History of California, Volume III, Part 15

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

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23 ' Possessing all these advantages, an industrious population alone seems requisite to withdraw it from the obscurity in which it has so long slept under the indolence of the people and the jealous policy of the Spanish gov- ernment. Indeed, it struck us as lamentable to see such an extent of habit- able country lying almost desolate and useless to mankind, whilst other na- tions are groaning under the burden of their population. It is evident from the natural course of events, and from the rapidity with which observation has recently been extended to the hitherto most obscure parts of the globe, that this indifference cannot continue; for either it must disappear under the present authorities, or the country will fall into other hands, as from its sit- uation with regard to other powers upon the new continent, and to the com- merce of the Pacific, it is of too much importance to be permitted to remain longer in its present neglected state. Already have the Russians encroached

125

VESSELS OF 1827.

graphical information is usually accurate and valuable; but a curious item is the idea, drawn from the Califor- nians, that the great rivers running into San Fran- cisco bay were three in number-the Jesus María, passing at the back of Bodega in a southerly course from beyond Cape Mendocino; the Sacramento, trend- ing to the south-west, and said to rise in the Rocky Mountains near the source of the Columbia; and the San Joachin, stretching from the southward through the country of the Bolbones.

The vessels of 1827 numbered thirty-three, of which two or three arrivals depend on doubtful rec- ords. Fourteen were the same that had visited Cali- fornia the preceding year, some having wintered on the coast. Only four were whalers. The trading fleet proper was of about twenty craft. Of the whole number twelve were American, ten English, three Mexican, three Russian, two each French and Ha- waiian, and one perhaps German.24 Revenue receipts from fragmentary records, which are virtually no records at all, foot up about $14,000 for the year.25 As the reader will remember, it was in this year that Herrera resigned, and the revenue branches were, if possible, in worse confusion than ever.

An attempt was made to remove some of the re- strictions on the importation of foreign goods, deemed disadvantageous to Californian interests. The re- forms desired were the free entry of foreign vessels into all the ports and embarcaderos, the subdivision

upon the territory by possessing themselves of the Farallones and some isl- ands of Santa Barbara; and their new settlement at Rossi is so near upon the boundary (no Englishman could admit it to be within California -- author) as to be the cause of much jealous feeling-not without reason, it would appear.' p. 66-7.

24 See list at end of this chapter. Vessels of 1827: Andes (?), Baikal, Blossom, Cadboro, Carimacer (?), Comite, Courier, Farorite, Franklin, Fulham, Golov- nin, Harbinger, Héros, Huascar, Isabella, Magdalena, Maria Ester, Massa- chusetts, Oliphant (?), Olive Branch, Okhotsk, Orion, Paraiso, Sachem, Solitude, Spy, Tamaahmaah, Tenieya, Thomas Nowlan, Tomasa, Washington, Waverly, Young Tartar.

23 Net revenue at S. F., $3,304. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., Ixii. 8-11. Sce also figures in the list of vessels at end of this chapter.

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MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.

of cargoes for convenience of sale and transportation, and the reduction of duties to at most the original twenty-five per cent by the removal of the internacion and avería taxes, and even the tonnage dues. The two first had already been accomplished practically, since the authorities admitted that they had rarely refused permission to engage in coast trade; and as to the third, both governor and comisario were op- posed to the high rates, and had been as careless as they dared, and their subordinates even less careful. The diputacion considered the matter in June and July, and by the decision of that body and the re- sulting decrees, coast trade was legalized, subject to the decision of the supreme government. The re- moval of the duties was recommended, the internacion tax was restricted to goods carried inland more than four leagues, while the missions were allowed to give bonds for the tax pending the result in Mexico.23

