Victoria media ignore historic pro-life demo with 1,500 attending

+++  Three Victoria media outlets, all owned by huge and powerful pro-abort media corporations, have ignored an historic March for Life which attracted approximately 1,500 people to march through the streets of Victoria from City Hall to the Provincial Legislature on Thursday May 8.  The Victoria Times Colonist and CHEK TV News, both owned by the Asper family’s CanWest Global Corporation, have nothing about the event on their websites this Friday.  CFAX Radio News, owned by the Thompson family associated with the Globe and Mail newspaper of Toronto, also has nothing on the historically significant event at their website today.  ++  The first annual March for Life attracted a diverse crowd of hopeful participants from around the province, including many students, mothers with baby carriages, elderly in wheelchairs and people of all races and creeds.  Marchers carried placards distributed by the Knights of Columbus which simply stated ‘DEFEND LIFE.’  Other placards showed pictures of women with a black background, with the caption ‘I REGRET MY ABORTION.’  The parade from the rallying point in Centennial Square near City Hall was escorted down Government Street by motorcycle policemen.  One participant fell en route, but was immediately attended by fellow marchers.  ++  The crowd attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, startled shoppers and tourists who took pictures, some of whom yelled encouragement or gave the thumbs-up.  ++  Speakers at the Legislature included Heather Stilwell, a former BC Unity Party candidate, representatives from Trinity Western-Holy Redeemer College (including a trio of young musicians who greeted the marchers with Protestant hymns of glory), members of the Knights of Columbus (all dressed in classy tuxedos), members of campus pro-life groups, and the Bishop of Victoria.  ++  A somewhat vague and self-promoting letter from Senator St. Germain was read by a woman who informed the crowd that the senator was undergoing a serious operation and was therefor not able to attend.  Senator St. Germain’s letter admitted that the abortion issue was not on the agenda of the present government.  Curiously, the disappointment of many in the crowd that the present Conservative government has let the pro-life movement down by its timidity on the pro-life issues was not mentioned directly by any of the speakers, as far as I am aware.  ++  One well-known member of the Catholic media was in evidence; Steve Weatherbe, editor of the Business Examiner and freelance writer for the BC Catholic weekly newspaper was seen taking many photos, as was John Hof of Campaign LIfe Coalition, one of the organizing groups.  ++  My personal hope is that this march will broaden its scope next year to include practical suggestions as to how participants may put pressure on the government to outlaw abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, and to provide improved prenatal care and palliation.  A clear condemnation of the unjust war in Afghanistan and the execution of Canadian citizens convicted of crimes in foreign countries would also broaden the appeal of the growing movement.  +++   

Don David Spence wrote to DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL that Captain Beechey ‘has taken up his quarters in your room’ in Monterey

+++  Hartnell bought a share in the ‘Fulham’’s cargo, and business matters occupied most of his time on the southern passage.  He was accompanied by methodical Mr. Fraser, who pored continually over the company accounts books, indifferent equally to the mystery of the sea and the strange sights ashore at Mexican, Central, and South American ports of call.  ++  William Logan had left California on an earlier voyage, summoned by Mr. Begg to develop a silver mine on Lake Titicaca in Inca country.  It was with regret that this likable fellow left the land of ‘poco tiempo.’  Already, from Lima, he had written to Hartnell: “I am of your opinion that in California you can live a much more happy life than in this place or in any part of Peru.”  ++  A worried letter from Spence, who remained in Monterey, arrived while Don Guillermo still was enjoying the family reunion in Santa Barbara.  Apparently, as always in his employer’s absence, Don David had many problems to solve, and unexpected visitors to entertain:  ++  ’His Majesty’s Ship Blossom arrived on the 29th inst.  After leaving last year, she went to Canton, and then made another attempt for the North, but has not been quite so successful this year.  They lost there five barges with three Sailors, but no officers, and had some engagements with the Indians - six of the of Marines severely wounded.  I have been doing all I can to furnish them with the necessary they want as there is a few of them bad with the scurvy.  I believe they will have cash enough to settle for all, but am not yet certain as they intend to stop here about three weeks more.  ++  The Captain has taken up his quarters in your room - makes himself quite at home.  I have been rather hard up, but shall do the best I can with them. . . . . They have heard nothing of Captain Franklin as yet.  After leaving this he intends to sail for San Blas and then for Callao.  There you may expect to see them.  ++  We have now in the port the American Brig from the Coast of Peru with a few half bleached cottons and segars at thirty dollars p. thousand, also Mr. Clevincoff and three American whalers. [Spence means the Russian historian, Kyrill Khlebnikov, who, since 1820, had been making periodic trading trips to California as agent for the Russian-American Fur Company, headquarters at Sitka.  Hartnell knew him well, and provided much of the material for his celebrated 'Letters on America.'  Khlebnikov also wrote the source biography of Baranov, published in St. Petersburg, 1835.] … +++ 

