CHAPTER VI

 

 *The following rough notes of narrative in the handwriting of the venerable General Sutter, the discoverer of gold in California, were found some years ago among the papers of an eminent citizen of this state.  As a relation of incidents in the life of a man held in respect by every Californian, these hasty and imperfect memoranda will, it is believed, have a double interest and a lasting value.  We have thought it best to preserve, as nearly as was practicable, the quaint phraseology, erroneous orthography, and imperfect punctuation of the manuscript, giving, in our judgment, an added charm to the narrative.   ----------------------San Francisco Argonaut.

 

     I LEFT the State of Missouri, where I had resided for many years, on the first of April, 1838, and traveled with a party of men under Capt. Tripps, of the American Fur Company, to their rendezvous in the Rocky Mountains (Wind River Valley).  From there I traveled with six brave men to Oregon, as I considered myself not strong enough to cross the Sierra Nevada and go direct to California, (which was my intention from my start, having got some information from a  gentleman from Mexico, who had been in California).

     Under a good many dangers and other troubles I passed the different forts or trading posts of the Hudson Bay Company, and arrived at the Mission at The Dalles on the Columbia River.  From this place I crossed straight, through thick and thin, and arrived to the great astonishment of the inhabitants.  I arrived after seven days in the Valley of the Williamette, while others with good guides, arrived in seventeen days previous my crossing.  At Fort Vancouver I was very hospitably received and invited to pass the winter with the gentlemen of the company, but as a vessel of the company was ready to sail for the Sandwich Islands, I took passage in her in the hopes of soon getting passage from there to California.  But five long months I had to wait for an opportunity to leave, but not direct to California, except far out of my way to the Russian American colonies on the northwest coast, to Sitka, the residence of the Governor, (Latitude 57).

     I remained there one month and delivered the cargo of the Brig Clementine, as I had charge of the vessel, and then sailed down the coast in heavy gales, and entered in distress in the Port of San Francisco, on the second of July, 1839.  An officer and fifteen soldiers came on board and ordered me out, saying that Monterey was the port of entry.  At last, I was allowed 48 hours to get provisions (as we were starving) and did some repairing on the brig.

     In Monterey I arranged my affairs with the Custom House and presented myself to Governor Alvarado, and told my intention to settle here in this country, and that I have brought with me five white men and eight Kanacas (two of them married).  Three of the white men were mechanics;  he was very glad to hear that, and particularly when I told him I intended to settle in the interior, on the banks of the River Sacramento, because the Indians at this time would not allow white men, and particularly of Spanish origin, to come near them;  they were very hostile, and stole the horses from the inhabitants near San Jose.

     I got a general passport for my small colony, and permission to select a territory wherever I would find it convenient, and to come in one year's time again to Monterey to get my citizenship and the title to the land, which I have done so, and not only this, I received a high civil office.

     When I left Yerba Buena, (now San Francisco), after having leaved the brig and dispatched her back to the S. J., I bought several small boats (launches) and chartered the Schooner "Isabella" for my exploring journey to the inland rivers, and particularly to find the mouth of the River Sacramento, as I could find nobody who could give me information, only that they knew that there were very large rivers in the interior. 

      It took me eight days before I could find the entrance to the Sacramento, as it is very deceiving and very easy to pass by;  how it happened to several officers of the Navy afterwards, which refused to take a pilot.  About ten miles below Sacramento City I fell in with the first Indians, which were all armed and painted and looked very hostile.  They was about 200 men, as some of them understood a little Spanish I could make a kind of treaty with them, and the two which understood Spanish came with me and and made me a little better acquainted with the country.  All other Indians on the Up River hided themselves in the bushes, and on the mouth of the Feather River they runned all away so soon they discovered us.  I was examing the country a little further up with a boat, while the larger crafts let go their Ankers, on my return all the white men came to me and asked me how much longer I intended to travel with them in such a Wilderness.

     The following morning I gave orders to return, and entered in the American River, landed at the Farmer tannery on the 12th Augt. 1839.  Gave orders to get everything on shore, pitch the tents and mount the three cannons, called the White men and told them that all those which are not contented could leave on board the Isabella next morning and that I would settle with them immediately and remain alone with the canecas, of 6 men 3 remained, and 3 of them I gave passage to Yerba-buena.

