USA > California > History of California, Volume XXII > Part 17
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A third version is the one that has been most widely circulated, and always under date of June 18th. It is in substance the same as the preceding, but shows several slight verbal differences; and it is to be noted that the last three paragraphs are written in the first person, 'I also solemnly declare,' etc., instead of 'he also,' etc. This version first appeared in the Monterey Califor- nian, Sept. 5, 1846; and later in Bryant's What I Saw in Cal., 200-1; Soule's Annals of S. F., 92-3; Lancey's Cruise, 63; and in several of the recent county
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BEAR FLAG REVOLT-AFFAIRS AT SONOMA.
of a statement of the inducements under which the revolutionists had settled in California-false from beginning to end; second, charges of deception and
histories. That such a version was circulated is indicated by two Spanish translations in Savage, Doc., MS., i. 41; and Bandini, Doc., MS., 75. One is a copy of a translation certified by Dolores Pacheco, and the other a copy of what was understood to be a translation by Hartnell. They differ from one another, and are inaccurate; but both bear the date of June 18th, and both are written partly in the first person.
Finally, we have the version given by Ide in his letter to Wambough, as printed in his Biog. Sketch, 138-40. This contains many variations from the original, not, however, modifying the general purport, most of which I intro- duce in brackets. The proclamation was as follows: 'A proclamation to all persons, citizens of Sonoma [inhabitants of the county (?) of Sonoma and coun- try around-or in version no. 3-and citizens of the district of Sonoma], requesting them to remain at peace and to follow [pursue] their rightful occu- pation without fear of molestation. The commander-in-chief of the troops assembled at the fortress of Sonoma [com. at Sonoma] gives his inviolable pledge to all persons in California not found under arms [bearing arms or in- stigating others to take up arms against him] that they shall not be disturbed in their persons, their property [religion], or social relations one to another [to each other], by men under his command. He also [hereby most] solemnly declares his object [the object of his movement] to be, first, to defend hin- self [our women and children] and [his brave] companions in arms, who were invited to this country by a promise of lands on which to settle themselves and families; who were also promised a republican government; who, when having arrived in California, were denied even the privilege of buying or renting lands of their friends; who, instead of being allowed to participate in or being protected by a republican government, were oppressed by a military despotism; who were even threatened by proclamation from the chief officer [one of the principal officers] of the aforesaid despotism [oppressive govern- ment] with extermination if they would not depart ont of the country, leav ing all their property, their arms, and beasts of burden; and thus deprived [were thus to be despoiled] of the means of flight or defence, we were to be [to have been] driven through deserts inhabited by hostile Indians [savages] to certain death [destruction.] To overthrow a government which has seized upon the property of [robbed and despoiled] the missions [and appropriated the property thereof] for its individual aggrandizement [of its favorites]. [which has violated good faith by its treachery in the bestowment of public lands]; which has ruined and shamefully oppressed the laboring [and prodne- ing inhabitants] people of California by their enormous exactions [of tariff] on goods imported into the country, is the determined [this is the] purpose of the brave men who are associated under his command. He also solemnly declares [I also declare, etc., in version no. 3] his object in the second place to be, to invite all peaceable and good citizens of California, who are friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights, and I do hereby invite them to repair to my camp at Sonoma without delay [and he hereby invites all good and patriotic citizens in California to assist him to establish, etc. ], to assist us in establishing and perpetuating a republican [liberal, just, and honorable] government, which shall secure to all civil and religious [and per- sonal] liberty; [which shall insure the security of life and property]; which shall detect and punish crime [and injustice]; which shall encourage indns- try, virtne, and literature; which shall leave unshackled by fetters [shall foster] commerce, manufactures, and mechanism [by guaranteeing freedom to commerce]. He further declares [proclaims] that he relies upon the recti- tude of our intentions [justice of his cause]: the favor of heaven; [upon the vi isdom and good sense of the people of California;] and the bravery of those
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ORGANIZATION OF THE REBELS.
oppression by the authorities-equally false, but in one or two particulars really credited by some of the inen; third, some general criticisms of the existing government-well founded in certain respects, but involving no wrong to the rebels, and absurd as com- ing from them; fourth, bombastic promises of reform and of protection to non-combatants-commendable enough, and of the type usually made a feature of such effusions. As a whole, in truthfulness and con- sistency, as in orthography and literary merit, it was below the plane of Castro's and Pico's proclamations. In respect of bombast and general absurdity, it stood about midway between the two; but it derived some dignity from the fact that it came from men who meant to fight as well as talk. As a product of fili- busterism, pure and simple, it deserves praise not to be awarded from any other standpoint.
