History of California, Volume XXII, Part 14

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816

USA > California > History of California, Volume XXII > Part 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

124

BEAR FLAG REVOLT CONTINUED.

forced to break a solemn agreement .. But onee at Sutter's, for Fremont and his fellow-revolutionists to put the captives in prison, and keep them there, dis- regarding past pledges, demands for justice, or expla- nations, and especially Vallejo's rank and well known sympathies and honorable character, as well as Leese's nationality, was a gross and inexcusable outrage. It was a severe blow to Vallejo's pride, and a most un- generous return for his many acts of kindness to American settlers, his influence in behalf of annexa- tion to the United States, and the ready confidence with which, counselling his countrymen against resist- ance, he had given his parole, and intrusted himself to the protection of a man whom he regarded as an officer and a gentleman.

The Sonoma prisoners remained in confinement at New Helvetia until August, being released, under circumstances to be noticed later, after the revolution was at an end, and the conquest by the United States had begun. José Noriega and Vicente Peralta, mak- ing their appearance at the fort shortly after the out- break, were added to the number; and Julio Carrillo, Vallejo's brother-in-law, coming later from Sonoma under a passport to assure the colonel of his family's safety, shared the same fate. Respecting the prison- ers' experience and treatment during their confine- ment, evidence is meagre and contradictory. I attach but little importance to the complaints of later years, coming from the prisoners themselves, and exagger- ated by their friends, complaints involving gross ill- treatment and cruelty; nor on the other hand do I credit the statement of Sutter that the captives "were placed in my best rooms, and treated with every con- sideration; took their meals at my table, and walked out with me in the evening; their room was not guarded night or day, nor did any guard accompany them when they walked." There is no reason, how- ever, to doubt that Sutter himself was disposed to treat them kindly, or perhaps that he was chided by

125

TREATMENT OF VALLEJO.

Frémont for his kindness.3 The truth is, that Vallejo and his companions were kept in close confinement for nearly two months, in rough and inconvenient quar- ters. They were fed with coarse food, and were al- lowed no communication with friends or families. The few letters allowed to pass from the prison were closely examined by Fremont's men; not the slightest attention was paid to their appeals for justice; and they were occasionally insulted by an irresponsible guard. This was the sum and substance of their grievance, and it was indeed a serious one. Their mental sufferings arising from anxiety for family and property, as well as from wounded pride, were greater than those of the body resulting from hunger or hard beds. Vallejo had never been in all respects a popu- lar man in California; and now there were not want- ing among his countrymen those who expressed a degree of satisfaction that the 'autoerat of Sonoma'

3 Sutter's Pers. Remin., MS., 148, etc. He says that after Frémont's first complaint, the prisoners were put in charge of Loker, and later of Bidwell, who treated them not much less kindly than Sutter himself. He did not cease his visits and care for them nntil warned through Townsend that lic would be himself arrested. He ignores Kern altogether. In his Diary, 8, he says: 'I have treated them with kindness and so good as I could, which was reported to Frémont, and he then told me that prisoners ought not to be treated so; then I told him if it is not right how I treat them, to give them in charge of somebody else.' Revere, Tour of Duty, 74-5, says they were rigor- ously guarded, the jailers being suspicions and distrustful, going so far as to threaten to shoot Sutter for the crime of being polite. Marshall, Statement, MS., 2, who was there at the time, says that Sutter allowed the prisoners to walk abont on parole, until Frémont threatened to hang him should any es- cape. Leese, Bear Flag, MS., 16, says also that Sntter called often to en- courage them, until Fremont threatened to hang him if he continued his visits. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 387-91; v. 128-64, 183, 199-200, speaks of ' Charles,' who was one of the guards at the prison. He had been greatly befriended by Salvador Vallejo the year before, hut 'gratitude has no place in the Missourian heart.' On one occasion, loaves of bread from Sonoma were admitted, each of which had a coin in its centre. "Blue Jacket,' one of the worst of the guards, died soon after of hydrophobia from the bite of a skunk. Chas E. Pickett arrived from Oregon during the captivity, and gained Va- llejo's life-long friendship by his sympathy and kindness. I have no doubt that Vallejo exaggerates the cruelty with which they were treated. His charges are general and indefinite; and those of others are as a rule absurd. Salvador Vallejo is somewhat more moderate on this topic than on most others. What troubled him most was the coming of the sentinel each day to see if the 'damned greasers' were still safe. Hargrave, Cal. in 1846, MS., 7, 11, says Vallejo had no cause for complaint, and was very comfortably lodged at the fort. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 465, says Vallejo was treated as he had treated his southern prisoners at Sonoma-that is, very badly.

