History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 22

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 538

USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 22

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Mr. Cronise states that the deeds for the 3,000 square leagues of land in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Val- leys, made in favor of this Macnamara, very fortunately fell into the hands of the Federal Government before they were signed by Pico. Mr. Macnamara had no muniment of title on which to base his tremendous claim for com- pensation, consequently nobody was injured by his petition for that grant of land, and there was no necessity for the unfounded animadversion of the aforesaid alleged par-

THE CONQUEST.

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ticipants in the pretended political intrigue. Mr. Cronise forgot to explain to his readers how Mr. Macnamara's deeds for 3,000 square leagues fell into the hands of the Federal Government before they were signed by Gov- ernor Pico.

Those unsigned title deeds were the copies, or register, of Macnamara's grant, which were doubtless found in the Government archives after the change of flag, and of course they were unsigned by Governor Pico. Mac namara had the original.

The only facts upon which Mr. Consul Larkin based his final report to the United States Government of the supposed intrigue for placing California under British protection, originated in the following information im- parted to him by myself :-

ist. That Governor Pico and two members of the De- partmental Assembly, who were Don Juan Bandini and Don Santiago Argüello, had informed me, that as Cali- fornia was in reality abandoned by the Government of Mexico, the authorities of this department were seri- ously discussing the necessity of severing their political relations with that Republic for the purpose of soliciting the protection of a foreign power, for which object the Governor and said members requested me to inform Her Majesty's Government thereof, to ascertain if its protec- tion would be extended over California.

2d. That, in reply thereto, I informed Governor Pico and said members, that I was absolutely without author- ity to give them any official answer upon the subject, but that I would duly inform Her Majesty's Government of the matter.

On the 17th of July, 1846, Rear Admiral Sir George Seymour, in command of Her Majesty's ship Colling- wood, arrived at Monterey, and forthwith addressed an official letter to Governor Pico, at Los Angeles, informing him that in view of the existing war between the United States and Mexico, Her Majesty's Govern- ment would not interfere in the affairs of California. That official note was sent by me to Governor Pico, by a special messenger, under a safe-conduct granted by Commodore Stockton. On the return of the messenger to Monterey, I paid him one hundred dollars for his service, and delivered the safe-conduct into the hands of Captain Mervine, then in command of the United States forces at that post.

In conclusion I deny positively that the British Gov- ernment ever had any intention of establishing a protec- torate over California. Respectfully yours,

J. ALEX. FORBES.

GOVERNORS OF CALIFORNIA.

Upon the first colonization of California by the Fran- ciscan Fathers under Junipero Serra, in 1769, Spain ruled in Mexico, being represented by a Viceroy, and through him appointed the Governors. The first Governor of Alta California was Gasper de Portala, appointed Gov- ernor of Lower California in 1767, and sent to Upper California with the missionaries in 1769. He held office until 1771.

Felipe Barri, from 1771 to December, 1774.

Felipe de Neve, from December, 1774, to September, 782.

Pedro Fages, from September, 1782, to September, 1790.

José Antonio Romen, from September, 1790, to April, 1792.

José Joaquin de Arrillaga, from April, 1792, to May, 1794.

Diego de Borica, from May, 1794, to 1800.

José Joaquin de Arrillaga, from 1800 to 1814.

José Arguello, from 1814 to 1815.

Pablo Vicente de Sola, from 1815 to November 1822.

The Mexican Revolution in 1822 severed the country from Spain, and after that date the Governors of Califor- nia held their office by Mexican appointment.

Pablo Vicente de Sola, continued in office until 1823.

Luis Arguello, from 1823 to June, 1825.

José Maria Echeandia, from June, 1825, to January, 1831.

Manuel Victoria, from January, 1831, to January, 1832. Pio Pico (ad interim) by virtue of being presiding officer of the Departmental Legislature, from January, 1832, to January, 1833.

José Figueroa, from January, 1833, to August, 1835.

José Castro (ad interim) from August, 1835, to January, 1836.

Nicolas Gutierrez, from January, 1836, to May, 1836. Mariano Chico, 1836.

Nicolas Gutierrez, 1836.

Juan B. Alvarado, from 1836 to December, 1842.

Manuel Micheltorena, from December, 1842, to Feb- ruary, 1845.

