History of California, Volume III, Part 7

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

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31 Sept. 18, 1829, E. to sup. govt. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 38-40. In Doc. IFist. C'al., MS., iv. 897, I find an unsigned document dated Mexico, April 23, 1830, purporting to be addressed by the diputado of Cal. to the sup. govt, in which the writer protests against the sending of convicts. If there is no error, this would indicate that Maitorena did make at least one honest effort to serve his constituents.

35 The Maria Ester left Acapulco Dec. 19th, touched at S. Blas and S. Lúcas, and lost one convict on the voyage. The exact number varies from 77 to 83 in different documents. The Enriqueta was reported to be coming with more convicts. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 133; Id., Cust .- H., i. 32-3; Id., Ben. Cust .- II., iii. 53-6; Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 25, 28, 50.

36 Com. Carrillo's letters to the governor about landing the convicts on Sta Rosa Island in March-Apr. 1830. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxxviii. 1-3. April 23d, the Maria Ester sailed for Sta Cruz Island with 31 of the number, the missions furnishing some tools, cattle, hooks, and a little grain. Carrillo ( J. ), Doc., MS., 22. March 18th, Echeandía to comandante of Monte- rey from S. Luis Obispo, explaining his plan to send-apparently all-the convicts to the islands. Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 29-32. Mrs. Ord, Ocurrencias, NS., 25-7, says the convicts were in a naked and very filthy condition on their arrival. Capt. Guerra furnished them with clothing, made a speech encouraging them to good conduct, and personally employed S or 10. At the islands a fire soon destroyed all they had, and after a tinic, getting no relief, they built rafts, and all came over to the main, landing at Carpintería. The narrator says that as a rule they became very good people. Nov. 21, 13 of those sent to the island had returned and presented themselves to the coman- dante. Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 122.

COMING OF THE CONVICTS.

ceived from all directions; and at Monterey a meeting was held in May to pass formal resolutions and appoint a committee to wait on the gefe político, and urge the importance of sending the convicts back on the same ship that brought them.37 The diputacion passed resolutions of similar purport in August, as has been noted in the legislative records; but meanwhile, in July, there had arrived the Leonor, Captain Fitch, with fifty more convicts, about whom we have less information than in the case of the first company.33 With few exceptions, no attempt was made to con- fine the criminals; but they were distributed through the territory to earn their living under a surveillance of the local authorities, more nominal than real. A few escaped across the frontier; and of those who served out their time, a large part remained perma- nently in California, where some were the founders of respectable families. 39

The sending of the convicts and the resulting dis- cussions doubtless had an effect to embitter the feeling that was beginning to exist between Californians and Mexicans, particularly at Monterey, where the quar- rel between Gonzalez and Estrada had originated a sentiment of hostility which outlasted the Mexican power in California. At the celebration of the inde- pendence on September 16, 1830, a free fight is said to

37 May 1, 1830, resolutions signed by Juan Malarin, Mariano Soberanes, José Castro, Antonio Osio, Juan B. Alvarado, Abel Stearns, Juan Cooper, David Spence, and Wm Hartnell. 10 articles subsequently approved by Echeandia. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., v. 34-5. May 30th, alcalde (?) of Monterey to governor, speaks of the excitement caused by the arrival, the greater because of the part taken by convicts in the Solis revolt; and begs in the name of the citizens that they be not permitted to land. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 89-90.

38 July 21, 1830, arrival of the Leonor at S. Diego, where 23 of the convicts remained. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust .- II., MS., iii. 54; Dept. Rec., MIS., viii. 83. In the Atleta, Apr. 1, 1830, it is stated that Gen. Berdejo levied a tax of $3 on such presidiarios as wished for freedom, and many destined for California were set at liberty.

39 According to Vallejo, Ilist. Cal., MS., ii. 69-73, Echeandía excused the Mex. govt for sending convicts, on the ground of ignorance. 'El Gobierno ignoraba que existiesen familias decentes y de educacion en la peninsula,' he said to Lieut. Sanchez. A squad of soldiers came as a guard of this last as of the first convict band. These soldiers seem to have been sent back to the south soon. Alf. Antonio Nieto commanded the last squad.

