History of California, Volume IV, Part 49

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

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30 Los Angeles, Arch., MS .. v. 237-8; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., viii. 34-6. 31 Dept. St. Pap., MIS., xviii. 41-3; Id., v. 102-3; Id., Ang., xi. 134; xii. 104-5; Los Angeles, Arch., MIS., v. 243-4.

476

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

Only half a dozen could be induced to sign the rolls; and Andrés Pico is said to have had some difficulty `in defending these from a mob.32 Farther north, at Santa Bárbara, on November 28th, José Ramon Car- rillo and José Lugo with six companions pronounced in favor of the northern movement, and arrested the alcaldes. Next day they repented, asked pardon, and were themselves locked up. All were pardoned by Micheltorena, who also thanked the alcaldes for their patriotic conduct.33

There was no good reason why the foreign resi- dents should take part on either side in the revolution of 1844-5. In theory, as good citizens, they should have given their moral support to the legitimate ruler had his authority been threatened, while their sym- pathy was also due to the Californians in their justi- fiable efforts to get rid of the convict army; but, excepting some old residents married to natives, they were not influenced by either motive. The movement was not in any sense one against the foreigners, nor were the interests of the latter in any way threatened by its success, even if it was, as some suspected, a plot to depose the governor in favor of Alvarado and Castro. Micheltorena's policy had been very favor- able to foreign settlers, and so had that of Alvarado before him. Both, while entertaining, professedly at least, a patriotic horror of foreign political encroach- ment, favored the coming of all who were willing to become Mexican citizens and obey the laws. The only difference was that Micheltorena had had more applications for land grants and passports than Alva- rado, and had been less careful to insist on full com- pliance with legal formalities. There was no ground

32 Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 55, says the people resisted in arms under the leadership of Hilario Varela; and Pico, Ifist. Cal., MS., 104-5, tells us that his brother had to train a cannon on the crowd.

33 Dec. 13, 1844, Castro to Alvarado, enclosing copies of gov.'s letters of Dec. 7th to Covarrubias, Carlos Carrillo, and the alcaldes. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 114.

477

FOREIGN INTERVENTION.

for fear-nor indeed was there any fear on the part of leading foreigners, though Sutter, Bidwell, and others have implied that such was the case-that the success of the Californians would result in oppression of immi- grants. 34 Yet most foreigners in the north supported Micheltorena; and it is necessary to explain their motives, which, though many and varying with dif- ferent individuals, are by no means involved in mys- tery.

John A. Sutter acted in this matter of course, as in all others, solely for his own interests. Both Michel- torena and Alvarado had been his friends, his obliga- tions to the latter being much greater than to the former; but he thought little of these things, and did not even act on the theory that Micheltorena was a ruler more easily managed than the other. He went directly to the governor, warned him that trouble was brewing, and made a contract to aid him with all the force at his command, in consideration of having all his expenses paid, and of receiving a large grant of land in addition to that already obtained from Alva- rado. It has been suspected 'by the Californians that a much greater recompense was promised before the revolution was ended, perhaps including means to pay the Russian debt; but there are no proofs that such was the case. Sutter pretended at the time, in his correspondence with Vallejo and others, to be acting from a patriotic desire to support the legitimate gov- ernment against the ambitious plots of Alvarado and Castro. A little later, when defeat had endangered his personal prospects, he set up the plea that he had as a military officer merely obeyed the orders of his

34 The idea has also been more or less current that the movement against Micheltorena was favorable to the success of English over American schemes; but though Forbes and Rae seem to have given it some encouragement, yet it will be remembered that Hartnell represented M. as not only favorable to but desirous of having a personal interest in the English project. No theory but had its advocates. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iii. 697, tells us that M. was ousted by a party favoring annexation to the U. S .!; and Pio Pico, Ilist. Cal., MS., 103-4, found some reason to suspect that the gov. had a project of unit- ing with Sutter to declare independence !

478

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

superior. In later years he was anxious to be re- garded as having been in this affair the champion of American interests, but he has also admitted the real motives of his action,35 which without his confession were indeed apparent enough.

Isaac Graham's motive was to avenge what he chose to regard as his wrongs at the hands of Alvarado and Castro in 1840, wrongs for which, largely through the influence of Californians, he had not been able to get the damages he had claimed. Some of Graham's old- time companions in exile acted from the same motives, and they controlled others by their personal influence. Sutter also controlled some in the same way; but he had a much more powerful lever. Not only did he insist on a land grant for himself, but he obtained a document which authorized him practically to grant lands to settlers in the Sacramento Valley, which of course put the settlers largely in his power. There were many new-comers who had never come in contact with Californians or Mexicans, knew nothing of the true state of affairs, and were ready to believe any kind of a story Sutter chose to tell. Yet another class, which furnished many men for active service, was that of Americans who shared the views of Has- tings and Graham, believed in annexation by Texan methods, were anxious to have a part in any civil dis- sensions that might occur, and did not care in the least on which side they fought so long as it was against Mexicans or Californians.

