Following are a few extracts from speeches made by leading persons at this meeting:

"Excellent Sirs, to what a deplorable condition is our country reduced Mexico, professing to be our mother and our protectress, has given us neither arms, nor money, nor the materials of war for our defence. She is not likely to do any thing in our behalf, although she is quite willing to afflict us with her extortionate minions, who come hither, in the guise of soldiers and civil officers, to harass and oppress our people. We possess a glorious country, capable of attaining a physical and moral greatness corresponding with the grandeur and beauty which an Almighty hand has stamped upon the face of our beloved California. But, although nature has been prodigal, it cannot be denied that we are not in a position to avail ourselves of her bounty. Our population is not large, and it is sparsely scattered over valley and mountain, covering an immense area of virgin soil, destitute of roads, and traversed with difficulty; hence it is hardly possible to collect an army of any considerable force. Our people are poor, as well as few, and cannot well govern themselves and maintain a decent show of sovereign power. Although we live in the midst of plenty, we lay up nothing; but, tilling the earth in an imperfect manner, all our time is required to procure subsistence for ourselves and families. Thus circumstanced, we find ourselves threatened by hordes of Yankee immigrants, who have already begun to flock into our country, and whose progress we cannot arrest. Already have the wagons of that perfidious people scaled the almost inaccessible summit of the Sierra Nevada, crossed the entire continent, and penetrated the fruitful valley of the Sacramento. What that astonishing people will next undertake I cannot say, but, in whatever enterprise they embark, they will be sure to prove successful. Already are these adventurous land-voyagers spreading themselves far and wide over a country which seems suited to their taste. They are cultivating farms, establishing vineyards, erecting mills, sawing up lumber, building workshops, and doing a thousand other things which seem natural to them, but which Californians neglect or despise. What, then, are we to do? Shall we remain supine, while these daring strangers are overrunning our fertile plains, and gradually outnumbering and displacing us? these incursions go on unchecked, until we shall become strangers in our own land? We cannot successfully oppose them by our own

unaided power, and the swelling tide of immigration renders the odds against us more powerful every day. We cannot stand alone against them, nor can we creditably maintain our independence even against Mexico; but there is something which we can do, which will elevate our country, strengthen her at all points, and yet enable us to preserve our identity and remain masters of our own soil. Perhaps what I am about to suggest may seem to some fainthearted and dishonorable. But to me it does not appear so. It is the last hope of a feeble people, struggling against a tyrannical government which claims their submission at home, and threatened by bands of avaricious strangers from without, voluntarily to connect themselves with a power able and willing to defend and preserve them. It is the right and duty of the weak to demand support from the strong, provided the demand be made upon terms just to both parties. I see no dishonor in this last refuge of the oppressed and powerless, and I boldly avow that such is the step I would now have California take. There are two great powers in Europe which seem destined to divide between them the unappropriated countries of the world. They have large fleets and armies not unpractised in the art of war. Is it not better to connect ourselves with one of these powerful nations than to struggle on without hope as we are doing now? Is it not better that one of them should be invited to send a fleet and an army to protect California rather than we should fall an easy prey to the lawless adventurers who are overrunning our beautiful country? I pronounce for annexation to France or England."

To this speech General Mariano G. Vallejo-a native Californian-replied as follows:

"I cannot, gentlemen, coincide in opinion with the military and civil functionaries who have advocated the cession of our country to France or England. It is most true that to rely any longer upon Mexico to govern and defend us would be idle and absurd. To this extent I fully agree with my distinguished colleagues. It is true that we possess a noble country, every way calculated, from position and resources, to become great and powerful. For that very reason I would not have her a mere dependence upon a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at least indifferent to our interests and our welfare.... Even could we tolerate the idea of dependence, ought we to go to distant Europe for a master? What possible

