Thanks, But No Thanks

Governor Figueroa made Captain Walker another offer after observing the conduct of the men - outright title to 30,000 acres of any unoccupied land he wanted in northern California in exchange for a settlement of 50 American mechanics.  Walker would direct these men and their families to develop the land however was best and lucrative to them.

Figueroa needed men to hold the Indians in check, frustrate the British and Russians to the north and control undesirable settlers from the East.  

Walker politely turned him down and as Leonard wrote in his journal "...his love for laws and free institutions of the US and his hatred of Spanish government deterred him from accepting."

Time to go home...next time.