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r979.4 B22h v.3 1216693
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GENERAL LIBRARY -- OF THE ---
PARK CHURCH -IN- ELMIRA, N. Y. No. 1704
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02303 5154
Gc 979.4 B22H v.3 BANCROFT, HUBERT HOWE. HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA
63
M. Ly
REFERENCE AMERICANA COLLECTION
THE WORKS
OF
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.
THE WORKS
OF
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.
VOLUME XX.
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. VOL. III. 1825-1840.
SAN FRANCISCO : A. I. BANCROFT & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1885, by HUBERT H. BANCROFT, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
All Rights Reserred.
CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.
- 1216693
CHAPTER I.
A TERRITORY OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC.
1825. PAGE
Ratification of the Federal Constitution-Junta de Californias in Mexico -Compañía Asiático-Mexicana-Sessions of the Diputacion-Eche- andía Appointed Governor-Transfer of the Office at San Diego- Biography of Don Luis Argüello-Echeandia's Companions-Pacheco, Zamorano, and Ramirez-^Herrera as Comisario de Hacienda-The Missions-The Padres Refuse Allegiance to the Republic-The Dipu- tacion on Secularization-Padre Duran as President-Mission Sup- plies and Finance-Vessels on the Coast-Surrender of the Asia and Constante-Morrell's Visit and Book - Commerce - Foreign Resi- dents-A Rainy Season.
1
CHAPTER II.
ECHEANDÍA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 1826-1830.
National Measures, 1826-Junta de Fomento-Echeandía at San Diego- Guerra for Congress, 1827-8-Colonization Regulations of 1828-Ter- ritorial Diputacion, 1827-Proposed Change of Name-Echeandía in the North-Diputacion, 1828-30-Election-Maitorena Sent to Con- gress, 1829-30-Acts of the Supreme Government-Padres as Ayu- dante Inspector-Gomez as Asesor-California as a Penal Colony- Arrival of 130 Convicts-Carrillo Elected to Congress for 1831-2- Expulsion of Spaniards, 1827-30-List of Spanish Residents-Eche- andia's Appeals for Aid-His Resignation-Appointment of Antonio García - The Californias Separated - Mannel Victoria Appointed Governor.
31
CHAPTER III.
ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-FINANCE-THE SOLIS REVOLT.
1826-1830.
Hard-times Items - Aid from Mexico-The Revenucs-Comisario and Habilitados - Secret Investigation -Suspension and Resignation- Estrada, Vallejo, and Jimeno Casarin as Administrators-Revolt of ( vii )
viii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
1828-Revolt of 1829- Causes-Monterey Taken - Joaquin Solis -Plan of November 15th-Argüello Declines the Command-Solis Marches South-Echeandía's Preparations-Revolt at Santa Bárbara -Bloodless Battles of Dos Pueblos and Cieneguita-Retreat of Solis -Retaking of the Capital-Ávila Captures Solis-Trial-The Span- ish Flag-Banishment of Herrera and Twenty Conspirators-Finan- cial Affairs in 1829-30
56
CHAPTER IV.
ECHEANDÍA AND THE PADRES-MISSION AND INDIAN AFFAIRS.
1826-1830.
Mission Prefect and Presidents-The Question of Supplies-The Oath of Allegiance-Sarria's Arrest-Friars Still Masters of the Situation- Council at San Diego-Southern Padres Willing-Northern Padres Refuse-Flight of Ripoll and Altimira-The Friars as Spaniards- Echeandía's Conciliatory Policy-Petitions of the People-Exile of Martinez-Progress towards Secularization-Mexican Policy-Diffi- culties-Junta of April 1826-Decree of July-Experimental Free- dom-Mission Schools and Lands-Plan of 1829-30-Approval of the Diputacion-Action in Mexico-Indian Affairs -Sanchez's Expedi- tion-Vallejo's Campaign against Estanislao-Northern Fort-Sea- sons.
87
CHAPTER V.
ECHEANDÍA'S RULE-MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.
1826-1830.
