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ariiit4 tli<; civilizutions and savnijjlsins of
I'Aiiopc and Anic'iica, more particularly ot" tlir Span-
iards and the Aztecs, as matters stood just i)etore the
first epoch of civ-
ilization in that quarter. One mij^hty wave of pi-o-
jH^ress had swollen up, rolled alon<^ the ctMituries, and
subsided, and for a time all was calm. From old ivn^
and luxury Roman i-ivilizatioii died, and (xi'rmanic
hiirharism and Christianity assisted at its burial.
Social systems, like creeds and polities, evolve from
conditions apparently fortuitous, l^efore tlu' occu[)a-
ti(»n of W(^stern Euro})0 iiy the R(tmans, society con-
sisted of small-town a-'ricultural conununities, every
family ])roviding its own necessities, livin;^ in a state
of indej»endence, paying;" no taxes, supportini;' no gov-
I'rnment, the revenue of states beinaf for the most part
obtained from the workin;jj of state lands by state
slaves. Sometimes a number of these towns WL>uld
confederate, and the confederations divide their time
between cultivating the ground and warring on each
(•ther. Every citizen was a. soldier and a land-owner,
and much of his time was spent in attempting to de-
fend or increase his ( jmain. For everyone of these
conditions we may find a parallel in the earlier periods
of the history of more than one of the American ab-
original nations.
The foundation of our present social structure was
laid in Europe by the Romans in tlio days of repub-
lican grandeur. Sending out their armies north and
west, they laid under contribution fair provinces and
fastened upon the peo])le their laws. In their social
structure there was no intelligent middle class; a
profligate aristocracy and a cruel jiopulace compri-cd
the republic. All the world besides themselves were
barbarians, and if caught were made slaves. In their
colonies were but two classes, conqueror and con-
Ki:Ul>AU.SM.
was
hpnb-
11 aufl
Is and
^social
ss; a-
ri-icd
were
their
coa-
qnorod. Under their systi inatic divastatlons and
(rushing rule, depopulation and di'sohitioii rollowcil
them. ]>ut witli the empire arose u protective spirit
Avliieh sprt-'ad tran([uillity and fostered a Hpeeirs of
hiisL! culture. The intellect was forced into a hot-
liou.sc develojinu'ut, and cocK.'S ol' niainiers wito i-st-ili-
lislu'd, hut under a condition of hontlajj^e so .servile^ as
to fftti'r miiiil and deu^radi' morids. Into this mass of
tutored isxnorance a martial spirit was infused hy the
fierce tribes from (jlermany, and a spirit of supersti-
tion and bigotry })y the churchmen of Home. "^I'hen
glowed a red(U>r immorality tluin ever republic had
seen. The liomani/.ed natives of ,'">| 'n who had
more readily adopted, and more rapidl , de\eloped,
the ai'ts and industiies of their masti iv-> tlian the oilier
colonies, at hrst attempted t(» r ^.^ thi; h.ir!»arous
Visigoths to their level. ]hit it is easier !<» pull down
fho)'. to build up. Their own social structure \\as mmt!
of the stroiigest; the prii>onderauee «it" power was
with the hai'barians; the loutish northmen bore lu^avily
r.[ion them, and Spain in common with all Kurooe
lapsed into the age of darkness.
Ancient barriers were broken down, and ancient
laws obliterated as by one general act of ol)livion,
Society, molten, was recast. The lands of Europi- wei-e
parcelled anew. Con([uered })rovinces were hiokeii
into frao:ri)ents, and distributed amoni; th( military
chiel'taius who had taken jtart in the concjuest. A
multitude of independent states were formed, dilleiing
i:i language and traditions, but all I'alling into a system
of military tenures with singular uniformity. From
the ninth to the foui'teenth centuries, essentially the
.same species of feudality, though in modified forms,
existed throughout Euro[>e. This uniformity is to be
attributed, not to any connivance of the concjuei'ors,
who were of widely different stocks and training, but
to social necessities, which under like conditions worked
out similar results. Phases of European feudalism
were scattered all over America, fronn Alaska to Pat-
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMa
agonia, ana were formed to some extent ever amon^
the so-called savage nations. The first groat Jaw,
common to all, both in Europe and America, was
that of self-protection. The possession of lands which
were won by the sword must be held by the
sword. Every land-holder was a soldier, and a feudal
kingdom partook more of the character of a military
than a civil government. These military sovereign-
ties in the various dismembered provinces were with-
out political system, separate and independent.
In the Old World, the conqueror assuming dominion
over the territory allotted him divided it among his
chiefs or barons, who in return stood ready with men
and arms according to their ability, and at their own
cost, to obey the call of their king in order to make
or repel an invasion. The nobles, accepting the con-
ditions, built for themselves castles and fortifications,
and partitioned their lands among their vassals, who
in like manner were bound to do military service ac-
cording to the pleasure of their lord. The title to
lands thus held b}^ feudal tenure was vested in the
sovereign, and few other obligations rested upon the
occupant than that of attending him in his wars. Cap-
tives taken in battle, and freemen who were unable to
secure land, sunk into a state of serfdom or villanage.
They were employed in tending flocks and cultivating
the ground. Their condition was but little better than
that of absolute slavery. They were bound to the soil
and made to pass with it, but could not be removed
from it ; nor did they possess any of the rights pertain-
ing to liberty or property. Thus society during the
feudal ages was but a state of vassalage, of greater or
less degree.
This system, however well adapted to purposes of
offence and defence, was but little calculated to pro-
mote internal tranquillity, or lay the foundations of
powerful states. Every feudal baron within his own
domain was absolute master Even the king could
not interfere to regulate his internal affairs. He
!
V.
FEUDAUSM.
bliaii
soil
>vocl
uu-
tbe
br or
js of
Ipro-
js of
own
tould
He
could make war upon his own account at pleasure,
intliet the death penalty upon his vassals, Sbize and
liold the lands of his neighbor, if he possessed the
power, with none to question him. AH the world
lived in barracks. The master of a household was
but chief of a band of robbers. To overrun adjacent
lands, murder the inhabitants, burn the houses and
drive off tJie cattle, was the ordinary and honorable
occupation of life. Following the promptings of am-
bition or revenge, neighb<:)ring barons would for a
moment lay aside their hereditary feud, and join
against some distant or more powerful foe; after
which each returned to his ancient quarrel with tlie
other with new vigor. By their blot>dy contentions
the nobles thus kept the country in a state of perpet-
ual fermentation. Husbandmen, in the pursuit of
their vocation, tremblingly ventured beyond the j)re-
cincts of the castle during the day, and at night hud-
dled in small villages beneath its walls. They were
moreover obliged to hold themselves in readiness to
attend their master in his raids at any moment.
Marriage among them was discouraged. Soldiers to
figlit, rather than women and children to feed, Avas
the necessity of the feudal lord. Redress for injuries
rested upon the arm of the injured, and when forms
of justice were established, matters were but little
changed; for decisions were governed by juission
ratlier than principle, and too often the judge was the
criminal, and the accuser his victim.
Social intercourse was prevented ; commerce l)e-
tween foreiun nations ceased; seas were infested bv
pirates; every foreigner was an enemy. Medireval
regulations made the stranger a vassal of the lord
within whose domain he rested more than a year and
a day; shiiAvrecked mariners were made slaves. The
property of strangers was at their d< atli confisi^ated to
the ruler. Highways were filled with banditti, so
tliat travellers could journey only in companies. Laws
were made and customs established which almost pro-
COMPARATIVE CIVIUZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
hibitod distant journeys, so that all knowledge of
remote nations was lost. Under these baneful in-
Huonces population increased but slowly, and increase
of such a character obviously tended to strengthen
the I:, ron, make powerless the sovereign, and rivet
still tighter the chains of the vassal. Humanity thus
restrained became dwarfed. Budding civilization with-
ered in such uncongenial climes, and Europe })lunged
into profound ignorance. But for the Ottoman on the
east and the barbarian on the north, the feudal system
would not have existed so long in western Europe.
Finally it collapsed in a struggle between sovereigns
and nobles. And all this while, and later, the [)eople
were nothing but the plaything of the rulers, the tools
alternately of kings, barons, and priests.
In Spain the feudal system was greatly modified
by the eight centuries of Christian warfare, which not
only developed Spanish valor and Spanish chivalry to
the greatest advantage, but knit the several king
doms of the peninsula in one connnon cause,
condition of the Spanish peasantry was imjtrcned,
rather than otherwise, by a war in which personal
prowess rose above social distinctions; yet tJie atti-
tude of classes was essentially the same as in France
and Germanv. Villanajje was less known in Castile
and ]jeon than in Aragon, whose histitutions and geo-
graphical position gave to that kingdom a peculiar
physiognomy.
Thus was the humanity of our own civilization caged
like wild beasts in a menagi'rie; pc^nncd up in petty
principalities, ducliies, and baronial j)rovinces; a state
of universal antipathies but one remove from savagism.
Obviously out of these grim sliadows not a step could
be made till the partition walls were battered down.
\Vhence was deliverance to come!' What mighty
power should arise and breathe peace upon the na-
tions, heal innumerable hatreds, and cause thousands
of hereditary foes, as one man, to sheathe their bloody
le
THE CRUSADES.
swords and clasp bauds like brothers? It was not
by tbe will of man, nor through man's invention, tliat
these feudalistic fetters were to be broken; but as ever
in human affairs, it was that mysterious power of
progress ever working in and round societies. On
this occasion that power was Christianity, the religion
of all others with which European civilization seemed
most inclined to fraternize. An aid in itself to pro-
gress, it has been aided and purified thereby. When
Aryan paganism gave way to the purer Semitic faith,
Christianity became a power mightier than Rome her-
self — a power destined, in the hands of Roman pontiH's,
to rule Christendom long after Rome the mighty had
fallen. Csesar and Christ, the sword of Roino and
tlie faith of Rome, were for a time one in purpose and
in })ower; but faith, rising superior to brute force,
seized the sword and for a time wielded it in her own
interests.
It was tlic very irony of religion, that frenzied zeal
which, during the crusades, gave cliristianity the
form of chivalry. The martial spirit now became
inllamcd by fanaticism, and society was profoundly
moved.
