USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 64
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 64
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570
EXPLORATIONS AND NEW FOUNDATIONS.
neglect of public work, must be punished. Mass must be attended on holidays, on penalty of three hours in the stocks; prayers and the rosary must close the day's labor; and certificates of compliance with the annual communion and confession must be forwarded regu- larly to the governor. All intercourse with the mis- sion Indians and gentiles was prohibited; and the most friendly relations must be maintained with the friars of Santa Cruz. The greatest precautions must be taken to insure proper care of the colonists' clothing, implements, and other property, and to prevent sales, which were to be void. And finally all labor, before Córdoba's arrival, was to be directed to the preparation of the needed shelters for men and animals, monthly reports of progress being sent to the governor.46 By August 12th Córdoba was on the spot, had surveyed the lands, done some work on the temporary houses, begun an irrigating eanal, and was in search of suit- able stone and timber for the permanent edifices. He also furnished Boriea with an estimate of cost, $23,- 405, which early in October was forwarded to the vice- roy, and a little later by order of October 24th, the work at Branciforte was suspended for want of funds, Córdoba retiring to the presidio.47
Thus the proposed greatness of the Villa of Bran- ciforte was indefinitely postponed; but there remained the temporary huts, the nine pobladores, the comi- sionado, and the military guard. The colonists, though not convicts, were of a class deemed desirable to get rid of in and about Guadalajara whence they eame. They had been aided at the beginning to the extent of from $20 to $25 each; and they were to receive from the government $116 annually for two years,
46 Borica, Instruccion de dirigir la fundacion de la Nueva Villa de Branci- forte, 1797, MS.
47 Aug. 12th, Córdoba to Borica. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 149; xxi. 265-6. The irrigable lands were 1,300 x 1,500 varas; those depending on rain 2,000 to 3,000 varas. Oct. 7th, Gov. to viceroy with estimate of cost. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 56. Oct. 24th, to Córdoba ordering suspension of works, though he is to leave the mission mill in good shape. Prov. St. Pap., xxi. 272. Aug. 22d, Borica orders a 'model fence ' to be erected at Branciforte. Id., xxi. 266.
571
PROGRESS AT BRANCIFORTE.
and $66 for the next three years,48 besides the live- stock and implements for which they were obliged gradually to pay. They were thus enabled to live after a fashion, and they never became noted for devotion to hard work. There was no change in the number of regular pobladores down to 1800, though half a dozen invalids and discharged soldiers were added to the settlement,49 perhaps more, for the records on the subject are meagre. Corporal Moraga remained in charge until November 1799, when Ignacio Vallejo was ordered to take his place as comisionado, arriving about the 20th.50 The settlers raised in 1800 about 1,100 bushels of wheat, maize, and beans; and their horses and cattle amounted to about 500 head. I append in a note a few minor items which make up all that Branciforte has of history down to the end of the decade and century.51
48 Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 31, 41, 89-90.
49 Feb. 1, 1798, the governor states to the viceroy that there were, besides the 9, two invalids and one discharged soldier. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 65. In a list of 1799, Prov. St. Pap., xvii. 264, six invalids; Marcelino Bravo, Mar- cos Briones, Marcos Villela, José Antonio Rodriguez, Juan José Peralta, Joa- quin Castro. The population tables make the number of men in 1800, 17, or 66 persons in all; but I suppose this may have included besides those just mentioned from 3 to 5 soldiers of the guard with their families. Yet 21 set- tlers, one an Indian, are reported by Vallejo on Dec. 31, 1799. St. Pap., Miss., MS., iii. 6.
50,Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 302; Santa Cruz, Arch., MS., 65.
