Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/601

Rh that in an army of unpaid relatives, the old Spanish discipline must be somewhat modified.

Vallejo not only turned his attention to the impracticable scheme of restoring discipline, but he also made earnest and oft-repeated efforts, unfortunately without success, to restore the old presidial companies on which he believed the country's permanent prosperity to depend. The companies had now no real existence except that of San Francisco, supported at Sonoma at Vallejo's own expense. Alvarado was less enthusiastic in the matter, but whatever his desires, he could barely find funds to support the few men already in arms. He however ordered the municipalities to furnish recruits to the number of seventy. Vallejo also addressed his representations in favor of military reorganization to the minister of war, asking for money, arms, and chaplains, but getting nothing beyond 'authority' to reorganize the companies. The government had authorized the retention of the civic militia in the service, but as there was no present need of that force and no money with which to support it, the members were allowed to retire to their homes. It was early in March that Vallejo returned to the north and reëstablished his headquarters at Sonoma.