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]

Mary Hartnell, William Hartnell’s sister, was the first in the family to look up Don Juan de la Guerra in Liverpool

+++  The visits of Captain Lincoln always delight the young Californian.  Shuttling between the two oceans during Juan’s school years in England, Lincoln is a periodic witness of his progress.  The boy does not boast, he merely tells the truth, writes Lincoln to Hartnell during January, 1827.  ”Don Juan improves wonderfully in all his studies. . . . He will make a clever man if he is allowed to remain a few years.”  ++  But Juan himself was dreaming of the day of his return to the land of sunshine and happiness.  Liverpool seemed a dreary town to him; he did not greatly like the people, and felt that to them he was still a stranger from a strange land, and always would be.  He commenced to worry beyond his years about his faraway family and friends.  Communication seemed maddenly slow and unreliable.  After the first burst of interest and pride in his intellectual powers, he commenced to feel cut off from all he held nearest and dearest in life.  ++  With the long-delayed news of the birth of a son to Teresa and Guillermo came a lock of its hair from the mother, his sister.  This homely little token touched off his inner unhappiness.  Writing from Liverpool on April 28, 1827, Juan confides to his “dear Brother”:  ++  ’I hope my time to go home will soon come because I am already tired of this country, and I do not like very much to stop so long from Home, and I hope the next time you write, you will say something about it.’  ++  He mentions, as partial solace, the approaching visit of Mary Hartnell to Liverpool, the first of the family actually to look him up.  Mr. Brotherston, who from the first has been like a father to the young Californian, lately seems distraught by grief over the death of his daughter and worry over the current business depression.  This makes Juan feel more friendless and without family than ever.  According to William Logan, now living in Liverpool, the boy’s reputation increases as being a very clever but wild youth. . . . +++ 

Course of study, cost of tuition + other features of DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL’s California ‘seminario’ were to be based on English “public school” system

+++  Since the course of study, cost of tuition, and other features of the California ‘seminario’ were to be based on the British “public school” system, as Hartnell himself had experienced it and as Juan describes it in chronological detail, this correspondence provides an illumination introduction to the California venture.  ++  Back in 1825, Mr. Brotherston had estimated the expense of Juan’s first year in England: ++  ”His Board & Education will cost 50 L. p. ‘annum’ – by & by he may want some branches which are not taught at the school, which will cost something more.  At present he is studying English, French & Arithmetic – from which he will go on through a Complete Course of Mathematics.  He also at present studies Geography.  In regard to clothing & pocket money your wishes shall be attended to – about 70 L. will be I think his annual expense.’ ++  Toward the end of the year the boy received a visit from Captain John Lincoln, who reported to Hartnell in California: “He certainly is a prodigy of Nature in acquiring a Language; he speaks the English Language fluently has made great progress in French – he certainly has excelled some that have been in England 3 years from Peru.”  As Lincoln indicates, Juan was not alone in being a Spanish-Catholic from the New World sent to secure an education in the old.  Many young men from South America, including Bolivar and San Martin a generation earlier, attended schools on the continent or in Great Britain; but Juan appears in his day to have been the only from California studying in England.  Naturally he had homesick moods, which lengthened with the years.  ++  His letters are ingenious in their expression of pride at acquiring knowledge.  The earliest, dated May 4, 1826, is written in an English schoolboy’s hand:  ++  ’With regard to my studies, I think I get on pretty well; what I am at present learning is, in the first place the English language; in the next place I am learning Ewing’s Geography, which is I think one of the best in England.’ . . . ++++

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 brother-in-law Juan de la Guerra was cared for and educated in Liverpool by faithful Mr. Brotherston

