Yale University Library

"Reading ma\eih a full man, conference a
readye man, and writing an exacte man"
— Bacom

SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA, O. P. M.
(Saint Diclacus.)

The Missions and Missionaries of California

New Series. Local History

SAN DIEGO MISSION

BY
Fr. ZEPHTRIKT ENGELHARDT, O. F. M.
Author of "Missions and Missionaries," "Franciscans in California,'
"Franciscans in Arizona," "Holy Man of Santa Clara," Etc.

"Colligite quae superavemnt Jragmenla,
ne pereant." Joan, vi, 12

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
THE JAMES H. BARRY COMPANY

Jmprunt Ghmrrtrttm* FR. HUGOMNUS STORFF, O. F. M.,
Minister Provincialis
Nthtt ®bHlat REV. J. M. BYRNE, Censor Deputatus
Jmjtnmt PntPHt PATRITIUS L. RYAN,
Vicarius Generalis,
Sancti Francisci, Cai.

Crsi^W

COPYRIGHT, 1920
BY
ZEPHYRIN ENGELHARDT

PREFACE
California, in the early days, was divided into four mili
tary, districts. The headquarters or garrisons we're located
at San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Francisco,
respectively. These military posts provided the guards for
the Missions situated within the limits of their jurisdiction.
The military district of San Diego embraced the Missions
of San Diego, San Luis Rey, San Juan Capistrano, and San
Gabriel, of which the City of Los Angeles in spiritual mat
ters was a dependency. Although independent of one an
other, a sort of union or connection existed among the
Missions of the district. This suggested the geographical
rather than the chronological order in relating the local his
tory of the twenty-one Missions.
Like the author's General History on the Missions, this
Local Account is almost entirely compiled from the docu
mentary sources enumerated and qualified in the Introduc
tion to his second volume of The Missions and Missionaries
of California. Numerous other works on the subject have
been published, but they generally reveal the mind of the
writers rather than historical facts. As a rule, such* scribes
never saw a Spanish document, nor would they know how
to use it if they happened to see one. Hence their produc
tions on California abound in such glaring errors and even
wilful misstatements as to be of little or no use to the author
whose sole aim is to present complete and accurate informa
tion. The reader may confidently rely on the statements
made in this work, since they are based on official docu
ments and other trustworthy authorities. Scrupulous care
has been exercised to insure accurate figures, notably in the
Tables compiled from the Annual and Biennial Reports of
the missionaries.
Mission San Diego, being the first in point of time, natu
rally requires more space for its history than the other

vi Preface
missionary establishments of the district. In many ways it
is typical of them all. Large portions, therefore, such as
detailed reports, all that concerns the presidio and harbor
of San Diego, etc., need not be repeated in subsequent vol
umes. The costly reproduction of inventories, like the one
relegated to the end of the book, will also be unnecessary.
In this case it was deemed advisable to present it entire
in the original so that the reader may see at a glance, so
to speak, what many words could not demonstrate so effect
ively — the difference between the management of unselfish
missionaries and that of hired administrators.
The author cordially acknowledges himself indebted and
herewith renders thanks to his assistant, the Rev. Fr. Francis
Borgia Steck, O. F. M., for helping to revise and prepare
the manuscript for the printer; to the Rev. Fr. Paul Meyer,
O. F. M., for sorting and arranging the vast documentary
material collected ; to the Rev. Fr. Valentine Dorenkemper,
O. F.. M., for translations from the French and the Italian ;
to the Rev. St. John O'Sullivan for the genuine charity
and hospitality repeatedly experienced at Old Mission San
Juan Capistrano ; to the successive Rev. Secretaries of the
Diocesan Chancery, Los Angeles ; to Hon. Grant Jackson
of Los Angeles and to Mr. Charles B. Turrill of San Fran
cisco for the use of many rare old engravings ; and to all
other friends who by word and deed encouraged and facili
tated his labors in the interest of historical truth.

CONTENTS

Page
CHAPTER I.
Discovery of Harbor by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. — The Indians. —
Pilot Ferrelo. — Spanish Intrepidity. — Harbor Rediscovered by
Sebastian Viscaino. — Harbor Named. — Don Jose de Galvez 's Ex
peditions. — The San Antonio and the San Carlos Arrive. — Their
Disastrous Voyage. — Many Succumb to Hardships. — Captain
Vila's Narrative. — Arrival of Pirst Land Expedition. — Pr. Juan
Crespi's Interesting Letter. — The Second Land Expedition
Arrives. — Pr. Junipero Serra 's Letter. . 3
CHAPTER II.
The San Antonio Returns to San Bias. — Portola Sets Out for
Monterey Bay. — Pounding of Mission San Diego. — Greed of
Indians. — Their Aversion for Spanish Pood. — Savages Attack
the Mission. — Bravery of the Blacksmith. — Savages Receive
Their Pirst Lesson. — Casualties among the Spaniards. — Charm
ing Incident. — Friendly Youth. — Frustrated Baptism. — Dr.
Prat's Devotion to the Sick. — Portola Returns from the North. —
He Determines to Abandon San Diego. — Pr. Serra 's Resolu
tion. — Captain Vila Agrees with Fr. Presidente. — Fr. Serra
Notifies Fr. Palou. — He Proposes a Novena. — His Anxiety. —
The Feast of St. Joseph.— The Ship! the Ship ! —Calif ornia
Saved. — The San Antonio Arrives. — Fr. Serra to Fr. Palou. —
Expeditions to Monterey Bay. — Found at Last. — Heroic Cap
tain Vila Sails and Dies. — Arrival of Ten Franciscans. —
Rivera Brings Up the Cattle. — Soldiers Desert. — Pr. Paterna
Induces Them to Return. . . . . .23
CHAPTER III.
Privation of Missionaries. — The Dearth of Provisions at All Mis
sions. — Transports Arrive. — Governor Fages's Interference. — Fr.
Serra Goes to Mexico. — Successful. — He Returns. — San Diego a
Presidio. — Fr. Palou and Other Fathers Arrive. — His Letter. —
First Neophyte Woman Arrives from Lower California. — She
Teaches Dressmaking. — Fr. Palou Goes North. — The Aloador. —
First Report. — The Mission. — The Indians. — The Presidio. — The
Country. — Live Stock. — Fr. Serra 's Report. — Removal of Mission

viii Contents Page
Proposed. — Dispute. — Fr. Serra 's Bepresentacion. — Fr. Jaume 's
Letter. — Proposes Removal of Mission. — The New Mission. — Fr.
Serra 's Description. . . . . 42
CHAPTER IV.
Dark Days Approaching. — Fr. Palou 's Account. — Conspiracy. —
Mission Attacked and Fired. — The Battle. — Casualties. — Fr.
Jayme Murdered. — Fr. Fuster 's Heroism. — Bravery of the Sol
diers. — A Vow. — Neglectful Sentinels. — Body of Pr. Jayme Dis
covered. — Burial at Presidio. — Fr. Serra and Captain Rivera
Notified. — Pr. Serra Pleads with Viceroy for the Conspirators.
— Captain J. B. Anza. — Account of the Disaster by Fr. Pedro
Font, O. P. M. — Anza and Pr. Pont Depart. — Indian Takes
Refuge in Church. — Rivera Drags Indian from Church. — The
Fathers Protest. — Rivera Declared Excommunicated. — Church
Asylum. — Fr. Serra at San Diego. — Noble Captain Choquet. —
Rebuilding of the Mission Begun. — Rivera's Duplicity. — Choquet
Indignant. — Gloom. — Letter from Viceroy Bucareli. — Fr. Serra
Happy. — Mission Restored. — Indian Revolters Released. . 59
CHAPTER V.
Condition of Mission Registers. — Fr. Serra 's Nota Previa. — Fr.
Fuster 's Note. — Fr. Fuster 's First Annual Report. — Statistics.
— Report for 1777 by FF. Lasuen and Figuer. — Savages Plot
ting. — Battle. — Prisoners. — Fr.( Serra 's Letters. — Lack of Grain.
— The Fr. Presidente Confirming at San Diego. — Scanty Grain
for Planting.— The Fathers All to All. 83
CHAPTER VI.
Discouraging Situation. — Fr. Guardian's Consoling Letter. — Fr.
Serra to Fr. Lasuen. — Fr. Lasuen 's Lament. — Neve's Stupid
Demand. — Its Disastrous Result. — Fr. Lasuen 's Instructions on
the Subject. — FF. Lasuen and Figuer Report on the Mission. —
New Church. — Cemetery. — Church Goods. — Report of 1783. —
Building Activities. — Agriculture. — Financial Contributions. — Fr.
Serra 's Newsy Letter. — Fr. Lasuen to Fr. Serra on Condition
of the Mission. — Lt. Ortega Transferred to Santa Barbara. —
San Diego Presidio. — Fr. Serra's Last Visit. — He Administers
Confirmation. — He Bids Farewell. — Gov. Pages 's Report. — Erro
neous Statement. ........ 101

Contents ix
CHAPTER VII. Page
Unworldly Missionaries. — Mission Hospitality. — Pirst Converts. —
Obstacles to Conversion. — Baptismal Entries. — Methods Em
ployed. — The Doctrina Christiana. — Divine Services. — The Our
Father in Indian. — Sick Calls. — Specimen Baptismal Entry. —
Sponsors. — Marriage Entries. — Some Mission Stations. — Some
Marriages at the Presidio. — Pr. Serra 's First Confirmation
Visit. — Burial of Fr. Juan Figuer. . . ... 124
CHAPTER VIII.
Reports Demanded. — Cemeteries. — Mechanical Arts. — Statistics. —
School at Presidio. — Banner Year at Mission. — Building Activi
ties. — Grapevines. — Elections. — Dissatisfied Indians. — Troubles of
Fr. Panella and Fr. Mariner. — Buildings. — Dominicans. — Death
of Fr. Juan Mariner. — Grapevines. — Earthquake. — Furious In
dian. — His Punishment. — Transfer of Bodies of Deceased Mis
sionaries. — Death of Fr. Nicolas Lazaro. — Mission Aqueduct. —
Smythe 's View. — New Church Begun. — Dedication. — Specimen of
Sectarian Gullibility. — Death of Pr. Pedro Panto. — Poisoned by
Cook. — Pr. Tapis on the Subject. — Arrillaga on the Friars. —
The Aqueduct. — Infirmary. — Church Goods. — Santa Isabel. — Dif
ficulties. — Chapel Erected. — Dedication. — Numerous Baptisms. —
Present Condition. . . ... 145
CHAPTER IX.
Vancouver Arrives. — His Observations. — Fr. Lasuen. — The Sol
diers. — Labor not Dishonorable. — The Presidio. — Fort at Point
Guijarros. — Death of Lt. Grajera. — Presidio Force. — Popula
tion. — Officials. — Dispensation from Abstinence. — Interrogatorio y
Bespuesta. — Character and Habits of the Indians. — Murders. —
Punishments. — Horse-stealing. — Its Punishment. — Methods True
and False for Securing Converts. — Smythe's Fool'sh Charge —
Unjust Demands on the Missions. — More Absurdities from
Smythe. — The Franciscans. — More Demands on the Mission. —
Crops. — Population. — Contributions Apportioned. . 171
CHAPTER X.
Cash Demands on the Mission. — Mission not Wealthy. — Governor
Echeandia. — Heroism of the Missionaries. — Glad to Leave. —
Their Zeal. — FF. Payeras and Sanchez in Search of New Mis
sion Sites. — Route. — 'Corn Planted at Santa Isabel. — Report on
Location and State of Mission. — Mexican Independence. — Rev.

x Contents Page
Vicente Fernandez. — Arrival of Governor Echeandia. — Fathers
Decline to Take New Oath of Allegiance. — Reasons. — Greed
Awakened. — Missions Needed by the Government. — Land Grants
to Neophytes. — Schools. — Smythe 's Calumny. — First Schools in
America. — Pirst Manual Training Schools in California. —
Smythe 's Ignorance. — Demands on the Mission Continue. —
Neophyte Establishes Home for Himself. — Indians at Santa
Isabel and Santa Monica Cared For. . . . 194
CHAPTER XI.
Change of Commander at Presidio. — Visit of Duhaut Cilly. —
Robinson's Visit. — James Pattie's Visit and False Statements. —
Extent of Mission Lands. — Live Stock. — Fr. Menendez, O. P. M.,
Chaplain at Presidio. — Echeandia 's High-handed Dealing. — Cele
bration on Election of Pope Leo XII. — Indian Land Coveted. —
Missionaries Resist Strenuously. — Mission Ranchos. — Change in
Government. — Victoria Arrives. — Pio Pico and Clique. — Revolt
Against Governor Victoria. — He Resigns. — Embarks at San
Diego. — New Governor. — Echeandia 's Trickery. — FF. Martin and
Oliva to Echeandia. — Mission Reports Cease. — Confiscation De
creed. — Figueroa at San Diego. — Neophytes Decline Freedom. —
San Dieguito. — Pr. Duran at the Mission. — Warns Figueroa. —
Mission Confiscated. — Inventories. . . . . 215
CHAPTER XII.
Death of Fr. Fernando Martin. — Salaries. — Fr. Oliva Defends
Indian Rights. — Santa Isabel. — Administrator Rule. — Inspector
Hartnell. — His Melancholy Report. — Indian Complaints. — Mis
sion Poverty. — Robinson's Description. — Bishop Appointed. — He
Arrives at San Diego. — He Confirms and Ordains. — Mofras's
Description. — Yuma Indians. — Governor Manuel Micheltorena. —
His Soldiers. — He Departs. — Mission Remnant Restored to Fran
ciscans. — Result of Administrator Rule. — Pio Pico Governor. —
Mission Sold. — Deed of Sale. — Smythe 's Views. — Unscrupulous
Pico. — Retribution. — What Smythe has to Say. — Indian Raids.
— Lamentations. — Items from Bancroft. . . . 237
CHAPTER XIII.
Last Baptism at Mission. — Estudillo in Charge. — Last Francis
can. — United States Soldiers at San Diego. — General Kearny
and Commodore Stockton. — Mormon Battalion. — Pico's Bill of
Sale of Mission. — Arguello Disclaims Ownership. — Correspond-

Contents xi
Page
ence. — Miss Lorenzana on Condition of Mission Goods. — Sacred
Vessels Desecrated. — Jose Estudillo Resigns. — Colonel Stevenson
to Governor Mason. — Halleck to Stevenson on Mission Prop
erty. — Halleck to Fr. Gonzalez Rubio. — Fr. Gonzalez to Colonel
Stevenson. — Lt. Ord's Description of the Old Town and Harbor.
— Mission. — Mission Goods Once More. — Bartlett on the Mis
sion. — Archbishop Alemany 's Claim to Property Affirmed. — Land
Grants. — Ranchos Claimed and Granted. — Bartlett 's Description.
— The Camino Real. . . 255
CHAPTER XIV.
Missionaries and Registers. — Numerous Converts. — Various Entries.
— Santa Isabel. — Fr. Torrent Exhausted. — Second Book of Bap
tisms. — Tia Juana. — Santa Isabel Again. — Yuma Children. —
White Converts. — Wise California Girls. — Marriage Registers. —
Indian Girls. — The Monjerio. — Courtship. — Marriage Entries. —
Cemetery. — Burial Entries. — Executions. — Second Book Lost. —
Bancroft's Agent. — Fr. Oliva 's Last Entries. — Rev. J. C. Hol
bein's Note  .... 274
CHAPTER XV.
Smythe 's Honest Admission. — Major McLaughlin's Statement. —
Mechanical Arts at the Mission. — Diversions. — Singing. — Music.
— Agriculture. — Table. — The Dam. — The Aqueduct. — Live Stock.
— Exaggerations. — Table.- — Spiritual Results. — Table. — Bartlett 's
Description of Mission. — United States Soldiers Quartered at
Mission. — Soledad. — San Pasqual. — Ford's Description. — Restora
tion Plans. — The Mission Bells. — What of the Neophytes? — The
Missionaries. — Their Aims and Vicissitudes. — End. 292
CHAPTER XVI.
Biographical Sketches. — Fr. Francisco G6mez. — Pr. Juan Viz
caino. — Fr. Luis Jaume. — Pr. Juan Figuer. — Fr. Juan Antonio
Garcia Riobo (Rioboo). — Fr. Juan Mariner. — Fr. Hilario Tor
rent. — Fr. Jose Panella. — Fr. Nicolas Lazaro. — Pr. Jose Pedro
Panto. — Fr. Fernando Martin. — Resident and Visiting Fathers
Who Officiated at Mission San Diego. . . . 312

APPENDIX

Page
A. — San Diego de Alcala. Biographical Sketch . 328
B. — A Would-be Historian's Unwarranted Assertion 331
C. — Dr. Charles E. Chapman and Fr. Junipero Serra . . . 331
D. — William E. Smythe 's Statements on Education Refuted 332
E.— Inventory of Mission San Diego of 1834 334
F. — Inventory of Mission San Diego of 1848 343
G. — Mission Lands Restored to Church . 344
H. — Rancherias of Mission San Diego . . . 349
I. — The Mythical Tunnel of Mission San Diego . 350

ILLUSTRATIONS

San Diego (St. Didacus) of Alcala, O. P. M . . Frontispiece
The Old Franciscan Missions in California. Map . 2
Cabrillo's Ship . . . . . .4
Fr. Junipero Serra, 0. F. M. . ... 20
Signature of Gaspar de Portola. Courtesy of Sunset Magazine
October, 1909  .32
Pr. Junipero Serra Gives Thanks to God. Drawing by Alexander
Harmer, Santa Barbara, California ... .35
Alabado. Music . . . . .48
Martyrdom of Pr. Luis Jayme, O. F. M., by Alexander Har
mer .... . . . 63
Captain Rivera Violates Church Asylum, by Alexander Harmer 75
Title Page of Baptismal Register. Facsimile. Reduced one-
third . . .  84
San Diego Mission in 1886. Front. Courtesy of Charles B. Tur-
rill, San Francisco, California . ... 106
Primitive Plow. Drawing by A. B. Dodge, Los Angeles • . 119
Entries in Baptismal Register. Facsimile. Signatures of Fathers
Serra and Figuer .  129
Title Page of Marriage Register. Facsimile. Reduced one-
third  • • 141
San Diego Mission in 1848, from a Painting . . . 152
Mission Dam Two Leagues above Mission. C. B. Turrill . . 158
Double Well at the Mission. Charles B. Turrill . . .166
Franciscans as They Came and Went. Alexander Harmer . 190
Emancipated Indians and Dwelling. Charles B. Turrill . . 208
The Mission and Surrounding Country. Charles B. Turrill 217
Cattle Brand of the Mission. Prom California Archives, State
Papers, Missions, vol. vi, p. 180 . . . 223
Map of San Diego and San Luis Rey Mission District. From
H. H. Bancroft, vol. ii . -228
Mission Orchard. C. B. Turrill  245
Front Door of Mission Church. C. B. Turrill . . 260
Chapel and Bells of Santa Isabel. C* B. Turrill . 268
Ground Plan of Santa Isabel from U. S. Land Office . 276
Front of Mission San Diego Ruins -6.. B,.>' 'L. - 282
Tabular Report on Agriculture • 294-295
.Spanish Hymn. Music ... ¦ . . 297

xiv Illustrations

Tabular Report on Live Stock . . .299
Tabular Report on Spiritual Results . . . . 300-301
Mission Church Occupied by U. S. Troops. C. B. Turrill . . 304
Mission Church and Front Wing from Courtyard. C. B. Turrill . 308
Mission Ruins Viewed from Rear. C. B. Turrill . 316
Signatures of Franciscan Fathers Juan Riob6, Juan Mariner,
Hilario Torrent, Josef Panella, Nicolas Lazaro, Pedro Panto,
Fernando Martin . ... 319-323
Ground Plan of Mission San Diego from U. S. Land Office . . 330
Plat of Mission San Diego Lands from U. S. Land Office . . 346

FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT
I
SAN DIEGO MISSION
(1769 - 1862)

-LXon,;iiuda "West 1

¦^ From Green wluh.1

THE OLD

FRANCISCAN MISSIONS

CHAPTER I.
Discovery of Harbor by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo.— The Indians.—
Pilot Ferrelo— Spanish Intrepidity.— Harbor Rediscovered by Se
bastian Vizcaino. — Harbor Named.— Don Jose de Galvez 's Expedi
tions. — The San Antonio and the San Carlos Arrive. — Their Dis
astrous Voyage.— Many Succumb to Hardships.— Captain Vila's
Narrative.— Arrival of First Land Expedition.— Fr. Juan Crespi's
Interesting Letter. — The Second Land Expedition Arrives.— Pr.
Junipero Serra 's Letter.
THE far-famed harbor of San Diego was first discov
ered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese navi
gator in the service of Spain, only fifty years after Chris
topher Columbus had planted the Cross on the Island of
San Salvador. Cabrillo with the two ships San Salvador
and Victoria entered the bay on Thursday evening, Sep
tember 28, 1542. It was the eve of the feast of St. Michael,
the Archangel, wherefore the commander christened the port
San Miguel.
"Having cast anchor in it," the Diary of the voyage
relates, "the men went ashore where there were people
(Indians). Three of these waited, but all the rest fled.
To these three they gave some presents, and they said by
signs that in the interior men like the Spaniards had passed.1
They gave signs of great fear. On the night of this day,
they (the sailors) went ashore from the ships to fish with
a net; and it appears that here there were some Indians,
and that they began to shoot at them with arrows and
wounded three men.
"Next day, in the morning, they went with the boat far
ther into the port, which is large, and brought two boys,
who understood nothing by signs. They gave shirts to both
and sent them away immediately.
"Next day, in the morning, three adult Indians came to
i This undoubtedly refers to Alarcon 's expedition up the Gulf of
California. See Missions and Missionaries of California, vol. i, p. 25.

4 Missions and Missionaries of California
the ships and said by signs that in the interior men like us
were traveling about, bearded, clothed, and armed like those
of the ships. They made signs that they carried crossbows
and swords ; and they made gestures with the right arm
as if they were throwing lances, and ran around as if they
were on horseback. They made signs that they were kill
ing many native Indians, and that for this reason they were
afraid. These people are comely and large. They go about
covered with skins of animals.

WHAT CABRILLO 'S SHIP WAS LIKE
"While they were in this port a heavy storm occurred;
but since the port is good, they did not feel it at all. It
was a violent storm from the west-southwest and south-
southwest. This is the first storm which they have experi
enced. They remained in this port until the following
Thursday. The people here called the Christians Guacamal.
On the following Tuesday, October 3, they departed from
this Port of San Miguel."
Once more the San Salvador ran into the harbor of San
Diego, this time in charge of Pilot Bartolome Ferrelo, since
its heroic commander Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo had died on
the Island of San Miguel in the Channel of Santa Bar
bara. Accordingly, the Diary relates: "On Sunday, the
11th of the said month of March, they reached the Port
of San Miguel (San Diego) but did not find the consort

Mission San Diego c,
there, or any news of her. Here they waited six days;
and here they secured two boys to take to New Spain
(Mexico) as interpreters, and left certain signals, in case
the other ship should come here. On Saturday, the seven
teenth of the said month, they left the said port of San
Miguel.'* 2
Of the ships in which Cabrillo ventured into these un
known waters, Professor George Davidson, as quoted by
Professor Herbert E. Bolton, writes : "These vessels were
smaller than any of our coasting schooners. They were
poorly built and very badly outfitted. Their anchors and
ironwork were carried by men from the Gulf of Mexico
to the Pacific ; they were manned by conscripts and natives ;
were badly provisioned, and the crews subject to that deadly
scourge of the sea, scurvy." 3
"Regarding Cabrillo's voyage as a feat of navigation
under distressing difficulties," says Bolton, "the following
quotation from Navarrete is apt : 'Those who know the coast
which Cabrillo discovered and explored, the kind of vessels
in which he undertook the expedition, the rigorous season
during which he pursued his voyage in those intemperate
climes, and the state of the science of navigation at that
period, cannot help admiring a courage and intrepidity
which, though common among sea-faring Spaniards of that
time, cannot be appreciated in our day, when the naviga
tor is fairly dazzled by the assistance furnished him through
the wonderful progress of the arts and sciences, rendering
his operations easier and supplying him with advantages
which, as they were lacking to the early discoverers, make
their courage and perseverance as portentous as their dis
coveries. Perhaps it is failure to realize these considera
tions, added to ignorance of our history, which has led some
foreign writers to belittle the merit of Cabrillo.' " *
After Cabrillo's eventful expedition, the port of San Diego

2 Bolton, Spanish Explorations, pp. 13-39. See also Missions and
Missionaries of California, vol. i, pp. 25-28.
3 Spanish Explorations, pp. 5-6.
* Spanish Explorations, p. ¦ 10.

6 Missions and Missionaries of California
remained unknown to the world until Sunday, November
10, 1602, the eve of St. Martin's Day, when about seven
o'clock in the evening the three ships San Diego, Santo
Tomas, and Tres Reyes, in command of Sebastian Vizcaino,
dropped their anchors in its placid waters. The commander,
in his Diary, declares that the port is "the best to be found
in the whole South Sea; for, besides being protected on all
sides and having good anchorage, it is in latitude 33^2
degrees.5 It has very good water, many fish of all kinds,
of which we caught many with seine and hooks. On land,
there is much game, such as rabbits, hares, deer, very large
quail, royal ducks, thrushes, and many other birds."
"On the morning after the day of the glorious St.
Martin,"6 Torquemada writes, "the general ordered some
men to go and examine a mountain which protects this
harbor from the northwest wind; these men were Ensign
Gaspar de Alarcon, Captain Alonso Peguero, Fr. Antonio
de la Ascension, and eight archers. They found much
live oak timber and other trees, such as the rock-rose
and others resembling rosemary, besides some very odorifer
ous and wholesome plants. From the top of the mountain
the port appeared to be very fine, spacious, and convenient,
because it was sheltered against all storms. The mountain,
which protects the port on the northwest side, may be
three leagues in length and half a league in width. On the
other side to the northwest of the mountain is another
good port.
"When they had returned with this report, the general
commanded that a suitable tent be pitched on the land to
serve as a church, where the religious might celebrate
holy Mass; that the ships be cleaned and tarred; that some
men procure firewood and others stand guard. This was
done on a sandbank, or island of sand,7 where they dug
s At Point Loma Lighthouse, 32 degrees, 40 minutes, and 13 55/100
seconds. See Davidson, Pacific Coast Pilot, p. 19.
e i. e. November 12, 1602, feast of St. Didacus, according to Fran
ciscan Calendar.
t ' ' que se hizo en un Arenal, 6 Isla de Arena. ' '

Mission San Diego 7
wells. When the sea was high, the pools contained sweet
and good water ; but when the tide went out the water
was brackish. One day, a sentinel gave notice that many
Indians were coming along the beach, all armed with bows
and ' arrows, but naked and besmeared with black and
white paint. The general requested Fr. Antonio to go and
receive them in a peaceful manner. Ensign Juan Francisco
and six archers went with him. . When they had come up
to the Indians and had made signs of peace with a strip
of white cloth and by throwing up earth with their hands,
the first thing the Indians did was to turn the bows and
arrows over to the soldiers. Fr. Antonio embraced the
savages and gave them some strings of beads, which they
put on their necks for display. Thereupon they went to
the place where the general was ; but when they saw the
multitude of Spaniards, they did not dare approach, and
so ^withdrew to a hill, whence they sent two wrinkled
old women. When these arrived at the tent, the general,
the religious, and some of the soldiers gave them strings
of glass beads and some biscuits and with these sent them
to tell what treatment they had received at the hands of
the people who had recently arrived in their country.
The women related their impressions, whereupon all im
mediately came to see the Spaniards. . Most of them came
painted black and white, and wearing many feathers on
their heads. Vizcaino and the others received them with
much pleasure and, besides many other things, gave them
fish which had been caught in their presence with a net.
The color of the paint was a bluish black and very glossy.
When the Indians were asked by means of signs what it
was, they showed some pieces of metallic stone, from which
they made it; and they said by means of signs that from
these stones a people in the interior, who wore beards and
were clothed like the Spaniards, extracted it and made fine
ribbons, that were like the laces the soldiers had on their
leather jackets and like the kind the general wore on his
hose of violet velvet; and that those men wore just such
fine uniforms as our Spaniards. Quite transported with

8 Missions and Missionaries of California
the good treatment accorded them on this occasion, the
Indians came every third day for biscuits and fish, bringing
in return skins of martens, wild cats, and other animals,
together with the traps in which they caught them. There
are in this harbor many white fish, sea fish, oysters, clams,
lobsters, crabs, and sardines, and along some of the creeks
were seen many wild geese, ducks, quails, hares, and rabbits.
The general and Fr. Antonio de la Ascension with some
soldiers went over the land to examine it, and all were
pleased with the beautiful sky and climate."
"Friday, the fifteenth of the month," Vizcaino's diary re
lates, "the general went aboard the frigate, taking with
him his son, Fr. Antonio, the chief pilot, and fifteen
arquebusiers, in order to go and take the soundings of a
large bay which entered the land. That night, rowing
with the flood tide, he got under way and at dawn was
six leagues within the bay, which he found to be the best,
large enough for all kinds of vessels, more secure than at
the anchorage, and better for careening the ships ; for they
could be high and dry during the flood tide and could be
taken down at the ebb tide, even if they were of a thousand
tons. . . In this bay the general with his men went ashore.
After they had gone more than three leagues along it, a
number of Indians appeared with bows and arrows, and
although signs of peace were made to them, they did not
venture to approach, excepting a very old woman who
appeared to be more than one hundred and fifty years
old and who approached weeping. The general cajoled her
and gave her some beads and something to eat. Seeing
this kind of treatment, the Indians came peaceably and
took us to their rancherias where they were gathering
their crops and where they had made their paresos of seeds
like flax. They had pots in which they cooked their food,
and the women were dressed in skins of animals. The
general would not allow any soldier to enter their rancherias;-
and, it being already late, he returned to the frigate, many
Indians accompanying him to the beach. Saturday night,

Mission San Diego 9
he (Vizcaino) reached the flagship, which was ready, wood,
water, and fish having been brought aboard." 8
"All having been carried out that the general had com
manded," Torquemada continues, "orders were given to
move out from there and to resume the voyage. Accordingly,
the departure from the port took place on Wednesday, No
vember 20 ; but before sailing, all made their confession
and received Holy Communion, because already many
soldiers were ill, and some of the best men had died. The
voyage was therefore continued, the Capitana or flagship
San Diego and the Almirante or Santo Tomds leaving
together, and the frigate or Tres Reyes following later."
Vizcaino concludes his report with the remark that the
port was given the name San Diego.9
• Again the magnificent harbor of San Diego was left
unnoticed by the Spaniards, this time for 167 years.
Fearing that the Russians would take advantage of her
past exploits,10 Spain, in 1769, at last decided to secure by
right of discovery the bay along with the entire northwest
coast. Accordingly, in that year, Inspector-General Don
Jose de Galvez despatched from Lower California two
expeditions by sea and two by land, instructing them to
meet and unite at the harbor of San Diego. The first
expedition arriving by sea in the San Antonio, commanded
by Captain Juan Perez and accompanied by the two Francis
cans Fr. Juan Viscaino and Fr. Francisco Gomez, reached
the port on Tuesday, April 11, 1769, fifty-four days after
leaving Bay San Barnabe, Lower California. Casting
anchor near Point Guijarros, now Ballast Point, the vessel
waited for the arrival of the San Carlos and of the two land
expeditions. The San Carlos, formerly the Golden Fleece, in command
of Captain Vicente Vila, and having the Franciscan Fr.
s Spanish Explorations, pp. 81-82.
9 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. i, pp. 47-52, and Appendix A,
for the patron saint.
io See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, p. 1.

10 Missions and Missionaries of California
Fernando Parron on board as chaplain, had set sail at
La Paz on January 10, much earlier, therefore, than her
sister ship. But misfortune accompanied her throughout
the voyage, as the following extracts from the diary of her
commander demonstrate.
"On Saturday, April 29, . . five o'dock in the afternoon,"
Vila relates, while entering the mouth of San Diego Bay,
"I discovered the packet San Antonio anchored at Point
Guijarros.11 We broke out our colors. She broke out
hers and fired one gun to call in her launch which was
ashore. I continued to tack . . . and anchored in six
fathoms of water. At eight o'clock in the evening, the
launch of the San Antonio came with her second in command
and pilot, Don Miguel del Pino, who gave us an account of
her voyage. She arrived at this port on April 11, half her
crew down with scurvy, of which two men had died. For
work they had only the seven men who came in the launch,
and of these a few already felt symptoms of the same
disease. Captain Juan Perez also was in poor health. Only
the two Missionary Fathers were well.
"At four o'clock in the morning of Sunday, April 30,
I made sail and after several tacks I anchored in six
fathoms of water, at about eight o'clock when Holy Mass
was celebrated.
"At five o'clock ' in the morning of Monday, May 1,
I succeeded in anchoring under the shelter of Point Guijar
ros, alongside the San Antonio. At seven o'clock, the San
Antonio saluted with six guns ; we heard holy Mass on
board and afterwards answered her with five guns. At
ten o'clock, Don Juan Perez came aboard with the Missionary
Fathers, Fr. Juan Viscaino and Fr. Francisco Gomez.
"At half -past ten on the same morning, the launch of
the San Antonio went off with Don Pedro Fages, Don
Miguel Costanso, Don Jorge Estorace, my mate, the same
Missionary Fathers, and those men who were strong enough

n Ballast Point, most probably, where Perez anchored, and most
likely also Cabrillo. The place deserves to be marked by a monument.

Mission San Diego 1 1
to go, in order to explore the country and to search for a
good watering-place, because the water which the crew of
the San Antonio had collected in pools was not, owing to
its brackishness, fit to drink. Meanwhile, Don Juan Perez
gave an account of the condition of his crew. Few of his
men were in proper condition to continue the voyage to
Monterey, as directed by Galvez, and as he had intended to
do on the last day of April, in case of the non-arrival of
the San Carlos."
Captain Vila then described the situation on his own ship,
the San Carlos. The packet had only two seamen in good
health; the rest were ill, with more than half of the soldiers
in a similar condition, without medicines and fresh food to
help them, as everything had been consumed on the voyage ;
in addition, the surgeon, Don Pedro Prat, was unable to
help them, owing to the fact that he himself was seriously
ill. "At nine o'clock in the evening, the launch (we had
sent to shore that morning) returned. The officers and the
Missionary Fathers reported that they had walked about
three leagues along the shore and at that distance had
come to an Indian rancheria on the banks of a river with
excellent water; that the Indians inhabiting the village to
the number of thirty-five or forty families scattered along
the stream in small rude huts, were very friendly and gentle;
and that the country was pleasant and green, abounding
in various odoriferous plants, wild grapes, and game.
"At five o'clock, Tuesday morning, I weighed anchor;
and with the launch of the San Antonio out ahead, I
took advantage of the rising tide and proceeded farther
into the harbor. At half past seven, I anchored in seven
fathoms of water. . . At five o'clock in the afternoon,
Wednesday 3, several soldiers with Fr. Fernando Parron,
Don Pedro Fages, and Don Jorge Estorace went off in the
launch to bury the dead seamen on the shore.12

i2 Names are not given. On the San Carlos, the boatswain Fernandez
Alvarez had died April 18, in latitude 27, degrees, 46 minutes, and

12 Missions and Missionaries of California
"At ten o'clock Friday morning, May 5, I anchored
astern the San Antonio, at a distance of a full cable's
length, in two fathoms of water. After twelve o'clock, I
sent the launch with orders for her men to return under
arms at two o'clock in the afternoon, in order to recon-
noiter the mouth of the river, along with Lieutenant Pedro
Fages, and to arrange a few huts for the sick. At three
o'clock in the afternoon, Don Pedro Fages with four of
the less ailing sailors and several armed soldiers embarked
in the launch. The launch of the San Antonio with her
captain and several soldiers went to reconnoiter toward the
southeast, in which direction the port extended. At sunset,
the launches returned. Don Pedro Fages had found on
examination that at high tide the launch could enter the
mouth of the river quite easily in order to fill the casks.
"At six o'clock, Saturday morning, a Philippine sailor,
named Agustin Fernandez de Medina, died. At eight
o'clock, the launch of the San Antonio put off with Don
Pedro Fages, Don Miguel Costanso, Fr. Juan Viscaino, and
the soldiers who were best able, in order to begin the con
struction of the barracks. At sunset, the launch returned
with the Missionary Father and the officers. They had
decided to build the barracks for the sick on a hillock
close by the beach and a cannon shot from the packets.
Between eight and nine o'clock in the morning, Sunday,
May 7, Indians came alongside on their rafts and, in
exchange for a few trinkets, gave us several skins of sea-
otters and of other animals caught in traps. At half past
ten, the same morning, the launch went ashore with the
officers and the Missionary Father to take charge of the
building of the barracks ; and they returned at sunset. On
Monday morning, at eight o'clock, the launch went ashore.
In it were embarked from the packet boat two cannon
Manuel Reyes, the pilot, Sunday, April 23, in latitude 32 degrees, 11
minutes. Both were buried at sea. In connection with the latter,
Vila notes that on this day all who had not yet made their Easter
duty confessed and received Holy Communion. It was the fifth Sunday
after Easter which latter i-n that year fell on March 26.

Mission San Diego 13
with their carriages and everything needed to handle them,
a supply of muskets, bullets, eight days' supply of corn,
pulse, jerked beef for the soldiers in the garrison, and
hard-tack to be used in soups for the sick."
After the lodgings had been completed, at eight o'clock
in the morning, the sick were taken to the shore. "I
remained on board," Vila continues, "with the quartermaster,
who was extremely ill, a Galician sailor, and a little cabin
boy, who also had touches of the disease. I was unable
to walk, and Fr. Fernando Parron also was ill. At eight
o'clock, Tuesday morning, May 9, I sent the launch ashore
to construct another barracks for the ten sick men from the
San Antonio. On the same day, four soldiers fell sick, and
Don Miguel Costanso told me that only eight men fit for
work were left on the shore. At two o'clock in the after
noon, Manuel Sanchez, a cabin boy, died; and Mateo Fran
cisco, a Philippine sailor, died on Wednesday morning at
eight o'clock." 13 Here the account of heroic Captain Vila
terminates. The outlook for the two crews was gloomy,
indeed; but relief was near.
Only four days later, Sunday afternoon, May 14, the
first land expedition under Captain Fernando Rivera y
Moncada arrived at the sorely tried camp near the Rio
San Diego. With him came as chaplain the Franciscan
Fr. Juan Crespi.
Fr. Juan Crespi was the first of the missionaries who
dated a letter at San Diego. It was addressed to the Fr.
Guardian of San Fernando College, Mexico. For that
reason, and because the contents relieve us of the necessity
of explaining the situation at the port and other details re
garding the first land expedition, the letter is reproduced
here entire. Viva Jhs. Ma. y Joseph! i*
My ever most esteemed Fr. Guardian: — I shall rejoice very much if
on receipt of this letter your Paternity enjoys robust health. Thanks
is Bancroft with Hayes thinks that Punta de los Muertos or Dead
Men's Point, at San Diego, derived its name from the burial of the
scurvy-stricken soldiers. We do not think that the Spaniards, who
c

14 Missions and Missionaries of California
be to God, I enjoy that benefit, and very willingly I offer it at your
feet for the execution of your greater pleasure.
On February 26, of the current year, by order of the Pr. Presi-
dente,i5 I set out from Mission Purisima Concepcion where I was in
charge, taking the road to the north for the glorious conversion of the
numerous pagans who occupy this hemisphere at the ports of San Diego
and Monterey. On March 22, I reached the place called Velicata, situ
ated eighteen leagues from the most northern mission of Santa Maria,
having marched one hundred and eighty-two leagues from Purisima,
where I started out by land, to said place of Velicata. At this place,
I accompanied Don Fernando de Rivera y Moncada, captain of this
province and commander of this land expedition, who had been awaiting
me, in order to penetrate at once into the. heart of heathenism in
search of the Port of San Diego.
On March 24, we set out from Velicata, the said commander with
twenty-five leather- jacket soldiers, three muleteers, and about fifty-two
Christian Indians from the missions. A train of about one hundred
and eighty mules and horses brought along the necessary supplies. I
followed the expedition for the sole purpose of ministering to the
spiritual wants of the men.
On May 14, Pentecost Sunday, we reached this excellent port of
San Diego, all in good health, thanks be to God, and nothing of note
having occurred on the way. From Vel'cata to this port of San
Diego we traveled fifty-two days, almost the entire way leading through
regions that are as rough and barren as any this peninsula of Cali
fornia offers. The distance from Mission Santa Maria, whence we
started for this port, according to the calculations I made in my
journal, which I kept by order of the Fr. Presidente, is one hundred
and twenty-eight leagues and a half; consequently, from Velicata to
this port is only one hundred and ten leagues and a half.
Having arrived at this port on tho afore-mentioned day, we learned
that the two packetboats of His Majesty, the San Carlos and the
Principe (San Antonio) lay at anchor; that the Principe had arrived
in the month of April, her voyage from Cape San Lucas having lasted
about one and one-half month; and that the San Carlos had dropped
anchor on April 29, having made the voyage in three months and
eighteen days. We found on land a general hospital erected for the
men of both vessels and for twenty-five volunteer soldiers from the
San Carlos. Hntil now, twenty-three sailors and soldiers have died.

preferred to have the cemeteries near the church, would have buried the
dead so far away. See Bancroft, vol. i, pp. 130-131.
u Blessed he Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — the usual way Fr. Serra and
other Fathers head their letters.
13 i. e. Pr. Junipero Serra.

Mission San Diego 15
Nearly all the survivors of the sea expeditions are suffering very much
from scurvy. Very few can keep on their feet. Only by a, miracle
will most pf them be able to escape with their lives. In this distress,
the commanders of the expeditions have determined that the Principe
shall depart as soon as possible for San Bias, in order to report to the
viceroy and to Inspector-General Galvez what has happened.
Here I met our companions, the Fathers Viscaino, Parron, and
G6mez, who had come with the said ships. They are well. As they
will inform Your Paternity about everything more at length, I shall not
molest you further on this point. We are hourly awaiting the arrival
by land ofi the Fr. Presidente and of the governor of tlrs province."
We have as yet no news from them. May God hasten their safe
arrival. The gentiles all over the country are numerous and much more so
farther inland. The territory is more sterile than any we have seen,
and there is a lack of food for the poor wretched pagans. Even the
daily bread of the wretched people in this country is the maguey
plant;" but this is wanting in the greater part of the sierra, so far
as we have observed with our own eyes. For this reason most of the
savages of both coasts endeavor to subsist on what the sea yields.
We have seen many rancherias on our way. The male savages go
altogether naked with no more clothing than nature provided. The
women go decently covered, in front with fibres strung together on a
girdle, in the back with a deer or seal skin. They cover also their
breasts and other parts of the body with a kind of mantle made of
rabbit skins, which they tie together very well. Men and women are
very much painted. The men have the cartilege of the nose pierced
and filled with a piece of shell. They are well armed with bows and
arrows. All the Indians of this land are very lively and great traders.
They are docile, although on the road hither, a rancheria of savages
followed us for three days intending to attack us with arrows. They
did shoot three arrows at us, but not within a distance to hit any one.
The soldiers then fired two shots without wounding any one, whereupon
the savages retreated and let us pass on in peace.
This port of San Diego, as two pilots have ascertained, is not in
latitude thirty-three degrees and thirty-four minutes, as the ancient
reports have, but in thirty-two degrees and forty-two minutes.^
When we reached the port we found, about one league distant, a
good river running with sufficient water; but in a few days it ran dry.

16 Fr. Palou never gives him the title governor. He was the military
commander of the expedition to Upper California and had been gover
nor only of Lower California.
""El pan quotidiano de los miserables en este pais es el mezcal."
is See note 5.

16 Missions and Missionaries of California
Yesterday, May 21, Fr. Viscaino and I went out to examine it, accom
panied by the lieutenant of the troops, Don Pedro Fages, and the
engineer, " Don Miguel Costanso, and seven or eight soldiers. We
followed the course of the river which runs through a Canada of much
level land, in places extending from a. quarter to half a league. The
soil seems to be good for raising corn and wheat. In some parts
there seem to be marshes or humid soil. All along the river bed there
are poplar, willow, and alder trees. We found it dry in many places.
In some spots there were pools with water, and in other places there
was only a streamlet. We walked about three leagues up the river
bed and the valley; bnt conditions were the same, until we reached
the sierra, when the bed narrowed; but there was no running water.
We do not know whether any irrigation could be done from it.
However, if there be sufficient rain, as in other parts, good crops
of cereals could be produced, as there is much land and good pasture.
Building stones we have not seen anywhere.is
According to the disposition of Fr. Presidente Fernando Parr6n,20
it seems a stay will be made here; but I, according to instructions
of Fr. Presidente Serra, shall take passage in the bark to Monterey,
in order to join, when it shall please God, the said Fr. Presidente
there. May it please His Divine Majesty to hasten this event, so
that in said port the Standard of the Most Holy Cross may be planted
and stay forever, and that the numerous savages, who are there and
are seen here, may be converted to the holy Faith.
I do not know whether Your Paternity has received the two letters
which I wrote from Purisima, I think, in May and November of
the past year 1768. In them I begged you to grant me the con
solation and favor, when more missionaries come to our aid from
Spain, of letting my companion, Fr. Cruzado, come to my assistance.
I left him in Tilaco.2i He has a burning desire in that way, as he
explained to me before we parted. He was not permitted to come
along at the time because only one Father from each mission could
set out. We are well-known companions since a long time, and here
there is much that he could do. Although I shall pass on to join
the Fr. Presidente at Monterey, yet it is understood, it seems, that in
a short time the three missions to be founded will be six. So there

is If he had advanced a league farther, Fr. Crespi would have
changed this last statement.
20 He was Presidente or Superior of the Fathers till the arrival of
Fr. Junipero Serra.
21 In the S'erra Gorda Indian missions of Mexico. Fr. Cruzado
arrived at San Diego in 1771, and was assigned to Mission San
Gabriel, where he died in 1804. The remains were buried in the
mission church.

Mission San Diego 17
will always be room for said Fr. Cruzado, of course, if your means
and holy obedience send him.
Although I still have a habit that is in good condition, the old
one was entirely ruined on the long journey over a road that runs
through sierras all the way. So if you can, please send, when oppor-'
tunity offers, a habit with cowl, and one tunic and cord; for there
is nothing here from which to make them. I am also in need of some
handkerchiefs. So, if possible, send four or six of the Puebla manu
facture, since we are so far away; for I have only two which I
saved from the sierra, and they are somewhat used up. Since I came
here, I was unable to secure any. Likewise I ask you for a strong
cross for the rosary on the girdle, because the one I have is broken.
It will be a favor I shall appreciate very much and God will repay
you. Pardon me for being so troublesome. I pray that God may
guard you and preserve your important life many years in His
divine love' and grace. Port of San Diego, June 22, 1769. I kiss the
hand of Your Paternity and remain your least but most devoted
subject who in Christ venerates you. Fr. Juan Crespi.
P. S. I beg you to give the enclosed to Fr. Cruzado. I recommend
myself with all the veins of my heart to the entire holy Community,
begging them to have me present in their holy Sacrifices and
prayers.22 The second land expedition now approached its destina
tion. Don Gaspar de Portola, governor of Lower California
and military commander of the expedition, with a few
attendants rode ahead and reached the Bay of San Diego
on Thursday, June 29, 1769. Fr. Junipero Serra, the
Presidente or Superior of the missions to be established
in Upper California, came up with the main body on
Saturday, July 1, forty-six days after leaving the last Lower
California Mission, San Fernando. The reader can well
imagine the demonstrations' of joy, the salute from ' the
ships, and the expressions of thanksgiving on this occasion,
wherefore the description is here omitted. Next day, July
2, being Sunday and the feast of the Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, a solemn High Mass of thanksgiving
was offered up to Almighty God in honor of St. Joseph,

22 Documentos Belativos & las Misiones de California, Quarto Series;
Museo Naeional de Mexico. This letter was kindly copied for the
writer at the Museo Naeional by Professor Herbert E. Bolton of the
University of California. '

1 8 Missions and Missionaries of California
the patron of the expedition. About one hundred and
nineteen persons, many of them, still very ill, survivors of
the two hundred and nineteen who had set out from Lower
California by land and sea, celebrated the reunion. Next
day, Fr. Junipero Serra wrote his first letter from Upper
California. It is interesting enough to be reproduced. It
reads as follows :
Blessed be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Rev. Father Lector 2a and Presidente 2* Francisco Palou, — My dear
Brother and Senor: — I shall rejoice if Your Reverence be in good
health and laboring with much consolation and success in firmly
establishing your new mission field of Loreto and of the others;
and if, as soon as possible, the reinforcement of new missionaries
comes, so that everything may be established in good order for the
consolation of all. Thanks be to God, I arrived here day before
yesterday, the first of the month, at this truly beautiful and justly
famed Port of San Diego. I here came up with all who had preceded
me by land as well as by sea, except those who had died. Here
are our companions, the Fathers Crespi, Vizcaino, Parron, Gomez,
and myself, all well, thanks be to God. Here are the two ships;
the San Carlos is without sailors, for all have died of scurvy, save
one and a cook; the San Antonio, otherwise El Principe, whose captain
is Don Juan Perez, a countryman from Rivera de Palma, arrived here
twenty days before the other, although she had set sail a month and
a half later. Just as she was about to sail for Monterey, the San
Carlos arrived. While the crew of the San Antonio endeavored to
succor those of the San Carlos, they themselves were infected, so that
eight of them died. In the end, it was resolved that the San Antonio
should return from here to San Bias and bring up sailors for herself
and for the San Carlos, and that thereupon both should sail. We
shall see in what condition the Son Jose" arrives. If she comes in
good condition, she, the last ship, will be the first to depart.
Two things have caused the disaster on the San Carlos. The first
were the defective barrels from which it was unexpectedly discovered
water had escaped, so that of four barrels not enough was left to
fill one. Hence they were obliged to hasten to land to take water;
but what they obtained was of poor quality, and from drinking it
the crew began to take sick.2' The second cause was the misappre-
2s i. e. professor of theology. With members of religious Orders,
Lector stands for professor.
2* He was Presidente in Lower California after the departure of
Fr. Junipero Serra.
25 See Appendix B.

Mission San Diego • 19
hension under which all labored, His Excellency as well as the rest,
that this port lay between latitude thirty-three and thirty-four degrees ;
for some authors claim the one and some the other. Galvez had
given strict orders to Captain Vila as also to the other captain to'
sail out into the ocean and proceed as far as latitude thirty-four
degrees and then to cruise in search of said port; -but since this port
is actually not in a higher latitude than thirty- three degrees and
thirty-four minutes, according to the observations made by the officials
here, the ships passed far beyond this port, so that when they looked
for it, they failed to find it; and this caused the voyage to be
prolonged. Furthermore, as the crew already ill reached a colder
climate and continued using the unwholesome water, they were all so
much prostrated that, if they had not made for the port soon, all
would have perished; for they were already unable to let down the
launch to obtain water or to do any other work. Fr. Fernando
labored faithfully with the sick, and although he became feeble,
nothing particular happened to him, and now he is already in good
health. I shall not let him embark again, and he is glad to stay here.
On this occasion I am writing at some length to the Inspector-
General, to the College, and to our Father Commissary-General. Hence
I am somewhat tired. If it had not been that Captain Perez, seeing
me so occupied, diverted himself otherwise, I believe he would have
sailed away and I should have been unable to write at all. With
regard to the journey of Fr. Juan Crespi in company with the
captain, he tells me that he is writing a letter to Your Reverence
and sending it by this same bark, so that I have nothing to say.
So far as I am concerned, the journey has been truly a happy one,
without any noteworthy break in my health. I started out from the
frontier mission with my foot and leg in the worst condition; but
God operated 26 ,so that each day I was more relieved, and made
the journey as if I had no such malady. At present the foot is
altogether as sound as the other; but from the ankle to half way
up, the leg is like the foot was before, one sore; but there is no
swelling nor more pain than an occasional itching; in fact, it is not
worth mentioning.
I have suffered neither hunger nor want; nor have the Indian
neophytes who came with us suffered; and so all have arrived sound
and strong. I have kept a diary. On the first occasion, I shall
transmit to Your Reverence a part of it. The missions in the regions
which we have seen will all thrive very well, because there is good, \X
land and suflicient water. On the road hither and for great distances
back there are no rocks or thorns; but there are hills, indeed, very
high and continuous, though composed only of earth. Some roads are

26 pr. Serra alludes to medical treatment received at the hands of a
muleteer. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. i, p. 361.

zo Missions and Missionaries of California

FR. JUNIPERO SERRA, O. F. M.

Mission San Diego 21
good, others are bad; more, however, are of the latter kind, though
it is no matter of importance. About half way or earlier from where
we started, we began to encounter many arroyos and ravines overgrown
with poplar trees. There are pretty and large wild vines; in some
places they are loaded down with grapes. In various arroyos along
the road and in the place where we are now, besides wild grapevines,
there are various roses of Castile. In fine, it is a good country,
very much different from the land of Old California.
From May 21, when we left San Juan de Dios, as I wrote Your
Reverence, until July 1, when we arrived here, save eight days during
which we rested the animals, one day here and another day there,
we have journeyed every day. However, the longest march was six
hours; of such days there have been but two. On the other days the
march lasted four or four and a half hours, from two to three, and
even only one and a half hour, as on each day the diary states,
and that, too, at the pace of the pack-mules. From this it may
be inferred that, when one is well equipped and the roads are more
direct, many leagues of the superfluous circuits could be cut off. The
road is not very long. I believe that after this trouble is taken,
it would be a matter of about twelve days for the Fathers; and
the soldiers right now declare that lightly burdened they would go
to the frontier Mission of San Fernando de Velicata in much
less time.
The natives are exceedingly numerous, and all of this coast of the
South Sea along which we came from the Ensenada at Todos
Santos, so called on the maps and charts, live well on various seeds
and on fish which they catch from rafts made of tules and formed
like canoes, with which they venture far out on the sea. The
Indians are very friendly. All the males, men as well as boys, go
naked. The women and girls are decently covered as far as the
breast. In that manner they would approach us on the road as well
as in the camps. They would treat us with such confidence and
ease as though they had known us all their life. When we wished
to give them something to eat, they would say they did not want
that, but clothing. Only for things of this kind would they barter
their fish with the soldiers and muleteers. All along the road were
seen rabbits, hares, and sometimes a deer, and very many antelopes.
The expedition by land, the governor tells me, he will continue
together with the captain (Rivera) three or four days from now.
He will leave us here, he says, with eight leather-jacket soldiers as
guards and some sick Catalonian soldiers who may serve in the same
capacity when they have recovered. The mission has not been founded,
but I shall take steps in that direction as soon as they depart. My
friend, I had written so far, when my countryman, the captain, came
and told me that he could wait no longer without loss, and so I
conclude with saying that the Fathers here earnestly recommend

22 Missions and Missionaries of California
themselves to Your Reverence ; that we are well and contented ; that
I recommend myself to Father Martinez and the other companions
to whom I intended to write, but cannot; I shall do so at the first
opportunity. Because the captain tells me he is going to sail for
the South, I am sending this letter to Fr. Ramos, that he may read
it and forward it to Your Reverence, whose life and health God
may keep many years. From this port and proposed new Mission
of San Diego in northern California. July 3, 1769. B. L. M. de V. R.,
your most affectionate brother and servant. Fr. Junipero Serra.2?
-r Palou, Yida, cap. xvi.

CHAPTER II.
The San Antonio Returns to San Bias. — Portola Sets Out for Monterey
Bay. — Founding of Mission San Diego. — Greed of Indians. — Their
Aversion for Spanish Food. — Savages Attack the Mission. — Bravery
of the Blacksmith. — Savages Receive Their First Lesson. — Casualties
Among the Spaniards. — Charming Incident. — Friendly Youth. —
Frustrated Baptism. — Dr. Prat's Devotion to the Sick. — Portola
Returns from the North. — He Determines to Abandon San Diego. —
Fr. Serra 's Resolution. — Captain Vila Agrees with Fr. Presidente. —
Fr. Serra Notifies Fr. Palou. — He Proposes a Novena. — His
Anxiety. — The Feast of St. Joseph.— The Ship! the Ship!— Cali
fornia Saved. — The San Antonio Arrives. — Fr. Serra to Pr.
Palou. — Expeditions to Monterey Bay. — Found at Last. — Heroic
Captain Vila Sails and Dies. — Arrival of Ten Franciscans. — Rivera
Brings Up the Cattle. — Soldiers Desert. — Fr. Paterna Induces Them
to Return.
IN view of the fact that so many soldiers and sailors had
already succumbed to scurvy, and that the many who were
still suffering from this diead disease had poor prospects
of a speedy recovery, Portola and Vila decided that the
San Antonio, manned with such of the crew as were able
to serve, should sail for San Bias, report the situation to
Don Jose de Galvez, and return with new seamen for both
vessels. Accordingly, on July 9, Captain Juan Perez set
sail with a small crew of convalescent sailors. Only
twenty-one days later, he reached the Port of San Bias,
Tepic Territory. Nine of his crew, however, had died at
sea. At the same time, the San Carlos, lying idle at San Diego
with only Captain Vila, five sailors, two cabin-boys, and two
soldiers on board, it was decided that Portola proceed by
land in search of Monterey Bay. Accompanied by Fathers
Juan Crespi and Francisco Gomez, this land expedition
started out on Friday, July 14, 1769, after a Solemn High
Mass had been offered up to Almighty God in honor of St.
Joseph for the success of the undertaking.1 For the pro-
i As this subject does not concern us here, we refer the reader to
Missions and Missionaries of California, vol. ii, for particulars.

24 Missions and Missionaries of California
tection of the camp, which in reality was now a great hospital
or pesthouse, the first in California, Portola left behind only
eight soldiers or rather six, since two had remained aboard
the San Carlos; to these were added one corporal, one
blacksmith, one carpenter, a servant, eight Christian Indians
from Lower California, and the ever-faithful Doctor Pedro
Prat.2 While Portola was pursuing his northward course, Fr.
Junipero Serra at San Diego called to mind the chief
object of his coming to California — the conversion of the
savages to Christianity. So far, holy Mass had been cele
brated in a brushwood shelter and that only for the Span
iards. The zealous friar now resolved to establish for the
natives a center of missionary activity, after the manner
of those he had served in the Sierra Gorda, Mexico, in
other words, an Indian mission. For this he chose a location
adjoining the Spanish camp. Regarding this enterprise
of Fr. Serra, Portola, on April 17, 1770, nearly three months
after returning from his unsuccessful expedition to Monterey
Bay, reported to Viceroy De Croix in these terms: "The
mission has been moved to the satisfaction of the Fr.
Presidente, and it is guarded by nine soldiers, including
the sergeant, but not counting three or four other individ
uals." 3
Sunday, July 16, the day selected for the founding of
the first mission in California, was a most appropriate one,
Fr. Palou observes; for on that day, in the year 1212, the
Spaniards under the banner of the Holy Cross gained a
glorious victory over the Mahomedans. This event was
annually celebrated by a special feast termed the Triumph of
the Holy Cross. Furthermore, it was the day of Our Lady
of Mount Carmel, through whose intercession Fr. Serra
hoped to wean the savages from their beastly practices
and induce them to accept the ennobling Faith of Christ.

- See Missions and Missionaries of California, vol. ii, pp. 16-1S.
3 Archivo General y Publico, quoted in the /Son Francisco Call by
Professor Herbert E. Bolton.

Mission San Diego 25
On the morning of July 16, therefore, the zealous Fr.
Presidente, assisted by Fathers Vizcaino and Parron, raised
the Cross where the chapel was to stand; whereupon, he
blessed the sacred emblem of salvation as ajso the location
for the future mission, both within sight of the harbor.4
The few men able to be on their feet, when not attending
the scurvy-stricken soldiers and sailors, lent their assistance
in constructing a few poor huts of stakes which they
roofed with tules.5 These rude structures together with the
hospital camp they surrounded with a stockade.
One of the buildings somewhat larger than the rest was
selected for divine worship until a better chapel could be
built. On the day of its dedication, Fr. Serra himself
sang the High Mass and preached an appropriate sermon.
Such was the formal beginning of Mission San Diego de
Alcala near what is now Old Town, San Diego ; and its
first missionaries were Fr. Junipero Serra and Fr. Fernando
Parron, the latter having come from Lower California on
the ill-fated San Carlos.
Without delay, Fr. Serra endeavored to attract the savages
who now and then would show themselves ; but, since the
Fathers could not understand their language, the Indians
would accept the gifts offered them and then try to steal
whatever came within their reach. They would molest
even the sufferers abed. Without the least fear, they would
ridicule the soldiers ; and when a gun was fired, they would
jeeringly mimic the report, for they had yet to learn the
disastrous effect of firearms. From day to day they grew
more insolent, so that often the Spaniards were tempted to
teach them a wholesome lesson; but prudence demanded
forbearance. Though the savages would seize any article that could
* ' ' Levantd el V. P. Junipero el estandarte de la Santa Cruz,
fijandola en el sitio que le parecio mas proprio para la formacion del
pueblo a la vista de aquel puerto. " (Palou, Vida, 82-83.)
s" unas pobres chozas de tule dentro de la estacada. " (Palou,
Noticias, vol. ii, p. 254.)

26 Missions and Missionaries of California
be carried off, they coveted especially all kinds of cloth. It
was not that they wished to dress decently; for, as Fr.
Crespi goodnaturedly remarks, were all the clothing in the
warehouses of Mexico delivered to them with instructions
to cover themselves, they would wear them on that occasion,
indeed, but afterwards would let them disappear forever.
So eager were the San Diego natives for drygoods that
one night they approached the ship, by means of their
tule rafts, and, only for the vigilance of the sailors, would
have succeeded in cutting a piece of cloth from one of
the sails. On another occasion, they were caught in the act
of cutting one of the ropes. This audacity caused the
commander to station two soldiers on board the San Carlos.
In short, reversing his earlier opinion of the natives, Fr.
Crespi now declared that "their voracity for stealing is
without parallel." 6
In view of what has been said, it may seem strange that
the Indians would accept no eatables from the Spaniards. If,
for instance, a piece of sugar was put into the mouth of a
child, the little one would spit it out as if it were poison.
This aversion, the Spaniards afterwards learned, was owing
to the fact that the Indians attributed the sickness of so
many sailors and soldiers among the newcomers to what
they were accustomed to eat. Without doubt, Fr. Palou
remarks, this was due to the special interposition of Divine
Providence ; for had the Indians been as fond of the eat
ables of the Spaniards as they were of their drygoods, the
men would have died of starvation.
Among the regular Indian visitors, was a boy who
seemed to take a fancy to the mission and who refrained
from stealing anything. With him the Fathers and soldiers
hoped to make a beginning toward the conversion of his
people. Hence they petted and entertained him as well as
possible, so that by staying around the settlement he might
learn the Spanish language and later act as interpreter.

« Fr. Crespi to Fr. Guardian Andres. February 8, 1770; Diario,
January 24, 1770; Pal6u, Noticias, vol. ii, p. 243.

Mission^San Diego 27
In time they succeeded ; for in a few years the youth became
the official interpreter. All the other natives, however,
continued to manifest ill-will ; and it soon became evident
that at the first opportunity they would openly assail the
strangers. The first attempt in this direction occurred less than a
month after the opening of the mission. Armed with clubs,
bows, and arrows, the savages attacked it, determined to
massacre the Spaniards and to enjoy the booty. But they
met with unexpected resistance from the soldiers, who,
however, as yet refrained from using their firearms. The
savage party withdrew, but only to increase their forces
and to await a more favorable time for carrying out their
bloody design. Two days later, an opportunity offered itself.
"On* the fifteenth of the same month of August," Fr.
Palou relates, "on which day is celebrated the great feast
of the glorious Assumption of our Queen and Lady into
heaven, two soldiers as usual accompanied Fr. Parron to
the San Carlos, aboard which he was to celebrate holy Mass,
leaving only four guards at the mission. The Fr. Presidente
and Fr. Vizcaino had finished celebrating the holy Sacrifice,
during which some of the men received Holy Communion.
The four soldiers, it seems, had gone to the river to water
the horses. No sooner did the savages notice that the place
was without guards, than a great number of them, all armed
with bows and quivers filled with arrows, fell upon the
mission and began to rob everything they could carry away.
They pulled away the very sheets from under the sick.
Fortunately, the corporal, who had gone with the horses,
saw the savages move toward the mission. Guessing their
intention, he exclaimed, 'To arms !', and then hastened back
with his three companions. Slipping on their leather jackets,
which were impervious to arrows, they grasped the shield
in one hand and with the other seized their muskets. When
the Indians saw this, they ceased robbing and withdrew,
meanwhile discharging their arrows. The time had come
to teach them a lesson ; wherefore, the soldiers fired their
muskets at them. A regular battle ensued, in which the

28 Missions and Missionaries of California
Indians to their cost for the first time learned the effects
of a gunshot. The four soldiers received material aid
from the carpenter and the blacksmith, who used their
weapons with much valor. The blacksmith especially
excelled in courage. Though he had no leather jacket to
protect himself, he ran among the huts and shacks, dis
charging his musket at the savages and yelling at the top
of his voice, 'Long live the Faith 'of Jesus Christ! Death
to the hostile dogs !'
"Meanwhile, in their poor hut, Fr. Presidente and his
companion recommended all to God, praying that no
deaths might occur either among the soldiers or among
the savages, lest any of the latter die without Baptism.
After a while, Fr. Vizcaino, desirous to see whether the
Indians had retired, slightly raised the maguey mat* which
served as a door to the hut. No sooner had he done so
than his hand was wounded by an arrow. He dropped
the curtain, and then recommended himself to God, as did
also the servant of God, Fr. Junipero Serra. Although the
wound afterwards healed, one finger always remained
crippled. "Some time later, while the battle and the wild shouts of
the Indians continued, Joseph Maria, the servant of the
Fathers, rushed into the room. Falling at the feet of the
venerable Fr. Serra, he cried out, 'Father, absolve me;
the Indians have killed me !' He made a brief confession
and the Father gave him absolution; immediately after, the
wounded man expired. An arrow had pierced his throat.
The Fathers kept his death a secret, so that the savages
knew nothing about it. Of the aggressors, however, several
fell dead. Seeing the power of the firearms and* observing
the bravery of the Christians, the savages retired, taking
along their wounded. They carried away also their dead,
so that the Spaniards might not know that any of the
Indians had been killed. Among the Christians, besides
Fr. Vizcaino, one soldier, one Lower California Indian,
and the brave blacksmith were wounded, though not dan
gerously. Under the care of Doctor Prat, all soon re-

Mission San Diego 29
covered. The death of the servant remained a secret, and
his burial took place privately. In keeping with their custom,
the savages burned the bodies of their dead. Some of their
number must have been killed, though the Indians tried to
conceal the fact; for the wailing of the women in the ranch
erias could be heard at the mission a long time after.
"The Indians soon began to reappear, but without arms
and much changed in conduct. They brought their wounded
to the doctor who treated them with much sympathy, until
all had recovered. The kindness experienced at our hands
and the sad lesson they had learned in their last undertak
ing, induced the savages to treat us with respect and to
conduct themselves in a manner far different from formerly.
They would visit the mission, but always without weapons
of any kind. Nevertheless, for safety, the Spaniards erected
a stockade of poles around the buildings ; nor would they
permit an armed savage to approach the stockade within
gunshot." 7
In connection with this, Fr. Palou relates a charming
incident of the Fathers' first missionary experiences. In the
mission, they had a beautiful picture representing the
Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms.
When the Indians heard of it, they would come and ask
the Fathers to let them see the picture. Unable to get up
close to it on account of the stockade through which they
were not allowed to pass, the Indian women would thrust
their breasts through the poles, thus signifying their love
for the divine Infant and their desire to nourish the beautiful
Child.8 This simplicity of the poor natives consoled and
encouraged the missionaries in their efforts to make them
spiritual-minded and God-fearing Christians. "Yet," Fr.
Palou continues, "these Indians were not won over to
Christianity, nor would they set foot inside the mission.
Only the afore-mentioned youth frequently visited the mis-

7 Palou, Noticias, vol. ii, p. 253.
s Palou, Yida, p. 131.

30 Missions and Missionaries, of California
sion; but even he would for periods at a time absent him
self. In the end, however, this boy of fifteen years came
every day and ate whatever the missionaries gave him." 9
Meanwhile, the presence of the youth had matured a grea+
plan in the mind of Fr. Serra, whose zeal for immortal
souls chafed under the inactivity to which the animosity of
the natives condemned him and his companions. Entirely
at a loss how to gain the confidence of the elder Indians,
he hoped to find, with the aid of the boy, means and ways
of baptizing some of the children. After that, , he trusted,
their parents would become more approachable and per
haps even ask for Baptism. How sadly his plan miscarried,
we shall let his biographer, Fr. Palou, relate.
"When the young Indian had learned to understand a
little Spanish, the venerable Father told him to try whether
he could not, with the parents' consent, bring some little
child, because he wanted to make it a Christian like the white
men, by pouring a little water on its head; this would make
it a child of God and of the Fathers, and a relative of the
soldiers, who would present the child with clothing, so that
it could go about dressed like the Spaniards. The boy, hav
ing at last understood what was wanted, communicated
the message to the savages. After the lapse of a few days,
he returned with a crowd of Indians, one of whom carried
a male infant in his arms. By means of signs the Indian
gave the Father to understand that he wanted the child
baptized. Filled with holy joy, the venerable Father
immediately gave the Indian some suitable clothes with
which to dress the child. Then he invited the corporal to
act as sponsor and requested the other soldiers to help
solemnize the first Baptism which was to be administered
in the chapel, with the Indians present. When the Father
had finished the preliminary ceremonies and was about to
pour on the baptismal water, a savage snatched the child
away and ran with it to the rancheria. The others followed
laughing and jeering, while the Father stood amazed hold

s' Palou, Noticias, vol. ii, p. 253.

Mission San Diego 31
ing the baptismal shell in his hand. When the soldiers
proposed to avenge the profanation, Fr. Serra, remembering
the ignorance and savage nature of the poor creatures, told
the men to overlook the offense. So great, however, was
the sorrow of our venerable Father at seeing the Baptism
frustrated that for many days he went about with a counte
nance which plainly showed the pain and grief he felt. He
attributed the failure to his sins ; and whenever, even after
the lapse of years, he told the story, his eyes would fill with
tears." 10
To prevent misunderstanding, it must be stated that in this
matter Fr. Serra, no doubt, acted rashly. In keeping with
the laws of the Catholic Church, the missionaries never,
throughout the history of the missions, baptized either old
or young, unless security was given that the recipient
would thereafter voluntarily lead a Christian life. For this
reason, in the case of adults, Baptism was often postponed
till shortly before their death; and in the case of children,
the parents had to promise that their baptized offspring
should be raised as Christians. The sponsor, too, was each
time advised of his relationship with the child, for whom he
stood, as well as of the strict obligation he thereby assumed
to see that his God-child was raised a Christian. In the
case just related, the sponsor "could not under the circum
stances make such a promise; nor could Fr. Serra accept it
as sufficient security. Sponsorship in the Catholic Church
is no mere formality. Perhaps the good Father persuaded
himself that eventually the Indians would become Christians ;
but he was making a venture withal, which can hardly
serve to justify his method of procedure. It was well, there
fore, that he failed, since thereby he as also the sponsor
was relieved of a tremendous responsibility.
All this while, the scurvy-stricken sailors and soldiers
were treated with the utmost devotion by good Doctor
Prat. Although many were on the road to recovery, medi
cine and careful nursing failed in the case of eight Catalon-
10 Palou, Yida, p. 86.

32 Missions and Missionaries of California
ian volunteers, four soldiers, one servant, and six Christian
Indians from Lower California; these died before the return
of Portola's expedition. After indescribable hardships, en
dured heroically by his men, the captain arrived safe at the
starting point, on January 24, 1770. During all this time,
the Fathers had not succeeded in making a single convert,
unless we except the youth, who, however, was not yet
./ baptized. Nor had any permanent dwellings been erected.
Fr. Serra trusted that, when the captain returned with his
men, some improvements would be made ; but on learning
that the San Antonio had not arrived with fresh supplies,
the commander was in no mood to encourage missionary

b

Signature of Gaspar de Portola
work at that time. To Fr. Serra's proposals he replied
that the men were exhausted from the late journey; that,
furthermore, he did not know whether the mission would
be permanent, because he had determined, if by the feast
of St. Joseph, March 19, the ship did not arrive with sup
plies, to begin the return march for Lower California on
the following day; there were not sufficient provisions on
hand to warrant waiting any longer,11 he declared, and his
men had not come to perish from hunger.
On hearing this, Fr. Presidente retired to his hut.
Nothing more was done in the way of building; only an
n But Pedro Fages and Miguel Costansd, on February 7, jointly
wrote to Galvez: "That they (the troops remaining) could hold this
port until the arrival of one of the packetboats San Jose or the
Principe (San Antonio) which we are expecting daily" — "podrfi, con-
servar este Puerto hasta la venida de uno de los pacabotes el San
Jose 6 FA Princiye (San Antonio) que esperamos de dia a otro." —
Archivo General, 66.

Mission San Diego 33
enclosure of poles or sticks was erected to serve as a
corral for the horses. Nevertheless, Fr. Serra had no mind
to give up California. He had come to stay and stay he
would, even if all others retired. Thus resolved, he pro
ceeded to enlist the assistance of the heroic captain of the
San Carlos. On learning from Fr. Serra what Portola had
decided and the reasons that actuated him, Captain Vila
declared he was not of the same opinion ; on the contrary,
he would wait for the relief ship which he was sure would
come. Then he would proceed in search of Monterey Bay.
because from what he had heard of the late expedition
he was convinced that it had actually been at the port
without recognizing it. Fr. Serra and Vila, therefore,
agreed to stay, even if Portola insisted on abandoning the
country. Accordingly, the Fr. Presidente decided to let
two of the four Fathers accompany the party back to
Lower California, while he and Fr. Juan Crespi would
board the San Carlos and there await the arrival of her
sister ship.12
In a long letter to Fr. Palou, dated February 10, 1770,
Fr. Serra went over the situation at San Diego and then
concluded: "Four Fathers, Fr. Juan Crespi, Fr. Fernando
Parron, Fr. Francisco Gomez,13 and I, are here, ready to
found a second mission, if the ships arrive. Should we see
that hope and supplies are vanishing, / shall remain here
alone with Fr. Juan Crespi and hold out to the very last.
May God give us His holy grace. Recommend us to God
that so it may be. If Your Reverence should find that
they are bringing up the cattle which remained at Velicata,14
send us a small quantity of incense; for, though we brought
the censers, the incense was forgotten. The Ordos might

12 See Appendix C.
13 Fr. Vizcaino, being in ill health, had accompanied Captain Rivera
to Lower California. Rivera had been ordered by Portola to bring
up supplies from Velicata, and had started out February 11. See
Missions and Missionaries of California, vol. ii, p. 61.
n This refers to Rivera's errand.

34 Missions and Missionaries of California
be sent, too, if they have arrived, likewise the new holy
Oils,15 in case they have come from Guadalajara. The
Diaries will be rewritten as quickly as possible, mine as
well as Fr. Juan's. I regret very much that they can not
go now ; but comforts here are meager, so that the mood
for writing is at times unfavorable. We shall try, how
ever, and send them off as soon as possible. I should like to
tell Your Reverence many things, but encompassed by so
many disturbances and obstacles, I can not explain nor
write more." 16 The founder of the California Missions
proved as resolute and courageous in pursuing an enter
prise as he was zealous and God-fearing in undertaking it.
The middle of March was already drawing near. The
supplies had so diminished that, according to Portola, the
surplus would barely suffice to reach Velicata. The sole
topic of conversation, Fr. Palou tells us, was now the
retreat southward and the consequent abandonment of the
mission and port; and every word, he adds, went like a
shaft to the heart of Fr. Serra. In this distress, the Father
proposed to Commander Portola that all make a novena or
nine days' devotion in honor of St. Joseph. Portola agreed
and the novena was begun; just enough time remained to
have it close on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19.
In his holy prayers, during these days, Fr. Palou relates,
the Fr. Presidente unceasingly laid the matter before God.
He besought His Divine Majesty to cause the ship to arrive
before the day assigned for the retreat of the expedition,
in order that the opportunity of converting so many pagans
might not be lost; for, if their conversion were not accom
plished at this time, it might become impossible, or it might
again be delayed for ages, in which case thousands upon
thousands would fail to share its benefits. The good Father
remembered that one hundred and sixty-seven years had
elapsed since the Spaniards reached this port. If now,
is James, in his Fr. Serra, p. 90, translates ' ' Santos Oleos ' ' with
"Holy Wafers!"
i« Palou, Yida, cap. xix.

THE SHIP! THE SHIP! CALIFORNIA IS SAVED!

36 Missions and Missionaries of California
after formal possession had been taken, the land should
be abandoned, centuries might come and go before the
country would again be visited.
At length the feast of St. Joseph dawned; but no ship
was in sight. One may imagine the feelings of the venerable
Fr. Presidente, who still had hope, though hope seemed in
vain. In the morning of the feast, the Spaniards attended
High Mass during which a sermon was preached, doubtless
by Fr. Serra himself, though Fr. Palou forgot to say so.
All preparations for the march to Lower California were
made and there was general rejoicing in the camp and in
the mission. By noon of the next day, Portola and his men
would be on their way to the south. Only Fr. Serra and
the few who shared his mind seemed depressed and disap
pointed. Had St. Joseph failed to hear their prayer? But
no ; his feast was not yet over ; and with unyielding confi
dence the noble Father trusted that the ship would come.
Nor did he trust in vain. That same day, before the setting
of the sun, Fr. Palou tells us, Almighty God, through the in
tercession of the Most Floly Patriarch St. Joseph, was pleased
to gratify the ardent desire of his servant, thus filling all
with consolation. All day long, Fr. Serra had been watching
the entry into the bay; at last, toward evening, he clearly
and distinctly observed a ship passing the gate of the port.
It was but a glimpse, so to speak, but it sufficed to cause
Portola to postpone the departure of the troops. Words
can not describe the rejoicings of the missionaries and espe
cially the heartfelt gratitude of their Superior. Portola and
his men were wholly changed. All now encouraged one
another to persevere. Finally, after four days, the San
Antonio came sailing into the harbor. Almighty God, in
honor of the holy Patriarch St. Joseph, had wrought a
miracle to prevent the abandonment of California. Such
at least was the conviction of all at San Diego, especially
when the captain of the San Antonio explained what had
brought him to the harbor of San Diego. He had received
instructions from Galvez to sail directly for Monterey
where he would find the land expedition waiting for supplies.