126

BEAR FLAG REVOLT CONTINUED.

was reaping the rewards of long 'eoquetting' with the Americans. I have some of the letters written by the captives, which I cite briefly in a note. To the Cali- fornians they wrote that all was well with them, urg- ing submission rather than resistance; to others they spoke only of their arbitrary and unjust imprisonment, demanding release or a specification of the charges against them. The absence of complaints of personal ill-treatment has perhaps no significance, as such com- plaints would not have been allowed to pass. Fur- ther correspondence relating to their release will be noticed in due time.4

Before returning to Sonoma, let us glance briefly and in chronologie order, first, at events on the Sac-

* June 28th, Prudon to José de la Rosa. He and the rest still held. Does not know how long it is to continue. Not allowed to communicate with any one. Vallejo, Doc., MIS., xii. 228. July 6th, Vallejo to his brother, José de Jesus V. They are not dead as has been reported. Robt Ridley is named as one of the prisoners. Their situation is not very bad, but indispensable for the new order of things. There is reason to believe there will be an entire change founded in justice, which will raise the country from its miserable eon- lition. They will all be eternally grateful to Sntter for kindness shown. They have been solemnly promised that their persons, property, and families shall be respected. The writer charges his brother to make all this public. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiv. 216. July 6th, W. A. Bartlett, Sonoma, to Vallejo, at whose house he and Dr Henderson are. Mrs V. as cheerful as could be ex- pected. All hoping for his early return. Id., xii. 229. July 10th, V. to Fre mont, complaining that F. had not come to see him as he promised. Our im- prisonment, 'as you know, has been made more severe, with absolnte incon munication since June 16th.' Is it to end now that the U. S. flag is flying over the fort ?- insuring as he hopes a prosperous future for his country. Blot- ter in Bear Flag Papers, MS. July 23d, Prudon to Larkin from the Prison of the Sacramento,' complaining of an 'unjust, severe, and prolonged imprison. ment, ' and asking L. to use his influence for their liberation. 'Our situation is most lamentable, and its horrors are augmented by our absolute incommu- nication, so that we could not know what was passing outside, or others what we were suffering within. I have written a journal, which at the proper time will come to light.' They have received Larkin's letter of the 16th; and they send a representation for Com. Sloat, who is doubtless not aware of their in- iquitous treatment. Larkin, Dor., MS., iv. 221-2. July 23d, Vallejo to Lar- kin of same general purport. Cannot understand why they are still detained now that he has seen the U. S. flag flying. Alludes to the written guaranties given on June 14th, which are still in his possession, and which were violated ' before the ink of the signatures had time to dry.' Their cattle have been driven off during their imprisonment. Spanish, and translation, in Larkin's Doc , MS., iv. 219, 223. No date (July 23d?), Vallejo to (Sloat?) giving a brief and clear narrative of their capture and unjust confinement. This ac ount confirms Leese's narrative in all essential parts, though less complete. The writer puts his wrongs in a very strong light, and cannot believe that those wrongs are continued with the knowledge of U. S. officers. Blotter in Bror Fløy Papers, MS., 63-6.

