USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 10
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. In Monterey I arranged my affairs with the Cos- tum House, and presented myself to the Govr Alva- rado, and told him my intention to Settle here in this Country, and that I have brought with me 3 White Men 8 Kanacas (two of them married) 3 of the Whitemen were Mechanics, he was very glad to hear that, and particularly when I told bim, that I intend to Settle in the interior, on banks of the the river Sacramento. because the Indians then at this time would not allow white Men and particularly of the Spanish Origin to come near them, and was very hostile, and stole the horses from the inhabitants near San Jose. I got a General passport for my small Colony and permission to select a Territory where ever I would find it convenient, and to come in one Years time again in Monterey to get my Citizenship and the title of the Land, which I have done so, and not only this. I received a high civil Office.
"When I left Yerbabuena (now San Francisco) after having leaved the Brig and dispatched her back to the S I. I bought several small Boats ( Launches) and Chartered the Schooner "Isabella" for my Exploring Journey to the inland Rivers and particularly to find the Mouth of the River Sacramento, as I could find Nobody who could give me information, only that they Knew some very large Rivers are in the interior. " It took me eight days before I could find the entrance of the Sacramento, as it is very deceiving and very easy to pass by, how it happened to several Officers of the Navy afterwards which refused to take a pilot. About 10 miles below Sacramento City I fell in with the first Indians which was all armed & painted & looked very hostile, they was about 200 Men, as some of them understood a little Spanish I could make a Kind of treaty with them, and the two which understood Spanish came with me. and made me a little better acquainted with the Country. all other Indians on the up River hided themselves in the Bushes, and on the Mouth of Feather River they runned all away so soon they discovered us. I was examining the Country a little further up with a Boat, while the larger Crafts let go their Ankers, on my return, all the white Men
came to me and asked me, how much longer I in- tended to travell with them in such a Wilderness.
" The following Morning I gave Orders to return, and entered in the American River, landed at the farmer Tannery on the 12th, Augt. 1839. Gave Orders to get every thing on Shore, pitch the tents and mount the 3 Cannons, called the white Men, and told them that all those which are not contented could leave on board the Isabella, next Morning, and that I would settle with them imediately, and remain alone with the Canaca's, of 6 Men 3 remained, and 3 of them I gave passage to Yerbabuena.
" The Indians was first troublesome, and came fre- quently and would it not have been for the Cannons they would have Killed us for the sake of my prop- erty, which they liked very much, and this intention they had very often, how they confessed to me after- wards, when on good terms. I had a large Bull Dog which saved my life 3 times, when they came slyly near the house in the Night, he got hold of them and marked most severely. in a short time removed my Camps on the very spot where now the Ruins of Sutters fort stands, made acquaintance with a few Indians which came to work for a short time making Adobes, and the Canacas was building 3 grass houses, like it is customary on the Sandwich Islands. Before I came up here, 1 purchassed Cattle & Horses on the Rancho of Señor Martinez, and had great difficulties & trouble to get them up, and re- ceived them at least on the 22d October 1839. Not less than 8 Men, wanted to be in the party, as they was afraid of the Indians, and had good reasons to be so.
" Before I got the Cattle we was hunting Deer & Elk ete and so afterwards to safe the Cattle as I had then only abont 500 head, 50 horses & a manada of 25 mares. One Year that is in the fall 1840, I bought 1000 head of Cattle of Don Antonio Sunol and many horses more of Don Joaquin Gomez and others. In the fall 1839 I have built an Adobe house covered with Tule and two other small buildings which in the middle of the fort, they was afterwards destroyed by fire. At the same time we eut a Road through the Woods where the City of Sacramento stand, then we made the New Embarcadero, where the old Zink- house stands now. After this it was time to make a Garden, and to sow some Wheat &e we broke up the soil with poor California ploughs, I had a few Califor- nians employed as Baqueros, and 2 of them making C'al. Carts & stocking the plougs etc.
" In the Spring 1840, the Indians began to be troublesome all around me, Killing and Wounding Cattle stealing horses, and threatening to attack us en Mass, I was obliged to make Capaigns against them and punish them severely, a little later about 2 a 300 was aproching and got United on Cosumne River, but I was not waiting for them. left a small Garrison at home. Canons & other Arms loaded, and left with 6 brave men & 2 Baquero's in the night and took them by surprise at Day light. the fighting was a little hard, but after having lost about 30 men. they was willing to make a treaty with me, and after this lecon they behalved very well, and became my best friends and Soldiers, with which I has been assisted to conquer the whole Sacramento and a part of the San Joaquin Valley.
