CONQUEST BY THE AMERICANS.

117

cannon and two hundred and fifty muskets. On the 25th of June, a part of Castro's army was attacked and completely routed. On the 4th of July, Fremont assembled his forces at Zanona, and declared the independence of the province.

M

EANWHILE, the American government had sent a fleet, under Commodore Sloat, to the coast of California, and ordered General Kearny, with a large force, to invade the country, after having conquered New Mexico. The former officer, on anchoring his fleet, landed a considerable party, and took possession of Monterey. Here he was joined by Fremont, with a hundred and sixty men, the captain being in close pursuit of De Castro. At the same time, Commodore Stockton landed on the coast, and proposed a plan to intercept the retreating general, by sailing down the coast and landing the troops at a proper point. Castro, however, evaded his pursuers and marched to Mexico. After this fruitless expedition, Stockton, in company with Fremont and Mr. Larkin, entered Ciudad de los Angelos, and renewed the declaration of freedom for California. Soon after, General Kearny arrived and assumed the direction of affairs.

But the ease with which the Californias had been subjected to foreign influence, was but the calm during which the storm gathers its energy. Officers had been appointed in all the principal towns, and entered upon the discharge of duty as though in one of the United States; but they were soon to learn that something more than a sudden revolution is necessary to insure to a people the blessings of republican government. On the 15th of January, 1847, the whole province rose in arms against the new system. At night, Governor Bent with twenty-four men were massacred at Fernando de Taos. Other murders took place at the same time, and in a few days a large number of the Californians were marching upon Santa Fé. The commandant of that place, Colonel Sterling Price, placed himself at the head of four hundred men, and advanced to meet the enemy. He came up with them, placed to the number of fifteen hundred, in a strong position, near Covoda. Notwithstanding the disparity of force, he gained a complete victory, killing or wounding thirty-six of their men, and losing but eight of his own—six of them wounded. A few days after this battle, (January 29th,) a hundred and eighty of Price's men, under Captain Burgwein, defeated a num

ber of Mexicans, strongly posted at La Joya. Their total loss, exclusive of prisoners, was eighty. On the 3d of February, the victorious Americans entered triumphantly into the town of Fernando de Taos.

The Mexican and Californian forces now retired to the village of Puebla de Taos, a strong position, whose churches and other buildings were admirably situated for defence. An attack was made by the Americans on the afternoon of the 3d, and renewed on the following morning. At nine o'clock, a cannon and two howitzers were opened upon the buildings, and, after a cannonade of two hours, two separate charges were made under Captains Burgwein and Angrecy; the former was killed. The Americans attempted to scale the walls but failed. They then stormed the church through a breach in the wall, fired it, and commenced vigorous measures for the reduction of the remaining buildings. Hostilities were terminated, however, by the submission of the inhabitants. The garrison lost about three hundred killed and wounded; the Americans fiftyfour.

ENERAL KEARNY, during these

movements of Colonel Price, had marched from Santa Fé with a considerable force, and, after crossing plains, rivers, mountains, and deserts, came up with the enemy, (December 6, 1846,) at San Pascual, Upper California. They numbered a hundred and sixty, under Andreas Pico. The Americans attacked with twelve dragoons, under Captain Johnston, fifty under Captain Moore, mounted on mules, twenty volunteers under Captains Gibson and Gillespie, and two mountain-howitzers under Lieutenant Davidson. At break of day, (December 6,) Captain Johnston made a furious charge upon the enemy with his advanced guard, and was soon after followed by the dragoons. The enemy gave way. They were followed by Captain Moore, and the cavalry mounted on mules. After retreating about half a mile, the enemy, who were all well mounted, suddenly wheeled round and attacked the captain, whose

SUBJECTED TO THE UNITED STATES.

