History of California, Volume III, Part 65

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 824

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Finally, the conspiracy of José Antonio Carrillo demands our notice. If estimated from the bulk of the record, it was an important matter indeed. In August, Joaquin Pereira, a Portuguese, revealed to Judge Olivera of Santa Bárbara that Carrillo had proposed to him to join in an attempt to seize that place by surprise, he having one hundred and fifty inen already enlisted for the enterprise. Macedonio Gonzalez had gone to the southern frontier to raise troops, only the resolution of Carlos Carrillo being awaited to begin operations. Pereira ran away soon after making the revelation; and, so far as I can do- termine from the mass of papers before me, not a particle of evidence was found in corroboration of his statement. Yet Carrillo was regarded in these times with much suspicion by the administration at Mon- terey, and Prefect Argüello, who seems to have become all at once an arribeño, attached some impor- tance to the charges, or pretended to do so. A con- plicated correspondence ensued; Carrillo was arrested

51 Leg. Rec., MS., iii. 58-9, 63-78, 81-2, 84-5. The knowledge of foreign plots (Graham affair), to oppose which he would sacrifice his life, had much to do with his apology; so he said.

THE CARRILLO CONSPIRACY.

and taken to Monterey to be released; Gonzalez was brought as a prisoner to Angeles, and perhaps even sent to Sonoma; and finally, in May of the next year, the Carrillos were officially vindicated from all accusa- tions, and restored to 'good reputation and fame.' It seems unnecessary to notice in detail the documents in the case, though they contain much that is amus- ing, if not very instructive. 52

52 Over 50 communications on the Carrillo-Gonzalez conspiracy. Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 20-44; xviii. 62-3; Id., Angeles, i. 21-6, 38; iii. 19-40, 53, 57; xii. 36-7, 63; Id., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., i. 13; iv. 5; vi. 73-7; Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 21-3; xiii. 33; S. Diego, Arch., MS., 258, 235; Vallejo, Doc., MS., ix. 223; xxxiii. 139; Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., iv. 1066; Hayes, Doc., MS., 136. Carrillo's trip to Monterey as a prisoner was made from Sept. 27th to Oct. 7th. Gon- zalez was a sergeant of the frontier garrison of Lower Cal., and very influen- tial with the Indians. He had left his post in 1837 for the north, Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Mex., MS., i. 74, being an order for his return, and had been en- gaged in the plots of Bandini and Zamorano, According to Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xi. 125, he was arrested and sent to Sonoma in Dec. 1840.

CHAPTER XXI.

LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN DIEGO DISTRICT. 1831-1840.

MILITARY COMMANDANTS-DECREASE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF THE PRESI- DIAL ORGANIZATION-FORT AND OTHER BUILDINGS-POPULATION-PRI- VATE RANCHOS-SUMMARY OF EVENTS-POLITICS AND INDIAN DEPRE- DATIONS-TREASURE ON THE COLORADO-CIVIL GOVERNMENT-AYUNTA- MIENTO-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 IN- VESTIGATION-MISSION RANCHOS-SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO-STATISTICAL VIEW-ANNALS OF EMANCIPATION-ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARGUE- LLOS-THE EX-NEOPHYTE PUEBLOS OF SAN JUAN, SAN DIEGUITO, LAS FLORES, AND SAN PASCUAL.

SANTIAGO ARGUELLO was captain of the San Diego presidial company until 1835, when he retired from the service, but he was often absent from his post. Agustin V. Zamorano was appointed captain in 1835, and held the position on the rolls during the rest of the decade; but he was here only in 1837-8, and never assumed command of the company. Captain Pablo de la Portilla was nominally commandant of the post by the seniority of his rauk whenever present, until he left California in 1838. Rodrigo del Pliego, always absent, was on the rolls as lieutenant until about 1838, when José Antonio Pico was raised to that rank. The company alférez was Juan Salazar until he was ordered to the north in 1839, Jose A. Pico also holding that rank apparently from about 1834, when he was promoted from that of sergeant,

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609

MILITARY COMPANY.

and Andrés Pico becoming alférez in 1839. Salazar was habilitado, and more often than any other during the decade is named as acting commandant, though every other officer of the company held the command at times.1

