The record-union., 1892-09-22
THE BEAR FLAG AFFAIR
A Filibustering Scheme Productive of
Good to No One


The Bear Flag revolt was filibuster-
ing scheme wholly uncalled for, and pro-
ductive of no good to anyone. In June,
1916, the settlers of the Napa and Sacra-
mento Valleys, their minds and hearts
filled with the manifest destiny of the
great Republic in these parts, with the
support of Fremont's men, seized the
town OF SOnoma, captured several promi-
nent Californians ana proclaimed the
land independent, possibly to be later
presented to their country as another
lone star like Texas. These adventures
had been Hospitality treated by the Cali
fornians, had nothing to fear from any
quarter and were daily expecting to hear
of the settlement of difficulties between
the two Governments. For example,
to one of these emigrants, named
4Ount, who applied to him for work.
Vallejo Said "What can YOU do?,j
"Do? 1 can do anything" the Yankee
replied. Il can single that house
you are building" "Tzingle! what is
tzingle?" asked Vallejo, who knew moth
ing of any kind of roof but tile. Yount
he performed to the satisfaction and de-
light of the owner. snow, what can L do
for you ?'' Vallejo demanded. Il should
like a little land and the loan of few cat
tie with which to get little start" Yount
replied. Very well; over those hills
yonder is the Napa Valley, and the most
beautiful land in the world; make your
THAT is more than l want"
said Yount. well, then take
three leagues" Vallejo replied 81 do
not want to assume the care and
responsibility of SO large a tract" per-
sisted Iount. "One league is ample"
'See here, said Vallejo. who was not
accustomed to have his mandates cues
toned by mechanic, mister WHAT'S
your Name, you can take two leagues of
that land for your tzingling, and nothing
less"
The Bear Flag force, numbering thirty
three men i'll greasy buckskin, after cap
turing some horses, determined. as be-
tore mentioned, to take possession of So
noma, headquarters of the northern
military department of the Mexicans,
under command of General Vallejo.
Breaking camp in Napa Valley, they
crossed the intervening hills at midnight,
and raped at Vallejo's door at break of
day, Sunday, the 18th OF June. The in
mates, thus aroused from peaceful SUM
Der to find the house surrounded by an
uncouth crowd of armed men with
whom they had no quarrel, were no less
puzzled than alarmed. "What do you
want?' demanded Vallejo, appearing at
the door. Your unconditional surren-
DER" was the reply. ''To whom and for
WnaC!' InlS was somewhat difficult
question to answer, as the insurgents
had no definitely formed organization
and hardly knew themselves what they
proposed doing. AS they asserted that
they were acting under Fremont, and as
Vallejo had for some time favored the
annexation of California to the United
States, he submitted to arrest without
opposition, whereupon he was conveyed
to Suffers Fort and imprisoned, the
revolutlonlsts taking possession of all
public property and whatever private
property they fancied. A banner for the
new republic, lmprovised and raised at
Sonoma, was not the least conspicuous
feature OF this affair, of which tradition
has made too much, and which ended. as
it began, in smoke. The famous Bear
flag consisted of the representation of
grizzly bear, though some maintain that
1t resembled more nearly swine, painted
on piece of unbleached cotton cloth,
less than one yard wide and two yards
long, with strip of red flannel stitched
along the bottom, and in the upper left
hand corner, in red paint, an irregular
five-pointed star. Under the two en-
blems was rudely lettered in black ink,
California Republic" During the
month following Commodore Sloat took
formal possession of California for the
United States. A desultory warfare
continued throughout the year, pro-
NOTED chiefly by the wrangling of the
rival Government officers, Fremont.
Kearny and Stockton, whose departure
in May, 1S47, left the country tranquil
Hubert H. Bancroft in Iippincott's