for the consideration of the junta, and requiring further notice here, were the establishment of a supreme court and a settlement of disputes respecting the capital. The tribunal de justicia, in accordance with the law of May 23, 1837, was to consist of four ministros, or justices, a fiscal, or attorney, and a secretary. The places were filled in the session of March 10th by the appointment of Juan Malarin, J. A. Carrillo, J. A. Estudillo, and A. M. Osio, in that order, with Juan Bandini as fiscal and Mariano Bonilla as secretary. The last named was the only one who had any legal knowledge, and as a measure of conciliation the south was given a majority of the members.[1] The tribunal does not appear to have assumed its duties until May 1842, when Bandini, declining to serve as fiscal, was succeeded by J. M. Castañares, and Bonilla as secretary by Narciso Botello.
March 18th Jimeno introduced a resolution that the junta should propose Monterey as the capital, with the title of city, and that it be regarded so pending a decision. His reasons were the resolutions of the diputacion in 1836; the fact that the decree making Angeles the capital had not been officially received; and some evidence which appeared in the government journal to the effect that Monterey was regarded as the capital in Mexico. The matter was referred to
- ↑ Mexico, Arreglo Provisional de la Administracion de Justicia 23 de Mayo, 1837, in Arrillaga, Recop., 1837, p. 399. Chap. iii. on 'Tribunales Superiores de los Departamentos.' p. 408. Also decree of July 15, 1834, on the same subject, in Id., 1839, p. 175, being the one cited in California at the time of the appointment, as per Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 55; S. Diego, Arch., MS.. 252. Action of the junta Feb. 25th to March 10th, in Leg. Rec., iii. 57-8; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiii. 38. May 19, 1841, members cited to install the tribunal. Bandini sent excuses, which were accepted. Narciso Botello appointed secretary. Dept. Rec., MS., xii. 44-6.
in order, but introduced by me under their dates in parentheses so far as they have any importance. Id., p. 66-96. Hartnell was paid $30 per month for the building occupied by the govt. Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 6. Items referring to these sessions of 1840, in Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xii. 43; Id., Ben. Com. and Treas., iv. 46; Dwinelle's Colon. Hist. S. Fran., add., 70-2. In Oct.-Nov., Jimeno was again acting as governor on account of Alvarado's illness. Leg. Rec., MS., iii. 95; Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 24, 69; Arch. Arzob., MS.. v. pt ii. 28.
