History of California, Volume II, Part 53

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 826

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At the end of the year came the announcement, apparently in official form, for it was formally pro- claimed at San Francisco, that a new comandante general, and presumably gefe político as well, had been appointed to succeed Sola, Argüello's rule being of course ad interim. Brigadier General Juan José Mi- ñon was the new ruler, with Lieutenant Manuel Ruiz as second in command; but neither ever came to the province, and another man was named a little later, as we shall see, in place of Miñon.7

Among the general acts of the Mexican congress in 1824 the only one requiring special notice in con- nection with Californian history is the colonization decree of August 18th, which was forwarded imme- diately on its passage for publication in the province. Though the law had no immediate practical effect in California, its subsequent importance as a basis of land legislation and in connection with the admission

5 Argüello to sup. govt. and to Sola of different dates in Dept. Rec .. MIS., i. 48, 51, 173, 214, 274. Oct. 9th, Argüello sends a complaint of the diputa- cion that Sola has not been admitted to congress. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. ii. 132. Dec. 9th, Gervasio Arguello to his brother, in Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., v. 226.

6 Nov. 3d, Esteva to Argüello, Sup. Govt., St. Pap., MS., xix. 9-10. Micr y Teran to congress. Mexico, Mem., Guerra, 1824, 19-20.

7 Dec. 14th, Arguello to Guerra. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., liv. 4; Dec. 3d, Martinez to Argüello. St. Pap. Sac., MS., xiv. 6. Miñon named as general, Dec. 17th. Dept. Rec., MS., i. 161. April 24th, Varela to Guerra, the San Carlos is ordered to Acapulco to convey to California war material and the new governor of both Californias, Col. Minon. Guerra, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., vi. 139.

516

EVENTS OF ARGÜELLO'S RULE-1824.

of foreigners renders its reproduction here essential. The provisions of the act were certainly liberal and wise, if not, as Tuthill says, "so liberal as to excite a wonder what hidden motive suggested its wiser pro- visions."8

The missionaries like others were waiting for some- thing to turn up, but without the slightest possible hope that the 'something' would be in any way favor- able to their interests, to which the fall of Iturbide was a death-blow.9 The day of republicanism was at

8 Decreto del Congreso Mejicano sobre Colonizacion, 18 de Agosto, 1824, MS. Forwarded by Minister Alaman on same date to California. Also printed in Mexico, Cal. de Ordenes y Decretos de la Soberano Junta Provisional guberna- tiva, etc., iii. 64. Translated in Halleck's Report, app. 4; I Rockwell, 451; Wheeler's Land Titles, 7-8; Schmidt's Civil Laws of Spain and Mexico, 340-5; Dwinelle's Col. Hist. S. F., add. 23-4. Art. 1. The Mexican nation promises security in person and property to foreigners settling in its territory and obey- ing its laws. Art. 2. This law refers to national lands, not private property nor belonging to corporations or pueblos. Art. 3. The congress (legislature) of each state will at once regulate the matter of colonization according to this and the general laws. Art. 4. Lands within 20 leagues of the boundary of a foreign nation, or within 10 leagues of the coast, cannot be colonized without approval of the supreme executive power. Art. 5. The federal government may reserve lands for public edifices. Art. 6. For 5 years after the publica- tion of this law no tax shall be imposed on the entry of foreign new-comers. Art. 7. Before 1840 the national congress cannot prohibit the entry of for- eigners to colonize, except compelled to do so in the case of individuals of somne nation for strong reasons. Art. 8. The government will take precau- tionary measures for the security of the federation. Art. 9. Mexican citizens are to be preferred in the distribution of lands, with no distinction among them except for merit, services, circumstances, or residence in the place where the lands are. Art. 10. Military persons entitled to lands under the promise of March 27, 1821, shall be attended to in the states. Art. 11. The supreme executive may grant vacant lands in the territories to military or civil officers of the federation. Art. 12. No person shall have more than one sq. league of 5,000 varas of irrigable land; four leagues of land dependent on rain; or six leagues of grazing land. Art. 13. The colonists cannot transfer their pos- sessions in mortmain. Art. 14. This law guarantees the contract made by individuals to bring families at their own cost and in accordance with the laws. Art. 15. No grantee under this law can retain lands if he reside out of the republic. Art. 16. The government will proceed in accordance with these principles to the colonization of its territory.

