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 History of the Celebration 
 
 # 
 
 
 
 FIKTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 dking 
 
 o$$e$$ion of 
 
 aiifornia 
 
 Raising of tbe Jiniericdn flag at IHonterey, gal 
 
 COMMODORE John Drake Sloat, U. S. N., 
 
 JULY TXH, 1846. 
 
 //^/fl? under the auspices of the Associated Veteratis of the Mexican War, assisted by the U. S. 
 
 Army and Navy, the National Guard of California, the Sloat Monument Association, 
 
 the California Pioneers, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Afasorts of 
 
 California, Boards of Supervisors, Fraternal Societies, Public 
 
 Schools, and Citizens of the State. 
 
 I>eld at montmv, California, 3uly 7tb, i$<)6. 
 
 Also of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the American Flag at San 
 Francisco, California, July 9TH, 1846, by 
 
 CAPTAIN JAMES B. MONTGOMERY, U. S. N., 
 
 Commandiug the U. S. Sloop of War Portsmouth, 
 HELD JULY 9TH, 1896. 
 
 PRECEDED BY THE ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF 
 THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG AT SONOMA, CALIFORNIA, JUNE 14TH, 1S46, 
 
 HELD SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH, 1896. 
 
 Prepared by direction of the Committee appointed by the Associated Veterans of the 
 
 Mexican War, approved and ordered printed. 
 
 Comrades James Layton, Colonel Joseph Stewart and Charles Laiige. 
 
 ^^=^#1 
 
 Oakland, Cal. : 
 
 Carruth & Carruth Printers. 
 
 1896. 
 
^f/F, 
 
 vT 
 
 
VIEW OF DEL MONTE HOTEL, MONTEREY. 
 
JOHN DRAKE SLOAT, U. S. N., Rear Admiral (Retired). 
 
 Boru in 17S:, at Goshen, New York. 
 
 Midshipman, U. S. Navy, February 12th, 1800. 
 
 Sailing Master, U. S. Navy, February 7th, 1S12. (He manceuvered the frigate "United States" under Commodore 
 Decatur, when he captured the crack frigate " Macedonian," of the British Navy, October 25th, 1812, and received 
 the thanks of Congress.) 
 
 Lieutenant, July 24th, 1S12. (Commanded the schooner "Grampus," and suppressed Cofrecinas, the last of 
 the West India pirates, in March. 1825, who was captured and shot.) 
 
 Post Captain, February gth, 1S37. 
 
 Commodore, November ist, 1843. (August 27th, 1844, ordered to command the Pacific Squadron, and on July 
 7th, 1846, took possession of California and hoisted the American flag at Monterey. He located the Navy Yard at 
 Mare Island, California, in 1S52.) 
 
 Rear Admiral on the Retired List, August 6th. 1866. 
 
 I)ied at Staten Island, New York, November aSth, 1867, aged 86 years, 
 
Tnitiatory Proceedings. 
 
 r a regular meeting of the Associated 
 Veterans of the Mexican War hekl at 
 their hall on O'Farrell Street, San 
 Francisco, Cal.,ou Thursday evening, 
 March 14th, 1S95, Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman offered the following resolution : 
 
 ^* Resolved, That the Associated Veterans ot 
 the Mexican War will celebrate the Fiftieth 
 Anniversary' of the taking possession of Califor- 
 nia and Raising of the American flag at Mon- 
 terey by Commodore John Drake Sloat of the 
 United States Navy on July 7th, 1846, the cele- 
 bration to be held at that place on Tuesday, 
 July 7th, 1896, and that a Committee of Ar- 
 rangements of Three be appointed by the Pres- 
 ident to carry this resolution into efifect." 
 
 The resolution was unanimously adopted. 
 
 The following named Comrades were ap- 
 pointed as the Committee of Arrangements : 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Col. Joseph Stewart, 
 and Col. Wellington C. Burnett, to which were 
 also added ex officio President Major Sydney 
 J. Loop and the Secretary, Capt. William L. 
 Duncan. Subsequently, by reason of the con- 
 tinued absence of Comrade Wellington C. Bur- 
 nett in the East, Comrade Charles Lange was 
 appointed in his place. 
 
 In September, 1895, Major Edwin A. Sher- 
 man, Chairman of the Committee of Arrange- 
 ments, at his own expense paid a visit to the 
 City of Washington,- to have a personal inter- 
 view with Hon. H. A. Herbert, Secretary of the 
 Navy, and to secure, if possible, several vessels 
 of war to aid in the Celebration at Monterey. 
 
 The hearty cooperation of the Secretary of 
 War was promised and telegraphed through to 
 the Secretary of the Association and read at the 
 Annual Banquet on September 14th, 1895, the 
 4Sth Anniversary of the triumphant entry of 
 Gen. Winfield Scott and the U. S. army into 
 the City of Mexico. 
 
 The Sloat Monument Association of Califor- 
 nia, composed mainly of Veterans of the Mexi- 
 can War and Pioneers also took the following 
 action on February 8th, 1896 : 
 
 " On motion, it was unanimously resolved 
 that this Association unite in the Celebration 
 by the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War, of the 50th Anniversary of the hoisting of 
 the American flag at Monterey on the 7th of 
 July next, and with such other organizations 
 as may there be present on that occasion. And 
 if there is time and opportunity, to make pro- 
 vision for the laying of the Corner Stone of the 
 base of the Monument on July 7th, 1896, by 
 the Grand Lodge of Masons of California as a 
 part of the Ceremonies to commemorate the 
 raising of the American flag at Monterey by 
 Commodore John D. Sloat of the U. S. Navy 
 on July 7th, 1846." 
 
 The Executive Committee of the Sloat Mon- 
 ument Association being represented by Vice- 
 
 Presidents Capt. Wm. L. Duncan, Col. Joseph 
 Stewart, Secretary Major Edwin A. Sherman, 
 Receiver Capt, Thomas G. Lambert and Rev. 
 A. A. McAlister, U. S. N., the first three also 
 being on the Committee of Arrangements of 
 the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. 
 
 The delay in the passage of the bill in the 
 U. S. Senate, making an appropriation of ten 
 thousand dollars for the monument, being 
 caused by the secret attack made by one George 
 Edwards of the Bancroft History Company of 
 San Francisco, upon the honored fame of Com- 
 modore Sloat by false representations and 
 slander, had rendered it difi&cult to proceed 
 with the preparations for holding the celebra- 
 tion, or for the laying of the corner stone of the 
 elevated base of the monument. The passage 
 of the bill by the Senate, however, gave encour- 
 agement to the Committees of Arrangements 
 of the Mexican War and of the Sloat Monu- 
 ment Association. 
 
 Lieut. J. Reynolds Landis, U. S. A., (aide de 
 camp to General James H. Forsyth, U. S. A.,) 
 having been appointed to select the location for 
 the site of the Sloat Monument, in company 
 with Capt. Gillett of the U. S. Engineers, Major 
 Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary, and Capt. Thos. 
 G. Lambert, Receiver of the Sloat Monument 
 Association, proceeded to the Military Reserva- 
 tion at Monterey, and immediately in front of 
 the prolonged angle of Old Fort Mervine where 
 an old iron gun is placed, and there on the 
 axis of the hill overlooking the harbor and 
 town of Monterey, located the site of the Sloat 
 Monument. 
 
 This having been done, the Committee of 
 Arrangements renewed its communications 
 with the War and Navy Departments for the 
 preparations for the Celebration, they having 
 previously given encouragement thereto as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 [Letter sent by order of Brig. Gen. James A. Forsyth, 
 Commanding Department of California.] 
 
 Headquarters, Department of Califor- 
 nia, San Francisco, April 27th, 1896. 
 Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of Committee 
 of Arrangements Associated Veterans of 
 the Mexican War, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Sir: — Referring to your communication of 
 of the 13th inst., addressed to the Department 
 Commander, inviting him and command to at- 
 tend the Semi-Centennial Celebration at Mon- 
 terey, Cal., in commemoration of the American 
 occupation of California and the raising of the 
 American flag at that place, I am directed by 
 the Department Commander to inform you that 
 arrangements will be made for the presence at 
 Monterey, on that occasion, of a light battery 
 of artillery, which will be instructed to fire 
 requisite salutes and take part in the ceremo- 
 nies; that the necessary salutes will be fired on 
 
July 7th from San Diego Barracks, Alcatraz 
 Island and the Presidio of San Francisco; that 
 from the last-named post a salute will also be 
 fired on July 9th, in commemoration of the 
 first hoisting of the American flag thereat; and 
 that your invitation to all the officers of the 
 command to attend the ceremonies at Mon- 
 terey has been communicated to them, with 
 the request that all such as desire and contem- 
 plate attendance on the occasion shall so sig- 
 nify to these headquarters a list of the same, 
 which, when received, will be furnished to you. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 O. D. Greene, Asst. Adj. -Gen. 
 Note— Two light batteries were furnished. 
 
 [L,etter from Hon. H. A. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy]. 
 
 Navy Department, Washington, 
 May 4th, 1896. 
 W. A. M. 9336. 
 
 Sir:— I have to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter of the 23rd ultimo, inviting me to 
 attend the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniver- 
 sary of the taking possession of California and 
 the raising of the American flag at Monterey 
 by Commodore John D. Sloat, of the U. S. Navy, 
 and requesting that orders be sent from the 
 Navy Department for the vessels now on the 
 Pacific station, on the coast of California, to 
 lend their aid in making the celebration a suc- 
 cess. I have referred your request for the ves- 
 sels to the commander-in-chief of the Pacific 
 station, with the suggestion that he will direct 
 one or more of the vessels under his command 
 to assist at the celebration, provided the exi- 
 gencies of the service will permit. 
 
 I thank you for your kind invitation to be 
 present at the celebration, and regret very 
 much that my official duties will prevent me 
 from accepting. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 H. A. Herbert, Secretary. 
 
 Mr. Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of Committee of 
 Arrangements Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War, Oakland, California. 
 
 [I,etter from Admiral Lester A. Beardslee]. 
 
 U. S. Flag-ship Philadei-phia, 
 
 May 20th, 1896. 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman of 
 Committee, etc., 12 12 Webster Street, Oak- 
 land, Cal. 
 Dear Sir: — Since my interview with you a 
 few days ago it the Occidental Hotel, I have 
 resolved to so modify my plans in regard to 
 the movement of the flag-ship as to remove the 
 then existing obstacle to her being in p'isition 
 to take part in the ceremonies proposed by the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican Wa to be 
 held at Monterey on the 7th of July. 
 
 I therefore, ^vitll pleasure, accept the invita- 
 tion conveyed in your note of the 8th inst., 
 that I should act as one of the Chief Vice Pres- 
 idents, — as the Chief Representative of the 
 Navy, upon that day, and shall esteem it an 
 honor so to do. 
 
 Should there be any point which at this date 
 you would wish to discuss with me, I shall be 
 at the Occidental Sunday, the 24th, up to 2 
 p. M. I can promise you troops and a band. 
 
 I am, yours truly, 
 
 L. A. Beardslee, U. S. N. 
 
 P. S". — Should a call on Sunday not be con- 
 venient, it is very seldom that I am not every 
 day at the Occidental from 6 to 7:30 p. m., and 
 I presume I shall be there at those hours for 
 the week. 
 
 [Letter of acceptance from William P. Toler, Esq., who 
 was midshipman in the U. S. Navy, and present at 
 the first raising of the American Flag at Monterey, 
 Cal., by Commodore Jones, U. S. N., in Oc ober, 
 1842, and lowered by him; and when Mr. Toler was 
 aide-de-camp and Signal OfiBcer under Commodore 
 ' John I). Sloat, he was the one who actually hoisted 
 the American flag on the Custom House at Mon- 
 terey on July 7th, 1846. 
 
 Oakland, May 22nd, 1896. 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman Com- 
 mittee of Arrangements Associated Veter- 
 ans of the Mexican War. 
 Dear Sir: — Please accept my thanks for 
 your kind invitation to myself and family to 
 attend the Celebration of the 5otli Anniversary 
 of the taking possession of California and the 
 hoisting of the American flag at Monterey, July 
 7th, 1846, by Commodore John D. Sloat of the 
 U. S. Navy, to take place at Monterey on July 
 7th, 1896; and if my health at that time will 
 permit me to be present, I shall take pleasure 
 in renewing the act of hoisting the American 
 flag at Monterey as requested. 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 William P. Toler. 
 
 [Letter of John Drake Sloat, Jr., the grandson of the 
 late Commodore John D. Sloat, U. S. N.] 
 
 Wentzville, Mo., June 19th, 1896. 
 Major E. A. Sherman, Chairman Committee, 
 etc., 1212 Webster Street, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 My Dear Major: — I wish to acknowledge 
 your favor of the 7th inst., which contained 
 your kind invitation to read the original proc- 
 lamation of grandfather's at Monterey on the 
 eventful day of the coming celebration. In- 
 deed, were it possible for me to do so, I would 
 consider it a high honor; but alas, ill health of 
 the past two years and business reverses will 
 compel me to forego participation in this event. 
 
 Cousin Bayard must again do the honors on 
 this occasion as in 1886, and I shall look on 
 from a distance. Again let me thank you for 
 the invitation, which I prize very highlv^, and 
 which I will shortly have framed. If conven- 
 ient I would be very much pleased to have your 
 photo with your signature thereon to go with 
 it. I trust I may some day have the opportu- 
 nity to grasp the hand of the gentleman who 
 has so nobly defended the name of my grand- 
 father, and in person thank you for the great 
 service done. 
 
 With kindest regards, I am, sir, yours very 
 respectfully, 
 
 JNO. Drake Sloat. 
 
5 
 
 Note. — His cousin, the oldest grandson of Comiiio- 
 dore Sloat, Lieut. James Bayard Whittemore, who had 
 been previously invited but waived in favor of his 
 cousin, John D. Sloat, Jr., was then invited to ag'ain 
 read the Proclamation as he did before on July 7th, 
 18S6, which invitation was accepted, and he performed 
 the duty. 
 
 Letter of Acceptance of Rev. A. A. McAlister, Chaplain 
 U. S. N.J 
 
 Marb Island, March 26th, 1896. 
 Gentlemen: — I thauk the Committee of 
 Arraugements of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War for the kiud invitation to act as 
 the Chaplain at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the 
 raising of the American flag at Monterey by 
 Commodore Sloat of the U. S. Navy. 
 
 I highly appreciate the honor which you con- 
 fer on me, and shall be happy to accept the in- 
 vitation. 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 A. A. Mc.\LiSTER, Chaplain, U. S. N. 
 To Messrs. E. A. Sherman, Joseph Stewart, W. C. Bur- 
 nett, Committee of Arrangements. 
 
 [Letter of Acceptance of Rev. John H. Macomber, Chap- 
 lain U. S. A.] 
 
 Angel Island, Cal., June i6th, 1896. 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Dear Major: — Yours received, and contents 
 noted. In reply, permit me to say it will 
 give me great pleasure to accept the honor of 
 serving in the position of one ol the Chaplains 
 at Monterey July 7th. I know of nothing now 
 that would prevent me from being present on 
 that historic occasion. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 John Harmon Macomber, 
 
 Captain and Post Chaplain U. S. A. 
 
 Note. — At the last moment he found that he could 
 not be present and sent his regrets, and his place was 
 supplied by Rev. O. E. Edmonson, U. S. N., Chaplain of 
 the Philadelphia. 
 
 [Letter from Mrs. Eliza Pittsinger, the Pioneer Poetess 
 of California. She composed and delivered the 
 Poem at the Celebration of the 4ulh Anniver.sary at 
 Monterey, July 5th, 1SS6.] 
 
 224 Green St., S. F., May 25, 1896. 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Chairman Com. 
 of Arrangements Associated Veterans of 
 the Mexican War, No. 1212 Webster St., 
 Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Dear Sir: — Your favor, inviting me to be- 
 come your poet on the occasion of the forth- 
 coming Semi-Centennial Celebration of raising 
 the first American flag in California by Commo- 
 dore Sloat is received, and in answer, let me 
 a.ssure you it will give me great pleasure to 
 comply with your request. I appreciate the 
 honor, and will be on the classic ground of old 
 Monterey on the 7th of July next, to carry out 
 my own distinctive part of the programme. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Eliza A. Pittsinger. 
 
 Note.— This lady, though not in affluent circumstan- 
 ces, but one of the early pioneer ladies of California, not 
 only composed the poem for that occasion without 
 charge, but insiste<l on paying her own fare and ex- 
 penses to Monterey and return, and did so. 
 
 [Letter from Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, widow of 
 Gen. John C. Fremont. J 
 
 Los Angeles, June 13, 1896. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — I have to thank you and, 
 through you, the Committee who invite me to 
 be part in your interesting and historical hon- 
 oring of the raising of our flag in Monterey in 
 1846. If I went anywhere, I would certainly 
 have deep interest in being present, and it 
 would greatly please me to meet those who 
 served with General Fremont at that time. But 
 I, too, belong only in memory to what was a 
 great day, — truly "the birth of an empire." 
 
 In sending my regrets, let me add my full 
 sympathy in your Celebration and best wishes 
 for the day. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 JESSIE Benton Fremont. 
 
 To Edwin A. Sherman, Esq., Chairman Com. Asso- 
 ciated Veterans Mexican War. 
 
 [Letter of Hon. Edward M. Preston, Grand Master of 
 Masons of California in reply to letter ol invitation 
 and anticipation of the passing of the Bill.] 
 
 Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of California, 
 Office of the Grand Master of Masons, 
 
 Nevada City, May 22nd, 1896. 
 Major E. A. Sherman, Secretary, Sloat Mon- 
 ument Association, Oakland. 
 
 Dear Sir and Bro.: — Your esteemed favor 
 of the 17th inst,, with enclosures relative to the 
 proposed Celebration on July 7th, is at hand. 
 
 I sincerely trust that Congress will <(rant the 
 appropriation for the monument, in which case 
 should it be desired by those in authority, I will 
 convene the Grand Lodge for the purpose of 
 conducting the ceremonies of laying of the 
 corner-stone of the proposed monument to 
 Commodore Sloat. I beg to assure you that I 
 shall highly appreciate the honor of partici- 
 pating in the ceremonies on that memorable 
 occasion. 
 
 Awaiting your further instructions, I remain, 
 fraternally yours, 
 
 E. M. Preston, Grand Master. 
 
 [Letter from the same of June 26th, 1S96, from Nevada 
 City.] 
 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Oakland. 
 
 Dear Sir and Bro.: — Your esteemed favor 
 of June 23rd relative to exercises at Monterey 
 reached me to-day. 
 
 I am under obligations to you for giving me 
 this timely information, and beg to assure you 
 that, should the Grand Lodge be called upon to 
 participate in the ceremonies, we will endeavor 
 to accommodate our arrangements to the con- 
 venience of the Committee of Arrangements. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 E. M. Preston, Grand Master. 
 
 [Letter from the same. Permission having at last been 
 granted by the Secretary of War to lay the Corner- 
 stone.] 
 
 Nevada City, Cal., June 30, 1896. 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary Sloat 
 Monument Association, Oakland. 
 
Dear Sir and Bro., — I am in receipt of 
 your telegram and letter of yesterday, and 
 highly appreciate the honor which has been 
 conferred on the Grand Lodge in the invitation 
 to conduct the ceremonies of the laying of the 
 corner-stone of the monument. 
 
 Allow me to thank you personally for the 
 badge of honorary membership in your Asso- 
 ciation which I received at your hands. It is 
 an honor which I prize very highly. 
 
 I beg to inform you that I have issued the 
 order convening the Grand Lodge at Monterey 
 at 9:30 A. M. on the 7th proximo. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 E. M. Preston, Grand Master. 
 
 Hundreds of other letters were received in 
 reply to invitations sent to the most distin- 
 guished officers of the United States Govern- 
 ment, the Vice-President, senators, representa- 
 tives, military and naval ofl&cers, and offi- 
 cers of the State, county and municipal 
 governments of California, distinguished citi- 
 zens, etc., sufficient to fill a good-sized 
 book, all breathing the spirit of the purest 
 patriotism, expressed in eloquent language 
 and appreciating the honor conferred and 
 praising and encouraging the noble object 
 of the undertaking. Pioneer societies and other 
 organizations were duly invited and their ac- 
 ceptances received with thanks and placed on 
 file. 
 
 The Southern Pacific Railroad Company 
 manifested a most considerate and liberal spirit 
 by reducing fares at half rates, going and re- 
 turning from all parts of the State, and trans- 
 porting the corner-stone of the monument from 
 the quarries at Rocklin, Placer county, free of 
 charge, — it weighing four tons, — which favor is 
 gratefully acknowledged; two-thirds of the 
 value of the stone being donated by the Rock- 
 lin Granite Company, to whom our thanks are 
 due. 
 
 The sum of $3,693. 15 was contributed by the 
 people of the State, of which the sum of 12,063 
 was contributed by Monterey town, county and 
 vicinity, and 11,635 by contributors of San 
 Francisco, all of which was placed in the hands 
 of the local committee at Monterey which dis- 
 bursed the same. Of this amount but $150 was 
 appropriated towards the laying of the concrete 
 and other expenses in laying the corner-stone 
 of the monument, and including that and all 
 other expenses connected with the celebration 
 on the 7th of July did not exceed ten per cent, 
 of the amount contributed; the ninety and odd 
 per cent, being expended by that Committee 
 for a. fiesta or festivities on the 4th, 5th and 6th 
 of July, in which the Veterans of the Mexican 
 War had no interest and were not present to 
 participate in. Consequently as those matters 
 were but side shows and of a standard not com- 
 porting with the dignity of a national patriotic 
 celebration of the Semi-Centennial Anniversary 
 of one of the grandest historic events in the 
 
 history of the American Republic, the Commit- 
 tee of Publication deem it proper to make no 
 further reference to those matters whatever. 
 
 The Committee of Arrangements of the Asso- 
 ciated Veterans of the Mexican War deeming it 
 to be proper that the event of the raising of 
 the Bear Flag at Sonoma on the 14th of June, 
 1846, as a matter of co-incidental history should 
 be commemorated also on its 50th anniversary, 
 three weeks preceding that at Monterey, cor- 
 respondence was had with some of the surviv- 
 ors of the Bear Flag party, some of whom with 
 others who served under Fremont, and the citi- 
 zens of Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties, and 
 a fine celebration was held at Sonoma on Sat- 
 urday, June 13th, 1896, an account of which is 
 herein contained. 
 
 The 50th anniversary of the raising of the 
 American flag at San Francisco and the Pre- 
 sidio on July 9th, 1846, by Capt. J. B. Montgom- 
 ery, of the U. S. sloop-of-war Portsmouth by 
 orders of Commodore Sloat, the Committee of 
 Arrangements deemed ought not to pass un- 
 noticed; but the Veterans of the Mexican War 
 could not take charge of the celebration at 
 Monterey and that at San Francisco at the same 
 time. Accordingly the Exempt Fire Company 
 of San Francisco was invited to take charge of 
 the latter celebration, and it did so in the most 
 creditable manner, for which they deserve the 
 hearty thanks and gratitude of every patriotic 
 citizen — a full account of which is made a part 
 of this report. 
 
 For further description reference is made to 
 the following account given. 
 
 JAMES LAYTON, 
 JOSEPH STEWART, 
 CHARLES LANGE, 
 
 Committee on Publication. 
 
 PROCLAMATION. 
 
 Executive Department, 
 
 Sacramento, Cal. 
 
 On July 7th, A. D. 1846, Commodore Sloat, 
 U. S. N., in the name of the United Stales of 
 America, raised the flag of our Union at Mon- 
 terey, Cal., and occupied the territory under 
 claim of the National Government. 
 
 July 7th, A. D. 1896, marks the serai-centen- 
 nial anniversary of this most important event 
 in the history of our State, and should be set 
 apart as a day of rejoicing by our people. 
 
 Now, therefore, I, James H. Budd, Governor 
 of the State of California, by virtue of the 
 authority vested in me by the constitution and 
 laws of said State, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, 
 the 7th day of July, A. D. 1896, a holiday. 
 
 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 
 hand and caused the great seal of this State to 
 be hereunto affixed, this 29th day of June, A. D. 
 1896. 
 
 James H. Budd, Governor. 
 
 L. H. Brovi^n, Secretary of State. 
 
WILLIAM MAXWELL WOOD, U. S. N. 
 
 Fleet Surgeon Pacific Siiuadron, 1846. 
 
 Surgeon General U. S. Navv. i>^69 ,. 
 
 This officer voluntarily undertook the perilous risk to enter Mexico and cross that country to learn the couai- 
 tion of affairs, and at Guadalajara first and afterwards at the City of Mexic ), learned that war had actu tlly com- 
 menced between the two countries ; and, but for the daring courage of this gallant officer, whose skill and adioit- 
 ness in sending the information to Commodore Sloat at Mazatlan, Cdifornia would have been lost to the American 
 Union ; and instead of being one of the United States, would now be a British province. c -y a . 
 
 Savs Commodore Sloat in his letter from New York, 20th March, iS.vs : "The information you furnislied me at 
 Mazatlan from Guadalajara, (at the risk of your life,) was the only reliable information I received of that event, 
 and which induced me to proceed immediately to California, and upon my own responsibility to take possession 01 
 that country, which I did on the 7th of July, 1846." ,, , • • r ,• i on-o,*.. 
 
 Says Dr. Wood in his account of the intelligence he learned at the City of Mexico: "AH this information 1 again 
 sentto the Commanding Officer of the Pacific .-xpiadron, signing my letter by an easily understood hierogiypnic, 
 and sending it through the Mexican mail under cover to the suiyect of a neutral power ' cinat 
 
 NOTR.— It was this last positive information sent by the way of Guadalajara, that warranted Commoaore Moai 
 to act.— Edwin A. Sherman. 
 
WIIvLIAM P. TOILER, ESQ., 
 
 Of Oakland, California, 
 
 Who was a Midshipman and Staff Officer, first under Commodore Ap. Catesbv Jone<?, ot the U. S. Navy, in 1S44, 
 and the Secretary and Signal Officer on the staff of Commodore John Drake Sloat, who wrote the proclamation 
 to the People of California, issued by Commodore Sloat, and who was actually the very man who first raised the 
 American Flag over the Custom House at Monterey, California, on July 7th, 1S46, and fifty years afterwards again 
 hoisted it on July 7th, 1S96, amid the plaudits of several thousands of people, and the salutes of the American ves- 
 sels of war, the Flagship "Philadelphia," and the Monitor "Monadnuck," of Admiral Lester A. Beardslee's 
 Squadron.— Edvvin A. Siif.kman. 
 
Part 1. 
 
 Cbe Celebration of tbe Tiftietb Jlnniversary of tbe Raising of the Bear Tlag 
 at Sonoma, California, June u, i$46. 
 
 IIE Committee of Arrangements of the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War, having invited the people of 
 Sonoma to take the necessary steps 
 for the celebration of this event three 
 weeks prior to the raising of the American 
 flag at Monterey by Commodore Sloat, the 
 invitation was promptly accepted. 
 
 The following prominent citizens of Sonoma 
 formed the Executive and Sub-Committees : 
 
 Executive Committee — Fred. T. Duhring, 
 Chairman ; Robert P. Hill, Robert Hall, 
 George O. Campbell, Daniel D. Davisson, 
 George Breitenbach, Executive Secretary, and 
 Benj. Weed, Secretary of Sub-Committees. 
 
 The Chairmen of Sub-Committees were as 
 follows : Finance, Hon. Robert Howe ; News- 
 paper Correspondence and Press Invitations, 
 N. H. Granice ; Decorations, G. N. Holtz ; 
 Transportation, Daniel D. Davisson ; Grounds, 
 G. S. Harris ; Reception, Henry Seipp ; Dona- 
 tions, Henry Hartin ; Parade, J. E. Poppe ; 
 Reception of Ladies, Mrs. J. P. Weems. 
 
 The success of the celebration at Sonoma 
 was greatly due to the efforts especially of Mr. 
 Daniel D. Davisson and Mr. Fred T. Duhring. 
 
 The following account taken from the 
 Exam,iner, Call, Chronicle and other news- 
 papers of the following day, together with 
 what is herein given by Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman, he having been invited to serve as 
 Grand Marshal of the occasion. It is proper 
 to state that the Hon. William M. Boggs, of 
 Napa, was elected and served as Councilman, 
 and Major Edwin A. Sherman, was elected and 
 served as the first Clerk of the town of Sonoma 
 when the late Gen. M. G. Vallejo was Mayor, 
 and the)' two are now the only survivors of the 
 first city government of Sonoma in 185 1. 
 
 Sonoma, June 13th. — Brave men and fair 
 women joined to-day in a mighty cheer as the 
 original Bear Flag was run up to the peak of 
 the same flagpole that bore it just fifty years 
 ago, when it heralded the bloodless victory that 
 divorced California from Mexican dominion 
 and wedded her to the best of all the nations 
 on which the sun shines. An enthusiasm 
 worthy of the occasion marked the throngs 
 that assembled here to-day to honor the little 
 band of American patriots that rode into the 
 hamlet of Sonoma at daybreak of June 14, 1846, 
 made a prisoner of General Vallejo and flung 
 to the breeze the emblem of the new republic. 
 
 From early morning every avenue which 
 gfives the town communication with the out- 
 side world was thronged with those who would 
 attend the anniversary exercises that were to 
 begin at 11 o'clock. Excursion trains from the 
 
 metropolis brought a large delegation of pio- 
 neers, several officers of the Grand Parlor of 
 the Native Sons of the Golden W^est, and five 
 hundred or more Native Sons and Native 
 Daughters. From Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, 
 Petaluma, Napa and other near-by towns came 
 hundred of excursionists to swell the crowd. 
 Never before in the history of the town had so 
 many people assembled at one time, because, 
 perhaps, there has never before been so great a 
 source of attraction. 
 
 The entertainment provided the great assem- 
 blage, as well as the ceremonies of the day, 
 were worthy the occasion. The beginning of 
 the day was marked by the firing of anvils, the 
 sharp reverberations awakening echoes along 
 the inclosing hills and giving notice to rustic 
 and townsman that the time for the much- 
 talked-of celebration was at hand. At intervals 
 throughout the day the firing was continued, 
 accentuating the cheers of the multitude around 
 the speakers' stand and adding to the demon- 
 stration the essential element so dear to the 
 American heart. Everything was as it should 
 be, and the prepared programme was carried 
 out without a break of any kind. 
 
 As the delegations arrived from San Fran- 
 cisco and other points they were met at the 
 railway depot by a committee of citizens and 
 there formed into a procession (by Major Ed- 
 win A. Sherman, a former citizen of this place 
 of forty-six years ago and the first City Clerk 
 in 1851 under Gen. M. G. Vallejo as Mayor.) 
 
 The procession marched through the princi- 
 pal streets and around the plaza to the corner 
 where a stand for the accommodation of the 
 speakers had been erected beside the sturdy 
 flagpole that has withstood successfully the de- 
 stroying element for more than half a century. 
 There, when all had assembled, Frederick T. 
 Duhring, one of Sonoma's prominent citizens, 
 introduced Mayor Henry Seipp, who delivered 
 an address of welcome. Mayor Seipp said : 
 
 Mr. President and Citizens of California: — On 
 behalf of the people of this valley and city I 
 welcome you to our hospitality. Though the 
 boundaries of our corporation are not exten- 
 sive, and the possibilities of our wealth and 
 population are not many, we feel high pride in 
 the part this valley has taken in the growth of 
 the State. 
 
 It was here the first step was made that 
 brought this region under the Stars and Stripes. 
 It is here, after a lapse of fifty years, we meet 
 under that banner to pay homage to the spirit 
 of adventure which has since the earliest time 
 been the genius of our development, From 
 
the vantage point of these fifty years we may 
 review the events of our growth. 
 
 The June of 1846 smiled upon an almost vir- 
 gin soil. Communication with civilization was 
 irregular and infrequent. The natives were 
 vastly in the majority, and the conditions of 
 progress were wanting. Now the peaceful 
 homes of our people are seen on every hand. 
 The fruitful soil bears rich burdens of plenty. 
 The occurrences of yesterday are the subjects 
 of our conversation to-day. The Indian is a 
 thing of the past. 
 
 So great have been the changes that it is 
 with difficulty we comprehend the gigantic 
 strides with which the present has been reached. 
 The first signal of the grand march of progress 
 was by the patriots of our high destiny unfurled 
 from yonder. They could not see the present, 
 but, urged on by supreme confidence in the 
 goddess of our fortunes, they placed an empire 
 at her feet. Swiftly dormant energies quick- 
 ened and the wild became tame. The institu- 
 tion of liberty and law soon found foothold and 
 the hopes that were are the realization of to- 
 day. 
 
 So it is well we remember our birth into the 
 republic of liberty and pay tribute to the spirit 
 that plunged into the vast wilderness of the 
 West and builded this empire of the Pacific. 
 We bid you welcome. The freedom of the city 
 is yours. May your sojourn in our midst long 
 be pleasantly remembered. Honor to the Bear 
 Flag ! Hail to you all ! 
 
 Henry C. Gesford, president of the day, fol- 
 lowed the Mayor, prefacing his remarks by 
 saying that his duties were not those of an 
 orator, though he could not refrain from giving 
 brief expression to a few of the thoughts called 
 into life by the occasion that brought his hear- 
 ers together. Continuing, he said: 
 
 History is a record of man's achievements 
 and their results, and it is the pride of every 
 Californian that to the early pioneers is traced 
 the first beatings of the great heart of this com- 
 monwealth, and that in the magnificence of the 
 California of to-day we see the proud results of 
 the victories of these vanguards of our State- 
 hood. We honor ourselves in paying homage 
 to the memory of these men, most of whom 
 now sleep beneath the oaks of these valleys. 
 We have with us on this occasion survivors of 
 that heroic band who will now raise aloft the 
 rude banner which, born in revolution, hal- 
 lowed by age and endeared by time, is an in- 
 spiration to every man who cherishes the his- 
 tory of this great State and reveres the memory 
 of those heroes of '46. 
 
 As the speaker closed, two of these survivors 
 of the Bear Flag party, B. F. Dewell and Henry 
 Beeson — the others, Harvey Porterfield, of Napa 
 county, and Thomas Knight, of San Francisco, 
 were absent — attached the tattered old flag to 
 the suspended halyards and slowly hoisted the 
 symbol to the top of the staff. The act was 
 greeted by continued cheering. 
 
 Following this ceremony came the reading 
 of a historical essay by Robert A. Thompson, of 
 Santa Rosa. He dwelt at length on the achieve- 
 ments of the men who proclaimed the Califor- 
 nia republic. 
 
 "Of that gallant band of thirty-three that 
 captured Sonoma," he said, "only four are now 
 known to be living, and two of them are with 
 us to-day. The rest have passed away, but if 
 ever the spirit of the departed returns to the 
 most potent scenes of its earthly activity, then, 
 though all unseen, the spirits of those brave 
 men are in our midst to-day. But I see in the 
 future a monument to their memory. It stands 
 upon this plaza, a late but deserved tribute to 
 their valor. The typical grizzly guards its base; 
 upon the polished surface of its four-square 
 shaft are emblazoned the names of the Bear 
 Flag men, and it is crowned with a statue of 
 their beloved California." 
 
 Merton C. Allen, orator of the day, paid a 
 brilliant tribute to the memory of those who 
 were first in the struggle to relieve California 
 from Mexican dominion. He said : 
 
 "Nearly nineteen centuries ago a new star 
 arose in the far East. It was a star of hope 
 that guided the shepherds, who watched their 
 flocks by night, to a humble manger where lay 
 the Christ-child at Bethlehem. The light of 
 that wondrous star has come down through the 
 centuries. It illumines the pages of history, 
 and now, as in days of long ago, points the 
 way to Him all people know as the Savior of 
 mankind. 
 
 Standing on this platform, under the influ- 
 ence of a thousand memories which are called 
 to mind by the day and the occasion, another 
 star confronts me. It is the lone star of the 
 California republic. I see it emblazoned on 
 that historic Bear Flag which floats so proudly 
 over our heads. In every line and fold of that 
 old banner I read a lesson that should be dear 
 to every California heart. To me the lone star 
 is a source of inspiration. It renders a little 
 more dear the knowledge of my nativity, and 
 reminds me that as the star of Bethlehem 
 guided men in olden times to the birthplace of 
 Christ, so did the star which first flashed into 
 view on that old flag inspire the men of an- 
 other day to a deed of heroic valor, to which 
 we owe the fact that to-day this great territory 
 of California is a part of the United States." 
 
 The speaker reviewed the history of the Bear 
 Flag movement, defended the motives of those 
 who participated, resented the unjust criticisms 
 of prejudiced historians, and added: 
 
 " Be history written as it may, the Bear Flag 
 has a permanent place in the affections of that 
 growing body of young men who call them- 
 selves the Native Sons of the Golden West. 
 They love the banner of 1846 for the principle 
 of American independence which it typifies, 
 and as long as the Order lives, the men who 
 helped to raise the banner of the bear and star 
 are assured an honored place in the sacred 
 album of memory. 
 
 The Bear Flag stands for home and native 
 land. It became all the more dear to Califor- 
 nia hearts on that memorable 9th of September, 
 1850, when the lone star of self became merged 
 in the constellation of national unity, and Cali- 
 fornia was proclaimed the thirty-first State in 
 the American Confederation." 
 
 The speaker paid a high trbuite to the patri- 
 
COMMODORE ROBERT FIELD STOCKTON, U. S. N. 
 
 (From a painting on ivory, owned by his son, Hon. John P. Stockton.) 
 
 The successor in command of Commodore JOII.^f D. Sloat, U. S. N., who in his Official Report said: 
 " On the 23rd (of July) my health heinj? sncli as to prevent my attending; to so much and such laborious duties, 
 I directed Commodore Stockton to assume the command of the forces and operations on shore ; and on the 29tli, 
 havinjr determined to return to the United States, via I'anama, I hoisted njv hroad pennant on the Levant and 
 sailed for Mazatlan and Panama, leaving the remainder of the stjuadron under his command, etc. "— K. A. S. 
 
JOHN C. FREMONT. 
 "The Pathfinder." 
 
 (Copy from a picture loaned by his widow, Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont.) 
 
 Captain U. S. Army, commanding Exploring Expedition, 1S45-46. 
 
 Colonel U. S. Army, commanding Battalion in California, 1846-47. 
 
 Fir.st U. S. Senator from California in 1S50-51-52. 
 
 Fir.st Presidential Candidate of the Republican Party in 1S56. 
 
 Major-General U. S. Volunteers in the War for the Preservation of the Union in 1861-65. 
 [FIxtract from Commodore Sloat's Report ] 
 
 " On his arrival there (Mission of San Juan) Mr. Fauntleroy found that the place had been taken possession of 
 an hour or two previous by Captain Fremont, with whom he returned to Monterey on the 19th." (July, 1846.) 
 
 " At the time of my leaving Monterey, the United States were in quiet possession of all 'Alta California' north 
 of Santa Barbara." 
 
 "The Cyane sailed for San Diego on the 26th, to carry down Captain Fremont with about 150 riflemen (Ameri- 
 cans), to take possession there, and to cut off General Castro's retreat to Lower California or Mexico."— FI. A. S. 
 
otic spirit of Californians and congratulated his 
 audience upon the wonderful growth and ad- 
 vancement of the State since the days of the 
 Bear Flag, and concluded in these words : 
 
 " No words could enlarge a fame that is des- 
 tined to endure as long as history. Sufficient 
 be it that in passing I raise in honor of the de- 
 parted pioneer a simple shaft of kindly thought. 
 About the column I entwine the two historic 
 flags which his hand helped to raise for the 
 good of mankind. May the tears of angels 
 water the flowers of tender memory which grow 
 about him, and the breezes of heaven chant a 
 requiem over his grave." 
 
 Major Sherman being called upon, spoke 
 briefly but eloquently ot the history of the men 
 of the old town of Sonoma, paying a just tribute 
 to the memory of Gen. M. G. Vallejo, who w-as 
 in favor of California becoming a part of the 
 American republic and opposed to its being 
 made British territory by being sold by the 
 Central Government of Mexico to pay the Eng- 
 lish debt. Here in Sonoma was where the 
 Headquarters of the Pacific Division of the 
 U. S. army in 1850-1-2-3 were located, with 
 Gen. Persifor F. Smith in command, with his 
 staff, composed of Lieut. -Col., afterwards Gen. 
 Joseph Hooker, who was then Assistant Adju- 
 tant General, Major Hiram Leonard, Paymas- 
 ter, Major Phil. Kearney, also afterwards Gen- 
 eral, the first at the head of his command to 
 enter the City of Mexico before its surrender, 
 and to lose his arm at the Gate of Belen. Here 
 also was Lieut. George Stoneman, afterwards 
 General, and later to become the Governor of 
 California. Also Lieut. George H. Derby, of 
 the Engineer Corps, who was the prince of 
 wags, known as "John Phoenix" and " Squibob," 
 whose name and fame is known throughout 
 the breadth and length of the Pacific Coast and 
 wherever the army button is worn. 
 
 Here was where the pretty Missouri girls 
 lived who had recovered from the alkali of the 
 plains, whose cheeks were like roses, their eyes 
 shining with the blue depths of heaven, and 
 whose ruby lips were wet with nectar and 
 honey-dew upon which the humming-birds de- 
 lighted to feed, as well as other birds without 
 any feathers, though the down might be grow- 
 ing that would develop into hirsute appendages. 
 
 But the girls of those days were now grand- 
 mothers, were now too old to kiss, and he would 
 have to look to the younger generation for the 
 ancient refreshment of Platonic love upon the 
 lips while " Fond memory brings the light of 
 other days around him." 
 
 He returned his thanks for the kind remem- 
 brance and the honor conferred upon him in 
 inviting him to come from his home in Oakland 
 to act as Grand Marshal upon this historic oc- 
 casion, which was an honor indeed unexpected 
 and most gratefully appreciated. 
 
 His remarks were received with hearty ap- 
 plause. 
 
 At the close of the speech-making every one 
 so disposed repaired to the tables built under 
 the trees of the plaza, and all were there served 
 with barbecued meats from smoking pits where 
 the fires have been going since F^riday morn- 
 ing. 
 
 THE REVOLT AT SONOMA. 
 
 Love of Liberty Moved the Men of "46 to Cut 
 Adrift From Mexico. 
 
 " A day, an hour of virtuous liberty 
 Is worth a whole eternity of bondage." 
 
 Let those who will, allege that the raising of 
 the Bear Flag was a precipitate act, the senti- 
 ment of these lines of Addison is all the justifi- 
 cation that need be offered, if indeed any be 
 required. The men of '46 raised the symbol in 
 the cause of liberty. 
 
 The raising of the Bear Flag at Sonoma just 
 fifty years ago — ^June 14, 1846 — precipitated un- 
 questionably the entry of California into the 
 Union. The time was ripe. A strong, firm 
 hand was needed to blaze out the path of a 
 more enlightened civilization. Mexico, so 
 deeply engaged with her own affairs, had 
 neither time nor interest sufficient to pay heed 
 to the requirements of her department — Cali- 
 fornia. The civil and military authorities here 
 were continually at swords' points, and as a 
 result crime stalked unchecked ; justice, un- 
 known as a reality, was a name only ; educa- 
 tion was neglected, and there was a well- 
 grounded belief that the Mexican authorities 
 intended, sooner or later, to expel the foreign 
 settlers from their adopted homes. It but 
 required some such suggestion as that made by 
 the heroes of Sonoma to center attention on 
 the path to relief. The rest came naturally. 
 
 Early in January of 1846 Captain John C. 
 Fremont, of the United States Army, in com- 
 mand of an exploring expedition, entered 
 California via the-Truckee route and encamped 
 in the vicinity of what became Kern and 
 Fresno counties. He spent some time in 
 camp, then went to Sutter's Fort, subsequently 
 visiting both San Jose and Monterey. At the 
 latter place he had a conference with Thomas 
 O. Larkin, who was the Consular representa- 
 tive, as well as the confidential agent of the 
 United States Government in California. 
 
 Commandante Jose Castro, who, with Pio 
 Pico, the Governor, divided Mexican authority 
 in California, could not fail to learn that 
 Fremont was at Monterey and had left a body 
 of armed "explorers" at Sutter's F'ort. He 
 demanded from Consul Larkin an explanation 
 of the visit. Castro was informed that the 
 object of the " pathfinder " was to survey a 
 practical overland route to the Pacific. It was 
 also stated that Fremont and his party were 
 going north to Oregon. 
 
 The Captain and his men did not at once 
 take up the trail northward, but marched south 
 via Santa Teresa, over the Santa Cruz mount- 
 ains and via Los Gatos to Santa Cruz, and then 
 inland to the Salinas valley. This took place 
 immediately after the conference with Consul 
 Larkin, and Jos^ Castro joined Prefect Manuel 
 Castro in a demand that F^'remont withdraw at 
 once. The Captain declined absolutely, in- 
 trenched himself on Gabilan Peak and for the 
 second time the Stars and Stripes were hoisted 
 by an American soldier in California. This 
 was on March 6, 1S46. 
 
 Castro mustered a couple of hundred men 
 
with the idea of dislodging the Americans, but 
 thought better of it and gave up the plan. 
 Fremont leisurely withdrew from his peak and 
 marched north. 
 
 Another representative of the United States 
 Government then put in an appearance— Lieu- 
 tenant Archibald H. Gillespie, of the United 
 States Marine Corps. He was sent to cooper- 
 ate with Larkin and Fremont in the peaceful 
 annexation of California. 
 
 Gillespie went after Fremont with letters 
 from the Government as well as from Lark in, 
 reaching Lassen's rancho on May 24th. Even 
 Hubert Bancroft in his ingenious description of 
 the career of Fremont in these days admits 
 that the policy of the United States was clearly 
 made manifest to Larkin, Fremont and Gilles- 
 pie, and that the policy was to seize California 
 in the event of war with Mexico. 
 
 To the rumors that were current in the 
 northern part of the State at that time, as a 
 result of the clash between Fremont and 
 Castro, were added stories, more or less 
 founded on fact, of threatening proclamations 
 issued by General Castro against Americans. 
 So it happened that when a report reached 
 Fremont's camp that Castro was gathering an 
 army to drive the foreign settlers from the 
 country, a small and courageous body of men 
 under Ezekiel Merritt set forth from Fremont's 
 camp determined to check any advance or 
 perish in the attempt. On Sunday, June 14, 
 1846, with a following of perhaps thirty-three 
 men, Merritt marched to Sonoma, quietly took 
 possession and hoisted over the city the stand- 
 ard of the California Republic ; known ever 
 since to history as the Bear Flag. 
 
 The act may have been precipitate, but there 
 was every incentive for the men to strike for 
 their homes and inaugurate what they hoped 
 would be a better state of affairs. 
 
 The men who raised the Bear Flag at Sonoma 
 were Ezekiel Merritt, William B. Ide, John 
 Grigsby, Robert Temple, Henry Beeson, H. L. 
 Ford, William Todd, William Fallon, William 
 Knight, William Hargrave, Samuel Kelsey, G. 
 P. Swift, Samuel Gibson, W. W. Scott, Thomas 
 Cowie, William B. Elliott, Thomas Knight, 
 Horace Sanders, Henry Booker, David Hud- 
 son, John Sears, J. H. Kelley, C. C. Griffith, 
 Harvey Porterfield, John Scott, Ira Stebbius, 
 Marion Wise, Ferguson, Peter Storm, Patrick 
 McChristian, Bartlett Vines, John Gibbs, George 
 W. Williams, Andrew Kelsey, Benjamin Kel- 
 sey and Benjamin Dewell. 
 
