San Gabriel mission and the beginnings of Los Angeles
Engelhardt, Zephyrin, 1851-1934
arte SS LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, N. J. PURCHASED BY THE MRS. ROBERT LENOX KENNEDY CHURCH HISTORY FUND. neg Salt pow ae na Ae i 7 het A Ss “al Sood ons - 7 1 7 3 Fm 4 RAE — on Tet | Cs 4 eg hl Bs 1€ L Pel Pare ey ee | . ba (-a TY J i i ae fo Ip a 2 L Ay Wad Cin fe ~ t 5. A ag a> a sigs bt i <' de) ih ea a ah oe 4h vi A ay ae af AOI. | | sel f we : ce : eee ee Say F -. hy Nit Sen Le Pee, j re : ak Sete Ties *: (Vv xipueddy 99S) TA9NV NV Ad GALVOINQDWNOO YAAT ADVSSAW LNVLYOdWI LSOW AHL The Missions and Missionaries of California New Series. Local History San Gabriel Mission AND: THE Beginnings of Los Angeles BY Fr. ZEPHYRIN ENGELHARDT, O. F. M. Author of “The Missions and Missionaries,” ‘‘The Franciscans in Arizona,” “‘Mission Dolores,’ ““Mission San Diego,” “Mission Santa Barbara,” “Mission San Juan Capistrano,” etc., etc. ““Colligite quae superaverunt fragmenta, ne pereant,’’ John, v1, 12. MISSION SAN GABRIEL SAN GABRIEL, CAL. 1927 Jmprimi Potest, FR. TURIBIUS DEAVER, O.F.M., Minister Provincialis Ribil Cbstat, REV. T. K. GORMAN, .D.Sc., Censor Deputatus Jmprimatur, : JOHN J. CANTWELL, Episcopus Angelorum et Sti. Didaci COPYRIGHT, 1927 BY ZEPHYRIN ENGELHARDT Franciscan Herald Press Chicago, PREFACE Mission San Gabriel, at the height of its prosperity not inaptly called The Pride of the Missions, was the northern- most of the four Indian missionary establishments under the military jurisdiction of the presido at San Diego. In point of time it held the second place. Among the Twenty-One Missions along the California Coast it was the fourth, being preceded only by the Missions of San Diego, San Carlos, and San Antonio. The garrison of San Diego provided the guards who were supposed to supply the military protection for the four Mis- sions in the district against attacks from Indian savages. Unfortunately, these soldier guards, in the first years and especially at San Gabriel, proved far more dangerous to the stability of the Mission than the savage Indians roundabout. In other ways, too, the zealous Missionary Fathers encoun- tered such unexpected and manifold difficulties as only heroic patience deeply grounded in Christian Faith could endure and turn to good account in behalf of their dusky wards. The Tables on the Spiritual and Material Results relate a graphic story of this unselfish endeavor which intelligent and unbiased readers will not fail to comprehend and appreciate. We have in this volume devoted considerable space to the discussion of the sad end of the Missions in general, because the Crime of the Nineteenth Century in California—the willful, unwarranted and unauthorized destruction of the twenty-one beneficient Indian Training Schools—was planned and accom- plished at Los Angeles; the chief conspirator was born and baptized at San Gabriel; and he lived and died at Los Angeles. v1 Preface The readers will also, for the first time, from this volume learn the true facts about the founding of the City of Los Angeles. We are happy to note that in our own days Old Mission San Gabriel has experienced a resurrection and has acquired new importance, in that it has become the center of the zealous activity of a comparatively new Religious Order or Congrega- tion. The American Province of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary decided to locate its seminary and novitiate together with the residence of the Very Rev. Father Provincial in the shadow of the venerable Old Mission of San Gabriel Arcangel. Que Dios lo bendiga y prospere! True to the spirit and practice of their holy Founder, who delighted in assisting impecunious writers to publish their works, the Father Superior of the Old Mission, Rev. John Maiztegui, since then consecrated Bishop and appointed Vicar- Apostolic of Darien, enabled the author to publish this history of Mission San Gabriel by generously ordering 3000 copies for his community. They will be sold for the benefit of the Seminary. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS Page CHAPTER <1 Name of the Mission.—First Missionaries.—Locality.—Picture of Our Lady of Sorrows Charms the Savages.—Beginnings.— Disorderly Soldiers.—Indians Aroused.—Battle——Savages Ter- rified—Soldiers Frustrate Mission Work.—Fr. Junipero Serra. —Goes to Mexico.—His Awful Indictment of Captain Fages and Soldiers—Corporal Gdngora Aids the Fathers.—First Attempts at Agriculture Fail—Fr. Serra’s Success... pied CHAD The ti Fr. Francisco Paléu Arrives from Lower California——His Report to the Viceroy.—Worthless Soldiers—Fr. Fermin de Lasuén. —Don José de Galvez Supplies Secondhand Church Goods.— Successful Beginnings.—Captain Juan B. Anza Arrives from Sonora.—Route Overland Feasible-—Anza Leads a Large Expedition to Monterey.—The Expedition on the March.—Fr. Pedro Font’s Lucid Description.—The True Route Across the Sierras —Fr. Francisco Garcés. : , ; RUA, CHAPTER III Reticence of the Missionaries—Speak When Attacked.—Fr. Pedro Font’s Picture of the Indians.—Life at the Missions.— The Mission System.—The Daily Routine—Dearth of Food. —Deserters—Discontented Colonists—Anza and Company Return to Sonora.—Fr. Serra Administers Confirmation.— Governor Neve’s Unfriendly Interference.—Indian Alcaldes. —Disastrous Results——More Soldiers and Colonists —Yumas ~ Destroy Two Settlements on the Colorado. ; ; ; Bes He CHAPTER: ITV, El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles—Colonists Collected.