History of California, Volume IV, Part 50

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

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2 Jan. 3, 1845, letter of Jesus Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 3; Sutter Co. Hist., 18; S. José Pioneer, March 6, 1880.

487

THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.

in making the particulars quite clear. Castro was taken in the vicinity of Gilroy's rancho while on his way with one companion from San José to rejoin the rebel force, his captors being Bennett, Carmichael, Coppinger, and Mc Vicker. They were pursued by the Californians toward the San Joaquin, and were overtaken in the Pacheco Pass, the result being that Castro was given up in exchange for Charles Brown, the only foreigner in the pursuing party.3

On January 4th Micheltorena issued a proclamation as follows: "Don Joaquin de la Torre, Don Francisco Rico, Don Manuel Castro, Jesus and Francisco Pico, and others having failed in their obligation to the government by not returning horses and cattle to their owners as they had solemnly promised, binding and carrying off N. Alvarado, a soldier of Monterey, for- getting my consideration and leniency, and revolting anew after several had come to ask for papeles de seguridad, and while they were going and coming without the slightest insult and with absolute liberty, as everybody has seen-this comandancia general finds itself in the unavoidable necessity of using its powers against the ingrates who may remain with arms in their hands. Therefore, and having to march at the head of my troops, I declare the city of Monterey un- der martial law, the comandante de batallon Don Juan J. Abella, being intrusted with its defence, aided by the brave officers and troops whom I leave under his orders, and with the cooperation of the vecinos whom I called to arms, and of the two judges, it being the duty of all citizens to protect their hearths and to maintain public order, while I in the mean time have the pleasure of reestablishing it and of bringing you

3 Castro, Relacion, MS., 107-15; Brown's Statement, MS., 19-23; Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 19-20. Winstou Bennett, Pioneer of '43, was one of the party of 15 from Sta Cruz on their way to join Sutter. He says Castro and another were captured, and were exchanged for Brown and John Carpenter. Bennett did not go to the south. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 56-7, tells us of a party of 40 men under Hensley, attacked and defeated by the alcalde of S. F. and Romualdo Pacheco. There is no other evidence of such an occur- rence.

488

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

the olive of peace which certain perverse men have stolen from you."4 Two days later Micheltorena marched out from the capital to effect a junction with Sutter and crush the rebel force. He had, as in the former campaign, about 150 men of the batallon, re- enforced probably by twenty-five or thirty Mexican residents of Monterey, who went as volunteers. At Salinas, on or about the 9th, the general joined Cap- tain Sutter. He had now a total force, Mexicans, foreigners, and Indians, of about 400 men; but the foe had not waited to be crushed.5

Meanwhile Alvarado and Castro, whose force had dwindled to less than 100 armed Californians, were not much discouraged by the overwhelming force by which they were threatened, though of course there was no thought of risking a fight with Gantt's rifle- men. With new obstacles, something of Alvarado's old-time ability and energy came back to him. It was resolved to transfer the struggle to the south, where the feeling against the convicts was already strong; where the people would be much excited by Micheltorena's treachery, and still more by his send- ing against them an armed force of foreigners and Indians; and where, should other motives fail, a powerful appeal might be made to local pride by an offer of the governorship or capital. As to the foreign- ers, Alvarado understood perfectly the circumstances under which they had enlisted; and he had every reason to hope that the company could not very long be kept together, under the explanations and influence

* Jan. 4, 1843, M.'s proclamation. Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., iii. 111-12. Jan. 7th, Abella's order in consequence of preceding, about precautions to be taken with persons entering the town. Id., iii. 112-13. Jan. 25th, Larkin writes that 'there are perhaps 100 foreigners standing guard in Monterey and other places to support Gen. Micheltorena.' Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 17-18.

6 Larkin, in his letters of the time, Off. Corresp., MS., i. 19-20, 35; Id., Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 12, gives the date of leaving Monterey as Jan. 6th, as does Robinson, Life in Cal., 212-13. Larkin gives M.'s force in one place as 150 soldiers and some citizens, and in another as from 150 to 200 Mexicans. Sntter, in his Pers. Remin., MS., says M. marched out with 800 men, leaving 200 in Monterey! In his Diary, however, he puts the united force on the Salinas at 600 men.

489

RETREAT OF THE REBELS.

of Marsh and others, who doubtless joined the force with the deliberate intention of disorganizing it, and of preventing a conflict between the foreigners as a class and the Californians.