 Of this party there are but four survivors — 
 Harvey Porterfield, Benjamin Dewell, Henry 
 Beeson and Thomas Knight. 
 
 Mr. Dewell answered a few days ago the 
 questions propounded by Bancroft, to-wit : 
 "Who furnished the cotton? Who the flan- 
 nel? Whence came the red paint? Was the 
 cloth new or old ? Had the flannel graced the 
 undergarment of a fair and patriotic lady, or 
 had it filled a humble station as a part of a 
 man's red shirt ? " 
 
 Mr. Dewell's answers describe the flag 
 graphically. 
 
 " The pioneer does not remember who fur- 
 nished the cotton, but cotton was plentiful. 
 
 Red flannel was very scarce, however. Mrs. J. 
 Grigsby and Mrs. W. B. Elliott furnished the 
 red flannel. The latter supplied all she could 
 from a petticoat, and then from the leathern- 
 shirted throng a committee of one was chosen 
 to call upon Mrs. Grigsby for the remainder." 
 It happened that the lady was in the act of 
 cutting up red flannel for an expected baby 
 Grigsby. She yielded, however, to the exi- 
 gency of the hour and denied herself and her 
 unborn babe that the flag might be completed. 
 
 *' The flag was made," said Dewell a few 
 days ago, " in the front room of the barracks, 
 just at the left of the door, and most of the 
 sewing was done by myself. ' Bill ' Todd 
 painted the bear and star with black ink. The 
 colors — red, white and blue — were used be- 
 cause they were the colors of the United States 
 flag. The bear was selected as representing 
 the strongest animal found in that section of 
 the country. The language of the flag was : 
 ' A bear stands his ground always, and as long 
 as the stars shine we stand for the cause.' " 
 
 Mrs. Dewell, who was a daughter of the 
 petticoat-sacrificing Mrs. Elliott, remembers 
 the flag well. She says it consisted of nine or 
 ten stripes alternating in white, red and blue, 
 with a blue square in the upper corner next 
 the staff, a black star on the first white stripe, 
 and a black bear on the second white stripe. 
 Underneath the bear were the words, " Califor- 
 nia Republic." The bear and lettering were in 
 ink. Thomas Cowie helped Dewell in the sew- 
 ing, as they were both saddlers by trade. The 
 result of their labors may not have been a 
 work of art, but it stood for the grandest senti- 
 ment which can inspire men to noble thoughts 
 and deeds : it stood for liberty. 
 
 With the hoisting of the flag an accom- 
 plished fact it was but natural that these men 
 should desire to be known as something else 
 than a mere party of filibusters, and so they 
 supplemented the declaration which the Bear 
 Flag itself made with a proclamation. This 
 pronunciamento was written by Ide himself 
 and bore the date June 15, 1846. The original 
 is in the possession of the Society of California 
 Pioneers, and its text is as follows : 
 
 A Proclamation to All Persons, Citizens 
 OF Sonoma and Country Around Re- 
 questing Them to Remain at Peace and 
 TO Follow Their Rightful Occupation 
 Without Fear of Molestation. 
 The commander-in-chief of the troops assem- 
 bled at the fort of Sonoma gives his inviolable 
 pledge to all persons in California not found 
 under arms that they shall not be disturbed in 
 their persons, their property or their social 
 relations one to another by men under his com- 
 mand. He also solemnly declares his object to 
 be, first, to defend himself and his brave com- 
 panions in arms who were invited to this 
 country by a promise of land on which to 
 settle themselves and families ; who were also 
 promised a Republican government ; who, 
 when having arrived in California were denied 
 even the privilege of buying or renting land of 
 their friends ; who instead of being allowed to 
 participate in or being protected by a Republi- 
 
f ^ 1 mi^tmUa i U- - liTmir 
 
 ~1 
 
 GENERAL, MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLKJO. 
 Tun First Mayor ok Sonoma in iS5i-5:-53. 
 Member of the Kir>t Constitutional Convention of California, in Septemlier iSjq 
 .•^tate senati.r of tlie First Legislature of California, iu 1S50. 
 
 A true patriot and gentleman and a public spirited and progressive man. His death was a ereat loss to the 
 pleof his mtive State of California, and his birthday will always I; -" ■ ^ • vras n great loss to the 
 
 Peopl ,„ „„, „ 
 
 ing of the American Flag in California. A joyful coincidence. 
 
 be celebrated on the Anniversary of the Kais- 
 
 HON. WILLIAM M. ROGGS, 
 Ok Napa, Cal. 
 The First Councilman of Sonoma, Cal., 1S51-S2 S3. 
 . A Veteran of the Mexican War, serving in California 
 
 in ih46-47. 
 
 Member of the K.\eculive Committee of the Sloat 
 Monument Associa' ion. Was present at Sonoma at the 
 Celebration, held June 14th, 1.S96. 
 
 MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, 
 Ok Oakland, Cal. 
 The First Clerk of Sonoma, Cal , iSt 1-52-53. 
 Veteran of the Mexican War. 
 
 Served as Grand Marshal (by invitation) at the Cele- 
 bration at Sonoma, June 14th, i.Sg6. 
 Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
MR. BENJAMIN F. DEUELL and MR. HENRY BEESON, 
 
 Two of the Survivors of the Bear Flag Party Revolution, who raised the Bear Flag at Sonoma, Californi 
 14th, 1S46, and who raised it again at the Celebration held Fifty years afterwards, on June 14th, 1S96. 
 
 ja, June 
 
 HON. 
 
 H. C. GESFORD, 
 Of Napa, Cal. 
 
 Grand Presi lent of the Grand Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West, an.l President of the Day at the ':ele- 
 bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the Bear Flag at Sonoma, Cilifoiuia, June i4lh, i>^. 
 
can government, were oppressed by a military 
 despotism ; who were even threatened by 
 proclamation from the chief officer of the 
 aforesaid despotism with extermination if they 
 would not depart out of the country, leaving 
 all their property, their arms and beasts of bnr- 
 den ; and thus deprived of the means of flight 
 or defense, we were to be driven through the 
 deserts, inhabited by hostile Indians, to certain 
 death. To overthrow a government which has 
 seized the missions for its individual aggrand- 
 izement, which has ruined and shamefully 
 oppressed the laboring people of California by 
 their enormous exactions on goods imported 
 into the county, is the determined purpose of 
 the brave men who are associated under his 
 command. 
 
 He also solemnly declares his object in the 
 second place to be to invite all peaceable and 
 good citizens of California, who are friendly to 
 the maintenance of good order and equal 
 rights, and I do hereby invite them to repair to 
 my camp at Sonoma without delay to assist us 
 in establishing and maintaining a Republican 
 Government which shall secure to all civil and 
 religious liberty ; which shall encourage in- 
 dustry, virtue and literature ; which shall leave 
 unshackled by fetters, commerce, manufactures 
 and mechanism. 
 
 He further declares that he relies upon the 
 rectitude of our intentions, the favor of heaven 
 and the bravery of those who are bound to 
 and associated with him by the principle of 
 self-preservatiou, by the love of truth and by 
 the hatred of tyranny — for his hopes of success. 
 
 He further declares that he believes that a 
 government, to be prosperous and happifying 
 in its tendencies, must originate with its people 
 who are friendly to its existence ; that its citi- 
 zens are its guardians ; its officers are its ser- 
 vants and its glory their reward. 
 
 Wii^iviAM B. IDE, Commander. 
 Headquarters Sonoma, June 15, 1846. 
 
 This narrative of the stand-taking by brave 
 men mav be closed with a quotation from one 
 of their number, Robert Semple : 
 
 A single man cried out, " Let us divide the 
 spoils," but one universal, dark, indignant 
 frown made him shrink from the presence of 
 honest men, and from that time forward no 
 man dared to hint anything like violating the 
 sanctity of a private house, or touching private 
 property. Their children in generations yet to 
 come will look back with pleasure upon the 
 commencement of a revolution carried on by 
 their fathers upon principles high and holy as 
 the laws of eternal justice. 
 
 Thus the celebration of the raising of the 
 Bear Flag at Sonoma on June 14th, 1846, was 
 brought to a happy close, the fitting prelude to 
 the celebration of a greater event but far less 
 perilous to the participants in the raising of the 
 American flag at Monterey by Commodore 
 John D. Sloat, on the 7th of July, 1846, a little 
 more than three weeks afterwards. 
 
 In speaking of this affair of the Bear Flag 
 Revolution and the proclaiming of the Repub- 
 lic of California, they had only repeated what 
 General M. G. Vallejo had himself done at 
 
 Monterey in November, 1S3S, in declaring 
 California independent of Mexico, and was 
 made Commandante General of tlie Republic 
 of California. This distinguished, able and 
 patriotic gentleman, soldier and statesman and 
 lover of California, his native soil, had the 
 remarkable career of having lived under no 
 less than five separate and distinct national 
 flags and without leaving his native State. He 
 was born under the flag of Spain ; became a 
 soldier, general and statesman under the flag 
 of Mexico ; raised his own standard of the 
 California Republic at Monterey in 1838 ; was 
 captured and made prisoner under the Bear 
 Flag and paroled ; and lastly by the treaty of 
 Guadalupe Hidalgo became a citizen of the 
 United States without having to be natural- 
 ized. He helped to frame the first Constitu- 
 tion of California, served in its first Legislature 
 and helped to name the twenty-seven counties 
 into which the State of California was first 
 divided. He gave the name to the city of 
 Vallejo, at one time the State Capital, and the 
 name of his wife to Benicia. He was the first 
 Mayor of Sonoma, of which the writer was the 
 first City Clerk, and a more liberal, kind- 
 hearted, patriotic and public spirited man 
 according to his situation and environment 
 never lived. Hospitable to the extreme, polite 
 and urbane, and broad-minded, he permitted 
 his daughters to marry American, Hungarian 
 as well as Mexican gentlemen, and thus turn 
 the streams of his own blood into the channels 
 of the nationalities of the world. It was the 
 misfortunes of civil war, made necessary by 
 the perilous exigencies of the times, when self- 
 preservation, the first law of nature, came into 
 force, which made him a prisoner of war ; 
 when, if he himself had been in supreme com- 
 mand in California, the Bear Flag Revolution 
 would not have occurred, and three weeks 
 after the Bear Flag was hoisted, he would have 
 gracefully surrendered California to the de- 
 mands of Commodore Sloat, in accordance 
 with his previously expressed convictions in 
 regard to his choice, preferring to be a free 
 sovereign American citizen under a republican 
 form of government rather than to be the sub- 
 ject of any European monarchical power. 
 
 Having served in an official capacity under 
 him as City Clerk of Sonoma when he was 
 Mayor of that place nearly half a century ago, 
 and having enjoyed his confidence as a trusted 
 friend, socially and otherwise, I deem it but 
 just to pay this tribute to his worth and mem- 
 ory, which will be endorsed by many an 
 American pioneer who had the pleasure of his 
 gentlemanl}- intercourse and acquaintance. 
 Edwin A. Sherman. 
 
 [Copy of letter received.] 
 
 Sonoma, CAi,.,June 15th, 1896. 
 Major E. A. Sherman. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — On behalf of the Executive 
 Committee, I wish to thank you for your ser- 
 vices as Marshal of the parade. We look upon 
 your speech at the foot of the flagpole as one 
 of the events of the day. Your obedient 
 servant, Benj. Weed, 
 
 Sec. Ex. Committee. 
 
Part 2. 
 
 Cbe Caying of tbc Corner-Stone of tbe Sloat monument by tbe m. li}. 
 
 Grana Codge of Tree and Accepted masons of the State of 
 
 California, at monterey, 3uiy 7% \m. 
 
 N account of the limited time for car- 
 rying out the entire programme of the 
 day, and as a large portion of the or- 
 ganizations could not arrive by the 
 trains until noon, the Sloat Monu- 
 ment Association deemed it best that the cor- 
 ner-stone should be laid at 10:30 o'clock in the 
 forenoon of July 7th, 1896, and the arrange- 
 ments were made accordingly. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted 
 Masons of the State of California assembled in 
 the Hall of Monterey Lodge No. 217, F. & A. 
 M., where it was opened in ampi^e; form with 
 the following officers : 
 
 M. W. Edward Myers Preston, Grand Master. 
 
 R. W. William Thomas Lucas, Deputy Grand 
 Master. 
 
 R. W. Thomas Grafton Lambert as Senior 
 Grand Warden. 
 
 R. W. Frank Marion Angellotti, Junior Grand 
 Warden. 
 
 V. W. Edward Coleman, Grand Treasurer. 
 
 V. W. George Johnson, Grand Secretary. 
 
 V. R. Jacob Voorsanger, Grand Orator. 
 
 W. Edward Swift West, Grand Marshal. 
 
 W. Henry Jameson Burns as Grand Standard 
 Bearer. 
 
 W. Henry Calcutt Keyes, Grand Sword 
 Bearer. 
 
 W. Jerome Bonaparte Richardson, Grand 
 Bible Bearer. 
 
 W. William Monroe Petrie, Senior Grand 
 Deacon. 
 
 W. William Frank Pierce as Junior Grand 
 Deacon. 
 
 W. John Randolph Patrick as Senior Grand 
 Steward. 
 
 W. H. C. Levy as Grand Pursuivant. 
 
 W. Samuel David Mayer, Grand Organist. 
 
 W. William James Towle as Grand Tiler. 
 
 The Grand Lodge assembled with the Officers 
 and Members of Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. 
 & A. M. as follows: 
 
 W. Thomas Grafton Lambert, Master. 
 
 William Kay, Senior Warden. 
 
 Will Jacks, Junior Warden. 
 
 James Bowman Snively, Treasurer. 
 
 William Edward Crawford, Secretary. 
 
 Wm. M. R. Parker, Senior Deacon. 
 ■ Edward Grimes as Junior Deacon. 
 
 Edward Spencer Josselyn, Senior Steward. 
 
 H. A. Olmsted, Junior Steward. 
 
 William James Towle, Tiler. 
 
 And the following members : 
 
 Thomas Bralee, Andrew Bronson, Jacob War- 
 ren Bugby, Samuel S. Boyle, Abner Bassett, 
 Theodore Webster Cook, Mason Lorenzo Dex- 
 
 ter, Samuel Franklin Geil, Adolph Garrick, 
 Ferdinand Gunzendorfer, Edward Ingram, 
 Matthew Collins Ireland, Henry Edmund Kent, 
 David Spence Little, William Henry Pyburn, 
 Frank Pierce, John R. Patrick, D. D. Spencer, 
 Isaac N. Swetnam, Luther S. Toothaker, and 
 Jonathan Wright with the Masonic Veteran 
 Association and following visiting Brethren : 
 
 F.'A. Abbott, Washington Ayer, J. W. Baum, 
 C. E. Brown, L. A. Brownell, E. B. Church, J. 
 T. Collins, W. M. Carrick, Samuel H. Collins, 
 B. Coleman, R. Dixie, Charles W. Decker, C. 
 E. Davison, W. E. Edmonson, Thomas Flint, 
 James K. P. Fancher, Joseph F'igel, J. W. 
 Grimes, Wm. Hubbard, J. G. Hoey, F. Hawes, 
 Robert Hall, O. S. Henderson, H. Hinkle, 
 Royal R. IngersoU, Isadore Jacobs, H. H. Kir- 
 by, S. Lorenzen, Samuel W. Levy, J. H. Lau- 
 yon, L- B. Luther, Oswald Lubbock, O. J. Lin- 
 coln, Robert Munch, A. A. McAlister, M. J. 
 O'Brien, F. O. Oak, James Orr, J. A. Petersen, 
 S. M. Raineley, Wm. Sutton, T. W. Shmeckel, 
 E. H. Safley, G. W. Sill, Edwin A. Sherman, 
 Thos. J. Tidball, James Topley, Robert A. Will- 
 iams, and many others who failed to register, 
 numbering in all about one hundred and fifty 
 Master Masons representing fifty or more 
 lodges in California and a few others elsewhere. 
 
 In the meantime, a battalion of seamen and 
 marines from the U. S. Flagship Philadelphia 
 and the Monitor Monadnock, under the com- 
 mand of Bro. and Lieut.- Commander Royal 
 R. IngersoU of the Philadelphia and preceded 
 by the Marine Band of that ship, were drawn 
 up in line in front of the Hall of Monterey 
 Lodge, No. 217 of F. & A. M. 
 
 As the Grand Lodge of Masons appeared and 
 formed in line of procession, the naval battalion 
 presented arms, while the band played an ap- 
 propriate air. When all was arranged, the 
 naval battalion was ordered into column by 
 divisions, and acting as escort to the Grand 
 Lodge of Masons, and led by Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman as Grand Marshal mounted on horse- 
 back, the procession moved down Alvarado 
 Street, which was gaily decorated, past the Old 
 Custom House, thence up Decatur Street to the 
 road leading to Pacific Grove to the entrance 
 to the Military Reservation, passing in review 
 of tlie naval battalion which returned to the 
 ships of war. The Masonic procession moved 
 up to the front of the prolonged angle of Fort 
 Mervine, and thence directly east to where the 
 corner-stone was ready to be laid; signal men 
 were placed to signal to the ships of war in the 
 harbor the moment when the stone was laid. 
 
 A large concourse of people, numbering sev- 
 eral thousands, covered the old entrenchments 
 
13 
 
 of Fort Mervine, the crown and slopes of the 
 hill, aud where Admiral Beardslee and his 
 staff, the officers and members of the Sloat 
 Monument Association with a few scattered 
 veterans of the Mexican War sprinkled in the 
 throng, the main bodies of which latter had 
 not yet arrived. 
 
 When the Grand INIaster Edward M. Preston 
 had taken his station with the other Grand 
 Officers of the Grand L,odge of Masons of Cali- 
 fornia around him, and all was in readiness, Bro. 
 Dr. Washington Ayer, M. D., of San Francisco, 
 President of the Sloat Monument Association, 
 stepped forward with the trowel in hand, and 
 addressed the Grand Master as follows : 
 
 " Most Worshipful Grand Master Edward Rf . 
 Preston, of the Grand Lodge of Free and Ac- 
 cepted Masons of the State of California: — We 
 have assembled here to-da}- to commemorate 
 one of tfie most important aud interesting 
 events in the annals of our country, and to 
 honor the memory of one who was not only 
 brave in battle in the defense of his country, 
 and upon the ocean amidst the perils of storms, 
 but was also brave in his integrity and deter- 
 mination to perform his duty promptly and 
 well. 
 
 Fifty years ago to-day Commodore John 
 Drake Sloat raised the emblem of freedom — 
 the " Old Glory " of his country — near the 
 ground we now occupy, which act led to the 
 achievement of one of the most important con- 
 quests recorded in history, and which gave 
 peaceful possession of California, Nevada and 
 Utah, with more than 350,000 square miles of 
 territory to the United States. 
 
 "We are here to laj- the corner-stone upon 
 which will be built a monument to his memory 
 and become an enduring expression of the 
 gratitude of the American people for the patri- 
 otism, loyalty and fidelity he displayed to his 
 country in the hour when the great interests of 
 the Nation were imperiled by the voice beyond 
 the sea, and in that supreme moment of danger 
 when the English fleet, commanded by Admiral 
 Seymour on the Collingwood, was within sound 
 of the cannon upon the American warships 
 Savannah, Cyane and Levant then safely an- 
 chored in the bay of Monterey. 
 
 "Then the spirit of American freedom hovered 
 over tliis fair land of fruits, vines and flowers 
 in perennial bloom and revealed the future 
 destiny of California to the world, which is now 
 the brightest star in the galaxy of States. With 
 mines of untold wealth, having already pro- 
 duced more than fr, 600, 000, 000 of gold, and 
 with forests of the giant sequoia, the grandest 
 waterfalls in the world, the most sublime and 
 charming mountain scenery, salubrious climate, 
 orange groves and orchards laden with every 
 variety of fruit, and vineyards whose vintage is 
 found throughout the civilized world, and the 
 voice of thrift is heard through the valleys 
 where the sunset's afterglow cheers the hours 
 of departing day. 
 
 " These are all the inheritance, bequests and 
 blessings secured by the act of a brave man, 
 whose name posterity, through succeeding gen- 
 erations, will hold in sacred esteem, and no 
 cowardly and unscrupulous historian will dare 
 
 ever again to outrage his memory or attempt 
 to impeach his integrity. 
 
 "The assassination of true history and the 
 malicious libels upon the life and character of 
 Commodore Sloat by a pseudo historian of 
 California should give his voluminous labors a 
 prominent place in obscurity. 
 
 "The events of that period of 1846, so full of 
 imminent danger to the acquisition of this 
 favored land, gave birth to a new and higher 
 civilization along the whole of the Pacific 
 Coast, and well may our country feel proud of 
 the achievement and well can it afford to build 
 monuments to the memory of its heroes dead — 
 monuments which shall stand as the reposito- 
 ries of that spirit of patriotism and gratitude 
 which animates the hearts of a free and intelli- 
 gent people. 
 
 "A monument like the pyramids of Egypt may 
 express only an idea of stability or so much 
 force and labor expended without the reward 
 of history; but when the granite shaft becomes 
 the embodiment of a sentiment of gratitude as 
 the eye gazes upon it, it iuspires a desire to rise 
 above the average man in the path of patriotic 
 dut}' and elevates one to the dignity and true 
 nobility of the citizen. It becomes the object 
 lesson of faith in the army and upon the field 
 of battle, and is the beacon-light and bow of 
 promise to the brave. 
 
 "Love of country is the natural instinct and 
 birth-right of all nations and tribes of men; 
 and the higher the civilization, the more sacred 
 becomes the obligation of a free people to pre- 
 serve the acquisitions of conquests against the 
 possible invasion of a foreign foe, and the en- 
 croachment of undesirable neighbors. Our 
 country may rightfully feel proud of its achieve- 
 ments and the acquisitions of its conquests 
 upon the Pacific Coast. 
 
 " To keep alive and perpetuate the memory of 
 those early stirring times of California during 
 the brief struggles for its acquisition and sepa- 
 ration from its parent Government, the 7th of 
 July should be made for the future a National 
 legal holiday — equal in importance to the 17th 
 of June — that the hearts of our youth may be 
 filled with patriotism, while they sing their 
 hymns of rejoicing, and then we should realize 
 more than we have )'et done the great benefits 
 secured by the conquest of this sunset land; 
 where now the voice of the murmuring ocean 
 is the lullaby of the midnight slumbers of the 
 Nation. Here no longer the vigilant eye grows 
 weary with its long vigils — the heart-throbs of 
 patriotic doubt and fear are now lulled into 
 serene repose, and there is no longer fear that 
 a hostile invading army will attempt to wrest 
 from our grasp the coveted prize of fifty years 
 ago — a prize then made an eternal bequest to 
 freedom by the immortal spirit of Commodore 
 John Drake Sloat, whose eulogy will be fittingly 
 pronounced by the orator of the day. 
 
 " Most wonshipful grand master of the Grand 
 Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the 
 State of California : Believing you to be ecjually 
 skilled in operative as yon are in speculative 
 masonry — in accordance with an ancient and 
 time-honored custom, the Sloat Monument As- 
 sociation invited you to be present to-day to 
 
H 
 
 lay the corner stone of the monument com- 
 memorative of the heroic deeds of a brave and 
 loyal officer of the navy; and I now present 
 you with this trowel, which will assist you to 
 perform your labor. You will see that the 
 stone is level— you will see that it is plumb and 
 that it is square — that future generations shall 
 find it as you leave it, as unchanged and true 
 as the patriotism planted in the hearts of the 
 American people." 
 
 The M. W. Grand Master Edward M. Preston 
 in response expressed his high appreciation of 
 the honor extended to the Grand Lodge of 
 Masons. It was fitting that the Masons should 
 on this day unite with the people of the Pacific 
 Coast in paying homage to the memory of 
 Sloat, and so, too, in laying a corner-stone of a 
 monument to him. The speaker drew a beau- 
 tiful picture of the trowel and cement, which 
 was emblematic of the cement that ties the 
 craft of Masonry in bonds of fraternity. The 
 trowel, he said, would be treasured by him as 
 a beloved memento of this great day, which, he 
 declared, would throughout the ages be as an 
 emblem of patriotism. His address was ap- 
 plauded warmly. 
 
 Dr. Church, acting Grand Chaplain of the 
 Grand Lodge, then pronounced an eloquent 
 prayer, at the close of which the Grand Lodge 
 replied in unison, "So mote it be." 
 
 The National Hymn " America " was then 
 sung by the Masonic Choir and the vast audi- 
 ence, led by Bro. Samuel D. Mayer, the Grand 
 Organist. 
 
 Grand Master Preston then addressed Dr. 
 Washington Ayer, the President of the Sloat 
 Monument Association, as follows : 
 
 " On behalf of the Grand Lodge of Free and 
 Accepted Masons of the State of California, I 
 formally accept your invitation, Mr. President, 
 and will proceed with the ceremony of laying 
 this foundation stone; and may the shaft which 
 is to be erected hereon remain a monument to 
 truth, justice, and heroic patriotism." 
 
 The Grand Master then addressing the Senior 
 Grand Warden, said : 
 
 " Brother Senior Grand Warden : It has been 
 the custom among the Fraternity of Free and 
 Accepted Masons, from time immemorial, to 
 assemble for the purpose of laying the founda- 
 tion stones of public buildings or of such other 
 structures as are intended to commemorate 
 great public events or the patriotic services of 
 great public men, when requested so to do by 
 those having authority. The Grand Lodge of 
 Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Cali- 
 fornia, having been invited by the Sloat Monu- 
 ment Association of California to lay the founda- 
 tion stone of the monument proposed to be here 
 erected in honor of the late John Drake Sloat, 
 Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, who when Commo- 
 dore and in command of the Pacific Squadron, 
 and in obedience to orders from the U. S. Gov- 
 ernment, landed here and hoisted the American 
 Flag, taking possession of California on July 
 7th, 1846, and on this the 50th anniversary of 
 that event, it appearing to me to be one of the 
 proper occasions for such services as just re- 
 
 lated, that body has, by my order, been here 
 convened, and it is my will and pleasure that 
 it do now assist me in the performance of that 
 welcome duty. This you will communicate to 
 the Junior (^rand Warden, with instructions 
 that he thus inform the Craft, that they, and 
 all others here present, may be duly notified 
 thereof." 
 
 The Senior Grand Warden then communi- 
 cated the order to the Junior Grand Warden, as 
 follows : 
 
 " Brother Junior Grand Warden : It is the 
 will and pleasure of the Most Worshipful Grand 
 Master, that the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of 
 California do now assist in laying the founda- 
 tion stone of the monument to be here erected 
 in honor of the late John Drake Sloat, Rear 
 Admiral of the U. S. Navy, who when Commo- 
 dore and in command of the Pacific Squadron, 
 and in obedience to orders from the U. S. Gov- 
 ernment, landed here and hoisted the American 
 F'lag, taking possession of California on July 
 7th, 1846, and on this the 50th anniversary of 
 that event." 
 
 The Junior Grand Warden then repeated the 
 order to the assemblage as follows : 
 
 " Brethren : It is the will and pleasure of the 
 Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of 
 the State of California, that the Grand Lodge 
 thereof do now proceed with the ceremony of 
 laying the foundation stone of the monument 
 to be here erected in honor of the late John 
 Drake Sloat, Rear Admiral of the U. S. Navy, 
 who when Commodore and in command of the 
 Pacific Squadron, and in obedience to orders 
 from the U. S. Government, landed here and 
 hoisted the American Flag, taking possession 
 of California on July 7th, 1846, and on this the 
 50th anniversary of that event. Of this you 
 will take due notice, and govern yourselves ac- 
 cordingly." 
 
 The Grand Master then addressing the Grand 
 Treasurer said : 
 
 " Brother Grand Treasurer : It has ever been 
 the custom of the Craft upon occasions like the 
 present, to deposit within a cavity in the stone 
 placed at the northeast corner of the edifice, (or 
 of the foundation stone of a monument) certain 
 memorials of the period at which it was erected; 
 so that if, during the lapse of ages, the fury of 
 the elements, the violence of man, or the slow 
 but certain ravages of time, should lay bare its 
 foundations, an enduring record may be found 
 by succeeding generations to bear testimony to 
 the untiring, unending industry and fidelity of 
 the Free and Accepted Masons. Has such a 
 deposit now been prepared? " 
 
 The Grand Treasurer responded : 
 
 " It has, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and 
 with accompanying testimonies, is safely en- 
 closed within the casket now before you." 
 
 The Grand Master then said to the Grand 
 Secretary : 
 
 "Brother Grand Secretary: You will read 
 the list of the contents of the casket to be de- 
 posited." 
 
 Whereupon the Grand Secretary read the 
 
Viewof the North and West sidfs Ml tli, (.l.i ^_n-,t(,iii Hon-r 
 
 v.^v, u, iiie i^uiin rtiui vvesi biUfs Ml i iir ( .1. i ^_ n-,tMiii Hoii^r :ii Al om . riN , La 1 1 lorn la , willi th.' -am .■ - i , 1 [ ,,n 
 Which Commodore John U Sloat raised the American Flag, July 7th, 1S40, when he took possession of Califorii 
 [The two persons at the corner are Capt. Thomas G. Lambert and his wife, who were the custodians of it a 
 
 occupied it over twentvj^eais ] 
 
 n- -I I II upon 
 Ilia, 
 and 
 
 View of the Ksst side of the Old Custom House at MunUiev, wlure Com inodoi e ^loat -. i.mcc- landed and took 
 possession, July 7th, 1^46. 
 
HON. GEORGK C. PERKINS, 
 
 Of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 U. S. SENATOR FOR CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Kx-Assetublyman and Ex-State Senator from Butte County, Cal. 
 
 Kx Governor of the State of California. 
 
 Past Grand Master of Masons of the State of California. 
 
 Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar of California. 
 
 Treasurer and Member of the Executive Committee of the Sloat Monument Association of California. 
 
 Author of the Senate Bill in the U. S. Senate, appropriating the sum of Sio,ooo for the Sloat Monument. 
 
 Alwajs generous and public spirited, and engaged in promoting many a good and noble work.— E. A. S. 
 
15 
 
 following list of the contents of the casket to 
 be deposited : 
 
 LIST OF ARTICLES. 
 
 Name of the President of the United States, 
 nataes of the Secretaries of State, the Navy 
 and War Departments, a photograph of Sloat, 
 roll of officers of the Philadelphia and Monad- 
 nock, roll of veterans of the Mexican war, 
 name of the Governor of California, names of 
 United States Senators and Congressmen from 
 California, printed proceedings of the last ses- 
 sion of the Grand Lodge of F. and A. M., list 
 of Monterey county and city officials, copies of 
 all newspapers printed in Monterey county, the 
 Chronicle, Examiner a.nA (Ta/Zof San Francisco, 
 piece of staff on which Sloat's flag was hoisted 
 fifty years ago, poem by ]\Irs. Eliza Pittsinger, 
 constitution and by-laws of the Masonic Veter- 
 ans' Association, list of members and officers of 
 the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 After the reading, the Grand Master said to 
 the Grand Treasurer : 
 
 "Brother Grand Treasurer : You will now 
 deposit the casket in the cavit}' beneath the 
 foundation stone; and may the great Architect 
 of the Universe in His wisdom grant that ages 
 upon ages shall pass away ere it again shall be 
 seen of men." 
 
 The Grand Treasurer, with the assistance of 
 brethren as was necessary, then placed the 
 casket in the cavity prepared in the lower stone. 
 
 The Grand Honors were then given. 
 
 The Choir then sang the following Ode : 
 
 Place we now Foundation Stone, 
 True and trusty Brothers own; 
 Let us bring with hearts sincere 
 Hands to help and voice to cheer. 
 
 Proved by the Grand Master's hand, 
 Long may this foundation stand ! 
 May its superstructure rise 
 In grace and beauty 'neath the skies. 
 
 Let us join in songs of praise 
 That this monument we raise, 
 And ages hence, men bless the day 
 Our flag was raised at Monterey. 
 
 The Grand Master having the Trowel pre- 
 sented by the President of the vSloat Monument 
 Association, the Principal Architect distributed 
 the rest of the working tools to the Grand Offi- 
 cers, giving the Square to the Deputy Grand 
 Master, the Level to the Senior Grand Warden 
 and the Plumb to the Junior Grand Warden; 
 when all descended to the stone and placed 
 themselves around it as follows : the Grand 
 Master at the East, the Deputy Grand Master 
 at the North, the Senior Grand Warden at the 
 West, and the Junior Grand Warden at the 
 South. The Grand Master (assisted by some 
 workmen ready for the purpose) then spread 
 the cement upon the lower stone and directed 
 the upper one to be lowered to its place. This, 
 a block of granite of the same size as the one 
 below, six feet in length, four in width, two in 
 thickness and weighing four and a half tons, 
 having been suspended by a strong derrick; 
 and at signals given, was lowered at three sep- 
 arate intervals, the Grand Honors being given 
 by all the assembled brethren at each stoppage 
 of the stone. When it had been adjusted in its 
 
 place, the Grand Master pointed the cement 
 about its edges, and then, addressing the Dep- 
 uty Grand Master, said : 
 
 " Brother Deputy Grand Master, what is the 
 jewel of your office ? " 
 
 Deputy Grand Master : " The Square. Most 
 Worshipful." 
 
 Grand Master: "Then you will apply the 
 S(iuare to those portions of the stone which 
 should be squared." 
 
 The Deputy Grand Master then applied the 
 square to the various corners of the stone, and 
 responded : 
 
 " I have obeyed your order, Most Worshipful 
 Grand Master, and find in that respect the 
 Craftsmen have done their duty." 
 
 The Grand Master then addressed the Senior 
 Grand Warden, saying : 
 
 " Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the 
 jewel of your office ? " 
 
 Senior Grand Warden: "The Level, Most 
 Worshipful." 
 
 Grand Master: "You will apply the Level 
 to the stone and see if it be laid in a manner 
 creditable to our Ancient Craft." 
 
 The Senior Grand Warden then applied the 
 Level to the surface of the stone, and responded : 
 
 " I have obeyed your order. Most Worship- 
 ful Grand Master, and find that the stone has 
 been well leveled by the Craftsmen." 
 
 The Grand Master then addressed the Junior 
 Grand Warden, saying: 
 
 " Brother Junior Grand Warden, what is the 
 jewel of your office ? " 
 
 Junior Grand Warden : "The Plumb, Most 
 Worshipful." 
 
 Grand Master : " You will apply the Plumb 
 to the stone and see if it has been properly ad- 
 ju.sted." 
 
 The Junior Grand Warden then tried the sev- 
 eral sides of the stone with the Plumb, and re- 
 sponded : 
 
 " I have obeyed your order. Most Worshipful 
 Grand Master, and find that the work of the 
 Craftsmen in that respect has been skillfully 
 performed." 
 
 The (.>rand Master then giving the stone 
 three blows with his gavel, said : 
 
 "The Craftsmen having faithfully and skill- 
 fully thus far performed their duty, I declare 
 this foundation stone to be well formed, true 
 and trusty. May the monument which is to 
 rest upon it, remain throughout the ages an 
 eloquent, albeit a silent testimony of the faith- 
 ful patriot in whose honor it is to be erected, 
 that cannot be forgotten, and that his memory 
 will be more enduring even, than such a work 
 of any human hands. May the entire work be 
 completed by the Craftsmen, the Architect and 
 Sculptor, and all engaged therein, in peace, 
 love, and harmony — they suffering no conten- 
 tion among themselves except that noble and 
 fraternal one as to who best can work and best 
 agree." 
 
 The Grand Marshal then distributed the ves- 
 sels of Corn, Wine and Oil, respectively, to the 
 Deputy Grand Master, the Senior Grand Ward- 
 
i6 
 
 en and the Junior Grand Warden, the Band 
 meanwhile playing a joyous air. 
 
 The Deputy Grand Master then poured the 
 Corn upon the stone, saying: 
 
 "May the Grand Architect of the Universe 
 strengthen and sustain the Craftsmen while 
 engaged in this important work; and may He 
 ever bountifully vouchsafe the Corn of nour- 
 ishment to all employed in honest and useful 
 toil." 
 
 The Senior Grand Warden then poured the 
 Wine upon the stone, saying : 
 
 " May the Great Giver of all good enable the 
 Craftsmen in due time to complete this beauti- 
 ful structure; and, during their intervals from 
 labor, may they constantly be blessed with that 
 refreshment of which this Wine is emblemati- 
 cal." 
 
 The Junior Grand Warden then poured the 
 Oil upon the stone, saying: 
 
 "May the blessing of Heaven descend upon 
 this and all good works ; and may our loved 
 Fraternity long exist to pour forth the Oil of 
 Joy upon the hearts of the widowed, the 
 fatherless and the distressed." 
 
 The Grand Master then said : 
 
 " May the all-bounteous Author of Creation 
 lend aid to those who have conceived and thus 
 far carried on this goodly enterprise ; may he 
 protect the workmen employed upon this 
 monument from every accident, and long pro- 
 tect it for the object which it is destined to 
 subserve ; and may He grant to us all au ever- 
 bountiful supply of the Corn of Nourishment, 
 the Wine of Refreshment, and the Oil of Joy." 
 
 Then addressing the Principal Architect and 
 directing the several Working Tools to be 
 placed in his hands, the Grand Master said : 
 
 " Brother Principal Architect : Relying upon 
 your skill in our noble art, I now confide to 
 you these implements of Operative Masonry. 
 May this undertaking be speedily accom- 
 plished ; may there be no envy, discord or 
 confusion among the workmen ; and may you 
 perform the important duties with which you 
 have been charged, not only to the satisfaction 
 of those who have entrusted you with their 
 fulfillment, but in such a manner as shall 
 secure the approbation of your own conscience 
 and redound to the honor of our Ancient 
 Craft." 
 
 The Grand Master and his Officers then re- 
 turned to their seats, while the Choir sang the 
 following Ode : 
 
 ODE. 
 (Tune — UxBRiDGE.) 
 Great God of Nations ! now to Thee 
 Our hymn of gratitude we raise ; 
 With humble heart and bending knee, 
 We offer Thee our song of praise. 
 
 When driven by oppression's rod, 
 
 Our fathers fled across the sea ; 
 Their care was first to honor God, 
 
 And next to leave their children free. 
 
 Here Freedom spreads her banner wide 
 And casts her soft and hallowed ray ; 
 
 Here Thou our father's steps did guide 
 In safety through their dangerous way. 
 
 We praise Thee that Thine Oivn Great Light, 
 Through all our land its radiance sheds , 
 
 Dispels the shades of Error's night, 
 And heavenly blessings round us spreads. 
 
 The Grand Master then stepped upon the 
 stone and gave the order to Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman, who signaled to the signal officer 
 stationed a little below, who signaled to the 
 ships of war, the Philadelphia and Monadnock, 
 in the harbor, which immediately thundered 
 forth a Rear Admiral's salute >from their heavy 
 guns, while three rousing cheers were given by 
 the vast atidience assembled upon the slopes of 
 the hill, the whole being a panorama and pic- 
 ture of indescribable grandeur and beauty, of 
 mountain, valley and sea, of ships of war 
 wreathed in clouds of white smoke and the 
 sharp flashes of fire, with the thundering roar 
 of the cannon shaking the hills and their 
 echoes reverberating and rolling far beyond up 
 the distant valleys, made a scene that will 
 never be forgotten by those who witnessed it 
 and participated in it. 
 
 The (irand Master then introduced W. Bro. 
 Jacob Voorsanger, the Grand Orator of the 
 Grand Lodge, who delivered an eloquent 
 oration which was highly appreciated by all 
 and met with frequent and hearty applause. 
 
 He said : 
 
 "Today the roll of honor of California is 
 unrolled, and thirty years after his death the 
 name of John D. Sloat is mentioned by the 
 populace as that of the man who opened the 
 gates of California and gave it rank among 
 the States of the free Republic of the West. 
 
 " It is not often that the roll of honor is 
 opened, and happy is the man who thirty years 
 after his death is thus honored. John Drake 
 Sloat stands to-day as one of the most distin- 
 guished officers of the United States Navy. The 
 lives of him and his men were forever at his 
 country's call. He sailed his ship over the 
 ocean in unknown seas, blindly following his 
 duty to his country." 
 
 The reverend speaker said that there were 
 two ways of opening a new country. One was 
 by taking forcible possession, the other by 
 colonization. He gave a short history of these 
 methods, bringing his subject down to modern 
 times, when the Anglo-Saxon and Spaniard set 
 the example of colonization. These two peo- 
 ples met here in the West, and the Anglo- 
 Saxon stem proved to be the better ; so when 
 the American flag was hoisted at Monterey, it 
 was a sign that the country should be no 
 longer subject to a few hidalgos or a few 
 churches, but on the contrary to a new regime 
 under which the citizen owed no allegiance but 
 to the glorious flag above him. And so this 
 gathering had not been held to lay the corner- 
 stone and to honor Sloat's memory alone, but 
 to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of 
 liberty on the Pacific shores. 
 
 The rabbi dwelt at some length on the possi- 
 bilities of the future and the destinies of 
 America. In couchision he prayed that heaven 
 might grant the boon that in church and 
 school the native .sons and datighters might be 
 worthy to stand for all time with their brothers 
 and sisters of all America. As the years pass, 
 so, too, he hoped the monument to John D. 
 Sloat at Monterey would, in the language of 
 granite, salute and welcome ships from the 
 
HON. HORACK DAVIS, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 Ex Member of Congress from California. Member of the Board of Regents of the State University of California. 
 Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association of California. 
 
 A worthy son of " Honest John Davis,'' Governor of Massachusetts. The sonin-law of the late gifted, eloquent 
 and devoted patriot, Rev. Thomas Starr King. A true patriot and faithful public servant of the People of Califor- 
 nia while iu Congress, where he made a splendid record. 
 
 COIv. THEODORE H. GOODMAN, 
 Ov San Francisco, Cal. 
 General Passenger Agent of the Southern Pacific R. R. Co. Active Member of the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion. Member of the Loyal Legion and of the Grand Army of the Republic. A true and tried soldier and officer 
 of the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion. 'Whcu you start for Paradise, see that your ticket bears his 
 signature, or you will be apt to get on the wrong road. 
 
'ftJW^i~V^ 
 
 LIEUT. J. PvEYNOI^DS LANDIS, U. S. A. 
 
 First Regiment of Cavalry. 
 
 Aide-de-Camp to Gen. James W. Forsyth, U. S. A., 
 Commanding Department of California. 
 
 Appointed by orders from the Secretary of War to 
 make the selection of the site lor the Sloat Monument 
 at Monterey, Cal. 
 
 Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 CAPT. CASSIUS E. GILLETTE, 
 
 Of the U. S. Kngineers, 
 
 Who assisted in making the location of the site for the 
 Sloat Monument, at Monterey, Cal. 
 Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 MAJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, 
 Ok Oakland, Cal. 
 Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association, and 
 who assisted in locating the site for the Sloat Monu- 
 ment at Monterey, Cal. 
 
 CAPT. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, 
 Of Monterey, Cal. 
 Receiver of the Sloat Monument Association, and who 
 assisted in the locating of the site for the Sloat Monu- 
 ment, at Monterey, Cal. 
 
 The site for the Sloat Monument was selected on Thursday, May 27th, 1896, on the Military 
 Reservation, at Monterey, California, in pursuance of orders from the Hon. Daniel Lamont, 
 Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 
 
17 
 
 West as they came into the bay from foreign 
 lands. 
 
 The grand chaplain pronounced the benedic- 
 tion, while the Masons and spectators stood 
 with heads bowed and uncovered and the cere- 
 mony of laying the corner stone of the Sloat 
 Monument by the Grand Lodge of Masons of 
 California was done. The procession was re- 
 formed and the Grand Lodge marched to the 
 hall of Monterey Lodge No. 217, F. & A. M., 
 which had thus celebrated its Silver Wedding 
 and the Grand Lodge was closed in Ample 
 Form. 
 
 [It was greatly to be regretted that the 
 Manager of the Executive Committee at Mon- 
 terej' had made no provision for refreshments 
 for the Grand Lodge when so much money 
 had been contributed from abroad, and ample 
 to have furnished a generous collation ; but it 
 was owing to the neglect and incompetency of 
 the " Director-General," so-called. E. A. S.] 
 
 Executive Committee ok the Si,oat Monu- 
 ment Association ok California. 
 
 Dr. Washington Aver, President, San Fran- 
 cisco. 
 
 Capt. Wm. L. Duncan, First Vice-President, 
 San Francisco. 
 
 Col. Jos. Stewart (U. S. A. ret.), Second Vice- 
 President, Berkeley. 
 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary, Oak- 
 land. 
 
 Hon. Geo. C. Perkins (U. S. Senator), Treas- 
 urer, Oakland. 
 
 Capt. Thos. G. Lambert, Receiver, Monte- 
 rey. 
 
 John A. Cooper, Sergeant at-Arms, San Fran- 
 cisco. 
 
 The first six officers and the following gentle- 
 men compose the Executive Committee : 
 
 Hon. William M. Boggs, of Napa. 
 
 Hon. Jesse D. Carr, of Monterey. 
 
 Hon. Irving M. Scott, of San Francisco. 
 
 Dr. James L. Cogswell, of San Francisco, 
 
 Col. Frank Pierce, of San Francisco. 
 
 Rev. A. A. McAlister, U. S. Navy. 
 
 Hon. Wm. Frank Pierce, of Oakland. 
 
 PART 2. 
 
 The arrival of the trains from San Francisco 
 and elsewhere an hour earlier than was ex- 
 pected brought the Associated Veterans of 
 the Mexican War and the Society of California 
 Pioneers, which were soon followed by other 
 Veterans of the Mexican War from Stockton, 
 Sacramento, Sonoma, Los Angeles and other 
 localities with other Pioneers and a vast num- 
 ber of people besides. 
 
 The Society of California Pioneers having 
 provided refreshments from San Francisco, at 
 their chosen headquarters, they invited the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican War to be 
 their guests and share their hospitality with 
 them as there had been no provision made for 
 them whatever by the incompetent manager of 
 the local Executive Committee. 
 
 The frequent changes made by the local 
 committee and its manager as to the lines of 
 formation produced confusion in orders, differ- 
 
 ent from those arranged by the Grand Mar- 
 shal and the Chairman of the Committee of 
 Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of 
 the Mexican War, caused much vexation and 
 delay, but at last matters were half-way 
 straightened out, and the procession moved, 
 with a portion of it going with the current and 
 in a state of bewilderment and doubt. 
 
 The route of procession was from Del Norte 
 depot along Perry street to Washington, to 
 Franklin, to Pearl, to Alvarado, and thence to 
 the Custom House. 
 
 The First Division was led by Grand Marshal 
 Jacob R. Leese and aids followed by Companies 
 D and F of the United States Artillery. Then 
 came the band from the flagship Philadelphia, 
 followed by the white battalion of that ship 
 and of the Monadnock, under the command of 
 Lieutenant Commander Royal R. Ingersoll, 
 Troop C of Cavalrj', Capt. Burke of the Nation- 
 al Guard of California of Salinas. 
 
 The military and naval parade moved with 
 precision, while the elasticity and beauty of 
 the general harmony of the movement of the na- 
 val brigade in marching with an ease and grace 
 was admirable, and in marked contrast to that 
 of the machine-like accuracy that character- 
 izes the army drill, yet both equally eflfective 
 in time of action. They were greeted with 
 rousing cheers by the people. 
 
