1908a Chapter II - Colonization page 8

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[p. 8] Chapter II. Colonization

     The Jesuits began their work among the degraded inhabitants of Lower California in 1697. Under their devoted leaders, Salvatierra, Kino, Ugarte, Piccolo, and their successors, they had founded sixteen missions upon the peninsula. Father Kino, besides his missionary labors, had made, between 1697 and 1702, explorations around the head of the Gulf of California and up the Colorado to the mouth of the Gila, which had clearly demonstrated that the peninsula was a part of the mainland instead of an island as at first believed. Father Kino formed the design of establishing a chain of missions around the head of the gulf and down the inner coast to Cape San Lucas; but did not live to complete his ambitious project. The Jesuit missions of Baja California never grew rich in flocks and herds. The country was barren and the few fertile valleys around the missions gave the padres and neophytes, at best, but a frugal return for their labors.

     For years there had been growing up in Spain a strong hostility to the Jesuits which finally resulted in the issuance of a decree by Carlos III, in 1767, banishing the order from that country and from its American possessions. Without previous warning, the monks in Lower California were compelled to abandon their missions and were hurried from the country. At the head of the Franciscan order, to whom the abandoned missions were turned over, came Father Junipero Serra, a man of indomitable will and energy. Don José Galvez, visitador-general of New Spain, had been sent to the peninsula to regulate affairs-both secular and ecclesiastical, which had been thrown into disorder by the sudden explusion of the Jesuits. He had also received orders to advance the scheme for the occupation of San Diego and Monterey harbors and the colonization of "Nueva California." Galvez, as soon as he had somewhat systematized matters on the peninsula, set vigorously to work to further the project of occupying the northern territory. Father Serra entered heartily into his plans and church and state worked together harmoniously.

     Galvez decided to fit out four expeditions-two by sea and two by land. These were to start at different dates, but were all to unite at San Diego Bay and after occupying that territory, pass on to the harbor of Monterey. On Jan, 9, 1769, the San Carlos sailed from La Paz with sixty-five persons on board, twenty-five of whom were soldiers under Lieutenant Fages. She carried supplies for eight months. On the 15th of February, the San Antonio sailed from Cape S. Lucas, with two friars and a few mechanics on board. The first land expedition [p. 9] started from Velicata, the most northern settlement in Lower California, March 24th. It was commanded by Rivera y Moncada and consisted of twenty-five soldiers, forty-two natives, with Padres Crespi and Cańizares. The last expedition, which was under the immediate command of Gaspar de Portala[sic], Governor of the Californias, left Velicata May 15th. It consisted of ten soldiers, with a band of Lower Californians, and was accompanied by Father Serra.

    The San Antonio, although the last to sail, was the first to arrive at its destination, casting anchor in San Diego Bay, April 11, 1769. The San Carlos, after a most disastrous voyage, drifted into the bay on April 29th. The crew was prostrated with scurvy and it was with difficulty that a boat was manned to go ashore. The sick were landed, but when the scourge had run its course, few were left. Moncada's land expedition, after an uneventful march, reached San Diego May 14th. On the first day of July Portala's command arrived and the four divisions, aggregating 126 persons who were expected to remain in the country, were united. The ravages of scurvy had so depleted the crews of the two vessels that only enough men remained to man one vessel. The San Antonio was sent back to San Blas for supplies and another crew for theSan Carlos. A third vessel, the San José, had been fitted out by Galvez and loaded with supplies for the missionaries; but she was never heard from after the day of sailing.

     On July 16th, Father Serra formally founded the first mission in Nueva California, which was dedicated to San Diego de Alcalá-St. James of Alcalá-a Franciscan friar who died in 1463 and was canonized in 1588. On July 14th Governor Portalá, with Padres Crespi and Gomez and a force made up of soldiers and Indians of Lower California, numbering in all sixty-five persons, set out from San Diego to go overland to Monterey Bay and there found the intended mission and settlement. The route of the expedition was mainly along the coast, with an occasional divergence inland. On August 2nd they camped on the future site of Los Angeles. Along the coast of Santa Barbara channel they found populous Indian villages and were everywhere welcomed by the natives of the country. The explorers passed by Monterey Bay without recognizing it from the description of Viscaino, and traveled along the coast to the north. On Nov. 2nd some of the hunters of the party climbed a hill and saw an "arm of the sea." This was the body of water we now know as San Francisco Bay. Their provisions were exhausted and many were sick. In consequence it was decided to turn back and the party reached San Diego again in January, 1770. Portalá's[sic] expedition had failed in its object to found a mission on the bay of Monterey, but it had accomplished a far greater feat-it had discovered San Francisco Bay.

     In April, 1770, Portalá again set out for Monterey, with a force of twenty -five soldiers and natives. At the same time Father Serra sailed on the San Antonio for the bay. On June 3, 1770, the mission San Carlos Borreméo de Monterey was formally established on the beach, with solemn ceremonies, ac- [p. 10] companied by the ringing of bells and the crack of musketry and roar of cannon. Father Serra conducted the services and Governor Portalá took possession of the country in the name of the King of Spain, Carlos III. A presidio or fort of palisades was erected and a few huts built. Portalá, having formed the nucleus of a settlement, turned over the command of the territory to Fages and sailed to Lower California on the San Antonio. This was the end of his term as Governor.

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 Kelyn Roberts 2017