MARCH FOR LIFE: 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.] … +++ 

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL + Captain Beechey ‘considered it natural’ that Californian ‘artists and mothers, should not be bloodthirsty, since their province was creation’

+++  …”Even the national musical instrument, the guitar, has fallen into neglect, and has been supplanted by the English pianoforte.’  ++  The satire in these words did not escape Hartnell.  Both he and Beechey, through study and travel, had become citizens of the world, rather than insular Englishmen.  With regret, each recognized the creeping disease of mediocrity in the spread of standardized machine products, following after Anglo-Saxon salesmanship all over the world.  ++  The young men agreed that guitar-playing served a purpose in keeping ‘paisanos’ out of mischief during idle hours.  However, both were willing to admit stern moments in history when preoccupation with the arts of peace can prove disastrous.  Beechey recalled an incident of the Portuguese fleeing from defeat in battle, leaving 14,000 guitars upon the field.  And Hartnell could remember how the softhearted Chileans would not allow Lord Cochrane to practice his “secret war plan” against the Peruvians, thereby prolonging the war of independence for several years.  Italy, the birthplace of so many musicians and painters, has shown a similar aversion to real warfare.  And California’s battles during the revolutionary period (following shortly after Beechey’s final visit) were also to assume a comic-opera character.  Captain Beechey, like all other travelers of the time, commented on the Californians’ constant preoccupation with guitar-playing, serenading, singing, and dancing, besides raising large families.  He and Hartnell considered it natural that such people, artists and mothers, should not be bloodthirsty, since their province was creation.  ++  The British officer had a high opinion of William Hartnell as a civilized and useful fellow.  The following letter of recommendation he wrote “To His Britannic Majesty’s Consul General” in Mexico City, from “His Majesty’s Ship Blossom, Monterey 4th January 1827″:  …  +++  

Chinese Communist history of barbarism: Red Guard cannibalism

+++  The Chinese Communist Party is arguably the worst government on the planet.  The history of the CCP is one long story of hellish inhuman activity, including Red Guard cannibalism, as detailed in this story from the archives of the New York Times. ashttp://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE2DF1E3AF935A35752C0A965958260 ++  The eyes of the world are focussed at the moment on the tragic Tibetan situation, and the role played by the CCP in the cruel repression of ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture.  Our Prime MInister has indicated that he will not attend the opening ceremonies of the ludicrous Olympic Games.  That is the least he can do.  He should immediately send the Chinese ambassador home, and recall our ambassador in Beijing.  He should cancel Candu nuclear reactor technology subsidization by the Canadian government, particularly with reference to Chinese contracts.  He should ban Canadian athletes from attending the games.  He should stop sending any more Canadian government officials to China, pending the opening of direct negociations between the Tibetan Government in Exile and the CCP, under the aegis of the United Nations. +++

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL wrote to Don Jose de la Guerra: ‘There is no hope of saving the Ex-Young Tartar.’

+++  Hartnell himself commenced to look forward to the expiration of the mission contract.  Its usefulness had been outlived.  ++  During the early days of the contract, Mr. Begg and even McCulloch often had charged the California partner with lack of exertion, with absorbing too completely the spirit of the land.  But such accusations ceased as it became plain to all that a business depression was settling slowly over Europe and South America, causing the failure of many speculative concerns, threatening the very existence of James Brotherston and Company and thus, indirectly, of Begg and Company and MacCulloch and Hartnell, subsidiary as they were to the Liverpool concern.  ++  The development of personality through defeat is an elusive subject, difficult to understand.  It took increasing fortitude to withstand such bitter blows  as fate delivered in quick succession to ambitious Hartnell.  Even his partners admitted that he was showing strength of character to a surprising degree.  ++  During a November storm the ‘Young Tartar,’ the company’s invaluable coasting schooner, was beached at San Diego.  David Spence made herculean efforts to salvage her, but Hartnell wrote sadly to his father-in-law: “There is no hope of saving the Ex-Young Tartar.”  ++  Early in December it was discovered that Mr. Tivy devoted himself entirely to his own affairs at the ranch leased by the company for its curing business.  The first impression had been deceptive.  After a quarrel with the ranch owner, Tivy and his assistants had been turned out of comfortable quarters in the main house.  Thereupon the Irishmen spent all their time in building another house, because Tivy expected his wife and children to come by the next company ship.  ++  They allowed the months of the ‘matanza’ (yearly slaughtering of cattle) to come and go, making no effort to erect sheds and perform other seasonal duties.  Hartnell’s explanation is the kindest one possible:  ”Such perverseness was due not to bad intentions on Tivy’s part, but to his youthful egotism, for he pitted his opinion concernIng the timing for the annual matanza against those of all other ‘rancheros’ in the country.”  …   +++ 

