THE WORKS

OF

HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.

VOLUME XXII.

HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.

VOL. V. 1846-1848.

SAN FRANCISCO:

THE HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.

58783

Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1886, by HUBERT H. BANCROFT,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

All Rights Reserved.

CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

OPERATIONS OF FREMONT AND GILLESPIE

January-May, 1846.

Explorers in the Tulares-Frémont at New Helvetia, Yerba Buena, and

San José-Visit to Larkin and Castro at Monterey-Explanations to

the Prefect-Permission to Recruit his Men on the Frontier-The

Walker-Talbot-Kern Party-In Camp at Fisher's Rancho-Frémont

Breaks his Agreement-Insult to Alcalde Pacheco-Over the Santa

Cruz Mountains-In Camp at Alisal-Ordered to Depart-Defiance-

The Stars and Stripes on Gavilan Peak-Larkin's Efforts-Castro's

Military Preparations-Falsity of Current Versions-Frémont Runs

Away-His Blunder-Proclamations and Reports-In the Sacra-

mento Valley-Letter to Clyman-To the Oregon Border-A Night

Attack by Indians-Back to California-Gillespie's Arrival and In-

structions-Up the River by Boat-Sutter's Warning to Castro.....

PAGE

1

CHAPTER II.

POLITICAL AND MILITARY.

January-June, 1846.

A Fruitless Controversy-Alvarado as Congressman-Castañares and

Tellez-Covarrubias as Pico's Agent-Mission of Castillero-Affairs

in Mexico-Iniestra's Expedition-Tellez and Morales-Cambuston

and Castro-Valle and Treasury Troubles-Assembly-Guerra Sent

to Monterey-Return of J. A. Carrillo-Pico as Constitutional Gov-

ernor-Military Junta at Monterey-Adhesion to President Paredes

-Measures for Defence-Pico's Protests-Vallejo's Position-Guerra

Sent to Angeles-Consejo General de Pueblos Unidos at Santa Bár-

bara-Castro's Protests-Martial Law-The Assembly Deposes Cas-

tro-Pico and his Army March North against Castro-Warlike

Preparations for Defence of Angeles-Coöperation of Foreigners-

Bandini and Castro-Affairs in the North..

30

CHAPTER III.

FOREIGN RELATIONS-UNITED STATES AND ENGLAND

January-June, 1846.

Larkin as U. S. Confidential Agent-His Instructions-Correspondence-

Fears of Invasion-Treatment of Foreigners-Frémont's Operations

in March-Larkin's Efforts and Hopes-Monterey Junta-Imaginary

Speeches for England, France, and the U. S.—Stearns, Leese, and

Warner-Sutter's Policy-Consejo General at Santa Bárbara, and its

Bearing on Foreign Schemes-Views of Stearns and Larkin-Pico's

Intrigues-Exaggerations on English Interference-Testimony of

Gillespie and Minor-Position of Forbes and Spence-Stearns as Sub-

agent of the U. S.-Condition of Affairs in June-General Conclu-

sions..

PAGE

54

CHAPTER IV.

CAUSES OF THE SETTLERS' REVOLT.

June, 1846.

An Unexpected Outbreak-Its Alleged Motives-Self-defence and Re-

sistance to Oppression-Mere Pretexts-Current Rumors-The In-

surgents Classified-Adventurers-American Enthusiasts-Ambitious

Politicians-Real Motives of the Leaders-Frémont's Policy-Gilles-

pie's Mission-Ambition and Revenge-A Bold Resolution-Over-

much Caution-Nature of Frémont's Coöperation-Ide's Theories

and Statements-A Filibustering Scheme-Needless, Unjustifiable,

Productive of No Good-Not a Part of the Conquest-Serious Re-

sponsibilities of the Insurgent Leaders-A Fortunate Ending....... 77

CHAPTER V.

BEAR FLAG REVOLT-TAKING OF SONOMA.

June, 1846.

Frémont's Return from Oregon-Hensley's Mission-A Summons to Re-

volt-Frémont Cautious-All Ready-Camp Moved to Bear River-

Castro at Santa Clara-His Visit to Sonoma-Arce's Caballada-

Merritt Sent by Frémont to Begin Hostilities-Seizure of Horses on

the Cosumnes-The Filibusters Reënforced in Napa Valley-Names

-Occupation of Sonoma-Vallejo a Prisoner of War-Negotiations

-Written Guaranties-Broken before the Ink was Dry-Incidents

of the Morning-The Insurgents Unmanageable-Aguardiente-A

Controversy-John Grigsby Declines the Command-William B. Ide

Chosen-Journey of the Prisoners to Frémont's Camp-Locked up in

Sutter's Fort....

101