History of California, Volume III, Part 10

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 824

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

25 Feb. 19, 1830, Martinez writes to Echeandía, that on Nov. 15, 1829, Solis was about to attack S. Francisco and he prepared to resist him, but found the troops so demoralized and so disposed to join Solis that he was obliged, not to accept the plan, but to remain neutral and await results. Nov. 30th, he was ordered to deliver the military command to Jose Sanchez and the habili- tacion to Francisco Sanchez, and also to remain in his house as a prisoner. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 129. It would seem that on the final approach of Solis, Martinez had some idea of resistance, for Nov. 19th he wrote to S. Joss, asking for a reenforcement of 10 vecinos. S. José, Arch., MS., i. 33. In Feb. and March 1830 Corporal Joaquin Pina, who had been in command of the ar- tillery in the past Nov., was accused of insolence to Martinez on Nov. 28th, when he came by order of Nolis, then at the mission, to demand ammunition for a salute. Piña denied the insolence, but in turn accused Martinez of hav- ing approved the plan when it was first read, Nov. 21st or 22d, and of having sent to Solis a written surrender of the presidio, much to the disgust of lina, but with the approval of Francisco de Haro. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MIS., lxxi. 21-8. All of the Californian writers mention the expedition to S. Fran- cisco, but none give details. Osio, however, says that Solis met with no op- position from Martinez.

ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

Argüello, while admitting that he would rejoice at the overthrow of Echeandía, had no disposition to head a revolution, and persisted in his refusal. A part of the San Francisco garrison was incorporated in the army of Solis, but most of the men deserted at San José on the march to Monterey.

On his return Solis received despatches warning him to make haste or Santa Bárbara would be lost to the cause. Accordingly after a short stay at the capital, he began his march southward with over one hundred men, Gabriel de la Torre commanding the cavalry and Lázaro Piña the artillery. Beyond the facts that the army was at San Miguel December 28th, got plenty of supplies at each mission, and was in such good spirits at Santa Inés that the men refused to accept the gov- ernor's indulto which met them at that point, we have practically no details respecting the march. Thus far all went well; but the leader had no ability, nor control over his men; the army had no elements of coherence, and would fall apart of its own weight at the slightest obstacle; yet if success should take the form of a hole, the fragments might fall into it.26

Let us now turn to the south. Echeandía heard of the Solis revolt November 25th, or a day or two earlier. On that date he revealed it to the officers and people in a circular, stating that he had convoked a council of seven officers, who were asked for a frank opinion whether his rule was satisfactory, and what changes if any could be advantageously made in the administration. The response was unanimous that he was a good governor, though Juan Malarin was named as the best man for the revenue department.

26 The march south, organization of the army, trifling details. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxii. 41, 45-6, 76-7, and scattering. Jan. 15, 1830, Alcalde Soberanes writes from Monterey that he has notice of Solis passing Purísima on Jan. 10th, and that Pacheco is awaiting him at La Cieneguita with 200 men. S. José, Arch., MS., i. 37. Osio, Ilist. Cal., MS., 147, men- tions that at Monterey Solis showed an inclination to give up the command; that his old companion Antonio Avila threatened to oppose him if he con- tinued to be the tool of Herrera; and that a sergeant of artillery went south in his army with the express purpose of betraying him (Lázaro Piña?), as he did.

REVOLT IN THE SOUTH.

Consequently he declares that the adherents of Solis, if they do not lay down their arins and leave the au- thorities free, shall be deemed traitors and accom- plices of the Spanish invaders at Vera Cruz.27 Two days later Echeandía reported the matter to the min- ister of war, announcing that he would start north in a few days to retake the capital. He declared his belief that Herrera was at the bottom of the revolt, hoping to gratify personal hatred, to avoid the ren- dering of accounts and exposure of his frauds, and either to escape by some vessel, or more likely to declare for Spain or North American adventurers. Echeandía does not fail to make the affair a text for discourse on the difficulties of his position, and the urgent need of aid from Mexico.28 He left San Diego on December 1st and reached Santa Bárbara the 15th, after having made arrangements on the way for re- enforcements to come from Los Angeles, and for a meeting of the diputacion, as elsewhere related.

