History of California, Volume III, Part 53

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

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with as large a force as possible.17 Several writers, treating the subject superficially, have confounded these events with those of later date, and represented Don Carlos as Alvarado's chief opponent from the first.

Alvarado had left the capital on or about Christmas. His army consisted of some sixty Californians, and twenty-five foreigners under Graham and Coppinger. Part of the force went down the coast on the Clem- entine, landed at El Cojo, and joined the rest at Purí- sima. Letters received before starting and on the way left little doubt of a kind reception at Santa Bár- bara. Messengers sent forward from Purísima brought back confirmation of favorable prospects, and the forces of the Estado Libre arrived at the mission Jan- uary 3d, being cordially received by the Barbareños of all classes. 18

Conservative Santa Bárbara, as we have seen, though favoring a general junta in central California and requiring pledges that Mexicans should not be persecuted, had virtually favored the Monterey plan from the first by refusing to accept the opposing plan of Los Angeles. Carlos Carrillo and his friends had expressed their approval. Valentin Cota had been in communication with Alvarado and received from him a captain's commission.19 And, what was much more

17 Carrillo, Cartas de Don Cárlos al Gen. Vallejo, Dic. 1836, MS. The last letter was dated Dec. 23d. The leaders of the opposition, besides Bandini and Rocha, were said to be Manuel Dominguez, Vicente Sanchez, Estudillo, Requena, and Arenas. Félix Gallardo had been sent to Sonora by Rocha and paid $60 and two horses.

18 J. J. Pico, Acontecimientos, MS., 38-9, claims to have commanded the party that went by sea; but Alvarado, list. Cal., MS., 189-94, says the com- mander was Benito Diaz. He tells us that Capt. Hinckley had volunteered to take a force in his vessel and conquer the south; but his offer was deelined, a peaceful settlement being hoped for. This writer and Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 245, name Jacinto Rodriguez as the agent sent forward from Puri- sima. Pinto-Apunt., MS., 24-7-appointed alférez in Alvarado's force, gives some details of recruiting men for the expedition. He went to Sta Cruz and obtained 33 men. The total force was 200 men. Janssens, Vida, MS., 87, says that Villa and Buelna, the comisionados, had visited Sta Bárbara before Alvarado's coming.

19 C'ota, Doc., MS., 5-6; Guerra, Doc., MS., v. 303-5.

492

ALVARADO'S RULE-TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

important, José de la Guerra y Noriega and Padre Narciso Duran had determined to support the new government. These gentlemen have not left on rec- ord any expression of their views at this time. To what extent, if at all, they were influenced by a spirit of antagonism as Spaniards to everything Mexican, or by the fact that a son of Guerra was one of the four revolting diputados, it is impossible to determine; but there is much reason to conclude that they looked upon Alvarado's success, now that the movement had gone so far, as more likely to bring about peace and prosperity than would be the success of the southern faction with its radical sectional policy and wavering support.

At any rate, the support of Duran, Guerra, and Carrillo made the way clear at Santa Bárbara. Presi- dent Duran went out to meet Alvarado, whom he re- ceived at the mission with all the honors paid in olden times to the governor, walking by his side to the church where the religious ceremonies de estilo were performed. This was on January 3d; a few days were spent in interviews with leading men; and on the 6th the ayuntamiento and people with great enthusi- asm and all possible ceremony and noise took the oath of allegiance to the new system, the new governor, and the congreso constituyente. "The people here are even more enthusiastic for the cause than those of Monterey," wrote Alvarado to Castro and Vallejo.20

20 Jan. 9, 1837, Alvarado to Castro. Official and private letters in Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 152; iv. 8. Jan. 12th, A. to V. Private letter in Vallejo, ('orresp., MS., 37-8. In these letters Alvarado manifests much real interest in the country's welfare; hopes for a peaceful settlement of all troubles; and gives to Cárlos Carrillo the chief credit for the brilliant success at Sta Bár- bara. The fact of Sta Bárbara's adhesion at some date before Jan. 11th is recorded in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 234. In his Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 205-13, Alvarado narrates his experience at Sta Bárbara. He says that P. Duran tried to impose some favorable conditions for the missions; but yielded the point, when Alvarado declared that he was pledged to complete the work of secularization. So great was the enthusiasm that the gov. thought once more of absolute independence for Cal., and consulted Duran about blessing and raising a flag of that purport; but the friar declined to bless the flag, and dissuaded him, so that the project was dropped. Vallejo, Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 245-9.

