History of California, Volume IV, Part 23

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

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14 Douglas' Voyage, MS., 71-3. Jan. 4, 1841, perhaps the very day of the interview, Alvarado writes to the juez at S. F. to use all diplomatic measures to cause Michel and his men to retire pending a decision. Dept. Rec., MS., xii. 1.

13 Jan. 13, 1841, Alvarado to Douglas. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 182. This agreement was to be submitted to the co. for approval. Feb. 15th to

214

HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.

dent that some kind of an arrangement was subse- quently concluded on the basis of one or both propo- sitions, though I have no definite record of the settle- ment, which was doubtless more or less satisfactory to all but the New Helvetian magnate.16 At any rate, the company's trappers did not suspend their opera- ations for several years.

Douglas succeeded also in buying cows and sheep for the north, though he had to take them from the government at higher prices than the rancheros would have demanded. The animals were doubtless driven to the Columbia during the season.17 There were rumors current that Mckay, as representative of the company, was to get a large grant of land in the Sacra- mento Valley, on which the trappers of the interior would have their headquarters. Mofras goes so far as to state that a grant of eleven leagues was actu- ally made; but I find no evidence that such was the fact.18 Of course foreigners of other than English

March 11th, corresp. between Douglas and V. Id., x. 57, 77, 81. So far as this correspondence shows, the only point not settled was that of territory, Douglas wishing a free range of the whole country, and V. desiring at first to restrict the hunters to the region west of the Sacramento.

16 Sutter, Pers. Remin., MS., 63-8, tells us that, thinking it wrong that the furs of the country should be taken away, he complained to the govt, and so high a duty was put on furs that the company had to abandon the field, and then he had it all to himself.

17 The price paid for cows was $6, and for ewes $2. Douglas' Vogage, MS., 75. 4,000 sheep were bought, and also horses for the drovers, which hor.es were sold to Wilkes' party for the return trip. Simpson's Narr., i. 294, 298. 1,100 sheep from Sta Clara mission hy governor's order. St. Pap., Miss., MS., ix. 44.

18 Mofras, Explor., i. 456. Jan. 29, 1841, Ethan Estabrook in a letter to Larkin says: 'The H. B. Co. is playing the devil with the Cal. cattle, if not with Cal. itself. They are preparing to purchase on a large scale. Capt. Hum- phrey informs me that they want at least 100,000 cattle and half a million of sheep if they can be had. Mckay, the chief hunter, is to have a grant in the Tulares of about 30 miles square. This is destined to be the headquarters of their enterprise in the interior. About 120 hunters, well armed and dis- ciplined, are now in the Tulares, and 40 or 50 came as passengers in the bark and proceeded from Monterey to the Tulares headed by McKay to take pos- session of his new estate. This company is to be increased to any number that may be judged requisite for hunting, collecting cattle, etc. It is very casy for the govt of Cal. to admit these people within its limits; but will it be as easy to drive them out? Pienso que no. His excellency has sold some thousand or two of cattle of his own and from the missions, etc. There is, however, quite an excitement above because he will not permit others to sell.' Larkin's Doc., MS., i. 122. Estabrook, it will be remembered, was U. S. consular agent.

215

A PERMANENT POST.

nationality acted from interested motives in spreading exaggerated rumors respecting the company's in- tended encroachments.

Nevertheless it was the company's purpose to have a permanant trading-post in California, whatever may have been their political hopes and aims. To this end largely Douglas directed his observations as re- corded in his journal. His conclusions were: "If we enter into the California trade, I would advise that we should do business with persons of good character only. For this purpose we ought to confine our at- tention to a wholesale trade, supplying the country merchants with goods, and receiving payment from them in hides, tallow, and grain. By this plan we would be secure from great risks. A much less expensive es- tablishment would suffice, the presence of a vessel would not be constantly required, and with these ad- vantages we might count on doing a safe and profit- able business, whereas the retail trade would involve us in heavy expense; and we have no people compe- tent to carry it on and compete with the clever active men now engaged in it, who speak the language fluently and know almost every person in California. We ought at all events to start as wholesale dealers. As San Francisco is the port considered most favor- able from its growing trade, I think we ought either to erect or purchase premises at the Yerba Buena, the most convenient place for shipping within the port. One gentleman with two trusty servants might manage the affairs of the establishment; but it would be better to have two attached to it, as the presence of the principal agent would be occasionally wanted at Monterey to enter consignments and settle matters amicably with the custom-house authorities; as any mismanagement with these people would convert them into bitter enemies and be a source of infinite annoy- ance. If the company do not wish to confine our transactions to the port of San Francisco alone, it will become a matter of calculation whether the busi-

