Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/645

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PUEBLO OF SAN JUAN.
627

that all the steps were completed, nor is anything known of pueblo annals for a year. It would appear, however, that whatever was accomplished had to be undone under the regulations of the next year, and that the mission was secularized like the rest in 1834. José Antonio Pico and Francisco Sepúlveda were successively in charge during 1834-7; and Santiago Argüello from January 1838. The Indians, having had a foretaste of liberty, became more and more discontented, and were clamorous for a return to pueblo life and self-government. Hartnell failed to satisfy them on his tour of 1839; and finally in 1840 they were left in charge of Padre Zalvidea, aided by


    They ask for a just administrator, and one who has not so large a family. St. Pap. Miss., MS., vi. 34-7. Gov. Alvarado instructed Hartnell to investigate, and he found the charges against Argüello unfounded, though the Ind. were discontented, and wished the padre to manage their affairs. Id., xi. 26-8. Hartnell's visit was early in June, and he refused to make any immediate change, though he seems to favor a trial of their plan of saving the expense of an administrator. He found affairs in a bad state, only 80 Ind. at the mission, and some gente de razon disposed to make trouble. The prefect was instructed to aid in the restoration of fugitives. Hartnell, Diario, MS., 31, 42, 69-72. In Aug. Argüello says he cannot improve the condition of affairs on account of constant desertions, robberies, and the prefect's refusal to allow the arrest of runaways. St. Pap. Miss., MS., xi. 43-6.

    1840: Ramon Argüello was left in charge during his father's absence; but the Ind. were bitterly opposed to the whole family. Hartnell in June was authorized to set the Ind. free if he could make satisfactory arrangements. Arch. Miss., MS., ii. 1111; Hartnell, Diario, MS., 86. On arriving in July to put in force the new reglamento, he first appointed Ramon Argüello as majordomo, but the Ind. would not submit, showing great excitement. Then a proposition of Andrés Pico to rent the mission, support the padre with the old and sick, and pay fair wages to all ex-neophytes who would work. Also one of J. A. Estudillo to take the mission as majordomo for 5 or 6 years for one third of the product of the estates instead of a salary, binding himself to care for the padre and Ind., to repair the buildings, and to add his own oxen and horses for working purposes to the mission stock. But the Ind. would listen to nothing of the kind, insisting on being formed into a pueblo. It was finally agreed that temporarily, until the govt could make arrangements about the pueblo, Padre Zalvidea should have charge of the property, the Ind. promising to work faithfully under his administration. Hartnell, Diario, MS., 5-6. Hartnell's reports to govt, and his correspondence with Pico and Estudillo. Id., 60-4; Arch. Mis., MS., ii. 1075. Sant. Argüello much offended at his son's removal. St. Pap. Miss., MS., xi. 11. P. Zalvidea had refused absolutely to remain in permanent charge, or as curate at the proposed pueblo, unless families de razon should also be allowed to settle there, and some civil authority be established over the Ind. alcaldes. At the end of Dec. he appointed Agustin Janssens as acting majordomo; approved by govt in Feb. 1811. Janssens, Doc., MS., 5.-6. Correspondence with a neophyte who tilled land at Trabuco. Id., 3-4. Janssens had been living for a time at Trabuco as representative of Capt. Argüello, who was soliciting a grant of the rancho.