USA > California > San Mateo County > History of San Mateo County, California, including its geography, topography, geology, climatography, and description, together with an historical sketch of California; a record of the Mexican grants; the early history and settlement, compiled from the most authentic sources; some of the names of Spanish and American pioneers; legislative history; a record of its cities and towns; biographical sketches of representative men; etc., etc > Part 15
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Francisco for the protection of the frontier. He effectually subdued the hos- tile Indians inhabiting that then remote region, and laid the foundation of a reputation for integrity, judgment, and ability, unequaled by any of his coun- trymen. Although quite a young man, he had already filled the highest offices in the province, and had at this time retired to private life, near his estates in the vicinity of the town of Sonoma. He did not hesitate to oppose with all his strength the views advanced by Pico and Castro. He spoke nearly as follows:
"I cannot, gentlemen, coincide in opinion with the military and civil func- tionaries who have advocated the cession of our country to France or England. It is most true, that to rely any longer upon Mexico to govern and defend us, would be idle and absurd. To this extent I fully agree with my distinguished colleagues. It is also true that we possess a noble country, every way calcu- lated, from position and resources, to become great and powerful. For that very reason, I would not have her a mere dependency upon a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at least indifferent to our interests and our welfare. It is not to be denied that feeble nations have in former times thrown themselves upon the protection of their powerful neighbors. The Britons invoked the aid of the warlike Saxons, and fell an easy prey to their protectors, who seized their lands, and treated them like slaves. Long before that time, feeble and distracted provinces had appealed for aid to the all-conquering arms of imperial Rome; and they were at the same time protected and subjugated by their grasping ally. Even could we tolerate the idea of dependence, ought we to go to distant Europe for a master ? What possible sympathy could exist between us and a nation separated from us by two vast oceans? But waiving this insuperable objection, how could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarchy? For, although others speak lightly of a form of government, as a freeman, I cannot do so. We are republicans-badly governed and badly situated as we are-still, we are all, in sentiment, republicans. So far as we are governed at all, we at least profess to be self-governed. Who, then, that possesses true patriotism will consent to subject himself and children to the caprices of a foreign king and his official minions? But it is asked, if we do not throw ourselves upon the protection of France or England, what shall we do? I do not come here to support the existing order of things, but I come prepared to propose instant and effective action to extricate our country from her present forlorn condition. My opinion is made up that we must persevere in throwing off the galling yoke of Mexico, and proclaim our independence of her forever. We have endured her official cormorants and her villainous soldiery until we can endure no longer. All will probably agree with me that we ought at once to rid ourselves of what may remain of Mexican domination. But some profess to doubt our ability to maintain our position. To my mind there comes no doubt. Look at Texas, and see how long she withstood the
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power of united Mexico. The resources of Texas were not to be compared with ours, and she was much nearer to her enemy than we are. Our position is so remote, either by land or sea, that we are in no danger from Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we hesitate still to assert our independence? We have indeed taken the first step, by electing our own governor, but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and distinctly-it is annexation to the United States. In contemplating this consummation of our destiny, I feel nothing but pleasure, and I ask you to share it. Discard old prejudices, disregard old customs, and prepare for the glorious change which awaits our country. Why should we shrink from incorporating ourselves with the happi- est and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be the most wealthy and powerful? Why should we go abroad for protection, when this great nation is our adjoining neighbor? When we join our fortunes to hers, we shall not become subjects, but fellow citizens, possessing all the rights of the people of the United States, and choosing our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a stable government, and just laws. California will grow strong and flourish, and her people will be prosperous, happy, and free. Look not, there- fore, with jealousy upon the hardy pioneers, who scale our mountains, and cultivate our unoccupied plains; but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a common destiny."
Such was the substance of General Vallejo's observations; those who listened to him, however, were far behind in general knowledge and intelligence. His arguments failed to carry conviction to the greater number of his auditors, but the bold position taken by him was the cause of an immediate adjournment of the Junta, no result having been arrived at concerning the weighty affairs on which they had met to deliberate. On his retiring from the Junta he embodied the views he had expressed in a letter to Don Pio Pico, and reiterated his refusal to participate in any action having for its end the adoption of any pro- tection other than that of the United States. In this communication he also declared that he would never serve under any Government which was prepared to surrender California to European power; he then returned to his estates, there to await the issue of events.
