Very Important Passengers

San Francisco Gold Rush 1849.

Lieutenant E. F. Beale

Arrived on the SS Oregon, September 6, 1852

Beale Street in San Francisco was named for Lieutenant Edward F. Beale, United States Navy.

Beale took an active part in the conquest of California serving as Lieutenant with the California battalion; later he was a surveyor-general of the state and at one time United States minister to Austria.

The Beginnings Of San Francisco: From The Expedition Of Anza, 1774, To The City Charter Of April 15, 1850, Zoeth Skinner Eldridge, 1912; pages 740 notes that Lt. Beale was with Kit Carson at San Diego behind the enemy lines in December, 1846.

Beale was also prominent at the time of the "conquest," having been appointed Indian Agent.

September 6, 1853, Sacramento Daily Union, Sacramento, California

We rejoice to announce the safe arrival of Lieutenant Beale and his party, after a most eventful and adventurous trip across the continent. They reached Los Angeles on the 22d of August, in fine health and spirits, without having met with any irreparable loss. They made the trip across from Westport, in Missouri to Los Angeles, in the remarkably short time of 49 travelling days, a large portion of the way through a country never before explored, and without a guide. The account of the Superintendent's adventures will be found highly interesting. His conduct of so perilous an expedition furnishes another proof of his daring spirit, his great powers of endurance, and his admirable tact in managing the wild Indians. The Government probably could not have picked out of the whole Union a man more thoroughly fitted for the post of Superintendent of Indian affairs than Mr. Beale. ~ San Francisco Herald.

September 22, 1853, Daily Alta California, San Francisco, California

Indian Affairs
Arrival of Mr. Beale
His Talk with the Indians.

E. F. Beale, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the State of California, and Benjamin D. Wilson, Indian Agent for the Southern District, arrived in this city from Stockton yesterday morning. Messrs. Beale and Wilson were in Tejon Valley two weeks, during which time couriers ware dispatched to every part of the surrounding country to acquaint the tribes in that region of the fact of Mr. Beale's presence, and calling upon them to assemble, that be might declare to them the intentions of the U.S. government in relation to their affairs. On the 12th of September the chiefs and delegates of tribes had gathered to the number of 1,045, when a Council was held. Mr. Beale addressed the Indians through Mr. Wilson, who translated his remarks into Spanish, which language is understood by many of the chiefs.

Mr. Beale first spoke to the Indians of his arrival amongst them, and informed them of some of the causes of his delay. He told them that he was glad to see that they were so extensively engaged as they were in the cultivation of their land, and spoke of the immense advantages that would accrue to them from a practice of agricultural pursuits. The object of his coming, he said, was to do them good, that he was their friend, and desired to see them all happy, and intended to assist them with every means at his command to become so. The principal means proposed to them was the establishment of reserves, upon which they were to live, and where they would be free from the encroachments of the white man. For this purpose it was necessary to collect them together, and that they should unite cordially in the furtherance of such measures as be should introduce among them for their benefit.

Missions of California.

He explained to them the difference between the proposed Indian reserve establishments and the Missions of California, with whose former history they were acquainted. In the Missions they had been required to labor for the benefit of the government and the church; on their reserves they would be laboring for themselves. The whites were encroaching upon them from every quarter, and would continue to do so till their establishments were in operation, when all their rights would be respected. The method of labor was not intended to be burthensome, but would be adapted to their physical capacity. A system of rewards and punishments was to be arranged by themselves for their own government and protection. Their captains and head men were also to be chosen by themselves.

Mr. Beale spoke to them of the folly of family feuds and jealousies so common among Indian tribes; while mingling with the whites they could never rise to an equal station with them; but among themselves a firm feeling of friendship and equality should exist. He explained to them that, under no circumstances, could he possibly derive any individual benefit from their labor, but that he was the chief of them all and should labor to promote their interests. Their organization upon the reserves would be beneficial, not alone to themselves, but they would be building up pleasant homes for their children, where they could live in peace and happiness, reaping the benefits of the labors of the present generation. Here they could build up a city and educate their children for future usefulness.

Map of the Missions of California.

Mr. Beale informed them that until they should have so far advanced as to be able to support themselves by their labor, assistance would be rendered them by the government, and that they need be under no apprehension of suffering from want. Hunting and fishing were to be allowed them, and although for the present their property and crops were to be as common stock, the ultimate intention was to allow a piece of land to each family.

As there probably were among them many Christian Indians who had been in the missions, provision should be made for their spiritual wants. The padres, he explained to them, however, were not to be allowed any control over their temporal affairs.

The alternative was offered them of acquiescence in the will of the Government, or extermination by disease and mixture with the white race. The Council continued two days, at the end of which time the tribes agreed to accept the propositions of the Government made to them by Mr.?Beale. Ploughs and other agricultural implements, as well as some stock, are to be furnished them when they will commence moving on to the lands designated as their reserves. The thorough knowledge of the Indians of California possessed by Mr. Wilson, and the great influence he has over them, were sources of great assistance to Mr. Beale in this negotiation. Mr. Wilson vouched to the Indians for the good intentions of the Government on the present occasion, and assured then that although previous failures had been made, all Mr. Beale's promises should now be fulfilled.

Mr. Beale was obliged to leave the Four Creeks without holding his contemplated Council with the Indians there, in consequence of business which required his immediate attention in San Francisco. We congratulate Mr. Beale, and are sure all our citizens will join us in the congratulation, upon the success which has thus far attended his labors.

October 2, 1855, Daily Alta California, San Francisco, California

PASSENGERS.

San Diego --- Per Sea Bird --- Lieut. E. F. Beale, S. A. Bishop, G. Van Riper, H. Appleman, L. Lake, Luis Elias, Senora F. Gromiles, H. Farnish, Mr. Hoasten, Mr. Werner, Frank Headen, Mr. Corneal, Mrs. Ann Permele, Thos. Godkin. N. A. Wilson, Thos. King, John Quirk, D. Kelley, D. Buckley, H. Posey, Jos. A. Fort (Pacific Express Co's messenger).


Naval Order of the United States.

The Naval Order of the United States The Naval Order of the United States. has a history dating from 1890. Membership includes a wide range of individuals, many with highly distinguished career paths. When it was established, the Founders provided "that any male person above the age of eighteen years who either served himself, was still presently serving, or was descended from an officer or enlisted man who served in any of the wars which the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue or Privateer services was engaged was eligible for Regular membership." Today, the Order is a "by invitation only" society, and includes men and women who have served or who assist in accomplishing its Mission, including research and writing on naval and maritime subjects.

The San Francisco Commandery meets the first Monday of each month in San Francisco, California and holds two formal dinners each year:

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Sources: As noted on entries and through research centers including National Archives, San Bruno, California; CDNC: California Digital Newspaper Collection; San Francisco Main Library History Collection; and Maritime Museums and Collections in Australia, China, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Wales, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, etc.

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