Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/337

Rh Considering the importance of the subject, there is a remarkable absence of original records respecting the coming of the Zacatecanos and the division of the missions; though it cannot be doubted that much was written at the time which is no longer extant, as is the case respecting many important topics of mission history during these last years. It will be remembered that in 1817 the southern missions were ceded by the college of San Fernando to that of Orizaba; but on account of troubles in Mexico and of the dissatisfaction of Californian friars — who were, however, willing to give up the northern, deemed the poorest establishments — the change was not consummated. The necessity for a reënforcement continued more and more urgent, and San Fernando was in a state of disorganization so complete that it could do nothing of itself; but of the negotiations of that college with others I know nothing until letters of 1832 announced from Tepic that the Zacatecanos were coming. The cession of the northern missions was evidently agreed upon in Mexico; but there is nothing to show to