166 
CALIFORNIA. 
of aid. On the 2d of November, he arrived with his force at Mon¬ 
terey; it consisted of about two hundred men, of whom twenty-five 
were American hunters, the only part of his force that was effective. 
Some accounts give a smaller number, and state it at less than half of 
this. Gutierez, believing the Presidio impregnable, shut himself up in 
it with about one hundred and seventy persons, sixty of whom were 
regular soldiers. 
The Presidio was at once invested, the beach taken possession of, 
and a communication opened with several American vessels then lying 
in the bay. The energy and activity exhibited by Alvarado’s party 
indicated that their movements were directed by others than Spaniards 
or Californians. 
Gutierez seems to have proved himself weak and imbecile in allow¬ 
ing these advantages to be obtained without making any endeavours 
to attack the insurgents. It is said, however, (and his actions certainly 
give some countenance to the idea,) that the dread in which the Ameri¬ 
can hunters were held by himself and men, prevented his making any 
effective effort: in fact, their fame for skill in the use of the rifle was 
known and duly appreciated. 
On the 3d, the insurgents were found to be in possession of some 
cannon, which they established on a neighbouring height, and were 
amply supplied with ammunition. As it was known that neither 
arms of this kind nor gunpowder were on shore, there is little doubt 
that they obtained them from the vessels in the bay; and those who 
were likely to reap the most advantage from a change in the admi¬ 
nistration of affairs, were suspected of aiding the insurgents with the 
means that rendered them, in point of equipment, superior to their 
adversaries. 
On the 4th, Gutierez received an official letter, demanding the 
surrender of the Presidio and every thing in it. Previous to this, he 
had determined to resist until the last; but on inquiry, he found that 
various means had been used to win over the soldiers, who were 
already disaffected on account of the arrearages of pay due to them. 
To capitulate was now the only thing to be done; but it was neces¬ 
sary for him to call a council of his officers and deliberate upon the 
terms offered, or submit to the place being stormed. It is said that 
this council wore away the whole night, in propositions how they 
could avoid a surrender or obtain relief, without coming to any con¬ 
clusion. 
At dawn on the 5th, their hunter adversaries becoming impatient 
at the delay, fired an eighteen-pound ball, which struck the centre of 
the roof of the Presidio, directly over the apartment where the council 
