History of California, Volume IV, Part 48

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 48

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).

having no means for their support. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 111. In later communications, bearing no date, he goes more fully into the matter, ex- plaining that a failure of crops had diminished his resources, and com- plaining that Micheltorena had neglected the northern frontier. Id., xiv. 30, 33. In his Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 410-11, he explains his motives, add- ing to those I have mentioned his belief that M. and Castro had a secret understanding, and his unwillingness to take part in any such farce as the campaign was likely to be. C. E. Pickett, in Shuck's Repres. Men, 228-9, relates that V. took a leading part in planning this revolt, but that later most of his men were induced to join Sutter's force in aid of Micheltorena! 17 Most of the Californians greatly exaggerate the forces on both sides, 400 men being a favorite number for Micheltorena's army. All agree that the weather was very cold, disagreeable, and rainy. Several speak of a small detachment sent out by the rebels in advance of the main force to try to sur- prise the foe. Osio, Ifist. Cal., MS., 444-7; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 23-4; García, Apuntes, MS., 5-6; Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 17-19; German, Sucesos, MS., 3-5; Ezquer, Mem., MS., 17-18; Arce, Mem., MS., 41-2; Ser- rano, Apuntes, MS., 93-5; Castro, Rel., MS., 104-7; Torre, Remin., MS., 120. None of these give any details requiring special attention. Rico, Mem. Hist., MS., 7-11, gives more particulars, agreeing in substance with Alvarado's nar- rative, to he noted presently. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 420-1, seems to imply that Castro simply agreed to wait until Micheltorena could get reën- forcements from Mexico, thus betraying the Californians. Arnaz, Recuerdos, MS., 67-8, Pico, Acont., MS., 58, Amador, Memorias, MS., 154-6, and Botello, Anales, MS., 110-12, state more or less clearly that M. was under- stood to have promised merely to ask from Mexico authority to send his mncn away. Boronda, Notas, MS., 22, claims to have guided the general back to Monterey by a shorter way than he had come.

407

CAMPAIGN OF SANTA TERESA.

sible for infantry; but without a confliet, because sueh is the masonry of every Californian, that while I had not a single notice or a single spy, knowing only the ground I trod, the slightest strategie movement of my expedition was instantly communicated by these peo- ple, who travel on their horses forty or fifty leagues a day without fatigue and as a pastime. Finally I suc- ceeded in getting them into a narrow defile, where, as I advanced to fight them, they begged that I, like a father, would hear their complaints, as shown in the enelosed documents. It would have been a work of five minutes to destroy these men who have never heard a shot nor the whizz of a ball, who came as to a fiesta, embarrassed by their very weapons, bringing with them to the war their children of tender age, in faet every male; but the revolution would never be calmed, and by force and terror it would be necessary to put to the knife or to shoot half the department, while my small number of valiant men would inevitably be killed by rifle-balls in the unpeopled camps of the desert, without seeing a single foe, or having anything to eat, because they carried off everything before them, with- drawing every kind of supplies, in imitation of what I ordered done at the time of Commodore Jones' inva- sion. I have put them off by offering to send away the bad men for good reasons within three months, in order to gain this time, during which I await the sehooner California."18 In this report the reader will not fail to note a slight admixture of truth with a large amount of the senseless gaseonade which character- ized the writer's despatches in the Jones affair of 1842. It was Micheltorena's fate to make an ass of himself whenever he had occasion to write for the eyes of the Mexican government.

The best narrative extant of this campaign is that written by Alvarado to Vallejo at the time. On November 27th or 28th, the rebels received a nies- sage from Mieheltorena, in reply to a request to sus-

