USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California > Part 4
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San Francisco. In July, 1871, Father Juní- pero, with two other priests, and a small force of soldiers and neophytes, proceeded sonth to the Cañada de los Robles, where with dne ceremonies they founded the mission of San Antonio. The Indians were induced to as- sist in building a church or capilla, and other necessary houses, for the two priests and their guard of six soldiers.
In the meantime, work was going on in the erection, on a larger scale, of mission buildings in the Carmelo valley, whither President Serra had determined to remove the Monterey establishment, and where he intended, thereafter, to make the head- quarters of all the missions of California. At first the buildings were constructed of timber, which was abundant in the vicinity; the present stone church, having been erected at a later period, the date of which is un- known. It is believed, however, that the present structure occupies the same spot as the original wooden structure, under which four Fathers, Crespí and Serra, Lopez and Lasnen, were buried. In fact their graves were formally located by proper excavations, which Father Casanova, present pastor of Monterey, caused to be made, in the presence of many witnesses, on July 3, 1882. How- ever, the present edifice is much larger than that which it displaced, being 165 feet in length, inside measurements, by twenty-nine feet in width, and sixty-two feet from the floor to the top of the arched roof;, whereas the former building, according to the record of Father Palon, was only thirty varas in
San Carlos Mission.
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length, or something over eighty feet. In the cemetery near by are buried other priests and two governors, and besides, it is said, more than 2,700 Indians.
The buildings of most of the missions were constructed, as nearly as possible, on a gen- eral, uniformn plan, the church being built in the center, of stone or adobe and roofed with tile. Near by were the residences of the priests, the storehouses for the storage of grain, wine and oil, and shops for the black- smiths and for the soap-makers, and at some of the establishments for wine and oil presses; etc. In the larger missions, like those of San Gabriel, San Fernando, etc., where eventually large vineyards and olive orchards were planted, and where the neophytes were very numerous, the missions were laid out on an extensive scale. At night the men and women were locked up separately; and the discipline, though at all times was very strict, was paternal and kind toward those Indians who were docile and industrious; but senti- mental considerations were not permitted to stand in the way of the rigorous treatment of those who did not behave themselves, or who were in any wise obstreperous.
A little distance away from the central buildings were large corrals for the cattle, horses or sheep; and not far off was the " ran- cheria," or Indian camp. Also, close by, there was usually a building provided as quar- ters for a few soldiers. Most of the missions had gardens, and small orchards of pear, peach, fig, pomegranate, and other fruit trees. Each mission was under the control of a
priest, who was responsible to the resident president of the Franciscan order in Califor- nia, who, in turn, was subject to the orders of the College of San Fernando, in the city of Mexico. The heads of some of these mis- sions were not only zealous in spiritual mat- ters, but they were also wise managers of the temporalities placed under their charge, and as a consequence the establishments under their rule prospered exceedingly.
The presidios, which were generally some distance away from the missions, consisted of barracks for the officers and men, warehouses, and a church or chapel, etc., inclosed by high adobe walls in an area several yards square. They were supposed to be garrisoned by seventy soldiers, but in fact they did not often reach that number. The military au- thority of each commandante extended over a certain section of the territory, and he rep- resented the viceroy throughout that district; and lie might be, and often was, a sort of independent despot, in his way. He was re- quired to protect the missions, but not to interfere with their internal management. The treatment of the Indians by the com- mandantes was not always in accord with that of the missionaries, the former being some- times harsh and brutal, whilst the latter was gentle, as a rule.
The differences between the military and religious authorities became finally so serious that President Serra felt impelled to make a trip to the city of Mexico in 1772-73, in order to have those differences composed, and to obtain a clearer definition of the mutual
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relations between the differing parties. In this he was successful, and on his return matters moved on more smoothly. He also fully reported to the viceroy the condition and wants of the missions under his juris- diction.
The commandantes of presidios, under Spanish laws, were authorized to grant build- ing lots or solares to soldiers and others, un- der certain restrictions; and the first grant made was by Rivera y Moncada to Manuel Bruton, a soldier of the presidio at Monterey, who had married an Indian neophyte. The graut contained 140 varas square.
