15. [BAYARD, Samuel J.]. A Sketch of the Life
of Com. Robert F. Stockton...His Correspondence with the
Navy Department...Together with His Speeches.... New
York: Derby & Jackson, 1856. 210, 131 [1, blank] [2,
ads] pp., engraved frontispiece portrait. 8vo, original
embossed brown cloth, gilt lettering and decoration on
spine (rebacked, original spine preserved). Gilt lettering
on spine dull, some darkening to binding, text with mild to
moderate foxing (mainly affecting first signatures).
First
edition. Connor & Faulk, North America Divided
711. Cowan, pp. 616-17. Garrett, The
Mexican-American War, p. 192. Hill, p. 19. Howell,
California 50:1460: "With an Appendix containing his
official naval correspondence concerning the conquest [and]
his defense of Frémont." Howes B259. Plains &
Rockies IV:271b. Rocq 1667. Tutorow 3743. This book
contains a chapter on Stockton’s activities in Texas.
Stockton, for whom Fort Stockton, Texas, was named, is one
of those figures in U.S. history who does not have a Big
Name, but who had a hand in many pivotal events. As early
as 1825, Stockton was politically active, delivering
stirring speeches promoting liberation of America from its
Spanish "oppressors" and urging colonization societies in
Africa. In the 1840 election Stockton actively campaigned
against Van Buren, whom he saw as a usurper of democratic
principles and states’ rights.
After
Congress adopted the resolution annexing Texas to the Union
on February 28, 1845, Tyler ordered Stockton to command the
squadron that sailed to Texas to deliver the annexation
papers and to prevent Mexican invasions while annexation
was deliberated. Once in Texas, Stockton busily promoted
annexation to the Texans, plotted to occupy the Rio Grande
Valley with Texas volunteers, proposed that Republic
President Anson Jones make war with Mexico as a prelude to
annexation, and urged General Sidney Sherman to attack
Matamoros, promising to support him with U.S. naval force.
Stockton’s superiors warned him against rashness, and
then gave him command of the Pacific fleet. Stockton sailed
to California with sealed orders (to "help," however
appropriate). On July 15, 1846, Stockton prematurely seized
Monterey, commissioned Frémont and Gillespie as
high-ranking officers of the California Battalion, captured
Santa Barbara and Los Angeles without resistance, declared
California to be U.S. territory, and named himself governor
and commander-in-chief. Charged with exceeding his
authority, he resigned his Navy commission in 1850, later
serving as New Jersey Senator (1851-1853). Handbook of
Texas (Robert Stockton).
($100-200)