HIST. CAL., VOL. III. 4

ECHEANDÍA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

have taken place in the governor's house between the native-born youth of the capital and 'los de la otra banda,' Juan B. Alvarado and Rodrigo del Pliego play- ing the leading roles, and the occasion being an insult- ing toast by Pliego. Later in the year, as the records show, José Castro was arrested on a charge of posting pasquinades and of publicly expressing his patriotic contempt for the Mexicans. 40

On October 3, 1830, five partido electors, chosen by the process already described, met at Monterey in ac- cordance with Echeandía's proclamation of August 1st, and elected Carlos A. Carrillo as diputado to congress for 1831-2, with Juan Bandini as substitute, José Antonio Carrillo and Agustin Zamorano being the defeated candidates. Next day, the 4th, they chose three new members, as required by law, to. com- plete the territorial diputacion, with the same number of suplentes. The services of the officers thus chosen belong to the annals of another decade. 41

40 Carrillo (J. ), Doc., MS., 30-1; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 116; iii. 8- 11; Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 113-15. Incomplete record of proceedings in the Castro case. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxi. 60-6. On another occasion, according to Alvarado, José Castro slapped Pliego's face in return for insulting remarks on the lack of education among the Californians.

41 July 12, 1830, Mexico, Reglas para las elecciones de Diputados y de Ayunta- mientos, del distrito y territorios de la República, 1830. Printed copy from de- partment of the interior in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxx. 99; also in Arrillaga, Re- cop., 1830, p. 253-63. Much of this law relates more particularly to the city of Mexico, its blocks, wards, etc .; but in so far as it applies to California, it does not differ materially from the regulations given in Echeandía's bando of 1828. Oct. 3, 1830, certificate of the election of Carrillo and Bandini, signed by Echeandía and by the electors, who were: Domingo Carrillo, of Sta Bar- bara; Juan María Osuna, of S. Diego; José Antonio Carrillo, of Los Angeles; José Peña, of S. Francisco; and Juan Malarin, of Monterey. The document was also signed by the alcalde of Monterey, and by Francisco Pacheco and Antonio Buelna as witnesses. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., i. 57. Names of electors also in Actas de Elecciones, MS., 9-10; Luis Peralta, from S. José, was rejected for want of proper credentials. Notice of Carrillo's election in Carrillo (J. ), Doc., MS., 31; Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 104. Record of municipal or primary elec- tions at S. Francisco Ang. 15th; 9 electors chosen. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 6; at Los Angeles, 'same date, Los Angeles, Ayunt. Rec., MS., 6; at S. Diego, Aug. 22d, 13 electors chosen. It is difficult to account for the large number in comparison with other places. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 16-17. The three vo- cales of the dip. chosen Oct. 4th to take the place of retiring members were Mariano G. Vallejo, 5th; Joaquin Ortega, 6th; Antonio Maria Osio, 7th. Su- plentes: Francisco de Haro, Ist; Tomás Yorba, 2d; and Santiago Argüello, 3d. Actas de Elecciones, MS., 11; Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 104. Oct. 7th, gov. notifies Vallejo of his election. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 7.

EXPULSION OF SPANIARDS.

From 1827 to 1829 the national government issued a long and somewhat complicated series of laws and regulations on the expulsion of all Spaniards from Mexican territory, the principal laws being those of December 20, 1827, and March 20, 1829.42 By the terms of the former, the classes exempt from expul- sion were quite numerous, including those Spaniards · physically disabled, those over sixty years old, such as were married to Mexican wives or had children not Spaniards, professors of useful arts and sciences, and all who had rendered special services to the cause of independence, or who had manifested great affec- tion for that cause. Such by taking the oath of allegiance might remain. The chief application of this law in California was of course to the friars, of whom I shall speak separately; but there were also other Spaniards in the territory. Echeandía seems to have interpreted the law, 'or instructions that may have been sent with it, to mean simply that resident Spaniards were to be reported and required to take the oath. Corresponding orders were issued and lists were sent to Mexico in 1828.43

42 Arrillaga, Recop., 1828-31, passim. Law of 1827 in Id., IS28, p. 100- 7; Law of 1829 in Id., 1831, p. 224-6. See also Sup. Gort St. Pap., MS., v. 2-5; xix. 44-54; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 23; Fallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 5; Dispos. Varias, ii. 55.