493

OPPOSITION AT ANGELES.

The news was not, however, altogether cheering from the south. There was still a strong party at Los Angeles that would not be conciliated. In the letters cited, Alvarado explained the situation to his northern associates; expressed his opinion that it would be necessary to overcome the obstinacy of the Angelinos by a show of force; and ordered Castro to come im- mediately by sea to San Pedro with a reënforcement, and to meet him at Los Angeles, whither he would soon start.21 Meanwhile he made preparations for his march, enlisting some recruits for his army, both native and foreign.22 He also found time to address two communications to the recalcitrant ayuntamiento of Angeles, in which he tried to demonstrate the justice of his cause, the groundless character of the fears that had been entertained, and the falsehood of the charges that he would adopt a sectional policy or deliver his country to the hands of foreigners or dis- turb any Mexican who should abstain from plots against the new system. He declared that his re- sources were ample to sustain the conditional inde- pendence declared, and that federalism was already tottering throughout the nation. He hoped sincerely that Los Angeles would follow the example of Santa Bárbara, receive him in a spirit of conciliation, and unite with other towns in working for the welfare of the whole country. His military force, he said, was more than sufficient to enforce his views, but he hoped his countrymen would not oblige him to use it against them.23 At last with a force of eighty men, besides the riflemen, the governor began his march by way of

21 .Jan. 9, 1837, A. to C., in Vallejo, Corresp., MS., 44-5. It would seem that Vallejo also was urged to come to the south. Id., 37-8. Sra Avila, Cosas de Cal., MS., 16-17, notes the rejoicings at Monterey, especially among the women, when the news of Sta Barbara's adhesion came.

22 Nidever, Life and Adren., MS., S7-8, was one who joined Graham's riflemen at Sta Bárbara. The number was at last about 40. ,, They were paid $2 a day, and promised the privilege of taking up lands later. They served about 20 days.

23 Alvarado, Comunicaciones al Ayuntamientode Los Angeles, 7 y 16 de Enero, 1837, JIS. The second letter was written at S. Buenaventura.

494

ALVARADO'S RULE-TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

San Buenaventura, at which mission he was on the 16th-17th.

Let us turn now to the southern ayuntamientos, which illustrious and patriotic bodies we left jubilant over the plan of January 3d, evolved mainly from the brain of Castillo Negrete, as a measure which was to save the country from northern tyranny. By the 8th Alvarado's complete success at Santa Bárbara was known at Angeles, and rumors were current that he intended to extend his march southward. Ac- cordingly the people were called to arms. All per- sons sympathizing with the foe were ordered to leave the city, the mission funds at San Fernando to the amount of $2,000 were taken by the municipal authori- ties 'for safe keeping,' scouts were stationed on the Santa Bárbara routes, the southern missions were notified to be ready with supplies, and San Diego was requested to send at once an armed force of pa- triots to aid in repelling the invader.24 San Diego had from the first been full of zeal for the cause, and had on one or two occasions reproached the Angeli- nos for their lukewarmness. The ayuntamiento had still an unlimited supply of patriotic and warlike phrases for its ally; but to be thus suddenly called upon for such aid as men and muskets and a cannon was really very startling. This was a radical measure, and required caution and deliberation. It was clear that if the rebels of Monterey were really threatening an invasion of the 'law and order' towns, something must be done. Therefore it was resolved to await more particulars of news from the north, and to in- quire what it was proposed to do with the force asked for! And nearly a week later, when a reply had been

24 Jan. 6th, Sth, sessions of ayunt., in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 228-32; Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., ii. 96-7; S. Diego, Arch., MS., 154. On Jan. 11th the news was received officially that Sta Bárbara had adhered to the northern cause, and refused to send electors accordingly to the plan of Jan. 3d; also that S. Diego would accept that plan. On the same day Alvarado's first letter was received, and it was resolved that his authority could not be recognized. Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 233-4.

