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ALVARADO'S RULE – TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

by foreigners in the northern outbreak. On the recommendation of Alcalde Argüello and Comandante Salazar, it was decided to send two comisionados to consult with the authorities of Los Angeles and Santa Bárbara on the course to be taken. "The national honor and integrity being at stake, not a moment should be lost." Juan Bandini and Santiago E. Argüello were appointed for this commission,[1] and reached Los Angeles in time to take part in the meetings of the ayuntamiento and people, November 25th-26th. At the first of these meetings a plan was adopted to save the country. By its terms the plan of Monterey was rejected as an act of violence; other ayuntamientos were invited to send each three persons to Los Angeles to elect a provisional gefe político; the law making Los Angeles the capital was to be strictly enforced; military officers not engaged in the Monterey movement were to be invited by Comandante Rocha to choose a temporary general; Los Angeles was to await the coöperation of San Diego and Santa Bárbara only, to carry out this plan; and these resolutions were to have effect until the national laws should be again in full force. This was approved by the people, and it was voted to place on file a list of adherents, to place under surveillance all who refused to sign it, and to arrest the emissaries said to be coming from the north. Next day, besides communications from Monterey, one was read from the alcalde of Santa Bárbara, who represented his municipality as declining to approve the plan of Monterey until a provisional congress should meet in a central locality, and


  1. Nov. 22, 1836, acta of the ayunt. Letter of Alcalde Argüello to Alcalde Requena, and instructions in 7 articles to the comisionados. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 137-8. The agents were to have an interview with Gutierrez, if possible, to make known the perfect loyalty of S. Diego, and it was understood that one of their duties would be to aid in devising means for the selection of a legitimate temporary ruler. Nov. 22d, Alcalde Argüello orders mission administrators to furnish all needed aid to the comisionados on their journey, and he tells him of S. Diego mission, 'the national honor demands that you furnish me two horses'! Id., 141.