those gentlemen that if he heard of their crossing the line as threatened with a Mexican force, he would first shoot ten prominent men of the south, and then march to defeat the invaders![1] On the other hand, cheering rumors came from Honolulu by the Don Quixote, brought by the Clementine from San Blas, that Captain Robbins of the California spoke of having favorable despatches for Alvarado, having been himself made a naval captain by Alvarado's recommendation.[2] Severe earthquakes were felt in the north late in June.
In July there were no new developments of a political nature.[3] August was a more eventful month. In its earliest days Cárlos Carrillo, the 'Pretender,' escaped from Santa Bárbara in company with his son Pedro and José María Covarrubias. They fled in a boat, probably with the connivance of Dana and other foreigners during the governor's absence; but Don Cárlos, whose management and luck were equally unfortunate on sea and land, was driven by stress of weather to land near Point Dumetz, whence he was aided by friends to join the 'Carlist' conspirators on the San Diego frontier. Carrillo's alleged motive for flight was the fear that he would be one of the ten men whom Alvarado had threatened to shoot on the approach of Mexican troops. Yet Don Cárlos forgave his persecutors, and promised to do all in his power to have them pardoned when the supreme government should have enforced his recognition! He even had the assurance to recommend his family to Alvarado's care.[4]
- ↑ June 26th, Estudillo to Alvarado. San Diego, Arch., MS., 201. June 20th, A. to Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., Hist. Mex., MS., v. 98.
- ↑ June 20th, Alvarado to Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 98. Is organizing a permanent force of 100 men to be stationed at S. Fernando, where they will be drilled by the 'unfortunate but able' Castañeda, who was so poor that Alvarado had to give him a jacket to wear.
- ↑ The printed letter of July 20th from Vallejo to Alvarado bears date of 1838, but probably belongs to 1837. (See chap. xviii.) July 26th, V. to officials, circular in which he complains that communications addressed to him often come open, Angel Ramirez has tampered with the mails at San Luis Obispo. Vigilance is required. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 119.
- ↑ July 30, 1838, C. to A., explaining the reasons of his flight, and bidding farewell. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 214-15. Aug. 16th, Alcalde Olivera to