216

THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.

ness can be managed to most advantage by vessels or by having establishments in the greatest seaport towns, such as Monterey, San Pedro, and San Diego. There are a few houses at Yerba Buena. If we intend to purchase wheat in great quantities, we should have a store erected at the embarcadero of Santa Clara, where the farmers would bring their wheat as we bought it, and thus prevent delays in shipment. We should also have 400 bags of twilled sacking holding exactly a fanega when tied, as the country people have no means of transporting grain from their farms to the store."19

In accordance with these views, an agreement was made with Alvarado, by which he pledged himself to permit the company to engage in the California trade by putting one or more vessels under the Mexican flag, and obtaining naturalization papers for the com- manders. He also promised to grant a building-lot at some point to be selected within the port of San Francisco, and to give the company's servants the privilege of pasturing the animals of the establish- ment on the commons.20 The factor's plans were approved on his return to Fort Vancouver in April or May, and Chief Factor McLoughlin immediately despatched his son-in-law, William Glen Rae, with Robert Birnie as a clerk, to take charge of the pro- posed establishment at San Francisco. Douglas wrote to Alvarado May 24th, introducing Rae, and stating that the company had decided not to nationalize any of their vessels this year, having none suitable for the purpose. He says further: "You promised to place the national schooner at our disposal for the transport of any goods sent down this year from the port of entry to San Francisco, and Mr Rae trusts

19 Douglas' Voyage, MS., 85-95. It is unfortunate in this connection that that part of the journal describing the visit to S. F. is not extant.

20 Jan. 11, 1841, Douglas to Alvarado, stating the conclusions reached at interviews as he understood them, and asking the governor's approval in writing. Vallejo, Dor., MS., xxxiii. 177. Jan. 13th, blotter of A.'s approval. Id., 182. Corresp. also noted in Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 173-9.

217

RAE AT SAN FRANCISCO.

entirely to your good offices to push him through the difficulties of entering by a foreign vessel. I made no selection of land at San Francisco, but Mr Rae will either do so now or purchase a convenient lot from some of the inhabitants there."21

Rae arrived at Monterey in August on the Cow- litz, which came by way of Honolulu with a cargo on which duties amounting to over $10,000 were paid. No trouble was made about the transfer to San Fran- cisco,22 where the agent proceeded to buy from Jacob P. Leese a lot on which stood a building occupied Mrs Rae from that time as store and dwelling.

joined her husband at the end of the year.23 James A. Forbes acted as a kind of sub-agent for Rae at San José. Of the company's business in California under the new arrangement I have been able to find no definite records for several years; but it is under- stood to have been moderately prosperous.24 It is re-

21 May 24, 1841, D. to A. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 210. He also sent some gifts, which he begged the gov. to accept.

22 Aug. 23, 1841, gov. to juez at S. F. The supercargo of the Carotide (?) is authorized to land his goods and form his warehouse where he pleases. Dept. Rec., MS., xii. 17.

23 Birnie, Personal Adven., MS., 4-5, who came as clerk with Rae, tells us that for the 100-vara lot and the frame and adobe building, $4,600 was paid, half in money and half in goods. Mrs Harvey, formerly Mrs Rae, Life of McLoughlin, MS., p. 22, describes the building which was near what was later Montgomery St, between Clay and Sacramento, as about 30x80 feet, divided in the middle by a hall into store and dwelling. Hittell, Hist. S. F., 89, says that Rae hought out Leese's business as well as his store. The ear- liest communication from Rae in person which I have found is one addressed to Alvarado on Nov. Ist. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 238. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 179-98, says that the company applied to him for permission to establish a protestant church at S. F., which he refused. The general de- fends his act at some length, stating that he was much blamed for it; but I find no other reference to the matter whatever.

