As an essential preliminary, Padre Menendez baptized the American, April 14, 1829, at the presidial chapel of San Diego.[1] The friar promised to marry the couple the next day; preparations were made, and a few friends assembled late in the evening at the house of the Carrillos.[2] At the last moment, however, Domingo Carrillo, uncle of the bride, refused to serve as witness; the friar's courage failed him, and the ceremony could not proceed.[3] Neither the arguments and angry ravings of the Yankee novio nor the tears and entreaties of the novia could overcome the padre's fears and scruples; but he reminded Fitch that there were other countries where the laws were less stringent, and even offered to go in person and marry him anywhere beyond the limits of California. "Why don't you carry me off, Don Enrique?" naively suggested Doña Josefa. Captain Barry approved the scheme, and so did Pio Pico, cousin of the lady. The parents were not consulted. Fitch, though somewhat cautious on account of his business relations and prospects on the coast, was not a man to require urging. Next night Pio Pico, mounted on his best steed, took his cousin Josefa up on the saddle and carried her swiftly to a spot on the bay-shore where a boat was waiting; the lovers were soon re-united on board the Vulture;[4] and before morning were far out on
- ↑ Arch. Sta B., MS., xii. 345. Enrique Domingo Fitch, Domingo being substituted for Delano at baptism, was a son of Beriah and Sarah Fitch of New Bedford. Alf. Domingo Carrillo was godfather.
- ↑ Besides the immediate family, there were present Domingo Carrillo, Capt. Richard Barry, Pio Pico, and Máximo Beristain. Fitch, Causa Criminal, MS., 345.
- ↑ This is the version given by Fitch and his wife in their testimony of the next year. There is another version authorized by the lady herself, Fitch, Narracion, MS., 4, and given by Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 117-22; Vallejo (J. J.), Reminiscencias, MS., 103-7; and Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 21-4, to the effect that when all was ready and the padre had begun the service, Alf. Domingo Carrillo, aid to the governor, appeared and forbade the marriage in Echeandía's name. It is also more than hinted that Echeandía's motive was jealousy, since the fair Josefa had not shown due appreciation of his own attentions.
- ↑ Both the Vulture and the María Ester, the latter under command of Fitch, were on the coast at the tine and apparently at S. Diego, for it was the piloto of the María Ester who took the lady in his boat. Why Fitch did not sail in his own vessel does not appear; but Mrs Fitch says they went in