The rebel army, ninety strong, left San José Jan- uary 2d for the south.6 There seems to have been a plan of attacking the batallon at Monterey, but if so it was abandoned. At Alisal rancho on the 6th, the same day that the general left Monterey, Alvarado and Castro addressed to Micheltorena the following com- munication: "Señor, when the division, of the north, trusting in your word of honor, signed the treaty of December 1st, which, made on the field of Santa Teresa, restored peace to the department, you did not fail to make every effort to assure us both verbally and in writing of your good wishes and firm resolve to comply religiously with that solemn agreement celebrated in the most formal manner. Our conduct has given no cause for you to doubt our good faith; but notwith- standing this, you, as appears from convincing proofs in writing, were forming a combination with the for- eigner Sutter to surprise us at San José with 200 ad- venturers from the United States. It was hardly credible that you in the midst of peace should at- tempt the ruin of ourselves and our families, still less of a country intrusted by the supreme government to your care; but in view of this invasion, instigated by you, your black intent became evident. Sir, you have aroused the country; within three days you will be united with this enemy of our country, a most infamous proceeding for a Mexican general. The sons of California will do us justice, and we will

6 Jan. 3d, Jesus Vallejo to his brother in Sonoma. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 3. Sutter's version in his Diary, 5, is as follows: 'Castro had his headquar- ters then in the mission of San José, he did not expect us so soon, as he was just commencing to fortify himself, he ran away with his Garrison, was col- lecting a stronger force, and want to trouble us on our March, but as he saw that I was on a good Qui Vive for him, he left for Monterey to unite with the forces that was blockading the General and his troops, and advanced or runed for the lower country, to call or force the people there to take Arms against the government.'

490

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

shed our blood rather than permit our country to en- dure this infamous oppression. You are going to join that band of adventurers at San Juan, but do not flatter yourself that our lives will be destroyed by those bandits to whom you have promised our ranehos and property."7 They seem to have started imme- diately on their mareh to Los Angeles, where, as we shall see, they arrived the 21st. They could not have had much more than 100 men at the start, though some recruits were gained on the way. No details of the march are known.8

On the 13th, a week after Castro's departure, Michel- torena and Sutter started from Salinas in what they termed a pursuit, though they never came within a hundred miles of the rebels till the latter eame back from Los Angeles to meet them. Before starting they had a suspicion of what Alvarado's policy was likely to be in the south; for they wrote to Flügge, an old retainer of Sutter's, as the only man except Andrés Pieo in whom confidence was felt, asking him to take steps to prevent the sehooner California from falling into the hands of the rebels if she should arrive at San Pedro. Sutter also wrote to another German friend, to defend his men against charges that had been made that they were serving for pay and not for patriotism. He seemed to fear that foreigners in the south might be induced to take part against the general.9

Micheltorena's progress was extremely slow. Hav- ing an infirmity which prevented his riding, he was drawn in a kind of carriage. Sometimes he halted for a day or two, and then would advance but three

" Jan. 6, 1845, A. and C. to M. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 61-3; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 124. There is more in the document, but utterly unintelligi- ble. These men acted well, but on this occasion they wrote some very non- sensical sentences.

8 Janssens, Vida, MS., 181-5, speaks of having talked with Castro as he passed his rancho. He also says that orders were issued for the arrest of Covarrubias and Juan Camarillo, the former escaping and the latter being paroled. García, Hechos, MS., 81, joined the force at S. Luis Obispo.

9 Jan. 12th, S. and M. to Flugge. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 65-7; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 122-3. No date, S. to Gessen, fragment. Id., vi. 140-1.

40I

THE GENERAL'S MARCH.

or four miles in a day. Cattle were taken for subsist- ence wherever there were any left to take. "By the time he arrives in Santa Bárbara," writes Larkin to Parrott, "Castro may be in Monterey. The for- eigners now are very anxious to meet the Califor- nians; but in a few weeks they will become tired and perhaps leave the general and go home to their farms. In this case Castro may win the day."10 And indeed, the foreign auxiliaries were disgusted with the snail's pace at which they advanced. Some deserted; and many more, from this cause and from Marsh's explanations, were in a state of mind tending to desertion. Nothing of importance occurred on the way until by the Gaviota Pass they arrived early in February at Santa Bárbara. Here they found . no adherents, and were urged in vain by leading citizens to suspend hostilities; and here, and at the Rincon a little farther on, they encamped for more than a week in the rain, and had some negotiations with represent- atives of the foe, which I shall notice a little later.11

At Los Angeles the troubles connected with an at- tempt of the Picos and Carrillo to organize a militia

10 Jan. 21, 1845, L. to P. Larkin's Doc., MS., iii. 12. Also other letters of Jan. 25th and March 22d. Id., Of. Corresp., MS., i. 35; ii. 17-20.

