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DON JOSE BANDINI.1

amusement, dancing, music, and games, employing the time. The refreshments were served hot and consisted of tamales, enchiladas, roast capons, and generally a calf roasted whole on the spot. Dulces, or Spanish preserves, and wines, native or imported, completed the repast. One of the gallants of the time said that "dancing, music, religion, and amiability, were the regular occupations of the ladies of California." House servants were easily controlled, looking with reverence on patron and patrona, whom they seemed to feel were responsible for their well doing and being, much the same as for the children of the house. They were often allowed to enter into conversation while waiting at table, a custom that still obtains in the old families where the service is of long standing, much to the astonishment of visitors of other nationalities, especially English. The Spanish have a saying, "Un buen criado sabe cuando callar y cuando meter su cuchara," A good servant knows when to be silent and when to put in his spoon.

ern part of the State, the relation between mistress and Indian servant reminds one much of the Kentucky households before the war. Shortly after my marriage, a member of my husband's family offered, if I would go to her ranch, to give me an Indian girl to assist in household duties, I faltered my thanks while visions of a certain fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States rose in my mind. Later, when this lady's daughter married and came to live near me, she brought from her home a young Indian. The girl was intelligent, knew very well she could leave her mistress when she pleased, but was only too glad to live with "one of the family," to be well fed, clothed, and more than all, to be able every few months to visit with her mistress the home ranch, where the civilized savage thoroughly enjoyed displaying her honors to her less favored relations. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles the girl was sent to the public school. Balbina had hitherto been encumbered with but one name, but when, on demand of the teacher, she found that another was necessary, she promptly gave that of her mistress's husband, and thereby came trouble, for this gentleman had a sister in the same school, a daughter of Virginia and Castile, whose pride was injured by this modest appropriation of Balbina's. The matter was finally settled by the culprit's taking the name of her mistress's family, which she did with much satisfaction, considering it the grander of the two.

Some of the great ranchos were like feudal estates. The Spanish feudal estates. One of the largest land owners was General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. His possessions numbered 33 leagues, over 146,000 acres, 15,000 head of cattle, 8,000 horses, and 2,000 sheep, while of workmen there were 300, besides women and children. General

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On the ranches, at least in the southCaptain of "La Reina" at Trafalgar and father of Don Juan Bandini.

Vallejo was one of several brothers of an old Castilian family, men of prominence and education, but he, in his greatness, overtopped them all. Born in 1808, in Monterey, his common school education. was supplemented by a course of study with W. E. Hartnell, an Englishman of San José, who aided in the education of a number of the young Californians of that day. From his youth Vallejo showed literary tastes, early gathering a library that was wonderful to be found in so isolated a spot. One of his first demands from a newly arrived trading vessel was for "Libros." Apropos of this fact, at one time these purchases included books by Tom Paine, Voltaire, and other such writers. These Vallejo kept under lock and key, allowing no one but his nephew Alvarado to share their contents. friend of the latter betrayed the existence of these incendiary volumes to the padres and the chief sinner was summoned and

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desired to hand over for auto da fè the forbidden literature, but as he declined the sacrifice, both he and Alvarado were laid under the ban of "excommunication mayor." After a time, the rigid priests, finding that the delinquents still enjoyed their acquisition seemingly impervious to the banishment from religious rites, removed the ban.

At the age of thirty-two Vallejo was chief military commander of California, the man to whom his fellow countrymen turned in every emergency. He brought the first printing press into the territory, set up with his own hands his orders and proclamations, and printed and bound several pamphlets. He was one who was in favor of annexation to the United States in the revolutionary troubles that preceded in California the Mexican War. He founded the towns of Sonoma and Benicia, and later, his offers to the State if the capital should be located at Vallejo were munificent; he even began the

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erection of public buildings, but was disappointed in that as in most else. The pledges given were broken; the capital was removed to Sacramento; squatters settled on his two chief ranchos, and becoming powerful in their union in a common cause, succeeded in overthrowing his title to these, the chief part of his property. Broken in fortune, wounded in spirit, the rest of his life was spent in the small, but delightful home of "Lachryma Montis," near Sonoma. The dwelling on this rancho cost sixty thousand dollars, material for it being brought from all parts of the world. The beautiful spring, "Tears of the Mountain," was walled up, forming a lake from which came water for the numerous fountains. In one part of the grounds. was a chalet brought from Switzerland, in another a pavilion of iron, glass, and bamboo, imported from China at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars. When his larger and more lucrative ranchos were lost, General Vallejo had no longer the means to keep up these grounds, but his home was here until his death, which occurred in 1890. "In his younger days," says Mr. Bancroft, "he was a model of

