History of California, Volume III, Part 48

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

USA > California > History of California, Volume III > Part 48

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).

in his own house under the protection of a guard. This critical state of affairs lasted several days, per- haps more than a week. 49 As early as July 15th, orders were sent to the southern troops to come to Monterey; on the 23d came the Leonidas with news of Santa Anna's defeat and capture in Texas, on which topic a flamingly patriotic proclamation was issued next day to the Californians; and on the 27th affairs had apparently approached a crisis, since on that day the governor suspended Cosme Peña, a prominent counsellor of his foes, from his office of asesor, and sent new and urgent orders for the troops to come by forced marches to the capital.50

No reinforcements made their appearance. Indian ravages on the Sonoma frontier and at San Diego served Vallejo and Portilla as convenient excuses for not promptly obeying the orders of their chief. The popular feeling at Monterey was more turbulent than ever, or at least was made to appear so to the gover- nor, by advisers who desired to increase his fears. At last, on July 29th, he sent a communication to the di- putacion, stating that as there was great popular ex- citement on account of his suspension of the alcalde and asesor, as bodies of men were in arms near the town, and as he had no physical or moral support, he had determined to go to Mexico at once.51 The diputa-

49 Janssens tells us that José Castro offered to raise a company of men to support Chico, but was induced by the people to change his plans; but I attach no importance to this statement.

50 July 15, 1836, Chico to Gutierrez. Let Capt. Portilla march at once with the Mazatecos and artillery. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 120; Hayes, Doc., MS., 61. July 23d, arrival of news from Texas. Gomez, Diario, MS. July 27th, let the troops hasten by double marches. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 119; Id., Index, 30. July 29th, G. to C. Portilla on one pretext or another will not start. Id., 119, 122. July 31st, G. to C., in answer to letter of 27th. Portilla and Muñoz will start at once and march rapidly. No danger in the south; but fears serious troubles at Monterey, and warns him to be on his guard. Regrets the annoyances to C. from Peña's revolutionary promptings, etc. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MIS., lxxxviii. 28-9. July 27th, Cosme Peña sus- pended. J'allejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 29. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 124-6, says Chico's order to him to march with his force was dated July 23d, and was accompanied by another very flattering letter of thanks for past services dated July 10th, but really written on the same day as the order. A trans- lation of Chico's proclamation of July 24th is given in the Honolulu, S. I., Ga- zette, Nov. 12, 1836.

51 The only original record of this consultation of the dip. is a report of the

441

FALL OF DON MARIANO.

cion, composed of men who had come to consider Chico as their enemy, and had been for some time plotting to drive him from the country, seems to have approved the governor's plan, after some efforts to impose con- ditions respecting the succession, glad to have him go voluntarily without the necessity of actual revolt, and not believing that he would succeed in returning with reënforcements, as he threatened to do.52

On the same day, July 29th, Chico had chartered a vessel for his voyage to Mazatlan, as he announced to Herrera.53 Also on that date, Alvarado, in behalf of the diputacion and of the people, wrote a series of charges against the governor, addressed to the minis- ter of relations, and designed to prevent Chico's return

with support from the supreme government. 54 On the 30th, Chico officially informed local authorities that popular commotion, beyond his control from lack of troops, and by reason of disaffection in the ayunta- miento and diputacion, obliged him to go to Mexico

com. of govt and police, Crespo and Gomez, dated the same day, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 30. The com. recommends that to avoid public disorder, Chico shall restore the suspended officials; deliver the political command to the presiding vocal (Alvarado), to be by him delivered to the Ist vocal, now absent (Castro); and deliver the military command to the ranking officer. On these conditions the dip. would take steps to protect his person until his de- parture! Alvarado and Vallejo narrate many particulars, more interesting than accurate, I think, of interviews at this time between Alvarado as presi- dent of the dip. and Chico, particulars designed to prove that the latter was insane. They also speak of an order given to Zamorano by Chico, in his wrath that he was not urged to stay, to attack the junta with a military force, the attack being repelled by the people under Gonzalez. Alvarado states that the junta was at first disposed to reject Chico's proposal to go for troops as an insult, but was persuaded by himself that he would get no troops and this was the easiest way to get rid of him.

b2 Rafael Gomez in his Diario, MS., written at the time, expresses the be- belief that Chico will not come back; and he also confirms the bad reputation given Chico by the Californians.

