USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The beginnings of San Francisco : from the expedition of Anza, 1774, to the city charter of April 15, 1850 : with biographical and other notes, Vol. I > Part 13
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While the general condition of the mission pueblos was one of peace and content, severe treatment for potty pences caused in several instances, serious ruvolt. In 18_4 the Indians of Santa Inés, La Pudsima, and Santa Barbara rose simultaneously,
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231
MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO
and it was with some difficulty and at a cost of several lives that peace was restored; and while several of the ring leaders were severely dealt with for their activity in inciting the revolt the padres used their influence to soften the punishment inflicted upon their wards, and the Indians who had fled to the wild tribes of the Tulares gradually returned to their mission homes. In 1835, Ensign Vallejo was ordered by Governor Figueroa to establish a garri- son town and colony on the northern frontier to hold the heathen tribes in subjection and serve as a check to the advance of Russian settlement. Vallejo with a small force of soldiers established the post at the ex-mission of San Francisco Solano, then in process of secularization, and laid out a pueblo to which he gave the name of Sonoma (Valley of the Moon), the Indian name for the valley. To this post he transferred the San Francisco company, leaving at Fort San Joaquin a few artillerymen, to care for the guns. Vallejo was raised to the rank of lieutenant and made commander of the northern frontier. He was now twenty-nine years old and a thoroughly trained soldier, having entered the army at the age of seventeen. He had been in command of the San Francisco presidio for several years and had had the experience of several Indian campaigns. With a comparatively strong company at his com- mand he pursued a wise policy toward the Indians, protecting them when at peace, but punishing severely any manifestation of hostility. He was a strict
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
disciplinarian and possessing an imperious character, he permitted no interference with his military com- mand and preserved the peace of the frontier. He formed an alliance with Solano, chief of the Suisunes, and with his assistance ruled the tribes of the north, many of whom were brave and warlike.
The Californians were becoming tired of the way in which their province was governed by distant Mexico and believed that the officials to rule Cali- fornia should be chosen from among the educated and competent men of the country instead of men sent from Mexico. They rose and expelled Governor Victoria in 1831, and later, in 1836, Governor Chico. Chico in leaving California turned over the command, civil and military to Lieutenant-colonel Nicolas Gutierrez, who became governor ad interim. The diputacion resented this believing the control should have been left with them. In 1836 the Californians of the north rose in revolt and headed by Juan Bautista Alvarado, a young Californian of marked ability, drove Gutierrez from the country. In this rebellion Alvarado was assisted by a Tennessean named Isaac Graham, a mountaineer hunter and trapper, a crack shot, and a man ready for any desperate adventure. Graham had come into Cali- fornia from New Mexico three years before and had set up a distillery in the Salinas valley at a place called Natividad, making his house a resort for runaway sailors and other foreigners as wild and reck- less as himself. To Graham came Alvarado for help
VALLEJO REVIEWING HIS TROOPS ON THE PLAZA AT SONOMA, 1836 From a painting in possession of Dr. PLATON VALLEJO.
=52 Trắc DOCTKNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
disciplinarian and pomessing an imperious character, be permitted no interference with his military com- mand and preserved the peace of the frontier. He formed an alliance with Solano, chief of the Suisunes, and with bi mesirtance ruled the tribes of the north, many of wimm were brave and warlike.