     The Indians was first troublesome, and came frequently, and would it not have been for the cannons, they would have killed us for sake of my property, which they like very much, and this intention they had very often, how they have confessed to me afterwards, when on good terms.  I had a large Bull Dog, which saved my life 3 times, when they came slyly near the house in the night, he got hold of them and barked most severely.

     In a short time moved my camps on the very spot where now the ruins of Sutter's fort stands, made acquaintance with a few Indians which came to work for a short time making Adobes, and the Canacas was building 3 grass houses, like it is customary on the Sandwich Islands.  Before I came here, I purchased cattle and Horses on the Rancho of Senor Martinez, and had great difficulties and trouble to get them up, and received them at last on the 22nd. of October 1839. Not less than 8 men wanted to be in the party, as they was afraid of the Indians, and had good reason to be so.

     Before I got the cattle, we was hunting Deer and Elk etc. and so afterwards to safe the Cattle, as I had then only about 500 head, 50 horses and a mandana of 25 mares.  One year that is in the fall of 1840, I bought 1000 head of Cattle of Don Antonio Sunol and a many horses more of Don Joaquin Gomez, and others.  In the fall 1839 I have built an adobe house, covered with tule, and two other small buildings, which in the middle off the fort, they were afterwards destroyed by fire.  At the same time we cut a road through the woods where the City of Sacramento stand, then we made the new Embarcadero, where the old Zink-house stands now. After this it was time to make a garden and to sow some Wheat &c we broke up the soil with poor Californian plows, I had a few Californians employed as Baqueros, and 2 of them  making Cal. Carts & stocking the plougs etc.

     In the spring 1840, the Indians began to be troublesome all around me, Killing and Wounding Cattle, stealing horses, and threatening to attack us en Mass, I was obliged to make campaigns against them and punished them severely, a little later about 2 a 300 was approaching and got United on Consumne River, but I was not waiting for them.  Left a small Garrison at home, Canons & other Arms loaded , and left with 6 brave men and 2 Boqueros in the night, and took them by surprise at Day light.  The fighting was a little hard, but after having lost about 30 men, they was willing to make a treaty with me, and after this lecon they behalved very well and became my best friends and Soldiers, with which I had been assisted to conquer the whole Sacramento and a part of the San Joaquin Valley.

     At that time the communication with the Bay was very long and dangerous, particularly in open Boats, it is a very great wonder that we got not Swamped a many times, all time with an Indian Crew and a Canaca at the helm.  Once it took me (in December 1839) 16 days to go down to Yerba buena and return, I went down again on the 22d Xber 39, to Yerba buena and on account of the inclemency of the Weather and the strong current in the River I need a whole month (17 days coming up) and nearly all the provisions spoiled. 

    On the 23d Augt. 1841, Capt. Ringold of Comadore Wilkes Exploring Squadron, arrived on  the Embarcasero, piloted by one of the launches Indian crew, without this they would not have found so easy the entrance of the Sacramento.  They had  6 whaleboats & 1 launch 7 Officers and about 50 men in all, I was very glad indeed to see them, sent immediately saddled horses for the Officers, and my Clerk with an invitation to come and see me, at their arrival I fired a salute, and furnished them with what they needed. They was right surprised to find me up here in this Wilderness, it made a good impression upon the Indians to see so many whites are coming to see me, they surveyed the river as far as the Butes.

     September 4th 1841.  Arrived the Russian Govr Mr. Alexander Rottiheff on board the Schooner Sacramento, and offered me their whole Establishment at Bodega & Ross for sale, and invited me to come right with him, as there is a Russian Vessel at Bodega, and some Officers with plien power, to transact this business with me, and particularly they would give me the preference, as they become all acquainted with me, during a month's stay at Sitka.  I left and went with him down to the Bay in company with Capt. Ringold's Expedition, what for a fleet, we thought then, is on the River.  Arriving at Bodega, we came very soon to terms, from there we went to Fort Ross where they showed me everything and returned to  Bodega again, and before the vessel sailed we dined on board the Helena, and closed the bargain for $30,000, which has been paid.  And other property, was a separate account which had been first paid.

