USA > California > History of California, Volume IV > Part 71
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673
PRIVATE RANCHOS.
buildings were at any rate unoccupied and rapidly going to ruin. A company of defensores de la patria, 46 rank and file, under Captain Francisco Sanchez
Clara) }1., 1841, M. A. Mesa, who was cl. Rio de los Americanos (Sac.), 8 1., 1844, Wm A. Leidesdorff; Folsom & Sparks cl. Rio de Berrendos, see Primer Cañon. Rio Estanislao, see Ranchería. Rio de los Molinos (Tehama) 5 1., 1844, A. G. Toomes, who was cl. Rio de los Putos (Yolo) 4 1., 1842, Francisco Guerrero; Wm Wolfskill el. Roblar de la Miseria (Sonoma) 4 1., 1845, Juan N. Padilla; David Wright cl. Rodeo Viejo, see Cañada de Gua- dalupe. * Sacramento, city lands, 1841, J. A. Sutter; city and Burnett cl. *Sacramento, island of, 1844, V. Prudon, who was cl .; 1845, Robt Elwell, Jesus Noé cl .; not named, *Sutter 300 acres, 1841, F. J. White cl .; Moquel- umne Ind. 4 1., 1844, Sutter cl. for Ind. Sacramento Co. ranchos, see also Cazadores, Cosumnes, N. Helvetia, N. Flandria, Omochumnes, Paso, Rio Americanos, S. Buenaventura, Nemshas, Sanjon, and Sucayac. * San An- tonio, arroyo (Marin), 3 1., 1844, Juan Miranda; T. B. Valentine, J. A. Short et al. cl. San Antonio, laguna (Marin), 6 1., 1845, B. Bojorques, who was cl. San Buenaventura (Sac.), 6 ]., 1844, P. B. Reading, who was cl. * San Cayetano, garden (Sta Clara) 1,000 v. 1845, J. B. Alvarado; C. Panaud et al. cl. * San Francisco, city lands, 1843, Limantour, who was cl .; Mission lots: * Domingo Félix 400 v .; * E. and J. R. Valencia 200 v .; Cárlos Mo- reno (Chas Brown); Fran. de Haro, 150 v. * San Francisco, potrero, }1., 1844, R. & F. de Haro, whose heirs were cl., also Wm. C. Jones. * San Francisco, rincon, 800 v., 1845, P. Sherreback, who was cl. Id., not named, Robert Elwell, 400 v., 1842; Fernando Marchena, 1 1., 1844; neither of them pre- sented to L. C; * Stephen Smith, two 50 v. lots, 1843; see also Cañada de Guadalupe, Pt Lobos, and S. Miguel. S. Francisquito, see Rincon and Rin- conada. San Geronimo (Marin), 2 1. 1844, Rafael Cacho; J. M. Revere, cl. San Joaquin Co. ranchos, see Campo, Mariposas, Panocha, Pescadero, and Rancheria. San Juan (Placer), 45 1., 1844, Joel P. Dedmond; Hiram Grimes cl. San Leandro (Alameda), 1 1., 1842, Joaquin Estudillo, who was cl. San Lorenzo (Alameda), 600 v. and 1 1., 1841-3, Guillermo Castro, who was cl. San Lorenzo (Alameda), 1} 1., 1842-4, Francisco Soto, whose heirs were cl. San Luis Gonzaga (Mariposa), 48,821 acres, 1843, Francisco Rivera; J. P. Pacheco cl. San Mateo Co., see Félix. San Miguel (S. F.), 1 1., 1845, Jesus Noe, who was cl. San Pedro, Sta Margarita, and Las Gallinas (Marin), 5 1., 1844, Tim. Murphy, who was cl. San Vicente (Sta Clara), 1 1., 1842, Jose R. Berreyesa, whose heirs were cl. Santa Clara, Potrero, 1 1., 1844, J. A. Forbes; R. F. Stockton, cl. Sta Clara, Embarcadero, 1,000 varas, 1845, Ba- silio Bernal, who was cl. Sta Clara Co. ranchos, see Calzoncillos, Capitan- cillos, Coches, Corte de Madera, Pastoría, Pilarcitos, Posolomi, Quito, Rin- con, Rinconada, S. José Mision, S. Cayetano, S. Vicente, Ulistac, and Uvas; also not named, grants to Francisco García, 2,000 v., 1843, J. Enright cl .; * José Noriega, 4 lots, 1845, N. cl .; * Buenaventura et al., { 1., 1844, H. C. Smith cl .; * Narciso Bennett, who was cl., 140 v. 1 solar, 1845; Narciso Bennett, 140 v. and 2,000-1,000 v., 1845; Mary S. Bennett cl .; Barcelia Bernal et al., 1 1., 1845-6. Sta Margarita, see S. Pedro. Sta Rita, see Sanjon. Sta Rosa, cabeza (Sonoma), 1841, María Ignacia Lopez, confirmed in 6 divi- sions to Julio Carrillo, J. R. Mayer et al., J. Eldridge, F. Carrillo, Juana de J. Mallagh, and J. Hendley; cl. of O. Boulio rejected. Sta Rosa, llano, 3 1., 1844, Mark West; Joaq. Carrillo cl .; rejected 2 claims on grant to Joaq. Carrillo, 1844. Sancos (Tchama), 5 1., 1844, R. H. Thomes, who was cl. Sanel (Mendocino), 4 1., 1844, F. Félix, who was cl., Sanjon de los Moque- lumnes (Sac.), 8 1., 1844, Anastasio Chabolla; Angel and M. Chabolla cl. Sanjon de Sta Rita (Merced), 11 1., 1841, Francisco Soberanes, who was cl. Santos Calle, see Laguna. Seno de Malacomes (Sonoma), 4 1., 1843, José de los Santos Berreyesa, who was cl. Shasta Co., see Briesgau. Sobrante (Ala- HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 43
674
LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.
held themselves ready for action in 1844-5. The growth of Yerba Buena, in the light of later devel- opments, has a peculiar interest, and I have quoted in the appended note some descriptive matter by visitors, one of whom has left a pencil sketch, and by residents, notable among whom is Mrs Rae. The town contained in 1845 about 20 structures large and small, but with one exception there is no definite in- formation about any of those built in this period. I suppose that of all classes there were not less than 125 inhabitants, among whom the foreigners consti- tuted a predominant element. Indeed the foreign influence caused a certain prejudice against Yerba Buena, notably among Mexican residents at the mis- sion, showing itself most clearly in a controversy be- tween the rival alcaldes Padilla and Sanchez in 1845. In 1844, in connection with a reorganization of the
meda), 11 1., 1841, J. J. Castro, who was cl. Sobrante (Contra Costa ?) occu- pied by Romero brothers in 1844. * Socayac (Sac .? ), 3 1., 1844, John Cham- berlain; E. Pratt cl. Solano Co., see Mare Isl., Putas, Putos, Suisun, Soscol, Tolenas, and Ulpinos. * Sonoma, 400 v. near ex-mission, 1844; J. Y. Limantour, who was cl. Sonoma Co., see Blucher, Bodega, Callayomi, Cotate, Guenoc, Huichicha, Jonive, Lac, Laguna, Malacomes, Petaluma, Roblar, Sta Rosa, Scno, Sotoyomi, Tzabaco, and Yulupa. Sotoyomi (Sonoma), 8 1., 1841, Henry D. Fitch, whose widow was cl .; Cyrus Alexander's cl. to 2 1. rejected. Soulajule (Marin), 20 1., 1844, Ramon Mesa; confirmed in 5 divisions to J. S. Brackett, G. N. Cornwell, P. J. Vasquez, Luis D. Watkins, and M. F. Gormley; cl. of Wm. M. Fuller rejected. Stanislaus Co., see Puerto. Suisun (Solano), 4 1., 1842, Francisco Solano; Arch. Ritchie cl .; also J. H. Fine. * Soscol (Solano), 1843, M. G. Vallejo, who was cl. * Tache, laguna (Tulare), 11 1., 1843, Limantour, who was cl. * Tamalpais (Marin), 2 1., 1845, Hilario Sauchez, who was cl. Tehama Co., see Barranca, Bosquejo, Flores, Lassens, Primer Cauon, Rio, and Sancos. Tiburon, see