USA > California > History of California, Volume II > Part 70
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33 In 1821 the missions from Purísima northward were called upon to con- tribute 2,000 sheep for S. Rafael, giving from 100 to 250 each. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. i. 63-4.
3+ On this slaughter of horses, no statistics being given, see Los Angeles,
669
HIDES AND TALLOW.
in hides and tallow turned the attention of the gov- ernment to the regulation of cattle-raising, with a view especially to revenue purposes and also to the preservation of order and the protection of individual rights. I give a résumé of such regulations in a note.35
Commercial and maritime affairs have formed a
ITist., 9; Bandini, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., 6; Sta Clara, Arch. Parroquia, MIS., 58-63; Duhaut-Cilly, Viaggio, ii. 146, 201-2. The French voyager carried a lot of horses to the Hawaiian Islands.
35 Reglamento sobre Ganados, 1827, MS., action of the diputacion in sessions of July 31st to Sept. 12th, in Leg. Rec., MIS., i. 73-86. (Art. 1-2.) Before the end of the year padres must report on the mission lands and boundaries both to the governor and to the comandante of Monterey and revenue officers. (3.) Ayuntamientos and owners of sitios must also report on their lands and titles. (4.) An impression of the brand on a sheet of paper with a statement of the number of cattle must also be presented. (5.) In future only missions and those who own sitios shall brand (also those who have at least 150 cows?); others will use the marca and señal. (6.) At Los Angeles, S. José, and Bran- ciforte those who have 150 cows will be given a sitio outside the town where they may have a corral; those having less must collect them in the community corral. (7.) Branding is permitted in the south only from March to May; and in the north from July to September. (S.) No one shall brand or mark without giving previous notice to his neighbors; but in pueblos only the juez de campo and two citizens need be present. (9.) No majordomo or other attaché of missions or ranchos shall mark cattle without the consent of the owner and knowledge of neighbors. (10.) No one can use clipped or pointed ears as a mark. (11.) There must be a weekly rodeo of all cattle. The juez de campo to be present and the interested parties. (12.) No one shall kill cattle (for food) in the fields; and they shall be tied up for slaughter (man- cornur?) only after the weekly rodeo. (13.) In no rancho shall there be false corrals or hunting of stock without a uniting of all the neighbors and a shar- ing of the cattle taken; subsequently wild stock may be hunted and branded for a year, and after that time will belong to the municipal funds. In pue- blos it will be divided among the different owners. (14.) Yearly stock men will proceed to make false corrals for the slaughter of wild horses. In the pueblos all the citizens will do it in presence of the juez de campo. (15.) In Angeles, S. José, and Branciforte no person may have more than a band of 40 mares, which number the ayuntamiento may reduce still lower. (16.) On the ranchos hides and tallow can only be bought of the owner, who will give the buyer a certificate to be presented to the justice. In pueblos the buyer will notify the alcalde who will give him a papeleta. (17.) No one shall use a horse without the owner's permission. (18.) No one may make a fire in the fields, and he who is obliged to strike a light must carefully extinguish it be- fore departing. (19-20.) No one may leave his place of residence without a pass. These regulations were also issued by the governor as an edict on Oct. 7th. Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., i. 15-17. July 22, 1829, the governor is asked for instructions about the wild cattle belonging to the propios y arbitrios ac- cording to Art. 13 of the reglamento. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 49-55. Aug. 17, 1830, Zamorano by Echeandía's order notifies ran- cheros to be ready for a visit of inspection from Raimundo Estrada as the gov- ernor's comisionado, with two associates, the inspection to begin at S. Caye- tano on Aug. 12th. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxi. 4-5. For details on the brands of different missions and individuals, see Register of Brands, MS., 48-53; Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 50; Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MIS., xxix. 157.
670
INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.
prominent historical topic in this as they will also in later periods; and all that can be known of trading statistics and regulations has been presented already, or will be, in chronologic order, needing no repetition save in the briefest résumé here.36 Nine or ten trad- ing craft before 1826, and later twice as many, came to the coast each year laden with goods to be exchanged for hides and tallow. The market thus formed for Californian products was the basis for all of prosper- ity that the territory enjoyed during the decade. Revenue from duties for the support of the govern- ment and army amounted, as recorded, to from $10,000 to $30,000 annually; but the records are fragmentary, and despite contraband entries the receipts must have been I think three times as large as the amounts men- tioned. At first in spite of Spanish laws all the ports were open to foreign vessels; and even later, under imperial and republican rule, restrictions were largely disregarded by the authorities; but gradually, as the excessive duties caused smuggling to revive, it was necessary for self-protection and in obedience to Mexi- can orders to partially enforce the laws. The way- ports and embarcaderos were closed, and even Santa Bárbara and San Francisco; and in the last years obedience to restrictive measures was sometimes in- sisted on, though subordinate officials were as a rule under the control of traders, and even the governor could be brought to terms by a threat to leave the coast with a fine cargo. A colony of foreign traders, headed by such men as Hartnell, Cooper, Gale, and Spence, now controlled the commerce of the coast; and the peculiar system of hide and tallow trade did not vary materially from 1823 to 1846.37
Financial administration in California for this dec- ade, with particular reference to the complications
36 For commercial annals of 1821-30, see chap. xx .- xxiii .; and chap. i. v. of vol. iii.
37 I append a list of current prices for this period, the different items being taken from a great number of original invoices and bills on file in my col-
671
FINANCES.
growing out of the subject in 1826-30, is fully treated elsewhere;3 of the administration in Mexico there is nothing to be said beyond noting the fact that Ger- vasio Argüello retained the office of habilitado gen- eral at Guadalajara, drawing his salary, or enough of it to keep alive, as lieutenant of the San Diego com- pany, but performing so far as the records show not a single act in connection with the furnishing of sup- plies for California; and the usual statistics of pre- sidial finance, or such fragments thereof as are extant, have been given in connection with local annals. Both in Mexico and in California the old forms of yearly estimates, adjustment of accounts, retentions and dis- counts for the various military fondos, and others reminiscent of the old Spanish system were still kept up to a certain extent; but mainly for show as it would seem, since of the fragmentary accounts extant many are wholly unintelligible, and some certainly deal with amounts and payments that were purely imaginary. There are no data for general conclusions, but I append a few items of more or less interest and importance. 39
lection: Cloths, per yard, Amer. cotton, 15-16 cts .; striped cotton, 62 cts .: ticking, §1; canvas, §1; Manta, 70 cts .- $2.30; chintz, 75 cts .- $1.25; red flannel, 82.25; paño-woollen stuffs for men's clothing-$2.25-89.00; Cuzco cloth, 81.50-$2.00. Articles of clothing: Hats, $1-$6; socks, 83.75-815 per doz .; shocs, 81.50; mission blankets, $1.25-$1.50; scrapes, 84.50; handker- chiefs, 25-50 cts .; muslin dresses, $5; rebozos, $32 doz .; shirts, 37 cts. to $2.50. Articles of food, and groceries: Corn, $1.50-$1.75 per fan; wheat, 82- $3; beans, $1.50-$2.50; barley, $1.50-$2.00; pulse, $1.75; pease, 83-87; onions, 10 cts. per lb .; salt, §2 per fan .; sugar, 24-32 cts .; rice, 12-16 cts .; cocoa, 36-7 cts .; coffee, 15 cts .; cinnamon, 86 1b .; lard, $6-$16 per cwt .; tallow, 86-812 cwt .; flour, $6-SS cwt .; dried beef, $4-$6 cwt. Cattle: 75 cts. to SS eaclı; horses, $4-820, $40-$50 for pacers and racers; shecp, 50 cts. to $1.50. Rum, $1.75 gal .; gin, $1.75, brandy, $3; wine, 60 cts. to $2.50. Timber, $90 per M. Plow-points, $2; sickles, $1.50; axes, $2; picks, 82; spades, $2; knives and forks, $4 doz .; combs, 8 cts. Plates, $2.25 doz .; cups and saucers, $12; iron pots, $2.50; leather, $2.50 per hide; hides, 90 cts. to 82; saddles, $9; aparejos, $5; wax candles, $1.50-$3.75 lbs .; tobacco, 75 cts .- 81.40 lb .; gunpowder, 40 cts. 1b., $8-$10 per keg. Rope for haliards, 15-16 cts. Ib .; steel, $9.50 per arroba; iron, $12 cwt .; sheet iron, 86; shot, $24 cwt .; nails, 15-36 cts. Ib. Writing paper, 84.25-$16 rcam; scaling-wax, 82 1b.