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL “had fallen deeply in love with an ‘hija del pais’”

+++  … ‘But we fear if a rupture with Russia take place that your operations will be materially fettered if it does not entirely break up your establishment.  By accounts from England of April last, war between France and Spain was considered inevitable and although England had not openly espoused the cause of the latter yet there is little doubt she will be drawn into it.  From Mr. Brotherston’s letters we infer the apprehension of a general continental war, and perhaps you may be better able to judge how the Independence of Alta California will be affected if Russia enter into hostilities with England.  That she would endeavor to take possession of that country may be questioned.  But how far she might impede our trade is a subject for our material consideration.’  ++  Already Hartnell had commenced the study of Russian, and had engaged in several small deals with sea-otter and seal hunters and other Russians on the coast, speaking and writing German with those who did not understand English or Spanish.  His eye was on Sitka in Alaska, or other Russian settlements on the west coast of North America, as outlets for produce unsuitable for longer sea voyages, or in case of a European conflagration.  ++  Mr. Begg often was only a rumor monger and even admitted, about this time:  ++  ’We cannot trace the report of the cession of California to very authentic sources.  But that it is the policy of France to have a possession in these seas there can be no doubt, and that she was offered considerable advantages by the Royal party of Spain for her aid against the “liberales” is also unquestionable.  The opposition of England however to her interference in the affairs of Spain and her consequent abandonment of her view, may perhaps secure the Californias to Mexico for some time but we are inclined to consider them as insecure possessions and that they will ultimately come under the dominion of some European power - an event which may take place within a shorter period than present appearances indicate.  These considerations should make you cautious of not having many dependencies in the country, but of converting and shipping the property which passes through your hands with as little delay as possible.’  ++  This advice fell on deaf ears, for already his representative in California had fallen deeply in love with an ‘hija del pais’ and desired nothing more than to have “many dependencies in the country.”  +++

At Yerba Buena, DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL met majordomos from Misiones San Juan, Santa Clara, San Rafael + Dolores; while at Monterey he delt with those from San Juan Bautista, La Soledad, San Antonio + San Carlos for mission produce

+++  Impatience would possess the whole population, and everyone who came in from outlying ‘ranchos’ and missions for the first choice of the new cargo.  The ‘paisanos’ could hardly wait while the captain exchanged courtesies and settled duty rates with the customs officials.  To these perennial children, he was San Nicolas carrying letters and presents to be distributed at his first free moment.  ++  The respected personage, Don Guillermo, would board the ship immediately, to examine a cargo invoice and read instructions from Messrs. Begg and McCulloch in Lima.  He then must send circular letters by Indian runners to all the missions and ‘presidios’ in California, announcing the arrival of the brig, enclosing a list of goods aboard, and asking what produce could be piled on the beach ready for shipping in each locality.  Within a week or so Don Guillermo would sail north on the company ship to San Francisco Bay.  At Yerba Buena he customarily met with ‘majordomos’ from the neighbouring missions of San Jose, Santa Clara, San Rafael, and Dolores (San Francisco), to show them samples of the cargo, encourage immediate purchases, and discuss future orders.  ++  After taking on board all hides and tallow already collected at this point, the ship would start its southward passage, touching at Santa Cruz to leave off purchases and take on produce, then proceeding to Monterey, and so on down the coast to San Diego, where stowage would be completed and the vessel dispatched for South America or Europe.  ++  The plan was simple, but its execution involved many difficulties.  In the first place, bays and inlets sufficiently protected from the weather were scarce and hard to find, there being few landmarks and no beacons along the rugged coast.  To Yerba Buena, northernmost company depot, would come small boats carrying some three hundred hides per load, bringing them from Santa Clara and San Jose down an ‘arroyo’ and across San Francisco Bay in seldom less than two days.  Santa Cruz, the next stop, was a dangerous point of embarkation, especially when winter winds were blowing.  ++  Since Monterey offered safe harborage at all times, an immense amount of produce continually was being sent there by the surrounding missions of San Juan Bautista, La Soledad, San Antonio and San Carlos.  +++   

