History of California, Volume XXII, Part 65

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816


USA > California > History of California, Volume XXII > Part 65


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90


José María de Zalvidea was boru at Bilbao, Vizcaya, Spain, on March 2, 1780, taking the Franciscan habit Dec. 13, 1798, and coming to the Mex. col- lege of S. Fernando in Sept. 1804. He arrived in Cal. in Aug. 1805, and his missionary service was at S. Fernando in 1805-6, at S. Gabriel in 1806-26, at S. Juan Capistrano in 1826-42, and at S. Luis Rey in 1842-6. From the first he was rated by his superiors as one of the best and most zealous of the friars, as priest, teacher, and manager of temporalities. Autobiog. Autoy. de los Padres, MS .; Sarria, Inf. de 1817, MS., 45-6; Payeras, Inf. de 1820, MS., 125. Zalvidea's great field of labor was at San Gabriel, where he toiled in- cessantly for 20 years, and with the greatest success, to build up the temporal interests of his mission, but never neglecting spiritual affairs or sacrificing the love of his neophytes or the esteem of all who came in contact with him. He


622


LOCAL ANNALS-SAN DIEGO TO MONTEREY.


gust 1846, and John Bidwell from that time till Oc- tober. A garrison of the Mormon battalion held the place during the greater part of 1847; and from Au- gust Captain Hunter as sub-Indian agent for the south took charge of the mission, being succeeded temporarily by William Williams at the end of 1848. Hunter found a considerable number of Indians, who under his protection tilled the soil with much industry


was doubtless in those days a model missionary, and then and later was re- garded by the common people as a saint. He gave much attention to viticul- thre at S. Gabriel, being the first to introduce this industry on a large scale, and taking the greatest pride in his immense vineyard. In my list of author- ities a diary of exploration in 1806, and a petition of 1827 in behalf of the Indians, bear his name. In political controversies he took no part; in 1829 he was willing to swear allegiance to the republic so far as was consistent with his profession; and in 1838 be declined a passport to retire, on the ground that there was none to take his place. His transfer in IS26, against his wishes, was doubtless mainly because his services were needed at S. Juan in the place of Padre Boscana; but also because some of his idiosyncrasies- notably that connected with his vineyard, which he proposed to protect by an iron fence-had assumed the form of insubordination to his superiors, or per- haps suggested that a change might be mentally beneficial. All this has, however, been much exaggerated in current accounts of later years, as has also Zalvidea's brooding over the change and its effect on his mind. Some- what eccentric at first, he became more so in his old age, and finally during his stay of four years at San Luis he became probably in some respects insane. Among those who write from personal acquaintance with the padre are Estu- dillo, Datos, MS., 35-40; Marron. Recuerdos, MS., 3-9; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 113-14; Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 217-19; Janssens, Vida, MS., 167; Davis, Glimpses, MS., 134-6, Julio César, Cosas de Ind., MS., 6-7; White, Cal., MS., 64-5; Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 183-6; Perez, Recuerdos, MS., 5-6; and Lorenzana, Mem., MS., 14-16. There was also in IS74 a newspaper discussion between Ex-gov. Downey and Gen. Vallejo abont the padre's character and his acts at S. Gabriel. Nearly all agree as to his many eccentricities in the last years, most of them, as is understood, having been noticed in less degree from the first. When addressed he invariably replied, 'Vamos, si señor,' and turned his eyes partly away. His method of eating was to mix all that was put before him, solid and liquid, sweet and sour, in one dish, and then devour the mass; or if this was prevented, he would take the dishes in succession, butter, wine, meat, etc., without regard to the order, always swallowing the entire contents of one dish before beginning another, and never leaving anything on the table. On rising he cleaned his horn spoon and fork, while a servant cleaned his carthen basin, and carried all three to his room, putting his napkin in his girdle. Most of his time he spent in reading devotional books, walking meanwhile about the mission, and occasionally stopping to make strange gestures and exclaim, 'Va-te Satanás,' as if engaged in a conflict with the evil one, or driving away evil thoughts. While thus engaged he paid no heed to warnings of danger, and on several occasions wild cattle charged upon him without harming him or evoking any- thing bnt a slight reproof for throwing dirt upon his book. He made fre- quent use of the scourge, and wore belts with iron points penetrating the flesh. In his last months he would have no watchers at night, and was always found covered with blood from self-inflicted wounds in the morning. Yet even in the midst of all this madness in devotional matters, he showed himself to have a clear head and the most practical and liberal ideas on all


