USA > California > History of California, Volume III > Part 56
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15 men, including himself, Capt. Santiago Johnson, Pablo and Emilio Véjar, acting in collusion with Alf. Palomares, who commanded the guard. The sentinel was a boy named Lara. There were later rumors of a plot by Sepul- veda to recapture the guns and barracks.
6 May 27th, 30th, session of ayunt., in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 302-14. Of Don Juan's address I have only a fragment of the original blotter. Bandini, Discurso ante el ayunt. de Angeles el 27 de Mayo, 1837, MS., in which I find nothing worthy of notice, his views being already well known to the reader. The comisionados named were Antonio M. Lngo, Andres Pico, and Anastasio Carrillo. The instructions given for their guidance-Instrucciones a que debe sujetarse la comision nombrada por este ayuntamiento de Los Angeles, 30 de Mayo, 1837, MS .- required them in 10 articles to submit the plan to Alvarado, and if it were rejected all hostilities must be suspended and all armed bodies must remain where they were until an arrangement could be effected to last until the Mexican troops should come, when the chief of the latter would act according to his orders.
520
SAN DIEGO PLAN-ALVARADO AND CARRILLO.
were of short duration. The enthusiasm was great, and volunteers freely offered their services. Charle- foux and his New Mexican hunters had been induced by Janssens to join the force, and in a few days the 'army of the supreme government,' perhaps one hun- dred and twenty-five strong, was ready for an ad- vance,7 and began its march northward the 10th of June.
Captain Portilla was in active command of the expedition, though the self-styled governor and gen- cral, Zamorano, with Nicanor Estrada, Bandini, and Argüello, seems to have accompanied the force. They entered Los Angeles June 16th, in time, as Bandini says, to witness "the shameful dispersion of Cas- tro's force," and the flight of the leader in such haste as to leave behind some of his wearing apparel. Janssens goes still further, and states that the ad- vance guard of the foe was met at the Santa Ana rancho, but threw down their arms and fled in disorder on seeing the southerners prepare for a charge, not stopping until they reached San Fernando.8 Castro was certainly at Los Angeles on the 12th, when his presence, and the absence of the opposition members at an extra session, enabled the versatile ayunta- miento to turn another political somersault, “rectify- ing their vote in defense of the state government, and ignoring the acts of Ibarra and his followers, which had disturbed the public order."9 He doubtless
7 May 31st, ayunt. sess. at Angeles, and vote to send a force south. Los Angeles, Arch., iv. 316-18. Bandini says the reports of Castro's coming did not arrive until he left Angeles; and this is confirmed by Janssens, who claims to have been left behind at Los Angeles as a spy, staying at the house of Ignacio Coronel. On the first news of Castro's approach he was sent south by Pio Pico in great haste to warn the S. Diego leaders. May 30th Zamora- no writes to alealde of S. Diego about the Indian wars. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 177.
8 Bandini says Castro had SO or 90 men at Angeles, while the others num- bered 90. Janssens calls the southern force 125, and Botello, 250. The latter speaks of Rocha coming to meet them at Paso de Bartolo with a few men, at first supposed to be foes. This was perhaps the foundation of Jans- sens's story. Botello tells us also that a few of Castro's stragglers were captured.
" June 12th. Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 315.
521
CASTILLERO'S COMMISSION.
retired to San Fernando, and later to Santa Bárbara, but as to the manner of his departure it is best not to attach much importance to the unsupported state- ments of his enemies.
Meanwhile, Captain Andrés Castillero arrived at San Diego, bringing the constitutional laws of Decem- ber 29, 1836, which replaced the federal constitution of 1824; and the oath of allegiance to the new system was taken with great enthusiasm by the assembled ayuntamiento and vecindario on June 12th. After the ceremony Castillero hastened away, and joined the army at San Luis Rey the same night, when he represented himself as a comisionado of the supreme government.10 Having arrived with the army at Los Angeles, he proceeded by virtue of his commission to summon the ayuntamiento, which body, together with all officials, soldiers, and citizens, took the oath of alle- giance to the constitutional laws on June 18th, with all due religious rites and social festivities.11 On or about the 21st, Portilla's forces moved forward and occupied San Fernando, whence Castro had retired to Santa Bárbara. 12
10 June 12th, session of ayunt. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 179. It is noticeable that Castillero's name is not mentioned, and Alcalde Estudillo speaks of the laws as having been received extrajudicialmente. It was only after some dis- cussion that it was deemed proper to take the oath. This circumstance, not mentioned by Bandini and Botello, gives some plausibility to the charges of those writers that C'astillero's commission was a mere pretence invented to serve his own ends between S. Diego and S. Luis. Bandini goes so far as to intimate that Castillero's instructions, which he saw, were a forgery, suspected by him to be such at the time. It is not very probable that Castillero would have gone so far in his deception as to forge papers, though under the circum- stances he is likely enough to have resorted to much verbal deception and exaggeration. Alvarado, in a letter of Sept. Ist, stated that Castillero was not, as lic claimed to be, a comisionado. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 306. The captain, it will be remembered, was one of the officers who surrendered at Monterey in Nov. 1836. Of his subsequent movements until he appeared at S. Diego in June 1837 nothing is known. He may have gone to Mexico with Gutierrez, and have been sent back as a commissioner, or he may have resumed his command as captain of the compañía de fronteras, his special commission to have the central system sworn to being sent to him from Mexico.
