History of California, Volume I, Part 22

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 852

USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 22
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 22

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24 See Ilist. North Mexican States, vol. i., this series.

25 Aug. 20, 1769, Juan B. Anza writes from Tubac, Sonora, to Gov. Pineda that an Indian from the Gila has reported that a nation beyond the Cocomari- copas met four Spaniards with guns, whom the writer thinks may be part of the Monterey expedition. Doc. ITist. Mex., ser. iv. tom. ii. 117-18.

26 Gov. Armona of Baja California writes from Santa Ana July 19, 1770, that he arrived June 13th, and found good news of the northern expeditions, including the discovery of the 'prodigiosísimo puerto' called San Francisco and which may be Monterey. Doc. Ilist. Mex., ser. iv. tom. ii. 156-7.

27 Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxxxvii. 10.

125

PALOU IN THE PENINSULA.

kept himself in constant communication with Serra, and in the midst of all his cares and vexations respect- ing peninsular affairs, never lost sight of the new northern establishments. 28

28 On preparations in the peninsula for the northern expeditions the standard authority is Palou, Noticias, i. 29-56, 247-79, and Id., Vida de Junipero Serra, 57-75, besides the original sources of information to which I have referred on special points in past notes. So large and complete is my collection of original, and especially manuscript, authorities on California history that I shall not attempt any systematically complete reference to all the printed works which touch upon each point or each brief epoch, but which give information at second hand only. I shall refer to such works to point out errors worth notic- ing, or for other special purposes; and I shall also for bibliographical purposes give occasional lists of these secondary authorities bearing on definite historic periods. For such a list on the occupation and early mission history of Cal- ifornia see end of this volume.

CHAPTER V.

OCCUPATION OF SAN DIEGO -- EXPEDITIONS BY SEA AND LAND. 1769.

VOYAGE OF PEREZ IN THE 'SAN ANTONIO'-ARRIVAL IN SAN DIEGO BAY- A MIRACLE-DISCOVERY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND-WAITING FOR THE CAPITANA-VOYAGE OF VILA IN THE 'SAN CARLOS'-FAGES AND HIS CATALAN VOLUNTEERS-INSTRUCTIONS BY GALVEZ-A SCURVY-STRICKEN CREW -A PEST-HOUSE AT SAN DIEGO -- ARRIVAL OF RIVERA Y MON- CADA-CRESPI'S DIARY-CAMP AND HOSPITAL MOVED TO NORTH SAN DIEGO-COMING OF PORTOLÁ AND JUNIPERO SERRA-REUNION OF THE FOUR EXPEDITIONS-THANKSGIVING TO SAINT JOSEPH-THE 'SAN AN- TONIO' SENT TO SAN BLAS-PORTOLÁ SETS OUT FOR MONTEREY-FOUND- ING OF SAN DIEGO MISSION-A BATTLE WITH THE NATIVES-A MISSION WITHOUT CONVERTS.

TURN now to the northern coasts, to the bay of San Diego, whose waters had lain for more than a century and a half undisturbed by European keel, whose shores had known no tread of iron heel since Sebas- tian Vizcaino was there. The native inhabitants yet preserved a traditional remembrance of white and bearded visitors, kept alive perhaps by an occasional rumor wafted overland from the south-east, and by distant glimpses of the white-winged galleon which year after year bore its oriental treasure down past this port, which, so far as can be known, was never entered. And now the aboriginal solitude is destined to be forever broken.

The 11th of April 17691 a Spanish vessel appears and anchors in the bay. It is the San Antonio some- times called El Príncipe, and is commanded by Juan

1 Crespí, in Palou, Not., ii. 140, gives the date as April 14th. Humboldt, Essai. Pol., 318, says it was in April 1763.

(126 )

127

ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST EXPEDITION.