Dona Teresa accompanied DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL to Santa Barbara with her newborn second son Nathaniel, “alias the Bishop”

+++  Wyllie has no news, at the moment, but refers him to Trader Virmond “for all the news. . . . from Cape Horn to Cape Mendocino - touching as he does from place to place and having everywhere so many friends.”  ++  It was the ubiquitous German who came to carry off Don Guillermo and his father-in-law on their separate missions.  Don Jose insisted on proceeding to Mexico against the advice of all his family and friends.  Stern decrees recently had excluded all Spaniards from Mexican territory.  Even from California, Spaniards were fleeing in fear of their lives.  Such men as Don Antonio Cot and the respected padres Ripoll and Altimira, intimates of the de la Guerra-Hartnell-Carrillo clan, already were slipping away in secret.  ++  Don Guillermo received an anxious inquiry from Captain Beechey on this subject.  He in Sandwich and Wyllie in Mazatlan each had heard rumors of trouble on the coast for all non-Mexican residents, not only Spaniards.  Wyllie, writing on December 14, graphically describes the situation in Mexico: “Almost all the states of this Republic are successively issuing decrees expelling the old Spaniards and I believe soon none will be left in this country except married individuals that is, individuals married to Mexican citizens, the aged and the decrepit.  These measures have caused a great stagnation in commerce.”  ++  Don Jose, so long a well-loved and important resident of California, found it impossible to credit the presence of personal danger.  As his daughter Angustias remarked, his only crime consisted in having been born in Spain; he had come to live in Mexico at the age of eight or nine.  He departed on schedule, taking with him two sons, Pablo and Francisco, to be educated in Mexico City.  His family and friends were assembled around him in a series of farewell festivities.  ++  Dona Teresa’s baby, a second son named after her British brother-in-law Nathaniel, “alias the Bishop,” had been born in time for her to accompany Don Guillermo to Santa Barbara.  From this port the men embarked on Virmond’s brig ‘Fulham,’ leaving the mother and little children to keep grandmother company.  +++

Summer passed quietly and happily for the Hartnell family, awaiting an addition to its number

+++  ’The present juncture we consider favorable for a general settlement of accounts, for we cannot look forward to any change in the present prospects of business for twelve or eighteen months to come, by which time, we should hope, that a safe and commodious trade might be carried on with your place, on new and more satisfactory arrangements for all parties.’  ++  Actually, the proposal pleased Hartnell.  With the help of Fraser, the bookkeeper, he spent considerable time in drawing up all company accounts to facilitate a speedy end to the firm, not desiring to stay long in South America.  He took on his private account all unsold goods remaining from recent consignments, including those still on the ‘Aurora.’  He had discussed each step with his father-in-law and been assured by Don Jose of a substantial interest and outlay of cash upon commencing operations on his own.  The new outlook was not unpromising.  ++  The summer passed quietly and happily for the Hartnell family, awaiting an addition to its number.  Every act of Guillermito, “alias the Consul,” from first tooth to first step, was described to doting grandparents down in Santa Barbara.  Apparently his early lack of energy passed away, and the father wrote, not once but many times, such fatuous phrases as “each day he becomes more mischievous and more charming!”  On occasions when Don Guillermo must tear himself away, for business reasons, David Spence kept him informed of such momentous events as “Master Willie is sipping tea with a spoon.”  And when the child was only thirteen months old, the father boasted to the grandfather, “El Consul is speaking English in a wonderful way!”  In a rare benign mood, Mr. Begg wrote up from Lima that he “hoped to have something to do in the forming him for an enlightened citizen of California.”  ++  Perhaps it was the sense of such happiness as Hartnell enjoyed in his home that prompted Dr. Wyllie to write an affectionate note from Rosario in Mexico, on August 17, begging his “old cronie” not to neglect their correspondence, their sole means of communication for the present.  It seems, says he, that “the edifying society of so many Holy Franciscans and the contentedness of mind resulting from the perfect happiness you enjoy within the circle of your Family never allows you a moment to think of an old acquaintance and Physician of yours.”  … +++

