in 1794. Papel de Puntos, MS., 192. Jan. 31, 1794, commandant to governor; house of 2d officer in a bad state; adobes and tiles melting away; will try to save the timbers. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 66. Feb. 1, 1794, rain came near spoiling the powder, but hides and tiles were arranged to save it. Id., xii. 56.
7 Nov. 1, 1794, commandant to governor. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 35-6. Dec. 3, Borica's reply. Prov. Rec., MS., v. 28, 54-5. June 27, 1795, B. to viceroy, old buildings ready to fall; total expenses since 1776, $8,188; presi- dio, 2,889 varas from fort; new one, 481 varas. Id., vi. 5]. Dec. 4, 1795, V. R. to B., advises that the new structures be not undertaken, but wants addi- tional information. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 32-6. Jan. 22, 1796, a heavy gale did much damage to church and one house. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxiii. 6, 7; Prov. Rec., MS., v. S1. June 16, B. calls for a report from Alberni. Prov. St. Pup., Ben. Mil., MS., xxiv. 7. June 30th, Alberni to B., he disapproves the removal, because the San Joaquin hill has no water and is less sheltered; but the coming rains will bring the old buildings down, and a new presidio should be begun. Córdoba agrees with Alberni. St. Pap., Sac., MS., iv. 36-7. July 20, 1797, Argüello to B. The old complaints. Nothing done yet. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xv. 11, 12. Aug. 8, Id. to Id. Warehouses badly built and in great danger from fire. Id., xvi. 39. Aug. 19, B. orders Argüello to have warehouses of stone or adobe built. Prov. Rec., MIS., v. 267. In January 1800 a huricane tore off several roofs; $1,799 were spent in repairs during the year; and complaints continued. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 24-7; xxi. 31.
8 One hundred and ninety-two dollars spent on quarters for volunteers. Expenditure approved by viceroy Feb. 28, 1798. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 10, 11.
698
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
noticed towards the strengthening of coast defences San Francisco could not be neglected, since it was recognized as the strongest and most important natu- ral position in California. Vancouver as he entered the bay was saluted by a brass three-pounder lashed to a log at Fort Point, and he found another mounted on a rotten carriage before the presidio. There had been two guns here, but one had burst shortly before in firing a salute on a saint's day. No wonder the Englishman was surprised at the unprotected condi-
tion of so important a point. When he returned in 1793, eleven brass nine-pounders were lying on the beach, and a number of natives were erecting what seemed to be a platform or barbette battery at Fort Point; but this was intended by the Spaniards to be a much more formidable work, the Castillo de San Joaquin, to command the entrance to San Francisco Bay. The guns had been sent from San Blas in the Aranzazu, and a gunner's mate, master-carpenter, and one or two workmen had begun work on the fort in August.9 Thirty neophytes were hired from the mission, and as many more gentiles from San José. Choppers were sent to the distant forests down the peninsula; twenty-three yoke of oxen were employed in hauling the timber; adobes, bricks, and tiles were rapidly prepared, and the work was pushed forward until interrupted by the rains. Soon after its resump- tion in the spring of 1794 there came an order from the viceroy that the works here and elsewhere were to be constructed of fascines, to avoid heavy expenses ; but - so much progress had been made that it was deemed best to complete the fortification as begun,
9 Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 9, 500. Sept. 30, 1792, Sal reports the bursting of the gun into 10 pieces, nobody hurt. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 74; i. 117. Although Vancouver says a gun was fired, Sal reports to the governor that the Chatham got no salute for want of a cannon. Id., iii. 23. Oct. 31st, Sal to Arrillaga. Only one cannon, and that burst several years ago. Cuadra gave some powder and promised four or five guns. So it seems that the presidio gun was not so effective even as Vancouver supposed. Id., i. 119. Aug. 20, 1793, Arrillaga to viceroy, announcing that work had been begun on a fort. After completing it the men will go to Monterey. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 113. Dec. 31, 1793, statement of munitions. St. Pap., Sac., MS. v. 61.
