movements during the nine months of his stay in the north, we know but little, except what can be gathered from the dates of successive official documents to be noticed incidentally in the record about to be presented. He is said to have gone to San Francisco soon after taking the command, and subsequently to have spent some time on different occasions at Santa Clara.[1] In addition to his few letters on special topics, the governor made in June a general report on the industrial condition of California, a document which presents no matter for comment.[2] Echeandía retired to San Diego a few days after turning over the office, but did not yet leave the territory, as we shall see.
The annals of 1831, and of Victoria's rule, are confined to the revolutionary movement by which that rule was brought to an end, there being nothing else worthy of notice in the records of the year, so far at least as general history is concerned. The development of the revolution may best be explained by presenting as successive topics the several charges against the governor, which may be regarded as in a certain sense the causes of the popular feeling on the subject, though it is well to bear always in mind the chief cause, underlying all others as already shown. I begin with what was in reality the most serious and best founded accusation.
- ↑ Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 137-40, speaks of a party given in V.'s honor at the house of Lieut Martinez, at which politics was more or less discussed. Amador, Mem., MS., 122, mentions a tour of inspection before settling at the capital. Apr. 7th, José J. Gomez writes to Juan Bandini that V. had arrived at Monterey (from the north?) the day before, and was talking of going south soon. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 18. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 7-8, tells a story to the effect that V. attempted to prosecute himself and José Castro for the part they had taken in publishing the secularization decree, authorizing Pliego, their enemy, to commence criminal proceedings. But when summoned — so says A. — they rode up before Pliego's office on horseback, refused to hear the documents read, and dashed off to Sta Clara. V. subsequently treated them very well, however, giving them a profitable license to take otter at S. Francisco.
- ↑ Victoria, Informe General sobre California, 1830, MS., dated June 7th. A general report on government with recommendations of reform may also be mentioned under date of Sept. 21st. Dept. Rec., MS., ix. 146-9.
