Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/451

Rh June 28th, and reached Monterey the 8th of July. Before his departure, he gave to Gutierrez full authority to act in all matters pertaining to the civil or military command in the south. This officer was at San Diego, making investigations respecting the 'plan' of Bandini and others, to which I have already referred. The result was forwarded on July 13th for consideration at the capital; but its nature is not revealed. There can be no doubt that Chico acted most unwisely in assuming the position that he did respecting the tumults in the south. There was probably no political significance in them at all. Such popular uprisings for speedy justice, when supported by the best citizens, are nearly always for the best, whatever may be the theoretical majesty of the law. Chico was technically right in his adherence to law and order, but he should have seen that he could accomplish nothing against a whole town, as he did see after going south, and have congratulated himself that the trouble did not occur in his term of office. All he effected was to make himself cordially hated by the citizens of Los Angeles and San Diego.

In yet another affair, Chico while in the south laid the foundations of a controversy that was destined to alienate from him whatever share he had in the patriotic good-will of even the staid and conservative Santa Bárbara. On his way southward he came to Santa Inés the 10th of June, and the padres Jimeno not only refused him animals and other aid for his journey, but failed to award him the ceremonial reception due to his rank, or even the courtesies always shown to travellers at the missions. Such was Chico's own version of the affair; that of the padres, confirmed by Señora Jimeno, their sister-in-law, who was present at Santa Inés, was that as much courtesy was shown