495

SAN DIEGAN PATRIOTISM.

obtained from the alcalde of Los Angeles, San Diego went to work in earnest. On or about the 18th, twenty men under Pio Pico and Regidor Francisco M. Alvarado started northward, in time to arrive at Los Angeles after the war was over. 25

The Angelinos, notwithstanding the lack of support from San Diego, pushed forward their preparations for defence. The mission money was partly expended in this work; the soldiers at San Gabriel were sum- moned to the city; one Charlefoux, with a band of thirty or forty Indian-hunters and 'traders' in horses, was induced to join the patriot army; citizens and rancheros were enlisted; and by the 16th a force of about 270 men was stationed at San Fernando, under Alférez Rocha as commander-in-chief, Alcalde Se- púlveda having been the leading spirit in directing the preparations, and issuing on the 17th an address in which the citizens were called upon to prove by their deeds that, however far others had followed the Monterey faction out of the path of duty, there were left men who were ready to defend the honor of their beloved country. It would seem also that Sepúlveda had sent to Alvarado a copy of his address, or certain propositions embodying the same sentiments, and that his commissioners may have brought back from San Buenaventura the governor's second communication already cited.26

25 Jan. 10th, 12th, 16th, sessions of ayunt. Jan. 11th, corres. of Alf. Sala- zar, and his call for money and supplies. Jan. 14th, 16th, 18th, 23d, Alcalde Estudillo to Osuna, Cabello, Fitch, etc., about preparations for the march. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 153-66; Los Angeles, Arch., MS., i. 128-35. Jan. 17th, l'io Pico says he will start with 25 men next day, picking up recruits on the way. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., ii. 101. Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 180-1, 217-18, 225, 232, tells us that Salazar was a friend of Castro, and purposely interposed obstacles; also that Capt. Fitch supplied only moistened powder. He is very bitter against the Dieguinos as braggarts, who would do nothing but talk, and to whom 'the Supreme Being had denied the gift of veracity.'

26 Jan. 11th, 16th, sessions of ayunt. Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 234-7. Jan. 15th-17th, communications of Sepúlveda and Rocha. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., ii. 94-102. José Perez was accused by Sepúlveda of talking in favor of the Monterey faction. The Indian allies are called Chaguanosos by Janssens and others, and Shananoos (Shawnees ?) by Osio. The chief is called Shalifú. Osio, Ilist. Cal., MS., 321-40, gives many details of the prepara-

496

ALVARADO'S RULE-TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

Alvarado's letter of the 16th was read at an ayunta- miento meeting of the 17th. The allusion in it to his large resources for war seemed to the Angelinos a very forcible point of his argument, and they were convinced by a careful study of the document that the policy of Don Juan Bautista was not so oppressive or unpatriotic perhaps as had been feared. Another letter from Antonio M. Osio was read, in which the writer solicited powers to form an arrangement with Alvarado on an equitable basis, providing that the ruler should be a Californian. After a long discussion, it was resolved to send Sepúlveda and Osio as co- misionados, with authority to effect a settlement in accordance with the following resolutions: 1. The ayuntamiento is anxious to avoid bloodshed, even at the cost of some sacrifice not involving disrespect to laws and oaths. 2. The plan of independence from Mexico cannot be accepted, though there is no objec- tion to a declaration in favor of the federal system. 3. The Roman catholic religion must be the only one permitted, and persons publicly holding other views must be prosecuted as hitherto. 4. No officer or citizen is to be molested for opinions respecting this revolution upheld by him prior to the ratification of this treaty. 5. The state of things decided upon is to be binding upon both parties until the supreme government shall decide, with the understanding that Los Angeles is not to be held responsible for the

tions for defence, in which he himself was the leading man and Sepúlveda's counsellor. He aroused great indignation against the Monterey plan by as- suring the women that under it protestant priests were to be tolerated who would marry any girl that desired it to any foreigner, whatever his religion! The women were terrified, and exhorted their husbands and sons to fight for their daughters and sweethearts and the catholic faith. Their conduct is praised as heroic. Osio gives the force as over 300 in 4 companies. He says that Sepúlveda and Manuel Dominguez went to S. Buenaventura to have an interview with Alvarado, to persuade him to retire and be content with ruling the north until the sup. govt should decide, and above all to ascertain the military strength of the enemy. They were kindly received, but the suc- cecding particulars are not intelligibly expressed by Osio, though the spics learned that Alvarado's force was far inferior to their own. All expected blood to flow, and the privilege of shooting Alvarado had been awarded by common consent to Sepúlveda.

497

THE HOSTILE ARMIES DRAW NEAR.

treaty, since it is made merely to prevent bloodshed in California.27 Next day Sepúlveda wrote that every man capable of bearing arms should be sent to the front, as the people of Monterey were approaching and had replied to his messages that on the 19th they would be within gunshot on the plain of San Fer- nando.

