A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) (713 pages)

HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. 87 that if any person in the place or neighborhood attempted to notify other places of this act, or raise a force to oppose them, they would at once shoot the officers they then held prisoners, The Alcalde was then set at liberty, but told that if he did not prevent any opposition to them he would also be shot. General Vallejo desires to inform Captain Montgomery of these facts, and to ask him to use his authority or exert his influence to prevent the commission of acts of violence by this party, inasmuch us they seemed to be witbout any effectual bead or authority. To this end he hoped for an officer to be sent to the place, or a letter that would have the effect of saving the helpless inhabitants from violence and anarchy. Sefior Don José de la Rosa was directed by General Vallejo (at 11 4. M. yesterday) tocome with this message, but could not leave until 3p mM. A few moments past 11 the party left a garrison of twenty-five men at Sonoma protected by seven pieces of cannon. The others, with the prisoners, left for the Sacramento. Reply of Commander Montgomery to the message of General Vallejo. . Sir :—You wil] say to General Vallejo, on my part that I at once and entirely disavow this movement as having proceeded under any authority of the United States, or myself as the agent of my Government in this country, or on this coast. It isa movement entirely local, and witb which I have nothing to do; nor can I in any way he induced to take part in the controversy which belongs entirely to the interna: politics of California. If they are Americans, as they avow themselves, they are beyond the jurisdiction of the laws and officers of the United States, and must now take all the responsibilities of the position in which they have placed themselves, being answerable to the laws of Mexico and California. I have now for the first time beard of this movement, and in making the most positive disavowal, for myself and for my Government, having in any wise instigated or aided this. 1 also disavow the same on the part of Captain Fremont, United States topographical engineer, now in the country for scientific purposes. If my individual efforts can be at any time exercised to allay violence or prevent injury to innocent persons, it shall be exerted; but as an officer of the Government of the United States I cannot have anything to do with either party. They must take the responsibilies of their own acts. From what has already transpired I think it clear that po violence will be committed on any one who is not found with arms in their hands. You will assure General Don Guadalupe Vallejo of my sympathy in his difficulties: but 1 cannot positively intertere in the local polities of California. Sefior de Ja Rosa then thanked Captain Montgomery for his sentiments and sympathy; stated that all was distinctly understood and translated, and that he would place his statement in the hands of Don Guadalupe Vallejo at the earllest moment. I hereby certify that the preceding statement is a fuir translation of the message and reply read to Captain Montgomery and Sefior de la Rosa. (Signed) W. A. BarTLETT, Lieutenant United States Navy. we States Ship Portsmouth, Sausalito, June 15, 46. (COPY OF ORDER TO LIEUTENANT MISSROON.) UnitTep States Suip Portsmouth. . SAN FRANCIsco, June 15, 1846. _ _Sm:—By an especial messenger sent to me by Don Guadalupe Vallejo, I am notified of the forcible cecupation of the town of Sopoma by a party of insurgents (foreign residents) of the country, among whom are said to be some persons from the United States, and that General Don Guadalupe Vallejo, with several other Mexican officers, have been sent prisoners to the Sacramento and threatened to be detained as hostages for the quiet submission of the surrounding country, leaving their families and other inoffensive persons in and about Sonoma in a painful state of agitation through apprehensions of violence and cruel treatment from the insurgent party in charge of the town. In consequence of this state of things, General Vallejo has appealed to me, requesting the interposition of any authority or influence I may possess over the insurgents to prevent the perpetration of acts of violence on their part upon the detenseless people. I have, in my reply to General Vallejo (by the messenger), stated my previous ignorance of the popular movement in question; distinctly and emphatically disavowed all age: cy of the United States Government or myself as ber representative in producing it, and disclaimed all right or authority to interfere between the opposing parties or in any way to identify my movements with tbeirs. But, in compliance with the urgent calls of humanity, I deem it my duly to use my triendly endeavors with the dominant party to xecure (by the power of God) for the defenseless people of Sonoma that security of life, property and privilege to which all are entitled. In pursuance of these views, sir, you are directed to proceed in one of the ship’s boats to Sonoma, and. on your arrival there, you will wait on the officer or person commanding the party having possession of the town; and as it is possible he is not fully aware of the extent and nature of the feelings produced in the minds of the population by this recent movement you will inform him of the state of apprehension and terror into which it seems to have thrown them, and disclaiming all right or purpose on my part of interference between them and their actual opposers; and without touching upon the merits of their cause further than may not be avoided in course of conversation, be pleased (in such terms as your own sense of propriety will dictate) respectfully to request from me, that he will extend his protecting care over the defenseless families of their prisoners and other inoffensive persons of Sonoma, and exert his influence with others in order to secure to them the uninterrupted enjoyment of their domestic and social privileges. You will afterward wait on the Alcalde, or presiding civil officer of Sonoma, and inform him of what has been done (at the instance of Don Guadalupe Vallejo), com. mupicating any satisfactory assurances which you may have received from the insurgent chief calculated to allay the general apprehension; after which, when sutficiently recruited, you will return to this ship aud render to me a written report. Respectfully, I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) Joun B. MonrcomeEry, Commander. To Lieutenant John 8. Missroon, Executive Officer United States Ship Portsmouth. APPENDAGE TO MR. MISSROON’S ORDER. DEAR StR:—As an appendage to the orders handed you Jast evening, I wish vou to endeavor in as forcible a manner as possible, to represent to the person or persons of the insurgeut party with whom you may confer at Sonoma and to impress their minds with a sense of the advantages which will accrue to their cause (whatever its {ntrinsic merits may be) from pursuing a course of kind and benevolent treatment of prisoners, as well as toward the defenseless inhabitants of the country generally, with whom they may have to do, and endeavor, as far as propriety will permit, to obtain a promise of kiod and

HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. 87 that if any person in the place or neighborhood attempted to notify other places of this act, or raise a force to oppose them, they would at once shoot the officers they then held prisoners, The Alcalde was then set at liberty, but told that if he did not prevent any opposition to them he would also be shot. General Vallejo desires to inform Captain Montgomery of these facts, and to ask him to use his authority or exert his influence to prevent the commission of acts of violence by this party, inasmuch us they seemed to be witbout any effectual bead or authority. To this end he hoped for an officer to be sent to the place, or a letter that would have the effect of saving the helpless inhabitants from violence and anarchy. Sefior Don José de la Rosa was directed by General Vallejo (at 11 4. M. yesterday) tocome with this message, but could not leave until 3p mM. A few moments past 11 the party left a garrison of twenty-five men at Sonoma protected by seven pieces of cannon. The others, with the prisoners, left for the Sacramento. Reply of Commander Montgomery to the message of General Vallejo. . Sir :—You wil] say to General Vallejo, on my part that I at once and entirely disavow this movement as having proceeded under any authority of the United States, or myself as the agent of my Government in this country, or on this coast. It isa movement entirely local, and witb which I have nothing to do; nor can I in any way he induced to take part in the controversy which belongs entirely to the interna: politics of California. If they are Americans, as they avow themselves, they are beyond the jurisdiction of the laws and officers of the United States, and must now take all the responsibilities of the position in which they have placed themselves, being answerable to the laws of Mexico and California. I have now for the first time beard of this movement, and in making the most positive disavowal, for myself and for my Government, having in any wise instigated or aided this. 1 also disavow the same on the part of Captain Fremont, United States topographical engineer, now in the country for scientific purposes. If my individual efforts can be at any time exercised to allay violence or prevent injury to innocent persons, it shall be exerted; but as an officer of the Government of the United States I cannot have anything to do with either party. They must take the responsibilies of their own acts. From what has already transpired I think it clear that po violence will be committed on any one who is not found with arms in their hands. You will assure General Don Guadalupe Vallejo of my sympathy in his difficulties: but 1 cannot positively intertere in the local polities of California. Sefior de Ja Rosa then thanked Captain Montgomery for his sentiments and sympathy; stated that all was distinctly understood and translated, and that he would place his statement in the hands of Don Guadalupe Vallejo at the earllest moment. I hereby certify that the preceding statement is a fuir translation of the message and reply read to Captain Montgomery and Sefior de la Rosa. (Signed) W. A. BarTLETT, Lieutenant United States Navy. we States Ship Portsmouth, Sausalito, June 15, 46. (COPY OF ORDER TO LIEUTENANT MISSROON.) UnitTep States Suip Portsmouth. . SAN FRANCIsco, June 15, 1846.

_ _Sm:—By an especial messenger sent to me by Don Guadalupe Vallejo, I am notified of the forcible cecupation of the town of Sopoma by a party of insurgents (foreign residents) of the country, among whom are said to be some persons from the United States, and that General Don Guadalupe Vallejo, with several other Mexican officers, have been sent prisoners to the Sacramento and threatened to be detained as hostages for the quiet submission of the surrounding country, leaving their families and other inoffensive persons in and about Sonoma in a painful state of agitation through apprehensions of violence and cruel treatment from the insurgent party in charge of the town. In consequence of this state of things, General Vallejo has appealed to me, requesting the interposition of any authority or influence I may possess over the insurgents to prevent the perpetration of acts of violence on their part upon the detenseless people. I have, in my reply to General Vallejo (by the messenger), stated my previous ignorance of the popular movement in question; distinctly and emphatically disavowed all age: cy of the United States Government or myself as ber representative in producing it, and disclaimed all right or authority to interfere between the opposing parties or in any way to identify my movements with tbeirs. But, in compliance with the urgent calls of humanity, I deem it my duly to use my triendly endeavors with the dominant party to xecure (by the power of God) for the defenseless people of Sonoma that security of life, property and privilege to which all are entitled. In pursuance of these views, sir, you are directed to proceed in one of the ship’s boats to Sonoma, and. on your arrival there, you will wait on the officer or person commanding the party having possession of the town; and as it is possible he is not fully aware of the extent and nature of the feelings produced in the minds of the population by this recent movement you will inform him of the state of apprehension and terror into which it seems to have thrown them, and disclaiming all right or purpose on my part of interference between them and their actual opposers; and without touching upon the merits of their cause further than may not be avoided in course of conversation, be pleased (in such terms as your own sense of propriety will dictate) respectfully to request from me, that he will extend his protecting care over the defenseless families of their prisoners and other inoffensive persons of Sonoma, and exert his influence with others in order to secure to them the uninterrupted enjoyment of their domestic and social privileges. You will afterward wait on the Alcalde, or presiding civil officer of Sonoma, and inform him of what has been done (at the instance of Don Guadalupe Vallejo), com. mupicating any satisfactory assurances which you may have received from the insurgent chief calculated to allay the general apprehension; after which, when sutficiently recruited, you will return to this ship aud render to me a written report. Respectfully, I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) Joun B. MonrcomeEry, Commander. To Lieutenant John 8. Missroon, Executive Officer United States Ship Portsmouth. APPENDAGE TO MR. MISSROON’S ORDER. DEAR StR:—As an appendage to the orders handed you Jast evening, I wish vou to endeavor in as forcible a manner as possible, to represent to the person or persons of the insurgeut party with whom you may confer at Sonoma and to impress their minds with a sense of the advantages which will accrue to their cause (whatever its {ntrinsic merits may be) from pursuing a course of kind and benevolent treatment of prisoners, as well as toward the defenseless inhabitants of the country generally, with whom they may have to do, and endeavor, as far as propriety will permit, to obtain a promise of kiod and