History of California, Volume IV, Part 32

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

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301

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

The action of Jones was thus far amply justified by the existing critical circumstances. There was no clutching at straws of weak pretence for a movement against California; he had sufficient reasons for his fears that the interests of his country were endan- gered; and he might justly have been blamed had his action been less prompt. In expressing approval, however, of Jones' policy and acts, it is by no means necessary to approve or even discuss the position taken by the council of officers in defence of the Mon- roe doctrine, and the right to forestall the English by seizing California, even if there was no war with Mexico. For what had been done other motives were more than sufficient; in what followed, as we shall see, this motive had but little influence. In case of war, and pending a final settlement, there can be no question that the American commodore had a perfect right to forestall the English admiral in seizing and holding any Mexican territory.

On the 18th of October the two men-of-war were close to the coast of California, without having touched at any port since leaving Callao, or seen any sail since crossing the equator. An order was issued to the men, forbidding under severe penalties all plunder, insult, or excesses on shore in the stirring scenes that might soon be expected. " During the battle and

sequently I am without instructions, or the slightest intimation of your views and wishes upon what I consider a vital question to the U. S .- the occupa- tion of Cal. by Great Britain under a secret treaty with Mexico. In this dilemma, all that I can promise is a faithful and zealous application of my best abilities to promote and sustain the honor and welfare of my country.' Sept. 23d, letter from some one on the Dale at Panamá to the N. Y. Even- ing Post, in Niles' Reg., lxiii. 243, and Lancey's Cruise of the Dale, 31, giving a résumé of movements and supposed plans. There are some later reports of Jones to be noticed in their place, which go briefly over the same ground, but add nothing to what has been given. Dr R. T. Maxwell, Monterey in 1842, MS., 5-6, who was assistant surgeon on the U. S., and S. S. Culverwell, in Davis' Glimpses, MS., 93-4, who was powder-boy on the same vessel, both now residing in S. Francisco, give some details and rumors connected with the setting-out from Callao, as well as a narrative of later occurrences. Jay, Mexican War, 83-5, is disposed to ridicule and condemn Jones' action, and gives the matter a political aspect, by noting that Jones, the three officers of the council, and the secretary of the navy, were all from the slave states.

305

WAR WITH MEXICO.

strife every man must do his utmost to take and destroy, but when the flag is struck all hostility must cease, and you must even become the protectors of all and not the oppressors of any."10 Rounding Point Pinos at dawn next morning, Jones soon saw that at least Thomas had not reached Monterey before him. He raised English colors, and at noon boarded a Mexican vessel coming out of the harbor, the master of which professed not to have heard of any hostilities between Mexico and the United States.11 Approach- ing the town with the captured vessel, the two men- of-war under the stars and stripes anchored at 2:45 P. M. as close to the castillo as the depth of the water would permit. After what seemed a long delay, two Californian officers approached in a boat, but seemed so nervous and reserved as to excite suspicion, though they declared that no news had been received of war. An officer of the American ship Fama, lying at anchor in the harbor, being summoned, stated that reports of war were current at Honolulu, and that here he had heard the report that England was to take possession of the country. Moreover, a general stir was notice- able on shore, with signs of preparation for defence; and it was deemed a suspicious circumstance that no Americans came on board from the town.

"The time for action had now arrived," says the commodore, and I cannot do better than to use his own words; "whilst nothing had occurred to shake my belief in the certainty of hostilities with Mexico, the reiterated rumored cession of California to England

10 Oct. 18th, Jones to his men. General order, in Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 41-2, 78-9.

11 Capt. Snook was the master, and the vessel was the Joven Guipuzcoana. I have original statements from three persons who were on the Guipuzcoana at the time. José Arnaz, Recuerdos, MS., 52-5, was supercargo. José María Estudillo, Datos, MS., 42-5, a hoy at the time, was a passenger with his cousin, Doña María de Jesus Estudillo, whose story is told in Davis' Glimpses, MS., 98, etc., the young lady having married Davis later. Mrs Snook was also on hoard. The narratives mentioned, especially that of Miss Estu- dillo, contain many interesting details of their brief eaptivity, which, how- ever, have no special historical importance. The ladies were set ashore next morning. Davis says that Snook succeeded during the night in secretly landing the most valuable part of his cargo before an inventory was taken. HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 20