Farallones, etc. * Tinicasio (Marin), 1 1., 1841, Indians of S. Rafael; Murphy cl. for Ind. Tolenas (Solano), 3 1., 1840, J. F. Armijo, whose heirs were cl. Ta- males (Marin), 5 1., 1845, Juan N. Padilla; James D. Galbraith cl .; Tulucay (Napa), 2 1., 1841, Cayetano Juarez, who was cl. Tuolumne Co., see Ores- timba; also unnamed grant to * Solomon Pico, J. L. Ord cl. Tzabaco (So- noma), 4 1., 1843, J. G. Peña, J. J. Peña et al. cl. Ulistac (Sta Clara), } 1., 1845, Marcelo Pico and Cristobal; J. D. Hoppe cl. Ulpinos (Solano), 4 1., 1844, John Bidwell, who was cl. * Ulpinos (Contra Costa), 1845, José de la Rosa; Juan M. Luco cl. Uvas (Sta Clara), 3 1., 1842, Lorenzo Pineda; Bern. Murphy cl. Vaqueros, see Cañada. Visitacion, see Cañada. * Willy (Butte ?) 4 1., 1844, M. C. Nye, who was cl. Yerba Buena Isl., see Farallones. * Yokaya (Mendocino), 8 1., 1845, Cayetano Juarez, who was cl. Yolo Co., see Laguna, Quesesosi, and Rio; also grant not named of 5 1., to Thomas Shadden, 1844, claim discontinued by id. Yuba Co., see Honcut, Johnson's, and N. Helvetia; also unnamed grant of 6 1. to * John Smith; John Rose et al. cl. * Yulupa (Sonoma), 3 1., 1844, Miguel Alvarado; M. G. Vallejo cl.
.
675
MISSION DOLORES.
receptoría, or revenue department, the building of a custom-house was ordered, to cost not over $800; and it was completed in September of the next year mainly by the labor of Indians from abroad, with materials obtained in part from the presidio and mis- sion ruins, and by the aid of loans from enterprising citizens, at a cost exceeding the original estimate by only $2,000. This structure stood facing the plaza from the west, on what was later Washington Street. A long controversy between the revenue officers, Benito Diaz succeeded by Rafael Pinto, and the masters of whalers and other craft, who, with the support of Richardson, captain of the port, insisted on anchoring at Sauzalito ostensibly on account of its superior advantages for obtaining wood and water, but in truth largely for the facilities it offered for contraband trade, was the only other noteworthy item of current annals. I have appended a list, alpha- betical yet with sub-lists for the different sections, of all the private ranchos in Northern California granted during the half decade. They were about 160 in number, and it will be noted that half of them were granted in 1844, and that nearly one third were finally not confirmed by the courts of the United States.
A few items have been given incidentally respect- ing Dolores as part of the pueblo of San Francisco; as an ex-mission it calls for but slight mention. I find no trace of any resident minister, though the padres Real occasionally officiated and Padre Muro seems to have spent several months here in 1845. No later administrator than Tiburcio Vasquez in 1841 is named, but he probably acted in that capacity for several years longer. There were then in the community 78 Indians, about 50 of whom I suppose were still living on the peninsula in 1845; but there was probably no remnant of property besides build- ings, though there was a debt which prevented the governor in 1844 from acceding to the petition of
676
LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.