53 July 29, 1836, Chico to Herrera. Offers to collect the $6,000 placed at disposal of Cal. by the Guaymas comisaría. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 118-20. 5+ Leg. Rec., MS., iii. 28-9. California, the theatre of abomination, dis- order, and desolation.' Chico, after disposing of Castañares, a criminal belonging to the ordinary jurisdiction, has suspended and ordered the arrest of the alcalde; searched scandalously the house of an old and honored citizen; disregarded the faculties of the ayunt. which tried to take steps for protect- ing the persons and property of this municipality; suspended the asesor, and insulted the members of the dip .; and finally, in a note to this body, promises to resign, although he has sent for troops from different points, to the great danger of the territory, that they might come and foment the dis- order. He had also made dangerous concessions to the Russians.

412

RULE OF GUTIERREZ AND CHICO.

in quest of aid by which to restore order. In his ab- sence, Gutierrez would hold both commands from Au- gust 1st. Gutierrez was advised to adopt such a policy as to check the conspiracy against the govern- ment.55 There is some evidence that Chico had prom- ised at first to leave the gefatura in the hands of the diputacion; and he is also said to have left orders to institute suits against Estrada and Cosme Peña.56

Chico sailed from Monterey on the Clementine July 31st, and from San Pedro on August 10th.57 Of his departure, as of his rule, many queer stories are told. He presented Alvarado with a 'universal recipe' for the cure of all maladies, and shouted to him as he stepped into the boat, "Bring up crows to peck your eyes out!" He embraced an old Indian woman on the beach, saying, "Of all the men in this country thou art the best." He raved at Muñoz and Portilla for not coming up with reinforcements; declared he would return with 5,000 men; and shouted, with one foot in the boat, "Me voy Chico, pero volveré Grande." He left his gold watch to be regulated in California, transferred the command in a sealed packet not to be opened until midnight, and thanked a man for having caught his hat when running in the street on the day of the mob. He was prevented by the people from landing at Santa Bárbara. At San Pedro he put on board his vessel large quantities of tallow, stolen by the aid of Gutierrez from San Gabriel and other mis- sions, to be disposed of at Mazatlan in payment for

55 July 30, 1836, Chico to comandantes, alcaldes, etc. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 121; Hayes, Doc., MS., 63; S. Diego, Index, MS., 31; Vallejo, Doc., Ilist. Mex., MS., iii. 225; xxxii. 31. July 30th, Chico to Gutierrez. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 119-20. The rebels have tried to seduce Guadalupe Va- llejo, but the result is not known.

5G Gomez, Diario de Cosas, Notables, MS. This should be excellent author- ity, the diary having been written at the time, by Rafael Gomez, an able lawyer and a Mexican.

57 Gomez, Diario, MS .; Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 118-19; Hayes, Doc., MS., 63; S. Diego, Index, MS., 31. The Clementine was chartered from Wm Hinckley. Her captain is said to have been Win Hanley. She had come from Honolulu in March. According to S. Diego, Arch., MS., 119, it appears that about July 22d Lieut Navarrete had been ordered to Mazatlan on busi- ness for Chico; but he did not go.

443

THE LAST OF GOVERNOR CHICO.

goods which he had bought for the California market on private speculation. These statements are made chiefly by Alvarado, Osio, Vallejo, and Bandini; if any of them have a remote foundation in fact, I have not discovered it.

