History of California, Volume XXII, Part 4

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

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40 Martin, Narr., MS., 12-13, tells us that Godey and himself were sent to the Tulares, and purchased 187 animals very cheap. Sutter, Person. Romin., MS., 145-8, mentions the purchase of horses in the valley, and says he wrote to F. at Lassen's, urging him to leave the stolen animals behind, a letter which was not answered, and the writing of which F. never forgave. This story is probably true, as Sutter made a similar statement, and enclosed a copy of his letter in a communication to Castro of May 31st. 21 horses that had been stolen from settlers had been taken away to Oregon. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 41.

11 Peters' Life of Kit Carson, 254: Martin's Narr., MS., 13-14. Carson tells us that the Ind. were preparing to attack the rancheros. 'probably at the instigation of the Mexicans'! Martin says that more than 175 Ind. were slain in less than three hours, they having been attacked while engaged in a war- dance. Lancey, Cruise, 44, locates the fight on Reading's rancho,

IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY.

grand fiesta, or barbecue, given by Frémont's men to a party of immigrants who were encamped in the valley, having come from Oregon the year before, and being now engaged in preparations for a return trip, some to Oregon, others to the States. The feasting and danc- ing-there were women in the immigrant company, though border men could dance without female part- ners upon oceasion-lasted two days; and an Indian servant who was present earried south the sensational report that the assemblage was one of two hundred armed foreigners, whose purpose was to fall upon Mon- terey as soon as Indian reinforcements could be ob- tained from Oregon !42 Clyman, one of the immigrants who proposed to quit the country, though not appar- ently one of those present at the barbecue, desired to unite his company to that of Frémont for the return trip-or, as he claims, for a movement against the Cal- ifornians-but his proposition was declined. 43

Leaving Lassen's on or about April 14th, Frémont proceeded northward .to Oregon." On May 8th,

12 May 6th, sub-prefect to prefect. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 79; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., ii. 85. May 31st, Sutter to Castro. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 41. See also Martin's Narr., 14-15. The Indian was an ex- neophyte of S. José named Antolino, who was at work for Francis Day.

13 Clyman's Note Book, MS., 18, 26-7. A letter from Frémont is copied from the original in Clyman's possession. In the copy it is dated, 'Camp on Feather River, Dec. 19, 1845,' but this of course is all wrong. The letter, if genuine, which there is no other reason to doubt, must have been written in March or April 1846. Clyman and party started for the states at the end of April from Johnson's rancho. I quote the letter as showing, in connection with that of April Ist to Mrs Fremont, the captain's feelings and plans. 'Your favor of the 21st ult. has been received through the kindness of Mr Flint. . . I am placed in a peculiar position. Having carried out to the best of my ability my instructions to explore the far west, I see myself on the eve of my departure for home confronted by the most perplexing complications. I have received information to the effect that a declaration of war between our government and Mexico is probable, but so far this news has not been confirmed. The Californian authorities object to my presence here, and threaten to overwhelm me. If peace is preserved, I have no right or business here; if war ensues, I shall be outnumbered ten to one, and be compelled to make good my retreat, pressed by a pursuing enemy. It seems that the only way open to me is to make my way back castward, and as a military man you must perceive at once that an increase of my command would only encumber and not assist my retreat through a region where wild game is the only thing procurable in the way of food. Under these circumstances, I must make my way back alone, and gratefully decline your offer of a company of hardy_warriors.'

