who were interested in opposing the enterprise. A company of mounted policemen was furnished by the government to restrain the hostile element, and the emigrants started in April 1834 on their long journey — the men on horseback and the women and children in large covered carts drawn by mules — and proceeded the first day to Tecpantla.[1]
The march to the sea, as remembered by members of the expedition, was attended by no special hardships or incidents requiring mention, the travellers being hospitably received everywhere along the route, at some towns even with public demonstrations of welcome and good-will. There was a delay of some weeks at Guadalajara, and a still longer stay at Tepic. It is said that on account of difficulties in obtaining prompt payment of government funds, Híjar was compelled to raise money by mortgaging his estates in Jalisco;[2] but there is a notable lack in the archives of all information respecting the finances of the colony. On July 20th the company left Tepic for San Blas, where two or three days later a part went on board the Natalia, to avoid the mosquitoes, as Janssens says. Nine days later the Morelos arrived and the rest of the colonists embarked. There had been some desertions, as well as a few enlistments, en route, and at their first sight of the ocean still others lost heart and turned back; but some 250 proceeded on the voyage.
On the 1st of August, probably, the two vessels set sail. The Cosmopolitan Company's brig Natalia had on board Híjar, Bandini, and the naval officer Buenaventura Araujo, and her commander was Juan Gomez.
- ↑ Bustamante, Voz de la Patria, MS., ix. 4-6, says they started, 400 in number, April 14th, after committing many excesses. Hijar's instructions, to be noticed later, were dated April 23d, which was probably very nearly the date of departure.
- ↑ The salaries of Híjar and Padrés had been paid in Mexico down to the time of departure. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxix. 64, 77. July 20, 1833 (4?), an estimate of expenses for surveying instruments and travelling expenses for two commissioners and six teachers, with their families, to amount of $6,985, was approved and sent to sub-comisario of California. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com, and Treas., ii. 47-50.
