History of California

ast of the United States. The nearest approach to such contact was in the year 1789, when Captain Arguello,

will take measures to secure the vessel with all the people aboard with discretion, tact, cleverness, and caution." As the Columbia

from "Los Americanos;" but after the coming of the first two or three American ships, when trade began to be established, there arose the kindliest feeling between the New

usness and air of interest that merits from us the liveliest acknowledgments, and the padres were as kind to us as the officers. We were invited to dine at the Mission San Carlos, two leagues from Monterey, were received upon our arrival there like lords of a parish vi

ans he said that he wished the padres might teach them, besides the principles of the Christian religion, some facts about law and civil governm

ifornia. So much did he enjoy the courtesy of the Spanish officers that when his map of the coast came out it was found that he had honore

suffering and saw that unless food was brought to them promptly, they would die from starvation. San Francisco was the nearest port, and though he knew that Spain did not allow trade with foreign countries, the Russian determined to make the at

food for his starving people. The governor and his officers dared not disobey the laws of Spain in regard to foreign trade. While they were arguing and debatin

ded slowly one by one, And by Love w

nd therefore the law need not apply in his case. Thus the Count got his ship load of food and sailed away, promising to return as soon as po

in settlement, and was the home of the governor, his officers and their families, all accomplished, intelligent men and women. Besides the soldiers there were a number of mechanics and a company of natives from the Aleutian Islands, who were employed by the Russians to hunt the otter. Up and down the coast roamed these wild sea hunters, even collecting their furry game in San F

San Francisco and was entertained by the comandante, Lieutenant Luis A

ain unnoticed; but posterity will do them justice; towns and cities will flourish where all is now desert; the waters over which scarcely a solitary boat is yet seen to glide will reflec

interesting description of his visit. To him is due the h

rt Ross to the Swiss emigrant, the genial John Sutter. In 1903, through the agency of the Landmarks Societ

ho bought out the Russians of Fort Ross, came to California in 1839. He obtained from the Mexican government an extensive grant of land about the present site of Sacramento, and here he erected the famous Sutter's Fort where all newcomers, were made welcome and, if th

, yet when Alvarado and his party were successful, Graham and his men demanded large rewards, and because the governor would not satisfy them they began to persecute him in every way possible. Alvarado says: "I was insulted at every turn b

y's getting possession of the land, until Governor Alvarado, having good reason to believe t

e better class of Americans who had been long residents of the country sympathized with Graham and his followers, but from this

o the story o

ebelled, declaring itself an independent state, and had applied for admission to the American Union. Because the question of slavery was concerned in this application, it caused intense excitement

he entrance of United States troops into the disputed territory. During the long discussion over Texas the United States was having trouble with Great Britain over Oregon, which was then the whole country lying between the Mexican province of California and the Russian possessions on the north coast (now Alaska). Before the invention of steam cars and the construction of railroads, the Pacific coast region had been thought of little value. The popular idea was expressed by Webster

nce the leading Californians to follow the example of Texas, secede from Mexico, and join the United States, where he wa

ive the three vessels proceeded to the anchorage. Great was the excitement in Monterey. Neither the comandante nor the American consul could imagine the reason for such strange conduct. It was soon explained, however, by the arrival

between these countries. Since he had neither men nor arms to resist this strange demand, Alvarado, who was acting for the ab

d learned to his dismay that the letters upon which he had acted and which indicated that war had been decla

faith of nations," as it was called, which was liable to involve the United Sta

. There he waited while he sent a messenger to Governor Micheltorena, who was living in Los Angeles, asking permission to call upon him and apologize in person. This request was granted, and Commodore Jones and his staff came up to Los Angeles, where they were the guests of their countryman, Don Ab

t day but one the governor gave a ball. It was to be at his home, which was the only two-story house in Los Angeles. To show the Americans how patriotic the people of California were, the governor reques

ster. The governor had the only carriage in California, and this he was to send for the commodore, Mr. Stearns, Isadora, and myself; but the po

ly a short distance we had to go, but as I was getting out the wind suddenly changed and down came a torrent of water on me. It was clear that I could not go to the ball in that condition, but the governor immediate

difficult to persuade his California neighbors that the United States looked upon them as brothers, and

ntain ranges into the great unknown West. Soon he was to become famous, not only in his own country but in Europe, as the "Pathfinder," the roa

ater he moved down into the heart of the California settlements and encamped on the Salinas River. Possibly, knowing that war would soon be declared between h

remont defied him, and there seemed a likelihood of immediate war. There was no actu

these, Fremont immediately turned about and marched swiftly back to Sutter's Fort, where he encamped. Just what orders the messages from Washington contained, no one knows; but

for himself the honor of gaining it, he brought on a war that caused the loss of many lives and much property, and the growth of a feeling of bitterness and distrust between Americans and Calif

re was no action contrary to the previous kindly treatment all had received from the hands of the Californians. Still the emigrants felt that as soon a

few men, was taking a band of horses to Monterey. Securing the horses, but letting the men who had them in charge get away, they hurried them to Fremont's camp, where t

somewhat alarmed. A man named Semple, who was one of the attacking party, describing the event in a Monterey paper sometime afterward, says: "Most of us were dressed in leather hunting shirts, many were very greasy, and all were heavily armed. We were about as rough a looking set of men as one could well

selves. For their emblem they chose the strongest and largest of the animals of California, the grizzly bear. The flag was made of a Mexican rebosa or scarf of unbleached muslin about a yard in width and five feet long. To the bottom of this they sewed a strip of red flannel; in one

mont joined his countrymen, and from that time the United States flag took the place of the banner of the bear. A little la

d to deal kindly with the Californians, and he hesitated to take decided steps. It took him six days to make up his mind, and then he came to a decision partly on account of the actions of Fremont and his men. Slowly up the flagstaff on the fort of Monterey rose the Stars and Stripes. Unfolded by the sea breeze, the beautiful flag

falsely, accused the Californians of treachery and cruelty, his proclamations were harsh and unjust to the proud but kindly people whom he was conquering. Many of the lat

Monterey. They were soon recalled by the news that the people of Los Angeles had risen against the harsh rule of Captain Gillespie, who had been left

ong for his forces, sailed away to San Diego. Here the Americans received a hearty w

from their home there, and on the journey up to San Diego. Mrs. Bandini made what was probably the first American flag ever constructed in California. As they neared San Diego the officer in command discovered that he had negl

ung officer she soon had a very fair-looking flag, and beneath its folds the party marched into the town. That night the band of the flagship Congress serenaded Mrs. Bandini in her San

n Kearny, who had marched overland, entered the territory on the southwest, and was on his way to join Stockton. Hearing that the country was conquered and the fighting over, the American officer had sent back about two hun

the Laguna rancho just east of the city. The Californians behaved with great bravery. All of them were poorly armed, many having only lances and

with his staff through the stormy night, down El Camino Real toward Mexico. General Andres Pico, upon whom devolved the duty of surrender, was to ride with his associates to the old Cahuenga ranch house, the first station on the highway from Lo