History of California, Volume IV, Part 13

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 820

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other more important states. This latter event, however, is in the womb of time; but the invasion of Cal. by American settlers is daily talked of; and if Santa Anna had prevailed against Texas, a portion of its inhabitants suffi- cient to overrun Cal. would now have been its masters.' Laplace, Campagne, v. 302-4, speaks of the prospective conquest by the U. S. as a thing rather to be desired than avoided. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 34-6, writes: 'For a long time before 1840 it had been the common talk among Americans-when by themselves or among the rancheros-that the U. S. would have Cal.' April 16, 1840, Pablo de la Guerra congratulates M. G. Vallejo on the large num- ber of foreign settlers in the country, the largest part being English-from Canada, Nova Scotia, and Ireland-who aro bard drinkers, but will perhaps, like wine, improve with time. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 30.

3 See Hist. Cal., vol. iii., chap. xx., this series, for reference to many com- munications on this subject. April 20, 1838, Mexican order to admit no French vessel except in case of shipwreck. Sup. Gort St. Pap., MS., xiv. 1. Mar. 26, 1839, notice of peace and suspension of all hostile measures. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 168.

111

CESSION TO ENGLAND.

nated a proposition to cancel the debt at once by a cession of the Californias. I have no official evidence that the proposition was entertained. Such, however, was the rumor that came to California in 1837, from different sources, a rumor accepted and published as a fact by Forbes in 1839, and cited by the American papers. To show the spirit in which the matter was discussed, I append some quotations.4 It is clear that

4 ' There have been some thoughts of proposing to Mexico that it should endeavor to cancel the English debt, which now exceeds $50,000,000, by a transfer of Cal. to the creditors. This would be a wise measure on the part of Mexico if the govt could be brought to lay aside the vanity of retaining large possessions. The cession of such a disjointed part of the republic would be an advantage. In no case can it ever be profitable to the Mexican republic, nor can it possibly remain united to it for any length of time, if it should even be induced to rejoin it. But would the English creditors accept of it? I think they might, and I think they ought. They have lately dis- played an inclination to treat and to receive lands as a part of the debt where no land exists belonging to Mexico ... in Texas in which Mexico does not own an acre and in New Mexico which is-God knows where. . . If Cal. was ceded, the creditors might be formed into a company, with the difference that they should have a sort of sovereignty over the territory, somewhat in the man- ner of the East India Co. This in my opinion would certainly bring a reve- nue iu time which might be equal to the interest of the debt, and under good management and with an English population would most certainly realize all that has been predicted of this fair country.' Forbes' Hist. Cal., 152-3. (See also note 2.) Mention of the proposed cession as probable and very de- sirable for England in New Orleans Bulletin, Feb. 19, 1840, and other papers of the same city. Niles' Register, March 7, 1840, Iviii. 2. 'Nothing would be more probable than that Mexico would willingly part with a territory which she cannot occupy, and to which in the course of things she could not long extend even a nominal claim. The policy of the English govt looks toward nothing more favorably than to the acquisition of territory. The possession of Cal. would strengthen her in carrying out her pretensions to the Oregon territory, which she not only claims, but already occupies. The whole coast of the Pacific would thus be in the grasp of a powerful nation- a nation that never lets slip an occasion of extending the limits of ber domain. That any foreign (not U. S.) power would ever be able permanently to hold such a position we do not believe, but it might cost much trouble to effect a dislodgment if once the possession is allowed.' Baltimore American, in Id. 'The transfer by Mexico to such a power as Britain would be alike unopposed and unopposable unless some point of etiquette with regard to old Spain stood in the way. Such a transfer, however, at this time of day is not likely to take place after all, although hard cash might be considered by all men a fair enough equivalent, and although nothing but good would probably fol- low to the Californians. But Russia and the U. S .- whose mighty tide of population is perpetually rolling inward and southward-may not be so scrupulous, and may take the land without any trouble about transfers.' Chambers' Edin. Journal, Aug. 24, 1839, in a review of Forbes' book. ‘Russia and the U. S., the latter especially, the only just govt that has ever existed less scrupulous than Great Britain. This is too pleasant! Our unsettled debt of grievances against the Mexicans happily puts us in a situation to in- sist upon their refusal of the proposition which has indubitably been made them by the British govt. Let us profit by it, nor suffer, if we can help it, our ancient mother to acquire a possession which no American can fail to

112

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND PIONEERS.

