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ALVARADO'S RULE – TROUBLES IN THE SOUTH.

important, José de la Guerra y Noriega and Padre Narciso Duran had determined to support the new government. These gentlemen have not left on record any expression of their views at this time. To what extent, if at all, they were influenced by a spirit of antagonism as Spaniards to everything Mexican, or by the fact that a son of Guerra was one of the four revolting diputados, it is impossible to determine; but there is much reason to conclude that they looked upon Alvarado's success, now that the movement had gone so far, as more likely to bring about peace and prosperity than would be the success of the southern faction with its radical sectional policy and wavering support.

At any rate, the support of Duran, Guerra, and Carrillo made the way clear at Santa Bárbara. President Duran went out to meet Alvarado, whom he received at the mission with all the honors paid in olden times to the governor, walking by his side to the church where the religious ceremonies de estilo were performed. This was on January 3d; a few days were spent in interviews with leading men; and on the 6th the ayuntamiento and people with great enthusiasm and all possible ceremony and noise took the oath of allegiance to the new system, the new governor, and the congreso constituyente. "The people here are even more enthusiastic for the cause than those of Monterey," wrote Alvarado to Castro and Vallejo.^[1]

↑ Jan. 9, 1837, Alvarado to Castro. Official and private letters in Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 152; iv. 8. Jan. 12th, A. to V. Private letter in Vallejo, Corresp., MS., 37-6. In these letters Alvarado manifests much real interest in the country's welfare; hopes for a peaceful settlement of all troubles; and gives to Cárlos Carrillo the chief credit for the brilliant success at Sta Bárbara. The fact of Sta Bárbara's adhesion at some date before Jan. 11th is recorded in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 234. In his Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 205-13, Alvarado narrates his experience at Sta Bárbara. He says that P. Duran tried to impose some favorable conditions for the missions; but yielded the point, when Alvarado declared that he was pledged to complete the work of secularization. So great was the enthusiasm that the gov. thought once more of absolute independence for Cal., and consulted Duran about blessing and raising a flag of that purport; but the friar declined to bless the flag, and dissuaded him, so that the project was dropped. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 245-9.

[1] Jan. 9, 1837, Alvarado to Castro. Official and private letters in Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 152; iv. 8. Jan. 12th, A. to V. Private letter in Vallejo, Corresp., MS., 37-6. In these letters Alvarado manifests much real interest in the country's welfare; hopes for a peaceful settlement of all troubles; and gives to Cárlos Carrillo the chief credit for the brilliant success at Sta Bárbara. The fact of Sta Bárbara's adhesion at some date before Jan. 11th is recorded in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 234. In his Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 205-13, Alvarado narrates his experience at Sta Bárbara. He says that P. Duran tried to impose some favorable conditions for the missions; but yielded the point, when Alvarado declared that he was pledged to complete the work of secularization. So great was the enthusiasm that the gov. thought once more of absolute independence for Cal., and consulted Duran about blessing and raising a flag of that purport; but the friar declined to bless the flag, and dissuaded him, so that the project was dropped. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 245-9.

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