Mission San Diego 37
That was the reason why his ship, on March 19, had sailed
past the port of San Diego instead of stopping there. So
the vessel sailed on; but as Divine Providence directed,
she lost one of her anchors, and Captain Perez was com
pelled to turn back to San Diego where he could provide
himself with an anchor from the San Carlos, which, he
knew, was still in the bay.
In gratitude for the timely aid a High Mass was celebrated.
Furthermore, Fr. Serra directed that thereafter, on the nine
teenth of every month, a High Mass or at least a Low Mass
should be offered up to God in honor of St. Joseph.17
As the San Antonio had brought abundant supplies,
Captain Vila and Commander Portola agreed that two expedi
tions should again set out in search of Monterey Bay, one
by land and one by sea. Fr. Serra was to make the voyage
by sea, while Fr. Crespi was selected for the land expedition,
which Portola once more commanded. On the eve of sail
ing, and on board the ship, Fr. Serra penned an interesting
letter, from which we cull the following as especially interest
ing: Rev. Fr. Lector and Presidente, Fr. Francisco Palou.
Dearly beloved Friend, Companion, and Senor:
The San Antonio, formerly called El Principe, having arrived at
this port on the feast of St. Joseph, although she did not enter
until four days later, the officials determined on a second trip to
Monterey. Fr. Juan Crespi goes a second time by land, while I go
by sea. Very late yesterday, Holy Saturday, while thinking the ship
would not leave so soon (although I had already embarked everything
I wanted to take along, except my bed), I received notice from our
countryman, Captain Juan Perez, that we should have to board the
ship that same night. I went aboard, and now we are here at the
entrance of the port. Ever since I celebrated holy Mass on board
ship early this morning, the men have been at work setting the sails.
Fathers Parron and Gomez remain at San Diego as missionaries.
With them will stay a few soldiers who, we notice, have not recovered
as fully as the rest of us. Like the guards, I and Fr. Juan Crespi
are going with the intention of separating, one for Monterey and
the other for San Buenaventura, about eighty leagues distant, in
order that neither through our fault nor that of the College the
17 Palou, Yida, eapp. xx, xxi. See Appendix C.

38 Missions and Missionaries of California
erection of that third mission of this New California may be
frustrated. In truth, for me the greatest of all hardships will be
the consequent solitude; but God in His infinite mercy will make
good the loss. . I am writing this letter with considerable
difficulty, seated on the floor of this cabin. I have to do the same
with the enclosed letter to His Excellency Don Jose de Galvez. It
is very short, but it gives an account of myself. By this bark (San
Antonio), I have not received even a note, much less a letter, from
any one.
Verbally, we have received news of the death of our Holy Father
Clement XIII, and of the election of the most excellent Cardinal
Ganganelli, one of our religious. Dominus conservet eum, etc. This
information has pleased me very much in this solitude. . . I have
likewise heard of the death of Fr. Moran,is for whom we are offering
the holy Masses according to our agreement. The reason why no
letters came, it is said, is because this vessel was to sail directly for
Monterey without touching here; wherefore, all letters intended for us
at San Diego have been left behind in order that the packetboat
San Jose might bring them up; but she has not yet arrived.1 s> A year
has already passed by, since I had any news from the College or
from His Lordship Don Galvez. Soon it will be a year since I
received a letter from Your Reverence. . . I shall appreciate it,
if you would provide us, when there is an opportunity, with some
beeswax for the holy Masses and with some incense. . I close
this letter to-day, Monday after Easter Sunday, the day of the
profession of our holy Father St. Francis,™ because yesterday we
did not leave the mouth of the bay after all, owing to a change in
the wind. . . South Sea, in front of the Port of San Diego,
April 16, 1770. . Fr. Junipero Serra.2i
Leaving Sergeant Jose Francisco de Ortega at San Diego
together with eight soldiers, twelve Lower California ne
ophytes, and Fathers Parron and Gomez, the San Antonio.
with Fr. Serra, Miguel Costanso, and Doctor Pedro Prat on
board, put to sea on April 16, while the land expedition com
prising Commander Portola, Fr. Crespi, Lieutenant Pedro
Fages, nineteen soldiers, five Lower California neophytes and
two muleteers, set out on April 17. In the harbor lay the
San Carlos, on board of which were Captain Vicente Vila,

is See Missions and Missionaries, vol. i, p. 292.
is The ship was lost at sea and never heard from.
20 St. Francis made his vows or profession, on April 16, 1209.
21 Letter entire in Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 66-68.

Mission San Diego 39
his pilot, and five sailors. In June, Captain Rivera came up
from the peninsula with twenty soldiers, bringing from
Velicata a drove of cattle and the supplies for which they
had been despatched the preceding February.
The two expeditions eventually reached Monterey. After
seeing the mission and presidio established, Portola, on July
9, took passage in the San Antonio and, without stopping
at San Diego, hastened on to San Bias. On learning this,
Captain Vila of the San Carlos, after waiting fifteen months
to obtain a fresh crew, asked Captain Rivera for one soldier
and two vaqueros who knew a little about navigation. With
these and her five sailors on board, the San Carlos, in the
beginning of August, 1770, at last sailed away for San Bias.
A few days after reaching that port, the good captain took
sick and died. He was a native of Andalucia, and a pilot
of the first class in the Spanish navy.22
Owing to the destruction of the San Diego registers
during an Indian assault, which will be told later, nothing
is known regarding the activity of the two Fathers in
charge of the mission at this period. However, "prior to
April, 1770," as Bancroft remarks, "a full year from the
first coming of the Spaniards, and perhaps to a still later
period, for the register was subsequently destroyed, and the
earliest date is not known, not a single neophyte was en
rolled at the mission. In all the missionary annals of the
northwest there is no other instance where paganism re
mained so long so stubborn." 23 It is therefore, impossible
to say when the first converts yielded to the kindly ministra
tions of the Gospel messengers, although Fr. Palou writes
that by March 12, 1771, "the mission already had some
baptized neophytes." 2i
On this day, March 12, a noteworthy incident occurred.
Ten Franciscans from Mexico landed at San Diego and

22 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 71-81 ; Bancroft,
vol. i, p. 128.
23 Bancroft, California, vol. i, p. 139.
24 ' ' Que ya tenia bautizados algunos nedfitos, ' ' — Palou, Yida, p. 115.

40 Missions and Missionaries of California
received a hearty welcome from Fathers Parron and Gomez.
These newcomers were Fr. Antonio Paterna, who acted as
Superior of the missionary band until they reached their
destination, and the Fathers Antonio Cruzado, Francisco
Dumetz, Angel Somera, Miguel Pieras, Buenaventura Sit jar,
Domingo Juncosa, Jose Cavalier, Luis Jayme, and Pedro
Benito Cambon. Fathers Somera and Cambon had already
served in the missions of Lower California. After the
supplies for camp and mission were brought on shore, the
Fathers again embarked on the San Antonio in order to
report for duty to Fr. Presidente Serra at Monterey. Fr.
Gomez, who had received permission to retire on account
of ill health, also took passage, because he feared the ship
might not return to San Diego and he would have to wait
a year for another opportunity. By direction of Fr. Paterna,
Fr. Dumetz for the present took his place at San Diego.
This appointment was made permanent by Fr. Serra who,
moreover, asked Fr. Jayme to replace Fr. Parron, because
the latter was likewise ill and hoped to recover his health
in Lower California.
The San Antonio sailed from Monterey on July 7, 1771,
having on board Pedro Fages, now Captain and Military
Commander of Upper California. With him came Fathers
Paterna and Cruzado, who were destined for Mission San
Buenaventura, still to be founded ; likewise, Fathers Somera
and Cambon, who were to establish Mission San Gabriel ;
then, Fr. Gomez, who 'was returning to the College in
Mexico ; and Fr. Luis Jayme, who was appointed for Mis
sion San Diego. After a week's sailing, on July 14, this
distinguished company landed at San Diego. Soon after,
Captain Rivera withdrew overland to the peninsula, Fr.
Parron probably accompanying him.25
Reporting to Viceroy De Croix" on July 17, 1771, Fages
wrote :
I find that this Mission (of San Diego) has made a good beginning
¦r as regards temporary buildings and cultivation. Also the cattle,
25 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 84-86.

Mission San Diego 41
which Captain Fernando Rivera left here when he departed, are in
good condition. There are eighty-two cows, seven bulls, eight heifers
of two years, and thirteen calves. I find also thirteen mules. There
are only thirteen soldiers with the corporal, who, it seems to me, are
necessary for the protection of the Mission.
A day later, July 18, Fages informed De Croix :
The drove of cattle from Lower California, besides sixty mules,
guarded by twenty soldiers and five muleteers, have arrived. This
will enable me to facilitate the founding of the Missions of San
Gabriel and San Buenaventura. This I shall do at once, and distribute
to each mission the requisite cattle and mules. Thus I shall leave them
in a good state of defense.2^
The San Antonio sailed for San Bias on July 21. Next
day, nine soldiers and one muleteer deserted. Fr. Paterna
was asked by Fages to reason with the men and to offer
them a full pardon if they returned. The good Father
overtook the deserters and persuaded them to go back.
On the night of August 6, however, after Fathers Somera
and Benito Cambon had set out for San Gabriel with ten
soldiers and a mule train carrying the goods for the new
mission, five soldiers and their corporal deserted from the
camp. They returned on August 24, but only to steal some
cattle from the mission. This enraged Fages and he resolved
to follow them in person; but on discovering that the de
serters had intrenched themselves and that they were de
termined to resist capture, the commander went back to San
Diego and asked Fr. Dumetz to intervene ; the missionary
complied and succeeded in bringing back the deserters.
On October 3, Fr. Somera came down from the newly-
established Mission of San Gabriel. He was accompanied
by three guards, because experience had taught the Fathers
not to venture alone on the road. The purpose of his visit
was to obtain additional guards for his mission. Fages
granted him two more, and with these, on October 9, Fr.
Somera reached San Gabriel.27
26 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, p. 90; Archivo General, 66.
27 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, p. 90; Palou, Noticias,
vol. ii, pp. 294-298.

CHAPTER HI.
Privation of Missionaries.— The Dearth of Provisions at All Missions.—
Transports Arrive.— Governor Fages's Interference.— Fr. Serra Goes
to Mexico.— Successful.— He Returns.— San Diego a Presidio —
Fr. Palou and Other Fathers Arrive.— His Letter.— First Neophyte
Woman Arrives from Lower California. — She Teaches Dress
making.— Fr. Palou Goes North.— The Alabado.— First Report —
The Mission.— The Indians.— The Presidio.— The Country.— Live
Stock.— Fr. Serra 's Report.— Removal of Mission Proposed.— Dis
pute. — Fr. Serra's Bepresentacion. — Fr. Jaume 's Letter. — Proposes
Removal of Mission. — The New Mission. — Pr. Serra's Description.
IT may be truly said, as Fr. Palou remarks, that from the
beginning the two Fathers stationed at Mission San
Diego had to "sustain themselves with the bread of affliction
and the waters of distress." x Worldly inducements would
never have sufficed to keep them at their post. Only utter
unselfishness, heroic self-denial, and firm religious convic
tions, supported by supernatural grace, enabled them to
persevere. Early in 1772, the deplorable conditions threat
ened the very abandonment of the undertaking inasmuch
as it was a sheer impossibility to continue the work much
longer. In order to stave off this disaster, Fr. Dumetz,
with Fr. Cambon of San Gabriel, hastened to Lower Cali
fornia for supplies. By the middle of March, letters ar
rived at Monterey notifying Fr. Serra and Don Pedro Fages
that the situation at San Diego was growing intolerable,
as for a long time the two missionaries had been subsisting
every day on half a pint of corn, twenty ounces of flour
and a little milk. Such a state of affairs rendered the pagan
Indians only more reluctant to accept the white man's Re
ligion which, they argued, provided no better than their
own for bodily needs. Fages immediately sent a train of
pack-mules with 2,400 pounds of flour to San Diego and
to San Gabriel, where also the dearth of provisions was
i III Kings, xxii, 27.

Mission San Diego 43
felt. Fr. Serra directed Fr. Crespi to accompany the mule
teers southward and to stay there until Fr. Dumetz should
return from Lower California.
Writing to Fr. Palou, under date of May 21, 1772, Fr.
Crespi says: "I passed by way of San Gabriel Mission and
found that the Fathers had tightened the cord around their
waist. ... At San Diego, I found very few victuals.
There were only seven fanegas of corn and about two hun
dred pounds of flour. The guards for a long time main
tained themselves with half a pint of corn and only twenty
ounces of flour a day ; the Fathers likewise, with a little
milk. They say that thus they have passed most of the
year, without lard, without tallow, without even a candle
of this kind, and even without wine for the holy Masses,
so that holy Mass is celebrated only on Sundays and on
days of obligation. God grant that Fr. Dumetz arrive
promptly with help for these missions and that the ships
bring up supplies ; otherwise, we are lost."
Finally, during the month of August, the supply ships,
San Carlos and San Antonio, arrived in the harbor and
thus put an end to the period of semi-starvation; but now
the northern missions of San Luis Obispo, San Antonio, and
San Carlos, where the lack of food had necessitated a
general bear hunt, were threatened. On account of con
trary winds, the two captains of the newly arrived ships
refused to take the provisions to Monterey. They proposed
that the supplies be taken up by pack mules, a distance of
nearly five hundred miles ! This it was that brought both
Captain Fages and Fr. Serra to San Diego, on September
16, 1772. The Fr. Presidente at length persuaded Captain
Perez to brave the winds and not to impose superhuman
burdens on the poor missionaries. Perez, therefore, put to
sea and reached Monterey without the least mishap. Mean
while, Fr. Dumetz returned with additional provisions and
a flock of sheep, the first, it seems, that came to Upper
California. With him arrived Fr. Tomas de la Pena to
replace Fr. Cambon at San Gabriel, who retired on account
of ill health ; but Fr. Serra sent Fathers Crespi and Dumetz

44 Missions and Missionaries of California
to San Carlos and had Fr. Peiia remain with Fr. Luis

Jayme at Mission San Diego.2
While at San Diego, Fr. Presidente reminded Don Pedro
Fages that the viceroy desired the founding of three more
missions, and that the time had come for executing the
orders of Don Jose de Galvez, regarding Mission San
Buenaventura, for which the Inspector-General himself had
packed the requisite church goods more than three years
before. To the Father's surprise, Fages, who ever since
his promotion had conceived' lofty ideas of his importance,
curtly replied that such matters pertained to the commander
of California and not to the missionaries. This was revers
ing things, generally ; for, not the military commander, but
Fr. Serra had been directed to found and to control the
missionary establishments, while the soldiers were supposed
to aid in the work as far as the missionaries should deem
it expedient. In fact, the military commander had re
ceived instructions to that effect. At a council held by
the four Fathers at the mission, it was decided that the
Fr. Presidente proceed to Mexico and explain the situation
to the viceroy ; for Fages had on several occasions shown
an inclination to interfere with the management of the mis
sions. On October 20, 1772, Fr. Serra, taking along an
Indian youth from Monterey, sailed away in the San Carlos
and reached the College of San Fernando, Mexico, just in
time to prevent the closing of the Port of San Bias. His
errand was most successful, too, on the matters which he
desired to lay before the viceroy. Asked to present his
wishes in writing, Fr. Serra drew up his famous Reprc-
sentacion, in which under thirty-two heads he exposed the
conditions in California. Almost everything he wished was
granted. The chief point at issue, the independent manage
ment of the Indians at the missions, was likewise decided

2 Palou, Yida, capp. xxx-xxxiii; Noticias, vol. iii, pp. 25-27; 31-32;
Father Crespi, in Out West, January, 1902, pp. 56-57; see also Mis
sions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 100-104.

Mission San Diego 45
in his favor. It was declared that the missionaries had
the right to control the mission Indians as a father controls
his family. This decision alone amply rewarded the pain
ful journey of the aged Fr. Presidente to Mexico. Highly
favored by Viceroy Bucareli in other ways, Fr. Serra re
turned to San Diego on March 13, 1774, accompanied by
the same Indian youth, who had received the Sacrament of
Confirmation at the hands of the Archbishop of Mexico.
He was the first of the Californians to be so favored. Fr.
Pablo Mugartegui also came along; but being in ill health,
he remained at the mission.3
While in Mexico, Fr. Serra had offered some proposi
tions to the viceroy, touching the military system of Cali
fornia. Accordingly, on July 23, 1773, the latter approved
a new reglamento, which went into effect on January 1,
1774. Thereafter, the military department of Upper Cali
fornia was to consist of the presidios of Monterey and of
San Diego. The commander of the garrison at Monterey,
with the rank of captain and a salary of $3000, was to
have command over all the troops in Upper California.
The military camp at San Diego, now promoted to the rank
of a presidio, comprised a lieutenant with a salary of $70D
a year ; one sergeant at $450 ; two corporals at $400 each ;
twenty-two soldiers at $365 each ; two carpenters to serve
the presidio and the mission at $300 each; two blacksmiths
for the same purpose at $300 each ; and a storekeeper at
$1000 a year. In addition, five corporals at a salary of $400
each and twenty-five soldiers at a salary of $365 each
guarded the five missions thus far established. Captain
Fernando Rivera y Moncada, then in Lower California, was
appointed to succeed Fages and to reside at Monterey.
Sergeant Jose Francisco de Ortega, then also in Lower Cali
fornia, was named commander of the new presidio at San
Diego with the rank of lieutenant. Don Rafael Pedro Gil
received the appointment of storekeeper.4
s For details see Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 104-121.
* See -Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 121-122; 132.

46 Missions and Missionaries of California
In the meantime, after delivering the missions of Lower
California to the Dominican Fathers, Fr. Francisco Palou,
on August 30, 1773, arrived at San Diego together with
Fathers Gregorio Amurrio, Fermin Francisco de Lasuen,
Juan Prestamero, Vicente Fuster, and Jose Antonio Mur-
g-uia. They were escorted by a guard in command of the
new lieutenant, Francisco de Ortega. The newcomers were
welcomed with demonstrations of the greatest joy, the sol
diers discharging firearms and artillery, and the guards re
sponding in kind. "The neophyte Indians," 5 Fr. Palou
writes, "greeted us with their sweet canticles in praise of
our God whom but a short time before they had not
known." In the absence of Fr. Serra, who was still at the capital
of Mexico, Fr. Palou assumed the duties of presidente or
superior of the missions. Fr. Pefia, who had assisted Fr.
Jayme temporarily, desired to be transferred ; he was, there
fore, replaced by Fr. Fuster. For the present, Fr. Amurrio
remained at San Diego as supernumerary.
While detained at this mission, where he was awaiting
the train of pack mules, which he had asked Captain Fages
to dispatch from Monterey to fetch the supplies and church
goods at Velicata, Fr. Palou writes : "We searched for land
better suited for cultivation. Not finding any that could
be sufficiently irrigated, owing to the scarcity of running-
water, it was determined as the best way out of the diffi
culty, in order that the mission could subsist, to sow the
wheat and trust to rain ; and for that purpose a locality
was selected in the same valley of the San Diego on the
banks of the river, though out of danger from the floods,
about two leagues from the mission ; for it had been noted
that in said locality the rains begin earlier and last longer
than at the mission. Furthermore, in case of lack of rains,
water could be drawn with little labor from the river.
Hence the Fathers immediately commenced to prepare the
land there for sowing grain. The place was named Nuestra
j Eighty-three Indians had been baptized by this time.

Mission San Diego 47
Sehora del Pilar." It is identical with the site of the present >
mission ruin.
On the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Sep
tember 8, then a day of obligation, Fr. Palou sang the High ^
Mass, and afterwards had the happiness of baptizing eight
convert Indians. A few days later, Fr. Murguia bap
tized seven more. They all belonged to the Rancheria of
Rincon, about half a league from the. mission on the road '
to Monterey.
September 19, eighty-two pack mules, some of which
belonged to the missions of San Carlos, San Antonio, and
San Luis Obispo, arrived from Monterey, and, three days
later, on September 22, they were sent down to Velicata
in charge of Sergeant Ortega and guards.6
Before setting out for the north, Fr. Palou wrote in his
journal: "Inasmuch as this mission already had some con
vert Indians doing work, I assigned to it only one of the
six neophyte families that had come from Lower California,
in order that the woman might teach these female Indians
how to spin and weave the wool which was already being
gained from the sheep that the mission possessed."7 It
will be remembered that discoverers generally described
the Indian females as wearing very scanty dress, hardly
more than an apron of fibres. In such a state they could
not be permitted to enter the church or to approach the
missionaries. Since no tailor or dressmaker was available,
the poor friars, being all to all, had to show the uncouth
creatures how to make the simple skirt and waist that would
admit them to decent society. No doubt, many a misfit
resulted; but that did not trouble the dusky ladies. The
main thing was to be modestly covered. With the advent
of this neophyte woman, however, the first in Upper Cali
fornia, as far as is known, the Fathers had no longer to
worry on this score.
On September 26, Fr. Palou with the rest of the Fathers
<s Palou, Noticias, vol. i, pp. 264-265.
7 Palou, Noticias, vol. i, pp. 257, 261.

48 Missions and Missionaries of California

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Mission San Diego 49
and five Christian Indian families departed for the north.
At the Rancheria de Rincon, the fifteen converts, whom
Fathers Palou and Murguia had baptized at the mission,
saluted them in a manner that brought tears to the eyes
of the traveling religious. "Kneeling down in the road,"
Fr. Palou tells us, "these poor Indians, who till a few days
before had been savages, knowing nothing about God, now
as children of the Church of God were singing the Alabado!
We rewarded them with a sack of pinole (ground corn)
and some Rosarybeads." 8
At an early date, annual reports on the state of the mis
sions were demanded by the viceroy and earnestly solicited
by the Fr. Guardian of the College of San Fernando.
"In obedience to this command," writes Fr. Palou, "as soon
as I reached the first mission, San Diego, I informed my
self on the spiritual and temporal affairs, taking note of
everything, so as later to draw up a true and complete
report. This same care I exercised at all the missions,
and when I arrived at San Carlos de Monterey, on Novem
ber 14, 1773, ' I made from my notes the account which
I dispatched by way of Lower California to the Guardian
of my College, together with a letter dated December 10,
which his Reverence was to deliver to his Excellency, the
viceroy. Inasmuch as in the said report the state of each
mission is described, I copy it here. It makes an adequate
and complete picture." 9
Such is the introduction to the most valuable first report
made in California on the state of the missions. Regard
ing San Diego, Fr. Palou informs the viceroy:
This mission was founded on July 16, 1769. It is situated on a
high elevation (loma or bluff) about two gunshots from the beach
(play a), looking toward Point Guijarros and the mouth of the port
s Palou, Noticias, vol. i, p. 266; see also Missions and Missionaries,
vol. ii, p. 128. — Alabado, i. e. Canticle of Praise, a kind of doxology.
The words are, ' ' Alabado sea el Santisimo Sacramento del Altar ;
y Bendita sea la Purisima Concepcion de la Beatisima Virgen Maria. ' '
s Palou, Informe, December 10, 1773, (S. B. A.). See Missi s and
Missionaries, vol. i, p. 420; vol. ii, pp. 137-139.

50 Missions and Missionaries of California
named San Diego, which is in thirty-two degrees and forty-two
/ minutes north latitude. The beach, as also the vicinity of the mission,
is well peopled by savages, since within a district of ten leagues
there are more than twenty large rancherias, and one other adjoining
the mission.
In the beginning, the Indians of this port showed themselves very
haughty and arrogant, even daring to assault the camp when they
noticed it left with only a small number of soldiers, the majority
of whom were ill at the time when the expedition (Portola 's) started
out in search of Monterey Port ; but they retired having learnt a good ]/
lesson when three or four of their number remained dead from gun
shots and many more were wounded, whereas only one servant of the
camp and mission was killed, while two men were wounded, one of
whom was a missionary at the mission; but their wounds are not
dangerous. This frightened the Indians and for a long time they
would not approach the camp and mission. However, by degrees, they
came to join the mission, so that already eighty-three adults and
children are baptized, seven of whom died recently, while twelve
couples were married and are now living in the village composed of
dwellings that are made of poles and tules. With them live also the
catechumens, who assist punctually every day at the catechism. The
pagans of other rancherias also frequent the mission and are present
at the doctrina or catechism, attracted by their fondness for hearing
the neophytes sing.io
Within the stockade is the church or chapel, constructed of poles
and roofed with tules, as also the habitation of the two missionaries,
having the requisite rooms partly of adobe and partly of wood and
roofed with tules.
Likewise, within the stockade, is a similar structure (jacal) that
serves as the barracks for the soldier guards and as a storehouse for
the supplies. For defensive purposes, within the stockade, are two
cannon of bronze. One looks toward the port, and the other toward
the Indian rancheria. On one side of the stockade, in the wall, is
an opening for the foundations of a church thirty yards (varas) long.
For this some stones and four thousand adobes have already been
prepared. The foremen of the work are the Fathers, and the
workmen are the neophytes, who labor with pleasure. The work has
now stopped for want of provisions; the neophytes saw themselves
obliged to retire in search of wild fruits, until the ship arrives.
As this mission lacks water for irrigating the extensive and fertile
land which it possesses, the inmates must suffer want, unless the crops
turn out well. The first two years have proved this. In the first
year, the river rose so high (though it has running water near the
io"Assisten (los gentiles) a la doctrina llevados de la aficion de
oir cantar a, los neofitos. ' '

Mission San Diego 51
mission only in the rainy season), that it carried away all that had
been sown. In the second year, planting was done farther back of
the stream. During the greater part of that season, however, the
water was scarce so that the plants perished. Only five fanegas « of
wheat were secured, and these were used for sowing in the locality
about two leagues from the mission, because from experience it was
learned that in said place rain was more frequent. The country has
been surveyed for a distance of ten leagues in every direction; but no
running water for irrigation has been discovered. Only for the live
stock is there in various places sufficient water and abundant pasture.
The savages subsist on the seeds of the zacate (wild grass) wh'ch
they harvest in due season. From these they make sheaves as is the
custom to do with wheat. They also live by fishing and by hunting
hares and rabbits which are plentiful. The Missionary Fathers have
sent to San Bias for a canoe and a net so that the new Christians
might subsist on fish. If this succeeds, it will, no doubt, be a great
relief. Of the cattle which came for these new missions from Lower Cali
fornia by order of Inspector-General Jose de Galvez, this mission
was allowed eighteen head, large and small. In the beginning of last
October it had forty. head. It then owned also seventy- four head of
sheep, fifty-five goats, nineteen pigs, fifteen mares, four fillies, one
colt, eight tame horses, one jackass, six donkeys, four riding mules,
and eighteen pack mules with the necessary outfit.
The mission possesses twelve plowshares and other iron implements.
There is also a sufficient suprjly of tools for carpenters and for
masons, and » forge for the blacksmith, although there are no me
chanics to teach these crafts.12
The report which Fr. Serra made for the viceroy in
Mexico on May 21, 1773, agrees with the preceding account
of Fr. Palou. "In spiritual matters," he adds, "this mis
sion, being the first and oldest, is the most advanced, in
asmuch as it has the greater number of Christians. In this
respect, I have to say that the entire rancheria, which made
war on us on the feast of the Assumption of our Lady,
in 1769, is already Christian, with the exception of a few
old people who, owing to their greater dullness, were still
in the catechumen class when I left the mission. They do
not fail, however, to be present at the prayers. Likewise,
Ji A fanega is equal to one hundredweight. ^
12 Palou, Noticias, vol. iii, pp. 227-232. The original manuscript is
preserved in the Santa Barbara Archives.

52 Missions and Missionaries of California
of the other distant rancherias some are baptized. They
have their habitations immediately outside the stockade of
the mission." 13
Fr. Serra, accompanied by Fr. Pablo Mugartegui, re
turned from Mexico and arrived at San Diego, Saturday,
March 13, 1774, on board the Santiago. Both Fathers were
heartily welcomed at presidio and mission. On April 6,
the Fr. Presidente started for Monterey overland, leaving
Fr. Mugartegui ill at the mission. On account of an
obstinate stomach trouble, Fr. Prestamero embarked for
Mexico on the San Antonio, which sailed August 4. In
May, after delivering the office of military commander to
Rivera at Monterey, Pedro Fages came down to San Diego
by land and, on July 19, 1774, he took passage on the
Santiago}* As the locality in which Mission San Diego had been
( originally founded with the military camp close by, had
proved undesirable on account of the lack of water for irri
gating, the plan to transfer it to a more suitable district
was discussed at an early date. "The first proposition
toward a change of site came early in 1773 from Fages,
who favored a removal of the rancheria containing all the
neophytes as well as many gentiles from the vicinity of the
stockade. . . . The measure was recommended by a man
whose approval was enough to condemn it in Serra's eyes.
Consequently he opposed the change most strenuously in his
report to the viceroy." 15 This statement of Bancroft is a
gross misrepresentation. Neither did Fr. Serra, as will be
seen presently, object to the removal of the entire mission,
i. e. of the mission together with the missionaries, nor,
as will also be seen, was Fages the first to propose the
measure. What this official wanted was. the removal of the
Indians, but not of the mission; and it was this withdrawal
13 Serra, Bepresentacion, May 21, 1773, preserved in' Santa Barbara
Archives. i* See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, p. 133.
is Bancroft, California, vol. i, p. 229.

Mission San Diego 53
of the convert Indians from the immediate supervision of
the Fathers, quite another thing, that Fr. Serra boldly set
his face against. But Bancroft will have his customary
fling at Fr. Serra. Let us hear the Fr. Presidente himself.
"As I had not seen the mission since its first beginning,"
he declares in his Representacio'n, "I greatly rejoiced at
sight of such a number of Christians. . . . The officer
(Pedro Fages), however, came to me with a deep frown,
in order to criticize the Fathers for having baptized so
many ; for that was not to have been done until the mis
sionaries had raised some crops. Doubtless, it vexed him
that we had not asked him for provisions on their behalf.
So insignificant did the whole settlement of Christians
appear to him, that the Fathers obtained not as much as
a spoonful of pozole or atolele from the two well-loaded
ships in the harbor. Hence, too, his claim that all the little
huts of those Christians and of the catechumens would have
to be removed from there, and ' that the neophytes would
have to live farther away because, as he alleged, in their
present shelters they might become formidable enemies and
wage war on the presidio. I strongly opposed this arrange
ment, as I have already informed Your Excellency in my
letter of March 13. Thereupon, the said official, concluded
that the rancheria or mission should not be removed, but
that he would report my resistance. I earnestly supplicate
Your Excellency, if such a report has been made, to let
me know of it and to hear my side before I depart. . . .
"For the present, I say only that no one who has seen
the huts and their surroundings, heard the officer's reasons
for wanting to remove the huts without laughing, except
myself, because I did not feel like laughing when I saw
efforts made to destroy for the sake of a mere whim what
the Fathers had put up with so much labor, and what all
contemplate with such pleasure. . . . How the friars

is Gruel or porridge. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp.
254; 554-555.

54 Missions and Missionaries of California
have labored and are still laboring God knows and that
suffices." 17
It was, as we said before, Fr. Luis Jayme who in a letter
formally proposed to Fr. Serra the removal of the entire
mission, converts and missionaries, to another site. His
reason was two- fold, the scarcity of water and the prox
imity of the military camp. It is clear, too, that he had
already before discussed this plan with the Fr. Presidente.
Because this letter addressed to Fr. Serra, - who was then
in Mexico, contains so much of interest, and because it is
the first and only document extant of California's proto-
martyr, it deserves to be reproduced entire.
Viva Jesus, Maria y Joseph!
Very Eev. Father Presidente Junipero Serra: — The Grace of the
Holy Spirit be with Your Reverence and with me. Amen.
On the second of this month (of April), the mail reached here from
Monterey and informed us of the safe arrival of the Principe (San
Antonio). It seems that things have adjusted themselves well. The
more Indians come here, the more humble they show themselves. The
pagans give more signs of a desire to be baptized. A few days ago,
all the boys from the Rancheria of Rincon came to learn the doctrina
in order to have themselves baptized ; but, as we could not give them
atole every time they appeared, the quantity of corn being already
very small, they stopped coming. If the supply ship delays a little
longer there will be scarcely enough for the Christian Indians who
are with us from Lower California. Hence we see that, if we can
harvest a little wheat from what has been sown, we shall be able to
baptize those who apply. We have sown about five fanegas of wheat.
It rose well and prospered, until the month of January; after that,
the water failed, so that almost everything withered. In the month
of March, it rained on two occasions; consequently, a part of our
sowing recovered and now stands fairly well; but hopes of harvest
ing anything are very small; for, if it does not rain much in this
month and in May, nothing may be harvested, sinee this year there
is a great lack of water.
Some days ago, savages informed us that on the other side of the
sierras, which extend toward the northeast beyond this Canada of . San
Diego, there is an abundance of pine timber, of live oak, and of a
certain very tall timber which we could not classify from what was

i? " El como han trabajado los Religiosos, y trabajan, lo sabe Dios,
y esto nos basta. " Serra, at close of Bepresentacion.

Mission San Diego 55
said; and that, besides much grass or hay, water must be plentiful
there and flowing all the time. The other day, the soldier who came
from Monterey with the mail told me that he had been there and that
he had seen much pine timber, an abundance of live oak, and many
stretches of land not mixed with alkali or saltpetre. He had seen
also a large arroyo which ran with water all the year round. For a
mission, he said, are many suitable places, as beautiful as he had
ever seen; nothing was wanting, rather was there an abundance Of
everything necessary for a mission. Some places, he said, may be as
much as six or seven leagues or even more in extent. The language
of the savages in these places is the same as here, and they have
communication with our Indians. Indeed, about fifteen days ago,
Indians from there told our neophytes that they should accompany
the missionaries and bring enough mules along, in order to load them
with acorns, since they had enough to spare. We told them we would
go there when warm weather sets in. In fact, we have determined to
go and survey the place when it grows warmer. All this is said on
the authority of the soldier who had seen the place and told us ;
we have not seen it, because we had no opportunity.
We were thinking whether this mission could not be moved, while
the presidio remained here, and whether storehouses could not be
erected here to receive the goods for the missions. One Father could
stay here to administer the Sacraments and to receive the supplies.
Should no presidio be planted here, some soldiers could stay, in order
to guard the port and the ship when it arrives. In case the presidio
remains here, however, it is not expedient that it be near the mission,
on account of annoyances of which Your Reverence is aware.
We tell you this because it seems that as long as the mission is
here, it will never have a firm -basis. Nor should there be a mission
here, on account of the scarcity of water; for we see that this year
there are little hopes for wheat. Even if it rains, the harvest will
be very small and very poor, owing to the dry season through which
we have passed. Last year the flood carried away what was growing.
If, by the month of May, it does not rain, nothing may be harvested;
for already it is beginning to wither. In the previous year it began
to rain in the middle of February, as the soldiers told me who were
here; but February is too late for sowing wheat, and when the time
comes for planting the corn, there is no rain.
In the year of the expedition, as the soldiers relate, the arroyo had
no water; nor did it rain. The arroyo has no running water save
when it rains; for, if the rain delays fifteen or twenty days, it runs
dry, as happened this year and in the past year. So, when both, the
season and the river, fail, the crops must needs be very poor, and
without harvests, I do not see how the mission can exist. Hence, Your
Reverence will, see what is most expedient and what can be proposed.
Also to Fathers Uson and Figuer, who have come up from Lower

56 Missions and Missionaries of California
California, it seems that if the mission stays here, the prospects will
be poor; and it will be a constant source of affliction for the Fathers
who are stationed here. We are daily awaiting the arrival of Fr.
Presidente Palou and of the other Fathers who are to come here.
We do not know whether or not they are on the way. We pray God
to keep you in His holy love and grace. Mission San Diego, April 3,
1773. B. L. M. de V. R., your ever affectionate friend and humble
subject. Fr. Luis Jayme. (Rubrica.) is
In the end, the viceroy authorized the transfer of the
mission to another site. In his first report of the missions
for the year 1774, Fr. Serra says : "It was determined to
move the mission within the same Canada of the port toward
the northeast from the presidio, at a distance of a little less
than two leagues. This place is much more suitable for
a population, on account of the facility of obtaining the
necessary water and on account of the vicinity of good
land for cultivation. The place is called Nipaguay. The
change was effected in the month of August of the same
year. We gladly take notice of the many new Christians
who have followed the Fathers to the new place, doubt
less recognizing its advantages. On the new site, they have
constructed, by the month of December, 1774, the following
buildings :
1. A church of poles and roofed with tules. It meas
ures six by nineteen varas (17 by 53 feet).
2. One house, twenty varas long and four varas wide
(56 by 12 feet), of adobes, but roofed with tules. It is
divided into living rooms for the Fathers.
3. Another house, thirteen varas long and five varas
wide (36 by 14 feet), of adobes, with a flat roof, to be
used as a granary.
4. Another building of palisades and roofed with tules.
It is five varas long and four varas wide (14 by 11 feet),
to be occupied by muleteers and shepherds.

is Copied for the writer from the original at the Museo Naeional,
Mexico, by Dr. Herbert E. Bolton, University of California. From this
it is clear that the Father spelled his name Jayme. Fr. Serra and Fr.
Fuster wrote it Jaume. Fr. Pal6u always writes Jayme.

Mission San Diego 57
5. A house of adobe with flat roof, five varas long and
four varas wide (14 by 11 feet), to be used as a smithy.
6. A structure of poles and tules for the servants. It
is six varas long and three varas wide (17 by 9 feet).
7. Thirteen habitations of the same character, to be used
as living rooms by the Indians.
8. A corral of the same material for mares and horses
in a place called Rancho de San Luis, at a distance of one
league from the new mission.
Finally, new land has been prepared for sowing about
seven fanegas of wheat."
In his report, Fr. Serra enumerates also the additions to
the various departments of the missions as follows :
Church and Vestry — "A lavatory of copper, two surplices,
four cinctures, for the sacristy ; one set of the Way of the
Cross with pictures, for the church."
House and Field — After enumerating various house uten
sils and farm implements, Fr. Serra continues, "In addition
to all this, the mission has received donations from His
Excellency, which he deigned to send in the shape of all
kinds of provisions, that is to say, flour, corn, beans, hams,
vegetables, beads, clothing for the Indians, etc., all of which
are not entered in the memorias.19 Nor are the articles
named which our College sent to the missions and to this
one in particular, which amount to much more than the
stipends allowed the missionaries. 'In future,' the Fr.
Guardian writes, 'we shall receive the list of goods in keeping
with the amount of the stipend, and more than that should
not be asked for.' "
Live stock — "There are fifty-four head of cattle, large
and«-small ; One hundred and four head of sheep ; sixty-one
goats ; twenty-two riding and pack mules ; nine tame horses ;
fifteen mares ; eleven colts and fillies ; two male and one
female mule; and twenty-seven pigs, large and small.
is A memoria was an invoice, i. e., a list of goods purchased in Mex
ico and shipped to the missions at the request and expense of the
Fathers.

58 Missions and Missionaries of California
Agriculture — "In the past year, they sowed seven fanegas
of wheat, but harvested only thirty, owing to the scarcity
of water, irrigation not having been established as yet.
Families and Indhiduals — "From the founding of the
mission to December 31, 1774, there have been baptized one
hundred and six persons, adults and children. Nineteen have
died, and thus there remain at the mission ninety-seven per
sons, all living in the mission within sound of the bell.
There have been celebrated nineteen marriages, that is to
say, seventeen neophyte males with neophyte females, and
two with Indians from Lower California. Thus the mission
consists of nineteen families with ninety-seven Indian souls,
according to the reports of the missionaries." 20
2° Serra, Informe, February 5, 1775. Santa Barbara Archives.

CHAPTER IV.
Dark Days Approaching. — Fr. Palou 's Account. — Conspiracy. — Mission
Attacked and Fired. — The Battle.— Casualties.— Fr. Jayme Mur
dered. — Fr. Fuster 's Heroism.— Bravery of the Soldiers.— A Vow.
— Neglectful Sentinels. — Body of Fr. Jayme Discovered. — Burial
at Presidio. — Fr. Serra and Captain Rivera Notified.— Fr. Serra
Pleads with Viceroy for the Conspirators. — Captain J. B. Anza. —
Account of the Disaster by Fr. Pedro Font, 0. F. M. — Anza and
Fr. Font Depart. — Indian Takes Refuge in Church. — Rivera Drags
Indian from Church. — The Fathers Protest. — Rivera Declared Ex
communicated. — Church Asylum. — Fr. Serra at San Diego. — Noble
Captain Choquet. — Rebuilding of the Mission Begun. — Rivera's
Duplicity. — Choquet Indignant. — Gloom. — Letter from Viceroy Bu-
careli. — Fr. Serra Happy. — Mission Restored. — Indian Revolters
Released.
ON its new site, the mission seems to have thrived un
commonly well, in fact, so well that, as the Fathers event
ually concluded, it roused the anger of mankind's enemy,
who presumed to have a mortgage, as it were, on the souls
of the Indians. Only too early did the dark days of tribu
lation steal upon the happy patriarchal family. We shall
let Fr. Palou relate his
"Account of the Cruel Martyrdom of the
Venerable Fr. Luis Jayme, and of
the Lamentable Tragedy at
Mission San Diego.
"In the month of November, 1775, the missionaries sta
tioned at Mission San Diego were Fr. Luis Jayme, formerly
lector of philosophy in the Franciscan Province of Mayorca,
and Fr. Vicente Fuster, a member of the Province of
Aragon. Both observed with delight the spiritual fruit so
abundantly gathered in that vineyard of the Lord. That
same year, on October 3, the eve of our Seraphic Father
St. Francis, they had baptized as many as sixty convert
Indians who, with the many already baptized, formed a
good-sized settlement, which lay in the valley of the same

60 Missions and Missionaries of Calfornia
name, two leagues distant from the presidio. They had
moved the mission to this place about one year before in
order to cultivate corn and wheat for the maintenance of
the new establishment, and in order to convert the gen
tiles. In this, their efforts had been unsuccessful on the
original mission site adjoining the garrison.
"Undoubtedly, the jealous archenemy realized that in this
territory paganism was doomed; that the missionaries by
their whole-souled energy and apostolic zeal were weak
ening his stronghold and were little by little banishing
heathenism from the vicinity of the port of San Diego.
Accordingly, he planned an attack on this spiritual con
quest, and God in His inscrutable judgments permitted
Satan to revenge himself upon those who had snatched so
many souls from his infernal clutches. Malice, of course,
led Satan to incite a few new Christians, not as yet grounded
in the Faith, to rise in rebellion for the purpose of putting
an end to the mission and of taking the lives of the mis
sionaries as well as of the soldiers who guarded and de
fended them. Shortly after the feast of our Seraphic
Father St. Francis, on whose vigil, as I said, sixty Indians
had received Baptism, two Indians, who had been Christians
a long time, apostatized and fled from the mission. The
Fathers knew neither the cause nor the motive. A few
days after they had been missed, the sergeant of the presidio
with a party of soldiers went in search of the deserters.
He was unable to find them; but he learned that many
Indians had gone to the sierra between San Diego and the
Colorado River. The reason for this exodus he could not
ascertain. What he did discover, however, was that the
two apostates were going from rancheria to rancheria, ex
horting the pagans to put an end to the mission and the
presidio. In the councils they declared that they wanted
to kill the soldiers because these defended the Fathers, and
that they wanted to kill the missionaries because these in
tended to abolish paganism by converting all to Christianity.
This is what one of the malefactors confessed to Coman-
dante Fernando Rivera, from whose lips I heard it, and

Mission San Diego 61
which was proved at the subsequent investigations. Some
of the rancherias declined to co-operate, but the majority
conspired and resolved that the assault should be made at
night against the presidio and the mission simultaneously.
"The conspirators, numbering about eight hundred and
well arrhed with arrows and war clubs, fell upon the mis
sion at about one o'clock in the night of November 4, 1775.
Another party proceeded to attack the presidio, since they
had agreed to charge both places at the same time. The
mission was not to be fired until it was thought that the
other party had reached the presidio, and here the fire was
to be started when it was seen at the mission. These
diabolical schemes were so little suspected at either the
presidio or the mission that all went to sleep, the Fathers
as well as the soldiers. What was worse, the sentinels,
too, gave themselves up to sleep, as can be inferred from
all the letters that have come from San Diego. From these
I compile the following account :
"At about one o'clock in the night," Fr. Palou continues,
"that part of the savage mob arrived which was to attack
the poor mission. Some of these Indians stationed them
selves at the doors of the huts of the Christians in the village
in order to prevent them from sounding the alarm or tak
ing up arms, threatening with death whoever should leave
his habitation. The others went to the vestry to rob the
vestments and whatever they might discover of use to them
selves. Finding the chests locked, they broke them open
with stones and stole everything they wanted. From the
sacristy they passed on to the soldiers' quarters, which stood
somewhat apart. Here they found a fire burning; but all,
even the sentinels, were sleeping so soundly that the racket
caused by breaking open the wardrobes in the vestry had
not been sufficient to rouse them. When the savages no
ticed this, one of their number took a brand from the
fire and with it set fire to different parts outside. That
awakened the two missionaries, who were sleeping in sep
arate apartments, as also the soldiers of the guard. Of

62 Missions and Missionaries of California
these there were only three besides the corporal,1 since one
had gone to the new foundation of San Juan Capistrano,
and another, having gone three days before to the presidio
on account of ill health, had not been replaced. Besides
those mentioned, there were in another quarter the black
smith and two carpenters, one from the presidio, who was
ill, and one who belonged to the mission. In another build
ing were two youths, the son and the nephew of the presidio
lieutenant. Against this small number of persons stood
united a formidable army, but so cowardly as to choose the
most unexpected hour of the night.
"When Fr. Vicente awoke and saw the buildings on fire,
he hastened to the barracks where the soldiers had already
begun to discharge their muskets. The two boys likewise
took refuge under the protection of the soldiers. The black
smith was about to leave his room when he was so badly
wounded that he died soon after. The carpenter of the
mission seized a gun which he had in readiness, shot one
of the Indians, and escaped to the soldiers' quarters during
the subsequent turmoil. The other carpenter, Ursulino by
name, who was ill, received a mortal wound ; he lived to
the fifth day, however, during which time he was prepared
for death ; and we piously believe that he went to enjoy
God, inasmuch as he gave such good proof of being well
disposed; for, when pierced with the arrow that caused
his death, he said only these words: 'Ha, Indian, you have
killed me. God forgive you !' He persevered in these dis
positions, forgiving him who had inflicted the wound. More
than that ; when he made his will, presuming there was no
needy relative, he bequeathed all that was coming to him
from the general store, and that was quite a considerable
amount, to the Indians of Mission San Diego. An heroic
act, worthy of a true disciple of Jesus Christ !
"Fr. Luis Jayme, who awoke at the same time as his

i The names, according to Bancroft, i, 250, were Alejo Antonio Gon
zalez, Juan Alvarez, Joaquin Armenta, and Corporal Juan Estevan
Rocha.

Mission San Diego

63

!^S€.''-:CS'd

64 Missions and Missionaries of California
companion, Father Vicente, did not seek the soldiers' quar
ters, but went to where a crowd of savages were stand
ing. On coming near enough, he greeted them with his
customary salutation, 'Love God, my children! — Amar a
Dios, hijos!' In return, however, they seized him and
dragged him outside the mission to the bed of the river.
Here, having stripped him to the trunks, they began to shoot
innumerable arrows into his body and to beat him with
clubs until life was extinct. When discovered next day,
there was not a sound spot on his body, save the conse
crated hands. These God had preserved (as we must piously
believe and infer from the Father's godly and exemplary
conduct), in order that it might be known how zealously
and nobly he had labored for the Indians who should repay
him with such cruelty, and how he had toiled for the pur
pose of saving their souls and rescuing them from the
gates of hell. Nor do we doubt that he shed his blood
willingly, in order to irrigate that vineyard of the Lord
which he had cultivated amid such hardships and which,
because of such copious irrigation, will yield fruit in season
by converting the remainder of the pagans who as yet per
sist in their wild life. This we hope from the Lord through
the intercession of the venerable deceased, whose soul I do
not doubt is now enjoying God.
"While some of the savages were martyring the vener
able deceased, the rest craved to do the same to the other
Father in the soldiers' barracks, which like the other struc
tures was already on fire. In order to massacre all, as
they had resolved, the savages kept on discharging arrows
and throwing clubs. One of the soldiers, who wore no
leather jacket, was in fact struck by an arrow and dis
abled ; but the other three did their best and succeeded
in killing some of the savages and wounding others. The
fire raging in every direction was already becoming intoler
able. In order not to roast to death, the soldiers deter-
-^ mined to move to a little adobe structure, three walls of which
had the height of a man, and which the cook had covered
with boughs as a protection against the sun. This place

Mission San Diego 65
they reached at imminent peril from a shower of arrows.
Shooting through the cracks and openings in the walls,
the soldiers wounded every savage that came within sight.
No sooner, however, had the Indians noticed this than they
threw firebrands on the branches that served as a roof.
Fortunately, there were but few branches, so that little
harm was done the persons who had taken refuge there.
What molested them seriously were the darts, clubs, and
fire-brands which the Indians threw into the side that was
open. To deliver themselves from this danger, the soldiers
resolved to fetch from the burning buildings some bundles
and boxes with which to erect a kind of parapet. Although
in this bold attempt another soldier was disabled by the
arrows of the enemies, the men succeeded in constructing
the low barricade behind which they were protected when
discharging their muskets. Though shielded now on all
sides against the arrows, the defenders were not secure
against the firebrands, sticks, and the lumps of adobe, which
the savages threw over the walls ; still, these did little harm.
In this situation, the heroic defenders continued until the
powder began to give out. In one of the burning houses,
the mission had a quantity of powder which it used to dis
charge the guns on great festival occasions. It was pre
served in a box which, through the interposition of the
Lord, had not yet been reached by the fire. They suc
ceeded in getting it; and with it the men continued the
defense .until the dawn of day, when the enemies retired,
taking along their dead and wounded."
In his Nota Previa to the Death Register of Mission San
Diego, Fr. Fuster unhesitatingly attributes the preservation
of the survivors under the desperate circumstances just
related to the interposition of the heavenly Queen. "We
were thus protected against the arrows," he writes, "although
not against the fiery darts and stones that rained down
on us and thus put us all in the greatest peril, on account
of a bag of about fifty pounds of powder which we had

66 Missions and Missionaries of California
there.2 Seeing ourselves so endangered in this exposed
place, we turned to the Most Pure Queen of the Angels;
we vowed to fast on nine Saturdays, each promising to
have a holy Mass celebrated, and I on my part promised
a novena of holy Masses in her honor. In this way we
maintained ourselves till daybreak; and all this while we
experienced the evident aid of the Blessed Queen in this
place. For although the enemies were only fourteen paces
away from us, and our only protection were low adobe
walls, not one of the arrows nor even of the stones as
much as touched us."
"Meanwhile," Fr. Palou continues, "the second band of
savages had proceeded to the garrison ; but before reach
ing it, they stopped because those who were to assault the
mission had in their haste set fire to its buildings 'when the
others were yet at a distance from the presidio. From the
road they saw the conflagration at the mission * but they
dared not approach the garrison, since they presumed that
the fire must have been seen there. Hence, they hastened
back to join the other savages at the mission, in order to
help them in case, as they expected, relief should come
from the presidio soldiers. At the military post, however,
they were as careless as the guards at the mission. They
did not learn what had happened till the morning of No
vember 5, when they were notified by the Lower Cali
fornia Indian whom, on the withdrawal of the enemies,
Fr. Vicente had despatched to them. Without doubt, the
sentinel had been sleeping, since he neither had seen the
great fire; although from the presidio the mission build
ings are visible, nor had even heard the gunshots so often
breaking the silence of the night, although at the mission
one could hear the salute which was fired every morning at
the presidio.
"After daybreak, on November 5, when the savages, had
disappeared, the Christians came forth from their ran-
2 In his Yida (chap. 40), Fr. Pal6u relates that Fr. Fuster covered
the bag of powder with the skirt of his habit.

Mission San Diego 67
cheria. They went to Fr. Vicente who was with the
wounded soldiers and with tears in their eyes related how
the pagans had threatened them with death if they would
leave their habitations. Then Fr. Vicente immediately sent
an Indian to the presidio to report what had happened.
Others were despatched in search of Fr. Luis. Fr. Vicente
was much worried on his account, as he knew nothing
about his companion ; the whole building was already ablaze
when he fled to the barracks. Not finding Fr. Luis with
the soldiers, he again left the barracks at the peril of his
life to look for him in his apartment. Failing to find him
there, Fr. Vicente feared he had been burnt to death, but
such was not the case; for Fr. Luis had gone up to the
savages, who at once took his life in a cruel manner. Not
knowing this, however, Fr. Vicente supposed that Fr. Luis
might perhaps be in hiding and was not aware that the
savages had departed. Hence he ordered a search. At the
same time, he directed other Indians to extinguish the fire
in the wheat room, so that as least some of the provisions
that the mission had might be saved.
"The Indians searched for Fr. Luis and at length found
him dead in the mission arroyo. The body was covered
from head to foot with wounds and wore no more clothing
than his innocent blood. They bore the corpse to Fr.
Vicente, who was beside himself with grief at sight of his
beloved companion Father. He wrote later that the face
was so disfigured and bruised from the blows with war
clubs that he could recognize the body of Fr. Luis only
by the whiteness of the flesh appearing through the crust
of blood , that was the only robe the corpse wore. There
was not a sound spot on it, except the innocent hands. It
is left to the reader to imagine the pain which the said
Father must have felt, who saw his beloved companion
missionary killed with such cruelty, and to picture the
extraordinary lamentations of the neophytes bitterly be
wailing their dead Father whom they loved so much. When
pain and sorrow at last gave way to reflection, Fr. Vicente
ordered some of the Indians to prepare stretchers on which

68 Missions and Missionaries of California
to carry the dead and those of the wounded who could not
travel On horseback, to the presidio, whilst waiting for
relief from there. This was done; and when the soldiers
appeared, they conveyed the dead and wounded to the gar
rison, Fr. Vicente following on foot. On arriving at the
presidio, he buried the two dead, the venerable Fr. Luis
Jayme and the blacksmith Jose Romero. Then they en
deavored to restore to health the four soldiers and the car
penter Urselino. The former all recovered ; but the carpen
ter who was more seriously injured died an exemplary death
on the fifth day after the cruel tragedy. A few days later,
Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen and Fr. Gregorio Amurrio
arrived. They had gone to found Mission San Juan Capis
trano, but suspended action for the present. The three
Fathers celebrated the obsequies for the dead Father, and
then reported all that had occurred to the Fr. Presidente
in letters which the lieutenant despatched by a courier to
Monterey. "The despatches of Lieutenant Jose Francisco de Ortega
reached Captain Fernando Rivera at Monterey, on Decem
ber 13, 1775, toward nightfall. No sooner had he read
the note than he rode out to Mission San Carlos to deliver
the letters from the Fathers of San Diego, that recounted
the deplorable occurrence so deeply felt by all. When
Fr. Serra learned what had happened, he exclaimed, 'Thanks
be to God, that land is already irrigated ; now the con
version of the Dieguifios will succeed.' 3
"Captain Rivera resolved to go to San Diego immediately
and that same night went back to Monterey. Fr. Serra
desired to accompany him ; but Rivera pleaded haste, so that
Fr. Serra would not be able to follow him. At the Mission
of San Carlos, the Office of the Dead was chanted and a
Requiem Mass offered up. The six Fathers attended, though
all believed that Fr. Luis having won the crown of mar
tyrdom needed no prayers; but not being infallibly certain,
s ' ' Gracias a Dios ! ya se rego aquella tierra ; ahora si se conseguira
la reduccion de los Dieguifios." — Palou, Vida, p. 184.

Mission San Diego 69
they offered the suffrages. Moreover, each Father, accord
ing to the agreement, said twenty holy Masses for the soul
of the deceased. Fr. Serra sent an account to the Fr.
Guardian of San Fernando College, Mexico. To the vice
roy also he wrote a full account, and prayed him to bear
in mind that, instead of being frightened and disheartened,
the friars in California felt encouraged by the example of
their martyred brother, whom they envied the martyrdom.
Fearing only that castigation might be inflicted on the In
dians who had taken part in the murder and assault, Fr.
Serra begged him to have mercy on them, since they were
doubtless influenced by the enemy of souls, who, he hoped,
would not be given the satisfaction of seeing the restora
tion of the mission and the founding of Mission San Juan
Capistrano delayed. What was wanted at the missions was
a stronger guard to prevent similar disasters. These let
ters were brought to Captain Rivera by Fr. Dumetz, who
accompanied Rivera as far as Mission San Antonio." 4
The captain reached San Diego on January 11, 1776,
accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Juan Bautista Anza,
commander of an expedition on its way from Sonora to
San Francisco Bay, by Fr. Pedro Font, a Franciscan and
chaplain of the troops and colonists, and by about thirty
soldiers.6 Fr. Font kept a very detailed diary; he was a
close observer and not afraid to express his views clearly.
From him we have some particulars that throw much light
on the revolt and on Captain Rivera. "The presidio," he
relates, "is located in a very bad place on a hill dominated
by others. It is small and inadequate. At its foot, passes
the river which for a great part of the year runs dry.
Scarcely enough water is obtained from the pools in its
sandy bed to suffice for drinking purposes."
Touching the conditions at the Mission, he writes :

* Palou, Noticias, iv, pp. 118-131; Yida, pp. 176-186. See also Mis
sions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 169-170.
5 For details of the expedition see Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii,
chap. xi.

70 Missions and Missionaries of California
"Neither the presidio nor the mission has as yet any fields
under cultivation; wherefore few Indians live there. Most
of them, though they be Christians, are permitted to live
in their rancherias, as is done in Lower California; for this
reason they have such close intercourse with the pagan
Indians. They are, in fact, more pagan than Christian. The
destruction and assault has, therefore, made them very poor.
In truth, Mission San Diego is the poorest which the
Fathers have on the coast. Likewise, its Indians are the
worst. They belong to the Quemaya tribe, and they are
very similar to the Jecuiches as well for perverse inten
tions and wicked heart as for being in body vile, ugly, dirty,
careless, smutty, and flatfaced. They are ungrateful to the
Fathers, and so ill-mannered that to secure some fish the
missionaries have to pay them with beads, or corn, etc.
"As already stated, the presidio and mission have neither
sufficient soil nor water for raising grain. The missionary
Fathers, after instructing the pagans, baptized a large num
ber of them, I believe five hundred, and permitted them to
live in their rancherias, only appointing one who knew how
to lead in their prayers. All, however, were obliged to
come to the mission by turns and hear holy Mass on Sun
days and days of obligation, as is the custom in Lower
California. Under these conditions, the Christians were such
only in name, and more or less like the pagans, weak in
Christianity, free to live as they pleased, and without suffi
cient instruction ; but still the missionaries could do nothing
more." Fr. Font then relates the massacre and in forceful terms
gives vent to his indignation regarding the sentinels who
had been sleeping instead of standing guard. "The four
soldiers," he writes, "be it that they had been wounded or
that Captain Rivera had a special affection toward them,
were not at all reproved. Neither was the sentinel at the
presidio punished, who claimed that he had taken the light
in the firmament, caused by the burning mission, to be the
light of the moon ; that, any way, it was his business to
look after prisoners only, wherefore he did not bother where

Mission San Diego 71
the light came from. The remarkable excuses of the negli
gent soldiery appeared to have satisfied Rivera. Instead,
the commander blamed Lieutenant Francisco de Ortega,
toward whom he nourished a special animosity, because the
Fathers had recommended him to the government. Ortega,
however, was entirely innocent for the simple reason that
he had been absent at the time, having accompanied Fr.
Lasuen to found Mission San Juan Capistrano. But he was
friendly to the missionaries, and that was another motive
for the commander's animosity. Rivera made much more
ado about the soldiers than about the missionaries as may
be seen from the way he seized the opportunity to vent his
pent-up spleen on Fr. Serra. When he, as commander at
Monterey, received the news of the uprising at San Diego
Mission, he immediately went to Mission Carmelo to notify
the Fr. Presidente and he did it in this brutal fashion.
'Fr. Presidente,' he said on entering Fr. Serra's room, T
have just' received a fatal notice from San Diego which
obliges me to put myself on the road thither immediately,
and. it is that the Indians have revolted, burned the mis
sion, and killed Fr. Luis. Only one thing pleases me very
much, and it is that no soldier was killed, thanks be to
God.' "At the mission, everything had been reduced to ashes,"
Fr. Font continues, "so that the Fathers were entirely desti
tute, their books, manuscripts, etc., having all been destroyed
in the fire. The censer, the chalice used at holy Mass, and
pieces of coin used in the ceremonies of marriage, had been
melted to a solid mass. The missionaries retired to the
presidio, where they were huddled together bereft of every
comfort. "On January 14, 1776, Sunday," Fr. Font tells us that he
celebrated holy Mass and that afterwards "High Mass was
sung by one of the Fathers, in honor of the Most Sweet
Name of Jesus for the pacification of the Indian rebels.
I sang in the choir," he adds, "and accompanied my singing
with a poor spinet,- which Fr. Angel Somera (of San Gab
riel) left for this mission when he was at the presidio."

72 Missions and Missionaries of California
"On Monday, January 15, the examination of the revolters
was resumed. Besides the five chiefs imprisoned at the
presidio, two were taken from the mission rancheria. These
went to join the savages, who wanted to make a third-attack
on the presidio. The lieutenant ordered the two to be
flogged ; this was done with such severity that one of the un
fortunates died, while the other was in a bad condition. Fr.
Fermin Lasuen began to treat this latter culprit very kindly
and patiently; but he met with little gratitude. The Indian
remained sullen, and, on recovering somewhat, he disap
peared. Later, the nine new prisoners were examined, hav
ing previously received fifty lashes. Nevertheless, it was
not learned what they had done with the images of the
Blessed Virgin and of St. Joseph." Fr. Font further remarks
that the Indians appeared to be infested from childhood
with sores and tumors, since they were covered with scabs, a
sign of impure blood, just as he had observed on the savages
of the sierra.
Notwithstanding the scarcity of beeswax candles, the sol
emn blessing of candles, on February 2, took place. "In
this connection I must remark," he writes, "that the church
is a jacal of tule, which is very poorly constructed and had
formerly been used as a warehouse." This fact the reader
will please remember, because it has bearing on the conduct
of Rivera.
On February 3, it was reported from San Gabriel that
the people were suffering from lack of food. Accordingly,
on Sunday, February 4, a train of pack mules was sent
with provisions consisting of worm-eaten corn. Dona Cata-
rina Ortiz, the wife of Don Manuel Monteagudo, at whose
house Fr. Font was quartered, tried to persuade him to stay
until he had recovered from his illness, and she also re
quested Anza to postpone the departure ; but Fr. Font would
not hear of it. Hence, on February 9, Anza set out, accom
panied by Fr. Font and guards.
In the meantime, one of the neophytes, who had partici
pated in the assault on the mission, repented and took refuge
in the building used for divine service at San Diego. "When

Mission San Diego 73
Fr. Vicente learned this," Fr. Palou writes, "he went in
person to visit the captain and told him what had occurred,
in order to see what could be done quietly. The captain
replied that it was well; he would think it over. What he
did, however, was to send an official note to said Father,
telling him to deliver the Indian culprit named Carlos, who
had taken refuge in the sanctuary to which privilege on
account of his crime he had no right, and which did not
render his person sacred, especially since the apartment where
holy Mass was celebrated was not a church but only a ware
house. Therefore, the Indian should be turned over within
so many hours; if this was not done, he (Rivera) would
take him out by force and bring him to the guardhouse as a
prisoner." "Having considered the document, Fr. Vicente Fuster with
the assistance of the two Fathers then at the mission (Fr.
Lasuen and Fr. Amurrio), drew up a reply, saying they
could not hand over the Indian without the express command
of the ecclesiastical Superior to whom the matter pertained;
and that if his honor, the captain, dared to take him out
by force, he would stand excommunicated, of which this
reply was to serve as a notification. At the same time, Fr.
Fuster quoted the authorities they had consulted before
making the answer. No sooner had Rivera received the let
ter, than ihe collected his troops and with them surrounded
the chapel. Then he himself, girded with his sword, the
baton in one hand and a lighted candle in the other, entered
the chapel. Seizing the poor neophyte, who had taken refuge
in the sanctuary, Rivera dragged him from the chapel and
took him to the guardhouse, where he ordered him to be
put in the stocks.
"The Fathers from the door of their habitation witnessed
and heard with amazement the tumult which they were
powerless to stop. Fr. Vicente, as minister in charge,
vigorously protested, however, against the force employed
in his church. In a loud voice he exclaimed that the captain
and all who had participated in taking the Indian from the
church were excommunicated and would be regarded as

74 Missions and Missionaries of California
such. The captain responded, 'Alright, Father, your Rev
erence may protest. There goes the protest,' he added,
pointing to the prisoner whom they were taking away.
"Next day, Fr. Vicente sent another note, and after a
certain interval, a third, warning the captain to return the
culprit under pain of having the excommunication published.
Far from complying, however, Rivera disdained even to read
the notes. Two days later, on the feast of Our Lady of
Sorrows,6 the Fathers made ready to sing a High Mass. But
before beginning, the people being already assembled, Fr.
Lasuen, who was to be the celebrant of the holy Mass, turned
to the people and said, 'Senores, we are about to sing holy
Mass in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows in this church. It has
been said that I had declared this edifice not to be a church ;
I here maintain, however, that I never made such an asser
tion. I have always averred and I repeat it now, that this
is the church of the presidio, and that all those who took part
in removing the Indian now held a prisoner in the guard
house, are excommunicated, and that, therefore, they may
not assist at holy Mass. Hence, if any one of them should
be in the church, he will leave ; otherwise, I am not permit
ted to proceed with holy Mass.' At this, all who had co
operated went out, and the Fathers sang the holy Mass."
If the reader opens the Sacred Scriptures at the nine
teenth chapter of the'Book of Deuteronomy, verses 2, 3, 7,
he will find specific ordinances explaining the attitude of
the priests at San Diego. "I command thee that thou
separate three cities at equal distances from one another . . .
so that he who is forced to flee for manslaughter may
have near at hand whither to escape . . " The Catholic
Church (and under Spanish rule this was the law of the
dominion) extended this immunity for refugees to all her
churches. Accordingly, any one accused of murder, whether
guilty or not, who took refuge in such a sanctuary, was re
garded as inviolable while in the shadow of the altar. Civil

- In that year, 1776, the feast 'fell on March 29, Easter being on
April 7.

Mission San Diego

76 Missions and Missionaries of California
and military authorities could do nothing but formally de
mand that the accused be delivered up to justice. The priest
in charge would give up the refugee only after the secular
authorities had promised in writing that the accused should
have a fair trial. An official, who entered the sanctuary of
the church armed for the purpose of forcibly seizing the
refugee and without giving the required bond, incurred
excommunication. Rivera knew this law both of the Church
and of Spain very well; but because Fr. Serra had unwit
tingly offended the officer's pride, Rivera determined to seize
this opportunity to show his superiority over the Fathers.
Indeed, he treated the promulgation of the excommunication
with contempt; but soon to his cost he learned that he had
overreached the mark. No one would associate with an ex
communicated person; nor could one under excommunication
attend public worship, or receive the Sacraments. Rivera's
companions in the crime against Church Asylum, doubtless,
experienced the consequences more quickly, and possibly
made him feel it. Too proud to acknowledge his fault, the
captain approached Fr. Serra at Monterey and, over the
heads of the San Diego Fathers, sought to obtain release
from the necessity of giving satisfaction for the insult to
the Church as well as for the scandal given to the amazed
Indian converts. Fr. Serra, however, after hearing Rivera's
quibble about the warehouse not being a church, and after
reading the letters received from the Fathers of San Diego,
decided that the captain would have to restore the Indian
to the same church in charge of the Fathers and that in
this event they themselves would lift the excommunication.
Whether or not Rivera followed these instructions is not
known.7 Meanwhile, the Fathers of San Diego reported to their
Superior that after months no steps had been taken to restore
the mission, or to proceed with the founding of San Juan

"¦ For details see Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 185-188,
668-670. Fr. Font writes that Rivera entered the chapel with drawn
sword — con la espada desnuda en la mano.

Mission San Diego 77
Capistrano, and that the two Fathers destined for this mis
sion, Fr. Lasuen and Fr. Amurrio, as also Fr. Fuster, were
chafing under their inactivity. Disheartened and disgusted
they petitioned Fr. Serra to permit them to retire to their
mother College. Fr. Serra had long sought an opportunity
to visit San Diego in person. At last he set sail in the San
Antonio, which left Monterey on June 30, 1776. On July
11, he affectionately embraced his disconsolate subjects. Fr.
Vicente de Santa Maria had come along.
After studying the situation, Fr. Serra immediately took
steps for the restoration of the destroyed establishment. Ap
proaching Captain Diego Choquet of the San Antonio, he
asked him to lend his sailors for the work of rebuilding the
mission, as long as the ship should tarry in the harbor, and
provided Captain Rivera furnished a sufficient guard. To
the delight of the Fr. Presidente, Choquet answered like a
Christian, Fr. Palou remarks ; not only should the sailors
assist, the captain replied, but he himself would act as fore
man and, if necessary, as ordinary laborer.8
In an official note, Fr. Serra informed Comandante
Rivera that now after eight months' waitings the savages
being entirely pacified and the ringleaders imprisoned, as his
Honor had reported to the viceroy, the Fathers intended
to begin rebuilding the burnt mission with the aid of Captain
Choquet and his men who had readily Offered their services,
and that nothing more was required than a sufficient guard
which, he trusted, the commander would supply. Much as
this was against his grain, Rivera dared not refuse the
guards ; and, therefore, he detailed a corporal and five sol
diers to protect the Fathers and laborers while at work on the
mission. It was decided that on August 22 the work should
commence. When the time arrived, Fr. Serra, two of the missionaries,
Captain Choquet accompanied by one of his pilots, the mate
and twenty sailors, fifty Indian laborers, and the corporal

s ' ' que no solo los marineros sino que el mismo en persona iria de
sobre-estante, y si fuese necesario de peon."

yS Missions and Missionaries of California
with five soldiers, set out for the site of the ruined mission.
The laborers went to work with a will. Some collected
stones, others prepared the ground for the stone foundations,
while the rest made adobes for the wall of the quadrangle
behind which they could with, security erect the church, habi
tations, and other buildings. For fifteen days, all toiled
without any sign of trouble from savages. During this time,
the men had brought together a large quantity of stone and
had made seven thousand adobe bricks. In two weeks, they
hoped to have the walls of the quadrangle nearly completed.
Fr. Serra nourished the hope of finishing the mission before
the ship would have to leave ; after that, he thought, it would
be time for sowing wheat. But the arch-enemy had con
cocted another scheme to frustrate the plans of Fr. Presi
dente, and to carry it out he employed no less a person than
Don Fernando Rivera himself.
A neophyte of Mission San Diego went one day to the
presidio and told the comandante how he had heard from
a pagan Indian that the rancherias of the savages intended
to repeat their assault, and that they were making many
arrows. Rivera at once sent out the sergeant of the presidio
with a party of soldiers to ascertain the truth. On his re
turn, he stated that not the least sign had been observed
that might warrant belief in the rumor. Nevertheless, Don
Fernando credited the story of the neophyte, and it fright
ened him to such a degree that, without saying a word to
Fr. Serra, who that day happened to be at the presidio, he
went out to the mission site with some soldiers. The men,
in quite a cheerful mood, were resting that day, because it
was Sunday and the feast of Our Lady's Nativity. On
arriving there, Don Fernando called Captain Choquet aside
and told him he was convinced the savages would make
another attack on the mission. He had, therefore, de
termined to withdraw the soldiers and advised the captain
to retire likewise with his men, since they owed as much
to the royal service. "You will also do me the favor," he
added, "to notify the Fathers ; for I can not tell them, know
ing what a pain it will cause them."

Mission San Diego 79
Rivera was not sincere. He had in various ways proved
that he cared naught how much he pained the friars ; other
wise he would not have subjected Fathers Lasuen and Amur
rio to almost a year of intolerable idleness, when he should
have assisted them to proceed with the founding of Mission
San Juan Capistrano. Nor was Choquet deceived.
Despite his clear and forceful arguments, the captain of
the ship could not make Rivera change his mind. When he
asked the comandante whether he had made any effort to
ascertain the truth, the latter replied that he had not done
so, but that, since he noticed the Indians were repeating the
story, he took it to be true. "At another time when rumors
like these circulated," the indignant Choquet rejoined, "before
taking any steps, you ordered the sergeant to investigate and
found them to be lies ; for the rancherias were very quiet and
the Indians very sorry and repentant for what had happened.
Command that investigations be made now, and you wiU
learn that, with all the armed troops here, there is no reason
for alarm. It would seem more to the purpose, if you have
any misgivings, to increase the guards, rather than have
them retire, to the disgrace of the Spanish arms." Instead of
convincing the comandante, these arguments angered him
all the more. Leaving strict orders that his own troops
should withdraw, he returned to the presidio.
"I see no reason for withdrawing and it is a downright
shame," said the captain to the Fathers ; "but I do not care
to have a quarrel with this man, and, therefore, I have
resolved to leave." The missionaries naturally felt the blow
very keenly; but none more so than the venerable Fr.
Presidente. As soon as he heard of the proposed retreat, he
was almost beside himself. He could find no other words
to express the pain of his heart than "Let the will of God be
done, who alone can provide a remedy." The San Antonio
now set sail for San Bias, where the captain reported Rivera's
unworthy conduct to the viceroy.
The darkest hour of the night, it is said, is the hour be
fore dawn. Such was the experience, at least, of Fr.
Serra. About this time, an old Indian came up from Lower

80 Missions and Missionaries of California
California and assured the Fathers that Corporal Guillermo
Carrillo, whom Rivera had despatched south with letters for
the viceroy, was at Mission San Fernando de Velicata, wait
ing for soldiers on their way to San Diego; and so it was.
On the feast of St. Michael, September 29, twenty-five
soldiers, whom Captain Pedro Fages had recruited at Guada
lajara by order of the viceroy, arrived at the presidio. They
brought letters for Fr. Serra from Viceroy Bucareli and
from the Fr. Guardian of the College. Under date of April
3, 1776, Bucareli wrote:
On March 26 last, I wrote to Your Reverence, expressing my great
sorrow at the terrible disaster which had befallen the Mission of San
Diego, and telling you of the instructions which I at once gave in
order to remedy, as far as possible, the damage which might result
from not having reinforcements at hand for the garrison and mission.
Now, however, in view of your letter and the very prudent reflections
which Your Reverence makes, you being of the opinion that it will
be more expedient to attract the rebellious neophytes than to punish
them, I reply to Your Reverence that I have so directed, by command
ing on this same date Commandant Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada
to act accordingly, and to bear in mind that this is the most suitable
means for pacifying and tranquillizing the souls as also, perhaps, for
converting the neighboring pagans, if, namely, they experience kind
ness and good treatment when for their excesses they will doubtless
be expecting castigation and the devastation of their rancherias.
Moreover, I instructed the said officer that the main thing now is
the restoration of Mission San Diego and the refounding of San Juan
Capistrano; the former on the same place before occupied, the latter
on the site selected before the attack happened. ... I communi
cate all this to Your Reverence for your satisfaction and consolation,
hoping that under the impulse of the apostolic zeal which animates
you for the welfare of those missions, Your Reverence will contribute
to render my instructions effective, assured that I am disposed on my
part to provide every assistance possible.
Had this letter of the noble viceroy arrived a few weeks
earlier, Fr. Palou remarks, the good Fr. Presidente would
have been spared all the distress that Rivera's spite work
caused him. However, the haughty commander's triumph
lasted only three weeks. Immediately after reading the glor
ious news, the happy Fr. Serra had the bells rung and on
the following morning sang a Fligh Mass of thanksgiving.

Mission San Diego 81
Rivera assigned twelve soldiers as guards for the mission and
set at liberty the Indian prisoners. Not wishing to be
present at the opening of the mission, the restoration of
which he had wilfully delayed, Don Fernando accompanied
by twelve soldiers started for the north on October 11, in
order to execute the viceroy's command for the founding of
the two missions of San Francisco and Santa Clara, which
he likewise had delayed.
Meanwhile, Captain Choquet's report reached Viceroy
Bucareli. The latter felt so mortified at Rivera's conduct
that he ordered Don Felipe de Neve, governor of both
Lower and Upper California, to take up his residence at
Monterey and to work in harmony with the Fr. Presidente.
To Fr. Serra, Bucareli, under date of December 25, 1776,
penned a beautiful and consoling letter, similar to his pre
ceding communication.9
With Fathers Lasuen and Fuster, and escorted by the
twelve guards, Fr. Serra proceeded to the old mission site
in order to begin the restoration of the buildings. Aided
by the neophytes, who now were quite willing to work,
such progress was made in a short time that the Fr. Presi
dente felt the work of completing the necessary structures
could be entrusted to the resident missionaries. Stationing
Fr. Lasuen and Fr. Figuer at the mission, he in company
with Fathers Mugartegui and Amurrio hastened to found
Mission San Juan Capistrano. The heroic Fr. Fuster was
placed at Mission San Gabriel as supernumerary. By Octo
ber 17, 1776, the buildings were ready for occupation. From
that date the Fathers again felt at home ; they were once
more able to celebrate holy Mass in a real church, instead
of having to utilize a part of a warehouse, as at the presidio.
Don Rivera had been ordered to release the prisoners ;
but he seems to have taken his time about it or to have
liberated only a portion of them. At all events, according
to Bancroft, the comandante says in a letter, dated February
s See Palou, Yida, pp. 189-195 ; Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii,
pp. 210-218.

82 Missions and Missionaries of California
27, 1777, that thirteen prisoners implicated in the revolt
were still at the presidio. In a letter of June 3, 1777, how
ever, he writes that on receipt of the viceroy's orders of
February 2, the troops were drawn up, and the prisoners
called out. After being harangued on the enormity of their
offense which merited death, the prisoners were warned
that if they abused the present clemency they would have
to expect the severest penalty; then they were dismissed
with an exhortation by the priests. Both soldiers and accused
united in a cheer, while a salute from the two cannons cele
brated the termination of a painful affair.
One of the prisoners failed to benefit by this kindness. He
had committed suicide the year before, on August 15, the
anniversary of the assault that occurred seven years before
when he had attempted to kill Fr. Serra. Far from re
penting, this prisoner stubbornly persisted in his pagan
errors. Since he was one of the chief conspirators who
ruined the mission in 1775, we may presume that he was
an Indian medicine man ; that would explain everything.
Having been captured while perpetrating his last crime, he
was placed with his fellow conspirators in the jail of the
presidio. The zealous Fr. Serra, hoping to convert the un
fortunate man, visited him and exhorted him to repent, assur
ing him that . Almighty God would pardon his crimes; but,
despite all sympathy and loving appeals, the obstinate pagan
would not utter as much as a word. The other prisoners,
indeed, were moved to tears by the ardent exhortation of
Fr. Serra and begged him to intercede for them, because
they wanted to become Christians, as in fact they later did ;
but the unfortunate chief conspirator, on the morning of
the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, August
15, 1776, was found to have strangled himself to death.
It caused not a little astonishment and comment that, with
out the knowledge of any one, the Indian could put a rope
around his neck and hang himself in the very midst of his
fellow prisoners.10

io Bancroft, vol. i, p. 302.

