History of California, Volume IV, Part 40

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

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James A. Forbes was at the end of 1842 appointed British vice-consul to reside at Monterey; and this appointment, forwarded from Mexico in January, was officially recognized in California in October.6 On

5 Wyllie, Mexico, Noticia sobre su Hacienda Publica bajo el Gobierno Es- pañol y despues de la Independencia. Mexico, 1845. Svo, 91 p .; 13 sheets, $7 p., 21. The original, probably published in London, 1844, I have not scen. Wyl- lie, Observaciones, Oct. 17, 1843, in Id., appen., p. 14-28. July 1, 1813, Forbes to Wyllie. /d., appen., 28-33.

" Appointment made by British minister in Mexico, and approved by Mex- ican govt Dec. 29, 1842; forwarded to Cal. Jan. 4th. Siglo xix., Jan. 8, 1843; Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., xi. 12; viii. 6; iv. 61-2; Id., Angeles, xii. 73; Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., xvii. 3-4; S. José, Arch., MS., ii. 13. Swan, Mon- terey in '43, says that Forbes came to Montercy on Oct. 1Itli to take posses- sion of his new position. Dec. 30th, Consul Forbes makes inquiries about a British subject arrested. S. José, Arch., MS.

385

FOREIGN CONSULS.

May 1st Thomas O. Larkin was appointed consul of the United States at Monterey; on December 2d his exequatur was issued in Mexico; his commission was forwarded from Washington February 3, 1844; and on April 2d he took formal possession of the office, being officially recognized by the Californian author- ities.7 On November 18th the minister of relations announced the appointment of Louis Gasquet to serve as French consul ad interim until M. Barrier, the reg- ular appointee, should arrive; but Barrier never came to California, nor did Gasquet until 1845.8

In California, notwithstanding the feeling in Mexi- co against Americans, all foreigners were welcomed, and were treated with uniform kindness by both au- thorities and people, Micheltorena showing himself no less favorably disposed than had been his predecessor. Even Hastings, of whom I shall have more to sav presently, admits that strangers were now treated "with all the deceptive kindness imaginable." Bid- well asserts that the governor encouraged immigra- tion, a fact that is proven, moreover, by the facility with which land grants were obtained by all desiring them and willing to comply with the laws; but he also states that there were occasional rumors of an in-

7 May 1, 1843, Larkin's appointment. Savage, Doc., MS., ii. 20-5. Aug. 13th, Micheltorena addresses L. as U. S. consul. Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 29. Dec. 2d, exequatur issucd. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xix. 9. Feb. 3, 1844, Upshur to Larkin, sending commission. Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 60. The commission was dated Jan. 20th. Id., Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 7. April 2d, Larkin assumes the office. Monterey Consulate, MS., i. fly-leaf; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 22. April 8th, L. asks permission to hoist the U. S. flag on national days. Lar- kin's Off. Corresp., MS., i. 1; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 104. April 9th, gov. recognizes L. and authorizes him to hoist the flag. Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 77-8; Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 74-5. April 10th, L. to U. S. sec. state, ac- knowledging receipt of commission. Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., i. 1. April 11th, Id. to Id., asking for the necessary books, etc., for his office. There have been 2 or 3 men appointed to the office, and though none of them has ever come, there are packages directed to them, which he asks permission to open. Id., ii. 1. April 16th, L. to Waddy Thompson, and circular to other consuls in Mexico and Sandwich Islands. Id., i. 2-3. April 20th, L. to sec. state. Asks permission to leave Monterey when his business requires it, by leaving a vice-consul in his place. Id., ii. 4-5.

8 Nov. 18, 1843, Bocanegra to Micheltorena. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., xvii. 3; Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. 53-6.

IlIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 25

386

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND IMMIGRATION-1843.

tention to expel all Americans, rumors which caused the more timid of the new-comers to talk of congre- gating at Sutter's Fort for defence, or even of starting for Oregon with their live-stock.º Vallejo, referring to his correspondence with Stribling of the Cyane, noted a "constant tendency on the part of the Ameri- cans to raise questions against the country's authori- ties, ignoring their side of the case, reviving questions already settled, presenting accusations against the supreme government, and making absurd demands." Yet he avers that he exerts himself constantly to avoid involving his government in complications with foreigners, who are always treated with frank hospi- tality, and, in the administration of justice, with less severity than are natives of the country.10 There was a disposition on the part of the Mexican element to complain that Micheltorena was much too liberal in bestowing lands on foreigners, who were gradually getting possession of property that ought to be in Mexican hands, and that one day would be of immense value. These views were clearly expressed by Manuel Castañares in a letter to Vallejo, in which he alludes to a Frenchman who had already obtained most of the lands at Yerba Buena, and seemed likely enough to become possessor of the whole department if no check could be put upon Micheltorena's extraordinary pow- ers. This letter is of much interest in connection with that causa célebre of later years, the Limantour case.11 The New Mexican traders came this year as