11 Los Angeles, Arch., MS., i. 138-9; iv. 319-21; Id., Ayunt. Rec., 5. The acta was communicated to the min. of war.
12 Bandini speaks of dissatisfaction with Portilla's acts, in consequence of which the command was offered to himself, but declined. Why Zamorano did not command is not very clear, but I think it possible that he did not
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SAN DIEGO PLAN-ALVARADO AND CARRILLO.
Alvarado on arriving at Monterey May 30th had immediately heard of the new troubles in the south, including Bandini's seizure of the Angeles garrison, and had despatched Castro back in haste with sixty men. This he announced to Vallejo in a letter of June 1st, and a few days later he sent more details about the plan of San Diego and the defensive prep- arations at Santa Bárbara, where three guns had been mounted at the Rincon Pass, and whither Castro was already hastening with aid. Still more alarming news, however-for Alvarado had no doubt of his ability to control the south-was that contained in the news- papers, to the effect that Mexico was organizing a force to be sent to California, a report that doubtless accounted for the actions of Bandini and his associ- ates.13 An interview between the governor and gen- eral was held at Santa Clara about the middle of
leave S. Diego at all. June 20th, ayunt. receives request from Portilla for arms, supplies, etc., to continue his march and enforce the new constitution. An appeal was accordingly made to the people. Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 322. Same date. Portilla addressed as com. gen. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., ii. 102. June 30th, Portilla at S. Fernando as comandante militar interino, asks Ignacio Coronel to take command at S. Gabriel, raise volunteers, and get supplies from the mission. Coronel, Doc., MS., 187; Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., ii. 103. Same date, Portilla complains that some of his men are returning home without leave. Id., ii. 105-6.
13 June Ist, Alvarado to Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 242. June 6th, same to same, from Sta Clara, in Id., iv. 243, says that Castro's men have very few arms; he must be aided; Salvador Vallejo wishes to go south with a company, and Villa will command another; the general urged to make haste. June 7th, V. 's reply, in Id., iv. 102. Wishes Salvador to return, that he may come down, for the northern frontier must not be left unprotected. Prompt steps must be taken; Angeles could not have been taken without collusion; other towns will perhaps turn against their benefactors if there is any hope of aid from Mexico, but the coming of such a force is very doubt- ful. June Sth, V. orders Alf. Prado Mesa to put his men at Sta Clara at the governor's disposal, and Capt. Sanchez at S. F. to hold himself and force in readiness for action. Id., iv. 246-7. June 12th, Alvarado, at Sta Clara, to Castro, in answer to letters of 5th and Sth. Is indignant at the falsehood of S. Diego and the cowardice of those who yielded at Angeles. Agrees with C. that vigorous measures are called for; the Californians must be made free whether they wish it or not. Capt. Sepúlveda must be court-martialled. All enemies of the system may be arrested and sent north, if it seems best. Arms and ammunition will soon arrive from Honolulu by the Clementine. Will come to Sta B. himself as soon as he can see Vallejo, who should come to- morrow. Id., xxxii. S9. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 282-5, describes the interview at Sta Clara as having been on June 13th-18th; and says that he promised the gov. his hearty support, though he objected to some of his acts in the south, and deemed the north as the part of the country needing most attention.
523
REVOLT AT MONTEREY.
