Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/206

188 The northern members repeated their petition September 11th, urging that the regular time for meeting was March 1st, claiming that urgent business required attention, and even threatening rather mysteriously, in case their request were denied, "to proceed according to law." This brought out from Victoria on the 21st an address, or manifiesto, to the public. In this document he defined in a very straightforward manner his position, alluding to the criminal motives and seditious plans of the opposing faction, "personal interests disguised in the habiliments of philanthropy," declaring his intention to thwart the schemes of his predecessor, and reminding good citizens that the way to prosperity and happiness lay in the direction of submission to law, and not of sedition. He stated that a majority of the diputados had been illegally elected, that he had reported everything to the national authorities, without whose orders he would not convoke the assembly, and that he counted on resources unknown to his enemies. In a report bearing the same date Victoria announced his suspension of the diputacion, and earnestly recommended the abolishment of all elective ayuntamientos and the restoration of military rule, except that certain judges might be appointed for Los Angeles and San José. This radical overturning of all civil authority seemed a simple and effective measure to this honest soldier, who felt that he could preserve order more easily if