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It was my intention, after paying a visit of ceremony to his excellency, Governor Arrillaga, to come to San Francisco for the sole purpose of meeting a man whose record has inspired me with the deepest interest.
We should be ordered summarily to Mexico, perhaps worse, and no Russian would ever be permitted to set foot in the Californias again. I would it were otherwise. I know I know but it is inevitable. Your excellency must see it. Even were you a Catholic, Governor Arrillaga and the President of the Missions, at least, would not dare to countenance this marriage without the consent of the King."
He died at Mission Soledad on July 25, 1813, and was buried there. The only Spanish Governor to be buried in California. The ninth Spanish Governor was Jose Dario Arguello, who was in office one year, the interval between the death of Arrillaga and the advent of Pablo Vicente de Sola the last Spanish Governor of California.
"Russia is not at war with Spain," said Rezanov, with a flash of amusement in his half-closed eyes. "Napoleon Bonaparte is encamped about half way between the two countries. They could not get at each other if they wished. While that man is at large, Europe will be at war with him, no two nations with each other." "Ah!" exclaimed Arrillaga.
It was always a gala day when ever a Boston skipper came in with a few bales of goods and a complexion like the hides we sold him. Now, alas! they are no longer permitted to enter our ports. Governor Arrillaga will have none of contraband trade and slaying of our otter. And as for Europeans other than Spaniards, save for an English sea captain now and then, they know naught of our existence."
Pablo Soler the excellent physician and surgeon of the Province of California was unable to help him; and Romeu died in Monterey in less than two years of office. Jose de Arrillaga was the sixth governor. This governor was a finished general, and placed the presidios of California on a solid basis; he was painstaking and careful of detail.
Before leaving Borica did a good service to Spain and California in recommending the reappointment of Jose Joaquin Arrillaga. Arrillaga continued to organize strong military defenses for California. He served as Spanish Governor of California fourteen years, and first of all declared himself on all occasions "a loyal son of the Church."
"You might remind the viceroy that Spain and the United States of America have been on the verge of war for years, and suggest the benefit of an alliance with Russia in the case of the new country taking advantage of the situation in Europe to extend its western boundaries " Arrillaga had bounced to his feet, his small eyes injected and blazing. "Those damned Bostonians!" he shouted.
The Mexican society of the time certainly contained some excellent exceptions, but as a general rule it was a sad contrast to that of the preceding period, nor had the ten governors of this era the energy or standing of the ever remembered Portola, Borica, de Neve, Arrillaga or Sola.
"Not only would it be impossible for my conscience to resign itself to the marriage of my daughter with a heretic pardon, Excellency without the blessing of the Pope; not only would no priest in California perform the ceremony until it arrived, but it would mean the degradation of Governor Arrillaga and myself, and the ruin of all your other hopes.
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