Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/233

Rh which he was working, including the appointment, or rather paying, of two competent teachers.

Carrillo was a stanch partisan of the missionaries in these days, reflecting in that respect as others the sentiments of his brother-in-law, and therefore a large part of his correspondence was devoted to topics elsewhere treated. To the missions also was devoted, or to a closely allied matter, his exposition on the pious fund; but this document merits at least a mention here, not only as containing a somewhat fair presentment of the country's general condition and needs, but as the first production of a Californian writer which was ever printed in form of book or pamphlet. Don Cárlos was an enthusiastic admirer of his native province, with great ideas of its destiny under proper management. He thought he was rapidly communicating his enthusiasm to the Mexican authorities, and on the point of success with his proposed reforms. Perhaps he was disposed to exaggerate his success; for the only evidences I find of Mexican attention to California at this time are a few slight mentions of statistical or financial matters in the regular reports of the departments.