History of California, Volume XXII, Part 70

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

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per quarter. The opening was as announced. Id., March 18th, Apr. Ist, Sth. On May 2d the council declared the trustees illegally chosen, and ordered a new election on the 13th, when L. W. Hastings, Ross, Davis, Brannan, and Fourgeaud were chosen. Id., May 6th, 13th, 20th. Meanwhile the school continned prosperonsly enough under the care of Douglas, until perhaps the early part of June, when the gold excitement seems to have carried patrons, trustees, and finally the teacher to the mines, and educational matters were neglected until 1849, though in Nov. an advertisement for a teacher appeared in the Star and Californian.

Church and religious affairs, In 1846, the priest at the mission remained on duty until the raising of the U. S. flag; and subsequently priests from abroad occasionally visited Dolores; but there was never any catholic service at Yerba Buena. Brannan and other Mormon elders held religious services at private houses every Sunday from the time of their arrival in July. There is no record of any protestant service in 1846, though it is not impossible that such service may have been performed on some occasion hy a chaplain of the naval force. On May 8, 1847, at a public meeting, Rev. T. M. Leavenworth (episcopalian) urged the importance of a church, presenting a document for the signatures of those interested; and a committee was named to carry the matter further. Star, May Sth. It does not appear that anything was ac- complished as a result of this effort. But ou the 16th Rev. James H. Wilber of the Oregon methodist mission, a passenger on the Whiton, organized a sah- bath school, which was addressed by Leavenworth, includel a promising class of kanakas, was put in charge of J. H. Merrill as superintendent and J. D. Marston as secretary, and was to meet every Sunday forenoon at the alcalde's office. Rev. Wm Roberts, superintendent of the Oregon missions, promised a library as soon as the books could be found in the hold of the vessel. Id., May 22d. Iu the same paper of July 24th preaching by Newell, chaplain of the Independence, was announced for the next Sunday. Ward in his Diary, in 1848, notes that 'Capt. L. H. Thomas, a most estimable Welsh gentlemen, reads prayers every Sunday in the school-house, and Mrs C. V. Gillespie has organized a Sunday-school, the first on the Pacific Coast.' In October 1848 Rev. T. D. Hunt, presbyterian, arrived from the Sandwich Isl- ands, and from Nov. Ist officiated at the school-house as chaplain of the town, at a salary of $2,500. Annals, 65S.

Newspapers. On the Brooklyn, in July, arrived the press, type, and gen- eral outfit of the Prophet, a Mormon paper that had been published in N. Y. by Samuel Brannan, who doubtless intended to continue its publication as a church organ in Cal. This became undesirable as soon as it was revealed that Cal. was not to be the promised land of the Mormons; but the plan of publishing a newspaper was not abandoned. It is said by Hittell, Hist. S. F., 109, that a sheet of printed matter describing Taylor's victory in Texas HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 42

65S

LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.

editors from January 9, 1847, to June 10, 1848. The Californian, transferred from Monterey, was published and edited successively by Robert Semple, B. R. Buckelew, Robert Gordon, H. L. Sheldon, and other associates from May 22, 1847, with some gaps in May-August 1848, to November 11th. Then it was swallowed up by its former rival, and the California Star and Californian appeared from November 18th, to be known at the beginning of 1849 as the Alta

