marched out to the parsonage near the court and jail, and at three P. M. the alcalde was notified that the hour had expired. The ayuntamiento in session had received and considered the demand, which it was decided to refuse after two committees had been sent out to reason with the crowd.[1] Narciso Botello, the secretary, having refused to give up the keys, they were taken, the guard was arrested, and the criminals were taken from the jail to be shot — the man at 4:30 P. M. and the woman half an hour later. It was discovered that Alipas had his shackles nearly filed off. The bodies were exposed at the jail door for two hours, and then placed at the disposal of the authorities. The alcalde fearing further disturbances, the junta volunteered to serve for a few days as a guard to aid the authorities in preserving order,[2] and was then disbanded.[3] About the results of this affair, I shall have to say something a little later.
About the time of these events at Los Angeles, there were current rumors of prospective revolutionary troubles of a nature not clearly defined at San Diego. The only foundation for such rumors perhaps was a memorial presented by Bandini and others, in which they deplored the ravages of Indian raiders,
- ↑ Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 186-8.
- ↑ April 10th, a bando was published by the ayunt., providing for the volunteer organization for defence, and threatening prompt and severe punishment to all disturbers of the peace. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., ii. 69-70. It does not appear what danger was apprehended.
- ↑ Prudon, Vigilantes de Los Angeles, 1836, MS., is an original narrative written at the time by the president of the junta, and is the most complete extant. To it is prefixed Prudon's address on accepting the presidency. I have cited several archive records; and may refer also to a report made on May 4th by the ayunt. of Los Angeles to that of S. Diego, narrating events in some detail. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 103. Full accounts are given by Botello, Anales del Sur, MS., 20-5; Sanchez, Notas, MS., 9-11; and Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 60-9. The affair is also mentioned by Day in Hesperian, ii. 150-1; in Los Angeles, Hist., 14, and Hittell's Hist. S. F'co, 79-80.
Álvarez, of the Potiñon, of the Jenkins, and of other unhappy victims of the fury and passions of their impious murderers ... The world shall know that if in the city of Los Angeles judges tolerate assassination, there are virtuous citizens who know how to sacrifice their lives in order to save that of their compatriots ... Death to the homicide!' There follow 55 signatures, including 14 foreigners. Four other communications are given respecting the giving-up of the keys and return of the bodies.
