Project Gutenberg's Chimes of Mission Bells, by Maria Antonia Field This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Chimes of Mission Bells Author: Maria Antonia Field Release Date: March 19, 2009 [EBook #6894] Last Updated: January 26, 2013 Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHIMES OF MISSION BELLS *** Produced by David Schwan, and David Widger
The fickle world ofttimes applauds the rise
Of men whose laurels are but vainly won,
Whose deeds their names could not immortalize
For their soul-toils were wrought for transient ends;
But heroes of the Cross, they truly great
Shall live, their halo shall no hand of fate
Have power to rob, albeit oblivious years
May veil the radiance of their glorious works,
Or slight their excellence, their light appears
But brighter, statelier in its splendor calm,
Or like the flowers that sleep through winter's snow
To bloom more fair, their lives' pure beams shall glow
With greater brilliance and sweetly gleam
As lodestars in the firmament of worth;
Such is the memory whose holy stream
Of noblest virtue, valor, truth and Faith,
Illumes our path and stirs our souls today,
Immortal Serra by whose tomb we pray!
What peerless aureole wreathes his saintly brow?
What stately monument doth bear his name?
Let this admiring thousands tell us now!
Let youthful lips pronounce his name with love!
Let California proudly sing his praise!
Let scions of fair Spain their voices raise,
And tell of him to whom so much we owe,
Tell of his interceding power with God,
His strong and lofty soul his children know,
His prayers where Carmel's River flows so clear;
O this his aureole, this his monument,
The lasting kind which ne'er will know descent.
Another lesson must the worldly learn,
From him who sought nor praise nor fame;
His birth, ten score agone, and still we turn
To him in reverence, his name is sweet
As vernal bloom, his life shows forth God's might,
Through him this soil received Faith's warm sunlight!
This beauteous land was strange, unknown and wild,
Spite all its treasures, lordly trees and flowers;
For tribes with pagan rites its wastes defiled,
Till came Spain's noble band of godly men,
Explorers true and zealous priests who gave
Their lives' best years, forgotten souls to save!
'Tis just we venerate each hallowed stone
Which rears the wond'rous "Temples of the West";
The tears, the toils, the nightly vigils lone;
The pilgrim-journeys of Saint Francis' sons,
The rescued souls by lustral waters cleansed,
The wealth of hospitality dispensed.
All this and more if but their walls could speak,
Would tell this day; and we in whose veins flows
The fervent blood of Spain, to us each streak
Of light which doth reveal a picture true
Of gentle friar and lovely vanished times
Is tender as the Angelus' sweet chimes.
Well may each Mission have a holy spell,
And Serra's name become a household word,
What marvels can each yellowed archive tell
Of him and of his martyr-spirit band.
O faithful, dauntless hearts! What brilliant sons
Of that great galaxy of Spain's brave sons!
We love their saintly lives to ponder o'er,
While childhood's fireside tales come back to us,
And memory unfolds her precious store,
The bygone glories of the Mission towns,
The grand old hymns sung at sweet Mary's shrines
The Spanish color rich as luscious wines
Of Mission vineyards, and the festive hours
So full of life yet innocent and good,
When blessings seemed to fall as welcome showers,
The Indian tribes were ruled with Christian love,
And shared the sons and daughters of Castile
Their loved Franciscan Fathers' patient zeal!
But still we love each altar and each cross
Of these dear fanes; e'en as departing rays
Of sun doth kiss the crags outlined with moss,
We love to linger by their altars' light.
But oh fair Carmel, she of Missions Queen
What guarding spirits hover here unseen!
Sweet Carmel, center of the hero-band,
What holy treasures hold thy sacred vaults?
Junipero and others! Here we stand
In awe of all thou hast been and art still!
Cruel times took glory, splendor, power
From Missions all, but not their priceless dower,
Religion, love and all we hold as dear,
No hand can tarnish and no might destroy,
And from each hallowed altar ruddy, clear,
Still burns the mystic lamp, for God is there!
The cross-crowned towers tell that all is not dead,
E'en though more splendid times have long since sped.
And like a glowing ember in the night
Our Lady's love has burned through every change;
'Tis thus the Missions ever saw the light
Through labors, ripened harvest-joys and wrongs;
Their noon-sun splendors of well won renown
Will shine their glorious heritage to crown.
O Saintly Serra we implore thy prayer,
Thy dauntless spirit sowed the "mustard-seed"
Which grew as if by miracle of wonder rare,
Upon this now rich land which thou did'st till,
O let they mantle on thy clients fall
Who on thy gracious aid do humbly call.
Junipero Serra, Leader of the Heroic Band of Spanish
Missionaries of California. His Coming to San Fernando,
Mexico, Thence to California.
Junipero Serra, whose name and labors may be termed a compendium of
Christian virtues, was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra, a village of
the picturesque Island of Majorca, on the northeastern coast of Spain, and
a part of the Province of fair Catalonia, one of the most valuable and
beautiful portions of Spain. This child, around whom our story clusters
was baptized on the day following his birth, and received the names of
Miguel José. His parents were poor people from a material standpoint, but
gifted with a rich heritage of the noblest, and sublimest character;
qualities which make the Spanish peasant so delightful.
From his tenderest youth, Miguel José evinced an ardent desire to enter
the priesthood and displayed a zealous missionary spirit. His pious
parents placed no obstacle in the way of their gentle boy's vocation, and
being too poor to pay for his education, the Church did it for them. At
the age of sixteen, Miguel José left his father's small estate and began
his studies in his native village, completing them at the Franciscan
College of Palma, the Capital of the Island of Majorca. He made rapid
progress, and a brilliant future opened before him, while his virtuous
qualities were noted by all with whom he came in contact. A proof of his
worth may be seen from the facts that he was ordained before he attained
his majority; also taught in different schools as professor of theology
and received the degree of doctor soon after his ordination. The fame of
his eloquent preaching and persuasive oratorical powers spread not only
throughout Spain but reached other European countries. Still Junipero
Serra (as he was known by his own choice after an humble disciple of Saint
Francis of Assisi, noted for his charity) was not dazzled by his brilliant
mental gifts, and his thirsting desire to evangelize the heathen savage of
the New World grew apace with his fame. He declined the offer to become
the Court preacher and other ecclesiastical dignities, which he would have
been entirely justified in accepting, and practiced those virtues which
clung to him with even more perfect maturity throughout his life; heroic
virtues which enabled him to undertake wonderful things. In him too were
noted those sweet simple qualities invariably found in great and holy men
and women, such as gentleness, amiability, a tender affection for children
and a love for the beautiful in nature; sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds,
the woods and ocean, all found responsive chords within him. In a few
brief lines we have endeavored to convey an idea of Serra's character, let
us now follow his steps in company with the band of heroic workers who
accompanied him in his voyage across the dark Atlantic, and his apostolic
journeys through Mexico and California to "break the bread of life" to the
unfortunate heathen. Among the notable band of missionaries was Father
Francisco Paloú, life-long friend and co-laborer of Father Junipero Serra.
But why did these heroes choose Mexico and California as the vineyards of
their labors? Why did they not go to Africa or other heathen shores? Here
is the answer: Spain and all Europe were filled with stories of the New
World since the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, and several
other Spanish discoveries in later years, among which must be remembered
that in 1521, Hernando Cortes, one of the great Spanish explorers of the
sixteenth century, explored the hitherto unknown land of Mexico, and as
Spain always accompanied her conquests and explorations with her
missionaries to evangelize the heathens, at the time that Father Junipero
Serra set sail for the New World, which was in 1759, there were in Mexico
an archbishopric and several missions conducted by Spanish priests, among
them a well established Franciscan College in San Fernando, a settlement
in the northern part of Mexico, which the Spanish explorers and
missionaries so decided to name after Saint Ferdinand, a King of Spain,
who lived in the thirteenth century. And to this College, Father Junipero
Serra and his companions came after a perilous voyage of nearly one year;
for the date of their arrival was January 1, 1760; and here they began
their labor! Of the nine years which Junipero Serra toiled in Mexico, six
were spent in Sierra Gorda, some distance north of San Fernando, and one
of the wildest and roughest of those half explored regions. And what
marvels attended the labors of Serra and the other self-sacrificing sons
of Saint Francis here! With Junipero Serra at the helm, the good priests
learned some of the Aztec dialects in order to convert the savages. Then
what followed? With the greatest patience the missionaries acquitted
themselves to the task of teaching the classic, cultured language of Spain
to these poor aborigines, whose languages like those of the still cruder
California Indians, did not contain expressions for even the simplest
words of scripture or of the liturgy of the Church. And can we wonder at
this? But what were the astonishing results of the good priests' labors?
They were truly God-wonders! Daily were recorded numerous conversions, and
at the close of six years many Indian congregations of those regions could
be heard singing the ancient Latin hymns of the Church, and in poor but
intelligible Spanish supplying in their prayers and conversations what was
wanting in their dialects. It was while at Sierra Gorda that Junipero
Serra became afflicted with a painful sore which broke out on his right
leg and which never healed in all his eventful and laborious career. Many
historians allude to this sore as a "wound," but no record is extant to
indicate it as such, the most authentic conclusions being that this sore
was due to natural causes greatly augmented and brought on by the
hardships and climatic conditions he encountered in this missionary field.
The average person would think Junipero Serra and his companions had
surely satiated their thirst for missionary labors during the nine long
toilsome years they spent in Mexico, far, far away from loving home,
affectionate kindred and the Old World culture to which they bade farewell
when the last glistening silhouette of the Spanish Coast vanished from
their view in 1759, but not so! Their pilgrimage was but begun! The
pilgrimage which was to blossom heavenly and earthly blessings as
beautiful and countless as the flowers which jeweled the slopes and
valleys they traversed. The monstrous undertaking begun so gloriously,
blessed with the benison of prayers, sacrifices, tears; blessed later with
superhuman success and crowned with an immortal halo for endless days!
Here we will make a slight digression for the sake of our story. In 1548,
just twenty-seven years after Cortes discovered the land of Mexico,
Cabrillo's expedition had sailed up the Coast of California, and in 1602
Sebastian Vizcaino had made further discoveries accompanied by two
Carmelite priests, and landed on the shores of Monterey. Both of these
expeditions, however, were abandoned and California remained the
"mysterious vineyard," as it was called. But Vizcaino drew a map of
California placing upon it the harbor of Monterey, and wrote glowing
accounts of the beauty of the spot. On Point Lobos he planted a Cross, and
the Carmelite Fathers named that beautiful Valley, four miles from
Monterey, Carmelo, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, venerated under
the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Of these facts we will have
occasion to speak of more fully later on in this work.
Years after these expeditions the good Jesuit Fathers established several
missions in Lower California, but were recalled to Spain by King Carlos
III and by this sovereign's request the Franciscan Fathers of the College
of San Fernando were commissioned to take the newly vacated missions and
accompany as missionaries the great and glorious enterprise of Don Gaspar
de Portolá, with Vizcaino's map as guide, to further explore California
and add it to the Crown of Castile and Leon.
The Father Guardian of the College of San Fernando, on receiving the
letter from King Carlos, immediately appointed Junipero Serra, whose zeal
and sanctity were so well known, as the Father President of the band of
missionaries to set out for California. Among the missionaries who
volunteered to evangelize California were Fathers Francisco Paloú,
Francisco de Lasuén and Juan Crespí.
