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guards, it was shown that they had but one useless gun and a short sword to defend the horses and themselves. 21 In view of the facts revealed by the investigation, Manuel Malo de Mendoza, who conducted it, returned formal charges of negligence against both Diego Ramon and Ignacio de la Garza. The governor reported the whole proceedings to the viceroy, transmitted a copy of the testimony and findings in the case, and informed him that he had suspended De la Garza from his rank as lieutenant until further instructions from His Excellency. The matter was referred by the viceroy to the Auditor de Gtterra, who rendered his opinion and recommendations on September 4, 1724. He advised that His Excellency confirm the temporary suspension of Ignacio de la Garza, acting lieutenant, and he recommended that since Colonel Olors, whom the viceroy had decided to appoint as Captain of the presidio to replace Diego Ramon, had died, that another man of recognized merit and ability be selected and given instructions to restore the discipline of the garrison. The Auditor was emphatic in his con- demnation of the treatment accorded the Indians of the mission and strongly urged that the new commander be instructed to do everything possible to reconcile them. On September 17, the viceroy ordered that the recommendations made by the Auditor be put into effect without delay, and that a copy be sent to Don Pedro de Rivera for his information. 22 Appointment of Bustillos y Ceballos as Captain of La Ba/ti.a. Acting upon the recommendation of the Auditor, the viceroy soon afterwards appointed Don Juan Antonio de Bustillos y Ceballos to replace Diego Ramon as commander of the Presidio of Nuestra Senora de Loreto. Just when he arrived at his new post is not clear, but by the spring of 1725 he was already at La Bahia. As early as October, 1724, Governor Almazan had heard of the appointment, for in a letter written on the 24th of that month he said that on August 2 a ship with provisions, supplies, and arms had arrived at La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, but that these had not been issued to the soldiers because the captain-elect of the presidio had not come. He had ordered the arms to be distributed to the men so that they might be well equipped to defend themselves against the Indians, who, although they seemed to have assumed a peaceful attitude and visited the presidio now and then, could not be trusted. Shortly after 21Autos fechos en la Bahia de el Espiritu Santo sobre dos muertes que ejecu- taron los yndios ... A.G. N., P,-ovincias lnte,-nas, Vol. 181. · UQpinion del Auditor General. A. G. N., P,-ovincias lnte,-nas, Vol. 181.
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