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  

80 HISTORY OF man of pretty good common sense and was not blind to the fact that California was liable to be in an eruptive state at any moment; and, like Micawber, was “just waiting for something to turn up.” It was now in early May of 1846, and General Fremont, with his sixty explorers, was well on his way northward, having pitched camp on the shores of Klamath Lake. General Castro, doubtless elated at having achieved a bloodless victory in taking the abandoned fort of Fremont on Gabilan Peak, was now seeking new fields of glory. Pio Pico was yet in the south intent upon marshaling a sufficient force to warrant him in visiting the northern end of the Territory of which he was governor. Consul Larkin wae inditing confidential epistles to all such as to whom he thought could be entrusted the secret and work of peaceable annexation of California to the United States. General M. G. Vallejo was in quiet repose at Sonoma, apparently having converted his sword into a plowshare, his spear into a pruning hook, and his martial field-glasses into a medium through which to watch his herds and flocks upon a thousand hills. Captain John A. Sutter was looking after his fields of waving grain at Hawk Farm, doubtless anticipating a paying harvest, for the incoming immigration expected from over the mountains was variously estimated at from 1,000 to 5,000 souls. The hills and valleys of this genial clime were doubtless clad in verdure and flowers; and yet the very air was oppressive with the forecast of revolution and sanguinary strife. A new Richmond, with closed visor, had now appeared upon the field. Ile anewered to the plain name of Archibald H. Gillespie, and had reached Monterey the 17th of April. Larkin had already received a letter trom James Buchanan, the then Secretary of State, informing him that, “ Lieutenant Archibald IT. Gillespie, of the marine corps, will immediately proceed to Monterey, and will probably reach you before this dispatch. He isa gentleman in whom the President reposes entire confidence. LHe has NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. seen these instructions, and will co-operate asa confidential agent with you in carrying them into execution.” Gillespie was a month behind time in reaching Monterey in consequence of unavoidable delays in Mexico. That his dispatches to Larkin were of a very important and secret character is evidenced by the fact that lest they might fall into Mexican hands, Gillespic had memorized them and then destroyed the paper upon which they were written. On reaching Monterey he was plain Mr. Gillespie, an American merchant, traveling tor the benefit of his health. He was also the bearer of a letter of introduction from Ion. Thomas H. Benton to his son-in-law, General Fremont, as well as a package of private letters from the saine distinguished statesman to the + Pathfinder.” After lingering a little at Monterey, doubtless to give color to his assumed character, Lieutenant Gillespie one night embarked for New Ilelvetia, and arriving there at once began to arrange for an escort to accompany him on the trail of Fremont. It was then, as already stated, that Captain Sutter conveyed to the authorities at Monterey his suspicion that Gillespie was a secret emissary of the United States Government. Lieutenant Gillespie made all haste northward. Ilistorian Bancroft gives the following graphic account of this journey and the tragic occurrences attending it: This officer, of whose arrival I will have more to say presently, had reached Sutter’s April 28th, and Lassen’s the 1st of May. From that point, with only five compan. ions, Lassen, Neal, Sigler, Stepp and a negro servant named Ben, he started May 2,on Fremont’strail. On the %th two men were sent in advance, and the others encamped at the outlet of Klamath Lake, unable to ford the river, and having nothing to eat for forty hours, On the morning of the 9th a party of Indians made their appearance, who, with great apparent kindness, gave the travelers « fresh salmon for food, and ferried them over the water in canoes. After a day’s journey of some thirty miles, Gillespie met Fremont at sunset, at a stream named from the events of that night, Ambuscade Creek. The sixteen tired travelers retired early after the two parties were united on May 9th, and were soon sleeping soundly—Fremont sitting up later than the rest to read his dispatches and letters {rom home. The Indians were deemed friendly, and no watch was kept. Just before midnight the camp was attacked by savages, Basi] Lajeunesse and