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Los Angeles Officially Becomes a City - And (almost) the Capital of Alta California
The present broadside decree, issued on May 23, 1835, by the president of Mexico, Miguel Barragán, bestows city status on the erstwhile Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles. The decree also declares Los Angeles the territorial capital of Alta California.
This decree was largely due to the efforts of Carlos Antonio Carrillo, the deputy from California to the Mexican Congress and author of the Exposición of 1831 - Streeter.
Carlos Antonio Carrillo, a native Californian, served as provincial deputy from California to the Mexican congress. He advocated for Los Angeles to become the capital of Alta California over Monterey. Forces from the rival city were able to block this part of the decree from taking effect. The decree added fuel to the controversy between the northern and southern Californios during the rivalry.
Local Divisions in Mexican California in the 1830s
In the 1830s California experienced significant conflict rooted in the regional rivalry between northern and southern Californios. The 1835 Mexican decree establishing Los Angeles as the territorial capital over Monterey intensified this controversy. Northerners, led by Juan Bautista Alvarado, felt marginalized by the southern dominance, and perceived the decree as an affront to their influence. This tension culminated in Alvarado's successful rebellion in 1836, where he declared himself governor and pushed for greater autonomy from Mexico. The revolt underscored the deep-seated regional divisions within Mexican California and highlighted the struggle for political power and control in the region.
The main text of the decree, translated into English, states:
The town of Los Angeles of Alta California, is hereby declared a City and will be, henceforward, the Capital of this Territory.
Rarity
Very rare in the market. Only a single example in RBH in the last 39 years.
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