USA > California > History of California, Volume III > Part 80
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Summary of events, and statistics 1835-40. Oct. 24, 1831. Part of the rancheria burned, a man and 4 women perishing. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 268. 1833. 1'. Gutierrez succeeds Fortuni. The padre interferes with settlements at l'etaluma and Sta Rosa. This vol., p. 255. Padre complains of foreign 'hunters' at Suisun. Id., 392. Also 3 objectionable foreigners at the mission. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 116. 1834. M. G. Vallejo in charge as comisionado of secularization in Oct .- Nov. This vol., p. 279, 294. This mission with S. Rafael and S. José was to form a parish of Ist class. Id., 34S. Vallejo made an exped. to Solano in Jan. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 58. 1835. Seculari- zation by Comisionado Vallejo, who made Antonio Ortega majordomo. This vol., p. 346, 353-4. A census of June 4th shows a pop. of 549 souls. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 33, 36, 54; xxiii. 9; xxxii. 2. Unfortunately the inventory sent at the same time to Mont. is not extant. March 3d, gov. to V., who must give the padre free use of furniture and utensils in addition to his regu- lar allowance; may also furnish horses and boats for the padre's use. Id., iii. 11-12. June 4th, V. to gor., the Ind. chiefs constantly demand permission to go to their own lands, recognizing Sonoma as their head town, and V. has permitted it for fear of provoking hostility. Id., 37. Blotter of all V.'s commun. to gov. from June to Dec. Id., 35-47. June 27th, gov. uncertain about permitting the Ind. to live at their rancherias. Too much liberty is not good for them. Wants more suggestions. Id., 57. Supplies to colony down to June 20th, $421. Pinto, Doc., MS., i. 151. Aug. 2d, P. Qnijas at S. Rafael to gov. complains that the Vallejos and Ortega have shown him great disrespect, besides refusing him beef ; and that Ortega was immoral as well as insolent. He will not return unless Ortega is removed. St. Pap., M. & C., MS., ii. 345. Oct. 20th, Vallejo to gov. thinks if P. Quijas lives at
720
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
slight falling-off in crops; and the establishment must be regarded as having flourished down to the date of secularization, being one of the few missions in Cali- fornia which reached their highest population in the final decade, though this was natural enough in a new and frontier mission. Mariano G. Vallejo was made comisionado in 1834, and in 1835-6, with Antonio Ortega as majordomo, completed the secularization. Movable property was distributed to the Indians, who were made entirely free, many of them retiring to their old rancherías. A little later, however, in conse- quence of troubles with hostile gentiles, the ex-neo- phytes seem to have restored their live-stock to the care of General Vallejo, who used the property of the ex-mission for their benefit and protection, and for the general development of the northern settlement. The general claimed that this was a legitimate use of the
S. Rafael, Solano should not have to pay his salary, which he has already claimed to be excessive ($1,500). Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 45. Dec. 15th, Va- llejo resigns his position as comisionado, stating that 'mil circunstancias ' have prevented the distribution of lands and other property. Id., 47. 1836. Antonio Ortega acting administrator at $500, and Cayetano Juarez majordomo at $240. Ignacio Acedo also an employé at $120. Mission debts at end of year $1,138; credits $224. Clothing, rations, etc., distributed to Ind. $4,191. Id., xxiii. 26. 1837-8. Pablo Ayala succeeded Ortega at a date not known; nor is anything known of his accounts. Oct. 1837, padron of 185 Suisunes living at the ex-inission. Arch., Mes., MS., ii. 844. 1839. Salvador Vallejo was appointed on May 7th to succeed Ayala. Dept. Rec., MS., x. 10. Vallejo, Doc., vii. 16. But the new administrator was not put in possession of the property; so he informed Hartnell in Sept. when H. came on his first tour of investigation, at the same time resigning. Id., viii. 85. Gen. Vallejo was then consulted, and on Sept. 9th wrote a letter of explanation. He says that as comisionado he distributed all the live-stock (this does not agree with his statement of Dec. 15, 1835, given above, that the property had not been dis- tributed, but possibly V.'s resignation was not accepted, and the distrib. took place in 1836), and the Indians were set entirely free. But bitter hostility with the savages ensuing, the Ind. gathered anew about Vallejo, with many gentiles after treaties had been made, and gave up to him their stock, 2,000 cattle, 700 horses, and 6,000 sheep. With this property he has cared for the Ind., paid expenses of worship, etc., besides indirectly developing the settle- ment of the north-a proper use for the mission funds. Now there are 3,000 to 4,000 cattle, 500 horses, and 6,000 sheep (in March the gov. had ordered a
loan of 3,000 sheep for 3 years from Sta Clara for the benefit of Solano. Pico (Pio), Doc., MS., ii. 9. What had become of these animals?) which, with the small vineyard and orchard, will be put at the visitador's disposal if he de- sires it. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 89. But Hartnell did not deem it prudent to take charge of the estate under these circumstances. Hartnell, Diario, MS., 93-8. And nothing appears on the subject in 1840 except that by the reglamento the govt was still to regulate Solano 'according to circumstances.' Vol. iv., p. 60.