9 Bidwell's Cal. 1841-8, MS., 115-16, 130. April 13th, Sub-prefect Suñol complains to the prefect that there is a gathering of foreigners north of Feather River. Many residents of S. José have gone, including Guluac and Lassen. taking their cattle with them; and some lumbermen from the sierra have left their debts unpaid and their contracts unfulfilled, besides taking along stolen horses, and leaving an insulting letter for the judges. Monterey, Arch., MS., xi. 6. In S. Joaquin Co. Hist., p. 16, it is stated on the authority of Chas M. Weber, that that gentleman located his grant at Stockton in 1843, with a view to be on the American side of the river after the division, which was be- lieved to be near at hand.

10 May 19, 1843, V. to gov. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 373.

11 Oct. 31, 1843, Castañares to V. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 467. Don Man- nel wants a piece of land at S. F. before 'that confounded Frenchman' gets it all.

387

AFFAIRS AT SUTTER'S FORT.

usual, including probably a few families who remained; but there is little information about them; the Cha- guanosos committed no outrages that are recorded.12 Early in the spring there was reported the presence of a large party of Canadian hunters on the San Joaquin. These hunters had also commercial proclivities; the trade in stolen horses experienced a 'boom;' and the Indians became correspondingly active.13

At New Helvetia the state of Sutter's business affairs in 1843 did not differ materially from that of the preceding year. Crop prospects seemed good even after harvesting had begun;14 but the result was dis- appointing, and the Russians got no grain; indeed, Sutter had all he could do to pay the tonnage dues on the vessels that came for wheat. In October, the Hudson's Bay Company trappers not having made their appearance, the captain saw before hin a rich harvest of furs, putting forty men into the field; yet the beaver skins did not come down the river in such abundance as was deemed desirable by Suñol and other creditors, nor so often as demands for new eredit. But a few skins were sent, and some grape brandy and Indian servants, and rifles bought of immigrants. When hard pressed, Sutter promised great things for 1844, authorizing his importunate ereditors to do as they pleased with him and his property if his debts were not cancelled within a year.15

There are indications of some slight controversy · between Sutter and Vallejo, arising from the fact

12 Nov., mention of a caravan under Salazar, with 165 men and 10 fam- ilies. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., vii. 95, 97.

13 Monterey, Arch., MS., xi. 1; S. José, Arch., Loose Pap., MS., 56; St. Pap., Sac., MS., xix. 19-20; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., ii. 9. 11 June 13th, Sutter-Suñol Corresp., MS., 19. But Nov. Sth he says the grain crop was very short. Pinto, Doc., MS., ii. 25. Belden describes 1843 as the driest year he has ever known in Cal. Hist. Statement, MS., 61. Item on the drought. Nilcs' Reg., Ixvi. 192. Bidwell, Cal. 1841-8, MS., 92, says the season of 1842-3 was very dry, and that of 1843-4 the driest ever known, almost rainless. Robbins, Diary, MS., 1-13, gives a record of the weather at Sta Bárbara from Jan. to March. Very few rainy days. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 218, describes a heavy rain-storm at S. F. in August.

15 Sutter-Suñol Corresp., MS., 1843.

SSS

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND IMMIGRATION-1843.

that the latter, as commandant of the northern line, his jurisdiction including the Sacramento Valley, had occasion sometimes to send orders and officers to New Helvetia in connection with the search for deserters and horse-thieves; while Sutter was inclined to chafe under every attempt at interference, from whatever quarter it came. There is no evidence that Vallejo ever showed a disposition to exceed his authority by meddling in Sacramento affairs, or that relations be- tween the two magnates were down to 1843 very unfriendly.16 These controversies have been exag- gerated with a view to magnify Sutter's services in behalf of immigrants. In his autobiography Sutter says: "Vallejo and others of the Californians, against whom rather than the Indians I kept my fort and guns in order, were jealous of my settlement. I gave passports to those entering the country, and this they did not like. I was friendly with the emigrants, of whom they were jealous. I encouraged immigration, while they discouraged it. I sympathized with the Americans, while they hated them."17 This, as the reader knows, is not a well founded claim. Sutter treated the immigrants well, because it was his inter- est to do so; but not more kindly, except in aiding them to evade the laws, than did Vallejo; and he never favored Americans more than other foreigners; neither were the Americans in any sense hated by

