The Morning herald., 1876-07-20
First Independence Day Celobrated
In 0om FramCfsCO.

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The San Francisco Call" saysthe earliest
and first celebration of Independence Day
held In this locality occurred on the Fourth
Of July, 1896. 1t was 4,potsble apart from
the adobe structures at Vhe old mission and
the crumbling barracks at the preside,
there we're but two buildings in the San
Francisco Of that period, and one of them
was completed on the morning of the Fourth
Of July. Captain Richardson had put up
the first building and the second was erected
next to it by Jacob Primer Leese, on the
site now marked by the corner of Dupont
and Clay street. It was completed at ten
O'Clock on the morning of July 4, 1886. The
following description Of the house, arming
is taken from "The Annals of San Fran
CISCO"
At this time there was lying In the cove
the American bark Don Quixote, command
I'D by Mr.. Leese's partner, Captain Hiuck-
leyy and on board of which were their goods.
There were also at anchor in the port
another American ship and Mexican brig.
These vessels supplied every bit of colored
bunting they could furnish, with which was
decorated Mr.. Leese's hall. A splendid dis
play was the result. Outside of the building
foated amaciably the Mexican and Ameri-
can fags-the first time the latter was dis
played on the shore of Yerba Buena.
Captain Hinckley seems to have been some
what extravagant in his passion for sweet
sounds, since he always travelled with band
of music in his train. Through this cause a
more stylish orchestra, perhaps, than was
ever before heard in California, was pro-
vided by him. This consisted of a clarionet,
flute, violin, drum, fife and bugle, beside
two small six-pounders to form bass, and
to add their emphatic roar to the swelling
din, when toast of more than usual i'm
portance should be given. The last, how
ever, were borrowed from the presidio. The
feast was prepared, the minstrels were met
and the guests began to assemble about
three o'clock onthe afternoon ofthe Fourth.
They were about sixty in number, and in
cluded Gen. N, G. Vallejo and all the prin
cipal families from the neighborhood OfSo-
noma, such as the Castro, Martinez, etc. as
we'll as the chief inhabitants of San Fran
cisco. Beside the banquetting hall, Mr.
Leese had erected number of small tents
in which to receive bis numerous guests,
and provided for them comfortably. At five
O'Clock dinner was served, and Immediately
after followed the toasts. First of all was
given the union of the Mexican and Ameri-
can flags. General Vallejo next paid the
honors to Washington. Then followed appro-
pirate national aud individual toasts in their
order, but which 1t is needless to particu-
larize. The guests were as happy as NOR
tails could well be, and, In short 'all went
as merry as marriage bell The abund-
ance and variety of liquors at the table,
seemed to tickle the Californians amazing
". Dancing and other amusements then
commenced. The ball was kept hot and
rolling inc sssantly all the night, and it ap-
pears, too, tke following day; for, as Mr..
Lcese naiys1y observes in his amusing and
interesting diary, "Our Fourth ended on
the evening of the fifth"