9 Sept. 12th, P. Martinez of San Luis writes to Arguello of his disgust at the state of affairs in general. He thinks all is lost, sees no prospect of improvement, and will himself leave the country rather than stay to see 'the devil get away with all he has done.' Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. 129-31. According to Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., i. and 345-S, and Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., ii. 25-9, P. Martinez had this year a quarrel with Corporal Miguel Avila. He harshly reproved Avila for talking with an Indian in the ranche- ría; Ávila blamed him for administering the reproof in presence of ser- vants and inferiors; the friar called the corporal a perjurer and a traitor; the corporal in trying to induce the padre to go with him and settle the matter

517

TROUBLE WITH THE FRIARS.

hand, and the friars had this year for meditation on their future policy. Notwithstanding their despond- ency, and the fact that the old reasons for com- pliance with secular demands had largely ceased to exist, I find but one instance of refusal on their part to comply. At San Diego in February, at a time when the province was threatened with danger from the Indians, the padres of the four missions of the jurisdiction refused to furnish supplies for the troops unless paid their just value. This gave rise to some correspondence, but the result is not clearly given.10 The threatening attitude of the Indians gave the friars a temporary advantage, and Argüello was obliged to adopt a somewhat conciliatory tone, merely warning the friars that there was danger of driving the troops to extremes. Sarria on the other hand protested on December 31st that it would be inipos- sible to continue meeting such exorbitant demands as those of the past year. The provincial authorities, he said, had a very erroneous idea of the mission products; most of the missions, after paying the various taxes, duties, and forced loans, could barely clothe their neophytes in coarse and scanty material; they could not collect the sums due them; and the pueblos had never done anything for the troops,

quietly, touched his robe; whereupon the padre cursed him and threatened excommunication. Avila was greatly frightened, turned pale, and called his men to arms. The infuriated padre rang his bell and summoned all his as- sistants and neophytes. The two forces faced each other in battle array, armed on one side with guns and lances, and on the other with book, holy water, and cross. Martinez began to read, and Ávila seized the book, think- ing thus to escape damnation; but the padre went on, finished the rite in bad Latin from memory, and retired in triumph to the church. The matter was sent to the commandant and to the governor, and was compromised by an- nulling the excommunication and the appointment of a new cabo.

10 Dept. Rec., MS., i. 239, 314. Padre Boscana was prominent in the refusal. April 12th, Argüello encloses to Sola his letter to Sarria, not in- cluding all the correspondence as 'too tiresome,' but enough to show that the padres made a great deal of trouble about a little corn and beans. Id., i. 51. Argüello also complained to the president this year that the padres of San Carlos refused to say mass at a court-martial on the ground that this was a new duty, but really because they feared they would get no pay. Id., i. 321. To Kotzebue, Lieutenant Estudillo accused the padres 'of consulting only their own interest, and of employing their proselytes as a means of laying up wealth for themselves, with which, when acquired, they return to Spain.' Kotzebue's New Voyage, ii. 108.