From the earliest ages of the church, it liad bei.-n
deemed an act of piety for believers in Christ to make
a pilgrimage to his tomb, and gaze uj)on the scenes by
wliich he was surrounded when working out the re-
dein[)tion of man. The riglit of these i)ious j)crsons
to visit tlie holy sepulchre was never (questioned by
the Mohannnedans until near the close of tiie eleventh
century, when a series of atroi-ities were committed by
a horde of Turkish invaders which roused all Christen-
dom. The nations of Eur()i)e paused in their inter-
necine bickerings, and turned their eyes witli one accord
toward the east. During the two succeeiling centuries
millions of volunteers came forwai'd and enlisted in
holv' crusades against the profane infidels. Although
extrenu'ly disastrous to the crusaders themselves, the
elfect of this movement on civilizat'on was most bene-
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
ficial. To join as believers and brethren in a common
cause, to turn the arms which for centuries had been
drawn only against each other upon a foe of their faith,
was to dissolve the insane crystallizations of ages.
Chieftains of proud families, who for generations had
nourished an inveterate hate one for the other, threw
aside their animosities, and joining hands in Christian
union if not m Christian love, hurled their united
strength against the enemy, vying with each other in
acts of magnanimity. The enlightening benefits of
travel and intercourse with the more refined cities of
Italy and the east, the awakening of a new faith between
man and man, the necessity of acknowledging human
rights and duties other than those of power and place,
roused the intellect from its long lethargy. A people,
which for ten generations had hardly lost sight of the
banner which waved from its castle tower, was led
forth as from a dungeon to behold scenes hitherto be-
yond their conceptions. Side by side they marched
through new and wondrous regions, w^iere, in place of
imps and ogres, creatures of their clouded imaginations,
thty found a people like themselves, ready to join in
promoting a cause in which their whole soul was en-
gaged. The doctrine of universal enmity became less
defined, and vague conceptions of human relationships
arose.
The immediate effect of the crusades was to asso-
ciate and intermix mankind. Europe became more
intimately acquainted with the luxuries and refine-
ment of Asia. The power of the maritime cities
Genoa, Pisa, and Venice, whose vessels carried the
crusaders eastward, was increased. The absence of
feudal lords on their pious wars delivered the land
somewhat from contentions; households were split
into fragments and scattered, and their independence
inspired them to labor. A consciousness of manhood
arose in their breasts, and with it came self-respect,
wealth, domestic comfort, and social advancement.
Population increased; towns were built; manufactories
bi'ies
CHIVALRY.
established; and a class between the nobleman and
the churl appeared. Serfs who had enlisted in the
lioly cause on their return were free men. Many of
the barons, in setting out on their crusade, had been
obliged to part with their landed possessions in order
to procure a becoming outfit; many never returned,
and of their estates some were bought by the sover-
eign at a nominal price, others reverted to tlie crown
in default of heirs. Thus, as the feudal aristocracy
dechned, govci-nment centralized, and regal authority
trained streni^th.
Spain, meanwhile, had infidels enough at home; the
whole Mohammedan war was but one grand crusade,
and petty feudalistic fights were swallowed up in one
large fight ; so that neither the feudal system which
l)()und men, nor the holv adventures which liberated
them, obtained in Spain as elsewhere througliout
Europe. Another phenomenon, however, which grew
out of all this, imported into Si)ain at an early day,
finding there a rich soil, took root, and fiourished
extra\ agantly, dee})ly tinging the character of the
nation.
Chivalry, from cJievalier, knight, or horseman — we
might call it mounted monarchism; now the cham-
pion was for Christ, and now for a fair lady — at once
defender of the faith, and defender of all things else;
protector of the innocent; righter of the wronged;
under the banner of the cross, crusader; wandering
over the world in quest of adventure, knight-errant.
A strange blending of relinion and ijfallantrv, of
' >"si.i;igs and justice; a fantastic sentiment fortunate
ioi humanity at this juncture, most fortunate for
woman, lilting her uj) from her low estate, arraying
her in brightness, and i)lacing her among the stars,
meanwhile toning down man's cragginess, polishing
manners, calling up finer instincts , ornamenting, adorn-
ing strength with sympathy and valor with constancy,
arraying virtue in robes of loveliness, stripping some-
10
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
what from war its ferocity, from vice its liidcousness ;
trulv, a nobler fanaticism than tliat which adds tor-
ture to ignorance, and better at all events than the
beastly customs of feudalism. Acting in conjunction
witJi the holy adventures, and before the creation of
standing armies, chivalry played its part in the great
work of civilizing man.
But whence more directly came chivalry? About
the middle of the tenth century humane men of
the nobler sort, fired by self-sacrificing devotion to
an unselfish cause, ingrafted u[)on certain orders of
knighthood the sentiments of ])rotection to the weak,
and vindication of the riijhts of humanitv. This
chivalrous spirit was fostered by the crusades, and in
the eleventh century, tournaments, regulated by fixed
laws, were established throuuhout Christendom. To
eradicate the grosser evils of feudalism, to redress
wrongs, to vindicate the right, to merit divine favor
bv metini*' out fair iustice to man, were amoni>' the ex-
alted purposes of this romantic sentiment. Hence
woman, as the ensemble of all that is lovely and depend-
ent, became the prime object of chivalrous devotion.
Ifere it was that she was first raised from a servile
state, and placed beside that divine love of which she
is the incarnated essence. Thus we see in the chival-
ric ideal a blending of thhigs temporal and spiritual;
a materialization of Christianity. It was an outward
manifestation of the inner and hidden life of the mon-
astery. For a time this spirit well accorded with the
genius of the age; cliivaliy became the great religious
and social inspiration, and all creeds and customs were
made to conform to it. Neither is it strange that in
this new glow of manhood the sentiment swelled to
excess, nor that this excess, like all excesses, brought
about reaction and decline. As in the church, that
inordinate zeal, which, amidst filthy poverty and self-
torture, wrought out j«>ys ecstatic, thus elevating the
ininxalted
devotion of every true knight. Even the most bene-
ficial [)art of the chivalric ideal, the worshi[> of woman,
was carried to such an extreme as in the end to result
in a lovelier immorality, and into wickedness lendered
all the more seductive from being veiled. Xeverthe-
less, the temporary uni(jn of chivalry and Christianity
against wickedness in high places could not be other
than a great stej) towartl refinement.
The special political and .social state of Spain dur-
ing the Arab invasion, no less than something in the
Spanish character itself, contributed to develoj) a
chivalric ideal of more than ordinaiy vividness.
"Spain gives us," says Hegel, "the fairest picture of
kniglithood in the middle ages, and its hero is the
Cid;" and, adds Schlegel, "the spirit of chivalry has
nowhere outlived its political existence so l(»ng as in
S])ain." For this lofty and more than fanciful species
of chivalry, Spain is indebted to the Saracens. It
has even l)een held that they originated the system
and taught it to Europe. SismontU afKrms that those
"notions on the j)oint of honor, which not only ])os-
sessed a great influence ovei- the svstem of cliivahv,
but even over our modern manners, rather belonged
to the Arabians than to the (;iermau tribes."
Upon the ruins of the kniglits temj^lar and hospital-
ler, who obtained large possession in S[)ain after tlieir
return from the crusades, aro.se three new chivalric
orders; Santiago or St James, Calatrava, and Alcan-
tara. The first of these orders was approved by
papal bull in f 175. The story of its origin is briefly
12
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
as follows: During their struggles with the infidels,
the apostle St James had vouchsafed on many occa-
sions to appear in aid and encouragement of the
Christians. His body, which had been miraculously
discovered, was interred at Compostela, a small town
in Galicia. Thither resorted many pilgrims who, in
the performance of their pious duty, suttered greatly
from the constant annoyances of the Arabs. For tiie
jtrotection of these devout itinerants, several knights
and cavaliers united and formed the order of Santi-
ago. The members of this order were distinguished
by a white mantle, upon which was embroidered a
red cross, shaped as a sword, under which was an
escalop shell, this being the device upon the banner
of their saint when he appeared to them upon the
eve of battle. And many a death-shriek has gone
up from the wilderness of America in answer to
the terrible battle-cry of the steel-clad Christians:
"Santiago y d ellosl" Saint James and at theml
The fraternity of Santiago were sworn to obedience,
chastity, and comnmnity of property. The orders of
Caiatrava and Alcdntara imposed upon their members
greater austerity. The obligation of perpetual celi-
bacy was assumed; they were obliged to sit at table
in unbroken silence; to eat the plainest food, with
but one dish of meat three times a week, and to sleep
armed and ready for battle. During the conquest
of Granada tliese chivalric orders vied with each
other in presenting an imposing appearance in the
field. There always existed between them a generous
rivalrv; at the first in the loftiness and severitv of
their vows, and at the last in the skill with which
they evaded them.
Chivalry at length met its death at the hand of mili-
tary art. As early as the fourteenth century knights
began to desert their round-table principles, and fight
for those who would pay them best. But in Spain
the spirit lingered long after the form had departed.
Not until Cervantes had published his caustic carica-
WALLED TO\VNS.
13
ture, a hundred years and more after America's dis-
covery, was the passion for knight-errantry wholly
eradicated from the popular mind. The ridiculous
antics of the valorous knight of La Mancha were too
much for even the sedate Spaniard to swallow, with
all his reverence for the past.
With the building of walled towns there is a new
shuffle and a new deal in the game of statecrait. The
mail-clad barons and their restless retainers find their
match in the stout burghers of the cities. This new
order, the French tlers-etaf, the English commonalty,
is played by the kings against the nobles, and the re-
sult is a decline in lawless op})ression, and a rise in
lawful tyranny. Hitherto every link in the chain
which bound men together was forged by injustice.
The weak and the wretched, unable to defend them-
selves, were forced to take refuge within castle walls;
and thus the power of the nobles was increased as that
of the peo[)le diminished. The forming of indeiHMi-
dent nmnicipal comnmnities, theref\)re, with a re[>ubli-
caii form of ijfovernment, is a lono' stritle forward.
Ijanding and walling themselves in, the connnoners
are able to bid defiance to their old masters. The
sovereign, who is king in name only, regards the rise
of this new power with favor; or if not, he is power-
less to oppose it.
