The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-15

OF colonization and government was OBJ
served as in the colonization of Lower
/ California. During the administration of
Father Junipero, which continued until
his death, in 1882, there were established
eight missions, and afterwards under 9TH
er management the number was increased
to twenty one. As these religious instl-
mtions flourished, the directors of them
were occasionally succord by remlttances
from the Spanish government, and I'M
portant donations were made, and numer-
Gus estates were bequeathed in lands and
houses, for the benefit of the missions
which were held as fnnd, known In
Mexico as La Fonda Piadoso de Callior-
MIA. This fund was managed by the
Convent of San Fernando, and the pro-
ceeds, as we'll as well as hesssalaries of the
missionaries, to whom were assigned the
sum of four hundred dollars per annum,
were RENTED annually to California.
The prevailing style of architecture OBJ
served IN erecting the missionary estab-
lishments, has been faithfully described
in a work entitled "Life in California"
but it may be interesting to know how or
in what manner they were conducted IN
the administration of their temporal as
well as spiritual government. The do
mains were always eXtensive-oiten
from twenty 10 thirty square leagues, and
| divided out into separate farms for domes-
ticatng cattle and for cultivation. The
control owe: those estates and the princi-
pal establishments was effected by few
soldiers and sergeant, who were sub ect
TO the friars, and whose quartet or bar
racks were Immediately opposite the front
entrance. The Indians were taught man.
trades, and a variety of things proved
their progress in their arts. They man
ufactured blankets, carpeting, and coarse
| fabric of woollen for clothing; they also
made hats, shoes, and other necessary ar
ucles. Notwithstanding their immense
resources at home, they were yearly sup
piled with large quantities OF mercandlse
| by foreign vessels, many OF their esta5-
lishments making purchases TO the a.
mount Of forty and fifty thousand dollars
which were freely distributed among the
Indians, so that they were clad. most OF
them, after the manner of the Spanlards.
The Indians, as well as the priests, rose
| with the sun and went TO mass, which
lasted about an hour. During this cere-
mony the breakfast was prepared, which
was usually their favorite nfOie or pottage,
with boiled dried meat. After breakfast
J ,box- LII tha
workshop or the field At noon the toll
ing of bell announced the hour for din
ner, when the Indians Quilted their work,
and repaired 10 receive their rations as al
breakfast time. Alter dinner they return
ed TO their work until the evening cere-
mony Of PRAYER, when all repaired TO the
church, and the supper Of ofo'e wound
up the performances of the day. The
girls and widows were kept in separate
rooms while at work during the dav, and
at night the unmarried of both sexes were
locked up separately; the keys being de-
liyered always 10 the missionary, who Sc
verely chastised any breach Of this GUS
tom when detected. Thus the Indians
were happy, and venerated the men who
had made them so.
The immense herds and hocks belong.
+ ing TO the missionaries yearly increased
their recources, and they became of i'm
portant account 10 the government, mas
much as 1t was almost entirely dependen
on them. At many of the establishments
| saw accounts against the government
amounting to over one hundred thousand
dollars, besides MANY large amounts owed
by individuals, who were never expected
: TO pay them. This did not, however, al.
feet the missions nor weaken them in the
least, for their possessions were contnu-
ally increasing. and they were prosper
Gus indeed. But alas! this state of things
exists no longer. Since 1884 the priests
have been deprived of their property, ant
the missions have been entirely DESTROYED
under the scandalous administration o
certain hirelings of the government. The
following returns of 1884 and 1912, may
be interesting:
81. In 1884 the Indian population o
! the 2l missionaries amounted to 30,650
: in 1912, 10 AGO.
50. In the former year the number o.
/ horned cattle was 1000; in the latte
t 1920.
r "3. Atthe same period the number o
/ of Sheep, goats, and pigs, was 500
: at the latter, 81 600.
81. In 1894, the number Of horses, as
r ses, mules, &C., was 81 800; in ls42, i
: was $500.
: "5. The produce in corn, &C., has de
creased in much greater proportion
: that of 20 to 4. -
: These facts will prove the blind yea
2 on the part Of the government. in its i'm
g prudent measures for secularlzing the mis-
7 sions, which have caused such results
e and the return of the Indians to their oil
n customs in the mountains.