USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 15
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At his first interview with Commodore Sinckton, General Anches Ico disclosed to the former where he had conrealit two of his cannon. As those were of but little valor as cannon. the Commodore presented them to Captain Benjamin D. Wilson, wlm planted them as posts at the head of Comunereint street, where they remain to this day.
Soon after this Commodore Stockton repaired to San Diego, (according to Captain Wilson's memoirs), leaving Kearney in possession of Los Angeles as Governor of California, with a mere badly-guard of nhout twenty soldiers under Major Emory. Fremont at San Gabriel, still refused to acknowledge Kearny ns Governor; chiming that he himself held that office under previous appointment from Commodore Stockton. After some days, receiving no word from Fremont, and fearing fout play lo his person from that. quarter, General Krurney frft Los Angeles for San Diego. By his special request, Captain Wilson and some of his Californian friends, among whom were Don José Sepulveda (father of Judge Ygnacio Sepulveda of Los Angeles) and one of the Lugos, accompanied General Kearney a portion of the distance. At San Diego the latter was joined by Colour St. George Cooke with his Mormon battalion; and shortly afterward dispatches arrived from Washington confirming Kearney's authority as Governor. Fremont now succumbed to the inevitable and upon March 1, 1847, General Stephen W. Kearney became Governor of California, now a territory of the United States.
CHAPTER XV.
PEACE RESTORED.
(1847-1×50.)
Spanish Plalosophy - Hoje of L'astro's Return-Precautious The First Ball- Alnel Averted Mails Established-Mason Governor First " Fourth of July" Fort Moore Namel-Col. Burton's Departure-Civil Government. - False Alarms-An Explosion - First Civil Marriage: The Treaty of Peter -oll Excitement-A Rush to the Degings -Riley Governor- Proclama- tiun -The Constitutional Convention - A Si weutilic Question -- The Consti- tntion Adoptedl Governar Barnett -- The First Legislature-The Thirty . First State.
THERE is much of philosophy in the Spanish modes of , thought. The Castilians of Los Angeles, doubtless agreeing with their own poet, Cervantes, that
"The more thou stir it the worse it will be,"
Submitted to "gringo " role as something not perhaps to be desired, but also as something that could not be helpedl. The better classes of Californians likewise soon fraternized with the American officers; but the lower elements still ching to the hope that sooner or later Governor Pico and General Castro would return from Sonora, and by force of arms expel lox .turricanox from the Territory. In all the principal towns the following rude rhyme might be heard, chanted derisively on the streets by the native women:
" Poco tiempo, Viene Castro Con mucho geule- Vamos Americanos!"
To guard against possible surprise, Los Angeles was, for some time, kept garrisoneil by Kearney's dragoons, Cooke's Mor- mon battalion, and a portion of Col. J. D. Stevenson's New York regiment. The following account of the first ball hehl in the city fin the spring of 1847, under American rule, is coll- ilonsedl from " An Old-time Sketch" by Hon. Stephen C. Foster:
Soon after Col. Stevenson took the command, the marriage of Iltm V. S. de Y., a rich and beautiful widow, to Don R. C., both of the best families in California, took place, and the officers of the garrisuu concluded to get up a ball in honor of the event, and to cement the friendly relations just established between the Californians and Americans. The ball took place in the largest room in the city, which had been originally built for a ball-room, and which stood where Mle Donald's block now stands, ou Main street. All the American and California officers were there, as well as many civilians of both uatiou- alities, and the senoritas werr there in numbers, their black eyes flash- ing from beneath reboso and mantilla.
The ball was a must amusing one; noue of the ladies under-tood English, and uone of the American officers understood Spanish. The dancing commenced, sume oue calling out the motions ut the dauce iu Spauisb and English, and many were the hlunders committed, although all seemed determined to enjoy themselves. I particularly observed a hig red-haired Mormon Lientenant, dressed in the uniform of the Nauvoo Legion, who was dancing with a very pretty brunette of fifteen, and noticed the ball' aunsed and half embarrassed airs with which she went through the dauce with her awkward partner. (She is a matron
now, and wife of a worthy burgher of Anaheim.) Old Dun Jose Autonio Carrillo, who hadl held the rank of Major, and who commanded the Californians in the affair of the Dominguez Ranch, and Captain F' .. an old Yankee ses captain, who had come to California many years before, and who had married a C'arrillo, were seated together looking un. C'arrillo also noticed the couple referred to, and remarked to C'apt. F'. " look at that red-headed . gringu;' he dances like a bear."
