General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo ‘actually arrested DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL and carried him bodily across the bay’

+++  This was discouraging indeed, to be rebuffed at the outset by the padre presidente, as well as the most prominent mission administrator.

There are no 1840 entries in Hartnell’s diario previous to July 19.  From contemporary sources, we learn of the visitador‘s presence at the northern missions, and his success in putting the new machinery in motion everywhere except at San Rafael.  On April 11, Manuel Jimeno told his brother-in-law:  ”In spite of everything that the commandante general Vallejo has to say about San Rafael, the Governor has decided to put that mission under the plan of the reglamento.”  As champion of an oppressed race, el visitador must now oppose the most military-minded man in California.  On May 14, he notified Alvarado that Vallejo would not permit occupation of San Rafael “in pursuance of your instructions.”

The General actually arrested Hartnell and carried him bodily across the bay “for having ventured to interfere in matters concerning the northern fr0ntier.”  Since the General had imposed the strictest military discipline on a large force of men in his domain, nobody could defy him with success.  Hartnell remained remained a prisoner with no hope of being rescued until he conceded in writing that “Vallejo’s views in this particular case were correct.”  Immediately he was released and allowed to proceed on his tour of the missions.  The incident seemed closed, but much bitterness had been generated.

Feeling flamed highest in Santa Barbara, where Vallejo had made enemies during the contest between Alvarado and Don Carlos Carrillo for the governorship of California.  While commanding Alvarado’s forces, Vallejo had arrested the venerable Don Jose de la Guerra for not obeying orders.  He also had refused an interview with the padre presidente.  These disrepectul acts were not forgotten, and the Hartnell incident added fule to the fire.

San Luis Rey in the south was as much of a hotbed as San Rafael in the north.  Here various members of the Pico family, led by Don Pio, actively opposed el visitador when he attempted to carry out his instructions from the Governor. . .   +++

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL + Don Jose de la Guerra wondered whether Don Juan de la Guerra’s ‘long separation was advisable under any circumstances’

+++  He is too high-spirited to spend all his time moping, or even studying.  His dark good looks and melancholy air intrigue every woman he meets. ++  In the fall of 1828 young Juan entered Stonyhurst College, the Jesuit stronghold in northern Lancashire.  Here he found a more congenial atmosphere than in Liverpool, but still remained homesick.  Continuous reminders of this mood must have made Don Guillermo and Don Jose wonder whether such a long separation was advisable under any circumstances, in the crucial years of adolescence.  To his “Dear Brother” Juan writes from his ‘alma mater,’ in a maturing and fine hand:  ++  ’I was very glad to hear, that in your next letter you would tell me when I was to go back to California. . . . . I have had no opportunity of seeing Mr. Logan yet, but if he is in Liverpool when the Vacation comes, I shall certainly go and see him.  Since I came to England I have been at three different schools; the first was at Liverpool in which I learned Ovid, Sallust and Virgil, in Latin; in French, Grammar Fables, and Telemachus; in the same school I also learned Joyce’s letters on Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Histories of England, Greece and Rome, Arithmatic and some Algebra.  The next School was in Shropshire, in which I learned Sallust, Ovid, Nepos in Latin; in French the same as at the last; and I continued learning the same things, except Algebra and Chemistry; in the same school I also learned Drawing, Dancing and Drilling and in Music, the Clarinet and Flute.  And now in this College, in which I am at present, I am learning Latin and French, and I expect very soon to go on with Mathematics, for, if they won’t teach them here I shall be obliged to go somewhere else, where they do. . . . . ++  I am thinking that when I go back I shall first go to Jamaica, then to Vera Cruz, Mexico and San Blas or Acapulco, and then to Monterey; it will be much better than to go all the long, tedious and dangerous way around Cape Horn.  That is the way I think best, but perhaps Mr. Brotherston will think otherwise.  However I expect that will be the way I shall go back, at least the most likely; and then, perhaps if my Father is in Mexico yet, I shall meet him there, and go with him to California, but if not I will manage to go by myself.’  ++  Juan seems to have heard nothing of the persecution of Spaniards which by this time prevails all over California and Mexico.  It has caused his father and brothers to be turned back at San Blas on their way to Mexico City.  +++

