USA > California > History of California, Volume VI > Part 68
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The French operations in Sonora had served to rouse the similar slumbering projects among the Americans, even in distant Washington, where it took shape in the Gadsden's purchase of the Gila region. And many men, with nothing to lose save life, stood ready to risk it for a possible fortune and the attendant excitement. Walker saw an opportunity ; and follow-
21 Warren believed that he could not have turned the scales at 100 lbs. His unprepossessing 'appearance was that of anything else than a military chieftain.' Dust and Foam, 211-12.
22 ' The keen, sharp flash of broken steel in the sun,' says the poet Miller. 23 Birth and early career have been touched in Hist. Cent. Am., iii., and Hist. North. Mex., ii., this series; also Field's Remin., 93; Bowman's News- paper Matter, MS., 33.
HIST. CAL., VOL. VI. 38
594
FILIBUSTERING.
ing the cue already given, he sought at Guaymas, in the summer of 1853, a grant for a military frontier colony against the Indians; but the government shrank in distrust before an offer so singularly dis- interested. The sheep-clothing could not hide the wolf. Unabashed by the termination of his farce, he returned to San Francisco, determined that the state should have his protection whether it willed or not. If Mexico could not shield Sonora from cruel savages, then must humanity step in. The United States had neglected its pledge to restrain the red-skins, and Walker felt bound to interpose in behalf of his coun- try's honor. Raousset's renewed efforts gave spur
to his own. Eager to forestall him, and profit by the enthusiasm which his contracts and victories had tended to rouse, he opened a recruiting office, baited with prospective plunder, and the offer of a square league of land for each man. A large number took the bait, and still another host of passive participants nibbled at the scrip, which, representing land in the prospective republic, was freely tendered at a liberal discount. Money was plentiful in those days, and the investment appeared as an attractive lottery, with perchance some prize to be drawn from out the bat- tles. It was argued that the uprising in one section might induce neighboring states to join for eventual absorption in the union; the war in itself to prove a strong appeal for United States interference, if only to stop bloodshed.24
The brig Arrow was now chartered for the proposed colonists, and provided with stores and a generous quantity of rifles and six-shooters wherewith to de- velop the resources of the country. The military commander in California at this period was General Hitchcock, a man so blind to the weather-vane of political exigencies as not to understand the value of
24 " They intend to arm the Apaches against us,' cries one journal. Sono- rense, March 28, 1851. For additional details on this expedition, I refer to my Hist. North Mex., ii., this series.
SAILING FROM SAN FRANCISCO.
Walker's implements for industrial unfoldment, nor to perceive his right to distribute the lands of a friendly neighbor. He accordingly undertook to seize the vessel, only to discover his mistake when other wiser officials caused it to be released, and when General Wool was sent to replace him, with headquarters planted at Benicia in order to allow freer play to the champions of enterprise. It is sufficient to point out that Jefferson Davis was secretary of war at the time, and that the Gadsden purchase was then under con- sideration, in order to guess at the complications apt to arise from a successful revolution in the border states. 25
Meanwhile Walker slipped away in another vessel, the Caroline, during the night of October 16th, with four dozen followers, leaving reinforcements to follow. Guaymas was the announced destination, perhaps to mislead the enemy, which, indeed, made formidable preparations in Sonora. The smallness of the party precluded hope in this direction ; and as future enlist- ments and credit depended on early successes, the isolated and weaker Lower California was selected for the initial point. On November 3d the vessel crept into La Paz under cover of a Mexican flag, and find- ing all unsuspiciously quiet, Walker pounced upon it, seized the governor, and gained possession without firing a gun.26 No less mighty with the pen than the sword, he thereupon proclaimed the Republic of Lower California, distributing official honors among his band with lavish generosity. After thus conferring sover- eign independence upon the people, he further sought to please them by abolishing the heavy duties under which they had so long been groaning, a double bait to cover the barb contained in the adoption of the code
25 Mexican officials protested as late as Jan. 1854, and were assured by Hitchcock that the government was seeking to check the Walker movement; but as it failed, Mexico undertook to do so, with the result that their consul was arrested, as explained. As late as Aug. 1854 Wool was instructed not to anticipate or interfere with the civil authorities in cases of unlawful ex- peditions. U. S. Gov. Doc., Cong. 33, Sess. 2, Sen. Doc. 16, vi. 102.
