History of California, Volume I, Part 73

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 73
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Vancouver, sailing down the coast in the autumn of 1793, noted San Juan as "erected close to the water-side, in a small sandy cove; very pleasantly

30 St. Pap., Miss., MS., ii. 26. A mason sent up by Arrillaga, who reports to the viceroy Jan. 11, 1799. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 15. Lasuen in report of 1799-1800 says the church has been building four years. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 128. Date of beginning, S. Juan Cap., Lib. de Mision, MS., 26. Dec. 1797, church of masonry with arches being built 53 x 10 varas. St. Pap., Miss., MS., ii. 110.

31 May 1796, a weaver (tejedor de ancho) sent. Prov. Rec., MS., v. 79, 245, 247. April 16, 1797, Pedro Poyorena's report to Grajera. Blankets, wide woollen cloths, mangas for vaqueros, 30 yards of manta, 30 yar:ls of baize successfully woven. Not so perfect as Mexican goods, but good enough for this country. The native women spin and pick wool and cotton, and also dye tolerably well. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 261-2. April 17th, report of padres on progress. The weaver's attempts at dyeing with vinegar, etc., not equal to what the natives could do with Campeche, Brazil, and Zacatastal woods. St. Pap., Soc., MS., vi. 103-5. April 28th, Grajera to Borica, the carpenter Gutierrez the only man who can put up looms. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 261. April 29th, Borica to padres. May 31st, Fuster to Borica. Men- doza's services in the past not worth much, but he will pay what Lasuen deems just. June 26th, Borica to commandant of Monterey. Make an arrangement with Lasuen and pay one eighth to Mendoza aud seven eighths to royal treasury. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxv. 15; Prov. Rer., MS., vi. 185-6, 189. Wool purchased for Monterey aud Santa Barbara. Id., ix. 5; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 2.

659

LOS ANGELES.

situated in a grove of trees, whose luxuriant and diversified foliage, when contrasted with the adjacent shores, gave it a most romantic appearance; having the ocean in front, and being bounded on its other sides by rugged dreary mountains, where the vegeta- tion was not sufficient to hide the naked rocks. The buildings of the mission were of brick and stone, and in their vicinity the soil seemed to be of uncommon and striking fertility. The landing on the beach in the cove seemed to be good." 32 In the fear of Eng- lish invasion which agitated the whole country in 1797 a sentinel was posted on the beach at San Juan to watch for suspicious vessels, since it was not doubted that England had her eyes upon the cove anchorage. Whether a four-pounder was mounted here as recom- mended by Captain Grajera does not appear. The arrest of a neophyte Aurelio for the murder of his wife in 1797, and the earthquake of November 22, 1800, which slightly cracked the rising walls of the new church, complete the annals of the decade.33

Respecting the pueblo of Los Angeles from 1791 to 1800, the information extant is exceedingly slight. The number of families residing here increased from thirty to seventy, and the white population from 140 to 315, chiefly by the growing-up of children and the aggregation of invalids from the different presidios. Horses and cattle increased from 3,000 to 12,500, a larger number than is accredited to any other Cali- fornian establishment. Sheep numbered 1,700 only, though a special effort had been made since 1795 to increase the pueblo flocks with a view to the industry

32 Vancouver's Voyage, ii. 467. This description seems to locate the mis- sion much ncarer the shore than it really is, but it could hardly have been moved before 1797 when the new church was begun, and certainly not later. See chapter xiv. this vol.

33 Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 153-6, 170, 249-50; xxi. 54. The Indian Aurelio was not severely punished. In a fit of jealousy he proceeded to administer some conjugal discipline, and in his zeal overdid the duty as he frankly confessed. He had no intention of killing her. The authorities de- cided it not a matter for criminal process.