16 July 26, 1843, V. to S. Does not question S.'s lawful authority at N. Helvetia, though he has no other proof than his word, does not exactly like the use of the term 'fortress' by a 'judge,' and knows not by what authority that region was erected into a district. At any rate, the writer's military jurisdiction covers N. Helvetia, and to him rather than to the comandante general S. should direct his communications. Desires S. in future not to pro- tect fugitives of any class, but to send them to Sonoma. He in return will send back all of Sutter's men who present themselves without passports. Now sends Prudon for some deserters and horse-thieves. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 401-2. S. perhaps questioned V.'s authority; for the latter, on Oct. 7th, writes to Micheltorena to ascertain just what Sutter's authority and jurisdic- tion are. Id., xi. 462; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 118. The desired information was obtained from Jimeno and sent to V. in Dec .. namely, that S. had been invested with local civil anthority. Id., v. 118; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 472.

17 Sutter's Personal Remin., MS., p. 78 9. He also says he treated the foreigners with great familiarity; bnt was more particular with Mexicans and Californians, requiring them, officers and men, to remove their hats in his presence! etc.

300

SUTTER AND THE IMMIGRANTS.

the most influential Californians. Sutter's establish- ment was a great convenience to overland immigrants, as a place of rendezvous where all could stay for a while and many obtain temporary employment, and all the more convenient by reason of its master's dis- regard of his duties as a Mexican official, but at the same time more convenient to the least desirable class of Americans than to any other. It is well that pioneers look back with gratitude to the captain's kindness, whatever may have been his motives. A. better man would probably not have done so well; and were it not for the absurd pretensions and the unlimited flattery of later years, it would be in doubt- ful taste now to look so closely into Sutter's true character and merits.

Meanwhile the magnate adventurer of New Swit- zerland had taken steps to conciliate the new governor by sending a messenger, probably Charles W. Flügge, to Los Angeles, to make Micheltorena acquainted with the situation. A. store of friendship was laid up between the two, to be utilized according to mutual needs. In March Sutter was congratulated by Mi- cheltorena that there were no grounds of complaint against him or his dependents.18

The immigration of 1843 was not so large as had been anticipated, owing perhaps to contradictory ru- mors about the reception new-comers were likely to meet from Mexican authorities. The hardships of the long journey were quite sufficient without the risk of an inhospitable reception on the western shores. One party, however, dividing into two be- fore its arrival, came across the plains from Missouri to California direct, and another came down from Oregon.

Lansford W. Hastings, a native of Ohio, and more or less a lawyer, had left Independence, Missouri, May 1842, with a company of one hundred and sixty 18 Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 48; Sutter's Pers. Remin., MS., p. 73.

300

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND IMMIGRATION-1843.

persons, including eighty armed men, bound for Ore- gon, being after a time elected captain of the com- pany. The adventures of this party have no special bearing on the present subject, and they reached Oregon in October. On account of excessive rains and other conditions, the country, viewed through the medium of homesickness, "did not appear to be in reality that delightful region which they had thus long and laboriously sought." In the spring some de- sired to return to the states, while others resolved to seek sunnier climes in California. Hastings himself had not intended to remain in Oregon; and found no difficulty in assembling a party of fifty-three persons, twenty-five of them armed men, as Hastings states, at the rendezvous in Walamet Valley for an overland trip to the south. It is not stated that all were of the party that had crossed the continent in 1842, but it is supposed that most were so. They started at the end of May 1843; and Hastings was again made captain, being an intelligent and energetic man. At Rogue River the Indians were troublesome, though not actually hostile. Soon after leaving that river they met a party of cattle-drovers bound to the north,19 and a few emigrants who hoped to find in Oregon "refuge from the oppression which they had suffered in California"! Several of Hastings' party, one third, as he says, were induced to turn back, but the rest pressed on, sixteen or seventeen men, besides nearly the same number of women and children. I append a list of names.20

19 This was the party of Leese or Joel Walker, both of whom drove cattle to Oregon this year, perhaps in company. Bennett's Pioneer of '43; Walker's Narr., MS., 12; Hesperian, ii. 147-56. The emigrants with the drovers probably included the two Kelseys, Andrew and Benjamin, and perhaps John and other members of the Bartleson company. Moss, Pioneer Times, MS., says John McClure was with Leese; and this is confirmed by Given.