+++  Authorization of Mary’s power of attorney dated December 21, 1829, was written in William’s finest hand on Mexican government stationary distinguished by a fancy seal and printed heading.  This impressive paper had been designed by California’s first printer, Don Agustin Zamorano.  ++  Zamorano had come from Baja California in 1825 as a military aide to Governor Echeandia.  He became an intimate of the Hartnells after his marriage into the Arguello family – to Luisa, daughter of Don Santiago.  During his residence in Monterey, he served in responsible military and political positions.  He was something of an artist, a fine craftsman, and from Mexico he brought a small hand press.  His imprints, the earliest in Alta California, are eagerly sought by collectors.  ++  Unlike members of Hartnell’s family, Mr. Brotherston did not become less friendly with the years.  After their business affiliation ended, he continued to correspond with the younger man, frequently about Juan de la Guerra, Hartnell’s brother-in-law and Brotherston’s protege in England.  From the beginning, the family friend showed himself to be remarkably without prejudice, in supervising a foreign “papist’s” education.  ++  A letter from Mr. Brotherston dated October 7, 1825, had informed Hartnell of fifteen-year old Juan’s arrival in Liverpool:  ++  ’You will please tell his Father I assume the charge with much pleasure and shall pay every attention to his son’s improvement in his education by placing him under those who are capable to instruct him.  He is a fine boy and clever, and I expect he will do credit to his teachers.  ++  ’I would have sent him to one of the Catholic Colleges in England had I not had some knowledge of the progress some of these pupils made which was by no means such as I expected.  I have therefore placed him with a very good teacher in this place who takes boarders and who will devote every attention to his progress.  He has the advantage of attending a Catholic place of worship.’  ++  Not only did Mr. Brotherston interest himself in Juan’s education, but he paid an allowance to Hartnell’s sisters out of his own pocket for a long time after the mother’s death.  He attempted, in these ways, to take the place of a father during the years of William’s destitution.  ++  Hartnell became quite frantic in his attempt to find money for his many needs.  Periodically, he tried to collect payment on a loan made to the Mexican government during Echeandia’s administration. . . . +++ 

Mancisidor took Franciscan mission contract business from Macala y Arnel; ‘modo corriente’ of DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL, so pleasing to padres, meant nothing to rival traders

+++  Captain Lincoln reported to Hartnell that the vessel broke to pieces in a storm somewhere off the “Coast of Ireland.  She was bying to about three leagues from the land the night previous to her getting on Shore when the Captain and his watch were all washed overboard. . . . .Afterwards she lost her sails and went on Shore.”  ++  The only ray of light to penetrate the gathering gloom was news from Mr. Brotherston that Lloyd’s agents had salvaged many hides from the wreck.  The underwriters gave eighteen shillings for each, a higher price than could have been obtained in a dull English market.  ++  While Hartnell was accumulating woes and worries, his most redoubtable rival, old Mancisidor himself, had quietly been proceeding from mission to mission, representing to the padres that with the ending of the mission contract, at the close of the current year, Macala y Arnel would wind up their California business.  Mancisidor was prepared to save the situation, to pay the highest prices and give the best service to any trader remaining on the coast.  In this way he managed to secure promises from a number of missionaries, notably at San Gabriel and San Juan Capistrano, that all their produce be reserved for him after January 1, 1826.  ++  Hartnell wrote despairingly to his father-in-law that this was the crowning blow to his hopes of success in business.  David Spence tried to reassure him that, through friendship, “the greater part will always fall to our share,” even without a contract.  And an unworldly padre, Pedro Cabot from San Antonio, advised talking it over, coming to an understanding with old Mancisidor, the German Virmond, William Gale from Boston, and other traders known and now feared by Macala y Arnel.  Father Cabot insisted that “the soul of commerce is friendly intercourse.”  ++  But times had changed in California; such confidence was unwarranted.  Father Payeras’ prophecy was coming true, that with the growth of commerce would arrive a number of “workers, sinners and annoying persons” who could not be expected to practice Christian conduct, not even to understand a gentleman’s code.  The ‘modo corriente’ of Don Guillermo, so pleasing to the padres, meant nothing to the rival traders.  Hartnell’s courtly ways already were out-of-date in the competitive new world that California had become during the years of the mission contract.  +++

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.”  …   +++ 

Captain Lincoln of Brig ‘John Begg’ wrote to DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL: ‘public Rumour here speaks of the Stoppage of our House in Liverpool’

+++  … Writes Lincoln:  ++  ’The present state of Commerce, i.e. up to 26th March, was in a most deplorable situation the failures being so great in the Money Market that all Confidence is lost and no person is able to form an idea of the Results – (entre nos) public Rumour here speaks of the Stoppage of our House in Liverpool, but this I can’t credit for there’s but little doubt it is done through calumny or to answer some private ends. . . . . . ++  ’You have a Letter from your Sister in London & sorry am I to be the bearer of news that sooner or later you must hear (but ’tis a debt we must all pay).  I mean the death of your Mother who died while I was in the Country. . . . .Hope you enjoy Happiness & good Health in your present state which allow me to congratulate you upon & hoping your conubial Bliss will every day be exceeded by delicious sweets which can only be enjoyed by company of your wife, and may she be like the fruitful Vine bringing forth fruit in due season.’  ++  Such a flowery ending could not change the serious tone of Captain Lincoln’s letter.  Bad luck, the state of the world, lack of understanding of local conditions by absent partners, lack of exertion on Hartnell’s part, retribution for past transgressions – anyone’s guess is good as to the reasons for the failure of McCulloch, Hartnell and Company, following so close upon prospects of success.  Probably all these elements enter into the final accounting.  ++  Hartnell’s own explanation was bad luck and lack of understanding support by his partners.  Mr. Brotherston, writing to Mr. Begg, refers to Hartnell’s complaints that he is not being supplied “with the needful in Cash and Goods. . . . This may have been the case in some degree,” he at length concludes, ” but we are at the same time convinced that the establishment is not conducted in the way it might and ought to be be.”  Such an opinion from a faithful friend distressed Hartnell when brusquely retailed by Begg.  The young man took Mr. Brotherston’s advice to heart, especially his opinion “that when the term of Contract is expired you will be able with proper management to secure the whole of the trade without the burthen of the tallow at the present exorbitant price you pay for it.” …  +++

