The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-26


The information above given concerning the con-
dtion of the missions, at the time of the cessation
of the former government, Is partly obtained from
documents in the archives, and partly from private
sources. What is to be traced in the archives Is on
loose sheets of paper liable to be lost; and parts
quite likely have been lost there may also be some
papers concerning them which, in the nass OF doc
uments, escaped my examination. Ihave no doubt,
however, Of the exactness of the statement above
given, far as il goes.
IL will be seen then that the missions-the princ-
pal part of their lands cut off by private grants but
still, no doubt, each embracing considerable
tract-perhaps from one to ten lea agues-have, some
of them, been sold granted under the former
government, and become private property; some
converted into villages, and consequently granted
in the usual form in lots individuals and heads Of
families; part in the hands of rentees, and at
the disposal of the government when these
tracts expire; and the remainder at its present dis
posal.
If it were within my province to suggest what
would be equitable disposition Of such of the
missions remain the property Of the Government,
should say that the churches, with all the church
property and ornaments; portion Of the principal
building for the residence OF the priest, with
piece OF land equal to that designated in the org-
nal act Of the Mexican Congress for their seculari
zation, Ito wit, two hundred varas square.) with
another piece for cemetery, should be granted to
the respective Catholic parishes, for the uses speci
fed and the remainder Of the buildings, with por-
tons OF land attached for schools and municipal
county purposes and for the residence of the
bishop. the same allotment at the mission of Santa
Barbara that was made in the last proclamation Of
Governor Pico The churches, certainly, ought
not TO be appropriated to any other use and less
than have suggested would, think, be less than
equity and justice, and less than the inhabitants
have always considered and enjoyed as their right.
To conclude the inquiry in the last portion OF
your letter Of instructions, namely, concerning
large gyafsts," other than the supposed ecclesas
teal grants.
did not find in the archives Of California any
record Of large grants in the sense ! suppose the
term TO be here used. There are a number of
grants TO the full extent Of the privilege accorded
by law 20 individual concessions, and of the
thority of the local government 10 make, inde-
pendent Of the central goyernment-to wit, Of
eleven sitios, or leagues square.
There are understood in the country, however, to
be large claims, reputed 10 be founded on grants
direct from the Mexican goyernmcntrone :, held by
archives (as far could discovery only show that
Captain Sutter received, on the 18th July, 1stl,
from Governor Alyerado, the usual grant Of eleven
sitios the river Sacramento and this Is all
ccrtained. The archives likewise show that General
Vallejo received from Governor Micheltorena,
the 22d October, 1923, grant of ten sitos, called
"Petaluna," ;" in the district Of Sonoma; and | was
informed by respectable gentleman in California,
that Gen v. had likewise a grant, from the Mexican
Government, given for valuable consideration, Of
a large tract, known by the name OF "soscol," and
including the site of the present town Of Benicia,
founded by Messrs. Vallejo and Semple, in the
straits Of Carquinez II is sso reputed that the
gentleman has extensive claims in the valley olson
which Gen. Vallejo 10 published in thenews
papers of California in 1S47, that he was deputed in
the year 1895, by Gen. Figueroa to found a settle
ment in the valley Of Sonoms, 'with the object Of
arresting the progress of the Russian settlements of
Bodega and Ross" Gen. Vallejo was at that time
(lS35) military commander Of the northern from
tier He afterwards, Tin 1867 by virtue of
olution which occurred in that year in California,
became military commsndant Of the department
the civil and military government being by the
same act divided-to which Office he was confirmed
in 1888 by the supreme government
The following extract from Governor Figueroas
instructions 10 him will show the extent of General
Valleos powers, agent for colonizing the north;
"You empowered 10 solicit families in all the
territory and other States Of the Mexican Republic
in order TO colonze the northern frontiers, granting
lands 10 all persons who may wish to establish
themselves there, and those grants shall be con.
frmed TO them by the Territorial government
whenever the grantees shall apply therefor; the
title which they obtain from you serving them in
the mean time as a sufficient guarantee, as you
the only individual authorized by the superior au-
thoty 70 concede lands in the frontier under your
charge. The Supreme Government Of the territory
s convinced that you are the only officer TO whom
30 great enterprise can be entrusted and in or
der that il may be accomplished in certain man
ner it is willing to dcfray the necessary expenses
to that end.'
II was told by Major J. X. Snyder, the gentle
man appointed territorial surveyor by Colonel Ma
son. and who made surveys Of a number OF grants
in the central part Of the country, that he had little
difficulty in following the calls, and ascertainlng
the bounds of the grants.