government. Respecting the result, we have no satisfactory information. I find no record of the number of neophytes who under the order obtained their freedom, nor of the manner in which they used their liberty. Beechey, the English navigator, tells us that the governor was induced by the padres to modify his plans, and to try experiments with a few neophytes, who, as might have been expected, fell soon into excesses, gambled away all their property, and were compelled to beg or steal.[1]
While the governor doubtless used his influence to imbue the neophytes with ideas of independence and civil liberty, not conducive to contentment with mission life,[2] no definite progress was made, except in the preparation of plans, in the years 1827-9. In July 1827 the prefect was ordered to see to it that a primary school was supported at each mission, and compliance was promised.[3] In October of the same year, Echeandía called for a detailed report on the lands held by each mission to be rendered before the end of the year. I find no such report in the records, though the local reports for the next year did, in several instances, contain a list of the mission ranchos.[4]
- ↑ Beechey's Voyage, ii. 12-13, 320. A few doc. bearing on individual cases of application for license. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lvii. 23-4; Dept. Rec., MS., v. 65; viii. 34. April 27, 1827, gov. says to com. of S. Diego that as the Indians of S. Juan neglect their work and make a wrong application of their privileges, they are to be admonished seriously that those who behave themselves properly will obtain their full freedom when his plans are perfected, while others will be punished. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 44. May 20, 1827, Martinez is to inform the Indians that in a few days E. will issue an order for them to be treated the same as gente de razon. Id., v. 46. Dec. 6, 1826, E. to sup. govt. Speaks of the monopoly by the friars of all the land, labor, and products of the territory; of their hatred for the present system of government; and of the desirability of making at least a partial distribution of mission property among the best of the neophytes. Id., v. 132-3. Oct. 20, 1828, E. to min. of war, says the Ind. at most missions are clamoring to be formed into pueblos. St. Pap., Sac., MS., x. 39-40.
- ↑ Mrs Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 52-4, says that the ideas instilled into the minds of the neophytes by the gefe político made a great change in them. They were not as contented nor as obedient as before. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 119-20, takes the same view of the matter.
- ↑ Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 35; Dept. Rec., MS., v. 54; Leg. Rec., MS., i. 79-80.
- ↑ Oct. 7th, Echeandía's bando in Olvera, Doc., MS., 1. Names of mission ranchos in the south. Prov. St. Pap., Presid., MS., i. 97-8. Bandini, in a