26 Jan. 22, and Aug. 6, 1827, Herrera regulates the details of trade between private persons and foreign vessels, to prevent abuses of the illegal privileges allowed of coast trade and division of cargoes. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 82-6. June 23d, July 24th, sessions of the diputacion. Ban- dini took a leading part in urging the reforms. Leg. Rec., MS., i. 52-4, 64- 72. July 20th, gov. announces that foreign vessels may touch at Sta Cruz, S. Luis, Purísima, Refugio, and S. Juan, by applying to the nearest coman- dante with a statement from the missionary that such visit is necessary. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 68; Dept. St. Pap., MS., i. 144. Aug. 10th, com. of Sta Bár- bara on same subject. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lvii. 12-13. Aug. 7th, Herrera announces the change respecting the internacion duty. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 86-7. Aug. 22d, gov. to sup. govt, an- nouncing the act of the dip .; also asking for one or two gunboats and for a naval station at S. Francisco. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 128-9. June Ist, min. of war to E., announcing the president's permission for foreign vessels to touch at the way-ports already named in this note and in the text. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 176. Vallejo, Esposicion, 6, cites in 1837 a law of Nov. 16, 1827, forbidding comercio de escala by foreign vessels. The tariff law of Nov. 16th, Mexico, Arancel Gen., 1827, p. 5, allowed foreign goods to be introduced into Cal. for three fifths the duties required elsewhere except in Yucatan; but if reexported, the other two fifths must be paid. Miscellaneous items on com- merce for 1827: Rates of duties-import, 25% on value; avería, 22% on do .; internacion, 15% on do .; tonuage, $2.50 per ton (Mexican measurement); an- chorage, $10 per vessel; collectors' compensation, 3%. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixii. 5-10. Jan., national products free from export duty, ex- cept gold and silver. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Trcas., MS., i. 71. Jan. 31st, gov. says Sandwich-Island traders may touch at ports; but not war-vessels, until it be proved that they sail under a proper flag and due authority. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 19. July 20th, Capt. Guerra says the Mexicans in Cal. will probably abandon trade to the foreigners, who spec- ulate in everything, and with whom they cannot compete. Doc. Ilist. Cal.,

127

HARTNELL AND COMPANY.

Meanwhile there came an order from Mexico, dated before the action of the diputacion, and permitting foreign vessels to touch at Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Purísima, Refugio, and San Juan Capistrano. In its deliberations on revenue matters, the diputacion gave special attention to the duties on liquors, per- fecting an elaborate reglamento, which was duly pub- lished by the governor. The proceeds of the liquor trade were devoted to the public schools.27 Another prominent commercial topic, since hides and tallow were the chief articles of export, was that of live- stock regulations, to which the diputacion also directed its wisdom. The result was a series of twenty ar- ticles, in which the branding and slaughter of cattle, with other kindred points, were somewhat minutely regulated.28

The prosperity of 1826 in the business of Hartnell & Co. was followed by trouble and financial embar- rassment in 1827-9. The exact nature of the reverses it is difficult to learn from the fragmentary correspond- ence; but I judge that John Begg & Co. failed, in- volving McCulloch, Hartnell & Co. to such an ex- tent that the firm was obliged to delay its payments and to close the copartnership. Hartnell, however, paid all debts in California, and continued his business both for himself, with the aid of Captain Guerra, and as agent for foreign houses who sent vessels to the

MS., iv. 84. Grain raised only for home consumption, also wool; horse-hair somewhat sought by the French; padres unwilling to take money; exports amount to what 4 vessels of 300 tons can carry; 47% profit may be counted on; the export of tallow averages 1 arroba for each hide. Duhaut-Cilly, Viay. gio, i. 232-3, 253; ii. 145-7, 150.

27 Reglamento de Contribuciones sobre Licores, 1827, MS., approved at sessions of June 26th, 28th, 30th, July 2d, 7th. Gov.'s decree of July 12th, in Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iv. 40-7. The tax was $5 per barrel of 160 quarts for brandy and $2.50 for wine in Monterey and S. Francisco jurisdictions; in the south $10 and $5 respectively, payable by all buyers and by the producer who might retail the liquor. This for native liquors. Foreign brandy and wine paid $20 and $10 per barrel. The regulations for the collection of this tax are somewhat complicated, and need not be given. Aug. 6th, Herrera an- nounces that by superior orders a duty of 80% on foreign liquors and 70% on wines is to be exacted, besides the 15% of internacion. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 87-8.

29 Reglamento sobre Ganados, aprobado por la Diputación, 1827, MS.

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MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.

coast. The correspondence would indicate that he went on loading vessels and trading with the padres much as before. David Spence also went into busi- ness for himself. In connection with the financial troubles, Hartnell made a trip to Lima, sailing at the end of 1827, probably in the Huascar, and returning in that vessel in July of the following year. 29

Captain Cunningham of the Courier, in conjunction probably with the masters of other American vessels, thought to improve the facilities for coast trade by erecting certain buildings and establishing a kind of trading station on Santa Catalina Island. Cunning- ham was ordered by Echeandía to remove the build- ings and promised to do so.30

Auguste Duhaut-Cilly, commanding the French ship Le Héros, 362 tons, 32 men, and 12 guns, sailed from Havre in April 1826, sent out by Lafitte & Co. on a trading voyage round the world. He was accon- panied by Dr Paolo Emilio Botta, afterward famous as an archaeologist and writer. This young scientist's notes on the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands and