51 The work called Sta Cruz, A Peep into the Past, The Early Days of the Village of Branciforte, should be noticed here. It is a series of articles pub- lished in the Sta Cruz Local Item from July 1876 to Aug. 1877, which I have collected in a scrap-book. Each of the 42 articles contains the translation of an original document from the archives with preliminary remarks of consider- able interest by the translator, Mr Williams, an old resident of Santa Cruz. The plan of this work is so praiseworthy, and the result so far superior to what newspapers usually furnish in the way of local history, that the numer- ous inaccuracies of detail may almost be pardoned.
In the following I omit many items of no importance or interest. Dec. 14, 1797, Sal to Moraga, Sends 6 varas of jerga for each settler for bedclothes. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 69. Jan. 28, 1798, Borica to Moraga, Must teach the Guadalajareños agriculture and strive against their natural laziness; treat them with charity and love, but punish grave faults and malicious failure to work. Id., 71; Sta Cruz, Peep, 7-9; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 264. March 3d, Bo- rica says the community must till the field of Narvacz if he is ill. Id., iv. 206, May 30th, cows and sheep promised. Each settler got three cows. Id., iv. 271, 274. July 27th, a settler to attend to no other work than tilling his own fields. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 70; Sta Cruz, Peep, 11. Oct. 29th, Cordero and Arceo, runaways, if canght must work in irons. Id., 71 and 13. Oct. 28th, Borica orders Moraga to inspect the wardrobe of settlers' wives and report what is needed. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 282. Expense for wages and rations to end of 1798,
572
EXPLORATIONS AND NEW FOUNDATIONS.
Meanwhile in Mexico August 30, 1797, the San Fernando college sent to the viceroy a protest against the choice of a site so near that of the mission. The utility of the new establishment was not to be ques- tioned; but the villa site was on the pasturage-ground of the natives; troubles would surely result; the laws allowed a mission at least one league in every direction ; and, according to a report by Father Señan, there were good lands nearer San Francisco. The only result of this protest before 1800 seems to have been a reply of the governor dated February 6, 1798, in which he gave statistics to show that the mission had more land and raised more grain than could be attended to; that the neophytes were dying off and there were no more pagans to convert; and there was no better site between Santa Cruz and San Francisco than that at Branciforte. 52
$1,720. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 41. Feb. 4, 1799, a close watch to be kept on the coast. Sta Cruz, Peep, 13. Moraga must go on with his duties, for his chance of promotion depends on it. Better times coming if the wheat crop is cared for. The king will send his troops where they are needed, not where they wish to go. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 62-3. March 6th, Borica wants information about a site for a rancho for horses aud cattle near the villa. March 27th, if the settlers object, let nothing be done; the only object was to aid them. Id., 61-2, 66; Peep, 15, 19. April 3d, Borica consents to dividing of sowing- lands. Will hold Moraga responsible for remissness of any settler in caring for his land. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 62. May 12th, the settlers' two years at $116 per year expire to-day. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., i. 380-1, 383. Oct. 16th, two settlers may go to San José and return on a fixed day. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 65-6; Peep, 23. Nov. 21st, Sal notifies Moraga that Vallejo will supersede him as comisionado. Id., 25. Dec. 26th, Sal to Vallejo, guns of the battery at Monterey to be fired. Don't be alarmed. Id., 25, 27. Dec. 31st, Sal assures Borica that Vallejo will perform his duties faithfully. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 289. Settlers must not make pleasure trips to San José. San José, Arch., MS., iii. 59; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., IS. Jan. 3, 1800, set- tlers in need of corn and beans. The comisionado of San José to make a contract with some person to furnish these supplies at the expense of the gov- ernment. San José Arch., MS., iii. 55. Feb. 10th, Sal to Vallejo, at the end of 1799 the settlers owed the treasury $558; the appropriation for 1300 is $540, so that receiving nothing they would still be in debt. The delivery of cigarritos and other articles not rations and tools has been suspended. Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 63. Oct. 9th, aid to be furnished to the padres if asked for. Sta Cruz, Peep, 31. Dec. 5th, governor to viceroy, the Branciforte settlers are a scandal to the country by their immorality, etc. They detest their exile, and render no service. Daily complaints of disorders. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 50-1. Dec. 11th, death of Comandante Sal announced at Branci- forte. Sta Cruz, Peep, 45. The nine pobladores received in 1800 rations at $60 each. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxvi. 16.