The Calforniane were becoming tired of the way in which their province was governed by distant Mexico and believed that the officials to rule Cali- forma should be chosen from among the educated uno competent men of the country instead of men . ent from Mexico. They rose and expelled Governor Vierorix in 1831, and loter, inx 1836 vernor Chico. Chica in leaving California carne the command,
civil and military 5 Nicolas Gulicence ДЕВІ АМОИОС ТА ASAIЯ АНТ ХО ЗДООЯТ ГІН ДИТИНІУАЯ OLАЛЛАV The diputa ciotaJfAV MOTAJI Ha to noie2922og ni grithisq's mois should have been left w them In i The Californians of the bor 11 revolt and headed by Juan Bautik Alvarado, a young Californian of marked ability, drove Gutierrez from the country. In this rebellion Alvarado was assisted by a Tennessean mamed Isaac Graham, a mountaineer hunter and Wappen A crack shot, and a man ready for any Jewww adventure. Graham had come into Cali- tomis from New Mexico three years before and had vet un - dinillery in the Salinas valley at a place called Natividad, making his house a resort for runaway sailors and other foreigners an wild and reck- low a» himself. To Graham came Alvarado for help
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233
ALVARADO'S REVOLUTION
which was readily granted, and Graham raised a company of some fifty foreign riflemen and, joining forces with the Californians under José Castro, marched, one hundred and fifty strong, against Mon- terey. Gutierrez surrendered and was sent with his officers to Cape San Lucas on the English brig Clementine, November 11, 1836. The diputacion declared California independent of Mexico, elected Alvarado governor and called Vallejo to the coman- dancia-general. In the south, Los Angeles and San Diego refused to recognize Alvarado as governor and would not agree to the separation from Mexico. Alvarado went south with a force to meet the opposi- tion arrayed against him, but before any collision took place he realized that to succeed he must give up the idea of an independent state and submit him- self to the constitutional authority. This he did, sending a special commissioner to Mexico. Mean- while, under the influence of José Antonio Carrillo, diputado for California, the supreme government had appointed Carlos Antonio Carrillo, brother of the diputado, governor. Alvarado refused to sur- render the office and after several skirmishes made prisoners of Carrillo and the southern leaders, but soon released them, and the supreme government reconciled the belligerents by recognizing Alvarado as governor and compensating the Carrillos by the gift of the island of Santa Rosa.
The laws of December 1836 made the Californias a department of the republic. The diputacion
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
became the junta departmental, Alta California was divided into two districts, and each district into two partidos. A district was governed by a prefect whose authority was second to the governor and he was appointed by the governor subject to the approval of the supreme government, while a partido was governed by a sub-prefect who was appointed by the prefect, subject to the approval of the governor. The first district extended from the Sonoma frontier to San Luis Obispo, with the head-town (cabecera) at San Juan Bautista, and the second district from El Buchon to Santo Domingo on the peninsula frontier, with the cabecera at Los Angeles. The line of division of the first district was Las Llagas creek, and San Francisco was the cabecera of the second partido. The line dividing the second dis- trict was between San Fernando and Cahuenga. Vallejo was made comandante-militar of California and received a commission as colonel of defensores de la patria. He exerted himself to bring the military establishment into something like efficiency. The country was defenseless and it was Vallejo's opinion that in the restoration of the presidial companies lay its hope of salvation. With the exception of the San Francisco company maintained at Sonoma by Vallejo from his personal resources, there was hardly pretense of a military force in California. The roster of the presidial company of Monterey showed in 1841 twenty-two men, all told, and that of Santa Barbara, twenty-five. At San Diego, where, in 1830,
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VALLEJO'S APPEAL
there was an effective force of one hundred and twenty men, the company had entirely disappeared, the presidio was abandoned and in ruins; the fort on Punta Guijarros (Ballast Point), which in 1830 mounted thirteen guns, was abandoned, and in 1840 sold for forty dollars. The guns seem to have remained at the fort, as it is stated that Captain W. D. Phelps of the American ship Alert, loading with hides at San Diego, spiked the guns of the fort on hearing of Commodore Jones' action at Monterey, fearful that his ship and cargo would be seized by Governor Micheltorena. The militia companies (defensores de la patria) existed mainly on paper. Vallejo urged his views upon the governor and also appealed to Mexico, laying before the minister of war the need of repairs to the fortifications, explain- ing the danger of foreign encroachments and stating that he could no longer maintain the military force on the northern frontier from his own means. He asked for money, arms, and munitions of war. He received some arms, ammunition, uniforms, etc., and was given authority to reorganize the presidial companies. A few recruits were obtained but they were of such a character that he could not accept them, and for money he was obliged to content himself with the small share of the revenue duties apportioned to the army. The soldiers, not receiv- ing their pay, went to work on the ranchos to sup- port their families.28
During the interregnum following the expulsion
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
of Governor Victoria, the foreigners living at Mon- terey were enrolled for the defense of the town. The Compania Extranjera, as it was called, was organized in January 1832 and forty-six men signed the rolls. Among them were W. E. P. Hartnell, Nathan Spear, Captain J. B. R. Cooper, Thomas Doak, George Kinlock, James Watson, and Henry Bee. Hartnell was elected captain and J. B. Boni- facio, lieutenant. Bancroft says the company dis- banded in April.