Hugh McCulloch wrote back to DON GUILLLERMO HARTNELL alerting him of John Begg’s ‘intention of putting a stop (for the present) to the California Establishment’

++  ’And if you do spare a few days to make sales of the cargoes that go to you from this it appears you wish that I who am toiling from years’ end to years’ end and getting bald and blind in the concern should pay you for doing what is no more than your bounded duty; but you must either turn over a new leaf or I shall no longer have the pleasure of subscribing myself, your affectionate Partner.’  ++  Settling such important matters by correspondence became impossible.  Months must intervene before there was the possibility of an answer.  Meanwhile, distressing rumors were reaching the coast concerning the increasing depression in England.  As hostilities slowly ceased on the South American continent, a resultant check occurred in the business of such companies as James Brotherston’s.  Suspension of payments by English banking houses was attributed, by Mr. Begg, to overissuance of paper in speculations on foreign securities.  Mr.  Begg even had retailed the rumor, which Captain Lincoln refused to credit, that Brotherston and Company itself had failed.  ++  Hartnell’s presence in Lima became imperative when the company ship ‘Aurora’ brought a harried letter from McCulloch:  ++  ’The cares and anxieties of the last 10 months have literally made an old man of me before my youth is half finished. . . . .John Begg & Co. have written you by this conveyance intimating to you their intention of putting a stop (for the present) to the California Establishment and requesting you to wind up the concern, and make out a Balance Sheet of how the affairs stand; I am of opinion that this is only a temporary winding up, at least I would fain hope so (I can’t get Mr. Begg to speak decisively) for it would be a great pity to give up the concern just at the time when. . . .there was every chance of some good business being done.  I do not like the idea of our sowing and other people reaping the fruits.’  ++  Mr. Begg, in the same month of May 1826, announced to the resident manager of McCulloch, Hartnell and Company:  ++  ’It is now our wish to bring the Firm to a termination, and completely to wind up all its transactions, before we enter into new articles of copartnership with your Mr. Hartnell. … +++

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL wrote an enraged letter to his partner McCulloch in Lima

+++  ’A Californian would rather make you a present of the horse he rides on than allow his tail to be cut off; and although it is very true that they are in the habit of docking mares occasionally they do it for the purpose of obtaining lasos, halters, and various other articles of which there is an immense consumption in the country itself.’  ++  Still Mr. Begg was dissatisfied with Hartnell’s way of doing business.  According to McCulloch, “Mr. B. is far from being reconciled to the taking of the new Farm, the capital required for stocking it seems to frighten him.”  McCulloch also said, at this time, that “the Tallow from some of the missions has been in a shameful state.”  The ready sale in South America of cargoes aboard the ‘Thomas Nowlan,’ collected by supercargo Stephen Anderson, led the LIma firm to write Hartnell in Monterey that “they [Anderson and Mancisidor] appear to be doing a sure business and more extensive in proportion than you.”  ++  William Logan felt that Mr. Begg was becoming “cool” toward the California branch of his business, and Hartnell began to suspect that even McCulloch was losing interest in the faraway concern.  Recently Captain Lincoln had indicated as much, writing from Callao:  ”Mr. M’Culloch (I believe) is carrying on the store in Callao on his own account solely.”  ++  This seemed strange, when McCulloch had returned to South America for the avowed purpose of devoting himself to the affairs of both partners, and had written “dear William” of the showdown with Mr. Begg in which he accomplished his purpose.  But presently he took over two other stores in Callao, devoting more time to them than to the California retail establishment.  Finally, the Scotsman, although alloted the greater share of profits in the contract, began to charge a commission for selling cargoes of California goods.  This enraged Hartnell and he straightway asked Begg and Company for a revision of the articles of co-partnership (August 19, 1826).  To McCulloch he wrote, at the same time:  ++  ’Instead of devoting your time and attention to this concern as you bound yourself to do , I am informed that you never bother your head at all about it, having other two flashy establishment that engross the whole of your attention - … +++ 

