ISLA GUADALUPE CHAIN OF TITLE

ISLA GUADALUPE CHAIN OF TITLE

	ISLA GUADALUPE
1821	MEXICAN GOVERNMENT land grant to:
1839	Jose Castro (50%) and Florencio Serrano (50%)
1845	Castro to: Agustin Aloise (25%) and Esteban Castro (25%)
1846	Serrano to: Maximo Fernandez (50%)
1871	Aloise and [Modesta] Castro to: James H. Blethen (25%) and Charles Thorn (25%)
1871	Fernandez to: James H. Blethen (25%) and Charles Thorn (25%)
1871	James H. Blethen and Charles Thorn (100%)
1873	Blethen and Thorn to: William M. Landrum and J. M. Rogers (100%)
1873	Guadalupe Island Company incorporated in San Francisco by Landrum and Rogers
1881	Western Land and Livestock Company incorporated in Maine to buy Guadalupe Island Company
~ 1885	MEXICO DECLARES OWNERSHIP OF ISLA GUADALUPE
~ 1887	[concession] contract between the Mexican International Company and the Mexican Government for Isla Guadalupe

• ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO GUADALUPE ISLAND FROM 1839-1873] [Bancroft Library

---

• January 8, 1839. Isla Guadalupe is ceded from the Mexican Government to Mexican citizens, Jose Castro and Florencio Serrano, both Mexican citizens. They receive not just Guadalupe island, but also all the smaller islands in the region as well.

• 1845. [50%] Jose Castro to Agustin Aloise and Esteban Castro: at the pueblo of San Jose de Guadalupe, October 20, 1845, before Antonio Ma. Pico, first alcalde. For the sum of $500 and other considerations, which he has received, sells all his right, title and interest which he has or may hereafter have, in and to the undivided one-half of the islands situated on the coast of the peninsula of Lower California which are known by the following names: Guadalupe Island.

• 1846. Florencio Serrano to Maximo Fernandez in the port of Monterey, Upper California, on 10th day of January 1846 before Manuel Diaz, first alcalde (constitutional). For the sum of $600 and other considerations which he has received. Renounces all his rights in the decree of concession and sells by public sale perpetual alienation forever all his rights title and interest possession or claim which he has or any manner may have in the islands situated on the southern coast of the peninsula of Lower California according to the decree of concession under date of 8th of January, 1839.

• 1871. Maximo Fernandez to James H. Blethen and Charles Thorn. In the city of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, State of California on the 14th day of March, 1871 for himself, his heirs, successors and assigns, sells, grants, bargains and conveys all the right, title and interest, possession, claims and demand of in and to one undivided half of the mentioned island of Guadalupe situated on the west coast of the peninsula of Lower California. Consideration $6000 receipt acknowledged. Executed before James R. Lowell, Jr. a notary public for said city and county.

• 1871. Agustin Aloise to J. H. Blethen and Charles Thorn. In the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, on the 4th day of November, 1871 before J. H. Blood, a notary public, in and for said said city and county. Makes public sale and perpetual alienation forever of all his right, title and interest, possession, claim and demand whatsoever as well in law and in equity in and to the aforesaid island of Guadalupe consideration $500 receipt acknowledged forever renounces quit claims and parts with all interest ownership and possession to.

• 1871. Modesta Castro to J. H. Blethen and Charles Thorn. Deed dated June 22, 1871 at San Luis Obispo, California consideration $2000, receipt acknowledged. Grants bargains and sells and conveys to all that certain island laying west of the coast of Lower California between latitude 28 degrees 40 minutes north and 29 degrees 15 minutes north and longitude 118 degrees ten minutes and 118 degrees 35 minutes west known by and called Guadalupe and being the same granted by the Mexican government to Florencio Serrano et. al. for the sum of $2 interest received and signed Modesta Castro witness to her E. B. [Mark] Morris. Acknowledged before W. D. Witt, a notary public, 23 June 1871.

• 1872. Esteban Castro: to J. H. Blethen and Charles Thorn. In the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, on the 5th day of April 1872 before J. H. Blood, a notary public, in and for said said city and county. Declares himself the owner of 1/4 undivided part of the lands of the island of Guadalupe situated on the coast of the peninsula of Lower California through the grant made to Jose Castro 1/2 ___ makes public sale of all his right, title, interest, possession, claim or demand of aforesaid island, consideration $250 receipt acknowledged.

• 1873. J. H. Blethen and Charles Thorn to William M. Landrum and J. M. Rogers. At the city and county of San Francisco, State of California before J. H. Blood, a notary public, in and for city and county on the 27th day of January 1873 sells an undivded 1/5th of the island of Guadalupe on the coast of the peninsula of Lower California. February 3, 1873 J. H. Blethen and Charles Thorn to Guadalupe Island Company deed February 3, 1873 con. 3450 shares of the capital stock of corporation to themselves and other considerations conveys in the simple and undivided 4/5ths of the island of Guadalupe situated on the coast...

• 1873. M. H. Landrum and J. M. Rogers to Guadalupe Island Company. Deed February 3, 1873. Consideration of 2000 shares of the capital stock conveys an undivided 1/5th of the island of Guadalupe in fee simple.

• 1873. Guadalupe Island Company is incorporated in California. It acquires the island and offers 500 shares of stock @ $50/share ($500,000).

