The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-15
THE FAR WEST.
Fishers National Magazinel
a SKETCH
OF
G. ALIF @ r N IA.

The First SettIerS-MiSSiOnS
Indians -AgricuItufe Horses. and
Cattle Farms Ports Mines
Forests and Einber-CIimate-
Population and advantages TO
the United States.
For the following interesting sketch
Of California, we are indebted 10 Alfred
Robinson, Esq, author of very popu-
lar work called "Lile in California" re-
Gently published by Messrs. Wiley d
Putnam New York. MIR. Robinson re-
sided a considerable time in that country
was close observer, and both n the
work above mentioned, and in this little
sketch has spread before his fellow cltl-
Zens an amusing and instructive arcOunt
ofa part of the Western Continent, which
is increasingly attracting public atten-
ton -
The extensive tract Of country COM
prised under this name, constitutes, at
present, part of the Mexican Republic,
and was once included in the Vice Royal
ty of New Spain. 1t extends from Cape
ST. Lucas, along the border of the great
Pacific Ocean, to the forty second degree
of north latitude, and is bounded on the
cas-, by the GuH OF California. the river
Colorado, and the Indian territory.
In Fja, or Old California, was dis
covered in 1884, by an expedition fued
out by Herman Cortes. 1t consisted of
two ships, commanded by Hcrnando Gr;-
ialba and Diego Bercerra de Mendoza,
who being separated during the first
night of their voyage were unable TO
prosecute their discoveries together
Seuor Grijalba, after navigating three
hundred leagues north of Tchuaniepec,
made land near the southern extremity
of California and returned 10 New Spain.
Bercerra, hess fortunate, was murdered by
Ortun Jimenez, his pilot, who took the
lead of mutinous faction on board, and
fearing the wrath of Cortes, continued
his voyage in search OF other land. Ar
irving at place called afterwards La
Bahia de Santa Cruz, he landed and was
attacked bv the Indians, in which conflict
he and twenty others perished; thus re-
ceiving the just penalty of their wicked
ness. The crew returned to. New Spain
with the ship, and reported lavorably OF
their discoveries which determined Cor
ties TO superintcd in person another ex-
pedition, wherein he ascertained that Cal
ifornia was not an island as had been sup.
posed. O.her subsequent attempts to ex-
plore the country were made by the Vice
rows of New Spain, but no important ef-
fort for its settlement took place until the
years 1896 and 1902. The method OF
colonization by the Spaniards, was by
establishing missionary posts, and in con-
verting the Indians to Christianity, whom
they located at the various POINTS of their
religious conquests. In this performance
the primitive fathers suffered many trials
and in many instances martydom. Yet
Notwithstanding, their hopes were al
length rcalzed,and they triumphantly be-
held the suhjugaton of the whole country
10 the banner of the cross.
.Hhn, or Upper California, was frs
visited by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, ;
Portuguese, under the patronage of thC
Viceroy Senor Don Antonio Mendoza
Cabrillo set sail on voyage to the nortE
on the 9th June, 1912, and anchored a
most of the ports along the coast as fal
as the forty-fourth degree of latitude; 6u
no particular attention was drawn TO thc
settling and colonizing the country, unit
the expulsion Of the Jesuits from Lower
California, in 1867. The wear following
IL was resolved on by the Marquis dC
Croix, when Father Junipero Sierra re
ceIved the appointment of missionary
president. Sixteen brothers of the same
order accompanied Father Junipero, somt
of whom were destined to replace III,
Jesuits in Lower California. This hol,
brotherhood sailed from San Bias on tn
18th March, l766, and arrived at Sal
Diego some time in May, 1869, the,
commenced their apostolic labors. Th
great length of time intervening from tn
date of their departure until that of thei
arrival in Alta California, was PARTIAL,
occupied at the port Of Loreto, A militia
~ force, under the command Of Dol
Casper dc Portala, was sent for the pro