Here I saw the inauguration of a Governor, Mr. Latham, a
young man from Massachusetts, much my junior; and met a member of
the State Senate, a man who, as a carpenter, repaired my father's
house at home some ten years before; and two more Senators from
southern California, relics of another age,- Don Andres Pico, from
San Diego; and Don Pablo de la Guerra, whom I have mentioned as
meeting at Santa Barbara. I had a good deal of conversation with these
gentlemen, who stood alone in an assembly of Americans, who had
conquered their country, spared pillars of the past. Don Andres had
fought us at San Pazqual and Sepulveda's rancho, in 1846, and as he
fought bravely, not a common thing among the Mexicans, and, indeed,
repulsed Kearney, is always treated with respect. He had the
satisfaction, dear to the proud Spanish heart, of making a speech
before a Senate of Americans, in favor of the retention in office of
an officer of our army who was wounded at San Pazqual and whom some
wretched caucus was going to displace to carry out a political job.
Don Andres's magnanimity and indignation carried the day.
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