Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/579

Rh Several interviews were held at Las Flores, mid-way between the two armies, by the rival governors and their representatives, before a satisfactory settlement could be effected. Alvarado, describing those negotiations from memory, mentions three interviews. The first was broken off by Carrillo's familiar way of addressing Don Juan Bautista as Juanito, or Johnny. The liberty was not displeasing to Alvarado, but his companions, Castro, Villa, and Salvador Vallejo, insisted on the use of his proper title, which Carrillo's friends, Requena and Tobar, would not permit. Next day, however, the two rivals withdrew out of hearing of the rest to have a conference untrammelled by official etiquette. Don Cárlos now showed his original appointment, and was much grieved that Don Juan did not at once yield to so convincing an argument, but before they parted some progress was made toward a temporary settlement which would remove the necessity for further warfare.

On April 23d Alvarado sent a despatch to Vallejo and other officials in the north, stating that for three days with his 250 men he had besieged the foe, 100 strong with three cannon, at Las Flores, preventing their advance to attack the peaceful inhabitants of the north. Don Cárlos was among the besieged, but after several interviews had offered nothing satisfactory to the Californian people. Yet a complete victory by force of arms, the only way left, could not fail to follow within a few days. That same day,