was issued in Oct. 1846, but I have not seen it. The first number of the California Stur was issued on Jan. 9, 1847, Elbert P. Jones taking the posi- tion of editor, temporarily, as he announced, in the absence of the man who was to be permanent editor-presumably Kemble. The paper was of 4 pages, 84 x 12 inches of print, subscriptions $6 per year. A prospectus of the usual style was signed by Brannau as publisher. The Star was a very good local newspaper, its editorial aud other departments showing no special ability or lack of it on the part of the managers, who as usual in such cases sometimes indulged in expressions more coarse and violent than good taste would justify. The paper was complimented for its neat appearance by its Monterey contem- porary in Jan., but the compliment was not returned. On April 17th Jones withdrew from the editorship on account of 'circumstances' not explained, which prevented any connection between himself and the publisher; and Ed- ward C. Kemble and John Eagar took charge until Brannan's return from the east, when Kemble became the regular editor. On Jan. 22, 1848, vol. ii. 10. 3, the paper was enlarged to 103 x 162 inches of print, taking-as an ad- vertisement-three columns of Brandreth's pills. The issue of April Ist with a supplement was sent overland to the states to the number of 2,000. It was published regularly cach week until June 10th, or vol. ii. no. 23; and its anspension on account of the gold excitement was announced in an extra sheet of June 14th. The Californian, as has been related elsewhere, was es- tablished at Monterey by Colton and Semple in 1846, with the material that had been used by the Californians since 1834. Its San Francisco existence began with no. 1 of vol. ii., on May 22, 1847, Robert Semple being publisher und editor, the size being 4 nages of 3 columns cach about 16 inches long- subsequently increased to 4 columns on a page, or the same size of the enlarged Nar-and the price of subscription being 85. From the issue of July 17th, vol. ii. no. 9, B. R. Buckelew succeeded Semple as proprietor and editor; from Aug. 28th, no. 15, the ' The' was dropped from the title, which became -imply Californian; and from the issue of Sept. Sth, no. 17, the day of pub- lication being changed from Saturday to Wednesday, Robert Gordon was Mamed as editor. In Dec., Gordon seems to have been publisher as well, but early in 1848 Buckelew's name reappears. In April the editors were Bucke- lew and J. D. Hoppe; and in May Buckelew sold out to Hoppe, H. L. Shel- con, and perhaps Jos. Dockrill, Sheldon being the editor. On May 17th the 3d volume was begun, but on the 24th a fly-sheet had to be issued announc- ing temporary suspension on account of the impossibility of retaining work- men. This is the way the Star of June 3d puts it, 'Gone too -. The Cali- fornian ceased issue with an annunciatory "slip" on Tuesday last. Verdict of inquest-fever.' I have another slip of June 2d, containing two columns of news on treaty with Mexico, Fremont's trial, etc., two advertisements, and the following editorial: 'For the purpose of convincing what there is left of the "public " that the Californian is not extinct, nor yet altogether used up, we, in our triple character of editor, printer, and devil, have compiled, set up, worked off, aud circulated this extra, which we hope will do our readers

659

MISSION DOLORES.

California. Military and revenue affairs require no further mention than is given in my note and in other chapters of this volume. The same may be said of the few ranchos granted or pretended to have been granted in 1846, only one of them subsequently con- firmed; and of the mission at Dolores, where there was no regular curate except for a time in 1846, and where no definite or formal disposition is known to have been made of the remnants of the ex-mission estate.

much good; for it would probably very much perplex his Satanic Majesty to tell at what precise period they will hear from us again.' A number was issued on July 15th, and another in Ang. ; and the publication was regular from Sept. 2d, vol. iii. no. 5, to Nov. 11th, uo. 15, Sheldon still being editor. Then Kemble returned from the mines, bought out the Californian, and from Nov. 18th published The California Star and Californian, which was in reality a continuation of the Star, beginning with vol. ii. no. 24, where that paper had stopped. Early in Jan. 1849, Ed. Gilbert having become associated with Kemble, the name was changed to The Alta California, which still appears regularly in 1886; and through all its changes the typographic peculiarities of the original Star heading have been preserved.

Military matters. Francisco Sanchez was nominally comandante at S. F. until the end of Mexican rule, though practically no military duties were performed by him or any other. After the U. S. flag was raised in July, Capt. John B. Montgomery of the navy, succeeded before the end of the year by Capt. Hull, was in command of the district; but Lieut H. B. Watson was put in command of the garrison, being succeeded late in the year by Capt. Ward Marston, and the latter in Feb. 1847 by Lient Robert Tansill. The old custom-house was occupied by the military, and a battery of guns from the presidio had been established near the foot of Vallejo Street, called Fort Montgomery, and giving a name to Battery St. On Feb. 17th Hull and Tan- sill announced the end of military rule and the resumption of their functions by the civil authorities, and Tansill departed in April. Meanwhile, from the arrival of the N. Y. volunteers in March, companies H and K were sta- tioned at the presidio as a garrison, and Major James A. Hardie was com- mandant of the post, Capt. J. L. Folsom being assistant quartermaster down to Aug. 1848, when the volunteers were mustered out, and apparently later as lieut of artillery, a small garrison of dragoons being stationed here. There are many communications of Hardie and Folsom to the gov., in which they complain of prevalent disorders at S. F.

