Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/542

524 Aguilar, director of the printing-office. Ramirez and Surgeon Alva were absent from the town, exerting their influence among the rancheros, and at San José and San Juan. Cosme Peña was in town, but worked secretly, afterwards pretending that he had been forced into a passive compliance in the plot. Captain Villavicencio had just started with most of his men to join Castro in the south, and Jesus Pico, left in command, was absent from his post, when at 5 P. M. on July 1st, the Mexicans, perhaps thirty or forty in number, under Figueroa, seized the fort and arms without resistance, holding possession until the 3d. Villavicencio was hastily recalled; Pico raised a few men in the interior; Graham volunteered with a part of his riflemen; the Mexican garrison was in its turn besieged, and a message was despatched to Vallejo. Figueroa's men, frightened by the warlike preparations, and disappointed in not getting reënforcements from the country, offered to surrender if Vallejo would come to protect them, claiming that their revolt had been solely with a view to protect their lives, which had been threatened by Pico and others. Vallejo replied favorably, knowing that there was really much bitter feeling against the Mexicans, and promised protection to all, with punishment to but few, if their statement should prove true; but before this reply arrived, Figueroa surrendered, all his men