At Monterey Larkin, and some others of the mer- chants probably, had a business interest in Michelto- rena's success. Other foreign residents were person- ally well disposed toward the governor, whose liberal commercial policy pleased them; but at the same time they recognized the justice of the popular clamor against the convicts. There was therefore a difference of opinion, resulting in a kind of tacit agreement to

35 Sutter's Pers. Remin., MS., 78-88. He admits that the contract was made in Monterey before the revolt broke out.

479

SUTTER'S ACTS AND POLICY.

remain neutral, with, as I suppose, a promise on the part of Larkin and others that during Micheltorena's absence the capital should not be allowed to fall into the hands of the rebels. Undoubtedly, in addition to the classes of foreigners I have mentioned, there were many whose sympathy was on the side of the Califor- nians; but to them it seemed important above all else that the foreigners should not quarrel among them- selves, and they therefore wisely remained inactive, or limited their efforts to opposing Sutter's plans and persuading their friends not to meddle in quarrels that did not concern them. A few seem to have joined Sutter's force with the deliberate intention of disor- ganizing it, and in this way did some excellent service for their adopted country. Having thus explained the motives by which the foreigners were influenced, I proceed to present a brief narrative of preparations before the end of the year, on which available informa- tion consists mainly of correspondence bearing on Sut- ter's movements and designs.

The militia organization ordered in the summer to re- pel American invasion included a company at New Hel- vetia under Sutter as captain, who soon notified the governor that the force was ready to defend la patria.36 In October Sutter and Bidwell went down to Mon- terey. At San José on the way they learned from Forbes and others that a revolt was being planned, and they warned the governor of the danger on arrival at the capital. Then the contract was made, Sutter promising to render assistance whenever called upon. He returned home by water by San Francisco,37 and at once began his preparations for a campaign. Bid-

36 July 23, 1844, S. to gov. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 84-5. He says Sin- clair and Rufus are his officers. The artillery only requires practice. Many men besides those enrolled will serve; and he has 40 Indians who shoot as well as anybody. If muskets are sent, he will organize a company of Indian grenadiers.

37 Sutter's Pers. Remin., MS., 7S-SS. He went up to S. F. on the Don Quixote. He says, without any foundation I suppose, that hardly had he left I erba Buena on his lannch when an order arrived from Castro for his arrest. Wood of the Savannah, Wandering Sketches, 227-8, met S. at Monterey.

480

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

well remained for a month or more until after the re- volt, and on his way home met Micheltorena returning from the campaign. The governor said he had been unable to succeed for want of horses; but sent assur- ances to Sutter and to all Americans of his friendship and of his ability to suppress the revolt! From San José Alvarado and Castro also sent friendly greetings to Sutter.39

On Bidwell's return to New Helvetia, Sutter called upon all foreigners in the north for aid. He even had the assurance to inform Vallejo of what he was doing, calling upon him for horses, and assuming that the natural and proper thing to be done as a matter of course was that the two should work together to save the country from the attacks of rebels! Vallejo's reply was to send a copy of the treaty of Santa Teresa, by which, as he assured Sutter, all difficulties had been peaceably settled. There was no danger or opposition whatever to the governor, but if such should arise, he

38 Bidwell's Cal. 1841-8, MS., 119-22. In his Diary, p. 5, Sutter says: 'In the fall 1844 I went to Monterey with Major Bidwell and a few armed men how it was customary to travell at these times, to pay a visit to Gen'l Micheltorrena. I has been received with the greatest civil and military honors. One day he gave a great diner, after diner all the Troupes were parading, and in the evening a balloon was sent to the higher regions, etc. At the time it looked very gloomy, the people of the Country was arining and preparing to make a Revolution, and I got some certain and sure information of the Brit- ish Consul and other Gentlemen of my acquaintance, which I visited on my way to Monterey. They did not know that the General and myself were friends, and told and discovered me the whole plan, that in a short time the people of the country will be ready to blockade the General and his troupes in Monterey, and then take him prisoner and send him and his soldiers back to Mexico and make a Gov'r of their own people, etc. I was well aware what we could expect should they succeed to do this, they would drive us foreigners all very soon out of the country how they have done it once, in the winter of 1839. Capt. Vioget has already been engaged by Castro and Alvarado to be ready with his vessel to take the Gen'l and his soldiers to Mexico. I had a confidential Conversation with Gen'l Micheltorena, who received me with great honors and Distinction in Monterey, after having him informed of all what is going on in the Country, he took his measure in a Counsel of war in which I has been present, I received my Orders to raise such a large auxiliary force as I possibly could, and to be ready at his Order, at the same time I received some Cartridges and some small Arms, which I had shiped on board the Alert, and took a passage myself for San francisco. if I had travelled by land Castro would have taken me prisoner in San Juan, where he was laying in Ambush for me. .. After my arrival at the fort, I began to organize a force for the General, regular drill of the Indian Infanterie took place, the Mounted Rifle Company about 100 men of all Nations was raised, of which Capt. Gantt was Com- mander.'