 The Second Division was led by Major Sid- 
 ney J. Loop, President of the Veterans of the 
 Mexican War, numbering in all about 150 from 
 all parts of the State, who were immediately 
 followed bp the Hon. Niles Searles, Vice- 
 President of the Society of California Pioneers, 
 and others, and about the same number, of 
 the Grand Army of the Republic, who were 
 also greeted with a like demonstration of ap- 
 plause. 
 
 Then came a float with a cannon and em- 
 blems and upon it standing erect with her 
 right hand resting upon an American shield 
 and her left holding a rod with the Phrj^gian 
 Cap upon it, was Miss Edna Ingram, gracefully 
 attired as the Goddess of Liberty, Behind her 
 came the Living Flag of 200 little girls dressed 
 in red, white and blue, led by A, W, Jones, and 
 making a handsome appearance. 
 
 Then came in a carriage two special Maids 
 of Honor to California, Miss Alice Stewart 
 (daughter of Col. Joseph Stewart of the U. S. 
 A. retired) representing the U. S. Army, and 
 Miss Alice G. Cutts (great grand-daughter of 
 Francis Scott Key, the author of the Star 
 Spangled Banner) representing the U. S. Navy. 
 
 Then came the chief float, upon it in front 
 a representation of the old Custom House at 
 Monterey, in the center a huge dolphin with a 
 throne upon its back, and behind it a grizzly 
 bear erect by a block of granite. On this 
 float appeared California in gorgeous golden 
 robes represented by Miss Marian S. Barney of 
 Oakland, the great grand-daughter of Col. 
 Jonathan D. Stevenson ; in front of her Miss 
 Schaufele. who represented Monterey, and Miss 
 Rogers, Pacific Grove, carrying the golden 
 key between them. There were also upon the 
 float a part of California's special Maids of 
 Honor, all but one being daughters and grand- 
 
daughters of veterans of the Mexican War. 
 Miss Camilla Johnston, of Oakland ; Misses 
 Daisy D. and Ruth Wright of Pacific Grove 
 (both natives of Monterey, the first having 
 been born in the old Custom House) Misses 
 Louise E. M.Knudson, Agnes Lange, Kathleen 
 Mullen, Ivouise Heron of San Francisco and 
 Miss Anna A. Ketchum of Stockton. 
 
 This float was followed by carriages contain- 
 ing the representatives of the counties of the 
 State, carrying beautiful silk banners ot red, 
 white and blue, respectively : Alameda, Miss 
 Violet C. Lubbock ; Butte, Miss Bessie Collins ; 
 Colusa, Miss Mae Green ; Contra Costa, Miss 
 Clara K. Wittenmeyer ; Los Angeles, Miss 
 Pearlie Gleason ; Lake, Miss ; 
 
 Marin, Miss Alice M. Watson; Monterey, Miss 
 Grace E. Burr; Napa, Miss Fowler ; Placer, Miss 
 Clara Wortell ; Sacramento, Miss Cora Ham- 
 mer ; San Francisco, Miss Constance Lawrence ; 
 San Joaquin, Miss Ellen Patton ; Santa 
 Clara, Miss ; Santa Cruz, 
 
 IMiss Anna Struve ; Solano, Miss Marie En- 
 glish ; San Luis Obispo, Miss Dicie May 
 Graves ; Yuba, Miss Nellie O'Brien. The 
 other counties were represented by young 
 ladies as proxies but ihe names could not be 
 learned. 
 
 These were followed by the Grand Parlor of 
 Native Daughters, Native Sons of the Golden 
 West, Boards of Supervisors, Monterey County 
 Officials, Monterey City Officials, Pacific Grove 
 Officials and State Officials. 
 
 The Third Division, with firemen as escort, 
 followed by the Foresters of America with a 
 float representing a cabin in the woods. It 
 was a fine realistic representation, with the 
 men appropriately dressed, and the presence of 
 a live deer upon it as well made it very true to 
 nature. These were followed by the Odd 
 F'ellows, Knights of Pythias, A. O. U. W., with 
 float, and other civic societies. 
 
 The Fourth Division contained the Presi- 
 dent, Officers of the day. Admiral S. A. Beards- 
 lee and staff and other Vice-Presidents and 
 citizens in carriages. 
 
 The whole procession was cheered along the 
 line from the beginning to the end, and as 
 California with her Maids of Honor and the 
 representatives of the several counties alighted 
 at the grandstand, a general shout of welcome 
 greeted them from the Veterans of the Mexi- 
 can War, the Pioneers and the vast multitude 
 of people that had gathered, while in front 
 drawn up on two sides of a square which was 
 kept open, were aligned the Naval Battalion 
 under command of Lieut. Commander Royal 
 R. Ingersoll, and at the foot of the flagstaff" 
 stood Lieut. Roper of the Monad- 
 
 nock with a group of half a dozen or so of 
 men who had served under Commodore Sloat 
 and were at Monterey with him fifty years 
 before, in the frigate Savannah, Cyane and the 
 Levant sloops of war. Thomas Bralee of Mon- 
 terey, John D. Richards of Montana, James 
 Buchanan of Yountville. 
 
 The grand stand was completely filled with 
 the Veterans of the Mexican War, Pioneers, 
 Living Flag, and invited guests and officers of 
 
 the day with the following full list of Vice- 
 Presidents, the most of whom were present : 
 
 Hon. Stephen M. White and George C. Per- 
 kins, U. S. vSt;nators, and Hon. James McLach- 
 lan, J. G. Maguire, E. F. Loud, W. W. Bowers 
 and J. A. Barham, of the Congressional delega- 
 tion from California. Gen. James W. Forsyth, 
 U. S. A., and Admiral Lester A. Beardslee, 
 U. S. N., Col. O. D. Greene. Lieut.-Colonels 
 Evan Miles, L. B. M. Young, J. G. C. Lee, J. V. 
 D. Middleton, A. S. Kimball, Majors A. C. 
 Bates, B. F. Pope, Tully McCrea, Surgeon C. C. 
 Munn, Judge Advocate L. W .Groesbeck, U. S. 
 A., Col. Joseph Stewart, U. S. A. (retired), Cols. 
 J. W. McKenzie, W. C. Burnett, A. Andrews, 
 Major S. J. Loop, John L. Bromley, C. Lange, 
 A. McDonald, Gen. Thomas A. Ketcham, V. 
 M. W., Rear Admirals D. B. Harmony and 
 Kirkland, Captains Henry L. Howison, George 
 W. Sumner, Albert S. Barker, Charles S. Cot- 
 ton and Nicoll Ludlow, Commanders Charles 
 G. Clark, B. H. McCalla, George W. Pipman, 
 Lieut. -Commander Royal R. Ingersoll, Inspector 
 James A. Hawke, Paymasters Wm. J. Thomp- 
 son and Henry T. Skelding, Chief Engineers 
 George F. Keutz and John Lowe, and Major 
 Percival of the U. S. Navy, Gen. R. H. War- 
 field, N. G. C, Cols. Charles Fred Crocker, 
 Theo. H. Goodman and Frank Pierce, Dr. Wash- 
 ington Ayer, Hon. Jesse D. Carr, Irving M. 
 Scott, Wm. M. Boggs, W. F. Pierce, W. S. 
 Green, W. W. Morrow, O. S. Henderson, W. H. 
 Beatty, L. R. EUert, Thomas Harris, Adolph 
 Sutro, W. M. Bunker. H. N. Tilden, Niles 
 Searles, Jacob H. Neff, W. T. Wallace, H. C. 
 Gesford, Edward Ingram, T. J. Field, D. J. 
 Murphy, J. R. Campbell, Revs. Jacob Voorsan- 
 ger. Rev. P. W. Riordan, W. F. Nichols and 
 Horatio Stebbins, Dr. James L. Cogswell, Ed- 
 ward Taylor, James D. Phelan, Joseph Figel, 
 Samuel W. Levy. S. H. Collins, Raphael Weill, 
 O. S. Trimmer, M. H. De Young, C. M. Short- 
 ridge, W. R. Hearst, Hugh Craig, John Rosen- 
 feld, W. C. Ralston and others. 
 
 When all had taken their places, Major Ed- 
 win A. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee 
 of Arrangements of the Associated Veterans of 
 the Mexican War, introduced Hon. Edward 
 Ingram, Mayor of Monterey, who delivered the 
 following brief but appropriate address of wel- 
 come : 
 
 " President Loop and Veterans of the Mexi- 
 can War : By 3'our patriotic devotion to coun- 
 try, by your heroic deeds of valor upon the 
 fields of battle, this golden Pacific was brought 
 beneath the folds of the stars and stripes, the 
 glorious emblem of our country. For fifty 
 years has this gem been set in Columbia's jew- 
 eled crown, and now, upon the occasion of this 
 semi-centennial celebration, the citizens of 
 California's ancient capital extend to yoir as a 
 token of their cordial welcome their hands, 
 their hearts and their home that you may par- 
 ticipate in the festivities that commemorate the 
 day on which the gallant Sloat flung to the 
 breeze the proud banner of this great Nation." 
 
 To which President Loop replied as follows : 
 " Hon. Mayor Ingram and citizens of Mon- 
 terey: Accept the thanks of the Veterans of 
 

 WAvSHINGTON AVER, M. D., 
 
 Of iSAN Francisco, Cal. 
 
 President of the Sloat ^Monument Association of California. Kx Vice-Piesident of the Society of California 
 
 Pioneers. Ex-.VIeinber of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. }-;x-Menilier of the 
 
 Board of Education of the City and County of San Francisco. E.x-President of the Medical ;Society of California, 
 
 etc., etc.. etc., etc. 
 
 ,^ A 
 
 J 
 
 HON. NILE.S vSKARLKvS, 
 Ok San Francisco, Cai.. 
 Vice-President of Society of California Pioneers. 
 Hon. Member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 K.x-judge of the Supreme Court of California, 
 Commissioner of the SM])reme C'^ui t o( Cnlifurnia. 
 Etc , ttc, etc. 
 
 HON. JOHxX F. rixN'KHAM, 
 Ok San Francisco, Cal. 
 Marshal of the Society of California Pioneers. 
 II.1U. >'enilier of the Sloat Monument .Association. 
 
COLONEL CHARLES FRED CROCKER, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Vice-President of the Southern Pacific R. R. Co. 
 
 Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association of California. 
 
 His public and private benefactions are innumerable. His gifts to the Lick Observatory and to the State Uni- 
 versity at Berkeley, and to the Stanford University in the cause of science; to the Masons' Widows' and Orphans' 
 Home, and other charitable institutions, as well a? the private generosity of this Native Son of the Golden We.st, 
 whom we have known from his childhood, and his liberality in the promotion of the patriotic enterprises in Cali- 
 fornia, are worthy of praise. He rebuilt and restored Sutter's Fort at Sacramento, and aided the Sloat Monument 
 Association, for which we have not words to express our gratitude and praise.— E A. S. 
 
 / 
 
 
 HON. IRVING M. SCOTT, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association of California. 
 
 The Master Builder and Naval Architect of California in particular, of the United States in general, and ol the 
 Globe. Tubal Cain and Vulcan, both afloat and on shore. The "Charleston,'' " San Francisco,' "Monterey, 
 "Olympia," and the "Oregon " proclaim the Iron King of California, and soon he will be known as the "Steel 
 Crowned Kmperor of the Pacific, " and be hailed as the "Great Scott of Anieriga," Long life aud success to our 
 patriot)? builder of our Vessels of War.— K. A. S. 
 
19 
 
 the Mexican War and their friends from all 
 parts of our loved California who have come 
 here to assist in celebrating once more on this 
 historic spot the event of half a century ago, 
 for the kind welcome received at your hands. 
 
 " Ten years ago we came here and celebrated 
 the Fortieth Anniversary as we now do today, 
 but then not on such an extensive scale. 
 
 "On March 14th, 1895, at a meeting of the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, held 
 in San Francisco, our comrade INIajor Rdwin A. 
 Sherman offered a resolution that a committee 
 of three be appointed to make arrangements to 
 celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking 
 possession of California and the Raising of the 
 American Flag at Monterey on July 7th, 1846, 
 which was unanimously adopted. As President 
 of the Association I appointed Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman, Col. Joseph Stewart and Col. W. C. 
 Burnett as the committee of arrangements. 
 The latter's continual absence from the State 
 necessitate! the appointment of Comrade C. 
 Lange, Vice-President, in his place. How w'ell 
 and faith full}' their duties have been performed 
 this demonstration of their comrades and fel- 
 low citizens will attest. 
 
 " Major Sherman, as chairman of the Commit- 
 tee, had acted in that capacity ten years ago, 
 and which then proved to be a grand success. 
 One year ago he went to Washington at his 
 own expense, and secured the promised aid 
 and cooperation of the Secretaries of the Navy 
 and of the War Departments, whose promises 
 have been most faithfully carried out as the 
 presence of these arms of the service in the 
 persons of Admiral Beardslee with his squad- 
 ron, and Major McCrae with two batteries of 
 light artillery by order of Gen. Forsyth, are 
 here to attest. 
 
 "The chairman of our Committee of Arrange- 
 ments has faithfully served without compensa- 
 tion or reward, satisfied with having at great 
 self-sacrifice brought his plans to a glorious 
 success, the result of his untiring patriotic de- 
 votion and labors, in the laying the Founda- 
 tion Stone of the Sloat Monument by the Grand 
 Lodge of Masons of this State, and this cele- 
 bration that we now have in hand. (Applause). 
 One word about the ' Bo3's of Fifty Years Ago,' 
 for there are some here to day, that were here 
 then, to aid in hoisting that flag, and the great 
 majority who fought to secure it there, who 
 served under Generals Taylor and Scott from 
 the Rio Grande to the City of Mexico, and 
 made it permanent for all time. Native daugh- 
 ter and Native Son, be kind and forbear with 
 the veteran of 1846-7-8. Remember the vast 
 empire acquired by his valor and privation, 
 both on land and sea, that he has given you, 
 and if he is a ' back number,' turn the last 
 leaves of his life over gently. 
 
 "Fellow citizens, I had hoped to have had 
 the pleasure of introducing to you as President 
 of the day, a man who has proved himself the 
 friend of the old veteran by making this 7th 
 day of July a State holiday, and again when 
 there were reports that the State appropriations 
 for the maintenance of our comrades at the 
 Soldiers' Home was in danger, I telegraphed 
 him, and within an hour the reply came : "Do 
 not worry, the veterans are all right." Illness 
 
 has kept our most excellent Governor, James 
 H. Rudd, from being present; but our Commit- 
 tee has presented us with a most able and 
 worthy substitute, and it now gives me great 
 pleasure to introduce to you the Hon. James 
 McLachlan, the Congressman from this dis- 
 trict, the President of the Day." 
 
 The remarks of President Loop and the re- 
 ception of Hon. James McLachlan, President 
 of the Day, were met with rounds of applause. 
 
 Congressman McLachlan, as President of the 
 Day, spoke as follows : 
 
 " Ladies and Gentlemen. When I received a 
 message last Saturday, asking me to come here 
 and act as presiding officer of this day, I re- 
 gretted exceedingly that I had not more time 
 in which to prepare myself. But, fellow-citi- 
 zens, I am sure that you did not come here to- 
 day to listen to any remarks from the presiding 
 officer, whoever he might be. 
 
 "The committee of arrangements has select- 
 ed those who are to recount to you the mean- 
 ing of this great day, and you are here to 
 listen to what they may say. 
 
 " F'ellow citizens of Monterey, this is a day of 
 interest, not only to the citizens of Monterey, 
 not only to the citizens of California, but it is 
 a day which every citizen of the great United 
 States of America takes pride in celebrating. 
 
 " I am glad to-day that I am here in some 
 small degree representing the Government at 
 Washington, to show the interest that the great 
 Government of the United States takes in this 
 occasion. If Commodore Sloat were here to- 
 day no one would be more surprised than he at 
 the assembled multitude he would see before 
 him. 
 
 " We are here to do honor to him to-day and 
 those brave veterans who made it possible for 
 the flag which he raised — our flag — to continue 
 to float forever from that pole upon which he 
 raised it upon that day. 
 
 " Little did Commodore Sloat dream of the 
 great importance to this Nation of the land that 
 he declared on that day a portion of the United 
 States of America. 
 
 "The Government at Washington, my friends, 
 almost condemned him for the act which he 
 then committed, claiming that the territory 
 which he had acquired by his act was not worth 
 the sacrifice that it cost, nor the sacrifice that 
 would be required to maintain it as a portion 
 of the United States of America. But within a 
 few short years the hills and gulches of Califor- 
 nia gave forth her millions of riches, gold that 
 even Commodore Sloat did not suspect lay hid- 
 den there. During the great struggle for the 
 existence of this Government and to maintain 
 the supremacy of this flag, no portion of the 
 United States contributed so much to maintain 
 the supremacy of the Nation during that try- 
 ing period as did the territory acquired by 
 Commodore Sloat in raising that flag. 
 
 "Comrades of the Mexican War, we are here 
 also to pay tribute to you, for, as I said, by 
 your gallant efforts it has been possible for us 
 to continue to allow that flag to float here over 
 a portion of the United States. We assure you 
 that in times to come, as in the past, we shall 
 do everything to maintain that flag inviolate." 
 
20 
 
 The flagship baud played national airs, and 
 was joined by the people, whose voices, attuned 
 to patriotic feeling, sounded a grand anthem. 
 As the notes died away. Rev. A. A. McAllister, 
 U. S. N., delivered a prayer and all heads were 
 bowed. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 "O God, King of Kings, and Ruler of the 
 Universe, we praise Thy name for the blessings 
 which Thou has bestowed on us as a people, 
 but especially for giving us a mild and benevo- 
 lent government, material prosperity and civil 
 and religious liberty. In Thy wise providence 
 Thou saw fit to add to the immense area of our 
 territory, the lands of this vast State, when 
 they were yet unexplored and almost uninhab- 
 ited, that in future generations it might become 
 the home of a progressive and enlightened 
 people. Make us deeply sensible of our re- 
 sponsibility as a Nation for the wise and pru- 
 dent management of this portion of Thy world 
 which Thou hast committed to our care. Gra- 
 ciously remember our neighbors at the south, 
 and grant them peace and prosperity. May we 
 be disposed to cultivate fraternal affection for 
 each other; and though we remain separate 
 nations, may we be united as members of the 
 great family of American republics. Imbue 
 our minds with a keen sense of personal honor 
 and patriotism; take from us pride, prejudice 
 and uncharitableness; and may we be ever 
 ready to ofl"er ourselves, our services and our 
 fortunes, if necessary, for the good of our coun- 
 try. 
 
 " We thank Thee for the memory of the patri- 
 ots whose chief we have assembled this day to 
 honor. May iheir example animate us to deeds 
 worthy of their successors in this glorious 
 national inheritance, and arouse us to vigilance 
 in preserving the patriotic principles of the 
 founders of the nation. And while we enjoy 
 the confluence of blessings which are the result 
 of the wisdom, diligent study and untiring 
 efforts of all great and good men from the time 
 of the apostles and martyrs to our own day, 
 may we bear in mind that it is not our own 
 power and the might of our own arm, which 
 has gotten us this wealth of civilization, but 
 that Thou dost live and govern all things both 
 in heaven and earth. 
 
 " Hear our prayer, for the sake of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Amen." 
 
 RE.\DING OF COMMODORE JOHN D. SI,OAT'S 
 PROCIvAMATION. 
 
 Lieut. James Bayard Whittemore, the oldest 
 grandson of Commodore Sloat, then read the 
 original proclamation of Commodore Sloat, in 
 the handwriting of his aide-de-cainp and signal 
 ofiicer, Midshipman William P. Toler. It was 
 read the first time fifty years before, by Purser 
 Rodman M. Price, U. S. N., afterwards Gover- 
 nor of New Jersey. Lieut. Whittemore read it 
 ten years ago at the same place. There were 
 originally three copies, and the one read be- 
 longs to the vSociety of California Pioneers of 
 San Francisco. 
 
 "To the Inhabitants of California : 
 
 "The Central Government of Mexico having 
 commenced hostilities against the United States 
 of America by invading its territory and attack- 
 
 ing the troops, on the north side of the Rio 
 Grande, and with a force of 7,000 men under 
 Gen. Arista, which army was totally destroyed 
 on the 8th and 9th of May last by a force of 
 2,300 men under Gen. Taylor, and the city of 
 Matamoras taken,and the two nations being ac- 
 tually at war by this transaction, I shall hoist 
 the standard of the United States immediately 
 and shall carry it throughout California. I de- 
 clare to the inhabitants of California that, al- 
 though I come in arms with a powerful force, 
 I do not come among them as an enemy to 
 California; on the contrary, I come as their 
 best friend, as henceforward California will be 
 a portion of the United States, and its peaceful 
 inhabitants will enjoy the same rights and priv- 
 ileges as the citizens of any other portion of 
 that territory, with all the rights and privileges 
 they now enjoy, together with the privilege of 
 choosing their own magistrates and other offi- 
 cers for the administration of justice among 
 themselves; and the same protection will be 
 extended to them as to any other State in the 
 Union. 
 
 "They will also enjoy a permanent govern- 
 ment, under which life, property, and the con- 
 stitutional right and lawful .security to worship 
 the Creator in the way most congenial to each 
 one's sense of duty, will be secured, which un- 
 fortunately the Central Government of Mexico 
 cannot afford them, destroyed as her resources 
 are by internal factions and corrupt officers, 
 who create constant revolutions to promote 
 their own interests and oppress the people. 
 
 " Under the flag of the United States Califor- 
 nia will be free from all such trouble and ex- 
 pense; consequently the country will rapidly 
 advance and improve, both in agriculture and 
 commerce, as, of course, the revenue laws will 
 be the same in California as in all other parts 
 of the United States, affording them all manu- 
 factures and produce of the United States free 
 of any duty, and all foreign goods at one quar- 
 ter of the duty they now pay. A great increase 
 in the value of real estate and the products of 
 California may also be anticipated. With the 
 great interest and kind feelings I know the 
 government and people of the United vStates 
 possess towards the citizens of California, the 
 country cannot but improve more rapidly than 
 ony other on the continent of America. Such 
 of the inhabitants of California, whether native 
 or foreigners, as may not be disposed to accept 
 of the high privileges of citizenship and to live 
 peaceably under the government of the United 
 States, will be allowed time to dispose of their 
 property and to remove out of the country, if 
 they choose, without any restriction; or remain 
 in it, observing strict neutrality. With full 
 confidence in the honor and integrity of the in- 
 habitants of the country, I invite the judges, 
 alcaldes and other civil officers to retain their 
 offices, and to execute their functions as here- 
 tofore, that the public tranquility may not be 
 disturbed; at least until the government of the 
 territory can be more definitely arranged. 
 
 " All persons holding title to real estate, or 
 in quiet possession of lands under a color of 
 right, shall have those titles and rights guaran- 
 teed to them. 
 
 " All churches and the property they contain, 
 
21 
 
 in possession of the clergy of California, shall 
 continue in the same rights and possessions 
 they now enjoj'. 
 
 "All provisions and supplies of every kind 
 furnished by the inhabitants for the use of the 
 United States ships and soldiers will be paid 
 for at fair rates; and no private property will 
 be taken for public use without just compensa- 
 tion at the moment. 
 
 "JOHN D. vSLOAT, 
 "Commander-in-Chief of the United States 
 Naval Force in the Pacific Ocean." 
 
 Great applause followed the reading. 
 SONG. 
 
 Mrs. C. C. Dodge, of Oakland, then sang 
 "The Flag that Stirs our Soul," in a rich, 
 strong voice that made the plaintive air quite 
 inspiring. 
 
 Second R.\ising in Fifty Years of the 
 Stars and Stripes on the Old Flag- 
 Staff BY William P. Toler, Commodore 
 Sloat's Aide-de-Camp and Signal Offi- 
 cer. 
 
 The President of the Day said that the most 
 interesting character here to-day was William 
 P. Toler, the very man who, fifty years ago, 
 raised the American flag upon that pole. A 
 shout of rousing cheers greeted this statement. 
 Mr. Toler descended from the platform of the 
 grand stand and made his way through the 
 crowd and ranks of the Naval Battalion, and 
 was received by I^ieut. Roper of the Monad- 
 nock and escorted to the northwest corner of 
 the Old Custom House beneath the staff, while 
 a quarter-master of the Philadelphia bent the 
 American flag on to the halyards, which were 
 ])laced in Mr. Toler's hands. Major Sherman 
 called for three cheers for the American flag, 
 and as it was hoisted by Mr. Toler with a vim 
 and energy of half a century before, and his 
 eyes sparkling with pride and pleasure, every- 
 bod}' cheered as the Stars and Stripes began to 
 unfold, but, as fifty years before, the halyards 
 were cramped and had to be cleared; but when 
 it reached mast-head and spread out full to the 
 breeze, then occurred a scene the like of which 
 is but seldom witnessed. People went fairly 
 wild with patriotic enthusiasm. Hats and 
 handkerchiefs were flung into the air; military 
 reserve was forgotten in this wild burst of ap- 
 plause. It was a mass of men, women and chil- 
 dren cheering and cheering without restraint, 
 with plaudits rolling like tlie ruml)le of distant 
 thunder, but they were eloquently expressive 
 of victory. 
 
 As the flag flew to the top of the mast smoke 
 and flame were seen issuing from the two white 
 ships of war anchored a few hundred yards 
 away. The air was filled with a riot of sounds, 
 the crash of guns, multiplied in echoes, rising 
 above the strains of "The Star-Spangled Ban- 
 ner" by Uncle Sam's band. 
 
 It was a touching sight to see the venerable 
 veterans of the Mexican War behave like little 
 boys let loose from school, and the children 
 clapping hands and uniting their weakly voices, 
 and California with her maids of honor, and the 
 ladies singing bits of national songs, shaking 
 
 hands, waving handkerchiefs high overhead 
 and even cheering with the men. 
 
 Meanwhile the sailors stood at " attention " 
 unmoved. 
 
 Then three cheers were proposed and given 
 with great gusto in succession for Admiral 
 Beardslee, for Sloat, for the Army and Navy, 
 for the ladies, for the Philadelphia and for the 
 Monadnock. 
 
 Through it all the sailors maintained their 
 accustomed reserve, but at the mention of " the 
 ladies " they j'clled and waved their caps after 
 a fashion that clearly indicated that they meant 
 what tliay were doing. 
 
 But the flag would not spread out. It hung 
 obstinately — lazily it seemed— by the mast. A 
 sailor climbed the pole, scrambled upon the 
 verandah roof and released the stars and stripes. 
 
 When Sloat raised his flag the same difficulty 
 was met, and Edward Higgins, a midshipman 
 of the United States Ship Cyane, climbed the 
 pole and set it fluttering in the free sunshine. 
 
 Higgins' brother was present to-daj' and was 
 among those who remarked the strange coinci- 
 dence. Many of the old men thought it was 
 extraordinary, while some regarded it as mean- 
 ingful. 
 
 The probability is that the commodore's em- 
 blem was raised on the same side of the mast, 
 and having been blown against the pole became 
 tangled with the ropes, for the days are much 
 the same in Monterey in July now as they were 
 a half century back. 
 
 As soon as the prolonged cheer had come to 
 a close, cheers and calls were delivered for 
 everybody, everything patriotic, and several of 
 them were given with a will for Mr. Toler. 
 
 Somewhat overcome by his effort in the flag 
 raising, Mr. Toler struggled back to the stand 
 and took his seat. 
 
 " Put Toler up where we can see him," cried 
 a number, and after a while Mr. Toler was 
 placed on a chair within sight of all. He was 
 again and again cheered and requested to de- 
 liver a speech. 
 
 He bowed and bowed and appeared to be 
 deeply affected. It took some time for the fer- 
 vent, patriotic enthusiasm that stirred the peo- 
 ple to subside. 
 
 "What shall I say ?" asked Toler, turning to 
 the president of the day. " What can I say ? " 
 
 " Anything; a word to the people." 
 
 " I will say just a word," said the veteran 
 .sailor. 
 
 " F'ellow citizens," said he, evidently stirred 
 with strong emotions and under the influence 
 of the excitement of the moment, "were it not 
 for physical inability from which I have been 
 suffering for some time, I would like to say a 
 few words to you on so auspicious an occasion. 
 It is the second time that I have raised the flag 
 and it will be the last time." (We hope not," 
 cried a number of the auditors). "As I say, 
 owing to my physical inability, I am prevented 
 from delivering a speech to you. I will now 
 take my farewell. I wish you and your fami- 
 lies every happiness and not only you but all 
 the people of our beloved and united country." 
 
 Mr. Toler then withdrew amid loud huzzas. 
 
 Admiral Beardslee was called, and when pre- 
 
1i 
 
 seated by the President of the Day thanked the 
 assemblage for honoring him, and very modest- 
 ly referred to himself, saying that it was merely 
 by accident that he was present, and therefore 
 he deserved no honors. 
 
 " Admiral Sloat — for he died an admiral — will 
 live forever in your hearts," he said. 
 
 The crowd wanted Beardslee to share some 
 of the honors, and applauded him most cordi- 
 ally. 
 
 The following telegrams were received and 
 read: 
 
 New York, July 7th, 1896. 
 To the Chairman Semi-Centennial Celebration, 
 Monterey, Cal.: 
 
 The survivors of Stevenson's Regiment of 
 New York Volunteers, quartered in the old 
 historic town of Monterey during the years 
 1847 to 1848, send from the Empire City of the 
 Atlantic Coast their greeting to all former 
 comrades and other early pioneers of Califor- 
 nia, upon this, the Fiftieth (50th) Anniversary 
 of the acquisition of California by the United 
 States through the timely action of Commo- 
 dore John D. Sloat. 
 
 Francis D. Clark, President. 
 
 Which was received with hearty applause. 
 New York, July 7th, 1896. 
 To the Chairman Semi-Centennial Celebration, 
 Monterey, Cal.: 
 
 The last of the Alcaldes of San Francisco, 
 and brother of the first Alcalde of Monterey 
 under the American occupation in 1846 (Rev. 
 Walter Colton, Chaplain, U. S. N.,) sends his 
 greeting to the citizens of Monterey and all 
 old pioneers there assembled. 
 
 Gardner Q. Coi,ton, 
 President New York Society of California 
 Pioneers. 
 
 Which was also received with hearty ap- 
 plause. 
 
 The President of the Day then said : " The 
 originator and projector of the celebration held 
 here so successfully ten years ago, and also of 
 this of the fiftieth anniversary of the raising of 
 the American flag on that staff by order of 
 Commodore Sloat fifty years ago, the corner- 
 stone of whose monument on yonder hill has 
 been laid today, the principal moving spirit of 
 this grand jubilee on the Pacific shores of the 
 American Republic, I take pleasure in now 
 introducing to you. Major Edwin A. Sherman, 
 a veteran of the Mexican War, the Orator of 
 the Day." 
 
 Major Sherman was greeted with rounds of 
 cheers, as he came forward and delivered the 
 following accurate historic and classic address 
 which was frequently applauded : 
 Mr. President, Comrade Veterans of the Mexi- 
 can War, Brother Pioneers and Fellow 
 Citizens : 
 
 Ten years ago upon this historic spot, the 
 few survivors of the Mexican War in California 
 came hither to celebrate the Fortieth Anniver- 
 sary of the taking possession of California and 
 raising of the American flag upon yonder staff", 
 by Commodore John Drake Sloat of the United 
 States Navy, in obedience to the orders of the 
 Government, and to secure it forever from the 
 
 grasp of her ancient foe into whose hands 
 California and her people, both native and 
 foreign, were about to be sold and conveyed by 
 the central government of Mexico in payment 
 of the English debt. 
 
 Ten years ago, we thought there would be 
 but few of us left, of those who then came 
 hither to celebrate that event, and would be 
 here again on this semi centennial occasion to 
 celebrate in a grander and more imposing man- 
 ner than we did then ; and though four of our 
 Past Presidents — Blanding, Kuipe, Hopkins 
 and Deal — have since then been ordered to duty 
 on the other side, the hand of Time has dealt 
 gently with us, and eighty per cent, of our 
 numbers still respond, when our names are 
 called upon the roll, and we are here still to 
 rejoice with our fellow citizens, over the wis- 
 dom of our Government in securing this fair 
 land from the grasp of unfriendly monarchical 
 European power and control. 
 
 The service we rendered our country upon 
 the battlefields of Mexico while apparently 
 one of conquest and spoilation and injustice 
 towards a weaker nation at the time, and while 
 different motives may have animated the pro- 
 moters of the Mexican War with diff"erent 
 objects to be secured, yet the far-seeing states- 
 men of our country looked to the years beyond 
 the conflict to be waged, and in which were 
 enfolded the principles of the Monroe Doctrine 
 to be developed and maintained by the Ameri- 
 can arms and by American valor, with due 
 notice given to England and to all Europe, 
 " Hands off" from the continent of America 
 and its affairs." 
 
 It was the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine 
 which asserted itself in the most emphatic 
 manner, when John Tyler, President of the 
 United States, on the first day of March, 1845 
 (three days prior to the surrendering of his 
 office to his successor, James K. Polk,), signed 
 the act of the annexation of Texas, which was 
 ratified on the following fourth of July by its 
 Legislature, and the " Lone Star State" gravi- 
 tated to the constellation of the American 
 Union. 
 
 Texas was unable to stand alone ; and pre- 
 vious to the annexation both England and 
 France were bitterly opposed to the measure, 
 while the Northwestern boundary between the 
 United States and British America was in an 
 unsettled state, and the war spirit prevailed to 
 that extent that the Democratic party displayed 
 upon its banners the legend "54° 40' or Fight." 
 
 The real issue involved was the diplomatic 
 attempt of Great Britain to put up its barriers 
 on the north and west of the American Repub- 
 lic and hem it completely in, and thus control 
 the North American continent entirely. She 
 had been constantly playing her game for 
 years, and she was as closel}' watched as a lion- 
 ess by a band of hunters. 
 
 P'rance at that time was favorable to Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Guizot, the Prime Minister of France, 
 openly avowed the right of European nations 
 to interfere in national aff"airs upon the Western 
 Continent, to preserve the balance of power. 
 
 England, thwarted in her plans in Texas, 
 and jealous of the growing power and influ- 
 
MAJOR JOHX h. BROMLEY, 
 
 Of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Ca^ifornia.^*""^^'' °^ ^''^ ^'°'" ^^°'^"'"^nt Association of 
 
 la^d.'^^''^ °^ '''^ Mouumental City of Baltimore, Marj - 
 
 «//if*'?,^"'°'" *^^^ Alameda County Society of Veterans 
 of the Mexican War, and a Pioneer eierans 
 
 He vvas a brave soldier and officer in the Battles in 
 front of the City of Mexico in 1S47. A resoectable a. d 
 honored citizen and a good man respectable and 
 
 HON. WM. FRANK PIERCE, 
 Of Oakland, Cal. 
 Active Member of the Slorit Monument Association. 
 Member of the Board of Directors of the Ma.sons' 
 Widows' and Orphans' Home. 
 
 A liberal and patriotic sentleman, and earnest pro- 
 moter of the Sloat Monument enterprise. "^^ 1 'o 
 
 DR. JAMES I.. COGSWELL, 
 
 Ok San Francisco, Cal 
 
 Cahfornir^'"^^'' °^ '^^ ■^'°'' Monument Association ol 
 
 P.'cTo'''"^°^'^? Society of California Pioneers 
 th^pic^^rcoa"!.'''^ ''^ ■'^'^^"'"^ ^^'-- Association of 
 reproacif.^' gentleman, patriotic to the core, and abcve 
 
 HON. JESSE D. CARR, 
 Of Saunas, Montkrey County. Cal. 
 Active Member of the Sloat Monument Association of 
 California. 
 
 E.\-Scnator from Mouterey County, of the Legislature 
 
 California. ' * ' 
 
 <)ueof the oldest and staunchest men of this State 
 
 and an honest man. ' 
 
COL. WELLINGTON C. BURNETT, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Past President of the Associated Veterans of the Mex- 
 ican War. 
 
 He was 2ud Lievit. of 15th Regiment, U S. Infantry, 
 and served with distinction in the battles of tne Valley 
 of Mexico, the storming of the Castle of Chapullepec, 
 and the capture of the City of Mexico in August and 
 September, 1N47. 
 
 Attorney at Law, and l'!x-District Attorney of the City 
 and County of ^>au Francisco. 
 
 Member of the sloat Mor.umeut Association, etc., elc. 
 
 COL. FRANK PIERCE. 
 Ok Oakland, Cal. 
 Attorney at Law. 
 
 Member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 Ex-American Consul at Matanzas, Cuba. 
 The nephew of Gen. Franklin Pierce, Fx President of 
 the t_Inited states, who won distinguished honors in the 
 War with Me.xico. which led the way to his becoming 
 I'resident of the I'nited States m March, ihSj. 
 
 MRS. ELIZA A. PITTSINGER, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 The Pioneer Poetess of California, and the author of 
 " The Bugle Peals." 
 
 She was the Poet on the occasion of the Celebration at 
 Monterey, July 5th, 1886, and of that at the same place, 
 on July 7th. iSy5, insisting on paying her own fare going 
 and returning, her expenses while there, and giving her 
 services gratuitously on both occasions. 
 
 Such patriotism is indeed praiseworthy ai;d dcscrvi!i.g 
 of mention. Her poem will speak for itself. 
 
 MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON, 
 Ok Oakland, Cal. 
 
 The favorite Songstress of the Oaks. 
 
 This patriotic lady gave her services gratis at Mon- 
 terey, July 7th, TS96. 
 
 She is the daughter of the late Rev. Mr. Kroli, who 
 was the intimate friend of Col. John C. Fremont, and 
 helped to save him and his party Irom being starved to 
 death in the Rocky Mountains in his explorations of 
 iS,).s, and came through with him to California. He 
 went to Col. hremoul's reliel from Fort Laramie. 
 
23 
 
 ence of the United States, was determined to 
 compensate herself in the payment of the debt 
 due her subjects by Mexico, secretly negotiated 
 with that Government for the sale of Califor- 
 nia, while her powerful ships of war, like huge 
 birds of prey, hovering along the Pacific Coast, 
 were ready to seize possession and raise the 
 British flag. 
 
 This has latejy by so-called historians been 
 denied ; yet the fact existed nevertheless and 
 the American Government was fully aware of 
 it. 
 
 California was remote from the Central Gov- 
 ernment of Mexico, which had neither power 
 to protect or defend it from foes without, or 
 prevent its secession if the people here so 
 declared ; and what she could not keep or 
 defend, she was disposed to sell and get rid of 
 and thus pay her English debt. 
 
 Gen. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, whose 
 birthday we also celebrate, was born here in 
 Monterey, July yth, 1807, and after rising from 
 subordinate military and civic positions, became 
 the leader of a revolution here on the yth of 
 November, 1836, in which California declared 
 itself independent of Mexico and he became 
 Commandante General of the new Republic, 
 which lasted but a very short period, and was 
 at the same time as the revolt and organization 
 of the " L,one Star Republic of Texas." 
 
 This state of aflfairs alarmed the Mexican 
 Government and it was more disposed to nego- 
 tiate with England for the sale of California to 
 pay the English debt, and thus have an ally 
 against the United States. At that time, the 
 British agent, Alexander Forbes, from Tepic, 
 Mexico, was in California, and in June 1838, 
 when writing to his brother in England, said: 
 
 "The British Government seems lately to 
 have had some suspicion that California would 
 be encroached upon, if not taken entire posses- 
 sion of by the Russians who are settled so close 
 upon its Northern frontier. * * * * The 
 danger does not lie there. There is another 
 restless and enterprising neighbor from whom 
 they will most probably have to defend them- 
 selves, or rather submit to; for although the 
 frontiers of North America, are much more dis- 
 tant than the Russians, yet to such men as the 
 back-settlers, distance is of little moment, and 
 they are already well acquainted with the route. 
 The northern American tide of population must 
 roll on southward, and overwhelm not only Cal- 
 ifornia, but other more important states; but 
 the invasion of California by American settlers 
 is daily talked of; and if Santa Ana had pre- 
 vailed against Texas, a portion of the inhabit- 
 ants of that country, sufficient to overrun 
 California, would now have been its masters. 
 
 "There have been some thoughts of propos- 
 ing to the Mexican Government that it should 
 endeavor to cancel the English debt — which 
 now exceeds fifty millions of dollars — by a trans- 
 fer of California to the creditors." 
 
 On February 1840, the New York Express 
 said: 
 
 "The Calikornias — The rumor has reached 
 New Orleans from Mexico, of the cession to 
 England, of the Californias." 
 
 The United States Government, as expressed 
 
 in the Monroe doctrine, had the right to defend 
 its frontiers and the American continent against 
 European encroachment, and by the contem- 
 plated conveyance of California to Great Brit- 
 ain by the Mexican Government, it was to have 
 been an unfriendly act, hostile to American 
 tradition and independence and opening up a 
 continual antagonism that would have involved 
 a quarter of a century of war and bloodshed 
 upon this continent, in which not only Eng- 
 land but the other European monarchical 
 powers woidd have been combined as allies 
 against us, the end of which no statesman then 
 living could foresee or foretell the results. 
 
 As Mexico had declaredthat the annexation of 
 Texas by the United States would be a declar- 
 ation of war, our Government watching the 
 machinations of the British diplomats and her 
 vessels of war, ordered Commodore Thomas 
 Ap-Catesby Jones to the command of the Paci- 
 fic Squadron, to protect American interests, 
 and in case of news of hostilities between Mex- 
 ico and the United States, to promptly sieze and 
 occupy California and blockade the Mexican 
 ports. With the frigate United States, (which 
 captured the Macedonian, and the Cyane sloop 
 of war captured with the Levant by the Ameri- 
 can frigate Constitution in the last war with 
 Great Britain), Commodore Jones in 1S42 sailed 
 in obedience to orders to his destination. 
 
 At that time the Hon. Mr. Pickett was U. S. 
 minister to Peru, and on the arrival of Commo- 
 dore Jones at Callao, he learned sufficient news 
 and with the encouragement given him by our 
 minister, sailed direct for Monterey, California, 
 to take possession. 
 
 On December 3d, 1825, there was born in 
 Venezuela, South America, a gentleman whose 
 father was a Virginian and in the diplomatic 
 service of the United States Government, but 
 whose mother was of Spanish blood and educa- 
 tion, and that language became his mother ton- 
 gue. In 1841, four years before the Naval Acad- 
 emy was established bj^ our Government and at 
 Annapolis, he was appointed one of a class of 
 two hundred and fifty midshipmen, and their 
 school of practical instruction was on the "roll- 
 ing deep." The young man was appointed on 
 the staff of Commodore Jones when but seven- 
 teen years of age, on account of his knowledge 
 of the Spanish language, as interpreter and 
 translator, and came to the Pacific Coast with 
 him. 
 
 Immediately upon his arrival here at Mon- 
 terey, Commodore Jones landed a small force 
 on the 19th of October, 1642, hauled down the 
 Mexican flag and hoisted the American flag on 
 that same staff" upon which it has been raised 
 to-day. Captain Silva, with the few soldiers of 
 the Mexican army retired. That young mid- 
 shipman and aide de-camp and Midshipman 
 Larrentree were ordered to search the office of 
 Collector of Customs in that old building yon- 
 der; but there was nothing on entry of record 
 of any late news having been received. 
 
 In looking around the office this young mid- 
 shipman stumbled upon a small bundle of pa- 
 pers that had been thrown aside and never 
 opened. Upon opening this package it was dis- 
 covered that there was later n ews . Commodor e 
 
24 
 
 Jones had made a mistake in being altogether 
 too previous; and on the 28th of October, after 
 being hoisted, this young midshipman hauled 
 down the American flag, raised the Mexican 
 flag, which was saluted with twenty-one guns. 
 Commodore Jones immediately sent word over- 
 land to Governor Micheltorena at Los Angeles, 
 and the whole matter was to be referred to their 
 respective governments. Commodore Jones 
 sailed for San Pedro and went to Ivos Angeles, 
 where he held a personal interview with Gover- 
 nor Micheltorena, which concluded with festiv- 
 ities and a grand ball and entertainment were 
 given to the commodore and the other U. S. 
 naval officers, when he took his departure and 
 sailed around the Horn, homeward bound, with 
 the mortifying reflection, "that he had put 
 his foot in it," by trying to pick California 
 fruit before it was ripe. He was relieved from 
 command for four years and retired to his es- 
 tate on the Potomac. 
 
 An old and experienced officer and the only 
 one in the Pacific Squadron who ever partici- 
 pated in a naval battle was appointed to suc- 
 ceed him. He had, as sailing master under 
 Commodore Decatur, manoeuvred the frigate 
 United States in her contest with the frigate 
 Macedonian, the crack ship of the British navy, 
 and captured her on the 25th of October, 1812, 
 for which he with the rest received the thanks 
 of Congress. In March, 1825, when in com- 
 mand of the schooner Grampus he utterly de- 
 stroyed the horde of pirates of the West Indies, 
 and captured their leader Cofrecinas, who by 
 court martial at Porto Rico was shot. Previous 
 thereto, when first lieutenant to Commodore 
 Biddle, when the latter was ashore at La Guay- 
 ra in 1823, leaving him in command of the fri- 
 gate Congress, an earthquake and hurricane 
 occurred which drove from their moorings and 
 entirely destroyed twenty-two merchant vessels 
 and a Columbian man-of-war with all their 
 crews, and only the U. S. frigate Congress was 
 saved, by the skill and daring courage of this 
 man, who received the just praise of Commo- 
 dore Biddle for saving the ship. 
 
 His subsequent career as commander of the 
 sloop-of-war St. Louis at Callao, Peru, in giving 
 asylum and protection aboard his ship to the 
 vice-president of Peru, received the approbation 
 and commendation of his government. Brave, 
 experienced, calm and cool in judgment, and 
 determined in action, unmoved by impetuous 
 blood and rashness of ambitious spirits around 
 him, this prudent man, faithful by a long naval 
 service of forty-six years at that lime and when 
 sixty-four years of age, is ordered to the com- 
 mand of the Pacific Squadron. Such was the 
 man selected by the United States Government 
 to execute its orders, in the person of Commo- 
 dore John Drake Sloat, whose honor was 
 dearer to him than life, and whose patriotism 
 and unswerving fidelity to his trust, entitles his 
 memory to the eternal gratitude of the Nation 
 and of everyone who breathes the air, drinks 
 the water, who lives and has his being and en- 
 joys this earthly paradise of our Golden State 
 of California. 
 
 He had a perplexing and most difficult task 
 to perform. No reliable intelligence could reach 
 
 him at Mazatlan with certainty ,excepting by the 
 Isthmus of Panama requiring from two to 
 three months' time, or nearly double the time 
 around Cape Horn. The American Consul, 
 John Parrott, and the Vice-Consul, James R. 
 Bolton, at Mazatlan, were both married to Mex- 
 ican women, who had either to act as double 
 spies in matters of intelligence, prove traitors 
 to their native landj, or disloyal I to their hus- 
 bands as the representatives of the United 
 States Government, while at the same time 
 these consuls were merchants plying their voca- 
 tion among a people suspicious of every move- 
 ment and hostile in feeling to the extreme to- 
 ward all Americans, which was encouraged by 
 every Englishman resident or sojourning in 
 Mexico. We had but two or three steam war 
 vessels in our nav}' at that time, the steam 
 frigates Princeton, Mississippi and another 
 which had not reached the Gulf of Mexico, and 
 the blockading of ports could be done but by 
 sailing vessels alone. 
 
 On the 24th of June, 1845, Commodore Sloat 
 received the following instructions from the 
 secretary of the navy, the Hon. George Ban- 
 croft of Massachusetts: 
 
 "It is the earnest desire of the President to 
 pursue the policy of peace, and he is anxious 
 that you and every part of your squadron 
 should be assiduously careful to avoid any act 
 which could be construed into any act of aggres- 
 sion. 
 