— The Locality—The Founding According to Fiction and Facts. —The First Settlers of Los Angeles—Description—The First Officials —Fr. Junipero Serra Confirms at San Gabriel.—Fr. Serra’s Last Visit—Indian Alcolyte’s Sympathy for Him!— Bids Farewell—Success of the Missionaries in Spiritual and Temporal Matters.—Contribution to War Fund.—Governor Fages’s Report—A Master Weaver Secured.—Prosperity.— Indian Woman Starts Conspiracy. . ; : ; é . 47 Vill Contents Page GCHAPRTERSN. Disagreeable Neighbors.—Various Land Claims.—San Rafael or La Zanja, San Pedro, El Encino, El Portezuelo, E. Nieto, La Puente—Fr. Miguel Sanchez Resists Claims.—Fr. Fermin de Lasuén. — Success of Mission. — Building Activities. — New Church.— Annual Elections.— Death of FF. Sanchez and Cruzado.—Rev. José Ant. M. Argiiello, First Native Priest. CHAPTER NI Complaints of Los Angeles Settlers—-The Fr. Presidente’s Action.—Replies of Fathers Miguel and Zalvidea.—Unreason- able Demands of Colonists—Remedies Proposed.—Extraordi- nary Number of Sick—-The Malady.—Hospital at the Mis- sion.—Great Mortality and the Cause.—Pagans and Neophytes. —The Fathers Overburdened.—Contemplated Revolt. CHAPDE Rey I Building Activities —Effects of the Earthquake of 1812.—Wine and Fruits——Indian Labor.—Laying First Stone for Church at Los Angeles—Orgin, Habits, Etc., of the Indians.—Side- lights on the Inhabitants of Los Angeles. CHAPTERSVITI Building Operations.—Additions to the Church Goods and Field Implements.—Expedition Against the Mojaves—The Deadly Mal Galico.—Father Zalvidea Infirm and Distressed.—San Bernardino Rancho.—Willing Indians.—Controversies About Land.— Greedy and Unscrupulous Settlers.— The Fathers Uphold the Rights of Their Wards.—Governor Pablo de Sola.—No Blessings on Land Wrested from the Neophytes. —A Drastic Punishment. CHA PAB REX Difficulties Encountered in Building a Church at Los Angeles.— Shiftless Inhabitants. — Fr. Nuez’s Lucid Letter. — Fathers Nuez and Zalvidea Weary.—Fr. Mariano Payeras’s Beautiful Appeal in Behalf of the Church at Los Angeles.——Contribu- tions from Various Missions—Governor Sola.—The Missions Sustain the Whole Civil and Military Government of Califor- nia.—Supplies Furnished by Mission San Gabriel, and How They Were Paid—The Shiftless Angelefios Allow the Poor Neophytes to Build a Church—Who Deserves the Credit ?— The Dedication—The Pastors. 62 79 93 <A.07. 2123 Contents 1X Page CHAPTER X Political Changes.—Extent of the Mission Lands.—Live Stock.— San Bernardino Rancho.—Building Activities—New Padron. —Fr. José Sanchez, Presidente of the Missions.—Governor 'Echeandia’s Duplicity—Fr. Sanchez Indignant.—First Ameri- cans from the East Overland.—Their Character, Conduct, Treatment.—Their Observations—Some Light on Mission Life—Fr. Sanchez Highly Praised—Joseph Chapman. . . 139 CEA Teds Reekol An Erratic Vaccinator—Alfred Robinson’s Observations and Figures.—Echeandia’s Wicked Plot.—Silly Legislators.——Gov-, ernor Manuel Victoria’s Arrival Upsets Echeandia’s Schemes. —Revolt of Baffled Greed—A Battle.—Victoria Resigns and Departs—Two Governors.—The Fitch-Carrillo Elopement Case—The Judgment——Mexican Franciscans Arrive. . ab55: CHAPTER XII Victims of Sectarian Bigotry—Hawaiian Kings.—Retribution.— First Resident Pastor of Los Angeles—Death of Fr. José Sanchez.—Arrival of Fr. Thomas Esténaga.—Guinn’s Wild Story.—The Anti-Mission Clique Fears to Lose Some Booty. —Decrees Against the Missions.—Plotting of the Legislature. —Disregard the Mexican Government.—Decree Confiscating the Missions.—Attitude of the Missionaries——The Inventory. —Fr. Esténaga Disappears. — Returns.— Los Angeles, the Capital of California.—Disgraceful Proceedings—Mob Law.— Want a New Pastor.—Very Rev. A. J. Bachelot Departs.— New Constitution.—Liquor Selling. . ; : : : . 169 CHALLE REXALL The Difference Between Missionary and Administrator Rule.— The Results—Juan Bandini’s Administration—Must ‘Taste His Own Medicine.—William Hartnell, Inspector—What He Saw and Did.—Only Six Years After—Poor Fr. Esténaga Witnesses the Havoc.—Entertanments at Neophyte Expense. —Fr, Narciso Duran.—Fr. Esténaga Again.—Bandini Reports. —Lapanares de los Mayordomos.—Fr. Esténaga Heartsick.— Notes.—Mofras and His Figures. ; ; : : 5 . 185 x Contents Page CHAPTER XIV Eastern Immigrants Arrive.—Receive a Grant of Mission Lands from Alvarado.—Fr. Commissary Duran Protests.—New Gov- ernor Appointed—Extreme Poverty of Mission San Gabriel. Governor Micheltorena Arrives. — His Soldiers. — Decree Restoring the Missions to the Franciscans——The Neophytes. — Memorable Corpus Christi Celebration. — Micheltorena Orders School to Be Opened.—His Ideal School.—Mission San Gabriel All but Hopelessly Ruined.—Fr. Esténaga Reluc- tant to Take Charge—Fr. Commissary Urges the Fathers to Sacrifice Themselves for the Neophytes—Another Mexican Constitution—Los Angeles Items.—Hungry Indians Steal What Is Their Own—The Cemetery at Los Angeles. . . 201 CHAPTER XV Legislature Assembles at Los Angeles.—Pico’s Address.—Juan Bandini’s Plan—His Remarkable Admissions.——Mexican Gov- ernment Forbids Touching the Missions.—Is Ignored by Pico. —He Orders Missions Sold.—His Creditors—His Forgery of Documents.—Bancroft’s Statement Theeron.—Pico’s Motives for Hurried Sale—The Crime Accomplished.—The Title Deeds.—San Gabriel Mission——United States Prevents More Sales.—- Returns Missions to the Missionaries. — General Kearny’s Action.—U. S. Court Declares Pico’s Sale Ilegal.— Mission Property Returned to the Catholic Church.—Governor R. B. Mason’s Declaration.