16 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



modore Sloat to the commanding-general of Califor- 

 nia. A force of two hundred and fifty marines and sea- 

 men was immediately landed, under Captain Mervine, 

 and they marched to the custom-house. There they 

 hoisted the American flag amid cheers and a salute of 

 twenty-one guns. The proclamation of Commodore 

 Sloat was then read and posted about the town. 



After taking possession of Monterey, Commodore 

 Sloat despatched a courier to the commanding-general 

 of California, summoning him to surrender every thing 

 under his control in the country, and assuring him of 

 protection if he should comply. The general refused, 

 and said he would defend the country as long as he 

 could reckon on a single person to join his cause. A 

 summons to surrender was also sent to the governor 

 of Santa Barbara, but no answer was returned. 

 Orders were despatched to Commander Montgomery, 

 in the Portsmouth, at San Francisco, directing him to 

 take possession of the Bay of San Francisco, and 

 hoist the flag of the United States at Yerba Buena. 



On the 9th of July, the day after the receipt of his 

 orders, Montgomery landed at Yerba Buena with 

 seventy seamen and marines, and hoisted the American 

 flag in the public square, amid the cheers of the 

 people. A proclamation was then posted to the flag 

 staff, and Montgomery addressed the people. The 

 greater part of the seamen and marines then returned 

 to the ship, leaving Lieutenant H. B. Watson with a 

 small guard, formally installed as military occupant 

 of the post. Thirty-two of the male residents of 

 Yerba Buena were enrolled as a volunteer corps, 

 choosing their own officers. Lieutenant Missroon was 

 despatched with a small party of these volunteers to 

 reconnoitre the Presidio and fort. He returned the 