29 Mrs Hartnell, Narrativa, MS., 2-3, says that the rivalry of Cooper, favored by the government, and of Spence soon obliged the firm of MeC., H. & Co. to liquidate. Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., iv. 145, says that H. paid all the debts of Begg & Co. in Cal. April, McCulloch advises H. to propose to Begg & Co. a reform in the Cal. establishment, including a small vessel on the coast under Mexican flag. Salting hides won't pay, nor will soap and candles. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxix. 125. July Ist, P. Viader to H. Speaks of Begg's fail- ure, which he has expected for some time. Id., 135. Fears for success of hide business. Id., 141. Aug. 6th, Begg & Co. say the prospect is bad. Men- doza (?) tallow better and cheaper than that of Cal. Id., 148. Nov. 6th, P. Sarria speaks of H.'s voyage, and sends letters of recommendation to friends in Lima. Id., 167. Jan. 5, 1828, Spence at Monterey to H. at Lima. Id., 190. May Ist, circular of Begg, Macala, and Hartnell to the padres of California, announcing the dissolution of the firm of McC., H. & Co., and that H. will settle all accounts and continue the business for himself. Warm thanks are rendered for past courtesies, and H. is strongly recommended by the former associates. Id., 224. July 14th, H. arrived by the Huascar. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 80. July 16th, Cunningham speaks of a protested bill. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xix. 257. McCulloch continues his letters to H. Aug. Ist, gov. regrets Begg's want of confidence in Mexican commerce. Id., 265. Aug. 28th, balance sheet of $5,097 between Begg & Co. and H. Id., 272. More accounts in October. Id., 282. Oct. 18th, certificate that H. furnished $14,397 in tallow, as he agreed in Lima. Id., 283. The correspondence of 1829 is unimportant, but shows that HI. still owed considerable money in Lima, and that his creditors were pressing. Id., passim.

30 Dept. Rec., MS., v. 19; Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 22.

129

VISIT OF DUHAUT-CILLY.

California were added to an Italian translation of the voyager's narrative, made by his father, Carlo Botta, also famous as a poet and historian. Lieutenant Ed- mond Le Netrel also wrote a journal, a large part of which has been published.31

On January 27, 1827, the Héros, coming from Mazatlan, anchored at Yerba Buena. It yet lacked several months of the proper time for obtaining hides and tallow, but the time could be employed in arrang- ing bargains with the padres; and while the captain remained at the port his supercargo, 'il Signor R-,' visited the missions of the district with samples of goods to be sold. After a month's stay, marked by adventures with grizzly bears and an earthquake, the traders sailed south March 7th, carrying three Indian prisoners condemned to confinement at San Diego. Touching at Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Bárbara, and San Pedro, they reached San Diego April 18th. Here the supercargo was left, while Duhaut- Cilly made a trip to Mazatlan and back before June 11th. 'Il Signor R-' proceeded northward to San Francisco by land, while the captain, having ex- perienced an earthquake, and made a tour to San Luis Rey, anchored at Santa Barbara on the 29th, and at San Francisco on July 17th. During this visit the Frenchman made excursions to Santa Clara, San José, and San Francisco Solano. In August they

31 Duhaut-Cilly, Voyage autour du monde, principalement a la Californie et aux Isles Sandwich pendant les années 1826, 1827, 1828, et 18.29. Par A. Duhaut-Cally. Paris, 1885. Svo. 428 p. plate. Of this original French edi- tion I have only a fragment in my collection, and my references are therefore to the following: Duhaut-Cilly, Viaggio intorno al Globo, principalmente alla California ed alle isole Sandwich, negli anni 1826, 1827, 1828, e 1820, di A. Duhaut-Cilly, capitano di lungo corso, cav. della Legion d'onore, ecc. Con l'aggiunta delle osservazioni sugli abitanti di quei paesi di Paolo Emilio Botta. Traduzione dal francese nell' italiano de Carlo Botta. Turin, 1841. Svo. 2 vol. xvi. 206 p. 1 1 .; 392 p. plates. The portion added to this translation, Botta, Osservazioni sugli abitanti delle isole Sandwich e della California de Paolo Emilio Botta. Fatte nel suo viaggio intorno al globo col Capitano Duhaut- Cilly, occupies p. 339-92 of vol. ii .; that part relating to Cal. is found on p. 367-78. These notes had originally appeared as Bottai, Observations sur les habitans dle la Californie, in Nouv. Annales des Voyages, lii. 156-66. Le Netrel, Voyage autour du Monde, etc. Extrait du journal de M. Edmond Le Netrel, Lieutenant & bord dle ce raisseau (Le Héros), in Nouvelles Annales des Voyages, xlv. 129-82.