127

EVENTS ON THE SACRAMENTO.

ramento, and then at occurrences south of the bay during the whole revolutionary period, though some of them have been or will be noticed more fully else- where. It was on June 10th that Arce's horses were taken on the Cosumnes. On the 11th Hensley and Reading arrived at the fort from up the river; and this afternoon or the next Merritt and his men left camp for Sonoma. On the 12th or 13th5 Gillespie arrived from Yerba Buena in the Portsmouth's launch, accompanied by several officers of the navy, and bring- ing a boat-load of supplies for Frémont, proceeding with Hensley in the launch to the American River. Frémont came down with a part of his force, as Gil- lespie states, on the 13th, encamping near the mouth of the American; while the main body encamped on the 15th, eight or ten miles farther up that stream. The captives taken at Sonoma on the 14th reached Frémont's camp in the afternoon of the 16th. Car- son and Merritt started at once for Sutter's, while Hensley and Reading were despatched ostensibly on a hunting tour, but really to talk politics with Marsh, and learn the situation south of the bay.6 The pris- oners were locked up in the fort at nightfall, as we have seen. On the 17th, the supplies having been delivered, Gillespie and Frémont went up the Amer- ican to join the main body, while the Portsmouth's launch started for Sauzalito. The supplies in ques- tion were furnished by Montgomery, on the requisi- tion of Frémont as an officer of the United States. It was on its face a perfectly legitimate transaction; and I know of no reason to suppose that Montgomery was informed by Gillespie of the revolutionary pro- ject on foot.7 This same day, the 17th, three men,

$ In N. Helvetia Diary, MS., 51, and Sutter's Diary, 8, the latter date is given; the former in Gillespie's testimony. Fremont's Cal. Claims, 26-7. 6 The dates, etc., are fixed by the diaries; the motive by Hensley's tes- timony. Fremont's Cal. Claims, 34.

7 In his letter to Benton, Niles' Reg., Ixxi. 191, Fremont says he wrote to Montgomery by the returning launch, 'describing to him fully my position and intentions, in order that he might not by supposing me to be acting nn- der orders from our govt unwittingly commit himself,' etc.

128

BEAR FLAG REVOLT CONTINUED.

Wise, Ferguson, and Stebbins, arrived at the fort from Sonoma, presumably with news, as they started at once for Frémont's camp. On the 18th a courier came from Sonoma with a letter from Captain Mont- gomery. Frémont with twenty men visited the fort on the 19th; and José Noriega, a Spaniard from San José, made his appearance and was detained; and next day Vicente Peralta, coming back from a visit up the river, shared the same fate. It was also on the 20th that Hensley and Reading returned from below, hastening to Frémont's camp with the report that Castro was preparing for a hostile movement, a report confirmed by John Neal, who brought news that a force was crossing the bay to attack Sonoma. It was on or about this date that Julio Carrillo arrived and was imprisoned. On the 21st Frémont arrived near the fort; and next day, leaving a small garrison -his company being reenforced by Hensley, Reading, and many trappers and settlers-he marched for Sonoma.8 On the 23d a party, including Bidwell, was sent toward the Cosumnes to learn whether any foes were approaching from below, and to make arrangements for a watch to be kept by the Indians. Friday the 26th was marked by the arrival of Lieu- tenant Revere and Dr Henderson of the Portsmouth, who came up from Sauzalito on the ship's launch ;? and also by that of a small party of immigrants from Oregon. Next day Henderson departed for Sonoma with a small party; on the 28th Lieutenant Bartlett and Dr Townsend arrived from Yerba Buena; and on the 29th Bartlett started with Bidwell for Sono-

8 In his letter to Benton, Fremont, says he broke camp on the American Fork on the 23d. This may mean that after leaving Sutter's he camped at the mouth of that stream and started next morning for Sonoma. Lancey, Cruise, 64, confirms this, and speaks of Harrison Peirce coming into camp on the 23d with news of great alarm at Sonoma.