The towns become cradles of liberty, a refuge for
the oppressed. Slaves and serfs resorting thither,
and there remaining umnolested for one year, arc free
men. Wealth, the precursor of refinement, begins to
accunmlate; laws are made and the machinery of
courts adapted to requirements. To enlarge their in-
fluence, municipalities join the sovereign against his
barons, or forming leagues among themselves, become
independent of both king and nobles.
Kin<;craft now becomes an art. Baronial castles
are thrown down, burying dead feudalism beneath the
ruins. A check is placed upon the growing power of
u
fOMrARAIIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAOISMS.
the citii'S, and Kurgiiisv to tlic opposite extreino mon-
nroliv risoH into dtspotisn). A tliviiu' ])o\ver, it" not a
celcstiul origin, is ascribed to rulers. The kinij run do
no evil; his word is not only law, hut rii^liteous law.
T\)v doctrine of halancing jiower arises — first, domes-
tic, the feudal j)rinci))le halanced hy the municipal,
with the ecclesiastical hehl in reserve to l>e thrown
into either side of tlic scale as the interests of tlio
church dictate; and finally, as ]>(^tty principalitii-s
coalesce, the states thus formed hold each other in
check. That brilliant trio, Charles V., Francis I.,
and Henry VIII., divide between them Euro[>e and
America, then fight each other for the supivnuicy.
Tin so mighty potenta^^'^'S in their lust of iiom[) and
power, actuated by no princi})le save that of personal
aggrandizement, crimson the soil of Europe with tlie
blood of their subjects, and then themselves return to
dust.
With artful kingcraft, killing becomes an art.
Hitherto men had roamed for i)rev sin^lv or in small
bands ; now they unite and establish rules under wliich
their murderous propensities may be more fully grati-
fied. Time was employed not uneciually in pursuing
those arts which led to takinii- and to sustaining life.
The undrilled artisan, however, made but a poor sol-
dier, while raids and fightinus were not the schools t)f
prosperous husbaiKhy, nor were the higher functions
of the government less paralyzed by the heterogeneous
fragments into which the military force of tlie nation
was split. Grand results can be achieved only by
united strength and concerted action. It is onlv when
the resources of tlie state are finnly grasped and ab-
solutely wielded by one sole sovereign, that tranquillity
at home and respect abroad can be maintained. Be-
fore armies were established, disjmtatious cavaliers
vacillated, almost at will, between the court and their
feudal domains; but however fascinating such a life
might be to themselves, it was one little calculated to
STANDING ARMIES.
15
their
a llfc
Ited to
elevate the people, or .stroni^tlioii the arm of the gov-
erniuent. In order to initi;^ate this evil, thr sov-
ert'ii^ns of Europe, about the middle of the fi^'tci'iith
century, introduced the system of standiiiiX aimios.
J)urini;" the turbulence and anaichy of feudalism, ex-
cept in Sjiain vhere the sevei-al states wen; obliged
to unite ai^ainst the encroachments of tlu^ Aial)S,
kno\vledeople, relieved from sudden and constant calls to do
military service, were enabled to pi'osecute their s(>v-
cral vocations with ijreater advantaiife to themselves
and to tlie state.
Up to this time the rules of chivalry had ])revented
gentlemen from appearing ujion the field of battle ex-
cept in lull armor and mounted, with all the gaudy
parapliernalia of the tournament. And by tluin the
fate of battle was determined; but little dependence
was to be ])laeed on undisci[)lined churls drawn IVom
the barcmial estates. All this was now changed l>y
the ai)peaj"ance of a new element in military practice,
destined by intensifying war to promote the interests
of peace. Gunpowder, an invention of the Chinese,
was carried by the Arabs into Spain, whence it spread
throughout Europe.
With the use of fire-arms the machinery of war
became more complicated, the necessity for disci-
pline was increased; the mounted cavalier, encased in
breastplate, helmet, and shield, lost his advantage, and
the cavalry became more formidable. But the adop-
16
COMPAKATIVE CIVIUZATIONS AND SAVAfJlSM3.
I
tion of any new invention at that time took place but
slowly, and not until lonji^ after the conquest of Amer-
ica were tlieir ancient ini[)leinent8 of warfare laid aside
by the Sj)aniardH. A curious medley of death-deal-
ing instruments was displayed upon the battle-fields
of the sixteenth century. Cross-bows, battle-axes,
pikes, and arquebuses, short-swords, bucklers, daggers,
and pistols were placed into the hands of the infantry;
while the stately knight, glittering in full armor with
lance anrse ;
the Saracen footmen with cross-bow, cimeter, spear,
and arquebuse.
Fortress walls were scaled by the esculaJorfs, under
cover of mantelets, or movable parapets; and for ef-
fecting an entrance into walled towns, large wooden
towers, provided with ladders, drawbridges, and all
the requisite apparatus, were rolled up to the ram-
parts, whence the attacking party emerged upon the
wall-top and descended into the city.
During the wars of Granada, artillery being the
arm most necessary for the carrying of fortified places,
their catholic majesties gave every attention to the
perfection of this weapon. From Valencia, from Bar-
celona, from l^ortugal, from Flar. lers, and from Sicily
powder was b ought, and with that belonging to the
kingdom, dep uted in underground magazines. Ar-
tillery officers '^ere procured from Italj', France, and
Germany; gui were multiplied; their construction
was improved, nd more convenient proportions given
to their caliber The batteries increased the rapidity
and force of their fire ; burning mixtures were brought
OUNl'OWDKR.
IT
the
into rcfjulsltion, and the mobility «)f the guns likewise
auj^nn'iit('. Thcic
the njillaiit knii^ht, olittorini,^ in hurnislu'd stciil,
njouiitt' justice, and numberless are the instances among
the records of the church in which the almiglity mi-
raculously interposed his arm in vindication of t!ie
right. To such an absurdity was this system of mili-
tary jurisprudence carried, that in some instances tlio
judge upon his bench, when 'about to deliver his sen-
tence, might be impeached by the culprit, ami defied
to mortal cond)nt. Finall}', here as elsewhere, the
kir.g inter[)oscs between heaven and mankind, and
appeal is made from the decisions of feudal barons to
him instead of to God direct. The accidental discov-
LITKRATURR
10
ery in Italy, about the niidcUe of tlio twelfth cor.tnry,
of a ct)i)y of the Panel octs of Justinian, tcndocl j:frt'atly
to promote the study of law and the influence of
courts.
-\<,'ain, in the mysterious workings of mind do wo
see kiiowk'dfio hcijotteu of intensified isjnorance. That
curiosity which led to learning from medijeval torpid-
ity was aroused by a spirit of tlieological C()ntn>versy.
J Hsputations between Arian and ]*elagian, Peripa-
tetic and Platonist, however absurd in themselves,
excited inquiry; and metaphysii-al wranglings over
iionsensieal shadows of doctrine was perhaps as good
a mental exercise as any other.
Vv'hiK; Greece was the omj)ire of letters, Home be-
raine the empire of political power. The .arts and
< ulture of Greece were carried i)y her captors to the
world's ends, Greek was the lan'>uay tlic Romans, after sinking beneath Visigothic bar-
baiism, revived under the Arabs. Excepting, as we
well may, the miserable theologic drivel of the (xotho-
Latin fathers of the Spanish church, science and learn-
ing first appeared at Cordova. Schlegel, with the
pioverbial zeal of a neophyte, and newly converted
rliampion of the church, has tried, without avail, to
underrate the Arabic influence. Humboldt, verging
to the other extreme, exalts it bevond measure. The
Arabs, he says, are the "actual founders of ph^'sieal
science," the authors of chemical pharmacy. They
"scared back to some extent the barbarism which had
slirouded Europe for more than two hundred years."
They had a "far extended and variously developed
literature," and they "lead us back to the imperishal)le
sources of Greek philosophy." "The reigns of the
two Abderrahmans," says Tieknor, " and the period
f»f the glory of Cordova, which begun about 750 and
continued almost to the time of its conquest by tlie
Christians in \2'M), were more intellectual than could
1)0 found elsewhere." The kingdom of ( iranada, which
succeeded, was scarcel}' less ftuned for its learning and
rcHnement than for its opulence and ostentatious
luxury.
Scattered over the plain of Granada at the time of
its conquest were no less than fifty colleges and seventy
puldic libraries where literature was pursued, and the
sciences of astronomy, mathematics, and cluinistry
cultivated,
Jewish literature attained eminence under tlie
cali[)hs of Spain, The Moslem schools at (iranada,
('('•rdova, Barcelona, and Toledo were thrown open to
Israelites, who became proficient in medicine, mathe-
niatics, and astronomy.
COMPARATIVE cmLIZATIOXS AND SAVAOISMS.
Then it was in tlie soutliern part of Spain tlmt lit-
erature first tf government, and of theology appeared. So greiit
was the respect paid for learning at the close of the
fourteenth century, that on tlie accession of King Don
]\[artin of Aragon, the judicial and political question
of succession was neither foujjlit out nor settled bv
the nobles, but decided by a committee of learned
ecclesiastics and jurists.
This general progress of public feeling toward en-
lightenment contrib ited much to the creation of the
I'niversity of i^arcelona in 1430, by the ancient magis-
tracy of that city. It was endowed witli thirty-two pro-
fessorshi[)S, including chairs t)f theology, jurisprudence,
medicine, philosophy, grammar, rhetoric, anatomy,
Hebrew, and Greek. From the intimate conunu-
nication between the Aragonese and the ItalianSj the
lienaissance, rising in Italy since the fall of (\)n-
stantinople, was carried to the peninsula. Spain
was fortunate in securing Florence as a teacher.