The military organization was, however, but a shadow of its former strength. In 1830, as we have seen, the total force was about 120 men. During the first half of this decade the presidial cavalry company shows a muster-roll varying from 35 to 25. Six artillerymen and three Mazatecos are mentioned in 1833; nine and 17 of the same classes in 1836. In 1835, of the 27 soldiers 11 were on duty at the presi- dio, 13 at San Gabriel, and one at San Juan. In 1837 the troops were sent north in the sectional dis- putes, and never returned as a body. From that date the presidio was abandoned, though a force of one soldier is reported in 1839. The organization had, however, been kept up at San Luis, where in Septem- ber 1839 the remaining eight soldiers quit the ser- vice to save themselves from starvation. Pay-rolls of the company show a theoretical expenditure of from $800 to $900 per month, never paid. It appears that a sum of $500 was sent down from the capital in 1833; the commandant was notified in 1839 that there was $1,000 in the treasury for his company; and presumably the men did not live without occasional rations. Military correspondence is devoted almost exclusively to complaints of destitution.2

1 For presidio annals of S. Diego in 1821-30, sce vol. ii. p. 539 et seq. The scattered archive references for the official list as given above I do not deem it worth while to present, they being more bulky and complicated than im- portant. Many of them are included in note 2.

Santiago E. Argüello was receptor of customs in 1833-4; and was suc- cecded by Martin S. Cabello under a Mex. appointment of July 22, 1833. He was required to give bonds for $2,000. Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., vii. 5; Id., Ben. C. & T., iii. 21. He had trouble with the local authorities in 1836, and the place was held for a time by Andres Pico. In 1837-8 Bandini, l'ico, and Cabello are named confusedly as in charge of the revenues; and in 1839-40 nothing appears on the subject. S. D. Arch., MS., 5, 41, 95, 107, 118; Dept. St. Pup., Cust. - II., MS., iv. 1-4; Hayes, Doc., MS., S.

2 May 17, 1832, want of resources prevents the organization of a frontier co., as the gov. thinks. Minister Alaman urges the necessity. Sup. Gort St. HIST. CAL., VOL. III. 39

610

LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN DIEGO DISTRICT.

Of the presidio buildings nothing is known except that they were abandoned in 1835 or a little earlier, and in ruins long before 1840. Probably much of the material was brought down to build the little town of 30 or 40 houses that had sprung up at the foot of the hill. After Castro's raid of Christmas 1838, earthworks were hastily thrown up on the ridge for the town's protection, and a cannon was brought over from the castillo. This castillo, or fort, at Point Guijarros, had no garrison or guard after 1835, if it had one before. An investigation in 1839 showed the existence of nine cannon, two of them service- able, with 50 canisters of grape and 300 balls. It was intended to put a guard in charge of this prop- erty, but the enterprise failed; and in January 1840, the remnants of the fort and casa mata were sold to Juan Machado for $40. A few of the guns were perhaps removed; one may still be seen at San Diego; and the rest, after being spiked by an American cap- tain in 1842, are said to have been thrown into the bay during the war of 1846-7.3

Pup., MS., v. 7-8. June 1833, comisario sends $500 to S. D. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. C. & T., MS., ii. SG. April 17, 1834, Alf. Salazar cannot go to Mont. for want of a shirt and jacket. Has only a poor cloak to cover the f ight- fal condition of his trousers. Id., B. M., Ixxix. 55. Gov. has called on presi- dlent and padres to furnish supplies. Id. June 1835, S. D. must furnish its quota of artillery militia. Leg. Rec., MS., ii. 263-5. Oct. 1835, list of offi- cers and men of the co. and their whereabouts. S. D. Arch., MS., 55. Feb. 7th, decree reestablishing the local militia. Id., 82-3. Aug. 1836, com. suc- ceeds in borrowing three guns for his troops. Id., 122. 1839, plenty of corn and wheat at the mission, but nothing else. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vii. 313-14. Four fire-arins and pikes borrowed. Id., 243. Final disbandment at S. Luis, and complaints of Pico. Id., viii. 69-70. Only one soldier at S. D .; therefore the juez de paz cannot execute the prefect's orders. S. D. Arch., MS., 234. July, $1,000 ready for the co. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., iii. 162. For mus- ter-rolls, pay-rolls, names of company officers, etc., and complaints of des- titution, see Dept. St. Pap., B. M., MS., Ixii. 30; lxxiv. 45; lxxv. 5, 10-12; lxxvii. 14, 20; Ixxviii. 2, 4; lxxix. 23-4, 40, 54, 82; lxxx. 26; lxxxi. 3, 19, 29, 35; lxxii. 1, 28, 64; lxxiv. 4; Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 1, 8-10; iv. 2, 4; St. Pap., S.c., MS., iii. 33, 37, 117; x. 4; xii. 6; xiii. 16; xiv. 16-20, 43; Dept. Rec., MS., ix. 47; S. D. Arch., MS., 30, 82, 158, 180; Id. Index, 33; Hayes, Doc., MS., 12, 13, 19, 28; Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 283; iii. 176; iv. 315; vi. 7, 24-5, 90-1, 264; vii. 103-5, 312; viii. 233.

