This plaque accompanies a tree in Friendly Plaza in Monterey and reads:
"THIS REDWOOD TREE PLANTED JULY 4, 1966,
BY MONTEREY HISTORY & ART ASSOCIATION
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE LANDING OF
CPMMORDORE JOHN DRAJE SLOAT AT MONTEREY
ON JULY 7, 1846 AND RAIDING THE AMERICAN
FLAG OVER THE CUSTOM HOUSE, FORMALLY
TAKING POSSESSION OF CALIFORNIA FOR
THE UNITED STATES."
The Wikipedia article for Sloat (
visit link) informs us:
"John Drake Sloat (July 6, 1781 – November 28, 1867) was a commodore in the United States Navy who, in 1846, claimed California for the United States...
In 1844 Sloat was appointed to command the Pacific Squadron, and in 1845, as tensions with Mexico grew, he was instructed to land in Alta California and claim it for the United States if war broke out. Receiving a report of fighting on the Texas border while off Mazatlán, he raced north (the British were reportedly interested in California too), engaged in a skirmish called the Battle of Monterey, raised the flag over the Customs House at Monterey on July 7, 1846, and issued a proclamation announcing that California was now part of the United States. He was a Military Governor of California for only seven days, before handing over the office to Robert F. Stockton.
Later, his poor health forced Sloat to take commands ashore, where he commanded the Norfolk Navy Yard 1847-51,[3] directed the construction of the Stevens Battery in 1855, and helped plan the Mare Island Navy Yard. He retired with the rank of Captain in December 1861, and was promoted to Rear Admiral on the retired list in July 1866. Sloat was a Freemason, and belonged to St. Nicholas lodge No. 321 in New York City. He died in New Brighton, New York, and was buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery."