USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 12
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140
SEC. MASON'S INSTRUCTIONS.
On the 19th of Dec. 1846, John Y. Mason, then Secretary of the Navy, wrote as follows :-
"In my despatch of November 5th last, Com. Stockton was re- quired to relinquish the conduct of operations on land, and the control of such measures of civil government as the military occu- pation of the country conquered might devolve on the conqueror, until a definitive treaty of peace should settle the right of posses- sion to the officer in command of the land forces of the United States, who, in company with the bearer of my despatch, proceeded to the west coast to assume the command.
" There has been no approval or recognition of any organized or established form of civil government for the Californias, or any other Mexican territory in the occupation of the naval forces, through this department. The instructions have been confined to the acknowledged rights, under the laws of nations, resulting from conquest and occupation ; and the corresponding duties which the conqueror owed temporarily to the inhabitants have been performed in a spirit of kindness and conciliation, and in the only particulars embraced by the instructions from this department, of liberality to the commercial interests of citizens of the United States and of neutrals."
Col. Richard B. Mason, of the First regiment of Dragoons, was the officer alluded to. It will be seen in another chapter, that he left the seat of government on the 7th of November, 1846, for Upper California, by way of Chagres and Panama. On the 1st of June, 1847, he was acting as "governor and commander-in- chief of the land forces in California, at Monterey ;" Gen. Kearny having left that place on the 31st preceding, for the United States, reached Washington city, after a short visit to his family at St. Louis, on the 10th of September, 1847.
Col. Fremont accompanied Gen. Kearny as far as Fort Leaven- worth. Com. Stockton was to leave California for the United States, about the 17th of July, and Com. Ap. C. Jones relieves Com. Shubrick.
Our flag again, by the united efforts of our soldiers and of our sailors, now covers the "farthest west," from 32 to 49 degrees of
141
THE UNITED SERVICE.
north latitude ; and if there has been any differences among com- manders as to rank and command, it is idle (and certainly no part of the plan of this compilation) to discuss the glory of this or that branch of the service-or of this or that commanding officer. To use the language of the official organ of the government-"They have all been distinguished-our troops and our sailors have all proved themselves, in whatever position they were placed, worthy of upholding the eagles of the republic."
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142
CAPT. JOHN C. FREMONT.
CHAPTER VIII.
Unexpected and gallant movement-J. Charles Fremont-Scientific explora- tion-Gen. Castro threatens-American flag hoisted-United States Consul, T. O. Larkin, Esq .- Correspondence-Fremont's note-Withdraws-The country raised-Attacked by 'Tlamath Indians-Determination-Capture of Castro's horses-Sonoma surprised and taken-Prisoners-Fights de la Torre -Men cut to pieces alive-Mexicans shot-Declaration of Independence and War-Com. Sloat-Pursues Castro-Ordered to Monterey-Com. Stockton in command-Major of California Mounted Riflemen-Embarks for San Diego-Joins Com. Stockton's forces-Occupation of " City of the Angels"- Again pursues Castro-Capt. Gillespie-Com. Stockton appoints Fremont Governor-Lieut. Talbot-Com. Stockton officially announces the capture of California-Californians revolt-Los Angeles and Santa Barbara evacu- ated-Fremont-March on Los Angeles-Captures and pardons Don J. Pico -Capitulation-Previous Battles of Gen. Kearny and Com. Stockton-Com. Stockton's Despatches-Meeting of Fremont, Stockton and Kearny-Sepa- rate-Fremont Governor and Commander-in-chief-His Circular-Kit Car- son-Interviews with Com. Shubrick, and Gen. Kearny-Adheres to his posi- tion-Fremont returns to the United States.
CONTEMPORANEOUS with the military combinations already de- tailed, a movement, as remarkable and unexpected as prompt and gallant, mingled with the concentration of forces directed against California, and, in some measure, anticipated their results.
There was a young and talented officer of United States Topo- graphical Engineers who had served as principal assistant, before entering the army, to the celebrated Nicollet, (pre-eminent as an astronomer, mathematician and man of science, and whom rivalry with the illustrious Arago had driven from France to become a citizen of the United States,) in his explorations, by order of the government, of the wild west and Rocky Mountains-who had been commissioned, in 1838, a lieutenant while in the wilderness, thus occupied, and suffering the utmost hardships and privations, and who, when this country and the scientific world sustained a heavy loss by the death of Nicollet in 1843, had been deemed worthy to continue these important explorations.