306

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

was strengthened by what I have already related. Hence no time was to be lost, as another day might bring Admiral Thomas with a superior force to take posses- sion in the name of his sovereign; General Michelto- rena, or the new governor-general of California, might appear to defend his capital, within less than three days' march of which he was then said to be. If I took possession of the country and held it by right of conquest in war, and there was war with Mexico, all would be right; then if the English should come and claim under a treaty of cession, as such treaties do not give title till possession is had, I should have estab- lished a legal claim for my country to the conquered territory, and at least have placed her on strong grounds for forcible retention or amicable negotiations, as after circumstances might dictate. If Admiral Thomas should afterwards arrive and attempt to supplant our flag on shore, the marines of the squadron to man the guns of the fort without weakening our ships would insure us the victory, and the responsibility would rest on the English commander. On the other hand, if it should turn out that amicable relations had been re- stored between the United States and Mexico, that Mexico had not parted with the Californias, and that at the time I demanded and took possession of Mon- terey there was no war, the responsibility of the act at first might seem to rest on me, certainly not on our government, who gave no orders upon the subject. But if I am right (of which there can be little doubt) in assigning to Mexico the attitude of a nation having declared conditional war, then, under all the circum- stances of the case, Mexico is the aggressor, and as such is responsible for all evils and consequences re- sulting from the hostile and menacing position in which she placed herself on the fourth of June last. But I may be wrong, toto calo, in all my deductions and conclusions. If so, I may forfeit my commission and all that I have acquired in seven and thirty years' devotion to my country's service. Terrible as such a

307

DEMAND FOR SURRENDER.

consequence would be to me and my family, it was not sufficient to deter me from doing what I believed to be my duty, when a concatenation of unforeseen and unforeseeable events required prompt and energetic action for the honor and interests of my country."12

At 4 P. M. on the 19th of October, Captain James Armstrong was sent ashore under a flag of truce to de- mand a surrender of the post to the United States, "to avoid the sacrifice of human life and the horrors of war" that would be the immediate result of non-com- pliance. The demand, addressed to the governor and military and civil commandant of Monterey, was pre- sented to Alvarado, who was given until 9 o'clock the next day to consider the proposition, though he said that he did not hold the positions named in the ad- dress.13 At 6 P. M. Alvarado went through the for- mality of demanding from the comandante, Captain Mariano Silva, what were the existing means of de- fence; and was informed an hour later that the fortifi- cations " were of no consequence, as everybody knows."14 Then a consultation of officials and leading citizens was held at the governor's house, where it was of course decided that resistance was impossible; and just be- fore midnight a commission, consisting of Captain Pedro Narvaez representing the military authority, and José Abrego the civil, was sent on board to ar- range the terms of surrender.15 Thomas O. Larkin served as interpreter. After two hours of discussion,

12 Jones to sec. navy, Oct. 24th, in Jones at Monterey, 69-73, containing a full narrative of events from Sept. 13th to date.

13 Oct. 19th, Jones to Alvarado, demanding surrender, and enclosing arti- cles of capitulation. In Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 22-3, 74-5, Niles' Reg., lxiii. 337. Jones signs himself 'Commander in-chief of the U. S. naval forces on the Pacific station, and of the naval and military expedition for the occu- pation of Old and New California,'etc. Jones states (see note 12) that Alva- rado 'unhesitatingly consented to surrender. .. without asking a single ques- tion, or even inquiring why we appeared in hostile array,' etc .; but this seems to me unlikely.

14 Oct. 19th, A. to S., and reply. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 21. The force reported was 29 soldiers, 25 militia, with 11 cannon nearly all useless and lacking ammunition, and 150 muskets.

15 Oct. 19th, Alvarado to Jones, announcing that, as he has before stated, he had no military authority, hence the commission. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 23, 76.

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

the terms were settled, to be signed at 9 A. M .; and be- fore the commissioners returned, Alvarado despatched a letter to Micheltorena, stating the situation, enclos- ing past correspondence, and declaring that "without doubt Monterey will be to-morrow occupied by the enemy." 7."'16 At or before the hour appointed, the arti- cles of capitulation were signed by Armstrong, Abre- go, and Narvaez, subsequently receiving the approval of Jones, Alvarado, and Silva. The territory sur- rendered was the district of Monterey extending from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Bautista; and it was specified that Alvarado signed the articles "from mo- tives of humanity; the small force at his disposal af- fording no hope of successful resistance against the powerful force brought against him."17

