were of course bitterly disappointed at the failure of the directors to keep their promises, and many of them were disposed to throw the blame on Figueroa and the Californians. It is the nature of disappointed Mexicans to conspire; there were some reckless fellows like Araujo who were perfectly willing to make trouble; and it is not likely that Padrés, or even Híjar perhaps, would have regretted or opposed any revolutionary movement offering chances of success. But such chances, against a popular ruler, the leading Californians, and the friars, were known to be but slight. Therefore I doubt that Híjar and Padrés made any definite plans to overthrow the territorial government, and especially that Figueroa, as he claims, was acquainted from the first with the details of such plots.
There was, however, an attempted revolt at Los Angeles March 7, 1835. The night before, about fifty Sonorans, who had lately come to California, and
the time of settlement with Híjar, or in Nov., Araujo instigated two attacks of the Cahuilla Indians on the S. Bernardino rancho. Verduzco at the same time tried to induce the neophytes of S. Luis Rey to revolt against the escolta; but his plot was discovered and frustrated. Lara on his way north tried to enlist the neophytes of different missions in support of his plots, as was proven by his diary, which fell into Figueroa's hands. p. 106-7. Padrés concealed the 200 rifles and ammunition he had brought, advised the colonists to have nothing to do with Figueroa, and daily harangued them at Sonoma on their wrongs at the gefe's hands. p. 108-114 (also F.'s reports to Mex. on Padrés already cited). In February two persons from S. Antonio reported a plot; and several members of the colony revealed the revolutionary plans. Híjar meanwhile was intimate with the conspirators, and must have known their schemes. p. 110-11. The desire in March to unite the colony was for the purpose of revolution; and to defeat this movement was F.'s chief reason for allowing it to be scattered. p. 116-17. When the news came of trouble in the south, F. was investigating the matter at Sta Clara and S. Juan. p. 128-9. Oct. 15, 1834, Capt. Portilla from S. Luis Rey. Has discovered that Verduzco sought to surprise the guard and seize the arms. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 174-5. Oct. 21st-22d, F. to Gutierrez and to 8 comisionados to investigate the disturbances, arrest the leaders, and assure the Ind. that the charges of the revolutionists were false. Id., iii. 175-6. Araujo, on Sept. 18th, says, 'I have already predisposed the neophytes in our favor,' this being perhaps the purport of the diary referred to by F. Guerra, Doc., MS., vi. 154. Oct. 22d, F. warns alcalde of Angeles to look out for revolutionary movements. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 177; Id., Ang., xi. 28. Oct. 28th, Carrillo at Sta Bárbara has taken steps to prevent Araujo from seducing the neophytes. St. Pap., Miss., MS., ix. 29. Jan. 27, 1835, president has heard of Araujo's plots and orders him to be sent out of the country. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., xi. 1.
