CHAPTER XVI
CAVALIER TO GRINGO
THE fires of revolution, kindled in the Spanish colonies of South America, resulted in Mexican independence in 1821. The Californians, though they had declined to take part in the revolution, complacently accepted the new situation, and continued to receive their Governors from Mexico. Mexican rule, thus begun, came to an end when Commodore Sloat raised the American flag at Monterey in 1846.
This quarter of a century saw the twilight of Latin supremacy and the dawn of Anglo-Saxon rule in California. The Missions, secularized by Mexico and taken over by the civil authorities, were abandoned, their properties generally sold, and many of the Mission churches and buildings allowed to go to ruin. Their great work was done.
Foreigners in small numbers, mostly Americans, be-
