History of California, Volume IV, Part 18

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

USA > California > History of California, Volume IV > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Wrangell finally came in person to Ross in July, and Hartnell went there at his invitation for an inter- view, and was employed as an agent to obtain cargoes of produce, and, if possible, certain exemptions from the payment of duties.11 While at Ross Wrangell addressed to Figueroa a letter in which he warmly defended his company against the charges of the English navigator Beechey, charges which he declared altogether without foundation, to the effect that the

9 April 12, 1833, F. to sec. of war and navy. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 302-6. The writer's idea was doubtless to exaggerate the dangers, so as to claim for himself the greater credit for averting them. Popularity was Figueroa's constant aim from first to last. The idea of Wrangell's pur- pose to occupy Sta Rosa came from Vallejo, who in his letter of March 31st had urged the formation of new settlements and the stationing of a competent person on the frontier to conduct negotiations with the Russians. Vallejo, Doc., MS., ii. 28; St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 310. Later in the year Padre Mercado at S. Rafael complained to the gov. that the Russians were enticing away and protecting fugitive neophytes, buying stolen cattle, and invading Mexican rights in various ways. Id., ii. 319-20; Monterey, Arch., MS., i. 36.

10 Vallejo, Informe Reservado sobre Ross, MS. The descriptive part has already been utilized. April 28, 1833 (the date of Vallejo's leaving Ross), Kostromitinof to Figueroa. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 68. May 15th, 17th, F. to V., acknowledging receipt of report, thanking him for his services, and ex- pressing his satisfaction at the good disposition of the Russian officials. Va- Alejo, Doc., MS., ii. 146, 311. This affair is also recorded in Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 206-S, and Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 198-9.

11 July 14, 1833, Wrangell to Hartnell. He wanted to load 170 tons of salted meat and 14,000 lbs. of salt at S. F. free from anchorage dues. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 21. Aug. 3d, H. to Guerra. Guerra, Doc., MS., v. 104. Aug. 17th, somebody at S. Diego to Figueroa, arguing against the exemption from dues. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust .- 11., MS., ii. 20-2. Sept. 6th, H. to W. Memorandum of cargo shipped on the Baikal and of another to be sent .on next vessel. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 40.

163

WRANGELL'S CLAIMS.

Russians had grievously wronged the Californians by killing otter illegally, by engaging in contraband trade, and by even taking possession of the Santa Bárbara Islands. Other foreigners had certainly done these things, but his people never, protested the baron; they had always conformed strictly to the laws, and had always refused, greatly to their own loss, to enter into contracts with less scrupulous foreigners who wished to hunt otter in defiance of the Californians. He must have smiled as he wrote these statements with a knowledge that they were but remotely founded on truth; but the politic Figueroa, equally aware of the falsehood, fully confirmed all the baron's asser- tions, and exonerated the Russians from every suspi- cion of ever having given the Californians grounds for complaint.12

The Russian annals of 1834-9, so far as actual oc- currences in California are concerned, may be briefly disposed of. The vessels came regularly to San Fran- cisco, generally securing without much trouble a cargo of provisions; though there were occasional misunder- standings on minor points of revenue, as there were now and then complaints on other matters of slight importance.13 In 1836 Manager Kostromitinof was

12 July 24, 1833, W. to F. Dec. 23d, F.'s reply. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 84-7; xix. 15-18; Zavalishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, 10-12.

13 Jan. 14, 1834, Vallejo complains that 3 men went without permits to Ross. This is forbidden hy Figueroa. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 141. Docu- ments of different dates in 1834-6, showing troubles about duties on goods brought to S. F. Bay on lighters, one of which craft was seized with its cargo by orders of Angel Ramirez. Pinto, Doc., MS., i. 115, 118, 167-71, 225-6, 229. Alvarado, Hist. C'al., MS., iii. 33-4, complains that the Satiyomi were found to be armed with weapons bought at Ross. 1836, no intercourse with Ross or selling of cattle or hides without a specific document from the co- mandante at Senoma. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 100, ete. Sept. 11, 1836, Kos- tromitinof asks for a pass for a lighter to touch at S. F. Id., iii. 235. Tikh- ménef, I-tor. Obosranie, i. 346-7, tells us that in 1835 the shipment of breadstuffs was only one third of the requirements, owing to a failure of crops; and in 1836 they had to go to Chili again for a supply; but later enough was again obtained each year in Cal. Feb. 24, 1838, Capt. S. Vallejo sent to Ross to bring back persons who had gone there without permits. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 32-3. The gov. of the colonies expected at Ross in Aug. 1838. Va- llejo hopes to meet him. Id., v. 138. 1839, minor matters of commerce and revenue. Pinto, Doc., MS., i. 243-5; Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., iii. 1, 3, 5;

