History of California, Volume IV, Part 33

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

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28 Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 341-2, says that Castro disliked Jones, and was the only one who sought to undermine his popularity. His hostility grew out of Jones' investigation of the Graham affair. Several Californians say that a grand ball was given to Jones after the restoration of Monterey; but Mrs Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 329, tells us that the ball was given to Arm- strong after Jones' departure.

29 Oct. 26th, Richardson, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 292.

30 Nov. 16th, 21st, Jones to sec. navy, on his plans. Dec. 7th, Parrott to Id., announcing arrival of the Yorktown at Mazatlan Dec. Gth. Jones at Mon- terey, 1842, p. 90-3. Maxwell, Monterey in 1842, MS., 10-11, says the ves- sels sailed on Nov. 22d. Hartstene crossed Mexico, and arrived Jan. 13th at N. Orleans on the Wm Bryan. Niles' Reg., Ixiii. 337.

31 Nov. 1, 1842, J. to M., in Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 37-9. Hc writes in a conciliatory tone, defending his past action; and he offers to carry in the vessel soon to be despatched any communications or messenger the general may desire to send to Mexico.

32 See chap. i. of this vol .; also Castro, Doc., MS., i. 66-114, for the orig- inal corresp. on this subject, lasting from Nov. 13th to Dec. 30th.

314

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

the Cyane, and arrived in three days at San Fran- cisco, where he was joined on the 15th by the Dale, Dornin commander, from Panamá, bringing news of amicable relations between the two republics down to the month of June.33 From San Francisco, Jones went to Sonoma, where he was entertained for a day or two by Colonel Vallejo, who has a most agreeable memory of his visitor's gentlemanly qualities.34 The United States returned from Honolulu in December,35 and all three vessels sailed from Monterey January 9, 1843-the Dale and United States for Mazatlan, while the Cyane with Jones on board touched at Santa Bárbara and San Pedro. The store-ship of the fleet, the Relief, Lieutenant Sterrett, had also arrived be- fore the departure of the other vessels, and soon followed them southward,36 while the Cyane came back later in the year.

Having thus recorded the 'American invasion' so far as it affected northern California, I have now to notice some southern aspects of the matter, aspects

33 Dec. 14th, 15th, Capt. Richardson to Vallejo, announcing arrival of Cyane and Dale. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 315-16. Dec. 15th, com. of Monte- rey to V. All the vessels have departed. Id., xi. 317.

34 Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 325-45, where the visit is described at con- siderable length. He says Jones and his men lost their way in coming to Sonoma; accidentally as he said, but intentionally as some of his men told Leese, with a view to see more of the country. Vallejo honored his guest with a salute from his cannon, and entertained him with a rodeo, Indian dance, foot-races, ete .- finally escorting him to the landing. He speaks of the cominodore in the most flattering terms. Dec. 24th, V. to Micheltorena, mentioning Jones' visit. He thinks the object may have been to win morc trust in his good faith after the affair of Monterey. Political matters were not talked of. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 322. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 103-9, de- scribes not only his own visits with Capt. Paty to the flag-ship at Monte- rey, and an entertainment given to Jones by the foreign residents of the capital, at which the writer was present; but also the friendly intercourse between the commodore and the Richardsons and Estudillos at Sauzalito, where he also made frequent hunting trips.

35 Davis, Glimpses, MS., 108, says the vessel made the round trip in 29 days, the quickest on record. Maxwell says she sailed from Monterey with the Cyune; and these statements are all the evidence I have that she re- turned to Cal. She was however at Mazatlan in February.

36 She arrived at Monterey from Bodega on Jan. 26th, and sailed on Feb. 25th. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust .- H., MS., iii. (641-6, 652-3); but I suppose she had been at Monterey earlier. Bidwell, California 1841-8, MS., 90-1, speaks of Jones having sent the Relief to Bodega, with some despatches for him to deliver (?).

315

MICHELTORENA HEARS THE NEWS.

more amusing than bloody, showing in a not very fa- vorable light some peculiarities of the new governor. It was in the night of October 24th that Michelto- rena, at Valle's rancho of San Francisco near Mission San Fernando, was aroused from his sleep by the ar- rival of messengers from Alvarado with the news that Monterey must be surrendered on the 20th. The general, if we may eredit his statement made a little later, wished himself "a thunderbolt to fly and anni- hilate the invaders;" but not being a thunderbolt, he spent the next day in writing despatches to subordi- nates in all parts of the country, and in retreating with his batallon fijo somne twenty miles to San Fernando. His plan of campaign, as declared in his despatches, was to establish his headquarters at Angeles, to con- centrate there all available force and supplies, and to cause all live-stock to be driven from the coast to the interior. His confidence in success, like his patriotic enthusiasm, was unlimited; his own force was amply sufficient, he said, to defeat the intruder, but he was unwilling to deprive the Californians of the privilege of aiding in so glorious a cause; hence his call for aid. His communications to different officials were all of the same purport, and I append some choice specimens in a note.37

87 Oct. 25, 1842, Micheltorena to Vallejo, to Alvarado, to Prefect Argüello at Angeles, to Comandante Carrillo at Sta Bárbara. in Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 24-7; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 294; Dept. St. Pap., MS., xii. 91-4; S. Diego Arch., MS., 289. To Vallejo at 6 A. M. he writes: 'Monterey is no doubt occupied by these forces, as it is impossible to defend the place. I cannot just now fly to its aid, for I am over 100 leagues away, nor should I leave Los Angeles unprotected, where I have arms and ammunition, which in the hands of the valiant Californians, united with the force under my com- mand, will serve to rout the enemy. You must therefore collect as many men as possible, sending me frequent reports on their number and movements in order to combine our operations. Triumph is certain; with my present force I should not hesitate to attack; but it is just that all share in the pleasure of victory, since we are all Mexicans, and it is the duty of all to defend in this war the holy religion of our fathers, national independence, private property, and even domestic order. Are there any stronger rights which move the hu- man heart? Are there Mexican bosoms which do not feel themselves boil with valor at seeing this effort to rob us of our territory ? Invite, then, excite, move the patriotism of all able to bear arms, and keep well in mind the whole and parts of this communication, which I recommend particularly to your re- sponsibility.' To Alvarado: 'Every one who is able to bear arms and does not present himself, as soon as the infallible triumph of our arms is won, un-

316

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

Next day, October 26th, while still at San Fernan- do, Micheltorena received Jones' communication in- forming him that Monterey had been restored-news which, reaching other points about the same time, prevented any progress being made in the concentra- tion of forces and supplies at Angeles. The general immediately addressed two letters to the American commodore. In the first he wrote: "God and Liber- ty! As the laws of the nation expressly forbid enter- ing into any sort of relations with the enemies of the independence, liberty, and integrity of the territory, I was marching in consequence of the assault com- mitted by you on Monterey, to fight you, and at all hazards to drive you from the Mexican territory with- out using any other idiom than those of lead and can- non; but as you, having adopted more prudent coun- sels, though I and my valiant men were only 150 leagues from you, have thought proper to evacuate the place, to reestablish the authorities, to re-hoist and properly salute the flag of my nation, and to re- embark all your troops, declaring the Mexican vessels

der the protection of providence, will be declared unworthy of the Mexican name, an enemy of the country, to be expelled ignominiously from her soil.' To Argüello: 'I congratulate myself with you and every Mexican that these miserables afford us an opportunity to demonstrate the national valor, and that we are worthy to bear the name of Independientes.' He announces his retreat to S. Fernando-the other letters are written from the rancho -- and his intention to continue the movement to Angeles. The authorities of S. Diego are ordered to send their cannon to Angeles. To the comandante at Sta Barbara: 'Under these circumstances you will proceed forthwith to place in safety, by sending them to Angeles with all the forces that can be collected, all the arms, artillery, and other property of the nation, as they may direct their attack against that port. You will invite all the inhabitants, the most illustrious bishop, and other authorities to meet at Angeles, where I am about to establish my headquarters, in order to arrange the operations of a war so holy, so just, and so national.' The Republicano was to be sent to S. Pedro, and the munitions on board taken to Angeles in carts. 'Viva la nacion Me- jicana!' In 1844 Micheltorena claimed that the rebels against him had re- moved all supplies from around Monterey, in imitation of his own policy in 1842! Castañares, Col. Doc., 59. Replies to Micheltorena's communications at various dates, from Oct. 25th-all more or less patriotic in tone. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 27-9; Los Angeles, Arch., MS., ii. 290-1. A writer in the Los Angeles Express, Oct. 15, 1874, claims that the intrenchments, traces of which are still visible at Angeles, were thrown up by Micheltorena's men at this time. Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 103-4; Botello, Anales del Sur, MS., 102; Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 426; Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 43; Ord, Ocur- rencias, MS., 128, simply state that Micheltorena on hearing the news of the capture retired to Angeles and began defensive operations.

