imposes."[1] Meanwhile the news of Sarría's refusal had been sent to Mexico, and in June an order of President Victoria was despatched to California that the royalist prefect should be arrested and sent to Mexico by the first vessel.[2] This order was carried into effect in October, as appears indirectly from Echeandía's order to Padre Duran to come to San Diego and take the oath of allegiance in order that he might assume the duties of prelate during Sarría's arrest.[3] The arrest was, I suppose, nominal, merely a suspension from his authority as prelate, involving little or no interference with his personal liberty; and, as we shall see later, he was not sent away at all. It seems that Padre Martin of San Diego had based his refusal to participate in religious services on his prelate's prohibition. The government called for a declaration as to the nature of that prohibition; and also desired Padre Esténega to be informed of its great satisfaction at his patriotic conduct in pronouncing a stirring discourse at the taking of the oath.[4]
- ↑ Oct. 12th, Duran to Herrera, in Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. ii. 148.
- ↑ June 29th, Esteva to comandante general of Cal. Sup. Govt. St. Pap., MS., iii. 4-5. P. Sarría was, however, to be treated with respect.
- ↑ Oct. 31st, E. to D. Dept Rec., MS., ii. 6. In D.'s letter of Oct. 12th, Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt ii. 148, he said that he could not act as prefect until certain that Sarría was out of the province. This shows that Sarría's arrest was probably effected by Argüello before Echeandía's arrival, or perhaps by order of the latter issued while en route.
- ↑ Sept. 2d, Minister Llave to governor. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., iii. 1. The general fact of the padres' opposition to the republic is mentioned by nearly all who have written on California annals, and it is not necessary to give specific references. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 20-5, and Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., i. 341-2, dwell on the fact that the padres never lost their feeling of dissatisfaction and anger; that as a body they took subsequently but slight interest in the progress of Cal.; and that through their influence the Indians were disaffected and the difficulties of local government greatly increased. Alvarado is much the more radical of the two. It was the policy, he says, of emperor and clergy to make of the people their burros de carga. This, as they well knew, could not be done with republicans. True, they might win over many influential republicans; but there were so many factions that all could not be controlled. Sooner or later the 'ass was sure to kick.' Therefore, when they could not prevent the establishment of a republic, they wished to leave the country; were not allowed to go and take with them the wealth of the territory; were angry; preached against the existing government; and in short, made all the trouble they could.
Among other classes besides the padres, there was no special manifestation of feeling for or against the republic at this time. The masses now and later were indifferent; the older officers and soldiers looked with deep regret on the