citizens that an end be made of the ex-mission. In 1845, however, after warning to the scattered ex- neophytes to reoccupy the property that was theoret- ically theirs, an order for its sale was issued, as at other establishments.13
Padre Lorenzo Quijas attended to the 'spiritual' interests of San Rafael and of all the northern fron- tier until 1843, after which there was no resident curate north of the bay. Simpson and Peirce and officers of the U. S. exploring expedition visited the establishment in 1841-2, the latter with a view of purchasing the Novato rancho offered for $1,500, and the former on his way to Sonoma; but these visitors have more to say of Quijas' drunken pranks than of anything else, merely noting that the mission was in ruins, and that Timothy Murphy was administrator; indeed, there was nothing more to be noted. Mofras reports a population of 20 Indians; but the commu- nity was entirely broken np before 1845, though I suppose there must have been about 200 ex-neophytes still living in the region and nominally christians. After the formality of warning the Indians to re- occupy the mission, its sale at auction was ordered in October; and the valuation of the estate, accord- ing to the original inventory in my possession, was $17,000 in buildings, lands, and live-stock.14 Mean-
13 Inventory and census of Feb. 1841; 216 cattle, 698 horses, 600 sheep. St. Pap. Miss., MS., x. 16-17. Simpson's visit and description in 1842; only the church in tolerable preservation. Simpson's Narr., i. 330-6. The names of 15 residents were signed to a petition in 1844 as mentioned in note 12. The lots granted in 1842-4, were to Wm Hinckley, Charles Brown, Francisco de Haro, Domingo Félix, and Francisco Guerrero. Order of sale 1845. This vol., p. 549-52.
14 Peirce's Jour., MS., 81 et seq .; Simpson's Narr., i. 305; Wilkes' Narr. U. S. Exp. Exp., v. 212; Mofras, Explor., i. 320. Aug. 24, 1844, Wm A. Richardson asks the assembly for a juez at S. Rafael. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 19. Nov. 8th, gov. announces the separation from Sonoma, and the creation of the S. Raf. jurisdiction extending to the Petaluma Creek and Russian River, or S. Ignacio. Murphy appointed on the Sth, and, on his declining, Osio on the 11th. Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 98-9; Dept. St. Pap., Ben., P. & J., ii. 24. Nov. 12th, gov. tells Osio to take 56 head of cattle, which he had furnished to the govt, from the S. Raf. stock. Dept. Rec., MS., xiii. 100. April 1845, Tim. Murphy elected, after temporary appointment by gov., juez de paz, with
677
SAN RAFAEL AND SONOMA.
while in 1844 San Rafael had been separated from the civil jurisdiction of Sonoma, and Antonio M. Osio was made juez de paz, soon to be succeeded by Timothy Murphy, who at first declined the office. The private ranchos of Marin county have been al- ready named in this chapter.
San Francisco Solano no longer had an existence as an ex-mission community, and there is nothing to be said of it during this period, except that Padre Quijas served as occasional curate, perhaps residing here for a time in 1843, and that there exists an im- perfect list of buildings, utensils, and church property, apparently made in connection with the order of sale in 1845, though in the final order of October this establishment was not named.15 There were probably over 200 Indians residing at Sonoma or in the near vicinity.
