USA > California > Lassen County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 2
USA > California > Plumas County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 2
USA > California > Sierra County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 2
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The communication goes on to give the successive events in the prosecution of the enterprise until after the return of Viscaino's expedition in 1603, and then adds, speaking of the Indians found upon our coast, " that their clothing is of the skins of sea-wolves, which they have a very good method of tanning and preparing, and that they have abundance of flax, hemp and cotton, and that the said Sebastian Viscaino carefully informed himself of these Indians and many others whom he discovered along the coast for above 800 leagues, and they all told him that up the country there were large towns, silver, and gold; whence he is inclined to believe that great riches may be discovered, especially as in some parts of the land veins of metal are to be found."
Thus the Spanish crown gives the reasons for wishing to occupy the country, and it must be borne in mind that these inducements were equally strong with other powers that were hostile to Spain. Ven- egas, in his efforts to justify the Jesuits, gives the additional reasons not mentioned by the king, why the opposing countries, Spain and England, should desire to possess it. He says : "That in the mean- time the English should find out the so-much-desired passage to the South Sea, by the north of America and above California, which passage is not universally denied, and one day may be found ; that they may fortify themselves on both sides of this passage, and thus extend the English dominion from the north to the south of America, so as to border on our possessions. Should English colonies and garrisons be established along the coast of America on the South Sea beyond Cape Mendocino, or lower down on California itself, England would then, without control, reign mistress of the sea and its commerce, and be able to threaten by land and sea the territories of Spain ; invade them on occasion from the E., W., N. and S., hem them in and press them on all sides."
With all these causes at work to spur forward the different powers of the world-with all these visions of things imagined, that lay covered up in the land unknown, working upon the fancy, it could do naught else than dot the high seas with adventurers and the fleets of empires. Yet one hundred and sixty-three years passed, after the first discovery, before a permanent settlement was made in any
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part of this fabulous land, that held secreted for the coming generations, within its limits, the realization of all their wildest hopes.
There remains the record of but one Spanish navigator who passed up along the coast of California during the seventeenth century. His name was Sebastian Viscaino, who sailed from Acapulco May 5, 1602. Passing north along the coast of Lower California, he discovered the harbors of San Diego and Monterey, the latter being named by him in memory of his friend, the viceroy of Mexico. At this point he sent back his sick, then moved on up the coast, leaving Monterey harbor to slumber for one hundred and sixty-six years, disturbed only by the winds, and the balsas of the natives. His course was close in along the shore, searching for harbors, where a station to supply the East India galleons might be established. Reaching a point a few miles below the bay that we now know as San Francisco, his evil genius sent him out to sea, where he continued north, keeping the land in sight, and thus passed that port. Coming opposite to what is now known as Drake's bay, behind Point Reyes, where that. famous sea-king spent those thirty-six days when he landed and took possession of the country for Eng- land, he changed his course and put into shore in search of the cargo of a vessel called the San Augustine, that had been wrecked there in 1595. The learned historian, Juan de Torquemada, writing in 1615, says : "He anchored behind a point of rocks called 'La Punta de los Reyes,' in the port San Francisco." Finding nothing, he continued his voyage towards the north, keeping the land in view, until he had sighted Cape Mendocino, when a council of his associates was called to decide what it was best to do under the circumstances. But six able-bodied men were left on the vessel ; had there been fourteen it was the general's intention to push on north to latitude 46°, where the Columbia river empties into the Pacific ocean. He believed from all that he could learn that it was the straits of Anian, that at the time was supposed to separate Asia from America, and connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through which he proposed to sail to Spain.
