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which they belonged, these Americans were certainly in a very embarrassing situation. Without exception, and with little or no hesitation, they declared for the United States. What is yet more beautiful and touching, from the American point of view, their Spanish wives stood by them, even when their own fathers and brothers were in arms on the Mexican side. If blood is thicker than water, love is thicker than blood--the love which these men felt for their country and these women for their husband. The native population divided between the two sides, while some remained neutral. The most prominent Spanish families, the Argüellos, Bandinis, and Pedrorenas, promptly espoused the American cause when they found that war was inevitable. They clearly recognized that Mexico could not hold the country in the face of the growing power of the United States, and wisely decided to throw their influence on the side which could offer personal security, material prosperity, and liberal self-government. Page201 [Capt. Samuel F. DuPont] On July 29, 1846, Captain Samuel F. Dupont arrived from Monterey in the sloopof-war, Cyane. With him were John C. Frémont and his company of 80 men, and a like number of marines; also, Kit Carson, Alexis Godey, and four Delaware Indians. The whole composed the "California Battalion" of volunteers, with Frémont as major and Archibald H. Gillespie as captain. This formidable party received a friendly greeting from leading citizens, and lost no time in hoisting the American flag on the Plaza at Old Town. The log of the Cyane shows the following entries: "July 29.--8 to meridian. At 10:30 hauled up courses, standing in for harbor of San Diego. At 11:30 came to in 9 1/2 fathoms; hoisted out boats. Found the Mexican brig Juanita at anchor in the harbor. At 11:45 sent Lieutenant Higgins alongside with instructions to overhaul her papers. At 3:40 the launch and Alligator, under command of Lieutenant Rowan, and the Marine Guard under Lieutenant Maddox, left the ship to take possession of the town of San Diego and hoist the American flag. From 4 to 8, Major Frémont left the ship with a de- Page 202 tachment of his men. At 9 p.m. launch returned and at 10:50 the Alligator with Lieutenant Rowan, after taking possession of San Diego and hoisting the American flag, leaving all our marine guard, under Lieutenant Maddox, on shore to defend the flag and town. "July 30.--Crew employed in landing Major Frémont's Battalion with their equipments. 8 to meridian. Finished landing Major Frémont's troops and baggage. "August 9.--Lieutenant Maddox and the marine guard came on board; also, Lieutenant George L. Selden. Meridian to 4 p.m. Beating out to seaward." The flag used on this occasion was a naval flag. One of the first American flags used in San Diego was made by the three daughters of Juan Bandini,--Josefa, Ysabel, and Arcadia, of red and blue flannel and white muslin sheets. The only one of these ladies now surviving is Mrs. Arcadia Bandini de Baker of Santa Monica. Their flag is pre-
served in the archives of the government at Washington, together with the history of its making and use. Frémont's orders were to use San Diego as a base for the capture of Los Angeles. After collecting cattle, horses and other supplies, he marched north Aug. 8th, riding "an uncommonly beautiful sorrel horse," which had been presented to him by Bandini. A small garrison was left behind, but it did not remain long, or was regarded by the citizens as inadequate, for about the middle of September twelve men under Captain Ezekiel Merritt came down from Los Angeles to assist in the protection of the town, in response to a demand which had been voiced by Henry D. Fitch. Prominent citizens aided in preserving order and accepted offices under the election which was ordered by Stockton, and took place on Sept. 15th. Miguel de Pedrorena became justice of the peace, and Pedro C. Carrillo was appointed collector of customs. Los Angeles promptly surrendered to Stockton and Frémont who joined forces when the former arrived from San Pedro and the latter from San Diego. The victory was not lasting, however, for in a short time the Californians rose and recaptured Los Angeles. Thus encouraged, they determined to regain San Diego also. For this purpose Francisco Rico was sent south early in October with fifty men. Rico did not reach San Diego, being recalled in haste after reaching the Santa Margarita, but Sérbulo Varela was soon after sent in his stead. A number of Merritt's men had been sent from San Diego to Los Angeles from time to time with dispatches, so that there were at that time but six or seven left. On the approach of Rico's forces, John Bidwell, who had been left in charge at San Luis Rey, left that place and joined Merritt's party at San Diego. The little garrison were alarmed by the approach of the Mexicans, as well Page 203 [Mrs. Arcadia de Baker] as by apparently well-founded rumors of a plot of the Californians to kill the Americans. They therefore embarked on board the Stonington, a whale-ship then lying in the harbor, which had been chartered by the government. The refugees included the garrison, the American residents and their families, and a number of Californians who had reason to fear for their safety. The town was immediately occupied by the enemy, and, looking out the next morning, the refugees saw the Mexican flag floating from the flagstaff above the plaza. In this emergency, Bidwell was sent to San Pedro with four men in a small boat to ask for reinforcements. He returned after a dangerous voyage and steps were immediately taken to recapture the town. It often happens that we worry most about things that never occur, and the refugees in the whale-ship worried about the fact that two of the old cannon lay at the Presidio, and that the Mexicans might mount them on ox-carts, bring them down to the shore, and bombard the ships. To render such a disaster impossible, Albert B. Smith was put ashore at La Playa, and succeeded in reaching Presidio Hill by a circuitous route. He found the guns, spiked them, and returned in safety. Relieved of anxiety on this score, and emboldened by Smith's exploit, Captain Merritt the next morning landed all his available force, together with the whalers and two cannon from the ships, and marched upon the town. The Mexican
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History of San Diego 1542-1908, An
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the story of it was handed down fro
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convenient, and well sheltered," an
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Page 36 ably the prophecy of a grea
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priests who were to go, some by sea
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they approached San Diego they met
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Page 47 water in the river, and it
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The San Antonio had sailed for San
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hilltop on that fateful morning and
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1774, to make a new start and to la
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ans who had gone to the Presidio re
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sionary zeal knew no bounds. Better
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tions, the Franciscan enthusiasts w
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eholder, but serves to show the sim
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Page 72 looked with longing eyes up
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ciated with the pioneers of pioneer
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1800. Their successors were José P
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income outside their pay. The chief
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Page 86 [Presidio Hill Today] Page
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were left as a guard to see that th
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was at San Diego, three years earli
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Argüello arrived he found that the
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agriculture successfully.. By 1790
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firm. The Sachem did not call at Sa
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1834, Roxana. 1835, Pilgrim. 1836,
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passed to the American Government.