26 A new governor arriving just then was also secured.
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FILIBUSTERING.
of Louisiana for a constitution. The publication of the text was wisely deferred, lest the Mexicans, with their democratic instincts and admixture of negro blood, should shrink before its revolting slavery clauses. Although little concerned at the nature of his measures, so that they served his purpose, Walker based his advocacy of slavery on lofty grounds, as a , missionary scheme for civilizing the blacks, while as- sisting to liberate the whites from degrading manual labor.
The prestige acquired at La Paz had to be pre- served; and as it might at any moment be dimmed by a detachment from the other side the bay, the fili- busters resolved to seek a still safer base for opera- tions. Their preparations for departure so fired the patriotism of the Mexicans that the entire town rose in lively chase of some stragglers. Walker promptly turned his guns upon them and landed to the rescue, whereupon the natives retired, with some casualties, it is claimed. Thus was the liberator's expedition bap- tized in blood, in the glorious battle of La Paz.27
A few days later the party appeared at Todos Santos Bay, the new headquarters, whose desert sur- roundings and paucity of inhabitants promised to be safeguards against molestation, while the proximity to the United States frontier must serve to inspire greater confidence for the invasion of Sonora. Un- fortunately the scanty population centred in a mili- tary colony whose destitution had infused a desperate courage into an otherwise harmless soldiery, and find- ing the rancho stock to be rapidly disappearing under the appetite of American foragers, their stomachs filed a stimulating protest. The result was a series of harassing attacks, abetted by the rancheros, whose stolid comprehension could not grasp the advantage of exchanging insecure, elusive property like roaming cattle for the title deeds to fixed landed estates offered
27 The Mexicans also claimed the victory, pointing in proof to the hurried departure of the invaders.
597
WALKER'S EXPEDITION.
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FILIBUSTERING.
by Walker's band.28 But reinforcements were at hand.
The victory at La Paz had roused wide enthusiasın at San Francisco. Her editors extended their wel- come to the new republic into the sisterhood of states,29 and her vagabond population offered their aid to build its fortunes. Indeed, H. P. Watkins,30 vice-president of Walker's republic, quickly enrolled some 300 of the claimants for glory and plunder in Colorado desert,31 and despatched them in the middle of December to Todos Santos, greatly to the relief of the criminal calendar. Walker now began to drill and forage for the march into Sonora, to which the peninsula was formally united under the title of Republic of Sonora. But discontent was already spreading. To the new- comers had been pictured rich churches and well- stocked haciendas, inviting to pillage and plenty. They found instead only arid ranges with a few mud huts, and with scant rations of corn and jerked beef, which were not calculated to cheer the flagging spirit for a tramp through the wilderness to face the lines of bayonets beyond. Lash and even executions availed not, and when, after a suicidal delay of three months, the start was made, in the latter half of March, barely 100 men fell into line. A week's journey through the desert, while at their heels hovered the Cocopas, who sniffed their beeves, served to dispel among the rest all lust for the spoils of Sonora. On reaching the Colorado River only 35 ragged liberators remained, chiefly ministers and other high officials who were loath to relinquish the glittering titles that placed them above common men. Before such a series of reverses the ardor of Walker himself had to yield, and he
28 The captive governors availed themselves of the turmoil to bribe the captain of the vessel to slip away with them.
29 Alta Cal., Dec. 8, 1853.
30 Walker's law partner at Marysville, dubbed colonel.
31 Later enlistment notices in Alta Cal., Jan. 3, Feb. 1, 1854. At Sonora the hot-bed for rowdies, an enthusiastic meeting was held on Jan. 17th, Baird, Walker's quartermaster, and others making stirring speeches in behalf of liberty and humanity in the namesake state. The bark Anita left Dec. 13, 1853, with 230. Others took the steamer to San Diego.
