The Organization of Mission Life, I722-I728
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almost gone. The logs had rotted in some instances, but more frequently they had been deliberately pulled out and used for kindling and firewood by the soldiers themselves. It was evident that the officers in command had made no protest against this unpardonable abuse. He recommended that the fortification should be rebuilt in its entirety out of brick, as wood did not last in this locality on account of the humidity of the sea breeze, and stone was too far away to bring it for that purpose. As to the men, he found some were supremely happy because of the absolute lack of discipline and employment; while others were disgusted with their idleness and the inefficiency and the languor of martial spirit of the commander. He sent to the viceroy, together with his report of the inspection, a petition drawn up by a number of the soldiers, asking His Excellency to remove Diego Ramon from command and place a more Having completed the inspection, Governor Almazan proceeded to hold an investigation into the death of Captain Jose Domingo Ramon. After examining a large number of witnesses, all of whom testified to the principal facts without contradiction, he found that the trouble began on December 15, 1723. An Indian from the mission entered the house of a soldier in the presidio, where a cow had just been killed and was being butchered. While waiting for a portion .of meat, the native decided to shake the dust off his blanket. Unfortunately, the particles fell in a cloud upon the corn which the wife of the lieutenant of the presidio was grinding on a nietate. This enraged the woman, who called her husband and asked him to drive the Indian out of the presidio. He was accordingly ordered to depart, but he refused to leave without a piece of meat, whereupon a scuffle followed and the Indian was obliged to take refuge in the pueblo of the mission. The officer in charge sent two soldiers to bring him back in order to whip him, but he attempted to escape. They pursued him, overtook him, and one of them wounded him with a knife. The rest of the tribe became alarmed. About forty warriors took up their bows and arrows and attacked the soldiers, wounding many of their horses. In the meantime the whole Indian population became aroused, but fearing the consequences of an encounter with the garrison, the natives fled to the woods. Captain Jose Domingo Ramon was at a ranch two leagues from the 19Fernando Perez de Almazan to the Viceroy, May I, 1724. A. G. N., P,-MJiflCias I ntef'nas, Vol. I a I. capable man in his place. 19 Deatli of Captain Ramon.
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