Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/39

Rh not be surprised if Mexico were to send to California for supplies. From San Luis Padre Luis Martinez complained of everything in general, and in particular of some 'missionaries' of a new sect, including one of the Picos, who were travelling with a barrel instead of a cross, and were making many converts to drunkenness, while the soldiers of the escolta did nothing but destroy. In Mexico the guardian made a detailed representation to Minister Alaman on the critical condition of affairs in California, owing to the fact that the Indians were naturally disgusted at having to support by their labor themselves, the padres, the government, and the troops. He declared the amount of unpaid drafts to be $259,151, and that of unpaid stipends $153,712, begging most earnestly for at least a partial payment to save the missions from ruin.

The junta de fomento took up the question of mission policy, which was regarded as one of the most important matters submitted to that board. In its dictámen on Echeandía's instructions, the junta, while regarding the necessity of reform as a matter of course, called attention chiefly to the importance of proceeding with great caution until a satisfactory method could be devised for introducing a radical change in the old system. Finally in April the mission plan was presented. In prefatory remarks the history of the system was briefly traced, with a view to show the growth of the monastico-military government in the Californias. "The junta is not ignorant that from the Spanish system of discoveries and spiritual conquests has resulted all the progress made