San Diego mission

Front matter

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Preface

California, in the early days, was divided into four military districts. The headquarters or garrisons were located at San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Francisco, respectively. These military posts provided the guards for the Missions situated within the limits of their jurisdiction. The military district of San Diego embraced the Missions of San Diego, San Luis Rey, San Juan Capistrano, and San Gabriel, of which the City of Los Angeles in spiritual matters was a dependency. Although independent of one another, a sort of union or connection existed among the Missions of the district. This suggested the geographical rather than the chronological order in relating the local history of the twenty-one Missions.

Like the author’s General History on the Missions, this Local Account is almost entirely compiled from the documentary sources enumerated and qualified in the Introduction to his second volume of The Missions and Missionaries of California. Numerous other works on the subject have been published, but they generally reveal the mind of the writers rather than historical facts. As a rule, such scribes never saw a Spanish document, nor would they know how to use it if they happened to see one. Hence their productions on California abound in such glaring errors and even wilful misstatements as to be of .little or no use to the author whose sole aim is to present complete and accurate information. The reader may confidently rely on the statements made in this work, since they are based on official documents and other trustworthy authorities. Scrupulous care has been exercised to insure accurate figures, notably in the Tables compiled from the Annual and Biennial Reports of the missionaries.

Mission San Diego, being the first in point of time, naturally requires more space for its history than the other

VI

Preface missionary establishments of the district. In many ways it is typical of them all. Large portions, therefore, such as detailed reports, all that concerns the presidio and harbor of San Diego, etc., need not be repeated in subsequent volumes. The costly reproduction of inventories, like the one relegated to the end of the book, will also be unnecessary. In this case it was deemed advisable to present it entire in the original so that the reader may see at a glance, so to speak, what many words could not demonstrate so effectively— the difference between the management of unselfish missionaries and that of hired administrators.

The author cordially acknowledges himself indebted and herewith renders thanks to his assistant, the Rev. Fr. Francis Borgia Steck, O. F. M., for helping to revise and prepare the manuscript for the printer; to the Rev. Fr. Paul Meyer, O. F. M., for sorting and arranging the vast documentary material collected; to the Rev. Fr. Valentine Dorenkemper, O. F. M., for translations from the French and the Italian; to . the Rev. St. John O’Sullivan for the genuine charity and hospitality repeatedly experienced at Old Mission San Juan Capistrano; to the successive Rev. Secretaries of the Diocesan Chancery, Los Angeles; to Hon. Grant Jackson of Los Angeles and to Mr. Charles B. Turrill of San Francisco for the use of many rare old engravings ; and to all other friends who by word and deed encouraged and facilitated his labors in the interest of historical truth.

CHAPTER I. Page

Discovery of Harbor by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. — The Indians. —

Pilot Perrelo. — Spanish Intrepidity. — Harbor Rediscovered by Sebastian V’sca’no. — Harbor Named. — Don Jose de Galvez’s Expeditions.— The San Antonio and the San Carlos Arrive. — Their Disastrous Voyage. — Many Succumb to Hardships. — Captain Vila’s Narrative. — Arrival of First Land Expedition. — Fr. Juan -Crespi’s Interesting Letter. — The Second Land Expedition Arrives. — Fr. Junipero Serra ’s Letter. . . . . 3 ,

Chapter II

The San Antonio Returns to San Bias. — Portola Sets Out for Monterey Bay. — Founding of Mission San Diego. — Greed of Indians. — Their Aversion for Spanish Food. — Savages Attack the Mission. — Bravery of the Blacksmith. — Savages Receive Their First Lesson. — Casualties among the S oan’ards. — Charming Incident. — Friendly Youth. — Frustrated Baptism. — Dr. Prat’s Devotion to the Sick. — Portola Returns from the North. —

He Determines to Abandon San Diego.— Fr. Serra ’s Resolution.— Captain Vila Agrees with Fr. Presidente. — Fr. Serra Notifies Fr. Palou. — He Proposes a Novena. — His Anxiety. —