143
OBJECT OF COL. FREMONT'S EXPLORATIONS.
Young, ambitious, and, though not robust in appearance, yet of vigorous health, John Charles Fremont had, in command of two scientific expeditions -- to the Rocky Mountains in 1842, and to Oregon and North California in 1843-4-accomplished a reputation seldom acquired at his years. As an evidence of the estimate which the government had placed upon his services and labours, the commission of brevet-captain was conferred on him by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, thus advancing him two grades at the same time-an unusual and rare, but deserved compliment.
Capt. Fremont (on the organization of the Mounted Rifle Regi- ment, 27th May, 1846, made lieutenant-colonel thereof) once more left the seat of government to pursue his explorations in the regions beyond the Rocky Mountains. The orders of, the War Depart- ment, and the objects of this service were, as before, of a scientific character, without any view whatever to military occupation. No officer or soldier of the United States army accompanied him ; and his whole force consisted of 62 men, engaged by himself as security against Indians, and to procure subsistence in the wilderness through which he was to pass. One of the objects in view was to discover a new and shorter route from the western base of the Rocky Mountains to the mouth of the Columbia river. This search would carry him, for a part of the distance, through the unsettled, and afterwards through a corner of the settled part of California. With a full knowledge of the political as well as the personal difficulties of the enterprise, Capt. Fremont's private views and feelings were in unison with his ostensible mission-the dominant passion of his soul being the pursuit of science, he looked with dread and aversion upon any possible collision with either Indians, Mexicans, or British.
At the time of his departure from the United States, he knew -well our difficulties with Mexico and Great Britain, and that jea- lousy would attach to his movements in going through the territo- ries of the one, and the settlements of the other ; he was perfectly determined, therefore, to use the utmost circumspection in all his conduct, confining himself wholly to his scientific pursuits, and
144
THREATENINGS OF GOV. CASTRO.
carefully avoiding as well the appearance as the reality of either a political or military mission.
He approached these settlements in the winter of 1845-6, and that he might give no cause of offence to the authorities of Cali- fornia, with commendable and pre-determined prudence, he left his men upon the frontier, a hundred miles from Monterey, and went alone to that city to explain, to the Commandant-general of Upper California, Don José Castro, his objects and wishes in per- son. This he did in the most formal and respectful manner, in company with the United States Consul, T. O. Larkin, Esq., and received from Gov. Castro leave to winter in the valley of the San Joaquin, where there was game for his men, and grass for his horses ; yet scarcely had he reached the spot desired for refresh- ment and repose, before he received information from the American settlements, and by expresses from the United States Consul at Monterey, that Gen. Castro was preparing to attack him with a comparatively large force of artillery, cavalry and infantry, upon the pretext that, under cover of a scientific mission, he was exciting the American settlers to revolt. In view of this danger, and to be in a condition to repel an assault, he took a position on a mountain overlooking Monterey, at a distance of about thirty miles, intrenched it, raised the flag of the United States, and with his own men, sixty-two in number, awaited the approach of the commandant- general.
Of the events of these days, no official despatches from Capt. Fremont have been published, yet they are well supplied by the official communications from the American consul at Monterey, to cur Secretary of State, and by Capt. Fremont's brief note to the consul, while expecting the attack of Gov. Castro.
Of these our limits will preclude our giving but a portion. On the 9th of March, 1846, T. O. Larkin, United States consul at Monterey, writes the Secretary of State : "In the month of Feb- ruary, Capt. Fremont, in my company, visited the general, pre- fecto, and alcalde of this place, and informed them of his business ; and there was no objection made. Within twenty days, the gene- ral says he has received direct and specific orders from Mexico
CAPT. FREMONT ORDERED OUT OF THE COUNTRY. 145
not to allow Capt. Fremont to enter California; which, perhaps, accounts for the change of feelings with the people."
While the latest and most graphic are the following :
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
· Monterey, March 27, 1846.