In January 1841 Vallejo laid before the supreme government his dissatisfaction with the administra- tion of Alvarado and his conviction that it would be wise to unite the civil and military commands under one head. He reiterated his recommenda- tion for the restoration of the presidial companies and asked to be relieved of his command and per- mitted to visit the national capital. Later Governor Alvarado reported the arrival in California of a party of thirty armed Americans from Missouri and of another party of foreigners from New Mexico,* and suggested the sending of one hundred and fifty or two hundred men to reinforce the presidios.t The opportunity was thus offered the home government to reestablish its authority in California, and Briga- dier-general Don Manuel Micheltorena was ap- pointed governor, comandante-general, and inspector, and a battalion of five hundred men was authorized
* These were the Bartleson and the Workman-Rowland companies.
t Robinson: Life in California, 211. Bancroft: Hist. Cal. iv, 198-284.
237
A CONVICT ARMY
for service in California, of whom two hundred were to be regular troops and three hundred were to be recruited from the prisons of Mexico. Of the regu- lars the most undesirable men were assigned for duty in California. With this promising material the general started for his new department, his ranks thinning by desertion as he went. The army was known by the pretentious title of the Batallon Fijo* de Californias, and of the five hundred enlisted, about three hundred and fifty reached California. Robinson, who was in San Diego in August 1842 when the first detachment landed, says: "The brig Chato arrived with ninety soldiers and their families. I saw them land and to me they presented a state of wretchedness and misery unequaled. Not one in- dividual among them possessed a jacket or pantaloons ; but naked, and like the savage Indians, they con- cealed their nudity with dirty, miserable blankets. The females were not much better off; for the scantiness of their mean apparel was too apparent for modest observers. They appeared like convicts and, indeed, the greater portion of them had been charged with crimes either of murder or theft. And these were the soldiers sent to subdue this happy country! These were the valiant followers of a heroic general, who had fought on the battlefield where he had gained laurels for himself and country. These were to be the enforcers of justice and good government. Alas! poor California! when such are
* Batallon Fijo-Permanent battalion.
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
to be thy ministers, thou art indeed fallen! The remainder of the 'convict army' arrived in course of time, and I had an opportunity of seeing them all afterwards at the Pueblo (Los Angeles) when on their route towards Monterey, the seat of government. They mustered about three hundred and fifty men, and their general had given them, since their arrival, a neat uniform of white linen. Here their stay was protracted in order to drill and prepare for service, in case of opposition from Señor Alvarado."* Both Robinson and Bancroft intimate that Micheltorena's cholost were more proficient in foraging for supplies by night than they were in the drill during the day. After a month's stay at Los Angeles Micheltorena resumed his march to Monterey, but had proceeded no further than San Fernando when he received an extraordinario from Alvarado with dispatches to the effect that Commodore Jones had anchored in the port of Monterey and had demanded the surrender of the place on the day following (October 20th). Micheltorena received the dispatch on the night of the 24th and at once began his preparations for a retreat to Los Angeles, ordering all available forces and supplies concentrated there, but before he could get under way he received a message from Jones himself to the effect that Monterey had been restored. Micheltorena replied saying that he was marching to meet the invader and expel him from the
* Robinson: Life in California, 212-3.
t Cholos: Thieves, vagabonds, ruffians.
239
THE MARCH OF THE CHOLOS
country, but as he had seen fit to withdraw he demanded a personal conference at Los Angeles that the satisfaction rendered by the American com- mander might be as public as the outrage. To this reasonable demand Jones assented and with several of his officers landed at San Pedro where he was met and escorted to Los Angeles. With many compli- ments and toasts the ethics of international law were satisfied and the Mexican general gave Jones and his officers a ball at which they all had a jolly good time, and departed well pleased with their entertainment.
