José Figueroa had granted the Luiseño three pueblos including Las Flores and San Pascual.
[1] After the Battle of San Pasqual, the Californio lancers, a Mexican military force, broke up into different groups.
Along the way, the men stole a herd of fine horses belonging to the Pauma band of the Luiseño and retreated to the rancho.
Chief Manuel called the area bands together for a tribal council to decide the fate of the horse thieves.
The tribal leaders decided the Californios should undergo ritual torture and execution for their crimes against the Pauma band.