USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The annals of San Francisco; containing a summary of the history of California, and a complete history of its great city: to which are added, biographical memoirs of some prominent citizens > Part 63
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ma and Sutter's Fort, with Com. Sloat's orders to raise the American flag at these places.
The week following these incidents, Com. Stockton arrived in Monterey and took command of the U. S. squadron. Com. Sloat, being unwell at the time, wished to proceed to Washing- ton immediately, to represent in person the condition of affairs in California. Mr. Larkin, at the urgent request of Com. Stockton, left his family and business, went on board the U. S. ship Congress, and proceeded with the commodore down the coast. Arriving at Santa Barbara, the former went ashore, along with one or two officers, to arrange with the Mexican authorities as to giving up the place. This the latter did at noon to the force landed, part of which was left in charge of Midshipman Mitchell. At San Pedro, Mr. Larkin, with Lieut. Schenck and a boat's crew, went ashore, and hoisted the American flag. That place was then in charge of a Mexican officer and a few men. During the week, Com. Stockton marched to Los Angeles, the capital. Mr. Larkin and Lieut. Baldwin (now in command of the steamship Brother Jonathan), had proceeded to the town
named, one or two days in advance of the forces-had obtained possession of the government house-put people to work in pre- paring it for the Americans, and had it in fair order on their arrival. There were two or three hundred armed Californians in Los Angeles at the time. Many of these were acquaintances of the consul's, and some of them were more or less with him every hour of the day. By his invitation, some of the families lent furniture for the government house. When Com. Stockton re- turned to San Francisco, he appointed Messrs. Grimes, Howard, Larkin, Alvarado, Vallejo, and two others, as a board of council, to meet him, in October, 1846, at San Francisco, to frame some form of government. The retaking of the whole southern coun- try by the Californians disarranged this plan.
Mr. Larkin then travelled towards the mountains, to engage the coming immigration to join Col. Fremont's. battalion, which was to be re-formed. When afterwards he was returning to Monterey, his horse having tired down on the road, he induced a Californian to loan him a first-rate powerful steed, but it was only on condition that if he lost the animal he was to pay $50,
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(a high price,) and if the natives killed the rider on the road and retained the horse, then Mrs. Larkin was to pay the money. Having made this bargain before witnesses, Mr. Larkin started for Monterey, with one attendant, well armed. On arriving there, he found that his family had left by sea the besieged town for San Francisco, and that his house was occupied by U. S. officers. While making arrangements for advancing funds for the use of Col. Fremont and his officers, Mr. Larkin was suddenly called to San Francisco to attend a dying child, and to supply the U. S. ship Portsmouth with stores. He started with one servant and the horse already mentioned.
The same night he was surprised in bed by a party of the enemy-every one of them being old acquaintances and former customers of his. They carried him some miles to an encamp- ment, consisting of about one hundred Californians. Here he was closely questioned, and ordered, under the displeasure of the party, to write a certain letter, in order to draw some of his countrymen into an ambush. He first reasoned with the officers and next refused. A party of armed men was then ordered from the camp-fire to draw up and form into line. Mr. Larkin now drew off, saying : " To live on such terms from night to night is no object to me. Do as you like, gentlemen. I am cold, and am going to sit down at the fire." This he did, and heard no more about the matter that night. Next day, during the march, he witnessed a battle, near the Mission of San Juan, between the party who held him prisoner and a less number of Americans. His guard of six men observing that he had a fine horse, and was watching the opportunity to leave them for the other side, dis- mounted him, and placed him upon another animal which they knew was sure not to depart faster than in a walk. Mr. Larkin was carried among the mountains and taken down several days' journey to the south. He proposed that his captors should re- ceive in exchange for himself three or four of their countrymen (officers) who happened then to be prisoners of war. This pro- posal was refused. The Californians wished to have him par- ticularly, and kept him prisoner for months. The captivity and travel were hard to bear, and were made more painful by the prisoner's being in ignorance of the fate of his sick child. The
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last died, while the mother was under the impression that the father was killed. Mr. Larkin was closely watched, but was well treated and attended to by every means in his captors' power. This attention arose from old acquaintance and personal kind- ness to the prisoner, and doubtless also from a full knowledge that his death or cruel treatment would be avenged by his coun- trymen.
