 The Siete Leyes reforms to Mexico's government had combined the two territories of Alta California and Baja California into a single "departamento" under the pre-1804 Spanish-era name of "Las Californias".His term began on January 2, 1836, succeeding acting ("ad interim") governor José Castro, and Gutiérrez served as governor "ad interim" until the arrival of official appointee Mariano Chico.Chico, however, was dismissed for abandoning his post, and Gutiérrez returned to the job in July.