" Not a building of the presidio left in 1839; all in ruins. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vii. 8; viii. 23-4. It was therefore necessary to buy a house in town for a proposed garrison. The earthwork on Stockton Hill mentioned in Hayes' Em. Notes, 364; Id. Miscel., 41; S. D. Union, June 20, 1876. On what be- came of the guns, Romero, Mem., MS., 3. Photograph of one of the guns

DECREASE OF POPULATION.

The population of the district, not including neo- phyte and gentile natives, has been given as 520 in 1830.4 There are absolutely no statistics for this decade. There was probably a small decrease in the first half, and subsequently a very large one, caused by the scattering of the military force and by the depredations of Indians at the ranchos. Bandini, without giving figures, states that the depopulation was very rapid after 1836.5 As an estimate, I put the population in 1840 at 150, the smallest figure for more than half a century. The number of foreigners was nine in 1836, and ten in 1840, three of them hav- ing families.6 The neophyte population of the three missions, 5,200 in 1830, had decreased to 5,000 in 1834. After the secularization there are no definite statistics, but there are indications that in 1840 the ex-neophytes whose whereabouts were known, at the missions, in the pueblos, and in private service, may have been 2,250. Of gentiles and fugitives, as in other periods, the number cannot be given. I append a note on the ranchos occupied by private citizens during this period.7 Most of them had to be abandoned at

in the plaza at Old Town, with inscription, El Jupiter. Violati fulmina regis. Carolus tertius, etc. Manila. Año de 1783, in Hayes' Em. Notes, 550-2. Re- ports on the castillo and guns in 1839. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vi. 269; viii. 21, 264; xxv. 204. April 1839, alcalde says he has never received any munitions or artillery, but will have a search made. S. D. Arch., MIS., 221. Sale of the castillo to Machado. Hayes' Em. Notes, 494; Id. Doc., 113. Aug. 1835, mention of a contribution, plans, etc., for building a church and casa consis- torial. S. D. Arch., MS., 56. May 1837, Padre Duran authorizes the alcalde to select a building for a chapel and to fence in a campo santo. Hayes' MMiss. B., 411. Douglas, Journal, MS., SS, describes S. D. as a town of 50 houses in 1840; estimated exports, $10,000.

+ See vol. ii., p. 544 of this work.

5 Bandini, Hist. C'al., MIS., 8. In 1839 the number of votes cast for elec- tors was 31. S. D. Index, MS., 53.

6 St. Pap., Sac., MS., xii. 15: Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., iii. 39.

7 San Diego ranchos in 1831-40, according to land commission and district court lists in Hoffman's Reports, list for 1836 in S. D. Arch., MS., 110, and other authorities. Those marked with a * were finally rejected by the L. C. or U. S. courts. Agua Caliente, granted in 1840 to José A. Pico; claimant under a later grant, J. J. Warner. Cueros de Venado, owned by J. M. Mar- ron in 1836; not presented to the L. C. under this name. Jamacha, granted in 1840 to Apolinaria Lorenzana, who had asked for it and obtamed the neces- sary certificates from the padres in 1833-4. Cayetano Gaitan was in charge 1836. Lorenzana claimant before L. C. * Jamul, granted to Pio Pizo in 1831. Andres Pico in charge 1836. Pio Pico claimant before L. C. Jeus,