SPRING 1824: Governor Pablo Vicente Sola + Padre Mariano Payeras introduced DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL to Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega; “‘Macala’ left the California scene for good”

+++ Chaperonage was rigid, and little liquor consumed, except occasionally by men among themselves.  But a childlike enjoyment characterized the simplest entertainment and made it memorable in after years, when California grew out of this peaceful, pastoral age, and men forgot how to laugh and sing and dance as children do.  ++  From the first, Don Jose seemed well disposed toward the courtly Briton who was captivating his oldest daughter.  The introduction had come from Governor Sola and Father Payeras, immediately after the arrival of Macala y Arnel in Monterey.  Don Jose grew to like Don Guillermo’s way of doing business, and to enjoy his company.  He wanted his little Teresa to be happy, and he highly approved Hartnell’s conversion to the Catholic faith.  With the Englishman’s “past” he was unfamiliar, and in Hartnell’s future he had full confidence.  Therefore it is not strange that the de la Guerra adobe became a true home to Hartnell.  He always stopped there on business trips up and down the coast.  ++  In the spring of 1824, McCulloch left the California scene for good.  It was decided that the firm would benefit by one partner remaining on the coast, while the other returned to live in LIma, to supervise the selection and disposal of cargoes in South America and, only occasionally, to act as supercargo on coastal or European voyages.  Hartnell was the logical choice to manage the company affairs in California, if he could conquer his old weakness.  McCulloch departed, somewhat doubtful that his partner’s repentance and reform could long endure.  ++  Living in a land no longer strange, where he now felt happy and at home, managing a business full of challenge and promise, Hartnell became less homesick for England.  After McCulloch’s departure, he settled down to spend the fullest and happiest days of his life.  Doubt no longer assailed him.  The pattern of his life was cut, and there remained only the making of the garment.  ++  His business gradually became routine.  Great excitement prevailed whenever a company ship was sighted off the coast.  Sometimes it anchored first at San Diego, or Santa Barbara, or Monterey.  But everywhere the procedure was the same. …  +++

ILLUSTRATIONS from ‘The Lives of William Hartnell,’ by Susanna Bryant Dakin

+++   ++  ILLUSTRATIONS  ++  Frontispiece: William Hartnell, facing [page] iii…  ++  Progress of John Begg and Company up the South American Coast (1818-1822), a map, [page] 19…  ++  Hide and Tallow collection depots of McCulloch, Hartnell and Company, a map, [page] 49…  ++  H. M. S. “Blossom,” facing [page] 82…  ++  Santa Barbara - Upper California, facing [page] 83…  ++  The Presidio and Pueblo of Monterey - Upper California, 1827, facing [page] 98… ++  Bay of Monterey - Upper California, 1827, facing [page] 99…  ++  The Russian Fort Ross, facing [page] 194…  ++  Monterey at the time of the arrival of the United States Squadron of the Pacific, facing [page] 211…  ++ Dona Teresa de la Guerra Hartnell, facing [page] 290…  ++  Hartnell home and school building at Alisal Ranch, Salinas, California, facing [page] 291  ++ …[Reprinted from the 'Lives of William Hartnell,' by Susanna Bryant Dakin, published in 1949 by Stanford University Press]…  +++  