38 See Hist. Cal., chap. iii. of vol. iii., this series.
39 Dec. 1822, California assessed $11,139 for 1823 to aid in covering a deficit of 86,000,000 in national budget. Sup. Govt., St. Pap., MS., i. 1. Re- mitted to California in 1825: 822,000 in silver, $22,379 in goods, and $12,000
672
INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.
The military force in California at the end of the decade was less than 400 men in active service, includ- ing some 20 commissioned officers. The presidial cavalry companies numbered about 220 men; the Mazatecos, 50; the artillery, 40; and the San Blas
through the comisaría of the west. Mexico, Mem. Relaciones, 1826, 32. Nov. 21, 1827, decree on a future loan, part of which will go to pay the troops of California and other states. Sup. Govt., St. Pap., MS., xx. 8. May 1828, congress decrees for Cal. $140,940, of which $12,860 for the plana mayor, and the rest to be divided among the presidios including Loreto. Id., iv. 3-4. 1828, one eighth of customs receipts devoted to payment of foreign debt. Arriilaga, Recop., 1828, 242-7. 1828-9, 'gastos generales de relaciones'(?) for Californias, $18,145. Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1830, doc. 37; and many other similar entries for different years, but especially 1829, being partial accounts of transactions in California, some of them intelligible and others not, in the annual reports of the different national departments. 1829-30, president exempts California soldiers from certain discounts on their pay. Arrillaga, Recop., 1831, 48. The discount had been ordered Aug. 17, 1829. Id., 24-36. 1830-1, secretary of treasury asked congress to authorize estimated expense of $131,440 for six cavalry companies, and $5,890 for expense of two mail schooners. Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1830, annex B. C. Revenue tax of 5 and 10 per cent on incomes, in all Mexican territory. Sup. Govt., St. Pap., MS., v. 10; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., ii. 6; Arch. Sta. B., MS., xi. 112-13. No such tax was ever paid in Cal. Tobacco account: California owed federal treasury for tobacco received in first eight months of 1825 $23, 863. Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1826, doc., 9, 25. Oct. 23, 1826, $100,000 worth to be sent, and none must be introduced from other sources. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 47. Two hundred and ten tercios of leaf-tobacco and 230 boxes of cigarettes arrived on the Gen. Bravo. Id., 60-1. Complaints in 1827-8 of the bad quality of the tobacco thus received. Soldiers took it at 12 reals and were glad to sell it for four. Id., 71, 104-5. Habilitado accounts etc. : 1825, due artillery company since 1822, $50,148. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ivii. 7-8. S. Blas company paid up on Dec. 31,1826, $2,856. Id., lix. 19. Monthly pay-roll of artillery, 1827-30, about $725; of S. Blas com- pany, about $460; of Mazatlan company, about $850; and of four presidial companies, about $1,500 each. Id., passim. Habilitado Estrada's accounts of payments to troops 1820-7; total, $50,894. Id., Ixviii. 3. 1828, estimate of cost for six months: Gefatura and comisaría, $2,540; engineers, $500; artil- lery, $4,693; S. Blas company, $3,653; presidial companies, $36,611; Mazatlan company, $5,838; total, $53,835. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 2-6. Statement of Echeandía: Total receipts in 1828, $24,503; payments, $31,384. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., 1xx. 16-22. 1829, his estimate of yearly expense, $123,000. Id., 21. The habilitados were tax-collectors and revenue officers during a large part of the decade. They received 5 per cent on all sums collected after the beginning of 1823. Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., i. 53; and many other references. The missions had to pay 10 per cent on crops and increase of cattle; 6 or 12 per cent on exports; and 12.5 cents on each animal slaugh- tered. Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. ii. 11-12; Dept. Rec., MS., i. 75, 323; Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xvii. 89; xviii. 79, 91, 97-8, 311, 318; xix. 123, 137-8, 147-8. The amount of mission tax at S. Francisco in 1824 and 1828, about $3,400. There are numerous orders requiring the payment of tithes through- out the decade; but no statistics. 1828, account of J. B. Alvarado of receipts and expenditures of municipal funds for the six districts, except S. José and S. Francisco. Receipts, $3,388; expenditures, $1,637; balance on hand, $1,751. This revenue was from liquor duties, fines, and tax on wood and timber; expenses included salaries of secretaries of diputacion and ayuntamientos, and cost of schools. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 47; Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 76.
