PEACEMAKER: ‘Don Guillermo and Dona Teresa [Hartnell] then sold pieces of property owned together in the township of Monterey to Americans of their acquaintance, including [California Governor] Richard Mason and Henry Halleck’

In strange contrast to the tumult of the next few years in California was the life lived by William Hartnell in the seclusion of Alisal.

It was mostly of the mind, spent within his library walls.

Once again Hartnell became a “quill-pusher” for the best part of each day.

Several sons were old enough to work on the ranch under supervision of Father Patrick’s protege, old Gorman.

Dona Teresa, aided by Teresita, and even the younger daughters, ran both the ranch household and la casa Arnel in Monterey with her accustomed grace and gaiety.

Bachelor Dr. Wyllie often expressed envy of his cousin’s “happy enjoyment of all domestic comforts.”

Hartnell applied for American citizenship through Abel Stearns, in order to secure his land grants made by four Mexican governors: town property in Monterey granted by Sola to McCulloch and Hartnell, when the partners first arrived in California; the portion of Alisal recorded as el Patrocinio de San Jose, granted by Figueroa for the establishment of a boys’ boarding school; Todos Santos and San Antonio, by Alvarado in appreciation of Hartnell’s service as visitador de misiones; and Rancho Cosumnes, by Micheltorena during the Wyllie-inspired dream of British colonization.

Titles seemed clear to all save this last grant, made so near the end of the Mexican regime.

Because of Cosumnes, Hartnell himself (while serving as United States surveyor and title arbiter) was drawn into the land-grant muddle and involved in litigation which lasted for years after his death.

At one time even Alisal was threatened, when David Jacks of Monterey claimed it for $122, the amount of taxes unpaid by the widowed Dona Teresa in 1861.

Mr. Jacks (a Scotch tailor turned legal expert) and many others became land barons in this manner, when their victims were not members of families like the de la Guerras, with reserves of influence and wealth.

Taking advantage of the postwar real estate boom in Monterey, William Hartnell subdivided a portion of his town property; he signed a quit claim deed for one dollar to John Gorman, giving him title to a lot in the rear of la casa Arnel.

This was in appreciation of long and faithful service.

Don Guillermo and Dona Teresa then sold pieces of property owned together in the township of Monterey to Americans of their acquaintance, including Richard Mason and Henry Halleck who were then acting as governor and secretary of state, respectively.

For a time, a naval officer from New York named Selim Woodworth, and Philip Roach of the New York Volunteers were quartered in the Hartnell home, while Walter Colton lived with the Larkins close by.

THE LIVES OF WILLIAM HARTNELL

Susanna Bryant Dakin

Published by Stanford University Press in 1949

Pages 279 – 280

Don Guillermo Hartnell’s cousin Dr. Robert Wyllie informed him that their ‘old friend McCulloch died’ leaving ‘his and your claim on the Mexican government’

Wyllie’s letter ends with distressing news of Mr. Brotherston, the family friend and kind employer of Hartnell’s youth: “Brotherston became a Bankrupt, and is now serving as a Clerk to a Bank in Newport, Wales.”  And Hartnell’s former partner, “our old friend McCulloch died in February, 1842 near Liverpool, of disease of the Heart.  He left his and your claim on the Mexican government.”

From Mexico City, Wyllie writes again to Hartnell on November 5.  It is almost a duplicate of his August communication from Tepic, which he fears may have miscarried.  But he refers, in addition, to efforts of the late English envoy to Mexico, Mr. Pakenham, to settle several private claims, among them the ancient bill of McCulloch, Hartnell and Company for $7,800 to the Mexican government.  McCulloch’s heirs in England now wish to renew attempts at collection.  To his earlier arguments for acquiring land in California in order to settle the huge Mexican debt to the Spanish-American bondholders, Dr. Wyllie adds:

‘The British bondholders prefer lands on the Atlantic coast but as without doubt both the United States and France grasp at California and as Mexico cannot defend it, it is evidently more for the interest of this country to strengthen that remote Department, by throwing the Colonists there – California would thus soon become capable of defending itself and its connection with Mexico would be secured.’

Of course there is a personal stake in this huge transaction.  As a silent partner in the firm of Barron and Forbes, which he admits to be “a shrewd establishment with a vigilant eye to the main chance,” Wyllie stands to profit handsomely by the commissions and other benefits the firm would receive for handling the cession.

