The ship was the Asia, or San Gerónimo, of seventy-four guns and six hundred men; and three days later her consort, the brigantine Constante, with sixty men, anchored in the harbor. These vessels had formed a part of the royal Spanish squadron operating against the rebels on the coast of South America. Together with the Aquiles and the transport Garinton, they had sailed from that coast for Manila in January 1824, after the fall of Callao, under Roque Guruceta. On the way the men revolted in March 1825, at Guahan, one of the Mariana Islands. They landed all the officers and passengers who would not join in their scheme, burned the Garinton, put José Martinez, formerly of the Constante, in command, and returned eastward with a view of surrendering the vessels to some of the American enemies of Spain. The Aquiles started first and was not seen again, and the others directed their course to California, as the most practicable route, and with a view of obtaining supplies. This was the account given by Martinez with more details on his later arrival at Acapulco.[1]
An agreement was signed on May 1st, by which Martinez formally surrendered the Asia and Constante to Argüello as an officer of the Mexican republic, under certain conditions intended to secure the safety of the men and the payment of their wages.[2] Thereupon
- ↑ 'Asia' y 'Constante,' Expediente de la Capitulacion, 1825, in Gaceta de Mex., Extra, June 15, 1825, which is devoted wholly to this affair, contains all the documents, and is the best authority. Jules Verne, the novelist, in The Mutineers, a story founded on this mutiny, gives many names and other particulars, which do not seem to be altogether inaccurate. The Asia had carried Viceroy O'Donojú to Vera Cruz in 1821, and Conde de Venadito to Habana, Alaman, Hist. Mex., v. 329, 818-19. See also Zamacois, Hist. Mej., xi. 611-13. The affair is also described in Campaigns and Cruises in Venezuela, i. 404-7.
- ↑ 'Asia' y 'Constante,' Tratado de Capitulacion de los Navios en Monterey, 1825, MS.; also in Gac. Mex., Extra, June 15, 1825; signed by José Estrada (appointed by Argüello as comsionado), José Ramirez, José Cárdenas, and Antonio Ventura Roteta. Mention in Dept St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lvi. 8. May 3d, Argüello approves the contract in a communication to Martinez, and reappoints the old officers temporarily. Martinez was comman-
of the news to Mexico, and stated that the American schooner Tartar at San Francisco would carry a despatch for $1,500. Perhaps the padre had an understanding with Capt. Morrell, and was to have a share of the profits. St. Pap. Sac., MS., x. 10-11. Morrell, Narrative, 209, mentions the man-of-war at Monterey, giving some details.
