The northern members repeated their petition September 11th, urging that the regular time for meeting was March 1st, claiming that urgent business required attention, and even threatening rather mysteriously, in case their request were denied, "to proceed according to law."[1] This brought out from Victoria on the 21st an address, or manifiesto, to the public. In this document he defined in a very straightforward manner his position, alluding to the criminal motives and seditious plans of the opposing faction, "personal interests disguised in the habiliments of philanthropy," declaring his intention to thwart the schemes of his predecessor, and reminding good citizens that the way to prosperity and happiness lay in the direction of submission to law, and not of sedition. He stated that a majority of the diputados had been illegally elected, that he had reported everything to the national authorities, without whose orders he would not convoke the assembly, and that he counted on resources unknown to his enemies.[2] In a report bearing the same date Victoria announced his suspension of the diputacion, and earnestly recommended the abolishment of all elective ayuntamientos and the restoration of military rule, except that certain judges might be appointed for Los Angeles and San José.[3] This radical overturning of all civil authority seemed a simple and effective measure to this honest soldier, who felt that he could preserve order more easily if
- ↑ Petition dated S. Francisco, in Leg. Rec., MS., i. 330-2.
- ↑ Victoria, Manifiesto á los Habitantes de California. 21 de Setiembre, 1831, MS.; Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 245; Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 3; Bandini, Doc., MS. 16. V. expressed like sentiments in a letter of Oct. 24th to the alcalde of Los Angeles, copied in Leg. Rec., MS., i. 335-6.
- ↑ Sept. 21, 1831, V. to min. of justice, in Dept. Rec., MS., ix. 146-9. The writer claimed that there were few if any persons fit for alcaldes, and that the offices were sought mainly for purposes of personal gain or revenge.
'As you are probably on good terms with Pico, persuade him to withdraw his petition for convoking the dip... It is my privilege to convene the assembly when I find it necessary; and up to the present time it has not been so; for I have just reasons which require me to await the decision of the sup. govt on my inquiries.' Id., i. 329-30. Sept. 7th, V. writes a very curt and plain letter to Juan Bandini in reply to his of Aug. 7th. The subject is ostensibly financial matters, but it is apparent that Bandini was reckoned among the enemies of the new gov. on general principles. Dept. Rec., ix. 43-5.