52 Branciforte, El Discretorio de San Fernando al Virrey sobre el sitio de la Nueva Villa, 1797, MS., Feb. 6th, Borica to viceroy, in Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 70.
573
COMMUNICATION WITH NEW MEXICO.
Independent of the explorations made with a view to new establishments, Borica had a scheme of open- ing communication with New Mexico, where, as he had heard from Governor Concha through General Nava, there were fifteen hundred gente de razon with neither lands nor occupation. He sent to Mexico early in 1795 for copies of Garcés' diary and map. Having obtained these he instructed Goycoechea of Santa Bárbara at the end of the year to make inqui- ries about the eastern country and to suggest some way to send a letter across to the governor of New Mexico by the natives, who could at the same time explore the route. In January 1796 Goycoechea sent to the governor such vague and unreliable rumors as he could gather from the natives of the channel re- specting the country beyond the Tulares; and in February he informed Borica that he had made arrangements with the native chief, Juan María, and four companions to carry the letter, but that Father Tapis had forbidden their departure, at least until an order could be obtained from Lasuen.53
This state of the matter was reported to the vice- roy in Borica's communication of October 2d,5# and the attorney-general having reported favorably on the scheme of intercommunication as useful to Califor- nia's commerce, development, and defence, the viceroy requested Borica to send to Mexico the maps and papers on which his project rested; that the project be also sent to the commandant general for his in- spection; and that Lasuen forward his views about the employment of the Santa Bárbara Indians. This was in January 1797, and in April Lasuen answered,
65 April 29, 1795, Borica to viceroy. Prov. Rer., MS., vi. 44. Dec. 14th, Borica to Goycoechea. Id., iv. 41. 46-7. Jan. 18th, Goycoechea to Borica. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 16, 17. Feb. 16th, Id. to Id., St. Pap., Sac., MS., iv. 74-7. Sept. 28th, Borica orders the padres to use gentle measures with the Tulare Indians so that there may be no difficulty on the proposed route. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 174. Sal's report of Jan. 31st, already alluded to, was probably in answer to similar inquiries sent him by the governor.
5+ Borica, Informe sobre comunicacion con Nuevo Mexico, 1796, MS. A similar communication dated October 5th is given in Arch. Sta. Bárbara, MS., x. 73-6.
574
EXPLORATIONS AND NEW FOUNDATIONS.
arguing that it was dangerous' to send a party of natives so far among foreign and hostile tribes, since on one side or the other excesses would surely be committed. Moreover the chief it was proposed to send was very useful to the mission and any accident to him would lead to trouble with his people; and finally Tapis had not forbidden the expedition, but had simply refused to urge the neophytes to undertake it.55 Here, so far as the archives show, correspondence on this matter ceases. It is probable that more was written, but not likely that any actual expedition was made, and certain that communication was not opened with New Mexico. Neither was there anything accomplished toward opening the Colorado River route between California and Sonora, a subject slightly agitated during this period.56
55 Jan. 11, 1797, viceroy to Lasuen. Arch. Sta. Bárbara, MS., x. 76-7. April 25th, Lasuen to V. R., Id., 77-83. Feb. 14, 1798, V. R. calls for Arri- llaga's ideas on the project and the best way to execute it. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 9.
5G April 16, 1795, Borica to viceroy, asks to have Fages send his papers relating to his expedition to the Colorado. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 44. Sept. 4, 1797, Borica thinks no party of less than 35 can safely pass to Sonora. Id., vi. 53. Dec. 22, 1797, refers to Arrillaga's report and schemes of Oct. 26, 1706; Ist, a presidio of 100 men at Sta Olaya with 20 at S. Felipe and 20 at Sonoita; 2d, a presidio on California side at mouthi of Colorado, to be crossed in canoes. Borica prefers the latter, and advises that all attention be given at present to pacification of the Indians between Sta Catalina and the Colo- rado. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 65-6. April 24, 1798, Amador says that the padre of San José went to the Colorado, and that the Indians fled, fearing enforced baptism. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii 123. Reference to the general topic in Azanza, Ynstruccion, MS., 90.