11 Sutter, iu his Personal Reminiscences, MS., takes special pride in noting that Micheltorena treated him as an equal on the march, making him a colo- nel, intrusting him with the active leadership, and giving him a special body- guard of 25 men. Mrs Ávila, Cosus de Cal., MS., 3-5, relates that Miguel Ávila was reported to the gov. by Bonilla to be engaged in a plan to seize the California on her arrival at S. Luis Obispo, for Castro. Accordingly a party was sent to Avila's rancho to arrest him; and he was saved from being shot only by Mrs A.'s efforts in forwarding to the general two mule-loads of delicacies for his table! Janssens, Vida, MS., 181-5, was interviewed by Micheltorena, as by Castro, and furnished some supplies, for which he got no pay. M. seemed to dread overtaking the foe for fear blood might be shed. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 447-50, gives some unimportant details of the route. He says the Barbareños offered to defend M. if he would send the convicts away. The following authorities speak of M.'s 'pursuit' of Castro without adding anything to what I have given: Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 106-0; Gonzalez, Memorias, MS., 13-18; Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 19; Osio, Hlist. Cal., MS., 449-50; Pico, Acontecimientos, MS., 58-60; Nidever's Life, MS., 110-11; Rico, Mcm., MS., 10-11; Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 95-6; Ama- dor, Mem., MS., 156-9; Torre, Remin., MS., 125-7; Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 135; Davis' Glimpses, MS., 121-2; Ezquer, Mem., MS., 19; German, Sucesos, MS., 5-6.

492

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

force for Micheltorena's defence, as already noted,12 were still in progress, the authorities not having as yet succeeded in convincing the citizens that any such organization was necessary,13 when the northern force under Alvarado and Castro arrived unexpectedly in the city. During the night of January 20th, an ad- vance detachment of that force, twenty-five or thirty strong, under Joaquin de la Torre, suddenly entered the town and attacked the barrack, or the curate's house used temporarily as a barrack, which was occu- pied by a small garrison under Lieutenant Medina of the batallon. The place was taken after a fight, in which several men were killed or wounded, the leader of the attacking party being one of the latter. Little more is known, there being no contemporaneous rec- ord. I give some particulars in a note.14 Most of the Californians state that Andres Pico was captured with the garrison, and that it was with some difficulty that Torre's men were kept from wreaking vengeance

12 See chap. xx. of this volume.

13 Jan. 17th, Pio Pico to alcalde, an unimportant communication on the sub- ject, complaining that the escuadron de auxiliares had not been put under his command. He is now going back home, having done his duty. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 67; Id., Ang., xi. 136. In his Hist. Cal., MS., 106, Pico says he was ordered by Micheltorena to raise funds for the organization of civic troops; and was absent at San Juan Capistrano for that purpose when he heard of Castro's arrival at Angeles by a letter from Castro himself.

14 Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 56, asserts that one of Medina's men was killed; and that the alcalde and several others were immediately arrested. Rico, Mem., MS., 11-12, says there were three killed and six wounded. Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 106-7, has it that one man known as Juan Tambor, 'Juan the drummer,' was killed in the fight, and later José M. Barreras of the gar- rison was shot in cold blood as he was trying to escape over the wall. García, Hechos, MS., 83, names the drummer and a civilian Olivares as wounded on Castro's side; and one Soto as the man who killed one of the garrison. Sev- eral agree that the latter was killed while trying to escape. Botello, Anales, MS., 113, thinks Torre had 50 or 60 men. Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 106-9, says four men were killed. Castro, Relacion., MS., 115-21, Pico, Acont., MS., 60, Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 4, aud Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 57-9, agree that Juan Hignera of Sta Cruz and Antonio Vazquez of S. José, of the attacking party, were killed. Castro makes the strength of the garri- son 20 men, others as low as 7. He names himself as associate commander, aud mentions Lieut-Col. Segura as one of those captured. Alvarado says the attacking force was 56 volunteers, all officers, Ezequiel Soberanes being sec- ond in command. Pico names Bonifacio Olivares as one of the wounded. All agree that Torre was wounded in the foot, and that several pieces of ar- tillery were captured. See also Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 19-20; Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 95-6; Buelna, Notas, MS., 8-9.