Sean Newton, Isa Sevrain + others in group show open new Collective Works Gallery at Gladstone + Fernwood

+++  Collective Works Gallery, a new gallery run by the Collective Works Artists’ Association, opened at 1311 Gladstone near Fernwood with a group show last night, Friday 15 February.  It was sardine city when we arrived around 7:30: the place was jam packed. The first things that caught my eye were on the right, a couple of exquisite paintings on unframed handmade paper by Jeannie Peterson.  ’Autumn Sun Poplar’ sold for $650, while ‘Moonlit Birches,’ showing a full moon silhouetted through leaves, is still available for the same price.  ++  Chatted with Pete Rockwell, a photographer showing two photos, one of the Bare Mountain clearcut, the other a bloodied skinned rabbit carcasse, roadkill from the clearcut, which was not for sale.  He gave me an update on the RCMP at the protest camp: they have the camp cordoned off still with police.  What a criminal waste of tax dollars when a convict runs the province… ++  Art Critique time with James Fry on a vertical still life that he really did not like at all…we got into a fun bit of pseudo art criticism, with him playing the harsh critic, and myself playing the more indulgent, or indifferent straight man.  I just thought the painting in question was mediocre.   An amused woman remarked that she liked the purple cabbage, and I allowed how the purple cabbage was indeed well handled.  Finally, we all agreed that the composition of the painting was problematic. ++  Good snacks, huge chocolate cake, place was packed, and not just with yuppies, but all ages, which was good… ++  Met old friend Yvonne ___, who showed me earings she makes, and mentions that more are on sale with other women’s arts and crafts across the street at She Said… ++  Tiny but exquisite hand-made paper collage of her Jewish heritage by Dorothy Field, this one entitled ‘Beatrice, Ella and Eric.’  ++  Introduced Yvonne to my dear wife Dawn who is the loveliest lady there.  ++  Seen in passing: Virginia SmallFry, Jane Storrier, Linda Darby…. hugs and congratulations to Virginia for 29 years of married life with James Fry… brief chat with Jane near Sean Newton’s impressive limited edition (10/25) linocut print entitled ‘Cow Skulls’ ($350) which reminds me of one of Georgia O’Keefe’s favorite motifs…  Sean also has a smaller watercolour ‘Still life with crow’ (and scull) and will be the first artist in the Collective Works Gallery to have a solo expo for three weeks, after this one runs its course.  I am informed by his genial artiste wife Anne Hoban that it will be a show of nudes… ++  Jane and I meet an artist by the name of Jenus Friesen, not related to Gordon, but a nice lady in any case who mentions her website: www.designsourcegraphics.ca.  Jane and I both tell Jenus that we do mandalas, and we chat briefly about Jack Wise, the great legendary Buddhist caligraphic mandala master of Pacifica…  Jane says that Wise took great care in making his handmade brushes… ++ Unusual small framed ‘mixed media’ photo of skeleton with female child in a ghostlike white drawing on black background by Anne Hoban, wife of Sean Newton…  ++  Tradition Surrealiste: a lovely black and white photo of a headless Greek goddess sculpture double exposed over the corner of an enclosed brick-walled garden by Sara Gasman…  ++   Strange Surrealistic Japanese fired clay perforated bleach bottle assemblages by Harumi Ota, a master potter and glaze painter, could be better displayed.  Three of them are priced at $550 each… ++  ENFIN: the very French, very whimsical, and very unusual tile jig-saw pictures of flappers, variations on a bright jazzy theme, with different coloured grouts, by Isa Sevrain.  Liberte in blue with arrows, hearts and patterns around the female figure, Egalite with blue-rose flowers, and Fraternite with rose words, they make a trio which works well together, or can be bought separately for $1300 each…For further info about the Collective  Works Gallery in Fernwood, Victoria’s most characteristic neighbourhood, please phone 592-6617, or visit their website: www.collectiveworks.ca.  +++