--


1


623


SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO.


and success. Jean B. Charbonneau acted as alcalde for a time. Padre Vicente Pascual Oliva came to San Juan Capistrano in the autumn of 1846, and died there in January 1848. There seems to have been no other resident minister during the period; and nothing is known of progress at the pueblo, which, however, had a population of 113 souls, according to a padron of 1846. John Forster, who had purchased the mission


other subjects. He was a tall man, of fine presence and fair complexion; al- ways courteous in his manners, with a smile and kind word for all, and never annoyed by the presence of others even in his maddest moments. He was skilled in the native tongue, in which he used to preach on Sunday at S. Gabriel, according to Hugo Reid. There is no evidence that he ever had an enemy or said an unkind word of any man. He refused to quit S. Luis, where he believed his services to be needed; but finally it was thought best to remove him to S. Juan. A cart was prepared with all possible conveniences, by advice of Padre Oliva and Apolinaria Lorenzana, who had nursed him for some days. The night before the journey was to be made Zalvidea died. He was buried in the mission church, at the left of the altar. The date is not known, but it was apparently early in 1846.


San Juan Capistrano. 1846. John Forster juez de paz, Juan Avila su- plente. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 86; viii. 141-5; Id., Ang., xi. 170; Id., Ben. P. & J., iv. 63. March, padron of S. Juan showing a pop. de razon of 113. Dept. St. Pap., MS., viii. 141-5. P. Oliva came here to live in the autumn. S. Diego, Lib. Mis., MS., 57; Lorenzana, Mem., MS., 22, 27. Gov. Pico con- cealed for a time in this vicinity after his flight from Augeles in Aug. This vol., p. 278. 1847. Forster reappointed alcalde by Gov. Mason July 14th. Cal. & N. Mex., 374. Resigns Dec. 3d because the Ind. agent, Hunter, in- terferes and the troops decline to aid him. Unb. Doc., MS., 129-30. 1848. Blas Aguilar alcalde. In Aug. he objects to being deemed subordinate to the alcalde of Los Angeles. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 221-2. The S. Juan mission registers show that P. Tomás Estenega officiated occasionally in 1843 -6; P. Ign. Ramirez de Arrellano in 1844; and P. Blas Ordaz in 1847-8.


Vicente Pascual was born July 3, 1780, at Martin del Rio, Aragon, and be- came a Franciscan at the convent of Nra Sra de Jesus in Zaragoza, Feb. 1, 1799. He came to Mexico in 1810 and started for Cal. in 1811, but was de- layed by the revolution and by a serious illness at Acapulco, and did not arrive until Aug. 1813. He served at S. Carlos, as supernumerary, in 1813-14, at S. Fernando in 1814-15, at S. Francisco in 1815-19, at S. Miguel in 1819-20, at S. Diego in 1820-46, and at S. Juan Capistrano in 1846-3. Ordinary merit, good application, and a certain ability as preacher were the qualities accredited to him by his superiors. Autobiog., Autog. de los Padres, MS .; Sarria, Inf. de 1817, MS., 71-2; Payeras, Inf. de 1830, MS., 123. Not much is known of this padre, who seems to bave been a very commonplace man, with few notable merits or defects. Duhaut-Cilly, J'iaggio, ii. 19-21, men- tions the poor quality of food and the uncleanly service at the padre's table, and his expressions of surprise that no one seemed to care to eat with him. Oliva's moral character was not in all respects above suspicion, though there is no definite evidence against him. Hc declined to take the oath of republi- can allegiance in 1826 and later. When the Americans came lie left S. Diego, where he had lived for 26 years, and after a short stay at S. Luis, came to S. Juan probably in Oct. He died here Jan. 2, 1848, without receiving the sac- raments, as the rains prevented Padre Ordaz from arriving in time; but Ordaz buried him on the 29th in the presbytery of the mission church. S. Juan Cap., Lib. Mis., MS., 11-12.


