Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/609

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MILITARY AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
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war he described at some length his past efforts and success in colonizing the region north of the bay. He required not only approval of what he had done, but aid to carry on the work, including certain commercial concessions to the colonists; for he could not longer support the military force from his own resources, and at the same time meet the constantly increasing demands of the settlers for aid.[1] A few recruits were obtained for the regular companies, but they were of a vagabond class which the municipal authorities were glad to get rid of, and which the general did not desire for soldiers.[2] There was trouble also because the governor discharged militia officers without the comandante's consent, and otherwise interfered in military matters.[3] The chief difficulty, however, was a financial one. There was of course a quarrel about the distribution of revenues, the army not getting its share, as was believed by military men, and each company being defrauded, in the opinion of its officers. The chief complaint came from Santa Bárbara, as Sonoma interests were protected by the presence of the general, Monterey with the custom-house had the first handling of the funds, and San Diego had no company to support. Both in the south, and to some extent


  1. May 10, 1839, V. to min. of war on needs of the northern frontier. Vallejo, Doc.. MS., vii. 28. Other communications on military needs, in May. Id., vii. 26, 27, 29, 37. June 10th, V. to Alvarado. A printed appeal for regular military companies and an escolta for each mission. 'Nothing but the old system can save the country.' Vallejo, Ordenes, 15-21; Id., Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xxxii. 206. Same date, to min. of war. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 258. Dec. 1st, V. begs Castillero to get aid for the troops. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 334.
  2. May 10th, V. to Alvarado. No criminals will be accepted. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vii. 43. May 24th, Capt. Villavicencio got 12 recruits in the south, unfit for soldiers, but turned over to Castro. Id., vii. 138. May 31st, V. calls the recruits physically unfit or grossly immoral. Id., vii. 156. June 1st, the wicked recruits to be sent back to Angeles. Id., vii. 167. Nov. 12th, V. to A. Sends a decree of Jan. 26th, requiring regular companies to be filled by draft. Id., viii. 274. Nov. 26th, A. says the conscription will be carried into effect when instructions arrive. Id., viii. 318.
  3. May 19th, V. to A., complaining of the discharge as a dangerous precedent, and begging the gov. as colonel to revoke his order and put himself under the general's orders. Vallejo, Doc., MS., vii. 117. June 7th, Capt. S. Vallejo will obey the general's orders, notwithstanding his dismissal by the gov. Id., vii. 185. July 5th, Alf. Andrés Pico refuses to take command at S. Luis Rey as ordered by Vallejo. Id., vii. 316.