20 Hastings immigrant company of 1843: Barnum (?), Geo. W. Bellomy, Vardamon Bennett and family (including perhaps Dennis and Jackson Ben- nett), Winston Bennett, J. C. Bridges, Francis Clark (?), James Coates, Nathan Coombs, Alex. Copeland, John Daubenbiss, Geo. Davis, Sam. H. Davis, L. W. Hastings, James M. Hudspeth, Wm Jones, Thomas J. Shad- den and family, and Owen Sumner, Jr. (and family ?). Bellomy is the only one named by Hastings. Bennett, Pioneer of '43, describes the journey,

301

THE HASTINGS COMPANY.

Of the journey to California we have no details except some rather vaguely recorded troubles with the Indians, for which, as there is reason to suppose, the latter were not altogether the parties at fault.21 In a night attack on Shasta River, Bellomy was seriously wounded in the back by an arrow, and when the trav- ellers had reached the Sacramento River hostilities were renewed. About twenty Indians were killed, "victims to their own ignorance and insolence.""2 The company arrived at a point opposite Sutter's Fort on or about July 10th, without other mishap than the temporary loss of two men, Daubenbiss and Davis, who after wandering four or five days with much suf- fering also reached the valley ranchos in safety. While the main party was in camp opposite New Helvetia, Davis and Miss Sumner crossed theriver and weremar-

naming all but Clark, and being the only one to name Barnum. He says that Smith and Kelsey with their families were the only ones that turned back, and if so, Hastings is in error about the original number. Daubenbiss, Biog. Sketch, says 19 men and four families stated from Oregon.

21 Hastings' ideas on Indian affairs are well illustrated by the following circumstance that occurred just after they had parted from the cattle-drovers: 'As I moved on, a half or three quarters of a mile in advance of the party, my meditations were interrupted by the sudden appearance of two Indians in elose pursuit of a fine, fat cow which had strayed from the party to which I have just alluded. I gave chase to these intruders on my solitude without being observed by them until I had approached within about 30 yards, when I fired upon them.' They escaped to the willows. 'The party soon came up, and the cow very soon fell a victim to our returning appetites'! Comment is un- necessary. Hastings' Emig. Guide, 66.

22 Hastings' version is that several hundred Indians suddenly appeared, advancing with 'frantic yells and fiendish gestures and demoniac grins.' A gan fired in the air only brought a cloud of arrows, whereupon 14 of them were shot, and half a dozen more when they renewed the attack. Bidwell, Cal. 1841-8, MS., 108-10, says that on the trip 2 or 3 men were continually shooting at Indians. Near Red Bluff one of them swam the river, knocked an Indian down with a stone, and killed him with a knife. Another was shot from behind a tree. At Stony Creek another was shot on suspicion of having stolen a bridle. The fight was between Stony Creek and Colusa; but Bidwell says the firing was across the river, and no one was killed, though Sutter later sent out a party to punish the Indians, many of whom were killed. Daubenbiss, Biog. Sketch, says a bridle was stolen by an Indian who was shot at but escaped. Later this Indian with 300 others approached, and as they did not halt when the captain fired his gun, the Americans charged, and in hour about 40 were killed. Bennett, Pioneer of '43, says the attack by about 400 Indiaus opposite the Buttes was on July 6th. Of the number, 30 were killed, two of them by B. himself at one shot, his mother being pres- ent in the thickest of the figlit. Dr Sandels on the other side of the Saera- mento heard the discharge of fire-arms. 'King's Orphan,' Visit to Cal., 21. See also Sacramento Illust., 4.

392

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND IMMIGRATION-1843.

ried by Sutter, as Bennett states. The new-comerssoon scattered in different directions, some remaining in the Sacramento Valley, some going to Napa, and several going to work for Captain Smith at Bodega.23

The other company of immigrants of 1843, and the only one that came to California direct by the over- land route, was one organized by Joseph B. Chiles, a returned member of the Bartleson company of 1841.24 Leaving Independence in May, Chiles followed the usual route, that which he had followed before with Bartleson, to Laramie and Fort Hall, often in com- pany with other parties bound to Oregon.25 At Fort Laramie, or in that region, the immigrants met Joe Walker, who, as the reader knows, had been in Cali- fornia, and who was engaged as a guide. The exact number of persons in the company there are no means of ascertaining, but it was perhaps not much less than fifty men, women, and children. No contemporary list was made, and there are wide discrepancies in different statements from memory, but I append a list of twenty-eight men which may be regarded as approx- imately accurate.26

23 Hastings, Emig. Guide, 64-9, of which book more presently, gives only a brief narrative of the journey. July 19th, Sutter to Vallejo, announcing the arrival of a party of emigrants, to whom he has given passports ! Vallejo, Doe., MS., xi. 426. This was the letter which caused some controversy about Sutter's authority. Daubenbiss, Biog. Sketch, was one of the men who was lost, and he describes his voyage down the Sacramento on a raft made of two cottonwood limbs, until he was rescued by Cordua and taken to a rancho on Feather River.

