Cooper's father-in-law was Ignacio Vallejo, one of the earliest and best known of the Mexican residents. Vallejo was born in Guadalaxara (1748), of pure Spanish descent, and went to California with the first expedition (1769); he died at Monterey in 1831. Being the only civil engineer of the province, he devoted much time to irrigating works. See Shinn, "Pioneer Spanish Families in California," in Century Magazine, xix, pp. 377-389.—Ed.
[125] Pattie's account of this interesting historical event seems in the main to be accurate, except in the matter of dates, in which his own narrative is inconsistent. Bancroft appears to think that he deliberately falsified the account of the capture of Solis, in order to exalt his own part therein.—Ed.
[126] Captain William S. Hinckley was well known to the California coast, appearing there as master of a trading vessel in 1830. He visited the same ports in 1833-34, and aided Alvarado in his revolution of 1836. For several years thereafter he was in trouble with the revenue agents at San Francisco, charged with smuggling. Becoming a permanent resident of that place in 1840, he was naturalized, married, and made an alcalde, as well as captain of the port. He died just previous to the advent of the Americans in 1846.—Ed.
[127] For another description of these fights, consult Bidwell, "Life in California before the Gold Discovery," in Century Magazine, xix, pp. 163-182.—Ed.
[128] For the later history of Pattie's companions, see Vallejo, "Ranch and Mission Days in Alta California," ibid., pp. 183-192. Bancroft possessed his letter written from Mexico, June 14, 1830; see his California, iii, p. 170.—Ed.
[129] Anthony Butler was a native of South Carolina, who early in the nineteenth century removed to Logan County, Kentucky. In the War of 1812-15, he served first as lieutenant-colonel of the 28th infantry, then as colonel of the 2nd rifle corps, and was at New Orleans with Jackson, a warm personal friend. In 1818-19 he served in his state legislature. Upon Jackson's accession to power, Butler was appointed (1829) chargé d'affaires at Mexico, where, already deeply involved in speculation in Texan land-scrip, he attempted to secure annexation by various means not wholly reputable. Having deceived Jackson, and attempted to outwit the Mexican ministers, his recall was demanded by Santa Anna (1836), but Jackson had already dismissed him. See Memoirs of John Quincy Adams, xi, pp. 359, 360.—Ed.
[130] Vicente Guerrero was installed president of the Mexican Republic in 1829. In the summer of that year the Spanish sent an expedition to retake Mexico, and he, espousing their cause, was granted dictatorial powers. The vice-president, Anastasio Bustamante, thereupon styled himself preserver of the constitution, and in December organized a revolt. Guerrero fled from the capital, and in 1831 was captured and shot. Bustamante remained president until 1832, when a counter revolution, led by Santa Anna, drove him from power.—Ed.
[131] Although Governor Echeandia's successor was appointed in 1830, he did not return to Mexico until three years later. See [note 123], ante.—Ed.
[132] Flint, the first editor of this volume, here refers to the previous publication of the succeeding article, entitled "Inland Trade with New Mexico," in the periodical of which he was editor, Western Monthly Review, ii, pp. 597, 649 (April and May, 1829). This journal enjoyed but three years of life, the first number appearing in May, 1827, the last in June, 1830.—Ed.
[133] For an account of the Santa Fé trail, along which this caravan passed, see Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, in our volumes xix and xx.—Ed.