History of California, Volume XXII, Part 29

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

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270

STOCKTON'S RULE-OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTH.

ing which the approval or disapproval of Mexico was not of the slightest consequence. Secondly, he claims that recognition of the Californian authorities, by negotiating with them, would have involved recogni- tion of them in other matters, notably in that of granting lands. To question the right of a governor, in his capital, under his national flag, and in accord- ance with Mexican law, to grant lands, because a for- eign power had seized some parts of the department, was certainly a remarkable position to assume; but still Stockton's point had weight to this extent, that it was his duty to destroy Pico's authority as a Mex- ican governor as soon as possible by raising the flag over Los Angeles. Could the flag be raised volun- tarily by Pico, so much the better for the end in view. To gain time, therefore, the commodore de- clined a conference, for which twenty-four hours would have been ample time, and then put off his ad- vance from San Pedro four days! In the third place, a truce, argues Stockton, would have enabled the Californians to exterminate the settlers, attack the immigrants, increase and organize their forces, and in fact, do all the things that the present movement was intended to prevent. Even had the danger of such acts been originally less absurd and imaginary, it is not quite apparent that a short delay with a view to a voluntary submission of the foe could have been much more disastrous than a longer delay for hostile preparations. Finally, the writer says: "Our march would necessarily have been suspended at the outset; the sailors and marines must have reem- barked; the California battalion, so prompt and ener- getic in volunteering to aid us, must have been aban- doned to its own resources, and thus insulated and unsupported, must either have dispersed or fallen a sacrifice to an exasperated and powerful enemy"- thus implying, what there is not the slightest evidence to support, that Castro proposed a truce to continue until questions in dispute could be referred to Mex-

271

LARKIN'S EFFORTS.

ico. With all his lack of brilliancy, it is not likely that Don José ever conceived so stupid a proposition. Had he suggested such a plan at the proposed con- ference, it could have been rejected without great ex- penditure of time.17

It must be evident to the reader, I think, that Stockton was bound as a representative of the United States, in view of past negotiations and promises of his government's confidential agents, to accede to Castro's request for a conference. The presumption was that the general was disposed to make the re- quired concessions; and if fruitless, the conference would involve no delay whatever. Stockton feared that Castro would yield; hence his refusal. His ex- planation was special pleading designed to cover up his real motives. Lest it appear, however, to any one that the view here presented is exaggerated, I intro- duce a hitherto missing link in this historic chain, matter which strengthens my criticism at every point, exhibits the American commander's conduct in a light by no means creditable to his honor, and shows that he has suppressed an essential part of the record. It has been noticed that Castro alluded to Stockton's desire for a conference. Larkin came down from Monterey on the Congress, still bent on acquiring California without the use of force. Immediately, on arrival at San Pedro, he addressed long communica- tions-the original blotters of which are in my posses- sion-to Abel Stearns, his associate confidential agent, though also Mexican sub-prefect. This gentleman was urged without loss of time to consult with Pico, Castro, the assembly, and leading citizens; and to place before them in the strongest possible manner the importance of at once declaring their independence of Mexico and putting California under the American

17 Lancey, Cruise, 111, states definitely that Castro proposed a truce, 'by the terms of which each party should maintain its present position, unmo- lested by the others, until intelligence of a more definite character could be obtained from Mexico or the U. S., or until the conclusion of peace'! Other writers have evidently fallen into a similar misunderstanding.

272

STOCKTON'S RULE-OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTH.

flag. Stockton's irresistible force was presented, and even exaggerated, to show the folly of resistance. Larkin expressed his belief that the conjecture of war with Mexico would prove unfounded, in which case the flag would probably have to be lowered, and the country would be exposed to the hostile movements of the Sonoma insurgents, reinforced by 2,000 ex- pected immigrants. There was but one way to avoid this calamity, to prevent the shedding of blood in a useless resistance to Stockton, and to secure future happiness and prosperity. The leaders were to be assured that the commodore had no desire to wage war; but that he was anxious to have them volunta- rily organize a new government, retaining their offices, and that he would gladly enter into negotiations with them. They were to be urged to come for a confer- ence, accompanied if possible by Stearns and other prominent men, without delay, as the force would probably advance in twenty-four hours. "Could this proposal be acted on in the pueblo at once, war with- in the department is at an end. As the subject has for months been canvassed in California, it does not require long to come to a conclusion."18 There can be but little doubt, then, that it was in response to this invitation, virtually sent by Stockton himself, that Castro made overtures for a treaty, insultingly re- jected by the commodore, who feared that his terms might be accepted. If Castro had had half the men accredited to him, half as desperate and hostile as they were represented in Stockton's proclamation; and had they made an attack as they did later on Mervine, in this very region, or on Kearny at San Pascual, the disaster might justly have plunged the proud leader into life-long disgrace.

