The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 9, 1903, Page 17

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. 1903, 17 owed one ing rapid- this, sowaorany ] se who are nc book worms is e y succession of mark the ory of he time of the acces- r in down P! the last of the took his seat in Feb- to say that there the unse uelio were ed & of those in high places and the consequen #of ¢he Department of r me gov- n the Cali- 1 to the cen- tr , the ornia to erelgn State, Alvarado Gover- n ¢ a lone star 1= the Mexican cen- tral g ver, mollified the re flag soon France out of the nd was between rival disputants. Three Nations Maneuver to Secure Mexico’s Rich Province. scramble two men-of-war of th N our Congress the early sentiment 1 was that the great west was as useless as the wilds of Patagonia end that the United States had no concern with the other rim of an unexplored continent, barred from civ- tiizats by the snowy bulwark -of the Rockies. A party favored the establishment of & new American re- public in the West, distinctly separated trom the United States and useful only as @ checkmate to the hostile schemes -of Great Brit A speech of Senator Ben- ton of Missouri, made in support of this measure .in 1825, shows what sentiment existed -against California at that time. Speaking of ‘the projected Western re- public _he said: This Republic (meaning the United States) should have limits. The present occasion does not require me to say where these limits should be found on the north and south: but westward we can speak without reserve, and the ridges of the Rocky Mountains may be named without offense as presenting a conven- fent, natural and everlasting boundary.” But sentiment in the United States soon suffered a serious change. In 184 Louis Philippe, then King of France, published & programme for converting Mexico and ker Californias into an empire, either di- rectly under French control or subject to French influence. He urged this measure, S fORT IN I8F0 FRON AN OLD so faithfu copled afterward by Louls check to the threatened of Great Britain or the leon, as a of California. art of France, coupled hat, chaj d at the Br would led the adminis- er to take steps 1€ the twelve or an War, the o ic n that the tes w; C: ornia had been e part * pa e acquisi- was not an accident of of a plan long llowed national drama where the in- an settlers were to play the ) the swiftly moving spectacle > result In the raising of the ed State over a vast athy country hen the cautious Span. or warned the comandante cisco Presidio again of Americans, a n of settlers 1 to come over the m: ins and 1 the fertile valleys of California. John A. Sutter, § Swiss emigrant, received in 1841 from the Mexican Gov- land grant of eleven square ear the junction of the American at leagues and Sacramento rivers, built a fort there. on and was made a commander under the Mexican Government. Sutter's fort came thenceforward the central point for the colonization movements by the Amer- icans. When the Californians began to become restive under the rule of Mexico, in ti§ ’40's, there were a number of influential Americans in the country who were cal- culated to swing the tide of sentiment to- ward by the United State: . Larkin, residing at Monterey States Consul. did much to foster a kindly sentiment toward his Gov- ernment and kept the officials at Wash- ington constantly apprised as to the trend of events. Largely by his influence and that of other Americans the Departmental Assembly of California decided in 1846 upon a united council of the pueblos of California to determine upon the advisa- bility of annexation to some foreign pow- er. Speeches were made in favor of unfon with the United States, but no definite action was taken. be- ation Fremont Touches Spring Which Lets Loose Dogs of War. T 'was at this period of tension that there appeared in California the man who was to do a lion's share in the of turning it over to the United John C. Fremont, then a captain United States engineering corps, made a trip of exploration to California in 184. After publishing an elaborate report upon his daring adventures on mountain and desert, Fremont returned to Califor- nia in 1846. At the head of an expedition of sixty- 71 work States, n th two backwoodsmen and Delaware In- dians, all hardy frontiersmen and well armed, Fremont announced to General Castro, the commander of the California troops, that his party was one for scien- tific purposes only and that he was de- sirous of wintering in the San Joaquin Valley. While in the Salinas Valley in February, petty disturbances caused by Fremont's-men, prompted the ever sus- picious Castro to send peremptory de- mands that the American explorer and his party quit the.country. In answer Fremont entrenched himself on the hills back of San Juan Capistrano and defled the Mexican general to dislodge him. This Castro was preparing to do when Fremont slipped .away under cover of night and marched off to Sacramento, whence he made his,way up the valley, over the range at Shasta and into the Kiamath Lake country. But behind him there was pressing a messenger from Washington, who had come across two seas and was now penetrating into the heart of the wilderness to deliver a mes- sage upon which hung the destiny of Cal- ifornia. Never in the history of the West has there been given an example of a' ride such as that which was taken by Lieu- tenant Archibald H. Glllespie. Arriving at Monterey on the United States sloop Cyane, he was directed by Consul Lar- kin to Sutter’s Fort. There the undaunt- ed lieutenant was told that Fremont was in the wilds north of Shasta. Taaing with him