Most notable among the vessels of the year was the Brookline, the successor of the Sachem, brought out by Wm A. Gale for Bryant, Sturgis, & Co., of Boston, and bringing probably the largest and best-assorted cargo of miscellaneous goods that had ever been offered to the Californians. Sailing from Boston in July 1828, she arrived at Monterey in February 1829. Alfred Robinson, who published a narrative of his voyage and life in California, in 1885 a resident of San Francisco, and probably the oldest American pioneer of California at this date living, came in the Brookline as supercargo's clerk. Gale was disappointed at the restrictions that had been imposed on foreign commerce since he left the coast, and which bade fair to interfere with the success of his trip; but his wares, and his prospective duties of $30,000, were a tempting bait; and without much difficulty he concluded an arrangement with Echeandía, by which he acquired practically all the privileges of old, was allowed to visit all the ports, and to pay his duties in goods.[1] José Estudillo was put on board with two or three soldiers, at Gale's expense, to watch proceedings, and prevent irregularities at Santa Bárbara, San Pedro, and San Francisco. It would perhaps be uncharitable to suggest, in the absence of proof, that these employees may have served Gale more faithfully than they did the revenue officers.[2] Gale was not satisfied with the manner in which he was treated, forming an unfavorable opinion of Echeandía's abilities and honesty, and suspecting favoritism toward his business
- ↑ Robinson's Statement, MS., 2-6, in which the writer gives many interesting items about the methods of trade in those days. Robinson's Life in California, 7-14, where the author speaks of the affair of the Franklin as having complicated matters by exasperating the authorities. Mention of arrival and movements of the Brookline, permission to trade, etc., in Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 100, 116, 158, 191; Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 176; xxix. 316; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., i. 22; Waverly, Voy., MS.
- ↑ April 28, 1829, Echcandía's instructions to Estudillo and the guard. All trading was to be done on board. Estudillo, Doc., MS, i. 240; Dept. Rec., vii. 138-9. July 13th, E. to com. of Monterey, on the privileges granted to Gale and the precautions taken. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 95-6. Sept. 12th, Gale allowed to cut wood. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxix. 412. Mar. 28th, Gale announces the plan to Cooper. Id., 336.