" Fremont's Geog. Mem., 31-2, 57-8; Fremont's map in U. S. Gort Dor.,

OPERATIONS OF FREMONT AND GILLESPIE.

having passed up by the western shore of Klamath Lake, he encamped near the north end of that body of water. Late that evening two horsemen, Samuel Neal and William Sigler, rode into camp with the news that a United States officer was two days be- hind with despatches, protected by a small escort and probably in great danger. Next morning Fremont took nine of his men, Carson, Maxwell, Godey, Owens, Lajeunesse, and four Delawares, hastened back with Neal and Sigler, and after a ride of some twenty-five miles-not sixty miles as was claimed at the time and has been often repeated-he met at nightfall Lieutenant Archibald H. Gillespie. This officer, of whose arrival I shall have more to say presently, had reached Sutter's April 28th, and Las- sen's the 1st of May. From that point, with only five companions, Lassen, Neal, Sigler, Stepp, and a negro servant named Ben, he started May 2d on Frémont's trail. 'On the 7th the two men were sent in advance, and the others encamped at the outlet of Klamath Lake, unable to forde the river, and having nothing to eat for forty hours. On the morning of the 9th, a party of Indians made their appearance, who in great apparent kindness gave the travellers a fresh salmon for food, and ferried them over the water in canoes. After a day's journey of some thirty miles, Gillespie met Frémont at sunset, as re- lated, at a stream named from the events of that night Ambuscade Creek. 45

31st cong. Ist sess., H. Ex. no. 17. The route is indicated by the following stations: Deer ('reek, April 14th; Mill Cr., Antelope Cr., Nozah Cr. (opposite ('ottonwood Cr. ), April 25th; Brant's Cr., 26th; Campbell's Cr., 27th; Upper Sacramento (Pit River) above Fall River, 29th; same, upper end of Round Valley, 30th; Rhett Lake, eastern shore, May 1st; MeCrady's River, 4th; Denny's branch, 6th; Ambnscade ('r., 7th; north end of Klamath Lake, Sth, 9th-and returning-Corral C'r., Torrey River, Wetowah Cr. (all running into the east side of Klamath Lake), 11th, 12th, 14th; Russell's branch, 19th; l'oinsett's River, 20th; Myers' branch, 21st; and Deer Cr., or Lassen's, May 24th.

15 Frémont's testimony in Fremont's Cal. Claims, 12; Gillespie in Id., 30- 1; Gillespie to Larkin from Lassen's May 24th, in Larkin's Doc., MS., iv. 134: May 24th, Fremont to Benton. Niles' Reg., Ixxi. 190; Sutter's Diary. T; Yolo Co. Hist., 15-16; 151-2; Lancey's Cruise, 15-8; Bidwell's Cal. 1841-8,

ATTACKED BY INDIANS.

The sixteen tired travellers retired early after the two parties were united on May 9th, and were soon sleeping soundly-Frémont sitting up later than the rest to read his despatches and letters from home. The Indians were deemed friendly, and no watch was kept. Just before midnight the camp was attacked by savages. Basil Lajeunesse and a Delaware were killed as they slept, by blows from axes. The sound of these blows aroused Carson and Owens, who gave the alarm; when the Indians fled, after killing with their arrows a Delaware named Crane, and leaving dead a chief of their number, who proved to be the very man from whom Gillespie had that morning been furnished with food and aid farther south. Next morning they started northward to join the main body, burying the bodies of their slain comrades on the way. The whole party started on the 11th down the eastern side of the lake, wreaking terrible ven- geance on the innocent natives along the route, if we may credit the statement of Kit Carson, who played a leading part in the butcheries. They reached Lassen's rancho on their return the 24th, and a few days later moved their camp down to the Buttes.46 Gillespie's arrival had little to do with the alleged motive of Fre- mont's return from the north, which motive was the

MS., 157-60. Sutter, in his Personal Remin., MS., complains that Gillespie borrowed his favorite $300 mule and brought it back wind-broken. In N. Helv. Diary, MS., 46, G.'s arrival at Sutter's is recorded, and it is stated that Stepp and Downing went on with him next day.

