The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-05

TO remain AT Monterey and manage the
business of the firm there. Mr.. Leese
brought letters from the then Governor of
California, Don Mariana Chico to the AL
calde and Comandante of San Francisco,
desiring them to render him all the assist
ance in their power In arranging location
and otherwise. MIR. Leese at once fixed on
the beach at Yerba Buena Cove for his es-
@Sablishment, but as the ordinance of Gen.
eral Figueroa, concerning the Government
reserve, was still in force, he could not pro-
cure an allotment nearer thu beach than at
the distance of 200 varas.
The Alcalde and Comandante were much
pleased that MIR. Leese should come to
settle among their people, and at once
offered him a choice of two locations, one
being at the mouth of Mission Creek, and
the other at the entrance to the bay, near
the Presdio. Mr.. Leese, however, had
made up his mind on the subject, and,
partly for his own business convenience,
and probably in part toreseeing the increas-
ing future values of sites around Yerba
Buena Cove. would accept no grant but one
in that quarter. In this the local authori-
ties could not legally aid him. so Mr.. Leese
returned forthwith to Monterey with his
story and complaint to Governor Chico.
The Governor informed Mr.. Leese that he
would instruct the Alcalde of San Fran
cisco to grant him an allotment within the
limits of the Government reserve, and in
the meantime authorized Mr.. Leese to select
for himself the most convenient place he
could find elsewhere.
Mr. Leese fastened back to Yerba Buena
Cove. and on the lst of July he presented
his letter to the Alcade. The next day.
July I'd, he took possession of one-hun-
dred vara lot on the south side and adjoin-
ing the lot upon which Captain Richard
sons tent was already erected, and the
same day he landed the lumber and other
material for building his house. MIR.
Leese's lot was about two hundred and fifty
yards from the beach, and was the same
lot upon which the ST. Francis Hotel, corner
of Clay and Dupont streets, was subse-
quently erected. Without any delay, Mr..
Leese commenced the erection of his new
building, and so indefatigably did he push
matters that by 10 o'clock on the morning
of the Fourth of July-the first glorious
Fourth--the building was finished and ready
for occupancy, and in and around it the
birthday of American independence was
commemorated in style for the first time in
California. Captain Richardson's tent and
Mr.. Leese's house were the earliest struc-
lures erected in Yerba Buena, forming the
beginning of the city of San Francisco, and
eighteen years later population OF $4,000
people had settled around the spot.
The new building was grand structure
in those days. IL was built entirely of
frame, and was sixty feet deep by twenty
five feet front. While Mr.. Leese was super
intending its erection, Captain Richardson
went to SonOma and invited all of the prin-
cipal people there to a banquet in the build
ing, to be given on the Fourth of July.
The events to be celebrated were Inde-
pendenee day. the arrival of Mr.. Leese in
the new country and house-warmiDg. 1t
was intended to be grand affair, and was
the first scene of the kind in the future San
Francisco, and, like a newborn infant
Graded by tender parents, Captain Richard
son and Mr.. LeeSe tricked it out in all the
magnifcence of an heirs baby clothes.
There was at the time lying in the cove
the American bark Don QulxOte, command
ed by Mr.. Leese's partner, Captain Hinck-
ley, and on board of which were their
goods. There was also at anchor another
American ship and Mexican brig. These
vessels supplied all Of the colored bunting
they could furnish, with which Mr.. Leese
decorated his hall. On the outside of the
building, in amicable relationship fioated
the Mexican and American flags, the latter
displayed for the first time on the shore of
Yerba Buena. Captain Hinckley had
great ear for music, and always Travelled
with his special band, and he therefore had
the honor of presenting to California
audience the first orchestra that ever played
in this city. 1t consisted Of clarlonet,
hute. violin, drum, fife and bugle. Two
small six Founders formed the bass, and
added their emphatic roar to the swelling
din. always speaking in thunder tones
whenever a toast Of more than ordinary inn
Dortance was given. They were borrowed
for the occasion from the Preside.
The feast was prepared, the band was in
its proper position, and about 8 o'clock on
the afternoon of the Fourth the guests,
about sixty in number, began to assemble.
General NJ. G. Vallejo and family. the Castro
and Martinez families and all of the chief
families and inhabitants Of Sonoma and
San Francisco were present. Besides the
banqueting hall, Mr.. Leese had erected
number of small tents in which to receive
his numerous guests and provide for them
comfortably. At o'clock dinner was
served, and Immediately after followed the
toasts. The first given was the union Of
the Mexican and American flags. General
Vallejo then followed with toast to WASH
ington, and this was followed by national
and individual toasts. The guests were
kept in happy mood. Liquors were in
abundance and variety. One gentleman
took an amazing fancy to lemon syrup and
drank it in such quantities that he was
shortly laid up with severe collie, which
was made matter Of great mirth by all
present except the unfortunate gentleman
himself. AT 10 o'clock the tables were
cleared away and the floor prepared for
action. Dancing and other amusements
followed in turn, and the ball was kept roll
ing hot and heavy, until. as Mr. Leese
naively observed, "our fourth ended on the