Took possession of Monterey July 7, 1846 — California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin

Today, the California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers when Commander Sloat replaced the Mexican flag with the United States flag at Monterey, California 171 years ago.

From The life of the late Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat, of the United States Navy by the Sloat Monument Association of California, published in 1902:

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The few Americans on shore were impatient in their critical position. It was desired by them to have the place taken and the American flag hoisted on July 4th, the National Independence Day.

The condition of the country having changed, when military operations on land and sea with a plan of campaign marked out, to secure and occupy the prominent places in California, peaceably if possible, or by the conflict of arms if necessary.

The matter of the “Raising of the Flag” though of the greatest national importance in itself, when done, required that almost simultaneous action should be done elsewhere in California as well, with all the dignity, pomp and circumstance appropriate to such an undertaking.

With one eye on the sea to watch for the arrival of the British fleet and the other on the land, he prepared his plans like a skilful general and acted with cool discretion and deliberation accordingly, and in strict conformity with his orders.

There was no hesitation or wavering about performing his duty, whatever. He had no knowledge of a formal declaration of war between the United States and Mexico, which was made nineteen days after the capture of Captain Thornton and his dragoons, and four days after the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.

All the information had, was received through Mexican sources from Surgeon Wm. Maxwell Wood, at the City of Mexico, via Guadalajara, and that the ports in the Gulf of Mexico were blockaded by an American Squadron.

His own act was to be an independent one of itself in making war in the name of the Government of the United States with the remote possibility of it being disavowed and apologized for, as it had been in the case of his predecessor, Commodore Jones, on October 19, 1842, and whose aide-de-camp, Wm. P. Toler, was his, also, at this time.

The proclamations were now ready and full preparations had been made for the great act in the drama to be performed.

He was ardently anxious to do his whole duty and that nothing should be left undone, and on the night of the 6th of July, 1846, Commodore Sloat sent by a trusty courier the following dispatch to Captain John B. Montgomery, commanding the Sloop-of-war “Portsmouth,” at San Francisco, and a copy sent by a boat at the same time:

“I have determined to hoist the flag of the United States at this place to-morrow, as I would prefer being sacrificed for doing too much than too little. If you consider you have sufficient force, or if Fremont will join you, you will hoist the flag at Yerba Buena, or at any other proper place, and take possession of the fort and that portion of the country.”

There was no hesitation or wavering in that dispatch. But let us now take up the log of the “Savannah” again. That tells the straight story.

LOG OF THE “SAVANNAH” (Cont1nued).

Monterey, July 6, 1846. From 8 to meridian, a moderate breeze from the Wd. and pleasant. At 9, inspected the crew at quarters. Hoisted out the launch and stuck an 18 lb. carronade into her. R. S. Trapier.

Monterey, July 7, 1846. From 4 to 8 A. M., light airs from the Nd. and Wd. and pleasant. Made signal 894 to the “Cyane.” At 7:30 A. M., Captain Mervine left the ship to demand of the military commandant the surrender of the Town of Monterey, forthwith, with the forts, military posts and stations under his command, together with all troops, arms, munitions of war, and public property of every description under his control and jurisdiction in California. R. S. Trapier.

From 8 to meridian, light breezes from the Sd. and Wd. and pleasant. At 9:10, called all hands to muster and read the following general order:

General Order. Flagship Savannah, 7th July, 1846.

We are about to land on the territory of Mexico, with whom the United States is at war; to strike their flag and hoist our own, in the place of it, is our duty. It is not only our duty to take California, but to preserve it afterwards, as a part of the United States, at all hazards.

To accomplish this, it is of the first importance to cultivate the good opinion of the inhabitants whom we must reconcile. I scarcely consider it necessary for me to caution American seamen and marines against the detestable crime of plundering and maltreating unoffending inhabitants. That no one may misunderstand his duty, the following regulations must be strictly adhered to, as no violation can hope to escape the severest punishment:

1st. On landing, no man is to leave the shore, until the commanding officer gives the order to march.

2d. No gun is to be fired, or other act of hostility committed without express orders from the officer commanding the party.

3d. The officers and boat-keepers will keep their respective boats as close to the shore as they will safely float, taking care that they do not lay aground, and remain in them prepared to defend themselves against attack, and attentively watch for signals from the ship as well as from the party on shore.

4th. No man is to quit the ranks, or to enter any house for any pretense whatever, without express orders from an officer. Let every man avoid insult or offense to any unoffending inhabitants, and especially avoid the eternal disgrace, which would be attached to our names and our country name, by indignity offered to a single female, even let her standing be however low it may.

