Pico's decree in 1845 retained the principal building for the bishop and padres; but all the rest and the orchards and lands were to be rented, which was accordingly done December 5, to Nicholas A.Den and Daniel Hill for $1200 per year, the property being valued at $20,288.

Padre Duran was growing old, and the Indians were becoming more careless and improvident; so, when Pico wrote him to give up the Mission lands and property to the renters, he did so willingly, though he stated that the estate owed him $1000 for money he had advanced for the use of the Indians.

The Indians were to receive one third of the rental, but there is no record of a cent of it ever getting into their hands.

June 10, 1846, Pico sold the Mission to Richard S.Den for $7500, though the lessees seem to have kept possession until about the end of 1848.

The land commission confirmed Den's title, though the evidences are that it was annulled in later litigation.