699
CASTILLO DE SAN JOAQUIN.
especially as earthworks and fascines were thought to be useless here. The fort was completed and blessed under the name of San Joaquin on December 8, 1794, the eight guns of the battery being mounted, the sentry-box, casemate, and other necessary buildings being attached, and nothing more being required but a garrison to prevent any hostile vessel from entering
ESPLANADA
CASTILLO DE SAN JOAQUIN
the port-so at least Arrillaga believed. We have no detailed description of this fort, but its main walls were of adobes, faced in the embrasures with bricks. The annexed plan is from an original in my possession.
700
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
The castillo was of horseshoe shape, about one hundred by one hundred and twenty feet. Its cost was $6,000, which was paid with some reluctance by the royal treasury.10
The elements had now another object on which to exert their destructive power, and repairs kept pace as nearly as possible. The San Carlos brought some new guns in April 1796, and the Concepcion left twenty-four sailors. Córdoba examined the fort on his arrival, and in September reported unfavorably. The structure rested mainly on sand; the brick-faced adobe walls crumbled at the shock whenever a salute was fired; the guns were badly mounted and for the most part worn out, only two of the thirteen twenty- four pounders being serviceable or capable of sending a ball across the entrance of the port. The whole work, protected by an adobe wall with one gate, was commanded by a hill in the rear, and the garrison of
10 Jan. 30, 1794, Sal to governor, has begun to fell timber; guns on the esplanade. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 47-51. Jan. 31st, 6 guns in the battery facing the harbor. Id., xii. 67. The padres endeavored to obtain an extra blanket and pair of breeches for each neophyte laborer per month but failed; 1,500 adobes being made daily. April 30th, a sergeant and four soldiers in charge of the laborers. Id., xii. 74. Twenty-two Indians ran away in April. Id., xii. 53. June 9th, viceroy acknowledges receipt of advices on measures taken to complete the provisional esplanade. Id., xi. 174. Jan. 10th, vice- roy's orders to use fascines and reduce expenses. June 12th, governor's reply. Id., xxi. 143-4; xii. 120. A condestable, carpenter, and two sawyers sent from San Blas, and a bricklayer and tile-maker were also retained. The troops did most of the work. Arrillaga, in Id., xii. 191-2. Dec. Ist, com- mandant says the work is almost finished, and he sends the workmen te Monterey. Id., xii. 31. Dec. 3d, governor refers to the tower, sentry-box, and other buildings as being nearly donc. Prov. Rec., MS., v. 29. Fort blessed on Dec. 8th. Id., v. 31-2; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 26. Jan. 1, 1795, governor sends the viceroy a plan of the work, and asks for a garrison of a captain, sergeant, and 11 men. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 35. I copy a plan of what I suppose to be this fortification from Alviso, Doc. Hist. Cal., 156. Elliot, in Overland Monthly, iv. 344, says he has the plan in his possession. One of the old guns, four of which serve as fender-posts of the present fort, bears the inscription 'Governando los señores de la Real Audiencia de Lima.' Cost of building the castillo, $6,491, which real hacienda is ordered to pay on Oct. 8, 1795, as V. R. informs the gov. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 45, 162; Prov. Rec., MS., v. 35. $6,503, according to St. Pap., Sac., iv. 52. Dec. 4, 1,95, viceroy to Borica, $1,482 have been paid over to habilitado general in favor of company fund. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 32. May 16, 1795, José Garaycoechea, condestable distinguido de artillería de marina, employed on the fort, discharged, his work being donc. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 46. Dec. 4th, the viceroy complains that a fort, costly and not needed (?), has been improperly constructed, without investigation or skill. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 32-6.
701
BATTERY OF YERBA BUENA.
