USA > California > History of California, Volume II > Part 27
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One measure for relief devised and executed by the governor, with the advice and aid of his subordi- nates, was to send a special commissioner to Mexico
26 May 5, 1818, Sola to viceroy. Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 196. In April Moran had written to Guerra from Mexico that Sola should be promoted; 'he must let fly his memorials' and get the reward due him for the 'banishment he imposed upon himself with profit to the service and benefit to that neglected settlement.' Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., vi. 117.
27 June 21, 1819, Sola to Guerra. He says his request was sent 10 months ago, that is about the time he had really asked for a continuation. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xlix. 32-3. On March 7th a notice appeared that the governorship of California was vacant, with a request to aspirants to make the proper applications for the position. Gacetas de Mex., xxxix. 233. June 14th, Padre Escudé having seen that notice congratulates Sola that he will now be able to retire to Spain as he has long desired, and will be rewarded for his 'honorable retreat' from Monterey in 1818. Arch. Arzob., MS., iii. pt. ii. 114.
28 Mar. 30th, Apr. 23d, Lieut. Estudillo to Guerra, urging the latter to avail himself of the opportunity. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 461-2, 465.
29 July 25, 1820, Sola to Patricio Humana. Prov. Rec., MS., x. 56. Oct. 7th, Sola to Ruiz de Cabañas. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 20-1. Oct. 9th, Sola to Guerra, asking him to call on several influential persons in his behalf. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xlix. 46. Royal order of June 1820. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 38.
261
GUERRA'S MISSION TO MEXICO.
with a power of attorney from all the commandants, to lay before the viceroy the critical condition of pro- vincial matters, and also to investigate the state of things in the habilitado general's office and see if Gervasio Argüello could not be made to render more effective service, that official being apparently inclined to live very much at his ease at Guadalajara instead of the capital. For this important mission José de la Guerra y Noriega was selected as a man who enjoyed the confidence of all classes, and an extra salary of one hundred dollers per month was pledged by the officers and men of the four presidios. He sailed early in November with Bandini on the Reina de los Angeles for San Blas. His instructions, dated September 23d, required him to hasten to Mexico, on no account to delay at Guadalajara or to place any reliance on the treasury official there, to treat directly with the viceroy, to be put off with no frivolous ex- cuses, to claim the promised armament not sent with the troops and also the detachment of artillery, and above all things to insist on the immediate payment of $150,000 or $200,000, half of which was to be in- vested in the supplies most needed according to Guerra's judgment. 30
Doubtless a better man than Guerra could not have been chosen as commissioner, and he accomplished the little that was possible. He wrote from San Blas on November 26th to the viceroy, who on January 12th replied that he was making preparations to send $30,000 to the habilitado general at Guadalajara; that he had informed Sola of his efforts to do for California all that the condition of the treasury would permit; and that if he, Guerra, had no other business in Mexico he might return to his post on the San
30 Guerra, Determinucion sobre su Ida & Mexico, e Instrucciones del Gobr. Sola, 1819, MS. Correspondence on the subject, including the powers of attorney from the comandantes and the guarantee of a salary, $25 from each presidio, which Guerra asked for, but which he subsequently seems to have declined voluntarily. Id., iv. 62; vi. 192-4; Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xlix. 35-6, 38, 40-1, 44; 1. 50-1; Prov. Rec., MS., x. 40, 46.
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LAST THREE YEARS OF THE DECADE.