660

LOCAL EVENTS IN THE SOUTH.

of weaving. Crops in 1800 were 4,600 bushels, the largest having been 7,800 in 1796, and the smallest 2,700 in 1797. Seven eighths of the entire harvest was usually maize, though the inhabitants offered in 1800 to contract for the supply of 3,400 bushels of wheat per year at $1.66 a bushel for the San Blas market.34

Mojave

Mojave Desert

Piru

Serpe

Camulos

Ciebega

Sta.Paula

S. FERNANDO

Simni

Conejo

Cahuenga

Verdugos

Triunfo-

Encino

9. GABRIEL

Cocamonga

Pt.D

Maliba

La Puente

Sto. Monica

Laguna

Juruya

S. Aiflouio

Nietos-

Chino

Sauzal

S.Pedro

Cerritos

Coyotes

Temescal

Pta: Vicente?

Sta. Aos

S.Pedro B.

Pta.Firmin

8 Jacinto

Trabuco

S.Juan Capistrano

MAP OF LOS ANGELES REGION IN 1800.

34 From 9 to 12 pobladores in 1793. Expense of pay and rations $1,52S. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., iii. 16. List of 42 names of male settlers in 1799. St. Pap., Miss., MS., iii. 9, 10. Two hundred sheep distributed in August, 1796. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 74; vi. 79; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 1. 1796, Borica orders that land be given to heads of families who have nonc, but they must cultivate it. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 44-5. 1795, correspondence and orders requiring seeded lands to be fenced. In one case a willow fence is mentioned. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 12, 16, 17, 29. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 77. The same year especial effort was made by the governor through Commandant Goycoechea to encourage the settlers to raise good crops in view of the general

S.Beruardino

Felix' LOS ANGELES

R. S.Gabriel

u Porciuncula

Palos Verdes

GG1

AFFAIRS AT THE PUEBLO.

Vicente Félix remained in charge of the pueblo as comisionado throughout the decade, except perhaps for a brief period in 1795-6 when Javier Alvarado seems to have held the office. The successive alcaldes were Mariano Verdugo, elected in 1790; Francisco Reyes, 1793-5; José Vanegas, 1796; Manuel Arellano, 1797; Guillermo Soto, 1798; Francisco Serrano, 1799; and Joaquin Higuera for 1800. The pueblo was in the jurisdiction of Santa Bárbara, the comisionado receiving his orders from the commandant of that presidio, though as we have seen the small military guard was furnished by the San Diego company. Of local events from year to year there is practically nothing in the records. 35

It is in connection with the pueblo of Los Angeles that the most interesting topic of early land-grants in this southern central region may most conveniently be noticed. In February 1795 there were five ranchos in private possession, held under provisional grants and supporting several thousand head of live-stock.36 The first was San Rafael, granted by Fages October 20, 1784, to the retired corporal of the San Diego company José María Verdugo. It was also known as

drought. Id., xix. 38-40; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 15. Proposal to furnish wheat for the San Blas market. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 50. 1787, grain sold to Santa Bárbara, $358. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., ix. 4. Each settler must give annually two fanegas of maize or wheat for a fondo de proprias to be spent for the good of the community. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 98-9.

35 Arrillaga reported that Los Angeles was in quiet in 1792, but certain unruly persons were ordered to leave, and though they did not go, the warn- ing proved effective. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. ISS. Oct. 11, 1795, Borica to comandante, if the comisionado is not active enough he must be removed. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 29-30. Alvarado comisionado 1795-6. Id., iv. 39; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 234; Id., Ben. Mil., xv. 7. 1796, Francisco Ávila drowned in the tulares. Suspicions of murder proved groundless. Prov. Rec, MS., iv. 66, 71. Dec. 7, 1797, the settlers Avila and Arellano must be chastised and turned out if they continue to disturb the pueblo. Id., iv. 93-4. 1798, allusions to speedy completion of a jail. Prov. Rec., iv. 108. Padre Salazar relates that when he was here in 1795 a man who had 1,000 marcs and cattle in proportion came to San Gabriel to beg cloth for a shirt, for none could be had at pueblo or presidio. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., ii. 77.

3G Feh. 24, 1795, Goycoechea's report to Borica in Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., xxii. 7, 8. April, 1795, Borica to viceroy. Prov. Rec., vi. 40-1. The former important report seems not to have hcen seen by either writers or lawyers in the past.