9 Revere, Tour of Duty, 66-75, gives no dates and few details of occur- rences from his own observations on this trip. He had an interview with Vallejo, ' which it was easy to see excited a very ridiculous amount of sus- picion on the part of his vigilant jailers, whose position, however, as revolu- tionists was a little ticklish, and excited in them that distrust which in dan- gerous times is inseparable from low and ignorant minds.'

129

SOUTH OF THE BAY.

ma;10 while Revere returned down the river by boat. It was on July 8th that Robert Ridley was sent up from below and was added to the number of prison- ers. It was on July 10th, the day of Fremont's arrival from Sonoma, that news came of the raising of the stars and stripes at Monterey; and next day that flag was raised over Sutter's Fort, of which event more anon.

South of the bay, as we have seen, public attention was directed mainly on the 13th and 14th of June to the taking of Arce's horses; next day came the news that Sonoma was in the hands of American insur- gents, and that Vallejo with other officers were pris- oners. I find four written records of this news, bearing date of June 15th. The first is a communi- cation from Sub-prefect Guerrero to the prefect. He had received the tidings at Yerba Buena verbally from Joaquin Carrillo, the second alcalde of Sonoma, who had run away when he saw the arrest of Ber- reyesa, the first alcalde.11 The second was sent by Justice Estudillo at San Leandro to Alcalde Pacheco at San José. He obtained his information from Rafael Félix, whom Vallejo had despatched as a messenger to his brother Don Jesus, and who had arrived at 11 P. M.12 The third record is that of an interview on the Portsmouth at Sauzalito between Captain Mont- gomery and José de la Rosa, Lieutenant Bartlett serving as interpreter and secretary. Rosa had been sent by Vallejo-just before the latter started for the Sacramento, though he had not been able to leave

10 In Sutter's Diary, 8, it is stated that Bartlett 'organized the garrison,' which is unintelligible. After Bidwell's departure the diary at New Helve- tia was practically suspended until May 1847.

11 June 15, 1846, Guerrero to Castro. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 115. The party that took Sonoma was composed of 70 men under the 'Doctor of the Sacramento,' and another man whom Salvador Vallejo knew from once having had a quarrel with him (Merritt).

12 June 15, 1846, Estudillo to Pacheco, in Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 258. He wrote also to the prefect at the same time. This report was that the pris- oners, guarded by 12 men under Merritt, had passed the rancho of Cayetano Juarez en route for Feather River.

HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 9

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BEAR FLAG REVOLT CONTINUED.

Sonoma until 3 P. M .- to inform Montgomery of what had occurred, "and to ask of him to exercise his authority or use his influence to prevent the commis- sion of acts of violence, inasmuch as they seemed to be without any effectual head or authority; and to this end he hoped for an officer to be sent to the place, or a letter that would have the effect of saving the helpless inhabitants from violence and anarchy." The captain's response, which Rosa promised to de- liver to Vallejo at the earliest possible moment, was to disavow in the most explicit terms any knowledge of or authority for the movement on the part of the United States, of himself, or even of Frémont; to de- clare that he could not officially interfere in any man- ner with local, political, or criminal affairs in no way concerning his government; but to proffer personal sympathy and express his willingness to exert his individual influence for the protection of innocent persons. 13

Besides the message sent back by Rosa, Montgom- ery decided to send an officer as requested. He selected Lieutenant John S. Misroon for the mission, and his instructions given on the evening of the 15th, with a supplement next morning, form the fourth of the records to which I have alluded. Misroon, being fully informed respecting Rosa's report and the reply that had been given, was directed to visit the insur- gent leader; to make known the "state of apprehen- sion and terror" into which the Californian people had been thrown by the late movement; to "request from me that he will extend his protecting care over the defenceless families of their prisoners and other inof- fensive persons of Sonoma;" to impress the minds of those in power "with a sense of the advantages which will accrue to their cause, whatever its intrinsic merits may be, from pursuing a course of kind and benevolent

13 June 15, 1846, record of interview. Copy of original by Bartlett. Rosa said there were 80 men in the party; otherwise his version was a very accurate one. Montgomery in his reply expressed a belief that there was no danger of violence to non-combatants. Bear Flag Papers, MS., 46-9.