The population of gente de razon in the jurisdiction of Sonoma, all north of the bay, but not including foreigners in the Sacramento Valley or the newly ar- rived and roving immigrants of the Sonoma and Napa valleys, I suppose to have numbered about 300 in 1845, though the only definite basis of estimate is the military force. The presidial company in 1841-3, and probably down to the time of its disbandment by Vallejo in 1844, had between 40 and 50 men under the command of Lieut José Antonio Pico; and there were besides nearly 60 men fit for militia duty, to say
Ignacio Pacheco as suplente. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., P. & J., MS., ii. 23-4. In- ventory of Aug. 28th; buildings $3,435; furniture and utensils $39; 2 gardens with 22 fruit trees and 210 vines $2,629; land, about 16 leagues, $8,000; live- stock, chiefly at Nicasio, 266 cattle, 593 horses, 310 sheep, $3,051; list of church utensils, etc., no value given; total $17,230. Signed by Pico, Manso, and Murphy. Pico, Pap. Mis., MS., 139-42. Oct., the juez of Sonoma claims not to know anything about Murphy's authority, but says that men at S. Raf. have at his instigation disobeyed the writer's summons. Doc. Hist. Cal., ii. 203. Dec. Ist, Guerrero at S. F., recommends Gregorio Briones and Ignacio Pacheco as juez and suplente for 1846. Id., 22S. Sale ordered. This vol., iv., p. 549-52. In Marin Co. Hist., 206, we read that Ignacio Pacheco and 'Alferes Damas' (Dámaso Rodriguez ?) were Ist and 2d alcaldes, succeeded by Wm Reynolds and James Black in 1845 !
15 Inventory in Pico, Pap. Mis., MS., 123-6, with no values attached. See this vol., p. 549-51.
LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.
nothing of an incidental mention by the alcalde of 100 citizens in his jurisdiction.16 Captain Salvador Va- llejo was commandant of the post and no civil authori-
16 Sonoma affairs. 1841. Capt. Salv. Vallejo, comandante of the post; Lieut. José Antonio Pico, commanding the S. F. company; Sergeant José de los Santos Berreyesa, 39 men rank and file with 4 agregados and 6 inválidos; 2d alférez Prado Mesa with Sergeant Nazario Galindo, and 9 men absent as a garrison at S. F,; pay roll about $11,000. This state of things did not vary materially in 1842-3. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxvii. passim; Dept. St. Pap., B. M., MS., lxxxv. 9; lxxxvi. 5-6. For the next two years there are no original military records. Financial items of 1841. June Sth. Abrego at Mont. sends $2,849 for the comp., $1,046 of it in silver. July 6th. $1,928 more, $221 in specie. Sept. 23d. Sends $500 in silver, and has $1,200 more, $900 for the comp., $300 for the general's salary. Oct. 30th. Has $2,000 in goods for the comp., $500 in coin has been paid to Célis. Oct. 6th. Lieut. Pico has rec'd $4,777 for comp. Vallejo, Doc., MS., x. 160, 200, 288; Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., iii. 156; Id., B. M., lxxxv. 5. May. 7 guns and 5 artillerymen. This vol., p. 198. Jan. Ist. Gen. Vallejo to minister of war, has supported the garrison at an expense of about $1,000 per month, besides mounting 7 guns. Desires the Soscol rancho for the support of the company, or else de- sires it for himself on acct of the $4,000 due him for salary in 1824-37, and of $9,000 which the barracks cost him. Vallejo, Doc., MS., x. 10. Jan. 11th. V. claims that the civil jurisdiction belongs to the mil. comandante. Id., 33. Alcalde of S. F. reports that V. objects to land being surveyed by civil auth. of S. F. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 67-70. July. Threatened trouble with the Sotoyomi Ind. Vallejo, Doc., MS., x. 230. Visits of Mofras and of Wilkes' officers. This vol., p. 245, 243-51. Wilkes writes: 'Zonoma is to be the capital of this country provided the general has power and lives long enough to build it up.' 1842. Visit of Sir Geo. Simpson in Jan. Id., 218. Simpson in his Narr., i. 308 et seq., devotes nearly 20 pages to an interest- ing account of Sonoma and its people and their manners and customs. Visit of Com. Jones in Dec. This vol., p. 314. 1843. Visit of Dr Sandels in Feb. or March. Id., 346; King's Orphan, 6-8. Like Simpson, he gives no definite information, though both narratives would be interesting did space permit their reproduction. June 18th. A meeting held to devise means for the sup- port of the garrison, Vallejo presiding and Prudon, scc., also to build a town hall, jail, and cemetery. 