Carlos, since his longer stay was unnecessary.31 Yet the captain thought it best to go to the capital, where he succeeded in increasing the amount of the appropri- ation, and perhaps, though this is not so clear, in get- ting a part of the amount to expend in Mexico, where it is stated that supplies could be purchased much cheaper than in Guadalajara. At any rate he obtained a passport for return on April 15th, and sailed from San Blas, probably on the San Carlos, in June, with goods invoiced at $41,319, but valued in California at $34,000 or $36,000, with which he arrived at Mon- terey in August.32
Meanwhile complaints of' destitution in the prov- ince were frequent, several of them having been for- warded to Guerra while he was in Mexico.33 The memorias if of slight amount were better than nothing after so long waiting; and trade, moreover, was much more brisk than in the preceding year. There were at least five Spanish craft besides the transport San Carlos on the coast, which afforded a market for more tallow than could be obtained, and in addition to their trade with the padres and settlers sold to the
31 Jan. 12, 1820, viceroy to Guerra. Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 164; vi. 94-5. On the same date the V. R. wrote to Sola expressing great surprise at the latter's letter of Sept. 21, 1819, on the uselessness of the expense in- curred to send the vessels with 100 jail-birds as soldiers. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 282. Same date also Moran to Guerra, doubting that the latter will get anything in Mexico more satisfactory than fair promises. Guerra, Doc. IIist. Cal., MS., vi. 118.
32 March 1820, Guerra in Mexico thanks viceroy for his interest in the wel- fare of California, and asks for money to invest in supplies. Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 152-5. April 15th, viceroy's passport. Id., vi. 122. Invoices dated Guadalajara, May 15th. Prov. St. Pap., MS., ii. 43; Id., Ben. Mil., li. 10. March 29th, the S. Carlos will be overhauled and then proceed with invoices to California. Arch. Sta B., MS., xii. 405-6. Aug. 25th, Sola says that Noriega has arrived with $36,000 in supplies. Prov. Rec., MS., x. 58. Luis Argüello on Aug. 12th says the $34,000 brought by Guerra will be but slight relief to the 4 presidios. Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., vi. 127-8.
33 Such complaints in 1819-20, the purport of which it is unnecessary to repeat; in Guerra, Doc. Ilist. Cul., MS., iv. 52, 55-6, 136; v. 206-7, 230-1, 250-1; Prov. Rec., MS., x. 24; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 262-3, no ink for writing, gunpowder used; Id., Ben. Mil., xlix. 53-4; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 24. Dec. 25th, Sola to García Conde. Affairs in a bad condition; no trade; only 3,000 people from whom to collect tithes; the dockyards of S. Blas ought to be transferred to California. Id., vi. 25-6.
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PARTIAL RELIEF.
presidios at least $17,000 worth of goods. 34 Besides, Khlébnikof came from the north with the welcome cargo of the Buldakof; and possibly another Rus- sian cargo was obtained, to say nothing of small sums received from two Russian vessels bound to the north, and from a British whaler for fresh provisions furnished. Thus financially affairs were a little brighter at the close of the decade.
I think the detachment of artillery, about twenty strong, including a few artisans, under Sub-lieutenant José Ramirez, must have arrived this year, perhaps in the Cleopatra which arrived at Monterey on May 7th, though there is no positive record to that effect. The reenforcement was a most welcome one to the province, since the few remaining artillerymen under Gomez were for the most part old and disabled, and the new men were of a good class under an able officer.35 Throughout the year the Californians were on the watch for hostile vessels. A large ship was seen at San Francisco in the evening of March 19th, but had disappeared next morning. This brought out from the governor an order to the padres to keep their valuables boxed and ready for removal. 36 Within less than a month there came a warning from Mexico that four insurgent vessels from Chili might be expected at any moment on the northern coasts.
34 See chap. xiii., this volume.
33 The movements of this artillery detachment are not very clear. Most of my narratives speak of it as having come with the other reinforcements in 1819; but we have seen that such was not the case. March 20, 1819, the viceroy announced their coming. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 68-9,71. At the end of May 1819, Ramirez and his men are said to have left Mexico for California by way of Durango, Guaymas, and Loreto. Arch. Arzob., MS., iii. pt. ii. 119. Sept. 28th, Sola had received news of their coming, from Guaymas. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xlix. 42. Oct. 28th, the viceroy advised Sola that the artillerymen were at Mazatlan. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 72. Preparations for their coming in Sept .- Oct. Id., xx. 251-2. March 29, 1820, the Cleopatra is said to be fitting at San Blas to carry artillerymen and war-stores. Arch. Sta B., MS., xii. 405-6. But in the notice of the Cleopatra's arrival there is nothing said of artillery. Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., v. 207-9; Prov. Rec., MS., 54. Pico, Acontecimientos, MS., 4, tells us that the artillerymen were nearly all men of good character and pure Spanish blood. July 20, 1820, Ramirez renders an account at Monterey. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., liii. 3.