Capt. F. unfortunately told of bis remark und it reached the ears of the officer in question, who became highly enraged, and swore he would challenge ('. it he did not apologize. Col. Stevenson, who had received strict orders to take every precaution to preserve harmonious relations between the military and the citizens, and learning C.'s obstinate and determined character, coneluded to call a meeting of his oticers und old American residents, and use the influence his position gave lom to settle the ditlieulty. The meeting toxik place at the home of Hon Miguel Pryor, an old resident. (The add bouse still stands just below Perry Woodworth's lumber yard. L'ol. S.'s goarters were in the bullse now of Ferguson & Metzker, and Carrilla lived in a large tiled root honse, where now stands the Picu House. Carrillo bad long been a prominent man in California. He was the youngest of four brothers, the giant sons of C'apt. Raymuodu Carrillo, Of all the Californians, he pusrased the greatest abilities, and he was fond of saying burch and bitter things, indifferent whether he hit friend or foe. I bad formed his nequerutanre soon after wy arrival, and we always remained gond friends. I was ordered to go and notify bim to be present at the meet. ing, and at the same time represented to him that the l'ad. wasantions to preserve the good feelings which now existed, and that he wished him to satisfy the wounded feelings ot the officer.
With Castilian politeness, he regdied, telling mo to inturm the Culonel from him that be had heard that his nephew had repented the remark made about the officer, which be ought not tu have done, and that he learned the officer and his comrades were very nugry. That it was the duty of a gentleman, when he found he was wrong, tu retract and ajudogize. That he had said the ollicer danced like a bear. That he bad thunght over the matter, and fiind he was wrong, as the bear was the better daneer of the two. That the grizzly was a Californian like himself, and the Americans were too brave and pot- riotie themselves tu be hard npon a man because be stoud nje for u countryman, and wound up by saying that he would be at the mneet. ing at the time appointed, ready to apologize.
Before Carrillo arrived to make his apology the American othicers all became uproariously drunk, and u great many very mandelled spreches were made; the upshot of the matter is related by Mr. Foster as follows:
In the midst of the confusion, I turned my head and saw Captain F' .. whose tale-bearing had caused all the trouble, and who bad bern called as a witness, walking my town us last an his legs could carry him, and he was off' fur bis hume in San Diego within an hour afterwards. Carrillo, who bad been grimly viewing the scene, descended from the porch and slowly walked towards the house. As he paved Pryor and mysell' he growled out, " Don Miguel, these new countrymen of yours are a set of drunken asses," and mounted his horse anil slowly rode oll. llow that meeting adjourned, I never could tell. I asked Hun David a >bort time ago if he could tell, and he said no, but he recollected we had the ball over again the next week and everything went off all right. And I can only way there was no dnel aml no apology, and fur the two years the town wos garrisoned soldiers and citizens lived together in peace and harmony.
In April, 1847, regular semi-monthly mails were established between San Francisco, San Diego, and all intermediate points. This bit of enterprise was the first encroachment on the " poco tiempo" of California; to be succeeded in time ky so many others.
May 31, General Kearney was succeeded by Colonel Richard B. Mason as Governor of California. July 1, the
46
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
following notice was posted about Los Angeles, causing a buzz of expectation among all the inhabitants, both foreign and native :-
NOTICE TO THE CITIZENS.
The anniversary of American Independence will be celebrated, by the soldiers of the f'nited States at this Post, on the 4th inst., in the following manner :-
At sunrise a Federal salnte will be fired, and the American atandard displayed npon the new field-works on the hilt.
At fI v'elock the troops will assemble at the fortification on the hill, and the Declaration of Independence will be read in the English and Spanish languages.
At 12 o'clock the new field-work will he appropriately named and dedicated, nud : National salute fired.
The Civil officers of the Goverment and every lover of freedom in Los Angeles and its vicinity, of native or foreign birth, with their families, are respectfully invited to unite in the celebration. J. D. STEVENSON,
('ol. commanding South Military Departurent. July, 1847.
And according to programme, the "fourth of July " was duly celebrated, for the first time in the history of Los Angeles. The fort was christened " Fort Moore," in honor of Captain Ben. C. Moore, of the First United States Dragoons, who fell at San Pasqual, December 6, 1846.