Mr. Larkin had the satisfaction of receiving through the Secretary of State, the thanks of the President for his attention during so many years to the cause of his country. He had as- sisted in person in hoisting the national flag in four different places, and by his couriers in four other places, in California. He and his lady, having been for twenty years absent from their native State, resolved, in 1850, to go thither for an indeterminate period, and to keep their children there for at least a few years. But the attractions of the adopted country were too strong to retain them long in Massachusetts, or in New York. They returned to California in 1853, and settled in San Francisco. In that city they hope to remain for life.
The foregoing narrative perhaps sufficiently illustrates the character of its subject. Few men are more generally known to the people of California than Mr. Larkin. His early spirit of adventure has been gratified and calmed into the quiet of home and home thoughts. In youth, poor, adventurous and persever- ing ; in mature age, consistent, energetic and faithful in the dis- charge of his duty, having been amply tried and proved ; he finds himself rich, not alone from fortuitous circumstances, but in a great measure as the result of industry and foresight, and respected in the community and State which have grown up around him, where for many years he faithfully fulfilled his trust, and where he now enjoys all the gifts of fortune, the associations of family and friends, and the rewards of an industrious and honest life.
G.Ochil selluger.Ss
JOHN A. SUTTER
GENERAL SUTTER has been more extensively associated with California than any of the pioneers of the new State. Every quarter of the globe, even to the most barbaric, is familiar with his name. Hence, it would be a grievous fault were we to omit our due tribute to the gallant old hero by awarding him a niche in our " Annals," even though his connection with San Francisco has been an indirect one. Very few men so well merit his uni- versal distinction-still fewer would cavil to see him enjoy it.
John A. Sutter was the son of a Swiss of the Canton Berne, but was himself born in Baden, at midnight of February 28th (or March 1st), 1803. His early life was passed in the Grand Duchy, and there he received his education. Like many of his countrymen, feeling desirous of enjoying the institutions of our
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far-famed republic, he sailed for and reached New York in July, 1834 ; but finally settled and for several years resided in Mis- souri. The wild west had always possessed a charm for him, and he had removed thither ; but now his adventurous spirit looked still further towards the setting sun, and roved along the waters that sped their unknown way to the Pacific. Leaving family and home, in company with Sir William Drummond Stewart, he joined a party, under the charge of Capt. Tripps, of the " American Fur Company," and started for the broad valleys of California, where he knew that rich and fertile lands only awaited an industrious cultivator ; and where Providence had even a still richer yielding field that he knew not of. He left the trappers at their rendezvous on the Wind River among the Kansas Rocky Mountains, and with a new party of six decided on proceeding to their destination by way of Oregon. Crossing the valley of the Willamette, he finally arrived at Fort Van- couvre, and there ascertained that innumerable delays must elapse before he could reach California. Nothing daunted, and apparently urged, like Columbus, to accomplish his object despite of fate, Capt. Sutter sailed for the Sandwich Islands, hoping to embark thence direct for the Spanish coast. But when he ar- rived there, no vessels were about to sail in that direction. Again he threw down the gauntlet to fate, and re-embarked for Sitka Island, in Russian America, and from that immense dis- tance at last reached Yerba Buena on the 2d of July, 1839. Not permitted to land here, he again embarked, and was finally allowed to set foot on California soil at Monterey. What a con- trast to the present lightning modes of travel was this circuitous and extended route ! Having succeeded in overcoming the Span- ish opposition to foreign settlers, he obtained the permission of Gov. Alvarado to locate himself in the valley of the Rio del Sacramento ; more readily granted, perhaps, because it was then densely peo- pled with savage Indians. He explored the Sacramento, Feather and American Rivers, and in August, 1839, about eighteen months after he commenced his journey, permanently established himself on the latter river, with a colony of only three whites and eight Kanakas. Shortly afterwards he removed to the present location of what is known as " Sutter's Fort," and took
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JAMES W. MARSHALL.
possession of the surrounding country under a Mexican grant, giving to it the name of New Helvetia. From this point he cut a road to the junction of the Sacramento and American Rivers, where he established an embarcadero (quay, or landing-place), on the site of which has since been built the City of Sacramento. Here he remained for several years, his settlement being the head-quarters of the immigrants, who, following his example, poured into the country from the American States.
