Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/585

Rh started on May 22d for the north, being mounted on horses more famous for docility than speed, and protected by an escort of fifteen men well mounted and armed. Jesus Pico commanded the escort to Buenavista, Santiago Estrada to San Juan Bautista, Jesus Vallejo to San José, and Corporal Galindo beyond that point. They reached Sonoma the 3d of June, and were kept in confinement there by Vallejo until the end of September, or a little later. May 22, 1838, Alvarado to J. J. Vallejo, ordering him to come with a guard to meet the prisoners. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 86. May 30th, Gen. Vallejo to Sanchez at S. Francisco and Murphy at S. Rafael. Must furnish horses, boats, etc. Id., v. 90-1. June 1st, J. J. Vallejo to Gen. V. His illness prevents him coming in person, but sends Corp. Galindo. Id., v. 92. June 6th, Gen. V. to Alvarado. Prisoners arrived 3 days ago and are kept secured. Not allowed to communicate with the people. Id., xiv. 24. June 9th, Vallejo to Lieut Ramirez. Cannot grant his request for release without orders from the gov. Id., v. 94. June 20th, A. to V. May show some leniency to such of the prisoners as are grateful for the kindness with which they have been treated. Id., v. 98. Aug. 9th, A. to ayunt. of Angeles. Grants request for liberation of political prisoners at Sonoma. Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, MS., xi. 108. Sept. 22d, A. to V. He is to free the prisoners as soon as they bind themselves to respect the governor's authority and not to disturb the peace of the country; but they are not to be allowed to come south until Don Cárlos and others have presented themselves as invited. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 181. Botello says the prisoners, or the 4 Mexicans at least, were very cruelly treated at Sonoma, being shut up in a floorless room, without beds, and given insufficient food. Osio, ''Hist. Cal.,'' MS., 393-4, 398-9, tells us that Vallejo would not speak to them, gave them food that only excessive hunger enabled them to swallow, and would not permit them to receive food presented by the people. Ignacio del Valle, one of the prisoners and a Mexican, says they were treated well enough. Lo Pasado, MS., 25-9. Two of them, Ibarra and Palomares, had the small-pox while at Sonoma.

In his letter of May 22d Alvarado complimented his officers and men for their conduct during the campaign, announcing his intention of keeping up a force of about one hundred men for the present, and of going soon to Los Angeles in person. General Vallejo in turn congratulated him on his triumphs, urging him to follow up his victory in such a manner as to secure permanent peace, and not allow the troublesome element in the south to recover from their