Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/633

Rh in the sectional strife of 1837-8 her favorite sons struggled valiantly by word of mouth and pen in support of Cárlos Carrillo and southern interests. Some Dieguino forces even took part in the bloodless campaigning; their town was more than once invaded by the northern foe; and prominent citizens were made captives. Next to political excitements, and often far surpassing them, were those arising from depredations of hostile Indians, especially in 1836-7 and 1839. Again and again the frontier ranchos were plundered until most of them had to be abandoned; and the town itself was often thought to be in danger, with neither soldiers, arms, nor supplies for effectual defence. A search for hidden treasure on the Colorado was a local topic of comment in 1836; popular elections of municipal rulers were held for three years; complaints of hard times and various pressing needs were always in order; petty controversies between local officials furnished occasional opportunity for consuming the small supply of paper and ink; and for the rest the people must content themselves with their social diversions, with waiting for news of northern complications, and the anchoring in their bay of the trading craft that came not infrequently to carry away their little store of hides and tallow.

Civil government in San Diego, as distinct from the military rule, began with the installation of the first ayuntamiento in 1835. This town council, consisting of alcalde, two regidores, and a síndico, was elected in December of each year to serve during the next year. I append the official list for the decade.