On August 9th Castro, after holding a council of war with his officers at the Mesa, resolved to leave California, and notified Pico to that affect in writing.

18 Aug. 6, 1840, Larkin to Stearns. Blotter copies of two letters in Lar- kin's Doc., MS., iv. 261, 268.

273

CASTRO'S LAST PROCLAMATIONS.

" After having done all in my power," he states, " to pre- pare for the defence of the department, and to oppose the invasion of the United States forces by sea and land, I am obliged to-day to make known to you with regret that it is not possible to accomplish either ob- ject, because, notwithstanding your efforts to afford me all the aid in your power, I can count on only 100 men, badly armed, worse supplied, and discontented by reason of the misery they suffer; so that I have reason to fear that not even these few men will fight when the necessity arises." He announced his inten- tion to leave the country, for the purpose of reporting to the supreme government; invited the governor to go with him; and enclosed two documents which he had written to 'save his responsibility.'19 One of these was a farewell address to the people, issued a few days later by the general en camino para Sonora. "With my heart full of the most cruel grief, I take leave of you. I leave the country of my birth, but with the hope of returning to destroy the slavery in which I leave you; for the day will come when our unfortunate fatherland can punish this usurpation, as rapacious as unjust, and in the face of the world exact satisfaction for its grievances. Friends, I confide in your loyalty and patriotism," etc.20

The third document was a copy of Castro's reply to Stockton's communication of the 7th; and it was just such an answer as the commodore had desired and expected. If the general had at one time medi- tated a dishonorable submission to the enemy with a view of retaining his office, he had now abandoned the idea. His pride and that of his counsellors forbade the acceptance of terms offered in a manner so per- emptory and humiliating. His reply was an indig- nant rejection of the proposal to raise the American

19 Aug. 9, 1846, Castro to Pico, written at the Campo en la Mesa. Moreno, Doc., MS., 12-13.

20 Aug. (9th), Castro to the people of Cal. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 134; Doc. IFist. Cal., MS., iii. 263. Possibly this is not the address enclosed to Pico on the 9th, but a later one; but if so, the other is not extant.

HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 18

274

STOCKTON'S RULE-OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTH.

flag; and his indignation was not altogether assumed for effect in Mexico, though such was the main pur- pose of the letter, and though at the time of writing he had resolved to attempt no defence. Stockton wrote a reply to this communication, though he after- ward denied having done so; but its purport is not known.21

On receipt of Castro's communication and accompa- nying documents, Pico submitted them to the assen-

21 Aug. 9, 1846, Castro to Stockton, in Olvera, Doc., MIS., 29-32; transla- tion in Stockton's Mil. and Naval Oper., 5-6. In his report of Sept. 18th Stockton says: 'I did not auswer his last letter but by a verbal message, which does not properly belong to history.' Id., 2. But I have before me an original autograph letter in which Stockton on August 11th says to Larkin: 'Yon will proceed with a flag of truce and deliver the accompanying letter to Gen. Castro, which is a reply to one sent by him to me yesterday. You will say nothing more than that you are ready to receive any explanations he may see fit to make of his letters. You will he especially careful not to commit me in anything for the future, or to say anything of our movements or Fre- mont's.' Larkin's Doc., MS., iv. 250.