18 Dec. 12, 1844, M. to chief of staff. Castañares, Col. Doc., 59-60.

408

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

pend his march with a view of allaying the popular excitement, that they must lay down their arms and submit to his clemency, or he would destroy all before him without quarter. On the night of the 28th, they resolved to attack the general at Alvirez's rancho, marching out of Santa Clara, two companies of rifle- men and musketeers of forty and sixty men respect- ively in advance, with 120 under Castro and Alvarado in the rear. They hoped to capture the foe by sur- prise, and favored by the darkness and rain, approached within 200 yards; but a gun was accidentally dis- charged, and they had to retire to a wood for protec- tion from artillery. On the 29th, Micheltorena asked for a conference, and Francisco Sanchez and Manuel Castro were sent as commissioners to a point midway between the two camps, authorized to treat on the basis of recognizing Micheltorena, if he would disor- ganize the batallon, sending away the worst men and scattering the rest. Nothing was effected; but the general desired a postponement of hostilities until the next day, which was granted. On the 30th, Michel- torena solicited a personal interview with Alvarado, at which he sought a delay of three months in which to send away his soldiers, and also permission to estab- lish his camp at Santa Clara for further negotiations; but being refused, he threatened an attack for the next morning. Instead of an assault, however, on December 1st there was another conference with Al- varado, and the general finally gave his word of honor to accede to the wishes of the Californians. During the night articles were drawn up, and when the gen- eral showed some further hesitation, he was threat- ened with an attack within an hour; and accordingly, after a personal interview with Castro, he signed the treaty, and soon started for Monterey in the rain, much to the disgust of some of his officers and men.19

19 Alrarado, Carta Relacion; Campaña de Laguna Seca, 1844, MS. The writer represents the treaty as having been signed on Dec. 2d, but the docu- ment as preserved in copies bears date of Dec. Ist, as we shall see. One other version of the campaign, presumably that of Chas M. Weber, as given in S.

469

TREATY OF LAGUNA SECA.

That Micheltorena signed a treaty at the Laguna binding himself within a certain time to dismiss from the service or send away to Mexico the soldiers of the batallon fijo, with some of the more vicious officers, there can be no doubt; indeed, he admitted as much in his report to Mexico, and never denied it subsequently so far as I know. The original of the treaty is not extant; but I have copies, the genuineness of which there is no reason to call in question. At first the period within which the men were to be sent away was fixed at two months; but the general insisted on changing it to three, and also on the condition that

Joaquin Co. Hist., 18-19, and Tinkham's Hist. Stockton, 87-8, deserves notice here. I quote from Tinkham: 'Gen. Micheltorena took the field to quell the insurgents, and marched to within 12 miles of S. José, where he was met by an armed force under Capt. Weber, Castro's army having fled from S. José, leaving the inhabitants to the tender mercies of an army recruited from the Mexican prisons-a band of desperate convicts, who would plunder and ran- sack the town if they were once allowed to enter. Weber knew this, and having a large stock of goods on hand, he was naturally anxious to protect his property, and prompt action alone was demanded. Depending on his friendship with Micheltorona, and resorting again to peace measures, he sent a note to that general, informing him that Castro had fled, and requesting him to march around the town. War knows no friends, and Micheltorena informed Weber that he must march through the town in pursuit of Castro. This meant destruction of property if not of life, and Capt. Weber deter- mined to resist. Hastily summoning the men of S. José, he told them of the condition of affairs, and that by organizing, the progress of the pursuing army could be checked. A company was formed, Weber was placed in com- mand, and they set out to meet the enemy. Sending a messenger to Michel- torena, he informed him what he had done, telling him he was acting only in defence of his property. When Weber met Micheltorena he relied upon strategy to accomplish his purpose. To do this he commanded his men to appear on the surrounding hills, and by riding quickly from one point to another give the appearance of a large army. When the scouts of the enemy appeared Weber's force drove them back. These manœuvres lasted for sev- eral days, until Castro, hearing of the brave stand of this handful of men, became ashamed of his cowardice and reenforced Weber's men. Michel- torena, finding that he then had a large force to encounter, made peace and agreed to leave the valley.'

There is no doubt that Weber took a prominent part among the foreigners of S. José, who were induced by the solicitations of A. M. Pico and other Californians to support their cause, that he commanded one of the compa- nies that marched to Sta Teresa, and that the presence of his men had a wholesome effect in deterring Micheltorena from a conflict-if indeed he ever thought of fighting. As for the rest, however, it is wise to conclude, in the absence of corroborating evidence, that Weber, in claiming for himself such exclusive credit for having checked the general and saved S. José, drew very largely on his imagination for facts, and counted overmuch on the credulity or ignorance of his hearers.