Micheltorena's courteous manners and gentle- manly conduct won him many friends, particularly among the foreigners, but it was with the greatest difficulty that he found means to sustain his army. Indeed it was said that his cholos maintained them- selves-by stealing. Contributions were received from citizens and Vallejo responded liberally to the general's appeal, as did José Yves Limantour, a French trader on the coast, of whom we shall hear more later. Micheltorena remained in Los Angeles until midsummer and then marched his batallon to Monterey, much to the delight of the cholos, who had, it is said, stolen everything eatable in the south.
In July 1844, Micheltorena ordered the enrolment of all citizens between the ages of fifteen and sixty, including naturalized foreigners, to be formed into nine companies of militia and drilled every Sunday. They were to hold themselves in readiness to be called into active service. This was in accordance with
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
orders from Mexico, in anticipation of a war with the United States. The governor established his headquarters at San Juan Bautista where he assem- bled his ammunition stores and where he determined to make his last stand against the invader. These stores fell into the hands of a small revolutionary party under Manuel Castro in November 1844, at the beginning of an uprising that drove Michel- torena from power. In March 1845, the defeated governor, accompanied by his officers and about two hundred of his cholos, sailed for San Blas in the American brig Don Quixote, Captain John Paty, and Pio Pico, first vocal of the junta departmental, reigned as governor in California.
Some of Micheltorena's convict soldiers who through desertion or other causes were left in Cali- fornia, and who began to commit acts of rapine, robbery, and murder were hunted down like wild beasts and destroyed.
Vallejo had failed in his plan to rehabilitate the presidial companies. His appeal to the supreme government had only resulted in the shipment to the country of a lot of convicts. The new governor, though an hijo del pais, was a dull, stupid man, and the reins were held with a feeble grasp.29
This then was the deplorable condition of Califor- nia on the eve of its conquest by the Americans. Neglected by Mexico, its presidial soldiers disbanded and its forts in ruins, it lay defenseless, a prey to the first comer who cared to take and hold possession.
CHAPTER XII.
THE FOREIGNERS (LOS EXTRANJEROS) 1795-1846
I N that section of the western coast of North America extending from the blue waters of Puget sound to the sunlit shores of San Diego bay, the fame of the Boston man has been known and regarded from the dawn of civilization; and very firmly did he establish himself in the minds, at least, if not in the hearts of the native races of the north- west. The untutored mind of the savage is apt to associate men-the individual and the race-with some one whom he admires, or with some special class whose character or occupation has made an impression on him. Thus the Iroquois gave the name of Corlaer to the governors of New York, because of Arent Van Corlaer, the founder of Schenec- tady, who had won their hearts and was as a father to them. The governor of Canada was always Onontio, from Montmagny, governor in 1635; the governor of Pennsylvania they called Onas-the feather or quill (Penn); and the governor of Massa- chusetts was Kinshon-the fish-the name being also applied to the people of New England. So to the Siwash of the northwest, the American was "Boston man," and thus he is known to-day.
At the time when the American colonists were fighting for independence the Spanish missionary fathers, under the protection of a small military force, were making a spiritual conquest of California. As the years went by, the inhabitants of this distant corner of the globe became aware that a nation had
243
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
been born somewhere on the other side of the conti- nent. They did not understand the thing very clearly at first, but they knew very well that Boston had had something to do with it.
About the beginning of September 1795, an Eng- lish merchantman, the Phoenix, Captain Moore, from Bombay, put into Santa Barbara for supplies. The officers of the ship were handsomely entertained by the comandante of the garrison and his attentions were reciprocated by a dinner and dance given on board the ship. Among the ship's company was a young sailor and shipmaster from Boston whose ship had been lost in the Pacific. The beautiful country, the delicious climate, the kind hospitality of the people, and the bewitching grace of the lovely senoritas proved strong attractions to the young Bostonaise, and he determined to forsake the hard- ships and dangers of the sea, give up friends and country, and spend his life in this delightful spot. He was received with open arms and his petition for permission to remain in California was warmly en- dorsed by the comandante of the presidio in the following letter:
"I inform your Excellency, that on this day, at about four o'clock in the morning, the mail arrived from San Diego bringing safely the enclosed letter.
