History of California, Volume II, Part 5

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 826

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36 Tapis, Informe Bienal de Misiones, 1803-4, 1805-6, MS. In the first report he says Limú abounds with timber, water, and soil. There are ten rancherías on the island. the three largest of which Cajatsa, Ashnagel, and Liam have 124, 145, and 122 adults respectively. The men are naked, live on fish, and are eager for a mission. The natives of Huina (Santa Rosa) Island-where there are seven rancherías, the largest with 120 adults, but no facilities for a mission-are willing to move to Limú. March 1, 1805, Tapis to Arrillaga, containing the same in substance as the preceding. Arch. St. B., MS., vi. 28-30. May 7th, Arrillaga to Tapis with approval. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 22. Reference to the subject also in Arch. St. B., MS., vi. 28-30.

37 Jan. 16, 1805, comisionado of S. José to com. of S. Francisco. The first ranchería was aided by two others. Arrows continued to fly all the afternoon. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 34-5. Jan. 31st, Argüello to Gov., the hostile ran- chería was one of the Asisines. Id., xix. 36. Tapis, Informe General de Misi- ones, 1803-4, MS., 77, says that a neophyte treacherously guided Cueva to the wrong rancheria. March 11th, governor to viceroy, the padre had visited the Asisines rancheria and was attacked on his return by another six leagues distant. Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 63-4. The hostile natives called Luecheas. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 36-7. Feb. 20th, an investigation at Sta Clara by Peralta. Id., xix. 29. Amador calls the natives Loechas and says they lived 14 leagues cast of the mission. He says, doubtless erroneously, that the sur- vivors defended themselves all night in a cave. Memorias, MS., 14, 15.

INDIAN HOSTILITIES.

aster reached San Francisco, Sergeant Peralta was despatched with eighteen men, increased to thirty-four from the settlers at San José, against the hostile gen- tiles. The natives had abandoned their rancheria, but were overtaken, making but slight resistance, and before the 24th, eleven of their number were killed and thirty were captured, mostly women.33 Peralta inade another raid in February, but no remnant of hostility was found, many fugitives returned volunta- rily to their missions, and some gentile chieftains from distant rancherías such as Pescadero on the Rio San Francisco, or San Joaquin, came in to assure the Spaniards that they had taken no part in the out- break.39 Later, in May and June, there was thought to be a plot to attack and burn Santa Clara. Several Christian natives were arrested as accomplices, but Alférez Luis Argüello after scouring the sierra in all directions and bringing in twenty-two natives con- vinced himself that there was no hostile intention; and indeed the neophytes finally admitted that they had originated the threats and rumors merely to escape floggings.40

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On his arrival at the capital in the beginning of 1806, one of Arrillaga's first measures was to issue instructions in which he indicated his determination to prevent the prevalent contraband trade. He de- clared that the laws of the Indies and the orders of himself and his predecessors had been shamefully dis- regarded by officials, and that no further abuses would be tolerated. Clearly Arrillaga understood the nature of the evil and its remedy. Americans could not as

38 Peralta, Diario de una Expedicion contra Gentiles, 1805, MS., dated S. Francisco, Jan. 30th. Jan. 31st, Argiiello to Gov., announcing Peralta's suc- cess. He complains of Cueva's rashness. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 36-7. Amador says that the natives were found at a rancheria on the San Joaquin called Pitemis. Memorias, MS., 14, 15.

39 Feb. 28, 1805, Argüello to governor, in Pror. St. Pap., MS., xix. 39-40. 40 May 20, 1805, Luis Argiiello to José Argiiello. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 30. May 30th, Argüello to Gov. Id., xix. 42. June 25th, same to same with report of the campaign. Id., Ben. Mil., MS., xxxiii. 15, 16. The suspected Indians were Seunenes and Bolbones.

ARRILLAGA'S RULE.

a rule be captured or their vessels detained, though this was to be done if possible; but by prompt action and close vigilance on the arrival of a vessel the people might be prevented from all intercourse with the strangers, who without such intercourse would have no motive to come or remain, since their demands for supplies were for the most part mere pretence. There- fore on the arrival of a vessel the news must be sent to the nearest presidio; no supplies must be given, and strict guard was to be established on the shore. No citizen was to be allowed to leave his place of residence while the vessel remained; suspicious persons were to be arrested; commandants of guards and co- misionados of pueblos must be responsible for all in their jurisdiction, and were given power to arrest with- out legal formality, and officials neglectful of their duties were threatened with suspension.41 There is reason to believe that Arrillaga was at first honest in his determination to break up smuggling and trade with foreigners, and perhaps he continued firm so far as Americans were concerned; but it will be seen else- where that he made some concessions before the year was past, in the case of the Russians.