a corporal and six artillerymen was altogether insuf- ficient. There were several places between Monterey and San Francisco where an enemy might land, there- fore the cavalry force should be increased. To repair Fort San Joaquin would be very costly; but a new fort should be built on the hill just back of it, and another across the channel at San Carlos.11
Beyond the constant repairs by which Fort San Joaquin was kept as nearly in its original state as possible, and some changes in the disposition of the guns under Córdoba's instructions, I find no evidence of further progress at Fort Point during this decade. There was, however, still another battery established in 1797. This was to the east on Point Médanos, later called Point San José and Black Point, re- named Mason, and long occupied by a battery. It was
11 Córdoba, Informe al Virey, MS., 82-3. The point across the channel is called Punto de Bonetes in 1776. Arch. Sta B., MS., iv. 153. Feb. 22, 1796, damage to fort by a storm from the north. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 234. Mar. 22d, reference to a sentry-box erected. April, Borica orders mortar to be used in the roofing, and the powder-honse to have a new adobe wall at some distance. Prov. Rec., MS., v. 83, S5. Arrival of guns and sailors. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 86, 175; Id., Ben. Mil., xxiv. 12. July 9th, Alberni to have charge of the work, 41 Indians from Santa Clara at work. Prov. Rec., MS., v. 87-8. July 16th, Córdoba has been at work on repairs. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xvii. 8. Nov. 29th, 6,000 ball-cartridges being made. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 119. Dec. 6th, Borica to V. R., announces damages caused by rains. St. Pap., Sac., MS., iv. 69. Dec. 27th, V. R. to B., will send the needed armament of heavy guns; meanwhile let guns be taken from other places where they are less needed. Id., vii. 32-5; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 251. Jan. 30, 1797, Habilitado Carrillo asks for reimbursement of $408 spent on casemate, etc. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 69. March 26th, Córdoba wants 11 24-pounders; smaller guns of no use here. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 86. April 4th, B. forwards V. R.'s orders for repairs, etc. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 251-2; Prov. Rec., MS., v. 103. April 30th, work on fort not yet begun. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 148. June, fort repaired, with 6 guns in front and 3 on each side. Id., xxi. 264. Oct. 24th, 24 sailors left on the San Carlos for San Blas. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. Feb. 1, 1798, B. asks the V. R. for a new fort on the other shore, an increase of armament to 26 24- pounders, an increase of 128 infantry and 19 gunners in the garrisons, and a boat with a patron and 10 sailors. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 69. March 15, 1799, another appeal for a boat. Id., vi. 120. December 31, 1798, there were 3 iron 24-pounders, 1 iron 12-pounder, and 8 brass 8-pounders. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xvii. 7. Expenses of the year for repairs $661. Id., xvii. 13. March 2, 1799, B. informs V. R. that a rainstorm caused the walls of the fort to fall, also the new casemate wall, and the barracks are threatened. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 119. July 15th, V. R. will attend to the matter. Meanwhile let the works be repaired with adobes, fascincs, and earth. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 341. In January 1800 a hurricane broke the flag-staff which fell on the barracks of the garrison and smashed some tiles. Id., xxiii. 24; xxi. 31.
702
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
known as the Battery at Yerba Buena, designed to command the shore stretching westward to Fort Point, and that stretching eastward to what was called later North Point, together with the body of water between that shore and Alcatraz Island, already so called, known as the anchorage of Yerba Buena, though it does not appear that any vessel except that of Vancouver ever had anchored there. Thus it will be seen that the name Yerba Buena, while it may have been given in a general way to the whole eastern part of the peninsula from Black Point to Rincon Point, was applied in these early times particularly to the North Beach region and not, as is commonly sup- posed and as was the case after 1830, to the cove south of Telegraph Hill. Of the battery we know but little save that it was a less elaborate work than Fort San Joaquin, being hastily constructed of brush- wood fascines for the most part, with eight embrasures and five eight-pound guns not needed at the fort. No permanent garrison was kept here, but at least until after 1800 the works were visited daily by a sentinel, and to a certain extent kept in order.12
I have spoken several times of Vancouver's voyages and his observations in California; but as his was the first visit of a foreigner to San Francisco Bay, as it
12The battery is first mentioned by the governor in communications of April 4, 1797. On April 19th Argüello received Borica's orders to furnish aid. April 30th, Córdoba objected on account of small garrisons and distance from the fort. But May 3d he was ordered by Borica to begin work, and in June it was almost finished. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 55; xvii. 148-9; xviii. 28; xxi. 251-2, 256, 264; Prov. Rec., MS., v. 103, 107; vi. 53, 69. The first use of the name Yerba Buena that I have seen is in Sal's letter of Nov. 14, 1792, announcing Vancouver's arrival. He is said to have anchored 'como á una legua mas abajo del presidio frente del parage que llamamos la Yerba Buena.' St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 116. It is also used in Sal's letter of Nov. 30th. Id., iii. 21. Vancouver's anchorage was about midway between Black Point and North Point. Vancouver's Voyage, Atlas. The name is that of a species of mint. Whether it was first applied to the island and from that to the eastern part of the peninsula, or vice versa, I am uncertain. The name Isla del Alcatraz is used by Borica in July 1797. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 264. I mention this fact because it has often been stated that the orig- inal and correct form was Alcatraces in the plural. The name is that applied by Californians and Mexicans to the pelican, though more properly belonging to the albatross.
703
MAP OF SAN FRANCISCO.
1
Laguna
Satlyomics
Maria
Sta. Rosas
R. Sacramento
Tamales
S. Antonio Olumpali
Nuvuto
B.Redonda
S. Pablo
Carquines
Quintin
Mt.Diablo
ANGELES
TRA4 S. Antonio
Pescadero
Presidio
QUE
Misjon o
8. FRANCISCO
L. Mercid
J. Leandro
T.S.Lorenzo
mule
S Bruno Buriburi
Alameda
MISION S. JOSE/
Pilar
Las Pulgas
Calera
Tularcitos S.Ignacio_
STA. CLARA
Calaveras
SAN JOSE
lang
de
S. Bernardino
Arr. Coy
S. Lownza
Jas Llagas
S Isid
ru
BRANCIFORTE Aptos- Corralitus
Salsipuedes
SANTA-CRM
R. Pujuro
Las Animas
1 :**
MAP OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
C. S. Francis or s.Jouguin
8. RAFAEL º
Pinole- S.Pablo
Planeyes
Sonona
Napa
Bodega
SOLANO
Petaluma,
Suisun
Pta.Bonete
Visitacion
IFASTALLONE.
S.Pedro 's Mateo
Guadalupe
Pta. Ano -Nucun
704
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
was here that he had the best opportunities to make observations respecting the institutions of the country, and as his visit was one of the chief interruptions of the dull monotony of San Francisco life during the decade, I deem the subject worthy of brief additional mention here in connection with local annals.
As Vancouver entered the port at nightfall Nov- ember 14, 1792, he looked in vain for the lights of the town which he supposed to be planted here, and next morning the only sign of civilization was the herds seen in the distance. After a quail-shooting expedition on the hills where the city now stands he came into contact with Commandant Sal and was entertained at the presidio, where the wife of Don Hermenegildo received him "decently dressed, seated cross-legged on a mat, placed on a small square wooden platform raised three or four inches from the ground, nearly in front of the door, with two daughters and a son, clean and decently dressed, sitting by her; this being the mode observed by these ladies when they receive visitors." Then he was invited to the mission and was most kindly treated by fathers Landacta and Dantí. He saw all that was to be seen on the peninsula, much more than it was prudent to let him see, and though greatly surprised at the weakness and poverty of the Spanish establishment and the lack of "those articles which alone can render the essentials of life capable of being relished," yet for the kindness and hospitality of the people he had nothing but words of praise. The Spaniards as is their wont placed everything at his disposal, and he interpreted their offers somewhat too literally, making a visit to Santa Clara that gave Sal many forebodings. He made no survey of the bay, but found Yerba Buena a better anchorage than the usual one nearer the pre- sidio. Every facility was afforded him for obtaining wood, water, and supplies, though the carts placed at the disposition of the sailors were found to be a more clumsy and useless contrivance on land than the rude
705
FOREIGN VISITORS.
balsas of the natives as water craft. Vancouver sailed for Monterey on the 25th of November. He came back in October of the next year, but was obliged to put up with the ordinary courtesies allowed to for- eigners in Spanish colonial ports, and so great was the contrast that he left in disgust after a few days' stay at anchor.18
The 13th of March 1793 a strange vessel was an- nounced at the entrance of the port. A guard was posted and the live-stock driven in. A boat came to land in the afternoon, with six men who said the vessel was English and the captain's name Brown, in need of water, wood, and meat, for which he would send the next day. The vessel anchored beyond Point Almejas, opposite San Pedro rancho, fired a gun, and displayed the English flag. On the 15th she was seen near the Farallones, and on the 16th Sal reported these facts with his opinion that the foreign craft meant mischief, though pretending to be bound for Nootka.14
In 1795 three mines were discovered somewhere within the jurisdiction of San Francisco, called San Diego, Cármen, and San José, with the respective aliases of Descubridora, Buenavista, and Esperanza. One of them was expected to yield gold, and the others silver or quicksilver. Specimens of the ore were sent by Perez Fernandez to the governor, but Monterey experts failed to discover metal except in one speci- men. 15 The coming of Alberni and his company of volunteers was the event of 1796, but beyond a bare mention and the enrolment of the reinforcements on the military records it left no trace in local annals; yet as almost doubling the population of San Fran-
13 Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 1-27, 433-4. For further account of this voy- age, and a map published in Vancouver's work, see chapter xxiv., this vol- ume.
14 March 16th, Sal to Borica, in St. Pap., Sac., MS., ii. 131-2.
15 Sept. 28, 1795. Perez Fernandez to Borica. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vii. 66-7. Sept. 30th, B.'s reply authorizing ore to be sent to Sau Blas for assay- ing. Prov. R.c., MS .. v. 70.
HIST. CAL., VOL, I. 45
706
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
cisco it merits mention.16 In 1797 there was a propo- sition to establish a Carmelite convent and hospice at San Francisco, but it was disapproved by both the guardian and the fiscal, and consequently was aban- doned.17 The leading event of this year was the wreck of the transport vessel San Carlos in the bay on the night of the 23d of March. No details are known except that little of the cargo was lost.18 The Concepcion as a coast guard spent a large part of the year in this port. At the end of May 1799 the American ship Eliza of 136 tons and carrying twelve guns, bound for Boston with hides, under James Rowan, obtained supplies under the prescribed re- strictions.19
There were two topics of local interest at San Fran- cisco during the decade which affected the mission not less than the presidio. These were the establishment of the rancho del rey, and Indian affairs. The royal rancho had been founded here in 1777, with 115 head of cattle, which were pastured on the hills about the presidio. The animals multiplied rapidly notwith- standing annual slaughters in the later years and the
16 It is implied by Borica, Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 241, that Alberni's men had lands granted them at San Francisco and the Alameda; but such was probably not the case. Alberni and his company arrived May 7, 1796, on the San Carlos. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxiii. 83.
17 Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., iv. 186-93; ix. 10-14; xiii. 84.
18 Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 57-8, 181; xvii. 242; xxi. 231, 263; Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 86, 92, 95. This was not the original San Carlos of 1769, but her successor surnamed El Filipino. The crew were obliged to remain for some time in California. The only stores specially named as lost are 4 boxes of cigars and 15lbs. of powder. April 26th, Capt. Saavedra says to Argüello that most of his men lost their clothes, tobacco, and soap in the wreck. Hc asks for them the advance of a month's pay, which was granted to the amount of $1,026. The troops with 55 natives worked to save the cargo. April 24th, the padres answer the complaint that they failed to render aid, by stating that Fernandez was absent, but Landaeta sent all his disposable Indians, who worked waist-deep in water for three days and nights. St. Pap., Suc., MS., vi. 108-9. April 14th, the finding of a white man's body in the surf at Pt Reyes is reported, and the mission majordomo had seen a vessel off the Fara- llones shortly before. Prov. St. Pup., MS., xv. 116. Alberni at the same time wished to send natives to see if there were any vessels at Bodega; but they refused from fear of their enemies. Id., xvii. 152.
19 May 27th, Rowan to Argüello, will obey the governor's orders to sail as soon as possible and not to enter any other port. Prov. St. Pap., xvii. 206-8, 238; xviii. 26. June 3d, Borica to viceroy, Rowan left a draft for $24 on Boston. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 125-6.
707
RANCHO DEL REY.
ravages of wild beasts,20 so that in 1791 they numbered over 1,200. At the end of March of this year the cattle were transferred to Monterey, except a few milch cows which the soldiers were allowed to keep. This change seems to have been made by order of the comandante general at the petition of the padres who represented that injury was done to the interests of the mission. Subsequently the garrison was obliged to obtain meat from Monterey.21 In 1796, at the suggestion of Sal, Borica determined to reestablish a branch of the rancho del rey, and this was accom- plished in September 1797, two hundred and sixty-five cattle being purchased from the missions and placed at Buriburi between San Bruno and San Mateo.22
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