When Cosmo di Medici died in 1404, his grandson
Lorenzo succeeded to the rule of Florence, and to the
guiding of great events. The crescent had eclipsed
th.e cross at the golden horn of the Bosporus; with
a
SPAMiSU LlTEllATUKE.
tlit-
itiful
well
that
From
istilc.
id its
ados,
dl the
upon
coun-
ter.
iiiove-
of the
cs, his-
of the
of law,
J great
; of the
ng Don
ucstion
tied by
learned
ard en-
1 of tlie
b n\agis-
vvo prt)-
vidence,
[iati)niy,
couunu-
ans, the
,f Con-
Spain
teacher,
randson
d to the
eclipsed
us; with
the city of Constautine had utterly fallen the last pil-
lar of the eastern empire. The learned men whom
the great capital had imrsed were scattered abroad,
rieeiiig with their hooks and instruments, wandering
they knew not whiti.er. Lorenzo gathered many to
his Tuscan city, and spared neither gold nor care that
they and their manuscripts should make their stay
permanent. It is well known what such a policy did
for Florence; and how this light made many darl: ah-
siirdities untenable for Euro})e, and even for Spain.
Xew universities sprang up ; Castile took her place
in the race, and everything indicated for Spain the in-
auguration of new and great things. There the sci-
ences were more backward in the fifteenth century than
letters. Astronomy, cosmography, physics, and math-
ematics had, it is true, their professors in the universi-
ties of Salamanca and Alcala. But the information
possessed on these subjects was neither equal to that
in Portugal since the time of Prince Henry, nor conj-
mensurate with the material and scientific revolution
that tlie discovery of the New World had produced.
"Salamanca," says Hare, "once possessed twenty-five
eolleges, twenty convents, twenty-five professors, and
twenty -five arches of its bridge; but the last alone re-
iiiaiu intact — ev)lleges, churches, convents, and pro-
Ifssorships having alike fallen. TJie university, which
boasted al)ove ten thousand students in the fourteentli
(vuturv, has now little more than one tliousand; and
the spK'ndiil collegiate buildings, palaces wortliy of the
corso »if Home or the grand canal of Venice, are either
in ruins or let out to poor families."
While the Mohanunedan contest was raging the
fiercest, and the corruj)ted Latin of the Sj>aniar(h was
merging into the Castilian dialect, Alfonso X. as-
cended the throne of Castile, and for his zeal in pro-
moting the intelligence of his people, was surnamed
The Wise. To his Arab tastes he was indebted for
this title. He labored to introduce into l']urope the
sciences, arts, and manufactures of his Arab neigiibors.
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIO:SS AND SAVAGISMS.
m
He was something of an astronomer, something of a
chemist, and he j)ropoHed a system of tl'o heavens
based upon the Ptokmiaic scheme. He patronized
k'tters, and liis own writiijgs contributed not a httle
to tlieir advance, and to that of science. He invited
many eastern [)hilosophers to his court, and he had
manv of their works translated into Castihan, Of
the niore material advantages, gunpowder, our min-
erals, i)aper, and the compass, though not discovered
by the Arabians, were introduced by them to Euro-
})can use. The first schools and libraries in the ])tnin-
sula, in mediaeval times, were those of the Mussulmans.
*'The number of Arabic authors which Spain })ro-
duccd," says Sismondi, "was so prodigious, that many
Aral)ian bibliographers wrote learned treatises on the
authors born in particular towns." Was it any won-
der, then, with all this, that to the Arab colleges,
academies, and libraries there resorted in g'K .-t num-
bers, not only the sons of the faithful, but also Chris-
tians from dilfenmt parts of Europe? So nmch for
the eastern, for a long time not only the principal
but the only source of learning and culture in Spain.
Up to this time, which was the middle of the thir-
teenth century, the literature of Spain consisted of
romantic poems of the order o^ El Rovaiicero (hi Cid,
and a multitude of chivalric ballads of like quality.
As manifestions of temperament, these eit'usions are
not without value. For hundreds of years heroic
romances and tales of knight-errantry constituted
the popular literature of Spain, and these monstrous
fictions were devoutly accepted as true history. No
absurdity was too great for belief; and although this
folly was eflectually crushed by the renowned ]Jon
Quixote toward the latter part of the sixteenth cen-
tury, shortly before which time the passion for reading
books of chivalry was never more absorbing nor the
influence more baneful, its impress remains indelibly
stamped upon the Spanish mind. Their dramatic
writings consisted chiefly of religious farces and alle-
lil
ALFONSO THE WISE.
25
of a
veus
li/A'tl
little
.itcd
had
Of
uiin-
vered
h'^uro-
R'uiu-
iiians.
1 pio-
uiiiuy
Ml the
■ wou-
UcL^es,
nuin-
Chris-
ch for
incipal
Spain,
thir-
ted of
I Cid,
udlity.
us are
heroic
ituted
listrous
No
i'h this
1 Von
h con-
K-uding
lor the
delihly
laiuatic
Id alle-
o-orieal plays, which can scarcely be ranked a> literature,
niuch less poetry. Alft)nso digested the then existing
ojjinions conoerning morals, religion, and legislation,
into a uniform system of laws, applicahle to the
various conditions (tf his people. This work was
called his Slete Porfidas, from the seven parts into
which it was divided. The learned monarch (how
larjifelv from the code of Justinian, as well as from
other sources. In this coni})ilation was laid, not only
the foundation of Spanish jurisprudence, hut it em-
bodied such sound ethical maxims as to atlect, not only
the polities of Spain, but of the colouics of Louisiana
and Florida, and throu'j^h them to exert a modifvinjj:
inlluence upon the government of the United States.
But unfortunately, the paths of literature for the
two succ(H'(linnf centuries lav not throu<«:h fertile fiehis
nor by clear running streams. In place of a natural
growth, advancing step by step from barbaric igno-
lance, the Spanish intellect plunged at once from the
dieamv languor of chivalric ballads into the dei)ths of
mysticism and theological speculation. Imagination
still usurped the domain of reason; the battle was be-
tween nominalism and realism; men fought, not for
the truth, but for the abstract idea. The faith for
wliich tlie Spaniards had so lonij struu'u'led ' that her secrets should be
guarded by a dead language. Cardinal Bembo seeing
one day a itriest en: a i>ortion of
the bible exclaimed, "Leave off this child's l)lay;
such nonsense does not become a man of uravitv."
Latm therefore continued to be the lanufuaue of the
churcii, and as the clergy only were taught, the
church monopolized learning. AH through the dark
m
sA
comparativp: civilizations and savagisms.
I
ago there gliiumercd beams of light from Coustan-
tiin)|)le, from Bagdad, and from Cordova. The Om-
ni iades kept up regular communication with the
l^yzantine em])er()rs. To the papacy as the tem-
poral and ecclesiastical power of the clmrch of Konie
was o])p()sed the calipliate as the temporal and ecclesi-
astical j)i)\ver of Mohammedanism. While the bishop
of Komt! held undisputed tenii)oral and spiritual sway
in Italy, in Castile, and over the entire north of
Euiopc, the calii>h of Mohanmjed held undisputed
temi^oral and spiritual sway at Cordova, as well as at
Samarc.md. The bishop of Rome was pope because
he was emperor; the caliph of Mohammed was em-
peror because he was pope. As intercourse with the
Greeks and Saracens increased, there was manifest
throughout Euro[)e an awakened interest in learning.
In Constantinople Greek was a living language until
that city was conquered by Mohammed II. in 1453.
In 1458 it was first taunht at Paris, in 1481 it was
]>iinted at Milan, and taught at Oxford in 1488.
With the restoration of Greek literature in Italv,
about the betjinnin*^ of the fifteenth centurv, b( "j,an a
new eia in tlie extension of knowledge. It was this
lig]it breaking in from the east that dispelled the
loiiLir darkness. Latin, which as the lan<4uaLre of the
learned had hitherto kept wrapped within its mystic
folds the wisdom of the ancients, fell into disuse.
From vulvar and aboriginal dialects modern Ian-
ii'uanes were formed, and literature was taken from
church control and spread before the peop.le. Schools
arose, and laymen as well as clerg^'men were taught.
Incpiiry and argument left the unprofitable fields of
windy sclK)lasticism, and entered the more practical
])at1is f)f science. Penetrating eyes were ca.st upon
liuiiian afiairs, and saw therein elements not reached
by the meditations of the cloister. Men dared to give
license to thought, to give rein to reason, and with it
to invade the sacred })recincts of old delu:4ons, and
demand of bigots the why and wherefore of their ab-
^1
PREfTINO.
m
istan-
Oiu-
i tlie
tein-
Kinne
eclesi-
1 S4\vay
itli ot
U as at
jccauso
as Pi»-
:itU the
nanifcst
i:anuH'j;-
,o;e until
in 1453.
1 it was
n 1488.
n Italy,
l)(>u;an a
svas this
lletl the
e of the
Is mystic
) disuse,
cin Ian-
en from
Schools
taught,
fickis ot
practical
|a,-^t upon
rcachctl
•a ti» give
Ll with it
l-ions, antl
their ah-
sui'dlties. Italy again hocomes the seat of loariiing
and refinement. Tlie Byzantine school of art, trans-
planted with Greek literature, breaks fortli in dazzling
splendor. The divine in man assumes form. A new
nuisic fioatiiig through the chamhers of the soul finds
vent, coagulates upon the canvas, and concretes in
mai-ble statues and cathedral domes. Popular litera-
ture finds expression in Ariosto, Poloziano, and Pulci ;
and art in Michael Angelo, Tiziano, and Leonardo da
Vinci. The subtle disputations of scholastics fiide be-
fore the more philosophic n^asonings of ^lachiavelli
and Lorenzo. The Ptolemaic idea of astronomy,
wliich placed the earth in the centio of the universe
and sent the whole heavens whirling around it, is
e.\[»loded by the theory of a solar system pronud-
gated by Copernicus.
And as if all this were not enough for the enfran-
chisement of the intellect, another and still mightier
powi-r appears — the art of printing. Beside this arti-
fice, sim[»le yet wonderful, all the inventions of man sink
to insignificance. Transfixing thought, giving per-
petual speech to the wisdom of ages, bringing up the
dead past and surrounding the present with myriads of
tongues, it is more magical than magic, more cunning
tlian sorcery. The power of tho pulpit was thenceforth
doomed to give way before the pf)wer of the press.
Akliough printing was invented in Germany about
1440, the art was not established in Spain until 1474;
and while destir.ed eventually to effeet the complete
emancipation of learning, it was so pam[)ert d at first by
the jealousv of the clerLiv J^'^d tho restrictions of <''overn-
ment, that its influence was greatly retarded. Lender
the j>ontificato of Alexander VI. a censorship of the
press was decreed, and no book was sutfered to be
j)rinted M'ithout s})ecial permission from the clergy,
under pain of fire for the book and exconnuunication
for the author. Four centuries have since passed
away, and these fetters are scarcely yet entirely
removed.