119 men were some distance in advance of the others. On account of their vastly superior numbers, few of the advance remained untouched. Captain Moore and Lieutenant Hammond were lanced, with several other inferior officers. The Mexicans held the ground for some minutes, but were finally repulsed. Besides the officers already mentioned, the Americans lost Captain Johnston and sixteen men killed; and sixteen wounded, including General Kearny, Captains Gibson and Gillespie, and other officers.

On the 7th, Kearny resumed his march, and, after being joined by Commodore Stockton of the navy, again encountered the enemy, (January 8, 1847,) at the San Gabriel. Their force is estimated by the general at six hundred men, and four field-pieces, under Governor Flores. The Americans crossed the river in face of the enemy, stormed the heights, drove the enemy into the open plain, and after an action of an hour and a half, remained victors of the hardfought field. Their loss had been trifling.

On the 9th, the Americans continued their march as far as the plains of Mesa. Here the enemy, who, during the day, had hung on their front and flanks, opened their artillery, which was answered by that of the Americans. After hovering around for about two hours, and occasionally skirmishing, the Mexicans concentrated their forces, and charged Kearny's left flank, but were repulsed. The next day, the Americans entered Ciudad de los Angelos, without opposition.

Kearney and Stockton now took possession of the province in the name of the United States, and published a proclamation regulating the government and other matters of both Californias. By the treaty of 1848, between Mexico and the United States, Upper California and New Mexico were ceded to the latter power, and from that period the history of these countries is included in that of the United States.

CHAPTER VIII.

FLORIDA.

LTHOUGH the southern extremity of Florida lies so near to the West Indies, yet its existence was unknown to the Spaniards for a considerable time after the voyages of Columbus. It is supposed to have been visited by Sebastian Cabot during his celebrated voyage along the American coast; but the principal records of this expedition being lost, precludes the possibility of establishing this opinion. The hope of reaching the East Indies, or of discovering empires glittering with oriental luxury, led the Spanish adventurers in a southern or south-west course; and it was not till Terra Firma had been examined, and Nunez de Balboa had discovered the Pacific, that the Spaniards even suspected the existence of the region now forming the United States.

The glory of discovering Florida belongs to Juan Ponce de Leon,

ADVENTURES OF PONCE DE LEON.

121 an adventurer who had accompanied Columbus in his second voyage. He had then won such reputation as to be intrusted with a share of the government of Hispaniola, and subsequently with the conquest of Porto Rica. But his claims as governor conflicting with those of Columbus, he withdrew, and obtained, in compensation, Bimini, one of the Bahamas, which lay nearest to the conti

nent.

At this place, the veteran received intelligence which decided his future destiny. An opinion was then prevalent among the Caribs that in one of the West Indies a fountain existed whose waters could impart the gift of perpetual youth. In that age of romantic and chivalrous adventure, of new-found worlds and empires, it is not wonderful that the eager knight should embrace almost any opinion concerning the mysterious recesses of the lands daily unfolded to view. Ponce de Leon immediately embarked in search of the wonderful fount. Nearly all the northern islands of the Archipelago were visited, and the eagerness of the voyager increased in proportion as the fairy waters eluded his grasp.

HE industrious search after this chimerical object was rewarded in a manner totally unexpected. On the 27th of March, 1512, the Spaniards came in sight of an extensive country, hitherto unknown. It being Easter, (Pascua Florida,) they named it Florida; and having landed (April 8) near the present site of St. Augustine, they were delighted with its splendid vegetation and magnificent forests. Elated with the great discovery, De Leon, after sailing down the eastern coast to the southern point, repaired to Porto Rico, and thence to Spain, where he laid before the king the particulars of the new country, and obtained permission to conquer and rule it.

Had Ponce de Leon been able to sail immediately on his expedition, his fate and that of the expedition would probably have been different. But circumstances delayed his preparations so long, that nine years elapsed before he again appeared in the neighbourhood of Florida. He was then broken down by war and misfortunes; and probably his skill and vigour in planning and executing military achievements had been much diminished.

The point at which he landed is uncertain. His intention seems