164

THE RUSSIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

succeeded by Alexander Rotchef, who is spoken of in complimentary terms by all who met him, as a gen- tleman of courteous manners and of much administra- tive ability. The ex-manager now seems to have suc- ceeded Hartnell as active agent of the company at San Francisco, where he spent much of his time for several years.14 He obtained, apparently from Chico, but possibly from Figueroa just before that ruler's death, permission to erect a warehouse for the com- pany's use on any site which he might select. With Captain Richardson's consent, he decided to build at Sauzalito, on what was known as the Puerto de Balleneros, or Whalers' Harbor. Before any use was made of the concession, however, the diputacion took up the matter, deciding that the governor had 110 power to grant such a privilege, and that it was not expedient to allow a foreign company to secure such a foothold in a Mexican port. Accordingly Gutierrez issued an order in September that no buildings should be erected, though grain might be collected at Sauza- lito for that one year.15 Subsequently, in 1839, Rotchef petitioned for the privilege of building a warehouse at Yerba Buena, next to Leese's place; but I have no record of the result.16

During this period Sonoma was founded as a pueblo; and several citizens, chiefly of foreign birth, were per- mitted to occupy ranchos on the northern frontier, all with a view, among other objects, to check the

Id., Ben. Mil., lv. 16. April 1839, nails and copper for repairs to the Cali- fornia. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vi. 365. May, Alvarado authorizes V. to sell the Russians 300 heifers. It won't do to encourage trade between them and the rancheros. Id., vii. 33.

11 Tikhménef, Istor. Obosranie, i. 345-6.

15 June 30, 1836, Vallejo approves the scheme. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 121. July 7th, Aug. 30th, action of the dip. Leg. Rec., MS., iii. 25-6. Sept. 12th, Gutierrez's order. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 236. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 107-10, says Kostromitinof came to Monterey to try and change his mind as one of the strongest opponents; but he refused to favor his plan, though he offered to advocate a grant of the privilege to K. or any Russian who would become a Mexican citizen.

16 May 10, 1839, Rotchef to gov. St. Pap., Miss, and Colon., MS., ii. 326-8. The building was to revert to the Cal. govt after 10 years; and might meanwhile be nsed by that govt free of charge for storage. Rotchef also wished permission to pay anchorage dues at S. F. rather than Monterey.

105

BARON WRANGELL'S PLANS.

apprehended advance of the Russians. In 1837 a Mexican soldier named Miramontes is said to have brought from Ross to Sonoma the small-pox, which caused great ravages among the natives. Again in 1839 Vallejo warned the Mexican government of dan- ger from the Russians, which might be averted only by an increase of the force at Sonoma.17 In 1837 Ross was visited by Slacum, and in 1839 by Laplace, each of whom published a description of the establish- ment, the latter devoting much space to the subject.

Meanwhile Governor Wrangell became more and more firmly convinced that unless his company and nation could obtain the country eastward to the Sac- ramento and southward to San Francisco Bay, the original possession on the coast, even if its confirma- tion could be secured from Mexico, was not worth keeping.18 Moreover, this extension must be effected without delay, since the most favorable opportunities had already passed, and the influx of settlers, native and foreign, was daily lessening the chances of success. It does not appear that there was any thought of oc- cupying the territory against the will of the Califor- nians; indeed, such a step would have excited strong opposition from foreign powers as well as from Mex- ico, and would have been practicable only with the direct national support of Russia, a support that could not be counted on, because the imperial government had never manifested anything but indifference re- specting the acquisition of territorial possessions in California.

Baron Wrangell's hope and purpose-and there is no evidence that there was any element of opposition among the officers of the company either at Sitka or Ross-was to conciliate still further the good-will of

17 Feb. 6, 1839, Vallejo to min. of war. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vi. 218.

18 According to Zavalishin the baron repeated these views in his report of April 10, 1833. This author says that Count Nordvinof also entertained the same views.

