I Had A Good Deal Of
Conversation With These Gentlemen, Who Stood Alone In An Assembly
Of Americans, Who Had Conquered Their Country, Spared Pillars Of
The Past.
Don Andres had fought us at San Pazqual and Sepulveda's
rancho, in 1846, and as he fought bravely, not a common thing among
the Mexicans, and, indeed, repulsed Kearney, is always treated with
respect.
He had the satisfaction, dear to the proud Spanish heart,
of making a speech before a Senate of Americans, in favor of the
retention in office of an officer of our army who was wounded at
San Pazqual and whom some wretched caucus was going to displace to
carry out a political job. Don Andres's magnanimity and indignation
carried the day.
My last visit in this part of the country was to a new and
rich farming region, the Napa Valley, the United States Navy
Yard at Mare Island, the river gold workings, and the Geysers,
and old Mr. John Yount's rancho. On board the steamer, found Mr.
Edward Stanley, formerly member of Congress from North Carolina,
who became my companion for the greater part of my trip. I also
met - a revival on the spot of an acquaintance of twenty years
ago - Don Guadalupe Vallejo; I may say acquaintance, for although
I was then before the mast, he knew my story, and, as he spoke
English well, used to hold many conversations with me, when in
the boat or on shore. He received me with true earnestness, and
would not hear of my passing his estate without visiting him.
He reminded me of a remark I made to him once, when pulling him
ashore in the boat, when he was commandante at the Presidio.
I learned that the two Vallejos, Guadalupe and Salvador, owned,
at an early time, nearly all Napa and Sonoma, having princely
estates.
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