Perez, an experienced Mallorcan who has seen service in the Pacific as piloto, or master, of the Manila gal- leon. She had been despatched from Cape San Lúcas in February, after religious services and a parting address from the visitador general José de Galvez, the highest official who had visited the north-western coast since the days of Hernan Cortés. On board are the friars Juan Vizcaino and Francisco Gomez, a few carpenters and blacksmiths, then there is the crew, whose number is not known, and a miscellaneous cargo of supplies for two settlements which it is designed to found on the upper coast. Under the protecting care of Saint Anthony of Pádua, patron, indeed, of the day of sailing as well as of the vessel herself, the voyage of twenty-four days has been a prosperous one, the only misfortune recorded being the illness of a few seamen who suffered from scurvy, a scourge rarely escaped by voyagers of the period.

The first land made was an island in the Santa Bár- bara Channel, which was named Santa Cruz from the honesty of the natives in restoring an iron cross left on shore. Here they received the best of treatment and obtained plenty of fish and water in exchange for beads; but their observations showed that they were above the supposed latitude of San Diego,2 and Perez accordingly returned southward along the coast until he passed Point Guijarros and entered the desired port, as we have seen, on the 11th of April. Here also the natives are kind to the strangers,3 but Perez finds no sign of Vila, his superior in command of the

2 According to observations the vessel was in 34° 40', bnt really in about 34°; while San Diego, supposed to be in 34°, Cabrera Bueno, Navegacion, 305, was nearly a degree and a half further south.

3 The natives at first took the vessel for a great whale, but soon discovered their error, and regarded it as the forerunner of wonderful things, especially as an eclipse of the sun and an earthquake occurred simultaneously with the arrival of the vessel. This story was told by them later, and is recorded by Serra, Representacion sobre Misiones, 21 de Mayo 1773, MS., who says the Spaniards noticed neither eclipse nor temblor, and regards it as a miracle by which, though the padres could not yet begin their teachings, 'comenzaron á predicar prodigiosamente á aquellos miseros gentiles las criaturas insensibles del Cielo y de la tierra.' These phenomena are also noticed, from the same source, in the S. F. Bulletin, Oct. 12, 1865.

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OCCUPATION OF SAN DIEGO.

flag-ship, which had sailed from the peninsula more than a month before the San Antonio, and which he had hoped to find at San Diego. Neither are there any tidings to be obtained of the overland party to the same port. Under these circumstances the cap- tain's orders call for a stay of twenty days before pro- ceeding to Monterey. As there are no soldiers, and as the instructions of Galvez had been to run no risks, the friars do not land, nor is any attempt made to ex- plore the country. Two days before the twenty days elapse, that is on the 29th of April, the tardy capi- tana comes in sight.

The San Carlos, otherwise called the Golden Fleece, is commanded by Vicente Vila, a native of Andalucía, and sailing-master of the first class in the royal Spanish navy.4 She had sailed from La Paz having on board Vila, a mate not named, Alférez Miguel Costansó5 acting as cosmographer, and a crew of twenty-three sailors and two boys. Also on board were Lieutenant Pedro Fages, with twenty-five Catalan volunteers, including a sergeant and corporal; Hernando Parron, a Franciscan friar; Pedro Prat, a Frenchman and surgeon of the royal army; four cooks and two black- smiths-sixty-two persons in all; with supplies for eight months or a year, implements of various kinds, and a quantity of church furniture and other mission property.6 All the proper religious ceremonies had

‘ Vila's appointment by Galvez, dated La Paz, Dec. 27, 1768, names as 'Capitan, Piloto Mayor, y comandante del San Carlos, a D. Vicente Vila, piloto de los primeros de la Real Armada, por las apreciables circunstancias que en él concurren, con la jurisdiccion y prerogativas que le corresponden por la Real Ordenanza de Marina,' with $120 per month and $30 additional if the voyage is successful. Officers and crews of both vessels are ordered under severe penalties to obey Vila as commander of the capitana. Prov. St. Pap., MS., i. 66-8.