CHAPTER V.
Condition of Mission Registers. — Fr. Serra 's Nota Previa. — Fr. Fus
ter 's Note. — Fr. Fuster 's First Annual Report. — Statistics. — Report
for 1777 by FF. Lasuen and Figuer. — Savages Plotting. — Battle. —
Prisoners. — Fr. Serra's Letters. — Lack of Grain. — The Fr. Presi
dente Confirming at San Diego. — Scanty Grain for Planting. — The
Fathers All to All.
IN the conflagration, on November 4, 1775, not only the ~X
mission buildings but also the mission registers were de
stroyed. This was a heavy and, in part, an irreparable loss.
These books, kept at all the missions, were bound in flexible
leather covers. Besides those in which all Baptisms, Mar
riages, and Deaths were recorded, there was the so-called
Padron, containing a list of the converts with notes regard
ing their antecedents and present conditions. Fortunately,
these mission records had been begun only five years before
the San Diego disaster. It was, therefore, possible to re
store, to a great extent at least, the entries from the memory
of the Fathers and of others belonging to the mission. This
was done, Fr. Serra himself writing the title page to the
three registers and prefacing the new entries with a NOTA
PREVIA. In the Baptismal Register this Noia reads as
follows :
"The first book in which the entries of Baptisms, as they
had been administered, were noted with due distinction and
clearness ; from the beginning of the founding of this Mis
sion of San Diego, the entries had reached, on November
5, 1775, the number 470.1 It was" destroyed by fire along '
with the rest of the official church books, the sacred vest
ments and vessels, the buildings, furniture, and implements
of said mission. Among them were also the padron and

i This statement was made on the authority of Fr. Fuster, who,
after closer investigation, found the number of baptisms administered
by the end of December, 1775, to be only 431.

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ybautuMps
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' Mission San Diego 85
other papers with the aid of which, in a general way at least,
the lost books might have been restored.
"The said mission was first established near where at
present the military camp or presidio, likewise called San >
Diego, is located, facing the famous port of the same name,
but which in the language of the natives is called Cosoy.
On account of greater facilities in planting, stock raising, -.
etc., it was moved about two leagues toward the north-
northeast to a spot called, in the language of the Indians,
Nipaguay. Here it was that the devouring conflagration oc
curred, the transfer having been effected in the month of
August, 1774.
"The authors of that lamentable destruction were savages
and perverted neophytes, who united more than seventy
rancherias into a formidable array and invaded the mission
with an armed force. They pillaged part of it, burnt the
greater portion, wounded a few resisting guards, killed the
blacksmith from Tepic, Jose Manuel Arroyo, and the car
penter from Guadalajara, Jose Urselino, and with untold
cruelty the principal and senior missionary, Reverend Fr.
Lector Luis Jaume, who was a member of the Province
of Majorca, as is noted in the Death Register. Not without
the special providence of the Most High, his companion
missionary, Fr. Vicente Fuster, escaped death. He is the
only one who can give a more complete account of those
baptized and thus possibly restore this register down to the
day of the fire."
Fr. Serra covers several pages with notes, which are
immaterial here. He concludes his Nota Previa as follows :
"Finally, for better information, I shall note down the
various missionaries this mission had from its foundation
to the day of the fire. They succeeded one another as
follows: The first two, mentioned on the title page, perse
vered in our mission until the middle of April of the fol
lowing year, i.e., 1770. In these nine months, we labored
merely to secure the good-will of the savages and to make
clear to them, as far as possible, the object of our coming
to this country. Passing over in silence the peril our lives

86 Missions and Missionaries of California
were in during the assault made on us and other little
troubles, I will say only that in this period we administered
not one Baptism. On Easter Sunday, April 15, I set sail
from this port in search of Monterey, in order to found a
mission there. In my place I left Rev. Fr. Francisco Gomez,
Fr. Juan Viscaino having gone to Mexico by way of Lower
California. The two Fathers Fernando Parron and Francisco
Gomez remained an entire year, during which they admin
istered the first Baptisms, thus making a happy beginning
of Christianity in this country, as will be seen later. After
little more than a year, both Fathers departed on account of
ill health, Fr. Parron for Lower California and the other
by sea for Mexico. In their places I appointed Fathers
Francisco Dumetz and Luis Jaume, both of the Province of
Majorca. They had shortly before .arrived in this country
by sea with eight other Religious, all from our afore
mentioned College of San Fernando de Mexico. The second
named of these Fathers persevered in his ministry until he
died and sealed it with his blood, as already stated. Fr.
Dumetz remained one year, at the expiration of which I
called him to Monterey. In his place as assistant came Fr.
Juan Crespi, till then my companion in the Mission of San
Carlos de Monterey. At the end of August, 1772, I found
myself obliged to go by land from the Monterey mission to
this one at San Diego. On the way, I founded, September
1, the Mission of San Luis Obispo and reached this Mis
sion of San Diego about the middle of September. Send
ing Fr. Juan Crespi' back to Monterey in order that in
company with Fr. Dumetz he might serve that mission, I
assigned, as missionary to this one and as companion to
Fr. Luis Jaume, the Reverend Fr. Thomas de la Pena, who
had recently arrived from one of the missions of Lower
California. Then, about the middle of October of the same
year, I embarked for Mexico in order to solicit the regula
tions expedient for the permanence and extension of these
new missions. Fr. De la Pena continued a whole year
in the ministry. In the month of September, 1773, he was
replaced by Fr. Vicente Fuster, who with other Religious

Mission San Diego 87
had arrived shortly after the missions of Lower California
had been ceded to the Dominican Fathers. The change was
made by the Rev. Fr. Lector Francisco Palou, Ex-Presidente
of those Lower California Missions and actual Vice-Presi-
dente of the ones in Upper California. When, in March,
1774, I returned from Mexico, I approved this assignment
of missionaries. Fr. Fuster persevered and he is here to this
day. In testimony of which I subscribe at this Mission and
Presidio of San Diego, September 16, 1776. — Fr. Junipero
Serra." In his prefatory note to the Death Register, Fr. Serra
says: "Many of the crews of the ships (San Carlos and
San Antonio) arrived (in 1769) stricken with scurvy. In
a short time some of them were at death's door, among them
half of the detachment of twenty-five volunteers from Cata
lonia. The consequence was that, a few months after the
founding of the mission, it became necessary to adjust the
count of more than sixty dead. All died after receiving
the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist, and Extreme
Unction, with the exception of one youth who failed to
receive Holy Viaticum. Fr. Parron, though ill himself,
labored above all others with inflexible intrepidity, admin
istering the Sacraments to the sick. He was of the Province
of San Miguel de Estremadura. May God reward him.
"The names and entries of the dead were written in the
book that was burnt. For those who had passed away be
fore my arrival, Fr. Parron let me have a well kept memo
randum in which were noted the dead whom he had attended.
Although I remember some of the names, the number of
those regarding whom I do not remember the details is much
larger. Therefore, I omit reproducing them, contenting
myself with asking God our Lord that the names of all
may be written in heaven and that through his mercy
their souls may rest in peace. Amen.
"Furthermore, of the first land expedition, there died at
different places on the road five Indians, who had come
from various missions of Lower California. To these Fr.
Juan Crespi administered the Sacraments of Penance and

88 Missions and Missionaries of California
Extreme Unction, and gave burial in the respective localities.
Their names also were entered by me in the afore-mentioned
book. May God our Lord have their names in the Book
of Life. Amen.
"Finally, no one of the second land expedition died on the
road. But after they had arrived, four passed away. One
was the youth Jose Maria Vegerano, a Spaniard, twenty years
of age, who had come as muleteer in my service. He was
unmarried and a native of Pueblo de la Magdalena, in the
diocese of Guadalajara. He died on August 15, from an
arrow wound received during the Indian assault which oc
curred on that day. I buried him that same day at night
fall. "In the month of February, 1770, I buried, according to
the rites of the Church, Juan Evangelista Benno, an Indian
youth about eighteeen years of age. He was the son of
Carlos Tapia of the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in
Lower California, whence, with the blessing of his parents,
he set out with me as my servant. He died after receiving
the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist, and Extreme
Unction. I buried him clothed in our habit. The corpse
was present at the Requiem High Mass which was celebrated
with as much solemnity as possible.
"At the same time, a few days intervening, two Indian
neophytes departed this life. They were recent converts
of the newly founded mission in Lower California, that is
to say of Mission Santa Maria. One of them, single and
about twenty years of age, was called Bartolome; the other,
apparently his cousin and Mateo by name, was somewhat
older and married. I heard their confessions as well as I
could; it was attended with some difficulty, however, owing
to their meagre knowledge and to the lack of interpreters.
It seems to me that Extreme Unction was administered to
them. That all this may be in evidence and that this book
be continued, beginning anew from the first neophytes that
died and received burial, I so certify and subscribe, on Octo
ber 25, 1776. — Fr. Junipero Serra."
Immediately after the signature of Fr. Serra, follows this

Mission San Diego 89
note by Fr. Fuster: "I am not able to account for, nor
do the Indians remember all the neophytes who died at this
mission. I can note in this book only those who died dur
ing the time I exercised the ministry at this Mission of San
Diego. It is not easy to make the entries chronologically,
because I do not remember in which year each one died ; nor
can I indicate whether or not they received the Sacraments,
though I suppose the majority did. Since this book takes
the place of the one that was burnt, and since Fr. Luis Jaume
shed his blood in return for the benefits he bestowed upon
and the instruction he gave to these neophytes by word and
example, I .shall begin with the death entry of said Father."
After relating what happened on November 5, 1775, Fr.
Fuster makes the entries in the regular order, beginning with
Fr. Jaume ; then follows the name of Jose Ursulino, the
blacksmith, and so on.
In the new Baptismal Register, Fr. Serra enumerates the
Baptisms administered by Fathers Parron and Gomez, six
teen in number. Fr. Fuster then enters those administered by
Fathers Dumetz and Jaume, from the middle of 1771 to
about the middle of 1773; these run from number 17 to 53
and are all, he says, that he could discover. Then he finds
that numbers 54 to 89 were entered from September 1773
to August 1774. All these Baptisms had been administered
at the first mission site, Cosoy.
"In August, 1774," Fr. Fuster notes, "Mission San Diego
was moved from its old location, where now the presidio of
the same name stands and which place the natives called
Cosoy, to this new site which by the same natives is called
Nipaguay. From that time until the revolt, the following
Baptisms were administered, beginning with the day of our
holy Father San Diego, on whose feast the church was dedi
cated. On that day, I baptized numbers 90 to 93." Then
Fr. Fuster enters all who were baptized thereafter to the day
of the savage attack, November 5, 1775, and to seven weeks
later, i. e. December 31. These run up to number 43 1,2 all
2 See note 1.

90 Missions and Missionaries of California
that he could discover. After the destruction of the mission
vX on November 5, the Fathers lived at the presidio. Here com
paratively few Baptisms were administered, in fact, until
December, 1776, only twenty-two. The first Baptism in the
restored mission church at Nipaguay, or Our Lady of Pilar,
* took place on December 8, 1776. It is number 454 in the
list." On March 20, 1777, Fr. Vicente Fuster compiled the first
Annual Report for Mission San Diego. After briefly re
counting the destruction of the mission, in which everything
pertaining to it was lost, including documents and books
he enumerates under various head« what the mission now
possessed, most of which had come by ship since the
disaster. Church. — "This is a chapel where holy Mass is celebrated.
The individuals attend it, remaining outside, however, be
cause the church could not for want of supplies be com
pleted." Chapel and sacristy contained the following articles:
a white, ordinary chasuble and an old red one of damask ;
another old one "which serves for all colors" ; an ordinary
alb, amice, cincture, a set of altar-cloths, a silver- chalice
and paten ; and a Roman missal. These articles were at
the presidio. At the mission itself, were one silver chalice
with paten, a fine alb, and a dalmatic which was remodeled
into a chasuble. The memorias from Mexico added two
consecrated altar stones, two fine albs, two corporals, twelve
purificators, twelve finger towels, two cinctures, two sets of
altar-cloths, a carpet, surplices, forty pieces of pano encarn-
ado, and one mirror.
i House. — The habitations of the Fathers consist of two
apartments, both of adobe and with thatched roof, one of
which measures six by five varas, the other five by four and
^ a half. Another little apartment of the same size serves
as refectory. The furniture comprises two tables, two
chairs, one bench of alamillo wood, and one cedar table for
the refectory; then the necessary clothing for the Fathers,
one volume, Life of San Diego, and two volumes of the
writings of Venerable Luis de Granada. There are also three

Mission San Diego 91
cedar chests and one pine chest which contain the clothing to
be distributed to the Indians. Both rooms have doors with
locks. ,
Storeroom or Granary — At present, the mission possesses
no other supplies than about six fanegas of beans, which were
donated, and the rations for the Fathers, which are served
to them every week from the presidio warehouse. With
these supplies are maintained four families of Lower Cali
fornia Indians, who stay at the mission, and about eighteen
Indian boys, who are regularly at hand, besides a few sick
Indians. Furthermore, the Fathers have on hand for their
own use about two fanegas of flour. Mission San Gabriel
contributed four fanegas of corn, nine fanegas of wheat,
and one fanega of beans. The granary measures five by
fourteen varas. The walls are of adobe, the roof is
thatched, and the door has a lock.
Kitchen or Pozolero. — The kitchen for the Indians has
one very large iron kettle for the pozole and three small
copper kettles. The Fathers' kitchen has three small copper
pots, several plates of pewter, and three others of Guadalajara
chinaware, six cups, six saucers of the same material, one
and a half dozen common plates and six metates. This
kitchen is built of adobe and is four varas square.
Harness Room or Jato. — This building measures four by
five varas. It contains thirteen harnesses, five cowboy sad
dles, sixteen Libransas de Pita, and five tanned hides.
Farm. — During the month of November last, 1776, there
were sown eight fanegas and eight almiides of wheat and one
fanega of barley. The land was plowed with the aid of
four yoke of oxen belonging to the mission. It has also
four ploughs and four additional ploughshares, sixteen
old pickaxes, twelve weed hooks, and five iron crowbars.
Live Stock. — The live stock comprises 102 head of cattle,
including the four yoke of oxen already mentioned and the
calves of this year. Then there are 304 sheep and goats ;
ten hogs, four of which have young; eight tame horses, six
of which are old; five unbroken colts; seventeen mares,
one stud, and one tame burro ; another drove of mares

92 Missions and Missionaries of California
with another stud; twelve foals and four young mules;
eighteen head of mules, some of which are not serviceable.
Dormitory. — In addition to the habitations mentioned in
the beginning, there is a house of adobe with thatched roof,
seven by four and a half varas. This is used as a dormi
tory for boys and young men.
Baptisms. Marriages, Deaths. — From the founding of the
mission to the end of December, 1776, there were blessed
114 marriages. 303 adults and 137 children of both sexes,
in all, 440 baptized Indians are living at the mission, except
seven who did not care to show up since the fire. All these
have been entered in the Padron corresponding to the num
ber in the Baptismal Register. So far as I could verify
them, there were 461 Baptisms since the founding. Al
though, in the preceding report, I have said there were 470
Baptisms,3 I was unable, despite investigation, to discover
more. I presume that in the course of the year they have
died, though I can not assert this for want of original
records. "During my time, twenty-three Indians died. How many
passed away before my time, I do not know, since the original
records are wanting. — Fr. Vicente Fuster." *
The next Annual Report was drawn up and signed by Fr.
Fermin Francisco de Lasuen and countersigned by Fr. Juan
Figuer, on December 31, 1777. It is very long and explicit.
Omitting what will appear in the tabular reports from year
to year, we shall briefly note only the most important facts
and changes. These will suffice to show how scrupulously
exact the Fathers were in everything that pertained to their
charge. During the year, eighty-five Indian adults (including all
over nine years of age) and thirty-one Indian children re
ceived Baptism. Sixteen other persons (eight adults and

3 See note 1.
•'Vicente Fuster, In forme Anual, March 20, 1777; Santa Barbara
Archives.

Mission San Diego 93
eight children) were discovered who had been overlooked
in compiling the new register. These with the 459 already
entered brought the number of those baptized since 1770 up
to 591.
The Padron or Roll, says the Report, brings the names of
413 adults and 138 children who, at alternate periods, attend
instructions and divine services. In addition, there are two
adult catechumens and one child. This indicates that forty
are missing who may have feared to return, as some Indians
were still imprisoned at the presidio.
Since November, there was great mortality among the
sheep. Nevertheless, the mission owns 244 sheep and 156
goats, besides 138 head of cattle.
During the year, all the buildings were repaired and a
new church of adobe with thatched roof was erected. It
measured five by twenty varas, that is to say, eighty feet in
length and fourteen feet in width, inside measurement prob
ably. It had one door with lock and two small windows.
Then, a corridor was built along the front of the Fathers'
habitation and the store room ; also a shelter of adobe with
thatched roof was erected for the lambs and kids.
"In the Valley of San Luis," Fr. Lasuen reports, "willow,
poplar, and alder timber has been cut for a new church
edifice, which is to be more spacious and better built than
the present structure. Provided the harvest corresponds to
what was planted, the building of the church will begin in
the coming year (1778)."
Church and sacristy were enriched with various articles.
New silver oil stocks in a suitable case and a Roman ritual
came with the memorias from Mexico, while the Fr. Presi
dente sent a new silver ciborium. From Mission San Carlos
came a red chasuble ( in fair condition, another chasuble
very much used, and an old black chasuble, a missal, and a
set of silver cruets.
From Mexico, the following additions to the library were
welcomed : Flos Sanctorum, three volumes, by Ribandeneyra ;
Itinerario de Parrochos, in folio, by Montenegro; Manogiia
de Tellado. Mission San Carlos donated a Biblia Sacra,

94 Missions and Missionaries of California
Mistica Ciudad de Dios, four volumes, together with its Pro-
logo Galeato and Notes; a Life of Ven. Mother de Agreda,
one volume ; Speculum Parrochorum by Abreu ; Moral The
ology, two volumes, by Tamburino; Doctrinas Practicas de
Calataiud, three volumes, by Montenegro ; and Florilegio
Medicinal. House and kitchen of the Fathers received four pine
chests with locks; one inkstand and one saltcellar of metal;
a bottle case, containing eighteen bottles, six knives, a
comb, scissors, and mirror; four copper pots, eight copper
pans, assorted ; two table cloths, six napkins, six copper
covers or lids ; and eighteen pewter plates.
"In the granary," Fr. Lasuen writes, "are two fanegas of
corn, which is part of our rations from the government, and
about two fanegas of beans. To these must be added forty-
four fanegas of corn and seven fanegas of wheat, which were
lately 'donated by Mission San Gabriel. With the fourteen
fanegas of corn, which we found here in July, the five
fanegas received in exchange for a bull, and our own weekly
rations which the king grants sfrom the warehouse at the
presidio, together with the eight fanegas of beans, which
were given us for celebrating a holy Mass, we have main
tained the five Lower California neophytes, the shepherds,
the interpreters, the sick, the little boys of the mission
rancheria, and a few orphans, in all, thirty persons, besides
a few little girls and laborers. At present, with the help
that came from San Gabriel, the whole population of the
rancheria is fed.
"For the field and shops, the memorias from Mexico
brought twenty-four pack saddles, twenty-four leather bags,
twelve pickaxes, six steel axes, and four machetes or chop
ping knives. From Mission San Carlos twelve additional
pickaxes, twelve hoes, and four machetes were supplied.
"Nothing whatever was harvested during the year; but
now there have been sown about twelve fanegas of wheat
and seven pecks of barley; besides, more land has been
cleared for sowing another fanega of wheat.
"From the presidio store there is still due to the mission

Mission San Diego 95
the property bequeathed to it by the deceased Ursulino, and
various checks. What a few individuals owe this mission,
for articles received and for holy Mass celebrated for them,
amounts to about 190 (whether pesos or reales, the report
does not specify; a real is equivalent to twelve and one-
half cents). The storekeeper, Don Raphael de Pedro y Gil,
as subsyndic, has in his keeping 211 en reales de Misa, which
have been entrusted to him ; but the holy Masses have al
ready been celebrated.
"On the other hand, this mission is under obligation to
Mission San Carlos for what has already been mentioned
under various heads. Mission San Luis Obispo has donated
nine almiides of garbanzos. Mission San Juan Capistrano
furnished some altar cards. Mission San Gabriel donated
twenty-four fanegas of wheat, twelve for planting and
twelve for our own consumption, also forty-four fanegas of
corn for the Indians, three fanegas of beans and a large
quantity of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and chile for ourselves,
one-fifth fanega of barley for sowing, and sixteen dozens
of rosary beads for the Indians.
"In return, this Mission of San Diego furnished Mission
San Gabriel with forty-one pounds of iron and twenty-three
pounds of steel with the necessary carbon and one laborer to
work it into whatever should be wanted. To Mission San
Juan Capistrano the mission sent ten head of sheep and
eleven goats, besides twenty pounds of iron and sixteen
pounds of steel with sufficient carbon. A laborer went along
to do the work that should be required.
"The Memorias which this year came by ship from Mexico
amounted to 83,715 reales. Of this, 340 were used for the
Fathers as also for medicine, altar wine, and wax candles.
The rest was applied for the benefit of the Indians and the
mission. The freight charges amounted to 11,911 reales
which " together with the cost of the goods total 95,616
reales. "To the syndic in Mexico the mission will be in debt to
the amount of 383 pesos. Although we have heard that
this will be canceled by our syndic or paid by benefactors,

96 Missions and Missionaries of California
we have not seen any document to that effect. — Mission San
Diego, December 31, 1777, — Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen.
— Fr. Juan Figuer."
Unfortunately, the reports for the years 1778 and 1779
are missing; otherwise we should doubtless know more
about the restlessness of the savages living between San
Diego and San Juan Capistrano. Bancroft's version is as
follows :
"In March, 1778, it was reported that the people of Pamo,
one of the San Diego rancherias, were making arrows to be
used against the Spaniards, counting on the aid of three
neighboring bands and of one across the sierra, and having
already murdered a San Juan Indian. Ortega, comandante
of San Diego, sent a message of warning and Chief Aaran
sent back a challenge to the soldiers to come and be slain.
Sergeant Guillermo Carrillo's services were again called into
requisition and he was sent with eight soldiers to chastise
this insolence, capture the chiefs, and to give thirty or
forty lashes to such warriors as might seem to need them.
In carrying out his orders the sergeant surprised the foe
at Pamo, killed two of the number, and burned a few who
refused to come out of the hut in which they had taken
refuge. The rest surrendered and took their flogging, while
the four chieftains were bound and carried to San ' Diego.
Captured in this battle were eighty bows, fifteen hundred
arrows, and a large number of clubs. The four chiefs,
Aachil, Aalcuirin, Aaran, and Taguagui, were tried on
April 6, convicted of having plotted to kill Christians, in
spite of the mercy shown them in the king's name for past
offences, and condemned to death by Ortega, though that
officer had no right to inflict the death penalty, even on
an Indian, without the governor's approval. The sentence
was : 'Deeming it useful to the service of God, the king, and
the public weal, I sentence them to a violent death by two
musket shots on the 11th at 9 A.M., the troops to be present
at the execution under arms, also all the Christian rancherias
subject to the San Diego Mission, that they may be warned
to act righteously.' Fathers Lasuen and Figuer were sum-

Mission San Diego 97
moned to prepare the condemned for their end. 'You will
cooperate', writes Ortega to the Padres, 'for the good of
their souls in the understanding that if they do not accept
the salutary waters of holy baptism they die on Saturday
morning; and if they do — they die all the same!' This was
the first public execution in California."5
Probably, the execution was postponed, as the Fathers may
have persuaded Ortega that a few days was not sufficient
time to prepare savages for Baptism and for death, and that
in consequence the culprits ought to be reprieved. Ortega
may have remembered, too, that the governor's approval
was necessary. A month's time, at least, was required to
procure it. In that case, we can understand a letter dated
by Fr. Serra at San Carlos, April 22, and directed to Fr.
Lasuen. It reads as follows :
Dearest Father in Christ. Immediately on the receipt of your let
ters and before speaking to the governor, I reply briefly to the first
(because the mail must leave here very soon), that I feel great com
passion for the, poor condemned culprits, although I doubt very much
that the sentence will be executed. But, should it have to be in
flicted, it seems to me that Your Reverence on the evening before
might solemnly administer Baptism to them in prison, so that there
lack nothing of whatever our most solicitous Mother, the Church, has
provided, and that the remaining time till the execution be employed
in having them make acts of Faith, etc., and pious ejaculations, and
in exhorting them to bear their lot patiently,' besides making other
preparations fpr a happy death. That will be somewhat wearisome,
no doubt, but very godly and meritorious. Above all, a crucifix and
blessed rosaries should be given them. If for the accipe vestem can-
didamfi the sponsor of each one, or some other benefactor, would pro
vide them with a tunic of white cotton cloth (una tunica salar de
manta), so that they might die and be buried therein, it would be in
my opinion an act very acceptable to God. If I have an opportunity
I shall supplicate the governor that it be done at the cost of the king,
our Lord. On this occasion, I again shall urge that the guards of
your mission be reinforced. If my words prove ineffective, I have at
least done what was in my power. It is not a little consoling to

5 Bancroft, California, vol. i, pp. 315-316.
6" receive the white garment," — words addressed by the priest to
one just baptized.

98 Missions and Missionaries of California
know that if Your Reverences have to die at the hands of those sav
ages, it will be because you are Christians. I should accept such a
death with a cheerful heart, with grace, and as a favor from God.
Still, because we need you alive and robust, it is but right to see that
you are well protected and in a condition to increase the number of
Christians, much as this may displease those of Pamo.7
Two months later, on June 10, Fr. Serra takes occasion
to say in a letter to Fr. Lasuen, "I am very glad the gover
nor has exercised mercy toward the four who had been
condemned to death ; but much more am I glad on account of
the mercy which God our Lord has shown the one who died
a Christian, and on the others who are in the same disposi
tion of mind. May His Divine Majesty grant them perse
verance unto the end." Still later, on September 28, 1779,
Fr. Serra writes to Fr. Lausen: "It has pleased me very
much that those once sentenced to death, not only continue
to manifest a better spirit, but have even turned apostles by
converting others to the bosom of our holy Mother Church.
Thus I may be able to arrange for the poor fellow who is
here by sending him to his native climate in the hope that
he may imitate his companions." 8 It would seem that the
sentence of death was commuted. At any rate, there are no
particulars as to an execution.
The year 1778 gave cause for anxiety on account of the
scanty crops. In the letter of April 22, already quoted,
Fr. Serra replies to Fr. Lasuen's report in these terms :
"The news that the wheat and other grain is falling behind
for want of rain, grieved me very much. Tomorrow, with
the help of God, will begin my especial supplications." Later,
on June 10, he writes, "It has consoled me very much to learn
that in their charity the Fathers at San Gabriel have re
mitted to your mission all it owed them. I shall thank them
at once."

7 Sta. Barb. Arch.
s Indian criminals, not sentenced to death, were usually put to hard
labor at some presidio away from the scene of their crime. Thus one
happened to be at Monterey from San Diego.

Mission San Diego 99
However, Fr. Serra desired to visit the sorely tried mis
sionaries in person. An opportunity came during the sum
mer. The San Carlos had arrived at Monterey with letters
from the College, informing the Fr. Presidente that, at the
request of the College, the Holy See had empowered him
to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. After exercis
ing this faculty for the first time at San Carlos, Fr. Serra
desired to begin the Confirmation tour at San Diego. Here
he arrived on board the San Carlos, on September 15, to the
great delight of the Fathers in charge. On September 21,
the feast of St. Matthew, "after singing the High Mass and
preaching a doctrinal sermon to the people," as he himself
writes, Fr. Serra, assisted by Fathers Lasuen and Figuer,
confirmed seventy-four persons at the mission. On ten ad
ditional days, between September 25 and October 18, he
confirmed 536 persons. In all, therefore, 610 Indians, includ
ing the few whites of the presidio, received the Sacrament of
Confirmation. This number embraced nearly all that had
been entered into the Baptism Register, which at the end of
1778 showed 679 names, minus the dead. The name of every
one with that of the sponsor was entered in the Register of
Confirmations, the title page of which Fr. Serra himself
wrote on October 10, to correspond with the title page of
the other Registers. The two assisting Fathers certified
to the Confirmations by signing their names to the list of
each day.9
The harvests of 1778 and of 1779 appear to have yielded
very little grain. At all events, in a letter, dated August 16,
1779, Fr. Serra writes to Fr. Lasuen: "By ship I am for
warding to Your Reverence two fanegas of small corn for
planting. It is of our last year's crop ; but it has not been
shelled. In that state you can safely plant it when the time
comes, but only three grains to a hole, because you have
to use it sparingly. I send also three fanegas of lentils.
0 Begister of Confirmation.

100 Missions and Missionaries of California
One is for your mission, the others are for Mission San Juan
and Mission San Gabriel, respectively." 10
How these men of superior learning and unworldly aims
must often have sighed to be freed from the necessity of
having to plan and figure about soil, irrigation, sowing grain
and harvesting it, raising vegetables and fruits, about cattle,
sheep, horses, mules, about feeding and clothing the con
verts, they who had been trained to contemplate the super
natural and instructed as to how to apply to themselves and
to' communicate to others the lofty truths of the Gospel!
Indeed, all those bodily and worldly cares must have been
as loathsome to the grey-robed friars as manual labor was to
the savages in their charge. However, both submitted to
the inevitable in order to accomplish what both had in view,
the Fathers clearly and therefore ardently, the converts
dimly and therefore less ardently — the salvation of their
immortal souls. At any rate, nothing else could have in
duced the missionaries to engage in such drudgery, nor could
the Indians on any other plea have been persuaded to yield
their liberty, to quit their wild life forever and to accept
the restraints of Christianity and civilization.
10 Sta. Barb. Arch.

CHAPTER VI.
Discouraging Situation. — Fr. Guardian's Consoling Letter. — Fr. Serra
to Fr. Lasuen. — Fr. Lasuen 's Lament. — Neve 's Stupid Demand. —
Its Disastrous Result. — Fr. Lasuen 's Instructions on the Subject. —
FF. Lasuen and Figuer Report on the Mission. — New Church. —
Cemetery. — Church Goods. — Report of 1783. — Building Activities. —
Agriculture. — Financial Contributions. — Fr. Serra's Newsy Letter. —
Fr. Lasuen to Fr. Serra on Condition of the Mission. — Lt. Ortega
Transferred to Santa Barbara. — San Diego Presidio. — Fr. Serra's
Last Visit. — He Administers Confirmation. — He Bids Farewell. —
Gov. Fages 's Report. — Erroneous Statement.
CONDITIONS at Mission San Diego during the years
1778 and 1779 and the prospects for the future appeared
so gloomy to Fathers Lasuen and Figuer that both applied
for permission to retire to their College in Mexico. Several
causes contributed to their discouragement. Provisions were
not sufficient for the growing convert population ; then the
turbulence of the savage Indians made the Fathers fear for
their wards and their mission ; and finally, what was worst
of all, Governor Neve's animosity and continual interference
in mission affairs distressed them. Fr. Figuer's repeated
complaints and petitions at last drew from Fr. Serra a
beautiful letter,1 on the receipt of which Fr. Figuer no
longer had the heart to insist on retiring. He bravely
remained on his post until death relieved him.
Fr. Lasuen, on the other hand, had applied directly to the
College. But, like his fellow missionary, he abandoned every
desire to return to Mexico, when he received the following
fatherly reply from the Fr. Guardian:
In my soul I feel the affliction and hardships of Your Reverence,
Fr. Rafael Verger wrote under date of January 14, 1780; but, my
friend, it must be a consolation after all to know that you are toiling
for the glory of the Lord and for the welfare of souls, expecting the
while from His Divine Majesty that help and that reward for your
1 For this letter see Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 385-389.

102 Missions and Missionaries of California
labors which creatures deny us. Even though what we desire does not
come to pass, God Himself will provide, that same Lord who in His
inscrutable judgments permits the enemy to impede the realization of
the good wishes with which He inspires us. Great undertakings have
ever encountered great obstacles. What we have in those missions is
of ample magnitude, and, therefore, there is no reason to be dis
heartened. Let us do what we can, my friend, and leave the rest to
God. Your Reverence is very necessary in the service; even though
your modesty will smile, I needs must tell you. Your Reverence has
more experience, more deliberation in thought, etc., and so you will
sacrifice yourself to the Lord. Here we do and shall do what we can,
as well for the consolation of Your. Reverence as for the advancement
of those missions. . . . The four volumes Leyes de Indias leave here
for you. The cost is nineteen dollars. The Curia Filipica has not yet
been found, but it has been promised. I do not know what the price
¦is; but Your Reverence need not worry about the price. I shall pay
the whole amount for your mission. I will not burden you with Mass
intentions, because keeping account of the Masses and their application
at such a distance and when there is mail only once a year, does not
appeal to me. Besides the cost of mailing would be six dollars.2
Fr. Lasuen had written on August 27, 1779, at a time
when things looked desperate. Had he waited a month
longer, he might not have addressed himself to Fr. Verger,
at all. For Fr. Serra's letter, dated September 28, 1779,
written in his usual happy strain, contrived to bring sun
shine into the gloom.
With the greatest delight, he wrote, I have received the news from
Your Reverence. Especially pleased am I with what you say about
the happy delivery of Anna, sterile so many years; 3 I mean your fine
mission with its many encouraging and copious fruits and blessings.
Even more delighted am I with the fair prospects Your Reverence out
lines to me, as also with your perseverance on observing that land
was found suitable for wheat and other grain. Thanks be to God,
already we are beginning to see, and within me I hear a voice saying
with reference to it, majora videbisA Therefore, in our labors let us
confide in God, who is a father; He knows what we need and that
should suffice. Your Reverence, behold the little field of our Father

= Sta. Barb. Arch., ad annum.
3 The allusion is to I Kings, cap. i. — For a long time, Mission San
Diego had produced no converts.
* "You will see greater things." The allusion is to John i, 50.

Mission San Diego 103
St. Francis. Nothing better could be offered to the Saints, who are
now resting happily.5
Another cause for dejection was the meager fruit derived
from their arduous missionary labors. This was due, Fr.
Lasuen lamented, to the methods which had to be adopted at
this particular mission of San Diego. Describing the situa
tion twenty-three years later, he writes:
At that mission (San Diego) they keep just enough Indians to jus
tify the place being called a mission and to make it a refuge to
which those who stay at their rancherias can have recourse in their
needs. What good has been achieved and what progress made? O
my venerable Fr. Guardian! What anxiety! What despondency!
What sleepless nights! What anguish! What daily and nightly toil
ing on the part of the missionaries! What licentiousness! What a
change in the neophytes from Christian civility to heathen barbar
ity! . . . There is no doubt that in all the pagan rancherias heathen
practices prevail. Who will remove the obstacles which the Christians
encounter when they continue to live with their tribesmen at the veTy
scenes of those heathen customs? And who will prevent them from
joining their tribesmen or even from witnessing the orgies'? Accus
tomed to their abominable feasts, and finding their recollections re
vived every hour, what place will they give to the catechism and to
the obligations contracted in the Baptism they have received1? They
possess no energy to apply themselves to what is conducive to a ra
tional, social, and civilized life. On the vigilance and incessant care
of the missionaries it then depends whether or not the Indians observe
what they have learned.
Let it be sincerely borne in mind, however, that if at San Diego,
as in Lower California, that method is employed, it is through dire
necessity; for those sterile lands by no means produce the provisions
necessary to support all the neophytes together. This impossibility
compels the missionaries to permit the Christians to live scattered in
their rancherias, obliged to visit the mission only from time to time.
To let them live in this way is thought to be a smaller evil than to
let them remain pagans. It is a. necessary evil, but the result is
disastrous.s A most serious cause for dissatisfaction was the demand of
Governor Neve that the Indians of all the missions should
annually elect an alcalde and two regidores, a sort of magis
trate and councillors, and thus become accustomed to self-

.,*

o Sta. Barb. Arch.
6 Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 586-588.

104 Missions and Missionaries of California
government. These officials were to have a certain degree
of authority and to be exempt from corporal punishment.
When it is remembered that at San Diego the first Christian
convert had emerged from the most degrading barbarism
only eight years before, and that most of them had become
Christians of a certain kind only within the last four years,
one can not but be amazed at Neve's demand. As a piece
of boys' play it might have passed, and the Fathers would
have enjoyed the antics of their childish wards; but to
insist on it as Neve did was sheer folly. As yet, the
neophytes were no more capable of governing themselves,
much less a whole community, than would be a band of
overgrown, unruly schoolboys. Nor was there hope that
for some years to come they could be allowed to manage
their own affairs like the civilized whites. Indeed, at San
Diego, Neve's plan would plainly have resulted in disaster,
because the Indians lived at the mission only two weeks of
each month. The premature experiment was introduced
in a moderate form ; but nowhere did it accrue to the benefit
of the neophytes. Describing the consequences at the va
rious missions, Fr. Serra writes: "Of San Diego I say
nothing. There is much about which they (the missionaries)
lamented with reference to the alcaldes; but it is fortunate
that the presidio is close by. May God help them." 7 It was
the disorders brought on by this regulation of the hostile
Neve which especially had induced Fr. Lasuen to seek per
mission to retire from California. When later he himself
became Superior of the missions, he, under date of Novem
ber 2, 1796, instructed the missionaries to this effect: "Let
the elections be held at a convenient hour, because his Honor
so directs, but only in as far as it is possible at the missions
for which there is no law determining it. In these missions
we are preparing the neophytes for the fulfillment of the
laws ; as to their being governed by such laws, however, that
must be postponed to the time when they cease to be missions
t Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 336-344.

MISSION SAN DIEGO IN 1886 ~X

106 Missions and Missionaries of California
and have been declared pueblos or doctrinas by the king.8
And then we must leave. Meanwhile, the said elections may
be held in a preparatory and instructive way, but by no
means after the formality of the law quoted, because such
law does not apply to the missions." 9 Hence at San Diego
the nominations were thereafter given to those who had
proved themselves capable of holding the respective office,
but wholly under the control of the missionaries. They
were instructed as to their duties and in this way prepared
for the time when the mission should become a pueblo or
parish. For the year ending December 31, 1780, Fathers Lasuen
and Figuer sign a lengthy and minute report to the Fr.
Presidente. Holy Mass and Christian instruction was at
that time regularly attended by 521 adult neophytes, that
is, Indians over nine years of age. In addition, the Padron
showed the names of 150 Indian children under nine years
of age. Accordingly, at the end of 1780, 671 Indians be
longed to Mission San Diego. Live stock had increased con
siderably, as may be seen from the Tabular Reports.
Considerable building was done during the year 1780.
The most important structure to rise on the arid hillside
was a more spacious and substantial church. Inside, it
measured thirty varas or about eighty-four feet in length
and five and a half varas or about fifteen feet in width and
in height. The adobe walls were three feet thick. The
beams were of pine and the rafters of poplar. Poles of
alder or rough boarding covered the rafters, and over all
were placed tules. To insure the roof against another fire,
the tules were covered with a mass of earth. An addition

8 i. e., when the neophytes had been judged sufficiently advanced to
manage their affairs themselves and were able to support a secular
priest. s Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 345-346. The Spanish law
requiring such officials concerned only those missions that in the sense
of the preceding note had been secularized and had thus become reg
ular parishes.

Mission San Diego 107
of eleven feet, inside measurement, having the same width
and height as the church was used as sacristy. It had one
window, while the church received sufficient light through
four windows which, like the sacristy window, were protected
on the outside by a grating of cedar wood. Within, each
window had its shutters of planed boards. The doors in
front of the church and on the side toward the courtyard
were supplied with locks.
Along the entire length of the church and sacristy, on the
north or Gospel side, lay the cemetery, which was ten varas
or about thirty feet wide. The corridor that extended along
the church and sacristy on the south or Epistle side in the
courtyard was two and a quarter varas or about seven feet
wide. Instead of stone pillars, posts of oak served as sup
ports of the roof.
The whole work, especially the interior of the church,
was neatly and elegantly done, as well as the knowledge of
the local artisans and the means of the mission allowed.
"Thanks be to God !" Fathers Lasuen and Figuer conclude
their report with evident satisfaction and relief.
The church goods were augmented by the acquisition of
four linen surplices for the altar boys, a number of cor
porals, a rich amice, a black stole for burials, and two sets
of altar cards. "In the past year," the report relates, "we
have sent to Tepic a classical but very old alb of the finest
workmanship. It had undergone sacrilegious and vile hand
ling from the rebel Indians in the year 1775. We sent
it in order that from its material surplices be made and
that its lace may serve to hide the faulty spots. This has
been done, and it was returnecl to our complete satisfaction.
Thanks be to God!"
Various new kitchen utensils were obtained as also im
plements for the field and for the workshops. The library
was enriched with a copy of the Roman Martyrology and
with a Mexican dictionary.10
Under the head of Granary or Storeroom and Distribu-
10 S. B. Archives.

108 Missions and Missionaries of California
tion of Provisions, the Report for 1780 says: "At the close
of 1779, the granary contained 240 fanegas or 400 bushels
of wheat, 45 fanegas or 76 bushels of corn, and 7-V-2 fanegas
or 12 bushels of beans. Since then has been added what
the harvest yielded and what was donated by other mis
sions, as is mentioned in its place. With this the mission
maintained all the Indians of both sexes of this rancheria,
comprising 147 adults (not including the old men who regu
larly find occupation on the seashore and who go hunting
when nothing is to be had there), the male and female chil
dren who can eat,11 some from outside rancherias who have
their turn to stay here for a week or more, according to
their duties or their pleasure, the adults who . are to be
baptized during the period of their instruction, and all the
sick and invalids who assemble here. All these were fed
on 176 fanegas or 292 bushels of wheat, 43 fanegas or
85 bushels of barley, not including what has been planted
of both kinds of grain, 91 fanegas or 152 bushels of corn,
and about 10 fanegas or 17 bushels of beans.12
"Our own rations which were allowed us by the Regla-
mento Provisional 13 have been suspended by the governor
(Neve) these last two years. He gave no other reason
beyond the assumption that he had reported the matter to
the higher authorities. Last month, on the occasion of his
arrival here at the presidio of San Diego, I assured him
that I was informed by letter of the Rev. Fr. Guardian,
that His Excellency, the Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico)
wished this subsidy to be extended to us. Nevertheless,
the governor has not relieved us of the penance.14 There
remain at present about 200 fanegas or 333 bushels of wheat,
8 or 9 fanegas or about 12 bushels of small corn, 46 fanegas

n ' ' Los parvulos de unos y otros, que pueden comer. ' '
i- This does not include all that was dealt out to them; for meat
also formed a staple.
13 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 124; 279-294.
i-i For Neve's contemptible action in this matter see Missions and
Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 121-125; 279-294.

Mission San Diego 109
or 75 bushels of yellow corn from San Gabriel, and about
2 fanegas or 3 bushels of beans.
"Land was cleared for the sowing of six more fanegas
of wheat. But a few days ago we had a heavy rainfall
which filled the river bed and the lowlands where the wheat
and barley had been planted. The ditch made last year
was not deep enough to carry off the water. Consequently,
a large part of the sowing has been destroyed. The In
dians are now working hard to remedy the trouble for the
present and to prevent similar disasters in the future."
The Report also minutely enumerates what had been sown
and harvested; this will all appear in the Tabular Report.15
No local reports were drawn up for the years 1781 and
1782. But in the following year, on May 10, Fr. Lasuen
furnished Fr. Serra, at his request, a very lengthy and
complete account of what had been achieved during the
two preceding years. From this report we cull the follow
ing facts :
A granary had been built ; it was twenty-five varas or ,
seventy-one feet long and five and a half varas or about
fifteen feet wide. Besides, the following structures had been
erected ;
a ravelin or high entresol, with two doors through which ¦>
to ascend to its terrace ;
a room eight varas or twenty-two feet long to be used •>
to store away clothing and furniture ;
a room six varas or seventeen feet long to be used as ^
shelter and infirmary for the women ; for their convenience
and accommodation, it had its own courtyard or patio five
yards in length and width ;
a structure called the pozolera, five yards square, where J
the pozole or gruel was cooked; it served as a meeting place
for the young men and boys, and sometimes one or the
other infirm was sheltered here ;
a small corral for the oven and firewood ;
two rooms, each five yards and more in length, in which •

is Informe, December 31, 1780. Sta. Barb. Arch.

no Missions and Missionaries of California
the missionaries live; it had a little corridor as shelter
against the weather. The height of these various buildings
was four varas or about eleven feet, except the ravelin which
was five and a half varas or about fifteen feet high and a
little more than five varas or fourteen feet wide. Other
structures put up during the years 1781 and 1782 were
a room used as a refectory, about eleven feet long;
a room eight varas or twenty-two feet long, used as a
common pantry ;
two guest rooms, one eleven feet, the other seventeen
feet in length;
a harness and saddle room, fourteen feet long. These
rooms had the same width as the others, but they were
hardly three varas or eight feet high. All were of adobe
and the roof was covered with earth. They had doors
with locks, except the pozolera where the gruel was pre
pared. A kitchen, a hennery, and a toilet were likewise
erected at this time.
All these structures as also the soldiers' quarters occupied
the three wings of a quadrangle. Each wing measured
fifty-five varas or about 155 feet in length. The fourth
side of this quadrangle was closed by a wall of adobe three
varas or about eleven feet high, which at one end terminated
in a ravelin a little more than a story high, by means of
which and of the other ravelin, the. four angles could easily
be defended.
Outside this quadrangle was a tank, which had been
built shortly before for tanning hides; then two corrals of
adobe large enough to admit the sheep; and finally another
adobe structure for the six or eight milch cows which the
mission maintained. Most of the cattle as also the mares
were in the valley of San Luis, two leagues distant.
"Down to late years," Fr. Lasuen reports, "building at
the mission was done with some diffidence as to whether
it would remain at this place. On account of its continual
want and of the tragedy already related, progress and pros-

Mission San Diego 1 1 1
pects did not correspond with the incessant labors ex
pended. But observing that Christianity had notably in
creased, that it was necessary to preserve it, and that no
suitable locality had been found where the converts might
be collected, the missionaries have applied what human
means were available in their endeavor to make it perma
nent and durable, a very difficult undertaking, inasmuch
as 'little is wanting to declare that end unattainable with
out the aid of other means. Hence indescribable efforts
have been made, though so far with meager success, to
plant great stretches of land, to clear and to enclose it,
to run irrigation ditches, and to perform the other fatiguing
labor necessarily connected with such an undertaking."
Fr. Lasuen reports also that at his writing the Mission
Records accounted for 966 baptisms, 232 marriages, and
216 deaths.16
How scrupulously the missionaries watched over these
worldly matters, doubly disagreeable to their spiritual train
ing and aspirations, may be seen from the exactness with
which the Report 'enumerates the amounts due to the
Mission. First are mentioned sixteen fanegas of wheat
furnished to the troops, likewise two bulls, and two mules
stolen by two deserting soldiers, and one horse and one
mule, both of especial value. Then, in cash there are due
to the Mission from the presidio and from individuals con
nected therewith $1,303.37. In addition, from the Monterey
presidio store are due $184.88, which amount was be
queathed to the Mission for the Indians by the late Jose
Urselino, and also $866, which, apparently his salary, Alejo
Antonio Gonzales, who died March 19, 1780, had likewise
willed to the Mission.17
"The goods (Memorias) sent from Mexico were valued

is Fr. Lasuen to Fr. Serra, May 10, 1783. Bancroft Collection.
17 Urselino had been mortally wounded at the affray of November
5, 1775. After five years, the money was still due to the Mission!
Gonzales was one of the four soldiers in the same battle.

112 Missions and Missionaries of California
at $521 and 5 reales (66y2 cents). Of this sum, $235 is
for articles ordered for the personal use of the Fathers,
which include medicine, altar wine, and wax for the altar
candles. The rest, consisting of dress goods and other
articles, was distributed to the Indians. The freight charges
amounted to $69, which together with the cost of the goods
totals $590.05. Besides this, the Mission is charged $211.06,
due for goods sent last year, and $53.05 for things sent
from Tepic. The entire debt, therefore, is $856. To liqui
date this we assigned our annual allowance of $800 ls and
the $9 on hand for alms. This leaves a debt on the Mission
of $47, to be paid in Mexico.
"Mission San Diego has been aided by other establish
ments as follows: Mission San Juan Capistrano donated
seven almudes of beans and six almudes of peas. Mission
San Gabriel sent eighty-two fanegas of corn, three fanegas
and four almudes of beans, and a crate of melocotones.
When occasion offered, both missions have sent us onions,
ajos, chile, tomatoes, watermelons, and sugar melons. Mis
sion San Antonio sent us two fanegas of corn (chico del
Rio Colorado) for planting. Mission San Carlos forwarded
by ship twenty fanegas of barley. The Rev. Fr. Presidente
and the other Fathers assisted us by celebrating two hun
dred holy Masses and allowing us the stipends.
"On the other hand, this Mission of San Diego gave
to Mission San Juan Capistrano four half-tamed colts, two
sacks filled with wool, dos tascones, y un guijo grande de
Herro con su platillo ; and it has supplied two arrobas of
iron with the necessary carbon to reduce the points of the
plow. It has loaned also expert Indians to assist the black
smith at this work and at other little jobs. To Mission
San Gabriel this mission gave two loads of salt, and un
tercio of brown sugar ; also twenty pounds of iron with
the necessary carbon to work it into plow-points, and two
trained Indians for the service of the blacksmith during
the time of this work."
is Each missionary was allowed

Mission San Diego 113
The Fathers conclude their long but highly important
Informe with this Nota: "This year we have seen that it
is necessary to take the cattle away from the Mission in
order to raise grain and fruit there. Hence the cattle had
to be removed to the Valley of San Luis, where the horses
were kept. In the same place (it has been reported), a
soldier of the presidio, without herdsmen and without corral,
against the rights of the Indians and consequently against
the will of the missionaries, keeps a herd of mares. If
that is right, then anyone else may do the same, and in
the end they will rob the Mission of the only locality that
could serve as a rancho. But, if it is not right, then we
supplicate that orders be given for the removal of the
horses." A delightful letter addressed by Fr. Serra to Fr. Lasuen
on December 8, 1781, contains some items of interest about
San Diego which are not found elsewhere.
My dear friend, Fr. Serra writes, blessed be the Most Holy Sacra
ment and the Most Pure Conception of our Mother and Lady, Mary
Most Holy,i9 on whose day, or rather on whose night, I take up the
pen which may run I do not know how long. Not long since I re
ceived the letter of Your Reverence, dated August 14. The news is
all good. Thanks be to God, who, I pray, may reward Your Reverence
for the consolation you afforded me through it.
The exercise of the faculty to confirm having been restored here
recently,20 I went anew to administer Confirmation in the Missions of
San Antonio, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. Since then I wore
my shoes, on account of an adventure I had with the mule while re
turning to this Mission of San Carlos; but they say that all my ribs
are in place, and to-day the pain is already very much alleviated.
Blessed be God for everything! . .
I am much pleased with the celebration that attended the dedica
tion of your holy temple. I congratulate Your Reverence. Thus far,
San Antonio excelled, especially for its roof of tiles. It is in every </-¦
way a beautiful church. It corresponds altogether with that of your
Mission, if the latter, according to your description and what Lieu-

19 These are the words of the Alabddo. Fr. Serra had never before
used them in a letter.
20 For Neve "s unworthy tactics in this matter see Missions and Mis*
sionaries, vol. ii, pp. 302-318.

iizj. Missions and Missionaries of California
tenant Diego Gonzales reported, does not surpass it in neatness, beauty,
and symmetry. I did not need the lieutenant's description of your
holy temple, after I had seen Your Reverence's letter; but I adduce
it in proof that I omit no occasion to speak of San Diego. Nor did
it grieve me to hear the said gentleman speak so well of the Mission
and of its Fathers, who see their Mission growing large. God repay
also Fr. Pablo Mugartegui for the lustre he added to the joyful
function.2! It is also very pleasant news, and like an ' aftermath of the fore
going, that seven fanegas of barley and about eight hundred fanegas
of wheat have been harvested, besides the great heaps of beans and
other pulse products. Here occurs to me the passage in Holy Scrip
ture, "Their storehouse full, flowing out of this and that . . . Their
oxen f at . . . after the similitude of a temple. "22 Do not let Fr.
Pablo Mugartegui escape, but let it likewise go to my account. I hope
that also the corn prospered and that the grapevines are living and
thriving; for this lack of altar wine is already becoming unbearable.
Soon we shall be without chocolate and without — snuff, which is pain
ful. It cuts to the quick to see the Indians so poorly clad without
prospects of even a breech-cloth and the soldiers so run down, despite
the fact that his Honor (Neve) knows this and that the warehouse
has an abundance of clothing. But worse than all this is the outlook
that we shall be without holy Mass; for it is known that it will be
long before a ship arrives. . .
• I have information that our brother Ortega goes to the Channel
and that his son is corporal. . . I should like to know the des
tination of our beloved Don Raphael.23 Recommend me to said Don
Raphael and to the Senora, Dona Josepha. . . .
Now it remains for me to inform Your Reverence of a matter so
annoying as asking you, a poor man, for money; because it is true
that the king, our lord, requests each Indian to pay him one dollar as
a donation for war expenses. The Comandante-General says that in
the missions they should pay it to the Fathers from the temporalities
which the Indians have in common. . . The Comandante-General
i3 already notified that your Mission is poor. . . . You can plead
your case by representing the poverty in a letter which should contain
nothing else. It should not be a long letter; but it should be well
drawn up for presentation wherever I may judge it expedient. God
assist you.

21 Unfortunately, the date of its dedication can nowhere be found.
22 Psalm 143, verses 13, 14, 12.
23 Don Raphael Pedro y Gil, the storekeeper. He was also the sin-
dico of the San Diego missionaries.

Mission San Diego 115
I am in fairly good health. Poor Fr. Juan Crespi is in bad health.
Pr. Dumetz is fat. Fr. Matias is well. I commend myself earnestly
to my beloved Fr. Juan Figuer and to the other Fathers as also to
Your Reverence. . . . This may suffice. God keep Your Reverence
many years in health and in His holy grace. Mission San Carlos de
Monterey, December 8, 1781. Your etc., Fr. Junipero Serra.24
On receipt of this letter, Fr. Lasuen set to work com
piling the document which for its importance is reproduced
almost entire. It reads as follows :
Very Rev. and much esteemed Fr. Presidente Junipero Serra : —
After following the instructions regarding the Donativo demanded of
these Indians of San Diego in the manner directed by Your Reverence,
I now forward the report which on this particular subject you inti
mated should be sent to you and should state the actual condition of
the Mission with all its poverty and drawbacks. At sight of it, Your
Reverence will determine what seemsx best and your judgment shall be
our rule of action.
With regard to the case in question, the Comandante-General ex
pressly assigns three causes which would exempt the missions from
contributing to the Donativo or War Tax; viz., sterility of soil, epi
demics among the neophytes, and hostility of the Indians. Thanks be
to God, at present we are not suffering from an epidemic. But, as
past years demonstrate, the hostility of the Indians is a constant cause
for alarm ; while the sterility of the land is palpable and manifest to
every one. This was made clear to the Comandante-General by
Lieutenant Jose Francisco de Ortega in the year 1777. At that time
he described this region as most sterile, barren, and unfruitful, lacking
humidity as well as irrigation facilities, so that planting grain was
always a risk, owing to the uncertain rains. Hence it would be
more in place if the king were to assign to this mission a subsidy of
100 or 200 fanegas of corn, which His Majesty's ships, when trans
porting supplies to the presidio, ought also to bring here. Your Rev
erence will remember that you yourself once proposed precisely what
I am now soliciting with such earnestness. You will remember also
how on my arrival here, when I told you that I had my misgivings as
to whether what you proposed would be carried out, you replied with
vigorous and strong determination, ' ' If they do not concede this to
me, we will abandon this port. ' ' 25

-* Sta. Barb. Arch. — Like a solicitous father, Fr. Serra adapts his
communications to the mood of the recipient — always sympathetic, en
couraging, never harsh.
2»"V. R. me respondio con una valiente y resolutiva entereza: Si
no me lo conceden, levantaremos el puerto. "

116 Missions and Missionaries of California
It is our opinion, esteemed Father, that in the whole world there
is not a hospital that suffers greater want and possesses smaller and
more uncertain funds than our village here; and that the greatest
service rendered to the king in this country is the holding of the Port
of San Diego by means of this apology for a mission. The site is
avowedly unfit and useless for a mission establishment, if it is to be
deprived of all government aid and hampered by the additional bur
den of having to minister to the presidio, so that on the plea of
parsimony the royal treasury may save the expense of a chaplain's
salary. The pagans are numerous, while tho Christian flock is small. Of
these, the majority live scattered in the mountains and along the
beach after the manner of savages. Only a small proportion are gath
ered here and live like Christians. The majority as a rule are trou
blesome, the rest live only for their own benefit. Most of them wear
no other clothing than a, breech-cloth, which scantily hides their naked
ness; only a small portion wear overalls of coarse cloth. And for
neither party are the rations sufficient to satisfy the habit of vora
cious eating in which they have been raised; not one is willing to put
the least restraint on his appetite. And when no recourse is taken
to fishing and hunting, they live on rats, mice, snakes, vipers and
similar reptiles and insects; or on acorns and other loathsome and
unpalatable seeds, which only the power of water and fire can render
fit to be eaten.26
I conclude, Reverend dear Father, by saying with the sincerity of
a religious that I should have much more to say and that I feel
strongly inclined to say it with the hard will of a Spaniard. But since
under distressing circumstances as these it is best to conform to the
will of the sovereign and his representatives, let us hope that this
essential condition, namely, their will, be clearly defined; and that
whatever may be ordained in our behalf in view of this true infor
mation, may be executed very soon. Mission San Diego, January 9,
1782. — Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen.2?
According to a communication of Governor Fages, dated
September 20, 1783, Fr. Serra petitioned for exemption
from the war tax in behalf of both San Diego and San
Juan Capistrano. And, in December, 1783, Fages wrote
to Fr. Serra, saying that the Comandante-General had among.
other things written to him as follows: "The Mission of
Loreto has not contributed anything whatever to the Dona

te The San Diego Indians were poor material, indeed, out of which
to make Christians and citizens.
27 Sta. Barb. Arch.

Mission San Diego 117
tivo, because of its poverty. Those of San Diego and San
Juan Capistrano ask for exemption on the same plea, on
which point I refrained from taking steps until they should
direct their petition through you." 28
Fr. Serra was well informed when he stated that Lieu
tenant Jose Francisco de Ortega would be transferred to
Santa Barbara Channel. He became commander of the new
presidio, which was established at what is now Santa Bar
bara, on April 21, 1782. On that occasion, Fr. Serra him
self raised and blessed the Cross which marked the site of
the presidio chapel. Ortega was succeeded at San Diego
by Lieutenant Jose de Zuniga. Don Pedro Fages, who early
in 1782 made the first recorded trip from the Rio Colorado
to San Diego, in September of that year, succeeded Felipe
de Neve as governor.
"The presidial force, by regulation at least," Bancroft
writes, "consisted of five corporals and forty-six soldiers, a
sergeant, and a lieutenant. Six men were constantly on
duty at each of the three missions of the district, San
Diego, San Juan Capistrano, and San Gabriel, while four
served at the town of Los Angeles, thus leaving a sergeant,
two corporals, and about twenty-five men to garrison the
military post, to care for the horses and small herd of cattle,
and to carry the mail, which latter duty in the time of
peace was the hardest connected with the presidio. The
post constantly employed a carpenter and a blacksmith, be
sides a few servants, mostly natives.
"Respecting the presidio buildings," the same author con
tinues, "the records are silent, but I suppose that the
palisades were at least replaced by an adobe wall enclosing
the necessary buildings, public and private. Here on the
hill lived about one hundred and twenty-five persons, men,
women, and children. Each year in summer or early in
autumn one of the transport vessels entered the harbor and
landed a year's supplies at the embarcadero several miles
down the bay, to be brought up by the presidio mules.
28 Sta. Barb. Arch.

1 1 8 Missions and Missionaries of California
Every week or two, small parties of soldier couriers arrived
from Loreto in the south, or Monterey in the north, with
ponderous despatches for officials here and to the north,
and with items of news for all. Each day of festival a
friar came over from the mission to say Mass and other
wise care for the spiritual interests of soldiers and their
families ; and thus the time dragged on from day to day
and year to year, with hardly a ripple on the sea of
monotony." 29
In September, 1783, Fr. Presidente Serra once more
visited San Diego for the purpose of administering the
Sacrament of Confirmation. He felt that his end was near
and that this was the last time he should see his beloved
San Diego. In his personal Journal of Confirmations, the
venerable Father notes what occurred on this visit.
"On September 14, 1783," he writes, "on the feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the third Sunday of the month and, therefore, the feast
of the Sorrow of the Most Holy Mary, on which day, thanks
be to God, I completed fifty-three years in the religious
habit, in the mission church of San Diego de Nipaguay, a
few days after I arrived by sea at this port, after my High
Mass, etc., the missionaries being Fr. Fermin Francisco de
Lasuen and Fr. Juan Figuer, I confirmed one hundred and
twenty-four persons; on Sunday, 21, thirty-one; on Fri
day, 26, five; on Sunday, 28, fourteen; on St. Michael's
Day, September 29, in the church of the royal presidio of
San Diego, Fr. Lasuen assisting, four neophytes from the
mission and thirty-four of the settlers and troops ; on Sep
tember 30, at the mission, five; on October 5, Rosary Sun
day, fifteen ; on October 6, one ; in all, therefore, two hun
dred and thirty-three persons."
Then, bidding the two Fathers a last .affectionate fare
well, Fr. Serra, on October 7, left the mission he had
founded fourteen years before and proceeded to the next
2s Bancroft, California, i, pp. 452-453.

PRIMITIVE PLOUGH— ANOTHER CAUSE OF POOR CROPS x

120 Missions and Missionaries of California
mission, San Juan Capistrano. Here and subsequently at
all the other mission establishments, he administered Con
firmation and consoled his brethren, until he reached his
beloved Mission San Carlos, near Monterey, where, on
August 28, 1784, he passed to his eternal reward.30 Fr.
Francisco Palou, being vice-presidente, acted as Superior of
the missions until September, 1785, when the documents
arrived appointing Fr. Lasuen Presidente of the California
Missions. This necessitated his transfer to Mission San
Carlos. Fr. Figuer died December 19, 1784. From then
until the arrival of Fr. Antonio Garcia Riobo in the follow
ing September, Fr. Lasuen was alone at San Diego. His
last entry in the Baptismal Register is number 1,169, made
on December 5, 1785. It seems he journeyed to San Carlos
Mission by land, visiting the other missions on the way.
On January 3, 1786, he administered Baptism at Mission
San Antonio.31 He was replaced at Mission San Diego by
Fr. Juan Mariner, who baptized for the first time on De
cember 5, 1785. Fr. Riobo remained till November, 1786,
when Fr. Hilario Torrent succeeded him. Thereafter, for
a good many years, Fathers Mariner and Torrent labored
together at San Diego with much success.
Reporting on the situation at San Diego in 1787, Governor
Pedro Fages in accord with Fr. Lasuen's statements earlier
in this chapter, wrote as follows : "The Mission of San
Diego which for a time in the beginning, was located on
the same plat with the presidio of that name, maintained
itself there for five years. But experience showed that the
great labors there met with little success, because the sandy
soil lacked every facility for irrigation. The place was
found to be suitable for a garrison, however, the mainte
nance and permanence of which were secured through the
magnanimous support of the great king of Spain.
"For this reason and to have better fields for agriculture,
they moved the mission two leagues toward the northeast,

3" Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 390-400.
si Baptismal Becord, Mission San Antonio.

Mission San Diego 121
taking care, however, to place it as little away from the
presidio as possible, partly that it might be more secure,
and partly that the presidio might have the spiritual admin
istration of the missionaries near enough at hand. Although
there is • no water source serviceable for irrigation within
ten or twelve leagues, and this locality equally lacks that
essential requisite, it was ventured to found this mission
there, despite the fact that only by dint of extraordinary
efforts it can subsist, increase, and be governed after the
manner of a mission.
"A year and a half after transplanting the mission to this
place, it was entirely destroyed by the neophytes and the *-x
pagans, one missionary and two mechanics being killed.
For this reason the Fathers returned to the presidio and
stayed there for the space of an entire year, whereupon -^
the mission was rebuilt on its ruins and has thus been con
tinued. The pagans of the district are most numerous. In
the beginning they resisted conversion as they did nowhere
else. But afterwards they subjected themselves with such
rapidity that this was the first of the missions to count one
thousand baptized converts.
"Owing to the scarcity of provisions, which generally
follows ¦ in the wake of a new mission, as also to the dis
tance from every base of supplies, it became necessary to
allow the new Christians to continue to live in their ran
cherias as they did before their conversion, and to subsist
upon the wild product of the land and on what was gra
ciously given them at the mission. This method was always
observed until the year 1779. The result was that of four
hundred or more neophytes scarcely twenty could receive
regular rations ; nor could they be maintained together dur
ing the regular Christian instruction. In the meantime,
there was a continuous struggle to make the land produc
tive. The missionaries, having to deny their neophytes the
provisions whilst the Indians were increasing the acreage,
stormed Heaven with ceaseless petitions for rains, when
ever their fields needed them, until they succeeded. Thus
it is that since 1779 some good harvests have been gathered,

122 Missions and Missionaries of California
Christians have increased, and the Fathers have succeeded
in collecting at the mission about one-half of their converts.
Here they are kept, receiving three regular meals a day
as at the other missions, attending Christian instruction
every day, and accustoming themselves to labor.
"The same cannot be said of the other half of converts,
because the harvests do not suffice to maintain them. . . .
Those of the mission remain at their native rancherias, but
they are obliged from fifteen to seventeen days to attend
holy Mass, to recite the prayers in common, to receive in
structions in their Christian duties, and to accept correction
or reproof for transgressions. However, the missionaries
regularly experience great neglect with regard to attendance
at holy Mass and at the divine services. Still, they punish
only those who relapse and who are willfully negligent.
"Indeed, this tribe, which among those discovered is the
most numerous, is also the most restless, stubborn, haughty.
warlike, and hostile toward us, absolutely opposed to all
rational subjection and full of the spirit of independence.
The truth is that by the indefatigable tolerance and pru
dence of the missionaries together with their constant gentle
ness and other apostolic traits 32 and supported by corre
sponding and opportune solicitude of the government, the
Indians have been kept quiet, peaceful, and subdued for
seven or eight years. Nevertheless, it must not be over
looked that a considerable armed force must needs be at
hand in sufficient numbers to repress their natural and
crusty pride. Along the road to Monterey, the language of
this tribe is spoken, till about midway between this and
the next mission, San Juan Capistrano." 33
Being himself the government of California, one can
hardly blame Fages for desiring to appear as furthering
the great and toilsome efforts of the missionaries and for

32 ' ' Verdad es que con la ineansable tolerancia y prudencia de sus
Misioneros con sus continuos agasajos y otros apostolicos arbitrios. "
33 Fages, Informe General Sobre Misiones, Bancroft Collection,
nos. 6-12.

Mission San Diego 123
wanting the Mexican Government to stand out as solicitous
for the missions as such. Nevertheless, though the Mexican
Government manifested some solicitude by making numer
ous regulations, it practically allowed the missionaries to
be thrown upon their own resources. As for Fages, he
later did much to render the life of the Fathers miserable,
instead of giving them all possible assistance. In proof of
this, we must refer the reader to the second volume of the
General History. All the help that the missionaries received
was a guard, and that was the only expense the Mexican
Government incurred in behalf of the missions. Nor was
that anything to boast of; for by keeping the Indians quiet,
and later on by supporting through them the whole govern
mental fabric of California, the Franciscans were securing
the territory for the crown of Spain and for Mexico.
Surely, to* prevent the missionaries from being murdered
by the Indians was under such circumstances in the. interest
of the higher Government, and it can scarcely be called
assisting the missions for the sake of the missions. Gen
erally, as the years rolled on, the soldiers by their bad
example actually handicapped the missionaries. Indeed, a
year before Fages made his report, the Mexican Govern
ment charged the governor to "preserve the Indians in their
simplicity, subordination, and discipline" ; to have especially
his troops themselves show discipline, "inasmuch as the sol
diers serve only in the present system for the purpose of
infusing respect, of giving good example to the Indians,
and of chastising with prudence the excesses they might
commit." 3i The execution of such instructions would have
been sufficient to lighten the work of the Fathers ; but, as
the reader will learn from the General History, on the part
of the soldiers commands and their execution were two
different things.

34 "Las tropas que solo sirven en el sistema presente para infundir
respeeto, dar buen exemplo a los Indios, castigar con prudencia los
excesos que cometan. " — Instruccion of Yiceroy Conde de Gdlvez,
Mexico, August 20, 1787. Sta. Barb. Arch., ad annum.

CHAPTER VII.
Unworldly Missionaries.— Mission Hospitality. — First Converts. — Obsta
cles to Conversion. — Baptismal Entries. — Methods Employed. — The
Doctrina Christiana. — Divine Services. — The Our Father in Indian. —
Sick Calls. — Specimen Baptismal Entry. — Sponsors. — Marriage En
tries. — Some Mission Stations. — Some Marriages at the Presidio. —
Fr. Serra's First Confirmation Visit. — Burial of Fr. Juan Figuer.
IT is unfortunate for the thorough understanding of Fran
ciscan missionary activity in California that the Fathers
neglected to transmit to posterity a detailed account of what
they personally experienced while exercising the ministry
among the natives. Such recitals of the difficulties they en
countered, of the sufferings they endured, of the occasional
joys and the more frequent sorrows they experienced, of
incidents connected with the conversions they effected — all
this would have aroused sympathy and veneration and would
have thrown a strong light on various phases of the mission
life which those sandaled messengers of the Gospel so zeal
ously embraced. But these men of God, clad in the grey
habit of their Order, meant and proved to be true heralds
of Christ and His holy Law ; and for this very reason they
thought of nothing less than to put down in writing what
to-day would be so interesting and edifying. They had
tidings of great import to communicate, and that to a
people who had first to be educated before they could be
made to prize it. In this task they were wholly absorbed
to the exclusion of all extraneous interests. Hence it is
that, after compiling the Annual Reports and refuting occa
sional hostile charges, the Fathers did not perceive why
they should devote their time, even if there had been a sur
plus of it, to a matter that they regarded as of no conse
quence to the spiritual and temporal advancement of their
wards. For these they lived and labored, sacrificed them
selves and all that was near and dear to them. They re-

Mission San Diego 125
frained even from writing descriptive letters to relatives
and friends, a matter so human in itself and often so ample
a source of joy and consolation.
Ordinarily, therefore, it is next to impossible fully to
realize the obstacles which the Franciscan missionaries in
California had to face at every turn. Nor is it likely that
posterity will ever accord them that well-earned sympathy
and praise which they would receive had they been less
wrapped up in their charges. Still, much may be discov
ered and much more inferred from the Registers of Bap
tisms, Marriages, and Burials, which happily have escaped
the ravages of time. These manuscript folios in flexible
leather covers, uniform at all the missions, contain a mass
of facts in skeleton. A detailed account of the facts and
data would fill many chapters of highly instructive informa
tion concerning persons, places, and events that have be
come notable in the history of California. We shall utilize
this important fountain in order to elucidate or supplement
our narrative down to the year 1800.
As already mentioned, in erecting the various buildings
provisions were made for guest rooms. This is a feature
common to all the mission establishments, from San Diego
to the northernmost, in Sonoma County, San Francisco
Solano, about seven hundred miles distant. As Robinson
and other visitors aver, a traveler could knock at the doors
of Mission San Diego and be sure of a hearty welcome
without being subjected to any but the most conventional
questions. The best meals an Indian youth could prepare
were set before him ; he was offered a fresh clean bed ;
and the next morning or, if it pleased him, the following
week, he could set out for the next mission on a fresh horse
from the mission corrals, accompanied by an Indian boy,
who was to bring back the horse, since another would be
at- the traveler's service at the next mission. There were
no charges, nor was anything accepted as compensation.
Such was Franciscan hospitality during mission times down
to the unhappy days of confiscation. All travelers delight
in repeating what kindly treatment was accorded them by

126 Missions and Missionaries of California
the "Old Padres," who would bid the weary wanderer a
cordial welcome, and on his leaving as hearty a farewell
with the request to come again. Then the whole-souled and
unassuming friar would return to his charges, happy in the
thought of having given food and shelter to a fellow being,
and thereby fulfilled the command of the Apostle, "Let the
charity of the brotherhood abide in you; and hospitality
do not forget; for by this some, not being aware of it,
have entertained angels."1
It will be remembered how in his zeal for souls Fr. Serra
thought that by persuading but one of the savages to bring
a child for Baptism, he could break down the barrier of
hostility and indifference which kept them aloof from the
missionaries. How sadly the good Father failed has already
been related. About one year later, however, the persistent
affection displayed by Fathers Paterna and Gomez at last
conquered some of the savages. The exact date of their
Baptism could not be recalled when in 1776 the destroyed
Mission Registers were reconstructed ; but the respective
persons and their parents were still living and thus the first
entry which had been made by Fr. Serra himself with fif
teen others could be reproduced. It reads as follows : "At
this Mission of San Diego of Alcala in Upper California,
the first to be baptized by said Fathers was a boy three
years of age, with the consent of his parents, who at present
are Christians, named Carlos and Praxedis, of this Ran
cheria of San Diego. The name imposed was Francisco
Antonio. His sponsor was Juan Corrion, an Indian of
Mission Santa Gertrudis, Lower California, who was in
structed as to his relationship and obligations."
Doubtless, that April day, 1770, brought to Fathers
Paterna and Gomez the first genuine happiness enjoyed at
San Diego, when they could present to the Creator the
first Christian of the Mission. Their joy may be likened
to the happiness of the mother who forgot all her anguish

i Hebreivs, xiii, 1-2.

Mission San Diego 127
for the joy that a man was born into the world.2 From
then on, similar pleasures multiplied, but only at the cost
of similar prayers, mortifications, and self-denials ; for the
savage is fickle everywhere. What patience, prudence, and
firmness must be exercised to attract, persuade, and retain
him ! Furthermore, if seven years of age or older, the
Indian must be instructed and induced to forswear the
gratification of unlawful carnal appetites, to abandon wicked
connections, and to devote himself to the manual labor
necessary for the support of himself and family. At first,
it was the ever ready pozole and atole that would attract
him ; but this craving for material gifts, all that he could
grasp for the present, had to be transformed into an in
telligent desire for supernatural advantages not visible to
the corporal eyes. When at last he yielded, he had to be
willing to surrender his savage liberty, to enlist in the
Christian army, and to fulfill the duties of Christian and
civilized life like white people, and all this not for a time,
or while food was plenty, but for ever. Who can compre
hend the patience required to advance such a superlatively
dull, carnal, and indolent people to that stage of intelli
gence and determination? Only men, like these friars, who
had relinquished every claim to worldly compensation and
recognition, could have persevered; and only such as they
could have transformed those lowest human beings by the
thousands into peaceful, industrious, and faithful Christians,
and that in the face of opposition, bad example, and per
secution on the part of those who were expected to assist
t-hem at least negatively in their noble work.
Generally, Baptism was administered to one individual at
a time. Infants, for instance, were taken to the sacred font
on the very day of their birth or on the day following. It
was the rule to bestow on the child the name of the saint
whose feast was celebrated on that day. Hence, if any
one had forgotten the day of his birth, he had but to see

2 The allusion is to John, xvi, 21.

128 Missions and Missionaries of California
on what date the feast of his patron saint occurred; for
that would also be his birthday. The entries regularly state
the age, date, and serial number, whether single or married,
and add the names of the parents, of the native rancheria,
and of the sponsors; they close with the signature of the
officiating priest.
Very frequently, large numbers of converts would apply
for Baptism at the same time. This was especially the case
in 1777, the year after the restoration of the mission. Fr.
Serra had prophesied correctly when he remarked that now,
the soil having been irrigated by the blood of a martyr,
Fr. Luis Jaume, converts would be numerous. Thus, for
instance, on November 24, 1777, Fathers Lasuen and Figuer
entered numbers 559-581, thirty-two names. This would
indicate that a whole class of catechumens had finished their
period of rudimentary instruction and probation, and had
been judged sufficiently informed on the obligations they
contracted by becoming Christians. Such an occasion was
made as solemn as possible and the lengthy ceremonies pre
scribed in the Ritual for the Baptism of Adults were strictly
observed, creating a scene never to be forgotten.
In the case of adults, one of the Fathers baptized the
men, while the other administered the Sacrament to the
women, of course, always in church. Very probably, the
men and women had also been instructed separately, except
on Sundays when all assembled in the church for the Doc
trina. Just before the assault on the mission, which took
place in November, 1775, a great many neophytes had been
admitted to the bosom of the Church, which fact, Fr. Palou
claims, aroused the powers of darkness and brought about
the destruction of the mission. "On the first, second, third,
and fourth of October, 1775," Fr. Fuster writes, "when
Fr. Luis Jaume and I were stationed at San Diego Mission,
and the Fathers Fermin Francisco de Lasuen and Gregorio
Amurrio 3 temporarily tarried here, prior to their going to
3 Fr. Fuster writes from memory which in this instance fails him.
Fr. Amurrio came later.