317

THE GENERAL'S BOMBAST.

free at the moment when you addressed to me the letter just received, I now answer you by this sepa- rate despatch, in order to assure you that we Mexi- cans know how to answer with arms and fire when we are addressed in terms of war, and, if peacefully, with the harmony and civility compatible with the age in which we live, and with the enlightened nations to which we both belong." The other communication, in words almost as pompous and much more numer- ous, declared that "the multitude of persons now sur- rounding me will not be content with such satisfaction as you can give me in a single official despatch;" the satisfaction, like the outrage, must be public; and he insisted on a personal conference at Angeles, eight leagues from Jones' force at San Pedro, and twelve leagues from Micheltorena's army at San Fernando; or if Jones feared to venture, "mistrusting the word and faith of an old soldier," then the general would boldly go in person with a few officers to San Pedro.38

It is claimed by Vallejo and Alvarado that Michel- torena heard of the capture and restoration of the capital at the same time, and that his orders of Octo- ber 25th were issued with a full knowledge that all danger had passed; but the accusation is probably unfounded, and the orders were of the patriotico-bom- bastic type usually issued in such cases by Spanish American officials. No other style would have satis- fied the people or the supreme government that the writer was doing his duty; and it was generally the effect in Mexico, and not on the foe, that was consid- ered when such proclamations were issued. Moreover, the order to remove all supplies to the interior as a means of resisting invasion, was in accord with Span- ish and Mexican policy for many years past, and does not merit all the ridicule that has been heaped upon it. This is about as far as I can go in defence of Micheltorena's course. His replies to Jones were as

38 Oct. 26, 1842, M. to J. Two despatches. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 34-6.

318

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

absurdly weak, affected, rude, and boastful as they could have been made; and indeed, Minister Waddy Thompson subsequently declared that, as he had the strongest reasons to believe, the first of the two com- munications of October 26th was never sent to Jones at all.

But Micheltorena's gasconade was not yet at an end. Jones not arriving as early as had been expected, the general prepared, on November 19th, a report of all that had preceded for his government, attaching to it the terms of the treaty which the American leader was expected to sign. With the report, which went to San Blas on the Trinidad sailing on or about the 20th, were enclosed twenty-seven documents, all re- ferred to elsewhere. I append some portions of the report and the purport of the treaty, which show that Micheltorena told a deliberate falsehood, to the effect that he was marching to attack Monterey when he heard of its restoration; that he had the impudence to demand payment for uniforms and instruments spoiled during his march in the rain; and that he was vain enough to represent that Jones' real motive in restor- ing the capital had been fear of this valiant general and his batallon fijo! Even the Californians, who had large capacity for bombast, were disgusted with this exhibition from their new ruler.39

39 Nov. (19), 1842, M. to Tornel, min. of war, with 27 accompanying doc., being for the most part the corresp. already cited, but containing several communications not included in those furnished by Jones direct to the U. S. govt. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 18-44.

The demand for surrender 'will justly excite the indignation of the sup. magistrate as well as of yourself and every Mexican, on seeing that without even a plausible pretext, and in defiance of the laws of nations and the treaties between the two countries, an armed force comes to occupy the national terri- tory.' 'Your Excellency may imagine my indignation. I wished myself a thunderbolt to fly and annihilate the invaders; but 110 leagues intervened be- tween me and them, and my forces are all infantry. I nevertheless spent the night in preparing measures. .. to organize an active and incessant war on the enemy until he should have been obliged to reembark, if any of his forces should remain alive. On the following day, the 26th, I began my mareh'-directly away from Monterey if at all-'with my troops, of whose enthusiasm I cannot say too much, when I felicitated them, in the name of our country, on the oc- casion thus presented for proving that we are worthy of the confidence of the nation, and worthy to defend the Mexican territory, our dear independence, and all the rights of society and man. North and south of my headquarters

319

AFFAIR OF THE 'TASSO.'