Custom-house affairs. Rafael Pinto continued as receptor to the end of Mexican rule, Robert Ridley being captain of the port; Lieut W. A. Bartlett was put in charge of the revenues by Montgomery after the raising of the U. S. flag; and Win A. Richardson was appointed by Stockton collector and captain of the port, to succeed Bartlett in Oct. A year later, in Oct. 1847, the collection of revenues devolved on the military officers by orders from Washington, and Capt. Folsom was put in charge from the Ist, holding the position until, on the news of peace with Mexico, Lieut Edward Gilbert hav- ing declined the place, Edward H. Harrison was appointed on Sept. 3d, at a salary of $2,000. See p. 567 et seq. of this vol. for revenue and commercial affairs.

Ranchos. *Mission estate granted in 1846 to Prudencio Santillan, title re- jected by the U. S. courts as having been fraudulently antedated. J. R. Boltou was the chief claimant; also preemption claim of *Francisco Rufino to a mission lot rejected. * Presidio lands, } league, 1846, granted to H. D.

660

LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.

A very good outline of local affairs in the San José region is given in Hall's history, which with supple- mental iteias from the usual archive and other sources is represented and indexed in the appended note .?

Fitch, whose widow was claimant. His petition of May 13th for the land where he proposed to build a mill is given in Duinelle's Colon. Hist., add. 95-6. * Punta de Lobos, 2 1., 1846, Benito Diaz; J. C. Palmer et al., cl. This land extended from P't Lobos to the laguna de Loma Alta. Larkin owned the claim which was submitted to the American authorities in Oct. 1846-June 1847, and was pronounced invalid in a report by Capt. Folsom. Documents in Halleck's Report, 173-9. San Mateo, 21., 1846, Cayetano Are- nas; WV. D. M. Howard, claimant.

Mission. Prudencio Santillan served as curate until July 1846, leaving his post on the coming of the Americans, and not returning to reside perma- nently until after 1548. Nothing whatever seems to have been done in con- sequence of the order of sale issned in 1845. Jan. 4, 1845, the sub-prefect forwarded to the prefect for the gov, a petition of residents that they be per- mitted to continue their residence in the ex-mission buildings in order that the majordomo might not remove the roofs, as he had done in the case of other abandoned dwellings. They also recalled an earlier order of Gov. Al- varado to establish a pueblo at Dolores; and as there are no Indians, and as there is no room for live-stock at Yerba Buena, they desire to form at Do- lores 'a frontier (!) to the town at Y. B., which is being formed entirely of foreigners.' Castro, Dor., MS., i. 248. This shows that there was still a ma- jordomo-perhaps Vazquez, still ?- as there was also in April, at $20 per month. April 20th, sub-prefect to prefect, says that P. Santillan wants two rooms for schools, and the majordomo should be ordered to give them up. His salary is a useless expense; he lives in the house and sells brandy, has no duties to perform, and his cattle are always about the church, There is an old order for granting lots, etc., but nothing can be done, for the majordomo pays no heed to the civil authorities. Id., ii. 64. The grant of the mission estate to Padre Santillan in Feb. has no special interest in connection with the annals of this period, because his claim was not known until after 1848, and was, besides, shown to be fraudulent. Nor are there any events that call for mention. Sept. 18, 1847, Capt. Folsom was ordered to obtain the records existing at the mission and send them to the governor's office for safe-keeping. C'al. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 397. Feb. 5, 1848, gov. orders that P. Santillan be consulted about lands that may be put in his charge for the use of the Ind .; also about such movable property as may exist. Id., 472. On Jan. 22d, Rob- ert Ridley was made subaltern alcalde at the mission by Hyde, with author- ity from the gov. Id., 452; Star, Jan. 15th.