Alvarado, with his army of 110 men and two pieces of artillery, had left San Buenaventura on the 17th, and after a day's march in the rain had halted for the night at Cayeguas rancho, whence he despatched the message cited above, and where he had a conference with Osio and others sent by Sepúlveda, a conference resulting in nothing beyond an agreement to hold another nearer San Fernando on the 19th.23 Next day Alvarado advanced to the Calabazas rancho, where, or perhaps at Encino, he met Sepúlveda and Osio on the 19th. The comisionados had meanwhile reported at San Fernando the inferiority of Alvarado's force, thus arousing a somewhat warlike spirit, if we may credit Osio's statement; but they had also re-

27 Jan. 17th, 18th, session of ayunt. Los Angeles. Arch., MS., iv. 238-11; Dept. St. Pap., MIS., xi. 61-5. On Jan. 18th Pio Pico's letter was received, with news that he was coming with 25 men; and the news was forwarded to 1. Fernando. Id., Angeles, ii. 83. The S. Diego force, 20 strong, arrived on Jan. 21st (too late to be sent to S. Fernando, as will be seen later). Los Angeles, Arch., MS., 243-7. Ignacio Coronel was comandante at S. Gabriel after Rocha's departure. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., ii. 99-100. Jan. ISth, Sepúlveda to Alcalde Ibarra. Id., ii. 100-1. Janssens, Vida, MS., S8-9, claims to have commanded the garrison at S. Gabriel.

28 Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 201-7, still speaking of himself as ' the friend of Sepúlveda,' and not naming the other comisionados, gives some details of the negotiations at Cayeguas on the evening of Jan. 17th and morning of the ISth, though he gives no dates. He attributes the failure to the 'pertinaz arro- gancia licurga ' of Alvarado and Peña, who put on airs of importance, and in- sisted on seeing the comisionados' credentials, which of course was impossible, as they had none. Osio says also that Carlos and Anastasio Carrillo were on the spot working to prevent a conflict. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MIS., iii. 215- 25, like Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MIS., iii. 249-59, says he refused to treat because thie comisionados, whom he says were Osio, Valle, and Lugo, insisted on ad- dressing him as 'chief of the northern forces,' instead of governor, some of them even carrying their familiarity so far as to call him Juanito. In a report written a few days later, Alvarado-Carta en que relata la Campaña de San Fernando, 22 de Enero, 1837, MS., being addressed to Gen. Vallejo, and also to the ayunt. of Monterey-says nothing of these preliminary negotiations. He says his force was So men, but I think this cannot have included Grahamr's 1.en.

HIIST. CAL., VOL. III. 32

408

ALVARADO'S RULE-TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

ceived the ayuntamiento's instructions of the 17th to form a treaty. Andrés Pico, who accompanied them, had brought from the south the news not only that reinforcements were coming, but that Pio Pico and two associates were on the way as comisionados for San Diego, and in order that those gentlemen might take part in the negotiations they were again post- poned until the next day.29

On the morning of the 20th, as Pico had not arrived, Sepúlveda and Osio, probably accompanied by others, went again to Encino or Calabazas. Instead of pro- ceeding to negotiate a treaty, however, they merely showed to Alvarado their instructions, which had been intended to be kept secret, and obtained his approval of them in writing on the margin, together with an additional promise, written in pencil, not to molest any one, Mexican or Californian, for having taken up arms under the alcalde's orders. The document, with which the reader is familiar, was regarded by the gov- ernor as not conflicting in any essential point with the plan of Monterey, and as one which he was amply authorized to sign by virtue of the 'extraordinary powers' which had been given him. The comisionados now set up the claim that, as a treaty had been signed, Alvarado should at once disband his forces and retire to the north. To this, of course, not being a man entirely out of his senses, Don Juan Bautista would. not listen; and after long discussions, he brought the matter to a close on the 21st by sending a message to Sepúlveda that if San Fernando was not surrendered

29 Mainly the version of Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 297-300, 341-2, but con- firmed more or less fully by contemporary records. Osio represents the leaders and men at S. Fernando as much disgusted with the ayuntamiento's instruc- tions, which were the work of Alcalde Ibarra and his adviser Requena. He also says that Andrés Pico had a secret conversation with Alvarado, which suggested to 'the friend of Sepúlveda ' grave suspicions of some trick. Alva- rado himself, in his Hist. Cal., MS., affirms that the negotiations were broken off as before by the refusal of the comisionados to recognize him as governor, though one of them went so far as to call him 'excelencia;' whereupon he called them fools, and sent them off ' con cajas destempladas.' He also tells of an Indian, Mauricio, who was hired to return to S. Fernando with the tale that Castro had arrived with a large reinforcement.