CHAPTER XXVII.
MISSION PROGRESS. 1791-1800.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF PADRES-GENERAL STATISTICAL VIEW-THE PRESIDENCY-EPISCOPAL POWERS-THE INQUISITION-REVILLA GIGEDO'S REPORT-VIEWS OF SALAZAR-CARMELITE MONASTERY-PIOUS FUND HACIENDA-CONTROVERSIES-THE OLD QUESTIONS DISCUSSED ANEW- REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF FRIARS-RETIREMENT-TRAVELLING EX- PENSES-CHAPLAIN DUTY-GUARDS-RUNAWAY NEOPHYTES-MISSION ALCALDES-INDIANS ON HORSEBACK-LOCAL QUARRELS-CHARGES OF CONCEPCION DE HORRA-INVESTIGATION-BORICA'S FIFTEEN QUESTIONS- REPLIES OF COMANDANTES AND FRIARS-PRESIDENT LASUEN'S REPORT- THE MISSIONARIES ACQUITTED-ECCLESIASTICAL MISCELLANY.
AT the beginning of this decade the missions were eleven in number; at its end they had been inereased by new establishments, a's recorded in the preceding chapters, to eighteen-within three of the highest number ever reached.1 In 1790 there were twenty- six friars on duty. Before 1800 there came up from the college thirty-eight new missionaries; twenty-one retired-some on the expiration of their regular term of ten years, others on account of failing health, four virtually dismissed for bad conduct, and four sent away more or less afflicted with insanity; while three died at their posts. This left forty still in the ser- vice, or two ministers for each of the eighteen missions and four supernumeraries. Six of the old pioneers who had come before 1780 were still left.2
) The seven new missions in the order of their founding were: Santa Cruz, Soledad, San José, San Juan Bautista, San Miguel, San Fernando, and San Luis Rey. There were subsequently founded Santa Inés, San Rafael, and San Francisco Solano. For a general statistical view of the missions in 1790 see chapter xix. of this volume.
2 The original 26, the names of pioneers being italicized, were : Arroita Arenaza, Calzada, Cambon, Cruzado, Dumetz, Dantí, Fuster, Gareía, Giribet,
( 575 )
576
MISSION PROGRESS.
The average of integrity, zeal, and ability among the new friars was lower than in the case of Junípero Serra's companions, since a dozen or more were either refractory, immoral, inefficient, or insane; yet the list included such eminent names as Peyri, Payeras, Via- der, Martinez, and Catalá, together with many faithful and efficient Christian missionaries.
The eleven old missions in 1790 had in round num- bers 7,500 converts; in 1800 they had 10,700, a gain of 3,200 for the decade, 320 a year on an average, or about 30 a year for each mission. During the period the priests had baptized 12,300 natives, and buried 8,300, leaving 800 to be regarded as approxi- mately the number of deserters and apostates. Mean- while in the seven new establishments baptisms had been 3,800 and deaths 1,000, leaving 2,800 converts on the rolls. Thus for old and new missions together
Lasuen, Mariner, Miguel, Noboa, Orámas, Paterna, Peña, Pieras, Rubí, Sanchez, Santa Maria, Santiago, Señan, Sitjar, Tapis, and Torrens.
The new-eomers, 38 in number, were: Abella, Barcenilla, Barona, Car- nicer, Carranza, Catalá, Catalan, Ciprés, Cortés, Espí, Estévan, Faura, Fernandez (3), Garcia, Gili, Gonzalez, Horra, Iturrate, Jaime, Landaeta, Lopez (2), Martiarena, Martin, Martinez, Merclo, Merino, Panella, Payeras, Peyri. Puyol, Salazar, Uría (2), Viader, and Viñals.
