The Trinity journal., 1856-09-13
Freinont-or the Ride of the one Hundred


being familiar with the language and Gus
tuoms of the people, was selected to effect
a large contract of hides for one of our east
ern firms, the trade being nearly paralyzed
at the time by the war then in progress be-
tween our country and Mexico where a
handful of noble men were accomplishing
deeds which have given them place in the
history by the side of Leonidas and his
braves California had become to us a
deSideratum although their mineral wealth
still slumbcred, waiting for that enchanter
of modern days. Yankee enterprise, their
splendid harbors, the contiguity of our pos
sessions in Oregon and the facilities for
trade with China, were a sufficient incentive.
Commodore Stockton had hurried up from
Calao in the frigate Congress and General
kearney had crossed the plains from the
Missouri River with force of armed hunt
ers, for the purpose of taking the country
and holding it as a gage for a satisfactory
treaty.
The native Californians, who had long
groaned beneath the imposts of distant
Government and venial Governors, had
themselves invited our overtures but few
of their leaders, with deadly hatred toward
the Yankees and hope of personal reward
from Mexico, were assdously endeavorng
to stir the people up to a reyolt--in many
cases with too great success. Manuel Cas-
tao, a wealthy and influential ranchero noted
for his determined opposition to all change,
and enmty to the Gringos," had arranged
for an attack on the Pucblos Angeles, the
head quarters of Gen. Kearny, held by a
small force of marines and volunteers. His
agents were in all parts of the country, in
flaming the inhabitants and urging them to
join him. BY some means his plan leaked
out.
1t was at this time at the ranch of my
old friend, Gen Martinez Vallejo, on the
Sonoma Creek my companion was Capt.
D, who has since eSpouscd one of our
hosts daughters. Vallejo was one of the
largest landholdcrs in California, owning
some sixty square miles, with forty thousand
head of cattle and several hundred horses,
cattle and horses at that time being u mans
available wealth. lie had been formerly
Military Governor of the country, and was
considered fair spoil by our people, though
in justice | must state that he was kindly
disposed toward the Americans. The house
was a substantial edilice of two stories sur
rounded by corral, with stout gateway
the household consisted of some twenty per
sons.
We had retired to rest, and were wrap
ped in slumbcr, when the loud barking of
dogs and hallooing of men aroused us sud
denly from our dreams Expecting an at
tack from the bear party Ga band of despcr-
ADDE'S who infcst the country,) all rushed to
the courtyard armed as well as the time
permitted and in costume, the most pctur-
esque, as primitivcncss is unusually consd-
cred so. The General, sabre in hand, came
last he challenged the intrudcrs with
"Qu1en es Ia ?" (Who is there
" AmerlcanOs camajos, um5yn la pucyta," ;"
I (AmericanS and friends, open the gate,
was the response, blow accompanying the
words that made the floor shake again.
The demand was quickly complied with
and band of some fifty men were presented
to our view, mounted and arraycd as trap
pcrS and hunters, snd armed to the teeth
Foremost among them, on a black mustang
was small, sinew dark man, evidently their
leaGer, with an eye like Mars to threaten
and command" countcnance expressive of
the greatest determination, and u bearing
that Notwithstanding his rough dress stamp
ed him as one born to command-to lead
This was Fremont.
" am an officer of the United States"
said he ! am on my way to Los Angeles !;
| must have horses"
But" said Vallejo.
" | said, Sir, must have them you will
be recompensed by the Government. |
order you, Sir, to deliver to my men what
horses you may have in corral"
Finding remonstrancc would be of no
avail with such man, Vallejo called his
vaqueros and gave the requisite directions
In the meanwhile my friend D. made
himself known to Fremont, having met him
i'll Washington
" have information Of Castro's intention
to attack Los Angeles ] have six days to
reach there before the outbreak, for that /
need these horses ; for | must be in at the
death'
" But the distance six hundred miles,"
said D, "Thc roads"
" shall do il" he replied, and turned
away to supervise his arrangements
In half an hour they departed as uncere-
moniously as they came, taking with them
some three hundred horses, and leaving us
astonished at this riad, to wonder if we were
yet awake, or whether it was an unsubstan-
tal dream.
" Los d,aJolos" exclaimed the general
"they have even taken my wife's saddle
horse !" so thoroughly had Fremont's Lieut..
executed his order.
From Sonoma to Yerba Buena, the little
hamlet where now stands the Queen City of
the Pacific, San Francisco he augmented
his stock to the number of fifteen hundred
completely clearing the country and then
commenced one Of the most peculiar races
for fight ever probably known. Barely
pulling bride to deyour steak cut from
the quarter of scarce dead bullock, driving
before them their spare horses-On, on they
went The roads at all times bad at this