24 Hittell, Hist. S. F., 89-90, apparently on the authority of Leese, says: ' Ray saw that there was an excellent opportunity to monopolize the trade of the bay. The great capital of the company gave them an advantage over in- dividual competitors, and the profits of trade would justify the attempt. Mr Leese, unable to compete with them, sold out his store and business to them, and moved to Sonoma. The American merchants had paid for their hides and tallow on delivery, in merchandise upon which great profits were made. Ray offered to pay half cash and half merchandise, and to pay the merchan- dise share in advance. These terms were so much better for the rancheros than those of the Americans, that the latter could get but little trade, and the Hudson Bay Co. rapidly grew in importance; but in 1844 (?) Sir Geo. Simpson, the governor of the company, visited the coast, condemned Ray's payment in advance, and refused to approve the purchase of the house.'

218

HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.

lated that Rae when in his cups, and questioned by inquisitive persons, used to say it had cost his com- pany £75,000 to drive Bryant and Sturgis from the north-west trade in furs; "and they will drive you Yankees from California if it costs a million."

At the end of the year, on December 30th, the Cowlitz came back to San Francisco from the Colum- bia, having on board Sir George Simpson, governor- in-chief of the Hudson's Bay Company, John Mc- Loughlin, chief factor of the company on the Pacific coast, M. Duflot de Mofras, the French traveller, Horatio Hale of the U. S. exploring expedition, and Mrs Rae, wife of the agent at San Francisco.25 Early in January Simpson, accompanied by McLoughlin, Rae, and Forbes, crossed the bay to Sonoma, spend- ing a night on the way with Timothy Murphy, and being hospitably entertained for two days by Vallejo and family.26 Returning, he visited the Mission Do- lores, and sailed for Monterey on January 12th, arriv- ing three days later. At the capital the two distin- guished travellers were entertained by Spence and Watson, and met Ermatinger, who with his trappers had come down overland by the usual route. At Santa Bárbara, on the 23d-26th, they were received

Simpson in his narrative hints at no such disapproval, and indeed says really nothing about the company's affairs in California. Phelps, Fore and Aft, 271-5, gives a version very different from that of Hittell, saying that the com- pany's agents could not compete with the Boston traders, whose system of doing business was different and far better adapted to the condition of the Californians. The company could not depart from its long-established sys- tem of cash or barter and no credit. The people had no money, and had been used to pay the Boston ships in hides and tallow when they could; therefore the company got no customers and finally had to remove all their effects, sell- ing out to Mellus & Howard in 1846 for $5,000. Both Phelps and Alfred Rob- inson erroneously connect Rae's arrival with that of Simpson.

25 Voyage, arrival, and passengers. Simpson's Narr., i. 253-74; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lv. 17-18. They found in port the Russian exiles of Ross on board the Constantine, about 100 souls, men, women, and children, ' all patriotically delighted to exchange the lovely climate of California for the ungenial skies of Sitka.'

26 He speaks in flattering terms of Vallejo generally, but some of his ex- pressions about the meals served, which he did not altogether admire, and which he described to illustrate the Californian style of living, have appar- ently given offence to a writer in the Sta Rosa Democrat, Jan. 2. 1873, who attributes his slighting remarks to disappointment in not having succeeded in making Vallejo see the beanties of an English protectorate!

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SUTTER'S THREATS.

with great ceremony by the new bishop, and Simpson made known to Doña Concepcion Argüello under what circumstances Rezánof, her lover of 1807, had died, for the lady had never seen Langsdorff's book. Then the Cowlitz sailed away for the Islands.

Of his company's enterprise in California, Simpson has nothing whatever to say.27 The vessel brought down some articles for Rae's establishment, which, notwithstanding recent friendly relations, had to be carried to Monterey and sent back to Yerba Buena at considerable expense-a circumstance which caused some not very complimentary criticism of the revenue system and management.23 On one subject, however, as is shown by the archive records, the governor had occasion to act officially. Captain Sutter had natu- rally been displeased at the fur-hunting concessions and had probably made some foolish threats, as was his custom, of not submitting. Rae complained to Alva- rado on the subject in November, and Sutter was per- haps warned not to interfere;29 but subsequently the Swiss adventurer tried to accomplish his purpose in another way by involving his rivals in trouble with the government. In connection with his threats of overthrowing the Mexican power in northern Califor- nia, he gave out that his movement was to be sup- ported by the trappers, and apparently went so far as to send out his confidential agent, Custot, to excite the Canadian hunters. Vallejo sent a complaint, with

27 Alfred Robinson, Statement, MS., 17; Life in Cal., 198-9, tells us the idea was prevalent that Simpson's visit and his efforts to gain friends were connected with a plan not only to monopolize the country's trade, but per- haps also to get hold of the country itself.