46 See, besides most of the citations of the preceding note, Peters' Life of Kit Carson, 255-69; Abbott's Kit Carson, 249-55. Carson goes very fully into details of Indian fights on the return trip, noting the burning of one large village after many of its people had been slain; also the gallant manner in which his (Carson's) life was saved on one occasion by Fremont. Several writers speak of a curious wooden coat-of-mail worn by one of the Ind. war- riors; and all speak of the bravery shown by these natives. Accounts or mentions of the affair also in Martin's Narr., 16-21; June Ist, Larkin to see. state. Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 56; Smucker's Life Fremont, 23-6; Tut- hill's Hist. C'al., 166-7; Honolulu Friend, iv. 134: Vallejo, Ilist. Cal. MS., v. 109; Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 461-3. Several mention the absurd suspicion that the Klamaths were instigated to attack Fremont by Castro's agents ! Sutter, Diary, 7: also N. Hele. Diary, MIS., 49-50, notes Neal's arrival from the north on May 25th, and Gillespie's on May 30th. Capt. Pheips, Fore and Aft, 285-6, succeeds in condensing many errors into a small space. See also Mollhauser, Tagebuch, 268-9; Frignet. Californie, 68-9.

OPERATIONS OF FREMONT AND GILLESPIE.

difficulty of crossing the mountains into Oregon on account of the snow. The captain had nearly deter- mined-so he said-to change his route before he heard of Gillespie's approach ; and he still announced, late in May, his intention to return homeward by a southern route." I shall have more to say on certain phases of this topie in another chapter.

A letter from Buchanan to Larkin dated October 17, 1845, has already been quoted in this history, be- ing a most important document, never before made publie.4 It contained a clear statement of the policy of the United States respecting California; appointed Larkin a confidential agent of the government to aid in carrying out that policy; and contained also the following passage: "Lieutenant Archibald H. Gilles- pie of the marine corps will immediately procced to Monterey, and will probably reach you before this de- spatch. He is a gentleman in whom the president reposes entire confidence. He has seen these instruc- tions, and will cooperate as a confidential agent with you in carrying them into execution." Gillespie left Washington early in November 1845. He carried

47 May 24th, F. to Benton, 'I have but a faint hope that this note will reach you before I do. . . I shall now proceed directly homewards by the C'ol- orado.' Niles' Reg., Ixxi. 191. In his letter of July 25th, he says: 'Snow was falling steadily and heavily in the mountains, which entirely surrounded and dominated the elevated valley region into which we had penetrated. In the east and north and west, barriers absolutely impassable barred our road; we had no provisions; our animals were already feeble, and while any other way was open, I could not bring myself to attempt such a doubtful enterprise as a passage of these unknown mountains in the dead of winter. Every day the snow was falling; and in the face of the depressing influence exercised on the people by the loss of our men, and the unpromising appearance of things, 1 judged it inexpedient to pursue our journey farther in this direction, and de- termined to retrace my steps and carry out the views of the govt by reaching the frontier on the line of the Colorado River.' Id., Ixxi. 191. Larkin wrote on June Ist, 'Fremont now starts for the States.' Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 56. May 24th, Gillespie wrote: 'There was too much snow upon the mountains to eross. He now goes home from here.' Id., Doc., MS., iv. 134. In his testimony of 1848 Fremont says that 'his progress farther north was then barred by hostile Indians and impassable snowy mountains, and he was meditating some change in his route when' Gillespie came, etc. Frémont's l'al. Claims, 12. It was the idea of Carson and others of the men that it was Gillespie's despatches which prompted the return.

48 Buchanan's Instruc., MS. See long quotation in chap. xxv. of vol. v.

GILLESPIE'S MISSION.

with him a duplicate copy of the document just cited, which he destroyed on the way, after having committed its contents to memory, in fear that it might fall into the hands of the Mexicans." He carried also letters of introduction from Buchanan to Larkin and to Fre- mont;50 and a packet containing private correspond- ence from Senator Thomas H. Benton addressed to Fremont, his son-in-law.51 The exact purport of Ben- ton's letters has never been made public; whether, as supplemented by Gillespie's oral communications, they went further in their political significance than the of- ficial written instructions, is a question that has always been wrapped in mystery, and one that may be more intelligibly and profitably considered a little later, when I come to narrate Fremont's subsequent acts.