In the spring of 1772, Fages, with Friar Crespí, and a dozen soldiers, in pursuance of orders from the viceroy, set out by land on an exploring expedition to the port of San Francisco, for the purpose of establishing a mission and presidio there in order to pre- vent the occupation of that important harbor by any foreign power.
In 1773, Fages, while searching for de- serters in the mountains southeast of the Salinas valley, saw the Tulare plains. This year the first annual report of the condition of the missions was made to the viceroy. At San Carlos and San Antonio, at the end of 1773, there had been 165 and 158 bap- tisms, respectively. At both these missions the gentile Indians were becoming more friendly; they could not resist the kindness of the missionaries, nor the food which was offered theni.
The expedition of Fages and Crespí in 1772 to the bay of San Francisco, passed
along the east side of the bay, and, being unable to cross over to the entrance of the harbor, returned without selecting a site for a mission; but, in the latter part of 1774, another expedition, under Commandante Rivera y Moncada and Father Palou, set out from Monterey, and following up the west side of San Francisco bay they at last came in sight of the Golden Gate.
Father Palou found suitable sites on this expedition for several missions, including those whereon San Juan Bautista, Santa Cruz and Dolores were afterward estab- lished.
Governor Felipe de Neve, who had been residing at Loreto, Baja California, exercis- ing his functions as governor of both the Californias, was directed by the king in a royal order, issued in 17.75, to reside at Mon- terey, which was to be the capital of the Californias, Rivera y Moncada was required to reside at Loreto, and act as lieutenant- governor. This change was due to the influ- ence and sagacity of José de Galvez, who was now Minister of State for the Indies. Gover- nor Neve, who was an enlightened ruler, soon after his arrival at Monterey, inaugurated a movement for the establishment of pueblos, for the double purpose of encouraging set- tlers, and furnishing grain and other produce to the presidios. Under his fostering care, San José and Los Angeles were founded, and they prospered from the start. President Serra was not pleased with the policy, and in- sisted that the missions could have furnished the presidios with needed supplies. But, as
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Neve said, " This would not people the land with Spanish subjects."
A new and comprehensive system of mili- tary government for the Californias was de- vised by Governor Neve, at the request of the king, and was duly submitted for royal approval. This important document was issued June 1, 1779, withont modification, as recommended by Neve, and was to go into effect in 1781.
Bancroft gives the details, which he claims were never before published, of a quarrel between Governor Neve and President Serra, in regard to the administration of the rite of confirmation. It was the old fight, in which the prerogatives of the State were pitted against the prerogatives of the church.
Governor Neve received an order from the king in 1777, not to permit Captain Cook, the commander of two English vessels sailing in the south seas, to enter any ports of Cali- fornia. In 1779, the first Spanish galleon from Manila, the San José, Captain José Imparan, arrived off Monterey, but did not anchor, although some of her officers came on shore.
This year neophyte alcaldes and regidores were elected at San Carlos and San Antonio, and other missions.
On the 10th of September, 1782, Neve turned over the office of governor of the province to Fages, the former having been promoted to the position of Inspector Gen- eral of Provincias Internas; and he also had conferred on him by the king, the Cross of the Order of San Carlos; while Fages was
appointed by the viceroy successor of Neve as governor of California. Fages took up his residence at Monterey, the capital, in the latter part of this year, and filled the office till 1790.
In 1785 the social life of Monterey was enlivened by a quarrel between Fages and his wife, " la Señora gobernadora " as she was known, a lady of gentle birth, and a native of Catalonia, but who apparently had a will of her own. After a year's residence she tired of provincial life, and desired to leave Cali- fornia. Out of a temporary separation, a scandal developed, which disturbed not only the peace of society at the capital, but of both the military and ecclesiastical authorities. After a time, however, the bitterness of the quarrel between the governor and his wife exhausted itself, and, through the interces- sion of friends and of the padres at San Car- los, they became reconciled. As Fages, like Neve, was a capable as well as a conscientious servant of the State, and as the president of of missions, Lasuen, like Serra, was both a zealous and an able servant of the church, it is not very strange that the contest of pre- rogatives engendered between Serra and Neve should have continued between Lasnen and Fages. In fact the contest was perennial, and never altogether ceased till the final secular- ization of the missions in 1833.