Ford tells us that after raising their flag the men completed their organization by electing himself first lieutenant; Samuel Kelsey second lieutenant; Gran- ville P. Swift and Samuel Gibson sergeants. Next morning at sunrise, after the flag had been hoisted anew and the guard relieved, Lieutenant Ford ad- dressed his men on the responsibilities of their posi- tion and the necessity of strict discipline. All prom- ised implicit obedience to their officers, as did also fifteen new men who came in that evening-according
who are bound to and associated with him by the principle of self-preserva- tion; by the love of truth [their love of liberty], and by the hatred of tyranny -for his hopes of success. He further declares [premises] that he believes that a government, to be prosperous and happifying [Larkin leaves this word out: while Ide substitutes ameleiorating!] in its tendency must originate with [among] its people, who are friendly to its existence; that its citizens are its guardians [last 12 words omitted], its officers are [should be] its servants, and its glory their reward [its common reward]. William B. Ide, commau- der. Headquarters, Sonoma, June 15, 1846.'
In the various comments on Ide's proclamation I find nothing that seems to require notice, unless it may be the remark of Baldridge, that Ide had a mania for writing and for organization of govt, all his proceedings being regarded by the men as an amusing farce. Tuthill pronounces it 'ernde in style, and in its allegations quite unsupported by facts, yet commendably explicit and direct;' and several writers have noted its untruthfulness.
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BEAR FLAG REVOLT-AFFAIRS AT SONOMA.
to this writer's statement, which is probably an error." This is all Ford tells us of events down to the coming of Misroon; and with the exception of a slight résumé in another narrative, as appended,6 we have no other definite authority on the subject than Ide himself.
Following Ide, the general accuracy of whose narra- tive there is no good reason to doubt, though it is over- burdened with patriotic eloquence, bombastic egotism, and special pleading designed to strengthen his cause against Frémont, we return to the departure of Grigs- by and his prisoners for the Sacramento at 11 A. M. on June 14th. After Todd and his assistants had been put to work on the flag, and while the rest, divided into two companies, the 'Ist artillery' and the '1st rifles,' were puting their arms in order, the commander, after posting guards and sentinels, "directed his leisure to the establishment of rules of discipline and order, and of a system of finance whereby all the defenceless families might be brought within the lines and sup- ported. Ten thousand pounds of flour were purchased on the credit of the government; an account was opened for the supply of beef on terms agreed upon; whiskey was altogether a contraband article." He also found time to harangue such men as could be spared from other tasks on their duties. Then with an interpreter he went before the thirty or forty im-
5 Ford's Bear Flag Revol., MS., 14-15.
6 'Capt. Ide was empowered by the troops to provide provisions for their subsistence, and to draw orders in behalf of the republic, which were to be hereafter paid. Berreyesa, the Mexican alcalde, was sent for, dismissed from that office, and reappointed to the same by the new govt. Berreyesa pledged himself that the Mexican population of the district of Sonoma should not in- terfere in the revolution. Some further measures were adopted, limiting du- ties on foreign importations to one fourth of the existing rates. Horace San- ders was appointed commissary. A national flag was agreed upon, etc. Capt. Ide was made captain general; measures were taken to secure public and pri- vate property; and in case private property was used by the govt, to adopt measures for compensating the owners therefor. . . The general in chief, on the 16th, sent Mr Todd on a mission to Capt. Montgomery . . for the purpose of obtaining a quantity of powder. . . He declined furnishing it. .. At the same time measures were adopted by Gen. Ide in relation to the national domain, making arrangements for establishing a land office, surveying the country, and reserving to those who served the state ranchos of some leagnes in extent. In the evening Mr Todd returned with Lieut Misroon,' etc. Hist. Bear Flag, by Ide, Grigsby, and Nash.
155
IDE'S LABORS.
prisoned Californians to explain "the common rights of all men," and his own benevolent intention to right all their wrongs. So eloquently did he put his case that "the Spaniard, even, embraced the commander as he pronounced the name of Washington"! and though told they were at liberty to depart, the impris- oned Berreyesa and his companions chose to remain until a treaty could be made. By a unanimous vote the "powers of the four departments of government" were conferred on the commander; and the evening, after the flag had been raised, was spent in discussions respecting a proclamation.