The Feast of St. Joseph. — The- Ship! the Ship! — California Saved. — The San Antonio Arrives. — Fr. Serra to Fr. Palou. — Expeditions to Monterey Bay. — Found at Last. — -Heroic Captain Vila Sails and Dies. — Arrival of Ten Franc:scans. — Rivera Brings Up the Cattle. — Soldiers Desert. — Fr. Paterna Induces Them to Return. ........ 23

Chapter III

Privation of Missionaries. — The Dearth of Provisions at All Missions.— Transports Arrive. — Governor Fages ’s Interference. — Fr. Serra Goes to Mexico. — Successful. — He Returns. — San Diego a Presidio. — Fr. Palou and Other Fathers Arrive. — His Letter. — First Neophyte Woman Arrives from Lower California. — She Teaches Dressmaking. — Fr. Palou Goes North. — The Albador. — First Report. — The Mission. — The Indians. — The Presidio. — The Country. — Live Stock. — Fr. Serra ’s Report. — Removal of Mission

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Proposed. — Dispute. — Pr. Serra ’s Representation. — Fr. Jaume ’s Letter. — Proposes Removal of Mission. — The New Mission. — Fr. Serra ’s Description. ......... 42

Chapter IV

Dark Days Approaching. — Fr. Palou ’s Account. — Conspiracy. — Mission Attacked and Fired. — The Battle. — Casualties. - — Fr. Jayme Murdered. — Fr. Fuster ’s Heroism. — Bravery of the Soldiers.— A Vow. — Neglectful Sentinels. — Body of Fr. Jayme Discovered.— Burial at Presidio. — Fr. Serra and Captain Rivera Notified. — Fr. Serra Pleads with Viceroy for the Conspirators.

— Captain J. B. Anza. — Account of the Disaster by Fr. Pedro Font, O. F. M. — Anza and Fr. Font Depart. — Indian Takes Refuge in Church. — Rivera Drags Indian from Church. — The Fathers Protest. — Rivera Declared Excommunicated. — Church Asylum. — Fr. Serra at San Diego. — Noble Captain Choquet. — Rebuilding of the Mission Begun. — Rivera ’s Duplicity. — Choquet Indignant. — Gloom. — Letter from Viceroy Bucareli. — Fr. Serra Happy. — Mission Restored. — Indian Revolters Released. . . 59

Chapter V

Condition of Mission Registers. — Fr. Serra ’s Nota Previa. — Fr. Fuster ’s Note. — Fr. Fuster ’s First Annual Report. — Statistics.

— Report for 1777 by FF. Lasuen and Figuer. — Savages Plotting.— Battle. — Prisoners. — Fr. Serra ’s Letters. — Lack of Grain.

— The Fr. Presidente Confirming at San Diego. — Scanty Grain for Planting. — The Fathers All to All. . . . . .83

Chapter VI

Discouraging Situation. — Fr. Guardian’s Consoling Letter. — Fr. Serra to Fr. Lasuen. — Fr. Lasuen ’s Lament. — Neve’s Stupid Demand. — Its Disastrous Result. — Fr. Lasuen ’s Instructions on the Subject. — FF. Lasuen and Figuer Report on the Mission. —

New Church. — Cemetery. — Church Goods. — Report of 1783. — Building Activities. — Agriculture. — Financial Contributions. — Fr. Serra ’s Newsy Letter. — Fr. Lasuen to Fr. Serra on Condition of the Mission. — Lt. Ortega Transferred to Santa Barbara. —

San Diego Presidio. — Fr. Serra’s Last Visit. — He Administers Confirmation. — He Bids Farewell. — Gov. Fages ’s Report. — Erroneous Statement. ......... 101

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CHAPTER VII. Page

Unworldly Missionaries. — Mission Hospitality. — First Converts. — Obstacles to Conversion. — Baptismal Entries. — Methods Employed.— The Doctrina Christiana. — Divine Services. — The Our Father in Indian. — Sick Calls. — Specimen Baptismal Entry. — Sponsors. — Marriage Entries. — Some Mission Stations. — Some Marriages at the Presidio. — Fr. Serra ’s First Confirmation Visit. — Burial of Fr. Juan Figuer 124