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL respected the opinions of Dons Juan + Jose de la Guerra, ‘but felt the site suggested by Don Jose might not be suitable’

+++  They agreed that a purely hedonistic life was a snare in which youth’s keen faculties could be trapped and caused to atrophy from inaction.  A prime example existed in Jose Antonio Carrillo, who from great promise was descending into daily self-indulgence.  ++  No attempt had been made to extricate Hartnell’s ‘compadre,’ and now it was too late.  He remained a good companion, even kept a high government position, but his early brilliance was growing dim as he continued to follow his impulses like a child, without thought or plan for the future.  Since the strongest impulse seemed toward ‘aguardiente,’ his health, as well as his brain power, already was diminishing.  Don Guillermo, understanding his temptation, remained his friend.  But every hour spent with Jose Antonio made Hartnell resolve more firmly that his own children would receive a different upbringing, and be given different standards of conduct from most of their contemporaries in California.  ++  Sharply contrasting with young relatives and friends who had remained at home was Juan de la Guerra upon his return from England.  At twenty-one, after six years spent in college preparation and attendance, he had become a fine gentleman with many accomplishments.  He showed mental development to a degree that was exciting to his father and the brother-in-law responsible for his education abroad.  Yet he seemed not more intelligent or more gifted by nature than Jose Antonio at the same age.  Juan added his pleas to his father’s that Don Guillermo start a ranch school in California.  He wished to spare his younger brothers and cousins the unending homesickness of those years in exile, and yet see them respond, as tinder to a spark, to such an education as he had received in England.  ++  After a happy reunion with his family in Santa Barbara, Don Juan went north to live for a while with his sister Teresa and her husband.  At Hartnell’s suggestion, he would continue his study of higher mathematics under tutelage of Father Patrick Short at San Carlos Mission, a short horseback ride from ‘la casa Arnel’ in Monterey.  ++  Don Guillermo listened with respect to the opinion of his in-laws, Don Juan and Don Jose.  Increasingly he liked the idea of establishing his own school, but felt that the site suggested by Don Jose might not be suitable.  +++

Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega proposed to DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL that they establish a ‘seminario’ on the Rancho Alisal

+++  CHAPTER 5  ++  SCHOOLMASTER ++  Don Jose answered his son-in-law’s plea for advice with an interesting suggestion.  Why not turn a natural inclination into an asset by becoming a schoolmaster?  The foundation of a school of higher education in California would mean a great deal to the few fathers like himself, who cared enough now to send their sons on long and dangerous journeys in pursuit of knowledge.  Others would patronize a convenient institution, and it even might become the fashion.  Hitherto, all schooling in California had been restricted or superficial, as given by busy padres or lay teachers politically appointed and unqualified for advanced instruction.  ++  To the old man, Alisal seemed an ideal site for a boys’ school.  It was sufficiently removed from town temptations, and its owner often had shown interest in education.  Don Jose knew that Hartnell had advised his schoolboy brother at each new step, and had planned with Mr. Brotherston the whole course of study to be followed by Don Juan de la Guerra in England.  For years he had tutored Don Jose’s young relatives, Juan Alvarado and Mariano Vallejo.  Daily he was answering questions and attempting to stimulate thought in his own and any other children who happened around.  ++  It was Don Jose’s further thought that, by establishing a ‘seminario’ on the ‘rancho,’ his son-in-law could continue the necessary supervision of ranch work, augment his income in a congenial manner, and make a lasting contribution to his adopted country.  ++  Don Jose’s proposition appealed to Don Guillermo.  He recognized the arguments as sincere.  Many times the two of them, with Don Alfredo Robinson or someone like-minded, had decried the ignorance and indifference to education of the younger generation in California, however fine the stock from which it sprang. . . . . +++ 

