with about a dozen companions started out to take possession of the presidio and garrison. Doubtless by a previous understanding with the soldiers, no resistance was made, though the forms of a surprise were gone through, the arms and barracks secured, and the officers placed under arrest.[1]
Next day the soldiers gave in their adhesion to the plan readily enough, but the officers, especially captains Portilla and Argüello, showed considerable reluctance. They shared the feelings of the rebels against Victoria — so they said, Portilla perhaps not quite truthfully — but they felt that for military men in their position to engage in open rebellion against their comandante general was a serious matter. At first they declined to do more than remain neutral under arrest; but finally they were induced to promise active coöperation on condition that Echeandía would accept the command. What part Echeandía had taken, if any, in the previous plottings cannot be known; but after much hesitation, real or pretended,[2] he consented to head the movement. The plan, slightly amended, was now made to embrace substantially the following points: the suspension of Victoria, the vesting by the diputacion of the political and military command in separate persons, and the provisional resumption by Echeandía of both commands until such act of the diputacion or the decision of the national government. This pronunciamiento was
- ↑ Bandini says there were 14 men in the first revolutionary party. Pico names, besides the 3 signers, Ignacio, Juan, and José Lopez; Abel Stearns; Juan María Marron; Andrés and Antonio Ibarra; Dámaso and Gervasio Alipas; Juan Osuna; Silverio Rios; another citizen, and a cholo to carry ammunition. Pico says he was deputed to arrest Capt. Argüello, whom he found at his house playing tresillo with his wife and Alf. Valle. He begged pardon for the intrusion, presented his pistols, and marched the two officers away to join Capt. Portilla, who had been arrested by Bandini. Valle, Lo Pasado, MS., 3-5, like most of the California writers, mentions the arrest of himself and the rest, but gives no particulars.
- ↑ E. was a timid man, not inclined to revolutionary acts, and moreover not in good health; therefore his reluctance to assume the responsibility of such a movement; yet I hardly credit the statement of the Vallejos and others that he refused the command until forced by Carrillo's threats to accept it.
