MICROFILMED 1985 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - BERKELEY GENERAL LIBRARY BERKELEY, CA 94720 COOPERATIVE PRESERVATION MICROFILMING PROJECT THE RESEARCH LIBRARIES GROUP, INC. Funded by THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION Reproductions may not be made without permission. THE PRINTING MASTER FROM WHICH THIS REPRODUCTION WAS MADE IS HELD BY THE MAIN LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY, CA 94720 FOR ADDITIONAL REPRODUCTION REQUEST MASTER NEGATIVE NUMBER §5-1544 AUTHOR: Sherman, Edwin Allen TITLE : The life of the late Ranr- Admire! John Duke Sloat: PLACE: Oakland, Cal DATE: 190% VOLUME F§bY 2s - CALL S632 MASTER NO. NEG. NO. /S%¥ C— DERE | F864 Sherman, Edwin Allen, «5632 The life of the late Rear-Admiral John Drake Sloat, of the United States navy. 1902. - K ¥ 974C | | FILMED AND PROCESSED BY LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY, CA 94720 JoBNO. 85 1 15/65 DATE 4 | 85 REDUCTION RATIO 8 5 st. DOCUMENT "SOURCE THE BANCROFT LIBRARY LLL LPH 1.0 Le gz = =k lI eles ll22 I | § le [J20 = lL Ji2s lis pee MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS-1963-A | 12 113 114 LLL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U. S. N,, Rear-Admiral (Retired). Born July 26, 1731, at Sloatbury, near Goshen, Rockland County, New York. Midshipman, U. S. Navy, February 12th, 1800. : Sailing Master, U. S. Navy, February 7th, 1812. (He manceuvered the frigate “United States” under Com- modore Decatur, when he captured the crack frigate ‘“Macedonian,’ of the British Navy, October 25th, 1812, and received the thanks of Congress.) Lieutenant, July 24th, 1812. (Commanded the schooner “Grampus,” and suppressed Cofrecinas, the last of the West India pirates, in March 1825, who was captured and shot.) Post Captain, February oth, 1837. Commodore, November 1st, 1843. (August 27th, 1844, ordered to command the Pacific Squadron, and on July 7th, 1846, took possession of California and hoisted the American flag at Monterey. He located the Navy Yard at Mare Island, California in 1852.) Rear Admiral on the Retired List, August 6th, 1866. Died at Staten Island, New York, November 28th, 1867, aged 86 years, 4 months and 2 days. Buried with Masonic and Naval Military honors in Greenwood Cemetery, L. I., by St. Nicholas Lodge, No. 32I1, F. and A. M., and Tompkinsville Lodge, F. and A. M., and the Naval Battalion of Marines and Sailors, November 3oth, 1867. THE LIFE OF THE LATE Rew-Fomiar Jon Drake Sioa OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY WHO TOOK POSSESSION OF CALIFORNIA AND RAISED THE AMERICAN FLAG AT MON- TEREY ON JULY 7th, 1846. COMPILED FROM THE MosT AUTHENTIC SOURCES OF FAMILY HISTORY, THE RECORDS KINDLY FURNISHED BY THE U. S. NAvy DEPARTMENT, AT WASHINGTON, D. C., FROM PERSONAL ACQUAINTANCES AND THE EARLY PIONEERS AND VETERANS OF THE MEX- ICAN WAR WHO SERVED IN CALIFORNIA IN 1846-8. Brine THE ONLY CoMPLETE HISTORY OF THIS GALLANT, HEROIC AND PATRI- oTi1C OFFICER OF THE U. S. Navy EVER PUBLISHED. : COMPILED BY Masgor Epwin A. SHERMAN SECRETARY OF THE SLOAT MONUMENT ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA, R. V, GRAND SECRETARY OF THE MASONIC VETERAN ASSOCIATION OF THE PaciFic Coast. EDITOR OF “FIFTY YEARS OF MASONRY IN CALIFORNIA’ AND OTHER WORKS. VETERAN OF THE MEXICAN WAR OF 1846-8 IN MEXIco. CALI- FORNIA PIONEER OF MAY 24, 1849, ETC., ETC., ETC. ET —. A y= A» ry HZ — v Fy \BH 7 > a FF | UNIVERSITY | OF CALIFORNIA OAKLAND, CAL.: CARRUTH & CARRUTH, PRINTERS 1902 Bancroft Library q74¢ RUPERT SCHMID, SCULPTOR PHOTOGRAPHED IN STUDiQ THE SLOAT MONUMENT IN FRONT OF OLD FORT MERVINE, MILITARY RESERVATION, MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA. Design constructed by Rupert Schmid, Sculptor, under the immediate supervision and direction ot Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee on Design and Construction, and recommended to the Secretary of War for his approval. Committee of Design and Construction : MAJoR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, REV. A. A. MCALISTER, U.S. Navy, CaPT. FRANKLIN J. DRAKE, U. S. Navy, HoN. EDWARD M. PRESTON, Nevada City, Cal. Hon. JosepH M. ENGLISH, Vallejo, Cal. Miss CAMILLE JOHNSTON, Oakland, Cal. [ Copy ] al ] Crass A, XXc, No 28266 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, to-wit: Be it remembered That on the 6th day of March, 1902, EDWIN A. SHERMAN, of Oakland, Cal., hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the title of which is in the follow- ing words, to-wit : “THE LIFE OF THE LATE REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, of the United States Navy, who Took Possession of California, and Raised the American Flag at Monterey, on July 7th, 1846. Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources of Family History, the Records Kindly Fur- - PPT < < J nished by the U. S. Navy Department at Washington, D. C., etc. Com- Che : Sloat Monument Hssociation of @galifornia. r piled by Major Edwin A. Sherman. Oakland, Cal.: Carruth & Carruth, ] Printers, 1902,” Temporarily Formed by Committee at Monterey California, July 5th, 1886 the right whereof he claims as author and proprietor in conformity with the laws @« « « « Permanently Organized at San Francisco, December 1st, 1886 } of the United States respecting copyrights. Office of the Register of Copyrights Officers and Executive Committee. Washington, D. C. HERBERT PUTNAM, Librarian of Congress Librarian of Congress. €lected at Monterey, Gal., August 16, 1901. A ns 3 ;. M. W. (U.S. A., retired) President, Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. Navy, Mare Island. SEAL Col. Joseph Blewart, ave ret ) " Dr. James L. Cogswell, Pioneer, San Francisco. ] United Sua, morico Hon. William M. Boggs, V. M. W., 1st YicoProgident, Naps, Hon. Brapk Hattison, Pr rpies X. 3 SW, Santa Cruz. Rl - : i . M.W., 2nd Vice-President, San ajor John I,. Bromley, V. M. W., Oakland. Hou. Joma Ww. Bontbg, V. 1 : : David I Standiford, Siomeer of Oakland. g Major Edwin A.Sherman, V. M. W., Secretary, Oakland. Miss Clara K. Wittenmyer. Ex-Pres. N. D. G. W., Mills Samuel W. Levy, Esq.. Treasurer, San Francisco. College. : Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver, Monterey. Hon. lewis A. Spitzer, San Jose. Gen. Thomas Ketcham, V. M. W., Marshal, Stockton. Hon. Wm. Frank Pierce, Oakland. Hon. Geo. C. Perkins, (U. S. Senator), Oakland. Hon. Geo. E. Kennedy, Livermore, By THORWALD SOLBERG, Register of Copyrights. GFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, 877 JACKSON STREET, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 99057 Fraternally Dedicated to the Memory of the Late Rear Admiral Jobn Drake Sloat, of the Ul. S. Navy Che Crue Patriot, the Loving Husband and Affectionate Father; the Good Citizen and Faithful Brother Mason; the Gallant, heroic, Prompt, Discreet, and Faithfully Obedient Officer of the dl. S. Navy for the long period of Sixty-seven Years, this Biog- raphy of bis Life of over four score and six vears is most fraternally dedicated by the €ompiler, Edwin A. Sherman, 33°, “Nor is our Brother wholly gone from us here below; since his in- fluences survive, the thoughts he uttered still live, and the effects of his action and exertion can never cease while the universe continues to exist. He has become a part of the Great Past, which gives Law to the Present and Future, and he still lives a real life, in the thoughts, the feelings and the affections of those who knew and loved him. « The arm that wielded the sword is now but dust. “I adjure you, Brethren, in the name of Faith, Hope, Loving- kindness and Immortality, not to permit your duties to the dead to cease with these sad ceremonies. 7 adjure you lo right his causes, to do Justice to his memory, to defend his reputation. And I do more especially charge you, that you do watch over and give protection and assistance to any whom ke hath left unprotected or destitute, or who Suffering injury, may appeal to you in his name! Thus let us all prove ourselves good Knights and true Masons. Amen !” Masonic charge, and herein obeyed. BE. A. S. OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, January 19, 1902. The Reasons for the Publication of this Work. First. No authentic biography giving the life and character of the late Rear Admiral JoEN DRAKE SLOAT, of the U. S. Navy, who acquired California for the United States on July 7, 1846, has ever heretofore been published. SrcoND. To vindicate his memory from unjust aspersion, detrac- tion, misrepresentation and false statements, made by so-called histo- rians; and to place his character and gallant record as a U.S. Naval Officer (high in command, entrusted with a most important mission vital to the Nation, and faithfully executed), before the American Peo- ple in general, and the Citizens of California in particular. THIRD. As no one heretofore has taken any steps to perform this duty, and being engaged and voluntarily serving without compensation as the Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association of California for the past sixteen years, and as Chairman of the Committee of Design and Construction for the Sloat Monument, now in the early stage of its erection at Monterey, the undersigned has undertaken this work as the duty of a Brother Mason, as a Comrade Veteran of the Mexican War, who served under Generals Taylor and Scott in the Campaigns of the Rio Grande and from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico in 1846-8 dur- ing the war with Mexico; as a California Pioneer of May 24, 1849; and having frequently, in the early days of California, traversed the whole length of the State, surveyed large portions of it, and having been personally acquainted with the prominent representatives of the Native Spanish California race, as well as with the earlier Pioneer American settlers who first came to California, both by sea and land, and with the most reliable, authentic data and records gathered and placed in his hands, he has prepared this work which he now places before his countrymen, to stir their patriotic spirit, stimulate their national pride, and that they may manifest their gratitude to the mem- ory of a gallant and discreet Naval Officer, to whom every man, woman and child in the State of California, not of Spanish origin, is indebted, and even those who are enjoying the blessings of a benign Republican form of Government in common with the rest, derived from the act of JouN DRAKE SLOAT, when, as Commodore of the U. S. Navy acting under the orders of his Government, he took possession of California, and raised the American flag at Monterey on July 7, 1846. FourTH. That the undersigned, without presumption on his part, A SB Mia om mere - i —— cin ee ——— A —— —— NS YT — - rE Ra Ea A i Hig! A { i : 6 ' LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT has good reason for believing himself qualified for this work. During the Mexican War of 1846-8, he acquired a fair and practical knowledge of the Spanish language, being able to read and write it; and becoming familiar with the government printing offices, taken possession of by our troops at Matamoras, Monterey, and elsewhere, and by constant conversation with the Mexican people; and after the war, assisting in the organization of a Company at Philadelphia which sailed for Tam- pico, February 1, 1849, and crossed Mexico to Mazatlan, from which port he sailed in the Bark Fanny during the last of April of that year, arriving at San Francisco on May 24, 1849. That in the month of January of 1850, during the great floods in the Sacramento Valley, he went by sea to San Pedro and visited all the principal ranches and all the Missions from San Diego to that of San Jose, gathering statistics and information from all reliable sources avail- able, and won the confidence of the people, so much so, that one native Spanish-Californian, Bernardino Lopez, then of Loos Angeles, entrusted two of his young sons to his care, and brought them through safely by land and delivered them to their relatives at San Jose, in February, 1850, is sufficient to prove this statement. In 1850, after having participated voluntarily in the war with the Indians at Clear Lake, he located at Sonoma, where, in 1852, he was elected City Clerk of the Common Council, under the late and lamented General MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO, as Mayor, with whom he was officially and personally identified, as a confidential friend, as was also the Hon. WILLIAM M. BocGs, who was then a Councilman, now residing in Napa, California, and we two being the only survivors of that City Government. We will here note, that the latter is the son of the late LILBURN Bocas, who was Governor of Missouri, and came to California with his family in 1846, and located at Sonoma. His son, WiLLIAM M. Bocas, was Captain of the Train, and during the Mexi- can War, volunteered and served as Sergeant Major under Capt. Maddox, of the U. S. Marine Corps; did gallant service against Sanchez and his forces near Santa Clara; was stationed many months at Mon- terey, and from whom much reliable and historic information has been obtained. The undersigned assisted in the translation of many of the Espedi- entes, or Land Grants, for the grantees as well as being engaged in the sur- veying of them. In 1855 he was elected County Surveyor of Sacramento County, which office he held for several years, during which time he was frequently engaged in the translation of Espedientes, and assisted in the preliminary location and surveys of many of the Land Grants in Cali- fornia; and thus became acquainted with many of the original owners of Spanish-American blood, as well as the very earliest American Pio- LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 7 neer settlers of our Golden State from San Diego to Russian River, and the headwaters of the Upper Sacramento Valley. In everything pertaining to the history of California, and its early settlement, and especially from the beginning of the period of American occupation, with but few exceptions, he will yield to no man living, in his practical and experimental knowledge, of the true history of this State. He therefore confidently has undertaken this task of compiling the «Ife and Character of Admiral JouN DRAKE SLOAT,”’ and leaves the judgment to its readers. EpwIN A. SHERMAN, Editor and Compiler. OAKLAND, Cal., January 19, 1902. I —_,S, — - . ——— —— — —— -— — i e—— ~ . ES i . I, a J . TTT. : — a nr ER or - Er Ea a Sg psi Tt EE — V\BRAR p VoF THE PN UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORIWD INTRODUCTORY. OF THE MALIGNERS, FALSIFIERS AND TRADUCERS OF ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U.S. N. “TRUTH though crushed to earth shall rise again, The eternal years of God are hers; While ERROR, wounded, writhes in pain, And dies amid her worshippers” Before entering upon the Life and Character of the late Admiral JoEX DRAKE Sroar, U. S. N., we desire briefly to refer to his tra- ducers. It has been totally unaccountable to the writer, why, as if by a preconcerted conspiracy, any attack whatever or aspersion should be made upon the official actions of the late Admiral JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, when, as Commodore in command of the Pacific Squadron, he faith- fully obeyed the orders of his Government, both in the spirit as well as in the letter, of his instructions sent to him, dated Washington, June 24, 1845, and which were the only ones that he ever received either before or after his taking possession of California on July 7, 1846, and raising the American flag at Monterey, and for which he received the highest enconiums of praise and the thanks of the Government at Washington. At whose instance and by whose connivance, and in whose interest and who was to be benefited by it, are these studious, persistent attacks of misrepresentation, false coloring of statement and unjust criticism, of one whose whole life was spent in gallantly serving his country, ambi- tious only to do his whole duty in the line of his service, and without a stain to mar his escutcheon throughout his whole career? The most prominent of these is HUBERT Howg BANCROFT, who was unanimously expelled from Honorary Membership in the Society of California Pioneers on February 5, 1894, by the following resolu- tion, introduced by the late Dr. Washington Ayer on October 2, 1893: “WHEREAS, Statements have been meade by an honorary member of this Society in a quasi-history, published by one Hubert Howe Bancroft, which are at variance with historical records, and reflect upon the honor, dignity and integrity of the California Pioneers, and “WHEREAS, All such statements have no foundation of truth, and are unworthy the labors of an upright historian, and only becoming to one, who 1n our judg- ment strayed far from the domain of an honest writer, with the purpose in view LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 9 to mislead the reader and wrong the founders of a new State upon the extreme western boundary of our Country, and by such statements did wantonly and ma- liciously wrong the old Argonauts; therefore, «Resolved, That the name of HUBERT HowEg BANCROFT, be stricken from the list of Honorary Members of this Society, and that the Secretary be requested to send him a copy of this preamble and resolution.” This of itself would ordinarily be sufficient to set the seal of infamy upon such a so-called historian, and seem to need no other reference as to his mendacity and falsehood in relation to SLOAT; but we here give a specimen or two taken from his lying works that our readers may judge for themselves: “STOCKTON, ROBERT FieLD.—Com. Stocktoa, was brave, resolute, energetic, and in many respects an agreeable gentleman; but an insatiable thirst for popu- larity and fame was his most marked characteristic, and may be supposed to have determined his policy in California—a policy which, however we may admire come of his acts and qualities, merits nothing but condemnation. His adoption in opposition to the views of Sloat and Larkin [Note, Sloat had left. —ED ] of the filibuster plans of Fremont and his associates may charitably be regarded as a mere error of judgment, yet it is hard to resist the conviction, that the true state of affairs was known to him, and that his warlike proclamation to a peaceful people, kis blustering tirades against imaginary evils, his willingness to identify a criminal revolt of vagabond settlers with the legitimate military occupation, his practical refusal to accept the voluntary submission of the Californ ia authori- ties, his whole policy of conquest, which was to produce such unhappy results— that all this was chiefly due to his personal vanity and ambition, rather than to his honest opinion vespecting the intevests of his mation. To the same motive may be ascribed his later policy, not without plausibility and dignity in certain respects—in the controversies with Gen. Kearney. STOCKTON was beyond com- parison an abler and more honorable man than FREMONT; yet his reputation as ‘Conqueror of California’—notwithstanding his energetic and praiseworthy sur- mounting of obstacles, /Aat but for his folly would not have existed—is as un- merited, though not so fraudulent as that of the Pathfinder.”—History of Cali- fornia 1846-1848, page 735, H. H. Bancroft. This is a good deal like the Irishman who was asked by an indi- vidual what he thought of him. Pat replied, ‘Faith, an’ ye are a jintleman of intigrity, refinemint and a scholar; but yez lack a hape of the truth and of education and manners.” As an offset to this misrepresentation by Bancroft, we will quote here from the letter of Thomas O. Larkin to James Buchanan, Secre- tary of State, of January 14, 1847: “Had the Officers left in command in different towns in the Country, had the kind and friendly yet firm manner of Commodore Stockton, I am firm in the opinion that the people would not have risen. During my imprisonment many California officers told me this, and said that the strict military discipline pur- sued, and ignorance of the customs, forced them to take up arms.” Now, which is to be believed, Hubert Howe Bancroft or Thomas OQ. Larkin? 10 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT To show the utter unreliability and absurd statements of H. H. Bancroft, which are self-patent upon their face, we quote the following from his so-called History of Mexico. On page 804 Vol. VIL, in speaking of the overthrow and banishment of the Emperor Iturbide from Mexico by that people, H. H. Bancroft says: “Nor was Iturbide’s life altogether safe. Spies of the Masons Jollowed him unvemittingly and to their shame, be it said, plotted his assassination. «‘Iturbide had left the country and was on his way on shipboard bound for Leghorn, Italy. 4 Dominican priest, a Mason was sent after him by the Masons to murder him!’ In Vol. VIII., pages 32, 33. he says: “The creation of Masonic Lodges has been ascribed to Poinsett, the American Minister ; but the veal founder was the priest Jose Maria Alpuche, rector of a Parish at Tobasco, and Senator from that State.” So much for the traducer and falsifier, HUBERT HowE BANCROFT, unanimously expelled as an Honorary Member of the Society of Cali- fornia Pioneers. [The Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast unanimously passed a concurrent vote of sympathy with the action taken by the Society of California Pioneers in its expulsion of H. H. Bancroft. | The next of these traducers is ‘‘ KANAKA Davis” a half-breed Hawaiian Islander, a veritable Munchausen. who has been reported to us as the ‘‘biggest liar that ever came to California from the Sandwich Islands.’”’ whose real name is WILLIAM HEATH DAVIS, and who pub- lished a work of ‘' Sixty Years in California,’ which, though contain- ing much valuable information in some respects, is utterly unreliable as to truthfulness of statement of fact in connection with his reported interviews with U. S. Naval Officers high in rank, with whom, on paper, he presumes and pretends to have been on familiar and social equality, and thus has thrust himself into good society, where his presence would have barely been tolerated. His father was a Yankee trader from Boston, and his mother a full- blooded Kanaka, from whom he derived his soubriguet, and was gen- erally known in California as * Kanaka Davis.’ He married into a native California Spanish family, again crossing the breed. His Elk Story is a specimen to commence with. On page 28, at the beginning of Chapter VI. of his book. he says: “On Mare Island, I often saw in the years from ’40 to ’43, as many as two or three thousand elk, it being their habit to cross and recross by swimming between the island and the mainland, and I remember on one occasion when on the Schooner ‘Isabel,’ of sailing through a band of elk, probably not less than a thous: and, which were then crossing from Mare Island to the main land. It was a grand and exciting scene. The Captain wanted to shoot at some of them, but I pre- vented him from doing so, because we could not stop to get the game on board, and I did not like to see the elk wantonly destroyed.” LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 11 We have inquired of the oldest native Spanish Californians of eighty years of age. residing in sight of Mare Island, and of the earli- est American settlers who hunted game, and at no time anywhere have any of them in the Napa and Sacramento Valleys along the streams ever seen over a hundred elk in one band at any time, and even then it was on the borders of wide open plains near the tules. ‘* Kanaka Davis’’ must have had several good-sized ‘* horns’ inside, to have been able to have seen so many thousand elk at one time, on so small a space as Mare Island, which only contains nine hundred acres, dry hill land and all. Here is another yarn to which we call the attention of our readers as to his veracity of statement. After giving an account of his beginning the erection of the first brick building in San Francisco, 8ox4o feet and four stories high, on the northwest corner of Montgomery and California streets, in Septem- ber, 1849, in Chapter IVIL. he says on page 519 of his book: ‘One lovely morning in April, 1850, Commodore Jones approached me where my building was being put up, and said he had a business proposition for my consid- eration. The naval Commander of the Pacific Squadron immediately gave me the details of it, which was for me to stop building and to undo what had been done; and he would transport all the materials of my structure in one of his ships of war to Benicia free of charge for freight. ‘He and other Benicians were to deed me a very eligible piece of real estate in the city of the Carquinez, free of cost, conditioned that I should erect a large brick building on the site. J thanked the Commodore for having spent more than an hour in attempting to convince me from his standpoint of the superior advantages possessed by Benicia for being the future big City of California, but was compelled to differ with him nevertheless.” The absurdity of such a statement, that a Commodore, commanding the Pacific Squadron of the U. S. Navy, should tender a vessel of war to be converted into a freighter, and lumber up its decks with building material to be removed in the interest of private speculation and enter- prise, is too preposterous to be entertained for a moment. It would have been an open, direct violation of the Naval Regulations, caused disgrace and forfeiture of his commission, and such other punishment as a court-martial might see proper to inflict. Besides this, if such a thing had been attempted, the Commodore would have had to put to sea at that time, to have prevented the wholesale desertion of the crew, who themselves would have known that it was unlawful, and deserted in consequence. Where is the President of the ‘‘Sazerac Lying Club?’ “‘KANAKA Davis’ would be entitled to a Grand Honorary Life Membership in your society. We now come to the serious portions of his statements in relation 12 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT to then Commodore JoHN DRAKE SLoAT. He was not present when Commodore SLoAT landed at Monterey, hoisted the American flag and took possession of California, but arrived a few days afterwards, and says SLOAT arrived on the 4th of July instead of the 2nd. He puts words in the mouth of Commodore SLOAT on paper, and in that of Captain MERVINE, which it is reasonable to believe were never uttered. In the first place, Commodore SLOAT was a taciturn, grave man, and generally uncommunicative in his attitude towards strangers, and his manner forbade all familiarity of intercourse, and he kept his own counsels. In Chapter XLVIII., on pages 395-396, «“ Kanaka Davis,” in his book, says: “Arriving first, on July 42, Commodore Sloat Zesitated as to what he should do.” “On the night of the 6th of July a council of war was called, at which were present the Commodore, Captain Mervine, Captain Dupont of the “Cyane” and other officers of the Squadron to discuss the matter and to settle upon a line of action. “Captain Mervine declared to me, that Sloat still seemed irresolute at the coun- cil, the Captain said; You hesitate, Commodore Sloat, but delay is dangerous: the Collingwood is right at our heels. You know when we approached this port, we thought we might find her here before us and the English flag raised on shore, in which case, we should have to fight. It is more than your commission is worth to hesitate in this matter. Although you have no direct official information of the declaration of war between the two countries, the unofficial news is to the ef- fect that war has been declared. 1f we don’t hoist the American flag, the Eng- lish will take possession of this Capital; so there is no time to be lost. It is our duty to ourselves and to-the country-to run up the flag at once. “Captain Mervine remarked further, that he talked so emphatically at the council of war, that his suggestions prevailed. The next morning the United States flag floated over the town. “Mervine was outspoken and frank, unquestionably a better qualified officer than Sloat. He was impatient at the Commodore’s slowness and vacillation. It was owing to the Captain’s decision and right comprehension of the situation, 7» my opinion, that the flag was raised.” That Captain Mervine, thoroughly trained in the rules and regula- tions of the Naval Service for more than a quarter of a century, coming up from the grade of Midshipman to that of Captain, and commanding the “Savannah,” the Commodore’s own flagship, and officially and socially connected with him, should not only violate those rules, as well those of Naval custom and etiquette, and towards a brother as well as his superior officer, to reveal what might have been said in a council of war, even if one had been called, and criticise and censure his supe- rior officer before one then not even a citizen and a half-breed Kanaka, whereby he would have been amenable to a Court-martial and dis- missed in disgrace from the service, is too preposterous and astounding SL SS pe SR LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SroAT 13 for a moment's serious consideration. Either ‘“Kanaka Davis’’ was furnished with this lie, while writing his book, or he made it out of whole-cloth himself. Midshipman Wm. P. Toler, Commodore Sloat’s aide-de-camp, stated distinctly to us, that ‘‘there was no council of war held by Sloat what- ever. ‘That on the afternoon of July 6th, towards evening, the day before the landing, that the Officers of the “‘Cyane” and ‘‘ Levant” came on board to receive their orders for the next day’s operations, but nothing more.” Here is another short yarn of *' Kanaka Davis.” In Chapter XVI, on page 113. of his book. he utters this libel against a very estimable lady Sefiora Dofia Augusta Jimeno, the sister of the late Hon. Pablo de la Guerra whose first husband was Don Manuel Jimeno, who was Secretary of State under Governor Alvarado and after Jimeno’s death, subsequently married Dr. Ord. a Surgeon in the U. S. Army, and brother of the late General Ord, who lately deceased at Pacific Grove. He says: «I have frequently heard her, after the change of the government to that of the United States, express her utter disapprobation in the most sarcastic lan- guage. x * * * * “In a patriotic outburst, Sefiora Dofia Augusta Jimeno exclaimed one day, that she would delight to have the ears of the officers of the United States Squadron for a necklace, such was her hatred of the new rulers of the country.” The italics are ours. After uttering this libel and slander against a very worthy and accomplished lady, he then tries to mitigate the effects of this cruel lie, by stating ‘'she was very kind and sympathetic to any of the Army or Naval Officers who might be sick.” So much for ‘‘Kanaka Davis’ libel of Sloat. There is another so-called historian who mildly repeats this slander of the then Commodore John Drake Sloat, but who also is now dead. Ordinarily, when a person is dead, it is well not to speak the truth concerning him, if it may be unfavorable; but books exist on shelves, and continue to perpetuate truth or falsehood, long periods of time after their authors have mouldered into dust, and the descendants and kindred of those whom they have injured, feel the sting of a continu- ous wrong and outrage perpetrated on their honored ancestors. And while for considerate reasons towards the living we do not give his name, yet as a key to his early instincts and character, we make the following statement from our own knowledge: In the years 1850-1-2-3 We resided in Sonoma, California, and were City Clerk of that place, when General M. G. Vallejo was Mayor. The then embryotic historian, too anxious to litterally enjoy litterary : profits from his pen, attempted to realize dividends from stock that was not his own. He was arrested for grand larceny and brought before 14 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SIOAT the Justice of the Peace, John A. Brewster, who was afterwards Sur- veyor-General of California in 1856 and 1857. The fellow confessed his guilt. He had stolen a breeding sow, then worth over fifty dollars fastened her up in his pez for six weeks, waiting for a littervary dividend of stock, which did not come as he expected. The demand for food and water by that four-footed and incarcerated Peggy, proclaimed her whereabouts, and the result was the arrest as stated. The fellow looked so mean, and confessing his guilt, the owner of the sow, out of pity for the thief in his helpless condition, and having recovered his prop- erty without further loss, withdrew the prosecution if the fellow would leave town, and he did. We were present at the trial, and witnessed his humiliation, shame and confusion. The owner and principal pros- ecuting witness still lives in one of the neighboring counties, and, with the writer, is connected as a member of the Sloat Monument Associa- tion. So much for the illegal attempt of a corner on pork on the hoof by the author of ‘‘Evidences Against Christianity,”’ and this was one of them. We now come to the next traducer of Sloat, who, under the pretext of delivering a ‘‘Memorial Address’ upon the late Hon. George Ban- croft, ex-Secretary of the Navy, before the California Historical Society on May 12, 1891, uses the occasion, not so much to eulogize the states. man and great historian of the United States, but to misrepresent and condemn Sloat in advance, for the ignoring and disobedience of orders which he never received and knew nothing of. We refer to Theodore H. Hittell. He quotes the letters of the Hon. George Bancroft, then Secretary of the Navy, to Commodore Sloat, of the following dates: May 1 3 1846; May 15, 1846; June 8, 1846; July 12, 1846, and two letters of August 13, 1846, which Sloat never received, and was of course pro- foundly ignorant of. To use these as arguments against Sloat, is to be totally destitute of either logic or reason, and warping and twisting these to suit his crooked mind and fancy, with his malevolent intent, he then repeats the lie of ‘‘Kanaka Davis,”’ to suit his purpose and attain his object in his misrepresentation of Sloat. We have this wonderful ‘‘Memorial Address’ upon the life and character of George Bancroft, covering nearly twenty pages, of which (with the exception of these letters referred to, not one of which Sloat ever received) not one-third is devoted to a eulogy of George Bancroft whom he was expected to honor. It was really a mask to attack the good name and fair fame of Commodore Sloat. The query is, In whose interest was it, and who used him for this ignoble purpose, if it was not for, and in the interest of, Hubert Howe LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 15 Bancroft, who was subsequently expelled by the Society of California Pioneers for lying and slander, and who is no relative of the late Hon. George Bancroft, the U. S. Historian, and ex-Secretary of the Navy? So much for the traducer, Theodore H. Hittell. There is only one more whom we now are compelled to refer to, and we sincerely regret the necessity of doing so; yet duty to the memory of the late gallant Admiral, John Drake Sloat, compels us to ““hew to the line and let the chips fall where they will.” By an, error of judgment, and without previous and careful exam- ination through the blunted carelessness of old age, the Board of Di- rectors of the Society of California Pioneers, in 1go1, committed a woe- ful mistake, and inadvertently, as a_result of their foolish action, in effect, endorsed Hubert Howe Bancroft whom the Society, by unani- mous vote of eighty members, had previously expelled. In 1go1, the Directors had authorized the publication of a book, accepted its dedi- cation, and which they paid for and offered for sale at the office of the Secretary. ‘The Pioneer Society was duly notified by the Sloat Monu- ment Association, that if the dedication of that book was accepted by them, that the Stone that had been provided by the Society of Cali- fornia Pioneers could not be placed in the base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey. The book contained the same slanders and false state- ments concerning Sloat, being quotations from H. H. Bancroft, «Kanaka Davis” and others, and if approved, endorsed and paid for as it has been by the Board of Directors of the Pioneers, they could not aid in the erection of a monument to the fame of Sloat, and at the same time put forth a work that denounced him as weak, incompetent, without decision of character, shrinking from the performance of duty under orders, hesitating, vacillating and unreliable in his action. Cer- tainly, if he was as represented, that Society should recall its Stone intended for the monument at Monterey, take down his portrait that hangs in the picture gallery of their hall, and change the date of their Annual Meeting and election of Officers, from the 7th of July, the an- niversary when Commodore Sloat took possession of California, when lie landed his forces and raised the American flag at Monterey, on July 7, 1846. The Book referred to, is a small one of 160 pages. and was com- piled by the Rey. S. H. Willey, and bears the title of ‘‘California’s Transition Period; 1846-1850." While purporting to give a history, it is but a small compendium of unfriendly hypercriticism of Sloat, Fremont and Stockton, and the reverend gentleman abandons the cloth for the nonce, assumes the language of an Inspector-General of Military and Naval Affairs in the field, converts the pulpit into a con- ning tower of cynical observation and criticism,—passing judgment 16 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT from what he has read from lying authors, and 1e-proclaiming them as if he were uttering the Divine Truth, when all emanated from the Father of Lies in the very beginning. We will now briefly refer our readers to the following quotations from his book. He says on page 37: «I have read all I could lay my hands on, and tried to read with an open mind.” In giving an account of Fleet Surgeon Wm. Maxwell Wood's dis- patch to Commodore Sloat, written at Guadalajara, Mexico, when on his way across that country to Vera Cruz, via the City of Mexico, on page 22, he either wilfully or ignorantly misrepresents the facts and leaves a false inference to be formed from his statement. He says: “At length the war opened with the battle of Palo Altoand Resaca dela Palma on the Rio Grande, on the 8th and gth of May, 1846. “The news flew with swiftness across Mexico, and was the theme of excited talk in all public places. “Just then Dr. W. H. Wood, fleet surgeon of Commodore Sloat’s squadron had received permission to return home, and took the route through Mexico, accom- panied by Mr. Parrott, United States Consul at Mazatlan. They arrived at Guad- alajara on May 1oth and found the town in a high state of agitation arising from the war rumors. The Mexican papers gave exaggerated accounts of what had oc" curred on the Rio Grande, and the feelings of the people were highly excited. “Dr. Wood immediately wrote a dispatch giving the news as he heard it, and sent it back, under cover from Consul Parrott, to Commodore Sloat at Mazatlan. ‘“The messenger was induced to promise all possible speed, and he actually did ten days work in five, delivering his dispatch to Commodore Sloat on May 17, 1846.” These statements he quotes from McWhorter and H. H. Bancroft. The news then sent to Sloat gave no mention of the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, fought only two days before, and the news had not then been received at the City of Mexico. There were no telegraphs in those days in Mexico to convey intelligence from the fron- tiers or between the principal cities of that country, and only by couriers or diligences (stage coaches), which carried the mails, could news be then conveyed, taking weeks to reach the C apital. As we have Surgeon-General Wm. M. Woods’ own statements sent to us by his son, the true account will appear later on in future chapters. On pages 24 and 25, in referring to a dispatch from the Secretary of the Navy of May 13, 1846, which Sloat never received, he remarks: «It is obvious to us now, how sorely the stimulus of this dispatch was needed by the Commodore, but, unfortunately, months must pass before he could re- ceive it, and the all important decision must be made before that time. “It actually awakens feelings of solicitude in us even now, to read of any hes- jitancy and delay here, when it was so liable to lose us so large and choice a por- tion of the continent.” T oR Ml WILLIAM MAXWELL WOOD, U. S. N. Fleet Surgeon Pacific Squadron, 1846. Surgeon General U. S. Navy, 1869. This officer voluntarily undertook the perilous risk to enter Mexico and cross that country to learn the condi- tion of affairs, and at Guadalajara first, and afterwards at the City of Mexico, learned that war had actually com- menced between the two countries; and, but tor the daring courage of this gallant officer, whose skill and adroit- ness in sending the information to Commodore Sloat at Mazatlan, California would have been lost to the American Union; and instead of being one of the United States, would now be a British province. Says Commodore SLOAT in his letter from New York, 20th March, 1855: “Che information you furnished me at Mazatlan from Guadalajara, (at the risk of your life,) was the only reliable information I received of that event, and which induced me to proceed immediately to California, and upon my own responsibility to take possession of ‘hat country, which I did on the 7th of July, 1846.” Says Dr. Wood in his account of the intelligence he learned at the City of Mexico: “All this information I again ent to the Commanding Officer of the Pacific Squadron, signing my letter by an easily understood hieroglyphic «nd sending it through the Mexican mail under cover to the subject of a neutral power.” i : Nore.—It was this last positive information sent by way of Guadalajara, that warranted Commodore Sloat to il Lieut. George Minor’s letter to Dr. W. Maxwell Wood, U. S. Navy, of May 3rd, 1855, Page 66.—EDWIN A. SHERMAN. : COMMODORE ROBERT FIELD STOCKTON, U. S. N. (From a painting on ivory, owned by his son, Hon. John P. Stockton.) The successor in command of Commodore JoHN D. SroaT, U.S. N., who in his Official Report said; ‘On the 23rd (of July) my health being such as to prevent my attending to so much and such laborious duties. i I directed Commodore Stockton to assume the command of the forces and operations on shore; and on the 2g.h, having determined to return to the United States, via Panama, I hoisted my broad pennant on the ‘‘Levant” and sailed for Mazatlan and Panama, leaving the remainder of the squadron under his command, etc.” —E. A. S. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 17 This solicitude is akin to that of Uriah Heep. He then pretends to give extracts from the log of the ‘‘Savannah,”’ the first and third of which are not correct. In the latter he states: “Stood into the harbor of Monterey, July 1st, and came to anchor at 4 P.M.” etc. Commodore Sloat arrived on the 2d of July, not the 1st. On page 26, he repeats the libel of H. H. Bancroft and ‘‘Kanaka Davis,”’ and says concerning the landing and taking possession of Cali- fornia by Commodore Sloat on July 7, 1846: “And so the decisive deed was done ! “But it was not done without much hesitation.” In this deprecating and depreciating strain, he continues, on pages 46 and 47, to misrepresent Commodore Sloat as a man of weak mind, imbecile, superanuated, lacking decision of character, and who came near losing California to the American nation. Such is the stuff dealt out to detract, injure and destroy the char- acter of as brave, gallant, discreet, and honorable an Officer and gen- tleman as ever trod the deck of a vessel of war, and held a commission for sixty-six years in the U. S. Navy; whose life and career will be found in the following pages, with official reports and facts with collat- eral evidence kindly furnished us by the U. S. Navy Department at Washington, and other reliable authority, that will scatter this mass of chaff of lies and slanders to the winds. We congratulate the truth-loving, fair-minded American People in general, and the Masonic Fraternity in particular, that nof one of these libelers and slanderers whom we have cited and quoted has ever been one of the Craft, to dishonor the Brotherhood by such defamation and falsehood. In this Life of Admiral John Drake Sloat, we shall only incidentally refer to his Compeers in his official relationship with them, and not what occurred after he left California, to proceed to Washington to make due report in person to the Secretary of the Navy, and give an account of the condition of affairs as he left them here. As things got mixed afterwards, and there was rivalry and conflict of authority, we cannot refrain (that our readers may smile), from giving the following extract from the diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, of the U. S. Army, who accompanied General Stephen Kearney to California, and who commanded the Mormon Battalion. In his history of the Conquest of New Mexico and California, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, U. S. A., gives the following from his diary, when at San Luis Rey, California: “‘March 12, 1847. For forty days I have commanded the legal forces in Cal- ifornia,—the war still existing; and not pretending to the highest authority ofany 18 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT sort, have had no communication with any higher, or any other, military or civil. I have put a garrison in San Diego; the civil officers appointed by a naval officer; otherwise refusing to serve; while a naval officer ashore is styled by some, ‘‘Gov- ernor of San Diego.” “General Kearney is supreme, somewhere up the coast; Col. Fremont, supreme at Pueblo de los Angelos; Commodore Stockton is Commander-in-Chief at San Diego; Commodore Shubrick, the same at Monterey; and I at San Luis Rey; and we are all supremely poor; the Government having no money and no credit; and we hold tbe territory, because Mexico is poorer than all.” Fortunately for Commodore Sloat, he had returned to Washington, or his traducers might have charged him with this blame also, and as being responsible for this after-condition of affairs in C alifornia. But to our book in the following pages. EpwIN A. SHERMAN. Life of Rear-Admiral John Drake Sloat CHAPTER 1 In the terrible, merciless, long and bloody wars between Spain and the Netherlands, in the latter part of the Sixteenth Century, so vividly described by Motley in his history of ‘‘THE RISE AND FALL OF THE DurcH REPUBLIC,” in which the cruelty of the Spaniards wrought its full fury in the most diabolical inventions of torture, mutilation and death, sparing neither age, sex or condition, and when the City of Leyden, after a long, successful resistance of a siege, was about to fall, there came relief from the northern isles of Holland and Leyden was saved. “On September 1, 1574, in the great battle for the relief of Leyden, Admiral Boisot, of the Dutch Navy, returned from Zealand with a small number of vessels and eight hundred veteran sailors of the most daring character. Many had been engaged in severe conflicts with the Spaniards, who showed no mercy, and these in return gave no quarter. They wore Crescents in their caps, and bore the name of ‘THE SEA BEGGARS.” Indicating by the above device, that the Saracen was more merciful than the Spanish Crusader. With their assistance the siege of Leyden was raised and its inhabi- tants saved from cruel massacre at the hands of the Spaniards. Not long after this war had ceased, and the Dutch having acquired territory in the New World, they founded New Amsterdam, now the City of New York, and took possession of the Hudson, Mohawk and other valleys, in what is now the State of New York. For their de- fense, some of these same Zealanders, who had rendered efficient service at the relief of the City of Leyden, had been sent to act as a Coast Guard, and some had been knighted by William, the Prince of Orange (the Silent), for their bravery and assistance rendered upon that mem- orable occasion; and those who had been especially conspicuous for their gallantry, were authorized to emblazon the Crescent upon their Coats of Arms. Among these so knighted, was the ancestor of the founder of the SLoOT or SLOAT family in America, from whom the late Admiral JouN DRAKE SLOAT was descended. We here give the half-tone sketch of the Coat of Arms of the SLoor or SLOAT family, kindly furnished by his great-grandson, Mr. J. B. 20 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Whittemore, of San Francisco, for this work. Besides being upon the shield, the Crescent, winged, is the crest, signifyfng celerity of move- ment and attack. ‘The device, being so significant, required no motto, and the family name was sufficient under it, showing the origin of the founder of the family and from what the insignia of the Crescent was derived. We now come direct to the immediate history and biography of Admiral JoHN DRAKE SLOAT himself. i: DRAKE SLOAT was born July 26, 1781, at Sloatburg, near Goshen, Rockland County, New York. He was the posthumous son of Captain John Sloat, whose unfortunate fate it was, to be accident- ally shot by a sentinel near his quarters, in Rockland County, New York, just before the close of the War for American Independence, and in which he served with credit. His widow survived her sudden bereave- ment but a short period, and the care of this, their only son, devolved on his maternal relatives, who seem to have been properly impressed with the responsibility they had assumed. Their protégé was well instructed in mathematics, and in the rudi- ments of an English education—all that our country schools afforded at that period. As his Grandfather Drake (a descendant of a collateral branch of the family of the celebrated Admiral and circumnavigator) was wont to relate the adventures of his illustrious relative, he did not fail to inspire his charge with a thirst for travel and enterprise. The taste thus inculcated so fully displayed itself in youth as to induce our young adventurer to quit an endeared fireside for a berth in the Navy, that he might the better gratify his predilection. This was during our quasi-war with France, and in the heyday of our Naval successes over the haughty flag of the Directory. It was at a period, too, when the Revolutionary service of the sire presented an irresistible claim for the public employment of the deserving son; and we find, by the Navy Register, that a Midshipman’s Warrant was granted to the aspiring and ambitious young man on the twelfth of February, 1800. : Midshipman SLOAT, on March 18, 1800, was ordered to the frigate «¢ President,’ Commodore TRUXTON, who took command of her soon after his gallant exploit in the «“Constellation’’ (the capture of the French frigates ‘‘L/ Insurgente’’ and ‘‘La Vengeance’). It was young SLoAT’s good fortune here, also, to serve under that strict dis- ciplinarian and accomplished officer, Commodore CHAUNCEY, at that time First Lieutenant of the « president.’”” With such models before him, during a lengthened service in the south of Europe, he was ena- gE sn -* 2 2 -, Np BNR ~~ [Ary -; i Vag Re a 4 oy CW pe tly ota 0p “THE ARMS OF THE SLOAT FAMILY Placed with those of Van den Voort at Amsterdam, are to be found in the Book of Arms from 1500 to 1700 of Liebmacher Verooby, Vol. v., page 46. Pan in silver. Watchfulness, indicating Vigilance and Courlesy. “For W. H. Zimmerman, in the Book Store, and it is noted that the family issue from a Brunswick stock about 1400. Haakzaamheid es Hoflykheid. Vigilance and Courtesy. “The German sent from Amden with the coat of arms. The following was translated by me from an engraving in Vol. iv. of Lievemacher Hirroly, published about the year 1620. Vol. i. was published 1609, the other volumes each several years later. V: Sloot, L. W. Sloat. Crescent, Red. I, White and Silver. “The arms, embossed, was engraved from the same engraving by A. Kuner, Engraver, who owned the book from which they were copied. L. W. SLOAT.” ; [NOTE—L. W. SLOAT was the son of the late Rear.Admiral JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, and his private secretary when on the Pacific Station.—E. A. S.] — . - y en ———— ye —— BE aon 7m DE. re —— oan a a sus Sogema oh FAMILY RECORD I ADMIRAL | Born Married Died : JoHN DRAKE SLOAT | Sloatburg, Rockland Co., November 27th, 1814. ' New Brighton, | New York. Golden Wedding Staten Island. | July 26th, 1781. November 27th, 1864. Nov. 28th, 1867 | ea - Wife, | Bloomingburg, Orange | November 27th, 1814. | New York City ABBY GORDON Co., New York. Golden Wedding | Nov. 15th, 1878 November 6th, 1795 Their children, November 27th, 1864. | i | | November 26th, 1815. | Never married. Mar. 3d, 1886. | pe cp GE Born March 19th, 1808. | Nov. 22d, 1883. | New York City LEWIS WARRINGTON Suan is - . Siinsnts | JEANNETTE ELIZA SLOAT Navy Yard, Kittery Island, Married first husband | New York City had two children by first Maine. ' December 11th, 1839, ' Dec. 10th, 1889 marriage, September 19th, 1821. ' James Bayard Whittemore. } James Bayard Whittemore, | Born April 8th, 1815. Feb. 22d, 1852. § Jeannette Sloat Whittemore | Married second husband 1 By second marriage one, | May 24th, 1854, / Mary Anna McKeon. | 8 | Hon. John McKeon. | | | | JoHN DRAKE SLOAT, JR. December 29th, 1849 . April 2gth, 1869. | Oct. 21st, 1892. Had one child, | Maria Lonita Robson. John Drake Sloat, Jr. ' New York City. Bs uta LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 21 bled to lay the foundation of a professional reputation, which has proved no less creditable to himself than honorable to his country. Disappointment so common in life soon interposed to blast for a time the prospects of our Naval debutant. The profligate sway of the Directory being overthrown, NAPOLEON, the First Consul, happy to relieve his new-born power from the difficulties and unpopularity of an American war, accepted terms of peace. Those terms proffered by Mr. Apams, and by which he expected to retain power, were far from being advantageous to us. By stipulating to restore the national ves- sels of France, which had been captured, we gave up the trophies of victory, and purchased peace at the cost of fourteen millions of dollars (the amount of her spoliations on our commerce), without an equiva- lent. A bill for compromising these claims, thus assumed by our Gov- ernment, was passed by Congress in 1845, and vetoed by the Ex- ecutive. At the reduction of the Navy, which took place upon the accession of THOMAS JEFFERSON to the Presidency, in 1801, Midshipman SLOAT took a furlough, and the prospect of active employment being so remote, he, with many others, neglected to report himself at its expira- tion; thereby virtually abandoning the service, in the time of profound peace, and when absent at sea in a merchant vessel trading with Eu- rope, his furlough expiring before he could return. He was discharged May 21, 1801, under the ‘Peace Establishment Act.”” There was then no Naval Academy, and the knowledge of the science of naviga- tion by sailing vessels alone (for steam vessels were then unknown) had to be acquired by practical experience, and when our Navy was in its infancy, with but a little canvas for its swaddling clothes, and then not sufficiently aired. It was comparatively so at that time with our mer- chant marine. : But young SLOAT, however, acquired such knowledge of seaman- ship as enabled him to command merchant vessels, which he navigated with success several years before he attained his majority. His Grand- father Drake, having deceased about this time, bequeathed him a valu- able property, including twelve slaves, to whom he gave their liberty as soon as they came into his possession. Fond of the sea, he disposed of his estate, and embarked his all in a vessel of which he took command, and suffered great loss during sev- eral successive voyages; commerce being more of a lottery during the - European wars than now. Nothing daunted, however, by these frowns of fortune, the young master-mariner pursued the course he had marked out for himself with various success, until the war with England threw him out of business. Thus circumstanced he gladly availed himself of an offer made by his old and esteemed friend, Commodore DECATUR, 22 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL. JOHN DRAKE SLoAT to become Sailing Master of the frigate “United States,”’ on January 10, 1812, with promise of an early opportunity to attain by promotion the rank to which he would have been entitled if he had continued in the service. The promise was soon fulfilled, for on the twenty-fifth of October, 1812, the British frigate Macedonian’’ was captured in single combat under the following circumstances: The enemy, tenacious, maintained the weather-gauge for some time, which enabled him advantageously to discharge his long guns at a distance, beyond the reach of the carron- ades of the “United States.”” At length an unfortunatg maneuver of the enemy enabled SLOAT to bring him to close quarters, whereby the battle came to a speedy and successful issue. Though wounded in the face, he did not quit his post during the action. For his gallantry and skill, at the recommendation of Commodore DECATUR, SLOAT was immediately promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and, with the rest of the officers of the frigate ‘United States’ received a vote of thanks from Congress January 29, 1813. The “United States’’ arrived off New Lon- don on the fourth of December, 1812, where she was blockaded for the re- mainder of the war. He was appointed Acting Lieutenant April 28, 1813, and commissioned Lieutentant of that frigate, July 24, 1813. Sloat related the following incident to his family and friends, of the action of Commodore Decatur in connection with the fight between the Frigate ‘United States’ of the American Navy and the British Frigate «“Macedonian’’ when the latter surrendered: A short time before hostilities actually broke out between the United States and Great Britain, when both vessels lay at anchor in the River Mersey, Captain Corden of the British Navy, commanding the ‘Mace- donian,’’ happened to meet Commodore Decatur in the streets at Liv- erpool, and said to the latter, ‘Commodore Decatur, if Great Britain and America go to war, I will bet you a new hat that I will whip you, and take your ship, the Frigate ‘United States.’’’ ‘‘I’ll bet you a new hat that you don’t,” said Decatur. They thus parted, and it was not long before war was declared between the two countries, and the two ships met in combat, and after severe fighting, the ‘‘ Macedonian’ low- ered the British ensign as the signal of surrender to the ‘‘Stars and Stripes.” It was but a few moments when Decatur’s feet were on the deck of the captured vessel, and Captain Corden came forward unbuck- ling his belt and tendered his sword in surrender to Decatur. “Oh, damn your sword; keep it,” said Decatur. ‘‘You bet a new hat that vou would take the ‘United States’ frigate, and I bet you a new hat that you wouldn't, but as we are a thousand miles away from any hat- ter, I'll take the hat on your head instead;’ and so he did, keeping it as a trophy of that engagement, which was largely owing to the splen- ST LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 23 did skill of Sloat, who, as Sailing Master, in maneuvering the “ United States’’ frigate, brought the ‘Macedonian’ to close quarters, which settled the fight. A HISTORIC AMERICAN WARSHIP IN AN ENGLISH DOCK. _ [The gallant old American frigate “Presi- dent,” which carried Stephen Decatur to many a hard fought victory in the war of 1812, is still lying in a London dock. Shortly after Decatur’s capture of the British man- of-war “Macedonian” he was overtaken by a fleet flying the banner of St. George, and the heroic Yankee captain was forced to surren- der. His stout flagship was taken to the British capital and is now used as a drillship a SE for naval reserves. ] As stated in the beginning of this Chapter, that he was the son of Captain John Sloat, who was killed by the mistake of a sentry during the Revolutionary War, shortly before the birth of his son, that his lineage and descent may be preserved by his descendants, we give the following, which is a copy of a letter received by his grandson, JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, JR., which gives the abstract from the records: [cory] GOSHEN, N. Y,, Dec. 21, 1896. MR. JOHN D. SLOAT, 2322 Franklin Ave., St. Louis, Mo. “DEAR SIR: —Mr. Frank Drake of this place has returned a letter over to me that he received from you. Frank is a busy man and would have cheerfully un- dertaken to get you the information if possible. «I find from the old records of the Presbyterian Church of Goshen, that on March 17, 1778, JOHN SLOAT was married to RUTH DRAKE, by the REV. NATHAN KER; and on Oct. 21, 1781, the same minister baptized JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, son of JOHN SLoAT and RUTH DRAKE, born July 26, 1781. “I have rot omitted any part of names, but have given you the full record, and trust it will be what you want. I find nothing else in relation to the DRAKES or SLOATS. Yours Very Respectfully, CHARLES T. DEMING.” During the period which intervened of the blockade until the close of the last war with Great Britain, he improved the opportunity of con- tracting a matrimonial alliance, and married Miss Abby Gordon, a daughter of the late James Gordon, Esq., a Norwich merchant of high respectability. She was born at Bloomington, Orange County, New York, on November 6, 1795, and their marriage took place November 27, 1814. The Family Record of the fruits of this marriage, in brief, will be found later on. a Em EE ee Se 24 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CHAPTER II. At the restoration of Peace between the United States and Great Britain, Lieutenant SLOAT took another furlough on March 16, 1815, and again engaged in commerce. He took command of the clipper schooner ¢‘ Transit,” and loaded her for France. It so happened that he was with this schooner at Nantes, at the period when the public life of the great NAPOLEON was closed forever. In order to rescue the Emperor, several schemes were entertained; and, amongst others, SLOAT arranged to receive him, with his suite, on board the “’T'ransit,”’ and to transport them to the United States. This plan, so happily alluded to in the journal of a French officer, was frustrated by the indecision that marked the conduct of the friends of the Emperor on this occa- sion, and which eventuated in the surrender of the fallen hero, to the British blockading squadron. [It is a historic, interesting, coincidental fact, that the vessel “Natalia,” upon which Napoleon Bonaparte made his escape from the Island of Elba to France, shortly before the Battle of Waterloo, some years afterward, made its way to the Pacific Ocean, and subsequently was purchased by the Mexican Government and used as a revenue cutter or coast guard ship. She first arrived at Monterey, Cal, in 1834, and in 1843, while her officers were ashore attending a ball, the crew also concluded that they would go ashore and have a good time as well. A strong northwest gale sprang up, the ‘‘ Natalia’ dragged her anchor and was driven ashore at Monterey, becoming a total wreck, fragments of which are still preserved as curios, and thus in this condition she terminated her existence at Monterey—just three years before Sloat’s arrival on July 2, 1846.] 2 At the expiration of this furlough, he returned to his Naval duty, and on June 4, 1816, he was ordered to the Navy Yard, New York, where he was engaged for nearly four years, when, on March 9, 1820, he was ordered to duty at the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire. After five years of constant shore duty, on June 11, 1821, he was ordered to the ‘Washington,’ and two months afterwards, on August 6, 1821, he was ordered to the “ Franklin,”’ and was First Lieutenant under the veteran Commodore Stewart, during a large por- tion of that vexatious cruise in the Pacific, from 1820 to 1822, while on her borders were exhibited continued scenes of revolutionary contest. On September 30, 1822, he was ordered to the frigate ‘‘ Congress,” as First Lieutenant to Commodore BIDDLE, and in 1823, Lieutenant SLOAT, by great skill, saved that ship when in imminent peril, during LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 25 a convulsion of nature which occurred at La Guayra, in the autumn of that year. Mr. DAviD WINTON, an inmate of that invaluable institu- tion, the Sailors’ Snug Harbor, at New York, relates the following circumstances of it: * «Commodore BIDDLE was ashore when an earthquake sunk the southwest part of the city. This was succeeded by a hurricane which drove from their moorings, and entirely destroyed twenty-two merchant vessels, and a Colombian man-of- war, with their crews, five only out of the whole were saved, being picked up by a boat from the ‘Congress’ This boat and crew, consisting of a quarter-master and four men, were lost directly after, in endeavoring to afford further relief. «At the beginning of the blow Lieutenant SLOAT ordered the boatswain to pipe all hands, when he urged us to obey the officers and stand by the ship— promising full pay and rations, till we should reach home, in case the ship was wrecked. We parted our chain and other cables, excepting the best bower which so dragged as to bring us near enough to pitch a biscuit to the rocks. I have never witnessed so hopeless a prospect as ours at that moment, and thank Gob we were enabled to ride it out. Soon as the blow abated, Commodore BIDDLE came on board on a catamaran (a raft of two logs lashed together), and praised Lieutenant SLOAT in the highest terms, for Ais skill in saving the ‘Congress,’ when every other vessel in the port was lost. “We immediately left for Curacoa to get a supply of cables ard anchors, for the want of which, we had to hazard a run on the wash.” On April 12, 1823, Lieutenant SLOAT was ordered to duty at New York, but being at sea, it was several months before he was able to comply. On December 12, 1823, he was ordered to the command of the schooner ‘‘Grampus,”’ which was the first vessel placed under his com- mand in the U. S. Navy, when he was forty-two years of age, and when promotions among all commissioned officers was very slow. He was ordered to the African Station, where his services in suppressing the slave trade were highly commended by the Colonization Society. His activity and enterprise marked him as an efficient officer, for checking the piracies in the West Indies, in 1824-5; and he was ordered to cruise among the Windward Islands. While at St. Thomas, a fire broke out, and as no reliance could be placed on the slave population, the city must have fallen a sacrifice to the flames but for the intrepidity of Lieutenant SLOAT, his officers and crew. A large subscription was made by the inhabitants and tendered, but which was respectfully de- clined by Lieutenant SLOAT, on behalf of his officers and men. The following is given by an officer of the ““Grampus’’ at the period referred to: “While at St. Thomas, in March, 1825, information was obtained by Governor Von Scholten, that Cofrecinas, a pirate of celebrity, was off Porto Rico, ard he immediately communicated it to Lieutenant Commandant Sloat, and laid an embargo on all vessels in port, that the expedition contemplated for his capture might not be made known. eg ——————— 55. AA A SAAS A 1 } | { | A 35 8 26 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT “After cruising in vain for several days, Captain Sloat went into Ponce, Porto Rico, and had an understanding with the Governor of that place, that in case he heard any firing along the coast, he was to order his horsemen to assemble at the spot. The next morning a suspicious sail was seen off the harbor, in a calm; and lest he should recognize and avojjl the ‘Grampus’ (for she was well known to them all), a coasting sloop was filled below with seamen and marines, and sent in pursuit, under the command of First Lieutenant Pendergrast. When the breeze sprang up in the afternoon, Cofrecinas’ piratical vessel was discovered in an obscure harbor called ‘Boca de Inferno’ (Mouth of Hell). He first ran for the sloop, which he knew, and felt sure of a prize; but when within pistol shot tu windward, the signal was given, and the seamen and marines, springing from below, fired a broadside into the astonished pirate, which cleared his deck for a moment of all but the undaunted Cofrecinas, who was at the helm. His men, however, shortly returned to their duty, and they kept up a running fight for more than an hour, displaying great skill in endeavoring to out-maneuver the sloop and escape. But after losing several of his men, he was forced to run bis vessel ashore: the survivors jumped overboard, and waded through the water, amidst the grape and musketry of the sloop, which killed several. The slocp had a four-pound carronade, as also had the pirate; but he was unable to fire it, as his men were shot down whenever they attempted it. On the shore they were surrounded by the soldiers, who, in accordance with the understanding, assembled on hearing the firing, and took the prisoners to St. John (San Juan), the Capital, where they were all shot by sentence of a court-martial. “A gentleman who witnessed the execution, stated, that when they attempted to blind Cofrecinas, he spurned the handkerchief and the priest, and cried in a loud voice, ‘I have killed hundreds with my own hands, and I know how to die. Fire!” He fell, the last and most daring of the pirates of that region. In his vessel were found a few goods, the remains of the cargo of a French brig, taken a short time before, and whose crew and passengers he had murdered. “I'he manner in which the information was obtained, which led to the capture of this pirate, is worthy of record. Cofrecinas had taken, only a short time before he was discovered, the sloop in which he was cruising when captured. The master of the sloop proved to be an old acquaintance, and he appealed to Cofre- cinas to spare his life, his men being compelled to join the pirates; but Cofrecinas told him that their rule was to kill all that did not join them, and that he was unable to save him from his men, but that he could spare him until sunset. The master of the sloop then went below and brought up a demijohn of wine and handed it to the pirates, who were feasting on his provisions—his respite was confirmed by them. : : “They asked him if he could swim, with great presence of mind, he answere:l in the negative, and begged not to be thrown overboard, but to have a more im- mediate death, which they smilingly promised. He then went into his little cabin, to collect his thoughts. He saw that the shore was about two miles off} it was falling calm, and the pirates carousing at anchor off Foxardo. He now cast off the boat and let her drift away. As soon as he supposed they might discover it, he slipped over the stern very quietly and swam to the bow. As soon as they perceived the boat adrift, their attention was absorbed in devising meansto regain her, and the late Commander was forgotten in the confusion, or supposed to be at prayers in the cabin. He was an excellent swimmer, and struck out lustily for the shore. He was soon discovered and fired at; but dove at the flash, as he told it, and swimming under water, came up at a different place each time to breathe, LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 27 and dove again instantly until out of reach of shot. There being no wind, they could not get under way, and he had secreted the oars, so that the boat could not be used to overtake him. “After sunset, he gained the beach almost exhausted; crawled a little way up the shore, and slept in the sand until daylight, when he found his way to St. Thomas, to inform the Governor and the Commander of the ‘Grampus’ of his adventure. He accompanied Lieutenant Pendergrast, and on her recapture, his sloop was immediately restored to him by Commander Sloat, after repairing the sails, which were riddled by shot, and the hull, which was but slightly injured.” The following is an extract of a letter from Lieutenant Commandant John D. Sloat, commanding United States schooner ‘“ Grampus,’’ to the Secretary of the Navy, dated St. Thomas, April 5, 1825: «Under date of the 19th of March, I had the honor to inform you that I had visited Porto Rico for the purpose of offering our testimony against the pirates, that made their escape from the vessel taken on the south side of the island, when the Captain-General assured me that these miscreants should have summary justice. “On my arrival at this place yesterday, I had the satisfaction to receive the information, that all who made their escape from the vessel (eleven) were shot on the 3oth ultimo. They all, except one, met their fate in the most hardened manner. The celebrated Cofrecinas refused to be blindfolded, saying that ‘he, himself, had murdered three or four hundred persons, and it would be strange if, by this time, he should not know how to die.’ From his, and others’ confessions, twenty-eight others have been taken, and seventeen are to be executed in a few days, and the remainder in a short time after. Those already executed have been beheaded and quartered, and their parts sent to all the small ports around the island to be exhibited. “This capture is thought by the government of the island to be of the greatest importance; and it is believed, from the number taken and convicted, that it will be for a long time a complete check to piracies about that island.” Thus, it will be seen that this most dangerous and hazardous of all naval duties; with but a single vessel, and that a schooner only, and under canvas alone; with an enemy to contend with, of the most des- perate character, which never gave quarter; murderers and robbers on the high seas, whose motto was ‘‘dead men tell no tales;”’ with the black flag of piracy and death * nailed to the mast,”’ a bloody terror to mankind afloat, and infesting every port, harbor, cove and inlet of the islands of the Mexican Gulf and Carribean Sea,—the Naval duties which devolved upon Lieutenant Commandant John Drake Sloat and his officers and men, in sweeping the seas of these tigers in human form, so skilfully and completely performed, entitled him to the eternal gratitude of his countrymen and the rest of mankind. Courage of the most daring character, persevering steadily to the end, and a campaign afloat and on shore, planned and executed with the most consummate skill and achieved with the greatest triumphant success, attest to his qualities as a Commander, worthy of the highest admiration and praise. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CHAPTER III. The arduous duties assigned to Lieutenant Commandant Sloat, as related in the last Chapter, having been so well performed, entitled him to be relieved for a while, and the Navy Department considerately ordered that he be detached from the ‘‘Grampus’ and granted six months’ leave of absence. On March 21, 1826, he was promoted to Master Commandant, and July 21, 1828, he was ordered to duty at the Naval Rendezvous at New York. On October 15, 1828, he was ordered to the command of the sloop- of-war ‘‘St. Louis,’ and for a long three years’ cruise in the Pacific, where his good judgment, and firmness as an American Naval Officer in command, was in the interests of his country, to be well and thoroughly tested, requiring also the skill and tact of a statesman and a diplomat, in which he was not found wanting. While lying at Callao, in the spring of 1831, a revolution occurred in the Government of Peru, which placed Lieutenant Commandant Sloat in a delicate and peculiar situation, as General La Fuente, the Ex-Vice-President of the Republic, and General Miller took refuge in his ship. An interesting account of this affair is contained in a letter from General Miller, dated Callao Bay, April 19, 1831, from which we make the following extracts: . “General Gamarra left Lima in September last for Cuzco, in order to suppress a conspiracy in that city. Agreeable to the Constitution, the Vice-President, General La Fuente, took the supreme command: his conduct, to my certain knowledge, has been correct, honorable, and faithful to the State as well as to the President. Unfortunately, the President left his wife at Lima, and she, being of a dictatorial and domineering spirit, wished to rule the Vice-President as she had done her husband, who, in fact, never resisted her wishes on any subject. This high-spirited and ambitious woman fomented an opposition, which was strengthened by false friends of the President, and some other designing and unprincipled men. Every act of La Fuente was construed by these miscreants as hostile to the President, and the vilest slanders were invented and published by the faction. The truth is, that the administration of La Fuente had increased in popularity by the active and straightforward course pursued. “The President, imposed upon by these artful misrepresentations, was led to believe that La Fuente was hostile and endeavoring to supplant him. Communi- cations were doubtless brought from headquarters by a Colonel Videl to the chiefs and officers of the garrisons of this port and Lima. That of the latter was composed of the battalion of Zepeta, 700 strong, some artillery and 200 cavalry. The commanding officer of Zepeta and the artillery were known to act in blind obedience to the heroine (Mrs. Gamarra), and for several days the Vice-Presi- HTH. eT Nr Eh = gq > J. J NEE wi ea Le ; A = sl 2 Gd o%. canal 7 2% 7, HO IMIS ! ay HH OA 7 2 ii 3 dl Jie yi i, LA ti 4 mn Wi be ne BL 2 TE RRL 2 Ii i ts EL EIT a TTEET TIT c_f<_f~ - - TF 8 Rh Mie. —_ ] s > Sui oh i i = hil i; pe The ahove picture represents the garrison of Sonoma as it appeared on the eventful Sunday morning, June 14, 1846, when it was surprised and captured by the Bear Flag Party. SONOMA, CALIFORNIA, IN 1849 a oe ao y © Ty UNIVLRIITY LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 29 dent, Ministers and myself knew a revolution was meditated. It was determined that Zepeta should be sent to, agreeably to the repeated request of the President; and the Government, confiding in its innocence, conceived that the most zealous friends of Gamarra could have no real interest in deposing the Vice-President; especially as it was known that his anxious desire was to deliver over the Gov- ernment to the President, who was expected to reach Lima in a few days. «However, to the surprise and indignation of the friends of order, the light company of Zepeta, about eight o’clock in the evening of the 16th inst., entered the house of General La Fuente, fired several shots, and endeavored to force their way into the room in which he was in bed. At the alarm, he sprang up, and forcing his way through several soldiers, effected his escape to the kitchen, and through the chimney of which he gained the roof; and from thence, he was g hotly pursued by an officer, who was shot dead by his own soldiers, they mistak- 7 ing him for their Vice President. The light company, disappointed of their ob- 3 ject, hastily returned to their barracks, taking prisoners two friends of General i La Fuente, who happened to be in the house at the time of the attack. 