     On the 28th of September I dispatched a number of men and my Clerk by land to Bodega, to receive the Cattle, Horses, Mules & Sheep, to bring them up to Sutter's Fort, called then New Hevetia, by crossing the Sacramento they lost me from about 2000 head about a 100, which drowned in the river, but of most of them we could safe the hides, our Cal. Banknotes at the time.

     March 6th, 1842, Capt. Fremont arrived at the port with Kit Carson, told me he was an officer of the U. S. and left a party behind in Distress and on foot, the few surviving Mules was packed only with the most necessary, I received him politely and his company likewise as an old acquaintance.  The next morning I furnished them with fresh horses & a Vaquero, with a pack loaded with necessary supplies for his men.  Capt. Fremont found in my establishment every morning what he needed, that he could travell without Delay, he could not have found it so by a Spaniard, perhaps by a great Many and with loosing a great deal of time.  I sold him about 60 mules & horses, and fat young steers or Beef Cattle, all the Mules & horses got shoed, on the 23d March, all was ready and on the 24th he left with his party for the U. States.

    As an Officer of the Govt. it was my duty to report to the Govt. that Capt. Fremont arrived, Genl. Micheltorena dispatched Lieut. Col. Teles (afterwards Gov. of Sinalo) with Capt., Lieut. & 25 Dragoons to inquire what captain Fremont's business was here;  but he was enroute as the arrive only on the 27th, from this time on Exploring, Hunting and Trapping parties has been started, at the same time Agricultural and Mechanical business was progressing from year to year, and more notice has been taken, of my Establishment, it became even a fame, and some Early Distinguished Travelers, like Doctor Sandells, Wasnesensky & others, Captains of Trading Vessels and Supercargoes & even Californians (after the Indians was subdued) came and paid me a visit and was astonished to see what For Work of all kinds has been done.  Small Emigrant parties arrived, and brought me some Very valuable Men, with one of those was Major Bidwell (he was about 4 years in my employ).  Major Redding and Major Hensley with 11 other brave men arrived alone, both of these gentlemen has been 2 years in my employ, with these parties excellent mechanics arrived. which all was employed by me, likewise good farmers.  We made immediately Amer. ploughs was  made in my Shops and all kind of work done, every year the Russians was bound to furnish me with good Iron and Steel and Files, articles which could not be got here, likewise Indian Beeds and the most important of all was 100 lb of lead (every year) with these I was careful like with Gold.

     June 3d 1846.  I left in company with Major Reading and most of all of the men in my employ, for a Campaign with the Mukelemney Indians, which has been engaged by Castro and his officers to revolutionize all the Indians against me, to Kill all the foreigners, burn their houses, Wheat fields, etc.  These Mukelemney Indians had great promesses and some of them was finely dressed and equiped, and those came apparently on a friendly visit to the fort and vicinity and had long Conversation with the Influential Men of the Indians,  and one night a number of them entered in my Potrero (a kind of closed pasture) and was Ketching horses to drive the whole Cavalada away with them, the sentinel at the fort heard the distant Noise of these Horses, and gave due notice, & immediately I left with about 6 well armed Men and attacked them, but they could make their escape in the woods (where Sac. city now stands) and so I left a guard with the horses.  As we had to cross the Mukelemney River on rafts, one of those rafts capsized with 10 rifles, and six prs of pistols, a good supply of Ammunition, and the Clothing of about 24 Men, and Major Reading and another man nearly drowned.

     June 16th 1846.  Merritt and Kit Carson arrived with news of Sonoma beeing occupied by the Americans, and the same evening arrived as prisoners, Genl. Vallejo, Don Salvador Vallejo, Lt. Col. Prudon & M. Leese, and given under my charge and Care, I have treated them with kindness and so good as I could, which was reported to Fremont, and he then told me that prissoners ought not to be treated so, than I told him, if it is not right how I treat them, to give them in charge of somebody else.

     Capt. Montgomery did send an Amer. flag by Lieut. Revere than in command of Sonoma, and some dispatches to Fremont, I received the Order to hiss the flag by Sunrise from Lt. Revere, long time before daybreak, I got ready with loading the Canons got the people all stirring.  Some them made long faces, as they thought if the Bear flag would remain there would be a better chance to rob and plunder.  Capt. Fremont received orders to proceed to Monterey with his forces, Capt. Montgomery provided for the upper Country, established Garrisons in all important places, Yerba buena, Sonoma, San Jose, and fort Sacramento.   Lieut. Missroon came to organize our Garrison better and more Numbers of White men and Indians of my former Soldiers, and gave me the Command of this fort.  The Indians have not yet received their pay yet for their services, only each one a shirt and a pre. of pants, & abt. 12 men got Coats.  So went the war on in California.   Capt. Fremont was nearly all time engaged in the lower Country and made himself Governor, until Gen. Kearney arrived, when an other revolution took place.  And Fremont for disobeying orders was made prisoner by Genl. Kearney, who took him afterwards with him to the U. States by Land across the Mountains.  After the war I was anxious that business should go on like before, and on the 28th.  May 1847, Marshall & Gingery, Two Millwrights, I employed to survey the large millraise for the Flour Mill at Brighton. 

     May 13th, 1847.  Mr. Marshall commenced the great work of the large Millraise, with ploughs and scrapers. 

     July 20th 1847.  Got all the necessary timber and frame of the mill-building.

     Augt. 25th. Capt. Hart of the Mormon Battalion arrived, with a good many of his Men on their way to Great Salt Lake, they had orders for Govt. horses, which I delivered to them (war horses) not paid for yet.  They bought provisions and got Blacksmith work done.  I employed about 80 Men of them, some as Mechanics, some as laborers, on the Mill and Millraise at Brighton, some as laborers at the Sawmill at Columa. 

     Augt. 28th 1847.  Marshall moved, with P. Wisners family and the working hands to Columa, and began to work briskly on the sawmill.

     Septr. 10th.  Mr. Saml. Brannan returned from the great Salt Lake, and announced a large Emmigration by Land.  On the 19th, the Garrison was removed, Lieut't Per Lee took her down to San Francisco. 

     Novr. 1th. Getting with a great deal of trouble and with breaking wagons the four runs of Millstones, to the Mill Sit (Brighton) from the Mountains.

     December 22.  Received about 2000 fruit trees with great expenses from fort Ross, Napa Valley and other places, which was given in care of men who called themselves Gardeners, and nearly all of the trees was neglected by them and died.

     January 28th. 1848. Marshall arrived in the evening, it was raining very heavy, but he told me he came on important business, after we was alone in a private Room he showed me the first specimens of Gold, that he was not certain if it was Gold or not, but he thought it might be;  immediately I made the proof and found that it was Gold;  I told him even that most of all is 23 Carat Gold;  he wished that I should come up with him immediately, but I told him that I have to give first my orders to the people in all my factories and shops. 

     February 11th.  Left for the sawmill attended by a Baquero (Olimpio), was absent 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th.  I examined myself every thing and picked up a few Specimens of Gold myself in the tail race of the Sawmill, this Gold and others which Marshall and some of the other laborers gave to me (it was found while in my employ and wages) , I told him that I would a ring got made of it as soon as a Goldsmith would be there. I had a talk with my employed people all at the Sawmill, I told then that as they  do know now that this Metal is Gold, I wish they would do me a great favor and keep it secret only 6 weeks, because my large flour mill at Brighton would have been in Operation in such a time, which undertaking would have been a fortune for me, and unfortunately the people would not keep it secret, and so I lost on this Mill at the lowest calculation about $25,000.

     March 7th. The first party of Marmons, employed by me left for washing and digging gold, and very soon all followed, and left me only the sick and the lame behind.  And at this time I could say that everybody left me from the Clerk to the Cook.  What for great damages I had to suffer in my tannery which was just doing a profitable and extensive business, and the vatts was left filled and a quantity of half finished leather was spoiled, likewise a large quantity of raw hides collected by the farmers and of my own killing.  The same thing was in every branch of business which I carried on at the time.  I began to harvest my wheat, while others was digging and washing Gold, but even the Indians could not be keeped longer at work, they was impatient to run to the mines, and other Indians had informed them of the Gold and its value;  and so I had to leave more than two-thirds of my harvest in the fields.

     April 18, 1848, more curious people arrived, bound for the Mountains.  I left for Columa, in company with Major P. B. Reading and Mr. Kenbel (Editor of the Alta-California) we were absent 4 days.  We was prospecting and found silver and iron in abundance.

