During the years of Mexican sovereignty, California
was ruled by a governor appointed by officials in faraway Mexico
City. A provincial legislature, or diputación, met in Monterey
but its powers were strictly limited.
Politics in Mexican California were turbulent and often
chaotic. In one five-year period, from 1831 to 1836, California had
eleven different gubernatorial administrations--not counting three
hapless individuals who were appointed to the governorship but whom
the Californians did not permit to take office. The native-born Californios
grew discontented with Mexican rule and sought greater control over
their own affairs.
The most dramatic assertion of Californio discontent
was the "revolution" led by Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1836.
Alvarado, president of the diputación, seized control of the
capital in Monterey and deported most of the Mexican officials. On
November 7, 1836, he proclaimed California "a free and sovereign
State."
The revolution was short-lived. The Mexican government
in 1837 offered Alvarado the governorship of California. He accepted
the offer.
Politics in Mexican California were turbulent and often
chaotic. In one five-year period, from 1831 to 1836, California had
eleven different gubernatorial administrations--not counting three
hapless individuals who were appointed to the governorship but whom
the Californians did not permit to take office. The native-born Californios
grew discontented with Mexican rule and sought greater control over
their own affairs.