Politically, then, 1826 was wellnigh a blank. The national authorities attached some importance to California as affording by her rich missions a possible stronghold for Spanish reactionary sentiment, and they had a vague idea that there was a problem to be solved there; but having sent a political chief to study the state of affairs, a small military reënforcement, an administrator of finances, and a small amount of money and goods for him to administer, they felt that they had done a good deal, and were content to let California work out her own salvation for a time. Yet it seems that the junta de fomento was still engaged upon a general plan of government for the province, and for the report of this body, of whose acts we have unfortunately no record, all were waiting.[1]
Cheering news was also sent north that with the surrender of San Juan de Ulúa the Spaniards had lost their last foothold in Mexico, and also that the pope had recognized the Mexican independence. These events were celebrated at different points in the territory, by the governor's order, in April and May.[2]
Echeandía, sent to establish the republican régime, remained at San Diego engaged in studying the country's needs. He was not in robust health, was naturally inclined to be easy-going and dilatory, and was certainly in no haste to adopt any radical policy. Some items of business connected with the arrival of vessels claimed his attention; he slightly agitated the matter of secularization, trying one or two experiments with a view to test the feelings of the friars and the
- ↑ Mexico, Mem. Relaciones, 1827, p. 36-7. The minister says that in California very marked vestiges of the old monastico-military government still remain, presenting serious obstacles; but the governor is instructed to gather information, and the junta is at work on a plan.
- ↑ Corresp. of 1825-6, with notice of celebration at Sta Bárbara, Monterey, S. Buenaventura, and S. Fernando. Echeandía's order was dated April 15, 1826. Dept Rec., MS., iii. 16; iv. 31; Dept St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxxvii.; Id., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 11; St. Pap., Ben., MS., i. 69-70; Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., xix. 26. Double pay for three days was ordered for soldiers; and some silver coins seem to have been distributed. At S. Fernando the padre refused to officiate, and the neophytes said some pater-nosters and ave marias on their own account.