The deaths were Mariner, Paterna, and Fuster. There left California, 21: Arroita, Arenaza, Catalan, Danti, Orámas, Espí, Fernandez (2), García, Rubí, Salazar, Gili, Giribet, Horra, Lopez, Torrens, Cambon, Noboa, Peña, Pieras, Mcrino. Lists of friars in different years, with general statements of numbers, in St. Pap., Miss., MS., ii. 4, 77-8, 100-2, 107-8; iii. 3-5; Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 55-6, 61, 66, 68, 235; St. Pap., Sac., MS., iv. 14-17; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 83-4. These lists, however, afford but a very small part of the data from which I have formed my local tables and bio- graphies of padres, data which I have had to collect little by little from a thousand sources.
Arrivals in 1791 were Gili, Landaeta, Baldomero Lopez, and Salazar, in- tended for Santa Cruz and Soledad, or to replace others who were to be sent to those new missions while Cambon retired. In 1792 came Espí; and in 1793 Catalá, the latter as chaplain on a Nootka vessel. This same year Orámas and Rubi-the latter a black sheep of the Franciscan flock-departed, and Paterna, an old pioneer, died in harness. In 1794 five new priests were sent to California-men of a different stamp, it was thought, from those who had given the president so much trouble. Mugúrtegui, in Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 39-40. These were Martin, Martiarena, Estévan, Manuel Fernandez, and Gregorio Fernandez. The departures were Noboa, Pieras, Peña, and Gili- the latter another source of scandal-who sailed on the Concepcion, Aug. 11th. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xi. 157, 175, 202; xxi. 142, 146-7; Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 39. Viceroy's license dated Jan. 10th; governor's, May 31st. In 1795 Jaime, Ciprés, and Puyol came; while Salazar and Scñan retired, the latter temporarily. St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 50; Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 47; Pror. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 230. Danti, Lopez, Calzada, and Arroita sailed in July
577
STATISTICS.
we have a total population of 13,500, a gain of 6,000 in ten years, during which time the baptisms had been 16,100 and the deaths 9,300. There is no doubt that the deaths were largely in excess of the births, though there are no available means of accurately estimating the latter.3
The mission herds and flocks multiplied about three- fold during the decade. Horses, mules, and horned cattle increased from 22,000 to 67,000; small stock, almost exclusively sheep-goats having diminished very rapidly and swine being comparatively few- from 26,000 to 86,000. Agricultural products had been 30,000 bushels in 1790, the smallest subsequent crop being also 30,000 in 1795, and the largest 75,000 in 1800. About three fifths of the whole crop in 1800 was wheat, which was less proportionately than usual, one fifth corn, and one tenth barley, the remainder being beans, pease, and various grains. Wheat yielded
or August 1796. Other priests wished to retire, but the guardian thought, as they had been eager to come to California, it was best not to permit them to leave without the most urgent reasons. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 56-7, 274; St. Pap., Sac., MS., xvii. S; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 246; Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 163. The new-comers of 1796, arriving in June by the Aranzazu, were: Payeras, José María Fernandez, Peyri, Viader, and Cortés. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 139; Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxiv. 7; also Catalan and Horra. In April 1797 the Concepcion is said to have brought 11 priests. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 145-6; xxi. 254; but there were really only 7: Barcenilla, Carnicer, Gonzalez, Martinez, Mcrino, Uría, and Panella. The same vessel carried back to San Blas in September, García and Arenaza, who were ill and had served out their term; and also the insane priests José María Fernandez and Concepcion de Horra. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 94, 98, 192; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 264; Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 57-8; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 107-8. On her next trip the Concepcion brought to Santa Bárbara in May 1798 Scian and Calzada, returning from a visit to Mexico, and also the six new friars: Barona, Faura, Carranza, Abella, Martinez, and Viñales. Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 47; Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 75-6; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 19; xxi. 279; St. Pap., Sac., MS., viii. 13. Manuel Fernandez and Torrens retired this year, as did PP. Landaeta and Miguel temporarily. Arch. Sta Bárbara, xi. 60; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 107. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 2, 3. In 1797 Merelo, Jacinto Lopez, and José Uría arrived; while Espí, Giribet, Merino, and Catalan, the last two afflicted with insanity, obtained leave to retire, sailing in January 1800. This last year of the decade Fuster and Mariner died; Landaeta and Miguel came back; and García and Iturrate were added to the force, some of them apparently against their wishes. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 127-9, 243; ix. 12; xi. 144; xii. 1; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 30, 44, 292; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vii. 77; Arch. Sta. Bárbara, MS., ix. 24; xi. 61-2; 281-2, 284.