The American ship Tasso was lying at San Pedro when the news arrived that Monterey had been taken. José Antonio Carrillo and Captain Prudon conceived the idea of seizing this vessel, applying to the prefect for authority. Argüello in turn referred the matter to Micheltorena, who disapproved the seizure and ordered the release of the captain, who had been detained, blaming Carrillo and Prudon for interfering in national affairs, which he himself was entirely competent to manage." This act enabled the general in the report already cited to boast that not a single act of violence had been committed against the persons or property of subjects of the United States. But those subjects could show not quite so clean a rec-

everything was in motion; and the fever of patriotism which I excited with energetic force beat quickly ... In this state of things I was met by Capt. Mejía,' who came from Monterey where he had 'wished not to sign auy capitu- lation unless ordered to do so by his general, a general who would have or- dered him to conquer or die,' and who brought details of the surrender. 'We thus marched for two hours, during which my soul was rapt in ecstasies at the flattering prospect of a speedy and certain victory, ... when another ex- traordinary courier brought me' news of the evacuation of Montercy. 'So his Excellency, Mr . , did not choose to wait for our arrival as a hostile force, and the feelings of my heart ... were at once of grief and joy, of regret and pleasure, of contentment and disappointment; but providence has so willed it; therefore it is for the best, and we have only to respect and bow to its de- crees.' But for the activity, etc., of President Santa Anna and the min. of war in sending me and my force here, California would now have to be re- covered at double the expense that Texas has cost. Therefore 'I pray your Excellency to ask the president whether the conduct of one of his generals in this negotiation has been such as to merit his high approbation.'

The articles of convention, sent unsigned by reason of Jones' non-arrival, were substantially as follows: i., ii. The indemnification for outrage on the flag, and settlement of claims for damages to individuals to be left to the sup. govt. iii. Jones declares that he took Monterey in the erroncous belief that war existed; and each promises never to attack the possessions of the other's country except in case of an express declaration of war. iv. The capitulation signed by Jones and Alvarado is forever void and of no effect. v. The U. S. men-of-war and merchant vessels at S. Pedro will salute the Mexican flag to be displayed before them by Micheltorena at noon of the next day after signing this treaty. vi. 'Mr Thos Ap C. Jones will deliver 1,500 complete infantry uniforms to replace those of nearly one half of the Mexican forces which have been ruined in the violent march and the contin- ucd rains, while they were on their way to recover the port thus invaded.' vii. Jones to pay $15,000 into the national treasury for expenses incurred from the general alarm; also a complete set of musical instruments in place of those ruined on this occasion. viii. Respecting copies and signatures of this document. These articles are several times reprinted in connection with later correspondence.

40 Oct. 25th, Prefect Argüello to M. Jones at Monterey, 1842, p. 39. Oct. 26th, reply. Id., p. 40; Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xii. 94-6.

320

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

ord. The Alert was lying at San Diego, having on board and on shore a valuable cargo of hides. Captain Phelps heard of the capture of Monterey, and at the same time a report that a force had been despatched by Micheltorena to seize all' property at San Diego. Determined to save his cargo, he made ready for sail- ing, worked night and day to load his hides, and pro- ceeded to remove every obstacle to his escape by send- ing a party of sailors to spike the guns at the fort. It is not likely that Micheltorena had ordered the seizure of the hides or vessel, but he had probably sent men to secure the cannon, and it was the ap- proach of these men that chiefly frightened Phelps. The affair was considerably written about in Mexico, and to the charge of spiking the guns was added that of throwing ballast into the harbor; but the ground was taken that the offence was purely an individual and in no sense a national one; and as the owners were willing to pay the damage, the matter was allowed to drop. 41

Leaving Monterey January 9th, Jones, on the Cyane, arrived at Santa Barbara the 14th, and in- formed Micheltorena of his readiness for the proposed conference at San Pedro,42 to which port he proceeded on the 17th, and late in the afternoon received an invitation to visit the general at his headquarters at

41 Phelps, Fore and Aft, 261-3. He says he got the news from Alfred Robinson, his supercargo, at Sta Bárbara; also that his men took a barrel of copper shot at the fort and threw the rest into the sea; but no charge of this kind was ever made. Half the cargo was on board when the news came of Jones' mistake; and at that time Micheltorena's 'vagabonds' were within two hours' march of the ship. Dec. 10th, Phelps to Jones. Translation. Diario del Gob., Feb. 19, 1843; Bustamante, Diario, Ixvi. 69, with a letter of Jones on the subject. Nov. 4th, juez of S. Diego to prefect, announcing the spiking of 8 guns. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., vii. 28. Corresp. between ministers Bocanegra and Thompson, Dec. 28th-30th. Mexico, Mem. Relaciones, 1844, annexes xcii-v.

42 Jan. 14th, 15th, Jones at Sta Bárbara to M. Diario del Gobierno, Feb. 19, 1843; Bustamante, Diario, MS., Ixvi. 69. At first he says the conference will have to be in writing, or by commissioners on account of his ill health; but in a P. S. he concludes to visit S. Pedro. He brought down despatches and money for M. from Monterey; and offered to carry a messenger to Mazatlan.

