Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/37

Rh imposes." Meanwhile the news of Sarría's refusal had been sent to Mexico, and in June an order of President Victoria was despatched to California that the royalist prefect should be arrested and sent to Mexico by the first vessel. This order was carried into effect in October, as appears indirectly from Echeandía's order to Padre Duran to come to San Diego and take the oath of allegiance in order that he might assume the duties of prelate during Sarría's arrest. The arrest was, I suppose, nominal, merely a suspension from his authority as prelate, involving little or no interference with his personal liberty; and, as we shall see later, he was not sent away at all. It seems that Padre Martin of San Diego had based his refusal to participate in religious services on his prelate's prohibition. The government called for a declaration as to the nature of that prohibition; and also desired Padre Esténega to be informed of its great satisfaction at his patriotic conduct in pronouncing a stirring discourse at the taking of the oath.