13 Españoles, Relacion de los Militares Españoles, que han prestado jura- mento, con expresion de sus clases, edades, servicios, etc., 1828, MS. This list was forwarded by Echeandía to the minister of war on Dec. Gth, and contains the following names: Capt. José María Estudillo; Capt. José Bandini; Padre Antonio Menendez; Lieut. Narciso Fabregat; Capt. José de la Guerra y Noriega; Manuel Gutierrez, ranchero and capitalist, 82 years old, 40 years in Cal .; Vicente Cane, one of the Asia's men; Juan Mariner, retired artillery- man with rank of lieut .- over 60-33 years in Cal .; Mannel Gutierrez, 45 years, 7 in Cal .; Francisco Cáceres, 36 years, 11 in Cal .; José Amesti, 3) years, 7 in Cal .; Estévan Munras, 39 years, 8 in Cal .; Antonio Suñol, 35 years, 12 in Cal .; Ramon Espindola, artilleryman, 60 years; Antonio Peña, artilleryman, 50 years; Francisco García, invalido, 60 years; Joaquin de la Torre, 44 years, 25 in Cal .; Francisco Cayuelas, 80 years; Jaime Monyú, one of the Asia's men; as were also Manuel Fogo and Salvador García; Jos3 Fernandez, 25 years, 11 in Cal .: Luis Castro, deserter from the Aquiles; as were also José Nadal, Francisco Fernandez, Francisco Filibert, Ramon Ob s, sergt., l'ablo Sobradelas, José Ma Iglesias, trader, Miguel Culebras, trader: Rafael Romero, 30 years, suspected thief; Juan Ign. Mancisidor, 40 years, supercargo; Antonio José Cot, already embarked; Francisco Martinez, has passport; P'. Luis Martinez, has passport. Contrary to thio indication in the title, many of those named had not taken the oath, but had been ordered to

ECHEANDÍA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

The law of 1829 was more stringent than that of 1827, which it annulled, ordering the immediate ex- pulsion of all Spaniards except those physically inca- pable of departure and those who were sons of Amer- ican-born parents. I find nothing in the law indicative of any favor to such as had sworn allegiance; but so it was evidently understood in California, where it was promulgated in July. Nine men, nearly all deserters from the Aquiles, were selected for exile, two of whom, however, were allowed after all to remain; while all the rest on different pretexts, chiefly of infirmity and addic- tion to the republican cause, were deemed exempt.# Another branch of this national proscription was the decree of May 10, 1827, debarring Spaniards from holding any office or public employment until Spain should recognize the independence of Mexico. Some soldiers were discharged, and the officers Guerra, Es-

do so. There are several documents relating to different individuals of those named above in Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 72, 95, 125-6, 153; vii. 204, 209; Dept. St. Pap., MS., xix. 6-8, 19, 22, 45; St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. 73-5. Nov. 22d, 1828, Echeandía orders investigation of an insult offered to the national flag on Sept. 16th; also outrages to old Spaniards. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 136. Dec. 1828, Valencia arrested for saying that neither he nor Maitorena nor the vecinos of Sta Bárbara had sworn to the independence. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Jusg., MS., iii. 60. Dec. 14, 1827, R. C. Wyllie writes from Mazatlan to Hartnell that all the states are expelling Spaniards. Vallejo, Doc., MS. xxix. 182. May 9, 1829, Echeandía orders arrest of a Spanish deserter who had forfeited his right to remain by serving two years under a foreign flag. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 156. May 30, 1820, J. M. Padrés wrote to the sup. govt, attributing the evils in Cal. to Spanish ideas, and complaining that the law on expulsion had not been executed. Oct. 6, 1830, Minister Alaman writes to the gov. for an explanation. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., vi. 10-11.

