DAWN AND THE DONS 155
gan slowly to filter in, accompanied by a gradual and limited introduction of other ways and methods. Both of these features were slow in developing, and the happy Californians were equally slow in appreciating their full Significance. Before the close of this transition period, however,
the Californians
realized not only that their
Missions were gone, not only that the Anglo-Saxon had arrived, but that the government to which they had given allegiance was making their fair land a dumping ground for Mexican politicians. This created much
dissatisfaction, especially among
the younger element, and culminated in 1836 in a revolt led by Juan Bautista Alvarado, a twenty-seven-year-old Californian, born at Monterey, and resulted in a brief
period of independence, and a later compromise whereby Alvarado was appointed Governor. As an added menace to the pastoral peace of California, and one that it was too late now
to check, greedy
foreign powers were casting eager, longing, hungry eyes on the province. England, with her ships upon the seven seas, was believed to be waiting an opportune time and an adequate cause for possessing herself of this Pacific jewel. The Russian bear had crossed over to the Alaskan coast, and was slowly moving down toward this land of perpetual springtime. France and Holland were making stealthy advances, and Uncle Sam was casting flirta-
tious eyes toward the Pacific. Russia’s
rected.
plans were well laid, and
intelligently di-
But for the hastening of events beyond Russia’s
