Death Valley Days: The Bear Flag

The story opens in Sonoma, California, in 1846.  Mariano Vallejo discusses with Don Miguel Ruiz the troubles being wrought by American immigrants.  Ruiz fears that they will attempt to annex California to America, like has happened in Texas.  To Ruiz's surprise, Vallejo hopes for just such an outcome.  Soon after, a band of Americans steal horses that were set aside for General Castro.  In Sonoma, there is concern that this will soon get out of hand and plans are made to send the ladyfolk to Monterey.  They are too late.  The Americans arrive in Sonoma and take Vallejo prisoner.  To the Americans' surprise, Vallejo invites them into his office and offers them drinks.  He gladly signs a letter of capitulation.  Now in control of part of California, they have the dilemma of what flag to fly.  As they are not sanction by the United States, they don't see it as appropriate to fly the stars and stripes.  Thus, they set to designing a new flag.

"Let's have a lone star on it!" one suggests.  That idea receives mixed reactions, mostly dissent as copying Texas.

"California Republic," one declares to universal approval.

"Let's have a bear!" another suggests.  Though his idea is initially opposed, he sells the idea and it is soon adopted.

The men search for materials and soon stitch together a flag.  William Todd, a cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln, paints the flag.  Shortly, he has painted a lone star in the corner, a grizzly bear, and 'California Republic' on the flag.  They pull down the Mexican flag and hoist the bear flag.  So begins the Bear Flag Republic!

Less than a month later, Vallejo receives word that the US and Mexico are at war; Commodore Sloat of the US Navy has raised the US flag at Monterey and claimed California for the United States.  And thus ended the Bear Flag Republic.

Though generally accurate in the portrayal of the events, this is a kinder & friendlier account.  The American immigrants had been encouraged by Capt. John C. Fremont to both take the horses and revolt.  The treatment of Vallejo, who was clearly eager to join the United States, was not quite as kind as shown.  Rather than being granted parole, he was removed to Sutter's Fort as a prisoner.

Interesting and informative, but poorly scripted.  There are too many characters.  This should have focused on one or two participants.  However, it is clear that the idea was to present the many viewpoints of the era, from Californios who were against, those who were ambivalent, and those who were in favor.  There is a similar diversity of opinions among the immigrants.

Just okay.