History of California, Volume IV, Part 43

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

USA > California > History of California, Volume IV > Part 43

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).

September 1st, Castañares presented an exhaustive general report on the condition and needs of his de- partment, in part first of which document, by describ- ing the country's natural advantages, he labored to prove that its retention as a part of the republic was a matter of the gravest importance from a national point of view, far more essential than the possession of Texas. In part second the author presented his views of what should be done to keep and utilize this invaluable possession. His suggestions, supported in most instances by plausible arguments, for which I have no space, were briefly as follows: Increased pow- ers to be conceded to the departmental government in both branches, it being vain to apply the general laws to the exceptional circumstances of the far north. Several lawyers and clerks of education and experi- ence to be sent to organize the administration of jus- tice in higher courts. The pious fund to be restored to California, and to be used by the bishop with the inter- vention of the government, not only for purposes purely ecclesiastic, but for the establishment of new frontier missions and presidios, and for the general promotion of education. Mexican families to be sent as colonists

Californias is no longer tolerable. In compliance with my duties, I have taken all the steps and exhausted all resources within my reach to cause a cessation of the despair to which they are reduced. The sup. govt cannot fail to apply the remedy, but if unfortunately it should be so, expect nothing but a bloody revolution, a desperate resort it is true, but the only one remaining to them, who have received from Mexico nothing but an insupportable tute- lage, vexations of every class, and no protection whatever.' June 25th, Cas- tauares to min. of rel. Id., Col. Doc., 18. July 26th, Castañares and Flores made a report to the min. of war on the needs of Cal. arising from Indian troubles, and particularly the danger of American invasion. In Monitor Constitucional, March 6, 1845, and an editorial in the paper of Mar. 8th,

416

MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

and aided by the government, the mission estates, among other resources, being devoted to that end. Foreign colonization to be encouraged, away from the immediate coast, under special laws, especially coloni- zation by Spaniards, Swiss, or Germans. Soldiers with their families to be sent in as large numbers as possible to form a kind of military colonies for protec- tion against the Americans; the soldiers being released from military service after a brief term. Supplies to be sent regularly for the support of troops in Califor- nia, not only to render its defence effective, but also to reestablish the waning respect of Californians for Mex- ico. Education to be promoted by all possible means. The ports to be fortified; and a navy-yard to be es- tablished, with the comandancia de marina of the South Sea, at San Francisco or Monterey. The occu- pation of the coast islands to be promoted. The coast to be protected by a fleet of gun-boats or other armed vessels; and prompt transportation of the mails to be insured. Mexican merchants to receive every possi- ble encouragement and concession, with a view ulti- mately to enforce the laws against coasting trade by foreign vessels. The granting of lands to be regulated, and grants already made to be fully legalized, notwith- standing possible defects of minor importance. Presi- dios to be maintained in the interior and on the frontiers, one of them, in the nature of a military col- ony, to be at Fort Ross. Parish priests to be provided and paid. A port of deposit for foreign goods to be established at Monterey.

"Uncared for and abandoned as hitherto," concludes the author, California "will be irremediably lost, and I tremble at the sad consequences of such a loss. A powerful foreign nation will pitch its camps there; the adjoining departments will not be slow to feel the effects; and California in the hands of her new master will be for its neighbors what Belize is for Yucatan. Then will sprout the seed to-day lying ignored in the soil; then her mines will be worked, her ports crowded,

417

A PROPHETIC SPEECH.

her fields cultivated; then will a numerous and toiling people acquire property to be defended with their blood; and then all this for our country will produce the opposite effects. The steps that shall put Califor- nia under a foreign power will be doubled for us in a contrary sense; and when there is no longer a remedy, when there shall begin to be gathered the bitter fruits of a lamentable negligence and an unpardonable error, then we shall deplore in vain evils which might have been avoided, and confess with sorrow our impotence to extinguish the destructive germ which at first might have been easily uprooted."23 This reads like prophecy ; but Castañares' suggestions were utopian when addressed to a government and a people like those of Mexico. The day had passed when the 'de- structive germ' could be uprooted by Mexican power exerted in Mexican methods.