MILITARY.
infantry, 40. There were also about 60 invalids.40 The decline was very marked in the last two years, and was perhaps even greater in the San Blas and Mazatlan companies than I have indicated above, as the records are far from being satisfactory. The fall- ing-off of the force was due to the fact that the soldiers were unable to get their pay, and could get a better living more easily by working on the ranchos. There were occasional calls for recruits, and some were doubt- less obtained; but I find no statistical record of re- sults. 41
Complaints from the comandante general and other territorial authorities respecting the insufficiency of force and armament were frequent, as were suggestions and demands for reform.42 The national government,
40 The sum of the figures I have given for the different presidios is 417, including invalids. chapters xxiv-vii. In an estimate of expenses for 1828, the total of military force is given at about 460. Dept. Rec., MIS., vi. 2-6. The force of the presidial companies was given by Echeandia as 271 in 1826. Dept. Rec., MS., iv. 42; and as 263 in 1827. Sta Clara, Parroq., MS., 56. The ar- tillery is given as 30 and 25 in 1835; 45 in 1827; 46, 43, 42, in 1828; 59 in 1829; 49, 44, in 1830. The S. Blas company, 56 in 1823; 40 in 1825; 37, 40, in 1826; 41 in 1827-8; 39, 20, 23, in 1829; and 23 in 1830. The Mazatlan company, 90 in 1825; 68 in 1826; 67 in 1827; 50 in 1829; and 37 in 1830. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., passim; Dept. Rec., MS., i. 6-7; vii. 7; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 13; Sta Clara, Parroq., MIS., 56. State- ment of mission escoltas; one corporal, and from two to five cavalry men in each, besides a detachment of infantry at S. Fernando and S. Buenaventura. Arch. Sta B., MS., iii. 228-60. 1828, Bandini says caclı presidio had 100 cavalry besides infantry and artillery. Bandini, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., S. 1829, general statement without figures. St. Pap. Sac., MS., xix. 43-5. 1830, total force, 422, cavalry in the two Californias costing $131,000. Mexico, Mem. Guerra, 1830, annex, 1-3. List of commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the presidial companies in 1824. Bandini, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., 5. 1830, the total armament was 54 cannon, 3 of 24 lb. calibre, 2 of 12 1bs., 19 of 8 lbs., 19 of 6 lbs., 11 of 4 lbs., and 1 of 3 lbs .; 23 brass and 31 iron; all but the brass four-pounder out of order. Dept St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixii. 24.
