Collection: Books and Periodicals

About This Item:

Title: A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company Published: 1891 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Source(s): Google Books # of Pages: 713 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-07-22 00:25:09 Item Sourced From: PDF First Created: 2025-03-17 03:11:29 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 06:30:36

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 713  

28 HISTORY OF .NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. sion to do anything in the direction of encouraging the raising of the standard of revolt in California. Fremont’s conduct seems to have been to him a complete enigma. Larkin’s instructions were to fee] the pulse of Californians as well as Americans in reference to peaceable annexation to the United States, and any demonstration on the part of the Americans in the direction of violence and force could but complicate and render more difficult his task. He had sagacity enongh to understand this, and seems to have directed all his energies in the direction of a peaceable solution of the problem he was to assist in working out. It must be borne in mind that Thomas Q. Larkin had long been a resident merchant in California and that his intimate connection and association with the leading men of California, both natives and for eigners, peculiarly fitted him for this labor of paving the way for peaceable annexation of California to the United States. But that he was not taken into all the secret councils of the nation is manifest from the instrnctions of Hon. George Bancroft, then the Secretary of War under President Polk, under date of June 24, 1845, nearly a year before war was declared between the United States and Mexico. The Secretary’s instructions to Commodore Sloat were: “If you ascertain that Mexico has declared war against the United States, you will at once possess yourself of the port of San Francisco, and occupy such other ports as your force may permit. You will be careful to preserve, if possible, the most friendly relations with the inhabitants, and encourage them to adopt a course of neutrality.” On the 13th of May, 1846, war was declared. On that very day Secretary Bancroft again instructed Commodore Sloat to carry out his firet orders “ with energy and promptitude.” Only two days later we find Secretary Bancroft writing the following instructions to Commodore Sloat: “A connection between California and Mexico is supposed scarcely to exist. You will, as opportunity offers, conciliate the confidence of the people of California. You will conduct of those stirring times. yourself in such a manner as will render your occupation of the country a benefit,” etc. Ina dispatch dated June 8th, 1846, the American Secretary comes out a little plainer. He says: “ If California separates herself from our enemy, the central Government of Mexico, and establishes a government of its own under the auspices of the American flag, you will take such measures as wil] best promote the attachment of the people of California to the United States. You will bear in mind that this country desires to find in California a friend; to be connected with it by near ties; to hold possession of it,” ete. On July 12 he speaks still plainer: «The object of the United States has reterence to ultimate peace, and if at that peace the basis of the ‘uti possidetis’ shall be adopted, the Government expects to be in possession of Califurnia.” While the instructions to Larkin seem to have been of an enirely pacific and diplomatic character, it is quite evident that the authorities at Washington did nut intend to allow the formalities of red tape to stand in the way of the acquisition of California. There were two men on the northern frontier, both occupying commanding positions, and each destined to fill a conspicuons place in the history One was General M. G. Vallejo, and the other Captain John A. Sutter. At this time, when California was nearing her final struggle with manifest destiny, it is important to know just how and where they stood. Much has been said and written on the subject, so much that it has become confusing and difficult to always determine where history ends and fiction begins. Vallejo and Sutter both were officers of the California government and as such owed good faith and allegiance to their country. We find nothing to warrant the conclusion that either proved recreant to their trust. Vallejo evidently had 4 very strong premonition that California had reached the beginning of the end. So believing, he evidently had little heart or concern about the personal quarrels of Pico, Castro and other factious would-be leaders