     April 28th.  A great many people more went up to the Mountains.  This day the Saw Mill was in operation and the first lumber has been sawed in the whole upper Country.

     May 11th.  Saml. Brannan was building a store at Natoma, Marmon Islands, and have done a very large and heavy business.

     May 15th.  Paid of all the Marmons which has been employed by me, in building these Mills and other mechanical trades, all of them made their pile, and some of them became rich and wealthy, but all of them was bound to the great Salt Lake, and spent there their fortunes to the honor and glory of the Lord!

     May 19th.  The great rush from San Francisco arrived at the fort, all my friends and acquaintances filled up the houses and the whole fort, I had only a little Indian boy, to make them roasted Ripps etc. as my Cooks left mee like everybody else, the Merchants, Doctors, Lawyers, Sea Captains, all came up and did not know what to do, all was in confusion, all left their wives and families in San Francisco, and those which had none locked their doors, abandoned their houses, offered them for sale cheap, (a few hundred dollars, house and lot, lots which are worth now $100,000 and more) some of these men were just greaszy.  Some of the Merchants had been the most prudentest of the Whole, visited the mines, and returned immediately and began to do a very profitable business, and soon Vessels came from everywhere with all kind of Merchandise, the whole old thrash which was laying for years unsold, on the coasts of South and Central America, Mexici, Sandwich Islands, etc. all found a good market here.

     Mr. Brannan was erecting a very large Warehouse and have done an immense business, connected with Howard & Green, S. Francisco.

     May 21th.  Saml. Kyberg errected or established the first Hotel in the fort, in the larger building, and made a great deal of Money.  A great many traders deposited a great deal of goods in my Store (an Indian was the Key Keeper and performed very well) afterwards every little Shanty became a Warehouse and Store, the fort was then a veritable Bazzar.  As white people would not be employed at the Time, I had a few good Indians attending to the Ferry Boat, and every night came up, and delivered the Received Ferryage to me, after deducting for a few bottles of brandy, for the whole of them, perhaps some white people at the time would not have acted as honestly.

     May 25th.  The travelling to the mines was increasing from day to day and no more Notice was taken, as the people arrived from South America, Mexico, Sandwich Islands, Oregon, etc.  All the Ships Crews, and Soldiers deserted.  In the beginning of July, Col. Mason our military Governor, with Capt. Sherman (Secretary of State) Capt. Folsom Quartrmstr, and an Escort of which some deserted, and some other gentlemen, travelled in company with the Governor.

     As we wanted to celebrate the 4th of July, we invited the Governor and his suite to remain with us, and he accepted.  Kyberg gave us a good diner, everything was pretty well arranged.  Pinkett was the Orator.  It was well done enough for such a new Country and in such an excitement and confusion.  And from this time on you know how everything was going on here.  One thing is certain that the people looked on my property as their own, and in the winter of 1849 to 1850.  A great number of Horses has been stolen from me, whole Manadas of Mares driven away and taken to Oregon, etc.  Nearly my whole stock of cattle has been killed, several Thousand, and left me a very small Quantity.  The same has been done with my large stock of Hogs, which was running like ever under nobodies care and so it was easy to steal them.  I had no idea that people could be so Mean, and that they would do a wholesale business in Stealing.

     On the Upper Sacramento, that is from the Buttes downward to the point or mouth of Feather River, there was most of all my stock running, and during the Overflow the Cattle was in a many bands on high spots like Islands, there was a fine chance to approach them in small Boats and shoot them, this business has been very successfully done by one party of 5 men (partners) which had besides hired people, and Boat's Crews, which transported the Beef to the Market at Sacramento City and furnished that city with my own beef, and because these men was nearly alone, on account of the Overflow, and Monopolized the Market.

     In the spring of 1850, these 5 men divided their spoil of $60,000 clear profits made of Cattle all of them left for the Atlantic State;  one of them returned again the Winter from 1850 to 51, hired a new Band of Robers to follow the same business and kill of the balance of the few that was left.  My Baqueros found out this Nest of thiefs in their camp butchering just some heads of my Cattle. on their return they informed me what they have seen, in the neighborhood of the same camp they saw some more cows shot dead, which the rascals then butchered.  Immediately I did send to Nicolaus for the Sheriff (Jas Hopkins) as then at the time we had laws in force ? ! ? after all was stolen and destroyed the Sheriff arrived at Hock Farm, I furnished him a posse of my employed Men. they proceeded over on the Sacramento to where the thiefs were encamped, as the Sheriff wanted to arrest them, they just jumped in their Boats and off they went;  the Sheriff threatened them to fire at them, but they was all laughing they went at large.