2 San Jose events. 1846. Visit of Fremont in Jan. This vol., p. 3. Feb., Frémont again at S. José and Fisher's rancho. Id., 6-8. March, 78 citizens sign a petition for an Ind. expedition. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 47-8. April, local authorities indorse the declaration in favor of Paredes. This vol., p. 41. Delegates chosen for the Sta Barbara consejo. Id., 45. In March-May there was considerable popular excitement about Pierre Sainsevain's grist-mill, which he had established the year before by permission of the govt. Over 20 citizens-two of whom could write their names-petitioned for the removal of the dam represented as very prejudicial to the welfare of the town. There was a sharp correspondence, Sainsevain claiming that the movement was a de- vice of some picaros whom he had refused to trust, his mill being a public convenience. The prefect finally ordered the removal of all obstructions in the stream so far as demanded by publie convenience and health, leaving the owner at liberty to sue for damages. Original corresp. in Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 136-7, 207-8, 210, 214, 228, 498-9. June-July, operations of Gen. Castro at Sta Clara, in his efforts against Pico, the Bears, and the U. S. This

661

SAN JOSÉ AFFAIRS.

This was the centre of General Castro's military operations in the first half of 1846; but the change of flag was effected here as elsewhere without hostili- ties. The native element was more prominent than in other sections of the north, and as the valley was also a favorite rendezvous of the immigrants who looked down with contempt upon the whole Spanish race, it is not strange that there was some clashing and disorder, which, however, never assumed serious proportions. The Santa Clara campaign between Sanchez and Marston was the end of the war in the north. Indian horse-thieves were continuously troublesome to the rancheros, as they had ever been. Raids by and against them were of frequent occur- rence; but the new authorities, like the old, seem to

vol., p. 51, 53, 105, 108-9, 132-3, 185, 261. Arrest of Weber and others. Id., 136. July, raising the U. S. flag. Id., 245-6. Local happenings Aug .- Oct., Watmough in command. Id., 294-5. Bryant, whose visit was in Sept., describes S. José as a village of 600 or 800 inhab., in a fine valley, of adobe buildings and very irregular streets, with thousands of ground-squirrels bur- rowing in the plaza, and men and women of all classes engaged in gambling. What I Saw, 315-17. Dec .- Jan., 1847, Lieut Pinkney's garrison, Weber's efforts, the Sta Clara campaign, final hostilities of the war in the north, This vol., p. 377-83. Feb., meeting to elect a member of the council. Id., 433. Feb. IGth, Hull orders Weber to disband all volunteers. S. José Pioneer, Marchi 6, ISSO. Action of citizens in behalf of the Donner party. This vol., p. 539. First visit of a steamer to the embarcadero. Id., 578. Beginning of protes- tant worship. Id., 566. In Hall's Ilist. S. Jose, ISS-9, S. José Pioneer, March 3, 1877, are some items about early buildings. In Ward's Diary is what purports to be a view of the town, which would serve equally well for an adobe house or two on a plain anywhere else. Dec., a military guard de- sired; Gov. Mason orders an investigation of quarters, supplies, etc. Cal. de N. Mex. 1850, p. 447-8. Aug. 7, 1848. Order to send detachment of N. Y. volunteers to S. F. to be mustered out. Id., 633. Hall, 196, notes a snow- fall of two or three inches about Christmas.