3 “The firing of the shots caused an immediate alarm in the streets, adjoining the Vice-President’s house, and cries were heard in every direction of, ‘Zhe Bat- 4 talion of Zepeta has revolted! and the inhabitants fled to their houses and q closed the doors. g «At this moment, I was lying in my bed from fatigue, having been ill for several days. Upon hearing the report from my aide-de-camp, to whom I had just given orders, as well as to Colonel Allendes, to parade on horseback, and in disguise, in certain streets of the city, I immediately mounted and rode to La Fuente’s house, ascertained that it had been attacked by troops, and then rode to the barracks of the three companies of the battalion of Callao. I could only form two, one being on guard; and I then sent an officer to the barracks of Zepeta : to ascertain what had occurred. «He returned with a report that the corps was under arms with General / Elespron, Prefect of the Department, at their head, who sent word that he had taken measures against the person of General La Fuente, in consequence of his having infringed the Constitution. He requested me to join him with the troops under my command, and adding, that he would hold me responsible for the a EE "m= ” attendant evils, if I did not comply with his wishes. To such a communication I SEIS BT, | 4 made no reply; but sent orders to the cavalry to proceed to Callao, and I soon : followed with the companies of infantry in the same direction; not doubting that : the Governor and garrison of the Castle would act honorably towards the Gov- ernment which they had sworn to maintain. SAN FRANCISCO, 1849. wo: ITA - ; i; EE Br ri A a “By this movement, I prevented compromising the troops, in firing upon each here Rois roe : SHE - =. i te Bh: oo oh sp CARY 1 other in town, and thought to insure possession of the fortress, until information Sa i oy 4 = it A could be obtained respecting the Vice-President, of whose situation I was then E = ignorant. To my astonishment, on my arrival, at three o’clock on the 17th, I was refused admittance into the fortifications, and soon after learned that the Governor, Colonel Echeniger, and the garrison acted in combination with the revolutionists of Lima. I took possession of the dismantled Fort of ‘El Sol, and ar I consented to hold an interview with General Benevedes, who had joined the {3 Ne i A revolutionists. The result was (that on the same day a detachment of 300 of the bi RZ ind gNPy | revolted troops having been allowed to enter the castles of Callao, under whose ; guns we were placed in the Fort of ‘El Sol’), I was allowed to come here and remain on board of this vessel, until the President's arrival from the south, or order should be established, so as to allow of my proceeding to the capital. I 2, 3 AR Arig’ 2 2 - Rf 7 Pie 9s and ‘ Merrimac” (or ¢ Virginia’) startled the entire world; and only the wooden walls of the staunchest oak were used in construction, and broadside to broadside, yard-arm to yard-arm, guns muzzle to muzzle, and the enemies’ ships lashed together, the strength of the material and the skill of the builders, were to be tested in close combat in the mutual destruction of each other, with ¢‘ Boarders away!” to storm and clear the decks of the opposing foe, with cutlass amidst the flames of a floating hell. It was in such a school that young Sloat graduated, fought and navigated his vessels, when there was no such thing as the technical school as the Naval Academy at Annapolis, which has since turned out such splendid heroes and commanders as adorn our national and naval history. When our armies had failed on land; the disgraceful surrender of Hull at Detroit, and St. Clair’s defeat by the British and Indians com- bined, had spread a gloom over the country, it was the Navy and its deeds which shone like the sun on the black cloud which covered the land, and painted the rainbows of hope of ultimate victory to be achieved, in the second war for American Independence of England, with the motto, ‘‘Free trade for American Commerce and Sailor’s Rights,” blazing in the sky over the waters of the Atlantic, and the Navy successfully fought the fight to a finish. when the Capital of the Nation had been reduced to ashes by the vandal invader, and destruc- tion marked the trail of his footsteps, when he was at last driven from our shores. In the achievements and victories of our Navy, Sloat bore a most gallant part, with the hero Decatur for his Commander, tutor, com- panion and exemplar, whose friendship and esteem lasted through life, until the latter's unfortunate and fatal duel with Commodore Barron. When the whole of Spanish America on the Northern and Southern Continents from the Oregon line to Cape Horn was in revolt against Spain, and Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 33 Peru, Chile, the Argentines, Paraguay and Uruguay, from the southern shore of Brazil to the Straits of Magellan. all declared their independ ence in 1820 and successfully fought to secure it, the last Spanish sol- dier and civil officer was driven from the American shores to return no more forever. Letters of Marque for privateers with some few vessels of war for their infant navies, the latter largely manned by capable officers and seamen from the United States and Europe, in sympathy with the new and blood-born Republics of the south, soon swept the seas of Spain’s ships of war and her proud galleons filled with treasure, and the prize money followed the rule,’ “T'o the victors belong the spoils.” The cruelty of the Spaniards in those times, as in later years was merciless and indescribable; and in turn begat equal cruelty towards themselves in retaliation when there was opportunity by those whom they had for centuries enslaved and oppressed, until mankind could bear no more. ‘Their independence was achieved after the most san- guinary struggles, when no quarter was given by either side, and these new nations, then Republics only in name, were recognized at last, even by Spain, who left the vast territory, covered with castles and for- tresses, stocked with artillery and arms, churches, convents, and the Holy Office of the Inquisition intact; while the number of cannon left behind of bronze mixed with silver would astonish even now the gun foundrymen of the world. Many Americans even from the New England States had volun- teered in the armies or navies and privateers of these Spanish coun- tries, and returned to their homes. Billerica (or Richville), in Massa- chusetts was so named by some of these who had served in securing Mexican Independence. Among them was one man, John Paul Jones Davidson, who served with Commodore Stephen Decatur in the Medi- terranean, in the war with the Algerian Pirates, and was the one who actually set fire to the U. S. frigate “ Philadelphia,” which had grounded, and to prevent her falling into their hands. He held a com- mission in the Mexican Navy, and afterwards was a Warrant Officer again in the U. S. Navy. lived to the age of ninety-eight years, and died a few years ago at Georgetown, El Dorado County, California. The late Commodore David Porter, the father of the late Admiral David Porter, who fought in command of the ‘Essex’ against Great Britain in the harbor of Valparaiso, Chile, and lost his ship in 1812-14. also held a commission in the Mexican Navy, and was by decree made a citizen of Mexico as well, for his gallant services in aid of that country in securing its independence. All of this history was well known by Sloat, for he had been, to a greater or lesser degree in his official capacity, acquainted and assc- ciated with some of these men. i A Re TE 34 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Continued revolutions by ambitious military chieftains of these newly-fledged nations, who were constantly at war among themselves, while blood flowed as freely as water, they became impoverished in both treasure and population and unable to protect themselves from the hostile tribes of Indians on their borders. who kept up a predatory warfare incessantly, and enriched themselves by raids upon the cities and towns of the frontiers, and were fast wiping out all vestiges of civilization, such as it was on the shores from the Mexican Gulf to the Pacific Ocean. As a barrier to all this, by treaty and contracts, and offers of grants of land, enterprising and courageous Americans were induced and invited to the soil of Texas, with the most liberal guarantees of prom- ises made, to secure them in all the freedom which they enjoyed in their native homes. All these were accepted and entered upon by these American emigrants in good faith. The New Englanders under Austin with his colonists from Connecticut, and the hardy pioneers and hunters west of the Alleghany Mountains met on the soil of Texas, and blended together in establishing American civilization, where the Indian savages had for centuries unknown roamed at will. The scholar and illiterate backwoodsman came together and fraternized; the former. to ‘‘teach the young idea how to shoot,” and the other, to teach the scholar how to shoot the rifle, and they engaged in the mu- tual education of each other. ‘Towns were built, school-houses and churches were erected, and the preaching and exhortations of Metho- dists and other parsons were heard on Sundays, and camp meetings held, as was the custom in the United States. while American civiliza- tion was firmly planted and becoming dominant over that country of Texas where savage barbarism and solitude had once prevailed. This promising condition of things seemed to be a sure guarantee of the future, and a large number of the most prominent public men of the States of the Mississippi Valley were attracted to the soil of Texas to identify themselves with the emigration which had preceded them and there settled. ‘I'he remains of former Spanish and Mexican towns were still in existence, and some in a state of partial restoration, with gradual improvement going on. Business began to prosper, and trades of all kinds becoming active. The swarthy Mexican of the frontier and the copper-colored Indian of the Plains, who formerly had been enemies looked with jealous eyes upon this new order of things, which, in its advancement, was to press them farther back in its onward march. Unfriendliness began to manifest itself, which ere long was to deluge that part of the American continent with horrible crimes and bloodshed. That curse of every nation, entailed by Spain and left as a blighting LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 35 legacy and inheritance upon Mexico and all other portions of Spanish America, the “Union of Church and State,” was soon to bear bloody fruit on the soil of Texas. The Declaration of Independence of Mexico by the Warrior Priest Hidalgo, declared ‘‘that the religion of the State should be Roman Catholic, and none other tolerated.” This remained in force, and in 1835 the Constitution of Mexico still declared as follows: “The religion of the Mexican nation is, and will be perpetually, the Roman Catholic Apostolic. The nation will protect it by wise and just laws, and prohibit the exercise of any other whatever.” This had been the Constitutional Law of Mexico from the very be- ginning up to that time. Consequently all agreements, contracts and grants of lands by treaties with emigrants and colonies as to the enjoy- ment of their own particular religion in conflict with that provision of the Mexican Constitution were null and void, which the Mexican Gov- ernment then knew in advance. ‘That in the very beginning was direct deception and fraud. The colonists and emigrants, not being fully aware of this, entered upon their part of the agreement made in good faith; but later, when they were becoming prosperous and unmolested for several years, found that they had been woefully deceived. They were not exempt from the provisions of that Constitution, or from pay- ing the exactions of the State Church of one-tenth of all they had acquired or possessed. To this there was either indifference or direct opposition. Behind the Cross of the Church was the Sword of State, with the whole Mexican nation to strike with it, as directed ex cathedra by the hierarchy of the Church. The Texas colonists in towns being too powerful and numerous to fall upon in a body. in the beginning, the settlers on the scattered ranches and farms were first to feel the blows. Their owners were murdered, homes were robbed and burned, the women ravished and thrown into the flames, and their property seized or destroyed. The torch, the knife and the bullet were soon getting in their deadly work. The towns were filled to overflowing with refugees, and a wail of woe and lamentation went up all over Texas. Crimes of the most fiendish character were enacted. ‘The natural result was, as the last resort, for the American Texans to declare their Independence of Mexico, and incidentally its oppressive Constitution with it, which was the base of all their troubles, calamities and sorrows, which had come upon them. Almost simultaneously in the re-promulgation of the Mexican Consti- tution in 1836, that of the Republic of Texas was declared on June 24, 1836, and in which appears the following: “No preference shall be given by law to any religious denomination or mode 36 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT of worship over another; but every person shall be permitted to worship God : according to the dictates of his own conscience.” A This is more direct and expressive than the Constitution of the a United States, which reads as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or pro- hibit the free exercise thereof.” This leaves it indefinite as to States; but fortunately the States have severally embodied the same principle in their Constitutions. The struggles for Texan Independence, in proportion, far surpassed our own in the Revolutionary war. Though adroitly held in the back- ground by the contending powers, and kept so later by modern so- il called historians, it was really a conflict between these opposing hostile | Constitutions, and which was being settled by the final arbitrament of the sword — Mexico united with a Church in arms, and Texas in arms without a Church. To Mexico with its Church the Texans were rebels and heretics. Santa Ana was President and Dictator of the Mexican nation. He was the most treacherous and cruel of any man at the head of a nation since the days of the Emperor Nero at Rome. Totally devoid of all honor, and at last as false to his own country as he had t been to all else, as will be seen further on. The terrible and atrocious massacre of Fannin and his men at Goliad, on March 27, 1836, and at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, are ati entirely without a parallel in warfare by any so-called civilized nation. | That of Goliad in particular. We shall refer our readers to the various histories of Texas in which all agree in the statement of the facts, and we will only quote what a Mexican officer himself said of the ‘‘ Massacre of the Texan Prisoners:”’ od “This day—Palm Sunday, March 27th—has been to me a day of most heartfelt sorrow. At six in the morning, the execution of four hundred and twelve Ameri- can prisoners was commenced and continued until eight, when the last of the : number was shot. At eleven commenced the operation of buining their bodies. But what an awful scene did the field present, when the prisoners were executed and fell dead in heaps! And what spectator could view it without horror? They were all young—the oldest not more than thirty—and of fine florid complexions. When the unfortunate youths were brought to the place of death, their lamenta- tions, and the appeals which they uttered to Heaven, in their own language, with extended arms, kneeling or prostrate on the earth, were such as might have . caused the very stones to cry out in compassion.’’—Pease’s History of Texas, 1 WILLIAM P. TOLER, ESQ. i | | Page 339. OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA i | i a — The Independence of Texas was declared on March 2, 1836. The Who was a Midshipman and Staft Officer, first under Commodore Av, CATERRY JONTS, 0 ae ia and the Secretary and signal Officer on the Stal of COO actually the very man who first raised the { | sented the Veterans of the Mexican War as pal HE | Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836, following, or about to the people of California, issued By ifarnia. on July 7th, 1846, and fifty years afterwards again il seven weeks afterwards, when Santa Ana was defeated with terrible loss pus neg pres Ihe Con, a aa qusands of people, and the salutés of the Americon ves. hi 0 . : 1: «Phi ia” and the Monitor ‘Monadnock,’ 0 : lait: - l i | by General Sam. Houston, commanding the Texans, and he taken ii of war, the Flagship “Philadepll, oith, 1800. Major John L. Bromley and Major Edwin A. Sherman repre | 3 ] : I ‘ l-bearers at his funeral. Hi fy : prisoner. —————— ———— A A — GOV. RODMAN M. PRICE OF NEW JERSEY A Master Mason. Purser of Commodore Sloat’s Squadron and who read his proclamation at the raising of the American Flag at Monterey, California, July 7th, 1846. Resigned and was associated with Col. John D. Stevenson and others in San Francisco in August, 1849, in organizing a Masonic Hall Association before any Lodge was organized. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 37 While Santa Ana was prisoner, and at the same time the Dictator and President of Mexico, the Government of Mexico was without a head, and he was the only authority to make a treaty with, although a prisoner. ‘The stipulations were then and there drawn up, which he and his Generals signed, officially acknowledging the Independence of Texas. ; Article IV. reads as follows: « Fourth. That the President (Santa Ana), in his official capacity as Chief of the Mexican nation, and the Generals Don Vincente Filasola, Don Jose Urea, Don Joaquin Ramirez y Sesma, and Don Antonio Gaona, Chiefs of Armies, do solemnly acknowledge, sanction and ratify the full, entire and perfect independ- ence of the Republic of Texas, with such boundaries as are hereafter set forth and agreed upon for the same.” Stipulations fixed the boundary of the Rio Grande, or Rio Bravo, as it is some times called. Santa Ana and his Generals were released then on parole, and he was sent to New Orleans with a guard to protect him from the ven- geance of the Texans. The other prisoners were exchanged or paroled and returned home. But the end was not yet. Santa Ana and his Generals returned home, violated his compact as President in acknowl- edging the Independence of Texas, as well as his parole. The Mexi- can Congress would not concur in his action, and soon after hostilities were resumed and he again took the field. On the 17th of June, 1844, he issued his Decree, or a new Declara- tion of War, and his orders were promulgated as follows: “ORDERS OF GENERAL WOLL. “HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE NORTH, “MIER, June 20, 1844. “I, Adrian Woll, General of Brigade, etc., make known: ¢‘;. The armistice agreed upon with the Department of Texas having ex- pired, and the war in consequence recommenced against the inhabitants of the Department, all communication with it ceases. «tz, Every individual of whatever condition who may contravene the provis- ions of the preceding article, shall be regarded as a traitor, and shall receive the punishment prescribed in Article XLV. Treatise 8, of the Articles of War. “3. Every individual, who may be found at the distance of one league from the left bank of the Rio Bravo, will be regarded as a favorer and an accomplice of the usurpers of that part of the national territory, and as a traitor of his country; and after a summary military trial, shall receive the above punishment. “4. Every individual who may be comprehended within the provisions of the preceding article, and may be rash enough to fly at the sight of any force belong- ing to the Supreme Government, shall be pursued until taken, or put to death.” Thus that cruel war was renewed. Not a spark of honor remained in Santa Ana's breast; and if he had again been taken prisoner by the Texans, what his fate may have been can reasonably be conjectured. wind “ a ARE 38 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT The Government of the United States had no faith in him, and Ameri- can merchants in Mexico were harassed and robbed by *‘forced loans’ wherever found in the Mexican Republic south of the Rio Grande to the Gulf of California and Central America. Mexico was looking forward to an alliance with Great Britain with a prospective war with the United States on account of the disputed northern boundary between Oregon and the British Possessions, and for which secret negotiations were endeavoring to be made by which Mexico was to pay her English debt of fifty millions of dollars by the cession of California to Great Britain. Of this the U. S. Government was fully apprised, but which was to be prevented at any cost. The keenest diplomacy was observed by all parties. During this period, Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones com- manded the U. S. Squadron in the Pacific, and, having special orders and instructions, he awaited at Callao, Peru, for advices from the U. S. Minister, Hon. Mr. Pickett, at Lima. We have now to introduce another character, one with whom we were personally and intimately acquainted for over forty years, who figures at intervals in this history, MIDSHIPMAN WILLIAM P. TOLER, U. S. N, from whose lips we took down what appears herein, concerning himself and the historic events with which he was connected when living. William P. Toler was a native of Venezuela, where he was born December 23, 1825. His father was a native of Virginia. When a young man, he went on business to Venezuela, where he was married to a Spanish lady of that country. I'wo children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Toler, William P. Toler, and a sister, who subsequently mar- ried Judge I. W. Hastings, a Pioneer of California, with whom we were well acquainted and who figures in California history. At the time of the residence of the family in Venezuela, William P. Toler's father was engaged in commercial pursuits for many years. His mother died when he was only about three years of age. Subse- quently the father returned to his native State, and was afterwards ap- pointed U. S. Consul to Porto Rico, in the West Indies, where he remained for many years. He afterwards returned to Virginia, and later to Washington, where he officiated in connection with the diplo- matic corps of this country. It was under these circumstances, and in the Capital of the Nation, that William P. Toler was educated. As he advanced towards young manhood, he became a clerk in the office of Attorney-General John J. Crittenden. ‘That was during the incum- bency in the Presidential chair of William Henry Harrison (who died shortly after his induction into that office, and was succeeded by Vice- LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 39 President John Tyler, of Virginia). But William P. Toler had no idea of becoming a lawyer, and he preferred then ‘‘a life on the ocean wave,”’ and desired to be appointed a Midshipman in the U. S. Navy, and from Virginia, as that was his father’s native State; but, much to his disappointment, its quota allowed to the Congressional districts of that State was full. At this crisis he sought advice from his father, who recommended him to call upon Henry Clay, Kentucky's greatest statesman, and see what he could do for him in this emergency. Henry Clay said to him, ‘Young man, your father is a Virginian, and so am I by birth, but I am now a Kentuckian; and as we have no salt water excepting for deer licks, and no place for naval operations, and nobody just now from Kentucky who wants to go to sea, I will make a Ken- tuckian of you by adoption and send you to sea.’”’ So young Toler was appointed a Midshipman in the Navy from Kentucky in 1841, when he was but sixteen vears of age. During that year, throughout the coun- try, something which had never occurred before in the same period, two hundred and fifty Midshipmen were appointed to the United States Navy when there was no Naval Academy. William P. Toler was a fluent speaker, and a writer of his native Spanish language, and, at the request of Commodore ‘T'homas Ap Catesby Jones, was assigned and appointed aide-de-camp on his staff in 1841, and accompanied him to the Pacific Station. This now brings us direct to California History. At Callao, Peru, Commodore Jones received such information from the American Minister, Hon. Mr. Pickett, at Lima, and believing from his secret orders received that he felt that he had full authority to act upon learning that war had broken out between the United States and Mexico, he sailed direct to Monterey, California, to take possession of the country. He arrived at Monterey on the 18th of October, 1842, in the frigate ‘‘ United States,” as his flagship, with the sloop-of-war “Cyane,”’ Captain Stringham in command. He at oncesent a demand to Captain Silva, the Commandante, to surrender, which demand was complied with. The Mexican flag was hauled down and the American flag raised on the next day, October 19, 1842. in which act Midshipman Toler, as aide-de-camp, with the Quartermaster, performed that duty and hoisted it himself. With him was Commodore Jones’ Secretary, a Mr. Larraintree, and they had been ordered to search the office of the Collector of Customs in the old Custom House at Monterey, but at first succeeded in finding no records of any value, as they had been carried away. After looking around, Toler espied in a corner a dirty bundle of papers, which he dusted, and to his surprise found that they had never been opened. He concluded to open the package, and discovered some of the very latest news as regarded the condition of affairs be- rr Pe ——— ee ——————— he al SP —- a a 40 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT tween the two countries, and found that Commodore Jones had ‘been altogether too hasty in his conclusions and actions, and placed the papers in the Commodore’s hands, who, upon their examination and much to his mortification, found that he had been too previous in this matter. He accordingly sent young Toler ashore on the 21st, who hauled down the American flag and hoisted the Mexican flag, which was saluted with twenty-one guns. Commodore Jones immediately sent word overland to Governor-General Micheltorena at Los Angeles, and the whole matter was to be referred to their respective Govern- ments. He set sail for San Pedro, and upon arrival there went to Los Angeles, where he held a personal interview with Governor Michel- torena, which concluded with festivities and a grand ball and enter- tainment, which were given to the Commodore and the other U. S. Naval officers. Commodore Jones was recalled by the Navy Depart- ment on January 24, 1843, and Commodore A. J. Dallas appointed to succeed him. He took his departure for the United States, leaving Toler upon the Pacific Station, of whom we shall frequently make mention hereafter. The U.S. Government disavowed his act, but at the same time kept a sharp lookout upon Mexico during her cruel war- fare with the Texans, who still, although almost in a state of despair, continued to maintain the unequal conflict. Reinforcements from ardent sympathizers in the United States flocked to the standards of the ‘‘ Lone Star Republic.” As Commodore Foote, of the United States Navy, when in the Chinese Seas, declared that ‘‘blood is thicker than water,”’ so the massacre at Goliad, and the Alamo, aroused the fire of the voung men of the Mississippi Valley to rush to the aid of their kindred in Texas, and avenge those horrible deeds, which had aroused the whole of the people of the United States. The selfishness of poli- ticians in both Houses of Congress was manifested by injecting false issues in their debates of a sectional character, while they could stand calmly by and look coldly on these bloody massacres of those who were of their own race, and had gone to settle that country by invitation and inducements of those who were at last to become their butchers and slaughter them like sheep driven to the shambles; and while the blood of the victims was crying to heaven from the ground for vengeance, the question of sectional political supremacy became a drop-curtain over the terrible deeds behind the scenes. Manhood seemed to be stifled in every politician’s breast in the Capitol at Washington. Captain Sloat watched all these things with an anxious eye and a beating heart, for he had a full knowledge of all that was passing in the political panorama, and of affairs along our southwestern border, when, like drifting ships, sooner or later there was bound inevitably to be a collision somewhere, and he knew by observation and instinct LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT : 41 what was coming. Somewhat to his surprise, he, as Post Captain or Commodore, on August 27, 1844, was ordered by the Secretary of the Navy, John Y. Mason, to command the Pacific Squadron, and to sail the same course in which his brother officer, Commodore Jones, by a too literal compliance with his instructions and too soon in his actions had committed a mistake. For a year or more the Republic of Texas, with outstretched arms and with piteous appeal to the United States, begged to be admitted into the American Union in agony of almost hopeless despair. If the people of the United States were to reject their own kindred and thrust them back into a slaughter pen, then they would throw themselves into the arms of England or France for protection, as their last hope for life and liberty under a Constitutional monarchy, and abide their destiny. Bills and resolutions had been introduced into both houses of Con- gress, and it was a long game of battledore and shuttlecock between soulless politicians. At last the joint resolution of the admission of the State of Texas into the Union was passed March 1, 1845, and the last official act of John T'yler, President of the United States, was to affix his official signature to it on March 3, 1845, and the Lone Star of Texas took its place on the Star Spangled Banner in the constellation of the Union, where it will remain forever. Commodore Robert Field Stockton, of the United States Navy, was appointed by President James Knox Polk as bearer of dispatches with a copy of the joint resolution just passed and signed, and with instructions to officially notify the Government of Texas of the action of the United States in admitting her into the Union. What a joyous mission was his at that time, and what a splendid career and fame for him lay in the womb of the future ; but we will not anticipate. Texas as one of the United States was now within the fold. The Mexican people, tired with Santa Ana. and distrustful of his move- ments among themselves, banished him from his country. Mexico was in constant revolution, and united in only one thing, and that was in hostile sentiment against the United States for annexing Texas, where she continued her depredations as far as she was able, and con- centrating her armies on her northern frontier preparing for the con- flict that was soon to follow. The war clouds were growing blacker, and the distant thunder began to rumble in the sky along the Great River, claimed by both the United States and Texas as the true bound- ary between the two countries. But a year of uncertainty on both sides was to intervene, filling the public mind and the departments of government with perplexity and doubt. Long months were required before communication could be had with the United States naval forces in the Pacific, and partly then at great risk through Mexican territory. S— A ————————— i RB A A i a as a at . - SEC SAE ae: —— ————————————————— ———————— avid 42 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Orders were to be sent to Commodore Sloat by the Secretary of the Navy, and after being despatched by him came very near, by accident, of not reaching him at all ; as will be seen by the following account, for which we are indebted to the Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., Chaplain at the Mare Island Navy Yard: “A BIT OF HISTORY-MAKING. “Among the fellow-passengers crossing the Atlantic with Bishop Nichols in 1897 was Mr. Charles H. Haswell, the author of the Tables used by every engi- neer, and of other importaut and interesting books, including a History of old New Vork. He then gave the Bishop an account of his association in the For- ties, when a naval officer, with the beginning of American California. He has recently, at the Bishop's request, written it out, and we are enabled to publish it here. The instructions of which he writes were those to the American Com- mandant of the Pacific Naval station touching the raising of the flag. Though in his ninety-second year Mr. Haswell still visits his office and is probably the oldest active citizen of New York. “324 WEST 78TH STREET, NEW YORK, “RIGHT REVEREND SIR: June 15, 1901. «Herewith I enclose the recital you have been pleased to ask for. * * * A * * * * * % : “When I think of what the consequence of the vessel sailing without the dispatches and the delay in the fitting out of another, and the chance of a second one being lost or delayed, I am thankful. “With great and sincere regard, I am yours, «On Saturday, in the year 184- (which I do not recollect, but you will know) the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, learning that I was to leave for Nor- folk in the afternoon, directed the mail bags for the Pacific Squadron to be sent to my house for me to deliver to the Commandant of the Navy Yard there. “Shortly before leaving, the Department Messenger came to my house and delivered the bags, together with two large and well filled sealed envelopes, each addressed to the Commandant of the Pacific Squadron; left them without any message, and very negligently threw them down on the inside of the outer door of my house; but as I opined that the dispatches were of much importance, I took them up and put them in my traveling writing case for safety. “Prior to this, the Secretary had directed the fitting out of a brig at the Nor- folk Navy Yard, and ordered two lieutenants, as bearers of dispatches to proceed in her to the Isthmus, thence to the North with the other dispatch (as the loca- tion of the Commandant of the Station was unknown); and to be delivered to him with the greatest practical dispatch. “On my arrival at Norfolk I delivered the mail bags to the Commandant at the Station, and in company with him went to church. So soon as the mail bags were received on board the vessel, 10 A. M., she proceeded on her course. “On my return from church I went to my room and, having occasion to open my writing case, was horrified at seeing the dispatches which I had omitted to deliver with the bags, and for which single purpose the vessel and bearers of the dispatches were detailed (the transmission of the bags being wholly inci- dental), and she was on her way to bear them. My first impulse was to go to the window and cry ‘Fire,’ my next to jump out of it, and next to reflect, when I arrived at the following: A fog was appearing, and the vessel in consequence CHAS. H. HASWELL. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT 43 may have to anchor at Old Point Comfort, whereupon I went to the slip where row boats were to be had, and consulted with an old and selected boatman, who agreed with me that the vessel would have to anchor, but where and how could he find her in the fog? Possibly by the half hour striking of her bell. I then told him I would give him five dollars if he would deliver the parcels on board the vessel and bring me a receipt for them. He proceeded, and I in the mean- while tried to forget my trouble until I could see him and learn the result of his mission. About 11 P. M. I went to the slip and learned from him that the vessel had not sailed, and received from him the required receipt. “On my return to Washington on Tuesday morning the Secretary sent for me- He met me with both hands extended, and in his peculiar voice, when he was much interested, ‘Where are the dispatches?” ‘I delivered them on board the vessel.’ This was satisfactory. From the manner in which he asked I was con- fident the lieutenants had written him that they had not received them on Sunday: «Now what the timely result was of the reception of one of the dispatches by the Commandant at the Pacific Station, and what would have been the result had he not received them at the very time he did, I leave you and some of your acquaintances who were in or near San Francisco at the time of the arrival there of the Pacific Squadron, to infer.” ————. Bn Se A Tei a ere 44 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CHAPTER V. As a whole vear is to elapse before the orders sent to Commodore Sloat to be executed, it is well, perhaps, to take a cursory glance at the condition of affairs in California at that time, and examine some points which have been overlooked or intentionally omitted by other writers. California by its isolation as a province of Mexico, remote from the home government, separated by the vast sandy deserts of Arizona and the peninsula of Lower California, was a Ze?27a incognita for several hun- dred vears before the Franciscan Friars under the lead of Junipero Serra, commenced their work of establishing missions in California for the propagation of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith among the In- dians. The sword always accompanied the Cross from the time of the Crusades and the sailing of Columbus from Palos in Spain, when he landed for the first time on the shores of America when he had made his great discovery. The Franciscan Fathers were pious, devoted men, faithful to their calling, true to their religion, circumspect in their deportment, patient, persevering and inflexible in their purpose, to which they had devoted their lives. Hospitable and kind in their nature, polite and affable in their demeanor, and perfect gentlemen in their intercourse with others. They were architects and builders, as well as masters of trades; agriculturalists, horticulturists, vineyardists, and raisers of horses, cattle and sheep, and who made careful selections of the best breeds, which they imported from their native country of Spain. They were always accompanied by small numbers of troops for their protection, as well as to secure willing or unwilling neophytes or converts to their faith. It was often compulsory education, conversion and instruction, in industrial pursuits, the mechanical arts, or on the ranches, in the orchards and vinevards, where the Indians were made to work, receiv- ing a portion of the rewards of their own labors, and witnessing the products of their own hands: but paramount to all this was the teaching and indoctrinating the Indian mind and heart with the tenets of the Holy Faith as far as their natures could absorb it. When persuasion failed, military force was used or threatened the wound made and the salve applied. Thus barbarism was subdued, tribal relationship in part destroyed, and civilization under ecclesiastical rule established, peaceably if they could, but forcibly if they must. The cuart ls or barracks for the troops were never separated from the missions, but being close at hand they were ready for any emer- gency that might arise. The officers and men, like the Fathers, were a A] ‘£1819103Q ay) £q apr [IIIS B WoL » » ~ "VINYOAIIVD ‘OINHNVIIVS LAOA SAHALLAS [6Fg1 ‘z £|n[ wo 31 03 JISIA IS1Y SI] UO ‘DRUGS 'V UIMp Pr dR \B RAR ry OF THE n UNIVERSITY OF . CA FOR EE A bt a —— A ————— ro CITY, AS IT APPEARED DURING INUNDATION, JANUARY, 1850. VIEW OF SACRAMEN A —————————————— TT —————— LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 45 chiefly from Old Spain, or of pure Spanish blood, and were permitted to bring their families with them, those who were married. Missions were established from San Diego on the south, and as far as Sonoma on the north. They were generally located inland a short distance from the coast, where they might not be disturbed by the contamina- tions of the marauding freebooters that swarmed along the more south- ern Spanish main. ‘The missions flourished in what was comparatively virgin soil. ‘Their manufactures and products wonderfully increased, while their horses and cattle numbered far into the thousands of each mission. With this the families of the soldiers increased largely in proportion, and extensive grants of lands were made to them, and stock and supplies furnished at the beginning until they were no longer re- quired. They became a pastoral and agricultural people. The grants were given them as so many leagues of large cattle (ganado mayor), meaning to convey the amount of land necessary for their grazing pur- poses. Literally, in plain English, it was movable real estate on the hoof. The increase of population, native and by immigration, required the founding of a few pueblos, or towns, and two or three with the more pretentious titles of cities. Za Ciudad de nuestra Senora de los Angeles, or the City of our Lady of the Angeles, or Los Angeles for short, and Monterey, and San Diego, while the pueblos of San Jose, Branciforte, or Santa Cruz. and Sonoma, at considerable distances apart, formed the general centers of the not numerous population, who desired a civil government. The condition of affairs in California was far different from that of Texas. Trade with the outer world was encouraged to a certain extent. ‘The circulating medium ran at large, and when nec- essary for banking and commercial purposes, to be converted into “California bank bills,”’ the rawhide mint was set to work and the dried skins of the slaughtered cattle and their tallow, became the ac- cepted currency of the commercial exchange in those early days. New England merchant vessels were the principal carriers, while their owners and supercargoes conducted the business of barter and trade, of exchanging goods and ‘‘Yankee notions’ for the hides and furs offered by the native Californians. Contraband trade, caused by the high tariff and excessive duties, was to a greater or lesser extent practiced, and the evasion of complying with the laws of the customs, amounting almost to confiscation by charges equal at times to the value of the goods, made smuggling almost a virtue ex necessitate, and there was no commercial dishonor attached to illicit trade. Many agents of these enterprising New England and other American traders, as well as some few Europeans, located, married into the Spanish families and settled in California all along the coast, and financially bettered their i tm ot BR RAL cp se Re A a e 46 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT condition. They were married by the Fathers of the established re- ligion, and they and their children became thoroughly identified with it. Commerce knows no religion, and at times is utterly without mor- als. If religion was for sale, and could be made useful and profitable for trade, commerce would be the first to buy it. ‘There is some con- science however, with the honorable merchant. for he is frequently called upon and contributes freely to its support. But in those early days in California it was not necessary. The missions were wealthy and prosperous, while the people of the towns and rancheros were equally well to do. Hon. Thomas O. Larkin, a merchant from Boston, who had settled and gone into business at Monterey, was made the first and only United States Consul for California. He had married a lady of his own coun- try, the marriage ceremony being performed by J. C. Jones, United States Consul from Honolulu, and on board of an American vessel flying the American flag. ‘This he could not have done on shore, without invasion of the civil and religious jurisdictions, and incurring hostility and trouble. But a change was gradually taking place in California; the missions had been sequestrated by Mexico. A straggling immigration of hunt- ers, trappers and adventurers, coming overland, scattered themselves at various points, and jealousy began to creep over the minds of the native Californians. While they had two or three bloodless revolutions of their own, they began to look with alarm at the appearance of what they termed ‘the white Indians from over the Sierras.”” A scheme was entered into and carried out in 1840 by which they were entrapped singly at a time, disarmed and confined in the ‘‘Black Hole’ at Mon- terey and transported to San Blas and thence to the City of Mexico, where they arrived in a most pitiable condition. ‘There they received relief from the American, British and other Ministers, and upon re- monstrance, were by the Central Government of Mexico, sent back to California, but in a most impoverished and dilapidated state. The arrival of John A. Sutter from New Mexico via the Columbia river, Honolulu and Sitka, soon made a change of affairs on the north- ern frontiers, where he built a fort at Nueva Helvetia, near the conflu- ence of the Sacramento and American rivers. Hebecamea naturalized Mexican citizen, and by contract received grants of large tracts of land, while he was to repel the Indians and establish colonies of emigrants to act as a barrier and protection from invasion of the Indians of Northern California and Oregon. The Mexican and California military authori- ties were becoming more jealous and greatly aroused against all further comers both by sea and land, and the most stringent orders were given to repel this gradual peaceful invasion. eR AR a Ra SS whe ARTA Rp SLR A LiFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 47 One year after the arrival of Captain John A. Sutter he was fol- lowed by an emigration from Missouri to the Columbia river, a few of whom came down by sea on an English vessel as far as Fort Ross. Among them was one man, who became identified with the history of California, and whose name is given to one of the loftiest peaks in the Sierra Nevada, PETER LASSEN. He was born August 7, 1800, in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1824 he came to Boston, Mass., and after several months’ residence in Iiastern cities, he removed to Katesville, Missouri, where he followed his trade. One year after, Captain John A. Sutter left Missouri for California, overland, via Oregon, April 1, 1838. Deter Lassen, early in 1839, joined a company of twenty-seven men and two women (the latter the wives of two missionaries), and followed Sutter to join him in Cali- { rnia. They reached Oregon in September. 1839, where they remained until Spring. In May, 1840, a vessel arrived with missionaries from England, designing to touch at California on her return. Mr. William Wiggins, late of Monterey (the narrator of this expe- dition), and his three companions from Missouri, among whom was David D. Dutton, late of Vacaville, Cal., got on board. ‘The vessel put in at Bodega where the Russians were. The Mexican Commandante sent a party of soldiers to prevent them from landing. At this crisis, the Russian Governor ordered the Mexican soldiers to leave or be shot down. They then retired. Here our travelers were at a standstill, with no means of proceeding on their journey, or of finding their way out of, to them, an inhospitable country. They then penned the following communication to the American Consul, then at Monterey : “PORT BODEGA, July 25, 1840. “To the American Consul of California: “DEAR SIR—We, the undersigned, citizens of the United States, being desirous to land in the country, and having been refused a passport, and been opposed by the Government, we write to you, Sir, for advice and claim your protection. Being short of funds, we are not able to proceed farther on the ship. We have concluded to land under the protection of the Russians. We will remain there fifteen days, or until we receive an answer from you, which we hope will be as soon as the circumstances will permit. We have been refused a passport from General Vallejo. Our object is to get to the settlements, or to obtain a pass to return to our own country. “i Should we receive no relief, we will take up our arms and travel; consider ourselves in an enemy's country and defend ourselves with our guns. ‘We subscribe ourselves, most respectfully, “‘DavID DUTTON, “JOHN STEVENS, “PETER LASSEN, “WM. WIGGINS, “J. WRIGHT.” ARREST EL i a ps 48 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT After remaining fifteen days at Bodega, they were enabled to reach Verba Buena (now San Francisco), from whence Peter Lassen went to San Jose to winter, working at his trade. In the Spring of 184r, he bought some land at Santa Cruz and built a sawmill, which he ran for some time and then sold out for one hundred mules. In 1842, he drove them up near Sutter's Fort and ranched them, while he worked at his trade for Sutter, taking his pay in stock. In 1843, John Bidwell, Peter Lassen and James Burheim pursued a party bound for Oregon as far as Red Bluff, and recovered some stolen animals. Bidwell mapped the Sacramento Valley and named the streams. From a map made by Bidwell, Peter Lassen applied to Governor Micheltorena for a grant of land, which he afterwards obtained. He selected his grant on Deer Creek (in which is now Tehama County), and started to go there in December, 1844, but did not reach there until February, 1845, having encamped at the Butte Mountains. This was the first settlement north of Cordua (now Marysville’. Here on ‘‘Lassen’s Ranch’ he commenced to lay out a town which he called ‘Benton City.” From this point Fremont started for Oregon in the spring of 1846, and Peter Lassen with Samuel Neal and some others guided Lieutenant Gillespie of the U. S. Navy, a few days later in search of Fremont and overtook him on that memorable night on the banks of the Kalamath, which we shall briefly refer to hereafter. California, like a ship, was gradually drifting towards a tumultuous ocean on shifting tides. Capt. Sutter and other naturalized foreigners of the country who had received grants from the Mexican government allied themselves with Governor Micheltorena who, with his troops, had come to California and whose presence with the native Californians had become distasteful, found himself confronted on a bloodless battle- field by the natives of the country, surrendered and by the terms granted, embarked with his Mexican troops aboard ship and returned to Mexico for more active and decisive service there. The naturalized foreigners on both sides found themselves arrayed against each other, and mutually came to the conclusion that if there was to be any blood- shed that they themselves would be chiefly the ones to suffer, and be played off against each other. The peaceful war being over they wisely returned to their homes to wait for the next move on the Cali- fornia chess-board. The appearance of Capt. John C. Fremont with his exploring expe- dition and his difficulties with General Jose Castro only served to in- flame the minds of the Californians and arouse the hostile feeling against him and his little party of explorers to the highest pitch, and General Castro threatened to attack him and drive him out of the country. His knowledge of what had transpired on the plains of LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 49 Texas, the Massacres of Goliad and the Alamo, he probably con- sidered the Spanish-California character to be of the same bloodthirsty spirit as those of Santa Ana and his army under him and he determined to take no chances. He entrenched himself on Gabilan Peak, raised the American flag over his camp, and prepared to receive enemies. For this act he has been held up to ridicule by some modern writers and critics and so-called historians. It, however, was a wise measure of precaution and he would have justly been held to blame if he had been attacked and had made no preparation to receive it. When he got ready he resumed his tour, and slowly proceeded on his way to Sutter's Fort, the upper Sacramento Valley and Oregon and from there to return home. The American immigrants and settlers who for several years had oc- cupied the northern valleys of California congregated chiefly at Sutter’s Fort and a number near Yount’s in Napa Valley. Others were scat- tered throughout the towns and settlements along the Coast, where their countrymen had married and were comfortably settled. In the meantime a Roman Catholic Priest, Father Eugene MacNamara, in the City of Mexico, encouraged by the English Minister and capitalists, with a free pass to go and come on any British man-of-war, was con- tracting with the Mexican Government for a grant of land in California around the Bay of San Francisco of several hundred leagues upon which to establish a large colony of his countrymen, promising to bring at once two thousand families, and of which Fremont in his ‘‘Memoirs”’ says: “In his application he represented that his enterprise had in view three things: first, to advance Catholicism; second, to promote the interests of his countrymen; and third, fo place an impediment in the way of the spread of an irveligious and anti-Catholic nation” He finally asked for all the country between the San Joaquin River and the Sierra Nevada and urgently desired immediate action by the President of Mexico. But further reference to this will be made here- after. Whether true or false, nevertheless they were believed to be true, that the military authorities by orders received, were going to drive all the Americans out of California; and many having their families, and knowing the cruelties practiced on the American settlers in Texas, be- gan to prepare for their defense. While generally speaking, the native Spanish-California people of pure blood, were kindly and peaceably dis- posed, yet the hands that had been trained for many years to the slaughtering of cattle by the thousands at their Matanzas simply for their hides and tallow, if once raised in warfare, how far could they be restrained when once blood began to flow when they should become pr va ZTE RAR #7 OF TH >, ( UMIVERSITY ot OF 7 “% Nahe ay ve ET EA 50 L1FE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE S | J E SLOAT 1 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 51 Ld the victors. ‘The better class might deprecate it, and do their best to . prevent unnecessary bloodshed; but the half-blooded mixed with the | | ferocity and cruelty of the Indian race could not so be held back in the 1 i case of victory and it would have been a massacre, as on the plains of 3 CHAPTER VI. 1 ail Texas. | {i General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in command at Sonoma, was a broad-minded and progressive man: a thorough soldier, a statesman and a perfect gentleman, who desired the advancement of California Tue ORDERS FROM HON. GEORGE BANCROFT, SECRETARY OF THE fl Navy TO COMMODORE JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, COMMANDING PACIFIC SQUADRON. Hedi dh | among the civilized states of the world, and he would never have been 1 On June 24, 1845, the despatches in duplicate, containing the I { | guilty of > Tw any such atrocities. Of him we shall make p orders trom thc. Hon Geovae y Seta ot he Navy. wore he mention farther on. 8 : ’ ; AVY: Hae Wille there is a storm watering in Calitorula, 1 : : ] placed in the hands of Mr. Haswell, of the Navy, to be delivered on CL tha . g g in Coliforuia, lot us examine the ! board of the vessel at Norfolk, as has already been stated. ‘Those in CES | condition of affairs elsewhere. the hrendd f Lie ‘ At W us v g Nrcs. deli ed ‘ C | iY it : . : ; a : e hands of Lieutenan atson, U. S. Navy, were delivered to Com- ie [11] : The Democratic Party had been triumphant in the Presidential Elec- modore Sloat at Honolulu on October 2, 1845 he having arpived at Eh i an 1 tion of 1844, and Texas had been annexed by a Joint Resolution of Con- | that ‘ dhe Avnet] ie “Lal d on P T er. Add | | ty : at port on the American ship eland. ‘m. P. Toler, Aid de Cie Hil gress, and signed as the last official act of President John Tyler, leaving il to the incoming administration of James K. Polk of Tennessee, the new 1 President, to open and examine a Pandora’s box which came with an- : ll nexation. In that the Southern wing of the Democratic Party acquired | i he eS Sl isos oe, |] Re i , i » : mocratic Party was animated «Commodore John D. Sloat, Commanding U.S. Naval Forces in the Pacific. | by Sonshern principles,” and only walled the pretest of war with «grr: Your attention is still particularly directed to the present aspect of the 4 Mexico which was threatened, to recoup the balance of power by the ac- relations between this country and Mexico. It is the earnest desire of the Presi- f Fl quisition of California and other territory when the time should be op- deat to pursue the policy of peace, and he is anxious that you and every part of your Squadron should be assiduously careful to avoid any act which could be Camp to Commodore Sloat in his log of the U. S. Frigate “‘Savannah.’’] Cag (copy) | “(Secret and confidential.) | i “U. S. NAVY DEPARTMENT, tHE 1a TR AR SR eT ds aie BA a Bi millions of dollars debt owed by Mexico to English capitalists. mand to the best advantage. The Mexican ports on the Pacific are said to be open and defenseless. If you ascertain wilh certainty that Mexico has declared t 9 i and the disputed southern boundary of Texas, and was preparing for “YET, EVEN IF YOU SHOULD FIND YOURSELF CALLED UPON BY THE CER- AR i i | portune for siezing it. The premature action of Commodore Thomas li {| Ap Catesby Jones in taking possession of Monterey in October, 1842 construed 4g au act of aggression. iat : j ul | E under the administration of President John Tyler, disclosed the intent “Siow Mesico, however, be rosin sly De LOD Rostilities, you sili be suing, hi i | bid of the U. S. Government at that time ui ; ; ful to protect the persons and interests of citizens of the United States near your AR at time to prevent its falling into the station: and should you ascertain beyond a doubt, that the Mexican Government filha hands of England, who stood ready to receive it in payment of the fifty | has declaved war against us, you will at once employ the force under your com- | || | { | | 1H war on both accounts. It was scarcely three months from the inaugu- CAINTY OF AN EXPRESS DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ration of President Polk when the orders referred to were sent to Com- To OCCUPY SAN FRANCISCO AND OTHER MEXICAN PORTS, YOU WILL BE CARE- fill FUL TO PRESERVE, IF POSSIBLE, THE MOST FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH THE HE modore John D. Sloat, the narration of which we resume in the next | INHABITANTS, AND WHERE YOU CAN DO SO, YOU WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO [TE . 1 { ' chapter. ADOPT A COURSE OF NEUTRALITY. “Should you fall in with the Squadron under Commodore Parker, you will signify to him the wish of the Department that, if the state of his vessels will ad- i mit of it, be should remain off the coast of Mexico until our relations with that i i power are more definitely adjusted; and you will take directions from him as Hh ! senior officer, communicating to him these instructions. li | (1 “The great distance of your Squadron and the difficulty of communicating with RH | you, are the causes for issuing this order. The President hopes most earnestly | Hi A a EA A Sd i i re, di aE INE fr TOOL VIL as sarah { { | —————— i ———————— i WY se A A A A AP i A cr BR CBT ps oe cn hr fh OC 52 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT that the peace of the two countries may not be disturbed. The object of these instructions is to possess you of the desire of the Government in the event of a declaration of war on the part of Mexico against the United States—an event which you are enjoined to do everything, consistent with the national honor on your part to avoid. “Should Commodore Parker prefer to return to the United States, he has per- mission from the Department to do so. In that event you will command the united Squadron. Very respectfully your obedient servant, GEORGE BANCROFT.” Never before in the history of our own country (or of any other that we ever heard of) where an officer of either the Army or Navy was placed in such a critical and delicate position where the entire responsibility of the war-making power of the Government was shifted and placed upon the shoulders of a subordinate. To take the chances of making war upon a people by invasion in force. and at the same time to cultivate friendly relationship with them; take their country, haul down their national flag and force another upon them; to change the language, customs and laws as the result of hostile, forcible occu- pation which were destined to follow, and obliterate their native patriot- ism and transfer it to the conqueror—such was the difficult task assigned to Commodore Sloat, in which he was to take the initiative; and that, too, upon the chance of uncertainty of the intelligence as to hostilities having been commenced fully fifteen hundred miles away near the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, when neither telegraphs nor railroads existed to convey the news even through a hostile country. And yet in case of failure to make war peaceably, Commodore Sloat was liable to censure, deprivation of command and commission. How faithfully he executed his orders to the very letter, the following ac- count will show; and as our readers pursue this narrative to the end, . compare the result with the log of the ‘‘Savannah” and the official report of Commodore Sloat, and see how faithfully, skilfully and accu- rately he performed this most difficult duty. George Bancroft, as Secretary of War, designated Commodore Sloat to act as a second William the Conqueror, who is said to have pro- claimed to the English when he invaded Great Britain, ‘‘I have come for your good, yes, for all of your goods.’’ He reminds us of the Irish soldier during the Mexican War, who was given a camp-kettle to go and get some water. When passing in front of one of the field-pieces belonging to Duncan’s Light Battery, he stopped and held out the camp-kettle, and said to the Sergeant behind the gun, ‘‘7owuch Ler off aisy while I catch the ball” So Commodore Sloat was to follow a simi- lar course, that Bancroft might, through force, obtain quiet, peaceable possession of California, and hold it as an act of war without any con- flict whatever. AB Saas JOHN C. FREMONT ‘“I'HE, PATHFINDER” (Copy from a picture loaned by his widow, MRS. JESSIE BENTON FREMONT.) Captain U. S. Army, commanding Exploring Expedition, 1845-46. Colonel 17. 5. Army, commanding Battalion in California, 1846-47. First U.S Senator from California in 1850-51-52. : First Presidential Candidate of the Republican Party in 1836. SG d Major-General U.S Volunteers in the War for the Preservation of the Union in 1561-65. Extract from Commodore SLOAT’S Report] eds “On his arrival there (Mission oF San Juan) Mr. Fauntleroy found that the place had been taken possession of «11 hour or two previous by Captain Fremont, with whom he returned to Monterey on the 19th. July, 154 J) th “At the time of my leaving Monterey, the United States were In quiet possession of all ‘Alta California’ nor ci Santa Barbara.” : ! . ; “The ‘Cyane’ sailed for San Diego on the 26th, to carry down Captain Fremont with about 150 riflemen (Amert. ““ns), to take possession there, and to cut off General Castro’s retreat to Lower California or Mexico.”’—E. A. 5. i | En mm Pe A SE GENERAL MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO. THE FIRST MAYOR OF SONOMA, IN 1851-52-53. Member of the First Constitutional Convention of California, in \ -Omn: September, 1549. Sate Senator of the First Legislature of California, in 185c. t i rue patriot and gentleman, and a public-spirited and progressive man. Hi JaLriot ang f man, an 1C-SPII ( S¢ . is des as a gre: : people of his native State of California, and his birthday will always be celebrated on Sah wore gs ig ri 8 he ing of the American Flag in California. A joyful coincidence. . RrSAty of the Jue SR a LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 53 But we will resume the narrative. Commodore Sloat, remained ten days in Honolulu, taking in supplies and water and doing such necessary repairs and refitting as were required. In the meantime the British vessel of war ‘‘Frolic” came in and anchored in the inner harbor. «On October 12, 1845 tbe U. S. Frigate “Savannah” got underway; Lieutenant Watson took passage in the ship and Commodore Sloat sailed for Mazatlan, Mexico, where he arrived after the very long passage of thirty-seven days, on November 18, 1845 and saluted the Mexican flag which was duly returned.” Here he was destined to wait for seven and a half long months in a’ sickly harbor with the Flagship ‘Savannah’ while the other vessels of his Squadron were flitting hither and thither, watching the movements of those of the British fleet under Admiral Seymour with his Flagship “Collingwood” of eighty guns, constantly coming and going between Mazatlan, California, and other Mexican ports. While at Mazatlan during his long waiting, Commodore Sloat be- ame greatly enfeebled in health and a considerable number of the crew were on the sick list, unfit for duty and even the wooden stocks of the anchors became rotten and worm eaten by the Zeredo and had to be re- placed by new ones. Lieutenant Archibald Gillespie, of the U. S. Marine Corps, who had left Washington about the same time that Commodore Sloat ar- rived at Mazatlan from Honolulu, had crossed Mexico and reached Mazatlan in February, 1846. He was the bearer of oral secret de- spatches to Captain John C. Fremont, then in command of an explor- ing expedition on the Pacific Coast. He had despatches also for Thomas O. Larkin, U. S. Consul at Monterey. He was sent forward by Commodore Sloat in the Sloop-of-war ‘‘Cyane,” and arriving at Monterey April 17, 1846, where he delivered his despatches to Consul Larkin and continued on his way to overtake Fremont, who had reached Klamath Lake, in Southern Oregon. Peter Lassen was one of his guides, he having entertained Fremont and his party at his rancho on Deer Creek, upon which he had laid out the prospective town of Ben- ton, then in the grass, and named for Colonel Thomas H. Benton, U. S. Senator from Missouri and who was Fremont's father-in-law, who did not give him Jessie, but she did. It is proper at this point to refer to the late GENERAL MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO. In the early Spanish settlement of California, to encourage the people to marry and establish homes, the Government donated d, horses, cattle and other domestic animals, together with and wheat, as well as other supplies, to those who young grants of lan seed—corn, barley 54 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT would avail themselves of the offer. Among these there was a young couple who had married and embraced the opportunity by locating a small rancho in what is now a portion of San Luis Obispo county, and had resided upon it for nearly a year after their marriage. At this time a young Spanish officer was sent as a courier from the Mission of San Diego to deliver messages at the various missions as far north as San Jose. The missions and ranchos were far apart, and he was compelled to seek hospitality for himself and horse at any place when night overtook him. After a very long hard day’s ride he ar- rived at the little rancho where this young couple had located nearly a year before. Here he met with a most hearty welcome from these young settlers, and was hospitably entertained. He, however, was awakened during the night by the young hus- band, who required his assistance, as there was about to be an increase of the census in that family. This was a new and strange business for the young officer, as it was to the rest, and he had to act the part of a tenedor (or holder.) A baby girl was born to the parents that night and he took it, washed and dressed it while the husband attended w the young wife and mother. When she was ready to receive it, the young officer gently placed it in its mother’s arms, and taking it by its little right hand, said, ‘7 demand the hand of this litlle lady in mar- riage !”” ‘To this the parents gave their consent, and they were thus betrothed that night. This is the earliest proposal of marriage or be- trothal on record. The young officer continued his journey the next day, and until he reached his destination and accomplished his mission. : Purchasing a few trinkets and gifts for his intant fiance and her parents, he started on his return, stopping over a day or two with this young family, and then continued his journey to his station at the Mission of San Diego. Some fourteen years afterwards he received orders to escort one of the mission padres to one of the northern missions, and in doing so both had to stop over night at the same little rancho; but there were half a dozen more olive branches that had made their appearance in that household. Seeing the oldest girl, the young officer stepped up to her, put his arm around her waist and kissed her, saying, ‘‘You are my wife, and I have brought the padre along with me to marry us. I assisted at your birth, and your father and mother here then betrothed vou to me!”’ Pale, with strange emotions, she turned to her parents and asked if it was true. ‘They assured her that it was true, and they were married that evening. The officer and padre resumed their journey the next day, leaving the young bride with her parents. After escorting the padre to his destination the officer returned and his young bride accompanied him first to San Diego and other missions in that RANE LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 55 part of California, and thence to Monterey, where he was stationed, and where on July 7, 1308, a male child was born of that romantic marriage, and who was none other than GENERAL MARIANO GUADA- LUPE VALLEJO. [This account we had from his own lips in 1851, at Sonoma, and it will also be found over his own signature as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Counties and County Boundaries inthe California Senate Journal of 1850-51.—E. A. S.] He grew up to manhood in Monterey, and went to school to W. P Hartnell and Professor Aspiroz from Mexico, and received a compara- tive liberal education for those times. He was first appointed an Ensign in the Mexican army, and was subsequently promoted re- spectively to Lieutenant, Captain, Colonel, and finally to General. When but a Cadet at sixteen years of age he was appointed Private Secretary to the Mexican (Governor of California, and while acting in that capacity he drew up the articles of capitulation that acknowledged the surrender of the Spanish forces to the Mexican Government. Upon attaining his majority he was placed in command of the Presidio at San Francisco, which position he creditably filled for five years, and framed and organized the first town government of what is now the metropolis of California. He was then ordered to escort a band of colonists to a place on Mark West Creek, in what is now Sonoma county; but they becoming turbulent and rebellious in 1835, he adroitly escorted them back again. In 1836 Governor Chico, having been deposed and banished from the country, General Vallejo being popular with the people, he was appointed Governor for the time being, which office he accepted, but soon turned it over to Alvarado, he retaining the control of the military forces as Commandante General. Two vears afterwards General Micheltoreno having arrived from Mexico to assume the duties of Governor of Alta California, to which he had been appointed by the Central Government, he appointed Vallejo Military Governor of all the territory north of the Santa Inez Moun- tains. Immediately upon receiving this appointment he, General Val- lejo, established his headquarters in Sonoma Valley, laid ont the town of Sonoma, building substantial barracks for a large garrison, with a high tower several stories in height overlooking the whole valley, besides durable buildings commodious with verandahs for the officers and their families. Some few pieces of artillery and small arms for several hundred men were at one time there kept for use, and to repel attacks from the northern mountain Indians, as well as for defense against the encroachments of the Russians on the coast at Fort Ross and Bodega. He was the Director of Colonization on the northern frontier. and = Si = D EE ems BS erro Far ere oT ra EE EE aaa oe tn 56 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Sonoma was the first town laid out north of San Francisco. He was an active, energetic and enterprising man. He sent to the City of Mexico for a printing press and type which arrived in 1838, printed addresses and pamphlets, himself setting the type, working the press, and binding them with his own hands. He sent them throughout his extensive jnrisdiction. He filled Sonoma, Petaluma, Napa and other large valleys with horses and cattle of the best breeds, and they roamed over the hills in every direction by the thousands, and was creating a principality on the northern shores of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun Bays, and along the left bank of the lower Sacramento river. Some few Americans and foreigners had at least made Sonoma a tem- porary sojourning place, and all were treated kindly and hospitably by him, while officers of exploring expeditions, both American and Kuro- pean, were ever welcome guests under his roof. In his intercourse with them he was always affable and courteous, and by his genial de- meanor made every one feel at home; while by intercourse and conver- sation and newspapers received, he kept a close pace with what was going on in the outside world, and being {ree from prejudice in a gen- eral sense, and patriotic to the core as a Californian, he was ardent in his desire that his native province should advance to the highest state of improvement and be abreast in the front rank of other countries. He advised Captain John A. Sutter to remain neutral when the revolutionists, under his nephews Alvarado and Castro, with the rest of the people of California, arose and forced the Mexican Governor, General Micheltoreno, and his troops, to leave the country. Failing to profit by his advice, Sutter came very near to sharing the same fate; but was with his men paroled and returned to his fort at Nueva Helve- tia, with loss of prestige and fame up to that date. Himself being an appointee of Governor Micheltoreno, and holding a military command under him, with the danger of everything at Sonoma being turned into chaos by any changes which might take place, his policy for safety to the whole northern region of California was to hold everything in abeyance, and in this General Vallejo acted wisely. In April, 1846, the Departmental Junta of California was convened at Monterey, and a majority of the members were disposed to throw off all allegiance to the Mexican Government and place the country in the hands of either England or France. Nothing at that time could have suited Mexico better, for thus she would have paid the English debt she owed of fifty millions of dollars. The speeches that were made by those favoring the movement were ardent and intense, and evidenced a personal, selfish interest which had been fostered and encouraged by British agents, including the Irish priest, Eugene McNamara, who had san LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 57 been landed at Santa Barbara from the British frigate ‘Juno’ a short time before. At this crisis, the liberal, broad-minded, sterling republican, liberty- loving patriot that he was, General Vallejo, arose and delivered a most powerful, argumentative and eloquent speech, worthy of an American statesman, from which we take the following extract: «I cannot,” said he, ‘“‘coincide with the military and civil functionaries who have advocated the cession of our country to France and England. * * * We possess a noble country, in every way calculated, from position and resources, to become great and powerful. For that very reason, I would not have her a mere dependency upon a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at least indifferent to our interests and our welfare. * * * How could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarchy? Although others speak lightly of such a form of gov- ernment, as a free man I cannotdo so. * * * Why should we shrink from incorporating ourselves with the happiest and freest nation in the world? Why should we go abroad for protection, when this great nation is our neighbor? When we join our fortunes to hers, we shall not become subjects, but fellow- citizens, possessing all the rights of the people of the United States, and choos- ing our own local and federal rulers. California will grow strong and flourish; and her people will be happy and free and prosperous. Look not, therefore, with jealous eye upon the hardy pioneers who scale our mountains and cultivate our unoccupied plains; but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a common destiny.” Such were the true sentiments which animated General Vallejo then so eloquently and forcibly expressed, and if opportunity had been pre- sented, he would have taken the field to have prevented California from being betrayed and sold into the hands of an Iiuropean power at all hazards. : While this work was going on in the Departmental Junta, Lieuten- ant Archibald Gillespie, with secret despatches for Consul Larkin and Fremont (rolled in a bunch of cigarettes while he crossed Mexico), arrived at Monterey in the U. S. Sloop-of-war ‘‘Cyane,” having been sent forward by Commodore Sloat from Mazatlan, as already stated. At this juncture, General Vallejo quietly confirmed his opinions by his acts at this most critical moment, seeing that matters were rapidly ap- proaching a crisis, and we here give the following extract from a letter received from the Hon. William M. Boggs, dated Napa, August 5, 1go1, which gives information which has never before appeared in print: “Major Gillespie, the officer and bearer of the verbal orders for Fremont, and who went north to bring Fremont back to California, spent several weeks at my house in Sonoma in after years, and he gave me the particulars of his journey to overtake Fremont, then on his way north with his exploring party. And General Vallejo, who was in Monterey at the time of Major Gillespie's arrival, told me how he aided Major Gillespie to go on this journey. He said Gillespie did not inform him of his real object in going after Fremont; but that he had letters EE fot a © i RA TTI ao vee A AS Sarge ries A BA ART An 58 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT from Colonel Fremont’s wife that he was anxious to deliver; and that he, General Vallejo, gave Gillespie a letter to Mrs. Vallejo at Sonoma, to furnish Gillespie a horse and saddle and one Indian guide to accompany him: and Gillespie went by way of Sonoma, and was provided for by Mrs. Vallejo, as the General directed; and Gillespie got one or two men in the Sacramento Valley, perhaps at Sutter’s Fort, and went after Fremont and overtook him somewhere near the Klamath River, and they also had a fight with the Klamath River Indians, and had one man killed or dangerously wounded. * * #* Why was Major Gillespie, bearer of verbal orders to Fremont, sent by the U. S. Government, the sense of which none knew? But Thos. O. Larkin, U.S. Consul at Monterey, was made acquainted with the real object of Gillespie’s orders, which were secret orders for Fremont alone, acting under the advice of Thos. O. Larkin, U. S. Consul. He acgepted General Vallejo’s offer to furnish him with the means of reaching Fremont. «The General told me that he thought it very strange that the U. S. Govern- ment would send one of its officers all the way from Washington with a private letter from Mrs. Fremont; but he kept his suspicions to himself. Gillespie, on reaching the head of the Sacramento, was taken ill, and sent his guide forward with a letter to Fremont to return immediately, as he had important information for him from Washington. Fremont obeyed and returned and received from Gillespie orders to put himself and party at some convenient place where he could cooperate with the Naval forces as soon as they arrived on the Coast.” It will thus be seen that General Vallejo quickly saw through this disguise, and penetrated the object, anticipating what was to shortly happen by the American occupation. He remained at Monterey but a short time, and returned to Sonoma to await events which he ex- pected to occur. The movements of General Castro and his forces preparatory to threatened hostile action against the American settlers, precipitated a new state of affairs altogether unlooked for by anyone at that time. General Vallejo’'s sentiments were not known to the Americans, but few of whom either understood or spoke the Spanish language, and all ‘officers under the Mexican flag they regarded as being alike. The orders of Santa Ana wefe still in force “‘to drive the Americans out of California, and to shoot every man who crossed the Sierra Nevada into California with arms in his hands.” They knew what Governor Alvarado and his Government had done in 1840, in capturing Graham and other Americans singly and imprisoning them in the Black Hole at Monterey, confiscating their arms and property and sending them manacled in irons to San Blas, and they looked upon the whole Spanish- California race to be equally as treacherous as the Mexicans of the Rio Grande who committed the atrocities and massacres in Texas, and they were determined to take no chances. The short-lived Bear Flag Revolution, on June 14, 1846, suddenly sprang into existence, and the surprise and capture of General Vallejo and staff, and delivering them over as prisoners of war to Fremont in the Sacramento Valley, where they were imprisoned in Sutter's Fort, Bo. ' Cn Ee th ee RE ad i ARS Sin AR LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 59 while Fremont and party, with the Americans who had joined him, absorbed the Bear Flag Republic while he recruited his forces without any direct authority and awaited the naval operations to take place on the coast, when he could join his forces to those of Commodore Sloat and aid in holding possession of California, as will be seen in the fol-- lowing pages. We shall again refer to General Vallejo in further chapters. We will now return to Commodore Sloat at Mazatlan. It will be proper here, to quote from the log of the flagship ‘‘Sa- vannah” kept by Midshipman William P. Toler, aide-de-camp, and signed by Commodore Sloat himself, and now in possession of Mr. Toler’s widow at Oakland, Cal., who has kindly permitted us to copy the fol- lowing extracts: April 2, 1846. “Portsmouth” went to sea. April 6. “Collingwood” came in and was saluted. April 16, Sent boats and officers to remove a Mexican brig that had anchored too near us. April 17 and 18. Caulking quarter-deck. April 19. The Governor of Mazatlan and suite visited the ships and was saluted with 15 guns. At 11 A. M., H. B. M. Brigantine ‘‘Spy” came in and anchored. She is of a new class of vessels, mounts 3 medium 22’s on pivots, and said to be up- wards of 300 tons. April 22. Exchanged some marines with the “Constitution.” April 23. “Constitution” sailed for home. April 25. Observed nearly total eclipse of the sun. April 30. U.S. S.'Cyane” came in and anchored. May 1. U.S. S. “Warren” sailed for San Blas. May 4. H. B. M. Ship “Juno,” 26 guns, arrived from Callao. May 6. Commodore Sloat visited the “Juno” and was saluted with 13 guns. May 12. The “Juno” went to sea (for Monterey). May 13. H. B. M. 8o-gun Ship “Collingwood’’ went to sea. May 14. U. S. S. “Warren” arrived. Received from “Warren” 7,182 lbs. of sugar, bought at San Blas, at ten cents per 1b. May 19. Received from “Warren” $9,000 in specie; and from the “Erie,” 131 shovels and 15 axes, tke same that were brought by Commodore Jones for Monterey. May 20. The ‘Levant’ and “Erie” went to sea bound for the Sandwich Islands. May 22. H. B. M. Ship “Collingwood” arrived from Pichilingues. Unmoored and hove in, to 45 fathoms. May 23. Received $35,000 in Purser’s Dept. May 24. .Hoisted an English flag on the fore, and fired a salute of 21 guns, in respect to the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birthday. May 25. Got under way and stood about two miles to Land S.W. Came to, in 17 fathoms. “Collingwood” went to sea. May 28. ‘‘Frolic” arrived. June 1. During the day, light variable airs and clear pleasant weather. Bent all the stunsails, also the guarantent sheet cable. Hoisted in 3d cutter. Ran up and secured the Quarter Boat. At 4:15, called all hands, hove up the a Ce EEE RR A rA———— LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT anchor. Made sail to royals and stood W.S.W. Set stunsails at 7, took them in and braced up. At 8, extreme end of Creston Cove bore by com- pass N.E. by E. The center of the Tenedor Isles N. 5 W. Punished 4 men for different offenses. June 2. During the day, the 1st part moderate and clear; ends with light air and calms. Rove new main topmast backstay falls. Unbent mainsail for repairs and rebent it. ; At sunset, Creston bore per compass E.N.E. and about 15 miles; tacked as per log. At daylight, Creston in sight. June 3. Wind light and weather pleasant. At sunset, land in sight abaft the beam. At 9 A. M., all hands having been called to witness punishment, the finding of the Court-martial in the case of was read, and sentenced him “to be hung by the neck until he was dead,”’—but the Commodore, in consideration of his youth, and being satisfied that the prisoner was not aware of the magnitude of his offense, commuted the punishment to 100 lashes, which he received on his bare back. [Flogging was the lawful pun- ishment in those days in the U. S. and other Navies —E. A. S.] June 4. Light breezes and pleasant. At 1:30, land on lee bow. Unbent spanker for repairs, bent new ones. At 8 p. M., hove to with main-yard sail to the mast. At 8 A. M., Creston bore per compass N.N.E. 4 E. At 4, made sail to royal. At 12, standing in for the anchorage of Mazatlan. June 5. Wind light from westward and pleasant. Standing in, exchanged sig- nals with the “Warren.” At 1:20, came to with starboard anchor in 17 fathoms of water. Veered to So fathoms chain. Extreme bluff of Creston bore W. by N. with Creston N.E. Jz N. Received water per 3d cutter. Saturday, June 6, 1846. First part, wind light from W. and pleasant; latterly, cloudy with wind from S.E. Got chain ready for slipping. Received water per 2d cutter. Sunday, June 7, 1846. Variable winds and pleasant. ges H. B. M. Brigantine “Spy went to sea. At 10 A. M., read the Articles of War. Mustered crew. Performed Divine service. ‘Monday, June 8, 1846. Winds light and variable. Received water per 3d cutter. pes Hoisted her in. Ends with light winds from W. Clear and pleasant weather. June 16. Carpenters re.stocked the anchors. The worms at Mazatlan had made them rotten. Midshipman Toler’s log was closed at sea off the coast of California, on June 27, 1846, by direction of Commodore Sloat who affixed his signature to it. and Toler was assigned to more important duties as will be found later on. Commodore Sloat having received reliable news on June 7th of the actual existence of war between Mexico and the United States, sailed the next day in obedience to his orders. The log of the Flagship Savannah,’ kept by Lieutenants W. F. De Jongh, George Miner, J. B. Carter, R. F. Pinkney and R. S. Tra- pier, coincide with Toler’s up to the time he entered upon other duties, of writing proclamations in Spanish and English, preparatory to the taking possession of California by Commodore Sloat at Monterey. iew of the North and West sides of the Old Custom House at Monterey, California, with the same staff upon which Com- modore JOHN D. SLOAT raised the American Flag, July 7th, 1846, when he took possession of California. [The two persons at the corner are Capt. Thomas G. Lambert and his wife, who were the custodians of it and occupied it over twenty years.] Ny o> o LAPP ’ -_ —- View ot the East side of the Old Custom House at Monterey, where Commodcre Sloat’s forces landed and took possession, { 3 I July 7th, 1846. i THE OID CUSTOM HOUSE AT MONTEREY. There is no historic building in the United States around which cluster memories of inci. dents of the past more interesting than this homely pile of whitwashed dried mud or adobe, now in a state of rapid decay for the want of proper care and protection. It was erected by the Spanish Government in the early part of the last century and served for all government purposes. executive, administrative, legislative, judicial and military. Upon the successful revolution fo: Mexican Independence, in 1820-3, it was turned over to the representatives of the Mexican Gov- ernment who at once occupied it. Beneath its tiled roof the Junta or Departmental Legislature met and made local laws like a Board of Supervisors. Here the Collector of Customs gathered in both imported goods and revenue, enforcing the provisions of a tariff amounting usually to not less than half their value nearly equivalent to a confiscation of the whole; hence smuggling was considered by the merchant as no crime, if he was not caught at it, while a greased palm, with yellow eye salve had a wonderful effect in reducing the revenue which the Central Govern: ment of Mexico expected but scarcely ever received. Here the Governors revolved in office and issued their orders while undisturbed or able to enforce them. Here the espedientes or land grants were made and issued, both genuine and fraudulent, which took the U. S. Land Com- mission years afterward to decide upon, impoverishing their owners by costly and protracted litigation. The Old Custom House was also a magazine for ammunition and war material. Courts were held in it while it served also for military purposes. Balls and dancing parties would frequently occupy the Appraisers’ Department, while four footed as well as two footed burros made the old adobe walls ring and the tiles overhead shake with the vibration of their vocal chords and set their ears to oscillating continuously. On the 7th of July, 1846, it came into the possession of the United States during the war with Mexico, wlien Commodore John Drake Sloat of the U. S. Navy landed his forces and hoisted the American Flag upon the self-same pole from which has floated the flags of three pations, viz.: Spanish, Mexican and American, with no danger that the latter will éver give way to another. Fremont, Mason and Riley occupied it in turn as Military Governor until California became a State. Beneath its tiled roof the family of Jonathan Wright, one of Fremont’s men found a dwelling place for a time when their daughter Dolly was born and who on January 2nd, 1902, having married, had the pleasure of assisting her little son to raise the American Flag over her birth place, while her sister Ruth was also born at Monterey in the first brick house ever erected in California. For over twenty-five years Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, a pioneer and Master Mariner, was its Custodian, until it passed into other hands, and he kept it in good order at his own expense. He still holds court in one end of it as Justice of the Peace and ties mated couples together with the bands of the law binding them over to keep the peace. To preserve this old landmark of three nations we say «Esto Perpetua.” —EDWIN A. SHERMAN. gas Tr a LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 61 We shall revert to the log kept by these officers later on, and will not anticipate, but return to Mazatlan to take up the narrative of events which guided Commodore Sloat in his movements shortly prior to his leaving that port, upon his all-important mission. He was watched by the British fleet, and the Brigantine ‘‘Spy,” the tender of Admiral Seymour's Flagship ‘‘Collingwood’’ was true to her name and constantly on the alert. It was a naval game of chess, with the Pacific Ocean for a chessboard, or a sailing problem of trigonometry with the base extending from Mazatlan to Honolulu, with Monterey California the apex of the triangle and the objective point to be pencil by the British fleet and the American squadron. We will close this chapter here, and open the next. ARI Fi RET TR FIR LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CHAPTER VII. After Lieutenant Gillespie had been sent to Monterey on the Sloop- of-war “Cyane’’ as bearer of despatches, a constant state of watchful- ness was kept up by Commodore Sloat to catch the first reliable news of a declaration of war between the United States and Mexico. Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the U. S. Navy, and Acting Secretary of War, at the same time, was almost in a state of frenzy of impatience, sending out orders to Commodore Sloat, who never received them, and who was profoundly ignorant of the state of affairs at Washington; and he had no other guide for his actions than the instructions issued on June 24, 1845, promulgated nearly a year before and delivered to him in the harbor of Honolulu by Lieutenant Watson, bearer of despatches on October 2, 1845. Commodore Sloat was in no manner possible, re- sponsible for the non-compliance of orders which he never received and knew nothing of. He followed the only instructions as issued June 24, 1845, as stated. ; It was while in this state of anxious uncertainty that Fleet Surgeon William Maxwell Wood offered his services for a most perilous mission to obtain news of a definite character for Commodore Sloat. He asked and obtained permission from Commodore Sloat to return to the United States through Mexico and at the same time was made a secret bearer of despatches, traveling in the garb of a civilian with his uniform at the bottom of his luggage. In his narrative of his trip (furnished us by his son, the Hon. C. E. S. Wood of Portland, Oregon) he says: «The British squadron, headed by Admiral Seymour’s ship, the ‘Collingwood,’ followed our squadron in all its movements, and the British authorities had arranged a system of couriers from Tampico on the Atlantic to Mazatlan on the Pacific, by which their squadron had the earliest and most reliable information as to important events. Our Government had taken no such precautions. ‘Meeting Sir Thomas Thompson, the Commander of the British frigate ‘Talbot,’ in the streets of Mazatlan, on the morning following a rumor of war between the United States and Mexico, I menticned the rumor to him. He remarked there was no truth in it, and that I might be assured that when the war did occur, he would receive the first intelligence of it. Amn assurance unhap- pily too true. “The circumstances which enabled me to defeat these plans, and the conse- quences which might have resulted from their success, were gratifying. In this state of intense anxiety and great uncertainty, rumors were constantly reaching us of the existence of war. It will be seen how difficult it was to estimate the value of these rumors, when, in the case of war, the information must reach us through an enemy’s country, and through the channels of our competitors, where there were so many channels of groundless reports, and so many interests 1n deceiving us, and the value of trustworthy information, may be estimated from lhe serious consequences of either hasty or delayed action. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 63 “At this juncture, Commodore Sloat, wishing to send despatches to the Gov- ernment, and hoping that my journey through Mexico might be made tributary to our interests in case of war, gave me permission to return and placed in my charge his despatches. * * * With these despatches, and the information con- fided to me, on the 1st of May, 1846, I left the port of San Klas, in company with Mr. Parrott, U. S. Consul at Mazatlan, who was returning to the United States in greatly impaired health. “We had penetrated five days’ journey on horseback into Mexico, when, at the City of Guadalajara, we accidentally heard a company of Mexican officers reading an account of the capture of Thornton’s Dragoons by Mexican troops on the Rio Grande, and procured a Mexican newspaper with the account of the affair.” [We here interrupt this narrative to remark that nearly the whole of the Northern Army of Mexico had crossed the Rio Grande to make a re- connoisance in force, and had captured Captain Thornton and his squadron of two companies of dragoons on the 24th of April, 1846, the news of which at that time on Mexican soil, was eleven days in 1eaching Guadalojara on May 5, 1846. ‘This without a formal declaration of war.—E. A. S.] « % % % [ therefore wrote Commodore Sloat a letter, assuring him of the occurrence of hostilities, and sending him a translation of the account contained in the Mexican paper. Mr. Parrott, from his long-established commercial rela- tions with Guadalajara, found an opportunity of expressing my letter to the Commodore. “Immediately upon my arrival at the City of Mexico, I was startled and shocked by hearing the newsboys crying through the streets, ‘Grand victory over the North Americans!” but from extraordinary circumstances, not necessary nor proper to be narrated, I received the same night, in my own room at the hotel, from a trusted friend of Tornel, the Minister of War, an exact account of the dismay in the Mexican Cabinet, and learned of the overwhelming victories of my life-long friend, General Taylor, and that the choice regiment of the City of M:xico had been annihilated. These discussions of the Mexican Cabinet I received every night during my week’s stay in the City. AZ this information 1 again sent to the Commanding Officer of the Pacific Squadron, signing my name by an easily understood hieroglyphic, and sending it through the Mexican mail, under cover to the subject of a neutral power.’ [Note.—This was not through Parrott, the U. S. Consul.—E. A. S.] We will here also note that the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought on the 8th and gth of May, 1846, respectively, without a formal declaration of war by either nation, and the ports of Mexico on the Gulf of Mexico and on the Pacific were not blockaded. There were no telegraph lines to communicate information in Mexico from the northern frontier of that country or from the Pacific. It must have taken at least a week of hard riding on horseback or diligence from Guadalajara to the City of Mexico for Surgeon Wood to have reached there, and an equal length of time for the news of those battles on the Rio Grande to have reached the Capital. Consequently, it must 64 Lire oF REAR-ADMIRL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 65 at least have been between the 16th and 20th of Mav. 1846, wien he May 13, 1846, reiterated the same in a formal declaration of war. It : toad Yd of : I should have done so two weeks earlier, upon the receipt of the news of Hi arrived at the City of Mexico, and at the same time the news of the i ; battles of the 8th and oth of May, 1846, also reache A there, [Having the capture of Captain Thornton and his squadron of dragoons by the i ; fi Mexi my; but it delay i ; waiti r bi i crossed that country on horseback from Tampico to San Luis Patosi, a Ey ES i CP by Hing fo ee Hh to Guadalajara, thence to Tepic and Mazatlan in 18 y ite fi 2 : im y to rally the people 10 the Suppozt of he i . 49, We WS jot Government and the Administration hi! personal knowledge of that country at that time and the means of con- The uncertainty of newspaper 0 orts in Mexico, which were con- | : i veying intelligence. —Fr. A. S.] y Spap P RW i ili Surgeon Wood {ned In tive City of Mex 1 trolled by the Mexican Government, and rumors only, which Commo- i § I i | _ in ed oe at ak RE To dore Sloat had received from time to time, prior to the first news re- i nh ; : ee 9 Dene Ya ceived by him from Dr. Wood at Guadalajara, and properly writing for ih i Guadalajara, who received it on the 7th of June following, and which : . : : = I ira Srdali more reliable information, at the same time watching the British Ad- il ih must have been ten or twelve days on the route from the time it left iy : ae ii Hes : : Cored : : miral’s movements, as being the best indication that a state of war ex- l the City of Mexico. Surgeon Wood, continuing in plain dress, and sted if the ** Collingwood’ sailed b passing for an Englishman at the City of Mexico, inspected and made wut g : : ; ats to a report on the Castle of Chnpaliaver. ond while taking his ob The British Admiral was pursuing the same line of action in regard ht! dors had some brusque wor . SE A Cavin Wie w 3 ° 0 er a to reliable news of the declaration of war, and of organized hostilities i » " y ras > . , : ! 18 flicer in the Mex Tha : aN Aral eT having actually commenced between the two countries, and possessing I OMe e Mexican army, who was completely bluffed by Susgeon through British sources already mentioned by Dr. Wood, the best Wood's manner, who acted the part of a John Bull completely, and means of learning the actual ruth oR was successful in his object. Continuing still in disguise, after a week We here oe e following done of the correspondence of Commo- ! i | ori Jaysatay on the City Of Mexico, he frosesiind on his journey to more John Drake Sloat, Dr. William Maxwell Wood, and Lieutenant Vera Cruz, running great risk of capture and assassination; but through George Minor, as kindly furnished us by Hon. C. E. S. Wood, of Port | the courtesy of the commander of a neutral man-of- ; ) i tt ) : b ahi : nora a5 put on land, Oregon, the son of the late Surgeon-General William Maxwell oard the flagship of the American Commodore commanding the block- Wood. of the U. S. Navy ading squadron of the Gulf, where his information was deemed of such Sv il great importance as to warrant the detaching of one of the minor ves- pi : Aq | sels of the blockading squadron to carry him to Washington as speedily To ; ASHINGTON, D. C., —— —, 1671. i. | as possible. The following letters—one from Commodore Sloat, the Commanding Officer Lid During his whole journey in Mexico he was carefully taking notes of the Pacific Squadron, at the commencement of the war with Mexico, the hig | of its condition and resources, and bore upon his person not only what Slbet fox Liisa Moor o the Bepip~ tag 30 i agency i fi biked 4° : : 0 e prom acquisition o aliiornia 1S Kin oO estimony cou e grea Lik he had written, but also . prompt acy : y realy Lila | £ . N £4 d despatches from Commodore Sloat to the Sec multiplied, but as it would only add to the bulk of this document without giving ' retary of the Navy, and a letter, concluding in effect, Dr. Wood is any greater certainty to the facts, which speak for themselves, I append no more ii also the bearer of more important and confidential communications than these two letters, from the only officers known to me to be accessible at the | Hy which I have not thought wise to commit to paper.” ‘This letter is time: | still in the Navy archives at Washington. LETTER OF COMMODORE SLOAT. i | If there was ever a braver, more daring, more skillful, patriotic “NEW YORK, 20th March, 1855. fh scout, voluntarily risking his life to die by the rope and hanged as a «My DEAR SIR: I received your favor of the 14th inst. this morning. Iam | most happy to acknowledge the very important services you rendered the Gov- spy if captured than Surgeon William Maxwell Wood, history has not ernment and the Squadron in the Pacific under my command at the breaking out recorded it. We shall recur to him again later on. of the war with Mexico. The information you furnished me at Mazatlan from i 1 The Usted Sates Government Yad not declared war, and it was the City of Mexico, via Guadalajara (at the risk of your life), was the only relia- ik not until the news of the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, ble information I received of that event, and which induced me to proceed imme- 4 fought on the 8th and 9th of May, 1846, had been received at Wash- diately to California, and upon my own responsibility to take possession of that ington that President Polk sent a special message to Congress announc- country, which I did on the 7th of July, 1846. > “I have always considered the performance of your journey through Mexico, ing that ‘‘a state of war existed between Mexico and the United States, at that time, as an extraordinary feat, requiring great courage, presence of mind and that two battles had been fought.” Congress being in session on EEE i f » 66 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT and address. How you escaped from the heart of an enemy’s country, and such a people, has always been a wonder to me, and has been so characterized by me upon all occasions. “Very truly your friend, “Signed: JOHN D. SLOAT. “Dr WM. MAXWELL Woop, U. S. Navy.” LETTER OF LIEUTENANT MINOR. “WASHINGTON, May 3d, 1855. «DEAR DocTor: I have a very distinct recollection of the events alluded to in your note. I should be oblivious, indeed, if I should have forgotten them, for upon the information received from you, in your perilous journey through Mex- ico, important events took place—events which resulted in the conquest and occupation of Upper California. «I remember that most of our Pacific Squadron had been lying in the Port of Mazatlan, from November, 1845, until May, 1846, when you took your departure as ‘bearer of despatches’ from Commodore Sloat to our Government. For a long time we had received no news from home, and although we inferred from Mexi- can papers, as well as from conversation with British Officers, that our relations with Mexico were in an unsettled state, but few of us thought at the time of your departure that hostilities were to be apprehended. Our naval force then at Mazatlan consisted of the flagship, the ‘Savannah’ frigate, the sloops ‘Cyane, ‘Levant’ and ‘Warren,’ the schooner ‘Shark,’ and store ship ‘Erie.’ The Squadron was in fine order, and in a high state of discipline. “The first information received from you was from the large city of Guadalajara. It was of a nature to impress us with the belief that war was inevitable, if it did not already actually exist. Of course, your despatch created an excitement in the Squadron proportioned to its importance. All hands were zealous and act- ively employed in getting ready for sea, that a whole or a portion of the Squadron might depart at a moment’s notice. The ‘Cyane’ and ‘Levant’ went to sea, and although at the time we were ignorant of their destination, we subsequently found them at Monterey, in Upper California. «The next news that we received from you was from the City of Mexico, and it was all-important. It was lhe first tidings we had received of actual warfare existing belween the two counties. You informed us of the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and of General Taylor's operations on the Rio Grande. “Of course, this information, coming as it did from an official source, deter- mined our movements. [twas th? Jirst upon which we acted, and which resulted in the occupation of California. “The result proves that it was most fortuate that you were sent at that junc- ture through Mexico, but you traveled at no small risk. You were in the heart of an enemy's country and capital, with despatches upon your person. If you were to be arrested, as you were liable to be at any moment, and your mission found out, there is every reason to believe that you would have been severely treated. “Your escape was one of those fortunate events that are remarkable, because of their rare occurrence. 1 hope you may never have to go through such another ordeal: and I hope you may receive from your country the merit and reward for that. “I am yours, very truly, “(Signed): GEORGE MINOR, Lieutenant. “Dr. W. MAXWELL Woop, U. S. Navy.” AR pe GRABS EEL el LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 67 STATEMENT OF DR. WILLIAM MAXWELL WOOD. “The following is a narrative of the circumstances which enabled me to render the services testified to in the foregoing letters: “Having held the position of Fleet Surgeon in the Pacific Squadron, I was doing duty in that Squadron in the spring of 1846, at which time there were threatenings of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain, To un. derstand properly my subsequent position and action, it will be necessary to pre- mise certain circumstances, the relevancy and importance of which will after- wards be apparent. (‘We were cruising on the coast of one of the nations with which we might at any moment be at war, and we were watched and surrounded by the powerful squadron of the other. Hence, the threatenings of disturbance were naturally the subject of much and anxious conversation among us. I was of those who did not believe in the probabilities of actual war, but had faith in the adjustments of diplomacy, and my opinions were known to the commanding officer of our naval forces. “It must be borne in mind that, at that time, there were none of the present facilities of communication between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico. There were no steamers running to the north of Panama; and the western coast of Mexico and the coast of California were lonely wastes. «It will also be remembered, that Com. Ap Catesby Jones had, upon what he thought sufficient grounds, previously invaded and occupied California, but the action having been premature, had involved that officer and the country in diffi- culty. Such a result was well calculated to make any subsequent Commander cautious as to his movements, and at a time when an hour’s delay might change the fortunes of a world. Various reports were currents to the intentions of the British Government in the event of war between the United States and Mexico. One was, that California was to be transferred to the British Government under a mortgage, to secure the British creditors of Mexico. “The British Squadron, headed by Admiral Seymour’s ship, the ‘Colling- wood,’ followed our Squadron in all its movements, and the British authorities had arranged a system of couriers from ‘Tampico, on the Atlantic, to Mazatlan, on the Pacific, by which their Squadron had the earliest and most reliable in- formation as to important events. Our Government had taken no such precau- tions. Meeting Sir Thomas Thompson, the Commander of the British frigate ‘Talbot,’ in the streets of Mazatlan, on the morning following a rumor of war between the United States and Mexico, I mentioned the rumor to him. He re- marked there was no truth in it, and that I might be assured that when the war did occur, he would receive the first intelligence of it. An assurance unhappily too true. : “The circumstances which enabled me to defeat these well-laid plans, and the consequences which might have resulted from their success, were gratifying. In this state of intense anxiety and great uncertainty, rumors were constantly reaching us of the existence of war. It will be seen how difficult it was to esti- mate the value of these rumors, when, in the case of war, the information must reach us through an enemy’s country, and through the channels of our competi- tors, where there were so many sources of groundless reports, and so many inter- ests in deceiving us, and the value of trustworthy information may be estimated from the serious consequences of either hasty or delayed action. “At this juncture, Commodore Sloat, wishing to send despatches to the Gov- ernment, and hoping that my journey through Mexico might be made tributary —— —- me TE me 68 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT to our interests in case of war, gave me permission to return, and placed in my charge his despatches, from which the following is an extract: EXTRACT OF A DESPATCH FROM COMMODORE J. D. SroaT, CoMMANDING U. S. PACIFIC SQUADRON, ADDRESSED TO THE HON. GEORGE BANCROFT, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, AND DATED FLAGSHIP ‘SAVANNAH,’ “‘MAZATLAN, April 30, 1846. “No. 47. «egir: I forward this by Dr. Wm. M. Wood, to whom I have given permis- sion to return to the United States, at his own request. He came out as Fleet Surgeon of this Squadron, and some time since was superseded by Dr. Chase. Dr. Wood is a gentleman of observation and intelligence, speaks and reads the Spanish language, and will, in passing across the country, undoubtedly acquire very valuable information for the Government; and I refer the Department to him for information I have communicated to him verbally, which I did not think safe to trust in my letters across this country. « nians were parleying about a surrender. Maddox halted his Con d : : ed out his watch and told Bartlett that he would give them just ten min : Sona render; and inside of ten minutes they filed out of the timber b i et four and rode in towards the Mission, and Maddox and his Com ud : or rear of them, and they laid down their arms and submitted wig or were paroled not to take up arms during the continuance of the war Te 6 1 Maddox then took up his march, and after ransacking San Jose for supplies me crossed the Santa Cruz Mountains in storms and floods, and reached Montere ' after swimming every stream and mountain torrent between Monterey and S 4 Jose, arriving there about the time the ‘Independence,’ Commod % wy came to anchor. : Soares . : : “1 became acquainted with many of the naval officers, both at Monterey and San Francisco. I mention these facts in detail to show that I had the o > t nity to see many of the naval officers and conversed with them oe ions fo Jone gm question. There were good reasons for any officer or volun ove with caution, as the Californians were gatheri i : their force d such men as Don Andres Pico, of Los An ay Looe : ; geles; Joaquin and Gabriel D of Salinas; Francisco Sanchez, of Santa Clara Valley. Don Pablo de Sed and General Rafael Castro were prisoners in the hands of the U. S Noss Monterey, and were there in the barracks guarded by marines wiki I ¢ ya there in 1846 with Captain Maddox. ! on Tune i . : . Captain Maddox moved with caution; we put out guards every night, and when ot the iA: we had our scouts out, right and left; we did not know what moment we wou e attacked; in fact, we expe i : cted a fight with D It was even much more dan ws limes e : me gevous times when C J pi | ommodore Sloat hoisted the flag 1 1 1 The grerlsud immigrants had not yet arrived when Fremont recruited his wy an without them he would scarcely have dared to return from his journe Boni , ha oy Archibald Gillespie, bearing dispatches or orders oo nd caused him to return to California, from . whence he had been orde out gt the country by General Castro. Major Gillespie was a marine officer, i Nes s e officer sent to bring Fremont back, with orders to await the surival of eU. S. ships-of-war, and to hold himself in readiness at some convenient poi to cooperate with the naval forces when they arrived. po “During the Bear Flag episode, he returned from his journey north and camped on the Feather River, in the Sacramento Valley, and it RT ; ri fous a party of the Bear Flag men waited on Fremont sud asked et fof with them; but Fremont told them he had no orders to commit y Be and, therefore, could not openly render them any assistance, but Ss So them to go ahead, and he would see that they would be supplied ith Ia Eo tion or any assistance that he could render, in case of their on Skigtu close by the enemy. This fact, as well as others, I had from th RR mused Se remount. e men who waited “These facts show that it required pru i cers in command or a i eth ws he Shan 2, Whether off- the Navy or on land. A responsibility, in “There were very few Americans on land wh 3 i Monterey, and those were men whose interests es ig Sat y nians more or less; such dealing as traffic in hides and tallow and WH e LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 99 rancheros with goods. Among these few in Upper California were ‘Kanaka Davis,’ Howard & Mellus, of Yerba Buena; Timothy Murphy, of San Rafael; Captain Sutter, of Nueva Helvetia; Captain Smith, of Bodega; Captain Fitch, of San Diego, and Jacob P. Leese, of Sonoma, «Now as to ‘Kanaka Davis’’ Elk Story. I can say that I never saw but very few elk from the time I arrived in California, and not over twenty or thirty in a herd, and but two or three herds altogether. There were thousands of antelope and deer in the foothills and mountains. I knew ‘Kanaka Davis’ in 1846, and purchased Sandwich Island sugar and some other groceries of him on my return from Monterey after the news of the Treaty of Peace, and on discharge from volunteer service. The only two houses or stores doing business in Yerba Buena at that time were the firm of Howard & Mellus and ‘Kanaka Davis’ He has since informed me at Napa recently that he never went by the name of ‘Kanaka Davis,’ and seemed insulted that I should have reminded him of it. That was what all the old Californians called him: in fact, I was referred to his store in 1846-7 as ‘Kanaka Davis’ Stores’ and my father, L. W. Boggs, purchased goods of him in early days for his store in Sonoma: and every old settler, whether Spanish or American, knew him as ‘Kanaka Davis.’ Some of them are living yet and call him ‘Kanaka Davis.’ “His Elk Story may possibly be true, but it sounds like a big fish story. I was told by an old mountaineer that there were vast herds of elk at one time in the San Joaquin Valley, also many wild horses, and it may be that ‘Kanaka Davis’’ elk emigrated to the San Joaquin Valley, for there were not a hundred elk in the flats surrounding the Bay in 1846 and ’47. There were one or two small bands in the Sonoma marsh lands, and a few bands above Cache Creek, and per- haps a small band or two off in the Montezuma Hills and Tules about Suisun, but never more than fifteen or twenty together, and they soon disappeared. “Now, I did not intend to write such a lengthy answer to inquiries, but to show that there is much of the unwritten history of California yet to be brought out. “Now, as to ‘Kanaka Davis’’ yarn about Commodore Jones’ proposal to re- move his brick building from San Francisco to Benicia. I happened to have the honor of spending several days in Commodore Ap Catesby Jones’ company, in 1849 and ’s0. I was at Sonoma, when the old Commodore came up there to visit General Vallejo, and I pointed out the General's house to him. He came in afoot from the Zules where he had left his boat and crew of sailors, and he was all wet and muddy when be arrived, dressed in gumboots and oilcloth cap, with shotgun and game-bag on; a tall, gaunt old Welshman. He enquired of me for General Vallejo, and I pointed to General Vallejo, who was standing on his front verandah, looking out for the Commodore and his suite, whom he had previously invited to visit him at Sonoma. «When the Commodore stopped in front of him, and spoke to him, the Gen. eral did not recognize him. He remarked to the General, ‘I am Commodore » Says the General, You, Commodore Jones! Jones. General, how do you do? And all over mud and splash, the General took him in, and the old Commodore was made to feel at home. “In a few days the General furnished him horses and saddle, and I was invited to ride around the country with both the General and the Commodore, and we went to Benicia and Mare Island Straits, and we pointed out the various eligible sites for towns. The old Commodore was somewhat an enthusiast about farming lands and town sites, and remarked that he thought Benicia could be made a 100 1,IFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT port of entry, and that he could defend the entrance to the Straits much easier than he could defend the entrance to San Francisco. I was in his barge when taking the soundings in looking for a navy yard site, and we took the soundings from above Benicia down through the Mare Island Straits; and the old Commo- dore frequently expressed his admiration of the many eligible town sites, etc., etc. “A few of the San Francisco merchants became jealous of Benicia, for fear that the commerce of the city might be diverted from their harbor to Benicia; and I suppose ‘Kanaka Davis’ was among them, for I never heard of his taking part in anything outside of his grocery store in Yerba Buena. “As to Commodore Jones using any war ship for private speculation is so absurd that it seems ridiculous. ‘““The Commodore, General Vallejo and myself were invited to dine on board the U. S. Sloop-of-war ‘Preble,’ that was lying at anchor in the Straits of Car- quinez near Benicia. She was commanded by Captain West, her First Officer; her actual Commander was Captain Glenn, who was absent. Commodore Jones did not seem to have any more authority on this ship-of-war than either General Vallejo or myself. We were regaled with a fine dinner, and the old Commodore told many stories of his farm life, and about his two sons, who were Midshipmen in the Navy. And he had no more idea of using a Government vessel for private ends than I did of taking command of the ‘Preble. “So much for ‘Kanaka Davis’’ yarn about one of the bravest old Commodores in the U. S. Navy. “Yours traly, “W. M. BoGes.” We have thus introduced this letter of the Hon. William M. Boggs, the First Vice-President of the Sloat Monument Association, a lineal descendant of the famous Daniel Boone of Kentucky, and whom we have intimately known for a period of fifty-two years as a gentleman of undoubted honor, courage and veracity, whose father was the late Hon. Lilburn W. Boggs, formerly Governor of Missouri, who came to California with his family overland in 1846 and to Sonoma. The only motive that we can conceive of which may have prompted ‘Kanaka Davis’ to lie about Commodore Sloat in his operations at Monterey, is the fact that this half-breed from Honolulu, having mar- ried into a Spanish California family, desired to ingratiate himself fur- ther with some of the people of that race, who in heart have never taken kindly to the American occupation; and by misrepresenting and belittling the action of Commodore Sloat at Monterey, in taking pos- session of California, gratify them, and at the same time there may have been a money consideratian paid him by those who used him in his detraction and slander of Commodore Sloat, to be repeated in their publications, perhaps in getting out his own, to confirm what he had given them before. In looking over some former letters of the Hon. Wm. Boggs, of Napa, we find one of May 3, 1896, from which we take the following extracts: Gh ie ok ma rea] At the time of his Golden W .; years, 4 months and 1 day old. aged 86 years, 4 months and 2 Service 63 years in the U. 5. Navy. THE LATE REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U. S. NAVY edding, Nov. 27, 1864, when He died Nov. 28, 1367, and 2 days old. Was in Active MR, JAMES BAYARD WHITTEMORE, JR. John Drake G 5 late Rear-Admiral r reat grandson of the late Jos Disks ~vat. Reader of his Proclamation at Sa July 9, 1896, and at Monterey, July 4, 1902. MRS. ABBY (NEE GORDON) SLOAT WIFE OF THE LATE REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U.S. N. Atthetime of their Golden wedding, Nov. 27,1864. when 5 S$ She died Nov. 15, vears, 11 months and 21 days old. S C c rE aged 83 years old, having survived him about eleven years. She sleeps beside him in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. MRS. JOSEPHINE EMILY KINCAID of the late Rear-Admiral John hed his record from New York Great Granddaughter Drake Sloat, who furnis City. ER I ST THE BURIAL PLACE AND MONUMENT OF THE LATE REAR - ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT,* U. S. NAVY AND FAMILY GREENWOOD CEMETERY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 101 “Napa, Cal., May 3, 18g6. «Hon. E. A. Sherman, Sec’y of Sloat Monument Association— “DraR SIR AND FRIEND: Your favor of the 2d inst., enclosing printed copies of your replies to one George Edwards, of the H. H. Bancroft History, of San Francisco, all of which I have perused with interest, came duly to hand.” «As to the Bancroft Historian. 1 have good reason to know the falsity of his history in many particulars. In his 19th Vol., History of Utah, and the Latter Day Saints or Mormons, he places my father in a very unfavorable light when he was Governor of Missouri. «He states that my father, ‘the late Lilburn W. Boggs, headed a mob and led them against the Mormons, driving them from Jackson County, where the Mor- mons had settled.’ «This was a base lie; doubtless taken from a Mormon standpoint, in order to make his work popular in Ulah. “My father was Lieutenant-Governor of Missouri at the commencement of the Mormon troubles, and absolutely refused to take part in the Citizens’ force that drove them from Jackson County; and after he was elected Governor of the State, he was called upon by the citizens where the Mormons located to do some- thing to suppress them from the high-handed course they were pursuing in defi- ance of the laws of the State. He finally called for five thousand State troops and compelled them to leave the State; and for which, they afterwards attempted his assassination and came near killing him, by the means of an assassin who crept up to his window one dark and rainy night and fired four balls into his head, while he was surrounded by his family, of wife and little children, at his private residence in the old town of Independence, Missouri. «Mr. Bancroft also states that ‘two of Governor Boggs’ sons were at the kill- ing of the Mormon Prophet, Joe Smith, in Carthage, Illinois.’ «There was not a member of the Boggs family within three hundred miles of the place at the time the Illinois mob killed Joe Smith. Such base and slander- ous lies no doubt Mr. Bancroft cbtained through his Mormon informants; and to please the saintly crowd at Salt Lake City, who were fast becomiug rich, in order to make his work and History sell, he no doubt catered to their wishes. “So you can judge about how much store I set on Bancroft’s History. His method of obtaining history of the Pioneers would certainly result in confusion, and would damn the work for all time to come. “Yours truly, “W. M. BoGGs.” We have thus introduced the foregoing letters, that our readers may see and learn the truth of how much dependence is to be placed in the lying statements of the detractors and defamers of the loyal, gallant, prudent, patriotic and brave experienced officer of the U. S. Navy, the late Admiral John Drake Sloat, who, when Commodore, in faithful obedience in spirit and to the letter, acquired possession of California by raising the American flag at Monterey on July 7, 1846. We cannot close this Chapter without giving the following copies of letters from the Hon. George C. Perkins, U. S. Senator from Califor- nia, and Lieutenant Lucien Young, of the U. S. Navy, sent to us on the dates written: 102 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT [Copy of letter from the Hon. George C. Perkins, U. S. Senator, from Washington.] “UNITED STATES SENATE, “WASHINGTON, D. C., March 7, 1896. “Hon. Edwin A. Sherman, Oakland, California— «My DEAR SHERMAN: I know that you will be grateful to learn that I find from the official records that your estimate of Commodore Sloat is correct, and that there is no tinge of dishonor reflecting on him in any way, for the Bancroft charge of alleged want of promptness in obeying the orders of our Government, in not proceeding more promptly to Monterey and taking possession of Cali- fornia. “The letter herewith from Lieutenant Lucien Young is self-explanatory. Mr. Young is a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, and has been detailed as an Assistant Superintendent in the Library of the Navy Department, for the purpose of com- piling and editing the Naval War Records of the Rebellion; and of course is recognized authority upon the subject-matter under consideration. “I am sorry I cannot send you the executive documents to which Lieutenant Young's letter refers; but there are only bound volumes here, and, therefore, I am unable to send them to you. I think, however, Lieutenant Young’s letter covers the whole ground. The documents fully vindicate the good name of Com- modore Sloat, and show that Bancroft is, in this case, anything but a correct his- torian. «I will make an effort now to press our bill for an appropriation for a monu- ment to the memory of Commodore Sloat to a successful conclusion; but so many other bills now have the right of way that I am not as sanguine of success as I would have been had I pressed it a month or six weeks earlier, which I should have done had it not have been for this Bancroft exposé. “Again congratulating you upon being right in defending a patriotic and gal- lant Naval Officer, whose memory had been most unjustly maligned, ; “I remain, very truly yours, “Geo. C. PERKINS.” (coPY) “[ For the information of Edwin A. Sherman. ] “NAVY DEPARTMENT, “I IBRARY AND NAVAL WAR RECORDS, “WASHINGTON, D. C., March 6, 1896. «My DEAR SENATOR: In answer to your letter in regard to the official acts of Commodore Sloat, in taking possession of California for the United States, I find in most of the books written about California at that period a decided and unde- served praise is given to General Fremont and Commodore Stockton at the ex- pense of the prompt, brilliant and successful performance of duty by this brave, patriotic and gallant officer, and which is not borne out by the official data, as you will see. “The statement made by H. H. Bancroft, in his ‘Chronicles of the Builders,’ Vol. II., pages 184 and 185, is one in which the acts of Commodore Sloat are dis- credited in the favor of others of his self-appointed heroes. Again, in a sketch of the life of Stockton, published by Derby and Jackson, New York, 1856, the old Commodore is spoken of as ‘an old-fashioned sailor, content with the per- formance of his duty on his own element, and not desiring to carry war on land, and laudatory of Stockton’s sense of duty,’ whereas you will find from the official records that Sloat not only had accomplished the work prior to Stockton’s ar- rival, but actually sent that officer on shore to command the forces there, and Rr AE LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 103 had planned for further operations. His health breaking down, he, in accordance with previous permission from the Navy Department, voluntarily turned over the command to Stockton before Shubrick, his regular relief, arrived. “That his acts were fully approved by the Secretary, and no censure was ever sent him, is proved by the Secretary’s official report of the operations in the Pacific. The facts of the case are highly in favor of Commodore Sloat; for at the time his squadron was lying in the harbor at Mazatlan, where also was an English squadron awaiting anxiously news of hostilities, and ready at the first move to pounce upon California, where British agents were at work upon the Legislature to obtain the most valuable portion of the public lands. Sloat re- ceived the news by a special courier in advance of the English Commander, that the Mexicans had invaded the territory of the United States across the Rio Grande, and, in accordance with his confidential instructions, immediately got under way and sailed for the coast of Monterey and took possession of the coun- try, and hoisted the flag of the United States over Monterey, several days before the English fleet came in. “This prompt action on his part not only prevented the English squadron from active measures, but was, beyond doubt, the means of frustrating the legis- lative designs with the British agents, and secured that valuable territory to the Uuited States, whatever may have heen accomplished after. The die had been cast and the victory after made an easy task. «you will find all the official reports, correspondence and data that fully en- dorse Commodore Sloat, in House Executive Documents, 2d Session of the 29th Congress, Vol. I, Doc. No. 4, pp. 378 and 379, and pp. 640 to 675, inclusive. Also, House Executive Documents, 2d Session, 3oth Congress, Vol. I., Doc. No. 1, commencing on page 1,006. “I am, respectfully yours, (Signed): LUCIEN YOUNG, “Lieutenant U. S. Navy. «Senator George C. Perkins, U. S. Senate.” [Nore.—The positive information received by Sloat was not by special courier, but a letter by mail from Surgeon Wood at the City of Mexico, ‘‘sent under cover to a subject of a neutral power,’”’ as he states, and which Commodore Sloat received on June 7, 1846, and he sailed for Monterey the next day.] As stated by the Hon. C. E. S. Wood, of Portland, Oregon, the son of Fleet Surgeon Wm. Maxwell Wood, in his letter to us written at Portland, Oregon, Jape 25, 1896: “You are entirely and indisputably correct in your defense of Sloat, and it is an outrage that any defense should be needed.” But we will close this Chapter here and open the next, as no fur- ther vindication is needed. ‘ . FR SA A mm pu an er ————— a EA TC 2 TAI = = a ee me — es Ao " s— . SE a eT I £3 Tn TY MITE PT LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CHAPTER 1X. On October 23, 1846, Commodore Sloat reported his return from the command of the Pacific Squadron; and three weeks afterwards, on November 14, 1846, was ordered to special duty at New York and Philadelphia, at which he was engaged a little more than two months and a half, when, on March 6, 1847, he was detached, awaiting orders, for over nine months, but he was not idle. What he had done at Mon- terey in landing there and taking possession of California was to be repeated on a vastly larger scale by General Scott and Commodore Perry at Vera Cruz, on the gth of March, 1847. His experience was valuable to them, and General Scott had the benefit and knowledge of what was done at Monterey, California, by personal intercourse with Commodore Sloat just before partaking of his ‘‘hasty plate of soup,” when he, General Scott, took his departure for Mexico. Commodore Sloat watched the events that were rapidly transpiring in Mexico with the most intense interest until the capture of the Capital of that country, on the 14th of September, 1847, after the most hotly contested series of battles for the long period of six months from the time of the successful landing of General Scott's Army at Vera Cruz, when that City was captured, on March 28, 1847, and followed by the brilliant victories of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and the City of Mexico itself, and the quit-claim deed to California, New Mexico and all that vast territory, an empire within itself, was ceded to the United States forever. Commodore Sloat secured the animal by the tail, so he could not get away without losing it; while Generals Taylor and Scott seized it by the horns and threw it to the ground. In this instance, the hind-quarters proved to be the best meat. On January 19, 1848, Commodore Sloat was ordered to command the navy yard and station at Norfolk, Virginia, where he was engaged three years in the line of his duty with his usual assiduity and fidelity, when, on February 1, 1851, he was detached and placed on waiting orders. On January 17, 1852, he was appointed senior member of a board to locate a navy yard in California, and so he revisited the ‘‘Golden State,”’ the jewel which he had acquired for the Union, the brightest and most costly gem and firmly set in a cluster of stars in the coronet on the brow of Columbia. Here some of his old friends met and en- tertained him, while he entertained them. At that time he located the navy yard at Mare Island, and made the terms for the purchase by the # % B OF THLE 8 UNIVERSITY oF SALIFORNISS LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 105 U.-S. Government, which was made on January 4, 1853, from George W. P. Bissell, W. H. Aspinwall and Mary S. McArthur, the price paid being $83,491.00, and containing about nine hundred acres. Commodore Sloat laid out the original plans of the navy yard there, and in 1872 the tracing of those plans bearing his signature were in the office of the Civil Engineer of the Mare Island Navy Yard. After having performed this duty, he returned to the East, and on December 14, 1852, he was detached and placed on waiting orders; but did not have to wait long, for the very next day, December 15, 1852, he was ordered to special duty under the Bureau of Construction, where he was constantly engaged for three years, when, on September 27, 1855, he was detached and placed on the Reserved List. During his time he was employed as Superintendent of the con- struction of the famous ‘Stevens Battery’ at Hoboken, New Jersey, and Superintendent of the U. S. mail steamships sailing out of New York, in which connection he was well known by the merchants and others who met him daily in the streets of that city, who could not fail to be impressed by his active and genial temperament (when off duty), and his fine business qualities. The War of the Rebellion breaking out in 1861, and he being in- tensely loyal to the flag under which he had sailed for sixty-one years, his advice and counsel was much sought after by the Secretary of the Navy and President Lincoln, “‘and he was ready for sea service if only a ship was given him.” At that time he was a very quiet-looking per- son, scarcely five feet six inches high (the height of Napoleon). He dressed in plain black clothes, and though a little short of eighty years, he did not appear to be over fifty. His hair was thick and almost white. On August 2, 1862, he was promoted to Commodore on the Retired List from July 16, 1862. and was No. 1 on the List. On August 6, 1866, he was commissioned as Rear Admiral on the Retired List, and credited on the Register with seventeen years and five months sea service, with active engagements in battle under Decatur in the war with Great Britain, participating in the capture of the ‘‘Mace- donian” frigate, sweeping the seas of pirates in the West Indies, pro- tecting American interests along the coasts of South America and Mexico, and acquiring possession of California by hoisting the Ameri- can flag at Monterey, on July 7, 1846, in strict compliance with the orders of the U. S. Government. Immediately upon his promotion as Rear Admiral upon the Retired List, Sloat spent his last days in a quiet way at his residence at New Brighton, New Jersey, serenely resting in the bosom of his family until he gently passed away on November 28, 1867, aged 86 years, 4 months and 2 days, mourned by a host of friends, who greatly deplored his 106 4 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 107 1 " loss, for his qualities of mind and heart were such as to endear him to same order to the grave, where they formed an opened square and rested on their Hi all who enjoyed his acquaintance. arms. (ITE «Masonic honors with appropriate ceremonies were paid to the remains, | ii THE FUNERAL. Brother Van, Master of the St. Nicholas Lodge, No. 32r, F. & A. M., officiating. | HE | i «The battalion of marines fired three voileys over the remains, when the | i We copy the following from a New York paper of December 1st: ceremonies were concluded and the cortege of mourners slowly passed out of | “THE FUNERAL OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT. : the ‘City of the Dead.’ ”’ | ] i “The funeral of this veteran officer took place from his late residence, New ] His widow survived him about eleven years, for she, too, lived to | Beigles Te in 4 colin. viol] . J the ripe age of eighty-three years, and died on ——— —, 1878. Her | it I > y mounted with : : 3 : . 1 Reg heavy silver plate, bearing the inscription: : funeral was attended only by her immediate family relations, and the it | i" services were performed by the Rev. Dr. Mulcahy, in Old St. Paul's . | dle ! Rsiissev sn hnirt atin rred de iar aA RARE ST eRe Te ees : 4 Protestant Episcopal Church. He was the Assistant Minister of Trinity : i : Rearv-Admiral John Drake Float! ; Parish. The remains were followed to the family plat in Greenwood : Bi : UNITED STATES NAVY : 3 Cemetery, and she sleeps beside her companion, whom she married in } ii : AGED 86 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AND 2 DAYS : H 1813, when she was 18 years old and he 32. They celebrated their i in bovis irnsiean te Sesame SOA SS SB AL ST , 1 Golden Wedding on November 27, 1864, and four more years were | A “On the coffin was placed a wreath, cross and anchor, formed of rich flowers. d added to their married life, when he was summoned to the Upper Har | | I The body was dressed in the full uniform of an Admiral, 2 bor, where his anchor of hope held fast within the vale, ending in Hi ‘About one o'clock, the friends and neighbors of the deceased had collected, eternal fruition, and where she for eleven years afterwards was left i 1 and soon after the full service for the dead, according to the ritual of the Pro- % behind like the sloop-of-war ‘‘Warren” at Mazatlan to bring him later Ie testant Episcopal Church, was then read by the Rev. P. Irving, of New Brighton. : news. after he had safely made and secured the port Hing i The coffin was then removed to the hearse, the pall-bearers being Admirals i : : port. i fl Stringham and Bell, Captains Almey, Ammen, Nichols, Surgeon Smith, Com- A Such is the record of the life of one of our country’s bravest and 1 i ! mender Roe of the Navy, and Mr. Wm. Pendleton. most faithful naval officers, who, by strict obedience to his orders, Hi ; 4 aie Sars f0iioned oy Sariigion and John D. Sloat, Jr., sons of the de- added an empire in territory to the United States, out of whose moun- tl M Tourgels. Joan Mekeon, sondilaw, and Dr. J. 8. Westervent, as chist tains, gulches and rivers were to come a billion and a half of gold, bi i enriching the world, financially giving credit to and saving the Union LORE | : “The funeral cortege comprised about twenty carriages, containing friends of the deceased and chief mourners, several private vehicles, and a number of his | neighbors on foot. EL “The funeral party went on board the two o’clock boat from Quarantine, and Hi reached the foot of Whitehall stieet at three o'clock. They were met there by about thirty members of the St. Nicholas Lodge, No. 321, of F, & A. M., of New i York, of which he was a member, “They then crossed the South Ferry. On their arrival at the other side, a battalion of marines was drawn up in a line with presented arms, and the band in its hour of dire distress and calamity and threatened dissolution. Solomon speaks of one, ‘‘Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered | that same poor man.” So for more than half a century neither the | | people of California, who breathe its unrivaled air, enjoy its grand : ie scenery and matchless climate; who have made their living and amassed | 4 their wealth from its prolific soil and exhaustless resources; its armies | ig 1 i { Hii Slaying e Dead Maceu 0 ge them. Tension SeRRg four companles 3 of civil officers and legislative representatives 1n the halls of its Legis- | a | Hiei! ain Baker, assisted by Captain Squire, First Lieutenant g . : Sntirns. Hay | akg Hh i Stillman, Brevet Captain Maske and Lieutenant Waller, commanding companies L latiire and In the Capitol of the Raion; yet ol nag a oo. gt i i | with Lieutenant J. B. Brun, Adjutant. is § same poor man, who saved the city by his wisdom; ’ 1n other words, il py ‘After the marines came the St. Nichoals Lodge, No. 321, F. & A. M,, and 4 the gallant John Drake Sloat, who raised the American flag at Mon- A ii members of the Tompkins Lodge, F. & A. M., in carriages; 3 terey, on July 7, 1846, and secyred California, the “Golden State,’’ to i i ii Pelhesos we Fait : : the Nation, and gave us all our homes. | h Fil arse draped in black; ] Li | fi He 1 “Chief mourners in carriages; 3 Not a county, not a city or town, and but one street, so far as we li fi : have heard, has ever been named in his honor, and even that was Li “Private carriages. “In this order the procession reached Greenwood Cemetery. At the entrance, the marines wheeled into columns by fours, and headed the procession in the 4 robbed from him and changed; it having been named by Lieut. Washington Bartlett, U. S. N., when Alcalde of San Francisco, on the mn w—— Tr — SSR amar —— " wa Sm AE NOT eT uc. 108 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SILOAT earliest map, and changed to Sansome Street afterwards. Only a little old one-horse fire engine (which is or was at Mare Island Navy Yard, which he located and laid out) is named for him. Fremont, Mont- gomery, Kearny and Mason have been honored, but no one remembered Sloat or Riley. His portrait, which he had painted in Panama before he took pos- session of California, hangs in the gallery of the Pioneer Building, the latter the gift of James Lick to the Pioneers, and the Annual Election of Officers is held on the 7th of July, the anniversary of the raising of the American flag at Monterey; but otherwise he is forgotten, except by a few who are Veterans of the Mexican War, who, with a few ap- preciative Pioneers over the State, and other patriotic citizens, organ- ized the ‘‘Sloat Monument Association of California,’’ to erect a monu- ment in his honor at Monterey, with others, and of whom we make mention in the latter part of this work. We cannot close this Chapter without speaking further of his faith- ful aide-de-camp, who has been before mentioned herein, and whom we had known more than half a century. MIDSHIPMAN WILLIAM P. TOLER. We here give in brief the further account of his life as he related it to us himself, and is interesting. Commodore Sloat had turned over his command to Commodore Stockton, and sailed for Panama in the ‘‘Levant’’ on his return to report at Washington, and Midshipman Toler was ordered to duty on shore, to aid in the direction of the construction of an earthwork with » a block-house, which was named ‘‘Fort Mervine,”” in honor of Captain Wm. Mervine, commanding the frigate ‘‘Savannah.” The block-house was two stories in height, and equipped with three 42-pounders, and pierced with loopholes for musketry. The remains of this block-house and the earthworks are still to be seen, and were verified by him in person to us at Monterey in July. 1896. The iron bolts and hooks were forged on the ‘‘Savannah’ by the ship’s black- smiths, and Toler recognized them. When completed, he was put in command of this fort; but when off duty he made short trips into the adjacent country; and speaking Spanish fluently, his native tongue, his mother having been a Venezuelan lady, he readily became acquainted - with the native Spanish Californians in the vicinity. While making these short trips for the purchase of supplies, it gave him the opportu- nity of learning the sentiments of that people. During one of his trips, he learned that on a certain night the fort was to be surprised, the garrison slaughtered or made prisoners, and HFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SLOAT MONU- MENT ASSOCIATION COL. JOSEPH STEWART, U.S. A. (Retired) Residence, BERKELEY, CAL. President of the Sloat Monument Association. President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. With a long, faithful and arduous service in both peace and war. He has made a most honorable record, to be proud of. COL. SAMUEL W. BORING, P. M.K.T., 32° vorty-niner and Veteran of the Mexican War. Life Member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. OF CALIFORNIA. HON. WILLIAM DM. BOGGS, Or Nara, Car. First Vice-President of the Sloat Monument Associ- ation. The First Councilman cf Sonoma, Cal., 1851-52 53, A Veteran of the Mexican War, serving in California in 1346 47. A Master Mason. Member of the Executive Com- mittee of the Sloat Monument Association. Was present at Sonoma at the Celebration, held June 14th, 1896. MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, 33° OF OakLaND, CAL. Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association, and who assisted in locating the site for the Sloat Monu- ment at Monterey, Cal. Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. R.V. Grand Secretary the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. California Pioneer of May 24, 1849. Editor of ‘‘Fifty Years of Masonry in California.” AR et AL RI +l “ BRO. SAMUEL WOLF, LEVY, 33° Treasurer of the Sloat Monument Association. Active member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pa- cific Coast. GEN. T. E. KETCHAM, V. M. W. Marshal of the Sloat Monument Association. CAPT. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, P.M, K. T OF MONTEREY, CAL. Receiver of the Sloat Monument Association, and who assisted in the locating of the site for the Sloat Monu- ment, at Monterey, Cal. Past President of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. M.W.GEORGE CLEMENT PERKINS, P.GG.M. p.GL Past Grand Master, and’ Past Grand Commander of phe Templar, and Ex-Governor and present United States >¢ nator California. Tenth M. V. Grand President of the Masonic Veter: Association of the Pacific Coast, 1893-4-5. nights L1FE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 109 the guns were then to be turned toward the town where troops at the headquarters were stationed. Toler returned to the fort and made preparations to receive the attacking party. His plan was to await the onslaught and then turn the surprise on the enemy by firing upon them at close range. Being the first time in command and on shore and not over 21 years of age, and no experience in land warfare, he forgot to give his orders to the sentries not to fire until orders were given upon the near advance of the approaching enemy. The would-be surprisers, however, came on as expected, but when they appeared even dimly under cover of the night, the vigilant sentries observed them, and at the same time apprised the enemy of the discov- ery by firing their muskets! The enemy immediately retreated, which prevented their almost total destruction, as the guns in the block-house were 42-pounders and loaded with grape and cannister. From this fact alone, it will be seen that the enemy were all around Monterey, and that Commodore Sloat acted wisely in his discretion and upon his own responsibility, when he made his preparations to resist attack, if any should be made when he landed his forces and raised the American flag at Monterey on the 7th of July before. Besides the log -of the ‘‘ Savannah’ which Toler kept, and that was signed by Commodore Sloat, and still in the hands of his widow, he retained several papers, and among them were the following, which we were shown by him in 1896. The first is a countersign, folded in the usual triangular manner, and reads as follows: Beadquarters 1st Wing of Prrupation SEPT. 23D, 1846 COUNTERSIGN: “PRESIDENT.” WM. A. MADDOX, Lt. Commanding at Monterey. The address on the back was, ‘‘Mr. Toler, Commanding U.S. Fort, Monterey.’ The second read as follows: “Mr. Toler will please deliver to bearer the remainder of the cartridges be- longing to our guns, three pounds of priming powder, three pounds of rifle pow- der, and one keg of powder belonging to fort. “By order of C. H. BALDWIN, “HEADQUARTERS, Oct. 4, 1846. “P. S. I should be much obliged to you if you could let me have a small cut of fuse.” — bi pd es aX | ¥ | 3 4 i f I i 5 TR : “ok pia Ra ALTE lt LO BR Re pantie 3 Baim SND cattle “ 5 - 110 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JouN DRAKE SLOAT The next note is of a personal character, and is addressed to W. P. Toler, as Commandant at Fort Mervine, and was as follows: “FORT MERVINE, Oct. 27, 1846.—DEAR TOLER! I am sorry I did not find you at home, as I am apxious to see you. Bus sent his best respects to you. I left him in good health at Mazatlan. Whit and Bus cut the brig out. He is in fine If this note should reach you before 4 o'clock, come down to McLane’s spirits. room, as he told me to bring you there to dinner and come on board. I wish to chat. P. H. HAYWOOD, «First Lieutenant Prize Brig.” The reference to ‘‘cutting out the brig’’ brings into relief the promi- pence of the vessel with which Haywood was connected. ‘The vessel had belonged to the Mexican Government at Mazatlan. where she was known by the Moorish name of the «Malek-Adel.”’ One night she lay far in toward shore, where she could not be reached by the large boats. «Bus”’ (Crane) and «Whit”’ (Whitaker), referred to by Haywood, which were familiar names for two’ officers of the Navy, with a corps of trusty seamen, surprised the brig’s crew, cut a channel around her on the inside, got her into deep water, and towed her out as a captured prize. This episode is only on tinguished the American Navy equal and more brilliant deeds in after years. These little notes were written on rough Mexican cigarette paper, and old as they are, for they are still preserved, attest the right of Mr. Toler to the distinction of having been a prominent figure in those ex- citing times when the Golden State of California was secured for the Union, when otherwise, with the delay of a few weeks. she would have been absorbed by Great Britain, and would have added to the pos- sessions of that empire one of the finest sea coasts known to naviga- tion, and one of the richest spots of earth. When Commodore Biddle arrived, Mr. Toler was relieved from land He tendered his resig- service with the rest of the Navy contingent. nation, but Biddle would not accept it, and he returned with him home to Washington. He there was determined to resign and return to Cali- fornia. and he could not be dissuaded from it. Cupid may have influ- enced him in his decision. Seeing that he was determine e of the many deeds of daring which dis- of those times, and set the example for d to resign, as it would save him great expense in those days, he was recommended to have his resignation take effect on his arrival in California. Toler came around the Horn again in the sloop-of-war ‘‘St. Mary's,” which anchored at Sausalito, and his navy service was at end. He described his termination to us as follows: Just as the ship had come to an anchor, he went below, and divided LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT III his uniform, sword and belt with other equipment with his mes among the other Midshipmen. His trunk was packed, and he p a in citizen's clothes, and, wearing a plug hat HC th jm mander of the ship to pay his respects, and es for a boat t : ; him across the Bay to San Francisco. The Commander tt To oy in surprise and viewed him as a citizen stranger who had in ho accountable manner come aboard the ship. After scannin ot or zing him a little, the Commander grasped his hand rth aor at that he was about to leave his ship and the naval service a him every success in his future career. He shook hands all oe o and there was some salt water in the eyes of the “Middi B i not come from the spray of the Bay. yr His trunk was already in the boat, and he followed it, taking hi seat, and when the commands were given to ‘‘shove off” HE i" way,” Toler swung his plug hat, and singing out, ‘‘Good-bye t ol was rowed to San Francisco, where he was tanded and oe er carried his trunk to the house where he was to stop. Bidding es ‘“‘good-bye,”’ they returned to the ship, leaving him to his lon id After leaving the naval service, his career was ts es eventful, he having returned to civil life. With his father he we Fo the customs brokerage business, but afterwards became a Te the Alcalde’s office in San Francisco. For many years he engaged in > various pursuits, but in 1876 he became an invalid, and was nev afterwards able to engage actively in business. He wos an An : ingly modest man and of a retiring disposition. Strong but ii his affections and friendships, while to gain his confidence pe ” > tain information was almost impossible, and unless he voluntaril . il the key of the combination, his breast was as secure as the v ye safe deposit company. Pps Is y 852 he married Miss Maria Antonia Peralta, a beautiful daugh- of Don Ignacio Peralta, of the well-known Peralta family, of Al meda County, and by whom he had one son, J. Hoyt T iy > whom are still living at Oakland. od Bey Ne ong After much entreaty, he consented to attend the celebration of th Semi Centennial Anniversary at Monterey, on July 7, 1896 oe king possession of California by Commodore Sloat, and for the third ime to raise the American flag on the self-same, identical staff the old Custom House, a full account of which will be found Tin later on. He would not even have done that, in his then feebl Sn of health, but another individual, resident at Monterey. who Shee English youth in the American naval service, an a voung landsman in the ‘‘Savannah,’”’ pretended to and claim 2 po honor of having hoisted it for Sloat, which was utterly false : ie sa ws TR Ria eA a een AA 112 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT roused Toler’s indignation, and he consented to again raise the Ameri- can flag for the third time, where he had fifty-four years before, on the 19th of October, 1842. hoisted it by order of Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, and fifty years before, when acting as Signal Officer under Commodore Sloat. His health continuing to fail and when near his end he expressed the desire that we should act as one of the pall-bearers whom he had selected of his immediate friends. He died at his residence No. 546 Albion street, Oakland, on Jan- uary 24, 1899. Word was immediately telegraphed by us to Captain Thomas G. Lambert at Monterey to hoist the American flag at half- mast upon the old Custom House, which was done. His funeral was a quiet and unostentatious one from his late residence to the church, on January 26. 