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL’s offer to acquire the entire Alisal property was refused by the Soberanes family

+++  Besides the rendering of fat, the stretching, cleaning, and curing of hides must be commenced immediately after butchering, to decrease spoilage.  ’La matanza’ usually took place in hot weather, and refrigeration was unknown.  A great deal of waste occurred, because only the choicest portions of meat were used.  From these, long strips would be reserved, cut off, and dried for future use.  Birds of prey and prowling coyotes enjoyed what was left.  Bleaching bones and the odor of decay marked a ‘matanza’ ground for months after all activity ended.  ++  When the Indians were done with their unpleasant tasks, they loaded ‘carretas’ with the hides and ‘botas’ of tallow destined for trading vessels.  Following a rutty road to the nearest beach depot, the solid wooden wheels of the lumbering carts would creak protestingly at every revolution.  But their song was no more plaintive than that of the native walking alongside, pricking lazy oxen with a long, sharp stick.  ++  William Hartnell enjoyed ranching in California.  Along with the drama, he accepted the drudgery, and found it a full-time job.  But as yet he received insufficient income from ranching on shares to allow him to give up all trading interests in Monterey.  ++  In several ways, his arrangement with the Soberanes was not satisfactory.  He made them an offer to acquire on terms the entire Alisal property as pasture for greater numbers of cattle.  Only in this way could he afford to give all his time to ranching and this offer the Soberanes refused.  Not knowing what to do next, Hartnell turned to his father-in-law for advice, as had become his habit.  Half humorously, he wrote to Senor de la Guerra early in April 1832 (translation): ++  ’As I write, I think of settng up a lottery booth – perhaps 100 . . . . .for those who work to improve their lot.  But I need your advice, because I have not discovered any other way of making money and without money I cannot give up the little business I carry on in Monterey – to live as I wish, entirely on the Ranch, and if I am not there nothing will flourish.  Now then – you tell me what I must do to make a killing.’ +++

Scot partner McCulloch wrote to DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL from Callao on June 2, 1831, + ‘begged to be remembered to all friends, particularly Dona Teresa’

+++  Don Jose received a plea for assistance dated June 7 (translation):  ++  MI AMADO PADRE:  ++  El Sor. Feliciano Soberanez has asked me to tell you that he has been imprisoned because of a slanderous report that he killed some cattle of Dn Mariano Estrada [David Spence's father-in-law].  They are allowing him to name a Defense Counsel, and being convinced that there is no one in California better versed in these affairs than you he implores you to take the trouble to serve him as Patron and, if it should be necessary, even to come here.  He has begged me to ask that you accept the responsibility; and truly I desire that his suggestion be accepted.  I believe he will win the case because the principal witness is one Julio Vasquez, an avowed enemy of the accused; and I also hazard a guess that there will be no necessity for you to come north, even if the case is tried here.’ ++  Because of Don Jose’s influence, Don Feliciano was cleared of all charges.  During the first year of his association with the Soberanes, Don Guillermo did no more on the ranch than called for by contract.  He was busy in Monterey with the dissolution of McCulloch, Hartnell and Company,  a tedious process.  ++  From Callao, dated June 2, 1831, came a note from McCulloch, in the care of Dr. Stephen Anderson.  This onetime rival was returning to California aboard the ‘Ayacucho,’ entrusted with important documents by his fellow countryman.  McCulloch even had endorsed over to Anderson the private account current signed by Hartnell before his departure from LIma.  The Scot partner said that he had paid Mr. Begg his “full proportion of all losses and hope that some day or other you will be able to reimburse me if not for all at least part of said account.”  The tone of the letter was friendly and understanding, not at all pressing.  ++  It contained the further information that William Logan wished to rent or sell a Los Angeles vineyard left in Hartnell’s care.  At the time of his departure, Logan intended one day to live in the ‘pueblo’; but success, associated with an uncle in a Liverpool chain and cable business, was restraining him even from a short visit to his dearly loved California.  Finally, McCulloch referred Hartnell to Anderson “for the current news of the day” and begged to be remembered to all friends, particularly Dona Teresa.  +++ 