24 In Niles' Reg., lxiii., Dec. 24, 1842, is an item from the St Louis Enquirer, on the preparations of a company to start for Cal. in the spring. The direct- ors might be addressed at Fourche a Renault, Mo.

23 Frémont, Rept of Explor. Exped., 106-7, camped at Elm Grove on May 31st, 'in company with several emigrant wagons, constituting a party which was procecding to Upper California under the direction of Mr J. B. Childs of Missouri. The wagons were variously freighted with goods, furniture, and farming utensils, containing among other things an entire set of machinery for a mill which Mr Childs designed crecting on the waters of the Sacramento River.' Probably not all started together from Independence. Martin, Win- ters, Mcclellan, and Johnson are said to have been overtaken by Chiles on the Platte. See also Ilist. Or., i. 393-400, this series, on the immigration to Oregon.

26 Chiles-Walker immigrant company of 1843: Lewis Anderson, James Atkinson, Wm Baldridge, John Boardman, Thos W. Bradley, Jos. Chiles, Thos Cowie, Fleurnaye (or F. W.) Dawsen, John Gantt, Sam. J. Hensley, Win Hicks, Johnson, Milton Little, Milton McGee, Charles McIntosh, Jolin

303

THE CHILES-WALKER COMPANY.

Chiles seems to have been the only one of the re- turned Bartleson company that came back to Cali- fornia this year; though several came later. Among the women were two daughters of the old trapper George Yount, one with her husband, Vines, and the other unmarried. Another unmarried woman was Miss Ayers, who subsequently married John Sinclair. Julius Martin was also accompanied by his family. Several members became somewhat prominent citizens in their new home, and it is largely from biographical matter touching those men that information respect- ing the journey is derived.27

At Fort Hall, there being a great scarcity of pro- visions, a division of the company was resolved on. Chiles with nine or ten men, leaving the families and wagons in charge of Walker to follow a southern route, pressed on down the Snake, or Lewis, River with a view to obtain fresh provisions at Fort Boisé, to reach California by a direct route talked of by the hunters, and perhaps after reaching Sutter's Fort to send aid to meet the other party. This plan was carried out successfully so far as the journey was con- cerned, though no effective help was sent back for Walker's party, if, as it is stated by Frémont and others, that was a part of the project. Chiles, Hens-

MeIntyre, Julius Martin, Wm J. Martin, Pierson B. Reading, John Thomp- son (?), Bartlett Vines, Jos R. Walker, Isaac Williams, James Williams, John S. Williams, Squire Williams, Wm H. Winter (?), and John Wooden (?). The Napa Co. Ilist., 388, has a list which, omitting 9 of these names, adds- apparently on the good anthority of Baldridge-those of Jesse Beasley, John Conn, Adam Fisher, Sanford, and Major Walton, for which I find no other authority. Hittell adds Ira and John van Gordon. Thompson is named only in a newspaper sketch. See also llist. Or., i. 400, this series. The narra- tives referred to in the next note name from 2 to 6 of the party each. In Feb. 1844 Capt. Walker applied for passports for himself and his companions, Anderson, Cowie, and Dawson. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xx. 41.

27 Immigrant Company of 1843, in the S. F. Bulletin, July 20, 1860, is a nar- rative of the trip founded on information derived from a member not named. Baldridge tells the story briefly in his Days of '46, MS., 1-3; and much more fully in Napa Co. ITist., 387-90 Some details are also given in a sketch of Atkinson in the Independence Inyo Indep., Oct. 3, 1870; of Hicks, in the S. F. Alta, Ang. 10, 1866; of MeClellan, by 'Juanita,' in the Oakland Transcript, Jan. 26, 1873; and of Martin, in the S. Jose Mercury, April 21, 1864. Also vague mention of tho arrival, in Sutter's Pers. Remin., MS., 72- 4; Bidwell's Cal. 1841-8, MS., p. 105-G.

394

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND IMMIGRATION-1843.

ley, Reading, and their companions thus entered Cal- ifornia by an entirely new route, crossing from Boisé to the Sacramento by way of the Malheur and Pit rivers; but we have no. details of either route or ad- ventures; nor do we know the exact date on which they arrived in safety at New Helvetia. 23

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 40

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