The Forty-Niners | Page 9

lawless
actions that resulted in his court-martial, realizing the recklessness of
his spirit, and his instinct to take chances, one comes to the conclusion
that it is more than likely that his move was a gamble on probabilities
rather than a result of direct orders.

Be this as it may, the mere fact of Frémont's turning south decided the
alarmed settlers, and led to the so-called "Bear Flag Revolution." A
number of settlers decided that it would be expedient to capture
Sonoma, where under Vallejo were nine cannon and some two hundred
muskets. It was, in fact, a sort of military station. The capture proved to
be a very simple matter. Thirty-two or thirty-three men appeared at
dawn, before Vallejo's house, under Merritt and Semple. They entered
the house suddenly, called upon Jacob Leese, Vallejo's son-in-law, to
interpret, and demanded immediate surrender. Richman says "Leese
was surprised at the 'rough looks' of the Americans. Semple he
describes as 'six feet six inches tall, and about fifteen inches in diameter,
dressed in greasy buckskin from neck to foot, and with a fox-skin cap.'"
The prisoners were at once sent by these raiders to Frémont, who was
at that time on the American River. He immediately disclaimed any
part in the affair. However, instead of remaining entirely aloof, he gave
further orders that Leese, who was still in attendance as interpreter,
should be arrested, and also that the prisoners should be confined in
Sutter's Fort. He thus definitely and officially entered the movement.
Soon thereafter Frémont started south through Sonoma, collecting men
as he went.
The following quotation from a contemporary writer is interesting and
illuminating. "A vast cloud of dust appeared at first, and thence in long
files emerged this wildest of wild parties. Frémont rode ahead, a spare
active looking man, with such an eye! He was dressed in a blouse and
leggings, and wore a felt hat. After him came five Delaware Indians
who were his bodyguard. They had charge of two baggage-horses. The
rest, many of them blacker than Indians, rode two and two, the rifle
held by one hand across the pummel of the saddle. The dress of these
men was principally a long loose coat of deerskin tied with thongs in
front, trousers of the same. The saddles were of various fashions,
though these and a large drove of horses and a brass field gun were
things they had picked up in California."
Meantime, the Americans who had collected in Sonoma, under the lead
of William B. Ide, raised the flag of revolution--"a standard of
somewhat uncertain origin as regards the cotton cloth whereof it was

made," writes Royce. On this, they painted with berry juice "something
that they called a Bear." By this capture of Sonoma, and its subsequent
endorsement by Frémont, Larkin's instructions--that is, to secure
California by quiet diplomatic means--were absolutely nullified. A
second result was that Englishmen in California were much encouraged
to hope for English intervention and protection. The Vallejo circle had
always been strongly favorable to the United States. The effect of this
raid and capture by United States citizens, with a United States officer
endorsing the action, may well be guessed.
Inquiries and protests were lodged by the California authorities with
Sloat and Lieutenant Montgomery of the United States naval forces.
Just what effect these protests would have had, and just the temperature
of the hot water in which the dashing Frémont would have found
himself, is a matter of surmise. He had gambled strongly--on his own
responsibility or at least at the unofficial suggestion of Benton--on an
early declaration of war with Mexico. Failing such a declaration, he
would be in a precarious diplomatic position, and must by mere force
of automatic discipline have been heavily punished. However the dice
fell for him. War with Mexico was almost immediately an actual fact.
Frémont's injection into the revolution had been timed at the happiest
possible moment for him.
The Bear Flag Revolution took place on June 14,1846. On July 7 the
American flag was hoisted over the post at Monterey by Commodore
Sloat. Though he had knowledge from June 5 of a state of war, this
knowledge, apparently, he had shared neither with his officers nor with
the public, and he exhibited a want of initiative and vigor which is in
striking contrast to Frémont's ambition and overzeal.
Shortly after this incident Commodore Sloat was allowed to return "by
reason of ill health," as has been heretofore published in most histories.
His undoubted recall gave room to Commodore Robert Stockton, to
whom Sloat not only turned over the command of the naval forces, but
whom he also directed to "assume command of the forces and
operations on shore."
Stockton at once invited Frémont to enlist under his command, and the

invitation was