28 Simpson says there was much disappointment at Monterey when it was learned that he had no cargo of goods on which to pay duties. The fear had been-he thinks without any reason-that the duties, if paid at S. F., would fall into Vallejo's hands. According to Dept. St. Pap., MS., lv. 17, the Cowlitz had refused to pay even tonnage dues, and protested against the order to remain at Yerba Buena only 48 hours.

29 Nov. 1, 1841, Rae to Alvarado. Sutter is determined to oppose the governor's permission to trap in Cal .; relying on that permission, the co. has sent a party of hunters, whose arrival is daily expected. Serious loss will result if their operations are interfered with. An order is solicited forbid- ding Sutter's interference. an order which, however, will be used only in case of absolute necessity. l'allejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 238.

220

VISITS AND BOOKS.

proofs, to Simpson, who at once gave the desired assurance that his men would not be allowed to take any part in Sutter's revolutionary schemes, and sent corresponding orders to Ermatinger.3) Later in 1842 there were two parties of the company's trappers at work in the country under Ermatinger and Lafram- boise respectively. This was under the provisional permit to hunt on condition of paying duties on all skins obtained; and Vallejo permitted the company's vessel to land supplies for the men at Bodega.31

Sir George Simpson had sailed from Liverpool in March 1841, for a trip round the world. His route was to Halifax, Boston, and Montreal; thence direct- ly across the continent in British territory to Fort Colville, and to the mouth of the Columbia; up the coast by land and water to Sitka and back, inspecting the company's posts; to California, Sandwich Islands, Sitka, and Okhotsk by sea; and thence across the con- tinent to St Petersburg; reaching London in October 1842. The traveller published an interesting narra- tive of his journey in two volumes, devoting about

30 Jan. 12, 1842, Simpson to Vallejo. 'My Dear General. I was this morning concerned and very much surprised to learn that Mr Sutor has writ- ten highly improper, threatening, and insulting letters to yourself and Gov. Alvarado; and that it is reported throughout the country that he counts upon the support and countenance of the H. B. Co. in the offensive measures against the government which it is said he threatens. I can scarcely think it possible that either your Excellency or the governor can for a moment give credence to any report that may reach you of our having any connection or communication directly or indirectly with Mr Sutor, or with any one else, of a political character, or unfavorable or unfriendly either to yourself or the governor. On the contrary, I heg to assure you that we shall always be ready to discountenance, by every means in our power, any measures either hostile or offensive to the authorities and laws of the country, in the tran- quillity and prosperity of which we feel deeply interested. And in accord- ance with this assurance, I beg to forward a letter, left open for your peru- sal, addressed to Mr Ermatinger, the commander of our trapping expedition. Mr McLoughlin unites with me in warmest and best wishes.' Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 22. Same date, Simpson to Ermatinger, of similar purport. Id., x. 36. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 111-16, also gives a full account of the subject.

31 April 28, 1842, V. permits a vessel to touch at Cape Mendocino or Bo- dega. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 212. Sept. 23d, McLoughlin to V. Thanks for the privilege, and details of the hunting license. Id., xi. 264. Bidwell, Cal., 1841-8, MS., 99-102, tells us that the trappers continued to drive cattle and horses to Oregon on their return trip each spring, more and more as the years passed by and the profits of the fur trade declined.

221

SIR GEORGE SIMPSON.

150 pages to California.32 This English visitor de- scribes in a most charming style his own experience and impressions of what he saw, introducing here and there, with a pleasing disregard of order, sketches of the country's history, condition, prospects, people, and institutions. He had not much time, as we have seen, for observation and study, but he had the benefit of Douglas' experience as well as that of others; and while in his narrative he does not enter exhaustively into any matter, he speaks intelligently of many, fall- ing into no serious errors, showing no strong preju- dices, indulging in neither abuse nor flattery. I ap- pend a few quotations, which show the spirit of his

C.Disappointment

Columbia

Vollare Stone R.

R. Missouri

Fr Goorge ur Ft.Astoria

Fort

or. Cotyp

Vancouver

UNITE

Wallace Ho.

Platte R.

·Fort

Bodegop

Kansas R.

