42 CALIFORNIA. 



the last, in a moment of exasperation, fired several shots 

 at them. 



Immediately after, the French assembled ; they had 

 smelt powder, and they claimed vengeance. This incident was 

 the cause of the events of the 13th of July. 



From that time, the two chiefs knew that the projected 

 alliance was impossible, the spirits of the men were too much 

 irritated against one another. However negotiations took place. 

 Mr. de Raousset acting in the name of all, wrote to General 

 Yanez, complaining of the aggression made the day before, and 

 asking for the safety of the men whom he commanded, that 

 the General should deliver to him two cannons, and that the 

 National Guard should be disarmed. Yanez, who was expect- 

 ino^ reinforcements from Hermosillo, leno-thened the negrotia- 

 tions as much as he could, and although he acquiesced to the 

 demand of cannons, he refused to disarm the National 

 Guard. Notwithstanding the irritation of the men's spirit, he 

 replied to the daring visit of Count Raousset by another 

 more audacious. He went alone to the French quarters, in- 

 forming them beforehand of his projected visit. They decided 

 to keep him as a prisoner. In so doing, Guaymas was bound 

 to fall into their hands without fighting. 



Arrived at the French quarters, Yanez gave orders to 

 the troops to form themselves into a square. He reminded 

 them of all the kindness he had bestowed upon them, and 

 implored them to give up their rebellion, and to abstain from 

 sheddino^ blood, and that he should treat them in the future as 

 he had done in the past. He told them that they had been 

 treated by him as his children, that they were ungrateful, that 

 God would know how to punish them, and so forth. His speech 

 was delivered with such spirit and tenderness that it over- 

 came the ill-feeling of the men, who replied with hurrahs. 

 Yanez making a good use of the enthusiasm which his speech 

 had produced, ordered Captain Desmarais to open the files, 

 and he went aw^ay free, to the great astonishment of Raousset 

 and his followers. 



It has been affirmed that the subsequent victory he gained 

 over the French, was partly due to that bold deed. From that 

 time discord prevailed among them, some inclining for peace, 

 others for an immediate declaration of war. A commission 

 w^as appointed to confer with the Governor. 



The conference took place on the 13th of July. Yanez 

 was well willing on many points, except that of the disarming 

 of the National Guard. The delegates, in favour of war, 