Articles of copartnership between Begg & Co. + McCulloch & Hartnell were on point of expiration

+++  Gervasio Arguello was to accompany his kinsman to Mexico City, as substitute ‘diputado,’ later in the year.  And Don Guillermo, who expected “momentarily” a company ship from Lima, hoped to reach Santa Barbara on business “before the pilgrimedge.”  He also hoped that Teresa would be delivered of a second child in time to visit her mother in Don Jose’s absence.  He himself would then leave for Lima on any vessel with a full cargo ready to sail.  ++  For William Hartnell had made an important decision.  The articles of copartnership between Begg and Company and McCulloch and Hartnell were on the point of expiration.  It seemed necessary to the California partner that he be on the spot, either for termination or renewal of the relationship.  Settling important matters by correspondence had proved unsatisfactory, especially when historical events happened so swiftly, and ships still moved so slowly.  ++  Prices in hides, tallow, and salted beef fluctuated with the political situation and war news in South America and Europe.  For instance, the war early in 1826 between Brazil and Argentina, and the blockade of La Plata prevented sending tallow around the Horn.  So prices soured on the east coast.  Then, as supplies commenced to pour in overland from Chile, “The price peak fell and a steady decline set in” (Begg to Hartnell, July 17, 1826).  Again, Mr. Brotherston has assumed that British men-of-war patrolling the Pacific could be furnished with salt beef from the California establishment.  But London contractors secured a monopoly for supplying warships all over the world.  ++  Always the competitors in the hide business most to be feared were Brazilian and Argentine, whose hides continued superior in quality.  When war cut off supplies from both these countries, prices were raised in England, and more hides could be imported from California with profit (McCulloch to Hartnell, June 16, 1826).  ++  At this time Mr. Begg wrote, reproving Hartnell for not collecting horsehair, an article in great demand, selling at a high price.  Don Guillermo showed spirit in replying that, as usual, the senior partner was unfamiliar with California conditions: …  +++ 

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL wrote Don Jose de la Guerra congratulating him having been ‘nominated delegate to the Mexican congress’

+++  On the heels of his British house guest came an equally interesting Frenchman, Auguste Duhaut-Cilly, commanding ‘Le Heros’ on a voyage of trade and exploration ‘autour du monde.’  Like Beechey, the French captain was a keen observer, and likewise left a written account of his travels which has been widely read and translated into languages other than his own.  Hartnell heard of Duhaut-Cilly’s appearance on the California coast about the time the ‘Blossom’ sailed for Sandwich.  On February 22 he wrote to Don Jose in Santa Barbara that “every moment we expect a French merchant vessel which planned yesterday to leave San Francisco.”  ++  A month later, after an opportunity of becoming well acquainted and performing friendly offices for the Frenchman, Don Guillermo wrote a letter of introduction to his father-in-law, recommending Duhaut-Cilly without reserve.  ++  Though warned by Mr. Begg “that it is the policy of France to have a possession in these seas,” and aware that the Frenchman might have a purpose similar to Captain Beechey’s the Englishman asked his father-in-law to offer unstinting hospitality to his new friend.  He truly liked the man, considering him “a gentleman of pleasing personality and many accomplishments.”  Of the meeting in Santa Barbara, Duhaut-Cilly himself says (translation from French):  ++  ’We went to see the commandant, Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega.  He dwelt in the presidio, while waiting for the completion of quite a fine house he was having built without; and for which I was bringing him some beams I had taken on board at Monterey.  In Don Jose we found a well-informed and estimable man, surrounded by a large and charming family, from whom we had a gracious and hearty reception.  His large fortune and fine character were the cause of his enjoying a great influence in the country; and although he was a Spaniard, he had just been nominated delegate to the Mexican congress.  ++  Already Hartnell had sent congratulations to the old Spaniard, saying: “I have been exceedingly pleased to hear of the new honors conferred upon you by the nation.”  +++

