Higuera, Zelaya, and a few others signified they were in agreement with this.
"My friends, action is the word!" cried Hernandez. "Positive action! Prompt action! Mexico stands at our gates collecting taxes, giving nothing in return, like the robbers at Tarifa. Drop Mexico, I say, and join hands with England, at once!"
"As English subjects a mighty future is ours. Let us not wait," from Abelardo Peralta.
"The young men will have opportunities then," followed Miguel Soto. "An English prime minister ruled his political world when he was twenty-one."
"Why not find from the United States, and from Great Britain as well, the conditions under which they will receive our province? We can then act more intelligently."
"No, no!" chorused many. "England! England! Become English subjects at once."
Hernandez jumped to his feet. "Become British subjects at once!" waving his hand.
Others, and yet others, followed his example, till the place fairly rang with the shouting.
Mendoza rapped on a table. After quiet was restored he began: "Señors, we have in Baja California men like Carillo and the brothers Pico. Unless we allow them a part in our deliberations they will repudiate any action we may take. England does not want a province with divided sentiment. Carillo and the brothers Pico are capable of inciting Southern California to rebellion, if we attempt to turn over the province to England without consulting them."
"Good friends, no embarrassment need be feared from Carillo, nor from the brothers Pico." With these words Señora Valentino floated into the room, her upturned face wreathed in smiles.