In July Arrillaga made a somewhat extended report to the viceroy on the condition of California, represent- ing in a not very encouraging light the various insti- tutions and industries. Indeed this ruler was never known to be enthusiastic or hopeful on any topic. In this report he gave his opinion on Goycoechea's plan of transferring the San Blas department to San Quin- tin. He saw no advantage in the place suggested except the excellence of its harbor, there being a lack of wood, water, fertile lands, and surrounding popula- tion. Moreover San Quintin was so situated with

41 Feb. 8, 1806, Arrillaga to commandants. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 113- 16. Aug. 6th, striet instructions of Argüello at S. Francisco to his successor about intercourse with foreigners. Id., Ben. Mil., xxxvii. 17. Arrillaga's complaints of Yankee infringements of the laws. Langsdorf's Voy., 185. Com. of S. Francisco to fire his artillery at eanoes in the bay. Prov. Rec., MS., xii. 269.

GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

respect to prevailing winds that a vessel could not be quickly sent to the upper coast. A station in Alta California would be better, but in his opinion the transfer was not advisable. In place of this meas- ure he suggested that two vessels be stationed permanently in some of the northern ports, the crews bringing their families to California and being en- couraged to engage in various industries when not on active service. 42 Meanwhile the Princesa had been sent up for a season's cruise on the coast in quest of smugglers, and had entered upon the performance of her duties in June. 43 Arrillaga also pronounced the presidio buildings to be in a bad condition, and urged the viceroy to have them repaired and properly sup- plied with artillery for protection from foreigners before he should give much attention to new settle- ments. Iturrigaray promised to send an inspecting officer; meanwhile none but cheap, though solid, structures were to be erected.#

Several American vessels were on the coast this year, though information about their movements is incomplete. Such is naturally the case in these times, since of most trading voyages no diary is extant and I am forced to rely on incidental mention in letters of the epoch and on fragmentary records in the archives, where wild work is generally made with American names. The Peacock, Captain Kimball, was the first arrival. She anchored off San Juan Capistrano on April 4th, and sent four men ashore in a boat to ask for provisions. The jealous corporal of the mission guard, mindful of Arrillaga's recent orders, not only refused

42 Arrillaga, Relacion sobre el Estado que guardan los Presidios y Pueblos de California, 1806, MS. Dated Monterey, July 15th.

43 Prov. Rec., MS., viii. 84; ix. 78; xi. 111; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 162. The Princesa brought up four friars, arriving at Monterey June 23d. The supplies were brought this year by the Concepcion, which arrived in August. Prov. Rec., MS., xii. 267; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 101.

#July 18, 1806, Arrillaga to viceroy. Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 90-1. Dec. 17th, viceroy to Gov. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 102. For the governor's general instructions on presidio management, Indian policy, discipline, and military routine, see Arrillaga, Preceptos generales para Comandantes, 1806, MS. Dated S. Diego, Dec. 22d.

ARRILLAGA'S RULE.

supplies, but took the four men prisoners, sending them to San Diego. The Peacock, having recovered her boat, sailed on the 9th; anchored off San Diego, sending a letter ashore on the 10th; and was last seen at Cármen near San Miguel on the lower coast on the 19th. A vessel supposed to have been the same had already done some trading with the padre of San Miguel late in February and early in March, and had subsequently anchored in San Pedro Bay and sent to San Gabriel for provisions, March 19th, before coming to San Juan.

The letter above alluded to informed the mate, one of the captives, that the vessel would linger for a while on the coast to take him on board if he could effect his escape. Accordingly when a rumor came that a vessel had been seen off San Juan, the prisoners broke jail on the night of June 23d, took the boat of the presidio, and started out to sea; but they came back next day when they had failed to find their ves- sel, and after a while were sent down to San Blas. 45

In June or July appeared another American craft on the coast called by the Spaniards the Reizos, and supposed by them to be under Captain O'Cain. There is much confusion in the matter, and it is difficult to say definitely whether this was the Peacock back again, the O'Cain, of which I shall presently speak, or really a distinct ship called the Reizos, or by some name of similar sound. This mysterious vessel anch- ored off San Diego on June 25th, but was refused