493

ALVARADO AT ANGELES.

on him for the death of their comrades. The main force soon arrived and took possession of the plaza. In the morning Alvarado and Castro addressed a com- munication to the alcalde, announcing their coming as "proclaimers of the country's rights," and requiring a meeting of the ayuntamiento at noon, in order that the whole movement might be explained.15

For a week from the date of the communication just cited there is no documentary record of develop- inents at Los Angeles; nor is it known what action was taken at the meeting of the city authorities on the 21st. Alvarado and Vallejo in their narratives represent that the Picos, J. A. Carrillo, the members of the junta, and other prominent citizens were at once brought into the presence of the revolutionary leaders, some under arrest and others under threats of arrest, and were submitted to a process of intimida- tion and flattery combined, which soon transformed the abajeños into strong partisans; that is, they were required to choose between holding office as patriots on the side of freedom, or being shot at once as ad- herents of tyranny. This version as presented by the gentlemen named is not without dramatic effect; but I suppose it has little foundation in fact, though it is not unlikely that threats had to be used on some of the sureños, while prospective offices had an effect on others. 16 The week was doubtless spent by Al- varado and his associates in working up public senti- ment in the city, in recalling the old depredations of the cholos in the south, in dwelling on Micheltorena's failure to observe a solemn treaty, and especially in depicting with much exaggeration the outrages to be

15 Jan. 21, 1845, A. and C. to alcalde of Angeles. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xi. 134-5. They announce that they came at 2 A. M. and are holding the plaza.

16 Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 60-5; Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 3-8, partially supported by Manuel Castro, Relacion, MS., 121-4, and Rico, Me- morias, MS., 11-12. José Antonio Carrillo is said to bave been won over by being made Castro's 'mayor general,' or chief of staff. Many condemn the conduct of Andrés Pico as treachery to Micheltorena. Gomez, Lo Que Sale, MS., 79, says that Pico was the only one of the Californians against whom M. retained any bitter felling.

494

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

expected from Sutter's foreigners and Indians, and the governor's baseness in enlisting such forces against the Californians. Their arguments were strong and most effective. There was but little opposition. Men and supplies were obtained for the campaign, and southern members of the junta were converted to a state of mind favorable to the popular cause.

One of the most important things accomplished was the formation of a company of foreigners to counterbalance the force under Sutter. The interests of foreign residents in the south were not in any re- spect different from those of the northerners; nor were their political sympathies materially different, though the loud-mouthed advocates of American con- quest were not very numerous in the south, where neither Sutter nor Graham was popular, and where most of the foreigners were more or less content with Californian methods of life. The sympathy of the southerners was for the Californians, and they acted in accordance with it, but not to any great extent be- cause of it. They did not wish Los Angeles to be occupied by Micheltorena and his men, who on their march were understood to have seized all the property that came within their reach, and who would natu- rally resort to forced loans if not to indiscriminate plunder on capturing a town. They looked with no favor on Sutter's personal schemes, did not relish the airs he would put on nor the power he would wield in case of success, and above all dreaded the unfriendly feelings between Californians and foreigners that would be sure to result if Micheltorena should suc- ceed by foreign aid. Moreover, they did not expect to fight against their countrymen, understanding the false representations under which most of Sutter's men had been enlisted, and feeling sure that their opposi- tion in connection with other influences already at work would cause them to abandon a bad cause. The strongest motive of all was probably a desire to put an end to the war, which it was evident could be ef-

495

FOREIGNERS OF THE SOUTH.

fected quickest by forcing Micheltorena and his men to leave the country.17 At any rate, there was little or no difference of opinion. Stearns, Workman, Vignes, Rowland, Wilson, McKinley, Bell, and other promi- nent citizens exerted themselves personally ; and about fifty men were enlisted for military service. The leaders seem to have been James McKinley and Will- iam Workmam, though there was perhaps no formal military organization.18

Pio Pico was induced to convoke the junta, which met on January 28th, present, vocales Pico, Figueroa, Bo- tello, and suplente Cárlos Carrillo. Agustin Olvera was chosen temporary secretary. Don Pio, the president, opened the session with a speech, in which, with the usual superfluity of words deemed de rigueur in such cases, he announced the approach of Micheltorena,

