sidered, and a trio of candidates was proposed for the position; but nothing came of it. There is nothing else in the proceedings of the junta at this session demanding further notice than is given in the appended record.[1]
Early in June Chico started for the south, and was absent from the capital a month. This brings me to the troubles encountered by this ruler, which were destined to overwhelm him. It is not easy to fathom these troubles entirely, or to determine with exactitude what manner of man Don Mariano was. The Californians in their recollections of olden times are
- ↑ Leg. Rec., MS., iii. 1-3, 13-31. May 25th, election of 4 members, J. Gomez, Spence, R. Gomez, and Crespo. May 28th, opening of the session. Rafael Gomez desired to be excused, on the grounds that he had not been 7 years a resident and that the junta should legally have but 5 members — both overruled later. The vocales in order of seniority seem to have been as follows: 1st, José Castro; 2d, J. B. Alvarado; 3d, José Ant. de la Guerra; 4th, Rafael Gomez; 5th, David Spence; 6th, Manuel Crespo; 7th, Joaquin Gomez. Alvarado presided — though it is not apparent why he rather than Castro took that position — and J. M. Maldonado was secretary. The committees were, proprios y arbitrios, J. Gomez and Spence; colonization and vacant lands, J. Gomez and Guerra; missions, Spence and R. Gomez; government and police, Crespo and Castro; reglamento and municipal orders, Alvarado and Castro; public works and industries, Spence and Guerra; instruction and statistics, Alvarado and Castro.
May 31st, June 2d, representation of P. Mercado against José Ramirez. No details. June 1st, Chico's prop. to send an agent to Mex. Chico reported that he had forbidden the appointment of an alcalde by the ayunt. of S. Francisco for the region north of the bay. June 4th, Chico's recommendation on supervision of mission accounts, disapproved on Sept. 5th. June 16th, meetings to be on two days of the week, as determined by the president, instead of on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. June 21st, prop. for an agent in Mex. approved. Trio named: Alvarado, F. J. Castillo Negrete, and Rafael Gomez. Com. appointed to form instructions. June 23d, sec. and his salary. June 30th, secularization of Sta Inés and S. Buenaventura. Inventories of Sta Clara, S. José, and S. Miguel. July 1st-4th, various minor matters; and more about the agency for Mex. July 6th, Joaquin Gomez refused leave of absence. July 7th, Gomez proposed to revoke the license granted by Figueroa to Kostromitinof to build a warehouse at S. Fran., and to have the building destroyed after the next shipment; no such permission to be given in future. Chico's order forbidding the appointment of an alcalde for the northern frontier approved. July 19th, Chico says it is customary for the oldest vocal to preside in the absence of the gefe. July 18th-26th, land grants, petition of Jas Burke, etc. July 29th, more about instructions to the agent. Complaints of Alvarado against Chico (addressed to minister of relations and not really a part of the legislative record). Aug. 30th, approved that no permission be given foreigners to erect warehouses at the ports; but it was said that Kostromitinof had not yet built any. The records are brief, vague, confused, and probably very incomplete for the whole session.
