It should be remembered, however, that on account of Texan complications in 1835-6, the Mexican government and its representatives had no reason for friendly feelings toward Anglo-American foreigners at least. I find no contemporary evidence of controversy before Chico's departure for the south; but it is not unlikely that the storm was raging in certain circles not represented, naturally, in public records. Alvarado and Vallejo state that at this time, or possibly during Chico's absence, they with Castro and Gabriel de la Torre planned a revolution at the house of Captain Cooper; but that Chico, by subsequently revolting against himself, rendered the carrying-out of their plans unnecessary.[1]
- ↑ Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 126, 149, 48-9; Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 82-92, 100. Vallejo relates that on receipt, May 13th, of Chico's order of May 4th (Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 200-1), he started for Monterey. At S. José he met Célis and Becher, who warned him against the 'cold-blooded,
being known to the gov.; but on hearing his name, Chico sprung up, and pointing his finger at him, cried out, 'Are you the rascal Abel Stearns whom I sent for to punish as his criminal acts deserve? Are you the American scoundrel who rose against Gen. Victoria, and whom I shall hang tomorrow at the flagstaff? Are you the audacious foreigner, without honor, who has dared to enter this room among honorable men? Be off, and await to-morrow the result of your rascality!' Alvarado, Hist. Cal., 18., iii. 71-6, asserts that at a secret meeting to consider Chico's opposition to foreigners he (A.) was sent to interview the gov., whom he warned that if he persisted in his measures all foreign capital and vessels would be withdrawn, greatly to the injury of Cal. Chico said the foreigners would not be allowed to withdraw their capital; and when A. said there was no law to prevent it, burst out laughing, and remarked that his visitor had evidently not acquainted himself with the modern Mexican system of politics and forced loans. A. explained that the Californians would side with the foreigners if any such outrage were attempted; and Chico, after storming a while, became more reasonable, said he would postpone violent measures for a time, and finally asked the young diputado to take a cup of chocolate with himself and Doña Cruz. He was, however, sadly disappointed when he learned that A. could tell him nothing about the medical properties of California plants.
Of the foreigners who have given their opinions about Chico, Spence, Hist. Notes, MS., speaks of 'the despot general who was a fitter subject for the lunatic asylum than for governor. He respected neither law nor justice, but acted solely according to his own caprice and whims.' Dr Marsh, Letter, MS., p. 7, says 'he was the friend of Victoria, pursued the same outrageous course of conduct, and shared the same fate. He arrived fully determined to take vengeance on those who has been instrumental in expelling Victoria.' Alfred Robinson, Life in California, 173: 'Prejudiced against many Californians, and violently incensed at the foreign residents, Chico commenced a tyranny that soon brought him into disgrace; and finally ended in his expulsion from the territory.' Petit-Thouars, Voyage, ii. 92, and Wilkes, Narrative, v. 174-5, attribute his downfall to his arbitrary conduct and a quarrel with the judge of the district. Tuthill, Hist. Cal., 141, follows Robinson's version.