The condition of the crew is beyond the power of pen to describe ; the following from that of Tor- quemada, who was writing of them, will give some idea of what the navigator of those early times had to contend with, having no means of preserving on shipboard, for long voyages, vegetables for food, to ward off the horrible disease. After describing the progress of the disorder, he says ; "Nor is the least ease to be expected from change of place, as the slightest motion is attended with such severe pains that they must be very fond of life who would not willingly lay it down on the first appearance of so terrible a distemper. This virulent humour makes such ravages in the body that it is entirely covered with ulcers, and the poor patients are unable to bear the least pressure ; even the very clothes laid on them deprive them of life. Thus they lie groaning and incapable of any relief. For the greatest assistance possible to be given them, if I may be allowed the expression, is not to touch them, nor even the bed-clothes. These effects, however melancholy, are not the only ones produced by this pestilential humour. In many, the gums, both of the upper and lower jaws, are pressed both within and without to such a degree that the teeth cannot touch one another, and withal so loose and bare that they shake with the least motion of the head, and some of the patients spit their teeth out with their saliva. Thus they were unable to receive any food but liquid, as gruel, broth, milk of almonds, and the like. This gradually brought on so great a weakness that they died while talking to their friends. * Some, by way of ease, made loud complaints, others lamented their sins with the deepest contrition, some died talking, some sleeping, some eating, some whilst sitting up in their beds."
We must pass without further notice the details of this voyage, except to note that it returned to Mexico in March, 1603. Much of what has been given here of the hardships of that celebrated voyage has been for the purpose of impressing upon the mind of the reader a knowledge of some of the obstacles ·
that guarded the approach to our land, which combined with her rocky shore and uncultivated soil, placed
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at the threshold against invasion a more formidable and dreaded defense than was the fabled winged serpent that guarded the approach to the Indies.
In 1606, the king issued orders that a supply station for the East Indies be established at Monterey, but the order was never executed, and nothing further towards settlement was attempted until 1683, when Admiral Otondo headed an expedition, by water, to take possession of the country. He landed at La Paz, erected a church, and made that his headquarters. Father Kino was in charge of the religious part of the enterprise, and set about learning the Indian language, and soon had translated into their tongue the creeds of the Catholic Church. The effort lasted about three years; during the time they were visited with an eighteen months' drouth, and before they had recovered from the blow, received orders to put to sea, and bring into Acapulco safely the Spanish galleon, then in danger of capture by the Dutch privateers that were lying in wait for her. This was successfully accomplished, the treasure- ship was conveyed safely in, but the act resulted in the abandonment again of the occupation of California.
The society of Jesuits was then solicited by the government of Spain to undertake the conquest, and was offered $40,000 yearly from the royal treasury to aid them in the enterprise. But they declined the undertaking, and Spain was at last forced to abandon the attempt to occupy the country, though it was believed to be the rival of the legendary El Dorado, and a key to the defenses of her possessions already obtained in the new world. For one hundred and forty-seven years since Cortez first established a colony on her coast had the treasure of private citizens and the government of Spain been poured out in unsuc- cessful attempts to hold the country by explorations and colonies; but the time had come when. they were forced to yield its possession to its native tribes, and acknowledge defeat.
CHAPTER II.
Occupation of Lower California by the Jesuits.
Why a Partial History of Lower California is Given-Father Kino or Kuhn-His Great Undertaking-His Plan-The Means-The Mode of Applying the Means-His Exalted Qualities-Cost to Spain of a Failure to Occupy-The Difficulties that Beset the Enterprise-Father Kino Joined by Salva Tierra and Ugarte-The Order Given Permit- ting the Jesuits to Euter upon the Conquest-The Expedition Sails-It Lands and Takes Possession of the Country- The Indians Attack the Mission-They are Defeated and Sue for Peace-How the Priests Induced them to Work- The Plan of Operations Acted Upon by the Priests-It Proved to be a Success-They Became the Pioneers in Manufacturing, Ship-Building, Wine-Culture, Martyrdom and Civilization before they were Banished-The Reason why a Complete History of the Peninsula is not Given.
It may occur to the mind of the reader, that any part of a history of the settlement of Lower California, one of the states of Mexico, is not a pertinent subject to be reckoned properly among the events constituting the history of our California. Yet it would seem important, when one comes to understand that the peninsula was the door through which, in after time, civilization was to enter our golden land. It was the nursery where experience taught a religious sect how to enter, then exist, and finally subdue the land.