Englishmen favored the scheme, and equally clear that Americans were bitterly opposed to it, predict- ing that the United States must one day extend to the Pacific, and gravely asserting that it would be easier to prevent another nation from getting Cali- fornia than to dispossess that nation later. Not that England had not a right to acquire the country; but the United States had also a right to prevent it through their influence on the weaker sister republic. There is, however, no evidence that either govern- ment at this time took part in the schemes of its patriotic subjects. We shall see that the matter did not end with 1840, but had a still more potent inter- est in later years.

Meanwhile the policy observed within the limits of California was by no means oppressive to foreign residents. In 1836, before the revolution, Gutierrez and Chico called for registers of foreign residents, re- quiring them to appear before the local authorities to prove their right to be in the country. This, though it caused a degree of inconvenience and discontent, was in accordance with the laws, and with instructions from Mexico calling for a full report. The orders

perceive at a glance would in such hands be a source of difficulties to us and a stumbling-block to our posterity. . Fifty years, were we left to extend our- selves without impediment, would inevitably see us in possession of Upper Cal. The interest of the south-west would call for it, and its purchase from Mexico, should Mexico still retain it, would put us where the surf of the Pacific would be our safe and proper border, not the forts of a nation whose very kindred renders them, through jealousy, the least amiable of neighbors. It were wisc not to leave this to contingency.' New York American, in com- ments on the preceding. Niles' Reg., lviii. 70. Account of the negotiations for securing debt by lands, from New Orleans Picayune, in Id., Ixiii. 243. · France has long looked with jealous eye upon the movements of Great Brit- ain in relation to Mexico ... England has chipped off two or three little bits from Mexico, aud is now about to make final arrangements for taking posses- sion of the whole territory of Cal. . . To check this France recognizes Texas. . . and Texas lays claim to Cal.' N. Y. Herald, in Honolulu Polynesian, Nov. 21, 1840. Proposition to transfer Cal. in 1839 for the British claim of $50,000,- 000 mentioned in Minerva, May 20, 1845. See also Lancey's Cruise, 31. Dec. 26, IS37, Vallejo to Alvarado. Has good reason to believe that Californians will soon become North Americans. The Mex. govt has offered Cal. to Eng- land in payment of debts, and England has ceded her right to the govt at Washington. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 36S. Dec. 14, 1837, prefect Moreno to Zacatecan padres. Soon perhaps they may set out for their college, since P. Perez writes that Mexico contemplates the cessiou of Cal. to a foreign power, 'lo que Dios no permita.' Arch. Obispado, MS., 59.

113

TREATMENT OF STRANGERS.

were generally obeyed, and fortunately for us, since the result was a very complete list of foreigners at the beginning of this period.5 After the revolution and down to the time that California returned defi- nitely to her Mexican allegiance, there was no inter- ference with foreigners, even to the extent of euforcing the regulations respecting passports, except that de- serters were sometimes returned to their vessels as an act of favor to the captains, that foreign like native criminals were sometimes mildly prosecuted, and that there were troubles from time to time, particularly with foreign horse-thieves." This policy was the re- sult partly of the civil strife which occupied the exclu- sive attention of the authorities, and was in part due to the Californians' feeling of gratitude and friendship toward the men who had aided them.

The result of this non-interference during 1836-8 was bad in every way. The worst element of the for- eign population was largely increased by desertions from vessels on the coast; the vagabond allies of Ind-

5 Orders of April-May 1836, in S. Diego, Arch., MS., 100, 105; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xi. 46; Id., Monterey, iii. 64; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 55.

6 Sept. 1836, Doyle and his band of horse-thieves. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 133; Castro, Doc., MS., i. 29. Oct. 1837, Alvarado alarmed at the boldness of trapper horse-thieves iu all the interior valleys, some of whom appeared at Sta Ines in Oct. He fears they may attempt a revolution; but has takeu steps to balk their plans, and to protect property. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 322. April 1837, reports of trade in stolen cattle by American trappers in the Tulares. Id., xxxii. 84. Nov. 1837, Foreign vagrants, deserters, etc., about S. Rafael must be arrested and sent to Sonoma. No stranger to be per- mitted to remain in that region without a pass. Id., iv. 343. 1838, region about S. F. Bay infested with robbers. Store robbed at S. F. in Oct., two for- eigners being among the thieves. Id., v. 60, 62, 204. Depredations at S. Luis Obispo. Six Englishmen among the Indian robbers. Id., v. 220. For- eign merchants accused of sowing discord among people of their own tongue with sinister views. Vallejo to Alvarado, Sept. I. Sutter, Person. Rem'n., MS., 4, gives an idea of the kind of men who wanted to come to Cal. when he says that at Wind River volunteers were numerous who wished to accon- pany him with a view to plunder the missions and ranchos. May, 1838, Va- llejo recommends the chartering of a vessel to send out of the country all the turbulent element causing so much trouble. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xiv. 24. 90 French hunters in the Tulares. Id., v. 12. Dec. 18, 1839, two foreigners banished for robbing Spear's store. Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., iv. 110. For- eiguers very favorably received in Cal. Forbes' Hist. Cal., 322-3. Adventur- ous immigrants crowding in, chiefly deserters. Laplace, Campagne, vi. 191- 2. 1840, pursuit of horse-thieves in the region of Los Angeles. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., iv. 99-106.

HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 8

114

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND PIONEERS.

ian horse-thieves in the interior valleys became more numerous and bold; foreign interference in Californian polities came to be regarded as a natural and legiti- mate thing; foreign conquest or annexation was a common topic of conversation; and the men who had personally aided Alvarado became intolerably familiar, insolent, and lawless, even if they did not actually plot against the government. The interests of all good citizens, native and foreign, at home, as well as orders from Mexico, required a renewal of the old precautions in 1839-40.7 It was deemed necessary, however, to go somewhat further than to compel new-comers to comply with the laws, by sending away many who had entered the country illegally, together with a few who had some right to remain but were accused of plotting revolution. Hence the exile of nearly fifty persons in 1840. Enough has already been said about this affair; and the reader is well aware that though technically an outrage in the case of certain individu- als, and not very wisely managed in all respects, it was yet a legitimate measure of self-protection on the part of the Californians, approved more or less fully by the best foreign residents, and in no sense the out- growth of an oppressive foreign policy, as it was rep- resented in certain quarters for political effect.

7 Many orders of various dates in 1839-40 requiring compliance on the part of foreigners with the laws. No foreigner to land, remain, or travel in Cal. without the necessary naturalization papers, passports, cartas de seguridad, or other legal documents. Also orders for new lists and registers of foreigners. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 107, 128-36; xv. 1-2; Id., Ang., iv. 110; v. 6, 56; xi. 9, 118; Id., Mont., iv. 22; Id., S. José, v. 72; Id., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., xi. 72; Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 15, 38, 71; Sup. Gort St. Pap., MS., xv. 13; xvi. 10; Sta Bárbara, Arch., MS., 5; S. Diego, Arch., MS., 252-66; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 27; S. José, Arch., MS., iii. 39; Estudillo, Doc., MS., ii. 5-6; Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Mex., MS., i. 257, 265. Aug. 16, 1839, decree of Jimeno requiring deserters from whalers to be arrested and sent back; also forbidding the men to remain on shore after sunset without a pass from the juez de paz. Larkin's Doc., MS., i. 18; Hunt's Merchants' Mag., iii. 461-2. It is charged by some, perhaps without much foundation, that a system of 'shanghaeing' was practised at Monterey. Captains in want of sailors would apply to Lar- 'kin, at whose request an order would be issued to put every sailor ahout the place in the calabozo so that the captains could have their pick, the rest being released. 1839, Gen. Vallejo to pres., min. war, and others, urging the im- portance of taking measures to prevent the encroachments of Americans and Russians. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vii. 28; viii. 333; Id., Ord. de la Com. Gen., 17.

115

OLD SETTLERS.

In 1836, as has been shown in an earlier chapter, the foreign male population of the territory, including only men whose residence was in a sense permanent, was approximately three hundred, most of whose names are mentioned in one record or another of the half decade 1836-40, though some are only known to have been in California earlier and later. For items of information about these men during this and other periods, I refer the reader to the Pioneer Register at the end of these volumes.8 Of them as a class there is not much to be said beyond the fact that they con- stituted an influential and highly respected element of the population, largely controlling the commercial industry of the country. Many were naturalized, married to Californian wives, and the possessors of lands in their adopted country; while many more counted on securing all those advantages at an early date. All were enthusiastic in their admiration of California's natural advantages and in their predic- tions of her future greatness. In business they were as a rule straightforward, reliable men, and though they had lost, especially those who no longer followed the sea, something of their old activity, and were fast learning how to 'take things easy,' they were yet