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MISROON'S MISSION.

treatment of prisoners" and of the Californians gener- ally; and finally, to explain his mission fully to the civil authorities of Sonoma, conveying to them such assur- ances as he might have obtained from the insurgents, but avoiding any discussion or remarks respecting the merits of the revolt.14 The lieutenant was conveyed across the bay in the ship's boat, reached Sonoma late on the 16th, remained until the next noon, and at sun- set of the 17th was back at the ship. Of his experience at Sonoma I shall have more to say later; but his re- port was most reassuring, being to the effect that the insurgents intended no violence to the persons or prop- erty of non-combatants; that the "utmost harmony and good order prevailed in camp;" and that Vallejo was held merely as a hostage. 15 Before Misroon's de- parture William L. Todd had arrived as a courier from Ide direct to Montgomery; and he went back in the same boat with Misroon.

The tidings from the north of course spread rap- idly in the next few days, and were the topic of many communications, both among natives and foreigners.16

1+ June 15th, 16th, Montgomery's instructions to Misroon. Bartlett's or- iginal copy in Bear Flag Papers, MS., 50-2.

15 June 18, 1846, Misroon's report to Montgomery. Bear Flag Papers, MS., 53-7. The report included a copy of Ide's proclamation, and described the flag.

16 June 16, 1846, Capt. Montgomery to Larkin, giving a brief account of the affair at Sonoma, as reported by Rosa and Todd. Larkin's Doc., MS., iv. 158. Prefect Castro to alcaldes. Tells the news, and orders a meeting of ayunt., that the people may be called to arms. C'astro, Doc., MS., ii. 117. Gen. Castro to alcalde S. José. Is adopting measures to resist the foreign inva- sion which has begun. S. José. Arch., Loose Papers, MS., 47. Gen. Castro to his soldiers. Refers to the Sonoma outrage. Trusts they will march en- thusiastically to break the chain that is being wound about them. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 58-9. June 17th, Leidesdorff at Yerba Buena to Larkin. Gives no details, as Montgomery has written. Gillespie will probably be back in a few days. Castro is at Sta Cruz preparing to go up the Sacramento and put things right. The writer is very bitter against Capt. Hinckley, who is a Mexican at heart, and who has said 'the Californians are fools if they do not at once take the same number of Americans prisoners.' (Hinckley died a few days later.) Larkin's Doc., MS., iv. 160. Same day, Leidesdorff's receipt for $36.25 from U. S. consul for a messenger giving the news. Monterey, Con- sulate Arch., MS., ii. 19. Fran. Arce to Manuel Castro from Sta Clara. The hour of the country's suffering has now arrived. They are invaded on all sides. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 122. Prefect Castro to min. of rel. Inva- sion of the northern frontier by Fremont, aided by the commander of the Portsmouth. All that is possible being done for defence. Hopes Mexico will not abandon Cal. Id., ii. 121. June 18th, Larkin to sec. state. Does not

132

BEAR FLAG REVOLT CONTINUED.

The current ideas of what had happened were, as a rule, tolerably accurate. It was understood that Frémont was at the bottom of the movement; and this led many of the Californians to believe errone- ously that he acted under instructions from the gov- ernment at Washington, and that Montgomery, cs- pecially as he had just sent a boat-load of supplies to Frémont, was also in the plot. The reported raising of a strange and unheard-of flag by the insurgents was alarming to many of the natives, but much less so than if it had not been supposed that the bear and star were but a temporary substitute for the stars and stripes. Even Americans were disposed to think that Fremont was acting under instructions, else their surprise would have been much greater.