 "Should Mexico, however, be resolutely bent 
 on hostilities, you will be mindful to protect 
 the persons and interests of the citizens of the 
 United States, near the station, and should you 
 ascertain, beyond a doubt, that the Mexican 
 Government has declared war against us, you 
 will employ the force under your command to 
 the best advantage. The Mexican ports on the 
 Pacific are said to be open and defenseless. If 
 you ascertain with certainty, that Mexico has 
 declared war against the United States, you 
 will at once posess youiself of the Port of San 
 PVancisco, and blockade or occupy such other 
 ports as your force permits." 
 
 Thus it will be seen that only the absolute 
 knowledge of war having been declared be- 
 tween Mexico and the United States was to be 
 the guide for his actions. His immediate pre- 
 decessor had been temporarily disgraced and 
 removed from command for acting too hastily, 
 who had like orders to carry out. He had only 
 rumors coming through hostile sources and the 
 enemy's country for his guidance, while the 
 only true course and guide for his action was 
 to closely observe the movements of the British 
 Admiral Seymour in his ship of the line of 
 eighty guns, the Collingwood, which was con- 
 stantly on the alert with its fast-sailing little 
 tender, watching also to learn the first news of 
 war, to sail away to California and take posses- 
 sion of the country before Commodore Sloat. 
 The British flagship was almost constantly on 
 the move, while Sloat remained for seven long 
 months at Mazatlan at anchor to catch the first 
 sounds of war on the shores of the Gulf of Mex- 
 ico, which had to be drained through Mexican 
 ears and imparted by Mexican tongues, even to 
 the American consulate household, itself mostly 
 
MAJOR EDWIN A. vSHERMAN, 
 Of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Kx-Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. 
 
 The Originator of the movement and Chairman of tlie Committee ol Arrangements of the Associated Veterans 
 of the Mexican War, for the Celebration of the Fortieth Anniversary, July 7th, 1S86, and tlie Fiftieth Anniversary, 
 July 7th, 1896, of the Taking Possession of California and Raising the American Flag at Monterey, California, by 
 Commodore John U. Sloat, of the U S. Navy, July 7th, 1S46 ; held at that place July sth, 1SS6, and July 7th, 1S96, 
 respectively, under the auspices of the Associated" Veterans of the Mexican War, with the assistance ol the repre- 
 sentatives of the War and Navy Departments of the U. S. Government, the Sloat Monument Association (of which 
 he is the Founder and Secretary since July 5th, 1886), and with the assistance of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Free 
 and Accepted Masons, which laid the cornerstone of the Sloat Monument at Monterey, on July 7th, 1S96. 
 
 Past President hf the Masonic Veteran .Association of the United States, 1892-93-94-95. 
 
 Ven. Grand Secretary of. the Ma.sonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, 1878 to 1S97 inclusive. 
 
 Commissioned Major by Gov. Lelaud Stanford, of California, July 23rd, 1862, during the War of the Rebellion. 
 
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25 
 
 Mexican aud whose sympathies were naturally 
 expected to be with their native land. It was 
 a feverish aud malarious position, with a cactus 
 mattrass and thorny pillow upon which Com- 
 modore Sloat was expected to find repose by 
 the Navy Department which placed him there. 
 But he was faithful to his trust no matter how 
 unpleasant, uncertain and unsatisfactory it 
 might be. 
 
 He was much older than his subordinates, 
 and his war record had already been made 
 thirty-four j^ears before in the war of 1S12 with 
 Great Britain, with whom perhaps the initial 
 step by him might be taken, which would in- 
 augurate a conflict with two nations, at least, 
 even if other European nations besides Great 
 Britain might not also take a hand in American 
 affairs. The responsibilities resting upon his 
 shoulders were heavy and great, and he felt 
 their pressure and knew their weight. 
 
 He received rumors and reports from doubt- 
 ful sources from time to time and had sent 
 Lieut. ArchiJ)ald Gillespie in March, 1846, in 
 the Cyane, sloop of war, to overtake Fremont, 
 who, with his exploring party was on his way 
 to Oregon. The sloop of war Portsmouth was 
 already at anchor in the harbor of San Fran- 
 cisco and ready to act. The sloop of war Levant 
 was already on her way to Monterey, leaving 
 him with the frigate Savannah and sloop of war 
 Warren at Mazatlan. 
 
 All the British vessels of war excepting the 
 Collingwood and its little tender were distribu- 
 ted along the coast of Mexico and California, 
 but at sea. The situation was becoming seri- 
 ous, but his orders were of that character that 
 required absolute knowledge of war having 
 been declared which could only be learned 
 through hostile sources. He received no news 
 by official despatches. 
 
 Fleet Surgeon Dr. William Maxwell Wood 
 was given permission bj' Commodore Sloat to 
 return to the United States through Mexico, at 
 the same time made him a secret bearer of 
 despatches, and he traveled in the garb of a 
 civilian, with his uniform at the bottom of his 
 luggage. In his narrative and account of his 
 trip he says : 
 
 "The British squadron, headed by Admiral 
 Seymour's ship, the Collingwood, followed our 
 squadron in all its movements, and the British 
 authorities had arranged a system of couriers 
 from Tampico, on the Atlantic, to Mazatlan, on 
 the Pacific, by which their squadron had the 
 earliest and most reliable information as to im- 
 portant events. Our government had taken no 
 such precautions. Meeting Sir Thomas Thomp- 
 son, the commander of the British frigate Tal- 
 bot in the streets of Mazatlan, on the morning 
 following a rumor of war between the United 
 States and Mexico, I mentioned the rumor to 
 him. He remarked there was no truth in it. 
 and that I might be assured that when the war 
 did occur, he would receive the first intelli- 
 gence of it. An assurance unhappily too true. 
 
 "The circumstances which enabled me to 
 defeat these plans, and the consequences which 
 might have resulted from their success, were 
 gratifying. In this state of intense anxiety 
 and great uncertainty, rumors were coastaqtly 
 
 reaching us of the existence of war. It will be 
 seen how difficult it was to estimate the value 
 of these rumors when, in the case of war, the 
 information must reach us through an enemy's 
 country, and through the channels of our com- 
 petitors, where there were so many sources of 
 groundless reports, and so many interests in 
 deceiving us, and the value of trustworthy in- 
 formation may be estimated from the serious 
 consequences of either hasty or delayed action. 
 "At this juncture Commodore Sloat, wiaiiing 
 to send dispatches to the Government, and 
 hopintr that my journey through Mexico might 
 be made tributary to our interests in case of 
 war, gave me permission to return, and placed 
 in my charge his dispatches. * * * with 
 these dispatches and the information confided 
 to me, on the ist of May, 1846, I left the port 
 of San Bias, in company with Mr. Parrott, U. S. 
 consul at Mazatlan, who was returning to the 
 United States in greatly impaired health. 
 
 "We had penetrated five days' journey on 
 horseback into Mexico when, at the city of 
 Guadalajara, we accidentally heard a company 
 of Mexican officers in an adjoining room read- 
 ing an account of the capture of Thornton's 
 Dragoons by Mexican troops on the Rio Grande, 
 and procured a Mexican newspaper with the 
 account of the affair. * * * j therefore 
 wrote Commodore Sloat a letter assuring him 
 him of the occurrence of hostilities and sending 
 him a translation of the account contained in 
 the Mexican paper. Mr. Parrott, from his 
 long-established commercial relations with 
 Guadalajara, found an opportunity of express- 
 ing my letter to the Commodore. 
 
 " Immediately upon my arrival in the City 
 of Mexico, I was startled and shocked by hear- 
 ing the riewsboys crying through the streets : 
 ' Grand victory over the North Americans ! ' 
 but from extraordinar)' circumstances, not nec- 
 essary nor proper to be narrated, I received the 
 same night, in my own room at the hotel, from 
 a trusted friend of Tornel, the Minister of War, 
 an exact account of the dismay in the IMexican 
 cabinet, and learned of the overwhelming vic- 
 tories of my life-long friend. General Taylor, 
 and that the choice regiment of the City of 
 Mexico had been annihilated. These discus- 
 sions of the Mexican cabinet I received every 
 night during my week's stay in the city. All 
 this information I again sent to the command- 
 ing officer of the Pacific squadron, signing my 
 letter by an easily understood hierogliphic, and 
 sending it through the Mexican mail under 
 cover to the subject of a neutral power." 
 
 Dr. Wood soon left the City of Mexico for 
 Vera Cruz, running great risk of capture and 
 as.sassination, but through the courtesy of the 
 commander of a neutral man-of-war, was put 
 on board the flagship of the Commodore com- 
 manding the blockading squadron of the Gulf, 
 who sent him to the Secretary of the Navy at 
 Washington. 
 
 Our own Government had not declared war, 
 and it was not until the news of the battles of 
 Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma had been 
 received at Washington that President Polk 
 sent a special message to Congress announcing 
 that " a state of war existed between Mexico 
 
26 
 
 and the United States, and that two battles had 
 been fought." 
 
 The uncertainty of newspaper reports in 
 Mexico, which were controlled by the Mexican 
 Government, and rumors only, which Commo- 
 dore Sloat had received from time to time, prior 
 to the reception of the first news received by 
 him from Dr. Wood at Guadalajara, and prop- 
 erl}' waiting for more reliable information, at 
 the same time watching the British Admiral's 
 movements as being the best indication that a 
 state of war existed if the CoUingwood sailed. 
 
 The British Admiral was pursuing the same 
 line of action in regard to reliable news of the 
 declaration of war and of hostilities having 
 actually commenced between the two countries, 
 and possessing through British sources already 
 mentioned by Dr. Wood, the best means of 
 learning the actual truth. 
 
 Mexico had no navy at that time, and Cali- 
 fornia was safe to us, excepting from the British 
 squadron under Admiral Seymour. The sloops 
 of war Portsmouth, Cyane and the Levant of 
 Commodore Sloat's squadron were already in 
 California waters or at anchor in the ports of 
 San Francisco and Monterey, carefully guard- 
 ing the coveted prize to be taken. 
 
 The manifestation of the hostile sentiments 
 of the Mexican people, and with the informa- 
 tion that he had already received, he had about 
 determined to proceed, and on the 7th of June, 
 1846, he took his gig and went on shore at 
 Mazatlan to learn the very latest news. Leav- 
 ing his boat's crew in charge of his aide-de- 
 camp and signal officer, he paid a last visit to 
 the American Consulate, learned by the last 
 letter received from Dr. Wood, of the confirma- 
 tion of the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de 
 la Palma, and that Vera Cruz and otlier ports 
 on the Gulf of Mexico were blockaded. This 
 was the absoluie "information beyond a doubt," 
 in accordance with his instructions that he had 
 long been waiting for, in order to be certain 
 that he was right, and not too hasty like his 
 predecessor, Commodore Jones, in his action. 
 
 Commodore Sloat returned to his boat, and 
 gave orders to "shove off," while a grim smile 
 overspread his countenance and he indicated to 
 his aide-de-camp (who is with us to-day) that 
 the hour had come for action. On reaching 
 the deck of the Savannah, he retired to his 
 cabin, but soon the entire ship's crew were 
 humming like a hive of bees. It was quickly 
 observed that the British tender, which had 
 also just learned the news, was heaving up 
 anchor, shaking out her sails and getting under 
 way, sailed across the bow of the Savannah, 
 and spreading all her sails, was steering south 
 to convey information to the British Admiral 
 Seymour who was with the British line of bat- 
 tle ship CoUingwood at San Bias. 
 
 After taking on more water, on June 8th, 
 1846, Commodore Sloat, leaving the sloop of 
 war Warren behind at Mazatlan to bring him 
 later news and despatches, gave the final orders, 
 and the frigate Savannah, the greyhound and 
 fastest sailing vessel of war then in the world, 
 was soon under a cloud of canvas and sailing 
 at full speed for Monterey, where she arrived 
 00 the 2nd of July in just twenty-four days, 
 
 where she found the Cyane and the Levant 
 sloops of war at anchor in the harbor, where 
 Commodore Sloat, with calm and cool deliber- 
 ation prepared his plans for taking possession 
 and permanently occupying the whole of Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 The prize was his and could not be snatched 
 away from him ; and he knew that the British 
 ship CoUingwood from her slow sailing qualities 
 could not arrive under a week. The excite- 
 ment among the few Americans on shore and 
 the people who were uncertain as to what was 
 being done, the ardent anxiety on the part of 
 the officers and crews of the other American 
 vessels of war for immediate action to be taken 
 in which they might achieve personal distinc- 
 tion and fame, had reached the highest ten.sion 
 before his arrival, while his cool judgment in 
 weighing the complicated state of affairs de- 
 termined him to keep his own counsel and 
 take due time in making his preparations. His 
 proclamation in English and Spanish had to be 
 prepared in triplicate for several places at 
 Monterey, San Jose and San Francisco. 
 
 The Bear Flag episode at Sonoma, with 
 prisoners of war taken to Sutter's Fort and 
 held there, with an independent government 
 proclaimed under the " Republic of California" 
 had thrown the native California population 
 into a hostile frenzy, while the auxiliary move- 
 ment of Fremont had still further prevented 
 the pacification of the Spanish population to 
 that degree that a military force would be re- 
 quired in the interior to hold the country as 
 well as that of the naval which could only 
 occupy and hold the ports. Neither the 
 clamors of the people on shore nor the mani- 
 festation of impatience on the part of his sub- 
 ordinate officers could force the stern and cool 
 old Commodore to hastily act before he got 
 ready. After having completed his plans and 
 sent his final orders to Capt. Montgomery, of 
 the sloop of war Portsmouth at San Francisco, 
 all was ready on the night of the 6th of July 
 for active operations to be commenced the next 
 morning. 
 
 He called no council of war of the officers of 
 his squadron, though he had been approached 
 by those who had arrived in the Cyane and 
 Levant before, him who had become infected 
 with the spirit of impatience of the few 
 Americans on shore, and were desirous of 
 immediate action by at once landing a force, 
 raising the American flag, and let the proclam- 
 ation be prepared and read afterwards. If the 
 case had been of immediate emergency, this 
 he no doubt would have done, but the act that 
 he was to perform he deemed should be done 
 in a dignified manner and worthy of the great 
 American nation which he represented. He 
 had received no fresh dispatches from his 
 Government, and the only information that he 
 had of war between Mexico and the United 
 States was through Mexican sources and here- 
 say only, and no wise official, and he afterwards 
 acknowledged this fact to Dr. Wm. Maxwell 
 Wood of the U. S. Navy, who, as has already 
 been stated, picked up this information when 
 he was at Guadalajara and the City of Mexico, 
 passing through Mexico on his return home to 
 
ADMIRAL LESTER A. BEARDSLEE, U. S. N. 
 
 [Commanding the Pacific Station.] 
 
 This experienced and gallant officer, wearing the double stellar insignia ot his rank, is worthy oT his liiyh 
 command, and of the generous plaudits of the American people which he so lavishly received at their hands at the 
 Celebration held at Monterey, on July 7th, iKy6. He gave the fullest measure of his efforts and resources at his 
 command to make it a perfect success, for which he receives the sincere jiratitute of the Veterans of the Mexican 
 War and of the Sloat Monument Association, as well as of all who were there to enjoy that supreme patriotic satis- 
 facliuu. Wuiils fail to ilu him justice — K. A S. 
 
REV. A. A. McALISTER, U. S. N. 
 
 Chaplain Mare Island Navy Yard. First Chaplain of 
 the Day at Monterey, Cal.. July 7th, 1896. Member of 
 the Executive Committee of the Sloat Monument Asso- 
 ciation, and one of its most ardent promoters. He is an 
 
 honor to his prnfpccir.n nnrl tr> tVlP TCnvv. 
 
 REV. W. E. EDMONDSON, U. S. N. 
 
 Chaplain of Flagship Philadelphia. 
 
 Second Chaplain of the Day at Monterey, Cal., July 
 7th, 1S96. 
 
 " None know him but to love him ; none name him 
 but to praise." 
 
 CAPT. C. S. COTTON. U. S. N. 
 Commanding: U. S. Flagship Philadelphia. Admiral L. A. Bkardslee commanding the Pacific Station. 
 A brave and skilful officer and a courteous and affable gentleman, worthy of the command of so noble a ship. 
 
27 
 
 the United States and through the heart of the 
 enemy's country, liable to be captured aud 
 shot as a spy, for he carried his uniform in the 
 bottom of his luggage. 
 
 On the night of the 6th of July, 1846, Com- 
 modore Sloat sent by a trusty courier (who 
 is here with us to-day) the following dispatch 
 to Capt. John B. iNIontgomery commanding the 
 sloop of war Portsmouth at San Francisco : 
 
 " I have determined to hoist the flag of the 
 United States at this place, to-morrow, as I 
 would prefer being sacrificed for doing too 
 much than too little. If you consider you 
 have sufficient force, or, if Fremont will join 
 you, you will hoist the flag at Yerba Buena, or 
 at any other proper place, and take possession 
 of the fort, and that portion of the country." 
 
 On the morning of the 7th of July a formal 
 demand for the surrender of Monterey was 
 presented to the Mexican Military Command- 
 ant, who in reply said, that he was " not 
 authorized to surrender the place and referred 
 Commodore Sloat to Don Jose Castro, the Com- 
 manding General of California." 
 
 This was an evasion ; but the Mexican com- 
 mandant with but a handful of soldiers re- 
 tired. 
 
 Says Commodore Sloat in his report : 
 
 " Every arrangement having been made the 
 da}' previous, the necessary force (about 250 
 seamen and marines) was immediately em- 
 barked in the boats of the squadron, and 
 landed at 10 o'clock under cover of the guns of 
 the ships, with great promptitude and good 
 order, under the immediate command of Cap- 
 tain Wm. Mervine assisted by Commander H. 
 N. Page as second. The forces were immed- 
 iately formed and marched to the Custom 
 House, where my proclamation to the inhabi- 
 tants of California was read ; the standard of 
 the United Stales hoisted amid three hearty 
 cheers by the troops and foreigners present, 
 and a salute of 21 guns fired by all the ships. 
 Immediately afterwards the proclamation both 
 in English and Spanish was posted up about 
 the town and two Justices of the Peace ap- 
 pointed to preserve order and punish delin- 
 (juencies, the Alcaldes declining to serve." 
 
 Now, in relation to the Proclamation, the 
 hoisting of the flag, etc. The young midship- 
 man, who four years before under Commodore 
 Jones had acted as his aide-de camp, when Com- 
 modore Jones made his mistake as already 
 stated, was at this time but 21 years of age, 
 acting in the same capacity to CommodDre 
 Sloat and was also his Signal Officer. He 
 wrote the proclamation in both English and 
 Spanish, making several copies of each, and 
 one of them was read by Rodman M. Price, 
 purser of the Cyane, and which you have 
 heard read to-day. This young midshipman 
 as Signal Officer accompanied by one of the 
 seaman, a petty officer and quartermaster 
 (whose name is unknown), the latter carrying 
 the flag rolled up under his arm, took their 
 stations at the corner of the Custom House 
 immediately by the flag stafl", and the flag was 
 bent on or fastened to the halliards ready for 
 hoisting. At the close of the reading of the 
 proclamation the Signal Officer directed the 
 
 Quartermaster at once to hoist the flag and he 
 did so, but only half-way, as the halliards or 
 rope had got jammed in the truck or top. It 
 was a critical moment, and the Signal Officer 
 immediately snatched the halliards out of the 
 hands of the Quartermaster and attempted to 
 hoist it himself, but met with no better success. 
 Seeing the difficulty. Midshipman Higgins 
 rushed forward, threw off his coat and taking 
 off his shoes, climbed the flagstaff, cleared the 
 rope and sang out " Hoist away ! Toler ! " and 
 the Sigual Officer did so, and made the rope 
 fast to the cleat. 
 
 It was the self same William P. Toler, the 
 Midshipman and Signal Officer, the aide-de- 
 camp of Commodore John Drake Sloat, who 
 wrote the proclamation which has just been 
 read, and who has again, just fiftv years after- 
 ward, hoisted the American flag at the head of 
 the same staff and on the identical spot to-daj-. 
 All honor to William P. Toler ; and Capt. Wm. 
 Swasey, the Consular Secretary of Thomas O. 
 L,arkin, the faithful U. S. Consul, is here to-day 
 as he was then to confirm the truth of this 
 statement. 
 
 Commodore Sloat says further in his report: 
 
 " Deeming Purser D. Fauntleroy well quali- 
 fied for such service, I directed him on the 8th 
 to organize a company of 35 dragoons from 
 volunteers from the ships and citizens on 
 shore, to reconnoitre the country, keep open 
 the communication between Monterey and San 
 Francisco, and to prevent the people from 
 being robbed, etc., and directed him to pur- 
 chase the necessary horses and equipments aud 
 to mount them. 
 
 " Passed Midshipman Louis McLane having 
 also volunteered for that service, I appointed 
 him First Lieutenant of that company. On the 
 17th Mr. Fauntleroy was directed to recon- 
 noitre the country with his command as far as 
 the Mission of San Juan, to take possession of 
 that place, hoist the flag, and to recover ten 
 brass guns, said to have been buried there by 
 General Castro, when he retreated from that 
 place. 
 
 " On his arrival there, Mr. Fauntleroy found 
 the place had been taken possession of an hour 
 or two previous by Captain Fremont, with whom 
 he returned to Monterey on the 19th. He was 
 subsequently sent to garrison the place, dig up 
 and mount the guns, and recover a large quan- 
 tity of powder aud shot said to have been 
 secreted there; all of which he accomplished 
 before I sailed from Monterey, between which, 
 the Pueblo of San Jose and San Francisco a 
 perfectly free communication was maintained. 
 
 "On the afternoon of the 15th of July the 
 Congress arrived, and Commodore Stockton 
 reported for duty. 
 
 "On the i6th of July the British Admiral 
 Sir George P\ Seymour, arrived in the Colling- 
 wood, 80 guns. An officer was immediately 
 sent to tender him the usual courtesies and the 
 facilities of the port. He was subsequently 
 furnished with a set of top-gallant masts and 
 other spars for his ship, and sailed on the 23rd 
 for the Sandwich Islands. 
 
 " The visit of the Admiral was very service- 
 able to our cause in California, as the inhabi- 
 
28 
 
 tants fully believed he would take part with 
 them, and that we would be obliged to abandon 
 our conquest: but when they saw the friendlv 
 intercourse subsisting between us, and found 
 that he could not interfere in their behalf, they 
 abandoned all hope of seeing the Mexican flag 
 fly in California again." 
 
 As an officer of the U. S. Navy justly re- 
 marked, " Commodore Sloat knew what a slow 
 sailing old tub the British flag-ship CoUingwood 
 was; and beat her into Monterey just two weeks 
 ahead, and had ample time to perfect his plans 
 for landing and taking possession, not only of 
 Monterey, but to organize a cavalry force to 
 operate in the interior of the country and unite 
 with Fremont." 
 
 There is an episode of unwritten history fur- 
 nished by Mr. William P. Toler, the aide-de- 
 camp of Commodore Sloat who is with us to- 
 day, and which is here given for the first time. 
 
 Immediately after the arrival of the British 
 flagship CoUingwood, Commodore Sloat with 
 his aide-de-camp paid the customary official 
 visit to Admiral Seymour on board of that ship. 
 Midshipman Toler remained in the Commo- 
 dore's gig with the coxswain and boat's crew. 
 After a little, one of the British officers, who 
 had met Toler before, and on most friendly 
 terms, invited him to come up on board the 
 ship, and he did so, where he was agreeably 
 entertained. While sitting by the mess-table 
 and chatting, a group of British officers near by 
 were indulging in jolly conversation with con- 
 siderable laughter, which was rather boister- 
 ous and which attracted Toler's attention, and 
 he asked his British friend what was the 
 cause of it, who replied, confidentially, that "it 
 •was a great joke at the Admiral's expense." 
 " What is the joke ? " asked Toler. His British 
 friend replied as follows : 
 
 "You see, that when we were near Point 
 Pinos, the Admiral came on deck and mani- 
 fested a great deal of anxiety, and gave strict 
 orders to the quartermaster, who carried the 
 spy-glass, to keep a sharp look out when round- 
 ing the Point. As the CoUingwood made the 
 turn and was sailing in, the Admiral, in sharp 
 tones, said : ' Quartermaster, do you see a flag 
 flying on shore? ' The latter replied, ' Yes, sir; 
 but I cannot make it out, sir.' The Admiral 
 becoming more excited, kept repeating the 
 question sharply, and received the same answer. 
 At last he said again : ' Quartermaster, do you 
 see a flag on shore now ?' The Quartermaster, 
 shading his eyes and stooping a little and get- 
 ting a view under the fog, replied, 'Yes, sir; I 
 see a flag very clearly now, sir.' ' What flag is 
 it?' asked the Admiral. The Quartermaster 
 replied, * It is the American flag , sir.' Upon 
 which the British Admiral slapped his thigh, 
 stamped his foot and passionately exclaimed in 
 disappointment, ' Then, by God, tarn too late!' " 
 
 This was the "joke" over which the group 
 of British officers were laughing and witnessing 
 the anger and disappointment exhibited by Ad- 
 miral Seymour of the British squadron at find- 
 ing himself outsailed by over two weeks and 
 Commodore Sloat already in possession of Cali- 
 fornia, while the payment of the English debt 
 by Mexico was put further off" than ever, and 
 
 California was forever secured to the American 
 Union by the skilful and brave little old Com- 
 modore John Drake Sloat. 
 
 Another incident related by Commodore 
 Sloat to his familj', confirmed by his son War- 
 rington Sloat, his private secretary at the time, 
 and which the Commodore also stated to the 
 Hon. Wm. S. Green, U. S. Surveyor-General, 
 who is one of our honorable vice-presidents to- 
 day, when the Commodore was a guest at his 
 • house in 1852, about the time that he located 
 and purchased for the U. S. Government Mare 
 Island from General Vallejo for a navy yard. 
 This is not legend or story of fiction as it has 
 been falsely termed by lying so-called histori- 
 ans, but Commodore Sloat's own statements. 
 
 When the British line of battle ship CoUing- 
 wood arrived, there were the two frigates Sa- 
 vannah and Congress and the two sloops of 
 war Cyane and the Levant of Commodore 
 Sloat's squadron at anchor, with a battery of 
 42 pounders on shore being constructed. The 
 CoUingwood anchored within pistol-shot of the 
 Savannah. That ship with the other vessels 
 was ready for action; the decks were cleared, 
 anchors hove short, the matches were lighted 
 and the gunners stood by loaded cannon; the 
 yards were full of men ready to drop the sails 
 on the instant of a signal. " In fact," said 
 Commodore Sloat, "we did everything but 
 show our teeth — ^run the guns out of the port- 
 holes." The practical eye of the Admiral could 
 not but observe the preparations for immediate 
 action. 
 
 " You seem to be about to give your men 
 some practice in the art of gunnery," said the 
 Admiral, as he shook hands with the Commo- 
 dore. Sloat pointed to the flag on shore and 
 remarked that he " did not know but it would 
 take some practice to keep it there." 
 
 " Will you answer me candidly one ques- 
 tion ? " asked the Admiral. " Did you get any 
 dispatches through Mexico just before you left 
 Mazatlan ? " 
 
 "I did not," was the prompt answer from 
 Sloat. 
 
 After a few moment's study, the Admiral 
 said : "You did right, perhaps, and your gov- 
 ernment will sustain you as the case now stands; 
 but don't you know. Commodore, that there 
 is not an officer in the British Navy who would 
 have dared to take the responsibility you have 
 done? You doubtless had orders to take Mon- 
 terey in case of war; but when you left Mazat- 
 lan there were only a few leading Mexicans and 
 myself who knew of the existence of hostilities. 
 It is all over now," he continued; "but tell me, 
 Commodore, since you are not a man to shrink 
 from responsibility, what would you have done 
 had there been when you reached here, the 
 flag of another nationality floating where yours 
 now floats, and that flag guarded by a ship of 
 the line?" 
 
 "I would," said Commodore Sloat, "have 
 fired at least one shot at it, and perhaps have 
 gone to the bottom, and left my government to 
 settle the matter as it thought best." 
 
 When John Bull and his calves break down 
 the fences and jump into a neighbor's pasture 
 and fields without warning, only Uncle Sam's 
 
29 
 
 Vagueros and " Cow Boys " of America or the 
 Dutch Boers of Africa are equal to the task of 
 driving them out again and rebuilding the 
 fences. 
 
 Said Commodore Sloat in his letter of March 
 20, 1855, written from New York, to Fleet Sur- 
 geon William Maxwell Wood, " I am most 
 happy to acknowledge the very important serv- 
 ices }'ou rendered the government and the 
 squadron in the Pacific under my command at 
 the breaking out of the Mexican War. The in- 
 formation you furnished me at Mazatlau from 
 Guadalajara (at the risk of your life) was the 
 only reliable information I received of that 
 event, and which induced nie to proceed imme- 
 diately to California, and upon my own respon- 
 sibility to take possession of that country. I 
 have alwajs considered the performance of 
 your journey through Mexico at the time as an 
 extraordinary feat, requiring great presence of 
 mind and address. How you escaped from the 
 heart of an enemy's country and such a people 
 has always been a wonder to me, and has been 
 .so characterized on all occasions." 
 
 The Chairman of the Naval Committee of the 
 Senate commented on Fleet Surgeon Wood's 
 valuable services as follows: 
 
 " Ever}' intelligent mind must at once appre- 
 ciate the importance of the service which you 
 have rendered the country, and your personal 
 hazard in traveling through the heart of the 
 enemy's country, communicating with your 
 military superior, and furnishing him with the 
 sole and otherwise unattainable information 
 upon which he based the acquisition of Califor- 
 nia. The importance of this acquisition, can be 
 best estimated by asking ourselves ' What 
 would have been our National position in the 
 Pacific and upon our Oregon frontier, had 
 Great Britain, instead of ourselves, acquired 
 possession of it?' I have always contended that 
 its acquisition constitutes one of the Navy's 
 strongest claims upon the gratitude of the Na- 
 tion, and this chapter in its history, furnished 
 by your own service, but strengthens this con- 
 viction." 
 
 The final and last communication received 
 by Commodore Sloat from Surgeon Wood 
 through Guadalajara was on the 7th of June, 
 1846, as he says in his report, as being the only 
 positive information received by him of actual 
 hostilities having broken out between Mexico 
 and the United States, though uncertain rumors 
 and unsatisfactory information had reached 
 Mazatlan before, and so as he says in his official 
 report: 
 
 "These hostilities, I considered, would jus- 
 tify my commencing offensive operations on 
 the west coast of California, to carry out the 
 orders of the Department of the 24th of June, 
 1845. Leaving the Warren at Mazatlan to 
 bring me any dispatches or important informa- 
 tion that might reach there, I arrived at Mon- 
 terey on the 2nd of July, where I found the 
 Cyane and the Levant, and learned that the 
 Portsmouth was at San F'rancisco, to which 
 places they had been previously ordered to 
 await further instructions. 
 
 ' At 7 A. M. of the 9th, Commander Mont- 
 gomery hoisted the flag at San Francisco, read 
 
 and posted my proclamation and took posses- 
 sion of that part of the country in the name of 
 the United States. 
 
 " F'or a detailed account of the proceedings 
 at San Francisco, etc., I refer you to the en- 
 closed copies of my orders to Commander 
 Montgomery and his report to me (Nos. i to 10). 
 
 "On the 23rd, my health being such as to 
 prevent my attending to so much and such 
 laborious duties, I directed Commodore Stock- 
 ton, to assume the command of the forces and 
 operations on shore; and, on the 29tli, having 
 determined to return to the United States via 
 Panama, I hoisted my broad pennant on board 
 the Levant and sailed for Mazatlan and Pana- 
 ma, leaving the remainder of the squadron un- 
 der his command, believing that no further op- 
 position would be made to our taking posses- 
 sion of the whole of the Califoruias, (as General 
 Castro had less than one hundred men), and 
 that I could render much more important serv- 
 ice by returning to the United States with the 
 least possible delaj', to explain to the Govern- 
 ment the situation and wants of that country, 
 than I could by remaining in command in my 
 infirm state of health. 
 
 " At the time of ray leaving Monterey, the 
 United States were in quiet possession of all 
 " Alta California" north of Santa Barbara. 
 
 " The Cyane sailed for San Diego on the 26th 
 to carry down Captain Fremont, with about 
 one hundred and fifty riflemen (Americans) to 
 take possession there and to cut off General 
 Castro's retreat to Lower California or Mexico. 
 
 " The Congress was to sail on the 30th for 
 San Pedro to take possession there. That place 
 is 27 miles from the City of Angels, where 
 General Castro and Governor Pico then were, 
 and I have every reason to believe (knowing 
 their anxiety to do so) that immediately on her 
 arrival they would surrender, which would put 
 an end to all opposition to the United States 
 in the Californias. 
 
 " In closing this report, I should do injustice 
 to my own feelings and to the officers, seamen, 
 and marines of the squadron I had the honor 
 to command, if I neglected the opportunity to 
 state that no men could display more zeal, 
 activity and determined desire to do honor to 
 their country and the service than they; conse- 
 quently, it would be invidious to particularize 
 any individuals when all were equally zealous 
 to do their duly in their respective stations. 
 
 " Hoping the course I have pursued will meet 
 the approbation of the Department, I have the 
 honor to be 
 
 Most respectfully, your obedient servant, etc., 
 JOHN D. SLOAT, Commodore. 
 Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the 
 Navy, Washington, D. C. 
 
 His report was written on board the Levant 
 while at sea, on July 31, on his return home. 
 On his arrival at Panama he had to cross the 
 Isthmus on mule-back and down the Chagres 
 river in a bungelow in the most sickly period 
 and dangerous portion of the year, and await an 
 opportunity at Chagres to embark on shipboard 
 where he might sail for the nearest foreign port, 
 from whence he coulil obtain passage direct to 
 
30 
 
 the United States, and sending his report to the 
 Secretary of the Navy from New York, he fol- 
 lowed it himself in a few days, arriving at 
 Washington early in November, 1846. 
 
 The report of the Secretary of the Navy, dated 
 December 5th, 1846, in briefly reciting what 
 Commodore Sloat had done, in obedience to 
 his instructions, speaking of his actions, says: 
 
 "The oflBcer who was thus instructed, ob- 
 served the line of conduct prescribed to him 
 with such intelligence and fidelity, that no com- 
 plaint has ever been made of any unauthorized 
 aggression on his part." "On the 29th of July, 
 Commodore Sloat found his infirm health so 
 enfeebled by his arduous duties that he deter- 
 mined to avail himself of a permission which had 
 been given him, in his discretion, to assign his 
 command to Commodore Stockton, and sailed 
 for Panama on his return home. After en- 
 countering much peril and hardship, this gal- 
 lant and meritorious officer arrived at the Seat 
 of Government early in November last." * * 
 
 "In the novel situation in which both the 
 commanders of our naval forces have been 
 placed, without instructions to regulate them in 
 the detail of their conduct, they have adopted 
 measures to preserve social order and maintain 
 our authority, and to withhold from the enemy 
 any advantages from the conquered territory, 
 which are believed to be warranted by the laws 
 of war." 
 
 "The conduct of both commanders has been 
 marked by discretion, a spirit of conciliation, 
 and a sacred respect for private rights, while 
 the military movements have been ably con- 
 ceived and brilliantly executed." * * * 
 
 This report of the Secretary of the Navy, com- 
 mencing by reciting the original orders given to 
 Commodore Sloat on June 24, 1845, and ending 
 with the highest praise and commendation that 
 could possibly be given to a brave and faithful 
 officer, cancelled all other orders and communi- 
 cations from the naval department written 
 under misapprehensions and in ignorance of 
 the true condition of affairs, conveying implied 
 censure, and which were never received by 
 Commodore Sloat, and nothing of the kind after 
 the most diligent search by the proper officer 
 appointed is to be found in the achives of the 
 Navy Department at Washington. 
 
 The orders were given, obeyed both in the 
 spirit and in the letter, and the glorious achieve- 
 ment of the conquest of California, and snatch- 
 ing the prize from the claws of the British Lion 
 in so skilful and complete a manner by Com- 
 modore Sloat, entitles his memory to the eter- 
 nal admiration and gratitude not of Californians 
 alone but of the whole of the American nation. 
 Yet here in this golden laud and on the bur- 
 nished golden shield of California, there is a 
 foul stain and splotch of falsehood and slander, 
 which should be wiped off, and the brilliancy of 
 our state escutcheon completely restored. Vile 
 reptiles have crawled over it and left their trails 
 of black slime upon its face, which only the 
 sharp acid of public indignation and the fires of 
 scorn and contempt can remove. The H. H. 
 Bancroft so-called history, is but a series of 
 bound volumes of lies, detraction, libel and 
 slander of some of the most gallant, daring and 
 
 honorable men, patriots, soldiers and statesmen 
 of our country that this age has produced. 
 Sloat, Stockton, Fremont, Grant and others 
 have been most foully lied about, and to borrow 
 the prestige of the name and to creep into the 
 shadow of the fame of George Bancroft the his- 
 torian of the nation, the name of Bancroft is 
 given to a mass of deliberate lying and slander 
 which has caused the Society of California 
 Pioneers to cleanse its shelves of the pollution 
 and stain, to expurgate its roll of honor and bar 
 its doors to the entrance of the Chief and his 
 aids of this production which has come up out 
 of the black press-room and bindery of the 
 "Father of Lies." 
 
 More than eighteen years this hero of half a 
 century ago had lain in his grave, and and there 
 were none but the veterans of the Mexican War 
 to stand forth in his defense, in which they 
 have defended the honor of their dead comrade , 
 Commodore John Drake Sloat. 
 
 Says the Hon. C. E. S. Wood, the son of 
 Fleet Surgeon Wm. Maxwell Wood, in his let- 
 ter to me, written at Portland, Oregon, June 
 25, 1896: 
 
 "You are entirely and indisputably-correct in 
 your defense of Sloat, and it is an outrage that 
 any defense should be needed." 
 
 An eternal debt of gratitude is especially due 
 to our honorable Senator in Congress, Geo. C. 
 Perkins, whose unremitting labors and atten- 
 tion have been devoted in the helping to rescue 
 the honored fame of Commodore Sloat from 
 the mass of obloquy, misrepresentation and 
 falsehood which H. H. Bancroft and his coad- 
 jutors had heaped upon it, and to Senator Per- 
 kins especially are the people of California in- 
 debted for his efforts in the passage of the bill 
 thus far in the appropriating funds for his mon- 
 ument. 
 
 On this, the fiftieth anniversary of his last 
 and most glorious achievement, the veterans of 
 the Mexican War have the inexpressible joy of 
 witnessing the triumphant vindication of his 
 good name,the celebration by the grateful people 
 of this "Golden State" of the crowning act of his 
 fame, which secured and added an empire to 
 the domain of the Republic, while the stars of 
 three States formed out of the original territory 
 of California have been added to the Constella- 
 tion of the American Union and where they 
 will forever remain. 
 
 Then let the perfect ashlars from all the 
 Counties of California be here laid in imperish- 
 able granite in the square elevated base upon 
 which the superstructure is to be reared, with 
 California the chief corner stone. Upon this 
 long neglected spot of half a century, let the 
 Government of the people of these United 
 States, rear a shaft upon whose tablets in letters 
 of gold the history of his renown, and the med- 
 allion and story of the daring, faithful and pat- 
 riotic Fleet Surgeon William Maxwell Wood, 
 while high up on the lofty pedestal of fame, 
 the statue of Commodore John Drake Sloat 
 in bronze, pointing to yonder staff where our 
 glorious ensign was raised by his command 
 over a land redeemed, where the wild beasts no 
 longer roam, where civilization prevails, and 
 
/ 
 
 BRIGADIER GENHRAI, JAMES W. EORvSYTH, U. vS. A., 
 Commanding thu Dei'ARTMKNT oi- Caliioknia. — HiiAnnuAKTiiKs at San Francisco. 
 
 one of the most meritorious officers in the U. S. Army. With a splendid record in the field for services 
 rendered in critical times of danger, the star upon his shoulder glitters upon a cuirass of honor worn over the 
 brave heart beneath it. 
 
 Always affable and courteous, and whenever it has been possible to grant the reijuest of the Associated 
 \eterans of the Me.vican War or of the rest of the people of the State, he has invariably complied with their 
 reiiiiest, for which all feel grateful. We trust that in time the constellations will gather upou his shoulders, 
 though not at the rate of si.>ctecn to one.— K. A. S. 
 
COL. O. D. GREENE, U. S. A. 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of California, Brigadier-Geueral James W. Kor.-yth command- 
 ing. One of the Vice Presidents of the day at the celebration at Monterey July 7th, iSg6. A splendid officer with 
 an enviable record, a most courteous and affable gentleman, who graciously rendered every service in his 
 position to make the celebration a success both at Monterey and at San Francisco on July gth, iSg6, for which he 
 receives our sincere thanks. — E. A. S. 
 
 MAJOR TULLY McCREA, U. vS. A. 
 Who commanded the Batteries of V. rt. Artillery at 
 the celebration of the sotli Anniversary of the Raising 
 of the American flag at Monterey July 7, 1S96, and 
 aided so much to make it a success, and to virhom the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican War are greatly 
 indebted. 
 
 CAPT. JOHN H. MACOMBER, U. S. A. 
 chaplain Angel Island. 
 
 Chaplain to represent the U. S. Army at the celebr?,. 
 tion at Monterey July 7, 1S96. 
 Member of the >iloat Monument Association. 
 
31 
 
 where the blessings of civil autl religious liberty 
 are enjoyed. 
 
 Comrade veterans of the Mexican War, our 
 ranks are fast thinning out and our eyes which 
 in our joung manhood days shone with the 
 fierce light of battle, are rapidly being changed 
 into the moss agates of old age, and ere long 
 the last of us will be mustered out. In the 
 evening twilight of our lives, as we remem- 
 ber the past and look to the near future, when 
 there will come a realization of our hopes in the 
 completion of the monument here begun, and 
 the statue of our honored Comrade Commodore 
 Sloat shall be unveiled, wc can then turn with 
 joyful gaze to the golden setting sun, while he 
 paints the sea, the valleys and the mountains 
 in glorious hues and spreads his gorgeous man- 
 tle over the skies begemmed with the jewels of 
 the heavens, then we can exclaim like one of 
 old, ' Now, let thy servants depart in peace, for 
 our eyes have beheld thy salvation,' and we 
 will follow our patriotic, brave and gallant 
 Commanders over that last pontoon bridge, and 
 go into camp on that other "Golden Shore." 
 
 The peroration of Major Sherman's address 
 was greeted with the most hearty applause. 
 
 The girls of the Living Flag then sang with 
 splendid effect "The Star Spangled Banner." 
 
 The President of the Day then introduced 
 Mrs. Eliza A. Pittsinger, who in an eloquent 
 manner, delivered the lollowing original poem 
 which elicited the heartiest applause : 
 
 CALIFORNIA'S GOLDEN JUBILEE. 
 
 BY ELIZA A. PITTSINGER. 
 
 [Delivered at the Celebration of the Fiftieth Auiiiversary 
 of the Taking Possession of California aud Raising 
 of the American Flag by Commodore John Drake 
 Sloat of the U. S. Navy on July ylh, 1S46, delivered 
 by her on July 7th, 1896]. 
 
 Why do we meet, my friends, to-day ? 
 What records have led us on the way ? 
 What scenes are past, what themes attend, 
 And with historic grandeur blend ? 
 A single word shall fan the fire, 
 And each advancing thought inspire. 
 
 That word is Progress; and its course 
 Cannot be stayed by creed or force — 
 Its germs were planted in the Past, 
 Its blossoms crown the ages vast; 
 And as the mighty years speed on 
 The victories of life are won — 
 To perfect good its path extends, 
 And like a star its light attends 
 The fall of Empires, and the wane 
 Of powers that shall not live again. 
 
 And as we meet this summer morn 
 How many a loyal thought is born ! 
 How many a fancy takes its flight 
 O'er valley, plain and rocky height; 
 We lift the veil, we follow fast 
 The scenes aud records of the past — 
 O, how the hazy solitude 
 Once whispered to those races crude 
 Long ere the padre's cross was seen 
 To cast its .shadow 'mid the sheen ! 
 
 The years sped on ! The Golden Clime 
 Awaited something more sublime 
 And lasting than the dwindling seed 
 Of rustic rite or ancient creed. 
 
 O, Eden Land, thou wert so fair. 
 In thy young life so sweet and rare, 
 That rival nations as a prize, 
 Once sought thee for a paradise; 
 And 'mid contention, strife and moil, 
 They bore their banners to thy soil ! 
 
 The prize was here, and regal Spain 
 Strove hard, and did that prize obtain — 
 And yet her power was weak to hold 
 This clime of sunshine, bloom and gold; 
 Not even Cortez' mighty arm 
 Possessed the skill or held the charm. 
 
 'Twas eighteen hundred twenty five 
 
 When Mexico threw off her chains; 
 
 The love of conquest was alive. 
 
 And flowed through her ambitious veins, 
 
 Whereby she bent her anxious eyes 
 
 Upon this charmed Paradise; 
 
 And Echuadra sped his way 
 
 Up through the seas of mist that play 
 
 With the hills and vales of Monterey. 
 
 And thus through all the ebb and flow 
 Of rival nations in the strife. 
 The dusty, sun-crowned Mexico, 
 With new impulsion, hope and life. 
 Unfurled her flag, and for a time 
 Obtained possession of the clime. 
 
 It could not last, 'twas doomed to be 
 Like some poor wreck upon the sea — 
 The prize was here; and Freedom planned 
 The final conquest of her land — 
 She saw the winding path that led 
 Our hero to the front and head, 
 As with a small and valiant band 
 He gained possession of the land. 
 
 And thus our gallant Sloat became 
 A star amid the Sons of Fame — 
 True as the magnet to the steel, 
 Equipped and armed with loyal zeal, 
 As with an energy sublime. 
 He stormed the Castle of his Time, 
 Unfurled our flag, and solved the plan 
 That Liberty designs for man. 
 
 To our illustrious Sloat we yield 
 The Victor's crown, the Hero's shield — 
 He came and won; and by his toil 
 His footprints shine upon our soil. 
 
 His bark was borne across the sea 
 That California might be free; 
 Our flag went up in time of need. 
 His arm was strong to sow the seed, 
 Whose blossoms crown the shining way 
 To this our Semi-Centennial Day. 
 
 Fair Stars and Stripes! beloved and bright! 
 Ye came with golden floods of light; 
 Beneath your f^olds new life and thought 
 Sped forth as if by magic wrought! 
 
32 
 
 New inspiration like a flame 
 
 Of heavenly glory then became 
 
 A beacon-star, whose charms unfurled 
 
 I/ike splendors of a new-born world! 
 
 O, land engirt with sea and sun, 
 vSublime the fame that thou hast won ! 
 Thy cities in their grandeur rise, 
 Their spires are pointing to the skies, 
 Thy fruit the wonder of the world, 
 And in thy sunlight is impearled 
 A crystal radiance that glows, 
 And into waves of thought it flows ! 
 
 That radiance charms my soul to-day, 
 'Tis like the welcome beams of May; 
 Upon the toil-worn Veterans 
 Of Mexico its light expands, 
 And how it blesses, warms and cheers, 
 The pathway of our Pioneers ! 
 Beneath it how our blossoms gleam ! 
 Beneath it what a mighty stream 
 Of speech and music now display 
 The zeal and glory of the day ! 
 