It would be interesting, though hardly german to our present purpose, to record the captain's innumerable hair-breadth escapes and wild adventures, while dwelling in this rude wilderness, as he has often over and over again related them to us in his own pleasant way, but the few facts we have given as we received them from him must suffice. By far the most important event
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in his life was yet to happen. In the winter of 1847-'48, he had contracted with Mr. JAMES W. MARSHALL to erect a Inm- ber saw-mill on the south fork of the American River, and in January of 1848, that great discovery was accidentally made which hastened the development of the country, far beyond what centuries of the unassisted progress of nature could have effected. Marshall one day having allowed the whole body of water to rush through the tail-race of the mill for the purpose of making some alterations in it, observed, while walking along the banks of the stream early the next morning, numerous glistening parti- cles among the sand and gravel, which had been carried off by the force of the increased body of water. For awhile he paid no particular attention to them, but seeing one larger and brighter than the rest, he was induced to examine it, and found it to be a scale of gold. Collecting several, he immediately hurried to Sutter, and began his tale in such a hurried manner, and ac- companied it with such extravagant promises of unbounded wealth, that the captain thought him demented, and looked to his rifle for protection : but when Marshall threw his gold upon the table, he was forced into the delightful conviction. They determined to keep the discovery a secret, but were observed while examining the river, and soon had the immense armies around them that we have elsewhere spoken of. Mr. Marshall has lived to see the world enriched by his discovery, while he himself wanders poor and homeless over a land that has too long neglected to repay her immense debt of gratitude to him who gave her all her wealth, power and position. As with all great benefactors of mankind, some future century may record his name on some historic page, while millions less worthy than himself have fattened where he starved.
Gen. Sutter at present resides at Hock Farm, on the right bank of the Rio de las Plumas, anglice, Feather River ; and here, leading the happy, contented life of a tiller of the soil, he meets friend and stranger with that sincere, unostentatious hos- pitality that has endeared him to the whole community. 'A more kind-hearted, generous and benevolent man does not dwell in any corner of the State.
EHOUDERS
Turite
MARIANO DE GUADALUPE VALLEJO.
AMONG the most estimable of the citizens of San Francisco, must be ranked the old Castilian residents of California. Very many of these have remained with their families in the country and have occupied positions as framers of the constitution, delegates to conventions, and members of the State and local governments under the American rule. The most prominent of these is Gen. Vallejo, both for his share in the early history of the country and his subsequent political connection with the place.
His father was a native of Spain, and had immigrated to Mexico and settled in the State of Guadalajara during his ex- treme youth. Many of the Vallejo family had voluntarily chosen or been devoted to the service of the church-the males becoming members of the priesthood and the females entering the nunne- ries. Mariano's father had been designed for a similar course of life, but his feelings and tastes revolted at the idea. Finding it, however, impossible to avoid what he so much disliked should he remain in Guadalajara, having already taken the preliminary
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steps to enter the religious order, he secretly joined the expe- dition of Capt. Rivera for the exploration of Alta California. This he accompanied to Durango, and thence to the Rio Colora- do and the pueblos of San Gabriel and San Diego. The Indians at Monterey having revolted and killed a number of the inhabi- tants, among them a priest, Rivera marched his company over- land to the defence of that place. Having quieted the difficulties there and garrisoned the town, the expedition proceeded, in the summer of 1776, up the country to the Bay of San Francisco, and thence went as far inland as the Rio de San Joaquin, at a place called by the Indians Ompinez, now the rancho of Dr. Marsh, where the naval and land expeditions met, among the former being the celebrated Father Junipero Serra, the founder of the missions of San Diego, San Francisco, etc. During this first trip to Mon- terey the Señor Vallejo saw, for the first time, in rather a roman- tic way, the one destined to become his wife and the mother of Mariano. It was on the day of her birth, at which occasion he officiated as an assistant to the father of the infant. Then he demanded and received permission from the parents to wed their daughter when she should become of a marriageable age, pro- vided all parties should yet desire it. Thirteen years afterwards, during a subsequent journey between Monterey and San Diego, this proposition, made at the time probably half in jest, was renewed to the daughter, Señorita Maria Antonia Lugo, and after a reasonable courtship, accepted and carried into effect. Notwith- standing the disparity of ages, the bridegroom being then about forty years old, this was a very happy alliance. Thirteen chil- dren were the result of the romantic attachment, the eighth of whom was the subject of this brief notice. As a specimen of the sweetness and religious character of Spanish names, the thirteen are here given in the order of their birth. The father was named Don Ygnacio Vicente Ferrer Vallejo, the mother Dona Maria An- tonia Lugo ; the children were, Ysidora, Josepha, José Ygnacio, José de Jesus, Juana Maria Gertrudes, Maria Magdalena, Pruden- ciana, Mariano de Guadalupe, Geronima Encarnacion, Maria Paula Rosalia, José Manuel Salvador, Maria de Jesus and Juan Anto- nio. From a Spanish mouth these names flow forth softly as oil upon the water, or as the sweet strains of music from a harp.
