Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-07-12


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on the coast the British Vice consul, Forbes.
and the emissary priest, Mscnamara, rulns and
conducting everything and all their plans so
far advanced as TO render the least DELAY fatal.
IL was then the beginning Of June War had
broken out between the United States and
Mexico, but that was unknown in Caf,rnia.
Mr.. Fremont had lclt the two countries at peace
when he set out upon his exp 'diton, and was
delerained 10 do nothing to disturb their rela-
lions he had even left California TO avoid Civ
ing Oiience and to return and take up arr in
so short time was apparently to discsedit his
own ?revioos conduct, as well as to implcaie
his government. He felt all the responsible
ties OF his position; bat the actual approach Of
Castro, and the immediate DANCER Of the se,-
tiefs, lefi him no alternative. lie determined
to put himself at the head OF the people. And 10
save the country. To repnse Castro was not
sufficient; TO overiurn the Mexican government
in California, and 10 establish Californian indie.
pendence, was the bold resolve. That resolve
was taken, and executed with celeriiy that
gave il a romantic success The American
settlers rushed TO his camp-btought their
arms. horses and ammuniiion-- we're formed in
10 balialion and oheyed with zeal and alae-
riiy the orders they received. In thirty days
all the northern part Of California was freed
from Mexican ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS pro-
clailned-lhe flag Of Independence raised-Cas-
iro flying TO the souih-ihe American settlers
saved frOm destruction; and the British party
IN CalIfornia oountcrscted and broken up in all
their schemes
This movement for Independence was The
salvation Of California, and snaiched it out Of
the hands Of the British At the moment they
were ready to clutch it, For two hundred
years-from the time of the navigator Drake,
who almost claimed i as a discovery, and plac-
ed the English name Of New Albion upon it,
the eye of England had been upon California;
and the magnificent bay Of San Francisco. the
great seaport Of the North Pacific Ocean, has
been surveyed as her own. The approaching
war between Mexico and the United States was
the crisis in which she expected to realize the
long deferred wish for It's acquisition and
carefully she took her measures accordingly.
She sent two sioadrons 10 the Pacific as soon
as Texas was incorporated-wel seeing the ac-
teal war which was TO grow out Of that event
IA small one into the mouth Of the Columbia,
an imposing one TO Mazailan, on the Mexican
coast, 10 watch the United States squadron
there, and to anticipate its movements upon
California. Commodore Soai, commanding
the squadron at Mazatlin, saw that be was
watched, and pursued by Admiral Seymour,
Who lay along side Of him, aud he determined
TO deceive him. He stood out 10 sea, and was
followed by the British Admiral. During the
day he bore west. across the ocean, ae if going
to the Sandwich Islands Admiral Seymour
followed. In the night the American commo-
dore tackled, and ran VI The coas: towards CAL
ifornia; the British Admiral, not seeing the
tack, continued on his course, and went entire.
ly TO the Sandwich lslands before he was no.
deceived. Commodore S.oat arrived At Monte
rey on the second Of July. before entering that
port amieably, and offering 10 salute the town,
which the authorities declined on the pretext
that they had no powder TO return it--in reali-
ty because they momeniarily expected the Brit
ish' feet. Commodore Sloai remained Eve days
before the town, and until he heard of Fre-
mcnts operations; then believing thai Fremont
had orders from his government to take Cali
fornia, he having none himself, he determined
10 act himself He received the news OF Fra-
mont's successes on the 9Th day Of July: on
the 9TH he took the town of Monterey, and sent
despatch to Fremont. This letter came TO
him in all speed, at the head of bis mounted
force GoiEg Immediately on board the COM
modore's vessel, an explanation took place.
The commodore learnt with astonishmenl that
Fremont had no orders from his government to
commence hoslilities--ihai he acted entirely on
his own responsibility. This left the commo-
dore without authority for having taken Mon
ierey for still al this time, the commencement
Of the war With Mexico was unknown. Unea-
siness came upon the commodore. He remem-
bered The fate Of Captain Jones in making the
mistake Of seizing the town once before in time
Of peace. He resolved to return TO the United
States, which he did-turning over the CON-
mand Of the squadron 10 Commodore Stockton,
who had arrived on the 18th. The next day
(l6ih) Admiral Seymour arrived his flagship
the Collingwond, Of SO rms, and his squadron
the largest British fee. ever seen in the Paci-
&c. To his establishment he beheld the Amer
lean Gag flying over Monterey, the American
squadron in its harbor, and Fremunts mounted
rillemen encamped over the town. His mission
was at an end. The prize had escaped him.
He attempted nothing further, and Ffemon, and
Stockton rapidly pressed the conques, of Cali
iornia to its conclusion. The subsequent mil
itary events can be traced by any history they
were the natural sequence Of the great measure
conceived aud executed by Fremont before any
squadron had arrived upon the coast, before he
knew of any war with Mexico, and without any
authority from his governmon, excePtthe equiv
ocal and enigmatcal visit Of Mr. Gillespie
Before the junction Of Mr. Fremont with Com
modore Sloat and Stockton, his operations had
been carried on under the dag of Independence
: the Bear flag as il was called-the device of
the bear being adopted an account of the conr-
ageous qualities Of that animal (ihe white bear)
which never gives the road 10 men-whch at
lacks any number-and fights TO the last with
increasing ferociiy, with amazing strength Of
muscle, and with an incredible tenscity Of the