1899, at 8:30 A. M. The colors drooped at half-mast from the City and County Buildings, over stores as well as private resi- dences. The pall-bearers were W. G. Palmanteer, Vice-President of the Central Bank, and Charles Palmer; Majors Edwin A. Sherman and John T. Bromley, representing the Veterans of the Mexican War and Pioneers; Clinton Westover. representing the merchants of .the city: M. J. Laymance, President of the Laymance Real Estate Company, for the land-owners; and John Russ, of the Insurance Agency of that name; William W. Hoag, a Pioneer, and John F. Pinkham, Marshal of the Pioneers, were in attendance, and walked behind the mourners, followed by the representatives of other organizations. The casket was covered with the American flag, immortelles and a profusion of flowers, and the funeral cortege proceeded to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, where the funeral services were held. As the casket was borne up the aisle, the quartette of singers from the choir loft, Mrs. Langdon, Miss Bernett, Mr. Crandall and Mr. Auerbach, chanted softly a funeral hymn. A requiem high mass was then celebrated by Father King; the services being very solemn and impressive. ‘The quartette rendered Wilcox’s requiem and ‘‘Nearer, My God, to Thee ”’ softly rolled forth from the organ, and when the music changed to the ‘‘Dead March in Saul,” the cortege went slowly out. From the church the procession proceeded to St. Mary’s Cemetery, where a prayer was said by the resident priest, and the body of William Pinkney Toler was laid in the bosom of its Mother Earth. Upon the new mound were placed the beautiful floral offerings that were the gifts of the family and intimate friends; a column of white of full height, a sickle with wholly ripe grain, a cross of violets, and other fit- ting emblems of a life against which nothing can be said, and which LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 113 terminated in the allotted time of man’s existence of three-score and ten years, with three additional thereto. Mrs. Toler, the widow, was attended by her only son, Mr. J. Hoyt Toler, who received the full sympathy of the friends of her deceased husband and family. It is appropriate that we here mention the singular facts almost coincidental, that there were three deaths within three days of distin- guished men of history of our Golden State of California, who were intimate with each other. The first was Ex-Governor Romualdo Pacheco, who had been State Treasurer, Lieutenant-Governor, Governor, Congressman, and U. S. Minister to Guatemala, who died on Monday night, January 23, 1899, at Oakland, and was buried with military and Masonic honors in Mountain View Cemetery, in which we participated, having been ac- quainted with him for nearly fifty years. The second, on Tuesday, January 23, 1899, Captain John Ruurds, at the County Hospital of Monterey County. He was 85 years old, and arrived in Monterey Bay from Valparaiso, Chile, in command of his own ship, in 1841. His ship afterwards foundered, but the wheat- load was saved, and thereafter the natives called him ‘Captain Trigo.” He was a native of Belgium, and among the first to welcome the army of invasion during the Mexican War. In 1896, when the American flag was hoisted over the old Custom House at Monterey, he was present and participated. He was permitted to occupy quarters there until his last illness, surrounded by feline friends and numerous relics, one being the table on which the first Constitution of the State was drafted and signed. Captain Ruurds was quite a linguist, speaking Belgian, French, German, Spanish, Italian, English, Portuguese and several other lan- guages. Until prostrated, he was sprightly and vigorous for one of his extreme age, and was often seen on the streets of the old Capital. He was so prominently known, that in Gertrude Atherton's novel, “Patience Sparhawk,’’ he is made to take the character of John Foord. Although a native of Belgium, the Captain became a citizen of the United States in July, 1858,i n the Third Judicial District for Monterey. He was for over forty years a Notary Public and Conveyancer. The funeral was under the care of his friend, Thomas Doud, of Monterey, a brave soldier, a Veteran of the Florida Indian War and of the Mexi- can War, in which latter he was severely wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo, April 17, 1847, and who for the last twenty five years has been the Custodian of the U.S. Military Reservation at Monterey. William P. Toler, as already stated, also passing away on the same day. : It will be proper here to give the Naval Record of the late TA A EN TET PW SE pe eS BF ERR SM oP oi. Wl Brom a wn ~ CEN PE RA A Are — Bais vc NP Ai Dt ROUTINE yg SR WS a I i se Co A = 2 114 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT SURGEON-GENERAL WILLIAM MAXWELL WOOD. He was appointed from Maryland, May 16, 1829. Entered the ser- vice as Assistant Surgeon, Navy Yard, Pensacola, 1830-1. Schooner ‘“Grampus,” West India Squadron, 1832-3. Special duty, 1834-7. Commissioned as Surgeon, February 20, 1838. Steamer ‘‘Poinsett,”’ Home Squadron, 1838-42. Served at that time in cooperation with the Army in the Seminole War. Naval Station, Baltimore, 1843. Fleet Surgeon, Pacific Station, 1841-6. [In this period he incurred the perilous service heretofore referred to.] Receiving Ship ‘‘Baltimore,”” 1847-8. Steamer ‘‘Michigan,”’ on the Lakes, 1850-51. Naval Station, Sackett’s Harbor, N. Y., 1853-5. Fleet Surgeon, East India Station, 1856-8. [During this service, taking part in the Chinese War on board the flagship, partici- pating in the brilliant capture (by Commodore Armstrong and the late Admiral, Commander Foote) of the four Barrier Forts, on the Can- ton River, of which Admiral Seymour, R. N., in his report to the Ad- miral, writes in the following terms under date of December 14, 1856: ““The American ships-of-war completed the destruction of the Barrier Forts on the 6th, and dropped down to Whampoa. These forts were of enormous strength and solidity, being entirely built of large blocks of granite, with walls nine or ten feet thick. They were heavily armed, many of their guns being seven or cight tons weight with a bore of thirteen inches; one brass 8%-inch gun was over twenty-one feet long. | Steamer ‘‘Michigan,’’ on the Lakes, 1859-61. Fleet Surgeon, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, during thc Rebellion; participating on board the flagship ‘‘Minnesota,” in the first battle of the *‘Ironclads,”’ that of the ‘‘Monitor’’ with the ‘‘Mer- rimac,”’ and three vessels of the Confederate Squadron, in Hampton Roads; also, in the capture of Sewell’s Point. Baltimore, 1866-7. Chief of Bureau ot Medicine and Surgery, 1870. Retired, 1871. Died, 1881. [From the Records of Living Officers of the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps, 18go. Records of Distinguished Officers, who served in the War for the Preservation of the Union, and who have died since 1870. Fourth Edition, I. R. Hammersly & Co., Philadelphia, 1890, pp. 472-3.] LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 115 We will here remark, it is no wonder that Admiral Seymour, of the British Navy, ‘‘kesitated’ about following Sloat up too close after the latter had sailed from Mazatlan for the purpose of taking possession of California and hoisting the American flag at Monterey. He knew the metal of the U. S. Navy, and if he had any doubts before, after the destruction of the Chinese Barrier Forts on the Canton River, where he witnessed what Commodore Foote did, he had none thereafter, and to whom he gave full tribute and honest praise. It was on that occasion when the vessels of both nations combined, and where Commodore Foote gave expression to that remarkable laconic phrase that has since become proverbial, ‘‘Blood is thicker than water!” when, seeing that the British sailors were becoming ex- hausted in working their heavy guns, reinforced them by volunteer American seamen from his own squadron, who relieved them and gave John Bull's sea calves a chance to rest. It will not be out of place to give the following brief account of the operations of the Pacific Squadron on the western coast of Mexico, after California had been safely secured by the occupation of the U. S. Navy and Army, and we take the sketch given by Colonel Marvin Wheat from his ‘“T'ravels on the Western Slope of the Mexican Cor- dillera,”” published in 1857, in which he says: “During the Mexican War, while the Americans held possession of Mazatlan, from the eleventh of November, 1847, till the close of hostilities, peace, plenty and a good administration of the laws reigned here under the influence of the United States Squadron, which consisted of the frigates ‘Independence,’ ‘Con- gress,” sloop-of-war ‘Cyane,’ and the transport “Iris,” under the command of Com- modore Shubrick, afterwards relieved by Commodore Jones, who arrived in the line-of-battleship ‘Ohio’ of seventy-four guns. Mazatlan, at this time, was under the command of Colonel Tallez, a Mexican officer; but not having a sufficient force to retain his position, he evacuated the city and left it to protect itself the best it could on being summoned to surrender at eight o'clock a. M., the eleventh of November, 1847, by Commodore Shubrick. Terms of capitulation and sur- render were agreed upon at one o’clock P. M. of the same day, when five hundred marines and sailors, with one hundred soldiers and four pieces of artillery, com- posed the division that took possession and occupied Mazatlan, without the sem- blance of opposition; and the next day, all the hills and eminences commanding the road to the interior, they seized and strengthened with heavy ordnance. “Afterwards some slight skirmishes occurred between the Americans and Mexicans not far from the city, but of no great advantage or consequence to either party. “The frigate ‘Congress’ and sloop-of-war ‘Portsmouth,’ under the command of Captain Lavallette, had taken Guaymas on the twentieth of October, after a severe fire, continuing nearly an hour, doing considerable damage to the town and killing and wounding a number of Mexicans. The American Squadron, under Commodore Shubrick, and afterwards Commodore Jones, blockaded and occupied all the Mexican towns of any importance in the Gulf of California and on the Pacific Coast from October, 1847, till the termination of the Mexican War, Be TEESE rs Leo Sen kA > lI qu su alti 116 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT A military Governor, Custom House officers and other subordinate officials were appointed at Mazatlan by the Commodore, and every precaution required with reference to the distribution of justice and a due execution of the laws made for the public good, which wisdom and discretion under the peculiar circumstances of holding a conquered city could reasonably suggest, was resorted to and duly exercised on this occasion. In front of the town, there was always a portion of the Squadron to act in concert with the force on land, and this had the desired effect to preserve good order in the city. “I have been told by good authority that the period of the American holding possession of the city was that of almost absolute peace, which inspired the community with energy and renewed activity. Foreign duties were greatly diminished, and those inland were expunged from the code of the municipal laws. Fair prices were paid for all the provisions and necessaries required by the Ameri- cans while here in sovereignty,—and strict justice to native Mexicans, as well as to American seamen and soldiers, was equally administered, without favor or solicitation. “When peace was declared in the year 1848, and the Americans were about to leave the town and let the former laws and regulations with all their iron rigor assume their wonted sway, there was in this foreign community a spirit of regret. which arose in rebuke of their exit. As the seamen and soldiers, with their respective officers, were leaving the fort and marching to the water's edge for embarkation, and the military about to be exchanged for the civil authority, the porticos, the housetops, and every place presenting to the eye a sight, were occu- pied by the old and the young, the fair and the homely, the beautiful and the ugly, the maimed, deaf and the blind, the wise and the ignorant, to catch a fare- well glance af the conservators of peace as they marched near them, playing that commemorative air, ‘Sweet Home! «Then the white handkerchief was gracefully waved in token of regret, and a silent tear graced the flushed cheek, in commemoration of this departing scene.” We may here remark that it was the same when the American Army evacuated the Capital and other cities and towns of Mexico, for the same rules were enforced and good order everywhere prevailed dur- ing the American occupation, and the people were protected and con- tented. Colonel Wheat further relates the following concerning General Castro, who fled from California to Mexico in 1846, before the forces under Fremont: “Recently, I have made the acquaintance of General Castro, of Monterey, in the State of California, and also his Private Secretary. It appears from his own statement, and that of a highly respectable gentlemen of this city, that the Presi- dent, General Comonfort, appointed, through favor, General Castro Governor of Lower California, not long since, and in January, 1856, he came down to this city, intending to go over to La Paz, the seat of goverument of Lower California, and assume the reins of government. In this respect, he has found himself consider- ably foiled, and, perhaps, entirely defeated in that object; for the Acting Gov- ernor of Lower California is an ambitious and go-ahead man, who, having risen from the trade of a common hatter, within a few years, to his present condition, would not be found willing to yield his position of honor, and the easy means Of accumulating wealth, without an effort to retain it, and prejudice the Lower Cali- LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 117 fornians against Castro. Therefore, General Castro has recently written to the Mexican Government, at the City of Mexico, touching the course he should pur- sue, and the means he should use, to obtain his new appointment. As yet I have ot been informed as to the result of the contest of these two gentlemen to the government of Lower California.” If General Castro got angry with Fremont, he must have become as mad as a hatter,” when the hatter Governor of Lower California ‘nsisted successfully in retaining his office. The treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico was concluded on February 2, 1848, ratified at Washington March 10, 1848, at Queretaro May 30, 1848, and the Proclamation of President James K. Polk signed and declared on the 4th of July, 1848, which ceded California, New Mexico and the territory of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, equal in extent to all of the United States cast of the Mississippi River, excepting the State of Wisconsin. Such was the trophy of the Veterans of the Mexican War, whose valor added an empire of countless wealth to the domain of the American Republic. As in recent events, unlooked-for changes and results by reason of the late war with Spain, and as we do not know where the American flag may be carried and planted next, it may not be inappropriate to sive the following strange and somewhat amusing account of HOW THE BRITISH TROOPS FOUGHT UNDER THE AMERICAN FLAG IN IRELAND! Which is related by Rear Admiral George Henry Preble, U. S. N., on pages 303-4-5-6, in his “History of the Flag of the United States of America,’’ etc.: “In 1790, a rather singular incident in connection with the Stars and Stripes happened at Londonderry, in Ireland. Mr. Lemuel Cox, who had gained consid- erable reputation as the builder of the bridge connecting Boston with Charlestown, Mass., went to England, where he contracted for and built several bridges on the same general plan; among others, for a bridge across the Foyle, at Londonderry, where the river was nearly one thousand feet wide, and the water forty feet deep at high water,—an engineering feat which had been pronounced by English engi- neers impracticable. However, with twenty Bostonians and a few laborers, Mr. Cox set to work and completed this bridge, consisting of fifty-eight arches, all of American oak, in four months. Not a log of the wood was imported before the 1st of May, and the bridge was completed in November. The cost was about £15,000.” [Murray’s Handbook of Ireland says: “It was a great curiosity, being 1,068 feet long and 4o feet wide, and laid on oak piles, the pieces of which were 16 feet asunder, bound together by thirteen string pieces, equally divided and transversely bolted. It is now superseded by a new bridge costing 4 100,000, which serves both for the Northern Counties Railway and a public road. In Hall's Ireland, vol. iii, p. 212, Cox's bridge is described, and a view of it given.” “The bridge being completed, or nearly so, on the 22d of November, 1790, Mr. TT TN Tr CR Sin TREAT BR RES we 7 i rT Aan Sa on Wo a A RR A ———— cn A hr SE PR 3 1%.50 5 HARE rey - EE a 118 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Cox gave the people leave to pass over it free, in order to save them the expense of ferriage; and the first day that persons were admitted to pass over, with the consent of the authorities, he hoisted the American flag in the midst of it, with. out the smallest intention of giving the least offense. This proceeding was looked upon in an innocent point of view, until about four o’clock in the afternoon, when detachments from the Fortieth Regiment, under the command of the Mayor, marched to the bridge, and a desperate affray ensued, the American flag flying all the time. The workmen were all Bostonians, who, in the very teeth of the magistracy and soldiery, cut, with their axes, the entry to the bridge open, in order to let the people pass. Three men, viz.,, —— Cunningham, of Dollartown, a master weaver; Alexander Reed, weaver, and —— McLaughlin, a laborer, were killed, and several severely wounded. During the whole action, the army fought under the thirteen stripes; and, what is very extraordinary, an officer fired the first shot. “This was undoubtedly the first action fought in Ireland under the Stars and Stripes, and probably the last. Mr. Cox was taken to the jail for safekeeping from the fury of the populace, and that the disturbance lasted for several days, is evident from the following notice issued by the Mayor three days later: “‘CoMMON HALL. ““‘The Mayor requests the citizens of Derry may meet him this day at twelve o'clock, in the town hall, in order to consider of such measures as may be deemed necessary to maintain the laws and preserve the public tranquility. ‘TUESDAY MORNING, Nov. 25, 1790.’ “The cause of the riot is not so clear, as there are several versions of it, though all agree that the American flag was hoisted over the bridge, and in the number of killed and wounded. It seems to have been an Irish shindy. The ‘Columbian Centinel’ of March 19, 1791, in commenting upon it, says: ‘Upon enquiry, we find Mr. Cox received orders from the Mayor and corporation of ’Derry, to open the bridge on the day mentioned, for the benefit of the people, and, as the work- men and timber were American, permitted him to display upon the bridge the American flag. The novelty of these circumstances drew together a large con- course of people. The watermen who were thus thrown out of business collected in numbers to oppose the passing and repassing of the people; this occasioned a fracas,” etc. “Later the ‘Columbian Centinel’ of May 3, 1791, contained extracts from an English paper, assigning the following as the causes of the disturbances, and which probably is a correct account of them: ‘From the day that the communi- cation was opened by means of the bridge, an idea prevailed among the lower orders of the people that the passage was to be entirely free, and that no toll would be exacted. * * * For the first week, the corporation did not think it necessary to assert their right, and permitted a free passage. Unfortunately, this indulgence was misconstrued, and the populace confirmed in their opinion that there was no power to oblige them to pay toll. Under this idea, when the gate was erected for the purpose of collecting toll, the multitude, as they came to market, were discontented, and many, heated with liquor, refused to pay any toll. The Mayor, Sheriff and several Magistrates endeavored to persuade them from their illegal opposition; but the numbers increased, and they boldly proceeded down the toll-gate in spite of the Magistrates, who were obliged to call for a guard of soldiers, and, the riot increasing, to bring to their support nearly the whole of the Fortieth Regiment. The military, charging their bayonets, drove LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 119 the rioters across the bridge to the waterside, but they had no sooner got upon the street than they turned about and gave battle to the soldiers with repeated volleys of stones and brickbats. Again the Magistrates entreated the rioters to disperse, and warned them of the fatal consequences of their outrages; but they continued the attack. At first, the military were ordered to fire in the air, then at the tops of houses; but the desperation of the mob increasing, the soldiers were ordered to level their muskets. About five in the evening the mob dis- persed.’ “Mr. Cox returned to the United States, where he pursued his mechanical tastes, and in 1796 was granted one thousand acres of land in Maine by the Leg- islature of Massachusetts for his various inventions, and died at Charlestown, February 18, 1796.” PASSING AND REPASSING OF SENIORITY IN RANK. As a matter of some interest by the way of comparison of how the five distinguished Commanders of the Pacific Squadron during the war with Mexico passed and repassed each other in the line of promotion we insert the following: Sloat, Midshipman, February 12, 1800; Jones, Midshipman, November 22, 1305; Shubrick, Midshipman, June 20, 1806; Mervine, Midshipman, January 16, 1809; Stockton, Midshipman, September 1, 1311. Jones, Captain, March 11, 1829; Shubrick, Captain, February 12, 1831; Sloat, Captain, February 9, 1837; Stockton, Captain, December 8, 1838; Mervine, Captain, September 8, 1841. Shubrick, Rear Admiral, July 16, 1862; Sloat, Rear Admiral, July 23, 1866; Mervine, Rear Admiral, July 25, 1866. Jones, died May 30, 1858; Stockton, died October 7, 1866, aged 71 years; Sloat, died November 28, 1867, aged 86 years; Mervine, died September 15, 1868; Shubrick, died May 27, aged 837)» years. ADDENDA TO THE ABOVE. Rodman M. Price was appointed Purser in the U. S. Navy, November 5, 1840. Resigned December 16, 1850. He read Commander Sloat’s Proclamation at the hoisting of the American flag at Monterey on July 7, 1846. He returned to the Atlantic States and subsequently was elected Governor of New Jersey and has since deceased. Edward Higgins, Midshipman, January 23, 1836; Passed Midshipman, July 1, 1842; Master, May 30, 1849; Lieutenant, August 20, 1849. Resigned February 16, 1854. He gave personal assistance in hoisting the American flag at Monterey, July 7, 1846. Since deceased. er ——————————— Ad a SE os i AE DR oe Se A nd SA in i camo vm it 0 oe mnt i x win x rn er ————— ot El: el a ft a Re a. 120 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT William P. Toler, Midshipman, October 19, 1841. Resigned December 12, 1848. He hoisted the American flag at Monterey, October 19, 1842, by order of Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones. On July 7, 1846, by order of Commodore John Drake Sloat; and on July 7, 1896, by request of Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements of Associated Veterans of the Mexican War at the Celebration of the Golden Jubilee or Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking final possession of California and hoisting the American flag on the Old Custom House at Monterey by Commodore John Drake Sloat, July 7, 1846. He died at Oakland, California, January 24, 1899, as heretofore given. We cannot close this Chapter without giving the concluding brief mention and tribute to the memory of our friend, the late GENERAL MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO. In the evening after the festivities of the Celebration of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American Flag at Monterey (which was his seventy-eighth birthday, on July 7, 1886, he having been born at Monterey, Cal., July 7, 1808), as we were walking among the beau- tiful trees which surround the palatial Del Monte Hotel, adjacent to the old Capitol, and talking of old times, he suddenly turned, and embrac- ing us as a father would his son, said, ‘‘Major Sherman, you are the only living man for whom I would have done what I did to-day, in hoisting the Spanish and Mexican flags on the old Custom House; but I appreciated your motive in thus representing the history of California from its state of solitude and Indian barbarism, when Spain first took possession until its occupation by the United States and its cession by treaty with Mexico. Here I was born and educated under the mon- archical flag of Spain, and saw it give way to that of the Republic of Mexico, under which, from my young manhood until the American occupation, I began and finished my military career; and then te be- come a citizen of the United States and not an English or French sub- ject of an European monarchy, my heart thrills with tender memories of the past, while I feel an unspeakable pride, in having here, on the very spot where I was born, aided in laying the foundations in the framing of a Constitution for the State of California and the land of my birth.” : We said to him, ‘Well, General Vallejo, you have lived and been under more flags and become a citizen of the United States without having to take out naturalization papers in California, than any man I ever knew or have heard of.’ At this he laughed outright, and re- plied, “Well, I never looked at it that way before, yet, nevertheless, it is a strange truth.” After continuing our most pleasant interview for a short time, we returned to the Del Monte Hotel, and, embracing, parted from each other with mutual ‘‘Adios” and moistened eyes and never met each other again. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 121 General Vallejo was one of nature’s noblemen, and the very best: kind-hearted, liberal, hospitable, patriotic, public-spirited, and the most forgiving in disposition of all of the Spanish race in California that we have ever seen or have any account. He deserves one of the grandest monuments that can be erected in this, our Golden. and his Native State. Notwithstanding his capture by the Bear Flag Party and imprison- ment, and somewhat harsh treatment at Sutter's Fort, when he should have at once been paroled and permitted to return to his home, which was afterwards done when the American flag had been raised for some time; and seeing that the inevitable had come, he at once set to work to reconstruct his own fortunes and adapt himself to the changed con- dition of affairs. : He welcomed the new Overland Immigration in the fall of 1846, and while the war with Mexico was in full blast. The most of the male portion, after providing for their families, rallied to the standard of Fremont Among those who came to Sonoma in November, 1846, was Ex-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, with his family of eight children, who started with a passport from James Buchanan, then Secretary of State Governor Boggs was greeted by General Vallejo with the warmest wel- come, and settled at Sonoma, where he was made Alcalde of that Dis- trict. His son, the Hon. Wm. M. Boggs, with his wife, was given free occupation of the Petaloma Ranche, and told to help himself to cattle for meat and to horses to ride. This was formerly a military outpost (and its name being a compound of two Spanish words: petalo, a picket, and Joma, a hill; in English, Picket Hill, where it was located on the western slope of the range that begins at Santa Rosa and ends at San Pablo Bay. Petalo also means a petal or flower leaf, and Petaluma is also a compound word derived from petalo and Lumar, the exhalation, perfume, smoke or incense of flowers). It was at this ranch where the young wife of Hon. Wm. M. Boggs, soon after their arrival, gave birth to a young son; and while the latter, in extreme infancy, was supposed to be dying, General Vallejo had a sheep quickly killed and stripped of its skin, and while the pelt was still warm from the animal, wrapped the baby in it, which to all ap- pearances was dead; and General Vallejo, just before it apparently breathed its last, asked the parents if he might baptize it, to which they gave their assent, and he did so: but they had not yet named it. They then said, ‘‘Give him your name, Mariano Guadalupe,” and so he was christened by the General, who declared that the child was al- ready dead. However, there was a spark of life yet remaining in it, and it revived, and General Vallejo declared it was a miracle, and the child had a second and miraculous birth from the spirit of God, who Ae SAT 5 3505 RT inc eT = - sr TT A SC WIT TIE RI. Ee TS I on te Saree Wk rend Sa er to mn X ET | | J ay | . | 7 } } # 1 i 4 } pr } | # me ¥ | ir | | Te i i J 1 i { | 1 | on it i} i EER ‘BE EH : } i +g { i] | I oh oe 1 i £ H t | HE oR ¥ i i Ay { Hi 1 i i i) oy Il he | 3 3 i 7 alt ah § | | ! | ay [1 i (kiER 445 : 3 Au f % i Hi 4 aa. Af i i } 31 1 oe 4 & E+ fu ’ aa 3 Tix 244 IE hil if oh & 144 na £1: ¥ k 2 1 ui Ho ’ 122 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT had again given it life. ‘That baby is now a hearty, stout man of 55 years of age, and living in Salem, Oregon, while he holds in reverent affection and regard the memory of the distinguished man whose given name he bears. Scarcely had the Hon. Wm. M. Boggs got settled, when Uncle Sam raised the cry of distress for more men to defend the flag, and volun- teers were called for. At this crisis in December, 1846, Wm. M. Boggs placed his wife and child in the care of his father’s family, and General Vallejo, not wanting him to join with Fremont’s party, told him where he could find a boat in the tules near Petaluma Creek, with which he and the few others with him could reach San Francisco and join the naval forces there, where the sloop-of-war ‘‘Warren’’ was anchored. Boggs and his party availed themselves of this opportunity and found the boat, which they took possession of and made their way to San Francisco, where, as already heretofore stated, they connected them- selves as volunteers in the U. S. Marine Corps during the war. It would take a large volume to give a complete biography of Gen- eral Vallejo and do him justice for his good deeds and noble character. We knew him intimately from July, 1850, to January 1, 1854, and was City Clerk under him when he was Mayor of Sonoma and the Hon. Wm. M. Boggs was Councilman. : Everything he did was on a liberal scale. He was the father of seventeen children, eight of whom are still living. Two of his daugh- ters married officers and members of Colonel Stevenson’s Regiment of New York Volunteers, Captain John B. Frisbie and Dr. Frisbie, his brother; another, Mr. James H. Cutter, of San Francisco; two others, Colonel Harazthy and his brother; and so, with American and Euro- pean grafts upon this vigorous Vallejo stock, the sap and currents of life flow in common. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention which met at Monterey, September 1, 1849, and helped to frame the first Constitu- tion of the State of California. He was elected and served as State Senator from Sonoma District; and, as Chairman of the Committee on Counties and County Boundaries, divided the State into twenty-seven Counties, gave them their names, and explained their derivation and meaning, and rendered most excellent service in legislation. He formed a copartnership with Thomas O. Larkin (the first and only U. S. Con- sul to California when under the Mexican Government), and with Dr. Robert Semple (who was the Secretary of State of the short-lived Bear Flag Republic and afterwards President of the Constitutional Conven- tion at Monterey). ‘These three formed a copartnership and laid out the City of Vallejo (which for a short time was the Capital of the State), and the City of Benicia, named in honor of his wife. He was LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 123 elected and served as Mayor of Sonoma in 1852-3; and for several vears he was Treasurer of the State Horticultural Society, and for a Jong time he was a revered and honored member of several California Pioneer Societies, and of the «Native Sons of the Golden West,” of which latter order he was the oldest representative. At an early hour on Saturday morning, January 18, 1890, he passed away at his home at Lachryma Montis, at the foot of the hills on the northern edge of the town of Sonoma, which he laid out, founded, gar- risoned and fostered with a fatherly pride and care for a period of fifty- four years until his death, at the ripe old age of 81 years, 6 months and 3 days, mourned by his wife and family and the whole community. After the solemn services of his church for the dead, his grandsons were his pall-bearers, who sorrowfully and reverently bore the remains of their loved and honored grandsire to their last resting place in the little cemetery on the brow of the hill overlooking the town of Sonoma and the, beautiful ‘‘Valley of the Moon,” made famous in California history by this founder of three cities north of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, and whose name shines out in brilliancy at the top of the scroll in the Pantheon and Capitol as the Father and Chief Founder of our Golden State. “Green be the shade above thee, Friend of my better days; None knew thee but to love thee, None named thee but to praise.” By invitation and request of the citizens of Sonoma and his daugh- ter Mrs. Emparan, and with her assistance, we planted an oak tree on the plaza of Sonoma, on February 7th, 1902, in honor of the memory of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, and christened the plaza as “VALLEJO SQUARE,’ delivering an oration and eulogy upon his noble life and character, which was published in full in the Sonoma Expostior at the time by Mr. W. R. Stammers, to whom we are indebted for val- uable information and favors. His widow, Francisca Benicia Carrillo Vallejo, did not long survive him, when she, too, found rest at his side. [Her brother, Julio Car- rillo. was the owner and founder of Santa Rosa, located on the Santa Rosa Rancho, which we helped to survey in 1851, and it has for nearly fiftv vears been the county-seat of Sonoma County. | Tt was but a just tribute to the memory of General Vallejo, when we selected his beautiful granddaughter, Miss Alma M. Cutter, of San Francisco, to represent California at the Celebration of the Fiftieth An- niversary of the Organization of the Legislature and State Government at San Jose, on December 20, 1899. The personification and foul en- semble was all that could be desired, and worthy of her, and all con- nected with that historic occasion. But we must pass on to the next Chapter. ATP ET A er i cn AA EE — m= En A CE = EE ——————————————— TT AE RE AN Tr LEE RL SN Ri 124 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT PART II. CELEBRATIONS OF THE FORTIETH AND FIFTIETH ANNIVER- SARIES OF THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG AT MONTEREY, BY COMMODORE JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U. S. N., AND THE SLOAT MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. CHAPTER X. In the years 1885 and 1886, there were probably, in round num- bers, not far from one thousand Veterans of the Mexican War of 1846-8 in California, who came in the early days after the war ended, a minority of whom belonged to the Associated Veterans of the Mexi- can War in San Francisco, and local societies of Comrades in Sacra- mento, Stockton, Loos Angeles and elsewhere, besides those in Oregon and Nevada; but the great majority were scattered, impoverished, needy or destitute. Many of the latter, falling behind in the battle of life and lingering upon the ‘‘ragged edge’’ of existence, were in the County Almshouses, and awaiting to be finally mustered out. Some had been removed to the Soldiers’ Homes, where they had preserved their papers and could prove their identity. Others, too proud, and who would rather starve than to have their sense of manhood blunted by going even to a ‘““‘Home’’ and have to submit to the strict rules of a proper regulation necessary to maintain systematic order and govern- ment required to carry on such institutions successfully. The Associated Veterans of the Mexican War in San Francisco took the initiative in a petition to Congress to pass a General Service Pension Bill for the Veterans of the Mexican War throughout the United States, and at their own expense sent their Past President, Cap- tain William Blanding, to Washington to appear before the Committee on Pensions, to give information and advocate the passage of the Bill. To aid his efforts and call the attention of Congress more particu- larly to the urgent necessity of the measure, the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War resolved to draw the attention of the whole coun- try to what had been achieved in the addition of an empire in territory and of billions of wealth, as the fruits of their bravery and services in battle and otherwise, in securing this broad and matchless domain, which, without them, would have been forever lost to the American LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 125 people. They, therefore, resolved to hold a celebration at Monterey, Cal., on the fortieth anniversary of the taking possession of California and raising the American flag at that place, on July 7, 1846, by Com- modore Sloat, of the U. S. Navy. And as the Veterans of the Mexican War, in service, preceded those who served in the late War for the preservation of the Union by fully fifteen years, they would begin the festivities of what was to follow by those of welcome to the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, to be held in San Francisco and elsewhere in California a month later in that year. In accordance therewith, a Committee of Arrangements was ap- pointed, of which Major Edwin A. Sherman was made Chairman, and the Society of California Pioneers, and the Native Sons of the Golden West, were invited to cooperate by appointing similar but auxiliary committees, and working in harmony, full arrangements were made, the U. S. Government cooperating by General O. O. Howard, com- manding the Pacific Division of the Army, sending Major Haskins’ Battery of Light Artillery to fire salutes on shore, and Captain C. L. Hooper, commanding the Revenue Cutter “Rush,” to fire salutes in the Harbor of Monterey, there being no naval vessel then here in com- mission. Not desiring to arouse any ill-feeling on the part of the native Spanish California population, to make it appear as if it was a celebra- tion of special triumph over them, but to represent the progress of civ- ilization from its commencement in California, General Mariano Guada- lupe Vallejo, of Sonoma, was invited to be present, and consented to raise the Spanish flag, under which he was born, and the Mexican flag, under which he held a General's commission, and also to deliver an address, and Captain Joseph B. Coghlan, of the U. S. Navy, to raise the American flag, all three flags upon the old Custom House. The celebration took place with great eclat on the sth of July, to blend the Fourth with the 7th—Independence Day and the Anniver- sary of Commander Sloat’s raising the flag, on July 7, 1846, at the same time. The Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, with other comrades, the Pioneer Societies, Native Sons of the Golden West and other organizations, were under the direction of Dr. Westfall, of Mon- terey, as Grand Marshal, formed in line, and, after marching through the principal streets, were conducted to the old Custom House, in front of which a large platform had been constructed, and at the northeast and southwest corners, two additional poles had been erected, with ropes and pulleys attached. Major Haskins, with his Light Battery, promptly took his position on the U. S. Military Reservation, and Cap- tain Hooper, with the Revenue Cutter ‘‘Rush,”” was at anchor in readi- ness in the Harbor. wm A A Ai ATA I SANA ET, RE EE vn rr NF i ER 126 L1FE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT When all had arrived and the Officers of the Day had taken their places on the Grand Stand, Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, introduced Captain Thomas G. Lam- bert, representing Monterey’s President of the Day, who delivered the ollowing eloquent address of welcome: “My. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : On this, the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, and the fortieth of the adoption of California, the citizens of Monterey welcome you, the Asso- ciated Veterans of the Mexican War; welcome, the Pioneers of California; wel- come, the representatives of the Army and Navy of the United Slates; welcome, the Native Sons of the Golden West; and welcome, the ladies and gentlemen of this grand assemblage from every walk in life—all thrice welcome to this historic spot. ‘Here, forty years ago, a gallant son of the Navy flung to the breeze the starry banuer, our nation’s emblem, that placed California under the protecting care of the American Republic. Near this spot was framed the Constitution under which California sprang forth as a golden star in the silvery constellation of our glorious Union. “To the Veterans of the Mexican War is our country indebted for this price" less gem in its native state. When these have passed from the scenes of their labors and triumphs, to the brighter shore beyond, may you, the Sons of the Golden West, preserve its brightness still undimmed for ages yet to come. The transfer of the State Government, the fleeting tide of population and the flight of swift-winged commerce to the Golden Gate, left Monterey, for many years, almost desolate and abandoned. As was exclaimed by the prophet of old, ‘How doth the city sit solitary that was so full of people! How has she become as a a widow!” But her widowhood has passed. To-day Monterey, like Venus arising from the sea in her beauty, though shorn of her tresses, still remembering the days of old, greets her invited guests with her ancient hospitality, though unpre- pared for this tidal wave of humanity that has rushed in upon her. And row we extend to you the freedom of California’s ancient capital, wherein to partici- pate in the festivities that commemorate the day on which the gallant Sloat raised the American flag, the proud banner of a great nation.” Captain Samuel Deal, President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, responded in appropriate and eloquent terms. Governor Stoneman, President of the Day, being absent, Captain Wm. IL. Duncan, Past President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, acted as Master of Ceremonies, and introduced Rev. James O. Rayner, Chaplain of the U. S. Army and Chaplain of the Day, who offered up an eloquent and fervent prayer, during which the audience stood uncovered. [Chaplain Rayner was present at Sitka, in Alaska Territory, when the Russian flag was lowered by the officers of the Russian Navy and ‘the American flag hoisted by the officers of the U. S. Revenue Cutter “Lincoln,” in 1866. ] General Matiano Guadalupe Vallejo, who had been invited to de- ‘liver an address and. to raise the Spanish flag under which he was born, LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 127 and the Mexican flag under which he had held commissions as already stated, was then introduced, and before hoisting those flags, spoke as follows in Spanish: [Translated by Major Edwin A. Sherman, and translation approved by General Vallejo.) «Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : Invited by you, tiie Veterans of the war with Mexico, to take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America, | must commence by offering you my sincere expressions of gratitude for the unmerited honor which you have be- stowed upon me, in selecting me to raise on this memorable day, with the honors and solemnity of the occasion, the flags of Spain and Mexico, that in no remote time in the past have waved in this historical city with equal glory with ‘“I'HE BANNER OF THE STARS. «I do not come here to pronounce a discourse, nor much less to portray the history of this country, for it would be too arduous a duty, on an occasion like the present, which requires a more qualified and eloquent voice than mine to undertake the task. I desire to depend solely on those grand actions which, under the first of those glorious ensigns, the immortal Christopher Columbus opened to the eyes of humanity a new world, that much later was destined to be the classic land of liberty, and which, by the ingratitude that always pursues the enterprising benefactors of the people, does not bear his name, but that of the illustrious navigator, Americus Vespucius. “Permit me, gentlemen, to express in my native tongue, in the beautiful idom spoken by the discoverers of this continent. Distrusting any improvisation which might treacherously obscure my words, causing me to forget my ideas and and lose my train of thought, I have written out the following, as far as my fee- bleness will permit: «Three hundred and ninety-four years have passed since the Catholic King and Queen of Spain, “FERDINAND AND ISABELLA, met at the siege of Granada, and when King Boabdil came out with fifty war- riors to deliver the keys of the city to the Moors, saying, ‘Sire, we are yours; the finger of God has so disposed, and your Majesty can enter into the city of Granada.’ And the finger of God has also disposed that under the reign of those illustrious sovereigns should be consummated the grandest act recorded in his- tory; that on retiring from Granada that they should meet anew with Christopher Columbus, who, disheartened in calling in vain at the doors of all the Kings of Europe for aid in his grand enterprise, presented his last effort to the crown of Spain. Like that enlightened genius, Galileo, he was then the victim of misfor- tune, as others have been much later, of the ingratitude of men, but who must still suffer and drink from “THE BITTER CHALICE. While complaining of new opposition and disappointment, King Ferdinand refused to give any aid, on account of the depleted treasury, impoverished by the war which he had sustained to the end; but a woman, one of the noblest of women, upon whose forehead shone, with more light than the royal diadem, the brilliant light of genius and of glory, made generous dcnations of her ornaments and of the jewels of her crown, that they might be sold to aid the enterprise of the illustrious Genoese mariner, who was destined to penetrate the fathomless ETRE TTT e——————— tng a me: SSR ad SE A NR i NA AL mF en A 0% rn an Emaar : RR TAR 128 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT arcana, and bear to the surface, in his last extremity, the secrets therein hidden It was impossible for the great Isabella not to read in that clear forehead so many times dejected, the fu'l light of intelligence and truth. Intoxicated with joy, Columbus directed his way to Palos, and, in company with Pinzon, prepared the feeble flotilla with which he was to defy the furious elements in suave of ¢ world until then unknown. : “THREE CARAVELS formed the expedition, ‘La Santa Maria,” ‘La Pinta’ and ‘La Nifia,” two of which were without cover or upper deck. Who could think of such — plowin the seas, that were destined to work a great revolution in the history of he world? And so it was, gentlemen; for in only six weeks Columbus was to realize the project which for so long a time enlightened his intelligence. A new world was presented to his sight. That land, the object of his continuous voyages, the confirmation of his conjectures, was destined to afterwards adorn the foaplis of his protector with a jewel more precious than all her royal crown. It was here gentlemen, the finishing strokes, as realized under the standard of Castile sii occurred. Twenty years afterward, j HERNANDO DE CORTES, with a brave heart, and carried forward by his martial instinct, disobeyed the orders of Diego de Velasquez, Governor of Cuba, and relying apo the valor of his sword and the daring and pride of the Spanish race, undertook the conquest of Anahuac, disembarking at Vera Cruz on the 21st day of April, 1519, then burn- ing his ships that there might be no retreat, either of himself or any of the others in the grand enterprise that he had entered upon. A heroic act, and anequaled in the records of history. The red flames which issued from the decks of those ships were not more than feeble and pallid reflections of the sun of Charles the Fifth, brilliant then from pole to pole. “Two years sufficed for the empire of Montezuma to disappear under the valorous impulses of the Castilian forces. The city of Tenochtitlan was occu- pied by the conqueror, and the flag of Spain from thence floated throughout the extensive dominions of the Aztec monarchy to the uttermost limit of the con- quest. Here, then, gentlemen, was the cause of that standard waving on this same spot, and in the other inhabited places of Upper California. “Mexico, following the example of the United States, and inspired by the advanced doctrines of the “FRENCH REVOLUTION, proclaimed independence, and on the 27th day of September of 1826, three cen- turies after the taking of Mexico by Cortes, in the same city, the diy of the liberator entered, headed by Don Augustin de Iturbide. Independence having been accomplished and the regency established, the prebendary, Fernandez de Jauregui, was commissioned to proceed to this same city of Monterey to receive the command at the hands of the Spanish authority, When this was accom- plished, the Governor of California was Don Pablo Vicente de Sola; and I, gen- tlemen, then in the dawn of life, and for the first time, saw 18158 and wavin in this place the tri-colored flag. Twenty-five years had passed, and we saw Mexico involved in a war with the United States, the causes and Justice of which I shall not undertake to pass upon, for already the history has been written, and the release by a cession of a part of her territory to this last nation, among which was embraced the State in which we live, and in which I first saw the light. “Commissioned by you to-day to raise those two flags in sign of respect to LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOEN DRAKE SLOAT 129 your predecessors, I accept with pleasure this duty, for I was born on this piece of land and reared under the ensigns of Spain and Mexico, the two which I salute at this hour with all the fervor of my soul.” General Vallejo then spoke ex fempore in English, being loudly cheered, and then reverently raised the Spanish and Mexican flags respectively, which were saluted by the Light Battery K, First Regi- ment U. S. Artillery, Major Haskins commanding, and the U. S. Rev- enue Cutter “Richard Rush,” Captain C. L. Hooper commanding, with twenty-one guns each, the audience cheering each flag as it went up. Master J. B. Whittemore, Jr., then a lad of ten years of age, and the great-grandson of Commodore Sloat, then brought forward the Ameri- can flag and presented it to Captain Charles F. Williams, of the U. S. Marine Corps (Captain Joseph B. Coghlan, of the U. S. Navy, being sick and unable to attend), who then raised it to the top of the original flagstaff, where it was first hoisted by order of Commodore Sloat. A National salute of thirty-eight guns was fired by the Light Battery of Artillery and by the Revenue Cutter ‘‘Richard Rush,”’ during which the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was played by the Monterey Band and sung by the entire audience. The Declaration of Independence was then read in a very effective manner by W. R. Merritt, of Monterey Parlor, No. 75, of the Native Sons of the Golden West, followed by “Hail Columbia” by the band. Lieutenant J. B. Whittemore, the grandson of Commodore Sloat, then received from the hands of Hiram T'. Graves, Esq., the Secretary of the Society of California Pioneers of San Francisco, loaned for the occasion, the original proclamation of his illustrious grandfather, which he read in a clear and audible tone of voice, which was received with three hearty cheers, and then delivered to Mr. Graves, the custodian. Letters with good wishes were received from President Grover Cleveland, Governor George Stoneman, Hon. George C. Perkins, Ex- Governor; Major General Oliver O. Howard, of the U. S. Army; Rear Admiral R. W. Shufeldt, U. S. Navy; Commodore Geo. E. Belknap, Mare Island Navy Yard; Captain Joseph B. Coghlan, U.S. N.,,and other distinguished public citizens. The following telegram was received from General and read: John C. Fremont TELEGRAM. ‘WASHINGTON, July 3, 1886. Many thanks for cordial invitation. Regret sincerely that I cannot join in commemorating the day we raised our flag and broadened the sovereignty of the American people to the Pacific shores. I send the Pioneers and Comrades my fraternal and hearty congratulations. “JoEN C. FREMONT. “To Major Edwin A. Sherman : sident of the Associated Veterans Captain William L. Duncan, Ex-Pre 130 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT of the Mexican War and Master of Ceremonies of the occasion, then stepped forward and said: “My. President, Comrades, Pioneers and Fellow-Citizens: Before introduc- ing the Orator of the Day, it is eminently just and proper that due credit shall be given to our Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, who has so faithfully performed his duty in making this celebration a harmonious and perfect success. To him are we indebted for the conception of this affair, and the masterly manner in which it has so grandly been brought to perfection. For nearly two months he has devoted his time and services, as well as money, written hundreds of let- ters of invitation, inspired our Comrades and fellow-citizens all over the State to give their earnest attention to this celebration. His personal influence with Major General Oliver O. Howard, commanding the Pacific Division of the U S. Army, caused that distinguished soldier, gentleman and patriot to send the Bat- tery of Flying Artiliery to fire the national salutes from the shore, and with Captain C. L. Hooper, of the U. S. Revenue Cutter ‘Richard Rush,’ to represent the Navy in also firing the salutes in the harbor, to whom we are most profoundly grateful for their kindness and services on this occasion, which is one long to be remembered by the people here present. “But our Comrade has not only done this, but that most difficult task of cov- ering the sharp thorns of the cactus of national prejudice of birth of the native Californians, once subjects of Spain and citizens of Mexico, but who, by treaty, were transferred to another nationality and citizenship, with which they had once been in conflict, to unite with us in this celebration. And the most distin- guished general, statesman and patriot which California has produced, was born here in Monterey, the subject of Spain, who became a citizen of Mexico by the revolution for independence and a faithful military officer under that Govern- ment, honors us here to-day by his presence, and in raising the flags of the two nationalities under which he was born and reared, on the spot that gave him birth, our honored guest and fellow-citizen, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, with whose assistance we have been enabled to thoroughly and completely cause the native Californians, also our fellow-citizens, to fraternize with us on this auspicious occasion. “To Captain Thomas G. Lambert, and all the other citizens of Monterey, are we greatly indebted for their efforts and labors rendered to make this a memora- ble event, worthy to be preserved in the annals of not only the old Capital of Monterey of the State of California, but of the United States at large. “I now take pleasure in presenting to you our esteemed Comrade, the Chair- man of the Committee of Arrangements and the Orator of the Day, Major Edwin A. Sherman.” The Oration was a descriptive historical review in brief of the events hereinbefore given in this work, and we only give the following ex- tracts and conclusion wvhen we said: “When a nation commences to forget its heroes, its decay has already begun. The Veterans of the Mexican War have made the United States Government a pensioner upon their valor; the vast territory acquired and secured, with billions of treasure they bave added to the national wealth, enabled it to maintain its credit amidst the throes of a mighty and unparalleled civil war. “When Spain invaded and conquered Mexico, she entered with the sword and LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 131 cross, plundered the people, and for nearly three centuries and a half, ground them into the earth, and left them in blood and misery. When the Army and Navy of the United States invaded Mexico in defense of the national honor, they carried the sword, the olive branch and the purse, paid the full value of every- thing they took, and while they fought the Mexican troops, they successfully cultivated and won the confidence of the people; they retired with honor and without a single stain upon our national escutcheon, The glorious record of our achievements in the past is secure. But a few years more and we shall have passed away, and ere the last roll is called and we are mustered out, let Califor- nia, at least, gratify our vision by an act of justice and duty, which for the long period of forty years she has neglected. “Massachusetts has set up her monument at Plymouth Rock, where sleep the Pilgrim Fathers, to commemorate their indomitable courage and sterling virtues; and from Bunker Hill, there rises a shaft pointing to heaven, where fell the heroes of the first great battle in the War of the Revolution for Liberty and American Independence. By the banks of the I’otomac at the Capital of the Nation, there stands an obelisk of unparalled height and beauty, the tribute of the nations of the earth, in honor of the ‘Father of Our Country,’ the immortal Washington. Lincoln and Garfield are remembered in granite and marble and bronze; and the statues of hundreds of America’s sons adorn the pantheon of the nation. At the entrance of the spacious harbor of New York, there has been erected the grandest monument of art, the gift of the Republic of France (the home and resting place of Lafayette), the mammoth but graceful statue of ‘Lib- erty Enlightening the World.” So here, on this long-neglected spot, on the shore of the boundless western sea, faithfully guarded and kept for twenty years by a son of Massachusetts, Captain Thomas G. Lambert, let a monument of the finest granite be erected, and on a pedestal of our richest gold-bearing quartz, a statue of bronze, thickly plated with gold, a true likeness of the Admiral John Drake Sloat set up, and California pay that just tribute which is due from this Golden Empire of the Pacific, to him who added honor, glory and renown to a long and illustrious life, to whose foresight, daring and skill, California’s bright star now shines unequaled in the constellation of the American Union. [Applause.] “But a few words more and I am done. Let this golden, blood-bought land purchased with the valor and lives of the bravest hearts of the nation, which never knew defeat, glorified with the diadem and halo of American progress and civilization by our Comrade Pioneers, who piloted the way for the swift-footed steeds, the iron cavalry of the plains, whose squadrons leap the ‘mountains, and, charging in masses, have driven the mustangs from the field, also drive from our shores this foul-breeding curse of Mongolian pollution, which is poisoning our land with its deadly exhalations, and sweep from the face of the earth the vermin of the sand-lot and this foreign invasion of anarchy and communism. “Then let the last roll-call be sounded at life’s evening retreat; and as our eves shall behold the sun in his crimson robes of splendor, in his glowing chariot of fire, with the drapery of his golden clouds gathered about him, and as he sinks beyond yon azure sea, photographing upon the skies in radiant colors our starry banner of the free, then, and then only, can we exclaim, that the Republic to us has not been ungrateful.” The following resolution was then offered by Hon. John M. Buf- fington, of Oakland, President of the Alameda and Contra Costa Pio- neer Society, with a few well-timed remarks: 132 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT “ Resolved, That a committee of thirteen be appointed to take immediate steps for the organization of the Sloat Monument Association, for the purpose of erecting a suitable monument in this place to the memory of the illustrious Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat, which shall be a proper tribute, expressive of the ap” preciation of his great patriotism and merits, by the people of California.” The resolution was ably seconded by Dr. Washington Ayer, M. D., of San Francisco, and a member of the Society of California Pioneers, who spoke as follows: «ply. President : In seconding the resolution, I desire to say, to-day we cele- brate two of the most important events in the history of our Republic—the Declaration of Independence and the acquisition of California to the territory of the United States, which forever fixed the boundaries of our country upon the shores of two great oceans. “The acquisition of this territory was the achievement of the bold and heroic acts of the Commander of the United States fleet of the Pacific, who raised the Stars and Stripes where we now stand, and issued his proclamation on the mem- orable 7th day of July, 1846. «A little more than a decade had passed from that event, and while the echo of the salute was yet reverberating among the hills—following the laws of evolu- lution to a higher civilization,— forces were operating which made war between the North and South inevitable, and it came, in all its thundering majesty, gloom and fury, upon us. «It then seemed most providential that this newly-acquired country had be come a ‘fixed star’ in the sisterhood of States, and was loyal to the Union. Then the mountains and ravines of California gave their gold to assist in carrying the war to a successful termination in the interest of republican liberty and universal freedom. “In the presence of these facts, the historic old town of Monterey should feel a special pride in this celebration to-day, and in view of these facts, also, this is a suitable occasion to inaugurate a movement to perpetuate in granite and in bronze the name and memory of the valiant Commodore John Drake Sloat, and voice cannot better be employed than to say ‘aye’ to the resolution in suck an earnest manner that it shall cause the sound to echo from the Pacific to the Atlantic shore, until the sentiment shall find response in every true American heart,” : The resolution was unnanimously adopted and the following com- mittee appointed: Hon. John M. Buffington, Ex-Governor George C. Perkins and Major Edwin A. Sherman, of Oakland; D. J. Staples, Joseph G. East- land and William T. Suresay, of the Society of California Pioneers of San Francisco; Captain Thomas J. Knipe, Captain William L. Duncan and Hon. W. C. Burnett, of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War; Hon. William M. Boggs, of Napa; Captain Thomas G. Lam- bert, Hon. Jesse D. Carr and Francis Doud, of Monterey County. Captain Thomas G. Lambert, President of the Day for Monterey, then introduced Mrs. Eliza A. Pittsinger, the Poet of the Day, who then recited a fine original poem in a fervent and eloquent manner. REV. BRO. A. A. MCALISTER, 32° Fortv-three years a Chaplain of the U. S. Navy. Act- ing Assistant Grand Chaplain. Grand Primate and Charter Member of the Grand Consistory of California, Oct. 12, 1870. Chaplain of Solano Lodge No. 229, F. & A. \L.. at Vallejo, Cal. As a dispenser of the '‘Bread of Lite’ upon the waters or upon shore, and in attending tothe sick, the wounded, and dying, he has been faithful to his calling, to the Brethren of the Household of the Faithful, ard to his fellow-man. Forty-two and a half years a Master Mason. ION. FRANK MATTISON, P. M. Cour iy Assessor of Santa Clara County, Past Grand Presid. nt N. S. G. W. W. BRO. JAMES LAFAYETTE COGSWELL P. M. of Crockett Lodge No. 139, and now of California Lodge No. 1. Right Venerable Grand Treasurer, 1893, 4.5. 6,7, 8,09, 1900, I. Past M.V. Grand President of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, 1885 9. California Pioneer of 1849. God never made a better- hearted man or a truer Mason. Of prompt, generous impulses, foremost to help others at all times, and utterly forgetful of self. MAJOR JOHN L. BROMLEY, M. M. OF OAKLAND, CAL. Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association ot California. A native of the Monumental City of Balti- more, Maryland, President of the Alameda County So- ciety of Veterans of the Mexican War, and a Pioneer. He was a brave soldier and officer in the Battles in front of the City of Mexico in 1847. A respectable and honor ed citizen and a good man. DAVID W. STANDIFORD, 33° Pioneer of 1849. Residence, Oakland, Cal. Active Member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. BRO. LEWIS AMISS SPITZER Right Venerable Grand Marshal, 1897, 8.9, 1900, 1, 2, of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. A native of the State of Virginia, the “Mother of Presi- dents,” Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Har- rison, and Tyler, all Masons. Bro. Spitzer is deservedly one of the most popular Masons and public men cf Santa Clara County. A noble-hearted, whole-souled, generous, and hospitable gentleman. In 1882 he was called from his farm and stock-raising to fill the high and important trust of Assessor of that County, and at the completion of his present term will have been twenty consecutive years in that office by election of the people without regard to his politics. ‘‘An honest man is the noblest work of God.” MISS CLARA K. WITTENMYER OF MARTINEZ, CAL. Special Maid of Honor and Representative of Contra Costa County. Daughter of Hon. Lewis C. Wittenmyer, P. M., a Pioneer of 1849, and granddaughter of Comrade Capt. John Wittenmyer, a Veteran of the Mexican War, She is a Past President and the Chaplain of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Her father at present is Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Roy Arch Masons of California. : ,- HON. WM. FRANK PIERCE, P.M.L.G M..3% P.M, P.C.H.P Grand Commander of Knights Templar of C fornia: Treasurer General of the Supreme Council. ACU] Inspector General for California. Life Mem! T of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Cou t. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 133 As she was also the Poet of the Day at the Semi-Centennial Celebra- tion or Golden Jubilee at Monterey on July 7, 1896, she gave the same poem, but revised and amplified, which will be found printed in full in the account of that celebration in its regular order. « America’’ was then played by the band and sung by the entire audience. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. H. S. Snodgrass, the Chaplain of Monterey. The audience then dispersed after standing three hours and a half, listening with intense interest, to hear and see all that was done; and a large portion then went to Colton Hall, to listen to the Hon. Elisha O. Crosby, one of the members of the first Constitutional Convention, which met at Monterey in September, 1849, and framed the first Con- stitution of California. [We will here mention as a fact, that Hon. Elisha O. Crosby was the grandson of Washington’s Spy of the Revolution, of which Wash- ington Irving has given so graphic an account. ] Standing in Colton Hall, on the spot occupied by him as a member of the Constitutional Convention, Hon. Elisha O. Crosby delivered the following reminiscent remarks: «“T'he establishment of civil government in California was accomplished during scenes of the wildest excitement, unequaled in the annals of time. The sails of the Argonauts whitened the ocean along our borders and poured their over- crowed decks, by thousands and tens of thousands, upon our shores. The length- ened immigrant train, like an invading army, came teeming with its mighty hosts of stalwart men to swell the excited throng; and all engaged in the desperate struggle for rapid fortune in the golden sands of California. Fach man came armed with deadly weapons, to enforce the will of its owner, the only law that was recognized in the land. “It has been well said ‘that the state of things realized the anarchist’s ideal— no government and no laws.’ Life was cheap and property insecure, and the preservation of the one, and the possession of the other, was held at the mercy of the death-dealing revolver, held in the hands of passion, which too often dealt causeless desolation. “The organization of a government, and the enforcement of equal laws in California, was a fight for the survival of the fittest, with order and safety, or anarchy and bloodshed. It was no holiday task. We met here, now nearly thirty-seven years ago, to make the Constitution for the government of a new State, defining its boundaries and directing the enactment of a system of laws to control the passion of this great concourse, of a varied population gathered from every nation and clime, and to bring order out of chaos, give security to life and protection to property; and all this without the least authority from Congress, representing the nation that had so lately acquired this vast region from Mexico. “Responsive to the call of that brave and patriotic hero, General Bennett Riley, forty-eight delegates from all parts of the country, constituting the present State, met here in Colton Hall, in this town of Monterey, and with brief prelude and shorter speeches, set ourselves at work. 134 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT “‘The first question to settle was, Shall we organize a Territorial form of gov- ernment? Was answered ‘NO!’ emphatically ‘NO! Shall we organize a State? ‘VES.’ And a State fully organized and perfect; with freedom for every human being within its borders. Speaking of borders, reminds me that we discussed pretty fully the lay of the land, and from the best information we could gather, we took all the country we knew to be worth anything, and all that we had an idea would ever prove to be of value. Time has demonstrated that we guessed wisely and right. We took to the crest of the Sierras and left the rest to Nevada, Salt Lake and the Mormons. “We took the best from all the Constitutions of the different States; and if wisdom we displayed, it was in selecting the best; modifying and adjusting these provisions to the necessities of the new State. “Our wives and sweethearts were in the other States and in foreign lands. San Francisco had grown a city of 25,000 men, while perchance a single female now and then appeared upon the street, and whose presence caused a stampede to the doors*and windows to see her vanish around the next corner. “With the exception of my friend General Vallejo, and a few other thrice- blessed residents of California, we were without a house, and that divinity, a wife. We all realized the propriety, in fact, the necessity, of encouraging, by every means, our wives and loved ones to follow us to California. Texas, then like California, much in want of female population, had four years before, in adopting a Constitution, sounded the tocsin of freedom to women, by giving her an equal estate and right of separate property with the man and husband, and an equal share of community property, with liberal homestead and exemption laws, for her protection. “It is among the most pleasing remembrances of these latter days of life, that I had a share and did what I could to secure to the wives and daughters of Cali- fornia this inestimable boon, and thereby enfranchising them from the old Eng- lish law brought to this country by our fathers, that merged the wife in the hus- band—her name, fortune and control, to the right of chastisement with the rod. Mindful of the rising generation (and with great hopes for their abundant in- crease when our wives and sweethearts arrived on these Pacific shores), we directed that the 500,000 acres of land given to all new States on their admission by the general government should be dedicated forever to educational purposes. How well, or otherwise, the various Legislatures have administered this trust, I do uot know. “And so J might extend this review of what we did, and why and how it was done, but time and weariness admonish me to close. It is with grateful recol- lection of the good people of Monterey. I thank them for the hospitality we received, and the entertainment they extended to the delegates of the first Con- stitutional Convention. «How with willing hands and cheerful smiles they prepared the fortillas and toothsome Zomales and dulces and frescos, to stay the hungry delegates; and how the fair daughters, with winsome way, joined the younger members in the Span- ish dance! «It was not a melancholy body of men, by any means, that first Convention, but earnest workers, who meant business first, and social happiness when their work was done. «Well do I remember the last day of our sitting, when, amid the cannon roar from the old fort on the hill, we signed our names, and General Riley, with LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 135 streaming eyes, declared it a happier day for him than when his soldiers cheered him on the heights of Contreras over their victory won. «And then hand clasped hand as we separated, many of us for the last time on earth. Our Secretary survives to call the roll, but how few there be to answei ! A few more years all will have passed away. Our work survived, and since the day we separated here, a generation has grown to manhood, to reap the benefits and blessings of our labor. May its influences continue for all time to come. “In the name of those departed, and the little band that yet remains, I ask those who take our places, to preserve the good we did in this first step to found a constitutional government in California,” Hon. Elisha O. Crosby was heartily cheered by his audience, which then dispersed. The festivities at Monterey closed with a Grand Ball, given by Monterey Parlor of the «Native Sons of the Golden West’ in La- porte’s Hall, which had been beautifully decorated for the occasion. At the Hotel Del Monte a fine display of fireworks was given in the evening, and at Pacific Grove a torchlight procession, fireworks and various exercises of a patriotic order were held. : The celebration in every way was a success, and worthy of the his- toric occasion commemorated, and to the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War in particular was the credit chiefly due in inaugurating the movement which produced such happy results. Two of the principal objects of this celebration were effected. It aided Captain Blanding before the Committee on Pensions at Washing- ton in securing the passage of the Service Pension Bill, giving to all Veterans of the Mexican War of the age of 62 years and upwards a pension of eight dollars per month, to the relief and delight of many a proud but needy Veteran, as well as those whose spirit of self-reliance had waned beneath the weight of privation and old age. And it also started the movement for the erection of the first National Monument on the Pacific Coast, and at Monterey, where the American flag was first hoisted by the authority of the U. S. Government during the war with Mexico, and by that patriotic and gallant officer, then Commodore John Drake Sloat And so ended the first really National Celebration and of the For- tieth Anniversary of that glorious event when California first became a part of the Grand Continental Territory of the American Union. The public attention was now drawn to the great preparations being made for the reception to the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic to which a large number of the Veterans of the Mexican War belonged or had served in the War for the preservation of the Union. The arrival, welcome and entertainment with Califor- nia’s proverbial hospitality, which was fully maintained, occupied the minds of the members of the Committee appointed at Monterey, as was 136 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT the case with everybody else, and necessarily postponed any meeting for several months, until the time was propitious for calling it after the general State election had been held, when, in pursuance of the resolu- tion adopted at Monterey, the Hon. John M. Buffington, acting as Chairman of said Committee, appointed Major Edwin A. Sherman as Acting Secretary, and directed him to notify every member to attend a meeting to be held at the office of the Chairman, at No. 309 California street, San Francisco, on Wednesday, December 1, 1886, at 2 o’clock p. M., for the purpose of forming and organizing the Sloat Monument Association. The notice was issued accordingly to each and every member of the Committee. FIRST MEETING OF THE SLOAT MONUMENT COMMITTEE HELD. In pursuance of said call, the following members assembled at the place designated and the hour named: Hon. John M. Buffington, Chairman; Hon. Jesse D. Carr, Hon. Wellington C. Burnett, Captain Thomas J. Knipe, Captain Thomas G. Lambert, Francis Doud and Major Edwin A. Sherman. The following-named members of the Committee sent their excuses for non-attendance, but would heartily concur in the action which might be taken, and desired to be enrolled as members of the Sloat Monument Association when organized, viz.: Ex-Governor George C. Perkins, Captain William L. Duncan, Jo- seph G. Eastland, J. D. Staples and Hon. Wm. M. Boggs. The meeting was called to order by Hon. John M. Buffington, Chairman, and Major Edwin A. Sherman appointed Acting Secretary. The resolution adopted at Monterey, July 5, 1886, and the names of the Committee and the call for the meeting, was then read. After a general discussion of the object for which the meeting had been called and to carry out the intention of the resolution, the follow- ing action was then taken: On motion of Major Edwin A. Sherman and seconded by Thomas G. Lambert, it was unanimously « Resolved, That for the purpose of organization, the gentlemen appointed as the Committee at Monterey, here present, and those who are absent who sent their excuses, but will concur in the action taken at this meeting, and such others as may be selected by them, who may afterwards accept their election as mem- bers, do now constitute themselves into a Society, to be known as THE SLOAT MONUMENT ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA, and that its Officers shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Receiver or Custodian, a Sergeant-at-Armes, and an Executive LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 137 Committee, to consist of Thirteen Members, including the Seven Officers, five of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.” The above resolution having been unanimously adopted, on motion, it was ordered that an election be immediately held to fill the various offices named. The election was then duly held, and the following-named gentle- men were unanimously elected to £11 the various offices until their suc- cessors should be elected, to wit: THE SLOAT MONUMENT ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA ORGANIZED—OFFICERS. Hon. JouN M. BUFFINGTON, of Oakland President CAPTAIN TuoMAs J. KNIPE, of San Francisco. ... First Vice-President Dr. WASHINGTON AYER, of San Francisco......Second Vice-President Major EDWIN A. SHERMAN, of Oakland Secretary Ex-GOVERNOR GEORGE C. PERKINS, of Oakland Treasurer CaprraIN THOMAS G. LAMBERT, of Monterey | Receiver Francis Doub, of Monterey Hon. Jesse D. Carr, of Monterey; Captain Joseph B. Coghlan, U. S. N.; Captain Charles F. Williams, U. S. Marine Corps; Hon. Wel- lington C. Burnett and William T. Garratt, of San Francisco, and Hon. William M. Boggs, of Napa, as the additional members of the Executive Committee. Thus was ‘‘The Sloat Monument Association of California’ culy organized. A general plan and outline of action was duly adopted of carrying out the objects for which it had been formed. Major Edwin A. Sherman, Captain Thomas J. Knipe and William T. Garratt were appointed a Committee of Design and Construction, and a description of what the monument should be was unanimously approved. On motion of Captain Thomas G. Lambert, the Hon. Bradley V. Sargent, State Senator-elect from Monterey County, was unanimously elected to present the petition and draft a bill to be presented before the incoming Legislature appropriating the sum of Twenty-five Thou- sand Dollars for the proposed monument. The first meeting for organ- ization was then adjourned. The Hon. Bradley V. Sargent, Senator from Monterey County, presented the petition and drafted the bill for the proposed monument, which he introduced, and might have been successful, if the amend- ment tacked on, to have it erected in Golden Gate Park, San Fran- cisco, was to be accepted. Boston Common was not Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims landed. long before the city of Boston was located. Monterey was where Commodore Sloat took possession of California, Le — —— I TA RE pT nl ake TE RE SARE Yu 138 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT and hoisted the American flag two days before Commander Mont- gomery, his subordinate, in obedience to the orders of Sloat, raised the American flag and took possession of Yerba Buena, or San Francisco. The Sloat Monument Association protested against this diversion from the real historic spot at Monterey to any other locality. Other bills were repeatedly drawn up for the Legislature’s action, but met with no better fate, and nine long years elapsed before any further attempts were to be made in that direction. The apathy and indifference of politicians and the people generally, who knew but little of the history of the country and apparently cared less, left the Veterans of the Mexican War, in the main, to serve as a forlorn hope reserve of what might be done in the future, with the assistance of a few true and enthusiastic Pioneers belonging to the Sloat Monument Association, to hold it intact and wait for events to transpire. In 1893, the slanderous and libelous attacks upon the members, both living and dead, of the Society of California Pioneers, and others by the false history of Hubert Howe Bancroft, aroused the indignation of that Society to furnace heat. Dr. Washington Ayer, a Vice-Presi- dent of that Society, as well as of the Sloat Monument Association, on October 2, 1893, brought charges against Hubert Howe Bancroft, and presented a resolution for his expulsion as an Honorary Member of that Society. ‘The Committee found the facts to be even worse than stated, gave a thorough investigation, and as their report fully confirmed the _ charges made, that Society, on February 5, 1894, by a unanimous vote of eighty members present, expelled Hubert Howe Bancroft as an Honorary Member therefrom, and its action, with the full report of the Committee, ordered to be printed and distributed throughout the public and prominent private libraries of the United States. Sloat, Fremont, Larkin, Stockton, Vallejo and others, as well as General U. S. Grant, were villified, misrepresented and lied about, and the Veterans of the Mexican War, in sentiment, approved the action taken by the Society of California Pioneers in expelling H. H. Ban- croft, while the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast pur- sued their investigation and examination of H. H. Bancroft’s miscalled “histories,” found them so full of misstatements and malignant villifi- cation so absurd and ridiculous that they refuted themselves; that that Masonic Society took action approving and sustaining the Society of California Pioneers in expelling H. H. Bancroft, for there were Masonic Brethren among those whom he had so grossly slandered and lied about. This aroused a spirit of patriotism among the Pioneers and kept the fires alive for a considerable period afterwards, and gave the Sloat LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 139 Monument Association, largely composed of Veterans of the Mexican War, Pioneers and others, a renewal of hope that something might be done for the Sloat Monnment. Death had invaded the ranks of the Association, and Hon. John M. Buffington, President; Captain Thomas J. Knipe, First Vice-President, with others, had joined the ‘‘great majority.” A meeting was called by the Second Vice-President, Dr. Washington Ayer, at his office, No. »15 Geary street, San Francisco, on February 8, 1896, to elect new officers to fill vacancies, as well as active members. Some twenty new members were elected of first-class citizens of San Francisco and Oak- land, with several officers of the U. S. Navy. Dr. Washington Ayer was elected President, Captain Wm. L. Dun- can, First Vice-President; Colonel Joseph Stewart, U. S. A. (retired), Second Vice-President: the other officers remaining the same, but Hon. Irving M. Scott, Dr. James L. Cogswell, Colonel Frank Pierce (nephew of Ex-President Franklin Pierce), Wm. Frank Pierce, and Rev. A. A. McAlister, Chaplain of the U. S. Navy at Mare Island, were added to the Executive Committee. And it was resolved to cele- brate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American Flag at \lonterey and invite the Veterans of the Mexican War and Pioneers and others to unite in doing so. Thus recruited and strengthened, the Sloat Monument Association took on new life. Its Treasurer, Ex-Governor George C. Perkins, had been elected U. S. Senator, and we had a ‘‘friend now at court.”” He had, on January 20, 1896, taken action, and sent to the Secretary hereof the following letter with a copy of the bill, which was read and 1s here introduced: (coPY) UNITED STATES SENATE, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 22, 18g6. “Edwin A. Sherman, I-sq., “Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association, “7272 Webster street, Oakland, California— «My DEAR SIR: I enclose herewith a copy of the Sloat Monument Bill, which was introduced by me in the Senate. You will see that it is different in form from that which you sent on, which was not in the proper shape for passage. I have drawn up the bill I send after those of a similar nature which have readily passed Congress, and hope that this one may be gotten through without delay. The terms mentioned are the only ones on which an appropriation would be granted, and they leave the Association at liberty to raise whatever money it can and to virtually direct the work. Yours truly, GEO. C. PERKINS. (COPY OF TIE BILL) “sATH CONGRESS, IST SESSION. S. 1609. “IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, “January 20, 1896, a ey | ia | i 140 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT «Mr. Perkins introduced the following bill, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Library. “A BILL “For the erection of a Statue of Commodore John D. Sloat, in the City of Mon- terey, California. “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Slate: of America, in Congress assembled : “That the sum of ten thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be neces- sary, be, and is hereby, appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not oth- erwise appropriated, for the erection of a statue of the late Commodore John D. Sloat, within the limits of the City of Monterey, California, and for the proper preparation, grading and enclosing of the lot and foundation upon which said statue shall be erected, which sum shall be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War, or such officer as he may designate; Provided, That the money appropriated shall be drawn from time to time only as may be required during the progress of the work, and upon the requisition of the Secretary of War; And provided further, That no part of the money hereby appropriated shall be so expended until a design for said statue shall be accepted by the Secretary of War. and until the selection of a suitable lot of land for the erection of said statue, in the United States Custom House or military reservation in the City of Monterey, shall be approved by the said Secretary of War.” Scarcely, however, had Senator Perkins introduced the said bill, than it was most viciously and malignantly attacked both in Washing- ton by letters and by articles in the Oakland Enquirer, by one George Edwards, of the Hubert Howe Bancroft gang, to defeat the passage of the bill and the erection of the Sloat Monument. Every possible means was employed to accomplish their detestable purpose, and the Society of California Pioneers, in expelling H. H. Bancroft from hon- orary membership, turned loose a venomous enemy against not only the Sloat Monument Association, but against every lover of truth and patriotic grateful citizen in California. The following letter from U. S. Senator George C. Perkins and his reply will certainly commend him to the favor and gratitude of every loyal, true-hearted American citizen in California, regardless of any political opinions, be what they may: (cory) “UNITED STATES SENATE, “WASHINGTON, D. C., March 30, 1896. “Hon. Edwin A. Sherman, “1212 Webster street, Oakland, Cal.