On September 6th thanks, most enthusiastic but somewhat premature it would seem, were rendered to the government for the unexpectedly ample resources ordered by the president to be sent to California in the shape of money, weapons, munitions, and equip- ments, 'all to defend the national integrity and sov- ereignty.' No doubt, as Castañares thought, the re- sponse from his department would be a grito de guerra against the insolent foreigners who sought to steal so precious a possession.29 The only other essential fact

28 Castañares, California y sus males. Exposicion dirijida al Gobierno en 1° de Septiembre de 1844. In Id., Col. Doc., 21-52. In Mexico, Mem. Guerra, 1844, p. 49-50, Minister Tornel recommends Mexican colonization for Cal., and admits the urgent danger of losing that department. June 21st, the com. gen. of Cal. to be supplied with all he needs (!). Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. S0-1. July 18th, $2,000 ordered paid by Mazatlan customs. Id., i. 82. Aug. 31st, $3,000 duc from Becher's estate put at gov.'s disposal. Id., i. S5-6. Sept. 3d, the $8,000 per month to be paid de toda preferencia, as ordered in May 1842. Id., i. 89-90.

-9 Sept. 6th, Castañares to min. of rel. Sept. 7th, reply of Rejon. Cas- tañares, Col. Doc., 52-3. The aid ordered according to a letter of Gen. Ryces on Nov. 27th, Id., p. 6, included 500 infantry and 300 cavalry uniforms! the corresponding armament; 300 complete cavalry equipments; a large quantity of lead and powder at Acapulco; 4 pieces of artillery; $8,000 per month paid at Mazatlan de preferencia; and finally, the refitting of the schooner California. But the effectiveness of this aid was somewhat impaired by the remark in the same letter, 'the orders have been issued, and I believe that, en el primer mo- mento de desahogo qui haya, they will be executed.'

HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 27

418

MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

respecting these reënforcements and supplies is that they were never sent at all. In November a circular was issued forbidding all payments of funds without special orders; but Castañares succeeded in obtaining an order that the California payments at Mazatlan be not suspended! This closed the correspondence of 1844; but I shall have occasion to notice the contin- uation of the deputy's efforts in the annals of 1845.

Clearly, Micheltorena's administration had not been productive of any very brilliant results so far as the welfare of California was concerned. The condition of the country was not much better or worse in 1844 than it had been in 1841. That such was the case, however, is not to be considered to any great extent the ruler's fault; nor does it furnish an argument against the soundness of Vallejo's policy in having urged the sending of a Mexican officer to assume both commands. That the result was disappointing was due almost entirely to circumstances, which arose largely from blunders in Mexico. It is doubtful if there was an officer in Mexico who could have done better in Micheltorena's place. There is no disagree- ment among those who knew him respecting the gen- eral's character. He lacked force, and was even in- clined to indolence. He was not a man to act either promptly or wisely in an emergency. He exhibited himself in a ridiculously unfavorable light by his blus- ter in the Jones affair. On other occasions in his Cal- ifornia experience he manifested weakness of character, and he was regarded by his Mexican opponents as a pedantic dreamer of many theories. Still he was a gentleman of considerable culture, possessed of many negative virtues and no glaring vices, imposing in per- son, with manners affable and fascinating, kind of heart and honest of purpose, gifted not only with the power of winning personal friends, but with a fair de- gree of executive ability and tact.30

30 I might quote long lists of Californian authorities on Micheltorena's char-

419

THE GOVERNOR'S CHARACTER.

Micheltorena made many warm personal friends, and he excited the ill-feeling and opposition of no class. He favored neither arribeños nor abajeños, but tried to reconcile sectional differences. There was never any complaint of his favoring unduly either Mexicans or Californians. He restored what was left of the mission estates to the padres without exciting the opposition of any other class. He aided the bishop in his edu- cational schemes, and listened to that dignity's coun- sel so far as to marry his mistress. He was liberal to and well liked by the foreigners generally. He reduced expenses without very seriously offending the men who lost their salaries; and in fact, without hav- ing introduced any brilliant or sweeping reforms, he performed the duties of his office under difficult cir- cumstances with creditable tact and ability. There is much to be said in praise of his policy in all branches of government, and very little to condemn. As I have before remarked, it is doubtful if any available officer, Mexican or Californian, could have done better; and though many even among his