In the preceding chapter is noted the last expedition before the final abandonment by Spain of any further attempt to occupy a part of California. With that expedition was a monk who had voluntarily
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abandoned a lucrative and honorable position as a professor in Ingolstadt College. He had made a vow, while lying at the point of death, to his patron Saint, Francis Xavier, that if he should recover, he would, in the remaining years of his life, follow the example set in the lifetime of that patron. He did recover, resigned his professorship, and crossed the sea to Mexico, and eventually became the one who, as a mis- sionary, accompanied that last expedition. He was a German by birth, and his name in his native land was Kuhn, but the Spaniards have recorded it as Father Eusebio Francisco Kino.
Father Kino had become strongly impressed in his visit to the country with the feasibility of a plan by which the land might be taken possession of and held. His object was not the conquest of a kingdom, but the conversion of its inhabitants, and the saving of souls. His plan was to go into the country and teach the Indians the principles of the Catholic faith, educate them to support themselves by tilling the soil, and improvement through the experience of the advantages to be obtained by industry; the end of all being to raise up a Catholic province for the Spanish crown, and people paradise with the souls of con- verted heathen. The means to be employed in accomplishing this were the priests of the order of Jesuits, protected by a small garrison of soldiers, both sustained by contributions from those friendly to the enter- prise. The mode of applying the means was, to first occupy some favorable place in the country, where, pro- tected by a small garrison, a storehouse and church could be erected that would render the fathers' main- tenance and life comparatively secure. This would give them an opportunity to win the confidence of the Indians, by a patient, long-continued, uniform system of affectionate intercourse and just dealing, and then use their appetites as the means by which to convert their souls.
It is difficult for us of the nineteenth century to appreciate the grand conception, to realize the mag- nitude of the task undertaken by that monastic Hercules. With a heart that loved humanity because it had a soul, with a charity that forgave all things except a death in sin, infolding with affection all the images of the Creator, with a tongue that made the hearer listen for the voice of angels, with a faith in success like one of the chosen twelve, he became an enthusiast, and was to California what John the Baptist was to Christianity, the forerunner of a change to come. And the end is not yet-it will never be, for eternity will swallow it up.
Spain had spent vast treasures in that century and a half of unsuccessful effort to survey and occupy the upper Pacific coast. The first colony, established in 1536 by Cortez, had cost $400,000 ; the last, by Otondo, 1683, $225,400, to which add all the expensive efforts that occurred between those dates, and the total foots among the millions. So vast an outlay, followed by no favorable result, rendered the subject one of annoyance, and clothed with contempt any that were visionary enough to advocate a fur- ther prosecution of such an enterprise, so repeatedly demonstrated to be but a "delusion and a snare. "
With such an outlook, uncheering, unfriendly, with no reward to urge to action, except beyond the grave, with a prospect of defeat and a probability of martyrdom as a result, Father Kino started, on the twentieth of October, 1686, to travel over Mexico, and, by preaching, urge his views and hopes of the enterprise. He soon met on the way a congenial spirit, Father Juan Maria Salva Tierra ; and then another, Father Juan Ugarte, added his great executive ability to the cause. Their united efforts resulted in obtaining sufficient funds by subscription. Then they procured a warrant from the king for the order of Jesuits to enter upon the conquest of California, at their own expense, for the benefit of the crown. The order was given February 5, 1697, and it had required eleven years of constant urging to procure it. October 10, of the same year, Salva Tierra sailed from the coast of Mexico to put in operation Kino's long-cherished scheme of conquest. The expedition consisted of one small vessel and a long-boat, in which were provisions, the necessary ornaments and furniture for fitting up a rude church, and Father Tierra, accompanied by six soldiers and three Indians. It was an unpretentious army, going forth to
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conquest, to achieve with the cross what the army, navy, and power of a kingdom combined had failed to do.