—Fr. Tomas Esténaga Passes to His Reward.—His Burial Place—Angelefios Demand Another Priest—Fr. Blas Ordaz Appointed for San Gabriel. ‘ . 216 CHAPTER XVI Revolt Against Micheltorena.—‘Battle.”—Micheltorena Resigns. Pio Pico Governor ad Interim—Immediately Plans to ‘Wipe Out” the Missions—Unjust Aspersions.—Fr. Esténaga to Pico.—Fr. Real to Pico.—Hypocrisy of the Pico Clique— Nothing Sacred to Them.—Pico Appoints Commissioners to Take Over the Mission Property.—Fr. Esténaga Refuses to Yield Till Commanded. — Unterrified.— Fr. Duran Directs Him to Yield, but by Inventory—Fr. Duran Trapped — Amazed at Pico’s Duplicity—-Neophytes Demand Freedom as Promised.—Mexican Government Asks Fr. Duran to Report. —Fr. Duran on San Gabriel—Rev. Antonio Jiménez Attends Los Angeles. ; ; bales ; LoBSG: Contents Xl CHAPTER SX VIT Page Happy Neophytes Rendered Unhappy.—Fr. Duran on Foolish Emancipation Act.—Indians Brutally Treated at Los Angeles. — What Bartlett Saw at Los Angeles.— Consequences of “Secularization.” —Retribution United States Patent for San Gabriel Mission Lands. : . ; : : . 243 CHAPTER XVIII Success or Failure?—Aim of the Missionaries the Same as That of the Apostles—Different Methods.—In California.—Correct System of the Fathers.—Title Page of the Baptismal Register. —Some Pious Fiction Employed.—The Pious Fund Alone Supplied the Means—The Various Mission Books.—Herculean Task. — Spiritual Results. — Table. — Agricultural Results. — Table-—What California Owes to the Franciscan Friars.— Stockraising.—Table. . ¢ é ‘ : ; ; . 259 CHAPTER XIX BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE FRANCISCANS WHO DIED AT MISSION SAN GABRIEL OR FROM THERE RETIRED TO MEXICO Fr. José Angel Somera.—Fr. Pedro de San Joseph Estéban.— Fr. Christobel Oramas.—Fr. Isidoro Barcenilla—Fr. Fran- cisco Miguel Sanchez.—Fr. Antonio Cruzado.—Fr. Francisco Dumetz.—Fr. José de Miguel.—Fr. Francisco Ramon Fernan- dez Ulibarri—Fr. Joaquin Pascual Nuez. . : : j . 280 CHA PTRER OO X Fr. Gerdnimo Boscana.—Fr. José Bernardo Sanchez. — Fr. Tomas Eleutério Esténaga.—Fr. Blas Ordaz—Rev. Antonio M. Jiménez del Récio.—List of Resident and Visiting Mis- sionaries and Other Priests. ee! mt ; é ; ‘ . 294 (PUA PE Ra Xt Modern Period.—The Successors of the Franciscans.—The Bishops of the Diocese—The Cathedral at Los Angeles.— Our Lady of the Angels—Changes at San Gabriel.—Arrival of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.— Resurrection of San Gabriel—First Parochial School—Head- quarters of the Missionaries—Fathers Take Charge of Our Lady of the Angels at Los Angeles—Church Enlarged.— New Dwelling for the Fathers—New Parochial School.— Sketch of Archbishop A. M. Claret.—On Cuba Isle.—Spiritual Director of Queen Isabella—At the Vatican Council.—lIlIlness and Death.—His Missionary and Literary Activity— Pope Pius XI on the Founder of the Missionary Sons of Mary Immaculate.— Rt. Rev. John Maiztegui, C. M. F., Vicar- Apostolic of Darien. . ; ; ; ; : : : aud xii Appendix APPENDIX Page A.—San Gabriel—Strength of God. é 2 é aos, B.—Route of Anza and Fr. Gracés Across the ietraet : aoe. C.—Los Angeles—Date of Founding. . Z : ; : . 341 D.—San Bernardino Rancho. : shale . : . 347 E.—Wine and Liquor at San Gabriel . ; : ; ‘anu F.—The Renegade Indians of San Gabriel. . ; 352 G.—Indian Rancherias in the Mission District. . \ 7355 ILLUSTRATIONS Page Cover Design by Edward Borein, Santa Barbara, California. The Annunciation. . ; P ; . Frontispiece The Franciscan Mission in Ga litoiia: Map. : : : tue 2 Franciscan Missionaries Coming to California. Alex. Harmer. 5 Fr. Junipero Serra, O. F. M., Founder of the Missions. i wielZ Signature of Fr. Francisco Paléu. Facsimile. : ; ; sireO ie Alabado. Hymn. Music. ; : : eas Ya Viene El Alba. Morning Hymn. Music. : ‘ ; nico! Dios Te Salve, Maria, Hymn. Music. : : Bio Indians Plowing with Primitive Plow. A. B. Dede : . 40 Original Plan of the Pueblo of Los Angeles. Bancroft. . apenU Libro de Confirmaciones de San Gabriel. Facsimile. é ain Signature of Fr. Junipero Serra. Facsimile. : : wD Universal Conveyance. Arthur B. Dodge, Los Pipaleet j ar07 Building a Mission. Alexander Harmer, San Barbara. : V7 Z Baptismal Entry for Rev. Ignacio Argtiello. Facsimile. . asa Mission District. Map. Bancroft. 4 ; ; mos San Gabriel Mission. From Robinson’s Life in Guifar 11d. a 89 Indian Neophyte Women and Children. ; : . 98 Neophyte Women Preparing Tortillas. Wlexaitden See i703 Water Power Mill. . ‘ ‘ . 108 San Gabriel Mission Church. 1 of the ag liest Vanes Pyali4 Church of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. ; : . 128 Signature of Fr. Mariano Payeras. Facsimile. . i : oral Mission Cattle Brand. . : : : Laz San Gabriel Mission Church. ouiton en : ; : . 148 Volunteer Missionaries Receiving Blessing. A. Harmer. . . 158 Front of Church of Our Lady of the Angels with Belfry... . 166 Signature of Very Rev. J. A. Bachelot, C. SS. CC. Facsimile . 170 Unwelcome Visitors Feasting at Mission Expense. A. Harmer. 190 Fr. Esténaga Making Adobe Bricks. Toate by Edward Borein. 198 Governor Manuel Micheltorena. . ? : : 205 Our Lady of the Angels, Los Its Thieeon : . 