cion, composed of men who had come to consider Chico as their enemy, and had been for some time plotting to drive him from the country, seems to have approved the governor's plan, after some efforts to impose conditions respecting the succession, glad to have him go voluntarily without the necessity of actual revolt, and not believing that he would succeed in returning with reënforcements, as he threatened to do.[1]
On the same day, July 29th, Chico had chartered a vessel for his voyage to Mazatlan, as he announced to Herrera.[2] Also on that date, Alvarado, in behalf of the diputacion and of the people, wrote a series of charges against the governor, addressed to the minister of relations, and designed to prevent Chico's return with support from the supreme government.[3] On the 30th, Chico officially informed local authorities that popular commotion, beyond his control from lack of troops, and by reason of disaffection in the ayuntamiento and diputacion, obliged him to go to Mexico
- ↑ Rafael Gomez in his Diario, MS., written at the time, expresses the belief that Chico will not come back; and he also confirms the bad reputation given Chico by the Californians.
- ↑ July 29, 1836, Chico to Herrera. Offers to collect the $6,000 placed at disposal of Cal. by the Guaymas comisaría. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 118-20.
- ↑ Leg. Rec., MS., iii. 28-9. California, the 'theatre of abomination, disorder, and desolation.' Chico, after disposing of Castañares, a criminal belonging to the ordinary jurisdiction, has suspended and ordered the arrest of the alcalde; searched scandalously the house of an old and honored citizen; disregarded the faculties of the ayunt. which tried to take steps for protecting the persons and property of this municipality; suspended the asesor, and insulted the members of the dip.; and finally, in a note to this body, promises to resign, although he has sent for troops from different points, to the great danger of the territory, that they might come and foment the disorder. He had also made dangerous concessions to the Russians.
com. of govt and police, Crespo and Gomez, dated the same day, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 30. The com. recommends that to avoid public disorder, Chico shall restore the suspended officials; deliver the political command to the presiding vocal (Alvarado), to be by him delivered to the 1st vocal, now absent (Castro); and deliver the military command to the ranking officer. On these conditions the dip. would take steps to protect his person until his departure! Alvarado and Vallejo narrate many particulars, more interesting than accurate, I think, of interviews at this time between Alvarado as president of the dip. and Chico, particulars designed to prove that the latter was insane. They also speak of an order given to Zamorano by Chico, in his wrath that he was not urged to stay, to attack the junta with a military force, the attack being repelled by the people under Gonzalez. Alvarado states that the junta was at first disposed to reject Chico's proposal to go for troops as an insult, but was persuaded by himself that he would get no troops and this was the easiest way to get rid of him.
