BY THE UNITED STATES. 827 



by the constitution and laws of the United States, under which 

 they might reasonably hope to advance and improve rapidly, 

 both in commerce and agriculture. Such of the inhabitants 

 as were disposed to live peaceably under the government of 

 the United States, were to be allowed time to dispose of their 

 property, and to leave the country, if they chose, without any 

 restriction, or to remain in it, in the observance of strict 

 neutrality. The civil functionaries were desired to retain 

 their offices, and preserve tranquillity ; and the people and 

 clergy were assured of their being unmolested in their pro- 

 perty, rights and possessions. Under the orders of the Com- 

 modore, Captain Montgomery, with seventy sailors and marines 

 of the United States sloop-of-war " Portsmouth," landed at 

 the settlement of Yerba Buena, in the Bay of San Francisco, 

 and took possession of that place. On the llth of July, 

 Captain Montgomery informed the Commodore that the 

 American flag was flying at Yerba Buena, at Sutter's Fort, 

 at Bodega, and at Sonoura ; and added, that the protection of 

 persons and property, which the American flag promised 

 to the land and the people, was hailed with joy by the people, 

 some of whom had enrolled themselves into a new company, 

 under the auspices of the American officers, styled " The 

 Volunteer Guards of Yerba Buena." On the day on which 

 he sent this communication to the Commodore, a British vessel 

 of twenty-six guns, the " Juno," arrived at San Francisco, and 

 anchored. Captain Montgomery brought all his crew from 

 the shore to the ship, with a view of defending his position, in 

 case the English commander should think proper to interfere. 

 The " Volunteer Guards of Yerba Buena" took upon them- 

 selves the task of defending the flag of the United States, 

 assuring the commander that it should wave while a single 

 man of their body lived to defend it. Don Francisco Sancher, 