Arkansas R.

St. Louis

Port-S. Fronciacon

S.Carlosp

Sta. Fe

· Nashville

Monte Reno

. Hamilton

S.Barberis

S.Jpad

Charlestown

S Diegos

S.Ignacio:

S. Miguel?

Natchens

Savannaho

S Domingo

Bisann

Chilmalys

120

·CAT ..

ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

N. Santander B.

Red R.

Sonora

SIMPSON'S MAP.

observations; and I shall have occasion to allude else- where to his views of the country's future destiny po- litically, and to some of his local descriptions. 83

32 Simpson, Narrative of a Journey round the World during the years 1841 and 1842. By Sir George Simpson, Governor-in-Chief of the Hudson's Bay Company's territories in North America. London, 1847. Svo, 2 vel. Portrait and map. The matter deveted to California is found in vol. i., p. 267-411; and that country is also represented on the general map of the world shewing the traveller's route. I deem the map worth reproduction on an enlarged scale.

33 ' Here on the very thiresheld of the country, was California in a nutshell, nature doing everything and man doing nothing-a text on which our whole sejourn prevcd to be little but a running commentary ... The trade of the whole province is entirely iu the hands of foreigners, who are almost exclu- sively of the English race. Of that race, however, the Americans are more numerous than the British-the fermer naturally flecking in greater force to neutral ground, while the latter find advantageous outlets in their own na-

Ohio

C.de los Reys

K.Buendven o fr

SE A ROCK

R. Sacramentu

R. Colorado

Willamatt

Lewis or

222

VISITS AND BOOKS.

Two other sources of information about California in 1841 I will speak of here, though their only claini to be connected with commercial and maritime affairs consists in the fact that one was a proposition to con- nect the two oceans by a railroad, and the other was a description of a visit by the captain of a trading vessel. The idea of building a railroad across the continent originated at a date not yet settled;34 but

tional colonies. The foreigners are to the Californians as one to ten; while by their monopoly of trade and their command of resources, to say nothing of their superior energy and intelligence, they already possess vastly more than their numerical proportion of political influence, exciting but little jealousy, most of them being Catholics and married. .. Neither butter nor cheese nor any preparation of milk whatever is to be found in the province. The native wine that we tasted-except at Sta Bárbara -- was such trash as nothing but politeness could have induced us to swallow.

'The population of California in particular has been drawn from the most indolent variety of au indolent species, being composed of superannuated troop- ers and retired office-holders and their descendants. .. Such settlers were not likely to toil for much more thau what the cheap bounty of nature afforded- horses to ride, beef to eat, with hides and tallow to exchange for such other supplies as they wanted. In a word, they displayed more than the proverbial indolence of a pastoral people, for they did not even devote their idle hours to the tending of their herds. Gen. Vallejo is a good-looking man of about 45, who has risen in the world by his own talent and energy. His father died about 10 years ago, leaving to a large family of sons and daughters little other inheritance than a degree of intelligence and steadiness almost unknown in the country. . . What a curious dictionary of circumlocutions a Monterey Direc- tory would be !... Alvarado, whateverability he may have displayedin rising from an inferior rank to be the first man in California, has not allowed the cares of government to prey on his vitals, for the revolution of 1836, amid its other changes, has metamorphosed its champion from a thin and spare conspirator into a plump and punchy lover of singing, and dancing, and feasting. He received us very politely ... Throughout the whole of Spanish America the machine called a government appears to exist only for its own sake, the grand secret of office being to levy a revenue and consume it; public men have little or no object in life but to share the booty, while private individuals look with apathy on intrigues which promise no others change than that of the names of their plunderers. .. Implicit obedience and profound respect are shown by children, even after they are grown up, toward their parents. A son, though himself the head of a family, never presumes to sit or smoke or remain cov- ered in the presence of his father; nor does a daughter whether married or not enter into too great familiarity with the mother. With this exception, the Californians know little or nothing of the restraints of etiquette. .. Balls look more like a matter of business than anything else that is done. .. In all but the place of their birthi the colonists of Spain have continued to be genuine Span- iards ... Foreigners and natives cordially mingle together as members of one and the same harmonious family. The virtue of hospitality knows no bounds. In a word, the Californians are a happy people, possessing the means of phy- sical pleasure to the full, and knowing no higher kind of enjoyment.'

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 23

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