In the meantime, circumstances tended to keep General Castro moving. The Americans, finding themselves numerically too weak to contend against the bitter feelings engendered by such speeches as that of Pio Pico in the Junta, and such actions as those of Castro against Fremont, but relying upon the certain accession to their strength which would arrive in the spring with more emigrants, and a full conviction of their own courage and endurance, determined to declare California independent and free, and raise a flag of their own, which they did. The famous "Bear Flag" was given to the breeze, June 14th, 1846, in Sonoma, on the pole where before had floated the Mexican standard, and after the capture of the town, with its commanding officer,
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General Vallejo, Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Prudon, Captain Don Salvador Vallejo, and Mr. Jacob P. Leese, an American, and brother-in-law to the General. The intelligence of the declaration and establishment of the Cali- fornia Republic spread like wild-fire; both parties labored arduously and inces- santly for the conflict, and while the Bear Flag party guided their affairs from the citadel of Sonoma, General Castro established his headquarters at the Santa Clara Mission, whence, June 17th, after learning of the success at Sonoma, he issued the following proclamations:
" The citizen Jose Castro, Lieutenant-Colonel of cavalry in the Mexican army, and acting General Commander of the Department of California: Fellow-citizens: The contemptible policy of the agents of the United States of North America, in this Department, has induced a portion of adventurers, who, regardless of the rights of men, have daringly commenced an invasion, possessing themselves of the town of Sonoma, taking by surprise all at that place, the military com- mander of that border, Colonel Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Lieutenant- Colonel Don Victor Prudon, Captain Salvador Vallejo, and Mr. Jacob P. Leese. Fellow-countrymen! the defense of our liberty, the true religion which our fathers possessed, and our independence, call upon us to sacrifice ourselves rather than lose these inestimable blessings; banish from our hearts all petty resentments, turn you and behold yourselves, these families, these innocent little ones which have unfortunately fallen into the hands of our enemies, dragged from the bosoms of their fathers, who are prisoners among foreign- ers, and are calling upon us to succor them. There is still time for us to rise en masse, as irresistible as retributive. You need not doubt that Divine Provi- dence will direct us in. the way to glory .. You should not vacillate because of the smallness of the garrison of the general headquarters, for he who will first sacrifice himself will be your friend and fellow-citizen,
" JOSE CASTRO.
Headquarters, Santa Clara, June 17, 1846."
"Citizen José Castro, Lieutenant-Colonel of artillery in the Mexican army, and acting General Commander of the Department: All foreigners residing among us, occupied with their business, may rest assured of the protection of all the authorities of the Department whilst they refrain entirely from all revo- lutionary movements. The General Commandancia under my charge will never proceed with vigor against any persons, neither will its authority result in mere words wanting proof to support it; declaration shall be taken, proofs executed, and the liberty and rights of the laborious, which are ever commend- able, shall be protected. Let the fortune of war take its chance with those ungrateful men, who, with arms in their hands, have attacked the country, without recollecting that they were treated by the undersigned with all the indulgence of which he is so characteristic. The inhabitants of the Depart-
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ment are witnesses to the truth of this. I have nothing to fear; my duty leads me to death or victory. I am a Mexican soldier, and I will be free and inde- pendent, or I will gladly die for these inestimable blessings.
" JOSE CASTRO.
" Headquarters, Santa Clara, June 17th, 1846."
Fremont, who had held communication with the leaders of the Bear Flag faction, now concluded that it had become his duty to take a personal part in the revolution which he had fostered; therefore, on June 21st he transferred his impedimenta to the safe keeping of Captain Sutter, at the fort, re-crossed the American river, encamped on the Sinclair rancho, where he was joined by Pearson B. Redding and all the trappers about Sutter's Fort, and there awaited orders. On the afternoon of the 23d, Harrison Pierce, who had settled in Napa Valley in 1843, came into their camp, having ridden the eighty interven- ing miles with but one change of horses, and conveyed to Fremont the intelli- gence that the little garrison of Sonoma was greatly excited, consequent on news received that General Castro, with a considerable force, was advancing on the town and hurling threats of recapture and hanging of the rebels. To promise to come to their rescue as soon as he could place ninety men in the saddle, was to Fremont the work of a moment, and on June 23d, he made as forward movement with his mounted rifles, who formed a curious looking caval- cade. One of the party writes of them :-
" There were Americans, French, English, Swiss, Poles, Russians, Prussians, Chilenians, Germans, Greeks, Austrians, Pawnees, native Indians, etc., all riding side by side and talking a polyglot lingual hash never exceeded in diversibility since the confusion of tongues at the tower of Babel.
" Some wore the relics of their homespun garments, some relied upon the antelope and the bear for their wardrobe, some lightly habited in buckskin leggins and a coat of war-paint, and their weapons were equally various. There was the grim old hunter with his long heavy rifle, the farmer with his double-barreled shot-gun, the Indian with his bow and arrows, and others with horse-pistols, revolvers, sabers, ships' cutlasses, bowie-knives and 'pepper- boxes' (Allen's Revolvers)."