Here we will introduce a few characters, not of the missionary band, but
who may well be termed faithful co-operators of their labors, men of
unimpeachable honor, whose names add luster to the pages of Spanish
annals. Don Jose Galvez, the Visitador General (general visitator) of the
Spanish possessions in Mexico, a man as pious and noble as he was
brilliant, managed the expedition of gallant Don Gaspar de Portolá and the
missionaries, and gave Junipero Serra and the brave officers and soldiers
much encouragement. This wonderfully managed and well equipped expedition,
on which hinged the future of California, was wisely divided into two
parts, one to go by sea, the other overland. The sea expedition consisted
of three ships the San Carlos, the San José, and the San Antonio, the last
named was a relief ship and was started after the other two. The San
Carlos and San José carried a large portion of the troops, all of which
received the Sacraments before embarking. On these ships were also placed
the Church ornaments, provisions, camping outfits and cargoes of
agricultural implements. Father Junipero Serra then blessed the ships and
placed them under the guidance of Saint Joseph, whom the missionaries had
chosen as the Patron Saint of California. Each ship had two missionaries
on board and among the crew were bakers, cooks and blacksmiths; on the San
Antonio went the surgeon, Don Pedro Prat. Simultaneously with these ships
started two land parties, one in advance of the other in order to stop at
La Paz in Lower California, to pick up cattle and sheep wherewith to stock
the new country, also to bring some of the converted Indians of the
mission in that region, to aid the missionaries and soldiers by
translating the speech of the Indians of Alta or Higher California; for
while the Indian dialects were numerous, there was some similarity among
them. This first land expedition was in command of Captain Rivera y
Moncada. The second land party was in command of the newly appointed
governor, Don Gaspar de Portolá, the first governor of California, and
wise indeed was the choice of this good and excellent man! This second
land party was doubly blessed with the presence of Junipero Serra. Many
were the dangers and hardships encountered by these sterling men both by
land and sea; and as the repetition of what is noble never tires, we will
again allude to the painful sore on Junipero Serra's leg, which caused him
such intense suffering, that his continuation of the journey many times
seemed miraculous even before he reached Saint Xavier (the mission
established at La Paz). When his fellow missionary, Father Paloú advised
him to remain a little longer at Saint Xavier's until he would be in a
better condition to travel, his only answer was﹃let us speak no more on
the subject, I have placed my faith in God and trust to His Goodness to
plant the holy standard of the Cross not only at San Diego but even as far
as Monterey.﹄And God overshadowed the enterprise undertaken in His Name.
The ship San José was never heard from, but its noble crew were always
considered martyrs who brought blessings on the rest of the expedition.
The San Carlos and the two land parties reached San Diego, their first
goal almost simultaneously. Here was chanted the first Te Deum in
California! Here Serra, head of the religious portion of the expedition,
and Portolá head of the civil and military, conferred with each other on
the course they were to follow. And here we will leave these incomparable
pioneers to celebrate the birthday of California, July 1, 1769.
Brief Sketch of the Conquest of California and of the
Founding of the Missions. Hospitality of the Missions. Care
and Benevolence of the Missionaries Towards the Indians.
Father Junipero Serra and Don Gaspar de Portolá decided on the following
plan; that Junipero Serra with Fathers Francisco Paloú and Francisco de
Lasuén would remain in San Diego, where Serra was to establish his first
mission while Portolá with Fathers Crespí and Gomez, Captain Rivera y
Moncada, Lieutenant Fages and some of the Spanish dragoons and muleteers
started overland to explore the country, and in quest of the Harbor of
Monterey, carrying with them the map of Sebastian Vizcaino. This
expedition was to result in the memorable﹃March of Portolá,﹄which lasted
about eight months. Missing the Harbor of Monterey on account of an error
in the reckoning of Vizcaino's map, the explorers marched as far north as
what is now San Francisco and discovered the Harbor that bears that name;
so named later by Junipero Serra in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the
founder of the Franciscan Order. After continuing a fruitless search for
Monterey, the expedition returned to San Diego. Junipero Serra was
overjoyed at the unexpected discovery of the Harbor of San Francisco,
which Portolá and his companions so enthusiastically extolled, and was not
discouraged over their failure to find the Port of Monterey, but hoped to
make another trial to find that Port on which their most laudable
ambitions were centered. But here a sad difficulty presented itself.
Governor Portolá returned to San Diego with sad gaps made into his ranks
by sickness and hardship, but hopeful with the expectation that the relief
ship promised by Don José Galvez had arrived, and that the San Diego
Mission well established would be able to give his forces a well deserved
chance to recuperate. But what was his dismay? The relief ship had not
arrived, and Junipero Serra had indeed founded a mission with the usual
elaborate ceremonies of the Church, but the untiring zeal and labors of
himself and his companions had not been blessed with a single convert. No
neophyte could be counted among the numerous natives of the place, who had
even proved hostile at times; and the mission too, was in the sorest need;
Junipero Serra and his companions ofttimes adding to their usual fasts and
abstemiousness, "that others might have more." Still the relief ship was
delayed! Surely this was not the fault of good Don José Galvez, but it
might have met a tragic fate; thus thought the discouraged land and sea
forces; and Governor Portolá was too good a soldier not to know that the
best course to follow was to start at once back to Mexico and abandon the
glorious dream, before starvation and death overtook everyone of them. But
here Junipero Serra interposed, and as if inspired pleaded with the
Governor for "one more day;" Portolá out of respect did grant just﹃one
more day﹄before ordering the whole expedition back.
Junipero Serra then repaired to the summit of the Presidio Hill and with
arms extended, prayed as if in ecstasy from sunrise until sunset,
"storming the heavens" that the relief ship might come, and the conversion
of the heathen of California be realized. O unquestionable miracle!﹃More
things are wrought by prayer, than this world ever dreamed of!﹄As the
last rays of sun kissed his venerable brow, from out the gold and purple
horizon, he sighted the top-most point of a mast, which while he was still
"pouring his soul" no longer in supplication but in thanksgiving, grew
into the unmistakable figure of the long expected ship. But for that﹃one
more day﹄what would California be now? No converted Indians, no
monumental missions, no exploration and colonization no civilization! The
ship had been delayed on account of the rough voyage it encountered. But
now relief, contentment, renewed hope, renewed courage; and the Mission of
San Diego was but the first of the twenty-one which were to strew El
Camino Real (the Royal Road, literally, commonly called the King's
Highway) of California. And chivalrous Portolá, filled with even greater
reverence for the humble priest Junipero Serra, whom his lofty soul had
always appreciated, once more gathered his forces, and started anew in
search of Monterey. Junipero Serra left the Mission of San Diego in charge
of two of the good fathers and a small garrison as guards, and set out
with Portolá on his second expedition; and it was Serra whose very
presence seemed to draw the blessings of heaven, who pointed out to the
Governor the error on Vizcaino's map which caused him to miss the Port of
Monterey.
This expedition was also divided into two parts, one to go overland the
other by sea. Father Serra went with the sea party which sailed on the
Paqueboat San Antonio. A number of Spanish dragoons from the fair province
of Catalonia, muleteers, and some of the convert Indians recruited from
the mission of La Paz were in the overland party.
On May 24th, 1770, the expedition reached Point Pinos on the Coast of
Monterey; after going south about six miles and encamping on a picturesque
spot on the shores of the Bay, the missionaries raised an altar and
Junipero Serra celebrated the first Mass on the shores of Monterey on June
3rd, 1770. It is more than likely that the Carmelite fathers who came here
with Vizcaino had done so one hundred and sixty eight years before, but as
there is no official record of the fact, the Mass celebrated on the
improvised altar under the oak (which is preserved in the premises of San
Carlos Church, Monterey), is recorded as the first. Mass over, Junipero
Serra and Gaspar de Portolá exhorted the Spanish soldiers to hold to the
traditional faith and purity of the Spanish race, and to kindness to the
natives, calling them﹃weaker brethren who should be christianized, not
debauched.﹄Then Junipero Serra planted a Mission Cross and blessed the
Spanish flag which Portolá hoisted, taking possession of the land in the
name of﹃His Most Catholic Majesty King Carlos III, by right of
discovery.﹄1
Junipero Serra also blessed the sea and land.
As Monterey was from the first established as the civil, military and
religious headquarters of the Spanish kingdom in California, her Presidio
was known as el Presidio Real (the Royal Presidio), and the present parish
church of Monterey, which was built as a chapel for the Presidio was la
Capilla Real de San Carlos (the Royal Chapel of Saint Charles).
Junipero Serra found the Indians of Monterey and the surrounding country
very docile, while the Indians from Lower California soon learned their
dialect and acted as interpreters of the missionaries. The Cross which
Vizcaino had planted in 1602 was found decked with skins and shells. On
inquiry the Missionaries were told by the Indians that they had often seen
mysterious rays of light around it, and thinking that some god was angry
they were trying to propitiate him by means of those offerings.
As we have already noted Junipero Serra said his first, Mass in Monterey
on June 3rd, 1770, and two years later he recorded his first baptism. From
that date the Indians would come in dozens to present themselves for
instruction. Then the marvels that had attended Junipero Serra at Sierra
Gorda in Mexico, were repeated in Monterey. The naked savages were
clothed, many of them were beginning to learn Spanish and to sing the
Latin responses of the Mass and hymns both in Spanish and Latin, playing
such musical instruments as the cymbal and triangle, keeping perfect time
to every beat. The flocks and cattle were increasing and the harvest
fields were golden with grain. While some of the Indians were taught to
till the soil others were herdsmen, and some were taught to work as
artisans. Nearly fifty trades were taught the California Indians under the
supervision of the Missionaries. In 1771 Junipero Serra founded the San
Carlos Mission in the most entrancing location of the Carmelo Valley that
the nature loving Serra could have chosen; the forests of oak, pine and
cypress for which Monterey is noted to this day, stretch with even greater
beauty as we pierce farther into the interior, while the fertility of the
land drained by the beautiful Carmelo River together with the commanding
position of the spot, made the site of the Mission ideal. And this Mission
of the Carmelo Valley of Monterey, was Junipero Serra's headquarters, here
he lies buried, and here was the center of that unequalled hospitality and
pure society for which every mission was noted. The Spanish Government
made large grants of land to the missions, and under the labor, care and
excellent methods of the missionaries, they became powerful and wealthy
institutions, the pride and blessing of New Spain. Fine stock, teeming
grain fields and luscious orchards graced every mission, and Mission San
Carlos was no exception, indeed it was one of the most prosperous and
beautiful.
Fathers from the Mission at Carmelo, attended the Royal Chapel of San
Carlos in Monterey and continued to do so until long after the last Act of
Secularization in 1835 had been passed by the Mexican Government, and San
Carlos of Carmelo was left desolate with no priest to guard her own altar
light. But of this we shall, alas, have but too much reason to speak
later. Junipero Serra did not stop his arduous work by founding beautiful
San Carlos of Carmelo and consecrating the Royal Chapel of Monterey; he
was to christianize all California, for all California had now been added
to the Crown of Castile and Leon. Spain followed in California the same
policy which has distinguished her in her other possessions such as Cuba,
the Philippines and other colonies, steeped in idolatry until the Spanish
Missionary, whose zeal is proverbial, wrested their countless inhabitants
from the cymmerian gloom of paganism. Thus as soon as San Carlos Mission
was founded, the glorious march of El Camino Real continued.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, the third mission, was established in July
1, 1771. The beauty of the spot and wonderful eagerness of the Indians to
receive baptism greatly touched Junipero Serra and the other two
Franciscan Fathers who accompanied him as well as some of the soldiers who
were in the party. To-day Mission San Antonio is almost in ruins, but its
very ruins are piles which speak of mystic beauty, and in the days of
mission glory San Antonio was one of the fairest of the missions.
On returning to Carmelo, Junipero Serra filled the other missionaries with
joy over this latest conquest of souls, and sent messengers to Fathers
Soméra and Cambón whom he had left in charge of the Mission at San Diego,
to establish a mission in southern California, which they would name San
Gabriel. The two Fathers, with ten soldiers as guards, started a march
northward until they came to the present sight of San Gabriel, which they
saw immediately was a good location for a mission, particularly as a
beautiful stream flowed through the Valley, and wherever possible the
Fathers chose a spot where there was water for the mission orchards and
gardens.
Here we may add that the Fathers had a system of irrigation by means of
ditches, traces of which may be seen to this day in the sites where stood
many of the old mission orchards. The fruits from these good Fathers
gardens were the fairest and most luscious that California has ever seen,
none of our lovely grapes compare with theirs, and their olives were
larger and better than any of which California boasts to-day.