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The story of the American whaling t
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Ex-Mission of San Diego Santiago Ar
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Late in 1826, the governor ordered
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where the transfer of office was ma
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In 1831, the first revolution, whic
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civil rule. They constituted the fi
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ored to raise a force to renew the
Page 67 and 68: Before turning to the brighter days
Page 69 and 70: he published in 1832 told some rema
Page 71 and 72: provided, greatly to the delight of
Page 73 and 74: pending American invasion, there we
Page 75 and 76: The different classes of society we
Page 77 and 78: for on these occasions no invitatio
Page 79 and 80: Even a funeral was made the occasio
Page 81 and 82: sic, and towards the end of the eve
Page 83 and 84: and a feast held, after which games
Page 85 and 86: had to be stalked on foot, or in bo
Page 87 and 88: food was passed around in plates or
Page 89 and 90: Page 161 PART II. CHAPTER VI. PROMI
Page 91 and 92: He died on his Tia Juana ranch in 1
Page 93 and 94: "Among our passengers was a young m
Page 95 and 96: lar, but overindulgent and careless
Page 97 and 98: MARRON, Sylvester. Son of Juan Mar
Page 99 and 100: of his small stature. Wilkes ridicu
Page 101 and 102: pressed them because she did not ca
Page 103 and 104: Dana has also left his opinion on r
Page 105 and 106: El Cajon, where he seized Chief Jaj
Page 107 and 108: to stop, the narrow defiles affordi
Page 109 and 110: Page 187 shall, a renegade sailor f
Page 111 and 112: The line of march was by way of the
Page 113 and 114: mand: "Ready ! Aim! Fire!" and Anto
Page 115 and 116: next morning, she saw the body hang
Page 117: "Potrero"--Including Rincon, Gapich
Page 121 and 122: mission, where a few rangers were t
Page 123 and 124: pedition he was about to send out m
Page 125 and 126: Page 212 fell back. A ranger now da
Page 127 and 128: crepancy is only in the number of w
Page 129 and 130: Of the adventures of these men on t
Page 131 and 132: the baggage was burned, as it was t
Page 133 and 134: Choosing the latter course, Kearny
Page 135 and 136: The Mormons, then as now objects of
Page 137 and 138: 24. William Power. 25. Peter Gribbi
Page 139 and 140: SECOND PRECINCT-POLL LIST. Pursuant
Page 141 and 142: The first term of the district cour
Page 143 and 144: seized. He wanted to know what he s
Page 145 and 146: new settlement sprouting on the sit
Page 147 and 148: "There was then no doctor at Old To
Page 149 and 150: flats near his residence, having a
Page 151 and 152: wood and to look out for vessels th
Page 153 and 154: The coastwise trade opened briskly
Page 155 and 156: E. Mason, and was the occasion of g
Page 157 and 158: chants and mechanics, who intended
Page 159 and 160: "Your jurors in the within case of
Page 161 and 162: It will now be in order to give som
Page 163 and 164: On April 5, 1851, he married Ysidor
Page 165 and 166: Past Master's jewel, which the latt
Page 167 and 168: where he lived for twenty years. In
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postmaster in 1853-4, trustee again
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any pecuniary liability without the
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old and active Freemason and a memb
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el between Governor Smith and his c
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Town. Mrs. Smith died recently. Est
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WITHERBY, Oliver S. Judge Witherby
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After the discovery of gold, he joi
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Ames cast in his lot with the new t
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It is probable that on account of h
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men as Garrison and Sumner, who are
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"Lo, I am an editor! Hasn't Ames go
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"Like unto the great Napoleon after
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the editorial column, under the nam
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How they ought not to let Oregon ge
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Page 318 carried also eight or ten
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Page 321 [Charles P. Noell] slight
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