Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/740

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722
LOCAL ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.

progress at Sonoma and in the surrounding regions. The record is not more meagre perhaps than at several other places, but is remarkably so in view of


    chap. See p. 702. The comp. was often called from this time caballería permanente de la frontera. There are extant many complaints from Vallejo that the force was insufficient to protect the frontier settlement and Mex. national interests against savages, Americans, and Russians. June, a scandal affecting one of the officers. Bandini, Doc., MS., 40. Sept. 9th, circular of Vallejo on the misdeeds of James Doyle and his 11 foreign companions who are trying to purchase' houses of the Ind. Castro, Doc., MS., i. 29; Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 133. Nicolás Higuera was appointed alcalde auxiliar at Sonoma by the alcalde of S. F.; but Vallejo refused to recognize any civil authority, in which position he was sustained by the govt. Id., iii. 99, 181.

    1837. Gen. Vallejo's efforts to enlist and drill recruits; Capt. Salvador Vallejo made mil. comandante, the general going to Monterey Jan.-March. This vol., 511-12. June, campaign of Salv. Vallejo and Solano against the Yolos; capture of Zampay; treaty with Sotoyomes. Vol. iv., p. 72. Vallejo urges the employment of a competent surveyor in connection with the formalities of putting settlers in possession of lands; also recommends precautions against men who may desire ranchos only for speculation. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iii. 125; iv. 99. Specimen of grant of a town lot by Vallejo. A house must be built within a year or the lot will be forfeited. Id., iv. 5. July, Ramirez and other political prisoners from south of the bay sent to Sonoma. This vol., p. 525-6. The company's protest against centralism and the general's proffered resignation. Id., 533. Dec. 26th, Vallejo to Carrillo on the progress made in the north through his efforts; desires to devote himself entirely to the frontier, rather than to be comandante general. Vallejo, Doc., MS., iv. 365.

    1838. Salvador Vallejo again in temporary command, and marches south. This vol., p. 547, 552. Southern political prisoners kept here June-Sept. Id., 567. Various Ind. complications. Vol. iv., 72-3. Ravages of the small-pox. Id., 73-4. An infantry company of 15-20 men is mentioned in Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxiv.

    1839. Salvador Vallejo was com. of the post, Alf. Prado Mesa and Alf. Lázaro Piña acting at times, and was also captain of the compañía de infantería organized the year before. This infantry company was composed of about 25 selected Indians who were, however, given Spanish names on the rosters. They were armed with muskets and their pay amounted to $4,390 this year. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxv. passim. The cavalry company was raised to over 40 men this year and the next. Id. Both general and captain urged the necessity of increasing the force, and complained of neglect on the part of the authorities at Monterey in the matter of supplying money. Id., vi. 218; viii. 86. Artillery 10 guns, 9 of them brass, 2½ to 8 lbs calibre. Id., xxv. 63. Six of the guns bought with all their appurtenances by Gen. V. without aid from the govt. Id., vii. 37. March, return of Gen. V. from the south, and his complaints of mismanagement by Capt. V. during his absence. The offences were of slight importance, but were deemed by so strict a disciplinarian worthy of reprimand. Id., vi. 344-6. May, Gen. V. writes to Mex. govt explaining his operations at Sonoma in the past 5 years, and his success in founding a frontier settlement after great sacrifices and privations, and all without expense to the govt. But now his resources are nearly exhausted and he must have aid in order to ensure permanent success. Id., vii. 26-8. Dec., court-martial of two deserters. Soberanes, Doc., MS., 158-65. Oct., Solano's visit to Monterey. This vol., p. 589. Salvador was appointed juez de paz at Sonoma in Jan., taking the oath in May. Meanwhile in Feb.-March the people refused to attend an election on the plea that they were subject only to military authority, for which the alcalde (S. Vallejo?) appears