Although not deviating from our subject we have wandered from the thread
of our story in the foundation of Mission San Gabriel. One incident
contained in the records of this Mission may hardly be passed over in
silence. The good Franciscans and their brave little bodyguard found the
Indians in a very hostile mood, still they blessed a Mission Cross and
planted it; but the Indians increasing their threatening attitude, the
Fathers unfurled a large white banner bearing the image of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, placing the side of the banner with the image in full view of
the heathens. Priests and soldiers then knelt and implored the
intercession of the Redeemer's Immaculate Mother for their safety and for
the conversion of the Indians to the Faith of her Divine Son. Immediately
came the answer from Heaven! The Indians not only abandoned every sign of
hostility, but came forward towards the Fathers with every sign of sincere
submissiveness, and after due instruction were baptized. For it must be
remembered that the Church does not, and cannot force her belief on anyone
who does not willingly accept it; the poor savage is no exception;
instruction, kindness, prayers may always be employed, no more. As in many
cases the nature of the Indian was too elementary to be moved at first by
the lessons and exhortations of suffering and self-denial of Our Saviour,
and the bridling of the human passions; in many instances the Fathers
would first win the Indians' confidence by giving them blankets, beads and
such things as attracted them, then by degrees unfolded the tenets of
religion and mysteries of faith, to which in most cases these erstwhile
savages clung with firmness and gave many edifying signs of true and
sincere christianity. A band of white beads around the head distinguished
the christian Indians from the pagan.
The flocks, vineyards and orchards of Mission San Gabriel, as well as the
skill of its Indians, in time became famous throughout California, and it
was from here that Governor Felipe de Neve, third Governor of California,
started in 1781 with several of the Fathers and a company of soldiers to
found the present city of Los Angeles.
The fifth Mission, San Luis Obispo, was founded on September 1, 1772, by
Junipero Serra in person; the saintly Father making a pilgrimage there for
that purpose. Thus in the space of three years, five missions were
founded. A royal record of the zeal of the missionaries and of the
humanity of the Spanish Government and Authorities.
In 1774 the Spanish Viceroy of Mexico informed Junipero Serra that he
intended to establish a presidio in San Francisco﹃for the further
extension of Spanish and Christian power.﹄Junipero Serra, on receipt of
this letter, selected Fathers Paloú and Cambón to accompany the soldiers,
and Lieutenant Juan de Ayala was ordered with his ship stationed at
Monterey to further explore the San Francisco Bay; Juan de Anza, another
brilliant officer, was entrusted with the establishment of the new
presidio; the site he chose being the identical one on which the Presidio
of San Francisco stands today. Lieutenant Juan de Ayala of the Royal Navy
of Spain, was the first to steer a ship through the Golden Gate, and a
strange coincidence was that his ship was the San Carlos which had come to
San Diego with a portion of the first Spanish pioneers in 1769. With
Lieutenant Ayala was Father Vincente de Santa Maria who, with Fathers
Paloú and Cambón, planted a Mission Cross and founded Mission Nuestra
Señora de los Dolores, which has withstood so many ravages of time and
change, of man and elements.
The seventh Mission was San Juan Capistrano, founded November 1, 1776, by
Father Lasuén. This Mission was also a very flourishing Mission, the
Indians were laborers in its construction, which lasted nearly fourteen
years.
Mission Santa Clara was the eighth to be established. It was founded on
January 12, 1777. The original lines of this once beautiful Mission are
almost entirely changed but like all its sister missions it still retains
much of its dear old atmosphere, and can boast of the tomb of Father Magin
Catalá who died there in 1836 "in the odor of sanctity." Mission Santa
Clara was founded by Father Tomas de la Peña y Saradia; and its history is
fascinating and romantic. The Mission Cross which Father de la Peña y
Saradia planted here, is still standing.
The ninth Mission was San Buenaventura, founded also by Junipero Serra in
person, in company with Governor Felipe de Neve, on Easter Sunday of March
31, 1783.
From San Buenaventura, Junipero Serra and Governor de Neve marched to what
is now Santa Barbara. Here the Indians were numerous and more intelligent
than any in California, where the Indians were far denser than either the
Incas of South America or the Aztecs of Mexico. Delays, caused by military
differences, retarded the foundation of Santa Barbara Mission, which would
have been the tenth, but Junipero Serra planted a Mission Cross and
selected the site on which it was destined to be founded four years after
his death. From here Serra returned to Carmelo; his journeys from one
Mission to another being always on foot.
And here we must pause: We have come in our narrative to that momentous
year in the history, not only of the missions, but of California. The year
when. Junipero Serra, true priest of God, christianizer, civilizer,
wonderful among wonderful pioneers, or as Governor Gaspar de Portolá had
spoken of him years before,﹃the humblest, bravest man of God I ever
knew,﹄had done his work! Junipero Serra was ready for his throne in
Heaven, his crown awaited him, his rough Franciscan habit was to be
glorified. We have briefly glanced at his chief characteristics from his
boyhood in historic Spain, and must have gauged the measure of his
untiring and tried virtue from the time he landed in Mexico and San Diego,
on through the years he labored as the Apostle of California; to these let
us add just a few of the private practices of mortification which he
imposed on his innocent flesh, notwithstanding his age, his physical
infirmities, extraordinary labors and hardships in a new, half explored
country. Virtually they sound like a passage from the lives of the Saints.
His journeys were always on foot, although the old sore on his leg
remained like an instrument of torture throughout his life, nothing being
able to help him. El Camino Real, from San Francisco to Monterey and from
Monterey to San Diego, with its rough roads, was as familiar to him who
walked it with so much difficulty as it is to us who enjoy it by
comfortable travel on the railroad or pleasurable motor trips; his fasts
were austere and frequent, wine he never used, the discipline was no
stranger to him, a bed was not among his possessions, on the bare floor or
bench at most he would rest his sore missionary body; yet he never imposed
unnecessary penance on anyone, he was hard only on himself, he was gentle
and affectionate to a marked degree, his faith, trust in Providence,
humility and charity, were heroic. Of his seventy-four years of life,
fifty-four he had been a Franciscan Priest and thirty-five he had devoted
to missionary work, of which nine were spent in Mexico and fourteen in
California. His wonderful eloquence and magnetic power for preaching which
had won him honors in the Old World even as a newly ordained priest, he
had used and adapted for the instruction of thousands of heathens of the
New World; and now that christianity and civilization were beginning to
bud with springtime loveliness like the Castilian roses he had planted in
some of the mission gardens, while the sun of Spanish glory was still in
the ascendency and no threatening omens of the fall of Spanish or
Franciscan power, or nightmares of the Acts of Secularization disturbed
the cloudless skies, while the Presidio Real of Monterey bore the arms of
the Spanish King and the Capilla Real do San Carlos was thronged with
gallant officers and brave men of the Royal Army and Navy of Castile and
Leon, and Our Lady seemed to smile blessings on her Valley of Carmelo,
before the beauteous dream, nay, realization of noble ambitions, had
vanished like a fair sun, God called His faithful Servant unto Himself, in
his cell at his beloved San Carlos Mission about 2:30 P. M. on August 28,
1784, according to the entry of Father Francisco Paloú, in the archives of
San Carlos Mission, preserved in San Carlos Church of Monterey. And what a
day this was! The archives here are full of touching detail. Solemn
salutes were fired from the ships stationed in the Harbor of Monterey, and
the grief of the people was inexpressible. The Indians were inconsolable.
The officers of the Royal Navy claimed his sandals as a precious keepsake,
and the Fathers could not restrain the people from cutting pieces of his
habit to carry away as souvenirs; the Indians claimed his Franciscan cord
and many cut locks of his silver hair; his corpse had to be dressed twice
on account of this pious proceeding. In a plain redwood coffin his
precious remains were laid in a vault﹃on the gospel side of the altar
within the sanctuary of San Carlos Mission.﹄O! holy grave, how many
changes thou hast seen! O happy Serra, from the dazzling splendors of
God's light how often thou must have prayed for thy work, thy people, thy
neophytes! In God's inscrutable Providence the good are ofttimes permitted
to suffer, but the same All Wise Hand can brush away with a single stroke,
the wrong done to His own, and His time seems near!
We will now resume the story of the foundation of the missions, for we
really stopped at the ninth. Junipero Serra's life-long friend, Father
Paloú was chosen temporary President of the Missions, for within a year he
retired to the Franciscan College of San Fernando, where he gave most of
his time to writing, and to him we are indebted for a complete and
accurate biography of Junipero Serra. After Father Paloú's resignation,
Father Francisco de Lasuén was appointed Father President of the Missions.
Father Lasuén was an arduous laborer and able priest of the original
heroic band of missionaries, and his first act was to establish Mission
Santa Barbara, where Junipero Serra had planted a Mission Cross nearly
four years previous. This was accomplished on December 4, 1787, and of the
twenty-one missions which were spoliated in later years, Santa Barbara was
the only one which tyrannical laws could never dispossess of its lawful
owners, hence to this day the Sons of Saint Francis are there to guard the
"altar light."
From Santa Barbara, Father Lasuén traveled north to Lompoc, and founded
Mission La Purisima Concepcion on December 8, 1787.
Mission de Nuestra Señora de in Soledad was founded in October of 1791.
The last Act of Secularization in 1835 fell very heavily on this lovely
Mission of which scarcely a trace remains today. This mission was noted
for its fine stock and luxuriant pastures.
On Christmas day of 1791 was founded the Mission of Santa Cruz. This
Mission never rivaled the other missions in wealth, but in later years it
was honored with a martyr. Here is the authentic story of Father Quintana,
whose martyr's death occurred here as late as 1817. Father Quintana was a
holy and zealous priest of this mission, who had carried on the work of
the conversion of the Indians most of whom were already christian, but a
small portion still remained heathen, and these were very hostile. As was
later discovered, while the good priest was reading his breviary in his
office, some of these hostile Indians entered, and most cruelly murdered
him, then taking his body into the mission orchard placed it against a
capulin tree (a tree much resembling the cherry tree in fruit and form).
On thus discovering the corpse the other Fathers immediately sent a
message to the surgeon of the Royal Presidio of Monterey, who at the time
was Don Manuel Quixano (step-father of the writer's great grandmother).
After holding an autopsy on the martyred body, Dr. Quixano found that the
saintly Father had been horribly and cruelly murdered. The details are
preserved in the Santa Cruz Mission archives, but are not given to the
public. The capulin tree which the Indians made use of to make it appear
that the Father's death was a natural one, was at the time in full bloom,
and in a few hours became a dry lifeless trunk. A remarkable act of
Providence indeed!
The fourteenth and fifteenth missions established were Mission San Jose
and beautiful Mission San Juan Bautista, founded respectively on June 11th
and June 24th of the year 1797.
We have generously used words denoting beauty and prosperity in describing
the missions, but no less can be said of these mighty and bountiful
institutions, who, even in their regal ruins are California's chief
attraction to this day.
The sixteenth mission was San Miguel, founded by Fathers Francisco de
Lasuén and Buenaventura Sitjar, with very impressive and elaborate
ceremonials, on July 25th, 1797. The brilliant frescoing of this mission
was done in 1824 by the writer's great grandfather, Estéban Munrás, a
Spaniard from Barcelona, who had studied art in his native city, and who
was intimately connected with the early missionaries, especially those of
Monterey, where he resided. Estéban Munrás did the frescoing of San Miguel
Mission at the request of Father Juan Cabot, also a native of Barcelona.
Thus we see the undaunted steadfastness of these early missionaries who,
although California had already passed from Spanish to Mexican rule, and
mission power was beginning to wane, still were zealous for the greater
adornment of God's holy temples.
On September 8, 1797, Mission San Fernando, Rey de España was founded. In
June of the following year San Luis, Rey de Francia, fifty-four Indian
children being baptized on the day of its foundation. It was in the patio
(court yard) of this mission that the first pepper tree in California was
planted by Father Antonio Peyri.
On September 17, 1804, beautiful Santa Ynez Mission was founded. Here
Father Arroyo, a brilliant scholar, prepared a working grammar of the
language of the Indians of the San Juan region. In December, 1817, San
Rafael was founded, and made a splendid record of conversions. Not a trace
of this mission remains today.
