USA > California > History of California, Volume IV > Part 37
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
5 Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 356, 365, 371; Id., Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 352-6. HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 23
354
MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
general's secretaries required a certain amount of su- perintendence. Besides attending to the routine du- ties of his office, Micheltorena turned his attention to the mission problem, and after consultation with the friars, determined, rather wisely, as I shall explain more definitely in the next chapter, on a restoration of twelve missions to what was nominally the old system, a measure which was actually carried out. So much cannot be said of another scheme devised by him, that of establishing a newspaper at Monterey, in which citizens might read and criticise the acts of the gov- ernment in their behalf.6
In midsummer Micheltorena left Los Angeles with his batallon, and came to live at the capital. There are no original records of his journey or of any cir- cumstances connected with it. There is indeed a notable absence from all archives, public and private, of any kind of documents relating to the events of this period. Many Californians remember the trans- fer, and all agree that the Angelinos were perfectly willing to part with their guests of a year. Los An- geles was willing now as never before to relinquish its claims to the honor of being the governor's residence, wishing its old rival joy in the acquisition; while the cholos themselves, having stolen every eatable thing that the south afforded, were not sorry to transfer their industrial operations to new fields. All that is known about the date of Micheltorena's coming north
6 Micheltorena, Digest of Correspondence at Los Angeles, Feb. 22d to May 31, 1843, is a printed pamphlet of 7 pages, Svo, without imprint, doubtless printed in connection with some land case. It contains the purport of the 60 odd communications of the gov., chicfly on minor routine, from Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 37-59. March 15th, project of a 'pliego de imprenta.' Id .; and Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., iii. 33. May Ist, such a press of business in the secretary's office that a second clerk was appointed at $30 per month. Arce, Doc., MS., 16. May 6th, Micheltorena deprives lieutenants Maciel and Limon of their rank, sending them as 'paisanos' to S. Diego. Savage, Doc., MS., iii. 55; Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 53; S. Diego, Arch., MS., 295. May 20th, letter about a personal row between Sec. Arce and Lieut Somoza. Castro, Doc., MS., i. 107.
355
THE GENERAL AT MONTEREY.
is the facts that he was at Monterey on August 13th,7 and that on September 4th Vallejo wrote from So- noma to congratulate him on his safe arrival. It is said that the usual attentions were shown to the gov- ernor at different points on his journey; that Manuel Castañares succeeded in raising among government employés and citizens sufficient money to properly fes- tejar his Excellency, who made some glowing speeches on his projects for the country's welfare, both on the day of arrival and in the later national festivities of September 16th; and finally, that the soldiers be- gan their depredations with the least possible delay.9 Thus the indications are that the people of Monterey entertained no very cordial feelings toward their new ruler and his men, their dislike being mainly of course for the cholos, of whose character they were not ig- norant; but for reasons that will be more apparent later, it is difficult to obtain information from impar- tial sources respecting the popular feeling. Mean- while the officers of the batallon, in accordance with a Mexican custom not known in California before this time I think, were quartered at the houses of citizens, a circumstance that did not tend to increase the pop- ularity of the new-comers.10
There are two or three circumstances that point rather vaguely to the existence at this time of cer- tain schemes of revolt. Hastings, who is far from good authority, says: "The timorous movements of the governor, and especially the fact of his being un- willing to venture among the Californians without an armed force for his protection, created much dissatis- faction among them, which became so general at one
7 Aug. 13, 1843, M. at Mouterey writes to Larkin, uot however alluding in any way to his recent arrival. Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 29.
8 Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 445-6. Salvador Vallejo was also sent down to greet him, explain the state of affairs on the frontier, and invite him to visit So- noma.
9 Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 20-1; Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 364-8; Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 79-80.
10 Aug. 28th, a custom-house celador claims exemption from the billeting of officers at his housc. Castro, Doc., MS., i. 109; Id., Relacion, MS., 86.
