The number of Americans in California was small, but growing at a rapidly increasing rate. Americans hold key business and even government positions. The most powerful Californio in the north was Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, a known American sympathizer. The northeastern frontier is held by Americans at Sutter's fort. Illegal American trappers roam freely throughout the Sierra Nevadas. Wagon trails have been developed through to Utah and America to the East. The American Pacific Fleet is a considerable force whereas the California fleet consisted of a single unarmed vessel. Pio Pico the newl

John C. Fremont, I think envisioned himself as the California conqueror. He was a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, and well known in the U.S. for a series of Western explorations, including the accurate mapping of the Oregon Trail. His wife was the daughter of Senator Thomas Benton, and she herself was an accomplished writer who worked to publish Fremont's fame. In early 1846 this being his third trip, Fremont showed up in Monterey with 60 armed men. This expedition was intended to be a scientific expedition, as his other past expeditions to the west had been. While in Monterey he went to see Thomas Larkin. Larkin a Monterey merchant (able to work in California because he would give the Dons credit) was working as a confidential agent for James Buchanan's

Unknown to the Bear Flag Revolutionaries, the United States of America was already at war with Mexico over the Texas question. Tensions in Texas grew, especially in regard to the southern border of Texas. When Polk learned Mexico refused to negotiate with his representative (April 7, 1846), he ordered General Zachary Taylor to occupy the disputed southern part of Texas. The Mexicans killed several Americans in skirmishes, and Polk used this to request Congress declare a state of war due to the hostile action of Mexico. Congress agreed, and Polk signed the declaration of war on May 13, 1846, one month before Vallejo's capture.

July 23rd, command of the occupation transferred to Commodore Robert Stockton due to Sloats Health. Stockton met with Fremont and Gillespie, and commission them into his "California Battalion of Mounted Riflemen." The three men drew up bombastic proclamations and began an arrogant rule. In August, Los Angeles was occupied without resistance, but not before the Californios buried their only cannon in Senora Innocencia Reyes' garden. The pueblo was unnecessarily placed under martial law with Gillespie in charge. Gillespie's rules were oppressive and arbitrary, and soon the Californios began to fight back.

y installed Mexican governor is located at Los Angeles, and has as low an opinion of California defense as anyone. His position is tenuous anyway; as recently as February 20, 1845, Californios under Alvarado again had attacked the previous governor in an unsuccessful revolt. In short, California was a conquest waiting to be conquered, and it seems the Americans were in position to accomplish that mission.

The next battle occurred December 6th, after General Stephen Kearny and 300 mounted soldiers most of which were

Some common words found in the essay are:
Los Angeles, Gillespie Fremont, Fremont Vallejo, San Francisco, Americans California, Pio Pico, Innocencia Reyes', Sloat Monterey, Bear Flaggers, San Pascual, los angeles, sutter's fort, bear flag, bear flag republic, expel americans, war mexico, june 14, san pascual, rumor castro, californios command, pacific fleet, los angeles surrendered,
Approximate Word count = 1712
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)