1828
– Calls for Secularization
The
biggest problem with holding the territorial council was finding an
adequate place for the attendees. Showing a great deal of foresight,
Hartnell had prepared for that by converting one of his warehouses
into a well-furnished meeting room. The main item was a huge redwood
table around which the ten members and the governor could deliberate.
Additional writing tables were provided for the council and the
governor's secretaries. The room was closed to the public. The only
provision was a stand where any witnesses might address questions or
concerns of the members. Hartnell had even gone to the point of
providing sanitary accommodations as well as a small kitchen to
prepare refreshments as requested.
Rumors
spread through the community and the surrounding areas. This was the
first council and nobody knew what the agenda was or even why it was
called.
“Felipe
tells me no outsiders are permitted anywhere near the meeting hall.
He is one of the three alférez'
assigned to supervise the sentries ensuring nobody enters without
being called. Not even Hartnell's kitchen staff is allowed in – the
secretaries order the food and take it into the room.”
“Well,
they certainly do not work themselves into exhaustion. They start at
the ninth hour, take an hour for the midday meal, follow that with
siestas in the rooms provided, and then end their day's session at
the fifth hour after noon.”
That
brought a few snickers on the veranda.
“We
have received communications from the archbishop that one item on the
agenda is secularizing the missions.”
Everyone
groaned, having discussed the futility of such a move in the
California territory many times before.
“Why
does he continue this futile quest”? James asked.
Mateo
hastily replied, “Nobody will discuss this but I have received
several letters from teachers in Mexico who tell me it is politically
motivated. It was part of the promises made to the tens of thousands
of Indios
who left their villages to fight in the war to gain independence.
They were to, at last, have their own lands to work and live upon.”
“And
those in power now feel that if they do not keep their promises, it
could result in a revolution?”
Mateo
nodded at the wisdom of Timothy's question. “And word has just
reached us that Vincente Guerrero has led a military coup to take
over the presidency after losing the latest elections.” He then
explained that Guadalupe Victoria retired from public life to live on
and oversee his hacienda in Vera Cruz.
“There
must be other things they are discussing.”
Mateo
nodded. “Yes, Don
Timoteo. They are, of certainty talking of ways of raising the funds
to run the government here and in Mexico. Increasing taxes without
angering Californians.”
All
were surprised when a familiar rider came up to the gate at a full
gallop. Felipe threw the reins to one of the children who raced to
open the gates for him and strode up to the veranda.
He was going to join the others on a rocker but Juanita Maria hurried
outside and, after lightly kissing his cheek, led him inside. “You
will eat before you join the pipe smoking, gossiping men of this
family.”
He
looked over his shoulder with the helpless look of a man who knows he
can never overcome the strong will of his woman and disappeared
inside the house.
He
soon joined them and, after lighting a pipe, deeply sighed. “It has
been a most difficult time, my friends. If it is not the demands of
the councilors or the governor and his aides, it is the offensiveness
of The Ape who continually berates us.” He explained how Captain
Gonzalez had arrested Lieutenant Estrada over differences in dealing
with the presidial district out of Monte Rey and how Governor
Echeandia had ordered his release. “It may be the final act of
disrespect the captain is able to perform. I was told that someone
overheard the governor give direct orders to Gonzalez to be prepared
for a march to Santa Bárbara.”
“Those
may be his words but we all know the governor is less than a decisive
man. The orders will be delayed and probably never carried out.”
James
puffed on his pipe, savoring the warm, acrid smoke filling his lungs.
He gazed out over the compound and the ocean beyond. How
much longer will our small piece of paradise remain ours?he
silently asked himself.
The
business of the council finished towards the end of November and the
various members returned to their pueblos
and ranchos.
The only record of the meetings went south when the governor departed
to return to San Diego. And the two members from Monte Rey had been
sworn to secrecy and could not tell anyone what had transpired. The
only public results were some directives from the governor calling
for taxes upon those vessels seeking to trade in California.
“Señor
Arnel is in a great deal of trouble.”
“Why
is that, father?”
“His
partner, as you know, returned to Peru and he has operated the
business himself. He has done well in spite of Governor Echeandia's
revoking his port usage rights. He no longer drinks heavily as before
and his wife, Doña
Maria Teresa, has done what she could to help. But, he just received
a letter from his sister in far away England informing of his uncle's
death. He was the founder of the company and, with his passing, the
company had to declare bancarrota.
That has forced Señor
Arnel to pay off all the debts.”
The
term for bankruptcy was new to everyone on the veranda
so Mateo explained it. He also added, “Don
José had loaned him the money to pay off his debts and remain in
business.”
