The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-24
ths whole country to the banner o. the

Alta, or Upper California, was first
visited by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a
Portuguese, under the patronage Of the
Viceroy Senor Don Antonio Mendoza.
Cabrlllo set sail on voyage 10 the
north on the 97th June, 1542, and an
chored at most of the ports along the
coast as far as the forty fourth degree
Of latitude; but no particular attention
was drawn to the settling and cdloniz-
ing the country, until the expulsion Of
the Jesuits from Lover California, in
1857. The year following at was re-
solved on by the Marquis de Croix,
when Father Junipero Sierra received
the appointment Of missionary presi-
dent. Sixteen brothers Of the same
order accompanied Father Junipero,
some of whom were destined to REL
place the Jesuits in Lower California.
This holy brotherhood sailed from San
Bfls on the 18th March, 1853, and ar
irving atSan Diego some time in May,
1859, they commenced their apostolic
Iabors. The great length Of time in
tervening from the date of their depar-
ture until that of their arrival in Alta
California, was partialiy occupied at
the port of Loreto. A military force,
under the command of Don Gaspar de
Portala, was sent for the protection Of
the missionaries, and the same plan 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 1852, there were es-
labhshed eight missions, and after.
wards under other management the
number was increased to twenty-one.
As these religious institutions flourish
ed, the directors of them were occa-
sionally succored by remittances from
the Spanish government, and import
ant donations were made, and numer-
Gus estates were bequeathed IN lands
and houses, for the benefit Of the mis-
sions, which were held as a fund, known
in Mexico as La Fonda Piadosd de
California. This fund was managed
by the Convent of San Fernando, and
the proceeds, as well as the salal les of
the missionaries, to whom were assign.
ed the sum Of four hundred dollars per
annuu,, were remitted annually to Cal
| ifornia. @ ~ .a
The prevailing style Of architecture
| observed in erecting the missionary
| establishments has been faithfully des-
cribed in work entitled @Life in Cali
fornIa," but it may be interesting to
know how or in what manner they
were conducted in the administration
Of their temporal as we'll as spiritual
government. The domains were al
ways extensive-often from twenty TO
thirty square leagues, and divided out
into separate farms for domesticating
cattle and for cultivation. The con-
troll over those estates and the princi-
pal Establishments was effected by a
lew soldiers and sergeant. who were
subject to the friars, and whose quartet
or barracks were Immediately opposite
the front entrance. The Indians were
taught many trades, and a variety Of
things proved their progress in the arts.
They manufactured blankets, carpet
ing, and coarse fabric of wooilen for
clothing; they also made hats, shoes.
and other necessary articles. Not
withstanding their immense resources
at home, they were yearly supplied
with large quantities ofmerchandise by
foreign vessels, many Of their cstab-
lishnents making purchases to the
amount Of forty and fifty thousand dol
lars, which we're freely distributed
among the Indians, so that they were
clad, most of them, after the manner
Of the Spaniards. The Indians, as well
as the priests, rose with the sun and
went to mass, which lasted about an
hour. During this ceremony the break
fast was prepared, which was usoally
their favorite atole, or potage, with
boiled dried meat. After breakfast
they went to their labors, either in the
workshop or the field. At noon, the
tolling Of a bell announced the hour for
dinner, when the Indians quilted their
work, and repaired to receive their ra-
tions as at breakfast time. After din
ner they returned TO their. work until
the evening ceremony Of prayer, when
all repaired to the chul ch, and the sup
per Of atole wound up the performances
of the day. The girls and widows
were kept in separate rooms while at
work during the day, and atnight the
unmarried of both sexes were locked up
separately; The keys being delivered all
ways 10 the missionary, who severely
chasiised any breach Of this custom
when. detected. Thus the Indians
were happy. and venerated the men
who had made them so. sias