The distinguished navigator, La Pérouse, in his voyage of scientific discovery around the world anchored " among the whales " in Monterey bay for ten days in the month of September, 1786, and he and his officers and
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scientific corps were very cordially enter- tained by Governor Fages, and by the padres of San Carlos. Necessary supplies were obtained, for which payment was reluctantly received. The gallant Frenchman asked leave to make certain presents to the soldiers and to the missions; and in his account of his visit he makes mention of this incident. " Our gardener gave to the missionaries some potatoes from Chili, perfectly sound; I be- lieve this is not one of the least of our gifts, and that this root will succeed perfectly aronnd Monterey." He also mentions that a handmill for grinding grain was presented to the mission whereby four neophyte women could do the work of a hundred by their primi- tive methods. La Pérouse's observations concerning California, or so much of it as he saw and learned of it, in his brief visit to Monterey, are wonderfully accurate.
Governor Fages issued an order to Com- mandante José Arguello, of San Francisco, in May, 1789, warning him to be watchful of "a ship named Columbia, which they say belongs to General Washington of the Amer- ican States," and directing him to secure the vessel and all the people on board if she should enter the port of San Francisco, which she never did, though she was in Pacific waters.
About fifty men, under a lieutenant and ensign (alférez), belonged to the presidio of Monterey at this period. Besides there were a surgeon and one or more mechanics. A force of half a dozen soldiers was stationed at San Carlos and San Antonio. The herds,
large and small, mayor y menor, of the pre- sidio in 1790, amonnted to about 4,000 head. At San Antonio there were over 1,000 neo- phytes and of large animals upward of 2,200 head, and of small, nearly 2,000.
Governor Fages' resignation was accepted by the viceroy in May, 1890, and he was succeeded by José Antonio Romen, who did not, however, assume the duties of the office till April, 1791. A close study of the char- acters of the early governors of California will convince any candid student of history of the truth of Bancroft's dictum that they were by no means the colorless " nonentities that modern writers have painted them, and that among them all there is no more original and attractive character than the bluff Cata- lan soldier, Pedro Fages."
During Romen's term, two missions were founded, namely: Santa Cruz, September 25, and La Soledad, October 9, both in the year 1791. In September of this year, Monterey was visited by another scientific exploring expedition that sent ont by Spain under Malaspina, which stayed in port some twelve days. It is said that the first American who ever came to California was a John Groem, or Graham, of Boston, who had shipped as gunner of this expedition at Cadiz. He re- mained here, and was buried at his death at San Carlos.
On the death of Governor Romen, April 9, 1792, Captain José J. de Arrillaga, command- ante at Loreto, and lieutenant-governor of the Californias, became governor ad interim, serv- ing till 1794. He arrived at the capital
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soon after the death of Romeu, and entered at once on a task, which had occupied his predecessor, namely, the adjustment of the presidial accounts, which had fallen into great confusion. In the latter part of 1792, Van- couver, in command of an English exploring expedition around the world, and De la Bodega y Cuadra, Spanish commissioner, visited Monterey and remained some time, or till the middle of January, 1793, when the three Spanish and two English vessels sailed south simultaneously. As the officers of both fleets were cordially received by the author- ities, civil and clerical, on shore, the visit was a very pleasant one for all parties. Astronomical observations had been taken on shore by Vancouver's scientific corps, and many social courtesies were exchanged, all of which made the reception, which Vancouver met on his visit a year later, seem the more chilling by contrast. Arrillaga, who was at Loreto at the time of Vancouver's first visit, feared that the object of the latter was to make observations concerning the condition of the country, and having arrived at Mon- terey he was disposed to facilitate such observations as little as possible. However, on a third visit, in 1794, Vancouver was very cordially received by Alva, and by Arguello, and later by the new governor, Borica, on his arrival in November.
Vancouver's record of what he saw in California is historically interesting and valuable.