17 Abel Stearns, in a letter to Larkin, expresses this last view very strongly. Larkin's Doc., iii. 58. B. D. Wilson, Observ., MS., 46-56, gives prominence to the desire for harmony with the Californians, and the feeling that men like the cholos were really the element most unfavorable to American and all foreign enterprise. Bidwell, Cal. 1841-8, MS., 124, has no doubt the south- erners were in sympathy with the insurrection, but they were also influenced by exaggerated reports of outrages by the general's forces. Many new-comers heard only one side of the question, and really thought they were saving the town from pillage and outrage. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 65-6, thinks a few prominent men really favored his cause. The rest followed their lead, or were actuated by a dislike for Graham and Sutter. John C. Jones, writing to Larkin, expresses the opinion of Sta Bárbara that Micheltorena's success would have been a great misfortune to the Californians, largely through Sut- ter's influence. Larkin's Doc., iii. 75.

18 In a letter from Cahuenga, Alvarado and Castro later spoke of having 34 riflemen. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 17. Most authorities agree that the whole number was from 40 to 60. Wilson, Observ., MS., 46-50, says there were 50 in different companies, implying that Workman was the commander of his company. The Californians generally represent Mckinley as having been in command; and Jones in a letter of the time also namncs him as leader. Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 65. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 123, says Mckinley took no active part, and that Stearns did not leave the town. Bidwell, Cal. 1841-8, MS., 124, says that the principal force was a company of 40 mountaineers under William Fallon; and Sutter wrote on July 31st of 'O'Fallon who marched against us with his gang for the sake of getting some horses.' Lar- kin's Doc., MS., iii. 234. Michael White, Cal. All the Way Back to '28, MS., 19-21, tells us there were 100 men in his company, under Capt. Workman and Lieut Rowland. The writer was enlisted against his will. The following men are named by one witness or another as having served in this campaign: Jaines Mckinley, Abel Stearns, B. D. Wilson, Alexander Bell, Richard Laughlin, Nathaniel Pryor, Alex. Sales, Michael White, P. Mace (?), James Beckwourth (?), James Barton (?), Wm Fallon, Wm Workman, John Row- land, Louis Vignes, Wm Garner, Sam. Carpenter, Henry Dalton, Daniel Sex- ton, John Reed, Callaghan (3), Cornelius Perry (!), Wm Smith.

406

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

whose intentions were not known, and the invasion of the city by the division of the north claiming to act in defence of the country. He therefore called upon the junta to consider the situation, and to take such measures as would check the movement of hostile forces and restore tranquillity.19 The only business transacted the first day was to call upon Alvarado and Castro for an explanation of their coming at the head of an armed force. At the next session on the 29th, the explanation with documentary vouchers was ro- ceived, read, and referred to Figueroa and Carrillo as a committee. This document was a forcible present- ment, not exaggerated, and comparatively free from verbiage, of the events of the past two months, with which the reader is familiar. The authors called attention to the fact that hitherto Micheltorena's authority as governor and general had not been ques- tioned or threatened by anybody, the movement hav- ing been directed against the criminal soldiers exclu- sively, and the governor himself having recognized its justice; but now they declared that Micheltorena, by breaking the treaty of Santa Teresa, by arming foreign adventurers and savage Indians against the Califor- nians, and by giving a high command to a man who was known to have made threats against Mexican authorities, was guilty of treason to his government, and should be sent to answer for his crimes before the tribunals of the republic. The assembly should take charge ad interim of departmental affairs in accordance with the laws, and in reporting the charges against Micheltorena, should petition that the command be conferred upon a native or a citizen of California.20

19 Pico's discourse of Jan. 28, 1845, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiv. 96; Bandini, Doc., MS., 57. Ridiculed by Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 442-3, without any good foundation. The speech was wordy, but sensible enough. 20 Alvarado and Castro, Exposicion contra Micheltorena dirigida á la asam- blea departamental por los Gefes de la Division del Norte, 29 de Enero, 1845, MS. The 9 accompanying documents are not given; but they consisted of corresp. that has already been cited. Sessions of Jan. 28th-29th. Id., iv. p. 28-9; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 1; Id., vi. 110; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 36; S. José, Arch., MS., i. 4; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiv. 103.

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 50

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