![[Broadside sending deserters from the Mexican Army to California.]](https://api.maggs.com/image/088c001f-9dee-47c1-be39-eeed72011a2a/1248x1248.webp)
Letterpress broadside on laid paper measuring 420 by 310mm. San Luis Potosi, 2 July, 1822.
An excellent survival of a San Luis Potosi reprint of Emperor Agustin de Iturbide's decree which intended to deal with the problem of deserters from the army and address populating the territories of the Californias.
Iturbide offers to pardon deserters who surrender to the authorities and resume their service, and orders first-time deserters who don't surrender within eight days be taken to the Californias, at the disposal of the General Commanders there. This policy represents an early attempt by the new government to find a way to send men to serve in the missions and presidios in the Californias.
Mexico gained independence from Spain on August 24, 1821. As the successor state to the Viceroyalty of New Spain, Mexico included the provinces of Alta California and Baja California as territories. This printing marks a very early reference to the Californias which at that time didn't even had a legislature, another four months would pass before one was created.
Even with the establishment of a republican government in 1824, Alta California, like many northern territories, was not recognized as a constituent State of Mexico because of its small population. Citizens were understably reluctant to colonize the Californias for a variety of reasons, including a lack of investment, infrastructure, as well as Native Americans who sought to protect their own lands.
Rare: not on OCLC.