062

LOCAL EVENTS IN THE SOUTH.

La Zanja, described as across the river and four leagues from Los Angeles, and was confirmed by Borica January 12, 1798.37 The second rancho was that of Manuel Nieto, held under Fages' permission of No- vember 1784, the largest and best of all, supporting 1,100 head of cattle and large enough for a pueblo, since well known as Los Nietos, and formerly granted in several tracts to Nieto's heirs by Figueroa in 1834.33 The third was the famous San Pedro, or Dominguez, rancho, occupied by Juan José Dominguez with about a thousand head of cattle under a permission given very likely by Fages, but the date of which is not known. It was regranted by Sola in 1822, and is one of the few Californian ranchos that have remained in the possession of the original grantees and their de- scendants.39 Fourth in the list was the rancho at Por- tezuelo, smaller but fertile and well watered and stocked with cattle on a small scale, situated about four leagues from Los Angeles on the main road, and occupied by the old veteran Sergeant Mariano de la Luz Verdu- go.40 The fifth and last was the Encino rancho, where

37 According to Reg. Brands, MS., 32-3. Fages permitted Verdugo on Oct. 20th to keep his cattle at Arroyo Hondo, one and a half leagues from San Gabriel on the road to Monterey, on condition that no harm was done to mis- sion or pueblo, and care taken with the natives. Jan. 12, 1798, in answer to petition of Nov. 4, 1797, Borica permitted him to settle with his family, rela- tives, and property, under like conditions, and the new one of raising sheep, at La Zanja. This rancho was visited in August 1795 by the party seeking a mis- sion site. Sta Maria, Registro, MS.

38 In 1795-6 the mission of San Gabriel laid claim to Nieto's land, called at the time La Zanja. After an investigation Borica allowed Nieto to retain what land he had actually under cultivation and in use, the rest to be used by the mission without prejudice to Nieto's legal rights. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 45, 51-2, 61-2. It would seem that other persons besides Nieto were living here in 1797, when the inhabitants were called on to be ready to resist English invasion. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 249-50. This grant came before the U. S. land comission in later times in five separate tracts: Los Cerritos, Los Coyotes, Las Bolsas, Los Alamitos, and Santa Gertrudis, aggregating 33 sq. leagues. Hoffman's Land Cases.

39 Granted by Sola Dec. 31, 1822, to Sergt. Cristóbal Dominguez as nephew and heir of Juan José. Reg. Brands, MS., 35. The author of Los Angeles, Ilist., 8, 9, supposes this grant to have been originally made before 1800, chiefly on the testimony of Manuel Dominguez and other old settlers. No one has until now shown any documentary proof.

40 Verdugo enlisted at Loreto on Dec. 15, 1766, serving as private, corporal, and sergeant, seven years in each capacity. He came with Capt. Rivera y Moncada in the first expedition of 1769, and served in several Indian cam- paigns. His name appears among the godfathers at the first baptisms in San

663

EARLY LAND-GRANTS.

Alcalde Francisco Reyes had a house and where he kept his own live-stock as well as that of Cornelio Avila and others. This was where San Fernando was established in 1797, the friars taking possession of Reyes' house, a fact that illustrates the slight tenure by which these early grants were held. Between 1795 and 1800 there were perhaps granted two other ran- chos within this jurisdiction, San José de Gracia de Simí to Javier, Patricio, and Miguel Pico in or about 1795; and El Refugio to Captain José Francisco Ortega or his sons a year or two later.41

San Gabriel, belonging throughout the decade to

Diego, and he commanded the guard at San Luis Obispo in 1773. He was temporarily in command at San Diego in November 1775 at the time of the massacre, being the first to reach the mission and report the terrible event. He accompanied Gov. Neve to the Colorado in 1782. His wife, Doña Maria Guadalupe Lugo, was buried by Lasnen at San Diego April 15, 1780, and he subsequently married Gregoria Espinosa. From about 1780 he was sergeant of the Monterey company till 1787 when he was probably retired as an invalid. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., ii. 14; viii. 8, 9; xiv. 1, 2; xxii. 7; Prov. St. Pap., MS., i. 2, 4, 5; S. Diego, Lib. de Mision, MS., 10, 77; San Luis Obispo, Lib. de Mision, MS., 29.