Junc, and immediately after, the former sailed from Monterey for Santa Bárbara, where he arrived in time to send back on June 21st the news of what had occurred at Los Angeles, now in the power of the southern forces. Vallejo was, as usual on receipt of an appeal for aid, busied with some important expedi- tions against the Indians, but on the 25th he issued orders to different subordinates to mass their troops at Monterey in expectation of active service.14
Before returning to the south, it is as well to re- cord an important political event which occurred early in July at Monterey, namely, a counter-revolt against Alvarado's authority by the very Mexicans who had aided to put him in power. Angel Ramirez and Cosme Peña were the leaders. They had expected to control the governor's policy in their own interests, and had failed. Ramirez had lost his position in the custom-house before the end of 1836. Peña had gone south with Alvarado as secretary, but had soon re- turned, being succeeded by Victor Prudon. We have seen that there had been some ill feeling on the part of the Californians toward the Mexican residents, fo- mented perhaps to some extent by foreigners, and that Vallejo had been obliged to make some arrests earlier in the year, issuing a proclamation which had prom- ised protection and temporarily allayed discontent. Ramirez, however, continued his plottings; and the present time, in view of the news from the south and from Mexcio, was regarded as a favorable opportunity for active operations. Vallejo's orders to mass troops at the capital had not apparently been promptly obeyed, else the revolt would hardly have been prac- ticable.
The active leaders at Monterey were Captain Fran- cisco Figueroa, Juan N. Ayala, and Sergeant Santia-
14 June 25th, V. to A., com. of Monterey, Capt. Sanchez, Alcalde Alvirez, and Capt. J. J. Vallejo, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 251, 254-6; xxxii. 91; l'a- llejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 289-91. San José was evidently suspected of dis- affection, and was to be watched.
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SAN DIEGO PLAN-ALVARADO AND CARRILLO.
go Aguilar, director of the printing-office. Ramirez and Surgeon Alva were absent from the town, exert- ing their influence among the rancheros, and at San José and San Juan. Cosme Peña was in town, but worked secretly, afterwards pretending that he had been forced into a passive compliance in the plot. Captain Villavicencio had just started with most of his men to join Castro in the south, and Jesus Pico, left in command, was absent from his post, when at 5 P. M. on July 1st, the Mexicans, perhaps thirty or forty in number, under Figueroa, seized the fort and arms without resistance, holding possession until the 3d.15 Villavicencio was hastily recalled; Pico raised a few men in the interior; Graham volunteered with a part of his riflemen; the Mexican garrison was in its turn besieged, and a message was despatched to Vallejo.16 Figueroa's men, frightened by the warlike preparations, and disappointed in not getting reën- forcements from the country, offered to surrender if Vallejo would come to protect them, claiming that their revolt had been solely with a view to protect their lives, which had been threatened by Pico and others. Vallejo replied favorably, knowing that there was really much bitter feeling against the Mexicans, and promised protection to all, with punishment to but few, if their statement should prove true; but before this reply arrived, Figueroa surrendered, all his men
15 Florencio Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 41-50, is the only participator in this movement on the Mexican side who has told the story, and he fails to throw nich light on it. He says they found at the fort 4 or 5 men playing cards, but at the presidio nobody at all, Pico having run away at the first alarm. There were 50 Mexicans in all, and Alva returning from the country reported a failure to get reinforcements. Spence, Estrada, and Munras had frequent interviews with Figueroa and Peña. Mrs Avila, Cosas de Cal., MS., 14-16, states that during the Mexican occupation, the Indian servants, at the insti- gation of the Mexicans, plundered the houses of their masters.
16 July 3d, Villavicencio to Vallejo, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 266, an- nonncing both the capture and recapture; but there had been a previous de- spatch, for on the same day, July 3d, V. announced from Sonoma his own departure for Mont., and later in the day he wrote from Petaluma on his way. July 3d, V. to com. of S. Francisco and alcalde of Monterey. Id., iv. 264-5. V. was at S. Rafael on July 6th, when he heard that Mont. had been retaken. I.l., iv. 272.
