USA > California > History of California, Volume IV > Part 56
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63 June 21st, Alvarado to Pico. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiv. 143. Aug. 2d, a reported attack on Sta Clara, in which two men were killed. Napa Reporter, Aug. 10, 1872. Oct. 19th, complaints of depredations on the rancho del Re- fugio. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 199. Dec. 6th, Bolcof at Sta Cruz asks per- mission to send out 25 men every fortnight. Id., ii. 252.
64 August, proceedings before the judge. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., v. 383-94. Several Indians were killed and 150 were captured. Antonio Castro and Rafael García are named as the leaders. Win Benitz complained of out- rages committed at his rancho. Two women were outraged there.
65 Sutter Suñol Corresp., MS., 27-31; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 177; Dept. Rec., MS., xiv. 10.
545
WALLA WALLAS.
ing that Cook if guilty should be brought to justice. An investigation was ordered, but of the results we know only that Sutter declared the chief-a trouble- some fellow named Leicer-to have been killed by Cook in self-defence; and that the Walla Wallas re- mained more or less hostile, their conduct giving rise, as we shall see, to some sensational rumors in 1846.66
66 May 6, 1845, White to Pico, and Sept. 24th, Pico's reply. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 178-9. July 21st, Sutter to Larkin. Larkin's Doc., MS., iii. 227. See also Honolulu Friend, iv. 29.
HIST. CAL., VOL. IV. 35
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE MISSIONS-COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
1845.
SECULARIZATION TO BE COMPLETED-PICO'S POLICY-CHRONOLOGICAL DEVEL- OPMENTS-VIEWS OF PRESIDENT DURAN-BANDOS OF APRIL, MAY, AND OCTOBER-PREPARATIONS AND INVENTORIES-DEBTS-PICO'S REGULA- TIONS FOR SALE AND RENTING OF THE MISSIONS-THREE ESTABLISHMENTS SOLD-FOUR RENTED-ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS-PIOUS FUND-COM- MERCE-FOREIGN GOODS-A NEW CLASS OF SMUGGLING-WHALERS- CUSTOM-HOUSE-ALVARADO AS ADMINISTRATOR-MINOR PORTS-TREAS- URY-ABREGO AND VALLE-FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND STATISTICS- CASTRO AND PICO-THE 'STAR OF THE WEST' WRECKED-DISTRIBUTION OF DEBT AND REVENUE-LIST OF VESSELS, 1841-5.
THE mission estates occupied Pico's attention from the first months of his rule. It was desirable from every point of view that the process of secularization should be completed. As was evident to every person in California, the old system was dead, past all hope of recovery. No step short of complete secularization could have been more beneficial than Micheltorena's of 1843; but under the administration of the padres there was no restoration of prosperity.1 The remnants of property were small and unequally distributed; many of the estates were burdened with ever increas- ing debts; the Indians fit for work were few and un- manageable; and the friars were old, worn-out, dis-
1 Gleeson, Hist. Cath. Church, ii. 156-7, thinks the missions were slowly but surely gaining when Pico dealt the blow that completed their ruin; but there is no evidence that this was so, or that the friars themselves thought so. They sometimes complained of the acts of government, recalled the past glo- ries of the missions, and pointed out the ruiu that secularization had caused; but I find no expression of a belief that prosperity could be restored-save, of course, by a complete return to the original system with mauy absurdly im- possible conditions-though Duran and others expressed the contrary belief. ( 546)
547
PICO'S MISSION POLICY.
couraged men, utterly incompetent to overcome the obstacles that beset their path as administrators. The estates were doomed to irremediable ruin at an early date, unless the values they represented could be real- ized and properly invested without delay. Creditors demanded a change which should enable them to col- lect their dues. There were some, indeed, who desired to get possession of the mission lands. The governor was in duty bound to protect national property, and was willing to help his friends among the two classes just mentioned. Further than this, he was anxious, let us hope, to deal justly with the ex-neophytes, and he saw in the mission estates a source of possible rev- enue to be utilized by the government in emergencies; while the padres, representing the Indians, opposed a change, if at all, only because of fear that their wards might be cheated out of their rights. That individ- uals were actuated by selfish motives, and that high officials were likely to misapply the net proceeds, are facts that do not affect the soundness of the views held by Pico and others respecting the necessity of final secularization. It was important that the estates should be saved from ruin and made to yield a reve- nue .. That revenne belonged to the government; if the authorities did not intend to spend it wisely, they are to be blamed. Their announced intentions and their proposed methods were altogether praiseworthy.