Gillespie went under his true name, but in the as- sumed character of an invalid merchant travelling for his health. He was delayed for a time at the city of Mexico in consequence of the Paredes revolution; but finally reached Mazatlan and sailed on the U. S. man- of-war Cyane, Mervine commander, via Honolulu for Monterey, where he arrived April 17th, a month later than he had anticipated at his departure from the States. Entering at once into communication with Larkin, he remained at Monterey two days, as did the Cyane also to take back the consul's despatches.52

49 Gillespie's testimony of 1848, in Frémont's Cal. Claims, 30. He states: 'Early in Nov. 1845, I received orders from the president and secretary of the navy, Mr Bancroft, to proceed to Cal. by way of Vera Cruz, and the shortest route through Mexico to Mazatlan, with instructions to watch over the interest of the U. S. in Cal., and to counteract the influence of any foreign or European agents who might be in that country with objects prejudicial to the U. S.' Gillespie's written instructions, if they were put in writing, are not extant, but of course they were substantially the same as those to Lar- kin.

50 Nov. 1, 1845. ' I take pleasure in introducing to yon the bearer hereof, Mr Archibald H. Gillespie, as a gentleman of respectability and worth. He is about to visit the north-west coast of America on business, and should he stop on bis way at Monterey, allow me to bespeak for him your kind atten- tion. You will find him to be in every respect worthy of your regard. Yours very respectfully, James Buchanan, To Thomas O. Larkin, Esq.' Original in Larkin's Doc., MS., iii. 362. This letter is not mentioned in Gillespie's testimony. That addressed to Fremont was doubtless of the same purport.

51 Gillespie's testimony; also Fremont's deposition in Fremont's Cal. Claims, 12.

32 April 17th, G. on board the Cyane to L. 'Confidential. Enclosed I scud

OPERATIONS OF FREMONT AND GILLESPIE.

Gillespie's true character as an officer-if not as a confidential agent, or 'spy' as the Mexicans would somewhat plausibly have termed him-was suspected from the first by the Californians; but he was not hin- dered from starting on the 19th for Yerba Buena on his way to find Fremont, after having been entertained at a grand ball given by Ex-governor Alvarado, or at least at his house. It is stated, however, that the lieutenant had to depart secretly in the night while the ball was in progress, so great was the suspicion of the authorities, strengthened as some say by a warning which David Spence had received from Maza- tlan." He left San Francisco April 25th in a boat furnished by Leidesdorff, to whom he seems to have announced the certainty of war with Mexico, repre- senting that to be the nature of his message to Fre- mont. 54

you a letter of introduction, which I doubt not you will understand, and as I have an important despatch for you, as also other sealed packages, I will be obliged by your coming on board as early as possible.' Larkin's Doc., MS., iv. 91. April 17th, L. to Mervine, requesting him to remain until the 19th for despatches. Same date, Mervine consents. Id., iv. 92; Id., Off. Corresp., MS., i. 92.

53 April 19th, Capt. Mervine and his officers cannot attend the dance. Lar- kin's Dor., MS., iv. 94. Same date, Larkin to Leidesdorff, introducing Gillespie as a friend in ill health, who 'wishes to travel through your part of the eoun- try to enjoy the elimate,' etc. 'I believe he has some personal acquaintance with Capt. Fremont, and may wish to see him if the trouble and expense is not too much.' Furnish all needed aid, etc. Id., Off. Corresp., MS., i. 93. June Ist, L. writes to sec. state, 'Mr (+, was at once known here as an officer, or fully supposed to be so, and could not pass for a merchant . . In fact, so long as it is not correctly known, I prefer that he should be supposed to be what he actually is,' Id., ii. 50, 56.