45 May 4, 1806, Com. of San Diego to Gov. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 174-6.

The names of the prisoners were: Tom Kilven, mate; -, a Frenchman, boatswain; Blas Limeamk and Blas Yame, sailors from Boston. Rezanof, who was at San Francisco when the Gov. received the report, names the Frenchman Jean Pierre, and the mate Thomas Kilvain. Letter of June 17, 1806, in Tikhménef, Istor. Obosranie, app. 273. The captives represented the Peacock as of 108 tons, 8 guns, and 14 men. She left Boston in September 1805, and arrived at the Sandwich Islands on Feb. 12th according to Rezanof. She had a cargo of stores to be traded for furs in the north. The captain's name is called by the Spaniards Olivens Kimvell, and he is even said to have been a brother-in-law of Capt. O'Cain. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 153-5. May 19, 1806, Gov. to Com., acknowledging report of the affair. Prov. Rec., MS., xii. 46. June 23d-4th, Rodriguez to Gov. Escape of the prisoners. Id., xix. 136-8, 148. The Peacock in Baja California. Id., xix. 146-7, 155, 181.

WINSHIP ON THE COAST.

supplies and opportunity for repairs. Then she went down to Todos Santos, where she obtained water in spite of opposition, and captured three men sent to watch her movements. The captain then attempted to use his captives to force a release of the Peacock prisoners, making loud threats of destroying San Diego presidio and fort, and thus forcing Rodriguez to con- centrate reinforcements to the extent of four or five men and to throw up hasty fortifications; but no bat- tle occurred, and on July 9th the last of the captive soldiers was released at San Quintin. 46

One of the released captives, a corporal, reported that there was another vessel hunting otters by the aid of northern Indians and canoes in the vicinity of Santo Tomás Island, with which vessel his captors had been in communication, and which they had now probably rejoined. This reference was perhaps to the O'Cain, since that vessel was again on the coast under a new commander, Jonathan Winship. With his brother Nathan as mate, Winship sailed from Boston in October 1805 with thirty men including officers. Touching at the Sandwich Islands, he was welcomed at New Archangel in April 1806 by Chief Director Baránof, who was willing enough to make a new contract for otter-hunting in the south. On or about May 23d with a hundred Aleut hunters, four Russians, twelve women, and fifty bidarkas, the O'Cain set sail for the south, and on June 10th anchored just north of Trinidad Bay, where Wash- ington Sound, now Big Lagoon, was discovered, named, and partially explored.

Winship remained in and near Trinidad Bay for twelve days. Fish were very plentiful, and many skins were obtained both by trade and by hunting; but the natives were numerous and hostile, all opera- tions had to be conducted under the ship's guns, field-

46 July 5, 16, 25, 1806, reports of Rodriguez to governor. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xix. 129-30, 134-6, 141-3. The Reisos, or Zeissos, Capt. José Poenicar, with 35 men and 18 guns, a whaler, had left Nemtguia, U. S., in January. There was a report that O'Cain was the captain.

ARRILLAGA'S RULE.

pieces had to be landed to protect the camp on the bay shore, and once a fight occurred in which a sav- age was killed. Consequently it was deemed best to quit this region on June 22d, and having sighted the Farallones on the way south, the adventurers reached Cedros Island on June 29th. Parties of hunters were distributed on the different islands, while the ship cruised from one to another with supplies and water, spending also some time at Todos Santos and San Quintin, where a profitable trade was carried on with the missionaries. After two or three months Win- ship, leaving his hunters till his return, sailed by way of the Hawaiian Islands for Kadiak, where he arrived on November 9th, with skins valued at $60,000, and was soon ready for a new trip in completion of his contract. Not mentioning the second trip, which I shall describe in another chapter, the Russian au- thorities state that Winship returned in September with 5,000 otter-skins for sharing. He had quarrelled at Cedros Islands with the chief hunter, Slobodchikof, and the latter, purchasing an American schooner, possibly Hudson's Tamana mentioned in a previous chapter, renamed the Nikolai, had returned home by way of the Hawaiian Islands, arriving in August. Thus it will be seen there is much confusion about the voyage, although one of my authorities is founded upon the log-book of the O'Cain.47

Yet another American hunting-voyage under Rus- sian auspices was that of Captain Campbell with twelve bidarkas under Tarakánof. His contract was made in October 1806; he was to begin operations at

47 Boston in the Northwest, MS., 13-20; Khlebnikof, Zapiski, 9, 10, 137; Baránof, Shizneopissanie, 107-8; Tikhménef, Istor. Obosranie, i. 183. If the ('Cain was the vessel called by the Spaniards the Reizos, as the dates would indicate, it is very strange that her log contains nothing about the capture of the soldiers; and if she was not, it is equally strange that nothing is said of the other vessels which she must have met. The log is silent about the quarrel with the head hunter, and the Russians say nothing of the O'Cain's second trip. Khlébnikof says that Bodega as well as Trinidad was visited. Tikhmenef tells us that Winship was forbidden by Baranof to hunt on the California coast 'without special permission of the Spanish government.' It is certain, however, that no such permission was asked for or obtained.

