Daily Alta California, Volume 1, Number 103, 29 April 1850
REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE
On the Derivation and Definition of the Names of the
several Counties of the State of California, &c.SOLANO.— This is the second name of the celebrated missionary Francisco Solano, and was also borne by the great chief of the tribes originally denominated ‘Suisunes,” and scattered over the western side of the river Jesus Maria (now Sacramento). The residence of this chief was the valley of Suisun, which is bounded by the hill near Suscol. Before receiving the baptismal name of Solano, the chief was called “Sem-yeto,”‘ which signifies the “brave or fierce hand.” In 1817 a military exhibition (under command of Lieut. Jose Sanchez, and by order of the commandant of San Francisco, Jose Arguello,) crossed the straits of Carquines (on rafts made of rushes, as there were no ferries or regular boats in those days,) for the double purpose of exploring the country and reducing it to Christianity.
On crossing the river they were attacked by the Suisun tribe, then headed by their chief Malaca, who caused them considerable loss : the Indians fought bravely and to the utmost extreme, but they were in turn attacked with such force and perseverance as to oblige them to retreat to their rancheria ; where, being still hotly pursued and believing their fate sealed, these unfortunate people, incited by their chief, set fire to their own rush-built huts and perished in the flames with their families. The soldiers endeavored to stay their desperate resolution, in order to save the women and children ; but even these preferred this doom to that which awaited them from the hands of their enemies. Thus perished this chief, and thus was his hearth and the home of his people destroyed.
The town of Benicia, situate in this county, is rapidly increasing in size and importance, and will soon rival the other towns that encircle the bay of San Francisco. The American squadron is stationed here, and many trading vessels lie at anchor. Here is the only passage to the interior; consequently there is, perhaps, no point from which the active trade of the bay can be better observed. There is in front of the town a bank or promontory extending about one mile, which precludes the necessity of wharves.
Some earlier history can be found here: Suisun Indian Timeline – PDF.