624


LOCAL ANNALS-SAN DIEGO TO MONTEREY.


property in 1845, and to whom it was confirmed in later times, was not disturbed in his possession. He served as alcalde in 1846-7, and Blas Aguilar was his successor.


Los Angeles had an unusually interesting history in 1846-7 as the capital, and as the centre of the Cal- ifornians' last or only resistance to foreign invasion; but this was also the history of California in those years, and has been narrated with all desirable detail in the earlier chapters of this volume. Therefore here, even more than elsewhere, does an index suffice.2 Leading events of 1846 were Pico's controversy with Castro and the north, involving fears of local invasion ; Stockton's occupation of the city in August; and Flores' revolt, including the fights at Chino and San Pedro. At the beginning of 1847 came the reoccu- pation by United States forces, the final submission of the Californians, and the controversies of Stockton, Fremont, and Kearny, ending in the triumph of the


2 Los Angeles events. 1846. Jan .- July, political affairs in the controversy of Pico vs Castro, sessions of the assembly, etc. This vol., p. 30-53. Lists of inhab. in the region, including one of 427 men capable of bearing arms in July. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 64-5; Id., Ben. P. & J., ii. 159-60. April 18th, Pio Pico sworn in as constitutional gov. by Mex. appointment. This vol., p. 40. March-Aug., Indian affairs, showing frequent alarıns at rumors of invasion from the Colorado River bands, with several expeditions from the S. Bernardino region. On one occasion 18 Ind. were killed at S. Francisco rancho, having revolted after being captured. It was at one time resolved to station a guard at the Cajon. Six Yuta families came to Jurupa to settle. Bandini, Doc., 67; Dept. St. Pap., vi. 11, 80, 86-7, 92-3; viii. 104-10; Id., Ang., viii. 64, 71; Id., Ben., iv. 36-9; Id., P. & J., ii. 48; iv. 62; Leg. Rec., iv. 346-8. June, news of the Bear Flag, cool response of the Angelinos to Pico's calls. This vol., p. 140. Action of the assembly on the McNamara scheme. Id., 218-19. July, action of the gov., assemb., and general on news of Sloat's invasion. Id., 263-6. Aug., the American forces at S. Pedro 6th, negotiations, flight of Pico and Castro 10th, Stockton takes the city 13th, Gillespie left in command 31st. Id., 266-87. Sept .- Oct., Gillespie's acts and policy, Varela tumult 23d, Flores' revolt, fight at Chino rancho 26-7th, Gil- lespie driven out, Mervine's defeat at S. Pedro Oct. Sth, sessions of the assembly, Stockton at S. Pedro 23d. Id., 305-25. Nov .- Dec., Flores' opera- tions, Rico's sub-revolt, Dec. 3d. Id., 329-34, 355. Larkin at Angeles as a prisoner. Id., 365. Return of Manuel Castro's army from the northern cam- paign. Id., 372.


1847. Jan., defence by Flores and capture by Kearny and Stockton, bat- tle of the S. Gabriel Sth, battle of la Mesa 9th, city occupied by U. S. forces 10th, arrival of Fremont and his battalion 14th, flight of Flores and Castro IIth, treaty of Cahuenga 13th. Id., 385-407. Jan .- Feb., controversy between


625


LOS ANGELES AFFAIRS.


latter and the removal of the capital from Los Angeles to Monterey in March. Subsequent annals of 1847-8- a period of semi-military rule under Colonel Stevenson as commandant of the south with garrisons from the Mormon battalion, New York volunteers, and U. S. dragoons-offer but little of general importance, though including items of local interest as appended in my note. Abel Stearns served as sub-prefect for a time before the Ameri-


Stockton, Kearny, and Fremont, departure of K. and S., Fremont as gov. Id., 422-35. March-May, Fremont's controversy with Kearny, Capt. Turner arrives 11th, Fremont's ride 22d, Col Cooke in command 24th, F.'s return 29th, Col Mason's arrival April 7th, Fremont vs Mason 14th, arrival of Kearny May 9th, F.'s departure 12th, Stevenson succeeds Cooke. Id., 440- 50. March-May, slight details of troubles with Ind., by whom on one occa- sion the dragoons were repulsed with three men wounded. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 48-50, 54-5; v. 434-5, 445-6; Savage, Doc., MS., ii. 76; Unb. Doc., MS., 87-8, 115-16, 330; Lugo, Vida, MS., 67-8; Moreno, Vida, MS., 33-5. March-July, the Mormons at Angeles. This vol., p. 480 et seq. May, etc., Co. E and G, N. Y. volunteers, at Angeles as a garrison. Id., 514-15. May, efforts to obtain the services of a parish priest in place of the sickly presbyter Jimenez del Recio. The president would not permit P. Ordaz to serve. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 59-62. June, artillery sent from Monterey for the Angeles fortifications. Cal. & N. Mex., 328. July, etc., rumors of troubles with the Californians. This vol., p. 583 et seq. Dec. 7th, explosion. Id., 515, 583. The killed were Sergt Travers and Private Legare of the N. Y. vol., and Private Stokely of the dragoons; 10 others were wounded. Griffin's Pap., MS., 124-7. At an election for ayunt. in Dec. there were 96 voters, 22 of whom could write. Los Ang. Ayunt. Rec., MS., 80.


1848. Jan. 4th, a slight temblor, according to a newspaper. Feb. 6th, a force to he posted at the Cajon to keep Ind. raiders in check. Unb. Doc., MS., 43-4. April 15th, a N. Mex. caravan under F. E. Vigil and Juan I. Morsine to start on return. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., viii. 77. April, trial of Barrus and other Mormons for passing counterfeit money. This vol., p. 610-11. July, return of Gov. Pico. Id., 588. Aug. 8th, orders to Steven- son on breaking up the military post, and removing the guns and war-stores. Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 635-6. Aug. 20th, Stevenson to gov., an earnest appeal against leaving the people exposed to Ind. raids without troops or arms. Id., 645-6. List of over 100 land-owners with their water rates. Hayes, Doc., MS., 209. There were 259 voters for the ayunt. Los Ang. Arch., MS., v. 469.


Municipal goverment and list of officials. 1846. Abel Stearns sub-pre- fect in June-July, appointed June 17th, sworn in 20th, Narciso Botello secre- tary. It will be remembered that Stearns was also sub-confidential agent of the U. S .! Members of the ayuntamiento: alcaldes Juan Gallardo and José 1. Sepúlveda; regidores Leonardo Cota, Luis Jordan, Miguel Pryor, and Julian Chavez; sindico Alexander Bell, secretary Ignacio Coronel. Cota, Jordan, and Chavez acted as jueces at different times. Chavez is also named as juez de aguas, and Casildo Aguilar as cclador. In Feb. the ranchos of S. Bernardino, Yucaipa, Napolitan, Jurupa, Huapa, and Cucamonga were formed into a separate district, with B. D. Wilson as juez de paz and José del Cármen Lugo as suplente. Aug. 20th, Louis Robidoux succeeded Wil- son by Stockton's appointment. Francisco García was juez of S. Feliciano, with José Salazar as suplente. Ignacio Coronel was receptor at S. Pedro in


HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 40


626


LOCAL ANNALS-SAN DIEGO TO MONTEREY.


can occupation; and municipal affairs, except as in- terrupted by the military rule of Gillespie in August and September 1846, and of Fremont in January 1847, were managed by an ayuntamiento with Juan Gallardo and José Salazar as successive alcaldes; but for 1848, though an ayuntamiento was elected, it was