acter, but there is so little variety of opinion that it would serve no good pur- pose. Alvarado, Castro, Osio, and others of that class, while not denying that he possessed good nature and some other good personal qualities, dwell naturally on his weakness, lack of energy, and even lack of good faith; while others, including foreigners like Sutter, Bidwell, Davis, and Larkin, are dis- posed to exaggerate his kindness, wisdom, and ability; but on the whole, there is no man prominently named in California history about whose personal char- acter there is such a general agreement. On Oct. 22, 1842, John C. Jones wrote from Sta Bárbara to Larkin as follows: 'From all accounts, the general is a mild, affable, and well disposed man; but devoid of all energy, stability, force, or resolution; the very last man who should have been sent to guide the destinies of California. He appears to be fickle and very undecided, and if report speaks true, not overstocked with courage.' Larkin's Doc., MS., i. 344. Bustamante, Mem. Hist. Mex., MS., ii. 100, 170; iii. 46, condemns Micheltorena as pedantic and inefficient. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 428-32, pro- nounces him a man of theories, better fitted for a teacher than a governor. Mrs Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 131, notes that he rarely rose from his bed until noon. Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 101, praises his personal character highly. Spence, Hist. Notes, MS., 20, says that although a gentleman in manners, he was lazy, always putting things off till to-morrow. Gomez, Lo Que Sabe, MS., 61-2, 176-7, 340-4, 365, 374-5, 380-1, has much to say of the general, not- ing among other things his fondness for gambling. 'General de erudicion mediana, célebre por los disparates que escribió al ministerio Mejicano.' Al- varado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 94-6, 39-41. Nov. 18, 1844, Vallejo assures Micheltorena that he is very highly esteemed by the Californians, and would be more so if he would send away his soldiers. Bear Flag Pap., MS., 3.

420

MICHELTORENA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

friends deplore his lack of energy as fatal, I find but few occasions in his rule where the obstacles in his way might have been overcome by energetic action; yet it is true he should have refused to come to Cali- fornia with the company that was given him.

Had Micheltorena come with a force of soldiers properly equipped and provided for, to be used on the frontiers for protection against Indian horse- thieves; or had he come alone-and been allowed to assume the command, as he perhaps would have been through Vallejo's influence-there is much reason to believe that his rule would have been a wise and suc- cessful one. But he brought a battalion of convicts, who, to say nothing of the insult and grievous wrong to California, or of the petty depredations of these criminals, not only consumed the country's revenues without rendering the slightest service in return, and revived the old animosities between the inhabitants and los de la otra banda, but exhausted the general's energies and abilities in the task of preserving among them a semblance of discipline and of providing for their subsistence. I have given him much credit for the restraint he exercised over these men; but to control and support a crowd of criminal vagabonds was a pitiful object for the energies of a province and its ruler. 31

31 See chap. xx. for the revolution against Micheltorena in November. Larkin, Doc., MS., ii. 271, speaks of the benefits conferred on California by Micheltorena's administration; while Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 157, p. 2-3, in a letter to ex-President Bustamante, declares that he left Cal. in a much worse condition than he found it in-but chiefly because the cholos demanded his whole attention.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MISSIONS AND BISHOPRIC-TRADE AND FINANCE. 1844.

DURAN'S REPORT ON SOUTHERN MISSIONS-LOCAL ITEMS-LOST SHEEP- PADRES AND VALLEJO-SECULARIZATION OF SAN LUIS OBISPO-GRANT OF LANDS TO THE CHURCH-AUTHORIZED SALE OF MISSION ESTATES TO MEET WAR EXPENSES-BISHOPRIC-ECCLESIASTICAL SEMINARY AT SANTA INÉS-PASTORAL VISIT TO THE NORTH-COMMERCIAL REGULA- TIONS-RETAIL TRADE-PROTECTION OF THE BOSTON MERCHANTS- WHALERS ALLOWED TO TRADE-YERBA BUENA AND SAUZALITO-REV- ENUE OFFICERS-SAN FRANCISCO AND SANTA BARBARA-FINANCIAL AFFAIRS-LIST OF VESSELS ON THE COAST IN 1844.

A GENERAL report on the condition of the southern missions, in charge of the Fernandinos, was made out in February, in response to a circular from Mexico. Its purport, in marked contrast to similar documents of earlier times, was as follows: San Miguel has neither lands nor cattle, and its neophytes are demor- , alized and scattered for want of a minister. San Luis Obispo is in the same condition. La Purísima, though without property or sowing-lands, has yet a vineyard of moderate extent, and retains about 200 neophytes. The minister, Padre Juan Moreno, is ill, and is aided by the clergyman Miguel Gomez. Santa Inés with 264 neophytes, and with sufficient resources for their support, is in charge of Padre José Joaquin Jimeno. Santa Bárbara, administered by Padre Antonio Ji- meno and the writer of this report, has the greatest difficulty to support its 287 souls. San Buenaventura remains in tolerably good condition, with plenty of resources. It is administered temporally by Padre ( 421 )

422

MISSIONS AND BISHOPRIC-TRADE AND FINANCE.

