The Louisianian marvels at the
sudden change of so many peaceful explorers into conquering invaders.
Valois suspects Senator Benton of intrigues toward western conquest.
He knows not that somewhere, diplomatically lost between President
Polk and Secretaries Buchanan, Marcy, and Bancroft, is the true
story of this seizure of California. Gillespie's orders were far in
advance of any Mexican hostilities. The fleet and all the actions
of the State, War, and Navy departments prove that some one in high
place knew the Pacific Coast would be subdued and held.
Was it for slavery's added domains these glorious lands were
destined?
Maxime is only a pawn in that great game of which the annexation
of Texas, the Mexican War, and California conquest are moves.
Wise, subtle, far-seeing, and not over-scrupulous, the leaders of
southern sentiment, with prophetic alarm, were seeking to neutralize
free-State extension in the Northwest. They wished to link the
warmer climes, newly acquired, to the Union by negro chains. Joying
in his freedom, eager to meet the newer phases of Californian life
under the stars and stripes, Valois rides along. Restored in health,
and with the light heart and high hopes of twenty, he threads the
beautiful mountain passes; for the first time he sees the royal
features of San Francisco Bay, locked by the Golden Gates.
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