Vessels of 1826-Revenue Rules-Hartnell's Business-Hawaiian Flag- Cooper and the Rover-Lawsuit with Argüello-Beechey's Visit in the Blossom-Books Resulting-Trading Fleet of 1827-Reglamentos on Liquors and Live-stock-Embarrassment of McCulloch, Hartnell, & Co .- Cunningham at Santa Catalina-Visit of Duhaut-Cilly and Botta-Maritime Affairs of 1828-Restrictions-Smuggling-Affair of the Franklin-Cannon-balls-Affair of the Karimoko-Vessels of 1829-Custom-house-Arrival of the Brookline-Gale's Correspond- ence-Raising the Stars and Stripes-Lang at San Diego-The Santa Bárbara Built in California-Ships and Trade of 1830-List of Vessels, 1825-30. 116
CHAPTER VI.
OVERLAND-SMITHI AND PATTIE-FOREIGNERS. 1826-1830.
The Eastern Frontier-The Trappers-First Visitors by the Overland Route-Jedediah Smith, 1826-8-Errors Corrected-Original Doen- ments-The Sierra Nevada Crossed and Re-crossed-First Entry of
ix
CONTENTS.
PAGE
the Hudson's Bay Company-McLeod and Ogden-Pattie's Visit and Imprisonment, 1828-30-Flint's Narrative-Truth and Fiction-A Tour of Vaccination-' Peg-leg ' Smith-Trapping License of Exter and Wilson-Vaca from New Mexico -- Ewing Young and his Hunt- ers from New Mexico-Foreign Residents-Annual Lists of New- comers-Regulations on Passports and Naturalization. ...... 150
CHAPTER VII.
RULE AND OVERTHROW OF VICTORIA. 1831.
Appointment of Victoria-Arrival-Echeandía's Delay-Command Sur- rendered -Beginning of a Quarrel-Golpe de Estado-Schemes of Padrés and Party-Victoria's Address to the People-Charges against the Governor-Refusal to Convoke the Diputacion-Memorials and Threats-Victoria's Manifiesto-Replies of Bandini and Pico-Ad- ministration of Justice-The Death Penalty-Case of Atanasio-The Robbers Aguilar and Sagarra-Execution of Rubio-Exile ef Abel Stearns-Victoria and Alcalde Duarte of San José-Trouble at Los Angeles-Exile of José A. Carrillo-José M. Padrés Banished-Plots of Carrillo, Bandini, and Pico -Pronunciamiento of San Diego- Echeandía in Command-Angeles Revolts-Fight near Cahuenga- Death of Pacheco and Ávila-Victoria Sent to San Blas-Rodrigo del Pliego-Action in the North-Carrillo's Efforts in Congress .... IS1
CHAPTER VIII.
AN INTERREGNUM-ECHEANDÍA AND ZAMORANO. IS32.
The Diputacion at Los Angeles-Action against Victoria-Attempts to Make Pico Governor-Echeandía's Opposition-A Foreign Company at Monterey-Zamorano's Revolt-A Junta at the Capital - The News at San Diego- Sessions of the Diputacion - Los Angeles Deserts Echeandía-Warlike Preparations-Ibarra at Angeles-Bar- roso at Paso de Bartolo-Indians Armed-Compact between Eche- andía and Zamorano-The Territory Divided-Final Sessions of the Diputacion - The Ávila Sedition -Who is Governor ? - Affairs in Mexico-Carrillo's Efforts and Letters-Choice of a Governor-José Figueroa Appointed-Instructions-Mishaps of a Journey-Mutiny at Cape San Lucas-Waiting for a Ruler. 216
CHAPTER IX. FIGUEROA'S RULE-HÍJAR AND PADRES COLONY. 1833-1834.
Arrival of Figueroa-Primitive Printing-Imaginary Difficulties-AAm- nesty to Rebels-Echeandia and Zamorano-Biography of Echeandia
x
CONTENTS.
PAGE
-Bandini Elected to Congress-No Sessions of the Diputacion in 1833-The Northern Frontier - Figueroa Resigns-A Warning- Mutiny at San Francisco-The Diputacion in 1834-Address by the Governor-Legislative Affairs-The First Book Printed in California -Reglamento-Petaluma and Santa Rosa-Santa Anna y Farías- Conspiracy of Guerra and Duran-New Election-Events in Mexico Padrés and his Schemes-Colonization - Híjar as Gefe Político- Colony Organized-Compañía Cosmopolitana-Political Schemes- The March to Tepie - Voyage of the Natalia and Morelos - Re- ception of the Colony at San Diego and Monterey-Wreck of the Natalia-Authorities 210
CHAPTER X.
