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CHANGE OF CAPITAL.

293

A meeting of the ayuntamiento was called October 12th, before which body reasons most unanswerable and convincing — to the people of Monterey — were adduced why the proposed change of capital would be a measure outrageously detrimental if not fatal to all the best interests of the territory.^[1] A report of Hartnell and Pacheco as a committee was approved, sustaining objections to the change, and recommending a protest. This action was passed immediately to the diputacion, which body on the 14th confirmed it, resolved that the reports of the territorial congressmen were based on selfish interests, decided to remain with the gefe político "at this capital" until further action; and sent the whole expediente to Mexico by the Catalina on the 15th.^[2]

Figueroa still bore in mind the importance to Mexican interests of founding a frontier settlement and garrison north of San Francisco Bay. In fact, he had temporarily suspended the enterprise only from fear of what he chose to regard as the revolutionary plans

↑ Of these reasons I note the following: Monterey has been the capital for more than 70 years; both Californians and foreigners have learned to regard it as the capital; interests have been developed which should not be ignored; and a change would engender dangerous rivalries. The capital of a maritime country should be a port, and not an inland place. Monterey is a secure, well known, and frequented port, well provided with wood, water, and provisions; where a navy-yard and dock may be constructed. Monterey has a larger population than Los Angeles; the people are more moral and cultured (!); and the prospects for advancement are superior. Monterey has decent buildings for govt uses, to build which at Los Angeles will cost $30,000; and besides, some documents may be lost in moving the archives. Monterey has central position, mild climate, fertile soil, developed agriculture; here women, plants, and useful animals are very productive! Monterey is nearer the northern frontier, and therefore better fitted for defence. It would be unjust to compel the majority to go so far on government business. It would be impossible to assemble a quorum of the dip. at Los Angeles. The sensible people, even of the south, acknowledge the advantages of Monterey. Monterey had done no wrong to be deprived of its honor, though unrepresented in congress; while the last three deputies have had personal and selfish interests in favor of the south.
↑ Monterey, Acuerdo del Ayuntamiento y de la Diputacion contra el propuesto Cambio de Capital en favor de Los Angeles, 1835, MS. In Monterey, Actos de Ayunt., MS., 118-20, the matter was first brought up on the 10th and the report approved on the 13th. Carrillo's letter with the decree was received Dec. 31st. Id., 146. This action of the diputacion, as we have seen, is not given in the legislative records.

[1] Of these reasons I note the following: Monterey has been the capital for more than 70 years; both Californians and foreigners have learned to regard it as the capital; interests have been developed which should not be ignored; and a change would engender dangerous rivalries. The capital of a maritime country should be a port, and not an inland place. Monterey is a secure, well known, and frequented port, well provided with wood, water, and provisions; where a navy-yard and dock may be constructed. Monterey has a larger population than Los Angeles; the people are more moral and cultured (!); and the prospects for advancement are superior. Monterey has decent buildings for govt uses, to build which at Los Angeles will cost $30,000; and besides, some documents may be lost in moving the archives. Monterey has central position, mild climate, fertile soil, developed agriculture; here women, plants, and useful animals are very productive! Monterey is nearer the northern frontier, and therefore better fitted for defence. It would be unjust to compel the majority to go so far on government business. It would be impossible to assemble a quorum of the dip. at Los Angeles. The sensible people, even of the south, acknowledge the advantages of Monterey. Monterey had done no wrong to be deprived of its honor, though unrepresented in congress; while the last three deputies have had personal and selfish interests in favor of the south.

[2] Monterey, Acuerdo del Ayuntamiento y de la Diputacion contra el propuesto Cambio de Capital en favor de Los Angeles, 1835, MS. In Monterey, Actos de Ayunt., MS., 118-20, the matter was first brought up on the 10th and the report approved on the 13th. Carrillo's letter with the decree was received Dec. 31st. Id., 146. This action of the diputacion, as we have seen, is not given in the legislative records.

[1]

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