Pico sent Carlos Carrillo and Ignacio del Valle to the missionary prelates with an explanation of his views, to the effect that the mission estates must pass into private hands if any part of the property was to be saved for the neophytes. He desired advice from the padres as to the best methods of carrying out his plans, at the same time suggesting a sale of the smaller es- tablishments and a renting of the larger ones, the proceeds to be devoted exclusively to the benefit of the Indians.2 Duran refused flatly to take any share
2 March 18th, P. to C. and V. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 45-8; St. Pap. Miss., MS., xi. 56-8.
548
THE MISSIONS-COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
in "the tremendous responsibility about to be incurred before God and man." He was surprised that a gov- ernor ad interim should dare to undertake such inno- vations, and declared the real motive to be clear- "the master-key which opens all windows to see, not through a screen but the clearest crystal, the mystery lurking behind the absolute liberty of the Indians." Their ideas of liberty were those of school-boys glad when the master is sick and school closed. The 'new masters' will have use only for the strong and well; what is to become of the rest? He would never con- sent to a sale of the missions, which belong not to the nation, but to the Indians. A 'supreme injustice' was about to be perpetrated in the interests of men who wished to get the estates at less than their real value.3 The governor did not, however, abandon his project, upon which Duran was soon induced to look more favorably than at first.
In April Pico issued a bando, in accordance with a resolution of the junta, which called for detailed ac- counts of debts and assets from all in charge of mis- sions. He suspended the granting of lands near the missions, as they might be required as egidos for new towns. He suspended also the granting of freedom papers to neophytes, and enjoined upon the padres to abstain from selling movable property.4 The call for reports and the injunction respecting sales were cir- culated by the prelates to the padres. The replies of the latter, so far as I can judge by the specimens before me, contained little information about the financial status of their respective establishments;5 but to the injunction most replied, some indignantly
3 March 26th, Duran to Pico. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 43-51.
4 April 1Sth-19th, report of com. of junta. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 398-9; Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 42-3. April 21st, Pico's bando, identical with the report. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., v. 94; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 45; Hartman's Brief, 17; Hoffman's Opinions, 33.
5 Sta Inés, debt $1,151; Sta Bárbara, $2,765; no assets mentioned in either except small quantities of tallow and hides. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 52-3. S. Fernando, no debt, a few cattle. Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 187. S. Diego, a little property, no debt mentioned. Id., x. 188-9. S. Gabriel, has sold land to Dalton for $400. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., ii. 119.
540
RENTING OF THE MISSIONS.
resenting the imputation as an insult, that they had sold no property at all, except in the case of useless articles, with the governor's permission. Duran sub- sequently admitted, however, that Esténega at San Gabriel and Jimeno at Santa Inés had been at fault in this matter.6
On May 28th the junta, following to a great extent apparently the suggestions of Padre Duran himself, who had been won over by the eloquence of Juan Ban- dini,7 passed the following resolution, published as a decree by Pico on June 5th: 1. The Indians of San Rafael, Dolores, Soledad, San Miguel, and Purísima are warned to re-unite and occupy those missions within a month, or they will be declared mostrencas and dis- posed of for the general good of the department. 2. Carmelo, San Juan Bautista, San Juan Capistrano, and Solano are to be considered pueblos as at present; and after reserving a curate's house, church, and court- house, remaining property shall be sold at auction for the payment of debts, the surplus being devoted to the support of divine worship. 3. The rest of the missions may be rented at the option of the govern- ment; and the Indians shall be free to work for the renters, on the lands to be assigned them, or for other persons. 4. The principal building of Santa Bárbara is reserved for the bishop and the padres, and the rent of this mission is to be equally divided between the church and the Indians. 5. The product of the rents
6 Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 52-5; Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 181-8; Pico, Dor., MS., ii. 51-3, 59-60. Jimeno and Real were the indignaut ones, the for. mer denouncing the order as part of a scheme to find excuses for a change of administrators; while the latter demanded personal satisfaction for the insult.
7 May 16th, Duran to Pico, in reply to Pico's of Sth (not extant), praising the governor's patriotism and willingness to seek advice. Arguing in favor of leasing rather than selling the missions. The sale would put the best mis- sions in foreign hands, and would be more likely to result in malversation of the proceeds. The plan of renting should be limited to those establishments not profitably worked by the neophytes in community. Abandoned missious might properly be sold as bienes mostrencos after a warning to the Indians to occupy them. All steps should be approved by the assembly. "We are grow- ing old; there is no possibility of our being replaced; the abandonment of the missions is but a question of time.' Translation in Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 31-47. May 21st, thanks voted to Bandini and Duran. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 57-8.
