Mexico in the former's behalf, and the doubts on election laws were simply a pretext. Early in July the governor began to speak of the project in his letters, expressing his belief that Don Andrés, with the aid of his brother, could exert in Mexico a greater influence in favor of himself and Vallejo than any other man; meanwhile Castillero made a trip to the southern frontier to restore order among the men of his command.[1] He returned in August, and sailed after the middle of that month on the schooner California, reaching Acapulco the 15th of September. His mission was to prevent the sending of a Mexican force to California, to defend Alvarado's acts and policy before the government, and to obtain if possible a confirmation of his title as governor together with that of Vallejo as general. It is not very unlikely that he carried with him a moderate sum of money to be placed "where it would do most good" — else, knowing much of Mexican methods, he would hardly have been so confident of success.
The California was a schooner called originally the Clarion, and at the Sandwich Islands the Kaniu; brought this year from Honolulu by Henry Paty; and by him sold to Alvarado for the state government. She was paid for in mission produce, and was commanded during this year and the next by Thomas J. Robbins of Santa Bárbara. The governor had at first intended to purchase two vessels with mission funds; and had hoped to use them profitably, not only in commercial enterprises and to protect the revenues,
- ↑ Alvarado to Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 282-3, 306. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 373-5, tells us that A. first appointed on this commission Cárlos Carrillo and 'another' (Osio himself I suppose), who were summoned to Sta B. to receive their instructions. But it was suggested that one of them, the 'other' probably, had the defect of telling the truth on all points, which would be inconvenient; and therefore A. announced that to his great regret the scheme would have to be abandoned. Finally Castillero accepted the place (probably as a man of some wealth), from a desire to give himself importance by appearing in person before the president. The Cal records name no companion of Castillero, though the commission was to consist of two; but Bustamante, Gabinete, Mex., i. 36, mentions the arrival at Acapulco on Sept. 15th of Castillero and Nicolás Estrada as comisionados. I know of no such Californian, but it may have been Capt. Nicanor Estrada.
