The annals of 1840 group themselves naturally about four general topics, Vallejo versus Alvarado, sessions and acts of the junta, alleged conspiracy of Carrillo and Gonzalez in the south, and the Graham affair. The last subject will be presented separately in the next volume; the others demand present attention.
The controversy between governor and comandante waxed hotter and hotter throughout the year. Each accused the other of interference in matters beyond his jurisdiction, and each was disposed to restrict the other's prerogatives to very narrow limits. Vallejo recalled the old Spanish times when the two commands were united in one person, and looked upon himself as invested with all the powers of the old comandante general, while to Alvarado he accorded the petty civil authority of the Spanish gobernador. Alvarado, on the contrary, held that in a republican government the military authority was subordinate to the civil, expecting Vallejo to use his troops as directed, to preserve order and protect the country. Both were independent and assumed superiority. Mutual 'friends' were ever ready to widen the breach; the old topics of disagreement still existed, and new ones were added. The respective merits of the parties, as usual when a quarrel has once begun, are not worth much consideration; the controversy, however, was as effective an obstacle to all real progress in California as had been the earlier one of Alvarado against Carrillo.
Alvarado had appointed Hartnell as visitador to carry into effect his regulations for the management
about funds, and Alvarado's passport for Castañeda to go on a military commission 'as far as S. Diego.' Id., viii. 358-60. Dec. 20th, Casaneda at S. Diego, has got money from Célis. Id., viii. 384. April 23, 1840, min. of war to V. The pres. would be glad to see him, but the leave of absence cannot be granted, as there is no officer to take his place on the frontier. Id., ix. 116. March 10, 1840, Alvarado to min. of int. All quiet; pay no heed to Castañeda's loud talk and false reports. Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 65-6. April 21st, 24th, letters from Castillero and the min. of war to V., announcing that Castañeda will soon return to Cal. with needed military supplies. Id., ix. 115, 118.
