Ripe for falling : Thomas O. Larkin and the acquisition of California

Abstract

The late Frederick Merk, perhaps the most respected historian of American expansion, once remarked ruefully that the study of territorial expansion was not an especially uplifting experience. Expansion, Professor Merk admitted, necessarily involves "elbowing owners of property rudely to one side and making away with their possessions." Living in a post-war world that has renounced colonialism and imperialism (ostensibly at least), Americans understandably might ponder the methods by which their nation carved out one of the world's greatest empires. No matter how one tries to rationalize or qualify American expansion during the 1840's, undeniably the United States resorted to aggression to extend what it considered the "area of freedom." From the war on Mexico the United States reaped a vast southwestern domain- a princely realm dominated by the Mexican province of Alta California. To achieve this great gain, many Americans accepted war as a legitimate last resort, while others did not consider aggression a creditable alternative.

The military heroes of the war have received the most "credit" for the conquest of California. Continued research and evaluation by historians, however, has restored the reputation of a relatively unknown and unappreciated figure in American expansion -Thomas O. Larkin. A prosperous American merchant in California, Larkin served as United States Consul at Monterey and later as a confidential agent to the President. Consul Larkin worked for the acquisition of California not by force, but by the consent and approval of the people of the Mexican province.

Believing the acquisition of California to be both desirable and inevitable, Thomas O. Larkin strove to advance the expansionist campaign to obtain the province. To the United States government he reported the unsettled status of Mexican California. To the American expansionist press he praised its magnificent harbors and fertile valleys. And he began to persuade the people of California to accept willingly the transition to United States rule.

Consul Larkin's firsthand reports from Monterey became a vital ingredient of the expansionist campaign to win California. President James K. Polk embraced Larkin's program to secure the aid of the people of California for the coming of United States rule. Larkin and Polk intended to insure that California was indeed won for the "area of freedom." In July, 1845, the Consul warned the United States government and public against the danger of European interference in the province. Reacting to Larkin's warnings in October, the Polk administration moved to neutralize supposed European interference by obtaining California first. As part of this response, Polk authorized Larkin to encourage a movement of independence in California. If the Californians would take the first steps, Larkin would offer them United States protection and quick entrance into the American Union.

Beginning in April, 1946, Consul Larkin's effort to secure California though a movement of independence steadily made progress. Then the outbreak of the Bear Flag Revolt (instigated without proper authority by John C. Fremont), and the military occupation of the province rendered Larkin's mission hopeless and obsolete. Still the Consul attempted to restrain both sides, hoping to prevent needless bloodshed. Thomas O. Lark played a vital, active role in bringing United States hegemony to the Pacific, but his efforts failed to avert the bloody conflict of the Mexican War and the conquest of California.