July 9th Col. Henry S. Burton left Los Angeles for La Paz, by way of San Pedro, in the United States Store ship, Lering- ton. Ile took with him two six-pounders, and had, besides his own force of one hundred and ten men, two companies of the First New York regiment.
It was at this time the policy of the American Government in California to make as few changes as possible in the admin- istration of public affairs. The country had once been lost by Lieutenant Gillespie's mistake, and it behooved all to make no further rash attempts at reforming or changing cherished insti- tutians. With this aim the " Ayuntamiento" (town council) of Los Angeles, and other officers of Mexican rule, were restored almost immediately after the occupation, and gradu- ally both native and foreign residents settled down with a reasonable feeling of trust and security, each toward the other. Yet there was occasional discord in the midst of the general harmony. Thus Benjamin Hays writes :-
There were persons, however, who were not content to keep for themselves a bed of roses. Occasionally sentinels were disturbed hy false alarms, in one of which (December, 1847), a little after midnight a careless soldier, while preparing to load a caunon at the guard house (situated on the hillside where is the mansion of Senator Bush), exploded a box of cartridges. Everything was thrown iuto the air - walls, soldiers; some of the timbers fell over into Main street. Not one adobe was left standing upon another. Four were killed nutright and twelve wounded, dragoons and men of Stevenson's regiment. The accident is the more monstrous, this alarm having been produced hy a sentinel who hailed a horse or cow grazing npon the hill, and for want of answer fired. Carefully inquiring among residents of that period, and consulting the archives which are fully extant, not the slightest trace of any movement is visible among the Californians against the existing authorities, nor any real ground for auspicion or alarm at any time after January, 1847.
This accident gave occasion for the first eivil marriage ever celebrated in Los Angeles; for the widow of Sergeant Travers, one of the killed, at the end of three months, wearied of single blessedness and unable to procure matrimony in the Catholic church, being a Protestant, and there being no other church on the coast at that time, applied to Stephen C. Foster, then alcalde of Los Angeles, to have a civil ceremony performed. The result was that the following document was drawn up and dnly executed by the parties, and may still be seen among the old archives of the Recorder's office :-
We the undersigned, selected witnesses, in conformity tn the deci- sion of the Superior Judicial Tribunal of the State of New York, of which uamed State the party of the first part, James C. Burton, claims to he a citizen, now serving the United States as a soldier, during the the war with Mexico; and the party of the second part, Emma C. Travers, widow of Sergeant Wm. B. Travers, deceased, claims to he a citizeness, now residiug in Alta California, in the military occupatiou of the United States, do declare upon oath, that the said parties, Jas. C. Burton and Emma C. Travers, did in our presence, at this place. Pueblo de Los Angeles, Alta California, March 6, 1848, of their nwn free will and choice, assume the civil contract nf marriage, to wit .: The said James C. Burton did freely, and of his own choice, promise and agree to take the said Emma C. Travers as his lawful wedded wife, to cherish, love and protect, defend and support her, and in every respect to assume the obligations of a husband, as imposed by the laws of the State of New York; and the said Emma C. Travers did freely, and of her own choice, promise and agree to assume the civil contract of marriage, to wit: To take the said James C. Burton as her lawful hushand, to ohey, love, respect and serve him, and in every respect to assume the legal obligations of a lawfully wedded woman, as imposed hy the laws of the State of New York.
Witnesses-James Vanderbeck, John M. Smith, Thomas L. Ver- mule, John Kays and Charles A. Webster.
PUEBLO DE LOS ANGELES, 1 Upper California, March 8, 1848. \
Personally appeared before the subscriber, alcalde of this District, invested with judicial powers as a magistrate, the ahove-named and signed James Vanderheck, John Smith, Thomas L. Vermulc, John Kays and Charles Webster, and depose and say, upon oath, that the above statement, referring to the marriage of James C. Burton and Emma C. Travers, is true.
STEPHEN C. FOSTER, First Alcalde.
N. B .- The original to he retained and filed iu the alcalde's office, and a copy to he furnished the bride, iu the nature of a marriage cer- tificate.
The alcalde should receive a reasonable fec.
.
In reporting the above, under a late date, to the Los Angeles Express, Mr. Foster admits having reecived the " reasonable fce" alluded to, but maintains that he did not kiss the bride. Possibly his memory fails him.
The treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848; ratifica- tions were exchanged at Queretaro, May 30th, following. Under this treaty the United States assumed the Mexican debt to American subjects, and paid into the Mexican treasury $15,000,000 in money, receiving in exchange Texas, New Mexico and Upper California, and the right of free navigation on the Colorado river and the Gulf of California.
President Polk's proclamation of peace (July +, 1848)
reached Los Angeles just in time to save the life of a Mexican, then on trial by conrt-martial for appearing in arms against the American Government in California, after subjugation of that territory.
About this time floating reports of great gold discoveries in the north were verified, and a perfect exodus of Los Angeles -and in fact of all southern California-began. Gold had been discovered in Los Angeles county six years before, but had attracted but little attention. Now the auri sucre fames had seized upon the people, and the whole world went mad. Regarding this epoch, Hon. Benjamin Hays writes ;-
The discovery of " The Mines" in the year 1818. carried away many of the native population; created a new demand for the horses nud cattle which the rancheros could so amply supply; brought a multitude of emigrants from Sonora, as well as from the United States: left the people at home here in a state of perpetual exaltation and excite. ment. During the summer of 1819 and winter and spring of 1850, Los Angeles was a thoroughfare of travel. Few could he induced to stop long. Every head was turned toward El Dorado. Through the sum- mer of 1850 only thirty Americans conld be counted, and most of these without families. With or without means the in-comers had crowded forward ; seldom destitute, for their necessities when knowu hnd met a generous response from the bounty of the " Lugo family " at San Bernardino, a Williams at Chino, a Rowland and a Workman ut La Puente. Nor only from these-Native Californian liberality every- where opened its full hand to the way-worn stranger.
On April 13, 1849, General Bennet Riley snecceded Colonel Mason as Military Governor of California. Congress having adjourned without making provision for the permanent gov- ernment of the territory, Governor Riley, on June 3, 1849, (in accordance with instructions received by him from Wash- ton), issued a proclamation calling npon the people of Cal- ifornia to elect delegates to a convention, to meet at Monte- rey on September 1st, ensning; such convention to adopt either a State Constitution or territorial organization, as should by it be decided upon. This proclamation divided the territory into districts having defined boundaries, and specified how many delegates cach district should be entitled to. Supernumeraries were also provided for, to be admitted or not at the pleasure of the body after organization. The District of Los Angeles was allowed four delegates, and its boundaries were defined as follows :---
The District of Los Augeles is bounded on the sonth hy the District of San Diego, on the west by the sea, on the north by Santa ('lara river, and a parallel of latitude running from the head waters of that river to the Colorado.
The four delegates elected from Los Angeles District, were Stephen C. Foster, J. A. C'arrillo, M. Dominguez, and A Stearns; Supernumeraries Hugo Reid, Luis Rubidleaux, and Manuel Requerra. The two latter did not attend. There were seventy-three delegates in all elected, but only forty-eight tok their seats in convention. Mr. Foster has published a very amusing sketch of the trip he and his associates made from Los Angeles to Monterey, on this occasion. Hugo Reid was
RESIDENCE OF H. T.HAZARD, 123 SPRING ST, LOS ANGELES, CAL.
PIEIlS.L. A INCMAPCON S WEST.
47
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
already in Monterey, and the remaining foar traveled on horse- back. On the way Dominguez and Carrillo quarreled over the question -" whether the world was round or flat," and it was with some dilliculty they were reconciled.
The session lasted from September Est to October 13th inclu- sive, and on the last-named day as the delegates signed their names to the first Constitution of the State of California, shot after shot from the guns of the neighboring fore boomed forth in honor of the union. As the thirty-first and last shot was fired, the citizens assemlded around Colton Hall burst forth in a prolonged cher-" that's for California!" The Constitution was duly ratified by the people at a general election hold November 13. 1849, and was proclaimed by Governor Riley Desember 13th following. General Riley now surren lered the gubernatorial power to Peter H Barnett, the first duly clected State Governor. He was inaugurated Dec. 20, 1849. One month later the first Legislature " The Legislature of a Thon- saud Drinks" met at San Jose. On September 9, 1850, C'ali- fornia was admitted as the thirty-first State, having fairly «howed her way into the Union, spite of all opposition, and daringly asserted herself a State nearly a year before she had arrived at that dignity. Truly, a fost youngster!
We shall at this point drop the history of the State, and confine ourselves henceforth to that of the county.
CHAPTER XVI.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION --- TOPOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
(1850-1880.)
Act of 1850 -Repealed by Act of 1851-Act of 1853-San Bernardina County Created Act of 1856- Corrected by Art of 1857-Art of 1566-Kern County Created-County Lines Established -- Present Bonuds of Los Angeles County . List of hand Grants -- The First Land Grante-Divi- sjon of the County into Townships -- Topography and Physical Geog- raphy.
BY an Act of the First Legislature, passed February 18, 1850, entitled, " An Act sub-dividing the State into counties, and establishing the seats of justice therein," it was provided: -
SECTION 3 .- COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, - Beginning on the coast of the Pacific, at the Southern boundary of the farm called Trinnfa, and running thence along the summit of the ridge of bills called Santa Susanna to the north-western boundary of the farm called San Francisco: thence along the northern and north-eastern boundary of said farm of San Francisco to the farm called Pino; thence in a line ruuning due north-cust to the summit of the Coast Range; thence along the summit of said range to the western boundary of San Diego county; thence ju a dne southerly direction along said boundary to the source of the " rek San Mateo; thence down said creek San Mateo to the coast, and t rre English miles into the sra; thence in a north-westerly direction piedlet with the coast to a point three miles from land, and opposite La the southern boundary of the farm called Triumfo: and thence to the shore at said boundary, which was the point of beginning, including
the i-lands of Santa Catalina and san Clement. The seat of justice shall be Los Angele -.
Under this Act Los Angel - county comprised the whale of what is now San Bernardino county, and also a large part of what is now Kern county., This Act, together with several other Acts amendatory thereof, were all repealed by an let of the Second Legislature, passed April 25, 1851. which defined the houmlaries of Los Angeles county as follows.
SECTION 3 .- COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES-Beginning on the cost of the Pacific, at a point parallel with the northern boundary of the ranchu called Malaga; thence in a direction so as to incinde said rancho, to the north- west corner of the rancho, known as Triumfo, running on the northerly line of the same to the north-east corner; thenve tu the sun- init of the ridge of hills called Santa Susanna; thence in a direct line to the Rancho of Casteyne and Lejon and along their northern fine to the north-eastern corners, and from thence in a northeast line to the eastern boundary of the State, and along said boundary hne to the junction of the northern boundary of San Diego county with the d'okr- rado; thence following said line to the Pacific ocean, and three miles therein; thence in a north-westerty direction parallel with the coast to a point three miles from land, and opposite to the southern boundary of the rancho called Malaga, and thence east to the jdacc of beginning, including the islands of Santa C'atalina and Fan Clement. The seat of justice shall be at Los Angeles.
By an Act entitled " An Act for dividing the county of Los Angeles, and making a new county therefrom, to be called San Bernardino county," approved April 26, 1853, it was pro- vided :--
FECTION 3. The county of Los Angeles is hereby divided as follows: Beginning at a point where a due south line drawn from the highest peak of the Sierra de Santiago intersects the northern boundary of San Diego county; thence runving along the summit of said sierra to the Santa Ana river, between the ranch of Sierra and the residence of Bernardo Yorha; thence across the Santa Ana river along the summit of the range of hills that lie between the Coyotes and Chino (leay- ing the ranches of Ontiveras and Ybana to the west of this line), to the sonth-cast corner of the ranch of San Jose; tbence along the eastern boundaries of said ranch and of San Antonio, and the western und norther boundaries of Cucamonga ranch to the ravine of O'neai- monga; thenee up said ravine to its source iu the Coast Range: thence due north to the northern boundary of Los Angeles county; thence north-east to the State line; thence along the State line to the northern boundary line of San Diego county: thence westerly along the northern boundary of San Diego to the place of beginning.
SEC. 4. The eastern portion of Los Angeles county, so cut uff, shall be called San Bernardino county, and the seat of justice thereof shall be at such place as the majority of voters shall determine at the first county election, hereinafter provided to be held in said county, and shall remain at the place so designated until ebanged by the people, us provided by law.
By an Act approved March 26, 1856, amending the Act of April 25, 1831, the boundaries of Los Angeles county were prescribed as follows :
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