Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/486

468 about 1810, and his early educational advantages had been substantially the same as those of his companions Alvarado and Vallejo, though he had profited by them somewhat less than either of the others, being less observant and ambitious. He had no experience as a soldier or in clerical duties; but he had served several terms as vocal in the diputacion; had sometimes presided over that body, and had once, as its president, been gefe político ad interim, from September 1835 to January 1836.

The popular movement having proved successful, the Mexican ruler having been deposed, and these victories having been properly celebrated in fiestas at the capital, it became necessary to organize the government under a new régime. The plan of the pronunciamiento, drawn up on November 3d, but not extant, would seem to have been rather vaguely worded, so as not to make it quite certain what the revolution was to accomplish. The leaders have been accused of making it vague intentionally, or worse still, of having promised to declare California entirely independent of Mexico, in order to secure foreign support, subsequently breaking the promise. I have no reason to believe that any such pledge was made. At any rate, Alvarado knew well that popular feeling would not support such a step; and it is probable that from the first the intention had been merely to insist on Californian rulers, under the pretence of a revolt against centralism. Doubtless a pressure was brought to bear by Americans, after success had been achieved, in favor of absolute independence. Indeed, it is said, and I have heard Alvarado himself admit, that a lone-star flag had been prepared; and the project of raising it over the presidio was discussed. Possibly Alvarado was not personally much opposed to the plan, but he feared, while respecting, the influence of foreigners. His associates were yet more timid; opposition was feared from the south even to changes less radical; his Mexican supporters protested against