499

FALL OF SAN FERNANDO.

on the messenger's return he would take it by force. The order was obeyed at once, Rocha's men retired toward the city, and Sepúlveda came out in person to tell the Monterey chief that the stronghold of the patriots was at his disposal. Alvarado accordingly occupied the mission with his army late in the after- noon of the 21st, and next day reported his success to his associates in the north.30

On January 21st, before the fall of San Fernando was known in the city, a meeting of the ayuntamiento was held, at which Pio Pico, Joaquin Ortega, and Martin S. Cabello, having presented their credentials as representatives of San Diego, were added to the comisionados appointed and instructed on the 17th, and the instructions were modified or enlarged so as

30 Alvarado, Carta en que relata la Campaña de S. Fernando, MS. The writer does not state what the agreement was, but simply says it differed very slightly from the established plan. He says his men were anxious to fight, and were with difficulty restrained. The agreement is given in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 249-50; Dept. St. Pap., MS., xi. 64-5, and is literally as fol- lows: 'The citizen Juan B. Alvarado, governor of the free and sovereign state of Alta California, declares his acceptance of the resolution passed by the illustrious ayuntamiento of the city of Los Angeles on the 17th inst, and by virtue of the extraordinary faculties with which he is invested, does hereby conform to all that is contained in the articles expressed in the aforesaid resolution. Field of San Fernando, Jan. 20, 1837. Juan B. Alvarado, Lic. Cosme Peña, secretary.' Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 343-8, says that Alvarado was surprised and delighted at getting such favorable terms at such a critical moment, when the most he had hoped for was to be allowed to rule over the regions north of Sta Bárbara. The 'friend of Sepúlveda' was sad to think of the mothers of Los Angeles, and Alvarado, on learning the cause of his melan- choly, promised that during his rule the decree of religious tolerance should not be enforced, and the girls should not be encouraged to marry protestants, Jews, and heretics. This author says nothing of the attempt to prevent Alvarado from remaining in the south. He says it was a hard task for Sepúl- veda and his ' friend,' not only to curb their own wrath, but to calin the war- like leaders at S. Fernando, especially Rocha, who raved like a madman, declaring that in future he would take a barber with him in his campaigns to bleed him, since it was the only way ever to see blood in Californian wars. Jan. 23d, Carlos Carrillo writes to Vallejo, expressing his joy at the triumph of 'our cause.' Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 14. On Jan. 31st the current news at S. Diego was that the northern leaders had surrendered! So writes Alcalde Estudillo to the comandante of fronteras, who had been ordered to send aid, but had not done so because he learned from 'unofficial sources' that it would be useless. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 165. May 26th, Comandante Martinez at S. Francisco has learned of the victory at S. Fernando over 270 men. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 161-2. Mention of the S. Fernando campaign in Fuisse is, Vila, MIS., 87-9; Avila, Notas, MIS., 20; Botello, Anales, MIS., 27; Niderer's Life, MS., SJ-S.

500

ALVARADO'S RULE-TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

to provide that their purport must not be divulged to the northerners, and no one of the latter must be per- mitted under the treaty that might be formed to enter Los Angeles.31 Don Pio started for San Fernando with his twenty men, and met Rocha's army in full retreat. It was a good opportunity to make a show of his own valor by expressing disgust and rage at a state of things so disgraceful, but he gradually became calmer, and did not attempt to retake the mission with his brave but tardy Dieguinos. 32

The ayuntamiento met again on the 22d, when the occupation of San Fernando must have been known, though it was not mentioned at the meeting, to listen to a report from the comisionados and a let- ter of thanks from Alvarado, who announced that on arrival in the city he would give a greater proof of his gratitude. But the Angelinos were in no mood for kindly greetings; and after due deliberation, they decided that their instructions as approved by Alva- rado should be deemed in no sense to constitute a binding treaty, since no signatures of the comisiona- dos were affixed to it, and because the latter had not in truth been free agents, having been forced, as it were, to show their instructions by the threatening attitude of the invader's troops. Therefore, all the arrangements were declared null and void. California was not a sovereign state, Alvarado was not its gov- ernor, and Los Angeles was again ready to defend the national integrity. Orders were accordingly issued to post guards and take other measures for active de- fence.33

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History of California, Volume III, Part 53

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