# July 6, 1830, Echeandia proclaims the law of March 20, 1829. Dept Rec., MS., viii. 190-1. July 24th, E. orders passports for the 6: Culebras, Obes, Sobradelas, Francisco Fernandez, Iglesias, and Nadal. Id., MS., vii. 208. Mancisidor was added to the list. The two exempted were Luis Castro, GO years old; and Francisco Galindo, having a family (not in Echicandia's list). Aug. 11th, governor's report to minister of relations. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 42-6. List of the nine at first deemed liable to expulsion. Dept. St. Pap., Den. Mil., MS., Ixix. 29-30. List of nine Spaniards who ask to remain, mostly on the ground of infirmity. Munras, however, simply wants an ex- tension of time. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xix. 11-14. Aug., 2 Spaniards at S. Francisco; 2 at Los Angeles; and 16 at S. Diego. Id., xix. 1-2, 19. Nov. 3d, list sent by gov. to Mexico of 12 who have elaimed exemption. They were: (lutierrez (2), Fabregat, García (2), Suñol, Torre, Amesti, Munras, Fogó (or Fogue), José Fernandez, and Luis Castro. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 49-52. Calebras asked for a passport to Ross, but was refused. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 233.

THE GOVERNOR'S DEMANDS.

tudillo, and Fabregat were suspended for a time, though by decree of the president they received half- pay-quite as good as full pay in those days.45 Yet another phase of the feeling against Spain was the patriotic alarm and enthusiasm caused by the report that a Spanish 'pirate' was cruising on the coast. " The time has come to show once more to the uni- verse that before submitting to Spanish rule we will repose in the sepulchre," was the way the governor put it. 46

Returning finally to Echeandía, and to matters more closely connected with the governorship, we note that from the beginning of 1827 he had insisted more and more earnestly in his communications to the supreme government on certain reforms and on further assist- ance to himself and the territory. He demanded a subordinate gefe político for Lower California; an ayudante inspector, who might assume the command in case of his illness or death; additional clerical aid, or the funds with which to procure such aid; more military officers and troops, priests, war-vessels, judges, and above all, money and improved financial manage- ment. And if such aid could not be afforded, he re- peatedly asked to be relieved from his command.+ Some of his requests were granted. José María

43 Decree of May 10. 1827. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., ix. 3. Half-pay order, Oct. 1829. Id., Ben. Com. and Treas., MIS., ii. 7; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixxix. 13. Guerra and others suspended. St. Pap., Suc., MIS., x. 67; Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 18. Sept. 3, 1829, discharge of soldiers ordered by Echcandia. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 220. July 15th, a soldier at Sta Bárbara discharged. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., 1xx. 16. Cásares, or Cáceres, one of the Spaniards sent away, was a regidor of Monterey. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 171.

46 Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 91, 197, 264-6; vii. 83, 254. The pirate was re- ported to be the Griego, Capt. Juan de Mata; and the aların lasted more or less from 1828 to 1830. The orders in 1828 were, however, that Spanish cap- tains, supercargoes, pilots, etc., of vessels belonging to neutral nations were to be allowed to transact their regular business at the ports, but must be watched and not admitted to the interior. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 105.

47 Jan. 9, May 25, Oct. 17, 19, Nov. 7, 1827; Oct. 20, 1828; Aug. 11, 1820, E. to different national departments, complaining of difficulties, asking relief, and, particularly on Nov. 7, 1827, offering his resignation. Dept. St. Pao., MS., ii. 44; Dept. Rec., MS., v. 123-6, 131, 133; St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 40-1, 44-5.