Captain Beechey remembered ‘Mrs. Hartnell, The Commdte, Padres and all’ in letter to DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL from Oahu via ‘Harbinger’

+++  … “But the markets were still very bad indeed.  Liverpool and Manchester had suffered very considerably.  They mention in other news, the country was quiet and there was little going forward anywhere, except in the Mediterranean with the Greeks - You are aware of their having been joined by Lord Cochrane, who has written a letter to Ali Pasha of Egypt with a view to disengage him from the cause of the Turks - exhibiting to him the advantages that would accrue to him if he did so, and denouncing vengeance on his fleet if he persist.  It is reported that Nicholas has been assassinated at Petersburg. . . . . The only news here, is that the Islands have just lost their regent, Pitt, who died a few days since at Owyhee. . . . . The Sandwich Islands thinks of sending a cargo of sugar to your coast in a few months - The sugar has been made here, and looks very good indeed. . . . . ++  When I visit California next I think of putting into some of the Ports to the Southward on that coast on my way down to LIma.  Remember me kindly to Mrs. Hartnell, The Commdte, Padres and all with whom I had the pleasure of being acquainted.’  ++  After discussing the news in Beechey’s letter with the padres to whom the Captain wished to be remembered, Don Guillermo received an interesting, indeed a prophetic communication from the Reverend President Duran written from San Jose on April 25 (translation):  ++  ’The notice of the assassination of the Emperor Nicholas, if it is true, is truly a misfortune for the quiet and peace of Europe which I believe on the eve of running seas of blood between the two parties which are watching each other.  England because of her isolation can keep to herself longer than the other nations; but for myself I believe that finally some day there will come to her widowhood, orphanage, and sterility just as to the others.’  ++  The various commissions with which Beechey entrusted Hartnell indicate mutual confidence that it was only a matter of time before his appointment as vice-consul in California would come through from Mexico City.  Hartnell assumed the prerogatives of the office, and performed for many other Englishmen services similar to those rendered the officers and crew of H.M.S. ‘Blossom.’  +++

Captian Beechey wrote to the English Consul General in Mexico D.F. recommending DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL as Vice Consul in Monterey

+++  SIR  ++  ’The inconvenience I myself experienced at San Francisco from the want of some Government Agent to provide for the necessities of the ship under my command and to interest himself in the negociation of several Bills we had had occasion to draw on his Majesty’s Government would alone I trust be thought sufficient reason for my addressing you on the present occasion; but I am the further induced to do so from having found on my arrival at Monterey that much inconvenience and loss has occurred to some British Ship owners in consequence of the want of some person of authority to whom they could appeal and in whose hands they could lodge their case.  ++  The trade of the Pacific is now becoming much extended, and British Merchant Vessels & Whalers constantly visit both the Ports of Monterey and San Francisco; their Seamen occasionally quit their ships and are left behind and some have become obnoxious to the Mexican Government in these Ports; all of which call for an appointment of some Agent such as a Vice Consul, whose principal residence should be Monterey.  I am encouraged in my recommendation of the subject to your notice from having found Mr. Hartnell, a partner of the very respectable house of Begg & Co. at Lima and resident of Monterey, a person willing to take upon himself the duties of the appointment without salary being attached to it; this gentleman has already been of great assistance to me in forwarding the service I am engaged upon and procuring several supplies which the Ship stood in immediate need of, and is entitled to my public thanks for so doing.’  ++  Captain Beechey was ambitious to complete the survey of the coast of California which had been left unfinished by Vancouver, and to aid Great Britain in the inevitable contest of European powers and the United States for possession of this rich and empty, strategic, and vulnerable territory.  But like Vancouver a generation earlier, Beechey was forced to relinquish the survey before completion.  He found it impossible to obtain the necessary naval stores and medicines for his men not only in California but anywhere on the west coast, and proceeded to Canton.  En route, the ‘Blossom’ put in at Oahu, and her captain sent a note by the ‘Harbinger,’ dated February 18, to his fellow countryman and friend, William Hartnell:  ++  ’We have had papers up to the middle of August last - which state that the country and commercial interests are improving and the Banking houses extricating themselves from the difficulties they had been suddenly plunged into by the singular speculations that had been made; and that the Bank of England was exerting itself to its utmost to assist them. … +++