 O, Freemen, wave your banners grand 
 In all their spendor through the land ! 
 And down the valleys as we sing 
 Let golden hallelujahs ring; 
 For fifty years ago to-day 
 The seed was sown in Monterey ! 
 The harvest time begins to dawn; 
 We're marching on, we're marching on. 
 
 O, 'tis the Semi-Centennial Year ! 
 Our bells are ringing loud and clear ! 
 The Star of Freedom rises high, 
 A Rainbow spans the Western sky ! 
 Rejoice, my people, great and free, 
 It is the Year of Jubilee ! 
 
 Rejoice, rejoice, the day is ours ! 
 
 The years have brought their heavenly powers! 
 
 And we have only to behold, 
 
 To claim the prize and win the gold ! 
 
 The vines are springing at our feet, 
 
 We've but to pluck the fruit and eat ! 
 
 'Tis here, 'tis here, the Promised Land; 
 'Tis here in Freedom's cause we stand; 
 'Tis here we sing our songs of praise 
 To gladden these Centennial days — 
 O, Monterey, upon thy sand 
 Are footprints wonderful and grand ! 
 
 The Eagle from her mountain height 
 Sped downward to these valleys bright; 
 And through the weary march of Time 
 Her burning glance was on the clime — 
 She was a watcher on the wall. 
 She saw the stormy rise and fall 
 Of noisy faction, selfish clan. 
 As through the warring years they ran. 
 
 At last with her deep piercing eyes, 
 
 She saw the Star of Freedom rise; 
 
 Afar was heard a Golden Song, 
 
 And as its numbers rolled along 
 
 They thrilled her with their magic power — • 
 
 And then she knew the expectant hour 
 
 Had come when she should yield her post 
 To God's true Guardians of the Coast. 
 
 And thus it was, for this we meet 
 To make our Liberties complete; 
 For this we sing our songs of praise, 
 For this the land is all ablaze. 
 As on this Semi-Centennial Day 
 We wave our flags in Monterey. 
 
 Fair Monterey, in future time 
 Thy name shall ring in classic rhyme; 
 'Tis here the pilgrim shall be led, 
 'Tis here his fancy shall be fed, 
 O, here upon this charmed ground 
 The sacred relics shall be found; 
 And in this Mecca of the West, 
 At last his weary feet shall rest. 
 
 Mrs. Blake Alverson then sang "Viva La 
 America" as only herself can sing it with its 
 full spirit of patriotic fire and sweetness of song, 
 for which she was roundly applauded as at its 
 close she waved the American flag, creating the 
 greatest enthusiasm, and sang the following as 
 an encore : 
 
 " OLD GLORY." 
 
 Words by Thomas J. Duggan. 
 Music by Homer N. Bartlette. 
 
 Old Glory, Flag of Liberty, 
 
 In triumph wave o'er laud and sea, 
 
 The pride of millions yet to be, 
 
 'Neath Freedom's glorious sway. 
 We gaze upon each starry fold, 
 In beauty to the skies unrolled 
 And link with thee in pride untold. 
 
 Our land America. — Chorus. 
 
 Old Glory, founded by our sires. 
 Amid the flame of battle fires. 
 Thy gleam the heart of all inspires 
 
 With rapture day by day. 
 The flag of the new world art thou. 
 To tyranny thou ne'er shalt bow, 
 F'orever wave above the brow, 
 
 Of free America. — Chorus. 
 
 Old Glory 1 for thy honored past 
 Our hearts revere thee till the last ; 
 Our dearest hopes are on thee cast, 
 
 To never fade away. 
 Triumphant, noble, brave and free. 
 Still onward shall thy progress be. 
 For honor, peace and liberty 
 
 And for America. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Unfurl thj' grandeur to the stars, 
 Dear flag of many battle scars, 
 
 Renowned in hallowed story. 
 All Hail ! to thee, O emblem grand 
 The guardian of our native land. 
 
 Old Glory. 
 
 The Hon. H. C. Gesford, Grand President of 
 the Native Sons, was then introduced and made 
 a telling and eloquent speech for which he was 
 heartily cheered. 
 
MAJOR SIDNEY J. U)OP, 
 Of Alameda, Cal. 
 President of tlie As'tociated Veterans of the Mexican War (for the tliird term). 
 I'resident of the Board of Trustees of the Veteran's Horn; at Vountville, Cal. 
 He belonged to Co. G, ist U. S. Artillery, and served his coimtrs- welt in Mexico. 
 He is a Member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 iki^A^'IJT^^: 
 
 COL. JOSEPH SrEWART, U. S. A. (Relired.) 
 Residence, Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 Past President and now Vice-President of the Asso- 
 ciated Veterans of the Mexican War. 
 
 Vice-President of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 With a long, faithful and arduous service in both peace 
 and war. He has made a most honorable record, to be 
 proud of. 
 
 COIMRADE CHARIvES LANGE, 
 ()K San Francisco. Cal. 
 Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the Mex- 
 ican War. 
 Also, a Member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 Retired as Ordnance Sergeant of the r. S. Army, after 
 nearly a lifetime of faithful service both in the field as 
 well as garrison. 
 
CAl'T. WM. L. DUNCAN, 
 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Past President and Secretary of the Associated 
 Veterans of the Mexican War. 
 
 Vice-President of the Sloat Monument Association of 
 Calitornia. 
 
 He was a Lieutenant and acting Captain of Co. R in 
 Col. Edward Baker's Regiment of 4th Illinois Volun- 
 teers, and rendered good service especially in the 
 battles in fiont of the City of Mexico. 
 
 COMRADE A. C. McDONALD, 
 
 Of S.\n Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Treasurer of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War. He was Sergeant of Company B of the First 
 Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers under Col. 
 I''rancis Wynkoop, and was in some of the severest 
 fighting in Mexico, from Vera Cruz to the City of 
 Rlexico. 
 
 A true and tried soldier, and of inflexible fidelity and 
 inlegrlty as his (rKjuent election as Treasurer shows. 
 
 A member of the Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 COL. A. ANDREWS, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 Past President of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War. He served as Captain of Company A, 
 Second Regiment of Ohio Voluteers, and did good serv- 
 ice in the battles in front of the City of Mexico. 
 
 Colonel for many years on the staflTs of the Governors 
 of California, and now on the staff of Gov. James Budd. 
 
 COL. JOHN w. Mckenzie, 
 
 Of Ocean View, San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Past Vice-President of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War. 
 
 He was First Sergeant of Duncan's Battery, Co. A, 
 Second Regiment of U. S. Artillery, and fired the first 
 gun at the battle of Palo and one of the last at the City 
 of Mexico. He was the Colonel of a Regiment of the 
 National Guard of California and instructor during the 
 late war. 
 
33 
 
 The Hon. Niles Searles, Vice-President of the 
 Society of California Pioneers, made a short and 
 humorous address which greatly delighted 
 everybody present. 
 
 The vast audience then united in singing the 
 National Hymn, "America," and the Rev. O. 
 
 E. Edmondson, Chaplain of the U. S. Flagship 
 Philadelphia, pronounced an eloquent and fer- 
 vent benediction, and the Great Celebration of 
 the Fiftieth Anniversary of the taking posses- 
 sion of California and raising the American flag 
 at Monterey by Commodore Sloat was ended 
 and his honored fame gloriously vindicated. 
 
Part 3. 
 
 Celebration of the Tiftietb flnniversary of the Raising of tbe American flag 
 
 by Capt. % B, montgomery of the U. $. Sloop of mr Portsmoutb, 
 
 at Verba Buena, now $an Trancisco, California, on the Plaza 
 
 and tbe Presidio, on 3uly 9tb, i$46, by Orders from 
 
 Commodore 3obn DraKe Sloat, U. $. n. 
 
 CckDMtcd Cbursaay, July 9tb, i$96. 
 
 AJOR EDWIN A. SHERMAN, the 
 Chairmau of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangements of the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, present- 
 ed to the rest of the Committee the subject of also 
 having a celebration of the Fiftieth Anniver- 
 sary of the raising of the American Flag at San 
 Francisco as well as at Monterey. Gen, For- 
 syth, at his solicitation, having consented and 
 given orders for the firing of salutes at the Pre- 
 sidio and the Forts in the harbor of San Fran- 
 cisco, also on July 9th, 1896. That as the Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War would have all that 
 they could do with the celebration at Monterey 
 and the two events coming so near together 
 that the celebration at San Francisco, which 
 ought to he held, and the honors and labors 
 should be shared with others. That the Ex- 
 empt Fire Company having their engine-house 
 of the old Monumental Engine Company at 
 Brenham Place, immediately near the old flag- 
 staff on the Plaza, now called Portsmouth 
 Square, where they had kept the American 
 flag flying for nearly half a century, should be 
 invited to take charge and act as a Committee 
 of Arrangements for the Celebration of the 
 Fiftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the 
 American Flag in San Francisco, on July 9th, 
 1896. To this Col. Joseph Stewart and Com- 
 rade Charles Lange, the other members of the 
 committee, gave their hearty consent. 
 
 Accordingly the invitation was sent to the 
 President, George T. Bolien, of the Exempt 
 F'^ire Company, to which a most hearty response 
 and acceptance was received, and these old 
 veteran firemen went to work with a will and 
 determination characteristic of their old-time 
 hearty liberality, and prepared a celebration 
 worthy of the occasion, of themselves, and of 
 the patriotic citizens of San Francisco, while 
 they made the veterans of the Mexican War 
 their special guests, and extended to them the 
 most generous hospitality, which was fully en- 
 joyed and gratefully appreciated. 
 
 George T. Bohen, A. J. Jessup, J. J. Guilfoyle, 
 Godfrey Fisher, Joseph Figel, James O'Donnell 
 and John J. Mundwyler were the Committee of 
 Arrangements. 
 
 The following account of this celebration is 
 taken from the reports of the affair as published 
 in tUe dail^ newspapers of San Francisco : 
 
 Fifty years of brilliant history were signaled 
 at high noon yesterday, when the Stars and 
 Stripes were spread from the lofty mast in the 
 Plaza. The falling time-ball on Telegraph Hill 
 marked the arrival of the summer sun at its 
 meridian, a bugle blast gave the signal, the big 
 bell in the home of the red-shirted Exempts 
 pealed a note of joy, and in a trice the banner 
 of freedom was unfurled over the same memor- 
 able spot where first it was raised in San Fran- 
 cisco by the bluejackets of the sloop of war 
 Portsmouth. 
 
 Seventeen added stars in the silken field of 
 heavenly blue marked the semi-centennial of 
 progress in California, from that day when 
 Commodore Sloat's proclamation made this 
 broad strip a free American territory till this, 
 when forty-five brilliant points in the azure fir- 
 mament mark the sisterhood of free republics 
 merged in the greatest government on earth. 
 On that never-to-be-forgotten 9th of July, just 
 fifty years ago, the gallant tars and the intrepid 
 marines of Captain Montgomery's sloop of war, 
 stationed in the bay of San Francisco, marched 
 up to the same plaza in the then Mexican town 
 of Verba Buena to raise Old Glory and to take 
 possession in the name of the twenty-eight 
 States of the American Union ot the inherit- 
 ance of liberty. And yesterday, appropriately 
 enough, the bluejackets of the glorious repub- 
 lic of the end of the century and the marines 
 of the flagship Philadelphia stood guard while 
 one of their number hoisted the flag to the 
 breeze, and then they presented arms as the 
 naval band saluted with the national air. 
 
 It was a magnificent scene, all in the fullness 
 of a perfect day, with the beautiful plaza cov- 
 ered so thick with people that one could not 
 see Nature's carpeting on the hallowed ground. 
 The streets beyond were crowded with people 
 awaiting the signal bell that was to mark the 
 semi-centennial of the commonwealth's actual 
 birth into an modern civilization. Flags and 
 banners floated in the gentle breezes amid the 
 evergreens that fill the historic square. The 
 dazzling white uniforms of the men-o'-warsmen 
 in double lines marked the hollow square with- 
 in which the Hotchkiss guns were to thunder 
 the national salute. Blue-coated gunners of the 
 Naval Battalion were grouped in the center 
 around their glistening one-pounders, while 
 bcicH of tlieui was the head an^i center of it all, 
 
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MAJOR JACOB R. LEESE, 
 
 Of Monterey, Cal. 
 
 C.RAND Marshal, July 7th, 1S96. 
 
 Son of the late Jacob P. Leese, a California Pioneer, 
 and nephew of Gen. M. G. Vallejo. 
 
 LIEUT. JAMHv^ 15. UHITTEMORE. 
 
 Reader of Commodore John D. Sloat's Proclama- 
 tion. The latter's oldest frrandsou, and who al.so read it 
 ten years before at the Celebration of the 40th Anni- 
 versary, at the same place, July 7th, 1.S86, as wtll as on 
 July 7th, 1S96. 
 
 HON. JAMES McLACHIvAN, 
 
 Of Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Representative to United States Congress, and 
 
 PRKSIDENT OK THK DAY, 
 
 At Monterey, 
 
 On July 7lh, iSqfi. 
 
35 
 
 the group of blue-capped, red shirterl, brown- 
 coated firemen of the pioneer days — the gray- 
 haired veterans that ran with the machine — the 
 Exempts of San Francisco, in whose hands had 
 been left the dutj' of fittingly commemorating 
 the first chapter of American history at the 
 Golden Gate. 
 
 Right well had they prepared and elaborately 
 did they carry themselves in the celebration. 
 Inside and outside of their old fire station on 
 Breuham place, facing the great flagstaff, they 
 had decorated lavishly. The national colors 
 were strung and festooned and draped in all 
 conceivable manner of pleasing shapes; their 
 machines were sparkling in their glory of glis- 
 tening paint and burnished brassiness. Out on 
 the street, prepared for the orator of the day 
 when the flag should be unfurled, the hand- 
 somest hose cart of all had been bedecked most 
 artistically for the occas on, a great multi-col- 
 ored umbrella above it to protect its occupants 
 from the sun, while the engine itself made a 
 shining background. 
 
 It was, in every detail and as a maguificent 
 whole, one of the most beautiful groupings of 
 people and colors ever seen in this city; and 
 not one whit of the effect was lessened by the 
 Oriental decorations of the houses on Clay and 
 Jackson streets and Brenham Place, where, 
 from the windows and roofs, the yellow-skinned 
 Mongolians peered down upon the crowds be- 
 low. The}' were there, no part of the picture 
 they framed — a barbaric setting to the glory of 
 American civilization. 
 
 The city was en fete, and with the first break- 
 ing of snnlight the plaza began filling with peo- 
 ple. They came from all directions, men, 
 women and children, to secure positions of van- 
 tage for the spectacle prepared for them. There 
 they waited hour after hour, their numbers 
 constantly increasing, until the marines and 
 the bluejackets, the members of the Naval Bat- 
 talion, Mexican Veterans, Pioneers, Exempts, 
 Bands and all were on the ground awaiting the 
 hour. 
 
 It was II o'clock before the tars from the 
 Philadelphia and the Monadnock and Admiral 
 Beardslee's own marines, headed by the red- 
 coated band from the flagship of the Pacific 
 squadron, swung with steady step through the 
 civilian throngs into the Park. There were 
 nearly 300 of the sailors and sea soldiers of 
 Uncle Sam in the line under command of Lieu- 
 tenanant Commander Ingersoll, and the)' made 
 a pretty sight by themselves in their hot- 
 weather uniforms. The marines were under 
 command of Captain Dickens, U. S. M. C, and 
 the four companies of bluejackets marched at 
 the orders of Lieutenant Brown, Ensign Hay- 
 ward and Cadets Lincoln and Campbell. They 
 were formed in a hollow scjuare around the 
 fiagstafT, on either side of which Lieutenant- 
 Commander Turner and Ensign Gould had 
 stationed a firing detail of twenty blue uni- 
 formed members of the Naval Battalion, with 
 two one-pounder Ilotchkiss guns. 
 
 Within this hollow square the gaily capari- 
 soned fox terrier dog Gore, the canine mascot 
 of Admiral Beardslee's flagship, ran at will, 
 barking his J03' at the presence of so many of 
 
 his well-wishers, and frisking around the flag- 
 staff at the top of which the flag was bunked 
 for the unfurling. 
 
 About five minutes before noon the Exempt 
 Firemen were ordered into line on Brenham 
 Place by President Bohen, the Veterans of the 
 Mexican war, headed by Sydney Loop, form- 
 ing immediately behind them. The Park Band 
 struck up "Columbia," and, the word of com- 
 mand being given, the firemen and the veter- 
 ans marched into the plaza, forming in parallel 
 lines on each side of the flagstaff. Up close to 
 them could be seen the faces and figures of 
 many an old pioneer who desired to be close 
 enough to smell the smoke when the salute 
 was fired. 
 
 To do all this took some little time, and it 
 was fully a minute of 12 o'clock w-hen all was 
 attention awaiting the stroke of the bell. Sig- 
 nal Quartermaster Paul Hermann of the Phila- 
 delphia had his hand on the lanyard ready to 
 release the flag to the breeze, the tars and mar- 
 ines were at parade with their glistening bayo- 
 nets fixed, the firemen and veterans were all 
 attention, their heads uncovered, awaiting the 
 stroke. Already the whistles which denoted 12 
 o'clock in the factories of the city were heard 
 to sound, a distant bell or two pealed forth the 
 hour, but the bell in the big tower was pain- 
 fully silent. Not a soul in the big crowd but 
 began to suspect that something was wrong 
 somewhere, and that an awkward hitch in the 
 programme was about to occur. Eyes were 
 turned anxiously in the direction of the bell, 
 and still it did not ring forth. Everybody was 
 sure something was wrong — everybody but 
 those who were watching the time ball on Tel- 
 egraph Hill, 
 
 "There she drops," some one called out at 
 last, as the boom of a distant gun was heard 
 and the big ball slid down the pole. The bell 
 in the tower pealed merrilj' forth. Quarter- 
 master Hermann tugged at the lanyard, and 
 at the second stroke of the twelve the flag of 
 freedom fluttered its starry length in the breeze. 
 A few sharp orders from Lieut. -Commander 
 Ingersoll and the men from the warships pre- 
 sented arms to their flag; the band from the 
 Philadelphia struck up " The Star-Spangled 
 Banner," the vast throng uncovering until the 
 last note died away. 
 
 " Bang ! " went the first gun of the national 
 salute, and " bang, bang, bang ! " sounded the 
 reports twenty times more as Lieutenant-Com- 
 mander Turner and Ensign Gould paced the 
 intervals and gave the command to fire to petty 
 officers Harloe and Meyer. The concussion of 
 the shots was something to be borne patrioti- 
 cally as the great white rings of smoke were 
 blown into the air. 
 
 " Three cheers for the flag!" shouted Lieu- 
 tenant-Commander Ingersoll, waving his sword 
 as the last gun was fired. "Three cheers for 
 the flag!" signalled President Bohen of the 
 Exempts, and they were given with a will and 
 a tiger by the mass of people in uniforms and 
 without, the civilians waving their hats in their 
 enthusiasm, the well-trained men-o'-warsTiien 
 having much diflicultj' in restraining them- 
 selves from brandishing their arms. 
 
36 
 
 The band played " America" as the Exempts 
 marched to the speaker's stand and the men of 
 the Philadelphia and Monadnock about faced 
 to listen to the proclamation of Commodore 
 Sloat, spoken through the lips of his great- 
 grandson, James Bayard Whiltemore. As soon 
 as possible President Bohen introduced the 
 young man to the people and the famous mes- 
 sage of the Conmiander of the United States 
 forces in the Pacific Ocean in 1846, promising 
 liberty of person and freedom of conscience in 
 the new territory, was read. The voice of the 
 descendant of the brave Commodore was some- 
 what husky with the emotions stirred up by the 
 associations of meniorj-, and he could not be 
 heard many feet away, but the people assem- 
 bled knew that the words his lips were forming 
 teemed with patriotism, and that was enough. 
 When the last word of the message of freedom 
 had been uttered, another ringing three cheers 
 went up for the great-grandson of the Commo- 
 dore. The ceremony was ended as far as the 
 navy was concerned, and the bluejackets and 
 marines marched away from the scene, leaving 
 the flag fluttering behind in the care of the 
 Veteran Firemen. No sooner were the men-o'- 
 warsmen gone than the plaza filled up to over- 
 flowing and the crowd pressed forward to hear 
 the Rabbi Jacob Voorsanger deliver the oration 
 of the day. Dr. Voorsanger was introduced as 
 a member of the Exempt Firemen, and the 
 orator was cheered. When some quiet had 
 been obtained he began his address, which was 
 frequently interrupted with hearty applause. 
 He said : 
 
 Fellow citizeuF, we are making history to-day 
 for the State of California. We commemorate 
 the important fact that, almost to the minute 
 to-day fifty j'ears ago. Old Glory was flaunted 
 to the breeze in old Verba Buena and, thereby, 
 a Mexican possession was converted into a free 
 territory of the United States. Therefore our 
 first duty to-day must be to salute the flag — the 
 flag that, these 120 years past, has traveled all 
 over the world and represented the honor of 
 the American republic as no living being can 
 possibly pretend to carry it. It was the emblem 
 of freedom, the emblem of honorable enter- 
 prise, the emblem that inspired fear in the ene- 
 mies of liberty wherever it went. It saluted 
 effete monarchies with the message from across 
 the sea that all men were free and held no one 
 master except the Constitution to which they 
 subscribed. 
 
 We salute the flag to day because it waved 
 before men, who, without thought of personal 
 advantage, obeyed the call of their countrj', 
 and, in moments of danger and of peril, simply 
 studied the honor and the advantage of the 
 Government and not the risk or the danger to 
 themselves. In saluting the flag, therefore, we 
 also honor the memory of the men, who, fifty 
 years ago, stood on this square, and, with the 
 waves of the Pacific in sight, and the breezes 
 from the West saluting them, before all the 
 world and in spite of the government that op- 
 posed them, declared that this honorable flag 
 was the emblem of possession; and on that day 
 — on that glorious 9th of July, — at the hour of 
 high noon they proclaimed the same message 
 
 that long before that was proclaimed in the old 
 statehouse in Philadelphia; and they saluted 
 their brethren across the Rockies and across 
 the rivers and the hills; and over the uttermost 
 limit of the land they sent forth the message 
 that this Mexican soil was Mexican no longer, 
 but consecrated to freedom of life and limb and 
 conscience, as were all the other glorious States 
 which saluted the flag and hailed it as their 
 own. 
 
 So then, fellow-citizens, fifty years have gone 
 by since that great proclamation of Commodore 
 Sloat was read, since it was sent from the 
 ship in Monterey bay; and fifty years have 
 gone by since American settlers began to rest 
 here, claiming under God's providence, this 
 land as their own and consecrated it to the pur- 
 pose for which legitimate communities are or- 
 ganized. These fifty years have been full of 
 significance for the people of California and to 
 those who afterwards jomed them. 
 
 In that greater coming day there will be new 
 wonders here. We will show to the world val- 
 leys groaning with fruit and wheat and grain 
 and barley; valleys that know no barrenness in 
 winter time, the only fields in America'in which 
 the grass always remains green. We will show 
 them our mountains, white - headed giants 
 watching Hesperidean gardens, in which the 
 golden apples are sweet and rich and luscious; 
 mountains that are the storehouse of floods 
 racing down to bathe the valleys in their re- 
 freshing richness. And we will show them 
 such flowers as they never saw before; our pop- 
 pies, our camelias and dandelions, our rich 
 magnolias and jasmines, and our miles of wild 
 flowers, carpeting the unploughed hillsides as 
 no human loom can pretend to weave a web of 
 gayest colors. All this we have to show them 
 and more; and we will remind them that this 
 dear California is a gorgeous edition de luxe of 
 Palestine of old, of which Medrash says with 
 efiiisive tenderness that every spot in it has its 
 hills and its dales. Our holy land, our prom- 
 ised land, is this golden spot, and we want the 
 sages of Babylon to pay us a visit and leave us 
 spiritual blessings for which we will pay with 
 loving hearts, smiling faces, the best of every- 
 thing and the cheer of a golden land. Tell 
 them to come. 
 
 This glorious California, this wonderland, in 
 which there is but one regret, that, like in 
 other lands, people have to die of old age and 
 other causes — this' slice out of an Oriental gar- 
 den, more luxurious than any of Boccaccio's 
 choice spots, is now fifty years old. That is to 
 say, its promise dates back from the time that 
 Sloat raised the flag over Monterey bay. I am 
 in no mood to recite history, particularly a his- 
 tory one can read in a thousand books. My 
 fancy rests on the momentous conversion of a 
 Spanish province into a free American State. 
 That, to a Jew, is one of the epochs in human 
 history. Spain, I regret to say, is no pleasant 
 word in the vocabulary of free men. The 
 charters extended to her colonies barred the 
 Jews from admission and they could only enter 
 under the guise of the Nuevos Christianos. 
 The charter of Upper and Lower California 
 does not, I believe, contain such a provision, 
 
37 
 
 but the charter was issued long after the intol- 
 erance of Spain could reckon with the entire 
 world. Spain expelled the Jews, and for the 
 most part drove them to the East and South, 
 back to the barbarous conditions from which 
 they had become estranged for centuries. 
 Spain sought to keep the sons of Israel from 
 the new countries to which the sword and the 
 cross had traveled with equal rapidity, but the 
 vengeance of the centuries overtook her. That 
 is an old story, and I like not to dwell on it, 
 though I do confess that for all my preaching 
 of not exhuming old issues, my heart is stirred 
 with indignation whenever my memory dwells 
 on that odious edict that robbed the olive 
 groves of Spain of their most industrious deni- 
 zens. 
 
 We are here, fellow-citizens, not to speak of 
 this disadvantage of other goverments, or 
 merely to consider the advantages that have 
 come to us from this great feat of fifty years 
 ago, but we desire, half a century afterwards, 
 to emphasize the great words spoken by Com- 
 modore Sloat when he raised the flag on the 
 shore of Monterey bay; and we desire to say 
 that in all the duties that come to every man 
 in the legitimate pursuit of business, in the ex- 
 ercise of religious convictions, in the discharge 
 of educational obligations. Old Glory has en- 
 abled us to do all that free man can do, and 
 will enable us, in the future, to do more than 
 was done some fifty years ago. 
 
 I want to say to you right now, fellow-citi- 
 zens, that when we speak of the flag, the glori- 
 ous stars and stripes — now forty-five stars that 
 are shining in the American firmament — when 
 we speak of it we should not speak lightly. 
 When we speak of it let it not be as if it, alto- 
 gether, represented the emblem of possession. 
 Let us speak of it as the emblem that gives and 
 secures unto us our manhood and our woman- 
 hood. Let us speak of the fl ig as the emblem 
 that promises to the citizens of America the 
 safe and unimperiled discharge of every dut}' 
 that God can assign to them; and that, with 
 the flag in sight, with the flag to protect us, we 
 fear neither judge, nor government, nor anj^- 
 thing else, but feel that we are a power yield- 
 ing obedience to God alone. And so, in the 
 consideration of our present duty, let us dwell 
 for a moment on the greatness of the legacy 
 that we have received. Do you know that al- 
 though we are a million strong in California, 
 there are a very few people, comparatively 
 speaking, that realize the magnitude, the glory, 
 the beauty of this inheritance that has been 
 secured to us. Sometimes it seems to me that 
 we are not as grateful as we might be. 
 
 What does the flag say to you to-day ? What 
 are you doing to secure for yourselves this in- 
 heritance of freedom that has .so grandly been 
 given to you ? Do you know — and I am speak- 
 ing here in the open air and beneath God's 
 canopy— do you know that when I find how 
 often you are running like slaves to listen to 
 every heresy, every prejudicial remark that ap- 
 peals to your senses, that I am sometimes as- 
 tonished. There ought to be but one sentiment 
 to-day in the hearts of free men. I will give 
 you that sentiment : That the country, no mat- 
 
 ter how it may be divided bj' parties, is greater 
 than the State; and that the State is greater 
 than anybody. And, furthermore, no matter 
 what different opinions may prevail in this 
 country, no matter how communities may di- 
 vide on the subject of Church or State, that we 
 will allow every man his opinion, provided he 
 is a loyal man; and that we shall say, further- 
 more, bareheaded and with the memory of the 
 deeds of Commodore Sloat in our minds, that 
 while parties come and go, that while religions 
 come and go, we will not interfere between 
 parties and opinions, but may God palsy the 
 hand that commits treason against the Consti- 
 tution of the United States. This is the lan- 
 guage of citizenship. This is the language of 
 the old Roman patriot who lived at a time when 
 all were for the State and none were for a party. 
 This is the language that should fall from the 
 lips of citizens who consider that, though par- 
 ties may fall with the principles they represent, 
 under God's heaven there is but one thing that 
 shall be perpetuated with honor and with dig- 
 nity, and that is Old Glory. 
 
 Therefore, fellow-citizens, take this home 
 with you to-day : We are on the eve of a rather 
 exciting contest between parties. I do not care 
 much whether the one party or the other will 
 win upon the strength of the predominance of 
 its opinion, but I am interested in one thing 
 only, and that is in the perpetuation of the 
 honor of our country. I am interested in see- 
 ing the citizens, be they for one party or an- 
 other, loyal to the Constitution. I am inter- 
 ested in seeing that the system of Government 
 and all that it means is protected against the 
 insidious poison of false opinion. I am inter- 
 ested in seeing our schools kept clean from 
 partisan politics. I am interested in a judiciary 
 which shall be kept incorruptible. I am inter- 
 ested in bringing about the times of the ancient 
 patriots, when self sacrifice was the great duty 
 of the hour and when every look at the flag in- 
 spired them to yield their lives and their for- 
 tunes for the honor of their country. 
 
 The speaker concluded in a brilliant perora- 
 tion, in which he dwelt on the glories of Cali- 
 fornia and the inspiring grandeur of the flag 
 under which it prospered. Then, suddenly, 
 lowering his voice, he directed the prettiest 
 spectacle of the entire day. " Take off your 
 hats," he said to the multitude. With one 
 movement every head in the plaza was uncov- 
 ered, every eye was fixed on the ground, while 
 the voice of the speaker was heard to ascend in 
 prayer. 
 
 Let us pray to God, he said, that our coun- 
 tr}', which is the dearest thing we have on 
 earth, mayalwa3'S grow in honor; that our peo- 
 ple may always be strong in hope, and that we 
 never may be ashamed of whatever we shall do 
 for the honor of God, the honor of our country 
 and the imperishable glory of the flag. 
 
 "Amen," said the speaker, and a ringing re- 
 sponse came from the bare-headed crowd, fol- 
 lowed almost immediately with ringing three 
 cheers for the orator of the day and the senti- 
 ments of his address. 
 
 This ended the exercises and the crowd broke 
 up, as many as possible pushmg their way into 
 
3^ 
 
 the home of the veteran firemen there to enjoy 
 the hospitality of an open house. Above and 
 below stairs the old boys that used to run with 
 the machine had amply provided for all comers. 
 Up aloft they took care of the ladies, the Mexi- 
 can veterans and aged pioneers. Below they 
 furnished lunch to the gunners and the younger 
 generation that has always appreciated the 
 work of their elders in fiery times. In both 
 places there was a perfect jam and a holiday 
 display of appetite that easily bid fair to eat 
 and drink the entertainers out of house and 
 home. It didn't, however, for the reason that 
 the old fellows had been there before and there 
 was no end of their supply. 
 
 At the conclusion of the out-door ceremonies 
 the Exempts and their invited guests adjourned 
 to the upper hall of the company's engine-house, 
 where an informal reception was held. The 
 hall had been beautifully and significantly dec- 
 orated for the occasion. Draped with the Nation- 
 al colors numerous pictures of veteran firemen 
 were about the walls. About each of these pic- 
 tures groups of hoary-headed fireman were 
 gathered all afternoon, and many were the 
 thrilling reminiscenses of daring deeds of long 
 ago that the representation of features of leaders 
 long since departed called forth. 
 
 The President's desk was ornamented with 
 huge bouquets and between these were the 
 trumpets through which the old officers were 
 wont to direct their men. These trumpets were 
 also fraught with pleasant memories; in fact it 
 was a day of memories, and the old boys who 
 ran with the machine when the century was in 
 its prime grew young men as they viewed the 
 emblems of former struggles with the devouring 
 element. 
 
 Prominent among the decorations was a bust 
 of Ivilly Hitchcock, the first and only honorary 
 member of the Fire Department. It was her 
 distinguished honor to be a member of the 
 Knickerbocker Company, No. 5. That was a 
 long time ago, but she yet lives at Larkspur, 
 Marin County, to tell of her popularity with the 
 fire laddies. 
 
 There were other things not so ornamental, 
 but none the less cheerful, in the hall. At each 
 end was a hospitable-looking table laden 
 with good things to eat and drink, especially 
 to drink, and the open-handed Exempts dis- 
 pensed of their good cheer liberally to their 
 guests, not forgetting the demands of their own 
 inner men. 
 
 There was speechmaking, too, and songs that 
 were loud and lively. The speeches were not 
 set aflfairs, but they had the true ring, and the 
 patriotic utterances with which they abounded 
 and the complimentary references to the old 
 firemen brought forth applause that would have 
 warmed the cockles of any orator's heart. 
 
 Major E. A. Sherman was the first speaker 
 called upon. After recounting the history of 
 the acqusition of California by the United States, 
 he said: "When Commodore Sloat raised the 
 American flag down went Church and State,and 
 every man, be he what he is or who he is, can 
 worship as he pleases. We don't care what a 
 man believes. He can go to heaven or the 
 other place as he pleases and in his own way. 
 
 "I want to say a word in favor of the old 
 flag," he concluded. "The stars in that flag 
 came from heaven. There is not a downtrod- 
 den race but looks up to those stars. That flag 
 is the sun of liberty that shines for all. I have 
 been wounded in defense of that flag, and it is 
 my honor to-day in this assemblage of its loyal 
 supporters to propose three cheers for the stars 
 and stripes." 
 
 The cheers were given with right good will. 
 
 He then introduced Capt. W. F. Swasey, who 
 was secretary to Thomas O. Larkin, the first 
 and only U.S. Consul to California and at Monte- 
 rey. His was one of the happiest speeches of the 
 day. The sight of old friends seemed to inspire 
 him to new endeavors, and as the American 
 flag waved before him above the veranda he 
 rose and in tones that trembled with emotion, 
 said: 
 
 "Old comrades and fellow-citizens: I am the 
 only living man who was connected with the 
 State Government when Sloat and Montgomery 
 rais.d the flag. I was Larkin's secretary at the 
 time. We were all waiting intensely, and 
 when the emblem of liberty was raised an invo- 
 cation went forth from every heart. Never 
 until then had we truly felt the power of that 
 piece of bunting that represents what all Amer- 
 icans love. (Cheers.) Never until then did we 
 feel to its fullest extent the flag's permeating 
 and protecting power." 
 
 Then he turned to the great flag waving out- 
 side the veranda and said: 
 
 "You waving bunting, behold it in glory 
 there ! Beautiful flag of my country, emblem 
 of protection and safety to the whole world's 
 down-trodden humanity! Thou art the beacon 
 light of hope, of succor and of safety to all of 
 God's liberty-loving creatures ! The eyes of 
 the oppressed and down-trodden in all the 
 earth's remotest regions brighten and sparkle 
 with joy when they gaze upon thy rainbow- 
 hued lovliness ! Born amid the strife and 
 storms of all the elements that war against lib- 
 erty, consecreated in the blood of patriots, the 
 most honored and revered known to the world's 
 history, what hand shall dare, what heart shall 
 conceive the damning infamy of lessening the 
 brilliancy of a single stripe or the clouding of 
 the lustre of a single star? To us that flag 
 symbolizes so much of hope, of happiness and 
 of safety that our hearts cleave to it with a love 
 surpassing that of man for woman, of mother 
 for child. May it wave forever in majesty and 
 in glory undimmed." 
 
 Robert Ferral followed with a short extem- 
 poraneous speech, telling the story of the flag. 
 The speech was a series of dramatic pictures, 
 and the orator was heartily congratulated when 
 he closed. 
 
 "The pioneers were satisfied," he said "with 
 the country they fought for, and did not care 
 to leave. You know the story of the Californ- 
 ian of olden days, who refused to rise at a 
 camp-meeting when the preacher asked that all 
 who wanted to go to heaven stand up. Then 
 the minister asked that all desirous of going to 
 hell should rise, but the grizzled pioneer refused 
 to stand. 'What is the reason you don't stand 
 up? Where do you want to go?' asked the 
 
l-lagsluiJ fliiladclpiiia Monitor Monadiiock 
 
 VIEW OK THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG 
 
 I'pon the same staff upon the Old Custom House at Monterey by ex-Midshipman William P. Toler, July 
 7th, 1S96, who as the Signal Officer of Commodore John D. Sloat, raised it on July 7th, 1846, or fifty years before. 
 The Flagship of Admiral Lester A. Beardslee, the Cruiser Philadelphia and the Monitor Mouadnock are seen 
 firing salutes in the harbor. 
 
 NoTK.— The very same hitch in the halyards occurred as it did 011 July 7th, 1S46. Midshipman Edward 
 Higgins cleared the difficulty the first lime, and it is said that it was his nephew, a seaman of the Philadelphia, 
 cleared it at this time, which is a remarkable coincidence. — K. .\. S. 
 
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39 
 
 preacher at last. 'Nowhere,' said the old pion- 
 eer, 'California is good enough for me.' " 
 
 The speaker touched briefly the story of the 
 Mexican war, its battles and its victories. 
 
 "The Yankees knew no defeat," he said. 
 "They fought on and on for liberty in the face of 
 what others would have called defeat. Every- 
 where their courage was supreme, and every- 
 where the colors waved in glory. 
 
 "In spite of creeds and clans, in spite of polit- 
 ical and religious divisions we all respect the 
 flag as the emblem of our freedom in this fruit- 
 ful laud. I believe that all who saw that glori- 
 ous emblem raised to-day felt that it was the 
 most beautiful piece of bunting that floats to- 
 day beneath the blue dome of heaven. 
 
 "I read one time of an anarchist dying in a 
 foreign land, a man weary of old-world govern- 
 ment and its broken promises to the oppressed. 
 Biting the dust and cursing human laws, he 
 died, and when the mourners gathered round, 
 next to his silent heart was found a small 
 American flag — emblem of what he sought in 
 vain in all the world outside. 
 
 "If there is anything that appeals to public 
 honor and to patriotism the Exempt Firemen 
 are always to the front. 
 
 "To-day, when the passing years have whit- 
 ened their heads, the same spirit that prompted 
 them in their youth to go forth and do battle 
 with the fierce flames prompted them to-day to 
 come forth and honor their native land. When 
 this flag was first raised over the City of San 
 Francisco, this State had the greatest fighting 
 men in the world. It has been said here to-day 
 that in the Mexican war the Americans never 
 lost a battle. This has been denied by Mexi- 
 can authority. They say the Yankees were re- 
 peatedly defeated, but confound them, they 
 didn't know it. 
 
 "It has been said that no man in whose heart 
 beats the pulse of liberty looked upon the flag 
 which Commodore Sloat raised without enthusi- 
 asm. But this is a mistake. There was one 
 man. 
 
 "Soon after Commodore Sloat raised the 
 American flag, the commodore of the British 
 Navy, who had been sent out to make a con- 
 quest of California, sighted these shores. He 
 sent one of his men aloft and asked him what 
 he saw. The man replied he saw some ensign 
 afloat. 'What is it,' asked the commodore, and 
 the man replied, 'It is the flag of the United 
 States Republic' 
 
 "And then Commodore CoUingwood said, 
 'Damnation !' 
 
 "We find that Sloat's action forestalling the 
 English Government gave us California. Glad 
 I am to be with you to-day to honor Old Glory. 
 I don't think there is a man but who, when he saw 
 that flag run up today and saw it kissed by 
 the breezes of heaven, thanked God that he 
 was an American and believed that it was the 
 finest piece of bunting in the world. I love it, 
 not because it is the most beautiful of flags, but 
 because it is the only flag Liberty has ever 
 given us, and it represents all humanity. 
 
 "It is the flag that gives the liberty of con- 
 science. We may bow to different altars, we 
 lUfLy \)e Democrats, Populists, or anything you 
 
 please, but above all we are Americans, loyal 
 to the grandest flag that ever floated 'neath 
 the skies." 
 
 At the conclusion of Judge Ferrall's address 
 he was given three rousing cheers and then the 
 Exempts started up the chorus, "He's a Jolly 
 Good Fellow," which was joined in with a 
 will. 
 
 Major Pico, one of the historic guests of the 
 occasion, was the next speaker. Major Pico is 
 a son of the man who presenteil Portsmouth 
 plaza to San Francisco, and is one of the most 
 prominent figures in California history. The 
 major spoke enthusiatically of the honor which 
 he felt, not only in being a descendant of the 
 Pico family which had surrendered California 
 to the United States, but in being himself a cit- 
 izen of this Republic. "I am a true American," 
 he said, "and I am also a Native Son. I would 
 to-day be proud to go out and fight for that 
 glorious flag if my country needed me." 
 
 Harry Niemann, formerly of the Tivoli, en- 
 tertained the company with a German dialect 
 recitation, which was tumultuously encored. 
 Then Gus Pullman, assisted by Niemann and 
 Sam Striker, sang, "When we Ran with the 
 Old Masheen." It was a song that went directly 
 to the hearts of their auditors, and the hearty 
 voices of the youthful old firemen rang out in the 
 chorus a volume that belied theiryears. Jack Mc- 
 Greany, of the Police Department, sang, "The 
 Engine that Housed on the Hill," and (Jeorge 
 Kinney sang another song dear to the hearts of 
 Exempts, "Scanlau's Chief Again." In all 
 these the firemen joined in the chorus. 
 
 Charles Wilson, an old Exempt, told a num- 
 ber of interesting reminiscenses of early days in 
 the department, and warmly eulogized the fire 
 laddies of the volunteer organizations. 
 
 James O'Donnell, another Exempt, made a 
 humorous and at times eloquent address on the 
 flag and the Fire Department. He regretted 
 that he was not in California when Captain 
 Montgomery raised the stars and stripes in San 
 F'rancisco. He explained that at that time he 
 was but 14 years of age and had not yet left his 
 native land. 
 
 Proceeding more seriously he eulogized the 
 flag as the banner of religious and civil liberty 
 to which the downtrodden of every race looked 
 hopefully. 
 
 One of the most prominent of the guests of 
 honor yesterday was Mrs. W. C. R. Smith, 
 whose brother, Joe Vasquez, had brought from 
 San Jose the flag that was raised in this city 
 fifty years ago. " Captain Leidesdorff sent my 
 brother to Monterey to get the flag," said Mrs. 
 Smith yesterday, "and Joe made the trip on 
 horseback, keeping to the mountains and to 
 the brush in order to elude the enetnies who 
 were on the lookout. My brother finished his 
 long ride in very quick time and brought the 
 flag safely to this city." 
 
 Mrs. Smith, who is probably one of the old- 
 est native daughters in the State, was born in 
 San Jose. In 1S43 her mother, Mrs. J. J. Vioget, 
 who had married the first surveyor who laid 
 out the plan of the city of San P'rancisco, came 
 to this city, and soon after her daughter fol- 
 lowed. Mrs. Smith, who owned up to having 
 
40 
 
 been iu ber younger days tbe favorite girl with 
 tbe Americans in California, is the wife of W. 
 
 C. R. Smith, a prominent exempt of old " Cali- 
 fornia 4" and "Knickerbockers" companies. 
 
 Following is a list of the now living members 
 of the old Exempt Company, most of whom 
 assisted yesterday in the reception at Breuhem 
 Place : 
 
 Clans Spreckels, William Alvord, William G. 
 Badger, John S. Durkee, I. W. Lees, Joseph F. 
 Marshall, James Smith, Charles M. Plum, 
 George W. Keunard, Charles Schultz, Charles 
 S. Eeles, W. L,. Ryckman, A. Browning, John 
 M. Gardner, Pincus Harris, P. D. Quiulan, J. B. 
 
 F. Louis, A. J. Jessup, Heury A. Chase, S. S. 
 Kohu, John S. Dryer, C. Turner, Jr., George T. 
 Bohen, Henry Wieland, N. R. Sewell, Isaac 
 Harrington, James O'Donuell, P. H. Pleniing, 
 
 E. Valencia, A. P. Hotaling, Adam Smith, T. 
 H. Harders, J. J. Crowley, Jacob PVeeman, 
 Michael Ryan, C. Murr, John Cook, B. H. 
 Schunhoff, R. E. Blauvet, Jr., H. Peyser, James 
 Riley, Herman Bendet, Andrew Bahrs, J. J. 
 Mundwyler, Thomas Neary, James Grady, Ed- 
 ward Commins, E. T. Antony, M. J. Dolan, 
 Charles R. Nolte, Godfrey Fisher, Henry Hock, 
 
 G. W. Osborn, William Lark ins, Henry Voor- 
 man, Leon Aradon, James Madden, Ed. Steffle- 
 bach, R. Caverly, John G. Heim, Simon P'itz- 
 patrick, R. T. Brown, J. W. Kemp, Washing- 
 ton Irving, John J. Mahoney, George B. Hess, 
 J. H. McMenomy, Thomas Fox, James W. 
 Kentzel, C. Vorrath, Charles B. McP'arlane, P, 
 
 D. Wilkins, Louis Bendt, Samuel Striker, John 
 
 F. Lyons, Henry Sutliff, Joseph Figel, Francis 
 Richards, John McCarthy, Samuel Newman, 
 John Stratman, George J. Hobe, S. M. Locke, 
 Martin Bulger, Christian Kobicke, John J. 
 Guilfoyle, J. M. Priairo, Henry D. Hudson, 
 John Brougham, Charles W. Saunders, Joseph 
 F. Kohn, Mark Harris, George Grief, T. B. 
 Robhison. 
 
 Besides the Exempts, there were also many 
 other prominent Pioneers and Mexican War 
 Veterans : S. J. Loop, president of the Mexican 
 War Veterans; Major Pico, Public Administra- 
 tor Freese, Fire Commissioner F. G. Edwards, 
 Supervisor C. L. Taylor, ex-Assistant Engineer 
 George W. Kennard, "Uncle" G. T. Bromley, 
 ex-Judge Robert Ferral, the president of the 
 Society of Old Friends; W. W. Mavil, president 
 of the Oakland Exempts, and President Phiu- 
 eas Martin of the Alameda Exempt Company. 
 
 The committees having in charge the vari- 
 ous features of the day's celebration were : 
 The committee of arrangements, consisting of 
 George T. Bohen, A. T. Jessup, J. J. Guilfoyle, 
 Joseph Figel, James O'Donnell and J. J. Mund- 
 wyler, and the banquet committee, consisting 
 of William Larkins, Charles W. McFarlan and 
 Henry A. Chase. 
 
 As a fitting finale to the celebration three 
 rousing cheers were given for the flag, and a 
 stanza of " America" was sung. 
 
 VETERANS ARE PLEASED. 
 
 Thank the Exempt Firemen for the Generous 
 and Cordial Keception Accorded Them. 
 
 [From the S. F. Call of July lo, 1896 J 
 
 The Veterans of the Mexican War met last 
 evening at their hall, 22 O'Farrell street. All 
 the members were highly pleased at the success 
 of the celebrations at Monterey and yesterday 
 at the plaza. The first suggestion of having 
 such a celebration was made at a meeting of 
 the Veterans almost a year and a half ago, and 
 it was through the efforts of individual mem- 
 bers of the Association that enthusiasm was 
 aroused in the matter. 
 