721
PUEBLO OF SONOMA.
estate; and he would have established a new mission in the north if the padres would have aided him. Doubtless his policy was a wise one, even if his posi- tion as guardian of the Indians in charge of their pri- vate property put by them in his care was not recog- mized by the laws. Moreover, there was a gain rather than a loss in live-stock. Thus the mission community had no real existence after 1836, thoughi Pablo Ayala and Salvador Vallejo were nominally made administrators. The visitador made no inno- vations in 1839, and apparently none were made in 1840. I suppose there may have been 100 of the ex- neophytes living at Sonoma at the end of the decade, with perhaps 500 more in the region not relapsed into barbarism.
On the secularization of Solano a pueblo was founded at Sonoma in 1835. Besides the fact of the founding, the transfer of the San Francisco military company, the granting of several ranchos in the north, several campaigns against hostile Indians, and a few other matters fully treated elsewhere as indexed and supplemented with minor items in the appended note,20 very little is really known in details of events and
20 Summary and index of Sonoma events, etc. 1831. Sta Rosa granted to Rafael Gomez, as a check to the Russians, but never occupied under the grant. Vol. iv., p. 160, this work. 1832. In the instructions of the Mex. govt to Gov. Figueroa the colonization of the northern frontier is urged in view of probable encroachments of Russians and Americans; and a plan of Vir- mond to found a settlement at Sonoma is mentioned. Figueroa, Instruc., MS., 35-7. IS33 et seq. Figueroa's efforts to effect the settlement of Sta Rosa and Petaluma. Founding and abandonment of Sta Anna y Farias. This vol., p. 246-7, 235-7, 272. Lat. and long. of Solano by Douglas. Id., 404. 1834. Petaluma granted to Vallejo. Arrival of the colony. The governor's alleged Ind. campaign. Id., 256-7, 360.
IS35. Arrest and exile of the colony chiefs in March. Id., 286 et seq. Founding of Sonoma by Vallejo, as comandante and director de colonizacion, at Figueroa's orders. Id., 293-5. An exped. against the northern Ind. from Sonoma. Id., 360. Dec. 3d, Com. Vallejo claims that there is no civil authority as yet and the district is therefore subject to his military rule. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 82. The four leagues of public lands were later con- firmed by the land commission to the town on Vallejo's grant of June 24th. Also lots were confirmed to V. under the gov.'s grant of July 5th. Hoffman's Repts.
1836. Vallejo's campaigns against the Guapos and other hostile Ind .; his treaties of June; his excellent Ind. policy. Vol. iv., p. 70-2. The S. F. pre- sidial company had been transferred the preceding year, except a few men who now came to Sonoma. The officers have already been named in this HIST. CAL., VOL. III. 46
722
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
progress at Sonoma and in the surrounding regions. The record is not more meagre perhaps than at sev- eral other places, but is remarkably so in view of chap. See p. 702. The comp. was often called from this time caballería permanente de la frontera. There are extant many complaints from Vallejo that the force was insufficient to protect the frontier settlement and Mex. national interests against savages, Americans, and Russians. June, a scandal affecting one of the officers. Bandini, Doc., MS., 40. Sept. 9th, eircular of Vallejo on the misdeeds of James Doyle and his 11 foreign companions who are trying to 'purchase' houses of the Ind. Castro, Doc., MS., i. 29; Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 133. Nicolás Higuera was appointed alcalde auxi- liar at Sonoma by the alcalde of S. F .; but Vallejo refused to recognize any civil authority, in which position he was sustained by the govt. Id., iii. 99, 181.
