History of the State of California Part 17

In October, 1852, events occurred in the Mexican State of Sonora, which the Californians could not but regard with much interest. Count de Raousset-Boulbon, a French adventurer, was the prime actor, in a brief but stirring drama, in that quarter. He had come to California in search of fortune. Being unsuccessful, he went to Mexico.

At the period of his arrival there the Province of Sonora was devastated by the Alpaca Indians, who committed all sorts of depredations with impunity. Count de Raousset-Boulbon presented himself to the Mexican Government, and offered to deliver Sonora from the red-skins with which it was infested. The Mexican Government was ready to fall upon the neck of M. de Raousset-Boulbon. "I am a Frenchman. I know the country. I understand war. I will answer for every thing," said the Count. "Good," said the government, "we will place an army of ten thousand men at your disposal." "Thank you," said M. de Raousset-Boulbon, "keep your army; it would only get in my way.

Give me some muskets, and two hundred thousand francs, and leave the rest to me." He received the required sum, returned to Sonora, organized a corps of Frenchmen, resolute men like himself, and proceeded to hunt down the Indians. The merchants of the country, delighted with the successes obtained by their defender against a set of rascals who had so long been masters of their provinces, sent subsidies to M. de Raousset-Boulbon, put themselves under his protection, and a.s.sured him that neither he nor his troops should ever want for any thing if he would only continue the war. The Count closed with the offer. But the popularity of the young general, and the success of his little army, alarmed the Mexican Government.

They issued an order requiring him to quit the country with his forces. Count de Raousset-Boulbon replied, that the merchants and land-owners of the country having placed Sonora under his immediate protection, he felt it due to his honor not to abandon them, and consequently he distinctly refused to obey the order. The Mexican Government then sent a frigate to blockade the princ.i.p.al port of Sonora. Count de Raousset-Boulbon took the frigate. The government sent Gen. Blanco, at the head of an army, against the French commander. A battle was fought, and after a short but fierce struggle, superior numbers triumphed, and the French were defeated. A treaty was then negotiated, by the terms of which, Count Boulbon agreed to quit Sonora, in consideration of receiving a large sum of money.

It is the prevailing opinion that this movement originated in a mere restless spirit of adventure. But there are some sagacious statesmen at Washington and some keen-eyed politicians in California, who regard it as having had the object of organizing a powerful French state, which might check the progress of the great North American confederacy. Senator Bell, of Tennessee, predicted that such a design would be entertained, and such a movement executed by the French. It is well that the people of California should be upon their guard. A republic can have no safe neighbors but republics. There are a large number of Frenchmen in California; but if the Americans are vigilant there is nothing to be feared from them.

On the 2d of November, 1852, the presidential election was held throughout the United States. The Democrats carried California for their electoral ticket, pledged to vote for Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, and William R. King, of Alabama. The state election occurred at the same time, and in this, also, the Democrats were completely successful.

About the same time, destructive fires occurred in various parts of California. The greater part of the city of Sacramento was laid in ashes by a conflagration, which occurred on the 2d of November. Of this terrible disaster, the San Francisco Herald of the 4th of November, gives the following account:--

At 11 o'clock on Tuesday evening, a fire broke out in the millinery shop of Madam Lanos, on J street, near the corner of Fourth. The inspectors were counting the votes, and a numerous crowd were awaiting the decision of the judges, so that no time was lost in delay. With astonishing rapidity the fire spread from building to building--up, down and across the street, in five minutes. The Crescent City Hotel, on the opposite side of the street, was in flames, and being of inflammable materials and of large size, sent the fiery torrent in every direction. The hardware store of Pawoth, Eels & Co. communicated the flames to the brick block adjoining, which was speedily burned to the ground, and carried the fire up street on both sides, until it reached Eighth street, and on the south side of J street. On the corner side, from Brown, Kenny & Co.'s brick block, which caught from the Crescent City fire, there was nothing to stay its progress but the Overton Block, on the corner of Third and J streets, on the one side, and Scudder, Carroll & Co. on the other. For a time the superhuman exertions put forth seemed to check, and it was hoped would entirely subdue the fire, and the boom of the powder, like artillery, that was deposited in every building, by the hook and ladder boys, was deemed the signal for the arrest and staying of the fire on this line. In vain, however; the wind, heretofore blowing towards the levee, increased to a gale and changed to the north, thus turning the fire broadside on, and in five minutes it had spread to M. street.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAFE RESTAURANT, SAN FRANCISCO--MADE OUT OF A SHIP GALLEY.]