The proclamation, as we have seen, was written before morning; as was also a letter to Commodore Stockton, and the "remainder of the night was spent in drawing up such articles of agreement and treaty stipulations as were most likely to enlist the good-will of all good citizens of California, without respect to the circumstance of any peculiar origin of its inhabitants." The purport of these stipulations- no copy of which is known to exist, and which are mentioned by Ide alone-was, first, no "individual division" of public property, that being used solely as security for payment for public debts; second, free commerce and no imposts whatever; third, no sala- ries, "enticements to corruption," for officials; fourth, no involuntary taxation, except as a punishment for crime; fifth, no compulsory military service; last, all Spaniards and Californians, "good friends," on taking a solemn oath to support independent principles and the flag, to be excused from bearing arms against their misguided countrymen, agreeing voluntarily to urge the latter not to resist, and also to furnish all supplies needed for the public service. There was much diffi- culty in making these stipulations fully understood by the Californians; and still more in obtaining the ap- proval of the insurgents themselves, some of whom "who at first enlisted for plunder and flight to the States, and who proposed to tear down and pillage the
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BEAR FLAG REVOLT -- AFFAIRS AT SONOMA.
house of Vallejo, still earnestly contended that a Span- iard had no right to liberty and but very little right to the enjoyment of life." In fact, it was necessary for Ide to conduct the negotiations without the full knowledge of the garrison, he being sustained in the command only for want of any other man who could insure obedience.
Monday morning a messenger was needed to carry the letter to the naval officer in command at the bay. This letter, as Ide insists, was not a request for aid, but a statement of their acts and purposes, being in- tended chiefly to prevent any unwarrantable interfer- ence of the United States officers by the assurance of an intention ultimately to "unite this fair land with that of our birth." In order to obtain a courier, however, it was necessary to create an impression that his mission was to obtain powder. William Todd vol- unteered, and on his departure was especially charged by the commander not to ask for anything, but simply to bring back what might be given him! No news was heard from the outside world during the first four days. The time was spent in translating and re- translating treaty and proclamation. " The men were divided into four night-guards of six men each, and into eight day-guards of three men each. One half of the men were at all times by day employed in eamp duty; the other half guarded and slept." As no one from abroad came within hailing distance from Sonoma, so it appears that no one was permitted to depart, not even Berreyesa and his companions.
At sunset of Tuesday the 16th, not on the 17th as Ide states, Lieutenant Misroon arrived by boat from the Portsmouth at anchor at Sauzalito. He was sent by Captain Montgomery, as already recorded, at the request of Vallejo, to prevent, so far as the personal influence of the naval officers could go, any violence to families and non-combatants, being strictly charged to avoid any meddling with the merits of the revolt. It
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MISROON'S MISSION.
is probable that Todd reached the ship before Misroon's departure, and returned to Sonoma with him; but there is no allusion to him or his mission in the lieutenant's instructions or report. According to that report Mis- roon first called on Ide, and obtained from him not only a copy of his proclamation, but both a verbal and a written pledge to prevent all violence to the persons or property of peaceful inhabitants. Then he visited the alcalde, to whom he explained in writing his mis- sion, presenting at the same time the pledge obtained from Ide. And finally, he "called upon the family of General Vallejo, and moderated their distress by the as- surances of safety for the general which I had received, and informing them that the prisoners were held as hostages." At his request, the Señora de Vallejo was permitted to send an open letter to her husband by her brother Julio Carrillo, who also carried an ac- count of Rosa's interview with Montgomery, and who, notwithstanding his passport, was thrown into prison on his arrival at New Helvetia. Misroon finally left Sonoma at noon on the 17th. His report of the next day contained copies of the proclamation and pledge, a description of the flag, a statement that the gar- rison consisted of about twenty-five men, and an expression of his opinion that not only was there no danger of outrages being committed, but that the Californians were very well contented with their position.7
7 June 15th, 16th, Montgomery's instructions to Misroon. June 18th, M.'s report. Bear Flag Papers., MS., 46-57. The pledge given by Ide was as fol- lows: 'I pledge myself that I will use my ntmost exertion to restrain and prevent the men in arms under my command (all of whom present acknow]- edge my authority and approve the measure of forbearance and humanity) from perpetrating any violence, or in any manner molesting the peaceable in- habitants, in person or property, of Cal. while we continue in arms for the liberty of Cal. Wm B. Ide, commander. Sonoma, June 17, 1846.' In a let- ter of June 19th, from Leidesdorff to Larkin, Larkin's Doc., MS., iv. 167, he describes Misroon's visit; says it was partly due to Todd's arrival; that all was found in perfect order at Sonoma; and tells an anecdote of one of the insurgents being promptly fined $30 for shooting a horse that kicked him! According to the Hist. Bear Flag, Misroon 'stated that Capt. Montgomery was in ex- pectation of important news from Mexico, and that in the event of war he would place all the resources of his ship and half of his men under Gen. Ide's command'! Ford simply says that Misroon arrived and 'complimented the party for their orderly conduct.' Bear Flag Revol., MS., 15.