Governor de Borica was naturally delighted with Monterey. In letters to his friends he
wrote: "This is a great country; climate healthful, between cold and temperate, good bread, excellent meat, tolerable fish, and bon humeur which is worth all the rest. Plenty to eat, but the most astounding is the general fecundity, both of rationals and irrationals. The climate is so good that all are getting to look like Englishmen. This is the most peaceful and quiet country in the world; one lives better here than in the most cultured court of Europe." He was not far wrong as all eclectic people will say, even to this day. Borica, who served as governor of the pro- vince till 1800, proved to be an intelligent, tactful and faithful executive. He lived in peace with the padres, and general quietness and prosperity prevailed during his rule. In the year 1797-'98, five missions and one pue- blo were founded. The condition of Alta California in 1800 may be summarized in a few words: Eighteen missions, four presidios and three pueblos or towns had been estab- lished, each one of which was entitled to four leagues of land for the benefit of its inhabit- ants, there were also a few persons occupying public lands engaged in stock-raising.
Estimates from records and reports of the missions for this period, show that there were nearly 200,000 head of animals, large and small; of this number, 150,000 belonged to the missions; 18,000 to 20,000 to the presi- dios; and 15,000 or 16,000 to the pueblos. The king's rancho, near Monterey (located at or near the present site of Salinas city), with branches near San Francisco and San Diego,
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furnished most of the meat as well as the cavalry horses needed at the presidios.
By means of rude looms coarse blankets and other cloths were woven from wool and hemp, by the neophytes at the missions; hides were tanned, and shoes, etc., were made in rough fashion; soap and coarse pottery were also manufactured.
The beginning of this century found the venerable Father Lasuen as president of the missions, with headquarters still at San Cár- los, where he died June 26, 1803, universally respected by all, natives and foreign visitors.
CHAPTER VI.
FROM 1800 TO CLOSE OF MISSION ERA.
OSE J. ARRILLAGA became governor in 1800 and continued to fill the office till 1814, during which period comparatively few events occurred requiring mention here. In 1804 the separation of the Californias was authorized by royal decree to be known there- after as Antigua (old) and Nueva (new) California.
The population in 1810 of gente de razon (others than Indians) of the Monterey juris- diction amounted, according to Bancroft, to about 480 souls; or, including Branciforte and Santa Cruz, 550, with a neopypte popu- lation of about 5,000.
It is said that bears were so numerous and bold at this period that they would kill cattle daily, in sight of the vaqueros; that wolves would even attack work-horses between Mon- terey and the mission; and that in 1805, as the records showed, about 400 head of stock
were killed in the neighborhood of the " king's ranch " by wild beasts. The neo- phytes at San Antonio, in 1805, numbered nearly 1,300, and of Soledad, over 700. Governor Arrillaga died July 24, 1814, and was succeeded by Josè Arguello, command- ante of Santa Bárbara, as governor ad in- terim, or till the appointment of Pablo Vi- cente de Sola, who was the last governor un- der Spanish rule.
The year 1818 was long remembered as the year in which Monterey was attacked by the pirates under Bonchard, a privateer from South America, with letters of marque, who, with two armed vessels bombarded, captured, and held the town for a short time, or three or four days; when, after setting fire to the presidio and fort, and the houses of the governor and commandant and doing con- siderable other damage he departed down the coast, where, at various points, he frightened the people and did more or less damage. He did not obtain much booty in his California raid.
The estimated population of California as collated by Bancroft for the year 1820 of Spanish and mixed blood or of gente de razon, was 3,270 souls. The number of persons not of Spanish or Indian blood was placed at thirteen; and of neophytes, 20,500.
In 1822, Governor Sola was elected to represent California in the Mexican cortez or congress, and he was succeeded by Captain Lnis Arguello, as governor.
In 1823, Fathers Payeras and Señan, pre- fect and president respectively, died. Both
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were able and pions prelates and their loss was greatly deplored. Abont this time, Americans or English speaking persons be- gan gradually to arrive; amongst those who arrived this year, were Captain J. B. R. Cooper, who became a resident of Monterey for so many years, and Daniel A. Hill and Thomas M. Robbins, afterward prominent citizens of Santa Barbara county.
