The junta of electors at San Diego, on February 19, 1827, also chose seven vocales, or members, and three suplentes, or substitutes, for the territorial diputacion, which was ordered by Echeandía to convene at Monterey a little later. It does not appear that he made any effort to have the sessions held in the south. The body assembled at the capital on June 14th, but several changes were necessary in its personnel to keep a quorum in attendance.[1] The governor now came north for the first time to preside at the meetings, and doubtless directed in great measure the legislative policy. The town was illuminated on
- ↑ The members elected on Feb. 19th were, in the order of their seniority: 1st, Mariano Estrada, 2d, Tiburcio Tapia, 3d, Ignacio Martinez, 4th, Antonio Mᵃ Ortega, 5th, Juan Bandini, 6th, Anastasio Carrillo, 7th, Antonio Buelna, 1st, Supl., Nicolás Alviso, 2d, Joaquin Estudillo, 3d, Romualdo Pacheco. Actas de Elecciones, MS., 4-5; Dept St. Pap., Ang., MS., x. 1. All seem to have been present at the first session or within a few days, but they were called away by private or military business until, on Sept. 1st, the two remaining vocales, apparently Estrada and Buelna, had to call in the ayuntamiento of Monterey, and with the aid of that body elect 5 provisional members, who lived in or near the capital and could be depended on. They were Francisco Pacheco, Estévan Munras, Juan José Rocha, Mariano G. Vallejo, José Castro. Sworn in on Sept. 19th. How the whole body now stood as respects seniority does not appear. Lieut. Martinez at first served as secretary, but on June 26th, Juan B. Alvarado was duly chosen, and awarded a salary of $25 per month. Leg. Rec., MS., i. 47-80; Dept Rec., MS., v. 67, 73, 75, 82, 87; Vallejo, Doc., MS., ii. 170; Dept St. Pap. S. José, MS., iv. 47; Id. Monterey, vi. 3-4. Alvarado's salary was to be paid from the municipal funds of Monterey.
ernor of the federal district, who delegates his powers to a governor for each territory, reserving, however, the power of this and other appointments, with other faculties. 9 articles. 2. Attributes of the governor of the Californias. Appointed for 4 years, but removable at any time by the president, 35 articles. 3. Lieut.-governors, one for Upper and one for Lower California, appointed by the president for 4 years. 8 articles. 4. Council of government, 4 persons for Alta California, elected by the people for 4 years. 10 articles. 5. Ayuntamientos of alcalde, 3 regidores, and síndico for a population of 500 in Alta California. Elected, alcaldes yearly. 26 articles. 6. Administration of justice. Civil, 8 articles; criminal, 22 articles. 7. Judges learned in law; 5 in Alta California. 8 articles. 8. Superior tribunal of justice, consisting of a president and 2 ministers; no salary; 15 articles. 9. Ecclesiastical government under bishop of Sonora; 9 articles. 10. Military government under governor as comandante militar; 15 articles; with recommendations of strengthened defences, a comisario de guerra, and a military academy. 11. Navy, recommendation of a maritime force at S. Francisco and Monterey; and transfer of the navy-yard of S. Blas to Monterey. 7 articles and 3 notes. 12. Treasury and revenue, 4, 9 articles. 13. Commerce, 8 articles. 14. Subdivision of Alta California into 4 districts (practically agreeing with that which I have always followed); adopted by the junta on June 26, 1826. There is attached to the iniciativa also the voto final of the junta, dated May 13, 1827, and containing general conclusions on the prospects of the Californias and the labors of the board.
