From 1827 to 1829 the national government issued a long and somewhat complicated series of laws and regulations on the expulsion of all Spaniards from Mexican territory, the principal laws being those of December 20, 1827, and March 20, 1829.[1] By the terms of the former, the classes exempt from expulsion were quite numerous, including those Spaniards physically disabled, those over sixty years old, such as were married to Mexican wives or had children not Spaniards, professors of useful arts and sciences, and all who had rendered special services to the cause of independence, or who had manifested great affection for that cause. Such by taking the oath of allegiance might remain. The chief application of this law in California was of course to the friars, of whom I shall speak separately; but there were also other Spaniards in the territory. Echeandía seems to have interpreted the law, or instructions that may have been sent with it, to mean simply that resident Spaniards were to be reported and required to take the oath. Corresponding orders were issued and lists were sent to Mexico in 1828.[2]
- ↑ Arrillaga, Recop., 1828-31, passim. Law of 1827 in Id., 1828, p. 100-7; Law of 1829 in İd., 1831, p. 224-6. See also Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., v. 2-3; xix. 44-54; Dept. St. Pap., MS., v. 28; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 5; Dispos. Varias, ii. 55.
- ↑ Españoles, Relacion de los Militares Españoles, que han prestado juramento, con expresion de sus clases, edades, servicios, etc., 1828, MS. This list was forwarded by Echeandía to the minister of war on Dec. 6th, and contains the following names: Capt. José María Estudillo; Capt. José Bandini; Padre Antonio Menendez; Lieut. Narciso Fabregat; Capt. José de la Guerra y Noriega; Manuel Gutierrez, ranchero and capitalist, 82 years old, 40 years in Cal.; Vicente Cané, one of the Asia's men; Juan Mariner, retired artilleryman with rank of lieut. — over 60 — 33 years in Cal.; Manuel Gutierrez, 45 years, 7 in Cal.; Francisco Cáceres, 36 years, 11 in Cal.; José Amesti, 36 years, 7 in Cal.; Estévan Munras, 39 years, 8 in Cal.; Antonio Suñol, 35 years, 12 in Cal.; Ramon Espindola, artilleryman, 60 years; Antonio Peña, artilleryman, 50 years; Francisco García, invalido, 60 years; Joaquin de la Torre, 44 years, 25 in Cal.; Francisco Cayuelas, 80 years; Jaime Monyú, one of the Asia's men; as were also Manuel Fogó and Salvador García; José Fernandez, 25 years, 11 in Cal.; Luis Castro, deserter from the Aquiles; as were also José Nadal, Francisco Fernandez, Francisco Filibert, Ramon Obes, sergt., Pablo Sobradelas, and J. M. Iglesias, trader; Miguel Culebras, trader; Rafael Romero, 30 years, suspected thief; Juan Ign. Mancisidor, 40 years, supercargo; Antonio José Cot, already embarked; Francisco Martinez, has passport; P. Luis Martinez, has passport. Contrary to the indication in the title, many of those named had not taken the oath, but had been ordered to
