The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-01-21
The Distinguished Father Of the
Late Lieutenant.
SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY
Largely Instrumental in the Acqui-
sitfon of California for the Unit
ed States-Was Commended.

officer of L. S. S. Philadelphia, had a
distinguished father, also naval man.
The fame of the sire is preserved in
the papers of the New York Historical
Society and in histories of California.
His name was VIM. Maxwell Wood.
The following is from Geo. Cumming
Nc. Whorter's New York Historical.
Society paper entitled Incident in the
War of the United States with Mexico,
Illustrating the Services of VIM. Max
well Wood. Surgeon q. S. N, in effect
ing the Acquisition of California"
In the winter of 1876, the United
States fleet. consisting of the Savan-
nah. Cyane. Levant and other ships,
under command of Commodore Scat in
the first, was at MaZatlan, port on the
Pacific just within the tropic. The
British fleet, under Admiral Seymour
in the Collingwood, was at the same
place. The Admiral had ample ar
rangements by which he could re-
ceive early information from every
quarter, and devoted himself especially
to observing ships. He was, if pos
sible. more keenly alive to the i'm
portance OF the situation, and the
critical state of affairs, than was
either the United States or Mexico
Just then a report was circulated in
Mazatlan, that war had broken out be-
tween the latter countries; but as it
was merely rumor which might have
grown out of nervousness or some
rit ich
Admiral. notwithstanding his arrange
ments to obtain early information, had
not received any such news from any
reliable source, the report was not
credited by any, and all was quiet on
the Pacific.
DR.. William Maxwell Wood was then
Fleet Surgeon of the United States
Squadron. This officer having obtained
permission to return home, Commo-
dore Sloat entrusted him with written
dispatches and private advices which
it was thought best not to commit to
paper. The Doctor took the route
through Mexico. accompanied by Mr..
Parrot, United States Consul at
Mazatland, who was also on his way
home.
When the party arrived at Guada-
lajara, the town was in a state of agi-
tation arising from rumors of war.
Fortunately, DR.. Wood was we'll ac-
quainted with the Spanish language.
Very soon he gathered from conversa-
tions in his proximity, not intended
for his ear, that collision between
the United States and Mexican forces
had taken place along the Rio Grande.
The Mexican papers gave exaggerated
accounts of what had occurred. Inc
feelings of the peop,e were excited.
There was no time for reflection IN an
emergency requiring instant action,
The Doctor was peculiarly cool and
sagacious man, and on unfiinchlng
courage. Immediately he grasped the
occasion. and decided upon the course
for him to pursue, and with quletness
and calmness he carried his decision
into effect. He wrote a dispatch re-
counting the intelligence he had re-
ceived. and sent it under cover from
Consul Parrot to Commodore Sloat
The courier rode full speed, night and
day. and delivered the dispatch to
Sloat at MaZatlan, at the earliest
practicable moment. The Commodore
as soon as he received the important
and exciting information, perceivine
the exigency of the case, acted with
admirable decision and promptltude
He ordered the Cyane and Levant tc
sail directly for Monterey, and followed
very soon after in the Savannah. AS
soon as he arrived at Monterey, July
18th. 1916. he occupied the town, hoisted
the American flag, and took formal
possession of Monterey, San Francisco
and others of the CALIFORNIA; in be-
half of his Government. The posses
sion so taken was never relinquished
except in regard to Lower California
a territory of little value. A few days
after the departure of the United States
Squadron from Mazatlan, Admiral
Seymour received similar advices tC
those which Dr. Wood had so rapidly
forwarded to Sloat. The Admiral in
stantly fathomed the intentions of the
Commodore, and without delay sailed
on the same errand, hoping to outsai
the American ship. But the Savannah
was a fast vessel, and being driven tc
the utmost, the Admiral did not sue
coed in overtaking her. When hi
reached Monterey he found the Ameri
can flag flying on the SOIL and Califor
mia formally and actually in posses
sion of our country and safe from
English designs. 1t will be readil!
conceived that he was deeply
chagrined at being outdone, notwith
standing his arrangements for earl!
information, by American sagacity
promptitude and puck, and in seeing
Her Majesty's Government thwartet
in its well devised and long cherished
scheme of territorial aggrandizemen
one, too, which, had it been sue
cesful, might have changed the politi
cal face of this continent. However
he stomached the affair with the bes
grace of which he was master. and NJ
trouble arose between the American
and British on the Pacific: the latte
recognizing that the former had actet
legally, and as they would do unde
similar circumstances themselves.
Mr.. Bancroft (secretary of the navy
was highly gratified by the conduct O
DR.. Wood in the trying circumstance
in which he had been placed, an
complimented him highly upon tn
courage and ability he had displaye
in protecting and advancing the inter
ests of his country. Subsequently
Commodore Sloat addressed him yer
eommendatory letter, acknowledge
the great value of the services he ha