208 Rt. Rev. Fr. Francisco Garcia Diego, O. F. M., First Fe nt California. : eacl2 San Gabriel Church and Toei eourieen af C. B. Tareitl eee Most Rev. J. S. aricrind Cline viene: saan of San Fran- cisco. . : . ; ; ‘ : ; meet XIV Illustrations Front and Side View of San Gabriel Church. Whiskey Shop in Los Angeles. Mission Lands. Signature of President James Buchanan. Three  of of Angel Somera. Facsimile. Pedro Estévan. Facsimile. Crist6bal Oramas. Facsimile. Isidro Barcenilla. Facsimile. Miguel Sanchez. Facsimile. Antonio Cruzado. Facsimile. Francisco Dumetz. Facsimile. José de Miguel. Facsimile. Roman de Ulibarri. Facsimile. Joaquin P. Nuez. Facsimile. Signature of Fr. José Sanchez. Facsimile. Signature of Fr. Thomas Esténaga. Facsimile. Signature of Fr. Blas Ordaz. Facsimile. Bishops of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Group. Rt. Rev. John J. Cantwell, D. D., Bishop of Los Akgeles she San Diego. 4 Very Rev. Andrés Resa, C. M. s:. mea cial Parish School at Mission San Gabriel. Seminary at Mission San Gabriel. Parish School Our Lady of the Angels. Alexander Harmer. U. S. Surveyor’s Office, San Francisco. Facsimile. Interior Views.. (Hess Photo.) Patio and Community at Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. 325 Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. Most Rev. Antonio M. Claret, Founder C. M. F. Rt. Rev. John Maiztegui, C. M. F., D. D., Vicar- Apostolic oft Darien. Anza’s and Fr. Beattie. E St. Bernardine of Stans Garces? S Roite Wamics the Siete Fr. Francisco H. Garcés, O. F. M., Fort Yuma and the Rio Gulseaee San Bernardino Rancho. Two Views. Courtesy of G. W. Interior View. in the Jungles of Atom Bartlett’s Narrative. FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT IV SAN GABRIEL MISSION (1771-1852) ITongitude West 11from Greenwich.117° 115° THE OLD = a FRANCISCAN MISSIONS IN 40 a NIA “140 CALIFORNIA. x1 -Lake Tahoe | A F RAN vi SAMFRAN isco 0 SSL NO 3s f Oh UBpuiss ‘Dall, AN ae 5 Ooelave a elit wa ate rahe ie vars 7 - SANUosE FU NK . a wAte aD we SANTA\CLARA * ny Pajaro “5 nt ) \ SS war "eee ille \3 A rereyva +m SAN YOR Fife a Me -| SOLEDAD X%&.. 1 1% J % Tulare bke\ ‘: r oe LI van M. SAN MIGUEL : \\ A\' 2. ; X Gg ‘ a 43 Heese \ SK M.'s say Luis OBISPO Bs a MY Si met >] peaveas ! NTA NEZ cepciont +S x asi SAN FERNANDO | BUT bar, wi NTURA As a ) 7 \J Wao ee a SAN |\GABRI — A Ross es Zz S Angales 2 f Gl eo tn, SA JUAN « ofa SC JOE Ue4 \ WZ nea oie Rey one YY —Z (((( : SN SS So) ™ i DIEGO \= ANCOR nc = : A ™ “3 ye Scale of Miles. 50 100 Rand, McNally & Co. CHANEETIOR te Name of the Mission—First Missionaries.—Locality.—Picture of Our Lady of Sorrows Charms the Savages.—Beginnings.—Disorderly Soldiers—Indians Aroused.—Battle—Savages Terrified—Soldiers Frustrate Mission Work.—Fr. Junipero Serra.—Goes to Mexico.— His Awful Indictment of Captain Fages and Soldiers——Corporal Gongora Aids the Fathers—First Attempts at Agriculture Fail— Fr, Serra’s Success. HE resolution to establish a mission in California under the patronage of St. Gabriel, the Archangel, was taken by Viceroy Carlos Francisco de Croix in August or September, 1770. It was the result of a petition from Fr. Junipero Serra who urged the founding of a chain of missions that should reach from San Diego to San Francisco Bay. As a sufficient number of Franciscan friars had arrived from Spain a few months before, De Croix determined to locate five new mis- sions at suitable distances north of San Diego. Among those named was San Gabriel. The two Fathers selected to begin the work of conversion were Fr. Angel Somera and Fr. Pedro Benito Cambon. Fr. Serra and Captain Pedro Fages, the military commander, agreed that the Mission should be placed near the Rio de Nombre de Jesus de los Temblores (River of Earthquakes), so named by the Portola expedition of 1769, but better known as the Rio de Santa Ana. It was near this spot that the expedi- tion of 1769 had camped on its way to the north in search of Monterey Bay and again on its return march. The place lay in a valley they had called San Miguel. Fathers Somera and Cambon had arrived at San Diego from Monterey in the San Antonio on July 14, 1770. They had set out for their destination on August 6, escorted by ten soldiers as guards for the establishment and followed by packmules carrying the goods and provisions under the protection of four additional soldiers and four muleteers. “They traveled toward the north,” says Fr. Palou, “on the road taken by the 4 Missions and Missionaries of California expedition of 1769. After marching about forty leagues, they arrived at the Rio de los Temblores. Just as they were delib- erating about the choice of a site, a great multitude of savages, armed and headed by two chiefs, appeared and with frightful yells attempted to prevent the founding of the Mission. Fearing that a battle might ensue and that some might be killed, one of the Fathers produced a canvas picture of Our Lady of Sorrows and put it in view of the savages. No sooner had he done this than all, overcome by the sight of the beautiful image, threw down their bows and arrows. The two chiefs quickly ran up to lay at the feet of the Sov- ereign Queen as tokens of their greatest esteem the beads they wore on the neck. By the same action they manifested their desire to be at peace with us. They called upon all the neighboring rancherias who in large numbers flocked together, men, women, and children, and came to see the Most Holy Virgin. They also brought seeds, which they left at the feet of the Most Holy Lady, imagining that she would eat like the rest. “The sight of the image of our Lady transformed the sav- ages around Mission San Gabriel so that they made frequent visits to the Fathers, not knowing how else to express their satisfaction for having come to stay in their country. The friars in turn sought to correspond by kindness and gifts. The Fathers proceeded to explore the vast plain and finally began the