Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/643

Rh, Temécula, and San Jacinto throughout this decade, though not much longer.

Father Barona died in 1831, and Zalvidea continued in charge of spiritual affairs at San Juan Capistrano throughout the decade, having, however, but little to do with the management of temporalities even in the early years. The population in 1834 had decreased to 861, and in 1840 was probably less than 500 with less than 100 at the pueblo proper; while in its crops San Juan showed a larger deterioration than any other establishment. Here secularization he wished to get rid of this responsibility before turning over the property. Original correspondence in ''Arch. Misiones,'' MS., ii. 1069-70, 1083; Hartnell, Diario, etc., MS., 35, 38, 57-60; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxii. 351; xxxiii. 91, 94; ''St. Pap. Miss.,'' MS., xi. 5-9. Finally Hartnell came to S. Luis on Aug. 4th, and from the 10th to 16th the transfer of property to Estudillo was formally made, it being discovered that the number of cattle at the mission ranchos was much less than the inventory of 1839 called for, but also that the said inventory had been grossly inaccurate by the fault of Cárlos Castro, who had not taken the trouble to count. Hartnell, Diario, MS., 18-20. Meanwhile there was some difficulty about Joaquin Ortega taking charge at Sta Isabel as ordered by the gov., the Indians protesting. Id., 58; ''Hayes' Miss. B.,'' 344. Pico had long been trying in different ways to get possession of Temécula rancho against the wishes of the Ind. Feb. 13th, P. Ibarra to Duran, with particulars. ''Arch. Misiones,'' MS., ii. 1021-2. After surrendering the administratorship he contained his efforts, and seems to have obtained a temporary grant or permission to occupy. Nov. 5th, Capt. Juan and his band are resolved that the Picos shall not put their stock at Temécula, claiming that rancho as the best grain land of the mission; but P. resolved to succeed. St. Pap., Miss., MS., x. 3; xi. 9-11. Nov. 22d, Majordomo Estudillo and 11 Ind. had come to Angeles to oppose the grant, resolved to quit the mission if it was confirmed. Dept. St. Pap., Pref. y Juzg., v. 11. Dec. 15th, Gov. Jimeno to encargado of S. Luis. Assure the Ind. of Temécula that they shall not be disturbed. Dept. Rec., MS., xi. 51-2. Pico himself, ''Hist. Cal.,'' MS., 98-100, says that the ex-mission was very prosperous under his honest and systematic management; but not so under his successor. John Forster, Pioneer Data, MS., 21-2, also declares that Pico's administration was exceptionally honest and efficient. Julio César, Cosas de Ind., MS., 4-5, asserts that all the administrators were cruel despots, and Pico the worst of all.