TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » General Discussion

Well, it's hard finding time to log on here.

I recently rediscovered a prolific historian Herbert Bancroft who wrote in the late 1800s lots of books about American Indians and the history of various states - California one of them!

I read one of his tomes for the first few centuries of California history but am now in the middle or reading/translating his tomes for the years 1826 to 1848. What I mean by that is, that when they digitized them, they were unable to carry over some of the 19th century typesetting [1884] that resulted in things like Jos6 actually being José. So, while trying to keep track of things, I also have to edit each sentence. And that doesn't even include the copious footnotes of his actual reading of documents dating from the period.

And, what I'm learning is amazing! The first, about the government in Mexico wanting to make California a penal colony I posted recently on my blog. But now, I'm wading through rebellions against the various Mexican governors, disputes between southern and northern groups that even resulted in both sides sending armies against one another. Familiar names turn out to be of Californians from both sides, a number of them the offspring of soldiers arriving in California with Governor Portolá.

And, it also covers a time when friars arrive from Zacatecas and are assigned to take over the northern missions while the friars there are sent to the south. And, a president of the missions is accused of treason and shipped off - the remainder under the threat of being removed because they were born in Spain.

From 1769 to 1821, California existed with little or no discord, what little existed being disagreements between the rights of the friars and the military. The inhabitants relied on the good provided by the missions - all that existed when Mexico came and took the missions away from the friars! [The same thing happened in Baja and you can see the results today]

In any case, just explaining and will get back when I can.

Welcome back... and keep posting history! See my note to you over at Baja Nomad. Thank you for great subject matter!

Originally Posted by sargentodiaz

The first, about the government in Mexico wanting to make California a penal colony I posted recently on my blog.

Total nonsense, given the specs you provide.
First....what part of California would that be? There over 160,000 sq. miles of Alta.

Two.......from where would these prisoners come? Were they to be exiles?

Three..... Who wanted this, and when?

Let's see references, please.

Wow, sounds like fascinating work! I'd be happy to read future posts on the topic.

Originally Posted by DENNIS

Total nonsense, given the specs you provide.
First....what part of California would that be? There over 160,000 sq. miles of Alta.

Two.......from where would these prisoners come? Were they to be exiles?

Three..... Who wanted this, and when?

Let's see references, please.

This comes from Chapter II, THE WORKS OF HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.

VOLUME XX.

HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.

VOL. III. 1825-1840.

SAN FRANCISCO:
THE HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.

1886.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1885, by

HUBERT H. BANCROFT,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

All Rights Reserved.


CHAPTER II.

ECHEAKDIA S RULE POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
1826-1830.

NATIONAL MEASURES, 1826 JUNTA DE FOMENTO ECHEANDJA AT SAN
DIEGO GUERRA FOR CONGRESS, 1827-8 COLONIZATION REGULATIONS
OF 1828 TERRITORIAL DIPUTACION, 1827 PROPOSED CHANGE OF
NAME ECHEANDIA IN THE NORTH DIPUTACION, 1828-30 ELECTION
MAITORENA SENT TO CONGRESS, 1829-30 ACTS OF THE SUPREME GOV
ERNMENT PADRES AS AYUDANTE INSPECTOR GOMEZ AS ASESOR
CALIFORNIA AS A PENAL COLONY ARRIVAL OF 130 CONVICTS CARRILLO
ELECTED TO CONGRESS FOR 1831-2 EXPULSION OF SPANIARDS, 1827-30
LIST OF SPANISH RESIDENTS ECHEANDIA S APPEALS FOR AID His
RESIGNATION APPOINTMENT OF ANTONIO GARCIA THE CALIFORNIAS
SEPARATED MANUEL VICTORIA APPOINTED GOVERNOR.

which can be found @ Full text of "History of California"

Any further questions?