Why were there conflicts between the Mexicans and Indians in San Diego?
From the beginning the San Diego settlers had lived surrounded by thousands of natives, most of whom regarded the Mexicans with fear and suspicion. As previously mentioned the secularization of the missions and the disbandment of the military garrison made conditions ripe for Kumeyaay raids and retaliation. Complicating matters was the fact that thousands of ex-mission Christian Indians drifted in and out of the Mexican settlements working as servants and laborers. When not living by the mission or pueblo they rejoined relatives in the hinterlands. Sometimes the Mexicans recruited the local Indians to serve as auxiliaries in the armies that the San Diegans raised during their civil wars with the norteños. Many Kumeyaay servants were intensely loyal to their Mexican employers, often saving their employer’s lives by warning of attacks. Other Mexican settlers regarded all Christianized Indians with suspicion, as possible conspirators in league with the marauding bands in the back country.
