Throughout the year at frequent intervals Vallejo complained that the soldiers of his company at San Francisco were in great destitution, and that the missions did not furnish sufficient food for the garrison, or even for the escoltas. He gave many details of the privations endured and of his personal efforts to obtain relief, and he expressed rather freely the belief that the Fernandinos would not have permitted the soldiers to suffer so.[1] The complaints were forwarded by Figueroa to the prefect, who professed the best possible intentions, but pleaded poverty, and could not understand "why Don Guadalupe was making so much trouble about the matter." Figueroa issued an order December 1st, fixing the yearly amount of supplies to be furnished by the missions of Monterey and San Francisco jurisdictions, including live-stock with which to replenish the national ranchos.[2]
Vallejo was also prominently concerned as complain
- ↑ Letters of V. and F. Vallejo, Doc., MS., ii. 15, 45, 47, 99-101, 107, 116, 128, 148, 152, 179. Feb. 21st, F. to G. D. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxix. 4. Apr. 15th, G. D. to F., explaining his difficulties, the poverty of the missions, his efforts, and hopes of better success. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 308-9. May 25th, June 15th, same to same. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pti. 77-8.
- ↑ Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxiv. 47-8; Id., Ben. Cust.-H., MS., ii. 78-81. The requisition was for 1,458 fanegas of wheat, 318 fan. beans, 936 arrobas of lard, 50 cargas of flour, $1,632 worth of soap, 834 pairs of shoes, 139 blankets, 80 shields, 80 cueras, 80 cananas, 80 musket-cases, 8 saddles, 200 broken horses, 34 pack-mules, 1,690 cows and heifers, 810 steers and bulls, 200 mares and foals, 20 oxen, 20 ploughshares, 12 axes, shovels, hoes, pickaxes, crowbars, 4 adzes, chisels, saws. To be contributed pro rata. The cattle for the ranchos were to be a loan to be repaid in 6 years.
Vallejo had an interview with the minister of S. Francisco, who said 'it would not be expedient at any time to discontinue flogging the Indians; for his part he would perpetuate this paternal correctional mode of punishment so fitting for that class of people. If he were forced to act otherwise, he knew the road by which he had come,' that is, he would leave the country. On being shown the law he replied, 'Lashes, lashes, and more lashes for these people so devoid of honor!' Vallejo admitted that at Sta Clara, García Diego had good intentions, yet he allowed the majordomo, Alviso, to flog. May 13th, June 14th, F. to García Diego. Id., ii. 142, 153; Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 80. June 16th, P. Gutierrez to F., claiming that the Indians, having no shame or honor, could be controlled only by fear; and that the law was intended for more advanced people in Mexico. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., ii. 12–14. June 30th, García Diego to F. Id , ii. 13; Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 80-1. He declares his intention to abolish flogging. 'Mi genio, mis ideas, mi sensibilidad, todo junto se opone á esta costumbre que jamas aprobaré.' Yet he has to work slowly. July 4th, García Diego, Carta Pastoral á los padres Zacatrcanos contra la costumbre de azotar á los indios, 1833, MS.