At San Diego the rebellion obtained no foothold;29 but at Santa Bárbara in the early days of December, before Echeandía's arrival, the garrison rose much as at Monterey, and held the presidio for nearly two days. The outbreak seems to have taken place just after the arrival of Meliton Soto with despatches from the north on the 2d. The coming of such a messenger had been expected, and a rising had been planned since the beginning of November. It was now settled

27 Nov. 25, 1829, Echeandía's circular. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 257.

28 Nov. 27, 1829, E. to min. of war. St. Pap., Sar., MS., x. 53-5. He is hard pressed by numerous duties, the difficulty of maintaining harmony with disaffected Spanish friars, the fear of a neophyte uprising, the total want of funds, the difficulties of communication, etc. He wants officers, troops, priests, money, and above all, just now 50 men from Sonora to establish com- munication by land.

29 Nov. 26, 1829, Echeandía orders the comandante to summon the militia in case of need to serve against Solis. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 258. Dec. 30th, Argüello assures E. that all at San Diego are opposed to the plan and deter- mined to support the govt. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 92. Sergt José Maria Medrano was accused by P. Menendez of saying that he had expected the out- break since July, and that had he been at Monterey he would have favored the plan; but after investigation the padre's testimony was doubted, and Medrano acquitted as a faithful soldier.

ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

that the discharge of a musket at midnight of the 3d, eve of Santa Bárbara, should be the signal; but an accidental discharge brought on the outbreak prema- turely at 11 A. M. Romualdo Pacheco, acting com- andante, and Rodrigo del Pliego were seized and placed under arrest in Pacheco's house, guarded by a corporal and eight soldiers. Sergeant Dámaso Rod- riguez was perhaps the leader of the rebels, or per- haps, as he afterward claimed, only pretended to be so to preserve order. No violence was done to persons or property. A distribution of warehouse effects was proposed, but was postponed until the soldiers of the mission guards should come to claim their share. The quelling of this revolt was a simple matter. The offi- cers were released by Rodriguez and a few others, on the 4th, against the wishes of many. Pacheco easily won over a few soldiers, marched to the barracks next day, and advised the troops to return to their alle- giance and duty. They were given until 9 P. M. to think of the matter, and they deemed it best to sur- render, after six of the number, presumably the lead- ers, whom only Pacheco had threatened with arrest, had been given time to run away with Meliton Soto for the north. 30

Echeandía put Santa Bárbara in the best possible state for defence. He obtained reënforcements of men,

30 The best account is given in the testimony of the artilleryman Máximo Guerra. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxii. 65-7. He names as impli- cated in the revolt and in the previous plans: Dámaso Rodriguez, Antonio Guevara, Vicente Rico, Joaquin Cota, Martinez, and himself, who were the 6 who ran away; also José María Perez. Luciano Felix, and Ex-alcalde Fer- nando Ticó, who spoke of Anastasio Carrillo as the prospective comandante. Soto in his testimony, Id., 62-3, claimed to have had nothing further to do with the plot than, having business in the south, to carry letters for Solis, receiving $50 for the service. He was back at Monterey before Solis started for Sta Bárbara. Gonzalez, Experiencias, MS., 26-9, who was alcalde of Sta Bárbara at the time, gives a version agreeing with that of Guerra, so far as it gocs. Dec. Sth, Echeandía at S. Gabriel wrote about the revolt, stating that Rodriguez was said to have only pretended to accept the command, that Pa- checo had regained control by the aid of citizens, and that he was in pursuit of wounded (?) mutineers. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 259. Slight mention in St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 56. Mrs Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 28-32, tells us that all the artillery revolted except Corporal Basualdo, who took refuge in the com- andante's house.

CAMPAIGN OF SANTA BÁRBARA.

animals, and supplies from the pueblo and missions,31 stationed Pacheco with about ninety soldiers at Ciene- guita, two or three miles from the mission, and awaited the approach of the rebel forces. The 7th of Jan- uary, 1830, he issued a proclamation, in which he called upon the Monterey insurgents to surrender on condi- tion of full pardon and liberty, except to the leaders, who would be simply imprisoned until their pardon could be obtained from Mexico. He believed the re- volt to be due to the selfish aims and the crimes of Herrera, who had deceived the troops; and he warned them that in opposing him they were really in rebel- lion against the republic, a state of things that could lead only to blood and ruin.32 Next day he received a communication from Solis, dated at Santa Inés or El Refugio the 7th, in which he was called upon to give up the command in accordance with the plan. He answered it the same day with a refusal. He or- dered the rebels to present themselves unarmed for surrender, and renewed the argument against Herrera, claiming that the troops had received two thirds of their pay, and that there had been no complaint to him. 33

None of the Solis men accepted the first offer of pardon received at or near Santa Inés. No obstacles had yet been encountered, and this revolt was so planned as to overcome everything else. It was yet hoped that the Santa Barbara garrison might join the movement, and the rebel army marched bravely on to Dos Pueblos, even coming in sight of the foe on the 13th. Pacheco and his men immediately executed a