"At the time the Communication with the Bay was very long and dangerous, particularly in open Boats, it is a great Wonder that we got not swamped a many times, all time with an Indian Crew and a Canaca at the helm. Once it took me (in December 1839.) 16 days to go down to Yerba buena and to
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BIOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF GENERAL SUTTER.
return, I went down again on the 22d Xber 39. to Yerba buena and on account of the inelemeney of the Weather and the strong current in the River I need a whole month (17 days coming up) and nearly all the provisions spoiled.
"On the 23d Augt, 1841. Capt. Ringeld of Coma- dore Wilkse Exploring Squadron, arrived on the Embarcadero, piloted by one of the Launches Indian erew, without this they would not have found so easy the entrance of the Sacramento. They had 6 Whalebeats & 1 Launch 7 Officers and about 50 men in all, I was very glad indeed to see them, sent immediately saddled horses for the Officers, and my Clerk with an invitation to come and see me, at their arrival I fired a salut, and furnished them what they needed. they was right surprised to find me up here in this Wilderness, it made a very good impression upon the Indians to see so many whites are coming to see me, they surveyed the River so far as the Butes.
"September 4th 1841. Arrived the Russian Govr Mr. Alexander Rottiheff on board the Scheener Sac- ramento, and offered me their whole Establishment at Bodega & Ross for sale, and invited me to come right off with him, as there is a Russian Vessel at Bodega, and some Officers with plein power, te trans- act this business with me, and particularly they would give me the preferenee, as they became all acquainted with me, during a months stay at Sitka. I left and went with him down to the Bay in Com- pany with Capt. Ringold's Expedition, what for a fleet we thought then, is on the River. Arriving at Bodega, we came very soon to terms, from there we went to fort Ross where they showed me everything and returned te Bodega again, and before the Vessel sailed we dined on board the IIelena, and elosed the bargain for $30,000, which has been paid. And other property, was a separate account which has been first paid.
"On the 28th of September 1 dispatched a number of men and my Clerk by Land to Bodega, to receive the Cattle, Horses, Mules & Sheep, to bring them up to Sutter's fort, called then New Helvetia, by eressing the Sacramento they lost me from about 2000 head about 100, which drowned in the River, but of most of them we could safe the hides, our Cal. Banknotes at the time.
"March 6, 1842. Captain Fremont arrived at the port with Kit Carson, told me that he was an officer of the U. S. and left a party behind in Dis- tress and on foot, the few surviving Mules was packed only with the most necessary, I received him politely and his Company likewise as an old acquaint- ance. the next Morning 1 furnished them with fresh horses, & a Vaquero with a pack Mule loaded with Necessary Supplies for his Men. Capt. Fre- mont found in my Establishment every thing what he needed, that he could travell without Delay, he could have not found it so by a Spaniard, perhaps by a great Many and with loosing a great deal of time. I sold him about 60 Mules & about 25 horses, and fat young Steers or Beef Cattle, all the Mules & horses get Sheed, on the 23d Mareh, all was ready and on the 24th he left with his party for the U. States.
"As an officer of the Govt. it was my duty to report to the Govt. that Capt. Fremont arrived, Genl. Micheltorena dispatched Lieut. Col. Telles (afterwards Gov. of Sinalo) with Capt., Lieut., and 25 Dragoons, to inquire what Captain Fremonts business was here; but he was en route as the arrive only on the 27th, from this time on Exploring,
Hunting & Trapping parties has been started, at the same time Agricultural & Mechanical business was progressing from Year to year, and more No- tice has been taken, of my establishment, it became even a fame, and some carly Distinguished Travellers like Doctor Sandells, Wasnesensky & others, Cap- tains of Trading Vessels & Super Cargos, & even Californians (after the Indians was subdued) came and paid me a visit, and was astonished to see what for Work of all kinds has been done. Small Emigrant parties arrived, and brought me some very valnable Men, with one of those was Major Bidwell (he was about 4 Years in my employ). Major Reading & Major Hensley with 11 other brave men arrived alene, both of these Gentlemen has been 2 Years in my employ, with these parties excellent Mechanics arrived which was all employed by me, likewise good farmers. we made imediately Amer. ploughs was made in my Shops and all kind of work done, every year the Russians was bound to furnish me with good iron & Steel & files, Artieles which could not be got here likewise Indian Beeds and the most important of all was 100 1b of fine Rifle & 100 1b of Canon powder and several 100 lb of Lead (every year) with these I was careful like with Gold.