1837. Gen. Vallejo's efforts to enlist and drill recruits; Capt. Salvador Vallejo made mil. comandante, the general going to Monterey Jan .- March. This vol., 511-12. June, campaign of Salv. Vallejo and Solano against the Yolos; capture of Zampay; treaty with Sotoyomes. Vol. iv., p. 72. Vallejo urges the employment of a competent surveyor in connection with the formal- ities of putting settlers in possession of lands; also recommends precautions against men who may desire ranchos only for speculation. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 125; iv. 99. Specimen of grant of a town lot by Vallejo. A house must be built within a year or the lot will be forfeited. Id., iv. 5. July, Ramirez and other political prisoners from south of the bay sent to Sonoma. This vol., p. 525-6. The company's protest against centralism and the general's proffered resignation. Id., 533. Dec. 26th, Vallejo to Carrillo on the progress made in the north through his efforts; desires to devote himself entirely to the frontier, rather than to be comandante general. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 365.
1838. Salvador Vallejo again in temporary command, and marches south. This vol., p. 547, 552. Southern political prisoners kept here June-Sept. 1d., 567. Various Ind. complications. Vol. iv., 72-3. Ravages of the small- pox. Id., 73-4. An infantry company of 15-20 men is mentioned in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxiv.
1839. Salvador Vallejo was com. of the post, Alf. Prado Mesa and Alf. Lázaro Piña acting at times, and was also captain of the compañía de infan- tería organized the year before. This infantry company was composed of about 25 selected Indians who were, however, given Spanish names on the rosters. They were armed with muskets and their pay amounted to $1,390 this year. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxv. passim. The cavalry company was raised to over 40 men this year and the next. Id. Both general and captain urged the necessity of increasing the force, and complained of neglect on the part of the authorities at Monterey in the matter of supplying money. Id., vi. 218; viii. 86. Artillery 10 guns, 9 of them brass, 25 to 8 lbs calibre. Id., xxv. 63. Six of the guns bought with all their appurtenances by Gen. V. without aid from the govt. Id., vii. 37. March, return of Gen. V. from the south, and his complaints of mismanagement by Capt. V. during his absence. The offences were of slight importance, but were deemed by so strict a dis- ciplinarian worthy of reprimand. Id., vi. 344-6. May, Gen. V. writes to Mex. govt explaining his operations at Sonoma in the past 5 years, and his success in founding a frontier settlement after great sacrifices and privations, and all without expense to the govt. But now his resources are nearly ex- hausted and he must have aid in order to ensure permanent success. Id., vii. 26-S. Dec., court-martial of two deserters. Soberanes, Doc., MS., 158-65. Oct., Solano's visit to Monterey. This vel., p. 589. Salvador was appointed jnez de paz at Sonoma in Jan., taking the oath in May. Meanwhile in Feb .- March the people refused to attend an election on the plea that they were subject only to military authority, for which the alcalde (S. Vallejo ?) appears
723
THE FRONTERA DEL NORTE.
General Vallejo's prominent position in all that con- cerned the frontera del norte and of the complete documentary record of other matters contained in the papers of his collection. Vallejo had many diffi- culties to contend with, but his zeal and energy in this cause were without parallel in California annals; and the credit due him is not impaired by the fact that the development of his own wealth was a lead- ing incentive. His Indian policy was admirable, and in the native chief Solano he found an efficient aid. For the most part at his own expense he supported the regular presidial company, organized another of native warriors, kept the hostile tribes in check by war and diplomacy, protected the town and ranchos, and, in spite of the country's unfortunate political complications and lack of prosperity, established a feeling of security that in 1839 had drawn 25 families of settlers to the northern frontier. Could he have had the cooperation of the friars he would have founded new missions in the north and east. I have estimated the population of gente de razon, not in- cluding the Russians, north of the bay in 1840 at 200 souls. The establishments of Ross and New Helvetia during this period, having been treated in special chapters, require no further notice here.