FIGUEROA, CASTRO, AND GUTIERREZ-THE COLONY. 1834-1835.
Santa Anna Orders Figueroa not to Give up the Command to Híjar- Quick Time from Mexico-Hijar Demands the Mission Property- His Instructions-Action of the Diputacion-Lost Prestige of Padres -Bando-Controversy-Bribery-Submission of the Directors-Aid to the Colonists-At Solano-New Quarrel-Rumored Plots-Revolt of Apalátegui and Torres-Pronunciamiento of the Sonorans-Sur- render-Legal Proceedings-Figueroa's Orders-Seizure of Arms at Sonoma-Arrest of Verduzco and Lara-Exile of Híjar and Padres- Figueroa's Manifiesto-Sessions of the Diputacion-Carrillo in Con- gress-Los Angeles Made Capital-Foundation of Sonoma-Deatlı of Figueroa-Life and Character-Castro Gefe Político-Gutierrez Comandante General-Estudillo's Claims. 270
CHAPTER XI.
MISSIONS AND SECULARIZATION.
1831-1833.
Eclicandía's Plan of 1830-Decree of 1831-The Comisionados-Views of the Padres-Carrillo's Efforts in Mexico-The Pious Fund- Events of 1832-Diputaeion and Friars-Echeandia's Reglamento -- Notes of Padre Sanchez-Bachelot and Short-Exiles from the Hawaiian Islands-New Missionaries in 1833-The Zacatecanos- Division of the Missions-Troubles in the North-Flogging Neo- phytes-Supplies for San Francisco-Misconduct of Padre Mercado at San Rafael-Massacre of Gentiles-Figueroa's Instructions on Secularization - Echeandía's Regulations-Figueroa's Policy-Ex- periments in the South-Provisional Rules-Emancipation in Prac- tice-Projects of President Duran-Figueroa's Report against Secu- larization-Mexican Decrees of 1833-President and Prefect. . 301
xi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII. MISSION AND INDIAN AFFAIRS. 1834-IS35. PAGE
Emancipation-Indian Pueblos-The Diputacion-Figueroa's Policy- Mexican Law of April 1834-Provisional Regulations of August 9th -Híjar's Instructions-Their Meaning-The Reglamento in Practice -Local Results-Ten Missions Secularized-Views of the Padres- Supplementary Regulations of Nov. 4th-Destruction of Mission Property by the Friars-Slaughter of Cattle-Stipends in 1835- Mission Supplies-Mission Ranchos-García Diego's Suggestions- Local Items of 1833-Six Missions Secularized-The Fernandinos Content-Mexican Decree of Nov. 9th-Mission Statistics, 1831-5- Seasons-Pestilence-Indian Affairs, IS31-5 339
CHAPTER XIII.
MARITIME, COMMERCIAL, AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
1831-1835.
Annual Lists of Vessels on the Coast-Revenue Statistics-Smuggling Items-Seizure of the Loriot-Commercial Regulations-Victoria and Bandini-Contraband-Ports-Bandini and Angel Ramirez-A Dis- appointed Inspector of Customs-Fur Trade-Salt-Abel Stearns' Operations at San Pedro-Treasury Officials-Comisarios-Bandini, Gomez, Gonzalez, Estrada, and Herrera-Minor Revenue Officers- Local Items - Financial Correspondence - Statistics - Municipal Funds-Taxation-Tithes-Plan of Ways and Means-Alphabetical List of Vessels 363
CHAPTER XIV.
PIONEERS AND FOREIGN RELATIONS. 1831-1835.