At 11 A. M. on the 20th, Jones sent ashore 150 men, marines and sailors, under Commander Strib- ling.18 The garrison marched out of the fort "with music, and colors flying," and gave up their arms at the government house. The American force took possession of the abandoned castillo, over which the stars and stripes were raised in place of the Mexican flag that had just been lowered, and a few minutes after noon a salute was fired on the frigate and sloop,

16 Oct. 19th (20th), 2 A. M., A. to M. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 20-1. He notes the capture of the Guipuzcoana, and says that probably the Clarita, Trinidad, and California will share her fate. Francisco Soto was the messen- ger sent south by Alvarado, and in 1844 had not yet received the $60 due him for the service. Dept. St. Pap., Mont. Cust .- H., MS., v. (482). Capt. Mejía of the batallon is also said by many to have arrived just at this time, and to have turned back at once with the news.

17 Articles of capitulation, etc., in Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 30-1, 77-8. Substantially the same as those first proposed by Jones. Id., 22-3. They bear the date of Oct 19th, though it should be Oct. 20th. The garrison and all regular Mexican troops were to become prisoners of war, and with all civil officers were to be sent to a Mexican port, at the expense of the U. S., under parole not to take up arms until exchanged; but militia were simply to give up their arms, and were to forfeit no personal privilege or right of property so long as they should take no part against the U. S. All public property was to be given up under inventory. Security of persons, of private property on shore, and religious rights was guaranteed to the Californians; and debts of the govt of Mexico to the inhabitants were assumed by the U. S., provided no hostilities were committed, etc.

18 Capt. Armstrong; lieutenants, Robbins, Lardner, Dulany, Avery, and Shattuck; Prof. Lockwood acting as adjutant; Purser Gibson, and Dr Max- well were also of the party. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 72.

300

STARS AND STRIPES.

the guns of the fort replying. Alvarado had retired to his rancho of Alisal and was not present at the lowering of his country's flag. No one was even tem- porarily deprived of his liberty, and a proclamation was issued in Spanish and English with a view to teach the people how great a blessing had been vouch- safed to them in the change of flag.19

19 ' Although I come in arms as the representative of a powerful nation, upon whom the central government of Mexico has waged war, I come not to spread desolation among California's peaceful inhabitants. It is against the armed enemies of my country, banded and arrayed under the flag of Mexico, that war and its dread consequences will be enforced. Inhabitants of Califor- nia ! You have only to remain at your homes in pursuit of peaceful vocations to insure security of life, person, and property from the consequences of an unjust war, into which Mexico has plunged you. Those stars and stripes, in- fallible emblems of civil liberty, etc., now float triumphantly before you, and henceforth and forever will give protection and security to you, to your children, and to unborn countless thousands. All the rights and privileges which you now enjoy, together with the privilege of choosing your own magistrates and other officers for the administration of justice among your- selves, will be secured to all who remain peaceably at their homes and offer no resistance to the forces of the U. S. Such of the inhabitants of Cal., whether natives or foreigners, as may not be disposed to accept the high privi- lege of citizenship, and to live peaceably under the free govt of the U. S., will be allowed time to dispose of their property and to remove out of the country, without any other restriction, while they remain in it, than the ob- servance of strict neutrality-total abstinence from taking part directly or in- directly in the war against the U. S .. . All provisions and supplies . . will be paid for at fair rates. No private property will be taken for public ase with- out just compensation.' Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 79-81, 31-2. This doc. also is dated Oet. 19th instead of 20th. Jay, Mexican War, 84-6, says the proclamation was in print, and must have been printed in Washington or Callao; but I think he is in error. I do not find it at all in the archives.

I have several narratives from memory of the taking of Monterey; but it must be confessed they add nothing to the information contained in the original correspondence, while nearly all contain noticeable errors. Max- well, Monterey in 1842, MS., 7-11, asserts that the surrender was deemed a rusc, that 500 men landed, that the storming party marched up a ravine to the fort, where they found 9 guns commanding the ravine, concealed by green boughs, loaded and primed, with the matches burning within a few inches of the powder! Davis, Glimpses of the Past, MS., 97-106, 231, gives an inter- esting narrative, but says that Alvarado left Monterey on the approach of the vessels without waiting for the summons to surrender. Culverwell, in Id., 93-6, also says Alvarado was out of town; and he represents the men on board the vessels as having felt considerable fear of the guns on shore. Mrs Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 126-30, says that Alvarado was at first disposed not to surrender, but to make a show of resistance and then run away; but was not permitted by his friends to do as he wished. She says Jones' secretary cams to hicr house to demand the key of the custom-house, Pablo de la Guerra who had had it having gone to Sta Bárbara. She told him she had not the key, and he threatened to break in the door. Robinson, Life in Cal., 210-11, says that Alvarado observed at the time that he preferred to surrender to the Americans rather than submit to Micheltorena; and this idea has been often repeated. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 297-311, quotes a letter from Spence, in which he says the U. S. flag was raised on a temporary staff erected by the