! ^i
ss
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMn.
By a siii'T^ular coincidence, says Lafuonto, printinj^
was introduci'd into Si)ain in tlie year Isabella be faV'^i' tor
tlieuiselves fetters, tlirust tlieir willing hands into
them, and then cry that thiy are held, is childish; nnd
it is scarcely less so for writers of history to inveigh
against one of a nation, or one class, for i)erforining
the functions of an office in which they are sustnincd
hy the people. When we hear rattle the chains of
the struggling mind, we are too apt to forget how
they came there, to forget that bondage is an inheri-
tance, and to blame hu'uan liolders of power for not
behaving more than godlike, and hasten to lay it down
and free the race. These teachers are not the craftv
ft/
serpents their bi<)gra[ihers make them; they are
worms like their fellows; not possessed of any super-
human knowledge more than are our teachers <.>f to-
day. There is no Serbonian bog of more lutpeless
depth than the teachings of ignorance.
Nevertheless, as we shall see, the Spanish ministers
of Christ were not wholly consistent in their practice
with the teachings of tlu;ir divine master. Their
practice was not wholly consistent with their profes-
sion; they taught charity, mercy, peace; and for the
enforcement of these mild j)recepts they brought car-
mige, in(iuisit<)rial tortures, and all the demoniacal
passions the nature human is heir to. It will not
ik) to survey ecclesiastical morality by the light of
ecclesiastical history. The pathway of Christ's fol-
lowers is red not alone with the blood of the saints;
the history of persecution is the history of the church ;
for every martyr to Christ's love ten have been mar-
tyred for the love of Christ. Not that the Christians
of the fifteenth century y;vvd more cruel or less sincere
than the Christians of the first century. Both were
eaten up of zeal ; but in the authoritative elaboration
of its dogmas latter-day faith grew ferocious, and sub-
tle disputations over forms of infinitesimal importance
were followed by copious blood-lettings. The schisms
CHRISTIANITY.
and slaufjliterings of the si^veral brandies of the
cliurcli clurin«^ the second and third five ccnturit'S of
its existence were more foolish than the quarrelhiiLT
for tlie shadow of an ass. With the Binjfendians of
I^illiput it was a matter of no sniidl ('onsc<|Ucnfe, and
a point of orthodoxy, that all ei,^;^s should he cracked
at the higend, wherefore the Sniallendians denounced
tliein as vile and lu-retical, because any one but the
most l)igoted and abandoned of God could see that
('stness with which su})ernatural aid is invoked.
In these unfavorable natural features, no Euro[)ean
country has been so unfortunately situated as Spain.
In this theory, Mr Froude thinks there is a great
deal of truth; though at the same time he instances,
on the other side of the question, "Japan, the spot in
all the world where earth(juakes ai'e most frecjuent,
and wIk'J'c, at the same time, there is tlie most serene
disl)(>li(!f in any supernatural agency whatever." It
seeuis, on the whole, a mere question of the compara-
tive iniluence of certain admitted powers, none of
which were likely to be at all favoral)le to cool, fear-
less reasoning. Look, for example, at the titful, j)re-
carious life t>f the Spaniard himself, through so many
generations of his early national existence, while the
Toledo kept as best it could against the cimeter the
western gates of Europe. In such times "thought
and iiKpiiry were impossible; doubt was unknown; and
the way was prepared for tiiose super-stitious habits,
and for that deep-rooted and tenacious belief, which
have always formed a ])rincipal figure in the history
of the Sjumish nation."
So much for Buckle; it must be reco«Tfnized, how-
ever, with regard to the effects of this latter cause,
RELIGION IN SPAIN.
33
that before the Saracens had at all set foot In the
})eninsula, "no khigdom was so thonnighly under the
bondage of the hierarcliy as Spain." This is what
Halhiin thinks of it; while Lafuente, treating of tlie
(Jrotho-Si)anisli kingdom as early as the seventh cen-
tury, speaks of "the influence and preponderance of
the clerjj^y, not then only in ecclesiastical matters, but
also in the policy of the state." In fact, of the national
councils held at that time, it is not easy to determine
whether they are to be considered as ecclesiastical or
temporal assemblies. Milman affirms them to have
beiMi both. To such an extent had the clergy insinu-
ated tliemselves in the affairs of state.
Tuin again to the results of the Mohammedan
invasion as set forth by the historian of English civili-
zation: " There were three ways in which the ^foham-
niedan invasion strengthened the devotional feeling of
the Spanish people. The first was by })rom()ting a
lonuj and obstinate reli<;ious war: the seconil was bv
the presence of constant and imminent dangers; and
the third was l)y the poverty, and therefore the igno-
rance, which it produced among the Christians."
The war which drove the infidels from S[)ain was a
war for the i'aith, a crusade no less than a concjuest.
The interests of the church, as well as the interests of
the nation, were at stake; hence in martial matters
the clergy took active interest, and played thci'ein no
mean part. Not only did they aniniate the soldiers
by their enthusiasm, and coml'oi-t tliem with promises
of divine approbation, but a1 l>ots and bishops joined
in councils of war, and led it;niies to battle. While
the king fought for the i hurch, the church could do
no less than to inculcate such maxims as should tend
most to the service of the kmg. Likewise the king
stood by the church and dearly regarded its inteiests.
And now these two great powirs, which had marched
hand in hand for ten centuiies and more, wen- aj»-
l>roaehijur .. ^ meridian of their uflorv. The courts of
Isahellii, Ferdinand, Charles, and Philip, with all th.eir
Cau fxsT., Vou I. 3
m
COMPARATTVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
i 'I
forms and augnst pageantries, might well have passed
for models of celestial mansions; as if the gods had
come down and taken up their abode with men. And
so, indeed, many regarded it. "Whatever the king
Ccime in contact with," sa3'8 Buckle, "was in some de-
gree hallowed by his touch. No one might mount a
liorse which he had ridden; no one might marry a
mistress whom he had deserted. Horse and mistress
alike were sacred, and it would have been impious for
any subject to meddle with what had been honored by
the Lord's anointed."
The despotic power embodied in a united church and
state brought the Spanish people into a state of servile
homage to king and clergy, and imprinted on their
character its dee[)cst color. Fired by earthly hopes
on the one side, and heavenly hopes on the other, the
mind became greatly inflamed. It became part of
tlieir religion to be loyal, and part of their loyalty to
be religious. Upon the eve of battle the priest, to
stimulate their zeal, wrought miracles, declared omens,
and conjured to their aid the potent elements of
heaven. The most trivial circumstances were seized
as tokens of success or failure.
As the learning of past ages lay hidden in the lan-
guagtis understood only by the clergy. rucIi expositions
and interpretations could be placed upon it as best
suited their purpose. Thereby, in the eyes of the
ignorant, they were clothed in mysterious powers;
they were special confidants of the deity, and held
the disposal of earthly and heaveidy blessings at
their command. Hence all united to do them rever-
ence. A large share of the spoils of battle fell to
them. In every province wrested from the Moors,
extensive grants were made for ecclesiastical institu-
tions, and any attempt to curb their avarice, or dis-
pute their authority, was denounced as impious and
h- retical. Priests were kings, ministers, lawyers, or
soldiers as the interests of the church demanded.
The^' engaged in trade, and owned manufactories.
Hi -!
POWER OP THE CLERGY.
35
lassed
s had
And
5 king
ne de-
ount a
larry a
listress
m8 for
irc^d by
•ch and
servile
1 their
J hopes
ler, the
part ol
yalty to
riest, to
omens,
ents of
seized
\\Q lan-
•sitions
las best
of the
[)()wers;
id held
[njjs at
rcver-
fell to
floors,
linstitu-
lor dis-
cus and
I'crs, or
[landed.
Ljtcries.
A monk could travel from one end of Spain to the
other without money, his blessin*^ beintj^ more tlian
compensation for his entertainment. The proudest
j^randees servilely attended the cler^jy on occasions of
great display, such as the burning of a heretic, or in
celebrating mass, gladly embracing every opportunity
of manifesting their zeal for the church by hund)liiig
themselves before its meanest functionaries. The
abbess of Huelgas ranked above all the ladies of
Spain save the queen. Few throughout Christendom
were higher in ecclesiastical dignity than the arch-
bishop of Toledo, ex o|//c/o primate of Spain and grantl
cliancellor of Castile. His was the metropolitan
church whose canons dwelt in stately palaces, and
':A whose revenues were j)rincely rather than priestly.
- In 1549 a convent was founded by Ramon Beren-
ii'iier in Catalonia, on the spot where the body of
l^)lJlet, a holy heiinit, had been revealed by mystic
lights. The shrine became famous. Alonarchs en-
riched it with their wealth and honored it with their
remains. If we may credit Hare, "five humlred
monks of St Bernard occupied but did not fill the
ma«n»ificent buildiny;s. Their domains became almost
boundless, their jewelled chalices and gorgeous dmrch
furniture could not be reckoned. The library of
Poblet became the most famous in Spain, so that it
w ts said tiuit a set of wagons employed for a whole
ytjar could not carry away the books. Poblet grew to
!e t]tc \¥- IK , minster abbey of Spain, and its occupants
iK'uiu «i'(>"e exclusive. Their number was reduced
to sixry-hiX, b^t into that sacred circle no novice was
introduced ia whose vein^i ran other than the ])ur( st
blood of a Spanish grandee. He who became a monk
ot' Poblet had to prove his pedigree, and the chap-
ter sate in solenm deliberation upon his quarterings."
Every monk had two servants to attend him, and
wlien he went out he rode upon a snow-white mule.
The vhole peninsula was searched for these mules,
an! t\i'v commanded an enormous price.
; i; I
II
m COMPARAnVE Cn'ILIZATIONS AND SAVAOISMS.