612

LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN DIEGO DISTRICT.

one time or another on account of Indian depreda- tions. The inhabitants of the town still pastured their cattle and raised crops, as they had done before, on lands regarded as common. The cultivated fields were chiefly in Soledad Valley, where the cultiva- tors built enramadas for temporary residence. They claimed no property in the land, but he who tilled a field one year acquired a respected right to do so the next. The town lots had been at first assigned by the military commandant; and the first written title from the alcalde is said to have been that given to Tomasa Alvarado in 1838.

Events at San Diego during this decade, as in most others, were neither numerous, important, nor

owned by M. I. Lopez in 1836. Not before the L. C. * Melyo, granted in 1833 to Santiago E. Argüello, who was the claimant before L. C. Nacion, not yet granted to private ownership. J. A. Estudillo in charge 1836. Otay, granted in 1829 to José A. Estudillo, whose heirs, Victoria Dominguez et al., were claimants before L. C. Sant. E. Argüello in charge 1836. Paguai, granted Sept. 7, 1839, and confirmed May 22, 1840, to Rosario Aguilar, but refused by the grantee. Hayes' Em. Notes, 488. Penasquitos, granted in 1823 and again in 1834 to F. M. Ruiz and F. M. Alvarado, the latter being owner and occupant in 1836 and later claimant before L. C. Rosario, mentioned in 1828; in charge of Manuel Machado 1836; not before the L. C. under this name. San Antonio Abad, mentioned in 1828; Sant. E. Argüello in charge 1836; not before the L. C. San Dieguito, granted provisionally to Silva family 1831. Dept. Rec., MS., ix. 97. Granted in part, 1840 or 1841, io Juan M. Osuna, who is named as owner in 1836, and whose heir was claim- ant before L. C. San Isidro, mentioned in 1828; owned and occupied by José Lopez in 1836; not before the L. C. Secuan, Juan Lopez 'solicitante' in 1836; not before L. C .; probably in Lower Cal. * Soledad, regarded as a part of the town commons and formally made such in 1839. Granted by Gov. Carrillo in 1838 to Fran. M. Alvarado; claimant before L. C. Cave J. Coutts. San José del Valle, granted in 1836 to Silvestre de la Portilla, who was also the claimant before L. C. In charge of Francisco Villa 1836. * Tem- ascal, occupied by Leandro Serrano in 1828 and owned by him in 1836. Granted by Gov. Echeandía, no date given. Claimants, Josefa Montalva et al. * Temecula, granted to J. A. Estudillo in 1835; claimants before L. C., V. D. Estudillo et al. Granted provisionally to Andrés and Pio Pico, June 2, 1840. St. Pap. Miss., MS., x. 4. Tecate, owned and occupied by Juan Bandini in 1836. Not before L. C. (Bandini was driven out by Indians, and in 1838 obtained a grant of Jurupa farther north.) Tia Juana, on the fron- tier, granted to Santiago Argüello in 1829. Abandoned for a time on ac- count of Ind. raids. Vallecitos, granted to José M. Alvarado in 1840; L. Soto elaimant before L. C.

Feb. 5, 1835, Com. Argüello turns over to alcalde papers relating to ap- plications of soldiers for lands, as being no longer within his powers. S. D. Arch., MS., Jan. 12, 1835. Joaq. Carrillo petitions the alcalde for a grant of the mission lands, since S. D. is no longer a presidio, but a pueblo. Id., 32. Information on the general subject of lands and town lots. Hlayes' Em. Notes, 480.

613

SUMMARY OF EVENTS.

exciting. A chronological summary is appended, con- sisting of references to items of political and military affairs as given in other chapters, interspersed with such other petty happenings as seem worthy of brief notice.8 This little community was intensely patri-

8 Chronological summary of S. Diego events, 1831. Revolt against Gov. Victoria, Nov .- Dec. See p. 200-4, 210, this vol. Arrival of Jackson's trading party from Sta Fé in Nov. Id., 387.

