Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/611

Rh From July to September lampoons of an insulting and threatening character, and directed against the departmental rulers, were posted at different places, and anonymous letters of similar purport were sent to Alvarado. At the same time rumors were current, for the most part without foundation, of plots in the south, and even of a hostile expedition approaching from Sonora. Vallejo evidently did not share in the alarm felt or feigned at the capital, as he refused to put certain troops asked for under the governor's orders till he should be informed respecting the exact nature of the suspected plots. In these months Alvarado, as was often the case during his rule, was unable to attend to his official duties on account of illness, and his secretary, Jimeno Casarin, acted much of the time as governor, especially in July; however, Don Juan Bautista had sufficiently recovered his health in August to marry Doña Martina, daughter of Francisco Castro. The marriage took place at Santa Clara on August 24th, but Alvarado was not present, being represented by José Antonio Estrada. Eight days later the bride came to the capital, where the festivities lasted several days.

The national schooner California arrived September 15th at Santa Bárbara, on her return voyage from