The first measure of defence, naturally from a Mex- ican standpoint, was a patriotic proclamation. Gen- eral Castro issued two of them on June 17th from his headquarters at Santa Clara. I reproduce them in a note. 17 The first was an appeal to the Californians to

know if the reports are true or not. Fremont and Gillespie suspected of be- ing at the root of the matter. Many believe the U. S. consul has known of the plans all along. Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 65-6. June 19th, Leides- dorff to Larkin. Gives an account from 'the only authentic sources.' No disorders at Sonoma. Full guaranties. All property taken paid for, etc. Id., Doc., MS., iv. 167. June 20th, Montgomery to Leidesdorff. Is surprised to learn by his letter that 200 men have been collected to oppose the insurgents. The launch has returned from Fremont. The prisoners were taken to his camp by the request of Vallejo. Fremont's neutral position did not allow his taking charge of them, so they were removed to Sutter's, where they are detained as hostages. Sutter has joined the insurgents. The insurgent force must have increased considerably. Doubts that they can easily be surprised. The men know how to use their arms. 'My position, you know, is neutral. I am a mere observer of passing events. . I know no way consistently with this view of doing what you name, but feel not much concerned on that ac- count, for reasons before stated.' Shall move to Yerba Buena (from Sauza- lito) next week, if it be found expedient.' Fitch, Doc., MS., 394.

17 The original of the first is found in Dept. St. Pap .. MS., vii. 239, appar- ently in Arce's writing with Castro's signature. In respect of style, grammar, and orthography, it is very bad, defying literal translation. I have found no original or Spanish copy of the 2d proclamation. Three sets of translations are extant: one, inaccurate in some respects, in the Monterey Californian, Sept. 12, 1846; and S. F. Californian, June 5, 1847; another, slightly cor- rected, in Bryant's What I Saw in Cal., 293-4, followed with slight changes in Lancey's Cruise, 62-3; Marin Co. Hist., 77-8, and other local histories; and a third was that made for Larkin from the original, more nearly literal than the others, in Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 70-1; Sawyer's Doc., MS., 52,

133

CASTRO'S PROCLAMATIONS.

fight in defence of their country; and the second a promise of protection to all foreign residents taking no part in the revolt. Both documents were of the type usually employed in such cases by officers of Latin race-and by many of other races-to arouse the pa- triotism of those under their command, and to 'save their. responsibility' with superiors. They were in substance what circumstances required, and by no means so absurdly bombastic as it has been the fashion to regard them. It is true that the outrage at So- noma was attributed to the 'contemptible policy' of the United States; but Castro had every reason to suppose Frémont to be acting under instructions, and had this been so, the policy, in connection with the recent acts and utterances of Larkin and other agents of their government, would have been indeed 'cou- temptible.'

60-1. The following version varies slightly here and there from either of the three:

'The citizen Jose Castro, lieut-col. of cavalry in the Mexican army, and comandante general ad interim of the department of Californias. Fellow-cit- izens: The contemptible policy of the agents of the government of the U. S. of the north has induced a number of adventurers, regardless of the rights of inen, to boldly undertake an invasion, by possessing themselves of the town of Sonoma, and taking by surprise the military commander of that frontier, Col. Don M. G. Vallejo, Lieut-col. Don Victor Prudon, Capt. Don Salvador Vallejo, and Mr Jacob P. Leese. Fellow-countrymen: The defence of our liberty, of the religion of our fathers, and of our independence impels us to sacrifice ourselves rather than lose these inestimable blessings. Banish from your hearts all petty resentments; turn and beliold those families and children unfortunately in the hands of our foes-snatched from the bosoms of their fathers, who are prisoners among foreigners, and who loudly call on us for succor. There is yet time for us to rise en masse, irresistible and just. Doubt not that divine providence will guide us to glory. Nor should you doubt that in this headquarters, notwithstanding the smallness of the garrison, the first to sacrifice himself will be your fellow citizen and friend, José Castro. Headquarters at Sta Clara, June 17, 1846.'

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 14

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885-1890 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 816

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816