The record-union., 1897-07-06

of the Jealous, if not always wise.
Franciscan fathers. To California of
the present day the missions are little
more than a memory. Some pretty le-
gends grew out of them, and they call
up examples of exalted character and
devotion. AS a means of colonization
they We're useful, but as a means of
spiritual growth among the Indians
they are not a memorial of achieves
ment.
CHARACTER OF SPANISH OCCU-
PATTON.
The Spanish Government extended its
arm over the early missions, providing
preside, or military station, near by
each OF them. The pueblos, which also
were somewhat of an accompaniment
to the missions, were towns established
to promote settlement of the country.
They maintained local civil government,
Independent of church or military rule.
The Alcalde was their chief officer OF
justice; he with other, but subordinate,
officers formed the ayuntamiento, or
common council, of the larger towns
In 49,, when Mexico became a. re-
public, a convention of Californian of
ncers assembled at Monterey and gave
assent to the new Government. The first
Legislature under Mexican regime con-
vened the next year. The Californians,
however, did not feel dependent upon
Mexico; spirit of local Independence
developed rapidly among them during
the decade preceding the conquest in
1916. This period was distinguished by
Jealousy of Mexican control and politi-
cal feudS between rival factions around
Monterey in the north and Los Angeles
in the south. These feuds were neyer
wanting in demonstration of vaIor but
always passed over without bIoodshed.
The white population of California, in
1916, was about 1000, chiefly of Span
ish lineage. Their principal occupation.
hardly laborious enough to be termed
an industry, was the raising Of cattle
for their hides and tadlow, which they
sold or bartered to American coast
traders for manufactured articles of the
kind suited to the bucolic needs and pe-
culiar fancies. Their life was unpro-
gressive, simple and kindly, much given
to hospitality, visitings, picturesque ap-
parel, gay colors and fiestas. Without
exception, the Californians We're skill
full riders. natural musicians and
graceful dancers. Quick witted. cheerful
and apt in conversation; their home life
morally pure and wholesome. they
were, in some respects, an ideal people,
lacking, however, in the character fiber
to withstand the coarser influences of a
commercial civilization.
AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
At the outbreak of the war with Mex
leo the United States was represented
IN California by a considerable number
of prominent residents, by F'remonts
party and, shortly after the declaration
OF war, by Warships under the COM
mand of Commodore Sloat. There was
no organization among them, nor does
there seem to have been any plan by
which they We're directed from Wash
ington. They all appreciated the bene-
fit to the United States of the acquisi-
ton of California, and were all ami
mated by that idea, but each acted
mostly on his own responsibility A
scramble resulted, terminating in con-
quest.
The difficulty between Fremont and
Governor Castro, which had startled the
Californians and aroused them to re-
sentiment, was followed June, 1916, by
another act, for which there was no
apparent purpose or excuse; a party
of Americans seized a band of horses
belonging to the Californian Govern
ment and drove them to Fremont's
camp. Another party of Americans,
also without ostensible plan or reason,
took possession of Sonoma, and having
made prisoners of General Vallejo and
three other gentlemen, sent them to
Suffers Fort. The main body remained
in the helpless little town and enter
tanned themselves with spread-eagle
speeches and proclamations about "the
new State" another star in the con-
stellation," etc. They also raised a
flag made out of white cotton cloth, on
which, with berry juice, was stained
the figure of an animal purporting to be
a bear. This was the famous Bear
Flag Revolution"
On July 7th Commodore Sloat raised
the stars and stripes at Monterey and
took possession of that town. The same
ceremony was performed on the same
day by somebody else at Yerba Buena.
Flushed with these victories, Com
modore Stockton, to whom Sloat re-
signed his command, and Fremont be-
gan operations, with Los Angeles as a
military headquarters. Except for the
battle of San Pascual, in which Kear-
ney with his f-famished battalions
was not able to dislodge the Californi~
ans, there was no war.