Nowhere in Christendom did rehgit>n enter into
the daily Hfe of the |)eople as in Spain. Every house
was a school of superstition. Every guild had its
patron saint. Thousands of vulgar conceits, omens,
prt)gnostics, tales of witchcraft, magic, and diabolic
holiness were current among tlic masses. Piety was
made practical. "God and St Budget bless you!"
cries the milkmaid to the cow, and there were no
ujore kickings. She who would know the Christian
name of her lover had but to stretch a thread across
the doorway, and the name of the first man who
stepped over it was the name of him whom she
should marry The distaff nmst not remain loaded
over Sunday, ■■ .c linen of the following week
would be of bat.. ality, and thousands of like ab-
sunhties. In French falconry, if we may believe
Paul Lacroix, before hunting, the birds w'cre sprinkled
with holv water, as on St Hubert's dav hounds and
accoutrements of the chase were blessed by the
priests. The enemies of the falcon wet^e then sol-
emnly a^ldressed in the manner following: 'I adjure
you, () eagles! I>y tiie true God, by the holy God, by
the most blessed Virgin Mary, by the nine orders oi
angels, by the holy prophets, by the twelve upostles,
to leave the field clear to (»ur birds, and not to molest
them : in the name of the Father, and Oi the Sou, and
of the Holy Ghost."
Emblematic of all industries and interests was the
cross. The bodv is fashioned like a cross; churches
wer(! built in the form of a cross; seas could not be
safely traversed exce})t in cross-masted vessels, nor
the earth niade fertile by any other than a cruciform
spade.
To impress the popular mind, mystery-plays or pas-
sion-plays were introduced, in which scrij)ture inci-
dents were arrayed in the gaudy parapiiernalia of tlio
drama. In these repulsive exhibitions, ecclesiastics
ap[)eared upon the stage in the characters of the
patriarchs and apostles, and even of the deity. Adam
INSANE SUPERSTITION.
3t
r into
house
lad its
:)Uiens,
Ivaholic
ty was
you;
ere no
iristiau
across
m who
)ni she
loaded
f week
ike alt-
believe
arinkled
lids and
by the
lien sol-
adjure
Glod, by
ders of
M)stles,
molest
on, and
was the
hurehes
not be
iels, nor
•uciforni
or pas-
re inci-
of the
?siastics
of the
Adam
;=5
and Eve paraded l)efore tlie chaste audience naked,
a. id Lucifer .stalked the boards with horns and cloven
jioof and forked tail. There the Christ was crucified,
the creator sat in judi^nicnt, and the fires of hell weio
brifhtiv hurnin*;. Later, when taste became refined
by art, these .spL'ctaeles were modified or abandoned
for the more impressive grandeur of architectural
jiiles, vaulti'd aisles and pictured windows; pointed
spires and deep-toned bells; with statues, ineense,
tapers, and the iujposuig cereuK^nials of the mass.
In Spain more than elsewhere art was subordinated
to religion; image woi'ship was the most fertile fielil
«»f the scu]i>tor and painter. Science, if used at all,
was employed only *^'> elucidate some doctrine of
tJie church. In every way, l)y interpolation of scrip-
tine, by exalting l)lind faith, by nursing Ixisotted
ii-iiorance and trendjling credulitv, science was smoth-
ercd and rationalistic thought crushed. Innovation,
deviation from time-honored tenets, was heresy. To
tliiidv was a crime; to study nature, magic; to attem])t
to iiiteipret nature by a natural, or any other than a
bihjical, standard was sorcery.
in every village was a sorcerer, wise man, or magi-
<-ian, a most useful member of society, who, l)eiiig in
<'orrespondence with agencies infernal, wrought mira-
s, cured the sick, a. id brouu^ht to lii»ht that which
Avas i(»st. Days luckv and unlucky in w hich to buv and
to Sell were duly noted in the almanac. Joan d'Are
not fMilv hear] voices in the air, and beheld strauiic
visions, hut she made the French and English soldiery
see them. Columbus, on first .-ijjlitiniif San Salvador,
saw the Mestern coast of Asia, and he command* d
every one «)f his men to see in that island Asia, and
to believe and know that it was the veritable Cijtango,
the Japan of India, that they saw under penalty of
having tiie tongue of every doubter cut out What
had men to do with their senses, with reason? The
sum of duty, ill those days was very simple H)nly l)e-
lieve. Whatevt.T could not be understood miiiht be
COMPARATIVE CIVIUZATIOKS AND SAVAGISMS.
attributed, with Don Quixote, to encliantinent, or the
work of some wicked magician. And so Jol)n Faust,
the printer, was a witch; and storms and deaths and
all evils were attributed to witches; and witches were
burned by thousands.
Sorcery and witchcraft were for centuries defended
by the ablest scholastics. Thomas Aquinas, St Au-
gustine, Gerson, and Bodin fought as hard against
scepticism in witchcraft as in worsliip, Neither abil-
ity, purity of intention, nor a self-sacrificing search
for truth were proof against error; instance ^Martin
Lutlier blackening the wall with his inkstand hurled
against an imaginary dovil, and the puritan fathers
who iled persecution, only for Christ's sake to perse-
cute each other. Whoever attempted to question
the truth of witchcraft was hushed by passages from
scripture, by which or from which anything or nothing
can be proved. The logic of su|X)rstition was a meas-
uring of error b\ error, by which method the truth
lias never yet been meted out.
ToLxlo was famous for its witches. At Calahorra
in 1507 tiiirty women were burned for witchcraft.
Hundreds of instances might be cited where women
and men were tlms tortured to death by these pro-
foundly blind and uious men. The unfortunates who
thus suffered were deemed criminally depraved, ac-
cursed of God, children of Satan, whom to stnid by
an excruciating death to eternal torment were a
ri'jfhteous dutv. So clergymen dealt with tiie tainted
of their Hock, so magistrates dealt with the accused,
so dealt friend with friend, and mothers with children.
Any man having aught against another had but to
twist his body into a knot, call the semblance of agony
to his face, cry witch, and charge the evil on his enemy
to be forever rid of him. As late as 1484 Innocent
VIII, complains by papal bull " that numbers of both
sexes do not avt)id to have intercourse with the infer-
nal fiends, and that by their sorceries they affiict both
man and beast. They blight the marriage bed, de-
I
r AI RISTIC ABSU Rl )ITIES.
stroy the births of women and the increase of cattle;
thov blast the corn on the ground, the grapes in the
vineyard, the fruits of the trees, and the grass and
lierbsof the field." Strange that the creator and pre-
server <^f all thino;s should stand still and see the
innocent suffer for what he has done, and open not his
mouth!
Patristic writings are full of their jugglery. Among
the long catalogue of miracles deemed authentic by
St Augustine were five cases of bringing the dead to
life. l)urini; life birds brought fruit to the anchorite,
and at death lions dug his grave and howled his requiem.
( )i ten the virgin descended, and lifting the pious sup-
plicant from his knees, comforted him. Images every-
where cured the sick and winked and blinlvod upon
the worsliippers at their .shrine. Under tlirection of
tlie A'irufin of tlie Pillar at Saraf the truth by those whom they regarded as
the ministers and representatives of Gtxl's will and
powrr on earth. Sucli was the atmosphere in which
the belief of our New World adventurers was formed.
The clergy easily obtained permission to establish
courts for the decision of all questions relative to
their creeds arid to their property. By exU'uding
untKr various artifices the jurisdiction of these spirit-
ual courts, they were made to include the greatir part
of all cases arisinjj: for litiuation Codes of laws were
formed, and rules estal)lislied whereby uniform and
consistent decisions were made. The fulmination of
ecclesiastical edicts became conunon, and were more
drea: to all relial states. The primacy of St IVter, at
first a state of simple ire of Home declined, tlie emj)iro
of St IV'ter maintained the su})reniacy, and in the
eleventh century Hildeltrand, under title of Orej^ory
\'1I., pi'onmly,ated the l)old conceit that the successor
of St I'eter as viceijercnt of the creator is soverei<;n
of the world. Tlius the patriarch of ]ionie lu'came
tlie ])ope of Rome. Although suhserihini^ himself
Semis Sen'orvm Dei, servant of the servants of (Jod,
he was content to he nothini>" less than mastei' of the
masters of nuMi. Twelve hundred vears after Christ,
the vii-ar of Clirist assumes tliat tempoial autliority
which Christ himself declai'ed to he no })art of liis
mission. The exit of Colonna, as Martin i\., from
Constance, was uiore <(lorious than Christ's entry into
Jerusalem. Arrayed in gorgeous rohes, and mounteal power. Multitudes from every land flocked
to Kome, as formerly pilgrims flocked to the holy
sepulchre.
It is inconsistent with earthly affairs for greatness
like this to last. Tlie fruit of it rii)ened and decayed.
The poi>e wlio made himself higher than man lived
lower than tlie brute. Sixtus IV. who reigned from
1471 to 1484 was led by his nepotism into base in-
trigues and treacherous conspiracies. Innocent YIII.,
1484 loi)2, is accredited by his mildest historians
with seven illegitimate children, oflfspring of varitms
women. Tlie very name of Alexander VI., 1492-
150.}, the father of Ca3sar and Lucretia Borgia, is
synonymous with cruelty and licentiousness. " The
impure groves of antiquity," says Merle D'Aubigne,
" probably never saw the like of the wickedness per-
petrated under his roof" He secured his election
by buying every cardinal at a fixed price; and on the
day of his coronation he made his son CiBsar arch-
bishop of Valencia and bishop of Pampeluna. This
3'outh, worthy of his illustrious father, first nmrdered
his brother and threw the body into the Tiber, then
strangled his brother-in-law, and finally becoming
jealous of his father's favorite, stabbed him to the
heart in the very presence of the pontiff*. He kept
a band of hired assassins constantlv at hand to do his
a/
bidding. Lucretia Borgia, twice married, lived in-
k
BIMORAL PONTIFFS,
43
cestuously at the same time with her father and two
brotliers. The Borglas, fatlier and children, turned
the imperial city into a harem. Falling at length a
victim to his own diabolical cunning, the pope died of
poison which he had prepared for others. Yet in
justice to Alexander VI., it may be said that notwith-
standing his incestuous debaucheries he was one of
the most able princes of his age. He successfully
quelled the refractory spirit of his barons, althougli
he did not scruple to use poison and poniard in eftect-
ing his purpose. He was devoted to the welfare of
the people, and kind to the poor, Julius II,, 1503-
151.S, notwithstanding his love of war and his en-
counigenient of art — became prematurely old from
intemperance and sensual excesses. With such pas-
tors, wliat may be expected of the people?