1832. Meetings of officials and of the diputacion, March-May, and posi- tion of the Dieguinos in the struggle against Zamorano and the plan of Mon- terey. Id., 225-9.

1833. Departure of Ex-gov. Echeandía in May, Id., 244. Petition of the inhab. for an ayuntamiento. Id., 249. Visit of Gov. Figueroa, July. Id., 247. Fears of an attack from the Indians, neophytes, and gentiles com- bined, with rumors of political designs. Ringleaders arrested. Id., 358-9. Bandini in congress tries to have the post of S. Diego opened to foreign trade. Id., 369. March 26th, a soldier under arrest was forcibly released by a cor- poral and 7 privates, all belonging to the L. Cal. forces. Dept. St. Pap., B. M., MS , Ixxix. 9. Nov. 12th, a fall of meteors alarmed the people, and sent them in haste to the church. It also broke up an interesting ganie of monte. Ezquer, Mem., MS., 3.

1834. Arrival of the Natalla, Sept., with part of the Hijar and Padres colony. p. 267 of this vol. Bandini as inspector of custonis, and his smny- gling operations. Id., p. 371. Nov., according to the reglamento, S. Diego and S. Dieguito formed a parish of the 1st class, salary $1,500. Id., 347 %. Nov .- Dec., robberies by Indians of frequent occurrence. The com, gen. will ' take steps,' but meanwhile Capt. Portilla is to make a salida asking the alcalde for volunteers. Hayes' Miss. Book, 221, 224-5. Dec. 18th, 21st, election of an ayuntamiento for the next year, as recorded elsewhere in this chap.

1835. First ayunt. in session attending to municipal affairs. S. Diego in behalf of Estudillo opposes Castro as gefe político. This vol., 299-300. Visit of R. II. Dana. Two Years before the Mast. Feb. 11th, Gov. Figueroa writes to alcalde about a school, for which it seems the people had offered to pay. Hayes' Doc., MS., 17. Feb. 4th, effort to organize an expedition against the Cahuillas who are threatening Sta Isabel. Id., 37. Large force of gentiles said to be threatening S. Luis Rey. Arms to be collected and funds raised by contribution. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iv. 150-1. April, examination of Ind. accused of having plotted to seize Gov. Figueroa at S. Luis. This vol., 361.

1836. Vague rumors of revolutionary troubles. Bandini's plan for a gen- eral assembly to save the country, and assurances of S. Diegan loyalty. This vol., 419-20. May 29th, oath of allegiance to the new Mex. constitution. I.(., 423. Oct. 9th, 16th, primary and secondary election. Andrés Pico sent to Monterey as partido elector. Id., 446. S. Diego to be a part of the 2dl or southern district, that of Los Angeles, according to Alvarado's plan. Id., 475. News of Alvarado's revolution or the plan of Monterey; S. Diego loyal to Mexico; acts of the ayunt., the people, and of Bandini in Nov. Dec. Id., 481-5. The existence of hidden treasure at the ruined missions on the Colorado was reported by Indians; or at least their stories about certain coins in their possession gave rise to a belief in such treasure. The foreigners Thos Russell and Peter Weldon were leading spirits in the matter; the al- calde was an interested party; and Receptor Cabello made a formal demand for the treasure in behalf of the national treasury! A party actually went to make the search, finding nothing; and the matter was investig, ted by the ayuntamiento, Russell and Weldon being arrested. This matter furnished a subject for comment from Feb. to July. S. D. Arch., MIS., 95-6, 108, 111;

614

LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN DIEGO DISTRICT.

otic, fully imbued in these times with politico-military zeal under the leadership of her prominent citizens Bandini, Pico, and the rest. In 1831 she began the first revolution against Mexican authority, that ex- pelled Governor Victoria, and should have made Pio Pico a San Diegan governor. But in 1836 she developed intense loyalty to Mexico, in opposition to Alvarado's revolutionary plan; and both then and

Id. Index, 24; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 55-6. Indian depredations, chietty in Jan .- March, with reference to authorities for many but confused details. This vol., 67-S.