Chico never came back, and of his efforts and re- ception in Mexico nothing is really known. There were rumors, probably unfounded, of his having raised 200 men at one time for a return, and others that he was disgusted with the country, as was Doña Cruz, making no effort to regain his office, and contenting himself with a few bitter speeches in congress, in which body he took his old seat as diputado. He left prop- erty in California to the amount of several thousand dollars, which was confiscated by Vallejo and Alvarado the next year for the benefit of their new government, and as an indemnity for the harm that Chico had done in the country.58 A Don Mariano Chico, whom I sup- pose to have been he of Californian fame, was governor of Aguas Calientes in 1844,59 and in 1846 he was co- mandante general of Guanajuato, still a radical cen- tralist. He resigned in consequence of troubles with the new governor, publishing a pamphlet in defence of his conduct and views. 69

In exposing the exaggeration and absurdity of most of the charges made against Governor Chico, I have

58 Aug. 20, 1836, Vallejo to Alvarado, private letter enumerating Chico's scandalous acts. He had plundered the treasury, not only taking all the money but obtaining a draft on Mazatlan from Herrera. His real object in chartering a vessel under pretence of sending for aid had been to run away with all the plunder he could get his hands on. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 228. Feb. 21st, 1837, Vallejo to Malarin, ordering him to furnish an account of the effects left in his charge by Chico. Tells Alvarado that the amount is about $4,000, which is to be placed in deposit until an investigation is made about the amount carried away which belonged to the presidial companies. Id., iv. 71. Feb. 27th, the amount proved to be $2,031, all that was left of $6,000 which had originally been invested by Chico for mercantile transactions. It was to be paid over by Malarin to Hartnell. Id., iv. 76; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS .. Ixxxi. 79-80. March 14th, the money to go into the state treasury to meet expenses of the govt. Vallejo, Doc., MIS., iv. 82. Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 173-4, says that the existence of the money was discovered through a letter from Chico to Gutierrez which fell into Vallejo's hands.

by His report on the industrial condition of the department of Sept. 30th is given in Mexico, Mem. Agric., 1845, appen. 3-7.

60 Chico, Dos Palabras del General. Guanajuato, 1847. 12mo, 15 p.

444

RULE OF GUTIERREZ AND CHICO.

perhaps been led to say more in his defence than was justified by the facts. He was assuredly not the villain and fool that the Californians picture him, but he had no special fitness for his position, little executive ability, and no qualities perhaps much above the commonplace. He was an educated man, and his weaknesses were of the tongue rather than the pen. That he was hot-tempered and personally disagreeable can hardly be doubted, when no one has a word to say in his favor; but his annoyances were great; his foes have had most to do in fixing his rep- utation, and there were divers political and personal motives for reviling his memory during the next ten years. He seems to have been a man of about forty- five years, of medium height and slight form. His complexion was light, his black hair sprinkled with gray, and he generally wore spectacles. The troubles that resulted in his departure must be regarded as revolutionary, having been fomented by a clique who desired to get rid of him, and rejoiced that circum- stances enabled them to effect their purpose without coming into open conflict with the national govern- ment, and thus to try their wings in easy flights.

CHAPTER XVI.

GUTIERREZ, CASTRO, AND ALVARADO-REVOLUTION.

1836.

SECOND RULE OF GUTIERREZ-HIS POLICY AND CHARACTER-VAGUE CHARGES -QUARREL WITH THE DIPUTACIÓN-POPULAR FEELING-CAUSES OF RE- VOLT-JUAN B. ALVARADO-REVENUE QUARREL-ANOTHER VERSION- PREPARATIONS AT SAN JUAN-CALIFORNIANS IN ARMS-GRAHAM'S RI- FLEMEN-SIEGE OF MONTEREY-DOCUMENTARY RECORD-SURRENDER- THE MEXICANS EXILED-BIOGRAPHY-GUTIERREZ-CASTILLO NEGRETE -- HERRERA-MUÑOZ-NAVARRETE-THE ESTRADAS-RULE OF JOSÉ CAS- TRO-PLAN OF CONDITIONAL INDEPENDENCE-LONE-STAR FLAG-TIIE DIPUTACION AS A CONSTITUENT CONGRESS-VALLEJO AS COMANDANTE GENERAL-REVENUE-CIVIC MILITIA-ALVARADO AS GOVERNOR-DIVI- SION OF THE STATE -- COMMERCE-THIE NEW REGIME-AFFAIRS IN THE NORTH.