31 persons subscribed $3,063, besides 155 fan. grain, 20 cattle, 1,100 ft boards, 12,700 adobes, and the work of 22 laborers. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 412. Vallejo to gov. recommending the organization of a civil govt at Sonoma, and suggesting Victor Prudon for sub-prefect. I.l., 368. In the same vol. there are many items of routine correspondence for this year on unimportant matters. Aug. 15th. Vallejo to mil. com., inclos- ing a plan of the town (not extant) which he has followed, and which should still be followed in all improvements. He says that his commission as direc- tor of colonization has now expired. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., i. 430. Oath to the new Mex. constitution in Dec. This vol., p. 359. Ind. campaign at Clear Lake. Id., 332-3. Vallejo vs P. Mercado on payment of tithes, Id., 373. Two alcaldes to be chosen. Id., 359. 1844. Jacob P. Leese, Ist alcalde, Caye- tano Juarez 2d alcalde. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xi. 11; xvii. 78, and many other references. Militia company organized nnder Capt. Salv. Vallejo. This vol., p. 407. List of 59 citizens liable to do duty in the militia, 12 being foreign- ers and 6 Indians. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 55. Vallejo disbands the cavalry company to avoid aiding Micheltorena. This vol., p. 464-5. Quarrels be- tween Salv. Vallejo and Dr Bale, also Alcalde Leese and Victor Prudon. This vol., p. 444-5. Threats of attack by Sutter. Id., 482. 1845. Leese and Juarez seen to have acted as alcaldes, or at least there were no others, until June, when José de la Rosa and Marcos Vaca were elected. Dept. St.
679
ROSS AND NEW HELVETIA.
ty was recognized down to the end of 1843, from which time municipal affairs were directed by two al- caldes, Jacob P. Leese and José de la Rosa holding successively the first alcaldía. There is nothing in the meager record of military, municipal, or other local affairs that demands more extended notice than is given in the appended index and summary. At Ross and New Helvetia even more fully than at So- noma, local occurrences have been noted in other parts of this volume in connection with the departure of the Russians, the various enterprises of Captain Sut- ter, and the arrival of different immigrant parties over the Sierra and from Oregon; yet of these matters an index is appended with some supplemental items.17
Pap., Ben., P. & J., MS., ii. 22-5, 98-9, and many other references. It ap- pears that disorders caused by Sutter's operations prevented the election at the proper time, and in March Leese urged the acceptance of his own and Juarez' resignation. He says he cannot write Spanish, has no secretary and no funds. Of the 100 citizens only two, Dámaso Rodriguez and Ignacio (?) Carri.lo, were fit for jueces. The municipal debt was $279 in July. Oct. 23d, Alcalde Rosa's complaint that S. Rafael citizens disregard his authority at the instigation of Tim. Murphy. Doc. Hist. Cal., ii. 203. Sutter claimed to have some Sonoma soldiers in his army during the Micheltorena campaign. This vol., p. 486. New fears of Sutter. Id., 516. Raid against the Ind. Id., 544. Gen. Castro's visit in Nov. and treaty with the immigrants. Id., 603, 606-7.
17 Ross affairs. On sale to Sutter and departure of the Russians, see this vol., p. 177-189. Sutter's agents in charge of the property, removed to N. Helvetia so far as practicable, were Robert Ridley and John Bidwell in 1841- 3, and later Win Benitz. Visits of Wilkes' and Jones' officers, Mofras, and Dr Sandels in 1841-2. This vol., p. 245, 253, 346; Bidwell's Jour., and Id., Cal., MS. Stephen Smith established himself at Bodega in 1843, building a saw-mill (see his life in Pioneer Reg. and Index), and obtained a grant of the rancho in 1844. Adopting a friendly policy, he seems to have had little or no trouble with the Ind. Torres, Peripecias, MS., 89-90. Smith seems to have made an effort to introduce the name of New Baltimore for his Bodega settlement. Larkin's Notes, MS., 109. Early in 1843 Benitz rented Ross or the Muñiz place, from Sutter, and with Ernest Rufus as partner engaged in raising potatoes for the S. F. market. In Aug. he complained to the author- ities of outrages on the Ind. in his vicinity by a party of whites under An- tonio Castro and Rafael García. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., v. 383-94. In Dec. the rancho was granted to Manuel Torres, whose title was soon pur- chased by Benitz, though Sutter's unfounded claim was revived later.
