FROM THE REVOLUTION TILL THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
AND MEXICO.
Before the commencement of the struggle for independence in Mexico,
the missions in California were, to some extent, fostered by the
Spanish government, and supplies were sent to them regularly. But when
the war began, the remittances were reduced, and the establishments
soon began to decay. After the overthrow of the Spanish rule, in 1822,
the territory of California was divided into two portions. The
peninsula was then called Lower California, and the whole of the
continental territory called Upper California. When the Mexicans
adopted a constitution, in 1824, each of these territories became
entitled to send one representative to the National Congress. At the
same time, the adult Indians who could be considered civilized, were
declared citizens of the republic, and had lands given to them. This,
of course, freed them from submission to the missionaries, who, thus
deprived of their authority, either returned to Spain or Mexico, or
took refuge in other lands. The Indians being free from restraint,
soon sank to a low depth of barbarism and vice.
Immediately after the overthrow of the Spanish authorities, the ports
of California began to be the resort of foreigners, principally
whalers and traders from the United States. The trade in which they
engaged, that of exchanging manufactured goods for the provisions,
hide and tallow furnished by the natives, was at first irregular, but
as it increased, it became more systematic, and mercantile houses were
established in the principal ports. The Mexican government became
dissatisfied with this state of things, and ordered the governor of
Upper California to enforce the laws which prohibited foreigners from
entering or residing in the territories of Mexico without a special
permission from the authorities. Accordingly, in 1828, a number of
American citizens were seized at San Diego, and kept in confinement
until 1830. In that year, an insurrection broke out, headed by General
Solis, and the captured Americans were of some assistance in
suppressing it, and, in consideration of their services, they were
permitted to leave the territory.
The Mexican government strove to prevent the evils expected to flow
from the presence of numbers of foreigners in California, by
establishing colonies of their own citizens in the territory. A number
of persons were sent out from Mexico, to settle on the lands of the
missions, but they never reached their destination. The administration
which originated the scheme was overthrown, and the new authorities
ordered the settlers to be driven back to Mexico. In 1836, the federal
system was abolished by the Mexican government, and a new constitution
adopted, which destroyed all state rights, and established a central
power. This was strenuously resisted in California. The people rose,
and drove the Mexican officers from the country, declaring that they
would remain independent until the federal constitution was restored.
The general government issued strong proclamations against the
Californians, and sent an expedition to re-establish its authority.
But General Urrea, by whom the expedition was commanded, declared in
favor of the federalists, and the inhabitants governed themselves
until July, 1837, when they swore allegiance to the new constitution.
Things went on quietly in California until 1842. In that year,
Commodore Jones, while cruising in the Pacific, received information
which led him to believe that Mexico had declared war against the
United States. He determined to strike a blow at the supposed enemy,
and, accordingly, he appeared before Monterey, on the 19th of October,
1842, with the frigate United States and the sloop-of-war Cyane. He
demanded the surrender of all the castles, posts, and military places,
on penalty, if refused, of the visitation of the horrors of war. The
people were astonished. A council decided that no defence could be
made, and every thing was surrendered at once to the unexpected
Americans. The flag of the United States was hoisted, and the
commodore issued a proclamation to the Californians, inviting them to
submit to the government of the United States, which would protect
them in the exercise of their rights. The proclamation was scarcely
issued, before the commodore became aware of the peaceable relations
existing between the United States and Mexico, and he accordingly
restored the possession of Monterey to the authorities, and retired
with his forces to his ships, just twenty-four hours after the
surrender. This affair irritated the inhabitants considerably, and,
no doubt, tended to increase the ill-feeling before existing between
Mexico and the people of the United States.