"June 3d 1846. 1 left in company of Major Read- ing, and most all of the Men in my employ, for a Campaign with the Mukelemney Indians, which has been engaged by Castro and his Officers to revolu- tionize all the Indians against me, to Kill all the foreigners, burn their houses, and Wheat fields etc. These Mukelemney Indians had great promessess and some of them were finely dressed and equiped. and those came apparently on a friendly visit to the fort and Vicinity and long Conversations with the influential Men of the Indians, and one Night a Number of them entered in my Potrero (a kind of closed pasture) and was Ketching horses to drive the whole Cavallada away with them. the Sentinel at the fort heard the distant Noise of these Horses, and gave due notice, & imediately I left with about 6 well armed Men and attacked them, but they eould make their escape in the Woods (where Sar City stands now) and so I left a guard with the horses. As we had to cross the Mukelemney River on rafts, one of these rafts capsized with 10 Rifles. and 6 prs of Pistols, a good supply of Amunition. and the clothing of about 24 Men, and Major Reading & another Man nearly drowned.
"June 16th 1846. Merritt & Kit Carson arrived with News of Sonema beeing occupied by the Amer- icans, and the same evening arrived as prissoners Genl. Vallejo, Don Salvador Vallejo, Lt. Col. Prudon & M. Leese, and given under my charge and Care, I have treated them with kindness and so good as I eould, which was reported to Fremont, and he then told me, that prissoners ought not to be treated so, then I told him, if it is not right how I treat them. to give them in charge of somebody else.
"Capt. Montgomery did send an Amer. flag by Lieut. Revere than in Command of Sonoma, and some dispatches to Fremont, I received the Order to hiss the flag by Sunrise from Lt. Revere, long time before daybreak, I got ready with leading the Canons and when it was day the roaring of the Canons got the people all stirring. Some them made long faces, as they thought if the Bear flag would remain there would be a better chance to rob and plunder. Capt. Fremont received Orders to proceed te Monterey with his forces, Capt. Montgomery provided for the upper Country, established Garri- sons in all important places, Yerba buena, Sonoma,
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
San Jose, and fort Sacramento. Lieut. Missroon came to organize our Garrison better and more Numbers of white Men and Indians of my former Soldiers, and gave me the Command of this Fort. The Indians have not yet received their pay yet for their services, only each one a shirt and a pre. of pants, & abt. 12 men got Coats. So went the War on in California. Capt. Fremont was nearly all time engaged in the lower Country and made himself Governor, until Genl. Kearney arrived, when an other Revolution took place. And Fremont for disobeying Orders was made prissoner by Genl. Kearney, who took him afterwards with him to the U. States by Land across the Mountains. After the War I was anxious that Business should go on like before, and on the 28th May, 1847, Marshall & Gingery, two Millwrights, I employed to survey the large Millraise for the Flour Mill at Brighton.
" May 13th, 1847. Mr. Marshall commenced the great work of the large Millraise, with ploughs and scrapers.
" July 20th, 1847. Got all the necessary timber and frame of the millbuilding.
" Augt. 25th. Capt Hart of the Mormon Battaillon arrived, with a good many of his Men on their Way to great Salt Lake, they had Orders for Govt. Horses, which I delivered to them, (War Horses) not paid for yet. They bought provisions and got Blacksmith work done. I employed about Eighty Men of them, some as Mechanics, some as laborers, on the Mill and Millraise at Brighton, some as laborers at the Sawmill at Columa.
" Augt. 28th, 1847. Marshall moved, with P. Wisners family and the working hands to Columa, and began to work briskly on the sawmill.
" Septr. 10th. Mr. Sam'l Brannan returned from the great Salt Lake, and announced a large Emigra- tion by land. On the 19th the Garrison was removed, Lieut't Per Lee took her down to San francisco.
" Novr. 1th. Getting with a great deal of trouble and with breaking wagons the four Runs of Mill- stones, to the Mill Sit (Brighton) from the Mountains.