Pio Pico, from 1845 to the conquest in 1846.

CHAPTER XI. THE CONQUEST.

The Forecast of War-Instructions to Commodore Sloat-The First Battles-The Flag Raised at Monterey- Proclamation -- Discretion of General Castro-Capture of Military Stores- Sloat in a Quandary -- Judicious Action of the Commodore -Commodore Sloat's Departure-Arrival of Commodore Stockton-The News of War Declared-A Bright Prospect- The Second Conquest -- John Brown's Ride-The United States Troops Expelled-Flores' Proclamation-Expedition to the South -- Repulse of Captain Mervine -- The Campaign from San Diego -- Coming of General Kearny-Battle of San Pas- qual-Orders to Kearny -- Battles of San Gabriel and the Mesa-Los Angeles Regained-Retreat of the Californians- Articles of Capitulation - Fremont's Battalion - Battle of Natividad-A Brave Indian Feat-The Battalion on the March-A Shocking Execution-Voracious Soldiers-Capture of San Luis Obispo-Pico Taken Prisoner-Rescued by Fair Ladies-The Battalion in San Luis Obispo -- A Picture of Desolation -- Gold against Sugar -- Fremont's Strategy-('ross- ing the Mountain-A Terrible Storm-The Californians in the Campaign-Ira Van Gordon-Benjamin Franklin Mayfield -George Stone-Elisha W. Howe.

HE war between the United States and Mexico, which gave the opportunity of acquiring California, was forecast by the presidential campaign of 1844, in which the annexation of Texas was the principal ques- tion at issue. The election of James K. Polk was an expression in favor of the annexation, and this was con- summated in the session of Congress following, in 1845, claiming the country to the Rio Grande. This claim was opposed by Mexico, and both countries prepared for war. A powerful fleet was sent to the Pacific, and the naval squadron on the coast of China was ordered to California.

In April, 1846, the American army of occupation in Texas crossed the Nuesces River, which was regarded by Mexico as the boundary of Texas, and marched to the

HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

Rio Grande, where it was met on the 8th of May by the Mexican army under General Arista, and the battle of Palo Alto was fought. With this the war was opened.

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMODORE SLOAT.

At that time Com. John D. Sloat was in the harbor of Mazatlan, awaiting to hear of the commencement of hostilities, having instructions to seize California when assured that a state of war existed. Also in the harbor of San Blas was a British fleet under command of Admiral Sir George Seymour, waiting for the same pur- pose and under instructions with the same object.

Both nations were desirous of possessing so valuable a territory. In 1845 John Slidell had been sent as American Minister to Mexico, with a proposition to purchase California and to settle the question of Texan boundary, but through the machinations of the British all negotiations failed. The British claimed the right of interference on the ground of Mexican indebtedness to their people, but in all probability their object was to force a war that they might, with their powerful navy, get possession of California.

THE FIRST BATTLES.

Previous to the battle of Palo Alto, Lieutenant Porter of the navy had incautiously attacked Tampico, on the Gulf of Mexico, but without effect. This, however, was an act of war, and Sloat has been censured because he did not sail upon hearing the news, but he waited until he heard that General Taylor had driven the Mexicans across the Rio Grande, and even then he seemed in doubt if war had actually commenced in such earnest as to justify him in carrying out his instructions. However, he sailed in the frigate Savannah, and arrived at Mon- terey on the 2d of July. The sloops-of-war Cyane and Levant had preceded him, having been sent there at the request of the Consul, Mr. Larkin. Sloat saluted the Mexican flag in proper form, but hesitated about taking possession. The fate of California hung in the balance. The country was already in a state of revolution. The Bear Flag of the California Republic was waving in triumph in the north, and Fremont was in command of a battalion of volunteers under arms. The officers of the fleet and the American citizens on shore were very impatient, and four days passed without action. On the evening of the sixth a boat arrived from the sloop-of-war Portsmouth, in the bay of San Francisco, for instructions, giving a report of the raising of the Bear Flag, the capt- ure of Sonoma, and the proclamation of independence.

THE FLAG RAISED AT MONTEREY.

Preparations were then made for landing and taking possession of the country on the following morning, and the boat of the Portsmouth was ordered to return, with orders to Commander Montgomery to take possession of Yerba Buena.