The last mission was San Francisco Solano within the city limits of the
present town of Sonoma, and was founded as late as 1823, thus again is
shown the wonderful courage and zeal of the missionaries in the face of
obstacles, for at this date as we have already noted Spanish Mission power
had begun to wane, and while Mexico was unable to wipe out entirely
Spanish rule and influence for many years, still she had already claimed
California as her own. Many wealthy Russian traders lived in the country
about Sonoma, who showed themselves extremely friendly to the
missionaries, assisted at the ceremonies of the founding of the mission
and made generous contributions for its adornment.
And now our march of El Camino Real is ended; but let us take another look
at mission life. The plan of the missions was most wonderful, situated in
the most beautiful spots, the journey of one day from one another, and the
seats of learning and well earned prosperity in California; their
architecture was the best imitation of the Spanish Gothic style which the
Spanish laborers could build with the tools and materials which were then
possible to have in the New World. The only share the Indians had in the
building of the missions was in assisting to carry beams, stone, making
the beautiful red tiles found in every mission roof, and the like, but the
actual construction was done by Spanish workmen under the supervision of
the Fathers.
Besides the church proper, the missions consisted of groups of buildings
set aside for converted Indians and their families, a storehouse, a
guardhouse, a monastery and spacious quarters for guests. For at a mission
not only friends of the Fathers and persons of standing, but every
wayfarer whoever he might be "found warmth and plenty" as long as he chose
to remain under their blessed shelter. And so great was mission
hospitality that a pile of silver was laid in the bedroom of a guest to be
taken by him or left as he saw fit; of course no well bred guest who was
not in need would impose on the holy Fathers' generosity, but it was their
delicate way of assisting an unfortunate pilgrim who might be in need. The
missions too, were the centers of important gatherings and peaceful
rendezvous of persons of social standing, even after the first two Acts of
Secularization had been passed in after years. But these noble
entertainment's, wealth of luscious fruits, golden sheaves, luxuriant
pastures and fleecy lambs, were as the least gifts of these matchless
institutions, for we can never exaggerate the marvels wrought for the
betterment of the heathen natives, or the fairer fruits of the countless
heroic virtues practiced within these enclosures. The Indians clung to the
Fathers like little children to their parents, and from the vices of
paganism, under a healthy and kind rule drawn for them by the wise
Fathers, christian virtues took a deep root in at least a great many of
these poor "children of the soil" and so great was the care exercised by
the Fathers that nightly they would make a round of the rooms allotted to
every christian and neophyte Indian family to see that order and decency
reigned in each group; for we must remember these souls were but recently
rescued from the dark sins of heathenism.
Blessed temples! noble hospices! heroic priests! We are loathe to change
the scene, but winter's storms must come ere the laurel wreath crowns the
glorified brow! Still, we need not leave the "enchanted palace" yet,
vernal loveliness still charms the eyes and summer is just begun.
If it be but for one brief moment let us ruminate the glories, the wealth,
the beauty of mission joys, before the least cruel echoes of
Secularization are heard. The sun of Franciscan and Spanish glory is still
mounting the firmament higher and higher. The sky still wears Our Lady's
blue 2
and no penitential purple has appeared with the departing rays of sunset,
only the royal purple and gold which years before had made the scene a
fairylike setting for the heavenset relief ship to San Diego and assured
the noble enterprise of the exploration and christianizing of California.
More About San Carlos Mission and Monterey
As we have seen in the preceding chapter, Monterey was the capital of the
Spanish Possessions in California, consequently San Carlos Mission was the
headquarters of Junipero Serra. And what was not San Carlos Mission of
Carmelo in the days of her glory! We are in a maze of thought as to how to
begin to tell her story. Of the beauty of the spot where this mission was
built we have already spoken, as well as of how the golden valley of
Carmelo came to be named. And here we may well exclaim with that dear
English Saint of the thirteenth century, Saint Simon Stock, who invoked
the Immaculate Virgin with the following beautiful lines:
"Carmel's fair flower
Rod blossom laden
Smile on thy dower
Meek Mother—Maiden
None equals thee.
Give us a sign
Thou dost protect us
Mark us for thine
Guide and direct us
Star of the Sea."
A more perfect replica of the country surrounding the shrine of Our Lady
of Mount Carmel in Palestine would be hard to find, and the﹃Meek
Mother-Maiden﹄did give many a sign of her protection to her clients in
this new Carmel of the West. And it was at San Carlos Mission of Carmelo,
that the superiors of the different missions convened and gave accounts of
their work and numbers of baptisms etc. to the Father President. And how
glowing are the records of those accounts! Here on festival days after the
religious services were held social gatherings and entertainment's of the
purest yet merriest order. Marriages, baptisms, all notable events had
their share of attention. The hospitality of the missions, the care and
kindness shown to the Indians, the numerous flocks, harvests and orchards
which embellished them under the wonderful management of the good Fathers,
all existed in copious measure at San Carlos.
The huge, beautiful bells of this mission the chimes of which were heard
clearly in Monterey were cracked during the years when the mission was
neglected but some of the pieces were later recast and as far as known the
present bells of the mission were made from them.
We cannot consider a sketch of this mission however brief, complete,
without giving due credit to the Very Reverend Angelo Casanova, parish
priest of Monterey from 1869 until the time of his death in 1893. This
zealous priest undertook the work of restoring the mission for a portion
of it was in ruins, and to-day there would be but little of San Carlos to
see and admire but for Father Casanova's timely work of restoration, which
he accomplished with some help of friends, but chiefly with his own
private fortune which he inherited. Many a time was Father Casanova seen
assisting the laborers with his own hands. And what a happy day it was for
Monterey when the first Mass was sung in the restored mission after years
of vandalism and neglect! The old statues which had escaped the ravages of
time were replaced in their niches, the sanctuary lamp was re-lighted for
the Sacramental Presence once more enthroned on His altar and the organ
pealed forth the ancient Latin hymns of the Church once more. Another very
significant event of this restoration was that Father Casanova had the
four bodies contained in the vaults of the mission exhumed and placed on
new vaults, built however near the original spots﹃on the gospel side of
the altar, within the sanctuary.﹄The four bodies are the remains of
Fathers Junipero Serra, Juan Crespí, Francisco de Lasuén and Julian Lopez.
Another good outcome of this event was that it exploded the utterly
unfounded story that a Spanish ship had carried away the remains of
Junipero Serra to Spain. The vestments on each body were found in a
perfect state of preservation at the time this work was done in 1882.
For years the saintly Serra's body was buried under a pile of debris, but
his "sepulchre has become glorious" in spite of all. And since the
restoration of this mission, the feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, (its
Patron Saint) has again been celebrated here every November the
twenty-fourth, and a relic of Saint Charles which Father Junipero Serra
brought from Spain, is as of old carried in procession. While this is of
course a Catholic festival, reverent visitors of various creeds attend it.
The mission is guarded by a care-taker, living in the premises of what
remains of the old mission orchard.
It was also due to Father Casanova, that Mrs. Leland Stanford donated, in
1890, the Serra Monument 3which crowns a slope just above
the spot where this wonderful missionary said his first Mass in Monterey.
We cannot give sufficient credit to Reverend Raymond Mestres, the present
parish priest of Monterey, and a Spaniard from the Province of Catalonia,
like Junipero Serra and many of the early missionaries. Father Mestres has
given time, energy and noble efforts unstintingly to perpetuate the memory
of Junipero Serra and to more fully restore not only San Carlos Mission
and San Carlos Church, but is encouraging a movement to restore if
possible all the California Missions according to their traditional and
historical plans; may his great enterprise be blessed with all the
radiance of crowning success!
We will have ample reason to speak more of Father Mestres' good work
elsewhere in this sketch, hence we will pass into Monterey itself.
Monterey was named after the Spanish Viceroy of Mexico, who at the time of
her discovery, was the Count of Monterey. As we have many times noted this
city was of royal birth. Unlike any of the other Presidios, her Presidio
was el Presidio Real, the chapel attached to it la Capilla Real, and the
ships which sailed the blue waters of her crescent bay were the ships of
the Royal Navy of Spain. No mission town was without its glories, its
fascinating history or delightful surroundings, but Monterey was like a
fair empress of them all. Yet no jealousy or feelings of rivalry were felt
for Monterey by her sister towns, nor was her right to the sceptre ever
contested. From the time that Sebastian Vizcaino placed her on his map in
1602 and glowingly described her beautiful harbor, noble forests and
majestic hills, Spain focused her attention on Monterey, and when her Port
was at last found by Portolá, and the stout old ship San Antonio under the
command of Captain Juan Perez entered her harbor on May 31st, 1770,
without any discussion or preamble she was made the capital of New Spain.
The news of her discovery and of Junipero Serra celebrating Mass on her
shores were sent with all possible haste to the Viceroy of the Spanish
possessions in Mexico and to good Don Jose Galvez, also a complete
statement of her discovery was drawn up and sent to the Court of Spain.
And how were these news received? Solemn masses of thanksgiving were
celebrated in some of the Spanish cathedrals, attended by many of the
highest religious, civil and military authorities, while congratulations
from every side poured into King Carlos and his Viceroy. And all this
exultation over the discovery of the lovely spot we all know and love so
well! Monterey, like a "pearl of great price" had been hard to find, but
like a "pearl of great price" was worth the quest. Beautiful Monterey with
her shores decked with Vizcainos Cross since 1602, Monterey with her bay
blue like a turquoise, matching the azure of heaven, Monterey with her
forests and flowers, with her Valley of Carmelo and glorious sunsets,
adding to natures charms, her historical and sacred atmosphere, her
landmarks and the improvements of man. No wonder thousands yearly throng
this gifted spot of God's earth!
As may be needless to say, Monterey, became the center of the social life,
beauty and culture of the mission towns. From Monterey, inspiration flowed
as from a fountain head. And even to this day she is irresistible. Even to
this day, in spite of the many sad scenes and oblivious years which have
stamped their trace upon her loveliness and impaired her regal splendor,
her charm is told by her landmarks and crowned by her natural fortress of
hills, her forests and flower robed meadows, and lulled at evening by the
murmur of the iridescent waters of her bay reflecting the sunset splendors
of the sky.
About 1810 Monterey was ravaged by buccaneers under Blütcher, who was such
a terror to many sea-port towns, these pirates sailed up the Pacific
Coast, and appeared in Monterey Bay in four large vessels arriving at
midnight. Before they could be driven out of the town they set fire to
some of the Spanish Presidio homes and carried away precious jewels and
silver belonging to the Spanish ladies, and provisions from the garrison.
The former Capilla Real de San Carlos is now the parish church of
Monterey, guarding like a fond mother all that remains of the massive
silver altar vessels and candelabras, paintings, statues, vestments,
manuscripts and archives of the pioneer missionaries of this mission.
Among the modern attractions of Monterey we must not fail to mention Hotel
Del Monte built and owned by the Pacific Improvement Company, and the many
beautiful drives constructed by the same, company. Mr. Frank Powers was
the founder of the flourishing settlement of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a few
minutes walk from San Carlos Mission and a favorite resort of artists and
literateurs. These with many others have been no small contributors to the
old Capital. Thus while we deplore years of vandalism, and the thousands
who have joined the "careless throng" we can always turn to the pleasing
contrast of sympathizers and friends who are always, willing to give
"honor to whom honor is due," and in doing so have spared neither purse
nor efforts in aiding those who under difficulties have guarded the flame
of tradition and love of the splendid past with its bright galaxy of
"heroes, martyrs, saints." True, the glowing embers often smouldered
beneath a debris of neglect and even harsh misrepresentation but were not
and could not be extinguished. And now faithful hearts may beat fast with
holy joy for the feeble light fanned by loving zephyrs has burst into a
glowing flame destined to diffuse its love and influence to all,
regardless of creed, race or station.
California Under Spanish Rule
With the landing of Serra and Portolá at San Diego in 1769, began the
Spanish period of California. The chief events of this period are in a
pith, the following: The establishment of the missions, the christianizing
of the Indians and the exploration and colonization of California. It is
from the Spanish period that the history and standing of California date.