C'astro's letter to Stockton was as follows: 'With unspeakable surprise I have received your reply to my official note asking explanations of your pro- posed conduct in the invasion which the naval and land forces of the U. S. under your command have perpetrated in this department in my charge. The insidious contents of that note, and the humiliating propositions which it in- volves, oblige me, for the honor of the national arms committed to me, to re- produce to you the last of my communications, and to make clear to you to what degree I will sacrifice myself to preserve stainless the post which I hold. Since war exists between the U. S. and Mexico, and as you from duty wage it against this department, a part of Mexican territory, so I, as a Mexican chief of the forces under my orders, am resolved to defend its integrity at all hazards, and to repel an aggression like yours, without example in the civil- ized world, and all the more so when it is considered that there is as yet no express declaration of war between the two nations. You say that you can- not suspend your operations to negotiate on any basis other than that Califor- nia declare her independence under the protection of the U. S. Never will I consent that she commit so hase an act; but even supposing she should attempt it, she would never carry it out under the degrading conditions that you pro- pose. And what would be her liberty with that protection offered her at the cannon's mouth? I understand it not; but be assured that while it exists I will take care that this part of the Mexican republic, in which I first saw the light, seal not its disgrace and slavery. Still more, believing doubtless that no drop of Mexican blood flows in my veins, and that I know not the scope of my duties, you offer me the most shameful of your propositions, which is to hoist the American flag in this department. Never, never, never! Much might I say to you on this subject; but I only ask you what would you do if the proposition were vice versa. Finally, Mr Commodore, I repeat that I will spare no sacrifice to oppose your intentions; and if by misfortune the flag of the U. S. waves in Cal., it will not be by my consent, or by that of the last of my compatriots, but solely by force; with the understanding that I protest solemnly before the whole world against the means used, or which may be used, to separate this department from the Mexican republic, to whose flag it desires to belong, making you responsible for all the evils and misfortunes that may result from a war so unjust as that which has been declared against this peaceful department. I have the honor,' etc.

275

PICO'S FAREWELL.

bly on August 10th. In a speech he admitted the impossibility of a successful defence; said he saw no other way to preserve the honor of the government than to depart with the general and report to the national authorities; and proposed that the assembly should dissolve, in order that the enemy might find none of the departmental authorities acting. The members, after each had given expression to the proper sentiments of patriotism, voted to approve Pico's resolve, and to adjourn sine die.22 Then Don Pio issued his parting address to the people. In this document he announced that 'between ignominy and emigration,' he chose the latter. He denounced the ambitious efforts of the United States to secure the fairest portions of Mexican territory, and especially the shameful promises by which the foe had attempted to seduce Californians from their allegiance; and warned them to prove to the world that it was their desperate situation and want of resources, not their consent, that brought them under the usurper's yoke. "My friends, farewell! I take leave of you. I aban- don the country of my birth, my family, property, and whatever else is most grateful to man, all to save the national honor. But I go with the sweet satisfaction that you will not second the deceitful views of the astute enemy; that your loyalty and firmness will prove an inexpugnable barrier to the machinations of the invader. In any event, guard your honor, and observe that the eyes of the entire universe are fixed upon you" !23

It was on the night of the 10th that Pico and Cas- tro left the capital, the latter having disbanded his military force. Their departure and parting addresses have been ridiculed and denounced as a cowardly

22 Aug. 10, 1846, record of assembly proceedings, in Olvera, Doc., MS., 32- 6. Some of Pico's friends have said that he wished to continue the defence, but was not permitted by the assembly.

23 Pico, Proclama de Despedida, 10 de Agosto, 1846, MS. Original in Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 175-6; translation in Savage, Doc., MS., iii. 68-70; Hayes' Emig. Notes, 340-1.

276

STOCKTON'S RULE-OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTH.

flight before the enemy, and an absurd exhibition of Mexican bombast. By their selfish incompetence and foolish strife in past years, these men had done mueh to reduce California to her present unhappy condition, so that she could no longer make even an honorable show of resistance to the invader. I have not much to say in praise of either as man or ruler. Yet as they had to choose between flight and surrender, and as they were Mexican officers, and as it was a firmly rooted Mexican idea that flight and patriotic protests saved the national honor in such cases, I think their final acts deserve some commendation. They chose flight attended with some hardship, rather than the continuance of power that had been promised them under the American flag, coupled with dishonor in the eyes of their countrymen. This shows that they still retained a praiseworthy pride.

