Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/632

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
614
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN DIEGO DISTRICT.

otic, fully imbued in these times with politico-military zeal under the leadership of her prominent citizens Bandini, Pico, and the rest. In 1831 she began the first revolution against Mexican authority, that expelled Governor Victoria, and should have made Pio Pico a San Diegan governor. But in 1836 she developed intense loyalty to Mexico, in opposition to Alvarado's revolutionary plan; and both then and


    Id. Index, 24; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 55-6. Indian depredations, chiefly in Jan.-March, with reference to authorities for many but confused details. This vol., 67-8.

    1837. Port open to coasting trade only by decree of Feb. 17th. Vol. iv., 84. Enthusiasm of S. Diego against Alvarado. Troops sent north too late. This vol., 483, 494-5, 505. Arrest of municipal officers by Alvarado's agents, and partial conversion of the ayunt. in April. Id., 508. Plots of Bandini, Portilla, and Zamorano. S. Diegans march north and capture Los Angeles in May. Id., 515-21. Oath to the central constitution June 12th. S. Diego supports Gov. Carrillo, Dec. Id., 540. Depredations of Indians on the frontier. Ranchos destroyed and the town threatened. Expeditions by citizens and by the troops enlisted to oppose Alvarado. Id., 68-9. The hostile bands included fugitive neophytes, rancho employés, and savages from the interior. Claudio was a leader. Leiva, Molina, Camacho, and another were killed at Jamul. Tia Juana, Tecate, and most of the frontier ranchos were plundered. There was an absurd tendency to connect, for political effect, the hostility of the Indians with the plan of Monterey; and there were some controversies between civil and military authorities as to the methods of conducting the defence. This year's ayunt. was the last elected.

    1838. Jan., Gov. Carrillo's decree establishing the custom-house at S. D. This vol., 545. Feb., force of citizens under Pio Pico sent to Los Angeles. Id., 548. April, Carrillo defeated, retires to S. D.; new preparations, Tobar's arrival, and campaign of Las Flores. Id., 556 et seq. June, S. D. still refuses to recognize Alvarado. Id., 568-9. Same in Sept.; but Carrillo at S. Luis submits. Id., 572-3. More political trouble in Dec.; Castro's raid at Christmas and arrest of the Carrillos and Picos. Id., 577-8. A heavy storm of rain and snow in Dec. was very destructive to sheep. St. Pap. Miss., MS., ix. 36. No depredations by Indians this year; but in April and Sept. there was some correspondence on precautious and suspicious movements of the natives. S. D. Arch., MS., 204; St. Pap. Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 388.

    1839-40. The Indians of the frontier were still on the war-path, especially in 1839, and few if any of the ranchos escaped plunder, most of them being entirely abandoned at different times. So far as can be judged from the records, nothing effectual was done by either local or territorial authorities to punish the marauders, though there was no lack of complaints and promises and plans. See this vol., 69-70. Details are too bulky for separate reproduction, and when combined give no satisfactory result. In March 1839 an election was held under the new laws, Fitch presiding; and Andrés Pico and J. A. Estudillo were sent as electors to Los Angeles to vote for congressman and members of the junta. S. D. Arch., MS., 222. In Oct., Belcher, the English explorer, visited the port and remained five days, but he gives very slight description of the place. Belcher's Narr., i. 325 et seq. In 1840 several foreigners were arrested to be exiled with Graham to S. Blas, but little is known of particulars. This vol., 14-15, 24, 30-1. J. B. Leandry's visit to S. D. on this business with orders from the prefect. S. D. Arch., MS., 254. Romero, Mem., MS., 5, thinks it was in 1840 that the last channel between the river and False Bay was closed by a flood.