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Jacob Antonio Moerenhout, a native of Antwerp, Belgium, who
had been French Consul for a couple of years (1846-48) at Monterey, in the
latter days of the Mexican regime, removed to Los Angeles on October 29th, 1859,
on which occasion the Consular flag of France was raised at his residence in
this city. As early as January 13th, 1835, President Andrew Jackson had
appointed Moerenhout "U. S. Consul to Otaheite and the Rest of the Society
Islands," the original Consular document, with its quaint spelling and signed by
the vigorous pen of that President, existing to-day in a collection owned by Dr.
E. M. Clinton of Los Angeles; and the Belgian had thus so profited by experience
in promoting trade and amicable relations between foreign nations that he was
prepared to make himself persona grata here. Salvos of cannon were fired, while
the French citizens, accompanied by a band, formed in procession and marched to
the Plaza. In the afternoon, Don Louis Sainsevain in honor of the event set a
groaning and luxurious table for a goodly company at his hospitable residence.
There patriotic toasts were gracefully proposed and as gracefully responded to.
The festivities continued until the small hours of the morning, after which
Consul Moerenhout was declared a duly-initiated Angeleņo.
Source : - Sixty years in Southern California, 1853-1913, containing the reminiscences
of Harris Newmark.CHAPTER XVII
page 254
and CALIFORNIA PIONEER REGISTER AND INDEX 1542 - 1848