     One day my son was riding after Stock a few miles below Hock Farm, he found a man, (his name was Owens) butchering one of our finest milch Cows (of Durham stock of Chile, which cost $300).  He told the man that he could not take the Meat, that he would go home and get people, and so he has done, and he got People and a Wagon and returned to the Spot, but Owens found it good to clear out.  2 Brothers of this man, was respectable Merchants in Lexington, Mo. and afterwards in Westport well acquainted with me, he came one day in my house and brought me their compliments, I received him well, and afterwards turned out to be a thief.  How many of this kind came to California which loosed their little honor by crossing the Isthmus or the plains.  I had nothing at all to do with speculation, but stuck by the plough, but by paying such high Wages, and particularly under Kyburg management, I have done this business with a heavy loss as the produce had no more the Value like before, and from the time on Kyburg left I curtailed my business considerable, and so far that I do all at present with my family and a few Indian Servants.  I did not speculate, only occupied my land, in the hope that would be before long decided and in my favor by the U. S. Land Commission;  but now already have 2 years and 3 months elapsed, and I am waiting now very anxiously for the decision, which will revive or bring me to the untimely grave.

     All the other circumstances you know all yourself, perhaps I have repeated many things which I wrote in the first 3 sheets, because I had them not to see what I wrote, and as it is now several months, I must have forgotten.  Well, it is only a kind of memorandum, and not a History at all, only to remember you on the different periods when such and such things happened.

     I need not mention again, that all the visitors has always been hospitably received and treated.  That all the sick and wounded found always Medical assistance, Gratis, as I had nearly all the time a physician in my employ.  The assistance to the Emigrants, that is all well known.  I don't need to write anything about this.

     I think now from all this you can form some facts, and that you can mention how thousands and thousands made their fortunes from this Gold Discovery produced through my industry and energy, (some wise Merchants and others in San Francisco called the building of this Sawmill another of Sutter's folly) and this folly saved not only the Mercantile world from bankruptcy, but even our Genl. Govt., but for me it has turned out a folly, then without having discovered the Gold, I would have become the richest wealthiest man on the Pacific Shore.

                                                                 (Signed) J. A. Sutter.

 

     James C. Ward. who visited General Sutter in 1848, says of him:

 

      "A Swiss by birth, he held during the reign of Charles X. the rank of Captain in the French Army.  He purchased the buildings at Fort Ross, just north of Bodega, of the Russians, and as he proposed to settle the wilderness to the north of the Bay of San Francisco with European immigrants, the Mexican Government made him a grant of eleven leagues of land on the Sacramento River.   After landing, he camped, surrounded by hostile savages, in the open plain where the fort was afterward built, and the next morning, after dressing in full uniform, he went, accompanied by his Indian servant, both well armed, to the Indian village near by.  The savages were informed through an interpreter that he came to them as a friend, and if he would help them a little with their labor, he would make them presents.

     "The Indians were set to work to make adobes, of which the fort was built.  It is a parallelogram in form, with two bastians.  In the middle of the square is a building two stories high, containing four rooms, and a counting-room upstairs.  A blacksmith shop, mill for grinding corn, serape manufactory and dwelling are around it, built against the walls of the fort.  At on time he had a well-drilled force of thirty Indians within its walls, with guards posted night and day for its defense.  No one reached it without being fed and lodged.

     "I passed the evening of my arrival, after supper, in his company.  His manners are polished, and the impression he makes on every one is very favorable.  In figure he is of medium height, rather stout,  but well made.  His head is round, features regular, with smiling and agreeable expression;  complexion healthy and roseate.  He wears his hair cut close, and his moustache trimmed short, a la militaire.  He dressed very neatly in frock coat, pantaloons and cap of blue, and with his gold-headed malacca in hand, you would rather suppose him prepared for a saunter on the Boulevards than a consultation with Simplon, his Indian alcalde, about hands required for the day's work, or ox teams to be dispatched here and there."

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta