Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/465

Rh know the fatal consequences of political convulsions, and I will make any sacrifice to prevent them."

The Californians are much less violent in their denunciations of Gutierrez than of Chico and Victoria, their charges against him being for the most part general and rather vague. There is, however, a general agreement that he was an immoral man, unduly addicted to wine and women; a few make special charges of minor importance; a few find no fault with his conduct, and many condemn him in general terms, as if such were their obligation, hardly knowing why. The widow Ávila, Cosas de Cal., MS., 7-11, relates at considerable length that her husband, Miguel Ávila, síndico of Monterey, on account of having caught the wife of Capt. Muñoz and two other ladies bathing in a pool of water which supplied the town, and remonstrated with them for filling the water with soap, was arbitrarily imprisoned by Gutierrez, who replied to his wife's entreaties with threats to shoot her husband. But he was finally so frightened by the threatening attitude of the ayunt. and people, that Ávila was released. The lady attributes the governor's troubles largely to this affair. Pinto, Apuntaciones, MS., 20-1, also mentions Ávila's arrest, and the popular indignation thereat. He says it was believed that Chico had left instructions to G. to treat harshly all who opposed him. According to Bandini, ''Hist. Cal.,'' MS., 83, he took the advice and followed in the footsteps of Chico. Osio, ''Hist. Cal.,'' MS., 277-301, says there was much satisfaction at the appointment of the popular G., the intimate friend of Figueroa; yet he showed a strange melancholy on taking the command, supposed to arise from the necessity of obeying Chico's orders. Pio Pico, ''Hist. Cal.,'' MS., 100-1, speaks of his fondness for Indian girls in the south. David Spence, ''Hist. Notes,'' MS., 17, says he attempted to harass those suspected of having taken an active part against Chico; also was disposed to manage the revenues. Botello, Anales, MS., 22, tells us that the people merely sought a pretence to revolt against Gutierrez. J. J. Vallejo, Remin., MS., 117, 121-2, speaks of his concubines, and of his following the course marked out by Chico, whose return he expected. Of courteous manners, but much addicted to drink. Arce, Mem., MS., 8-9. Quarrelled with everybody. Threatened to put narrator in jail because he asked to have his land grant confirmed. Pico, Acont., MS., 31-2. Did nothing to deserve hostility. Janssens, Vida, MS., 70-2. Affable, but kept a harem. Lugo, Vida, Cal., MS., 15. Vicious, corrupt, and gave a bad example; but this was not the cause of his overthrow. Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 19. Have seen him intoxicated. Ávila, Notas, MS., 18. Addicted to scandalous vices; not arbitrary or despotic; wasted public funds. Serrano, Apuntes, MS., 36. Not a bad man, but fond of women. Many scandals were current about him in this respect. Galindo, Apuntes, MS., 32. Unpopular. Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 98. Juan B. Alvarado and Mariano G. Vallejo,