Turning to the southern establishments of the dis- trict we find that Padre Narcisco Duran at San José
to have been fined $20. In June Gen. V. ordered the captain not to serve as juez, claiming that the gov. had no power to appoint a military officer to civil positions. Mont. Arch., MS., ix. 10; Dept. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 57; Id., Ben. P. & J., iii. 26-9; Id., Mont., iv. 96; Doc. Iiist. Cal., MS., i. 398. Vallejo's efforts to found a new line of frontier missions, particularly one at Sta Rosa. The friars could not be induced to undertake the task, and the gov. was not very warm in support of the measure. Vol. iv., p. 48; Fernandez, Cosas, MS., 88-90, with a letter of P. Quijns.
1840. Salv. Vallejo commandant; cavalry and infantry companies as he- fore. In April there was a serious rising of the native infantry, who attacked the cavalry, and being repulsed joined the hostilo chiefs of savage tribes. They were in turn attacked by Piña and Solano with a force of soldiers and friendly Ind., and were defeated with much loss. Subsequently two savage chiefs and 9 other Ind. were shot. Vallejo believed the rebels had an under- standing with the Sacramento tribes. Vol. iv., p. 12, 74. Ang. 20th, order of Mex. govt to constitute the northern frontier into a comandancia militar. Vallejo, Doc., MIS., x. 223.
724
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
mission was succeeded in 1833 by the Zacatecan Padre José María de Jesus Gonzalez Rubio, who re- mained throughout the decade. This mission for the whole decade was probably the most prosperous in California both before and after secularization. Its highest population of 1,866 souls was reached in 1831, and though the number fell to about 1,400 in 1834 21
21 Statistics of S. José mission 1831-2 (no figures for 1833-4). Decrease of pop. 1,745 to 1,456 (in 1833, but 1,886 in 1831). Baptisms 366 (336 incl. 293 adults in 1831). Marriages 129. Deaths 398. Increase of large stock 13,300 to 13,710, horses and mules 1,300 to 1,250; sheep remained at 13,000. Crops about 10,800 bush. each year.
Statistics of 1835-40. Statement of P. Gonzalez that the mission had 18,000 cattle, 15,000 sheep, 1,900 horses, and effects valued at 20,000. Taylor, in Cal. Farmer, June 1, 1860. Inventory of Jan. 15, 1837. Credits (chief debtors Wm Gulnac $336, S. Rafael mission $1,236, the canónigo Fernandez (!) $385, and dept. govt $6,117), $9,117. Buildings, including corrals, etc., $10,700. Utensils and furniture $240. Manufacturing apparatus and mate- rial, also hides, tallow, lard, wagons, and 3,600 fan. of grain, $9,108. Goods in warehouse $17,810. Orchard and vineyard at the mission, 6,000 vines, about 600 fruit trees, $7,472; id., S. Cayetano, abt 600 trees, incl. 10 olive- trees, $1,514. Farming tools $282. Live-stock, $18,000 cattle, 2,074 horses, 14,965 sheep, 30 mules, 15 asses, 77 swine, $98,977. Boat $100. Total valu- ation $156,325. Debt (chief creditors J. A. Aguirre $402, Antonio Moreña $377), $975. Balance $155,350. Original with autographs of J. J. Vallejo and Padre Gonzalez, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 64; also St. Pap,, Miss., MS., vii. 49-51. 1837-8. No records. 1839. Pop. in Aug. according to Hart- nell's count 589 souls. Id., x. 12. March 2d, gov. orders the loan of 3,000 sheep to the Solano establishment for 5 years. Id., x. 14. Aug. 28th, prop- erty available for trade or for distribution to the Ind. $30,000. Id., vii. 43. Sept. Ist, acct of supplies to govt and escolta (no period specified, possibly since 1837) $16,809. Id., 43. 1840. Live-stock 20,000 cattle, 15,000 sheep, 1,120 horses, 15 mules, 150 swine, 2 asses. Other property (enseres) $23,570. Credits $3,452 (as to what had become of the acct of $6,000 against the govt the reader may adopt any theory he likes except that it had been paid). Debts $1,434. Id., 37-40; Arce, Doc., MS., 28-9; Pico, Pap., Mis., MS , 47-51.
