Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/641

Rh there were about 1,000 of the ex-neophytes at mission, pueblos, and ranchos more or less under control of local authorities. Secularization began here as at San Diego with Figueroa's experimental emancipation in 1833, resulting in the forming of an ex-neophyte pueblo at Las Flores, with but a small population. The final secularization was accomplished in November 1834 by Captain Portilla as comisionado, and Pio Pico remained in charge as majordomo and administrator until succeeded by José A. Estudillo in August 1840. After the securalization the decline in