302
MISSIONS AND SECULARIZATION.
proved by the diputacion in July and August 1830, and sent to the supreme government in September for approval.[1] The padres made little opposition to
- ↑ Echeandía, Plan para convertir en Pueblos las Misiones, 1829-30, MS. 1. The missions shall be converted into pueblos one by one as the territorial govt may determine, in view of the reports of the missionaries and president, and in conformity with the dip. In case the dip. opposes the views of the gefe, the matter is to be referred to the sup. govt. 2. Beginning at once without distinction as may be convenient with the 4 (7?) nearest the presidios, pueblos, and villa; then following also without distinction with S. Buenaventura, S. Juan Capistrano, S. Luis Obispo, and S. Antonio; then the rest in succession — but the change is not to be effected the first year in more than two missions, in order to observe what is to be done later with the rest. 3. The ranchos joined to each mission will continue to recognize it as head town, being ruled by an auxiliary alcalde or by an ayuntamiento, as may seem best to the govt in accordance with the laws. 4. The new ayunt. will recognize as head town of the partido the presidio or pueblo recognized in their last elections for diputados. 5. Farming and grazing lands, which by constant use down to the date of swearing to independence or by approval of the ter. govt they have cultivated and occupied with their property, are to remain the property of these pueblos — which will be composed of their neophytes and of such other Mexicans as may wish to settle in them according to the terms of following articles on the distribution of lands: 6. To neophytes, including those absent with leave, and to other servants of the mission wishing to remain, will be distributed by lot, to each family a house lot 75 varas square and a field 200 v. sq. — the lots in blocks of four, 150 v. sq. with suitable streets and plazas. Some details respecting equitable division of lands with regard to quality. 7. To each pueblo will be assigned an egido of 1 sq. league for each 500 head of live-stock — of good grazing land near the settlement. 8. Within 6 months of the publication of the change of any mission into a pueblo, there shall be given to each family 3 cows, 3 horses, 3 sheep, a yoke of oxen, a mule or an ass; various implements named, both to families and for common use; and they are also to receive for a year rations proportioned to the preceding crop. 9. Other families, not neophytes or with leave of absence, will have lots and fields from those that remain. No one may pasture in the egido over 50 cattle and 25 horses. 10. All property thus distributed to be indivisible and inalienable for 5 years; neither can the settlers or their heirs encumber this property with any mortgage, lien, etc. 11. The settlers must be governed by the general, territorial, and local laws and regulations, in like manner as at S. José and Los Angeles at the beginning, all paying tithes of course. 12. Of similar purport, each individual to obey the laws of Mex. and Cal. 13. Details respecting later distribution of stallions, bulls, etc. 14. Names of all individuals to be recorded with the distribution of property. 15. The pueblos to keep the names of the missions, but the settlers may propose any other name 'of laudable origin' to the dip. and to congress. 16. The church and the rooms used for service and residence of the chaplain or curate are to be those now occupied and such as may be built later. The rest of the mission buildings will be devoted to uses of the ayunt., prisons, barracks, schools, hospital, etc., and the present dwellings of the neophytes will serve at present for the pueblo officials. 17. The live-stock and other property remaining after the distribution will remain in charge of an administrator subject to the inspection of the ayunt. and of the dip. Remaining lands, to the extent of 4 sq. leagues for 1,000 head of large stock, and 3 sq. leagues for small stock, to serve for the support of the flocks and herds; and expenses of labor, etc., to be paid from the product of the capital. 18. From the remainder of said capital, rent of surplus lands, yield of vineyards, etc., will be paid the wages of a school-master, hospital expenses, and other
