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 32
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Of the natives of the United States in the Conven- tion there were thirteen from the slave-holding States, and twenty-two from the Northern, or free States. At that date the sentiment seemed irrevocably fixed that " this was a white man's government," and the question of slavery was warmly discussed. William E. Shannon,
118
HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
a native of Ireland, who had come from New York as a Captain in Stevenson's regiment, was the champion of the clause excluding slavery, which, upon a final vote was adopted unanimously. There were, however, heavy re- strictions placed upon the liberty and equal rights of the, colored race.
One of the principal questions of discussion was the subject of taxation. The two great interests at the time were stock-raising and mining, giving rise to the appella- tions of "cow counties" and "mining counties." The stock-raisers were well represented, and, having justice on their side, carried their point in inserting the clause that "all property shall be taxed according to its value." This proved a most important and comprehensive pro- vision, preventing the exemption of any property not pro- tected by the Constitution and laws of the United States. San Jose was made the capital. The instrument was generally modeled after the most approved Constitutions of the new States, and was regarded as one of the best in existence. The judiciary system was afterwards found cumbersome; and the great powers conferred upon the Legislature resulted in much special and corrupt legisla- tion. The Constitution was submitted to a vote of the people on the 13th of November, 1849, receiving 12,064 votes in favor of, and 811 against its adoption.
The following is the
HOMOGRAPHIC CHART OF THE CONVENTION:
NAME.
AGE.
WHERE BORN.
DISTRICT.
TIME OF
RESIDENCE.
PROFESSION.
Miguel de Pedrorena.
41 Spain
San Diego
Ranchero
Henry Hill
33 Virginia
Merchant
Stephen C. Foster
28 Maine
Los Angeles
- years
Merchant
José Antonio Carrillo
.. California
Native
Ranchero
Hugo Reid
39 Scotland
18 years
Trader
Manuel Dominguez ..
46 California
Native
Ranchero
Abel Sterns. .
50 Mass.
21 years
Ranchero
Pablo de la Guerra
30 California
Santa Barbara 30 years
Ranchero
Jacinto Rodriguez ..
36 California
Native
Ranchero
Henry Amos Tefft
26 New York S. L. Obispo
4 months
Lawyer
José M. Covarrubias.
40 France
32 New York Monterey
22 years
Capt. U. S. A.
Pacificus Ord
33 Maryland
Lewis T. Dent
26 Missouri
Trader
Joseph Aram
39
4 years
Farmer
Kimball H. Dimmick.
34 New York
22 years
Lawyer
Jacob D Hoppe
35 Maryland
5 years
Farmer
Antonio M. Pico ..
40 California
40 years
Elam Brown.
52 New York
Julian Hanks
37 Conn.
Pedro Sansevain
Joel P. Walker
52 Virginia
Sonoma
Robert Semple.
42 Kentucky
Dr. and Editor
Mariano G. Vallejo Edward Gilbert
. . 142 California
27 New York San Francisco
22 years
Editor
Myron Norton
27|Vermont
=
Lawyer
William M. Gwin ..
44|Tennessee
5 months
Lawyer
Joseph Hobson.
39| Maryland
William M. Stewart
49
Maryland
3 years
Francis J. Lippitt
37 R. Island
=
.
Captain Vols.
A. J. Ellis.
33
New York
25 years
Rodman M. Price
30
New York
35 years
35
N. Jersey
San Joaquin
3 years
34 Ohio
4 months
29
Florida
J. M. H. Hollingsworth 25| Maryland
25
Kentucky
New York
32 years
34
Penn.
Sacramento
4 years
32
New York
4 months
L. W. Hastings
.
..
32
7 months
Trader
William E. Shannon ..
127
Ireland
3 years
John A. Sutter
47
|Switzerl'd
10 years
Ranchero
Elisha O. Crosby
34
New York
7 months
Lawyer
M. M. McCarver
42 Kentucky
3 years
Farmer
THE CLOSING ACT.
Among the archives of San Luis Obispo County, and probably to be found in those of the "districts," then so
designated, is the following proclamation on the dingy blue letter paper in use at that time. There was no printing office at Monterey, and all official documents were in manuscript and distributed by Government mes- senger to the various Alcaldes. The writing is in a plain, clerkly hand, signed in the obscure scrawl of Governor Riley, and countersigned in the heavy hand of H. W. Hal- leck, afterwards the great lawyer and commanding General of the United States Army.
PROCLAMATION.