SIR :- Capt. J. C. Fremont, of the United States army, arrived at this United States consular-house in Monterey, on the 27th of January, 1846. Being very anxious to join his party of fifty men at the second place of rendezvous, without the settlement, they " having missed the first place by mistake, he remained but two days, in which time, with myself, he visited the commandant- general, prefecto, alcalde, and Col. Alvarado, informing them that he was surveying the nearest route from the United States to the Pacific ocean. This information, and that his men were not United States soldiers, was also, by myself, officially given to the prefecto. Having obtained funds and supplies from myself, he returned to his camp ; it being well known in Monterey, that he was to return when he collected his men. Some fifteen or twenty days after this, Capt. Fremont, with his party, encamped at a vacant rancho belonging to Capt. Fisher, (about ninety miles from here,) to re- cruit his men and animals. From there, he proceeded towards Santa Cruz, making short journeys. On the 3d of March, he encamped on the rancho of Mr. E. P. Hartwell, where he received letters from the general and prefecto, ordering him out of the country, and to obey the order without any pretext whatever, or immediate measures would be taken to compel him to do so. This, not corresponding with assurances received at Monterey, it was not answered, and he gave orders to hoist the United States flag the next morning as the only protection his men was to look to. From the 7th to the 10th of March, they fortified their camp with a breastwork of logs. Encamped on a high hill, which com- manded a view of the surrounding country, they could see (with the use of spy-glasses) the general and his troops, numbering about two hundred men, at their camp, in the mission of. St. John's, preparing their cannon. On the 9th instant, I sent duplicate let- ters-one by an American, who lost his papers, and the other by
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146
CAPT. FREMONT LEAVES HIS ENCAMPMENT.
a Californian, to Capt. Fremont, informing him of the movements of the Californians. The California courier returned to the consu- late in about nine or ten hours, bringing a letter from Capt. Fre- mont, having travelled in that time sixty miles. He reported being well treated by Capt. Fremont and his men ; and that two thou- sand of his countrymen would not be sufficient to compel him to leave the country, although his party was so small. At the earnest request of the alcalde, for a translation of Capt. Fremont's letter, it was given, and immediately despatched to the general at St. John's ; and one also to the governor of the Puebla of los Angeles. The general informed the alcalde on the night of the 10th instant, that Capt. Fremont had left his encampment, and that he (the general) should pursue and attack him the first opportunity, and chastise him for hoisting a foreign flag in California. In the post- script of the same letter, the general stated that Capt. Fremont had crossed a small river, and was then about three miles distant from them ; but the general made no preparation to follow him. On the morning of the 11th, Gen. Castro sent John Gilroy, an Englishman, long resident in this country, to make offers of ar- rangement to Capt. Fremont. On his arrival at the camp-ground, he found Capt. Fremont had left with his party that morning ; the camp fires were still burning. He found in the camp the staff used for the flag, tent poles, (cut on the spot,) some old clothes, and two old and useless pack-saddles, which the Californians have magnified into munitions of war. Gen. Castro informed his party that he had received various messages from the camp of Capt. Fremont, threatening to exterminate the Californians, &c., (but will hardly name his messengers, nor did they put any confidence in it themselves.) From the 11th to the 13th, the natives had re- turned to their respective homes, to resume their customary occu- pations. A few people that were ordered to march from San Francisco to join the general at his camp, returned to their homes. On the 12th, a proclamation was put up by the general, in the billiard-room, (not the usual place,) informing the inhabitants that a band of highwaymen, (“ bandoleros") under Capt. Fremont, of the United States army, had come within the towns of this depart-
147
CHARGES AGAINST HIS MEN.