The ten Spanish Governors of California as well as the officers of the
Army and Navy were men of honor and ability, and the record left by the
Spanish settlers is one of which any country might be proud. During the
Spanish period the geographical lines of California were settled and her
harbors surveyed 4. It was during this period that
most of the present cities of California were founded, Spain following the
plan of building the towns around the missions. The first Governor, Don
Gaspar de Portolá, was a great and good man as well as a brilliant
officer, gentle and reasonable in every respect, he was beloved by all; to
him California owes the discovery of San Francisco Bay, and the great
co-operation he gave to Junipero Serra, as well as his reverent esteem for
this saintly man has endeared his memory to every true Californian, and
immortalized his name in Spain. After a period of two years in office
Portolá went to Mexico, then under Spanish rule, and from there returned
to Spain.
Portolá was succeeded by Gov. Felipe de Barri, who after three years was
removed from office on account of infringing on the rights of the
missionaries and siding with Captain Rivera Y. Moncada who was a somewhat
arrogant man, who also on several occasions infringed on the rights of the
missionaries; but the faults of the latter have been very exaggerated by
some historians, namely, some declare that he was ex-communicated from the
church on account of insolence to the missionaries, whereas there is no
record of such a fact. Excepting their officiousness and arrogance, Barri
and Rivera were moral and able men.
Barri was succeeded by Felipe de Neve, a statesman, scholar and worthy
governor who at once declared himself the friend and protector of the
missionaries. It was Governor de Neve who drew up California's first code
of legislation dated from the "Royal Presidio of San Carlos at Monterey"
in June 1779. This code known as the "Reglamento" is regarded by capable
judges as a most remarkable and valuable document. It was also Governor de
Neve who founded the present city of Los Angeles, the original name of
which was Neustra Señora de los Angeles, later shortened into Los Angeles.
The towns of San Jose and Santa Clara also owe their foundation to de
Neve, who selected the location of these cities around the mission sites.
After eight years of office de Neve was marked for higher honors, and was
succeeded by Governor Pedro Fages.
Governor Fages was a good and energetic man, but better fitted for the
army than for the state; he was noted for his lofty principals of
morality. Fages resigned his office and returned to Spain; he was not a
tactful ruler, but like many others his name has suffered at the hands of
unscrupulous writers. Fages was succeeded in 1790 by Governor José Antonio
Romeú, a bright and able but very sickly man. Dr. Pablo Soler the
excellent physician and surgeon of the Province of California was unable
to help him; and Romeú died in Monterey in less than two years of office.
José de Arrillaga was the sixth governor. This governor was a finished
general, and placed the presidios of California on a solid basis; he was
painstaking and careful of detail. He resigned on account of private
business affairs but later returned as he was reappointed governor of
California.
The seventh governor was Diego de Boríca. Around this Governor cluster
many beautiful pages of Spanish history in California; his was a character
as gentle, religious and home-loving as he was scholarly and tactful. It
was under Boríca's administration that the boundary lines of Upper and
Lower California were clearly defined. Boríca, however, was not a man who
courted public life or honors, and resigned his office, returning to Spain
with his charming wife and daughter who always longed for their mother
country.
Before leaving Boríca did a good service to Spain and California in
recommending the reappointment of José Joaquin Arrillaga. Arrillaga
continued to organize strong military defenses for California. He served
as Spanish Governor of California fourteen years, and first of all
declared himself on all occasions "a loyal son of the Church." He died at
Mission Soledad on July 25, 1813, and was buried there. The only Spanish
Governor to be buried in California.
The ninth Spanish Governor was José Dario Arguello, who was in office one
year, the interval between the death of Arrillaga and the advent of Pablo
Vicente de Solá the last Spanish Governor of California.
When Governor Solá took office in 1814, California had already bloomed
into a garden of beautiful men and women, many of them from the mother
country, others their children born in this distant province of Castile.
Also many Yankee, Russian and English trading ships came to California
then, and the Spanish presidios were the scenes of many brilliant dances
and entertainment's. These foreign vessels were always welcome; while the
Governors were careful that the power of Spain was not infringed upon,
perfect courtesy and friendliness was always maintained by both Spaniards
and visitors. Thus when Governor Solá arrived to take his office he was
given a royal welcome. Of course, it was in Monterey that every governor
took up his residence (at the Royal Presidio) and their first act was to
attend Solemn High Mass at the Royal Chapel of San Carlos of Monterey.
Solá was no exception to the rule; amid salutes from the cannon of the
Presidio and the cheers of loyal subjects, by the Catalonian cavalry, and
their officers in their gorgeous velvet uniforms, gold swords and plumed
hats, Solá proceeded to the Royal Chapel where the Franciscan Fathers
awaited him in their priestly vestments. Three days of carnival followed,
but on the second day Governor Solá withdrew from the festivities, made
the Stations of the Cross 5which the fathers had erected
between Monterey and Carmelo, and on reaching San Carlos of Carmelo was
shown to the tombs of Junipero Serra, Juan Crespí and Francisco de Laséun.
Here the Governor knelt and remained long in prayer.
In California Solá found a pleasing contrast from the conditions of
affairs he had seen during his sojourn in Mexico. In that country clouds
of revolt against Spanish rule were rapidly gathering. California he found
intensely loyal to the Crown. The neophytes and converted Indians greatly
touched his generous soul, and the beauty of the country delighted him.
Solá was in office eight years; his work was well done, and if California
was lost to Spain under his administration, no less credit can be given to
his ability and high principals of honor. Many times did Solá quell
disturbances from revolutionary vessels which landed in Monterey from
Mexico, and several attacks from pirates, and many a noble act is recorded
of this loyal governor as well as of the no less loyal Spanish subjects of
the Province. If the Mexican Government supplanted Spanish rule and﹃laid
desolate﹄much of the work done by this brilliant period of California, we
repeat it was due to no treachery or cowardice of Solá and his compatriots
as we shall see elsewhere in this sketch. Spain came into possession of
California with honor, maintained it with honor, and after her three-fold
honorable policy of exploration, colonization and christianizing of its
heathen natives, left it with honor, but her monuments remained. If a few
political troubles and abuses existed, they pale before the light of the
myriad of great deeds and purposes, and where is the country or people who
are utterly flawless individually? No cruelties or uncleanness can ever be
proven against Spain or her people here. Spanish society and refinement
was the first which California saw; under Spain were thousands of Indians
rescued from savagery, and under Spain was California made known to the
world, as well as discovered. Under Spain too were the first land grants
made to her subjects in California.
Some historians and casual observers are inclined to blame Spain for not
having lent more aid to her loyal California colonies and enabled her
presidios to have more and better fortifications. But let us examine these
points more coolly. First of all this province was far away from the
mother country, means of travel and communication were then far different
from what they are now, and Spain was also busy with political troubles at
home; she had always sent her most representative men as governors and
officers, her settlers were no less worthy, most of them coming here with
no "empty purse" as adventurers, but were men of education and standing in
their country. The galaxy of saintly missionaries is superfluous to
mention, so above are they of the least sting of reproach, and lastly so
clean are the pages of Spanish history in California that no serious
student of whatever race or creed he or she may be, can but deplore the
calumnies that have at times been hurled at this golden period of
California history. It was from the Spanish period of California that the
present capital of the state dates having been named Santisimo Sacramento
(Most Holy Sacrament) in honor of the Eucharistic Presence of the Altar.
Thus we see the vein of piety of the Spanish settlers who gave names of
religious significance to so many of the towns they founded, and even to
their land grants. In fine these sterling men were worthy compatriots of
those giant men and women which have appeared at different times in Spain.
We refer to Saints, Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Dominic, Theresa
of Jesus and a myriad others, also to the fair array of kings and queens,
poets, artists, explorers, whose illustrious names would fill volumes.
When treading El Camino Real and kneeling by the sacred tombs of Junipero
Serra and his hero band of soul-conquerors we may well recall that passage
of the beautiful Hymn of the Knights of Columbus.
"Brothers we are treading Where the saints have trod."
California Passes From Spanish to Mexican Rule,
Secularization of the Missions
Amidst the beauty and glory of Spain's dominion in California, while the
gold emblazoned banners of Castile and Leon floated proudly under azure
skies, while the Spanish governors, officers and colonists were doing
honor and credit to their ancient race, and the saintly missionaries were
working marvels for the souls and bodies of the aborigines of the land,
while Spain was thus lending "her beauty and her chivalry" to California;
Mexico, forgetting her old debt to Spain, when she explored her then
heathen shores, had revolted against Spanish rule and set up an empire of
her own, making Augustin Iturbide, a man of half Indian blood her Emperor.
Immediately Mexico claimed California, as well as Texas, Arizona and New
Mexico as a portion of her empire, although the people of California, with
the exception of a handful of Mexicans, had never shown the least desire
of change of government, for the greatest number of her settlers were
Spaniards or their children who were intensely loyal to the Crown of
Spain. Here we will add that no person who held any office of importance
was any other than a Spaniard, or of purely Spanish blood or parentage,
hence missionaries, bishops, army and navy officers, surgeons, etc. were
all "children of Spain," the highest decoration that a mixed blood could
attain in the Spanish army of California or of Mexico was that of Corporal
or Sergeant. But when Mexico gained her independence all these corporals
and sergeants were suddenly made generals by their country, Mexico; and
here was clearly seen "who was who" for all mixed bloods as well as those
of purely Indian birth, both in Mexico and California raffled around their
standard, the new Mexican flag; in this number we will only except many of
the Christian Indians, in California, who clung piteously to the missions,
and who had more of their share of suffering. This state of affairs
enabled the new Mexican authorities, exultant over their victory in the
gain of their independence, to send several war vessels to Monterey late
in 1822 and demand of Governor Solá, the surrender of California in the
name of Emperor Augustin Iturbide. As we have already seen, nowhere in
Spain's New World possessions was loyalty to the mother country more
intense than in California, and the people, army and navy were loud in
their demonstrations of opposition, and expressions of willingness were
offered to the governor to fight the intrusion of Mexico to the end. But
the comparative handful of soldiers of the various garrisons, as well as
the few ships which the Spanish could muster in California were no match
to the overwhelming forces from Mexico, and Governor Solá considered it no
cowardly act but rather his conscience-bound duty to prevent a useless
carnage, wisely preferring an honorable surrender under the circumstances.
The prudence of this decision was soon seen in a clearer light by the
people. It was thus that the grand old flag of Spain was hurled from her
state fifty-three years after she had been hoisted amid the blessing of
Junipero Serra, the salutes of her proud ships and the loyal acclamations
of Portolá and her other gallant sons. Now Spanish rule was virtually
ended in California, but we repeat, not dishonorably. Spain's, work was
well done, her chief purpose gained, namely, the exploration and
christianizing of California.
As it took sometime for Mexico to mobilize her troops and settle her rule
in California, the Royal Presidio of Monterey was not immediately emptied
of its officers or of the Spanish families, whose positions entitled them
to a residence there, and who continued to live there close on to 1824.
Thus although the old familiar standard gave place to Mexico's new red,
white and green, the imprint of Spanish rule remained.
Indeed it was several years before Mexico could change the face of
California, and the Spanish element continued to rule social life at least
to a great extent through virtually all the Mexican period. The Mexican
society of the time certainly contained some excellent exceptions, but as
a general rule it was a sad contrast to that of the preceding period, nor
had the ten governors of this era the energy or standing of the ever
remembered Portolá, Boríca, de Neve, Arrillaga or Solá. At times, the
Mexican authorities treated Spaniards shabbily for it is important to note
that contrary to what many histories state, Spaniards unanimously refused
to take the Constitutional Oath of Allegiance to Mexico, and withdrew as a
consequence from all public affairs, only inasmuch as their family
interests or the good of the community demanded their intervention. Thus
we find no Spaniard as Governor, General, or the like during this period.
