A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF WILLIAM B. IDE

THE CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA BY THE BEAR FLAG PARTY ORGANIZED AND LED BY WILLIAM B. IDE.

SCRAPS OF CALIFORNIA HISTORY NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF WILLIAM B. IDE: WITH A MINUTE AND INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF ONE OF THE LARG- EST EMIGRATING COMPANIES, (3000 MILES OVER LAND) FROM THE EAST TO THE PACIFIC COAST. AND WHAT IS CLAIMED AS THE MOST AUTHENTIC AND RELIABLE ACCOUNT OF "THE VIRTUAL CONQUEST OF CALI- FORNIA, IN JUNE 1846, BY THE BEAR FLAG PARTY," AS GIVEN BY ITS LEADER, THE LATE HON. WILLIAM BROWN IDE.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1880, by SIMEON IDE, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

PREFACE.

WHEN the present writer, at the request of the surviving children of the subject of the following memorial pages, commenced the work assigned him, it was not expected that sufficient material suited to its publication, in BOOK-FORM, could be found. Indeed, the original arrangement with his employers contemplated his compiling and putting in type some fifty pages--then strike off from his proof-press a few copies, and send such proof-slips, only, to them. Under this arrangement he proceeded with the work until, some 70 or 80 pages of it were in type, and impressions from it were thus sent; when, for various reasons, his labors, (mechanical and otherwise) on it were suspended for the greater part of a year. The principal cause of this suspension, however, was, that at that stage of his progress the WAMBOUGH LETTER then first came to light, the contents of which put a new phase on the manner of further proceedings. Whether or no it was "written for the press", is unknown, as even its existence was before unknown to any of the living members of its writer's family or their kindred. Its perusal prompted them to make liberal subscriptions towards the expense of a small edition of this book. The contents of this Letter unravels and explains to them the mystery: why, or how it has happened, that the devoted, self-sacrificing, patriotic labors of Judge IDE remained so long unknown to them and the reading public generally. Yet so it is. Thousands of our best citizens go down to their last resting-place "unheralded and unsung", who, in their humble sphere of labor, have become real "benefactors of their race", by living sober, honest and industrious lives. Therefore, say we, in the words of WEBSTER'S favorite poet:

Let not AMBITION mock their useful toil--
Their homely joys and destiny obscure;
Nor GRANDEUR hear, with a disdainful smile,
The short and simple annals of the poor."

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

A Chronological Sketch of William B. Ide's Ancestry, 9

CHAPTER II.

Some few incidents of his sojourn in the States of Vermont, Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois, 18

CHAPTER III.

Mrs. Healy's account of their journey from Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Decota, Idaho, Utah and Nevada, (as now organized), to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 28

CHAPTER IV.

Their tedious ascent over the Nevada Mountain--descent into the American River Valley and encampment near Fort Sutter, 37

CHAPTER V.

Who made the "Bear Flag:, by W. M. BOGGS, Esq.-- Some account of the party who took up arms in defence and protection of the early pioneers, 51

CHAPTER VI.

The "Bear Flag Government" organized.--Some account of Proceedings under it.--The raid upon Gen. Castro's camp.--Narrow escape of Fremont's party, 61

CHAPTER VII.

Formal, if not legal transfer and change of Government, --Mr. Ide's tour under Fremont, down the Pacific Coast.--His contract for a passage home, 72

CHAPTER VIII.

California,--before its virtual Conquest by the "Bear Flag Party", in June, 1846.--Editorial Remarks, Introductory to William B. Ide's History of that Party, 88

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. Ide's explanation of the situation of affairs in California, on his arrival there in 1845, 100

CHAPTER X.

First uprising of the Emigrants.--Capt. Fremont's plan "Neutral Conquest."--Interview with the Captain and comments thereon, 111

CHAPTER XI.

The Party largely re-enforced by new recruits--their mistaken notions explained.--What happened on their arrival at Sonoma--Mr. Ide made Commander-in-chief "by Acclamation", and takes the Fort, "instanter".--His incipient movements under the "Independent Bear Flag Government," 120

CHAPTER XII.

How the Bear Flag was made.--The Commander's Address to his men--his reasons for issuing a Proclamation--its Text entire.--Notice of its publication addressed to Commodore STOCKTON, as a U. S. commanding Officer, then daily expected on that coast, 130

CHAPTER XIII.

Articles of Agreement and Treaty Stipulations arranged.--Symptoms of discontent among the men of the Garrison---a change of Commander talked of The Letter to Commodore STOCKTON forwarded.-- Capt. J. Montgomery, of the U. S. Ship Portsmouth, sends the Commander a friendly Letter by Lieut. Missroon, 143

CHAPTER XIV.

The Lieutenant interviews the Garrison, and finds it still distrustful.--The Commander a little despondent. --The men approve the Proclamation, and all are jubilant.--An attempt to draw a fight.--Castro's second proclamation--two young men inhumanly murdered by his men.--The first and only fight with the enemy, 157

CHAPTER XV.

Capt. Fremont's first visit--is a bit censorious--changes front and becomes a trifle laudatorious--his whereabouts from the 11th to the 25th of June.--The general aspect of their affairs seriously considered by The Commander.--Narrow escape of Fremont and his party.--The murderers of Fowler and Cowey escape due punishment, through Fremont's interference, 175

CHAPTER XVI.

Capt. Fremont again in the field.--The Commander's orders disobeyed.--The Bear Flag Government "in quiet possession of all California".--The U. S. Officers' plan--the Bear Flag Government to be made over to them.--The "General Assembly, and Council" convene on the 5th of July--vote to wipe out all previous doings of the Bear Flag Government, and raise the U. S. Flag, under Capt. Fremont's command, 191