June. The result of his investigations was to convince him that any general measure of secularization would be ruinous, and that a change of system, though necessary, must be very gradually effected. So he reported to the Mexican government, and to President Duran and Prefect García Diego in July.[1] To the secretary of the interior he described the character and circumstances of the neophytes, representing them as totally unfit by nature and training for sudden emancipation. To the prelates he stated that the partition of lands at San Diego would be only partial and provisional, though insisting that all qualified neophytes must be freed from missionary control, and calling for their views on the general subject. He also issued a series of regulations on gradual emancipation, to go into effect provisionally until approved by the diputacion and by the supreme government.[2]
- ↑ July 15, 1833, F. to Duran; July 20th, to sec. of int.; July 27th, to García Diego. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 27, 33, 29. F. describes the neophytes as children, with a natural predilection for the customs of their ancestors, and for a savage life without work. During their reduction they had learned, perforce, only to cultivate the soil imperfectly, to practise some rude industries, and to manage horses, besides receiving a slight and superficial religious instruction. They had been kept intentionally in the most abject ignorance, the padres having always opposed their education. If freed at once from their degrading servitude, they would soon from proprietors become beggars, haring bartered their possessions for liquor and gewgaws. They would return to the wilderness and join the wild Indians in stealing cattle and horses for sale to New Mexicans and foreigners.
- ↑
Figueroa, Prevenciones provisionales para la ecmancipacion de Indios reducidos, 15 de Julio, 1833, MS.
1. The gefe político will determine the number to be emancipated in each mission and the time at which it is to be done, appointing the comisionados deemed necessary to carry out these prevenciones. 2. Those emancipated will be those who have been more than 12 years Christians, married or widowers with children, knowing how to cultivate the soil or having some trade, and having 'application to work.' The selection is to be made by the comisionados in conjunction with the ministers of each mission. 3. The emancipated are to remain subordinate to the respective authorities, and to the padres of the mission who will exercise over them the functions of parish priest in all that concerns the spiritual administration. 4. The emancipated will receive seed for their first sowing, and for a year the customary mission rations; but during that time they must assist the mission during planting and harvest, and at other times as they may be summoned — not all at a time — by the minister and the alcalde acting in concert and so arranging the tasks that neither the mission work nor that of private individuals shall suffer. 5. The comisionados in accord with the ministers will select a fitting spot as near the coast as possible, and between the missions on the high road, where the