July. Jan. 21st, gov. orders payment of $1,636, the balance of the $3,000 paid for A. M. Lugo's house bought for use of the govt. Unb. Doc., MS., 3SS. Other accounts say that he bought the house of Isaac Williams, paid $600 on account, and in Juue mortgaged the building to Celis for $2,000. Hayes' Crim. Trials, 1 et seq .; Botello, Anales, MS., 127. June, the ayunt. has its feelings wounded by an order to submit all its acts to the govt for approval. Los Ang. Arch., MS., v. 348-51; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. P. & J., MS., ii. S1. July, sub- prefect tells alcalde that he has no right to leave town without his (Stearns') permission. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 94.


1847. The city was under military rule in Jan., as it had been since the preceding July, but on Feb. 10th the following ayunt. was elected: Alcaldes Jose Salazar and Enrique Avila; regidores Miguel N. Pryor, Julian Chavez, Rafael Gallardo, and José Ant. Yorba; síndico José Vicente Guerrero; sec. Ig- nacio Coronel. Primary election on the 7th. There were frequent absences and consequent temporary promotions. Juez de policía Pedro Cabrera from Oct .; juez auxiliar at Sta Ana Teodosio Yorba; zanjeros Basilio Lusiano and Mari- ano R. Roldan. Alcalde at S. Bernardino Louis Robidoux, reappointed by Gov. Masou June Ist. Receptor at S. Pedro, Pedro Carrillo, succeeded by D. W. Alexander. Municipal receipts for the year $1,219. Los Ang. Arch., MS., v. 432. lu June a regidor was fined $10 for impoliteness. In Aug. Alcalde Avila tendered his resignation on account of disagreements with the mil. com. Id., 415-18. Dec. ]8th, an election of alcaldes for the next year was held, no other members of ayunt. named. On the 19th Col Stevenson complained to Gov. Mason that the alcaldes-elect were of the worst class, one of them noted for his hatred of Americans, and the other an ignorant and vicious fellow; many citizens ask that Foster be appointed juez de la instancia to supervise the alcalde's acts. Unb. Doc., MS., 128-9. Meanwhile the gov. on Dec. 10th (perhaps antedated) had appointed Foster, and ordered the alcalde to surrender the records on Jau. Ist; and on the 29th he directs Stevenson to declare the election void, as having been held without the gov- ernor's authority. Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 443, 451.


1848. Alcaldes elected as above but not acting, Ignacio Palomares and José Sepúlveda; alcalde and juez de 1" iustancia from Jan. Ist by governor's appointment as above, Stephen C. F'oster; 2d alcalde from May Vicente Guer- 1rro; Abel Stearns sindico from Jan .; jueces de campo from Feb. 12th Auto- nio Ign. Avila, Agustin Machado, Tomás Serrano, Juan Ramirez, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Lopez; Henry Cardwell alguacil mayor, or sheriff, appointed May 30th; auxiliary alcalde for S. Antonio, S. Rafael, etc., Hilario Morillo; collector at S. Pedro Dav. W. Alexander. On Jan. Ist Stevenson mnet the old and new ayunt., introducing Foster as the appointed alcalde. Salazar preferred, and seems to have been permitted, to deliver the office to Palomares, his elected successor, leaving P. to surrender to Foster. P. and his associates wished to retain their offices, and that Foster should be juez de l" inst., or prefect, to supervise their acts; they were permitted to petition to that effect, but did not do so in the time allowed, and Foster was installed. Stevenson then appointed Stearns síndico aud Aguilar collector, those elected declining to serve. At first citizens refused to do the regular guard duty, but yielded gradually to a system of fines. Letter of Stevenson Jan. 11th. Unb. Doc., MS., 159-67. Jan. 13th, Stevenson's procl., annulling the elec- tion. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 155-6. Feb. Sth, S. has appointed subordi-


627


MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.


