Dissensions were now rife between the civil and military authorities in California, and in August, 1842, General Manuel Micheltorena arrived at San Diego from Mexico, with full powers from the government to supersede Vallejo in the military and Alvarado in the civil affairs of California. Micheltorena was received by the people with great rejoicing: bull-fights, fandangos, and other entertainments attested the joy of the populace. But, in the midst of their festivities, all was brought to a standstill: the irrepressible Yankee had entered upon a new role in California. Commodore Jones, of the United States navy, having been hovering about the coast of California, learned in some way that difficulties existed between the United States and Mexico with reference to Texas, which difficulties were likely to lead to the annexation of Texas and California, if not of Mexico itself. The gallant commodore, believing that it was the desire of his government, with the United States frigate United States and sloop-of-war Cyane, on the 19th of October, 1842, entered the port of Monterey, hoisted the stars and stripes, took possession of the capitol, and proclaimed California a part of the American republic. Alvarado, who had not yet been displaced by Micheltorena, surrendered to Jones on the following day. Jones' authority, however, was brief; for, on the day after the surrender, having had information which led him to believe that his acts were premature, and not in conformity with the wishes of his government, he hauled down his banners and quietly departed, having offered apologies for his intrusion. The new commandant, General Micheltorena, thereupon entered upon his duties unopposed.

But difficulties were not yet ended. General Vallejo

in

and Governor Alvarado being now deposed, having been bitterest enemies, became firm friends, and with General Castro entered upon a new enterprise, into driving Micheltorena out of the country. All the ammunition of the government was stored at San Juan: upon this point the attention of the new revolutionists was directed. In November, 1844, Castro entered the town, captured the mission and the government ammunition. The governor afforded the rebels eight days grace which to disband and surrender to his authority; but the rebels, regardless of this courtesy on the part of Micheltorena, marched upon the capital. The Mexican military force in the territory was small; and Micheltorena, fearing defeat, called for aid from John A. Sutter, who had been a foreign resident of the country ever since 1839. Sutter responded, and with one hundred mounted men, mostly foreigners, hurried to the rescue. Castro at the head of the rebel band, on the 21st of July, 1845, met the government forces a short distance from Los Angeles, where an engagement took place lasting two days, resulting in the killing of four persons and the unconditional surrender of the government forces.

Once more California was an independent country. The champion of the conquest, General Castro, was now General-in-chief; and Pio Pico, Governor. Micheltorena, together with his officers and soldiers, were shipped to San Blas on board of an American vessel; and Mexican rule ended in California, as the like fate befell the rule of Pico and Castro, as will appear in the succeeding chapter of this volume.

CHAPTER V.

Early navigators-Voyage of Sir Francis Drake-Voyages of Sebastian Viscayno and Vistus Behring-Settlement of Sitka-King George's Sound Company - East India Company - Thomas Jefferson's interest in the Pacific coast-Expedition of John Ledyard: he is arrested by order of the Empress of RussiaVoyage of Vancouver-The King of Spain forbids Captain Cook to enter California-First American vessels on the Pacific coast— Captain Gray discovers the Columbia river-First American vessel enters the Bay of San Francisco-John Brown and Thomas Raben first Americans in California-Trade to the Columbia river-Count Rosanoff in California-Delia Byrd enters San Diego-Russians evacuate California at the request of the United States Expedition of Lewis and Clark-First settlement in Oregon-John Jacob Astor founds Astoria-Fur trade of Oregon-The British take possession of Oregon-Its restoration to the United States-Astor's fur trade in the Rocky mountainsFirst overland journey to California-Arrest of Jedediah Smith-— Letter from American seamen in 1826-Letter from Smith to one of the fathers-Death of J. S. Smith-Pattie's expeditionAsiatic emigration encouraged-First settlers in California-First mercantile house in California-Commodore Wilkes' expedition to the Pacific-Discovery of a wrecked Japanese junk-Fremont's explorations-Sutter's hospitality-End of Fremont's second exploration.

THE period which elapsed from the first Anglo-Saxon voyages to the Pacific coast to the discovery of gold forms one of the most interesting chapters in our history. The solitude and primitive order of the vast territory of Alaska, Washington Territory, Oregon, and California were unbroken, save by an occasional adventurer; and California was as little known to the world as the fabled garden of Eden.

Among those who broke the seal of its primitive obscurity on our coast was Sir Francis Drake, who, in 1558, made a voyage to California in the course of his explorations in the Pacific, also General Sebastian