WILLIAM HARTNELL’s sister asked to have her mother’s stipend ‘continued to her’ after Mrs. Hartnell’s death

+++  ’ – I do most sincerely wish you every happiness, with the Lady to whom you have united yourself.  Let my best wishes be made acceptable to her.’  ++  Of their business, Mr. Brotherston says:  ++ ‘ I am happy to see that your prospects becomes better and. . . . I am quite of your opinion. . . . . . to take our chance of the purchase of Hides rather than saddle ourselves with the Tallow after the expiration of the Mission Contract. . . . and with proper attention to the salting concern of which I have a good opinion I have little doubt the Establishment will do well.  The farm of which you have got the use will I think be of very great benefit to the concern. . . . let me hear from you as often as possible.’  ++  Mr. Brotherston has sad personal news for William Hartnell:  ++  ’I do most sincerely sympathize with you in the distressing announcement which you will receive by this conveyance of the death of your respected Mother.  She had for a long time past been in bad health – and a very short while before her death applied to me for a sum of money beyond that which you allowed her; which in the state she was, I could not refuse and felt assured you would approve of what I did in complying with her request.  On the 16th Inst. I received a letter from your Sister intimating the death of your Parent, and praying that the Stipend which was allowed by you to her Mother might be continued to her.  This I cannot take upon me to do but at my own risk – and I have written to her to say so, that I shall pay it during this year by the end of which I hope to hear from you deciding what I am in this to do.’  ++  Here is a true friend who does not hesitate to assume a heavy responsibility, even when his own financial condition is precarious (as seems the case with Mr. Brotherston in the beginning of 1826).  ++  Captain John Lincoln, still commanding the ‘John Begg,’ brings Brotherston’s letter to Lima, for transshipment to Monterey.  He adds his own description of conditions as he recently had found them in England.  His words forecast the series of disasters which within a few years are to send the California firm upon the rocks and Hartnell himself almost into bankruptcy. … +++

Dr. Robert C. Wyllie wrote from Cabo San Lucas to DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL about Pacific island + Far East trade

++  Mr. Begg has not yet heard (on September 28) that profits on the ‘John Begg”s cargo already have exceeded expectations, and the company’s prospects now seen as rosy-hued as Hartnell’s personal life, in the fall of 1825.  ++  By every ship these days come letters of congratulation and the expression of affection from faraway friends.  Most welcome perhaps are two communications in October from Dr. Wyllie.  Hartnell’s adventurous relative and “family doctor” had sailed the past year from Lima with a cargo for Calcutta.  After becoming involved in the Indian-Burmese war, with three armies of 10,000 men each (his explanation is vague), Wyllie somehow, somewhere, picked up “a beautiful brig well loaded with India Goods.”  ++  This news, coming from Cape San Lucas, interests Hartnell exceedingly.  For a long time he has been urging Begg and Company to sanction a trade with the vessels from Canton and Manila which frequently put in at California ports, claiming that “India cottons, nankeens, china crepe, sayasaya are preferred here to anything that can be brought from Europe.”  Trade in the Pacific islands and countries of the Far East he feels would unlock the “treasure house of the world.”  ++  Wyllie does not learn about the Hartnell-de la Guerra nuptials until his arrival at Mazatlan in Mexico.  From there he sends congratulations from “your old cronie” in bird-track handwriting which is very hard to decipher:  ++  ’It has given me infinite satisfaction, here to learn that you are not only well, but married and doing well.  Prosperity, I trust, will long attend you & yours.’  ++  Congratulations from fatherly Mr. Brotherston do not reach Hartnell until more than a year after the marriage.  Writing from Liverpool, on January 20, 1826, he mentions Teresa’s brother Juan, who is being educated in England:  ++  ’My young charge which I see you have made a Brother in law I am happy to say is quite well and is making very rapid progress in his studies.  He is remarkably quick and I expect to make a distinguished character of him.’ … +++