550
THE MISSIONS-COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
shall be divided into three equal parts, one for the support of the minister and of worship, one for the Indians, and one for the government to be devoted to education and the public welfare, after the payment of debts. 6. The first part shall be placed at the dis- posal of the prelates for equitable distribution. 7-8. This to be duly published; and debts due the missions to be strictly exacted and the proceeds used for the purposes named in the third part of article 3.8
In June, also at Duran's suggestion,9 the gov- ernor appointed Andrés Pico and Juan Manso as commissioners to visit each mission for the purpose of making inventories of property, with a view to carry- ing into effect the decree of June.10 The appointees performed the duty assigned them in July and August, apparently to the satisfaction of most concerned, though there was a little trouble at the start with Padre Esténega of San Gabriel, and though several padres held themselves aloof and would take no part in the proceedings.11 Among the papers of Andrés Pico, I find the inventories made during this tour for ten establishments: Santa Inés and Santa Bárbara in the south with property valued at $20,288 and
8 May 28, June 5, 1815, Pico's bando and decree of the junta. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 33; Castro, Doc., MS., i. 127; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., x. 49; Bandini, Doc., MS., 61, 64; Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 63-4; Hal'eck's Report, appen. 20, p. 162-3; Jones' Report, 72; I. Rockwell, 471; Dwinelle's Colon. Hist., add., SS; Hayes' Mission Book, i. 362; Id., Legal liist. S. Diego, i. 45, p. 108- 11; Hartman's Brief, 17-18; Hoffman's Opinions, 33; Hall's Ilist. S. José, 430-3; Taylor's El Dorado, i. 184.
9 June 23d, D. to Pico. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 50-62.
10 June 30th, July Ist, Pico to Duran, announcing the appointment, and asking that corresponding instructions be sent to the padres. Dept. Rec., MS., xiv. 53-4; St. Pap., Miss. and, Colon., MS., ii. 415-16; Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 235-8. July 3d, Duran to padres. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 49.
11 S. Gabriel. Dept. Rec., MS., xiv. 57; Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 53, 55. Sta Cruz and S. José. Id., v. pt ii. 04-5. Sta Ines. Sta Ines, Lib. Mision, MS., 39. Something in the proceedings at S. Gabriel seems to have offended P. Duran, who again refused to have anything to do with the matter. Arch. Ar=ob., MS., v. pt ii. 56. The old man, however, soon changed his mind, and on July 2Ist wrote to thank the gov. for the good judgment he had shown in appointing the commissioners, who had acted with the greatest moderation and prudence. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 51-3. Den and Hill are recommended as worthy persons, who wish to rent Sta Bárbara. July 12th, Mckinley to Larkin, on the appointment of Pico and Manso. Larkin's Doc., NS., iii. 218.
551
DURAN'S VIEWS.
$25,846 respectively ; and all those from San Miguel northward, except San Carlos, San Francisco, and San José, aggregating $58,876; with San Rafael and Santa Clara at $17,230 and $16,173 respectively, and Solano at zero.12
Padre Duran proposed in August some regulations designed to secure for the padres under the new ad- ministration a certain control in the matter of com- pulsory worship and of personal service; but it does not appear that any action was taken on the sub- ject.18 The debts that encumbered some of the mis- sions were found to be serious obstacles to the secur- ing of favorable leases; and Pico, at the suggestion of the junta, consulted Duran on the practicability of paying the debts out of the pious fund recently re- stored to the bishop's management.14 The prelate's response was prompt, to the effect that the fund could not be used for the purpose, and that the encumbered establishments must be sold to pay the debts. In the first place, argued the friar, though the remnant of the fund had been restored, on paper, to the bishop, it was far from certain that any property would be secured; secondly, the fund, if entire, could not justly be used to pay debts which the missionaries had not contracted, or if they had, had also left abundant assets for paying; and finally, if consent should be given, the administrators of the fund might deduct the amount required from the sínodos of the friars-a manifest in- justice.15 There had probably been no hope of ob- taining the friar's consent to a use of the pious fund, but only to the sale, which he had hitherto opposed.
12 Pico, Papeles de Mision, MS., 7-14, 29-42, 89-99, 115-40, 147, 152. The land of S. Rafael was valued at $8,000, which accounts for its high relative figure.
13 Aug. Ist, D. to Pico, with a reglamento in 6 articles. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 57-8; Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 63-4.
14 Sept. 10th, resolution of the junta. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 114, 122-3. Sept. 11th, Pico to Duran. Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 239-42; St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 417-18.