"Also, I have caused to be about to depart the English vessel, of which I have informed your Excel- lency, which will finish taking water to-day.
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THE BOSTON NATION
"There has come, as a passenger on this vessel, a young man of the Boston nation, (Un moso Bostones de Nacion), who presented himself to me, asking permission to remain in the province. He wishes to become a Christian, and serve our Catholic monarch (whom God preserve). His name I do not state now, not having it before me, but will do so on the first occasion. He is a very handsome fellow, a skillful pilot and carpenter, of good parentage, according to the statements of all from the captain downward, and having lost two vessels and his capital he does not wish to continue longer in the business of navigation. He will remain in my house until your Excellency may dispose of all according to your superior pleasure.
"Of the refreshment with which this vessel has been succored I will inform your Excellency when she has set sail, as I know not whether she will ask for anything else.
"Our Lord preserve your Excellency many years. "Santa Barbara, September 5, 1795.
"Felipe de Goycoechea.
"Senor Governor and Comandante Inspector,
" Don Diego de Borica."*
In a subsequent letter dated October 8, 1795, Captain Goycoechea gives the American's name "Josef Ocayne," and says he has sent him on the frigate, Nuestra Señora Aranzazú, to San Blas. He also says "This Englishman is a native of Ireland
* Provincial State Papers XIV, 221, 222. Spanish Archives of California.
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THE BEGINNINGS OF SAN FRANCISCO
and his parents now live in Boston." (Dicho Yngles es nativo en Yrlanda y ahora sus padres viven en Boston.)* This is the first foreigner I have record of who desired to settle in California.
In December 1799 Captain Goycoechea, who had been appointed governor of Lower California, better informed concerning the Boston nation, complains to the viceroy that the vessels of the Anglo-Americans have not only, within the past few years, begun to frequent the waters of the Spanish possessions in quest of fish, pearls, and furs, "but, confident that there is no one to restrain them, they come with arrogant boldness to anchor in our very harbors and to act with the same liberty as if they were Spaniards. Their arrivals, which are becoming frequent, should convince your Excellency that quite possibly this proud nation, constantly increasing in strength, may one day venture to measure it with Spain."t
It was nineteen years after the advent of Joseph O'Cain at Santa Barbara before the first permanent foreign settler appeared in California. In January 1814 the Isaac Todd, an English armed merchant- man, bound for the Columbia river, anchored in Monterey bay and landed three men sick with scurvy. One of these, a mere boy of twenty named John Gilroy, was not expected to live. He was taken by María Teodora Peralta, wife of José Apolonario Bernal, and carried to her father's rancho at San
* Provincial State Papers XXI, 637, 638. Spanish Archives of California. + Bancroft: Hast. Cal. ii, 32.
247
JOHN GILROY
Antonio (Alameda county) where he was nursed back to life and health. Gilroy was a Scotchman and his real name was John Cameron for he had run away from home and had changed his name to avoid arrest. The boy made himself useful to his kind friends and in 1819, on application of Captain José de la Guerra, received permission to remain in California. He had been baptized into the Roman Catholic faith and Ignacio Ortega, son of the path- finder, gave him his daughter, María Clara, to wife, and one sitio of his rancho of San Isidro. He was married in the mission church of San Juan Bau- tista March 2, 1821. The entry in the libro de matrimonios recites the fact that he had resided in California eight years by permission of the viceroy and that he had been baptized in the mission of San Cárlos. With the advent of the Americanos, Don Juan lost all of his property, as did most of the ran- cheros, but he lived to see his rancho become the flour- ishing town of Gilroy.
In January 1816 the American schooners Albatross and Lydia put in to Refugio rancho, near Santa Bar- bara, and endeavored to land some goods. The comandante of Santa Barbara captured the Lydia and the captain and boat's crew of the Albatross. A settlement was made with the government and the smugglers released. The Lydia sailed for Monterey and on March II, 1816, landed there Thomas W. Doak, one of the boat's crew of the Albatross. Doak remained in California and was the first American
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