518

EVENTS OF ARGUELLO'S RULE-1824.

though Los Angeles had one thousand inhabitants with rich lands and many ranchos. If Argüello chose to use violent means, the president would not support him, and while the padres would not resist, there was great reason to fear that all would quit the country and the missions would be abandoned.11

The padres had one extraordinary stroke of good luck, however, about which both by inclination and by superior instructions they said nothing. They were informed in a letter of the guardian, confidential and to be circulated with the greatest care, that the stipends of 1820-3, amounting to $42,680, had at last been collected and placed in the hands of Síndico Martiarena at Tepic for the use of the missions. The matter had been managed in Mexico so shrewdly that not even Procurador Escalante knew of it, because he was not to be trusted, and because "in these days money is the greatest enemy a man can have in the house." It was also to be kept secret in California lest the padres might not be believed to be so desti- tute as they pretended, and lest the knowledge might prevent the collection of the later stipends, of which there was yet some hope, though those preceding 1820 were regarded as lost.12

I give a list of sixteen vessels for this year, though

11 April 22d, Argüello to Sola. Says he has sent a despatch to the minis- ter of the treasury praising the conduct of the troops, but expressing a fear that their pacific spirit may be disturbed if the padres go on acting as they have done. Dept. Rec., MS., i. 52-3. Dec. 31st, Sarria to Arguello. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. ii. 121-4. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., i. 333-5, and Alva- rado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 4-7, both speak of a regular junta of the governor, diputacion, and padres at Monterey at which Argüello explained the critical state of affairs, called on the friars for food and for a loan on his personal credit, and was supported in his demands by Padre Peyri in an eloquent speech; but I find no evidence of any such meeting.

12 Guardian Cortés' circular to the padres. Arch. Sta B., MS., vi. 255-9. Dated June 27th. In Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xviii. 20-2, 27, I find an invoice of a large lot of goods for the missions shipped from San Blas on May Ist by the Apolonia, Malarin master. These effects may be supposed to have been bought with a part of the $42,680.

On May 24th Sarria was elected comisario prefecto at the college by 17 votes, Tapis receiving 15 votes and Duran 13. The result was announced in California on Nov. 11th. Arch. Arzob., MIS., iv. pt. ii. 121; Arch. Obispado, MS., 23; Sta Clara, Arch. Parroquia, MS., 26; S. José, Patentes, MS., 360-1.

519

VESSELS OF THE YEAR.

the records are not so complete as would be desirable.13 Only two or three of the fleet were strangers visiting the coast for the first time. The Pizarro was con- signed to McCulloch, Hartnell, and Co., as were per- haps one or two other vessels. The home firm of Begg and Co. of Lima, had made a contract to supply the Peruvian government with salt beef; and a num- ber of salters and coopers from Ireland and Scotland were sent to prepare the meat in California under the superintendence of David Spence, who came on the Pizarro. But few details are known respecting this branch of the company's business, which proved unprofitable after a few cargoes had been shipped.

13 Arab, American brig, arrived off S. Diego from S. Dec. 30th. The Rorer, Cooper, on the coast in spring and autumn, in the mean time making a trip to China. $210 duties on corn taken away.

Buldakof at S. F. and Sta Cruz in Jan. Corporal Rodriguez and José Bolcof were arrested for smuggling goods to the amount of $136 from hier at Sta Cruz.

Rurik, Russian brig; Basilio, master. At S. F. in Jan., paying $234, and perhaps at Mont. in Dec. 1823.

Apollo, Creiser, and Ladoga, Russian frigates at S. F. in Jan., having arrived in the autumn of 1823. The Creiser, Capt. Mighael Lazaref, came back to S. F. in Dec. 1824.

Hawaii, English brig, Capt. Kelly. At Mont. and S. F. in May. Paid at S. F. $481.

Young Tartar, or Joren Tartar; Wm. Smith, master; English schooner. Arrived from Lima at Montercy, June 12th; at S. F., in July and Dec., pay- ing $354.

Constancia, Colombia schooner from S. Blas; Zurrillaga, master; arrived at Mont. July 29th.

Thomas Nowlan, from Lima; Wm. Clark, master; at S. F. in Aug. and Sept., paying $1,191.

Mentor, American ship. At S. F. in July, paying $471, and S. Diego in Sept., bound for Mazatlan.

Predpriate, or Enterprise, Russian frigate under Kotzebue. At S. F. in Oct. and Nov.

Pizarro, English brig, from Lima. Arrived at Mont. in Oct .; still there in Nov.

