varado, who was perhaps absent – and such an interview was held on October 30th. Doubtless the comandante was independent and dictatorial in manner, and Jimeno stubborn rather than conciliatory. Next day the former wrote a letter, stating that the conference had ended without results; that he had been able to get no satisfaction for Alvarado's interference in military affairs; and that not the slightest attention had been paid to his pleas for reforms in financial and commercial management. He would therefore go home to attend to his duties as best he could without support, and to hope that the 'ruler of nations' might save California from the impending ruin.[1] He soon resolved, however, to go to the national capital to lay before the president in person California's needs — a project he had had in mind for some months, but which, after ordering all officers to vote for a comandante to serve during his absence, he abandoned before December, and decided to send Captain Castañeda instead as his comisionado. The captain, after some trouble in raising funds for his journey, sailed from San Diego late in December. Later there came from Mexico a denial of Vallejo's request for leave of absence.[2]
- ↑ Oct. 29th, V. to Jimeno, asking for an interview. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 283. Oct. 30th, J. consents, naming the governor's house, at 4 P. M. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 236. Oct. 31st, V. to J., complaining, as in the text. Id., viii. 241. Nov. 1st, J.'s answer. Is surprised that the conference should be deemed at an end, and evades the matters at issue. Thinks there is not much danger, and that V. should have confined the discussion to the military topic. Id., viii. 247. Nov. 13th (17th), V.'s reply from Sonoma. Independent and sarcastic. Peace will not last long, and the country is on the road to ruin. Implies that he may have occasion to go to Mexico to explain the true situation and needs of his country. Id., viii. 295; Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 284-5. Nov. 25th, Alvarado to V., in reply to the last. Will sacrifice his life to preserve the peace that now exists, etc. Id., viii. 316. Dec. 13th, V. to comandante of S. José. 'There seems to be a determination to lead the country to ruin and exasperate its best citizens.' Id., viii. 373.
- ↑ Sept. 4th, 17th, mentions by J.J. Vallejo and Eulogio Célis of the general's plan of going to Mexico. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 77, 158. Nov. 18th, V. announces his intention. Says he has the right to name his successor, but prefers to leave the choice to the officers, who are to send in their votes. Id., viii. 306. Dec. 1st, V. to Pres. Bustamante. Has decided to send Castañeda, but at the same time asks for leave of absence. Id., viii. 333. Dec. 3d to Jan. 10th, ten letters with votes, mostly for Capt. Guerra. Id., viii. 326, 344, 351, 378, 393, 396-7; ix. 12. Dec. 7th, trouble with the comisario
