I regret to say that the last paragraph was true.  The brave Martinez, who had stood to the last, who had faced death in many battles, had been foully murdered, but not, as was reported, by an Indian; he had fallen under the knife of an assassin—–­ but it was a Mexican who had been bribed to the base deed.

Up to the present all had prospered.  I was called “The Liberator, the Protector of California.”  Splendid offers were made to me, and the independence of California would have been secured, had I only had two small vessels to reduce the southern seaports which had not yet declared themselves, either fearing the consequences of a rebellion, or disliking the idea of owing their liberation to a foreign condottiere, and a large force of savages.

The Apaches returned homes with eighty mules loaded with their booty; so did the Arrapahoes with pretty nearly an equal quantity.  My Shoshones I satisfied with promises, and returned with them to the settlement, to prepare myself for forthcoming events.

A few chapters backwards I mentioned that I had despatched my old servant to Monterey.  He had taken with him a considerable portion of my jewels and gold to make purchases, which were firmly to establish my power over the Indian confederacy.  A small schooner, loaded with the goods purchased, started from Monterey; but, never being seen afterwards, it is probable that she fell into the hands of the pirate vessels which escaped from San Francisco.

I had relied upon this cargo to satisfy the just demands of my Indians upon my arrival at the settlement The loss was a sad blow to me.  The old chief had just died, the power had devolved entirely upon me, and it was necessary, according to Indian custom, that I should give largess, and show a great display of liberality on my accession to the command of the tribe; so necessary, indeed, was it, that I determined upon returning to Monterey, via San Francisco, to provide what was requisite.  This step was a fatal one, as will be shown when I narrate the circumstances which had occurred during my absence.

Upon hearing the news of our movements In the west, the Mexican government, for a few days, spoke of nothing but extermination.  The state of affairs, however, caused them to think differently; they had already much work upon their hands, and California was very far off.  They hit upon a plan, which, if it showed their weakness, proved their knowledge of Human nature.  While I was building castles in the air, agents from Mexico privately came to Monterey and decided the matter.

They called together the Americans domiciled at Monterey, who were the wealthiest and the most influential of the inhabitants, and asked them what it was that they required from the government?  Diminution of taxes, answered they.  It was agreed.  What next?  Reduction of duty on foreign goods.  Agreed again.  And next?  Some other privileges and dignities.  All these were granted.