Vallejo, Hist. C'al., MS., v. 106-9, says that Spence received by the Cyane a box of quinine, which under a false bottom contained a letter of warning against (fillespie. The same letter or one of similar purport was addressed to 13 other men in the north. Castro tried to make him drunk at the ball, but he kept his head, and left about midnight with horses and guides furnished by Lar. kin. Vallejo was in Monterey at the time, and was not in favor of allowing Gillespie to depart; but no proofs could be brought against him. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 172-8, tells a similar story, but says Spence did not re- veal bis secret, except perhaps that his wife, an old flame of the general, may have dropped a hint to him. Alvarado says that Gillespie pretended to speak Spanish very badly, though able to speak it fluently. See also Ord, Ocurrencias, MS .. 140-]; Torres, Peripecias, MS., 46-8.

3+ April 25th, Leidesdortf to Larkin. Gillespie to start in a few hours. 'Glorious news for Fremont ! { think I see him smile. By your letters it appears that this news was not generally known; however, they must have some news here, as the sub-prefect is busily despatching couriers,' etc. Lar- kin's Doc., MS., iv. 104. On April 23d, Larkin sent Gillespie a letter on arrival

SUTTER'N WARNING.

Arriving at New Helvetia on the 28th, the confi- dential agent hurried on up the valley, overtook Fre- mont, and returned with him, as I have already related, at the end of May. Before I proceed with the record of the two officers' subsequent operations in June, there are other important matters to be disposed of. I may note here, however, that Sutter warned Castro that, despite Gillespie's pretence of being an invalid with private letters for Frémont, he was really, as Sutter suspected, an officer of the U. S. army and the bearer of important despatches-indeed, he had ad- mitted himself to be an officer, though claiming to be on the retired list.55

of the Portsmouth, etc. It was not received until G. had returned from the north. Lancey's Cruise, 41. April 30th, Thomas Cole gets $40 from Larkin for carrying the said letter. Monterey, Consulate Arch., MS., ii. 14.

53 May 31st, Sutter to Castro. Original in Castro, Dor., MS., ii. 41, 98. Of course it was Sutter's duty as a Mexican official to give this warning; but the act does not exactly accord with some of the captain's later pretensions of favor to the U. S. On Gillespie's mission-including his supposed secret instructions, to be noticed later-sec also Fremont's Cal. Claims, Report, 817 (30th cong. Ist sess., H. Report); Cooke's Conquest, 203-5; Suasey's Cal., MIS., 45-6; Jay's Mex. War, 150-4; Gleeson's Hist. Cath. Church, ii. 159-60; Clark's Speech on Cal. Claims; U. S. Gort Doc., 36th cong. Ist sess., H. Rept. Court of Claims, no. 229, vol. iv .; Price, in Cal. Ass. Pioneers, 1875, p. 18-19; Tut- hill's Ifist. Cal., 166-8; Dunbar's Romance, 31-2.

CHAPTER II.

POLITICAL AND MILITARY.

JANUARY-JUNE, 1846.

A FRUITLESS CONTROVERSY-ALVARADO AS CONGRESSMAN-CASTAÑARES AND TELLEZ-COVARRUBIAS AS PICO'S AGENT-MISSION OF CASTILLERO- AFFAIRS IN MEXICO-INIESTRA'S EXPEDITION-TELLEZ AND MORALES- CAMBUSTON AND CASTRO-VALLE AND TREASURY TROUBLES-ASSEMBLY -GUERRA SENT TO MONTEREY-RETURN OF J. A. CARRILLO-PICO AS CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNOR-MILITARY JUNTA AT MONTEREY-ADHE- SION TO PRESIDENT PAREDES-MEASURES FOR DEFENCE-PICO'S PROTESTS -VALLEJO'S POSITION-GUERRA SENT TO ANGELES-CONSEJO GENERAL DE PUEBLOS UNIDOS AT SANTA BÁRBARA-CASTRO'S PROTESTS-MARTIAL LAW-THE ASSEMBLY DEPOSES CASTRO-PICO AND HIS ARMY MARCH NORTH AGAINST CASTRO-WARLIKE PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE OF ANGELES-COOPERATION OF FOREIGNERS-BANDINI AND CASTRO- AFFAIRS IN THE NORTE.