“Could
such a thing happen to us?” James asked.
“I
do not believe so,” Timothy replied. “We have a much different
situation in that we own everything we have and are in debt to no
one.”
That
discussion lay heavily on James' mind causing him to sleep poorly.
Teresa Marta could not help but notice and did her best by holding
him close in the night. After the third night, she roused him and, in
her night shift, led him outside and down into the garden. “Mi
querido marido,
what is heavy on your heart?”
James
explained, wondering if she could understand the concept.
“Does
that mean that someone could take away everything we have here?”
James
lowered his head and responded softly, “Not for the same reason, my
love. I find myself worried that the governor or one of his
functionaries could claim our property and take it from us.”
“But,
why do you worry, my dear husband? If we lose these things, we will
just start over and rebuild. Is that not why we have our retreat in
the cove?”
James
turned and embraced his wife, the only woman he had ever known or
loved, and laughed. “You put everything in such simple terms. That
is why I love you so.”
*****
“We
have sad news from Santa Bárbara.” Padre
Suria told the evening gathering. “As you all know, Padre
Antonio refused to vow allegiance to the new government in Mexico.”
Everyone
nodded and Timothy said, “Yes, Padre
Antonio has always been a most enthusiastic missionary, well-loved by
the disciples at both Misiones
La Purisima y Santa Bárbara.”
“In
spite of Father Prefect Sarria and Father Prefect Sánchez pleading
with Governor Echeandia about not pressing the matter, the governor
demanded Padre
Ripoll's arrest and forced eviction.”
That
caused a few raised eyebrows. To date, the governor had written to
Mexico many times to explain how important the friars were and how
they should be excluded from the law expelling all Spanish-born from
the new nation.
“So,
reverend father, what happened?”
Padre
Suria replied, “An American brig, the Harbinger, dropped anchor
and, in the middle of the night, Padre
Ripoll stole aboard the ship and left with it.” After a pause, he
added, “The disciples did not know until the next day's noon
prayers. When Padre
Durán told them he had left, they broke out in weeping and wailing
that did not cease well into the next day. The commotion was so much
that the commandant sent soldiers to the mission to learn the
reason.”
“What
was the reaction when it was discovered that Padre
Ripoll was gone?”
Padre
Suria smiled and shrugged. “What could anyone do? Padre
Antonio was gone.”
The
discussion then turned to Father Prefect Sánchez, recently elected
to replace Padre
Durán. All knew of him and greatly respected the friar who had
served well and devoutly from his arrival in 1803 where he served at
Misión
San Diego with a brief sojourn at Misiónes
la Purisima
and San Gabriel. They all knew he had protested his election saying
that his pursuit was to attend to the needs of the disciples and not
politics.
“His
position of presiding over the missions is going to be most difficult
as he is most vocal against the desire to secularize the missions.”
Everybody
nodded at Mateo's observation while Padre
Suria lowered his head to hide his big grin. Although of advanced
years, the friar was
still sprightly and young in his attitudes. He was known to sleep no
more than two hours per night, the rest of the time kneeling in
prayer and contemplating the mysteries of his beliefs. He was nowhere
the scholar of Father Prefect Sarria but was extremely well-versed in
church lore and history.
As
the evening was still early, talked turned to members of the
community and their activities.
“It
is said that after having been elected to the diputacion,
Don
Carlos may be in line to be a member of the national congress in
Mexico City. He will most certainly take his wife with him, turning
the operation of the hacienda
and rancho
over to his eldest son, José.”
“And
more foreigners have arrived,” Mateo commented. “The Scot, Robert
Arnold, Alexander Cooper, the surgeon of the British ship Blossom,
and Roger Cooper all seem to be making their homes among the
non-Californians.”
“The
surgeon is only visiting,” James said. “He will soon be returning
to San Francisco as part of the next trading convoy.”
Felipe
arrived unusually late but with a huge smile on his sun-darkened
face. Nobody missed the gleam in his dark brown eyes. However, before
he could say a word, Doña
Bauza came onto the terrace and led him inside, shushing his efforts
to tell them of his news.
“It
must be extremely good news.”
Nobody
argued with Mateo.
“He
is gone! The governor sent an order to have El
Macaco
arrested and relieved from his command. Lieutenant Estrada is now
captain and comandante
of the presidio
and Lieutenant Pacheco is to conduct an investigation leading to
possible charges.”
“But
you said he was gone,” Timothy observed.
“He
is as good as gone as he is under house arrest and no longer can give
orders to anyone.”
“There
will be much trouble over this,” Jaime muttered. “A man like that
never gives up power easily.”
*****
Jaime's
words proved prophetic.
“Get
your rifle and pistols! Now. Hurry.” Timothy rushed into the house
calling out for all to hear. He rushed into the room where weapons
were kept and was in the process of strapping on a pistol belt when
the others joined him. James was calm but Alberto showed the
excitement of a younger man.
Nobody
asked questions, just followed the older man down to the stables
where horses were quickly saddled and bridled. Jaime soon joined
them, carrying his powerful bow and a quiver of arrows. He also had
two pistols but preferred the weapon he felt most comfortable with.
Nobody argued as Butterfly, Apolonia, and Teresa Marta joined them,
all carrying weapons. They were not about to let their men go in
harm's way alone.
Timothy
led the way, calling out to one of the girls to close and secure the
gates to the compound. They galloped up the hill to the mission where
Corporal Samosa waited with the four members of the escolta
armed and ready behind him. “We will guard the misión,
Señor.
Please just do what you can to protect the chapel.”
Touching
the brim of his sombrero,
Timothy turned and spurred his horse into a gallop, the others
following.
The
reached the chapel just in time. Eight of Gonzalez' artillerymen were
on a rampage, angered at what they saw to be the mistreatment of
their captain. They had already set flame to three buildings outside
the presidio
walls and were stalking toward the chapel carrying fiery torches.
Padres
Juncosa and Sanchez stood before the closed gates of the chapel armed
only with the processional cross and a copy of the holy bible. They
were clearly prepared to give their lives to defend their charges,
the disciples cowering inside the chapel. The burning houses were
theirs.
The
newcomers leaped from their horses and quickly formed up in front of
the friars. They knew the horses would not skitter as the reins were
grounded.
“Get
out of our way!” one of the soldiers yelled.
Timothy
and the others noted the unruly soldiers bore pistols but nothing
else other than the required knives in their belts and boots.
Timothy
leveled his rifle and cocked the hammer, an action followed by the
others. “We outnumber and out arm you. I strongly suggest you throw
those torches away and return to your barracks to let the alcoholic
rage leave your bodies.”
“They
are responsible for the outrage to our captain,” one of the
artillerymen screamed. He started to take a step forward and froze at
the sound of a musket shot.
“You
will immediately drop your weapons and douse those torches or we will
shoot you where you stand.”
They
dazedly turned to stare at Captain Estrada leading a full squad of
soldados
de cuera
led by a corporal they all knew had been badly treated by Gonzalez.
“You
have but ten heartbeats to obey my command before you are shot where
you stand.”
The
soldiers sullenly obeyed, grumbling while the leatherjacket soldiers
quickly and tightly bound their hands behind their backs, leading
them away to the garrison.
“I
most humbly beg your pardon, reverend fathers, for letting those men
get out of control and threaten you and this holy place.”
Father
Juncosa stepped forward and signed the cross on the captain's
forehead followed by kissing his cheeks. He then turned and called
out for the disciples to open the chapel doors. “And we will never
forget your readiness to protect us, Don
Timoteo. You and your family will always be in your debt.”
“How
did you learn of this, Señor?
I was notified but a few moments ago.”
“One
of the disciples ran to our compound and told us of the events. We
came as soon as we could.”
Estrada
looked at the weapons held by Timothy and the others and sadly shook
his head. “If only we had weapons like that, Señor.
We would be invincible.”
“I
strongly suggest you talk to either Señor
Arnel or Señor
Cooper. I am certain they can make arrangements for you to obtain
similar rifles.”
Estrada
looked at the ground and said, “If only Comisario
Herrera would provide us with the funds to purchase them.”
Timothy
stepped forward and placed a hand on the shoulder
of the newly
promoted officer. “I am certain that either man will do whatever
they can if you request their aid. Payment can be made in a wide
variety of methods. Perhaps you can offer to provide additional
security for their warehouses.”
Estrada
clasped Timothy's arm in thanks and turned to stride back to the
presidio,
saluting all the others before doing so.
“We
have made some enemies this night, father.”
“Yes,
James, we have. For that reason, we must always be prepared for
whatever may come our way.”
The
major cause of the problem left Monte Rey in October, riding south
with his artillerymen staying behind to man the cannon at el
Castillo.
An escort of five leatherjacket soldiers lead by a corporal ensured
he would reach his destination of San Diego where Governor Echeandia
awaited him.
Word
spread quickly throughout California of the confrontation between The
Family and the artillerymen.
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