When December rains were beating on the hills, James Douglas and Tom McKay took a run on the Hudson's Bay Company barque Cowlitz down to Monterey. The company's ships had become frequent visitors at that southern port, buying up sea-otter and paying a handsome fee for the privilege.
On New Year's day they anchored. The warders of the old Spanish castle on the coast were not backward in collecting customs.
With lifted beaver Douglas returned their civilities. f ' No, not sea-otter to-day, thank you, gentlemen; we wish to see the governor."
With a shade of disappointment the Spanish officials conducted the Hudson's Bay ambassador to the home of Alvarado. It was an unpretentious mansion, luxurious only in windows overlooking the sea, windows upon windows in those California days when glass was worth its weight in solid silver. The common people had no glass, only wooden shutters and outdoor verandas, that were the actual living rooms.
When La Framboise came home from the Spanish land he had brought this word from Captain Sutter: " The Hudson's Bay Company need not come down here to trap any more. I have engaged these grounds." No attention was paid to it. In autumn La Framboise set out as usual. Now Douglas, in the presence of Alvarado, after the usual salutations, inquired,
"Did you authorize Captain Sutter to order our brigade to leave the Sacramento?"
"Captain Sutter was authorized to act for the government, not in one hostile way, but merely to request the withdrawal of your partie on account of the new settlements," said the Governor Alvarado.
"Very well, then," replied the haughty Douglas, "
