CALIFORNIA. 
163 
By this time the supreme government became convinced that although 
they had apparently adopted the best mode of palliating the injury the 
missions had received, yet it had served rather to increase the diffi¬ 
culty. The new Mexican priests were in every way inferior to the old 
Spaniards, neither possessing their intelligence, their skill in governing, 
their correct principles, nor their dignity of deportment; in short, they 
were totally unfit for their situation. 
In 1825, the supreme government appointed Don Jose Echandia, a 
Mexican, to succeed Arguello as governor; and he gave universal 
satisfaction, till 1829, when a revolt took place among the Californians 
and Indians in the garrison of Monterey, in consequence of their not 
receiving the arrears of pay that were due them. The governor, with 
becoming energy, put down this disturbance, and restored order. 
In 1831, Echandia was succeeded by Don Manuel Victoria, who 
changed the whole policy of his predecessor. He became at once, 
from his tyrannical conduct, extremely unpopular, and in the first year 
of his administration was so severely wounded in a skirmish at Los 
Angelos, as to be incapable of continuing in the command. The in¬ 
surrection, of which this skirmish was an incident, was the most serious 
that had occurred. It owed its formidable character, as was believed, 
to the aid which the foreigners gave the Californians : this was the first 
time the former had interfered with the affairs of the country. 
After this event, General Figueroa, who was sent to rule over Upper 
California, by his mild yet firm deportment, reconciled opinions, and 
put down all opposition. His administration is still spoken of as 
having been conducted with great ability and moderation. By his 
recommendation, the supreme government had sent out a colony of two 
hundred labourers and agriculturists, of which the country was much 
in want, to Monterey ; but instead of their being what Figueroa had 
asked for, or such as was reported to have been sent, they turned out 
to be mere idlers, who had been living at the public expense. The 
arrival of this colony produced the most unhappy effects, and with 
them arose an enmity between the Californians and Mexicans, that has 
acquired additional acrimony from the favour shown the latter by the 
succeeding governors. Figueroa died in 1835, greatly regretted by 
all: his death proved a great loss to the country, for, had he lived, 
things would probably have turned out favourably. 
Colonel Chico, the next in command, succeeded Figueroa, but was 
ill-suited for the situation, and the contrast between him and his pre¬ 
decessor was too perceptible for him to give satisfaction ; his conduct 
towards the inhabitants tended to increase the unfavourable impressions 
he had first made. It was not long before a dispute arose between 