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Mariano de Guadalupe was born at Monterey, July 7th, 1808. There he continued at the schools, which were not merely civil and religious, but military, until 1829 or '30. He then removed to the San Francisco Mission, where as commandante of the presidio, collector and alcalde, he remained until 1835. During that year he had established the first ayuntamiento of the neigh- boring town (pueblo) of Yerba Buena. At this time he was ordered to proceed across the bay to Sonoma and colonize the country in that vicinity. In November of 1835, a colony from Mexico of four hundred and sixty persons, equally divided be- tween the sexes, arriving at Sonoma, Commandante Vallejo advanced to meet and deliver his garrison and post to the com- mander of the new colony. While on his way for this purpose, an express from Mexico brought tidings of the ascendency of Santa Anna, with orders to seize the expeditionists just arrived and send them out of the country. This duty successfully and quietly accomplished exhibited Vallejo in a very favorable light both as to his military skill, decision and rapidity of action, and his humanity, that revolted at the idea of spilling the blood of his countrymen. Subsequently when Chico was sent to succeed Figueroa, the former governor of the department, Gen. Vallejo took a prominent part in the expulsion of the latter. Gutierrez, who succeeded Chico, was like him forcibly expelled from the State and Alvarado was finally appointed governor and received the confirmation of the Mexican government. In these and all similar affairs in California, Gen. Vallejo bore a very conspicuous and influential share. In concert with his nephew, Gen. Alvara- do, and Gov. Castro, aided by the Carrillos and other men of influence in the southern part of the State, the Californian party was always, when it pleased, more than sufficient to checkmate any burdensome tyranny attempted by the supreme government at the city of Mexico.
Vallejo succeeded in obtaining a library while young, which he kept under lock and key, and to whose rich feast none were admitted save, it is believed, his nephew Alvarado. This was a necessary precaution against the demands and commands the church would have made, had it been aware of his possession. Into this great school for free and noble thoughts, his confidant
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alone admitted, the key turned upon all without-laity and cler- gy-they read and studied the ideas of other minds and tutored their own for the great business of a reasonable life. Few, per- haps no others in the country, had the opportunity of perusing aught save the rituals and other church-prescribed books.
On the 14th of June, 1846, he was taken prisoner by Fre- mont and the "Bear Flag " party and confined in the prison at Sutter's Fort for six days, when he was released by Commodore Stockton upon his parole d'honneur. Not being exchanged, he remained a non-combatant until peace was restored-very will- ingly, no doubt, for he never seems to have entertained a very exalted estimate of the character of the Mexican people. He had assisted Castro and Alvarado in expelling them in 1837, and has had no sympathy with that apparent idea of their civil, re- ligious and political creed, which seems to possess only the am- bition to prevent all change for the better-all improvement and progress.
Vallejo with the rest of the Californians very speedily acqui- esced in the rule of the conquerors, which indeed they had long desired, and to whom they had never designed any opposition. He became an active public man, and was elected in 1849 a member of the convention which framed a constitution for the new Ameri- can republic. His princely proposition to the State to make a point on his estate the seat of government is well known ; and some idea of the people's universal estimation of his integrity may be gathered from the fact, that in all the angry discussions to which it gave rise, his high and honorable motives were never questioned.
