Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/589

Rh dissensions at home, but — a still more practical advantage — would enable Alvarado and his party really to control public affairs for a time in their own way, since Don Cárlos would come north to establish his government, remaining in their power until the whole matter should be finally settled.

All these things José Antonio Carrillo had promised in behalf of his brother. Furthermore, becoming acquainted with the general's particular hobby, he had agreed that in case of the change being effected the presidial companies should be at once reorganized. He had realized the importance of playing his best card, for he better than any other understood the nature of the despatches to be expected from Mexico. That he succeeded in winning over Vallejo to his views is not strange. Few men in California could resist his crafty eloquence; moreover, there was much force in his arguments, as reflected in the general's letters, if faith could be placed in his promises and in his statements respecting the feeling in Mexico. Alvarado lacked that faith, and with much reason. The plot lately discovered against his life at Angeles had not left him in a conciliatory mood. He had no doubt that his past successes would be avenged by the imprisonment or exile of himself and friends should the Carrillos gain control before the arrival of guaranties from Mexico, and the recent flight of Don Cárlos, in ignorance of his astute brother's plans, was by no means a propitious circumstance. The governor's hesitation, if he hesitated at all, was