15 Sept. 15th, D. to P. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 63-8. He suggests that the missions in debt be offered to the creditors at a valuation fixed by appraisers. Oct. 7th, D. suggests that the Indians should be allowed to retain their little gardens on condition of not selling them. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 58-60.
532
THE MISSIONS-COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
Pico's regulations for the sale and renting of the missions were issued October 28th. This decree pro- vided for the sale at public auction of the abandoned San Rafael, Dolores, Soledad, San Miguel, and Pu- rísima, and of the mission pueblos of San Luis Obispo, Carmelo, San Juan Bautista, and San Juan Capis- trano. From each of the pueblos were to be reserved the church and buildings for a curate's house, town house, and school; and from all the establishments disposed of by sale or rent, such produce and goods as were necessary to support the padre and Indians till the next harvest. The product of the sale was to be paid into the treasury and used for the pay- ment of the debts of each establishment, the surplus going to the prelates for the support of public wor- ship. Bids were to be received from date; San Luis, Purísima, and San Juan Capistrano were to be sold on December 1st-4th, and the others on January 2d-4th. Santa Cruz and Solano were not named in the decree. The remaining ten missions were to be rented to the highest bidder for a term of nine years; San Fernando, San Buenaventura, Santa Bárbara, and Santa Inés on December 5th, and the rest as soon as obstacles arising from their debts could be removed. There were reserved the churches and public buildings already indicated, all of the principal edifice at Santa Bárbara, and some small pieces of land occupied by the Indians. The renters were to take all other property by inventory, giving bonds for its return in good condition, and for the payment of rent quarterly. The government reserved the right of watching over the property and of prevent- ing its destruction or waste. The Indians were to be entirely free to remain in the service of the renters or to settle elsewhere; and they were to receive titles to their lands on application. Each ex-mission com- munity was to be governed under the laws by four celadores, chosen monthly from among the Indians, and subject to the juez de paz. Ten or a dozen Ind-
553
SOLD AND RENTED.
ians were to be furnished by each community for the padre's service and that of the church.16
In November an order was issued in Mexico that all proceedings connected with the sale of missions be suspended; but this document belongs properly to the annals of the next year, when it reached Califor- nia. Meanwhile, before the end of 1845, the three missions were sold and the four rented, according to the reglamento. December 4th were sold San Juan Capistrano to John Forster and James MeKinley for $710; La Purísima to John Temple for $1,110; and San Luis Obispo to Scott, Wilson, and MeKinley for $510-the titles being issued on the 6th, though the price was not in all cases paid, or full possession given, until the next year.17 On the 5th were leased Santa Bárbara to Nicholas A. Den and Daniel Hill for $1,200 per year; San Buenaventura to José Arnaz and Narciso Botello for $1,630; Santa Inés to José María Covarrubias and Joaquin Carrillo for $580; and San Fernando to Andrés Pico and Juan Manso for $1,120, the executing of bonds and formal giving of possession not being completed in all cases until the next year.18
Of general mission matters outside of those con- nected with the disposal of estates, a bare mention will suffice. The presideney was held by Duran in the south and Anzar in the north. Two friars-José M. Gutierrez and Miguel Muro-left the country during this year; and one, Juan Moreno, died-all be-
16 Pico, Reglamento para la enagenacion y arriendo de las Misiones, 28 de Oct., 1845, MS. Translation in Halleck's Report, appen., 21; I. Rockwell, 472; Jones' Report, 75; Dwinelle's Colon. Hist., add., 90. See also Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 190-6; Olvera, Doc., MS., 27; Hartman's Brief, 18; Hoff- man's Opinions, 33-4. Nov. 16th, Duran to Pico. Says the Indians are so full of liberty that there is no such thing as restraining them. On account of the scarcity of laborers, fear of robberies, etc., he fears bids will be very low. Much property has disappeared since the inventories were made. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 60-1.
17 See translation of all the papers for the three missions in U. S. vs Bol- ton, Appellant's Brief, U. S. Sup. Court, append., p. 155-60. Also St. Pap., Miss., MS., xi. 65-6; Unbound Doc., MS., 390-1; S. Luis Ob., Arch., MS., 11.
18St. Pap., Miss., MS., xi. 68, 58-9; Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 243-7; Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 61-3; Hayes' Miss. Book, 373-7; Unbound Doc., MS., 331; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 136.