Indian affairs. March 15, 1846, petition of 78 citizens for a force of 100 men to fight Indians, whose raids are becoming unbearable; bitter complaints that the custom-house receipts are wasted by the employees living in great style and working 2 or 3 hours a month, while the workers of the country have to pay double price for their goods, and defend themselves against the Ind., who might be annihilated at a small expense by continued and system- atic effort. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 45-8. Apr. 30th, Gov. Pico orders a campaign, appropriating $6.000 for the purpose-from Castro's part of the revenue! Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 191. July, etc., renewed depredations after the U. S. took possession; complaints of the failure of citizens to provide for defence; campaign of Purser Watmough, killing several Ind. and recover- ing 100 horses. S. José Arch., MS., loose pap., 32; this vol., p. 567. From Feb. 1847, after the removal of the garrison, complaints were renewed. The gov. decided that troops at S. Jose would accomplish nothing, since the Ind. came in small parties, having an understanding with other Ind. on the ranchos; but it was thought best to send a company to the S. Joaquin Valley to watch

662

LOCAL ANNALS OF THE NORTH.

have had only moderate success in checking the dep- redations of these robbers, who often had confederates among the rancho Indians. Before the change of flag, San José was subject to the sub-prefect of San Francisco. The jueces de paz, later called alcaldes, were successively Dolores Pacheco, James Stokes, and John Burton in 1846; Burton and James W. Weeks in 1847; Weeks and Charles White in 1848. Each of the alcaldes was involved in more or less contro-

the passes, with a force of 35 Cal. volunteers on horseback. Felipe Butron was appointed a lieut to raise and command these men. They seem to have started late in April, but we have uo account of their achievements. The citizens in May urged the appointment of B. K. Thompson as Ind. ageut on the S. Joaquin. S. Jose Arch., MS., loose pap., 17, 41, 49; Unb. Doc., MS., 146-7, 311; Vallejo Doc., MS., xii. 288; S. F. Californian, June 19, 1847. Sept. 6, 1847, preparations for a grand campaign; Ind. on ranchos to be fur- nished with papers, which they must show or be treated as horse-thieves. Ind. caught stealing should be shot; if merely loitering about, they should be sent to the alcalde. Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 355. July 1848, Jose de Jesus, a S. Joaquin chief, acting in behalf of the whites against the horse-thieves. Unb. Doc., MS., 74-5. Bernal, Mem., MS., 11-23, gives many details of an exped. in April 1848, in which 8 Ind. of a party of 9 were killed and many horses recovered; and Larios, Vida, MS., 7-16, 25-7, describes an attack by Ind. on his father's rancho of Sta Ana near Hollister in Sept.

Municipal officers. 1846. During the first half of the year S. José was subject to the sub-prefect of S. Francisco. Jueces de paz Dolores Pacheco and Pedro Chabolla, suplentes Valentin Higuera and José Fernandez. These were appointed in Dec. 1845 by the prefect, though the sub-prefect's recom- mendation was for José Noriega and Pacheco, with Chabolla and Higuera as suplentes. Castro, Doc., MS., i. 235. Jueces de campo appointed by Alcalde Pacheco Jan. 23th, Joaquin Higuera, José Felix, José M. Alviso, and Agus- tin Bernal, juez de policía Francisco Palomares; síndico Salvio Pacheco. Juez de paz of the contra costa Joaquin Estudillo of S. Leandro, suplente Antonio M. Peralta appointed Dec. 15, 1845, approved Jan. 22, 1846. Al- calde from July 16th, by Slo .. t's appointment, James Stokes. According to the Californian of Sept. 5th, Geo. Hyde was appointed civil magistrate of the Sta Clara district on Aug. 26th, but I find no evidence that he served. John Burton was appointed by Montgomery temporary alcalde on Oct. 19th, S. J. Arch., MS., ii. 35, and served throughout the year. I find no support for Hall's statement that Burton was alcalde and Stokes juez de paz from July. 1847. John Burton alcalde until Sept. Win Fisher was appointed Aug. 30th, but declined; and on Sept. 14th James W. Weeks was appointed. Ignacio Alviso auxiliary justice in March. L. C. Anthony sheriff in Nov. Estudillo was still juez of the contra costa, though in April the citizens petitioned for the appointment of Elam Brown. 1848. Alcalde James W. Weeks, who had sent in his resignation in Dec., until Feb. 9th, when Charles White was ap- pointed Ist alcalde and Dolores Pacheco 2d alcalde. White resigned on July 16th on account of opposition among the Mexican population and the lack of a military guard; and Wm Byrne was appointed on July 26th; but Bryne de- clined to accept the office and White continued to act. H. K. Dimmick was elected alcalde on Dec. 12th for the next year. In the contra costa, Elam Brown was appointed March 30th to succeed Estudillo as alcalde.