470

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

citizens must by contributions aid him to carry out the terms of the treaty.20

Whatever may have been the secret purpose and ambition of the Californian leaders, it must be ad- mitted that their actions had been entirely consistent with their avowed object, that of driving away the cholo soldiers; and had afforded no indication of any ulterior design against Micheltorena. I know of no good reason to suspect that they had any intention of deposing the governor if he should keep his agree- ment, or of violating their own obligations under the treaty of Santa Teresa. Had Micheltorena kept his promise, Alvarado's chances of regaining control of the government would have been slight indeed; and his ambitious hopes, if he had such hopes, rested on a very different foundation. In his letter of Decem- ber 10th, already cited, he expressed his belief and that of his companions that Micheltorena had signed the treaty only as an expedient to gain time and es-

20 Dec. 1, 1844, treaty of the Campo de Sta Teresa, or Rancho de Alvires, or Laguna Seca. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 39-41; and (without date) Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 101-2; also, as sent to Mexico and printed in Micheltorena, Expe- diente, no. 2. Art. 1. Batallon to be sent away in two months. 2. The ‘di- vision del norte' to retire to S. José mission, and the general's force to Mon- terey. 3. Entire amnesty for all who had taken part in the movement. 4. The resources of Mission S. José to be used for the support of the force quar- tered there. 5. The said force to be at the disposition of the govt as soon as art. 1 shall be fulfilled. 6. Horses of that force to be returned to private owners immediately after arrival at S. José. 7. Expenses incurred by that force or parties belonging to it to be paid from the public treasury after ap- proval of each claim by the subscribers. 8. To the fulfilment of these articles his Excellency pledges his word of honor, signing with two of his chiefs. Signed, Juan B. Alvarado, José Castro. Subscribed to on condition (9) that the term named in art. 1 be 3 instead of 2 months; and (10) that citizens in easy circumstances shall contribute in cattle or produce a sufficient amount to enable the govt to comply with this agreement, Manuel Micheltorena, Félix Valdés, Luis G. Maciel.

The campaign and treaty of Sta Teresa are mentioned in Larkin's letter of March 22, 1845. Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., i. 35; and also in various news- paper communications-perhaps from Larkin also-republished in Niles' Reg., Ixviii. 211, 235-6; lxix. 203. It should be noted that Juan Alvirez was ruined by Micheltorena's encampment at his place. In 1845 the rancho by a decision of the supreme court was ordered sold to pay his debt. A petition signed by Alvarado and Castro stated the cause of the trouble to be M.'s failure to pay as he had promised, with a view to some relief, but with results not recorded. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 125-6.

471

MEDITATED TREACIIERY.

cape from the superior forces that opposed him, not intending to keep his faith, but to continue the strug- gle. The pronunciados had for the most part returned to their homes, leaving Castro with fifty men at San José, poorly armed, destitute, and constantly in fear of an attack from the general's forces. Confident that the war had only just begun, Alvarado was naturally more anxious than ever to secure the support of Va- llejo. That his apprehensions, or hopes if the term be preferred, were well founded will presently appear.21

In a proclamation of December 16th, Micheltorena announced to the people that the cloud of civil war threatening such dire results had passed away, because he, "preferring the voice of humanity to the horrible roar of cannon," had flown to the front, not as a ty- rant, but as a friend to those who led the movement. He had listened to their complaints, recognized the justice of some, and had not hesitated to promise relief; so that the citizens had retired to the bosom of their families, and peace was restored. "This frank- ness will always be the guiding-star of my proceed- ings," wrote the general.22 Yet he had sent orders to Andrés Pico in the south to arm the militia in defence of the government;23 and he had sent Colonel Tellez and Captain Mejía to Mexico for aid. In his report of December 12th sent with these officers by the Savannah, a document which I have had occasion to quote several times before, he says plainly and with-

21 In the letter cited Alvarado writes, 'If the plan had been to destroy the general with all his expedition, it could have been done in five minutes; but as it was merely to get rid of his batallon and preserve his govt, nothing could be done' but assent to the treaty. Alvarado had been dangerously ill at S. José for several days after the treaty.

22 Dec. 16, 1844, M.'s proclamation. Earliest Print .; Olvera, Doc., MS., 27-9; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 128; Micheltorena, Expediente, no. 3. Dec. 1Sth, M. sends some copies of the proclamation to José Castro, stating also that he has sent Tellez to Mazatlan to get permission to send away the batallon. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 42-3. On Dec. 7th, he had written to Covarrubias in the south, that he had quelled the revolt by gentle means, and was confident of saving the ship from the storm. 'Andrés Pico must not for- get my orders.' Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 114.

23 Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xii. 104-5; Los Angeles, Arch., MS., v. 243-4.

