disloyalty to the federal constitution; and David Spence and other foreigners deemed it wise to curb American ambition. The Californians hesitated, if at all, but for a moment; the Texan experiment was not to be tried in California, and the Mexican flag still waved over the capital.[1]
The day after the surrender of Gutierrez, November 6th, the diputacion met, that is, four of its members did so. I am unable to explain why Spence, Gomez, and Crespo took no part in this and subsequent meetings. Respecting the proceedings at this and other sessions, we have no other record than the printed addresses and decrees issued from time to time. The first of these, signed by Castro, Alvarado, Buelna, and Noriega, was an address of congratulation to the people.[2] The second production was a record of
- ↑ Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 85-6, says the persons who favored independence were chiefly Mexicans. Mofras, Explor., i. 300, tells us that the Americans had a lone-star flag all ready, which they wished to hoist, putting Cal. under the protection of the U.S., and promising the aid of the Peacock which would soon return; but the Mexicans Peña and Ramirez, Spence, Amesti, Munrás, and Deleissèques succeeded in preventing the movement. Petit-Thouars, Voyage, ii. 99, gives in substance the same version, and adds that the Americans then withdrew in disgust, except a few riflemen who got $2 a day for their services. Wilkes, Narr., v. 178-9, says the courage of Alvarado and the diputacion failed them at the last moment, and they refused to keep their promise of raising the flag – adding some absurd details. Gleeson, Hist. Cath. Church, i. 148-9, follows Mofras. Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 27, 38-9, insists that the lone-star flag was actually raised, and that Castro trampled the Mexican flag under foot. Inocente García, the standard-bearer, claims to have prevented Capt. Hinckley and others from raising the new flag on one occasion, and to have insisted on hoisting the national banner. Robinson mentions the Texan flag which was said to have been prepared. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 199-204, admits that he thought favorably of putting Cal. under a European or American protectorate.
Robinson, Life in Cal., 177, says that several Mexican vessels in the harbor were seized and afterward released. It is claimed by Alvarado, Vallejo, and others that they had some difficulty in preventing outrages on Mexicans, instigated largely by Graham and his men. It was partly to save them from injury and insult that Gutierrez and others were kept on board the vessel for some days before she sailed.
- ↑ 'The most excellent diputacion of Alta California, to its inhabitants: Californians: Heaven favors you; you are doubtless its chosen portion, and therefore it is leading you with propitious hand to happiness. Until now you have been the sad victim of servile factions, whose chiefs, content with a passing triumph, taxed to the utmost your long-suffering patience. As obedient sons of the mother country, and faithful defenders of your dear liberties, you swore solemnly before God and men to be free, and to die rather than be slaves. In this spirit, you adopted forever, as a social compact to direct you, the federal constitution of the year twenty-four; your government was
