The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1884-07-19
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
The Struggle for the Possession OF
Cal .fornia.
tssn Francisco Bulletin

| From 1880 till 1876 the British Govern
ment contemplated the acquisition of Thu
country. In 1885 there were eight hun
bred Russians settled near Bodega Bay
where they had herds of cattle and flocks
of sheep, and as their presence did moi
suit the purposes of the British Govern
ment the President of the United States
was requested to notify the Russian Gov.
eminent that under the then existing
treaty between the governments they
must be removed, as it was stipulated nc
Russian settlements should be made
south of latitude 54' 40. The notice was
Immediately given, and the Russian Gov.
eminent ordered its subjects to leave the
country. The enforced immigrants bar.
tered their livestock for wheat to Capt.
John A. Suffer, and sailed for Alaska.
From that time until the country came
into the possession of the United States,
the native population was divided in
opinion as to what authority should gov
ern California. Governor Pico, Alvarado
and other old settlers favored annexation
to Great Britain General Castro was CD.
posed TO any change of Government.
General Vallejo, who at the time was
commander-in. chief of the Mexican
forces, desired annexation to the United
States. A meeting Of the Departmental
Assembly was called by Governor Pico,
to meet at Santa Barbara on the 10Th of
May, lS46, to act upon the important
question of Government. General Pico
first addressed the Assembly and severely
scathed the American people. The fol.
lowing concluded:
HIS REMARKS.
Gentlemen of the Assembly: We find
ourselves surrounded by hordes of Yam.
KEGS, immigrants who are focking to our
country, and whose progress we cannot
resist. Already hundreds Of these per.
tidious eople, with their families in great
wagons, have crossed the Rocky Noun.
tains, forced their way over trackless des.
erts, scaled the almost impossible Sierra
Nevadas, and now they are taking posses.
sion Of our fertile valleys, constructing
sawmills, building houses, planting vine
yards and orchards. What this adven.
turous people will not do next cannot
pretend to say, for they are sure to &C.
whatever they undertake, and
everything they do seems quite natural
to them. And now, gentlemen, / come
to the important question Of protection
from these dangerous people, and l see
no safety or protection for us but in an.
nexation to England.
GENERAL vALLAJo REPLIES.
An American gentleman, who was pres.
emit, says Picos violent speech produced
great excitement, and several members
were on their feet at once to reply; but
the loud, clear voice Of General Vallejo
at once commanded attention. He said:
Gentlemen of the Assembly: We are
badly situated and badly
governed, but situated as we are we pro.
TESS to be self-governed, we are vet an
independent people, and / would ask
why should we be so devoid Of patriotism
as to be willing to subject ourselves, our
and our children's children to
the caprices Of foreign king, and of his
minions. I intend to speak
plainly on this important question, and
believe it is for our best interests to annex
to the United States. Why should we
hesitate to incorporate ourselves with the
and most progressive people on
earth, destined soon to be the wealthiest
and most powerful In uniting our.
selves with them We do not become sub.
jects, slaves or peones, but fellow. citizens
receiving and enjoying all the privileges
OF citizens OF the United States. Look
not then with jealous eyes ON the hardy
pioneers, who have crossed the Rocky
Mountains, and forced their way west.
ward over trackless deserts, scaled the
mountains Of the Sierras, and are now
quietly settled with their families in our
unoccupied valleys, but rather welcome
them as brothers, who come to unite with
lis and share our common destiny.
THIS GRAND OLD MAN
Still lives in the enjoyment of perfect
health, at the age Of four score, surround.
ed by all the comforts of life. His chill.
dren and grandchildren, by whom he is
idolized, are settled around him, and he
is beloved by large circle Of intimate
friends. He has lived to see his prophecy
fulfilled.