321

JONES AT LOS ANGELES.

Angeles, an invitation which he accepted.43 Next morning Jones landed with Captain Stribling and half a dozen others; and at 2 P. M., after a dinner prepared by Micheltorena's cooks at Stearns' store- house, the party started for the pueblo, Jones, Strib- ling, Clymer, and Reintre sitting with Major Medina in a barouche drawn by three horses, the rest on horseback, and all escorted by twenty-five mounted men of the Santa Bárbara guard. The visitors were taken to the residence of Abel Stearns, where they were soon waited upon by Micheltorena and his staff in full uniform, who made a most favorable impres- sion by their gentlemanly bearing and polite atten- tions.#

At noon on the 19th the conference was held at the general's headquarters, where, after the drinking of toasts and making of complimentary speeches, Micheltorena proceeded to read his 'articles of con- vention,' with which the reader is already familiar, and copies of which were furnished for Jones' consid- eration. This ended the conference; but in the evening the Americans, in a drenching rain, attended a grand ball given by the general in their honor. In the forenoon of the 20th Jones returned the 'articles,' of course without his signature, and with a note explaining that he had no authority to enter into such an agreement, and that the whole matter of reparation must be left to the respective govern-

43 Jan. 17th, M. to J. and reply, sent by Lieut Somoza, in Unpublished Narrative of Commodore Thos Ap C. Jones, U. S. N. This narrative by an unknown writer, who evidently accompanied Jones to Angeles, was pub- lished in the Los Angeles Southern Vineyard, May 22, 1858, and gives au in- teresting account of the visit and negotiations. Much of it is occupied with descriptive matter, for which I have no space here. The same communica- tions, under date of Jan. 18th, are given in Diario del Gobierno, Feb. 19, 1843.

44 Jones' Unpub. Narr. The author gives a well written sketch of Michel- torena's actions and character. Of him he says: 'Had he contented himself with the issuing of countless orders and high-toned proclamations, few would have found fault with him, for in truth it was all that his situation left him; but to resort to the disingenuous artifice of writing letters never sent and of sending drafts of demands not yet made, and when made abandoned without an effort to sustain them, was an act which neither Mexican diplomacy nor Castilian gasconade cau scarcely palliate, and certainly cannot justify.' HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 21

322

COMMODORE JONES AT MONTEREY.

ments. 45 Micheltorena made no effort to change the cominodore's views, nor did he show offence, but sim- ply desired him to delay his departure until he could prepare his despatches for Mexico, which consisted of the correspondence that has been cited, and a letter to General Tornel, in which he described the negotiations with Jones, and the latter's objections to the articles of convention proposed.46 Friendly relations con- tinued, the subject of politics was not mentioned, and at their last interview complimentary speeches were exchanged. At 1 P. M., January 21st, Jones left the city, amidst the beating of drums, firing of cannon, and ringing of bells, saluted by the general and his wife from the door of his quarters, escorted as on his com- ing, and accompanied for some miles by many citizens. The arrival at San Pedro was at 5 P. M., and three hours later the Cyane sailed for Mazatlan, where she arrived the 1st of February to join the United States and Yorktown.47

45 Jan. 20th, Jones to Micheltorena, in Diario del Gobierno, Feb. 19, 1843, and partly in Jones' Unpub. Narr. The anthor of this narrative says J. was very much vexed at the absurd demands made; yet he maintained friendly relations, and in his letter he takes pains to explain anew the reasons for his past action. The articles, 8 in number, are also given in the Diario del Gob., as above, and in Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., vii. 38-41. Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 104-7, says M.'s soldiers drew the carriage that took J. to the ball. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 428-30, narrates an alarm at Angeles while J. was asleep, eansed by a report that 3 ships had been seen off the coast, and by the burning of a house, which the general feared to be but a rnse to call attention while his own capture was effected ! John Forster, Pioneer Data, MS., 24-5, speaks of the dinner at San Pedro, which he says was at his house. Botello, Anales, MS., 103-4, also speaks of the festivities at Angeles, as does Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 43-4. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 18-20, ridicules M.'s despatches. In Los Angeles Hist., 15, it is stated that Jones visited Angeles in Nov. 1842. Mention also of the visit in Amador, Mem., MS., 142; and by Davis, Glimpses, MS., 109-10, who got his information from Henry Mellus. He says J. and his officers got several barrels of choice California wine from Luis Vignes, whose place they visited. Davis and Paty had already sent them some wine at Monterey.

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 33

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