 Major Sherman especially has been verv ac- 
 tive in bringing about the celebration, and be- 
 sides giving much of his time has expended 
 money iu the cause. Last night resolutions 
 thanking Major Sherman for all he has done to 
 make the matter a success were passed, and 
 will be suitably engrossed and presented to the 
 Major. 
 
 The following resolution, offered by Henry 
 Schwartz, was also adopted by the Association : 
 
 Resolved^ That the Mexican War Veteran As- 
 sociation of San I'^rancisco hereby expresses its 
 high appreciation of the generous and cordial 
 reception its members received from the Ex- 
 empt Firemen of San Francisco on the fiftieth 
 anniversary of raising the American flag at 
 San Francisco by the commander of the United , 
 States Steamship Portsmouth, July 9, 1846. 
 
 The following letters of thanks were also sent 
 to President George T. Bohen of the Exempts 
 and Colonel William H. Menton of the South- 
 ern Pacific for their courtesies extended to the 
 veterans during the celebration just closed : 
 
 George T. Bohen, President of Exempts. 
 
 Dear Sir : — Please accept for yourself and 
 the Exempts the thanks of the Veterans of the 
 Mexican War for the very elegant and hospi- 
 table reception and entertainment received by 
 them from you on the fiftieth anniversary (July 
 9) of hoisting the stars and stripes on Ports- 
 mouth square. 
 
 S. J. Loop, President, 
 
 Colonel WiivLiam H. Menton, 
 
 Passenger Agent of Southern Pacific Co. 
 Dear Sir : — Through me the Veterans of 
 the Mexican War wish to express to you their 
 thanks for your kind attention and care in 
 looking after their transportation to and from 
 Monterey on July 7, 1896. 
 
 S. J. Loop. 
 
? 
 
 MRS. THOMAS G. LAMBERT, 
 Of Monterey, Cal., 
 Who, with her husband, Capt. Lambert, was in 
 charge of and resided in the 0!d Custom House at 
 Monterey for upwards of twenty years, keeping- it in 
 good repair without any assistance from the V. S. 
 Government. We have enjoyed their hospitality in it 
 and out of it. She is one of the best wives and truest 
 patriotic women in California or elsewhere. She gave 
 the use of her lot for the firand Stand without charge. 
 
 MRS. EMILY A. FKSII, 
 
 Keeper of Point Pinos Light House, Monterey Har- 
 bor, Cal. & . J 
 
 Chairman of the Ladies' Reception Committee at 
 Monterey, Cal., July 7th. 1S96. 
 
 An elegant and hospitable lady of the finest char- 
 acter. 
 
 She keeps the light in Uncle Sam's window for me 
 and for you and everybody else, and is faithful to the 
 trust reposed in her. 
 
 MISS FLORENCE SCHAUFELE. 
 
 The " Maid of Monterey." 
 
 Who presented the key of Monterey to California 
 when she entered that city July 7th, 1.S96. 
 
 MISS VIOLA RODGERS. 
 
 The " Nymph of Pacific Grove." 
 
 Who presented the key of Pacific Grove to California 
 upon her entrance to Monterey July 7th, 1S96. 
 
MISS MARION STEVENSON BARNEY, 
 
 Of Vernon Heights, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Great (iranddaiighter of Col. Jonathan 
 D Stevenson, a Veteran of the Mexican 
 War, and a Calilornia Pioneer of March, 
 1S47, in command of the First Regiment 
 of New York Volunteers, and stationed 
 in California. The first Grand Master of 
 Masons of California. 
 
 5^ 
 
 •«f 
 
 MUSS ALICE STEWART, 
 
 Of Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 GRAND MAID OF HONOR, 
 
 Representing the U. S. Army. 
 
 Daughter of Col. Joseph Stewart, U. S. 
 A. (retired). 
 
 Past President and Vice-President of 
 the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 Vl^ar. 
 
 Vice-President of the Sloat Monument 
 Association of California. 
 
 A gallant soldier and officer, a true gen- 
 tleman of the old school, and a military 
 pioneer of the Pacific Coast, from Cali- 
 fornia and Nevada to Alaska. 
 
 MISS ALICE G. CUTTS, 
 Of Mare Island Navy Yard. 
 
 GRAND MAID OF HONOR, 
 Representative of the r. S. Navy. 
 
 Daughter of Lieut. Commander R. M. 
 Cutts, U. S. N. 
 
 Great Granddaughter of Francis Scott 
 Key, author of the "Star Spangled Ban- 
 ner." 
 
 Niece of Dr. John M. Browne, late Sur- 
 geon-General of the IT. S. Navy, who 
 was surgeon on board of the U. S. Ship 
 Kearsarge when she sank the Rebel Pri- 
 vateer Alabama. 
 
 MISS CAMILLE JOHNSTON, 
 Of Oakland, Cal. 
 SPF;CIAL maid OF HONOR. 
 Daughter of Hon. Joseph E. John- 
 ston, Supervisor of Alameda County, 
 and who sent the first County Stone for 
 the Monument. 
 
Personnel. 
 
 
 T is proper to give the personnel of the 
 young ladies who represented Califor- 
 ^ I nia, her maids of honor and the repre- 
 H s sentatives of the several counties of the 
 bB^\ State at the celebration of the Fiftieth 
 Anniversary of the Raising of the American 
 flag at Monterey and the taking possession of 
 California by Commodore John Drake StOAT, 
 of the U. S. Navy, July 7, 1846, held at that 
 place July 7, 1896, that the public may know 
 something of those who represented the State, 
 the counties, and the various localities. 
 
 As it is considered a delicate matter to men- 
 tion young ladies' ages that part is omitted, 
 though it may be said that they are still attend- 
 ing school. 
 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
 Was represented by Miss Marion Stevenson 
 Barney of Vernon Heights, Oakland, Alame- 
 da County, California. She is the great grand- 
 daughter of the late Colonel Jonathan Drake 
 Stevenson, who commanded the First Regi- 
 ment of N. Y. Volunteers during the Mexican 
 War, and which arrived in California in March, 
 1847, having been recruited and organized ex- 
 presslj' for the purpose of garrisoning Califor- 
 nia during that war, and to settle this portion of 
 the United States when the war closed. Colo- 
 nel Stevenson was too well known a character 
 as a gentleman and officer of the U. S. Govern- 
 ment, in both military and civil life, and as the 
 first Grand Master of Masons of the State, to 
 require any further mention by us; suffice it to 
 say, however, that he was distantly related to 
 Commodore John Drake Sloat, both of whom 
 descended from a brother of Sir Francis Drake, 
 the great English admiral who sailed along the 
 shore of California without discovering the har- 
 bor of San Francisco, but anchored farther 
 north and gave his name to "Drake's Bay." 
 
 It was therefore deemed exceedingly appro- 
 priate to make the selection of his great grand- 
 daughter, Miss Marion Stevenson Barney 
 for these reasons, and where her great grand- 
 sire had held command nearly ahalf century ago. 
 She had, a little more than a year before, so 
 admirably represented the State of California 
 at the planting of the Lincoln Liberty Tree on 
 Lincoln Square, in the City of Oakland, on 
 April 15, 1895, by the pupils of the Lincoln 
 School, at which, the U. S. Artillery, the Na- 
 tional Guard, Veterans of the Mexican War, 
 Grand Army of the Republic, and about ten 
 thousand of our fellow-citizens, led by the 
 Hon. John L. Davie, Mayor of Oakland, who 
 were present, that she was chosen to again rep- 
 resent the State of California at the Semi-Ceu- 
 tennial Celebration at Monterey. 
 
 As the writer does not belong to the "Jenk- 
 ins" family he will not enter upon a further 
 description than to say, that she is of staunch, 
 old revolutionary stock, whose ancestor fought 
 at Bunker Hill, and that in every way she was 
 worthy to represent our "Golden State" of Cal- 
 ifornia on that occasion and justly deserved all 
 
 the honor and praise that she received from the 
 admiring multitude of the many thousands of 
 people there assembled on that auspicious and 
 memorial day. 
 
 HER MAIDS OF HONOR. 
 
 The United States Army 
 
 Was represented by Miss Alice Stewart of 
 Berkele)', Cal., the amiable and lovely daughter 
 of Colonel Joseph Stewart, of the U. S. Army, 
 (retired). He is the father of the first Ameri- 
 can child born at the Presidio of San Francisco, 
 (now a Captain in the U. S. Army), and also 
 father of the first child born on Alcairaz Island. 
 He served under both Generals Taylor and 
 Scott during the Mexican War, with great 
 credit. He constructed Fort Churchill, in Ne- 
 vada, and fought the Indians there. He was 
 actively engaged in the late war in the East, 
 and also commanded the first U. S. Troops, to 
 occupy Alaska at Sitka, upon the transfer of 
 that country by Russia to the United States. 
 He is a Past President and now Vice-President 
 of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War. A gentleman and an officer command- 
 ing the esteem of all who know him, and whose 
 services to his country entitle him to the high- 
 est regard of all. His daughter, Alice, who 
 represented the U. S. Army, is a perfect little 
 lady, kind and courteous to all, but mostly to 
 be admired for her filial affection and devotion 
 to her honored father. She is of good, old- 
 fashioned, true Kentucky stock, raised on Cali- 
 fornia's soil, and is loved for her goodness of 
 heart, and her splendid qualities. Her father is 
 also a Vice-President of the Sloat Monument 
 Association, and President of the California 
 Pioneer Society of Alameda County. 
 
 The United States Navy 
 
 Was represented by Miss Alice Gertrude 
 CuTTS, ; the daughter of Lieut.-Commander 
 R. M, CuTTS of the U. S. Navy resident at 
 Mare Island. This young lady, possessing 
 both beauty and grace, of a kindly and affable 
 disposition, but of a queenly demeanor, born of 
 natural pride of ancestry, as a true, indepen- 
 dent American girl should be, was most fitly 
 selected by the officers of the U. S. Navy to 
 represent that arm of the Service one of whose 
 greatest achievements was in the taking posses- 
 sion of California and raising the American 
 flag at Monterey that we were about to cele- 
 brate. Miss CuTTS, though representing the 
 Navy, was the real personification and incarna- 
 tion of America herself; and the spirit of her 
 great grand-sire, Francis Scott Key, the au- 
 thor of our national song, "The Star Spangled 
 Banner," fully manifested itself anew in her 
 as the American flag was again raised and un- 
 furled from the same staff from whence it was 
 flung to the breeze half a century before. Her 
 uncle, the late Commodore and Surgeon-Gen- 
 eral of the Navy, John M. Browne, was the 
 surgeon on board the Kearsarge, when she 
 
42 
 
 fought and sank the Alabama. He had also 
 been four years the Grand Master of the Masons 
 of California. How her eyes sparkled and 
 her cheeks glowed as the flag went up, amid 
 the strains of the music of that national song, 
 the cheers of the thousands there assembled and 
 she saw the flashing and heard the thundering 
 roar of the big guns on the flagship Philadelphia 
 and the Monitor Mouadnock. Ask Agr, "O, say, 
 does the Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the 
 Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?" 
 and our word for it, if it was doubted by the 
 questioner, he would quickly feel the force of 
 left wing of the American eagle, and an answer 
 that would be entirely satisfactory. 
 
 The Array and the Naval Alices, 
 Are both deserving of palaces. 
 
 First Special Maid of Honor 
 
 Was Miss CamiIvLE Johnston, the beautiful 
 and accomplished daughter of Hon. Joseph E. 
 Johnston, of Oakland, one of the Supervisors 
 of Alameda County. She was selected by Cal- 
 ifornia, (Miss Barney), she having been her 
 intimate schoolmate at Ivincoln School, Oak- 
 land, and her dearest companion of her school 
 days for several years. This honor was not 
 given to her on this account alone, but as a just 
 tribute and acknowledgement of the great in- 
 terst taken by her father in the Sloat monu- 
 ment. As chairman of the committee appoint- 
 ed by the Board of Supervisors of Alameda 
 County, by his energy and action, he succeeded 
 in having a fine granite ashlar prepared, hand- 
 somely polished and properly inscribed, ship- 
 ped and delivered at Monterey even before the 
 corner-stone arrived there; and Alameda County 
 the first on the alphabetical list of counties, 
 was also first to have its county-stone on the 
 ground. Thus Alameda County being honored 
 in the selection of the representative of Cali- 
 fornia, as also in the representative of the 
 U. S. Army, received this deserved honored 
 distinction in turn, as a just recognition of 
 personal regard for her schoolmate, and what 
 had been done by her companion's father for 
 the monument. 
 
 Second Special Maid of Honor and Ala- 
 meda County's Representative 
 
 Was Miss Violet C. L/UBBOCK of Alameda, the 
 charming daughter of the Hon. Oswald Lub- 
 bock of the Postal Department of the U. S. Gov- 
 ernment in that city. She was all that could be 
 desired in a representative of the county of 
 universities, colleges, schools, and the Athenic 
 county of our "Golden State." Of a modest, 
 sweet, and winning disposition, with innumer- 
 able frieuds and acquaintances to attest to her 
 goodness and worth, her selection which was 
 a surprise to her father and to herself, was 
 gladly hailed by her friends who showered con- 
 gratulations upon her receiving the appoint- 
 ment of representative of Alameda County. 
 The "Palmetto" and "Lone Star" States of 
 South Carolina and Texas are united in this 
 fair, native daughter of California. Her grand- 
 father, Hon. Henry S. Lubbock, born in Char- 
 eston, South Carolina, and for many years an 
 nspector of Hulls, in the U. S. Government 
 
 service, is a pioneer of California, and an ear- 
 nest member of the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion. His brother rendered gallant service 
 under General Sam. Houston in gaining the in- 
 dependence of Texas, and bringing the "Lone 
 Star State" into the American Union; and it 
 was for these considerations as well as her own 
 intrinsic worth and lovliness of character that 
 she was thus chosen. 
 
 Third Special Maid of Honor and Rep- 
 resentative OF San Francisco County 
 
 Was Miss Constance V. Lawrence, the 
 handsome daughter of Hon. James H. Law- 
 rence, of San Francisco, formerly a State Sen- 
 ator, but of late years a resident of San Fran- 
 cisco. He is a member of the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, and did gallant ser- 
 vice under Colonel Ransome, commanding the 
 Ninth Regiment of Infantry, who fell at the 
 head of his command in the battles in front of 
 the City of Mexico. Miss Lawrence several 
 years ago was imanimously adopted by the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican War as the 
 "Daughter of the Veterans," and her selection 
 was most appropriate and the appointment 
 naturally belonged to her of right. She is a 
 student of the State University, at Berkeley, 
 and in due time will have earned and received 
 additional honors. 
 
 Fourth Special Maid of Honor 
 
 Was Miss Agnes Lange, the fairest of the fair 
 daughters of Comrade Charles Lange, the 
 venerable Vice-President of the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, who early won his 
 honors at the Battle of Buena Vista, and whose 
 integrity, fidelity and trust as keeper of Ord- 
 nance in the Artillery branch of the service was 
 tested for nearly half a century, until by the 
 regulations he was honorably retired, com- 
 manding the confidence, respect and esteem of 
 the highest General down to the lowest Private 
 in the army who knew him. 
 
 Fifth Special Maid of Honor 
 
 Was Miss Louise Heron, the beautiful little 
 daughter of the late James Heron, of San 
 Francisco, so many years the Secretary of 
 Wells, Fargo & Co., who died about two years 
 ago. He was, when a very young man, a mid- 
 shipman in the U. S. Navy, and served under 
 Commodore Sloat, and one of the landing party 
 which went ashore and raised the Stars and 
 Stripes. Surely this little fatherless darling of 
 only eleven years of age had the inherent 
 right to be present as one of the Maids of 
 Honor to California on that glorious day when 
 her father had helped to raise the American 
 flag at Monterey. Long may she live to be a 
 loving companion and a source of happi- 
 ness and joy to her bereaved mother whose 
 grief at her sad loss of her husband is tempered 
 with a feeling of honest pride of the rank 
 he held and the patriotic service he rendered 
 his country at Monterey fifty years ago. 
 
 Sixth Special Maid of Honor 
 
 Was the pretty, little, winsome Kathleen 
 Mullen, the young daughter of Comrade 
 
p 
 
 *Jf-i 
 
 T 
 
 w 
 
 \ 
 
 
 MISS VIOLA C, LUBBOCK, 
 Of Alameda, Cal. 
 Special Maid of Honor, and Representative of Ala- 
 meda County. 
 
 Her father, Hon. 0.swald Lubbock, is in the Post Office 
 Department. 
 
 Her granduncle fought under Gen. Sam. Houston in 
 the War for Texan Independence. 
 
 MISS CONSTANCE V. LAWRENCE. 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 Special Maid of Honor and Representative of San 
 Francisco County. 
 
 Daughter of Comrade and Hon. J. Lawrence, ex-State 
 Senator of California. 
 
 Adopted Daughter of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War. 
 
 MISS DICIE MAY GRAVES, 
 Of San Lns Obispo. 
 
 Special Maid of Hinor and Representative of Sau 
 I<uis Obispo County. Cal. 
 
 Granddaughter of Veteran of the Mexican War and 
 Great-granddaughter of Jesus Jose Pico, who fought 
 against us on the other side and surrendered. 
 
 MISS CLARA K. WITTENMYER, 
 Of Martinez, Cal. 
 Special Maid of Honor and Representative of Contra 
 Costa Countv. 
 
 Daughter of Hon Lewis C. Wittenmyer, a Pioneer 
 of 1S49, and granddaughter of Comrade Capt. John 
 Wittenmyer, a Veteran of the Mexican War. 
 
 She is a Past President and the Chaplain of the 
 Native Daughters of the Golden West. 
 
•du 
 
 "^^^B 
 
 ^^T 
 
 MISS DOLLIE D. WRIGHT, 
 
 Of Pacific Grove, Cal. 
 
 Special Maid of Honor. 
 
 Daughter of Comrade Jonathan Wright, a Veteran 
 of the Mexican War, who served under Gol. Fremont. 
 
 4^ She was born in the Old Custom House at Mou- 
 terev; and under the American flag upon the same 
 staff upon which it was first hoisted by Commodore 
 Sloat. 
 
 MISS AGNES LANGE, 
 Of San Francisco, Cal. 
 Special Maid of Honor. 
 
 Daughter of Comrade Charles Lange, Vice-President 
 of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. 
 
 MISS RUTH WRIGHT, 
 Of Pacific Grove, Cal. 
 ■Special Maid of Honor. 
 Sister of the above Dollie D. Wright. 
 She was born in Monterey, in the first brick hou.se 
 •ever built in California. 
 
 MISS AGNES M. W^ATSON, 
 Of San R.\fael, C.\l. 
 
 Special Maid of Honor and Representative of Marin 
 County, Cal. 
 
 The daughter and granddaughter of a California 
 Pioneer of 1824. Her father, James Watson, when a lad 
 of seven years of age, was present when Commodore 
 Sloat raised the .\merican flag at Monterey July 7th, 
 1846, and was the only native Californian in the Califor- 
 nia Hundred, or any others who fought for the Union 
 in the East during ihe late Civil War. 
 
43 
 
 Chari^es Mullen of the Associated Veterans 
 of the Mexican War, who was a brave and 
 faithful soldier, prompt to do his duty under all 
 circumstances, no matter how arduous or labor- 
 ious, or in the heat of battle; his conduct at all 
 times when on duty commanded the approval 
 of his officers and the esteem of his comrades. 
 Before the City of Mexico he proved that he 
 was made of sterling material, and kept even 
 with the front rank in storming a fort, leaping 
 a ditch or repelling an assault. Little Kath- 
 leen ''Mavourneen" Mullen, had a right 
 to be one of the Maids of Honor, for her very 
 existence proves the strength of her father's 
 conjugal love, and that the ruling passion of 
 his life is not weakened in his old age. 
 
 Seventh Special Maid of Honor 
 
 Was Miss Knudsen, the little fairy- 
 
 like grand-daughter of our loved and esteemed 
 Comrade Capt. William Duncan, the Past- 
 President and present Secretary of the Associ- 
 ated Veterans of the Mexican War. She, too, 
 had a right to be selected as one of the l\Iaids 
 of Honor. Her honored grandfather. Comrade 
 Duncan, as Lieutenant and Acting Captain of 
 Company B of the Fourth Regiment of Illi- 
 nois Volunteers under the gallant Colonel (and 
 afterwards U. S. Senator), Edward Baker, 
 rendered most gallant and arduous services in 
 the battles before the City of Mexico. A most 
 honorable record of service attests his valor 
 and patriotic services rendered by him to his 
 countr}^ nearly half a century ago. His noble 
 commander who then set the example to his 
 men on the battle-fields of Mexico, was again 
 to repeat it at Leesburg and Ball's BluflF, to fall 
 at the head of his command in defense of the 
 unity of his country, the honor of its flag, 
 and to find his last resting place in the 
 bed of honor at Laurel Hill at San Francisco in 
 the shadow of the monument which covers 
 the ashes of his dead friend over whom he 
 pronounced his most eloquent eulogy, Califor- 
 nia's Senator, the true representative of the 
 people, David C. Broderick. 
 
 Such associations as Comrade Duncan had 
 with his gallant commander, the immortal 
 Edward Baker, and the service he rendered, 
 entitled his little grand-daughter of right to be 
 one of California's Special Maids of Honor, her 
 father being also the first Vice President of the 
 Sloat Monument Association. 
 
 Eighth and Ninth Special Maids of 
 Honor. 
 
 Were Misses Daisy B. and Ruth Wright of 
 Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California, the 
 lovely and interesting daughters of Comrade 
 Jonathan Wright of that county, a Veteran 
 of the Mexican War, who served under Colonel 
 John C. Fremont throughout his California 
 campaign, and after the war closed settled in 
 that county. His daughter Daisy was born in 
 the old Custom House and under the American 
 flag, flying from the same staff" upon it at Mon- 
 terey where it was first hoisted. His daughter 
 Ruth was also born at IVfonterey, and in the 
 very first brick house built in California. 
 
 Born and reared where our Government first 
 
 took and maintained possession of California, 
 and where their brave and honored father de- 
 fended it, it was but just and appropriate that 
 they should be selected as Special Maids of 
 Honor. 
 
 Tenth Special Maid of Honor, 
 
 Was Miss Anna Ketcham, one of Stockton's 
 beauties, and the daughter of General Thomas 
 E. Ketcham of that city, a Veteran of the 
 Mexican War and an active member of the 
 Sloat Monument Association. He served as a 
 lieutenant in Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson's Reg- 
 iment of New York Volunteers in California, 
 rendering faithful service at Monterey and else- 
 where until mustered out at the close of the 
 war, and settled permanently in his adopted 
 State of California, and where he has made an 
 honorable record, of which he and his children 
 may well be proud, and especially of Miss 
 Anna, the native daughter of an honorable 
 Veteran of the Mexican War. 
 
 Eleventh Special Maid of Honor and 
 Representatiae of Marin County. 
 
 Was the beautiful little Agnes M. Watson, of 
 San Rafael, a pupil of the High School at that 
 place, especially selected by the Board of Super- 
 visors of that count}', as requested. Her father, 
 James Watson, was present at the original 
 raising of the American flag at Monterey by 
 Commodore Sloat. At that time her father was 
 only a child seven years old. In 1862 he en- 
 listed in the "California Hundred" attached 
 to the 2d Massachusetts Cavalry and served 
 until the war ended, having been in fifty-two 
 battles and engagements, and was the onlj' na- 
 tive Californian of American blood in the war. 
 Her grandfather, Edward Watson, came from 
 England to California in 1824. After remain- 
 ing here for some time he established a whip- 
 saw pit in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1836. 
 Then in 1844, he established another saw pit 
 in Monterey, not far from Pacific Grove. The 
 log cabin and mounds of sawdust are still there, 
 and she visited them when in Monterey in July 
 last. Her grandfather died in 1848 in the gold 
 mines at the Dry Diggings. Surely this little 
 patriotic lady was entitled to be made a Special 
 Maid of Honor and the Representative of Marin 
 County. 
 
 Twelfth Special Maid of Honor and 
 Representative of Los Angeles County 
 
 Was Miss Pearle Elaine Gle.\son, one of 
 California's most intelligent, refined and tal- 
 ented young ladies, second to none in beauty 
 and culture in the State. She comes of the 
 best and bravest and most adventurous and 
 daring pioneer blood that flows in the veins of 
 any to be found on these golden shores, and 
 the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles county 
 did themselves honor and the county itself by 
 electing her as its representative as did also 
 California, in selecting this young lady from 
 the City of Angels as one of her Special Maids 
 of Honor. 
 
 She was born in Santa Barbara county on 
 Washington's Birthday of the Centennial year, 
 February 22nd, 1876. Her great-grandfather 
 
44 
 
 came to Monterey in 1824, where he lived until 
 his death many years ago. He was buried in 
 the beautiful old cemetery at Monterey. One 
 of her grandfathers lauded in Monterey in 
 1841, which place wag also his home until his 
 death in 1861, and he also sleeps in the same 
 hallowed ground. Her great uncle, Capt. John 
 Paty, landed at Monterey in 1834, and traded 
 up and down the coast for many years, as also 
 did her great uncle. Captain William Gleason. 
 Her ancestors were mostly sea-faring men, and 
 figured quite prominently in the early history 
 of California. It was the historic old vessel, the 
 Don Quixote, owned and commanded by Capt. 
 John Paty, which carried Governor and General 
 Micheltorena and his troops back to Mexico at 
 a cost to the Mexican Government of $rr,ooo. 
 The same vessel was again chartered to carry 
 two ambassadors to Mexico at a cost of I3, 000. 
 
 Miss Gleason is also a grand niece of Harvey 
 PORTERFIELD, one of the three survivors of the 
 Bear Flag Party, which raised the Bear Flag at 
 Sonoma on that memorable 14th day of June, 
 1846. Her mother is a descendant of the Dun- 
 can, of Duncan's Mills, who built the first saw 
 mill in California. So the pioneer blood is 
 strong in her veins. 
 
 Miss Gleason at present is an attach^ of the 
 Los Angeles Public Library, and is well known 
 as a vocalist and elocutionist, and somewhat a 
 protege of Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, who 
 is one of her warmest friends. 
 
 Thirteenth Speciai< Maid of Honor and 
 Representative of San Luis Obispo 
 County 
 Was Miss Dicie May Graves, selected by the 
 Board of Supervisors of that county to be its 
 representative at the celebration at Monterey, 
 and chosen by California as a Special Maid of 
 Honor. In her the streams of the blood of the 
 American and Spanish races are united, and 
 that which once flowed in hot currents of fierce 
 antagonism has found a tranquil and placid 
 reservoir from which new rivers of life will flow 
 on for all time in our Golden State. The olive 
 tint of the mingled Castillian and Mexican 
 blood is crimsoned with that of the sturdy 
 Anglo-Saxon, and produced a marvelous type 
 of beauty peculiar only to California and 
 stamped indelibly a new character among the 
 people of the Pacific Coast. She is the daugh- 
 ter of Mr. Frnest Graves, of San Luis Obispo, 
 and on one side a granddaughter of Comrade 
 WiLiyiAM J. Graves, a veteran of the Mexican 
 War, and on the other the great-granddaughter 
 of Jesus Jose Pico, of Fremont fame, whose 
 life was forfeited by a violation of his parole, 
 but saved by the pleadings of his distracted 
 family and the magnanimity of Fremont's 
 clemency and humanity. 
 
 Miss Graves completed the list of the thirteen 
 Special Maids of Honor to California among 
 whom five counties of the State were repre- 
 sented. 
 
 OTHER COUNTIES REPRESENTED. 
 
 Butte County 
 
 Was represented by MisS BESSIE Ooi,i,ins, a 
 sprightly and handsome young lady of Chico, 
 
 who was the choice of a contest of votes of an 
 election held under the auspices of the publish- 
 ers of the Chronicle -Record newspaper pub- 
 lished in that town. We have no information 
 whatever further than that, after her election, 
 she received the individual endorsement of 
 three of the Supervisors of that county. 
 
 The request was m^de on April 22nd, 1896, 
 by the Committee of Arrangements of Asso- 
 ciated Veterans of the Mexican War and of 
 the Sloat Monument Association to each Board 
 of Supervisors of every county throughout the 
 State, asking them to provide a stone and also 
 the following : " We also desire that your 
 county may be represented at the celebration 
 by some young lady to be chosen, to bear a 
 small silk banner, either red, white, or blue, 
 with the name of your county upon it. (Only 
 American National Colors to be used). A 
 daughter or granddaughter of a Veteran of the 
 ATexican War or of a Pioneer, and a native 
 daughter of California to be preferred. 
 
 The object in thus fixing these qualifications 
 was first to give the preference to those whose 
 fathers had bequeathed to them for that and 
 similar occasions their natural inherent rights; 
 and second, to gather the personal histories of 
 the Veterans of the Mexican War and of the 
 Pioneers distributed through the several counties 
 of the State, that would be thus represented. 
 
 The so called commissioner of the local com- 
 mittee of citizens at Monterey muddled matters 
 by his intermeddling with the plans laid out 
 and presented to the Boards of Supervisors 
 nearly a month before, and at his suggestion, a 
 voting contest was held, without any direct 
 authority from the Board of Supervisors of that 
 county, and no regard paid to the qualifications 
 as requested, though the young lady thus elect- 
 ed received the endorsement afterwards of three 
 of the Supervisors of Butte county. The young 
 lady herself was entirely innocent and ignorant 
 of this matter. The publishers of the Chico 
 Chro?iicle - Record had not been previously 
 informed, and no blame is to be attached to 
 them, and they are to be commended for their 
 public patriotic spirit and enterprise; though a 
 feeling of dissatisfaction was manifested at the 
 county-seat at Oroville where steps had already 
 been taken for the same object, and previously 
 encouraged by the Supervisor at that place and 
 under that encouragement. Argonaut Parlor of 
 Native Sons of the Golden West had already as 
 a committee undertaken to provide the Butte 
 county stone and to furnish the young lady as 
 a representative. 
 
 We have no knowledge of the young lady 
 that was selected and represented Butte county 
 at Monterey, whether she is a daughter of a 
 Veteran of the Mexican War or of a Pioneer, or 
 even a Native Daughter. A stone, we indirect- 
 ly learn, has been sent to Monterey with the 
 freight unpaid, and sent to the intermeddler at 
 that place. What kind of a stone, its dinien- 
 sions, or how inscribed, we are ignorant of, as 
 we have had no official communication in re- 
 gard to it, and the Receiver of the Sloat Monu- 
 ment Association at Monterey under such con- 
 ditions is instructed not to accept it. 
 
 These explanations are necessary at this time. 
 
45 
 
 Contra Costa County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Ci.ara K. Wittrn- 
 MYER a very worthy and sterling young lady, 
 good looking and of rare culture and refine- 
 ment, and at present engaged as a teacher in 
 Mills College. She was unanimously chosen 
 by the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa 
 county and in full accordance with the qualifi- 
 cations mentioned in our request made. Her 
 father, the Hon. Lewis C. Wittenmyer, a Cal- 
 ifornia Pioneer of August, 1849, whom we 
 met at Johnson's ranch at that time, near Bear 
 River Crossing when on his way to the mines. 
 Her grandfather was a Veteran of the Mexican 
 War, and was Captain John Wittenmyer, com- 
 manding Company F of Colonel Toll's Regi- 
 ment of Michigan Volunteers which returned 
 home from Mexico in August, 1848, at the close 
 of the war, after having rendered gallant and 
 arduous service. 
 
 Miss Clara K. Wittenmyer herself has won 
 honors not only in scholastic attainments but 
 has held the high position of Grand President 
 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, 
 and is now Grand Chaplain of the Grand Par- 
 lor of that Society, as well as being Honorary 
 Member of the Sloat Monument Association, of 
 which her honored father is an A.ctive Member. 
 
 The choice of Contra Costa county was de- 
 servedly bestowed, and she reflected great 
 credit upon the judgment of the Board of Super- 
 visors which appointed her. 
 
 Colusa County 
 
 Was represented by MisS Rae G:^EEN, the 
 lovely daughter of the Hon. WilIvIAM S. 
 Green, U. S. Surveyor-General of California, 
 the proprietor and publisher of the Colusa Sun. 
 Again was our request heeded by the Board of 
 Supervisors of Colusa county in their unani- 
 mous selection of Miss Green. Her father be- 
 ing an early California Pioneer, a veteran jour- 
 nalist and the compeer of Judge Robert Semple, 
 Judge Ide, and the personal acquaintance and 
 friend of Commodore John Drake Sloat, 
 whom he entertained as his guest under his 
 hospitable root in 1852, and from whom he re- 
 ceived the detailed account of the incidents 
 which transpired at the taking possession of 
 California and the Raising^ of the American 
 flag at Monterey, and of the interview held by 
 Commodore Sloat with the British Admiral 
 Seymour of the line-of-battle-ship CoUingwood 
 of 80 guns, an account of which has already 
 been given. 
 
 A beautiful daughter with the strongest filial 
 affection to her proud and happy father and 
 joyous, accomplished mother, who continues to 
 edit and publish the Sun, while her husband 
 attends to the surveys of the government do- 
 main within the boundaries of the State of Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 I/Ake County 
 
 Was represented by a charming young lady, 
 whom we met at Monterey, but not having her 
 name, who she was, or by whom selected, it is 
 impossible to give the information desired. 
 
 Monterey County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Grace E. Burr, a 
 lovely girl selected by the Board of Supervis- 
 ors of Monterey county, and her picture adorns 
 these pages. But further information it is im- 
 possible to give our readers, having leceived no 
 official notice of her appointment, and not hav- 
 ing learned whether she possessed the desired 
 qualifications of being the daughter or grand- 
 daughter of a Veteran of the Mexican War or 
 of a California Pioneer or not. 
 
 Placer County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Clara Wortell, a 
 fine specimen and handsome nugget from the 
 " Old Dry Diggings." With the individual 
 consent of the Supervisors of Placer county, 
 that Board not having met, the young gentle- 
 men composing Auburn Parlor of Native Sons, 
 with a highly commendable patriotic spirit took 
 the matter in hand and in compliance with the 
 requirements of the proper qualifications and 
 of the first choice, selected Miss Clara Wortell, 
 of the town of Lincoln, in that county, a cjaugh- 
 ter of Comrade William Wortell, a Veteran 
 of the Mexican War, and who landed in Mon- 
 terey in 1848. We had the pleasure of meeting 
 the very agreeable young lady at the Celebra- 
 tion at Monterey and extending a hearty wel- 
 come to her, which was most graciously re- 
 ceived. 
 
 Placer means also "pleasure" as well as lodge- 
 ment of gold in earth, and we hope that she 
 may have plenty of both, and not be bound at 
 the rate of sixteen to one, but find ample pro- 
 tection when she gives her hand and heart to 
 one of Auburn Parlor's Native Sons. 
 
 Sacramento County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Cora Hammer, a 
 Capital young lady in more ways than one. 
 She is the handsome daughter of Mr. M. S. 
 Hammer, a prominent druggist of the capital 
 city of California, who came to California from 
 the State of Ohio in 1856 or 1857 when a very 
 young man. We have no official knowledge 
 or otherwise of this selection having been made 
 by the Board of Supervisors. All we know is 
 that she represented Sacramento county, and 
 we were well acquainted with her deceased 
 uncle, the late L. K. Hammer, Esq., a Califor- 
 nia Pioneer of 1849, who crossed the plains that 
 year, and was a prominent merchant in Sacra- 
 mento for many years; and all of his own chil- 
 dren had joined him in that better land; she, 
 as his niece, also, was most gladly welcomed 
 and received as the representative of Sacramento 
 county, of which the writer was a pioneer in 
 June, 1849, and forty years ago the official 
 county surveyor of that county. We wish that 
 Sacramento county would now send a stone for 
 the base of the monument, having already sent 
 a hammer. 
 
 San Joaquin County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Ellen Patton, one 
 of Stockton's beauties, and selected by the 
 Board of Supervisors of that county, and we 
 believe a daughter of a Veteran of the Mexican 
 
46 
 
 War as also of a Pioneer, As Commodore 
 Stockton, for whom the city of Stockton was 
 named, succeeded Commodore Sloat in com- 
 mand at Monterey in July, 1846, and finally 
 conquered California with his bluejackets and 
 the aid of General Kearney and Colonel Fre- 
 mont, his picture adorns these pages as well as 
 hers, and she will find herself in good com- 
 pany. 
 
 Santa Clara County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Daisy M. Cross, a 
 beautiful flower of the Garden City, but whose 
 name was left off when her photograph was sent, 
 and she was hard to find. So, after a long search, 
 we discovered the Cross and found a daisy. 
 The Supervisors of that county delegated the 
 selection of the representative of that county 
 to a committee of Veterans cf the Mexican 
 War, of which the President, Comrade Samuei, 
 W. Boring was the Chairman. Somebody will 
 yet be singing in San Jose, " I my Cross have 
 taken, all to leave and follow thee." Her pic- 
 ture will be found with the rest of the bouquet 
 in this book. 
 
 Santa Cruz County 
 
 Was represented by MisS Annie Struve, of 
 Watsonville, a lovely young lady selected by 
 the Board of Supervisors of that county of the 
 Holy Cross. No information is given concern- 
 ing her, but having been selected by competent 
 authority and their choice backed up by the 
 furnishing of a fine granite stone for the monu- 
 ment already delivered and official notice sent 
 to us by the County Clerk, we have no ques- 
 tions to ask, but would like to learn hereafter. 
 
 San Mateo County, 
 
 We are told, was represented by a Miss Julia 
 Beeger, but by whom appointed or who she 
 was, we are left utterly in doubt. 
 
 Solano County 
 
 Was represented by Miss Marie English, the 
 beautiful daughter of the Hon. Joseph R. 
 English, a banker of Vallejo, and she was 
 elected by the Board of Supervisors of Solano 
 county, which also furnished the most beauti- 
 ful stone of all for the base of the monument; 
 it being of the handsomest onyx and quarried 
 in that county. What an exquisitely fine statue 
 and pedestal the both would make, with the 
 fine white satin banner with the blazing sun 
 upon it in her hand bearing the insignia of her 
 county. Solano or Solatia meaning a sunshiny 
 place, as well as a hot wind. The great inter- 
 est taken by her father in the success of the 
 Celebration, and in the monument to the mem- 
 ory of Commodore Sloat, and she being so 
 highly and worthily esteemed by the officers 
 of the Navy and their families at Mare Island 
 Navy Yard, was a full warrant for the Board of 
 Supervisors of Solano county in selecting her 
 as its representative as they did. 
 
 Yuba County 
 
 Was represented by Miss NELLIE O'Brien, of 
 Marysville, she having been elected at a voting 
 contest held under the auspices of the Alarys- 
 ville Daily Democrat. We have no official or 
 
 other information that this was ordered, recom- 
 mended or approved by the Board of Supervis- 
 ors of Yuba county, or that the young lady pos- 
 sessed the qualifications of being " the daugh- 
 ter or granddaughter of a Veteran of the Mexi- 
 can War or of a Pioneer, or being a Native 
 Daughter of California." She is a beautiful 
 and lovely girl and a perfect little lady, and as 
 there was no one else to dispute the claim to 
 be the representative of Yuba county, she was 
 duly welcomed and received, but it might have 
 been otherwise. We have yet to learn whether 
 any action has been taken in any way to pro- 
 vide a stone that Yuba county should be rep- 
 resented in the monument. 
 
 This election contest business was not in ac- 
 cord with the plans of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangements of the Veterans of the Mexican 
 War and of the Sloat Monument Association, 
 and uuwarrantedly interfered with our objects 
 and purposes as already mentioned in regard 
 to similar intrusion into our aff'airs in the Chico 
 election contest. Yuba county has not yet 
 taken steps to provide a stone, even though in 
 this irregular manner a representative young 
 lady was chosen and sent. 
 
 In this manner it shows that but little regard 
 was had for the Veterans of the Mexican War 
 or heed paid to their requests. 
 
 The rest of the counties of the State were 
 represented en masse by the other young ladies, 
 visitors and residents of Monterey county 
 whose names were not given, but formed a 
 great bouquet of the whole. 
 
 The Towns of Monterey and Pacific 
 Grove. 
 
 Were represented by Miss Florence Schau- 
 FELE, one of the belles of Monterey and Miss 
 Viola Rodgers, a charming young lady, the 
 nymph of Pacific Grove, who presented the 
 key of the gate of the two towns to California. 
 
 The Goddess of Liberty 
 
 Was represented by MiSS Edna Ingram, the 
 lovely daughter of the Hon. Edward Ingram, of 
 Monterey, who held fast to her shield, stood by 
 her cannon, making a living statuesque figure 
 and representation of an allegorical tableau. 
 
 The following letter from Major-General 
 Nelson A. Miles, Commanding General of the 
 U. S. Army, got misplaced and is inserted here: 
 
 Headquarters of the Army, 
 Washington, D. C, May, 4, 1896. 
 Mr. Edwin A. Sherman, 1212 Webster street, 
 Oakland, California. 
 My Dear Sir:— Please accept my sincere 
 thanks for your very kind invitation to attend 
 the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of 
 the taking possession of California and raising 
 the American flag at Monterey; and be assured 
 of my great regret that a prior engagement 
 will deprive me of the pleasure of being present 
 on that occasion. 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 Nelson a. Miles, 
 Major-General U. S. A. 
 
»>e~%:H--^^^ 
 
 
 MISS MARIE LEAH ENGLISH, 
 Of Vallejo, Cal. 
 Representative of Solano County, Cal. 
 Daughter of Hon. Joseph R. English. Active Member 
 of the Sloat Monument A^s ciation of California. 
 
 MISS PEARL EL-VINB.GLEASON 
 
 Of Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Representative of I<os Angeles County, Cal. 
 
 Daughter and granddaughter and great-grand- 
 daughter and granduiece of the earliest and most 
 noted American Pioneers of California from 1824 down. 
 
 MISS DAISY M. CROSS, 
 
 Of San Jose, Cal. 
 
 Representative of Santa Clara Couu'y, Cal. 
 
 MIvSS GRACE E. BURR, 
 
 Of MONTERhv, Cal. 
 
 Representative of Monteiey County, Cal. 
 
/ 
 
 / >»- a' 
 
 MISS RAE GREEN, 
 Of Colusa, Cal. 
 
 Representative of Colusa County. Cal. 
 
 Daughter of Hon. W. S. Green, U. S. Surveyor-Gen- 
 eral o? California, Publisher of the Colusa Sun and a 
 California Pioneer. 
 
 MISS ELLEN PATTON, 
 
 Of Stockton, 
 
 Representative of San Joaquin County, Cal. 
 
 V^ 
 
 MISS BESSIE COLLINS, 
 
 Of Marysville, Cal. 
 
 Representative of Yuba County, Cal. 
 
 MISS EDNA INGRAM, 
 Of Monterey, Cal. 
 
 Goddess of Liberty. 
 
 Daughter of Hon. Edward Ingram, .Mayor of Mon- 
 terey. 
 
Resolution of CbatiKs 
 
 TO OUR 
 
 Comrade major €(lwin K Sberman, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements of the Associated Ueterans of the mexican mar for 
 
 the Celebration of the fiftieth Hnniuersary of the Raising of the American Tlag at 
 
 monterey, and the Caking Possession of California, by Commodore 
 
 John Sloat of the U. $. navy 3uly 7th, iS46. 
 
 field at monterey, California, 3uly 7th, 
 
 l$9(». 
 
 At the regular meeting of the Associated 
 Veterans of the Mexican War held on Thurs- 
 day evening, July 9th, 1S96, at their Hall, No. 
 22 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, California, 
 among other business transacted the following 
 action was taken: 
 
 It was moved by Comrade J. C. Taylor, that 
 a committee to be composed of past Presi- 
 dents Comrades William L. Duncan, A. An- 
 drews, Joseph Stewart, and past and present 
 President, Sidney J. Loop, be appointed to 
 draft and present to Comrade Rdwin A. Sher- 
 man, resolutions of thanks expressing the 
 appreciation and gratitude of this Association of 
 Veterans of the Mexican War, for his valuable 
 services rendered as Chairman of the Committee 
 of Arrangements for the celebration of the Fif- 
 tieth Anniversary of the raising of the Ameri- 
 can flag at Monterej', and the taking possession 
 of California by Commodore John D. Sloat, 
 on July 7, 1846, which celebration was held at 
 that place on July 7, 1896. 
 
 The motion being duly seconded, was unani- 
 mously adopted. 
 
 Signed, Sidney J. Loop, President. 
 
 Attest: Wm. L. Duncan, Secretary. 
 
 Hall of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War, 
 
 Thursday, September 20, 1896. 
 To the President, Officers and Members of the 
 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican War. 
 
 Comrades: — Your committee to whom was as- 
 signed the pleasing duty of drafting resolutions 
 of thanks to our Comrade, Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman, chairman of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangements for the celebration held at Mon- 
 terey, on July 7, last, have performed the duty 
 required of us, and in accordance with his 
 wishes, have caused the same to be printed in 
 the book containing the account of the celebra- 
 tions published therein, instead of having them 
 engrossed and framed, as we had it in contem- 
 plation so to do. 
 
 We therefore submit the following accom- 
 panying resolutions as our report: 
 
 Whereas: It is eminently just and proper that 
 faithful services in the performance of duty 
 should be duly recognized at all times and in the 
 general business affairs of life where compensa- 
 tion is made for such services rendered; yet when 
 there is no other reward to be looked or hoped 
 for than the approval of one's own couscieuce, 
 
 at the end of a long and patient service of ten 
 3'ears in the arrangement of plans for a success- 
 ful demonstration by the people in the marking 
 of an epoch in the history of the American Re- 
 public, unparalleled in the annals of the world, 
 and such long services having been rendered 
 gratuitously at a great sacrifice of so much time 
 and money for which latter compensation and 
 reimbursement has been refused to be accepted 
 in return by a comrade of the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, who, prompted solely 
 by a spirit of the purest patriotism, has devoted 
 himself to a most noble object, that of com- 
 memorating the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of 
 American Occupation of California, and to in- 
 dellibly mark the same, by laying the founda- 
 tion-stone of the base of a monument, which, 
 when erected, shall, for all time, be the witness of 
 a grateful, loyal, and liberty-loving people, to 
 the memory of the faithful and patriotic officer 
 and citizen who first planted the Stars and 
 Stripes on these then far-off shores. Commo- 
 dore John Drake Sloat of the U. S. Navy, 
 who added an empire to our national domain, 
 such self-denial aud self-sacrificing devotion, is 
 not only worthy of all praise, but deserves the 
 expressed gratitude especially of all his com- 
 rades of the Veterans of the Mexican War, and 
 the general thanks of the people of the State of 
 California. Aud, 
 
 Whereas: That we may the better recall to 
 our memories some of the services he has ren- 
 dered and that the people of the State of Cali- 
 fornia may be made duly aware of the same, 
 that public gratitude may also be extended to 
 him which he so eminently deserves, we cite the 
 following facts: 
 
 Under the auspices of the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, as Chairman of the 
 Committee of Arrangements, he inaugurated 
 and successfully carried out the celebration of 
 the Fortieth Anniversary of the Raising of the 
 American flag at Monterey and Occupation of 
 California by Commodore John D. SloaT, of 
 the U. S. Navy, which with the co-operation of 
 the U. S. Government and the California pion- 
 eers which he secured aud made that event 
 memorable in the annals of the State of Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 He inaugurated and organized the Sloat 
 Monument Association of California, and has 
 served as its secretary without fee or reward for 
 a period of over ten years. 
 
