In June, 1846, Commodore Sloat having received information that the
Mexicans had crossed the Rio Grande, determined to take possession
of the principal ports of Upper California. He sailed to Monterey in
the frigate Savannah, and was there joined by the Cyanne and Levant,
vessels of war. Having examined the defences of the small town, and
completed the arrangements for capturing it, the commodore sent Captain
Mervine to demand its surrender. The Mexican commandant replied that
he was not authorized to surrender the town, and referred Commodore
Sloat to Governor Castro. Captain Mervine then landed two hundred
and fifty seamen and marines, hoisted the star-spangled banner amid
cheers from the troops and bystanders, and a national salute from the
squadron. Commodore Sloat then issued a proclamation, announcing that
war existed between the United States and Mexico, and the arms of the
United States would be carried throughout California. The conquest
was subsequently completed as just related, by the great exertions of
Commodore Stockton, who succeeded Sloat, and landed men from his fleet,
marched to the relief of Kearney, fought pitched battles with the
enemy, and never left the affair until the conquest of the country was
fully effected.
[Illustration: BATTLE OF SAN GABRIEL.]