356
MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
time that they determined to interpose their omnipo- tence to prevent his Excellency from marching his omnifarions troops to the seat of government. But before I left, his generalship was permitted to march northward, and was in full possession of the chief town, there to be seen marching and parading his cropped and branded troops about the streets with all imaginable pomposity."11 This statement, though absurd in some respects-else it would hardly find a place in the work cited-may signify that the author had heard rumors of revolt from foreigners whom he met; for on August 14th Vallejo announced his discovery that certain persons were plotting against the government. By his order some documents sup- posed to have a bearing on the subject were seized at San Jose on the person of Juan Padilla; but the purport of the discovery is not stated.12 Captain Sut- ter, without giving exact dates, claims to have warned Micheltorena of impending danger long before the revolution broke out. And finally, in August or Sep- tember, Isaac Graham offered to the governor the ser- vices of himself and forty other foreigners living in the vicinity of Santa Cruz, doing this presumably in the hope of getting a blow at his old foes, Alvarado and Castro, in the troubles supposed to be brewing. But seven of the foreigners protested that they had given Graham no authority to act for them, and that their only desire was to live in quiet, without being drawn into trouble by that "seditious evil-doer and pernicious disturber of the peace." Micheltorena's reply was that California was at peace, and his force amply sufficient. If the services of foreigners should be needed, they would be notified in writing through the proper authorities.13
Financial difficulties were not greatly modified in
11 Hastings' Emig. Guide, 121-2.
12 Aug. 14th, 19th, V. to com. of S. José, and reply. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 442, 444.
13 Sept. 28th, Wecks, Morris, Majors, Barton, Sweet, Hcath, and Buckle to. Micheltorena. Oct. 7th, M.'s reply. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 51-3.
357
JUNTA ECONÓMICA.
kind or degree by the governor's change of residence. A reduction of expenses or an increase of revenue was a matter of urgent necessity, and the 9th of Oc- tober a junta of officials was held at the governor's house to devise means of relief.14 Micheltorena pre- sided, and explained the object of the meeting in an opening speech; after which Vallejo was chosen sec- retary, and the first session was terminated by the appointment of a committee of seven to report in four days.15 At the session of the 13th a report was pre- sented, discussed, and adopted, in substance as fol- lows: The justices and secretary of the supreme court to receive each a salary of $1,200; the government secretary to have $1,200, with a clerk at $500; the offices of prefects and sub-prefects to be abolished; $1,200 to be paid to the principal of the school at Monterey, books and paper being furnished .by the scholars, but in other towns schools were to be sup- ported by the municipalities with contributions from citizens; the comisario to be replaced by a treasurer at a salary of $1,000 (or $1,500); alcaldes and justices of the peace, being entitled to fees as judges of first instance, not to receive the allowance of $30 per month; and finally, the administrator and chief clerk of the custom-house to receive the same salary as be- fore, though the latter's additional pay as interpreter was to be reduced by one half. After thanking the members for the reduction of $20,000 effected in the civil budget, and promising his best efforts to bring about a corresponding reduction in military expenses, Micheltorena declared the junta at an end.16
14 The officers present were Gen. José M. Micheltorena; colonels M. G. Vallejo and J. B. Alvarado; lieut-colonels Rafael Tellez and José Castro; captains Juan Abella and Francisco Noriega; chief of artillery, Capt. Mariano Silva; captain of the port, Pedro Narvaez; comandante of the presidial com- pany, Capt. Nicanor Estrada; governor's sec., Manuel Jimeno; president of the tribunal, Juan Malarin; prefect of Ist district, Ramon Estrada; admin- istrator of customs, Manuel Castañares; vista, Pablo de la Guerra; comisario, José Abrego; and Rafael Gonzalez, comandante of celadores.
