down the coast with McIntosh. Meanwhile Burton, Sparks, and others made a not very successful trip to the peninsular coasts in the Peor es Nada.
Another phase of overland communication demands passing notice. New Mexicans of Spanish blood came like the foreigners by the Colorado routes to California, where as a rule they had a bad reputation. They came ostensibly for purposes of trade, bartering sarapes and blankets for mules and horses;[1] but they were suspected with much reason of driving away stolen as well as purchased animals, of inciting the neophytes to steal, and even of being in league with gentile bands of the Tulares. Complaints were frequent during 1831-5, but it was in 1833 that the greatest excitement was felt, as indicated by contemporary correspondence. Early in January, the ayuntamiento of Los Angeles passed strong resolutions on the subject, and forbade the purchase of any animal without the intervention of some local juez;[2] and an attempt was made to enforce the rule and punish offenders, with Figueroa's authority and support. Parties of armed vecinos, under various jueces del campo,
- ↑ There were of course legitimate traders, and a few New Mexicans became permanent and respectable citizens of California. On the overland trade I quote from the Los Angeles, Hist., 18: 'With Mr Wolfskill's party there were a number of New Mexicans, some of whom had taken sarapes and frazadas with them for the purpose of trading them to the Indians in exchange for beaver skins. On their arrival in Cal. they advantageously disposed of their blankets to the rancheros in exchange for mules. The appearance of these mules in New Mexico, owing to their large size compared with those at that time used in the Missouri and Sta Fé trade, and their very fine form, as well as the price at which they had been bought in barter for blankets, caused quite a sensation, out of which sprung up a trade carried on by means of caravans or pack-animals, which flourished for some 10 or 12 years. These caravans reached Cal. yearly. They brought the woollen fabrics of New Mexico, and carried back mules, silk, and other Chinese goods. Los Angeles was the central point in Cal. of this trade. Coming by the northern, or Green and Vírgen river routes, the caravans came through the Cajon Pass and reached Los Angeles. From thence they scattered themselves over the country from S. Diego to S. José and across the bay to Sonoma and S. Rafael. Having bartered and disposed of the goods brought, and procured such as they wished to carry back and what mules they could drive, they concentrated at Los Angeles for their yearly return.'
- ↑ Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 86-7.