New Helvetia affairs. 1841. John A. Sutter juez de paz, or encargado de justicia, of the Sac. frontier in this and the following years. Mont. Arch., MS., x. 10; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xi. 426; S. J. Arch., MS., iv. 5. On affairs at Sutter's fort in 1841-2, see this vol., p. 226-40; and also on visits of Wilkes' officers and Mofras. Id., 243-5, 230. On affairs of 1842-3, see Id., 345-7, 387-9; also for descriptive matter on the region, Bidwell's Jour., Yates' Sac. Val., 1843, MS., and King's Orphan. 1843. Arrival of the Chiles- Walker immigrant party. This vol., p. 394. Hastings' party from Oregon. Id., 391. 1844. Arrival of Frémont and of the Stevens party. Id., 438-9,
680
LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.
Private ranchos in the Sacramento Valley and in all the northern frontier have been named in this chapter alphabetically, and also classified roughly according to the county lines of later years; something of their occupation by foreign settlers has been given in con- nection with the subject of immigration; and more will be found in the personal items of my Pioneer Register. A connected view of the progress of settle- ment, especially of those ranchos which became the sites of towns in later times, would be desirable, but the mass of details required to give such a sketch completeness and interest can best be presented once for all in the next volume.
At San José mission Padre José María Gonzalez remained in charge during 1841 and part of 1842. In 1842-5 Padre Miguel Muro was minister, leaving California probably in the last year; while Padre Quijas also officiated in 1843-4, and Padre Gutier- rez in 1845, both of whom seem to have left the country about this time, as nothing more about them appears in any records that I have seen.18 José 447. Organization of a militia company with Sutter as captain, Sinclair and Rufus lieutenants. Id., 407, 479. Sutter's efforts in behalf of Micheltoreua, and arrest of Weber. Id., 479-85. 1845. Great floods in the winter of 1845- 6. Belden's Hist. St., MS., 50-1, and many other references. From Sept. a daily record of events at the fort, arrivals and departures of employés and travellers, etc., is given in the N. Helvetia Diary, MS. Bidwell's narrow escape from discovering gold. Bidwell's Cal., 1841-8, MS., 221-5. Return of Sutter and his army from the south, and general state of affairs at the fort in 1845, including the visit of Castro and Castillero, and Sutter's efforts to sell the establishment. This vol., 516, 537, 603, 607-16. Killing of the Walla Walla chief. Id., 544-5. Arrival of the Swasey-Todd, Sublette, Grigsby-Ide, Frémont, and Hastings parties of immigrants and explorers. Id., 577-86.
18 Miguel Muro was a Franciscian of the Zacatecas college, who had been a missionary in Texas, subsequently serving as master of novices at the col- lege in 1834-7, and coming to Cal. apparently in 1842 from which time his name appears on the records at S. Jose mission until May 1843, and at S. Francisco in June-Oct. of the same year. Retiring to his college he died of cholera about 1850. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 171-4, says he knew P. Muro well, that he was a man of most exemplary life, and that he made known to D. in 1843 or 1844 the existence of gold in the Sac. Valley, as learned from neophytes who had come from that region. This was confirmed by P. Mer- cardo of .Sta Clara. The padres made D. promise secrecy, and he never told it until now! I have several letters of P. Muro on routine matters; but all I know of his life before coming to Cal. and after his departure is derived from a letter of Padre Romo of Sta Bárbara who knew him at the college.
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