13 Members of the committee: Castañares, Tellez, Vallejo, Malarin, Abrego, Alvarado, and Jimeno.
16 Junta Consultativa y Económica en Monterey, Octubre de 1843, MS.
338
MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
Besides the fragmentary blotters preserved by the secretary of this meeting, I find no other contempo- rary record on the subject until January 1, 1844, on which date Micheltorena issued a proclamation carry- ing into effect the economical measures recommended by the junta. By this proclamation the governor's salary was stopped; three of the five judgeships of the tribunal were suppressed; some other minor changes were introduced beyond those suggested in October; and some military salaries were saved. The saving in the civil budget amounted to $34,350; and in the mil- itary to $5,042, by stopping the pay of auxiliary offi- cers, of the general's secretary, and of the surgeon. By a regulation that officers for the present must be content with half-pay, a further temporary saving of over $10,000 was effected.17 On November 14th an order was issued for an election, to be held in Decem- ber, of ayuntamientos and alcaldes to serve from the beginning of 1844. In this order the suppression of the prefectures was incidentally alluded to, and the first alcalde in each place was instructed to perform the duties both of prefect and judge of first instance.13
These are blotters and fragments preserved by Vallejo, the secretary, some parts being in duplicate, and the whole perhaps not quite complete. There were perhaps other sessions, as on Oct. 10th Micheltorena writes to Larkin that there will be a meeting at his house to-morrow at 4 P. M. to consider the matter of smuggling, trade by whalers, etc. Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 43. The junta is briefly mentioned in Botello, Anales, MS., 108-9; and Amador, Memorias, MS., 152-3. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 379-82, gives some de- tails-as to the accuracy of which I express no opinion-about the junta, not included in the original record. At the first meeting after the gov. had made his opening speech and left the room, Prudon submitted a proposition that the batallon he sent to Sonoma, where they could be fed and put to work. The officers of the batallon protested that it would be derogatory to their dig- nity even to consider such a proposition; and the Californians left the hall in disgust. At a second meeting Vallejo himself urged the sending of the army to the northern frontier, where he could supply them with plenty of meat and corn, but no money or liquor. Micheltorena was inclined to think favorably of the plan, but the Mexican officers began to bluster as before. Alvarado made a speech, in which he declared that it was useless to talk of effecting reforms so long as the defence of Californian homes and families was confided to convicts, and the junta broke up without accomplishing anything in the only direction which might have afforded relief and prevented revolution. 17 Micheltorena, Bando Económico, 1 de Enero, 1844, MS.
18 Nov. 14, 1843, Micheltorena's proclamation on local clections. Castro, Doc., MS., i. 117-18; S. Diego, Arch., MS., 297-8; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., x. 31; Micheltorena's Admin., 16-17; Dwinelle's Colon, Hist., add., 84-5. At Angeles and Monterey the ayunt. was to consist of two alcaldes, four
359
A NEW OATH.
This important change in local government lias left but little trace in the archives for the period during which it was in operation, from January 1844 to July 1845, beyond an occasional and incidental allusion to alcaldes instead of prefects.
Indeed, from the middle of 1843 the chain of archive evidence is in certain respects extremely incomplete in comparison to that of earlier years. It would al- most seem that there had been a deliberate effort to destroy or conceal documents relating to the governor's acts in these years, for their absence is nearly as marked in private and local archives as in those of the department. It is not unlikely that the researches of later years in connection with land litigation may have had something to do with the disappearance of these papers.
In obedience to instructions from Mexico-whence no less than sixty coins were sent, or at least prom- ised, for distribution to the crowds !- Micheltorena in September and October ordered a public and ceremo- nial swearing of allegiance to the new constitution, the bases orgánicas of the republic. The prefect or other chief local authority was to march through the streets with a military escort, amid ringing of bells and with all practicable pomp, before taking the oath of public employés and citizens. The oath was taken at Los Angeles October 15th; at San Diego the 29th; and at Sonoma late in December, "not as a mere for- mality of law, but because the bases promise a futurc of peace and prosperity," as the comandante wrote. Few people in California knew or cared to know any- thing about the bases de Tacubaya; yet all the same the oath was doubtless taken at every town.19
regidores, and a síndico. At S. Diego, Sta Bárbara, S. Juan (Bautista), Bran- ciforte, S. José, S. F., and Sonoma two alcaldes were to be chosen. The pri- mary election to be held on the second Sunday in Dec., and the secondary on the following Friday. Nov. 13th, the junta departamental had fixed the num- ber of alcaldes, ctc. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 13.
19 June 17, 1843, Bocanegra to gov., promising coins. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., xvii. 2. Sept. 28th, Micheltorena to prefect. Dept. St. Pap., Any., MS.,
330
MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
Not only did California swear to the bases, but on November 1st, through her junta departamental, as- sembled in extra session at the capital and desirous of expressing its obligations "to the illustrious author of the nation's regeneration as a reward of his civic virtues and heroic deeds," she cast her vote with ab- solute unanimity for General Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, benemérito de la patria, for president.20 At the beginning of the year an order had been cir- culated to the effect that until the national organiza- tion could be perfected, all officials, including judges and members of the junta, should continue in the ex- ercise of their functions.21 The old junta, composed of Jimeno, Castro, Estrada, and Gonzalez, or those members who could most conveniently be assembled at Monterey, held two extra sessions this year. One was on November 1st, when the vote of the depart- ment was cast for Santa Anna, and the other on the 13th, when it met to determine the number of mem- bers to be chosen for the new junta, as well as for the different ayuntamientos.22 Meanwhile Micheltorena had ordered an election to take place in accordance with the Mexican law of June 19th, though at a later date than was prescribed by that law.23 The primary election was to be held on October 22d; the second- ary on the 29th; and the electors were to be at
xii. 72. Oct. 3d, M. to V. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 459. Jan. Ist, reply. Id., xii. 2. Swearing at Angeles. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., iii. 114. At S. Diego, Hayes' Doc., MS., 170. The friars take the oath. Arch., Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 35, etc.