599
DOWNFALL OF THE REPUBLICS.
turned to rejoin the handful left behind to hold the country. Encouraged by the waning strength of the foe, soldiers and settlers gathered with fresh zeal for the fray, and gave impulse to the retreating steps of the filibusters. At the frontier the harassed strag- glers were met by United States army men, who, on May 8, 1854, took their parole as prisoners of war with unwonted consideration, and provided them with free passage to San Francisco. Walker was arraigned for infringing the neutrality laws, and acquitted.32
Although the verdict was manifested by a defeat of justice, the public as a rule approved it. The expedi- tion, once so lauded, was already branded as a piratical raid, and the cause of humanity had passed into a joke; yet a flattering conceit hovered round the grandeur of the plan and the daring of the enterprise, which served to wreathe the leaders at least with a halo of romance.
Walker passed out of sight for a time within an editorial sanctum;33 but his fame had gone abroad, and his busy pen propped it assiduously in correspondence with Spanish America. His reputation as an able and brave leader, with influence for rallying adherents, perchance with official backing, had floated on swelling rumor to distant Nicaragua, where the Granada and Leonese factions were then busily squandering blood
and treasure in the strife for power. The Leonese, being defeated, looked around for aid, and bethought themselves of the little California editor. The longed- for opportunity had come. Casting aside the quill, he hastily enrolled threescore choice comrades, and stole away in the Vesta on May 3, 1855.34 His career
32 Assisted by the well-calculated failure of the consular trial just ended. Watkins and Emory had been arrested shortly before for enlisting men, and fined $1,500 each, but the sentence was never enforced. Watkins, pioneer of Marysville, represented Yuba in the state senate in 1858, and died at Oak- land, Dec. 28, 1872, age 53. Marysville Appeal, Jan. 4, 1873; Alameda Gaz., Dec. 27, 1873; Colusa Sun, Apr. 11, 1874; Alta Cal., June 3, 16, Oct. 13-20, 1854.
Alta Cal., June 16, 1854.
3+ The sheriff had laid an embargo for a heavy grocer bill, but his deputy was made captive till the vessel reached the high seas. Others followed in
600
FILIBUSTERING.
after this is better known to the world than the fiasco in Lower California. His skill and energy turned the scale in favor of his allies, who rewarded him with the position of generalissimo. Success brought more personal adherents to his banners, and fired with am- bition, he vaulted into the presidential chair, changing religion to court the masses. Casting prudence to the winds, he perpetrated one outrage after another, till the exasperated natives rose to expel him in 1857. During the subsequent futile efforts to regain a foot- hold, he visited California to cast his nets for means,35 but failed to gain any sympathy, and his execution in Honduras in 1860 evoked not a ripple of regret.36
In Lower California circumstances were against him, although the long delay at Todos Santos detracts from his otherwise resolute promptness. In Nicaragua his own heedlessness, as in rousing the enmity of the in- fluential navigation company, and in forcing a needless and repelling slavery act upon the people, served to cut short a career which might otherwise have borne him to the summit of his ambition. His skill as a projector and commander were shackled by unreason- able obstinacy, tinged with a fatalistic belief in his high destiny as a liberator and standard-bearer for the United States. His cold unscrupulousness withheld admiration, and divested him of the romantic glamour which infolds the less important achievements of the gallant Raousset-Boulbon. And so the brilliant ef- forts which might have taken rank with those of a Houston sank under the aspect of indifference to freebooting schemes, and the gray-eyed man of destiny dwells in memory as a pirate.
the steamer, under the guise of through passengers for the eastern states. They entered under a contract for men and arms transferred to Walker by an American of Nic.
35 His silence while at S. F. in March 1859 augured new schemes, and a vessel in the harbor attracted suspicion. His old partner, Henningsen, was then enlisting men in the east for Arizona. S. F. Bulletin, March 31, 1859; S. F. Post, Jan. 11, 1879.
36 Full account of his career during 1855-60, in Hist. Cent. Am., iii., this series.
601
CRABB'S EXPEDITION.
