San Andreas independent., 1857-10-17
of the Democratic State journal.
The Mcnamara Land Scheme.
SACRAMENTo Oct e,b 1os1


MEssRs. EDIToRs The San Francisco E,.,-
ing Bulletin of yesterday, contains a letter from
correspondent, giving long narrative Of
conversations had with Senior Castanares. of
Llmantour notoriety,' on board of the steamer
Cdt.fornia, on her late trip to Panama, wherein
that conspicuous gentleman assumes to him.
sell the credit of having defeated the immigra-
tion plan of one Mcnamara who obtained o
grant of land from Governor Pho Pico, in July,
le46.
As Senor Castanares Statement in relation
thereto is incorrect, l have thought it might
interest some of your readers to have the facts
respecting that political land transaction.
The writer of this was in the city of Mexico
ic December ls45, on his way to this country
Mcnamara was there at the same time, having
constant and daily communication with the
Mexican Government, and Sir Charles Bank
head, the English Minister
Our difficulties with Mexico were approach
ing crisis, and the Oregon boundary ques-
ton not having been settled, there was every
appearance that the United States would soon
be at war with Great Britain and Mexico at
the same time.
England was desirous to possess California
and as Mexico was greatly indebted to her Cit
lzens, it was proposed to hypothecate this
country for those debts, and England to hoist
the protectorate flag. To forward this plan.
it was decided to send Mr. McNrmara to this
country. He was Roman Catholic priest,
and by his position in the Church was sup
posed to have considerable influence. He came
to this country endorsed and recommended by
the Church dignitaries of Mexico to the Gov
ernor and priests here.
Mr.. Mcnamara was landed at Santa Barbara
from the British sloop- of-war Juno on the 9th
or 10th of June, 1916. The subscriber had
arrived in April and had set on foot operations
which defeated the English Celtic Emigration
project not, however, until convention had
been called by Gov. Pico, to meet ut Santa
Barbara in June. The difficulties which sud-
denly took place in this section of the country,
and the Imprisonment of the Vallejos, Reese,
and others, at Suffers Fort, prevented as full
an attendance at Santa Barbara, as had been
expected; yet Gov. Pico, acting under the in
huence of the documents brought to him from
Mexico by Mcnamara, granted to the latter
three hundred leagues of land in the San
Joaquin Valley, with the understanding that
10000 lrishmen were to be Immediately brot
here to settle upon the land. The deed was
given and dated on the 4th July, 1886 but the
United States having taken possession of CAL
ifornia, it became null and void Mr. McNa-
part of July, in the English line of battle ship
Collingacood Admiral Sir George Seymour.
Our Consul at Mexico, Mr.. Black, was well
acquainted with this English plau to possess
California, and to shield the British Govern
ment, McNarama said he was employed by q
wealthy company of London. President Her.
rera was in in favor of the English plan, but
Paredes, who seized the Government of Mexico
December, 1915, disapproved of the project,
saying " he wanted no immigrants who could
speak English the Irish would join the Amer
cans"
| When the Colingvood l20 arrived at Monte
rey July, 1916, just after the United States
flag had been hoisted, Sir George Seymour
was very much disappointed to find us in pos
session, and remarked that however much he
might regret the circumstance, he had no or
ders to interfere.
These are the facts respecting the Mcnamara
land scheme, Senor Castanares to the contrary
notwithstanding. G.