Chapter VIII

Reports Demanded. — Cemeteries. — Mechanical Arts. — Statistics. — School at Presidio. — Banner Year at Mission. — Building Activities.— Grapevines. — Elections. — Dissatisfied Indians. — Troubles of Fr. Panella and Fr. Mariner. — Buildings. — -Dominicans. — Death of Fr. Juan Mariner. — Grapevines. — Earthquake. — Furious Indian.— His Punishment. — Transfer of Bodies of Deceased Missionaries.— Death of Fr. Nicolas Lazaro. — Mission Aqueduct. — Smythe’s View. — New Church Begun. — Dedication. — Specimen of Sectarian Gullibility. — Death of Fr. Pedro Panto. — Poisoned by Cook. — Fr. Tapis on the Subject. — Arrillaga on the Friars. —

The Aqueduct. — Infirmary. — Church Goods. — Santa Isabel. — Difficulties.— Chapel Erected. — Dedication. — Numerous Baptisms. — Present Condition. ......... 145

Chapter IX

Vancouver Arrives. — His Observations. — Fr. Lasuen. — The Soldiers.— Labor not Dishonorable. — The Presidio. — Fort at Point Guijarros. — Death of Lt. Grajera. — Presidio Force. — Population.— Officials. — Dispensation from Abstinence. — Interrogatorio y Bespuesta. — Character and Habits of the Indians. — Murders.— * Punishments. — Horse-stealing. — Its Punishment. — Methods True and False for Securing Converts. — Smythe’s Foolish Charge. — Unjust Demands on the Missions. — More Absurdities from Smythe. — The Franciscans. — More Demands on the Mission. — Crops. — Population. — Contributions Apportioned. . . .171

Chapter X

Cash Demands on the Mission. — Mission not Wealthy. — Governor Echeandia. — Heroism of the Missionaries. — Glad to Leave. — Their Zeal. — FF. Payeras and Sanchez in Search of New Mission Sites. — Route. — Corn Planted at Santa Isabel. — Report on Location and State of Mission. — Mexican Independence. — Rev.

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Vicente Fernandez. — Arrival of Governor Echeandia. — Fathers Decline to Take New Oath of Allegiance. — Reasons. — Greed Awakened. — Missions Needed by the Government. — Land Grants to Neophytes. — Schools. — Smythe ’s Calumny. — First Schools in America. - — First Manual Training Schools in California. — Smythe ’s Ignorance. — Demands on the Mission Continue. — Neophyte Establishes Home for Himself. — Indians at Santa Isabel and Santa Monica Cared For 194

Chapter XI

Change of Commander at Presidio. — Visit of Duhaut Cilly. — Robinson’s Visit. — James Pattie’s Visit and False Statements. — Extent of Mission Lands. — Live Stock. — Fr. Menendez, O. F. M., Chaplain at Presidio. — Echeandia ’s High-handed Dealing. — Celebration on Election of Pope Leo XII. — Indian Land Coveted. — Missionaries Resist Strenuously. — Mission Ranchos. — Change in Government. — Victoria Arrives. — Pio Pico and Clique. — Revolt Against Governor Victoria. — He Resigns. — Embarks at San Diego. — New Governor. — Echeandia ’s Trickery. — FF. Martin and Oliva to Echeandia. — Mission Reports Cease. — Confiscation Decreed.— Figueroa at San Diego. — Neophytes Decline Freedom. —

San Dieguito. — Fr. Duran at the Mission. — Warns Figueroa. — Mission Confiscated. — Inventories. ...... 215

Chapter XII

Death of Fr. Fernando Martin. — Salaries. — Fr. Oliva Defends Indian Rights. — Santa Isabel. — Administrator Rule. — Inspector Hartnell. — His Melancholy Report. — Indian Complaints. — Mission Poverty. — Robinson’s Description. — Bishop Appointed. — He Arrives at Sail Diego. — He Confirms and Ordains. — Mofras’s Description. — Yuma Indians. — Governor Manuel Micheltorena. —

His Soldiers. — He Departs. — Mission Remnant Restored to Franciscans.— Result of Administrator Rule. — Pio Pico Governor. — Mission Sold. — Deed of Sale. — Smythe ’s Views. — Unscrupulous Pico. — Retribution. — What Smythe has to Say. — Indian Raids.

