a recent arrival, was Carrillo's secretary. Early in March San Diego was warned to be on the lookout for any force that the northerners might send down in Hinckley's ship, since it was said that Alvarado was coming south with an army;[1] and a few days later Captain Juan Castañeda, a Mexican officer who had come to the country with José Antonio Carrillo, was sent with a force to occupy San Buenaventura.[2] This occupation was effected probably on March 12th, without disaster, and soon Castañeda was instructed to advance and attack Santa Bárbara before it could be reënforced from the north. He was to form his own plan of attack, but was to lose no time. He must allow no conditions, but insist on immediate surrender at discretion, after which the leaders were to be kept in close confinement. "No more considcration must be shown for those faithless rebels."[3]
- ↑ March 3, 1838, C. to the encargado of S. Diego, Hayes, Doc.. MS., 81; S. Diego, Arch., MS., 195. Estudillo promised on March 5th to observe all possible caution, and on March 7th sent the warning down to Todos Santos across the frontier. Id., 211.
- ↑ March 10, 1838, Portilla's instructions to Castañeda. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 38. He was to hold the mission and prevent the northern revolutionists from using its resources – it will be noticed that Cárlos Carrillo was the administrator of this mission – to cut off all communication with Sta Bárbara, and if attacked by the enemy in overwhelming numbers, to 'save the national honor' by retreating. Should he find the place already in possession of the foe, he might use his judgment as to the possibility of dislodging them. A letter of J. A. Carrillo to his brother on March 10th, Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 182-3, seems to indicate a degree of displeasure that some of his ideas had not been adopted.
- ↑ March 16, 1838, Portilla to Castañeda. 3 despatches. Alf. J. A. Pico is to join him with a reënforcement. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 42-4. March 12th, Carrillo warned Castañeda against Sergt Macedonio Gonzalez, who was to be closely watched. And on March 15th, he had recommended a Mexican named Badillo, who has a plan 'favorable to our views.' Id., v. 40-1. March 16th, Manuel Requena also wrote to Castañeda that a reserve force was being organized to aid him. 'A Mexican officer accustomed to victory will not be defeated in California.' 'Laurels of victory await you!' Id., 45. March 17th, Carrillo to 1st alcalde. Orders him to go with the sec. of the ayunt. to S. Buenaventura, escorted by 15 armed men, that the citizens of Los Angeles there may have a civil authority at their head. The sec. is to report all occurrences until the gov. can come in person. Id., v. 46. March 18th, J. M. Covarrubias to Castañeda. Reënforcements will be sent. Fullest confidence felt by the writer and by others, who sign their names on the back of the same letter; viz., Pio Pico, Trujillo, Zamorano, Requena, A. and Joaquin Carrillo, Ignacio del Valle, and two others. Id., v. 49. March 18th, Carrillo and Portilla to Castañeda. He must accelerate his movements and attack Sta Bárbara before Alvarado can arrive or the garrison escape. He must not however pursue the rebels, should they escape, farther than