166

THE RUSSIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

the already friendly Californians, a work in which he believed himself to have made much progress in his correspondence with Figueroa, not knowing the man. He desired further to present in a strong light, as the Russians had been doing for years, the danger of en- croachment by other foreigners, especially the Amer- icans; also the marked contrast between the past conduct of his people and those of other nations, and the manifest advantage of preferring such friendly and orderly neighbors rather than the turbulent horde of adventurers who were sure to get possession of the northern frontier.19 He would like to so far interest the court of St Petersburg in his scheme as to bring about diplomatic negotiations, and a recognition of Mexican independence; and finally, he wished to go in person to Mexico, to secure from the authorities of the republic a concession or sale of the desired terri- tory. The plan was the best that could have been devised under the circumstances. How much confi- dence the author really had in its success we have no means of knowing.

The company having approved Wrangell's plan, and agreed to pay for the establishments of San Rafael and Sonoma in case Mexico would consent to cede the territory,20 the baron resigned his position as gov- ernor of the American colonies, and obtained permis- sion to return to Russia by way of California and Mexico,21 with authority to represent the colonial government in negotiations with the republic. His instructions, which came in 1835, were disappointing. The emperor, while desiring the continuance of friendly

19 In the report of April 28, 1834, according to Zavalishin, the coming of a band of 163 armed men with their wives and children is mentioned. The ori- gin of this rumor is not known. In a report of April 10th (?), Wrangell states that the only obstacle to the extension of Ross is the envy of foreigners, who will intrigue to secure the opposition of Mexico. Zavalishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, MS., S-10, 14.

2" Report of April 13, 1834, from head office. Zavalishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, MS., 28-9.

21 Nov. 19, 1834, Wrangell to Figueroa, announcing his purpose to visit Mexico at the end of his term of office, and asking for information about route, etc. St. Pap., Miss, and Colon., MS., ii. 320.

167

THE BARON'S MISSION TO MEXICO.

relations, would not agree to recognize Mexican in- dependence, but merely allowed Wrangell as a rep- resentative of the company to negotiate a commercial treaty providing for a free entrée of all ports, collec- tion of duties only on goods actually sold, release from anchorage dues, free exportation of salt, hunting on shares, and permission to take turtles and obtain woods on the coast-terms all for the advantage of the Russians, without apparent recompense to the Californians. He was also empowered to ascertain if Mexico would confirm the old possessions at Ross and Bodega, if there was any hope of acquiring the new territory desired, and if so, on what conditions and at what expense. Possibly he might hold out a hope of future recognition, though he could not promise it. His enthusiasm must have been great indeed if it sur- vived these instructions.22

With his instructions there came a successor to Wrangell in the person of Ivan Kuprianof;23 and the ex-governor sailed at once on his mission. He ar- rived at Monterey on the Sitka in December 1835.24 Here he was greatly disappointed at learning the death of Figueroa, on whose assistance he had counted, especially in the furnishing of letters to prominent men in Mexico. Of his negotiations with other Cal- ifornians at this time we have no record. He sailed early in January 1836 for San Blas, where he had some trouble with local officials, who declared his passport invalid; but by the aid of the English con- sul, Barron, a pass was obtained,25 and Wrangell pro-

22 Potechin, Selenie Ross, 16-19; Tikhmenef, Istor. Obos., i. 362-4. The former does not imply that Wrangell had any right even to speak of the rec- ognition of Mexico as a possibility.

23 Nov. 20, 1835, Kuprianof to Figueroa, announcing his accession and de- sire for a continuance of friendly relations. St. Pop., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 321. Similar note to Gov. Chico and the latter's very courteous reply. Date not clear. Id.

24 The only definite mention of his arrival that I have found, except iu Russian writers, is in Dana's Two Years before the Mast, 271-2. Dana found the vessel and ex-gov. at Monterey ou Dec. 27th; and the latter kindly offered to take New-Year's letters from the Yankee sailors, to be forwarded from Mexico to Boston, where they arrived safely.

25 Zavalishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, MS., 12, represents the English as hav-

168

THE RUSSIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

ceeded to Mexico. Here with some difficulty he ob- tained an interview with Vice-president Barragan, and after the latter's death with other high officials. Naturally, under the circumstances, he met with no encouragement, the Mexican authorities being of course unwilling to treat with a man who had no credentials as a representative of his government. To use substantially the words of Wrangell in his report to the company, "the Mexican republic has been formally recognized by England, France, and other powers; her natural pride is increased by diplomatic correspondence, and she is not disposed to treat for acknowledgment with powers that do not meet her half-way. Moreover, foreign representatives work constantly against the interests of their commercial rivals, especially Russia. Hence it is not strange that Mexico not only will not listen to propositions from a mere commercial company, but would be offended if such propositions were made without diplomatic mediation." 26

The only result obtained seems to have been a semi- official assurance that Mexico, desiring friendly rela- tions, would favor a commercial treaty if properly negotiated by duly accredited agents of the two gov- ernments. 27 Possibly some encouragement was given verbally that a concession of the original possessions at Ross might be obtained; but evidently an extension of territory, if proposed at all, was considered with no favor. 28 The whole subject was then referred to the ing been in these years very favorable to the Russian scheme, though of course from interested motives.

26 Potechin, Selt nie Ross, 19.

27 Tikhmeucf, Istor. Obos., i. 364, says that a written communication to this effect was carried to St Petersburg by Wrangell.

28 In 1836 Kuprianof reported the eoming of American immigrants to oc- eupy farms near Ross, thus threatening to deprive the company of all chanee of extending their lands. The reply from the general administration, founded on the counsels of the imperial vice-ehaneellor, was the advice not to think of extension, but only of holding the land already occupied. Tikhmenef, Istor. Obos., i. 365. Scala, Influence de l'ancienne Comptoir Russe, has something to say about the events and negotiations of these times; but his statements are so absurdly inaccurate as to merit uo attention. In June 1837, reports were sent to St Petersburg of the continued eneroachments of foreigners and their part in the revolution of 1836. Zavalishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, MS., 14-15.

169

ROSS NOT WORTH KEEPING.

Mexican minister at London, who was instructed to consider such propositions as might be made by repre- sentatives of the tsar. No such propositions were ever made, as the government on the receipt of Wran- gell's report at St Petersburg simply decided to take no further steps in the matter. The negotiations had attracted but little attention; yet I find some evidence of rumors growing out of them which reached Califor- nia and the Hawaiian Islands.29

With the failure of Wrangell's mission, every mo- tive for retaining possession of Ross disappeared. Accordingly the company decided to abandon it. I give the substance of the council's report rendered to the minister of finance at the end of 1838, or early in 1839, as follows: The accounts of the company show expenses in 1825-9 to have been 45,000 roubles per year, while the annual product, almost exclusively from furs, was 22,000 roubles. In 1837 expenses had increased to 72,000 roubles, and receipts had fallen to 8,000 roubles. As otter-hunting failed, the company had a hope of acquiring lands for agricultural and stock-raising purposes. This hope being lost, there is no motive for further occupation. Politically, the possession has no importance, since "it is not sup- ported by any formal acts or by the acknowledg- ment of any other power;" neither lias it any strategic

29 In May or June 1837, Luis Castillo Negrete wrote to Zamorano that the tsar was negotiating for the purchase of Montercy and San Francisco, with all the country from 35° to 42°. This news came via Madrid. Zamorano to Alvarado in August. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 106; Id., Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 270-7. March 12, 1837, the U. S. consul at Honolulu sent to Washington a slight sketch of the Russian establishment, with the information that the Cal- ifornians in revolution against Mexico had applied to the Russians for aid, which would probably be given on the condition of permission in case of suc- cess to extend their limits to S. F. Bay. This patriotic American thought his govt ought to know 'by what right the subjects of so powerful an empire as Russia, undoubtedly under the sanction of the emperor, have formed a set- tlement on the very borders of its territory, if not within the limit of what ought to be in justice its own possession.' Original blotter in Savage, Doc., MS., ii. 174-6. Zavalishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, MS., 31-3, declares that negotiations with Mexico were useless, because, Ist, In them her right was tacitly acknowledged, not only to Cal., but to New Albion; 2d, Nothing that could be proposed had any value to Mexico; 3d, The company and not the govt was treating; and, 4th, If it came to a purchase, the U. S. could easily outbid the company.

170

THE RUSSIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

advantage, because even if any other power should care to hold such an inaccessible rock as Ross, its oc- cupation could not possibly harm any Russian estab- lishment. Therefore the council has determined to abandon so useless and expensive a possession, dividing the servants and all movable property among other posts of the colonies, and selling or exchanging for wheat in California such property as cannot be con- veniently removed. This determination received the imperial sanction April 15, 1839.30

Manager Rotchef at Ross heard of the determina- tion to abandon the establishment perhaps at the end of 1839, and certainly early in 1840, during which year he made some preparations for departure, send- ing a full cargo and thirty-three persons of the colony to Sitka on the Elena.31 At a conference between Kuprianof and Douglas of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, held at Sitka in April, a proposition was made to sell the Ross establishment for $30,000. "Of course," writes Douglas in his journal, "they cannot sell the soil, but merely the improvements, which we can hold only through a native. "An answer was to be given in the autumn, after consultation with Mc- Loughlin; and as nothing more is heard of the matter, I suppose the English company decided that the pur- chase was not advisable-very likely fearing to dis- please the Californians, and to cause troublesome complications with the United States.32 This nego-

