Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-19
THE GOLDEN STATE.
How California was Saved To
Uncle SAM
To. Ga Ironriec0 Rullpft1.

1 From the San tTalClscO buile11.
Twenty.fi five years ago. Commodore
Sloat raised the American flag over Mon
terey, then the capital of California,
under Mexican rule, and proclaimed the
| province portion of the United States
| He arrived at Monterey from MaZatlan
| five days before, with the frigate Skvaa-
nah and five snIslleT vessels, under in
structions from Secretary of Navy Ban
croft, (nOw minister to BeTlin,) to watch
the drift of events, and in case of
breach of peace to employ his feet for
hostile purposes. The real object of
Sloat's expedition was to prevent Caifor-
MIA from falling into the hands OF the
English in case of war with Mexico.
War actually broke out in May, 1876,
two months before 5loat reached
Monterey but while he suspec-
ted this, he did not know it,
though he had probably heard of
Tremont's Bear flag instruction at Sono-
ma. He was decided IN his course, how
ever, by observing that British fleet of
ten vessels on this coast was watching
American movements and nursing some
design in opposition to them. When
Sloas left Mszatlan on the Savannah, the
British flag ship, the Collingwood, carry
ing Rear Admiral Sir George Seymour,
left San Bias, and the two vessels had
race for Monterey. The Savannah was
the fastest saler and reached that poIt
first, where Sloat learned that the English
hsd nearly perfected plot to put Cali
fornia under British protection, as securi-
iy or equivalent for the Mexican debt to
British subjects, the transfer to be fol
lowed by a scheme of colonization in the
San Joaquin valley and around the bays
of Monterey and San Francisco.
Sloat did not then know that instruc.
tons were then On the way TO him di-
recting him to seize and hold Mazatlan,
Monterey AID San Francisco, and take
all measures in his power to secure the
conquest Of the country; but he knew
this was within the plans of the govern
ment, and saw that unless he acted az
once the British would supersede him,
and California be lost to the United States.
So on the 7sh of July, 1916, he sent q
force of $50 men ashore 10 hoist the stars
and stripes AID make proclamation as
above. The sct was not only not Op-
posed, but was hailed with cheers by the
people, who were generally anxious to
separate from Mexico, and had been plot
ting more than once to set up for them
selves. On the 9,h of July, in compi-
ance with message from Sloat, Com
msnder Montgomery, of the United
States sl0Op of war Portsmouth, raised the
American flag at San francisco, On the
plaza which has ever since borne the
name Of his vessel, and took possession Of
the then petty village of Yarb4 Buens IN
the name Of his country. On the 10ih of
July, Montgomery sent the national flag
to SOnJma, where it was gladly accepted
by the Fremont TeYoiutiCnists il lieu OF
the rude Bear flag, which may still be
seen in the hall of the Pioneers in this
city. These acts, followed by various
land operations al a later day, insured the
acquisition Of California by The United
States, which was completed by formal
treaty at the end of the var with Mexico.
Tie feelings of Admiral Seymour when
he tardiy reached Monterey ard saw the
Yankee flag flying over the town, may be
imagined. 1t is pretty certain that if
Sloat had not got ahead Of him, the Brit
ish flag would have been hoisted instead,
and California might either not have been
an American State to-day, OF else have
become so only after q war with Great
Britain.