Statistics of 1797-1834. Total of baptisms 6,737, of which 4,182 Ind. adults, 2,488 Ind. children, 67 child. de razon; annual average 177. Marriages 1,984, of which 4 de razon. Deaths 5,109, of which 3,524 Ind. adults; 1,554 Ind. children, 4 and 27 de razon; annual average 134; average death rate 12.17 per cent of pop. Largest pop. 1,886 in 1831; males always in excess of females; children ¿ to ¿. Largest no. of cattle 18,000 in 1826; horses 1,425 in 1834; mules 100 in 1830; sheep 20,000 in 1826; all kinds 35,600 in 1826. Total product of wheat 13,680 bush. yield 19 fold; barley 16,750 bush., 20 fold; maize 17,290 bush., SO fold; beans 3,790 bush., 25 fold; miscel. grains 8,800 bush., 33. fold.
Summary of events, etc. 1831. Status under Echeandía's plan not carried out. This vol., p. 306-7. 1832. P. Duran on the proposed reglamento. Id., 316. May 7th, Duran in great trouble because the Ind. die so fast. They seem 'mas frágiles que el vidrio.' He has appointed 5 boys to report cases of sickness, and has had them well flogged to make them attend to the duty, yet now and then some Ind. slips out of the world without the sacraments. S. José, Lib. Mis., MS., 27. 1833. P. Gonzalez succeeds Duran, the latter re- porting this mission in a condition for partial secularization. This vol., p. 318, 333. S. J. was to be joined to Solano and S. Rafael as a parish of 1st class.
725
SAN JOSÉ MISSION.
and to 580 in 1840-with probably 200 scattered in the district-yet crops were uniformly good, the yield being larger in proportion to the seed sown than else- where, and live-stock increased steadily to the end. Secularization was effected in 1836-7, Jesus Vallejo having charge as administrator until April 1840, when he was succeeded by José María Amador. The in- ventory made at the time of transfer showed a total valuation, not including lands or church property, of $155,000 over and above debts; and the fragmentary
Id., 348. 1834-5. No records. 1836. Secularization ordered; Jesus Vallejo takes partial possession as administrator in Dec. Id., 426; iv. 47. 1837. For- mal delivery of the property by P. Gutierrez to Vallejo by inventory as already cited, Jan. 15th. Feb. 13th, V. ordered to proceed to distribution of lots. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 71. Cattle delivered to Willamette co. Vol. iv. p. 86. 1838. June, mission damaged by an earthquake. Id., 78. July Ist, speci- men of grant of a lot by the admin. to V. Chologon, as per order of Feb. 13, 1837, as above. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxx. 94. 1839. Aug. 16th, J. Vallejo to the general, complaining that Alvarado and Jimeno at Monterey seem dis- posed to let the missions go to ruin. He wishes to save S. José, or if it can't be done to let it be ruined in charge of some other admin. Id., iii. 40. Hart- nell arrived on his tour of inspection Aug. 20th. He had expected some trouble with Vallejo, the nature of which is not explained, and had even been furnished with an order for troops from the pueblo under Antonio Buelna. But he was well received and was much pleased with the prosperous condition of the establishment at first sight, as he writes on the 21st, the Ind. being well clothed and the storehouse well filled. It seems that Don Jesus had either asked to be relieved, or it had been resolved to remove him, since H. asks the govt to select some suitable admin., as he cannot approve Carlos Castro for the place. Hartnell, Diario, MS., 39-40; S. José Arch., MS., iii. 34. Unfor- funately the inventory is missing. Aug. 28th a series of instructions by Hart- nell for the admin., which seem to imply that Vallejo had been somewhat too independent in his management, inclined to severe punishments, to private speculation, neglect of worship, and careless methods of keeping accounts. St. Pap., Miss., MS., vii. 40-2; x. 13-14. Aug. 29th, H. to govt, has found the accounts in bad order as elsewhere, the Ind. discontented and destitute (a wonderful change in 8 days !), punishments too severe, majordomo brutal; administrator carries off property to his own rancho. Id., x. 12. Vallejo was authorized in Sept. to spend $2,000 in goods for the Ind., but spent $2, 800 before he got the permission, at which and other minor informalities Hartnell sent reprimands in Nov. Some blankets and other articles were ordered fur- nished to Soledad. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 175; Hartnell, Diario, MS., 50- 1. 1840. Vallejo still in charge. According to the reglam. of March some of the property at this mission was to be distributed to the oldest Ind., and a clerk was to be put in charge of the estate. There is no record of Hartnell's visit in April, but his instructions to the majordomo and clerk on routine duties are dated April 23d. Vol. iv., p. GI. And on the same date the prop- erty was turned over to José María Amador as majordomo, the inventory being signed by José Antonio Estrada (doubtless the clerk) a ruego de Ama- dor. St. Pap., Miss., MS., vii. 37-S. Oct. 21th, order of govt to lend J. B. Alvarado 300 hekers and 25 bulls for 5 years ! Dept. Rec., xi. 46. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 28-9, mentions a slaughter of 2,000 cattle for their hides and tallow.
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
statistics of later years indicate no falling-off in any kind of property. This is the more remarkable as the wealth of San Jose made it a shining mark for government demands, and large amounts of live-stock and other property were loaned to private individuals and to other ex-missions. Don Jesus, though some- what independent of supervision and informal in his methods, must be regarded as a very efficient man- ager. It is probable, however, that in 1840 the ebb of prosperity had begun and that the elements of ap- proaching decadence were somewhat more apparent than is indicated by the imperfect records that have been preserved.
At Santa Clara Padre Viader concluded his mis- sionary service of nearly 40 years in 1833, when he left the country. His successor was the Zacatecan prefect Padre Francisco García Diego who served to the end of 1835 with an associate from 1834 in the person of Padre Rafael de Jesus Moreno, after whose death in 1839 Padre Mercado took charge of the ex- mission.22 Statistical reports by the missionaries
22 José Viader was born at Gallines, Catalonia, on Aug. 27, 1765, and be- came a Franciscan at Barcelona in May 1788, sailing for Mexico in 1793, and starting from the college of S. Fernando for Cal. in Feb. 1796. His only mis- sionary service was at Sta Clara from 1796 to 1833. His superiors accorded to him more than medium merit and ability both in temporal and spiritual affairs. Autobiog. Antog. de los Padres, MS .; Sarria, Inf., 1817, MS., GS- 9; Payeras, Inf., 1820, MS., 138. Padre Viader was a large inan of fine physique; somewhat reserved and stern in manner with strangers, but well liked by all acquaintances, with whom his manner was always frank and courte- ous; very strict in all matters pertaining to the faith and religious obervances, noted for the size of the crucifix hanging always with the rosary from his girdle; a diligent and effective man of business, devoted to the temporal pros- perity of his mission, and not always impressed with the sanctity of the reve- nue laws. Ilis diaries of two expeditions to the Rio de Merced and in search of sites for new missions in 1810 appear in my list of authorities. It is re- lated than one night about 1814 while going to attend a dying neophyte he was attacked by three Ind. who tried to kill him but were instead overcome by his great physical strength, becoming subsequently the padre's faithful and useful allies. In 1818 he made a tour to S. F. and S. Rafael as secretary to the padre prefecto. In 1821 he was present at S. Juan Bautista at the laying of the corner-stone and dedication of the new church. In 1826 he de- clined to take the oath of allegiance. Swan in a newspaper sketch often re- printed mentions the valuable services attributed to Viader in connection with the drought of 1828-30, which he is said to have foretold. In early years he had desired to retire, but had consented to remain at the request of superiors and neophytes. Of his departure in 1833 on the coming of the
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