5 Printed Costansó in Monterey, Estracto de Noticias, and so signed by him- self in several antographs now before me. Often printed Costanzo or Constanzo.

6 The manifest of the San Carlos signed by Vila on Jan. 5th is preserved in Prov. St. Pap., MS., i. 13-21. The list of supplies includes: 4,676 lbs. meat, 1,783 lbs. fish, 230 bush. maize, 500 lbs. lard, 7 jars vinegar, 5 tons wood, 1,275 lbs. brown sugar, 5 jars brandy, 6 tonates figs, 3 tanates raisins, 2 tanates dates 300 lbs. red pepper, 125 lbs. garlic, 6,678 lbs. bread, common, 690 lbs. bread, white, 945 lbs. rice, 945 lbs. chickpeas, 17 bushels salt, 3,800 gallons water, 450 lbs. cheese, 6 jars Cal. winc, 125 lbs. sugar, 275 lbs. chocolate, 10 hams,

129

VOYAGE OF THE SAN CARLOS.

been attended to at the start; Junípero Serra, presi- dent of the California missions, had invoked the blessing of heaven upon this first detachment of pa- cificators; Miguel de Azanza, subsequently viceroy of New Spain, had acted as shipping-clerk at the em- barkation of the supplies; and José de Galvez, the foremost man in America, had not only aided in the lading and delivered a parting address, but had ac- companied the vessel to the cape, seeing her safely headed for San Diego.

Yet despite such favorable auspices the San Carlos was unfortunate. The water-casks leaked and noth- ing but water of a bad quality could be obtained at Cedros Island. This greatly aggravated the scurvy, always prevalent on the coast, and soon no sailors were left with sufficient strength to work the vessel or to launch the boats for fresh water. Vila, in accord- ance with his instructions,7 was obliged to go up the coast to 34° as had Perez before him, the increased distance and cold adding greatly to his troubles. At

11 bottles oil, 2 lbs. spice, 25 smoked beef-tongues, 6 live cattle, 575 lbs. len- tils, 112 lbs. candles, 1,300 lbs. flour, 15 sacks bran, 495 lbs. beans, 16 sacks coal, hens for the sick and for breeding, $1,000 in money, etc. The brandy and cheese were for stormy weather only, the former being considered conducive to scurvy if used habitually on this coast. The wine was for cabin use, or for the missions. Many of the articles named, or specified portions thereof, were intended for the missions, or for the land expedition; and part of the panocha was to be used in sweetening the temper of the natives.

" Galvez' instructions to Capt. Vila, dated Jan. 5th, are preserved in Prov. St. Pap., MS., i. 22-31, under the title, 'Instruction to be observed by D. Vicente Vila, first-class master in the royal navy and Captain Comandante of the paquebot of his majesty called the San Carlos alias Toison de Oro in the voyage which by divine aid this vessel is to make to the ports of San Diego and Monterey, situated on the northern coast of this peninsula of Cali- fornias in 33° and 37° of latitude.' The different articles of this document are in substance as follows: Ist. The object is to establish the Catholic faith, to extend Spanish domain, to check the ambitious schemes of a foreign nation, and to carry out a plan formed by Felipe III. as early as 1606. Therefore no pains can be spared without offense to God, the king, and the country. 2d. The vessel being new, strong, and well supplied for over a year, to be followed by the San Antonio with additional supplies, having only 300 leagues to make, having a strong military force, and going to a land whose natives are docile,. have no arms but bows and arrows, and are without boats, there can be no excuse en lo humano for failure. 3d. Vila is to sail Jan. 7th, weather per- mitting, keep out to sea according to his judgment in search of favorable winds, to take careful observations, and to stand in shore at 34°, San Diego being in 33' according to the cédula of Felipe III., and being easy to find by Vizcaino's narrative enclosed with this document in print in the third volume-

HIST. CAL., VOL. I. 9

130

OCCUPATION OF SAN DIEGO.

