USA > California > The Spanish Pioneers And The California Missions > Part 18
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Needless to detail the disheartenments of found- ing San Buenaventura, and San Gabriel and other Missions -sometimes the active hostility of the Indians; more often the now inconceivable difficul- ties of communication and transportation in a wil- derness where it took two months to get news from
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THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.
a point five hundred miles away, and where there was not an actual road in one thousand miles; the scarcity of food, and long delay in supplies. But the gentle apostle with the iron jaw simply kept at it -and simply got it done. The vessel bringing food to Monterey was three months late, and the missionaries were indebted to the pagans for sustenance.
Then Junipero started on one of his Apostolic Tramps. Taking Fray Josef Cavaller, he founded the Mission of San Luis Obispo, September 1, 1772. On to San Gabriel, and then to San Diego. Thence he sailed on the little packet "San Carlos " October 20, for San Blas, arriving in the "quick" time of two weeks. From San Blas he started overland with a companion for the City of Mexico. At Guadala- jara both were taken very sick, and again at Queré- taro. But as soon as he was able to trudge again, he went on, arriving in the capital of Mexico Feb- ruary 6, 1773, emaciated and weak, but indomitable.
Even Viceroys were stirred by this humble, gentle but undeniable apostle; and Bucareli ordered a boat of provisions sent to Monterey at once. Bad weather prevented Perez, commanding the "San Carlos," from getting out of the Gulf at all; and the Cali- fornia Missions came near starvation.
Also thanks to the far-seeing old Founder of California, the Viceroy ordered Juan Bautista Anza to explore for a road from his garrison on the fron- tier of Sonora up to Monterey. This was one of the most notable overland expeditions ever made.
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THE SPANISH PIONEERS.
His far-reaching sessions with the Viceroy done, Fray Junípero set out on foot in September, 1773, with one companion, arriving at Tepic in January, 1774, and leaving the 24th on the new "Santiago," for Monterey-but was forced to land at San Diego, and walked the rest of the way to Monterey, visiting his various Missions en route. Here he met Anza, who had opened a "road" (trail) from So- nora to Monterey. Junipero arrived at Monterey, May 11.
The little " frigate " (sloop) went north explor- ing, taking Father Crespi and another priest, and explored the coast as far north as latitude 55, where Santa Margarita was founded. The Viceroy there- upon sent another expedition of two vessels, and June 11, they took formal possession of the port of Holy Trinity in latitude 41. At 49 degrees, the frig- ate turned back with its crew ill with scurvy; but the schooner kept on up to 58 degrees and founded the port of Our Lady de los Remedios; and on its return voyage to Monterey, took possession of sev- eral other points of the coast, including the harbor of Bodéga.
About midway between San Gabriel and San Diego, Junípero founded the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, October 30, 1774. But fulfillment was delayed by the one great tragedy in the whole Fran- ciscan missionarying of California. Palou says: "A certain Enemy of Souls fearing that the mis- sionaries were putting an end to pagan customs, in- fluenced the gentiles to rebel." In the night of
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THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.
November 4, 1774, the Indians burned the Mission of San Diego, and killed Father Luis Jayme - the one martyr in California history. Junipero, in Mon- terey, conducted memorial services for the dead Father and sent word to the Viceroy urging imme- diate rebuilding of the San Diego Mission-and clemency for the Indians. Commandante Rivera set out from Monterey with his little troop Decem- ber 16, and arrived at San Gabriel January 3, and meeting Lieutenant Colonel Juan Bautista Anza on his way to Sonora from San Francisco. They went down together to San Diego to pacify the Indians.
On June 20, Junípero sailed from Monterey for San Diego, and there enlisted the aid of Com- mandante Choquet and his sailors in rebuilding the Mission. As soon as work was well started on the re-establishment of San Diego, he started afoot for San Juan Capistrano - and thence made a hurried trip to San Gabriel for supplies and helpers. With these, he established the "Jewel of the Missions," San Juan Capistrano. His original church stands there yet, rehabilitated and in service, thanks to the Landmarks Club and Father St. John O'Sullivan.
Anxious about the founding of San Francisco, Serra started for Monterey, visiting San Gabriel, San Luis, and San Antonio, and reaching Monterey in January, 1777. Anza's perhaps incomparable col- onizing expedition of 1775 had founded and settled the Presidio of San Francisco. Formal possession of the presidio was taken September 17; and of the Mission, October 9-and at last the long-de-
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THE SPANISH PIONEERS.
sired Mission to "Our Father St. Francis" was realized.
