Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/54

 course will continue to be the case, until a sufficient military force is sent to occupy the country— and harsh measures are taken by our commanding officers.

Some artist among the Californians, drew a picture of the action of the 9*^— which represented us in square, three deep, and our cattle & baggage in the centre. Under it was written "The infernal Yankee Coral"— They came into town after the fight, and said they would have broken our square when they charged, but that we stretched ropes or chains around us, using the Jack tars, as posts. This of course was an absurd story— but at the same time, I think is a great compliment to Jack— as it shows how steadily he met the charge. It is reported today that they acknowledge 70 killed & wounded in the two actions.^^^

1 6*^ Quietness and peace still reigns over the city of the angels, except a little drunkenness, nothing going on, the Jack tars begin to talk about their ships again, and going home. I understand from the officers that the time for which, many of them shipped has long since expired, yet they remain doing duty— and that too of a sort, that they are unaccustomed to, and moreover it is hard service for they have to dig and labour, at the fort on the hill— and yet Jack does not grumble very much— some of the volunteers absolutely re- fused to work at the fort. I wonder who the patriots are in this case— Many of the Men who came with Fremont only enlisted for 3 months, their time has expired and in some instances I understand for several weeks. They have done their duty cheerfully, I understand— yet from all accounts there was some discont[ent] shown to day. This I think goes to show the policy of making the treaty we did with the Californians, so long as the men had an enemy before them they thought of nothing but whipping him— now he has disappeared. No one as yet knows exactly how. All hands begin to get im- patient—and in a short time our forces must be scattered, and then the enemy will have the country again— for what confidence can be placed in men— who have broken their honor, and their commander Picot has twice done so.— The terms of the treaty have not been made public— but the delivery of arms it is understood was a sine qua non— yet they come in slowly— another can- non given up to day, they yet have two with them. Picot and his chief men have been in town all day, in close conference with Col Fremont, and con- sultations seems going on among all of our big guns— what may be in the wind I know not— I understand that the Gen^ had sent or was sending an express, to see if there was any truth in the report of the arrival of Capt Cook at Warners Pass.

A ship of war is said to be at San Pedro. Mr. Thompson U.S.N, was des- patched this evening to communicate with her.^^^ Lt Gray, of the Navy, started as bearer of despatches for the U.S. this morning. One of Capt Fre- monts captains, Jacob, accompany ed Mr Gray.^^^

Child complained of more pain this evening than usual, I discovered a little