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BEAR FLAG REVOLT-AFFAIRS AT SONOMA.
Ide, ignoring altogether Vallejo's messenger and the true nature of Misroon's mission, as well as his efforts at mediation and the documents which he ob- tained and wrote, represents that officer as having come with Todd, and in consequence of his message, to bring and explain a letter from Montgomery, the letter and explanations being to the effect that no aid, not even a charge of powder, could be furnished ; though on receipt of news that war had been declared, the captain would gladly put half his men under Ide's command, and cooperate with his ship against the common foe. Todd, greatly to the sorrow of Ide as he claims, had asked for powder, thus doing incaleu- able harm to the canse in some manner not very in- telligibly explained. Indeed, it is impossible to follow Ide in his ravings at this part of his narrative, as at some others. At night, Misroon was enthusiastic enough in the cause, offering to aid in circulating the proclamation. But next morning a change had come over his mind. He had been talking with the garri- son; it was thought best not to issue any proclama- tion; and the lieutenant even spoke of finding some way to relieve the insurgents from their 'disagreeable situation.' Ide was in a state of terrible anxiety. Evidently Misroon had heard something of current charges against the commander. "He had been charged by Captain Fremont with being a Mormon, and his scheme was denounced as an artifice to betray the whole country into the hands of the Mormons. And it was known that most of the garrison believed the foul slander."8 But the lieutenant was persuaded
8Several early Californians speak of Ide as a Mormon, but there is nothing authoritative on the subject. Many confounded him, I think, with Orson Hyde. and possibly this was the only foundation for the charge of Mormon- ism. In the Oregon Spectator, July 23, IS46, in connection with his procla- mation, Ide is said to be a Mormon, one of 'Jo Smith's 12 apostles,' and the query is raised whether the promises alluded to had been made to the set- tlers as Americans or as Mormons. Ide does not make it quite clear whether the 'foul slander' was the charge of being a Mormon, or that of being engaged in a scheme to win Cal. for that sect, or both. It does not matter whether he was a Mormon or a Methodist. The silence of his biographer, and the peculiar manner of his own references to the subject, leave some doubt as to the truth.
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A NEW PROCLAMATION.
to real the proclamation; it conquered him; he read it aloud to the garrison; all approved it; "joy and animation were kindled in every heart;" triumph was assured; "the battle's won; we'll triumph still, in spite of fears of Mormonism!" Of course it is not to be believed that Ide's statement is true, and that Mis- roon thus openly gave his support to the insurgents. Fanaticism closely verging on insanity is here and there indicated by the commander's writings.
On June 18th a new proclamation was written, though Ide mentions only the copying of the old one, and was sent, together with a document bearing the signature of Alcalde Berreyesa, to be circulated with translations, both of this and of the original proclama- tion, south of the bay. A man named Booker, Boker, or Brooker, was chosen as messenger; and a week later he posted the documents at Monterey. I give them in a note.9 This second proclamation was much
" ' A proclamation. All persons who will remain peaceable shall in no wise be molested or injured. The commander of the company of soldiers now in possession of Sonoma promises on his word of lionor to all the Californians who do not take up arms against him peace and security, and in case any of the commander's people should in any wise injure any person who is not con- cerned, on application being made to the above mentioned authority, the of- fender or offenders shall be punished, the party injured not having taken up arms. The commander wishes to establish a good government for the prompt administration of justice, and with strict attention to individual rights and liberties, and not with the intention of molesting or permitting to be molested any person on account of their religious opinions. The new government will toil indefatigably to the end of acquiring everything that may be beneficial to the country. This government will reduce the marine duties three or four parts in a thousand (?). It will defend its rightful intentions, with the favor of God and the valor of its adherents. The government of the country has ordered us to retire the same way we came, and as this is impossible on ac- count of our poverty, we have determined to make this country independent, and to establish a system of government that will be more favorable to us than such a dangerous and long road back. I order that this be published with a translation, likewise that of the 15th of the present month in English and in Spanish. William B. Ide, commander in Sonoma, June 18, 1846.'
'The 14th day of the present month this present commander took posses- sion of the town of Sonoma, and up to this date there has not been the least clisorder, there having been nothing taken but arms, ammunition, and horses; and for whatever else they may have required they have solicited it of indi- viduals, under a promise of payment in full value the moment the government is properly installed in the republic of California, which they are determined to do. José S. Berreyesa, Ist alcalde in Sonoma.'
These doc. are found in Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 72; Sawyer's Doc., MS., 33-4, 59-60, with a memorandum by Larkin that they were found posted
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BEAR FLAG REVOLT-AFFAIRS AT SONOMA.
more moderate in its tone than the first, the writer omitting all the former false statements but one, and confining himself for the most part to promises of re- form in the government. The earlier document had been intended mainly for foreign settlers, and for effect in the outside world; while this one was for the Cal- ifornians. Ide tells us that it "was written and re- written, and sent as far as San de Angelos," causing more than half of Castro's army at Santa Clara to de- sert within three days!
Between the departure of Misroon, on Wednesday the 17th, and the arrival of Fremont, on Thursday the 25th, in addition to a few minor events confusedly recorded by Ide and Ford, there were two about which much has been written; though both, so far as details are concerned, are still involved in some obscurity. The first was the killing of Cowie and Fowler, and the second a fight between Ford and Joaquin de la Torre. On the 18th or 19th, Fowler and Thomas Cowie were sent by Ide to obtain a keg of powder from Moses Carson at the Fitch rancho on Russian River. Disregarding the advice of Ide and Ford, they are said to have neglected all precautions, and to have followed the main road. Before reaching their desti- nation they were captured by a party of Californians under Juan N. Padilla and Ramon Carrillo. These men, twenty or thirty in number, had been for some days ranging through the country, awaiting develop- ments at Sonoma, and expecting reinforcements from Castro. Padilla was a Mexican barber of no influence or standing whatever, and Carrillo was a young Cali-
on one of his buildings on the morning of the 27th. This had been done by Boker of Me. or N. H., who was one of the original party that took Sonoma, and who had come south to raise a force at Sta Cruz, etc. He said that Ide was living in Leese's house; and that the party intended to insist on Frémont coming forward openly to take command, else they would either organize without him or break up and retire from the contest. Ide in his letter to Wambough mentions the alcalde's letter and the praclamation as having been sent by Brooker, though he implies that it was the original proclamation. Tustin, Recoll., MS., 9, mentions a Henry Booker living on the Sacramento in 1846, and this may have been the messenger in question.
16]
MURDER OF COWIE AND FOWLER.
fornian not noted for his good qualities. The company was composed mostly of wild and irresponsible young fellows, and included several desperate characters; but so far as can be known, they had committed no hostil- ities on the ranchos round about, as they might easily have done. It was near Santa Rosa that the two Americans were captured, under circumstances of which nothing is known. They were killed by their captors, and they are said to have been mutilated in a most horrible manner. Some state, without details or known authority, that their remains were found later. A noted desperado named Bernardino García, or 'four- fingered Jack,' afterward described the details of the murder, representing the prisoners as having been tied to trees, stoned, and cut to pieces, one of them having his broken jaw dragged out with a reata. His version, or so much of it as could decently be put in print, has been the current one ever since. That the Califor- nians, as a body, or their leaders could have committed so horrible a deed it is impossible to conceive. In the absence of positive original evidence to the contrary, I choose to believe that Cowie and Fowler were killed in an altercation, in an attempt to escape, or by an individual desperado. Testimony, as the reader will see, is vague and contradictory. This affair, however, did much to strengthen the insurgent cause, forcing the settlers through fear to take refuge with their families at Sonoma.10
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