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ALVARADO'S RULE – POLITICAL EVENTS.

Acapulco.^[1] She brought Mexican despatches of August 6th and 7th, announcing Alvarado's appointment as governor, en propiedad, and promoting Vallejo to the rank of colonel.^[2] All that had been done by governor or junta was approved, except the appointment of Cosme Peña as prefect of the second district; but that gentleman had already given up his position to another, and he soon took his departure for Mexico, to be heard of no more in California.^[3]

The despatches brought by the schooner were officially circulated a few days after their arrival by Acting-governor Jimeno, the prefects, and subordinate officials; and the news of Alvarado's appointment was duly celebrated in different parts of the department, especial enthusiasm being shown at Los Angeles, where on a Sunday the flag was hoisted, salvos were fired, a

↑ Sept. 15th, capt. of port reports arrival. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 149; Cooper's Log-book of the 'California,' MS., entry of same date.
↑ Aug. 7th, min. of int. sends Alvarado's appointment. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xi. 12-13; Id., Mont., iv. 16-17. Aug. 6th, Pres. Bustamante to V., congratulating him and Alvarado, and thanking him for his services. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 11. Aug. 6th, V.'s appointment and commission as colonel of the defensores de la patria, sent by min. of war. Id., i. 14-15. Also Aug. 2d, 4th-6th, commun. from min. of war to Vallejo in reply to his letters of February, approving his measures, sending commissions for several officers, and promising additional aid. Savage, Doc., iv. 308, 310, 312, 314-15. Sept. 17th, 22d, V. was congratulated by Cárlos Carrillo and Cosme Peña: on his appointment as comandante general en propiedad. Id., viii. 157, 165. But there was no such appointment, since that of July 1838 had been permanent and not temporary
↑ The licenciado Cosme Peña was a Mexican lawyer who came to California with the Híjar and Padrés colony in 1834, as asesor to succeed Gomez. I know nothing of his previous career. In the discharge of his official duties he showed himself to be a man of fair ability and education, but he was a hard drinker, and unfortunate in his domestic relations. After being involved in many scandals, his wife left him in 1837 and started overland for Sonora. The party was attacked by Indians on the Colorado, and the lady is said by Ignacio Coronel to have become the wife of a chief. Don Cosme had trouble with Gov. Chico, and was at one time suspended from his office. In the autumn of 1836, he took a prominent part in Alvarado's revolution – though far less influential than he was represented by Castillo Negrete, his bitter enemy – and was made governor's secretary. He subsequently joined in the counter-revolt of Angel Ramirez and other Mexicans, and was imprisoned for a time at Sonoma; but Alvarado still felt disposed to befriend him, and made him prefect of Los Angeles. He held this place several months, but of his acts nothing is known beyond the events of the 'flag tumult' mentioned in this chapter. Vallejo, who in his Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 188-91, quotes from Peña's poem on the 'Fall of Man,' states that he went from California to Guaymas, where he served as a judge. None of the Californians have much to say in Don Cosme's favor. He left two daughters in the country.

[1] Sept. 15th, capt. of port reports arrival. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 149; Cooper's Log-book of the 'California,' MS., entry of same date.

[2] Aug. 7th, min. of int. sends Alvarado's appointment. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xi. 12-13; Id., Mont., iv. 16-17. Aug. 6th, Pres. Bustamante to V., congratulating him and Alvarado, and thanking him for his services. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 11. Aug. 6th, V.'s appointment and commission as colonel of the defensores de la patria, sent by min. of war. Id., i. 14-15. Also Aug. 2d, 4th-6th, commun. from min. of war to Vallejo in reply to his letters of February, approving his measures, sending commissions for several officers, and promising additional aid. Savage, Doc., iv. 308, 310, 312, 314-15. Sept. 17th, 22d, V. was congratulated by Cárlos Carrillo and Cosme Peña: on his appointment as comandante general en propiedad. Id., viii. 157, 165. But there was no such appointment, since that of July 1838 had been permanent and not temporary

[3] The licenciado Cosme Peña was a Mexican lawyer who came to California with the Híjar and Padrés colony in 1834, as asesor to succeed Gomez. I know nothing of his previous career. In the discharge of his official duties he showed himself to be a man of fair ability and education, but he was a hard drinker, and unfortunate in his domestic relations. After being involved in many scandals, his wife left him in 1837 and started overland for Sonora. The party was attacked by Indians on the Colorado, and the lady is said by Ignacio Coronel to have become the wife of a chief. Don Cosme had trouble with Gov. Chico, and was at one time suspended from his office. In the autumn of 1836, he took a prominent part in Alvarado's revolution – though far less influential than he was represented by Castillo Negrete, his bitter enemy – and was made governor's secretary. He subsequently joined in the counter-revolt of Angel Ramirez and other Mexicans, and was imprisoned for a time at Sonoma; but Alvarado still felt disposed to befriend him, and made him prefect of Los Angeles. He held this place several months, but of his acts nothing is known beyond the events of the 'flag tumult' mentioned in this chapter. Vallejo, who in his Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 188-91, quotes from Peña's poem on the 'Fall of Man,' states that he went from California to Guaymas, where he served as a judge. None of the Californians have much to say in Don Cosme's favor. He left two daughters in the country.

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