tions, and counter-revolutions for the presidency, between Gomez Pedraza, Guerrero, and Bustamante, in the years 1828–30, made no impression, in fact were hardly known, in California.[1] Other national measures, with a single exception, require no special attention.[2]
The exception was in the matter of utilizing California as a penal colony for Mexican criminals. A small number of convicts had arrived, as we have seen, in 1825, and now orders were issued to send them from all parts of the republic.[3] These instructions, which the Mexican authorities had the assurance to regard as a means for improving the morals of the convicts and for colonizing California, were much more promptly obeyed, it is safe to say, than if they had been calculated to benefit the territory; and within a year more than a hundred criminals had been sentenced to presidio work in this northern Botany Bay.[4] Echeandía protested rather feebly, as soon as the news
- ↑ Sept. 9, 1829, news of Pres. Guerrero's accession received. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 222. Feb. 19, 1829, gov. forbids communication with Acapulco, and adhesion to the plan de Perote. Id., vii. 87. March 14th, communication reopened. Id., vii. 109.
- ↑ Jan. 21, 1828, orders from Mexico circulated to send in bids for repairs on the public roads. May 21st, no bids. Echeandía, however, recommends the opening of a road to Sonora, and one from Sta Bárbara to S. Diego. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 173; vii. 17. Jan. 30, 1829, minister of justice wants a list of ayuntamientus, jurisdictions, prisoners, etc. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., v. 1. Congress urged to give the Californias a form of government suited to their interests, since now the old Spanish laws prevail. Mexico, Mem. Relaciones, 1829, p. 21.
- ↑ April 29, 1829, secretary of justice issues a circular urging judges to sentence criminals to California presidios instead of Vera Cruz. Order transmitted by secretary of war. May 9th, further orders to governors of different states about forwarding convicts. Arrillaga, Recop., 1829, p. 67-9. Oct. 21st, sec. of war to comandante of Acapulco. The govt will send to Cal. the families of such convicts as may desire it. Id., p. 269-70. March 22d, the govt expects improvement in the morals of the convicts, is preparing a regulation for their management, and to give them the means of earning an honest living, forwarding their families, etc. Mexico, Mem. Justicia, 1830, p. 13, 19-20.
- ↑ I have before me the records of sentence of very many of these criminals, with name, place, date, and crime, in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxix. 408-80; St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. 82-9; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxx. 12-13; Id., Ben. Cust.-H., MS., iv. 484-5. List of 80 convicts brought to Cal. on the María Ester, with full particulars, in St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. 86-9; Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxii. 19. List of 60 convicts sentenced to California before Dec. 1829. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 85; St. Pap., Sac., MS., xi. 10-12.
Pacheco, comandante of the resguardo; and Lieut. Zamorano, promoted to captain. Guerra, Doc., MS., vi. 145.