HIST. CAL., VOL. III. 9

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MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.

sailed for Santa Cruz and Monterey. Here Duhaut- Cilly found the French ship Comète, which had come over from the Islands, as he claims, at the instigation of the mysterious and treacherous Signor R-, and to spoil the trade of the Héros, which venture was a failure, as the author is delighted to observe. In September they were at Santa Barbara, having anchored on the way at El Cojo to receive tallow from Purísima. From San Pedro, about the 22d, the captain, with Botta and a guide, visited Los Angeles and San Gabriel, to feel another earthquake. October 20th, after having broken his collar-bone by a fall from a California bronco, Duhaut-Cilly sailed again for Callao, again leaving il Signor R -- to con- tinue his operations on board the Waverly. He came back to Monterey May 3, 1828, made a visit to Bo- dega and Ross in June, was at Santa Bárbara and San Pedro before the end of that month, revisited Los Angeles and San Gabriel, and reached San Diego on the 3d of July. Finally the Heros sailed August 27th for the Islands. The Signor R- had in the mean time run away to Mexico.

From the preceding outline of the French trader's movements, it is seen that his opportunities for ob- servation were more extensive than those of any for- eign visitor who had preceded him. No other navi- gator had visited so many of the Californian estab- lishments. His narrative fills about three hundred pages devoted to California, and is one of the most interesting ever written on the subject. Duhaut-Cilly was an educated man, a close observer, and a good writer. Few things respecting the country or its people or its institutions escaped his notice. His relations with the Californians, and especially the friars, were always friendly, and he has nothing but kind words for all. The treachery of his supercargo caused his commercial venture to be less profitable than the prospects had seemed to warrant. 32 I have 32 Morineau, Notice sur la Californie, 151-2, says that both the Héros and

131

TRADING FLEET OF 1828.

had, and shall have, occasion to cite this author fre- quently on local and other topics, and it is with regret that I leave the book here without long quotations. 33

I find notice of thirty-six vessels on the coast in the year 1828, sixteen of which were included in the fleet of the preceding year, and several others had visited California before. Six were whalers.34 A few meagre items of revenue amount to less than $6,000 at San Francisco and $34,000 at San Diego. In January Echeandía issued an order closing the way- ports, or embarcaderos, except San Pedro, to for- eign vessels.35 This was in accordance with orders from Mexico, and was enforced so far as possible. In July San Pedro was also closed by an order which declared that all coasting trade must be done in Mexican bottoms, that Monterey and Loreto were the only ports open to foreign trade, but that in cases of necessity trade might be permitted at the other presidial ports.36 In September San Francisco and Santa Bárbara were closed provisionally; though ves-

the Comète brought cargoes, which, besides being too large, were ill-assorted and did not sell well.

33 Mention of the Héros in Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 32; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxiii. 2; Id., Ben. Pref. y Juzy., MS., i. 2. Taylor, in Brown's L. Cal., 43, mentions this voyage.

3ª See list at end of this chapter. Vessels of 182S: the Andes, Arab (un- der a Russian name), Baikal, Becket (?), Brillante (?), Clio, Courier, Emily, Fenix, Franklin, Fulham, Funchal, General Sucre, Griffon, Guibale (?), Har- binger, Héros, Huascar, Karimoko, Kiahkta, Laperin (?), Magdalena, Marta Ester, Minerva, Okhotsk, Pocahontas, Rascow, Solitude, Telemachus, Thomas Nowlan, Times, Verale (?), Vulture, Washington, Waverly, Wilmantic. I have fragments of the Waverly's original log for 1828-9. The author describes, p. 10, a celebration of St Nicholas day on the Russian vessels at Monterey Dec. 17th; also a fandango on shore. l'eirce's Rough Sketch, MS., and Memoran- dum, MS., describe the Griffon's voyage as remembered by the author, who was on the vessel. Six vessels at S. F. in January are not named, but de- scribed by Morineau as a Russian frigate; a Russian brig of 200 tons loaded with grain for Sitka; an English schooner from New Albion; an American brig of 150 tons from Manila; a Hawaiian brig of 140 tons manned by kana- kas; and a Mexican schooner of 100 tons from Sandwich Islands. El Bri- llante was at S. Diego from S. Blas, according to this author.

33 Jan. 29, 1828, St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 104. March 3d, Echeandía to com. gen. Has been obliged to keep open the four presidial ports and S. Pedro. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 7.