GOVERNOR CHICO, frightened away from California at the end of July, had left both civil and military commands, in accordance with the laws though against the wishes of the diputacion, to Nicolás Gutierrez, who was at the time acting as military commandant of the south, and who did not reach the capital for more than a month. Meanwhile I suppose that Captain Zamorano was acting as representative of the gov- ernor's authority at Monterey, being comandante of the post, at least until August 8th, when Captain Muñoz arrived from the south with the reinforcements or- dered by Chico, and possibly assumed the command by virtue of his seniority in rank. I have, however, no record of any act of authority exercised by either of those officers. Gutierrez arrived the 6th of September.1

1 Dates of arrival of Muñoz and Gutierrez fixed by Gomez, Diario, MS. Aug. 14th, alcalde of S. Diego reports that all is tranquil. Aug. 17th, Gutierrez ( 445 )

446

GUTIERREZ, CASTRO, AND ALVARADO.

The second rule of Gutierrez, like the first, was a most uneventful period, if we except the stirring events that ended it. From contemporary records we can learn but little of his acts or of his policy, respecting which we must form our idea mainly from what preceded and what followed, from acquaintance with attendant circumstances and men concerned, and from the testimony of certain Californians. This testimony might be accepted with somewhat more im- plicit faith had it proved more accurate in respect of Victoria and Chico.

In recording the governor's arrival, Rafael Gomez wrote in his journal: "It appears that his intention is to carry forward the arbitrary measures which his predecessor began and which were the cause of his departure. Would that this might prove not so, for such conduct brings disorder."2 Padre Abella com- plained of his interference in mission affairs and of his apparent intention to cause the friars all possible annoyance.3 This is all I can find of contemporary complaint, and that of the friar grew out of special local troubles. On the other hand, I have a letter of Gutierrez, who wrote on October 7th : "I have sum- moned Don Pablo de la Portilla to give up to him the political and military commands, because I observe it is not pleasing to some persons that I should retain them. I do it most gladly, since I have no other as- piration than to separate myself from public affairs and to live in peace and quiet. You and all sensible men

from S. Gabriel as 'comandante militar de la demarcacion del sur,' and not as comandante general or gefe político, acknowledges receipt. He was still at S. Gabriel on Aug. 20th. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 123-4. Sept. 17th, Portilla to (+., announcing that the soldiers at S. Gabriel had refused to serve longer without pay or clothing. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxxi. 23-4. Sept. 23d, G. orders an election for first Sunday in Oct., secondary election the fol- lowing Sunday, and final meeting of electors at Monterey on Nov. 6th to choose a dip. The primary and secondary elections took place at S. Diego on Oct. 9th, 16th. Andres Pico was the elector de partido. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 130-2, 134. I find no further records of this election in any part of Cal.

2 Gomez, Diario de Cosas Notables, MS.

3 Carrillo (J.), Doc., MS., 35-8.

447

A NEW GOVERNOR.

know the fatal consequences of political convulsions, and I will make any sacrifice to prevent them."4

The Californians are much less violent in their de- nunciations of Gutierrez than of Chico and Victoria, their charges against him being for the most part gen- eral and rather vague. There is, however, a general agreement that he was an immoral man, unduly ad- dicted to wine and women ; a few make special charges of minor importance; a few find no fault with his conduct, and many condemn him in general terms, as if such were their obligation, hardly knowing why.5 Juan B. Alvarado and Mariano G. Vallejo, particu-

4 Oct. 7, 1836, G. to J. A. Estudillo, in Estudillo, Datos, MS., 57-S, 20-1. The writer urges his friend to inform him of anything likely to disturb the public peace, and regrets to learn that the 'torch of discord has extended its deadly train to S. Luis Rey, attracting with its flame the administrator of that property,' Pio Pico, at least so he has heard but can hardly believe. Botello, Anales, MS., 46, mentions the proposition to give the command to Portilla; so also does Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 142.