Mission in a place which they thought suitable, with the same ceremonies that have been observed at other missions, The first holy Mass was celebrated under a shelter made of boughs, on the day of the Nativity of our Lady, September 8. On the following day they began to construct a chapel that was to serve as a temporary church, a similar house for the Fathers, and another for the guards, all made of poles, roofed with tiles, and surrounded by a stockade for defense in any emergency. The greater part of the timber for the buildings was cut and dragged to the spot by the savages themselves, — who assisted also in the construction of the little houses which, together with a corral for the cattle and horses, were finished (68 ‘IA ‘MUVW) LNAM ANV ANVO ADHL SV SHIUVNOISSIW NVOSIONVUA Mission San Gabriel AMIN Se 6 Missions and Missionaries of California in a few days. For this reason the Fathers were confident of happy results, and that from the very beginning the Indians would not refuse to embrace the sweet yoke of our Evangel- ical Law.’”* In such large numbers, however, would the savages visit the Mission that the Fathers deemed the guard of ten men too small. Fr. Somera, therefore, determined to proceed to San Diego to see the Captain in order to enlist more soldiers. He set out with three soldiers on October Ist, reached San Diego on the 3rd, and, succeeding to secure two more guards, returned with this small addition on the 9th of the said October.? Unfortunately, “just when these natives were most con- tented,’ Fr. Palou writes, “one of the ‘soldiers grievously offended this good disposition by wronging one of the first chiefs of the rancherias and, what is worse, by sinning against God our Lord. The pagan chief wanted to revenge himself for the outrage, which had been committed against him and his wife. He called together, therefore, all the members of the neighboring rancherias and, inviting the men capable of bearing arms, proceeded to lead them toward the two soldiers who, at some distance from the Mission, were guarding the pasturing horses. One of the two was the offender. When they saw such an armed band approaching, they put on their leather jackets to protect themselves against the arrows and _ took up their arms, as there was no time to notify the guards at the Mission, who knew nothing of the misdeeds of the soldier. No sooner had the Indians come within gunshot then they began to discharge arrows, all aiming at the shame- less soldier. The latter leveled his gun at the one who appeared the most daring, presuming that he might be the chief, and discharging the gun killed him. As soon as the rest saw the deadly effect of the firearms, which they had 1 Palou, Vida, p. 130. * Palou, Noticias, vol. ii, pp. 297-298. Mission San Gabriel {; never before experienced, and that their arrows inflicted no harm, they hastily fled, leaving behind the unhappy chief who, besides having been wronged, now lay dead. The conse- quences of this skirmish was that the Indians were very much frightened. “At the sound of the musket shot, the corporal and his men hastened to the rescue but found only the body of the Indian. On hearing what had occurred, the corporal, probably not knowing of the crime of the soldier, commanded the head of the savage to be cut off and placed upon a pole in order to strike terror into the pagans. In the evening, still ignorant of the truth, he sent six soldiers to the rancheria in order that the Indians might see that they were not dreaded and also in order to tell them to remain quiet; that the whites had not come to make war on them when there was no reason; that they had already seen that they had been treated well as long as they had done no wrong. With these and similar arguments which were communicated by signs they came to friendly terms; and after a few days some Indians came to the Mis- sion to ask for the head of the chief, which at the request of the Father had already been taken from the pole; and it was turned over to them. However they did not frequent the Mission for some time; only by degrees did they lose fear and then they revealed to the Father the reasons.’’* Thus early then the work of the missionaries was seriously endangered; and their efforts for the spiritual and temporal well-being of the natives were frequently frustrated by the very soldiers who had come along to assist the Fathers. It was nothing new, however. Jesuits and Franciscans in Lower California had experienced the same troubles. Accordingly, on February 26, 1778, Fr. Guardian Francisco Pangua and his councillors represented to the king of Spain that “the soldiers abused the pagan Indians and committed excesses which throughout the missions intensely mortified the Fathers, 3 Paléu, Noticias, vol. ii, pp. 298-299. 8 Missions and Missionaries of California who could not remove the scandals to their neophytes which imperiled the whole missionary undertaking.’ The misdeed of the worthless soldier had another effect. It delayed the founding of Mission San Buenaventura for twelve years. Fr. Paldu relates the circumstances as follows: i's | few days after this happened, Comandante Fages and the Fathers with the goods for Mission San Buenaventura arrived. Fearing lest the pagan Indians might make some attack to avenge the death of their chief, Fages resolved to increase the guards of Mission San Gabriel to the number of sixteen. For this reason, and on account of the little confidence he had in the other soldiers in view of the repeated desertions, he had to postpone the founding of Mission San Buenaventura until he saw the outcome at Mission San Gabriel, where the two Fathers Antonio Paterna and Antonio Cruzado remained with all the church goods,’ until further orders. The com- andante with the rest of the soldiers then left for Monterey, taking with him the one who had killed the pagan chief, in order to remove him from the sight of the other Indians, though the crime which he had committed was concealed from the comandante as well as from the Fathers. Hence there were four missionaries at Mission San Gabriel; but as the two resident missionaries had become ill, and in a short time would have to retire to Lower California, the two destined for San Buenaventura remained in charge. They sought with every possible kindness to attract the pagans, who by degrees forgot the misdeed of the soldier and the death of their chief, and began to offer some of the children for Baptism. Among the first was the son of the unfortunate chief, whom the widow with much satisfaction offered for Baptism. Her example was followed by others who would offer their little ones at 4 Las Misiones de la Alta California, p. 78. It must be observed here that these soldiers were not Spaniards, but that they generally were taken from the scum of society in Mexico. 5 Don Joseph de Galvez himself, in 1769, had packed them for Mission San Buenaventura. Mission San Gabriel 9 the sacred font. The number of the Christians thus increased so that two years after the founding of the Mission, when I was there, already seventy-three had been baptized; and when our venerable Father (Junipero Serra) died (in 1784), they counted 1,019 neophytes.’. Although he did not himself found Mission San Gabriel, Fr, Junipero Serra arranged the Registers of Baptisms, Mar- riages, and Deaths for the Mission. The title page in his own hand is the same in form and wording as at previous missions, except that the name, the date, and the names of the Fathers assigned are those already stated. Nor did Fr. Serra see the Mission till 1772, when he stopped there with Fages from September 11 to 13, on their way from Monterey to San Diego. It caused him extraordinary joy to see already so many Christians who praised God. He caressed them affectionately and gave presents to them and to their gentile parents. It caused him particular pleasure to see the wide valley suitable for founding a city. He congratulated the Fathers and thanked them for the work they had done in spiritual and tem- poral matters. Without allowing himself any rest, he set out to continue the journey with one of the Fathers of the Mission, who was to receive the goods belonging to it, and reached San Diego September 16.’ The insolence of the soldiers and the overbearing attitude of Captain Pedro Fages, the military commander of Califor- nia, at last compelled Fr. Serra to complain to the Viceroy of Mexico in person. At the request of the viceroy he on May 21, 1773, drew up a memorial or Representacion of the situa- tion in California. Among other things he reported regard- ing Mission San Gabriel as follows: “The place together with the circumstances of soil, arroyos, timber, fire-wood, and other facilities, is beyond dispute the most excellent of all discovered. Without dowbt, this one 6 Paléu, Vida, pp. 130-133. See Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 82, 85. 7Palou, Vida, p. 144. 10 Missions and Missionaries of California alone, if well cultivated, would be sufficient to maintain itself and all the rest (of the missions). This was the only found- ing at which I was not personally present, because I was not notified. “Its beginnings promised great things and speedy progress in spiritual and temporal matters, because these gentiles rejoiced so much at our coming and that our Fathers wanted to establish themselves there, that they labored more than the soldiers in constructing the stockade and temporary buildings, which for that reason were finished in a very short time. Their greatest pleasure was their continual communication with the Fathers, and their Reverences had no less pleasure, since for them they had come from such distance and under such hardships. The Indian women, whom the Fathers showed a most beautiful picture of Mary Most Holy, by a good artist, which they had brought and placed in the church, were so charmed that they knew not how to withdraw from its presence. They went to their homes and returned burdened with seeds and eatables, which they would offer to the holy image and leave at the altar; and though it is easy to infer that they have done this in the vain belief that the Most Holy Virgin would consume the seeds and eatables, nevertheless the sight of their eagerness and demonstrations would cause emo- tion, and gave every reason to believe that they would be much more devoted to our Blessed Lady when they should know her greatness by the light of Faith. “All this consolation did not last long, when the official, Captain Fages, began to exercise his dominion over that tender plant, which caused him no more trouble than having ordered the soldiers to appear within eight days at the Mission and to stay there as they have done. He ordered the corporal of said soldiers, a little while after the completion of the stockade,. that he should not permit more than five pagans to enter the Mission. If six came, one had to depart; if some were inside, they had to wait until the former left, because not more than five could be inside, Inasmuch as the soldiers with weapon