Royal George, English ship; no dates; left S men.

Sachem, vaguely alluded to as having been on the coast in February, but very doubtful.

On movements of vessels see Dept. Rec., MS., i. 24, 87, 90, 156, 222, 224, 291; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust., H. MS., iii .- viii. passim; Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 156-9; Id., Mont., iv. 87; Id., Ben. Mil., liv. 5; St. Pap., Sac., MS., xi. 70; xiv. 1, 5-11, 24; Ley. Rec., MS., i. 29; S. José, Arch., MS., v. 36; Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., i. 213; xviii. 6-11, 31-3, 43, 47-50, 57-60; xxviii. 405, 416; Spence's Hist. Notes, MS., 12-13. According to Reynolds' list in Honolulu Friend, ii. 49, there were 7 arrivals from Cali- fornia ports at Honolulu in 1824. Combier, Voyages au Golfe de la Cal., 251, speaks of a Mexican ship captured by an English corsair in the latitude of S. Francisco.

520

EVENTS OF ARGÜELLO'S RULE-1824.

Within a year, Peru having failed to pay promptly, the contract was annulled.14

Argüello sent his newly purchased schooner, the Rover, with a cargo of skins, including 300 otters ob- tained from the Russian contract, and tallow enough to properly ballast the vessel, to China under the com- mand of Captain Cooper, her former owner. He intended the cargo to be exchanged for such goods as were most needed by the troops; but he also kept in mind his own personal interests and obtained from the diputacion a decree granting to himself as owner of the vessel five per cent of the net value of the effects to be brought back. The Rover was ready to depart at the end of January, and probably sailed in Feb- ruary. She returned in November, but of the voyage and its results we know only that the return cargo was valued at $12,781. November 9th a contract was made between Argüello and Cooper for a second voyage to be made the next year.15

According to the figures given in the last chapter, the Russian otter contract yielded to the provincial government about 350 skins down to the end of Octo- ber when it expired.16 I have already recorded the commercial legislation of the year in presenting the

14 Spence, in Taylor's Discov. and Founders, ii. No. 24; Cronise's Nat. Wealth, 46; Hartnell, Narrativa, MS., 2-3.

15 Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxii. 23. Decree of diputacion, Jan. 29th. Leg. Rec., MS., i. 28-31. Jan. 31st, receipt for $210 duty on $6,000 in coin exported. Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xxviii. 333. Dec. 31, 1823 (?), bill of goods bought in Manila and Canton for account of Argüello to be shipped by Rover. Id., xxviii. 329-30. Fernandez, Cosas de Cal., MS., 23-7, says that Santiago Estrada and Marcelino Escobar sailed with Cooper. J. J. Vallejo, Reminiscencias, MS., 86, tells us that the crew brought back many silks, etc., for smuggling. The contract of Nov. 9th is in Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust. H., MS., i. 20-1. It is not altogether intelligible, giving the im- pression that Cooper was still owner. He was to have $10,000 for freight out and back, and the privilege of bringing $10,000 worth of effects on his own account free of duties.

16 Jan. 12th, the governor reprimands the commandant of San Francisco for having eight canoes engaged in otter-fishing, thus robbing the provincial treasury. Dept. Rec., MS., i. 76. Dec. 6th, the commandant of San Francisco reports that 20 cayucos had returned without finding a single otter, and had gone to Bodega. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xiv. 6. This would indicate that the contract had been again renewed after October. In the mission report of 1822 it had been recommended that Alaskans should be employed to teach otter- hunting. Arch. Sta B., MS., iii. 288-9.

