Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/508

490 On the 7th Don Juan made a long report to the minister of hacienda on his favorite topic, using the revolution as a new weapon against his old foe, Angel Ramirez, who had caused the outbreak solely to cover up his revenue frauds. The Californians had been led into a trap, and the real intention was to annex the territory to some foreign power. He sends documents to show that the south has disapproved such criminal plans, and that 'I have coöperated' in this holy work. Five days later he wrote again to Vallejo, in reply to a defence of the revolution. He reasoned earnestly and eloquently. He was still sure that Mexico would wreak a terrible vengeance on all concerned, and trembled for his friend, who had been so unfortunately misled. The whole matter had in his mind no other phase than the punishment to be expected from Mexico and the agency of Angel Ramirez.

Cárlos Antonio Carrillo took a more cheerful view of the situation. On the 5th of December he expressed his approval of what Castro and Alvarado had done, though he feared the article on independence could not be sustained for want of force. He attached little importance to the federal phases of the plan, for what had the federal government ever done for California? He hoped much from the proposed junta at Santa Inés, and would do his best to unite the south. He favored giving the civil as well as the military command to Vallejo, as Osio had also urged. In two subsequent letters Don Cárlos declared himself to be fully converted by the arguments advanced, and an enthusiastic supporter of the whole scheme, independence and all. He even hoped to induce the south to share his views. He had heard, however, that Bandini, Rocha, and others had sent to Sonora for aid, and wished Vallejo to come south