5 The widow Avila, Cosas de Cal., MS., 7-11, relates at considerable length that her husband, Miguel Ávila, sindico of Monterey, on account of having caught the wife of Capt. Muñoz and two other ladies bathing in a pool of water which supplied the town, and remonstrated with them for filling the water with soap, was arbitrarily imprisoned by Gutierrez, who replied to his wife's entreaties with threats to shoot her husband. But he was finally so frightened by the threatening attitude of the ayunt. and people, that Avila was released. The lady attributes the governor's troubles largely to this affair. Pinto, Apuntaciones, MS., 20-1, also mentions Ávila's arrest, and the popular indignation thercat. He says it was believed that Chico had left instructions to G. to treat harshly all who opposed him. According to Bandini, Ilist. Cal., MS., 83, he took the advice and followed in the footsteps of Chico. Osio, Ilist. C'al., MS., 277-301, says there was much satisfaction at the ap- pointment of the popular G., the intimate friend of Figueroa; yet he showed a strange melancholy on taking the command, supposed to arise from the ne- cessity of obeying Chico's orders. Pio Pico, Hist. ('al., MIS., 100-1, speaks of his fondness for Indian girls in the south. David Spence, Hist. Notes, MS., 17, says he attempted to harass those suspected of having taken an active part against Chico; also was disposed to manage the revenues. Botello, Anales, MS., 22, tells us that the people merely sought a pretence to revolt against Gutierrez. J. J. Vallejo, Remin., MS., 117, 121-2, speaks of his con- cubines, and of his following the course marked out by Chico, whose return he expected. Of courteous manners, but much addicted to drink. Arce, Mem., MS., S-9. Quarrelled with everybody. Threatened to put narrator in jail because he asked to have his land grant confirmed. Pico, Acont., MIS., 31-2. Did nothing to deserve hostility. Janssens, Vida, MS., 70-2. Affa- ble, but kept a harem. Lugo, Vida, Cal., MIS., 15. Vicious, corrupt, and gave a bad example; but this was not the cause of his overthrow. Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 19. Have seen him intoxicated. Avila, Notas, MS., IS. Addicted to scandalous vices; not arbitrary or despotic; wasted public funds. Serrano, Apuntes, MIS., 36. Not a bad man, but fond of women. Many scan- dals were current about him in this respect. Gulindo, Apuntes, MS., 32. Un- popular. Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 98.

448

GUTIERREZ, CASTRO, AND ALVARADO.

larly the former, speak of the governor's immorality in establishing in his palacio a seraglio of Indian girls from San Gabriel; but their chief argument against him is based on his treatment of the diputacion. Not only, according to these gentlemen, did Gutierrez re- fuse to deliver the office of gefe político to the senior vocal, as was desired and expected, but he insulted that body through its president, sent to confer with him; said he "had no need of diputados of pen and voice while he had plenty of diputados of sword and gun;" and even gave orders to disperse the diputa- cion by force, so frightening the members that they did not dare to reassemble at Monterey.6

The truth is, that Gutierrez, a Spaniard by birth though serving on the insurgent side during the rev- olution, was an inoffensive, casy-going, unpretentious, and not unpopular man. He was a faithful officer, of moderate ability, and of not very strict morals. He was neither dishonest, arrogant, nor arbitrary in his conduct. As a Mexican officer he was loyal to his national allegiance; he had no right according to the laws and his predecessor's instructions to turn over the civil command to the diputacion; and as a Span- iard he had to be somewhat more cautious respecting his conduct than if he had been born in Mexico.7

G Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii., 112-24. With many details of his own in- terviews with the gov., and also the efforts of Angel Ramirez, Alvarado's friend, and having much influence over G. and all the Mexicans. Vallejo, Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 154, etc., agrees in the main with Alvarado's statements, he not having been at Montercy at the time.

