The San Francisco call., 1896-07-05


Christian Indians from the Mexican mis-
sions.
They were provided with all the need
full things and were to proceed, half of
them by land and half by sea, to their new
fields of labor. Two vessels, the San Car
los and the San Antonio, were fitted out
and loaded with provisions, grain and
seeds. church materials, etc. Each vessel
had its share of soldiers, mechanics, cooks,
sailors and religious guides.
The land expedition was headed by
brave soldier, Gaspar de Portala, with
twenty-five soldiers, three muleteers and
many Indians. Father Juan Crespi and
Father Sierra were OF this party. To the
carefully kept diary of the former all our
California historians are greatly indebted,
while Father Serras name is indissolubly
linked with early California missions. He
was feeble in health and lame almost to
helplessness, but always cheerful, resolute
and heroic. Nearly forty days they
marched through desert and wilderness
ere they reached San Diego Bay and saw
the white sails of the San Car
los and San Antonio cleaning before
them. Many of the Indians had de-
serted the land expedition and many of
counted now but 126 men where 219 had
started, but great was their Joy over their
rescue. On Sunday they celebrated a
solemn festival, mass was said, cross set
up and formal possession taken of the land
for the church and for Spain.
So many of the men were sick that they
decided to send them back by the San An
tonic, while the rest divided into two par
ties, one staying at San Diego for mis-
sion work and one pushing north to Mon
terey.
Portala took command of the Monterey
expedition. After only five days of rest
he started north with Father Crespi and
siXty-four soldiers m uleteers and Indians.
They followed the coast line, Fastening on
through the pathless wilderness enduring
much hardship and keeping careful notes
of all they saw. They were charmed with
the climate and pleased with the poor ma
tives, who treated them with great friend
illness. Father Crespi baptized some of
the Indian children, giving them sweet
Christian names. at Los Angeles they
felt violent shocks of earthquake, but
they were not intimidated. The noun
tains seemed to rise interminably, but
they pushed on. They passed Monterey
Bay without recognizing it, and worn and
footsore reached San Francisco Bay, which
they named for their patron saint, name
never changed. Exhausted, sick, and
with scanty rations, they now decided to
turn back.
They reached Monterey the second time
November Is, 1869, and stopping at Carmel
Bay set up cross and buried at its foot
brief report of their expedition as guide
to future explorers, should they never
reach their friends at San Diego. But
January "a. ITO, saw the little bands once
more united. Sickness and trouble had
abounded there. and the expected ships
from Mexico containing supplies had not
arrived Two days were devoted to
earnest prayer for succor, and loI the res
cuing ships appeared.
Early in the spring Portala again set out
by land for Monterey with Father Crespi
and twenty-five men, while Father Sierra
took all the provisions and REINFORCE
ments which could be spared from San
Diego and proceeded by vessel to the same
port. On the 24th of May PortaIa, after
little over a months marching, reached
his destination and found his cross hung
with votive offerings from the poor natives,
who recognized its religious character.
As Portala and Crespi walked by the sea
that lovely day in May their eyes were
opened to see that this was indeed Vls-
cainos Bay of Monterey, and no one has
ever since doubted its identity. A week
later the San Antonio came safely to port
with Padre Sierra. The little company of
soldiers and sailors made haste TO assem-
bic on the beach by the historic oak tree,
and again solemn services of prayer and
praise were held.
The mission bells are hung on a tree,
and peal forth joyously; the fathers, in
full religious dress, chant "Veni Gre
ator'; holy water is sprinkled upon the
ground; an image of the Virgin is set up
on rude altar, mass is said, and the ar
tillery and cannon thunder, while Portala
runs up the Spanish flag. Monterey is
once more taken for God and Spainl
A feast followed, full of enjoyment for
ali. The mission was named the San
Carlos, in honor of the King of Spain. In
a few days some rude huts were built, and
one consecrated and decorated for a