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SPECIMEN ENTRIES IN THE BAPTISMAL REGISTER

130 Missions and Missionaries of California
found Mission San Juan Capistrano, we four Fathers on
the said four days baptized the converts from the rancherias
of San Luis Obispo or Coapan, San Miguel or Janat, San
Jacome de la Marca or Jamocha, San Juan Capistrano or
Matamo, and San Jorje or Neti. It was accomplished in
this way; one Father baptized the male children, another
the female children; the third administered the Sacrament
to the adult men and the fourth to the adult women. I
endeavored to ascertain who was baptized by any particular
Father, but neither the Indians remembered nor do I re
member whom I baptized .or whether they were adults or
children ; neither do the sponsors remember. However, I
believe that those baptized from October 1 to 4 by the said
Fathers are those I herewith enter in the register, numbers
331-422." Fr. Fuster then puts down the names of the
ninety-one whom he could discover, omitting what could
not be stated with certainty.
In this case where so many were baptized on the same
day, the name can point neither to the day of birth nor to
that of Baptism. In order to secure for each the name of a
saint, the calendar was referred to without regard to the
day on which the feast of the saint was celebrated.
Instructing these converts, especially the adults, in the
rudiments of religion was a most laborious task, the more
so as the missionaries had to see that their pupils never
suffered from hunger. Indeed, it was through the stomach
that the Indians were gained for Religion. Only after the
Indians had received gifts from the missionaries and felt
satisfied that Christianity would provide food and clothing
much better than paganism, could the Fathers hope grad
ually to ennoble and supernaturalize and firmly ground the
Indians' half-hearted desire for Baptism. Therefore, they
found themselves obliged to feed, clothe, employ, and even
divert their overgrown dusky children. To facilitate mat
ters, one of the two missionaries would shoulder the dis
agreeable task of managing the material side of mission
activity, so that the other could devote himself more espe
cially to the spiritual side. There was no iron-clad rule,

Mission San Diego 131
however; the work was fraternally divided and in cases of
emergency, the one Father would assist the other.
Concerning the subject-matter which the Indians had to
learn and repeat again and again until they knew it by
heart, the mission regulation demanded that the convert
know how to make the Sign of the Cross and to recite the
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles' Creed ; an Act of
Contrition and the Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity ; the
Confiteor for Confession, the Ten Commandments of God,
the Precepts of the Church, the Seven Sacraments, the Six
Necessary Points of Faith, and the Four Last Things. This
constituted what throughout Mission History is known as
the Doctrina Christiana, truly much more than ninety-five
per cent, of our modern white pagans can recite, although
they call themselves Christians. The Alabado, used on all
occasion, would close the instruction.
This Doctrina was recited every morning during or after
holy Mass and again in the evening before retiring. With
out burdening the mind or rendering the task disagreeable,
even the dullest Indian would in this way gradually learn
to recite the entire groundwork of the Christian Religion,
would know what he must believe and what he must do in
order to secure his eternal salvation.
This Doctrina was taught and learned in Spanish, a lan
guage which in the beginning the Indian did not under*
stand; wherefore they neither understood the doctrines. In
the first years, however, that made no difference. The In
dians learned Spanish and the Fathers by degrees learned
the language of their respective charges. In our schools,
the children learn many things they do not understand.
Until their mind is able to grasp what now appears to be
mysteries, they take their teacher's word for whatever is
unintelligible. Now, these Indians were but overgrown chil
dren, and as to intellect most of them remained children.
The chief thing was to have a uniform groundwork on
which to build the superstructure of intelligent knowledge
and ready observance. In schools, the alphabet and figures
serve a similar purpose. On Sunday afternoons and at

132 Missions and Missionaries of California
processions, etc., the Rosary would be recited in common
and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin would be sung or
recited. But neither of the two taxed the brain, since the
former consisted of only the Apostles' Creed and a specified
number of Paters and Aves. After the grown people had
departed and in the afternoon, the children would have
their time for instruction in the Doctrina.
Every Sunday and Holyday of obligation, during the
principal holy Mass, the sermon or instruction turned on
some point of the Doctrina. This was explained point by
point until it was well understood, a thing that with some,
especially with the older Indians, hardly ever came to pass.
It was not in them, as we say, very many remaining chil
dren even at eighty and more. Nor was it absolutely neces
sary, as long as they understood the rudiments which was
all that many could grasp. Even in civil matters there are
numbers of Indians who in spite of long years of inter
course with whites are still and always will remain chil
dren. First the Fathers would speak on the respective point
of the Doctrina in Spanish, and an interpreter would repeat
in Indian what he had said. That sufficed as far as the
rudiments of Faith and the necessary duties were concerned.
Later, the missionaries would explain the matter in Indian.
Some of the Fathers became very proficient in the native
idioms. On the other hand, the Indians learned Spanish;
in fact, the children and the men, but only exceptionally
the women, spoke Castilian very well. At any rate, there
was no more doubt about understanding what was taught.
The Our Father and Hail Mary was translated into the
language of the natives at all the missions, as Mofras
proves.4 We have tried, in vain however, to verify Mofras's
version.

* The Our Father in the language of the San Diego Mission Indians
runs as follows, according to Dufi ot de Mofras : ' ' Nagua anall amai
tacaguach naguanetuuxp mamamulpo cayuea amaibo mamatam meyayam
canaao amat amaibo quexuic echasau naguagui nanacachon naquin
nipil mefieque pachis echeyuchapo nagua quexuic fiaguaich nacaguaihpo

Mission San Diego 133
A great deal of singing was done at the missions. In
time, the men formed choirs and on all the feasts of the
year they sang, of course in Latin, the parts of the Mass
and the Vespers. Many of the hymns, however, were
Spanish. Naturally, all this demanded that the Indian learn
to read and write. A number of boys served the priests
at the altar. For this the brightest were chosen, and as a
matter of course they learned to read Latin and Spanish.
The Alabado figured on all occasions.
Catechetical instructions grew very trying in cases where
the Fathers had to travel great distances from the mission
to give them. This was especially so when both Fathers
were needed at home. If the missionary could not return
before night, he as well as the accompanying soldier encoun
tered the military regulation that forbade the guard to be
away from headquarters during the night. Strong reasons
would have to be brought to bear on the reluctant com
mander whenever the missionary had to attend to these out
side duties. As far as he was concerned, the Father would
have dispensed with a guard and faced any danger single-
handed for the sake of a soul ; but the royal regulations also
affected the priest. Hence, the salvation of a soul depended
to a great extent on the good wishes of the military authori
ties, without whose leave no soldier was permitted to stay
away from his 'quarters over night or for more than one
day. The reader will observe, therefore, that the mission
aries were not at liberty to do as they pleased. Later, in
order that the Father might not be hampered in the exer
cise of his office, these military regulations were somewhat
relaxed, so as to allow the soldier to be absent with the
priest according to the latter's discretion.
The occasions which called the missionaries away from
San Diego were quite frequent during the thirty years that
elapsed before Mission San Luis Rey was established. Two
incidents of this kind will suffice to show what sacrifices
were demanded of the Fathers.
namechamel anipuchuch-guelich-cuiapo. Nacuiuchpambo-cuchlich-cuiatpo-
fiamat. Napuija. " (Vol. ii, p. 395.)

134 Missions and Missionaries of California
"On Christmas night," Fr. Lasuen writes, "in the year
of our Lord the Son of God, 1783, at the rancheria called
Guechi by its inhabitants but by us San Juan Capistrano
El Viejo, after about two hours of instruction in the cate
chism, 'and when the night was in the midst of her course' 5,
a little earlier or later, I baptized privately on account of
danger of death Paschal, the capitano of said rancheria,
aged sixty or seventy years. I gave him the name Juan
Maria Capistrano of the Infant God. I had been called
from this Mission of San Diego at the request of the sick
man by one of his sons. The latter begged hard and he
employed expressions little expected in a barbarian, inasmuch
as they were worthy of a man who comprehended and who
ardently and urgently desired his greater and only true
good." 6
This was a Christmas gift bestowed by the Lord than
which a missionary could desire no greater. Fr. Lasuen,
who was the senior missionary at San Diego and who relates
the incident, must surely have rejoiced and felt himself
richly repaid for the long journey of forty-five miles that
called him away from his children on Christmas day. Yet
the good Father smothered his feelings and merely stated
the bare facts in the Baptismal Book under date of Decem
ber 28, 1783.
Six months later, his companion, Fr. Figuer had a similar
experience at the same place. "On July 26, 1784," he writes,
"I received notice that at the rancheria of Guechi, which we
call San Juan Capistrano El Viejo, a sick pagan woman de
sired to be baptized. On arriving there I found a multi
tude of sick people. Hence I tarried some days, exhorting
them all to become Christians. After giving as much in
struction as the time allowed, T proceeded to baptize those
whom I considered very ill and who were at the point of
death or in grave and manifest danger of death. They

5 Booh of Wisdom, xviii, 14.
e Baptismal Begister, San Diego.

Mission San Diego 135
were the thirteen numbers 1025 — 1037." What Fr. Figuer
experienced in his heart at this unexpected reward for his
laborious trip and patient efforts, was not recorded. He
merely adds the day of entry, August 30, 1784, and his
necessary signature. The rancheria visited by him was des
tined to become the most populous mission of California,
namely San Luis Rey, which was established June 13, 1798.
Truly, as a non-Catholic writer in the defunct Land of
Sunshine puts it, "those were toilsome journeys which the
missionaries took through desblate wastes and tangled wilds.
It was no easy task to teach and civilize a nation of un
tamed savages; but sincerity of purpose gave success to
their labors, and the seed which they planted still bears a
visible harvest.
"The Indian is instinctively religious, and possesses a lively
sense of the power of the unseen. . . The Spanish friars
acted upon it. It was as souls that the Indians appealed
to them, souls to be saved, and for which they must give
an account. It is as souls, pathetic, humble, groping after
the light, that they appeal to him who has witnessed and
shared in their worship upon the soil where the first mis
sionaries reared the cross." 7
When the time was limited, the Fathers made the long
journeys on horseback; but otherwise they went on foot.
Their way led over rugged trails, up and down mountains.
Frequently it was to administer Baptism and other Sacra
ments to dying children and adults ; for under the circum
stances the missionaries were constrained to postpone Bap
tism as long as there was danger of backsliding, which was
always to be feared since the Indians lived at such distances
from the supervision of the Fathers and among medicine
men and unlawful relations who were ever at hand to
smother good aspirations. Many may have been willing to
join Mission San Diego in order to be away from the irre
sistible allurements and to receive the coveted Baptism; but
7 Vol. xi, pp. 317-319; Charles Lummis, Editor.

136 Missions and Missionaries of California
unfortunately the mission could feed only one-half of its own
convert population. Doubtless, the hearts of the zealous
missionaries ached for such willing candidates; but not until
the above-mentioned date could the remedy be applied.
Meanwhile, that no souls be lost, the Fathers submitted to
the hardships of making the rounds of the rancherias as far
as the prospects of reaping a spiritual harvest summoned
them. The military post six miles below added considerably to
the trials of the already overburdened missionaries. It should
have had a chaplain of its own, a secular priest, since the
Franciscans had come for the sole purpose of giving relig
ious instruction and administering the Sacraments to the
aborigines. But half a century passed by before that proposi
tion, so frequently urged by the Fathers, was carried out.
Meanwhile, the missionaries attended the presidio every
Sunday, celebrating holy Mass, preaching the Word of
God, and visiting the sick and the prisoners. At times a
call would come from there of a nature disclosed by the
following entry in the hand of Fr. Fuster:
"On April 16, 1777, I was notified by a letter from Lieu
tenant Joseph Francisco de Ortega, comandante of the
presidio at San Diego, that one of the pagan prisoners, who
called himself Naleipoco from the Otay Rancheria, was very
sick and wanted to be baptized. On receipt of this notice,
I started out for the presidio and found the Indian already
somewhat instructed. I then instructed him in what was
still lacking of the Christian doctrine, and as the opportunity
was given for baptizing him solemnly, I did so according
to the regulations of Mother Church in the very jail of the
presidio, and gave him the name Fernando Salvador de los
Reyes. His godfather was Don Francisco Aguiar, sergeant
in the leather-jacket company of the royal presidio of Loreto,
whom I reminded of the spiritual parentage and obligations
which he had contracted. In witness thereof I sign at this
Mission of San Diego, on the eighteenth of said month and
year. — Fr. Vicente Fuster."
Names of white persons who later figured prominently in

Mission San Diego 137
California history appear quite early in the Mission Registers.
"Among the entries in the book that was destroyed when the
mission was fired," Fr. Fuster writes, "I am sure of one
which stated that Fr. Dumetz baptized solemnly in the church
of the mission during the month of February, 1775, an in
fant of a few days, the son of Don Francisco de Ortega,
Lieutenant of the presidio, and Maria Antonia Carrillo, his
wife. The child was given the name Jose Francisco Maria.
The sponsors were Don Rafael de Pedro y Gil, the Presidio
storekeeper, and his wife Josepha Chavira y Lerma. In wit
ness etc., January 10, 1777." In the following year, on
October 23, 1776, at the mission, Fr. Serra baptized Juan
Capistrano, another son of Lieutenant Ortega. His name
appears at number 463 in the Register.
In the presidio chapel, on the other hand, Fr. Lasuen
baptized on October 11, 1781, Francisca Antonia Maria,
born on the preceding day, daughter of Francisco Xavier
Septtlveda and his wife Maria Candelaria de Redondo, both
from the Villa de Sinaloa, and recently arrived at the
presidio. Don Rafael de Pedro y Gil and his wife were the
sponsors. On August 26, 1785, Fr. Lasuen baptized Maria Phelipa
de Jesus, daughter of Corporal Joseph Macario Castro and
his wife Potenciana Ramirez, both of the Villa de Sinaloa.
Fr. Hilario Torrent, on March 23, 1793, at the mission,
baptized Maria de los Dolores y de ' Gracia, two days old,
daughter of Juan Joseph Alvarado, soldier of the presidio,
and his wife Antonia Valenzuela. The sponsors were
Joseph Monroy, soldier of the presidio, and his wife Rita
Villabos. Proud as those Spanish officers in the early days may
have been, and proud as Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada,
when military commander, showed himself, they did not
deem it beneath their dignity to stand sponsor at the Baptism
of the lowly Indians. Indeed, Don Fernando frequently
exercised that office. Among the very first converts, some
were his spiritual children. For instance, the second and

138 Missions and Missionaries of California
third entered in the Baptismal Register by Fr. Gomez,
Manuela and Angela, daughters of pagan parents at the
time, could claim Don Fernando as their godfather. Later
on their parents became Christians and were known as
Rafael and Maria de los Dolores. Also for the first
Indian cbnvert, a youth of eighteen and the eighth entry on
the list, Don Fernando stood sponsor. Fr. Gomez gave him
the name Diego, because he had gone by that name from
the beginning. He was surnamed Rivera in honor of the
military commander. His father was a widower and a
pagan at the time. But later he became a Christian and
went by the name of Miguel. Diego did great service as
interpreter, Fr. Fuster writes; but he allowed himself to be
inveigled in the revolt and he was therefore imprisoned as
an accomplice.
Additional information regarding the activity of the
missionaries in the first decade of the mission can be had
from the restored Marriage Register. The title page, re
produced in facsimile, shows that the register was opened
by Fr. Junipero Serra. Immediately after follows this im
portant note : "The first book which contained the entries
for marriages celebrated at this Mission of San Diego, was
destroyed by the fire on November 5, 1775, like the rest of
the books. As this has been noted more in detail in the
Registers of Baptisms and Deaths, it is not necessary to
repeat it here. For this reason the marriages celebrated
from the beginning to said date are entered merely after
the manner of the Padron, i.e. by giving only the names
as they are remembered by the missionary, Fr. Vicente
Fuster. That the style of entry may not appear strange, I
attach this note, on October 25, 1776. — Fr. Junipero Serra."
Then follows a note by Fr. Vicente Fuster. "Whatever
the Sacred Council of Trent and the Holy See command
for the worthy administration of the Sacrament of Matri
mony, has been exactly observed by the missionary Fathers
of this Mission of San Diego, by my predecessors as well
as by those who were in charge during my time. Therefore,
concerning the names in the marriage entries that follow,

Mission San Diego 139
it must be taken as a matter of course that every prescribed
formality had been observed, such as the betrothal, the proc
lamation of the banns, and the marriage ceremony. . . Mis
sion San Diego, January 14, 1777. — Fr. Vicente Fuster."
Having entered thirty-two couples in this summary way,
Fr. Fuster remarks, "Those enumerated thus far are the
marriages which have been contracted at the mission, most
of the couples having- come from the Rancheria of Cosoy,
which stood on the same spot today occupied by the royal
presidio of San Diego. In witness whereof etc. — Fr.
Fuster, January 18, 1777."
Then followed the names of couples grouped under the
rancheria where they had their domicile. This clear ar
rangement is of the utmost importance as it shows the
territorial extent of the missionary activity of the Fathers
of this mission, even as early as January, 1777.
I. Rancho de San Diego or Cosoy, already noted.
II. Rancho de Nuestro Padre San Francisco.
Under this head, Fr. Fuster enumerates entries 33-43,
which he duly signs and dates, January 18, 1777.
III. Rancheria de Nuestra Sehora de la Soledad.
Here Fr. Fuster enters numbers 44-66, which he certifies,
dates, and signs on January 19, 1777.
IV. Rancheria de San Antonio, alias Las Choyas.
The marriages numbered 67-75 were dated and signed on
January 19, 1777.
V. Rancho de la SSma Cruz en el Valle de San Luis,
alias Coapan.
Fr. Fuster counts up numbers 76-92, dating and signing
them on January 20, 1777.
VI. Rancheria de la Purisima Concepcion, alias Apus-
quelc.
Under this head are placed numbers 93-99. They are
dated and signed on January 20, 1777.
VII. Rancheria de San Miguel, alias Janat.
Only four appear under this head, numbers 100-103, dated
and signed on January 20, 1777.

140 Missions and Missionaries of California
VIII. Rancheria de San Jacome de la Marca, alias
Jamocha.
Only numbers 104-106 were entered. They were dated
and signed on January 21, 1777.
IX. Rancheria de San Juan Capistrano, alias Matamo.
Here are adduced numbers 107-112, dated and signed
on January 21, 1777.
X. Rancheria de San Jorje, alias Neti.
From this place the Register enters numbers 113-114.
They were dated and signed at Mission San Diego, January
21, 1777.
In the presidio chapel, only three marriages of whites
took place before 1800. Since the respective parties play a
prominent role in the later history of the missions, the
reader will be curious to know the particulars. The first
marriage, after the banns had been duly published, was that
of Don Joseph Maria Gongora, single, sergeant from Monte
rey, Mexico, with Rosalia Maximiniana Verdugo, single,
daughter of Juan • Verdugo and Maria Ignacia de la Con
ception Carrillo, by proxy, Don Mariano de la Luz Verdugo,
representing Gongora, who was at Monterey, May 16, 1776,
Fr. Vicente Fuster officiating. The witnesses were Don Jose
Francisco de Ortega and Antonia Victoria Carrillo, his wife.
The second, numbered 320 in the Register, occurred on
May 10, 1789, in the presidio chapel. The groom was
Joseph Maria Pico, soldier, and the bride Maria Eustaquia
Gutierrez. These were the parents of the last governor of
California under the Mexicau flag. As prescribed, the
banns were published on three successive Sundays. The
ceremony was witnessed by Phelipe Romero, blacksmith
of the presidio, and Juan Maria Verdugo, soldier of the
same presidio. Fr. Hilario Torrent officiated.
The third marriage was solemnized also in the presidio
chapel by Fr. Hilario Torrent, on May 13, 1792. It appears
at number 356 in the Register. The groom was Juan
Joseph Alvarado, soldier, single, legitimate son of Bernar
dino Alvarado and Maria Teresa Castro, native of the pre-

142 Missions and Missionaries of California
sidio of Loreto. The bride was Antonia Valenzuela, legiti
mate daughter of Juan Segundo Valenzuela, soldier at San
Diego, and Agustina Alcantar, native of the Real de los
Alamos. The banns were published on three successive
festive days, both at the Mission of San Diego and at Mis
sion San Miguel del Encino, Lower California. Ramon
Buelna and Claudio Lopez, soldiers, were the witnesses.
The arrival of the good Fr. Presidente was always a nota
ble event at San Diego, especially after he had received the
faculties to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. His
first visit for the purpose of administering this Sacrament
to the newly baptized Christians occurred in the fall of 1778.
Here is how Fr. -Junipero Serra himself relates the visit
in his personal Journal of Confirmations.
"On September' 21, 1778, the feast of the Apostle and
Evangelist St. Matthew, in the church of the Mission of
San Diego de Nipaguay, in the presence not only of the
neophytes of said mission but also of the chief officials and
the majority of the families of the presidio, with all the
solemnity possible, after High Mass on said day, having
observed all the regulations and rubrics as at San CarloSj
that is to say, having preached a doctrinal and panegyrical
sermon on the Sacrament I was about to administer and on
the qualities of the minister of the Sacrament, having
publicly read in the vernacular the Pontifical Indult, etc.,
being assisted by the two missionaries of the said mission,
Fathers Fermin Francisco de Lasuen and Juan Figuer, and
retaining the same vestments in, which I had sung the Mass,
I confirmed first Diego Rivera, the first neophyte, and two
of the first Christians of said mission, and then continued
with the rest to the last one prepared for that first day.
They were seventy-four in number. Having imparted to
all the Benediction after the usual Antiphone and prayers
which the Roman Pontifical prescribes, I reminded the
godfathers and . godmothers of the spiritual relationship and
obligations which they had contracted. With this the cele
bration closed.
"I remained a whole month at said mission, and in that

Mission San Diego 143
time when a sufficient number of the scattered Christians had
been collected, I prepared and disposed the adults by means
of the Sacrament of Penance, and the others by acts of con
trition for their faults, and explained to all the nature of
the holy Sacrament which they were about to receive on a
specified day. Then, after my Mass, which on those days
was always a High Mass, preceded by the ringing of the
bells, I administered the holy Sacrament. Under such cir
cumstances there were in all twelve days on which I con
firmed and the number of those who were confirmed on
those days, children and adults, was six hundred and ten,
among whom were some children of Spaniards and of other
non-Indian classes. Of all the neophytes entered in the
Padrones, the Fathers assured me that only twelve were
missing, but that they could not be found. A new blank
book was set apart for noting the said Confirmations and
others in the future, which I myself entered. In the said
entries are the names of the confirmed as well as of the
godfathers and godmothers. On October 18, which was
the nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the last Confirma
tions were administered, and on that day I bade farewell
and left the mission. I staid over night at the presidio,
where on the following morning after holy Mass I took the
road for the next mission. — Fr. Junipero Serra."
As already related , in the preceding chapter, the Fr.
Presidente visited Mission San Diego for the last time in
1783. His purpose was to administer Confirmation to those
who had been baptized since his foregoing visit and to bid
a last farewell to his beloved brethren. For he felt that his
end was approaching and that he would never see them
again in this life.
We close this chapter with the notice of the death of Fr.
Juan Figuer, the companion and fellow sufferer of Fr.
Lasuen. He passed to his eternal reward in December, 1784.
The entry in the Death Register reads:
"No. 263. Rev. Preacher Apostolic, Fr. Juan Figuer.
"On December 19, 1784, I gave ecclesiastical burial in
the church of this Mission of San Diego to the body of the

144 Missions and Missionaries of California
Rev. Fr. Juan Figuer, Preacher Apostolic of the College of
the Propagation of the Faith of San Fernando de Mexico,
missionary of this Mission, member of the Holy Province of
Aragon, and native of Anento in said kingdom. He very
devoutly received the holy Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist,
and Extreme Unction. In witness whereof I have signed on
said day, month, and year. — Fr. Fermin Francisco de
Lasuen."

CHAPTER VIII.
Reports Demanded. — Cemeteries. — Mechanical Arts. — Statistics. — School
at Presidio. — Banner Year at Mission. — Building Activities. — Grape
vines. — Elections. — Dissatisfied Indians. — Troubles of Fr. Panella
and Fr. Mariner. — Buildings. — Dominicans. — Death of Fr. Juan
Mariner. — Grapevines. — Earthquake. — Furious Indian. — His Punish
ment. — Transfer of Bodies of Deceased Missionaries. — Death of Fr.
Nicolas Lazaro. — Mission Aqueduct. — Smythe 's View. — New Church
Begun. — Dedication. — Specimen of Sectarian Gullibility. — Death of
Fr. Pedro Panto. — Poisoned by Cook. — Fr. Tapis on the Subject. —
Arrillaga on the Friars. — The Aqueduct". — Infirmary. — Church Goods.
— Santa Isabel. — Difficulties. — Chapel Erected. — Dedication. — Numer
ous Baptisms. — Present Condition.
FROM Monterey, under date of November 28, 1791, Fr.
Presidente Lasuen issued a circular notifying the
Fathers that annually, beginning with January 1, 1792, a
report in duplicate form should be drawn up at each mission
and sent to him, because the Most Reverend Commissary-
General and the College at Mexico demanded a general
report compiled from the local accounts. At the same time,
to facilitate matters, Fr. Lasuen set up a formula which the
Fathers had but to fill out. Accordingly, exact figures and
statements were thereafter made under these heads : Baptisms,
Marriages, Deaths, Indians at the Mission, Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Pigs, Horses, Mules, Plantings, Harvests, Buildings,
Furniture in Church and House, Implements, Shops. Though
annual reports had been made before, from now on the
returns of the missionaries were more systematic and minute,
as we shall see in the course of the narrative.
In addition, a royal decree of 1787, demanded Biennial
Reports from each mission. These were to state the number
of missionaries, the stipends received from the Pious Fund,
the number of male and female Indians, the number of boys
and girls under nine years of age, and the difference in
numbers between that and the immediately preceding Bien-

146 Missions and Missionaries of California
nial Report. For reasons unknown this order failed to
reach California until 1795. Still later, in October, 1806,
the Superior of San Fernando College requested reports
on the number of annual Communions and Confessions.
The information on these subjects will be found in tabular
form" at the end of the narrative.
In his first General Biennial Report, dated San Carlos
Mission, March 11, 1795, Fr. Lasuen says that from San
Diego to San Francisco as many as seventeen or eighteen
Indian languages or idioms were spoken, and that there were
not two missions where one and the same Indian language
was used.
The local annual reports of Mission San Diego for the
years 1784 — 1792 seem to have perished, since none of
them can be found. But beginning with the year 1793,
the annual statements on the condition of the establishment
are nearly complete. Before culling from this source, it
may as well be related right here what Fr. Presidente
Lasuen under date of December 20, 1792, writes to Gover
nor Arrillaga, at the latter's request, on the subject of
mission cemeteries. "I herewith comply with the order of
your Honor of October 28, last, by informing you that at all
Missions of this New California, with the exception of one
or two, there are cemeteries, but not outside the village (not
away from the population). They consist of a plot of ground
surrounded by a fence of palisades or of adobe, in the cen
ter of which there stands a cross. The settlers usually
take the dead for burial to the nearest mission cemetery.
Those of the presidio sometimes do likewise, but on other
occasions they bury the dead in the presidio churches. The
cemetery of the presidio of San Diego is situated on one
side of the church, which is not the case at other presidios.1
The cemetery of the Mission of San Diego occupies the. land
1 Archbishop 's Archives, no. 47b.

Mission San Diego 147
to a width of ten varas (or twenty-nine feet) along the
whole length of the church and vestry on the north side." 2
No report was demanded by the government on the prod
uct of the various mechanical workshops, which is to be
regretted, because information about mechanical arts, a most
important feature of life at the missions, would now be of
the greatest value. That such arts were taught is clear
from this interesting item mentioned by Fr. Lasuen. "A
few days ago," he informs Governor Arrillaga on Decem
ber 21, 1792, "arrived here at San Carlos from San
Diego at my request Antonio Domingo Henriquez. He
brought along his Indian wife from San Diego. At all the
missions of the South as far as San Luis Obispo, he has
made spinning-wheels, warping-frames, combs, looms, and
all the utensils of the ' art save carding instruments. He
has taught carding, spinning, and also the weaving of
various woolen cloths, also of the Sayal Franciscano (coarse
woolen cloth) of which they have already made clothing for
some missionaries." 3
In 1793, a granary, 96 by 24 feet, was built of adobe and
roofed with tiles.
At the close of the year 1794, Fathers Mariner and Tor
rent write : "Three buildings have been enlarged ; a por
tion of the walls that guard the mission has been erected; a
vineyard and a grove have been surrounded with a wall of
adobe forming a circuit of five hundred varas (more than
fourteen hundred feet) ; and the fields have been prepared
for planting." The Indians must have labored with a will,
when it is considered that the whole mission population con
sisted of 862 souls, of whom only one-half or even less lived
near by; and of these a large portion of the men had to
till the land, care for the live stock, or were occupied at
weaving, shoemaking, tailoring, and other mechanical arts.
2 " Su cementerio pegado al costado del norte de todo el largo de
iglesia y sacristia, y de diez varas de ancho. '' Fr. Lasuen, May 10,
1783. 3 Archb. Arch., no. 48.

148 Missions and Missionaries of California
In 1795, the Fathers to their great joy discovered a spring
which produced so much water that they decided to use it for
irrigating the land. Unfortunately, the report does not indi
cate its location. During that same year, an expedition
set out to look for mission sites.4 In ,1796, a wall running
along the arroyo was plastered and two of the buildings
were enlarged. From the Biennial Reports of this year,
1796, we learn that the two missionaries of San Diego
received each a stipend in the shape of various goods and
articles amounting to $400, and that the other Father who
was staying at the mission as supernumerary received no
stipend. The Indian populations comprised 412 males and
496 females, in all 908 souls.
In 1795, Governor Borica writes : "At the presidio of
San Diego, Sergeant Don Manuel de Vargas, retired from
military service, is in charge of the school. His salary is
$100, which is provided by the troops and others." The
school had been opened that year. On September 29, he
had an attendance of twenty-two pupils.5 Likewise, in 1795,
the missions of this district were requested to send each four
or five Indians to the presidio to learn stone-cutting and
brick-laying.8 The year 1797 was a banner year. As many as 565 Indians
were baptized, so that, after subtracting deaths, the popula
tion rose from 908 to 1,405. For the Fathers, this meant
immense work in a spiritual way, not to speak of the worry
so many additional mouths to be fed and bodies to be
clothed involved. However, as the Fathers were out for
souls, their happiness far surpassed their hardships. Thus,
in 1797, San Diego outstripped both San Gabriel and San
Antonio and became the most populous mission in California.
Since more water was needed for mission purposes the

* See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 490-491.
5 Cai. Arch., Prov. Becords, v. 650. See Missions and Missionaries,
vol. ii, p. 474.
« Bancroft, i, p. 652.

Mission San Diego 149
Fathers built a ditch 1,300 varas or yards long that brought
water to the establishment. The wall along the arroyo v
was lengthened with masonry to a distance of eighty varas.
For the sick, four houses were constructed fifty-two varas
long and five varas wide, and covered with tiles.
The Biennial Report for 1797-1798 gives the important
information that grapes were raised and some wine was
pressed. Fathers Juan Mariner and Jose Panella were
stationed there at the time, but Fr. Jose Barona assisted as
supernumerary. Fr. Hilario Torrent, on November 8, 1798,
had sailed for Mexico, where he died before May 14, 1799.
At the beginning of 1799, the usual elections of alcaldes
and regidores were held. On January 20, Fathers Mariner
and Panella . reported that the Indians Jayme Samop and
Antonio Pellau had been elected alcaldes, and Bernardino
de Sena with Angel Natamias regidores.
During 1798, some of the Indians were disposed to be
troublesome. They manifested dissatisfaction particularly
with Fr. Jose Panella, a new missionary. After investigat
ing the case, Fr. Lasuen, under date of September 30, 1798,
wrote from San Carlos to Governor Borica that the com
plaints against Fr. Panella's asperity had little foundation,
but that nevertheless appropriate steps would be taken to
eliminate any cause for dissatisfaction as he would not
permit any of his subjects to do injustice to the natives.
Thereupon, Governor Borica replied on the next day, "In
consequence of your communication of yesterday, I have
instructed the commander of San Diego to keep in mind the
last chapter of the Instructions which treat of how to listen
to complaints of Indians of the mission without favoring
them entirely, but to assure them that they shall have what
they need, and to blame and reprove them in what they
deserve." 7
Fr. Panella himself explained to Governor Borica under
date of November 21, that the complainants were dissatisfied
' Sta. Barb. Arch.

150 Missions and Missionaries of California
because he would not let them have their way at certain
feasts.8 Governor Borica, however, directed Comandante Manuel
Rodriguez of San Diego to institute a secret investigation.
This was done, and Rodriguez reported as follows :
In view of the confidential note of Your Honor, in which you
advise me of the complaint made by the Indian of this mission who
is called Andres and who turned to Your Honor to accuse Fr. Juan
Mariner, the missionary, I have to say that I have been informed by
three individuals. All witnesses expressed themselves to the effect
that two Indians of the rancheria died in consequence of having been
taken out of the Mission calaboso very ill; and they added that the
diarrhoea from which the Indians died infected the majority of the
neophytes; that they contracted the illness in jail,9 into which they
had been placed by the said missionary because of robberies; that no
one was made to work when ill, unless his illness was not known;
that it is true, however, that the punishment of twenty or twenty-five
lashes is usually added to that of confinement, but only in the case
of real robberies or of very grave suspicion thereof; that no case has
occurred where pozole and atole was wanting for all, although it has
not been administered to such prisoners in such abundance as they
generally demanded; and that it is likewise true that they are made
to go out to work at daybreak from which they return for meal
which lasts an hour, and then resume work until sunset.10 This is
all I can say to Your Honor in the brief report which you demand
by your order of November 25, 1798. God keep you many years. —
San Diego, December 19, 1798. Manuel Rodriguez."
The truth is that the mission regulations directed that
neophytes, except the infirm and incapacitated, rise at day
break for morning prayers, holy Mass and the Doctrina,
whereupon they take breakfast. Work was then begun
about 8 o'clock and lasted till noon or Angelus at 12. They
returned to work at 2 o'clock and continued till about 5,
when there would be the Doctrina and supper. Thereafter,
s Archb. Arch., no. 166.
a But the same epidemic afflicted the Mission of San Diego in 1798.
See Bancroft, p. 654, note 20.
10 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 554-567, for details on
mission routine.
"Cai!. Arch., Prov. St. Pap., xvii, p. 105.

Mission San Diego 151
amusements could be indulged in, which for the girls
ceased at 8 o'clock, while the youths might continue till
9 o'clock if they wished. The fact is, therefore, that the
Indians labored only six or seven hours a day.
Some of the Indians appeared disposed for a frolic at
times, as we gather from Bancroft.12 Three neophytes, for
instance, at one time in 1794 were found stowed away in
the Concepcion eight days out from the port. They claimed
to have done this for sport, and they were sent back from
San Bias. Again, in 1798, a runaway neophyte was sent
back from Tepic.
During the last year of the century, 1799, much building
was done. A large room for the mission guards was
erected, measuring fifteen and one-half by twenty-five and
one-half feet. The material was presumably adobe, though
that circumstance is not mentioned. A room for the cor
poral of the guard was added. It measured sixteen feet
in length and presumably had the width of the preceding
room. One new structure, the dimensions of which are
not stated, was erected to shelter the iron implements and
utensils. Another structure measured fifty-six feet in length ; -
its width is not given, though it probably corresponded to the
main wings, that were fifteen and one half feet wide.
Finally, a remarkable building was erected which is de
scribed as follows : "Another structure was built, twenty-
three and one-half Spanish yards (67 feet) long and thirteen
and one-half yards (38 feet) wide. It had a pilar in the
center, measuring ten varas (28 feet) in height and being
one vara and a quarter (4 feet) square, of masonry, from
which the beams ran down on the adobe walls. It was
covered with tiles." The purpose of this building is not
stated, but it is seen in the cut.
Friendly visits from Dominican Fathers of Lower Cali
fornia were frequent - in the last decade of the century.
Generally they would be asked to officiate at a Baptism or
12 History, vol. i, p. 655,

SfKM'**''*

MISSION SAN DIEGO IN 1848 (From a Drawing) j(

Mission San Diego 153
a burial at both the mission and the presidio. The entry
in that case always has the remark "de licentia — by permis
sion." The first Dominican who appears in the Register
of Baptisms is Fr. Caietano Pallas, who baptized on April
5, 1791. Other Dominicans officiating were Fr. Josef
Loriente, in September, 1791, June, 1792, and July, 1798;
Fr. Mariano Apolinario, in October, 1794, and October, 1795 ;
Fr. Miguel Lopez, in May and June, 1795 ; Fr. Josef Conause,
of Santo Tomas, in July, 1798 ; Fr. Ramon Lopez of San
Vicente Ferrer, in November, 1798; and Fr. Eudaldo
Surroca, of Santo Tomas, in November, 1801.
Mission San Diego suffered a great loss in the death of
her senior missionary, Fr. Juan Mariner. He had officiated
at a burial (number 1,048) for the last time on December
23, 1799, and had entered his last baptisms (numbers 2,710-
2,711) on January 20, 1800. The entry of his funeral in
the Death Register is laconical enough. It reads as fol
lows: "No. 1,059. On January 30, 1800, at this Mission
of San Diego, I gave ecclesiastical burial to the body of the
Rev. Fr. Juan Mariner, Missionary Apostolic, and missionary
of said Mission, who died on the preceding day at half past
seven o'clock in the night. In testimony whereof I sign,
Fr. Jose Faura."
Fr. Mariner had been stationed at the mission since
December, 1785. What little is known about him will be
found in the biographical sketches. Fathers Panella and
Barona had been the assistants of the deceased. Why Fr.
Faura, who till then had been stationed at San. Luis Rey,
performed the burial ceremonies is not clear. Thereafter
he did not officiate at any other ceremony at San Diego,
although on a visit in February and October, 1799, he ad
ministered Baptism. He was next transferred to San Juan
Capistrano. In his Biennial Report of February 25, 1801, Fr. Lasuen
states that "the Missions of San Diego, San Juan Capis
trano, San Gabriel, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, and

154 Missions and Missionaries of California
San Luis Obispo raise grapes and press some wine.13 In
most missions, despite our endeavors, we have no success,
since we missionaries, being all Europeans, do not know
the climatic or other situations. In some missions grape
culture and wine pressing succeed, in others the result is
distressing; whether by reason of the soil or the climate, they
are failures. . " On February 21, 1803, he notes that "in
/ some missions they have begun to harvest olives; and at
San Diego they have already made some very good olive
oil." 14
In the latter part of the last year of the century, this
southern district experienced a somewhat severe earthquake.
From Loreto, Lower California, under date of January 16,
1801, Governor Arrillaga reported to the viceroy that on
the eleventh of the preceding month the lieutenant-commander
of San Diego presidio had informed him that on November
¦<N 22, 1800, at 1 :30 p.m., an earthquake had occurred which
lasted six minutes. Several dwellings occupied by the
soldiers, the warehouse for clothing, and the house of the
lieutenant of volunteers suffered damage. The earthquake
-* extended as far as the Mission of San Juan Capistrano,
twenty-five leagues to the north, and there threw down the
wall of the transept of the church which they were build
ing.15 It was still dangerous for even the devoted missionaries
to incur the displeasure of the Indians in their present
half -enlightened state ; and that might happen through no
fault of the Fathers. A mere refusal to gratify the whim of
a native or a slight scolding would suffice to excite him to
seek revenge. One of these, named Hilario, had gone so far
as to throw a stone at one of the missionaries. This was a
is ' ' Comen uvas y se hace algun vino. ' '
i* "Ya en San Diego se ha hecho un poco de aceyte muy bueno. "
Sta. Barb. Arch.
is Cai. Arch., Prov. St. Pap., xxi, pp. 134-138, Bancroft Collection.
Bancroft, vol. ii, p. 106, notes also, on the authority of the Provincial
Becords, xii, 21, that on May 25, 1803, an earthquake slightly damaged
the San Diego Mission church.

Mission San Diego 155
serious matter. The corporal of the guard doubtless re
ported the case to Captain Manuel Rodriguez, commander
of the presidio. He appears to have thought the case of
sufficient importance to go before the governor; for Gover
nor Arrillaga writing to Rodriguez from Loreto, Lower Cali
fornia, under date of February 16, 1805, says, "The act of
the Indian Hilario, which you refer to me under date of
January 10, deserves severe chastisement. To have the
audacity of throwing a stone at his missionary, is something
of which there are few examples. In order, therefore, that
the others may take a lesson it is necessary that he be kept
in prison, where on nine successive feast days, always after
High Mass, he shall be given twenty-five lashes. On the
other nine Sundays he shall be given thirty-five or forty
stripes ; moreover, it is necessary that you have six other
Indians, every Sunday different ones, come from the mission
to be present at the punishment. After what I order now
has been carried out, I shall determine what destination
will have to be assigned to him. Furthermore, I direct
that you in this punishment show no clemency." 16 Clearly,
Governor Arrillaga held the missionaries in veneration and
wanted them treated with due respect.
On May 4, 1802, Fr. Panella in his Biennial Report to Fr.
Lasuen writes : "My companion does not sign because he
is in the vineyard, and the mail carrier allows no time to
wait for him." This was Fr. Barona. Evidently the
Franciscans looked closely to their temporal affairs, although
they very much preferred to attend to their chief work, the
spiritual affairs of the dusky children. However, as a
means to the end for which they had come, the Fathers
would not shirk the disagreeable task of leading in work
on the farm or of looking after the live stock.
In the same year, as has already been pointed out, Fr.
Lasuen in his defense of the missionaries, deplores the
situation at Mission San Diego where circumstances per
mitted only one-half of the Indians to live at the mission.
is Cal. Arch., Prov. Bee, xii, 35-36. Bancroft Collection.

156 Missions and Missionaries of California
For the next several years, nothing specific is reported in
the way of building; but in 1804, an unusual ceremony took
place at the mission. In the Death Register it is headed
Traslacion de los Cadaveres de los Padres Luis Jaume,
Juan Figuer, y Juan Mariner.
The entry reads : "On April 26, 1804, with the assistance of
the Commander of the neighboring presidio of San Diego,
Don Manuel Rodriguez and his troops formed in a line, we
the undersigned missionaries of this mission of the same
name transferred the bodies of the three deceased ex-
ministers, and after a Vigil and High Mass for their repose
placed them in one and the same tomb, situated beneath the
small arch which is between the twq altars of the new church,
but each one in its own coffin. The larger contains the
body, still entire and clothed, of the Rev. Fr. Juan Mariner,
who died on January 29, 1800; the middle sized, with the
skeleton of Rev. Fr. Juan Figuer, who passed away on
December 18, 1784; the smaller coffin, held the remains of
the Rev. Fr. Luis Jaume, who with utmost inhumanity and
fierceness was assaulted, beaten and killed by his own sons
whom he had regenerated in Christ. In order that for
all time to come they may be recognized clearly, we had
three stones placed over said tomb. The stone nearest to
the Virgin, our Lady of Pilar, marks the remains, of
Fr. Jaume; the one next to it, near the statue of San Diego,
points out the body of Fr. Mariner. The stone which
stands most distant and faces the south, indicates the re
mains of Fr. Figuer. Whose souls through the mercy of
God may rest in peace. Amen. This is the very truth,
which we sign on the twenty-seventh of the same month
and year. — Fr. Mariano Payeras." No other signatures
follow. Less than three years later, the remains of another Father
were laid to rest in the same church, as the following entry
number 1,727, in the Death Register shows: "On August
19, 1807, Fr. Jose Barona gave ecclesiastical burial in the
church of this Mission of San Diego under (the statue of),

Mission San Diego 157
San Jose to the body of the Rev. Fr. Nicolas Lazaro, super
numerary missionary at said mission. He was a member
of the holy Province of Burgos, and had been missionary
of San Fernando Rey. He had received the holy Sacraments
as directed by holy Mother Church. In testimony whereof
I sign, Fr. Jose Sanchez."
Fr. Lazaro had been at the mission but a short time,
to recuperate from ill health. He entered his first Baptism
on June 25, and baptized only once more, nine days before
his death, that is, on August 9, 1807.
The first year of the nineteenth century, Bancroft relates,17
proved a severe one for the mission from a material point of
view. The rains were late, and there was much want of
grain during the year, as also in 1803.18 "It may be that
these droughts impelled the Fathers to construct an extensive
system of irrigation works, and that the works, whose re
mains are still to be seen, were probably completed during
the next few years. About three miles above the mission
the river was dammed by a solid stone wall, thirteen feet
in thickness and coated with cement that became as hard
as rock. In the center was a gate-way twelve feet high and
lined with brick. The dam was standing as late as 1874,
though the water had washed out a channel at one end, and
the sand left but a few feet of the height of the structure
visible. From this dam an aqueduct constructed of tiles,
resting on cobblestones in cement, and carrying a stream one
foot deep and two feet wide to the mission lands was built
through a precipitous gorge, impassable on horseback. The
aqueduct often crossed gulches from fifteen to twenty feet
wide and deep, and was so strong that in places it supported
itself after the foundations were removed."
"There is nothing more remarkable about these priestly

" California, vol. ii, pp. 104-106.
is 2,010 bushels of all kinds of grain and 78 bushels of beans were
raised in 1801 and less in the two subsequent years. The year 1809
yielded only 1,262 bushels.

158 Missions and Missionaries of California
builders," says William E. Smythe in his History of San
Diego,19 "than the versatility of their talent and the manner
in which they met all demands. Thus they were able to
supply the engineering capacity to solve the problem of a

SAN DIEGO MISSION DAM ^
permanent water supply. They went ten miles up the val
ley, found bedrock, and proceeded to build a dam of solid
masonry across the river bed, two hundred and twenty-

is Vol. i, pp. 64-65.

Mission San Diego 159
four feet long and twelve feet thick. The remains of this
work are still in existence and exhibit a wall fourteen feet
high, as seen from the lower side. The water was conducted
by means of well-built ditches . and a short tunnel, and sup
plied the mission at all seasons of the year. It is this
achievement which gives the Mission Fathers a high place
in the history of irrigation, and the remains of that ancient
dam should be regarded as a hallowed shrine in a land
where water is god of the harvest. . . It seems very re
markable that men so deeply immersed in spiritual concerns
should also have been practical men of affairs and capable
executives: Had they not been very competent in both
respects they would have failed in their difficult undertaking.
This very unusual combination of qualities seems to have
been common to nearly all the priests, and it is little wonder
that they obtained the confidence of the Indians to a very
large degree and became their trusted advisers in all their
trouble." Important building was done about this time; but the
Fathers are sparing in their description of it. "The house
of the Fathers was finished, and it is very becoming," is all
that is to be found in the official report made on December
31, 1806, by Fathers Barona and Sanchez. Neither the time
when it was begun nor the dimensions are given; and we
are made to suppose that the walls were of adobe and the
roof of tiles. In addition, they remark that some work
was done at the old buildings. So much might have been
told in connection with these undertakings ; but the Fathers
did not realize of what a pleasure they were depriving
posterity.20 The erection of a house of God is surely a highly im
portant affair. Still, all we read about it from the hand of
Fr. Sanchez, who, as if by the way, mentions it in a letter
20 In this year, on May 16, 1807, Fr. Presidente Tapis designated
San Diego Mission as the place of the Retreat for the Fathers of this
and the neighboring missions. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii.
p. 630.

160 Missions and Missionaries of California
to Governor Arrillaga, dated September 29, 1808, is the
following: "On the present day of September 29, 1808, the
beginning was made with a church at this mission." We are
thankful that the date at least is given exactly. In the
official annual report to Fr. Presidente, Fathers Barona
and Sanchez only say, "Se sigue la Iglesia comenzada — -
The church begun continues building."
At the close of 1810, Fathers Panto and Sanchez write
that the new church building and the sacristy and ten other
houses had been roofed, and that other buildings were
under construction or repairs. In the report for 1811, how
ever, they give information that the roof of the church, which
was to have been flat, had to be taken down, and likewise
almost the whole front, on account of serious cracks.
Notwithstanding the great earthquake of December 8,
1812, Fathers Martin and Sanchez say in their report of
December 31, 1812, "Thanks be to God, we are completing
the church building, and we expect to bless it in the coming
year, 1813." They were fortunate above their brethren at
San Juan Capistrano where the terrible earthquake resulted
most disastrously.
At last the long looked for day arrived, which was to
witness the solemn dedication of the church, of which but
the ruins are seen at the present time. In the Baptismal
Register, after the entry of a Baptism, number 4,070, on
November 7, 1813, by Fr. Vicente de Sarria, the Comisario
Prefecto of the California Missions, who held the visitation
then, the event is recorded in the following
NOTA
"On November 12, 1813, the day of the glorious San
Diego, this his holy church was blessed with all the appropri
ate formalities and solemnities. The Rev. Fr. Jose Barona
officiated at said function, he being the missionary of the
mission of San Juan Capistrano. He blessed the edifice
and celebrated the High Mass on said day. The first ser
mon for the solemnity was preached by the Rev. Fr.
Geronimo Boscana, missionary of Mission San Luis Rey de

Mission San Diego 161
Francia; and the second sermon, on the occasion of the
translation of the bodies of the Rev. Missionaries who had
served as missionaries and died here, was preached by the
Rev. Fr. Thomas Ahumada, Dominican Father and mis
sionary of Mission San Miguel, Lower California. Don
Francisco Maria Ruiz, lieutenant of cavalry and commander
of tne presidio of San Diego, served as sponsor at the
dedication, the resident missionaries of said mission being
Fathers Jose Sanchez and Fernando Martin." This entry
was made by Fr. Boscana.
In this connection a curious specimen of sectarian gulli
bility should not be overlooked. It is retailed by Smythe as
follows :
There is a tradition of unusual interest concerning the building of
the San Diego Mission, which is related as follows in the San Diego J
Weekly Union of September 24, 1878:
From an old woman now living near San Luis Rey, named Josefa
Peters, and whom we believe to be at least 124 years of age, Mr.
W. B. Couts learned that the timber for the mission came from
Smith's Mountain, at least sixty miles inland from this city. The
old lady says that after the timbers had all been nicely hewed and
prepared, and blessed by the priests on the mountain, on a certain
day a vast number of the stoutest Indians were collected and stationed
in relays of about a mile apart, all the way from the summit of "the
mountain to the foundations of the mission buildings in the valley
near this city. At a given signal the timbers were sprinkled by the
assembled priests on the mountain, and were then hoisted on the
shoulders of the Indians, and were thus carried to the first relays
and changed to their shoulders, and so on, all the way to San Diego,
without touching the ground ; as it was considered sacrilege to have •
one of them touch the ground from the time of starting until it
arrived at its final destination in the Church. As there are an immense
number of these timbers, it shows the zeal and devotion of the Indians
at that date, and their obedience to the Reverend Fathers. 21
This ridiculous dream of an old Indian woman would
scarcely need comment or denial. It is too stupid to be
considered seriously, notwithstanding that W. B. Couts
stands sponsor for it. Indians are imaginative, and for
that reason those who know them will endeavor to secure
21 Smythe, History of San Diego, vol. i, p. 64.

1 62 Missions and Missionaries of California
corroboration from at least half a dozen sober ones on any
subject of their own invention. But to rely on stories of
Indian women in their second childhood is the limit of folly.
If Smythe had known a little something of Catholic practices,
he would not have included calumnies, let alone old wives'
tales. We would advise all who want to speak or write
about Catholic customs and practices, to have the ordinary
decency to inquire of some one who is in a position to know
them. Often they need go no farther than the nearest desk.
At all events, Catholic customs and regulations are always
in keeping with reason and common sense.
The timbers for the church were certainly brought from
a distance, because there was and is no suitable building
material near the mission. They were not hewn and blessed
in the woods, but down at the mission. Nor were they
brought down on the shoulders of unhappy Indians for a
distance of sixty miles, not even of sixty yards, but they
were hauled to the mission by oxen. Nor was it considered
a sacrilege for a piece of blessed timber to touch the ground.
It was not blessed at all until it occupied its place in the
building, and then the blessing of the whole edifice took
place. A priest who would have subjected the Indians to
such folly as is related by Smythe, would have been sent
back to Mexico as a lunatic. Not even in his lunacy
would he have conceived of such a silly plan. How gullible
some people are, even so-called historians !
Fr. Pedro Panto who had seen the sacred edifice rise, did
not live to witness its solemn dedication; for he died in tne
preceding year. The entry made by Fr. Geronimo Boscana
reads as follows: "Number 2,143. On July 2, 1812, with
the assistance of Fr. Thomas Ahumada, Dominican, I gave
ecclesiastical burial in the church of this Mission of San
Diego to the body of the Rev. Pedro Panto, deceased mis
sionary of said Mission, member of the holy Province of
San Miguel, and a native of Valverde del Fresno. Before
his death he received the Sacraments of Penance and Extreme
Unction. He could, not receive the holy Viaticum. He passed
away on June 30, at 7 p.m. He died, according to opinions,

Mission San Diego 163
from poisoning at the hands of the cook. In testimony
thereof I sign, Fr. Geronimo Boscana."
Fr. Panto had made his last entry, number 2,140, in the
Death Register, on June 26, 1812. In the Baptismal
Register his name appears for the last time on June 21,
1812, number 3,946, only nine days before his death.
The poisoning had occurred seven months before and an
attack of violent vomiting appears to have brought on a
lingering disease from which the good Father finally died.
At the time, the act being a capital crime, the military
officials took cognizance of the case. Suspicion at once
fell on Indian Nazario, the Father's cook, who on examina
tion acknowledged his gui-lt. It would seem that Fr. Panto,
who like Fr. Jaume wanted no revenge but conver
sion, declined to prosecute or even to testify against the
culprit, whereupon Domingo Carrillo, whom the acting
comandante of the presidio, Don Ignacio Martinez, had
appointed prosecutor, addressed himself to Fr. Estevan Tapis,
the Fr. Presidente of the missions. In reply the Fr. Presi
dente wrote as follows :
"By official note of the 21 instant, you ask me to con
cede my permission to the Rev. Fr. Pedro Panto, so that
he may give his declaration in the investigation which
Alferez Don Ignacio Martinez of the presidio of San Diego
has committed to you regarding the arrangement for trial of
the Indian neophyte called Nazario, the cook of the Rev.
Missionary Fathers, for having put poison or poisonous
herbs into the soup of said Fr. Panto in the evening of
Saturday, the 16 instant.
"While I protest that I do not desire in any manner what
ever that from my permission or from the declaration of
the Rev. Fr. Pedro Panto any capital punishment befall
any person, I in virtue of this allow the said Religious,
after making the same protest, to give the necessary declara
tion in order that precautionary steps be taken to prevent,
as far as possible, similar attempts against his person or

164 Missions and Missionaries of California
against others in the future. Mission Purisima Concepcion,
November 27, 1811, Fr. Estevan Tapis. — Domingo Carillo." 22
It will be observed that Fr. Tapis, who knew the value of
Indian complaints or statements, took the matter very coolly.
In this spirit, too, the charges of the neophyte must be
judged. Only a few years previously, Governor Arrillaga,
reporting to Mexico as to the charges of cruelty on the
part of the missionaries, wrote, "The Friars on the whole are
sensible and honest men, and the natives are as a rule
well treated. Slight defects and excesses are sufficiently
guarded against by Franciscan and ecclesiastical regulations
which render secular interference on account of a few
isolated complaints inadvisable." 23
The Indian confessed that he had poisoned the soup out
of revenge, because from the Father he had received in
succession fifty, twenty-five, twenty-four, and twenty-five
lashes in the twenty-four hours preceding the attempted
crime, as Bancroft24 has it, which of course is too absurd to
need disproval. Elsewhere in the report he claimed he had
received two hundred lashes.
Nevertheless, Sergeant Jose Maria Pico,, who acted, as
defender, held the remarkable opinion that Nazario's prime
was justifiable on account of Fr. Panto's cruelty, which was
not proved. Inasmuch as the poisonous dose had not been
fatal, but rather because with those Indians another stand
ard had to be employed, as the Fathers themselves always
excused them as people but half-witted, Domingo Carrillo
insisted that a penalty of eight months' labor in the presidio
should be imposed as a warning to others. It is not known
whether the sentence was carried out, but doubtless it was.
This same Jose Maria Pico with several soldiers was arrested
for plotting a revolt for the seizure of the military post.
Three of the soldiers died in prison. Such is the assertion

22 Cai. Arch., Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil, xlix, 104, 105.
23 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 581-582.
21 Vol. ii, p. 345.

Mission San Diego 165
of Pio Pico in his Historia.25 Only two years before,
Estudillo wrote that the missionaries treated the neophytes
like their own children, correcting them with words and
for serious offenses with from twelve to twenty-five lashes
applied but once for any misdeed, a regulation no missionary
would dare to disregard, even if the Fathers had been the
characters their enemies desire to paint them.
After completing the church and vestry, Fathers Sanchez
and Martin went to work at another much greater and
more difficult undertaking. As briefly as ever they introduce
the herculean task with these words: "We are working at
an aqueduct, Avhich is to bring water to the mission. We
hope it may succeed with the help of God, for the worst diffi
culties have already been overcome." This statement was
made in the annual report of December 31, 1813. In the
next Informe of December 31, 1814, the Fathers say, "Work
on the aqueduct is progressing; already as many as 6,600
varas have been completed." That would be equivalent to
three and a half miles. Let the reader remember what
Smythe says of it which agrees with our own observations
made as late as 1904.
The year 1815 saw another infirmary go up, which is
proof that the Fathers were solicitous for every need of
their flock. Also work on the aqueduct was continued
during this and the next year. In 1816, the infirmary was
completed. That same year Fr. Fernando Martin drew
up an inventory of the articles contained in the church
and sacristy. At the close, immediately preceding his
signature, is a note, saying, "Under the niche of our Father
Saint Francis is deposited the offering which Don Josef
Fons, Captain of the company of Catalonian volunteers,
made."26 The document is dated July 19, 1816.
Nothing more is noted regarding the Zanja or aqueduct

25 Pp. 3-4, according to Bancroft, vol. ii, pp. 344.
26"Debajo del nieho de Nro. P. S. Francisco esta depositada la
oferta que dio Don Josef Fons, Capitan Graduado de la Compania
de los Voluntaries de Cataluna. "

DOUBLE WELL OF BRICK AND MASONRY USED FOR IRRIGATION lX

Mission San Diego ¦ 167
after 1816. The only statement regarding building affairs
occurs in the report of 1820. In this year new granaries ^
were erected on the ruins of the old ones. Similarly, the
Fathers had to confine themselves to keeping things in repair
from year to year.
With the year 1820 the Fathers became particular about
reporting what was procured for the interior of the church.
For instance, on December 31, ten new rochets, cassocks for
the altar boys, and some corporals were added to the supply
in the sacristy. Subsequent additions were
In 1823, five new albs, three corporals, three amices, two
surplices, seven purificators, seven finger towels;
In 1824, five new albs, two corporals, four amices, two
purificators, four finger towels, one cincture;
In 1825, six new albs, two mantetes, two amices, one cinc
ture, one carpet;
In 1826, one new red chasuble, three albs, four amices,
seven towels, one white terno ;
In 1827, one black cope, one white antependium, a piece
of shoulder cloth — pano de ombros;
In 1830, one red cope, four manteles;
In 1831, twelve new altar cloths.
No further mention of church articles is made. Implements
also were procured from year to year to replace worn out
material. Exact reports were made on the spiritual affairs,
and on the live stock and the yield of the fields, all of
which will be found in tabulated form later.
There is little else to be noted during the decade, save
one important undertaking. While continuing their daily
mission routine, the zealous Fathers at the same time en
deavored to include in their great family the Indians of trie
sierra district. Numerous applications came from these
for admission into the fold. These Indians were instructed
as well as possible, put on probation, and then baptized.
But the missionaries did not insist that they live at the
mission because the establishment could not support them
and because the converts seemed to belong to a less low

168 Missions and Missionaries of California
class of savages. At a very early date converts were gained
from a district called Santa Isabel. In order to facilitate
conversions in that region, the Fathers desired to establish an
assistencia or sub-mission there. But this could not be done
without the governor's permit; for, under the unfortunate
system in vogue in the Spanish dominions, the ministers of
Religion had more to consult than the needs of the people.
When it came to forming a little parish or a new mission, or
when a house of worship was to be erected, even if it was
to cost the government nothing, as was the case in California,
the secular authorities had to be petitioned, and these very
frequently looked to other motives than the needs of the
people. A long time might elapse before the permit would
be granted. Such was the case with regard to the petition
which the Fathers of San Diego, encouraged by the Father
Prefecto during his visit in August, 1816, addressed to
Governor Sola, on October 12, and December 19, 1816. At
the next visit of the Fr. Prefecto, two years later, on July
23, 1818, no progress had as yet been made toward accom
plishing the plan so much desired by the missionaries and the
Indians as well. Once more, on October 13, 1818, Fr.
Sanchez petitioned the governor for the permit to erect
a chapel for the 230 Indians at Santa Isabel.27 But in vain.
Then Fr. Sarria in person but with no better success
approached Sola on the subject, as we find in the following
communication to Fr. Payeras:
In the place called Santa Isabel, toward the sierra, they count a
goodly number of baptized souls, about two hundred, and there are
prospects of more conversions. It is a place visited every fifteen
days by the Fathers, who have for more than a year been desirous
of erecting a chapel there. For the present I have determined nothing
on account of some impediments which remain to be looked after;
but having in the last year seen that neither all nor many of the
Indians could come to the mission, I told the Fathers to go there
occasionally and to celebrate holy Mass on a portable altar, even
though in consequence the presidio might lose holy Mass on a feast
day. This they have done sometimes, and, as I understand, with much

27 Archb. Arch., nos. 523, 843.

Mission San Diego 169
fruit. I also asked the governor for a permit for the formal erection
of a chapel, but he manifested some repugnance to the petition. Then
he told me he would ask for information from the commander of the
San Diego presidio. Thus far the matter has proceeded, and I was
expecting him to speak to me about it. San Carlos, February 2,
1819.28 Meanwhile the two Fathers at the mission resolved to take
the matter into their own hands, as we see from the
Baptismal Record. "On September 20, 1818," Fr. Fernando
Martin writes, "in the Rancho Elcuanam, where a beginniiig
is being made for a new foundation (mission), the site
having been blessed which will have to serve for a chapel in
the future, after celebrating the holy Sacrifice of Mass, I
baptized solemnly, using water which I took from the
Baptismal font of this church of San Diego and. administering
also the holy Oils, the following children and adults, after
they had been instructed as well as possible during a period
of fourteen days." The newly baptized appear under num
bers 4,274-4,392. Some of them were from San Felipe or
Teguila. On the twenty-third of the same month, Fr. Sanchez, at
the same place where Fr. Martin had baptized three days
before, administered Baptism to thirty-two male and female
adults. This seems to show that the Fathers had decided
to put up at least a temporary chapel, until the governor
should authorize a permanent building. Before these dates,
save in case of necessity or in articulo mortis of a petitioner,
the Fathers had baptized a great many from Santa Isabel and
from San Felipe, but always at the mission. Sunday, Septem
ber 20, 1818, may therefore be celebrated as the day on
which Fr.' Fernando Martin founded the Santa Isabel chapel
and assistencia. Fr. Sanchez, who had remained at the
mission for the Sunday, came up for the twenty-third which
was a Wednesday, to complete the festivities. Thenceforth
Baptisms from that place were always entered in these terms.
"In the Chapel of the place called Santa Isabel by us and
2s Sta. Barb. Arch, and Mission Begister.

170 Missions and Missionaries of California
Elcuanam by the natives, with water which I took from the
Font of this church of San Diego, etc.," as Fr. Sanchez,
for instance, writes on September 7, 1819, and again on
January 25, 1820.
A permanent chapel was eventually erected, but the date
is not known. In 1822, it was reported that the assistencia
of Santa Isabel comprised a chapel, a granary, several
houses, a cemetery, and an Indian population of 450
neophytes. A writer in the Land of Sunshine notes the fate of Santa
Isabel thus: "Far in the 'back country,' sixty miles or so
from San Diego, in a region untrodden by the tourist, are
the ruins of the Mission of Santa Ysabel.29 Leveled by time
and washed by winter rains, the adobe walls of the church
have sunk into indistinguishable heaps of earth which vaguely
define the outlines of the ancient edifice.
"The bells remain, hung no longer in a belfry but on a
rude framework of logs. A tall cross made of two saplings
nailed in shape marks the consecrated spot. Beyond it rise
the walls of the brush building, ramada, woven of green
wattled boughs, which does duty for a church on Sundays
and on the rare occasions of a visit from the priest who
makes a yearly pilgrimage to these outlying portions of his
parish. On Sunday, the general of the tribe acts as lay
reader and recites the services. Then and on Saturday
nights, the bells are rung. One bears the date 1723, the
other 1767. A bullet hole in the side of one of them com
memorates equally the accuracy of the aim and the sacrile
gious motive of some forgotten soldier.
"Opposite the church is the cemetery, a small enclosure
carefully guarded from intrusion by a tall picket fence.
A bare wooden cross rises in the center, and at the head of
each little mound formed of the dry sun-baked earth, a
small cross is placed, emblem of a hope beyond this world
of unrighted wrongs." 30
20 Santa Isabel was only a mission station of San Diego.
30 Vol. xi, November, 1899, pp. 318-319.

CHAPTER IX.
Vancouver Arrives. — His Observations. — Fr. Lasuen. — The Soldiers. —
Labor not Dishonorable. — The Presidio. — Fort at Point Guijarros. —
Death of Lt. Grajera. — Presidio Force. — Population. — Officials. —
Dispensation from Abstinence. — Interrogator^ y Bespuesta. — Char
acter and Habits of the Indians. — Murders. — Punishments. — Horse
stealing. — Its Punishments. — Methods True and False for Securing
Converts. — Smythe 's Foolish Charge. — Unjust Demands on the Mis
sions. — More Absurdities from Smythe. — The Franciscans. — More
Demands on the Mission. — Crops. — Population. — Contributions Ap
portioned.
DOWN at the presidio and town of San Diego, Lieutenant
Jose de Zuhiga had meanwhile, in May, 1792, been
promoted to the rank of captain of infantry and placed in
charge of the Presidio of Tucson, Sonora, now Arizona.
In October, 1793, Lieutenant Antonio Grajera succeeded him.
It was at this time that the English navigator Captain
George Vancouver with the British sloop of war Discovery
appeared in the harbor and created a stir in the sleepy
settlement. "About two in the afternoon of Wednesday, November
27, 1793," he writes, "we anchored in ten fathoms of water,
fine sandy bottom, at the usual place of anchorage in the
harbor. . . . Punta de Guiranos (Guijarros, a low spit
of land, projecting from the high steep cliffs within the
former, and which, properly speaking, constitutes the west
point of the entrance into the port. . . . The presidio
of San Diego bore N. 21 E., distant three miles and a half,
and the nearest shore northwest, within a quarter of a mile
of our anchorage." After visiting the officials at the pre
sidio and after taking wood and fresh water on board, Van
couver prepared to depart on Saturday, December 7; but
"the wind coming from the south," he relates, "prevented
our sailing the next day as I intended, but I did not regret
the detention, as it afforded me the pleasure of a visit

172 Missions and Missionaries of California
from our very highly esteemed and venerable friend, the
Fr. Presidente of the missionaries of the Franciscan Order
in this country, who was then on a visitation to the several
missions between San Francisco and this port, where he had
arrived the preceding evening from San Juan Capistrano.
He expressed much concern that our departure was so near
at hand, since the great fertility of San Juan Capistrano's
would have enabled him to add abundantly to our stock of
refreshments. I had great difficulty to prevail on the Father
President to desist from sending to San Juan's for the sup
plies he had proposed, as in all probability we should have
sailed before they could have arrived.
"The enjoyment of the society of this worthy character
was of short duration; it however afforded me the satisfac
tion of personally acknowledging the obligation we were
under for the friendly services that had been conferred
upon us by the missionaries under his immediate direction
and government; being perfectly assured that however well
disposed the several individuals might have been to have
shown the kind attention we had received, the cordial in
terest with which the Father President had, on all occa
sions, so warmly espoused our interests, must have been
of no small importance to our comfort. This considera
tion, in addition to the esteem I had conceived for his
character, induced me to solicit his acceptance of a hand-
-^ some barelled organ, which, notwithstanding the vicissitudes
of climate, was still in complete order and repair. This
Was received with great pleasure, and abundant thanks, and
was to be appropriated to the use and ornament of the new
church at the presidency of the mission of San Carlos.
"The Mission (of San Diego) is not conspicuous from
the situation," Vancouver remarks, on the occasion of his
visit in December, 1794, "nor does it command an exten
sive prospect." x
There is no record of any agricultural operations what-
1 Voyage of Discovery, vol. ii, pp. 471-472.

Mission San Diego 173
ever at or near the presidio outside the mission, Bancroft
tells us, nor were there any private ranchos in the whole
region before 1800.2 Vancouver essays an explanation.
"The military," he declares, "do nothing, in the strictest
sense of the expression; for they neither till, sow, nor reap,
but wholly depend on the labor of the inhabitants of the
missions and pueblos for their subsistence, and the common
necessaries of life. To reconcile this inactivity whilst they
remain on duty in the presidio, with the meritorious exer
tions that the same description of people are seen to make
in the pueblos, is certainly a very difficult task; and the
contradiction would have remained very prejudicial to their
character, had I not been informed that to support the con
sequence of the soldier in the eyes of the natives, and to
insure him their respect, it had been deemed highly improper
that he should be subjected to any laborious employment.
This circumstance alone is sufficient to account for the
habitual indolence and want of industry in the military part
of the societies." 3
The excuse offered was only a pretext to cover the in
veterate laziness of the Mexican soldiers, who were recruited
to a large extent from the scum of Mexican society and
from convicts. The missionaries, men of learning, and fre
quently of noble blood, did manual labor of every kind; yet
in no way did they suffer in the esteem of the Indians.
On the contrary, they endeared themselves to the Indians,
besides setting them an example of industry. Because of
the lack of useful employment, time hung heavy on the
hands of the soldiers, and this naturally bred mischief. Here
lies the secret of much of the hostility the missionaries and
their wards encountered on the part of the military. While
the mother country provided the soldiers with food and
clothing, the troubles were not so poignant; but, when with
the year 1812 supplies failed to come from Mexico, on

2 History of California, vol. i, p. 648.
3 Vancouver, Yoyage, vol. ii, pp. 496.

174 Missions and Missionaries of California
account of the ill-fated and ill-advised revolt of Hidalgo, a
veritable martyrdom began for the Franciscans and their
neophytes, as may be seen in the third and fourth volumes
of the General History. No, it was not that the soldiers
would have lost the esteem of the Indians by using their
spare time in cultivating gardens and raising stock with a
view to have something for a rainy day, or to support them
selves independently of the poor Indians, but because, worse
than the savages, the soldiers disdained to work. Here we
must except the Catalonian Volunteers, however, who were
Spaniards with a good sense of the fitness of things. As
a sample, it may be noted here that in 1796, at the request
of Governor Borica, Comandante Grajera in vain tried to
induce the Mexican youths at San Diego to learn trades ;
some of them deemed the mere request an insult.4 The
comandante was ordered to call together parents who had
objected to having their sons apprenticed to mechanical
occupations. He was directed to tell them that they were
acting against their own interests ; that it was plainly ad
vantageous for the youths to be enabled to support them
selves by honest labor and that in the meantime they should
be kindly treated, well fed and clothed, and given a regular
education. Borica then ordered a list of boys between the
ages of seven and eighteen to be forwarded to him at
Monterey.5 Unfortunately, the soldiers themselves were not compelled
by the governor to be usefully occupied. When parents
and children alike grew up idlers, it was easy to guess what
the consequences would be. No wonder the troubles of the
missionaries were immensely augmented by the neighbor
hood of the idle, shiftless, vicious, gambling, and frequently
drunken whites, who should have been an example to the
Indians.

4 Cai. Arch., Prov. St. Pap., xiv, p. 16, as per Bancroft, vol. i, p. 652.
s Cai. Arch., Prov. Becords, v, 400-407. See Missions and Mission
aries, vol. ii, p. 475.

Mission San Diego 175
However, from 900 to 1,200 head of live stock were kept,
including, the military company's horses and mules. Though
this entailed little manual labor, it afforded the youths and
adults opportunities for enjoying themselves on horseback,
and provided them with flesh meat, at least. Each year, in
Mexico, an appropriation was made from the royal treasury
for presidio expenses, which varied from $14,000 to $15,000.
For this amount goods with a small amount of coin were
sent by means of the transports that plied between San
Diego and San Bias. The Catalonian Volunteers and the
artillery men, mentioned before, here and at other presidios,
received supplies to the value of $15,000 a year, of which
about one-third went to the men stationed at San Diego
till 1803. Supplies for them were also obtained from the
missions during the three last years of the century, for
which the presidio was indebted to them for about $10,000.s
"The Presidio of San Diego," says Vancouver, "seemed
to be the least of the Spanish settlements. It is irregularly
built, on very uneven ground. . . . The situation of it
is dreary and lonesome, in the midst of a barren, unculti
vated country, producing so little herbage, that excepting
in the spring months, their cattle are sent to the distance
of twenty or thirty miles for pasturage. . . . This in
terior country, although more productive in point of grass,
is not very prolific in grain, pulse, fruits, roots, or other-
culinary vegetables. I understood that they are frequently
obliged to resort for supply of these articles to the Mission
of San Juan Capistrano, which abounded in vegetables and
animal productions, consisting of great herds of cattle, flocks
of sheep and goats ; and I was assured that it was one of
the most fertile establishments in the country. . . . With
little difficulty the presidio might be rendered a place of con
siderable strength, by establishing a small force at the en
trance of the port where at this time there were neither
works, guns, houses, or other habitations nearer than the
« Bancroft, vol. i, pp. 648-649.

176 Missions and Missionaries of California
presidio which is at the distance of at least five miles from
the port, and where they have only three small pieces of
brass cannon." 7
The defect noticed by Vancouver was remedied in 1795
J when Point Guijarros, Cobblestone Point, was selected as
the site of a fort. Preparations were at once begun. Two
or three laborers and the necessary timber went down by
sea from Monterey. ¦ Santa Barbara furnished the axletrees
and wheels for ten carts, while bricks and tiles were hauled
from the presidio to the beach and taken across to the point
in a flatboat. Before March, 1797, $9,020 had been ex
pended. Nothing more is known of the extent of the work;
but by the year 1803 it served its purpose very well; for
in that year the Lelia Byrd, an American smuggler, in at
tempting to pass the point was nearly sunk by the balls
discharged at her under command of Corporal Jose Velas
quez. A project to open a road round the bay to connect
Point Guijarros with the presidio was under consideration
in 1798.8
Vancouver, the English navigator, named the point oppo
site Ballast Point, at the entrance to San Diego, Zufiiga
Point in honor of its former commander. Zufiiga Shoals,
however, "abreast the eastern side of Point Loma, and
parallel therewith, at a distance of two-thirds of a mile,"
was so named by Sebastian Viscaino in 1602 for Viceroy
Zufiiga, Count of Monterey.9
By the year 1799, Lieutenant Antonio Graj era's excessive
use of liquors had rendered him unfit for service. Having
obtained leave of absence to visit Mexico, he sailed away
on the Concepcion, but died two days out from the port, on
January 18, 1800. Ensign Manuel Rodriguez succeeded him
as commander of the port, and he was promoted to the
lieutenancy in July, 1801. The corporals and privates, with

7 Vancouver, Voyages, vol. ii, pp. 495, 501.
s Bancroft, vol. i, pp. 651-652; vol. ii, pp. 11-14; 102-104.
9 Davidson, Pacific Coast Pilot, p. 17.

Mission San Diego 177
generally an armorer and carpenter, varied in number but
slightly from fifty-seven during the last decade of the cen
tury, not including the retired soldiers or invalids, who
gradually increased from four in 1792 to fifteen in 1800.
From this force twenty-seven to thirty-three men were con
stantly detached to form guards for the five missions, in
cluding San Miguel, Lower California, and the town of
Los Angeles. In 1796, Lieutenant Jose Font with twenty-
five Catalonian Volunteers came up from Mexico and they
were stationed here till their return in 1803. At the same
time, six artillerymen under Sergeant Jose Rocha arrived
and increased the force to nearly ninety men. The whole
white population of the district consisted of two hundred and
fifty souls, according to Bancroft, but according to official
reports there were 112 white men, that is to say, not Indian,
58 white women, 78 white boys, and 51 white girls, or in
all 299 souls. Of these, 160 lived at the presidio ; the rest
were scattered in the missions or were located at the pueblo
as pensioners. In 1800, eight foundling children were sent
up from Mexico to live at San Diego.10
Ensign Francisco Maria Ruiz of Santa Barbara, at the
end of 1805 was promoted to the lieutenancy and appointed
acting commander of San Diego to succeed Captain Manuel
Rodriguez, who in 1806 was promoted to the office of
habilitado general for the Californias with residence in
Mexico. Late in 1807, Captain Raimundo Carrillo took
charge; but he died in November, 1809. His daughter, in
1804, married Jose de la Guerra y Noriega who at the time
was ensign at Santa Barbara. Ruiz then became com
mander and remained in charge till 1827, although he did
not enjoy the rank of captain till 1820. The presidio
obtained supplies from the missions of the district as fol
lows: in 1804, to the amount of $4,000; in 1806, to the
amount of $5,500; and in 1807, to the amount of $7,700.
The records of other years are not extant, according to

10 Bancroft, vol. i, pp. 646, 648.

178 Missions and Missionaries of California
Bancroft.11 This historian also notes particularly that in
the said years the presidio officials collected annually $75,
and in 1811 as much as $111, from the distribution of
Papal Bulls, which in other places he ignorantly calls Papal
Indulgences}2 These were nothing more than certificates
entitling the holder to the privilege of using flesh meat on
certain days of abstinence. They had to be renewed each
year and could be procured from government officials in
consideration of a small contribution, twenty-five cents for
ordinary people once a year. The poor had to pay nothing
for them. Neither the missionaries nor any other official
of the Church received any portion of this revenue. All
went into the royal treasury. It was a privilege granted
by the Popes to the Spanish kings in acknowledgment of
the services which the Spanish rulers and people had ren
dered and the sacrifices they made in behalf of Christianity
in the wars against the Mohamedans.13
In 1812, the Spanish Government for some reason or other
sent to all civil and ecclesiastical authorities in the dominion
of Spain an "Interrogatorio" or list of questions regarding
the natives in their pagan state. The missionaries of Cali
fornia received this list through the Bishop of Sonora. The
replies were laid down in a document called "Respuesta —
Answer." Omitting the questions for the sake of brevity
and because they can be readily inferred, we here subjoin
entire the answers of the two missionaries of Mission San
Diego to the thirty-six questions. They throw a clear light
on the Indians of the district in their pagan state.
"Respuesta
The undersigned Fathers of Mission San Diego de Nipa-
guay respond to the questions of the Interrogatorio which
His Excellency Don Ciriano Gonzales Carvajal, Secretary

11 Bancroft, vol. i, pp. 651-652; vol. ii, pp. 11-14; 98-104, 340.
"Bancroft, vol. ii, pp. 167, 343.
13 For a full discussion of this subject see Missions and Missionaries,
vol. iii, pp. 620-623.

Mission San Diego 179
ad interim of the Guvernacion del Reino de Ultramar,
directed to the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Sonora, and by whose
orders the Rev. Jose Joaquin Calvo sent it to the Very Rev.
Fr. Jose Sefian, Presidente of the Missions of Upper
California. 1. In this Mission of San Diego, two classes of people
are attended, the neophytes and the military of the adjoin
ing presidio of San Diego, among whom there is but one
European. 2. The native home of the neophytes is the mission and
its neighborhood.
3. The idiom which the neophytes speak is the Language
of MAU. It is so called because for the word yes they
say SAA, and for no they say MAU. They understand
and speak also our Castilian language, especially the young
people. 4. In these neophytes, much affection between man and
wife is observed ; for at the death of either, the survivor
weeps much and goes about sad; this is more common
among the old people. The parents love their children to
excess ; for by every means they seek to feed them. They
suffer want themselves rather tha'n let their children feel
it ; and this is general with all. The parents train their
children ; for it is noticed that, when they do wrong, the
parents exhort, reprove, and even punish them ; but this is
not common with all. They are excessively averse to labor
and mechanical arts but the vigilant missionaries make them
apply themselves to labor and mechanical arts, and tHe
Indians learn any task with facility.
5. There is noticed in these neophytes a good deal of
fondness for the Europeans and Americans ; for they wish
to serve them and to live with them. No hatred or rancor
is observed.
6. Already answered.
7. No inclination to learn to read or write is noticed;
for no vestige is found which would demonstrate that they
at any time used characters. But the missionaries, indeed,

180 Missions and Missionaries of California
put one or the other to writing and reading, and these learn
with facility. They use our paper for it.
8. To this mission come every year from paganism those
who desire to be Christians, and a large proportion are old
people. It is difficult for them to learn to speak the Cas
tilian tongue. The most suitable method to induce them to
speak is the one we follow, that is, to exhort and admonish
them and to threaten punishment; to the young people
punishment is sometimes applied. The causes which have
hindered them in using- the Castilian language we do not
know. 9. The virtues of compassion, charity, and generosity are
noticed, especially in the women.
10. They are very fond of participating in the Feast of
the Bird called Gavilan (Hawk), which consists in search
ing with much anxiety for that bird. They invite one an
other to hunt for it. This is owing to the fact that there
are at this mission certain neophytes who are very smart,
though very poor at the work of collecting seeds. Hence,
when they want food, they take up the plan of searching
for that bird. They deceive the more simple-minded and
tell them that the bird is a real person who can liberate
them from their enemies and who grants them whatever
they ask. Under this supposition, though false, the simple
tons believe with such obstinacy, that they take as much
care of the bird as the most affectionate mother would show
for her child. For as soon as they have caught the bird,
they treat it to whatever they hunt or chase, and of the
seeds gathered they always give it the best. After they
have raised it, they kill it ; then they burn it and while it
is consuming on the pyre, they offer it the collected seeds,
beads, and whatever they prize. In the following year, they
search for another hawk and treat it in the same manner.
The method used to break them of this foolishness is to
appoint a few good Indians to watch over this particular
affair ; and all who are caught ¦ practicing it are severely
punished in public.

