The Polynesian., 1841-11-13
LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL.-By j. F..B. NJ
No3-ScENEs ON CAL1FoRNiA.


The morning after our arrival, we were
invited to ride out to the Mission at Car
mel, and at about II o'clock we started.
After very pleasant ride of about eight
miles through beautiful country, we
reached the valley, at the bottom of which
rose stately building, which looked like
one of the ruins of the old world, and
seemed much out of place here, without
even an Indians hut in sight Of its lofty
dome. The main building is very large
and presents quite an imposing appear
ance. 1t is in the old Moorish style built
in the form of hollow square, and lort
fed. The bellrey contained a chime of
six bells, most of which are broken. The
whole building is in ruins and uninhabitcd
except by an old shepherd who has charge
of the cattle in the valley, and it presents
a mournlul picture of dcsolation. AS we
roamcd through the deserted halls, | could
hardly realize that was not exploring
some of the monastic ruins Of Old Spain;
every thing about us wore such vcnera-
bic and ancient aspect. 1t stands in the
midst of picturesque valley whose sides
were once cultivated, and dotted with the
huts of the Indians, but is now uninhabit-
ed and scarce vcstige remains of its for
mer populous and fourishing state. The
history of the California missions bears a
strong contrast to that of the Protestants
in the Pacific, and many enlightened per-
sons will be found to advocate the differ
ent systems pursued by both, while as
many perhaps will condemn both. AS
yet but partial success has been found
to follow the systems of either, which it
is possible, if the missionaries had been
entirely left to themselves would have met
with complete success. The first Catho-
lie mission was established here in 1869,
by thirty six monks of the order of St.
Francis, who came. out accompanied by
artisans and soldiers, the latter to protect
them against the attacks of the wild In
dams whom they were to tame and con-
vert, and the former to build the missions.
After the missions were built and fortified
like so many castles, they commenced the
work of outstanding and civilizing the
heather, in which they were at first I'M
successful, as the wild habits of the ma
tives were not to be overcome by mild
and conciliatory measures. AT last they
resorted to the novel plan of sending
bands Of soldiers to seize them and bring
them forcibly within the pale of the
church. Having kept them confined
within the walls. of the monastery, until
by kind treatment they had become at
tached to their new mode of life, they
sent them out to draw their fellow sava-
ges to the same place. In this manner
were the first conversions to christianity
brought about on California. The Indians
finding that they were to be well fed and
clothed, and were to possess many luxu-
ries, which their intercourse with white
men had taught them to prize, soon came
voluntarily to join the missions, which be-
gan to prosper. The system of govern
ment was simple and efiectual. Each
mission resembled large family. One
Padre was at the head, to whom the In
dams like children looked for the supply
of every want, and for whom they all Ia
bored. They were made to understand
that the missions were their own proper
ty, and with all the profits which they
- .laa l. al.