41 Jan. 1824, Gov. Argiiello calls for 25 recruits from Los Angeles and Sta Bárbara; volunteers if possible; otherwise, available vagrants; and as a last resort unmarried men to be drawn by lot. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mal., liv. 6. 42 1821, Gov. Sola has taken steps to improve defences. Guerra, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 69. 1822, Argüello calls for 400 carbines, sabres, and cartridge- boxes. Dept. Rec., MIS., i. 3. In Jan. 1824 a junta decided to make the pre- sidial companies 70 and 76 men rank and file. Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xxviii. 61. In the same month the diputacion resolved that a person be appointed to report on all vagrants and evil-disposed persons, that the same might be set to work at 18 cents per day on the fortifications. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iv. 15-16; Leg. Rec., MS., i. 23-4. If vagrants did not suffice, neophytes were to be hired. Feb. 6, 1824, Argüello tells minister of war that he has been obliged to muster out the two auxiliary companies (S. Blas and HIST. CAL., VOL. II. 43
674
INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.
however, did nothing more effective than to pass the law of May 8, 1828, which provided that each com- pany should have four officers and seventy-six men at an annual cost of $22,740; granted the services of an adjutant inspector, and made some other slight modi- fications. Save the coming of an inspector, nothing seems to have been done before 1830 as a result of this law.43
The comandante general of all the troops was Gov- ernor Sola until 1822, Argüello in 1822-5, and Echeandía in 1825-30; while Captain José María Padrés came as adjutant-inspector in 1830. Lieuten- ant José Ramirez commanded the artillery detachment, known as Company Five of its regiment, until 1825; Captain Miguel Gonzalez in 1825-8, and Alférez José Fernandez del Campo in 1828-30. There are many references to the militia, both artillery and other branches; but they reveal little or nothing respecting the organization of such forces. Probably there was in reality no such organization beyond the general understanding that the citizens of each district were to hold themselves in readiness for service in case of
Mazaltan), and to retire provisionally some soldiers of the presidial companies. Dept. Rec., MS., i. 214. It would seem that there must be some mistake about the disbanding. Feb. 1826, Echeandía has asked for 150 men from Sonora to resist the Bourbons who secretly attack independence, also for a chaplain. St. Pap. Sac., MS., xix. 26-7. Jan. 1827, Echeandía asks that the Mazaltan and S. Blas companies be recalled, and two companies of regulars be sent in their place. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 123, 126. Sept. 1829, Echeandía complains that there are no presidios in the territory-only squares contain- ing adobe huts in a state of ruin. Id., vii. 39. Feb. 1830, the diputacion agreed to advise the government that the troops should be of better character and better discipline. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iv. SS.
43 May 8, 1828, decree forming six companies for the Californias. Arrillaga, Recop., 1828, 118-21; Sup. Govt. St. Pap., MS., iv. 3-4; Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., iii. 49-51. March 21, 1822, decree granting an allowance of extra time, 11 years and 11 days, from Sept. 16, 1810, to Sept. 27, 1821, to all offi- cers and men who accepted the independence. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., liii. 88. This addition was made in many instances in California. March 20, 1826, director general of artillery wants a topographical plan of every fortified place, so that the government may know the advantages of those Californian 'antemurales de la defensa de la República.' Id., Ivii. 17. April 1828, in a distribution of 24,000 muskets, California with one deputy and 80,000 inhabi- tants gets 320. Sup. Govt. St. Pap., MS., iv. 3. Nov. 1828, some cavalry troops captured by Gen. Anaya to be sent to California. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 94.
673
GOVERNMENT.
an emergency." The San Blas infantry company was commanded by Captain Bernardo Navarrete until late in 1822; and by Lieutenant Antonio del Valle during the rest of the decade. Alférez Haro retired, I think, from the military service soon after 1824. This company was not deemed useful to the country, its mustering-out was recommended, and in 1830 an order was issued in Mexico to merge the organization in that of the permanent companies. 45 Captain Pablo de la Portilla continued in command of the Mazatlan company, Lieutenant Juan Maria Ibarra being still second, and Alférez Ignacio Delgado third, though he perhaps retired from active service before 1830, while Lieutenant Narciso Fabregat had been retired by reason of his Spanish birth. In 1828 the Mazatecos were ordered to be considered in the reviews as infantry, though originally cavalry. In 1829 Eche- andía was ordered to send them to Sonora; but they were detained on account of the Solis revolt, and finally there came from Mexico an order for the company to remain in California. 46
In respect of practical government; California as a territory of the Mexican republic under a gefe político did not differ very much from California as a province of Spain under a governor. The authority of the ruler was substantially the same under the Spanish constitution of 1812 before 1825 as under the federal constitution of 1824 later. His military powers were theoretically somewhat abridged; but even these were
" In April 1828 the general Spanish regulations of artillery militia were circulated. Vallejo, Doc. ITist. Cal., MS., xxix. 132. May 22, 1829, Echean- día reported that the militia was as thoroughly organized as was possible, in five companies; though it had cost great labor to teach the rules to the 500 available men. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 18.