— Lamentations. — Items from Bancroft. ..... 237

Chapter XIII

Last Baptism at Mission. — Estudillo in Charge. — Last Franciscan.— United States Soldiers at San Diego. — General Kearny and Commodore Stockton. — Mormon Battalion.— Pico ’s Bill of Sale of Mission. — Argiiello Disclaims Ownership. — Correspondxi

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ence. — Miss Lorenzana on Condition of Mission Goods. — Sacred Vessels Desecrated. — Jose Estudillo Resigns. — Colonel Stevenson to Governor Mason. — Halleck to Stevenson on Mission Property.— Halleck to Fr. Gonzalez Rubio. — Fr. Gonzalez to Colonel Stevenson. — Lt. Ord’s Description of the Old Town and Harbor.

— Mission. — Mission Goods Once More. — Bartlett on the Mission.— Archbishop Alemany’s Claim to Property Affirmed. — Land Grants. — Ranchos Claimed and Granted. — Bartlett’s Description.

Chapter XIV

Missionaries and Registers. — Numerous Converts. — Various Entries.

— Santa Isabel. — Fr. Torrent Exhausted. — Second Book of Baptisms.— Tia Juana. — Santa Isabel Again. — Yuma Children. — White Converts. — Wise California Girls. — Marriage Registers. — Indian Girls. — The Monjerio. — Courtship. — Marriage Entries. — Cemetery. — Burial Entries. — Executions. — Second Book Lost. — Bancroft’s Agent. — Fr. Oliva’s Last Entries. — Rev. J. C. Holbein’s Note. .......... 274

Chapter XV

Smythe’s Honest Admission. — Major McLaughl'n’s Statement. — Mechanical Arts at the Mission. — Diversions. — Singing. — Music.

— Agriculture. — Table. — The Dam. — The Aqueduct. — Live Stock.

— Exaggerations. — Table. — Spiritual Results* — Table. — Bartlett ’s Description of Mission. — United States Soldiers Quartered at Mission. — Soledad. — San Pasqual. — Ford ’s Description. — Restoration Plans. — The Mission Bells. — What of the Neophytes? — The Missionaries. — Their Aims and Vicissitudes. — End. . . . 292

Chapter XVI

Biographical Sketches. — Fr. Francisco Gomez. — Fr. Juan Vizcaino.— Fr. Luis Jaume. — Fr. Juan Figuer. — Fr. Juan Antonio Garcia Riobo (Rioboo). — Fr. Juan Mariner. — Fr. Hilario Torrent.— Fr. Jose Panella. — Fr. Nicolas Lazaro. — Fr. Jose Pedro Panto. — Fr. Fernando Martin. — Resident and Visiting Fathers Who Officiated at Mission San Diego. . . . . .312

A. — San Diego de Alcala. Biographical Sketch

B. — A Would-be Historian’s Unwarranted Assertion

C. — Dr. Charles E. Chapman and Fr. Junipero Serra

D. — William E. Smythe’s Statements on Education Refuted

E. — Inventory of Mission San Diego of 1834

F. — Inventory of Mission San Diego of 1848

G. — Mission Lands Restored to Church

H. — Rancherlas of Mission San Diego ....

I. — The Mythical Tunnel of Mission San Diego .

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ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