8 Extensive lists of resident foreigners for the period of 1836-40 are found in the naturalization records. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xix. xx., passim; Larkin's Accounts, MS., i .- v., passim; Larkin's Papers, MS., a collection of miscella- neons commercial correspondence; Spear's Papers, MS., a similar collection; and also in the various county histories that have been recently published, and from which I have obtained many useful items. From the reminiscences of many pioneers I have also derived much aid. See also chap. iii. of this vol., for annual lists of vessels and their masters. For 1836 I may refer to the following special lists: For Monterey district, Monterey, Padron, 1836, MS .; Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 190; Id., xxxii. 14, etc. For Los Angeles dis- trict, Los Angeles, Arch., MS., i. 87, 100-1, 121-4; Los Angeles, Ilist., 19, 57-8; Los Angeles Express, Mar. 2, 1872, the first including a list of for- eigners concerned in the affair of the vigilantes. For Sta Bárbara district, Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 136-60; Pico, Papeles de Misiones, MS., 83; and for S. Diego, St. Pap., Sac., MS., xii. 15. For 1840 sce the following: Names of over 100 persons concerned in the Graham affair, in chap. i. of this vol .; Sup. Gort St. Pap., MS., xvi. 10; some general lists in Pico, Papeles de Mis., MS., 47-51; Dept. Rec., MS. xi. 58-9, 77. Angeles, Dept. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 23; Sta Bárbara, Id., xviii. 62; S. Diego, Id., Angeles, i. 1; iii. 39; S. José, Dept. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 43; Branciforte, Id., xviii. 71-3; S. F., Dwinelle's Colon. Ilist. S. F'co, add., 72-3.

116

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND PIONEERS.

wonderfully energetic as compared with the natives. Socially they were rough and hearty in manner, hos- pitable as the people among whom they had come to live, and ever ready to entertain a stranger, but in most cases manifesting by far too strong a liking for intoxicating drinks. In politics, especially in com- parison with the new-comers of the period, of whom I shall speak presently, they formed a conservative element, avoiding partisan interference. While de- ploring the evident evils and weaknesses of the gov- ernmental management, and quietly supporting such measures as seemed to promise reform, they avoided controversy with officials and leading men of the de- partment, and especially of the localities where they resided. They were not the men who talked loud of foreign interference, though most of them foresaw a change of flag in the not very distant future. They furnished but ten or twelve of the forty-seven men sent away for the country's good in 1840. Individu- ally, Isaac Graham was more prominent, especially in respect of what has been said and written about him, than any other man in the list, though by no means among the most worthy of a favorable prominence. Chief among his comrades were Chard, Carmichael, and Morris. Captains Cooper and Fitch combined the vocations of trader, ranchero, and mariner. David Spence retained his influence at the capital. Richardson, Leese, Spear, and Davis developed the latent glories of San Francisco. Stearns speculated and indulged his propensity for contraband trade at Los Angeles and San Pedro. Prudon organized the vigilants and showed his skill with the pen. Hart- nell worthily filled several high positions under the gov- ernment. Larkin slowly built up his fortunes at Mon- terey. Robinson travelled incessantly from point to point in the interests of the Boston merchants. Hinck- ley cracked his jokes and defied the revenue officers fron north to south. Among traders who followed the sea to some extent, but had commercial and other inter-

117

NEW-COMERS OF 1836-40.

ests in California as well as elsewhere, I may name Jones, McKinley, Park, Robbins, Scott, Snook, Steel, Stokes, Thompson, and Wilson. At Monterey Watson and Allen maintained a show of competition with Lar- kin in trade; Fitch was for the most part without rivals at San Diego; Temple and Johnson were established at Los Angeles. Prominent citizens of Santa Bár- bara and vicinity, more or less engaged in commercial pursuits, were Branch, Burton, Dana, Elwell, Hill, and Sparks; at San Jose were Bowen, Forbes, and Gul- nac; and Bolcof at Santa Cruz. Vignes and Wolf- skill tilled their vineyards at Los Angeles, and Will- iams and Reid had ranchos in the same region. Gilroy and Livermore lived on their farms in what may be called the San José district; while located north of the bay were Alexander, Black, McIntosh, Martin, Murphy, Read, and Yount.

Of new-comers during 1836-40, that is, of such as are properly classed as pioneer residents, I shall have occasion to name in annual lists about 150, of whom 140 remained in California after the end of the period, some 30 being men more or less prominent in these and later years.º The total population of foreign adults, therefore, in 1840, not including roving trap- pers and horse-thieves in the interior, was in round numbers 380 souls, of which number 120 had come before 1830, and 240 before 1835. This was not in any sense a period of immigration. If few stayed in

the country, still fewer came with the intention to stay; though Marsh, Wolfskill, and a few others came with such an intention from New Mexico, as did Sut- ter, Wiggins, Lassen, and a few others by way of Oregon. Most arrivals were in one way or another accidental. There was no direct immigration over-

9 Such are Nicholas Allgeier, F. D. Atherton, Ed T. Bale, Frank Bedwell, Nie. A. Den, D. D. Dutton, Phil. L. Edwards, Thos J. Farnham, Eliab Grimes, W. D. M. Howard, Sebastian Keyser, Peter Lassen, John Marsh, James Meadows, Ezekiel Merritt, Francis Mellus, Henry Naile, Henry Paty, John Paty, Robert Ridley, Alex. Rotchef, Pierre Sainsevain, Jared Sheldon, Peter Sherreback, John Sinclair, John A. Sutter, J. J. Vioget, and John R. Wolfskill.