On the 18th of August, 1824, a general colonization law was passed by the Mexican Congress, which in after years had a very important bearing on the material welfare of California. David Spence, another of the very early pioneers of Monterey, came in 1824. California was visited this year by a Russian scientific expedition, under Otto von Kotzebue, of the Imperial Navy, who, in his book describing his voyage, speaks with enthusiasm and discrimination of this then unknown land. In the following extract he uses the language, both of a philosopher and a prophet: " It has hitherto been the fate of these regions, like that of modest merit or humble virtue, to remain unnoticed, but pos- terity will do them justice; towns and cities will hereafter flourish where all is now desert; the waters over which scarcely a solitary boat is yet seen to glide, will reflect the flags of all nations, and a happy and prosperous peo- ple, receiving with thankfulness what prodigal Nature bestows for their nse, will disperse her treasures over every part of the world."
The white population of the Monterey jurisdiction, including Santa Cruz and Branci- forte in 1830, is varionsly estimated at from
1,100 to 1,150, including 120 soldiers at the presidio and at the missions, etc., and about fifty foreigners. A supplementary act to the colonization law of 1824, was passed by the Mexican Congress, November 21, 1828. Land grants in California were made under these laws, which are extant and accessible in English through translations of H. W. Halleck. The Solis revolt of 1829, which disturbed the peace of Monterey and other towns, was suppressed in January, 1830. During the last days of December, 1826, Captain Beechey's expedition anchored in Monterey bay for the purpose of obtaining supplies and spars, etc. After a cruise to Bering sea, in search of Sir John Franklin, he returned to Monterey a year later. The narrative of his voyage, published in London, contained much accurate and valuable infor- mation about California.
In March, 1827, the French ship, Le Héros, Duhant-Cilly, commander, visited Monterey. It also came again in August, the same year, and in May, 1828. Having spent consider- able time at Monterey and other points in California, and being an acute observer, Duhaut-Cilly's account of what he saw here sixty-five years ago, as published in his voy- age around the world, is exceedingly inter- esting and valuable; as also are the observa- tions of Dr. Botta and Lieutenant Le Netrel who accompanied him. December 17th, there was a celebration on the Russian vessels in Monterey bay of Saint Nicholas' day, and a fandango in the town. In February, 1829, on the Boston ship, Brookline, arrived at
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Monterey, Alfred Robinson, so well and favorably known to all early Californians, both native and foreign. He married into one of the first families of Santa Barbara, that of Captain de la Guerra y Noriega. His book, "Life in California," is a standard work. He is still (1892) living in San Francisco.
Among the first overland immigrants from the United States were Jedediah S. Smith and party of fifteen men, ou a trap- ping and exploring expedition, who reached California in the month of December, 1826. This company was the advance guard of the great caravans which came in after years, and which became so important a factor in the building up, on this western coast, of several American commonwealths. The movements of this party caused some apprehension on the part of the authorities, and they were re- quired to report at the capital, which they did, after various wanderings, in October, 1827. Here Captain Juan B. R. Cooper signed a bond, making himself responsible for the good behavior and speedy departure of Smith and party for Oregon, whither they went, accompanied by an escort of ten men as far as San Francisco, Solano, the escort being furnished by Governor Echeandia.
Manuel Victoria was appointed governor in 1830, but he did not arrive in Monterey till January, 1831. He made himself very unpopular with the Californians, and after less than a year's troubled rule, filled with petty quarrels, he was compelled to leave the country, or at least to vacate his office. Don Carlos Carrillo, who had been elected to the
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Mexican Congress, made the administration acquainted with the condition of affairs in California, urging the pressing need of an organic law, and of the establishment of courts of justice, and of a reform in the ad- ministration of the finances of the territory. He pointed out the injustice as well as the impolicy of promoting Mexicans over native Californians of experience and proved ca- pacity; and he recommended the separation of the political from the military power. Being himself a native Californian, he took a patri- otic interest in the welfare of the Province. His address to Congress was published, and was a fair presentation of the claims of Cali- fornia on the central government. The great distance of California from the Mexican capi- tal, resulted often in its being poorly gov- erned, mainly, perhaps, because the state of affairs here was not well understood.
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