The wickedness of the pontiffs did not die with
them, but spread like a pestilence through all ranks
of the priesthood, and infected every grade of society.
Simony and licentiousness were of the most common
occurrence. While the church was burning heretics
for simple differences of opinion, one half of her priest-
hood purchased their preferments, and lived in open
concubmaiic.
Yet civilization owes Roman Catholicism some-
thing; for exami)le, the unification of societv durini;
the tlai'k age; restraining the passion for war con-
sequent on the subordination of political power to
divinely deputed papal power; the unification of the
Cliristiiui church, growing out of the doctrine of i)apal
infalliitilitv; the abolition of slaver}'; tiie softening and
refining of manners, and multitudinous social cour-
tesies and benefits.
Thus we have seen how the jicople of Spain were
educated into ignorance and fanaticism; how truth was
hidden away, and falsehood and superstition clothed
in the semblance of truth; how devotion to the king
and to the church was rewarded, and devotion to
u
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
country and conKcicnco piinislied. Now Jot us see
how proselytes were niade in Spain in the sixteenth
century, as I liave elsewhere in this series fully -
scribed the en^^ines of conversion in Anieriea. And
I ask the reader to compare the human sacriHces of
Europe with the human sacrifices of America; com-
])are the hloody butcheries of tlie Christians with
those of the Aztecs; compare the diabolical savagism
of Spain and Enjjfland and France, about the time of
the coiKjuest, with the worst that was found in tiie
New World.
So dear was the purity of the faith to both spiritur.l
and temporal rulers, that in the twelfth century in-
quiiers, or intjuisitors, were ajipointed throu_«;hoi'.t
]^urope to examine ])ersons suspected of heresy. If
spiritual chastisement failed to make plain the niys-
tcaies of reliiLjion, the unbeliever was turned over to
the secular aim. AFade fertile by the copious elu-
sions of AEohammedan blood, no soil in jMuope was
better prepared for o'rowin;^ these rank weeds of coi-r-
cion, none more prolific, than that of Spain.
Followinj^ Lafuente in his notice of this institution,
it appears that as early as 1232 (iret^ory IX. directed
the arclibisho[) of Tarra»j;ona, as to the establishment
of its courts, in Catalonia, Arai^on, Castile, and N.i-
varre. The inquisitors were Dominicans as usual.
The king of Castile, St Ferdinand, proved his re-
ligious zeal by helping with his own shoulders to
cairv the wood for the burning of heretics. The kinuf
])on ])iego of Aragon attended with his sons at the
torture of Pedro iJurango de Baldach, burned by sen-
tence of the Inijuisitor-general Burguete.
In Castile, at least, this tribunal presently fell to
pieces: so that in 14(54 in that kingdom no intpiisition
was to be found, but many desired its rcestablishment.
No steps, however, were taken in that reign. In
1478, at the request of Isabella, who was acted upon
by her sj)iritual advisers, Sixtus IV. empowered the
catholic kings to elect three prelates, and other eccle-
,18.
IXQUTSITIOV.
US see
ixiceiith
ully (1(>-
i. And
tlHccs <>t
a; ('(iiii-
ns with
avagisMi
■ tiiiK' of
I in the
spiritui.l
turv iii-
ouglioi'.t
tsv. If
\\o mvw-
over to
HIS ciru-
()|te was
of eoer-
itution,
irc'cted
islmu'iit
d Xa-
usual.
his le-
ers to
.! kin!^
at tlio
fell to
lisition
inicnt.
11. Ill
upon
td the
ecclo-
Sia>;tiral doctors and lietntiatos, (if jj^ood llf(\ to iiKjuIro
after and jiroeeed aL;,'{iinst tlie heretics and apostat'js
of tlie realm, accordinj^^ to law and custom.
Tli(-' motlern iiKjuisition was estahhslied in tlie cf)n-
vrnt of San J*al)lo do Sevilla, whence it moved in
] iS| into the fortress of 'JViana. In apjti'aranee, ilii:.j
(nhous institution liarnionized witli the ortliodox fr.ith;
in reality, the Spanish iiuiuisition was less an eeeh^si-
a^ieal than a i)olitical trihunal. It ])laced in the hand
of tilt; st)vereii^ns a jiowerful instrument for suppress-
ing- faction and strenLjthenin_!jf royal d»>spotisni. The
nieclianism of the modern iiuiuisition was pre pared
more esjiecially lor the conversion of Jews and ?!(»-
liaiiiinedans. As the order-lo\i'in
j;!l jxrsons to give information against any su.spected
of heresy. Every now and then some member of a
societv mvsterit)uslv disapiteared from his accustomed
liaunts, never again to be seen. When an"este«l, the
j)risoner was conducted to the secret dungeon of t'le
inquisition, and all intercourse with the world forbid-
den liim. Evidence was given in writing, but the
name of the witness was known only to the judges.
The accus(T and the accused were never brought face
to face. Often the piisoner knew not for what crime
he was accused. Secret and presumptive testimony
was allowed, and the most absurd proof admitted, "^i'o
convict of Judaism, it was only necessary to eat with
a Jew, to wear better clothes than usual on the Jewi^di
.T' !
46
COMPAP.ATIVi: CIAHLIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
sabbath, to drink Jewish wino, or keep a Jewisli mis-
tress. After undt rjjfoinjjf a mock trial, those who re-
fused to confess tho crime charged upon them, whether
•(uilty or not, were put to the torture.
Tliree ordeals were practised in Spain for determin-
ing the guilt or innocence of the prisoner: the cord,
water, and fire. Trial by the cord was performed by
fastening the hands of the victim behind lils back with
a strong cord, one end of which was passed through a
pulley attached to the roof of the chamber. The exe-
cutioner then raised the victim to the ceiling, and
after holding him suspended for a time, suddenly loos-
ened the cord, permitting him to drop within a foot of
the floor, when his fall was suddenly checked. By
tliis terri1)le shock, the cord was made to cut into the
flesh, and the joints were dislocated. The shocks
w^ere repeated until confession was made or life endan-
gered. The ordeal by water was performed by bend-
ing the body over a wooden horse, in such a manner
that the feet were higher than the head, and respira-
tion extremely painful. A lever and cortls were then
employed to distort the l)odv Jind cut the ilesh. While
undergoing the most excessive agony in this i)osition,
in order to render torture vet more active, the mouth
and nostrils were covered with a piece of fine hnen,
wetted, through which the victim with the utmost
difficulty respired. Water was then poured uj)on the
face, a small quantity of which slowly filtered through
the linen. In the frantic efforts of the suflcrer to
swallow and to breathe, blood-vessels were ruptured,
the linen was saturated with blood, and the body
broken and lacerated by the cords in a horrible man-
ner. In the ordeal by fire, the feet of the victim were
I)laced, firmly bound, near the fire. Oil or lard was
then rubbed over them, until the flesh was literally
cooked, and the bones protruded. Such are the sick-
ening details by which alone we may show how Chris-
tians labored for the salvation of souls oidy four
hundred years agol
AUT0-DE-F6.
47
tim were
The demoniacal solemnities of the inquisition cul-
minated in that grandest and most imposing ceremonial
(if the church, tho anto-de-fc, or act of faith, upon
wliich occasion punishment was inflicted upon the con-
demned. Once more I would ask how to distinguisli
the radical difference between the ])uman sacrifices of
the Mexicans and Peruvians and the malignant enor-
mities of tlie iiKjuisitorial trihunal, except tliat tlie
former Mas attended by far less ])assion and cruelty
than the latt( r. Punishments of persons convicted
hy tiie comt of tlie inquisition were of various gratU-s.
Propiity in every instance was confiscated; and as a
grtjit part of the wealth of tlie kingdom was in the
liands of jitretical Jews and floors, convictions were
rai)id and easy. Some were condemned to l)e burned,
otliers wlio could not be found were Imrned in effigy.
►Some Were condemned to be reconcih'd — bv which
term is meant fines, imprisonment, or disenfranchise-
ment.
K^w the morning of the day appointed for tlio dismal
spectacle, the populace were awakened l»y the muf'.Ud
sound of tlie cathedral bell, and soon a crowd of (\iger
spectators thronged the streets and public s(piare.
The dungeon doors of the tribunal were then thrown
open and the unfortunate victiuis were brought forth.
First in the procession were placed the penitents, or
those condenmed to do penance and l)e roco!:;iled.
Xext, barefooted, clothed in ,s«» hmifos, or long yt-l-
low frocks, decorated with searlet cross, and jiictures
of imps and fires of hell to which the W( aiTi's sr»ul h
doomed, with a high pointed-crowned hat u|ion the
head, and a large crucifix borne before them, were
those condemned to death. Then followed diigies of
uncaught heretics; and in black coffins garnished with
infernal symbols, the bones of thoi-e who had ili<"J,000 were burni'il. Such wen' the
njeasui't's adopted tt) turn the luarts of men to the
miUl teaching's of Mini whose name an(»us]v ])(>rfornK>d bv mi<>Jitv soverei'Mis and holv cede-
siastirs?
]n Ifxll Ferdinand was succeeded by Charles, a
sincen', houi'st, and by no nu>ans itaibheai'ti-d man.