36 March 21, 1820, Sola to padres. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. i. 7.
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LAST THREE YEARS OF THE DECADE.
Accordingly Sola issued on April 9th orders to co- mandantes and friars which required a renewal of the measures of 1818, and a readiness to send families and property into the interior and rally for the defence of the country at the first notice of an enemy's approach.37 The only new feature in the governor's precautionary measures was the proposed organization of companies of California royalists, for which purpose lists were called for of all civilians over fifteen years of age in the province. It does not clearly appear that the organization of the faithful realistas was carried fur- ther than the formation of these lists. The neophyte warriors were, however, organized and drilled to some extent, especially at Santa Bárbara, where Padre Ripoll formed a 'compañía de urbanos realistas de Santa Bárbara,' one hundred strong and armed with bows, besides a company of fifty macheteros, and another of thirty lancers, all picked men. These Indians prom- ised to shed their last drop of blood for their king, and Ripoll, meanwhile keeping their arms locked up, had much confidence in them, but President Payeras had his doubts about their conduct in battle.38
Fernando VII. having been forced in March of this year to accept the liberal constitution of 1812, Viceroy Apodaca with his ministry followed the king's example in May, announcing the fact in a bando, or decree, of May 31st. This document was forwarded to California for publication by the bishop of Sonora July 1st, but there is no record of its reception. On the 7th of June, or July, however, the viceroy issued another bando, requiring a formal oath of allegiance to the constitution to be sworn to by all before the curate
37 April 9, 1820, Sola to President Payeras and to commandants. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 271-2; Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. i. 13. Preparations at San Rafael, where the news arrived April 18th. Vallejo, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., xxviii. 27.
38 April 10, 1820, Estudillo to comisionado of San José. S. José, Arch., MS., iii. 15. One hundred and eighty-seven men fit for arms at San Diego. Prov. Rec., MS., xi. 52; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 48. Maitorena makes out list at Monterey. Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., v. 207. Padres confident in Indian loyalty and bravery. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. i. 31 et al. Ripoll's preparations at Sta Bárbara. Id., iv. 17, 20.
265
CONSTITUTION OF 1812.
of each parish on the first dia de fiesta after the publication of the edict. This order was forwarded by the bishop from Arizpe on August 16th, and reached California in October.39 The matter first appears in the provincial records on October 8th, when Sola took the oath before Padre Suñer, Captain de la Guerra, and the assembled people at the presi- dial chapel at Santa Bárbara. Next day he notified the prefect that the friars must be ordered by circular to take the prescribed pledge. October 20th Lieu- tenant Valle went to San José as commissioner to receive the oath of the pueblo officials. The 22d President Payeras took the oath at Monterey and sent out the required circulars. These are the only recorded instances; but doubtless the formality was complied with everywhere during the month. The only evidence of reluctance is found in a communica- tion of Sola to Captain Navarrete, according to which the padres of San Carlos are to be warned that if they fail to swear on the next Sunday they will lose their priestly character and prerogatives." The king's order on this subject was obeyed by the loyalists of California simply because it was the king's order, without discussion, and, so far as the majority of the people were concerned, without any clear ideas as to the purport of the new constitution. It is not even certain that there was a copy41 of the document in California at this time. The missionaries understood
39 Constitucion Española de 1812. Bandos del Virey y Obispo sobre su jura, 1820, MS. The form of oath was to be: 'Do you swear by God and the Holy Gospels to observe the political constitution of the Spanish Monarchy sanc- tioned by the General and Extraordinary Cortes of the Nation, and to be faithful to the King?' the response of all to be 'Sí juro.' This oath was to be preceded by a mass of thanksgiving, and followed by a te deum and a dis- course by the curate. Next day after the publication, all prisoners for other than criminal offences were to be set at liberty. The viceroy's order of July 31st is also mentioned in Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 272. On Jan. 21st, Sola had transcribed an order to prevent the circulation of subversive periodicals such as the Español Constitucional, Gabinete de Curiosidades, etc. Id., Ben. Mil., li. S.