Jimeno of Santa Bárbara, and spiritually by the pres- byter, José María Rosales. San Fernando, with few cattle, has two vineyards, and is administered by Padre Blas Ordaz. San Gabriel, once 'queen of all the mis- sions,' has nothing left but its vineyards in deterio- rated condition, which, with 300 neophytes, are cared for by Padre Tomás Esténega and Presbyter Antonio M. Jimeno. San Juan Capistrano has no minister, and its neophytes are scattered. San Luis Rey, with a population of 400, has hardly anything left, and its minister, Padre José M. Zalvidea, is in a state of dotage. San Diego, always a poor mission, has noth- ing now. Padre Vicente Oliva cares for its 100 souls. "From all of which it appears that three missions are abandoned, in totum, for want of ministers and re- sources; that there remain only eight religiosos fer- nandinos, with three clergymen to aid them; that only Santa Inés and San Buenaventura have the means of moderate subsistence; and that the other nine, destroyed by secularization, and their neophytes demoralized, are in a moral impossibility of ever rais- ing their heads."1

As to the success of the friars in administering the fragments of mission property restored to them by Micheltorena, it is difficult to form any definite idea from the few local items that constitute the only rec- ord extant. At four or five of the richest establish- . ments there was doubtless a partial return of prosper- ity, though even in connection with these we have no information about the eighth of total products that was to be paid into the treasury. The padres of San José and Santa Clara entered with spirit into the discharge of their new duties, and took steps, with

1 Duran, Informe del Actual Estado de las Misiones de la Alta California al cargo del Colegio de S. Fernando de Mexico, Febº 1844, MS. Hartnell in his letter to Wyllie also reports that 'the missions are almost entirely gone to ruin, and can never be brought back to their former state,' but he thinks this state of things is well for the country's temporal prosperity. Hartnell's Eng- l'sh Coloniz., MS., 88. Castañares, on the contrary, regarded the downfall of the missions as the greatest misfortune of California. Castañares, Col. Doc., 31, 49-50.

423

SECULARIZATION.

what success does not appear, to collect the mission live-stock that had been lent out to different individ- uals.2 San Luis Obispo, not one of the restored mis- sions, and one that, according to Duran's report, had no property left, was formally secularized by Michelto- rena's decree of July 16th. That is, it was formed into a pueblo, with the unoccupied lands in the vicin- ity as egidos, the few remaining neophytes being made entirely free, except that they could not sell their lands, and were to furnish six persons each week to aid the'curate. The missionary house was to be the parsonage, and other buildings were to be dedicated to public uses. The ditches were to remain free for the common use of all; no lot was to be granted without reference to the governor; and the local government, for the present, was to be in the hands of an assistant justice, subject to the municipality of Monterey. I find no evidence that any immediate action was taken under this decree, or that any other establishment was thus finally secularized this year.3

2 May 20, 1844, PP. Mercado and Muro give Francisco Arce powers of attorney to recover this property, of which the largest item is 6,000 sliecp, owned by M. G. Vallejo. Arce, Doc., MS., 1, 3, 5. Aug. 30th, V. to Arce. Denies having any sheep belonging to the missions. The whole number was only 4,000, and they were legally taken by him as aid to the govt. Id., 30. Vicente Gomez, Lo Que Sabe, MS., 412-27, recites a long story about a quar- rel that took place this year at Monterey, on this subject. Benito Diaz ac- cuscd Vallejo of having enriched himself by plundering the missions, V. demanded an investigation, and some letters of friars substantiating the charge were produced. The writer, not very good authority and unfriendly to V., represents the matter as having looked dark for the latter, when it was mysteriously hushed up. Jan. 18th, P. Mercado to Alcalde. Refers to an order that 'vagabonds' be gathered and employed in community work. S. José, Arch., MS., iv. 6. April 12th, Id. to Id. A sharp reproof for med- dling with the management of Ind., which belongs exclusively to the padre. Arch., Arzob, MS., iv. pt ii. 37-8. July 15th, gov. to alcalde. The free Ind. of S. Buenaventura must be induced to leave the community lands and settle at Sta Bárbara. Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 86.