TO THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA: It having been ascertained by the official canvass that the Constitution, submitted to the people on the 13th day of November last, was ratified by the almost unanimous vote of the electors of the State;
Now therefore, I, Bennett Riley, Brevet Brigadier-Gen- eral United States Army, and Governor of California, do hereby proclaim and declare the said Constitution to be ordained and established as the Constitution of the State of California.
Given at Monterey, California, this Ist day of Decem- ber, 1849. (Signed) B. RILEY, But. Brig. Gen'l U. S. Army,
By the Governor, H. W. HALLECK,
Governor of California.
But. Capt. and Sec'y of State.
MILITARY GOVERNORS OF CALIFORNIA.
Com. John D. Sloat, July 7, 1846 to July 17, 1846;
- Com. Robert F. Stockton, July 17, 1846, to January 15, 1847; Col. John C. Fremont, January 15, 1847 to March I, 1847; Gen. Stephen W. Kearny, March 1, 1847 to May 31, 1847; Col. Richard B. Mason, May 31, 1847 to March 1, 1849; Gen. Persifer F. Smith, March 1, 1849 to April 13, 1849; Gen. Bennett Riley, April 13, 1849 to December 20, 1849. Commodore Shubrick, although chief nava 1 officer, did not assume the title of Governor.
CHAPTER XIV.
IMMIGRATION IN 1849.
Preparation for Emigration-The Routes to California-The Pacific Mail Steamship Company-The Expectant Argonaut-On the Isthmus-A Lesson in Maritime Law-Sailing to San Fran- cisco-Crossing the Plains -- An Overland Journal-Arrivals in 1849 -- Population at the Close of 1849-Domestic Habits of the Pioneers-The Miner's Cabin -- Housekeeping and Cooking.
Lawyer HE exhibition of gold by Lieutenant Beale, the re- ports to the State Department by Thomas O. Lar- Purser, Navy Trader kin, and to the War Department by Col. R. B. Trader Mason, Military Governor, and Capt. J. L. Folsom, Lt. of Volunt'rs Lawyer which were officially made public, created a greater and Trader Surveyor more general excitement throughout the civilized world Lawyer Lawyer than ever before known.
Winfield S. Sherwood.
30 Ohio
6 years
John McDougal
I year
J. M. Jones
Benj. S. Lippincott
34
4 months
Physician
Thos. Lloyd Vermeule O. M. Wozencraft . B. F. Moore
30 France
3 years 42 years
Ranchero
Charles T. Botts
40 Virginia
46
23 years
Ranchero
Henry W. Halleck. .. Thomas O. Larkin ..
47 Alass.
19 years
Consul, U. S.
Lawyer
Physician
New York San Jose
Ranchero
Farmer
25 years
3 years
Jacob R. Snyder
Lawyer
Letters and gold-dust from people in California soon came, telling of the wonderful richness of the mines and their extent, and advising friends to migrate to the new gold regions without delay. Such news and such appeals were irresistible. The newly-acquired Spanish territory upon the distant Pacific Coast, of which Dana
119
IMMIGRATION IN 1849.
had so pleasantly written in his "Two Years Before the Mast;" the great bay and rivers described in " Wilkes' Exploring Expedition;" the graphic records of Fremont's explorations, and the stories told by returned whalers, had charmed the youth of the land with the enthusiasm of romance, and now that this land was filled with gold, where all could help themselves without great capital or obedience to masters, showing a brighter opportunity for independence and success than the older countries offered, fired the imagination and aroused the spirit of emigration in all.
PREPARATIONS FOR EMIGRATION.
Preparations for the flight began in all parts of the country. The fall of 1848 was well advanced when the facts of the discovery became generally known. The winter season was approaching and forbade an immediate movement, but gave opportunity for the excitement to spread and for preparations to be made. The period was opportune. The war with Mexico had just closed, and the volunteers were returning covered with the glory of their brilliant exploits, ready, themselves, and enciting all the energetic and courageous young men of the country for new adventure. Meager reports had been heard of the pleasant climate, the great rivers, the broad valleys, and the snowy mountains of distant California, and there was the attractive field for the young adventur- ers. Very little, however, was really known of the new country, and this faint knowledge gave enchantment to the distant land.
THE ROUTES TO CALIFORNIA.
Several routes offered the way to the Pacific Coast: by sea around Cape Horn; by way of the Isthmus of Panama; across Mexico to one of the Pacific ports of that country, and by land the entire distance across the plains through New Mexico and Sonora; or following the route of Fremont through the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains and directly to the gold region in the Sierra Nevada. All the routes were taken by large numbers of emigrants. To the people of the East the sea was most convenient, and to those choosing that route it was not necessary to wait for spring. Every class of sailing craft available was at once put in readiness for the voyage, and, receiving their cargoes of living freight, were soon breasting the seas for the desired haven.
THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
Congress, as early as March, 1847, had proposed a mail route via the Isthmus of Panama from New York to Astoria, with semi-monthly trips on the Atlantic side and monthly on the Pacific, with San Francisco as one of the way-ports, but not until April, 1848, did a respon- sible party dare undertake the contract. Then the Pacific Mail Steamship Company was formed, Messrs. Howland and Aspinwall being the principal capitalists, and the construction of three steamers was begun for the Pacific side, named the California, Oregon, and the Panama. Their construction was commenced be- fore the news of the gold discovery was known in the
East, and their plans were drawn simply for mail and freight boats of the cheapest character. There was the slimmest possible chance for profit even with the annual subsidy of $200,000 offered by Congress.
Fortunately for the enterprise, Lieutenant Beale arrived with the news of the finding of gold, and with a sailor's knowledge of shipping urged upon Aspinwall the neces- sity of changing the plan of his steamers, as they would be needed for carrying passengers. Aspinwall was about the only one who had faith in Beale's report, and altered his steamers in accordance with the advice given. These steamers, each of about 1,000 tons burden, were soon completed and sailed on their voyage via the Straits of Magellan for San Francisco, the California arriving February 28, the Oregon March 31, and the Panama June 4, 1849.
The establishing of this line diverted large numbers to the isthmus route, hoping to get passage on the steamers, but so great was the rush that not half the number could be accommodated. Vessels of all kinds that could be obtained at Panama were turned into pas- senger carriers, and with inadequate supplies and inade- quate knowledge of the winds of the coast, much suffer- ing and loss ensued. Thus the isthmus route, which had seemed the easiest and quickest, proved, to many, one of hardship, danger, and delay.
THE EXPECTANT ARGONAUT.
California, in 1848, was supposed by the ardent adventurers who were preparing to seek her shores to be unprovided with any of the needed implements for pros- ecuting the work to be engaged in; to have no places at which clothing, boots, blankets, etc., could be obtained; and that the utmost to be expected there in the line of provision was the beef they had learned was abundant. Nobody, therefore, must think of going into this wilder- ness without an expensive outfit, embracing every con- ceivable article of utility and comfort. The seaport cities and the frontier towns early in 1849 became the rendezvous where thousands of people congregated to fit out for the journey, and their assemblage at these places gave growth to many hitherto unknown indus- tries.
Ingenious mechanics invented all sorts of machines for gold washing; the sail lofts were kept active in the manufacture of tents, hammocks, and canvas bags; provision dealers drove brisk trades in supplying the throng with stocks intended to last for many months; old hulks that had been rotting for years at their moor- ings were recoppered, repainted, and provisioned, and advertised as staunch, fast-sailing, and A I, and speedily filled up with passengers; old mules, and broncho mules, and horses of every grade, and cows and oxen, wagons and carts were crowded in the markets of the outfitting posts bordering the great plains.
Buoyantly, hopefully, and without misgiving, in the early spring of 1849 did the multitude set forth from every frontier post and every seaport of the country for California, as the Argonauts for Colchis, with Jason, in search of the golden fleece. Those who left the eastern
120
HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
seaports in good vessels perhaps were the best off, and as a rule landed at San Francisco in the best circum- stances, having their outfit with them in the hold of the ship. Those at that time who went to the Isthmus of Panama unprovided with tickets upon some connecting steamer on the Pacific side (of which only two had reached that coast) were probably in a worse predica- ment than all. The overland travelers that year had no lack of provision, having started with so much generally as to be burdensome. Flour, bacon, and other articles of food in many places along the different overland routes were piled up in cords, and hundreds of wagons were abandoned from sheer inability of the animals to draw them; while the road lay open and the way before to the goal they were hastening. They could travel onward, at least, and reach their place of destination even though they should arrive at the mines destitute. With those upon the isthmus, however, affairs were dif- ferent. Those people were cooped up in. a foreign country, where malaria to an alarming Jegree existed. They could neither get up the Pacific Coast without extraordinary intervention, nor back to the ports whence they had come, as the steamers landing passengers there did not wish to break up their profitable business by taking those back, if any there were, who would turn the tide of travel into some other channel, and, therefore, upon landing their load at Chagres, would immediately steam over to Navy Bay out of reach of any who might wish to return.
ON THE ISTHMUS.