last, however, a tedious navigation of a hundred and ten days was ended by the San Carlos, almost mi -. raculously it would seem, by turning into San Diego Bay the 29th of April.8

Perez has already deposited a letter at the foot of a cross on shore, and has completed his preparations to sail on the 1st of May, when the San Carlos ap- pears and drops anchor, but without lowering a boat. A visit to the vessel soon reveals the fact that all hands are down with scurvy. The sick are at once removed by the crew of the San Antonio to the shore, where they are sheltered by sail tents and receive from Dr Prat and the three friars such care as cir- cumstances allow. It does not clearly appear that more than two had succumbed at sea; but now death begins its ravages in the canvas pest-house on the beach.9 Perez' men are attacked by the scourge;

of the Noticia de Californias (that is in Venegas, Not. Cal., iii. 85-9). 4th. If Capt. Rivera be found at San Diego, the mission effects are to be landed, and such other supplies as Rivera may need, the rest to be taken by sea to Mon- terey. 5th. If Rivera and the land force have not arrived Vila is to wait 15 or 20 days at most, obtaining wood and water, while Fages and Costansó explore the country. 6th. After the 20 days, or on Rivera's arrival, the San Carlos is to sail for Monterey, with the San Antonio if she be there. 7th. The strictest discipline is to be kept, every precaution taken for safety, and any ontrage on the natives to be severely punished. 8th. The sailors are to aid the soldiers in building a temporary fort at Monterey. 9th. The natives are to be conciliated with panocha and trifles, but to be very closely watched, and to be induced to look on weapons as a kind of adornment. 10th. Panocha, cloths, etc., are to be given to Fages and Rivera on their demand, a receipt being taken. 11th. A report is to be sent to Galvez from San Diego by land, and from Monterey one of the vessels is to return to San Diego with de- spatclies to go overland, or if only one vessel is there she is to come as soon as safety will permit and return immediately. 12th. Vila to remain in the best fitted of the two vessels at Monterey until the San Jose shall arrive. 13th. The other vessel is to remain at San Diego long enough to deliver despatches, etc., and is then to continue her voyage to C. San Lúcas and San Blas with duplicate despatches. 14th. Coasts about Monterey are to be explored, especially port and river Carmelo, and if possible the port of San Francisco said to be in 38° 30'. To this end Vila will give all possible aid to Costansó and Fages. 15th. On the arrival of the San José, Vila in his vessel will return to San Blas, exploring the coast in order to confirm or correct Cabrera Bueno's derrotero, the best extant. Navegacion Especulativa y prác- tica, Manila, 1734.

8 According to Palou, Not., i. 262, she anchored on the 30th.

9 Judge Hayes, Emig. Notes, MS., 474, thinks that the vessels were anchored off what is now New Town, between the two wharves, and that Punta de los Muertes, or Dead Men's Point, derived its name from the burial

131

RAVAGES OF THE SCURVY.

and of about ninety sailors, soldiers, and mechanics considerably less than one third survive, though none of the officers or friars die or are even attacked so far as the records show.1º Of course the continua- tion of the voyage to Monterey is not possible under the circumstances. Neither can Fages and Costansó do otherwise than disregard their instructions11 call- ing for a preliminary exploration of the surrounding

of the scurvy-stricken sailors. And such is probably the fact, for the name appears on Pantoja's chart of 1784 in Sutil y Mexicana, Viages, Atlas, No. 5. See also Bancroft's Pers. Obs., MS., 14.