3 The governor in a report of 1800 states that the number of deaths is al- most double that of births. Bandini, Doc. Hist. Cul., MS., No. 3.
HIST. CAL., VOL. I. 37
578
MISSION PROGRESS.
on an average fifteenfold, barley eighteenfold, and corn ninety-threefold for the ten years.
Fermin Francisco Lasuen remained at the head of the Franciscan community as president, performing his duties to the satisfaction of all classes, loved and respected by friars, officers, soldiers, settlers, and neophytes. He received no pay for his services, being a supernumerary friar, and no stipend being allowed except to the two regular ministers of each mission. The duties of the supernumeraries were as arduous, and those of the president more so, than those of the ministers, yet though petitions were made and the viceroy was disposed to grant them in Lasuen's favor, the attorney general always interposed objections. Dumetz and Peña held patents after Mugártegui's departure to assume the presidency in case of acci- dent.4 The power to administer the sacrament of confirmation, granted by the pope in May 1785, expired May 4, 1795, although Lasuen had actually exercised it only since 1790, or half the full period. The privilege was never renewed, and there were no more confirmations until California possessed a bishop of her own.5 The ordinary episcopal powers of ad- ministering sacraments other than confirmation were conferred on the president by the bishop of Sonora. As vicario foraneo Lasuen exercised those powers toward the civilians, and as vicario castrense toward the military; that is to say, as a kind of chaplain
4 Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 220, 260-3. Viceroy Revilla Gigedo in his report of 1793, St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., i. 18, 24, implies that missionaries are often removed unnecessarily by their prelate; but it does not elearly appear that he refers particularly to California, where he says the friars perform their duties in a most commendable manner. See pope's de- erees of July 8, 1794, and Dee. 12, 1797 on qualifications, duties, honors, etc., of friars of the Propaganda Fide colleges, in Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., x. 109- 36; ix. 37-40; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 272-3.
5 Sept. 9, 1792, pope's license forwarded from Mexico. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., x. 280; yet Lasuen says he received the power on July 13, 1790. S. Diego, Lib. de Mision, MS., 45. Expires May 4, 1795. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 233; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xx. 284. April 3, 1793, Borica to Lasnen, learns that the president is hurrying through the province to use his privilege while it lasts. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 144-5.
579
VICEROY'S REPORT.
general. The new bishop renewed the concession in 1796, and Lasuen subdelegated the authority to his subordinate missionaries.6 Lasuen was also com- issary of the holy inquisition for California after 1795, but so far as the records show his only duties in this capacity were to receive and publish an occasional edict on general matters.7
In an exhaustive report on the missions of New Spain Viceroy Revilla Gigedo presented to the king in 1793 an historical, descriptive, and statistical view of the Californian establishments, which is an inter- esting and important document, though expressing only en résumé what I have presented in detail from the same original papers on which this report was founded. An effort was made also about this time by the Spanish and Mexican authorities to insure greater regularity and thoroughness in reports of missionary progress.8 Father Salazar having returned
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