cate that we should not attack; and in a few minutes Gutierrez sent a communication offering to surrender on condition that we would give guaranties to the men of his party, without preventing such of them as desired to do so from following him. We accepted the conditions, and presented ourselves in Monterey in the most admirable order. The infantry marched to the sound of Mr Hinckley's music, and the cavalry with trumpets. The officers retired from the plaza, except one who remained to deliver the post."[1]
The account just quoted, written at the time by Alvarado, the leader of the movement, in a private letter, intended to have no other effect than to inform Vallejo of what had occurred, is doubtless a correct one. Other records throw no doubt on its accuracy, except perhaps in the statement that the surrender was made in consequence of evident preparations for a charge. In later narratives written from memory, Alvarado, like other Californians, has introduced some exaggerations and erroneous statements. It is no part of my duty to reproduce the errors of such statements, but only to utilize the testimony which I have gathered so far as it may reveal the truth. I append a few details, the accuracy of which there is no special reason to question.[2] There is a general agree-
- ↑ Alvarado, Carta Confidencial, MS.
- ↑ Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 142-59, says that Spence was sent by Gutierrez to make a tour of inspection on the night the army arrived. They were surprised to find the fort not guarded. Their numbers were soon increased by the inhabitants, sailors, etc., to over 300. The fort might easily have been defended. José Ábrego furnished the ball that was fired, and Peña aimed the gun, being allowed 15 minutes to 'read up' artillery practice. Two small cannon were landed from Hinckley's vessel. The foreigners were anxious to attack the presidio. Late in the evening Castillero and Crespo came out with torches and a flag of truce to propose surrender. Terms were made verbally at 1 A. M., and in writing next morning after the dip. had held a meeting. Villavicencio was sent to receive the arms, which Muñoz gave up. Gutierrez went with his officers to the house of Joaquin Gomez. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 154-80, gives the same version in substance as Alvarado. He says half the force halted at the lagunita, while the rest went to take the castillo. Spence in his report exaggerated to Gutierrez the number of the attacking force. The prisoners were sent on board the Clementine the same day of the surrender, though she did not sail for some days. According to García, Hechos, MS., 50-6, Buelna commanded the S. José division, and García with his own party joined the rest at the leñadero. Graham wished at the first to besiege Monterey and shoot every man that presented