• March 31, 1879. Agreement between the Guadalupe Island Company and Moses M. Staples original manuscript [San Diego History Center]

• June 24, 1881. State of Maine. Certificate of Organization of a Corporation: Western Land and Livestock Company [Bancroft Library]

• July 29, 1881. Letter from Thomas Flint to S. W. Hale [Bancroft Library]

• March 18, 1882. Letter from J. W. Hale to B. P. Flint [Bancroft Library]

May 9, 1882 [New York Herald]: “The Island of Guadalupe. The Mexican Government Declares It Will Not Allow Any One To Take Possessions Without Title. New York, May 8, 1882. To the Editor of the Herald:—Will you kindly publish in your columns for the benefit of the public the notice as to the alleged claim to the ownership of the Island of Guadalupe, on the west coast of Lower California, which we have the honor to enclose herewith? Olcott & Mestrie. Attorneys for the Consul General of Mexico to the United States. Consulate General of the Republic of Mexico for the United States of America, New York, May 6, 1882.

Notice is hereby given to whom it may concern that, there having appeared in various newspapers published in the United States a public notice to the effect that a company has been organized in conformity with the laws of the State of Maine, under the name of The Western Land and Live Stock Company, with its headquarters at No. 258 Washington street, Boston, Massachusetts, and for the purpose of tilling land, raising stock and fishing for seals; and further, that the company referred to have purchased the island of Guadalupe, situated on the coast of Lower California, and that the title to the island referred to was originally acquired from the Mexican government, and that 10,000 shares of the stock of said company are for sale; and, there being no proof on file in the proper office of the government of Mexico of any such transfer of ownership to the said island of Guadalupe from the government of Mexico, at any time, to any company, to any corporation or to any private individual, these presents will make known, through the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized, that the government of Mexico will not allow any one to take possession of the said island of Guadalupe, or permit anyone to take any of the products of the said island, without first obtaining a perfect legal title thereunto, the validity of which shall first be passed upon by the Department of the Public Works of the government of the Republic of Mexico. For the government of Mexico.—Juan N. Navarro

May 10, 1882 [Reno Gazette-Journal]: “A Presumed Swindle. New York, May 10. The Tribune says: Various reports have been printed to the effect that the Western Land and Live Stock Company, organized under the laws of the State of Maine, with office at 258 Washington street, Boston, had bought from the Mexican Government Guadalupe Island, off the coast of California. It was said that the company intended to till land, fish for seals and raise stock, with the expectation of realizing large profits. The company followed up this statement by putting 10,000 shares of stock on the market. Juan N. Navarro, Mexican Consul-General to the United States, says there is no proof on file at the proper office in Mexico of any transfer of the property named, and he desires to give notice that the Mexican Government will not allow any one to take possession of it until legal title is acquired.”

May 12, 1882 [Boston Herald]: “The Island of Guadalupe. A Counter Statement by Treasurer Cushman. To the Editor of the Herald: The treasurer of the Western Land and Livestock Company, in reply to the notification by the Mexican consul general, published in the New York Herald of the 8th inst., whereby he warns the people of the United States that the Mexican government will not allow any corporation or individual to take possession of the island of Guadalupe, or take therefrom any of the products of the said island, submits the following statement: "On the 22nd day of August, 1881, the Guadalupe Island Company, a corporation duly organized under the laws of the state of California, in pursuance of a vote of the stock holders of said company, conveyed to the said Western Land and Livestock company, by deed now on file in the Boston office of said company, the island of Guadalupe together with all and singular the structures and personal estate thereon. In the said deed it is cited that the said island was ceded among others by the Mexican government to Jose Castro and Florence Serrano, by decree of concession dated January 8, 1839...”

May 12, 1882 [The Courier-Journal]: “Another Foreign Complication. M. E. Cushman, Treasurer of the Western Land and Live Stock Company, in reply to a notification by the Mexican Consul General warning the people of the United States that the Mexican Government will not allow any corporation or individual to take possession of the island of Guadalupe, or take there from any of its products, submits the following statements: "That on the 22nd of August, 1881, the Guadalupe Island Company of California conveyed to the Western Land and Live Stock Company by deed, now on file in the Boston office of said company, the Island of Guadalupe, together with all the structures and personal estate thereon. A full abstract of the title to the island accompanies the deed, and shows a perfect title from the original grantees by and through several conveyances to the Guadalupe Island Company, and the matter will be speedily presented to the proper Mexican authority.”

• January 31, 1885. Meeting of the Stockholders of Western Land and Livestock Company [Bancroft Library]

• 1885. Mexican Consul-General Juan N. Navarro, sends a letter to the Guadalupe Island Company demanding the owners to “appear before us in Baja to explain how you acquired Isla Guadalupe.” Shortly there after, the Guadalupe Island Company disbands and the island officially becomes part of Mexico. [Note: Navarro (1823-1904), was born in Morelia, Mexico, and graduated from medical school in Mexico City. He enlisted in the Mexican army and became a colonel. He was later elected senator; in 1863 he was appointed Consul General at New York, a position he held for 38 years.]

• August 16, 1928. The Mexican government declares Guadalupe Island a reserve, making it one of the oldest reserves in Mexico.