JOHN C. FREMONT. 231 



While devoting his attention to his private inte- 

 rests in California, Colonel Fremont was elected to 



governor by the provincial deputation. In 1837, he repelled the 

 effort of Cavallo, who had been appointed governor by Mexico, to 

 take possession of the government, and was afterward confirmed as 

 Governor of California by the constitutional authorities of Mexico. 

 He continued in that office until Micheltorrena was appointed to suc- 

 ceed him, and he was appointed first counsellor of the departmental 

 junta with a salary of $1500. For these services the following 

 grant was made : 



" 'Whereas, Don Juan B. Alvarado, colonel of the auxiliary militia 

 of this department, is worthy for his patriotic services to be pre- 

 ferred in his pretension for his personal benefit and that of his family, 

 for the tract of land known by the name of the Mariposas, to the ex- 

 tent of ten square leagues, (sitios de ganado mayor,,) within the limits 

 of the Snow Mountain (Sierra Nevada) and the rivers known by the 

 names of the Chauchilles, of the Mereed, and the San Joaquin, the 

 necessary requirements, according to the provisions of the laws and 

 regulations, having been previously complied with, by virtue of the 

 authority in me vested, in the name of the Mexican nation, I have 

 granted to him the aforesaid tract, declaring the same by these pre- 

 sents his property in fee, subject to the approbation of the Most Ex- 

 cellent the Departmental Assembly and to the following conditions : 



" ' 1. He shall not sell, alienate, or mortgage the same, nor subject 

 it to taxes, entail, or any other encumbrance. 



" ( 2. He may enclose it without obstructing the crossings, the 

 roads, or the right of way: he shall enjoy the same freely and with- 

 out hinderance, destining it to such use or cultivation as may most 

 Buit him ; but he shall build a house within a year, and it shall be 

 inhabited. 



*' ' 3. He shall solicit, from the proper magistrate, the judicial poa- 



