Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-23
EARLY DAYS ON TIE SLOPF.
How California Became n Part of tho
United States-Stirring Events
or Thirty Years Ago.

San francisco E.cdnltIieI: AT the Metro
politan temple, last evening, a lecture was
delivered by Rev. A. Williams on a subject
which must always be interesting and in
structive, viz: The acquisition of California,
In 1916, by the comparative handful OF the
land and naval forces of the United States,
aided by the gallant settlers who raised and
fought under the celebrated Bear Flag"
la the course of the lecture Mr.. Williams
said: The first overt step to obtain the terri
tora prize was taken by President Jackson
in 1885. 1t was a surprise to the Union
when he asked for a commission to request
from Mexico the sale OF that portion of her
territory subsequently wruug from her by
conquest and by treaty. Incidental was the
Wilkes's expedition, by which the harbors OF
the coast were surveyed. Another event was
the hosting of the American flag at Monte
rey by Commodore Jones, IN 1912, under the
belief that war had been declared against
Mexico. Apology was made twenty four
hours afterward, when the error had been
ascertained. The memorable year of 1916
arrived, and the United States vessel Savan-
nah, Commodore Sloat, was at Honolulu.
There was also the British ship of war Col
lingwood. Sloat had a premonition of what
was impending, but he kept his counsel while
maintaining the most friendly relations with
the British commander. The American
cruiser proceeded to Mazatlan, and the Colling
wood followed her track Nothing was
ing, except that the American army was on
the eastern bank of the Rio Grande. The
information that determined Sioat to sail
northward and hoist the stars and stripes in
the territory came from two citizens of Amer
lea who are now resident here-James r.
Bolton, then in Mazatlan, and John PARROT
The operations of General TAYLOR, eommunI-
Gated by these gentlemen, led to the sai1Dg
of the Savannah on the seventh of June, 1876
and with press of sail the course was laid
for the harbor of Monterey. Meanwhile the
revolution bad broken out in California, IN
der the historic ''bear" flag. Captain Mer-
rill took the initiative in resistance to the
Ca!ifornians, and he joined Lieutenant John
c. Fremont, who had arrived in the coun-
try on his exploring expedition. On the
twenty third of June, Sonoma was surprised,
and General Vallejo and others taken pris-
oners. The bear" flag was improvlsed,
with its lone star and motto, California Re-
public" The battle on the Santa Rosa plains
was decisive for the Americans, and De La
Tore retreated 10 San Rafael, which, upon
being followed, he evacuated for San Fran
cisco. Northern California was In possession
of the revolutionists. After a passage of
twenty eight days the Savannah, on the sec
ond OF July, 1916, dropped anchor in the bay
of Monterey, and on the seventh two hundred
and fifty marines landed and took possession
of the town and fort unresistedly. Dispatch
es were sent by couriers to San Francisco
that the American flag waved over the an
Gent capital. These reached Captain Mont
gomery on the eighth, and on the following
day body of marines landed and ran up the
American colors in the plaza, since appro-
priately named Portsmouth-squarc The flag
was raised at Sonoma on the eleventh and
then at Suffers fort. There was no oppo-
sition. The Collingwood arrived in Monte
rey harbor too late for action, had there been
any such intention. Commodore Stockton,
who had also arrived, had to provide against
opposition in southern California. He landed
his forces at San Pedro, and marched upon
Los Angeles, while Fremont, south at San
Diego, was in readiness for operations there.
The commodore won bloodess victory, and
the whole territory acknowledged the United
States. Kit Carson, the mountaineer, was
sent across the country to Washington with
news of the conquest. Commodore Stock
ton was accorded a splendid reception at San
Francisco. and while coming ashore between
Sacramento and Clay streets, at Montgomery,
he prefaced an animated address with the
remark "YOu have met me at high water
mark" But hostilihes broke out afresh in
the south. The Savannah was dispatched to
San Pedro, and Captain Fremont proceeded
by land in command of the volunteers. On
the Salinas plain Captain Burrows and Cap
tain Foster, in command Of thirty three men,
and having in charge four hundred horses
for Fremont, were attacked by one hundred
and seventy FIVE of the Californians, and one
of the great disasters of the war occurred
Meanwhile General Kearney was on his
march from New Mexico and encountered
Kit Carson. Part of his force was sent back
and he continued westward with the remain
der, reaching point near San Diego on the
seventh of September. A reverse to his force
soon occurred, but on the twelfth of Deem
Der he entered San Diego. 0vertures were
made for a cessation OF hostilities until the
result of the general war with Mexico was
known, but they were firmly rejected, At
length, on the eighth of January, the battle of
San Gabriel was fought, and on the ninth
the decisive battle of the Mesa, as the result
of which Flores yielded to Stockton. The
captulation was followed by the signing of
the treaty of peace on the second of Febru-
airy, fourteen days after the discovery of gold
In seven months tie country had been con-
quered. Mr.. Williams made reference to the
arrival of Sherman and Halleck and Steven
sons volunteers, and, in conclusion, discuss
ing the merits and the praise due the COM
manders III the war, awarded the honcrs to
Commodore Stockton