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 



