Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-11-14

that the original design had been given to
Lyon by gentleman who did not wish his
name. to be made public, but expressed
desire in confidential letter to Lyon that
he Lyon might be known as the author.
HOW THE BEAR WAS INSERTED.
The bear was added chiefly to crafty
Major j. Z. Snyder and the men of the
Bear Flag Revolution, much to the chagrin
of General Vallejo and the native Califor-
mans, who supposed it was intended to
immortalize that event. Then was added
the figure of a man with an uplifted pick
Ak, as an emblem of the great mining
interests of the country. The following
quotations shed much light on the reasons
which impelled Major Snyder to insist on
inserting the bear, and General Vallejo to
oppose it:
- In 1915 notices were posted at all
prominent places throughout the country
California; by the British Vice-Consul,
requiring all Englishmen to obtain pass
ports, or projections. This excited the
curiosity of the American emigrants, who
were naturally of watchful character,
and observed more closely the signs of the
times than the other classes of residents in
the country. The conduct and actions of a
portion of the Californians were sufficient
to justify the belief that some important
in favor of some foreign power was pre-
meditated. Soon, however, indications
pointed to a change of feeling against the
Americans. OF this a party-of our coun-
trymen, encamped near Saucilito, soon
received practical illustration. Two Cal
ifornians rushed into the tent one night
with drawn swords and demanded a pass
port of gentleman who had Just arrived
in the country; and it was with difficulty,
and through the assistance of friends whom
the Californians knew that the person was
suffered to remain unmOlested, although
he showed his passport. The gentleman
whose passport was thus demanded was
Jacob Il. Snyder. " Alta California, July
20, 1852.
The Bear Flag party carried us rs
prisoners to Sacramento, and kept US in a
| calaboose for sixty days or more, until the
authority of the United States made itself
| respected, and the honorable and humane
Commodore Stockton returned us to our
hearths. | retain no sentiment
of hostility either against those who
attacked my honor ard my liberty, or
against those who endangered my life,
| disturbed the peace of my family and took
possession of my property. This should be
day of brotherhood and in the presence
of my compatriots say Let by-gones be
by-gones. For like reason pass over
events which took place before my return
from Suffers Fort. | have no wish to
allude to disagreeable episodes, which, un-
fortunately, have a place in the general
history of California. Such is the en-
counter between the Bears and Califor-
mans at Olompali, the capture of San
Rafael, accompanied by the death of
Berryessa and the Haro brothers. and the
| death of Convey and Fowler near Santa
Rosa. ~ Extract from General Vallejo's
| address, delivered July T. 1876, at Santa
Rosa.
LYONS PRETEETIoNs EXPOSED.
It seems that Lyon either did not get the
81 900 voted him by the Convention, or
that he wanted to be paid again. The fol-
lowing article was published in the Alta
California of February 10, 1850, and was
presumably written by Edward Gilbert, the
editor, a member of the Constitutional
Convention, and one of our first Congress
men: We observe that a petition has
been made to the Legislature, on behalf of
Caleb Lyon. for 81 900 for the State Seal,
designed and executed by him. 1t may
as well be understood at once that if any
credit belongs to any person for the design
of the seal, it is not to Caleb Lyon of
LyonSdale. The original design for the seal
was made by an officer of the army,
oNJOul at hOllNcltJ ubLl
the time the Convention was in session.
When the subject of seal was mooted,
this design was shown TO various members
of the Convention, who suggested some
lamentations and the insertion of other
matters. These were drawn in by the orig
inal designer, who did not wish it to be
known who was the author, and the seal
was presented by Mr.. Lyon. After a pretty
hard fight it was adopted, and $1,000
appropriated to Mr.. Lyon to procure die
and proper press. This duty he performed
after fashion. The design was marred in
| the engraving; the die was not sunk near
deep enough, and the press was not suffi-
GENTLY powerful for the purpose. The
commissions of the Congressional delega-
ton were without the slightest impress of
the seal before they left the country. If
we are not very much mistaken, Mr.. Lyon
of LyOnsdale received his money out of the
civil fund, and is now conveying it to the
sylvan retreats of Lyonsdale. But this has
nothing to do with the paternity of the
seal. All we wish to state, and that most
distinctly, is, that Mr.. Lyon has no right
or title to the honor of either designing or
executing the seal any more than the Khan
of Tartary."
A ROW AT THE HEAD OF GOYERNME NT-
ANOTHER SEAL MADE.
In October, 1855, a peculiar complication
occurred between Governor Bigler and the
Secretary of State, James W. Denver. I'M
der the Constitution as it then stood, the
Secretary of State was the appointee of the
Governor. Denver had been appointed by
Bigler on February 10, 1853, and at the
time of his appointment was understood to
be a very firm friend of the Governor. 1t
will be recollected that he was a participant
in duel i'll which Congressman Gilbert
was killed on August 2, 1852, the duel hav-
ing grown out of an article published by
Gilbert in his paper, ridiculing the Gov
ernoT. In 1854 the Democratic party of the
State was divided, and two tickets were run
for Congressman. Denver was nominated
by the chivalry or Southern Democracy,
while Bigler was an adherent of the Tam
many or Northern wing The campaign
was conducted with the utmost bitterness,
and it was generally understood that no
cordiality of feeling existed between
the two gentlemen. Denver was sue
cessful at the election. In 1855
Bigler was the candidate on the
Democratic ticket for reelection, and was
defeated by Johnson, the Know Nothing"
candidate. He had reason to suppose that
Denver and his deputies had not rendered
him any particular service in the campaign.
On October 9th, Bigler addressed letter to
Denver demanding the great seal OF State,
and said that he desired to keep it in his
own Office, where he claimed the Constitu-
ton contemplated it should be kept. On
the same day Denver replied, declining to
permit the seal to pass ont of his possession,
and Immediately departed for Washington
to attend TO his Congressional duties, leav-
ing his deputy in charge of the Secretarys
Office. He also left a resignation, to take
effect on November 9TH On the 9th of Oc-
tober the Governor again visited the office
of the Secretary, demanded the seal of the
| deputy, and was again refused its posses
sion. He then handed to the deputy the
commission of Charles H. Hampstead as
Secretary of State, and directed the deputy
to atfix to it the seal, but the deputy re-
fused to do so upon the ground that it was
a constitutional Office and could not be va
Gated except by death, resignation or i'm
MI. !