Nine years more for Fray Junipero of these un- resting labors - the interminable tramps, the anxie- ties about the physical welfare of the Missions and the spiritual welfare of the heathen; friction with the military authorities - who vetoed his power of confirmation given by the Pope - but Fray Junipero calmly trudged down to Mexico, and saw the Vice- roy, and settled this little matter. He went on con- firming, and at the time of his death, had confirmed 5,307 Indians. It was also under his spiritual influ- ence that the pueblo of Our Lady of Angels of Por- ciuncula was founded, in 1781 -the present alert Los Angeles. He founded the Mission of Santa Clara January 6, 1777. Then at last the long-delayed Mission of San Buenaventura; then that of Santa Barbara -" The Queen of the Missions," with its presidio later. The Yuma Indians had risen and massacred the Fathers and others at the two Mis- sions founded on the Colorado River, where Anza made his historic crossing. In June, 1783, though suffering acutely from a malady of his breast (said to be due to his beating it with a rock in penance) Serra trudged from Monterey with one companion down to San Diego, on his last visit to the southern Missions, stopping at each one, and making con- firmations. Back to his pet Mission of San Carlos in January, 1784, the suffering old man trudged up to San Francisco, and visited Santa Clara, baptizing and confirming. He wrote letters to his brethren
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THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.
in the other Missions, bidding them farewell. On August 27, he took the Viaticum and asked to be buried in the church next to Father Juan Crespi. Then he crawled up on his bare plank in his bare cell, and turned with a smile to the wall, and died on St. Augustine's Day, 1784, seventy years and nine months old - and immortal in memory!
There were no cameras in Serra's day. His picture was painted once in Mexico by a sorry contemporary Impressionist. This, and the crude copperplate cari- cature in Palou's "Life," and particularly the " Mrs. Jarley's Wax Works" face from Querétaro, which is of widest circulation -all are rather worse than nothing. Incomparably the best concept of this Hero Pioneer is that made years ago by the greatest of California painters, William Keith, after years of deep study of Serra's character and "pictures." It is the face of a man who could have done the mighty things that Serra did - the current portraits are of persons who couldn't possibly have done any of them!
Serra was never a Bishop- there was no one in his vast wilderness with power to confirm a bishop. But he was given by Pope Clement XIV, July 10, 1774, certain Episcopal powers, including the author- ity for Confirmation; this grant to run for ten years. The Pope's patent did not reach Fray Junipero until June, 1778.
The Church realizes the power of ceremony - just as Masons and Odd Fellows and all other or- ganizations do. Obviously, even a quasi bishop
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THE SPANISH PIONEERS.
could not administer Confirmation from a stump. And the Juaneño (San Juan Capistrano) Indians had profited so remarkably by the teaching of the Franciscan craftsman in four years, that about 1780 they made for Fray Junipero an Episcopal chair, of cedar brought in the log on their backs from forty miles away, sawed in a saw-pit, and dressed down with their rude tools; but a throne of real nobility of craftsmanship and proportion. This was saved, from the despoliation of the Missions in 1834, by the Forster family; from them secured by Judge Richard Egan; and bequeathed to me by him in rec- ognition of my having saved his favorite Mission from destruction. In the illustration it is being ad- mired by the Duke of Alba, First Grandee of Spain, and lineal descendant of Columbus.
Often, it may seem a pity, and a little strange, that Fray Junipero was not long ago made San Junipero. But Sainthood is not handed out by the College of Cardinals in Rome with the cheerful liberality of double-1-ds and fiddle-d-ds by our col- leges. The process of canonization is one not only of solemnity but of the most rigid adherence to un- varying rules. It is in effect a great ecclesiastical lawsuit; in which the plaintiff (the friends or pro- ponents of the deceased holy person) is represented by an attorney in the person of a high official of the Church. It is for him to produce for his clients the proofs without which no person can possibly be canonized. On the other side, defending the sanctity and exclusiveness of this jealously guarded title, is
1
.
P
H.
-
JUNÍPERO SERRA'S CHAIR With author on the left and Duke of Alba on the right.
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THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.
the "Advocatus Diaboli " or " Devil's Advocate," who picks flaws in the evidence adduced. A life of the highest sanctity may, when duly proved in this most rigid of counts, bring Beatification. But Sainthood cannot be given even by the Pope, unless it is proved to the satisfaction of this court that miracles have been performed through intercession of this dead person since Beatification.
And Fray Junipero lived after the day when miracles were so easily proved -miracles of history do not count in that court, or the Miracle of Cali- fornia would enable a whole Canonical calendar! But while it would be a handsome historic fitness if he might wear the name of Saint, he needs it less than many who have it. For without benefit of Pope or clergy, and in the hearts of the world of all creeds or of none, he is the Apostle of California - Founder of its Civilization - its First Citizen - the two-fisted man of God who established the first town and the first church and the first school and the first training schools on our Pacific Coast -the man who made a deeper and more lasting dint on the history and the ideals and the future of California than any other man of any race who ever lived within these boundaries.
V. THE MISSION STORY IN SKELETON.
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THE MISSION STORY IN SKELETON.