525
ARREST OF THE MEXICANS.
were made prisoners, and the leaders were put in irons. 17
Vallejo came down to Santa Clara, and caused the arrest of several men in that region, including Angel Ramirez. All except the leaders were released within a few days. Those leaders were at first delivered to Captain J. J. Vallejo for safe keeping at his rancho;18 but were soon sent to Sonoma, both Vallejo and Alva- rado agreeing that they must be very strictly guarded until all political troubles should be at an end.19 Those sent to Sonoma, and held in captivity there as late as the end of August, were Ramirez, Alva, Figueroa, Peña, Ayala, Aguilar, Manuel Crespo, and José Ma- ría Maldonado. I have no definite information about
17 It would seem from V.'s letter from Petaluma, that the Mexicans had made their offer to surrender on July Ist, the same day they took the fort. In telling the story of the recapture, Serrano claims to have prevented a dis- aster by seizing Ayala's hand as he was about to apply the match to a loaded cannon. Osio, Ilist. Cal., MS., 316-17, 376-SO, tells us that the lighted match was dashed from the man's fingers by a bullet from the rifle of one of Gra- ham's men! Other Californian writers who speak more or less fully of this Monterey revolt are: Torre, Remin., MIS., 73-9; Arce, Memorias, MS., 11; Pico, Acont., MS., 44-5; Pinto, Apunt., MS., 27-9; Botello, Anales, MS., 24-5; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 174-5, 240-1; Vallejo, Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 292-6; Fernandez, Cosas de Cal., MS., 101; Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 100-1; Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 22; Galindo, Apuntes, MS., 38-9; García, Hechos, MS., 68-70. Vallejo regards A. M. Pico's attempts, already noticed, as a part of this same plot. Harry J. Bee, Recollections, MS., 6-21, and in S. José Pioneer, Jan. 13, 1877, gives a narrative from memory of this affair, so ab- surdly inaccurate that it merits no further attention.
18 July 4th, com. of Monterey to Capt. V. The prisoners may either be kept at the rancho or sent to Sonoma. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 268. Gonzalez, Revoluciones, MS., 10-11, says the prisoners were given up to him as alcalde on his demand.
19 July Sth, Vallejo to Villavicencio. The Monterey prisoners and all sus- pected persons to be sent to Sonoma under a strong escort. Vallejo. Doc., MIS., iv. 273. July 9th, same to Alvarado. Fears that the lives of Mexicans are in danger. All would certainly be killed should any native chance to perish in future troubles with Mexico. The persons named in an enclosed list (not given) should be shipped out of the country. Id., iv. 275. July 9th, Villavicencio to Vallejo, with orders from Alvarado of July 6th, that no leniency be shown to any man that took up arms to capture the fort. Id., iv. 274. July 11th, Vallejo to Alvarado. Has arrested Ramirez. Has abundant proof of his plots to upset the govt. Id., iv. 279. July 11th, Vallejo to -. Leonardo Felix and Pedro Chabolla arrested; Mesa and Higuera detained for examination. Id., iv., 278, 259. July 14th, Vallejo to J. J. Vallejo. Peña is in great terror. To save bother his irons may be removed and he may be treated a little better than the others; but must be kept secure and not allowed to speak to any one. Id., xxxii. 99. Aug. 9th, Alvarado recommends great precautions with tho captives. Id., iv. 292. Aug. 31st, list of the captives at Sonoma. Id., iv. 304, 307.
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SAN DIEGO PLAN-ALVARADO AND CARRILLO.
the date of their release, except that of Figueroa on August 31st; but several Californians state that after leaving Sonoma they were scattered at different mis- sions for a time under surveillance before being re- stored to entire liberty.
Let us now turn to the south, where at the end of June Alvarado with Castro and the 'civic militia of the state' at Santa Bárbara was awaiting the approach of the 'army of the supreme government' encamped at San Fernando under Portilla and Juan Bandini. There is a notable and unfortunate lack of exact data respecting what was said and done in these days, there being no record at all on the side of the northerners, and only a very vague one from the standpoint of the abajeños.20 It is clear, however, that Castillero as commissioner of the supreme government, but regarded by Bandini and his associates as fully in sympathy- with their plan, went to Santa Barbara in the early days of July and had an interview with Alvarado. We may only conjecture what was said at that inter- view, but the result was that Alvarado agreed to take the oath of allegiance to the constitutional laws, and thus restore California unconditionally to Mexico. So far as sectional issues were concerned, this was Alva- rado's greatest victory and the most crushing defeat he had administered to the south in all this play at politics and war. The country being restored to its
20 Osio, Ilist. Cal., MS., 361-73, who says that the 'amigo de Sepúlveda, ' though the first man to whom Bandini applied for support, refused to promise more than not to use his influence against the Dieguinos, next speaks of the difficulty experienced in getting a little coin to distribute among the soldiers when the oath was taken; tells of Sepúlveda's arrest and temporary detention by the southerners in spite of his own efforts; notes some faults of Macedonio Gonzalez in matters having no bearing on the political situation; and finally, explains that Castillero was clever enough to manage the leaders on both sides for his own interests, favoring Alvarado finally as the one who could help him most. Bandini in his report of Aug. 4th-Sucesos del Sur, MS .- stated that his force marched on victoriously to within 30 leagnes of Sta B., when the rebels demanded a truce, the result being that the so-called state govt was destroyed, and Cal. restored to Mexico. In his Ilist. Cal., MS., 96-7, Ban- dini says that 'Castillero deceived us vilely, sold his honor for a few dollars, and joined Alvarado and Castro against us, so that by his intrigues we fell into the power of our adversaries.'