310

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

At 7 P. M. David Spence wrote Vallejo, "All is tranquil; and the town is almost deserted, for many of the officials have fled to the country." Quiet reigned over the captured capital through the night, and next day the 'war with the United States' came to an end. Larkin, on his visit to the fleet, had as interpreter expressed some doubts about the reported hostilities, as they were not mentioned in late news from Mexico; but he was unable to procure for Jones any late papers or despatches, which circumstance had served to increase the latter's suspicions. Landing in person in the morning of October 21st to inspect the fortifications, the commodore was again told that the news from Mexico was late and pacific. Secretary Reintrie and Chaplain Bartow, being sent to search for details, found in the comisario's office Mexican papers of August 4th, and private commercial letters from Mazatlan of still later date. The information thus obtained not only clearly indicated that relations between the two nations were still friendly down to August, but also that the rumor of cession to Eng- land was unfounded. The Mexican papers, in contra- dicting the rumor, even cited the Monroe doctrine as one of the obstacles in the way of such a cession, even if it had been desirable, which was denied. "This change in the aspect of international affairs," writes Jones, "called for prompt action on my part. The motives and only justifiable grounds for demanding a surrender of the territory were thus suddenly re- moved, or at least rendered so doubtful as to make it my duty to restore things as I had found them, with

sailors. And Gonzalez, in a memorandum in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiv. 112, says the Mexican flag-staff was cut down. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 18, gives no details. See also Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 422-6; Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 70-4; Estudillo, Datos, MS., 41-4; Torre, Remin., MIS., 103-5; Castro, Relacion, MS., 70-2; Pinto, Apunt., MS., 87-9; Ezquer, Memoria, MS., 16; Vallejo (J. J.), Remin., MS., 157-8; Galindo, Apuntes, MS., 46; Robinson's Statement, MS., 16. Printed accounts besides those already mentioned, Mofras, Explor., i. 311-14; Tuthill's Hist. Cal., 148-9; Marer's Mexico as It Was, 359-65; Greenhow's Ilist. Oregon, 367-8; Cronise's Nat. Wealth Cal., 51; Copron's Conquest of Cal., 38; American Quarterly Register, ii. 136; Frignet, La Californie, 62-3; Robinson's Cal. Gold Region, 72.

311

MONTEREY RESTORED TO MEXICO.

the least possible delay." After a short conference with Armstrong and Stribling, he sent a communica- tion to Alvarado and Silva, proposing to restore all to the exact condition of the 19th, which was done with all due ceremony late in the afternoon, the American garrison retiring to their vessels, which immediately fired a salute in honor of the Mexican flag. Official visits of courtesy were exchanged; re- lations altogether friendly were established; and Mi- cheltorena was duly notified of all that had occurred,20 the Cyane being sent down to Sta Bárbara with the despatch, and Micheltorena being assured that the commodore would await his arrival at Monterey.21

Jones remained in the north until the end of the year, deeming it prudent to await positive information from his government respecting Mexican relations. During this time his relations with the authorities were altogether friendly, though he found it necessary to issue a warning that Mexico would be held respon- sible for any acts of hostility to foreigners, since it was feared that the news of the retrocession of the capital might not be so promptly circulated as had been that of the capture.22 On the 22d Jones made a report to Waddy Thompson, U. S. minister in Mex- ico, in which he wrote: "It is a source of great satis- faction, that notwithstanding what has happened, no angry words or unkind expressions have been used by

20 Jones to sec. navy. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 71-3. Oct. 20th, Spence to Vallejo. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 297. Oct. 21st, Jones to Alvarado and Silva. Jones at Monterey, 33, 81. Jones to Micheltorena. Id., 33-4, 40. Silva to M. Id., 32-3. Alvarado to M. Id., 32. ' My heart bounds with joy in my bos- om,' writes Alvarado; 'the joy of the people is complete.' Oct. 21st, 22d, Silva to Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 250, 281; Prado Mesa to V. Id., xi. 277-8. Oct. 23d, Alvarado to V. Id., xi. 282-3. Oct. 23d, Richardson to V., with account of the whole affair as learned by Howard of the California from Pico and Pinto at Sta Clara. Id., xi. 284. The story was that war had been declared at Washington on June 5th.