Overland Immigration-New Mexican Route-Wolfskill's Party-Yount and Burton-Jackson's Company-Warner-Ewing Young's Second Visit-Carson, Williams, Sparks, and Dye-Graham and Leese- Across the Sierra - Captain Joc Walker-Nidever-Bonneville's Narrative-Hudson's Bay Company Trappers-Otter-hunting in Cal- ifornia-New Mexican Horse-thieves-Chino Pando-Foreign Policy -Fears-Offer of Purchase by U. S .- Spaniards-Pioneer Names- Those Who Came before IS30-New-comers of Each Year -Alpha- betical Lists-Douglas the Botanist-Thomas Coulter's Visit-Mori- neau's Memoir-Visit of Hall J. Kelley-John Coulter's Lies-Dana's Two Years Before the Mast. 385
xii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV. RULE OF GUTIERREZ AND CHICO. 1836. PAGE
Castro Transfers the Gefatura to Gutierrez-A Quiet Rule-Centralist Precautions-The Capital-Vigilance Committee at Los Angeles- Shooting of a Man and Woman-Bandini's Plan at San Diego-Ap- pointment and Arrival of Governor Chico-Inaugural Address- Swearing of the Bases-Chico's Orders-Address-Sessions of the Junta Departamental-Agent for Mexico-Chico in the South-Be- ginning of Troubles-Californian Views of Chico's Character-Doña Cruz, the Governor's Mistress-Feeling of Foreigners-Chico and Stearns-Revolution Planned-Results of the Vigilantes-Chico and Duran-Amours of Castañares and Doña Ildefonsa-Chico and Es- trada-Excitement at the Capital-Chico Leaves the Country .. 414
CHAPTER XVI.
GUTIERREZ, CASTRO, AND ALVARADO-REVOLUTION. 1836.
Second Rule of Gutierrez-His Policy and Character-Vague Charges- Quarrel with the Diputacion-Popular Feeling-Causes of Revolt- Juan B. Alvarado-Revenue Quarrel-Another Version-Prepara- tions at San Juan-Californians in Arms-Graham's Riflemen-Siege of Monterey-Documentary Record - Surrender - The Mexicans Exiled-Biography-Gutierrez-Castillo Negrete-Herrera-Muñoz Navarrete-The Estradas-Rule of José Castro-Plan of Conditional Independence-Lone-star Flag-The Diputacion as a Constituent Congress-Vallejo as Comandante General-Revenue -. Civic Militia. -Alvarado as Governor-Division of the State-Commerce-The New Régime-Affairs in the North. ...... 445
CHAPTER XVII.
ALVARADO'S RULE-TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH. 1836-1837.
Causes of Southern Opposition-Sectional, Local, and Personal Prejudice -The News at Angeles-San Diego Aroused-Plan of November- Counter-plan of Santa Bárbara-New Ayuntamientos and New Plan -Letters of Prominent Men-Castillo Negrete-Osio-Bandini-Pio Pico-Cárlos Carrillo-Alvarado in the South-The Barbareños Sub- mit-Angelinos Obstinate- Dieguinos Patriotic but not Warlike -- Defensive Measures-Campaign and Treaty of San Fernando-Alva- rado at Los Angeles-Castro's Arrival-Another Plan-Speeches- Fears of Attack from Sonora-Castro at San Diego-Diputacion Sus- tains Alvarado-Plan de Gobierno-Intrigues of Osio and Pico-Los Angeles Submits-Governor's Manifiesto of May-Return to Monte- rey-Events in the North, January to May.
478
xiii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIII,
SAN DIEGO PLAN-ALVARADO AND CARRILLO. 1837. PAGE
Bandini's Movements-Plots on the Frontier-Zamorano, Portilla, and Estrada-Plan of May-Seizure of Los Angeles-Don Juan at San Diego-The Army at Angeles and San Fernando-Castillero's Com- mission-Oath of Centralism in the South-Alvarado at Monterey and Santa Clara-Rumors from Mexico-Ramirez Revolt-Monterey Taken and Retaken-Alvarado Returns to the South-Treaty with Castillero-Alvarado Swears to the Constitutional Laws-His Mo- tives-Diputacion at Santa Bárbara-Castillero Sent to Mexico- The California-Vallejo Refuses to Accept Centralism-Carlos Car- rillo's Appointment-Alvarado's Position-Carrillo Assumes Office at Angeles-San Diego Obedient-Not so Sta Bárbara-Letters of Vallejo and Alvarado. 515
CHAPTER XIX.
DON JUAN BAUTISTA AND DON CARLOS.
1838.