ECHEANDÍA'S RULE-POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

Padrés and Rafael Gomez were sent to California as ayudante inspector and asesor, respectively.43 The military command of Lower California was detached in the middle of 1829 and joined to the comandancia general of Sonora;49 and about the same time Colonel Antonio García was appointed to succeed Echeandía in the governorship.50 For reasons that I suppose to have been connected with Bustamante's accession to the presidency in January 1830, García did not come to take possession of his office; and on March 8th Lieut .- colonel Manuel Victoria was made gefe político of Alta California, the gefatura política of the peninsula being now detached as the mando militar had been before, so that now the two territories were again distinct.51 Victoria had been previously for a time comandante principal of Lower California; he came up from Loreto by land, arriving at San Diego perhaps in December 1830; but he did not take pos- session of his office until the next year. Meanwhile in these last years Echeandía was busied chiefly with mission affairs and commercial matters. He had been

48 Padrés had been comandante at Loreto and sub-gefe político of Lower California. I find no record showing the date of his appointment as ayudante inspector; but in Feb. 1829 he seems to have been made sec. of the comandante general. Sup. Gott St. Pap., MS., v. 1; and in July 1828 was ordered to assume the command in Echeandia's place. Id., vi. 9. Apr. 3, 1829, Rafael Velez was approved as secretary of the comandancia, instead of Padrés, but he never came. Id., v. 3.

49 June 1, 1829, gov. announces this change. The two territories were still subject in civil matters to the same gefe político. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixix. 2.

50 Feb. 17, 1829, Moctezuma to Echeandía. Orders him to deliver the command to García. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., vi. 2. May Ist, Gervasio Argüello writes from Guadalajara that García has been appointed comandante general. Guerra, Doc., MS., v. 227. June Sth, Moctezuma to García. Vcs- sels are ready to take him to California, and the president desires him to sail at once. Sup. Gort St. Pap., MS., v. 11. July 17, 1828, Echeandia had been ordered to give up the command to Padres and proceed to Mexico. Id., vi. 9. Doubtless the political changes in Mexico had much to do with these successivo and confusing orders. The records of this period are moreover very incomplete.

51 March S, 1830, Victoria's appointment. March 11th, Minister Facio to Echeandía, ordering him to surrender the gefatura of California to Victoria, and of Lower California to Monterde. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., vi. 6-7. March 6, 1830, Capts. Juan Zamora, Juan Aguayo, Geronimo Hernandez, and Luciano Muñoz; Lieut. Leonardo Diez Barroso, and Alf. Mariano Creccro have been destined to California. Id., vi. 5-6.

RECEPTION AT MONTEREY.

more cordially received in the north in 1830 than at the time of his former visit; and except among the padres and their adherents, he had gained considerably in popularity. 52

52 Gonzalez, Experiencias, MS., 26-7, describes his formal reception at Sta Bárbara by the ayuntamiento. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 156-7, says his reception at the capital was enthusiastic, Lieut Estrada making for all the citizens a speech of reconciliation, and the governor joining most heartily in the ensuing festivities.

CHAPTER III.

ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-FINANCE-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

1826-1830.

HARD-TIMES ITEMS -- AID FROM MEXICO-THE REVENUES-COMISARIO AND HABILITADOS-SECRET INVESTIGATION-SUSPENSION AND RESIGNATION -- ESTRADA, VALLEJO, AND JIMENO CASARIN AS ADMINISTRATORS-RE- VOLT OF 182S-REVOLT OF 1829-CAUSES-MONTEREY TAKEN-JOAQUIN SOLIS-PLAN OF NOVEMBER 15TH-ARGUELLO DECLINES THE COMMAND- SOLIS MARCHES SOUTH-ECHEANDIA'S PREPARATIONS-REVOLT AT SANTA BÁRBARA-BLOODLESS BATTLES OF DOS PUEBLOS AND CIENEGUITA-RE- TREAT OF SOLIS-RETAKING OF THE CAPITAL-ÁVILA CAPTURES SOLIS- TRIAL-THE SPANISH FLAG-BANISHMENT OF HERRERA AND TWENTY CONSPIRATORS-FINANCIAL AFFAIRS IN 1829-30.

