Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/296

278 criminations," agreed to the changes proposed, and required of the director a written acquiescence; which action was communicated to him on the 4th by Figueroa. Híjar replied two days later with a protest and more arguments instead of the desired agreement; but he announced his purpose, for the welfare of the colonists and the good name of Mexico, to disregard for the present his own wrongs of outraged honor, and remain with the colony wherever it might be sent, earning his living with a spade if necessary. Accordingly preparations were made for the settlement of the colonists on the northern frontier. Padrés was call upon to decide whether he would assume the duties of ayudante inspector or of sub-director; and he replied by resigning the former position. Figueroa addressed to the minister of relations on the 9th two communications in defence of the policy that had been pursued with the directors. On the 20th, and again on December 8th, he wrote to the secretary of war, explaining his course with Padrés, who it seems after resigning his military position once had tried unsuccessfully to obtain command of the northern frontier. He declared that Padrés was already plotting mischief, and that the territory would never be safe until that officer should be removed. He also offered his own resignation of the comandancia general.

I have already noticed the arrival of the colony in two divisions at San Diego and Monterey in September 1834, the stay of the southern division for a month