Though the Bear Flag army was incongruous in personnel, as a body it was composed of the best fighting material. Each of them was inured to hardship and privation, self-reliant, fertile in resources, versed in woodcraft and Indian fighting, accustomed to handle fire-arms, and full of energy and daring. It was a band of hardy adventurers, such as in an early age wrested this land from the feeble aborigines. With this party Fremont arrived in Sonoma at two o'clock on the morning of June 25th, having made forced marches. Castro, however, had not carried out his threat, but placidly remained in the San Jose valley, the valiant captain being carefully guarded by his equally valiant soldiers.
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About this time a small party, intended for service under the Bear Flag, had been recruited by Captain Thomas Fallon, then of Santa Cruz, but afterwards, for many years, a resident of San José. This company, which consisted of only twenty-two men, crossed the Santa Cruz mountains, entered the Santa Clara valley at night, and called a halt about three miles south of San José, near the rancho of Grove C. Cook. Here Fallon learned that Castro was close at hand with a force of some two hundred men; therefore, acting on the princi- ple of discretion being the better part of valor, he fell back into the mountains and there encamped. It will thus be seen that Castro still had command of this portion of the country. At sunset of the 27th of June, placing himself at the head of his army, he marched out of Santa Clara to chastise the Sonoma insurgents. Passing around the head of San Francisco bay he attained the San Leandro creek, whence he dispatched three men to cross the bay in boats to reconnoitre, who being captured, were shot. The eldest of these was Don José Reyes Berryessa, a retired sergeant of the Presidio of San Francisco. In 1834 he took up his residence on the Rancho de la Cañada de los Capitan- cillos, which was granted him by Governor Alvarado in 1837, and upon which is situated the New Almaden mine. Castro, on finding that his men did not return, feared the like fate for himself; he therefore retraced his steps to Santa Clara Mission, where he arrived on the 29th, after a prodigious expedition of two days' duration.
In the meantime, great events had been occurring without. War had been declared by the United States against Mexico; General Scott had carried on a series of brilliant exploits, which resulted in the capture of the Mexican capital, and Commodore John Drake Sloat had hoisted the American ensign at Monte- rey, July 7, 1846.
Two days later than the last-mentioned date, there might have been observed a solitary horseman urging his animal, as if for bare life, through the then almost impassable gorges of the Santa Cruz mountains, and across the wide expanse of the Santa Clara valley. From his pre-occupied air, it could be remarked that he bore a weighty burden upon his shoulders, and still he pressed his jaded steed, whose gored sides and dilated nostrils gave evidence of being pushed to his utmost. Ere long, both came to a halt within the open space fronting the Justice Hall, in San José. With a wave of his cap, our traveler announces to his compatriots the welcome intelligence of the glory of the American arms; he hastily asks for the whereabouts of the General, whom he at once seeks; he finds him enjoying his otium cum dignitate in the seclusion of his well-appointed quarters, and here the dusty voyager, Henry Pitts, delivers into the hand of the redoubtable soldier, José Castro, the dispatch which tells him of the defeat of the Mexican arms, and the ascendancy of the United States forces. With moody brow, he breaks the seal; he calls forth his men, mounts at their head, forms line in front of the Juzgado, on Market
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street, and then exclaiming, "Monterey is taken by the Americans!" pro- ceeded to read, in Spanish, the proclamation of Commodore Sloat, of which the annexed is a translation :
" TO THE INHABITANTS OF CALIFORNIA: The central troops of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United States of America, by invading its territory, and attacking the troops of the United States, stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande, and with a force of seven thousand men, under the command of General Arista, which army was totally destroyed. and all their artillery, baggage, etc., captured on the eighth and ninth of May last, by a force of twenty-three hundred men, under the 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 through 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 and privileges 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 and property, and the constitutional right and lawful security to worship the Creator in the way most congenial to each one'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 interests 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 other parts of the United States, affording them all manufactures and produce of the United States free of any duty, and for all foreign goods at one-quarter the duty they now pay. A great increase in the value of real estate and the products of California may be anticipated.
" With the great interest and kind feelings 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, whether natives or foreigners, as may not be dis- posed to accept the high privileges of citizenship, and live peaceably under · the Government of the United States, will be allowed to dispose of their
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property, and remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restric- tion; 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 heretofore, that the public tranquility may not be disturbed, at least until the government of the territory can be definitely arranged.
" All persons holding titles to real estate, or in quiet possession of lands under color of right, shall have these titles guaranteed to them.
" All churches, and the property they contain, in possession of the clergy of California, shall continue in the same right and possession they now enjoy .
" 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 compensation at the moment.
" JOHN D. SLOAT,
" Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. naval force in the Pacific ocean."
The reading of the foregoing concluded, Castro is said to have exclaimed, " 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 that wish to remain can go to their homes!" Only a very very few chose to follow the Don into Mexico, whither he proceeded on that same day, first taking prisoner Captain Charles M. Weber, out of his store in San José, and not releasing him until they arrived at Los Angeles.