The months of April, May, and June, 1849, was a time when the Isthmus of Panama contained from 4,000 to 8,000 American immigrants who were involuntary resi- dents. Cholera and other diseases incident to a tropical climate attacked them, and as the majority were from the Northern States, made fearful havoc. Meantime, all reports from California were of the most extravagant character, which fact kept the minds of those who had ventured upon the journey in the main steadfastly fixed in the determination to reach the land so promising. This state of affairs kept the rates of passage from Pan- ama to San Francisco high, and fabulous sums were paid for steamer tickets. Masters of whale and other ships who happened to be in any of the Pacific ports hearing of this extraordinary condition unloaded cargo, took on extra provisions when necessary and crowded sail for Panama, and announced their readiness to carry passengers to San Francisco. Little coasting vessels from the South American ports, and, in fact, craft of all descriptions, came into the port of Panama and were either speedily chartered or sold.
Several journals kept by these early pioneers of Cali- fornia lie before the writer, and as the most natural and truthful record of those eventful times, an occasional extract from them is given below. The first is that of a member of the "Ganargwa Mining Company, of Newark, Wayne County, New York, for San Francisco, via Chagres and Panama," as stated upon a printed card used for mark- ing their innumerable articles. This company numbered
twelve, two of whom arrived at the "Dry Diggings," soon after called Auburn, on the 2d day of August, 1849, and were bound by articles to each other as "strong as holy writ." Beginning their organization in December, 1848, and not sailing from New York until the following March, they had ample time to equip, not as the "law directed " quite, but as the inclination dictated. Some of the members had elaborate arms manufactured to order, bright steel tomahawks, heavy, and with long, tapering polls that by a blow could be made to sink up to the eye in a block of wood; knives of enormous size, formed in the most savage-looking " bowie " style from the blades of ancient scythes, with guns of antique pat- tern and Allen's "pepper-boxes"-for were there not Indians and half-civilized Mexicans who must be intim- idated in the new land to which they were going ? Red shirts, blue shirts, corduroy pants, and stogy boots were necessary, for were they not going to the mines to dig for gold? And after the gold was dug how could it be used without first being coined ? So this company ordered and had made at a machine shop a coining press, with steel dies, with which to coin five and ten dollar gold pieces. Besides these things they had other nameless cumbersome traps of which no idea can be conceived by one not "in the same boat " upon that historic occasion, and of which it would be useless to attempt any description. With these this company sailed from New York on the steamer Crescent City, March 15, 1849, and the short extracts from the journal spoken of will give an idea of the trials of the trip at that time :---
MARCH 24, 1849 .- Landed at Chagres about noon and camped. Remained until the 26th, when about dark took canoes manned by negroes, four in each, and proceeded up the river (Chagres). Went six miles that night, and bundled down upon the floor of a miserable negro shanty.
MARCH 27TH .- Started up the river early in the morn- ing; stopped about three miles up and got breakfast. Started again in the afternoon and traveled about three miles further, where we pitched our tent among three or four negro huts, got supper, and rolled in our blankets.
MARCH 28TH .- Struck our tent this morning and started up the river again; stopped for dinner after trav- eling five or six miles; after which proceeded on our journey and traveled until dark, when we camped in a negro hut about fourteen miles from our camp of the previous night. Passed two American graves to-day.
MARCH 29TH .- Left the boat here and tramped four miles through a thick forest to Gorgona, preferring this inode of locomotion to accompanying the natives, who go on with the goods and camp equipage. Arriving at Gorgona find 200 or more American immigrants here bound for the El Dorado. Pitched our tents just back of the town, on a rise of ground which had been occupied not long since by a corps of American engineers who were surveying a route for a railroad.
Remained in camp at Gorgona until the 11th of April, when we packed our traps upon the backs of natives and started for Panama, arriving there at noon on the 12th. Did not camp out here, but hired a house to live in. While at Panama the company purchased a brigantine of 32 tons, called the Edalina, and on the 30th of April all of the company (except two members), together with twenty-five others taken as passengers, sailed for San Francisco.
SAN FRANCIS PUBLIC LLUMA
RESIDENCE OF J. M. DANGLADA, ARROYO GRANDE, SAN LUIS OBISPO CO.CAL,
se
RANCH ANDRESIDENCE OF AUSTIN ABBOTT, NEAR SAN LUIS OBISPO, CAL.
٠٠
١
121
IMMIGRATION IN 1849.
A LESSON IN MARITIME LAW.