Mission San Diego 181
11. In this Mission we use and observe the catechism
(in the native as well as in the Castilian language) which
our Superiors have prescribed.
12. Answered under number 10.
13. In the moral as well as in the political order progress
is noticed.
14. When a young man thinks of getting married, he
goes to the house of the parents of the desired girl, or to
that of her nearest relative, and asks her of them. If the
girl consents, they immediately go to the house of the mis
sionaries, where the young people present themselves accom
panied by the parents and the witnesses, and declare in the
presence of the missionaries that they desire to marry. If
there is no impediment, the marriage takes place.
15. They have no other curative methods than those
which the missionaries or some other white person may
apply to the Indians. For, although this country is favored
with many medicinal herbs, the Indians do not use them,
nor have they used them at any time. There are certain
shrewd neophytes who call themselves Guisiyag, which
means wizard. The method they employ in curing diseases
is that as soon as an Indian is found to be sick, the rela
tives approach or summon the guisiyag. This fellow comes
with a stone or a stick or some hair concealed in his mouth,
which he applies to the suffering part. Then he commences
to extract or suck from the said part and on withdrawing
shows what he had concealed in his mouth and persuades
the patient that this is was that ailed him. At this they
are all quiet and content, since it appears to them that the
patient is already freed from his malady. From this it
may be inferred that their greatest infirmity and ailment
is melancholy and apprehension. However, the most wide
spread malady is the morbo venereo. For the last four
years, in this part of the territory, deaths have exceeded
Baptisms. In the last year of 1814, the deaths were 118,
while the Baptisms were only 75. In this number are in
cluded the gentile adults who have been baptized.

182 Missions and Missionaries of California
16. The seasons of the year are known by the leaves
on the trees, by the plants in the fields, and by the harvest
of the various grains. The Indians have not and never had
a calendar. They are guided merely by the sun and the
moon. 17. The missionaries provide food for the neophytes. In
the morning it consists of atole or a gruel of barley, wheat,
or corn. At noon they get pozole, which consists of the
same grains boiled. In the evening the meal is the same
as in the morning. Every fifteen days, twenty-four head
of cattle are slaughtered. More is not given because the
condition of the mission permits no more.
18. We are not aware that they use any fermented bever
age ; but they have occasion, indeed, to drink wine and
aguardiente to excess (at the presidio).
19. Answered under number 10.
20. The Indians are not eager to preserve the customs
of their forefathers. They say that they came from the
north to these lands.
21. In their burials they observe no ceremonial what
ever. What they do is this : at the death of any one, the
relatives of the deceased, in the presence of the mission
aries, throw a few seeds of grain into the grave, and then
raise a wail which lasts for some days.
22. They are little trustworthy in their dealings and
words. 23. They are inclined to tell lies, especially in reporting
anything incriminating; for they dread chastisement and that
is the reason for their lying.
24. The dominant vices in them are impurity, stealing,
and murder.
25. They readily loan things to one another and without
interest. 26. As they lead a community life under the direction
of the missionaries, the latter apportion the labor and the
sustenance. 27. The Indians are much inclined to pride and rancor;

Mission San Diego 183
the men persecute one another to death out of jealousy or
for some other grievance; the women, when they are
angered at their men, or when the men have dealings with
other women, may revenge themselves for such grievances
by committing suicide.
28. Answered under number 10.
29. Among the pagans no other idolatry is observed than
the Feast of the Bird, after the manner described under
number 10. The ceremonial which they observe at their
burials consists in burning the body; while it is burning,
they throw seeds on the fire and raise a cry accompanied
by weeping, which lasts for days and even for months.
30. Since the neophytes live in community, they have
no private property and therefore they are neither rich nor
effeminate. 31. The neophytes of the Mission are equal as to food
and clothing, which is all they possess.
32. The male and female neophytes of this Mission serve
the military of the presidio nearby, because they volun
tarily desire to serve them. The latter then have the same
obligations as the Fathers, that is to say, they must feed
and clothe the neophytes, attend to their education, and give
them a good example.
33. These neophytes have not and never had other musi
cal instruments than a timbrel which has a disagreeable
sound. However, the Fathers have procured some musical
instruments, and the neophytes play them with some ability ;
they would be proficient if they had someone to perfect
them, for they are very fond of our musical instruments.
34. In this Mission there .are not and never have been
men distinguished in literature or in arms.
35. It is known that the Indians have an idea of eternity,
of a reward and punishment, of a final judgment, of purga
tory, hell, and heaven; for some live continent, others con
fess during the year, many at Easter time, and at the hour
of death all anxiously plead for the holy Sacraments.
36. These neophytes are dressed in overalls and a blanket
and wear a sash half a yard wide around the waist. The

184 Missions and Missionaries of California
women wear chemise, gown, and blanket or shawl. Mission
San Diego, December 23, 1814.— Fr. Fernando Martin, Fr.
Jose Sanchez." 14
There were some vicious characters among the neophytes
of San Diego Mission, and the fact that many had to be
allowed to live most of the time in their distant rancherias
away from the control of the missionaries scarcely helped
the Indians to curb their passions. Late in 1814, for in
stance, three Indians, called Francisco, Fermin, and Fer
nando, who were neophytes only in name, murdered the
mayordomo of the mission, whose name was Miguel. The
affair was reported to the viceroy in February, 1815, but the
fate of the criminals is not known, as no documents appear
to have been preserved.15
A similar case was that of Vicente Acevedo of San Diego,
who in April, 1815, was accused of having stabbed his
wife. He claimed that he did so because she had put some
herbs into his porridge. Of course, that was as true as
Indian accusations generally were, for instance those against
the missionaries, and it was sure that he made it only to
cover some misdeed of his own. In the trial, it became
evident that he had attempted the life of his wife in order
to rid himself of her, so that he could live with another
woman. On August 1, 1815, he was sentenced to receive
daily for nine days twenty-five lashes at the door of the
guardhouse of Mission San Diego in the presence of the
other Indians, as a lesson to them, and then he was put
in chains. The woman he coveted was sentenced to receive
daily twelve lashes in the women's apartments, and then to
be kept a prisoner there among the single women; and
finally she was turned over to the care of the missionaries.
Horse-stealing developed early. The culprits were not
unceremoniously hanged as was the case among the rovers
14 Sta. Barb. Arch. I
is Cai. Arch., Dep. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., xxxxvi, p. 7, Bancroft Col
lection.

Mission San Diego 185
on the western wilds ; for after all, human life, even that
of an Indian, was regarded more than that of any number
of horses ; but the punishment inflicted produced a lasting
effect on the individual. For instance, in September, 1816,
Governor Sola directed Comandante Ruiz of San Diego to
apply to some Indians, who had stolen horses, a novena
of twenty-five lashes, that is to say, twenty-five stripes a
day for nine days, then to put them in chains, and to engage
them in labor at the presidio for six years.16
Nothing else of importance seems to have occurred in the
first two decades of the nineteenth century. "It was an un
eventful period even for San Diego, always the dullest place
in the province," as Bancroft writes. "As elsewhere the
inhabitants had the ever-increasing destitution" (due, we
may add, to the revolt in Mexico and to the indolence of
the local soldiery and their relatives) "as a subject for
thought and conversation, too often without cigarettes to
clear the minds for a proper consideration of the problem.
Only twice did they see upon their fine bay the sail of any
craft except that of their own flat-boat plying lazily to and
from Point Guijarros, when Wilcox in the Traveler came
for a load, of grain in September, 1817, and the whaler
Discovery refitted in the port in August, 1820. There was
some kind of school at San Diego during a part of the
decade." "
After 1811, neither stipends for the missionaries nor sal
aries for the military, to be paid in goods designated, came
from Mexico, owing to the revolt then raging in that un
happy country. The Fathers regretted the non-appearance
of the annual transports with the Memorias only for the
sake of their dusky wards; for they could no longer de
light them with various kinds of gifts such as solicitous
fathers provide for their children, and among which even

is Cai. Arch., Dep. St. Pap., Ben. Mil, xxxxvi, pp. 8-9. Bancroft
Collection. "Bancroft, vol. i, pp. 343-344.

1 86 Missions and Missionaries of California
fireworks used to figure. Nor could they offer anything
but home products to attract the savages to the mission
family; for of beads and other gaudy trinkets the pagans
were even more fond than the neophytes. Hence a strong
means of increasing the number of converts was lost; for
other methods of winning over the savages were not em
ployed, the bold assertion of mission enemies to the contrary
notwithstanding. The reader will excuse us if we dwell on this point a
little longer, because an apparently so well-meaning author
as William A. Smythe, and that as late as 1908, asserts in
his History of San Diego 18 that "the missionaries were so
deeply in earnest to bring souls to Christ that they did not
hesitate to employ the military arm as a means of forcible
conversion. There is reason to believe that whole villages
were sometimes surrounded and their inhabitants driven to
the missions."
A little knowledge of Catholic doctrine and practice and
less gullibility would have prevented Smythe from penning
such an outrageous statement. All the villages in the San
Diego district are known and enumerated, as we shall see
later. Which whole village, nay, which family- of any such
village, was treated in the manner alleged? No such forcible
winning for Christ occurred anywhere in California, much
less at the San Diego Mission, where most of the neophytes
did not live at that establishment at all. Furthermore, the
soldiers were not at the disposal of the missionaries for any
such purpose. And even if the military had been free to
assist in such nefarious action, the Fathers could not have
employed them for such a purpose, because a Baptism admin
istered to any one so brought to the mission would have
been null and void, and would have subjected the priest to
the heaviest censures.
Nor does Smythe prove his assertion by referring to
Robinson's Life in California, where the author says that
is Vol. i, pp. 60-61.

Mission San Diego 187
"it is not unusual to see numbers of the Indians driven
along by the alcaldes, and under the whip's lash forced to
the very doors of the sanctuary." Robinson is not an im
partial witness. He had become a Catholic because a
Spanish lady would not have otherwise consented to marry
him ; it would seem, however, that Baptism had not entirely
washed out of him every anti-Catholic rubbish. He was,
therefore, like many another well-meaning writer, prone to
believe without examining the facts closely. At Mission
San Diego he had tarried only once and that for two hours
about noon, at a time when there was no divine service in
church. Besides, suppose the case was as he puts it, the
said Indian alcalde or foreman did no worse than school
teachers were, at least formerly, accustomed to do. These,
too, could be seen with whip in hand taking care that
their unruly boys marched to the classes in an orderly
manner. So much for the bubble.
For themselves the Franciscan missionaries in this and in
the other missions cared little whether or not any supplies
arrived from Mexico, although they needed habits and un
derwear and sandals, which, however, were hereafter made
in the mission shops by the neophytes. Church goods, too,
could be similarly provided or obtained from merchant ves
sels in exchange for grain and hides and tallow. What the
Fathers felt keenly was that after 1811, the whole military,
from the governor down to the last worthless soldier, de
manded that the mission furnish every necessity of the
department, from tortilla to uniform and weapons, either
in kind or in coin. Thousands of dollars were collected
from the missions in the shape of money contributions.
Others there were in the territory who profited by the pres
ence of the soldiery, namely, the white settlers and rancheros
with their large flocks ; but on these no such calls for con
tributions were made. As the missionaries possessed noth
ing and received nothing for managing the missions save
what they wore and ate, they and their neophytes had either
to produce by combined efforts what the heartless, indo
lent soldiery demanded or be threatened with forcible seizure

1 88 Missions and Missionaries of California
of the mission property. Even the obtuse mind of the
Indian perceived the injustice they were made to suffer.
Why should they labor and see the white people alone
thrive thereon? They had not joined the mission family
for that purpose, but for the sake of providing for them
selves and their families under the expert and disinter
ested guidance of the priest whom they trusted implicitly
and obeyed cheerfully, seeing how well he improved and
preserved everything for them. It is evident that under
such condition no white man would have remained at the
mission. Is the Indian to be blamed then, if he chafed
under regulations which virtually made him a slave of the
soldiers and degraded the missionary to the level of a mere
overseer of a slave plantation? Yet, out of higher motives,
both the Indians and the Fathers remained, although it
required all the ingenuity, and piety, and heartfelt sympathy
of the missionaries to quiet their Indian neophytes and to
make them submit to the yoke which the military imposed
upon them. Such was the affection the Indian harbored
for their spiritual guides, as Smythe might have known
from Forbes, pages 277, 414, and 557. These and none other
are the historical facts on the subjects. Now let us quote
other absurd and unjust assertions of Smythe, which are
really but a rehash of the ebullitions of bigoted writers and
of the mission despoilers.
That the good Fathers, he says, thought it more important to save
the souls of the Indian than to spare their feelings or their backs,
is easily susceptible of belief; for the missionary zeal knew no
bounds. Better a converted soul in chains than a free heathen!
There is no doubt that they sincerely subscribed to this doctrine, and
they were no more fanatic than many others of their time all over
the world. Nevertheless, the fair-minded student will not forget that
while they were saving souls they were organizing » mass of cheap
labor which worked for the enrichment of the Franciscan Order, and
founding settlements which they thought would secure the permanent
possession of an opulent land for the benefit of their sovereign.
In other words, their duty and interest happened to be the same, and
they had thus a double motive for what they did. They thought it
was good religion and good statesmanship.^
is Smythe, vol. i, p. 61.

-and ttf COMMANDED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE NOTHING FOE THE WAY, BUT A STAFF
rvNTT V NO f tcMP NO BEEAD NOR MONEY IN THEIR PUESE, BUT BE SHOD WITH SANDALS AND
?HAT THEY STOULD NOT PUT ON TWO COATS' '-MATTHEW, VI, 8-9. SO THEY CAME AND DEPAETED. *

iqo Missions and Missionaries of California
Here we have a blind man describing colors. Smythe
published his work before he had an opportunity to study
the mass of evidence in the present writer's five volumes;
else he would not have put so much nonsense and untruth
into one paragraph. The reader is referred to our first and
second volume for the true status of the Franciscans, and
to the third and fourth volume for the attitude of the Fran
ciscans from the time when the supplies failed to arrive
until the restoration of the mission properties to the Catholic
Church by the United States Government. Had Smythe seen
the historical facts collected there, he would not have penned
this additional falsehood: "There were great opportunities
for making money, and the shrewd priests made the most
of them. They were bent upon the enrichment of their
Order because this meant a constant increase of their
power." 20
The truth is, the Franciscans did not enrich themselves
nor their Order by as much as a dollar. They had made
the vow of poverty before they set foot in California, and
they returned to Mexico or died at their post as poor as
they had come. Nothing whatsoever went to their mis
sionary college, although free of cost it trained and sup
plied the missionaries for California. If authors and writers
are so commercialized that they can neither imagine nor
appreciate such unselfishness and therefore conclude that the
Franciscans in the missions aimed at material profit in return
for their labors, such writers may know themselves, but
they certainly have no conception of the character and prin
ciples of the Franciscans who devoted themselves to the
spiritual and temporal welfare of the California Indians.
When the soldiers wanted something for themselves or
their families, the missions would be called upon by the
commander of the presidio to supply it, regardless of the
needs of the neophytes. For instance, on June 15, 1821,
temporary Comandante Jose Maria Estudillo requested the
20 Ibidem, p. 68.

Mission San Diego 191
missions of San Diego, San Luis Rey, and San Juan Capis
trano to deliver a certain amount of grain and cereals.
Poor Mission San Diego contributed 200 fanegas or 333
bushels of corn and 44 fanegas or 73 bushels of beans.
The preceding harvest had yielded only 28 fanegas or 43
bushels of corn, but no beans. Fortunately, however, the
yield of the year 1821 was unusually large — 2,120 fanegas
or 3,530 bushels of corn and 100 'fanegas or 166 bushels
of beans. At the time, the Indian population of the mission
comprised 335 married couples, 170 male and 169 female
children under ten years of age, 126 widowers and 142
widows, 270 unmarried men and 75 unmarried women, in
all 1,622 souls. On the other hand, the garrison in 1822
comprised 60 private soldiers, seven corporals, and two ser
geants, besides the commander. Of these, 37 soldiers, two
corporals, and the two sergeants were married and had
children.21 A tabulated demand made by the presidio of
San Diego for various supplies will give the reader some
idea of what the poor Indian establishment had to provide
for the lazy soldiers who lorded it over them. It bears
the following superscription : "Description of what is very
much needed for the maintenance and equipment of the
company at the Presidio of San Diego, and for the support
of their families, which in agreement with the Very Rev.
Fr. Commissary Prefect, Fr. Mariano Payeras, has been
apportioned and must be supplied by the four missions
of this jurisdiction, during the year 1822." The articles
demanded were
60 knapsacks,
40 muskets,
40 leather shields,
240 pairs of shoes, for the presidio alone,
40 cartridge pouches,
80 woolen garters,
20 sides of leather, .

ziArchb. Arch., nos. 1,223, 2,539.

192 Missions and Missionaries of California
69 riding blankets,
88 common blankets,
600 gajol para cor. de criaturas,
200 sacks and 200 frezadas pastores.
Of this list of goods, Mission San Diego furnished her
share of one-fourth, except the cartridge pouches and the
sides of leather.22
In 1824, an order called for the following items for the
presidio from each of the four missions in this military
district :
338 fanegas (563 bushels) of wheat,
91 fanegas (152 bushels) of beans.
208 arrobas (5,200 lbs.) of manteca,23
$250 worth of soap,
75 fanegas (125 bushels) of corn, for the Indian
prisoners at the presidio.24
In that year, the mission had harvested 2,700 fanegas
(4,500 bushels) of wheat, but only 320 fanegas (533
bushels) of corn and 55 fanegas (92 bushels) of beans.
The number of Indian neophytes, on the other hand, was
1,829, the largest in the history of the mission.
As we have seen, the demands on the missions were
manifold and disagreeable. At fimes, a request would
come, however, that was apt to elicit a smile from the
troubled missionaries. A case in point is the following.
In September, 1819, Governor Sola wrote to the Fathers
at Mission San Diego :
His Excellency, Viceroy Count de Venadito, desires to have a dozen
bottles of wine from your mission, in order to send them to the
king our august monarch Don Fernando VII. Let each bottle be
labeled thus "Wine of New California from Mission San Diego."
The box should be labeled, ' ' Al Rey, Nuestro Senor por conducto del

•22 Archb. Arch., no. ' 2,539. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii,
pp. 124, 129.
23 i. e. tallow drippings.
24 Informe, December 31, 1824. Archb. Arch., no. 2,538.

Mission San Diego 193
Exmo. Virrey Conde del Venadito"; and if you know that it could
arrive sound, then a barrel of the same wine for said viceroy. I
shall esteem it highly.25
The solicitous official very likely was. quite well acquainted
with the quality of San Diego wine.

2* Cai. Arch., Prov. Bee. xi, pp. 467, 498, 536, blotter.

CHAPTER X.
Cash Demands on the Mission. — Mission not Wealthy. — Governor Eche
andia. — Heroism of the Missionaries. — Glad to Leave. — Their Zeal. —
FF. Payeras and Sanchez in Search of New Mission Sites. —
Route. — Corn Planted at Santa Isabel. — Report on Location and
State of Mission. — Mexican Independence. — Rev. Vicente Fernandez
— Arrival of Governor Echeandia. — Fathers Decline Taking New
Oath of Allegiance. — Reasons. — Greed Awakened. — Missions Needed
by the Government. — Land Grants to Neophytes. — Schools. — ¦
Smythe 's Calumny. — First Schools in America. — First Manual Train
ing Schools in California. — Smythe 's Ignorance. — Demands on the
Mission Continue. — Neophyte Establishes Home for Himself. —
Indians at Santa Isabel and Santa Monica Cared For.

FREQUENTLY, the governor himself called for clothing,
grain, mules, laborers, and even for cash. How to
furnish the money taxed the brain of the Superior of the
Missions no less than the solicitude of the individual friar
for his Indian charges, because the stupid Spanish regula
tions forbade trading with any foreign vessels. For instance,
on December 16, 1820, Fr. Mariano Payeras, the Comisario
Prefecto, was requested to supply $3,000. He replied that
he had been able to collect only $2,000 from the missions.
Again, in a circular, dated January 8, 1821, Fr. Payeras
apportioned $3,000 demanded by Governor Sola. The share
of the poorest mission, La Soledad, was $25. In June, 1821,
Governor Sola called for $6,000 to relieve his troops. On
March 13, 1823, Fr. Payeras directed the missions to supply
whatever they could spare in order to meet the demand of
Governor Luis Arguello," and to donate it outright. Accord
ingly, Mission San Diego offered 66 pairs of shoes, 66
fresadas pastores, 150 yards of white woolen cloth. On
April 17, 1822, Fr. Payeras asked the missions to contribute
toward a sum of $4,000 in order to pay the expenses of
Governor Sola as representative to the Congress of Mexico.

Mission San Diego 195
The amount assigned to Mission San Diego was $100 cash.
In October, 1822, Fr. Payeras directed this same mission
to contribute $150.1
In the previous year, 1821, Fr. Payeras wrote in his
Memorial to the Viceroy, "Like all white people of the terri
tory, the governor appears to believe that the wealth and
money of the missions are without limit. I have heard as
much during all the twenty-six years of my ministry. Yet
most of them have no more than is necessary to meet cur
rent expenses." 2
By February, 1824, the demands had become so frequent
and unreasonable as to be beyond the possibility of execution.
The Fathers of the four southern missions, therefore, refused
to furnish any more supplies for the troops unless they were
paid a just price. Till then and later, in exchange for their
products the missions had received only drafts on Mexico
which no one would accept and which were, therefore, worth
less. As the Indians at various missions had assumed a
threatening attitude, Governor Luis Arguello deemed it wise
not to press the matter further than to warn the mission
aries that there was danger of driving the troops to extremes.
He forgot that just then in the north an object lesson
presented itself which showed that it was more danger
ous to drive the Indians to extremes. Had the tormented
missionaries but given the signal, the oppressed neophytes
would have driven the whole military force of California
into the sea. For their own comfort and for the material
well-being of their charges, the Fathers had taught the
Indians only too well how to restrain themselves even under
crying injustice.
In 1824, Fr. Payeras's successor likewise protested that
it would be impossible to continue meeting such exorbitant
demands as those of the past year; that the territorial
authorities had a very erroneous idea of the wealth of the

1 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 117 ; 124-129.
2 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 117.

196 Missions and Missionaries of California
mission products ; that most of the missions after paying the
various taxes, duties, and forced loans, could barely clothe
their neophytes in coarse and scanty material; that' they
could not collect the sums due to the missions ; and that the
settlers in the ranches and town had never done anything
for the troops, although Los Angeles had 1,000 inhabitants
with rich lands and many ranches. If the governor chose
to use violent means, he, the Fr. Presidente, would not
support him, and since the Fathers would not resist, there
was grave reason to fear that they all would quit the
country and the missions would be abandoned. If the
Franciscans left the missions, however, the Indians would
certainly not remain either, but would return to the sierras.
As to the soldiers and their friends, they would not work
the lands without the Indians. That seemed to have opened
the eyes of the officials to the folly of their attitude toward
the missionaries.3
Nevertheless, when poor Mission San Diego could not
honor the demands for supplies as hastily as the new
governor, Jose M. Echeandia, expected, he went so far as to
direct Lieutenant Jose M. Ibarra to proceed to that mission
with a force of soldiers and to bring away all the grain that
the mules could carry.4 To Echeandia, who appears to have
belonged to the class of heartless and irreligious usurpers
that tyrannized poor Mexico, it was apparently a matter of
no concern whether or not the Indian converts themselves
had anything to eat. The missionaries keenly felt the
humiliating slavery to which they and their Indian charges
were consigned. Yet, what would become of the neophytes,
if they abandoned them? For the sake of the sheep, there
fore, the shepherds remained, to console their flock where
they could not relieve them. At all events, though they
longed to abandon their ungrateful task, they would not

3 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 190-193.
4 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, p. 235.

Mission San Diego 197
depart on their own account. Such was their heroic
resolution. Meanwhile, however, laws had been passed in Mexico
which aimed at the removal of the Franciscans and the
substitution of secular priests. What the unselfish friars
felt on hearing the news is well expressed in a letter of
Fr. Sanchez of San Diego to Governor Sola. "I can not
do less," he says, "than reply in the words of Psalm 121 :
'My heart rejoiced exceedingly at the things that were said
to me.' Yes, Sir, I assure Your Honor that those were
the things that have driven me from that mission. Such
have been my anguish and my disgust." 5
The Bishop of Sonora, however, could not spare priests
to replace the Fathers, and so the Franciscans with their
faithful neophytes had to continue to supply the shiftless
soldiers and to endeavor at the same time not only to keep
the ranks of their mission family intact, but also to gather
in the rest of the savages in the sierras; for neither opposi
tion nor persecution, nor disappointment, nor even illness
could smother the desire of these messengers of the Gospel
to win all that were approachable. Despite the lack of
material inducements, such as in the early days had attracted
the natives, the Fathers succeeded in converting all the
Indians occupying the sierras as far as the Colorado Desert.
Sub-mission Santa Isabel enabled them to complete the
conversion in that direction. It was well that the poverty
of the missionaries no longer repelled the savages ; for
with the cutting loose of Mexico from Spain, and the
accession to governmental control of men not in sympathy
with a Religion that bridled the passions, notably greed
and lust, there was no prospect of ever restoring life at
the missions to the happy and flourishing state observed
in the first decade of the nineteenth century. On February
24, 1821, Mexico had accomplished her independence from

5 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp.. 104-105. Archb. Arch.,
no. 1,264.

198 Missions and Missionaries of California
Spain, and with that event, thanks to the men who obtained
control, Mexico bade farewell also to religious and political
peace, a blessing she has not recovered to this day. The
same was experienced in California till 1846, when the
United States planted its flag on the coast. But we must
not anticipate.
Notwithstanding the gloomy outlook for the maintenance
of the missions, the zealous Fr. Comisario Prefecto of the
Franciscans, Fr. Mariano Payeras, on the occasion of his
official visit at Mission San Diego, in September, 1821,
resolved to see the country to the east with a view to find
ing suitable sites for establishing another mission in the
interior where pagans were said to be very numerous.
On September 10, he set out from the mission, accompanied
by Fr. Jose Sanchez, six guards, and two retired soldiers,
Jose Manuel Silvas and Marcos Briones. Fr. Sanchez
kept the diary of the expedition. It is interesting enough to
be reproduced in substance so far as it concerns Mission
San Diego.
"We set out," he writes, "on September 10, 1821, at 4
p.m., from Mission San Diego de Nipaguai, accompanied by
six soldiers and two other men. Taking the course to the
east for Santa Monica, a ranch of said mission, which is
also called El Cajon and may be about five leagues distant,
we arrived there at about 6:30 p.m., and passed the night
there. "September 11. — At about 3 a.m., we started for the north,
and after about a league we moved through a cahada called
Arrastradero, where we found a ranch called Michegua.
Thence in zigzag course we came to Jueptahua with ten
pagans. Leaving the plain called Pamo we came upon
another rancheria called Canapui with six pagans. North
by east through said valley, where the soil was not bad, we
reached Egepam, which means foreign or strange. Here
we breakfasted at 8 a.m. ; we found only three savages.
From here we traveled past a spring northward through
the Canada de Santa Isabel, which the Indians call

Mission San Diego 199
Elcuanam and which we reached at 9 a.m., after having
journeyed eleven leagues since leaving Santa Monica.
"September 12. — We spent the day visiting the sick and
conversing with the pagans in order to persuade them to
become Christians. This afternoon we returned to Santa
Isabel Valley. It is small, but the soil is good ; there is a
spring in the center and oak trees abound. This was Sep
tember 13.
"September 14. — At daybreak we began to climb the Sierra
Madre. We passed the place of the rodeo for the cattle
belonging to Mission San Diego, going two hours and a
half, and arrived at a place whence we expected to view
the Colorado, but could not owing to the dense vapors ;
however, we saw the Canada de San Felipe. There is no
timber ; only in the lowlands we observed some poplars.
This valley is three leagues long. Going to the right we
came to the Canada de San Dieguito, where we found fields
belonging to Mission San Diego. We descended on the right
and came to the rancheria of Guichapa. Farther down,
about half a league, is the spring called Geenat, farther
below called Tatayojai, where is the house known as
Elcuanam. The people of the surrounding rancherias
were already assembled there. The place is called by us
Santa Isabel. We stopped after having wandered up and
down for about six hours. The Christians alone number
450 souls. They call the vicinity Jamatai.
"September 15. — The other half of Santa Isabel Valley
to the north, not far from the house mentioned, contains
the rancheria of Mucucuiz. Farther north toward the east
is another rancheria called Getonopai. A little farther on
was Egenal. Going west we came to Teguilque and Gecuar.
The people from all these rancherias came to Elcuanam
before mentioned. It was said that in the assembly on that
occasion the Christians with the pagans numbered abou!
650 souls.
"In the evening of this day, September 15, which was a
Saturday, Fr. Comisario Mariano Payeras • planted and

200 Missions and Missionaries of California
blessed the Cross in front of the chapel door, assisted by
myself, six soldiers, two retired soldiers, and about 600
Christian and pagan Indians, all of whom venerated the
Cross by kissing it after their own manner. The Fr.
Comisario Prefecto also baptized four children of pagan
parents. We were then regaled with bread made of
mesquite beans, the taste of which was not bad at all. The
Indians are fond of it, anyway.
"September 16. — The day began with rain which continued
all day. The Fr. Prefecto sang a High Mass during which
he also preached. Afterwards we visited the sick.
"September 17. — The Fr. Prefecto started very early,
going northward to Jacopin or Agua Caliente, about four
leagues and a half distant from Santa Isabel or Elcuanam.
I could not accompany him on account of illness. After
about a league, he arrived at a spring near which the
pagans have their cornfields and a rancheria called Ajata.
The Fr. Prefecto named the place Las Llagas, on account
of the feast of the day. It is on the road going down
from the Valley of San Jose. There is good soil ; also some
timber of the alder and live oak kind. About a league and
a half beyond, is another perennial spring called Buena
Vista, near which are small marshes. About a league and
a half to the east is Agua Caliente, called by the Indians
Jacopin. The water there is in such a location that by
collecting it reservoirs could with little labor be made
useful for one purpose or other.
"The water is exceedingly warm ; but there is cold water
so near that a person can put one hand in cold water
while the other is in the warm water. In parts, the soil
is not bad. There is some alder timber. Toward the north
there are live oaks, and in the same valley there are poplars
and willows. To the north, the soil appears to be poor; but
toward the south and west, it is excellent. This evening
the Fr. Comisario returned to Santa Isabel at about 7 o'clock.
"September 18. — We passed the day partly in writing and
partly in administering the Sacraments, besides giving in
structions in catechism. A poor woman broke her arm.

Mission San Diego. 201
The Fr. Prefecto with his servant Jose reset and bandaged
it ; at the same time, he instructed her and because he thought
her in danger of death on account of her advanced age,
ninety years in my opinion, he baptized her. In the after
noon, came thirteen Indians, men and women, the youngest
of whom exceeded, sixty years of age. Fr. Payeras gave
them catechetical instructions in preparation for their
Baptism on the next day.
"September 19. — Very early, after he had celebrated holy
Mass, the Fr. Prefecto again instructed the old men and
women, and then baptized them, finishing the task by
about 11 a.m. In the afternoon, we set out on the same
road that leads to Jacopin. We again passed Las Llagas,
which name the Fr. Prefecto had given to Ajata. Going
north we came to a little elevation, having been on the
road about two hours and a half before reaching the
rancheria situated on said elevation. Continuing north
west we discovered some springs. The locality appeared
suitable for a mission, wherefore the Fr. Prefecto ordered
a Cross to be set up east of the elevation. He then blessed
it with my assistance and in presence of those accompaning
us. There are many springs which may suffice to irrigate
the beautiful table land which they dominate. The Indians
of this region possess an abundance of seeds which they
obtain after their own manner. The valley may be more
than three leagues in length and in parts more than two
leagues in width. From Santa Isabel to this locality, or
Guadalupe, for so the Fr. Prefecto christened the place, the
distance may be two leagues and a half. All the Indians
here wanted a mission. To the east of Santa Isabel, which
I forgot to note at the time, at a distance of six or seven
leagues there are ten rancherias comprising perhaps 450
souls." From Guadalupe the two Fathers and their guards went
toward the west for twelve leagues, and then reached San
Antonio de Pala, in the evening of the same September 20.
The Fr. Comisario with Fr. Sanchez extended their journey
of exploration as far as Mission San Gabriel. Here on

202 Missions and Missionaries of California
October 1, 1821, Fr. Sanchez closed his diary and returned
to San Diego.6
On various dates from March to May, 1822, all the
Franciscans took the oath of independence from Spain and
of allegiance to the government established by General
Iturbide in Mexico. At San Diego, the . Fathers Fernando
Martin and Jose Sanchez swore allegiance on Saturday,
April 20.7 The Supreme Government somewhat distrusted
the attitude of California. Accordingly, it sent a commis
sioner in the person of the Rev. Agustin Fernandez, whose
task it was to secure the loyalty of the territory.8 He did
not visit San Diego, nor did any of his acts concern this
mission in particular, save that, like all others, it had to
transmit a report regarding its condition and the extent
of the land it occupied or cultivated. Such a report was
drawn up, and it follows here entire because of its highly
important contents.
"State of the Mission of San Diego in Upper California
in compliance with the points which the Rev. Agustin
Fernandez de San Vicente, Commissioned by the Supreme
Council of the Regency to the Two Californias, requested
of the prefecture of this Territory.
"Location, Geographical. — The Mission of San Diego,
which is situated in 32 degrees north latitude, lies south
of the capital of this territory (the presidio of Monterey)
at a distance of 170 leagues. To the east, at a. distance of 9
leagues is the Sierra Madre, on the summit of which, at a
distance of 17 leagues, is an establishment founded with
the permission of both authorities under the title of Santa
Isabel and comprising a chapel, a cemetery, and various
habitations and granaries. At this establishment are 450
adults and children, instructed in the Christian Faith,
baptized, domesticated as far as possible, and trained some
what in agriculture and other suitable crafts. Within a
6 Fr. Sanchez, Diario de la Caminata, in Santa Barbara Mission'
Archives. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 142-145.
t Cai Arch., St. Pap., Sacramento, xviii, 24-25.
s See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 150-158, for details.

Mission San Diego 203
circumference of 12 leagues in every direction from said
establishment are about 2,000 gentiles, old and young, but
quiet and peaceful, a fact I myself have witnessed. On the
various occasions that I was among them, I have not
observed the least excitement. Furthermore, since the said
establishment was placed there, no hostile incursions have
been experienced.
"To the south of this Mission, at a distance of 16 leagues,
is the Mission of San Miguel Arcangel of Lower California.
In this district there are some pagan rancherias but of little
importance as to numbers.
"To the northwest of this Mission, at a distance of two ^
leagues lies the imperial9 presidio under the same title as this
Mission. It has a good harbor, and at a distance of three
leagues and a half is a sufficiently strong fortification.
"To the north of this Mission, at a distance of 14 leagues,
is located Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, on the road
to which there are no pagans.
"The Cavalry Troop. — The Mission has from the company
of the neighboring presidio a corporal and five soldiers,
which number the commander of the said presidio increases
or decreases according to occurrences and military operations.
"Inhabitants. — Of these military men two are married and
their families live here. There are two married mayordomos
with their families, who are employed in overseeing the
agriculture and have charge of the farm implements.
Native inhabitants of this Mission, including those of the
establishment at Santa Isabel, comprise 1,686 souls. Of
these eighteen are runaways, whose whereabouts are not
known. "Live Stock. — There are 340 tamed horses ; seven droves
of mares with burromeso, which with their young number
540. There are 200 tamed and untamed mules, 8,600 cattle,
and 19,000 sheep. These four classes of animals are very
well adapted and necessary for this country.
9 The use of this term was owing to the situation in Mexico, Iturbide
having been made emperor.

204 Missions and Missionaries of California
"Extent of Lands. — The land of this mission toward the
south extends a distance of 13 leagues to the place called El
Rosario, where the line is that divides Upper and Lower
California. These lands are occupied by a ranch for the
cattle belonging to the imperial presidio nearby, for which
reason the property of these natives does not extend in that
direction. "To the east, this mission possesses the establishment sit
uated in the Sierra Madre and called Santa Isabel, at a
distance of 17 leagues. To the north, this mission possesses
the land for a distance of 7 leagues to the place called Canada
de San Bernardo. To the northwest and west, this mission
possesses no land whatsoever, because the property of the
imperial presidio and of its settlers with the horses of the
troops occupy a considerable part of the lands in that direc
tion. "The soil is very ' sterile, and most of it is covered with
(chamizales) brushwood. Only when it rains copiously is
it pretty well covered with pasturage ; and then an abundance
of grain is harvested, that is to say, barley and wheat,
which suffices for the sustenance of the new citizens, with
the rations of meat distributed to them every fifteen days,
that is to say, when they are living in community; for
otherwise they do not enjoy this subsistence in sterile years
when nothing is harvested. Whatever places within the
jurisdiction of this mission are serviceable, are cultivated
in the years when there is sufficient water, for there is no
way of irrigating.
"Silver and Gold Mines. — None have been discovered.
"Placers. — None have been discovered on this coast, nor
have tortoise shells been found. There are many savory
fishes, and some otter and sea wolves.
"Harbors. — Besides the port of the imperial presidio, there
is at a distance of three leagues toward the north an
ensenada or cove called San Buenaventura, where one may
disembark with sufficient ease, without being seen by the

Mission San Diego 205
presidio and its fortification. — San Diego, November 19,
1822. Fr. Fernando Martin."10
As was already stated, Mexico under the leadership of
General Agustin Iturbide had declared itself independent
of Spain. But the new order of things lasted only a
short time. Iturbide was crowned emperor on July 21,
1822, and on March 19, 1823, he abdicated. Commissioner
Fernandez visited San Diego on his way back to Mexico,
and stayed during the last week of November. He probably
went out to the mission, but there is no record of it. Sola,
the last Spanish governor, resigned and he was elected to
represent California in the Mexican Congress. He departed
with Fernandez. Captain Luis Arguello was elected tem
porary governor, but toward the end of October, 1825, at
San Diego, he surrendered the office to Jose M. Echeandia,
the first Mexican governor. Echeandia made San Diego
his capital. With him came Agustin V. Zamorano, as secre
tary, Romualdo Pacheco, Captain Pablo de Portilla, Lieu
tenant Juan M. Ibarra, Juan Rocha, Jose M. Herrera, and
a detachment of soldiers.11
On April 28, 1826, Fr. Antonio Peyri of San Luis Rey
Mission, Fr. Jose Sanchez of San Gabriel, Fr. Jose Maria
Zalvidea of San Juan Capistrano, and Fr. Fernando Martin
of San Diego Mission, answered the call of the new
governor and assembled at the latter's quarters in San
Diego. Zamorano and the alcalde of Los Angeles also were
present. The matter discussed was the new constitution
fabricated in Mexico on October 4, 1824. The Fathers, who
had already sworn allegiance to the first independent gov
ernment of Mexico, declined to take an absolute oath on
another constitution that warred on religious Orders and
was not the expression of the will of the people of Mexico,
but, like all constitutions concocted there ever since, the
product of a handful of ambitious and selfish politicians.
10 Informe, Sta. Barb. Arch.
11 For details on the subject see Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii,
chap. 13.

2o6 Missions and Missionaries of California
Nevertheless, remembering the words of St. Paul that one
must be subject to the authorities that are without questioning
as to how they obtained their offices, the Fathers offered to
swear obedience to the constitution in everything that was
compatible with their ministry and religious profession.
But this did not satisfy Echeandia and he declared that
every missionary in California would have to state his
views in writing.
On receiving notice from Echeandia to this effect, Fr.
Fernando Martin, under date of May 23, 1826, wrote:
I, Fr. Fernando Martin, missionary of the Mission of San Diego,
certify that I have received the notice of the comandante of this presidio
of San Diego in which he orders that I should solemnize the occasion
with a High Mass, Te Deum, and a discourse in keeping with the
Oath, which the troops are to take on the Federal Constitution of
the United States of Mexico. . . .
The reasons I had for excusing myself from solemnizing said oath
as ordered, without failing in the respect, submission, and obedience
I owe the Mexican Government, were the following: It has come to
my knowledge that my prelate mentioned before, has refused the
oath on the Constitution for the reason set forth above, and also
because T knew that in the places where the oath should have been
solemnized, just as at this presidio, it was not solemnized.
However, having treated about the matter with the Comandante-
General Echeandia, we agreed that he would send me an official notice
and that I in writing give the reasons for excusing myself from
solemnizing said oath and these are as I have exposed in the pre
ceding paragraph. . . . Fr. Fernando Martin.
Under date of June 7, 1826, Fr. Oliva wrote that his
conscience did not allow him to take the oath, and that
he would gladly suffer banishment therefor.12
At the same time, already advised by the Mother College,
the Fathers offered to surrender the management of the
mission temporalities at once ; for "some prominent Califor
nians,'' Bancroft confesses, "at this time had already had
their eyes on the mission lands." 13 "Moreover," Smythe
puts in, "Mexico had friends to reward as well as enemies to
12 Archb. Arch., nos. 1,823, 1,824.
13 Bancroft, vol. iii, pp. 101-102. See Missions and Missionaries,
vol. iii, pp. 238-239.

Mission San Diego 207
punish. Some of the men who had fought its battles, and
who would be needed to fight its battles again, looked with
longing eyes on the rich dominions of the missions and began
to dream of founding great families and great estates. It
was a very convenient thing to be able to pay your debts
with other people's property." 14 Smythe here, in a nutshell,
states the real motive for the opposition to the missions and
missionaries and for the destruction of the neophytes'
happy homes, reared by them under the guidance of the
Franciscans with ineffable labor and patience.
Echeandia was not yet ready to go to the length proposed
by the Fathers ; for, who would furnish supplies to the
indolent military if the missionaries took it into their heads
to depart? Nor did the governor think it safe to set the
Indians free at once and let them provide for themselves.
Moreover, they were wanted to provide the soldiers with
the necessaries of life. The Franciscans advised Echeandia
to make experiments with only a few neophytes. After a
long discussion, it was decided to set such Indians free in
the jurisdiction of Santa Barbara and San Diego as ap
peared capable and desired it. On July 25, 1826, Echeandia
issued a circular emancipating from mission tutelage all
such Indians as might be found qualified to become Mexican
citizens. "The natural result of these movements in behalf
of the Indians," says Hittell, "was to make them restive
and more or less disorderly." "As might be expected,"
Beechey declares, "the few neophytes who accepted the
proposition soon fell into excesses, gambled away all their
property and were compelled to beg or to steal." 15 Echeandia
proposed nothing new. Long before he came to California,
Indians had been given permission to take up land and live
by themselves or to affiliate with other missions. For
instance, the first land grant on a small scale was made at the
instance of Fr. Serra to a couple in 1773. The following is

1* Smythe, History of San Diego, vol. pp. 71-72.
is For details and references see Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii.

208 Missions and Missionaries of California
a similar case. "Jacobo Niacopal and his wife Christiana
Samanar, neophytes, ask the governor for license to sever
their connection with Mission San Diego and to live out
side." The governor referred them to the Fathers, who
both recommended that the pair be permitted to make their
living by their own labors. This is dated March 3, 1829 and

EMANCIPATED INDIANS AND DWELLING
signed by Fathers Martin and Oliva.16 Indeed, the Fathers
were willing to set the Indians free wherever feasible. What
they objected to was that this be done promiscuously. Most
of the neophytes were not as yet fit for such a life without
supervision and guidance.

ig Archb. Arch., no. 2,053. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii,
pp. 239-240.

Mission San Diego 209
Echeandia also wanted schools conducted in each mission
and wrote to that effect to the Fr. Comisario Prefecto on
July 3, 1827. In reply, six days later, Fr. Sarria wrote:
You deem it well to order me to arrange that in all and at each
of the missions of this territory primary schools be established and
that, of course, each mission give the teacher a sufficient salary, who
shall take care to give suitable instruction and to teach the best
morality. Although I desire to be a punctual observer of your
orders, yet from personal knowledge of the missions in their present
circumstances, I do not consider it at all feasible to carry out exactly
what is commanded, at least not in every particular. However, I shall
assist, as is just, that in the manner possible schools may be estab
lished. I shall notify all and every one of the missions by means
of a circular of this same date."
Similarly, the missionaries, thirty years before the arrival
of Echeandia, had expressed their willingness to assist in
establishing schools, and privately they taught some of the
more talented and industrious boys to read so that they
might be able to serve at the altar or sing in the choir.
But, then as now, to open schools, before professional teach
ers and the means to support them could be procured, was
out of the question. The governor realizing the difficulties
directed that where no teachers could be secured those of
the neophytes who could read and write should act as
teachers, one for every ten pupils.18
In the face of these facts, Smythe writes:
The friars were not merely indifferent to the education of the
Indians — they were inflexibly opposed to it. Not even favorite
neophytes were permitted to learn to read, and their servants learned
only such things as would aid them in providing for their masters'
comfort.19 Echeandia had collected a list of all the Indians who
could read and write. Of course, they were comparatively
few ; but still there were such ; otherwise he could not
have ordered those same Indians to act as teachers, wherever
" Archb. Arch., no. 1,941. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii,
p. 242.
is See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 241-242.
19 History of San Diego, vol. i, p. 179.

210 Missions and Missionaries of California
no professional teachers could be had. If Smythe and the
whole tribe of ignorant and malevolent mission critics had
read the history of education from its earliest days, they
would have known that the monks were at all times the
very ones who fostered a knowledge of reading and writing
and of very much more. As early as 1525 and later, the
very Franciscan friars, whom in the above paragraph
Smythe calumniates, gathered the boys of Mexico at the
schools conducted in connection with their monasteries and
taught them reading, writing, and singing. Often as many
as 600 and 800 boys received an elementary education under
the same roof from the Franciscan friars. In 1531, the
first nuns, Poor Clares, arrived in Mexico City and taught
girls and young ladies. The young Indian ladies would
frequently become Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis
and did for the girls what the Franciscan Fathers and
Brothers did for the boys. The so-called Anglo-Saxons,
who always appear to imagine that they possess a mortgage
on book-learning and on higher education, would do well
to study history; it would make them less conceited. The
Spaniards in America were far ahead, indeed, almost a
century, of the English in establishing universities.20
What was possible in Mexico, however, was not possible
in California. To reach the incomparably lower classes of
savages on the coast it was necessary to provide them with
food, clothing, and shelter, and to teach them industry, all
of which the Indians in Mexico had provided for themselves
before Cortes arrived. Hence it was that the Franciscans,
on reaching California, segregated the convert Indians from
their wild, unspeakably vile, and unwilling savage tribesmen
and introduced the great manual training schools where
agriculture, mechanical arts, and stock-raising were taught
on a grand scale. It was the education most suitable for
the Indian, since it prepared him for the life he would have
to lead in the event of his being put in charge of his own
20 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. i, p. 13. The University of
Lima, Peru, was established in 1558 ; that of Harvard, Mass., in 1636.

Mission San Diego 211
property. This was the training which the United States
found so suitable that it adopted the system in its own
reservation schools. If, generally speaking, the education
at that time went no further, the fault lay solely with the
dullness of the Indians and the lack of means. Smythe
himself 21 notes the difficulties encountered by Echeandia in
his efforts to open schools for the children of the settlers,
who, as has already been pointed out, cared naught for any
kind of education. "He engaged the services of two teachers
for primary schools before he came to California; but when
they reached Acapulco they could proceed no farther be
cause the province was unable to pay their passage to
Monterey. Shortly after Echeandia's arrival, the assembly,
at the governor's suggestion, requested the (Mexican) gov
ernment to send a few masters for primary schools, at his
own cost; but this request was refused." All the governors
experienced similar obstacles, but on the part of their own
people and not on the part of the friars, despite Smythe.
The missionaries would have welcomed schools if regular
teachers of moral conduct had been available. They could
have been of the greatest assistance to the missionaries ;
but such assistance had been expected from the guards, too.
What resulted from the presence of immoral soldiers, how
ever, is sufficiently known and need not be entered on here.
Better the children without teachers than with teachers of
such a character.
Nevertheless, in the face of these historical facts, Smythe
gives vent to his unthinking innate prejudice in this wise:
The story of the struggle for education is a pathetic page in
early California history. The governors were in favor of education,
as a rule, but they received no support whatever from the missionaries,
and almost none from the other inhabitants. It was, indeed, the
deliberate policy of Spain to keep its colonial subjects in ignorance,
on the mistaken theory that this would prevent the growth of dis
content. . . . The missionaries were at all times firmly opposed to
popular education, which now seems to us a singular thing when it
is remembered that they were men of culture; but this was entirely
21 History of San Diego, vol. ii, p. 569.

212 Missions and Missionaries of California
consistent with the policy of the Church and of Spain, at the
time. . . . The wily missionaries professed obedience, but soon found
an excuse for non-compliance in a mythical lack of funds. . . . Sola
was earnest in his desire to aid the cause of education. . . . The
missionaries were hostile.22
Every statement made in this quotation, save the two that
"the governors were in favor of education," and that "the
missionaries were men of culture," is absolutely false and
unworthy of a man of education. It shows not only the
inexcusable ignorance of the author, but his blind prejudice,
as well. In all fairness, since he insists that it is the business
of the Church to teach the three R's, Smythe on his part
should state in detail what non-Catholic denominations,
especially his own, have done and are doing in the line of
primary education; and then he should put the result side by
side with the activity of the Catholic Church in that respect.
What, right here in San Diego, is his denomination, or all
non-Catholic denominations together, doing in that line
independent of State support? If the Catholic Church is
under obligation to teach its children reading and writing
and arithmetic, why should not other churches be held to
perform the same duty regarding their children? Which
organization, therefore, manifests more solicitude on that
subject? There is something said somewhere about living
in glass houses and throwing stones. Let there be an end
to the nonsensical charge that the Catholic Church is or
ever was opposed to education, and that she wilfully keeps
her members ignorant. History demonstrates that the re
verse is true. Only the wilfully blind persist in repeating
the calumny.
The change from Spanish to Mexican rule, and the ap
pointment of a Mexican as governor, did not make a change
for the better in the conditions of the soldiers, much less
in the life of the missions. No salaries were received for
the guards nor for the missionaries any stipends from the
22 History of San Diego, vol. ii, pp. 568-569. See Appendix D.

Mission San Diego 213
Pious Fund.23 The soldiers and their families continued
destitute. The consequence was that every soldier and
every official expected to be supported by the mission Indians
under the supervision of the poor missionaries. The com
mander of the presidio admitted that the missions contributed
all they could ; but for the years 1822-1825 not even the
usual drafts on Mexico had been forthcoming. On October
6, 1826, therefore, Fr. Fernando Martin wrote to Governor
Echeandia :
I see myself obliged to have recourse to Your Honor so that you
may direct the habilitados (storekeepers) to deliver the drafts for
what this Mission of San Diego has furnished to the troops of this
comandaneia with so much hardship and toil of the poor neophytes.
It does not seem to me to be in accordance with reason that, because
of the sloth or negligence of said storekeepers, what is in justice due
to this mission should be lost. I would not have taken the pen in
my hand to write to Your Honor to compel them, if they had paid
any attention to me the many times that I have appealed to them
to transmit the drafts to me. . . .2i
The drafts produced no money, but they were evidence of
what the mission had done for the soldiers, who everlastingly
clamored for more and more, without even a word of thanks.
Under date of April 30, 1826, FF. Martin and Oliva wrote
to the Comandante General Echeandia, informing him that:
Citizen Gil, native of Mission San Diego and carpenter by trade,
desires to separate himself from said Mission where he is now, in
order to go where he can exercise his trade with adequate profit. In
complying with the petition presented by Gil Ricla on April 4, 1826,
we have to say that he is a Christian from Ms infancy, having been
born at the Mission of parents who are Christians of long standing,
that he is of regular conduct, married to Pia who was baptized at
Mission San Luis Rey. He is 29 years of age and has three children.
His trade is that of carpenter by means of which he maintains
himself in some comfort. Therefore he has our leave to separate
himself from the Mission.

23 For details on the Pious Fund see Missions and Missionaries,
vol. i, last chapter, and vols, ii-iv, with help of Index.
24 Archb. Arch., no. 1,836.

214 Missions and Missionaries of California
The Governor being at San Diego at the time, granted the
permission on the same day, April 30, through Agustin
Zamorano.25 Another letter of Fr. Martin to Echeandia, alluding to the
situation at Santa Isabel, is of interest for that mission
station. He writes :
I have to say that we shall most gladly comply with your dis
position that we should order, at Santa Isabel as well as at Santa
Monica, food to be given to all the gentile Indians who go to live
at Santa Isabel and Santa Monica in order to work equally with the
Christians of both places. This morning, Fr. Antonio Menendez
notified me that you wish me to go out and assist the culprit who
is to be executed. I should readily go if my companion were here;
but as he is absent, I can not leave the Mission alone. For this
reason Fr. Antonio has offered to exercise the ministry which I ought
to perform at the port early to-morrow morning. San Diego Mission,
April 13, 1826.— Fr. Fernando Martinis

25 Archb. Arch., no. 1,817.
26 Archb. Arch., no. 1,818.

CHAPTER XI.
Change of Commander at Presidio. — Visit of Duhaut-Cilly.— Robin
son's Visit. — James Pattie's Visit and False Statements. — Extent of
Mission Lands. — Live Stock. — Fr. Menendez, O. P., Chaplain at
Presidio. — Echeandia 's High-handed Dealing. — Celebration on Elec
tion of Pope Leo XII. — Indian Land Coveted— Missionaries Resist
Strenuously. — Mission Ranchos. — Change in Government. — Victoria
Arrives. — Pio Pico and Clique. — Revolt Against Governor Victoria.
— He Resigns. — Embarks at San Diego. — New Governor. — Echean
dia 's Trickery. — FF. Martin and Oliva to Echeandia.— Mission Re
ports Cease. — Confiscation Decreed. — Figueroa at San Diego. —
Neophytes Decline Freedom. — San Dieguito. — Fr. Duran at the
Mission. — Warns Figueroa. — Mission Confiscated. — Inventories.
IN 1827, Captain Jose Maria Estudillo succeeded Captain
Francisco Maria Ruiz as commander of the presidio.
Ruiz was then seventy-three years of age and had never
been married. He died in 1839. On April 8, 1830, Captain
Estudillo departed this life. He was buried the next day
in the presidio chapel. Lieutenant Santiago Arguello was
placed in command and named captain in 1831.
Between 1825 and 1830, retired soldiers and officers
generally moved down from the hill. Bancroft thinks that
there were probably no houses on the beach in 1821 and
few in 1825.
The horses and cattle of the military grazed in a district
called La Purisima or Rancho del Rey, later known as
Rancho Naeional.1
The French navigator, A. Duhaut-Cilly, who visited the
port of San Diego in April, 1827, describes it at great length,
declaring that it is the best harbor in whole California. His
opinion of the town and presidio is quite the reverse, how
ever. "A sad place is the presidio of San Diego," he writes,
"the saddest of all that we have visited in California with
the exception of that of San Pedro, which is entirely a
i Bancroft, vol. ii, pp. 538-547.

216 Missions and Missionaries of California
desert. It is built on the slope of an arid hill and has no
regular form. It is a shapeless mass of houses, all the more
gloomy on account of the dark color of the bricks of which
they are rudely constructed. Nevertheless, it was at that
time the seat of the government. Below the presidio on
a sandy plain are seen scattered thirty or forty houses of
poor appearance and a few gardens badly cultivated. Yet it
is the seat of the governor."
Regarding the mission, the Frenchman has this to say:
"Mission San Diego is situated about two leagues from the
presidio. I went there on the morning of our arrival. . . At
the time, it was in charge of Fathers Vicente (Oliva) and
Fernando (Martin). It is not very rich, although it num
bers a thousand Indians, possesses 12,000 head of cattle,
10,000 sheep, 2,000 pigs, and a proportionate number of
horses and mules.2 At a distance the place is by no means
ugly in appearance, but this diminishes the nearer one
approaches, because the buildings, though well arranged, are
poorly kept and in part are in ruins. A musty smell pene
trates even the quarters of the Fathers. Fr. Vicente and
Fr. Fernando are so accustomed to the disagreeable odors
that they make nothing of them. Toward us, however, they
showed themselves as kind as they were dirty."
It must be remembered that, if the neophytes were to pro
duce anything, the poor Fathers had to labor with them at
every kind of work. Like boys, the Indians needed the
master around; else little work would be done. Even at
the present day, those who hire Indians know this very
well. The missionaries were probably in a hurry, too. It
was the month of April when the Frenchman made his
unannounced visit, a time when planting had to be done
or the fields had to be irrigated. Surely, the Fathers had
ample excuse for not wearing their Sunday clothes. The

2 The highest number of live stock ever owned by Mission San Diego
was as follows: Cattle, 9,245 head, in 1822; Sheep, 19,654, in 1825;
Horses, 1,250, in 1830; Mules, 295, in 1822; Pigs, 120, in 1815.

218 Missions and Missionaries of California
incident shows any way that, unlike the soldiers, the mis
sionaries were not ashamed to do manual labor, much less
afraid to lose esteem and respect of the neophytes, in conse
quence. "The Fathers were about to sit down to dinner, and so
they invited us to dine with them. What they offered us
was not at all appetizing, and so when Fr. Vicente in vain
urged us to eat, Fr. Fernando exclaimed, 'This is certainly
something remarkable, that neither of you wants to eat at
our table. Of course, the air of the Mission is not favor
able for the stomach of foreigners !' Having said this,
he prepared a salad of cold meat mixed with onions, Indian
pepper, and olive oil from the mission. This oil tasted so
rancid that it rasped the throat. Afterwards, not having
a knife, the good Father divided the meat with his fingers
and even with his teeth, which operation made the meat
still more repulsive. Then he put the whole mass with
both hands on a plate from which a piece had been broken
off and which still had remains of a preceding meal. We
wanted to laugh, but the stomach, served with such a
solemn filth, objected. Meanwhile, my traveling companion,
a young Californian, not at all disgusted with such a
repugnant banquet, was laying in as if he were to be paid
for cleaning away all that was placed before him. 'That is
an appetite, indeed,' said Fr. Fernando." 3
Poor Frenchman ! He was not cut out to be a missionary
among the Indians where there are no French cooks to
prepare dainty meals. For this only Indian youths were
available, and doubtless the Fathers themselves, at first any
way, would loathe the stuff that the simplicity and ignorance
of their dusky cooks would set before them. Moreover,
the Frenchman should have announced himself and not
dropped in just as the helpless friars were sitting down to
dinner. We imagine that they chuckled within themselves

s"Eso, si, es gana. " — Duhaut-Cilly, Voyage Around the World,
Italian edition, Turin, 1841, vol. ii, pp. 19-21.

Mission San Diego 219
over the discomfiture of the Frenchman, who manifested so
little consideration and good breeding as to drop in upon
them for a splendid dinner when they had their busiest day.
Potluck, really. It will be remembered, too, that at this
stage all the missions were in sore distress, because they had
first to provide without compensation for the whole military
of California. The missionaries and their neophytes could
sate their hunger on what was left and from broken plates,
too. Besides, since the Californian who accompanied the
navigator ate with such relish it would seem that the
fastidious Frenchman exaggerated somewhat.
Contrast his description with Alfred Robinson's account
of a visit which he made at the same mission but two
years later, 1829. He writes: "The author and his special
friend . . reached the Mission, , where they met the two
Father Missionaries at the door, they having just returned
from a walk around the premises. The visitors were
welcomed, and alighted to have half an hour's chat before
dinner — that is, before twelve o'clock, their usual hour for
that meal ; and accordingly sat down on one of the rude
benches so generally found at all these establishments. The
author's friend, being an old acquaintance of the Fathers,
had considerable to say to them. At length the church bells
announced the hour of noon, when both the holy friars
turned arourid, and knelt upon the bench on which they
had been sitting, with faces turned to the building, while
three or four young pages (Indian servants) knelt by their
side, on the pavement, when the elder of the two friars
commenced the Angelus Domini, in a very devout manner,
and led the prayer, which was responded to by the brother
friar and the pages, the bells of the church chiming an
accompaniment. . . Dinner was now announced, when they
entered through the large reception-room into the dining-
room, where the table was spread, at which they sat down,
and had an entertainment of the usual guisados, their fritos
and azados, frijoles, and the universal tortilla de maiz, and
plenty of good native wine, with the usual dessert of fruits
peculiar to the climate ; after which the old friars retired to

220 Missions and Missionaries of California
take their siesta, and the author and his friend hurried
away on their return to the town, where they arrived after
an hour's ride."
An amusing incident which Robinson relates in connec
tion with this visit must not be omitted, for it has its
lesson. "During the prayer," he says, "a large fly alighted
on the wall just in front of the Father, who, apparently
without any attention to the prayer, was watching the course
of the fly and following it with the large round head of
his cane, as it moved about, sometimes up, sometimes down,
sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left, and ready
to annihilate it, when, at the closing of the prayer, and
pronouncing the word Amen ! Jesus ! he brought his cane
down on the poor fly. and crushed it, and then turned around
to renew the conversation, as though nothing had happened.
This incident was amusing to the beholder, but serves to
show the simplicity of the Reverend Father,, who was prob
ably not aware of having committed an impropriety."
' Robinson may have exaggerated somewhat, as is his wont ;
however, he noticed that the Father yielded to a distraction.
But what about Robinson himself? _ He certainly was not
absorbed in the prayer ; otherwise he would not have
observed the impropriety. So by criticising the friar, he
gives himself away, a not uncommon occurrence. Sapient i
sat\* Sylvester Pattie, a Kentuckian, with his son James and
six other Easteners, all trappers, arrived at San Diego in
March, 1828. Echeandia had suspicions and placed them in
jail. Here the elder Pattie took sick and died. The others
were thereupon set free. Young Pattie wrote a book on
his experiences, in which he rails against Echeandia, the
Spaniards, and the Catholics. However, Smythe says : "Con
siderable doubt has been thrown upon Pattie's veracity,
and the present writer cannot vouch for it all. Indeed,
it seems highly probable that the party was not at all
i Alfred Robinson, Life in California, pp. 262-265.

Mission San Diego 221
badly treated at San Diego. ... It seems that young Pattie
or, more probably, the man who wrote his 'Narrative,' had
an unreasoning hatred of Catholics and Spaniards, and the
whole book is colored by it. For instance, he entirely sup
pressed the fact which is well authenticated that the elder
Pattie became a Catholic before his death and was buried in
consecrated ground on the Presidio Hill." B In his Personal
Narrative, Pattie writes, "In the course of the night he
(Echeandia) received a letter containing information of the
death of one of the priests, and that a great number were
ill of the small pox. . . On the 18th of January, 1829, I
began to vaccinate; and by the 16th of February had vac
cinated all the people belonging to the fort, and the Indian
inhabitants of the mission of San Diego, three miles north
of the former place." 6
In 1827, the Fathers were again requested to state the
extent of the Mission lands. On December 18, 1827, they
complied as follows :
"Lands. — Going down the Canada toward the port of San
Diego, the territory of this Mission reaches to the Canada de
Osuna. On the land intervening wheat and barley are
planted; there is no irrigation. The distance is one and a
half league. Adjoining it are the lands of the settlers of
said port, and the pastures for the horses and mules of the
Nation ( Government) .
"Going toward the cattle ranch of the Government, the
territory of this Mission extends as far as the Rancheria
of San Jorge ; its extent is two leagues and a half. On
the land intervening, the sheep are pastured during the
winter season. On the borders are the gentiles of said
Rancheria (of San Jorge).
5 Smythe, History of San Diego, pp. 137-138.
6 No priest died at San Diego Mission at this time, 1828 ; nor was
there any extraordinary number of deaths, nor from small pox. More
over, the mission was neither three miles nor north from the presidio.
It is strange, too, that the Fathers nowhere make mention of Pattie
or of vaccination.

222 Missions and Missionaries of California
"On the way to Santa Monica or El Cajon are the terri
tories called San Jacome de la Marcha and San Capistrano
de Matamo. In these districts pasture the horses and mules
and the sheep of this Mission. They extend about two
leagues and a half. Adjoining them are the pagans of
said rancherias.
"In the territory of El Cajon or Santa Monica, wheat,
barley, corn, and beans are raised, the greater part depend
ing on rains, and the rest on irrigation with the water
obtained from the dam. This water comes from a grove
called El Chocolate, which lies below the sierra of Cuyamat.
This whole tract lies five leagues from the Mission. Con
tiguous to it are the rancherias of said gentiles.
"From Santa Monica or El Cajon to the new foundation
of Santa Isabel is a distance of nine leagues. In this terri
tory wheat, barley, corn, and beans are planted, the greater
part depending on the rains and the rest on irrigation.
"From the Valle de San Jose to the laguna called El Agua
Caliente is a stretch of two leagues, on which the cattle
of the Mission are pastured and also the sheep. From the
laguna farther on and the environs, approach the territories
belonging to the Mission of San Luis Rey.
"From said territories to the Rancho de San Bernardo
is seven leagues. On this stretch is a territory called Pamo,
where there is a grove with a good deal of water, but not
enough for raising grain. It is sufficient only for pastur
ing the sheep, horses and mules.
"From the Rancho de San Bernardo moving toward the
territory of Mission San Luis Rey is a distance of two
leagues. Here the cattle of this Mission of San Diego
find pasture. Proceeding toward San Dieguito, the terri
tory of this Mission reaches as far as La Joya, a distance
of three leagues. On this stretch of land pasture the cattle
of this Mission.
"From the Rancho de San Bernardo, coming toward this
Mission, lies the Rancheria with the permanent running
water, which is called Paguay, reaching to where we pasture
the cattle of this Mission. From the Rancheria de Paguay

Mission San Diego

223

to this Mission of San Diego is a large and mountainous
jungle, of no use for anything.
"The afore-mentioned territories are those occupied and
possessed by this Mission of San Diego.

SAN DIEGO MISSION CATTLE BRAND v<

"Cattle. — The cattle which this Mission of San Diego
possesses are in two ranchos and they number, old and
young, 9,120 head.

224 Missions and Missionaries of California
"Sheep. — Including the lambs, this Mission has 16,284
head. "Horses. — This Mission has fourteen droves including
jackasses and three burros with their young — 825 head, and
tame horses — 162 head.
"Mules. — There are 82 tame mules and 54 wild mules,
in all 136.
"Goats. — There are, including young, 234 head.
"Swine. — There are, including young, 72 pigs.
"Nota. — In Article First of the Bando it is said that in
the jurisdictions of Santa Barbara and San Diego the time
for branding the cattle will be the months of March, April,
and May. I have to say that in the Rancho de San Ber
nardo the branding can be done in those months; but in
the Rancho of Valle de San Jose it will not be practicable
to brand until the months of August and September, be
cause the weather is very cold and the cattle may not be
ready until summer. Therefore I supplicate that permis
sion be granted to do the branding in this Rancho during
the two months of August and September.
"The stamp and the shape of the iron are enclosed.
"In witness whereof I sign at Mission San Diego on
the eighteenth of December, 1827. — Fr. Fernando Martin,
Fr. Vicente Pasqual Oliva." T
In 1825, after long waiting, the missionaries, who had
their hands full looking after the temporal and spiritual
welfare of the Indians, were at last relieved from attend
ance at the presidio. In that year, Fr. Antonio Menendez,
O. P.,- arrived at the port and he was persuaded to accept
the chaplaincy for the soldiers and their families. In his
report to the Minister of War, on the Spanish born male
inhabitants of California, Echeandia, on December 6, 1828,
writes regarding Fr. Menendez :
Fr. Antonio Menendez, a Dominican friar from Lower California,
where he completed twelve years of missionary labors, was given a
pass by his prelate, the Fr. Presidente, to return to his convent in
7 California Archives, St. Pap. Mis. vi, pp. 178-180.

Mission San Diego 225
Mexico; but since there was need of a chaplain at this presidio of
San Diego, his services were engaged for a salary which the company
granted him as its chaplain pro tempore. He is forty-three years old
and conducts himself in an orderly way. He swore to the inde
pendence while still a missionary, and since then he performed the
functions of his ministry in conformity with the federal system. He
has been found to favor it and he has taken the oath on it in legal
form. In the same year, on October 14, Echeandia notified Fr.
Menendez "that the President of the Republic through the Minister
of War tells you that he will receive with pleasure your services as
chaplain of San Diego. ' ' s
A primary school was conducted at the presidio during
the last half of the decade, according to Bancroft,9 and Fr.
Menendez for a time acted as teacher, receiving from fif
teen to twenty dollars a month from the town funds. In
1829, the school had eighteen pupils.
It was most disagreeable for the missionaries when
Echeandia informed them "that Ensign Jose Fernandez, who
had just disembarked, was directed to take up his quar
ters in the mission with the thirty artillerymen who accom
panied him." 10 Yet, this same Echeandia had himself her
alded as the liberator of the Indians from the bonds of
missionary rule. Without asking whether there was room or
whether it would be agreeable, he issued his outrageous order.
We have no details of the affair, however. In the report for
that year, the Fathers say nothing of it. Perhaps, after all,
the unwelcome soldiers were induced to stay away. Surely,
of all places an Indian mission was the last in which soldiers
should be quartered. At any rate, Echeandia made an
exhibition of the little interest he had in the welfare of
the Indians, despite his protestations to the contrary.
Late in 1829, the news of the election of Pope Pius VIII
reached San Diego. As had been done in 1800 by order
of Bishop Rouset and again for Pope Leo XII, a High Mass
with the Te Deum was sung in all the missions ; the illumina-

sCal. Arch., Dep. Bee., vi, pp. 235-241; 491-492.
s History of California, vol. ii, p. 548.
i°Cal. Arch., Dep. Bee, vi, pp. 505-506.

226 Missions and Missionaries of California
tions lasted three nights, besides the ringing of bells. Fr.
Tomas Mansilla, O. P., of Lower California, writes to
Echeandia that the same celebrations were observed at the
Port of San Diego.11
One of the ranchos belonging at this time to Mission
San Diego was coveted. The result was a correspondence
which shows how strenuously the Franciscans fought for
the rights of their Indian neophytes. The following letter
on the subject needs no comment:
In your reply of January 20, 1829, Fr. Fernando Martin writes to
Echeandia, you say that proof and evidence should be placed before
Your government under what title, possession, or formal "authorization
this Mission considers itself the lawful owner of the land of Jamul;
that, furthermore, the Mission doubtless prejudiced its rights to Jamul
since for the last fifteen years it has not made use of said land.
No one doubts that to the Indians belong the lands and the site
where they and their fathers and sons and grandfathers had been
born ; for nature has given it to them, and they must keep their
lands and property, unless it be shown that they had sold or given
said lands to other people or under some title had transferred them
to other persons.
These Indians or a part of them, natives of Jamil, are living at
the Mission, and they have a share in the property of the
Mission, and under that title and proprietorship the Mission has
possession. In the IAbro 4, Ley 9, de la Becopilacion de Indias is
a law which reads : "It is commanded that the converted Indians
shall not be deprived of their lands, of which they held possession
before; and that, in this no innovation be made and the lands be
preserved for them, as they had held them before, so that they
may cultivate them and use them for their own profit.' '
By what has been said and by virtue of this law is proved the
right which this Mission has of holding possession of the Jamul site ;
moreover, it has had possession of it for a very great many years
without opposition from any one and with the knowledge of the
government. Regarding the second point, I have to say that the information
which they gave Your Honor to the effect that for the last fifteen
years the Mission has not occupied the site of Jamul, is false and
not true. In 1823, I myself ordered the mules to be placed at
Jamul, and there they remained a long time until an Indian named
Agustin began to steal the animals, whereupon I had them removed
n Archb. Arch., nos. 2,072, 2,075.

Mission San Diego 227
to the sierra; thereafter, because of the damage done by said
Agustin, no live stock was put at Jamul. Who doubts that it is
the Mission which suffers if that site is given away? In this year
of drought, when there is no pasturage for the sheep, where shall
they be placed? Which localities has the Mission on which to main
tain 17,000 sheep during the five months of cold weather? Certain
places are set aside on which to keep the live stock of the Mission,
in such seasons of drought, and Jamul is one of them. There is
another, which I do not name. Doubtless, in times when water is
plentiful, the animals maintain themselves in any place; but when
there is scarcity of pasturage, wide stretcher of land are needed. In
conclusion, I transmit the law . cited above. Mission San Diego.
January 22, 1829. — Fr. Fernando Martin.12
Let Smythe observe well that Echeandia, unfriendly as
he was to the missionaries, does not call on the Franciscan
Fathers to prove their right to the land. The reason is
simple enough. The Fathers had no land they called their
own, although as individuals they might have claimed tracts
of land with much more propriety than any of the men
who did secure grants; for they labored without compensa
tion in behalf of its real owners — the Indians. But they
had taken the vow of poverty and could, therefore, claim
nothing for themselves or their Order, nor did they ever
lay claim to as much as a square foot. As guardians of
the Indians and of their property, however, it was their
duty to resist any encroachments on the lands of the Indians.
Accordingly we find that in 1823 the Fathers protested
against the granting of the Penasquitos Rancho to Captain
Francisco Maria Ruiz.13 Indeed, so jealously did the mis
sionaries watch over the rights of their Indian wards that
they would even rise against the missionaries' of another
mission, when ¦ they felt that any damage might result to
their neophytes. Thus, for instance, a dispute arose about
the boundary line between the missions of San Luis Rey
and San Diego. Governor Echeandia settled the conten-

12 Archb. Arch., no. 2,049.
13 Bancroft, vol. ii, pp. onl-5o2.

THE MISSIONARY DISTRICT OF SAN DIEGO AND SAN LUIS REY <S

Mission San Diego 229
tion by dividing the Canada de Buenavista half and half
between the two missions.14
Comandante Santiago Arguello, on December 31, 1830,
reported that in the district subject to his jurisdiction, there
were to be found 7,851 inhabitants, of whom 7,294 were
Indians. These lived at the Presidio of San Diego and in
the territories of the four missions of San Diego, San Luis
Rey, San Juan Capistrano, and San Gabriel (Los Angeles
not included), and in the following ranchos and localities:
La Purisima or Rancho de la Nacion; San Antonio, Abad ;
San Isidro ; El Rosario de Barracas ; Santa Margarita de
los Penasquitos; Santa Monica or El Cajon; Santa Isabel;
San Bernardo ; San Antonio de Pala ; Temecula ; Santa Mar
garita; San Pedro or Las Flores ; Las Pulgas ; San Jacinto;
San Juan; Agua Caliente; Santa Ana; San Joaquin; Tra-
buco; San Mateo; La Puente ; Santa Ana (Rancho);
Gurupe ; San Bernardino ; San Timoteo ; and San Gorgonio.
"In this year," Arguello further reports, "an epidemic was
experienced; commonly, the congregated Indians suffered
from venereal diseases, which produces terrible havoc among
them. This is the cause of their decrease aggravated by
the little or no care they take in dieting. This is also experi
enced among the gente de razon or those who are not
Indians." 15
Important changes took place in both the ecclesiastical
and the political government of California during the latter
part of third decade of the nineteenth century. Fr. Jdse
Sanchez, who had been stationed at San Diego from 1805
to 1819, was appointed Presidente or Superior of the Mis
sionaries by the Mother College, on June 9, 1827. At the
time the zealous friar was in charge of Mission San Gabriel.
Echeandia's rule had proved unsatisfactory to the Su
preme Government, and certainly disastrous to the Missions,
14 Echeandia to Fathers of Missions San Diego and San Luis Rey,
February 25, and December 4, 1829. Cai. Arch., Dep. Bee, vii, 90,258.
Bancroft Collection.
i' Cai. Arch., St. Pap., Missions, iv, 37-38. Bancroft Collection.

230 Missions and Missionaries of California
with which he was not in sympathy. A successor was
appointed in the person of Manuel Victoria, who arrived
overland from Loreto at San Diego in November or early
in December, 1830. He expected Echeandia to surrender
the office at this place ; but that wily official had gone to
Monterey with a big scheme against the Missions. This
he launched at Monterey on January 6, 1831, when the new
governor was already on his way to Santa Barbara. The
amazed Victoria took the oath of office at Monterey and
then at once nullified his predecessor's confiscation plan.
By this act, however, he incurred the hatred of a set of
unscrupulous young Californians, whom the Mexican law
against Spanish-born officials had brought to the surface.
They assembled at San Diego and from there fulminated a
proclamation. o£ rebellion against Victoria, ostensibly on the
ground that the new governor would not convoke the legis
lature, for which in reality he had already asked the advice
of the Supreme Government, but in truth because Victoria
had frustrated their sordid plans against the Missions, the
lands and live stock of which they coveted. The proclama
tion was signed on November 29, 1831, by Pio Pico, Juan
Bandini, and Jose Antonio Carrillo. The garrison was then
induced to join the rebels and the officers did so by sign
ing a supplementary note on December 1, 1831, excusing
their traitorous action. These officials were Jose M. Eche
andia ; Pablo de la Portilla, said to have been intimidated
to turn against his chief, Santiago Arguello ; Jose M.
Ramirez ; Ignacio del Valle ; Juan Jose Rocha ; and Andres
Cervantes. With a handful of men Victoria came down to
j quell the revolt. A short battle ensued near Cahuenga in
which the governor was seriously wounded and his aid
killed. He was taken by his men to San Gabriel and there
he resigned his office. When he recovered sufficiently, he
went to San Diego, boarded the Pocahontas on January 17,
1832, and sailed for Mexico.16

16 For details see Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 249-250;
320; 346-365.

Mission San Diego 231
On January 10, 1832, Echeandia assembled the legislature
at Los Angeles. Pio Pico was elected temporary governor
and Echeandia military commander of California. But the
latter was not satisfied with the arrangement and refused
to acknowledge Pio Pico as civil governor, on the ground
that the military and civil command must be united in one
person. After twenty days, Pico laid no more claim to the
office. But now Captain Augustin A' Zamorano of Mon
terey, as ranking officer, claimed the office of governor. To
avoid bloodshed, Echeandia was allowed to rule from San
Gabriel southward, while Zamorano governed in the north,
until a new governor should come from Mexico. Echean
dia did rule the south. "Retreating- to San Juan Capis
trano," says Tuthill," "Echeandia gathered about him many
Indians whom his promises enticed from their work at the
missions, and inaugurated a series of robberies and mur
ders. Other Indians at distant points, especially in the
south, revolted. The Indian was free, and he felt that his
freedom entitled him to do any violence that might be
convenient." On May 9, 1832, a new governor was appointed by the
Mexican Government in the person of Jose Figueroa, then
governor of Sonora. Although the news arrived in July,
Echeandia audaciously played the same trick he had perpe
trated once before. On November 18, 1832, he issued a
Reglamento concerning the missions, "as if the events of
the past months had been a mere temporary interruption
of his plan," 1S though it was intended to apply only to the
four southern missions, because he had no power over the
others. The document was addressed to the missionaries
of San Diego, San Luis Rey, San Juan Capistrano, and
San Gabriel. In reply, Fathers Martin and Oliva of Mis
sion San Diego wrote on November 24 as follows :
After reading attentively the Bando and Reglamento, which under
date of the eighteenth of this month you placed in our hands, and
17 California, p. 134.
is Bancroft, vol. iii, pp. 184-185; 314-315.