30 Potechin, Selenie Ross, 19-21; Tikhménef, Istor. Obos., i. 365-6. A note of M. Pinart makes the date of the council's report March 20, 1839. Cronise, Nat. Wealth of Cal., 38, gravely assures us that in 1835 the British govt called upon the U. S. to iusist upon the removal of the Russians under the treaty of 1824; and it was in compliance with the request of the U. S. that Ross was abandoned in 1841!" Bidwell, Cal., MS., 94-6, had an idea that the colony was withdrawn on account of the charter being about to ex- pire.

31 Etholiu's letter of Sept. 9, 1840. The Elena had arrived at New Arch- angel on Sept. 3d.

$2 Douglas' Journal, MS., 16. Abont this time it seems that some ar- rangement was made for the bringing of supplies to Sitka in the vessels of the H. B. Co. to avoid the necessity of sending Russian vessels to Cal. Tikhmenef, Istor. Obos., i. 347; Simpson's Narr., 269-70.

171

COMING OF THE 'LAUSANNE.'

tiation having failed, in November the company noti- fied Alvarado of their intention to quit Ross, and proposed that he should buy the property. The gov- ernor asked for further information respecting the nature of the property offered, and made haste to in- form the Mexican government of the impending change.33 A correspondence, more bulky than impor- tant or interesting, on the coming of the Baikal to San Francisco for grain in March, and the non-pay- ment of tonnage dues by the Nikolai in October at the same port,34 is the only other item of local annals to be mentioned in this year, except the somewhat exciting affair to be now narrated.

Josiah Spalding, master of the American ship Lausanne, coming down from the Columbia in July, conceived the brilliant idea that as Bodega was a free port belonging to Russia, he might land his passen- gers there, and perhaps accomplish something in the way of trade, without paying anchorage dues or other duties. In the past, it would seem that the Russians had never permitted such operations, or at least no charges to that effect had ever been made; even on this occasion there is some evidence that Manager Rotchef told Spalding that he must not trade or go by land to San Francisco as he wished.35 But act- ing very carelessly if not with intentional disregard of his duties, Rotchef set out for San Francisco and Monterey, leaving the Lausanne at Bodega, and the captain, crew, and passengers free to do as they

33 Dec. 10, 1840, Jimeno Casarin to min. of int., with contents of Kupria- nof's note of Nov. 23d, from S. F. Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 69-70. Kuprianof's note of Nov. 23d, in Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., ii. 34-5. Dec. 18th, Jimeno to Kostromitinof, in reply to a note of the latter proposing the sale. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 133.

3+ Pinto, Doc., MS., i. 250-2, 297-9, 315-16, 319, 323-4, 329-30; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lv. 12-15; Vallejo, Doc., MS., ix. 289. Simpson, Narr., 306, affirms that Timothy Murphy and Padre Quijas went to Ross for brandy, or bullocks, or something, 'against all rule and precedent,' and this coming to Vallejo's ears, he had them lodged in the calaboose.

35 So Rotchef reported to Etholin, as the latter states in his letter of Sept. 9th, and Alf. Pina in his letter of July 20th from Bodega says that Rotchef had not permitted the captain to accompany him to S. F. Vallejo, Doc., MS., ix. 191.

172

THE RUSSIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

pleased, as there was no Russian guard or officer nearer than Ross. Then Spalding also started for San Francisco, obtaining the services of McIntosh as a guide. Four of the passengers went to Sonoma to ask Vallejo for passports which should enable them to remain in the country. Vallejo was naturally startled at the sudden appearance of these armed for- eigners, with the news that Bodega was practically abandoned by the Russians, and that a foreign vessel was lying there free from all restrictions in respect of contraband trade, or of landing passengers. He imme- diately despatched Alférez Lázaro Piña and a guard of soldiers to Bodega, with instructions to reëmbark all persons who had landed, and to enjoin upon those in charge of the vessel to land no goods on penalty of being treated as smugglers, Monterey being the only port open to foreign trade. Piña was to remain at his post, prevent all traffic and intercourse, keep a strict watch, and report. Subsequently he was directed to collect tonnage dues on the Lausanne at the rate of $1.50 per ton. 86

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

History of California, Volume IV, Part 18

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