481

VALLEJO'S EFFORTS.

would be the first to defend him, and would gladly accept Sutter's aid. To this Sutter replied, De- cember 17th, that, as he was informed on good au- thority, though this was doubtless unknown to the colonel, Castro was gathering a force at San José, of course with the intention of violating the treaty, so that there could be no doubt of his own duty to defend the governor.39

Vallejo now addressed to Sutter an earnest and forcible remonstrance against his proposed interfer- ence. It was rumored, he said, that Micheltorena contemplated breaking his solemn agreement. Should he do so, encouraged by offers of foreign aid, the country would be plunged into the horrors of civil war. The people had risen to rid themselves of a band of convicts, and could not justly be termed rebels. Happily, they had accomplished their purpose without bloodshed. Why should foreigners, who have been most kindly treated by all parties, interfere to renew the quarrel? Sutter was entreated to hesitate and reflect before taking a step that would not only en- courage the governor-whose authority was not in any way threatened-to violate his pledge, but must seriously disturb the friendly relations that had ex- isted between the Californians and foreigners.40 This appeal did not reach the foreigners as a class, to many of whom its force would have been apparent; and it had no effect whatever on Sutter, who simply went on with his preparations. His agents seem to have trav- . elled over the whole northern frontier in quest of sup- plies, taking some of Vallejo's horses at Soscol and

39 Dec. 17, 1844, S. to V. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 123. From this it is evident that V. had written on Dec. 15th. In Id., xii. 119, 122, I have a lct- ter of V. on Dec. 13th, and of S. on Dec. 15th. They are copies from a sus- picions source, and therefore, as there is some discrepancy in dates, I have paid no attention to their contents, though the general purport seems all right. 10 Dec. 18, 1844, V. to S. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 44-50; Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 302-4; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 120. It is of course clear to the reader that Sutter's claim that Castro was collecting a force at S. José had no weight; for by the treaty he was allowed to maintain the organization until the batallon should be sent away; he had in reality disbanded a large part of his force; and Micheltorena's actions were ample justification of all possible precautions. HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 31

482

REVOLUTION AGAINST MICHELTORENA.

Petaluma, threatening even to attack Sonoma, and talking very freely about their intention to capture Alvarado and Castro dead or alive." Before the end of the month, Castro wrote to Sutter, demanding ex- planations with regard to his military preparations in a time of peace. A copy of this communication was sent by Castro to Micheltorena, with a letter in which he announced his belief that Sutter, under pretext of defending the government, was preparing for a move- ment in the interest of American adventurers and in- vaders. He declared his own purpose to resist by force the attack which Sutter was said to contemplate on the pueblos, and expressed his grief and surprise at-or rather his unwillingness to believe-the current reports that the governor had authorized Sutter's actions with an intention of violating the treaty of December 1st, and thus plunging the country in civil dissensions. 42

Most of the Californians insist that Sutter offered Micheltorena to bring him the heads of Castro and Alvarado; but this charge perhaps does not rest on any very strong foundation, though Alvarado goes so far as to quote literally the broken Spanish in which the promise was made. On the 22d of De- cember Micheltorena signed and forwarded the doc- ument confirming all land grants approved by Sutter, a most potent agent for enlistment purposes, which figured prominently in later litigation as the 'Sutter general title.' 43 Also on or about the 22d Sutter's

41 Dec. 19th, Osio to V. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 125. Reply. Id., xxxiv. 85. No date, V. to gov., narrating Sutter's outrages at Soscol and Napa. Id., xiv. 30. Dec. 23d, V. to Alvarado. Id., xii. 126. No date, samc to same. Id., xiv. 31, with allusions to other corresp. not extant. It would scem that many of the Californian rancheros aided Sutter, perhaps more or less against their will. 42 Dec. 24th, C. to S. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 59-60. Dec. 27th, C. to M. Id., i. 51-6; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 119-21. General mention of Sutter's preparations in Dec. 1844, in Streeter's Recoll., MS., 53-5; Belden's Hist. Stat., MS., 36; Tuthill's Hist. Cal., 149-50; S. José Pioneer, March 6, 1SS0; Sutter Co. Hist., 18; Brooks' Four Months, 34; Buelna, Notas, MS., 1-5; Vallejo. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 173; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 233-45; v. 67.