45 Feb. 11, 1830, Minister Facio to governor. Sup. Gort. St. Pap., MS., vi. 2. June 19, 1826, complaints of Comandante Martinez. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ivii. 11.
46 March 22, 1828, Echeandia's orders for review. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 194. The rest of the squadron still in Sinaloa in 1828. Riesgo and Valdes, Mem. Estadística, 26-7. May 20th, Aug. 31, 1829, Echeandia to Com. Gen. of Sonora. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xix. 40-1. March 2, 1830, Minister Facio to Echeandía. Sup. Govt. St. Pap., MS., vi. 5.
676
INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.
very slightly affected in practice. The plan de gob- ierno served locally as a temporary constitution in 1824. The efforts of California to follow Mexico through all the successive phases of revolution, re- gency, empire, executive power, and federalism from 1821 to 1825 are described in the chronological annals; but so far as the rights of any individual or the pre- rogatives of any official were concerned there was no change to be noticed. A territorial diputacion of seven members was formed by the election of half the members each year, and acted at rare and irregu- lar intervals as a kind of governor's council rather than as a law-making body, having really no power save in regulating minor matters of territorial eco- nomics. California was entitled to a representative in congress with a voice but no vote; but there is no evidence that either of the diputados sent before 1830, Sola, Guerra, and Maitorena, obtained his seat. There was a law of May 6, 1822, that in case of the death of a gefe político the senior vocal of the diputacion should take his place temporarily; but this law was perhaps not known in California before 1830. The position of governor's secretary was held successively by Joaquin de la Torre, Francisco de Haro, José Antonio Carrillo, and Agustin V. Zamorano. Under the republican régime Baja California was attached to the same jurisdiction, but was again detached in 1829-30.
In municipal as in territorial government there were no radical changes. The ayuntamientos of Los An- geles and San José were somewhat more completely organized than before, but no new powers or methods were introduced. The comisionados at the pueblos were deprived of some of their former authority and finally removed altogether. Ayuntamientos were also established at Monterey and Santa Bárbara, where the number of resident civilians required such a civil power. Frequently recurring elections occupied largely the attention of citizens and required the circulation
JUDICIAL MATTERS.
of detailed instructions for such events, besides giving rise to irregularities and contests which resulted in bulky correspondence if nothing more. Many items of interest in connection with this topic of municipal government andayuntamiento records have been given in local annals of the decade.
Many cases illustrating the administration of justice have also been given in connection with events at the different pueblos and presidios, including crimes and penalties. There was no change in system or methods as compared with earlier periods; but in the last half of the decade there is no doubt that crimes were less promptly and effectually punished than before. This laxity resulted in part from the political changes which practically isolated California from the influence of other than territorial authority; but chiefly from in- ability to pay the troops, which of course rendered it impossible to maintain military discipline. Argüello made an effort to enforce a strict administration of justice in 1824; but Echeandía was no disciplinarian, and met with slight success in stemming the tide of lawlessness, though his intentions were of the best. Many prosecutions were instituted, but few so far as the records show were carried as far as the infliction of a penalty. The coming of Licenciado Rafael Gomez in 1830 as asesor, or legal adviser of the governor, was the only measure actually carried into effect in the direction of judicial reform; though some action was taken in Mexico for the establishment of higher courts under competent judges.47
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