31 Thirty-one citizens went from Angeles. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxiii. 60-1. Dec. 20th, Echcandía dircets padres of Sta Ines and Purísima to send to Sta Bárbara all people capable of bearing arms; also all spare ani- mals and supplies to keep them from the hands of the rebels. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 266. Jan. 5, 1830, E. orders alcalde of Angeles to send armed and mounted citizens. Id., viii. 2. Pacheco's advance guard consisted of 30 of the Maza- tlan company, 8 artillerymen, 30 of the regular presidial company under Alf. Pliego, 20 of the S. Diego company under Alf. Ramirez, and about 100 neo- phytes with bows and arrows. St. Pap., Sac., MIS., x. 56.

$2 Jan. 7, 1830, proclamation. Dept. Rec., MIS., viii. 4. 33 Id., viii. 4-7.

ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

change of base to prevent being cut off-that is, they retreated from Cieneguita as fast as their legs would carry them, and took refuge in the presidio.34 Solis seems to have come somewhat nearer Santa Bárbara, but we know little in detail respecting what occurred for three days. Echeandia wrote to the minister of war: "On the 13th the rebels came in sight of the divi- sioncita of government troops, and from that time by their movements and frivolous correspondence en- deavored to gain a victory; but knowing the useless- ness of their resources and the danger of being cut off on their retreat, they fled precipitately at dusk on the 15th in different directions, spiking their cannon, and losing twenty-six men who have accepted the indulto." 35

The last act of Solis before running away was to an- nounce that his men were ready for a fight, and would never surrender until they got their pay.36 The rebel chieftain described the events at Santa Bárbara thus: "Having taken a position between the presidio and mission, I found it impossible to enter either one or the other, the first because it was fortified, the second because of the walls pierced with loop-holes for musket-fire, and of all the people within, so that I knew we were going to lose, and this was the motive for not exposing the troops by entering. wrote me that the general had ordered Portilla to march with 150 men to surprise us, and seeing myself with- out means of defence for want of munitions, I deter- mined to spike the cannon, and retire with my army to fortify myself in Monterey-lo que verifiqué al mo-

34 The retreat is definitely stated only by Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 29-39; Gonzalez, Experiencias, MS., 27-9; and Pico, Acont., MS., 10-13; but all are good authorities.

35 Jan. 26, 1830, Echeandía to min. of war. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 58. He says the pursuit of the fugitives had to be suspended temporarily at Purísima. A list of 28 soldiers, who at this time surrendered themselves, is given in Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxvi. 23. Jan. 16th, E. announces the surrender of the 26th and his hopes of final success. Some additional corre- spondence of minor importance, from Jan. Sth to 18th. Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 10. Jan. 13th, Pacheco tells E. that he has gained an advantage over the foe. Id., viii. 83.

3G Jan. 15th, Solis from 'Campo Nacional ' to E. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., ii. 4. He was willing, however, to have a conference.

BATTLES OF CIENEGUITA AND DOS PUEBLOS.

mento."37 Dr Anderson wrote to Captain Cooper: " You would have laughed had you been here when the gentlemen from your quarter made their appearance. All the people moved into the presidio, except thirty women, who went bag and baggage on board the Funchal. The two parties were in sight of each other for nearly two days, and exchanged shots, but at such a distance that there was no chance of my assistance being needed. About thirty have passed over to this side. The general appears to be perplexed what to do with them. He seems as much frightened as ever." 33 All my original witnesses state that cannon were fired, but give no particulars save the important one that nobody was hurt. Several represent the army of Solis to have fled at the first discharge of Pacheco's guns. At any rate, the rebel force fled, pursued at not very close quarters, scattering as they advanced northward, and wholly disbanded before they reached the capital, where singly and in groups they soon took advantage of the renewed offers of pardon. The campaign of the south, and the battles of Santa Bar- bara, Cieneguita, and Dos Pueblos-the first in which Californians were pitted against Californians-were over.

On the 18th Echeandía summoned the soldiers of the north, that is, those who had surrendered, before himself, Carrillo, and Zamorano. Each one was inter- rogated about the charges made in the plan. Each declared that there were no grounds whatever for

37 Jan. 20th, Solis, at S. Miguel, to José Sanchez. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 118. Solis at this time claimed to have over 100 men left, and to be confident of success. He had only 40 men when he reached Soledad. Id., Ben. Mil., Ixxii. 46. Jan. 15th, 16th, 18th, 28th, E. to Pacheco. Instructions about the pursuit of the rebels, and the retaking of Monterey. Dept. Rec., MIS., viii. 85-90.

