88
ECHEANDÍA AND THE PADRES.
all mission products was exacted, citizens having presumably to pay this also in addition to their ecclesiastical tithes.[1] The method of collection was to exact from each mission the largest possible amount of supplies for escoltas and presidial garrisons, and at the end of each year to give credit on account for the excess of amounts thus furnished over the taxes. I find no evidence that any part of the balance was paid in any instance.[2] The padres gave less willingly than in former years, when there had been yet a hope of Spanish supremacy, but the quarrels in local and individual cases were much less frequent than might naturally be expected, or at least such controversies have left little trace in the records.[3]
- ↑ According to the plan de gobierno of Jan. 8, 1824, citizens paid 10 per cent in kind on all produce, while the missions were to pay a fixed rate per head of cattle or fanega of grain. By decree of Jan. 1, 1826, Echeandía, with the consent of Prefect Sarría, ordered that the tax be equalized between citizens and missions, the latter apparently to pay in kind. Decree of Jan. 1, 1826. S. José, Arch., MS., iv. 13; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 47-8; Dept. St. Pap., MS., i. 123; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxviii. 81, 84, 86, including orders for circulation of the decree and some directions for the keeping of accounts. Aug, 25, 1827, Echeandía to Sarría, urging the importance and justice of this tax, which here and elsewhere in official accounts is spoken of as a 'loan.' Dept. Rec., MS., v. 80; Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 37; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xix. 138. April 22, 1826, Echeandía to min. of war. Argues that the missions should also pay tithes. He is informed that some of them have $70,000 or $100,000 in their coffers. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xix. 30-1. Oct. 31st, Herrera to Estrada on mission accounts. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 98.
- ↑ June 23, 1826, circular from president received at S. Rafael to effect that the Mex. govt was going to pay all drafts presented within six months from Jan. 1st, and those not so presented would be outlawed. This news reached Cal. just after the expiration of the time! Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxviii. 94. July 28, 1827, Echeandía notifies the prefect and comandantes that all creditors of the national treasury must present their claims to the comisario. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 71.
- ↑ June 10, 1826, Duran to Herrera. Protests against furnishing the diezmo of cattle branded for the national rancho, when there has already been delivered during the year a much larger amount than that of the tithe. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 13-16. Nov. 30th, P. Viader, upbraiding Lieut Martinez for not sending money to pay for blankets, says, 'My friend, we have now arrived at a point of date et dabitur vobis.' Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxix. 94. Dec. 18th, Duran says he likes to see the soldiers fill their bellies with meat, and not feel hungry. Id., 95. April 19, 1827, draft by Habilitado Maitorena on habilitado general in favor of Sta Bárbara mission for $8,725, the amount of supplies furnished apparently before 1825. Arch. Misiones, MS., ii. 177-8. Feb. 27, 1827, gov. orders Lieut Ibarra, since all conciliatory and courteous means have failed, to go with a force to S. Diego mission, and bring away all the grain the mules can carry. Resistance will be regarded as an overt act against the nation. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 27. Many certificates to effect that a parlre has delivered provisions 'en calidad de préstamo para que se le reintegre por cuenta del