472

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

out any manifestation of shame: "I have put them off by promising to send away the malos within three months in order to gain that time during which I expect the schooner, ... remaining, I and my compan- ions, with arms in our hands constantly and every night with kindled match; for the foe is cowardly, numerous, muy de á caballo, moving incredible dis- tances from hour to hour, and therefore incapable of good faith, unworthy of confidence, and only capable of a surprise or golpe de mano"! He goes on to urge, it is true, that an order be issued for him to retire with his officers and men, "each one worthy of a statue," not because he had pledged his word, but because he had little hope for the sending of an army 1,500 or 2,000 strong to save the country.24

The general made no preparations whatever to comply with the treaty, but did all that he could to prepare for another resort to force. If he ever had any intention of keeping his promise, it soon yielded to the railleries of Tellez, who had not taken part in the campaign,25 and to the reviving hope of success through the aid of foreigners. I have no doubt that his treachery was largely due to the promises and solicitations of Sutter and Graham; but on foreign interference I shall have more to say presently. As I have before remarked, there was no reason to sus- pect that the Californians were not acting in good faith. Their force had been for the most part dis- persed; and they returned the horses to their owners as promised.26 The article calling for contributions

24 Castañares, Col. Doc., 59-60. The writer hoped to get a reply from Mexico early in March.

25 Osio, Ilist. Cal., MS., 448, Arce, Mem., MS., 41, and others state that Tellez was selected for the mission to Mexico chiefly because M. could no longer endure his reproaches for the cowardice displayed in the Sta Teresa campaign. Nearly all the Californian witnesses whom I have cited in this chapter speak in general terms of M.'s failure to do as he had agreed; and I need not repeat the list of references.

26 Dec. 12th, Castro, writing to Micheltorena on this subject, seems to complain that the general's officers were attempting to utilize the returned horses for themselves! Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 118. Others say that an at- tempt was made to drill the batallon in cavalry tactics. M. never accused the Californians of breaking the compact except by failing to return some of the property, evidently but a pretext, even if partly true.

473

PREPARATIONS.

from citizens afforded an excellent basis for a disa- greement; but it does not appear that he ever called for any such contributions, or complained that they were not paid. Without troubling himself to justify his actions, he went calmly ahead with his prepara- tions, and awaited the organization of the foreign reënforcements, just as if the breaking of a solemn pledge was an ordinary method of gaining an advan- tage over his opponents. Larkin wrote of both par- ties producing different treaties, each denying the genuineness of that shown by the other;27 but there is nothing to confirm that statement, to say nothing of its inherent improbability. Meanwhile the Cali- fornians throughout December did nothing but await developments, their leaders protesting against the general's policy, and Vallejo using all his influence to induce Micheltorena to keep his promise and to pre- vent the foreigners from interfering. Both Michel- torena's treachery and the policy of the foreigners strengthened in one sense the spirit of revolt, and created a personal opposition to the governor, that had not before existed; but the rebels were at the same time terrified, and became timid about engaging personally in such an unequal struggle. At no time in December did their military strength equal that which they had organized in November; and besides, they had lost for the most part the support of Web- er's rifle company at San José. 23

27 Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., i. 35.

28 Dec. 11, 1844, Padre Mercado ordered to quit the north for seditious conduct by Castro. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 117. Dec. 12th, Castro to gov., assuring him of the good faith and friendship of himself and party. Entreats him not to resort again to force. Id., xii. 118. Dec. 13th, C. to Alvarado. Reports that Tellez will come to attack them. Danger imminent. A. must come at once. Money must be obtained from Rae. He, C., has already pledged all his property. Horses must he had from S. Rafael. Victor Castro secms well disposed. Montenegro has not come. If A. goes to S. Francisco he must try to get arms and ammunition secretly. Id., xii. 120. Dec. 13th, Vallejo to Sutter, explaining that by the late treaty all had been satisfac- torily settled, since the 'prætorian guard' of criminals was to be sent away, and there was no opposition to Micheltorena. There was no ground what- ever to fear any further plots against the govt. Id., xii. 119. Dec. 14th, Osio to V. Appearances indicate that M. will violate his pledge, though he has always been regarded as a man of honor. Id., xii. 121. Dec. 19th, same

