Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/743

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SAN JOSÉ MISSION.
725

and to 580 in 1840 — with probably 200 scattered in the district — yet crops were uniformly good, the yield being larger in proportion to the seed sown than elsewhere, and live-stock increased steadily to the end. Secularization was effected in 1836-7, Jesus Vallejo having charge as administrator until April 1840, when he was succeeded by José María Amador. The inventory made at the time of transfer showed a total valuation, not including lands or church property, of $155,000 over and above debts; and the fragmentary


    Id., 318. 1834-5. No records. 1836. Secularization ordered; Jesus Vallejo takes partial possession as administrator in Dec. Id., 426; iv. 47. 1837. Formal delivery of the property by P. Gutierrez to Vallejo by inventory as already cited, Jan. 15th. Feb. 13th, V. ordered to proceed to distribution of lots. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 71. Cattle delivered to Willamette co. Vol. iv. p. 86. 1838. June, mission damaged by an earthquake. Id., 78. July 1st, specimen of grant of a lot by the admin. to V. Chologon, as per order of Feb. 13, 1837, as above. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxx. 94. 1839. Aug. 16th, J. Vallejo to the general, complaining that Alvarado and Jimeno at Monterey seem disposed to let the missions go to ruin. He wishes to save S. José, or if it can't be done to let it be ruined in charge of some other admin. Id., iii. 40. Hartnell arrived on his tour of inspection Aug. 20th. He had expected some trouble with Vallejo, the nature of which is not explained, and had even been furnished with an order for troops from the pueblo under Antonio Buelna. But he was well received and was much pleased with the prosperous condition of the establishment at first sight, as he writes on the 21st, the Ind. being well clothed and the storehouse well filled. It seems that Don Jesus had either asked to be relieved, or it had been resolved to remove him, since H. asks the govt to select some suitable admin., as he cannot approve Cárlos Castro for the place. Hartnell, Diario, MS., 39-40; S. José Arch., MS., iii. 34. Unfortunately the inventory is missing. Aug. 28th a series of instructions by Hartnell for the admin., which seem to imply that Vallejo had been somewhat too independent in his management, inclined to severe punishments, to private speculation, neglect of worship, and careless methods of keeping accounts. St. Pap., Miss., MS., vii. 40-2; x. 13-14. Aug. 29th, H. to govt, has found the accounts in bad order as elsewhere, the Ind. discontented and destitute (a wonderful change in 8 days!), punishments too severe, majordomo brutal; administrator carries off property to his own rancho. Id., x. 12. Vallejo was authorized in Sept. to spend $2,000 in goods for the Ind., but spent $2,800 before he got the permission, at which and other minor informalities Hartnell sent reprimands in Nov. Some blankets and other articles were ordered furnished to Soledad. Vallejo, Doc., MS., viii. 175; Hartnell, Diario, MS., 50-1. 1840. Vallejo still in charge. According to the reglam. of March some of the property at this mission was to be distributed to the oldest Ind., and a clerk was to be put in charge of the estate. There is no record of Hartnell's visit in April, but his instructions to the majordomo and clerk on routine duties are dated April 23d. Vol. iv., p. 61. And on the same date the property was turned over to José_María Amador as majordomo, the inventory being signed by José Antonio Estrada (doubtless the clerk) á ruego de Amador. St. Pap., Miss., MS., vii. 37-8. Oct. 24th, order of govt to lend J. B. Alvarado 300 heifers and 25 bulls for 5 years! Dept. Rec., xi. 46. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 28-9, mentions a slaughter of 2,000 cattle for their hides and tallow.