sympathy could exist between us and a nation separated from us by two vast oceans? But waiving this insuperable objection, how could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarch? We are republicans. Badly governed and badly situated as we are, still we are all, in sentiment, republicans. So far as we are governed at all, we at least profess to be self-governed. Who, then, that possesses true patriotism, will consent to subject himself and children to the caprices of a foreign king and his official minions? Our position is so remote, either by land or sea, that we are in no danger from a Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we hesitate still to assert our independence? We have, indeed, taken the first step by electing our own governor; but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and distinctly: it is annexation to the United States. In contemplating this consummation of our destiny, I feel nothing but pleasure, and I ask you to share it. Discard old prejudices, disregard old customs, and prepare for the glorious change which awaits our country. Why should we shink from incorporating ourselves with the happiest and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be the most wealthy and powerful ? Why should we go abroad for protection, when this great nation is our adjoining neighbor? When we join our fortune to hers, we shall not become subjects, but fellow-citizens, possessing all the rights of the people of the United States, and choosing our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a stable government and just laws. California will grow strong and flourish, and her people will be prosperous, happy, and free. Look not, therefore, with jealousy upon the hardy pioneers, who scale our mountains and cultivate our unoccupied plains; but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a common destiny."

From this period General Vallejo and his friends took active measures for the annexation of California to the United States. The general still resides in California, his native State, of which he is a loyal and honored citizen.

CHAPTER VII.

Feud between Sloat and Fremont-Commodore Stockton in command: his proclamation-Departure of Sloat-Castro, Pico, and Flores oppose the Americans-Stockton warns Castro of his peril -Flores' proclamation to his countrymen-Final surrender of the Mexicans-Treaty of peace concluded-Strife between Commodore Stockton and General Kearney-Fremont appointed Military Governor-Stockton takes his departure-Fremont ousted— General Kearney and Commodore Shubrick in command-Colonel Mason supersedes General Kearney-General Kearney proceeds to Washington-His ill-treatment of Fremont-Fremont arrested and carried to Fortress Monroe-Court-martialled-Discharged from arrest by order of the President - Nominated for the Presidency.

THE Occupation of California by Commodore Sloat and the promulgation of his proclamation was official notice to the world that the territory of California was the property of the United States. This at once ended all effort or design of England or France to possess themselves of the country, and their fleets on the coast quietly withdrew.

Notwithstanding that Fremont had confronted Castro, and had defended the Americans in the Sacramento valley, and had been appointed governor at Sonoma, and proclaimed California a part of the American Union before Sloat had entered and taken possession of Monterey, he found himself superseded by the commodore, who, now in the military occupation of the country, commanded Fremont to report to him, and demanded in no mild terms by what authority he was acting. Fremont, chagrined and disappointed, answered, "Upon my own authority." This was thought most presumptuous on the part of the young captain of the corps of

topographical engineers, who had no military authority from his government. But Fremont had to succumb to the superior position of the commodore, who now assumed the duties of military governor.

Fremont was now at Monterey at the head of his battalion, chafing with the mortification inflicted upon him by Sloat. The commodore, under his proclamation of July 7, was in supreme command, but ill-health prompted him to return home.

On the 15th of July, 1847, Commodore Stockton, on board the United States frigate Congress, arrived at Monterey. Sloat turned over his command to Stockton, who immediately assumed command as Military Governor of California; and, on the 28th of July, he issued the following proclamation:

"On assuming the command of the forces of the United States on the coast of California, both by sea and land, I find myself in possession of the ports of Monterey and San Francisco, with daily reports from the interior of scenes of rapine, blood, and murder. Three inoffensive American residents of the country have within a few days been murdered in a most brutal manner; and there are no Californian officers who will arrest and bring the murderers to justice, although it is well known who they are and where they are. I must, therefore, and will, as soon as I can, adopt such measures as may seem best calculated to bring these criminals to justice, and to bestow peace and good order on the country.

"In the first place, however, I am constrained by every principle of national honor, as well as a due regard for the safety and best interests of the people of California, to put an end, at once and by force, to the lawless depredations committed by General Castro's men upon the persons and property of peaceful and unoffending inhabitants.

"I cannot, therefore, confine my operations to the quiet and undisturbed possession of the defenceless ports of Monterey and San Francisco, whilst the people elsewhere are suffering from lawless violence; but will immediately march against these boasting