in hand executed said order, though the Indians came unarmed, Mission San Gabriel a the latter began to feel disgusted and disturbed. When the said official came from San Diego where he had issued the said order, the Fathers humbly supplicated him on the matter, reminding him that the Indians came without arms, and that they labored to furnish the material and to construct the build- ings. To this he replied favorably and the Fathers were satisfied; but on the point of mounting his horse to return to San Diego, he called the corporal and secretly gave him the wretched order that he should not permit even one pagan to enter the Mission. This the corporal punctually observed. Thus daily the pagans were vexed, and then pretended to enter by force; and, as the soldiers performed their office with more rigor on finding that the pagans manifested more resistance, the Indians commenced to send their couriers in the surround- ing country with signs of war. After a few days, in an excur- sion to gather the cattle or perhaps to protect them or to secure a woman (0 por asegurarse de una mujer), which is more certain from what is said, one soldier with others killed the principal chief of said gentiles and cutting off the head brought it to the Mission in sign of triumph, though a little son of the captain was at the Mission, who had previously been given in charge of the Fathers. On the ground that the Indians there were turbulent, a greater number of soldiers than had been assigned was judged necessary; and thus, by taking those destined for San Buenaventura, which was to be established, this founding was frustrated; and though I again solicited it in this last year, on the arrival of the two ships at San Diego, it has not yet been established. I confess that, if I had been present, neither would Mission San Gabriel have continued ; for I would have ordered the Fathers to San Gabriel, because, unless we could communicate with the pagans, whom we are to look up, there would be nothing to do in such places. “Nor did the misfortune of this poor Mission stop there. The large number of soldiers (which with one or several mule- teers reaches twenty men), who are idle, for they at once refused to labor; bored and discontented, on account of the stories that had happened with the official (Fages) at San 12 Missions and Missionaries of California FR. JUNIPERO SERRA, O. F.M., FOUNDER OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS Mission San Gabriel 13 Diego, for the pacification of whom the religious labored so much, especially Fr. Antonio Paterna (although Your Excel- lency is informed very much to the contrary by the governor of Lower California, God forgive him); quarrelsome, since it is very frequent that one turns his back on the other; com- manded by a useless corporal, to whom they show neither respect nor obedience; and extremely impudent toward the religious. They have given themselves up to insolence in such a manner that, although the pagans, in consequence of said disturbances every day more and more left the new Mission; yet even flight did not avail them to get rid of the iniquities of the soldiers. The soldiers, six or more, would leave in the morning, either with the permission of the corporal or without it, on horseback, and would go to the rancherias, though many leagues distant. When the men and women on seeing them ran away, the soldiers availed themselves (as the declarations of the Fathers repeatedly and also the complaints of the pagans informed me) of the dexterity they possess in catching with the lasso a cow or a mule; and in this same manner they lassoed Indian women, in order to gratify their unbridled lust ; and occasionally, when the Indian men sought to defend the women, the soldiers killed several with musket balls. 1n view of such disorders, and because with his own eyes he saw a soldier committing lewd acts with a pagan who had come to the Mission, and because not even the boys who would come were safe from the lewdness of the soldiers, the senior of the two Fathers, who began the Mission and who performed labor like an ordinary day-laborer, was so downhearted that he fell sick abed and, at the counsel of the others, retired to San Diego. These incessantly endeavored to remedy so great evils, now by preaching from the altar, now by private admonishments, now by appealing to the corporal whose only reply would be, “Tf the pagans say that, let them prove it.” Meanwhile things 14 Missions and Missionaries of California continued as before. On occasions that offered to write to Monterey, the Fathers did not neglect bringing evidence; but with these and other things, which it would take too long to relate, a whole year passed, not only without succeeding in anything but also every day indisposing the minds of the pagans and alienating them more and more from where their real welfare lay. “Afterwards it pleased God that, on occasion of carrying the mail, some of the most insolent soldiers were sent to Monterey; and, by what appeared coincidental, the Official (Fages) sent the corporal, whom I had at Carmelo, Joseph Maria Gongora, to San Gabriel, so that the one there had to leave. Things took on a different aspect after that. The new corporal by his good manners and his good example induced some of the soldiers to assist in building a new warehouse (because the other collapsed from the rain, with great loss of provisions), and a new church, as also in putting in better condition the rooms of the Fathers, who accordingly began to