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SAN DIEGO PLAN — ALVARADO AND CARRILLO.

iloquent type deemed suitable for such occasions. Its purport was: "The end of all our troubles has come, the political sea is calm, nothing but happiness ahead. Your wishes are fulfilled now that a Californian rules California. It was my brother who brought us the gift of peace and my appointment; but for his intercessions, a thousand bayonets would now gleam on our shores. I recognize my own unworthiness, but I trust in your coöperation. Let us be united, asking heaven's blessing." There was not the slightest intimation that any opposition was expected, and no attempt to explain the irregularity and haste with which the office was assumed. The action at Angeles was ratified at San Diego on December 9th.[1]

The support of Santa Bárbara was essential, and Don Cárlos sent his brother José Antonio as a comisionado to obtain it, instructing him to lay before the ayuntamiento the disasters which must result from the coming of the military expedition now ready to start from the Mexican coast.[2] Yet, notwithstanding the comisionado's eloquence and influence. his threats of bringing a force from Mexico, and the fact that Cárlos Carrillo was a Santa Bárbara man with many relatives and friends in that place, the Barbareños could not be induced to support the present plan and policy of Los Angeles. They had sworn allegiance to Alvarado, and regarded their oath as binding until the command should be in due form transferred to another. Moreover, they recognized their own need, as Alvarado's associates and supporters, of formal guaranties from Mexico, and they could but regard Carrillo's present actions as savoring of treachery.[3]


  1. Dec. 8th, Carrillo to ayunt., with his appointment, etc. Dec. 10th, Francisco Alvarado to C., with news of the ratification, enthusiasm, etc. S. Diego, Arch., MS., 189-90. Dec. 10th, C. orders the ayunt. of Angeles to proclaim him gov. in its jurisdiction. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xi. 99.
  2. Dec. 8, 1837, appointment and instructions of Cárlos to J. A. Carrillo in Soberanes, Doc., MS., 70.
  3. In a letter of Dec. 20th, Alvarado informs Vallejo of the arrival of 2 men from Sta Bárbara, with news of Carrillo's efforts and threats at that place. They report a bitter feeling against D. Cárlos. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 361.