a hardy band of five men, Gil- lespie pushed up the.valley to Lassen’s PRINT . Men Who Figured Prominently in the Corqusst of California. ranch, the most northerly settlement, only to learn that Fremont was a week's travel abead of him. Spurring on into the wilderness with his precious messages, Gillespie and his little band pushed into the wilderness at the head of the valley. But here hostile In- dians began to close on them and the handful of brave mea were forced to stop and entrench themselves, Two of tae bravest, Neal and Sigler, volunteered to slip through the Indians’ lires a ‘d con- vey the news of the little partys peril to Fremont, who couldn’t be far ahead. They did so after forty-eight hours in the sad- dle without a taste of food Fremont, with fourteen men, raced back to Gillespie's camp, reaching there in the nick of time. Within three hours of their arrival the Indians closed in on the white men and were repulsed only Mter a fierce struggle, In which two of Fremont's men were killed. But Gilles- ple’s message from Washington was de- livered, and although its import can only be guessed at, Fremont set off at top speed for the settlements in California. Events now moved with a rush. To Fre- mont, encamped -ar the - Marysville Buttes, the rumor 1 3 brought that Gen- eral Castro had issued an ediot condemn- ing to destruction all Americans Cali- fornia’ unless they quit the country. It was even said that Castro was advancing to attack Fremont with 300 armed and mounted men. Panic spread throughout the thinly settled country. AL Ameri- cans for 150 miles about, fearing for thelr lives, began to collect at Fremont's camp. Events proved that t.e rumors were blow was struck. Bear Flag Triumphantly Fort at Sonoma. F ROM a Mexican woman's babble to mont’s camp that a certain Cali- fornian, Lieutenant Arce, was driving to Castro's headquarters in the Sahta Clara Valley. Fired by some unknown war spirit which was rife, fourteen young men rode ovgr and Inter- agd returned with them to Fremont. The Bear Flag revolution was begun. groundless, but the iron was hot and the Waves Over Mexican her husband the news reached Fre- a band of horses from the Interior impulse, the result, doubtless, of the cepted Arce, captured his band of horses Flercely burned the spirit of revolt. On the morning of June 12, fifteen men, in- cluding the number who had engaged in the raid on the horses and under the command of “Stuttering” Merritt, drove post haste to Sonoma, the residence of General Mariano Vallejo, By the time the Bear Flag Independents arrived at Sonoma at midnight of June 14, their company had swelled in numbers to thirty-two, Merritt, leader of the party, and Dr. Semple of Sacramento were dele- gated to wike up the comandante, Gen- eral Vallejo, and tell him that he was under arrest. With Vallejo, his brother, Salvador, Victor Prudon, and an Ameri- can, Jacob P. Leese, son-in-law of Gen- eral Vallejo, were also captured in this somewhat unromantic fashion. The prisoners were sent off to Sutter’s Fort and the revolting settlers proceeded to take possession. They were now both horse thieves and revolutionists; they had stolen government property and captured a government official; plainly it was expedient to create themselves into a government. Forthwith a somewhat grandiloquent declaration of independence frem the hand of one, Willlam B. Ide, the self-ap- pointed leader of the Independents. was Willam Todd & bear was painted with a blacking bru.h upon whiie drilling with a star over his head and the logend CALI- FORNIA REPUBLIL. To this was sewn a length of red flannel as a stripe and thus on June 14, 1846, the Bear hu: Republie with its declaration and emblem was a thing of reality. Before Fremont could arrive on thé scene in answer to an urgent call from the Independents, the only battle of the Bear Flag Republic had taken place. ‘fwo men, Cowle and Fowler, sent on a mission to Russtan River to obtain pow- Qer, fell into the hands of the Cal:fornlans uader the lead of Padlllo and were mur- dered. To avenge this atrocity, twenty- three of the Independents, under con mand of W. L. Ford, surprised the force of Captain Joaquin de la Torre near San Rafael. A battle ensued In which the Independents slew eight of thelr adver- sarles and retreated unscathed to Sono- ma. Thus cwosed the millitary record of the California Republic on Olompall fleld. After an Ineffectual pursuit of General de la Torre, Fremont satisfled himseif with executing Jose Berryessa and Ra- mon and Francisco de Haro, three al- leged spies, and returned to his camp on the Sacramento River. Starry Banner Unfurled and War of Conquest Is Commenced. EANWHILE a fortuitous, some Meven claim a skillfully planged, succor was brought to Fremont the Independents in the form of the arrival of Commodore Sloat of the United States navy in Mon- terey Bay on the second day of July. Acting on the orders of Secre- tary of the Navy Bancroft, Sloat had stationed himself at Mazatlan to await the news of the declaration of war be- tween the United States and Mexico, with the understanding that upon that event he was to sail immediately for Califor- nia and hoist the flag at herscapital. The undoubted intention of England was to await the same event and then declare California under Britigh protection. To that end Admiral Seymour of the British Pacific squadron was stationed at Mazat- lan also, in the man-of-war Collingwood. Like rival hounds straining at the leash to be first at the prey, the two com- manders lay at anchor in the southern port ready for the race to the waters of California. On May 13 war was declared and Secretary Bancroft