Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/556

538 speaking of "the nearness of the time when I shall deliver the command to Carrillo." Don Cárlos unwisely yielded to the counsel of his advisers, and chose to regard Alvarado's position and his request in a private letter for a conference as insulting to himself and threatening to the peace of the country, speaking of 'frivolous pretexts' for delaying obedience, and hinting vaguely by a negative assertion at fears that "you aspire to the place I occupy." Meanwhile the ayuntamiento of Los Angeles on receipt of the governor's communications refused to recognize any other authority than that of Carrillo, who was invited to come and establish his government in that city before replying to Alvarado.

Could Alvarado have obtained an interview with Don Cárlos — his so-called 'uncle,' that is, cousin to the lady whom a real uncle had married — he would probably have succeeded in making him understand the full force of the reasons for delay, and of his right to insist at least on the guaranty implied in recognition of his title; and thus further disagreement might perhaps have been avoided. But Carrillo's new southern friends knew better than to trust their easily influenced protégé within the reach of Juan Bautista's eloquence; and if there was any uncertainty about results, it was removed by the arrival of José Antonio Carrillo at the beginning of December. This gentleman feared the influence of Castillero in Mexico, knowing how little the administration cared who was governor of California so long as there was no