"Decembr. 22. Received about 2000 fruit trees with great expenses from Fort Ross, Napa Valley and other places, which was given in Care of men who called themselves Gardeners, and nearly all of the trees was neglected by them and died.
"January 28th, 1848. Marshall arrived in the eve- ning, it was raining very heavy, but he told me that he came on important business, after we was alone in a private Room he showed me the first Specimens of Gold, that is he was not certain if it was Gold or not, but he thought it might be; immediately I made the proof and found that it was Gold, I told him even that most of all is 23 Carat Gold; he wished that I should come up with him immediately, but I told him that I have to give first my orders to the people in all my factories and shops.
"February 1th. Left for the Sawmill attended by a Baquero (Olimpio) was absent 2d, 3d, 4th, & 5th, 1 examined myself everything and picked up a few Specimens of Gold myself in the tail race of the Sawmill, this Gold and others which Marshall and some of the other laborers gave to me (it was found while in my employ and Wages) I told them that I would a ring got made of it so soon as the Goldsmith would be here. I had a talk with my employed people all at the Sawmill, I told them that as they do know now that this Metal is Gold, I wished that they would do me the great favor and keep it secret only 6 weeks, because my large Flour Mill at Brighton
would have been in Operation in such a time, which undertaking would have been a fortune to me, and unfortunately the people would not keep it secret, and so I lost on this Mill at the lowest calculation about $25.000.
" March 7th. The first party of Mormons, em- ployed by me left for washing and digging Gold and very soon all followed, and left me only the sick and the lame behind. And at this time I could say that every body left me from the Clerk to the Cook. What for great Damages I had to suffer in my tannery which was just doing a profitable and extensive business, and the Vatts was left filled and a quantity of half finished leather was spoiled likewise a large quantity of raw hides collected by the farmers and of my own killing. The same thing was in every branch of business which I carried on at the time. I began to harvest my wheat, while others was digging and washing Gold, but even the Indians could not be keeped longer at Work, they was impatient to run to the mines, and other Indians had informed them of the Gold and its value; and so I had to leave more as § of my harvest in the fields.
" April 18th, 1848, more curious people arrived, bound for the Mountains. I left for Columa, in Company with Major P. B. Reading and Mr. Kembel (Editor of the Alta-California) we were absent 4 Days. we was prospecting and found Silver and iron or in abundance.
" April 28th. A great many people more went up to the Mountains. This day the Saw mill was in Operation and the first Lumber has been sawed in the whole upper Country.
" May 1th. Saml Brannan was building a store at Natoma, Mormon Islands, and have done a very large and heavy business.
" May 15th. Paid of all the Mormons which has been employed by me, in building these Mills and other Mechanical trades, all of them made their pile, and some of thein became rich & wealthy, but all of them was bound to the great Salt Lake, and spent there their fortunes to the honor and Glory of the Lord !
" May 19th. The great Rush from San Francisco arrived at the fort, all my friends and acquaintances filled up the houses and the whole fort, I had only a little Indian boy, to make them roasted Ripps, etc. as my Cooks left me like every body else, the Mer- chants, Doctors, Lawyers, Sea Captains, Merchants, etc. all came up and did not know what to do, all was in a Confusion, all left their wives and families in San Francisco, and those which had none locked their Doors, abandoned their houses, offered them for sale cheap, a few hundred Dollars House & Lot (Lots which are worth now $100,000 and more) some of these men were just like greazy. Some of the Merchants has been the most prudentest of the whole, visited the Mines and returned immediately and began to do a very profitable business, and soon Vessels came from every where with all Kind of Merchandize, the whole old thrash which was laying for Years unsold, on the Coasts of South & Central America, Mexico, Sandwich Islands etc. all found a good market here.
"Mr. Brannan was erecting a very large Warehouse, and have done an immense business, connected with Howard & Green; S. Francisco.
" May 21th. Saml Kyburg erreeted or established the first Hotel in the fort in the larger building, and made a great deal of Money. A great Many traders deposited a great deal of goods in my Store (an Indian was the Key Keeper and performed very
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BIOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF GENERAL SUTTER.
well) afterwards every little Shanty became a Ware- honse and Store, the fort was then a veritable Bazaar. As white people would not be employed at the Time I had a few good Indians attending to the Ferry boat, and every night came up, and delivered the received Money for ferryage to me, after deduc- tion for a few bottles of brandy, for the whole of them, perhaps some white people at the time would not have acted so honestly.