sped a message to Commodore Sloat. On June 8 Sloat received the message and was away, with the English admiral after him. On July 7 he raised the Stars and Stripes at Mon- terey just after Seymour had dropped anchor in the same bay. The race and urdoubtedly the country was therefore lost by England. Swiftly but surely the comparatively bloodless conquest of California was now undertaken. Owing to ill-health Commodore Sloat resigned the command to Commodore Robert F. Stockton, who had come into Monterey on the frigate Congress. To him Fremont reported with his riflemen and ex-Independents and by Stockton was created major of the band, which was known as the California Bat- talion. Stockton abandoned the project entertained by Sloat of making terms with Pico and Castro and determined to and He thercfore dispatched Fremont by ses to Ban Diego, following himself with the Congress, which put inte San Pedro har- bor. Stockton treated contemptuously & mes- sage from Castro, praying for terms, and with his force of marines and six small guns pushed on to conflict with the Cal- ifornians. But Castro and Plco fled with- out awaiting an attack, and Stockton, af- ter having Jc d forces with Fremeont, entered Los Angeles on August 13 and ran up the flag. All opposition to American rule seemingly at an end, Stockton now created Fremont provisional Governor of Californla. Lieutenant Gillesple was left in command of Los Angeles with a gar- rison of only forty men, a nominal gar- rison was stationed at Santa Barbara and Stockton and Fremont took their depar- ture for the north. Desperate Rally Brings Danger to Weakened occupation been withdrawn when parole, organized a considerable body Southern Posts. Jueummnt J. M. Flores of the of malcontents and on Beptember CARCELY had the tiny army of nat Californian forces broke his 23 attacked Los Angeles and forced the capitulation of Gillespie. Sant Barbara was likewise quickly recaptured and the whole south was aflame with rebellion. A messenger, spurring his | 1 steeds all the way from Los Angeles to Saa Francisco without a day's & brought the news of the uprjging to Commodore Btockton. Opposed to the pitiful hand- ful of men left to garrison the southern cities were from 120 to 1400 armed and mounted Californians, who were now complete masters of the country which had seemed to be so easily subdued. Stockton and Fremont were a thousand miles away. With their number of less than a thousand men and with no means of obtaining reinforcements from the East the new Territory of California seemed lost to the Union. Lost it would have been had not-Stock- ton and Fremont acted with great promptness and daricg. Stockton im- mediately dispatched Captain Mervine with the frigate Savannah to stem the tide until he could appear on the scene with fresh troops. Fremont was sent to Santa Barbara with 160 hastily enlisted troops, while Stockton himself set out for San Pedro. Fremont falled to reach San- ta Barbara when expected, but put in to Monterey for more men. After a trying march over the Santa Inez.Mountains in sthe midst of winter, Fremont, with .50 men, again took possession of Santa Bar- bara and pursued his march south, Stockton, meanwhile, had proceeded to San Diego, built a temporary fort and was anxiously awaiting relief from Fre- mont. Help from an unexpected quarter came to n in the person of General Ste- paen W. Kearny, who, having completed the subjugation of New Mexico, had pushed on to California with a small force to assist in its conquest. Learning of the state of affairs, Kearny had sent word to Steckton in San Diego that he wished to effect a junction with him. Meeting Gillespie and a small force which Stockton had sent out to him, Kearny engaged the Cauiornians at San Pasqual, near San Diego, with disastrous results and had to be rescued from his perilous position by a second relief force from Stockton, With their combined forces of about 500 men, Stockton and Kearny set out for Los Angeles. But near San Gabriel on January 8, 1847, they engaged in the final and most serious battie of the war in California. The enemy with 600 mounted men and four fleld pieces attacked the American force with all the despairing energy of a dying cause. Again and again the beautifully mounted and ut- terly fearless vaqueros charged the American squares, only to be mowed down by the steady, galling fire of the trained marksmen. At last the Califor- nians broke and fled. In their rapid re- treat northward they met the tardy Fre- mont, coming down from Monterey with reinfortements, and to him surrendered on January 14. With the signing of the articles of capitulation at the Rancho de Cahuenga there was closed the only real war which bas ever reddened California soil. The anomaly of two Governors sitting in authority lasted until Colonel Richard B. Mason arrived to supplant Kearny as head of affairs. The two rival Gov-nors went East. Fremont was court ma:taled for mutiny and disobedience and recom- mended for dismissal from the se-vice. President Polk sanctioned the ser ence, but ordered the penalty of dismisal to be remitted. Fremont, with hir ative high spirits, refused the indulgerce of the President and resigned his pos. ‘on as lieutenant colonel in the army. With the echoes of the wdf of conquest still lingering in the air, there was now to come a tremendous circumstance, whith was %0 make the newly acquired Ca i- fornia a word in the mouth of the worl 1 and the goal of scrambling thousands. On January 19, 1848, James W. Marshall found gold in the tall race of his mill as announced. Then by the clumsy hand of ‘compel their surrender by force of arms. Coloma.