Accordingly, a force of 250 marines and sailors, under command of Captain Mervine, of the Savannah, landed, and on the 7th of July, 1846, at 10 o'clock A. M., the American flag was raised over the presidio of Monterey, amid the cheers of the men and salvos of artillery, and

California was declared to be a portion of the United States.

At the same time Commodore Sloat issued the fol- lowing:

PROCLAMATION TO THE INHABITANTS OF CALIFORNIA.

The Central Government of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United States of America by invad- ing its territory and attacking the troops of the United States, stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande, and with a force of 7,000 men, under command of Gen- eral Arista, which army was totally destroyed, and all their artillery, baggage, etc., captured on the 8th and 9th of May last, by a force of 2,300 men, under command of General Taylor; and the city of Matamoras taken and occupied by the forces of the United States; and the two nations being actually at war by this transaction, I shall hoist the standard of the United States at Monterey immediately, and shall carry it throughout California.

I declare to the inhabitants of California that, although I come in arms with a powerful force, I do not come among them as an enemy to California; on the contrary I come as their best friend, as henceforth California will be a portion of the United States, and its peaceable inhabitants will enjoy the same rights-principles they now enjoy-together with the privilege of choosing their own magistrates and other officers for the administration of justice among themselves, and the same protection will be extended to them as to any other State in the Union. They will also enjoy a permanent Government, under which life, property, and the constitutional right and lawful security to worship the Creator in the way most congenial to each other's sense of duty, will be secured, which, unfortunately, the Central Government of Mexico cannot afford them, destroyed as her resources are by internal factions and corrupt officers, who create constant revolutions to promote their own interest and oppress the people. Under the flag of the United States, California will be free from all such troubles and expenses; consequently the country will rapidly advance and improve, both in agriculture and commerce, as, of course, the revenue laws will be the same in California as in all parts of the United States, affording them all manufact- ures and produce of the United States free of any duty, and on all foreign goods at one-quarter of the duty they now pay. A great increase in the value of real estate and the products of California may also be anticipated.

With the great interest and kind feeling I know the Government and people of the United States possess toward the citizens of California, the country cannot but improve more rapidly than any other on the continent of America.

Such of the inhabitants of California, whether native or foreigners, as may not be disposed to accept the high privileges of citizenship, and to live peaceably under the Government of the United States, will be allowed time to dispose of their property and to remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restriction; or remain in it, observing strict neutrality.

With full confidence in the honor and integrity of the inhabitants of the country, I invite the Judges, Alcaldes, and other civil officers to execute their functions as here- tofore, that the public tranquillity may not be disturbed; at least, until the Government of the Territory can be more definitely arranged.

All persons holding titles to real estate or in quiet possession of land under color of right, shall have those titles guaranteed to them.

All churches and the property they contain, in pos- session of the clergy of California, shall continue in the same rights and possessions they now enjoy.

RANCH & RESIDENCE OF C. H. JESPERSEN, LOS OSOS VALLEY, SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. CAL.

DAIRY RANCH & RESIDENCE OF A. TOMASINI, CAYUCOS SAN LUIS OBISPO CO CAL .

THE CONQUEST.

All provisions and supplies of every kind furnished by the inhabitants for the use of the United States ships and soldiers will be paid for at fair rates, and no private property will be taken for public use without just com- pensation at the moment. JOHN D. SLOAT, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Force in the Pacific Ocean.

This proclamation was issued in the Spanish language and distributed throughout the country.

DISCRETION OF GENERAL CASTRO.

General Castro, with the troops in his command that he had gathered to crush Fremont, was at San Jose when the news of the taking of Monterey and the procla- mation of Sloat reached him. His men were drawn up on parade on the principal square, all well mounted, and he then opened the dispatches, exclaimed in a loud voice " Monterey is taken !" and read the proclamation. At the conclusion he said to his men, " What can I do with a handful of men against the United States? I am going to Mexico! All you who wish to follow me, right about face ! All who wish to remain, can go to their homes." Only a very small part of the force con- cluded to link their fate with his, and Castro and his few followers left town the same day southward, bound for Mexico by land. He made haste to leave, as he feared his route of retreat up the Salinas Valley would soon be cut off.