To the ordinary observer, the failure of Raousset and Walker in Mexico appeared mainly due to a lack of prompt and harmonious action; and this being re- mediable, their projects, so fraught with flattering suc- cess and notoriety, continued to find advocates. The acquisition of the Gadsden tract served to open a part of the desired field to gold-seekers, and to renew the belief in a further extension of United States domin- ion ; while the approximation of its borders to the other delectable portion of Sonora held out the allurement of readier access by land, with a near refuge in case of defeat. The continued struggle of factions in the state added to the opportunity ; and fired by the bril- liant progress of Walker in Nicaragua, the lingering filibuster leaped forth once more. The leader on this occasion was Henry A. Crabb, a lawyer of Stockton, and a prominent whig in the state senate, with de- cided southern proclivities. The old story of patriot- ism and farms was by him flavored with the authorized colony plan of his wife's Sonoran relatives and the assumed alliance with some revolutionary party, pref- erably the strongest. Crabb, as proclaimed general, set out early in 1857 with an advance body of barely fivescore men,37 by way of Yuma, the main body to follow by sea to Libertad. At the end of March he presented himself at Sonoita.
By this time the political aspect had changed in Sonora. The Guandarists had been crushed by Pes- queira, who, victorious, with ample troops to control the state, was not likely to imperil his reputation as a patriot and his position as a ruler by connivance with any filibuster scheme, especially an American one, even if willing to do so under adverse circumstance. He accordingly took prompt steps to drive them out. Crabb, on the other hand, advanced to Caborca to meet the large reinforcements by sea, but which had not been permitted by the authorities to leave California. While thus waiting he was surrounded by overwhelm- ing forces, with artillery, which compelled him after a
37 Including McCoun and Oxley, who had both been in the legislature.
602
FILIBUSTERING.
fierce struggle to surrender. The prisoners, 59 in number, were shot in batches, a small rear body was overtaken and cut to pieces, and a relief from Tucson narrowly escaped the same fate.38
This slaughter of capitulated men was for a time hotly denounced in the United States; but it must be admitted that the Mexicans were to some extent jus- tified in seeking by a severe lesson to suppress filibuster expeditions which previous leniency seemed to en- courage. The cry for vengeance was invoked chiefly by interested speculators and politicians to provoke the authorities to some action, of which they stood ready to take advantage by preliminary incursions. But the attempt failed, and the lesson proved effective in discouraging unsupported movements. The only approach to such operations was made on the Lower California frontier by local rebels, who sought alter- nately adherents and refuge on the American side.39 The French invasion of Mexico led to some volun- teer enrolments in behalf of both sides, and shipment of arms, with certain discrimination in favor of the Juarists,40 and the struggle of the Cubans received active sympathy on the Atlantic side. Such acts have, however, been neutralized by the recurrence in recent times of a certain agitation in favor of further annex- ations, with a consequent revival among Hispano- Americans of odious memories, and of hostility toward Anglo-Saxon.
The filibustering spirit is not dead, as instanced by Soto's recent expedition to Honduras; and it will linger so long as discord reigns. The California gold excitement was peculiarly favorable to it, in opening new fields, in stirring the lust for roaming and adven-
38 Details in Hist. North Mex., ii., this series, with ample reference to authorities.
39 Id. In 1855 false gold reports caused a rush of miners to Peru, to startle the South Americans for a moment.
# Whose agent, Gen. Vega, figured conspicuously at S. F. about 1864. Id .; Vega, Doc., i .- iii .; Vallejo, Doc., xxxvi., 260. Vega subsequently rebelled, and in May 1870 he sent a steamer to raid Guaymas, levying some $150,000 in goods and funds, besides arms. A U. S. vessel later pursued and burned the steamer. S. F. Call, March 1, 1870, alludes to a mysterious expedition at this time.
603
A BAD BUSINESS.
ture, and in massing a horde of reckless brawlers and shiftless unfortunates. The political attitude and neglect of the government gave them cue and en- couragement, and the anarchic condition of Mexico presented an opportunity, while the public tendered approving sympathy and aid, moved by race prejudice, by political tendencies, and by thoughtless admiration for the daring nature of the enterprise and the noto- riety attending its achievements, both flattering to national pride.41 The separation of Texas, so widely held up as an example, had the justifying stamp of a liberation from oppression ; but the proclaimed motives of the subsequent imitators were arrant deceptions. The constant disorder and bloodshed in the south, and distance from the scene, made abettors oblivious to the abhorrent crimes involved in these undertakings. They were foul robberies, covered by the flimsiest of political and social pretences, gilded by false aphorisms and profane distortion of sacred formula. Liberty dragged in the mud for purposes of theft and human enslavement; the cause of humanity bandied in filthy mouths to promote atrocious butcheries; peaceful, blooming valleys given over to devastation and ruin; happy families torn asunder, and widows and orphans cast adrift to nurse affliction ; and finally, the peace of nations imperilled, and the morality of right insulted. 42 The thought of such results should obliterate all ro- mance, and turn pride to shame. They remain an ineffaceable stain upon the government of the most progressive of nations, and veil in dismal irony the dream of manifest destiny.