118

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND PIONEERS.

land to California, and so far as can be known, not a single person crossed the sierra in the track of Smith and Walker of earlier times. In the last years of the period there was a degree of excitement on the sub- ject in Missouri and the states of that region, which will be noticed in connection with its results in 1841 and later. Before 1840 it sent about a dozen people over the mountains to Oregon, thence to seek a way to California either by sea or land.

Of about a hundred new names of foreigners that appear in the records of 1836 only thirty-one are those of men who may be classed as pioneers, and are named in the appended list.10 Atherton, Den, Marsh, and Rotchef were the men most widely known. An im- portant matter in the year's annals was the part taken by foreigners in the vigilance organization at Los Angeles. Still more interesting was that of the posi- tion taken by foreigners of different classes in support of Alvarado's revolution against the Mexicans, and of the foreign company of sailor rifleros that served in the Californian ranks; but these topics have been fully treated in preceding chapters, as the Peacock's visit and a resulting book will be in the one to follow.

1 name twenty-five pioneers for 1837 out of seven- ty-five foreigners whose names appear for the first time in the records of this year.11 Bale, Edwards, Merritt, the Patys, and Vioget were the ones who in one way or another attained a degree of provincial

10 Pioneers of 1836: Faxon D. Atherton, John Bancroft, James R. Berry, Jeffrey Brown, F. M. Cooper, Henry Cooper, John Cooper, Daniel (?), Man- uel Demarante, Nic. A. Den, James Doyle, John H. Everett, Nic. Fink, M. Frazer, Wm Hance (?), Thos Jewitt, Francis Jolinson (born in Cal.), Sam Loring, John Marsh, Juan Moreno, Henry Naile, Thos A. Norton, Joseph Pope (?), John Price, Geo. Roberts, Geo. Roek, Alex. Rotchef, Wm C. Stout, WVm R. Warren, Sant. F. Watson (born in Cal.), and J. F. R. Wescott. See these and other names in Pioneer Register at end of vol. ii .- v., this work.

11 Pioneers of 1837: Wm Anderson, Ed T. Bale, Manuel Carrion, Charle- foux, Octave Custot, Phil. L. Edwards, Fred. Hugel (?), John Levick (?), Wm McGlone; Henry McVicker, James Meadows, Ezekiel Merritt, Morgan, Elijah Ness, James Orbell, Henry Paty (?), John Paty, John J. Read (born in Cal.), John Reed (?), Wm Reed, A. B. Smith (?), John Smith, Jean J. Vioget, John Wilson, and Francis Young.

119

ANNUAL LISTS.

fame. The foreign military company still continued in the Californian service, contributing, for patriotism and three dollars a day, to the maintenance of Alva- rado's power among the unwilling sureños. Subse- quently it aided in retaking Monterey from the Mexi- cans. The coming of a party from the Columbia in quest of cattle for Oregon re-introduced Ewing Young, the old trapper, to the Californians, and originated a new branch of trade. It also left an unpublished nar- rative of the visit, including an overland trip to the north, as recorded in the preceding chapter. The Englishman Belcher, and Petit-Thouars the French- man, were the foreign visitors of 1837 whose obser- vations were published.

My pioneer list of 1838 contains but twenty names out of a total of about forty visitors; 12 and only John R. Wolfskill is entitled to especial mention as a promi- nent citizen still living in 1884. It was a most un- eventful year in all that concerned foreigners, the only noticeable item being the tragic fate of Captain Bancroft, the otter-hunter, at Santa Catalina.

1839 brought to the coast fifty foreigners, of whom twenty-five are entitled to a place in my list of resi- dents,13 a list containing such names as those of How- ard, Mellus, Sainsevain, Sinclair, and Sutter. The coming of the last-named pioneer, and his establish- ment of a colony on the Sacramento, form so impor- tant a topic in the annals of the country that a full narrative is deferred to the next chapter, in which I shall speak also of Laplace's visit, and of the pub- lication of Forbes' history. This year brought across

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 13

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 820

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 820