4] The Simi Rancho, according to Reg. Brands, MS., 33, and Hoffman's Land Cases, was granted by Borica in 1795, being regranted, or at least petitioned for, in 1821, and also by Alvarado in 1842. According to Reg. Brands, MS., 32, El Refugio was granted by Borica, therefore before 1800, to Capt. Ortega, therefore before 1798 when Ortega died. I think there is room for doubt about one or both of these grants. Respecting both it may be said that Borica does not seem to have favored such grants. As to Simi, when an exploring party visited the valley in August 1795 they did not men- tion any rancho as they did Reyes' and Verdugo's; and not only this but in April 1796 Borica expressly refused to grant l'ico (no given name) permission to leave the pueblo and settle on a rancho. As to El Refugio, we know that Ortega in 1796 was in trouble about a deficit in his Loreto accounts, Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 68, 72, 81-2, 86; his son José Maria wished to take a land-grant on which to work and pay his father's indebtedness, and although Borica advised him against the scheme, still a grant was ordered to be made to him of the Zanja de Cota lands if nnoccupied. The author of Los Angeles, Ilist., 8, 9, thinks that Santiago de Santa Ana was one of these early grants. His reasons are: A popular belief that this was one of the oldest ranchos; testimony in the district conrt that the original occupant was Grijalva; the probability that the grant to Yorba in 1810 was a regrant to Grijalva's son-in-law; and finally a recognition by the court of the Peraltas' claims as descendants of the original occupant. This is an ingenious but probably erroneous argument. Lieut. Grijalva was a pensioner of the San Diego company after 1796 as was Sergt. Yorba, his son-in-law, after 1798; but Grijalva, dying at San Diego in ISOG, named no land in his will though he did name cattle; and moreover he refused to give his daughters anything, on the ground that they had been pro- vided for at their marriage-one with Yorba in 1782 and the other with Peralta in 1785. Peralta's claims resulted from the fact that Arrillaga's grant of July 1, 1810, was to Yorba and Peralta in company. In his petition of Nov. 24, 1809, Yorba says nothing of any previous occupancy by himself or. others. Reg. Brands, MS., 34.

664

LOCAL EVENTS IN THE SOUTH.

the jurisdiction of San Diego, was one of the most flourishing of the missions, but its annals may be very briefly disposed of. Cruzado and Sanchez still toiled together as ministers. Calzada remained until 1792. Cristóbal Orámas served here in 1792-3;42 Juan Mar- tin in 1794-6; Juan Lope Cortés in 1796-8; and Pedro de San José Estévan to 1800 and later, so that the mission had always three padres. They baptized 1,267 natives, but they buried 1,124,43 so that the com- munity was increased only from 1,040 to 1,140, stand- ing now third instead of second in the list. In large stock San Gabriel stood fourth, with a gain from 4,220 to 7,090 head; while in sheep it was second to San Juan only, its flocks having increased from 6,000 to 12,360. In agricultural products San Gabriel was a tie with San Buenaventura in 1800, with a crop of 9,400 bushels, the smallest having been 3,600 in 1793, and the average about 6,400.

José María Verdugo, owner of a rancho in the vicinity, was corporal of the mission guard much of the time down to 1798, and his successor was Pedro Poyorena. José Miguel Flores, a discharged soldier, was majordomo down to his death in 1796.44 A stone church was half finished in 1794, but in 1800 it had not yet been completed. There is no record of manufacturing industries save that a little cotton obtained from San Blas was woven; but I suppose that a beginning of weaving woollen stuffs or of some

42 Of Cristóbal Orámas we only know that he had been for five years assistant curate and became a friar only a year before coming to California, whither he brought in 1786 a most flattering reputation from the guardian for genius and exemplary conduct. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 26-7. He served at Santa Bárbara, of which mission he was a founder, from December 1786 to December 1789; at Purísima until November 1792; and at San Gabriel until September 1793, when broken down in health he retired to the college.

