Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/621

Rh Castañeda to work against the governor in Mexico, with a view of securing both commands for himself; and of being the prospective author of the outbreak he so confidently predicted. Alvarado's motive in calling the meeting was to obtain authority to spend money in supplying the prefects with arms for the protection of the country. The junta accordingly gave him the powers he desired, should Vallejo, who was 'merely comandante militar,' persist in neglecting his duties with sinister views.

All that Alvarado appears to have done in consequence of this action was to order Castro to form a company of auxiliary troops for the public security, and to retain at Monterey some of the arms and munitions brought by the Catalina. I find no reply of Vallejo to the action of the junta, which perhaps he did not hear of until later, as the session was a secret one. He continued his complaints and arguments however, and no progress was made toward reconciliation. Californian prospects had no bright side to the general in those days. His despondency and bitter opposition to the administration at Monterey were founded to a considerable extent on wounded pride, and disappointment at not being able to control affairs, yet his motives were honest, his positions were for the most part tenable, and Alvarado had no reason to suspect him of treacherous or revolutionary designs.