"Namely, that each able-bodied Indian of good character, member of this Mission, shall receive a plot of land of sufficient acreage to maintain himself and his family; the land, of course, to be taken from the leagues still held by this Mission, in trust, from the Mexican government."
Padre Osuna did not speak.
"The Indians are but overgrown children, and are incapable of caring for themselves, except under strict tutelage. So said the great missionary, Padre Junipero Serra, and the years have shown the wisdom of his thought." Thus, Padre Suscol, of Sonoma.
"Years ago I gave each of my Indians his piece of land. They are working it for themselves, and ably. Padre Junipero spoke of the issue as he knew it sixty years ago, and most wise were his words, but he could not foresee present-day needs," was Mendoza's reply.
"The procedure that you propose will impoverish the Mission," remonstrated another friar.
"Many of the hacenderos are giving each year a tithe to the Mission. Let the Indians be instructed to do the same, either in money or in labor," rejoined Mendoza.
Osuna lifted his eyes. "Why load this burden on our neophytes?"
"To teach them the necessity of self-reliance. They should become of age, as regards development of mind."
"Their old teachers should determine that," from Padre Mercado.
"The state determines when our sons and daughters attain their majority, not we," from Mendoza.