232 Missions and Missionaries of California
after reflecting what we should do in such a delicate case, we have
decided to retain a copy and to forward the original to our Fr.
Presidente, without whose knowledge or permission we can not meddle
with political matters, for we are mere subordinates of our prelates
through whose hands orders of this kind must come. We shall not
oppose nor do we oppose whatever Your Honor may determine, for
we continue here at this Mission only for the spiritual welfare of
these people. Since May- 20 of this year, the neophytes of this
Mission have already managed its temporalities without any meddling
in their affairs on our part. If at any time anything has been said
about the damage which the little remaining property is suffering,
it was done because the waste in the management is notorious. Only
the wine cellar has not been turned over to the Indians, because this
has been regarded as not conducive to their corporal and spiritual
welfare. The Fr. Presidente mentioned in the letter was Fr. Nar-
ciso Duran, who held the office for the term immediately
preceding that of Fr. Sanchez. He had been reappointed
by the College on May 26, 1830.19
With the year 1832, the regular annual reports on the
state of the mission ceased. They had usually been signed
by the missionaries in charge on the thirty-first day of
December. During the year 1834, the temporal manage
ment was taken out of the hands of the Fathers in conse
quence of the Decree of Secularization, or rather confisca
tion, which Governor Figueroa issued at the behest of the
Californians on August 9 and November 4, 1834. The last
report signed by Fr. Fernando Martin on December 31,
1832, gave the number of Baptisms, administered since the
founding of the mission in 1769, as 6,522, including those
of white settlers and others. During the same time, 1,803
marriages had been blessed, while the deaths amounted to
4,332. The neophyte population embraced 259 married
couples, 255 widowers, 105 widows, 228 single men and
boys over nine years of age, 75 single women and girls,
144 male children, and 130 female children, in all 1,455
souls. At the end of the same year, 1832, the mission possessed
19 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 418-419; 207, 307.

Mission San Diego 233
4,500 head of cattle, 13,250 sheep, 150 goats, 220 horses,
and 80 mules. This shows that if the covetous Californians
had let the missions alone, as they had to let alone the pri
vate property of individual white settlers, the Indians could
have prospered indefinitely. Another story will have to be
told of the mission property after it had been in the hands
of hired administrators less than five years. In fact, decay
set in at once.
The covetous mission enemies endeavored to create the
impression, and many people still so believe, that the con
fiscation of the mission properties was executed in obedi
ence to a decree enacted by the Mexican Congress on
August 17, 1833. That decree, however, contemplated no
such robberies as the Californians perpetrated. It went no
further, indeed, than the law resolved upon by the Spanish
Cortes on September 13, 1813, which provided that mission
aries of religious Orders in charge of Indian missions any
where should be replaced by priests directly subject to the
bishop, and that the property should be left in the hands
of the Indians and be managed by themselves. This latter
feature of the law is what displeased the gang of Califor
nians headed by Pio Pico, Juan Bandini, Juan B. Alvarado,
Jose Castro, and Mariano Vallejo. Accordingly, they in
timidated Governor Jose Figueroa and he issued the decree
of August 9, 1834. This decree not only deprived the Fran
ciscans of the management, in violation of the Mexican
law, but likewise took the control from the Indians and
put the missionaries, the property, and the Indians in charge
of hirelings. The missionaries thereafter were at the mercy
of those in charge. For details the reader must be referred
to volumes three and four of the General History, since it
would lead us too far to repeat them here. The Mexican
Government was, therefore, innocent of the wholesale rob
bery, in fact, it flatly forbade the Californian governor, Pio
Pico at the time, to make any change in the status of the
missions ; but this official paid no attention to the command
and proceeded even to sell the remnant of the property to

234 Missions and Missionaries of California
the highest bidder. We have anticipated; but it seemed
better to make the matter clear right here.
Before issuing a decree concerning the missions, in fact,
before the decree of the Mexican Congress of August 17,
1833, was published, Governor Figueroa came south to in
vestigate the situation. He clearly -saw what Fr. Presidente
Duran had stated all along, that through no fault of the
missionaries the neophytes were not as yet in a condition
to govern themselves or their property, and that any whole
sale change in the system would be ruinous. Accordingly,
he so reported to the Mexican Government under date of
July 20, 1833. He described the neophytes as children, with
a natural predilection for the customs of their ancestors
and for savage life without work. If freed at once, they
would from proprietors soon become beggars, after hav
ing bartered their possessions for liquor and gewgaws.
They would then return to the wilderness and join the wild
Indians in stealing cattle and horses and selling them to
New Mexicans and foreigners — all of which actually came
to pass.
Nevertheless, Figueroa personally tried to induce the ne
ophytes to avail themselves of the liberty held out to them.
He assembled them and explained to them the advantages
of freedom. Yet so attached were they to "degrading servi
tude" and to their "tyrannical missionary Fathers," that, as
Arguello reported in September, of fifty-nine heads of Indian
families at Mission San Diego only two wished for "emanci
pation," unless they could have the property to do with it
as they pleased. Fourteen families, comprising thirty-three
souls, at San Dieguito, desired emancipation, and the two
from the mission wanted to join them, in order to form a
pueblo. Arguello granted their petition and wrote that he
was going to assign their lands. It is probable that the
beginning of the settlement dates from that time, although
Bancroft says there is no evidence that Arguello assigned
the lands.
Before the governor set out on his tour, Fr. Presidente
Duran himself made a visitation in the south. The Mission

Mission San Diego 235
Registers of San Diego show that he was at the mission
as late as July 12, 1833, on which day he vised and signed
the books. But he had arrived earlier; for, on July 3, 1833,
he addressed a letter to Figueroa warning him to decide
anything on the subject of Indian emancipation, as the con
sequences would be disastrous. Unfortunately the letter did
not reach the governor until July 22, five days after he had
published his "Prevenciones Provisionales" that provided for
the gradual emancipation of the neophytes. This prelimi
nary measure was followed by the infamous decree of
August 9, 1834, ordering the confiscation of the missions,
which measure was emphasized by the decree of November
4. 1834. From that date, the missions were doomed to
destruction and the neophytes to extinction. The Fathers
at San Diego, as at all the mission establishments, quietly
submitted to the inevitable. They had done their best to
ward it off. It was useless to resist brute force, while the
Mexican Government was too far away to be appealed to
and too helpless itself to furnish relief.20
Mission San Diego, on September 20, 1834, was trans
ferred by inventory from Fr. Fernando Martin to Juan
Jose Rocha, who had been appointed commissioner for that
purpose. The inventory included everything, church goods
and sacred vessels not excepted. The mission was well sup
plied in that line. Four chalices, for instance, were valued
at $37, $25, $20.50, and $26, respectively. One of the mis
sals must have been a precious specimen of art, since it
was valued at $100.21
In April, 1835, Joaquin Ortega was placed in charge as
administrator with a salary of $50 a month, to be paid, of
course, from the income of the mission property, or from
the proceeds of the farm products which the "emancipated"
neophytes had to work as before. The missionaries had

20 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 472, 530; Bancroft,
vol. iii, p. 628.
2i. Original of the Inventory in Sta. Barb. Arch. See Appendix E.

236 Missions and Missionaries of California
managed the temporalities successfully without compensa
tion for more than sixty years. We shall soon see with
what success the hired managers controlled the destinies of
the establishment, and with what satisfaction to the Indians.
Another inventory was taken on May 5, 1835, and signed
by Fr. Martin. In this document the church and its appur
tenances were valued at $4,777.37. The debts of the mis
sion amounted to $531, but the military commissariat owed
the mission for supplies that amounted to $18,816.75. 22
The little pueblo of San Dieguito was organized in No
vember, 1835, with 34 families of only 113 souls from San
Diea:o.23

22 Bancroft, vol. iii, pp. 353, 620.
23 Bancroft, vol. iii, pp. 628.

CHAPTER XII.
Death of Fr. Fernando Martin. — Salaries. — Fr. Oliva Defends Indian
Rights. — Santa Isabel. — Administrator Rule. — Inspector Hartnell. —
His Melancholy Report. — Indian Complaints. — Mission Poverty. —
Robinson's Description. — Bishop Appointed. — He Arrives at San
Diego. — He Confirms and Ordains. — Mofras 's Description. — Yuma
Indians. — Governor Manuel Micheltorena. — His Soldiers. — He De
parts. — Mission Remnant Restored to Franciscans. — Result of Ad
ministrator Rule. — Pio Pico Governor. — :Mission Sold. — Deed of
Sale. — Smythe 's Views. — Unscrupulous Pico. — Retribution. — What
Smythe Has to Say. — Indian Raids. — Lamentations. — Items from
Bancroft.
FR. Fernando Martin died at Mission San Diego on Octo
ber 19, 1838, at the age of sixty-eight years. He had
labored at this mission since July, 1812, had seen it pros
per and the neophytes increase, happy and contented under
the shadow of the Cross, and then had witnessed with bleed
ing heart how like sheep they were scattered by ravenous
wolves. From December, 1831, till September, 1833, he had
been alone, Fr. Oliva, his companion, having been trans
ferred to Mission San Luis Rey. Fr. Buenaventura Fortuni
assisted him till August, 1834, when Fr. Oliva returned and
thenceforth served the Indians at San Diego till 1846.
Reporting under date of March 22, 1839, on the sal
aries granted the employees- of the ex-Mission of San Diego,
Joaquin J. Ortega declared that Fr. Fernando Martin, who
officiated only as priest and pastor, from December 1, 1834,
to October 19, 1838, the day of his death, had held a sal
ary of $1,500 a year, which was assigned to him by the
legislative assembly. The administrator, Joaquin Ortega,
received $600 annually, and the mayordomo, one Rosalio
Amador, $18 a month and rations.1

i Mission Begister of San Diego; Cai. Arch., St. Pap., Missions, ix,
301-303; v, 766.

238 Missions and Missionaries of California
By way of explanation it must be noted here that, at the
time of the confiscation, when the missionaries were de
prived of the management of the mission as also of the
means of subsistence, the legislature gave them the title of
parish priests and assigned the above amount as salary.
The Fathers rejected the title ; but they had to accept the
salary, in order to be able to pay for their board and
other necessaries of life. But rarely, if ever, did any of
the missionaries receive what was set apart for them on
paper. Indeed, some starved, while others received what
they needed under circumstances and restrictions that were
humiliating, and from officials who would formerly have
been glad to be employed as cowherds by those same
Fathers.2 Though robbed of their authority as guardians of the
neophytes and of the mission property, the Franciscans here
as elsewhere steadfastly defended the rights of the neophytes
to their lands. In consequence, they frequently incurred the
animosity of the covetous Californians, who would make
reprisals by slandering the fearless defenders of the help
less Indians. A case in point is the protest which Fr. Oliva,
on May 7, 1839, addressed to the prefect of the south, Cosme
D. Penas, residing at Los Angeles. It reads as follows :
The place Santa Isabel is not a sitio bdldio or uncultivated land,
as the solicitor says in his petition. It is a mission s with a church,
a cemetery, and all the requisites of a civilized pueblo. If the Padre
does not reside there, it is owing to the scarcity and lack of priests.
The natives of said mission have their fields on which they cultivate
wheat, barley, corn, beans, horse-beans, peas, and other seeds for their
maintenance, besides keeping two vineyards and orchards and their
horses. During summer, the lands will be occupied by their sheep.
In a settlement of that nature no private party may enter. If the
government should cede this land to the solicitor, whither would its
inhabitants, 580 souls, be banished? The law says that the natives

= Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 100-102 ; ISO.
2 Not strictly speaking, but an assisteneia or mission station, like
San Antonio de Pala. It lacked only a resident priest to make it a
mission in the strict sense of the word.

Mission San Diego 239
and possessors of land are its legitimate owners. Melior est conditio
possidentis. This is what I am bound to tell you on the subject.
Mission San Diego, May 7, 1839. In the absence of the administrator
— Fr. Vicente Pasqual Oliva.*
What effect this protest had is not known. But Adminis
trator Ortega, writing to the governor under date of Febru
ary 22, 1839, had to confess that "the landed property of
Santa Isabel, of Santa Monica, and of the mission was in
ruins, owing to the lack of people; for the emancipated
Indians had fled, and there was no one to work. Only fifty
persons, aged people, and women and children, remain. The
others are in the valley of Santa Clara, Los Angeles, and
in other ranchos." 5 Such was the result of administrator
rule after only four years. It must not be inferred, how
ever, that Ortega was dishonest. Still, the mayordomo
would first take his salary from the income of the mission,
and then there was little left for the neophytes. The mis
sion simply could not afford to pay these salaries. Never
theless, Ortega in 1839 reported that from the year 1835
there had been distributed to the neophytes the following
effects: 439 undergarments, 202 skirts, 673 blankets, 116
fanegas of corn, 2,110 fanegas of wheat, 22 fanegas of
beans, and 140 fanegas of barley.0
In January, 1839, Governor Alvarado appointed a very
good inspector of the missions in the person of William
Hartnell, who began his investigations at San Diego on
May 22. He visited each establishment of the military dis
trict as far as San Fernando, where on May 24 he reported
to the governor on what had thus far been done. Ap
parently without intending it, Hartnell shows incidentally
that the missionaries of San Diego Mission, during the sixty-
six years of their administration, had done herculean work
to advance the temporalities of the neophytes without re
ceiving in return anything more than food and clothing.

* Hayes, Mission Boole, I, no. 329. Bancroft Collection.
'< Cat. Arch.,- St. Pap., Missions, ix, p. 37. Bancroft Collection.
o Col. Arch., St. Pap., Missions, ix, p. 38. Bancroft Collection.

240 Missions and Missionaries of California
At present, he averred, the salaries of unnecessary officials
were consuming the proceeds, and the same missionaries
could but look on helplessly. His report was a melancholy
one. He declared that it was pitiable to see the destitu
tion and misery and to hear the complaints of the 274 sur
viving Indians of the mission. Going into details on the
state of the mission and ranchos, Hartnell says, "Mission
San Diego has one vineyard with 5,000 vines and an orchard
of 300 olive trees, and another vineyard of 3,600 vines and
an orchard of 167 olive trees, besides various other fruit
trees, notably pomegranates. It has also a field in good con
dition planted with a fanega (100 lbs.) of corn and a bu'shel
of beans.
"The rancho of Santa Monica 7 has a vineyard with 8,000
vines two years old and well kept. In addition, it has a
field planted with two and one- fourth fanegas of corn and
two fanegas of beans.
"At La Compasion, the people were reduced to utter des
titution. All the Indians presented themselves and suppli
cated the government to remove the administrator and to
return them to the care of the Father, not because they had
any complaint against Ortega, but because they realized that
the mission was not in a condition to maintain them.
"At the pueblo of San Dieguito, the Indians presented
themselves and .complained about Juan Osuna, the alcalde
of San Diego, because he had taken from them the land
which they had enclosed for their grain, and that he had
left them nothing more than salinous soil which did not pro
duce enough for their maintenance. According to informa
tion which he had gathered, the said Indians are creditors
to the land they claim, and it was hoped that the govern
ment would take the necessary steps in the matter." 8

1 An undated scrap, signed by Fr. Fernando Martin, hence before
October, 1838, gives the population of Santa Monica as 116 souls; of
Santa Isabel as 344 souls; and of the mission proper as 320 souls.
Cai Arch., St. Pap., Missions, vii, 15-33.
8 Cai. Arch., St. Pap., Missions, xi, pp. 334-341; Hittell, vol. ii,

Mission San Diego 241
On July 18, 1840, Hartnell. states that various Indians
of Santa Isabel protested against the grant of Santa
Isabel by the governor to Joaquin Ortega.9 Ortega had
been administrator of Mission San Diego and thus he util
ized his information of the best pieces of land ; whether
the Indians fared well or badly was no consideration.
Which of the missionaries had ever benefited himself in
this way? Why did not they apply for some land grant,
and accumulate the riches which their enemies accused them
of seeking? Because they first and always looked to the
welfare of the Indians, the real owners of the lands now
demanded by those who had done nothing to clear and im
prove them. Instead of providing heartlessly for themselves,
as did the officials, the Fathers to the last unselfishly stood
by their Indian converts. For instance, on May 7, 1841,
Fr. Oliva protested to the prefect of the south against the
excessive punishment meted out to the Indian Bonifacio,
who was sentenced to one month and eighteen days of labor
for having killed a bullock, although he paid as a compen
sation two dressed buckskins, six hens, one wooden bowl,
and two horses ; besides this, the fine in money was six
dollars. But since he had no money, he did not pay the
fine ; and therefore he and two others received the addi
tional month and eighteen days of labor.10
The mission itself had become so poor after six years of
administrator rule that, as Fr. Oliva, on May 7, 1841, wrote
to the secretary of the governor, there was not enough
produce on hand to pay the annual salary of $140 to mayor-
domo Juan Osuna*11
The sad change that had come over San Diego during
the past few years is aptly pictured by Alfred Robinson
when he writes: "At this period of events, I embarked on

p. 296; Bancroft, vol. iii, p. 620; Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv,
pp. 147-148.
9 Hayes, Mission Boole, i, no. 344. Bancroft Collection.
io Cai. Arch., Dept. St. Pap., Angeles, Deer, and Juzg. vi, p. 147.
n Cai. Arch., St. Pap., Missions, ix, pp. 99-100.

242 Missions and Missionaries of California
board of the ship Alert, and again visited St. Diego. Here
everything was prostrated — the Presidio ruined — the Mission
depopulated — the town almost deserted, and its few in
habitants miserably poor. It had changed! From being
once the life of, and most important place in California,
it had now become the gloomiest and most desolate. With
great difficulty I succeeded in procuring horses to return
north, by land, and in doing which the person with whom
I contracted compelled me to pay an enormous compensa
tion. For a distance which I had often performed, during
the flourishing state of the missionary establishments, at
an expense of five or six dollars, I had now to pay forty!
So much for secularization ! so much for the Californian
Government !" 12
At the request of the Mexican Government, Pope Gregory
XVI, on April 27, 1840, separated California from the juris
diction of the Bishop of Sonora and erected the Diocese of
Both Californias. On the same day, the Pope appointed
Fr. Garcia Diego y Moreno, O. F. M., whom the President
of Mexico had proposed, as first Bishop of the Californias
and assigned to him San Diego as his residence. Fr. Garcia
Diego, who had arrived in California already in 1833 and
resided at Santa Clara until the end of 1835, was conse
crated at the Shrine of Guadalupe, in Mexico, on October
4, 1840. He arrived at San Diego with his retinue on the
English brigantinc Rosalinda, in the night of December 10.
1841. One of the Fathers on board went ashore that eve
ning to advise the comandante and to prepare for the recep
tion of the Bishop. On landing the next morning, the
Bishop was solemnly received by Comandante Santiago
Arguello and taken to the house of Juan Bandini, the only
structure suitable in the unsightly place. The Bishop's at
tendants were Fr. Miguel Muro ; Fr. Francisco Sanchez,
whom Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson later immortalized in her
Ramona as Fr. Salvierderra ; Rev. Subdeacon Miguel Gomez;
12 Life in California, pp. 191-192.

Mission San Diego 243
the students, Antonio Jimenez, Jose Maria Rosalez, and
Doroteo Ambris ; two youths, Agapito Cabrera and Gervasio
Yaladez by name; Alejo Salmon, a tailor; Leandro Mar
tinez, a gardener, Dona Josefita Gomez y Diego, the Bishop's
niece, and Dona Soledad, an elderly companion of Dona
Josefita, who were both to conduct a school for girls.
On December 18, 1841, the Bishop administered the
Sacrament of Confirmation to 125 persons in the presidio
chapel. Pio Pico, Francisco M. Alvarado, Jose A. Estu
dillo, Manuel Verdugo, and others acted as sponsors for
the men and boys. Next day, . the Bishop conferred the
Tonsure and Minor Orders on the three ecclesiastical
students, Jimenez, Rosalez, and Ambris. These were the
first ordinations in California.
Nowhere is mention made of a visit to the mission which,
however, the Bishop doubtless went to see with his attend
ants. Fr. Oliva was in charge, yet no notice from him is
found in the mission records extant. Fr. Oliva must have
paid his respects to the new head of the Church in Cali
fornia at the presidio or Old Town of San Diego ; but his
presence is not noted anywhere. In fact, information re
garding San Diego is very meager on any subject in these
last years of the mission period.
It required little time to convince the Bishop that San
Diego with its less than 150 inhabitants, of whom ten were
foreigners, was unfit for an episcopal see. Therefore, on
the invitation of Santa Barbara, he resolved to transfer his
residence to that pueblo and arrived there on the bark
Guipuzcoana in the afternoon of January 11, 1842. He
never again saw San Diego.13
By order of his government, M. Duflot de Mofras, at
tache of the French legation to Mexico, visited California
in 1841 and 1842. In January of the latter year, about two

13 Cai. Arch., Dept. St. Pap., Benicia, Pref. and Juzgado, iii, pp.
861-862; Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 189-230; Libro de Con-
firmaciones.

244 Missions and Missionaries of California
weeks after the departure of Bishop Garcia Diego, he
arrived at San Diego and remained in the district perhaps
a week or ten days. He was a fairly honest observer and
described the situation as follows :
"This Mission of San Diego, which the Franciscans call
the Mother-mission, is seventeen leagues north of Mission
San Miguel, the last of the Lower California Missions, and
fourteen leagues south of Mission San Luis Rey, which is
the nearest. It is situated on the bank of the San Diego
River, in a long and narrow valley between two parallel
chains of hills. The buildings and the church are tumbling
into ruins. In front of the buildings is a magnificent grove
of olives. The grape vine thrives there very well and fur
nishes the most famous wines of California. The cotton
raised is of a superior quality, but men are wanting to culti
vate it. . . . In its halcyon days, this Mission numbered
2,500 Indians, 14,000 horned cattle, 1,500 horses, and 32,000
sheep.14 The people here and the animals were distributed
over the ranches of Santa Monica or the canon of Santa
Ysabel, San Jose, San Bernardo, San Dieguito, San Pas-
qual, San Alejo, and Soledad. To-day, these lands belong
to the individuals who seized them. At the mission itself,
there is no longer any live stock. Its inhabitants are a
few Indians, a family of whites, and a Spanish priest,
Rev. Vicente Oliva, a native of Aragon and already much
advanced in years. He is unable to save from plunder the
land of Santa Ysabel, which is situated fen leagues in the
mountains, and where five hundred Indians are gathered
under the supervision of their alcaldes and a mayordomo.
These natives possess some teams of working oxen and
obtain sufficient crops to support themselves. . . .
"The country extends as far as the western banks of the
Colorado River, for about sixty leagues on a beeline. It is
very picturesque and abounds in forests and pastures. The

n Mofras is very generous. See the Tabular Report in chapter xv;
also vol. iii of Missions and Missionaries, Appendix F.

MISSION ORCHARD IN 1886. RIVER VALLEY DOWN TO THE PRESIDIO, y

246 Missions and Missionaries of California
Yuma Indians who inhabit it, sometimes overrun the terri
tory occupied by the whites. In 1839, a horde of these
Indians unexpectedly invaded the land of Jamul, eight
leagues from San Diego and belonging to the family of
Sergeant Pico. The savages massacred four whites and
carried off as prisoners two young maidens whom they
forced to submit to the vilest outrages ; these unfortunates
roused such jealousy in the Indian women that the latter,
choosing a time when the men7 of the tribe were on a hunt,
fastened the two prisoners to trees and stoned them to death.
"Who should not expect that on hearing of these terrible
murders, the parents and the friends of the victims would
join hands in wreaking signal vengeance? Still, nothing of
the kind happened. The impotent authorities took no meas
ures and the crime remained unpunished. Under the Spanish
regime, at the first notice of the attack, the presidial force
of San Diego, followed by the troops of the ranches, would
have pursued the assassins and would have cruelly made
them pay for their dastardly crime. At the time when com
munication existed between Sonora and California, one had
to pass from the ruined Missions of San Pedro and of San
Pablo on the Colorado River to Santa Ysabel, in order to
reach San Diego.
"The Indians of Santa Ysabel make good the deficiency
in their crops by means of wild grass seeds, acorns, and
the flesh of stags and roebucks which are very plentiful.
At the Mission, they manufactured ordinary woolen and
cotton fabrics ; hemp also grew very well, but the sun was
too hot for sugar cane. They worked also a tannery and
made soap from the kelp obtained by boiling the sea weeds
which they raked together on the shore of the bay. In
the hands of another power, the port of San Diego would
have acquired an importance very quickly; it would have
joined the two Californias and Sonora, and could have be
come the center of a numerous population and of an exten-

1° Mofras, Exploration, vol. i, pp. 334-339.

Mission San Diego 247
An event of the highest importance was the arrival of
General Manuel Micheltorena, the new governor appointed
for California. He was the last one sent over from Mexico.
His ship cast anchor in the harbor on August 25, 1842,
seven months after the appearance of the first bishop. He
was accompanied by a body of would-be soldiers whom
Alfred Robinson describes in this fashion: "I saw them
land, and to me they presented a state of wretchedness and
misery unequaled. Not one individual among them pos
sessed a jacket or pantaloons; but naked, and like savage
Indians, they concealed their nudity with dirty miserable
blankets. The females (many of the men were accom
panied by their wives) were not much better off; for the
scantiness of their mean apparel was too apparent for
modest observers. They appeared like convicts ; and, in
deed, the greater portion of them had been charged with
the crime of either murder or theft. These were the valiant
followers of a heroic general, who had fought on the battle
field, where he had gained laurels for himself and coun
try!" Micheltorena spent several weeks at San Diego,
organizing and drilling his convict recruits with the result
that Robinson wrote, "I had an opportunity of seeing them
all afterwards at the Pueblo (Los Angeles), when on their
route to Monterey. They mustered three hundred and fifty
men, and their general had given them a neat uniform of
white linen." 16
Following the instructions of the Mexican Government,
Micheltorena under date of March 29, 1843, issued from
Los Angeles a decree restoring the missions or what re
mained of them to the management of the Franciscans.
The new governor explained that the Indians were reluc
tant to remain under the secular commissioners, because
"they prefer to return to the mountains and to die in the
wilderness rather than to drag out a life of slavery full
of privations and without any social pleasures." 17 That
is Life in California, pp. 212-213.
it Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 272-273.

248 Missions and Missionaries of California
was language which the half-infidel California youths would
not brook. They conspired to drive Micheltorena out of
the territory on the ground that he would not return his
convict soldiers to Mexico, but in reality because he had
taken the part of the Indian neophytes and had removed the
parasites installed by Alvarado against the will of the Su
preme Government. They had expelled Victoria for a
similar reason ; they had forced Chico and Gutierrez to
resign their office of governor ; so the clique thought it
would not be difficult to rid themselves of the honest and
upright Micheltorena. They succeeded, too. Micheltorena
resigned on February 22, 1845, and the following month
he and the troopers, out of contempt called Cholos, sailed
from Monterey on the Don Quixote, an American vessel.
When Fr. Oliva again resumed the management of the
mission in obedience to Micheltorena's decree of March 29,
1843, he wrote to Fr. Duran that all that was left of the
live stock were four cows, five calves, and one bull. In
the year 1834, only nine years previously, the mission pos
sessed 3,000 head of cattle, and 10,000 sheep ! Fr. Duran,
at the request of the Government of Mexico, sent a report
dated February 29, 1844, concerning the Missions under his
jurisdiction. With regard to San Diego, he writes lacon
ically, "This mission has always been a poor one and hardly
ever had enough for the support of its Indians ; but to-day
it has nothing. Fr. Vicente Oliva is in charge of a popula
tion that may number one hundred souls." 18
Pio Pico again assumed control of the territorial govern
ment, after the departure of Micheltorena. As evidence of
what was uppermost in his mind on March 18, 1845, only
three weeks later, aided by Carlos A. Carrillo and Ignacio
del Valle, two of his four colleagues in the legislature,
he proposed not only another confiscation but the sale of
the missions, although in somewhat disguised terms. De
spite the emphatic protest of Fr. Narciso Duran, the Presi-

18 Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 280; 387; 433-509.

Mission San Diego 249
dente of the Missions, this was accomplished eventually by
the decree of Pico's legislature of May 28, 1845, and lastly
by his own decree issued on October 28, 1845.
In accordance with Pico's decree, the Mission, that is,
what had not yet been given away of it, was illegally
sold over the heads of the missionaries and of the Indian
neophytes, its rightful owners, and deeded to Santiago
Arguello in consideration of past services to the territorial
government! According to Smythe, the deed of sale read
as follows:
Being previously authorized by the Departmental Assembly to alle
viate the Missions, in order to pay their debts and to avoid their total
ruin: and knowing that Don Santiago Arguello has rendered the gov
ernment important services at all times, and has also given aid when
asked, for the preservation of the legitimate government and the se
curity of the Department, without having received any indemnification:
and, whereas, this gentleman has, for his own personal benefit and
that of his numerous family, asked to purchase the Mission of San
Diego, with all the lands and property belonging to it, both in town
and country, he paying fully and religiously the debts of said Mis
sion, which may be established by the reports of the Committee of
Missions, binding himself to provide for. the support of the priests
located at said Mission, and of Divine Worship. In view of all which
I have made real sale and perpetual alienation is of it forever, to
Don Santiago Arguello, according to, and in conformance with, what
has been agreed upon, with all the appurtenances found and known
at the time as belonging to it, whether consisting of lands, buildings,
improved real estate, or cattle.20
"The reader," Smythe remarks,21 "will not fail to note
the pious terms in which the instrument was drawn. The
object of the transfer was 'to alleviate' the Mission, and to
avoid its 'total ruin.' The purchaser was required to pro
vide for the support of the priests and to maintain divine
worship. These diplomatic phrases deceived no one, and
least of all the priests. The idea of a proprietary mission
19 Which he had formally been forbidden to do by the Mexican Gov
ernment. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 455; 501-509;
756, 758; 768-771.
20 History of San Diego, p. 73.
21 Ibidem.

250 Missions and Missionaries of California
dependent for its support upon the bounty of an individual,
must have been repugnant to their souls. Certainly, such
an arrangement could never have proven workable, but it
was not put up to the test. The war came on with swift
footsteps, and when it had passed, Mexico had gone the
way of Spain," and, Smythe should have added, the mis
sion despoilers ere long received their deserts. For the
United States Courts declared the "sale" illegal, and deliv
ered the property to the Catholic Church, that is to say
whatever under Spanish law had been regarded as Church
property. The only losers were the Indian neophyte owners
of the land and stock which had been wasted or "granted"
to private individuals. If the reader will turn to volume
four of Missions and Missionaries and will study the whole
sordid transaction of Pico and of the so-called Californians,
he will easily reach just conclusions.
The deed of sale was drawn up at Los Angeles, signed by
Pio Pico and countersigned by his secretary Jose Matias
Moreno, on June 8, 1846, a month before the United States
flag was hoisted at Monterey and the territory delivered
of unscrupulous paisano misrule.
On July 24, 1846, while fleeing before the United States
troops, Pio Pico had the audacity to write to Fr. Oliva,
ordering him to deliver the Mission and all its appurtenances
to Santiago Arguello by means of an inventory.22
Pico had begun early to dispose of the lands cultivated
by the neophytes for themselves. For instance, on Decem
ber 15, 1845, Miguel Pedrorena from Santa Barbara thanked
Pio Pico for granting the tract called El Cajon to his wife.23
But that grant whetted his own appetite ; for on January 2,
1846, the same Miguel Pedrorena wrote to Pio Pico ask
ing him to expedite as quickly as possible the grant to the
tract known as San Jacinto properly belonging- to Mission
San Luis Rey, "because in this matter, as in all of its class,
it is exceedingly expedient under these circumstances to be
22 Cal. Arch., Unbound Documents, p. 264; 390. Bancroft Collection.
2s Cai. Arch., Dep. St. Pap., vi, pp. 458-461.

Mission San Diego 251
placed in possession on account of the possibility of the
arrival of a commission from Mexico. I have already
recommended the matter to Don Luis Arguello, so that he
might not be backward because it would prejudice us." 24
With these hungry henchmen of the young rulers the
question of right and wrong was not worth considering.
All they asked themselves was : will it prejudice our claims
or will it advance them? That the Indians were in posses
sion from time immemorial was the least difficulty these
claimants had to encounter. With them, might was right.
Accordingly, on July 8, one day after the United States
had taken possession of California, Narciso Botello, one of
the Pico legislators, certified to the grant of the tract called
San Jacinto to Miguel F. Pedrorena.25 Thus was done all
over California. Thus the lands of the Missions were
manipulated into the hands of claimants without regard to
the rights of the Indians, who under Spanish laws would-
not have lost a foot of their property against their will.
Such crying injustice and heartless selfishness, however,
could not long remain unpunished. In due time, the pestif
erous activities inaugurated against the peaceful mission
homes of the neophytes by Echeandia and continued by the
unscrupulous young Californians, bore bitter fruit. They
had incited the Indians to disregard the missionaries and
to conduct themselves as free men. The vicious among the
neophytes quickly learned the lesson and put it into prac
tice. They joined the pagans in the mountains or deserts
and raids on ranchos for the purpose of stealing horses
were thereafter a common occurrence. "Occasionally," says
Smythe, "some of the Indians, who had been at the mis
sions, returned to their old haunts and led in raids. The
ranchmen would unite and go into the hills in parties of
ten or twelve, well armed, to punish the thieves and to
recover the live stock. They would frequently recover the
stolen property, but often fierce fights took place in which
?4Cal Arch., Dep. St. Pap., vii, p. 351.
23 Cai. Arch., Dep. St. Pap., viii, p. 409.

252 Missions and Missionaries of California
as many as eight or ten Indians would be killed, as well
as an occasional ranchman. After the secularization of the
missions, the conditions of the Indians became very miser
able, and while large numbers of them continued to live in
rancherias and practiced the rude arts which they had
learned from the missionaries, the others were forced by
want, and doubtless also led by inclination, to get their
living by joining in these raids. . . . Between the years
1836 and 1840, nearly all the ranches were plundered, and
agriculture fell to a very low ebb. In the spring of 1836,
there were loud complaints, but the soldiers could furnish
no protection, as they were without arms and ammunition.
The savages became so bold that they even made raids into
the town." 26 So the secularization was a success, indeed,
in that it had successfully impoverished the country and
had aroused the latent wild instinct of the Indians whom
the missionaries had found it easy to restrain without the
force of arms, showing thereby that their system was the
correct one, after all.
The condition of the military post was especially distress
ing. Doubtless the soldiers wished they had treated the
poor missionaries with more appreciation, seeing that starva
tion and nakedness followed their removal from the con
trol of the Indians. Smythe writes, for instance, that in
April, 1834, Lieutenant Salazar could not go to Monterey
for want of a shirt and jacket! He had only a poor cloak
to cover the "frightful condition of his trousers. There
was no food for the prisoners. These were, therefore,
farmed out to any citizen who would feed them. In Feb
ruary, 1837, fourteen prisoners were engaged on public
works — three in repairing the plaza road, and several more
at work on the courthouse and jail, which were deemed
more urgent than the church. The presidio building was
abandoned about 1835, and by 1840 it was in ruins. A
few half-starved soldiers lingered as a melancholy reminder
26 History of San Diego, pp. 181-182.

Mission San Diego 253
of former glory." There is a tradition, Smythe affirms,
that in 1839 the garrison consisted of one soldier at the
presidio and eight at San Luis Rey, and that they disbanded
in September in order to escape death by starvation.27
"Much of the building material on the hill," the same
author relates, "had by this time, 1839, been carried down -A
and used in the erection of the new town at the foot of
the hill. The church and other remaining buildings were
unroofed by the commandant and the tiles sold to satisfy
demands which he had against the government." 2S
That the common sufferings had caused the inhabitants
of San Diego, and for the matter of that everywhere in
California at the time, to begin to recall and to turn wist
fully to the past, is evident from their complaints, one of
which is expressed in the following official paper:
Monterey, April 23, 1836. Governor Gutierrez to the alcalde of Los
Angeles on the remonstrance of some inhabitants of San Diego, re
lating to the evils which the Decree of Secularization had brought on.
This political government is advised of the official letter of the
fourteenth of the present month sent by you through a special mes
senger, and enclosing the nature of the proceedings of that illustrious
council and the remonstrance made to the same municipality on
March 22 by Juan Bandini and several other gentlemen, both native
and foreigner, inhabiting said port, and complaining of the incursions
which in that part of the country the Indians are making in search
of horses. They lament the decay which the missions have undergone
because of the law and subsequent Reglamento for their seculariza
tion, which were a damage to the agriculture of the missions and
caused the losses which for this reason the commerce of the territory
is suffering. They conclude with an apostrophe to the military of the
privations they suffer, and propose as a remedy the creation of a
Junta or General Assembly, composed of military officials, the clergy,
and the town councils, who should direct their energy to the ameliora
tion of the political and economical condition of the country, repress
the robberies of the Indians, encourage agriculture and commerce,
etc.29 Nothing seems to have come of the petition. At all
27 History of San Diego, p. 128.
2s Ibidem, p. 129.
29 Cai Arch., St. Pap., Angeles, xi, pp. 293-296.

254 Missions and Missionaries of California
events, the raids continued, as a report of Santiago Argiiell'o,
comandante of the port of San Diego, dated July 6, 1837,
demonstrates. "The administrator of the Mission of' San
Diego," he writes, "notified me to-day that last night at the
second watch hostile Indians fell upon Rancho of San Ber
nardo, killed the corporal, the cheese-maker, and a shepherd,
and wounded the son of the puppet-show man, and that
they have killed them." 30
"Respecting the other pueblos of the district, Las Flores,
San Dieguito, and San Pasqual," says Bancroft, "we have
a few meager items for the years 1841-1842, just enough
to indicate their continued existence. After 1842 nothing
appears in the records of this period, though San Pasqual
certainly and Las Flores probably were not wholly aban
doned until after 1845."
The items referred to by Bancroft are these : Tadeo and
Jose Barrena were jucccs de campo for San Dieguito, April,
1841. Pio Pico was cncargado of Las Flores in 1842. In
February, March, and April there was much dissatisfaction
among the Indians of Las Flores with the Picos. The juez
went to see them and explained that Pico still had authority;
but he appointed three Indian alcaldes here and also at
San Pasqual and San Dieguito, much to the satisfaction of
the Indians. Pico required them to fence in their land in
order to keep out his ( !) cattle. Mofras says (vol. i, p. 343)
that there were 400 Indians at Las Flores in 1842. Later
figures there are none. In October, 1841, an Indian girl at
San Pasqual committed suicide. In February, 1841, J. A.
Yorba applied for a lot 500 by 400 varas at Las Flores,
which was also called San Pedro; but the grant was refused,
as the land would not support more people than were there
already.31

30 Hayes, Mission Boole, vol. i, p. 322 ; Bancroft Collection.
si Bancroft, vol. iv, p. 628.

CHAPTER XIII.
Last Baptism at Mission.— Estudillo in Charge.— Last Franciscan.—
United States Soldiers at San Diego.— General Kearny and Com
modore Stockton.— Mormon Battalion.— Pico 's Bill of Sale of
Mission.— Arguello Disclaims Ownership.— Correspondence. — Miss
Lorenzana on Condition of Mission Goods.— Sacred Vessels Dese
crated.— Jose Estudillo Resigns.— Colonel Stevenson to Governor
Mason.— Halleck to Stevenson on Mission Property.— Halleck to
Fr. Gonzalez Riibio.— Fr. Gonzalez to Colonel Stevenson.— Lt. Ord 's
Description of the Old Town and Harbor.— Mission.— Mission
Goods Once More.— Bartlett on the Mission.— Archbishop Alemany 's
Claim to Property Affirmed.— Land Grants.— Ranchos Claimed and
Granted.— Bartlett 's Description.— The Camino Real.
Tp HE church building and other portions of the mission
-L must have been in a tolerably serviceable condition all
these years, for on June 14, 1846, Fr. Vicente writes in the
Baptismal Register, "On this day, in the church of this
Mission of San Diego, I solemnly baptized a child seventeen
days old, the legitimate son of Jose de la Luz and Teresa
his wife, Indians of the presidio, to whom I gave the name
Jose Antonio. The godmother was Candelaria who is mar
ried to Juan Cheriguita." The entry bears number 7,126.
It was the last made by Fr. Oliva and is also the last in
the second book of Baptisms.
Fr. Oliva then retired to San Juan Capistrano and from
there he named Jose Antonio Estudillo administrator of
Mission San Diego, in order that, during the absence of a
priest, he might care for what was left of the mission.1
From San Juan Capistrano, in October, 1847, Fr. Oliva
wrote to the military commander, whose headquarters were
at Los Angeles, and complained against the captain of
the United States soldiers at San Diego. His charge was
that the said captain had given orders to remove the tiles
from the habitations of Mission San Diego, and that other
i Cai. Arch., Unbound Documents, p. 390, Bancroft Collection.

256 Missions and Missionaries of California
goods which ought to be respected as sacred had been taken
to the presidio. He begged, therefore, that the said captain
be prohibited from disposing of them.2
This is the last reference to the last Franciscan connected
with Mission San Diego. What the articles were is not
indicated. The complaint requires a brief explanation. The
United States sloop Cyane, commanded by Captain F. Dupont,
arrived from Monterey in the harbor on July 29, 1846. The
marines numbered about eighty men. Lieutenant Maddox
in command of a guard of marines was sent ashore in the
afternoon in order to take possession of the town and to
hoist the American flag. Toward evening, Captain John C.
Fremont with about eighty soldiers went ashore. They
experienced no opposition whatever. The naval flag used on
this occasion was . raised on the plaza of Old Town. On
December 7, after his fight at San Pascual,3 General Stephen
W. Kearny with a small party of exhausted men. reached
the presidio and remained at San Diego to recuperate before
marching on to Los Angeles. It does not appear that any
of the force, now camped at the port, took up quarters at
the mission, nor that they committed any acts of vandalism.
The situation at the harbor is described in a report of
United States Quartermaster, Thomas Swords, dated October
8, 1847.
On our arrival at San Diego, finding no provisions or supplies of
any kind, except those belonging to the navy, who were themselves
on a short allowance, and being unable to procure anything in the
country but cattle, I was directed by General Kearny to proceed to
the Sandwich Islands for the purpose of procuring funds and the
necessary articles for the quartermaster 's subsistence and medical
department.4 Soon after his arrival, Commodore Stockton issued the
following order:
From this date, August the 15th, 1846, the tonnage duties on all
2 Cai Arch., Unbound Documents, p. 389, Bancroft Collection.
s See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv., pp. 572-573.
* Message of the President. House of Representatives. Thirtieth
Congress. Executive Document, No. 1, p. 228.

Mission San Diego 257
foreign vessels arriving in the ports of California will be fifty cents
per ton. And the duties on all goods imported from foreign parts will
be fifteen per cent "ad valorem," payable in three instalments of
30, 80, and 120 days. R. F. Stockton,
Commander-in-Chief and Governor of the
Territory of California.^
On January 29, 1847, the Mormon Volunteer Battalion
arrived at San Diego from the east and they appear to have
taken up their quarters at the Mission. At all events,
Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Cooke, on January 30, issued his
first general order to the Battalion from "Headquarters
Mormon Battalion, Mission San Diego." In this order, he
congratulated and praised the battalion for their past con
duct.6 On February 1, they left for San Luis Rey, where
part of the force remained two months. A company occupied
also the port at San Diego. How long they stayed is un
certain, though the following letter throws some light on
the matter and on others mentioned before and it also in
some way explains Fr. Oliva's letter.
San Diego, October 17, 1847.— Daniel C. Davis, Captain First Com
pany Mormon Volunteers, Commander at San Diego, to Colonel J. D.
Stevenson. On Affairs of San Diego Mission.
The occupant of the Mission states he was left in charge of the
Mission and property in August, 1846,. by Fr. Vicente Oliva, now
residing at Mission San Juan Capistrano. A power of attorney from
said Fr. Oliva to Jose A. Estudillo shows he still claims jurisdiction
of the property.
Santiago Argiiello has also a claim, purporting to be a sale to him
of the Mission by Pio Pico, when he was governor of California.
According to the best information upon California affairs, the claim
founded on that sale is not valid, besides the order for the delivery of
the property has not been executed.
Alleged Bill of Sale to Santiago Arguello from Governor Pico: —
A full conveyance and sale to Santiago Arguello of the Mission of
San Diego in consideration of his long public services and assistance
given the' government for which he has not been indemnified, on the
following conditions: 7 1. He shall pay to the creditors the debts of
the Mission. 2. From the date all expenses to support an efficient
¦< Executive Document, No. 60, p. 270.
« Bancroft, vol. v, pp. 486-487.
7 This statement is corroborated by Pio Pico himself. He says :

258 Missions and Missionaries of California
Curate and public worship to be paid by S. Arguello. 3. No one shall
allege lesion enorme — any excess in value to remain in favor of the
purchases, no one offering more therefor. 4. Except from above sale
the Church and all pertaining thereto and the residence of the offi
ciating priest.
The deed purports to bear the signature of Pio Pico.
Remarks. Said Mission still in possession of the officiating priest
Fr. Vicente Oliva. Don Santiago told me in private conversation in
June last that he had not claimed possession await'ng the action of
the American government; that he did not think the former California
government had a right to dispose of the property of the Indians in
this manner; but that as others were buying Missions, he might as
well have one too, supposed to have been given August 8, 1846, but
ante-dated.^ Sergeant Tyler of the Mormon Battalion says, "The build
ings of the old Catholic Mission of San Diego were dilapi
dated, and only used by a few rather filthy Indians. The
olive, date, and some ornamental trees were found in the
garden of the Mission." 9
On the same day, Captain Davis addressed Fr. Oliva to
this effect : San Diego, October 17, 1847.
Dear Sir: — I enclose you the copy of a. circular received by me from
Governor Mason requiring the occupants or claimants of certain Mis
sions or Mission property to furnish Col. J. D. Stevenson or such per
son as he may designate for that purpose, copies of all contracts or
agreements by which they hold possession of said property.
In relation therefore to San Diego Mission, I am authorized by Col.
Stevenson to require of you copies of all contracts or agreements by
which you hold possession of the Mission or Mission property.
Yours Very Respectfully, Dantel C. Davis,
Capt. 1st Comp. Mor. Vol.,
Commanding San Diego.
Father Vicente Oliva, San Juan.io

' ' La Mision de San Diego se le dio al Cap. Santiago Arguello en pago
de sus servicios, pues se le debian los sueldos de muchos afios. ' ' — Pio
Pico, Documentos, ii, 171-172.
» Sta. Barb. Arch,; Cat. Arch., Unbound Documents, pp. 97-99, Ban
croft Collection. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, p. 763.
» Tyler, The Mormon Battalion, p. 254.
id Fr. Oliva perhaps said nothing. Nor was it necessary in view of

Mission San Diego 259
The following correspondence explains itself:
Viva Jesus! San Juan Capistrano,
January 25, 1848.
Rev. Fr. Presidente Jose Joaquin Jimeno.
My Very Rev. Father:
After saluting Your Reverence with the respect and affection which
I entertain for you, I pass on to communicate to Your Reverence by
means of this letter that from persons worthy of credit we have
received notice that the doors of the church of Mission San Diego have
been removed; and that from the wardrobes, in which the sacred ves
sels and other valuables usually adorning the altar were preserved,
they took out the chalices and silver candlesticks. It is not known
what other valuables they may have taken out, because some have
been found buried in the arroyo, others in tho taverns, and others in
the smithy of the Americans, already broken to pieces. And through
the same persons who have furnished this information it is known that
this wickedness and robbery must be attributed to the American sol
diers. Therefore, Father Presidente, this information has been very sad
and painful to me. Hence I was determined to bring away all the
vestments and valuables of said church; but I shall not do so until
I know the pleasure and will of Your Reverence and of the Admin
istrator of the diocese, to whom also I am writing the same news.
I also wish to tell Your Reverence that in case permission is granted
me to take away all those goods of the church as soon as it pleases
God, I oblige myself to go there and fetch them as soon as I can;
for just now I have no mind to go to San Diego, in order not to
deprive myself longer of spiritual comfort, etc.
Meanwhile, I remain Your Reverence's most obedient Apolinaria
Lorenzana.n Miss Lorenzana was a most worthy woman, who devoted
her life to taking care of the church goods and ornaments,
and doing charitable works generally. She will be heard
of again at San Juan Capistrano where she lived at this
period. The following document explains some of the
contents of her letter. San Diego, February 7, 1848.
Very Rev. Fr. Jos^ Joaquin Jimeno: —
In my two previous letters I have made known to Your Reverence
 ,  _ 
Gen. Kearny's Proclamation issued March 22, 1847. See Missions and
Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 583-584.
n Sta. Barb. Arch.

260 Missions and Missionaries of California

FRONT DOOR OF MISSION CHURCH. SHOWS STYLE OF CARVING. *

Mission San Diego 261
all that has occurred in the Mission ¦ of San Diego, and to-day I
bring to your knowledge that I have discovered in a net in the sand
of this arroyo the following: one silver cibOrium, three chalices, one
patena, two stocks for large silver candlesticks, six sockets for silver
candlesticks, two pieces of silver the purpose of which I do not know,
two smaller silver candlesticks, etc.
Besides these things some pieces of coin were found which had been
robbed and some tablets with two moulds, all of which I have de
livered to the judge together with all the dates that I could find.
Till now nothing has been taken away. Wishing to give Your Pater
nity correct information on what may be wanting, I wrote to San
Juan to Dona Apolinaria, who has knowledge about everything in the
church, and who, as I was aware, had taken away some things by
order of the deceased Father in order to make arrangements for Holy
Week; but to this date I have received no reply. Neither the holy
sepulcher nor the tabernacle have been found. If they are not at San
Juan, I believe they have been stolen.
I wish that Your Reverence would reply to me regarding the mat
ter; for I wish to sever my connection with it for reasons that are
highly disagreeable to me. I have cheerfully taken part in the affair
only because the crime should not remain unpunished; but I have no
hope of effecting anything. I wish Your Reverence good health, and
offering you my services, I beg to remain,
Yours very respectfully, Jose A. Estudillo.12
On August 9, 1848, Colonel Stevenson wrote to Governor
Mason :
No person is willing to remain long in charge of Mission San
Diego. If the Mission is left in its present state, the property will
soon disappear. The movable property should be sold at once and
the proceeds paid into the civil treasury. Some old Indians still re
main who claim support from the mission property. If the claim is
just they might receive a beef ration from the post, or an arrange
ment might be made with some citizens of San Diego to take a few
head of cattle and maintain the Indians during life. The property
is worth something now; in a few months there will be nothing left.i3
In reply came this note:
State Department Territory of California,
Monterey, August 18, 1848.
Sir: — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August 9,
and the enclosed inventory of property belonging to the Mission of
12 Sta. Barb. Arch. A pity that the two letters mentioned are lost.
They would have, set clear things now obscure.
is Cai. Arch., Unbound Documents, p. 159, Bancroft Collection.

262 Missions and Missionaries of California
San Diego. You will perceive from the enclosed copy of a letter of
this date to Padre Gonzales, that Colonel Mason had directed the
property to be placed at his disposition.
Very respectfully, etc., H. W. Halleck, etc:
The order of Governor Mason to which Halleck refers
reads as follows : State Department Territory of California,
Monterey, August 18, 1848.
Very Reverend Sir: — Enclosed herewith is an inventory of the mova
ble and self-moving property belonging to the Mission of San Diego,
now in the hands of Philip Crostwait.14 The governor directs that
this property be delivered to your reverence, to be disposed of as your
reverence may deem proper. It had better be taken care of imme
diately, for if neglected for a few months it will entirely disappear.
.1 have the honor to be your reverence's most obedient servant,
H. W. Halleck,
Lieutenant of Engineers and
Secretary of State.
To the Very Reverend Jose' Maria de Jesus Gonzales, Governor of
the Bishopric of California, Santa Barbara.15
Fr. Gonzales Rubio, the Administrator of the diocese, on
September 8, wrote to Colonel Stevenson, concerning the
renting of Mission San Diego, as follows:
I have received your letter of the sixth of this month, in which
you communicate that you have received orders from Governor Mason
to place at my disposition the Mission of San Diego, but before re
ceiving said orders the Mission had been for two years rented to a pri
vate individual charged with its care. In reply, I have to say that
on August 29 I received a letter from the Secretary, H. W. Halleck,
in which he says that through the disposition of the governor he is
sending an inventory of the goods and live stock of the Mission; but
as this concerns not me but the Commissary Prefect of the Missions,
Fr. Jose Joaquin Jimeno, I transmit those original documents to said
Prefect." On September 10, Fr. Jimeno wrote to the governor, in-
1* He was the lessee of the Mission at the time and received the
property by inventory from E. L. Brown, on August 6, 1848. See
Appendix F.
^Executive Document, No. 17, House of Representatives, Thirty-
first Congress, p. 596. Spanish Ms. copy in Sta. Barb. Arch.
is Cai. Arch., Unbound Documents, pp. 214-215, Bancroft Collection.

Mission San Diego 263
quiring as to the manner of delivering the property of
Mission San Diego which the governor ordered turned over
to the Father Superior, and that he would confer with
Fr. Gonzales Rubio on the matter.17
Unfortunately, nothing seems to have been done for more
than a year; for, on November 6, 1849, Lieutenant E. O. C.
Ord, of Third Artillery, reporting to Major A. R. S. Canby
on his trip to the Mission writes as follows:
"Here (San Diego) there is a good frigate harbor— the
quietest on this coast. The, steamers have established their
coal depot at this place in preference to San Francisco. The
entrance, about two hundred yards wide, is of easy defense.
The town containing about twenty badly built adobe houses
and two good ones, is five miles from the anchorage; a road
leads around the bay shore, bordered by naked hills. Small
boats can not get within half a mile of the town (i.e. Old
Town) owing to the shallow water and marsh mud. The
town was built here because it is the only point on the bay
where a good supply of water can be had from the little
river which here in summer empties its waters into the
bay. In the autumn these waters dry or sink into the sandy
bed. I followed this bed of sand through its valley amongst
low cactus covered clay hills, seven miles, to the mission.
There I found the old walls tumbling in, and everything
going to ruins. The vineyard and olive trees still produced
a few fruit. The library should be placed in charge of some
one interested in its preservation. From the mission along
the river it is about five miles more to a gap in the hills,
where the valley heads. Near this gap are a few sycamore
trees and willow bushes, the only timber in the valley. This
valley, though much smaller than that of Carmel, has good
soil, and if cultivated would perhaps maintain three or four
hundred inhabitants. There is still in good preservation
an aqueduct leading from the running water in the hills to
the mission, which with a little more care would supply
water for irrigation to the whole valley." Writing from
" Cai. Arch., Unbound Documents, p. 391, Bancroft Collection.

264 Missions and Missionaries of California
Monterey a few days previously, on October 31, 1849, Lieu
tenant Ord said, "Many emigrants arriving at San Diego
are destitute ; neither bread, flour, nor sugar can be purchased
there." 18
One more document is found touching this matter. It
reads : State Department of California,
Monterey, July 2, 1849.
Major: — I am directed by General Riley to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of June 4, respecting certain property belonging to the
Mission of San Diego. Governor Mason, in August last, authorized
the turning over of this property to Padre Gonzales of Santa Barbara;
but if neither the Padre nor his agents take possession of it, and it
is likewise to be lost or injured from neglect, you are authorized- to
dispose of it by sale, turning over the proceeds to Captain Lyon, as
"civil funds." Very Respectfully, etc., H. W. Halleck,
Brevet Captain, etc.
Major S. P. Heintzelman,
Commanding, San Diego, Cai."
"Six miles from the town of San Diego," writes Bartlett,
who visited the place in May, 1852, "following up the valley,
is the venerable Mission of the same name, a spot possessing
great picturesque beauty, and surrounded by fertile and well
watered lands. It was the last of the California mission that
was abandoned ; and but five years ago its ancient library
and its priests still remained. The buildings, which are of
adobe, are not extensive, but are in good preservation. They
possess more of an oriental appearance than any similar
establishment. There was formerly a large vineyard and
orchard, containing figs, peaches, etc., a portion of which
is still in existence. The place is celebrated also for a flour
ishing orchard of olive trees, which still remain yielding a
great abundance of olives, the excellence of which we had
an opportunity of tasting on our homeward journey. The
is Executive Document, No. 47, Thirty-first Congress, 1st Session,
Senate, Report of the Secretary of War, pp. 122-123; 120.
is Halleck 's Beport, p. 796.

Mission San Diego 265
mission is at present occupied by United States troops under
the command of Colonel J. B. Magruder, and in consequence
is kept in good repair." 20
The Mission lands were claimed by Archbishop Jose Sadoc
Alemany of San Francisco for the Catholic Church, and
finally they were so adjudged by the United States Land
Commission, on December 18, 1855. The property was
cqnfirmed to the Catholic Church in virtue of the Spanish
laws on the subject. It comprised the church buildings,
priests' dwelling, the gardens, orchards, and vineyards.21
The extent of land thus assigned varied. For Mission San
Diego, the land confirmed to Bishop Alemany, on May 23,
1862, amounted to 22:21 acres.22
Land grants to individuals were made at an early date.
The first one, indeed, at the instance of Fr. Junipero Serra
himself.23 Nor were the Fathers averse to granting lands
provided the rights and needs of the neophytes were safe
guarded, and provided the petitioners would prove suitable
neighbors. Both conditions must appeal to any unprejudiced,
fair-minded man. The land belonged to the Indians. Ac
cording to the laws of Spain, no part of the land could be
taken from the Indians against their will, so long as they
cultivated it or occupied it for any purpose. The mission
aries, being the guardians of the Indians, had to see that their
rights in this respect were recognized. By the year 1800,
frequently in spite of the protests of the missionaries,
numerous grants had been made in various parts of Cali
fornia, not excepting the San Diego district. Here the
first attempt was made to seize land which had been culti
vated and used by the Mission for the neophytes ; but surely'
the Indians never expected that others were to enjoy what
they had made valuable by their labor under the guidance
of the missionaries. The same view must be taken with

20 Bartlett, John Russel, Personal Narrative, pp. 103-104.
21 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, p. 745.
22 Smythe, History of San Diego, p. 113. See Appendix G.
23 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii, pp. 638-643.

266 Missions and Missionaries of California
regard to all the ranches named, which were cultivated or
otherwise used by the neophytes in charge of the Franciscans,
but which contrary to their expectations were delivered to
others than neophytes. In the light of these remarks, the
pathetic statement made by Colonel Stevenson on the action
of some of the Indians at the deserted Mission emphasizes
the injustice inflicted. "Some old Indians still remain," he
reports to Governor Mason, in August, 1848, "who claim
support from the mission property. If it is a just claim
they might receive a beef ration from the post, or an
arrangement might be made with some citizens of San Diego
to take a few cattle and maintain them during life."
Various attempts at land-grabbing justly failed, because
the Fathers protested and the Spanish law was still in force,
protecting the rights of the Indians first and always. But no
sooner had the missionaries been removed from control
through the act of confiscation passed by the California, not
the Mexican, government, in 1834, than Ruiz in partnership
with F. M. Alvarado succeeded in securing the nearly, 9,000
acres of the Penasquito Rancho.24
Smythe, in his History of San Diego, gives the following
list of ranchos in San Diego County, claimed and granted,
with the number of acres they comprised.
Name of Rancho Claimants Year Granted Acres
Santa Margarita and
Las Flores  Pio and Andres Pico  89,742 : 93
Mission San Diego  Santiago Arguello  1846  58,208:00
San Jacinto Nuevo  Miguel de Pedrorena  1846  48,823:67
El Cajon  M. A. Pedrorena  48,799:34
Santa Rosa  Juan Moreno  Oct. 10,1872. .47,815:10
San Jacinto Viejo  Jos. A. Estudillo  1846  35,504:00
Cuyamaca  Agustin Olvera  35,501 : 32
Rancho Naeional  John Forster  Aug. 3, 1858 . . 26,631 : 94
San Jose del Valle
(Warner's Ranch)  J. J. Warner  1846  26,629:88
Pauba  Luis Vignes  Jan. 19, 1860. .26,597:96
2* Bancroft, vol. ii, pp. 547, 663; vol. iii, p. 612.

Mission San Diego 267

Name of Bancho Claimants Year Granted Acres
Temecula  Luis Vignes  Jan. 18, 1860. . 26,608 :!)4
Sobrante de S. Jacinto. . Miguel de Pedrorena
Rosario E. de Aguirre  22,195:00
San Bernardo  Jos<? Francisco Snooks  17,763 : 07
Santa Isabel   Jose Joaquin Ortega. . . Jlay 4, 1872. .17,719:40
Santa Maria (Pamo) . . . Jose Joaquin Ortega
et al  July 30, 1872.. 17,708: 85
San Vicente  Juan Lopez  1846.  13,539:96
La Laguna  Abel Stearns  Sept. 3, 1872. .13,338:80
Monserrate  ¦ Isidro M. Alvarado. . .July 17, 1872. .13,322:90
Valle de las Viejas  Ramon and Leandro
Osuna  1S46  13,314 : 00
Agua Hedionda  Juan Maria Marrou  13,311:01
Pauma  T. A. Serrano,
J. Aguilar,
Bias Aguilar  May 3, 1871. .13,309:60
Guejito  George W. Hamley  May 24, 1866 . . 13,298 : 59
Rincon del Diablo  Heirs of J. B.
Alvarado  May 3, 1872 . . 12,653 : 77
San Felipe  Juan Forster  Aug. 6, 1866, . 9,972:08
San Marcos  lose M. Alvarado  8,978:29
Jamacha  Apolinaria Lorenzana  1840  8,881:16
Jamul  Pio Pico  8,876 :00
La Jolla,  8,872 :00
San Dieguito  Tuan M. Osuna  8,824:71
Penasquitas  F. M. Ruiz and
F. M. Alvarado  8,486:01
Otay  Magdalena Estudillo
et al  1846  6,557:98
Tecate  Juan Bandini  4,439 : 00
Janal  Victoria Dominguez . . June 30, 1872 . . 4,436 : 00
Los Encinitos  Andres Ibarra  Apr. 18, 1871 . . 4,431 :03
Peninsula of San Diego. . Arch. C. Peachy and
W. H. Aspinwall  June 11, 1869. . 4,185:46
Gua jome  Andres and Jose
Manuel (Indians) •  2,219 : 41
Buena Vista  Felipe (Indian)  . 2,219:08
Potrero de San Juan Capistrano  1,167 : 74
El Cariso and La Cienaga  1,167:00
Mission San Luis Rey. .Bishop J. S. Alemany.. Mar. 10, 1865. . 53:39
Mission San Diego  Bishop J. S. Alemany. . May 23, 1862 . . 22 : 21

268 Missions and Missionaries of California
Those not accompanied by date of month appear to have
been rejected or they were not brought before the Land
Commission.25 From Bartlett we cull a few remarks regarding the various
ranchos he found on his way to El Paso, Texas, in 1852.
"Ten miles from San Diego, is Soledad Hill, which is very
steep and difficult to pass. Several families have lately

2* •¦' :V * m

CHAPEL AND BELLS OF SANTA ISABEL. ^
settled here, who make a profitable business of cutting the
wild oats and carrying them to market at San Diego.
"In the afternoon, we reached the San Pasqual River, a

25 Smythe, pp. 112-113; for the various transactions of this kind see
Missions and Missionaries, vol. iv, pp. 747-777; also Bancroft, vol. iii,
pp. 611-612, note 7. Smythe gives no references, but probably he con
sulted the County Clerk's Office.

Mission San Diego 269
small limpid stream, running through a rich valley covered
with fine grass. About a mile in advance we saw a large
rancho. This was the hacienda of Mrs. Snooks, a Cali
fornia lady, the widow of an Englishman. . . The distance
to San Diego is called thirty-six miles. San Pasqual was the
scene of an action between the United States troops and
those of Mexico. May 29th we took leave of our hospitable
friends ; and continuing across the plain and along the val
ley near the river, we reached, in six miles, the Indian
village of San Pasqual, consisting of forty or fifty rude
huts of mud, grass, and poles. A few patches of ground
seemed to be cultivated; but on the whole the place bore
a miserable appearance.
"Santa Isabel is an Indian village, and was once a place
of some note, when the missionary establishments were in
the ascendancy. A roofless church and a few miserable huts
are now all that remain. Nevertheless the inhabitants culti
vate the soil, and by means of irrigation, which they well
understood, raise wheat, maize, pumpkins, and beans. The
vine succeeds very well here, and was formerly cultivated
to a considerable extent. Several of the Indians, who belong
to the Diegueno tribe, visited our camp to-day. (May 30).
They were dressed in their holiday clothes, such as red and
white shirts ; while the chief Tomaso, who seemed an intel
ligent man, wore an old coat trimmed with silver lace, which
had once belonged to some Mexican soldier.
"We pushed on to the Indian village of San Felipe, near
which we encamped. The distance traveled (from Santa
Isabel) was twenty-eight miles. Early in the morning
(June 2) our tents were thronged with Indians, who ap
peared to belong to the Diegueno tribe. They were a filthy
looking set, half clad and apparently half starved. During
the day, we saw many men and women wading about the
marsh gathering roots and seeds ; of which two articles and
acorns, their principal food consists. The women appear to
be the chief laborers, the men lounging about the camp
most of the day. The improvidence of this people seems

270 Missions and Missionaries of California
almost incomprehensible. A very little exertion would have
repaid them with all the wheat, maize, and vegetables, re
quired for their subsistence. To these they might add a few
cattle, which, in this country, may be obtained for a mere
trifle from the ranchos, whose increase in this fine valley
would give them a plentiful supply of meat. As it is they
have neither corn nor meat, and spend ten times as much
labor in collecting the roots, seeds, and other wretched food
they live on, as would be necessary by cultivating the soil to
produce bread, fruits, and meats in abundance. Their vil
lage consists of twenty-three miserable old huts or wigwams
built of straw and rushes. Some were covered with raw
hides of various colors. A few small patches of ground
were cultivated, not exceeding altogether a couple of acres.
This was not for want of land, as there are many hundred
acres of good land around them, which by irrigation could
be made very fertile. From appearances near the village,
I was led to believe that there had long been a settlement
here, there being not only traces of former buildings in every
direction, but also of acequias or trenches for irrigating
the lands.
"We reached Vallecita (June 2) eighteen miles from San
Felipe, where we pitched our tents among some willows.
Vallecita, as the name indicates, is a little valley, surrounded
by lofty and barren . mountains. , . A depot of provisions is
kept at this place, with a file of soldiers, for ,the supply of
Fort Yuma, and of government trains passing and re
passing. A few horses are also kept here to facilitate the
communication between Fort Yuma and San Diego. The
distance between those two places is about two hundred and
twenty-five miles, and Vallecita is about half way. Beyond
it towards the Colorado there is little or no grass. . . A band
of Diegueno Indians live here. They made their appearance
early this morning, dressed in their holiday clothes, and
appeared more cleanly than any Indians we had seen. Nearly
all wore clean white or fancy calico shirts, their only gar
ment, pantaloons being regarded by all Indians as useless
articles of dress. These people were formerly connected

Mission San Diego 271
with the Missions, and hence call themselves Christians; but
they live in a most degraded state of indolence and poverty.
They cultivate beans and pumpkins, and pick up an
occasional mule, which serves them for food, though their
main reliance is upon acorns, which they collect and store
up in large baskets for winter use. The labor of preparing
them for food is, like almost all other labor, performed by
the women, who were to be seen in front of every hut wield
ing their heavy stone pestles. When the acorn is reduced
to flour, it is washed to remove the bitter taste, and then
cooked into a kind of gruel or made into bread. These
Indians were very attentive to us, bringing us wood (which
is very scarce here) and water, and otherwise assisting about
the camp. They seemed amply repaid with a few old clothes
or any fragment of food that remained from our tables. Our
culinary department was always the great point of attraction
to those poor creatures who would often form a double circle
around the camp-fires, much to the annoyance of the cook.
The weather was excessively hot to-day, the mercury standing
at 105 Fahrenheit in the shade under the bushes.
"June 4th. Carrizo Creek is one of those remarkable
streams which sometimes spring up in the desert regions. .
The heat here to-day was insupportable, the mercury ranging
at 114 in the shade. The rays of the sun beat through our
tents, so that we could not remain in them. Some retreated
beneath the wagons ; while myself and others found our way
into little gullies or ravines beneath the clay banks, where,
partly sheltered by the banks and partly by bushes, we
passed the day. . We noticed a peculiarity in the water
here, which was that, although sweet, it did not quench
the thirst. We drank incessantly without being satisfied." 26
From Bancroft we take a few more items of interest. The
Inventory taken on January 6, 1846, by Andres Pico and
Juan Manso, and signed also by Fr. Oliva, gives the total
value of the mission at $1,654, of which $1,000 is for the
main building, the rest for live stock, 110 cattle, 65 horses,
26 Bartlett, Personal Narrative, vol. ii, pp. 112-128.

272 Missions and Missionaries of California
and 4 mules. The credits are $19,588, of which $18,816 is
due for-supplies to the troops. The debts amount to $1,474,
of which $500, due to Miguel Pedrorena, has been paid
with Rancho Santa Monica.
On June 8, 1846, Governor Pico granted the deed of
sale to Santiago Arguello, who received all the lands and
other property excepting the church and the priest's dwelling,
but he was bound to support the priest and divine worship,
and to pay the mission debts. The consideration was money
due to Arguello from the Government for past services. On
July 24, seventeen days after the United States flag had been
raised in California, be it remembered, Pico ordered Fr.
Oliva to surrender the mission estate to Arguello. Fr.
Oliva left the mission on the coming of the Americans, and
from Mission San Juan Capistrano complained that the
Commandant had removed the roofs of the mission buildings
at San Diego, which must have been reported to him, as he
had not been there since July, 1846. According to Colonel
Stevenson, August 9, 1848, some old Indians still remained;
and he suggested that they receive rations from the United
States military post.27
The following description made by Lieutenant E. O. C.
Ord, in 1 849, ¦ may aid in determining the exact line of the
Camino Real from San Diego to San Luis Rey Mission.
"From San Diego (Old Town, of course) I took the road
northwest up the coast towards Los Angeles, which was
passed around the edge of False Bay, a shallow arm of the
sea about three or four miles north of San Diego ; no hills
between them, though a bluff separates the two hills near
the sea. From the False Bay the road leads for thirty
miles amongst the low table hills of the coast, similar in
formation to those above described, and equally as barren,
though at intervals of from four to ten miles it crosses little
valleys, which when watered contain an adobe hut or two,
some small patches of corn, beans, and pumpkins, and a few
cattle. The valley of San Dieguito, twenty miles from
27 Bancroft, vol. v, pp. 619-620.

Mission San Diego 273
San Diego, if all cultivated, would produce several thousand
fanegas of maize, and other things in proportion. From the
half dozen patches I saw there, the Indians were gathering
from twenty to forty fanegas of- maize to the acre — this
without irrigation. About thirty-six or forty miles from San
Diego, in a similar valley near the seaside, the road passes
the now deserted Mission of San Luis Rey.28
2s Executive Document, No. 47, Thirty-first Congress, Senate, 1st
Session, p. 123.

CHAPTER XIV.
Missionaries and Registers. — Numerous Converts. — Various Entries. —
Santa Isabel. — Fr. Torrent Exhausted. — Second Book of Baptisms. —
Tia Juana. — Santa Isabel Again. — Yuma Children. — White Converts.
— Wise California Girls. — Marriage Register. — Indian Girls. — The
Munjerio. — Courtship. — Marriage Entries. — Cemetery. — Burial En
tries. — Executions. — Second Book Lost. — Bancroft's Agent. — Fr.
Oliva's Last Entries. — Rev. J. C. Holbein's Note.
THE various Mission Registers, after the year 1800 as well
as before, contain abundant interesting information.
The statistical portion of them will be found condensed in
tabular form at the close of the narrative.
From the Baptismal Record we learn that Fr. Jose Panella
baptized for the last time on October 27, 1802. He con
tinued at the mission to the end of the year, however; for
we find that on December 31 he signed the annual report,
whereupon he retired to Mexico. After Jnis departure, Fr.
Jose Barona appears to have been alone at San Diego until
December, 1803, when Fr. Mariano Payeras came and
assisted him until October, 1804. On November 7 of that
year, Fr. Jose Bernardo Sanchez begins to enter his hierogly
phics with number 3,152. He was a most zealous missionary
and an excellent religious. His penmanship, however, would
never have won a premium for beauty and legibility. Fr.
Barona was succeeded in 1810 by Fr. Jose Pedro Panto,
who baptized for the last time on June 21, 1812, and nine
days later, on June 30, passed to his eternal reward. As the
Tabular Statement will show, visiting Fathers, Franciscans
and Dominicans, often officiated at the mission by permit of
the resident missionary. For instance, on May 18, 1809, Fr.
Domingo Carranza of San Luis Rey baptized in the presidio
chapel Maria Teresa Isidora de la Guerra, infant daughter
of Lieutenant Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, later of Santa
Barbara, and of Antonia Carrillo, his wife. The child was
only eight hours old. The sponsors were Jose Antonio Car-

Mission San Diego 275
rillo and Tomasa Lugo. Reverend Don Jose Maria Afanador,
chaplain of the brigantine San Carlos, baptized once in the
presidio chapel.
A great number of Indians were converted between the
years 1810 and 1812. On August 8, 1810, for instance,
Fr. Jose Sanchez at the mission solemnly baptized thirty-one
natives. The entries appear under numbers 3,692-3,723. On
August 25, 1810, Fr. Barona baptized nineteen Indians,
numbers 3,728-3,747. Similar figures occur in October and
November of that year. On June 28, 1812, Fr. Panto admin
istered Baptism to twenty-three Indians. Since all had at
tained the use of reason, they had to be instructed, which,
of course, entailed much labor. On this occasion and
later, Josefa Sal, daughter of Captain Hermenegildo Sal, then
deceased, was sponsor for the women and girls, while her
husband, Sergeant Jose Roca, acted in the same capacity for
the male Indians.
The name of the mission station Santa Isabel or Elcuanan,
occurs for the first time in an entry of Baptism administered
by Fr. Sanchez on April 25, 1812. The sacrament was
administered at the mission. On May 12, 1813, he baptized
fifteen catechumens from the same place. San Felipe or
Teguila is mentioned for the first time in an entry made by
Fr. Sanchez on April 2, 1818.
A Baptism of unusual interest took place on November 7,
1813, on the occasion of the first official visit of Fr. Vicente
Francisco de Sarria, who was the first Commissary-Prefect
of California, the highest ecclesiastical authority in the .
territory. "I baptized," the entry reads, "in the presidio
chapel, a child of five months, born at sea, daughter of
George W. Eayry, Anglo-American, Protestant (who navi
gating in his frigate, the Mercurio, along the coast of
California, was taken prisoner by Captain Nicolas Noe of the
frigate Flora) and of Margaret Pegue, native of the Isle
of Sandwich who says she is the wife of the same George.
Having ardently supplicated that Baptism be administered
to the child according to the Catholic rite, and Eayry
having seriously and repeatedly promised that on reaching

276 Missions and Missionaries of California
Boston he would present the child to the Spanish consul
that through his assistance she might receive from a Catholic

(£/-&Z?ts afe/^^^n^Cp S*. (*/ ^<LSc/tZ0^C

priest adequate instruction in the principles of the holy
Catholic faith, I believed myself justified in acceding to said
petition. I gave the names Maria de los Remedios Josefa

Mission San Diego 277
Antonia. The sponsors were Jose Antonio de la Guerra y
Noriega, Lieutenant of the Cavalry Company of the Presidio
of Santa Barbara, native of the Montanas de Santander in
Spain, and his wife Maria Antonia Carrillo, native of Los
Angeles, California." The entry made by Fr. Sanchez is
number 4,070. It is signed by Fr. Sarria.
Fr. Fernando Martin, who succeeded Fr. Barona in 1812,
baptized on May 4, 1815, in the presidio chapel, a girl of
fifteen years, native of the Isle of Sandwich, who came here
in company of an Anglo-American, a Protestant. She re
ceived the name Maria Antonia de la Ascension. The
sponsors were Jose de la Guerra and his wife. On June
13, 1815, Fr. Martin baptized Maria de las Angustias Josefa
Antonia Bernarda, daughter of Jose de la Guerra and wife.
The sponsors were the Reverend Fr. Jose de Pineda, O. P.,
missionary of Mission Santo Tomas, and Tomasa Lugo, the
widow of Captain Raymundo Carrillo. Angustias later
married Manuel Jimeno Casarin, brother of Fathers Joaquin
and Antonio Jimeno, who took a most prominent part in the
politics of the territory.
In 1818 and thereafter, divine services were held at Santa
Isabel, a church having been erected there. Thenceforth,
also Baptisms were administered there, but always with
baptismal water blessed at Mission San Diego, as the Fathers
are careful to note. Baptisms in that district became quite
numerous. Among them, in 1821, was that of an Indian
woman ninety years of age. It seems that the two Fathers
took turns in going to Santa Isabel. As there were no
automobiles in those days and the roads were anything but
paved or smooth, the trip must have been unpleasant. But
the Fathers found ample compensation in the rich harvest of
souls they gathered there.
In this connection, we may refer to a matter regarding
which the sources of information say almost nothing. It is
only incidentally that allusions occur to the hardships and
privations which the missionaries endured and to the anxieties
and disappointments that must have frequently embittered
their life. The Fathers themselves hardly ever, if at all,

278 Missions and Missionaries of California
make mention of this subject. Although they were obliged
to serve the missions only ten years, many remained much
longer. Most of these silent and unrequited laborers in the
service of unappreciative Indians contracted rheumatism and
kindred diseases, owing to lack of properly prepared food
and to damp lodgings. This rendered their existence doubly
burdensome and incapacitated not a few mentally. A case
in point was that of Fr. Hilario Torrent, a man of singular
intellectual attainments. We learn of his maladies from a
letter of Fr. Presidente Lasuen. Writing from San Diego
to Governor Borica under date of September 28, 1797, he
says: "Fr. Hilario Torrent left yesterday for the presidio
in order to embark on the Princesa. He is half paralyzed,
his memory is impaired, his mind unsettled, his sight dimmed,
and his speech obstructed. He weeps and laughs like a
child. He is entirely incapacitated for life in this ministry,
and there is no cure for him here at San Diego." 1 Such was
the effect which twelve years of missionary exertions among
the Indians had on a brilliant mind.
By February 21, 1822, the First Book of Baptisms kept at
Mission San Diego was filled. The last entry, number 5,270,
was made on that day, February 21, by Fr. Vicente Oliva,
who had succeeded Fr. Sanchez in 1820. The first entry in
the second book was made on the same day by Fr. Martin.
The title page of this Second Book of Baptisms, which is of
extraordinary size and of the cheapest quality of paper, reads
as follows : Viva Jesus, Maria, Joseph
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. God the Father,
God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Second Book
In which are made the entries of the Baptisms of this Mission
of San Diego, belonging to the Apostolic College of the
Propagation of the Faith for Missionaries of the Order of

1 Archb. Arch., no. 113.

Mission San Diego 279
Our Father Saint Francis of the Regular Observance of
San Fernando, Mexico. The actual missionaries of said
mission are Fr. Fernando Martin of the Province of St.
Michael the Archangel in Old Castile, and Fr. Vicente
Pasqual Oliva of the Province of Aragon. The beginning was
made with this book on February 21, 1822. The last entry
in the First Book is that of number 5,270.
On January 16, 1824, Fr. Oliva baptized at Santa Isabel
eight male and ten female adult Indians, two of whom were
from Aguas Calientes, which name occurs here for the
first time. On this occasion mention is made also of Jacopin
as lying in the district of Santa Isabel. The Indians would
not wait till the missionary came to that station; they would
bring their little ones down to the mission. Thus Fr. Oliva
at the mission, on May 6, ..1824, baptized seventeen male
children from Santa Isabel; and Fr. Martin, on the next
day, May 7, baptized fourteen female children from the same
place ; finally, Fr. Caballero, a Dominican from Lower
California, assisted the overburdened Fathers to the extent
that on May 14, he baptized eight adult Indians from Santa
Isabel. These latter, it appears, had been made to wait until
their instruction was completed.
Tia Juana, across the border, occurs for the first time
on August 15, 1824. The person baptized there on this day
was an adult Indian named Santiago, whom the missionary
found in a dying condition. The place belonged to La
Punta. An old map of Mexico 2 has Tiguana, not Tia Juana
which may be a corruption of the former or perhaps a
joke, Tia Juana meaning Aunt Jane.
Fr. Antonio Menendez, 'O. P., of Mission San Vicente
Ferrer, Lower California, appears for the first time in the
register, by permit, on March 31, 1824. From about that
period he acted as chaplain to the presidio.
During all these years and much later, the wholesale con
version of Indians in the district of Santa Isabel continued.
2 Carta (map) Oro-Hidrografica de la Republica Mexicana, por el
Ingeniero Antonio Garcia Cubas, 2 edition, 1879.'