— “My DEAR SHERMAN: I have had another letter from Mr, Edwards on the Sloat Monument, and enclose you a copy of my reply for your information. “Yours truly, GEo. C. PERKINS.” W. GEORGE EDWIN KENNEDY, 32° Pb. M. of Mosaic Lodge No. 218, Livermore, Cal. Right Venerable Second Grand Steward, 1896, 7, 8,9, 1900, I. He celeprated the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence July 4, 1876, by arriving in California by railroad on that day, and by the stimulating aid of Cali- fornia Climate added thereto, he is fully charged with the spirit of 1776. _As a Mason, he has no superior; as a public spirited citizen and faithful public officer, heisa model for all others. Toved by his brethren and neigh- bors, for he has carried joy into happy homes. Atany rate, we have Bro. Nat B. Holmes’ word for it, and that is as good as a draft upon any bank. ; M. W. EDWARD MYERS PRESTON, P.G M. , P. G. M., 1895. Second Right Venerable Grand Vice- President, 1899, 1900, 1. Arrived in California June 6, 1863, via Panama. Ex State Senator. The Father and Founder of the Preston School of Industry at Ione. Cali- fornia, and ot the Masonic Widows’ and Orphans’ Home at Decoto, Cal. The pillars of his glory and of his fellow citizens and cur fraternal Masonic Veteran’s pride. Member of the Committee of Design and Construction. CAPT. FRANKLIN J. DRAKE, U. S. N. A Master Mason. Late Captain of Mare Island Navy Yard. A member of the Committee of Design and Con- struction of the Sloat Monument Association. ne W. BRO. WASHINGTON AYERS, 32° P.M. P. M. Volcano Lodge No. 56, at Volcano, and Excelsior I.odge No. 166 at San Francisco, Cal. California Pioneer of 1849. One of the truest friends and Masons that ever lived, an affectionate husband and father, and at the very head of his profession as a skilful physician and surgeon. Fourth M. V. Grand President, 1884, of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. (De- ceased.) He was one of the founders of the Sloat Monu- ment Association and President at the time of his death on February 15, 1899. \ MISS ALICE G. CUTTS OF MARE ISLAND Navy YARD GRAND MAID OF HONOR Representative of the U.S. Navy, July 7, 1896. Daughter of Lieut. Commander R. M. Cutts, U.S. N. Greatgrand- daughter of Francis Scott Key, author of the ‘‘Star Spangled Banner.” Niece of Dr. John M. Browne, late Surgeon-General of the U.S Navy, who was surgeon on board of theU. S. Ship “Kearsarge’’ when she sank the Rebel Privateer ‘‘Alabama.” She has since married the gallant Major John T. Myers of the U.S. Marine Corps who was severely wounded while bravely leading the charge upon the gates of Pekin in the late war in China. MISS CAMILLE JOHNSTON OF OakrLaND, CAL. SPECIAL MAID OF HONOR. Daughter of Hon. Joseph E. Johnston, late Supervisor of Alameda County, and who sent the first County Stone for the Monument. She is one of the Committee of De- sign and Construction of the Sloat Monument Associa tion. MISS ALICE STEWART OF BERKELEY, CAL. GRAND MAID OF HONOR Representing the U. S. Army, July 7, 1896. Daughter © Col. Joseph Stewart, U.S. A. (retired). President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. President 0! the Sloat Monument Association of California. A gal lant soldier and officer, a true gentleman of the ol¢ school, and a military pioneer of the Pacific Coast, from California and Nevada to Alaska. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT (COPY) «Geo. Edwards, Esq., “2530 Dwight Way, Berkeley, California— «My DEAR SIR: Your letter enclosing one from Mr. Henry L. Oak, relating to Commodore Sloat, was received to-day. : «] must confess that I am at a loss to understand the opposition which seems to come from one quarter alone, to the proposed monument at Monterey. The ctatue is to commemorate a great event which even Bancroft’s History cannot question—the act of taking possession of a vast territory in the name of the United States, in which the critics now live. I am glad to say, however, that only one or two voices have been raised against the plan, which I hope will be carried through and the statue erected without undue delay. «Although the previous conduct of Commodore Sloat has no bearing upon the fact, that the United States took possession of California on a given date, which action is to be commemorated, it may be well to again point out that there are among the records of the Navy Department no documents reflecting upon that officer in connection with this matter. In fact, the Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 5, 1846, says of the manner in which Sloat carried out his instructions, that he ‘observed the line of conduct prescribed to him with such intelligence and fidelity that no complaint has ever been made of any unauthor- ized aggression on his part;’ and, further on, that, after having availed himself of ‘a permission which had been given him, in his discretion to assign the command to Commodore Stockton, * * * this gallant and meritorious officer arrived at the seat of government.’ «Unless the Report of the Secretary of the Navy to which I refer, and of which I have a copy, printed in 1846, is considered to be a total perversion of truth, it must be acknowledged that the action of Commodore Sloat elicited the praise of the United States Government. The report also shows that he was no? relieved of his command for failing health or for ‘other reasons,’ which latter I submit, even if they existed, it is not the historian’s province to assume to mean ‘vacillation amounting practically to disobedience of orders.” In fact, it seems to me that there has been, in the preparation of that part of the Bancroft history in question, too much assumption, I will submit that ‘the belief of most at that time, is not equivalent to a fact, and that if Commodore Sloat declined to take action in the face of such orders as he had received, until he had authentic news of the commencement of hostilities, he showed himself eminently worthy of the praise which was given him by the Secretary of the Navy, and worthy of the monument which is to be erected at Monterey. “It may be of interest to the writer of the article in the Bancroft history to learn that the most diligent search by Lieutenant Young in the archives of the Navy Department has failed to bring forth any document or reference which detracts from Commodore Sloat’s reputation as a faithful officer. “I would refer you to the official reports, correspondence and data, endorsing Commodore Sloat, to be found in House Executive Documents, 2d Session, 29th Congress, Vol. 1, Doc. 4, pp. 378 and 379, and pp. 640 to 675, inclusive; also, to House Executive Documents, 2d Session, 3oth Congress, Vol. 1, Ex. Doc. No. I, commencing on page 1006. “Yours very truly, GEo. C. PERKINS.” This reply of Senator Perkins ought to have forever silenced this coyote of the Berkeley Hills, but failing in Washington he vainly 142 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT turned his venomous pen against the dead Sloat, and, metaphorically speaking, endeavored to stamp upon him in his grave, by his attacks upon the gallant hero in the Oakland Enquirer. Pending the action of the bill and the deferring of the matter by the Hon. Daniel Lamont, Secretary of War, a direct appeal was made by the Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association to President Cleveland himself, who lent a most gracious ear. We asked that an officer of the U. S. Engineer Corps, or of Gen- eral Forsyth’s staff, be directed to proceed to Monterey to locate the site upon which the monument is to be erected. In accordance there- with the orders duly came, and on May 16, 1896, Lieutenant J. Reynolds Landis, aide on General Forsyth’s staff, accompanied by Captain Cassius E. Gillett, of the U. S. Engineer Corps, proceeded to Monterey, and met us there, and, with Captain Thomas G. Lambert and Mr. Jacob Bagby, went upon the Military Reservation to the spot previously selected by us, immediately in front of the ruined earth- works of old Fort Mervine, and there marked the site for the monu- ment, as now located. These officers returned and made due report, and soon afterwards permission was given by the Secretary of War to proceed and lay the Corner-stone. This much had been gained. Mr. Edward M. Hall, Jr., of Oakland, of the Amador Marble Works, and Mr. Ira L. Delano, of the Rocklin Granite Quarries, gen- erously offered to contribute the Corner-stone, four feet square and two feet in height, and with the name California cut upon its longest face. A larger stone, six feet in length, was adopted, and the difference equal to an additional stone to be paid for, which was afterwards done. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company generously delivered the stone {ree of charge. he various Boards of Supervisors of the several Counties of the State were invited to furnish stones, each to be four feet long, two feet wide and two feet thick, and the name of each County cut in a central line on its longest face, with the date of its organization, and the date, July 7, 1896, the Fifticth Anniversary of the Raising of the American Flag by Commodore Sloat at Monterey. Alameda County was the first County to get its stone at Monterey, while several others quickly followed, of which we shall make mention hereafter. We now have to give an account of the Celebrations of the Fiftieth Anniversaries of the Raising of the Bear Flag at Sonoma, on the 14th of June, and of the American Flag at Monterey, on July 7th, and at San Francisco, on July oth, in their chronological order. LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT INITIATORY PROCEEDINGS. At a regular meeting of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War held at their hall on O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, Cal., on Thursday evening, March 14th, 1895, Major Edwin A. Sherman offered the following resolution: «Resolved, That the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War will celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking possession of California and raising of the American flag at Monterey by Commodore John Drake Sloat of the United States Navy on July 7th, 1846, the celebration to be held at that place on Tuesday, July 7th, 1896, and that a Committee of Arrangements of three be appointed by the President to carry this resolution into effect.” The resolution was unanimously adopted. The following named Comrades were appointed as the Committee of Arrangements: Major Edwin A. Sherman, Col. Joseph Stewart, and Col. Wellington C. Burnett, to which were also added ex officio Presi- dent Major Sydney J. Loop and the Secretary, Capt. William L. Duncan. Subsequently, by reason of the continued absence of Comrade Well- ington C. Burnett in the East, Comrade Charles Lange was appointed in bis place. In September, 1895, Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, at his own expense paid a visit to the City of Washington, to have a personal interview with Hon. H. A. Her- bert, Secretary of the Navy, and to secure, if possible, several vessels of war to aid in the celebration at Monterey. The hearty cooperation of the Secretary of War was promised and telegraphed through to the Secretary of the Association and read at the Annual Banquet on September 14th, 1895, the 48th Anniversary of the triumphant entry of Gen. Winfield Scott and the U. S. Army into the City of Mexico. The Sloat Monument Association of California, composed mainly of Veterans of the Mexican War and Pioneers also took the following action on February 8th, 1896: “On motion, it was unanimously resolved that this Association unite in the celebration by the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, of the Fiftieth Anni- versary of the hoisting of the American flag at Monterey on the 7th of July next, and with such other organizations as may there be present on that occasion. And if there is time and opportunity, to make provision for the laying of the corner stone of the base of the Monument on July 7th, 1896, by the Grand Lodge of Masons of California as a part of the ceremonies, to commemorate the raising of the American flag at Monterey by Commodore John D. Sloat of the U. S. Navy on July 7th, 1846.” Pr —— EE RR ET TY eT HA AA Ee RR El a EE os pi or ee = 144 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT The Executive Committee of the Sloat Monument Association being represented by Vice-Presidents Capt. Wm. L. Duncan, Col. Joseph Stewart, Secretary Major Edwin A. Sherman, Receiver Captain Thomas G. Lambert and Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., the first three also being on the Committee of Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. : The delay in the passage of the bill in the U. S. Senate, making an appropriation of ten thousand dollars for the monument, being caused by the secret attack made by one George Edwards of the Bancroft His- tory Company of San Francisco, upon the honored fame of Commodore Sloat by false representations and slander, had rendered it difficult to proceed with the preparations for holding the celebration, or for the laying of the corner stone of the elevated base of the monument. The passage of the bill by the Senate, however, gave encouragement to the Committees of Arrangements of the Mexican War and of the Sloat Monument Association. Lieut. J. Reynolds Landis U. S. A. (aide de camp to General James H. Forsyth, U. S. A.), having been appointed to select the location for the site of the Sloat Monument, in company with Capt. Gillett of the U. S. Engineers, Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary, and Captain Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver of the Sloat Monument Association, pro- ceeded to the Military Reservation at Monterey, and immediately in front of the prolonged angle of Old Fort Mervine where an old iron gun is placed, and there on the axis of the hill overlooking the harbor and town of Monterey, located the site of the Sloat Monument. "This having been done, the Committee of Arrangements renewed its communications with the War and Navy Departments for the prep- arations for the celebration, they having previously given encouragment thereto as follows: t by order of Brig. Gen. James A. Forysth, Commanding Department of California.] HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, SaN FRANCISCO, April 27th, 1896. Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of Committee of Arrangements Associated Vet- evans of Mexican War, Oakland, Cal. Sir:—Referring to your communication of the 13th inst., addressed to the Department Commander, inviting him and command to attend the Semi-Cen- tennial Celebration at Monterey, Cal., in commemoration of the American occupation of California and the raising of the American flag at that place, I am directed by the Department Commander to inform you that arrangements will be made for the presence at Monterey, on that occasion, of a light battery of artillery, which will be requested to fire requisite salutes and take part in the ceremonies; that the necessary salutes will be fired on July 7th from San Diego Barracks, Alcatraz Island and the Presidio of San Francisco; that from the last-named post a salute will also be fired on July oth, in commemoration of the first hoisting of [Letter sen LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 145 the American flag thereat; and that your invitation to all the cfficers of the com mand to attend the ceremonies at Monterey has been communicated to them, with the request that all such as desire and contemplate attendance on the occasion shall so signify to these headquarters a list of the same, which, when received, will be furnished to you. Very respectfully, O. D. GREENE, Asst. Adj.-Gen. NoTE.—Two light batteries were furnished. [Letter from Hon. H. A. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 4th, 1896. W. A. M. 9336. SIr:—I have to ackowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd ultimo inviting me to attend the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking possession of California and the raising of the American flag at Monterey by Commodore John D. Sloat, of the U. S. Navy, and requesting that orders be sent from the Navy Department for the vessels now on the Pacific station, on the coast of California, to lend their aid in making the celebration a success. I have referred your request for the vessels to the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific station, with the suggestion that he will direct one or more of the vessels under his command to assist at the celebration, provided the exigencies of the service will permit, I thank you for your kind invitation to be present at the celebration, and regret very much that my official duties will prevent me from accepting. Very truly yours, H. A. HERBERT, Secretary, MR. EDWIN A. SHERMAN, Chairman of Committee of Arrangements Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, Oakland, California. [Letter from General Miles.) HEADQUARTERS OE THE ARMY, WasHINGTON, D. C., May 4, 1896. Myr. Edwin A. Sherman, 1212 Webster Street, Oakland, California. My DEAR SIR:—Please accept my sincere thanks for your very kind invitation to attend the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking possession of California and raising the American flag at Monterey, and be assured of my great regret that a prior engagement will deprive me of the pleasure of being present on that occasion. Very sincerely yours, NELSON A. MILES, Major-General U. S. A. [Letter from Admiral Lester A. Beardslee.] U. S. Flag-ship PHILADELPHIA, May 20th, 1896 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of Commillee, elc., 1212 I ebster Steel, Oakland, Cal. DEAR SIR:—Since my interview with you a few days ago at the Occidental Hotel, I have resolved to so modify my plans in regard to the movement of the flag-ship as to remove the then existing obstacle to her being in position to take part in the ceremonies proposed by the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War to be held at Monterey on the 7th of July. : I therefore, with pleasure, accept the invitation conveyed in your note of the Sth inst., that I should act as one of the Chief Vice-Presidents,—as the Chief Representative of the Navy, upon that day, and shall esteem it an honor so to do. ih bl tian Hh Hip 1 il i iF | ‘l A NT i 146 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoaAaT Should there be any point which at this date you would wish to discuss with me, I shall be at the Occidental, Sunday, the 24th, up to 2 P. M. I can promise I am, yours truly. L. A. BEARDSLEE, U. S. N. P. S.—Should a call on Sunday not be convenient, it is very seldom that I am jdental from 6 to 7:30 P. M., and I presume I shall be there you troops and a band. not every day at the Occ at those hours for the week. [etter of acceptance from William P. Toler, Esq., who was a midshipman in the U.S Navy, and present at the first raising of the American flag at Monterey, Cal , by Commodore Jones, U.S. N., in October, 1842, and lowered by him; and when Mr. Toler was aide-de camp and Signal Officer under Commodore John D. Sloat, he was the one who actually hoisted the American flag on the Custom House at Monterey on July 7th, 1846.] OAKLAND, May 22nd, 1896. Major Edwin A. Shervinan, Chairman Committee of Arrangements Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. DrAR SIR.—Please accept my thanks for your kind invitation to myself and family to attend the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking pos- session of California and the hoisting of the American flag at Monterey, July 7th, 1836. by Commodore John D. Sloat of the U. S. Navy, to take place at Monterey on July 7th, 1896; and if my health at that time will permit me to be present, I shall take pleasure in renewing the act of hoisting the American flag at Monterey as requested. Very respectfully yours, WwirLrniaMm P. TOLER. [Letter of John Drake Sloat, Jr., the grandson of the late Commodore John D. Sloat, U. S. N.] WENTZVILLE, Mo., June 19th, 1896. Major E. A. Sherman, Chairman Commillee, etc., 1212 Webster St., Oakland Cal. My DEAR Major:—I wish to acknowledge your favor of the 7th inet. which contained your kind invitation to read the original proclamation of grandfather’s at Monterey on the eventful day of the coming celebration. Indeed, were it possible for me to do so, I would consider it a high honor; but alas, ill health of the past two years and business reverses will compel me to forego participation in this event. Cousin Bayard must again do the honors on this occasion as in 1886, and I DY nounced an eloquent prayer, at the close of which the Grand Lodge replied in unison, ‘‘So mote it be,” he National hymn “America” was then sung by the Masonic Choir and the vast audience, led by Bro. Samuel D. Mayer, the Grand Organist. Grand Master Preston then addressed Dr. Washington Ayer, the President of the Sloat Monument Association, as follows: On behalf of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California, I formally accept your invitation, Mr. President, and will proceed with the ceremony of laying this foundation stone: and may the shaft which is to he erected hereon remain a monument to truth, justice, and heroic patriotism. The Grand Master then addressing the Senior Grand Warden, said: Brother Senior Grand Warden: It has heen the custom among the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, from time immemorial, to assemble for the purpose of laying the foundation stones of public buildings or of such other structures as are intended to commemorate great public events or the patriotic services of great public men, when requested so to do by those having authority. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California, having been invited by the Sloat Monument Association of California to lay the foundation stone of the monument proposed to be here erected in honor of the late John Drake Sloat, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, who when Commodore and in command of the Pacific Squadron, and in obedience to orders from the U. S. Government, landed here and hoisted the American flag, taking possession of California on July 7th, 1846, and on this the soth anniversary of that event, it appearing to me to be one of the proper occasions for such services as just related, that body has, by my order, been here convened, and it is my will and pleasure that it do now assist me in the performance of that welcome duty. This you will communicate to the Junior Grand Warden, with instructions that he thus inform the Craft that they, and all others here present, may be duly notified thereof. The Senior Grand Warden then communicated the order to thc Junior Grand Warden, as follows: MRS. ELIZA A. PITTSINGER, OF SaN Francisco, CaL. ‘he Pioneer Poetess of Calitornia, and the author of «The Bugle Peals.” She was the Poet on the occasion of the Celebration at Monterey, July sth, 1586, and of that at the same place, on July 7th, 15896, insisting on paving her own fare going and returning, her expenses while there, and giving her services gratuitously on both occasions. Such patriotism is indeed praiseworthy ond deserving of mention. Her poem will speak for itsell. MRS. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, OF MONTEREY, CaL., \' ho, with her husband, Capt. Lambert, was in charge o. and resided in the Old Custom House at Monterey f+ upwards ot twenty years, keeping it in good repair v thout any assistance from the U. S. Government. \¢ have enjoyed their hospitality in it and out of it. < ie is one of the best wives and truest patriotic women i California or elsewhere. She gave the use of her lot for the Grand Stand without charge on July 7th, 1596. prominent demonstrations given voice was always given to promote the advancement of MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON, Or OAKLAND, CAL. She is the daughter of the late Rev. Henry Kroh, one of the Pioneer Ministers who came here in 1848 in Com- pany of Col John C. Fremont. Mrs. Alverson is the oldest singer of note in California, her first notes were sung in Stockton, Cal., at the age of fifteen, in the year 1852. She has had the honor of singing for all the in California, her every good for the land she loved and the flag she re- vered. She sang for Wm. seward, Secretary of State, Presidents Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley on their visits to California, and she 1s singing vet with her usual acceptance that has followed her all these vears during the growth of this her beloved State, California. MRS. EMILY A. FISH, Keeper of Point Pinos Light House, Monterey Harbor, Cal. Chairman of the Ladies’ Reception Committee at Monterey, Cal., July 7th, 1896, and July 7th, 1902. An elegant and hospitable lady of the finest character. She keeps the light in Uncle Sam’s window for me and for vou and everybody else, and is faithful to the trust reposed in her. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 165 Brother Junior Gran Warden: It is the will and pleasure of the Most Worship- ful Grand Master, that the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of California do now assist in laving the foundation stone of the monument to be here erected jin honor of the late John Drake Sloat, Rear Admiral of the U. S. Navy, who when Commodore and in command of the Pacific Squadron, and in obedience to orders from the U. S. Government, landed here and hoisted the American flag, taking possession of Califorma on July 7th, 1846, and on this the soth anriversory of that event. The Junior Grand Warden then repeated the order to the assem- blage as follows: Brethren: It is the will and pleasure of the Most Worshiptul Grand Master of Masons of the State of California, that the Grand Lodge thereof do now proceed with the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the monument to be here erected in honor of the late John Drake Sloat, Rear Admiral of the U.S Navy, who when Commodore and in command of the Pacific Squadron, and in obedience to orders from the U. 8 Government, landed here and hoisted the American flag, taking possession of California on july 7th, 1846, and on this the soth anniversary LIEUT. J. REYNOLDS LANDIS, U. S. A. of that event. Of this you will take due notice, and govern yourselves accordingly. First Regiment of Cavalry. Aide-de-Camp to Gen. CAPT. CASSIUS E. GILLETTE, : jiges W, Fovuil, Noi Comrmanding Depariment Or THE U. S. ENGINEERS, The Grand Master then addressing the Grand Treasurer said: of he ee Po Fo he fecyerary Who assisted in making the location of the site for the \ e site for the Sloat gloat Monument, at Monterey, Cal. Active Member of Brother Grand Treasurer: It has ever been the custom of the Craft upen occa- Monument at Monterey, Cal. Active Member of the the Sloat Monument Association. Sloat Monument Association. sions like the present, to deposit within a cavity in the stone placed at the northeast corner of the edifice (or of the foundation stone of a monument) cer- tain memorials of the perio? at which it was erected; so that if, during the lapse of ages, the fury of the clements, the violence of man, or the slow but certain ravages of time, should lay bare its foundations, an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations to bear testimony to the untiring, unending in- dustry and fidelity of the Free and Accepted Masons. Has such a deposit now been prepared? The Grand Treasurer responded: It has, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and with accompanying testimonies, is safely enclosed within the casket now before you. The Grand Master then said to the Grand Secretary: Brother Grand Secretary: You will read tlie list of the contents of the casket to be deposited. Whereupon the Grand Secretary read the following list of the con- tents to be deposited: LIST OF ARTICLES. Name of the President of the United States, names of the Secreta- ries of State, the Navy and War Departments, a photograph of Sloat, roll of officers of the ‘‘Philadelphia’” and “Monadnock,” roll of veterans of the Mexican war, name of the Governor of California, names of BRO. ALEXANDER P. MURGOTTEN ENSIGN EDWIN H. DODD, U. S. N. the United States Senators and Congressmen from California, printed Of Friendship Lodge, No. 210, F. and A. M., California. Now on the U. S. Ship “Boston.” Who rendered vi it proceedings of the last session of the Grand Lodge of F. and A. M.. Honorary Member July 7th, 1896 of the Masonic Veteran able assistance in the preparation of this work. . . . . . Association of the Pacific Coast. Active Member of the list of Monterey county and city officials, copies of newspapers printed Sloat Monument Association and to whom we are in- : i F ! debted for the loan of several of the half-tone pictures in this work, 166 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT in Monterey county, the Chronicle, Examiner and Call of San Fran- cisco, piece of staff on which Sloat’s flag was hoisted fifty years ago, poem by Mrs. Eliza Pittsinger, Constitution and By-Laws of the Ma- sonic Veterans’ Association, list of members and officers of the Sloat Monument Association. After the reading, the Grand Master said to the Grand Treasurer: Brother Grand Treasurer: You will now deposit the casket ‘in the cavity be- neath the foundation stone; and may the great Architect of the Universe in His wisdom grant that ages upon ages shall pass away ere it again shall be seen of men. The Grand Treasurer, with the assistance of brethren as was neces- sary, then placed the casket in the cavity prepared in the lower stone. The Grand Honors were then given. The Choir then sang the following Ode: Place we now Foundation Stone, True and trusty Brothers own; Let us bring with hearts sincere Hands to help and voice to cheer. Proved by the Grand Master’s hand, Long may this foundation stand! May its superstructure rise In grace and beauty ’neath the skies. Let us join in songs of praise That this monument we raise, And ages hence, men bless the day Our flag was raised at Monterey. The Grand Master having the Trowel pre ented by the President of the Sloat Monument Association, the Principal Architect distributed the rest of the working tools of the Grand Officers, giving the Square to the Deputy Grand Master, the Level to the Senior Grand Warden, and the Plumb to the Junior Grand Warden; when all descended to the stone and placed themselves around it as follows: the Grand Master at the East, the Deputy Grand Master at the North, the Senior Grand Warden at the West, and the Junior Grand Warden at the South. The Grand Master (assisted by some workmen ready for the purpose) then spread the cement upon the lower stone and directed the upper one to be lowered to its place. This, a block of granite of the same size as the one below, six feet in length, four in width, two in thickness and weighing four and a half tons, having been suspended by a strong der- rick: and at signals given, was lowered at three separate intervals, the Grand Honors being given by all the assembled brethren at each stop- page of the stone. When it had been adjusted in its place, the Grand Master pointed the cement about its edges, and then, addressing the Deputy Grand Master, said: LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 167 “Brother Deputy Grand Master, what is the jewel of your office?” Deputy Grand Master: “The Square, Most Worshipful.” Grand Master: “Then you will apply the Square to those portions of the stone which should be squared.” The Deputy Grand Master then applied the Square to the various corners of the stone, and responded: “I have obeyed your order, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and find in that respect the Craftsmen have done their duty.” The Grand Master then addressed the Senior Grand Warden, say- ing: “Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the jewel of your office?” Senior Grand Warden: ‘The Level, Most Worshipful.” Grand Master: “You will apply the Level to the stone and see if it be laid in a manner creditable to our Ancient Craft.” The Senior Grand Warden then applied the Level to the surface of the stone, and responded: “I have oheved your order, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and find that the stone has been well leveled by the Craftsmen.” The Grand Master then addressed the Junior Grand Warden, say- ing: “Brother Junior Grand Warden, what is the jewel of your office ?”’ Junior Grand Warden: ‘The Plumb, Most Worshipful.” Grand Master: ‘You will apply the Plumb to the stone and see if it has been properly adjusted.” The Junior Grand Warden then tried the several sides of the stone with the Plumb, and responded: “I have obeyed your order, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and find that the work of the Craftsmen in that respect has been skillfully performed.” The Grand Master then giving the stone three blows with his gavel, said: “The Craftsmen having faithfully and skillfully thus far performed their duty, I declare this foundation stone to be well formed, true and trusty. May the monument which is to rest upon it, remain throughout the ages an eloquent, albeit a silent, testimony of the faithful patriot in whose honor it is to be erected, that cannot be forgotten, and that his memory will be more enduring even, than such a work of any human hands. May the entire work be completed by the Craftsmen, the Architect and Sculptor, and all engaged therein, in peace, love, and harmony—they suffering no contention among themselves except that noble and fraternal one as to who best can work aud best agree.” eo The Grand Marshal then distributed the vessels of Corn, Wine and Oil, respectively, to the Deputy Grand Master, the Senior Grand War- den and the Junior Grand Warden, the Band meanwhile playing a joyous air. A TY LE a —— Ma - CT ————— caren 168 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT The Deputy Grand Master then poured the Corn upon the stone, saying: “May the Grand Architect of the Universe strengthen and sustain the Crafts- men while engaged in this important work; and may He ever bountifully vouch- safe the Corn of nourishment to all employed in honest and useful toil.” The Senior Grand Warden then poured the Wine upon the stone, saying: “May the Great Giver of all good enable the Craftsmen in due time to com- plete this beautiful structure; and, during their intervals from labor, may they constantly be blessed with that refreshment of which this Wine is emblemat- ical.” The Junior Grand Warden then poured the Oil upon the stone, saying: “May the blessing of Heaven descend upon this and all good works; and may our loved Fraternity long exist to pour forth the Oil of Joy upon the hearts of the widowed, the fatherless and the distressed.” ‘The Grand Master then said: “May the all-bounteous Author of Creation lend aid to those who have con- ceived and thus far carried on this goodly enterprise; may He protect the work- men employed upon this monument from every accident, and long protect it for the obj:ct which it is destined to subserve; and may He grant to us all an ever- bountiful supply of the Corn of Nourishment, the Wine of Refreshment, and the Oil of Joy.” Then addressing the Principal Architect and directing the several Working Tools to be placed in his hands, the Grand Master said: “Brother Principal Architect: Relying upon your skill in our noble art, I now confide to you these implements of Operative Masonry. May this undertaking be speedily accomplished; may there be no envy, discord or confusion among the workmen; and may you parform the important duties with which you have been charged, not only to the satisfaction of those who have entrusted you with their fulfillment, but in such a manner as shall secure the approbation of your own conscience and redound to the honor ot our Aucient Craft.” The Grand Master and his Officers then returned to their seats, while the Choir sang the following Ode: ODE. (7une—UXBRIDGE.) Creat God of Nations! now to Thee Our hymn of gratitude we raise; With humble heart and bending knee, We offer Thee our song of praise. When driven by oppression’s rod, Our fathers fled across the sea; Their care was first to honor God, And next to leave their children free. LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Here Freedom spreads her banner wide And casts her soft and hallowed ray; Here Thou our father’s steps did guide In safety through their dangerous way. We praise Thee that 7hine Own Great Light, Through all our land its radiance sheds; Dispels the shades of Error's night, And heavenly blessings round us spreads. The Grand Master then stepped upon the stone and gave the order to Major Edwin A. Sherman, who signaled to the signal officer sta- tioned a little below, who signaled to the ships of war, the “Philadel- phia’’ and “Monadnock,” in the harbor, which immediately thundered forth a Rear Admiral’s salute {rom their heavy guns, while three rousing cheers were given by the vast audience assembled upon the slopes of the hill, the whole being a panorama and picture of indescrib- able grandeur and beauty. of mountain, valley and sea, of ships of war wreathed in clouds of white smoke and the sharp flashes of fire, with the thundering roar of the cannon shaking the hills and their echoes reverberating and rolling far beyond up the distant valleys, made a scene that will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it and par- ticipated in it. The Grand Master then introduced W. Bro. Jacob Voorsanger, the Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge, who delivered an eloquent oration, which was highly appreciated by all and met with frequent and hearty applause. He said: : “To-day the roll of honor of California is unrolled, and thirty years after his death the name of John D. Sloat is mentioned by the populace as that of the man who opened the gates of Califoinia and gave it rank among the States of the Republic of the West. It is not often that the roll of honor is opened, and happy is the man who thirty years after his death is thus honored. Join Drake Sloat stands to-day as one of the most distinguished officers of. the United States Navy. The lives of him and his men were forever at his country’s call. He sailed his ship over the ocean in unknown seas, blindly following his duty to his country ”’ The reverend speaker said that there were two ways of opening a new country. One was by taking forcible possession, the other by colonization. He gave a short history of these methods, bringing his subject down to modern times. when the Anglo-Saxon and Spaniard set the example of colonization. These two peoples met here 1n the West, and the Anglo-Saxon stem proved to be the better; so when the American flag was hoisted at Monterey, it was a sign that the country should be no longer subject to a few hidalgos or a few churches, but, on the contrary, to a new regime under which the citizen owed no al- legiance but to the glorious flag above him. And so this gathering a a de 170 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT had not been held to lay the corner-stone and to honor Sloat’s memory alone, but to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of liberty on the Pacific shores. The Rabbi dwelt at some length on the possibilities of the future and the destinies of America. In conclusion, he prayed that heaven might grant the boon that in church and school the native sons and daugh- ters might be worthy to stand for all time with their brothers and sis- ters of all America. As the years pass, so, too, he hoped the monu- ment to John D. Sloat at Monterey would, in the language of granite, salute and welcome ships from the West as they came into the bay from foreign lands. The Grand Chaplain pronounced the benediction, while the Masons and spectators stood with heads bowed and uncovered, and the cere- mony of laying the corner-stone of the Sloat Monument by the Grand Lodge of Masons of California was done. The procession was reformed and the Grand Lodge marched to the hall of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. and A. M., which had thus celebrated its Silver Wedding and the Grand Lodge was closed in Ample Form. [It was greatly to be regretted that the Manager of the Executive Committee at Monterey had made no provision for refreshments for the Grand Lodge when so much money had been contributed from abroad, and ample to have furnished a generous collation; but it was owing to the neglect and incompetency of the ‘‘Director-General,”’ so-called.— F AS] EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SLOAT MONUMENT ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA. Dr. Washington Ayer, President, San Francisco. Captain Wm. I.. Duncan, First Vice-President, San Francisco. Col. Jos. Stewart (U. S. A., ret.), Second Vice-President, Berkeley. Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary, Oakland. Hon Geo. C. Perkins (U. S. Senator), Treasurer, Oakland. Captain Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver, Monterey. John A. Cooper, Sergeant-at-Arms, San Francisco. The first six officers and the following gentlemen compose the Exe- cutive Committee: Hon. William M. Boggs, of Napa. Hon. Jesse D. Carr, of Monterey. Hon Irving M. Scott, of San Francisco. Dr. James I.. Cogswell, of San Francisco. Col. Frank Pierce, of San Francisco. Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. Navy. Hon. William Frank Pierce, of Oakland. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 171 The arrival of the trains from San Francisco and elsewhere an hour earlier than was expected brought the Associated Veterans of the Mex- ican War and the Society of California Pioneers, which were soon fol- lowed by other Veterans of the Mexican War from Stockton, Sacra- mento, Sonoma, Los Angeles and other localities, with other Pioneers and a vast number of people besides. The Society of California Pioneers having provided refreshments from San Francisco, at their chosen headquarters, they invited the As- sociated Veterans of the Mexican War to be their guests and share their hospitality with them, as there had been no provision made for them whatever by the incompetent manager of the local Executive Committee. The frequent changes made by the local committee and its manager as to the lines of formation produced confusion in orders, different from those arranged by the Grand Marshal and the Chairman of the Com- mittee of Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, caused much vexation and delay, but at last ‘matters were half- way straightened out, and the procession moved, with a portion of it going with the current and in a state of bewilderment and doubt. © The route of procession was from Del Norte depot along Perry street to Washington, to Franklin, to Pearl, to Alvarado, and thence to the Custom House. The First Division was led by Grand Marshal Jacob R. Leese and aides, followed by Companies D and F of the United States Artillery. Then came the band from the flagship ‘Philadelphia,’ followed by the white battalion of that ship and of the “Monadnock,” under the com- mand of Lieutenant Commander Royal R. Ingersoll, Troop C of Cav- alry, Captain Burke, of the National Guard of California of Salinas. The military and naval parade moved wlth precision, while the elasticity and beauty of the general harmony of the movement of the naval brigade in marching with an ease and grace was admirable, and in marked contrast to that of the machine-like accuracy that character- izes the army drill, yet both equally effective in time of action. They were greeted with rousing cheers by the people. : The Second Division was led by Major Sidney J. Loop, President of the Veterans of the Mexican War, numbering in all about 150 from all parts of the State, who were immediately followed by the Hon. Niles Searles, Vice-President of the Society of California Pioneers, and others, and about the same number of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, who were also greeted with a like demonstration of applause. Then came a float with a cannon and emblems, and upon it standing erect, with her right hand resting upon an American shield and jher left holding a rod with the Phrygian Cap upon it, was Miss Edna In- Tree aT | if H a oF | #3 1 El ig bh | i a i —_— crs 172 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT gram, gracefully attired as the Goddess of Liberty. Behind her came the Living Flag of 200 little girls dressed in red, white and blue, led by A. W. Jones, and making a handsome appearance. hen came in a carriage two special Maids of Honor to California, Miss Alice Stewart (daughter of Col. Joseph Stewart of the U. retired) representing the U. S. Army, and Miss Alice G. Cutts (great- granddaughter of Francis Scott Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner) representing the U. S. Navy. Then came the chief float, upon it in front a representation of the old Custom House at Monterey, in the center a huge dolphin with a throne upon its back, and behind it a grizzly bear erect by a block of granite. On this float appeared California in gorgeous golden robes represented by Marian S. Barney, of Oakland, the great-granddaughter of Col. Jonathan D Stevenson; in front of her Miss Schaufele, “who represented Monterey, and Miss Rogers, Pacific Grove, carrying the colden key between them. There were also upon the float a part of California’s special Maids of Honor, all but one being daughters and granddaughters of Veterans of the Mexican War—Miss Camille John- «ton of Oakland: Misses Daisy D. and Ruth Wright, of Pacific Grove (oth natives of Monterey, the first having been born in the old Cus- tom House); Misses Louise E. M. Knudson, Agnes Lange, Kathleen Mullen, Louise Heron, of San Francisco, and Miss Anna A. Ketchum, of Stockton. The float was followed by carriages containing the representatives of the counties of the State, carrying beautiful silk banners of red, white and blue respectively—Alameda, Miss Violet C. Lubbock; Butte, Miss Bessie Collins; Colusa, Miss Mae Green; Contra Costa, Miss Clara K. Wittenmever; Ios Angeles, Miss Pearlie Gleason; Lake, Miss —: Marin, Miss Agnes M. Watson; Monterey, Miss Grace LE. Burr; Napa, Miss Fowler; Placer, Miss Clara Wortell; Sac- ramento, Miss Cora Hammer; San Francisco, Miss Constance Law- rence; San Joaquin, Miss Ellen Patton; Santa Clara, Miss Diasy Cross; Santa Cruz, Miss Anna Struve; Solano, Miss Marie English; San Luis Obispo, Miss Dicie May Graves: Yuba, Miss Nellie O’Brien. The other counties were represented by young ladies as proxies, but the names could not be learned. These were followed by the Grand Parlor of Native Daughters, Native Sons of the Golden West, Boards of Supervisors, Monterey County Officials, Monterey City Officials, Pacific Grove Officials and State Officials. The Third Division, with firemen as escort, followed by the Fores- ters of America with a float representing a cabin in the woods. It was a fine realistic representation, with the men appropriately dressed, and col. WELLINGTON C. BURNETT, M. M. Ex-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexi- an War. He bravely charged with his regiment in he successtul assault upon the Castle of Chapultepec, fexico, on Sept. 14th, 1847. He wasone of the Founders of the Sloat Monument Association. COL. A. ANDREWS, 32°, OF SaN Francisco, CAL. Pas. President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. He served as Captain of Co. A, Second Regi: rent of Ohio Volunteers, and did good service in the'b. ttles in front of the City of Mexico. Colonel for many years on the staffs of the Governors of California. He is a Life Member of the Masonic Veteran Association ofthe Pacific Coast. A California Pioneer of 1849. I he “Diamond Palace’ under the Russ House, San Fran. tisco is his magic work of taste and art, unequalled in the world for richness and beauty, and so pronounced by Parisian Connoisseurs. ud CAPT. WM. L. DUNCAN, OF SAN Francisco, CAL. Past President and Secretary of the Associated Vet- erans of the Mexican war. EX-Vice-President of the Sloat Monument Association of California. He was a Lieutenant and acting Captain of Co. Bin Col. Edward Baker's Regiment of 4th Illinois Volunteers, and ren- dered good service especially in the battles in front of the City of Mexico. MAJOR SIDNEY J. LOOP, R. A. M,, Or ALAMEDA, CAL. Ex-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican war (tor the third term). President of the Board of Trustees of the Veteran's Home at Yountville, Cal. He belonged to Co. G, 1st U. S. Artillery, and served his country well in Mexico. He is a member of the Sloat Monument Association. He 18 also an Active Member of the Masonic Veteran Association ot the Pa- cific Coast. iid | ca | | a : LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 173 bo 2 bd 3 the presence of a live deer upon it as well, made it very true to nature. z These were followed by the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, A. O. : U. W., with float, and other civic societies. i : The Fourth Division contained the President, Officers of the Day, X Admiral L. A. Beardslee and staff, and other Vice-Presidents and citi- 2 zens in carriages. i : The whole procession was cheered along the line from the begin- f i ning to the end, and as California with her Maids of Honor and the i 2 representatives of the several counties alighted at the grandstand, a § ! a general shout of welcome greeted them from the Veterans of the Mexi- | i 1 can War, the Pioneers and the vast multitude of people that had gath- 1 1 « ered, while in front drawn up on two sides of a square which was kept Hi i % open, were aligned the Naval Battalion under command of Lieutenant Hg | L Commander Roval R. Ingersoll, and at the feot of the flagstaff stocd z [Lieutenant Roper of the ‘Monadnock’ with a group of half a " : dozen or so of men who had served under Commodore Sloat, and were z at Monterey with him fifty years before in the frigate ‘Savannah,’ ! Zi z “Cyane” and the ‘‘Levant’ sloops-of-war—Thomas Bralee, of Mon- i G7 = terey; John D. Richards, of Montana, and James Buchanan, of Yount- 4 gas ville. i =z The grandstand was completely filled with the Veterans of tle : i Be z Mexican War, Pioneers, Living Flag, and invited guests and officers fi 7 of the day, with the following full list of Vice-Presidents, the most of ' gt n Z whom were present: oY A z Hon. Stephen JM. White and George C. Perkins, U. S. Senators, | i a ¥ and Hon. James McLachlan, J. G. Maguire, E. F. Loud, W. WW. Pow- i ig 2 § E ers and J. A. Barham, of the Congressional delegation from California: ; Ia ma Gen. James W. Forsyth, U. 8. A., and Admiral Lester A. Beardslee, il ! . U. 8. N: Col O. D. Greene, Lieut.-Colonels Evan Miles I. B. M. | i f { ol : Young, J. 6. C. lee, 1. V. Middleton, A. S. Kimball, Majors A. Ha | $2 " C. Bates. B. F. Pope, Tully McCrea, Surgeon C. C. Munn, Judge Ad- ; } ZZ 3 vocate 1.. W. Groesbeck, U. 8. A.; Col. Joseph Stewart. U. 8. A. (re- . i 1 WY. ‘2 tired), Cols. J. W. McKenzie, W. C. Burnett, A. Andrews, Major S. : | 3 i J. Loop, John IL. Bromley, C. Lange, A. McDonald, Gen. Thomas A. vi iH 1 2 Ketcham, V. M. W.; Rear Admirals D. B. Harmony and Kirkland, 1 £ z Captains Henry IL. Howison, George W. Sumner. Albert S. Parker, | 2. : Charles S. Cotton and Nicoll Ludlow, Commanders Charles G. Clark, : 2% 7 B. H. McCalla, George W, Pipman, Licut.-Commander Royal R. In- N i ge 2 gersoll, Inspector James A. Hawke, Paymasters Wm. J. Thompson and | i885: gs 2 Henry T. Skelding, Chief Engineers George F. Keutz and John Lowe, | = z and Major Percival, of the U.S. Navy; Gen. R. H. Warfield, N. G. Z s C.: Cols. Charles Fred Crocker, Theo. H. Goodman and Frank Pierce, Dr. Washington Ayer, Hon. Jesse D. Carr, Irving M. Scott, Wm. M. ath On the UW a Ae ih, ra " rane Stet ot Mas Sci Bo. of pata tt ny - - pores a AD SIE tr Rate A SBA, ET SAN Te Sp ea 174 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Boggs, W. F. Pierce, W. S. Green, W. W. Morrow, O. S. Henderson, W. H. Beatty, L. R. Ellert, Thomas Harris, Adolph Sutro, W. M. Bunker, H. N. Tilden, Niles Searles, Jacob H. Neff, W. T. Wallace, H. C. Gesford, Edward Ingram, T. J. Field, D. J. Murphy, J. R. Campbell, Revs. Jacob Voorsanger, P. W. Riordan, W. F. Nichols and Horatio Stebbins, Dr. James IL. Cogswell, Edward Taylor James D. Phelan, Joseph Figel, Samuel W. Levy, S. H. Collins, Raphael Weill, O. S. Trimmer, M. H. De Young, C M. Shortridge, W. R. Hearst, Hugh Craig, John Rosenfeld, W. C. Ralston and others. When all had taken their places, Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chair- man of the Committee of Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, introduced Hon. Edward Ingram, Mayor of Mon- _terey, who delivered the following brief but appropriate address of welcome: President Loop and Veterans of the Mexican War: By your patriotic devo- tion to country, by your heroic deeds of valor upon the field of battle, this golden Pacific was brought beneath the folds of the Stars and Stripes, the glo- rious emblem of our country. For fifty years has this gem been set in Columbia’s jeweled crown, and now, upon the occasion of this semi-centennial celebration, "the citizens of California’s ancient capital extend to you as a token of their cor- dial welcome their hands, their hearts and their home that you may participate in the festivities that commemorate the day on which the gallant Sloat flung to the breeze the proud banner of this great Nation. To which President Loop replied as follows: Hon. Mayor Ingram and Citizens of Monterey: Accept the thanks of the Veterans of the Mexican War and their friends from all parts of our loved Cali- fornia who have come here to assist in celebrating once more on this historic spot “the event of half a century ago, for the kind welcome received at your hands. Ten years ago we came here and celebrated the Fortieth Anniversary as we now do to-day, but then not on such an extensive scale. On March 14, 1895, at a meeting of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, held in San Francisco, our comrade, Major Edwin A. Sherman, offered a resolution that a committee of three be appointed to make arrangements to cele- ‘brate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking possession of California and the Raising of the American Flag at Monterey on July 7, 1846, which was unani- mously adopted. As President of the Association, I appointed Major Edwin A. Sherman, Col. Joseph Stewart and Col. W. C. Burnett as the Committee of Ar- .rangements. The latter's continual absence from the State necessitated the ap- pointment of Comrade C. Lange, Vice-President, in his place. How well and faithfully their duties have been performed this demonstration of their comrades and fellow-citizens will attest. Major Sherman, as Chairman of the Committee, had acted in that capacity ten years ago, and which then proved to be a grand success. One year agd he went to Washington at his own expense, and secured the promised aid and coop- eration of the Secretaries of the Navy and of the War Departments, whose promises have been most faithfully carried out, as the presence of these arms of LIFE oF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT I75 the service in the persons of Admiral Beardslee with his squadron, and Major McCrae with two batteries of light artillery by order of Gen. Forsyth, are here to attest. The Chairman of our Committee of Arrangements has faithfully served with- out compensation or reward, satisfied with having at great self sacrifice brought his plans to a glorious success, the result of his untiring patriotic devotion and labors, in the laying the Foundation Stone of the Sloat Monument by the Grand Lodge of Masons of this State, and this celebration that we now have in hand. (Applause.) One word about the “Boys of Fifty Years Ago,” for there are some here to-day, that were here then, to aid in hoisting that flag, and the great ma- jority who fought to secure it there, who served under Generals Taylor and Scott from the Rio Grande to the City of Mexico, and made it permanent for all time. Native Daughter and Native Son, be kind and forbear with the veteran of 1846-7-8. Remember the vast empire acquired by his valor and privation, both on land and sea, that he has given you, and if he is a “back number,” turn the last leaves of his life over gently. Fellow-citizens, I had hoped to have had the pleasure of introducing to you as President of the Day, a man who has proved himself the friend of the old veteran by making this 7th day of July a State holiday, and again when there were reports that the State appropriations for the maintenance of our comrades at the Soldiers’ Home was in danger, I telegraphed him, and within an hour the reply came: ‘Do not worry, the veterans are all right.” Illness has kept our most excellent Governor, James H. Budd, from being present; but our Committee has presented us with a most able and worthy substitute, and it now gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the Hon. James McLachlan, the Congressman from this district, the President of the Day. The remarks of President Loop and the reception of Hon. James McLachlan, President of the Day, were met with rounds of applause. Congressman McLachlan, as President of the Day, spoke as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen: When I received a message last Saturday, asking me to come here and act as presiding officer of this day, I regretted exceedingly that I had not more time in which to prepare myself. But, fellow-citizens, I am sure that you did not come here to-day to listen to any remarks from the presiding officer, whoever he might be. The Committee of Arrangements has selected those who are to recount to you the meaning of this great day, and you are here to listen to what they may say. Fellow-citizens of Monterey, this is a day of interest, not only to the citizens of Monterey, not only to the citizens of California, but it is a day which every citizen of the great United States of America takes pride in celebrating. I am glad to day that I am here in some small degree representing the Gov- ernment at Washington, to show the interest that the great Government of the United States take in this occasion. If Commodore Sloat were here to-day no one would be more surprised than he at the assembled multitude he would see before him. We are here to do honor to him to-day aud those brave veterans who made it possible for the flag which he raised—our flag—to continue to float forever from that pole upon which he raised it upon that day. Little did Commodore Sloat dream of the great importance to this Nation of the land that he declared on that day a portion of the United States of America. The Government at Washington, my friends, almost condemned him for the a 174 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Boggs, W. F. Pierce, W. S. Green, W. W. Morrow, O. S. Henderson, W. H. Beatty, L. R. Ellert, Thomas Harris, Adolph Sutro, W. M. Bunker, H. N. Tilden, Niles Searles, Jacob H. Neff, W. T. Wallace, H. C. Gesford, Edward Ingram, T. J. Field, D. J. Murphy, J. R. Campbell, Revs. Jacob Voorsanger, P. W. Riordan, W. F. Nichols and Horatio Stebbins, Dr. James IL. Cogswell, Edward Taylor James D. Phelan, Joseph Figel, Samuel W. Levy, S. H. Collins, Raphael Weill, O. S. Trimmer, M. H. De Young, C M. Shortridge, W. R. Hearst, Hugh Craig, John Rosenfeld, W. C. Ralston and others. When all had taken their places, Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chair- man of the Committee of Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, introduced Hon. Edward Ingram, Mayor of Mon- terey, who delivered the following brief but appropriate address of welcome: President Loop and Veterans of the Mexican War: By your patriotic devo- tion to country, by your heroic deeds of valor upon the field of battle, this golden Pacific was brought beneath the folds of the Stars and Stripes, the glo- rious emblem of our country. For fifty years has this gem been set in Columbia’s jeweled crown, and now, upon the occasion of this semi-centennial celebration, the citizens of California’s ancient capital extend to you as a token of their cor- dial welcome their hands, their hearts and their home that you may participate in the festivities that commemorate the day on which the gallant Sloat flung to the breeze the proud banner of this great Nation. To which President Loop replied as follows: Hon. Mayor Ingram and Citizens of Monterey: Accept the thanks of the Veterans of the Mexican War and their friends from all parts of our loved Cali- fornia who have come here to assist in celebrating once more on this historic spot “the event of half a century ago, for the kind welcome received at your hands. Ten years ago we came here and celebrated the Fortieth Anniversary as we now do to-day, but then not on such an extensive scale. On March 14, 1895, at a meeting of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, held in San Francisco, our comrade, Major Edwin A. Sherman, offered a resolution that a committee of three be appointed to make arrangements to cele- ‘brate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking possession of California and the Raising of the American Flag at Monterey on July 7, 1846, which was unani- mously adopted. As President of the Association, I appointed Major Edwin A. Sherman, Col. Joseph Stewart and Col. W. C. Burnett as the Committee of Ar- -rangements. The latter's continual absence from the State necessitated the ap- pointment of Comrade C. Lange, Vice-President, in his place. How well and faithfully their duties have been performed this demonstration of their comrades and fellow-citizens will attest. Major Sherman, as Chairman of the Committee, had acted in that capacity ten years ago, and which then proved to be a grand success. One year agd he went to Washington at his own expense, and secured the promised aid and coop- eration of the Secretaries of the Navy and of the War Departments, whose promises have been most faithfully carried out, as the presence of these arms of LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 175 the service in the persons of Admiral Beardslee with his squadron, and Major McCrae with two batteries of light artillery by order of Gen. Forsyth, are here to attest. The Chairman of our Committee of Arrangements has faithfully served with- out compensation or reward, satisfied with having at great self sacrifice brought his plans to a glorious success, the result of his untiring patriotic devotion and labors, in the laying the Foundation Stone of the Sloat Monument by the Grand Lodge of Masons of this State, and this celebration that we now have in hand. (Applause.) One word about the “Boys of Fifty Years Ago,” for there are some here to-day, that were here then, to aid in hoisting that flag, and the great ma- jority who fought to secure it there, who served under Generals Taylor and Scott from the Rio Grande to the City of Mexico, and made it permanent for all time. Native Daughter and Native Son, be kind and forbear with the veteran of 1846-7-8. Remember the vast empire acquired by his valor and privation, both on land and sea, that he has given you, and if he is a “back number,” turn the last leaves of his life over gently. Fellow-citizens, I had hoped to have had the pleasure of introducing to you as President of the Day, a man who has proved himself the friend of the old veteran by making this 7th day of July a State holiday, and again when there were reports that the State appropriations for the maintenance of our comrades at the Soldiers’ Home was in danger, I telegraphed him, and within an hour the reply came: ‘Do not worry, the veterans are all right.” Illness has kept our most excellent Governor, James H. Budd, from being present; but our Committee has presented us with a most able and worthy substitute, and it now gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the Hon. James McLachlan, the Congressman from this district, the President of the Day. The remarks of President Loop and the reception of Hon. James McLachlan, President of the Day, were met with rounds of applause. Congressman McLachlan, as President of the Day, spoke as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen: When I received a message last Saturday, asking me to come here and act as presiding officer of this day, I regretted exceedingly that I had not more time in which to prepare myself. But, fellow-citizens, I am sure that you did not come here to-day to listen to any remarks from the presiding officer, whoever he might be. The Comittee of Arrangements has selected those who are to recount to you the meaning of this great day, and you are here to listen to what they may say. Fellow-citizens of Monterey, this is a day of interest, not only to the citizens of Monterey, not only to the citizens of California, but it is a day which every citizen of the great United States of America takes pride in celebrating. I am glad to day that I am here in some small degree representing the Gov- ernment at Washington, to show the interest that the great Government of the United States take in this occasion. If Commodore Sloat were here to-day no one would be more surprised than he at the assembled multitude he would see before him. We are here to do honor to him to-day and those brave veterans who made it possible for the flag which he raised—our flag—to continue to float forever from that pole upon which he raised it upon that dav. Little did Commodore Sloat dream of the great importance to this Nation of the land that he declared on that day a portion of the United States of America. The Government at Washington, my friends, almost condemned him for the . i hy 176 LiFE OF REA -ADMIRAL JouN DRAKE SLOAT act which he then committed, claiming that the territory which he had acquired by his act was not worth the sacrifice that it cost, nor the sacrifice that Lh pe required to maintain it as a portion of the United States of America. But tin a few short years the hills and gulches of California gave forth her millions : riches, gold that even Commodore Sloat did not suspect lay hidden there ie ing the great struggle for the existence of this Government and to RE the supremacy of tnis flag, no portion of the United States contributed so mnch to maintain the supremacy of the Nation during that trying period as did the terri- tory acquired by Commodore Sloat in raising that flag. : Comrades of the Mexican War, we are here also to pay tribute to you, for, as I said, by your gallant efforts it has been possible for us to continue to alive is flag to float here over a portion of the United States. We assure you that % es to come, as in the past, we shall do everything to maintain that flag avi ate. I'he flagship band played national airs, and was joined by the peo- ple, whose voices, attuned to patriotic feeling, sounded a grand anthem As the notes died away, Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., delivered praver and all heads were bowed. PRAYER. O God, King of Kings, and Ruler of the Universe, we praise Thy name for the blessings which Thou has bestowed on us as a people, but especially for giv- ing us a mild and benevolent government, material prosperity and civil and religious liberty. In Thy wise providence Thou saw fit to add to the immense area of our territory, the lands of this vast State, when they were yet dnesplored and almost uninhabited, that in future generations it might become the home of a progressive and enlightened people. Make us deeply sensible of our responsi- bility as a Nation for the wise and prudent management of this portion of Thy world which Thou hast committed to our care. Graciously remember our neigh- bors at the south, and grant them peace and prosperity. May we be disposed to cultivate fraternal affection for each other; and though we remain separate nz- tions, may we be united as members of the great family of American republics Imbue our minds with a keen sense of personal honor and patriotism; take from us pride, prejudice and uncharitableness; and may we be ever ready 0 offer our- selves, our services and our fortunes, if necessary, for the good of our country We thank Thee for the memory of the patriots whose chief we have aaseitod this day to honor. May their example animate us to deeds worthy of their Shee cessors in this glorious national inheritance, and arouse us to vigilance in pre- serving the patriotic principles of the founders of the nation. And while we enjoy the confluence of blessings which are the result of the wisdom, diligent study and untiring efforts of all great and good men from the time of tie apostles and martyrs to our own day, may we bear in mind that it is not our own power and the might of our own arm, which has gotten us this wealth of civilization bat that Thou dost live and govern all things both in heaven and earth. : Hear our prayer, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. READING OF COMMODORE JOHN D. SLOAT'S PROCLA- : MATION. Iie It. ales ave Thi : ) 3 A ut. James Bayard Whittemore, the cldest grandson of Commo- < yO 1 a 1 > > : : A . dore Sloat, then read the original proclamation of Commodore Sloat, 1m LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JO..» DRAKE SLoAT 177 the handwriting of his aide-de-camp and signal officer, Midshipman William P. Toler. It was read the first time fifty years before, by Purser Rodman M. Price, U. S. N., afterwards Governor of New Jer- sey. Lieut. Whittemore read it ten years ago at the same place. There were originally three copies, and the one read belongs to the Society or California Pioneers of San Francisco. [As this has already been given, it is here omitted. more Sloat’s Report, page 75.] Mrs. C. C. Dodge, of Oakland, then sang ‘‘The Flag That Stirs Our Soul,”’ in a rich, strong voice that made the plaintive air quite See Commo- inspiring. SECOND RAISING IN FIFTY YEARS OF THE STARS AND STRIPES ON THE OLD FLAGSTAFF BY WILLIAM P. TOLER, COMMODORE SLLOAT’S AIDE-DE-CAMP AND SIGNAL OFFICER. The President of the Day said that the most interesting character as William P. Toler, the very man who, fifty years ago, raised the American flag upon that pole. A shout of rousing cheers greeted this statement. Mr. Toler descended from the platform of the grandstand and made his way through the crowd and ranks of the Naval Battalion, and was received by Lieut. Roper of the ““Monad- nock’’ and escorted to the northwest corner of the old Custom House beneath the staff, while a quartermaster of the ‘Philadelphia’ bent the American flag on to the halyards, which were placed in Mr. Toler’s hands. Major Sherman called for three cheers for the American flag, and as it was hoisted by Mr. Toler with a vim and energy of half a century before, and his eyes sparkling with pride and pleasure, every- body cheered as the Stars and Stripes began to unfold, but, as fifty years before, the halyards were cramped and had to be cleared; but when it reached the masthead and spread out full to the breeze, then ene the like of which is but seldom witnessed. People went fairly wild with patriotic enthusiasm. Hats and handkerchiefs were flung into the air; military reserve was forgotten in this wild burst of applause. It was a mass of men, women and children cheer- ing and cheering without restraint, with plaudits rolling like the rum- ble of distant thunder, but they were eloquently expressive of victory. As the flag flew to the top of the mast smoke and flame were seen issuing from the two white ships of war anchored a few hundred yards away. ‘The air was filled with a riot of sounds, the crash of guns, multiplied in echoes, rising above the strains of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ by Uncle Sam’s band. It was a touching sight to see the v here to-day w occurred a sc enerable veterans of the Mexican ser Iy rE ent — | i | | | | A SA A Eg re PRES em NS A SE ST 178 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT War behave like little boys let loose from school. and the children clapping hands and uniting their weakly voices, and California with her maids of honor, and the ladies singing bits of national songs, shaking hands, waving handkerchiefs high overhead and even cheering “with the men. Meanwhile the sailors stood at ‘‘attention’” unmoved. Then three cheers were proposed and given with great gusto in succession for Admiral Beardslee, for Sloat, for the Army and Navy, for the ladies, for the ‘‘Philadelphia’ and for the ‘“Monadnock.”’ Through it all the sailors maintained their accustomed reserve, but at the mention of ‘‘the ladies’’ they yelled and waved their caps after a fashion that clearly indicated that they meant what they were doing. But the flag would not spread out. It hung obstinately—Ilazily it seemed—by the mast. A sailor climbed the pole, scrambled upon the verandah roof and released the Stars and Stripes. When Sloat raised his flag the same difficulty was met, and Edward Higgins, a Midshipman of the United States Ship ‘‘Cyane,’’ climbed the pole and set it fluttering in the free sunshine Higgins’ brother was present that day and was among those who re- marked the strange coincidence. Many of the old men thought it was extraordinary, while some regarded it as meaningful. The probability is that the Commodore's emblem was raised on the same side of the mast, and having been blown against the pole became tangled with the ropes, for the days are much the same in Monterey in July now as they were a half century back. As soon as the prolonged cheer had come to a close, cheers and calls were delivered for everybody, everything patriotic, and several of of them were given with a will for Mr. Toler. Somewhat overcome by his effort in the flag raising, Mr. Toler struggled back to the stand and took his seat. “Put Toler up where we can see him,”’ cried a number, and after a while Mr. Toler was placed on a chair within sight of all. He was again and again cheered and requested to deliver a speech. He bowed and bowed and appeared to be deeply affected. It took some time for the fervent, patriotic enthusiasm that stirred the people to subside. ““What shall I say?’ asked Toler, turning to the President of the Day. ‘“What can I say?” ‘“‘Anything; a word to the people.” “I will say just a word,’’ said the veteran sailor. ““Fellow-citizens,’’ said he, evidentiy stirred with strong emotions and under the influence of the excitement of the moment, ‘‘were it not for physical inability from which I have been suffering for some time, LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 179 I would like to say a few words to you on so auspicious an occasion. It is the second time that I have raised the flag and it will be the last time.”” (‘We hope not,”’ cried a number of the auditors.) “As 1 say, owing to my physical inability, I am prevented from delivering a speech to you. I will now take my farewell. I wish you and your families every happiness, and not only you, but all the people of our beloved and united country.” Mr. Toler then withdrew amid loud huzzas. Admiral Beardslee was called, and when presented by the President of the Day thanked the assemblage for honoring him, and very mod- estly referred to himself, saying that it was merely by accident that he was present, and therefore he deserved no honors. “Admiral Sloat—for he died an Admiral—will live forever in your hearts,”’ he said. The crowd wanted Beardslee to share some of the honors, and ap- plauded him most cordially. The following telegrams were received and read: NEW YORK, July 7, 1896. To the Chairman Semi-Centennial Celebration, Monterey, Cal.: ; The survivors of Stevenson’s Regiment of New York Volunteers, quartered in the old historic town of Monterey during the years 1847 to 1848, send from the Empire City of the Atlantic Coast their greeting to all former comrades and other early pioneers of California, upon this, the Fiftieth (soth) Anuiversiry of the acquisition of California by the United States through the timeiy action of Com- modore John D. Sloat. Francis D. CLARK, President. Which was received with hearty applause. NEW YORK, July 7, 1896. 70 the Chairman Semi-Centennial Celebration, Monterey, Cal. : The last of the Alcaldes of San Francisco, and brother of the first Alcalde of Monterey under the American occupation in 1846 (Rev. Walter Colton, Chaplain, U. S. N.), sends his greeting to the citizens of Monterey and all old pioneers there assembled. GARDNER Q. COLTON, Presid Which was also received with hearty applause. The President of the Day then said: The originator and projector of the celebration held here so successfully ten years ago, and also of this of the fiftieth anniversary of the raising of the Ameri- that staff by order of Commodore Sloat fifty years ago, the corner- stone of whose monument on yonder hill has been laid to-day, the principal moving spirit of this grand jubilee on the Pacific shores of the American Repub- lic, I take pleasure in now introducing to you, Major Edwin A. Sherman, a vet- eran of the Mexican War, the Orator of the Day. Major Sherman was greeted with rounds of cheers, as he came for- ward and delivered the following accurate historic and classic address, which was frequently applauded: ent New York Society California Pioneers. can flag on 180 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Myr. President, Comrade Veterans of the Mexican War, Brother Pioneers and Fellow-Citizens : Ten years ago, upon this historic spot, the few survivors of the Mexican War in California came hither to celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of the taking pos- session of California and raising of the American flag upon yonder staff, by Commodore John Drake Sloat of the United States Navy, in obedience to the orders of the Government, and to secure it forever from the grasp of her ancient foe into whose hands California and her people, both native and foreign, were about to be sold and conveyed by the central government of Mexico in payment of the English debt. Ten years ago, we thought there would be but few of us left, of those who then came hither to celebrate that event, and would be here again on this semi- centennial occasion to celebrate in a grander and more imposing manner than we did then: and though four of our Past Presidents—Blanding, Knipe, Hopkins and Deal—have since then been ordered to duty on the other side, the hand of Time has dealt gently with us, and eighty per cent. of our numbers still respond, when our names are called upon the roll, and we are here still to rejoice with our fellow-citizens, over the wisdom of our Government in securing this fair land from the grasp of unfriendly monarchical European power and control. The service we rendered our country upon the battlefields of Mexico while apparently one of conquest and spoilation and injustice towards a weaker nation at the time, and while different motives may have animated the promoters of the Mexican War with different objects to be secured, yet Lhe far-seeing statesmen of our country looked to the years beyond the conflict to be waged, and in which were enfolded the principles of the Monroe Doctrine to be developed and main- tained by the American arms and by American valor, with due notice given to England and to all Europe, «Hands off from the continent of America and its affairs.” It was the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine which asserted itself in the most emphatic manner, when John Tyler, President of the United States, on the first day of March, 1845 (three days prior to the surrendering of his office to his suc- cessor, James K. Polk), signed the act of the annexation of Texas, which was ratified on the following fourth of July by its Legislature, and the ‘‘Lone Star State” gravitated to the constellation of the American Union. Texas was unable to stand alone; and previous to the annexation both Eng- land and France were bitterly opposed to the measure, while the Northwestern boundary between the United States and British America was in an unsettled state, and the war spirit prevailed to that extent that the Democratic party dis- played upon its banners the legend *‘54° 40’ or Fight.” The real issue involved was the diplomatic attempt of Great Britain to put up its barriers on the north ani west of the American Republic and hem it com. pletely in, and thus control the North American continent entirely. She had been constantly playing her game for years, and she was as closely watched as a lioness by a band of hunters. France at that time was favorable to England. Guizot, the Prime Minister of France, opeyly avowed the right of European nations to interfere in national affairs upon the Western Continent, to preserve the balance of power. England, thwarted in her plans in Texas, and jealous of the growing power and influence of the United States, was determined to compensate herself in the payment of the debt due her subjects by Mexico, secretly negotiated with that ADMIRAL LESTER A. BEARDSLEE, U. S. N,, (Retired) [COMMANDED THE PACIFIC STATION IN 1896.1 Jle stellar insignia of his rank. is worthy ot his high command, and of the gener its ich he so lavishly received at their hands at the 3 y llest measure of his efforts and resources at his This experienced and C-lebration held at Monterey, n ] : command to make it a perfect success, ic ives S$ gratitude of the Veterans of the Mexican War and of the Sloat Monument Association, as well aso there to enjoy that supreme patriotic satis- frction. Words fail to de him justice.