lately threatened; and the routine of business at successive sessions was for the most part unimportant, though I shall have occasion to notice elsewhere a few of the topics treated. The president was occupied with other matters, and the chief aim of the legislators was apparently to devise acceptable excuses for obtaining leave of absence. It is remarkable that Figueroa did not bring before the diputacion his policy and acts toward Híjar and Padrés with a view to strengthen his record with the approval of that body; but for some reason this was not deemed necessary.
At the election of October 1834, José Antonio Carrillo had been chosen diputado to congress, with Mariano G. Vallejo as substitute.[1] Carrillo seems to have been at his post early in 1835, and his influence is apparent in an order of President Barragan dated May 23d, publishing the following decree of congress: "The pueblo of Los Angeles in Alta California is erected into a city, and it will be in future the capital of that territory." So well pleased was Don José Antonio with this achievement in behalf of his town, that he secured an impression from the type on white satin, which, tastefully bordered in blue, perhaps by Señora Carrillo, is in my collection.[2] The order was not officially published in California until December; but the news came that such a change was contemplated, and the effect at Monterey may be imagined.
- ↑ See chap. ix. of this volume.
- ↑ Pico, Doc., MS., i. 1. The satin copy is mentioned by several Californians. Decree also given in Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., ii. 135; Id., Mont., iii. 47; Arrillaya, Recop., 1835, 189-90, where it is said to have been published on June 10th; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iii. 51. Decrees of congress dated March 21 and October 26, 1835, that diputados from Cal. are to have voice and vote in forming laws and decrees. Id., iii. 91; Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., iii. 56; Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., xi. 1-2. June 13th, order concerning payment of dietas and viáticos. Arrillaga, Recop., 1835, 223-6. Oct. 15th, min. of war to gov., diputados ordered to proceed to Mex. without excuse. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xvi. 14. Dana, Two Years before the Mast, 196, says inaccurately that the form of sending representatives to congress was gone through; but there was little communication with the national capital, so a member usually stayed permanently, knowing there would be revolutions at home, and iſ another member should be sent, he had only to challenge him and thus decide the contested election.