MISSION REGULATIONS.

Trinidad Bay, and not to go "too near" the Spanish settlements; and he returned in the following August with 1,230 otter-skins. 48

On the Ist of October 1806 Guardian José Gasol issued an important series of regulations for the guid- ance of the California friars. 49 Most of the sixteen articles relate to details of ecclesiastical, missionary, and private life, and need not be presented here even in résumé. It may be noted, however, that this document gave rise to the custom of keeping in each mission a book of patentes, or communications from superior Franciscan authorities;50 and that it also re- quired an annual meeting of the friars of the different districts at San Francisco, San Carlos, San Luis

48 Khlébnikof, Zapiski, 9.

49 Gasol, Letras Patentes del Padre Guardian. 1806, MS. I translate the heading and preliminary remarks as an interesting sample of documents of this class. 'Fr. Jose Gasol, of the Regular Observance of Our Holy Father Saint Francis, Evangelical Preacher, Ex-Reader of sacred Theology, Padre of the Province of the Holy Evangel of Mexico, and Guardian of the College of San Fernando of the same city-to the Reverend Father President and other Religious of the said College, serving in the missions of Monterey, San Diego, Santa Bárbara, and others founded, or which may be founded, in New Cali- fornia under charge and direction of the said college-Grace in Our Lord Jesus Christ which is the true grace.

' The hour has at last come which I so much desired, Reverend Fathers and dearest Brothers in Jesus Christ, to open to Your Reverences my breast and manifest to you the sentiments of zeal and vigilance with which my heart is penetrated not only for those sons of our beloved College who live within its cells, but also for those who outside of it exercise the functions of our apostolic ministry. To both alike should extend my paternal solicitude; and Your Reverences yourselves, if, on account of being so far from your col- lege, you should see yourselves deprived of the exhortations, counsels, and corrections conducive to spiritual consolation, might with reason complain of my negligence. In order, then, that you may have not the slightest reason for complaint, nor for accusing me in the presence of the Lord of remissness in speaking, advising, and correcting whatever is worthy of advice or correc- tion, I have resolved (with the consent of the Venerable Discretory) to direct to Your Reverences these letras patentes for the purpose of establishing some points which all must observe in order that by means of this religious con- formity there may be preserved among you the peace for which so zealously strove the founders of those missions, sons of this Apostolic College-and that there may be an end of the clamors which, by reason of some infractions by certain ministers, have reached not only me and my predecessors but the Viceroyalty of this Capital.' Then follow 16 articles of the instruction proper.

50 Most of these Libros de Patentes have been preserved. They make up the collection I have designated, Archivo del Obispado, in possession of the bishop of Los Angeles. I have also the original for San Jose Mission. These books should really be identical for all the missions, but the padres were sometimes neglectful and several books have to be searched in order to find all the documents.

ARRILLAGA'S RULE.

Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Gabriel, and San Diego, for mutual religious services, consultation, and conso- lation-or rather the meeting was required by the guardian, and President Tapis in an adjoined circular named the places of meeting.51

Two topics also require mention as connected with secular interests. Gasol enjoined the friars most strictly that no information respecting mission affairs was to be furnished to the viceroy or to any official of the secular government except through the medium of the college, thus showing that the old spirit of an- tagonism was by no means dead. The current topie of contraband trade was also taken up, and the guar- dian says : "in order to avert the reprimand which the college would have to suffer from the viceroy if it should come to his knowledge that any one of your reverences was trading with the foreigners, I ex- pressly order that no one either directly or indirectly trade with them." Evidently the good prelate had in mind not so much the sin of smuggling, if indeed it were a sin, as the danger of being caught. The uniform testimony of the traders is that the mission- aries were their best customers.

Local events in 1806 were the injuries done to the presidio chapel at Santa Bárbara at first by an earth- quake in March and later by a gale in May; the rav- ages of the measles at San Francisco from April to June during which time two hundred and thirty-six neophytes died; some new boundary disputes at San José; a destructive fire at San Miguel in August; and the consecration of two new mission churches, one at San Juan Capistrano, and the other at San Fernando. Two topics of this year's annals demand each a separate chapter: one that of inland explora- tion, the other the beginning of intercourse between Californians and Russians.