—E. A. 5. BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES W. FORSYTH, U. S. A, (Retired), COMMANDED THE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA.—HEADQUARTERS AT San FRANCISCO. One of the most meritorious officers in the U.S. Army. With a splendid record in the field for services ren- dered in critical times of danger, the star upon his shoulder glitters upon a cuirass of honor worn over the brave heart beneath it. Always affable and courteous, and whenever it has been possible to grant the request of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War or of the rest of the people of the State, Le has invariably complied with their request, for which all teel grateful. We trust that in time the constellations will gather upon his shoulders, though not at the rate of sixteen to one.—E. A. 5. HON. JAMES McLACHLAN, M. M,, OF PasaDENA, CAL. Representative to United States Congress, and President of the Day, at Monterey, on July 7th, 1896. An Hop ary Member of the Sloat Monument Association. An Honorary Member of the Masonic Veteran Associaton? e Pacific Coast. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Government for the sale of California, while her powerful ships of war, like huge birds of prey, hovering along the Pacific Coast, were ready to seize possession and raise the British flag. This has lately by so-called historians been denied; yet the fact existed never- theless, and the American Government was fully aware of it. California was remote from the central government of Mexico, which had neither power to protect or defend it from foes without, or prevent its secession if the people here so declared; and what she could not keep or defend, she was disposed to sell and get rid of and thus pay her English debt. Gen. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, whose birthday we also celebrate, was born here in Monterey, July 7, 1808, and after rising from subordinate military and civic positions, became the leader of a revolution here on the 7th of November, 1836, in which California declared itself independent of Mexico, and he became Commandante General of the new Republic, which lasted but a very short period, and was at the same time as the revolt and organization of the “Lone Star Repub- lic of Texas.” This state of affairs alarmed the Mexican Government, and it was more dis- posed to negotiate with England for the sale of California to pay the English debt, and thus have an ally against the United States. At that time, the British agent, Alexander Forbes, from Tepic, Mexico, was in California, and in June, 1838, when writing to his brother in England, said: “The British Government seems lately to have had some suspicion that Cali- fornia would be encroached upon, if not taken entire possession of by the Rus- sians, who are settled so close upon its Northern frontier. * * * The danger does not lie there. There is another restless and enterprising neighbor from whom they will most probably have to defend themselves, or rather submit to; for although the frontiers of North America are much more distant than the Russians, yet to such men as the back-settlers distance is of little moment, and they are already well acquainted with the route. The northern American tide of population must roll on southward, and overwhelm not only California, but other more important states; but the invasion of California by American settlers is daily talked of ; and if Santa Ana had prevailed against Texas, a portion of the inhabitants of that country, sufficient to overrun California, would now have been its masters. «There have been some thoughts of proposing to the Mexican Government that it should endeavor to cancel the English debt—which now exceeds fifty millions of dollars—by a transfer of California to the creditors.” On February 1840, the New York Express said: «THE CALIFORNIAS.—The rumor has reached New Orleans from Mexico of the cession to England of the Californias.” The United States Government, as expressed in the Monroe doctrine, had the right to defend its frontiers and the American continent against European en- croachment, and by the contemplated conveyance of California to Great Britain by the Mexican Government, it was to have been an unfriendly act, hostile to American tradition and independence, and opening up a continual antagonism that would have involved a quarter of a century of war and bloodshed upon this continent, in which not only England, but the other European mouarchical pow. ers would have been combined as allies against us, the end of which no statesman then living could foresee or foretell the results. The report of the Secretary of the Navy commenced by reciting the original orders given to Commodore Sloat on June 24, 1845, and ended with the highest Ag A SPIES SY Bm 182 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT praise and commendation that could possibly be given to a brave and faithful officer. The orders were given, obeyed both in the spirit and in the letter, and the glorious achievement of the conquest of California, and snatching the prize from the claws of the British Lion in so skillful and complete a manner by Commodore Sloat, entitles his memory to the eternal admiration and gratitude not of Califor- nians alone, but of the whole of the American nation. Yet here in this golden land and on the burnished golden shield of California, there is a foul stain and splotch of falsehood and slander, which should be wiped off, and the brilliancy of our State escutcheon completely restored. Vile reptiles have crawled over it and left their trails of black slime upon its face, which only the sharp acid of public indignation and the fires of scorn and contempt can remove. The H. H. Bancroft so-called history is but a series of bound volumes of lies, detraction, libel and slander of some of the most gallant, daring and honorable men, patriots, soldiers and statesmen of our country that this age has produced. Sloat, Stock- ton, Fremont, Grant and others have been most foully lied about, and to borrow the prestige of the name and to creep into the shadow of the fame of George Ban- croft, the historian of the nation, the name of Bancroft is given to a mass of deliberate lying and slander which has caused the Society of California Pioneers to cleanse its shelves of the pollution and stain, to expurgate its roll of honor and bar its doors to the entrance of the Chief and his aids of this production which has come up out of the black press-room and bindery of the ‘‘Father of Lies.” More than eighteen years this hero of half a century ago had lain in his grave, and there were none but the veterans of the Mexican War to stand forth in his defense, in which they have defended the honor of their dead comrade, John Drake Sloat. An eternal debt of gratitude is especially due to our honorable Senator in Congress, George C. Perkins, whose unremitting labors and attention have been devoted to the helping to rescue the honored fame of Commodore Sloat from the mass of obloquy, misrepresentation and falsehood which H. H. Bancroft and his coadjutors had heaped upon it, and to Senator Perkins especially are the people of California indebted for his efforts in the passage of the bill thus far in the ap- propriating funds for his monument. On this, the fiftieth anniversary of his last and most glorious achievement, the veterans of the Mexican War have the inexpressible joy of witnessing the tri- umphant vindication of his good name, the celebration by the grateful people of this “Golden State” of the crowning act of his fame, which secured and added an empire to the domain of the Republic, while the stars of three States formed out of the original territory of California have been added to the Constellation of the American Union and where they will forever remain, Then let the perfect ashlars from all the Counties of California be here laid in imperishable granite in the square elevated base upon which the superstructure is to be reared, with California the chief cornerstone, Upon this long-neglected spot of half a century, let the Government of the people of these United States rear a shaft upon whose tablets in letters of gold the history of his renown, and the medallion and story of the daring, faithful and patriotic Fleet Surgeon Will- jam Maxwell Wood, while high up on the lofty pedestal of fame, the statue of COMMODORE JOHN DRAKE SLOAT in bronze, pointing to yonder staff where our glorious ensign was raised by his command over a land redeemed, where the wild beasts no longer roam, where civilization prevails, and where the blessings of civil and religious liberty are enjoyed. LIFE oF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 183 Comrade Veterans of the Mexican War, our ranks are fast thinning out, and our eyes which in our young manhood days shone with the fierce light of battle are rapidly being changed into the moss agates of old age, and ere long the last of us will be mustered out. In the evening twilight of our lives, as we remember the past and look to the near future, when there will come a realization of our hopes in the completion of the monument here begun, and the statue of our hon- ored Comrade Commodore Sloat shall be unveiled, we can then turn with joyful gaze to the golden setting sun, while he paints the sea, the valleys and the moun- tains in glorious hues and spreads his gorgeous mantle over the skies begemmed with the jewels of the heavens, then we can exclaim like one of old, “Now, let thy servants depart in peace, for our eyes have beheld thy salvation,” and we will follow our patriotic, brave and gallant Commanders over that last pontoon bridge, and go into camp on that other “Golden Shore.” The peroration of Major Sherman’s address was greeted with the most hearty applause. The girls of the Living Flag then sang with splendid effect “The Star Spangled Banner.” The President of the Day then introduced Mrs. Eliza A. Pittsinger, who, in an eloquent manner, delivered the following original poem, which elicited the heartiest applause: CALIFORNIA'S GOLDEN JUBILEE. BY ELIZA A. PITTSINGER. "Delivered at the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Taking Possession of California and Raising of the American Flag by Commodore John Drake Sloat of the U. S. Navy, on July 7, 1846, delivered by her on July 7, 1896. ] Why do we meet, my friends, to-day ? What records have led us on the way? What scenes are past, what themes attend, And with historic grandeur blend? A single word shall fan the fire, And each advancing thought inspire. That word is Progress; and its course Cannot be stayed by creed or force— Its germs were planted in the Past, Its blossoms crown the ages vast; And as the mighty years speed on The victories of life are won— To perfcct good its path extends, And like a star its light attends The fall of Empires, and the wane Of powers that shall not live again. And as we meet this summer morn How many a loyal thought is born! How many a fancy takes its flight O’er valley, plain and rocky height; We lift the veil, we follow fast Re ee RS a Te Fone rth re EE Tr LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT The scenes and records of the past— 0, how the hazy solitude Once whispered to those races crude Long ere the padre’s cross was seen To cast its shadow ’mid the sheen! The years sped on! The Golden Clime Awaited something more sublime And lasting than the dwindling seed Of rustic rite or ancient creed. 0, Eden Land, thou wert so fair, In thy young life so sweet and rare, That rival nations as a prize, Once sought thee for a paradise; And ’mid contention, strife and moil, They bore their banners to thy soil! The prize was here, and regal Spain Strove hard, and did that prize obtain— And yet her power was weak to hold This clime of sunshine, bloom and gold; Not even Cortez’ mighty arm Possessed the skill or held the charm. "Twas eighteen hundred twenty-five When Mexico threw off her chains; The love of conquest was alive, And flowed through her ambitious veins, Whereby she bent her anxious eyes Upon this charmed Paradise; And Echuadra sped his way Up through the seas of mist that play With the hills and vales of Monterey. And thus through all the ebb and flow Of rival nations in the strife, The dusty, sun-crowned Mexico, With new impulsion, hope and life, Unfurled her flag, and for a time Obtained pessession of the clime. It could not last, twas doomed to be Like some poor wreck upon the sea— The prize was here; and Freedom planned The final conquest of her land— She saw the winding path that led Our hero to the front and head, As with a small and valiant band He gained possession of the land. And thus our gallant Sloat became A star amid the Sons of Fame— True as the maguet to the steel, LiFe OF REAR-ADMIRAL JouN DRAKE SLOAT Equipped and armed with loyal zeal, As with an energy sublime, He stormed the Castle of his Time, Unfurled our flag, and solved the plan That Liberty designs for man. To our illustrious Sloat we yield The Victor's crown, the Hero’s shield— He came and won; and by his toil His footprints shine upon our soil. His bark was borne across the sea That California might be free; Our flag went up in time of need, His arm was strong to sow the seed, Whose blossoms crown the shining way To this our Semi-Centennial Day. Fair Stars and Stripes! beloved and bright! Ve came with golden floods of light; Beneath your folds new life and thought Sped forth as if by magic wrought! New inspiration like a flame Of heavenly glory then became A beacon-star, whose charms unfurled Like splendors of a new-born world! 0, land engirt with sea and sun, Sublime the fame that thou hast won! Thy cities in their grandeur rise, Their spires are pointing to the skies, Thy fruit the wonder of the world, And 1n thy sunlight is impearled A crystal radiance that glows, And into waves of thought it flows! That radiance charms my soul to-day, "Tis like the welcome beams of May; Upon the toil-worn Veterans Of Mexico its light expan ls, And how it blesses, warms an cheers, The pathway of our Pioneers! Beneath it how our blossoms gleam! Beneath it what a mighty stream Of speech and music now display The zeal and glory of the day! O, Freemen, wave your banners grand In all their splendor through the land! And down the valleys as we sing Let golden hallelujahs ring; For fifty years ago to-day The seed was sown in Monterey! The harvest time begins to dawn; We're marching on, we're marching on. 186 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 187 | erson then sang ‘Viva La America’ as only herself O, tis the Semi-Centennial Year! Mrs. Blake Alv ull spirit of patriotic fire and sweetness of song, Our bells are ringing loud and clear! : . i The Star of Freedom rises high, can sing it with its { A Rainbow spans the Western sky! for which she was roundly applauded as at its close she waved the Rejoice, my people, great and free, American flag, creating the greatest enthusiasm, and sang the follow- I] It is the Year of Jubilee! ing as an encore: i | “OLD GLORY.” | Music by HOMER N. BARTLETTE. Rejoice, rejoice, the day is ours! The years have brought their heavenly powers! And we have only to behold, : To claim the prize and win the gold! The vines are springing at our feet, We've but to pluck the fruit and eat! Words by THOMAS J. DUGGAN. Old Glory, Flag of Liberty, In triumph wave o’er land and sea, The pride of millions yet to be, 'Neath Freedom’s glorious sway. We gaze upon each starry fold, In beauty to the skies unrolled And link with thee in pride untold, Our land America.—CHORUS. Tis here, ’tis here, the Promised Land; "Tis here in Freedom’s cause we stand . Tis here we sing our songs of praise To gladden these Centennial days— O, Monterey, upon thy sand Are footprints wonderful and grand! 01d Glory, founded by our sires, Amid the flame of battle fires, Thy gleam the heart of all inspires With rapture day by day. The flag of the new world art thou, j § { ¥ iy fi i 1 i 4 i $ { { : i E i i k i il B+ | The Eagle from her mountain height Sped downward to these valleys bright; And through the weary march of Time To tyranny thou ne’er shalt bow, Her burning glance was on the clime— She w tch She Nos a on the wall, Forever wave above the brow, of soley {action Si oe fall Of free America,—CHORUS. ’ 1€1 clan, ! As through the warring years they ran. old Flory for thy Se t Our hearts revere thee till the last; Our dearest hopes are on thee cast, To never fade away. Triumphant, noble, brave and free, Still onward shall thy progress be, For honor, peace and liberty, And for America. At last, with her deep piercing eyes, She saw the Star of Freedom rise; Afar was heard a Golden Song, And as its numbers rolled along They thrilled her with their magic power— And then she knew the expectant hour Had come when she should yield her post CHORUS. To God’s true Guardians of the Coast. Unfurl thy grandeur to the stars, And thus it was, for this we meet To make our Liberties complete; For this we sing our songs of praise, Dear flag of many battle scars, Renowned in hallowed story. All hail! to thee, O emblem grand, For this the land is all ablaze, And on this Semi-Centennial Day The guardian of our native land, 01d Glory. We wave our flags in Montere A) y. Grand President of the Native Sons, was The Hon. H. C. Gesford, d eloquent speech, for which he then introduced, and’made a telling an was heartily cheered. The Hon. Niles Searles, Vice-President of the Society of California Pioneers, made a short and humorous address, which greatly delighted everybody present. The vast audience th Fair Monterey, in future time They name shall ring in classic rhyme; "Tis here the pilgrim shall be led, Tis here his fancy shall be fed, O, here upon this charmed ground The sacred relics shall be found; And in this Mecca of the West, At last his we ; ; . ‘ 8ry feet shall rest, en united in singing the national hymn, A — AS I TOT ITE eo oko EAR SAE IO i a4 i of | 4 tit 188 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAaT “America,” and the Rev. O. E. Edmondson, Chaplain of the U. S. Flagship ¢‘Philadelphia,” pronounced an eloquent and fervent benedic- tion, and the Great Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the tak- ing possession of California and raising the American flag at Monterey by Commodore Sloat was ended and his honored fame gloriously vin- dicated. ESE gr gem em Flagship Philadelphia Monitor Monadnock VIEW OF THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG m House at Monterey by ex-Midshipman WILLIAM P. TOLER, July 7th, h, 1846, or fifty years before. Upon the same staft upon the Old Custo “Monadnock” are seen -96, who as the Signal Officer of Commodore JOHN D. SLOAT, raised it on July 7th, I'he Flagship of Admiral Lester A. Beardslee, the Cruiser ‘Philadelphia’ and the Monitor firing salutes in the harbor. : ; Ha NoTE.—The very same hitch in the halyards occured as it did on July 7th, 1546. Midshipman Edward Higgins “leared the difficulty the first time, and it is said that it was his nephew, a seaman of the “Philadelphia,” cleared it at this time, which is a remarkable coincidence.—E. A. S. who, as the July 7th 30. FOLER, before. GRAND STAND of the American Flag, by Fx-Midshipman WiLnras I VIEW OF THE during the hoisting Signal Officer of Commodore John D. Sloat, hoisted it fifty years at Monterey, Old Custom House The stand opposite the LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 189 CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG BY CAPT. JOHN B. MONTGOMERY OF THE U. S. SLOOP OF WAR PORTS- MOUTH, AT YERBA BUENA, NOW SAN FRAN- CISCO, CALIFORNIA, ON THE PLAZA AND THE PRESIDIO, ON JULY 9TH, 1846, BY ORDERS FROM COMMODORE JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U. S. N. CELEBRATED THURSDAY, JULY 9TH, 1896. Major Edwin A. Sherman, the Chairman of the Committee of Ar- rangements of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, presented to the rest of the Committee the subject of also having a celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the raising of the American Flag at San Francisco as well as at Monterey. Gen. Forsyth, at his solicitation, having consented and given orders for the firing of salutes at the Pre- sidio and the Forts in the harbor of San Francisco, also on July 9, 1896. ‘That as the Veterans of the Mexican War would have all that they could do with the celebration at Monterey, and the two events coining so near together that the celebration at San Francisco, which ought to be held, and the honors and labors should be shared with oth- ers. ‘That the Exempt Fire Company having their engine-house of the old Monumental Engine Company at Brenham Place, immediately near the old flagstaff on the Plaza, now called Portsmouth Square, where they had kept the American flag flying for nearly half a century, should be invited to take charge and act as a Committee of Arrangements for the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American Flag in San Francisco, on July g, 1896. To this Col. Joseph Stewart and Comrade Charles Lange, the other members of the Com- mittee, gave their hearty consent. Accordingly the invitation was sent to the President, George T. Bohen, of the Exempt Fire Company, to which a most hearty response and acceptance was received, and these old veteran firemen went to work with a will and determination characteristic of their old-time hearty liberality, and prepared a celebration worthy of the occasion, of themselves, and of the patriotic citizens of San Francisco, while they made the veterans of the Mexican War their special guests, and ex- tended to them the most generous hospitality, which was fully enjoyed and gratefully appreciated. George T. Bohen, A. J. Jessup, J. J. Guilfoyle, Godfrey Fisher, ,190 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Joseph Figel, James O'Donnell and John J. Mundwyler were the Com- mittee of Arrangements. The following account of this celebration is taken from the reports of the affair as published in the daily newspapers of San Francisco: Fifty years of brilliant history were signaled at high noon yester- day, when the Stars and Stripes were spread from the lofty mast in the Plaza. ‘The falling time-ball on Telegraph Hill marked the arrival of the summer sun at its meridian, a bugle blast gave the signal, the big bell in the home of the red-shirted Exempts pealed a note of joy, and in a trice the banner of freedom was unfurled over the same memorable spot where first it was raised in San Francisco by the bluejackets of the sloop-of-war ‘Portsmouth.’ Seventeen added stars in the silken field of heavenly blue marked the semi-centennial of progress in California, from that day when Com- modore Sloat’s proclamation made this broad strip a free American ter- ritory till this, when forty-five brilliant points in the azure firmament mark the sisterhood of free republics merged in the greatest govern- ment on earth. On that never-to-be-forgotten oth of July, just fifty years ago, the gallant tars and the intrepid marines of Captain Mont- gomery’s sloop-of-war, stationed in the Bay of San Francisco, marched up to the same plaza in the then Mexican town of Yerba Buena to raise Old Glory and to take possession in the name of the twenty-eight States of the American Union of the inheritance of liberty. And yes- terday. appropriately enough, the bluejackets of the glorious Republic of the end of the century and the marines of the flagship ‘‘Philadel- phia” stood guard while one of their number hoisted the flag to the breeze, and then they presented arms as the naval band saluted with the national air. It was a magnificent scene, all in the fullness of a perfect day, with the beautiful plaza covered so thick with people that one could not see Nature's carpeting on the hallowed ground. The streets bevond were crowded with people awaiting the signal bell that was to mark the semi-centennial of the commonwealth’s actual birth into an modern civilization. Flags and banners floated in the gentle breezes amid the evergreens that fill the historic square. ‘The dazzling white uniforms of the men-o’-warsmen in double lines marked the hollow square within which the Hotchkiss guns were to thunder the national salute. Blue- coated gunners of the Naval. Battalion were grouped in the center around their glistening one-pounders, while back of them was the head and center of it all, the group of blue-capped, red-shirted, brown-coated firemen of the pioneer days—the gray-haired veterans that ran with - the machine—the Exempts of San Francisco, in whose hands had been LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 191 left the duty of fittingly commemorating the first chapter of American history at the Golden Gate. Right well had they prepared and elaborately did they carry them- selves in the celebration. Inside and outside of their old fire station on Brenham place, facing the great flagstaff, they had decorated lavishly. The national colors were strung and festooned and draped in all con- ceivable manner of pleasing shapes; their machines were sparkling in their glory of glistening paint and burnished brassiness. Out on the street, prepared for the Orator of the Day when the flag should be un- furled, the handsomest hose cart of all had been bedecked most artisti- cally for the occasion, a great multi-colored umbrella above it to protect its occupants from the sun, while the engine itself made a shining hack- ground. It was, in every detail and as a magnificent whole, one of the most beautiful groupings of people and colors ever seen in this city; and not one whit of the effect was lessened by the Oriental decorations of the houses on Clay and Jackson streets and Brenham Place, where, from the windows and roofs, the yellow-skinned Mongolians peered down upon the crowds below. They were there, no part of the picture they framed-- a barbaric setting to the glory of American civilization. The city was en fete, and with the first breaking of sunlight the plaza began filling with people. They came from all directions, men, women and children, to secure positions of vantage for the spectacle prepared for them. ‘There they waited hour after hour, their numbers constantly increasing, until the marines and the bluejackets, the mem- bers of the Naval Battalion, Mexican Veterans, Pioneers, Exempts, bands and all were on the ground awaiting the hour. It was 11 o'clock before the tars from the ‘‘Philadelphia’ and the ““Monadnock’” and Admiral Beardslee’s own marines, headed by the red-coated band from the flagship of the Pacific squadron, swung with steady step through the civilian throngs into the Park. There were nearly 300 of the sailors and sea soldiers of Uncle Sam in the line under command of Lieutenant-Commander Ingersoll, and they made a pretty sight by themselves in their hot-weather uniforms. The marines were under command of Captain Dickens, U. S. M. C., and the four com- panies of bluejackets marched at the orders of Lieutenant Brown, En- sign Hayward and Cadets Lincoln and Campbell. They were formed in a hollow square around the flagstaff, on either side of which Lieu- tenant-Commander Turner and Ensign Gould had stationed a firing detail of twenty blue uniformed members of the Naval Battalion, with two one-pounder Hotchkiss guns. Within this hollow square the gaily caparisoned fox terrier dog Gore, the canine mascot of Admiral Beardslee’s flagship, ran at will, 192 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT barking his joy at the presence of so many of his well-wishers, and frisking around the flagstaff, at the top of which the flag was bunked for the unfurling. About five minutes before noon the Exempt Firemen were ordered into line on Brenham Place by President Bohen, the Veterans of the Mexican War, headed by Sydney Loop, forming immediately behind them. The Park Band struck up “Columbia,” and, the word of com- mand being given, the firemen and the veterans marched into the plaza, forming in parallel lines on each side of the flagstaff. Up close to them could be seen the faces and figures of many an old pioneer who desired to be close enough to smell the smoke when the salute was fired. To do all this took some little time, and it was fully a minute of 12 o'clock when all was attention awaiting the stroke of the bell. Signal Quartermaster Paul Hermann of the ‘‘Philadelphia’’ had his hand on the lanyard ready to release the flag to the breeze, the tars and marines were at parade with their glistening bayonets fixed, the firemen and veterans were all attention, their heads uncovered, awaiting the stroke. Already the whistles which denoted 12 o'clock in the factories of the city were heard to sound, a distant bell or two pealed forth the hour, but the bell in the big tower was painfully silent. Not a soul in the big crowd but began to suspect that something was wrong somewhere, and that an awkward hitch in the programme was about to occur. Eyes wete turned anxiously in the direction of the bell, and still it did not ring forth. Everybody was sure something was wrong—averybody but those who were watching the time-ball on Telegraph Hill. ‘“I‘here she drops,”’ some one called out at last, as the boom of a distant gun was heard and the big ball slid down the pole. The bell in the tower pealed merrily forth. Quartermaster Hermann tugged at the lanyard, and at the second stroke of the twelve the flag of freedom fAuttered its starry length in the breeze. A few sharp orders from Lieutenant-Commander Ingersoll and the men from the warships pre- sented arms to their flag; the band from the ‘‘Philadelphia’’ struck up “I'he Star Spangled Banner,’ the vast throng uncovering until the last note died away. “Bang!” went the first gun of the national salute, and ‘‘bang! bang! bang!” sounded the reports twenty times more as Lieutenant Commander Turner and Ensign Gould paced the intervals and gave the command to fire to petty officers Harloe and Meyer. The concus- sion of the shots was something to be borne patriotically as the great white rings of smoke were blown into the air. «“I'hree cheers for the flag!” shouted Lieutenant-Commander In- gersoll, waving his sword as the last gun was fired. “’I'hree cheers for LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 193 the flag!’ signalled President Bohen of the Exempts, and they were given with a will and a.tiger by the mass of people in uniforms and without, the civilians waving their hats in their enthusiasm, the well- trained men-o’-warsmen having much difficulty in restraining them- ‘selves from brandishing their arms. The band played ‘‘America’’ as the Exempts marched to the speak- er’s stand, and the men of the ‘‘Philadelphia’ and ‘“Monadnock’’ about- faced to listen to the proclamation of Commodore Sloat, spoken through the lips of his great-grandson, James Bayard Whittemore. As soon as possible President Bohen introduced the young man to the people, and the famous message of the Commander of the United States forces in the Pacific Ocean in 1846, promising liberty of person and freedom of conscience in the new territory, was read. The voice of the descend- ant of the brave Commodore was somewhat husky with the emotions stirred up by the associations of memory, and he could not be heard many feet away, but the people assembled knew that the words his lips were forming teemed with patriotism, and that was enough. When the last word of the message of freedom had been uttered, another ringing three cheers went up for the great-grandson of the Commodore. The ceremony was ended as far as the navy was concerned, and the bluejackets and marines marched away from the scene, leaving the flag fluttering behind in the care of the Veteran Firemen. No sooner were the men-o’-warsmen gone than the plaza filled up to overflowing, and the crowd pressed forward to hear the Rabbi Jacob Voorsanger deliver the oration of the day. Dr. Voorsanger was introduced as a member of the Exempt Firemen, and the orator was cheered. When some quiet had been obtained he began his address, which was frequently interrupted with hearty applause. He said: Fellow-Citizens: We are making history to-day for the State of California. We commemorate the important fact that, almost to the minute to-day fifty years ago, Old Glory was flaunted to the breeze in old Yerba Buena and, thereby, a Mexican possession was converted into a free territory of the United States. Therefore, our first duty to-day must be to salute the flag—the flag that, these 120 years past, has traveled all over the world, and represented the honor of the American republic as no living being can possibly pretend to carry it. It was the emblem of freedom, the emblem of honorable enterprise, the emblem that in- spired fear in the enemies of liberty wherever it went. It saluted effete monar- chies with the message from across the sea that all men were free and held no one master except the Constitution to which they subscribed. We salute the flag to-day because it waved before men, who, without thought of personal advantage, obeyed the call of their country, and, in moments of dan- ger and of peril, simply studied the honor and the advantage of the Government and not the risk or the danger to themselves. In saluting the flag, therefore, we also honor the memory of the men, who, fifty years ago, stood on this square, and, with the waves of the Pacific in sight, and the breezes from the West salut- ing them, before all the world and in spite of the government that opposed them, 194 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT declared that this honorable flag was the emblem of possession; and on that day —on that glorious gth of July,—at the hour of high noon, they proclaimed the same message that long before that was proclaimed in the old statehouse in Phil- adelphia; and they saluted their brethren across the Rockies and across the riv- ers and the hills; and over the uttermost limit of the land they sent forth the message that this Mexican soil was Mexican no longer, but consecrated to free- dom of life and limb and conscience, as were all the other glorious States which saluted the flag and hailed it as their own. So then, fellow-citizens, fifty years have gone by since that great proclamation of Commodore Sloat was read, since it was sent from the ship in Monterey Bay; and fifty years have gone by since American settlers began to rest here, claiming, under God’s providence, this land as their own, and consecrated it to the purpose for which legitimate communities are organized. These fifty years have been full of significance for the people of California and to those who afterwards joined them. In that greater coming day there will be new wonders here. We will show to the world valleys groaning with fruit and wheat and grain and barley; valleys that know no barrenness in winter time, the only fields in America in which the grass always remains green. We will show them our mountains, white-headed gia 1ts watching Hesperidean gardens, in which the golden apples are sweet and rich and luscious; mountains that are the storehouse of floods racing down to bathe the valleys in their refreshing richness. And we will show them such flow- ers as they never saw before; our poppies, our camellias and dandelions, our rich ma rnolias and jasmines, and our miles of wild flowers, carpeting the unploughed hillsides as no human loom can pretend to weave a web of gayest colors. All this we have to show them and more; and we will remind them that this dear Califor- ni: is a gorgeous edition de luxe of Palestine of old, of which Medrash says with effusive tenderness that every spot in it has its hills and its dales. Our holy land, our promised land, is this golden spot, and we want the sages of Babylon to pay us a visit and leave us spiritual blessings for which we will pay with loving hearts, smiling faces, the best of everything, and the cheer of a golden land. Tell them to come. This glorious California, this wonderland, in which there is but one regret, that, like in other lands, people have to die of old age and other causes—this slice out of an Oriental garden, more luxurious than any of Boccaccio’s choice spots, is now fifty years old. That is to say, its promise dates back from the time that Sloat raised the flag over Monterey Bay. Iam in no mood to recite history, particularly a history one can read in a thousand books. My fancy rests on the momentous conversion of a Spanish province into a free American State. That, to a Jew, is one of the epochs in human history. Spain, I regret to say, is no pleasant word in the vocabulary of free men. The charters extended to her . colonies barred the Jews from admission, and they could only enter under the guise of the Nuevos Christianos. The charter of Upper and Lower California does not, I believe, contain such a provision, but the charter was issued long after the intolerance of Spain could reckon with the entire world. Spain expelled the Jews, and for the most part drove them to the East and South, back to the bar- barous conditions from which they had become estranged for centuries. Spain sought to keep the sons of Israel from the new countries to which the sword and the cross had traveled with equal rapidity, but the vengeance of the centuries overtook her. That is an old story, and I like not to dwell on it, though I do confess that for all my preaching of not exhuming old issues, my heart is stirred LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 195 with indignation whenever my memory dwells on that odious edict that robbed the olive groves of Spain of their most industrious denizens. We are here, fellow-citizens, not to speak of this disadvantage of other gov- ernments, or merely to consider the advantages that have come to us from this great feat of fifty years ago, but we desire, half a century afterwards, to empha- size the great words spoken by Commodore Sloat when he raised the flag on the shore of Monterey Bay; and we desire to say that in all the duties that come to every man in the legitimate pursuit of business, in the exercise of religious con- victions, in the discharge of educational obligations, Old Glory has enabled us to do all that free man can do, and will enable us, in the future, to do more than was done some fifty years ago. I want to say to you right now, fellow-citizens, that when we speak of the flag, the glorious stars and stripes—now forty-five stars that are shining in the Ameri- can firmament—when we speak of it we should not speak lightly. When we speak of it let it not be as if it, altogether, represented the emblem of possession. Let us speak of it as the emblem that gives and secures unto us our manhood and our womanhood. Let us speak of the flag as the emblem that promises to the citizens of America the safe and unimperiled discharge of every duty that God can assign to taem; and that, with the flag in sight, with the flag to protect us, we fear neither judge, nor government, nor anything else, but feel that we are a power yielding obedience to God alone. And so, in the consideration of our present duty, let us dwell for a moment ou the greatness of the legacy that we have received. Do you know that although we are a million strong in California, there are a very few people, comparatively speaking, that realize the magnitude, the glory, the beauty of this inheritance that has been secured to us. Sometimes it seems to me that we are not as grateful as we might be. What does the flag sav to you to-day? What are you doing to secure for your- selves this inheritance of freedom that has so grandly been given to you? Do you know—and I am speaking here in the open air and beneath God’s canopy— do you know that when I find how often you are running like slaves to listen to every heresy, every prejudicial remark that appeals to your senses, that I am sometimes astonished. There ought to be but one sentiment to-day in the hearts of free men. I will give you that sentiment: That the country, no matter how it may be divided by parties, is greater than the State; and that the State is greater than anybody. And, furthermore, no matter what different opinions may prevail in this country, no matter how communities may divide on the subject of Church or State, that we will allow every man his opinion, provided he is a loyal man; and that we shall say, furthermore, bareheaded and with the memory of the deeds of Commodore Sloat in our minds, that while parties come and go, that while religions come and go, we will not interfere between parties and opinions, but may God palsy the hand that commits treason against the Constitution of the United States. This is the language of citizenship. This is the language of the old Roman patriot who lived at a time when all were for the State and none were for a party. This is the language that should fall from the lips of citizens who consider that, though parties may fall with the principles they represent, under God's heaven there is but one thing that shall be perpetuated with honor and with dignity, and that is Old Glory. Therefore, fellow-citizens, take this home with you to-day. We are on the eve of a rather exciting contest between parties. I do not care much whether the one party or the other will win upon the strength of the predominance of its opinion, but I am interested in one thing only, and that is in the perpetuation of RE EIEN i { £1 : EE — EB —— 4 A ti 196 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT the honor of our country. Iam interested in seeing the citizens, be they for one party or another, loyal to the Constitution. I am interested in seeing that the system of Government and all that it means is protected against the insidious poison of false opinion. Iam interested in seeing our schools kept clean from partisan politics. Iam interested in a judiciary which shall be kept incorrupti- ble. Iam interested in bringing about the times of the ancient patriots, when self sacrifice was the great duty of the hour, and when every look at the flag in- spired them to yield their lives and their fortunes for the honor of their country. "The speaker concluded in a brilliant peroration, in which he dwelt on the glories of California and the inspiring grandeur of the flag under which it prospered. Then, suddenly, lowering his voice, he directed the prettiest spectacle of the entire day. ‘Take off your hats,” he said to the multitude. With one movement every head in the plaza was uncovered, every eye was fixed on the ground, while the voice of the speaker was heard to ascend in prayer. “Let us pray to God,” he said, ‘‘that our country, which is the dearest thing we have on earth, may always grow in honor; that our people may always be strong in hope, and that we never may be ashamed of whatever we shall do for the honor of God, the honor of our country and the imperishable glory of the flag.” “Amen,” said the speaker, and a ringing response came from the bareheaded crowd, followed almost immediately with ringing three cheers for the Orator of the Day and the sentiments of his address. This enced the exercises, and the crowd broke up, as many as pos- sible pushing their way into the home of the veteran firemen, there to enjoy the hospitality of an open house. Above and below stairs the old boys that used to run with the machine had amply provided for all comers. Up aloft they took care of the ladies, the Mexican veterans and aged pioneers. Below they furnished lunch to the gunners and the vounger generation that has always appreciated the work of their elders in fiery times. In both places there was a perfect jam, and a holiday display of appetite that easily bid fair to eat and drink the entertainers out of house and home. It didn’t, however, for the reason that the old fellows had been there before and there was no end of their supply. At the conclusion of the outdoor ceremonies the Exempts and their invited guests adjourned to the upper hall of the company’s engine- house, where an informal reception was held. The hall had been beau- tifully and significantly decorated for the occasion. Draped with the National colors numerous pictures of veteran firemen were about the walls. About each of these pictures groups of hoary-headed firemen were gathered all afternoon, and many were the thrilling reminiscences of daring deeds of long ago that the representation of features of lead- ers long since departed called forth. The President's desk was ornamented with huge bouquets, and be- LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 197 tween these were the trumpets through which the old officers were wont to direct their men. These trumpets were also fraught with pleasant memories; in fact, it was a day of memories, and the old boys who ran with the machine when the century was in its prime grew young men as they viewed the emblems of former struggles with the devouring element. ; Prominent among the decorations was a bust of Lily Hitchcock, the first and only honorary member of the Fire Department. It was her distinguished honor to be a member of the Knickerbocker Company, No. 5. That was a long time ago, but she yet lives at Larkspur, Marin County, to tell of her popularity with the fire laddies. There were other things not so ornamental, but none the less cheer- ful, in the hall. At each end was a hospitable-looking table laden with good things to eat and drink, especially to drink, and the open-handed Exempts dispensed of their good cheer liberally to their guests, not forgetting the demands of their own inner men. There was speech-making, too, and songs that were loud and lively. The speeches were not set affairs, but they had the. true ring, and the patriotic utterances with which they abounded and the complimentary references to the old firemen brought forth applause that would have warmed the cockles of any orator’s heart. Major E. A. Sherman was the first speaker called upon. After re- counting the history of the acquisition of California by the United States, he said: When Commodore Sloat raised the American flag down went the union of Church and State, and every man, be he what he is or who he is, can worship as he pleases. We don’t care what a man believes. He can go to heaven or the otber place as he pleases and in his own way. He concluded: I want to say a word in favor of the old flag. The stars in that flag came from heaven. There is not a down-trodden race but looks up to those stars. That flag is the sun of Liberty that shines for all. I have been wounded in defense of that flag, and it is my honor to-day in this assemblage of its loyal supporters to pro- pose three cheers for the stars and stripes. The cheers were given with right good will. He then introduced Captain W. F. Swasey, who was Secretary to Thomas O. Larkin, the first and only U. S. Consul to California and at Monterey. His was one of the happiest speeches of the day. The sight of old friends seemed to inspire him to new endeavors, and as the American flag waved before him above the verandah he rose, and in tones that trembled with emotion said: 01d Comrades and Fellow-Citizens: I am the only living man who was con- nected with the State Government when Sloat and Montgomery raised the flag. smh — p— AAI, Be BATRA co ei, — A eC Cea a diss ge pI 198 L1FE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT I was Larkin’s Secretary at the time. We were all waiting intensely, and when the emblem of liberty was raised an invocation went forth from every heart. Never until then had we truly felt the power of that piece of bunting that rep- esents what all Americans love. (Cheers) Never until then did we feel to its fullest extent the flag's permeating aud protecting power. Then he turned to the great flag waving outside the verandah and said: Yon waving bunting, behold it in glory there! Beautiful flag of my country, emblem of protection and safety to the whole world’s down trodden humanity! Thou art the beacon light of hope, of succor and of safety to all of God’s liberty- loving creatures! The eyes of the oppressed and down-trodden in all the earth’s remotest regions brighten and sparkle with joy when they gaze upon thy rainbow- hued loveliness! Born amid the strife and storms of all the elements that war against liberty, consecrated in the blood of patriots, the most honored and re- vered known to the world’s history, what hand shall dare, what heart shall con- ceive the damning infamy of lessening the brilliancy of a single stripe or the clouding of the lustre of a single star? To us that flag symbolizes so much of hope, of happiness and of safety that our hearts cleave to it with a love surpass- ing that of man for woman, of mother for child. May it wave forever in majesty and in glory undimmed. Hon. Robert Ferral followed with a short extemporaneous speech, telling the story of the flag. The speech was a series of dramatic pictures and the orator was heartily congratulated when he closed. He said: The pioneers were satisfied with the country they fought for, and did not care to leave. You know the story of the Californian of olden days, who refused to rise at a camp-meeting when the preacher asked that all who wanted to go to heaven stand up. Then the minster asked that all desirous of going to hell should rise, but the grizzled pioneer refused to stand. ‘‘What is the reason you don't stand up? Where do you want to go?’ asked the preacher at last. ‘‘No- where,” said the old pioneer; “California is good enough for me.” The speaker touched briefly the story of the Mexican War, its bat- tles and its victories, saying: The Yankees knew no defeat. They fought on and on for liberty in the face of what others would have called defeat. Everywhere their courage was supreme, and everywhere the colors waved in glory. In spite of creeds and clans, in spite of political and religious divisions, we all respect the flag as the emblem of our freedom in this fruitful land. I believe that all who saw that glorious emblem raised to-day felt that it was the most beautiful piece of bunting that floats to-day beneath the blue dome of heaven. I read one time of an anarchist dying in a foreign land, a man wearv of old- world government and its broken promises to the oppressed. Biting the dustand cursing human laws, he died, and when the mourners gathered round, next to his silent heart was found a small American flag—emblem of what he sought in vain in all the world outside, If there is anything that appeals to public honor and to patriotism the Exempt Firemen are always to the front. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 199 To-day, when the passing years have whitened their heads, the same spi-it that prompted them in their youth to go forth and do battle with the fierce flames prompted them to-day to come forth and honor their native land. When this flag was first raised over the City of San Francisco, this State had the greatest fighting men in the world. It has been said here to-day that in the Mexican war the Americans never lost a battle. This has been denied by Mexican authority. They say the Yankees were repeatedly defeated, but confound them, they didn’t know it. It has been said that no man in whose heart beats the pulse of liberty looked upon the flag which Commodore Sloat raised without enthusiasm. But this is a mistake. There was one man. : Soon after Commodore Sloat raised the American flag, the Commodore of the British Navy, who had been sent out to make a conquest of California, sighted these shores. He sent one of his men aloft and asked him what he saw. The man replied he saw some ensign afloat. “What is it?” asked the Commodore, and the man replied, “It is the flag of the United States Republic.” And then Commodore Collingwood said, ‘‘Damnaticn!” We find that Sloat’s action forestalling the English Government gave us Cali- fornia. Glad I am to be with you to-day to honor Old Glory. I don’t think there is a man but who, when he saw that flag run up to-day and saw it kissed by the breezes of heaven, thanked God that he was an American and believed that it was the finest piece of bunting in the world. I love it, not because it is the most beautiful of flags, but because it is the only flag Liberty has ever given us, and it represents all humanity. It is the flag that gives the liberty of conscience. We may bow to different altars, we may be Democrats, Populists, or anything you please, but above all we are Americans, loyal to the grandest flag that ever floated ‘neath the skies. At the conclusion of Judge Ferral's address he was given three rousing cheers, and then the Exempts started up the chorus, “He's a Jolly Good Fellow,” which was joined in with a will. Major Pico, one of the historic guests of the occasion, was the next speaker. Major Pico is a son of the man whe presented Portsmouth plaza to San Francisco, and is one of the most prominent figures in California history. The Major spoke enthusiastically of the honor which he felt, not only in being a descendant of the Pico family which had surrendered California to the United States, but in being himself a citizen of this Republic. “I am a true American,’’ he said, ‘‘and I am also a Native Son. I would to-day be proud to go out and fight for that glorious flag if my country needed me.”’ Harry Niemann, formerly of the Tivoli, entertained the company with a German dialect recitation, which was tumultuously encored. Then Gus Pullman. assisted by Niemann and Sam Striker, sang ‘“When We Ran with the Old Masheen.”” It was a song that went directly to the hearts of their auditors, and the hearty voices of the youthful old firemen rang out in the chorus a volume that belied their years. Jack McGreany, of the Police Department, sang ‘“The Engine that Housed on the Hill.” and George Kinney sang another song dear to the hearts © 1 # AAS RENE 200 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT of Exempts, ‘‘Scanlan’s Chief Again.” In all these the firemen joined in the chorus. Charles Wilson, an old Exempt, told a number of interesting remin- iscences of early days in the department, and warmly eulogized the fire laddies of the volunteer organizations. James O’ Donnell, another Exempt, made a humorous and at times eloquent address on the flag and the Fire Department. He regretted that he was not in California when Captain Montgomery raised the stars and stripes in San Francisco. He explained that at that time he was but 14 vears of age and had not yet left his native land. Proceeding more seriously he eulogized the flag as the banner of religious and civil liberty to which the down-trodden of every race looked hopefully. One of the most prominent of the guests of honor yesterday was Mrs. W. C. R. Smith, whose brother, Joe Vasquez, had brought from San Jose the flag that was raised in this city fifty years ago. “Captain Leidesdorff sent my brother to Monterey to get the flag,” said Mrs. Sn:ith yesterday, “and Joe made the trip on horseback, keeping to the mountains and to the brush in order to elude the enemies who were on the lookout. My brother finished his long ride in very quick time and brought the flag safely to this city.” "Mrs. Smith, who is probably one of the oldest native daughters in the State, was born in San Jose. In 1843 her mother, Mrs. J. J. Vio- get, who had married the first surveyor who laid out the plan of the city of San Francisco, came to this city, and soon after her daughter followed. Mrs. Smith, who owned up to having been in her younger days the favorite girl with the Americans in California, is the wife of W. C. R. Smith, a prominent Exempt of old ‘California 4” and “‘Knickerbocker 5°’ Companies. Following is a list of the now living members of the old Iixempt Company, most of whom assisted yesterday in the reception at Brenhem Place: Claus Spreckels, William Alvord, William G. Badger, John S. Durkee, I. W. Lees, Joseph F. Marshall, James Smith, Charles M. Plum, George W. Kennard, Charles Schultz, Charles S. Eeles, W. IL. Ryckman, A. Browning, John M. Gardner, Pincus Harris, P. D. Quinlan, J. B. F. Louis, A. J. Jessup, Henry A. Chase, S. S. Kohn, John S. Dryer, C. Turner, Jr., George T. Bohen, Henry Wieland, N. R. Sewell, Isaac Harrington, James O’ Donnell, P. H. Fleming, E. Valen- cia, A. P. Hotaling, Adam Smith, ‘I. H. Harders, J. J. Crowley, Jacob Freeman, Michael Rvan, C. Murr, John Cook, B. H. Schunhoff, R. I. Blauvet, Jr., H. Peyvser, James Riley, Herman Bendet, Andrew Bahrs, J. J. Mundwyler, Thomas Neary, James Grady, Edward Commins, I. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 201 I. Antony, M. J. Dolan, Charles R. Nolte, Godfrey Fisher, Henry Hock, G. W. Osborn, William Larkins, Henry Voorman, Leon Ara- don, James Madden, Ed. Stefflebach, R. Caverly, John G. Heim, Simon Fitzpatrick, R. TI. Brown, J. W. Kemp, Washington Irving, John J. Mahoney, George B. Hess, J. H. McMenomy, Thomas Fox, James W. Kentzel, C. Vorrath, Charles B. McFarlane, P. D. Wilkins, Louis Bendt, Samuel Striker, John F. Lyons, Henry Sutliff, Joseph Figel, Francis Richards, John McCarthy, Samuel Newman, John Strat- man. George I. Hobe, S. M_ Locke, Martin Bulger, Christian Kobicke, John J. Guilfoyle, J. M. Priairo, Henry I. Hudson, John Brougham, Charles W. Saunders, Joseph F. Kohn, Mark Harris, George Grief, T. B. Robinson. Besides the Exempts, there were also many other prominent Pio- neers and Mexican War Veterans: S. J. Loop, President of the Mexi- can War Veterans; Major Pico, Public Administrator Freese, ire Commissioner F. G. Edwards, Supervisor C. L. Taylor, ex-Assistant Engineer George W. Kennard, “Uncle” CG. T. Bromley, ex-Judge Robert Ferral, the President of the Society of Old Friends; W. W. Mavil, President of the Oakland Exempts, and President Phineas Mar- tin of the Alameda Exempt Company. The committees having in charge the various features of the day’s celebration were: The Committee of Arrangements, consisting of George T. Bohen, A. I. Jessup, J. J. Guilfoyle, Joseph Figel, James O'Donnell and J. J. Mundwyler, and the Banquet Committee, consist- ing of William Larkins, Charles W. McFarlane and Henry A. Chase. As a fitting finale to the celebration three rousing cheers were given for the flag, and a stanza of ‘“America’’ was sung. VETERANS ARE PLEASED. TraNk THE EXEMPT FIREMEN FOR THE GENEROUS AND CORDIAL RECEPTION ACCORDED THEM. [From the San Francisco Call of July 10, 1546. The Veterans of the Mexican War met last evening at their hall, 22 O'Farrell street. All the members wert highly pleased at the suc- cess of the celebrations at Monterey and yesterday at the plaza. The first suggestion of having such a celebration was made at a meeting of the Veterans almost a year and a half ago, and it was through the efforts of individual members of the Association that enthusiasm was aroused in the matter. Major Sherman especially has been very active in brit and besides giving much of his time has expended 1ging about the celebration, en —— S———————— Bo i A Se = 202 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT money in the cause. Last night resolutions thanking Major Sherman for all he has done to make the matter a success were passed, and will be suitably engrossed and presented to the Major. The following resolution, offered by Henry Schwartz, was also adopted by the Association: Resolved, That the Mexican War Veteran Association of San Francisco hereby expresses its high appreciation of the generous and cordial reception its members received from the Exempt Firemen of San Francisco on the fiftieth anniversary of raising the American flag at San Francisco by the commander of the United States steamship “Portsmouth,” July 9, 1846. The following letters of thanks were also sent to President George 'I'. Bohen of the Exempts and Col. William H. Menton of the Southern Pacific for their courtesies extended to the Veterans during the celebra- tion just closed: George T. Bohen, President of Exempls— ‘ DEAR SIR: Please accept for yourself and the Exempts the thanks of th Veterans of the Mexican War for the very elegant and hospitable reception and entertainment received by them from you on the fiftieth anniversary (July 9) of hoisting the stars and stripes on Portsmouth Square. S. J. Loop, President. Col. William H. Menton, Passenger Agent of Southern Pacific Co.— DEAR SIR: Through me the Veterans of the Mexican War wish to express to you their thanks for your kind attention and care in looking after their trans- portation to and from Monterey on July 7, 1896. S J. Loor. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 203. RESOLUTION OF THANKS TO OUR COMRADE MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS OF THE ASSo- CIATED VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR FOR THE CELEBRA- TION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG AT MONTEREY, AND THE TAK- ING Possession oF CALIFORNIA BY COMMODORE SL.oAT oF THE U. S. Navy, JuLy 7, 1846, HELD AT MONTEREY, CAL., JULY 7, 1896. At the regular meeting of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, held on Thursday evening, July 9, 1896, at their Hall, No. 22 O'Farrell street, San Francisco, California, among other business trans- acted the following action was taken: It was moved by Comrade J. C. Taylor that a committee to be com- posed of past Presidents Comrades William L. Duncan, A. Andrews, Joseph Stewart and past and present President Sidney J. Loop be ap- pointed to draft and present to Comrade Edwin A. Sherman resolu- tions of thanks expressing the appreciation and gratitude of this Asso- ciation of the Veterans of the Mexican War for his valuable services rendered as Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for the cele- bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the raising of the American flag at Monterey, and the taking possession of California by Commodore JouN D. SLoOAT, on July 7, 1846, which celebration was held at that place on July 7, 1896. The motion being duly seconded, was unanimously adopted. Signed: SIDNEY J. Loop, President. Attest: Wm. L. DUNCAN, Secretary. HALL OF THE ASSOCIATED VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR, THURSDAY, September 20, 1896. To the President, Officers and Members of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War— COMRADES: Your Committee, to whom was assigned the pleasing luty of drafting resolutions of thanks to our Comrade, Major EDWIN \. SHERMAN, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for the elebration held at Monterey, on July 7th, last, have performed the luty required of us, and, in accordance with his wishes, have caused 204 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT the same to be printed in the book containing the account of the cele- brations published therein, instead of having them engrossed and framed, as we had it in contemplation to do. We therefore submit the following accompanying resolutions as ou: report: WHEREAS, It is eminently just and proper that faithful services in the per formance of duty should be duly recognized at all times and in the general bus: ness affairs of life where compensation is made for such services rendered; ye: when there is no other reward to be looked or hoped for than the approval of one’s own conscience, at the end of a long and patient service of ten years in the arrangement of plans for a successful demonstration by the people in the marking of an epoch in the history of the American Republic, unparalleled in the annals of the world, and such long services having been rendered gratuitously at a great sacrifice of so much time and money, for which latter compensation and reimbursement has been refused to be accepted in return by a comrade of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, who, prompted solely by a spirit of the purest patriotism, has devoted himself to a most noble object, that of commemo- rating the Semi-Certennial Anniversary of American Occupation of California, and to indelibly mark the same, by laying the foundation-stone of the base of a monument, which, when erected, shall, for all time, be the witness of a grateful, loyal and liberty-loving people, to the memory of the faithful and patriotic officer and citizen who first planted the Stars and Stripes on these then far-off shores, Commodore JOHN DRAKE SLOAT of the U.S. Navy, who added an empire to our national domain, such self-denial and self-sacrificing devotion is not only worthy of all praise, but deserves the expressed gratitude especially of all his comrades of the Veterans of the Mexican War, and the general thanks of the people of the State of California; and, : WHEREAS, That we may the better recall to our memories some of the services he has rendered, and that the people of the State of California may be made duly aware of the same, that public gratitude may also be extended to him which he so eminently deserves, we cite the following facts: Under the auspices of tbe Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, as Chair- man of the Committee of Arrangements, he inaugurated and successfully carried out the Celebration of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American Flag at Monterey and Occupation of California by Commodore JOHN D. SLOAT of the U. S. Navy, which, with the cooperation of the U. 5. Government and the California Pioneers which he secured, made that event memorable in the annals .of the State of California. He inaugurated and organized the Sloat Monument Association of Californiz, and has served as its Secretary without fee or reward for a period of over ten years. le successfully defended and maintained the reputation and fair fame of Con modore JoHN DRAKE SLOAT against lying traducers who assailed the character of the deceased, who could not speak for himself, and thus after long months «' secret and open opposition he enabled our Senator, the Hon. George C. Perkin: to successfully carry through the bill in the U.S. Senate making au approprie tion of ten thousand dollars for the erection of the Sloat Monument at Montere: He, by his personal influence and laborious correspondence, totally unaide succeeded in arousing the spirit of American patriotism throughout the State, t the extent of having the Boards of Supervisors of the several counties provi’: LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 205 stones for the base of the monument, and to send their representative young ladies to be present at the laying of the corner-stone. He made a journey to the city of Washington at his own expense to secure the cooperation of the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy in the cele- bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American flag and tak- ing possession of California by Commodore JOHN D, SLOAT of the U. S. Navy, which mission was crowned with success. Through his personal influence and efforts our treasury was aided, that its Relief Fund remained untouched, and the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War were enabled to proceed to Monterey and return from the late celebration at that place without drawing from the funds appropriated for the relief of our dis- tressed comrades. As Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, for the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Rais- ing of the American flag at Monterey, he gave his time and means for a period of nearly a year and a half, and under the most trying and perplexing difficulties, and without any appropriations of moneys placed at his disposal whatever, he made with the assistance of the Army and Navy a success worthy of the Nation, of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, of the Pioneers of California and of the Sloat Monument Association in the grand historic event commemorated. In the bringing together of historic characters; the man who actually raised the American flag at Monterey half a century before to raise it again; and the few survivors who landed with the forces under Commodore Sloat; those who served under Commodore Stockton and Colonel Fremont; the few survivors of the U. S. Army and of Stevenson’s Regiment who served in California fifty years ago; and the battle-scarred veterans who served with ourselves under Generals Taylor, Scott and others, in the Mexican War; in the steps taken by him for the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American flag at San Francisco, July 9, 1846, by Captain Montgomery, of the U. S. S'oop-of-War “Portsmouth,” as also the previous celebration at Sonoma, of the Fiftieth Anni- versary of the Raising of the Bear Flag at that place on June 14th, last, all of which deserves the highest commendation, gratitude and praise; therefore, be it Resolved, That we tender our Comrade, Major EDWIN A. SHERMAN, our sin- cere and heartfelt thanks for his long, patient, laborious and patriotic services given in behalf of the ASSOCIATED VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR, extending over a long period of years; and that while he enjoys our highest esteem and regard, our confidence in his integrity and ability, he is justly entitled to the credit of having inaugurated and brought to a successful termination the cele- brations, already mentioned, and is deserving the gratitude of the people of the State of California for his patriotic devotion to her fair fame and the Nation’s honor in the events which under his direcfion have been so auspiciously com- memorated. Resolved, That we earnestly trust and fervently hope that his days may be lengthened, and that he may live to finish and enjoy the fruits of his labors in the completion of the monument and the erection of the statue of Commodore JOHN DRAKE SLOAT so well begun, and the foundation-stone laid, on the U. S. Military Reservation at Monterey, and that to this end he is deserving of the hearty sup- port and cooperation of all the pat:iotic citizens; and it is to be hoped that all of the Counties of the State of California will be fully represented by their stones to be placed in the base of the mcnument at Monterey. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of our Associa- 206 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT “tion, a copy presented to our Comrade, Major EDWIN A. SHERMAN, Chairman o! _the Committee of Arrangements, and a copy of the same printed in the accoun: .to be published of our late celebrations. All of which is respectfully submitted. Signed: J. C. TAYLOR; WiLLiaM I. DUNCAN, Past President; A. ANDREWS, Past President; JoseEpH STEWART, Past President; SipNEY J. Loop, Past Pres. and Pres. _Attest: WiLLiam L. DUNCAN, Secretary. 22T ee. “26 R AT PSN "OF THE \ UNIVERST Y OF nbs LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CHAPTER XI. THE RESUMPTION OF LABOR UPON THE BASE OF THE SLOAT MONUMENT, UPON THE U. S. MILITARY RESERVATION AT MONTEREY. CAL. The Senate Bill, after having been successfully carried no less than twice through the U. S. Senate unanimously, through the persistent efforts of the Hon. Geo. C. Perkins, U. S. Senator from California, and appropriating the sum of ten thousand dollars for the Sloat Monument, failed to be taken up and carried through the House of Representa- tives, although unanimously reported favorably upon by the Library Committee to which it had been referred, and three similar bills of the like character were from time to time introduced in the latter body by Congressmen Hilborn, McLachlan and Metcalf, and like the old darkey midwife’s description, ‘‘the child died a-bornin’,”’ and all they did, proved abortive at the end of each session of Congress. There was no delay in the Senate in the passing of the bill for the appropriation, while the Lower House seemed to have referred it to “‘that Upper House not made with hands eternal in the heavens.’ with the prospect of the Sloat Monument being erected in the air; and it now became evident that the people of California’ must at least con- struct the base of the monument themselves before their Representa- tives in the National Capitol would be successful in securing the desired financial aid. Twelve Counties, with the U. 8, Navy and the Grand Parlors of the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, had furnished stones of the prescribed dimensions, which were stored in the old Custom House at Monterey awaiting the pleasure of an unap- preciative Speaker of the House, who was a broken Reed shaken by the wind and deaf to all petitions concerning it. The old Custom House having been leased for a term of years to the Grand Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West upon condi- tion of their repairing and restoring it, and the Legislature of California having appropriated several thousand dollars for that purpose, it be- came necessary to remove the stones; and in order to secure them from mutilation at the hands of vandal tourists and relic hunters, it was deemed best to haul them to the site of the monument and lay them as soon as possible; but there was not a dollar in the treasury of the Sloat Monument Association, which was in debt to its Secretary, who had served in that capacity voluntarily and without pay for a period of nearly sixteen vears. 208 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Dr. Washington Ayer, the President, and several others of the Officers and Members of the Sloat Monument Association were dead and a new election was necessary to be held to fill their places. Ac cordingly a called meeting was held at Monterey for that purpose on Friday, August 16, 1901, when the following officers were elected and assumed the duties of their respective offices, viz.: President, Col. Joseph Stewart, U. S. A. (retired), V.M. W,, of Berkeley; First Vice-President, Hon. Wm. M. Boggs, V.M. W,, of Napa; Second Vice-President, Col. Samuel W. Boring, V. M. W., of San Jose; Secretary, Major Edwin A. Sherman, V. M. W., of Oak- land; Treasurer, Samuel W. Levy, Esq., of San Francisco; Receiver Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, of Monterey; Marshal, Gen. Thomas Ww. Ketcham, V. M. W., of Stockton. These, with Hon. Geo. C. Perkins, U. S. Senator, of Oakland; Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., Mare Island Navy Yard; Dr. James L. Cogswell, Pioneer, of San Francisco; Hon. Frank Mattison, ex-President N. S. G. W., of Santa rity: Major John L. Bromley, V. M. W; David W. Standiford, Pioneer, aud Hon. Wm. Frank Pierce, of Oakland; Hon. Lewis A. Spitzer, of San Jose; Hon. George E. Kennedy, of Livermore, and Miss Clara K. Wit- tenmyer, of Mills College, Ex-President of Grand Parlor, N. D. G. W,, for the Executive Committee. The following were elected as the Committee on Design and Con- struction: Major Edwin A. Sherman, of Oakland, Chairman; Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., Mare Island Navy Yard; Capt. Franklin J. Drake, U. S. N., Mare Island Navy Yard; Hon. Edward M. Preston, P. G. M , of Nevada City; Joseph M. English, Esq., Vallejo, and Miss Camille Johnston, of Alameda. The following were elected Active Members of the Association by acclamation: Rear Admirals J. C. Watson and Henry Glass, Captain Franklin J. Drake, Commander Thomas S. Phelps, Lieut. Commanders F. F. Nicholson and Alexander Sharp and Cadet Edwin H. Dodd, of the U. S. Navy; Messrs. J. W. Bagby, H. A. Olmsted, Jonathan Wright, V. M. W.; H. M. Parmelee, Mrs. Thomas G. Lambert and Miss Frances B. Orton, of Monterey; Mrs. Emily A. Fish, of Point Pinos Lighthouse; John R. Patrick and C. B. Rosendale, of Pacific Grove; Henry F. Williams, Pioneer; Samuel W. Holliday, Pioneer; James B. Whittemore (great-grandson of Commodore Sloat), Edward Dexter and Samuel H. Collins, of San Francisco; Dr. Hiram N. Rucker, Dr. Charles E. Lancaster, Hon. Thomas W. Crawford, Her- man C. Sagehorn and J. Hoyt Toler (son of Wm. P. Toler), of Oak- land; Hon. Joseph Knowland, Jr., and Miss Camille Johnston, of Ala- meda: Hon. Lewis A. Spitzer, of San Jose; Hon. Frank Mattison and Charles Steinmetz (V. M. W.), of Santa Cruz; Hon. Edward M. Pres- LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 209 ton, P. G. M., of Nevada City; Mrs. Patsy Reed Lewis (of the Donner party), of Capitola, and Miss Clara K. Wittenmyer (ex-President N. D. G. W., of Mills, making thirty-four added to the Active Roll. The following were elected the Local Supervising Committee at Monterey, to make contracts to be approved by the Executive Commit- tee to be valid, and to inspect and measure the work to be performed by the contractor: Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Chairman; Francis Doud (V. M. W.), J. W. Bagby, H. A. Olmsted, Jonathan Wright (V. M. W.), H. M. Parmelee, Mrs. E. A. Fish, Mrs. Thomas G. Lambert, Miss Frances B. Orton, John R. Patrick and C. B. Rosendale. At this meeting action was taken condemning the book of the Rev. S. H. Willey, for reiterating the slanders and falsehoods of the H. H. Bancroft so-called history and others, for which the latter had been ex- pelled as an honorary member of the San Francisco Society of Califor- nia Pioneers. The “Life of the Late Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat” being the Secretary of this Association, from authentic official was most heartily concurred in and Sloat Monument Association. t San Jose on September were elected prepared by records and other reliable data, approved, as a part of the work ot the This meeting was then adjourned to meet a when a quorum being present, the following Hon. Samuel J. Chipman, Henry A. Pfister, Alex. Claudius G. Sayle, Moses Schallen- Mrs. Grace Aram and Mrs. and Mr. W. T. Jameson, of 8, 190I, Active Members: P. Murgotten, Lewis Bond, Jr., berger, Homer Prindle, Wm. A. Beasely, A. R. Woodhams, of Santa Clara County, Kern County. At this meeting. action was taken in the appointment of committees to wait upon the Boards of Supervisors of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties to secure appropriations of $100.00 from each for the laying of the foundation and these Counties’ stones in the base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey. This meeting was then adjourned. The Secretary, with the generous assistance of Major John L. Bromley, proceeded with the solicitation of contributions from the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County, and from them and from Hons. Geo. C. Perkins, Victor H. Metcalf, Fred S. Stratton, Geo. C. Pardee, Wm. Frank Pierce, Arthur H. Breed, Mr. Wm. J. Dingee, Mrs. Emma Shafter Howard, Mrs. J. G. Laws and others, succeeded in securing the required amount for the foundation and laying of the Alameda County stone. Col. Samuel W. Boring, Hon. Lewis A. Spitzer and Hon. Lowe, of San Jose, with others, succeeded in securing an appropriation of one hundred dollars from the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara 210 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT County for the laying of the foundation and stone of that County. On November 2, 1901, the concrete foundation for the stones of these two Counties having been contracted for and laid, under the supervision of the Local Committee, and inspected and approved by the Committee of Design and Construction, a called meeting of the Sloat Monument Association was held at Monterey on that date. An address of welcome was made by Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver, who spoke briefly as follows: ADDRESS OF WELCOME. For more than sixteen years, the Sloat Monument Association have zealously labored to erect a fitting monument to the memory of that Grand Old Naval Hero, JOHN DRAKE SLOAT who, by the authority of the United States, flung the Starry Banner to the breezes of the Pacific Coast, from vonder staff, which won for us for all time the Golden State of California. The first important act of the Association was the laying of the Corner-stone by the Grand Lodge of California on the 7th of July, 1896. Since that day many disappointments have beset us; still, the friends of the Association have never faltered. Now, by the generosity of some of the public-spirited citizens of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, they come to plant upon this foundation the names of their Counties, cut in solid and imperishable granite. Friends and Companions, we welcome you to this historic spot, and bid you Godspeed in the noble work you have come to perform. To this Col. Samuel W. Boring, \". M. W., Acting President, re- plied as follows: RESPONSE. Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver of the Sloat! Monument Association, and Fellow-Citizens of Monterey : We return you our sincere thanks for your kind words of welcome, which, as they strike upon the ears of us, who are Veterans of the Mexican War, as Pio- neers, as Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and our Masonic Brethren who have come to lay these stones with due form and ceremony, cause our hearts to beat with more rapid pulsation at your kind words of welcome on this auspicious occasion. While some of us had entered upon the conflict in the war with Mexico, in the campaign along the Rio Grande under General Taylor, two months before the gallant Sloat dropped his anchor in the beautiful Bay of Monterey, we little knew of the length of arm or the strength of the grip of Uncle Sam, while he was holding Mexico at bay with one hand, and stretching out the other, to grasp an empire across the Continent, calling for his White-winged Eagles and Sea Birds in the Pacific, to fly to this port, and on yonder staff, to place the Stars and Stripes, to float over this land until the earth and heavens shall be no more. To erect this monument, to commemorate that grand event, is the patriotic aim and object of the Sloat Monument Association; and we have come here to- day for the purpose of continuing the work so auspiciously begun by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California, on July 7, 1896, by the laying the stones of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, in accordance with the order . prescribed for this occasion. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 211 To give the signal for this work now to be commenced, let the American Flag again be raised on yonder staff over the Custom House, where it was to stay for- ever, by order of Commodore John Drake Sloat over fifty-five years ago. Mr. J. Hoyt Toler, the son of ex-Midshipman William P. Toler, the Aide-de-Camp of Commodore Sloat, then raised the flag and three hearty cheers were given. [His father had raised it three times before on that same staff, October 19, 1842; July 7, 1846, and July 7, 1896.] The ceremonies of laying the stones were then duly performed. W. Bro. George C. Pardee, P. M. of Oakland Lodge, No. 188, F. and A. M, (ex-Mayor of Oakland), assisted by W. Bro. John A. Beckwith, P. M. of Live Oak Lodge, No. 61, F. and A. M., of Ozkland, Bro. Edwin A. Sherman and others, then laid the Alameda County stone next to the Corner-stone in the Fast front in due form, with the ceremonies especially prepared for the occasion; they using the working tools of Live Oak Lodge, No. 61, the Mother Masonic Lodge of Alameda County, to connect this historic event with that Lodge and make it a matter of history. W. Bro. William Delos Smythe, W. M. of Friendship Lodge, No. 210, F. and A. M., of San Jose, then, with the assistance of W. Bro. Samuel W. Boring, P. M. of San Jose Lodge, No. 10, and Bro. Lewis A. Spitzer, of Friendship Lodge, No. 210, laid the stone of Santa Clara County next to the Alameda County stone in due form. The working tools of San Jose Lodge, No. 10, being used, it being the Mother Ma- sonic Lodge of Santa Clara County, and to also give them historic value. When these two stones were laid, three hearty cheers were given for these Counties, and also for the workmen, which closed the pro- gramme for that occasion. A new start had been given to this patriotic undertaking, but work must be suspended until more funds were raised, which arduous task was left to the Secretary, who had the good will and kind wishes of all. Bv his strenuous efforts and appearing before the Boards of Supervisors of Contra Costa and Santa Cruz Counties, and with the assistance of Hon. John Whicher, of San Luis Obispo County, which had furnished stones, the necessary financial aid was secured to extend the foundation and lay them, the Board of Supervisors of Monterey County (through the efforts of Capt. Thomas G. Lambert and the Hon. Thomas J. Field, President of that Board) furnishing also a stone for the base of the monument, the Association was able to resume work on January 2, 1902. and to lay these four stones, of which the following account is here given: LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT LAYING OF THE COUNTY STONES OF CONTRA COSTA, SANTA CRUZ, MONTEREY AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES, ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1902. The officers and members of the Executive Committee of the Sloat Monument Association, the Local Committee of Supervision and a large number of spectators were present on the above occasion. Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver, gave an address of welcome, which was responded to by Col. Samuel W. Boring, Acting President, in eloquent and patriotic terms. He then, with the assistance of W. Bros. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M. of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. and A. M.; Benj. A. Plant, P. M. of Santa Cruz Lodge, No. 38, the Secretary and other Masons of the Sloat Monument Association, proceeded to lay the Contra Costa and the Santa Cruz County stones in due and ancient form. Then W. Bro. Henry A. Olmsted, W. M.; Will E. Parker, S. W,, and W. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M. of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, assisted by other Brethren of this Association present, in like manner laid the stone of Monterey County as the southeast corner and foundation stone in the base of the monument in due Masonic form. The Hon. John Whicher, County Clerk of San Luis Obispo County, and Worshipful Master of King David’s Lodge, No. 209, F. and A. M., assisted by the above-named brethren, then laid the San Luis Obispo County stone in due form and next to that of Monterey County on the South side turning the southeast corner of the base of the mon- ument; immediately following which, he delivered a brief, historic, interesting and eloquent address, which is made a part of this record. W. BRO. JOHN WHICHER, W. M.’S, ADDRESS. This enduring stone, placed by the good graces of the Board of Supervisors of San Luis Obispo County, and the generosity of one of our public-spirited Pioneers, Dr. George B. Nichols, is typical of the solid and substantial character of the material resources which the kind and munificent Creator has bestowed on that fair County. It weighs 3,000 pounds, or 187 pounds per cubic foot, and stands a crushing test of 18,000 pounds per square inch: hence you may be well assured that it will pot crumble because of any weight placed upon it. This stone is a fair sample, in its solidity and strength, of our manifold re- sources. For be it known unto you, we have gold, cinnabar, oil, bituminous rock, asphaltum, alabaster, and, best of all, a fertility of soil and salubrity of climate that is not and cannot be surpassed in the world. The Corn, Wine and Oil, just now poured upon this stone, attest the power of our soil, and the fructifying influence of our sun. The oil was made from trees planted more than one hundred years ago by those Catholic fathers whose labors ADMIRAL C. S. COTTON, U. S. N. When Captain Commanded U. $. Flagship “ >hiladelphia.”” Admiral L. A. Beardslee commanding the Pacific station. A brave and skilful officer and a courteous and aship. A Life Member of the Masonic Veteran Associa Monument Association REV. W. E. EDMONDSON, U. S. N. Chaplain of Flagship «Philadelphia’ in 18g6. Second Chaplain of the Day at Monterey, Cal., July 7th, 1896. “None know him but to love him; none name him but to praise.’”” An Honorary Member of the Masonic Vet- cran Association of the Pacific Coast. An Honorary Member of the Sloat Monument Association. affable gentleman, worthy of the command of so noble tion of the Pacific Coast. An active Member of the Sloat LIEUT. JAMES B. WHITTEMORE. Reader of Commodore JOHN D. SrLoaT’s Proclamation. The latter’s oldest grandson, and who also read it ten years before at the Celebration of the goth Anniversary, at the same place, July 7th, 1886, as well as on July 7th, 1896 x £ a Ingersoll. Lieut. Com. R. B. OF MARINES TTALION B. NAVAL TILE =the, Association. S. N.. U A ingersoli, and an Active Member of the Sloat Monument v - - Vv = 3 —- — oC T - —- ov v -— - - v es - - A jo - “J hiladelphia.”’ July Monterey, bi: J. 3 0 9 y a 0 ~ v = J] 3 a 9 3 1 4 “4 al 9 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 213 made so much for California; and, I may say in passing, that those trees yet yield their crop of olives as regularly as in years gone by. I congratulate the Sloat Monument Association on the progress of the work, in erecting a monument to the valor and patriotism of a distinguished officer of the American Navy,—a work that will perpetuate the name and deeds of an American hero, and be a spur to the American youth to emulate his example and forever keep the name and fame of our country foremost in the annals of the world, for loyalty, patriotism, and intelligent conquest for the betterment of mankind. He was roundly applauded when he had concluded his address. At the close, all of the officers and members of the Sloat Monument Association present then formed a line upon all the stones laid and clasped hands; then, unclosing, gave three cheers for the Sloat Monu- ment which had just been reinforced by these four stones and the south- cast corner turned by those of Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. After electing Dr. Geo. B. Nichols, of San Luis Obispo County, an Active Member, the Sloat Monument Association then adjourned. The Secretary, though enfeebled in health, lame and going on crutches, visited several County Boards of Supervisors and organiza- tions of a historical character, and by earnest pleading and representa- tion, was successful in securing the appropriations asked for, and though annoyed and his plans interfered with by outsiders who never contributed directly or indirectly one cent towards the erection of the monument, he succeeded by steadily pursuing his object, and having the unanimous support of the Sloat Monument Association, on Feb- ruary 22, 1902 (Washington's Birthday), the following stones were laid with Masonic ceremonies in due form: The stone of the Veterans of the Mexican War, by Col. Samuel W. Boring, V. M. W.; Major Edwin A. Sherman, V. M. W.; W. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M.; W. Henry A. Olmsted, W. M.; Jonathan Wright, V. M. W. (one of Fremont’s men), and Gen. Thomas E. Ketcham, V. M. W., and others, under the personal supervision of Col. Joseph Stewart (U.S. A), V. M. W,, and President of the Sloat Monument Association. The stone of the Grand Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West, by Bros. Joseph R. Knowland, J. W. (one of the Grand Trus- tees); Henry Lundstet and the above-named brethren, with the assist- ance of others. The stone of San Francisco City and County, with the above-named brethren and Bros. W. John R. Patrick, P. M.: Will E. Parker, S. W., and Jacob W. Bagby, of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. and A. M., of Monterey. Then the stone of San Joaquin County, under the immediate in- I.ieut. Com. R. R. Ingersoll. OF MARINES AND SEAMEN ommander Royal R. Ingersoll, U. is a I.ife Member of the M asonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, and an Active Member of the — ————— e— co. | . —— A — — w— se. — —— — — S. N., Monterey, July 7th, 1896. THE NAVAL BATTALION ja,” marching under the command of Lieutenant-C Sloat Monument Association. With their Band, of the U. S. Flagship ¢*philadelph Commander Roval R. Ingersoll, —T — een. Te CMITly 1 ialric THE NAVAL BATTIALION OF MARINES AND SEAMEN Lieut. Com. R. R. Ingersoll. »» marching under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Roya and an Activ 1 R. Ingersoll, U. S. N., Monterey, July 7th, 1896. With their Band, of the U. S. Flagship ‘Philadelphia, Commander Royal R. Ingersoll, is a L.ife Member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, e Member of the Sloat Monument Association. » . — 2 ! -— i — Cli — cm — « — ce 214 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT spection and supervision of Gen. Thomas E. Ketcham, V. M. W. (and Marshal of the Sloat Monument Association), with the assistance of the above-named brethren. The above-mentioned stones were laid in very inclement cold weather, and by some who were feeble by sickness and: lame, especially the Secretary, who was on crutches, but constantly active in the per- formance of his duties, while greatly annoyed by outside parties, who were publishing notices of work to be performed on the 4th of July, invitations and printing matter gotten out, with the attempt to forestall and coerce the Sloat Monument Association to yield to their plans and arrangements for a fiesta and a good time. The impertinence and im- pudence of these parties, who never contributed a cent to the monu- ment, were nowise identified with the Association (and never had been), was an unparalleled exhibition of cheek and presumption worse than that of Sanballat when he worried the builders at the reconstruc- tion of the Temple of Jerusalem. They presumed to lay out the work for the Grand Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West when there was no Parlor in Monterey, and which knew nothing about them, and that Grand Body was the only authority with which the Sloat Monument Association had anything to do The only newspaper (the New Era), published in Monterey by a naturalized British subject of English birth, with the English part apparently unnaturalized, was the organ of that peculiar combina- tion of brass and Babbit metal, and made the Secretary of this Associa- tion the chief object of its spleen and personal hatred totally without cause or reason therefor. Liliputian in physique, mental or manly character, this exhibition of caput elephantum, with a metallic counte- nance and an inflated chest, presumed to represent the public opinion of that historic town, while every true American citizen in it lamented the evil course pursued, but unable to check or restrain it. Its motto seemed to be Ad Monteregnum Asinorum Gloriam. We did not have any controversy with it or make any reply to it, and should not now refer to it, but the circumstances have made it necessary. that our labors, amidst difficulties not of our own creation, may be appreciated by pa- triotic and decent people, who are gentlemen and ladies, grateful to the Veterans of the Mexican War, who gave them California for a home, and who are proud of their American and Californian citizenship As it is the aim of the Sloat Monument Association to mark the days of laying the stones upon anniversary days, the stones of the Grand Parlor of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and of Placer County were laid with due Masonic form on March 8, 1902, to commemorate the Fifty-fifth Anniversary of the Landing of Gen. Scott and his Army near Vera Cruz on March 9, 1847, just seventeen days LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 215 after the Battle of Buena Vista, fought by Gen. Taylor against Santa Ana with triumphaut success against the overwhelming odds of nearly five to one. As before mentioned, we were with Gen. Scott in Gen. Worth’s Division. and in the second boat that touched the shore. Bnt this is a digression. The two stones last mentioned were duly laid by W. Bros. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M.; Henry A. Olmsted, W. M.; Jacob W. Bagby, Edwin A. Sherman, John R. Patrick, Jonathan Wright and others. After having performed this duty in extreme feeble health, the Sec- retary returned to his home in Oakland, and was prostrated in bed, where he was confined by severe sickness and helplessness for a little more than two months, and became so reduced that he was considering which was best: cremation or interment. ‘The former was the most economical, as the latter involved the expense of a slab or a monument; but having started one monument, we thought it best to complete that before the beginning of another, and as St. Paul says about his giving his body to be burned, the subject of cremation was postponed, for ‘Charity begins at home.” Thanks, however, to a kind Providence, to a faithful, loving wife, who gave us careful nursing as a mother would an infant, and under the medical treatment of a skillful ex-Army Surgeon, Dr. Samuel B. Littlepage, a veteran of the late Civil War, we recovered, though not able to dispense with our crutches and medicine for several weeks after- ward before resuming our labors. LAYING OF THE STONES OF SACRAMENTO, SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES. Having previously visited the Boards of Supervisors and by corre- spondence with them, and secured their aid and financial support, the stones of the above three Counties were laid with due form on May 17, 1902, by W. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M.; W. John R. Patrick, P. M.; Henry A. Olmsted, W. M.; Jonathan Wright, V. M. W.; David S. Little and Jacob W. Bagby, of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, and Edwin A. Sherman, 33°, and a few others, in the presence of a considerable number of interested spectators. These stones completed the lower course of the North face of the base of the monument, with the excep- tion of the stone turning the northwest corner. This much had now been accomplished, though through meddling interference of the parties heretofore referred to, there was a loss of the stone of the City of San Jose and the contribution of $100.00 that was to have accompanied it, proposed to be furnished by the Committee from the Parlors of the Native Sons of the Golden West of that city. This concession to San Jose was made by the Sloat Monument Associa- 216 LiFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JouN DRAKE SLOAT tion for the reason that it was the first town in California to voluntarily raise the American flag, Commodore Sloat furnishing it upon request, and it was hoisted by Fallon and others on July 16, 1846. One of the Monterey parties belonging to a San Jose Parlor of Native Sons, by his meddling with our affairs, was the cause of local dissension among them, and neither stone or donation was contributed to the monument from that source. The presumption and audacity of that Monterey clique or ring we never saw equaled. They had no more right or business to meddle with our affairs than the Devil to administer the Sacraments or to serve as Steward or Master of Ceremonies and distribute the Lord’s Supper. They still insisted upon their interference and would not let us alone. As the Secretary in his letter to us written March 10, 1892, said: «We were in to win. We lost and confess ourselves licked,” ctc., etc. But they then wanted the Sloat Monument Association, whom they had caused so much trouble, expense and loss, to unite with them on the 4th of July, which self-respect, the recent and former experi- ences in 1896, caused us to decline and let them severely alone. The new pegs were as bad if not worse than the former ones in the same holes. Why they should seek to harass, vex and annoy the old Veterans of the Mexican War, not one of whom is under seventy years of age, and the most of them from seventy-five to eighty years and upwards, as well as Pioneers and others of the Sloat Monument Association, 1s past all reasoning and comprehension. That gang would make a Cali- fornia Jericho of Monterey, and force the Sloat Monument Association (established by the sanction and authority of the U. S. Government upon the U. S. Military Reservation between Monterey and Pacific Grove) to become a Good Samaritan Society for all who may desire to pass from the Hotel Del Monte to that seaside Salem or New Jerusa- lem where, it is said, ‘the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.” As there has been a little stir made by the public press in regard to the utterances of Gen. Thomas E. Ketcham, which he is said to have made at Monterey recently, he referred to what had transpired in July, 1896, when out of $3,693.15, raised for the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Hoisting of the Flag by Commodore Sloat, $1,629 of which was sent down from San Francisco, only the sum of $325 was expended for the Celebration proper. The sum of $150, for the foun- dation and laying the Corner-stone of the monument, and that land- mark, were all that was left to show for it. Only the paltry sum of eight dollars and seventy-five cents ($8.75) was appropriated to the Ladies’ LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 217 Reception Committee, as shown by their own report for their three days’ entertainment. On July 7, 1896, Admiral I. A. Beardslee was grossly insulted by the so-called Director General or Manager of the Local Monterey Com- mittee, of that place. We received the following letters from the Admiral, which speak for themselves: (cory) FLAGSHIP “PHILADELPHIA,” PACIFIC STATION, san Francisco, October 21, 1896. My Dear Major Sherman . Thanks for the Blue and Gold book. While I am unwilling to take sides in the differences which so unfortunately occurred to mar the harmony of the celebration, I do not hesitate to say that whoever was responsible for the many blunders and discourtesies shown to visit- ing guests, and to myself and people under my command, was either a very rude man, or men, if more than one was responsible. I enclose copy of letter mailed to-day to Mr. Duckworth, and am Yours truly, I.. A. BEARDSLEE. (cory) U.S. FLAGSHIP “PHILADELPHIA,” san Francisco, Cal, October 21, 1896. Mr. S. J. Duckworth, Secretary Executive Committee Semi-Centennial Celebra- tion, Monterey, Cal.— DEAR SIR: I learn from ‘‘Report on Committee of Arrangements of the As- sociated Veterans of the Mexican War,’ that from the funds contributed to be expended in items connected with the Semi-Centennial Celebration at Monterey on July 7, 1896, there is a certain portion set aside for the purchase of “two souvenir banners ordered last evening for the U. S. Ships ‘philadelphia’ and ‘Monadnock.’ ”’ I have to request that as there is, and has been, among those who organized and managed the celebration, wide differences of opinion as to the proper distri- bution of the money collected, nol one dollar of it shall be expended divectly or indirectly on any of the forces under my command. 7 could not permil the acceptance of a banner under the circumstances. 1 am Yours truly, L. A. BEARDSLEE, Rear Admiral U. S. Navy. Yet with this official communication from Admiral Beardslee, that Committee proceeded, procured the banners, and would have forced them upon the officers of those vessels in spite of the orders of the Admiral, but they were promptly rejected, as they should have been. But the people of Monterey had apparently been kept in ignorance of these orders or the true reason for their rejection. It was these matters which Gen. Ketcham referred to in his re- marks. We greatly dislike to mention these matters, and we had hoped that the lapse of time would have relegated their unpleasant memories to the past, but recent occurrences revived them, and self-respect, and a proper regard for the interests, rights and duties devolving upon the 218 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Sloat Monument Association and with former experiences to guide us, we were determined not to form any entangling alliances, and espe- cially with those who, without any cause on our part. had secretly and openly fought us as our enemies, and acknowledged themselves in writing ‘‘as being licked.’ They had never contributed a cent for the monument, did not be- long to the Association, and had no lot or part in it, and we quietly let them severely alone and proceeded with our business, and to make the 126th Anniversary of American Independence, July 4, 1902, memora- ble by crowning the Northeast corner of the base of the monument with the U. S. Navy and other stones of a historic character. The Rev. Bro. A. A. McAlister, Chaplain of Mare Island Navy Yard, to whom the Sloat Monument Association is greatly indebted for his earnest and zealous efforts in its behalf, collected contributions from the officers and crews of various ships of war in 1896, to provide a stone to represent the Navy and for laying it. ‘That stone was promptly fur- nished and sent to Monterey that year, and the first money paid and received from any source, after the Corner-stone was laid, excepting that advanced by the Secretary for printing and other expenses. Permission was asked of Rear Admiral Merrill Miller, Commandant at Mare Island Navy Yard, and cheerfully granted by him, to solicit contributions for the monument from the employees to provide a stone and the means for laying it and towards the foundation, as the Mare Island Navy Yard was located and purchased for the U. S. Government by the Board of Officers of which Commodore John Drake Sloat was President, fifty years before, in 1852. ‘This task of soliciting contribu- tions was also placed in charge of the Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., the Chaplain at that station, and with the assistance of the Foremen of the various Departments he successfully accomplished it, and the stone ordered prepared and sent to Monterey. As Mining was the first chief industry in California immediately after the discovery of gold in January, 1848, and for several decades following, and still pursued by a large proportion of our fellow-citizens, it was deemed proper that it should be prominently represented by giv- ing it a place next to the U. S. Navy stone on the Northeast corner in that particular historic group. Accordingly, the Secretary addressed a letter to the W. Bro. Hon. Edward C. Voorheis, State Senator and President of the California Miners’ Association, residing at Sutter Creek, Amador County, requesting that his Association should provide a stone and make an appropriation for laying it and the concrete core of the base of the monument,.and that R. W. Bro. the Hon. Jacob H. Neff, their ex-President, and Lieut.-Governor of the State of California, with the assistance of his officers and members, should lay it. This LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT 219 request was most cordially and fraternally conceded, the stone fur- nished and the funds provided as asked for. As we had assisted in 1854 and 1855 in surveying the first Railroad in California, that of the Sacramento Valley Railroad from Freeport and Sacramento to Folsom, which road was afterwards absorbed by that of the First National Overland Railroad, and which received aid from the.U. S. Government, to more closely bind California to the Union when in danger of disruption, we addressed a letter to Mr. Kruttschnitt, Assistant to the President of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, inviting that Company to furnish a stone properly marked, and to be accompanied by an appropriation for laying it, and that W Bro. George T. Bromley, P. M., and the first railroad conductor in California, and of the Sacramento Valley Railroad, might, with the assistance of ourself and others, have the honor of laying it. This ads sent and the stone furnished in due was promptly conceded, the fu season. | On May roth, 11th, 12th and 13th, 1902, we paid a visit to Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Sacramento and Woodland, to meet Super- visors and others of the Northern Counties and urge them to do as others had done and were doing, and obtained promises to aid in this patriotic and historic work, to which the press gave its hearty support. The Annual Convention of Supervisors of California were to meet at Redwood City, San Mateo County, on Monday, May 1st, 1902, which the Secretary was recommended to attend, and did so. He was most cordially received, and invited by that body to address them upon the subject of the Sloat Monument, which he did to the best of his ability. His remarks were received with a hearty applause and the following action was taken: Hon. Samuel Braunhart, Supervisor from San Francisco (after the matter was fully considered), moved “‘that the Supervisors present bring the matter before their respective Boards, with the recommenda- tion of the Convention that the Counties respond to the call of the Monument Committee.’ which was unanimously carried. The Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association was then by a unanimous vote elected an Honorary Member of that Convention. The press of Redwood City gave us its hearty support. The Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County, P. H. McEvoy and others, treated their visitors most hospitably, by furnishing carriages and taking them to the Stanford University and other places of interest, as well as a walk to the largest tannery in the State of California at Red- wood City. Job says ‘‘Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath will he give for his life.” It was so with the Supervisor from Sacramento, who immediately rushed for the door on entering, for his stomach was 220 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JouN DRAKE SLOAT immediately undergoing the tanning process and about being converted into an empty buckskin purse, and he threw up time for eternity, for he lost his watch, which was afterwards found and delivered to him. He did not come to the banquet table that evening with a sharpened appetite without the aid of Worcestershire and pepper-sauce. The entertainment given by ‘ ‘Bonita Parlor of Native Daughters of the Golden West’ was admirable and first-class, and received the hearty applause of the large audience present, while the address of the Hon. James O'Keefe was eloquent, patriotic, and replete with good sense. At the banquet table that evening, there was some Very fine oratory and good music, instrumental and vocal. We there met many old friends and acquaintances and found new ones, all promising to aid the Sloat Monument Association. There was one present from Alameda County who is looking to the Supreme Court Clerkship of the State of Califor- nia, who made a better speech abroad than he does at home, and it was a good one, and an honor to him and his county which he represented. The only question that then presented itself to us while he was speak- ing, was that which confronted Joshua when he took command of the Israelites, after the death of Moses. Would the lowering of the water yaise the banks of the Jordan? ‘The Contra Costa Water Company of Oakland will have to decide that question. On the Saturday morning following we started to take the early train home. There were several Supervisors going at the same time, and three or four of them were just ahead of us getting on the train, and as we were the last and lame, we had only got our left foot on the step and left hand on the iron next the brake, when the train jumped and started almost at full speed. Mr. McCarty, of Martinez, held on to us while the others tried to aid him, and the train flying faster, and we were about to fall; but some one pulled the bell-cord, the train came to a sudden stop with a jerk, which gave us a fearful wrench, from the effects of which we have not yet recovered. We acknowledge our deep gratitude to Mr. McCarty and the others for thus saving our life, and doing their best in not postponing the erection of the Sloat Monument. We had now done all that was possible with our health and means at command, and it was necessary to make preparation for the laying of the stones provided, on the coming of the 4th of July at Monterey. On the 8th of June we received a message from Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., Chaplain at Mare Island Navy Yard, and one of the Execu- tive Committee of the Sloat Monument Association, to come up imme- diately on matters of great importance, and we did so. We learned from him that all the U. S. ships of war in California waters had been ordered to Puget Sound, and that all had sailed but MAJOR TULLY McCREA, U. S. A. Who commanded the Batteries ot U.S. Artillery at the celebration of the sot of the American flag at Mon h Anniversary of the Raising terey, July 7th, 1896, and aided so much to make it a success, and to whom the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War are greatly indebted. Honorary Member of the Sloat Monument Association. HON. NILES SEARLES, Or SAN Francisco, CAL. Ex-President of Society of Calilornia I’ioneers. Hon- orary Member of the Sloat Monument Association. Ex- Judge of the Supreme Court of California. Commiss- joner of the Supreme Court of California. Honorary Member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pa- cific Coast. COL. 0. D. GREENE, U. S. A. Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of Cal- ifornia. A most courteous and affable gentlemen, who graciously rendered his services to make the celebration a success both at Monterey and at San Francisco ou July 7th, and 9th, 15g0.—H. A. CAPT. JAMES D. ADAMS, U. S. N, Commanding U. 3. Ship “Alert,” and who hoisted the American Flag (of his own ship) upon the original sta ft over the Old Custom House at Monterey, California, on Friday, July 4, 1902, fifty-six years after Commodore JOHN DrAKE SLoaT of the U. S. Navy, took possession of California, at Monterey, July 7, 1846. ‘Thus igentifying the U. S. Navy for the third time in commemoration of that glorious event. All Honor to this gallant officer and his command. — THE NAVAL BATTALION oF THE U. S. SHIP “ALERT,” Presenting arms, at the raising of the American Flag by Capt. James D. ADAMS, U S$. N,, over the Old Custom House, at Monterey. California, on Friday, July 4, 1902, the 126th Anniversary of American Independence. : (Krom a photograph taken by one of the crew. Presented by Capt. James D. Adams, U. 5S. N., Commanding. ga-Read Shells and Curios and not [ells Curios on the sign above the Battalion; the small American flag covers the letter “'s.”’ LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoOAT 221 the Training Ship ‘‘Alert,”” Capt. J. D. Adams, who was to sail on Tuesday morning also for the north, and there was no time to be lost to have his orders countermanded; and he be directed to report with his ship at Monterey to aid the Sloat Monument Association on the 4th of July. Capt. Adams at once saw the importance of it, and prepared his telegram for the Navy Department at Washington, but it could not be sent until Monday morning, for the telegraph office was closed. We remained over night the guest of the Rev. A. A. McAlister, and took the early train the next morning for home, arriving at g o'clock, and immediately telegraphed to the Hon. George C. Perkins, our U. S. Senator at Washington, to see the Secretary of the Navy and have the Alert’ ordered to Monterey for the 4th of July. To our gratification and delight, on Tuesday morning, June 1oth, we received a dispatch from him that our request was granted. Shortly afterwards the “Alert” sailed for the southern coast of California. This important matter having been attended to, the work upon the concrete foundation of the monument was pushed as rapidly as possi- ble: notices and invitations had been sent weeks before to invited guests, including the President and Board of Trustees of the City of Monterey as well, to attend the ceremonies of laying the U. S. Navy and other stones in the base of the monument on the coming of the 4th of July, from which latter body no reply was ever received, the Clerk of which is also Wells-Fargo’s agent at that place, and a man of honor and integrity, in the care of whom that letter of invitation was sent. As that body had never appropriated or contributed a cent towards the monument, its silence perhaps may be thus accounted for. Every preparation was now being made by the Executive Committee of the Sloat Monument Association, with the Assistance of the Local Supervising Committee of the work at Monterey, for the reception of Capt. J. D. Adams with his command of the ‘“‘Alert’’ and the distin- guished gentlemen and visitors who were to take part in the imposing ceremonies to be performed at the site of the monument. Our Senator, Hon. George C. Perkins, at Washington had been suc- cessful in getting his ‘Bill for the Aid of the Construction of the Sloat \onument at Monterey” passed through the Senate on the last day of the session, but too late to go through the House, and it went over to the next winter's session. The appropriation is for $10,000 for the superstructure and not for the base of the monument, which the Coun- ties of the State are to make provision for in the manner now being done. Senator Perkins has been a member of the Sloat Monument Association and of its Executive Committee from the beginning, a period of sixteen years, has given it his cordial support, and in the U. 222 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT S. Senate caused a bill appropriating $10,000 for the third time ; and if it does not now pass the House of Representatives in the next session, let the people of California hold their Representatives personally and politically responsible if it fails, and without regard to party or pre- vious condition of servitude. But whether the bill passes or not, we shall not relax our efforts until the statue of Admiral John Drake Sloat is unveiled. We shall go on with our work in asking for stones and money, and laying them until the base of the monument at least is complete; and the guns now at Mare Island Navy Yard that belonged to Sloat’s and Stockton’s squadrons at that time are mounted upon it, and return the salutes that will be fired from breech-loading guns from more modern ships of war; and adopting the language of ‘Old Hickory,” Gen. Andrew Jackson, when President, ‘‘By the Eternal,” the Sloat Monument at Monterey shall be built! Happily for our purpose, the site is located where it is secure and free from the intrusion of meddling schemers of every character what- “ever. It was desired at first to erect it upon the Custom House Reser- vation near where Commodore Sloat’s forces landed, but that had been encroached and squatted upon by foreign fishermen, who had erected their houses upon it and which still remain and are occupied by them. The U. S. Military Reservation was the only place, and the site selected and marked by the U. S. engineer officers under orders of the Secretary of War and under his protection. Another spot was more desirable lower down where the old fort, now entirely obliterated, once existed, and where the granite statue and boat of Padre Junipero Serra was erected by Mrs. Jane Stanford. It being a statue of a member of a re- ligious order, it was an act of impropriety to have erected it on a purely military reservation. It should have been erected on an arch built over the little ravine permitting the water to pass under it, and the identical . spot where he landed from his boat and on the site where the oak tree stood, now marked by a wooden cross, and where he is said to have said mass after landing; or, it should have been erected at either San Carlos or the Carmel Mission. Governor Stanford, having been U. S. Senator at the time, his wife may have thought that she would not meet with any objection in putting it on the Military Reservation, when she generously made the donation of $5,000 in erecting this statue in honor of the memory of the foremost and greatest religious pioneer that ever planted his feet and set up his cross on the soil of California. For the Sloat Monument Association to also have chosen a site near it on the same eminence for the Sloat Monument, it would have over- shadowed and belittled that of Padre Junipero Serra, been utterly out of place for both, and made that spot look like a cemetery; so the LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 223 present site, immediately below the prolonged angle of the angle of old Fort Mervine, originally constructed by Mr. Wm. P. Toler, Commo- dore Sloat’s Aide-de-Camp, was chosen, leaving the statue of the good Padre Junipero Serra to stand out before all the world in full relief below. On our arrival at Monterey on July 1, 1902, to make arrangements for the coming Independence Day, we found no change for the better in and about the Custom House Reservation. The flagpole, which had been honored by Commodore Jones, Commodore Sloat, Wm. P. Toler and other distinguished Americans, was leaning over at an angle of about twenty degrees, and barely held up by a little piece of rope near the bottom. The Custom House along its sea front continued to be used by the fishermen repairing their nets, while the south portion was occupied by some living in it, and we learned that permission was given them by one of the Trustees of the State appointed by the Gov- ernor, and he the Mayor of the town. This condition was and is a disgrace to Monterey, to the State of California, and to the Nation. It shows a total disregard to decency, for public appearance, and a total absence of patriotism as well as local pride. It would have been better to have never leased the property to the State of California, but for the U. S. Government to have itself ejected the occupants from the Custom House Reservation and made the repairs itself. On the evening of the 1st of July, one of the committee which had gotten up a local celebration of the 4th of July called upon us, and de- sired to have us unite with their affair. ‘This we positively declined to do under any circumstances. He was one of the party who had already interfered with our business before, and cost us loss and trouble. We were engaged in a national work, and had made our arrangements months before with officers of the U. S. Army and Navy, the Liuten- ant-Governor and others who had come to attend the laying of the stones in the monument and nothing else. That if they as loyal American citizens wanted to celebrate the 4th of July properly, they were welcome to unite their procession with ours and follow the marines and sailors of Uncle Sam up to where the monument was being built, but this he declined. He then wanted to know if we had any objec- tions to having the U. S. forces escort their procession through the town. To this we replied, ‘No, but not until we were through with them.” He then asked if we would object if Capt. Adams when he arrived would give his consent. To this we replied, ‘‘No, if he desired to, and that I would mention the matter to him.” He then left. On Thursday morning, July 3d, the U. S. Ship ‘*Alert” arrived and anchored. The New Era newspaper, published by Wm. Kay, the naturalized English subject referred to, made its appearance, with the 224 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT full programme arranged by that committee, the order of parade and exercises to be held in front of the Central Hotel on Alvarado street, which was perfectly proper for their own little local affair if they so desired; but neither in their programme, Or anywhere else in that pa- per, was there anything mentioned in the way even of local news that there were to be any laying of stones or ceremonies at the Sloat Monu- ment, or of the marching of Capt. Adams’ command, or the firing of salutes from the U. S. Sloop-of-War “Alert.” This fact determined our purpose to have nothing to do with such a set whatsoever. We were also determined that no slight or insult should be put upon Capt. Adams or any of his officers as had been done to Admiral Beardslee six years before on July 7, 1896, an account of which has already been given herein; and when also there came very near being a riot between the U. S. seamen and the fishermen already referred to, when some of the latter tore down some of the small Amer- jcan flags and decorations upon the wharf, when the sailors were angered and about to tear down their shanties and throw them into the bay; but better judgment prevailed, the flags and decorations were replaced, peace restored and probable bloodshed saved. Early on the morning of the 3d of July, at 8 o'clock, a boat put off from the ‘‘Alert,”’ and a messenger landed with a letter, which he handed to us, directed to the Mayor of Monterey, and asked where he could find him, and we informed him probably at his residence up town; but we told him that Capt. Adams desired to see us as much as anybody. We then stepped into the boat and were rowed to the ship, welcomed on board and invited into the cabin, where we were most cordially greeted by him and his officers. He then shewed us and read his orders before all present. We handed him the copy of the paper referred to, which made no mention of the laying of the Sloat Monu- ment stones whatever or anything in connection with them. This fixed Capt. Adams’ decision at once. Our programme was complete, all but the hour of starting, which was for him to set, which he did, making it 10 A. Mm. when he was to hoist the American flag brought {rom his own ship, to be taken back on his return and preserved as a historic souvenir of the event. A boat was placed at our service and we were conveyed ashore, and at once, with the assistance of J. W. Bagby, one of our own Committee at Monterey, our notices were posted up in all public places, at the Del Monte Hotel and Pacific Grove. On the evening of the 3d, all who were to participate in the cere- monies with their friends had arrived. Carriages were procured and arranged for the next day’s proceedings, and nothing was left undone by our Committee for the duties required. This now brings us to LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT THE CELEBRATION AT MONTEREY OF THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1902, BY THE SLOAT MONUMENT ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING OFFICERS OF THE U.S. ARMY AND Navy, THE LIEU- TENANT-COVERNOR, STATE SENATORS AND ASSEMBLYMEN AND OTHERS, AND THE LAYING OF THE Sroxegs oF THE U. S. Navy, MARE ISLAND NAVY YARD, CALIFORNIA MINERS’ ASSOCIATION AND OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAIL- ROAD COMPANY, IN THE BASE OF THE SLOAT MoxvMENT oN THE U. S. MILITARY RESERVATION AT MONTEREY. Promptly at the hour set, at 10 o'clock A. M., on Friday, the jth of July, 1902, the Naval Battalion from the U. S. Training Ship “Alert,” Capt. J. D. Adams commanding, landed, and were drawn up in line in front of the old Custom House, Lieut.-Governor Jacob H. Neff, Hon. Edward C. Voorheis, the Officers and Members of the Sloat Monument Association, and many others assembled, with Capt. J. D. Adams and his staff and other guests also in carriages, which had been provided for them. The procession was formed by Gen. Thomas E. Ketcham, V. M. W., Marshal of the Sloat Monument Association. Just before starting he accompanied Capt. J. D. Adams of the U. S. Ship “‘Alert” to the verandah of the old Custom House, where the latter attached to the halliards the American flag brought ashore from his own ship, and which he hoisted upon the same pole upon which Commodore Sloat raised his flag on July 7, 1846, or fifty-six years before. The procession, escorted by the Naval Battalion, then marched to the site of the Sloat Monument on the U. S. Military Reservation, where was a large assembly of people from Monterey, Pacific Grove, the Hotel Del Monte, and from other cities and towns in various parts of California, and visitors from other States, who had come to participate in and witness the imposing ceremonies of laying the U. S. Navy, the U. S. Navy Yard, the California Miners’ Association’s and the Central Pacific Railroad Company’s stones. The Ladies’ Reception Committee, under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Emily A. Fish, was present to receive and welcome lady visitors from abroad, who came wearing the badges of the Sloat Monument Associa- 226 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT tion furnished for the occasion. The rest of her Committee, whom she was permitted to select herself, were Mesdames M. M. Gragg, J. P. Sargent, M. Hams, W. W. James, T'. J. Field, James F. Moore, Wm. Kay and Miss Margaret Jacks. [We will here note that Mrs. Fish is the lady in charge of the Point Pinos Lighthouse and the mother of Mrs. E. H. Nichols, the widow of the late Capt. Ezra H. Nichols, of the U. S. Navy, who fell and died under the extreme heat while in command of the “Monadnock” in battle with the insurgents at Para- naque, in the Philippine Islands, whose remains were brought to Oak- land, Cal., and buried with Masonic and Naval honors. ] Upon arrival at the site of the- Sloat Monument, the Naval Bat- talion was formed in square around it, the guests being provided with chairs and seated while the large audience remained standing, a portion of whom were seated upon the stones already laid and lying around. The Union Jack of the Navy covered the U. S. Navy and the Mare Island stones to be laid, and was in charge of a seaman appointed for that purpose. The vessels of Corn, Wine, Oil and Salt used in the ceremonies, instead of being of gold and silver on such occasions, were of Nep- tune’s choicest offerings; being beautiful polished irridescent abalone and other sea-shells loaned for the occasion by Bro. J. K. Oliver, and exceedingly appropriate for that occasion. : When all had been arranged by the Marshal, Gen Ketcham, the following address of welcome was delivered by Capt. Thomas G. Lam- bert, the Receiver of the Sloat Monument Association at Monterey: ADDRESS OF WELCOME. ; By Capr. THoMASs G. LAMBERT, RECEIVER, OF MONTEREY. Myr. President, ladies and Gentlemen: On this, the one hundred and twenty- sixth anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, and the fifty-sixth of the occupation of California, the Sloat Monument Association wel- come you, the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War; welcome the Pioneers of California; welcome the representatives of the Army and Navy of the United States; welcome the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West; and the Ladies and Gentlemen from every walk of life—all welcome to this historic spot. We have assembled for the purpose of paying a tribute to the memory of that gallant son of the United States Navy, John Drake Sloat, who fifty-six years ago flung to the breeze the Starry Banner, our Nation’s emblem, that placed Califor- nia under the protecting care of the American Republic, under which it sprang forth as a Golden Star in that Grand Constellation of our Glorious Union. [Ap- plause.] This was responded to by Col. Joseph Stewart, U. S. A. (retired), President of the Sloat Monument Association, and also President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, and ex-officio President of the Day. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 227 RESPONSE. By CoL. JosepH A. STEWART, U. S. A., PRESIDENT OF THE DAY. Capt. Lambert, Lieut.-Gov. Neff, Officers of the Army and Navy, Ladies and Fellow-Citizens: Itiswith great pride and pleasure, as President of the Sloat Monu- ment Association of California. that I meet you here on this joyous occasion, and to continue the work of laying these stones in the base of this monument upon which is to be erected the pedestal upon which is to be raised and unveiled, in the near future, the statue of that gallant officer of the United States Navy, the late Rear-Admiral John Drake Sloat, who caused to be raised on yonder staff the Flag of our Country, the title deed of American possession of our Golden State of California. In after years, I, for a while, as an officer of the U. S. Army in command, was stationed here, and performed the duties assigned to me until ordered to other posts elsewhere. : The work of the Sloat Monument Association in the erection of this monu- ment has been well done by the Committee of Design and Construction, of which our Secretary, Major Sherman, is the Chairman, by whose zeal and persistent efforts, with the aid of others, these stones have been furnished, the money raised, and the present forward condition of the work performed, as exhibited here to- day, and that which you are to add to by your labors. [Applause.] But we will proceed with our programme, as the chill wind admonishes us to be brief in our remarks. Our Chaplain, Rev. A. A. McAlister, Chaplain of the U. S. Navy, will now offer prayer. PRAYER. By REV. A. A. MCALISTER, CHAPLAIN U. S. NAVY. O God, the Ruler of the Universe and Sovereign Lord of all men, we thank Thee for the national blessings which Thou hast freely bestowed upon us, and especially for raising up from the common people, from time to time, many truly patriotic officers and public servants. We thank Thee for wise and honorable statesmen to conduct the affairs of the Government, so that peace and prosperity prevail in our land. May we enjoy liberty without license or recklessness, and freedom without encroaching on the rights of our neighbors. May the priceless treasure which we have received from our forefathers in respect for law, a love of justice, pride in good citizenship, habits of industry and an ardent desire for pro- gress, be transmitted as an inheritance to our successors. Forgive us our faults, - and give us grace to correct them. Incline our hearts to emulate the noble ex- amples of those who deprive themselves of the comforts of life in order to pro- mote the honor of the country, and risk their lives to extend the blessings of civilization to our dependencies. May these monuments to the memory of our heroes be constant reminders to us that the exercise of the privilege of loving our country is an essential part of our Christian duty, and neglect of our obligations to the Government is an act of criminality. Make us honest, patriotic citizens, grateful to Thee for the advantages which place us foremost among nations, and for the unparalleled means of happiness which Americans enjoy. May our up- right lives and meritorious conduct, rather than the service of our lips, prove that we follow the ways of righteousness, and delight to worship a just and holy God. Hear us for Thy Son, our Savior’s sake. Amen. LIFE OF REAR -ADMIRAL JoEN DRAKE SLOAT READING OF COMMODORE SLOAT’S PROCLAMATION. By His GREAT-GRANDSON, J. B. WHITTEMORE. Mr. J. B. Whittemore, the great-grandson of Commodore Sloat, was then introduced to the people, who gave him a most cordial greeting. The late Hon. Rodman M. Price, Governor of New Jersey, who was Purser in the U. S. Navy under Commodore Sloat, by the latter’s order, read it for the first time when possession was taken of California at Monterey, July 7, 1846. The late Lieut. James B. Whittemore, of the California Volunteers, grandson of Commodore Sloat, read the original (written by the late Wm. P. Toler, Aide-de-Camp of Commodore Sloat), at the celebration of the fortieth anniversary in July, 1886, and also at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary at Monterey on July 7, 1896. His son, Mr. J. B. Whittemore, Jr., then read his great-grandfather’s proclamation at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the raising of the American flag at Verba Buena (San Francisco), July 9, 1896, by Capt. Montgomery, commanding the U. S. Sloop-of-War ‘‘Ports- mouth,” on the Plaza, which is now known as Portsmouth Square. [We take this occasion to acknowledge our great indebtedness to him, and to his mother and sister, for their valuable aid in furnishing to us so much of Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat’s family history and life given in his biography] READING OF TELEGRAMS AND LETTERS. By Major EpwiN A SHERMAN, SECRETARY. [ Letter from the President of the United States. ] WHITE HoUsy, WASHINGTON, June 27, 1902. My DEAR Sir: Your favor of the 22d instant has been received, and in reply the President requests me to express his regret that engagements already made ‘will preclude him from accepting the invitation which you have been good enough to extend to him for July 4th. It would afford the President real pleasure to attend the exercises to which you refer, and he requests me to convey to you his best wishes for the complete success of the occasion. Very truly yours, GEO. B. CORTELYOU, Secretary to the President. ‘Major Edwin A. Sherman, "877 Jackson street, © Qakland, Cal. [Letter from the Secretary of War.] WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, June 28, 1902. DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your letter of June 22d, extending to me, on behalf of the Sloat Monument Association of California, an invitation to be present at Monterey, Cal., on the Fourth of July, to attend the laying of the U. S. Navy's and other stones in the base of the Sloat Monument. PASSED-ASSISTANT PAYMASTER, BRO. FREDERICK KING PERKINS, U.S. N. of the U. S. Ship “Alert,” and a member of Live Oak ILodge No. 61, F. & A. M. of Oakland, California, who assisted ip laying the U.S. Navy Stone in the base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey, California, on Friday, July 4, 1902. A worthy son of an honored and distinguished father, M. W. Bro. GEO. C. PERKINS, P.G. M., P. G.C., Ex-Governor and U. S. Senator of California, and one of the Executive Committee of the Sloat Monument Association. Te x THE NAVAL BATTALION OF THE U. S. SHIP “ALERT,” Escorting the Procession to the Site of the Sloat Monument on the U. S. Military Reservation at Monterey. Califor’ nia, on Friday, July 4, 1902, to attend the laying of the U.S. Navy, the Mare Island Navy Yard, the California Min- ers’ Association, and the Central Pacific Railroad Company’s Stones on that day. (From a photograph taken by one of the crew of the U.S. Ship ‘‘Alert,” presented by Capt. James A. Adams, U.S. N., Commanding.) i HON. JACOB HART NEFF, 32°, ILIEUT.-GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand T.odge of F. & A. M. of California. Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of R. A. M. of California. Past M. Ill Grand Master of the Grand Council of R. & S. M. of California. past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of California. Life Member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast. Ex-President and Founder of the California Miners’ Association. Active Member of the: Sloat Monument A ssociation. PRELIMINARY OPENING ADDRESS BY MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, 33°, V.M. W., secretary of the Sloat Monument Association, and Chairman of the Committee of Design and Construction, July 4, 1902. Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. R. V. Grand Secretary of the Masonic Vet- eran Association of the Pacific Coast. Editor of ‘Fifty Years of Masonry in California,” and other works. (From a photograph taken by one of the Crew of the U.S. Ship “Alert,” and presented by Capt. James D. Adams, U.S. N., Commanding. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 229 | I thank the Association for its courteous invitation, but regret that on account of the pressure of public business I shall be unable to accept. Very truly yours, WiLsoN ROOT. Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary Sloat Monument Association, 877 Jackson street, Oakland, Cal. The following letter from the Secretary of the Navy was received afterwards, but is here inserted in its proper place in accordance with the dignity of his office: Navy DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, July 4, 1993. DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the invitation to attend the ceremony on the occasion of the laying of the Naval stone at the hase of the Sloat Monument at Monterey, California, to-day. I regret that it has not reached me soon enough to avail myself of your invitation to write a few words to you to be read at that time, and can only send my belated good wishes. I thank you for your kind congratulations. Yours very truly, Edwin A. Sherman, Esq., Oakland, California. WILLIAM H. MooDby. | Telegram from Admiral Dewey, U. S. N.] WasHINGTON, D. C., June 28, 1902. Edwin A. Sherman, 877 Jackson. Regret exceedingly impossible attend Sloat Monument ceremonies. Am delighted that memory of this gallant officer is to be thus perpetuated. GEORGE DEWEY. [Letter from Admiral Merrill Miller, U. S. N.] CoMMANDANT’S OFFICE, UNITED STATES NAVY YARD, MARE IsLaND, Cal, June 23, 1602. Major E. A. Sherman, Secretary Sloat Monument Association — DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d inst., conveying an invitation to be present at the laying of the Navy, Navy yard stones and others on the 4th of July next. I regret that I will be unable to be present on that occasion. I am pleased to know that the U. S. S. ‘‘Alert” will be in the harbor of Monterey on that day, and that Capt. Adams and his crew will take part. Very respectfully, MERRILL MILLER, Rear Admiral, Comm’d’t. [Letter from Governor Henry T. Gage of California.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO, STATE CAPITOL, June 18, 1902. Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary Sloat Monument Association, 877 Jackson Street, Oakland, Cal.— ; DEAR SIR: I am directed by the Governor to express to you his regret that his official engagements are such that he will be prevented from accepting your very courteous invitation to be present at the laying of the U. S. Navy and other 230 LIFE OF REAR -ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT stones in the base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey on July 4th next. Thanking you for your extreme courtesy, I have the honor of remaining Yours respectfully, W. H. Davis, Executive Secretary. [Letter from Hon. Edward M. Preston, Past Grand Master of Masons of Celi- fornia.] NEvADA CIty, California, July 1, 1902. Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association, Mon- terey—— My DEAR SIR AND Bro.: Iam duly in receipt of your courteous invitation of the oth ult., asking me to join in the ceremonies of placing additional stones in the structure of the Sloat Monument, and beg to assure you that I should esteem it both an honor and a pleasure to be with you on that auspicious occa- sion. Having on the 7th day of July, A. D. 1896, been accorded the honor of laying the Corner-stone of that commemorative structure, my personal interests, as well as sentiments of patriotism, inspire in me an earnest desire for the early completion of the monument. It would be my happy privilege, were I permitted to be present, to join with other patriotic citizens there assembled, in expressing the debt of gratitude which we all feel for your deserved success in originating and encouraging this scheme for honoring the memory of the American citizen who first planted the American ‘Flag on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. I sincerely regret that my engagements are such that I cannot be with you in person on that date; yet I assure you that I will be there in sentiment, and best wishes for your success. Fraternally yours, E. M. PrEsTON, P. G. M. [Extract from a letter from Hon. Wm. M. Boggs, V. M. W. and First Vice- President (who is in mourning for the loss of his wife by death and with whom he had lived happily for over fifty-five years). ] LEA FARM, NEAR HIGHLAND SPRINGS, LAKE County, Cal., June 29, 1902. Major E. A. Sherman— My DEAR OLD FRIEND: Your letter of the 21st inst., addressed to me at Bakersfield, was re-mailed by my son and did not reach me until to-day, and I hasten to reply to your kind and sympathetic letter. I note all you say concerning the laying of four more stones in the base of the monument on July 4th, and what you say of the amount of concrete founda- tion for the walls, and the general progress of the work under your management. For it seems to me, that without you, nothing could be accomplished towards the completion of this monument, and I sincerely hope that you will receive a!l the honors for your patriotic labor in so noble a cause. I regret my inability to render the assistance you ought to have from me at this time. I again thank you for your kind and consoling words of sympathy, for my heart aches yet, and it will take some time for me to become reconciled to such a loss. I would be delighted to join you at Monterey and participate in that noble work, for which I accord to you the greatest honor for all you are doing. May God bless you and sustain you for many years to come is the wish of your old friend and Comrade. Sincerely and truly yours, W. M. BOGGS. LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT INTRODUCTION OF HON. JACOB HART NEFF (Lieutenant-Governor of the State of California), By CoL. JosEPH STEWART, U. S. A., PRESIDENT OF THE Davy. Lieutenant-Governor Jacob H. Neff: The Veterans of the Mexican War and the Sloat Monument Association extend to you a most cordial and heartfelt wel- come on this joyful and auspicious occasion; and we invite you to take charge of the ceremonies of the laying of these stones, representing the U. S. Navy, the employees of Mare Island Navy Yard, the California Miners’ Association and the Central Pacific Railroad Company, furnished by them, and to be laid on this, the 126th anniversary of our country’s natal day of American independence, The Masonic Fraternity, of which Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat was an honored member and received its last honors, by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California, at the request of the Sloat Monument Association, laid the Corner-stone of this monument on July 7, 1896, on the fiftieth anniversary of his raising the American flag on yonder staff, when by that act he took possession of California and added an empire in territory and wealth to our country’s vast domain, The various Lodges of Masons of several Counties have sent their working tools to be used on this occasion, while the emblems provided of Corn, Wine and Oil are the products of California’s generous soil, and the salt, from the vast Pa- cific Ocean which washes its seven hundred miles of shore, is Neptune’s tribute and offering of Peace. Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chief of Design and Construction, will place in your hands the gavel of authority, made from a timber of the flagship ‘‘Niagara,” with which Commodore Perry won his victory at the battle on Lake Erie nearly ninety years ago; and as every stone laid in this monument has been duly laid and consecrated with Masonic ceremonies and honors, we now invite you and your officers to continue the same. [Col. Stewart, who is four-score years of age, though as active as if he was twenty-five years younger, was heartily applauded. ] LIEUT.-GOVERNOR JACOB H. NEFF’'S RESPONSE. Myr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Officers of the Army and Navy, Vet- evans of the Mexican War, Sloat Monument Association, Pioneers, Fellow. Citi- zens, and Brethven All: 1 desire to return to you my most sincere thanks for the proud and distinguished honor you have conferred upon me, to preside over and conduct the ceremonies of the laying of these stones upon this glorious oc- casion. Though feeble in health, yet fully appreciating the arduous and zealous efforts of Major Sherman and others to erect this monument to the memory of the gallant Commodore Sloat, his officers and men, to whom we are all indebted for our loved California, which we are proud to call our home, I came to give my feeble aid, at least with my presence, to attest my appreciation of the gallant, patriotic and heroic valor and character of Commodore John Drake Sloat, and encourage the work of erecting this monument to his memory. As my health will not permit me to make any extended remarks, with your consent I will now appoint the Hon. Edward C. Voorheis, Senator from Amador County and President of the California Miners’ Association, to take immediate charge of the work when ready to be commenced. [Lieutenant-Governor Neff was heartily applauded. ] 232 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT The Hon. Edward C. Voorheis then gracefully accepted the charge of performing the duties of both, which had been assigned to them as follows: ORDER OF CEREMONIES, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HON. Jaco H. NEFF, LIEUTEN- ANT-GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNA, As CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR. Chief of Design and Construction, Major Edwin A. Sherman, 33%: Brother Receiver and Custodian—Have the Craftsmen duly quarried, carefully prepared, delivered the stones, and have them in place, to crown the Northeast Corner of the base of the Sloat Monument as the continuation of the work, placed in our hands by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California, when it laid the Chief Corner-stone ? Receiver and Custodian, W. Thomas G. Iambert, P. M.: Brother Chief of Design and Construction—I have received these stones which are here presented for inspection, and the Craftsmen await your decision and orders. Chief of Design and Construction, Major Edwin A. Sherman, 33%: Right Worshipful Brother, Jacob Hart Neff, Lieutenant-Governor of the State of California—By order of Col. Joseph Stewart, U. S. A. (retired), our venerable President of the Sloat Monument Association (who is the second oldest living graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and also the President of Associated Veterans of the Mexican War), we welcome you here on this auspi- cious occasion. When M. W. Bro. Edward Myers Preston, Grand Master of Masons of Cali- fornia, laid this Chief Corner-stone, on July 7, 1896, and placed in our hands the several working tools of the Craft, he gave us his blessing and encouragement to continue and complete this noble and patriotic work. To renew our labors in this cherished design, we most fraternally request that you, in like manner, with your respective Officers, shall carefully examine and inspect these stones, and if found worthy by you, that you will lay them in their designated places, and thus continue the work as directed by the M. W. Grand Master. Chief Grand Inspector, R. W. Jacob Hart Neff, P. J.G. W.: Brother Chief of Design and Construction—On behalf of the Officers and Men of the U. S. Navy, of the California Miners’ Association, of the Employees of the Mare Island Navy Yard, of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, and at the request of the Sloat Monument Association of California, I fraternally accept the charge, and, with the assistance of my Officers, will inspect and lay these stones so patriotically contributed and furnished by them. [He then addressed the assemblage with such remarks as he deemed proper and then continued. ] Brethren, in accordance with the teachings ot our beloved Institution, it is ouy duty, before entering upon any undertaking, to invoke the blessing of God. We will, therefore, unite with our Grand Chaplain in addressing the Throne of Grace. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 233 Prayer by the Grand Chaplain, Rev. Bro. A. A. McAlister, U.S. N. Chief Grand Inspector, R. W. Jacob H. Neff: Brother Grand Master of Ceremonies—You will please see that the Officers are in their proper places, and are duly supplied with the proper working tools of their respective stations. Grand Master of Ceremonies, M. W. William A. Davies, 33°, P. G. M.: [He conducted them to their stations in front, where their work was to be performed. W. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M. Henry A. Olmsted, W. M. Bros. Lieut. Guy M. Brown and Asst. Paymaster Frederick K. Perkins, U. S. Navy, in front of the U. S. Navy stone. W. Edward C. Voorheis, P. M. Edward H. Benjamin and Harold T. Power to the front of the California Miners’ Association’s stone. W. John R. Patrick, P. M. David S. Little and Jacob W. Bagby to the front of the Mare Island Navy Yard stone. W. George T. Bromley, P. M.; W. Samuel W. Boring, P. Mj Edwin A. Sher- man, 33°, and Bro. Jonathan Wright (one of Fremont’s men) to the front of the Central Pacific Railroad Company's stone. The Grand Master of Ceremonies, when all were placed, gave to the first of each four his Trowel, then the Squares, Levels and Plumbs in their regular order. This being done, he reported as follows ] R. W. Chief Grand Inspector, the Officers are in their respective stations, are duly supplied with their working tools and await your orders. Acting Chief Grand Inspector, W. Edward C. Voorheis: My Brethren, First Sub-Inspectors—The Trowel, as you have been repeatedly taught, is an instrument made use of by Operative Masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we also, as Free and Ac- cepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious pur- pose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection,—that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree. In that spirit, you will now spread the cement that shall unite these stones in the base of this monument being erected to the memory of him who was our Brother, the true patriot, the unshrinking, gallant hero to whom the Nation is indebted, and we more especially as Citizens of this Golden State, Rear-Admiral JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, who more than half a century ago gave us California. [W- Thomas G. Lambert, of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, using the Trowel of Naval Lodge, No. 87.] [Those with the Trowels, leading, then applied the cement and pointed the edges. The first Ode was then sung, during which Capt. J. D. Adams mounted the East front wall of the base of the monument and gave the signal to the U. S. Ship-of-War “Alert,” which promptly fired a Commodore’s salute of eleven guns. ] LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT FIRST ODE. (TUNE, PLEYEL’S HYMN ) Place we now our Country’s Stones, True and tried each Freeman owns; Let us bring with hearts sincere Hands to help and voice to cheer. Proved by the Grand Master's hand, Long may this foundation stand! May its superstructure rise In grace and beauty 'neath the skies. Let us join in songs of praise, That this monument we raise, And ages hence, men bless the day Our flag was raised at Monterey. Acting Chief Grand Inspector, W. Edward C. Voorheis: Brothers Second Sub-Inspectors—The SQUARES are the Working Tools of your offices. You will apply the SQUARES to those portions of the stones which should be squared. { [They did so and responded as follows. ] Second Sub-Inspectors. W. Henry A. Olmsted, P. M., of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. & A. M.: R. W. Brother Chief Grand Inspector—I have obeyed your order, and find that, in that respect, the Craftsmen, upon the U. S. Navy stone, have done their duty. [He used the Square of Solano Lodge, No. 229, of Vallejo. ] [W. Bro. Edward C. Voorheis, P. M., of Henry Clay Lodge, No. 9s, replied the same as to the California Miners’ Association stone; Bro. Jacob Bagby, of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, the same as to the Mare Island Navy Yard stone, and W. Bro. Samuel W. Boring, P. M., of San Jose Lodge, No. 10, the same as to the C. P. R. R. Co.’s stone. ] Acting Chief Grand Inspector, W. Edward C. Voorheis: Brothers Third Sub-Inspectors—The LEVELS are the Working Tools of your offices. You will now apply the LEVELS to the stones under your inspection. [They did so and reported as follows. ] Third Sub-Inspectors. Bro. Lieut. Guy M. Brown, U. S. N.: R. W. Chief Grand Inspector—I have obeyed your order, and find that the U. S. Navy stone has been well leveled by the Craftsmen. [Bro. Edward Benjamin repeated the same for the Miners’ stone, W. M. Henry A. Olmsted, of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, repeated the same for the Mare Island Navy Yard stone, and Bro. Edwin A. Sherman, 33°, for the C. P. R. R. Co.’s stone. ] Acting Chief Grand Inspector, W. Edward C. Voorheis: Brothers Fourth Sub-Inspectors—Your Working Tools are the PLuMBs. You will apply the PLUMBS to the Stones, then, and see if they have been properly adjusted. [They did so and reported as follows. ] LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOBN DRAKE SLOAT 235. Fourth Sub-Inspectors. Bro. Fred K. Perkins, Paymaster U.S. N.,. of Live Oak Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M.: R. W. Brother Chief Grand Inspector—I have obeyed your order, and find that the U. S. Navy stone has been well plumbed, and that the work of the Craftsmen in that respect has been skillfully performed. [Bro. Harold T. Power, of Rising Star Lodge, No. 83, of Forest Hill, repeated the same as to the Miners’ stone; Bro. Jacob W. Bagby, of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, repeated the same for the Mare Island Navy Yard stone; Bro. Jonathan Wright (one of Fremont’s men) and of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, repeated the same for the Mare Island Navy Yard and C. P. R. R. Co ’s stone. ] fF Acting Chief Grand Inspector, W. Edward C. Voorheis, then: approached the U. S. Navy stone and the others in succession, and. gave each three blows with the Gavel, saying: The Craftsmen having faithfully and skillfully performed their duty, I declare these stones to be well formed, true and trusty, and worthy of their places in the base of the Sloat Monument. May the structure which is to rest upon it be a constant reminder of the gratitude that the whole people of the United States,. and especially of the State of California, owe to the gallant defenders of the Na- tional Honor, of the Flag of our Country, who, by their patriotism and valor, acquired our beloved Golden State, the Empress of the Pacific and the Realm of the Free. CorN, WINE, OIL AND SALT. [The vessels of Corn, Wine, Oil and Salt were then distributed, and the Sub- Inspectors in turn poured them on the stones and said as follows. ] First Sub-Inspectors. W. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M.: As in the days of old, when He visited the earth and watered it and greatly enriched it with the river of God, which was full of water, and prepared Corn for His people which He had so provided; when He watered the ridges thereof abun- dantly, settled the furrows thereof, and made it soft with showers and blessed the springing thereof; when the pastures were clothed with flocks, and the valleys were also covered with Corn, and when His people shouted for joy, so may the Grand Architect of the Universe ever bless this fair land with Plenty, Prosperity and Peace. [He then poured the Corn on the U. S. Navy stone and handed the vessel to W. Bro. Edward C. Voorheis, John R. Patrick and George T. Bromley in suc- cession, who poured the remainder of the Corn on the other three stones in their order.] Second Sub-Inspectors. W. Bro. Henry A. Olmsted, W. M.: Mav the Great Giver of all good enable the Craftsmen in due time to com- plete this beautiful and the first National Monument to be erected on the Pacific Coast and crown their efforts with glory and success. [He then poured the Wipe on the U. S. Navy stone and passed the vessel to W. Samuel Boring, P.M., Bros. Jacob W. Bagby and Jonathan Wright in suc- cession, who poured the remainder of the Wine on the other three stones in their order.] Jo S6 236 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT "INVA Third Sub-Inspectors, Bro. Lieut. Guy M. Brown, U. S. N.: May the Olive Trees of Peace forever flourish in this goodly land by the Great Western Sea, and bring forth fruit in plenty, giving gladness unto all the People thereof. May the blessing of Heaven descend upon this and all good works; and may our beloved Fraternity long exist to pour forth the Oil of Joy upon the hearts of the widowed, the fatherless and the distressed. [He then poured the Oil upon the U. S. Navy stone, and handed the vessel to the same Brethren and Edwin A. Sherman, who in succession poured the re- mainder of the Oil upon the other three stones in their order.] SISEOD) DIE IY) JO none M VON AGIPUBWUIOY vpreao id 2 «juno Jopeuwly WOoIlj 1038U3S 3181S *NOILVIDOSSY (SHANI VINIOAITV] dHL 40 LNHAISTAJ oZ2€ ‘SAIHYO0O0A HSYHANOD A¥dVAdd ‘NOH 0 38311] YSiH sed “J Fourth Sub-Inspectors. Bro. Fred K. Perkins, Paymaster U.8 N.: E1aIofIBD 1191 dey) LUNs J “Thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy first fruits, green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears, and thou shalt put oil upon it and lay frankincense thereon. And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering; with all thine offerings thou shalt offer Salt’ | He poured the Salt upon the U. S. Navy stone, and then handed the vessel to Bros. James W. Bagby, David S. Little and Jonathan Wright, who poured the remainder on the other three stones in their order.] SBI 924) jO Jaq ui IN J ‘INV "¥ ‘11 "ON 13} J L1u3H Jo 131SBN Ised Acting Chief Grand Inspector, W. Edward C. Voorheis : May the All-Bounteous Author of Creation, lend aid to those who have con- ceived and thus far carried on this goodly, noble and patriotic enterprise; may He protect the workmen employed upon this Monument from every accident, and long preserve it for the patriotic use which it is destined to subserve, and may He grant to us all an ever bountiful supply of the Corn of Nourishment, the Wine of Refreshment, the Oil of Joy, and may the Salt of our Covenant never be lacking. Brother Chief of Design and Construction—Relying upon your skill in our noble art, and that the continuation of this work committed to your hands (and those of your fellow Craftsmen) by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of California, when he had laid this Chief Corner-stone, will be faithfully per- formed, I trust that this undertaking will be speedily accomplished. May there be no envy, discord or confusion among the workmen, and may you perform the duties which you have voluntarily assumed, not only to the satisfaction of the People and the Government who look to you for their fulfillment, but in such manner as shall secure the approbation of your own conscience, gratify your own heart and redound to the honor of our Ancient Craft. -1J0s55Y UB13)3,\ d1ad pagum) seg ‘oN 93poT {gl The second Ode was then sung. qd H dAVIUA "Odd SECOND ODE. (TUNE, OLD HUNDRED.) Great God of Nations, now to Thee Our Hymn of Gratitude we raise; With humble heart and bending knee We offer Thee our song of praise. q ’ - SHANTI YINYOAI'I¥D FHL 40 AAVLAADLAS ed ‘pueeO CIN VN "Ad 'SSTON *38po’1 pugIyrQ JO I13qUISIN ‘NINN ‘IN IN Here Freedom spreads her banner wide And casts her soft and hallowed ray; NOILVIDOSSY LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Here thou our fathers’ steps did guide, In safety through their dangerous way. rand Master of ¢ Veteran Association of r of the Union Army during y From o'er the seas with hearts aflame They bore our Banner of the Stars; And here they placed it when they came Past ( 3 Active Member of the 1d Past Commander of the 3 mber of Mt. Moriah Lodge . M. asoni IS Co. r of the Loval Legion at irand Army of the Republic. Me A To float in peace or wave in wars, ice RR. ] rof the M We praise Thee, that Thine Qwn Great Light Through all our land its radiance sheds, OODMAN, H FRANCIF CO, CAL. Southern Pacitic R. R. N y r No. ( Dispels the shades of /ir107’s night, And heavenly blessings round us sheds. 