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Reconstruction was promptly begun, the Missions supplying the needed Indian labor, but it was several months before repairs were far enough along to bring back the women and children from Soledad. There was an official inquiry into the behavior of Manuel Gomez, who had opposed Sola during the bombardment, the accusation being made that he had given aid and comfort to his nephew’s fellow invaders. It was proved, however, that his own home had suffered, a shot from one of
the insurgent cannon having torn through its walls, and other evidence seemed conclusive that he had acted in good faith, with patriotism and loyalty. He was acquitted, and with other officers of the Presidio, was _ promoted for gallantry in action. Governor Sola was given the honorable commission of a colonel in the loyal army of Spain’s last province in the Americas. With these matters cleared away, and restoration complete, all fear of further molestation by the insurrectos vanished, and the days again flowed serenely on at Monterey. It is undoubtedly true that the underlying motives of those at Buenos Ayres who launched the California expedition was the advancement of the revolutionary movement in Spanish America. It is equally clear that the heterogeneous band of adventurers of many races that sailed from Hawaii for the attack upon Monterey was not guided solely by patriotism. A glimpse of what happened to the defenseless town may be had from an entry in a journal kept by Captain Corney of the Santa Rosa. He wrote, “It was well stocked with provisions
