Spaniards to the territory, and the Governor being unable to enforce his commands, was compelled to allow the Russians to remain in possession until 1840, when they left of their own accord. Before the commencement of the struggle in Mexico for independence from Spain in 1822, the missions in California were, to some extent fostered by the Spanish government and supplies were occasionally sent them. But when war began this aid was withheld and these establishments soon began to fall into decay, and the Padres, deprived of their authority, returned to Spain or Mexico, or took refuge in other lands. The Indians, being free from restraint, soon sank to their original condition of barbarism.

From 1769 to 1823 twenty-one missions were founded in Alta, California. The first was the one at San Diego by Father Junipero Serra, July, 1769, who was commissioned president of all the missions of Upper California. The padres chose wisely and well the most beautiful and fertile spots for their establishments, and in time became possessed of immense flocks and herds and enjoyed most of the luxuries of civilized life. Their church property was confiscated by the Mexican Government in 1833, and at present no trace of their presence or greatness is to be seen except in the dilapidated and crumbling walls of their mission structures and the declining cross as it droops in melancholy solitude over the silent city where lie their buried dead.

CHAPTER XXII.

LATER HISTORY.

Very soon after the Spanish yoke was thrown off and Mexican authority established in California, foreign vessels began to arrive in its principal ports, especially whalers and traders from the United States, to exchange manufactured goods for hides and tallow furnished by the Mission fathers. As the region grew in population, shipping became more regular and mercantile houses were established at various points on the coast. The white portion of the population was regarded with a jealous eye by the Spanish and Mexican settlers, especially immigrants from and citizenes of the United States.

About the year 1836 trouble began between the Mexican authorities themselves. Affairs were very much disturbed, and occasionally a revolution broke

Angel Ramirez, a Mexican, and a chief official in the government, and Juan Alvarado, second official and a Californian of Spanish descent, became involved in a bitter person controversy, and Alvarado, being ordered under arrest, fled, and sought refuge with one Isaac Graham in the Santa Cruz mountains. Many years previously Graham had crossed the plans and the

Sienrra Nevada as a hunter and trapper, and had now made a temporary home in the Santa Cruz range. He was a "Tennessee Yankee," and being of an adventurous turn, he, with Alvarado, upon hearing of his wrongs, concocted a scheme to overthrow Mexican authority in California and establish a free and independent state. In a few days Graham gathered a force of fifty riflemen, and Alvarado and Jose Castro, with one hundred and fifty native Californians, supplied themselves with ammunition from American vessels. They marched upon Monterey, the capital, and entered it by night, and made the governor, Nicholas Gutierrez, a prisoner. At first, some show of resistance was made, but a four-pound shot crashing through the roof of the presidio building, caused an immediate surrender. That was the only shot fired during that revolution. Alvarado and Castro were now in possession of the capital, and California was declared a free and independent state, with Alvarado at the head of civil, and Guadalupe Vallejo, of military, affairs. The governor, with his officers and soldiers were banished, and a republican government established.

California eventually, again submitted to Mexican rule, and Alvarado and Castro were given important positions. Graham and other foreigners who had assisted in the revolution now became obnoxious to Alvarado, and he had them arrested and sent as prisoners to Monterey and Santa Barbara, and some to Mexico. The exiles, however, returned after a time through the kindness of the English and other foreign consuls in the ports where they were confined.

The enterprising and irrepressible American now entered upon a new role in California. Commodore Jones, of the United States navy, being on the coast, learned in some way that trouble existed between his government and Mexico. Inferring that this "straining of diplomatic relations" would result in war, he entered the port of Monterey, hoisted the Stars and Stripes, and took possession of the capitol, and proclaimed California a part of the American republic. On the following day, however, he learned that his acts were premature and quietly hauled down his banners and departed. In the same year, 1842, the Mexican government appointed General Micheltorena governor of California, with authority to exercise all the power hitherto vested in Alvarado and General Vallejo. These two, with General Castro, entered into a conspiracy to drive Micheltorena out of the country. Castro, with a small force, marched to San Juan, and captured the town and all the government ammunition which was stored there. The governor, fearing defeat, called for aid from Captain John A. Sutter, who had been a foreign resident of the country since 1839. Sutter responded, and with one hundred mounted men, mostly foreigners, went to the rescue. General Castro, at the head of the "rebel" army, met the government forces a short distance from Los Angeles on the 21st of July, 1845, where an engagement took place. It lasted two days, with the result that four persons were killed and Micheltorena surrendered unconditionally with all his forces, who were shipped to San Blas on board an American vessel. Once more California was

an independent country, with Pio Pico governor and Castro general in chief.

The third American expedition directed by Congress, was under John C. Fremont, who started in the early part of 1845, across the plans and the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific with instructions to find the best route to the mouth of the Columbia River. After a most hazardous journey, he arrived with his faithful guide and escort, Kit Carson, and his men (six of whom were Delaware Indians), the whole company consisting of sixty-two men-within a hundred miles. of Monterey, where he halted and proceded in person to the headquarters of General Castro, then in charge of the territory. His object was to obtain for himself. and company a pass to go to the San Joaquin valley, where hunting and pasture were abundant. He received a verbal promise from the general that it would be all right to go where he desired, and that on his word of honor as a soldier he would not be molested. Three days after Fremont's departure, General Castro raised an army of three hundred native Californians, and sent a dispatch to Fremont, notifying him to quit the country at once else he would march upon him and "put to death his whole company." This treachery did not surprise or frighten Fremont, who replied that he would leave whenever he was ready and not before. He prepared for action by entrenching himself on what was known as "Hank's Peak," about thirty miles from Monterey, overlooking that city, where he raised the American flag. The whole company was well armed, each having a knife, a tomahawk, two pis