7 G. as remembered by the Californians was of medium height, rather stout, of light complexion, reddish hair, beard slightly sprinkled with gray, and with a cast in the right eye which caused him to be nicknamed 'El Tuerto.' HIc came to Mexico as a boy, and his first service was as a drummer. Torre, Remin., MS., 68-70, saw him give an exhibition of his skill as a drummer at a serenade on Figueroa's birthday. Abrego, in Garcia, Apuntes, MS., ap- pen., says that G. was one of 300 Spanish prisoners taken by Gen. Bravo, and whom he offered to liberate to save his father's life. The father was shot, but Bravo freed the men, most of whom, including the young drummer, re- mained in the insurgent ranks. He had served with Figueroa, was his inti- mate friend, and came to Cal. with him in Jan. 1833, as captain. His com- mission as licut-colonel was dated July 18, 1833. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxix. 79. In 1834-5 he was comisionado for the secularization of S. Ga- bricl. All else of his life in Cal. is contained in this chapter and the pre- ceding. I know nothing of him after he left the country.

449

REVOLUTIONARY FEELING.

Neither his character, acts, nor policy had much in- fluence in exciting the opposition that resulted in his overthrow. Pretence for a quarrel with him was sought by certain persons, was of course not difficult to find, and would have been found had the difficulty been much greater.

For some twenty-five years, since the memoria ships ceased to come, there had been a feeling that Cali- fornia was neglected and wronged by the home govern- ment. The Mexican republic after the success of the revolution did nothing to remove that feeling. The people, though enthusiastic republicans in theory, waited in vain for the benefits to be gained from re- publicanism. The influence of the missionaries, men of education and devoted to Spain, tended strongly to foster the sentiment of aversion to all that was Mex- ican-an influence that increased rather than dimin- ished as the padres lost their temporal prestige and became prone to refer bitterly if somewhat secretly to the olden times. The sending of convicts and cholo soldiers from Mexico went far to intensify provincial prejudice. The Californians came to regard them- selves proudly as superior in blood and morals to those de la otra banda. Mexicans of little experience or ability were given commissions in the presidial com- panies and sent to command veterans who had grown gray in the service and believed themselves entitled to promotion. When commerce brought a degree of prosperity, it was in spite of Mexican revenue laws, and Mexican officers were sent to manage the reve- nues. Complications growing out of the colony scheme had an effect to widen the breach. Foreigners, with interested motives but sound arguments, labored to prove that California had received nothing but neg- lect and ill treatment from Mexico. Last but not least, there were various personal interests and ambi- tions thrown as weights on the same side of the scale.

The result was in 1836 a strong popular feeling amounting almost to hatred against the Mexicans "of HIST. CAL., VOL. III. 29

450

GUTIERREZ, CASTRO, AND ALVARADO.

the interior," and a belief that Mexico should furnish for California something more or something less than rulers, and laws made with no reference to the coun- try's needs. The popular feeling was not one of dis- loyalty to Mexico as a nation. The Californians were far from entertaining as yet so radical an idea as that of absolute independence; but they beleived that ter- ritorial interest should be consulted by the nation, and that no more Mexican officers should be sent to rule California. Alvarado, Carrillo, Castro, Pico, Vallejo, and other young Californians of the same class, the men who had for the most part supplied the diputa- cion with members, the politicians of the country, not only shared the popular sentiment, but were disposed to utilize it for their own as for their country's inter- ests. They were willing to furnish from their own number men to rule California and handle its scanty revenues. Even they were not yet prepared to advo- cate entire separation from Mexico; but they were men of some education, who had come much in con- tact with foreigners, and had imbibed to some extent liberal views. Some of them had become more than half convinced that Mexican ways of doing most things were not the best ways. Yet they shrewdly feared foreign influence, and were disposed to be cau- tious. Their present purpose was to gain control of the country; later there would be time to determine what to do with the prize. Their success against Vic- toria had given them self-confidence, and made the word 'revolt' less terrible in their ears. Later success in getting rid of Chico by other methods still further flattered their self-esteem. The rise of centralism gave to their schemes an aspect of national patriotism; while rumors that centralism was on its last legs au- gured comparative safety. Manifestly their time had come. Hence the rising against Gutierrez, whose character and acts, as I have said, were unimportant factors in the problem.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of California, Volume III, Part 48

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