 

[Pages 262 - 263 of Susanna Bryant Dakin's 1949 history of Upper California, The Lives of William Hartnell]

In 3 years of Mission contract, a good start was made by McCulloch, Hartnell & Company’s resident manager DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL

+++  In his letters, Anderson always included the most recent information from European newspapers and commuting sea captains.  They were welcomed by Hartnell as much for this reason as for their solutions of his business problems.  Political restlessness characterized the European scene, and repercussions continually were being felt in Californiaa, Mexico, and the various countries of South America.  Writing from Lima on April 20, 1833, Anderson said:  ++  ’The Liberal party has completely gained the day in Spain & obliged Don Carlos to leave the country.  He sailed about the end of Decr. to take up his abode in Rome.  It is supposed by this time that Cortes has met, when there will be great reforms in the Church affairs.  ++  Such liberalization in Spain merged with a wave of free feeling flowing over England and out to South America, Mexico, and the Californias.  Old institutions toppled in the flood, and some were carried away forever.  ++  Anderson and his representatives on the coast realized more clearly, each day in trade, how much they owed to Hartnell’s early efforts.  When Don Guillermo arrived with his partner in 1822, the first foreigners to enter California’s open door, an unexploited country stretched before them.  But to a more impatient temperament than Hartnell’s, “a trading field confined to padre customers inexperienced in mercantile affairs” might not have seemed inviting, regardless of the country’s rich resources. [See Adele Ogden's comprehensive treatment of 'McCulloch, Hartnell and Company,' 'English Merchants in the California Hide and Tallow Trade'].  ++  A few of the tasks confronting the pioneer traders were the creation of a market, initiation and maintenance of business relations with almost inaccessible production centers, establishment of collection depots along a dangerous coast line, and instruction of Indian “enemies of work” in preparation of produce for a world market.  Equally difficult and necessary were conciliation of changing governments, and meeting increasing competition on the coast.  Yet, even in the three years of the mission contract, a good start was made by McCulloch, Hartnell and Company and a satisfactory routine established by the resident manager.

On April 15, 1833, his onetime partners gave DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL a full discharge of all debts

+++  On speaking to the most influential Franciscans, he was answered with one voice that they would not give a discharge of Hartnell’s California’s debt until Begg and McCulloch consented to free their friend from his obligation incurred in Lima (Anderson to McCulloch, December 20, 1832).  To Anderson’s astonishment, money seemed to mean less than dirt to them, under the circumstances.  ++  When the Doctor returned to South America, after consultation with Begg and McCulloch he wrote offering to assume Hartnell’s entire obligation of approximately $18,000.  Again, as with the Mexican debt, the correspondence is lengthy, but this time successful in outcome.  On April 15, 1833, his onetime partners gave Hartnell a full discharge of all debts.  Anderson wrote this welcome news to California, with the added assurance that throughout the whole transaction McCulloch had proved himself a good friend.  Old suspicion and accusations could be forgotten; the kindly Doctor wished the slate wiped clean.  ++  Anderson must have seemed a ‘deus ex machina’ as he descended from the ‘Solitude’ onto California soil.  He promised to continue, in the ‘modo corriente’ so pleasing to the padres, the trade built up through years by patient Don Guillermo.  Given an honorable discharge, Hartnell finally was free to enter into his ranching venture, much more to his taste than trade.  ++  That Anderson appreciated Hartnell’s pioneering and long-term planning is shown in several extant letters.  Each is written in the fine hand and flowing style characteristic of the educated man in those days.  Particularly interesting news appears in one dated Lima, November 1, 1832:  ++  ’After a very pleasant passage of 54 days we arrived here from California, & find things much the same as when we left.  I am happy to say that Capt. Beechey in the work he has just published spoke very highly of California and particularly in favor of the old Padres.  He defends them through thick & thin & does not forget the kind treatment he received from your good self.  The work is very much liked & from what I have read of it regarding California he is very correct.’  . . . +++

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.  +++ 

DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL’S Monterey home, because of Captain Beechey’s patronage, became actual British embassy, despite Hartnell family’s destitution

+++  CHAPTER 4 ++  Rancher ++  We have seen that William Hartnell was often of service to his own and other countries during the late twenties and early thirties.  His Monterey home, because of Captain Beechey’s patronage, became the actual British embassy.  Beechey’s recommendation of Hartnell as consul was widely known, but never officially acknowledged.  No pay for his diplomatic services, other than an occasional trade commission, ever was received by Don Guillermo, although he made undiminishing efforts toward elimination of the insular attitude instilled originally by the Spaniards among the Californians.  ++  Baron von Wrangell, visiting Ross in 1833, acknowleded the Englishman’s long-time service to Russia and offered him an honorable title and impressive salary which never materialized.  Within a few months of von Wrangell’s visit, the untimely death of Governor Figueroa killed any hope of a Russo-Californian entente for years to come.  ++  So from brilliant prospects the Hartnell family descended actually to destitution.  The days of high living slowly ended, with the liquidation of McCulloch, Hartnell and Company and consequent return of the Farm to its owner.  The Tivy family sailed back to Ireland, taking the dairy maid and equipment along.  No longer could Dona Teresa count on dairy products and choice cuts of beef sufficient to feed her many children, many servants, and many guests.  The vegetable garden and orchard, planted by Spence, served her well; but seldom, nowadays, was a ship’s cargo at her disposal for first choice of clothing, medicine, and household supplies.  Guests continued to appear, confident of Hartnell hospitality; and a new child arrived every year or so.  ++  This was a time when Dona Teresa conceivably could have lost confidence in the dreamer who was her husband.  But the young woman remained steadfast, always offering Don Guillermo hope as well as love and understanding. . . . . +++ 