Don Carlos Closes Northern Ports-Sends for Mexican Troops-Castro's Plan-A Spurious Appointment-Carrillo's Letters-Military Prepa- rations-Castañeda at San Buenaventura-Santa Bárbara Threatened -News from Mexico-Battle of San Buenaventura-Los Angeles Taken-Alvarado at San Fernando-Don Carlos at San Diego-A New Plan-Tobar in Command-Campaign of Las Flores-Treaty- Negotiations at San Fernando-Escape of the Pretender-Vallejo Favors Don Carlos-News by the Catalina-Arrival of Castillero --- Recognition of Alvarado and Vallejo-An Island for Carrillo-Aba- jeños Despondent-Arribeños Triumphant-Re-arrest of Carrillos and Picos 545
CHAPTER XX. .
ALVARADO'S RULE-POLITICAL EVENTS,
1839-1840.
Governor and General at Santa Bárbara-Carlist Prisoners-Don Cárlos Yields-End of the Conflict-Military Discipline-Presidial Com- panies-Diputacion as a Junta at Monterey-Division of California into Districts and Partidos-Prefects-Plots of Ramirez and Padre Mercado-Life of Angel Ramirez-Sedition at Branciforte-Flag Tu- mult at Los Angeles-Castillero Elected to Congress-Vocales Elected -War with France-Jimeno Acting Governor-Alvarado Married by Proxy-Arrival of the California-Alvarado Appointed Governor -Cosme Peña-Castañeda Sent to Mexico-Annals of 1840-Sessions of the J:inta Departamental-Tribunal de Justicia-Monterey the Capital-Conspiracy of Carrillo and Gonzalez. .... . 579
xiv
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXI.
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN DIEGO DISTRICT. 1831-1840. PAGE
Military Commandants-Decrease and Disappearance of the Presidial Organization-Fort and Other Buildings-Population-Private Ran- chos-Summary of Events-Politics and Indian Depredations- Treasure on the Colorado - Civil Government - Ayuntamiento- Criminal Record-San Diego Mission-Padre Martin-Statistics- Secularization-Ortega as Administrator-San Luis Rey-Padre Peyri-A Prosperous Mission -Slaughter of Cattle-Chronologic Happenings-Pio Pico in Charge -- Hartnell's Investigation-Mission Ranchos-San Juan Capistrano-Statistical View-Annals of Eman- cipation-Administration of the Argüellos-The Ex-neophyte Pue- blos of San Juan, San Dieguito, Las Flores, and San Pascual ....... 608
CHAPTER XXII.
LOCAL ANNALS OF LOS ANGELES DISTRICT.
1831-1840.
A Centre of Political Agitation-Chronologie Summary and Index-Local Occurrences-Indian Hostilities-Day and Stearns-Vigilance Com- mittee-Sectional Warfare-Carrillo's Capital-Tumult of the Flag -Arrest of Foreigners-Increase of Population-Private Ranchos- Ayuntamiento and Municipal Affairs-Criminal Record-A Race- The Prefecture-Peña, Tapia, and Argüello-Port of San Pedro-San Gabriel-Padres Boscana and Sanchez-Statistics-Secularization- Events-Bandini's Reforms-San Fernando Rey-Father Cabot-A Prosperous Mission-Antonio del Valle as Comisionado-Chronolo- gic Record. 629
CHAPTER XXIII.
LOCAL ANNALS OF SANTA BARBARA DISTRICT. 1831-1840.
Gain in Population-Presidial Organization-Military Items-Summary of Events-Santa Barbara in the Political Controversies-Chico and Duran-Municipal Affairs-Official List-Sub-prefecture-Grants of Private Ranchos-Santa Bárbara Mission-Statistical View-Annals of Secularization-San Buenaventura-Fathers Suñer, Uría, and For- tuni - Population, Agriculture, and Live-stock - Majordomos and Administrators-Santa Inés-Father Arroyo de la Cuesta-Statistics of Decadence-A Gain in Cattle-Moderate Prosperity-Local Hap- penings-La Purísima Concepcion-Secularization-Inventories .... 649
XV
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIV. LOCAL ANNALS OF MONTEREY DISTRICT. 1831-1840. PAGE
Population-Visits and Descriptions-Summary and Index of Events- Military Record-Municipal Affairs and Administration of Justice -Prefecture-Criminal Record-Private Ranchos-Mission San Cár- los-San Luis Obispo-Padre Gil y Taboada-Statistics of Decline- San Miguel - Padre Juan Cabot - Population and Property-San Antonio-Secularization-Mercado's Complaints-Hartnell's Inspec- tion-La Soledad - Padre Sarria - Inventories of Live-stock and Crops-San Juan Bautista or San Juan de Castro-Padres and Neo- phytes-Mission Estate-Emancipation of the Indians-Pueblo and Capital of the District-Santa Cruz, or Pueblo de Figueroa-Villa de Branciforte 667
CHAPTER XXV.