Rev. Walter Colton, writing at the time, thought "General Castro an officer of high pretensions, but defi- cient in strength and steadiness of purpose, and that capacity which can work out important results with slender and inapposite means. His followers had gath- ered to him with as little discipline, sobriety, and order, as would characterize a bear-hunt. Their prime im- ' pulse lay in the excitement which the camp presented. It was the same thing to them whether their weapon was a rifle or a guitar-whether they were going to a skirmish or a fandango. With six or eight hundred of these waltzing warriors General Castro was now on his march into the Southern Department, with the evident purpose of taking up his position near the pueblo of Los Angeles."

The plucky Colton thinks Castro would have shown himself more worthy had he organized a partisan war- fare, and thus " work out important results with slender and inapposite means;" and, moreover, he greatly exag- gerated the force of the California General.

As Castro had said in his speech to his troops, " What can I do with a handful of men against the United States?" expressed sound judgment, and it would have been an unnecessary waste of life and the engen- dering of bitter hatred in the future to have commenced any predatory or guerrilla war. He certainly had no prospect of success in the North, and if any existed it was in the South whither he had gone.

The American flag was raised at Yerba Buena by Com. John B. Montgomery on the 8th of July; on the Ioth the Bear Flag was lowered at Sonoma and replaced by the stars and stripes, and on the 13th the national

standard was raised at San José by Capt. Thomas Fal- lon, in command of some American volunteers.

CAPTURE OF MILITARY STORES.

Fremont was then camped near Sutter's Fort, and on the 12th started for the mission of San Juan, going by the San Joaquin Valley, taking the route by which he had retreated in the previous March, approaching it by surprise and capturing it without a struggle, on the 17th of July. San Juan was the depot of military stores for the department of California, and had been so since Micheltorena had taken the precaution to thus secure them froni some over-zealous naval officer of the United States, like Commodore Jones. Cannon and powder, and balls and arms of any kind were dangerous things to have near a harbor, and they were therefore taken thirty miles in the interior and hidden from sight.

Cannon whose carriages had decayed were allowed to remain on the grass-covered ramparts of the castello, silent evidences of sleepy repose and utter helplessness. Castro, in his insurrection against Micheltorena, had supplied himself from these stores, but they had been so replenished, or remained, that Fremont exhumed nine can- non, twenty kegs of powder, 200 old muskets, and 60,000 pounds of cannon shot. Soon after the capture of the place by Fremont, Captain Fauntleroy, of the navy, arrived with a command of mounted marines, sent on the same errand by Commodore Sloat.

SLOAT IN A QUANDARV.

The next day Fremont and Gillespie were ordered on board the Savannah, when the Commodore made in- quires as to the authority under which they were acting. Fremont, with his usual recklessness, replied, "Without orders." This was incomprehensible to Sloat, and he was more worried than ever. Gillespie had passed through his squadron near six months before upon a secret errand from Washington, and had imparted nothing to him, but upon reaching Fremont the latter had turned back into California and began hostilities against the Mexican power. The presumption was that Gillespie had brought orders from the Government which Fremont was carry- ing out, and upon the instructions he had received, and the positive course taken by Fremont, Sloat had thought proper to take possession of the country. But a most embarrassing uncertainty enshrouded all.

JUDICIOUS ACTION OF THE COMMODORE.

The custom of writers has been, almost without excep- tion, to censure and ridicule Commodore Sloat for his hes- itancy in taking Monterey, and for his subsequent course, which has been called "timerous." But his instructions were to take possession in case of a declaration of war, and at his distance from the seat of operations, the route over which the news must come, and its unreliabil- ity, left him in doubt.

He had before him the example of Commodore Jones, whose precipitate action in 1842 had caused him great humiliation, and he had been placed in command be- cause of his known good judgment and sound discretion. No greater responsibility was ever put upon a single per-

HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

son's shoulders. California must be taken possession of and held at all hazards, but not until war came. Had he blundered? Had such a war come as nations would recognize? He knew that a British squadron was watch- ing the course of events for the same purpose, and Ad- mirał Seymour had bluntly told him that if the American flag had not been waving over Monterey when he arrived that he would have taken possession in the name of Eng- land. This should have eased Sloat's mind, but he had committed the act while others only talked, and upon him the responsibility rested. If he acted slowly, or in doubt of his authority, he certainly acted right; very fortunately right, even as if inspired with the clearest judgment and the most dashing courage of the ablest statesman or most successful soldier.

