The San Francisco call., 1896-07-05

church. Portala appointed one of his
men, Lieutenant FACES, comandante,
and on the 9th of July set sail in the An
tonic for Mexico. Portala was Califor-
MAS first Governor, and, though his term
of office was only few months, his brave
work as explorer and founder should give
him a high place in remembrance. The
news of the establishment of two col
onies gave great Joy in Spain and in
Mexico.
And now, left to- themselves, Father
Sierra and Father Crespi enthusiastically
began their work. The poor sayages-
gentiles as the fathers always called
them-were not hard to win. The friars
were gentle and wise. Their plan was to
allure, not to force, and few gifts gener-
ally brought about friendly relations.
All mission history goes to prove
that the Franciscan fathers were noble,
pure, self-sacrifcing men, and their treat
ment of the Indians fair and phlan-
thropic. They assumed paternal atti-
tude, encouraging and chiding, rewarding
and Furnishing very like parents.
Father Sierra particularly was always
winning. He loved his flock with tender
fervor and joyfully devoted his life to
their salvation. No hardships were too
great, no journey too long or too hazard
Gus for his loving zeal. His plan was to
convert these "gentiles" and then organ
ize them into civilized communities. They
soon decided to move the mission over to
Carmel Bay, more sheltered spot, and
here a church was built, while the fort
and its garrison, called the Presidio, was
left at Monterey. The buildings at both
places were inclosed by. a stockade con-
sisting OF posts firmly set in the ground
and the buildings themselves had walls
made in the same way and rooted with
grass or tules supported by rafters. These
were pIastered with mud inside and out.
The Indian converts were persuaded to
build similar huts near the mission and q
group of these was called rancheria.
Fresh supplies with livestock of every
kind arrived from Mexico and the whole
mission scheme developed rapidly. With
in the stockade of the Presidio were bar
racks for the soldiers and a chapel for
worship. The two esta blishments, mill
tary and religious, were kept distinct,
each having its own rules. Cannon
were mounted at the Presidio and
everything possible done to give
security TO the colony, but they were pitt
fully weak and fortunately no foe ever ap-
peared on sea or shore. Fifteen miles
square was given each mission in Califor-
MIA by the Spanish Government to be used
for pasture, woodland and farms. The ma
tives were enticed into the mission bounds
by daily rations of food. The poor saw
age had too often felt the pangs OF hunger
to be able to resist this bribe. Plenty of
boiled corn and few simple lessons in
theology made q sgen tile" willing and
prepared for baptism, and he took his
place with the converts, but was never
classed with the "gentes de razon" (reason-
able men), as white men were termed.
Soon the Indians became quite skillful
in the arts of agriculture and stock-rais-
ing. A little later they learned spinning,
weaving and some simple manufactures.
1t was very different from their old wan
dering, free life, and it required some CO.
ercion to hold them to it, but patience
conquered. II they escaped from the fold
they we're brought back like stray cattle.
1t was but few years ere the converts
were counted by thousands, the mission
granaries were full to bursting, and the
mission herds overren the whole country.
Bat it was not all smooth sailing with
the mission fathers. Besides the nat
ural troubles which arose from deal
ing with savages, there was quite as
much difficulty in managing lawless SOL
diers and interfering comandantes.
Questions of authority between church
and state constantly arose. Father Sierra
even made journey to Mexico to try and
have these vexed questions settled, but to
the end there was always much friction.
As years went by new missions were
started. Father Sierra delighted to set
forth with a guard OF soldiers, few help
ers and some church supplies to found a
new station. The process was always
about the same The cross was set up on
good site, the place consecrated, little
building commenced ana good priest left
in charge. Sierra frequently visited these
stations to advise and help, but always re-
turned to his beloved San Carlos, where
he lived to old /age and died in 17S4 be-
loved and lamented by all.
The growth of pueblos began. Any one
wishing to settle In California could have
a small grant or lease of land. Many SOL
diers had families and retired from service