Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/715

Rh Joaquin Castro, Joaquin Buelna, José Antonio Robles, José Bolcof, Alejandro Rodriguez, Rafael Castro, Antonio Rodriguez, Joaquin Buelna again, and José Bolcof. Municipal finances were in a healthful condition, or at least expenses were so kept down that there was usually a balance of more than a dollar in the treasury at the year's end. The villanos still did something to sustain their old reputation in the way of social irregularities and popular tumults; if they seem not to have sustained it fully, the fault is perhaps not theirs but that of the defective records. About 20 ranchos were granted in this region before 1840, a list of which with others in the Monterey district has been given in this chapter. . He will appoint an auxiliary alcalde. St. Pap., M. & C., MS., ii. 366. 1836. Alcalde auxiliar Rafael Castro. Miguel Villagrana was elected Jan. 19th, but objection was made that he could not read or write and that the election was irregular; therefore the ayunt. of Mont. after consulting the gov. appointed Castro.) Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., vi. 13-15. Síndico, Miguel Ramirez. (But Francisco Juarez is mentioned in Jan. Sta Cruz Arch., MS., 84.) Secretary Joaquin Buelna appointed in March at $10 per month. Dept. St. Pap., MS., iv. 99-107. April, alcalde complains of the actions of Gervasio Soto and wife; who, in revenge for being watched in accordance with orders from Mont., caught two buzzards and tied firebrands to the birds, thus setting a man's house on fire. Mont. Arch., MS., ii. 6-7. P. Real also complains to the gov. of disorders resulting from ill-assorted marriages; Juan Pinto and his wife separated; Fran. Soria beating his family; and Gervasio Soto and family the cause of all the trouble. Soto should be banished in the interest of public tranquillity. Id., 7-8. 1837, Alcalde auxiliar Antonio Rodriguez. Unb. Doc., MS., 245-6. No other record for the year. 1838. Alcalde Joaquin Buelna; regidores Francisco Soria and Macedonio Lorenzana; juez de campo Miguel Villagrana. Election of Feb. 12th. S. José, Arch., MS., iv. 34. There is no explanation of this election, or why regidores were chosen. Probably there is some error, and Buelna was simply appointed alcalde auxiliar, though the people were allowed to express their choice. Indeed, Buelna is called juez auxiliar in several doc. of the year. There was no change of system. Aug. 1st, Feliciano Soberanes, from Mont., informs Gen. Vallejo of Ind. outrages in the region. Eugenio Soto's body riddled with arrows was found hanging near Sta Cruz. Vallejo, Doc., MS., v. 122. 1839. Alcalde or juez auxiliar Joaquin Buelna until July, when Prefect Castro appointed José Bolcof on the ground that Buelna had long held the place, and other citizens should have a chance to hold office. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 50; St. Pap., Sac., MS., xi. 3. Síndico Macedonio Lorenzana; sec. Manuel Rodriguez, perhaps both for the next year. ''Mont. Arch.,'' MS., ix. 18. Gil Sanchez tithe-collector. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 29. Branciforte's quota of recruits called for in July was 15. This vol., p. 583. Munic. receipts for year $48, expend. $39. ''Mont. Co., Arch.,'' MS., 18. Tumult of April 16th, in which citizens revolted against the alcalde and resisted arrest by the prefect's forces, two being killed and several wounded. Id., 588; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., v. 3-4. 1840. Juez de paz, José Bolcof. April, 4 recruits called for. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 22. May, 10 foreigners in the jurisdiction, 4 being naturalized. Dept. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 71-3. For account of the Graham affair, many of the exiles residing in this region, see chap. i. of vol. iv.