DONA TERESA HARTNELL bore her latest son Adelberto Pedro on June 25, 1831

+++  By spring in 1831, Hartnell had completed arrangements with members of the Soberanes family whereby he received a share in their beautiful, fertile ‘Rancho del Alisal’ (Sycamore Ranch), five leagues or so inland from Monterey in the foothill country near Salinas (salt pits).  Details he describes to his father-in-law on May 4, 1831 (translation):  ++  ’At last I have become a ranchero not entirely in the way I would have chosen.  The Soberanes have granted me permission to pasture as many cattle as I consider advisable, to build a house and to plant as many [grape] vines and orchard trees as we need and in return I must help them in seed-times – that is to say I commit myself to all expenditures for the sowing that we do together and at the time of the harvest I get back the value in produce of the amount I put in at seed-time, and this surplus must be divided equally between us.  ++  ’I have about 500 head of cattle I plan to pasture there this month; so we shall soon see if as a Rancher I have the same ability, or better say lack of ability, that I showed as a Trader.’  ++  The de la Guerra family was as pleased with his new status as Don Guillermo himself.  ’Compadre’ Carrillo came up from Santa Barbara to look the situation over.  He found his cousin Teresa about to have another child and told Guillermo that “si Teresa pare pronto,” he himself would aid in driving the cattle from Monterey to Alisal.  Poor Teresa could not oblige for almost a month (Adelberto Pedro made his appearance at 8 P.M. on June 25, 1831), well beyond the time when seasonal activities could be postponed.  So on this occasion she had to endure her trial without the aid of a loving husband, while Don Guillermo took advantage of the ‘compadre’s’ presence to launch his new career.  ++  To Don Jose Don Guillermo wrote on May 30, suggesting that Jose Antonio stay on with him at least through la matanza because of “the intelligence and activity which he shows in ranch work.”  ++  Hartnell’s own experience had acquainted him with the special problems that beset a ‘ranchero’ in California all through the year.  He knew that a dry season meant a major disaster, that Indian labor was bone lazy, and so on, but scarcely were his cattle settled in their new home, contentledly nibbling at long green grass, when an unexpected event threatened the success of his venture at the very outset. … +++

WILLIAM HARTNELL swore allegiance to Mexico in 1830 in order to own land

+++  Hartnell’s books he borrowed with avidity, and from Hartnell’s brain elicited a great deal of information on the history, politics, and customs of the country.  Most of this he wrote into the perenially popular ‘Life in California.’  ++  Robinson always was grateful to Gale for having introduced him to the de la Guerras in Santa Barbara.  Of that first visit he recorded:  ++  ’The most stately house in the place at this time belonged to the ‘diputado’ to Mexico, Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega.  Gale having in his possession some presents for the family, we proceeded thither at once.  Here we partook of chocolate with the lady of the house, Dona Maria Antonia, whist her daughters eagerly distributed the several gifts.  The old lady, a fine motherly, good woman, had acquired by her deportment and affectionate manner towards stranger the esteem of all who knew who.’  ++  Few women have been more besought as a mother-in-law.  ++  Of all the people Don Alfredo met, and of the groups which made him welcome up and down the coast and inland along ‘El Camino Real,’ he felt most at home, immediately and ever after, with the de la Guerras in Santa Barbara and their English son-in-law in Monterey.  Hartnell’s intimate circle admitted Robinson to friendship, originally because of Don Guillermo, but later because of Don Alfredo’s own qualifications.  ++  It became Hartnell’s custom to consult the Yankee trader about business matters.  Ever since the departure of Tivy and the return of the Farm to its rightful owner, Don Guillermo had been exploring the possibilities of acquiring land for himself.  Handicapped by lack of funds, he finally worked out a proposition, advised by Robinson and David Spence, which he felt might be a lifesaver in his present desperate position.  ++  The first step toward owning land in California was to become naturalized.  This Hartnell did, in 1830, swearing allegiance to Mexico at some cost to his British pride.  But there was no alternative.  An unnaturalized resident stood no chance of securing a land grant from an intensely nationalistic absentee government. .  . .  +++