He sailed from Mazatlan under great press of canvas, beating the great English line-of-battle-ship Collingwood, and deliberately, positively, and irrevocably took posses- sion of California and issued a proclamation prompted by the kindest feeling of humanity, justice and right, and fortified by the confidence of invincible strength. All his acts were in time and judiciously executed. Cool de- liberation and positive proceedings marked his course instead of the nervous ostentation and exciting dash demanded by the more impatient and indiscreet. He was not aware that a letter was following him from the Secretary of the Navy with a severe censure for not hav- ing acted with greater haste, the Secretary seemingly be- ing misinformed as to his movements. The letter, how- ever, did not reach Sloat until his grand success had broken the sting of the reproach, in fact did not reach him until he had left California. This unjust letter has been the base upon which writers have founded their criticisms of Sloat's conduct.

The condition of affairs is shown by the diary of Colton, who was Chaplain on board the Congress, under command of Commodore Stockton into whose hands Commodore Słoat had on the 15th of July resigned his authority.

COMMODORE ŚLOAT'S DEPARTURE.

Colton writes: "Wednesday, July 29, 1846. The sloop-of-war Levant, under Commodore Page, sailed to- day, with Commodore Sloat on board, for the United States. We gave the Commodore a parting salute. He has rendered the squadron under his command efficient, and preserved harmony among the officers. The expedi- ency of his measures in California will be canvassed else- where. He acted on the light and intelligence within his reach. If war has been declared the laurel awaits him."

There was still doubt about the declaration of war, and the "expediency" of taking possession of California appears to have been too delicate a subject to dismiss in the navy, even when it was commanded by so dashing an officer as Stockton.

Colton partly apologizes for the course pursued when he says "How the intelligence of our proceedings here will strike our friends and the country at large, is mere matters of conjecture. We are acting, however, not only in view of the alleged collision between the American and Mexican forces on the Rio Grande, but in reference to

the anarchy and confusion into which this country has been thrown by a revolution which did not originate with us."

At that time there was doubt about the war having commenced, as Colton speaks of the "alleged collision." But the die had been cast, and the country must be held.

ARRIVAL OF COMMODORE STOCKTON.

Stockton had arrived on the 15th, and Sloat had given him the command. He decided to push measures ener- getical'y and take possession of the towns of the south- ern coast. July 27th the Cyane, under Commander Dupont, sailed for San Diego with Fremont's battalion of · 160 volunteers on board. August Ist the Congress and Commodore Stockton sailed for San Pedro, intending to land some 300 men and take Los Angeles.

THE NEWS OF WAR DECLARED.

August 1 Ith the British brig-of-war Spy arrived from San Blas with dispatches for Admiral Seymour, but the Admiral had sailed for the Sandwich Islands, whither the Spy followed. Her officers were silent in regard to news from Mexico and the Atlantic, evidently having news of importance which the Americans were very anxious to hear. The next day came great relief in the arrival of the U. S. sloop-of-war Warren, under Commander Hull, thirty days from Mazatlan, with the eventful news that war had been declared between Mexico and the United States. The mysterious silence and great haste of the officers of the Spy were then explained.

The news of the declaration created a profound sensa- tion throughout the country as well as through the squad- ron. To the Californians who had hoped to remain un- der Mexico, it was a final answer. To the 'Americans who had taken part in the revolution, it was an assurance of protection. There was no longer any doubt as to the future of California, and the laurels were won by Sloat.

A BRIGHT PROSPECT.

Under the "Bear Flag" a few skirmishes had been fought, but the fair country dropped like ripe fruit into the possession of the United States, and for the moment all appeared satisfied. The towns of Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, were occupied and garrisoned by small forces; Castro with a few followers had fled to Sonora; the officers and men of his command had sur- rendered and been paroled, and the entire country ap- peared at peace, quietly adopting the new order of things. Stockton and Fremont returned to Monterey, and Stock- ton began making preparations to move his fleet to the Mexican Coast and march into Mexico, hoping, as he wrote to Captain Mervine, to shake hands in Mexico with General Taylor.

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History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 22

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West Number of Pages: 538

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 538