Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/520

502 gist of it was that a new diputacion should assemble at Santa Bárbara on February 25th, to adopt or reject what had been done at Monterey, always supporting federalism, and insisting on a native ruler. It was formally approved by all parties. Then followed speeches of congratulation at the victory achieved over difficulties that had threatened to set Californians at enmity one with another. Pio Pico wished to be put on record as saying that he would support a native ruler to whatever section he might belong. Antonio M. Osio declared that "sooner than submit to another Mexican mandarin, he would retire to the forest and be devoured by wild beasts;" while Alvarado, in a closing speech, promised a faithful fulfilment of the compact.