to provide that their purport must not be divulged to the northerners, and no one of the latter must be permitted under the treaty that might be formed to enter Los Angeles.[1] Don Pio started for San Fernando with his twenty men, and met Rocha's army in full retreat. It was a good opportunity to make a show of his own valor by expressing disgust and rage at a state of things so disgraceful, but he gradually became calmer, and did not attempt to retake the mission with his brave but tardy Dieguinos.[2]
The ayuntamiento met again on the 22d, when the occupation of San Fernando must have been known, though it was not mentioned at the meeting, to listen to a report from the comisionados and a letter of thanks from Alvarado, who announced that on arrival in the city he would give a greater proof of his gratitude. But the Angelinos were in no mood for kindly greetings; and after due deliberation, they decided that their instructions as approved by Alvarado should be deemed in no sense to constitute a binding treaty, since no signatures of the comisionados were affixed to it, and because the latter had not in truth been free agents, having been forced, as it were, to show their instructions by the threatening attitude of the invader's troops. Therefore, all the arrangements were declared null and void. California was not a sovereign state, Alvarado was not its governor, and Los Angeles was again ready to defend the national integrity. Orders were accordingly issued to post guards and take other measures for active defence.[3]
- ↑ Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 243-4, 246-7.
- ↑ Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 348-9, who was of course in the rear guard of the retreating force, describes Pico's wrath. He tells us also that Cabello insulted Sepúlveda on account of his agency in making such a treaty. Firearms were drawn, but no blood spilt. Osio himself lost his temper and talked of cowards when Requena claimed that the instructions had been misunderstood. Pico himself, Hist. Cal., MS., 59-62, pretends to have gone on to S. Fernando, had a long interview with Alvarado, and obtained from him certain concessions which insured peace, and made it possible for the governor to enter Angeles.
- ↑ Session of Jan. 22d. Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 248-52.