1 soldier and ott E A public vote of thanks to Capt. J. D. Adams, to his officers and men of the U.S. Ship “Alert” for their valuable patriotic services on ODOR l.ite Membe OF SAN COL qmeral Passenger Agent of the “a'itornia Chapte Membe this occasion, was unanimously given. KE ry of California. aradise. be sure vou get vour ticket bearing his signature, or you 1 vourself on the wrong train. . TH I'he Hon. George T. Bromley (ex-Consul-General to Tien Tsin, China, the first Railroad Conductor in California, and at Sacramento in He was a true and tried Member of 1855, on the Sacramento Valley Railroad from Sacramento to Folsom) artment of the ( was then introduced, and delivered the following humorous and char- ALM. the Grand Consistc the Pacific Coast. acteristic address, which was received with the heartiest applause from all present: may fie When vou start for 44. F. Ge Sloat Monument Association. SPEECH OY HON. GEORGE T. BROMLEY. California Dep the late Civil War. No. My. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : When Major Sherman invited me to be present and take part in the ceremonies of the day, I was at a loss as to what could be his object, for I was not a veteran of any war, nor could I talk of battles fought and won in which I have heen a participant. Hut he gave me to under- stand that as a veteran railroad man [ would be expected to assist in placing in this monument the block of granite that was presented by the Central Pacific Railroad Company, an honor that I most thoroughly appreciate; and I want to say that this day marks an epoch in my four-score years of life that will stand out in bold relief until shall come to me the one hundredth anniversary of my well- spent life, which has been brim full of enjoyment and of honor conferred, hut the honor of to-day is one that will be remembered by me until life’s sun shall set and time with me shall be no more. Life Member of the Masonic Veteran Association ot the Pacific wy. Pr , No. Lite Member of Calitorma of the orator AM DAN . o. 1. FEF. Life Member of Calitornia Chapter and was ie 102, BROMII The ceremonies of to-day have for me an interest far above and beyond most of those who are here to assist in doing honor to the memory of Commodore Sloat, for I knew him in his early manhood in my far-away New England home, when his son, Warrington Sloat, and myself were schoolmates; and could we have foreseen that in three-quarters of a century from those schoolboy days I would have been honored by participating in the raising of a monument that would perpetuate the heroic deeds of his honored father for all time to come, we would have loved each other with a love that knew no variation or shadow of turning. My railroad career, which is the head and front of my being with you to-day, and which our patriotic and energetic Major Sherman would have me speak about in order to show that I know my lesson, was inaugurated in 1855, when, in charge of the construction train, I assisted in huilding the first railroad operated on the west side of the North American continent, and you can bet it was a wonderful \ i. & RM. road in California, the Sacramento which was afterwards consolidated He laid the stone of the latter Company A «+ ‘ 1 i TR. ment Association. 1833 CISDALE I’. M. of California Lodge? GE EOR \ Y ( onument at Monterey, July Califorma Council No. T. Active Member of the Sloat Monu aa~The first Railroad Conductor on the first rat Valley Railroad, from Sacramento to Folsom in with the HON. K. Central Pacific Railroad at sacramento consul at Tien-Tsin, China Lite Member of S. of Clam Lodge of Past Masters’ Association.) in the base of the Sloat M Commandery No. 1, Ex U. Coast. 238 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT railroad; and of all those who took part in its building, with the exception of Major Sherman, who assisted in the surveying of it, I am the only survivor. (t was twenty-two miles in length and connected Sacramento with Folsom. For nine years I was conductor of the passenger train, outranking the stage .driver, who, up to the time of the advent of the conductor, was a power among the women and children of that part of the country. My experience on the twenty-two miles of road would fill a volume of thrilling interest. Many of the passengers of those days, who deprived themselves of the neces- saries of life to obtain transportation to the Comstock Lode in Nevada, returned as millionaires and became very respectable citizens. And standing here on this historic spot, where Nature has showered upon us her most generous gifts, the most beautiful climate, the most beautiful trees and the most beautiful women in the world, I feel like Ulysses returning to Penelope and bringing to her the Golden Fleece, for he said to her, “I bring to thee the thread which binds the West to the East, and 1 make friends of two countries unknown to each other, and may I make love the bond between two peoples, the old and the new.” But, ladies and gentlemen, having said enough to convince you that no mis- take was made in selecting me for putting in place the memorial stone donated by the Central Pacific Railroad Company, and thanking you for the kind atten- tion you have given me, I will now give way for the applause. The applause was most heartily and merrily given. Gen. Thomas E. Ketcham, of Stockton, was then introduced, and was equally welcomed and received with the plaudits of the large as- semblage of people, and spoke as follows: SPEECH OF GEN. THOMAS E. KETCHAM. On September 18, 1847, 1, as Lieutenant of First New York Volunteers (J. D. Stevenson’s Regiment), sailed from New York harbor, in command of one hun- dred recruits for Stevenson’s Regiment on board the United States transport “Sweden,” to report at Monterey, California, to Colonel Mason, Commissary De- partment, in pursuance of orders received from Gen. Bankead, Superintendent of Volunteer Recruiting Service at New York City, arriving at Monterey Feb- ruary 22, 1348. My command arrived at Monterey in a good state of discipline. I lost two men by disease on the voyage—one by chronic diarrhcea and the other by general debility, which, considering that no medical officer was sent with the detachment, made me thankful that it was no worse. A few days after my arrival at Monterey, I was ordered by Col. Mason to take command of the first detachment of recruits (relieving First Lieutenant Thomas I. Roach), with seventeen picked men of my old command, and to embark on the bark ‘‘Isabella,” Capt. Briggs, and sail for La Paz, Lower California, and there report to Lieut.-Col. H. S. Burton in command. The order was afterward modified by also sending Company D, Capt. H. M. Naglee, to reinforce Col. Bur- ton, two days after disembarking at La Paz. Col. Burton marched in search of the enemy and found them near the Mission of Todos Santos, and defeated them after a short conflict. I was in command of the rear guard on the march of that day, and at the battle was posted on the flank of the Mexicans, and finally by order of Col. Burton charged upon them, but they did not wait for us. The re- - ‘sult of that battle was, that the armed enemy was driven out of the country. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 239 We remained at La Paz until the 2d of Septeniber, 1848, when the troops evacuated Lower California, Company D, Lieut. Pendleton, Company B, under me, embarking on the ship of the Ohio Line and landing at Monterey, where the troops were mustered out of the service of the United States, October 22, 1848. Lieut. George A. Pendleton, James B. Morehead, Young and myself, with Ser- geant Beasley and Herman Ehrenberg, formed a company and bought six yoke of Spanish cattle with carts, and loaded them up with six months’ rations, which the Government furnished us at the cost price, and left Monterey for the mines on November sth, arriving at Woods’ Crossing (December 11, 1848), Tuolumne County. Lieut. Pendleton and myself mined that winter at what is now James- town. In 1849 Pendleton and I walked to Stockton with the intention of buying teams to haul up goods to the mines and establish a store. When we arrived at Stockton, we found that we could not buy teams, but we had an opportunity to buy brogan shoes at $12.00 per pair, so we bought as many pairs as we could carry in knapsacks on our backs, took them up to our camp and sold them all in two hours’ time at the rate of $32.00 per pair. I sold out to my partn:r in 1853, and then resided upon my farm near Stockton. September 16, 1861, I com- menced recruiting a company at Stockton for Conner's Regiment, Third Infantry, California Volunteers. October 20th I left Stockton with my company under orders to proceed to San Francisco and there embark on the steamer “Columbia” for Fort Humboldt, Humboldt County, and relieve Major Charles S. Lovell, of the Fifth Regular Infantry, of the command at Fort Humboldt and Fort Seward. My Company A, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, until August 27, 1862, was in Humboldt County, but left there at that time under orders to join my regiment at Salt Lake. While in Humboldt County my company killed and captured six hundred and fifty Indians. The citizens of Humboldt County presented my com- pany with a flag suitably inscribed in recognition of services rendered to the county. After the expiration of my term of service, I returned to my farm and attended to its cultivation since that time, His account of his early military and mining experiences in Cali- fornia was highly entertaining and well received by the assemblage present. The following were elected Active and Honorary Members of the Sloat Monument Association, viz.: Active Members—Hon. Jacob H. Neff, Lieut.-Governor; Hon. Ed- ward C. Voorheis, State Senator; Gen. William A. Davies; Hon. George TI. Bromley; Capt. James D. Adams, U. S. N.; Lieut.-Com- mander John B. Blish, U. S. N.; Lieut. Guy W. Brown, U. S. N.; Lieut. Clarence M. Stone, U. S. N.; Assistant Surgeon Samuel S. Rod- man, U. S. N.; Passed Assistant Paymaster Frederick K. Perkins, U. S. N.: Edward Benjamin, Harold T. Power, Charles Warren and William Gee, Jr., and C. W. Carruth and Daniel P. Adamson, of Oak- land. Honorary Members—Ensigns of the U. S. Navy Daniel S. Ma- honey, Orrin G. Murfin, Luther M. Overstreet, George C. Sweet and James B. Gilmer, and ——— Scott, of Monterey. All the brethren then, under the direction of the Grand Master of . H iF Bit 240 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT Ceremonies, clasped hands around the base of the Monument, and with the audience present united in singing ‘“‘America.”’ AMERICA. My Country, ’tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty, Of Thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, I.and of the Pilgrim’s pride, From every mountain side Let Freedom ring. My Native Country, Thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love: I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze And ring from all the trees, Sweet Freedom's song. Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathes partake, Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our Land be bright With Freedom’s Holy Light: Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King. Benediction by Rev. A. A. McAlister, Chaplain, U. S. N. Proclamation by M. W. William A. Davies, P. G. M., Grand Mas- ter of Ceremonies: In the name of the Sloat Monument Association and by the concurrent orders of its Honorable President and the Chief Grand Inspector, I declare these stones to be duly laid and the ceremonies of this day to be duly closed. God save the United States of America and the State of California! So mote it be! The delighted assemblage then dispersed, the Naval Battalion re- turned to the “Alert,” which at 12 Mm. fired a National salute of twenty- one guns, which closed our Celebration of the Day, Capt. Adams tak- ing his flag with him. He gave shore leave to one-half of his men for the afternoon, and the next day the other half of his men were to enjoy the same privilege. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 241 We accepted the invitation of Mrs. Emily Fish and the other ladies of her Reception Committee to visit the Monterey Public Library, and were most cordially and gracefully received, for which we returned in person our sincere thanks. This Public Library is chiefly supported and maintained by these ardent and public-spirited ladies, who deserve every encouragement and aid. We were invited by Mrs. M. M. Gragg to take a seat in her carriage and accompany her to her elegant home, where we met her husband and the rest of her family, and were most hospitably entertained, and partook of an excellent lunch: after which we returned with her to the Public Library, and thanked her for the kind attentions we had re- ceived at her hands While a guest at her house, she expressed herself as not having been fully informed as to the true situation of affairs, neither was her brother, Mr Sargent; but gave us their pledged assurance, that what- ever assistance they could render the Sloat Monument Association here- after, that it should receive their cordial support, for which we returned our grateful acknowledgments. THE LOCAL SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE AT MONTEREY AND THE WORK ALREADY DONE. On Friday, August 16, 1901, the following were appointed as the Incal Supervisory Committee at Monterey to arrange for the reception and proper care of the stones provided by the several Counties and organizations furnishing the same; to make all contracts subject to the approval of the Executive Committee as directed, and to inspect and measure the work performed, viz.: Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver and Chairman; Jacob W. Bagby, Henry A. Olmsted, Jonathan Wright, John R. Patrick. C. B. Rosendale, Francis Doud, Mrs. T. G. Lambert, Mrs. E. A. Fish and Miss Frances B Orton. A more capable and honorable Committee of gentlemen and ladies of the strictest honesty and sterling integrity was never formed any- where. They have most scrupulously and cheerfully, and without fee or reward, performed the duties assigned to them Since that date up to and including that of July 4, 1902, there have been no less than 2,353 cubic feet of concrete foundation laid, besides the following nineteen stones in addition to the Corner-stone, which was laid on July 7. 1896, viz.: Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Veterans of the Mexican War, Grand Parlor of the Native Sons. San Joaquin, Placer, San Francisco, Sacra- mento. Solano, Napa, Grand Parlor of Native Daughters, U.S. Navy, Mare Island Navy Yard, California Miners's Association and the Cen- | 242 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT tral Pacific Railroad Company’s stones. Besides these there are on the ground ready to be laid, when the funds are provided, the stones of Butte, Plumas, Ventura and Sonoma Counties. The expenditures for labor and material alone on the work done and paid for, is not less than $1,060.00, and all of the work done to the present date paid for, besides other incidental expenses allowed, of which the City of Monterey directly or indirectly has re- ceived the benefit through the channels of trade. With the stones laid and those now on the ground, the cash value is $2,500.00, and the whole at the present time $3,560.00. In addition to this, Madera County has a stone in her quarries ready to be shipped, and far-off Mono County, the other side of the Sierra Nevada in the southeast portion of the State, will send a stone of travertine, almost as clear and translucent as alabaster, which will be equal in beauty to that of Solano County’s onyx stone. It is hoped and expected that the other Counties will quickly come forward and furnish their stones with the required appropriations. There are 10,140 more cubic feet of concrete foundation to lay, 2,844 feet in the core to the level of the top of the walls, and 7,296 feet at and in front of the base protecting the foundation and covering the entire space of fifty feet square, granted by the War Department, and located by the U. S. Engineers, who will inspect and report upon the same when completed. The base of this menument will be one solid rock when done, and in case of a foreign war be serviceable upon which to mount two or more breech-loading cannon of the largest caliber, sweeping all approach to the harbor by an enemy; the faces of the base of the monument being protected by sand-bags and earth; the statue and pedestal to be tem- porarily removed if necessary. There is a symbolic meaning to everything connected with this Sloat Monument. First ‘The site is just fifty feet square, to mark the Golden Jubilee, or the fiftieth anniversary of Commodore Sloat’s hoisting the American flag and taking possession of California at Monterey on July 7, 1846, and the laying of the Corner-stone on July 7, 1896, by the Grand Lodge of Masons of California. Second. ‘The base is just twenty-four feet square, to represent the twenty-four hours of the day. The stones are four feet in length, to rep- resent the length of a sailor’s watch of four hours when on duty; and two feet wide and two feet in thickness, representing the ‘‘dog watch’ of two hours each, when the watches on shipboard are changed. There are three courses of stones, as Commodore Sloat was a Master Mason of the LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOBN DRAKE SLOAT 243 Third Degree, and the face wall being six feet in height, which is the full height of a man. Third. ‘The pedestal will be thirteen feet in height, standing upon an upper base of one foot, the number thirteen representing the number of stripes in the American flag and the original number of States in the Union. On the sides of the pedestal are to be placed the bronze me- dallions of Dr. Wm. Maxwell Wood, his Fleet Surgeon; Commodore Stockton, Capt. John C. Fremont, and a view of the raising of the American flag upon the Custom House. ; Fourth. ‘The height of the bronze statue of Commodore Sloat is to be eleven feet, and he represented as standing by a capstan on the quar- terdeck of his flagship ‘‘Savannah,”’ and pointing to the staff where the flag is to be raised, eleven guns being a Commodore’s salute. The whole height from the foundation of the monument to the top of the statue is to be just thirty-one feet, California being the thirty- first State in the Union, and upon her admission on the gth of Septem- ber, 1850, she just reversed the figures 13 of the original number of States. Upon the base of the monument are to be mounted four guns of the old ship “Independence,” which once formed a part of the Iacific Squadron under Commodores Sloat and Stockton, which are now at Mare Island Navy Yard, reserved and marked subject to our order. Such is the description of the Sloat Monument when completed, which, it is hoped, will be very soon, and the fault will be with the people of the other Counties of California if it is not. As from the very inception of the work, the Sloat Monument A«’ and the municipal government of Monterey has not had the local pride and courage to protect its own water front. It has per- mitted, if not encouraged, the encroachment of foreign fishermen upon the U. S. Custom House Reservation, by the erection of houses and shanties, the occupation of the long porch of the sea front of the Cus- tom House, and we are reliably informed that they now occupy the in- terior of the southern portion of that historic building. The staff or pole upon which the American flag has been so often raised, leans over at an angle of twenty degrees, and is only held in place in that condition by being lashed with a small rope, leaving it in partial suspension. It was not straightened up even for the 4th of July. The Mayor of the town has recently been appointed by the Governor of California as one of the Trustees to look after this Custom House, it having been leased to the State for a term of years by the U. S. Government, provided it would put it in a state of repair, and the Legislature of California has appropriated some four thousand dollars for that purpose. We are in- formed that the Mayor of the town is the son of an Englishman, who for many vears delayed taking out his naturalization papers, and who had married a native California Spanish lady. If this is true, then the sequel proves that from such stock no real spirit or manifestation of true American patriotism may be expected, as already evidenced on the recent 4th of July, when an American vessel of war was in the harbor, and its officers and men were to escort the Lieutenant-Governor and W. BRO. HON. GEO. C. PARDEE, P. M, other State officers, with officers of the U.S Army and the Sloat Mon- o,f Quiiand Legge Be, 19% F sult 4, M. vho lela ihe Bust County Stone, that of Ale meda County, next to the ument Association and Veterans of the Mexican War, to the site of the This ar the fst sions on the sroiud) rT é1y Reservation ai Monterey, Cal, on November 2, 190, Sloat Monument, where the U. S. Navy and other stones were to be laid, and to which the Mayor and City Council had been invited weeks before, but who manifested no interest or recognition whatever in it. The only newspaper in the town is published by a poorly naturalized English subject, and apparently the naturalization failed to take. Neither re er 246 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT before or after the 4th of July in his issues of the Monterey New Era did he make any mention of the distinguished visitors, or of the laying of the stones, or of the firing of the National and Commodore's salutes by the Sloop-of-War ‘‘Alert’”’ in the harbor on Independence Day. Naturally, it would be thought it would have been mentioned as a mat- ter of news; but no Englishman likes to hear read the Declaration of American Independence, and a half naturalized Englishman turns away from it as if he were taking a sugar-coated pill when he hears it read, for it tells of the tyranny and inhumanity of his fathers in attempting to crush and stamp out American liberty by the most cruel oppression No man ever yet thanked another for whipping him, nor any nation return its gratitude in resolutions of thanks to the victor when defeated. In the conquest of California, which was surrendered by treaty and the sum of fifteen millions of dollars paid to the Mexican Government for it, fifteen millions of dollars more should have been paid to the native Spanish California families, instead of impoverishing them in forcing them to employ rapacious attorneys to prove their land titles before the U.S. Land Commission and all the courts, which reduced the greater number at last to abject poverty. ‘The male portion of the Spanish California population gradually submitted and accustomed themselves to the new order of things, but the female portion to-day, as a general thing, remains unchanged in their sentiments If they marry Ameri- cans or Europeans, who form marital ties (the latter perhaps largely from mercenary motives), the offspring imbibe the same sentiments of their mothers who shape and mould the characters of their children. Consequently, it is but an alloyed patriotism at the best, from such a source, and is easily perverted uncer the influence of designing schem- ers, who have only their own selfish aims in view. It is this which causes a cloud of apathy and indifference to hang like a pall over the ancient Capital of Spanish and Mexican California, and keep it still in the background and in the rear of onward march and improvement, where nature has done so much for it, and given it the most beautiful harbor, with good anchorage for the largest ships, whose waters are alive with fish from the smallest minnows to the largest whales where sardines are caught with hooks without bait, and baskets filled by the bushel from drop-nets from the wharf in that pis- catorial paradise. As an illustration of the backward condition of Monterey at the time, there had been no less than 216 Masonic Lodges organized in California, and twenty-one years had passed since the Grand Lodge of Masons of California had been organized, before an effort was made to organize one under its authority at Monterey, when Bro. Thomas G. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 247 Lambert, the Receiver of the Sloat Monument Association, with the assistance of a few others, took the necessary steps for that purpose, and the Dispensation was granted June 19, 1871, and the Lodge duly organized. Scarcely had this been done, when fanatical hostility from a clerical quarter manifested itself, the Masons were denounced, and the people urged to rise and drive the institution out of the town, as Masonry was the Devil himself. The fanatic imagined himself as being in his own country of Spain. He was accosted in the streets of Mon- terey by Bro. Lambert, one day ( and who is a retired Yankee sea cap- tain of a whaler, and then, as he is now, Justice of the Peace), and in- formed ‘that he might denunciate Masonry or anything else he chose to on his own premises; but that if he commenced to stir up strife and trouble on the public streets of Monterey, that he would make a street dust rag of him and immerse him in the waters of the bay, and act the part of St. John the Baptist himself,” and he certainly would have done it at that time. From the time of the organization of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. and A. M., there has been something of an improvement in that town, and it has done as well, if not better, than was expected from the lim- ited supply of material from which to make its selection, and it has been of steady and slow growth in that eddy where population from abroad has been but small in comparison with other towns in Califor- nia, while nature itself has made it more attractive and supplied it with greater resources than almost any other seacoast town in California. In time Monterey may change for the better, as it is hoped it will. Compulsory education was enforced upon the native Indians by the Missionary Fathers, but the seeds of patriotism cannot be planted by firing them into the ground from a shotgun, nor a supply of patriotic American blood be infused by a squirt from a syringe, or from a steam force pump. It has to come up and grow spontaneously from the soil first and then be carefully and properly cultivated afterwards. The Amer- ican population in Monterey need reinforcement by immigration from elsewhere to advance it to the high and proud position to which it ought to attain in the estimation of an enlightened world. The early American settlers who still survive have worn themselves out in their long life service to improve that part of the State, and impoverished themselves in so doing, and ere long abalone shells of the cretacean period will be holding their ashes, while a grateful country will not altogether be unmindful of their devotion and faithful services. EE ——— a w— Te ee es eee § Hs ——— a ee a ——— 248 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT CONCLUSION. We now bring this “LIFE oF THE LATE REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE Sroat,”’ and subsequent events in connection with the Sloat Monument up to date, to a close. We shall continue the work of building the monument until it is finished and the statue of the gallant Sloat unveiled, amidst the cheers of thousands who will be present on that occasion, and amidst the thundering roar of cannon from vessels of war and batteries on shore. There will be true patriotic American journals in Monterey, edited by true Americans, to record the event, and there will be no more insulting of an Admiral or other officer of the U. 8, Navy when that joyful occurrence takes place, and Monterey will have been redeemed from the claws of the few human alligators and coyotes which have infested that locality too long, and who, when not preying upon each other, have looked upon all visitors from abroad as their lawful prey. In December, 1850, thc Grand Master of the Grand Iodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, in reply to a letter writ- ten by Bro. Capt. George H. Derby of the U. S. Army from Monterey, wrote to him, using the language of David to his servants who had been badly treated by the Syrians, by having one-half of their beards shaved off and their garments cut off in the middle above their waists, and he sent them word to “‘tarry in Jericho until their beards be grown We do not know how long Bro. Derby remained in that locality, but his beard must have grown very fast, for we met him in Sonoma shortly afterwards We have herein portrayed the whole truth of history from the evi- dence given us and from our observations and experiences. We there- fore submit this work to our readers with gratitude to the Supervisors of Counties and others who have aided us in the building of the Sloat Monument thus far, and earnestly appeal to those Counties who have not supplied stones to come forward and help the Veterans of the Mex- ican War, the Pioneers, the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, to complete it, and thus we deliver this truthful history and biog- raphy into your hands. Respectfully yours, EDWIN A. SHERMAN. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 249 ADDENDA. [Copy of Gen. Ketcham’s Explanatory Letter.] STOCKTON, Cala., July 8, 1902. Major E. A. Shevman, Secretary Sloat Monument Association, 877 Jackson St., Oakland, Cala.: DEAR SIR AND COMRADE: Your favor of 7th inst., enclosing Reports of the Proceedings of the Sloat Monument Association, was duly received. I find that, after the perusal of the same, I have done the Citizens of Monterey an uninten- tional injustice. You are right in presuming that what I did say had reference to the celebration of 1896. In saying I stated that I had no personal knowledge of the matter, but that I had been informed by Citizens of Monterey that Senator Geo. C. Perkins kad in- itiated a subscription in San Francisco for the Sloat Monument; that the money so collected, instead of being paid over to the Sloat Monument Fund, had got into the hands of the Citizens’ Committee at Monterey, and that the Sloat Mon- ument received but $150.00 of the amount (the amount collected I understand to be $3,600.00, your Reports state $1,629.00), I had no expectation of this being published, but partly to explain one of the reasons why the members of the As- sociation were not anxious to parade with the Monterey Celebration. There were various inaccuracies in the accounts published. For instance, «Gen. Ketcham hoisted the Flag on the Custom House,” which he did not do. Capt. Adams invited Gen. Ketcham to accompany him to the verandah, but Capt. dams hoisted the Flag. It was stated that “Capt. Adams turned over the command of the troops to Gen. K.” [It was understood that Gen. K., when the procession was formed, should piace himself at the head of the column and put it in motion: but the troops were not formally turned over to him. It was also stated that ‘‘after my arrival at Monterey I went north and cam- paigned three months and then resigned.” The fact was I went south to La Paz, and remained in the service until the 22d of October, when the command was mustered out of the service, perhaps the last M. W. Volunteers to be mustered out. Since writing the above, I have looked over an article in the Chronicle of to- dav, in which it is stated that ‘‘Senator Perkins did not donate ¥3,000.00, and so my statement falls to the ground.” I did not hear that he did; but that he started a subscription for the Sloat Monument Fund in San Francisco, and that the proceeds were sent to Monterey for the use of the Sloat Monument; but ac- cording to the Chronicle that was a mistake. ; : The Chronicle is right in supposing that I had reference lo the celebration of 1896. a Vou will believe me when I say that it would grieve me to do an injustice to any one. Yours truly, THos. E. KETCHAM, Marshal Sloat Monument Association. Many thanks for your kindness. KETCHAM. [NoTE.—Gen. Ketcham had not then been informed of the true state of affairs, and of what had recently occurred at San Jose and Monterey. He was right in the spirit but in error as to the facts when he first made his statement. E. A.S] LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT APPENDIX. We take the following from the Appendix of the admirable speech of the Hon. George C. Perkins, U. S. Senator from California, deliv- ered before the U. S. Senate, June 10, 1902, upon the building of war vessels at the Mare Island Navy Yard. It has reference to the location of that site by Commodore John Drake Sloat, U. S. N., in 1852: I will not longer trespass upon the time of the Senate, but will ask permission of the Senate to insert in the Record as an appendix to my remarks a concise his- tory of the selection of the present site by Commodore Sloat, who was Chairman of the Commission which located the Mare Island Navy Yard in California, and also such action as appears of record which has since been taken. The President pro tempore. Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and the matter will be printed in the Record. The Appendix is as follows: The following copies of letters and documents give all the information avail- able relative to the establishtnent of a Navy Yard at Mare Island: NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, June 7, 1902. SIR: Replying to your request of June sth, that you be furnished with a sum- mary of the history of the establishment of the United States Navy Yard at Mare Island, Cal., I enclose herewith copy of Report No. 14, Thirty-second Congress, first session, submitted by Mr. Gwin, to accompany Senate Bill No. 15; copy of letter of Secretary of the Navy to Commodore Joseph A. Smith, Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, dated January 15, 1852, and the latter’s reply there- to, nominating officers composing Commissicn to choose a site for the California dock; the precept of the Secretary of the Navy, dated January 27, 1852, to these officers, viz.: Commodore John D, Sloat, Commander C. Ringgold, Lieut. S. F. Blunt, and Engineer W. P. S. Sanger, constituting them as a Board to examine the shores and waters of the Bay of San Francisco, in California, for the purpose of selecting a site for a Navy Yard and depot, etc.; copy of letter of the Secretary of the Navy of December 13, 1852, to the Board, requesting them to state their opinion as to the nature of the tract lately surveyed by the Board in California for a site for a Navy Yard, known as Mare Island; ccpy of the Act approved Au- gust 31, 1852, authorizing and directing the Secretary of the Navy to select a site in the Bay of San Francisco, and the report of the Board dated December 13, 1852. 1 enclose, for your further information, extract from the Directory of the City of Vallejo of 1870, concerning the origin of the name “Mare Island.” In Executive Document No. 31, House of Representatives, Forty-sixth Con- gress, second session, is the letter of the Secretary of the Navy in answer to reso- lutions of the House of January 21, 1880, calling for ‘‘any and all information in possession of his Department relating to the formation of bars and deposits of mud, sand and gravel at or near Mare Island,” etc. The plan attached to the document shows depth of water in front of Yard Transmitted herewith is a copy of the report of the Roard of Civil Engineers, of which W. P. S. Sanger, U. S. N,, was senior member, appointed to prepare a plan for the improvement of the Navy Yard at Mare Island, California, 1873. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 251 This is all the informaticn concerning the selection of the site and the estab. lishment of the United States Navy Yard at Mare Island, California, in possession of the Navy Department. : Very respectfully, W. H. Mooby, Secretary. Hon. GEO. C. PERKINS, U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. [Thirty-second Congress, First Session. ] An Act making appropriations for the naval service for the year ending the 30th of June, 1853. (Approved August 3r, 1852.) * * * % * * * * SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to select a site for a navy yard and naval depot in the Bay of San Francisco, in California, or neighboring waters, either by pur- chase or by reservation of public lands, as the case may be, and shall cause the same to be surveyed and a plat thereof to be recorded in proper form; and when such selection shall have been made, the said Secretary shall make such arrange- ments as may be necessary to establish a navy yard and naval depot upon the most approved and economical plan on the site so obtained, and cause to be erected a foundry, machine shop, blacksmith’s shop, boiler shop, engine house, pattern shop, carpenter shop and storehouse, and for the purpose of carrying this section into effect the sum of $100,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he hereby is, directed to appoint some suitable naval officer or engineer to receive and superintend the construction of the floating dry dock in California. NAVY DEPARTMENT, january i§5, 1852. Sir: You will be pleased to name three naval officers and one engineer to compose a commission to choose a site for the California dock. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, WiLL A. GRAHAM. Commodore JOSEPH SMITH, Chief of Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks. BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS, January 16, 1852. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, and in compliance with your direction to name three naval officers and one engineer to compose a commission to choose a site for the California dock, I respectfully nominate Commodore John D. Sloat, Commander C. Ringgold, Lieut. Simon F. Blunt, and Engineer William P. S. Sanger, as suitable and proper per- sons to compose that commission. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, Jos. SMITH. }lon. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM, Secretary of the Navy. Navy DEPARTMENT. January 27, 1852. GENTLEMEN: You are hereby constituted and appointed a Board to examine the shores and waters of the Bay of San Francisco, in California, for the purpose of selecting a site for a Navy vard and depot, including a naval hospital and marine barracks. : : You will prepare yourself for this duty and proceed to San Francisco in the steamer which is to sail about the last of March next from New York for Chagres or Nicaragua. 252 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLoAT You will make a requisition upon the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography for such instruments as you deem necessary for this service. Vou are authorized to visit and examine for your information and satisfaction . the floating dry dock at the Navy Yard at Philadelphia and also of the working of the floating dry dock in New York City. You are authorized to appoint a draftsman, who will also act as Secretary to the Board, and you will be allowed three chainmen, who, in addition to their ap- propriate duties, shall perform such other service as the Board may direct. On your arrival at San Francisco, you will call on the commanding naval offi- cer present to furnish for the service you are directed to perform such facilities and assistance as you may require and he may have under his control. If there should be no suitable vessel in the squadron for your use you will procure, on the best terms practicable, a small sailing or other vessel, and other necessary appointments which the squadron can not furnish for the efficient pro- tection of the work confided to you, and in case of the death or total disability of any member of the Board the Commandant of the Pacific Squadron will ap- point a successor. When ready you will proceed to explore thoroughly and min- utely the waters bordering cn and the shores of said bay, noting and recording as you proceed, the various advantages and disadvantages of both land and water for the location of a Navy Yard and depot for the purposes above indicated. After having examined these to your satisfaction, you will confer and consult upon the result of your labor, and select the site best suited to the various pur- poses of a Navy Yard, hospital and barracks, and in making up your judgments you will keep in view for attainment, as far as may be, the following prominent objects, viz.: First. Its security from attacks by an enemy, and its facilities and economy for defense, Second. Its security from violent winds and sea, and the accommodation for safe anchorage in its adjacent waters. Third. Its adaptation to the construction of a permanent stone dock, and for the working of a sectional floating dry dock, in connection with a basin and railway, if a basin and railway be practicable in those waters. Fourth. The facilities for procuring, and the accommodations for boarding mechanics, and workmen of various classes. Fifth. The facilities afforded for procuring most readily materials, supplies, and stores of all kinds. Sixth. Its fitness and adaptation for the construction of piers, wharves, launch- ing ships, and building ways, storehouses for the reception and keeping of various stores, marine hospital and barracks, workshops of the different kinds required for the building and repairs of sailing and steam vessels of the Navy, and such dwellings for the officers attached to the Yard as you may deem neces- sary. : Before you shall decide upon the point and location of the depot, in support of your opinion upon the advantages and practicability of its military defense, you will call to your assistance and confer with Capt. Henry Wager Halleck or other engineer of the United States Army, who will be instructed to give the Board his experience and advice upon this very important subject. After you shall have agreed and decided upon the best location available, you will make a plan of the ground, showing the different elevations, with the topog- raphy, as well as may be, the plan to embrace the water near the shore, giving the soundings and description of the ground under water, with the height of the » » » ) I ~ zob1 ‘1 AVIN ‘ISHAM NHA'TIO oO I o — mn I I »w o I - os Joo! = Z rd uw re o De o oo — wo m Zz »> = ~ m w < Zz © o =! = - gor ™ D [2unuas apisinQ pu Bel aga uapAeH jw [ *$31J-901A puz pueid ul y3ne’ ON “H ‘SeyD INA UNI 1 33jsnl], puein Ayc¢ 1aySeeo “1 ‘sel J3i1sn1] pueild $31, -30IA PE pueld 13ad3em ‘Ad * SIMI] juIpPIsaid purely uoy3uifg £18}21038 pueln IpaIsun’ AIudH ‘dH SIqQONOIN 33)sniJ, puein ‘$31 J-901A ISI pueld sauof J ‘039 13.1nseal], puelin unaely 's L1usy dasof 33sniIy, purl "AL puesmoud ‘yd y [3113S APIS] weyled ‘d 142qIV 33)sni], pues) “LIN durooa 33iSnlj, pues aia’ ‘H "\ 33sni], pueln 010A3(] 'V sawe[ W. BRO. HON. JOHN WHICHER W. M. of King David’s Lodge No. 209. F. & A. M. of San ‘Luis Obi Obispo, Cal. and who laid the stone of that County in th 5p; Sol January 2, 1902. y 9 W. BRO. DELOS WM. SMYTHE W. M. of Friendship Lodge No. 210, F.and A. M,, San Jose, Cal., who laid the Santa Clara County Stone in the base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey, Cal., on No- vember 2, 1901. County Clerk of San Luis > base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey, Cal., on COL. GEORGE THISTLETON Senior Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, San Francisco, Cal. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 253 water during freshets and their duration; also, the rise and fall of the tides, and the course and velocity of the currents. Upon the plan you will work out on a convenient scale what in your judgment are thie best locations for a floating dock, basin and railway (if basin and railway are practicable there), stone dock, piers and wharves, ship house and launching ship, storehouses, foundry, machine and boiler shops, blacksmiths’ shop, joiners’ shop, offices and dwellings for officers, Navy hospital and marine barracks. You will ascertain, as far as practicable, from observation and inquiry, what is the effect, if the evil exists to any extent, of the marine worm in those waters. You will inform yourselves, as far as practicable, of the kinds and qualities of materials for the construction of fabrics of masonry and wood, and of the best means of procuring them. You will preserve all your original minutes, observa- tions and drawings, and when the duty assigned you shall be completed, which the Department trusts will not occasion your absence over four or five mouths, you will return to the City of Washington and make your report to the Depart- ment, with the necessary plans and descriptions of what you have done in the premises. You will ascertain whether the site you may select be the property of the United States or of individuals, and, if the latter, inquire into the title and prob- able cost, and you are at liberty to enter into contract fora tract of land sufficient for the purposes aforesaid (if the title of the place selected be not in the United States), subject to the ratification of this Department. These instructioas you will regard as confidential, and will proceed in their execution and report your proceedings thereon with all practicable despatch. Wishing you health and success in this important service and a safe return, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WiLL A. GRAHAM. Commodore JOHN D. SLOAT, Commander C. RINGGOLD, Lieut. S. F. BLUNT, and W. P. S. SANGER, Washington, D. C. Unfortunately the report of the Sloat Board cannot be found among the rec- ords of the Navy Department, but Hon. R. W. Thompson, Secretary of the Navy, in a communication to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, January 27, 1880, said: «I have the honor to state that in the year 1852 a board of naval officers was appointed to examine the Bay of San Francisco and adjacent waters and to select a site for a Navy Yard. This Board made a very careful examination of the points supposed to possess the requisite advantages for a naval station, and, after mature deliberation, came to a conclusion, agreeing with the report of a former Board composed of Army and Navy officers, that Mare Island was the most eligi- ble and advantageous position that could be found in the waters of the Bay of San Francisco and its adjacent waters for naval purposes, and they reported ac- cordingly.” NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, December 13, 1352. GENTLEMEN: You will oblige me by stating your opinien as to the nature of the tract lately surveyed by you in California for a site for a Navy Yard, known as Mare Island. I desire to have your estimate of its value, with all its append- ages and advantages, regarding depth of water, harbors, etc. Your opinion may be formed without reference to the question of title, of which I could not expect 254 LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT you to express an official judgment, my object being to obtain some guide in the estimate of its value for land and water, with a view to a contract of purchase. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JouN P. KENNEDY. Commodore J. D. SLoaT, U. S. N., Washington, D.C. Commander W. S. OGDEN, U. S. N., Washington, D. C. Lieut. S. F. BLunT, U. S. N., Washington, D. C. Engineer W. S. SANGER, U. S. N., Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON, December 13, 1852. Hon. John P. Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy— Sir: In answer to your letter of this date asking ‘‘your (our) opinion as to the value of the tract lately surveyed by you (us) in California for a site for a Navy Yard, known as Mare Island,” and desiring to have ‘‘your (our) estimate of its value, with all its appendages and advantages regarding depth of water, har- bor, etc.,”” and stating that ‘‘your (our) opinion may be formed without reference to the question of title, of which I (you) could not expect you (us) to express an official judgment, my (your) object being to obtain some guide in the estimate of - . its value for land and water, with a view to a contract of purchase,” we have the honor to state the island, including the tule opposite Vallejo, contains about goo acres, in addition to a large tract of tule extending toward Napa and Sonoma. There is ample space for all the buildings required for a Navy Yard, with good anchorage for ships of war; and, as stated in our report of the 6th ultimo, we consider it the most eligible location near San Francisco. In reference to the value of this site for the purposes of a naval establishment combining, as it does, all the advantages stated in our report with respect to depth of water and general commodiousness as a harbor we are of the opinion, though we are aware that a large portion of it, say, nearly three-fourths, was re- cently purchased for a much less sum, that it would not perhaps be overestimated for the contemplated uses of the United States at $100,000. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, JOHN D. SLOAT. WM. S. OGDEN, Commander, U. S. N. SimoN FRASER BLUNT, Sr., U.S. N. W. P. S. SANGER. UNITED STATES BRIG “MAJOR EASTLAND,” MARE ISLAND STRAITS, July 13, 1852. Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the Board appointed to select a site for a Navy Yard and depot in the Bay of San Francisco have, after a careful examination, come to the conclusion that Mare Island is by far the most eligible location for that purpose in these waters. The Board will present their plan of the survey and detailed report on their return to Washington, according to instructions, The island is held in eighty shares by five persons. The District Attorney is now examining the titles. If found good, the Board will endeavor to ascertain for what amount it can be purchased, and conclude an arrangement, if thought advisable, subject to the approval of the Department. The Board hope to be able to leave for Washington on the 1st of August. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, JoHN D. SLOAT, Hon. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM, Senior Officer of the Board. Secretary of the Navy, Washington City. LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 255 NEW YOrK CITy, August 31, 1852. Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department of the arrival this day in New Vork City, of the Board for the establishment of the location of the Navy depot and dry dock at or near San Francisco, Cal. In consideration of the debilitating nature of the journey from California, I have thought it advisable to delay the meeting of the Board at Washington City, until the 1st day of October, by which time the duplicate charts and drawing in- struments will bave arrived which left San Franctsco in the steamer of the 15th August. : I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. JoHN P. KENNEDY, Secretary of the Navy. WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., October 1, 1852. Sir: The instructions to the Board appointed to select a site for a Navy Yard in the Bay of San Francisco require topographical drawings of the several points examined: and as the Department is in haste for the report of the Board, it is necessary, in order to expedite the work, that a topographical draftsman be em- ployed. I therefore respectfully ask authority to employ a suitable person for that purpose. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JoHN D. SLOAT, Senior Officer of the Board. Hon. JouN P. KENNEDY, Secretary of the Navy. WASHINGTON, December 9, 1852. Hon. John P. Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy— Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith the report in triplicate (with maps and plans referred to therein) of the Board appointed to select a site for a Navy vYard and depot, etc., at or near San Francisco. The Board respectfully awaits your further disposition. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JoHN D. SLOAT, Senior Officer of the Board. This letter, together with the report in triplicate and maps and plans re. ferred to, did not reach the files of the Department until the 26th of February, 1853. having been retained by the Secretary of the Navy pending a negotiation with Wm. H. Aspinwall, of New York, for the purchase of Mare Island. See letter of Secretary of Navy to Mr. Aspinwall of date the 26th of February, 1853 Navy DEPARTMENT, February 2, 1853. Sir: I have the honor to submit to your consideration the accompanying papers, relating to the title of Mare Island, in the Bay of San Francisco, in Cali- fornia, for your opinion. In pursuance of the duty assigned to me by the Act of the last session of Con- gress making appropriations for the naval service and directing the Department to select and purchase a site for a Navy vard in California, my attention has been drawn to Mare Island, which has been recommended to the Department by a hoard of officers appointed to examine and report upcn the various localities in California adapted to the proposed establishment. I have consequently entered into negotiations with those who claim to be the owners of this island with a view to its purchase. The papers now submitted to you will show the nature of the contract I have 256 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT made and the character of the title offered to the Government. These papers are— I. A contract dated December 10, 1852, with William H. Aspinwall, wherein he, as representative of the proprietors, has contracted on his own part and on the part of all other parties interested in the ownership of Mare Island or claim- ing any interest in the same, to convey by good and sufficient deed or deeds the entire and absolute fce simple in that tract of land to the United States. 2. A deed executed by said Aspinwall and others and offered in pursuance of this contract. 3. Copies of certain deeds on record in California purporting to show the validity of the title of said Aspinwall and the parties he represents. 4. Some memoranda of an adverse title to said land set up by Henry Sanford. 5. A note of the opinion of Messrs. Halleck, Peachy and Billings, of California, expressing their views of the validity of the title offered by Aspinwall WA vie associates. 6. The opinion of George W. Cooley, Esq., the law agent in California, of the United States, which opinion has been communicated at my request, inviting him to inform this Department what questions of fact and law are proper to be inves- tigated with a view to ascertain the character of the title to this land. Mr, Cooley’s large experience in the investigation of California land titles, derived from his professional duties there, enables him to point out very fully the proper course of inquiry for the ascertainment of this title, and his opinion will greatly facilitate your examination of the subject. 7. A printed pamphlet containing the opinion of the Board of Commissioners of California land claims in several cases which presented many cases of interest in the investigation of titles, and which opinions are referred to in the communi- cation of Mr. Cooley. This Department has plats or charts describing Mare Island and its append- ages, furnished by the Board of officers on their recent inspection and survey, with other papers illustrative of the subject, which will be submitted to your ex- amination if you should find it necessary to refer to them. The Department is desirous to obtain your opinion, with a view to its final determination on the contract, and in pursuance of the duty imposed upon it by the (an omission in the letter). 1 beg leave to call your attention— First, to the consideration of the character and validity of the title offered by Mr. Aspinwall in pursuance of his contract with the Department. Second, to the consideration of the conflicting title set up by Mr. Sanford. Third, to the question whether, supposing the title offered by Mr. Aspinwall to be doubtful, the title rests in any other party or whether it belongs to the United States. You will oblige me by stating what doubts or difficulties you may perceive to exist in the title offered by Mr. Aspinwall, the points of litigation to which it might possibly give rise, and the embarrassments it might present to the Govern- ment if this Department should take possession on any supposed title resting in the Government without purchasing the conflicting claims of Mr. Aspinwall and the other owners whom he represents. This point may be material to the de- cision of the Departmant in concluding any negotiations for the purchase. I have the honor to bz, with the most respectful consideration, your obedient servant, JouN P. KENNEDY. Hon. J. J. CRITTENDEN, Attorney-General United States. LIFE OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT 257 The Commission on Navy Yards reported on December 1, 1883, to the Secre- tary of the Navy in regard to the advantages of the Mare Island Navy Yard as follows: “Its approaches may be successfully defended against the attacks of a powerful enemys; it is far enough removed from the sea to be beyond the reach of guns of the longest range, or any possibility of being captured by a coup de main, and yet not so far as to make it difficult of access. The adjacent harbor is good and per- fectly secure in all weathers. The channel is deep and never obstructed by ice. The climate is even and salubrious the year round, and suitable to outdoor work. The soil and characteristics of the site are such that dry docks or basins may be constructed at reasonable cost. The Napa discharges at every ebb tide an amount of fiesh water which proves fatal to the teredo, a marine worm destructive of the hotto gis of wooden ships and pilings of wharves or other woodwork placed in salt water. “The yard is convenient to the railroad communications, which center on the opposite shore of Napa Straits and on the shores of the Straits of Karquines, about a mile distant. The convenient supply of fine timber for wooden shipbuilding is practically inexhaustible. The depth of water abreast the Yard front averages 28 feet at mean low tide, and abreast Commission Rock, an obstruction that can be easily removed at a small expense, 2I feet. Mean rise and fall of tide, 6 feet 5 inches. On the principal water front there are from 24 to 26 feet at mean low water, and this depth may be easily and cheaply maintained by occasional dredg- ing. There is no difficulty in our heaviest draft ships going up to the quay wall at any stage of the tide.” [Extracts from Directory of City of Vallejo, Cal., of 1870.] MARE ISLAND—WHY SO CALLED. Frequent inquiry has been made as to the origin of the name ‘Mare Island,” and most generally the explanation thereof has been faulty. It is a matter of local interest that may find an appropriate place in a directory of Vallejo, with which the island is so intimately connected. The name had its origin in this way: In early days the only ferryboat on the waters near Vallejo and Benicia was a rude one, made chiefly of oil barrels obtained from whaling ships and propelled by sails. These barrels were secured together by beams and planking, and it was divided into compartments for the accommodation of cattle, to the transportation of which it was chiefly devoted. One day, while this boat was coming from Martinez to Benicia, a sudden squall overtook it, and the craft pitched fearfully. The animals (chiefly horses) became restive, and some of them were thrown with such force against the weak partition that they broke through it. The boat was upset and the living cargo thrown into the bay. Some of the live stock were drowned and some managed to reach either shore by swimming. One of the horses (an old white mare, owned and much prized by Gen. Vallejo) succeeded in effecting a landing on the island and was rescued there a few days after by the General, who thereupon called the place “Isla de la Yegua,” or Mare Island. This is the absolute fact and the whole his- tory of the above-named Mare Island. GOVERNMENT POSSESSION. The Government of the United States took formal possession of Mare Island in 1854, through that noble and illustrious naval hero, Admiral David G. Farra- gut, then a Commander in the Navy, who came here with a single war vessel and commenced operations. At first a modest building or two sufficed for the wants 258 LIFE OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN DRAKE SLOAT of the Government. Now more than a score of stately structures are seen, and 1,600 mechanics and laborers are barely adequate to supply the wants of the service. Admiral Farragut remained in command about four years, and it was under his supervision that most of the buildings were projected and put up. The plans were drawn and the Yard laid out by W. P. Sanger, Civil Engineer of the Navy Department. STTRAAR IN a TAL “% / GNIVERSITY a JULY 7, 1846 rn al JULY 4, 1902 AT THE LAYING OF THE STONES OF THL U. S. Navy, U. S. Navy Yard Mare Island, California Miners’ Association and of the Central Pacific Railroad Company IN THE BASE OF THE x SAAN RIANA \ VAUGHAN IAA ATARI NY FASE TNH AGIAN SB ; pa TSI EN Le Sa RN | NONUNENT ERR RACE IT, ad ATP CHANNELS TON NNCON TES AN AERNET AZ On the U. S. Military Reservation at Monterey, California By the Sloat Monument Association of California ON FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1902, AT /10 A. M. DIRECTIONS. All who are to participate with specially invited guests and the rest of the citizens, will first assemble at the Old Custom House where a procession will be formed by Gen. THOMAS E. KeTrcHAM, V. M. W,, as Grand Marshal, and es- corted by the Naval Battalion from the U. S. Sloop of-War “Alert,” Capt. J. D. Adams commanding, will march to the site of the Sloat Monument, immediately in front of OLD FORT MERVINE on the U. S. Military Reservation, originally constructed by the late WILLIAM P. TOLER, the Aide dz:Camp at the time of Commodore John Drake Sloat of the U. S. Navy. On arrival at the site of the Monument, the Assembly will be arranged by the Grand Marshal in which he will be assisted by the Officers of the U.S. Naval Battalion, in preserving order, in preventing crowding and encroachment upon those who are to conduct the exercises and perform the ceremonies as there must be ample room for the purpose. It being a U. S. Military Reservation. the site for the Monument having been selected in pursuance of orders from the Secretary of War, and proceeding under the sanction of the War Department at Washing- ton, all well disposed persons will please consider themselves as guests for the time being, of the U. S. Government, under its regulations and cheerfully respect its representatives and property accordingly. By order of the Sloat Monument Association of California. COL. JOSEPH STEWART, U.S. A, President. President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. EDWIN A. SHERMAN, Secretary. Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE{COMMIT TEE OF THE Sloat Monument Association of @alifornia bbb PPESIDENT: COL. JOSEPH STEWART, U. S. A. (retired), V. M. W. (The second oldest living graduate of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.) Residence Berkeley. HON. WILLIAM M. BOGGS, V. M. W., 1st Vice-President, Napa. HON. SAMUEL W. BORING, V. M. W,, 2nd Vice-President, San Jose. MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, V. M. W., Secretary, Oakland. SAMUEL W. LEVY, Esq., Treasurer, San Francisco. CAPT. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, Receiver, Monterey. GEN. THOMAS E. KETCHAM, Marshal, Stockton. HON GEORGE C. PERKINS (U.S Senator), Oakland. REV. A. A. MCALISTER (Chaplain U. S. N ), Mare Island. DR. JAMES L. COGSWELL, Pioneer, San Francisco. HON. FRANK MATTISON, ex-President N. S. G. W., Santa Cruz. MAJOR JOHN L. BROMLEY, V. M. W., Oakland. DAVID W. STANDIFORD, Egq., Pioneer, Oakland. MISS CLARA K. WITTENMYER, ex-President N. D. G. W., Mills College. HON. LEWIS A. SPITZER, San Jose. HON. WM. FRANK PIERCE, Oakland. HON. GEO. E. KENNEDY, Livermore. SRE gommittee of Design and @onstruction. MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, Oakland, California. REV. A. A. MCALISTER, U. S. Navy. Carr. FRANKLIN J. DRAKE, U. S. Navy. HoN. EpwaARrRD M. PRESTON, Nevada City. Hon. JosePH M. ENGLISH, Vallejo, California. Miss CAMILLE JOHNSTON, Alameda, California. SSSR g&5= All who are Officers and Members of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast are requested to wear their Badges. SRS g&5= The Gavel to be used on this occasion by the Hon. Jaco H. NEFF, Act- ing Chief Grand Inspector, was made of a piece of the “Niagara,” the flagship of Commodore Perry, when he won his victory on Lake Erie, and presented to the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast by Capt. THOMAS G. LAM- BERT, of Monterey, when President. SRR Order of Preliminary Exercises. When all have arrived at the Site of the Monument, and everything is ready, Gen. Ketcham, the Grand Marshal, will make the announcement to Col. Joseph Stewart, President of the Sloat Monument Association, who is ex-officio President of the Day. The Representatives of the Stones which have been, and are to be, laid, are the Presidents of the Day, and will be respected accordingly. SAE S0 Order of Exercises. ADDRESS OF WELCOME—By Capt. THOMAS G. LAMBERT. RESPONSE—By Col. JOSEPH STEWART, U. S. A., President of the Day. PRAYER—By Rev. A. A. MCALISTER, U. S. N,, Chaplain of the Day. READING OF COMMODORE SLOAT'S PROCLAMATION—By his great-grandson, J. B. WHITTEMORE. READING OF TELEGRAMS AND LETTERS—By Major EDWIN A. SHERMAN, Secretary. Bancroft i IN STUDIO RUPERT SCHMID. SCULPTOR THE SLOAT MONUMENT NT OF OLD FORT MERVINE, Y RESERVATION, IFORNIA. i iate nder the immediate 3 Design and Cons IN FRO MILITAR MONTERREY, CAL 5 i 1ptor, Design constructed by Rupert SRG, Sonmittee on : sdwin A. Sherman, 8 : : is No Ry of War for his approv al. Cophiitiee of pesign and co truction OR DWID . 0 N, J 0 A. A. MCALISTER, U. S. ii TI Carr. FRANKLIN J, DRAIS Nevada City, Cal wARD M. 2 » Ly Yous M. ENGLISH, V allejo, Cal. | Miss CAMILLE JOHNSTON, Alameda, rection of ; vision and di super nended to truction, and recom on: Order of Ceremonies Under the Direction of the Hon. Jacob Il. Neff, Licut.-Governor of the State of California, as Chief Grand Inspector. CHIEF oF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, 33°. Brother Receiver and Custodian—Have the Craftesmen duly quarried, care- fully prepared, delivered the stones, and have them in place, to crown the North- east Corner of the base of the Sloat Monument as the continuation of the work, placed in our hands by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California, when it laid the Chief Corner-stone? RECEIVER AND CUSTODIAN, Ww. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, P. M. Brother Chief of Design and Construction—I have received these stones which are here presented for inspectlon, and the Craftsmen await your decision and orders. CHIEF OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR EDWIN A SHERMAN, 33°. Right Worshipful Rrother, Jacob Hart Neff, Lieutenant-Governor of the State of California—By order of Col. Joseph Stewart, U. S. A. (retired), our venerable President of the Sloat Mouument Association (who is the second oldest living graduate of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, and also the President of Associated Veterans of the Mexican War), we welcome you here on this auspi- cious occasion. When M. W. Bro. Edward Myers Preston, Grand Master of Masons of Cali- fornia, laid this Chief Corner-stone, on July 7, 1896, and placed in our hands the several working tools of the Craft, he gave us his blessing and encouragement to continue and complete this noble and patriotic work. To renew our labors in this cherished design, we most fraternally request that you, in like manner, with your respective Officers, shall carefully examine and inspect these stones, and if found worthy by you, that you will lay them in their designated places, and thus continue the work as directed by the M. W. Grand Master. CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, R. W. JACOB HART NEFF, P. J. G. W. Brother Chief of Design and Construction—On behalf of the Officers and Men of the U. S. Navy, of the California Miners’ Association, of the Employees of the Mare Island Navy vard, of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, and at the request of the Sloat Monument Association of California, I fraternaily accept the charge, and, with the assistance of my Officers, will inspect and lay these stones so patriotically contributed and furnished by them. [He then addresses the assemblage with such remarks as he deems proper and then continues ] Brethren, in accordance with the teachings of our beloved Institution, it is our duty before entering upon any undertaking, to invoke the blessing of God. We will, therefore, unite with our Grand Chaplain in addressing the Throne of Grace: PRAYER BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN, REV. BRO. A. A. MCALISTER, U.S. N. CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, R. W. JACOB H. NEFF. Brother Grand Master of Ceremonies—You will please see that the Officers are in their proper places, and are duly supplied with the proper working tools of their respective stations. GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES, M. W. WILLIAM A. DAVIES, 33° P. G. M. [He conducts them to their stations in front, where their work is to be per- formed. W. Thomas G. Lambert, P. M. Henry A. Olmsted, W. M. Bros. Lieut. Guy M. Brown and Asst. Paymaster Frederick K. Perkins, U. S. Navy, in front of the U. S. Navy stone. R. W. Jacob H. Neff, W. Edward C. Voorheis, P. M. Edward Coleman, G. T., and William C. Ralston to the front of the California Miners’ Association’s stone. W. John R. Patrick, P. M. Will Jacks, P. M. Will Emory Parker, S. W., and Jacob W. Bagby to the front of the Mare Island Navy Yard stone. W. George T. Bromley, P. M.; W. Samuel W. Boring, P. M.; Edwin A. Sher- man, 33°, and Bro. Jonathan Wright (one of Fremont’s men) to the front of the Central Pacific Railroad Company’s stone. These may, in some instances, by reason of absence or other causes, be changed, and other Brethren present substituted. : The Grand Master of Ceremonies will, when all are placed, give to the first of each four his Trowel, then the Squares, Levels and Plumbs in their regular order. This being done, he will report as follows. ] R. W. Chief Grand Inspector, the Officers are in their respective stations, are duly supplied with their working tools and await your orders. CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, R. W. JACOB H. NEFF, P. J. G. W. My Brethren, First Sub-Inspectors—The Trowel, as you have been repeatedly taught, is an instrument made use of by Operative Masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we also, as Free and Ac- cepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious pur- pose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection,—that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree. In that spirit, you will, with me, now spread the cement that shall unite these stones in the base of this monument being erected to the memory of him who was our Brother, the true patriot, the unshrinking, gallant hero to whom the Nation is indebted, and we more especially as Citizens of this Golden State, Rear Admiral JoHN DRAKE SLOAT, who more than half a century ago gave us Cali- fornia. [Those with the Trowels, he leading, then apply the cement and point the edges. The first Ode is then sung, during which the signals will be given and salutes fired by the U. S. Sloop-of-War “Alert.” FIRST ODE. (TUNE, PLEVEL’S HYMN.) Place we now our County's Stones, True and tried each Freeman owns; Let us bring with hearts sincere Hands to help and voice to cheer. Proved by the Grand Master’s hand, Long may this foundation stand! May its superstructure rise In grace and beauty ‘neath the skies. Let us join in songs of praise, That this monument we raise, And ages hence, men bless the day Our flag was raised at Mouterey. CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, R. W. JACOB H. NEFF, P. J. G. W. Brothers Second Sub-Inspectors—The SQUARES are the Working Tools of your offices. You will apply the SQUARES to thos vy should be squared. = e portions of the stones which [They do so and respond as follows. ] SECOND SUB-INSPECTORS, W. HENRY A. OLMSTED, P. M. (Of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. & A. M.) " We ' BEot of Chief Grand Inspector—I have obeyed your order, and find 1at, in that respect, the Craft ’ oa pect, aftsmen, upon the U. S. Navy stone, have done their [W. Bro. Edward C. Voorheis, P. M., of Henry Clay Lodge, No. —, replies the same as to the California Miners’ Association stone; W. Bro, Will Jocks Pp M., of Money Lodge, No. 217, the same as to the Mare Island Navy Yard stone, and W. Bro. Samuel W. Boring, P. M., of San Jo : PM, se Lodge, No. as to the C. P. R. R. Co.’s stone. ] y i CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, : R. W. JACOB H. NEFF, P. J. G. W. Brothers Third Sub-Inspectors—The LEVELS are the Working Tools of your offices. You will now apply the LEVELS to the stones under your inspection [They do so and report as follows. ] THIRD SUB-INSPECTORS, BRO. LIEUT. GUY M. BROWN, U. S. N. R. W. Chief Grand lnspector—I have obeyed your order, and find that the U S. Navy stone has been well leveled by the Craftsmen. [R. W. Bro. Edward Coleman, P. M., of Madison Lodge, No. 23,and G. T repeats the same for the Miners’ stone; P. M. Will C. Purieor. S. W of Mortores Lodge, No. 217, repeats the same for the Mare Island Navy Yod store and B f Edwin A. Sherman, 33°, for the C. P. R. R. Co,’s stone.] i CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, R. W. JACOB H. NEFF, P- J. G. W. ssn Fourth Sub-Inspectors—Your Working Tools are the PLuMBS. You will apply the PLuMBS to the Stones, th i adjusted. , then, and see if they have been properly [They do so and report as follows. ] FOURTH SUB-INSPECTORS, BRO. FRED K. PERKINS, PAYMASTER U. S. N. (Of Live Oak Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M.) R. W. Brother Chief Grand Inspector—I have obeyed your order, and find that the U. S. Navy stone has been well plumbed, and that the work of the Craftsmen in that respect has been skillfully performed. [Bro. William C. Ralston, of Oriental Lodge, No. 144, of San Francisco, re- peats the same as to the Miners’ stone. Bro. Jacob W. Bagby, of Monterey Lod ’ ge, No. 217, repeats th R Mare Island Navy Yard stone. Botsn Edn Bro. Jonathan Wright (one of Fremont’s men) and of Monterey I,odge, No 217, repeats the same for the C. P. R. R. Co.'s stone.] ged pes CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, tts R. W. JACOB H. NEFF, P. J. G. W. [Then approaching the U. S. Navy stone and th i i ging Saul {res blows with the Cavsl says. | ® cifiers Iu saccension, en e Craftsmen having faithfully and skillfully i s y performed their duty, I these Soles 0 he well formed, true and trusty, and worthy of St Buy: 1 feet as e Sloa onument. May the structure which is to rest i constant reminder of the gratitude that the whole people of the United Les and especially of the State of California, owe to the gallant defenders of the Na- tional Honor, of the Flag of our Country, who, by their patriotism and valor acquired b 7 3 A ! 2 bred our eloved Golden State, the Empress of the Pacific and the Realm of CorN, WINE, OIL AND SALT. [The vessels of Corn, Wine, Oil and Salt are now distributed, and the Sub- Inspectors in turn pour them on the stones and say as follows.] FIRST SUB-INSPECTORS, Ww. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, P. M. As in the days of old, when He visited the earth and watered it and greatly enriched it with the river of God, which was full of water, and prepared Corn for his people which he had so provided; when He watered the ridges thereof abun- dantly, settled the furrows thereof, an1 made it soft with showers and blessed the springing thereof ; when the pastures were clothed with flocks, and the valleys were also covered with Corn, and when His people shouted for joy, so may the Grand Architect of the Universe ever bless this fair land with Plenty, Prosperity an‘l Peace. [He then pours the Corn on the U.S. Navy stone and hands the vessel to W. Bro. Edward C. Voorheis, John R. Patrick and George.T. Bromley in succession, who pour the remainder of the Corn on the other three stones in their order.] SECOND SUB-INSPECTORS, W. BRO. HENRY A. OLMSTED, W. M. May the Great Giver of all good enable the Craftsmen in due time to com- plete this beautiful and the first National Monument to be erected on the Pacific Coast and crown their efforts with glory and success. [He then pours the Wine on the U. S. Navy stone and passes the vessel to R. W. Bro Edward Coleman, G. T.; W. will Jacks, P. M., and W. Samuel Boring, P. M., in succession, who pour the remainder of the Wine on the other three stones in their order. ] THIRD SUB-INSPECTORS, BRO. LIEUT. GUY M. BROWN, U. S. N. May the Olive Trees of Peace forever flourish in this goodly land by the Creat Western Sea, and bring forth fruit in plenty, giving gladness unto all the People thereof. May the blessing of Heaven descend upon this and all good works; and may our beloved Fraternity long exist to pour forth the Oil of Joy upon the hearts of the widowed, the fatherless and the distressed. [He then pours the Oil upon the U. S. Navy stone, and hands the vessel to Bros. William C. Ralston, Will C. Parker and Edwin A. Sherman, who in suc- cession pour the remainder of the Oil upon the other three stones in their order. | FOURTH SUB.INSPECTORS, ERO. FRED K. PERKINS, PAYMASTER U. S. N. «Thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy first fruits, green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears, and thou shalt put oil upon it and lay frankincense thereon. And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with sali; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering; with all thine offerings thou shall offer Salt.” [He pours the Salt upon the U S. Navy stone, and then hands the vessel to Bros. James W. Bagby, David S. Little and Jonathan Wright, who pour the re- mainder on the other three stones in their order. ] CHIEF GRAND INSPECTOR, R. W. JACOB H. NEFF, P. J. G. W. May the All-Bounteous Author of Creation, lend aid to those who have con- ceived and thus far carried on this goodly, noble and patriotic enterprise; may He protect the workmen employed upon this Monument from every accident, and long preserve it for the patriotic use which it is destined to subserve, and may He grant to us all an ever bountiful supply of the Corn of Nourishment, the Wine of Refreshment, the Oil of Joy, and may the Salt of our Covenant never be lacking. Brother Chief of Design and Construction—Relying upon your skill in our noble art, and that the continuation of this work committed to [your hands (and those of your fellow Craftsmen) by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of California, when he had laid this Chief Corner-stone, will be faithfully per- formed, I trust that this undertaking will be speedily accomplished; may there be no envy, discord or confusion among the workmen, and may you perform the duties which you have voluntarily assumed. not only to the satisfaction of the People and the Government who look to you for their fulfillment, but in such manner as shall secure the approbation of your own conscience, gratify your own heart and redound to the honor of our Ancient Craft. SECOND ODE. (I'UNE, OLD HUNDRED.) Great God of Nations, now to Thee Our Hymn of Gratitude we raise; With humble heart aud bending knee We offer Thee our song of praise. Here Freedom spreads her banner wide And casts her soft and hallowed ray; Here thou our fathers’ steps did guide, In safety through their dangerous way. From o’er the seas with hearts aflame They bore our Banner of the Stars; And here they placed it when they came To float in peace or wave in wars. We praise Thee, that 7hine Own Great Light Through all our land its radiance sheds, Dispels the shades of Er707’s night, Aud heavanly bless'ngs round us sheds. [This will be followed by impromptu speeches from W. Bro. George T. Brom- ley (the first Railroad Conductor who ever ran a train in California, and on the Sacramento Valley Railroad in 1854-5), Gen. Thomas E. Ketcham (who was a Lieutenant in Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson's Regiment in California in 1847 and stationed at Monterey), and other speakers present who may be called upon and there is time and opportunity for them. All the Brethren will then, under the direction of the Grand Master of Cere- monies, clasp hands around the base of the Monument, and with the audience present unite in singing “America.” ] AMERICA. My Country, ’tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty, Of Thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrim’s pride, From every mountain side Let Freedom ring. My Native Country, Thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love: I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze Aud ring from all the trees, Sweet Freedom's song. Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathes partake, Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our Land be bright With Freedom’s Holy Light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King. BENEDICTION. By REV. A. A. MCALISTER, Chaplain, U. S. N. PROCLAMATION. By M. W. WILLIAM A. DAVIES. P. G. M., Grand Master of Ceremonies. In the name of the Sloat Monument Association and by the concurrent orders of its Honorable President and the Chief Grand Inspector, I declare these stones to be duly laid and the ceremonies of this day to be duly closed. God save the United States of America and the State of California! OF TITLE END or REEL.