521

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

acts of the diputacion. Argüello issued the 17th of January a provisional tariff of prices for the province,17 to accompany the plan de gobierno proclaimed the same day, and title III. of which was devoted to reve- nue. On the 23d Estrada was appointed adminis- trator general of provincial finance and revenue, a subject which was further regulated in some of its details.18 In March Sarria presented an argument against a double price-list, one for natives and another for foreigners, "a thing which he could not make agree with Christian morality."19 In the autumn the dipu- tacion chided the governor for permitting the intro- duction of foreign brandy; paid no heed to a petition of neophytes and padres for relief from taxation; en- couraged the exportation of pueblo products; and finally removed the tax on exports for reasons not ex- plained, to take effect from the beginning of 1825.20 Of the practical results of the legislation on trade we only know that the duties on exports and imports for the year as recorded at Monterey amounted to $8,000, or less than half the amount for 1823.21 With the free trade that followed the downfall of Spanish power, smuggling again became prevalent and profitable; but

17 Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iv. 9-10; Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xviii. 11. The prices were: wheat, $2; maize, $1.75; beans, $2.50; Lima beans, $1.75; pease, $1.75; chick pease, $3; lard per arroba, $2; tallow do., $1.75; flour, fine, do., $2; flour, coarse, do., $1.50; dried meat do., Ș1; deer- skin shoes, $1.50; cows, heifers, etc., for beef, $1.50 to $7; other articles at the old rates.

18 The habilitados collected the revenue at the presidios, and the síndicos at the pueblos, each receiving 3 per cent and reporting to Estrada at the capital. S. Fernando was added for revenue purposes to S. Diego jurisdiction, and Sta Cruz to Monterey. Estrada secured three per cent on the total net receipts and reported to the diputacion. Leg. Rec., MS .. i. 21-3; Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MIS., iv. 14-15. By act of Jan. 29tli a tonnage due of 5 reals per ton was exacted, and also 6 reals per boat-load of wood, the tax on timber to be left to the administrator. Id., iv. 20.

19 March 22d, Sarria to Argüello. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. ii. 94.

20 Leg. Rec., MS., i. 32-9. Dec. 14th, Argüello in a proclamation orders that all the decrees of the diputacion on the collection of duties must be enforced. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., liv. 4.

21 Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust. 11., MS., i. (212). In Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1826, p. 27, it is stated not very intelligibly that the customs received up to the end of 1824 were $1, 160. Feb. 16th, governor calls on habilitados for accounts for 1822-3. Guerra, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., iv. 146-7. April 20th, Guerra ordered to distribute the $2,600 in his hands, giving each of the 7 com- panies $300 and devoting the rest to necessary expenses. Id., iv. 155-6.

522

EVENTS OF ARGÜELLO'S RULE-1824.

the annals of contraband trade are never clearly re- corded, and in these years smugglers were rarely dis- turbed. 22

There is no record extant respecting the weather during the winter of 1823-4, as there probably would be had the season been a notably dry or wet one. Some of the crops were caught in the fields by the heavy rains of the next autumn, but the harvest was a little larger than that of the preceding year, aggre- gating about 78,000 bushels.23

One of the visits of foreign vessels deserves more extended notice, chiefly from the fact that the visitor published a book in which a chapter was devoted to California. I allude to the voyage of Otto von Kot- zebue, who had once before visited California and described his impressions.2 On this second visit he commanded the Russian frigate Predpriatie, de- spatched with a cargo and also as a cruiser to protect the Russian company from foreign smugglers on the north-west coast, but also carrying a scientific corps. Coming from the north, Kotzebue anchored in San Francisco Bay on October 8th, and was saluted by the guns of Fort San Joaquin as soon as powder could be borrowed for that purpose from the frigate. The vessel remained until December 6th, the visitors were furnished with all the fresh provisions needed, and were most hospitably entertained; and during the

22 Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 75-6, says that Argüello did not object to smuggling, saying: 'I see not why we should prevent it, since our people are the gainers.' In fact the governor may have indulged slightly in contra- band trade himself, if we judge by his request of Ang. 9, 1824, to some one in Lower California to send him some pearls for his daughter through his uncle at S. Diego that there may be no suspicion. Dept. Rec., i. 156. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 9, tells us that the padres were still engaged in smuggling, or at least pocketed the proceeds; and J. J. Vallejo, Reminiscencias, MS., 23, states that few captains or supercargos, to say nothing of sailors, came with- out a pacctilla of all sorts of things not indicated on the ship's manifest, prohibited books being among the articles thus introduced. Yet we have scen that Arguello issued an occasional warning and that Bolcof and Rodri- guez were arrested for smuggling at Sta Cruz.

