Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-03-29
WHOLE NO. o79.

until the revolution was consummatod, and
Charles fugitive, that lhey consented to
capitulate.
! On the disbanding Of their corps, which
took place shortly afterwards, Sutter came 20
the United States, became citizen, and after
spending several years in different States OF
our Union, engaging in various pursuits, and
undergoing many vicissitudes of fortune, he
concluded 10 emigrate to Oregon, whence he
wen,to California. With adventurous dar-
ing he resolved 10 take up his abode, alone
and unsupported in the midst of the savages
OF the frontier for at that time not single
white man inhabited the valley OF the Sacra-
mento. His first attempt TO ascend that river
was failure, he having lost his way among
the nterminable slues have already alluded
to bu, still pcrsevering, he arrived at his
present location, established alliances with
several tribes of Indians in the vicipity, ac-
quired great ascendancy and power amongst
them, took some of them for soldiers and in
structed them in the mysteries OF European
driil, built his folt on the most improved from
tier model, and boldly made war upon the
refractory tribes in the vicinity. ldoub. if
more remarkable instance of individual oner-
gy, perse, erance and heroism, has ever been
displayed under similar circumstances. This
unceremonious way of settling down IN a
strange country, and .oundinga sort of inde-
pendent empire on ones " own hook, is one
of the feats that will excite the astonishment
of posterity. In times past men have been
deifed on slishter grounds.
AT length the influence and power OF Sut-
ter attracted tho attention of the Mexican
Government ; but as he was too remote, as
well as too strong, TO be punished or betrayed,
they thought 1t their wisest plan to conciiate
him. lie was therefore, made military COM
mandani of the frontier, with full authority and
absolute power, extending to life itself, with
in the limits of his jurisdiction. In this Office
he continued ior several years, trading with
the Indians, teaching them the rudlmenis Of
manufactures, agriculture and arms,
and acquiring an extensive influence in the
valley. lie always, how ever had decided
leaning towards his adopted country, and hos
pitably received and entertained, even to his
own detrment, such parties of Americans az
came near his retreat and, regret TO add,
that many of our countrymen made but a poor
return for this kindness and iberality. III.
nally, the Mexicans, seeing that the Ameri-
cans, emboldened by his example, began to
settle in the valley, and growing jealous of his
influential position, endeayored 10 remove him,
and as an inducement TO give up his border
fortress to a Mexican garrison, offered him
beautiful and improved mission lands Of San
Jose, near the pueblo of that name, and the
sum of fifty thousand dollars proving their
eagerncss to get rid of him by actually pro-
viding security for the money, practice al
most unknown in Mexican fnancierine, which
generally consists in promises intended to be
broken. But not an inch would Suttcr bulge
from his stronghold, sagaciously looking for.
ward with the eye Of faith, TO The time when
the United States should acquire possession of
vouty hoped for and hailed when il came to
pass
| The fort consists of a parallclogram enclosed
by double walls fifteen leet high and two feet
thick, with bas,ons or towers at the angles,
the walls of which are four feet thick,
and their cmbrasures so arranged as to flank
the curtain Oh all sides. A good house occu-
pies the centre of the interior aIea serving for
officers quarters, arnory, guard and state
rooms, and also for kind Of citadel. There
is second wall on the inner face, the space
between it and the outer wall being rooted and
divided into workshops quarters, &c, and the
usual Offices are provided, and also well Of
good water Co.rals for the cattle and horses
Of the garrison are conveniently placed where
they can be under the eye Of tn, guard.
Cannon irown Q believe that is an inye,e-
rate habit of canhon,) from the various EN-
brasures and the ensemble presents tho very
ideal of border fortress. II must have AS
tonishcd the natives when this monument Of
the white mans skill arose from tho plain, and
showed us dreadful teeth in the midst OF these
attitudes y