 He successfully defended and maintained the 
 
reputation and fair fame of Commodore John 
 Drake SloaT against lying traducers who 
 assailed the character of the deceased, who 
 could not speak for himself, and thus after 
 long months of secret and open opposition he 
 enabled our Senator, the Hon. George C. Per- 
 kins, to successfully carry through the bill in 
 the U. S. Senate making an appropriation of ten 
 thousand dollars for the erection of the Sloat 
 Monument at Monterey. 
 
 He, by his personal influence and laborious 
 correspondence, totally unaided, succeeded in 
 arousing the spirit of American patriotism 
 throughout the State, to the extent of having 
 the Boards of Supervisors of the several counties 
 to provide stones for the base of the monument 
 and to send their representative young ladies to 
 be present at the laying of the corner-stone. 
 
 He made a journey to the city of Washing- 
 ton at his own expense to secure the co-operation 
 of the Secretary of War and Secretary of the 
 Navy in the celebration of the Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary of the Raising of the American flag 
 and taking possession of California by Commo- 
 dore John D. S1.0AT of the U. S. Navy, which 
 mission was crowned with success. 
 
 Through his personal influence and efforts 
 our treasury was aided, that its Relief Fund re- 
 remained untouched and the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War were enabled to pro- 
 ceed to Monterey and return from the late cele- 
 bration at that place without drawing from the 
 funds appropriated for the relief of our dis- 
 tressed comrades. 
 
 As Chairman of the Committte of Arrange- 
 mentsof the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War, for the celebration of the Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary of the Raising of the American flag at 
 Monterey, he gave his time and means' for a 
 period of nearly a year and a half, and under 
 the most trying and perplexing difficulties, and 
 without any appropriations of moneys placed 
 at his disposal whatever, he made with the as- 
 sistance of the Army and Navy a success 
 worthy of the Nation, of the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, of the Pioneers of 
 California and of the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion in the grand historic event commemorated. 
 
 In the bringing together of historic char- 
 acters; the man who actually raised the Ameri- 
 can flag at Monterey half a century before to 
 raise it again; and the few survivors who landed 
 with the forces under Commodore Sloat; those 
 who served under Commodore Stockton and 
 Colonel Fremont; the few survivors of the U. 
 S. Army and of Stevenson's Regiment who 
 served in California fifty years ago; and the 
 
 battle-scarred veterans who served with our- 
 selves under Generals Taylor, Scott and others, 
 in the Mexican War. In the steps taken by 
 him for the celebration of the Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary of the Raising of the American flag at 
 San Francisco, July 9th, 1896, by Captain 
 Montgomery, of the U. S. Sloop of War Ports- 
 mouth, as also the previous celebration at So- 
 noma, of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Rais- 
 ing of the Bear Flag at that place on June 14, 
 last, all of which deserves the highest commen- 
 dation, gratitude and praise. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved — That we tender our Comrade 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman our sincere and 
 heartfelt thanks for his long, patient, laborious 
 and patriotic services given in behalf of the As- 
 sociated Veterans of the Mexican War, 
 extending over a long period of years; and that 
 while he enjoys our highest esteem and regard, 
 our confidence in his integrity and ability, he 
 is justly entitled to the credit of having inau- 
 gurated and brought to a successful termina- 
 tion the celel)rations already mentioned, and is 
 deserving the gratitude of the people of the State 
 of California, for his patriotic devotion to her 
 fair fame and the Nation's honor in the events 
 which under his direction have been so auspici- 
 ously commemorated. 
 
 Resolved — That we earnestly trust and fer- 
 vently hope, that his days may be lengthened, 
 and that he maj' live to finish and enjoy the 
 fruits of his labors in the completion of the 
 monument and the erection of the statue of 
 Commodore John Drake Sloat so well be- 
 gun, and the foundation-stone laid, on the U. 
 S. Military Reservation at Monterey, and that 
 to this end he is deserving of the hearty support 
 and co-operation of all the patriotic citizens, 
 and it is to be hoped that all of the Counties 
 of the State of California will be fully repre- 
 sented by their stones to be placed in the base 
 of the monument at Monterey. 
 
 Resolved — That these Resolutions be spread 
 upon the minutes of our Association, a copy 
 presented to our Comrade Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman, Chairman of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangements, and a copy of the same printed in 
 the account to be published of our late celebra- 
 tions. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 J. C. Taylor. 
 
 William L. Duncan, Past President. 
 A. Andrews, Past President. 
 Joseph Stewart, Past President. 
 Sidney J. Loop, Past Pres. and Pres. 
 
 Attest: Wm. L. Duncan, Secretary. 
 
Officers ana members 
 
 OK THK 
 
 J1$$ocidt(d Ueurans of tbe IHcxican mar. 
 
 Officers. 
 
 President Sidney J. Loop, ist Artillery, Co. G 
 
 Vice-President Charles Lange, 3rd Artillerj', Co. K 
 
 " Joseph Stewart, Coniniauding, 3rd Artillery, U. S. A. 
 
 Secretary Wm. L. Duncan, Lieutenant Commanding, 4tli Illinois, Co. B 
 
 Treasurer Ai^Exander McDonai^d, Sergeant, ist Pennsylvania, Co. B 
 
 Marshal John IMurphv, Ordnance Sergeant, 4th Artillery, Co. M 
 
 Trustee James C. Layton, lotli Infantry, Co. K 
 
 " H. W. KuRLB.\UM, 3rd Louisiana Volunteers 
 
 " J. C. Broderick, Sergeant, and Artillery, Co. E 
 
 " Mathew White, Voltigeurs, Co. A 
 
 " W. C. Burnett, Lieutenant, 15th Infantry, U. S. A 
 
 members. 
 
 Andrews, A....Capt. 2d Ohio Volunteers, Co. A. 
 
 Adams, J. H ist New York Vols., Co. A. 
 
 Adams, Fred'k...2d Indiana and 2d Texas Vols. 
 Apgar, Jacob M ist Ohio Vols., Co. C. 
 
 Aikeu, Robert Sergt. ist Missouri Vols. 
 
 Allen, John P "Congress," U. S. N. 
 
 Armstrong, James Sergt. ist Maryland Vols. 
 
 Atwill, Albert B..Sergt. 6th Illinois Vols., Co. G. 
 Atkinson, Monroe Capt. 2d Louisiana Vols. 
 
 "Bush, Peter. ..Sergt. 5th Louisiana Vols., Co. H. 
 
 Bush, D. B ist Illinois Vols., Co. A. 
 
 Bannister, J "Ohio" U. S. N. 
 
 Beckhart, J. F 2d Mississippi Vols., Co. A. 
 
 Bingham, George 2d Pennsylvania Vols. 
 
 Baker, Isaac M..Marine Corps, "Dale," U. S. N. 
 Brown, F. H ist Infantry, Co. H. 
 
 Brown, George,"Cumberland" "Raritan,"U S. N. 
 
 Bonian, Chas. H Co. H, Col. Daten's Regt. 
 
 Baldridge, \Vm...ist Lieut. Fremont's Battalion. 
 Brannagan, Arthur.. Howitzer Rocket Co., U.S. A. 
 Baxter, Wm. Owen., ist New York Vols., Co, E 
 
 Bartell, Engelhard 2d Illinois, Co. D. 
 
 Benjamin, Fordyce J ist New York, Co. H. 
 
 Bladin, Andrew 5th Regiment Vols. 
 
 Beddome, Wm ist Iowa Mormon Battalion. 
 
 Barnes, Lorenzo A 2d Illinois Co. I. 
 
 Baily, Oliver H. P. ist Indiana Vols. 
 
 Benjamin, Wm. K Corpl. ist Indiana Vols. 
 
 Blackburn, Abner Mormon Battalion, Co. C. 
 
 Beckstead, Wm. E... .Mormon Battalion. Co. C. 
 
 Bodle, Gabriel "Ohio," U. S. N. 
 
 Baughn, W. P 2d Mississippi Vols. 
 
 Beaty, Addison 4th Kentucky, Co. H. 
 
 Bollen, Robt. W.. .Corpl. 3d Mo. Cavalry, Co. V. 
 
 Bladin, Andrew 5th Tennessee Vols. 
 
 Barber, Jonathan W... Powell's Co. B. Mounted 
 
 Vols. 
 Bromley, John L... Orderly Sergt. 14th Infantry, 
 
 Co. G. 
 Benson, James Cobb..Corpl. ist Kentucky Vols. 
 
 Buchannan, James, "Levant," "Ohio," "St. 
 
 Mary's," U. S. N. 
 
 Brown, Charles "Ohio," U. S. N. 
 
 Cooper, John A "Potomac," U. S. N. 
 
 Cooper, W. F Lieut. i6th Infantry, Co. F. 
 
 Cranz, Theodore 4th Infantry, Co. E. 
 
 Corcoran, M ist Artillery, Co. M. 
 
 Cassion, Peter 9th Infantry', Co. E. 
 
 Curtis, Joseph R Sergt. ist Louisiana Vols., 
 
 Co. B. 
 
 Cooper, Archibald Ensign ist Kentucky 
 
 Cavalry, Louisville Legion. 
 
 Coulter, George W Missouri Vols., Indepen- 
 dent Co., Sergeant 
 
 Cummings, George "Saratoga," U. S. N. 
 
 Cook, Wm. N Sergt. Missouri Vols., Co. I. 
 
 Collier, Irby B 3d Regiment, Co. K. 
 
 Clark, Perry 3d Missouri Calvary, Co. H. 
 
 Culbertson, Alfred S 5th Texas Calvary. 
 
 Cole, George Washiugton..Hays'Texas Rangers. 
 
 Crough, John Samuel Baltimore Battalion. 
 
 Chew, Robert Bensly Arkansaw Cavalry. 
 
 Crawford, James T Arkansaw Vols. 
 
 Council, John 2d Maine Battalion 
 
 Doud, I'rancis Sergt. 2d Infantry, Co. A. 
 
 DeLaney, Edward 8th Infantry, Co. D. 
 
 Dickenson, Wm. LeGrande California Vols. 
 
 Dreydemi, Pierre ist Lieut. Allen's Co. of 
 
 Recruits. 
 
 Drescher, Philips Emmet..3d Missouri Cavalry. 
 
 Dodge, Wm. Henry 2d Missouri Vols. 
 
 Drury, Wm 2d Dragoons. 
 
 Dustin, Thomas "Columbus," U. S. N. 
 
 Dreysse, Ernest C. COrdinance Dept., U. S. A. 
 
 Davis, Thomas V 9th Infantry, U. S. A. 
 
 Dickenson, James Johnson California Vols. , 
 
 Webber's Co. 
 Douthitt, David W 2d Missouri Cavalry, 
 
 Co. F. 
 Dewell, Benjamin... Fremont's Battalion. 
 
50 
 
 Ellis, Levi ist Artillery, B. Co. 
 
 Feix, J. F ist Pennsylvania Vols., Co. E. 
 
 PVJsbie, JL B Capt. ist New York, Co. H. 
 
 Folsom, Myrick "Princeton" and "Water 
 
 Witch," U. S. N. 
 Franklin, Wm. H ist Pennsylvania Co. H. 
 
 Fisk, Leauder Sergt. ist Michigan Vols. Co. 
 
 Fauntleroy, Wm. H U. S. Navy. 
 
 Fitzhugh, Henrv 2d Missouri Co. A. 
 
 Fellger, John C' ist Artillery, Co. L. 
 
 Freeman, Richard F 6th Louisiana Co. I. 
 
 Ford, Francis Speed 12th Infantry, B Co. 
 
 Fanning, Daniel Missouri Vols., Co. A. 
 
 Galehouse, Fred'k Cor. 7th Infantry, Co. G. 
 
 Gottschalk, J. F. A Louisiana Vols., Co. H. 
 
 Gregory, H. T ist Artillery, Co. F. 
 
 Grady, James 4th Indiana, Co. B. 
 
 Gaemlich, Charles E ist Dragoons, Co. B. 
 
 Glass John N ist Tennessee Cavalry, Co. E. 
 
 Guthrie, Alfred ist New York, Co. H. 
 
 Griffith, Calvin C Fremont's Battalion. 
 
 Gillan, James Sturgis Sergt. nth Infantry, 
 
 Co. B. 
 
 Garden, James 3d Ohio Vols., Co. H. 
 
 George, Samuel G ist Ohio Vols. 
 
 Gregson, James California Battalion, Ford's 
 
 Co. 
 Griffin, John Strother Assistant Surgeon, 
 
 U. S. A. 
 Glenroy, John G.. ."Congress," U. S. N. Marine. 
 
 Hardy, George "St. Marys," U. S. N, 
 
 Hall, H. R Illinois Vols., Co. F. 
 
 Howell, David 3d Infantry, Co. H. 
 
 Harrigan, Dennis Siege Train Ordnance. 
 
 Hooper, John ist Illinois Vols. 
 
 Hooper George F.. .Lieut. 15th Infantry, Co. A. 
 
 Hill, Humphrey 3d Dragoons, Co. B. 
 
 Hickmott, John ist Iowa Vols. 
 
 Hall, James H 5th Illinois, Co. A, 
 
 Hampton, James W 3d Infantry, Co. E. 
 
 Haser, Willis M 5th Infantry, Co. H. 
 
 Howard, Robert T Powell's Battalion, Mis- 
 souri Vols. 
 
 Houghton, S. O Adj. ist New York Vols. 
 
 Halshauser, Fred'k 4th Infantry, Co. A. 
 
 Hays, James 2d Pennsylvania Vols. 
 
 Johnson, Edward "Erie," U. S. N. 
 
 Jackson, J. M.... Quartermaster "Dale," U.S. N. 
 
 Johnson, Almon T 15th Infantry. 
 
 Jones, James T 4th Tennessee Vols., Co. C 
 
 Johnson, Fred'k M "Erie," U.S. N. 
 
 Jones, Wm. D Ohio Cavalry Independent. 
 
 Kane, James Lieut. 2d Pennsylvania, Co. I. 
 
 Kerry, Oswald Corpl. Texas Rangers, 
 
 Baylor's Co. 
 Kellogg, James Lieut, ist Georgia Vols., 
 
 Co. A. 
 
 King, John L... Engineer "Princeton," U. S. N. 
 
 Kearns, Adam 2d Ohio Vols. 
 
 Kelly, John L ist Dragoons, Co. A. 
 
 Ketcham, Thomas E Lieut, ist New York 
 
 Vols. 
 
 Lawrence, James H... Corpl. 9th Infantrj', Co. H. 
 
 Lake, David Glenn 2d Alabama, Macon 
 
 Guards. 
 
 Lockman, John M "Germantown" U. S.N. 
 
 Laner, Andrew 2d Artillery, Co. K. 
 
 Lynch, James ist New York, Co. F. 
 
 Losey, William Lousiana Vols. Co. C. 
 
 Leatham, Charles Marine Corps, U. S. N. 
 
 Letcher, Fountain F ist Missouri, Co. H. 
 
 Lynch, Patrick Color Sergt. ist New York. 
 
 Martel, James L.. Purser's clerk "Dale," U. S. N. 
 
 Miileg, F. W 3d Dragoons, Co. E. 
 
 McDonald, Kenneth Coxswain "St. Marys," 
 
 U. S. N. 
 Moore, J. B... Sergt. Massachusetts Vols., Co. K. 
 
 Mullin, Charles 6th Infantry, Co. B. 
 
 McKenzie, J. W.. .Sergt. 2d Artillery, Battery A. 
 
 McKenzie, John W Duncan's Battery 
 
 Mearns, George "Cumberland" and "Rari- 
 
 tan," U. S. N. 
 Messic, I. G 2d Texas Cavalry, Wilder's Co. 
 
 McKeeby, Samuel C Brady Guards, Mis- 
 souri Vols. 
 
 Mullins, Wm 2d Artillery, Co. L and H. 
 
 Murphy, Joseph K "Falmouth," U. S. N, 
 
 McKenna, Patrick Brevet Lieut. 2d Infantry. 
 
 Co. C. 
 
 Meyer, Ferdinand ist Indiana. 
 
 Nottingham, Wm. Thomas 7th Infantry, 
 
 Co. G. 
 Nesbitt, Thomas ist New York Co. 
 
 Piper, W. A Light Artillery Missouri Vols. 
 
 Perry, Silas Lieut. J. M. McMall'sCo. Vols. 
 
 Powers, John S... ist Sergt. 14th Infantry, Co. C. 
 
 Purcill, James 5th Indiana, Co. F. 
 
 Parker, Jesse W ist North Carolina, Co. E. 
 
 Rooney, Francis "Falmouth," U. S. N. 
 
 Rose, Wm. L "Ohio," U. S. N. 
 
 Richardson, S. J... Quartermaster "Mississippi," 
 U. S. N. 
 
 Ryan, James Etna, U. S. N. 
 
 Ritchie, George D ist Illinois Vols., Co. C. 
 
 Rose, Alfred W ist Illinois Vols., Co. B. 
 
 Rogers, James J 12th Infantry, Co. C. 
 
 Reynolds, Francis H 3d Indiana, Co. G. 
 
 Redding, Enoch ist Illinois, Co. D. 
 
 Rugh, Washington C Corpl. 2d Illinois. 
 
 Rawles, Wm. Edward Powell's Battalion 
 
 Missouri Vols. 
 
 Robinson, Wm. F Cor. 4th Kentucky, Co. D. 
 
 Rourke. Michael U. S. Marine Corps 
 
 Stillwell, George W ist Sergt. Ben McCul- 
 
 lough's Texas Rangers. 
 
 Sampson, Samuel "Falmouth," U. S. N. 
 
 Schaupp, Fred'k 6th Infantry, Co. A. 
 
 Spratt, James W ist Virginia Vols. 
 
 Strickler, J. W Santa Fe Battalion, Co. D. 
 
 Sherman, Edwin A 8th Infantry, Co. A. 
 
 Schwarts, Henry, Sergt. Marine Corps, U. S. N. 
 
 Sellinger, L "Ohio." U. S. N. 
 
 Straengal, Eberhard, ist Louisiana Vols., Co. C. 
 Steinmetz, Charles ist Artillery, Co. B. 
 
 Short, Wm. Morris, Missouri Cavalry, Wert's Co, 
 
51 
 
 Snyder, John W Corpl. ist Illinois Cavalry. 
 
 Scott, Robert James Light Horse and Ar- 
 tillery. 
 
 Stamberg, Henry A, Corpl. ist Mounted Rifles. 
 
 Sampson, George ist Mounted Rifles, Co. E. 
 
 Slaughter, Fenton M 2d Mounted Vols. 
 
 Stewart, Thomas "Cumberland," U. vS. N. 
 
 Sexton, Daniel 
 
 Smith, Napoleon B Orderly Sergt. Fremont's 
 
 Battalion. 
 
 Sears, Franklin Fremont's Battalion. 
 
 Stillwell, Roberts 3d Dragoons, Co. G. 
 
 Schneider, Karl 3d Missouri Cavalry. 
 
 Smith, Martin T 2d Illinois Vols., Co. C. 
 
 Shirley, Paul 2d Missouri Cavalry. 
 
 Skelley, Wm. P. ...Lieut. 2d Pennsylvania Vols. 
 
 Sirrine, Samuel D ist Sergt. 2d New York, 
 
 Co. K. 
 
 Santa Ana, Juan E "Ohio," U. S. N. 
 
 Sturzenegger, John Fremont's Battalion 
 
 Tunnell, Martin L, ist Illinois Vols., Co. C- 
 
 Tucker, Jeff'erson, Texas Vols., Bell's Regiment. 
 
 Taylor, John D ist Louisiana Vols. 
 
 Tournot, Peter ist Battalion Missouri Vols., 
 
 Co. A. 
 
 Thompson, Henry Baily...ist Mississippi, Co. C. 
 
 Thistletou, George 2d New York Vols. 
 
 Thornton, John F Santa Fe Battalion, Mis- 
 souri Vols. 
 
 Taylor, Samuel S 3d Indiana Vols. 
 
 Tuckerman, Michael ist New York Vols. 
 
 Tilson, Josiah 4th Sergt. 3d Indiana Vols. 
 
 Thurman, Wm. Henry 3d Tennessee Vols., 
 
 Co. E. 
 
 Tidball, Thomas F 3d Ohio Vols., Co. A. 
 
 Thurman, Granville C Knowlton's Co., In- 
 dependent. 
 
 Thorp, James H, Capt. Ross' Co., Texas Cavalry 
 Vols. 
 
 Tonge, Wm. H ist Dragoons, Co. A. 
 
 Toler, Wm. P Midshipman, "Savannah" 
 
 and other ships, U. S. N. (Raised our flag at 
 Monterey in 1846 and 1896, on July 7.) 
 
 Vierra, Tiburcio "Cumberland," U. S. N. 
 
 Walker, J. C ist Alabama Vols., Co. K. 
 
 Williams, Caswell Lieut. Missouri Cavalry, 
 
 Co. B. 
 
 Wallace, Wm. T 2d Kentucky Vols., Co. I. 
 
 Ward, J. Scott 4 th Infantry, Co. H. 
 
 Wright, Washington J, Marine Corps, U. S. N. 
 
 Whaleu, John 2d Artillery, B. Co. 
 
 Williams, George... Fremont's Battalion, Co. C. 
 
 Weidner, Anthony ist New York, Co. K. 
 
 Webber, Henry "Cumberland," U. S. N. 
 
 Ward, Thomas i'Ontario," U.S. N. 
 
 Ward, Alfred 2d Illinois Vols. 
 
 Wilson, John C ist Missouri Cavalry. 
 
 Warner, Wilson 6th Infantry, Co. I, 
 
 West, James G 2d Illinois, Co. H. 
 
 Williams, Thomas Santa Fe Battalion. 
 
 Yeaton, Oliver C Light Artillery Missouri 
 
 Battalion, Co. A 
 Yancy, Joseph T... Corpl. ist Mississippi Rifles, 
 
 Co. I. 
 
 HONORARY MEMBERS. 
 
 Major- Genl. O. O. Howard. 
 
 Genl. Thomas F. Ruger. 
 
 Major-Genl. Nelson A. Miles. 
 
 Genl. R. C. Drum. 
 
 Genl. James W. Forsyth. 
 
 Major Charles M. Woodruff". 
 
 Rev. Wm. H. Piatt, Captain 2d Alabama. 
 
 A. M. Kennedy, 'Editor^ yedelie. 
 
 I.IFE MEMBERS. 
 
 J. B. Frisbie Capt. Co. H, ist New York. 
 
 E. A. Sherman 8th Infantry. 
 
 Wm. L. Duncan, Lieut. Com. B Co., 4th Illinois. 
 
Stevenson's California Expedition. 
 
 18 46. /^r^jrr^Jkirrrr^ry 184-8 . ' 
 
 SOCIETY ORGANIZED %•, 1ST Kl V \|\ HEADQUARTERS 
 
 OCTOBER 241 H, 1883. //' ''^ir^t-^^' "t\ NEW YORK CITY, 
 
 Society of the Survivors 
 
 Tirst Regimem of Hew VorK Uoluntem. 
 
 Col. JONATHAN D. STEVENSON, 
 
 (In service in California during the Mexican War) 
 
 FRANCIS D. CI.AKK, Co. 1), President, JOHN II. WELSH, Co. E, Treasurer. 
 
 i35-'37 Broadway, New York. 271 Greenwich St., New York. 
 
 JOSEPH EVANS, Co. I, Secretary, 
 
 23 and 25 Crittenden St., Newark, N. J. 
 
 — SURVIVORS OF THE REGIMENT. =- 
 
 (Residing ea.st of the Rocky Mountains.) 
 September ist, 1896. 
 New York City. Boston^ Muss. 
 
 DR. ALEX. PERRY (Surgeon). JOHN A. CHANDLER, Co. D. 
 
 GEO. D. BREWERTON (Lieut.), Co. C. Cambridgeport , Mass. 
 
 JOHN A. BARTLETT. Co. E. 
 
 CHARLES J. Mcpherson, co. b. 
 
 FRANCIS D. CLARK, Co. U. 
 
 GEORGE W. LEANARD, Co. E. Washington, D. C. 
 
 JOHN H. WELSH, Co. E. FRANCIS J. LIPPITT (Capt.), Co. F. 
 
 THOMAS JEFFERSON WELLS, Co. G. SQUIRE G. MERRILL, Co. H. 
 
 Brooklyn, N. Y. ' J^^^ «• MERRILL, Co. K. 
 
 WILLI.'iM H. ROGERS, Co. A. Hampton, Va. 
 
 ,.,,,-,, ^ HENRY C. MATSELL (Lieut.), Co. B. 
 
 Litch/ield, Conn. ^^ ^ ^-. , 
 
 JAMES C. L. L. WADSWORTH (Sutler's Clerk). •^'- I-oiiis, Mo. 
 
 .r t A- r DOMINIC MULHOLLAND, Co. D. 
 
 Newark, ^ . J . ^ , 
 
 JACOB W. NORRIS. Co. D. FieUion, HI. 
 
 JOSEPH EVANS, Co. I. F. R. BRIGHAM, Co. B. 
 
 Hackensack, N.J. Monticello, Minn. 
 
 GILBERT E. DEAN, Co. A. JOHN B. PARVIN, Co. A. 
 
 I'ineland, N. /. Davenport , Iowa, 
 
 JACOB J. SCHOONMAKER, Co. A. AARON STOW, Co. K. 
 
 City of Mexico, yi/cr/ro.— JOHN B. FRISBIE (Capt.), Co. H. 
 
 4^ EVERY SURVIVOR OF THE REGIMENT IS AN ENROLLED MEMBER OF THIS SOCIETY, 
 
Colonel of the Hir.st Regiment of New York Volunteers, or expedition of Armed Kmigraiits to California, 
 generally known as Stevenson's Regiment. Sailed from New York September 26th, 1S46, atid arrived in California 
 Maicli 6th, 1.S47. 
 
 He was elected the First Grand Master of Masons of California April 19th, 1S50. He died February 1.1th. 1^14 
 aged 94 years i month and 14 days. 
 
 His history is inseparably connected with that of California and he lived just one-half of his life in California 
 or 47 years.— E. A. S. 
 
MISS KATHLEEN MULLEN, 
 
 SPECIAI, MAID OF HONOR. 
 
 Daughter cf Comrade Charles Mullen, a Veteran of the Mexican War. 
 (See Personnel.) 
 
Roll Of Officers and members 
 
 of the 
 
 Sloat monument Jlssociation of €dlifornia. 
 
 July 7»i), m<>. 
 
 Temporarily formed at Monterey, Cal., July 5th, 1886. Permanently organized at San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 December ist, i886. 
 
 Officers; 
 
 PRESIDENT : 
 Washington Ayer, M. D., (Ex-Vice-Pres. Cal. Pioneer Society, etc., etc.), of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 VICE PRESIDENTS : 
 Capt. William L. Duncan, Past President and Secretary Veteran Mexican War and Pioneer, of 
 
 San Francisco, Cal. 
 Cox,. Joseph Stewart (U. S. A. retired), Past Pres. Vet. Mex. War and Pioneer, of Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 SECRETARY : 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman, Past Vice-Pres. Vet. Mex. War and Pioneer, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 TREASURER : 
 Hon. George C. Perkins, Ex-Governor and U. S. Senator, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 RECEIVER : 
 Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Pioneer, of Monterey, Cal. 
 
 SERGEANT- AT-ARMS : 
 John A, Cooper, Veteran of the Mexican War. 
 
 The first six Officers and the following Gentlemen compose the Executive Committee. 
 
 Hon. William M. Boggs, Vet. Mex. War and Pioneer of Napa, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Jesse D. Carr, Pioneer, Ex-State Senator, of Salinas, Monterey, Co., Cal. 
 
 Hon. Irving M. Scott, President of the Union Iron Works of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Dr. James L. Cogswell, Pioneer, of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Col. Frank Pierce, Nephew of General Franklin Pierce, Ex-President U. S., Atty-at-Law, San 
 
 Francisco, Cal. 
 Rev. a. a. McAlister, U. S. N., Chaplain, Mare Island Navy Yard, Cal, 
 Hon. William Frank Pierce, Merchant, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Jfcilve members: 
 
 Major-Gen. Oliver O. Howard, U. S. Army (retired). 
 
 Major-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Hon. Horace Davis, Ex-Member of U. S. Congress, of San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Capt. Joseph B. Coghlan, of the U. S. Navy. 
 
 Capt. Charles F. Williams, of the U. S. Marine Corps. 
 
 Capt. Theo. F. Kane, of the U. S. Navy, of the Monterey. 
 
 Lieut.-Commander Royal R. Ingersoll, of the U. S. Navy, of the Flagship Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut.-Commander a. V. Wadham, of the U. S. Navy, of the Monterey. 
 
 Col. Charles Fred Crocker, Vice-President of the Southern Pacific Railroad Co., S. F., Cal. 
 
 Col. Theodore H. Goodman, Gen. Pass. Agt. of the Southern Pacific Railroad Co., S. F., Cal. 
 
 Major John L. Bromley, Vet. Mexican War and Pioneer, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Major Sidney J. Loop, President Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, of Alameda, Cal. 
 
 William P. Toler, formerly Midshipman, U. S. N., and Aide-deCamp to Commodore John D. 
 
 Sloat, Oakland, Cal. 
 Capt. Leroy D. Fletcher, of Oakland, Cal. 
 Francis Doud, Veteran Mexican War, of Monterey, Cal. 
 Hon. Edward H. Hall, of Oakland, Cal. 
 Ira L. Delano, of Rocklin, Cal. 
 
 Lieut. J, Reynolds Landis, U. S. A., ist Regt. of Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Jas. W. Forsyth. 
 Capt. Cassius E. Gillette, U. S. A., U. S. Engineers. 
 
54 
 
 Joseph E. Johnston, Supervisor of Oakland, Alameda county, Cal. 
 
 Orrin S. Henderson, Supervisor of Stockton, San Joaquin county, Cal. 
 
 Gen. Thomas F. Ketcham, Veteran Mexican War and Pioneer, of Stockton, Cal. 
 
 Hon. T. R. Weaver, President Board of Trade, San Jose, Cal. 
 
 Hon. J. A. Linscott, Supervisor Santa Cruz count}-, Watsonville, Cal. 
 
 Hon. F. E. Davis, Supervisor, Ventura county, San Buenaventura, Cal. 
 
 Dr. George B. Nichols, of San Luis Obispo, (donated the stone for that county). 
 
 Rev. John H. Macomber, Chaplain, U. S. A., Angel Island, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Joseph R. Engush, Vallejo, Cal. 
 
 Hon. James McLachlan, M. C, of Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Lewis C. Wittenmyer, of Martinez, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Lucius A. Booth, Pioneer, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Henry S. Lubbock, Pioneer, of Alameda, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Samuei. G. Hilborn, M. C, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 David W. Standeford, Pioneer, Oakland Cal. 
 
 Zachary T. Gii,pin, Pioneer, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 David Edward Collins, Oakland, Cal 
 
 Dr. Thomas Flint, Jr., San Juan, Cal. 
 
 Joseph Figel, San Francisco, Cal. / 
 
 Samuel W. Levy, San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 George E. Kennedy, Livermore, Cal. 
 
 Nathaniel B. Holmes, Livermore, Cal. 
 
 Samuel A. Barker, San Jose, Cal. 
 
 Samuel W. Boren, San Jose, Cal. 
 
 William A. January, San Jose, Cal. 
 
 Edward S. Josselyn, Monterey, Cal. 
 
 Henry Sevening, Alameda, Cal. 
 
 Samuel H. Wagener, San Jose, Cal. 
 
 George N. True, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 William C. Mason, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 ecmmlttee of Design and Construction. 
 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman. 
 Col. Joseph Stewart, Rev. A. A. McAlister, 
 
 Hon. Irving M. Scott, Col. Frank Pierce. 
 
 Ronorary members: 
 
 Hon. James Budd, Governor of the State of California, Stockton, Cal. 
 
 Hon. Daniel S. LamonT, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Hon. H. a. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Admiral Lester a. BeardslEE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Pacific Squadron. 
 
 General James W. Forsyth, U. S. A., Commanding Department of California. 
 
 Col. O. D. Greene, U. S. a., Assistant Adjutant General, Department of California. 
 
 CapT. H. L. Howison, U. S. N., Commanding Battleship Oregon. 
 
 Capt. George W. Woods, U. S. N., Medical Inspector, Mare Island Navy Yard. 
 
 Capt. C. S. Cotton, U. S. N., Commanding Flagship Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut. G. M. Stoney, U. S. N., Flag-Lieutenant, of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut. M. S. Gorgas, U. S. N., Flag-Secretary, of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut. Thomas S. Phelps, U. S. N., of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut. F. a. Wilner, U. S. N., of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut. F. H. Holmes, U. S. N., of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Lieut. J. H. L. Holcombe, U. S. N., of the Philadelphia. .. 
 
 Lieut. W. R. Shoemaker, U. S. N., of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Capt. R. Dickins, U. S. Marine Corps, of the Philadelphia. 
 
 Hon. Edward M. Preston, Grand Master of Masons of California. 
 
 Hon. C, E. S. Wood, Son of Dr. Wood, Fleet Surgeon, who sent the information of hostilities to 
 
 Commodore Sloat which enabled him to take California. 
 Major William B. Hooper, Occidental Hotel, San F'rancisco. 
 Capt. C. L. Hooper, U. S. Revenue Cutter Rush. 
 
 Hon. Hiram Bailey, Chairman Board of Supervisors of Alameda county, Cal. 
 Hon. J. R. Talcott, Member of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda county, Cal. 
 Hon. W. H. Church, Member of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda county, Cal. 
 Hon. W. S. Pelouze, V. M. W., Member of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda county, Cal. 
 
 Note.— Alameda county contributed and delivered at Monterey the first stone for the Sloat 
 Monument. 
 
 Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, of Los Angeles, Cal. 
 Mrs. T. G. Lambert, of Monterey, Cal. 
 
Officers and Members of the Board of Trade of San 
 Jose which, by request of the Be 
 visors, furnished the stoue from 
 county for the Sloat Monument. 
 
 Jose which, by request of the Board of Super 
 ' visors, furnished the stoue from Santa Clara 
 
 55 
 
 Mrs. E. a. Sherman, of Oakland, Cal. 
 
 Mrs. Emily A. Fish, of Point Pinos, Monterey county, Cal. 
 
 Miss Clara K. WirTENMYER, Past President Grand Parlor N. D. G. W., of Martinez, Cal. 
 
 Mrs. Eliza A. Pittsinger. 
 
 Mrs. Blake-Alverson. 
 
 Miss Francis B. Orton, Monterey, Cal. 
 
 Miss Daisy B. Wright, Pacific Grove, Cal. 
 
 William Sutton, Pacific Grove, Cal. 
 
 George Johnson, San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Peter C. Miller, San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 F. C. Knowles, San Francisco. (Donated Madera County's Stone.) 
 
 Hon. F. a. Duryea, of Auburn, Cal. ] 
 
 L. L. Chamberlain, of Auburn, Cal. | Committee N. S. G. W. which provided the stone 
 
 J. H. Wills, of Auburn, Cal. I from Placer county for the Sloat Monument. 
 
 H. C. Herrill, of Auburn, Cal. J 
 
 C. M. Hatcher, Vice-President. 
 
 A. C. Darby, and Vice President, 
 
 J. P. Fay, Secretary. 
 
 C. J. Steeple, Treasurer. 
 
 William Osterman, 
 
 J. D. Miner, 
 
 L. M. Hale, 
 
 S. E. Smith, 
 
 A. S. Bacon, 
 
 Oswald Lubbock, P. O. Department, Alameda, Cal. 
 
 Including the members of the Boards of Supervisors and County Clerks of the following 
 counties that have furnished and delivered the stones of their respective counties as their contri- 
 butions to the base of the Sloat Monument at Monterey (their names to be furnished to Major 
 Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary of the Sloat Monument Association, at Oakland, California), viz. : 
 Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Solano, Napa 
 and Ventura. 
 
 The members of the other Boards of Supervisors and County Clerks to be added to the Hon- 
 orary Roll when the stones of their respective counties, in compliance with the directions given, 
 are delivered to Captain Thomas G. Lambert, the Receiver, at Monterey. 
 
 The following counties have also taken action, and the stones ordered, to-wit : Butte, Placer, 
 Plumas, Madera, Monterey and Los Angeles. It is expected that the other counties will soon 
 /ollow. 
 
 The stone to be contributed by the U, S. Navy is nearly ready to be sent to Monterey, and 
 that of the U. S. Army will not be far behind. The Associated Veterans of the Mexicau War will 
 contribute a stone, as also the Grand Parlor of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, which 
 latter stone is in preparation, and when delivered to Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, the Receiver, at 
 Monterey direct, due acknowledgement will be made and the proper officers added to the Honor- 
 ary Roll. 
 
 By Order of the Executive Committee, 
 
 WASHINGTON AVER, M. D., President. 
 ATTEST : Edwin A, Sherman, Secretary. 
 
€rrata. 
 
 OMISSIONS. 
 
 V. R. Thomas Flint, Sr., as Grand Chaplain. 
 W. H. A. Olmsted, as Junior Grand Stewart. 
 
^^^,K 
 
 Report of the Committee of Jlrraitgements 
 
 of the 
 
 JI$$ociated Ueterans of tbe mexican (Uar 
 
 of the 
 
 Celebration of the Tiftletb JIniiiuersarv of the Raising of the Tlmerican Tlag by 
 
 Commodore 3obn D. Sloat, U. $. n., at momerey, California, 
 
 3uly 7, i$46, l)eld at monterey, 3wiy 7, i$96. 
 
 To SiDNEV J. I^OOP, President, Officers and 
 Members of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War : 
 
 Dear Sir and Comrades : — As a matter of 
 dut)' to the Association who are directly inter- 
 ested, as well as the public in general, and of 
 self respect on the part of the members of your 
 Committee of Arrangements, we deem it proper 
 and in as brief a manner as possible to present 
 t e following Special Report, which from false 
 statements in the public press we deem to be 
 absolutely necessary for the protection of the 
 honor and good name of this Association and 
 the reputation of its members. 
 
 In the first place, it is proper to state that 
 the idea of any celebration of the Anniversary 
 of the Occupation of California and the Raising 
 of the American Flag at Monterey by Commo- 
 dore John Drake Sloat of the U. S. Navy on 
 July 7th, 1846, first originated with the chair- 
 man of your Committee of Arrangements, and 
 on May 13th, 1886, upon a resolution offered by 
 him which was adopted by this Association, 
 our then President, Comrade Samuel Deal, de- 
 ceased, appointed Major Edwin A. Sherman, 
 Colonels Andrew J. Coffee, A. Andrews, John 
 W. McKenzie, and Captain William L,. Duncan 
 as the Committee of Arrangements to which 
 were afterwards added representatives from 
 other organizations to act in cooperation with 
 it to celebrate at Monterey, California, the For- 
 tieth Anniversary of the Hoisting of the Amer- 
 ican Flag at that place by Commodore John D. 
 Sloat of the U. S. Navy. 
 
 That celebration was held, to which the U. S. 
 Government heartily lent its support by Major- 
 General O. O. Howard, commanding the Pacific 
 Division of the U. S. Army, furnishing a light 
 battery of artillery to fire the salutes on shore, 
 and Captain C. L. Hooper of the U. S. Revenue 
 Cutter Rush, to fire the salutes in the harbor, 
 there being no vessels of war in commission in 
 California to represent the U. S. Navy at that 
 time. That celebration proved to be a perfect 
 success and satisfactory to all who participated 
 in it, a full report of which was duly published 
 in the newspapers of the day, and also in 
 pamphlet form, copies of which have been pre- 
 served in our archives and are still in the hands 
 of some of our comrades. 
 
 At that celebration the following resolution 
 was unanimously adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, That a committee of thirteen be 
 appointed to take immediate steps for the 
 organization of the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion for the purpose of erecting a suitable mon- 
 ument in this place to the memory of the illus- 
 trious Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat, which 
 shall be a proper tribute expressive of the ap- 
 preciation of his great patriotism and merits by 
 the people of California." 
 
 That committee was duly appointed, the ma- 
 jority of whom were veterans of the Mexican 
 War; and on December ist, 1886, a meeting 
 was held in pursuance of a call, at the office of 
 the late John ]\[. Buffington, the chairman of 
 the committee at No. 309 California street, 
 where the Sloat Monument Association was 
 dulv organized with the following officers. 
 
 lion. John M. Buffington, President, Capt. 
 Thomas J. Kuipe and Dr. Washington Ayer, 
 Vice Presidents, Major Edwin A. Sherman, 
 Secretary. Hon. George C. Perkins, Treasurer, 
 Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, Receiver, and Fran- 
 cis Doud, Sergeant-at-Arms. To which were 
 added, Hon. Jesse D. Carr, of Monterey, Capt. 
 Joseph B. Coghlan, of the U. S. Navy, Capt. 
 Charles F. Williams, of the U. S. Marine Corps, 
 Hon. W. C. Burnett and William T. Garratt, of 
 San Francisco, and Hon. William M. Boggs, of 
 Napa, as the additional members of the Execu- 
 tive Committee, while others were added to it 
 as members of that Association. 
 
 Subsequently by reason of the deaths of Pres- 
 ident John M. Buffington, Vice-President Thos. 
 J. Knipe Hon. Joseph G. Eastland and William 
 T. Garrett, Dr. Washington Ayer was elected 
 President, Capt. Wm. L. Duncan and Col. Jo- 
 seph Stewart, Vice-Presidents, John L. Cooper, 
 Sergeant-at-Arms, and Hon. Irving M. Scott, 
 Dr. James L. Cogswell, Col. Frank Pierce, Rev. 
 A. A. McAlister, of the U. S. Navy, and Hon. 
 Wm. Frank Pierce, of Oakland, were elected 
 to fill the vacancies of officers and members of 
 the Executive Committee created by death and 
 absence from California. 
 
 The Sloat Monument Association being com- 
 posed in part of officers and members of this 
 society of Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War, has at all times most heartily united and 
 cooperated with us in all of our efforts to keep 
 alive the spirit of patriotism, and to its Treas- 
 urer, Hon. George C. Perkins, U. S. Senator, 
 are we indebted for introducing the Bill, and 
 
for its passage iu the Senate, appropriating the 
 sum of $10,000 for the erection of the monu- 
 ment and statue of Commodore John D. Sloat 
 at Monterey, which is the first step taken of 
 any kind for the erection of a monument to 
 commemorate American history anywhere on 
 the shores of the Pacific, and especially the 
 occupation of California. 
 
 Pending this action being taken and prior 
 thereto, on March 14th, 1895, at a regular meet- 
 of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman offered a resolution 
 or motion that a Committee of Arrangements, 
 consisting of three, be appointed to take the 
 necessary steps for the proper celebration of 
 the 50th Anniversary of the Raising of the 
 American Flag at Monterey by Commodore 
 John D. Sloat, of the U. S. Navy, to be held at 
 that place. The resolution was unanimously 
 adopted, and the President appointed Major 
 Edwin A. Sherman, Col. Joseph Stewart and 
 Col. Wellington C. Burnett as the committee, 
 to which were also added, ex-officio, the Presi- 
 dent, Sidney J. Loop, and the Secretary, Will- 
 iam h. Duncan. Comrade W. C. Burnett being 
 absent in the East, Comrade and Vice-President 
 Charles Lange was appointed to fill the vacancy. 
 
 By invitation the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion also appointed a committee of five to co- 
 operate with the Committee of Arrangements 
 of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War, and Capt. Thomas G. Lambert, receiver 
 at Monterey, Col. Joseph Stewart, Capt. Wm. 
 L. Duncan, President Washington Ayer and 
 Edwin A. Sherman, Secretary, three of whom 
 were on both committees, but acting as one 
 and representing both organizations. 
 
 Your chairman, in September, 1895, went to 
 the City of Washington at his own expense and 
 obtained the promise of the most hearty co oper- 
 ation of the Secretary[of the Navy for the celebra- 
 tion at Monterey, on July 7, 1896, and also from 
 General James M. Forsyth, U.S. A., command- 
 ing the Department of California. 
 
 Thus assured of the hearty support and co- 
 operation of the U. S. Government in the cele- 
 bration of the P^iftieth Anniversary of the 
 Raising of the American Flag by Commodore 
 Sloat of the U. S. Navy, on July 7, at Monterey, 
 by the laying of the cornerstone of the Sloat 
 Monument on the U. S. Military Reservation at 
 that place, and other exercises appropriate to 
 the occasion, your committee went forward with 
 the duties assigned to it and in the main ar- 
 ranged its programme, extended letters of in- 
 vitation to those who were to take part in the 
 exercises, leaving some minor details to be 
 afterwards attended to. 
 
 On the 2d of October, 1895, a petition from 
 citizens was presented to the Board of Trustees 
 of the Town of Monterey asking for the ap- 
 pointment of an Executive Committee to act 
 with the Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War in arranging for the proper celebration of 
 the P'iftieth Anniversary of the Raising of the 
 American Flag at Monterey, which will occur 
 July 7, 1896. 
 
 The action was taken and a local Executive 
 Committee of five were chosen, viz.: T. J. 
 Field, Edward Ingram, Ad. Gunzendorfer, W. 
 E. Parker and S. J. Duckworth. 
 
 On Sunday, January 19, 1896, a joint meeting 
 was held at which your chairman, representing 
 this Society, and Captain Thomas G. Lambert, 
 chairman of the committee of the Sloat Monu- 
 ment Association were present. The Monterey 
 Committee had added three others to its num- 
 bers, but no objection was raised. 
 
 At that meeting the following among other 
 actions was taken: 
 
 Motion. 
 
 "Mr. Parker moved that the Executive Com- 
 mittee make provision for the enter tai^iinent of 
 all Veterans of the Afexican War ivho may visit 
 Monterey during the celebration; said Veterans 
 to be guests of the Executive Committee.'" 
 
 [It will be seen in this report, that not even 
 so much as a sandwich or a cup of coffee was 
 provided by that committee for the Veterans of 
 the Mexican War.] 
 
 It was proposed by the chairman of the local 
 Executive Committee, to have sleepmg-cars 
 provided for the Veterans of the Mexican War 
 for their accommodation, and either in the Old 
 Custom House, or some hall or other suitable 
 place, tables be set and a collation be prepared 
 for their refreshment, but there was nothing of 
 either, and the former was not asked for. 
 
 The Sloat Monument Association in April is- 
 sued a circular letter to the Board of Super- 
 visors of the several counties to furnish stones 
 for the base of the monument, and in connec- 
 tion with your Committee of Arrangements in- 
 vited them to select each a young lady to rep- 
 resent their respective counties, the choice to 
 be as follows: 1st, either the daughter or the 
 grand-daughter of a Veteran of the Mexican 
 War; 2d, the same of a pioneer; and 3d, if 
 neither of the former can be had, then a native 
 daughter. This request was in some instances 
 totally disregarded, by local voting contests 
 where there was rivalry, and in which patriotic 
 regard and gratitude was wholly ignored, which 
 was mainly owing to the bungling and unwar- 
 ranted interference of a so-called "commis- 
 sioner." 
 
 At the meeting held on May 27, 1896, the 
 local manager who had been selected, apparent- 
 ly, not having much confidence either in the 
 integrity or capacity of the local committee, 
 claimed that it had surrendered all powers of 
 every kind so far as the finances were concern- 
 ed entirely to him, and that the committee 
 could not expend one single cent without his 
 consent and endorsement, not so much even as 
 a postage stamp. The conflict of opinions in 
 this matter caused him to tender his resignation, 
 with the demand to return to him his contribu- 
 tion of I25.00 and the reimbursement of all 
 moneys advanced by him for expenses w'hich 
 was done, and the so-called Commissioner H. 
 A. Greene was appointed in his place, and with 
 egotism unparalled, soon after assumed the far- 
 cical title of Director General, which in the 
 management of the expenditures and other 
 matters was a change for the worse. 
 