I.
THE MISSION STORY IN SKELETON
F RAY JUNIPERO survived only fifteen years of his tremendous exertions in California, and dur- ing that time founded nine Missions. The building of further Missions went on for thirty-nine years after his death. But his story is their story. Even the later ones were as his posthumous children - "marked " with his paternal traits; practically all in locations he had selected; all on the lines of policy he had laid down. Of the total twenty-one Missions fourteen are now in use as temples (including Pala), many with attached schools. The other eight are falling to decay, except where preserved by philan- thropic citizens.
In 1895, I founded the Landmarks Club, "To Pre- serve for our Children, and the World, the Old Mis- sions and other historic Landmarks of California." It took a quarter of a century's campaign of educa- tion to interest the public at all in the unused Mis- sions. But we lectured, published -and worked. We re-roofed an acre and a half of tiled buildings, and rebuilt half a mile of adobe walls, in all; and saved what is left at San Diego, at Pala, San Juan Capistrano, and San Fernando. None of them would
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THE SPANISH PIONEERS.
be more than mounds of adobe, today, except for this protective work. San Juan Capistrano and Pala are now restored to use as temples -the latter for the Warner's Ranch Indians for whom, under Presi- dent Roosevelt, I secured this fertile Pala valley.
Incomparably the most thorough and accurate treatment of the Missions is by the venerable Fran- ciscan historian Fray Zephyrin Engelhardt of Santa Barbara, in his four huge volumes; with special treatment of several missions in small books individ- ually.
By 1832, the California Missions had over 420,000 cattle, 60,000 horses and mules, 320,000 sheep, goats and hogs, and raised annually over 340,000 bushels of wheat, corn, and beans- about 90% of it wheat. The annual slaughter of cattle was about 100,000 head, hides yielded $2.00 each and tallow $6.00 to $8.00. Besides its grain fields, each Mission had its orchards, vineyards, and gardens; the orange and fig and olive, the apple, pear and apricot had been introduced and were thriving. The California palm had been brought over from the desert canions; the "pepper tree" -which the first great Viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, had sent up to Mexico from Peru, its original habitat, when he became first Viceroy of Peru - was at every Mission.
Two years later came the brutal Secularization of the Missions by Mexico. All this ripe achievement was swept away; the Missions pillaged, the Fathers evicted, the thousands of Indian neophytes scattered ruthlessly. Since the American conquest, the Church
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THE MISSION STORY IN SKELETON.
has regained its edifices -though practically noth- ing of its other properties - and nothing at all of its aboriginal flocks who have fared as ill under Ameri- can rule as under Mexican.
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THE SPANISH PIONEERS.
II.
THE PRESENT STATUS
1. San Diego, ruined church and buildings. Sis- ters' Orphanage active. - 2. San Luis Rey, church in fine shape and full use, in hands of Franciscans with their Novitiate and Sisters' School for Children. 3. Pala (Asistencia), church in service for Warner's Ranch Indians .- 4. San Juan Capis- trano, Serra's original church, in use. Sisters have an important school for parish children on the quad- rangle. - 5. San Gabriel, stone church in full use. Seminary connected, and parish school by Sisters. -6. San Fernando, the monastery, 240 x 60, is being arranged for a community of Marist Fathers. The church is to be solidly restored, and will soon be in use as a temple. - 7. San Buenaventura, church in use; remodeled inartistically, and the great quadrangle gone. School for 250 parish chil- dren of all nationalities in charge of Sisters from Notre Dame. - 8. Santa Barbara, "Queen of the Missions," superb temple restored after earthquake of 1925, and in full use. Occupied by Franciscans - the largest community of priests this side of Mis- souri. Connected with St. Anthony's College. - 9. Santa Inez, church building intact and in use, also the restored convent. - 10. La Purisima, in total
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THE PRESENT STATUS.
ruin, its noble colonnade of Ionian columns fallen. -11. San Luis Obispo, church in use, portion of convent left and occupied. Academy for girls and parish school, under Sisters. - 12. San Miguel Arcangel, long abandoned but now returned to the Franciscans, and to be restored. - 13. La Soledad. Ruins. - 14. San Antonio de Pádua, church re- stored to the Franciscans and in condition for use. - 15. San Carlos, the church building in repair and use, and a portion of the front wing restored. 16. San Juan Bautista, the church - widest of all the Mission churches - is standing, and has now been turned over to Fathers from the East. Sisters will have a school there, mostly for the Japanese chil- dren abounding in that valley. - 17. Santa Cruz, church collapsed. - 18. Santa Clara, old church destroyed by fire, but replaced as nearly as possible, and used in connection with the great Santa Clara College, oldest institution of higher learning on the Pacific Coast. - 19. San José, nothing left but a bit of the convent; church modern. Sisters have an orphanage. - 20. San Francisco, church left, and part of monastery. - 21. San Rafael, nothing left. - - 22. San Francisco Solano, nothing left of the original.