But here a curious thing occurred. In later years when writers and
historians of California became numerous many Mexicans declared themselves
Spaniards or classed themselves as of purely Spanish descent, passing as
such into some histories, while at the same time they did not hesitate to
"sting" the Spanish name; and there are many California families who are
referred to as "Spanish" whose ancestors in the baptismal and marriage
records of the various mission archives are recorded as﹃neófita de la
mission﹄("neophyte of the mission") for the Spanish missionaries were
most accurate of details, and their records of marriages, baptisms and
funerals are like sketches of the persons concerned; parentage, birth all
are given in detail. Thus a child born of Spanish parents is referred to
as﹃de calidad Española﹄("of Spanish quality") or if of some other purely
foreign extraction the same is mentioned. And fortunate indeed, that this
care of detail was had in the new country, else how would much valuable
knowledge be obtained?
During our narrative we do not wish to lose sight of the fact that we have
professed our work to be primarily a work of love, avoiding bitter truth,
which can do no good, and avoiding personalities, hence the absence of
names may be noted in this chapter, but it is invariably the unpleasant
duty of a writer to tell some unpleasant things in a historical sketch,
else how could justice be done to others, and how straighten
misunderstandings? We do not wish to merely cast aspersions at the Mexican
race or any other, for the gross and sordid not to say sinful delight of
doing so, but we wish to present to the reader plain facts of this period
of history. Here we will add that even as﹃there is beauty in a blade of
grass﹄there were and are good qualities and virtues in many individual
Mexicans, but we cannot but wonder at the contrast of the two first
periods of our state's history, and at the difference so vast between two
races and characters so often absurdly confused. Here, we must mention
perhaps the most deplorable incidents of this period, incidents to which
in spite of ourself we have so often alluded, namely the Acts of
Secularization of the missions. First, we will mention that some writers
accuse Spain of having passed an Act of Secularization of Mission property
in 1813, but such an assertion is considered unfounded by good
authorities, perhaps it had rise from the fact that disturbances against
Spanish rule were felt in Mexico as early as that period and echoes of it
reached the small Mexican faction of California, causing much uneasiness
to the missionaries. But three Acts of Secularization of the missions were
passed in the years 1826, 1829 and 1835. And what did not the good fathers
with their neophytes and converts suffer! And what did not the many loyal
friends of these beloved fathers not suffer with them through sympathy!
Indeed no Spaniard or his descendants can speak of those Acts without the
crimson of just indignation mounting to the cheek. But Spaniards were
powerless to check the lawlessness of the times. The missions were
gradually but slowly dispossessed of their lawful property, and all their
wealth confiscated, several times were many of the dear Spanish fathers
deported; they returned to Spain where a warm welcome awaited them, but
how sad to leave their missions reared by the most heroic labors of the
"martyr stuff" within them or their immediate predecessors, Serra, Lasuén,
Lopez, Dumetz, Crespí, Paloú, names "held in benediction;" and what would
become of their poor converted Indians who clung to them so faithfully and
whom they had raised to the plane of christian men and women from
nakedness, savagery and paganism! Besides the missionaries, many other
Spaniards, too, were put on a list of those to be deported, among these
there would not have been much resistance offered, as the changes of the
government were sad enough, but before the resolution was carried out,
while many of them were settling their affairs and preparing to leave, a
few of the better class of Mexicans interposed, saying,﹃the Spaniards'
are of greater value to the Province than any harm which could ever come
from their presence, it behooves us to let them remain,﹄so under the
condition that they would not be interfered with, and that no oath of
allegiance to Mexico would be forced from them, the Spanish families
remained, and their presence indeed was of "greater value" than for which
credit has been given them. American, English and Russian trading ships
continued to make their appearance in Monterey, to these were added French
ships. Several mercantile establishments existed, carried on chiefly by
Spaniards and Englishmen, and gay little social gatherings and dances
still went on.
In 1823 Mexico overthrew her empire and established a republic. But
throughout this period, disturbances and guerrillas scarcely ever ceased,
while the gradual but sure devastation of the missions and the behavior of
the authorities towards the beloved padres heightened the indignation of
all noble-minded citizens and increased the unpopularity of the governors
and authorities, most of whom were so very different to the Spanish
governors, who at all times declared themselves﹃loyal sons of mother
Church﹄and of whom no record of the practice of the contrary exists save
a very few minor differences in defining the extent of military and
ecclesiastical power. Good Bishop Garcia Diego, Bishop of California and
worthy Prince of the Church was also a sufferer on several occasions from
the disrespect of the civil authorities of Mexico, who even tried to
prevent his landing in Monterey, the seat of the diocese then. Let us
repeat a few Mexican authorities were exceptions of this type, but as we
have said, these were few indeed, and slowly Mexican power began to wane.
United States, England and France all stood in line for possession of
California as soon as a ripe opportunity presented itself. This plan was
most welcome to the Spaniards, who contrary to the statements of some
prominent historians, entertained no dislike for any of these nations.
Spaniards, like some others only wished that a happier and better
government would supplant the inactive yet turbulent government of Mexico,
who had hurled the Spanish flag from her position years before and
despoiled the missions of their wealth and glory. Thus United States
Consul, Thomas Larkin was always well received in the homes of the Spanish
families and in turn Mr. Larkin always referred to them in words of
praise. Meantime, things went from bad to worse, a change of government
seemed inevitable. We will soon see how this came about.
The only things for which Mexican rule in California was noted, was the
continuation of the making of large land grants, and an easy, careless
existence without the "hurry and flurry" of today; feasting, making merry,
and great parties in the "rancherias" where there were always large
"spreads;" it was during this period chiefly that the typical Mexican
dishes of tamales, enchiladas, and others which are still relished in
California were introduced in this province. In a word this was the period
of the sweet﹃mañana,﹄where everyone seemed to have time to enjoy the
"dolce far niente" and exercised an open handed generosity with regard to
the "fleeting goods of earth."
California Passes From Mexican to American Rule
The year 1846 found the Mexican government in California struggling with a
poor exchequer and some of its leaders in an unfriendly mood towards one
another on account of petty differences, while France, England and United
States waited eagerly for an opportunity to seize California, nor may
their desire be termed dishonest since a change of government each day
seemed more inevitable.
Americans had often been treated with hostility and not given their lawful
rights under the existing form of government in California. Just about
this time United States Consul, Thomas O. Larkin had been sent to Monterey
and Captain John Fremont to Northern California, the latter presumably to
survey the country of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast in the
interests of travel, but the real reason of the presence of these
gentlemen in California was thought to be, that they should keep a close
watch on the turn of affairs.
When circumstances shaped themselves for the worst, a party of Americans
at Sonoma headed by Captain Ezekiel Merritt gave the first signal of
uprising which led to the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic of
California. These men applied to Captain Fremont for help, but as Fremont
was an officer in the United States army, he could not personally take a
hand in the affair without authority from the United States Government,
but left his men free to join Captain Merritt's ranks, and many did so.
Under Captain Merritt the Americans captured horses and arms from a
Mexican regiment on the march for Sonoma, also the garrison of Sonoma;
encouraged by this William B. Ide, one of Merritt's chief advisers and
successor issued a Proclamation which launched the Bear Flag Republic into
its existence of twenty-four days. This Proclamation was a praiseworthy
document, stating the grievances of the American settlers, namely
unfriendliness and threats of expulsion, also declaring the justice of
overthrowing a government which had confiscated mission property calling
upon the assistance of peace-loving citizens of California and promising
not to molest persons who had not taken up arms. The Bear Flag of the
Republic of California was then designed by a Mr. William Todd and hoisted
in Sonoma on June 14, 1846, also in Monterey. The American flag could not
be hoisted because the actions of this party of Americans had virtually
been unauthorized, and they would have been responsible to the United
States for so doing, however, it was their intention to turn over their
conquests to the United States as soon as possible. But the Mexican
military authorities regarded the actions of these Americans as a gross
hostility, and from all sides prepared to attack them. The position of
this plucky little band now became very perilous, and again they laid
their cause and dangers before Fremont, who was in his camp on the
American River. Now the Captain did not hesitate in his decision and with
a small mounted force began action on the field. Fremont was a man of many
commendable qualities, possessed of bright mentality, unwavering and
extremely loyal to the American cause, but he had his failings, among them
being that on several occasions he took advantage of the tangled state of
affairs, to seize upon personal property considered without the range of
his lawful power to take, hence the dislike that exists for him among many
old California residents; still it was the "Pathfinder" as he was called,
who with Commodore Robert Stockton, Lieutenant Archibald Giliespie in
command at Los Angeles, General Stephen Kearny and some others fought the
brief battles which terminated in the raising of the American flag at the
Custom House of Monterey on July 7, 1846, thus was California admitted
into the Union as a territory. By a treaty of peace which followed the
Mexican War, California was ceded to the United States for the sum of
$15,000,000 in 1848. Among Monterey's landmarks Colton Hall is pointed out
as the place where representative men from various parts of California
convened and framed the first American Constitution for the State,
September 3, 1849. On November third of the same year the first election
was held, with the result that Peter H. Burnett was elected Governor, John
McDougall, Lieutenant-Governor, and Edward Gilbert and John Wright first
Congressmen from California. From Monterey the State Capital was removed
to San José, where John Fremont and William Gwin were appointed senators,
and it was they who pressed the Government to admit California as a state,
with the result that California was admitted as such on September 9, 1850.
Major Robert Selden Garnett, U. S. A. designed the state seal.
In 1854 the capital was removed to Sacramento from Benicia which held it
one year, San José having held it two years as, also Vallejo.
The discovery of gold in 1849 brought on a mad rush of all classes of
people into California and acts of lawlessness and violence became
numerous and frequent; for the purpose of checking these disorders the
"Committee of Vigilance" was formed in San Francisco in 1851. This
committee was composed of responsible men and much good came of it but
like in so many enterprises of the kind, many abuses were committed and
many innocent persons were unjustly punished.
As soon as affairs became settled and order established, American rule in
California became marked by progress and order, the discovery of gold
brought on a wonderful increase in population and more towns and cities
sprung throughout the state.
Much indeed could be said of the present, but as our story is only a brief
sketch intended to deal chiefly with the beloved old missions and
missionaries, and unravel if but a few of the tangled skeins of
misrepresentation cast about the older history of the state which is more
wrapt in mystery, with warm gratitude for what the present is and for what
the future will bring, we will return to the traces of the good fathers
whose missions are still the wonders of California, with them we can still
hear the chimes of mission bells.
Mission Anecdotes and Hymns
Told of Father Vicente Sarría
Father Vicente Sarría, a venerable and saintly missionary in charge of
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad at the time the first two acts of
Secularization were passed, was one of the keenest sufferers from the
injustices of the times, undergoing untold labors and hardships, which in
no small degree contributed to his death in 1833, which found him at his
post of duty at the mission. Father Sarría's reputation for sanctity was
well known throughout California, particularly in Monterey and Soledad,
and after his death it was no strange thing to hear both from Caucasian
and Indian such an ejaculation as﹃alma de nuestro Padre Sarría, ayudanos
con tu intercesion﹄(soul of our Father Sarría help us by your
intercession). Of course this pious demonstration was not public because
for many wise reasons, the church forbids the public veneration or
invocation of a saint until the required process of canonization has
authorized it, however, the allowable private invocation was freely
practiced as it has been done in the case of other saintly missionaries,
namely, Junipero Serra, Magin Catalá and others. And the following sweet
legend is told of Padre Sarría. As the Indian carriers lowered the humble
redwood coffin which contained the Father's precious remains into the
mission vaults, the edifice was filled with an exquisite fragrance as of
roses, and this story told with all earnestness was given much credence
about the mission towns. While not authenticated by infallible
investigation, may not this incident be classed at least as a probability
by the spiritual minded? For is it not in the power of the God of the
beautiful in nature to proclaim thus His appreciation for the heroic
charity of one of His servants, especially to strengthen the faith of the
sorely tried convert Indians who clung so lovingly to the mission in the
days of its trials?
