day the ayuntamiento met to listen to Bandini's eloquence and take his plan into consideration. Alcalde Sepúlveda took part in the debate and mildly opposed the San Diego plan, but the majority approved it; and while no formal vote of approval appears on the records, it was decided that the document should be published next day, together with a second address real by Bandini. Another session was held on the 30th to devise means to prevent conflict and bloodshed, and to this end three comisionados were appointed to treat with Alvarado.[1]
Bandini remained at Los Angeles only a few days, "maintaining his position with great difficulty, but resolved to die rather than yield." Then in consequence of alarming reports of Indian hostilities, the ayuntamiento in a secret session of May 31st voted at Bandini's request to suspend all politico-military movements and negotiations, in order to send a force to the southern frontier in obedience to the call of the 'governor and general,' Zamorano. Botello, a prominent southerner who accompanied the force, says that the movement was hastened by reports of Castro's approach from the north, but this may be an error. Bandini and his men carried with them the captured guns and entered San Diego in triumph. It was a proud day in the life of Don Juan when the Dieguinos came out in procession to welcome with shouts the return of their conquering hero. Indian troubles
- ↑ May 27th, 30th, session of ayunt., in Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iv. 302-14. Of Don Juan's address I have only a fragment of the original blotter. Bandini, Discurso ante el ayunt. de Angeles el 27 de Mayo, 1837, MS., in which I find nothing worthy of notice, his views being already well known to the reader. The comisionados named were Antonio J. Lugo, Andrés Pico, and Anastasio Carrillo. The instructions given for their guidance – Instrucciones á que debe sujetarse la comision nombrada por este ayuntamiento de Los Angeles, 30 de Mayo, 1837, MS. – required them in 10 articles to submit the plan to Alvarado, and if it were rejected all hostilities must be suspended and all armed bodies must remain where they were until an arrangement could be effected to last until the Mexican troops should come, when the chief of the latter would act according to his orders.
15 men, including himself, Capt. Santiago Johnson, Pablo and Emilio Véjar, acting in collusion with Alf. Palomares, who commanded the guard. The sentinel was a boy named Lara. There were later rumors of a plot by Sepúlveda to recapture the guns and barracks.