The vital facts in the story of the Missions - who founded them and when, how many neophytes they had at maximum, and when, how many baptisms of heathens they effected in all -the whole skeleton story is given in the appended tables, which are authentic.
VI. APPENDICES.
.
APPENDIX I
The following table gives a list of the Missions in the chronological order of their founding, with the year; the largest number of neophytes at any one time in each Mission, and the year in which this maximum was reached, also the total for each Mission of its baptisms from date of founding up till the disestablishment by Mexico in 1834.
Name of Mission
Founded
Max. No. Neophytes
Year of
Total Baptisms
San Diego de Alcalá
1769
1829
1824
6638
San Carlos Borromeo.
1770
921
1794
3957
San Antonio de Pádua.
1771
1296
1805
4456
San Gabriel Arcangel.
1771
1701
1817
7854
San Luis Obispo ...
1772
852
1803
2657
San Francisco de Asis ..
1776
1252
1820
6998
San Juan Capistrano.
1776
1361
1812
4404
Santa Clara ..
·
1777
1464
1827
8640
San Buenaventura
1782
1328
1816
3876
338
Name of Mission
Founded
Max. No. Neophytes
Year of
Total Baptisms
Santa Bárbara .
1786
1792
1803
5679
Purísima Concepcion
1787
1520
1804
3314
Santa Cruz
1791
523
1796
2,466
Soledad
1791
725
1805
2222
San José
1797
1886
1831
6737
San Juan Bautista
1797
1248
1823
4100
San Miguel Arcangel.
1797
1076
1814
2588
San Fernando Rey,
1797
1080
1819
2839
San Luis Rey ..
1798
2869
1826
5591
Santa Inez .
1804
768
1816
1372
San Rafael Arcangel.
1817
1140
1828
1873
San Francisco Solano.
1823
996
1832
1315
.
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APPENDIX II
Name of Mission
Date of Founding
Founding Frailes and First Missionaries
San Diego de Alcalá.
July 16, 1769.
(Fr. Junipero Serra Fr. Fernando Parron
San Carlos Borromeo ..
(Carmel)
June 30, 1770. SFr. Junipero Serra Fr. Juan Crespi
San Antonio de Pádua.
July 14, 1771 ..
Fr. Junipero Serra Fr. Miguel Pieras Fr. Buenaventura Sitjar
San Gabriel Arcangel ..
Sept. 8, 1771 ..
(Fr. José Angel Somera
Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon
San Luis Obispo. .
Sept. 1, 1772 ..
(Fr. Junipero Serra
¿Fr. José Cavaller
San Francisco de Asis ..
(Dolores)
Oct. 9, 1776.
(Fr. Francisco Palou
Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon
340
Name of Mission
Date of Founding
San Juan Capistrano ..
Oct. 30, 1776.
Santa Clara
Jan. 12, 1777. .
San Buenaventura
Mar. 31, 1782.
Santa Bárbara
Dec. 4, 1786.
Purísima Concepcion Dec. 8, 1787.
Santa Cruz .
Aug. 28, 1791. .
Founding Frailes and First Missionaries (Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen (Fr. Gregório Amurrio (Fr. Tomás de la Peña (Fr. José Murguia (Fr. Junipero Serra Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon
(Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Cristobal Oramas Fr. António Paterna
Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Vicente Fuster [Fr. Jose Arroita Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Isidro Alonzo Salazar Fr. Baldomero Lopez
34I
Name of Mission
Date of Founding
Soledad
Oct. 9, 1791.
Founding Frailes and First Missionaries (Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Diego Garcia Fr. Mariano Rubí
San José
June II, 1797.
Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Isidoro Barcenilla Fr. Agustin Merino
San Juan Bautista.
June 24, 1797. .
Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Magin Catalá Fr. José Manuel Martiarena
San Miguel Arcangel.
July 25, 1797.
Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Buenaventura Sitjar Fr. Antonio de la Concepcion
San Fernando Rey
Sept, 8, 1797 ..
(Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. Francisco Dumetz Fr. Francisco Xavier Uria
343
Name of Mission
Date of Founding
Founding Frailes and First Missionaries Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen Fr. António Peyri Fr. Jose Faura
San Luis Rey.
June 13, 1798.
-
Santa Inez .
Sept. 17, 1804.
Fr. Estevan Tapis Fr. Marcelino Cipres Fr. António Calzada Fr. Romualdo Gutierrez
San Rafael Arcangel.
Dec. 14, 1817. .
Fr. Vicente Franc, de Sarria Fr. Ramon Abella Fr. Narciso Duran Fr. Luis Gil y Taboada
San Francisco Solano.
(Sonoma)
July 4, 1823. . Fr. José Altimira
343
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