10 There is some confusion respecting numbers, increased by our ignorance of the exact force on the San Antonio. Palou says, Not., i. 262, that from the San Carlos 5 of the crew and 12 soldiers survived; while of the other erew all but 7 died. Again, ii. 151, he says that before May 14th 9 of the San Carlos had died. Again, i. 282, that the San Antonio, sailing July 6th (or 9th), lost 9 men on the voyage, arriving at San Blas sin gente para marear. And finally, that 5 sailors and 2 hoys remained on the San Carlos after July 14th, at which time 29 sailors and soldiers had been buried on the beach. In a letter dated July 3d, Serra states that all the crew of the San Carlos died except one man and a cook, and 8 died from the San Antonio. Palou, J'ida, 76. He writes in the San Diego death register, San Diego, Lib. Mision, MS., 63-5, that half of Fages' soldiers died; that Parron at first and himself later kept a record of deaths which was destroyed with the mission a few years later, and that the deaths within a few months amounted to over 60, including some Indians. The good friar hopes the names are inscribed in the 'book of life.' In Loreto, Lib. Mision, MS., 129, the Indian Juan Alvarez is mentioned as having been one of the San Antonio's men, who died at San Diego on June 25th.

11 Galvez' instructions to Fages, dated like those to Vila January 5th, and found in Prov. St. Pap., MS., i. 31-43, are substantially as follows: Ist. Fages, military chief of the sea expedition, is to exercise the same authority on land until Gov. Portolá arrives; that is he is to be Rivera's superior, and is to superintend the economical distribution of rations. 2d. The soldiers are to aid the sailors, and Fages must see that harmony and discipline are preserved. 3d. Three fires on the hill north-west of San Diego will be a signal to the vessel that Rivera has already arrived. 4th. If Rivera has not arrived at San Diego, Fages is to use every possible means by exploration and inquiry to learn his whereabouts and aid his march. 5th. Before Rivera's arrival the natives, and especially chiefs, are to be prepared so far as possible by Fages and Parron for the founding of a mission. 6th. The natives being friendly, and Costansó having selected a proper site, Fages may erect some buildings, and thus prepare for Rivera's coming with soldiers for a mission guard; but if Rivera has already attended to this, Fages is to render any needed aid with the least possible delay to the vessel. 7th. If Rivera has not come, and the San Antonio arrives, the latter vessel is to be left at San Diego, with half the soldiers, to attend to the preceding instructions, while the San Carlos, with Fages, goes on to Monterey. Galvez also wrote to Fages on February 14th, Id., 46-7, directing him to put half his men on board the San Antonio, 8th. At Monterey the Indians are to be pacified, a landing effected with all caution, and a camp fortified with ditch, estacada, and cannons on a site chosen by the engineer, and under the guns of the vessel. 9th. The natives are to be impressed with the advantages of peace and salvation and protection from foreign insult offered by the Spaniards. 10th. The natives, if friendly, to be told of Rivera's approach and induced to send guides. 11tli. Fages and

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OCCUPATION OF SAN DIEGO.

country. For two weeks the well have more than enough to do in caring for the sick and in burying the dead, and then on the 14th of May other Span- iards come to their relief.

These are Rivera y Moncada with his twenty-five soldados de cuera,12 or cuirassiers, from the presidio of Loreto; also the priest Juan Crespí, the pilotin 13 José Cañizares, three muleteers, and a band of christianized natives from the northern missions of Baja California. Of these last there were forty-two in number at the outset, whose duty it was to make roads, assist the muleteers, and perform the drudgery. This first division of the land expedition had started from Velicatá in March, and had been fifty-one days on the way, the distance being given at the time as one hundred and twenty-one leagues. Two diaries were kept and are extant, one by Crespí and the other by Cañizares. 14 Both are very complete, but neither affords matter of much interest to the historical stu- dent, since it could serve no good purpose to repeat the details of that monotonous march.

Many localities were named and their latitudes

Costansó may, if deemed best, send soldiers with the natives to meet Rivera. 12th. Fages may use force to overcome resistance if necessary. 13th. The natives are never to be fully trusted, but always watched, for the ‘common enemy' will surely incite them to mischief. 14th. Both soldiers and sailors to work on the fort. 15th. Constant precantions against danger, notwithstand- ing peaceful appearances. 16th. Trade with the natives is allowed, but no knives or other weapons must be given them. 17th. Fages is to send full re- ports to Galvez down to the time of Portola's taking the command. Great reliance is placed in the 'activity, honor, and prudence' of Fages and Cos- tansó. Galvez adds a note to the effect that the presidio and mission at Mon- terey are to be called by the glorious name of San Carlos.