From J and Third, the fire curled around Scudder & Carroll's, and extended to Dr. Morrell's drug store, on the south side of J street, which proved a barrier for a time. These buildings, of wood, were built in 1849, and as combustible as powder. The flames caught the wooden building opposite, and spread to the rear on I street. At this time, W. R. McCall & Co.'s building caught on the roof. The burning of their building sealed the fate of all to the levee, on both sides of the street, and bearing down the length of the city, the flames extended, soon wrapping the Orleans Hotel. The buildings all around were blown up with the rapidity of magic, carts standing ready with 25lb. kegs of powder. The Union office next fell, the proprietors saving two presses, type and paper sufficient for a few days' supply.

The Tahama block, containing Page, Bacon & Co.'s, Swift's and Grimes'

banking offices, saved, wind changing, blowing directly south from them. J. B. Starr's store also made a wall to prevent the further spread of the fire in that direction. At this moment the fire reached, from the levee, J and K street to Tenth, one sea of fire, crumbling every thing to ashes. The large brick store of J. A. Haines, the brick blocks on K--with the exception of that of the Lady Adams Co. on K, between First and K streets--are a pile of ruins. The L. A. Co.'s buildings stand prominent and erect this morning, a monument to the proprietor's sagacity and good sense. The families on the line below K street, were busy removing their valuables and furniture, when the flames crossed the brick barrier, and swept with remorseless fury down and across, licking with its forked tongue from street to alley, apparently shrivelling the wooden buildings with a single breath. The inmates of the hospital, seventy in number, were taken in season to the levee, and from thence to a suitable house, by Drs. Briarly and Williams. The City market, filled with hay, and the hospital, were the last on that line of the fire, where the citizens effectually stopped its further progress. On F street the brick building of Reynolds & Co.

made but a light barrier, the roof falling in almost immediately, with three of No. 3's engine men, who were burned to death. Every thing to Eighth street, on the north, and Ninth Street on the south side of J street to Twelfth street, on K down to N street on the southeast, through N and M to the levee--the El Dorado, supposed impregnable hitherto, as also Merritt's, Dr. Morrill's, Scudders', and Case & Co.'s are completely gutted.

Thus far the number of lives ascertained to be lost are six. Three of No. 3's Engine Company's men, who fell with the roof of Reynolds & Co.'s building, were swallowed up alive; the confusion of the morning, and the scattering of people, prevented a roll call to ascertain the names of the gallant but unfortunate firemen. A lady, next door to the place where the fire originated, is also reported burnt. The number scorched is enormous, all of whom, however, are carefully attended to by surgeons on board the Camanche. Every a.s.sistance possible was proffered by the captains and agents of the steamers, whose vessels were soon crowded with females. The levee was strewn with merchandise of every description, and the wind blowing from the northwest threw the sparks from the goods and saved them all. At 5 A.M., the fire had nearly ceased, the smouldering embers throwing huge clouds of smoke and lurid flashes, bringing desolation to the hearts of all who witnessed the sickening sight. The losses cannot be less than $5,000,000.

On the evening of the 9th of November, another great fire occurred at San Francisco. Of this the California Whig of Nov. 10, gives the following account:--

Last evening, at half past eight o'clock, our citizens were alarmed by the dreadful cry of fire, which proved to be too well founded, for in less than five minutes the whole city was illumed by the lurid glare of the flames.

There is much contradiction as to where the fire originated, but it is pretty generally conceded that it was in the upper story of the frame building on the corner of Merchant and Kearny streets, occupied by some lodgers.

In a very short time all the buildings on the corner of the street were in a blaze, and wholly beyond the power of human aid to save. The close proximity of the building to the Union, on the opposite corner, rendered the probability of its destruction almost certain. In a very few minutes the latter building caught. In the meantime the frame buildings on Merchant, and between that and Clay streets caught, and were in a blaze.

The whole force of the fire department were promptly on the spot, with their apparatus, and put into the most effective service. Never since they have been in organization have they displayed their unequalled energy and training as they did on this occasion.

Fortunately for the safety of the lower part of the city, there was but little air stirring, and a slight misty rain had fallen during the day and evening, which checked the tendency of the fire to spread towards the bay. Had it not been for this, the ma.s.s of sparks falling upon the roofs of the frame buildings on the east side of Montgomery street, must have extended it to the whole lower side of the city.

These buildings were covered with men provided with wet blankets, buckets of water, and every thing necessary to extinguish the flames, should they communicate to their roofs.

