Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/635

Rh the third prefecture and of the Los Angeles partido, not having sufficient population for a sub-prefect.

The criminal record presents no causas célebres, and but a meagre array of petty cases. Methods of court procedure and principles involved in the administration of justice call for no general remark. The subject is best disposed of, like most others connected him forwarded to the sub-alcaldes or comisarios at the ranchos. S. D. Arch., MS., passim. July 1833, Los Angeles alcalde claims jurisd. over criminal matters at S. D., requiring a mule-thief to be sent to him. Jan., trouble between S. D. alcalde and the com. at S. Luis Rey, the latter claiming the right to its own alcalde and regidores. Feb. 10th, alcalde instructed by gov. that his political authority does not extend beyond the presidio settlement; but in the administration of justice his jurisdiction extends to all the settlements. Jan. 5th, animals must be kept out of town under penalty of a fine. Vagabonds, drunken persons, etc., must be fined. Jan. 7th, papers relating to a rancho turned over to alcalde by commandant. Jan. 8th, fines for persons carrying prohibited weapons. Penalties for petty thefts. Juez de campo to attend to hide trade. Merchants must submit their measures and weights to the ayunt. Jan. 12th, schools considered. Feb. 19th, committee to investigate qualifications of applicants for lands. Mar. 19th, work on the casa consistorial must cease for want of supplies for the prisoners. People called on for contributions. May 3d, a dispute on a private debt referred by gov. to ayunt. May 19th, Joaquin Carrillo forbidden to sell his garden, at his wife's petition and on order of the gov. Sept. 22d, alcalde wishes to know if he may force traders to sell at less extravagant prices. Sept. 25th, complains that Argüello refuses to pay his degüello tax.

1836. Indian alcaldes paid 1 real per day. Man. Silvas employed on 'negocios subalternos' at $3 per month. May, trouble between alcalde and the encargado at Temascal, the latter refusing to obey the former's summons. 1837. March, síndico makes a report of receipts and expenditures. Ayunt. agrees that each regidor shall take his turn in aiding the alcalde. Dec. 9th, gov.'s order that there is to be no election for ayunt. 1838. Jan. 17th, S. Diego must recognize Los Angeles as cabecera, and electors must go there to vote. 1839. June, prefect orders juez de paz of S. D. to select Indians for auxiliaries. Colorado Ind. claim the right to elect their alcaldes. 1840. Juez de paz Fitch needs an escolta de tropa to enforce the liquor laws; also a secretary, as he cannot write Spanish. Prefect appoints the depositario de fondos propios. No expenditure without prefect's orders. No pay for acting as receptor or captain of the port. A tax was imposed on the hide-salting establishments of foreigners, as had been done before in 1834. Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 8; Dept. St. Pap., Pref. y Juzg, MS., vi. 69. See also, for preceding items, S. D. Arch., MS., 30-1, 42, 58, 99, 113, 172, 190, 214, 231, 246, 249, 264; Id., Index, 19, 61-5, 130-4; Hayes Doc., Ms., 13-14, 24, 70, 112; ''Id., Miss. Book,'' 226.

Items of revenue and finance. Customs revenue, year ending June 1831, $389, all paid out to employés. ''Mexico, Mem. Hac.,'' 1832, doc. 3. Libro de fianzas 1833-4, referred to in Dept. St. Pap., Cust.-H., viii. 15. Alcabalas or excise tax 1834 to April, $10,007. ''Id., Ben. Mil.,'' lxxvi. 4. Aug. 1839, Ramon Osuna appointed collector of tithes. S. D. Arch., MS., 235. Munic. receipts 1839, $76; expenditures, $77. Same May to July 1840, $29. Sept. to Nov. $51 and $29. July 1810, some hides were declared to have been unlawfully seized, but there was no money to pay for them. Id., 266.