41 For mere handfuls to declare war against a republic of 8,000,000 people almost surpasses in wild recklessness the advance of a Cortés against the Aztec empire, for he dealt with semi-barbarians unused to steel, fire-arms, and horses, while they moved against equals. Like him, however, they counted on local dissensions and alliances, and more on the attitude of a powerful neighbor.
42 In the very paucity of the filibuster forces lay a gerin of crime, as it compelled them to resort to pillage and intimidation. International law points to warfare as wasteful and uncivilizing when invaders are unable to leave behind them a track of conquered and secured country. The U. S. stands charged with connivance in piratical acts by reason alone of its indif- ference and neglect to impede or punish them. The chief officials especially have this additional sin to answer for.
CHAPTER XXII.
FINANCES.
1849-1869.
AN EMPTY TREASURY-TEMPORARY STATE LOAN ACT-STATE DEBT-LI- CENSES AND TAXATION-EXTRAVAGANCE AND PECULATION-ALARMING INCREASE OF DEBT-BONDS-STATE INDEBTEDNESS ILLEGAL-REPUDIA- TION REJECTED-THIEVING OFFICIALS-ENORMOUS PAYMENTS TO STEAM- SHIP COMPANIES-FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS-INDIAN AGENTS-MINT -- NAVY-YARD- FORTIFICATIONS -COAST SURVEY-LAND COMMISSION - PUBLIC LANDS-HOMESTEAD ACT-EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS-THE PEO- PLE ABOVE ALL.
THE legislature which convened January 6, 1851, at San José, found itself confronted with an empty treasury. The Temporary State Loan Act of 1850 had not fulfilled the expectations of its authors, if in- deed they had looked beyond the present moment in passing it. The bonds, although drawing three per cent per month, before the close of the first fractional fiscal year ending June 30, 1850, had depreciated to one fourth of their par value. It was urged, to ac- count for this condition of government credit, that the state had no means of liquidation except by taxation, no improvements to afford a revenue, and could not command her resources in public lands. The popula- tion and wealth of the country were of such a nature that they could not be reached by taxation, or the tax gatherer.1 The foreign miners' tax and the capi- tation tax were fixed too high; in consequence of which they were evaded or resisted, and often no
1 The failure to collect taxes was the fault of the collector, Richardson. The governor had been advised to appoint M. McCorkle, or some other effi- cient person.
( 604 )
605
IN THE BEGINNING.
property could be found to attach. The law made state bonds and warrants payable for taxes, which the treasurer was compelled to receive at their depreciated value. Indeed, the tax-payers purchased them for that purpose, thereby reducing their burdens to the amount of the discount on them; and even the tax collectors when paid in money converted it into bonds which they paid into the treasury, pocketing the dif- ference. The issue, being restricted to $300,000, was soon expended, after which time the state government was kept up without a dollar in the treasury, at a ruinous sacrifice of the interests of those who devoted their time to the public service. The state debt at the end of June 1850 was $371,573.11. After the admission of the state, bonds and warrants advanced, the former selling at auction at from 91 to 95, and the latter at 80, but having a fluctuating value
By the 15th of December the state debt amounted to $485,460.28. The excess of expenditures over re- ceipts was $122,179.85.2 The governor in his annual message to the legislature referred to the pressure brought to bear upon him to convene an extra session in order to pass an act to procure another state loan, and took the occasion to deliver a sermon upon the injustice of laying burdens upon posterity merely to defray the present expenses of government, and with- out creating with it any public improvements which might help in time to relieve the state of debt, and insisted strongly upon the wisdom of checking the extravagance which the condition of the country in the beginning had fostered. "It occurs to me," said he, "that the most rational, just, and certain means of getting out of debt is to make more, expend less, and borrow none." But when he undertook to point out a method, nothing new was evolved. There was indeed nothing to resort to but taxation. As to pub-
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