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HÍJAR AND FIGUEROA.

273

ception, was shown by Figueroa the order forbidding a transfer of the civil authority. Though bitterly disappointed, Híjar could make no objection, and fell back on his commission as director of colonization, which Figueroa consented to recognize. At an interview on the 15th Híjar presented the instructions addressed to him in his double capacity as gefe político and director, instructions to which Figueroa assented, and which I append in a note.^[1] Next morning the latter received a demand from the director to be put in possession of the mission property according to article 1 of the instructions, the governor being asked to issue the necessary orders to administrators and comandantes. Figueroa, rather strangely as it would seem, promised compliance, but proposed to consult the diputacion. The reply on the 17th was simply a plea for haste on account of disorders at the missions, the approach of planting-time, the neglect of the friars, the sufferings of the neophytes, and the needs of the colony. The comandante general was to be held responsible for damages caused by delay. Accordingly the diputacion was convened the same day, and before that body was laid a full statement. Figueroa had, he said, no desire to retain the gefatura. He would

↑ Híjar, Instrucciones á que Deberá Arreglar su Conducta D. José María Híjar, Gefe Político de la alta California y Director de Colonizacion de esta y de la baja, in Figueroa, Manifiesto, 11-14; St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 270-3; Jones' Report, no. 12. Art. 1. He will begin by occupying all the property belonging to the missions; the military comandante to furnish all necessary aid required. 2. For a year from arrival each colonist is to receive 50 cents per day, or 25 cents if under 4 years of age. 3. Travelling expenses to be paid by govt, and the colonists to receive the monturas bought for their transportation. 4. Selection of favorable sites for settlements. 5. The frontiers to be settled as soon as possible. 6. Plan of the new towns. 7. Native settlers to be mixed with the Mexicans, but no town to be inhabited exclusively by Indians. 8. House lots. 9-10. Farming lands to be granted in full ownership. 11. The movable property of the missions having been distributed (according to law of secularization?) one half of what is left is to be sold to the best advantage. 12. Not over 200 head of stock of the same kind to be sold to one family. 13. The remaining half of movable property to be kept on govt account and to be devoted to expenses of worship, support of missionaries, education, and purchase of implements for the colonists. 14. The gefe pol. and director to report in detail at first and annually on the disposition and condition of the property after the distribution as above. 15. He is also to report at least once a year on the condition and needs of the colonists. Dated April 23, 1834, and signed Lombardo.

[1] Híjar, Instrucciones á que Deberá Arreglar su Conducta D. José María Híjar, Gefe Político de la alta California y Director de Colonizacion de esta y de la baja, in Figueroa, Manifiesto, 11-14; St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 270-3; Jones' Report, no. 12. Art. 1. He will begin by occupying all the property belonging to the missions; the military comandante to furnish all necessary aid required. 2. For a year from arrival each colonist is to receive 50 cents per day, or 25 cents if under 4 years of age. 3. Travelling expenses to be paid by govt, and the colonists to receive the monturas bought for their transportation. 4. Selection of favorable sites for settlements. 5. The frontiers to be settled as soon as possible. 6. Plan of the new towns. 7. Native settlers to be mixed with the Mexicans, but no town to be inhabited exclusively by Indians. 8. House lots. 9-10. Farming lands to be granted in full ownership. 11. The movable property of the missions having been distributed (according to law of secularization?) one half of what is left is to be sold to the best advantage. 12. Not over 200 head of stock of the same kind to be sold to one family. 13. The remaining half of movable property to be kept on govt account and to be devoted to expenses of worship, support of missionaries, education, and purchase of implements for the colonists. 14. The gefe pol. and director to report in detail at first and annually on the disposition and condition of the property after the distribution as above. 15. He is also to report at least once a year on the condition and needs of the colonists. Dated April 23, 1834, and signed Lombardo.

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