1837. Port open to coasting trade only by decree of Feb. 17th. Vol. iv., 84. Enthinsiasm of S. Diego against Alvarado. Troops sent north too late. This vol., 485, 494-5, 505. Arrest of municipal officers by Alvarado's agents, and partial conversion of the ayunt. in April. Id., 508. Plots of Bandini, Portilla, and Zamorano. S. Diegans march north and capture Los Angeles in May. Id., 515-21. Oath to the central constitution June 12th. S. Diego supports Gov. Carrillo, Dec. Id., 540. Depredations of Indians on the fron- tier. Ranchos destroyed and the town threatened. Expeditions by citizens and by the troops enlisted to oppose Alvarado. Id., 68-9. The hostile bands included fugitive neophytes, rancho employés, and savages from the interior. Claudio was a leader. Leiva, Molina, Camacho, and another were killed at Jamul. Tia Juana, Tecate, and most of the frontier ranchos were plundercd. There was an absurd tendency to connect, for political effect, the hostility of the Indians with the plan of Monterey; and there were some controversics between civil and military authorities as to the methods of conducting the defence. This year's ayunt. was the last elected ..

1838. Jan., Gov. Carrillo's decree establishing the custom-house at S. D. This vol., 545. Feb., force of citizens under Pio Pico sent to Los Angeles. Id., 548. April, Carrillo defeated, retires to S. D .; new preparations, Tobar's arrival, and campaign of Las Flores. Id., 556 et seq. June, S. D. still refuses to recognize Alvarado. Id., 508-9. Same in Sept .; but Carrillo at S. Luis submits. Id., 572-3. More political trouble in Dec .; Castro's raid at Christmas and arrest of the Carrillos and Picos. Id., 577-S. A heavy storm of rain and snow in Dec. was very destructive to sheep. St. Pap. Miss., MS., ix. 36. No depredations by Indians this year; but in April and Sept. there was some correspondence on precautious and suspicious movements of the natives. S. D. Arch., MS., 204; St. Pap. Miss, and Colon., MS., ii. 3SS.

1839-40. The Indians of the frontier were still on the war-path, especially in IS39, and few if any of the ranchos escaped plunder, most of them being entirely abandoned at different times. So far as can be judged from the records, nothing effectual was done by either local or territorial authorities to punish the marauders, though there was no lack of complaints and promises and plans. See this vol., 69-70. Details are too bulky for separate repro- duction, and when combined give no satisfactory result. In March 1839 an election was held under the new laws, Fitch presiding; and Andres Pico and J. A. Estudillo were sent as electors to Los Angeles to vote for congress- man and members of the junta. S. D. Arch., MS., 222. In Oct., Belcher, the English explorer, visited the port and remained five days, but he gives very slight description of the place. Belcher's Narr., i. 325 et seq. In IS40 several foreigners were arrested to be exiled with Graham to S. Blas, but little is known of particulars. This vol., 14-15, 24, 30-1. J. B. Leandry's visit to S. D. on this business with orders from the prefeet. S. D. Arch., MS., 254. Romero, Mem., MS., 5, thinks it was in 1840 that the last channel between the river and False Bay was closed by a flood.

615

DEPREDATIONS OF INDIANS.

in the sectional strife of 1837-8 her favorite sons struggled valiantly by word of mouth and pen in support of Carlos Carrillo and southern interests. Some Dieguino forces even took part in the bloodless campaigning; their town was more than once invaded by the northern foe; and prominent citizens were made captives. Next to political excitements, and often far surpassing them, were those arising from depreda- tions of hostile Indians, especially in 1836-7 and 1832. Again and again the frontier ranchos were plundered until most of them had to be abandoned; and the town itself was often thought to be in danger, with neither soldiers, arms, nor supplies for effectual de- fence. A search for hidden treasure on the Colorado was a local topic of comment in 1836; popular elec- tions of municipal rulers were held for three years; complaints of hard times and various pressing needs were always in order; petty controversies between local officials furnished occasional opportunity for con- suming the small supply of paper and ink; and for the rest the people must content themselves with their social diversions, with waiting for news of north- ern complications, and the anchoring in their bay of the trading craft that came not infrequently to carry away their little store of hides and tallow.

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History of California, Volume III, Part 65

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885-1890 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 824

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 824