43 This death-rate of 90 per cent of baptisms and doubtless 500 per cent and more of births was not caused by any great epidemic in one year, for the deaths run quite evenly as follows: 104, 84, 98, 65, 80, 87, 92, 96, 138, and 230.

# San Gabriel, Lib. de Mision, MS., passim. The mission-books contain but little beyond the names of padres and of persons baptized, married, or buried. The original registers are also imperfect, parts of several books having disappeared.

665

SANTA BÁRBARA DISTRICT.

other branch of primitive manufactures must have been made at this period, for San Gabriel, so flourish- ing and so prominent in later years, would naturally have been among the first to make experiments. Events important or petty there are none to record. San Fernando, the new establishment in Encino Val- ley belonging to the jurisdiction of Santa Bárbara, I have already noticed in another chapter.45

Santa Bárbara presidio remained under the able command of Lieutenant Felipe de Goycoechea, who was also habilitado, and was in 1798 promoted to be brevet captain. Pablo Antonio Cota was promoted to fill the vacant post of alférez, and served throughout the decade, dying at the end of 1800.46 José María Ortega, son of the lieutenant, took Cota's place as ser- geant with Olivera and Carrillo; and when the latter went to Monterey in 1795 he was replaced by Fran- cisco María Ruiz. The presidial force was fifty-nine men, from which number guards were supplied to San Buenaventura, San Fernando, Santa Bárbara, and Purísima missions. The number of pensioners in- creased from one to seventeen, and all, with their families, constituted a population de razon which in-

45 Church-building. St. Pap., Miss., MS., ii. 5, 29, 100, 110. Cotton-weav- ing. Id., ii. 6, 100; Arch. Arzo' ispado, MS., i. 30-2. July, 1796, 200 arrobas of wool can be had at 20 reals. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 6. Due mission from presidio of San Diego, 1797, $2,SSI. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 265. For 1798, 82,597. Id., xvi. 195. Due from Santa Bárbara, 1797, $3,311. Id., xvii. 78-81. Two runaway neophytes from San Gabriel brought in by the Pápagos to Tucson. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 58.

+ Pablo Antonio Cota was born in 1744, and enlisted in 1768, coming to California probably in 1769, and certainly before 1774. He seems to have commanded the guard at San Buenaventura from its foundation in 1782 until 1787, when he was removed on complaint of the padres. He subsequently commanded at Purísima until replaced by Corporal Ortega in September 1788. During this time he was engaged in one or two minor explorations and Indian campaigns. His commission as alférez was signed in Mexico Jan. 13, 1788. St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 53. His wife was Doña María Rosa de Lugo, who died Jan. 10, 1797. S. Buenaventura, Lib. de Mision, MS., 2, 5, 9; Sta Bárbara, Lib de Mision, MS., 30. In August 1795 he commanded the party exploring for the mission site of San Fernando. Sta Maria, Registro, MS. He died Dec. 30, 1800, Prov. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 87; xxi. 56, of pleurisy, which during this cold rainy winter attacked many persous at Santa Barbara. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxix. 3.

666

LOCAL EVENTS IN THE SOUTH.

creased from 200 to 370.47 The total white popula- tion of this district, including Los Angeles and the ranchos, was 675, and neophytes, including San Gabriel and San Fernando, numbered almost 4,000. Having no fort,4 Santa Bárbara obtained no part of the reenforcement of artillerymen and infantry sent to California in 1796, and was garrisoned by cuera cavalrymen only. The annual appropriation for this presidio from the royal treasury did not vary much from $15,000.49

It has been seen that new presidio buildings had been completed or nearly so by 1790; but some of the roofs were constructed of tules; some of the timbers supporting tile roofs were bad; the family kitchens were inside the houses and not detached as was best; a fire did considerable damage in August 1789; and it seems that no new chapel had been built. Fages in

47 Company rosters in Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xiii .- xxvi .; St. Pap., Sac., MS., i .- iii. List of about 100 persons in 1797 who have com- plied with religious obligations. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xv. 89-93. List of 14 young men fit for military service, but whose parents need their care. Id., xv. 102-4. Full list of officers and men in 1798. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xvii. 20-1. Four foundlings came here to live in 1800. Id., xxviii. By Borica's order each mission escolta was reduced by one man in 1795. Pror. Rec., MS., iv. 23; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 171.