23 There are newspaper accounts of earthquakes in 1824.

2! See chap. xiii. of this volume; Kotzebue's Voyage; Chamisso, Reise; and Choris, Voyage.

523

KOTZEBUE'S VISIT.

stay of two months the commander made three some- what extended expeditions into the interior. First he visited Santa Clara and San José; next went to Ross overland by way of San Rafael; and finally made a boat voyage up the Sacramento River.25

Kotzebue's observations on local matters connected with San Francisco, Santa Clara, San José, San Rafael, and Ross will be utilized in other chapters.26 His im- pressions of things actually seen are interesting, and tolerably accurate. He was enthusiastic in his admira-

25 Kotzebue's New Voyage round the World in the years 1823, 24, 25, and 26. By Otto von Kotzebue, Post Cuptain in the Russian Imperial Navy. Lon- don, 1830. 12mo. 2 vols. The chapter on California is found in vol. ii. 71-150. Notice of the arrival on Oct. Sth (Kotzebue gives it as Sept. 27th, Russian style) in St. Pap. Suc., MS., xiv. 8-9. Notice of sailing before Dec. 18th. Dept. Rec., MS., i. 224. See accounts of Kotzebue's visit by Stillman in Overland Monthly, ii. 260 et seq., and by Taylor in S. F. Bulletin, Jan. 11, 1867.

26 A few items not directly connected with local annals, or the other topics referred to: 'Some speculators have attempted a trade with China, but with- out success. A richly laden ship was intrusted to a North American captain for this purpose, who disposed of the cargo in China; but found it more con- venient to retain both the money and ship for his own use than to return to the owners.' This allusion is not intelligible. On the way to Sta Clara they landed on a small pleasant island, where 'probably the foot of man had never before trod,' whose ' northern shore was tolerably high, and rose almost per- pendicularly from the sea.' The author speaks of the mission San José as 'one of the richest in California, and a Pueblo has arisen in its neighborhood; the only Pueblo on the bay of San Francisco, except that near Santa Clara'! On his trip to Ross he was accompanied by Lieut. Estudillo, whom he found 'a very cheerful companion, and one of the most enlightened Spaniards I have met in California;' yet who seems to have given the traveller some absurdly inaccurate information about the province. A distant view was had of the mission of 'St. Francisco Salona, the only one situated on the northern shore of the bay except San Gabriel'! A valley extending far inland from Bodega was called by the natives Valley of the White Men, there being a tradition that a ship had once been wrecked on the coast, and the white men had chosen this valley for their residence. These men had perhaps improved the native race, who were 'distinguished for their courage, and preferred death to the dominion of the Missionaries, into whose power no one of them has ever yet been entrapped.' The latitude of the mouth of the Sacramento was found to be 38° 2' 4", and longitude 122° 4'; and the voyagers went up to 38° 27', or very near the present site of the city of Sacramento. Of the two rivers, which unite 23 miles from the general mouth, the one from the east was called by the Spaniards Pescadores, and its two tributaries San Joaquin and Jesus Maria. 'No trace remains of a numerous race called Korekines (carquines) by whom it was once inhabited.' Kotzebue conjectured that the Slavianka (Russian River) was an arm of the Sacramento. The extraordinary abundance of game- deer, bears, and birds-attracted attention and furnished much sport. A flock of pelicans attacked an Aleut, and gave him a severe beating with their wings; a bear was seen swimming after a deer by moonlight. The river by sounding was found to be from 15 to 20 fathoms deep, except at the mouth, where it was 4 or 5 fathoms.

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History of California, Volume II, Part 53

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 826

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 826