21 According to a letter from Jas P. Arthur to Capt Richardson, Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 295, the sloop was expected to bring the general north.

22 Oct. 25th, Jones to Alvarado. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 43, 83. Oct. 29th, A.'s reply from Alisal. No hostilities intended or to be permitted. Id., 44, 84. Oct. 24th, J. to A., on his orders of Oct. 18th to preserve order and prevent outrage. Oct. 25th, Estrada to J., assuring him that the gov. had not placed any reliance on the rumors of danger. Id., 41-4, 81-4.

312

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

either party; and that, although we had 150 seamen and marines on shore 30 hours, not one private house was entered, or the slightest disrespect shown to any individual; nor was any species of property, public or private, spoiled, if I except the powder burnt in the salutes, which I have returned twofold." On the 24th a report was made to the secretary of the navy, which I have had occasion to cite before.23 Meanwhile the captured vessels, the Guipuzcoana, Clarita, Trin- idad, and California, had been released; and the stars and stripes raised by enthusiastic Americans at Santa Cruz replaced by the Mexican flag.24 The master of a vessel lying at San Francisco afterwards convinced himself that the interests of his owners had in some way been injured by the occurrence at Monterey ; 25 there was a little correspondence of a mildly warlike tone among Californians, with preparations for defence sufficing at least to create a claim against the treas- ury;26 and I even find the blotter of a proclamation, probably not circulated, in which Colonel Vallejo al- ludes to Jones' act as a "violation of the rights of hospitality, the law of nations, and the trust with which he had been received by the authorities at Mon- terey," and calls upon the people to reject such allure- ments as were held out in the 'scandalous proclamation' of the 19th, and to take up arms for their country.27

23 Oct. 24th, Jones to sec. navy, in Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 69-73. Oct. 22d, J. to Thompson. Id., 87-90; Jones, Agresion en Californias, 91-2. 24 Bellen's Hist. Statement, MS., 35. Weeks, Remin., MS., 114, mentions the fact that Belden himself climbed the flag-staff, and otherwise took a prom- inent part in the change.

25 Pinto, Doc., MS., i. 388-90. The vessel was the Primavera, and the damage resulted from detention for 6 days, desertion of sailors, etc. There is no record that any satisfaction was ever received.

26 Oct. 30th, Alvarado to Vallejo. Jones tries to give satisfaction, but his conduct can but inspire distrust. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 286. Nov. 15th, Silva to V. Is ready at the slightest alarm to call the people together and de- fend the country. Id., xi. 306. Dee. 2d, Micheltorena to V. Jones' attitude not being very clear, he is to watch closely and be ready to defend the northern frontier. Id., xi. 311. Orders of March 1843 for the payment of a small bill, $202, for supplies furnished by Castañares to ' 100 men who took up arms dur- ing the days of the American invasion.' Dept. St. Pap., MS., xii. 2; Id., Ben. Cust .- Hf., v. 10-11; Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 49.

27 Vallejo, Doc., MS., xiv. 35. The blotter bears no date, but was written in October.

313

RESULTS IN THE NORTH.

Yet the serenity of the north was not seriously dis- turbed by the American invasion; and the commo- dore's personal and social relations with the inhabitants of the invaded country were of a most friendly na- ture.28

On October 26th, the Yorktown, Nicholas com- mander, arrived at San Francisco from Callao,29 and proceeding to Monterey, was despatched on or about November 21st to Mazatlan and San Blas, to cruise later in the gulf. She carried Lieutenant H. T. Hartstene as a bearer of despatches to Washington. At the same time the United States, under Armstrong, was sent to the Sandwich Islands for supplies,80 the broad pennant being transferred to the Cyane. On November 1st the commodore had, in a letter to Micheltorena, accepted that officer's proposition to hold a personal conference in the south, and had ex- pressed his intention of coming down the coast about the middle of November;31 but he was detained much longer, both by the non-arrival of other vessels belong- ing to his fleet, and by his investigations and efforts to obtain some legal authentication in the case of the Americans who claimed damages for exile in 1840. He was not brilliantly successful in this undertaking, as the reader is already aware;32 and doubtless soon convinced himself that the claims had but slight foundation in justice. December 11th, he sailed on

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 32

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