Pueblo affairs and administration of justice. 1846. Jan., complaints of vagabonds killing cattle, encouraged by traders who buy the hides. Doc.

663

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AT SAN JOSE.

versy, arising chiefly from class and race prejudices. They had but little skill in the administration of municipal affairs, but for the most part did their best under unfavorable circumstances to maintain order, though the town did not achieve a flattering reputa- tion in this respect. The inability of the government to furnish a military guard for interior posts did much to increase the difficulties, the force of Indian horse- thieves and Mexican vagrants being gradually sup-

Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 28, 33. Jan .- May, instructions to jueces de campo, and police regulations. Estudillo, Doc., MS., ii. 94; S. José Arch., MS., loose pap. 31-2; Castro, Doc., MS., i. 261. Alcalde Pacheco tried to avoid accepting the office on account of legal irregularities and because of opposition from a part of the people; and vague complaints were made against him after he did accept, by A. M. Pico and others. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 13, 184; C'astro, Doc., MS., i. 274, 277-9. Before Stokes' appointment an election was talked of, but not held. Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., i. 139. 1847. Jan., the juez of the contra costa claims equal authority with him of S. José, complaining of Bur- ton's summons to him to appear before him. Estudillo, Doc., MS., ii. 98. Feb., Com. Hull gives instructions in the matter of complaints against Weber. S. José Arch., MS., loose pap., 7. March, alcalde ordered by Kearny to dismiss the old suit of Gabriel Castro against Antonio Hernano for winnings at a horse- race. Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 291-2, 301-2. April, if Stokes is not satisfied with the decision of the alcalde's court, he must wait for higher tribunals to be established that he may appeal. Id., 295. May Ist, alcalde and junta pro- test against Kearny's setting aside legal proceedings; the alcalde wants to re- sign, as his rights are invaded. Unb. Doc., MS., 117-18. June 5th, 8 citizens ask the gov. to appoint an alcalde in Burton's place, and also to station a guard. Id., 114. Oct. 18th, murder of an Ind. by another. S. F. Calif., Oct. 20th. Oct., a man named Chute convicted by a jury of manslaughter. Gov. recommends a sentence of 7 years of hard work. Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 410-11. Dec. 2d, P. Real complains of men who stand at the church door to look at the women as they came from mass, a practice that should be stopped in the interests of religion, morality, and public tranquillity. Soberanes, Doc., MS., 328. Dec. 28th, J. S. Ruckel to gov., reporting increasing lawlessness; states that the late alcaldes Burton and Weeks, though upright men, com- manded no respect; recommends White and a guard of 6 temperate men under a sergeant. Und. Doc., MS., 132-3. 1848. Jan., complaints of horse-thieving, which is not all the work of Ind., since the Bernals were attacked by 6 for- eigners. Id., 46. March, three men, Hands, Higgins, and Williams, arrested and sent to Monterey for the intention to commit robberies, etc. Gov. Mason objected to this, but did not send the men back. Hands enlisted; Higgins was a deserter sent to S. F .; and the other was shipped to Mazatlan. Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 487-8. Reported organization of a party of marauders in the red-woods under one Beverley. Unb. Doc., MS., 8-9. April, alcalde tried a Mex. for selling liquor, without a jury, because in earlier cases the native element of the juries refused to commit. Id., 122. May, gov. does not know whether Alcalde Brown of the contra costa is subordinate to S. José or not. July, alcalde complains of dangers resulting from the political intrigues of Salvio Pacheco and the violence of his son Juan Ignacio against foreigners. No native will deal justly with foreigners. The writer is accused of favoring the natives, yet fears for his life if Pacheco is punished. Unb. Doc., MS., 76 -7; but White was urged to do his best and continued in office. Dec., three men. Matthew Freer, Wm Campbell, and David A. Davis, for highway rob-

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 70

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