San Diego (St. Diclacus) of Alcala, O. F. M . . Frontispiece

The Old Franciscan Missions in California. Map ... 2

Cabrillo ’s Ship .......... 4

Fr. Junipero Serra, O. F. M 20

Signature of Gaspar de Portola. Courtesy of Sunset Magazine

Fr. Junipero Serra Gives Thanks to God. Drawing by Alexander

Harmer, Santa Barbara, California . . . . .35

Martyrdom of Fr. Luis Jayme, O. F. M., by Alexander Harmer ............ 63

Captain Rivera Violates Church Asylum, by Alexander Harmer . 75

Title Page of Baptismal Register. Facsimile. Reduced one-

San Diego Mission in 1886. Front. Courtesy of Charles B. Tur-

rill, San Francisco, California . . . . ... 106

Primitive Plow. Drawing by A. B. Dodge, Los Angeles . .119

•Entries in Baptismal Register. Facsimile. Signatures of Fathers

Serra and Figuer 129

Title Page of Marriage Register. Facsimile. Reduced one-

San Diego Mission in 184.8, from a Painting .... 152

Mission Dam Two Leagues above Mission. C. B. Turrill . . 158

Double Well at the Mission. Charles B. Turrill .... 166

Franciscans as They Came and Went. Alexander Harmer . . 190

Emancipated Indians and Dwelling. Charles B. Turrill . . 208

The Mission and Surrounding Country. Charles B. Turrill . . 217

Cattle Brand of the Mission. From California Archives, State

Payers, Missions, vol. vi, p. 180 223

Map of San Diego and San Luis Rey Mission District. From

Mission Orchard. C. B. Turrill ....... 245

Front Door of Mission Church. C. B. Turrill .... 260

Chapel and Bells of Santa Isabel. C. B. Turrill .... 268

Ground Plan of Santa Isabel from U. S. Land Office . . .276

Front of Mission San Diego Ruins ...... 282

Tabular Report on Agriculture ...... 294-295

Spanish Hymn. Music ......... 297

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Illustrations

Page

Tabular Report on Live Stock . . . . . . 299

Tabular Report on Spiritual Results ..... 300-301

Mission Church Occupied by U. S. Troops. C. B. Turrill . . 304

Mission Church and Front Wing from Courtyard. C. B. Turrill . 308

Mission Ruins Viewed from Rear. C. B. Turrill . . . .316

Signatures of Franciscan Fathers Juan Riobo, Juan Mariner, Hilario Torrent, Josef Panella, Nicolas Lazaro, Pedro Panto, Fernando Martin ........ 319-323

Ground Plan of Mission San Diego from U. S. Land Office . . 330

Plat of Mission San Diego Lands from U. S. Land Office . . 346

FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT I

SAN DIEGO MISSION

(1769 . 1862)

Jtiver

Chapter I

Discovery of Harbor by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. — The Indians. — Pilot Ferrelo. — Spanish Intrepidity. — Harbor Rediscovered by Sebastian Vizcaino. — Harbor Named. — Don Jose de Galvez’s Expeditions.— The San Antonio and the San Carlos Arrive. — Their Disastrous Voyage. — Many Succumb to Hardships. — Captain Vila’s Narrative. — Arrival of First Land Expedition. — Fr. Juan Crespi’s Interesting Letter. — The Second Land Expedition Arrives. — Fr. Junipero Serra’s Letter.

HE far-famed harbor of San Diego was first discovered by Jnan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain, only fifty years after Christopher Columbus had planted the Cross on the Island of San Salvador. Cabrillo with the two ships San Salvador and Victoria entered the bay on Thursday evening, September 28, 1542. It was the eve of the feast of St. Michael, the Archangel, wherefore the commander christened the port San Miguel.

“Having cast anchor in it,” the Diary of the voyage relates, “the men went ashore where there were people (Indians). Three of these waited, but all the rest fled.

To these three they gave some presents, and they said by signs that in the interior men like the Spaniards had passed.1 They gave signs of great fear. On the night of this day,

they (the sailors) went ashore from the ships to fish with

a net ; and it appears that here there were some Indians, and that they began to shoot at them with arrows and

wounded three men.

“Next day, in the morning, they went with the boat farther into the port, which is large, and brought two boys, who understood nothing by signs. They gave shirts to both and sent them away immediately.

“Next day, in the morning, three adult Indians came to

i This undoubtedly refers to Alarcon ’s expedition up the Gulf of California. See Missions and Missionaries of California , vol. i, p. 25.

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

WHAT CABRILLO’S SHIP WAS LIKE

“While they were in this port a heavy storm occurred ; but since the port is good, they did not feel it at all. It was a violent storm from the west-southwest and southsouthwest. This is the first storm which they have experienced. They remained in this port until the following Thursday. The people here called the Christians Guacamal. On the following Tuesday, October 3, they departed from this Port of San Miguel.’*

Once more the San Salvador ran into the harbor of San Diego, this time in charge of Pilot Bartolome Ferrelo, since its heroic commander Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo had died on the Island of San Miguel in the Channel of Santa Barbara. Accordingly, the Diary relates : “On Sunday, the 11th of the said month of March, they reached the Port of San Miguel (San Diego) but did not find the consort there, or any news of her. Here they waited six days ; and here they secured two boys to take to New Spain (Mexico) as interpreters, and left certain signals, in case the other ship should come here. On Saturday, the seventeenth of the said month, they left the said port of San Miguel.” 2