Informal trading had been going on for years between missionaries in the San Francisco area and Russian farmers at Ross

++  He reported ruefully to Mr. Astor:  ++  ”They all drink an astonishing quantity, Governor Baranov not excepted.  I assure you it is no small tax on the health of a person trying to do business with him.”  ++  Of course, times had changed before Khlebnikov’s visits to the Hartnell home.  Baranov was dead since 1819, and his “colaborer,” Kuskov, last of the pioneers, had grown old and desired nothing more than to putter in his vegetable gardem at Ross, while awaiting word from St. Petersburg that he was pensioned and could return home to die.  To Khlebnikov, Russian enterprise seemed as dead as Baranov’s body and Kuskov’s spirit. ++  He himself wished to retire before long to spend the rest of his life writing his heroic biography and the ‘Zapiski o Amerikye’ (Letters on America) which one day would bring him great fame among his countrymen.  To his English friend Hartnell, Khlebnikov gave the opportunity of seeing them both in the note-making stage.  ++  His initial appearance in Alta California antedated that of Hartnell and McCulloch by two years, and had not been so timely.  At Ross, while commanding the Russian-American Company ship ‘Buldakov,’ he heard of destitution in California, caused by the Mexican Revolution.  No Spanish transports were coming through on schedule to supply the missions and ‘presidios.’ It occurred to Khlebnikov that in the then flourishing Russian settlement he could assemble a cargo to satisfy his neighbours’ needs.  He seized the chance both to do a favor and make a profit. ++  The diversity of produce from Ross already had become life-saving to more northerly Russian settlements, where at times of year no fruits and vegetables could be raised to stave off scurvy and other ills caused by malnutrition.  ++  Assembling the first shipment for California ports, Khlebnikov filled the ‘Buldakov’ with food staples, seeds, and plants.  He also stuck in items unfamiliar to the Californians, rare furs, and articles of Russian manufacture, like gilded altar decorations to entice the padres, whom he knew to be all-powerful.  Informal trading had been going on for years between missionaries in the San Francisco area and Russian farmers at Ross.  +++

Dona Teresa de la Guerra Hartnell knew that she had nothing to fear, that she shared her husband DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL with no one

+++  Personal news from Spence (dated September 27) reaches Hartnell in Santa Barbara during his detainment there:  ++  ’I have to inform you that on the 24th inst. I was Baptised in the Mission of Santa Cruz by Padre Luis and have now got an addition to my name (viz. David ‘Estevan de le Mersed’ Spence ‘para serven a vd.’).  It is easy for any person to make jest of such ceremonias, but beleave me I have past through some very serious ones, and I think or at least I hope, it will make a great alteration in my mode of living.’  ++  Don Guillermo was not surprised, immediately upon arrival in Monterey, to have Spence confess his desire to marry young Adalaida Estrada.  The Scotsman also wished to go into business for himself, reminding Hartnell that his contracted time was at an end.  ++  Dona Teresa remained unchanged.  She had refused to believe any rumors that “kind friends” brought to her attention.  As always, Don Guillermo’s will was hers, and she welcomed him without reserve.  Their little sons were in the best of health, delighting in their father’s return.  He would not admit that they could have forgotten him, but spent the first few days of his return in making sure they never would again.  Voluntarily to assume his bonds again, the bonds of family love and and the most motherly religion, now seemed to him the greatest happiness.  Past peccadillos, exorcised by confession, served merely to intensify present bliss.  Teresa knew that she had nothing to fear, that she shared her husband with no one.  Together they laid the ghost of Lady Lynch.  ++  Hartnell continued in trade mainly in Monterey, with vessels flying the flags of Great Britain, France, Russia, the United States of America, Mexico, Chile, and Peru, while he attempted to wind up the affairs of that ill-fated firm, Macala y Arnel.  ++  Verification of his appointment as British vice-consul never came from Mexico City.  But knowing from recent experience in Peru what chaos was attendant upon revolution, Hartnell continued to act as advised by Captain Beechey.  Patriotically he performed the duties of the office, without waiting for a title to be conferred or even seeking a salary. . . . +++