 At this meeting of May 27, Mr. Greene offer- 
 ed a resolution that a committee of seven mem- 
 bers be named by the President to serve as a 
 Committee on Programme for Julv 4, 5, 6 a«rf 
 Jih. 
 
3 
 
 To this motion your cliairiiian objected and 
 protested so far as the 7M of July was concern- 
 ed; that belonged to the Veterans of the Mexi- 
 can War, and they had arranged their own pro- 
 gramme for that day and would not be inter- 
 fered with, or we would draw out, and as orig- 
 inally contemplated, celebrate it with the assist- 
 ance of the U. S. Army and Navy, and those 
 who had been already invited to participate and 
 had accepted. That we did not care what they 
 did on the 4th, 5th or the 6th of July, but the 7th 
 of July was our day. This was conceded, but the 
 correction was not made in the minutes by the 
 Secretary, for reasons best known to himself and 
 others. That chairman so certaiidy understood 
 it or else it was an intended insult to your Com- 
 mittee ot Arrangements, when he appointed 
 the committee on that programme, H. H. Tay- 
 lor, S. H. Daniels, T. H. Sinex, H. A. Greene, 
 William Kay, Ernest Michaelis and A. Gun- 
 zendorfer, not one of whom was a Veteran of 
 the Mexican War, and that committee which 
 was for the programme of the 4lh, 5th and 6th 
 of July only, had no right to interfere with the 
 programme made by your Committee of Ar- 
 rangements for the 7th of July several months 
 before; they might make suggestions and re- 
 conmiend additions, but they had no power to 
 interfere, interpolate, or alter our programme 
 already made, and we firmly held to the line in 
 harmony with the U. S. Government, repre- 
 sented by Senators and Congressmen, the Array 
 and Navy, and our own organization as Veter- 
 ans of the Mexican War, who, with our com- 
 rades, both dead and alive, had fought for and 
 acquired this country. It was history to be 
 commemorated and celebrated by the U. S. 
 Government, with our fellow-citizens and our- 
 selves, and not a carnival or fiesta in which we 
 had not the least interest whatever. Such was 
 not our object or intention in the celebration, 
 nor would we participate in any such diversion. 
 Your committee was opposed to the scheme 
 presented of having bull fights and other brutal 
 sports that were proposed, and we would not 
 consent that our honor and good name should 
 be tarnished by any such disgraceful and bar- 
 baric entertainment connected with it and be- 
 longing to another age and not to that of mod- 
 ern American civilization. And so that was 
 dropped. 
 
 Upon the event to be celebrated the patriot- 
 ism of the State was to be aroused, and the 
 Veterans of the Mexican War to be gratified at 
 the end of fifty years in seeing the foundation- 
 stone laid of the monument to be erected to 
 their valor and the honor of the heroic Com- 
 mander of the Pacific Squadron, Commodore 
 John Drake Sloat, who in faithful obedience to 
 the orders of his Government, had raised the 
 Stars and Stripes and taken possession of Cali- 
 fornia. Contributions from the people of the 
 State were solicited on this account. Monterey 
 County and vicinity contributed the sum, all 
 told, of 12,064.15, to which was added the fur- 
 ther sum of 1,629.00, contributed by citizens of 
 San Francisco, over one-fourth of which latter 
 was contributed by firms and corporations 
 whose officers are members of the vSloat Monu- 
 ment Association. Making in the aggregate 
 the sum of 13,693.15. 
 
 Seeing the apparent intent that but little of 
 this amount was to be expended upon the ob- 
 ject of this celebration by those in charge of 
 the funds, an appeal was made by the chairman 
 of your committee, and also by the President 
 of the vSloat Monument Association to the Hon. 
 Irving M. Scott, chairman of the San Francisco 
 committee, that the sum of |5oo,oo or less than 
 one-third of the amount contributed by the 
 citizens of San Francisco, be set apart for the 
 Sloat Monument fund in the laying of the con- 
 crete and coruer-stoiie and the county stones 
 to be laid. This met with his hearty approval, 
 and he endorsed the letter over to the chairman 
 of the Finance Committee of San Francisco, to 
 collect contributions, but without avail; and it 
 was all turned over to the local Executive Com- 
 mittee at Monterey. 
 
 Out of this $3,693. 15, only $150.00, or 2^0 per 
 cent, was appropriated for the monument, and 
 $194 00, or 5^10 per cent for the grand-stand and 
 band stands, printing, etc., actually pertaining 
 to the day to be celebrated, while so far at pres- 
 ent to show for all this expenditure, there only 
 remains the concrete in the ground and the 
 corner-stone of the monument laid upon it, 
 being less than ten per cent, of nearly $4,000.00 
 expended on the actual event to be commem- 
 morated, and no provision made for refresh- 
 meats or entertainment of the Grand Lodge of 
 Masons who laid the corner-stone. 
 
 By examination of the financial statement of 
 that local Executive Commiteee, accompanying 
 this report, it will be seen how well some of its 
 members patronized themselves. 
 
 Only the paltry sum of $8.75 was appropri- 
 ated to the Ladies Reception Committee for 
 California, her maids of honor, and the ladies 
 representing the several counties, and from all 
 parts of the State. Only the sum of $150.00 
 towards the monument, and $194.05 for the 
 knives and forks, etc., for a barbecue held two 
 days before, which the Veterans of the Mexican 
 War never even got a sight or smell of ! $620. 
 00 for a board and cloth shanty, misnamed a 
 "pavilion," erected on the so-called "Director 
 General's" lot, and if informed correctly, the 
 lumber only hired for the occasion, and to be 
 returned after so brief an improvement that was 
 to be obliterated. 
 
 Says the Receiver of the Sloat Monument 
 Association, at Monterey, in his letter of July 
 12, 1896, to your chairman: 
 
 "Major E. A. Sherman, 
 
 "Dear Sir ajid Brother, — I am in receipt of 
 yours of the nth, and in reply to inquiries, 
 send a copy of the Cypress, which contains a 
 statement of the Secretary of^ the receipts and 
 disbursements. By that statement it will l)e 
 seen that out of the $3,693.15, the real celebra- 
 tion received the magnificent sum of $325.00. 
 Out of the $150.00 paid over to me, there is suf- 
 ficient left to pay for the transportation of 
 about fifteen stones from the cars to the ware- 
 house. 
 
 "The admirers of the late Commodore Sloat, 
 as well as those having the interest of the mon- 
 ument in view, have cause to look to the immedi- 
 ate future with much .satisfaction, as Grkknk 
 has made a contract with himself, to build the 
 
mouuuient inside of six months, if he can 'get 
 out of the way the old timers who have out- 
 lived their usefulness.' 
 
 "Yes, a fine specimen of a monument he 
 would build, other than th-it which he has al- 
 ready built to his innate treachery, deceit and 
 falsehood, and that he has done in a manner 
 that will keep its memory forever green in the 
 minds of those who know him best." 
 
 The Receiver of the Sloat Monument Asso- 
 ciation had little or no faith in the management 
 of the chief actors in the local Executive Com- 
 mittee and being a minority and powerless to 
 successfully act, contented himself with the 
 business of watching the best he could of this 
 'Ah Sin' directory, hoping to get something of 
 an appropriation towards the monument before 
 the funds were entirely squandered in another 
 direction and for other purposes, for which 
 they were contributed by the people. 
 
 Your chairman, though the actual represen- 
 tative of the other members of your commit- 
 tee, yet was counted as but one, while the local 
 committee at Monterey, continually enlarged 
 its own membership, increasing its unfair and 
 unjust majority, while your chairman could not 
 watch what was being done in his absence, and 
 soon found that but little was to be expected 
 from the local committee when he was present. 
 
 The Board of Supervisors of Monterey 
 Count}-, having so long delayed in selecting a 
 young lady to represent that county, your 
 chairman recognizing the appropriateness as 
 well as the justice of the claim of a daughter of 
 a Veteran of the Mexican War, who had served 
 under Fremont, and she being a native of Mon- 
 terey and born in the Custom House, immedi- 
 ately beneath the flagstaff upon which the 
 American flag was first hoisted, selected this 
 young lady who is highly respectable, and rec- 
 ommended her to the chairman of that Board, 
 who was also the chairman of the local com- 
 mittee. This selection, however, was not ap- 
 proved, and another young lady was chosen by 
 them, not a daughter of a Veteran of the Mex- 
 ican War, or even of a Pioneer, if we are cor- 
 rectly informed. Consequently, our original 
 request made in April last was unheeded and 
 ignored. The young lady that was chosen by 
 them, however, though not possessing the qual- 
 ifications we had named, was otherwise in every 
 way worthy, though whether she was a native 
 of that county or not we do not know. 
 
 We had originally suggested that the young 
 lady to be chosen to represent the City of Mon- 
 terey to welcome California and her court, 
 should be one of the purest blood of the oldest 
 Spanish families of California, and born in 
 Monterey. 
 
 This, however, was treated in like manner, a 
 contest for votes was entered into which cre- 
 ated great bitterness of feeling, the charge of 
 fraud being made, and a young lady born else- 
 where was elected, and the native daughters of 
 Monterey ignored. But the one elected brought 
 money into the treasury of the local committee 
 and the matter ended there. 
 
 This, of course, was none of our affairs, and 
 IS only mentioned as an example of the meth- 
 ods used as described by Bret Harte in 'Ah 
 Sin.' 
 
 The gentleman we had suggested to act as 
 Grand Marshal on the 7th of July, was elected 
 by that committee, and with him, your chair- 
 man walked over the route for the procession, 
 and selected the streets upon which the divi- 
 sions were to be formed; but after the same was 
 printed, that committee took the matter out of 
 his hands, changed it to suit themselves, held 
 him entirely subiect to their orders, and he 
 being a resident of that place, where he had to 
 make his living, did not dare to do otherwise 
 than to follow their directions. 
 
 Everything was contrary to promise, in re- 
 gard to carriages at the proper stations and in 
 the formation of the procession in the second 
 and third divisions, all was in general confusion 
 but moving with the current of population to 
 the grand stand in front of the old Custom House 
 where the exercises were held. The general 
 dissatisfaction of visitors, some of whom had 
 brought their daughters as Maids of Honor and 
 representatives of counties was expressed in de- 
 nunciatory terms not to be misunderstood. 
 
 The clerk of Santa Cruz County, which sent 
 a stone for the monument, in a letter of July 
 23, 1896, says: 
 
 "This county sent a young lady to the cele- 
 bration with a ver}' handsome banner, and I am 
 informed that there was very little courtesy ex- 
 tended; an old wagon being the vehicle in 
 which the girls all rode in a heap. I should 
 say that the arrangements were snide, and that 
 the visitors were treated with very little consid- 
 eration. 
 
 "If the U. S. S. Philadelphia had been with- 
 out a band, there would have been no music at 
 all. 
 
 "The proceedings do not reflect much credit 
 on the management, so far as I can learn." 
 
 A distinguished officer of the Navy and a 
 member of the Sloat Monument Association, in 
 his letter of July 31, 1896, says: 
 
 "The circular letter sent to the various 
 Boards of Supervisors is most timely and neces- 
 sary. 
 
 "The individual mentioned did not impress 
 the officers of the Navj' who were brought in 
 contact with him in a favorable manner * * 
 * * and in the manner in which he treated 
 the Sloat Monument Association in the assign- 
 ment of funds for the exercise of July 7. 
 
 "The laying of the corner-stone of the mon- 
 ument, and the ceremonies attending the rais- 
 ing of the flag, were the only events worthy of 
 the co-operation of the Navy; and I feel sure 
 had the Admiral known what he knows now, 
 he would have taken no part in other of the 
 features which were side-shows with the forces 
 under his command." 
 
 It is unnecessary to continue this unpleasant 
 subject any further, but duty and the self-re- 
 spect of your committee demand alike that the 
 truth should be stated, that the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War, who originated and 
 inaugurated the celebration at Monterey and 
 under whose auspices it was pretended to be 
 carried out, may be exonerated from all blame 
 unjustly laid to their charge and for which they 
 are not responsible. The mercenary and selfish 
 greed on the part of the management of the 
 local committee and a bombastic, trickily-dis- 
 
posed, and so-called Director General, 'who di- 
 rectly or indirectly usurped control and got 
 their claws into the treasury, (the gift of our 
 patriotic fellow-citizens for a noble purpose), 
 should receive at the hands of all honorable 
 men, the execration and contempt they so justly 
 deserve. Their own financial statement as pub- 
 lished is sufficient of itself for their condemna- 
 tion, and a disgrace to the City of Moqterey in 
 particular, and to the State of California at 
 large. "Let the galled jade wince, our withers 
 are unwrung." 
 
 We shall see to it that they keep their hands 
 off the stones of the monument and have no lot 
 or part in its completion or dedication. There 
 are plenty of good people in Monterey, and 
 we will select them ourselves when we want 
 their assistance and they are willing to serve. 
 
 It was not to be expected that much enthusi- 
 asm would be created among the survivors of 
 the old California Spanish families, who had 
 seen the flags of Spain and Mexico under which 
 they were born and reared forever depart 
 from their soil, to give way to that of the con- 
 querer, even though to enjoy a greater freedom 
 than they did before. The sacred traditions of 
 the past they cannot forget, while to learn a 
 strange and foreign language, difficult to com- 
 prehend, was a task they could not cheerfully 
 undertake. The Castilian, musical in its tone 
 and with rhythmical perfection will still linger 
 upon the tongue and sound sweetly melodious 
 to the ear. The younger generation clinging 
 to the old, and though mingled with the Anglo- 
 Saxon and other bloods, naturally in heart must 
 remain neutral to a great degree, and the purest 
 
 love of American liberty, of American institu- 
 tions, and of the American flag is to yet in 
 future generations find its full development. 
 
 We entertain the highest regard and respect 
 for the honorable, hospitable, kind and court- 
 eous Spanish families of the old California 
 stock. We have shared their hospitality in the 
 fifty years gone by, and friendshi])s have been 
 formed and cherished with them that will never 
 die. The Vallejos, Pachecos, Carillos, Macha- 
 dos, Lugos, De la Guerras, and hundreds of 
 others with whom we have associated are our 
 friends and we will be aniigos por sietnpie. 
 But for the intriguer and intruder into their do- 
 main, who seeks to ally himself with their for- 
 tunes, to make them his dupes, and betray 
 them at last, is too despicable a wretch to be 
 permitted to remain upon California's soil, or 
 breathe its ambient air. 
 
 The monument to Admiral Sloat will be 
 erected and his statue unveiled with appropriate 
 ceremonies equal to those in the laying of the 
 corner-stone and in its dedication, the Veterans 
 of the Mexican War will around it form the 
 chain of brotherhood, while amidst the thunder 
 of cannon on the sea and the crashmg roar of 
 artillery upon the shore, the plaudits of thous- 
 ands of the grateful people of California, will 
 sing through the arches of the heavens, "Glory 
 to God in the Highest; Glory to our Country 
 on the Land and on the Sea, and to Old Glory 
 itself, which will flame forevermore." 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted, 
 Edwin A. Shkrm.\n, 
 
 Chairman of Committee. 
 
 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
 
 Of Receipts and Disbursements of California's Jubilee. 
 
 Monterey, Cal., July lo, 1896. 
 To the People of California : 
 
 Some time ago the Executive Committee of 
 the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the Ameri- 
 can Occupation of California, through its duly 
 authorized officers, appealed to you for finan- 
 cial assistance in aid of the celebration which 
 the people of Monterey were at that time ar- 
 ranging to commemorate the flag-raising of 
 fifty years ago. 
 
 The response was general and generous. 
 
 A faithful accounting was promised of all 
 funds entrusted to our care, and we are proud 
 to now fulfil that promise. 
 
 The Executive Committee invites the public 
 at large to scrutinize its account with The Bank 
 of Monterey, where all the funds collected for 
 celebration purposes were deposited. 
 
 We publish in full the heading of the sub- 
 scription lists that were circulated by the Exec- 
 utive Committee for the reason that statements 
 have been made to the effect that all the money 
 collected for or on account of the celebration 
 just closed was collected from the people of the 
 State under the pretext that it would be de- 
 voted towards defraying the expense of laying 
 the corner-stone of the Sloat Monument. 
 
 That this is untrue is proven by the subscrip- 
 tion lists themselves: 
 
 We hereby promise that the sums set oppo- 
 site our respective names will be paid to the 
 Executive Committee of the Semi-Centennial 
 Celebration at any time within fifteen days 
 from the date hereof; Provided, that said com- 
 mittee will, within that time, make provision 
 for the holding of a four days' celebration in 
 Monterey, viz.: On July 4th, 5lh, 6th, and 7th. 
 
 Maxfield & Day |J7 5° 
 
 Mrs. P. Hutt 10 CO 
 
 George L- Ruhl 10 00 
 
 Schaufele Bros 17 50 
 
 N. Tickvitza 2500 
 
 Pidge »Si Heron 10 00 
 
 W. B. Higgins.. 20 00 
 
 M. Chambre and wife 20 00 
 
 L. C. Wolford 3 00 
 
 C. R. Few 15 00 
 
 A. A. Osio .S 00 
 
 R. C. Wornes 17 5° 
 
 M. Lewis 7 5° 
 
 W. S. Gibson 2 00 
 
 J. Leppert 2 00 
 
 J. Jemin 5 00 
 
 A. Goldstine 5 00 
 
6 
 
 oo 
 
 oo 
 
 I oo 
 
 W.E.Crawford 5 oo 
 
 Mrs. C. Underwood 5 oo 
 
 M. Harris 3 
 
 J. Shulte, Jr i 
 
 A. Vidal 
 
 G. S. Hamilton i oo 
 
 J. Rodriguez 2 oo 
 
 A. Gushing 500 
 
 W. C. Cochran ' 5 00 
 
 William Hanuon 5 00 
 
 T. G. Lambert 5 00 
 
 J. Pedro 2 50 
 
 W. Bergschicker 2 00 
 
 Murphy, Grant &. Co 10 00 
 
 We hereby promise to pa}- the sums set oppo- 
 site our respective names for the purpose of 
 defraying the expenses of the Semi-Centennial 
 Celebration in the city of Monterey, July 4th, 
 5th, 6th and 7th, 1896: 
 
 The City of Monterey I500 00 
 
 The Bank of Monterey 250 00 
 
 David Jacks 100 00 
 
 Edward Berwick 25 00 
 
 J. R. Kennedy 20 00 
 
 The City of Pacific Grove 200 00 
 
 Pacific Improvement Company 100 00 
 
 T. J. Field 25 00 
 
 Edward Ingram 25 00 
 
 W. Bergschicker 2 50 
 
 Anway & Hutchinson 5 00 
 
 F. M. Hilby 5 00 
 
 M. Ortins 10 00 
 
 M. Lewis 2 50 
 
 A. Garrick 2 00 
 
 Samuel Hanna... 2 00 
 
 S. E. Pardee 5 00 
 
 J. B. Snively 10 00 
 
 J. A. Girardin i 00 
 
 Frank Hellam 5 00 
 
 A. A. Manuel 10 00 
 
 J. M. Laporte 2 00 
 
 F. Gunzendorfer & Son 10 00 
 
 J. F. Moore 2 00 
 
 George Bertold 3 00 
 
 C. Plapp 5 00 
 
 F. Zimmermann 2 00 
 
 A. J. Vidulich 1000 
 
 Collected in the City and County of San Fran- 
 cisco by Hon. L. R. Ellert and S. H. Daniels, 
 Esq., for the Semi-Centennial Celebration pro- 
 posed to be given by the Executive Committee 
 (appointed by the Board of Trustees of the City 
 of Monterey) in conjunction with the General 
 Committee in San Francisco, of which Hon. 
 Irving M. Scott is president: 
 
 James D. Phelan $ 250 00 
 
 H. Weil 100 00 
 
 M. Babcock 25 00 
 
 Union Iron Works 250 00 
 
 A. Hayward 50 00 
 
 W. P. F'uller & Co 50 00 
 
 McLaughlin & Co 50 00 
 
 J. H. Crocker Co 50 00 
 
 H. S. Crocker 25 00 
 
 Southern Pacific Co 200 00 
 
 Bank of California 100 00 
 
 Nevada Bank 50 00 
 
 Anglo-California Bank 25 00 
 
 Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Bank 50 00 
 
 Hibernia S. & L. Society 50 00 
 
 Van Sicklen 25 00 
 
 J. D. Spreckels Bros 50 00 
 
 London, Paris & American Bank 25 00 
 
 Donohoe-Kelly Co 20 00 
 
 Crocker- Wol worth Bank 25 00 
 
 G. W. McNear 20 00 
 
 L. Gerstee 50 00 
 
 Other donations received by Mr. Dan- 
 iels subsequent to receipt at Mon- 
 terey office of above list .. 95 00 
 
 Total receipts from subscriptions for 
 
 expenses of Jubilee celebration $3219 00 
 
 Executive Committee's percentage from 
 ballots cast for the young lady to 
 represent Monterey City in the par- 
 ade July 7, 1896, — Monterey Cypress, 208 75 
 Monterey New Era 126 25 
 
 Executive Committee's percentage of 
 receipts from transportation of pas- 
 sengers to and from the U. S. S. Phil- 
 adelphia and Monadnock 142 15 
 
 Total receipts from all sources $3696 15 
 
 Less amount of insurance policy paid 
 for by William Hannon and credited 
 to him as cash 3 00 
 
 Net cash received by Executive Com- 
 mittee I3693 15 
 
 DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 Check No. i, Edward Berwick, sub- 
 scription returned and sundry ex- 
 penses as General Manager 93 90 
 
 Check No. 2, Manuel Wolter, labor i 50 
 
 Check No. 3, F. Schneider, type-writ- 
 ing 2 75 
 
 Check No. 4, S. J. Duckworth, postage 2 00 
 
 Check No. 5, S. J. Duckworth, furni- 
 ture and decorations 34 00 
 
 Check No. 6, S. H. Daniels, 1000 litho- 
 graphs 65 00 
 
 Check No. 7, S. H. Daniels, design of 
 
 lithograph 10 00 
 
 Check No. 8, William Kay, printing.... 19 75 
 
 Check No. 9, Ferris & Scoble, banner 
 
 for headquarters 15 00 
 
 Check No. 10, Wells, Fargo & Co., 
 
 score for Living Flag and expressage 12 75 
 
 Check No. n, J. B. Snively, telegrams 6 71 
 
 Check No. 12, H. A. Greene, traveling 
 
 expenses 53 95 
 
 Check No. 13. Murphy, Grant & Co., 
 
 bunting 131 87 
 
 Check No. 14, H. A. Greene, fund for 
 
 payment of contingent expenses 200 00 
 
 Check No. 15, H. A. Greene, inciden- 
 tal expenses 5 05 
 
 Check No. 16, Houghton & Warren, 
 pavilion and closets 620 00 
 
 Check No. 17, R. A. Mauldin, stairs at 
 
 P. C. S. S. wharf. 91 20 
 
 Check No. 18, Ferris & Scoble, descrip- 
 tive scrolls 10 00 
 
 Check No. 19, F. Gunzendorfer & Sou, 
 
 caps and sundries 3^ 50 
 
 Check No. 20, issued to wrong party 
 and canceled 
 
Check No. 21, T, G, Lambert, Execu- 
 tive Committee's donation towards 
 defraying expenses of corner-stone 
 for Sloat Monument 150 00 
 
 Check No. 22, A. A. Manuel, buckets.. i 00 
 
 Check No. 23, William Kay, printing 7 75 
 
 Check No. 24, S. E. Pardee, sundry 
 
 mdse 3 85 
 
 Check No. 25, E. B. Gross, drayage..... 3 00 
 
 Check No. 26, C. A. Warren, grand 
 
 and bandstands 175 00 
 
 Cneck No. 27, Monterey Cypress, print- 
 ing 23 25 
 
 Check No. 28, Edward Allen, sundry 
 
 items of labor at picnic 33 50 
 
 (Original bill, f43.5o; paid by H. A. 
 Greene, |io). 
 
 Check No. 29. Frank Peirce, chains for 
 
 cups I 00 
 
 Check No. 30, A. Gushing & Co., dray- 
 age 5 50 
 
 Check No. 31, Prof. L. P. Flores, music 119 00 
 
 Check No. 32, Manuel Wolter, labor 
 
 of self and assistant at pavilion 20 00 
 
 Check No. 33, J. A. Girardiu, sundry 
 
 mdse 2 70 
 
 Check No. 34, R. Morey, drayage 12 00 
 
 Check No. 35, Mrs. Anna Galanar, rent 
 
 of piano 5 00 
 
 Check No. 36, Monterey Meat Co., meat 90 45 
 
 Check No. 37, S. W. Kilpatrick, fruit... 60 00 
 
 Check No. 38, Del Monte Creamery, 
 
 butter 15 00 
 
 Check No. 39, Wm. Lemos, decorations 58 00 
 (Original amount due, I130, paid by 
 H. A. Greene on account, I72). 
 
 Check No. 40, T. G. Lambert, lumber.. 5 40 
 
 Check No. 41, Mrs. A. Berg, meals 2 00 
 
 Check No. 42, Mrs. E. Schulte, caps 
 
 and dresses. Living Flag •.••.•••• ^ °^ 
 
 Check No. 43, F.Schneider, typewriting 7 00 
 
 Check No. 44, F. Gunzendorfer & Son, 
 knives, forks, pans, plates, napkins, 
 etc., for picnic, July 5th 194 05 
 
 Check No. 45, J. P. Sargent, Wild West 
 
 Show 100 00 
 
 Check No. 46, A. L. Luce, services as 
 
 usher 13 00 
 
 Check No. 47, Grant Towle, services 
 as ticket agent 11 00 
 
 Check No. 48, E. Duarte, services as 
 
 usher 11 00 
 
 Check No. 49, C. A. Warren, services 
 
 as usher 4 00 
 
 Check No. 50, William Higgins, labor 2 00 
 
 Check No. 51, W. E. Parker, Chief 
 Monterey Fire Department, prize for 
 hook and ladder contest 50 00 
 
 Check No. 52, H. V. Trafton, trainer 
 Watsonville hose team, ist prize, 
 hose contest 150 00 
 
 Check No. 53, W. E. Parker, Chief 
 Monterey Fire Department, 2nd prize, 
 hose contest 75 00 
 
 Check No. 54, D. J. Houghton, tables 
 
 for picnic 70 00 
 
 Check No. 55, M. Harris, sundry goods 5 00 
 
 Check No. 56, Miss Blandina Martinez, 
 
 caps and dresses. Living Flag 2 00 
 
 Check No. 57, Miss Frances Arano, 
 
 dresses for Living Flag 14 00 
 
 Check No. 58, Guadalupe Rico, car- 
 riages and drayage II 50 
 
 Check No. 59, W. C. Cochran, carriages 20 50 
 
 Check No. 60, Manuel Diaz, labor 18 00 
 
 Check No. 61, F. M. Hilby, sundry 
 
 goods and charges 8 50 
 
 Check No. 62, R. T. Serrano, labor 5 00 
 
 Check No. 63, A. F. Rico, transfer 
 service 5 25 
 
 Check No. 64, Ignacio Laughlin, serv- 
 ices as janitor 1480 
 
 Check No. 65, Manuel Lewis, sundry 
 
 mdse 2 80 
 
 Check No. 66, A. C. Taylor, expenses 
 
 San Francisco office 35 00 
 
 Check No. 67, George Tripp, labor 5 00 
 
 Check No. 68, H. A. Greene, sundry 
 expenses, (see statement following 
 recapitulation) 9 80 
 
 Check No. 69, Diaz Brothers, refresh- 
 ments 
 
 Check No. 70, C. R. Few, carriages 
 
 Check No. 71, Miss Josie Pray, dresses 
 for Living Flag 
 
 Check No. 72, J. E- Warren, labor 
 
 Check No. 73, Geo. Albridge, ice and 
 ice cream 
 
 Check No. 74, J. B. Snively, telegrams 
 
 Check No. 75, Wells, Fargo & Co., ex- 
 pressage 
 
 Check No. 76, Monterey Electric Light 
 Co., wire 
 
 Check No. 77, C. K. Tuttle, silver paper 
 
 Check No. 78, Miss F. B. Orton, ex- 
 penses ladies' reception committee... 
 
 Check No. 79, C. H. Gomez, carriages.. 
 
 Check No. 80, A. Berg, transfer service 
 
 Check No. 81, S. J. Duckworth, testi- 
 monial 150 00 
 
 Total disbursements to July 10, 1896. ..$3339 19 
 July 10, 1896, balance on hand 353 99 
 
 I3693 15 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 July TO, 1866, receipts from all sources. .$3693 15 
 July 10, 1896, disbursements to date $3339 '^ 
 
 July 10, 1896, balance on hand % 353 99 
 
 The following payments were made 
 
 rector-General Greene from the fund 
 
 him and accounted for by Check No. 14 
 
 above statement : 
 
 Lunch for girls working on caps for Liv- 
 ing Flag 
 
 Stars for Goddess of Liberty 
 
 Expenses of trip to San Francisco 
 
 Planing seats for grand stand 
 
 Clearing half of Lyceum grounds 
 
 Cups and basins for pavilion 
 
 Expense of building road to picnic 
 grounds 
 
 Boy helping to tack up descriptive scrolls 
 
 Rubber bands 
 
 Evergreens 
 
 Goddess costume 
 
 Work on and lumber for float at wharf.. 
 
 Transfer service on decorations 
 
 Ferns 
 
 Whitcomb Bros., labor 
 
 7 
 34 
 
 75 
 00 
 
 4 
 13 
 
 00 
 .50 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 50 
 58 
 
 25 
 
 80 
 
 4 
 
 75 
 40 
 
 8 
 16 
 
 75 
 00 
 
 I 
 
 00 
 
 by 1 
 
 Di- 
 
 vol 
 
 ted 
 
 in the 
 
 3 40 
 
 I 
 
 00 
 
 2 
 
 00 
 
 2 
 
 50 
 
 13 
 
 00 
 
 
 50 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 
 25 
 
 
 30 
 
 2 
 
 00 
 
 16 
 
 05 
 
 46 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 00 
 
 I 
 
 00 
 
 3 
 
 00 
 
Labor preparing boufires 3 00 
 
 Labor preparing bonfires i 50 
 
 Messenger 50 
 
 Music I cx) 
 
 Driver 4 00 
 
 Cleaning pans and knives 2 00 
 
 Paid Wm. Lemos, on account decora- 
 tions 10 00 
 
 Paid Edward Allen, on account picnic... 10 00 
 
 Paid M. Ortins for sundry mdse 8 70 
 
 Paid Wm. Lemos, account decorations... 62 00 
 
 In addition to the cash balance as above (on 
 deposit in the Bank of Monterey, Monterey), 
 the Executive Committee has the outfit used 
 at the picnic July 5th, and is now disposing of 
 it at fair prices. It is expected that at least |8o 
 will be realized from this source. 
 
 The steps, float, and ticket ofl[ice constructed 
 for the convenience of visitors to the warships 
 during the celebration constitute au additional 
 asset. 
 
 Everything will be sold to the best possible 
 advantage for the benefit of the celebration 
 fund. 
 
 A few small bills still remain unpaid and the 
 Executive Committee has authorized Director- 
 General Greene to satisfy them with the funds 
 realized from the sale of committee propert}', 
 as aforesaid, should they be presented to him 
 before another committee meeting is held. 
 
 The net balance will be reduced a moderate 
 sum when payment has been made for the two 
 souvenir banners ordered last evening for the 
 U. vS. S. Philadelphia and Monadnock. This 
 will be the last payment made by the Execu- 
 tive Committee, the balance then remaining to 
 be placed to the credit of said committee for 
 celebration purposes in the future. 
 
 For the information of all concerned, it may 
 be well to close this report with the state- 
 ment that no committee money has been 
 drawn, or could have been drawn, by any per- 
 son without a check signed by President T. J- 
 Field and countersigned by Secretary fc>. J. 
 Duckworth, an express direction to issue said 
 check having been previously spread in full 
 upon the minutes of the Executive Committee. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 S. J. DUCKWORTH, 
 
 Secretary Executive Committee, 
 Semi-Centennial Celebration. 
 
 Note. — In relation to the statement being 
 made that it was asserted "that all of the 
 money collected for or on account of the cele- 
 bration just closed was collected from the peo- 
 ple of the State under the pretext that it would 
 be devoted towards defraying the expense of 
 laying the corner-stone of the Sloat Monu- 
 ment," etc. 
 
 No such assertion was ever made by myself, 
 and it was the first time that I ever heard of it 
 until seeing it in print. It was expected, how- 
 ever, that out of the money sent from San 
 Francisco of $1,629, that $500 might be used 
 for the monument, which latter amount had 
 been contributed by firms whose principals 
 were members of the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion, and they were in favor of it as already 
 stated . 
 
 San Francisco county has no stone yet pro- 
 vided to be represented in the monument. 
 
 Mr. Hugh Craig, President of the Chamber 
 of Commerce of San Francisco, who helped to 
 raise the I1629 sent, expressed surprise that out 
 of this money not a cent was used for the pro- 
 viding the stone for San Francisco count)^ as 
 its contribution to the Sloat Monument. 
 
 The surplus remaining in the treasury of the 
 local committee at Monterev from the San 
 F'rancisco contribution sent, w'hich should 
 have been returned to the San F'^rancisco 
 Committee or the doi ois, we learn is to be 
 expended in the purchase of flags to be pre- 
 sented to the Philadelphia and the Monadnock 
 by this clique at Monterey, assuming to act for 
 the citizens of San F>ancisco without authority, 
 and thus depriving our city of this honor and 
 pleasure of so doing, if it desired : an act of 
 presumption and cheek which only finds its 
 parallel in usurpations already related in this 
 Report. Neither the ofllicers or the crews of 
 these vessels of war will be deceived by the 
 acts of these men, and though they may accept 
 the flags as a matter of courtesy, yet they will 
 fully understand the motives animating the 
 actors who expend other people's money with- 
 out their authority and consent and who would 
 take credit unwarrantedly for their veneered 
 patriotism and thin liberality. 
 
 Edwin A. Sherman, 
 
 Chairman of Committee of Arrangements 
 of Associated Veterans of the Mexican 
 War. 
 
Resolution of Cbanks 
 
 TO OUR 
 
 Comrade major €(lwin K Sbcrman, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee of Hrrangements of the dissociated Ueterans of the mexican Ular for 
 
 the Celebration of the Tifticth Anniversary of the Raising of the Jimerican Tlag at 
 
 monterey, and the taking Possession of California, by Commodore 
 
 3ohn Sloat of the U. S. Haoy 3uly 7th, i$4t>. 
 
 1>eld at monterey, California, !Iuly 7th, i$96. 
 
 At the regular n:eetiiig of the Associated 
 Veterans of the Mexican War held on Thurs- 
 day evening, July 9th, 1896, at their Hall, No 
 22 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, California, 
 among other business transacted the following 
 action was taken : 
 
 It was moved by Comrade J. C. Taylor, that 
 a committee to be composed of past Presidents 
 Comrades William L. Duncan, A. Andrews, 
 Joseph Stewart, and past and present President, 
 Sidney J. Loop, be appointed to draft and pre- 
 sent to Comrade Edwin A. Sherman, resolu- 
 tions of thanks expressing the appreciation 
 and gratitude of this Association of Veterans of 
 the Mexican War, for his valuable services ren- 
 dered as Chairman of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangements for the celebration of the Fiftieth 
 Anniversary of the raising of the American 
 flag at Monterey, and the taking possession of 
 California by Commodore John D. Sloat, on 
 July 7th, 1846, which celebration was held at 
 that place on July 7th, 1896. 
 
 The motion being duly seconded, was unani- 
 mously adopted. 
 
 Signed, Sidney J. Loop, President. 
 
 Attest : Wm. L. Duncan, Secretary. 
 
 Hall of the Associated Veterans of the 
 Mexican War, 
 
 Thursday, September 20, 1896. 
 To the President, Officers and Members of the 
 
 Associated Veterans 0/ the Mexican War. 
 
 Comrades : — Your committee to whom was 
 assigned the pleasing duty of drafting resolu- 
 tions of thanks to our Comrade, Major Edwin 
 A. Sherman, chairman of the Committee of 
 Arrangements for the celebration held at Mon- 
 terey, on July 7 last, have performed the duty 
 required of us, and in accordance with his 
 wishes, have caused the same to be printed in 
 the book containing the account of the celebra- 
 tions published therein, instead of having them 
 engrossed and framed, as we had it in contem- 
 plation so to do. 
 
 We therefore submit the following accom- 
 panying resolutions as our report : 
 
 Whereas: It is eminently just and proper 
 that faithful services in the performance of duty 
 should be duly recogr.ized at all times and in 
 the general business affairs of life where compen 
 .sation is made for such services rendered; yet 
 when there is no other reward to be looked or 
 hoped for than the approval of one's own con- 
 
 science, at the end of a long and patient service 
 often years in the arrangement of plans for a 
 successful demonstration b}- the people in the 
 marking of an epoch in the history of the 
 American Republic, unparalleled in the annals 
 of the world, and such long services having 
 been rendered gratuitously at a great sacrifice 
 of so much time and money for which latter 
 compensation and reimbursement has been re- 
 fused to be accepted in return by a comrade of 
 the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, 
 who, prompted solely by a spirit of the purest 
 patriotism, has devoted himself to a most noble 
 object, that of commemorating the Semi-Cen- 
 tennial Anniversary of American Occupation of 
 California, and to indelibly mark the same, by 
 laying the foundation stone of the base of a 
 monument, which, when erected, shall, for all 
 time, be the witness of a grateful, loyal, and 
 liberty-loving people, to the memory of the 
 faithful and patriotic officer and citizen who 
 first planted the Stars and Stripes on these 
 then far-off shores, Commodore John Drake 
 Sloat of the U. S. Navy, who added an empire 
 to our national domain. Such self denial and 
 self-sacrificing devotion, is not only worthy of 
 all praise, but deserves the expressed gratitude 
 especially of all his comrades of the Veterans 
 of the Mexican War, and the general thanks of 
 the people of the State of California. And, 
 
 Whereas : That we may the better recall to 
 our memories some of the services he has ren- 
 dered and that the people of the State of Cali- 
 fornia may be made duly aware of the same, 
 that public gratitude may also be extended to 
 him which he so eminently deserves, we cite 
 the following facts : 
 
 Under the auspices of the Associated Veter- 
 ans of the Mexican War, as chairman of the 
 Committee of Arrangements, he inaugurated 
 and successfully carried out the celebration of 
 the Fortieth Anniversary of the Raising of the 
 American Flag at Monterey and Occupation of 
 California by Commodore John D. Sloat, of 
 the U. S. Navy, which with the co-operaiion of 
 the U. S. Government and the California pion- 
 eers which he secured and made that event 
 memorable in the annals of the State of Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 He inaugurated and organized the Sloat 
 Monument Association of California, and has 
 served as its secretary without fee or reward for 
 a period of over ten years. 
 
 He successfully defended and maintained the 
 
lO 
 
 feputalion and fair fanie of Commodore John 
 Drake Sloat against lying traducers who 
 assailed the character of the deceased, who 
 could not speak for himself, and thus after long 
 months of secret and open opposition he en- 
 abled our Senator, the Hon. George C. Perkins, 
 to successfully carry through the bill in the 
 U. S. Senate making an appropriation of ten 
 thousand dollars for the erection of the Sloat 
 Monument at Monterey. 
 
 He, by his personal influence and laborious 
 correspondence, totally unaided, succeeded in 
 arousing the spirit of American patriotism 
 throughout the State, to the extent of having 
 the Boards of Supervisors of the several coun- 
 ties to provide stones for the base of the monu- 
 ment and to send their representative young 
 ladies to be present at the laying of the corner- 
 stone. 
 
 He made a journey to the city of Washing- 
 ton at his own expense to secure the coopera- 
 tion of the Secretary of War and Secretary of 
 the Navy in the celebration of the Fiftieth An- 
 niversary of the Raising of the American flag 
 and taking possession of California by Commo- 
 dore John D. Sloat of the U. S. Navy, which 
 mission was crowned with success. 
 
 Through his personal influence and efforts 
 our treasury was aided, that its Relief Fund 
 remained untouched and the Associated Vet- 
 erans of the Mexican War were enabled to pro- 
 ceed to Monterey and return from the late cele- 
 bration at that place without drawing from the 
 funds appropriated for the relief of our dis- 
 tressed comrades. 
 
 As chairman of the Committee of Arrange- 
 ments of the Associated Veterans of the Mexi- 
 can War, for the celebration of the Fiftieth 
 Anniversary of the Raising of the American 
 flag at Monterey, he gave his time and means 
 for a period of nearly a year and a half, and 
 under the most trying and perplexing difficul- 
 ties, and without any appropriations of moneys 
 placed at his disposal whatever, he made with 
 the assistance of the Army and Navy a success 
 worthy of the Nation, of the Associated Veter- 
 ans of the Mexican War, of the Pioneers of 
 California and of the Sloat Monument Associa- 
 tion in the grand historic event commemo- 
 rated. 
 
 In the bringing together of historic charac- 
 ters — the man who actually raised the American 
 flag at Monterey half a century before to raise 
 it again; and the few survivors who landed 
 with the forces under Commodore Sloat; those 
 who served under Commodore Stockton and 
 Colonel Fremont; the few survivors of the 
 U. S. Army and of Stevenson's Regiment who 
 served in California fifty years ago; and the 
 
 battle-scarred veterans who served with our- 
 selves under Generals Taylor, Scott and others, 
 in the Mexican War. In the steps taken by 
 him for the celebration of the Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary of the Raising of the American flag at 
 San Francisco, July 9th, 1896, by Captain 
 Montgomery, of the U. S. Sloop of War Ports- 
 mouth, as also the previous celebration at So- 
 noma, of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Rais- 
 ing of the Bear Flag at that place on June i4tli 
 last, all of which deserves the highest commen- 
 dation, gratitude and praise. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved — That we tender our Comrade, 
 Major Edwin A. Sherman our sincere and 
 heartfelt thanks for his long, patient, laborious 
 and patriotic services given in behalf of the 
 Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, 
 extending over a long period of years; and that 
 while he enjoys our highest esteem and regard, 
 our confidence in his integrity and ability, he 
 is justly entitled to the credit of having inaugu- 
 rated and brought to a successful termination 
 the celebrations already mentioned, and is de- 
 serving the gratitude of the people of the State 
 of California, for his patriotic devotion to her 
 fair fame and the Nation's honor in the events 
 which under his direction have been so auspi- 
 ciously commemorated. 
 
 Resolved — That we earnestly trust and fer- 
 vently hope, that his days may be lengthened, 
 and that he may live to finish and enjoy the 
 fruits of his labors in the completion of the 
 monument and the erection of the statue of 
 Commodore John Drake Si,oat so well be- 
 gun, and the foundatiou-stone laid, on the 
 U. S. Military Reservation at Monterey, and 
 that to this end he is deserving of the hearty 
 support and cooperation of all the patriotic 
 citizens, and it is to be hoped that all of the 
 counties of the State of California will be fully 
 represented by their stones to be placed in the 
 base of the monument at Monterey. 
 
 Resolved — That these Resolutions be spread 
 upon the minutes of our Association, a copy 
 presented to our Comrade, Major Edwin A. 
 Sherman, chairman of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangements, and a copj' of the same printed in 
 the account to be published of our late celebra- 
 tions. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 (Signed), 
 
 J. C. Taylor, 
 
 William L. Duncan, Past President. 
 A. Andrews, Past President. 
 Joseph Stewart, Past President. 
 Sidney J. Loop, Past Pres. and Pres. 
 
 Attest : Wm. L. Duncan, Secretary. 
 
Jlddenda. 
 
 To our Comrades and Friends : 
 
 Since the Supplemental Report of the 
 Committee of Arrangements of the Associated 
 Veterans of the Mexican War was presented 
 and printed, with the account of the celebra- 
 tion at Monterey on July 7th, 1896, the follow- 
 ing have been received from Admiral L,. A. 
 BeardsIvEE, commanding the Pacific Station 
 of the U. S. Navy. 
 
 In regard to the mismanagers of the local 
 committee at Monterey, he says : 
 
 (Copy.) 
 " Flagship Philadelphia," Pacific Station. 
 
 San Francisco, October 21. 
 
 My Dear Major Sherman : — Thanks for 
 the blue and gold book. 
 
 While I am unwilling to take sides in the 
 differences which so unfortunately occurred to 
 mar the harmony of the celebration, I do not 
 hesitate to saj' that, whoever was responsible 
 for the many blunders and discourtesies shown 
 to visiting guests, and to myself and people 
 under my command, was either a very rude 
 man, or men, if more than one was respon- 
 sible. 
 
 I enclose copy of letter mailed to-day to Mr. 
 Duckworth, and am. Yours truly, 
 
 L. A. BeardslEE. 
 
 (Copy.) 
 
 "U. S. Flagship Philadelphia." 
 San Francisco, Cal., October 21, 1896. 
 Mr. S. J. Duckworth, Secretary Executive 
 
 Committee, Setni - Centennial Celebration, 
 
 Monterey, Cal. 
 
 Dear Sir: — 1 learn from "Report on 
 Committee of Arrangements of the Associated 
 Veterans of the Mexican War," that from the 
 funds contributed to be expended in items con- 
 nected with the Semi Centennial celebration at 
 Monterey on July 7, 1896, there is a certain por- 
 tion set aside for the purchase of " two souvenir 
 banners ordered last evening for the U. S. Ships 
 Philadelphia and Monadnock." 
 
 I have to request that as there is, and has 
 been, among those who organized and man- 
 aged the celebration, wide differences of opin- 
 
 ion as to the proper distribution of the money 
 collected, not one dollar of it shall be expended 
 directly or indirectly on any of the forces 
 under my command. 
 
 I could not permit the acceptance of a ban- 
 ner under the circumstances. I am, 
 Yours truly, 
 
 L. A. Beardslee, 
 Rear Admiral U. S Navy. 
 
 This letter was mailed to its destination on 
 October 21st, 1896, and must have been re- 
 ceived by the local committee at Monterey to 
 whom it was sent. And yet in the face of it, 
 the following absurd and ridiculous statement, 
 and evidently intended to deceive their own 
 people as well as others, is published one week 
 later in the Monterey New Era. of October 
 28th, 1896: 
 
 " It has been necessary to cable to Lyons, 
 F'rance, for the silk ot which the flags are to 
 be made by the Jubilee Committee to the war 
 ships Philadelphia, Monadnock and Monterey. 
 It is of such superb and expensive quality that 
 no American house keeps it in stock. The 
 flags will be ready for presentation by Christ- 
 mas." 
 
 To give out such stuff to the people after 
 receiving Admiral Beardslee's letter is wilful 
 deception and unparalleled public meudacitj'. 
 
 Common honesty would demand that the 
 surplus amount of I300 unexpended of the 
 $1629 sent down from San Francisco should be 
 returned to that Finance Committee, that San 
 Francisco county herself might provide a stone 
 like the other counties of the State, and thus 
 be represented in the Sloat Monument as it 
 ought to be. San Francisc j is perfectly able 
 and competent to disburse its own funds, with- 
 out having such a committee as that at Mon- 
 terey to misrepresent and presume to act for 
 her. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 Signed, Edwin A. Sherman, 
 Chairman and on behalf of the Couimittee of 
 Arrangements of the Associated Veterans 
 of the Mexican War. 
 Oakland, November i, 1S96. 
 
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