Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/548

530 as legally the governor ad interim of California, his revolutionary term ending with his new oath.

In his letters sent northward, though unfortunately the most important of them describing the negotiations with Castillero is missing, the governor described the state of affairs as on the whole satisfactory, his enemies being filled with confusion. The southern friars, represented by Padre Duran, now consented to take the long-delayed oath of allegiance, on the ground that Spain had recognized the independence of Mexico, while the Zacatecanos of course made no objection, having already sworn to the bases. The diputacion assembled as early as July 16th at Santa Bárbara; but we have no record of its acts, except that on the 21st it resolved, 1st, that in consequence of certain doubts arising in relation to the election laws, a commission of two persons should be sent to the national capital to treat with the supreme government; and 2d, that the senior vocal, on whom by law devolved the office of gefe político, should notify the ayuntamientos and other authorities that the diputacion was assembled in extra session. He was also authorized to carry out the first resolution.

It is probable that the diputacion took no other action, and that the governor had no other use for its services at this time, after securing its indorsement of his title, with authority to send a commission to Mexico. It had been determined from the first by Alvarado and Castillero that the latter should go to