Now, as to the fate of the Edalina, which was a New Granadan vessel purchased at a cost of $1,500, and fitted up and provisioned at an additional expense of $4,000. She took, besides Captain, crew, and owners, twenty-five passengers at the rate of $200 a head. The owners and Captain were not posted in maritime law; passengers and all were Americans; why should she not hoist the Ameri- can flag? She did, and cleared from Panama as an American vessel, and all went smooth enough, except that the little vessel was much overcrowded and had but little promenading way on her only deck, which was occupied by water casks, until, to replenish these with a fresh supply of water, she sailed by a British sloop-of- war into the harbor of Realajo, boldly flaunting the stars and stripes. For this act the Nicaraguan authorities, aided by the British ship, seized and condemned her, and she was lost to her owners, while those who came on her were left to get into California as best they could. All, however, succeeded in reaching San Francisco during that year, each experiencing many vicissitudes. The journal says of the two members who did not sail in the Edalina :-
SAILING TO SAN FRANCISCO.
Remained at Panama until the 9th of May, 1849, when we set sail for San Francisco in the American whale- ship Sylph, Capt. Francis Gardner, of Fairhaven. Our course for fourteen days was southerly, when on the 23d we made the port of Tacamas, in South America, fifty-five miles north of the equator, in the Republic of Ecuador. On the 24th went ashore; found the town or village con- tained about 150 or 200 inhabitants, who were descend- ants, mostly, of the Indians. Found also an English resi- dent who had married and raised quite a family; found likewise an American who had left a whale-ship some seven years previously, and remained here. The houses are built of bamboo, with thatched roofs, and are set upon posts nine or ten feet high. Soil sandy near the ocean, but back in the interior, as far as we went, found it loamy and very rich, being rankly overgrown with the indige- nous vegetation peculiar to the country, sugar-cane, plan- tain, banana, oranges, lemons, cocoanuts, pine-apples, etc., all of which grew spontaneously without cultivation. The only article cultivated by the inhabitants appears to be tobacco, of which they produce very fine crops. The inhabitants of this portion of South America, like those of the Isthmus of Darien, are very indolent, caring for but little else than barely enough to supply the demands of nature, and that can be had at all times by merely gather- ing it. The proverbial unthrift and laziness of the peo- ple is illustrated by this incident: Seeing all over the country, immediately adjoining the town, that the coffee bush grew profusely, and was in full fruitage, thought that a cup of the beverage might be obtained; but upon proceeding to the public places and inquiring for a drink, none could be had. Under many of the houses were mills for grinding sugar-cane, but there was not sugar enough in the whole town to sweeten a cup of tea.
The ship Sylph finally left her anchorage at Tacamas, and landed her passengers at San Francisco on the 26th of July, 1849, among whom were many of the future prominent citizens of California-one, John Conness, a United States Senator.
CROSSING THE PLAINS.
The route via the great plains and deserts which then stretched an unbroken wilderness from the Missouri to the Pacific, offered itself as the most available to the peo ple of the West, and the winter and early months of spring were passed in preparations for the journey. The Miss- issippi and its branches opened a channel of commerce to the extreme verge of civilization on the western border of Missouri, and the frontier towns of that State were the rendezvous and starting points of the greater part of the emigration. Iowa, Arkansas, and Texas also had their gathering places and sent forth their trains. In the months of April, May, and June-chiefly in May-the vast army set out, in many columns, on its march to the westward, numbering from fifty to eighty thousand people. So generally was this great mass composed of men in the prime of early manhood, that the emigration was consid- ered as composed of men only, but there were many women and children accompanying their husbands and fathers to the new country.
Such a movement had never before been seen. An army of freemen setting out on a journey of near 3,000 miles through a wilderness, without the protec- tion of Government and without organization, severing themselves from all civilization, and threading the regions where roamed and skulked the most implacably savage men known in the history of the human race. Many or- ganized in companies of varying numbers from a few friends to several hundred, and elected Captains, Lieuten- ants, and wagon-masters. The authority of the officers, however, was but little regarded. The usual conveyance was by wagon, drawn by oxen, mules, or horses, but com- paratively few going with pack-mules. The wagons were drawn by from three to five yoke of oxen, or four to eight mules, and three to eight men accompanied each wagon. Nearly all bore arms. Revolvers were rare, the invention . being recent, but rifles were abundant. The wagons were heavily laden with baggage, mining implements, tents, blankets, cooking utensils, and provisions, the latter being greatly composed of flour, bacon, beans, coffee, tea, and · sugar, the necessary condiments, and a few luxuries. Generally they were overladen, and much was thrown away during the journey.
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