A Proclaimed Republic



On this very day in eighteen hundred and forty-six

Settled land in the west was proclaimed a Republic

By first capturing Vallejo (who founded Sonoma)

And then by raising a home-made flag - a loner



Depicting a grizzily bear alongside a single star

The flag was an announcement the land was far

From being an extension of Mexico further north

But, a completely independent territory, was born



For the early founders of the San Francisco shore

Had come from many other lands and other doors

Including Russia, Britain, Spain, France, Hungary

And those representatives were made a bit angry



When Vallejo announced only Mexicans could stay

And attempted to persuade all of the others to stray

Which caused the Bear Flag Revolt to make sway

And made both Sonoma and the State of California

			what they are, today ...



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

written 3:10pm Tues. 6/15/99

for the date June 14th, 1999



NB

The first grapeyards in California

came into existence in Sonoma

in 1858, from European grapes, 

imported by a Hungarian Count -

Agoston Haraszthy.



It was named by a Wintun Native American,

possibly for a nose-shaped feature in a mountain.

Sonoma is Wintun for "nose" ...



Sonoma was included by CA statehood in 1848.

It was incorporated as a city in 1883.

1990 Census: 8121