40 St. Pap., Sac., MS., xviii. 33; v. 59; S. José Arch., MS., iii. 13, 16; Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. i. 23; Guerra, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., vi. 116.
41 I have what appears to be the original copy sent to California, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., i. 1-42, but it has nothing to show when it was received.
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LAST THREE YEARS OF THE DECADE.
the principles involved, and had no sympathy with them; but they realized fully that they and their peculiar institutions must fall with royalty, and that in unwavering fidelity to the king lay their only hope for the future.
CHAPTER XIII.
FOREIGN RELATIONS-MARITIME AFFAIRS-AND CONTRABAND TRADE.
1811-1820.
BIDARKA-FLEETS-CAPTURE OF THE 'MERCURY'-CANNON AT SAN PEDRO- THE 'PEDLER' SEIZED-THE 'ISAAC TODD' AND 'RACCOON'-GILROY- THE WAR OF 1812-RESTRICTIONS-THE 'COLUMBIA'-ELIOT DE CASTRO AND THE 'ILMEN'-THE 'LYDIA' AND 'ALBATROSS'-THOMAS DOAK- KOTZEBUE'S VISIT-CHAMISSO AND CHORIS-A SUPPLY-SHIP AT LAST- THE LIMA TRADERS-TALLOW-WILCOX AND THE 'CAMINANTE'-THE CAPITAN COLORADO-ROQUEFEUIL'S VISITS IN THE 'BORDELAIS'-FERNAN- DEZ AND SUÑOL-ITEMS OF THE LAST THREE YEARS-THE INSURGENTS COMING-FEARS OF AMERICANS-CHAPMAN AND ROSE-TRADING FLEET OF 1820.
Two subjects connected with foreign relations for this decade, Bouchard's invasion and relations with the Russians, are treated in separate chapters,1 receiv- ing here only such brief mention as convenience may require. The visits in 1811-12 of certain American vessels with bidarka-fleets hunting otters under Rus- sian contracts-of the Winships in the Albatross and O'Cain, Davis in the Isabella, Meek in the Amethyst, Blanchard in the Catherine, and Whittemore in the Charon-are elsewhere recorded, little being known about most of them beyond their presence on the coast and the number of otter-skins they carried away.2 Kuskof in the schooner Chirikof came down to Bodega in 1811, returned to establish Fort Ross in 1812, and the following year entered into commercial relations with the Spaniards at San Francisco.3
1 Chapters xi. and xiv. of this volume.
2 See chapter v. this volume.
3 The merchant brig Mexicano, Capt. Jose Arci, anchored at Monterey in
( 267 )
MARITIME AFFAIRS AND CONTRABAND TRADE.
In 1813 the American trader Mercury, Captain George Washington Ayres, repeated her visit to the coast in search of opportunities for contraband trade, and came to grief in the attempt.4 Two Spanish vessels, Flora, Nicolás Noé, and Tagle, Anangua, were on the coast this year, having come up from Lima on a trading voyage,5 and the former had the good fortune to find and capture the Mercury just above Santa Bárbara on June 2d. The circumstances of the cap- ture and the testimony of officers and crew left no doubt in the mind of Argüello, who by the governor's orders held a formal investigation on the 19th,6 that the Americans had neglected no opportunity for clan- destine trade. Accordingly a formal inventory was made of the captured effects, the officers and men being secured at the presidio until all could be sent south and the matter be turned over to the superior government for final disposal. Noé did not approve this course, since he wished the Flora to be pronounced a privateer, and the Mercury her prize to be confiscated and sold with all her effects for the benefit of himself
September 1811. Prov. Rec., MS., xi. 220; and the Columbia was on the Cali- fornia coast in 1812. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 158.