5th. Plunder of every kind is strictly forbidden, for the plundering of the smallest article from a prize forfeits all claim to prize money, and the offender must expect to be severely punished.

6th. Finally, let me entreat you, one and all, not to tarnish our brightest hopes of success, by any act that we shall be ashamed to acknowledge before God and our Country.

(Signed): John D. Sloat, Commander-in Chief of the U. S. Naval Force in the Pacific Ocean.

At 9:30, Captain Mervine returned from shore with the reply from the military commandant (Mariano Silva) that he was not authorized to deliver up the place, having no orders to that effect; but said the Commodore may arrange with the Commanding General, to whom the communication will be sent, which was delivered to me for him, the undersigned retiring and leaving the town pacific and without a soldier. That there existed neither public property nor warlike munitions.

At 9:50, made general signal No. 134. At 10 A. M., an expedition, consisting of the boats of the Ships “Cyane” and “Levant,” with about 85 marines and 140 sailors under the command of Captain Mervine, left this ship.

At 10:20, landed all the marines and a detachment of sailors at the Custom House wharf, read a Proclamation from the Commander-in Chief to the inhabitants of California, and hoisted the American ensign on the Custom House flagstaff.

During the reading, the ship’s company were kept at their quarters, and on the hoisting of the ensign ashore, this ship fired a salute of 21 guns.

At 11, the boats returned to their respective ships, leaving the marines in garrison in town.

“Proclamation.
“To the Inhabitants of California.

“The Central Government of Mexico, having commenced hostilities against the United States of America, by invading its territory and attacking the troops of the United States, stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande, with a force of seven thousand men, under the command of General Arista, which army was totally destroyed, and all their artillery, baggage, etc., captured, on the eighth and ninth of May last, by a force of two thousand three hundred men, under the command of General Taylor, and the City of Matamoras taken and occupied by the forces of the United States.

“The two nations being actually at war by this transaction, I shall hoist the standard of the United States at Monterey immediately, and shall carry it throughout California.

“I declare to the inhabitants of California, that, although in arms with a powerful force, I do not come among them as an enemy to California, but, on the contrary, I come as their best friend, as henceforward, California will be a portion of the United States, and its peaceable inhabitants will enjoy the same rights and privileges as the citizens of any other portion of that nation, with all the rights and privileges they now enjoy, together with the privilege of choosing their own magistrates and other officers, for the administration of justice among themselves; and the same protection will be extended to them as to any other State of the Union.

“They will also enjoy a permanent Government, under which life, property, and the Constitutional rights, and lawful security to worship the Creator in a way most congenial to each one’s sense of duty, will be secure; which, unfortunately, the Central Government of Mexico cannot afford them, destroyed as her resources are by internal factions and corrupt officers, who create constant revolutions to promote their own interests and oppress the people.

“Under the flag of the United States, California will be free from all such troubles and expenses. Consequently, the country will rapidly advance and improve, both in agriculture and commerce, as, of course, the revenue laws will be the same in California as in all other parts of the United States, affording them all manufactures and produce of the United States, free from any duty, and all foreign goods, at one-quarter of the duty they now pay. A great increase in the value of real estate and the products of California may reasonably be expected.

“With the great interest and kind feelings I know the Government and the People of the United States possess toward the citizens of California, the country cannot but improve more rapidly than any other on the continent of America.

“Such of the inhabitants of California, whether natives or foreigners, as may not be disposed to accept the high privilege of citizenship, and to live peaceably under the free Government of the United States, will be allowed time to dispose of their property, and to remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restriction, or to remain in it, observing strict neutrality.

“With full confidence in the honor and integrity of the inhabitants of the country, I invite the Judges, Alcaldes, and other civil officers, to retain their offices, and to execute their functions as heretofore, that the public tranquility may not be disturbed, at least, until the government of the territory can be more definitely arranged.

“All persons holding titles of real estate, or in quiet possession of lands under color of right, shall have their titles and rights guaranteed to them. All churches and the property they contain, in possession of the clergy of California, shall , continue in the same rights and possession they now enjoy.

“All provisions and supplies of every kind, furnished by the inhabitants for the use of the United States or troops, will be paid for at fair rates; and no private property will be taken for public use, without just compensation at the moment.

“John D. Sloat, “Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Forces in the Pacific Ocean.
“United States Ship ‘Savannah’

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The California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an image of John Drake Sloat, U. S. N., Rear-Admiral (Retired).

California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin