The Biographical Dictionary of America/Argüello, Luis Antonio

ARGÜELLO, Luis Antonio, governor of California, was born in San Francisco, Cal., June 21, 1784, son of José Darío and Ignacia Moraga Argüello. He entered the military service as cadet of the San Francisco company on Sept. 6, 1799, the following year became an ensign, and in March, 1806, was promoted to the lieutenancy and a few months later his father turned over to him the command of the company. In 1817 he was promoted to the rank of captain, and with this rank he held the command of San Francisco until his appointment as governor. In 1818 he made a boat voyage up the Sacramento river, and in 1821 made an expedition to the far north. On Nov. 9, 1822, he was elected president of the provincial deputation, and thus became temporary governor of California in place of Sola, who had previously been elected a deputy to the imperial congress. About November 22 he took possession of the office of governor, and removed from San Francisco to Monterey. The office was, at that time, a very difficult one, the troops being unpaid, and affairs being generally in a very lax and slovenly condition. Argüello immediately devised a system of taxation by which sufficient means could be raised to pay official salaries and other obligations. His administration was marked by prompt and judicious action in all emergencies. In the fall of 1825, Argüello delivered over the government to Echeandía, his successor, and early in 1826 he resumed his position as commandante, but having had a disagreement with Echeandía, that governor ordered his pay as commandante to cease on April 15, 1826, without giving any explanation. Argüello died at San Francisco, March 27, 1830.