20 Session of Nov. Ist. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 12. Nov. 4th, Micheltorena's proclamation announcing the vote. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 299; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 468; Micheltorena's Administration, 15. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 374-6, says that this vote did not represent the popular opinion.
21 Jan. 24th, 27th, Jimeno to prefect. Micheltorena's Admin., 11-12. Jan. 27th, gov. says his affairs are so urgent as to prevent his attendance at ses- sions of the junta at present. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xii. 98. Feb. 2d, pay of sec. of junta to continue. Id., Ben., iii. 119-20. Feb. 4th, 20th, all last year's judges to hold over. Id., Ang., xii. 70-1; S. José, Arch., MS., ii. 29. 22 Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 12-13.
23 Sept. 28, 1840, M.'s election proclamation. Monterey, Arch., MS., xi. 11; Castro, Doc., MS., i. 112-13; Micheltorena's Admin., 13-14; Mexico, Regla- mento de Elecciones, 19 de Junio, 1843, MS. By the terms of this law, the primary election was to be held the 2d Sunday in August, and the electoral college to meet at the capital on the last Sunday in September.
361
ELECTIONS AND HORSE-THIEVES.
Monterey as early as November 15th.24 Having at- tended to the usual preliminaries in the sessions of November 16th-17th, on the 19th the electors voted for a deputy to congress, to fill the place of Andrés Castillero, of whose services for California during his term of office I know nothing. The choice fell upon Manuel Castañares, a Mexican, who desired the posi- tion, and was favored by the governor. Antonio M. Osio was elected suplente.25 Next day, the 20th, seven vocales were chosen to compose the new junta, as follows: Pio Pico, Francisco Figueroa, Narciso Botello, Francisco de la Guerra, David Spence, Ra- mon Estrada, and Estévan Munras, with the same number of substitutes. It is to noted that though the name of junta was still retained in California, the term asamblea, or assembly, was used in the bases orgánicas.26
Indian horse-thieves were still troublesome in Cen- tral California. In June various citizens of the Monterey district sent a petition to Micheltorena, re- lating their troubles of past years, and stating that they would soon be obliged to abandon their ranchos, as no majordomos could be found to take charge of them, so great was the insecurity of life. The Ind- ians came to the very town to commit robberies. Complaints had been made to the authorities, and some expeditions had been sent out, but they had never accomplished anything, and had generally failed
24 The electors chosen were Joaquin Ortega for S. Diego, Ignacio del Valle for Sta Bárbara, Ignacio Palomares for Angeles, José F. Buelna for S. José, Manuel Castañares for Monterey, and Ignacio Peralta for S. F. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 9-11, 13; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxx. 364; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 95-6.
25 Castañares doubtless sailed with Capt. Cooper on the California, which left Montercy Dec. 10th. He took with him a power of attorney to collect $1,002 due his brother, José María, for salary as supreme court judge. Bo- nilla, Doc., MS., 14-15.
26 Mexico, Bases Orgánicas, 1843. The suplentes were: Carlos Carrillo, Antonio Suñol, Juan M. Ánzar, Salvio Pacheco, José Castro, Ignacio Peralta, and Ignacio del Valle. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 14-16. Nov. 22d, Micheltorena proclaims the result of both elections. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 300; Dep. St. Pap., Ang., MS., x. 32; Micheltorena's Admin., IS.
362
MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
to return the horses and saddles furnished by the rancheros. Sometimes the latter had carried thieves to jail, but they had been set at liberty without pun- ishment, and robbers de razon were almost as trouble- some as the Indians. This petition having been forwarded by the governor to the comandante of the northern line, the latter sent out several expeditions, of which we have no details.27 This was early in the year; but it does not appear that the soldiers of the batallon after they came north ever performed any service against the Indians. In the south, however, no hostilities are reported this year, and perhaps this fact should be attributed to the presence of the cholos.