1Comandante San Diego.

chivalry,a true Amadis de Gaul, and when age had stiffened his joints somewhat, he had lost nothing of his gallantry and was as ready with his poetry as his philosophy. Let Spanish speaking Californians honor him for he was their chief in devotion to a noble cause. Let English speaking Californians honor him, for without the means of some, he did more than others for the lasting benefit of his country. Let all the world honor him, for he was thrice worthy the praise of all."

General Vallejo's unselfish, unwearying aid in collecting native material for Mr. Bancroft's great work gave especial warmth to the above encomium. The Vallejo manuscripts and letters alone, formed twenty-seven thick volumes of historical material, each of the dimensions of a quarto dictionary. General Vallejo and wife, who was a member of the Carrillo family, and consequently of fine appearance, had twelve children. That interesting account of "Ranch and Mission Life in California" which appeared in the Century for '91, was from the pen of the General's niece, Guadalupe Vallejo. It is a pity that one who writes so well, and must have such rich store of facts, romance, and tradition, to draw from should not oftener favor the public.

Second in historical importance to Vallejo was his nephew, Juan B. Alvarado. In 1836, he led a revolution which ended in making him governor, which honor Mexico thought best, finally, to confirm. He was so unfortunate as to be ruler when news of the decree for the secularization of the missions first reached California. Although he did not take advantage of the situation to enrich himself, he was much blamed for the manner in which the matter was managed. Of him Mr. Bancroft says, "Alvarado might have taken his place beside emi

nent statesmen in a world's congress.' As for literary ability his contribution to the history of California delighted all who had the good fortune to read it. Able as a statesman, as a governor displaying strength of character and keenness of discernment, yet Alvarado lost the greater part of his own estates in the trouble following the American occupation.

General José Castro, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Mexican army at the time of the war, was third among the Californians of the north. According to the best historians, he has been badly abused by American writers, a great part of the crimes or faults laid to his charge being quite unfounded. He made what resistance was possible against the Americans, and was defeated through no lack of brave endeavor on his part; to his friends he was true, and as a public officer, honest. He was the most eminent member of the largest family in the territory.

In the South, the men most actively before the public, were the Carrillo brothers of Santa Barbara and the Pico hermanos of Los Angeles, while of high birth, superior education, and possessing the gifts of statemanship and diplomatic ability, were Captain Noriega de la Guerra of Santa Barbara and Don Juan Bandini of San Diego.

Carlos Antonio Carrillo was an officer of the Mexican army and later, a member of the Mexican Congress, where he worked in the interests of the missions, and his speech there upon the mission question was the first production of a native Californian printed in book form. At one time Don Carlos was appointed by Mexico governor of the Territory, but was unable to wrest the office from the revolutionist Alvarado. The unsuccessful Governor however was very popular among his countrymen, being distinguished or his courteous manners.

His brother, Don José, was a most able politician, held numerous offices, and was the leader of the southern faction. Both the Carrillo brothers married into the Pico family.

✅ Captain José de la Guerra y Noriega, of Spanish birth, was founder of the De la Guerra family of Santa Barbara. Immensely wealthy, he owned nearly half a hundred leagues of land, 20,000 head of cattle, 12,000 horses. Both he and his wife, who was a Carrillo, were devoted to the Church and its interests. He was called the "defender of the poor," she, "that most charitable lady." An American lady visiting Santa Barbara early in the century, said upon her return that she found in California two things supremely good, "La Señora Noriega and grapes." William Heath Davis tells how Captain Noriega when about to make payment for goods from Davis's ship would take him to the attic of his house where he kept his treasure, the room being used for that purpose alone. In the apartment were two old Spanish chairs and ranged about were twelve or fifteen coras - Indian baskets-the largest holding half a bushel, all of which contained gold, many nearly full. Mr. Davis also tells how the Noriega boys managed to tap the supply by removing two or three tiles from the roof beneath which stood the gold filled baskets. They then drew out, with an improvised rake, as much as they desired. A unique way of getting at the paternal bank account.