THE topics that make up the political annals of 1846 are bound together by two parallel or intertwined threads. One is the fear of foreign invasion; the other, with the disentanglement of which I have chiefly to do in this chapter, is the controversy be- tween Castro and Pico; between the military and civil authorities; between the north and south; be- tween comandante general with custom-house and treasury, at Monterey, and governor with the assem- bly, at Los Angeles. The quarrel was continuous, un- dignified, and fruitless. All admitted the deplorable condition of California, and attributed it largely to internal dissensions, as well as to Mexican neglect. As a matter of fact, nothing that was being done or left undone, had upon the future of the country any

(30 )

PICO AND CASTRO.

other effect than the indirect one of so disgusting a part of the people that they were ready to welcome any change. Yet each faction pretended to believe that with the cooperation-that is, the entire sub- mission-of the other faction, the country might be saved. Pio Pico had little doubt that from the patri- otie wisdom of himself and the southern assemblymen, the true representatives of the popular will, a plan might be evolved for salvation-would General Castro but recognize that wisdom, let the revenues alone, keep the Indians in check, and use his military force exclusively to carry out measures dictated by the po- litical authorities. José Castro, on the other hand, maintained that the protection of the country was purely a military duty, since the chief danger was that of invasion, and that until the danger should be past, it behooved the governor and the assembly not to interfere with the general's prerogatives, but hum- bly to furnish such aid as might be asked for. Each entertained, personally, feelings of jealousy, distrust, and hostility toward the other; and each exaggerated the other's hostility. Each thought at times of using force to overthrow the other, doubting not the other was devoting his constant energies to similar ends. Each appealed sometimes to the other to forget past dissensions for the country's sake; mutual friends in- terfered more or less injudiciously and unsuccessfully ; and the foolish quarrel dragged its slow length along. I have to note the controversy in some of its petty phases and results; but I have no historic lens so powerful, no balance so nicely adjusted, as to assign to either side a preponderence of blame.

Alvarado, diputado-elect to congress for 1846-7, did not go to Mexico to take his seat, because there were no funds for his expenses, much as Pico desired his absence. Alvarado no longer had charge of the custom-house, but he was regarded by the abajeños as being at the bottom of all Castro's political in-

CHAPTER II.

POLITICAL AND MILITARY.

JANUARY-JUNE, 1846.

A FRUITLESS CONTROVERSY-ALVARADO AS CONGRESSMAN-CASTAÑARES AND TELLEZ-COVARRUBIAS AS PICO'S AGENT-MISSION OF CASTILLERO- AFFAIRS IN MEXICO-INIESTRA'S EXPEDITION-TELLEZ AND MORALES- CAMBUSTON AND CASTRO-VALLE AND TREASURY TROUBLES-ASSEMBLY -GUERRA SENT TO MONTEREY-RETURN OF J. A. CARRILLO-PICO AS CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNOR-MILITARY JUNTA AT MONTEREY-ADHE- SION TO PRESIDENT PAREDES-MEASURES FOR DEFENCE-PICO'S PROTESTS -VALLEJO'S POSITION-GUERRA SENT TO ANGELES-CONSEJO GENERAL DE PUEBLOS UNIDOS AT SANTA BARBARA-CASTRO'S PROTESTS-MARTIAL LAW-THE ASSEMBLY DEPOSES CASTRO-PICO AND HIS ARMY MARCH NORTH AGAINST CASTRO-WARLIKE PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE OF ANGELES-COOPERATION OF FOREIGNERS-BANDINI AND CASTRO- AFFAIRS IN THE NORTH.

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 4

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