Father Junipero Serra's Promise
One beautiful summer day while walking about the San Carlos Mission
Garden, Junipero Serra pondered over the wonderful progress of California
both in the spiritual and material order; filled with joy the good priest
blessed the land, and made a solemn promise to celebrate one hundred
masses for the future peace and prosperity of California, moreover he
promised to begin the fulfillment of his promise on the following
November, twenty-fourth, feast of Saint Charles, the patron saint of the
mission. Soon after, the venerable Serra was overtaken by his last illness
and went to his reward before November, the twenty-fourth. But every year
on the eve of the feast of Saint Charles just before midnight a ghostly
procession wended its way to San Carlos Mission, for all the missionaries,
Spaniards, or their descendants who had ever lived in California would
arise from their graves and with them all the Christian Indians of the
mission towns joined the "ghostly throng" to San Carlos where Junipero
Serra would arise from his tomb and celebrate mass while the spirits sang
their ancient hymns, after which all the scene vanished like silver fumes
of smoke, and this continued for one hundred years. This most unlikely
legend has been told in beautiful Spanish and English poetry, and for all
its unlikelihood has found its way with its weird charm into many homes.
A True Story
Somewhere in the eighteen fifties a non-catholic of very irreligious
character, made targets of the eyes of a statue of Saint Benedict,
belonging to San Carlos Mission, taking advantage of the neglected
condition of the place at the time. A few days after this proceeding the
man was struck blind. This incident is no legend, but within the
remembrance of many old residents of Monterey. The unfortunate man later
acknowledged that his calamity was a direct visitation of Almighty God for
his gross and intentional irreverence to the image of a saint. The writer
refrains from giving the name of this man who has long ere this passed to
the "Great Beyond" but many Montereyans, who will read this sketch will
know it.
Countless stories and legends of mission times are told and written
without the least foundation for veracity, for example the story of﹃The
Lost Pearls of Loretto;﹄others are founded on facts but distorted beyond
recognition. Still this is not startling in a land as full of sentiment
and romance as California, where so many writers, (most of them
"New-comers") have given vent to their poetical imaginations, and it is
not hard to believe that the eventful history of the state contained many
authentic stories, and legends with some ground of truth.
Hymn to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6.
"Para dar vida mortál
A Un Dios Autor de la vida
Sois Maria concebída
Sin pecádo originál."
"Para humillar la serpiénte
Que con su mortál venéno
Dejó todo el mundo lléno
De su aliento pestilénte
Que marcó à todo viviénte
Con el sello mas fatál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
"Como Estér la mas amada
Del mas generoso Asuéro
Gracia recibes priméro
Que estés del crimen manchada
Pues para no ser contáda
En la indignacion reál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecádo originál."
"Ciudad fuérte y mas hermósa
Que de Asírio acometida
No logrará vérte herída
Su saeta ponzoñosa
Pues para ser victoriosa
De su poder infernál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
"Luna lléna de esplandor
Sin ser nunca eclipsáda
Porque fuiste iluminada
De un sol de poder, y amor
Pues por no ver el horror
De un eclipse criminál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
"Mujer heróica y valiente
Que con divino valor
Pisas gloriósa el furor
De la engañósa serpiente
Pues por no temer el diente
De aqeste monstro infernál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
"Virgen que de nuestro suélo
Subes vestida de estrellas
Mas bela que las mas bellas
A ser la gloria del ciélo
Pues para tan alto vuélo
Con un favor sin iguál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
"Patrona la mas amada
De nuestro suélo Español
Nuestro mas luciente sol
En la noche desgraciada
Pues para ser proclamada
Con el voto mas cordiál
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
"Concede en fin Madre amada
A tus hijos este dia
La mas cristiána alegria
Y la muerte deseada
Para que seas cantada
En la patria celestial
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado originál."
Retrospection of the work of the Spanish Missionaries,
Explorers and Settlers and their place in California's
Appreciation
We have followed the venerable band of missionaries from their homes in
Spain, where fired with zeal for the conversion of the savage heathen of
the New World they set out for the comparatively newly discovered land of
Mexico, where Spain had already a few establishments and churches, an
archbishopric in the city of Mexico, and the Franciscan Fathers a well
equipped monastery and mission at San Fernando in the northern part of the
country. We have seen the Spanish Franciscans' zeal in the land of the
Aztec, and we have also seen the noble cooperation given them by the
government and civil authorities of Catholic Spain. We have traced the
missionaries' steps, followed by gallant Portolá, and his fellow officers
and men, and have sympathized and rejoiced with them in their hardships
and joys. We have no doubt, often marveled at the stupendous work of the
Sons of Saint Francis in the conversion of the unenlightened heathen, and
have seen the Indian tribes turn from the worship of idols to the altar of
the one true God.
Let us now give a brief glance at the work so nobly done by the immortal
heroes which Catholic Spain sent to these shores. Many a time, winter
blasts of misunderstanding and wrong have been cast upon them, and many a
time have noble sympathizers fought just battles with prejudice in their
behalf, with the blessed result that the thickest clouds of errors and
"threadbare calumnies" have almost entirely disappeared, and with them the
remaining mists of wrong are fast vanishing at the powerful approach of
truth's sun, so that in relating the glories of that legion of splendid
characters whose names are so tenderly clasped about the fondest memories
of mission times, we shall not forget their friends and champions of later
years.
But first let us see what the brave Spanish pioneers did for California.
We will begin with the missionaries. To them we owe the conversion of the
heathen and savage Indians, which work was super-human in itself, and
which contrary to the statements of libelers, the fathers accomplished
with heroic patience and charity, teaching the Indians besides religion,
useful trades, civilizing them, and taking such conscientious care of them
that they made a nightly round of their quarters, not with whip in hand to
punish imaginary misdemeanor, but to see that the spiritual and temporal
welfare of their converts and neophytes, was guarded, and so great was the
attachment of the Indians to the fathers that if a father was called on
business from one mission to another, the Indians would follow him a long
distance weeping. Very few of the Indians were taught the art of reading,
not because the fathers were in any way unwilling to teach it, but because
for this one art most of the Indians showed no desire or willingness to
learn, yet this has given the ever ready, unscrupulous writer food for
saying that "the fathers endeavored to keep the Indians in ignorance" and
the healthy rule of the fathers with its hours of prayer, labor,
instruction and recreation for the Indian families in the mission
quarters, has been distorted by erroneous histories, and statements have
been made by some writers to the effect that﹃the Indians were treated
harshly and oppressed.﹄Whereas under what nation were Indians or
unenlightened natives christianized, allowed to remain in their lands or
treated with more humanity than under Spain or her missionaries, wherever
they explored and wherever they went?
"Harsh, oppressive, endeavoring to keep the Indians in ignorance," if such
actions mean all that these saintly missionaries accomplished, if they
mean their leaving refinement, christianity, fond home and kindred in
distant Spain to brave untold hardships, nay, martyrdom, to rescue souls
from paganism, and if such conduct as﹃harshness, oppression, endeavoring
to keep the Indians in ignorance﹄could be compatible with the practice of
heroic virtue and acts of mortification of mind and body which to the
spiritual man or woman appear beyond words of admiration, to the scoffer
and frivolous (but for this latter class we are not writing) foolish and
impossible. The missions too, with their honest wealth and industry were
California's first centers of enlightenment and refinement. The Spanish
missionaries were scholars as well as religious, and their institutions
were California's cradles of literature, music and learning hand in hand
with religion. To these early fathers we owe the first paintings and
statues brought to California, while their well equipped missions, even
contained medicine chests and medical books, to them we also owe the first
architecture in the building of the missions, the first agricultural
implements, even the first system of irrigation, in the state; to these we
may add the first stock of sheep, cattle, horses, the first fruits,
vineyards and teeming grain fields, yes, even the first roses of
California were brought here by them, and it was from the missions that
Dr. Robert Semple borrowed the printing type, wherewith he printed the
first newspaper in California, which appeared in Monterey in 1846, making
the letter "w" by joining two vs as the Spanish alphabet contains
twenty-five letters, "w" excepted.
And if the Spanish missionaries did so much what did the Spanish civil and
military authorities and settlers do? To Spanish explorers we owe the
discovery and exploration of California, as well as of South America,
Mexico and other portions of the New World, including the Pacific Ocean;
indeed is it not to Spain and her good Queen Isabella the Catholic, to
whom we really owe the discovery of America by Columbus? But not to
deviate from Spain's work in California, it was the early Spanish
governors who first framed laws and drew up a constitution in California,
and it was they who made the first land grants, it was by Spanish
explorers too that the first maps of California were drawn, under Spanish
rule were many of the present towns and cities founded, from Spain came
the first dawn of refinement and civilization, the first army and navy,
the first artists, musicians, physicians and skilled workmen, in fine the
first white child born in California was born of Spanish parents settled
in Monterey. And what was the record of Spain's dominion in California?
Setting aside unfounded calumnies as absurd as the one which claims that
Philip II passed a law sentencing to death any foreigner who set foot on
Spain's dominions in the New World, relegating such lies to where they
belong, Spain's rule in her New World possessions, including California
was marked by humanity as well as energy. Cortes, Pizzaro, Vizcaino,
Coronado, Menendez, Ponce de Leon, Cabeza de Vaca, Balboa, as well as the
later "pathfinders" governors and viceroys of Catholic Spain, were men of
honor, and sobriety to whose names no "butcheries and cruelties" may be
justly attached.
Perhaps one of the best proofs of Catholic Spanish humanity is the fact of
the preservation of the aborigines of the land wherever Spanish conquests
were made. Take for example, the statistics of the last census of Mexico
which reveal that of a population of 15,000,000 souls 7,000,000 are pure
Indian 5,000,000 mestizos or of mixed Indian and foreign extraction and
only 3,000,000 foreigners or of Mexican birth but of purely foreign
extraction. Take, California, Arizona, New Mexico and other former Spanish
possessions of whom the same may be said in proportion. In these places no
Indian reservations are seen as where the Puritans held sway. If Spain
were guilty of the cruelties so falsely imputed to her, Mexico in
particular would be a Spanish or Latin-American Republic, as it is, she
may hardly be termed as such. But Catholic Spain acted as explorer,
civilizer and with her venerable missionaries sponsor to the conversion of
the heathen tribes of her New World colonies, leaving in them the traces
of her enlightenment and christianity, yes, leaving them monuments of her
humanity!
On the absurd and ludicrous application of the term "Spanish" in our midst
to many persons who have no claim to it by either birth or descent we will
not dwell, as we would not cheapen our sketch by stooping to discuss such
ignorance or insult our intelligent readers by writing on such
foolishness, we will only ask their permission to say that many so-called
intelligent people have no conception of the Spanish type, race or
character, but these we will leave "a la luna de Valencia" as an ancient
Spanish saying would express such cases. The California families of
Spanish descent are comparatively few, this being noted especially by
Spanish visitors to California.
But what of Spanish generosity at home, when the missionaries were toiling
for souls in the New World? Many a pious Spaniard in Spain and in Mexico
subscribed immense sums for the missions of California, both for the
Jesuit and the Franciscan missions. Thus we find the pious Marquis de
Villa Puente subscribing $200,000 for﹃missions, vessels and other
necessities of California.﹄The Duchess of Gandía subscribed $60,000 for
the same purpose in 1767 and many others followed the same example until
the "Pius Fund of the Missions of California" amounted to over two million
dollars. At the time of the Secularization of the Missions, the Mexican
Government confiscated a large remaining portion of this "Pious Fund." In
1853 the Spanish Archbishop Alemany, then Bishop of Monterey and successor
of Bishop Diego from whom the "Pious Fund" had been taken, started a
litigation which was continued in turn by his worthy successor Archbishop
Patrick Riordan of the archdiocese of San Francisco, with the good result
that Mexico was made to pay the sum of $43,050 in Mexican currency
annually as the interest at six per cent on the sum of $1,460,682 of the
"Pious Fund" which the national treasury of Mexico had appropriated on the
promise of Mexico to act as trustee of the fund and pay an interest of six
per cent which it had failed to pay since its appropriation at the time of
the Mexican regime in California. Moreover, Mexico had agreed to pay this
interest to the object intended by the donors of the fund, namely,﹃to the
church, for the conversion of the natives of California, for the
establishment, maintenance and extension of the Catholic Church, her faith
and worship, in said country of Upper and Lower California.﹄The
litigation was won through the intervention of the United States
Government which Archbishop Riordan invoked through his counsel, and
decided by arbitrators under the Hague Convention in 1899. The first
payment was made on February 2, 1903.