The fire burnt eastward to the buildings of Messrs. Austin & Lobdell, fronting on Clay street, and that of Mr. Naglee, fronting on Merchant street. On the north side of Merchant it took the Union Hotel, and all the buildings fronting on that street, down towards Montgomery, to Bolton and Barron's building. It did not cross over to Washington in any instance. This is the second time that the building of Messrs.

Austin & Lobdell has proved an effectual barrier to the progress of a fire, and without receiving the least injury itself, or damaging the goods within it.

Nothing but the determined and unparalleled efforts of the firemen prevented the fire from extending to the south side of Clay street; as it was, some $10,000 damage was done to goods and buildings upon that side.

The fire broke out, as we have said, at half past eight o'clock, and it was not until a quarter past ten that it was checked or its further spread prevented, and the engines worked for some time longer.

The records of the different courts in the old City Hall were removed, but thrown into the utmost confusion.

In the midst of the excitement, Mr. Masalski, a gentleman well known to the community as the former keeper of the Sacramento House, rushed to the scene of disaster, and shortly afterwards returned to his dwelling. He was immediately seized with the most alarming symptoms, and in a few moments breathed his last. Dr. Guatier, who attended him in his last moments, says that it is difficult to p.r.o.nounce upon the cause of his death, other than that it was brought about by congestion of the brain, but what was the immediate cause of this congestion he is unable to say at present.

It is of course impossible for us to give a correct estimate of the losses sustained, but we have heard it variously estimated as from $150,000 to $200,000.

Other destructive fires occurred at Marysville, Sonora, Stockton, San Diego and in the agricultural districts, an immense amount of property being destroyed. In the cities, the damage was repaired, with an astonishing rapidity, but some individuals were utterly ruined--the results of years of labor being swept away in a single night. The cities of California are now generally supplied with fire engines and hook and ladder companies. But these machines are not always available.

The mining news contained in California papers of November, 1852, is very interesting.

A letter dated Nevada, Oct. 24, says that the continued dry weather has given unusual opportunities and facilities to miners now working in the river channels. At the best these operations are very precarious in their nature--necessarily attended with a vast outlay, and frequently, where the most sanguine hopes were entertained, the results have been most unfortunate. The time for working in the rivers is usually confined to a very limited period, the water being seldom or never sufficiently low to work to advantage earlier than September; it follows, therefore, that every additional week of dry weather is of the utmost value to such as are thus engaged. Luckily for them, the present dry season has been unusually protracted, consequent upon which, the rivers are at an exceedingly low stage, and the success of the miner proportionate to this advantage. On the other hand, those interested in ravine and hill mining (by far the greater proportion of the miners,) are anxiously awaiting the wet season for a supply of water--without which, all their labor is fruitless.

The Bear River and Auburn Water Company's ca.n.a.l is so far completed as to be available to the miners by the first rains, notwithstanding the great expense and time attending its construction, arising from a want of experience, and so far beyond the calculations of its projectors.

This work traverses an extensive and rich mining country, totally dependent upon the ca.n.a.l for water, which cannot be exhausted for many years.

The discovery of a continuation of the celebrated Coyote lead, in Nevada, from which so many millions of the precious metals were extracted in '50 and '51, is now established beyond a doubt. As yet it is not developed to any great extent, but enough, however, to give employment to a goodly number of miners. The character of the lead continues to be similar to the old mines, in appearance and productiveness. A few weeks' further investigation of the locality will no doubt give a new impetus to mining operations here, which have latterly been somewhat stagnant.

The Sacramento Journal says:--We have been shown a lot of the gold taken out of the Mokelumne run, valued at $2,500, which was superior to any thing we ever examined before. The pieces of glittering ore were of sizes varying from a cuc.u.mber seed up to a pumpkin seed, and all in that flat, oval shape so peculiarly characteristic of Mokelumne gold. It was sent down from the store of D. L. Angier, in Calaveras county, and we are informed that the same company of six men that disposed of it, have taken out of the claim $36,000 of the same kind of specimens.

Gold has been found in considerable quant.i.ties in the mountains back of San Buenaventura. The existence of the gold was made known by the Indians to some white men, who, on visiting the spot indicated, were rewarded with six ounces of the precious metal. The prospect is said to be good.

Three quartz mills have recently commenced operations in Scott valley.

We have not received any definite information as to what these mills have accomplished, but are informed that one of them is producing gold in great abundance.

