Then followed the "election" of a new governor, and the wire-pullers announced that Luis Argueello was the "choice of the convention." In 1825 the Mexican republic may be said to have become fairly well established.

Iturbide was out of the way, and the politicians were beginning to rule.

A new "political chief" was now sent to California in the person of Jose Maria Echeandia, who arrived in San Diego late in October, 1825.

While he and his superiors in Mexico were desirous of bringing about secularization, the difficulties in the way seemed insurmountable.

The Missions were practically the backbone of the country; without them all would crumble to pieces, and the most fanatical opponent of the system could not fail to see that without the padres it would immediately fall.