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT. 1831-1840.
Gain in Population -Number of Inhabitants in California, North and South-Summary of San Francisco Events-Military Affairs-Com- pany Transferred to Sonoma-Pueblo and Ayuntamiento-Granting of Lots-Later Litigation -Growth of Yerba Buena-Richardson, Leese, and Spear-Private Ranchos of the District-San Francisco Mission-San Rafael-Padre Amorós' Map of Mission Lands-San Francisco Solano-Pueblo of Sonoma -General Vallejo's Achieve- ments in the Frontera del Norte-San José Mission-A Prosperous Establishment-Santa Clara-Padres Viader and Moreno - Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe de Alvarado - Population - Municipal Affairs and List of Officials-Summary of Events. 698
PIONEER REGISTER AND INDEX. 'Fabbol' to 'Hyde' .......... 733
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER I.
A TERRITORY OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC. 1825.
RATIFICATION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION-JUNTA DE CALIFORNIAS IN MEXICO-COMPAÑÍA ASIÁTICO-MEXICANA-SESSIONS OF THE DIPUTA- CION-ECHEANDIA APPOINTED GOVERNOR-TRANSFER OF THE OFFICE AT SAN DIEGO - BIOGRAPHY OF DON LUIS ARGUELLO -- ECHEANDIA'S COMPANIONS-PACHECO, ZAMORANO, AND RAMIREZ-HERRERA AS COM- ISARIO DE HACIENDA-THIE MISSIONS -- THE PADRES REFUSE ALLEGIANCE TO THE REPUBLIC-THE DIPUTACION ON SECULARIZATION-PADRE DU- RAN AS PRESIDENT-MISSION SUPPLIES AND FINANCE-VESSELS ON TIIE COAST-SURRENDER OF THIE 'ASIA ' AND ' CONSTANTE '-MORRELL'S VISIT AND BOOK-COMMERCE-FOREIGN RESIDENTS-A RAINY SEASON.
IN the preceding volume I have completed the an- nals of California as a province of Spain and of the Mexican empire to the year 1824. In the present volume I continue its history as a territory and depart- ment of the Mexican republic to 1840. But while 1825-40 are the chronological limits assigned, it has been found inconvenient, as already explained, to make the subdivisions of time and topics agree exactly. Local annals have been continued in an earlier volume to 1830; herein they are completed for another decade, and the regular thread of political history is followed to 1840; but the institutional history for 1836-40, including some important phases of foreign relations, is necessarily left for the first six chapters of volume iv. The leading features here presented are the develop- VOL. III. 1
2
A TERRITORY OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC.
ment of republicanism, the downfall of the missions, revolutionary movements, the first overland explo- rations, growth of foreign influence, the ap-building of commercial industry, and the complicated series of political and sectional controversies. At the end of the volume I continue alphabetically the biographical register of pioneers begun in volume ii.
Early in 1825 Governor Argüello received the federal constitution of the Mexican republic adopted by congress October 4, 1824, and addressed to the states and territories on the 6th. It is not necessary to analyze this document here. By it Alta California became a territory, lacking the population for a state; entitled to a diputado in congress, but without the forty thousand inhabitants requisite to give him & vote; yet capable of being erected into a state by act of congress. This organic law made no provision for the government of the territories; and I know not ex- actly what authority the president had for appointing a governor and allowing the diputacion to subsist; or what authority congress had to make laws on the sub- ject; or further, on what authority the two Califor- nias were immediately united in one territory, or at least put under one governor. The constitution was similar to that of the United States of America.1
Before noting the reception of the constitution in the north, it is well to glance at subsequent acts of the national government in behalf of California down to the end of 1825-and briefly, for in Mexico but slight
1 Mexico, Constitucion Federal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, sancionada por el Congreso General Constituyente el 4 de Octubre de 1824. Mexico, 1824, 16mo, 31. xviii. 62 p. 21. 3p .; with at the end the following: Mexico, Arta Constitutiva de la Federacion Mexicana. 31 de Enero, 1824. Mexico, 1824. 16mo, 12 p. There are other editions of both documents. In the Acta the division into states and territories had been different, the two Californias being one territory. There is no evidence that the Acta reached California before the constitution. Among the signers of the constitution there appears no diputado for Alta California, though Baja California was represented by Man- uel Ortiz de la Torre. Gov. Argüello understood Cal. as a territory to be attached to the state of Mexico. Dept Rec., MS., i. 120; Dept St. Pap. Ang., MS., i. 82-4.
