to California to avoid serious troubles, although he had left Spain at a very tender age.[1] Gervasio Argüello, the suplente, took the seat, but failed to distinguish himself or to be of much use to his constituents. The famous junta concluded its labors in behalf of California at the end of 1827; and in 1828 congress made an appropriation to give the territory a district judge.[2]
Among the acts of the supreme government, the decree of November 21, 1828, containing general regulations for the colonization of Mexican territory, deserves prominent notice. This was a supplementary decree, designed to give effect to the law of August 18, 1824,[3] by establishing rules for the guidance of the territorial authorities in making grants of land, as also of petitioners who might desire to take advantage of the law s provisions. With some slight modifications, these regulations were in force down to the end of Mexican power in California, and in this decade a few grants seem to have been made in accordance with them. I reproduce the substance of the rules in a note.[4]
- ↑ Guerra, Doc., MS., vi. 99-100, 123, and passim. He sailed on the María Ester, carrying high recommendations from Echeandía. That he had not been admitted was known at home on Dec. 6th, Dept Rec., MS., vi. 46-7; and his passport to return was signed by President Victoria on Dec. 16th, and viséd at S. Blas on May 16, 1829. Oct. 20, 1829, he speaks of his late penoso viaje in dunning Bandini for a debt. Hayes' Mission Book, i. 216. $1,000 of $5,000 due Guerra for mileage and salary was later collected in 1831. Guerra, Doc., MS., iv. 209-10. June 18th, Argüello from Guadalajara thanks the junta electoral. Dept St. Pap., MS., ii. 23. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 98, accuses Argüello of having intrigued, or at least used his influence, to keep Guerra from his seat. A pamphlet of 1828, giving sketches of the congressmen of 1827-8, speaks of him of California as nada, or 'nothing.' Semblanzas de los Miembros.
- ↑ The secretary of the interior mentions the completion of the junta's work in his report of Jan. 30, 1828, stating that a copy in print was distributed to members. Mexico, Mem. Relaciones, 1828, p. 22. Bustamante, Cuadro Hist., v. 64, speaks of the junta. The Águila newspaper mentioned a set of the records of the junta for sale. Guerra, Doc., MS., iv. 175. It is remarkable that I have found none of these records in the archives.
- ↑ See chap. xxiii., vol. ii. this work. In forming these regulations of 1828, the plans proposed by the junta de fomento in 1825 were doubtless taken into consideration and adopted to a certain extent. See chap. i. of this volume.
- ↑ Mexico, Reglamento para la colonizacion de los territorios de la república. 21 de Noviembre de 1825, MS. Translation in Halleck's Report, App. No. 5; Dwinelle's Colon. Hist. S. Francisco, Add. 25-6; Wheeler's Land Titles, 8-9; i. Rockwell, 453.
1. Governors of territories may grant vacant lands to such persons, Mexi-