Upon hearing of Castro's departure, Captain Fallon, who, the reader may remember, we saw encamped in the Santa Cruz mountains, left his rendezvous, marched into the town of San José, seized the Juzgado, and arrested Dolores Pacheco, the alcalde, whom he caused to surrender the keys and pueblo archives as well, and appointed James Stokes justice of the peace. On the 13th, he hoisted an American ensign on the flagstaff in front of the Court House, when, for the first time, did the star spangled banner wave in the county. While in San José, Fallon had the following correspondence with Captain Montgomery, stationed at Yerba Buena (San Francisco):
" U. S. SHIP PORTSMOUTH, " Yerba Buena, July 13, 1846. 5
"SIR: I have just received your letter, with a copy of Mr. James Stokes' appointment as justice of the peace at the pueblo; also, a dispatch from the Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. naval forces, at Monterey, for which I thank you. By the bearer of them, I return a dispatch for Commodore Sloat, which I hope you will have an opportunity of forwarding to Monterey.
"I received your letter of July 12th, and wrote to you, by the bearer of it, on the 13th, in answer, advising you by all means to hoist the flag of the United States at the Pueblo of St. Joseph, as you expressed to do, if you
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had sufficient force to maintain it there; of course you will understand that it is not again to be hauled down. * * * * * *
" Agreeable to your request, I send you a proclamation of the Commander- in-Chief, in both languages, which I shall be glad to have distributed as far and generally as possible; and be pleased to assure all persons of the most per- fect security from injuries to their persons and property, and endeavor, by every means in your power, to inspire them with confidence in the existing authorities and government of the United States.
"I am, sir, respectfully, your ob't servant, " JNO. B. MONTGOMERY, "Commanding U. S. Ship Portsmouth.
"To Capt. Thos. Fallon, Pueblo of St. Joseph, Upper California."
" U. S. SHIP PORTSMOUTH, 3
" Yerba Buena, July 18, 1846. S
"SIR: I have just received your letter with the official dispatch from Com- modore Sloat, which has been accidentally delayed one day in its transmission from pueblo, and am much obliged to you for sending it to me.
" I am gratified to hear that you have hoisted the flag of our country, and cannot but feel assured, as I certainly hope, that your zealous regard for its honor and glory will lead you nobly to defend it there.
"I am, sir, your ob't servant, "JNO. B. MONTGOMERY, " Commander.
" To Capt. Thos. Fallon, at the Pueblo San José, Upper California."
Let us now make a slight retrograde movement, so that the relative positions of the parties may be ascertained.
We last left Captain Fremont at Sonoma, where he had arrived at 2 A. M. of the 25th of June. After giving his men and horses a short rest, and receiving a small addition to his force, he was once more in the saddle, and started for San Rafael, where it was said that Castro had joined de la Torre with two hun- dred and fifty men. At four o'clock in the afternoon they came in sight of the position thought to be occupied by the enemy. This they approached cau- tiously until quite close, then charged, the three first to enter being Fremont, Kit Carson, and J. W. Marshall (the future discoverer of gold), but they found - the lines occupied by only four men, Captain Torre having left some three hours previously. Fremont camped on the ground that night, and on the following morning, the 26th, dispatched scouting parties, while the main body remained at San Rafael for three days. Captain Torre had departed, no one knew whither; he left not a trace; but General Castro was seen from the commanding hills behind, approaching on the other side of the day. One evening a scout brought in an Indian, on whom was found a letter from Torre
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to Castro, purporting to inform the latter that he would, that night, concen- trate his forces and march upon Sonoma, and attack it in the morning.
Captain Gillespie and Lieutenant Ford held that the letter was a ruse designed for the purpose of drawing the American forces back to Sonoma, and thus leave an avenue of escape open for the Californians. Opinions on the subject were divided; however, by midnight every man of them was in Sonoma; it was afterwards known that they had passed the night within a mile of Captain de la Torre's camp, who, on ascertaining the departure of the revolu- tionists effected his escape to Santa Clara via Saucelito.
Fremont having, with his men, partaken of an early meal, on the morning of the 27th of June returned to San Rafael, after being absent only twenty-four hours, proceeded to Saucelito, there remained until July 2d, when he returned to Sonoma, and here prepared a more perfect organization. On the 4th, the national holiday was celebrated with becoming pomp, and on the 5th, the California battalion of mounted riflemen, two hundred and fifty strong, was formed; Brevet-Captain John C. Fremont, Second Lieutenant of Topo- graphical Engineers, was chosen commandant; First Lieutenant of Marines, Archibald A. Gillespie, Adjutant and Inspector, with the rank of Captain. Says Fremont :---
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