Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/122

104. Respecting the result, we have no satisfactory information. I find no record of the number of neophytes who under the order obtained their freedom, nor of the manner in which they used their liberty. Beechey, the English navigator, tells us that the governor was induced by the padres to modify his plans, and to try experiments with a few neophytes, who, as might have been expected, fell soon into excesses, gambled away all their property, and were compelled to beg or steal.

While the governor doubtless used his influence to imbue the neophytes with ideas of independence and civil liberty, not conducive to contentment with mission life, no definite progress was made, except in the preparation of plans, in the years 1827-9. In July 1827 the prefect was ordered to see to it that a primary school was supported at each mission, and compliance was promised. In October of the same year, Echeandía called for a detailed report on the lands held by each mission to be rendered before the end of the year. I find no such report in the records, though the local reports for the next year did, in several instances, contain a list of the mission ranchos.