IT is not my purpose to present financial statistics in this chapter. Only fragments survive to be pre- sented anywhere, and these will receive such slight attention as they require, in connection with local pre- sidio annals, commercial topics, and general remarks on the subject of ways and means for the whole decade. Here I have to speak of the management, or mismanagement, of the territorial revenues, of the insufficiency of those revenues, as administered, to pay the soldiers or other employees of the govern- ment, and of the resulting destitution, discontent, and finally revolt.

There is little or nothing that is new to the reader to be said of the prevalent destitution in these years, a destitution which oppressed only the troops.1 The

1Complaints are not very numerous in the archives, since the uselessness of writing on the subject had been learned by long experience. The follow- ing minor items on this topic are perhaps worth preservation: 1826, Echean- dia's complaints about the suspension of officers' pay. Only those officers who ( 56 )

HARD TIMES-SOURCES OF REVENUE.

rancheros and pobladores were at least as well off as in earlier Spanish times, the improved market for their produce afforded by the trading fleet counterbalancing the heavy duties that were now exacted. Few if any of these classes seem to have made an effort to do more than support themselves and families; and this, save to the incorrigibly lazy, was an easy task. The lands produced food both for the owners and for the Indian laborers who did most of the work; while the natural increase of their herds furnished hides and tallow more than enough to be bartered with the agents of Hartnell or Gale for groceries, implements, and clothing. So far as the records show, they did not even deem it worth their while to complain of excessive duties and consequent high prices.

For the support of the military establishment and to defray other expenses, the only resources were the duties collected on imports and exports-or the taxes on production, which practically took the place of the latter-the chief source of revenue, but one liable to considerable variation; contributions exacted from the missions as gifts, loans, sales on credit, or special taxes, given by the padres more and more grudgingly as the years passed by; and finally the supplies furnished di-

came with him to Cal. are paid, and there is much discontent among the others. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xix. 32-4. Complaints heard by Beechey of non- payment of dues, and of excessive duties which greatly increased prices. Beechey's Voy., ii. 10. March 30, 1826, petition of soldiers, alleging that they were getting la racion, nada mas, as in years past, notwithstanding the promises of the govt. Repeated June 7th. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ivii. 13. April 30th, no funds to furnish $400 for the celebration of a great national event. Id., Ivii. 14. Hartnell lent the comisaria 264 cattle, which in 1839 had not been repaid. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., iv. 50. 1827, Feb. Ist, comisario has no funds to supply blankets; great want of money and food; impossible to get a loan. Id., i. 79. Feb. 5th, gov. lends $600 in view of the urgent needs of the soldiers. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 21. July 5th. complaint that S. Blas company do not get their share of supplies. Id., v. 58. Nov. 21st, decree of national govt on a loan, part of which is to go to the relief of California. Sup. Gort St. Pap., MS., xx. 8. 1828, March 3d, troops naked and in great want. Could get no part of their ducs. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixvi. 68. Same date, gov. tells com. gen. that no supplies have been sent from Mexico for a considerable time! Dept. Rec., vi. 7. March 10th, eight soldiers at Monterey granted leave of absence to go and earn their living for 3 months, for want of funds at Monterey. Det. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., Ixvi. 24-5.

ECHEANDÍA AND HERRERA-THE SOLIS REVOLT.

rectly or indirectly by Mexico-that is, the $22,000 sent in 1825, possibly one or two small amounts sent later, and a few drafts on the national treasury which in one way or another foreign or resident traders were induced to accept as security for loans or in payment for goods supplied.2 Theoretically, the national treas- ury should have paid the territorial expenses and re- ceived the net product of the territorial revenue; but practically, the territory was left to pay its own ex- penses, nominally about $130,000 a year, always ex- cepting the small amounts furnished as before specified, and a considerable supply of very bad tobacco. To estimate the actual revenue with any approach to ac- curacy would probably have been wellnigh impossi- ble at the time,3 and is entirely so now. Fully col- lected and honestly administered, the total revenue could hardly have amounted to one half the nominal expenditure; and indications are not wanting that a considerable portion was lost to the troops through smuggling operations and the rascality of officials. Moreover, there were charges of partiality and injus- tice in the final distribution of the net product, cer-

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History of California, Volume III, Part 7

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