98 One brass 6-pounder and three smaller iron pieces at the presidio with four iron guns at the three coast missions were the armament in 1798. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xvii. 5. Paper supplied to school and collected again for cartridges. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 32.

49 Company accounts in Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xv. xvii .- viii. xxi. xxiii. xxviii .; St. Pap., Sac., MS., ii. iv. The memorias of supplies were from $13,000 to $17,000. Account of 1794, credit, $39,737; debit, $38,634. Prov. St. Pap., Presid., MS., i. 3. Id. for 1797, cr., $42,377; dr., $43,095. St. Pap., Sac., MS., ii. 68. Id. for 1798, cr., $40,520; dr., $10,658. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xvii. 9-11. Total receipts of supplies in 1795, including $6,830 from missions, $22,057. Id., xxi. 9. Waste in last memoria 1796, $690. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 80. Mission supplies in 1797, $4,623; in 1798, $756. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xvii. 10, 11. Inventory of goods on land. Dec. 31, 1798, $9,758. Id., xvii. 9. Account of 1799, cr., $45,728; dr., $46, 148. Prov. St. Pap., Ben., MS., ii. 18, 19. Postal revenue from $56 to $105. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxi. 6, 9; xxiii. 8; xxv. 14; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. 61. Tithes collected from $200 to $800 per year, the expense of col- lecting being from 15 to 20 per cent. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xix. 4: xxi. 6; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 45-6; vi. 2; Dept. St. Pop., MS., x. 3, 4; St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 124. In 1792-3, the papal bulls sold amounted to $62. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxi. 6. From 1790 to 1795, only $8 out of $1,177 worth seut. Id., xiii. 4; xxi. 9. In 1797, $87 worth sold, and those remain- ing ordered burned. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 87. It seems that this sale was a special one of bulls of the holy crusade. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xv. 79-80.

667

SANTA BÁRBARA.

his instructions to Romeu of February 1791 reported this state of things and hoped all would be completed that year. In August 1793 the governor pronounced the presidio buildings the best in California owing to Goycoechea's activity, but still some roofs needed re- pairs. All would be done that year except the new chapel and a cemetery outside the square. Van- couver in November found here "the appearance of a

LOS

TULARES

S.Luis Obispo

Buenavista

I .. Sta. Maria

Rio Sta. Maria or Cayumas

Pta,Sal

La Graciosa

R.Sta. Ines

or Sta Rosa

oPURISIMA

ALision

STA INES

Pta. Pedernales Viaja

lug

nos Pueblo

S. Marcus

Rint

G Presidio

CeLas Armas

A. BARBARA

>S. CUEN LÁV

CIVIL DE SANTI

BARBARA

I. S.MIGUEL

MI.STA.CRUZ

ANACAPA

.STA. ROSA

120

MAP OF SANTA BÁRBARA DISTRICT, 1800.

far more civilized place than any other of the Spanish establishments had exhibited. The buildings appeared to be regular and well constructed, the walls clean and white, and the roofs of the houses were covered with a bright red tile. The presidio excels all the others in neatness, cleanliness, and other sınaller though essential comforts; it is placed on an elevated part of the plain and is raised some feet from the

Pta.Arguello

Misiull

Pta. Concepcion

668

LOCAL EVENTS IN THE SOUTH.

ground by a basement story, which adds much to its pleasantness." In October 1794 the commandant certified that to complete the buildings fifteen laborers for six months were necessary at a cost of $561. Thereupon work was stopped except upon the church and the most necessary repairs; and at the end of 1796 the viceroy declared that the sailor-workmen could no longer be employed at royal expense; but the chapel was blessed on Guadalupe day in 1797.50

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History of California, Volume I, Part 73

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