12 These soldiers derived their name from the cuera, or cuirass, which in California was a sleeveless jacket made of 7 or 8 thicknesses of deer or sheep skin quilted. From the Latin corium. The metallic cuirass was called in Spanish coraza.

13 A pilotin was the master's mate on a vessel. Cañizares accompanied the land force to take observations and write a diary.

14 Cañizares, Diario ejecutado por Tierra desde el parage de Villacata á este puerto de San Diego, 1769, MS. This diary is dated July 3d, and was proba- bly sent south by the San Antonio a few days later. Crespi, Primera Esped. de Tierra al Descubrimiento del Puerto de San Diego, in Palou, Not., ii. 93- 149. This diary extends to July 2d, and probably was completed like the other on July 3d. The writer had before him the diaries of the second expedition under Portolá, from which he takes some material respecting changes in names of places along the route.

133

THE FIRST LAND EXPEDITION.

fixed, but these geographical details belong to the peninsula rather than to Alta California. The route lay west of the main sierra and for the most part near the coast.15 The country was barren and unattractive; water had to be carried for the animals and men for days at a time; and at times their progress was hin- dered by showers of rain. At Santa Cruz on Todos Santos Bay the savages made some threatening demon- strations, and once again there was almost a fight, but the foe was frightened away by the noise of gun- powder. The Indians of the company soon began to sicken and die16 or to desert, and one or more of the men had usually to be carried on tepestles, or litters. As the party approached San Diego the gentiles became more numerous, less timid, more disposed to curiosity and theft, and eager to explain by their sign- language the recent passing of the Spanish ships. On the morning of the 14th of May the little army rose so completely wet through by the rain that had fallen during the night that mass had to be omitted, much to the sorrow of Father Crespi because it was the first day of pentecost. The march began at ten o'clock. Soon they caught a distant view of the anchored ves- sels; Crespí says they had seen the mast-tops the day before; and at four in the afternoon, having travelled six leagues during the day, they reached the camp on the beach and were welcomed by a salute from all the fire-arms that could be manned.17

The first thing to be done, now that the coming of Rivera's men renders it possible, is to prepare for per- manent settlement. The old camp, or pest-house, on

15 At the outset they followed the route of Link in 1766, but the latter soon turned to the right to cross the mountains.

16 Serra, in San Diego, Lib. Mision, MS., 64, says that 5 died. Nine de- serted at one time according to Palou.

17 Ortega, in Santa Clara, Arch. Parroquia, MS., 48-54, gives an account of this expedition in which he represents the sufferings of the soldiers to have been very great, three tortillas per day being the rations. Vallejo, Hist. Ca'., MS., i. 83, obtained the same idea from his father's narrative, stating that the soldiers were glad to barter their jewelry and clothing for the rations of their Indian companions, while the latter lived on roots, wild fruits, etc.

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OCCUPATION OF SAN DIEGO.

the bay shore, is probably within the limits of what is now the city of San Diego, locally known as New Town; but the day after his arrival Rivera-so say the chroniclers, although according to the instructions of Galvez, Fages was chief in command-selects a new site some miles north, at what is now Old, or North, San Diego, at the foot of a hill on which are still to be seen the remains of the old presidio. Here camp is pitched and fortified, a corral for the animals and a few rude huts are built, and hither on the sev- enteenth are transported the sick and their tents. The immediate purpose is that the camp may be near the river which at this point flows into the north end of the bay. For six weeks officers, priests, and sol- diers are occupied in attending to the wants of the sick and in unloading the San Antonio. Then they await the arrival of Portolá.

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History of California, Volume I, Part 22

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 852

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 852