ment ; and that he, with two hundred patriots, had driven them - out, and sent them into the back country. " Some of the officers of the two hundred patriots (and more were expected to join them) arrived in Monterey, and reported that the cowards had run, and that they had driven them to the Sacramento river ; some added that they drove them into the bulrushes, on the plains of the Sa- cramento ; and that, in their haste, they had left some of their best horses behind. The horses proved to be those belonging to the Californians themselves, and had strayed into Capt. Fremont's band, (being an every-day occurrence in California ;) and, on rais- ing camp, they were turned out and left behind. Instead of the Americans being driven out of the country, they travelled less distance, for three or four days, than the natives did in returning to Monterey-moving from four to six miles per day, in order to recruit. One of the complaints made by the general was, that three men, when drinking, went to the house of Angel Castro (an uncle of the general) to purchase some beef for the camp, and insulted his family. On the/7th, I personally called upon Don Angel, for the truth of the story, and was informed by him (the father himself) that he was frightened by one of the Americans insisting on his daughter drinking with him. On ordering him to leave the house, he resisted, but was put out by his own compa- nions, he drawing a pistol while they were putting him out. Don Angel mounted a horse, and rode off to Capt. Fremont's, about one mile distant, who, on hearing the case, came to the house im- mediately, and called up the family to inquire into the affair. On the examination, he asked the father what he should do with the men. He requested them to be punished, which was promised ; and was told, if he would send a boy, a fine of five dollars should be sent to him, (he being alcalde.) The boy returned with ten dollars from the camp, which settled the business, although there had been nothing of consequence transacted ; yet Capt. Fremont was anxious not to let the people of the country have any cause of complaint against him.
The undersigned has the honour to subscribe himself, your most obedient servant, THOMAS O. LARKIN.
To the Hon. SECRETARY OF STATE, City of Washington.
148
PACIFIC CONDUCT OF CAPT. FREMONT.
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Monterey, April 2, 1846.
SIR: In giving my first information to the department respect- ing Capt. Fremont's arrival in California, I did not anticipate such an extensive correspondence as it has now reached. Capt. Fre- mont was well received in this place, and to the last day we heard of him, by the natives individually, who sold him provisions, and liked his presence. During his encampment, thirty or forty miles from here, despatches were received by the commandant, Gen. José Castro, (a native of Monterey,) from Mexico, ordering him to drive Capt. Fremont out of this department; which order, with one hundred and seventy or two hundred men present, and over one hundred more daily expected, he pretended to execute. Capt. Fremont left his camp a few hours after he received the under- signed's letter of the 9th of March, (not from fright of Gen. Cas- tro,) as he had been preparing the week before to travel. It is supposed he has gone to St. Barbara, where an American was sent by the undersigned, in February, with funds and provisions for his use. From there he proceeds on his journey, according to his instructions from his department in Washington. Although from the correspondence it may appear that in the centre of a strange country, among a whole people, with real or apparent hostile in- tentions towards him, Capt. Fremont was in much danger, it can be believed that he was only annoyed. Whether he will visit Monterey, after this unexpected affair, or not, is uncertain.
The undersigned has not supposed, during the whole affair, that Gen. Castro wished to go after Capt. Fremont ; and was very con- fident that, with all California, he would not have attacked him, even had he been sure of destroying the whole party, as five times their number could have taken their place before the expected battle. Capt. Fremont received verbal applications from English and Americans to join his party, and could have mustered as many men as the natives. He was careful not to do so. Although he discharged five or six of his men, he took no others in their place. On the return of Gen. Castro, he published a flaming proclamation to the citizens, informing them that a band of bandoleros, (high-
149
OBSERVATIONS OF MR. LARKIN.
waymen or freebooters,) under Capt. Fremont of the United States army, had come into this district ; but with the company of two hundred patriots he had driven them away, and exhorted his com- panions and countrymen to be always ready to repel others of the same class. This proclamation was missing from the place where it was put up on the third day.