280 Missions and Missionaries of California
This is the more remarkable, inasmuch as the missionaries
had no presents to distribute among them. All the Indians
came voluntarily, though they knew that they could expect
nothing in the way of material gifts, and would have to
bind themselves to refrain from many pleasures which they
enjoyed in paganism but which could not be tolerated under
the rule of the Cross. Thus Fr. Oliva at Santa Isabel
chapel, on January 28, 1825, baptized twenty adult Indians,
numbers 5,870-5,890.
On October 6, 1825, Fr. Martin at Santa Isabel baptized
thirteen male Indians, numbers 5,955-5,967, of whom eleven
were adults ranging from twenty-two to seventy-six years
of age. Six were of more than seventy winters. On the
same day, at another hour, Fr. Martin baptized eleven female
adults. Three of these were between eighty and eighty-eight
years of age ; three betwen seventy and eighty ; and three
from sixty to seventy. One was thirty-eight, and another
only twenty-six years old. On five other days to October
12, Fr. Martin, during this same visit, admitted eight more,
two of whom were children under nine years of age. On
October 6, 1828, the happy missionary could baptize a number
of extraordinarily aged Indians, three men and three women.
All save one were over sixty-eight years of age, one Angela
by name had ninety-four to her credit, while another, Antonia
by name, admitted that she was ninety-two years old. In
the next month, on November 4 and 5, Fr. Martin regenerated
in the waters of Baptism four wrinkled Indian women
aged respectively ninety-six, eighty-nine, eighty-five, and
eighty-seven years, and one girl of fourteen besides a child.
Truly, Santa Isabel had become the consolation of the mis
sionaries at a time when consolation was sorely needed.
From the time of the arrival of the first Mexican governor,
Echeandia and his band, the term padre no conocido — father
unknown appears frequently in connection with Baptisms
administered at the presidio town of San Diego, which, it
seems, had become a hotbed of immorality.
Yuma Indian children from the Colorado, ranging from
five to ten years of age, were often presented for Baptism

Mission San Diego 281
by the settlers at the presidio chapel. How they came by
them is not clear. Perhaps, in the raids made on the Yumas,
their parents had been killed or made captive. Settlers would
sometimes adopt the children or hire them to take care of
their own. For instance, Fr. Oliva, on December 8, 1829,
writes that he had baptized two girls, five and six years
old respectively, whose parents were Yuma pagans from
the Colorado. It seems that Estudillo adopted them. Some
times the candidates were old enough to decide for them
selves. Thus a Yuma girl of twenty summers, the child of
pagan parents,, was baptized on October 21, 1835, and given
the name Rosalia. Miss Apolinaria Lorenzana, of whom
more at Mission San Juan Capistrano, was the worthy god
mother. Not only Yuma girls, but also boys of that tribe
figure in the register.
It is worthy of note that numerous converts from the
sects found a place in the Register of Baptism. Many of
these later became prominent in the history of the territory.
All had to take a course of instruction, for no one could
be admitted whose good faith was not apparent; and the old
Spanish Fathers insisted on carrying out the regulations of
the Church to the letter. The reader will not be displeased
to find names here with the bearers of which he may have
become acquainted in the course of years.
Here is a typical entry telling the mode of procedure in
similar cases. Fr. Oliva makes this entry : "No. 6,099.
On April 27, 1827, in .the mission church of San Diego, I
reconciled to our holy Mother the Church and baptized
conditionally and solemnly, after he had been well instructed
in the dogmas of our holy Religion, William Agalle, native
of the city of Boston in the United States, of the Con-
gregationalist sect ; and after he- had abjured all his errors,
I absolved him of excommunication by permit from the
Rev. Fr. Presidente, Narciso Duran. His sponsor was
Manuel Dominguez, whom I reminded of his obligations
etc." Fr. Antonio Menendez, O. P., the chaplain of the presidio,
"reconciled to holy Mother Church and baptized, after

282 Missions and Missionaries of California

c
-A I
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Mission San Diego 283
adequate instruction, William G. Dana, adult, native of
Boston, etc." The Baptism took place on July 29, 1827. This
William Goodwin G. Dana became prominent in northern
California as a successful merchant.
Similarly, Jonathan Temple, July 30, 1827, was reconciled
etc., by Fr. Menendez. The name Jonathan was changed to
Juan. Temple also was a native of Boston.
Early in the same year, on April 8, Fr. Oliva baptized
conditionally James Farias (?), native of Etembara (Edin
burgh), capital of Scotland, of the Presbyterian denomina
tion, son of Alexander Farias and Mary Donquen (Duncan?).
The sponsor was Jose Daniel Rosas. No age was given.
It will be observed that the Fathers did not baptize every
sectarian the same way. If it was proved that the Prot
estant minister had eniployed the words and the water
correctly, then no pouring on of water could take place.
Only some ceremonies were supplied ; but generally no certain
proof was offered. In that case the water was administered
and the prescribed formula pronounced conditionally. A case
in point happened at San Diego. Jose Manuel, infant son of
Jose Lopez, appeared to be in the throes of death. A
widow, Josefa Lopez, accordingly conferred private baptism,
as they could not wait till the missionary arrived. When
Fr. Commissary Prefect Vicente de Sarria arrived for the
visitation on January 1," 1826, the boy, who had meanwhile
recovered, was brought to the church. Fr. Sarria examined
the matter closely and then refused to baptize the child even
conditionally, because he was satisfied that Josefa had per
formed everything correctly. However, he supplied the
anointing and the other ceremonies, which were duly recorded
in the Baptismal Register by Fr. Martin.
A name which in the early days circulated much in Cali
fornia was that of Fitch. According to entry 6,323 made in
the Baptismal Register by Fr. Antonio Menendez, Henry
Domingo Fitch, about thirty years of age, native of New
Bedford, United States, son of Beriah Fitch and his wife
Sarah, natives of the same town, was solemnly baptized in
the presidio chapel on April 14, 1829, after the protestation

284 Missions and Missionaries of California
of the Faith and other requisites. Ensign Domingo Carrillo
of Santa Barbara was sponsor.
In September, 1835, Fathers Martin and Oliva together
visited Santa Isabel, and in the chapel there Fr. Martin
baptized six Indians, the sponsors being Jose Joaquin Ortega
and Casimira Pico his wife. The reason for this visit to
Santa Isabel is not known. Had it occurred in the beginning
of the month, it would be very probable that they went there
to celebrate the patronal feast; for on September 1, the
Church celebrates the feast of Blessed Isabella, sister of
St. Louis, king of Spain. Perhaps the civic celebration of
the annual festival was for some reason postponed to a
later date. This would point to Blessed Isabella as the
Patron Saint of the mission station.
Fr. Oliva baptized at Santa Isabel for the last time, so
far as is known, on July 17, 1836. After that the regular
visits of the Fathers seem to have ceased, because in 1837
and 1838, Fr. Oliva visited San Luis Rey, which had no
missionary, while good Fr. Martin officiated at San Diego.
From the mission station as also from San Felipe a great
many children and adults were in the course of time brought
to the mission and baptized there.
In the third decade of the century, Yuma children are
entered quite frequently in the baptismal register. As late
as March 26, 1838, Fr. Oliva baptized a Yuma boy of five
years, at the presidio, and at the mission a youth of eighteen
and a maiden of nineteen, both Yuma Indians.
Converts from among the white immigrants still applied and
after the usual preliminaries of instruction and abjuration
they were admitted. At the presidio, for instance, Fr. Oliva
on Christmas Day, 1835, baptized Thomas Rossell (Russell?),
a native of Boston, son of Charles Rossell and Anna Mon
roe ; likewise, Thomas Retinton (Redington?), native of
Boston, son of John Retinton and Dorotea Debot (David?),
aged thirty-two years.
On April 17, 1838, at the presidio chapel, Fr. Oliva
baptized conditionally Joseph Julius, native of Plainfield
in the United States, Protestant, single, son of Samuel

Mission San Diego 285
Ames and Sarah Ames. The sponsors were Jose Antonio
Estudillo and his wife Victoria Dominguez.
Fr. Francisco Sanchez, who had come that month with
the first Bishop of California, on December 30, 1841, baptized
"in the chapel of the port of San Diego," an Indian child
of pagan parents.
From November, 1841, to November, 1842, Fr. Oliva had
occasion to baptize eight Yuma girls, daughters of pagan
parents. They ranged from five to fourteen years. They
were doubtless children of slain or captured Yumas, who in
the first half of the nineteenth century proved so hostile
to the settlers and travelers that the United States Govern
ment found it necessary, in 1851, to establish Fort Yuma
at the junction of the Colorado and Gila Rivers, just opposite
Yuma City.
Additional converts were James Wemes, son of William
Wemes and Anna Lambon, of London, England;
Maria Innocencia, of the port of Ahaju, Sandwich Island;
Ricardo, native of New London, United States ; no other
name was entered, but the parents were said to have been
pagans, i.e. not baptized whites;
John Sprague Parker, thirty-three years of age, son of
Jedediah Parker and Matilda Reynolds, "his wife, all
natives of Boston;
Albert Smith, aged twenty-seven, son of Henry Smith and
his wife Hetty Marshall, all natives of New York.
Most of these converts, as well as those mentioned pre
viously, owed their conversion, it seems, to their matrimonial
aspirations. The dark-eyed Spanish damsels were wise.
They believed in the indissolubility and sacredness of mar
riage. Hence they declined to join themselves to any man
in matrimony who was of the opinion that he could leave
his wife at will and take up with another woman. In such
cases the Catholic party was at a disadvantage, inasmuch
as she could not again marry as long as her husband lived,
no matter how many "wives" he might take to himself in
tandem polygamy. Therefore, the girls of California were
wise enough to tell their suitors that they must be of the

286 Missions and Missionaries of California
same belief with them on this and on all other points of
Religion, else there was no hope of a matrimonial union.
Usually, the men had no religious convictions, but only
some hazy notions on the subject, and so they finally agreed
to the conditions laid down by the girls. These marriages
generally turned out happy unions blessed with a numerous
progeny. This naturally introduces the Marriage Register.
As a rule, for Indians as well as for whites, investigations
as to the antecedents of the parties and possible impediments
against their marrying, preceded. Then followed instruc
tion regarding religious obligations, which might last for
weeks. Next the banns were published on three successive
Sundays or holy days, whereupon both parties proceeded to
the church to receive the Sacraments. Finally, the marriage
was blessed by the priest, two witnesses being present. The
names of all concerned including those of the parents of
both as also the place of birth were entered in a separate
book, called the Libro de Alatrimonio or Marriage Register.
The names of the first couple married at San Diego are
not known, owing to the destruction of the book in the
conflagration of November, 1775 ; but Fr. Fuster writes that
by the end of that year, 115 marriages had been blessed.
In the case of the girls, for their own sake and honor,
they were made to live in a house set apart for them at the
mission under the eyes of the wife of the corporal or of some
other trusty woman, white or Indian. During the day they
were at liberty to mingle with their people in the mission
village, but at night they had to retire to their common
apartment. If a young Indian brave desired to make him
self and a girl happy, he would announce his intention to
the missionary in charge. It may be supposed that he had
already some secret understanding with the girl in the
monjerio or nunnery as it was inaptly called. The mis
sionary may have observed it, too ; and if the aspirant was
found worthy of the girl, he could be sure that the missionary
would encourage him. He would ask the love-sick youth
for the name of the dusky damsel whom he had in mind
and heart. Thereupon, both would approach her and ask

Mission San Diego 287
her wishes on the subject. We may take it for granted
that as a rule there would be no objection on her part. In
that case the marriage would take place, after all the regula
tions had been complied with. Immediately after the cere
monies, the young couple were assigned a house, which
was theirs ever after and where they lived together as happily
as they might. In case the girl refused the offer, however,
the young man would have to look for another on whom to
pin his affections.
Indian youths seem to have known that girls educated at
the mission would also make good wives. Instead of looking
for a partner in the distant rancherias, they would try to
interest one of the muchachas de casa — girls of the house or
mission home. A regular matrimonial fever must have
broken out in 1813. In that year, toward the end of
December, Fr. Jose Sanchez joined eight Indian couples in
holy wedlock. The girls were all muchacltas de la casa.
Similarly, in 1814 to 1815 and later, many marriages of this
kind were blessed, much to the satisfaction of the mis
sionaries. The names of very prominent men figure in the Marriage
Register. It would be too tedious to enumerate them all.
Here is one entry of much interest. On October 14, 1810,
Fr. Barona joined in holy matrimony Domingo Carrillo, son
of the deceased Raimundo Carrillo, captain of the San Diego
company, and of Dona Tomasa Lugo, his wife, natives of
Sinaloa, to Maria Concepcion Pico, daughter of Joseph
Maria Pico, sergeant in the San Diego company, and of
Eustaquia Gutierrez, his wife. Joseph Maria Pico and
Eustaquia Gutierrez were the parents of Pio Pico, the later
governor of California.
Another marriage of note is No. 1,770 in the register. Fr.
Fernando Martin, on March 6, 1832, all regulations having
been observed including the banns, joined in matrimony
Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, son of Ignacio Vallejo and
Maria Antonia Lugo, natives of the Port of Monterey, to
Francisca Carrillo, daughter of Joaquin Carrillo and Maria

288 Missions and Missionaries of California
Ignacia Lopez, residents of San Diego. The witnesses were
Juan Bandini and Jose Ortega.
The following entry also is of special interest. On Febru
ary 15, 1827, Fr. Oliva joined in Christian marriage
Augustin Vicente Zamorano, ensign of the engineer corps,
native of San Augustin, Florida, son of Gonzalez Zamorano
and Francisca del Corral his wife, to Maria Luisa Arguello,
native of Santa Barbara, daughter of Santiago Arguello,
ensign in the cavalry, and Maria del Pilar Ortega his wife.
The witnesses were Jose M. Echeandia, governor of Cali
fornia, and Romualdo Pacheco, sub-lieutenant.
The Death Register has already been noted in the begin
ning, when the books were arranged by Fr. Serra. The
cemetery at all missions invariably adjoined the church
building, on one side or the other. At Mission San Diego,
it occupied the ground to a width of ten varas (about thirty
feet) the whole length of the church and vestry on the left
side as one enters the church. As already said somewhere,
Fr. Lasuen thus described the location in his Report of
May 10, 1783 : "The Cemetery lies on the north side the
whole length of the church and vestry, and is ten varas wide."
Subsequent church buildings were erected, but on the same
site, so that the cemetery was not moved. At all events,
something quite unusual, with the year 1805, Fr. Sanchez
begins to employ the remark in his entries "in the cemetery
next to the church of the Mission." Fr. Martin does the
same, beginning with the year 1813.
The entries always state, as is prescribed, whether the de
ceased had received the Sacraments of Penance, Holy
Eucharist, and Extreme Unction, or, if not all, which of
them. Important lessons could be drawn and long stories told
from the Register of the Dead. But that is foreign to our
purpose, which is only to furnish every obtainable informa
tion regarding the Mission and the persons connected with
it. A few notes will not be amiss, however, as they contain
much that is of interest and that throws light on the situation.
Fr. Juan Mariner, on January 9, 1792, gave ecclesiastical

Mission San Diego 289
burial to Maria Francisca, a neophyte, who had been mar
ried to Felix Macoon, likewise a neophyte of the mission.
While alone and asleep, her house took fire which when
detected had advanced so far that it was impossible to save
the poor creature.
Fr. Fernando Martin, on January 28, 1814, gave ecclesias
tical burial to the body of Tiburcio Cuilp, widower of
Juliana, deceased. He had been executed that very day
at nine o'clock, having been assisted in death as our Mother
the Church demands and having received the holy Sacra
ments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. Many Indians from
this and the neighboring missions attended the execution,
likewise many white people." The crime for which the
unhappy man was put to death is not stated in the entry.
With this year, 1814, the burials of white people begin
to be entered separately. From the beginning of the presidio
to the end of that year, seventy-nine burials took place.
This does not include those who had died of the scurvy
between the years 1769 and 1770.
On October 30, 1824, an execution took place at eleven
o'clock, a. m. The body of the victim, Juan Bautista Guay-
cupuchul, was given ecclesiastical burial by Fr. Oliva at the
presidio, many Indians of the mission and a crowd of white
settlers being present.
On April 6, 1826, Fr. Martin buried five soldiers who
had been killed by the Colorado River Indians ; .and on
April 23, Vicente Mayalpalp, married, was executed for
having been implicated in the murder.
"I was informed," writes Fr. Martin in entry No. 4,030,
June 20, 1829, "that a woman called Calista Gaesepall, mar
ried to Calisto Cuachelac of Santa Isabel, had died. The
body is not interred in consecrated ground because she
went away without the knowledge of the Missionary Fathers ;
and when advised of her death, after three days, the pagans
of her rancheria had already buried her; but they placed
a cross on the grave in order to indicate the spot in case
the body was to be removed for ecclesiastical burial."
The last entry in the First Book of Burials was number

290 Missions and Missionaries of California
4,156, under date of June 14, 1831, Fr. Martin officiating.
"The second book," says Savage, Bancroft's agent, "is not in
the parish church, and must be lost. Father Ubach showed
me another record book of the parish (small quarto copy
book form in boards) which had been missing some time, and
which he found in possession of some children playing with
it in the street. North San Diego, January 19th, 1878.
Thomas Savage." This was probably the date when Savage
closed his work of transcribing, in the service of Bancroft.
The writer went through the same task twenty-six years
later and found the situation the same. Hence we do not
find the entry for Fr. Fernando Martin's death and burial,
since he passed away at the mission on October 19, 1838.
His remains were doubtless buried within the church walls
of the mission.
The little book mentioned by Savage was arranged for
entries of burials by the Rev. J. Chrisostom Holbein, of the
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Missionary Apostolic, on November 9, 1849. He used also a
similar little book for the Baptisms. The first Baptism
entered here is dated July 24, 1849. Rev. Jayme Vila began
the Third Book of Baptisms in folio form on October 26,
1856. The Marriage Register ran till long after the mission
period. Fr. Oliva's last entry in this book is dated April 30,
1846. The recipients of the Sacrament were three Indian
couples, under numbers 2,049, 2,050, and 2,051. They
were married at the mission church.
The following note is found in the small register begun
by Father Holbein: "On December 28, 1853, I took the
remains of the three Franciscan missionaries, whose names
are not known with certainty, buried in the presbytery of
the church of the Mission of San Diego, converted into
a military barracks for the American soldiers. I placed
the bones of the said Fathers in one and the same chest and
gave ecclesiastical burial on the same day in the cemetery
of the said missien. In witness whereof I signed this on the
same day, month, and year. — J. Chris. Holbein, Mis. Ap."

Mission San Diego 291
The remains in question were doubtless those of Fathers
Lazaro, Panto, and Martin ; for the remains of Fathers
Jaume, Figuer, and Mariner had already been placed in
a single tomb in the church, though in separate coffins,
not in the sanctuary but between the main altar and the
side altar.

CHAPTER XV.
Smythe 's Honest Admission. — Major McLaughlin 's Statement. — Mechan^
ical Arts at the Mission. — Diversions. — Singing. — Music. — Agricul
ture. — Table. — The Bam. — The Aqueduct. — Live Stock. — Exaggera
tions. — Table. — Spiritual Results. — Table. — Bartlett 's Description of
Mission. — United States Troops Quartered at Mission. — Soledad. —
San Pasqual. — Ford's Description. — Restoration Plans. — The Mission
Bells. — What of the Neophytes? — The Missionaries. — Their Aims
and Vicissitudes. — End.
4 < TV/ HAT shall be. said of. the missionary achievements?"
W Smythe asks ; and forthwith he essays to answer the
question and in so doing forgets, all his prejudices, thinks
logically, and is, therefore, at his best. "For the most part,"
he writes, "the answer to this question depends upon the
individual point of view. No mere material conquest is to
be compared with the salvation of immortal souls. The
Mission Fathers brought thousands to the foot of the Cross
and persuaded them to live in accordance with religious ways.
Those who believe that these thousands of souls would
otherwise have been lost justly place. the missionary achieve
ment above the most enduring things done by the soldier,
the law-giver, or the founder of institutions. Those who
accept distinctly modern views of religion may hold more
lightly the purely spiritual conquest accomplished by Junipero
Serra and his fellow priests, yet even such must credit
them with the noblest aspirations and must concede that
the Indian population gained much in simple morality from
the missionary teachings. Nor has this gain been wholly
lost, even after Father Serra has slept more than one
hundred and twenty years in his grave at Monterey. -The
Indian was unquestionably elevated by his spiritual experience
and by his manual training, and, dubious as his condition
seems to-day, is still a better man because the Mission once
flourished under the sunny skies of San Diego." x
i Smythe, History of San Diego, pp. 73-75.

Mission San Diego 293
This fair conclusion of Smythe is borne out by Major
James McLaughlin, for many years United States Indian
Agent in Dakota and later for a score of years United States
Indian Inspector. One would suppose him to be partial
to Indians elsewhere; but here is what he says, and from
a personal talk with him the writer knows that he had in
mind especially the Indians of the Mesa Grande region in
San Diego County, who are descendants of the neophytes
of Mission San Diego. "It is an odd condition that the
Pacific States Indians, who were by no means the equals
of the plains Indians physically and mentally in their native
state, have progressed beyond their better-developed brethren
in the civilized arts. . . They are farther advanced than the
Indians of whom much more might have been expected.
Many of them, though only a couple of generations re
moved from a people living on roots and fish, to whom even
reptiles were not unfamiliar articles of diet, have acquired
all the better habits of the whites, and the social condition is
not unfrequently rather better than that of the people among
whom they live and who boast European blood." 2
Mechanical arts could not be so extensively practiced at
Mission San Diego as at the other mission establishments.
The reason is because the neophytes, if we except the girls,
the invalids, and the aged, continued to live in their ranch
erias, and by turns stayed for only two weeks at the mission.
Nevertheless, at the mission enough cloth was woven and
enough clothing manufactured to satisfy the wants of the
neophytes. In addition, after the year 1811, the Indians
here had to help clo+he and feed the soldiers and their
families. Since the Mexican Government demanded no
reports on what the mission shops produced, it is impossible
even to estimate the value and the nature of the produc
tions of this particular mission. It is enough to state,
however, that everything used and consumed by the Indians
and the missionaries was manufactured or raised by them

2 McLaughlin, My Friend, the Indian, pp. 312-313.

294 Missions and Missionaries of California

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under the supervision of the Fathers. Hence there were
masons, brick and tile makers, bricklayers, adobe makers,
carpenters, blacksmiths, saddlers and harness makers, spin
ners, weavers, tailors, hatters, shoemakers, butchers, tallow
melters, soap makers, tanners, candle makers, cooks, and so
on. The women ground the corn or wheat into flour after
the fashion of the times when mills not yet existed, and they
were engaged also at other work suitable to their sex. For
details on this point and on the entire mission routine, which
was uniform at all the missions, we must refer the reader to
the second volume of Missions and Missionaries of California
(pp. 246-266).
It was not, of course, all work nor all prayer that prevailed
at the missions ; -otherwise, few converts would have been
made and less retained. At given times, diversions of every
kind were indulged in, which the reader will find minutely
described in the afore-mentioned volume (pp. 248-256;
564-567). Singing especially was diligently cultivated by
both sexes, though only male Indians, trained from boyhood.
were permitted to sing the liturgical parts of divine services.3
Apart from this, however, all were at liberty to sing the Latin
and Spanish hymns either in or outside the church.4
Agricultural products had to be reported annually.6 Of
this department of mission activity, therefore, we have full
and detailed accounts down to the year 1832 inclusive. The
Franciscans established their missions in order to transform
indolent savages into self-supporting and law-abiding sub
jects of the State. How to maintain themselves was, there
fore, next to religious knowledge, the chief practical educa
tion the Indians had to acquire, and this the missionaries
who were men of common sense imparted gently but firmly.
Book-learning would have been of no use whatever to the
neophytes, had they not first learned the lessons of industry.
3 See specimen of Latin Church music in Missions and Missionaries,
vol. ii, p. 257.
4 See accompanying specimen of a children's hymn.
5 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. iii for facsimile.

Mission San Diego

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Agriculture was accordingly the chief department of
mission activity as far as material matters were concerned.
It was indeed beset with many difficulties. The missionaries
coming generally from cultured families were men of learn
ing and discipline, whose prime duty it was to meditate on

298 Missions and Missionaries of California
the Gospel and to convey its principles and obligations to
the people. Yet here in California they were among a
nation whose stomachs had to be filled before mind and heart
would hearken to the truths of Christianity. The land had to
furnish the food; wherefore the Indians had to learn how to
plant and raise what would satisfy their ever clamoring
hunger. Heretofore the natives had raised absolutely noth
ing. Hence the missionaries were constrained to teach farm
ing as a necessary preliminary for the acceptance of the
Gospel. And for the love of God they bowed to necessity
and became farmers. Frequently, although the will was
there, the way was not so easy. Various obstacles had to
be encountered and surmounted. In a primitive country,
in primitive times, "the methods and implements," as
Smythe notes, "were crude. The plows were made of the
fork of a tree shod with a flat piece of iron. Grain was
cut with a short sickle, and horses threshed it with their
hoofs." 6 Climatic conditions and the possibilities of the
soil had to be studied. Only experience could teach the
proper method of procedure. There was little good soil near
the mission. In spots among the mountains better land was
discovered ; but as rain was not frequent, the crops would not
mature ; while, if the seed was sown in the .lowland, floods
often carried away everything. Then a general drought
would set in, and the Indians had to be permitted to go out
as of yore on a hunt for acorns or game. Truly, the
Fathers had a hard time of it, dependent on fickle weather,
fickle Indians, and fickle crops. But they persisted, and
in the end their labors were crowned with remarkable suc
cess. As seasonable rainfall could not be depended upon and as
the river running by the mission was most of the time
without water, the Fathers constructed a dam of solid stone
and thirteen feet thick across the Rio San Diego, about three
or more miles above the mission. This dam was coated with
cement that became as hard as stone. In the center was a
« Smythe, History of San Diego, p. 100.

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300 Missions and Missionaries of California

SPIRITUAL RESULTS AT MISSION" SAN DIEGO

Bap

isms

Marriages

Deaths

Neophytes
om
•a
4>+J
Year
w
ao
"(fl WV
•a
a
o
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i
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g
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ft,
Hll
1771
16
53
89
lib
431461591 679
758818834
946996
1075
1174122913051354140914521511
1562162516921746
1855
24222615
2704 2772
2859295330293167325533193438
35903650
3795
1772
1773
4
19
37
5055
85
1219
115121154
168198
205217
230247 264
287294308317323335
350365385393
402417444458602634filiS699 731
772806X5S
896930960
1014
7
19
1774
97
177.5
1776
14
"20 2547 525557
.5962
213447
102132153193
234266307
339394434
472 522557620669712
757840904976
1048
115011681243130314231508
16751752182619011979
1777
1778
610
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
233
740
1784
786
1785
1786
1787
178K
1789
1790
933
1791
321
833
1792
1793
102 58
869879
1794
1795
887
1796
412
496
908
1405
1797
1798
719663717
807742794
1799
1800
7
1511
1801
1802
11
737
822
1559
1803
1587
1804
22538891
100
108
786
803
1589
1805
1806
745
741
1807
1511
1808
266 550463
48 OS
57
805
781
1586
1809
1560
1810
840
771
1611
1811
3870
4018
94
116
10321060
65
20802192
11.5
127
282304
86
100
826846
757770
1583
1812
1616
1813
4083 4161
132147
10981131
66
2315 2449
132
140
320
420
1.50167
810724
727
704
1537
1814
2
1428
1815
4249
165
1154
67
2565
143
535
272
0
706
6S0
1386
1816
4337
175
1184
71
2677
149
554
229
0
697
060
1357
1817
4532
190
1243
75
2786
151
579
216
9
748
682
1430
1818
4749
20.5
1296
76
2860
720
180
12
803
7.55
1558
1819
4887
215
1332
2924
154
750
150
4
830
595
1425
1820
5129
230
1 382
3018
164
753
171
5
832
735
1567
1821
5260
241
1413
84
3090
171
'.:.
119
2
001
721
1622
1822
5452
284
1460
87
3196
176
820
140
2
948
749
1697
1823
5659
302
1517
89
3329
181
649
150
2
978
780
1758
1824
5860
309
1558
91
3441
667
240
1
1027
802
1829
1825
5993
325
1607
94
3027
188
530
2.57
2
944
784
1728
1826
607S
342
1626
99
3706
200
277
161
2
9.5.5
749
1704
1827
6158
361
1647
102
3854
220
462
241
2
S60
770
1630
1828
6243
381
1685
103
3965
227
456
332
0
010
666
1576
1829
63236396
401
421
1717 1752
113116
40514123
234243
00
86.5
917
0S9627
1830
116
64
1544
1831
6461
449
1767
119
4210
255
116
58
1
894
612
1506
Mission San Diego

301

SPIRITUAL RESULTS

AT

MISSION

SAN DIEGO

— (Continued).

Year

Baptisms

Marriages

Deaths

0
CO Cfl
CD
¦a 0
0

CflaO
'E :0
U

3 c
0

0

Neophytes

p
.2"5
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2 is

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"a
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fe
18321833
652265786638 67096759 6866
6906 6940
6970 69917016704670767104 7126
466 694714732
1794 1837
1880 19031929 195919701986
2000 2011201620282040 2044
2051
126127134
4322
279
86
54
55
302
0
862
593
1455
1834
4497
1382
1836
1839
1841
124
1842
1844
1846
Note. — The General Reports of the Mission Fathers included the
Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, and Confirmations of white people. We
have placed the whites in separate columns, but they must be deducted
from the numbers in the Indian columns to obtain the exact number
of Indian entries.
gateway twelve feet high and lined with brick. The structure
was still standing in 1904, when the writer examined it.
"From this dam," Bancroft says, "an aqueduct constructed of
tiles, resting on cobblestones in cement, and carrying a stream
one foot deep and two feet wide to the mission lands, was
built through a precipitous gorge, impassable on horseback,
The aqueduct often crossed gulches from fifteen to twenty
feet wide and deep, and was so strong that in places it
supported itself after the foundations were removed." 7 By
dint of such herculean efforts and patience the missionaries
succeeded in feeding their dusky charges as well as the live
stock which afforded fleshmeat for food, tallow for candles
and soap, and hides for occasional export, which in turn
supplied what the mission could not produce, such as choco
late, sugar, church goods, implements, and ironware. The
accompanying table tells the story in detail. It will, no
r Bancroft, History, vol. ii, p. 106.
302 Missions and Missionaries of California
doubt, prove of interest to the farmer, while it at the same
time relieves the writer of the necessity of explaining.
Live stock was the other chief department of mission
industry. A great many Indians had to be engaged to care
for the animals belonging to the mission, because the pastures
were at a distance and in widely separate valleys. Also
the flocks had to be guarded against wild beasts that not
^infrequently played havoc with the cattle and especially with
the sheep. Other enemies were the savages who roved in
the regions east of the mission, notably the Yu'mas, and
who were often aided by deserters from the mission. This
was particularly the case after the coming of Echeandia,
who imbued the natives with foolish ideas of liberty and en
couraged them to free themselves from the rule of the mis
sionaries. Thus cattle and horses were driven away in
large numbers and slaughtered for food. As long as the
Fathers were in control, to the year 1834, the herds and
flocks were kept together fairly well ; but when the missions
had to be turned over to secular administrators, it required
only a short time to reduce the thousands of animals to a
few hundred and finally to a few dozen. But that sad story
has already been told. The accompanying table compiled from
the official reports explains itself and at the same time sets
aright some preposterous figures adduced by modern writers
on California history. For instance, Henry Chapman Ford,
a very well-meaning artist and writer, says in the description
of his etchings, "The wealth accumulated by the Missions
was enormous, and, at the height of their prosperity, their
annual income was $3,000,000. The cattle at this period
numbered 1,200,000." How many of these Ford credits to
Mission San Diego does not appear. He doubtless figured
that the cattle were sold at $3.00 per head, and so arrived at
the preposterous figure $3,000,000. The fact is, however, that
his estimate of the number of cattle is much too high. He
would have been closer to the truth if he had canceled the
one million and then deducted 20,000 from the remaining
200,000. For, as the table shows, the missions together, in
no year, possessed more than 180,000 head in round numbers ;

Mission San Diego 303
neither was there a regular sale for them at even $2.00 a
head. What might have been profit after 1820 and even
earlier had mostly to be sacrificed for the maintenance of the
soldiers and their families. But that story also has been
told. The chief aim of the missionaries and the principal object
of the mission was not filling barns and increasing live
stock. The Fathers had come to gather into the fold of
Christ immortal souls, as Smythe correctly indicates. Every
thing else was but of secondary importance, and indeed of
no importance at all to the Franciscan friars, save as a
means to their chief aim, the salvation of souls. Notwith
standing so many adverse circumstances, in this they were
successful. All the natives from the coast to the sierras
around Santa Isabel were eventually won for Christ, and
of all the Indians still living in San Diego County, those who
survived the eviction from the mission and its stations through
the greed of unscrupulous fortune hunters, have generally
speaking themselves or their descendants remained not only
the most numerous but also the most religious and moral.
The accompanying table will show for each year with what
success the Fathers labored.
With regard to the mission buildings, the accompanying
ground plan will enlighten the reader as to their extent.
Writing in May, 1852, John Russell Bartlett thus describes
them as they appeared at his time : "The buildings, which
are of adobe, are not extensive, but are in good preserva
tion. They possess more of an Oriental appearance than
any other establishment. There was formerly a large vine
yard and orchard, containing figs, peaches, etc., a portion
of which is still in existence. The place is celebrated also
for a flourishing orchard of olive tress, which still remains,
yielding a great abundance of olives, the excellence of which
we have an opportunity of tasting on our homeward journey.
The mission is at present occupied by United States troops,
under the command of Colonel J. B. Magruder, and in
consequence is kept in good repair." 8
s Bartlett, Personal Narrative, vol. ii, p. 104.

THE MISSION CHURCH OCCUPIED BY U. S. TROOPS. *

Mission San Diego 305
From the official reports of the U. S. War Department
we learn that Mission San Diego in November, 1853, was
occupied by two companies of artillery composed of one
captain (H. S. Burton), one assistant surgeon, one first
lieutenant, and fifty-five enlisted men.
In November, 1855, one company of artillery was quar- Cv
tered there. It consisted of one captain (H. S. Burton),
one assistant surgeon, one first lieutenant, one second lieu
tenant, and sixty-nine men.
On November 28, 1857, the report has one company of
artillery and one company of cavalry, composed of Major G.
A. H. Blake, one surgeon, one captain, two first and two
second lieutenants, and 108 men.
The report for 1858-1859 could not be secured. It is most
probable that the troops were withdrawn in 1858 or early in
1859. The report of November 28, 1860, makes no mention
of troops at Mission San .Diego. On October 17, 1861,
Lieutenant F. H. Bates is reported as stationed at Nezv San
Diego with a company of the Fourth Infantry. Doubtless it
was when the troops occupied the Mission that the second
floor was put in the church edifice as shown on the engrav
ing made from a Daguerreotype of that period.
Bartlett mentions also that "ten miles from San Diego
(which would be four or five miles from the mission) is
Soledad Hill, which is very steep and difficult to pass,"
The Rancheria of Soledad, frequently noted in the Baptismal
Register, probably lay in its vicinity. Furthermore, Bartlett
speaks of San Pasqual, thirty-six miles from San Diego, as
the scene of an engagement between United States soldiers
and Californians.9
Writing thirty years later, in 1883, Henry Chapman ^<
Ford says of Mission San Diego: "But little is left of the
former buildings, except a portion of the church, and the
adjacent dormitories. The chapel is used as a stable; several
colonies of wild bees have taken possession of the cavities
9 A description of this will be found in Missions and Missionaries,
vol. iv, pp. 573-574.

306 Missions and Missionaries of California
over the lintels of the doors ; and a family of owls startle
the visitor with their screams as he intrudes on their solitude.
At one time the Mission was used as a barracks, and the
irreverent soldiers did much to hasten its ruin. They also
cut down and used for fuel a portion of the fine orchard.
There still remain, however, many old olive, pear, and fig
trees, and a few of the date palms planted by the Fathers.
From these were taken the cuttings with which originated
most of the olive orchards of California."
Less than a decade later, in 1891, a movement was made
for restoring parts of the mission at least. The San Diego
Sun of October 16, for instance, gave expression to the
wish that something be done as follows : "The restoration
of the Old Mission, the first Christian outpost in California
proper, is much to be desired. It is a cheerful augury that
Father Ubach is interested in such a plan and will devote
his energy and zeal to its success. Enough remains of the
building to give its restoration the significance of repairs
only, thus avoiding a substitute structure and a diminished
popular and historical interest in it."
On the day before, October 15, the same paper, San Diego
Sun, brought this bit of news : "The six mission bells,
which were cast at San Bias in 1791 and 1802, will be sent
to Baltimore to be recast into two bells, which will be used
in the Indian school buildings. Two of the bells hung for
years behind the Old Town chapel, and another one is at
the military barracks, whither it was conveyed when the
troops abandoned their original quarters in the Old Mission."
A week later, on October 22, the San Diego Union was
more explicit. It said: "The restoration of the San Diego
Mission, the first of the chain of stations established by
Padre Junipero in Alta California, when this region was a
province of Spain, it has become widely known is a cherished
ambition of Rev. Fr. Ubach. His first move is to have the
ancient bells recast, and only a day or two ago was this
desired permission received from Bishop Mora of Los
Angeles. Two have been in the uncompleted brick church
at Old Town. One, which is badly cracked, hangs with a

Mission San Diego 307
sound companion on the uprights at the west end of the
Old Town chapel. This will be brought in and the one
now used at the Indian school substituted. Two more are
at St. Joseph's in this city and the sixth one has been sent
up from the United States military barracks by Col. Brayton,
who knew by legend that the military had no right to it, and
had first made use of the bell years ago when they were
without a bugle. These bells are believed to be largely of
silver, and they will be shipped in a few weeks to a firm
in Baltimore to be melted down and recast in two bells only.
Speaking of the accepted belief that they had come from
Spain, Fr. Ubach informed the Union yesterday that he
discovered very recently in looking through the mission
records quite to his surprise, that they had been cast instead
at San Bias, State of Jalisco, Mexico, and which is now the
Pacific coast terminus of the Mexican Central railroad. The
inscription on these bells Ave Maria Purisima (Hail Mary
Most Pure) has by Pope Pius' Immaculate Conception Dogma
of December 8, 1854, come to stand for Conceived Without
Sin. For that reason Fr. Ubach proposes that they shall be
recast on the coming anniversary of this feast and with the
following inscription: Originally cast in San Bias, Mexico,
in 1792, under Spanish rule, and recast at Baltimore, Md.,
United States of America, on the 8th day of December, 1891."
What became of the neophytes? the reader may ask. The
decree of confiscation directed that to each individual head
of a family and to all over twenty years of age who had no
family, a plot of land should be given which was to be not
more than four hundred and not less than one hundred yards
square. Whether this pittance, too small to eke out even
a scanty living, was ever allotted to the Indians of Mission
San Diego, is not known. Outside the orchards and vine
yards, there was little around the mission property that be
longed to the church. At all events, it appears that the
Indians preferred to retire to the mountains, where in mod
ern times their descendants have been collected in reserva
tions by the United States Government. Let us hope that
these homes of the poor Indians may be perpetual. The

MISSION CHURCH AND FRONT WING IN ISSH AS VIEWED FROM THE INNER COURT. -*

Mission San Diego 309
several reservations will be described in connection with
Mission San Luis Rey.
What of the missionaries who were stationed at Mission
San Diego? Little is known of their antecedents. They
were Spaniards and had joined the Franciscan Order in
the mother country. Here, too, they completed their phil
osophical and theological training, whereupon they were
raised to the dignity of the holy priesthood. Many a time,
no doubt, while busy with their books in the various monas
teries of the provinces, they heard it said that men were
needed for the extensive missions among the Indians of
Mexico and California. And driven on by Franciscan zeal
and enthusiasm, they after becoming priests pleaded for per
mission to consecrate themselves to the conversion of the
savages. Then, bidding farewell forever to parents and
friends and all earthly prospects, they embarked for the
New World, supplied with the written permit and certifi
cate, testifying that the volunteer was intellectually capable
and morally and religiously competent for the great work
that was to be entrusted to him. After he arrived at the
Missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico, his creden
tials, containing an account of his antecedents, were care
fully examined. These found satisfactory, the newcomer
was heartily welcomed and eventually incorporated into the
College family. The documents relating to each friar were
deposited in the Archives and they would be there still
only for the Liberal politicians of the Carranza type, who
with insane hatred against Religion confiscated and despoiled
its strongholds, the monasteries. Some of the documentary
material was taken to the Government archives and libraries,
while much of what belonged to the Missionary College of
San Fernando was publicly burned in the streets of the
City of Mexico. In 1905, the writer saw at the National
Museum four bound volumes of manuscripts which had be
longed to San Fernando. The letters of Fr. Crespi and
Fr. Jaume, reproduced in this narrative, were among a num
ber of others. This sad fate of the College records accounts
for the dearth of historical data regarding the early Fathers.

310 Missions and Missionaries of California
Of their career in the missions of California we have the
dates and the records of what they achieved in behalf of
the Indians. But little of this touches their own person,
except in the case of some who came into prominence be
cause their mission or their wards were attacked. The
friars were averse to notoriety; and, unless compelled, they
would write little more than the annual or biennial reports.
Certain it is, however, the friars were unselfish in their
aims, zealous and self-sacrificing in their labors, and exem
plary in their conduct. If the Indians complained against
one or the other that he was too strict, this accrues rather
to his honor and credit; for, in the first place, it may be
taken for granted that there was no more in their com
plaint than in the charges of indolent and turbulent school
boys against their well-meaning teacher ; and, in the second •
place, such complaints only go to show that the friar was
a lover of law and order.
That the life of the missionaries was one of untold pri
vations and hardships goes without saying. The journey
from Mexico to California was anything but a pleasure trip.
The daily allowance for the journey, assigned to the friars
by the viceroy, was seven reales or 87^2 cents. With this
they had to defray the cost of transportation while on the
journey or voyage. The trip had to be made within a
specified time, so that if the friars tarried beyond the limit
of days fixed, they themselves were the losers, since they
received no further allowance of money. The expenses of
the journey were always such as to exceed the amount
allowed, wherefore the procurator of the College through
the sindico would have to supply. The latter, in turn, would
then often deprive the traveling friar even "of the choco
late," as one writer remarks, "which is the solace and com
fort of the poor friar. When the missionary has arrived
in California," the same writer continues, "he encounters
new hardships and many afflictions ; a mode of life begins
altogether new for him ; on all sides he sees nothing but
enemies who aim at nothing more than to destroy what
ever he wishes or intends to construct ; Indians, soldiers,

Mission San Diego 311
settlers are ever so many destroyers of the spiritual and
temporal edifice of those missions ; hence it is that, in the
first years in which they exercise the ministry, all become
a prey to the deepest melancholy, while some have been
afflicted with complete insanity. But all this is nothing com
pared with the labors of a missionary in a newly- founded
mission. The anxieties and sorrows through which the
venerable religious pass in order to establish a mission, ex
ceed the limits of all pondering. The imagination cannot
picture that there are men who without any self-interest
determine to undergo such hardships ; yet it is certain that
these missionaries cheerfully put up with it all ; nothing
daunts them, they conquer everything, and they do not rest
and are not dismayed till they have brought the work to
such a state that it rouses the envy of the enemies to see
the Fathers administrators of such fair missions." 10
The meager data and facts of the friars who died at
Mission San Diego or who from there returned to Mexico
have been gathered into brief sketches, which will take up
the last chapter of this narrative.

10 Domingo Rivas in Las Misiones de Alta California, pp. 183-185.
Mexico, Palacio Naeional, 1914.

CHAPTER XVI.
Biographical Sketches. — Fr. Francisco Gomez. — Fr. Juan Vizcaino. —
Fr. Luis Jayme. — Fr. Juan Figuer. — Fr. Juan Antonio Garcia Riobo
(Rioboo). — Fr. Juan Mariner. — Fr. Hilario Torrent. — Fr. Jose Pa
nella. — Fr. Nicolas Lazaro. — Fr. Jose Pedro Panto. — Fr. Fernando
Martin. — Resident and Visiting Fathers Who Officiated at Mission
San Diego.
WE conclude our narrative with biographical sketches of
the Franciscan missionaries who departed this life at
Mission San Diego or who after serving there for a time re
tired to the Mother College of San Fernando in the City
of Mexico. The appended list of missionaries who while
either residing or visiting at Mission San Diego adminis
tered the Sacraments there at one time or other, will also
be of interest.
Fr. Francisco Gomez was one of the first sixteen Fran
ciscans selected in 1767 to take the places of as many retir
ing Jesuits in the missions of Lower California. He had
come to Mexico from the Franciscan Province of the Im
maculate Conception, in Castile, Spain. With Fr. Junipero
Serra and companions he set out from the College of San
Fernando, in the City of Mexico, on July 14, 1767. At
Tepic they had to wait for an opportunity to cross the
Gulf of California, meanwhile giving missions in the sur
rounding country. Finally, on March 13, 1768, they bade
farewell to the brethren of the convent, and at noon on the
following day they reached San Bias, where they embarked
that same evening, at eight o'clock. It was on Good Fri
day evening, April 1, 1768, that the little band of mis
sionaries arrived at the Port of Loreto. The next day they
landed, and on Easter Sunday, April 3, Fr. Presidente Serra
officiated at the High Mass of thanksgiving celebrated in
the pueblo church, and also preached an appropriate sermon.
On Tuesday, Fr. Serra assigned the Fathers to their re
spective missions, Fr. Gomez being appointed to Mission

Mission San Diego 313
Nuestra Senora de los Dolores or Mission de la Pasion as
it was commonly called. At the time, four hundred and
fifty Indian neophytes belonged to this mission.1 It was
suppressed by Inspector-General Jose de Galvez in Septem
ber of that year, whereupon Fr. Gomez was transferred
to. Santa Rosalia de Mulege. Here he labored till about
January, 1769, when Fr. Presidente Serra selected him to
join the band of friars who were to devote themselves to
the missions in Upper California. On February 15, 1769,
he embarked with Fr. Juan Vizcaino on the San Antonio
and, on April 11, arrived in the harbor of San Diego. With
Fr. Juan Crespi, he was chosen to accompany the Portola
Expedition to Monterey, which set out from San Diego on
July 14, 1769. Thus he was one of the discoverers of San
Francisco Bay. On the way up, near San Juan Capis
trano, Fr. Gomez, on July 22, administered the first Bap
tism in Upper California. The subject was a dying Indian
child, which he named Magdalena in honor of the saint of
that day. He returned to San Diego with the expedition
on January 24, 1770, and was active there with Fr. Fer
nando Parron till March 21, 1771, when, being in ill health,
he received permission from Fr. Serra to return to Mexico.
He sailed on the San Antonio. For details regarding his
stay in California, the reader may consult the second volume
of Missions and Missionaries of California.
Fr. Juan Vizcaino was sent from the College of San
Fernando to Lower California pursuant to a demand from
Jose de Galvez for three more friars. With him sailed
Fathers Juan de Escudero and Benito Sierra. They reached
Cape San Lucas in February, 1769. Whilst his two com
panions were assigned to missions on the peninsula, Fr.
Vizcaino together with Fr. Francisco Gomez were appointed
chaplains for the San Antonio, which was about to sef sail
for Upper California. They embarked on February 15, and
reached San Diego Port on April 11, 1769. Fr. Vizcaino

1 See Missions and Missionaries, vol. i, p. 304.

314 Missions and Missionaries of California
remained with Fr. Serra and Fr. Fernando Parron, and on
July 16, 1769, assisted at the founding of Mission San
Diego. A month later, on August 15, the savages attacked
the mission, on which occasion an arrow pierced the hand
of Fr. Vizcaino. The arrow must have been poisoned;
for after more than six months, the wound had not jjet
healed and was causing the missionary much suffering.
Fr. Serra, therefore, allowed him to retire. Accordingly,
on February 11, 1770, he left with the expedition com
manded by Captain Rivera and arrived in Lower California,
from where he doubtless returned to the College in the
City of Mexico.
Fr. Luis Jaume (Jayme) had been, like Fr. Serra, a mem
ber of the Franciscan Province of Mayorca. When he came
to America and joined the Missionary College of San Fer
nando de Mexico is not known. In October, 1770, he was
chosen with nine companion friars for the missions of Upper
California. When they reached Tepic, there was no oppor
tunity for sailing till January 20, 1771. They arrived at
San Diego on March 12; but already on April 14, they
all re-embarked and landed at Monterey on May 21. Here
Fr. Presidente Serra assigned Fr. Jaume to Mission San
Diego. Taking passage once more on July 7, in the San
Antonio, the vessel that had brought him from San Bias,
Fr. Jaume finally began his labors at Mission San Diego,
which at that time was still situated on presidio hill near
what is now called Old Town. As stated in an early chap
ter, it was Fr. Jaume who proposed that the mission be
moved farther up the river. The transfer was accomplished
in August, 1774. Here he labored so successfully that the
jealousy of the pagan medicinemen was aroused. About one
o'clock on Sunday morning, November 5, 1775, a horde of
pagan Indians aided by a few faithless neophytes set fire
to the mission buildings and cruelly murdered Fr. Jaume,
who went out to the mob saluting them with his usual
"Amar a Dios, hijos ! — Love God, children !" What fol
lowed has been described in the foregoing pages. The
mangled body of the missionary, showing eighteen arrow

Mission San Diego 315
wounds eight of which were mortal, was later recovered in
the arroyo, and taken to the presidio, where it was given
temporaiy burial. Its entry, the first in the restored Death
Register, reads as follows: "On the sixth day of November
of the said year, 1775, I gave ecclesiastical burial in the
church of the royal presidio of San Diego to Fr. Lector
and Preacher Apostolic and missionary of this mission, Fr.
Luis Jaume, who was killed without receiving the holy
Sacraments ; but it is known to me that on the day preced
ing his death he celebrated the holy Sacrifice of Mass, and
that on the feast of All Saints he made his confession to
me. In order that it be known and there remain (forever,
if it can be) a remembrance of what has happened, it has
appeared just to me to be somewhat explicit in this entry,
recommending for God's sake to all that may read it, that
they pray to God for said Fr. Luis Jaume. Requiescat in
Pace. — In testimony of which I sign at this Mission of San
Diego, on January 26, 1777. Fr. Vicente Fuster."
When the new mission church was completed, the body of
Fr. Jaume was exhumed and interred in the sanctuary. The
exact date of this event is not known. Here the remains
of the martyred friar rested until November 12, 1813, when
the third church was dedicated. In the afternoon of that
day, they with those of Fr. Figuer and Fr. Mariner, who
had meanwhile been buried here, were transferred to the
church and deposited in one grave, though in separate boxes,
between the main and side altars. The relics of Fr. Jaume
in the smallest chest were interred nearest the statue of the
Blessed Virgin; those of Fr. Mariner in the largest chest,
near the statue of San Diego; and those of Fr. Figuer far
ther to the south. Three stones were placed over the tomb;
Fr. Thomas Ahumada, a Dominican friar in charge of Mis
sion San Miguel in Lower California, preached the sermon
on that occasion.
Fr. Juan Figuer was originally a member of the Fran
ciscan Province of Aragon. The date of his coming to
America is not known. In 1770, he set out with twenty-
nine Franciscans destined for the missions in Lower Cali-

&jz> ¦<¦.

lii*_-:.. *£-. .:TT. _..-¦:. .

/^.:r,J^*.

VIEW OF MISSION RUIN FROM THE REAR. BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS, TO THE RIGHT, LIES
THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO. ,*

Mission San Diego 317
fornia. They arrived at Tepic that same year, in October,
but not till the next February could they cross the Gulf of
California. Storms drove the vessel San Carlos to Acapulco,
and in trying to return, the ship ran aground within sight
of Manzanillo. Whilst the other Fathers made their way
up the coast by land, a distance of three hundred leagues,
to Tamasula in Sinaloa, opposite Loreto, Fr. Figuer and
Fr. Marcelino Senra remained on board the vessel until it
was repaired and then continued the voyage by sea. But
heavy storms again set in, so that the San Carlos did not land
at Loreto until August 30, 1771, seven months after leav
ing San Bias. Fathers Figuer and Senra served as assist
ants at Mission San Francisco Borja. In 1772, Fr. Figuer
was stationed at Mission Todos Santos. From here Fr.
Palou, in the fall of 1772, sent him with Fr. Ramon Usson
to San Diego, where they arrived in November. They were
intended for the new Mission of San Buenaventura, at the
request of Fr. Serra. But as the founding of this mission
was delayed, Fr. Figuer was sent to Mission San Gabriel,
where his first entry in the Baptismal Register is dated May
10, 1773. From here he was transferred to Mission San
Luis Obispo, where .his first entry bears the date of August
28, 1774. He remained here until June, 1777, his last entry
being dated June 13. He was then sent to Mission San
Diego, where his first entry appears under date of August
31, 1777. At this mission, as elsewhere, the interference
of the governor was becoming intolerable. Therefore, both
Fr. Figuer and Fr. Lasuen determined to retire to Mexico
and informed Fr. Presidente Serra to that effect. In reply,
Fr. Figuer received a beautiful letter from Fr. Serra, in
consequence of which he changed his mind and continued
at his post till death relieved him.2 He departed this life
only four months after the death of Fr. Serra. His last
entry in the Baptismal Register, under number 1070, is dated
December 5, 1784. In the Death Register, the record of
2 For this letter we refer the reader to Missions and Missionaries of
California, vol. ii, pp. 385-389.

3 18 Missions and Missionaries of California
his interment reads as follows: "No. 263. Rev. Fr. Preacher
Apostolic Juan Figuer. — On the nineteenth day of Decem
ber, in the year 1784, in the church of the Mission of San
Diego, I gave ecclesiastical burial to the body of the Rev.
Fr. Juan Figuer, Preacher Apostolic of the College of the
Propagation of the Faith of San Fernando de Mexico,
missionary at this mission, member of the holy Province
of Aragon, and native of Anento in said dominion. He
received very devoutly the holy Sacraments of Penance,
Eucharist, and Extreme Unction. In witness of which I
have signed on said day, month and year. — Fr. Fermin
Francisco de Lasuen." For the autograph signature of Fr.
Figuer see page 129.
Fr. Juan Antonio Garcia Riobo (Rioboo), formerly a
member of the Franciscan Province of Santiago de Galicia,
in Spain, was destined, in 1770, with twenty-nine other
Franciscans for Lower California. While the other
Fathers sailed in another vessel, Fr. Riobo was directed to
accompany the new governor of California, Don Felipe
Barri, and his family to Loreto. He reached Cerralvo on
March 22, 1771, and received permission from Fr. Palou

M

uaA

to take temporary charge of the two Indian pueblos San
Jose and Santiago on the peninsula of Lower California.
On May 27, 1773, on the cession of Lower California to
the Dominicans, Fr. Riobo with five companions retired to
the College of San Fernando. On February 12, 1779, he
and Fr. Matias Noriega sailed as chaplains from San Bias
on the Nuestra Senora del Rosario, otherwise known as
La Princesa, which was sent on a voyage of exploration.
On August 1, 1779, at sixty degrees and a few minutes
latitude, the Princesa cast anchor in a bay to which was
given the name Nuestra Senora de Regla, better known as
Prince William's Sound. After stopping a while in the
Bay of San Francisco, having arrived there on Septem-

Mission San Diego 319
ber 15, the vessel with Fr. Riobo on board returned to
San Bias in November. On June 2, 1783, Fr. Riobo arrived
at San Francisco in the San Carlos, this time to stay in the
missions. At San Carlos Mission, he found Fr. Presidente
Serra in ill health. The following August, when Fr. Serra
took passage on the returning San Carlos for San Diego,
he had Fr. Riobo accompany him, and in September both
arrived at the mission. Fr. Riobo was to stay there if a
Father were needed. However, his. name does not appear
in the Baptismal Register of that mission until September
28, 1785; and his last entry in it is dated November 7, 1786.
It would seem that he accompanied Fr. Serra to San Gabriel,
for he enters a Baptism there on June 27, 1784. Apparently
he remained there for over a year, since his last entry is
dated October 27, 1785. Ori his way to San Gabriel, he
must have stopped for a while at San Juan Capistrano ; at
least, his name appears on the Baptismal Register of that
mission under date of February 15, 1784, on which occa
sion he administered the Sacrament to five persons. After
November 7, 1786, his name is nowhere to be found. Prob
ably, he retired to Mexico.
Fr. Juan Mariner. Of the antecedents of this Franciscan
nothing is known. He was sent to California from the
missionary College of San Fernando, in 1785, and arrived
at Monterey probably the following August, for in that same
year we find him baptizing at San Carlos Mission on Sep-

j?~x-. *%lc*~> yy%*-*

iA-S*c-<»*-»

tember 4, and at San Juan Capistrano Mission on Octo
ber 21. A few weeks later he was at San Diego Mission
where his first entry in the Baptismal Register is dated De
cember 5, 1785. Thenceforth he labored at this mission
until his death. At the request of Fr. Presidente Lasuen,
Fr. Mariner, in August, 1795, accompanied an expedition
in search of sites for the contemplated Mission of San Luis
Rey. His last entry in the Baptismal Register, under num-

1

320 Missions and Missionaries of California
ber 2,711, is dated January 20, 1800. Nine days later, on
January 29, he passed to his eternal reward. Following is
the entry of his burial: "No. 1,059. Rev. Fr. Juan Mariner.
On January 30, 1800, in the church of this Mission of San
Diego, in the presbytery, I gave ecclesiastical burial to the
body of the Rev. Fr. Juan Mariner, Missionary Apostolic
and missionary of this Mission, who died the day before,
at half-past eleven in the night. In witness whereof I signed
this. — Fr. Jose Faura." ,
Fr. Hilario Torrent s appears for the first time in a letter
of Fr. Guardian Juan Sancho, who writes under date of
April 1, 1786, to Fr. Lasuen, that Fr. Hilario Torrent was
coming to California with five other Franciscans; that he
belonged to the Province of Catalonia, where he had been
guardian of a monastery for three years, and for many years

"pcT ffr'faA** <>fe*

vicar of a monastery; that he was talented and highly
esteemed; and that he had volunteered for California. Fr.
Torrent accordingly must have been nearer fifty than forty
years of age when he arrived on the coast. He was at once
placed in charge of Mission San Diego and labored there
till November, 1798, although during the" two last years
he was almost entirely disabled, mentally and physically.
In September, 1797, Fr. Lasuen wrote that Fr. Torrent had
gone on September 27 to San Diego in order to set sail
for Mexico. But apparently no opportunity presented itself
until November of the following year. Fr. Torrent offi
ciated at Baptisms during the year 1797, but Fr. Mariner
or Fr. Panella would enter them in the register, which
shows that the poor friar must have been badly crippled.
His last Baptism was administered on October 22, 1797.
s Thus the friar wrote his name; others wrote it Torrens. Between
July 10, 1786, and November 15, 1787, the friar himself plainly puts
a t at the end of his name and uses no rubric; later on, the letter
looks more like an s.

Mission San Diego 321
It is number 2,295 in the list, and it was entered for him
by Fr. Mariner. The last time he administered the Sacra
ment of Matrimony was on January 24, 1797. After leav
ing California, on November 8, 1798, Fr. Torrent lived only
a short time. He passed to his reward before May 14, 1799,
a violent attack of convulsions bringing on the end, as Fr.
Guardian Miguel Lull informed Fr. Lasuen.
Fr. Jose Panella arrived in California during the year
1797. Nothing is known of his antecedents. He was sta
tioned at San Diego, where his first entry in the Baptismal
Register is dated June 2, 1797, and his last, October 27,
1802, after which his name no longer appears. Apparently,
he was staying a short time at San Luis Rey; but, if we

g^/c^A*

may believe Bancroft, Fr. Panella made enemies of the In
dians there as also at San Diego. The Fr. Presidente, how
ever, could find nothing worth while in the complaints
launched against this friar. According to Bancroft, he
sailed for Mexico on October 4, 1803, with the permission
of his Superior..
Fr. Nicolas Lazaro, a native of Burgos, Spain, was sent
to the California Missions by the College of San Fernando
in the year 1805. Probably, on August 31, of that year,

&j/pc^<JL

aVH

he landed at Monterey. From there he appears to have soon
after traveled overland southward; for, on September 13,
he enters a Baptism in the Register of Mission San An
tonio. Having reached his destination, San Fernando Mis
sion, he baptized for the first time on October 5, 1805. His
last entry there is dated June 12, 1807. Being in ill health,

322 Missions and Missionaries of California
he was permitted to go to Mission San Diego in order to
recuperate. His first baptismal entry there is dated August
9, 1807, on which day he baptized twice. Only nine days
later, on August 18, death relieved him of his maladies.
His burial is recorded as follows: "No. 1,727. Rev. Fr.
Nicolas Lazaro. On August 19, 1807, Fr. Barona gave
ecclesiastical burial, in the church of this Mission of San
Diego, beneath the statue of San Jose, to the body of the
Rev. Fr. Nicolas Lazaro, supernumerary missionary of said
mission, member of the holy Province of Burgos, and for
merly missionary at the Mission of San Fernando Rey, he
having received the holy Sacraments which our holy Mother
the Church prescribes. In witness whereof I sign. — Fr. Jose
Sanchez." Fr. Jose Pedro Panto arrived at San Diego from the
College in Mexico on July 28, 1810,' and served there until
his death which occurred two years later. He baptized at
the mission for the first time on February 27, 1811, and for
the last time on June 21, 1812, nine days before his death.
In the Death Register, the entry of his burial reads:
"No. 2,143. Rev. Fr. Pedro Panto. On July 2, in the year

fa (f%#*« ,{Ln4o

1812, in the church of this Mission of San Diego, with the
assistance of the Rev. Fr. Thomas Ahumada, a Dominican,
I gave ecclesiastical burial to the body of the Rev. Fr.
Pedro Panto, deceased of said mission, member of the holy
Province of San Miguel, and native of Valverde del Fresno.
In preparation for death he received the holy Sacraments
of Penance (he could not receive the Viaticum) and Ex
treme Unction. He passed away on June 30, at seven
o'clock in the evening. He died from food poisoned by
the (Indian) cook, according to opinions. Fr. Geronimo
Boscano."

Mission San Diego 323
Fr. Panto received only the Sacraments of Penance and
Extreme Unction. He could not receive the Holy Eucharist
on account of constant vomiting. His companion, Fr. San
chez, being absent when he was stricken, and no priest
being able to arrive from San Luis Rey in time, notice was
sent to Mission San Miguel in Lower California to Fr.
Ahumada, as Fr. Presidente Estevan Tapis writes from
Mission Purisima on July 4, 1812.
Fr. Fernando Martin was born on May 26, 1770, in the
Villa de Robledillo, diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo, in Old
Castile, Spain. He entered the Franciscan Order, on April
29, 1787, in the convent of St. Francis in Ciudad Rodrigo,
belonging to the Franciscan Province of San Miguel supra
Tagum. For eleven years and two months after his ordi
nation, he remained a member of this convent, preaching
in the surrounding country. Then he departed for Mexico
and arrived at the College of San Fernando, where he was

h: VVZ^a^o <Jlc

a^uh

incorporated on June 20, 1810, and at once destined for the
California Missions. On the way to California, he under
went many hardships, owing to the bad condition of the
roads, which had been washed ¦ away by floods, and particu
larly to the insurrection which had spread over the coun
try. Finally, on July 6, 1812, he reached Mission San
Diego, having journeyed by land. San Diego was his only
scene of labor. He discharged his priestly duties at the
mission and presidio for twenty-seven years, after which
he was called to his eternal reward. Both Fr. Sarria and
Fr. Payeras, Commissary Prefects of the Missions, spoke
highly of Fr. Martin's zeal and deemed him worthy to be
placed at the head of the brethren in California. Although
he had taken the Oath of the Independence, Fr. Martin,

324 Missions and Missionaries of California
like all but two of the Franciscans in California, in 1826,
declined to take the oath of allegiance to the new Mexican
Constitution, which Fr. Narciso Duran correctly declared
was not the expression of the whole people of Mexico.
Nevertheless, Fr. Martin offered to swear allegiance with
the clause "as far as is compatible with my religious pro
fession" or "in everything not contrary to my conscience,-'
with which any reasonable government would have been
satisfied. Since Fr. Martin was a Spaniard, he, too, not
withstanding his great services, was marked for expulsion
from California ; but in the end he was permitted to remain,
because no missionaries of Mexican birth could be secured.3
Unfortunately, the second Book of Burials is lost, so that
the entry of Fr. Martin's death and burial cannot be repro
duced. All we know is that he was called to his eternal
reward on October 19, 1838, and that he was laid to rest
within the church building. Bancroft 4 says that "he was
an exemplary friar."
List of Resident and Visiting Fathers Who Officiated at
Mission San Diego.
Fr. Junipero Serra — July 1, 1769-April 16, 1770.
Fr. Fernando Parron— April 29, 1769-April, 1771.
Fr. Juan Vizcaino — April 11, 1769-February 11, 1770.
Fr. Francisco Gomez — April 11, 1769-March, 1771.
Fr. Juan Crespi— May 14, 1769-July 14, 1769; January 24
to 17, 1770.
Fr. Antonio Paterna,' March 12- April 14; July 14-August
6, 1771.
Fr. Francisco Dumetz — March 12, 1771 -September, 1772.
Fr. Luis Jayme — July, 1771-November 4, 1775.
Fr. Juan Crespi — May, 1772-September, 1772.
Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon, July, 1771-August, 1771.
Fr. Thomas de la Pena— May, 1772-September, 1773.
Fr. Angel Somera — July, 1771-August, 1771.
3 For the controversy on this matter see Missions and Missionaries
of California, vol. iii, 245-268; 282; vol. iv, pp. 80-81.
"Vol. iii, p. 619.

Mission San Diego 325
Fr. Francisco Palou— August 30-September 26, 1773.
Fr. Juan Prestamero— August 30-September 26, 1773.
Fr. Jose Antonio Murguia — August 30-September 26,
1773.
Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen — August 30-September
26, 1773.
Fr. Gregorio Amurrio — August 30, 1773-May, 1774.
Fr. Vicente Fuster— August 30, 1773-July 27, 1777.
Fr. Junipero Serra — March 13- April 6, 1774.
Fr. Pablo Mugartegui— March 13, 1774-September, 1774.
Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen — November 10, 1775-Sep-
tember 5, 1785.
Fr. Antonio Paterna — February 22, 1777.
Fr. Juan Figuer— August 31, 1777-December 18, 1784.
Fr. Miguel Sanchez — June 9, 1779.
Fr. Pablo Mugartegui— June 19, 1780.
Fr. Vicente Fuster — August 5, 1780; February 23, 1783,
Fr. Junipero Serra — October 2, 1783.
Fr. Juan Antonio Garcia Riobo — September 28, 1785-No-
vember 7, 1786.
Fr. Juan Mariner — December 5, 1785-January 29, 1800.
Fr. Hilario Torrent— November 11, 1786-September 27,1798.
Rev. Jose Lopez y Nava, Chaplain of the San Carlos —
November 12, 1787.
Fr. Juan Norberto de Santiago — December 17, 1788.
Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen — November 21. 1789;
March 11 and 19, and April 23, 1791.
Fr. Caietano Pallas, O. P.— April 5, 1791.
Fr. Josef de Loriente, O. P. — September 7, 1791 ; June
22, 1792; July 20, 1798.
Fr. Nicolas Loesa, Chaplain of Transport Ship — Novem
ber 6, 1792.
Fr. Cristobal Oramas — October 13 and 14, 1793.
Fr. Miguel Pieras— September 17. and 19, 1794.
Fr. Bartolome Gili— October 10-November 4, 1794.
Fr. Mariano Apolinario, O. P. — October 15, 1794; < >cto-
ber 26, 1795.
Fr. Miguel Lopez, O. P. — May 27 and June 12, 1705.

326 Missions and Missionaries of California
Fr. Jose Sefian — October 17 and November 1, 1795.
Fr. Pedro Esteban— November 14, 1795-July 1, 1797.
Fr. Antonio Danti— October 20 and 29, 1796.
Fr. Juan Norberto de Santiago — May 28 and July 2,
1797.
Fr. Thomas Valdellon, O. P.— February, 1797.
Fr. Joseph Panella— June 2, 1797- January 20, 1803.
Fr. Joseph Conause, O. P.— July 20, 1798.
Fr. Joseph Barona— August 4, 1798- January 24, 1811.
Fr. Ramon Lopez, O. P. — November, 1798.
Fr. Jose Faura — July 1, 1798 ; February 15 and October
1, 1799; August 30, 1800.
Fr. Jose de la Cruz Espi — December 15, 1799 — January
5, 1800.
Fr. Francisco X. Uria — December 18, 1799.
Fr. Miguel Giribet— January 12, 1800.
Fr. Antonio Peyri— March 5, 1800.
Fr. Eudaldo Surroca, O. P. — November 1 and 5, 1801.
Fr. Jacinto Lopez — November 23, 1801.
Fr. Pedro Esteban — May 21 and September 5-October
3, 1802.
Fr. Mariano Payeras — December 11, 1803-September 30, 1804.
Fr. Josef Bernardo Sanchez— October, 1804-May 16, 1820.
Fr. Pedro de la Cueva or Cuevas — September 30, 1806.
Fr. Jose Portela, O. P.— July, 1805.
Fr. Jose Garcia — February 2, 5, 15 and 18; September
8 and 10, 1807 ; September 9-October 30, 1808.
Fr. Nicolas Lazaro — June 25-August 18, 1807.
Fr. Domingo de Carranza, O. P.— May 18, 1809; No
vember 25, 1810.
Fr. Pedro Gonzalez, O P.— October 25, 1808.
Fr. Pedro Panto— January, 1811-July 1, 1812.
Rev. Jose Maria Afanador, Chaplain of the San Carlos
—October 12, 1809.
Fr. Domingo Iturrate — November 10, 1809.
Fr. Fernando Martin— July 6, 1812-October 19, 1838.
Fr. Thomas Ahumada, O. P.— March 18, 1813; May 2,
1814.

Mission San Diego 327
Fr. Vicente de Sarria— November 7, 1813.
Fr. Geronimo Boscana — May and June, 1812; November
21, 1813.
Fr. Jose Miguel de Pineda, O. P.— May 13 and 21, and
June 17, 1815.
Fr. Vicente de Sarria— July 23, 1818; January 1, 1826.
Fr. Jayme Escude — July 23, 1818.
Fr. Vicente Pasqual Oliva— June 28, 1820-January, 1832.
Fr. Jose Martinez, O. P.— November 12, 1820.
Fr. Mariano Payeras — August 29, 1821.
Fr. Jose Bernardo Sanchez — August 29, 1821.
Fr. Felix Caballero, O. P.— February 14 and 28, and
May 14, 1824; December 7, 1826; October and No
vember, 1830; February 13 and August 27, 1831;
August 15-September 10, 1834.
Fr. Antonio Menendez (at Presidio)— March 31, 1824-Octo-
ber 16, 1829.
Fr. Antonio Anzar — July 13 and 23, 1831.
Fr. Jose Mariano Sosa — December 4-6, 1832.
Fr. Jose Maria del Real— February 17, 1833.
Fr. Domingo Luna, O. P. — June 4, 1833.
Fr. Narciso Duran — July 12, 1833.
Fr. Jose Viader— November 17, 19 and 22, 1833.
Fr. Buenaventura Fortuni — September 22, 1833- July 27, 1834.
Fr. Vicente Pasqual Oliva — August, 1834-June 14, 1846.
Fr. Juan Cabot— February 1-March 20, 1835.
Fr. Francisco Gonzalez Ibarra — December 11, 1837; Sep
tember 7 and 8, 1838; January 18, 1839.
Fr. Thomas Mansilla, O. P.— February 28, 1840; June
9, 1844; June and July, 1848.
Fr. Francisco Sanchez — December 30, 1841.
Fr. Ignacio Ramirez Arellano, O P. — July 4, August 2,
and October 25, 1844.
Fr. Antonio del Real — November 18, 1845.
Rev. Juan Crisostomo Holbein, C. SS. CC. — July, 1849-Sep-
tember, 1854.
Rev. Pedro Bagaria— 1855-1857.
Rev. John Molinier— 1858-1863.
Rev. Antonio Ubach— 1866-April 27, 1907.

APPENDIX

(To Page 9.)
San Diego — Sanctus Didacus — Saint Didacus
Patron of the Harbor, City, Mission, River and County of
San Diego.
Diego was born toward the end of the fourteenth century at San
Nicolas del Puerto, a town fifteen leagues from Seville, the capital
of the Province of Andalusia, in Spain. His parents were of the
poorer class. But they were deeply religious and brought up their
child for God and holiness. At an early age he sought the company of
a holy hermit priest, with whom he led a, life of solitude and prayer.
When not occupied with devotional exercises, the two would work in
their little garden or make wooden spoons, trenchers, and similar
utensils. In this way they earned a livelihood and overcame the
greatest obstacle to sanctity — idleness. Having lived several years
with the hermit, Didacus longed to walk still more closely in the foot
steps of the Redeemer and therefore went to the convent of the
Franciscans at Arrizafa. He asked for and received admission into
the Order of St. Francis among the lay brothers who attend to the
domestic work of the community of religious. After his solemn pro
fession, that is, after he had taken the usual vows of obedience,
poverty, and chastity, the saintly friar was selected to accompany a
Franciscan Father to the Canary Islands. In this new field of
activity, Didacus proved wonderfully apt in teaching the rudiments
of Christianity to the idolatrous natives and succeeded in converting
large numbers of them to the Faith of Christ. The result was that,
although a lay brother, he was appointed superior of the Franciscan
convent on one of the islands, called Fonteventura. How he longed
to shed his blood for Christ at the hands of the barbarians. But
this singular privilege was not to be his. Probably on the expiration
of his term of office, his superiors recalled him to Spain where he
lived in various convents of the Order, a shining example of "religious
fervor, childlike simplicity, profound recollection, and severe austerity.
"He seemed so much absorbed in God," says Albah Butler, "as
scarce to be able to speak but to Him or of Him; and the humility,
ardor, and lively sentiments with which he always discoursed of
heavenly things, discovered how much he was dead to himself, and
replenished with the divine Spirit."
In 1450, Didacus accompanied Fr. Alonso de Castro to Rome, to

Appendix 329
share in the great jubilee celebration proclaimed by Pope Nicholas V.
He stayed in the Eternal City thirteen weeks, during which time he
proved how ardently he loved God by his heroic works of charity.
Day and night he nursed the sick, and though a scarcity of food had
set in, those under his care never lacked proper and wholesome food.
Returning to Spain, the servant of God spent the next thirteen years
in the Franciscan houses of Seville and Castile. As time went on,
the sanctity of the lay brother became more apparent. By constant
self-denial he had gained full control over perverse nature. Like St.
Paul, he chastized his body and brought it into subjection. His
brethren never saw him troubled, never heard an impatient or unkind
word from him. Having no other will but that of his divine Master,
he accepted good and evil with equal cheerfulness as coming from
Him to whom he had consecrated himself. To penance and self-denial
he joined incessant prayer and spent long hours each day in con
templating the attributes and works of God. Frequently at such times
his body was seen raised from the ground.
In 1463, Didacus took sick. This happened at Alcala where he
ppent the last years of his life. He realized that he would soon
pass to a better life and with increased fervor began to prepare
himself for the final struggle. "When in his last agony, he asked
for a cord such as the friars wore, and placing it around his neck
and holding a crucifix in his hands, he turned to his brethren assembled
around his bed and begged their pardon for any scandal he might
have given them. All were deeply touched, while tears welled from
the eyes of the dying saint. Then fixing his eyes on the .crucifix, he
repeated with great tenderness the words of the hymn of the Cross,
Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, and quietly passed to his eternal reward.
It was November 12, 1463. King Philip II, of Spain, joined the
people in soliciting the canonization of the servant of God. Rome
heeded the petition and the usual rigid examination into the life of
the friar began. It was amply proved that the saintly lay brother
had practiced in an heroic degree the theological virtues of Faith,
Hope, and Charity, the moral virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude,
and Temperance, and the three religious vows of Obedience, Poverty,
r.nd Chastity, whereupon he was accorded the title of Venerable.
Finally, unmistakable proof having been presented that through the
intercession of Venerable Didacns at least two miracles, that is works
such as only God can effect, had been wrought, Pope Sixtus V, in
1588, placed his name in the catalogue of saints. Not till then was
it lawful to style him St. Didacus or San Diego. November 13 was
assigned as the day on which the Church at large was to celebrate
the feast of the newly canonized saint. By special privilege, however,
the Franciscan Order celebrated and still celebrates his feast on
November 12, the day on which he died. It was also on this day
that the harbor of San Diego was re-discovered and named.

fe *
03 C
i— x
0D

C

fe<1

cpa

Appendix 331
B
(To Page 18.)
Prof. J. M. Guinn, of Los Angeles, author of ponderous County
histories, in this connection made a, discovery for which he should
receive due credit. Referring to the scurvy on the ship, he says:
"Its appearance and ravages were largely due to the neglect of
sanitary precautions and to the utter indifference of those in authority
to provide for the comfort and health of the sailors. The intercession
of the saints, novenas, fasts, and penance were relied upon to protect
and save the vessel and her crew, while the simplest sanitary measures
were utterly disregarded. A blind, unreasoning faith that was always
seeking interposition from some power without to preserve and ignoring
the power within, was the bane and curse of that age of superstition. ' '*
When one reads with what solicitude Inspector-General Jose de
Galvez fitted out the ships for their voyage to California, one cannot
help being amazed at the audacity of this would-be historian. Gninn's
fling at the saints, etc., reveals monumental ignorance of the subject
he touches and an itchy disposition to ridicule and misrepresent the
Faith of the missionaries who had naught wherewith to have them
selves canonized in the Professor's Hist, and Biogr. Rec, at the rate
of twenty-five dollars per page.