43 Land Commission, passim; U. S. Sup. Court Repts, 21 Howard, 255, 262, 408, 112, etc. I shall have more to say on this subject in another part of my work.

483

ARREST OF WEBER.

launch made its appearance at Yerba Buena with a small cannon and other arms on board. Some of the inhabitants, apparently under the leadership of Fran- cisco Guerrero and Dr Ancelin, managed to capture this armament, and to smuggle it across the bay for the use of Castro's army; but it was deemed politic, though Sutter's plans were well known, to wait for him to commit the first act of hostility; and all was therefore sent back and restored to the launch.44 Another event that occurred about the same time, and merits attention here, was the arrest of Charles M. Weber. This gentleman, it will be remembered, had aided the Californians in the campaign of Santa Teresa; and now, while it does not appear that he or his companions desired to extend their service beyond the protection of San Jose, he was strongly opposed to Sutter's plan of interference. Confident that the foreigners were being induced by false representations into a most unwise action, he went up to New Hel- vitia to put matters in their true light. This was exactly what Sutter and his companions did not de- sire, as it would interfere with their plans; so they simply arrested Weber as a plotter against the gov- ernment, and kept him under arrest till the campaign was over, and his tongue could do no harm.45

44 Castro, in his letter to Sutter of Dec. 24th, says an order has been is- sned to restore all to its original condition. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 60. Pinto, in a letter to the administrator of customs at Monterey, speaks of the affair, names Ancelin as a leader, and says the custom-house boat was used to trans- port the cannon, and was damaged. Pinto, Doc., MS., i. 290. Robert Bir- nie, Pioneer Soc. Arch., MS., 89-91, relates their having borrowed the custom-house boat for a collecting trip round the bay. He agreed to carry Francisco Guerrero across to S. Leandro to join Castro. Guerrero put the swivel-gun and other arms from Sutter's launch into the boat without Bir- nie's knowledge, though he had some trouble to make Sutter believe in his innocence.

45 In Sutter Co. Hist., 18; Marysville Appeal, March 16, 1879; Yuba Co. Hist., 30, is given a fac-simile of the following document: 'We the subscrib- ers chosen as council of war have unanimously resolved the following: 1st, that Mr Weber he put in irons and detained in the fort (New Helvetia) until such times as we may receive orders from his Excellency the governor as regards his disposal. 2d, that Mr Pearson B. Reading be requested to keep Mr Weber in a convenient room, and afford him such necessaries as circum- stances may admit of and his safe detention may require-J. A. Sutter, John Townsend, William Dickey, Isaac Graham, Edward McIntosh, Jasper O'Farrell, S. J. Hensley, John Bidwell, secretary.'

CHAPTER XXI.

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA. 1845.

THE GOVERNOR BREAKS THE TREATY OF SANTA TERESA-FOREIGN INTERFER- ENCE-FEARS OF CALIFORNIANS-SUTTER JOINS MICHELTORENA AT SALI- NAS- CAPTURE OF MANUEL CASTRO-ALVARADO AND CASTRO MARCH SOUTH, FOLLOWED BY MICHELTORENA AND SUTTER-CAPTURE OF THE GARRISON AT ANGELES-CONVERSION OF THE ABAJEÑOS-NEGOTIATIONS AT SANTA BÁRBARA-THE CAMPAIGN OF SAN BUENAVENTURA-CAMPAIGN OF CAHUENGA-WITHDRAWAL OF THE FOREIGNERS-CAPTURE OF SUTTER -A BLOODLESS BATTLE-DEFEAT OF MICHELTORENA -- TREATY-PICO GOVERNOR, AND CASTRO COMANDANTE GENERAL --- MICHELTORENA AND THE BATALLON SENT AWAY-HIS LATER CAREER-AFFAIRS IN THE NORTH-SUTTER AT HOME.