This manner of keeping gold was not uncommon. Doctor Nicholas Den, an Irishman who married an Ortega and settled in Santa Barbara, had at one time need of a loan; he was about leaving for Los Angeles to arrange for it, when Father Narciso of the Mission sent his Indian servant to him with a four gallon cora full of gold and the message, "When he wanted help he should call on his priest."

Pablo de la Guerra, son of Captain Noriega, worthily carried the family honors, holding several positions of importance. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1849, was State Senator for four terms, and District Judge from 1864 until just before his death, which occurred In 1874. The family retains its prominence: to their manuscripts and recollections Mr. Bancroft holds himself indebted for much important historical material.

Another notable man of Santa Barbara was Captain Ygnacio Del Valle, at first an officer of the Mexican army, afterward holding honorable positions under the American civil government. His wife is noted for her charities. It is said she never refuses to go to one in distress; often she is called from her bed to minister to some sorrowing creature. She is noted for her strength of character and strict integrity. The family has lost nothing of its position through Reginaldo, the present head of the house, who while yet quite young, was State Senator, where his record was most honorable. Recently his name was presented to President Cleveland for the position of minister to Mexico. The qualifications of the young Californian pleased the President greatly, but he claimed he could not make the appointment as our present minister to Brazil is from California. Mr. Del Valle is well qualified to represent us in the sister republic as he speaks the two languages fluently and is well versed in the laws and characteristics of the two countries.

A native of Santa Barbara who has brought honor to his native town, State, and land, is Romualdo Pacheco, son of a Spanish gentleman. The boy Romualdo after enduring the tortures of California schools was sent to Honolulu to be educated; and in 1861 went to Europe on a tour of travel and observation. In

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General Nicholas Cobarrubias, a native of France but a Mexican citizen, who early settled in Santa Barbara, was a politician of eminence; elegant in manner, of good education, speaking English, Spanish, and French, fluently, he was most suitably chosen to carry to Washington the electoral vote of 1852. New York, on his arrival, went wild over having in her midst a Mexican general, a California grandee. Tammany appointed a committee to escort him to Washington, where he was still further lionized. His son, also named Nicholas, holds at present the position of United. States Marshal.

In San Diego in the early days the leading citizen, according to Frémont and other writers, was Don Juan Bandini. General Frémont says of him :

. Señor Bandini was a native of Spain, of Andalusia; of slight, thin person, sarcastic and cynical in speech, often the shape in which a keen intelligence, morbid because without outlet, expresses itself. He realized for himself and family the isolation to which the slumber of this remote place condemned them.

Mr. Bandini was a member of the Mexican Congress, where he was noted for his eloquence. By profession he was a lawyer, and under the American rule refused a judgeship. He gave all possible assistance in settling the affairs of the missions, serving as administrator of San Gabriel. In 1854 there appeared from his pen a series of clear and forcible articles on the land question, and his documents, letters, and manuscript his

tory of the Pacific Coast, were of especial importance to Mr. Bancroft in his work. Don Juan was educated in Spain where, as well as in Italy, he was connected with families of high rank. He came to America with his father, Captain José Bandini, an officer of the Spanish navy, who was commander of the Spanish man of war La Reina at the battle of Trafalgar. The Captain is buried in the Mission Church, San Gabriel.

Mr. Bandini owned the Jarapa rancho, where Riverside now stands, and in Lower California, the Ensenada, Tecate, and Guadalupe. Like many colonists, especially those of Spanish birth, he had long felt irritated at Mexico's treatment of California, he, therefore, when war came saw with satisfaction the success of the Americans, to which, indeed, he contributed generously. When in 1846 Commodore Stockton arrived in San Diego he found himself almost in a state of siege, suffering for supplies and being also in need of horses and oxen for land operations. It was then Don Juan came to the rescue, and taking a strong force down to his rancho of Guadalupe, he furnished our soldiers with five hundred head of cattle, two hundred horses, and eight carretas drawn by oxen. Upon the return Mrs. Bandini and family accompanied the party. During the journey the officer in command discovered that he had neglected to bring a flag to grace his entry into San Diego, and Mrs. Bandini made from the clothes of her little ones little ones their hasty departure not giving time to gather other luggagethe first American flag made on this Coast. That night Doña Refugio was serenaded by the full bands of the Congress and Savannah, and the next day the commander and his officers called to thank her for her gift, which is now preserved in Washington among the relics of the Mexican War. Commodore

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