Meanwhile the missions got nothing from the pious fund through the Mexican treasury, in addition to the stipends of 1819-22, the payment of which has already been noted. It is not certain even that any of the latter amount, about $24,000, ever came to California, but probably some cargoes of mission goods were paid for by the síndico at Tepic out of that sum. Only fragments of the mission accounts have been preserved for these years.[1]
We have seen that the padres as a rule refused to take the oath of obedience to the constitution of 1824, or to solemnize by religious exercises any act of the republican government; and that Prefect Sarría had been put under arrest, though it had not been deemed wise to carry into effect the orders requiring the reverend prisoner to be sent by the first ship to Mexico. In fact, the friars were yet, in a great measure, masters of the situation, because they could keep the neophytes in subjection, and above all make them work. The great fear was that the missionaries
- ↑ May 31, 1827, guardian to president, stipends of 1819-21 and most of 1822 paid. Certificates should be sent in for those of 1825-6. Arch. Sta B., MS., xii. 400. June 27th, news received at S. Rafael; amount, $24,000. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xviii. 97. The brig Bravo with mission goods was wrecked at Acapulco late in 1827, but the cargo was saved. S. Luis Obispo, Lib. Mision, MS., 7. Aug. 25, 1828, $6,861 in goods sent from Tepic to S. Blas for shipment, consisting of woollen and cotton stuffs, rice, sugar, rebozos, metates, and 25 pounds of cinnamon, shipped by the María Ester. Id., 8-9; Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 827-8.
supremo gobierno.' Arch. Arzob., MS., vii. passim. A large number of drafts of comandantes in favor of missions, 1825-30, in Id., v. pt 2. June 7, 1828, Echeandía proposes that the expense of maintaining friendly relations with the Indians be deducted from the sums due the nearest missions. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 27. Oct. 7th, E. instructs Capt. Argüello to borrow $800 of the mission of S. José. Id., vi. 109-10. Oct. 22d, E. orders Lieut José Fernandez and 30 artillerymen just landed to be quartered at S. Diego mission. Id., vi. 115. Jan. 8, 1829, E. to Duran, urging him to 'lend' supplies, or sell them for a draft on the comisario of Sonora, which he doubts not will be paid promptly. Id., vii. 53. May 4th, Vallejo complains of destitution at Monterey, and no aid from the missions. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 80. Nov. 24th, similar complaints from Castro. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., v. 369-70. Dec. 6th, P. Duran says he has paid $200 on menace of force being used. S. José Arch., MS., ii. 48. Jan. 15, 1830, P. Viader refuses to aid directly or indirectly in matters pertaining to war. Id., i. 37. April 25th, congressman urges the injustice of imposing such heavy burdens on the missions. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 897-8. July 17th, com. of Sta Bárbara complains that the padre will neither give nor sell supplies. Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 55.
