The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-02

hats, and shoes, were manufactured in quantities
Each mission WAS well supplied with carpelt
blacksmth's and saddler's tools. and the different
pursuits essential TO the wants Of the commuoity,
were planned and executed with Industry. aao that
patience necessary In the instruction OF people
recently recovered from q state OF barbarism. The
control ano management Of each mission was left to
the resident PADRE (priet or father,) who however,
subjec, To removal from one mission t. another
by the Father President OF the missions Of Upper
California, who alone could be deprived OF his Office
by his superors Of the college of San Fernando To-
Gated in the capital of the republic of Mexico.
In the exercise of power that to very great ex.
tent absolu the padres found little or no diff
Guilty in accomplishing the great ends for which
they we're sent to this country and the traveller at
this day cannot but be struck with the evidences of
their great LIB and untiring assiduity in the per
torrance of the duty assigne them. 1t was made
the DUTY of each resident padre TO make annual re-
turns to the President setting forth the state of the
mission under bis charge, the number Of converts
births, baptisms, marriages and deaths. gross &C
count Of agricultural aad mechanical products ac-
comp anied with statement OF the amount on hand
OF live stock of all kinds. Whenever these returns
showed want OF any particular article, an order
was promptly issued, and directed to some other
mission to supply the deficiency Regular books
were kept
In the exercise of their power the resident priests
were aided by Spanish overseers, Mechanics and
artisans employed to instruct the Indians in the
different arts and pursuits deemed essential to their
well being until at the date ferred to ADORE almost
the entire mechanical labor performed by the
Indians. At this period the Indians who acknowl-
edged the authority of the mission of San Diego
numbered 0O0
The mission of San Luis Rey remained under the
control and direction of It's able founder, (Fatner
Peyn) until 1880, at which period If was regarded
the most fourshing institution of the kind in the
country. Father Peyni vas ever regarded as 40
Of enlarged and phianthropic vie as, and most indie
t.ts. lnt1
cause of religion ana civilization. The magnificent
ruins, (now occupied by de achment of our troops)
constitute monument to his memory, worthy OF our
respect and solicitude. The number Of neophytes
who acknowledged allegiance to this mission was
about A 500.
The great work performed in comparatively
short period by the pious padres, VINO, leaving be-
hind them the comforts and cOnvenences of civilized
life, and actuated solely by pety only equalled by
their benevolence went forth into the wilderness to
preach to ynorant and hostile Indians the religion
OF their Master attests the rapid advances towards
civilization which the red men OF this country made
under their tation.
The California Indians, with some few exceptions
far Inferior in all the nobler attributes Of man.
TO the indians east OF the mountansless formidable
as enemies. yet replete with treachery and its con-
comtant attendants. The simpler arts made great
progress among them, and we yet fnd many who
are tolerably proficient as backsmths, shoemakers,
tanners, soapmakers, etc. Soon alter the year 1882
the great rival military parties OF the country fur
nished them with arms, and, BY dint of promises,
succeeded in inducing large numbers OF the phytes
to take part in the civil troubles Of the airy,
tray to The wishes of the padres.
This was the first successful attempt to resist the
hitherto absolute authority OF the priests Both the
civil and military power Of the country from time to
time, ihterfered, and the result that insubord
patton and idleness rapidly spread among the mis-.
sion Indians until about 1884, when decree was
passed by the Mexican Congress secularizing the
missions, and running forever the most successful
and splendid attempt the world has ever seen for the
civilization OF savage tribes. The control of the
mission property was conferred upon military officers
and their fsvoIites The Indians rapidly diminished
in numbers, and returned to their original haunts n
the mountains Yet, to this day the Spanish Ian
guage i spoken oy them and as they gaze from
their mountain homes upon the crumbling remains
of the poor padres efforts that here and there dot
the valleys at their feet many tear is shed at the
sad fate that has overtaken them, add many q rude
prayer is recorded on high in favor of those whom
they still delight to call Fathers" A different race
OF people are now masters of the soil. Our orders
for their government 60 forth in language they do
not understand, and will not comprehend. As con-
sequence, they listen to the native Californian, and
the operations OF last winter prove oftentmes to
tier serious loss and, 10 some instances fual and
utter ruin.
The wild Indians Of California are, as have be.
& re stated far inferior to their brethren residing east
Of the mountains; and yet the study OF their social
economy, civil government, and customs, would not
" az uQIferestng one TO the politician or divine
clcse observer w end them patriarchial yet tree;
almost without morality, yet filed with superstitious
ave and reverence for all that is unseen or ncompre-
her sbe Their religious ceremonial dances are as va
rieG as the number OF bands that form nstion or
tribe. Ia some tribes, the men ana women unite in
the dance in others the men alone trip to the music
OF the won en-, whose songs are by 40 means unplea
SAINT to the ear Among their religious Dances the
following are the most celebrated aud imposing the
hawk FEAST the dance of peace and plenty the dance
OF victory, that OF puberty, and that Of depreciation
When any member OF the tribe is unaccOuntabIy
SICK the friends and relatives of the invalid asse nble
in the dance called depreciation" The illness is
regarded as the work Of witches, or rather wizards
tor it so happens they differ from the Puritans of our
country, and among them men are more Liable to be
accused than women.
The members OF the tribe having assemble l. on q
given signal each one deposits an Offering in bas
ket provided for the purpose, and the dance begins
by each warrior taking bis place ia circle armed
with his bow AID arrows, with which he keeps time
by using them as "castanets to the masi, sung by
the women. The dancing is kept up to a late hour
and the ceremony concludes with the presence Of a
high priest, who waves on high, from right to left
the different offerings, shouting at each wave and
responded to by deep groans from the assem- oled
crowd. This part Of the ceremony is marked by
deep and respectful attention intended to ap.
pease the evil genius, and restore their brother to
health.
The dance Of puberty is conducted BY the imme.
mediate family o. the individual and is the ,casion
of much JOY TO the tribe the first proof of woman
hood in maiden. Invitations are sent of to the
surrounding tribes, announcing grand ceremonial
feast, which is conducted as follows:-The different
candidates are marched in solemn procession to a
spot selected for the purpose surrounded and accom-
panied by all the married women Of the tribe deco
rated in their nery and chanting songs expressive
of their thanks TO the Great Spirit who guides their
affairs. A large hoe is scooped in the ground and
ere lighted and kept burning until the sides of the
cavity are well baked. The mai lens are then
wrapped in blankets and deposited upon bed of
aromatic plants, and covered with bu hes whose
branches are oTnamented with flowers.
The young girls assemble around the grave aud
sing, from morning until night n three successive
days as the sun goes d)sn the candidates are
removed to their wig only 10 undergo the same
sweating operations on the morrow. The three
nights arc spent BY the whole tribe in feastng and
dancing. or the morning of the fourth day the can
didates appear and il is formally announced by their
friends that they are in the market for matrm my
The social influence that the system o. serfd IN
TO which have incidentally alluded has exertel
over the native Caliorpians, would be interesting
study. Certain il j. that Ne y California has no de
ssre TO introduce 70 social and political lioerty
midst all the mon vrels which I'd lred ~ ran