And here I must notice briefly one phase of this matter, which is more fully treated in other chapters relating to the missions and to the subject of land grants. It has been a current statement among writ- ers on California that Pico in the last months of his rule exerted himself to distribute among his friends - and especially among Englishmen, with a view to keep them out of the hands of Americans-the larg- est possible amount of public lands; that he made haste to sell the mission property, for the most part to Englishmen also, for whatever prices he could get; and that he carried away with him some $20,000 of funds resulting from these sales, or which had been contributed by the people for the country's defence. With respect to the last charge, I hasten to say, that beyond the statements of Don Pio's personal enemies, and the current rumors growing out of those state- ments, I find no evidence that he carried out of the country a dollar of the public funds; and it is very certain that he could not have obtained any such sum as that named. Again, it may be said that the polit- ical aspect of Pico's land grants and mission sales, as

277

DEPARTURE OF CASTRO AND PICO.

part of a scheme to give California to England, is almost purely imaginary. Many men, foreseeing a great increase in the value of lands, were anxious in these last months to secure grants; and the governor, so far as his quarrels with Castro left him free to attend to such matters, was disposed to grant their request. It was by no means discreditable to him, that before his power was gone he was disposed to distribute the public lands among his friends, so long as he acted legally. As to the sales of the missions, they were effected in pursuance of a policy formed in earlier years, with the approval of the assembly. The price was as large as could be obtained, and I find no reason to doubt that the proceeds were patri- otically squandered in support of the government, and preparations against Castro. The only question is the legal one of Pico's power to sell the missions at all under existing circumstances, a matter that is not to be discussed here. So far nothing appears against the governor in this respect, taking the vari- ous grants as they appear on their face. It would be well for his reputation could we stop here; but there is no room to doubt that some of the titles were written by the governor just before his departure, or even after his return, and fraudulently antedated. Comment is unnecessary.

Pico and Castro, though they both left Los Angeles on August 10th, did not flee together. Castro, ac- companied by his secretary, Francisco Arce, and a small party 24 __ others having turned back from San Bernardino, and Weber being carried along as a prisoner but soon released-took the Colorado River route to Sonora, and reached Altar the 7th of Septem- ber. Here he communicated with Governor Cuesta, and sent despatches to Mexico describing the condi- tion of affairs in California and urging measures to recover the country and avenge her wrongs.25 Of

24 Arce, Mem., MS., 58-9, says there were 19 men. Jesus Pico, Acont., MS., 66-7, names Salomon Pico, Rudecindo Castro, and three Soberanes.

25 Sept. 9, 1846, Castro at Altar to Cuesta, and Cuesta's reply of the 13th, in

278

STOCKTON'S RULE-OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTH.

course no practical attention was paid to the general's suggestions. After some military service in Sinaloa, Castro returned to California in 1848, and departed again in 1853 to become a Mexican official in Lower California. Pico, leaving Los Angeles in the night of August 10th-after issuing the proclamation al- ready noted, and also notifying the foreign consuls that California was to be left without a government- spent the night at Yorba's rancho, and went next day to San Juan Capistrano, where, and in the vicinity of his rancho of Santa Margarita, he was concealed by his brother-in-law, John Forster, for about a month. He states that he had many narrow escapes from fall- ing into the hands of Fremont's men, and of a party under Santiago E. Argüello. This is confirmed by Forster, and to some extent by others. It is probable that the efforts to effect his capture, rather vaguely mentioned by many writers, have been considerably exaggerated. At any rate, Fremont, at Bandini's intercession, assured Don Pio that he should not be molested.26 It was hoped perhaps that if he could be induced to remain, he might consent to convoke the

El Sonorense, Sept. 25, 1846. A list of Castro's companions was enclosed, but unfortunately not printed. Sept. 9th, Castro to min. of war. Explains the cir- cumstances that forced him to leave his post. Awaits orders at Altar, as he has no means of pursuing his journey. Thinks that with a great effort triumph would still not be very difficult. The foe has but 3,000 men, most of them not available except on the coast. In the interior, only the settlers and 400 or 500 hunters were to be feared. Castro thinks no very large number of immigrants can be expected until next year. Col. Alvarado, Prefect Manuel Castro, and Capt. Torre, with citizens, are hidden in the mountains, ready to sally forth and defeat the 'infernal intrigues of our oppressors.' Original blotter in Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 136. Oct. 15th, reply of min. of war. Expresses sympathy and indignation. The govt with a view of vengeance is expediting the march of Gen. Bustamante. Id., ii. 144. In Nov. Escudero, diputado from Chihuahua, proposed in congress a scheme and loan to recover New Mexico and Cal., which he thought would be easy. Escudero, Mem. Chih., 46-9. In his report of Dec. 14, 1846, Min. Lafragua speaks of a new organization of the Californias into two territories; but the appointment of gefes políticos had no effect because of the invasion. Mexico, Mem. Rela- ciones, 1847, p. 163.

26 Sept. 15, 1846, Pico from S. Vicente to Bandini, with thanks for his efforts. Mentions a letter from Fremont which he has answered. Bandini, Doc., MS., 97. Capt. Phelps, Fore and Aft, 305-6, who was at S. Juan be- fore Pico's departure, mentions Frémont's letter, and says that he met Don Pio on the way to S. Diego. He then seemed disposed to give himself up, as Frémont had urged.

279

PICO'S WANDERINGS.

assembly and go through the form of turning over the country to the United States. The fugitive gov- ernor, however, was joined by his secretary Moreno,27 and escaped across the line into Baja California on September 7th. With Macedonio Gonzalez he went on to Mulegé, where he arrived the 22d of October. In November he crossed the gulf to Guaymas, and was subsequently driven to Hermosillo when Guay- mas was bombarded by the Americans. Over and over again he wrote to the national government, urging measures for the recovery of California; but no atten- tion was paid to his representations; and he could obtain neither the payment of his salary, thanks for past sacrifices, nor even recognition as still entitled to be called governor. He returned to California in the middle of 1848.28

Meanwhile Stockton at San Pedro was engaged in drilling his 360 men, most of them ignorant of the simplest military movements on land, and making other preparations for an advance, from the 7th to the 11th. The commodore's biographer, in a very in- accurate and bombastic narrative of this campaign, which has apparently been the source of most that has since been written on the subject,29 tells us that when Castro's commissioners arrived, the American commander, regarding them as spies, resolved to de- ceive them as to his strength. He therefore caused

27 There is a tradition that they carried away and buried the government archives; but a large part of the documents were retained by Moreno, and their contents now form part of my collection, as Moreno, Documentos para la Historia de California. Coleccion de D. José Matias Moreno, secretario que fúe del gobierno, año de 1846, la cual existe original en la Baja California, en posesion de la Sra Doña Prudenciana Lopez. Copias y extractos por Thos Savage, 1878, MS., fol., 138 p.

28 March 29, 1846, Pico at Hermosillo to min. of rel., describing his move- ments since leaving Cal., and mentioning the contents and dates of previous reports. Pico, Doc., MS., i. 31-6; Sarage, Doc., MS., iii. 76-84; Hayes' Emig. Notes, i. 340, 342. See also Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 161-74; Forster's Pioneer Data, MS., 32-5; Los Angeles Express, Feb. 4, 1873; Marion, Recuer- dos, MS., 10-13; Wilson's Observ., MS., 61-2; Monterey Californian, Aug. 22, 1846.

29 Stockton's Life, 119-23, followed closely in most respects by Tuthill, Lancey, and others.

250

STOCKTON'S RULE-OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTH.

his men to march in a circle, one part of which was concealed, until each had come many times into view. He also received Guerra and Flores where his guns were, posting himself by the side of a 32-pounder, while the others, six-pounders, were covered with skins, so as to make it appear that all were of the same large calibre. To what extent the account of these manœuvres is founded on fact, there are no means of knowing; but the additional statements that Stock- ton, having delivered his message for Castro to the embassadors "in the most fierce and offensive man- ner, and in a tone of voice significant of the most im- placable and hostile determination, waived them from his presence imperiously, with the insulting impera- tive, 'Vamose';" that another embassy was treated with like insolence, with the successful purpose of in- timidating the foe; and that to a third embassy, pom- pously informing the commander that "if he marched upon the town he would find it the grave of his men," the reply was, "Have the bells ready to toll at eight o'clock, as I shall be there at that time"-may very safely be designated as falsehoods pure and simple.30

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 29

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