51 Archivo del Obispado, MS., 6, 7.

CHAPTER III.

INLAND EXPLORATIONS.

1806-1810.

PRELIMINARY RÉSUMÉ OF INLAND EXPLORATION-FAGES, CRESPI, ANZA, FONT, AND GARCÉS-A TIERRA INCÓGNITA-DISCOVERIES BY INDIAN- HUNTERS-ARRILLAGA'S EFFORTS-VAGUE ALLUSIONS-THE RIVER SAN JOAQUIN NAMED-EXPEDITION OF MAITORENA AND SANCHEZ FROM SAN DIEGO-RUIZ AND ZALVIDEA FROM SANTA BÁRBARA-TULARE AND BCE- NAVISTA-MORAGA AND MUÑOZ FROM MONTEREY-MARIPOSA-MERCED RIVER-TUOLUMNE-KINGS RIVER-SITES FOR NEW MISSIONS-LATER EXPLORATIONS-DIARIES OF VIADER-NAMES OF RANCHERIAS.

THE Spanish occupation of California was limited to a narrow strip of territory along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. Soledad, their most inland establishment, was not over thirty miles from the sea. The vast interior was a tierra incógnita, frequently spoken of as such in official documents. The extreme south, the modern county of San Diego, was much better known than the inland regions north. In 1774 Juan Bautista de Anza came from the Colorado River to San Gabriel diagonally across the country from south-east to north-west by a route practically the same as that now followed by the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1775-6 Anza brought a colony to California by the same route. In connection with this expedition Father Francisco Garcés made some extensive and important explora- tions a little further north. He went up the Colorado to the Mojave region, and crossed westward by the thirty-fifth parallel and Mojave River to San Gabriel; then proceeding northward he traversed the since

( 43 )

INLAND EXPLORATIONS.

famous mountain passes into the great Tulare Valley, nearly reaching the latitude of Tulare Lake; and finally he passed out of the valley eastward and returned along the thirty-fifth parallel to the Colorado. Garcés had thus explored what is now Kern and San Bernardino counties, but though his diary was pre- served in Mexico, and the results of his exploration were preserved in Font's map, yet these results, never well known, were soon completely forgotten in Cali- fornia. In 1781 Rivera's colony was brought from the Colorado by Gonzalez and Argüello over Anza's old route, and during this and the following year that route was many times followed backward and forward in connection with the disastrous events at the Colo- rado River missions. In one of these expeditions Pedro Fages took a more direct route farther south from the Gila across the mountains to San Diego. Finally Fages and Velazquez made some explorations on the San Diego inland frontier in 1783-5. Thus as I have remarked this southern district, or San Diego County, was tolerably well known.

In the north it will be remembered that in 1772 Fages and Crespí explored the country now consti- tuting Alameda and Contra Costa counties as far as the mouth of the great rivers, getting from the hills a broad view over the inland valleys. In 1776 Anza and Font reexamined the same territory, and added nothing but confusion to the knowledge previously gained, though in returning they passed to the east of Monte del Diablo, and thus their survey embraced a larger circuit than that of their predecessors. This same year, while the naval officers explored the bay by water, going up either Petaluma or Sonoma creek, Moraga crossed the hills from the southern head of the bay eastward to the great river, which he ascended for three days, crossed, and penetrated one day's march into the great plain beyond. In later years the Spaniards made at least one trip from San Fran- cisco to Bodega; and the soldiers, raiding for runaway

A TIERRA INCÓGNITA.

neophytes, often penetrated the borders of the interior valleys, and still oftener looked down upon them from the summits of the coast range.

Thus at the beginning of the present century, re- specting the great interior of their Californian posses- sions the Spaniards possessed a knowledge, gained partly from vague traditions of the early explorations now nearly forgotten, but chiefly from later reports of Indian-hunting sergeants which were very barren of geographical detail, hardly more complete than might have been gained by a view from two or three coast-range summits, consisting mainly in the general facts that beyond this range were broad tulares, valleys bounded in their turn on the east by a lofty and often snow-capped sierra. In 1806 Arrillaga, probably act- ing under orders from Mexico though no such orders are extant so far as my researches show, made an earnest and somewhat successful effort to have the eastern country explored, with a view to the estab- lishment of new missions in the interior in case suit- able sites should be discovered. To the results of this exploration as far as known, though the records that I have been able to find are meagre, I devote this short chapter. It is a topic that might easily be disposed of in a few paragraphs; but it is also one which I deem of especial importance, respecting which every scrap of available material should be carefully preserved.

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History of California, Volume II, Part 5

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 826

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 826