not permitted to be installed, and Stephen C. Foster served as alcalde by the military governor's appoint- ment, not without considerable dissatisfaction on the part of the citizens at not being allowed to choose their own officers as had been promised them; yet Foster seems to have ruled for the most part wisely,


nate officials; Foster is gaining respect; all is going smoothly. Id., 156-7. May 16th, Foster to gov., explaining his difficulties owing to the unfriendly feeling of the people, and suggesting the town's financial and other needs. Id., 72-3. Aug. 20th, Foster offers his resignation, which on Stevenson's advice is not accepted, and F. is promised all possible aid and is urged to retain the place. On Sept. 6th, F. withdrew his resignation and thanked the gov. for his con- fidence. F. was at the same time govt interpreter and translator for the southern mil. district. Id., 28-9, 33; Cal. & N. Mex. 1850, p. 639-60.


Additional municipal matters. Items of police regulations on prisoners, vagrants, use of liquors, lighting shops, carrying arms, etc., are omitted. In the administration of justice there are no cases that require notice. In April 1846 the citizens petitioned for the removal of the Ind. rancheria; and in June the gov. sold its site to Juan Domingo for $200 to raise funds for a mil. expe- dition. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 28-30; v. 336, 338, 399; Id., Ayunt. Rec., 16; Dept. St. Pup., Ben. P. & J., MS., iv. 54. The Ind., however, were still at this rancheria in 1847, or had formed another. In Nov. its removal was ordered, it being a resort of vice; and again in Feb. 1848 a similar order was issued. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 133-5, 165; v. 429-30. May 29, 1846, the ayunt. chooses two experts in company with the 2d alcalde to survey the town ejidos, measuring 2 leagues from the church to each point of the com- pass (which would give 16 sq. leagues !) and erect boundary monuments. Id., v. 344. April 1847, lot 10 x30 v. sold for $20. Id., 487. July, owing to abuses and scarcity of salt, the authorities take charge of the only salina. Id., 409. Murder of a Frenchman, not named, July 4th-5th. Id., iii. 87-90. A man asks to be relieved from payment of fee on his lot, because he has built a house ou it; hut is obliged to pay on the unoccupied part. Id., v. 412. July 22d, a committee on streets reports that the cemetery street is too narrow and that the sindico's instructions on the subject are illegal; wants more light; and the ayunt. decides in substance that the matter must be regulated as well as possible under the circumstances without being too particular about trifles. Id., Ayunt. Rec., MS., 98-100. Aug., complaints that land-owners object to paying the water rates. Id., Arch., iii. 103-4. Oct., Valle asked for a lot 200 v. front by 75 v. deep, having contracted to supply the town with meat and needing plenty of room; but only 100 v. front were granted. Id., Ayunt. Rec., 92-3. Dec., Sant. Arguello got a title to lot 44 x 96 v., saying that he had bought the land when the formalities were different, and like many others had no proper title. Id., 96. Aug. 1, 1848, Alcalde Foster's decree on regulations for use of the water for irrigation. Coronel, Doc., MS., 249-51.


Private ranchos in Los Angeles district. Los Alamos y Agua Caliente, 6 1., granted in 1846 to Francisco Lopez et al .; Agustin Olvera cl. Animas, see Rio. Boca de la Playa, 13 1., 1846, Emigdio Véjar, who was cl. * Cahu- enga, 4 1., 1846, Luis Arenas; Nic. Morchon cl. * Cajon de los Negros, 3 1., 1846, Ignacio Coronel; Wm Workman cl. * Cienega, 20 1., 1846, Agustin Olvera, who was cl. Tomás de Santiago, 4 1., 1846, Teodosio Yorba, who was cl. Palos Colorados, 1846, José L. Sepúlveda, who was cl. Negros, see Cajon. Playa, see Boca. * Rio de las Animas, 6 1., 1846, Leonardo Cota and Julian Chavez; J. F. Jones et al. cl. San Fernando mission lands, 14 1., 1846. Eulogio de Celis, who was cl. * San Gabriel mission. 1846, Workman and Reid, who were cl. Mission lot 500 x 200 v., 1846, Simeon, who was


628


IDEAL ANNALS-SAN DIEGO TO MONTEREY.


and there was but slight ground for complaint of Stevenson's policy and acts. But for the constant depredations of Indian horse-thieves, which the new like the old authorities were unable to prevent, quiet and good order prevailed for the most part through- out the district. About twenty new ranchos were granted to private ownership by Governor Pico in 1846: and all matters of title and possession were as a rule left in statu quo after the change of flag. At San Gabriel Padre Esténega died early in 1847, and 4. * Id, 25 x 40 v., 1846, Andrés Duarte et al., who were el. Id., 400 x 200 v., 1846, José Ledesma, who was cl. Sta Anita, sold by H. Reid to Henry Dalton for $2,000 in May 1847. (It sold for $200,000 in 1874.) Los Ang. Ar:h., MS., v. 488. Sta Catalina Island, 1846, Thomas M. Robbins; J. M. Covarrubias c. Santiago, see Tomas. Sierra, 4 1 .. 1546, Bernardo Yorba, who was cl. Id., 41., 1546 Vicente Sepulveda, who was cl. * Sierra de los Verdugos, 1846, Antoni: F. Coronel, who was el.


San Gabriel. 1>46. Jan .- May, Mariano R. Roldan and Henry Dalton are named as encargados, or perhaps majordomos. Pedro Romero juez de campo. Los A ] .. 13 . R ., MS., 46; Dept. S. Pap., 4 g., MS., viii. 63-1, : : Id., Ben. P. & J., iv. 65; St. Pap .. Miss., MS., xi. 60-1. Feb. 20th, :Le vecinos, 40 whites and 100 Ind., ask that the ex-mission be declared a Moo, complaining ci mismanagement on the part of the padre and major- . m . But the govt decided in March that the thing could not be done, as the mission had a heavy debt. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vii. 14-16; Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 319, 325. In May the al alle reported that the farmers had to leave their ranchos and gather at the mission for protection against Indians. In June Hugo Reid was auxiliary administrator and juez de paz. Dept. St. Pa ., MS., vii. 83, 89. Jove 8th, the mission estate was granted to Hugo Reid and Wm Werkman, in payment for past services to the govt, they bind- ing themselves to pay all debts, support the padre, and pay the expenses of worship. Deed in Hartma 's Brief. 5 -;; Hoyes' Miss. B., 368. Reid was probably put in possession, but dispossessed by Stockton and Fremont, though I find no definite records on the su ject. Powder for the Cal. army made here in Oct. This v.L p. 31S. 1847. Bernardino Lopez, encargado de justicia, though Roldan's name is also mentioned in May; Joaquin Valen- cuela juez de campo; Francisco Villa zanjero. Manuel Olivera seems to have Leen p tin harge i t e missi n property by the American authorities. Part of Cal. battalion stationed here; trouble between Owens and Cooke. This vol., p. 434, 411, 415. May 24th, C-1 Stevenson requires that all not legally entitled to live at S. Gabriel must quit the houses and lands at once; and no taverns must be established. Olivera must be protected in the dis- charg of his duties. Les Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 63. P. Ordaz' signature appears on tue register from May 14th. S. Gab., Lib. Mis., MS., 60. June 8th, Pres. Jimenez to Stevenson, at his request has ordered Ordaz to take charge of the mission, but not of the secular administration. Unb. Doc., MS., 266-7: yet later the padre seems to claim to be in charge also of temporal matters. Los Ang. Arch., MS., iii. 84-6, 102, 300. He remained here till 1850. May and July, Lopez and the Ind. protest against Olivera's arbitrary acts and insist on his removal. Id., 54 6, 84 5, 92, 95-7. It seems that P. Estenega had allowed the Ind. to retire from the community to their ranchos or those of others; (ivera required them to return, which they were unwill- ing to do unless O. was removed. The result is not recorded. Aug. 4th, P. Ordaz asks the alcalde of Los Angeles to order the ex-neophytes to repair the




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.