554
THE MISSIONS-COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
ing Zacatecanos. From Mexico came news that the old college of San Fernando had been almost ruined by an earthquake.19 Bishop García Diego still re- sided at Santa Bárbara, but was unable to accomplish anything in behalf of his diocese so far as I know, except to represent his difficulties to President Her- rera and Governor Pico.20 In Mexico the form of assigning the bishop's congrua and the friars' sinodos was still kept up at the treasury department;21 though there is no record that any part of the $18,600 was paid. By a decree of April 3, 1845, which seems to be the last ever issued on the subject, all the pious fund property not already sold under the law of 1842 was restored to the administration of the bishop as in 1836.22 There are extant, however, no figures to show what property if any was turned over to the bishop's agents under this decree; nor is there any record to show additional payments in 1845-6 of interest due from the government on the proceeds of past sales.
In 1845-6 Consul Larkin continued to send his government not only current statistics, but clear and comprehensive descriptions of commercial methods. 23 The methods, already more or less familiar to the reader, did not change materially in the last decade of Mexican occupation; and it is only with the history of commercial events, changes, and statistics that I have to do in these chapters.
19 Arch. Sta B., MS., xii. 146.
20 July 4th, bishop to Pico. Has no means with which to support wor- ship. Will try parish fees, though they will not do much good. Wishes that a successor might be found for him. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 142-7. Sept. 27th, letter to President Herrera on the lamentable condition of all religious interests in Cal. The only method of relief he could suggest was to bring a new force of priests and missionaries for old and new establisments from Europe, paying the expense from the pious fund. In Memorial Ilist., Jan. 20, 1846, cited as Nov. 27th in Bustamante, Mem. Hist. Mex., MS., iv. 33-4.
21 Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1844, presupuesto 7; Id., 1845, p. 267. The sínodos were $12,600, and the cóngrua $6,000.
22 An original of the decree of April 3d in Pinart, Col. Doc. Son., print, no. 747.
23 Larkin's Descrip. Cal. 1845, MS., p. 98-100; letters of March 22, 1845, and Jan. 4, 1846, in Id., Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 35, etc.
555
TRADE REGULATIONS.
Governor Pico issued, March 22d, a decree revoking that of his predecessor dated July 30, 1844, by which the importation of nationalized foreign goods from Mexican ports had been prohibited. I find, however, no evidence of complaint either against the original order from Mexican traders, or from the Boston men against its repeal. A clause was added to this decree, requiring strict compliance with Mexican laws on the coasting trade, to which of course no attention was paid."+ In the case of one vessel, the Star of the West, an attempt was made to reverse the former process by entering at Monterey foreign goods intended to be reshipped to Mazatlan; but the loss of the vessel and cargo by wreck gave a dismal prospect to the devel- opment of this new commercial industry.25 Another of Micheltorena's regulations now revoked was that placing restrictions on trade by whalers. These craft might now sell goods to any amount in exchange for produce by paying the regular duties. They were no longer required to pay a tax of thirty dollars each, and were permitted to go or send their boats freely to Sauzalito or any other part of San Francisco Bay.28 Each vessel had to pay this year, as in 1844, a tax of
24 March 22, 1845, Pico's decree. Pinto, Doc., MS., ii. 123-5; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 77-9; Id., Ang., x. 54-5; xi. 144; Id., S. José, v. 93-4; Id., Ben. Mil., lxxxvi. 6-7; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 6.
25 See list of vessels under Star of the West.
26 The order was dated Sept. 9th. Pinto, Doc., MS., ii. 183; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. SS; Id., Ben. Cust .- II., viii. 10-11. Sept. 26th, 28th, instruc. to re- ceptor at S. Francisco. Id., viii. 12-13; Pinto, Doc., MS., ii. 185-6, 1SS. Sept. 29th, Larkin to U. S. sec. state. Larkin's Off. Corresp., MS., ii. 28, who says ' the Californians are determined to exchange their produce with whalers in their own way.' Oct. 10th, whalers to be well treated at S. Diego, so as to attract them to that port. Dept. St. Pap., MS., viii. 10. Yet later there was trouble with the Espadon, which was required to pay a tax of $30, Id., viii. 73-4, 78, so that the order in favor of whalers may have applied only to S. Francisco. June and Nov., Antonio Menendez of Lima, Mexican vice-consul, complained to the sup. govt, and obtained a recommendation to the Cal. au- thorities in favor of his business agents Cot and Pedrorena, who, it was al- leged, found great difficulty in collecting debts due for goods. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 210; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xi. 167. Feb. 22d, circulated in Cal. Sept. 9th, tax of 1 per cent on money transferred from oue dept to another repealed. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 12; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., ix. 53. Feb. 19th, circulated in Cal. Sept. 9th, 2 per cent of fines on smug- glers to be devoted to support of hospitals or to charitable works. Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., ii. 11. April, orders on introduction of cotton goods. Id., ii. 17; Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 92.
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