Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/319

 CHAPTER XI.

MISSIONS AND SECULARIZATION.

1831-1833.

MOST important of general matters for the half-decade, after or even before political events and an nals of the colony, is the affairs of the missions, especially in the phase of secularization. So closely is this subject connected with the general history of the territory, that I have been obliged frequently to give it more than mere passing mention in the last four chapters; yet it is absolutely necessary, at the cost of some slight repetition, to treat the matter separately and fully. As a fitting introduction, I refer the reader to what I have written on secularization for the preceding period of 1826-30, including Echeandia s instructions, policy, and efforts. I also append in a note the substance of Echeandia s plan, as ap-