Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-05
SUNDAY. JUNE 5. 1892.
A GLANCE AT PIONEER TIMES.

book entitled "The Early Days and
Men of California" His biographies OF
the men who came here from 1916 to
1849, outside of those who were OF his
torical note in the formation OF the
state. are OF but little value beyond the
interest they may excite in the small
group of early pioneers still living; but
he gives us historical sketch of events
that occurred just before California was
acquired for the United States by the
courage and enterprise of the handful
of Americans who had settled on this
coast while it was still under Mexican
rule, which is of inestimable value.
Captain Swasey arrived at Suffers
Fort on the 23d of September, 1S45. In
his party were two men worthy Of more
than passing notice. One was George
McDougal. brother of John McDougal,
who was the second governor of the
state, and OF Commodore David McDou-
gal, who destroyed the Japanese feet
and forts in the Straits of Shimonoseki
in 1868. George was knight errant by
nature. He left his home in Indiana
when yet young, and sought for excite
ment and adventure among the trap.
pers of the far west. His family
knew nothing of his whereabouts until
the rush OF argonauts in 1S49 found
him man of prominence and wealth
in San Francisco. He disappeared from
civilization several times after that, and
was last discovered by Admiral Brown
of the navy, who, in passing through
the Straits of Magellan, had occasion to
60 ashore on the Terra del Fuego side,
where he met band of natives and
recognized in their chief his kinsman,
George eMcDougal. The other was w.
L. Todd, who, nearly up to the time Of
his death, four years ago, resided just
outside Of Los Angeles on small piece
of land which he cultivated. Mr.. Todd
was the man who painted the bear flag
at Sonoma, and afterwards took con-
epicuous part as an officer of Fremont g
battalion in its expedition against
Southern California.
4, In 1S46 the Americans in California
knew that war was imminent between
the United States and Mexico, and there
was great apprehension that the British
would in that event seize the province
and hold it under the color of security
for the claims OF British subjects. FREE
mont was on his way to Oregon under
orders to make scientific survey of that
territory. The American consul and con-
fidential agent Of the United State g.,
Thomas O. Larkin, was at Monterey.
The sloop-of-war Cyane arrived at
that port unexpectedly. and Ma
jor A. H. Gillespie went ashore
and delivered to the American consul a
number of sealed packages. Commo-
dore Sloat, after a long interview with
Mr.. Larkin hoisted the American flag
over the Monterey custom house, after
having taken possession of it and Cali
fornia in the name of the United States.
just as this memorable exercise of
sovereign authority had been conclud-
ed, British man of-war sailed into the
bay. 1t had been a race for an empire
between the American sloop and the
British corvette, which sailed from MAJ
allan within two hours of each other.
The author OF the book before us, at
the time these events took place, WAS
secretary to Consul Laikin, and he says
that he was called into that gentleman's
room and shown private and confiden-
tial letter from President Buchanan, in
which he was told to encourage the dis
contented Americans to rise and to do
all in his power to prevent "the others"
(meaning the English) from getting
foothold in California. Maj jor Gillespie
was charged with letters and sealed dis
patches from the government to Colonel
Fremont, who was then at Klamath, on
his way to Oregon. The major sent
couriers after him and proceeded him
self post haste to overtake him, which
he did. Fremont, when he read his dis.
patches, abandoned the Oregon expe.
dition and at once returned to
the settlements. At Sonoma he placed
himself at the head OF the bear flag
A<ASfShOap, 0uu VIC VI lllIS
action was to soon place the Americans
in authority everywhere in Northern
California.
There is no doubt that the government
at Washington, knowing that war would
break out before communication could be
had with California, sent secret orders
to both Larkin and Fremont to take
such steps as would secure California to
the United States in case of war. The
government did not want to eend out Of
fcial orders on this subject, lest hoeti-
iities with Mexico should be averted,
but intimated to Fremont and Larkin
that whatever steps should be taken to
this end by the American officers on
this coast the government would see
that they were held harmless, whatever
might be the result.
The information which CAPTAIN
Swasey conveys touching this important
historical crisis is of the greatest value.
Bancroft in his history has treated Ere.
fnontt's action at this time az that OF a