474

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

There are two communications of Micheltorena written in December, which I give in a note as the best possible source of information respecting his pol- icy as declared by himself at the time. The first was addressed to Sutter on the 23d. It showed a perfect understanding with that officer, and contained instruc- tions for military movements in the near future. It also contained a brief defence of the governor's pro- posed treachery, in the form of a claim, doubtless false, that he had seen a plan against the government, Mex- icans, and foreigners, of later date than the treaty of Santa Teresa. The second letter was addressed to Castro on the 29th, in reply to that officer's protest of the 27th against his apparent intention to renew hos- tilities. It was for the most part a vague and evasive plea, the only definite statement being the false one that no orders had been given to Sutter. Not a word to Castro of new plans or of bad faith on the part of the rebels.29

to same. The general sent commissioners to Mexico, but does not seem dis- posed to attack Castro at S. José. Id., xii. 125. Dec. 20th, gov. to Ábrego, $5,887 to be placed to the credit of Vallejo for supplies furnished. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., iii. 134. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MIS., iv. 435, says he went to S. Pablo to consult with Alvarado and Castro, and in consequence of the general's treachery at one time offered to join them if they would give him exclusive command and limit the war to the expulsion of the batallon-which Castro refused.

29 Dec. 23d, Micheltorena to Sutter. 'I have received the letters of your- self, of Pablo, and of Juan. I entirely approve what is said in that of the last. What you may do, I approve; what you promise, I will fulfil; what you spend, I will pay. They showed me a plan of two articles ' (treaty of Sta Teresa), ' promising to sustain me, and asking the punishment of the bad men. This was just, and I granted it. Afterward I have seen a real (verdadero) plan against the government, against every Mexican and foreigner. To a brave man like you orders are not given. To act is to conquer. The cursed schooner' (the California, expected from Mexican ports), 'which I cannot lose with swords and money and saddles, and the arms and powder here de- tain me; but if the former arrives, I will go with more forces to meet and aid you. No attention is to be paid to papers or statements of anybody. The country claims our services; our personal security demands them; and the government will know how to compensate all for them. I approve entirely your second letter brought by Juan Moreno. God and Liberty. Monterey, Dec. 23, 1844. Manuel Micheltorena. If you have not started for any reason, without need of new orders on learning that I move from Monterey to San Juan, you will march immediately, and I will calculate the time to act upon them (rubric). D. Juan A. Suter, Señor Capitan.' In Micheltorena, Expediente, no. 4.

Dec. 29th, M. to Castro. 'Convulsions which disturb the public order can produce nothing but disorder. The springs of society being broken, each one

475

FEELING IN THE SOUTH.

In the south little occurred in connection with the revolution before the end of 1844, and of that little still less is known. The northern leaders doubtless had an understanding, and kept up a correspondence with certain individuals at Santa Bárbara and Los Angeles; but none of the communications have been brought to light by my researches. At Angeles, when news of the rising came in a letter addressed to J. M. Villavicencio, an ayuntamiento meeting was held November 29th, and after a most patriotic speech from Juan Bandini, it was resolved to invite the junta departamental to mect and take the necessary steps for the preservation of order. But the members of the junta declined to accept the invitation, on the ground that only the governor had power to convoke that body.30 Early in December there came orders from Micheltorena to Andrés Pico, that he, acting with Pio Pico and José A. Carrillo, should organize and call into service the militia, in accordance with the regulations of July. The people assembled the 14th at the alcalde's summons, and declared their fidelity to Mexico; but protested, through six repre- sentatives, chosen to consult with the military author- ities, against being called into service when so far as was known there was no danger of foreign invasion.31 Evidently they had no relish for a campaign against Californians in the north without prospective pay.

seems to think and act as he deems best. I have said, and I repeat, that if judgment is used, I consider myself capable of saving the department in its crisis by gentle and politic means; but if no judgment is shown, and other methods are followed, I shall also know how to conduct myself energetically. The southern forces would be here already if I had not directed them to await my orders; and Sutter has received no orders to move or not to do so. If he marches, it is in consequence of your revolution. Just as you instigate some citizens to revolt against the legitimate authority, so others have moved in its defence; and the fault will always be on the side of the rebels. I have persecuted nobody; those who are at home live in tranquillity. Neither as governor nor as individual have I failed either in friendship or duty; and if there is anything to accuse me of, it is only an excess of leniency, considera- tion, and love for the people. God and Liberty !' Guerra, Doc., MIS., i. 57-8; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 103.

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 48

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