" May 25th. The travelling to the Mines was increasing from day to day, and no more Notice was taken, as the people arrived from South America, Mexico, Sandwich Islands, Oregon etc. All the Ships Crews, and Soldiers deserted. In the beginning of July, Col. Mason our Military Governor, with Capt Sherman (Secretary of State) Capt. Folsom Quar- trmstr, and an Escort of which some deserted, and some other Gentlemen, travelled in Company with the Governor.
" As we wanted to celebrate the 4th of July we invited the Governor and his suite to remain with us, and he accepted. Kyburg gave us a good Diner, every thing was pretty well arranged. Pinkett was the Orator. It was well done enough for such a new Country and in such an excitement and Confusion. And from this time on you know how every thing was going on here. One thing is certain that the people looked on my property as their own, and in the Winter of 1849 to 1850. A great Number of horses has been stolen from me, whole Manadas of Marcs driven away and taken to Oregon etc. Nearly my whole Stock of Cattle has been Killed, several thousands and left me only a very small Quantity. The same has been done with my large stock of Hogs, which was running like ever under nobodies care and so it was easy to steal them, I had not an Idea that people could be so mean, and that they would do a Wholesale business in Stealing.
"On the Upper Sacramento, that is, from the Buttes downward to the point or mouth of feather River, there was most all of my Stock running and during the Overflow the Cattle was in a many bands on high spots like Islands, there was a fine chance to approach them in small Boats and shoot them, this business has been very successfully done by one party of 5 Men (partners) which had besides hired people, and Boats Crew's which transported the beef to the Market at Sacramento City and furnished that City with my own beef, and because these Men was nearly alone, on account of the Overflow, and Monopolized the Market.
" In the Spring of 1850, these 5 men divided their Spoil of $60,000 clear profits made of Cattle. all of them left for the Atlantic State; one of them returned again in the Winter from 1850 to 51, hired a new band of Robers to follow the same business and kill of the balance of the few that was left. My Baqueros found out this Nest of thiefs in ther Camp butchering just some head of my Cattle. on their return they informed me what they have seen, in the neighborhood of the same Camp they saw some more cows shot dead, which the Raseal then butch- ered. Immediately I did send to Nicolaus for the Sheriff (Jas Ilopkins) as then at the time we had laws in force ?!? after all was stolen and destroyed the Sheriff arrived at Hock farm I furnished him a Posse of my employed Men. they proceeded over on the Sacramento to where the thief's were en- camped. as the Sheriff wanted to arrest them they just jumped in their Boats and off they went, the Sheriff threatened them to fire at them, but they was all, and laughing they went at large.
"One day my Son was riding after Stock a few miles below Hock farm, be found a Man (his name was Owens) butchering one of our finest milch Cows (of Durham stock of Chile, which cost $300.) He told the Man that he could not take the Meat, that he would go home and get people, and so he has done, and he got people and a Wagon and returned to the Spot, but Owens found it good to clear out. Two brothers of this Man, was respectable Merchants in Lexington, Mo. and afterwards in Westport well acquainted with me, he came one day in my house and brought me their compliments, I received him well, and afterwards turned out to be a thief. How many of this kind came to California which loosed their little honor by erossing the Istmus or the plains. I had nothing at all to do with speculations, but stuck by the plough, but by paying such high Wages, and particularly under Kyburg' management, I have done this business with a heavy loss as the produce had no more the Value like before, and from the time on Kyburg left I curtailed my business considerable, and so far that I do all at present with my family and a few Indian Servants. I did not speculate, only occupied my land, in the hope that it would be before long decided and in my favor by the U. S. Land Com- mission; but now already 3 years & two months have elapsed, and I am waiting now very anxiously for the Decision, which will revive or bring me to the untimely grave.
" All the other Circumstances you know all your- self, perhaps I have repeated many things which I wrote in the 3 first sheets, because I had them not to see what I wrote, and as it is now several months I must have forgotten, well it is only a kind of mem- orandum, and not a History at all, Only to remember you on the different periods when such and such things happened.
" I need not mention again, that all the Visitors has allways been hospitably received and treated. That all the sick and wounded found always Medical As- sistance, Gratis, as I had nearly all the time a Physi- cian in my employ. The Assistance to the Emi- grants that is all well known. I dont need to write anything about this.
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