38 Jan. 24th, Dr Anderson to Cooper. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxx. 7. The af- fair as reported at Monterey and reported by Pattie, Narr., 225, was as fol- lows: 'A continual firing had been kept up on both sides during the three days, at the expiration of which Gen. Solis, having expended his ammunition and consumed his provisions, was compelled to withdraw, having sustained no loss, except that of one horse, from a sustained action of three days ! The cannon-balls discharged from the fort upon the enemy had so little force that persons arrested them in their course without injury.'

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ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

complaint; whereupon the governor showed docu- ments to prove that in 1829, one month with another, the soldiers had received two thirds of their full pay.3? On the 24th the Brookline arrived at San Diego with Vallejo and Rocha, the Monterey prisoners, and the same day or the next there came the news that the capital had been retaken. Pacheco was already on his way north to assume the command at Monterey.4? On the 26th, Echeandía reported all he had done to the supreme government, and did not fail to utilize the occasion by expatiating on California's great dan- gers and needs. 41

The recapture of Monterey was effected January 20th, largely by the aid of the foreign residents. It was feared that Solis and his men, defeated at Santa Bárbara, would devote their efforts to plunder, and it was deemed prudent to act before their return. There was no more difficulty in bringing about this movement in favor of Echeandía than in effecting the original revolt against him; yet David Spence in- dulged in a little Mexicanism when he wrote of the affair that "with the firm resolution of death or vic- tory, like bold British tars, we stood it out for twelve days and nights." 42 Malarin, Munrás, Alvarado, and José de Jesus Vallejo were most prominent among those who aided the foreigners; and the citizens of San José seem to have sent a party to assist in the reestablishment of the regular government.43 Fran-

39 Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 120-1.

40 Arrival of Vallejo and Rocha. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust. - H., MS., iii. 58. It is erroneously stated by some that these prisoners first carried the news of the revolt to the south. Jan. 25th, Echeandia to Francisco Pacheco, in reply to the latter's announcement that order has been restored at Mon- terey. Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 12.

41 Jan. 26th, E. to min. of war. St. Pap., Sac., MIS., x. 56-8.

42 Feb. 4, 1830, Spenee to Hartnell. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxx. 19.

43 Meliton Soto in his testimony stated that Cooper's house was the head- quarters, whence he went with Alvarado, Santiago Moreno, Alealde Sober- ancs, and several citizens and foreigners to take possession of the artillery barracks at 7 or S P. M. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxii. 64. Galindo, Apuntes, MS., S-13, tells us that the alcalde of S. José sent 45 men, who arrived at midnight and surprised the garrison. Pattie's account of events at Monterey, from the time that Solis marched for the south-absurdly in- accurate in many respects-is as follows in substance: Solis marched on

END OF THE REVOLT.

cisco Pacheco was apparently still left in command, and Solis' men as they came straggling in were par- doned and incorporated in the garrison. Eight or ten of the ringleaders failed to present themselves, and patrol parties were sent out to find them. Solis himself, concealed near his rancho, was taken by a company of thirty men under Antonio Avila. This man was a convict companion of Solis and Gomez, and he undertook the capture on a promise from Spence and Malarin to obtain from him a passport for Mexico. Neither Echeandía nor his successors could grant the pass, and Avila had to stay in Cali- fornia.# Just after the capture of Solis, early in February, Romualdo Pacheco arrived with a force

March 28th with 200 men. Echeandía had no knowledge of the revolt. The insurgents were so elated at their victory at S. F. that they were sure of suc- cess, and decided to expel all Americans and Englishmen. Capt. Cooper's father-in-law, Ignacio Vallejo, reported this to the foreigners, and at a con- sultation it was decided to send to Echeandía notice of the impending attack on him at Sta Bárbara, which was done successfully by means of a letter forwarded by a trusty runner. April 12th news came of the battle and retreat. 'The name and fame of Gen. Solis was exalted to the skies.' ' The climax of his excellence was his having retreated without the loss of a man.' Capt. Cooper rolled out a barrel of rum, and when the admirers of Solis were sufficiently drunk, they were locked up, 50 in number, and the rest of the inhabitants took sides against Solis. 'Huzza for Gen. Echedio and the Americans! was the prevailing cry.' There were 39 foreigners who signed the rolls, and Capt. Cooper was chosen commander. They spiked the cannon of the castle, except 4 which they carried to the presidio; broke open the magazine for powder and ball; and stationed sentinels for miles along the road. The Spanish people were all locked up at night to prevent possible communication with the approaching general. In a few days Solis drew near; the Americans waited at their guns with lighted matches until the army was at the very gates, and then ordered a surrender. The soldiers obeyed, but Solis with 6 officers fled. Six Americans, of whom Pattie was orderly sergeant and commander, armed with rifles, were at once sent in pur- suit to bring back the fugitives dead or alive. Minute details are given. Several shots were exchanged; one American was wounded, and a Mexican killed, with 4 bullets through his body; but the rest surrendered and were brought back to Monterey, where the American flag floated until Echeandia arrived! Pattie's Narr., 225-9.