MICHELTORENA had resolved to break the treaty signed by him at the Laguna de Alvirez on Decem- ber 1st. It was a treacherous and at the same time a most foolish resolve, since it changed the revolution from one directed exclusively against the convicts, in whose expulsion he should have had as deep an inter- est as others, to one against himself, with a popular feeling that had not before existed. The determina- tion was wise enough, however, though none the less treacherous, if, as sonie believe, he desired to be forced out of the country. Sutter had promised to support Micheltorena in his war against the Californians, and had raised a force of foreigners and Indians for that purpose. This as a stroke of business on the part of the Swiss, or of revenge on that of Isaac Graham, calls perhaps for no very severe criticism; but for the mass of foreign residents it was a most unjustifiable,

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485

THE WAR BEGINS.

uncalled-for, and injudicious interference in matters that nowise concerned them. Many would not have engaged in the enterprise had they been aware of its true nature. Others desired a quarrel with the Cali- fornians, with the hope that it might result in-some- thing or other, they hardly cared what. The people of the country were of course greatly alarmed; and many rumors more or less absurd were in circulation. It was feared-and there was no absurdity in this- that Sutter's taking up arms for Micheltorena was but a pretext to seize northern California. Many believed that the governor had promised to the strangers the lands and cattle of all who opposed him, that foreign- ers and Mexicans were to possess the country. The arming of the Indians was another terrible thing in the eyes of Californians, it being currently rumored that Sutter had armed 2,000 savages to be turned loose on the country. The leaders of the rebels, ex- cept from a purely military point of view, were strengthened by the popular feeling that was spring- ing up against an administration that would expose the country to the inroads of foreigners and Indians in addition to those of the convicts; and the new as- pect of affairs was all the more favorable to them if they entertained the ambitious schemes attributed to them, for now they were amply justified, and would be sustained by all, in deposing Micheltorena if they could.

On the 1st of January 1845 Sutter marched with his force from New Helvetia to attack Castro and Alvarado at San José. His force consisted of about 220 men-that is, a company of foreign riflemen, for- eigners of different nationalities, about 100 strong, under Captain Gantt; a company of about 100 Indians commanded by Ernest Rufus; eight or ten artillery- men in charge of a brass field-piece; Dr Townsend and John Sinclair as aides-de-camp, Jasper O'Farrell as quartermaster, S. J. Hensley as commissary, John

48$

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

Bidwell as secretary, and a few subordinate officers.1 P. B. Reading was left in command of the garrison at the fort. The line of march was by way of Marsh's rancho, where Marsh joined, though he was no friend of the cause; Suñol's rancho, where, as Sutter states, they captured one of Castro's spies; San José Mis- sion, where many of the men got drunk; San José, where the liquor-shops were kept closed, and whence nearly all the Californians under A. M. Pico had fled; and thence by San Juan to the Salinas, in a week or more from New Helvetia, where they were joined in a few days by Micheltorena. From San José a committee of citizens, consisting of Forbes, Suñol, and Gulnac, came out to meet the army and dissuade its leaders from continuing in their unwise course; but without success, as Sutter declared that he had gone too far to turn back.2

Somewhere on the way to Salinas Sutter's men were lucky enough to capture no less a personage than Manuel Castro, the original leader of the revolt, and possibly the person termed a spy in Sutter's narrative. Perhaps, however, the capture was effected before Sutter's arrival by a party of men organized to join him from the region of San José and Santa Cruz. Several participants tell the story, but none succeeds

" This is Sutter's own statement in a letter of Jan. 12th to Flügge, which lie signs as 'Comandante Militar del Norte.' Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 65-7; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 123. In his Pers. Remin., MS., Sutter says he had 400 men, including 40 Californian soldiers who had deserted from Vallejo at Sonoma-and later deserted from Sutter also! Bidwell, Cal. 1841-8, MS., 122, says there were about 80 riflemen and 60 Indians. John Chamberlain, Memoirs, MS., 14-20, who was one of Gantt's company, gives some particu- lars of the organization. He says many joined the company against their wishes. Wiggins, Remin., MS., 8-11, was another memher. Sutter also mentions in his Diary, p. 5, the deserters from Vallejo, and the departure 'with music and flying colors on the Ist of January, 1845, to join the general and comply with his orders.' No list of Capt. Gantt's company, so far as I know, is extant; but I name the following who seem to have belonged to the expedition, though some of these did not go south: Sutter, Gantt, Coates (lieut), Bidwell, Hensley, Sinclair, O'Farrell, Graham, Coombs, Swift, Bird, Dickey, Sherreback, Wyman, Murphy (3 or 4), Chamberlain, Sheldon, Wig- gins, McVicker, McCoon, Knight, McIntosh, Lindsay, Bray, Merritt, Keyser, Kelsey (2 or 3), Nye, Greenwood (2 or 3), Martin (2), Green, Bennett, Clark.

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 49

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