men from the two vessels remained in California, but none of this number ever acquired any prominence in the territory.[1]
The third vessel of the fleet, the Aquiles, did not join the others at Monterey, but made her appearance at Santa Bárbara early in May; neither did her commander, Pedro Angulo, deem it best to surrender to the Mexican authorities. During their stay of a few days the crew and passengers contracted as many debts as possible, we are told, and otherwise behaved badly. Finally on their departure, having left behind the pilot with seven or eight men, they fired two cannon with ball cartridges against the presidio as a parting salute, and disappeared in the south-west.[2]
- ↑ In July 1828, 4 of the number remained in the Monterey district. St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. 75-6. Manuel Fogó and Francisco Gutierrez named. Dept Rec., MS., v. 17; vi. 45. David Spence, Hist. Notes, MS., 1-3, who gives a very clear narrative of the whole affair, says that 12 of the Asia's crew remained and became good citizens. I have also a letter of Spence to Hartnell of May 2d, announcing the arrival with some details. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxviii. 451. May 2, 1829, decree of president about the Asia's crew. Disposiciones Varias, ii. 60.
- ↑ May 6th, Guerra to Argüello, in Dept St. Pap., MS., i. 113; Id., Ben. Mil., liv. 7; Dept Rec., MS., i. 227. June 25th, Esteva from Mexico to comandante of Monterey. If the Aquiles arrives give her no food; induce her to surrender like the Asia; take two officers as hostages; seize her sails; and report quickly. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., iii. 8. Mrs Ord, Ocurrencies, MS., 18-19, says that when the commander of the vessel landed and called at Capt. Guerra's house, he found there a great crowd celebrating the wedding of her sister and Hartnell. With his companions he was invited to join in the festivities, and was induced by Hartnell to drink a good deal of wine with a view the better to learn his business, though without much success. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 99-102, also speaks of the wedding, and tells us that Angulo, an ignorant Chileno, at first thought to hide his bad Spanish from so cultured a company by pretending to be a Frenchman; but Hartnell soon discovered he could not speak French. Learning that the Asia was at Monterey, Angulo hurried on board without waiting for anything, and sailed for Valparaiso, after sending a cannon ball into town.
already cited, certified copy of Monterey, May 221; and finally announcement of approval by Mex. govt on date of the gaceta, June 15th. All making up the Asia y Constante, Expediente. Sailing of the vessels on May 23d, Guerra, Doc., MS., iv. 158. May 23d, Argüello to commandante at Acapulco, explaining the whole affair, and sending copies of contract. Dept Rec., MS., i. 56. May 2d, Argüello to comandantes, giving an account of the surrender and plans. Id., i. 117. Mention of the affair in Niles' Reg., xxix. 74; Gaceta de Mex., i. 1-4. Contract religiously carried out. Mexico, Mem. Marina, 1826, p. 3. The $90,000 paid. Id., 1830, p. 1. Echeandía, on hearing of Argüello's action, had some fears that he had been tricked, and ordered more strict precautions. St. Pap. Sac., MS., x. 32-3; Dept St. Pap., MS., i. 68. Osio, not friendly to Echeandía, says that the latter was severely snubbed by the minister of war for his intermeddling, and that consequently he later took every occasion to annoy Argüello, killing him with disgustos in 5 years!
