Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/541

Rh June, and immediately after, the former sailed from Monterey for Santa Bárbara, where he arrived in time to send back on June 21st the news of what had occurred at Los Angeles, now in the power of the southern forces. Vallejo was, as usual on receipt of an appeal for aid, busied with some important expeditions against the Indians, but on the 25th he issued orders to different subordinates to mass their troops at Monterey in expectation of active service.

Before returning to the south, it is as well to record an important political event which occurred early in July at Monterey, namely, a counter-revolt against Alvarado's authority by the very Mexicans who had aided to put him in power. Angel Ramirez and Cosme Peña were the leaders. They had expected to control the governor's policy in their own interests, and had failed. Ramirez had lost his position in the custom-house before the end of 1836. Peña had gone south with Alvarado as secretary, but had soon returned, being succeeded by Victor Prudon. We have seen that there had been some ill feeling on the part of the Californians toward the Mexican residents, fomented perhaps to some extent by foreigners, and that Vallejo had been obliged to make some arrests earlier in the year, issuing a proclamation which had promised protection and temporarily allayed discontent. Ramirez, however, continued his plottings; and the present time, in view of the news from the south and from Mexico, was regarded as a favorable opportunity for active operations. Vallejo's orders to mass troops at the capital had not apparently been promptly obeyed, else the revolt would hardly have been practicable.

The active leaders at Monterey were Captain Francisco Figueroa, Juan N. Ayala, and Sergeant