California Republic
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The California Republic, also called the Bear Flag Republic, is the name historians used for a revolt against Mexico proclaimed by California settlers on June 14, 1846, in Sonoma in the then-Mexican province of California. Declared during the Mexican–American War, the "republic" was a popular revolt and never got around to forming a government, and was never recognized by anyone. It lasted a mere 26 days, at which time the U.S. Army took control. It is most important for creating the "Bear Flag", with insignia that appears on the modern state flag.
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Bear Flag Revolt
When war became likely in 1846 between the United States and Mexico, U.S. Army Major John C. Frémont, who had arrived in California claiming to be on a mission to find a route to the Pacific (his mission officially was to find the source of the Arkansas River), began encouraging a rebellion among the Anglo-American settlers. As a result, thirty-three settlers in Sonoma broke free and raised a homemade flag with a bear and star (the "Bear Flag") to symbolize their taking control. The words "California Republic" appeared on the flag but were never officially adopted by the insurgents. Their actions were later called the "Bear Flag Revolt."
The same day, the rebels captured the Commandant of Northern California, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who openly endorsed the inevitability of the annexation of California by the United States. Vallejo was sent to Sutter's Fort, where he was kept a prisoner until August 1, 1846.[1] The Republic's first and only president was William B. Ide[2], whose rule lasted twenty-five days. On June 23, 1846, Frémont arrived with sixty soldiers and took command in the name of the United States. The Bear Flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes. The "republic" vanished and Ide enlisted in the U.S. forces as a private. The Mexican governor sent 55 men to attempt to crush the rebellion, but General José Castro's forces were defeated at the Battle of Olompali.
Unknown to Frémont and the Bear Flag supporters, war had already been formally declared on May 13, 1846, but the news did not reach California until early July, when the frigate USS Savannah and the two sloops, USS Cyane and USS Levant, of the United States Navy captured Monterey, California.[3]
Bear Flag
The sole legacy of the "California Republic" was the adoption of its flag as the basis of the modern state Flag of California. The modern flag has a star, a grizzly bear, and a colored stripe with the words "California Republic". The Sonoma Plaza site of the raising of the original Bear Flag is marked by a California Historical Landmark.
The original Bear Flag was designed and made by William L. Todd, who was a first cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln,[4] wife of president Abraham Lincoln. Todd painted the flag on domestic cotton cloth, roughly a yard and a half in length. It featured a red star imitating Texas's lone star and what he meant to be an ordinary black bear.[5] The bear was described as walking,[6] though on the original flag the bear was standing. The modern California flag shows the bear walking.
The original Bear Flag was destroyed in the fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A replica, created in 1896 for the 50th Anniversary celebrations, is on display at the Presidio de Sonoma, which was established in 1836 by Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo as a part of Mexico's attempt to halt Russian incursions into the region.
Proclamation of the Bear Flag Revolt
William B. Ide wrote a proclamation of independence on the night of June 14-15, 1846, and read it on the fifteenth:[7]
To all persons, citizens of Sonoma, requesting them to remain at peace, and to follow their rightful occupations without fear of molestation.
The Commander in Chief of the Troops assembled at the Fortress 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 social relations one to another by men under his command.
He also solemnly declares his object to be First, to defend himself and companions in arms who were invited to this country by a promise of Lands 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 Lands of their friends, who instead of being allowed to participate in or being protected by a "Republican 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 our of the Country, leaving all of their property, their arms and beasts of burden, and thus deprived of the means of flight or defense. We were to be driven through deserts, inhabited by hostile Indians to certain destruction. To overthrow a Government which has seized upon the property of the Missions for its individual aggrandizement; which has ruined and shamefully oppressed the laboring people of California, by their enormous exactions on goods imported into this country; 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 perpetuating a "Republican Government" which shall secure to all: civil and religious liberty; which shall detect and punish crime; which shall encourage industry, virtue and literature; which shall leave unshackled by Fetters, Commerce, Agriculture, 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 preservation; 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 happyfying in its tendency must originate with its people who are friendly to its existence. That its Citizens are its Guardians, its officers are its Servants, and its Glory their reward.– William B. Ide, Head Quarters Sonoma, June 15, 1846
Notes
- ↑ Heidenreich, Linda (2007). "This Land was Mexican Once": Histories of Resistance from Northern California. Austin: University of Texas Press, 77-87. ISBN 9780292716346
- ↑ William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, California State Parks.
- ↑ "Commodore John Sloat". US-Mexican War, Public Broadcasting Service.
- ↑ Bear Flag Museum retrieved 13/6/2008
- ↑ The California Bear Flag
- ↑ California Genealogy & History Archives Index Page
- ↑ Several versions were created of the Proclamation. Fred Blackburn Rogers William Brown Ide, Bear Flagger, Appendix A, Ide Proclamations
See also
- Republic of Lower California/Republic of Sonora, Mexico
References
- Bancroft, Hubert Howe The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of California vol 22 (1886). Also at History of California,VOL. V. 1846-1848
- Rice, Richard B. et al., The elusive Eden: A new history of California (2001) ch 7.
- Harlow, Neal California Conquered: The Annexation of a Mexican Province 1846-1850, ISBN 0-520-06605-7, (1982)
- "Simeon Ide's A Sketch of the Life of William B. Ide". http://www.bearflagmuseum.org/Simeon%20Ide%20Life%20of%20William%20B%20Ide%20Table%20of%20Contents.html. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
External links
- "The Bear Flag Revolt' (U.S. National Parks Service)
- John Bidwell, "Frémont in the Conquest of California", The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, vol. XLI, no. 4, February, 1891
- The Bear Flag Museum