56. [GUZMÁN, José María]. Breve noticia que da al Supremo Gobierno, del actual estado del territorio de la Alta California, y medios que propone para la ilustracion y comercio en aquel país el guardian del Colegio Apostólico de San Fernando de México, año de 1833. Mexico: Imprenta de la Aguila, dirigida por José Ximeno, calle de Medinas núm. 6, 1833. [5] 5-8 pp., folded statistical table (Estado que manifiesta la población de los presidios, pueblos y misiones del Territorio de la Nueva California, con expresión del número de ganados y semillas cosechadas en el año de 1828, sheet measures 29.6 x 41.7 cm). 8vo (20.3 x 13.5 cm), original plain paper wrappers, original stitching. Other than a small wormhole throughout (occasionally touching a letter), very fine.

            First edition. Cowan II, p. 154. Doheny Sale 200. Graff 1696. Holliday 464. Howell, California 50:108: “Official report on the missions of California at the time of secularization, with table of statistical information dating back to 1828. Guzmán, the head of the Franciscan College of San Fernando in Mexico City, was extremely knowledgeable about the activities of the Missions in Alta California. He suggests that the Pious Fund be used for enterprises outside the Missions.” Libros Californianos, p. 15 (Wagner list). Norris 1447. Palau 111800. Streeter Sale 2467: “Until September 1945 the only copies known of this important California pamphlet were at Pomona and Huntington, but since that time at least five more copies have turned up in the United States, apparently from a remainder discovered at Mexico City.—TWS.” Wagner cited this work as one of the twenty rarest and most important books on California. Fray Guzmán left the College of San Fernando in order to go to Rome to promote the beatification of Fray Antonio Margil, the “Apostle of Texas.”

            The statistical table dated April 29, 1833, presents a demographics of Alta California by the four jurisdictions (San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and San Diego), including census of population by gender and adults and children. At that time the population of Los Angeles was 1,388. Also enumerated are types of livestock, such as cattle, horses, and sheep. Cultivated areas are set out, with agricultural crops, including corn, wheat, and beans. ($750-1,500)

Auction 21 Abstracts