On the nineteenth of October, 1679, they reached the point selected on the east coast of the peninsula, and says Venegas :- " The provisions and animals were landed, together with the baggage ; the Father, though the head of the expedition, being the first to load his shoulders. The barracks for the little garrison were now built, and a line of circumvallation thrown up. In the center a tent was pitched for a temporary chapel ; before it was erected a crucifix, with a garland of flowers. * The image of our Lady of Loretto, as patroness of the conquest, was brought in procession from the boat, and placed with proper solemnity."
On the twenty-fifth of the same month, formal possession was taken of the country in " his majesty's name, " and has never since been abandoned.
Immediately the priest initiated the plan of conversion. He called together the Indians, explained to them the catechism, prayed over the rosary, and then distributed among them a half bushel of boiled corn. The corn was a success-they were very fond of it ; but the prayers and catechism were " bad medi- cine. " They wanted more corn and less prayers, and proceeded to steal it from the sacks. This was stopped by excluding them from the fort, and they were kindly informed that corn would be forthcoming only as a reward for attendance and attention at the devotions. This created immediate hostility, and the natives formed a conspiracy to murder the garrison and have a big corn-eat on the thirty-first day of October, only twelve days after the first landing of the expedition upon the coast. The design was dis- covered and happily frustrated, when a general league was entered into among several tribes, and a descent was made upon the fort by about five hundred Indians. The priest rushed upon the fortifications and warned them to desist, begging them to go away, telling them that they would be killed if they did not ; but his solicitude for their safety was responded to by a number of arrows from the natives, when he came down and the battle began in earnest. The assailants went down like grass before the scythe, as the little garrison opened with their fire-arms in volleys upon the unprotected mass, and they im- mediately beat a hasty retreat, where at a safe distance they sent in one of their number to beg for peace ; who, says Venegas, "with tears assured our men that it was those of the neighboring rancheria under him who had first formed the plot, and on account of the paucity of their numbers, had spirited up the other nations ; adding, that those being irritated by the death of their companions were for revenge- ing them, but that both the one and the other sincerely repented of their attempt. A little while after came the women with their children, mediating a peace, as is the custom of the country. They sat down weeping at the gate of the camp, with a thousand promises of amendment, and offering to give up their children as hostages for the performance. Father Salva Tierra heard them with his usual mildness, shewing them the wickedness of the procedure, and if their husbands would behave better, promised them peace, an amnesty, and forgetfulness of all that was past ; he also distributed among them several little presents, and to remove any mistrust they might have, he took one of the children in hostage, and thus they returned in high spirits to the rancherias. "
Thus was the first contest brought to a termination eminently satisfactory to the colonists. The soldiers' guns had taught the Indians respect, and the sacks of corn allured them back for the priests to teach them the Catholic faith.