3 July 16, 1844, M.'s decree secularizing S. Luis Obispo. Arce, Dor., MS., 12; Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 73-6; St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 390-401. A provisional regulation for the management of the Sta Cruz property by the justice of the peace, probably of this year. In Id., ii. 409-10. April Sth, the inhabitants of S. F. mission petition the gov. to recognize their cstablishment as a pueblo; but April 30th M. declined to grant the petition until investigation could be made, the matter not being urgent. From ar- chives, in Dwinelle's Colon. Ilist., add., 102-3. Nov. 12th, Osio is directed by the gov. to take the 56 cattle which he had lent to the govt from the S. Rafael stock. Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 100.

424

MISSIONS AND BISHOPRIC-TRADE AND FINANCE.

In June the bishop asked that the gardens, orchards, and vineyards of the ex-missions be given up to the ministers, that by their usufruct they might support themselves and the culto. He desired "that the said possessions inay in all time be respected as a sacred thing, as true ecclesiastical property, both in respect of the object for which they are destined, and of the true ownership which in them my churches ought to have, as soon as you order extended to each in partie- ular a title of proprietorship in legal form."+ In the natural order of things, by the tenor of Spanish and Mexican law, this property or a portion of it would eventually revert with the buildings to the church; and, whether a specific grant was necessary or not, there was no urgency in the matter, so far as the twelve missions now under control of the friars were concerned. Possibly the bishop's purpose was, how- ever, to guard against future demands for the eighth of products promised, the vineyards being the only property that could be expected to yield much profit. I have not found Micheltorena's reply to the general proposition; but in the case of two missions not in- cluded in the twelve, and which were ruined and abandoned according to Duran's report, he made formal grants to the church of lands for the support of divine worship, which were accepted by Bishop García Diego. To San Luis Obispo, on the same date that it was made a pueblo, were given a league of land at La Laguna and two gardens, or huertas, near the curate's house, while to San Miguel on the same date was given the vineyard known as La Mayor.5

In August, when Micheltorena called upon the junta, or assembly, to provide resources with which to resist an anticipated invasion by the United States,

4 June 8, 1844, bishop to gov., asking for mission gardens. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 39.

5 July 16, 1844, grant of lands to S. Luis and S. Miguel for support of worship, with acceptance by the bishop in name of the church. Piro, Doc., MS., ii. 19-25; Sacramento, Span. Arch., MS., p. 11-16; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 147-S.

425

SEMINARY AT SANTA INCS.

a committee consisting of David Spence, Pio Pico, and Narciso Botello indicated the mission estates as the only public property in the department on which funds might be raised for the country's defence. This report, approved by the assembly on the 24th, author- ized the government to sell, hypothecate, or rent the mission estates and lands, and after paying all debts and collecting all dues, to use the surplus proceeds to pay war expenses. Santa Bárbara as the site of the episcopal palace, and Santa Inés as that of a college, were excepted; and still others might be reserved for national tillage to afford subsistence to the troops. This disposition was to be made of the estates at such a time and in such a manner as might seem best, un- der a reglamento which should provide for a proper distribution of the movable property and lands to which the neophytes were entitled, and also for the support of the curates. In other words, the governor was authorized to complete the secularization of the missions and to use national property remaining for purposes of national defence. The measure was a legitimate one; but the alarm of war proved false; and Micheltorena never had occasion to publish the decree, or use the power conferred on him.6

Bishop García Diego had resolved on the establish- ment of an ecclesiastical seminary at Santa Inés, and by his authority padres Sanchez and Jimeno had ap- plied to the governor for a grant of land in support of such an institution. The grant for six leagues was issued on March 16th, and more was given subse- quently.7 Early in May the bishop with his attend-

6 Aug. 20-4, 1844, action of the assembly authorizing sale of the mission estates. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 20, 23-7; Olvera, Doc., MS., 10-11; Hayes, Legal Hist. S. Diego, MS., i., no. 45, p. 105-7; Hartman's Brief in Miss. Cases, 15- 16; Jones' Report, no. 22; Hoffmann's Opinions, 33. Whether the assembly eould confer such a power, or whether Micheltorena did not have the power without consulting the assembly, are questions that need not be discussed here. No sales were made under this act.

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.

History of California, Volume IV, Part 43

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