Both Don Alfredo Robinson + DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL married de la Guerra daughters

+++  Gale’s rivalry with Hartnell, at one time not unfriendly, had changed character over the years until now it seemed actually malevolent.  The change is partially explained in an undated note to McCulloch and Hartnell.  The Bostonian bitterly concludes the discussion of a business deal: “I perhaps ought not to be surprised at being trifled with, but you are the only two gentlemen which (during a considerable number of years spent in mercantile pursuits in various parts of the world) have seen fit to doubt my integrity.”  ++  Whatever the cause, the feud was real, and Don Guillermo felt great relief when his arch rival and most pressing creditor left the country.  Gale took along a young wife, born Marcelina Estudillo.  She was the first ‘hija del pais’ to visit the United States, but she had little time to marvel.  Soon she died in childbirth, and within a few years her widower died insane.  ++  ”Tormenta” made the return trip to Boston as supercargo aboard the ‘Brookline,’ taking the place of Alfred Robinson.  ”Don Alfredo” was to remain in California as resident manager for Bryant and Sturgis.  Though ambitious to make a success in trade, the newcomer admitted:  ”When at last, the hides being all cured and embarked, the day arrived for the ship’s departure . . . . with a heavy heart, and swimming eyes, I took leave of Gale, the officers, and all hope of seeing my home, my native land again for years.”  Massachusetts was his “native land,” and his age, twenty-four.  ++  The early outlook and experiences of Robinson and Hartnell are strikingly similar.  Arriving in an unknown land to fill identical positions with different firms, each homesick youth found a haven in the de la Guerra home and fell in love with a lovely daughter.  Don Jose, alarmed at Don Alfredo’s attentions (at first they were aimed at older sisters of the little Ana whom he was one day to wed), questioned his English son-in-law about this stiff New Englander.  He seemed so difficult to know and understand, at least to the old Spaniard.  ++  Don Guillermo responded reassuringly: “Robinson is a good fellow.  I have high hopes for him, have put good books in his way and given him brotherly advice.”  Robinson quickly dropped his Boston reserve with the Englishman, feeling him to be a kindred spirit. . . . +++

Dona Teresa de la Guerra’s family were always attempting to aid her husband, DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL ‘who lacked only the touch of Midas’

+++  She was backed by her father and mother, who never ceased to believe that their English son-in-law merited real respect.  Always the de la Guerras were attempting, with tact, to aid this man who lacked only the touch of Midas to make him successful in the eyes of the world.  Quite willingly would Don Jose have rolled down a barrel of gold from the attic of his fine new house, if only his ‘yerno’ would accept such a gift.  The old man owned a treasure accumulated from his years of trade and, consequently, money had lost its importance to him.  Far more he valued the qualities of character which distinguished Don Guillermo from the fortune hunters who were arriving by overland trail, as well as by ships coming around the Horn or over from Sandwich or down from the north.  ++  From his blood relations, Hartnell heard nothing at a time when he needed reassurance as never before.  Feeling against papists ran high in England throughout the 1820s, and the wanderer’s marriage had seemed a she-devil’s pact to his Church of England family.  The only prospect of reconciliation appeared in a letter from Captain Lincoln, written from Liverpool toward the end of 1829:  ++  ’You’ll have heard of the great Theological change in England, of complete Emancipation of the Roman Catholics which I sincerely believe will be the means of deciding all animosities that have existed between them and the Protestants.’  ++  Still no friendly word came from the Hartnells in England to their “transatlantic brother,” no recognition of his marriage, only a legal notice that an old uncle from Lincoln had died leaving 200 pounds to William Hartnell.  George was named executor of the will, but William asked his sister Mary to aid him in collection of the legacy. He must have felt that she, more than the implacable older brother, would advance his interests. . . . +++