C.
(To Pages 33 and 37.)
Notwithstanding that Fr. Junipero Serra 's words and actions as to
the abandonment of California determined upon by Gaspar de Portola
are exactly recorded by the best authority, Dr. Charles E. Chapman,
in The Founding of the Spanish California, p. 99, writes, "A story
has sprung up that Portola might (would) have abandoned Alta
California but for Father Serra."
So, it is only a story! Is that the way to state an undisputed
historical fact? Unpalatable though it may be, a fact of history
will not be twisted by a conscientious historian and palmed off as
something that has no other than legendary basis. Dr. Chapman
says: "The latter (Fr. Serra) is said C!!!) to have prevailed upon
the commander to delay his departure, with the result that the
San Antonio was sighted tho very day before Portola planned to
leave. If it is true, then Serra is to be credited with having saved
the Alta California establishments in their first hour of need." The
insertions and italics are ours. Notwithstanding this just conclusion,
Dr. Chapman immediately goes to work and over two pages tries
* Guinn, Historical and Biographical Record, p. 46. See Missions
and Missionaries of California, vol. iii, Appendix K, for another
remarkable charge of this would-be historian.

332 Missions and Missionaries of California
hard to make it appear that tho credit nevertheless belongs to
Portohi ! Portola deserves credit for bringing back to San Diego
every man of his unsuccessful expedition to the north. That was a
feat, indeed; but to vindicate to him the honor of having saved
California, an honor according to Dr. Chapman himself due to Fr.
Serra, after Portola had practically abandoned the territory, is a
kind of logic we can not comprehend. The reader is cordially invited
to study the facts as stated by us and by H. H. Bancroft himself.
Another author, Dr. H. G. Priestly in Jose de Galvez, p. 254,
endeavors to show that neither Fr. Serra nor Portola deserves the
honor, although he admits that Fr. Serra "saved the expedition at
San Diego when Portola, discouraged at the sickness and sorry plight
of the first expedition, was ready to attempt to save the party by
returning to the peninsula. ' ' Dr. Priestly holds that Don Jose de
Galvez should be credited with having first settled California, because
he conceived the plan. Yet, we ask, who directed Galvez to proceed
on that line? The Spanish Government, for which we refer the reader
to Missions and Missionaries of California, vol. ii, pp. 3-4. Galvez
planned the details of the expedition, it is true; but, just as his
plans and regulations for Lower California resulted in confusion aud
failure, as Fr. Palou points out (see vol. i, p. 367), so also the
expeditions which he despatched to Upper California ended in disaster
and failure. It was Fr. Junipero Serra who, to use a military term,
wrested victory from defeat. It was he who planted Religion and
civilization in California by founding "his missions and supported
these without a peso of government aid; who introduced and fostered
husbandry among the natives and made it possible among the settlers,
whose foundations without recompense for long periods supported
even the government troops with the common necessities of life, whose
Indian settlements, when stolen from their lawful owners, became the
nucleus of California's agricultural development. To whom is tho
honor due? Let California answer by hastening to set up a statue
of Junipero Serra in her empty niche in the Hall of Fame." America,
New York, January 13, 1917, pp. 332-333.

D.
(To Page 212.)
It may be news to Smythe and his kind that the Catholics in the
United States, in addition to paying taxes for the support of public
schools, are maintaining 5000 private or so-called parochial schools,
in which 1,750,000 children are being educated by about 42,000 teach
ers. This represents an extra annual outlay of $55,000,000. So much
for the sacrifices which Catholics of this country are making in behalf
of education.
Possibly, Smythe and his kind will shut their eyes to this huge
effort of their Catholic fellow citizens in the interest of education, and
claim that the schools under Catholic auspices are behind the times

Appendix 333
and sadly lacking in efficiency; but on this score they may possess
their souls in peace. The teachers in these schools, as a, rule, make
teaching their life work, their vocation, and not merely a stepping-
stone to something more profitable or agreeable. Hence they may be
regarded as experts in their line. Though reasonable, this statement
may not appear convincing, therefore we adduce proof. Wherever
and whenever the pupils of the Catholic schools are brought into com
petition with those of the public schools, the former not only hold
their own, but actually carry off far more than their proportion of
prizes. Without leaving the southern district of California, nay, with
out leaving San Diego County, we can point to conclusive evidence
that education at least equal to that provided in the public schools
is acquired in the Catholic schools. As a bit of contemporaneous his
tory, and as a proof of our claim, it will interest the student of his
tory and the friends of education to state just one instance. The
United States War Department early in 1920 announced a prize contest
for an essay of 400 words on the subject "The Benefits of Enlistment
in the United States. ' ' One should think that such a theme would be
foreign to a school conducted by Nuns. As the competition was open
to all elementary and high schools without discrimination, the pupils
of numerous Catholic schools entered the arena to contest for the
prize. Not as much noise was made over the result in this district as
would have been made if a public school had come out victorious. It
so happened, however, that an obscure educational institution in San
Diego County carried off the first prize offered to the Southern Mili
tary District which comprises New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern
California from Santa Barbara inclusive to San Diego inclusive.
The prize essay was furnished by a young miss of the high school
department of the school connected with the former Mission of San
Luis Rey and conducted by the Sisters of the Precious Blood.- Her
essay was selected as the best from 50,000 papers submitted by pupils
of the public and the parochial schools of the Military District. The
judges were Major General Kuhn, commander of the said Military
District, Colonel Allen Smith, and Captain Warren Carberry. The
presentation of the prize by Major Fay took place at San Luis Rey
on Sunday, April 11, 1920.
It might be asserted that this outcome was purely accidental; but
the enemies of the Catholic school system will have to forego even
this consolation. Letting alone the fact that Catholic pupils carried
off more than their proportion of prizes in the other forty-nine Mili
tary Districts, it is but fair to -state that the young prize winner of
San Luis Rev's little high school had two girl competitors in her class
whose essays were so nearly equal to her own prize essay that various
outside judges found it difficult to arrive at a decision.
Lastly, that it may not be said the pupils had secured their educa
tion at some other institution, be it known that the prize winner had

334 Missions and Missionaries of California
been an inmate of San Luis Rey's Academy for four years, and that
she has still one year to study before she graduates.
In this connection, and as a bit of contemporaneous history con
cerning Old Mission San Diego, the reader's attention is called to
another evidence that the Catholic Church favors and fosters education
among her children of every race in keeping with the times, coun
tries, and other circumstances. The late Rev. Antonio Ubach, for
more than forty years pastor of San Diego and surrounding district
including the Indians of the sierras, erected a large frame school
building on the northwest side or to the left of the old Mission church,
for Indian girls. On the southeast end of the runied Mission build
ings he erected another frame structure which was to be used as a
dormitory for Indian boys. For the first school year, 1887, the average
attendance of Indian children was fifty-four girls and boys, for whose
board, clothing, and primary education the United States Government
under contract contributed monthly $12.50 per capita. Of course, this
contribution could not cover the expense and Father Ubach had to
supply the deficiency. The institution was placed in charge of the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis, Missouri, who have a
convent and academy in San Diego. In honor of the zealous pastor,
this educational institution was named for his Patron Saint — St. An
thony's School. It continued for twenty years, sometimes having an
enrollment of nearly 100 Indian boys and girls, until the summer of
1907, in which year, on April 27, its founder's active life was crowned
by a pious death. Since then the buildings have been vacant, the
children attending either the Banning Boarding School or the day
schools that arose nearer their homes.

E.
(To Page 235.)
The following list is a, copy of the Mission Inventory of the year
1834. It was compiled by an apparently unlettered Californian, who
employed phonetic spelling to such an extent that the copy in parts
was rendered untranslatable and unintelligible. We endeavored to
rectify some of the more glaring errors.
It will be seen that church and vestry were well supplied. The
enumeration and valuation of the bells will especially interest some
readers; also the fact that an organ is mentioned at the foot of the
list. This may be the instrument Vancouver presented to Fr. Lasuen.
There is no reference anywhere else that the Mission possessed an
organ, or that this was anything but, a barrel organ.
The names at the end of the copy are not autographs. Rocha was
the commissioner of secularization, and Fr. Martin (not Martines)
was the missionary in charge, and both of course signed the original.
Fr. Oliva with his own hand dated and signed the document eight
years later, and added his rubrica. On the same occasion, J. A.
G6ngora, Justice of the Peace at San Diego, and Macario Rivera cer-

Appendix 335
tify that the Copy of the Inventory agrees faithfully with the orig
inal. They sign this statement each with his own hand.
In conclusion Father Oliva writes the Nota at the end, and com
plains that this Inventory lacks the entries for the field implements,
and that it nowhere states how many cattle, sheep, and horses the
Mission possessed in 1834. This note and signature is also in Fr.
Oliva 's own hand.
Inventario General de las Existencias de la Mision de San Diego
hecho el Dia 20 de Sept. de 1834.
EXISTENCIAS DE LA IGLESIA.
2 Casuyas raso bianco guarnecidas de bricho ordinario angosto
eon todo adorno, valuadas a 15 pesos  30
4 Dichas blancas con guarnicion con galon fmo, a 5  20
1 Dieho, medio uso, a 10  10
2 Casuyas nuevas de terciopelo negro guarnecidas de galon de
plata y oro fino, a 30  60
2 Idem de idem negras de Damasco viejo, a 5  10
2 Dealmaticas de tercippelo negro con sus bolas guarnicion de
galon fino, a 30  60
1 Casuya de terciopelo encarnado guarnicion de galon de plata,
a 30  30
1 Idem de lustercia misma guarnicion de medio uso, a 12.... 12
1 Casuya de Damasco galon ordinario medio uso, a 10  10
2 Idem Damasco guarnicion galon fino angosto y viejas, a 5 ... . 10
1 Casuya raso Morado bordado en hilo de oro y forada en tafe-
tan de medio uso, a 30  , 30
1 Idem de Damasco morado medio uso guarnicion galon de plata
fino, a 16  16
] Idem de idem medio uso galon angosto fino, a 12  12
2 Idem de idem Damasco verde guarnicion de oro fino medio uso,
a 15  30
1 Capa negra de terciopelo guarnocion de galon de plata, a 50. 50
1 Idem nueva raso negro guarnecida de liston de seda , a 20 ... . 20
1 Idem encarnada do Damasco guarnicion de galon de oro, a 40. 40
1 Idem de dos caras de Damasco verde y morada guarnicion de
galon oro fino medio uso, a 25  25
1 Idem de Damasco encarnado vieja guarnicion de galon de oro
fino, a 8  8
1 Idem de raso bianco labrado guarnicion de galon de plata, a 8 8
1 Frontal de terciopelo labrado negro galon de plata fino nuevo,
a 35  35
2 Idem de Damasco viejos de galon de plata, a 10  20
1 Idem de dos Caras Damasco guarnicion de galon fino, a 20. .. 20
1 Idem de terciopelo guarnicion de oro fino muy viejo, a 8  8
1 Idem de tisu de plata color encarnado eon fleco de plata, a 60 60

336 Missions and Missionaries of California
1 Idem color de rosa guarnicion de plata viejo, a 5  5
1 Idem de raso bianco labrado nuevo guarnicion de galon de oro
f also, a 12  12
1 Idem de dos caras de medio uso guarnicion de galon fino, a 15 15
1 Palio de Damasco bianco con guarnicion de galon angosto fino
medio uso, a 25  25
1 Muceta de Damasco bianco y guarnecido de galon de plata
angosto, a 4  4
1 Amasal de Damasco bianco guarnicion de galon angosto fino,
a 4  4
1 Idem de pana negra guarnicion de galon de plata, a 10  10
0 Naguillas de la Cruz, a 3  18
1 Casuya de Damasco bianco labrado guarnicion de galon de oro
fino todo nuevo con lo necesario, a 50  50
2 Dealmaticas de idem de idem, a 50  100
1 Frontal de idem de idem, a 40  40
1 Aruasal de idem de idem, a 16  16
1 Idem raso bianco, bordado de a 16  16
1 Frontal pequeno de tisu labrado guarnicion de oro fino, a 12. . 12
I. Idem raso rosa medio uso, a 6  6
18 Albas de Islanda con sus encajes, a 6  108
3 Albas de musolinas labradas con sus encajes y clasicos, a 8. . 24
1 Idem de idem de encaje, a 40  40
4 Idem de idem de musolina, a 10  40
1 Idem de idem de encaje, a 30  30
1 7 Manteles Islanda corriente, a 3  51
2 Idem de idem clasicos, a 15  30
21 Amitos- ordinarios de Islanda nuevos, a 1:4  31:4
2 Amitos de puntos, a 3  6
2 Idem de musolino, a 2  4
35 Corporales de eambray, a 2  70
72 Purificadores finos, a 4 rs  36
26 Manutegos, a 4 rs  13
2 Cingulos clasicos, a 10 ps  20
1 Idem de idem, a 24 ps  24
1 Cortina de tabernaculo, a 2 ps  2
7 Sobre pellis (Sobrepelliz), a 3 ps  21
15 Cubre altares, a 2 ps  30
1 Mantel manta blanca, a 4 ps  4
1 2 Tuayas, a 1 ps 4 rs  18
17 Roquetes nuevos, a 3 ps  51
7 Roquetes viejos, a 4 rs  3:4
2 Cortinas Baiondales, a 7 ps  14
1 Idem idem de idem, a 10 ps  10
i Cortinas Indiana fina grandes y nuevas, a 15 ps  60
1 Idem chica de mascados, a 3 ps 4 rs  3 :4

Appendix 337
2 Cortinas de Damasco para el dosel, a 5 ps  10
3 Panos de madras, a 2 ps 4 rs  7:4
2 Frontales de Indiana con encaje, a 3 ps 4 rs  7
7 varas Damasco nuevo encarnado, a 3 ps  21
4i/£ vara galon fino ancho de oro, a 7 ps  31 :4
12i/£ varas espigueta de plata fina, a 1 ps  12 : 4
7 Mascados de seda y 1 tapalo, a 1 ps  7
1 Tapalo, a 1 ps  1
4 varas Damasco nuevo encarnado, a 3 ps  12
1 vara galon con espigueta, a 8 ps  8
1 Misal aforado en terciopelo Colorado carmesi guarnicion de
plata, a 100 ps  100
1 Idem medio uso sin guarnicion, a 12 ps  12
3 Misales viejos, a 4 ps  12
1 Caliz de plata dorado con su patena y cucharita con peso de.
4 Marcos 5 onsas, a 8 ps marco  37
1 Idem idem idem, 3 idem, 1 idem, a 8  25
1 Idem idem idem, 2 idem, 4i^ idem, a 8  20:4
1 Idem idem idem, 3 idem, 2 idem, a 8  26
4 Espejos grandes; y 1 idem, a 300 ps  300
1 Copon de plata con 2 marcos 4 onsas, a 8  20
1 Relicario de idem idem idem, 3 idem, a 8  3
1 Idem de oro con idem, lT/%, a 16  30
1 Santa Cruz de plata con 5 marcos, a 8  40
2 Candeleros idem con 12 idem, 4 idem, a 8  100
1 Nabeta eon su cuehara con 3 idem, 1 idem, a 8  25
1 Insensario idem con 5 idem, 4 idem, a 8  44
1 Cruz alta idem con 24 idem, 3 idem, a 8  195
2 Siriales idem con 28 idem, 4 idem, a 8  228
3 Crismeros idem con 1 idem, 3 idem, a 8  11
1 Salero y su Cristo, 2 idem, idem, a 8 . . _.  16
1 Co ja y platos idem, 6 idem, a 8  14
1 Candelerito de idem, 1 idem, 7 idem, a 8  15
6 Candeleros de bronze grande, a 3 ps  18
6 Idem medianos, a 1 ps 4 rs  9
5 Idem pequenos, a 1 ps  5
1 Insensario con su nabeta, a 6 ps  6
1 Asetro de bronze, a 2 ps 4 rs  2:4
1 Idem de cobre, a 2 ps 4 rs  2:4
2 Lamparas de bronze  : 
3 Campanulas, a 1 ps  3
1 Ostiario de bronze, a 1 ps  1
1 Rueda con 11 campanitas, a 10 ps  10
1 Bande ja de laton, a 3 ps  3
1 Cruz grande de laton, a 3 ps  3
1 Idem idem de idem, a 3 ps  3

338 Missions and Missionaries of California
4 Candeleros de cristal fino con sus toubas a 100  100
2 Candeleros eon bonbas de cristal, a 28  28
20 Lamparas de cristal, a 1 ps 4 rs  30
2 Idem de cristal cuajado, a 5 ps  10
3 Vasos para lamparas, a 2 rs  '.  : 6
2 Conbas de cristal, a 5 ps  10
4 Pares Binegeras con sus platos, a 3 ps  12
4 Pincheles de cristal, a 1 ps 4 rs  6
6 Frascos de cristal, a 1 ps  6
6 Faroles de talco, a 1 ps 4 rs  9
4 Reberberos, a 2 ps  8
8 Opas de Satanilla encarnado, a 1 ps 4 rs  12
1 Alfonbra grande medio uso, a 30 ps  30
2 Idem medianas de idem, a 10 ps  20
2 Cortinos azules de cafiamo, a 5 ps  10
1 Tabernaculo madero ordinario, a 6 ps  6
1 Cajon de sacristia, 2}/2 v. largo, 1 de ancho, a 20 ps  20
3 Baules de china, a 10 ps  30
2 Comodas medera fina, a 20 ps  40
1 Baul grande biejo, a 4 ps  4
1 Senor San Diego de bulto, a 50 ps  50
1 Senor San Francisco de idem, a 50 ps  50
1 San Antonio de idem, a 50 ps  50
1 Birgen de Pilar, idem chica, a 20 ps  20
1 Santo Cristo pequeno de madero, a 8 ps  8
1 Idem idem grande, a 80 ps  80
1 Cuadro 3 varas de alto del Iuicio, a 3D ps  30
1 Birgen de Dolores de bulto, a 80 ps  80
1 San Jose de idem, a 80 ps  80
1 Purisima y 1 San Jose, a 12 ps  24
2 Cuadros de la pasion, a 25 ps  50
1 San Diego, a 25 ps  25
14 Laminas de la pasion, a 2 ps 
3 Conf esionarios madera ordinaria, a 8 ps  24
1 Birgen de nuestra Senora de la Luz, a 5 ps  5
1 San Francisco y San Antonio, a 25 ps  50
1 Cuadro del Bautismo, a 5 ps  5
1 Bautisterio de cobre, a 20 ps  20
1 Bandeja de idem, a 3 ps  3
1 Mesita, a 1 ps  1
4 Aranas de madero dorado, a 50 ps  50
2 Bonbas de cristal, a 4 ps  8
2 Espejos, a 5 ps  10
4 Atriles de madero fino, a 3 ps  12
5 Paulayos de ojo de lata, a 5 rs  3:1
1 Monumento viejo, a 30 ps  30

Appendix 339
2 Campanas de bara a bronze, a 100 ps  200
2 Esquilas de idem, a 25 ps  50
1 Campana de idem, a 50 ps  50
1 Campanita, a 15 ps  15
1 Organo, a 70 ps  70
Juan Jose Rocha Fr. Fernando Martines
Existencias que risibio el Senor Comisionado Don Juan Jose
Rocha el 25 de Septembre de 1834: Del R. P. Fray
Fernando Martin:
ALMACEN
18 varas .% indiana de flores grandes
29 v. sangaleta
2 piezas manta azul
2 idem islanda
1 pieza sangaleta
3 idem manta blanca eruda
IS varas idem cle idem
21 ]/2 vs idem de idem
14 vs indiana fina
13 vs manta azul
22 vs indiana en retasos
1 vs pano azul picado
4 pares medios de algodon
1 pieza pano estrella
5 vs idem de idem
3 y^ vs cotonia listada
15 Yi vs alemanisco
3 lbs 11 onzas hilo de bolitas
17 panitos de polbos
15 vs brin
4 onzas hilo de bolitas
4 docenas botones grandes
5 i/£ idem ehicos
23 dedales de cobre
2 Uabes de barriles
19 lbs pita floja
1 i^ arrobas tabaco en oja
18 manos papel
7 cuchillos para matansa
25 baquetas
10 pipas basias
2 idem Uenas de bino
1 idem llena a medias
5 carcos de barriles
1 cuarterola binagre
1 pipa con aceitunas

340 Missions and Missionaries of California

1 cuarterola a medias
] terserola llena
30 pesos jabon
173 fresadas
3 piezas beyeta
1 pieza jerga
47 cotones
4 cajones de cardas
1 idem empesado
10 gamusas de benado
3 cueros de idem
16 baquetillos
7 pares sapatos
1 % arrobas tabaco en oja
165 cueros de res
FRAGUA
1 Yungue
2 machos
2 martillos
2 pares tenasas
1 clabera
1 punzon cuadrado grande
1 tapadera
2 romperleras
1 clabera chiea
BANCO
2 tornillos
2 taladros
4 limas
3 limatones
2 buriles
1 eincel
2 punzones redondos
1 media cana de grabar
2 brocasescaradar CARPTNTERIA
2 serruchos
2 asuelas
4 escoplos
1 formon
5 barrenas de todos tamanos
1 martillo
1 felderete
1 garlopa
1 gramil

Appendix 341

1 desarmador
1 oja de pepillo
1 eoncel ZAPATERIA
1 horma nueba
3 idem biejas
SILLERIA
1 compas
7 flerras de pi car
1 cuchillo OBRAGE
4 telares
2 inutiles
2 torn os
2 14 rastrillos
1 debanador
12 pares cardas
1 peine para manta
1 lisero
1 balanza
1 romana
14 tornos de las muehachas
6 yz arrobas de zucar
80 arrobas fierro
4 dosenas fresedas
1 0 baquetillas
7 arrobas 22 lbs fierro
3 arrobas 21 lbs acero
1 balanza grande
25 arrobas algodon
1 alambique viejo
1 prenza de aceite
2 pipas para echar aceite
? metates para moler chocolate
4 idem para trigo
1 idem de cosina
2 alambiques buenos
2 idem inutiles
USTENCILES DE CASA Y MUEBLES DE IDEM
11 platos de mesa
8 platomitos chicos
1 idem mediano
2 platones grandes
12 platillos con tasas de cha
S saleros
5 tasas y 7 platillos

342 Missions and Missionaries of California
1 salsera
1 tapa suelta de cristal
1 cunete destapado
2 mesas de pino 2 varas % de largo
3 mesitas de iy2 y 2 varas
2 bancas de pino biejas
1 idem de cedro con cojin
7 sillas medero de pino
2 butaguez biejos
1 rinconera con una alisena
1 frasquera bieja sin frascos
2 caja,s de pino biejas
1 cajita con papeles
3 damas juanas
1 lb pabilo
1 cajon botequin mediano
1 idem mayor
1 cajon con barias medicinas
3 botellas aceite rosado
1 idem estraeto satureno
1 idem elixir paragoric
1 idem catolico
y2 botellon sal de ligera
3 cajas biejas
5 colchones
4 almuadas
2 pares de sabanas
4 camas
2 tibores chicos y grandes
1 tibor o botija que tiene salazar
2 dosenas azadones
Haber Sastifecho a Don Tomas 121 cuero. Idem a Don
Antonio Menendes 203. Idem a Don G. A. Gali 32.
Una carta a donde consta que el Senor Don Antonio Car
rillo debe  250 :00
Don Joaquin Ortega  150 : 00
Don Domingo Carrillo  41 :00
Genaro Peralta  25 reses
Julio Osuna  37 idem
Idem idem en plata  211 : 00
Juan Josc5 Rocha Eray Fernando Martines
Mision de San Diego Oetubre 19 de 1842
Fr. Vicente Pasqual Oliva (rubric)
Certificamos los abajo firmados que esta Copia del inventario

Appendix

343

esta fielmente trasladada de su original y para que conste donde
conbenga. Damos la presente certificacion en la Mision de San
Diego a 19 de Octubre de 1842
Jose Antonio Gongora (rubric)
Maeario Rivera (rubric)
Nota
En este Inventario falta la entrega de bienes de campo, y no
consta de ninguna parte que ganado mayor y menor y caballada
habia en el ano, que se entrego la Mision ( Oliva 's rubric)

(
sere

To
:S

F.
Page 262.)

Inventario de los En

pertenecientes a la Mision de San

Diego, recibidos de E.

L.

Brown por Felipe Crossthwaite,

San

Diego,

Agosto 6 de 1848

2 Tazas de Cristal

2 Vasos grandes

3 Vasos id.

1 Vaso chico
1 Azucarera id.
1 Baul guarnecido de fierro con
6 Jarros id.
47 Platos chicos
2 Bancas de pino
16 Platos de mesa
4 Sillas id.
5 Platos soperos
1 Silla Inglesa
2 Platos medianos
4 Vasos
2 Tazas de crista]
2 Soperas imperfectas
1 Lechera
2 Platones azules
1 Salera
2 Mesas de cocina de pino
1 Botella chiea
1 Molinito de mano
1 Cajoncito de hoja de lata
1 Desgranador de maiz
1 Baul de euero cuyo contenido
1 Balanza de covre con
sus
pesos se ignora
1 Catre
1 Mesa de pino
3 Eseoplos
1 Espejo
3 Barrenas
3 Candeleros de reeamara
3 Barrenas de barril
6 Platos medianos
3 Gurbias
1 Plato imperfecto
2 Garlopas
2 Marrtillitos
4 Platos chicos
2 Ollas grandes de fierro
1 Escuadra de fierro
3 Platos chicos
2 Reloges imperfectos
1 Cazo de cobre
1 Cafetera
ANIMALES
2 Cajas de medieina
23 Yeguas
2 Chapas de puerta
6 Caballos
50 Pares Cardas
13 Potros
344 Missions and Missionaries of California

2 Pasadores
4 Serruchos
2 Barras
2 Aeeyteras imperfectos
12 Tenedores
1 Botella de cristal
1 Azucarera
2 Platitos
1 Leehera
6 Tazas con sus piatitos
1 Tetera
1 Azucarera
3 Ca jones vacios
5 Barriles vacios
1 Baul de pelo con
8 Platones
1 Azucarera
1 Tetera
3 Lecheras
2 Botellas para miel
2 Botellas de cristal

1 Muleto
38 Cabras
6 Cabritos
28 Borregas
5 Corderos
34 Vacas
17 Becerros
2 Bueyes
7 Burras
1 Burro
5 Burritos y Burritas
Recibi del Senor E. L. Brown los
antemencionados Enseres de la
Mision. San Diego, Agosto 6 de 1848.
(Firmado) Felipe Crossthwaite.1
i Sta. Barb. Arch., 1102; see also
Cai Arch. Unbound Documents, p.
173, Bancroft Collection.

G.
(To Page 265.)
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come. Greeting:
Whereas it appears from a duly authenticated transcript filed in
the General Land Office of the United States that pursuant to the
provisions of the Act of Congress approved the third day of March,
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one entitled ' ' An Act to ascer
tain and settle the Private Land Claims in the State of California, ' '
Joseph Sadoc Alemany, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of
Monterey, in the State of California, as claimant, filed his petition
on the 19th day of February 1853, with the Commissioners to ascertain
and settle the Private Land Claims in the State of California sitting
as a Board in the City of San Francisco, in which petition he claimed
the confirmation to him and his successors of the title to certain
church property in California, "to be held by him and them in trust
for the religious purposes and uses to which the same have been
'respectively appropriated," said property consisting of "church
edifices, houses, for the use of the clergy and those employed in the
service of the church, church yards, burial grounds, gardens, orchards
and vineyards with the necessary buildings thereon and appurtenances,"
the same having been recognized as the property of said Church by

Appendix 345
the laws of Mexico in force at the time of the cession of California
to the United States, and whereas the Board of Land Commissioners
aforesaid on the 18th day of December, 1855, rendered a decree of
confirmation in favor of the petitioner for certain lands described
therein to be held "in the capacity and for the uses set forth in his
-petition" the lands at the Mission of San Diego being described in
said decree as follows: "The Church and the buildings adjoining •0*'
thereto, erected on three sides of a quadrangle and constituting the
Church and Mission buildings of the ancient Mission of San Diego
in San Diego County, together with the land on which the same are
erected and the curtilage and appurtenances thereto belonging and the
cemetery adjoining the same, and also the garden situated South of
the buildings above mentioned and a short distance therefrom enclosed
with an adobe wall, and known as the garden of said Mission, the -'*-
said premises being the same designated as 'Church Buildings' and
' Garden ' in the delineation thereof on Map numbered I in the Atlas
marked 'Exhibit No. I A. F. ' and annexed to the deposition of
James Alexander Forbes, filed in this ease November 29th, 1854,
reference to be made thereto for further description " ; and whereas
it further appears from a certified transcript filed in the General
Land Office, that an appeal from said decree or decision of the
Commissioners having been taken on behalf of the United States to
the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of
California, and it being shown to the Court that it was not the
intention of the United States to prosecute further said appeal, the
said District Court on the 15th March, 1858, at the regular term
"ordered that said appeal be dismissed and said appellee have leave
to proceed under the decree of the said Land Commissioners in his
favor as a final decree. ' ' And whereas, under the 13th Section of
the said Act of 3d March, 1851, there have been presented to the
Commissioner of the General Land Office a plat and certificate of the
survey of the tract of land confirmed as aforesaid, authenticated on
the 12th day of August, 1861, by the signature of the Surveyor
General of the Public. Lands in California, which plat and certificate
are in the words and figures following, to wit:
(Here follows the minute description of the tracts surveyed, which
it is not necessary to reproduce, because the subjoined plat explains
itself sufficiently.) "United States Surveyor General's Office,
San Francisco, California.

Appendix 347
"Under and by virtue of the provisions of the 13th section of the
Act of Congress of the 3rd of March, 1851, entitled, An Act to
ascertain and settle Private Land Claims in the State of California,
and of the 12th section of the Act of Congress approved on the 31st
of August, 1852, entitled An Act making appropriations for the
Civil and Diplomatic expenses of the Government for the year ending
the thirtieth of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-three and for other
purposes, and in consequence of a certificate of the United States
District Court for the Southern District of California, of which a
copy is annexed having been filed in this office, whereby it appears
that the Attorney General of the United States having given notice
that it was not the intention of the United States to prosecute the
appeal from the decision of the said District Court, said decision
having confirmed the title and claim of Joseph S. Alemany, Bishop, etc.,
to the tract of land designated as the Church and Mission buildings of
the Ancient Mission of San Diego, the said appeal has been vacated
and thereby the said decision in favor of the said Joseph S. Alemany,
Bishop, etc., has become final. The said tract has been surveyed in
conformity with the grant thereof and the said decision, and do
hereby certify the annexed map to be a true and accurate plat of
the said tract of land as appears by the field notes of the survey
thereof made by Henry Hancock, Deputy Surveyor, in the month of
February, eighteen hundred and sixty, under the directions of this
office, which having been examined and approved, are now on file
therein. And I do further certify that in accordance with the pro
visions of the Act of Congress approved on the 14th of June, 1860,
entitled 'An Act to amend an Act entitled An Act to define and
regulate the jurisdiction of the District Courts of the United States
in California in regard to the survey and location of confirmed private
land claims,' I have caused to be published once a week for four
weeks successively in two newspapers, to wit: the San Bernardino
Herald, published in the County of San Bernardino, being the news
paper published nearest to where the said claim is located, the first
publication being on the 1st day of November 1860, and the last on
the 9th day of February, 1861, also in the Los Angeles Star, a news
paper published in the City and County of Los Angeles, the first
publication being on the 20th day of October 1860, and the last on
the 10th day of November 1860, a notice that the said claim had
been surveyed and a plat made thereof and approved by me. And
I do further certify that the said approved plat of survey was
retained in this office during all said four weeks and until the
expiration thereof subject to inspection. And I do further certify
that no order for the return thereof to the United States District
Court has been served upon me. And I do further certify that under

348 Missions and Missionaries of California
and by virtue of the said confirmation, survey, decree and publications,
the said Joseph S. Alemany is entitled to a patent from the United
States upon the presentation hereof to the General Land Office for
the said tract of land, the same being bounded and described as
follows, to wit: — See Engraving of Missions and Lands confirmed to
the Church.
NOW KNOW YE, That the United States of America, in con
sideration of the premises and pursuant to the provisions of the Act
of Congress aforesaid of 3d March 1851, HAVE GIVEN AND
GRANTED, and by these presents DO GIVE and GRANT, unto the
said Joseph S. Alemany, Bishop of Monterey and to his successors,
' ' in trust for the religious purposes and uses to which the same
have been respectively appropriated, ' ' the tracts of land embraced and
described in the foregoing survey, but with the stipulation that in
virtue of the 15th section of the said Act, the confirmation of this
said claim and this patent "shall not affect the interests of third
persons. ' '
To Have and To Hold the said tracts of land with the appurte
nances, and with the stipulation aforesaid, unto the said Joseph S.
Alemany, Bishop of Monterey, and to his successors, in trust for the
uses and purposes as aforesaid.
In testimony whereof I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, have caused these letters to be made patent,
and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand at the City of Washington,
this twenty-third day of May, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty two,
seal. and of the Independence of the United States
the eighty sixth.
By the President,

By W. 0. Stoddard, Secretary
I. N. Granger, Recorder of the General Land Office.
Recorded Vol. 4, pages 94 to 101 inclusive. Ed. Iho.

Appendix 349
ti.
Rancherias and Stations which were attended from San Diego
or from which converts applied to be admitted to Mission
San Diego. After 1798, some of these came under
the jurisdiction of Mission San Luis Rey.
Ajagues, rancheria of Colorado Indians
Apanall
Apusquela (Apuoquele) or La Purisima Concepcion
Batequitos or San Alejo
Carnijar, belonging to Santa Isabel
Chiayp, Santo Domingo, or La Punta
Las Choyas or San Antonio
Choyai or San Luis Rey
Coapan or Santa Cruz in San Luis Rey Valley
Cojuat
Copehor cerea de las Batequitos
Cosoy or San Diego, first site of Mission San Diego
Cusmich
Cuyamaca, Cuyamai, Cuyamac, Guiamac
Elcuanan or Santa Isabel
Elpuhdc Ensenada
Guechi or San Juan Capistrano
GuisperHochapo or Santa Margarita de Cortona
HuatoHuagil or San Luis Obispo
Istagua or Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, ten miles west from Old
Town, four or five miles from the Mission of San Diego
Iguai en la sierra de Cayamac
IguapalpJalcomai, Jaleuamai
Jamul Jacopin (Aguas Calientes) belonging to Santa Tsabel
Jamocha or San Jacome de la Marca
Janat or San Miguel
Jagui belonging to Santa Isabel
JanisolJasamalgJatapac, rumbo de Pagua
Jelleuichapachs, rumbo de Pamo
Jemecha belonging to Santa Isabel

350 Missions and Missionaries of California
Jepue, rumbo do San Miguel
JoljolJuguil belonging to Santa Margarita de CortoDa
Juscol or San Miguel
Majattot Matam6 or San Juan Capistrano el Viejo (San Luis Rey)
MelijoMel-lajo cerca de la Santo Domingo
Neti (Meti?) or San Jorje
NuemoaOtay, Otahay
La Punta
Paguai Pamo or Asumpcion
Pelcha or Santa Monica
Quanayuel cerca del Bescanso
Rincon or San Francisco
Saco j a
Sallagua or San Dieguito, later San Benito Palermo, twenty miles
from Old Town
SemojoSetjun belonging to Santa Monica
Taxin y Jallapo (La Corral) or San Rafael
TeeateTeguila or San Felipe
Tia Juana belonging to La Punta
Rosario San Buenaventura
San Bernardo
San Sebastian de los Yumas
San Isidro
San Pasqual

I.
Those who have read Appendix H on Mission Tales in Word and
Picture, in Volume IV of The Missions and Missionaries of California,
will not be surprised to learn that various stories have circulated about
the old Indian Missions. Of these stories some are quite silly, others
are vicious and made-to-order, while others, well-meant, indeed, evolved
from promiscuous reading of fiction. One of these latter stories shall
be reproduced here, since the writer has been repeatedly questioned
on it and has heard similar ones told of at least one of the Missions
much farther north.
The courteous and able author of Mission Architecture, Prent Duel,
A.M., writes on page 45: "As a closing word it may be well to men-

Appendix 3^1
tion the underground passages. Most missions of early date possessed
secret passages as a means of escape in case they were besieged. It
is difficult to locate any of them now, as they are well concealed or
fallen in. San Diego Mission has an underground passage of very
ingenious arrangement, leading, perhaps, from some room in the mis
sion to the well at the foot of the hill. Its entrance has never been
sought for and it has for the most part fallen in, as can be found
by exploring from the well. The passage led underground from the
well, opening into the sides several yards below the level of the grade.
The padres could then go and fetch water without being seen by a
hostile band of Indians. Across the well, the passage continued some
distance further and made an exit in the group of palm trees, planted
by the Fathers. Hence, in the time of great danger, the padres
could enter the passage, leap across the well and escape by the exit
at a considerable distance from the mission. The mission at an early
date was destroyed and several of the Fathers escaped by this means."
Such is the story of the San Diego Tunnel. Notwithstanding the
minute description and explanation, it is all pure fiction. Not the
slightest historical evidence can be adduced that such a tunnel ever
existed at Mission San Diego or at any other of the old California
Missions. In fact, there was no need for any such underground pas
sage. In the whole mas3 of available documents no mention whatever
is made that a tunnel was built, nor is there the faintest allusion
that anything of the kind was ever contemplated. During their more
than twelve years sojourn at Mission San Diego, the United States
soldiers would surely have made excavations and discovered the tunnel,
if there had been any in connection with the buildings. Furthermore,
in 1775,- when the Mission was destroyed, two Fathers were living
there. One was killed by the Indians, while the other escaped, but
not through any tunnel, as the reader of this work will be able to
explain to any one who wishes to know the facts.
The well or cistern at the foot of the Mission ruins, which arouses
the curiosity of visitors (not to be confounded with the double well
farther to the left), probably dates back no farther than the period
of 1847-1858, when U. S. troops were quartered in the buildings.
There is a similar well or cistern at some distance from the front
wing of Mission San Luis Rey. The soldiers came from the Eastern
States where in those days cisterns for collecting fresh water were
a. common institution, so to speak, and where waterworks were rather
uncommon facilities. It would seem that the soldiers in this way
provided themselves with a supply of fresh water for domestic pur
poses from the river before it ran dry. Inasmuch as only the two
Missions of San Diego and San Luis Rey harbored United States
troops for any length of time, it is quite probable that the two wells
or cisterns originated with them.

INDEX

Aachil, Indian chief, 96
Aeevedo, Vicente, 184
Afanador, Rev. Jose M., 275
Affection for the Fathers, 188
Agriculture, 120, 238, 240, 296
Agua Caliente, 200, 201, 279
Ahumada, Fr. T., O. P., 161, 162
Aim of Fathers, 303
Alabado, 48, 49, 113, 131, 133
Alarcon, Franc, 3; Gaspar, 6
Alcaldes, Indian, 149
Alemany, Rt. Rev. J. S., 265
Alert, The, 242
Allowance to the Friars, 112
Alvarado, F. M., 243, 266; Juan,
233, 239; Joaquin, 137, 140
Alvarez, F., 11; Juan, 62
Amador, Rosalio, 237
Amurrio, Fr. Gregorio, 46, 68, 73,
77, 79, 81, 128
Andres, Fr. Guardian, 26
Annual Reports, 90-96, 106-113
Anza, Juan B., 69, 72
Aj)olinario, Fr. M., O. P., 153
Aqueduct, 109, 157-159, 165
Arenal, or Isla de Arena, 6
Arguello, Luis, 194, 205, 251;
Santiago, 215, 229, 230, 234,
242, 249, 254, 257, 258, 272
Armenta, Joaquin, 62
Arrillaga, Jose Joaquin, 146, 154,
155, 160, 164
Arroyo, Jose Manuel, 85
Ascension, Fr. Ant. de la, 6-8
Asylum, Church, 72-75
Atole, 53, 127 B
Ballast Poiut, 9, 176
Bancroft, H. H., 13, 39, 52, 53, 96,
117, 157, 172, 177, 185, 215,
254, 290, 301
Bandini, Juan, 230, 233, 242, 253,
288
Banning Boarding School, 334
Banns, Marriage, 140, 142
Baptism, Administration of, 127-
128; first entry, 126; frus
trated, 30-31; last, 255; of
whites, 137 ; banner year, 148
Baptismal Register, 83, 84, 274,
278-279
Barona, Fr. Jose, 149, 153, 155,
156, 159, 160, 274, 275, 287
Bartlett, J. B., 264, 268, 303, 305
Bates, F. H., 305

Bells, Mission, 307, 334
Bishop, First, of California, 242,
244, 285; his retinue, 242-243
Bishop of Sonora, 178, 179, 197,
225
Blake, H. A., 305
Bolton, H. E., 5, 17, 25, 56
Borica, Diego, 148, 149, 150, 174.
278
Boseana, Fr. Geronimo, 160-163
Boston, Mass., 281, 283, 284
Botello, Narciso, 251
Brayton, Colonel, 307
Briones, Marcos, 198
Brown, E. L., 262
Bucareli, Viceroy, 45, 80, 81
Buelna, Ramon, 142
Building Activities, 147, 151, 159
Bula Cruzada, 177
Burton, H. S., 305

Caballero, Fr. F., O. P., 279
Cabrillo, Juan Rodriguez, 3-5
Cahuenga, 230
Cambon, Fr. Pedro, 40, 42, 43
Canby, A. R. S., 263
Calvo, Rev. Jose Joaquin, 179
Camino Real, 272
Cape San Lucas, 14
Carmel, Our Lady of Mt., 25, 71
Carranza, Fr. Domingo, 274
Carrillo, Carlos A., 248 ; Domingo,
163, 164, 284, 287 ; Jose A., 230,
274; Raymundo, 177, 387
Carriso Creek, 270
Carvajal, Gonzales, 178
Castile, Rose of, 21
Castro, Jose, 233; J. M., 137; M.
F., 140
Catalonian Volunteers, 21, 31-32,
165, 174, 175, 176
Catechetical Instruction, 130-133
Cattle Brand, 223
Cavalier, Fr. Jose, 40
Cemetery, 146-147, 288
Cervantes, Andres, 230
Chapman, C. E., 331, 332
Chico, Mariano, 248
Cholos, 248
Choquet, Diego, 77, 78, 81
Church Asylum, 72-75
Church Goods, 107, 167
Church, New, 106-107, 160
Clement XIII, Pope, 38
Climate, 54-55
Cobblestone Point, 176

Index

353

College, San Fernando, 13, 44, 49,
69, 86, 99, 101, 144, 309
Colonists, 69
Colorado River, 60, 199, 244, 289
Columbus, Christopher, 3
Conause, Fr. Jose, 0. P., 153
Concepcion. The, 151, 176
Confirmation, First, 45, 118
Convert, First, 126
Converts, Indian, 49, 51, 197, 280;
white, 281, 283
Corrion, Juan, 126
Cosoy, 89
Costans6. Miguel, 10, 12, 13, 16,
32, 138
Council of the Fathers, 44
Couts, W. B., 161
Crespi, Fr. Juan, 13-19, 23, 26,
33, 34, 37, 38, 43, 44, 86, 87,
115, 309
Croix, Viceroy de, 24, 40, 41
Crossthwaite,' Philip, 262
Cruzado, Fr. Ant., 16, 17, 40
C.i/ane, The, 256 D
Dam, Mission, 157, 298, 302
Dana, W. G., 283
Davidson, G., 5
Davis, D. C, 257, 258
Death Register, 87, 288-289
Demands of Governors, 194, 195
Destruction of Mission, 59-70
Detachment of friars, 124-125 ;
difficulties of, 127
Dinner of Frenchman, 218
Discovery. The, 171, 185
Distress at Mission, 42-43, 101
Ditch. Water, 109
Doctrina Christiana, 131-133
Doctrinas, 106
Dominguez, Manuel, 281
Dominican Fathers, 87, 151
Donativo, War Tax, 115
Don Quirote. The, 248
Drafts, Worthless, 213
Dreary life at presidio, 175
Dressmaking, 47
Duell, Prent, 350, 351
Duhaut-Cillv, A., 215
Dumetz, Fr. Francisco, 40-43, 86,
89, 115. 137
Dupont, F., 256
Duran, Fr. Narciso, 232, 234,
248, 2S1 E
Earthquake at Mission, 151

Echeandia, Jose M., 196, 205-207,
209, 213, 314, 220, 224-231, 288
Educational, 209-212, 332-334
Elcuanan, Santa Isabel, 169, 170,
199, 200
El Cajon, Santa Monica, 198, 250
Elections, 106, 149
El Paso, Texas, 268
Emancipation, Indian, 207, 234
Estorace, Jorge, 10, 11
Estudillo, Jose A., 243, 257, 261;
Jose M., 165, 190, 215, 255, 281
Excommunication Incurred, 74-76
Expeditions, 3, 6, 9, 13, 17, 23, 39
F
Fages, Pedro, 10-12, 16, 32, 38,
40-42, 43-46, 52, 53, 80, 116,
117, 120-123
False Bay, 272
Fanega, Spanish bushel, 51
Faura, Fr. Jose, 153
Fernandez, Jose, 225 ; Rev. Agus
tin, 202, 205
Fernando VII, King, 192
Ferrelo, Bartolome, 4
Figuer, Fr. Juan, 55, 81, 96, 101,
106, 107, 115, 118, 120, 128,
134, 135, 142, 143-144, 156, 315-
318
Figueroa, Jose, 231, 233, 235.
Fitch, Henry D., 283
Fons, Joseph, 165
Font, Fr. Pedro, 69-72, 176-177
Forbes, Alexander. 188
Ford, H. C, 301, 305
Foolish Plan, 104
Fortuni, Fr. Buenaventura, 237
Fort Yuma, 270
Foundlings arrive, 177
Flogging, Regulations, 165
Flora, The, 275
Franciscans arrive. 39-40
Fremont, J. C, 256
Fuster, Fr. Vicente. 46, 59-68, 66,
73-77, 81, 83-85, 89-92, 128, 130,
136-140, 286 G
Galvez, Jose de, 9. 11. 15, 19, 23,
36, 38, 44, 51. 313. 331
Ganganelli, Cardinal. 38
Garden products. 112
Garrison, San Diego, 191
Gavilan, or hawk feast, 180
Gil, Raphael, 45, 95, 114, 137
Gil, Ricla, emancipated, 213
Gila River, 285

354

Index

Golden Fleece, The, 9
Gomez, Fr. Francisco, 9, 10, 15,
18, 23, 37, 38, 40, 86, 89, 126,
138, 242, 312, 313
Gomez, Rev. Miguel, 242
G6ngora, J. M., 140
Gonzalez, Alejo A., 62
Gonzalez, Fr. J. M., 262-264
Grajera, Antonio, 171, 174, 176
Grape Culture, 149, 154
Greed of Indians, 25-27
Gregory XVI, Pope, 242
Guadalajara, 34, 85, 88
Guadalupe, Mexico, 201, 242
Guards, Mission, 133
Guerra. Jose de la, 177, 274, 277
Guinn, J. M., 331
Gutierrez, Eustaquia, 287
Gutierrez, Nicolas, 253
H
Halleck, H. W., 262, 264
Hard Labor, Indians at, 98
Hardships at Mission, 42, 43
Hartnell, William, 239-241
Harvard University, 210-
Heintzelman, S. P., 264
Henriquez, A. D., 147
Herrera, Jose M., 205
Hidalgo Revolt, 174
Holbein, Rev. J. C, 290
Horse stealing, 184
Hospitality of friars, 125-126, 219-
220
Humiliation of friars, 196

Independence, Mexican, 202
Indian affection for Fathers, 188 ;
battle, 27-28; captured, 72; eon-
verts, 49-50, 197; malice, 164;
rights, 226-227; suicide, 82;
women, 21, 47
Indians, 6-8, 12, 15, 21, 25, 26,
70, 293; origin, habits of, 179-
184; stubborn, 39
Inventories, 235, 271, 335-344
Interrogatorio, 178-184
Isabella, Bl„ 284
Iturbide, Augustin, 202, 205

Jackson, Mrs. H. H., 242
Jamul, 226, 227
Jayme, Fr. Luis, 40, 44, 46, 54-56,
59-68, 71, 85, 86, 89, 128, 156,
163, 309, 314, 315
Jimeno, Manuel Casarin, 277

Jimeno, Fr. Antonio, 277 ; Fr.
Jose Joaquin, 259, 262, 277
Joseph, Maria, killed, 28
.Tuncosa, Fr. Domingo, 40
K
Kearny, General S. W., 256
L
Laguna de Agua Caliente, 222
Land Commission, 265; grants,
265-267
Land of Sunshine, 135, 170
Lands of Mission, 46, 221-223;
coveted, 206, 226; extent, 204;
restored to Church, 344-348
Language of Indians, 179
La Punta, 279
Las Flores, 254
Lasuen, Fr. Fermin Francisco de,
46, 68, 73, 77, 79, 96, 98, 99,
101-104, 106, 107, 115-118, 120,
134, 137, 142-147, 149, 155, 278,
288
Latitude, San Diego, 6
Lazaro, Fr. N., 157, 291, 321, 322
Lelia Byrd, The, 176
Leo XII, Pope, 225
Letter from Bucareli, 80 ; Fr.
Jayme, 54-56 ; Fr. Lasuen, 115-
116; Fr. Paldu, 49; Fr. Serra,
97-98, 102, 113-115
Library, 93, 94, 107
Lima University, 210
List of Fathers, 324-327
Live stock, 91, 203, 216, 223-224,
299-300
Location, Geographical, 202-203
L6pez, Fr. Miguel, O. P., 153
L6pez, Fr. Ramon, O. P., 153
Loriente, Fr. Jose, O. P., 153
Lorenzana, Apolinaria, 259, 281
Loreto, Lower Cai., 116, 118, 136,
142, 154, 155, 230
Los Angeles, 117, 196, 205, 231,
238, 247, 250, 253, 256, 272,
306 M
Maddox, Lt., 256
Magruder, J. B., 265, 303
Mansilla, Fr. Tomas, O. P., 226
Manso, Juan, 271
Manteca, 192
Mariner, Fr. Juan, 120, 147, 149.
150, 153, 156, 288, 319-320
Marriage Register, 138, 286-289
Marriages of whites, 140-141

Index

355

Martin, Er. Fernando, 160, 161,
165, 169, 184, 202, 205, 206,
208, 213, 214, 216, 218, 224,
226-227, 231, 232, 235, 237, 240,
277-280, 283, 284, 288-290, 291,
323-324
Martinez, Ignacio, 163
Martyrdom of Fr. Jayme, 59-68
Mason, R. B., 261, 262, 264, 266
Mass, Holy, on board, 9, 10
Massacre by Yumas, 246
McLaughlin, James, 292, 293
Mechanical arts, 147, 293, 296
Mem6rias, 57, 90, 93, 111, 185
Menendez, Fr. Antonio, O. P., 214,
224, 225, 279, 281, 283
Mercurio, The, 275
Micheltorena, Manuel, 247, 248
Miguel, mayordomo, 184
Missionaries hampered, 123
Missionary stipend, 112, 301
Mission moved, 56; rancherias,
349-350 ; registers destroyed,
83 ; restoration, 77-78 ; tales,
350-351
Mofras, M. Duflot de, 132, 243,
244, 254
Monterey, 14, 23, 36, 40, 45, 52,
68, 86, 98, 118, 256, 287
Mora, Rt. Rev. Francis, 306
Moran, Fr. Juan, 38
Moreno, J. M., 250
Mormon Volunteers, 257-258
Mugartegui, Fr. Pablo, 45, 52, 81,
114
Murguia, Fr. Jose Ant., 46, 47
Muro, Fr. Miguel, 242
Music at Mission, 296-297
N
Navarrete, Martin F., 5
Nazario, Indian cook, 163
Neve, Felipe de, 101, 103, 104,
108, 113, 114, 117
Nipaguay, 56, 89, 90, 118, 142,
178, 198
Noriega, Fr. Matias, 115
Nota Previa, 85-88 O
Oath declined, 205-206
Object of Fathers, 303
Old Town San Diego, 25, 243,
256, 272, 306
Oliva, Fr. Vicente Pasqual, 206,
208, 213, 216, 218, 224, 231,
237, 239, 241, 244, 248, 250,

255, 258, 271, 278-281, 283-285,
289-290
Ord, E. O. O, 263, 264, 272
Ortega, Jose Francisco de, 38, 45-
47, 68, 71, 96, 97, 114, 115, 136,
137, 288
Ortega, Jose Joaquin, 117, 140,
235, 237, 239, 241, 284
Osuna, Juan, 240

Pacheco, Romualdo, 205, 288
Padron, 83, 93, 106
Paisanos and Education, 174
Pala, San Antonio de, 201, 238
Pallas, Fr. Cajetano, O. P., 153
Palou, Fr. Francisco, 15, 18, 23,
24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 33, 39, 42, 43,
46, 47, 49-51, 56, 59-68, 80, 87,
120 128
Pamo' 96, 98, 198, 222
Panella, Fr. Jose, 149, 150, 153,
155, 274, 321
Panto, Fr. Pedro, 160, 163, 164,
274, 275, 291, 322-323
Paterna, Fr. Antonio, 40, 41, 126
Parron, Fr. Fernando, 10, 11, 13,
15, 16, 18, 19, 25, 27, 37, 38, 40,
86, 87, 89
Pater Noster, Indian, 132-133
Patron Saints, 130
Pattie, James, 220-221; Silvester,
220
Payeras, Fr. Mariano, 156, 168,
191, 194, 195, 198-202, 274
Pedrorena, M., 250, 251, 272
Peguero, Alonso, 6
Pena, Fr. Tomas de la, 46, 86
Peiia, Cosme, 238
Penasquito rancho, 266
Perez, Juan, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 23,
37, 43
Peyri, Fr. Antonio, 205
Pico, A., 271; J., 140, 246, 287
Pico, Pio, 165, 166, 230, 231, 233,
243, 248, 249, 250, 254, 257,
258, 272, 287
Picture attracts Indians, 29
Pieras, Fr. Miguel, 40
Pilar, Opr Lady of, 47, 90
Pineda, Fr. Jose de, O. P., 277
Pious Fund, 213
Pocahontas, The, 230
Point Guijarros, 9, 10, 49, 171,
176, 185
Point Loma, 6, 176
Poor Clares, 210

356

Index

Pope Clement XIII, 38 ; Gregory
XVI, 242; Leo XII, 225; Pius
VIII, 225
Population, 177, 203, 229
Portilla, Pablo, 205, 230
Portola, Gaspar de, 17, 24, 32, 34,
. 36, 37, 38, 39, 50
Pozole, 53, 91, 127
Pozolero, 91
Prat, Dr. Pedro, 11, 24, 28, 31, 38
Presidio forces, 117
Prestamero, Fr. Juan, 46
Priestly, H. G., 332
Princesa, The, 278
Principe, El, 14
Proxy, Marriage by, 140
Punta de los Muertos, 13
Purisima Concepcion, 164
R
Ramirez, J. M., 230
Ramona, novel, 240
Ramos, Fr. Juan, 21
Rancherias, 229, 244, 349, 350
Registers destroyed, 83
Reglamento of 'Figueroa, 231-232
Reports, Annual, 145 ; Biennial,
146; of 1822, 202-205; of 1827,
221-224; of Fr. Serra, 56-58;
last, 232-233; tabular, 249-295,
299, 300-301
Representacion of Fr. Serra, 44-
45, 53
Respuesta, 178-184
Restoration movement, 306
Retreat for friars, 159
Reyes, Manuel, 12
Biiey, Bennet, 264
Riobo, Fr. Juan G., 120, 31S, 319
Rincon, 47, 49, 54
Rio Colorado corn, 112
Rio San Diego, 13, 298
Rivera y Moncada, Fernando de,
13, 14, 21, 33, 39, 40, 41, 52, 60,
68, 69, 73-76, 78-81, 137, 138,
142
Robinson, Alfred, 125, 1S6-187,
219, 241, 242, 247
Roca, Jose, 177, 275
Rocha, Juan Estevan, 62, 205;
Juan Jose, 230, 235
Rodriguez, Manuel, 150, 155, 176,
177'
Romero, .lose, 68; Felipe, 140
Rosalinda, The, 242
Rouset, Rt. Rev. Francisco, 225
Routine at Mission, 150-151

Ruiz, Francisco M., 161, 177, 185,
215, 227
Russians, 9

Sacrifices for education, 212
St. Joseph, 23, 34, 36
St. Martin's Day, 6
Sal, Hermenegildo, 275
Salaries of soldiers, 45
Salazar, Lt., 252
Sale of Mission, 250
Salvierderra, in Ramona, 242
San Antonio Mission, 43, 47, 69,
112, 113, 148
San Antonio, The, 9-14, 18, 23, 32,
36-43, 52, 77, 79, 87
San Augustin, Fla. "288
San Bernabe, 9
San Bernardo, 204, 222, 224, 244,
254
San Bias, 15, 23, 39, 44, 51, 151,
"175
San Buenaventura Mission, 37, 40,
41, 44
San Carlos Mission, 43, 44, 47, 49,
68, 86, 95, 99, 115, 120, 169,
172
San Carlos, The, 9, 11, 14, 18, 23,
24-27, 33-39, 43, 99, 275
San Diego de Alcala, O. F. M.
(St. Didacus), 328-329
San Diego discovered, 3 ; named, 9
San Diego Mission, founded, 24,
25 ; described, 50 ; moved, 56 ;
school, 334
San Diego, The, 6, 9
San Diego Sun, The, 306
San Diego Union, The, 161, 306,
307
San Dieguito, 199, 222, 234, 240,
244, 254, 272
San Felipe', 169, 199, 269, 275
San Fernando College, 13, 44, 49,
69, 86, 99, 101, 144, 309
San Fernando Mission de Veli
cata, 14, 17, 21, 33, 80
San Francisco Mission, 69, 81, 113
San Francisco Solano, site, 125
San Gabriel Mission, 16, 40, 41,
43, 71, 72, 81, 91, 94, 95, 98,
100, 109, 112, 117, 148, 153,
201, 205, 229-231
San Jacinto, 250, 251
San Jacome, 222
San Jose, The, 18, 32, 38
San Jose Valley, 200, 223, 224

Index

357

San Juan Capistrano Mission, 68,
71, 81, 95, 96, 100, 112, 116,
117, "120, 122," 130, 153, 154,
160, 172, 175, 191, 222, 231,
255, 257, 259, 272
San Juan de Dios, 21
San Juan el Viejo, 134
San Luis Obispo Mission, 43, 47,
86, 95, 147, 154
San Luis Rey Mission, 133, 135,
153, 160, 161, 203, 205, 213,
222, 229, 231, 244, 250, 257,
272, 273, 284, 309, 333, 351
San Luis Valley, 93, 113, 139
San Miguel Island, 4
San Miguel Mission, Lower Cai.,
142, 161, 177, 203
San Pedro (Las Flores), 254
San Pasqual, 244, 254, 269, 305
San Salvador, The, 3, 4
San Vicente, L. Cai., 153, .279
Santo Tomas, Lower Cai., 6, 9,
153
Santa Barbara Mission, 117, 153,
176, 177, 207; presidio, 224,
230, 243
Santa Clara Mission, 81, 113, 242
Santa Gertrudis Mission, Lower
Cai., 126
Santa Isabel, 168-170, 198-204,
214, 222, 238, 239, 241, 244,
268, 269, 275-277, 279, 280, 284,
289, 303
Santa Maria Mission, Lower Cai.,
14, 88
Santa Monica, 198, 199, 214, 222,
239, 240, 272
Santa Maria, Fr. Vicente de, 77
Sanchez, Fr. Francisco, 242, 285
Sanchez, Fr. Jose Bernardo, 157,
159-161, 165, 168-170, 184, 197,
198, 201, 202, 205, 229, 274,
275, 277, 278, 287
Sanchez, Manuel, 13
Sandwich Island, 275, 277, 285
Sarria, Fr. Vicente Francisco de,
160, 168, 209, 275, 277, 283
Savage, Thomas, 290
Savages, Subsistence of, 51
Sayal Franeiscano, 147
Santiago, The, 52
School at presidio, 148, 225
Schools, Catholic, 332-334
Scurvy-stricken, 10-13, 18
Secularization Decree of the Cor
tes, 233; of Figueroa, 233-235,

252; of Mexican Government,
233
Secularized, Mission San Diego,
235
Sena, Bernardino de, 149
Sen an, Fr. Jose, 179
Sepulveda, F. X., 137
Serra, Fr. Junipero, 16-22, 27-38,
40-46, 51-58, 68, 69, 71, 76-85,
S7, 88, 97-104, 113-120, 126, 137,
138, 14 2, 143, 107, 265, 288, 292,
306, 331-332
Sierra Gorda Missions, 16, 24
Silly Tale, 161
Silvas, Jose Manuel, 198
Simplicity of Indians, 129
Sisters of St. Francis, 210
Sisters of St. Joseph, 334
Sitjar, Fr. Buenaventura, 40
Situation at San Diego Mission,
103, 120-122
Smallpox, 221
Smythe, W. E., 161, 162, 165, 186,
188, 19(1, 206-207, 209-212, 220-
221, 227, 249-251, 253, 266, 292,
293, 303, 332-334
Soledad, 244, 268, 305
Sola, Pablo Vicente, 168, 185, 192,
194, 197, 205
'Soldiers, 252; demands of, 190-
192; deserted, 41; laziness of,
173
Somera, Fr. Angel, 40, 41, 71
Sponsors at Baptism, 136-137
Stevenson, J. D., 257, 258, 261,
262, 266, 272
Stipend, Missionary, 112, 301
Stockton, R. F., 256, 257
Students, Ecclesiastical, 243
Supplies for presidios, 175
Surroca, Fr. Eudaldo, O. P., 153

Tale, Silly, 161
Tapia, Carlos, 88
Tapis, Fr. Estevan, 159, 163, 164
Temple, Jonathan, 283
Tepic, 23, 85, 112, 151, 312
Tia Juana (Tiguana), 279
Torquemada, Fr. Juan de, 6, 9
Torrent, Fr. Hilario, 120, 137,
140, 149, 278, 320-321
Traveler, The, 185
Tres Reyes, The, 6, 9
Troops, U. S., at Mission, 305
Tucson presidio, Ariz., 171
Tunnel, Mythical, 350-351

358

Index

Tyler, Sergeant, 258 U
Ubach, Rev. Antonio,
307, 344
Urselino, Jose, 85, 89
Uson, Fr. Ram6n, 55

290, 306,

Valenzuela, J. S., 142
Vallejo, Ignacio, 287
Vallejo, Mariano, 233, 287
Vancouver, George, 171-175, 176
Vargas, Manuel de, 148
Vegerano, Jose M., 88 '
Venadito, Count de, 192, 193
Verdugo, J. M., 140; Manuel, 243
Verger, Fr. Raphael, 101, 102
Victoria, Manuel, 230, 248
Vila, Vicente, 9-11, 13, 19, 23, 33,
37-39
Vila, Rev. Jayme, 290

Vizcaino, Fr. Juan, 9, 10, 12, 15,
16, 18, 25, 27, 28, 33, 86, 313
Vizcaino, Sebastian, 6-9, 176
Vow to Blessed Virgin, 66
W
Wealth. of Missions, 195, 301
Wells at Mission, 351
Weaving at Mission, 147
Wine, Mission, 149, 154, 192-193
Women, Indian, 21, 47
Y
Yorba, J. A., 254
Yuma City, 285
Yumas, 246, 280, 281, 285, 301
Z
Zalvidea, Fr. Jose Maria, 205
Zamorano, A., 205, 214, 231, 288
Zufiiga, Jose de, 117, 171
Zufiiga Point, 176; shoals, 176
Zufiiga, Viceroy, 176

LAUS DEO
(Distance to next Mission 13y2 leagues)

Supplement to
SAN DIEGO MISSION HISTORY

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
PARISH

Old ^own San Diego

ON DECEMBER 22, 1924, His Lordship, Rt. Rev. John
Joseph Cantwell, D. D., Bishop of Los Angeles and San
Diego, California, in accord with the Diocesan Consultors, of
fered the mission station of the Immaculate Conception at Old
Town San Diego, attended from La Jolla, to the Very Rev. Fr.
Turibius Deaver, O.F.M., Provincial of the Franciscan Province
of Santa Barbara. At the meeting of the Provincial Councillors,
held at Santa Barbara on December 30, 1924, the Very Rev. Fr.
Provincial presiding, it was unanimously agreed to accept the of
fer of the Rt. Rev. Bishop. It was further decreed to establish a
Franciscan convent adjoining the Church of the Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin, Old Town, and to place in
charge the Rev. Fr. Philip la Vies, O. F. M., of Santa Barbara,
as the first rector of the new parish. The formal transfer took
place at the Diocesan Council held at Los Angeles on January
29, 1925. On Septuagesima Sunday, February 8, the Franciscan
Fathers took possession and held the first Divine Service.
Thus it came to pass that the Sons of St. Francis of Assisi re
turned to the scene of their early activities after an interval of
seventy-nine years. The Rt. Rev. Bishop could not have surprised
the successors of Fr. Junipero Serra and the Franciscans of the
early days more agreeably than by inviting them to resume the
missionary activities where Fr. Vicente Pasqual Oliva, O. F. M.,
had reluctantly ceased them in June, 1846, for there is not in all
California a spot around which cluster the memories of so many
and of such important events as around what is called Old Town
San Diego. The very history of all religious, civil and military
operations began right here.
It was here that the first white men, the noble Captain Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo and his heroic crew landed from the two
ships San Salvador and Victoria on September 28, 1542, only
fifty years, to the day almost, after that other intrepid navigator,
Christopher Columbus, had gone ashore at San Salvador on the
other side of the continent of America.
It was here, too, that another daring Spanish navigator, Cap
tain Sebastian Vizcaino, with the three ships San Diego, Santo
Tomas and Tres Reyes entered the harbor, and anchored opposite

Mission San Diego 3
the site of Old Town on November 10, 1602. Here, two days
later, on the Feast of St. Didacus, O. F. M., or San Diego,
Vizcaino with three Carmelite Fathers and some officers, accom
panied by their men, stepped ashore. In a tent quickly prepared
for the purpose the three Carmelites on the same day for the first
time in the history of California offered up holy Mass in thanks
giving for their safe arrival. The details of the memorable event
will be found in the first chapter of San Diego Mission. Cabrillo
had named the harbor for the great St. Michael, the Archangel,
on the eve of whose day he had discovered the now famous port ;
but Vizcaino named it San Diego for the saint on whose feast he
had gone ashore at Old Town.
For one hundred and sixty-seven years the waters of San Diego
Bay were not again troubled by white men. Then events began
to crowd one another at the site of Old Town. Spain claimed
the whole western coast by right of discovery. In 1768 she began
to make preparations to occupy it lest another nation take pos
session. Two expeditions by land and two by sea were sent north
ward from Lower California in order to establish a military fort
at San Diego Bay and another at the Bay of Monterey. For the
purpose of winning the natives and inducing them to accept
Christianity and civilization, the King of Spain selected Spanish
Franciscans, and directed them to found mission centers among
the Indians under the protection of the military forts.
The first sea expedition, consisting of the transport San Antonio
in command of Captain Juan Perez and accompanied by the two
Franciscans Fr. Juan Vizcaino and Fr. Francisco Gomez, reached
the port of San Diego on April 11, 1769, and anchored in sight
of what is called Old Town San Diego.
The second vessel, commanded by Captain Vicente Vila, and
having on board as chaplain the Franciscan Fr. Fernando Parron,
entered the harbor on Saturday, April 29. Next day holy Mass
was celebrated aboard. On Monday, May 1, Don Pedro Fages
subsequently second governor of California, with some officers
and men, accompanied by Fathers Vizcaino and Gomez, went
ashore at Old Town to search for fresh water. These two friars
were, therefore, the first Franciscans that landed in Upper Cali
fornia ; but they still celebrated holy Mass aboard ship.
Owing to the lack of wholesome water, suitable food and medi-

4 Missions and Missionaries of California
cines, most of the sailors and one-half of the soldiers fell victims
to the scourge of the ocean, the scurvy. All were buried along the
sandy beach of Old Town.
On Pentecost Sunday afternoon, May 14, 1769, the first land
expedition under Captain Fernando Rivera arrived from Lower
California. With him came Fr. Juan Crespi, a pupil of Fr.
Junipero Serra. Next day, Pentecost Monday, a day of obligation
with the Spaniards, Fr. Crespi celebrated the first holy Mass in a
tent of the camp which had been pitched on or near the site of
the present brick church. He was therefore the first Franciscan
who offered up the Holy Sacrifice in this locality.
The second land expedition in charge of Captain Gaspar de
Portola was welcomed at the camp on Saturday, July 1. With
this main body came the famous Fr. Junipero Serra, the Superior
of the missionaries; Portola on nearing the bay had hastened
ahead with a few men and had arrived on June 29th. Next day,
July 2, a Sunday and the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed
Virgin, Fr. Presidente Serra, assisted by the Fathers named, here
celebrated the first High Mass in California. On the Monday
following he wrote his first letter to his beloved disciple Fr.
Francisco Palou in Lower California, dating it "from the port
and proposed Mission of San Diego."
From the camp of Old Town, on July 14, Portola, accom
panied by Fathers Crespi and Gomez, led a land expedition north
ward in search of Monterey Bay. Two days later, July 16, the
feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr. Presidente Serra, as
sisted by Fathers Parron and Vizcaino, planted the Cross which
was to mark the site of the Mission and Presidio on the bluff
overlooking the valley and the harbor, and thus established the
first Indian Mission, the Mother of all the Missions in Califor
nia, under the patronage of San Diego.
There, within the stockade which enclosed the temporary
chapel and barracks, in a hut of palisades lived Fr. Serra with
Fathers Parron and Vizcaino. For eleven months they en
deavored in vain to win the savages for Christianity. The kind
ness of Fr. Serra himself failed to secure a single convert. The
Indians proved the most stubborn encountered anywhere in the
United States. More than that, they were hostile, and only one
month after raising the Cross openly attacked the flimsy fort. In

Mission San Diego 5
this first battle between Spaniards and the savages of California
for the first time the Indians learned that the firearms of the
white men reached farther and with more deadly effect than their
own poisoned arrows, of which one killed a servant of Fr. Serra
and inflicted a dangerous wound on the hand of Fr. Vizcaino.
The Indian loss in dead and wounded was so great that the
savages thereafter never again attacked the Spaniards.
It was here, too, that Fr. Serra, through his ardent prayers, as
all conceded, saved California from being abandoned. Captain
Portola's expedition on January 24, 1770, returned without hav
ing discovered the Bay of Monterey. The packetboat had not
appeared with supplies and provisions in the camp were running
low. Disheartened, Portola determined to abandon California if
by the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, the San Antonio failed tc
arrive. Fr. Serra with Fr. Crespi was as firmly resolved not to
leave, but to stay behind alone even if all departed. A public
novena was held, but by the last day, March 19, the transport
had not arrived. Everything was then packed up to be ready for
the march on the next morning. Sick at heart, Fr. Serra continued
pleading with Heaven, and just as the shades of evening were
spreading over the bay the shout of Ship! Ship! arose from the
bluff. Only a glimpse of the vessel had been afforded the watchers
as it passed the entrance to the bay. That sufficed to cause Por
tola to order the packing to cease. A few days later the San
Antonio indeed entered the bay.
Portola on April 17, 1770, at the head of another expedition,
accompanied by Fr. Crespi, set out from Old Town for a second
time in search of Monterey. Fr. Serra for the same purpose took
passage in the San Antonio on April 16th. Both expeditions
reached Monterey Bay, and there Fr. Serra, on June 3, 1770,
founded the second Mission in honor of San Carlos Borromeo.
The Mission founded by Fr. Serra near the presidio on the
bluff continued there till the month of August, 1774, when it was
moved two leagues up the San Diego River. During the five
years and a month that it was in operation the Fathers baptized
over one hundred Indians, ninety-seven of whom made their home
at the Mission.
On account of difficulties with the military commander, Don
Pedro Fages, Fr. Serra on October 22, 1772, sailed from Old

6 Missions and Missionaries of California
Town for Mexico in order to place his case before the viceroy.
He returned hither on March 13, 1774, with the authoritative
declaration of the viceroy that the missionaries with regard to
their converts held the position of fathers to their children, and
possessed all the rights and duties of such. This put an end to
further interference from military or civil officials.
After the Indian revolt and the murder of Fr. Luis Jaume at
the Mission up the river on November 4, 1775, Fr. Vicente
Fuster, the surviving missionary, with the converts moved to the
presidio at Old Town. The Mission existed here for thirteen
months till December, 1776, when all returned to the restored
Mission. While Fr. Fuster stayed at the presidio, Fr. Fermin de Lasuen
and Fr. Gregorio Amurrio joined him, and all celebrated holy
Mass in a warehouse which had been transformed into a chapel.
A neophyte culprit on one occasion had taken refuge in the chapel,
where, according to Spanish laws, he was immune until certain
formalities had been observed. Captain Rivera refused to abide
by the said laws, and with his own hands dragged the Indian
from the chapel. On the following feastday, which happened to
be the feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin, March
27, 1775, when all the faithful had assembled for holy Mass,
Fr. Lasuen, the celebrant, turned to the people, and announced
that, since the commander had incurred excommunication by vio
lating Church Asylum, the holy Mass could not be offered up in
his presence. He would have to withdraw or there would be no
holy Mass. Rivera with his abettors thereupon retired, and Fr.
Lasuen continued the divine service. It was the only case of public
excommunication in the whole history of California.
An incident of note was the appearance in the harbor of the
first British vessel in command of Captain George Vancouver on
November 27, 1793. This non-Catholic officer expressed himself
highly pleased with the character and activities of the missionaries,
and before sailing he presented Fr. Lasuen with a barrel organ,
the first in California.
The first Mexican governor, after the declaration of Mexican
Independence, Jose M. Echeandia, arrived at Old Town toward
the end of October, 1825, and made it his permanent residence.
In 1828, the presidio people obtained their first resident pastor

Mission San Diego 7
in the person of the Dominican Father Antonio Menendez. Dur
ing the short time of his stay he also taught school for eighteen
children of soldiers and settlers in the town which had sprung up
below the presidio. For this service he received from fifteen to
twenty dollars a month.
The first school, however, was opened at the presidio by order
of Governor Diego Borica in September, 1795. A retired sergeant
named Manuel Vargas conducted the school at a salary of $100
provided by the parents of twenty-two pupils.
A great honor was bestowed on San Diego, as Old Town was
called everywhere, when Pope Gregory XVI made it the Seat of
the first Bishop of California. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Francisco
Garcia Diego, O. F. M., arrived here in December, 1841, and
with his retinue was assigned apartments at the Juan Bandini
home. With him came Fr. Francisco Sanchez, the Father Salva-
diera in Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona. He administered Con
firmation to 125 persons. On December 19, 1841, the Bishop,
for the first time in the history of the whole West Coast, con
ferred sacred Orders on a few students whom he had brought
along from Mexico. As the accommodations at the little town of
only one hundred and fifty souls were unsuitable, Bishop Diego,
after one month, transferred his residence to Old Mission Santa
Barbara. The next most notable event was the arrival in the harbor of
the U. S. warship Cyane, which cast its anchor in the sight of
Old Town on July 29, 1846. Lieutenant Maddox in a boat ac
companied by marines went ashore here, proceeded to the plaza,
raised the Stars and Stripes, and thus took possession. Close by a
military camp and fort were established.
In July, 1849, the little town received its first resident pastor
in the person of the Rev. John C. Holbein, C. SS. CC, who re
mained till September, 1854. He laid the cornerstone for the old
adobe church on September 29, 1851. He was succeeded by the
Rev. Pedro Bagaria. He in turn was relieved by the Rev. John
Molinier, who served from 1857 to 1863. On November 21,
1858, Father Molinier dedicated the now completed church un
der the. title Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
under which title the Mother of God was the Patron of the
Franciscan Order from its beginning. A few years later the walls

8 Missions and Missionaries of California
were weatherboarded. After Molinier the energetic Rev. Antonio
Ubach began his long administration as pastor of Old Town. He
undertook to build a brick church. The cornerstone was laid by
the Rt. Rev. Thaddeus Amat, C. M., Bishop of Monterey, on
July 10, 1868, ninety-nine years after Fr. Serra planted the
Cross in the vicinity. At the beginning of 1867 not a house as
yet stood where the great city of San Diego now spreads itself.
Then a boom set in for the New San Diego, so that Father
Ubach was compelled to cease work on the brick church, the
walls of which had already gone up several feet. Father Ubach
continued at Old Town until the year 1885, when he took up his
residence at St. Joseph's Church, New San Diego. From that
date on Old Town has had no resident pastor, but was occasion
ally attended from the parish church of New San Diego. The
Rev. Joseph Mesny was in charge since the year 1906, but lived
at La Jolla. By 1914 more people had erected their homes above
and below the bluff, wherefore the Father thought it time to
carry out Father Ubach's plan. He had the brick walls, which
for sixty-seven years had been exposed to all kinds of weather,
taken down, and then began to build the church on the old, solid
foundations. Miss Margaret McGregor, a Scotch lady, generous
ly provided the means from the sale of her eighty-five lots at
Ocean Beach. This noble gift completed the edifice. Father
Mesny would not contract debts to procure an altar, etc., for the
interior, and so contented himself with continuing at the old
adobe church for three years. Miss Ellen Scripps, a non-Catholic
lady of La Jolla, then offered to donate $1000 for the completion
of the interior. With this liberal donation and other contribu
tions the altar and all the furnishings needed were procured. On
July 22, 1917, the church was opened for Divine Service, and on
July 6, 1919, the solemn dedication took place at the hands of His
Lordship, Rt. Rev. John J. Cantwell, D. D., Bishop of Los
Angeles and San Diego. On the same occasion eighty-three adults
and children were confirmed.
Father Mesney surrendered the pretty Church and the Parish
of the Immaculate Conception at Old Town to the Sons of St.
Francis with the happy satisfaction that it has no debts.

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

The
Bibliographical Collection
of -
George Watson Cole

L. H. D.