44 Spence, Osio, Vallejo (M. G. and J. J.), Alvarado, and others mention the promise to Avila; but most of them state that the promise was kept, Echeandía granting the pass and $500 in money. Fernandez even speaks of Ávila as subsequently becoming a brigadier in Mexico. I have before me Avila's petition to Gov. Figueroa in 1833, narrating the Solis capture. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxv. 13. Botello, Anales, MS., 53, men- tions Ávila as being at S. Buenaventura in 1838. For some reason unknown to me, the Californians are disposed toregard Avila very favorably, represent- ing him as sent to Cal. for political offences merely; but in the record's he stands as 'a vicious man of very bad conduct, who took part in varions mur- ders and assaults on travellers.' He was senteneed on Ang. 24, 1524, and

ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

from the south, and took the command. Herrera was now put under arrest in his own house.

Now followed the formal investigation and trial of the imprisoned leaders. It was carried on at Mon- terey and Santa Barbara, by Zamorano, Pacheco, Lo- bato, and Pliego, under instructions from Echeandía, and extended from January to June. The testimony 45 I have utilized in the preceding narrative, and it re- quires no further notice except in a single point. The evidence respecting the revolt was clear enough; but nearly all the troops were implicated; few men of any class had shown real opposition to the movement in the north; a rising of soldiers with the object of get- ting their pay was not a very serious offence from a military point of view; and pretty nearly everybody had been included in the various indultos offered. In fact, the criminal case was hardly strong enough to suit Echeandía's purposes respecting Herrera, the only one of the accused for whose fate he cared particu- larly. A more serious charge was needed, and grounds for it were easily found. After their defeat at Santa Bárbara, Solis and one or two of his men, wishing to gain the support of the padres, like drowning men clutching at straws, talked about raising the Spanish flag. It was easy to prove these ravings of the sol- diers, and the foolish remarks of Padre Luis Martinez at San Luis Obispo. Particular attention was given to this phase of the matter in the investigation.46 A revolt in favor of Spain would sound very differently in Mexico from a rising of hungry soldiers against

came on the Morelos in July 1825. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., li. 2; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ivii. 3.

# Solis, Proceso instruido contra Joaquin Solis y otros Revolucionarios de 1820, MS. These documents do not contain the final sentence under which the prisoners were sent away.

45 P'p. 78-105 of the Proceso noticed in the last note are entitled 'Autos pte aclaran que el objeto de la faccion de Solis era de pronunciarse en favor del Gobierno Español.' Meliton Soto, Raimundo de la Torre, and Maximo Guerra wore said to have spoken in favor of a grito for Spain; and a letter of Solis, dated Jan. 17th, to P. Arroyo de la Cuesta, was produced, in which he an- nounced his purpose to raise the Spanish flag, asked for a neophyte force to aid him, and said that the southern padres had agreed to the plan. p. SS.

EXILE OF HERRERA.

their local chief, and Echeandia hoped he might now safely send Herrera out of the territory. Respecting the banishment of Padre Martinez, I shall speak in the following chapter.4

On May 9, 1830, the American bark Volunteer, John Coffin Jones, Jr., master, sailed from Monterey with fifteen prisoners on board to be delivered at San Blas. Herrera was confined to a room constructed for the purpose on deck; Solis and the rest were in irons.43 We have no particulars about the reception of the prisoners by the Mexican authorities, but it is certain that they were discharged from custody with- out punishment.4 Three at least of the soldiers, Torre, Véjar, and one of the Altamiranos, found their way back to California in later years; while Herrera, in spite of all Echeandía's accusations and precautions, was soon sent back, as we shall see, to take his old position as comisario de hacienda. California's first revolution was over, and little harm had been done.5)

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History of California, Volume III, Part 10

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885-1890 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 824

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 824