Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/583

Rh with public opinion and for the country's good. No action was taken, because the petition was not written on stamped paper, but next day when that irregularity had been corrected, the people were summoned and the subject discussed on its merits. Eight citizens took part in the discussion, and of twenty-eight whose names were not on the petition twenty-two voted for what was asked in that document, while only one, Sérbulo Varela, voted in favor of Carrillo. The matter was finally referred to a committee, which reported that while the ayuntamiento had no right to criticise the acts of Carrillo, yet a clearly defined public opinion demanded the recognition of Alvarado as governor pending the decision of the government. This was approved by a plurality of votes, the result being formally communicated to the people and to Carrillo, who was still addressed as governor. Thus did the versatile city of the Angels accomplish another political somersault.

Of course the two Carrillos and their supporters were not disposed to accept the position in which the ayuntamiento had placed them. Some of the number, like Requena, Portilla, and Trujillo, had crossed the frontier with Tobar; while others, as Pico, Bandini, Ibarra, and Botello, were left to continue the agitation. Before they had time, however, to carry into execution their new plan, whatever it may have been, the leaders were arrested on or about May 20th. Alvarado, promptly informed of the troubles that were brewing in the city, had sent Villavicencio with twenty-five men from Santa Bárbara to nip the conspiracy