Of the ships in which Cabrillo ventured into these unknown waters, Professor George Davidson, as quoted by Professor Herbert E. Bolton, writes : “These vessels were

smaller than any of our coasting schooners. They were poorly built and very badly outfitted. Their anchors and ironwork were carried by men from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific ; they were manned by conscripts and natives ; were badly provisioned, and the crews subject to that deadly scourge of the sea, scurvy.” 3

“Regarding Cabrillo’s voyage as a feat of navigation under distressing difficulties,” says Bolton, “the following quotation from Navarrete is apt: ‘Those who know the coast which Cabrillo discovered and explored, the kind of vessels in which he undertook the expedition, the rigorous season during which he pursued his voyage in those intemperate climes, and the state of the science of navigation at that period, cannot help admiring a courage and intrepidity which, though common among sea-faring Spaniards of that time, cannot be appreciated in our day, when the navigator is fairly dazzled by the assistance furnished him through the wonderful progress of the arts and sciences, rendering his operations easier and supplying him with advantages which, as they were lacking to the early discoverers, make their courage and perseverance as portentous as their discoveries. Perhaps it is failure to realize these considerations, added to ignorance of our history, which has led some foreign writers to belittle the merit of Cabrillo/ ” 4

After Cabrillo’s eventful expedition, the port of San Diego

2 Bolton, Spanish Explorations, pp. 13-39. See also Missions and Missionaries of California, vol. i, pp. 25-28.

3 Spanish Explorations, pp. 5-6.

4 Spanish Explorations, p. 10.

remained unknown to the world until Sunday, November 10, 1602, the eve of St. Martin’s Day, when about seven o’clock in the evening the three ships San Diego, Santo Tomas, and Tres Reyes, in command of Sebastian Vizcaino, dropped their anchors in its placid waters. The commander, in his Diary, declares that the port is “the best to be found in the whole South Sea ; for, besides being protected on all sides and having good anchorage, it is in latitude 33^2 degrees.* 5 It has very good water, many fish of all kinds, of which we caught many with seine and hooks. On land, there is much game, such as rabbits, hares, deer, very large quail, royal ducks, thrushes, and many other birds.”

“On the morning after the day of the glorious St. Martin,” 6 Torquemada writes, “the general ordered some men to go and examine a mountain which protects this harbor from the northwest wind; these men were Ensign Gaspar de Alarcon, Captain Alonso Peguero, Fr. Antonio de la Ascension, and eight archers. They found much live oak timber and other trees, such as the rock-rose and others resembling rosemary, besides some very odoriferous and wholesome plants. From the top of the mountain the port appeared to be very fine, spacious, and convenient, because it was sheltered against all storms. The mountain, which protects the port on the northwest side, may be three leagues in length and half a league in width. On the other side to the northwest of the mountain is another good port.

“When they had returned with this report, the general commanded that a suitable tent be pitched on the land to serve as a church, where the religious might celebrate holy Mass ; that the ships be cleaned and tarred ; that some men procure firewood and others stand guard. This was done on a sandbank, or island of sand,7 where they dug s At Point Loma Lighthouse, 32 degrees, 40 minutes, and 13 55/100

seconds. See Davidson, Pacific Coast Pilot , p. 19.

6 i. e. November 12, 1602, feast of St. Didacus, according to Franciscan Calendar.

