Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/440

422 1st, and was received by Gutierrez and the citizens with the usual ceremonial welcome. On the 2d and 3d the offices of comandante general and gefe político were formally turned over by Gutierrez to Chico, which event — celebrated at night by a grand fiesta and ball — was duly communicated to local authorities the same days, when he also issued a printed address announcing his appointment, arrival, and patriotic intentions, together with the death of President Barragan, learned while en route.

He issued another proclamation on the 20th, lauding centralism extravagantly, denouncing federalism, and congratulating the Californians with flattering words on their glorious future under the new régime. "The constitution of 1824," wrote Don Mariano, "child of inexperience and haste, was an abortion of blunders fruitful in disorders, which you endured for eleven years; it was your idol while worthy; but the oracle once proven false, and your forbearance wearied, you decided with your brethren of the interior to melt that false idol, though respecting still its relics until the substitution of the new image which is being prepared to serve you as a deity." "The olive of peace