36 July 8, 1828, gov.'s order. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 63, 77; Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iv. 53-4.

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MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.

sels after discharging their cargoes at Monterey or San Diego might visit the other ports to take away produce, except money and breeding cattle, returning to settle accounts.37 I find no evidence, however, that this order was obeyed this year. In the correspond- ence on revenue the only item worth notice was the reduction of the internacion tax to ten per cent, pre- sumably in response to the petition of 1827.33 The Russians were permitted to take otter on a small scale for joint account of the company and the govern- ment. American vessels sought hides chiefly ; those from Mexico and Peru gave more attention to tallow, while the Hawaiian buyers took away by preference skins and horses. 33

The traders were not pleased at the restrictions which the Californian authorities could not well help enforcing to a certain extent; and they redoubled their efforts at smuggling. In most cases they were successful, not much to the displeasure of any one in California, and without leaving any trace of their movements in the records; but occasionally by their insolent disregard of appearances even, they came into conflict with Echeandía. Two such instances in par- ticular are recorded, that of the Franklin and that of

37 Sept. 30, 1828, gov.'s order in Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 103-3; Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iv. 72-3. Nov. 26th, gov. permits foreign vessels, after dis- charging their inward cargoes, to carry lumber from Monterey to Sta Bárbara. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 145. Nov. 30th, E. to min. of war, asking that S. Diego be opened formally and fully to foreign commerce. Id., vi. 52; Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 208.

38 March 29, 1828, com. gen. sends decree of congress reducing the duty to 8% (on the goods for which bonds had been given?) if paid within 15 days after publication of this order. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 95. But in August Echeandía says the tax is 10%. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. S6. Feb. Ist, woollen and silk of Mexican manufacture free of duties. Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., i. 20. Goods still received as duties. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xvii. 9, et passim. Consignees must declare tonnage of vessels on presenting manifest of cargo. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 93. June 20th, revenue from maritime duties belongs to the nation; taxes on retail trade to the municipality. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 58. Sept. 30th, tonnage $2.12} per ton. Id., vi. 103. Avería dutics from July 1828 to June 1829, $256. Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1829, doc. 29. Duties were computed by Martinez at S. Francisco, by taking three fifths of the value, and the tonnage was reckoned at $2. 125 per ton, less two fifths, a deduction for which he was blamed by the governor. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 157, 162.

39 Spence's Ilist. Notes, MS., 13.

133

THE SMUGGLERS.

the Karimoko. Captain John Bradshaw of the former had been granted all possible privileges, his supercargo, Rufus Perkins, being permitted to travel by land from mission to mission;4) but finally in July, at San Diego, he was ordered to deposit his cargo in the warehouse as security for duties, and pending the in- vestigation of charges. He was accused of notorious smuggling on the Lower Californian coast; 41 of having illegally transferred the cargo of another vessel to his own; of having touched at Santa Catalina in defiance of special orders; of having refused to show his in- voices or make a declaration; and of insolence to the governor. Bradshaw and Perkins, being on shore, promised obedience to the order; but asked permission to go on board to make the necessary preparations, and when there refused to leave the vessel, laughed in the face of the Californians sent to convey and enforce-so far as possible by threats-Echeandía's order, and on July 11th changed anchorage to a point near the entrance of the harbor. The governor circu- lated a warning to the padres and others to deliver no goods to the Franklin should she escape,42 as seemed likely to happen, though Bradshaw still promised sub- mission to legal proceedings. Meanwhile Echcandía prepared to put a guard on the vessel, and applied to Duhaut-Cilly for a boat. The French captain could not refuse, but warned Bradshaw and interposed de- lays. On the morning of the 16th the Franklin cut her cable and ran out of the port, the officers and crew shouting their derision of the Mexican flag as they passed the fort. Forty cannon-balls were sent after the flying craft, with no apparent effect; but

40 May 7, 1828. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 200.

41 A warning had come from Loreto in May. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 203. Du- haut-Cilly, Viaggio, ii. 194-200, who was at S. Diego at this time, denounces one Wm Simpson, a man whom Bradshaw had befriended, for having treacher- ously exposed the Yankee captain's crimes. IIo says there was some trouble about a deposit of cargo to secure duties, but that it would have been amica- bly arranged but for Simpson's act.

4July 12, 1828, gov. to comandantes, alcaldes, and padres. The Frank- lin is to be detained, if possible, should she dare to enter any port. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 59-00.

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MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.

Duhaut-Cilly met her a little later at the Islands, and learned that two balls had entered the hull, two had damaged the rigging, and that Bradshaw had been wounded. 43

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History of California, Volume III, Part 15

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