7 ‘ ‘ que se hizo en un Arenal, 6 Isla de Arena. ’ 1 wells. When the sea was high, the pools contained sweet and good \vater ; but when the tide went out the water was brackish. One day, a sentinel gave notice that many Indians were coming along the beach, all armed with bows and arrows, but naked and besmeared with black and white paint. The general requested Fr. Antonio to go and receive them in a peaceful manner. Ensign Juan Francisco and six archers went with him. When they had come up to the Indians and had made signs of peace with a strip of white cloth and by throwing up earth with their hands, the first thing the Indians did was to turn the bows and arrows over to the soldiers. Fr. Antonio embraced the savages and gave them some strings of beads, which they put on their necks for display. Thereupon they went to the place where the general was ; but when they saw the multitude of Spaniards, they did not dare approach, and so withdrew to a hill, whence they sent two wrinkled old women. When these arrived at the tent, the general, the religious, and some ■ of the soldiers gave them strings of glass beads and some biscuits and with these sent them to tell what treatment they had received at the hands of the people who had recently arrived in their country. The women related their impressions, whereupon all immediately came to see the Spaniards. Most of them came painted black and white, and wearing many feathers on their heads. Vizcaino and the others received them with much pleasure and, besides many other things, gave them fish which had been caught in their presence with a net. The color of the paint was a bluish black and very glossy. When the Indians were asked by means of signs what it was, they showed some pieces of metallic stone, from which they made it; and they said by means of signs that from these stones a people in the interior, who wore beards and were clothed like the Spaniards, extracted it and made fine ribbons, that were like the laces the soldiers had on their leather jackets and like the kind the general wore on his hose of violet velvet; and that those men wore just such fine uniforms as our Spaniards. Quite transported with the good treatment accorded them on this occasion, the Indians came every third day for biscuits and fish, bringing in return skins of martens, wild cats, and other animals, together with the traps in which they caught them. There are in this harbor many white fish, sea fish, oysters, clams, lobsters, crabs, and sardines, and along some of the creeks were seen many wild geese, ducks, quails, hares, and rabbits. The general and Fr. Antonio de la Ascension with some soldiers went over the land to examine it, and all were pleased with the beautiful sky and climate.”

“Friday, the fifteenth of the month,” Vizcaino’s diary relates, “the general went aboard the frigate, taking with him his son, Fr. Antonio, the chief pilot, and fifteen arquebusiers, in order to go and take the soundings of a large bay which entered the land. That night, rowing with the flood tide, he got under way and at dawn was six leagues within the bay, which he found to be the best, large enough for all kinds of vessels, more secure than at the anchorage, and better for careening the ships ; for they could be high and dry during the flood tide and could be taken down at the ebb tide, even if they were of a thousand tons. . . In this bay the general with his men went ashore. After they had gone more than three leagues along it, a number of Indians appeared with bows and arrows, and although signs of peace were made to them, they did not venture to approach, excepting a very old woman who appeared to be more than one hundred and fifty years old and who approached weeping. The general cajoled her and gave her some beads and something to eat. Seeing this kind of treatment, the Indians came peaceably and took us to their rancherias where they were gathering their crops and where they had made their paresos of seeds like flax. They had pots in which they cooked their food, and the women were dressed in skins of animals. The general would not allow any soldier to enter their rancherias ; and, it being already late, he returned to the frigate, many Indians accompanying him to the beach. Saturday night, he (Vizcaino) reached the flagship, which was ready, wood, water, and fish having been brought aboard.” 8

“All having been carried out that the general had commanded,” Torquemada continues, “orders were given to move out from there and to resume the voyage. Accordingly, the departure from the port took place on Wednesday, November 20; but before sailing, all made their confession and received Holy Communion, because already many soldiers were ill, and some of the best men had died. The voyage was therefore continued, the Capitana or flagship San Diego and the Almirante or Santo Tomas leaving together, and the frigate or Tres Reyes following later.” Vizcaino concludes his report with the remark that the port was given the name San Diego.9

Again the magnificent harbor of San Diego was left unnoticed by the Spaniards, this time for 167 years. Fearing that the Russians would take advantage of her past exploits,10 Spain, in 1769, at last decided to secure by right of discovery the bay along with the entire northwest coast. Accordingly, in that year, Inspector-General Don Jose de Galvez despatched from Lower California two expeditions by sea and two by land, instructing them to meet and unite at the harbor of San Diego. The first expedition arriving by sea in the San Antonio, commanded by Captain Juan Perez and accompanied by the two Franciscans Fr. Juan Viscaino and Fr. Francisco Gomez, reached the port on Tuesday, April 11, 1769, fifty-four days after leaving Bay San Barnabe, Lower California. Casting anchor near Point Guijarros, now Ballast Point, the vessel waited for the arrival of the San Carlos and of the two land expeditions.