We quote further from the Jesuit historian, Venegas, that the reader may get a correct understand- - ing of the manner in which the fathers treated the aboriginal occupants of the country, and the way they conquered the ignorance, indolence and viciousness of those tribes. In speaking of Father Ugarte, the historian says :-
" In the morning, after saying mass, and at which he obliged them to attend with order and respect,
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he gave a breakfast of pozoli to those who were to work, set them about building the church and houses for himself and his Indians, clearing ground for cultivation, making trenches for conveyance of water, holes for planting trees, or digging and preparing the ground for sowing. In the building part Father Ugarte was master, overseer, carpenter, bricklayer and laborer. For the Indians, though animated by his example, could neither by gifts nor kind speeches be prevailed upon to shake off their innate sloth, and were sure to slacken if they did not see the father work harder than any of them ; so he was the first in fetching stones, treading the clay, mixing the sand, cutting, carrying and barking the timber ; removing the earth and fixing materials. He was equally laborious in the other tasks, sometimes felling the trees with his axe, sometimes with his spade in his hand digging up the earth, sometimes with an iron crow splitting rocks, sometimes disposing the water-trenches, sometimes leading the beasts and cattle, which he had procured for his mission, to pasture and water ; thus, by his own example, teaching the several kinds of labor. The Indians, whose narrow ideas and dullness could not at first enter into the utility of these fatigues, which at the same time deprived them of their customary free- dom of roving among the forests, on a thousand occasions sufficiently tried his patience-coming late, not caring to stir, running away, jeering him, and sometimes even forming combinations, and threat- ening death and destruction ; all this was to be borne with unwearied patience, having no other recourse than affability and kindness, sometimes intermixed with gravity to strike respect ; also taking care not to tire them, and suit himself to their weakness. In the evening the father led them a second time in their devotions ; in which the rosary was prayed over, and the catechism explained ; and the service was followed by the distribution of some provisions. At first they were very troublesome all the time of the sermon, jesting and sneering at what he said. This the father bore with for a while, and then proceeded to reprove them ; but finding they were not to be kept in order, he made a very dangerous experiment of what could be done by fear. Near him stood an Indian in high reputation for strength, and who, presuming on this advantage, the only quality esteemed by them, took upon him- self to be more rude than the others. Father Ugarte, who was a large man, and of uncommon strength, observing the Indian to be in the height of his laughter, and making signs of mockery to the others, seized him by the hair and lifting him up swung him to and fro ; at this the rest ran away in the utmost terror. They soon returned, one after another, and the father so far succeeded to intimidate them that they behaved more regularly for the future." In writing of the same priest and his labors in starting a mission in an- other place, this historian relates that: "He endeavored, by little presents and caresses, to gain the affections of his Indians; not so much that they should assist him in the building as that they might take a liking to the catechism, which he explained to them as well as he could, by the help of some Indians of Loretto, while he was perfecting himself in their language. But his kindness was lost on the adults, who, from their invincible sloth, could not be brought to help him in any one thing, though they partook of, and used to be very urgent with him for, pozoli and other eatables. He was now obliged to have recourse to the assistance of the boys, who, being allured by the father with sweetmeats and presents, accom- panied him wherever he would have them; and to habituate these to any work it was necessary to make use of artifice. Sometimes he laid a wager with them who should soonest pluck up the mesquites and small trees; sometimes he offered reward to those who took away most earth ; and it suffices to say that in forming the bricks he made himself a boy with boys, challenged them to play with the earth, and dance upon the clay. The father used to take off his sandals and tread it, in which he was followed by the boys skipping and dancing on the clay, and the father with them. The boys sang, and were highly delighted ; the father also sang, and thus they continued dancing and treading the clay in different parts till meal-time. This enabled him to erect his poor dwelling and the church, at the dedication of which the other fathers assisted. He made use of several such contrivances in order to
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learn their language ; first teaching the boys several Spanish words, that they might afterwards teach him their language. When, by the help of these masters, the interpreters of Loretto, and his own observation and discourse with the adults, he had attained a sufficient knowledge of it, he began to catechise these poor gentiles, using a thousand endearing ways, that they should come to the catechism. He likewise made use of his boys for carrying on their instruction. Thus, with invincible patience and firmness under excessive labors, he went on humanizing the savages who lived on the spot, those of the neighboring rancherias, and others, whoin he sought among woods, breaches and caverns ; going about everywhere, that he at length administered baptism to many adults, and brought this new settlement into some form."
In this manner those devoted fathers struggled on through seventy years of ceaseless toil to plant the cross through that worthless peninsula of Lower California-a land that God seemed to have left un- finished at the eve of creation, intending it for solitude and the home of the cactus, the serpent, and the tarantula.
The plan of subduing the savages will be readily seen from what Venegas records, and it proved to be successful. The missions, some of them always, all of them for a time, were supported by remittances from Mexico, until the Indians could be christianized and educated to work, and, with the aid of the fathers, make the missions self-supporting. Within the first eight years there were expended, in estab- lishing six missions, fifty-eight thousand dollars, and one million two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in supporting the Indians that were subject to them.
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