4 Sola in 1813 states that Ayres, called Payus, was left at Monterey nine years ago, or in 1804, by a smuggler, and was sent to Mexico, soon making his reappearance on the coast. Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 133. This is mysterious, unless possibly Ayres was the mate of the Peacock captured in 1806. See chap. ii. of this vol. A serap in Hayes' Emig. Notes, 702, says an American smuggler, Capt. Geo. Washington, being at Refugio at the time of the earth- quake of Dec. 20, 1812, was carried up a canon and brought back by the wave. This was from the S. F. Bulletin and was written probably by Taylor.
5 Arch. Sta B., MS., xii. 92-3; Guerra, Doc. Hlist. Cal., MS., iii. 218; Prov. St. Pap., xix. 351, and allusions in references of following notes. Noé sold 82,000 in supplies to the presidios, taking a draft. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 372.
6 Mercury, Expediente de investigacion sobre captura de la fragata Ameri- cana ' Mercurio,' 1813, MS. All admitted occasional traffic for skins and supplies. Ayres testified that he had been eight years on the coast, engaged for the most part as on the present voyage in bringing supplies for the Rus- sians and carrying their otter-skins to China, but also trading with the Indians; had never entered the ports of California; had a U. S. patent, but no special passport for these waters; was not in company with any other vessel, though there were eight American vessels trading on the coast; had some watches from Ross to be repaired in China. Pilot John Dillaway said an American vessel would soon arrive from China; and he offered to aid in the capture of the Charon, then at San Quintin. June Sth, Arrillaga to Noe, ordering inven- tory and investigation made. Prov. Rec., MS., xi. 19, 20. Also to command- ant. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 352-3.
269
CAPTURE OF THE 'MERCURY.'
and his men.7 This Arrillaga and Argüello could not reconcile with their ideas of international law, or at least, they preferred to evade the responsibility. The property must all go San Blas, except $16,000 in coin, which it was more convenient to send in the form of a draft on Guadalajara, a perfectly unobjectionable operation, though a very shrewd one, by which Cali- fornia was enabled to see once more the color of the king's money in spite of the treasury officials and the revolution.8
Noé left his own vessels at Santa Bárbara and continued his voyage in the Mercury to Monterey and other points. There were rumors of other smug- glers about the Channel islands, and Noé hoped to capture some of them, but there is no record of his success.9 Finally the prisoners were taken to San Blas in October on the Catalina, alias the Tagle, which carried also three Russian deserters.10 I sup- pose that the Mercury and Flora sailed about the same time.11 Captain Ayres had on his vessel a woman from the Hawaiian Islands who had accompanied him for four years as wife, or mistress, and had borne him a daughter at sea a few days before the capture. Both mother and child were left in California and became good Catholics. 12
7 June 27th, Noe to commandant, being his not quite disinterested views on the 'customary' disposition of contraband vessels according to the 'rules of the Pacific.' Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 349-50.
8 Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 133; xi. 21. In one document the sum seems to be given as $8,800.
" June 9th, Arrillaga to Arguello. Prov. Rec., MS., xi. 20-1. June 26th, Argüello to Arrillaga. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 350-2. It was recom- mended to send the prisoners up to Monterey for safe-keeping, but it appa- rently was not done. According to Id., xix. 362-3, the captain was allowed SI a day for support, and each of the men 20 cents. Only four men besides the captain are mentioned; and only three testified, one being a native of Manila, another, Thomas Jones, of Marblehead, besides the pilot.
10 Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 131.
11 Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 28-9, writing, probably from memory, an account of the smuggling operations of these years, in which details are inextricably confused, says that the captains of the Sultana and Urbana, then at San Francisco, offered to aid Capt. Davis, owner of the Mercury, to recapture the vessel, but he declined. This is all wrong, and no such vessels were on the coast.