On the 6th of March, 1832, he married Señorita Benicia Francisca Felipsa Carrillo, the daughter of one of the oldest and most influential families in the department. Fourteen children have sprung from this marriage, blessed with whose love and in the full possession of the public's confidence, his active life has become quiet-his mature manhood, honored and happy. With all, he possesses a fine form and handsome face, a kind heart, courteous manners, and that abundant hospitality for which his countrymen are so justly celebrated.
GEM.SCHLAGER CC
EDWARD GILBERT.
THERE is something in the recollections which twine about the memory of the honest man vastly more grateful to the contem- plation of the historian, the biographer, the public at large, than in all the éclat which may attach to distinction of rank or the possession of wealth. When the rich and the honored pass away, if no better claim upon contemporary admiration exist thau the mere possessions which make the millionaire, the hero, the scholar,-all that which placed him above his fellows being his no longer,-his position is found below those whom he overtopped, and he becomes like the dust in name, as in condition. But the heart, the conscience,-that principle within which makes us love virtue,-become sentinels to guard the memory of the vir- tuous dead, and keep it green and beautiful. How much this is
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applicable to the character and memory of the subject of this memoir, those who knew him best can most fully understand.
The Hon. Edward Gilbert was born about the year 1819, in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, State of New York. Most of his near relatives died before him, and the circumstances of fortune in which he was placed, threw him, like so many others of his coun- trymen, upon his own resources. Consequently, whatever excel- lence he showed, or position he attained subsequently, should be attributed alone to his own inherent qualities, his intellect and
perseverance. He was in the best sense of the word a self-made man. Self-reliance, a hopeful disposition, energy, a brave and
honest heart, were his youthful patrimony. With these he worked and won. Through the dangers and temptations of childhood and youth-in the contests and struggles of manhood, -in the field, in the press, in the legislative hall, these qual- ities preserved and fortified. At a very early age he was appren- ticed to " the art preservative of all arts," in the office of the Cherry Valley newspaper, where he acquired the trade, or pro- fession, of a practical printer. In 1839, or 1840, he joined the Albany Argus as one of its compositors, and about 1845 was made its foreman ; and very soon afterwards, assumed the position also of one of its associate editors. In this station the war-cry of his country found him in the spring of 1846, and he at once co-operated with others in raising a volunteer company for the Mexican campaign. The services of this company were tendered the Government to join the army on the Rio Grande.
A call having been made for a regiment destined expressly for California, he threw up his position on the paper, and de- voted himself to the work of raising a company. Another com- pany was being formed at the same time under Capt. Frisbie. The two commanders, Gilbert and Frisbie, fearing that two companies would not be accepted from the same city, Albany, agreed to unite, Gilbert taking the office of first lieutenant. This was done ; the company thus formed was accepted, and arrived at the head-quarters of the 1st regiment of New York Volunteers, under command of Col. J. D. Stevenson, at Gover- nor's Island, on the 1st day of August, 1846. The regiment sailed from New York on the 26th day of September in three
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transports, the "Thomas H. Perkins," "Susan Drew," and " Loo Choo." Gilbert sailed in the "Susan Drew" as far as Rio de Janeiro, where he exchanged to the "Loo Choo," and ar- rived in San Francisco, in the latter end of March, 1847.
Company "H," to which Gilbert was attached, proceeded to the presidio, but he and some twenty men were stationed in San Francisco, their quarters being the " Old Adobe" on the pla- za. Here he remained not only in command of the detachment, but as deputy collector of the port, under Captain Jos. L. Fol- som, who having been ordered to act as collector for the purpose of raising a military contribution and to select as his deputy a subaltern, had judiciously given that position to Lieutenant Gil- bert. This was the first opportunity afforded him, in California, of evincing his ability and integrity as a business man. Most of the duties of this office necessarily devolved upon him. They were always arduous and sometimes very delicate and critical ; but he never failed to inspire respect for his talents, confidence in his integrity, and admiration for his firmness of character, and amenity of manners. This position he held until the disbanding of the regiment, August 16th, 1848.
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