Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
2017.030.0805Scope and Content
This is a copy of the translation of a letter from General M.G. Vallejo to his son Dr. Platon. It is a response to Dr. Platon regarding some questions he asked General Vallejo about his recollection of the establishment of the city of Benicia. General Vallejo answers 4 major questions:
1. By whom was it founded?
He responds that a one mile section was transferred to Dr. Semple of which General Vallejo reserved some plots for himself and the net profits from the "fary boats (sic)".
2. Was there more than one person interested in it?
He notes that it started out as just he and Dr. Semple. Later Don Tomas O. Larkin asked to enter as a partner. At that time Vallejo says he increased the land donated to the city of Benicia from one mile to three miles. He also mentions that Mr. Felps(sic) a rich merchant was interested by then and everything apparently went along well.
(The transfer in the ledger in record 1986.010.0271 shows that on 05/19/1847 General Vallejo transferred to Larkin and Semple a piece of land of 5 miles for establishing Benicia. Not sure if there were other land transfers for one mile and then two miles or if General Vallejo is mistaken.)
3. Why was that location selected?
General Vallejo says this spot on the Carquinez had the best depths for a city, it was a convenient spot to connect with El Camino Real (Cattle path of Hunger) and third because the currents weren't as swift at this point.
4. When and at what time did you make the first visit to that place?
He says he first came to this spot in 1829. In 1835 he decided to pick this spot to take across 4,000 head of cattle in open boats and launches.
He summarizes that "After Semple, Larkin, Felps (sic) and others assumed the management and direction of the city "they denied the debt to me", they took over everything as if something had possession of them and ..... Dr. Semple gave Andronico, my oldest son a gift of a place on the swamp and four to me ... unheard of liberality!!!"
The letter then discusses the constitutional convention, establishment of the city of Vallejo, General Frisbie's involvement with Vallejo and marriage to his daughter, etc.Collection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection
