since the foundation had life in the peninsula establishments been more monotonous and uneventful than in this decade. Even the stirring scenes of the revolution and following sectional quarrels in 1836-8 had little effect on the tranquillity of San Francisco, except that a few of its citizens went abroad to serve in the patriot, or rebel, army, and the rest were kept busy in awaiting and discussing news from Monterey and the south. Belcher, Petit-Thouars, and Laplace made some explorations in the bay without having any remarkable experiences or embodying much information in their published narratives respecting the state of affairs on shore. A small fleet of traders anchored each year in the port, but matters connected with commerce, vessels, and revenue have been pretty fully recorded elsewhere in chapters specially devoted to those subjects at all the ports.[1]
The presidial cavalry company varied in 1831-4 from 40 to 30 men rank and file, besides six or eight inválidos, half of this force or more being absent on escolta duty at the missions of Santa Clara, San José, San Rafael, and Solano, and the effective force of the
- ↑ For 1831-5 see chap. xiii. this vol.; for 1836-40, chap. iii. of vol. iv. Antonio M. Osio in charge of the revenues, $2,419 in 8 months, in 1831. Russian vessels at S. F. during the decade, see iv. p. 158-9, 163 et seq. 1833. Bandini in congress unable to open S. F. as a full port. Pedro del Castillo in charge of revenues as receptor in 1833-5. Much complaint of smuggling, and need of a treasury officer. No custom-house officer in 1833-5. Wm A. Richardson captain of the port from 1836 or 1837. Vessels, tonnage, and exports in 1837-9, Richardson's record vol. iv. p. 88-93. Vallejo from this year made earnest but unsuccessful efforts to transfer the custom-house from Mont. to S. F. 1838. Carrillo attempts to close the port as a southern war measure. 1839. Francisco Guerrero appointed receptor of customs after Leese had been recommended but not approved. His pay was 25 per cent of receipts. Richardson got $60 per month. 1840. Douglas' estimate of S. F. exports $80,000.
here in Feb. trying to raise men for service in the war. Id., 514. May. Return of S. F. troops under Sanchez from the south. Id., 563. Earthquake in June, doing some damage at the mission. iv. 78. Oct. A band of robbers plundered stores (at the presidio?). Vallejo, Doc., v. 204. 1839. Visit of John A. Sutter in July. Vol. iv., p. 127 et seq. Visit of Laplace in Aug. Id., 153. According to Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., iv. 107, the military post was abandoned so that no salute was fired. Laplace's narrative gives no definite information about the state of things at S. F., though there is no lack of philosophic reflections; and there is the same lack of information in the narrative of Belcher, whose visit was in Sept. According to Davis, Glimpses, MS., 44, the winter was very severe and rainy. 1840. Nothing to be noted in the record of events.