527
ALVARADO'S TRIUMPH IN DEFEAT.
national allegiance, the diputacion would naturally re- sume its powers, and Alvarado would become gover- nor ad interim as senior vocal of that body. There was left no pretext for southern opposition. The army of the supreme government must be disbanded, the elaborate plan of San Diego had melted into thin air, and there were no temporary offices to be filled, not even that of treasurer. Centralism was triumphant, for which the abajeños cared nothing. Mexico was victorious, which gave them very little joy, but the arribeños still controlled California, and southern pa- triotic intrigues would go for naught in the final set- tlement. No wonder Bandini deemed his party 'vilely deceived' by its pretended friend Castillero; yet what more could the Mexican comisionado insist on than submission to the national authority ?
On the other hand, Alvarado as an advocate of fed- eralism and Californian independence suffered a defeat, somewhat humiliating in view of the recent proclama- tion of his purpose to make the Californians free in spite of themselves. He has written nothing, then or since, which throws much real light on his motives;21 yet it is not difficult to conjecture with approximate accuracy the arguments by which Castillero induced him to triumph in defeat. Experience had now proven that the south could not be depended upon to support the governor in the position he had assumed, but would seize upon every pretext to revolt in order to gain sectional advantages or gratify personal prejudices. Even in the north there were signs of disaffection at San Jose, growing out of a local quarrel; while the Mexican residents had gone so far as to rise in arms and seize the capital. United effort, by which alone
21 In a letter of July 12th to Vallejo he refers to a previous communication narrating all that had occurred since their last interview; but unfortunately that document is not extant. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 282. In a letter of Sept. Ist, however, A. says he was strong enough to defeat the conspirators of both north and south. The plan of S. Diego was simply to seize the offices. When the Dieguinos saw Alvarado's force they put themselves hypocritically under the constitution, abandoned their position, and acted disgracefully. Id., iv. 307.
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SAN DIEGO PLAN-ALVARADO AND CARRILLO.
success was attainable, could not be secured, and there was much ground for discouragement. Not only did Castillero present these facts in a strong light, but he also confirmed the report that a strong force was be- ing fitted out in Mexico to reconquer California. It was merely a question under what leaders the country should be restored to its national allegiance, and he made no secret of his preference for Alvarado. To aid in the final triumph of the men who had dealt so unfairly with him seemed no part of the governor's duty, and his desire to remain in office was naturally strong. Moreover Castillero assured him that by his influence with the government, if sent to Mexico as a commissioner, he could prevent the sending of the mil- itary force, which would of course be ruinous to the country, and could probably secure a confirmation of Alvarado's title as governor. Finally, there can be but little doubt that Castillero brought the news that by the decree of December 30, 1836, one day after the adoption of the constitution, the Californias had been formed into a department, and that thus one of the main objects sought by Alvarado's party had been secured.22 It is not strange that under the circum- stances Don Juan Bautista was converted to central- ism.
It was on July 4th that Portilla announced the agreement of the northern pronunciados to accept the constitutional laws, and the consequent withdrawal of his army to San Gabriel.23 On July 9th Alvarado issued a proclamation to the people, a very graceful effusion, albeit not very explicit as an explanation of his late change of front, bearing evident marks of hav-
22 Mexico, Leyes Constitucionales, 20 de Dic. 1836, in Arrillaga, Recop. 1836, (2) 317-78. Deeree of Dec. 30th, making the Californias a department, in Id., 379-80. It does not appear that Castillero brought official news of this de- erce, though Alvarado immediately called himself gov. of the dept of Alta Cal.
23 July 4th, Portilla to ayunt. of S. Diego. Hlayes' Doc., MS., 73; Id., Mission Book, i. 322; S. Diego, Index, MS .. 42. The communication is headed ' Di- vision of operations of the sup. govt.' July 8th, a similar document read to ayunt. of Angeles, and congratulations expressed for so happy a result. Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 323.
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