Chapter XVI: Introduction

Fremont did not know about the war with Mexico. On his way to the
north, he heard that Mexicans were planning to kill every American
in California. Jose Castro was a Mexican general. The Mexicans had
one hundred and fifty horses. The Americans captured these horses.
That was the first victory in the conquest of California.

The Bear Flag Rebellion.

The Americans were indeed a rough looking lot. Mounted on horseback,
wearing leggings, and carrying pistols and guns. If the Americans had
known that war was going on, they would have raised the Stars and
Stripes. But not knowing it they decided to make a flag of their own.

The next act will be the forming of the California Republic.

(Men and soldiers around room).

MAN: We are now a Republic, and must have a Declaration of Independence.

OTHER MAN: Yes, and we must have a flag. Here is one. Mr. Todd made it. A bear is drawn on it, and a star. Underneath are the words, "California Republic."

OTHER MAN: We will raise this flag on the flagstaff of Sonoma. Now we are an independent Republic.

_End of Act III._

ACT IV

INTRODUCTION:

The conquest of California came when a treaty was signed at the Rancho
de Cahuenga. (Ca-wen-ga). The next act will be the Californians and
Fremont at the Rancho de Cahuenga.

FREMONT: General Flores, General Vallejo, General Pico, and Californians: You know why you have been called to this meeting?

GENERAL FLORES: Yes, Captain Fremont, we know why we have been called. If we sign a treaty, and promise not to take up arms against the United States we will be pardoned for revolting.

FREMONT: Yes, you will be pardoned under those conditions. Do you promise?

CALIFORNIANS: We promise.

FREMONT: Very well, sign here.

(They sign.)

FREMONT: That will do, you are pardoned. Good afternoon, gentlemen.

CALIFORNIANS: Good afternoon, Captain Fremont.

WEBSTER, CLAY _and_ CALHOUN

INTRODUCTION:

We are going to tell you the story of Webster, Clay and Calhoun.

Daniel Webster was born in New Hampshire in 1782. He was a very weakly
child, no one thought that some day he would have an iron body. He
spent most of his time playing in the woods and fields. He loved the
animals that he found there. He had a brother named Ezekiel. One day
as they were walking through the field, they noticed that some of the
cabbage had been eaten so they planned to catch the thief.

The first act will be the story of the woodchuck.