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MISSION AND INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Provisional regulations for the secularization and administration of the missions were proposed to the diputacion July 19th by the Carrillos. Don Cárlos was for some reason, doubtless satisfactory to himself, less radically opposed to secularization than he had been a few years earlier. After full discussion, Figueroa still maintaining a slight pretence of opposition, they were approved article by article in the secret sessions of July 30th and 31st, re-read and finally approved August 2d, and officially promulgated in a printed bando by the governor August 9th.[1]


    and against his action. In Mexico, Mem. Justicia, 1834, p. 30, it is stated that the execution of the laws of Aug. 1833 and April 1834 has been prevented by lack of priests, largely due to the ravages of cholera.

  1. Figueroa, Reglamento Provisional para la secularizacion de las Misiones de la Alta California, 9 de Agosto, 1834. Printed document in Earliest Printing in Cal. Also in St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 253-62; Bandini, Doc., MS., 37; Arch. Sta B., MS., viii. 264-75; x. 254-65; Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., iii. 30-42; and with something of the discussions in Leg. Rec., MS., ii. 12-28. English translations in Halleck's Report, 147-53; Jones' Report, 65; Dwinelle's Hist. S F'co, append., 31; I. Rockwell, 436; Hayes' Mission Book, i. 220. 1. The gefe político, according to the spirit of the law of Aug. 17, 1833, and to his instr. from the sup. govt, acting in accord with the prelates of the friars, will partially convert into pueblos the missions of this territory; beginning in Aug. (erroneously printed 'next August,' it having been discussed in July) with 10 missions and continuing with the others successively. (In the original proposition the last clause was 'so far as his duties may allow,' the definite date and the specification of missions being substituted after much debate.) 2. The friars will be relieved from the administration of temporalities, and will exercise only the functions of their ministry in spiritual matters until the formal division of parishes be made and curates provided by the govt and bishop. 3. The ter. govt will reassume the admin. of temporalities, directively, on the following plan. 4. The approval of this regl. will be solicited from the sup. govt by the quickest route.

    Distribution of property and lands. — 5. To each head of a family, and to all over 20 years old, will be given from the mission lands a lot not over 400 nor less than 100 varas square. In common, will be given them enough land to pasture their stock. Egidos shall be assigned for each pueblo, and at the proper time propios also. 6. Among the same individuals there shall be distributed pro rata, according to the judgment of the gefe pol., one half of the live-stock, taking as a basis the latest inventories rendered by the missionaries. 7. There will also be distributed to them, proportionally, half or less of existing chattels, tools, and seed indispensable for the cultivation of the ground. 8. All the remaining lands and property of every kind will remain under the charge and responsibility of the majordono or employee named by the gefe pol., at the disposal of the sup. govt. 9. From the common mass of this property provision shall be made for the subsistence of the padres, pay of majordomo and other servants, expenses of worship, schools, and other objects of public order and improvement. 10. The gefe pol., intrusted with the direction of temporalities, will determine and regulate after proper investigation, the expenses which it may be necessary to incur, both for the execution of this plan and for the preservation and increase of the property. 11. The