Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/586

568. To the ayuntamiento of Los Angeles the governor, for some reason inexplicable to me, instead of a letter of thanks for its action of May 15th, addressed a severe lecture on the evils of its past course, with earnest advice for the future to attend strictly to municipal affairs and let state politics alone.

At the end of May, Alvarado was invited by the ayuntamiento to visit Los Angeles, his presence being required there to preserve peace and restrain certain turbulent citizens. He accepted the invitation, but seems not to have made the visit until late in June; and the only incident to be noticed in connection with it, and even this may very likely refer to a previous visit, was a plot to assassinate the governor, which he claims to have discovered in time to prevent its success. The plot was revealed by a veiled woman who did not make herself known. Alvarado had reason to believe, however, and has always believed, that the lady to whom he owed his life was none other than Doña Concepcion Argüello, the heroine of the Rezánof romance. Meanwhile San Diego through its alcalde, Estudillo, had the impudence to inform Alvarado, the 'gefe de la division del norte,' that the people could not recognize any other ruler than Carrillo. Reports came also that Zamorano, Portilla, and others were plotting mischief on the frontier; but Alvarado promptly sent word to