In 1829 took place the somewhat famous campaigns against the native chieftain Estanislao, who has given his name to the Stanislaus river and county. Estanislao was a neophyte of more than ordinary ability, educated at Mission San José, of which establishment he was at one time alcalde. He ran away probably in 1827 or early in 1828, took refuge with a band of ex-neophytes and gentiles in the San Joaquin Valley, and with his chief associate, Cipriano, soon made himself famous by his daring. In November 1828 he was believed by the padres of San José and Santa Clara to be instigating a general rising among the neophytes, and Comandante Martinez was induced to send a force of twenty men against him.[1] The expedition was not ready to start till May 1829, Estanislao in the mean time continuing his onslaughts and insulting challenges to the soldiers.[2]
- ↑ Nov. 9, 1828, PP. Duran and Viader to Martinez. Nov. 20th, Martinez to Echcandia. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 68-70.
- ↑ Possibly, however, the force of 20 men was sent out in 1828 as planned,
with gunpowder on the field of battle!' in Beechey's Voyage, ii. 24-31. The expedition lasted from Nov. 19th to Nov. 27th. The mission of S. José had defrayed the expenses, the padre deeming it necessary to avenge the outrage on his neophytes; but he thought the 40 new converts too dearly bought, feared a new attack from the Cosemenes, and begged Capt. Beechey for some fireworks with which to frighten the foe in case of necessity. In the diary the Cosemenes, the original form of the later Cosumues, lived on or near the Rio San Francisco. On the way thither the army passed Las Positas, Rio San Joaquin, and Rio Yachicumé. One soldier, José Maria Gomez, was killed by the bursting of his own musket. Duhaut-Cilly, Viaggio, ii. 85-6, says Sanchez could not get at the Indian warriors, but killed 30 women and children, and with this shameful glory returned, bringing 2 children and an old woman captives. He says the neophyte victims belonged to San Francisco Solano. Elliot gives the substance of Sanchez's diary in Overland Monthly, iv. 341-2. Huish, Narrative, 427-30, takes the account from Beechey. Bojorges, Recuerdos, MS., 4-7, describes the campaign with some embellishments from his fancy. Nov. 3d, Bernal to Martinez. Says that 21 Christian Indians have been killed, and calls for aid. The people are much excited. Dept. St. Pap., MS., i. 135. May 20, 1826, Capt. Argüello leaves S. Francisco on a 34 days' tour of inspection eastward. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xi. 5. Jan. 22d, corporal of S. Juan Capistrano announces rising of the Indians, who have insulted him and want to put the padre in the stocks. Dept. St. Pap., MS., i. 134-5. April 1827, complaints of robberies at the same mission. Id., ii. 12. Feb. 1827, trouble at S. Luis Rey, where a neophyte used some very violent and vile language against the Mexican govt and its Cal. representatives. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lviii. 2; Beechey's Voyage, ii. 36. Nov. 1827, allusion to troubles with gentiles at Sta Clara. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 115. Oct. 23, 1828, Indian children from the Tulares, that had been given to residents of Monterey, ordered to be restored to their parents. St. Pap., Miss, and Col., MS., ii. 6. Dec., two men killed by Indians near S. José. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., i. 20.
