Demands for supplies from the missions were often refused in 1835, both by the padres and by the comisionados, but always on the plea of absolute want of means. The changes of the last few years had left many of the establishments in such a condition that they could barely feed and clothe the Indians, who were not disposed to look at all favorably on any sharing of their earnings with the troops. To what extent, if any, the community cattle and other property were sacrificed in aid of the troops or for the furtherance of private interests I have no means of knowing; but I suppose that the swindling operations charged upon the government and the administrators, with much probability of truth, did not commence until later, and that in 1834-5 the authorities contented themselves for the most part with the legitimate taxes on mission products.
In respect to general regulations and progress of secularization, there is little to be noted in the annals of 1835. No approval of the reglamento came from Mexico, nor disapproval for that matter, and in California little or nothing was changed in the current system. Figueroa devised a plan for establishing separate ranchos at each mission for the support of the padre and of public worship; and even made a beginning at San Carlos and Santa Cruz. García Diego approved the measure warmly in May, perhaps had
immediately, the meaning and force of F.'s argument are not apparent.) June 17th, F. certifies the drafts of 6 padres, 4 of them for stipends of 1834 and 2 for 1831-4, aggregating $4,800. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 294-8. Oct. 7th, Virmond to Guerra. On the discounts necessary to obtain money. Calls for a full power of attorney, and will do his best. Guerra, Doc., MS., vi. 147-8. Dec. 23d, same. Speaks of the draft in favor of the college in favor of PP. Catalá, Suñer, Boscana, Barona, Amorós, Sanchez, Gil, Uría, and Sarría; and calls for doc. to prove their claims. Id., vi. 146-7. Dec. 16th, there is no way to recover the losses of two or more of the missions by the death of the insolvent Síndico Martiarena at Tepic. Id., vi. 130. A list of padres showing sums due to each from 1811 to Dec. 1, 1834. The total sum is $248,000; and the amount received from 1811 to 1830 by the padres still living in 1834 was $19,200 out of $85,600 that should have been paid. Fondo Piadoso de Cal., Demostracion de los Sínodos que adeuda á los Religiosos del Colegio de S. Fernando, 1811-34, MS. Oct. 14th, directors of pious fund to pres. of missions, calling for certified accounts of sums due. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 994-5.