The Columbia Mining Company took out 12 lbs. of gold in one day, and 8 lbs. at night--making in all 20 lbs. The same gentleman informs us that miners generally in that vicinity are doing remarkably well.

New diggings have been discovered near the American ranche. Those working there are getting well paid, in coa.r.s.e, heavy gold. They are making from $12 to $20 per day to the man. The diggings are ravine diggings, and can be worked all winter.

A convention of the quartz miners of Nevada county was to have been held at Nevada on the 13th of November, to adopt measures having for their purpose more unity of operation and greater security of labor and capital.

The San Francisco papers of Jan. 1, 1853, contain most interesting intelligence of the state of the gold region. The following is the most important:--

The present winter is conceded to be the most severe experienced in this country since it has been populated by Americans. During the last fortnight it has been raining and snowing continually in the mountains and valleys, and we are daily in the receipt of accounts of disasters and suffering in all parts of the state. The waters have been unusually high, and communication through the mining regions almost entirely cut off, either by snow or overflowed streams. The rivers have been swelled to such an extent as to inundate all the low lands, causing immense damage, destroying stock and agricultural products.

The whole country between Tehama and Sacramento city was entirely under water, whilst Marysville was partly inundated, and though Sacramento city was well protected by a levee, the lower portions were submerged. The waters at the present time have subsided, although the rains still continue. On the mountain streams, the loss of mining implements has been great, and all work for the present is suspended.

Bridges have been swept away, and ferries destroyed, and some few lives lost. The southern portion of the mining district has suffered equally with the northern. Stockton has been inundated partially, and property to a considerable amount destroyed. The bridges on the Calaveras, Stanislaus, and other streams have been swept away, and communication with the mining towns for a while suspended. The flood has been universal, and the waters higher than in the memorable winter of 1849.

The great scarcity of provisions, and the consequent high prices, have occasioned much suffering and distress already, and it is feared that many will actually die from starvation. Many miners subsist entirely on beef and potatoes, whilst in other portions of the mines there are hundreds who have nothing at all but barley and potatoes. In portions of Yuba and Sierra county the snow was already ten feet deep, and still falling, and the miners actually reduced to absolute want.

In one place they held a meeting and forced a trader to sell what flour he had on hand at 45 cents per pound, and all who were able to leave did so, thus leaving the provisions for those who were unable to find their way through the snows to the valleys. In some places cabins are entirely covered with snow, and the roofs of many have been crushed in, thus cutting off the last chance of protection. The accounts received may be greatly exaggerated--nevertheless, there is much suffering and distress, and it is not improbable that some may perish by starvation.

A few days since, we were visited with a terrible southeast gale, which prevailed for two days. Several light tenements were blown down, and some injury done to the shipping in the harbor. For a day or two, communication by stage with San Jose was cut off, owing to the sudden rise of the intermediate streams.

Several important decisions have been rendered in our courts, among which is the decision of the State Supreme Court, recognizing the right of native claimants of land to the summary remedy of ejectment where they are disturbed by squatters. This applies to parties who are in possession of their claims, and relieves them from what, by a previous decision of the court, was a necessity, that they should incur first the expensive process of a writ of right in order to prove their t.i.tle.

The Land Commission are making considerable progress in the adjudication of claims. Of these, the most important, perhaps, is that of Mr. Fremont, to a large tract of land on the head waters of the Mariposa river. The Commission recognizes his claim to the land, but does not undertake to decide upon his t.i.tle to the mineral wealth, which, as is well known, is embraced within the limits of the grant.

A convention of Quartz Miners, held at Nevada, have adopted a code of laws for the government of those working quartz veins in that country.

Barley has been used for bread in some places in the interior, and is found to be a good subst.i.tute for flour.

Farmers are getting their lands ready for the crops of the next year, and it is understood that considerable quant.i.ties of wheat will be sown. Preparations are also being made for the erection of grist mills, and it is not likely another season will find us so dependant upon foreign supply for breadstuffs.

There was considerable excitement in California, during the latter part of December, about a supposed monopoly of flour. The article had been very scarce and high for some time, and the exorbitant rates it commanded were attributed in a great measure to an organized effort to force up prices. Indignation meetings were held in the interior, and in San Francisco several of the public prints endeavored to expose the supposed plots of the speculators. The timely arrival of cargoes from Chili and elsewhere, however, soon caused a decline, and the excitement on the subject consequently abated.

Vallejo has been made the capital of the state. It possesses many advantages of situation, and promises to be a large city. If the government should continue to have its seat there, Vallejo may prove a formidable rival to San Francisco.