elsewhere? By them the neophytes were cruelly beaten, forced to work, treated as slaves, without having obtained the slightest benefit from sixty years of mission training. Truly Pico, Vallejo, and Osio were becoming very radical republicans and ardent patriots, according to the Mexican ideal.[1] However, they were angry at the time, and were declaiming for effect in Mexico, as was Carrillo in a more temperate way at the capital.
Acting as comandante general in the south, according to the terms of the treaty with Zamorano, Echeandía had the assurance to meditate the enforcement of his decree by preparing on November 18th a supplementary reglamento, as if the events of the past months had been but a mere temporary interruption of his plans. The document, appended in a note,[2]
- ↑ Reports of Feb. 24 and May 15, 1832, in Leg. Rec., MS., i. 244-9, 265-6. Alférez José Sanchez about this time, as prosecuting officer in a criminal case, made use of some very violent and sweeping denunciations of the friars for their cruelty to the Indians. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxiii. 6-7. In his circular of Nov. 18th, Echeandía represented the Indians as complaining bitterly of their oppression by the padres. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 63-4.
- ↑ Echeandía, Reglamento de Secularizacion, 18 de Nov. 1832, MS. The doc. was sent on Nov. 18th to Padre Sanchez, to each of the southern missions, probably to local authorities in the south, and to Pres. Duran in the north. On Jan. 13, 1833, it was sent to the min. of rel. in Mexico; and on Feb. 7th, to Figueroa. The copy sent to F. is in my possession, and to it are joined several responses from the friars. Reglamento. — Art. 1. Pursuant to edict of Jan. 6th, after a record of population and property is made, the property for pobladores is to be distributed to neophytes of ten years' standing, if married or widowers with minor children — except those who may wish to continue in community, those incapacitated for work, and those who neglect their families. 2. The distribution to be made at the mission or ranchos not far distant, and having a settled population, to such as reside there, or were born there, and have the preceding qualifications. 3. The assignment of egidos and distribution of community property, etc., that cannot be effected at once will await the first opportunity. 4. All thus detaching themselves from the community shall pay from their private property parish dues according to their circumstances, and in due time tithes. 5. The heads of families will choose from their own number the necessary alcaldes and police officers; and this govt will appoint a comisionado to direct and correct them, and to do all that is conducive to the best Christian and civil order. 6. Other neophytes will continue to work in community; but this govt will regulate all relating to their food, raiment, wages, labor, and punishments. 7. The community service will terminate as the neophytes may fulfil the conditions prescribed for detachment, or as it is seen that the detached maintain good order and progress in their town. 8. Out of the community property will be paid tithes and parish dues, support of aged and sick, expenses of divine worship, schools, jails, and others conducive to public welfare; and it is un-