3
JUNTA DE FOMENTO.
attention was paid to this distant frontier, either in this or any other year. The first president did well enough, however, at the beginning, for he not only appointed a ruler, with a superintendent of territorial finances, but he sent troops, arms, supplies, and even a little money. I have noticed the lack of any con- stitutional provision for territorial government; but to aid the president in this respect a special board, or council, the 'junta de fomento de Californias,' was or- ganized.2
In a note I have given the titles of this junta's re- ports. Ex-governor Sola was a member, though not a very prominent one. None of the plans ever at- tained to the dignity of law, but each had an influence
2 This junta was dissolved at the end of 1827. It had ten members, in whom there were frequent changes, the following list including all that served in the order of their appointment: Mariano Bonilla, Pablo V. Sola, José Ign. Ormacchea, Mariano Dominguez, Tomás Salgado, Francisco de l'. Tamariz, Manuel Ibarra, Francisco Cortina, Ignacio Cubas, Juan J. Espinosa de los Monteros, José Mariano Almanza, Francisco Fagoaga, Alejo García Conde, Cárlos M. Bustamante, Servando Mier, Isidro Icaza, Diego García Conde, Pc- dro Cárdenas, Juan Francisco Azcárate, Tomás Suria, sec'y, Crecenio Suarez, sec'y.
The various reports of this body were printed in Mexico, 1827, under the following title: Junta de Fomento dle Californias-Coleccion de los principales trabajos en que se ha ocupado le Junta nombrada para meditar y proponer al Supremo Gobierno los medios mas necesarios para promover el progreso de la cultura y civilizacion de los territorios de la Alta y de la Baja California. Año de 1827. This collection includes the following documents: Dictumen que dió la Junta, etc., sobre las instrucciones que para el Gefe superior Politico. Dated Jan. 3, 1823. 16 pages, Svo; Plan para el Arreglo de las Misiones de los terri- torios de la Alta y de la Baja California. April 6, 1825, 11 p .; Plande Colon- izacion Estrangera (subtitle-Reglamento á que debe sujetarse la colonizacion, etc.), dated April 24, 1825, 8 p., with a diagram; Plan de Colonizacion de Nacionales para los territorios, etc. (subtitle-Reglamento para la coloniza- cion por familias de los Estados Federados de México, en los territorios de Californias), dated May 30, 1825, 18 p., 3 sheets, with a diagram; Plan Polis- ico Mercantil para el mas pronto Fomento de las Californias, including Ist, Correspondence Feb .- July 1825; 2d, Proyecto para el Establecimiento de una compañía de comercio directo con el Asia y mar Pacífico, cuyo punta céntrico debe ser Monterey, capital de lu Alta California, la cual serú conocida baja el nombre. de Compañía Asiático- Mexicana, Protectora del Fomento de la Peninsula de (' !!- ifornias. Presented to the president by its author, Francisco de Paula Tamariz, Dec. 14, 1825, 14 p .; 3d, Proyecto de Reglamento en Grande para el Estableci- miento de la Compañia Asiútico- Mexicana. Dec. 14, 1825, 18 p. (numbered 24); Iniciativa de Ley que propone la Junta para el mejor arreglo del gobierno de los territorios de Californias. Dated May 12, 1827; including a Subdivision de los territorios de la Alta y de la Baja California en cuatro distritos, of June 26, 1826; and the final brief report of the junta announcing the close of its labors on Aug. 31, 1827. 44 p.
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