In a word this
was the period of the sweet "manana," where everyone seemed to have time
to enjoy the "dolce far niente" and exercised an open handed generosity
with regard to the "fleeting goods of earth."
Chapter VI
California Passes From Mexican to American Rule
The year 1846 found the Mexican government in California struggling with
a poor exchequer and some of its leaders in an unfriendly mood towards
one another on account of petty differences, while France, England and
United States waited eagerly for an opportunity to seize California, nor
may their desire be termed dishonest since a change of government each
day seemed more inevitable.
Americans had often been treated with hostility and not given their
lawful rights under the existing form of government in California. Just
about this time United States Consul, Thomas O. Larkin had been sent to
Monterey and Captain John Fremont to Northern California, the latter
presumably to survey the country of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific
Coast in the interests of travel, but the real reason of the presence of
these gentlemen in California was thought to be, that they should keep a
close watch on the turn of affairs.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79