breathe easier after their great affliction. “Likewise some pagans already began to approach and, when I passed said Mission on my way to San Diego, they had already seven or eight little Christians, precious creatures, and one of them especially expressed himself beautifully in Castilian. They supplicated me on my return to baptize the others whom they had instructed and reserved for me. When at San Diego I resolved to make the journey to the College, [ charged the Father of that Mission, who had accompanied me, that as soon as he reached the Mission, he should baptize the others without delay. “As if all these improvements grieved the Official, he had already issued an order to the corporal at San Diego to the effect that with the first mail that would present itself for Monterey he should return Corporal Gongora to Monterey and place in his stead as corporal the same who had been there the first whole year, although said order was secret, in order to take the Fathers and Gongora himself unawares, they noti- fied me and assured me of it when I arrived at said Mission Mission San Gabriel 15 with the same Official. I approached him alone and quietly accused him of wanting to interrupt after so brief a time (for Gongora had not yet been there two months when Fages gave the order) the tranquility, the good feeling, and the progress of the Mission. Although at first he wanted to conceal the truth from me, when I declared to him how and with what certainty I knew of it, he acknowledged to me, saying that he wanted to make the change because Gongora had already begun to be haughty, which is generally his refrain. If said corporal had done nothing in favor of the Mission, or if he had attended to nothing concerning the Fathers, such a defect (as vanity) would perhaps not have been noticed, since of the twenty men of the preceding year not one acted gentlemanly, neither the soldiers nor the corporal. Finally, after much pleading, he promised not to take him away. Whether he did so after my departure, I do not know. “In the midst of so many tribulations, the Fathers in the first year planted a piece of land with wheat, which went up and promised well; but owing to the lack of experience in that territory, they sowed in too low ground, so that the copious rains, which set in, submerged and destroyed it. What did thrive very well is a garden sufficiently large and fenced in. When I passed there, it abounded in various kinds of vege- tables, melons, water melons, etc. I have already said before what can be expected from such fertile land, provided there is someone to work the soil. The same number of mules were assigned to this Mission as to Mission San Antonio.”> The Fr. Presidente’s visit to Mexico secured the desired independence of the missionaries from the military, and from the interference of the military commander. Viceroy Bucareli and his Council clearly defined both the rights and the duties of the friars entrusted with the conversion and civilization of the savages. It was declared that the missionaries toward 8 Fr. Serra, Representation. Santa Barbara Archives. For details on Fr. Serra’s journey to Mexico and his success, see The Missions and Missionaries, vol. ii, pp. 109-121. 16 Missions and Missionaries of California their neophytes stood in loco parentis, that is to say, they possessed all the rights and duties of parents regarding their children. They could make regulations for their wards as seemed best to them; and only capital crimes committed by neophytes would subject such neophytes to the action of the military commander or governor. This effectually curbed the desire to interfere with mission affairs or to molest the neophytes. CHAP DE Rat Fr. Francisco Pal6éu Arrives from Lower California—His Report to the Viceroy.—Worthless Soldiers—Fr. Fermin de Lasuén.—Don José de Galvez Supplies Secondhand Church Goods.—Successful Beginnings.—Captain Juan B. Anza Arrives from Sonora.—Route Overland Feasible—Anza Leads a Large Expedition to Monterey.— The Expedition on the March.—Fr. Pedro Font’s Lucid Descrip- tion—The True Route Across the Sierras.—Fr. Francisco Garcés. T about ten o’clock in the morning of October 2, 1773, Fr. Francisco Palou, acting Superior of the California Missions, arrived from Lower California in company of Fathers Fermin Francisco de Lasuén, José Antonio Murguia, Thomas de la Pena, Juan Figuer, and Juan Prestamero. “Fathers Antonio Paterna and Antonio Cruzado were in charge,” Fr. Palou writes; “but both had petitioned for the permit to retire to their College and were waiting for the ship to bring up the reply.” Fr. Palou determined to leave here at San Gabriel Fr. Lasuén, so that, when the two Fathers had received their desired license to retire, he might remain with Fr, Figuer in charge of the Mission. If they did not receive their permit, Fathers Lasuén and Figuer should hold, them- selves ready for the founding of Mission San Buenaventura or for that of Santa Clara. The acting Fr. Presidente also placed here five Christian Indian families} whom he had brought along from Lower California, besides a number of single Indians, who were to help the missionaries teach the converts agriculture and domestic arts. “We celebrated the day of our holy Patriarch,”’? Fr. Palou writes, “with all possible solemnity by a holy Mass and sermon. After resting a few days and preparing for the journey, we three Fathers mentioned and Fr. Prestamero with the Indian 1 There had been six; but one disappeared, as will be seen later in this chapter. 