One expedition of this year from Sonoma consisted of seventy Californians and two hundred auxiliary Indians, under the command of Captain Salvador Vallejo, starting March 5th and returning the 27th. On the evening of the 12th a fight took place on an island, where one hundred and seventy Indians were killed. According to the official reports the object of the expedition was to punish several tribes who had been plotting against the white people; the island where the fight occurred was represented as in the ocean near Cape Mendocino. It seems to have been in connection with this campaign that a negro deserter from the Cyane was killed while resisting capture.23
27 June 4th, petition of citizens of S. José. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 343; Id., IIist. Cal., MS., iv. 357-60. Jan. 26th, gov. orders presidial company to be reorganized, and a detachment to be stationed at Pacheco's rancho, the rancheros being invited to share in the expense. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., iii. 31. March 14th, Manuel Larios writes to Castro that the campaign against the Chuciles amounted to nothing. S. José, Arch., MS., ii. 6. April 12th, José Castro wants $300 for having maintained an armed force in the sierra for two months past. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust .- H., MS., v. 10. Dec. 8th, citizens of S. José petition the gov. for a permanent detachment of troops, for the support of which they will contribute. Pico, Doc., MS., i. 89.
28 March 13, 1843, Salvador Vallejo from Mendocino to M. G. Vallejo, describing the fight of last evening from 8 to 11 P. M. on the large island of Moth, which was reached by 12 soldiers and 30 auxiliaries by means of rafts. The Indians refused to give up their weapons, and seemed treacherous; there- fore they were attacked. Lieut A. M. Pico commanded the force on the mainlaud. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 342. April Ist, Col. Vallejo's report to gov. The Ind. against whom the expedition was sent were the Mottiyomi,
363
MASSACRE AT CLEAR LAKE.
Dr Sandels was at Sonoma when this party returned; and he represents the outrage to have been committed on a tribe on an island in the northern part of San Francisco Bay, in the absence of all the fighting men, the provocation being a threat to steal the settlers' cattle. The negro deserter was found hidden here, proclaimed a foe to Mexico, and shot in the back.2 Juan Bojorges, one of Vallejo's party, gives many de- tails of the raid, and says its object from the first was to obtain Indian laborers and servants, of whom a large number were obtained from another ranchería. He says the battle was on an island in a laguna grande, where none but the guide had ever been,32 and I have no doubt that Clear Lake, and not the ocean or bay, was the scene of this massacre.31 An investigation was ordered, but the result is not known. Salvador Vallejo in such distant raids committed many barbarous acts; but an outrage so gross as this is represented to have been would hardly have been excused by his brother.
I have had frequent occasion already to mention Micheltorena's soldiers, the cholos, as they were com- monly called by Californians, and in no complimentary manner. Their character and acts, however, had so important an influence in bringing on the revolution of the next year, that it is necessary to present the subject somewhat fully here. The reader is aware that the batallon fijo was composed chiefly of crim- inals, a large part of them having been taken from
Chiliyomi, Holiyomi, Tuliyomi, Supuyomi, Pagücnjelayomi, Sicomyomi, Hayomi, and Clustinomayomi. Snow-storms and the large numbers and threatening attitude of the Indians made it imprudent to continue hostilities the next day. Some prisoners were brought back. Id., xi. 334. On the kill- ing of the negro. Id., xi. 361. April 26th, gov. to V. Says the public mind is troubled about the killing of so many Indians; and he orders a strict inves- tigation. Id., xi. 366.
29 King's Orphan's Visit, 7-8.
30 Bojorges, Recuerdos, MS., 21-37.
31 Davis, Glimpses, MS., 200, mentions the affair as having occurred in the Clear Lake region, and as having been regarded at S. F. as a brutal outrage. But he makes the date 1841.
364
MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
the jails of Mexico and Jalisco, where the rest of them might also have been confined without much injus- tice. That such men would prove useless as soldiers, and intolerably vicious as citizens, was to be expected. The sending of such a band of convicts was an outrage amply sufficient to justify revolution. Yet it must be admitted that the conduct of the cholos in California, though not exemplary, was wonderfully good when compared with what might be expected from their vicious antecedents, from the outrages committed by men of similar class in different parts of Mexico, from their destitute condition, and from the bitterly preju- diced medium through which nearly all the testimony extant against them has come down to us. It would be easy to fill a long chapter with this testimony; but I content myself with comparatively few citations.32
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.