12 August, 1816, Guerra to Sola. The woman is called María Antonia de la Ascension Stuart, and is said to have lived at Guerra's house. According
270
MARITIME AFFAIRS AND CONTRABAND TRADE.
There are records of subsequent correspondence respecting the Mercury, but none which make known the ultimate result. Orders were issued by the vice- roy that Ayres should be well treated and his prop- erty protected. It was decided that the captured vessel must be treated as a smuggler and not as a prize of war, and in 1815 the Mercury was ordered to be sold at Ayres' petition, since she was rapidly breaking up. At last in 1816 General Cruz was named as judge to dispose of the whole matter, but the final issue as I have stated is not known. 13 Noé, for some unexplained reason, left six or eight cannon at San Pedro in care of Bartolo Tapia, probably to make room for more tallow and grain on board his vessel. A rumor found its way from Lower Califor- nia to the ears of President Señan that guns had been left buried in the country by Americans with a view to future hostilities. The report was sent to Sola, and naturally, the truth being known, created no special excitement; yet in view of the frequent visits of Americans known to have designs on the northern coast,14 and of the efforts in progress for Mexican independence, it was deemed prudent to take the precaution of spiking the cannon secretly.15
to S. Diego, Lib. Mision, MS., 13, the child was baptized Nov. 7, 1813, at the age of 5 months, and named María de los Remedios Josefa Antonia, the mother being spoken of as Margarita Gégue.
13 Prov. St. Pap., MS., 365, 374-5; xx. 4-6; Prov. Rec., MS., xi. 39; Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., vi. 98-9. It seems to be implied that Ayres was back in California, but this is unlikely. Nov. 7, 1817, he writes from Guadalajara to Guerra that Medina, Noe's security, is to be arrested and held until he pays for all damage and loss. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 333-7.
14 July 9, 1813, viceroy to governor, has heard of maritime expeditions from the U. S. to the Pacific, which may seek to unite with overland parties to the Columbia, and there to establish themselves. They must be closely watched and treated as per enclosed private orders (not given); and if pirates or adventurers, they must be driven out with aid from adjoining provinces. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 334-5.
13 April 13, 1813, two letters, Señan to Arrillaga, in Arch. Arzob., MS., ii. 90-4, 96-7. March 30th, Arrillaga to Señan. Prov. Rec., MS., xii. 105-6. Señan notes the presence of an American vessel with a bidarka-fleet at one of the islands since December. There were 68 canoes, and the men were en- camped in straw huts with 4 women to make their tortillas. It is difficult to identify this vessel or the two mentioned by the same writer as having been at San Pedro in January and March 1812. The latter, an American, is said to have brought much clothing which it was intended to land had the insur-
271
CAPTURE OF THE 'PEDLER.'
The Tagle came back in 1814 under Jose Cavene- cia who was fortunate enough to sight the American brig Pedler as she was entering the bight of San Luis Obispo. Until she was inside, the Tagle raised the stars and stripes, but then hoisted Spanish colors and fired a blank charge to stop the prize, which showed a disposition to make off. Two more guns, this time loaded with balls, caused the Pedler to heave to, and a boat with twenty-five men was sent to take posses- sion, secure all papers, take the prize to Santa Bár- bara, and lock her hatches. In an investigation, conducted by Lieutenant Estudillo, it was shown that the vessel had come from the Hawaiian Islands with a cargo for Ross, and had entered San Luis because she had mistaken the Tagle for a Russian ship to which a part of the cargo was to be delivered. This explanation may not have been quite satisfactory; indeed as a matter of fact the vessel was one chartered by the Pacific Fur Company's agent, Hunt, who was then on board homeward bound from Astoria to New York;16 yet there was no proof of contraband trade, and the captured brig was released with an order to quit these waters at once. The viceroy approved the release.17
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