Doctor Alexander Collie advised Dona Teresa Hartnell ‘in diet and sensible care of herself during pregnancy’

+++  Dr. Collie not only gave her relief at the moment, but advised her in diet and sensible care of herself during pregnancy, all this in response to a plea from the worried husband.  Thereafter, the doctor fancied nothing which he did not immediately find in his possession.  ++  The foreigners were feasted again and again.  In Beechey’s memoirs he mentions the “various exquisite dishes which successively smoked” on California tables.  Several gourmet padres, living inland, had secured “an indulgence from the pope to eat meat even during the greater part of Lent, in consequence of the difficulty of procuring fish.”  And at every mission Beechey visited he found a generous table always set for travelers.  Also, in every home, however humble, there seemed to be a hospitable spirit and plenty to eat.  ++  The English officer observed even the smallest details of life among the Californians.  Between his first and second visits he wrote to Hartnell (July 4, 1826): “You will very much oblige me by collecting anything curious that the country here or to the southward where you may have correspondence affords.  The Baskets are very handsome & I am much obliged to you for them.”  ++  For provisioning the ship, there was an assortment of victuals always to be had, from ‘pueblo’ gardens, the mission lands, or near-by ranchos.  Arrangements were made at the ‘rancho,’ known as the Farm, leased by McCulloch and Hartnell to salt down a quantity of beef.  But to Beechey’s regret he found “there were no medicines to be had, and some stores essential to the ship could nowhere be procured.  The exchange on bills was favorable but there was no specie.”  ++  To Hartnell, “living as out of the world as Kamchatka,” Beechey’s comments on other countries appealed more than any on this place he knew so well.  In speaking of a recent voyage to Valparaiso, that faraway Vale of Paradise where Don Guillermo had spent carefree years, Beechey made a noteworthy remark:  ++  ’An Englishman may now see with pride the inferior manufacture of his own country prized, to the exclusion of the costly gold and silver stuffs of Spain, which, Perousse observes, were entailed in families like diamonds, and descended from the great-grandmother to the children of the 3rd and 4th generation. … +++

Padre Arroyo of Mision San Juan Bautista ‘wined and dined his guests’

+++  Captain Beechey admits:  ++  ’By Christmas we had all remained sufficiently long in the harbor to contemplate our departure without regret; the eye had become familiar to the picturesque scenery of the bay, the pleasure of the chase had lost its fascination, and the roads to the mission and presidio were grown tedious and insipid.  There was no society to enliven the hours, no incidents to vary one day from the other and, to use the expression of Donna Gonsalez [wife of the current comandante], California appeared to be as much out of the world as Kamchatka.’  ++  H.M.S. ‘Blossom’ sailed December 28 for Monterey.  Here she remained for five days, her crew cutting spars and obtaining provisions and naval stores through the “reputable Lima firm of McCulloch and Hartnell.”  ++  Being fellow countrymen of about the same age and of congenial temperament disposed Beechey and Hartnell to an enduring friendship.  During three visits to Monterey, within a year and a half, Captain Beechey and his chosen companions each time made their headquarters at the Hartnell home.  As friends of Don Guillermo, they were honored by ‘bailes’ in the most exclusive ‘casas’ of the capital.  Informally, they also attended ‘meriendas’ to favorite spots in the woods and alongside neighbouring ‘lagunas.’  At the time of their first visit, the many little lakes near Monterey were “crowded  with ducks, whilst the green plains are literally covered with geese.”  Graceful deer abounded, and even a bear came out, occasionally, to satisfy a natural curiosity – and receive a bullet in the head.  ++  Besides dancing, picnicking, and “pleasures of the chases,” these British officers enjoyed expeditions to places of interest out of town, like the Mission of San Juan Bautista where Padre Arroyo regaled them with a demonstration of his inventions.  Most remarkable was a “water clock which communicated with a bell by his bedside, which by being arranged at night coud be made to give an alarm at any stated hour.”  ++  The kindly Father wined and dined his guests, pressing them to stay on with him.  He even sang to them, such refrains as ‘Un dia alegre vale cien anos de pesadumbre’ (one day of mirth is worth a thousand years of grief).  Says Beechey:  ++  ’It was here that our travelers were surprised at the intelligence of the north-west passage having been effected by a Spaniard, and were not a little amused at the idea of having stumbled upon the long-sought northwest passage in an obscure mission of California. … +++