scoured the country to seize all animals for which no proper bills of sale could be shown, at the same time arresting offenders; and though the main success was in covering much paper with ink, yet Antonio Ávila succeeded in restoring a large band of mules stolen from San Luis Obispo mission, and in arresting one or two parties of New Mexicans, including Juan de Jesus Villapando, or 'Chino Pando,' the leading culprit, who soon broke jail and escaped to New Mexico. Other parties were pursued unsuccessfully, but all had the effect to open the eyes of the authorities to the extensive thieving operations going on. An appeal was sent to the governor of New Mexico, who was informed by Figueroa that, so general had become the outrages committed, "every man coming from that territory is believed to be an adventurer and a thief." Legal proceedings were instituted against Villapando at Santa Fé, and against the parties arrested in California, most of whom escaped from the jail, and a grand military expedition was sent out under Alférez Dámaso Rodriguez against the robbers. The exact result is not known, for little appears on the subject after 1833. It is probable that the archive record is incomplete, but also that this New Mexican branch of industry was subsequently conducted on a smaller scale and with more caution.[1]
- ↑ March 10, 1831, gov. to com. of Sta Bárbara on the complaints he has received. Dept. Rec., MS., ix. 5-6. April, arrival at Angeles of a caravan of 30 under Antonio San Estévan. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., iii. 52. Ávila and Lugo sent out after thieves. Id., Angeles, i. 102-4, 112-13; Ávila, Notas, MS., 9-10. Affairs of Jan.-March 1833, including complaints of padres and vecinos, official correspondence, results of expeditions, and legal proceedings. Nuevo Mexico, Expediente de Abigeato, 1833, MS. Similar papers in Los Angeles, Arch., iv. 73; Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., i. 109; xi. 3-4. Jan. 21, 1834, a party arrives from N. Mexico with 1,645 sarapes, 341 blankets, 171 coverlets, ani 4 tirutas — claiming exemption from taxes under a decree of 1830. Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., ii. 16. Feb. 4th, Elwell writes Hartnell that 125 New Mexicans have come to buy mules; and will probably steal what they can not buy. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 64. Feb. 21st. gov. of N. Mexico is proceeding against Villapando. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xi. 15. April 3d, part of José Antonio Aveita's company bound for the Tulares and must be arrested. Id., Ben. Mil., lxxxviii. 17-18. July 30th, P. Abella complains of the N. Mexicans staying at his mission and selling liquor to the Indians. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt ii. 6.