The undersigned has written to the general for a copy. To this day there has been no answer received. Duplicate copies of con- sular letters to Capt. Fremont, are in the hands of Gen. Castro, he having taken them from one of the consular's couriers, promising to forward them as directed. These copies he promised to return, but has not done so. This government is about sending a com- missioner to Mexico, (as the undersigned believes,) to report the country in danger of revolution from the Americans. By this we understand in California, (foreigners,) that some Americans (who left Capt. Fremont) are joining the Indians to attack the farms, and others were about to take possession of a town in the upper part of the bay of San Francisco; and that Sen. W. Hastings (author of the History of California) is laying off a town at New Helvetia, for the Mormons. None of this information, (in the opinion of the undersigned can be relied upon,) is to be given to the President to urge upon him the necessity of giving Gen. Castro two hundred men, (he prefers not many men, nor any Mexican general,) with sufficient funds to protect the country. As a general thing, Has- tings's book is very untrue and absurd. He brought a number to this country, which do his countrymen no good, and perhaps injure them. No general English reader will read one quarter of the book. The arrival of Capt. Fremont has revived the excitement in California respecting the emigration, and the fears of the Cali- fornians losing their country. The undersigned believes that if a new flag was respectfully planted, it would receive the good will of much of the wealth and respectability of the country. Those who live by office, and the absence of law, would faintly struggle against a change. Many natives and foreigners of wealth and pur- suits, are already calculating on the hopes, fears, and expectations
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150
WHY CAPT. FREMONT FORTIFIED HIS CAMP.
from the apparent coming change now before them, from the great influx of strangers.
In the mean time, the undersigned has the pleasure of saying that, with every department of office in this country, he is on the best terms of friendship, as far as appearances are before him.
With the highest respect and esteem,
I am your obedient servant,
THOMAS O. LARKIN.
To the Hon. SECRETARY OF STATE, City of Washington.
It will be seen, in Gov. Castro's despatch, that Capt. Fremont took a military position, intrenched it, and raised the American flag ; but these events were the consequence and not the cause of Gov. Castro's movement against him ; and this is fully shown in the following brief spirited note, written in pencil, in answer to the consul's warning, and after refusing the aid of the American settlers :
Note in pencil from Capt. Fremont to the consul Larkin, from his intrenched camp at the Alisal on the Sierra, thirty miles from Monterey, March 10, 1846.
MY DEAR SIR : I this moment received your letters, and without waiting to read them, acknowledge the receipt which the courier requires immediately. I am making myself as strong as possible, in the intention that if we are unjustly attacked we will fight to extremity and refuse quarter, trusting to our country to avenge our death. No one has reached our camp, and from the heights we are able to see troops (with the glass) mustering at St. John's and preparing cannon. I thank you for your kindness and good wishes, and would write more at length as to my intentions, did I not fear that my letter would be intercepted. We have in no wise done wrong to the people or the authorities of the country, and if we are hemmed in and assaulted here, we will die, every man of us, under the flag of our country.
Very truly, yours,
J. C. FREMONT. P. S. I am encamped on the top of the Sierra, at the head-
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151
WITHDRAWS FROM CALIFORNIA.
waters of a stream which strikes the road to Monterey, at the house of Don Joaquin Gomez. J. C. F.
THOMAS O. LARKIN, Esq.,
Consul for the United States, Monterey.
" The first letter" (and all the detail the public yet have) "that we (says Senator Benton) received from Capt. Fremont, after his withdrawal from the Sierra, and from the valley of the San Juan, is dated the first day of April, in latitude 40, on the Sacramento river ; and though written merely to inform Mrs. Fremont of his personal concerns, becomes important in a public point of view on account of subsequent events in June and July, by showing that on the first of April he was on his way to Oregon-that he had abandoned all intention of returning through any part of California would cross the Rocky Mountains through the Northern Pass, on the line between the Upper, or Kettle Falls of the Columbia, and the Great Falls of the Missouri-and be in the United States in September. This shows that he had, at that time, no idea of the events in which he was subsequently involved, and that he had abandoned the cherished field of his intended scientific researches for the express purpose of avoiding all offence to the Mexican authorities. Of the events in the valley of the San Joaquin and the camp on the Sierra, he speaks a few words, without detail, but descriptive of his condition, characteristic of his prudence in not compromising his country, and worthy to be repeated in his own language. He says: 'The Spaniards were somewhat rude and inhospitable below, and ordered me out of the country after having given me permission to winter there. My sense of duty did not permit me to fight them, but we retired slowly and growlingly before a force of three or four hundred men, and three pieces of artillery. Without the shadow of a cause, the governor suddenly raised the whole country against me, issuing a false and scandalous proclamation. Of course, I did not dare to compromise the United States, against which appearances would have been strong ; but though it was in my power to increase my party by Americans, I refrained from committing a solitary act of hostility or impropriety.'
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