Perhaps it is not amiss to quote here a small portion of the speech
delivered in Washington, D. C. by Hon. Joseph Scott of Los Angeles on the
occasion of a banquet following the unveiling ceremonies of the memorial
erected in honor of Christopher Columbus by Act of Congress. Among the
speakers present at the banquet were Ex-President William Taft (then
president), Cardinal Gibbons, Speaker Champ Clark, Ex-speaker Joseph
Cannon, Congressman Underwood, Judge Victor Dowling of the Supreme Court
of New York and many other notable men of the nation.
"It affords me unbounded pleasure to have an opportunity to deliver an
expression, feeble though it be, of the sentiments of the Knights of
Columbus of the great West, and particularly of California, regarding the
significance of this great day. Mr. John Barrett of the Pan-American Union
has already given you food for sober thought in the parallel he has drawn
of the marvelous activity and resourcefulness of the Latin-American
republics. Possibly I may be permitted at this time to inject a suggestion
that, despite the remarks of the previous speaker about Boston as the
modern Athens and the seat of universal learning, "Modern Athens" has
nothing in common with the memories aroused by contemplation of the events
which we celebrate today. It may be well to tell our friends from New
England that before the so-called Anglo-Saxon had set foot as a colonist
upon the American soil, the followers of Columbus had penetrated into the
heart of Kansas and gone down as far as Buenos Ayres. I want to lay stress
upon the fact that we have not noted too emphatically today that it was
the great Spanish race, with its strong and sterling faith, which
accomplished this wonderful mission of civilization. Too long have we
endured the stress of so-called history written by Prescott and others,
some of whom ought to have been put in the Ananias club before they were
born. For nearly three centuries the Spanish race, with its indomitable
faith, pursued almost alone its mission of civilization and evangelization
of the aborigines of America. Before the Pilgrim Fathers had landed on
Plymouth Rock, the Catholic Spaniard had acquired a knowledge of the
Indian language sufficient to enable him to translate the Bible into the
Aztec Indian language, so that the new Indian neophyte could read the
story of "God's greatest Book" in his mother tongue."
The Courage of Catholic Spain
I wish to advise those of you who speak now of a burden of four days and
nights in luxurious Pullman cars to step out on the soil of California as
though you had performed a deed of heroism, that a Spanish soldier, Cabeza
de Vaca, with the courage of primitive Christianity, walked from Florida
to the Gulf of California, though it took him seven years to accomplish
his task; and the wonderfully brave Friar Marcos de Niza pioneered his way
on foot thirteen hundred miles into the heart of Arizona through deserts
and hordes of Apaches, in his efforts to plant the cross of civilization
among the children of the new world. Nay, the Grand Canyon of Arizona, now
one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, was seen by a young
Spanish lieutenant and his twenty soldiers three hundred years before the
Anglo-Saxon took a glimpse at its wonderful and awe-inspiring beauty.
These and other similar facts are attested by the report of the Bureau of
Ethnology of Washington, as well as by many other reliable authorities,
including that singularly gifted and scholarly student of Spanish history
and folk lore, Charles F. Lummis of Los Angeles, himself a Puritan on both
sides of his house for several generations back. It was the fortitude of
this Spanish race, coupled by its strong devotion to the faith which you
and I profess, which enabled them to solve the Indian problem as it has
never been attempted since. While under our present system of the
government of this United States, the Indian has been an outcast and a
derelict to be robbed and cheated by his white brother, yet on the other
hand the Spanish missionary brought into the life of the simple native of
the new world the wholesome light of Christianity, which made him
recognize in the Red Man the same soul which was made in the image and
likeness of the common Creator of us all. In that spirit of brotherhood
and charity he obtained the confidence and good will of the Indians,
almost without exception, throughout the length and breadth of the
countries that he explored. And while his path was beset with dangers from
the grim forces of nature, and occasionally the crown of martyrdom was
given to him by an unthinking hand of those he was coming to evangelize,
yet he faltered not in his footsteps.
Today the memory of Columbus may be coupled with and attributed, on our
part, to the splendid heroism and Christian fortitude of the great Spanish
race which continued the work of Columbus with all that it entailed for
the betterment of humanity."
In compliance with our promise not to forget the friends of the
missionaries and of their compatriots, of today, we will first speak of
California's wonderful enthusiasm in the celebration of the Bi-centenary
of Junipero Serra's birth. Of the privileged thousands who visited
Monterey on November 23, 1913 and made a pilgrimage to Serra's tomb at San
Carlos Mission, how many will efface that sight from their minds in years
to come? But this awe-inspiring sight to which Reverend Raymond Mestres
and the Franciscan Fathers of San Francisco, contributed so much, and in
which the Third Order of Saint Francis so prominently participated will be
yearly renewed. Ecclesiastical and civil authorities, towns and cities,
individuals, all had the "right spirit." The accounts of the press were
glowing. Mr. Frank Powers of Carmel-by-the-Sea was California's
representative at the celebration which Spain did not fail to hold in
honor of her illustrious son; and Mr. Powers indeed proved a worthy
representative, returning to California with renewed enthusiasm for the
saintly Serra, and his lectures have been listened to with keen delight.
And can any praise seem superfluous for California's apostles in
particular for the saintly Serra? At the civil exercises, held in Monterey
on the occasion of the celebration we are speaking of, Senator Reginaldo
del Valle, of Los Angeles, Mr. Michael Williams and Mr. Charles Phillips
of San Francisco each paid exquisite tributes to our hero whom the opening
lines of Mr. Phillips' beautiful ode described as:
"A young boy dreaming by the Spanish main:
Knee-high in waving grain
He halts at eve and dreams,
Where green Majorca fronts the cycling sea,
And far worlds ceaselessly
Beckon with passing sail and swinging tide,
And plunging galleons ride
Home from adventure, or away, away
To silken bright Cathay,
Or where dark India her golden treasure yields;
A young boy dreaming in his father's fields,
Who plucks a lily from the bending wheat
And stands with veiléd gaze and searching eyes
Pale with some great emprise,
Beyond the homing waters of his isle,
Beyond Majorca's skies;—
And dreams and dreams the while!"
"And they who love him wonderingly ask:
"What lad is this of ours
Who dreams away the hours,
And when the windy night-tide running sings,
So strangely seems
Converse to hold with far compelling things?
Or what these spirit-smiling ecstasies,"
They reverent cry,
"That halt him at his task
And hold him trancéd in bright reveries?
Is this our lad, indeed,
Who with such Heaven-given grace—
Ay, with the light of Heaven on his face!—
Makes question of the very world about?"
One of the sweetest features of this day was that hereafter by a decree of
Governor Hiram Johnson, who also did not fail to send a representative to
Monterey in the person of Judge Griffin, November the twenty-fourth was
declared a state holiday. May Serra day long be welcomed by loyal
Californians! We cannot close this chapter after speaking of the bright
constellation of the past which appeared in California skies so many years
ago, and whose traces we so cherish, without saying a few words about that
worthiest of worthy movements to restore the dear old missions of El
Camino Real according to their traditional lines, here again Reverend
Father Mestres of Monterey deserves the greatest credit in this
enterprise, and the Knights of Columbus of the California councils have
proved themselves great helpers in the plan. King Alfonso, his minister,
Señor Juan Riaño, the Marquis de la Vega y Inclan who will be King
Alfonso's representative at the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915, are
hearty supporters and sponsors of this movement, and with cooperation from
faithful friends and the sanction of the Bishop of the diocese of Monterey
and Los Angeles, we have no doubt that these glorious landmarks, some of
which have alas too long been allowed to go to "wreck and ruin" while
others are still more or less neglected, after the cruel years which
extinguished their sanctuary lamps, left their altars bare and their
belfries silent save for the hooting of the night owls, will ere long be
in the proper repair to hand down with pride to posterity; and to further
repair these holy temples and place them under their historical and
original plans the most fitting priests to whom we could entrust them (at
least wherever the necessary satisfactory arrangements are possible) are
Spanish priests, compatriots of their founders, this too would serve to
continue and strengthen the old friendly relations between Spain and
California, and as whatever Spanish priests would take charge of the
missions, would be scholarly men speaking both English and Spanish, the
English speaking congregations would be well served. About three of the
old missions are under Spanish priests now. Let us then not cease our
efforts until every mission cross gleams gloriously in the radiance of the
California sun, until the devotional chimes of mission bells peal forth
again from every silent belfry, until the altar light beams again before
each tabernacle enclosing the Eucharistic Presence, until the empty niches
contain again the images which decked them as of yore, until each tomb of
sainted missionary is restored, until mass is again daily said within
these consecrated walls, and finally until San Carlos of Carmelo is again
a worthier Carmel, "for the greater honor and glory of God" and the
praises of His Virgin Mother once more are sung about this smiling valley
where the Christian Indian children gathered the beautiful wild flowers of
the blooming meadows to adorn the hallowed shrines, ere chimed the Angelus
at evenings mellow glow.
Reverend Raymond M. Mestres of Monterey Writes Historical
Drama—"Fray Junipero"
Beautiful among beautiful historical dramas is the mission play﹃Fray
Junipero﹄written by Reverend Raymond Mestres, pastor of San Carlos Church
(Capilla Real de San Carlos) of Monterey. Many men and women have
undertaken to write about mission times, but we may safely assert that
this good priest so unassuming in what he does, is above all qualified to
handle this subject, being first of all a religious, a native of
Barcelona, the Metropolis of the Province of Catalonia, which can claim
Junipero Serra and so many of the early Spanish missionaries, explorers
and settlers, and being too an artist and scholar in every way acquainted
with the history of the missions, having made it a special study during
his twenty-seven years of residence (as a priest) in four mission towns of
California, twenty-one of which have been spent in that chief of mission
towns, Monterey.
Unbiased, careful of detail and true to history, while not wanting in
artistic setting "Fray Junipero" carries the audience in Act I back to the
College of Fernando, when Junipero Serra received his commission to come
to California as Father President of the Missionaries who were to
christianize that "mysterious vineyard." Act II is a typical picture of
California Indian Life. Act III depicts the landing of Serra and Portolá
on the shores of Monterey, the taking possession of the land in the name
of King Carlos III and the celebration of Junipero Serra's first Mass in
Monterey; all facts are taken from the archives preserved in San Carlos
Church, consequently historically authentic. Act IV pictures a piquant
fiesta scene with Spanish dancing, the scene being laid in the Carmel
Valley on the occasion of the baptism of the first white child born in
Monterey. This child was born of Spanish parents, Pasqual and Terésa
Segura and in baptism received the name of Carlos. According to the
records this baptism occurred in May 18, 1782, the ceremony being
performed by Fray Junipero Serra just two years before his death. With
very slight changes in the names this incident is taken from the archives
of San Carlos Mission. Act V represents Fray Junipero Serra receiving the
last Sacraments, his death and the grief of the people.
In writing "Fray Junipero" Reverend Raymond Mestres intended it to
commemorate the Bicentenary of our hero's birth, and was presented for the
first time in Monterey on August 28th, 1913 by local talent. This will be
an annual event at Monterey on the same date, August 28th, which is the
anniversary of Fray Junipero Serra's death. In spite of poor advertisement
the first production of this drama was a decided success. It was intended
to be played three nights, but by request a fourth night was added.
As this sketch goes to press, the rehearsing of the second year of the
production of "Fray Junipero" begins with great improvement in the
staging, and a greater promise of success as it is now much more widely
known.
May an ancient Spanish Nativity Play for Christmastide, which Reverend
Raymond Mestres intends to translate into English, and which contains
glorious music, and a history of mission times, which this scholarly
pastor of San Carlos Church has in store, soon delight Californians and
California's yearly tide of tens of thousand visitors.
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