CHAPTER XVI.
EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA FROM THE ADMISSION OF THE STATE INTO THE UNION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF 1853.
Since the foregoing chapters were written, events of considerable importance have transpired in California. Remarkable political steps have been taken, and disastrous accidents by flood and fire have happened.
The crimes of robbery and murder becoming of so frequent occurrence in San Francisco that all security of person and property was threatened with destruction, a meeting of citizens was called, and it was resolved to organize a Vigilance Committee, for the summary trial and execution of offenders. This was an open manifestation of contempt for the constituted authorities, and they protested against it. But a majority of the citizens of San Francisco, feeling that extraordinary measures were necessary, supported those persons who were appointed upon the Committee. Such officers generally abuse the extensive authority conferred upon them; but justice requires that we should say, that the members of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee acted throughout with a due appreciation of an awful responsibility. Several persons were arrested, tried, convicted and hung. One or two were notorious criminals, who had often been up before the regular courts, and always contrived to elude justice. By the certain and summary measures of the Committee, security was in a great measure restored, and the members then surrendered their authority—acknowledging the entire supremacy of the courts.
In October, 1851, the State elections occurred. The contest was spirited. The Democrats were generally successful. John Bigler, their gubernatorial candidate, was elected by about thirteen hundred majority over Mr. Reading, the candidate of the Whigs. At the succeeding session of the Legislature, John B. Weller, formerly of Ohio, was elected to the Senate of the United States, to succeed John C. Fremont, who had resigned his seat. Mr. Weller had long been a prominent member of the Democratic party. He commanded the Ohio regiment in the Mexican war. It was believed that he would be an efficient colleague of the industrious and practical Senator Gwin.
The Chinese portion of the population of California has gradually become quite numerous. They have proved themselves steady, energetic and useful citizens. Gov. Bigler, however, had a different estimation of them. As they do not respect the oaths and forms established by law for the regulation of business in California, he thought they could not be bound sufficiently in their bargains to suit the business community; and accordingly he recommended to the Legislature, that some measures should be adopted for checking Chinese immigration. This called forth a spirited remonstrance from the Chinese citizens of San Francisco. They argued with much reason, that they had conducted themselves properly ever since they had entered California, and that there was no real ground of complaint against them. The methods of binding them were explained, it is believed, to the general satisfaction of the business community. We should think that Chinese labor would be in great demand in California, as the "Celestials" not only work for less than the Americans, but can endure more toil and exposure.
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 assured 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 principal 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.