Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/67

 created some excitement— and then the Captain of the Mormon Company, arrested a fellow— an Englishman named Johnson, servant to the priest at San Tomassa, as a spy— This man professed to have been aboard of the ship, said to have brought arms— he reported that the Captain had told him there were arms aboard— but he has told so many stories that one does not know what to credit— I think there is little doubt however that arms have been landed— but whether they will be used or not is another question— A man arrived from lower California a few days since— who reported all things were quiet there— he says the Commodore, with Santiego Arguello, Don Miguel [Pedrorena] & twenty men had gone from Santa Vincente to San Tomassa to look for the arms— that no Mexican troops had been heard of— On the 4*^ a man named Walker arrived from the Aqua Calliente— who re- ports that the Indians from the Corasita, had come in— reporting that a large body of people were coming in by that route. What they were the Indians did not know— The reports of Mexican troops coming caused the greatest alarm and uneasiness among the residents of this place— they have been ex- tremely friendly to the American cause— in fact the only place in California where natives are really friendly, and if the Mexicans should come and gain only a temporary advantage— they would suffer very much— from the movements of the Californians some faith seems to have been placed, in the reports, and it was believed that mischief of some sort was intended— On the 5*^ Mr. Norris^"^ Secretary to Commodore Stockton arrived via Mon- terey—from the United States— he came on the Sloop of War Preble from Monterey or Callao— he brings little or no news— The determination on the part of the President [James K. Polk] to prosecute the War with great vigour— and the ready compliance of Congress with his views, seems to be the best— flying reports are said to have reached Monterey that the Castle of San Juan De Ulloa has been taken— and that Taylor has had another fight, in which he was victorious— That Santa Anna has been deposed— and Gen- eral [Gabriel] Valencia takes his place— Mr. Norris arrived here from San Pedro in the schooner Julia— If an enemy be coming we are not making very extensive preparations to meet him— The Mormons after their pay- ment took a little spree— some few men drunk and two or three black eyes— or small fights occurred— but much less drinking gambling &c occurred among them than I have ever witnessed among any troops after a payment— They are extremely industrious— and avaricious. They get all the pelf they can— and keep all they get. They are constantly employed by the citizens, and one is engaged in constructing a horse mill— This is looked upon in San Diego— as the greatest feat that has been ever undertaken in these parts. We have an Alcalde named Fitch^^^— an old sea Captain— who knows about as much of law as he does of religion— two Yankees got into a law suit the other day— one accused the other of stealing mules, horses &c— The party accused was defended by a Mormon lawyer— The fellow acknowledged