Yet tlie I'eligious current into which he was cast
swi'pt lum into the nn)st barbarous and bigoted i-x-
tremes. A terribjv fervent li''ht, and hid under no
bushel, was his to the heretic. 'I\> buy a heterodox
book was death. To bi- a heretic was (lames anil lire,
both in this world and that which was io conu'. In
the low countries the deatlis for this cause were esti-
mated at oiu' hun(h'ed thousand. Almost the last
tleed of the old emperor was to a[>r()val
tlie prin-
v\\ a scr-
iiK'cd ; at
CO struck
(luUMunod
oi'd upon
'Xecution.
re kindly
)thorNvise,
•c, Tims
),000 IKT-
wcro the
Ml l<» the
issioii WHS
) ilUltlH'SS
.11 wdudcr
e Siuuiish
oiiu' such
■i'lV polll-
oly ceele-
I'liai'les, a
lied mail.
was rast
(ttt'd t'\-
luudt r IK)
ctcrtxloX
and i'lie,
)iiu'. In
WW estl-
the last
il t(i Ills
accursed
M
Hi-; motto was, " Better not to reijj^n than reiL^n over
hrreti( ■;." A life gultled hv this loadstar K-I't .such a
hlood ti-ack as may he ima!L,niied; and so thoroii empiic of i^urope, that he
iiii'^ht u'ltcily away from the earth with those rude
doctiiacs that still ott'ended his iK)strils from many a
<|uai't(i'. Thus the spirit of intolerance, kindled hy
the ]\Inha.iiinudan wars, and fanned into a tierce Hame
hy til' r> rormation, was kept alive hy the mighty
j)oW( r of (hc-^c royal higi)ts.
uh
T!;r It \iva] of letters, which acted as a powerful stim-
uit in mental (K'velopment, prtK
luccd
a corres[)()ndini^
adxaiicc ill morals. As laymen were cnahled to read
i'or tluinselves, they were no longer (lepeiidcnt ujion
tlie < 1 'f^;y for an interi)retation of sacred and secular
wiitiii ;s. Men he'j;an to think and to judLie for theni-
.selves. The clouds of su[)erstiti<»ll Wore dispelled hy
th
V(
i.l^
ions ot science.
:ri
le Jloo'liias of the cU
lurch
and t!n' li\(S of tlu* clerLTV were comnarcd with the
teachings of the apostles. The t'oui (hseascs hrcd hv
ecclesiastical excesses threatened I'uiii to the church.
The j( ftrmation which hroke out al»out l.VJO under
l^utlici- in (lermanvand Zwin-'li in Switzerland di-
vidcd I'lirojie anew. The unity of the diurch was
forever hi'oken. A power minjlitier than that of
arinie; and rituals jiad arisen -tlie jtower of tli t!
lus ''iveii to thoU'.'ht can seaicelv h
imderstood hv us. W
can
I'oha
hh
lie\cr
full
y
leali-..', lirst, how thoroui^dily the hlaek jiail wa
thiii'j;' over learniiiiif and reason hy the medijeval
cliurcli; and .secondiv, how vidiemeiitlv it was torn
asunder with the rise' of s[)eculati\(' discussion. J^ut
in Spaiii protestantism was destined to a short career.
C.vi.. I'.isT., Vol. I. 4
io
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAGISMS.
That implacable hatred for heretics which for so many
centuries had nerved the arm of the nation, and kept
in a fervent ^low the spirit of fanaticism and persecu-
tion, had not yet time to cool. Luther's doctrines
were fiercely met hy the incpiisitors; his books were
seized and burned as fast as they appeared, and tliose
who read them were exeonununicated. Soon after
the Index ExpurgaforivS: or list of hooks condemned
l)y the inquisition as dangerous to Spain, was pul)-
lished, and any pepson in whose possession a copy of
(me of those hooks should be found was condenmed
to deatli. Thus the rising spirit of iniiuiry. di'stined
to regenerate all Europe, Avas crushed, and bigotry
and fanaticism still held rule in Spain.
The effects of the reformation were nevertheless
keenly felt upon the peninsula, and the church herself
set alxiut correcting those abuses whicli heretical
reformers were not alloweil to touch. Arms and
n'issi(»naries were liberallv bestowetl upon the New
W(nl(l, and the colonists char<_ied to exert their utmost
powers to extend the faith to the benighted natives.
While Luther was nailing his theses to the church
door at Wiirtenberensed
in the conversion of njany souls, for the great loss and
injury which the accursed Luther was to cause, at the
same epoch in the old Christianity."
Yet another reaction. The zealot to phvase God
first j)lunges into the depths of p<»verty and woe ; tlien
basks in sunny sloth and fatness; then growing amln-
tious, soars to eminence in statecraft, war, and wealth,
only to be tlirust down by the jealous aim of royalty.
Before coriuption had retiched its height, or a refor-
mation had been thought of, papal sovereignty began to
POPULAR UEPRESEXTATIOX.
Iwinir ainl)V-
tloclinc. It was tlio wealth of the clerc^y, however,
that was taken iVoni them, ratlier than their religion.
Fertlinand and Isjiliella were no less vigilant in sup-
pivssing ecclesiastical power tlian in curbing the pre-
tensions of the nobles. They claimed as a right the
nomination to episcopal seis; the utmost care was
taken by the crown to obtain and hold the sovereign
juriscliction in churc-h affairs. Although the reverence
of Ferdinand for the church was unbounded, his crafty
y.cal pnlVrred himself as spiritual overseer, and he
took care to have all ecclesiastical dignities and emol-
uments tliroughout liis entire dominions at his own
disposal.
(^)uetn Isabella watched with solicitous care eccle-
siastical morals, and endcavovertv.
*- I t'
Thus I have sketched lightly, but I trust not with
undue proportion, the salient points of church inilu-
enast erinjes of civilization, let us heware for the future
of those delusions which swallow as in a black gulf all
the nobler attributes of soul and sense.
Popular representation existed in the several klnir.
donis of Spain at an early period. According to Fer-
reras the first cortes or coiiLjress of ("astile was held
at liurgos in I JOS). It was conipo-cd of three estates,
the cler<]fv, nohilitv, and coninionalty. In Catalonia
the third estate was the rei)resentatives of cities,
and tin; presence of the deri^^y was not indispensable.
The king summoned and })resided over the cortes in
person. Spain before the coalescence of Aragon and
Castile was sepaiatetl into minor provinces and petty
kingdt)ms, whose rulers possessed authority but little
superior to some of their most powerful subjects. The
coiles of Aragon was com[)osed of four estates: nco.s-
h(unhrcs,ov nobility of the first class; ////«;/2:o»cs, knights
or nobility of the second class; de[)utiea of towns and
repres(?ntatives of the clergy. In ancient times the
poW(!i'of this body was supreme. Twelve members con
stituted a (juorum, and no measure ci)uld be adopted
without a unanimous vote; kings were created and
deposed by this body at will, ami every branch of [)ub-
lic artairs was under its control. Ui>on the coronation
of a king the monarch was conducted before the as-
sembly, the (Jran .fusticia being seated on a thi'oni'
and surroumled by the grandees and prelate s of Uie
realm; the coronation oath was admir.isteri-d, '.^ here-
upon each of the nobles drew his sword, and placiii'j;
its point np<»n the king's heart, exclaimed: "X<» , qu '
valemos tal que vos y juntos podemos mas que v<»^,
vus faceuios rev para (^ue guardeis la ley e (si uon,
SMS.
ol)H«i;atlon
le darkest
hat (laik-
n culture;
reasons to
lorror tlie^
the future
,ck gulf all
vcral king-
ing t») Fei'-
c was lu'ld
ree estates,
1 Catalonia
s of cities,
lispensahle.
lio cortes in
\raii;on and
^ and petty
y but little
jects. The
tates: rivoft
/(cs,kni<]fhts
towns and
times the
liMubers con-
he odol'tetl
•reatetl ami
,nch of puh-
coronation
ore the as-
in a thron<'
lates of tiie
fred, "vhere-
find phicini
"No , qu'
as que vo^.
y e !si uou,
-§
1
I
I
An
M
1
■1^
SANTA UERMANDAD.
»
t
non." We, eacli one of us your equal, and together
mightier than you, we make you king, that you may
keep the law, and if not, not.
Upon the union of the several kingdoms of the pcn-
in-;u1a under one monarch}'', the local legislative bodies
were merged into one national cortes composed of two
bodies, a senate, and a chamber of deputies, whose
ddiherations must be apart from each other, and apart
from the presence of the king. An act of the cortes
must be sanctioned and pronmlgated by the sovereign
hcfore it becomes a law; but in the absence or inca-
pacity of a monarch their authority of the cortes is
ahsolute. Ferdinand and Isabella brouijht forward
several engines to weaken the power of the cortes.
Tlie inijuisition — by silently removing objectionable
persons ; balancing one element of the assembly against
another so that the whole cimld be easily wheedled ;
hv the establishment of the militarv orders of Santi-
ago, Calatrava, and Alcantara, and the formation of a
military i)olice, called the sanfa hermandad, or holv
l»i(»therhood. This fraternity w;is a sort of feudal
vigilance committing, a legally organized conipany of
knights-errant, formed bv the villaLjes for the imr-
j»ose of preventmg enormities which were prevalent
Iteyond the settled portions of the country. Each
|iU('l)lo, or town, elected two alcaldes, or justices of the
peace —one noble, the other plelK'ian, undiT whom were
pi leed inferior officers having at connnand acuadrilla,
or eonq)any. The cuadrilleros or mi'nd)ers «)f this
association, sometimes attended by the alcaldes, at
other times in(lej)endently, scoured the country for evil-
doers who when cuught were tried and executed on
tlie spot, or taken to the village and there confmed.
This frat(;rnal en tlie sixteentli cen-
turies, more fully than America's, from the fact that
the latter, so far at least as the Pacific States are con-
cerned, has been fully presented in my Nat ire Iiacc!i,U*
which the leader is referred for further comparisons;
suffice it to say in conclusi(»n that in all the phasrs
and stages of human proujress in all jiarts of tlie WNrl.l,
and in all aj^es of mankind, there are present inm;-
merable parallelisms, the lowest savaj^jism having in it
appparently the germ of the highest civilization. We
see in savage tril)es the same necessities mi-t by similar
means, tlu^ same progressional phenomena piesent in
uniform sequence in all human societies, rude or cul-
tured.
As regards n^ligions, superstitions, witclicraft, and
priestcraft, the Americans were no whit W-hind the
EuroiM'ans; they could not surpass them in absurdity.
Evi ly nation had its theory of creation and a futuie
state. The l*imas had their deluge as w« 11 as the
Hebrews; the Pueblos their siicred fire; the Califiir-
nians their sanctuaries of n'fuge; the ^[iztccs tlnir
straight and narrow way to jiaradise ; and the juoplc of
Yucatan tlieir phallic worship. I can understand the
Yakima word for soul as readily as I can that ot
the Buddhists, or Clnistians, or ]\lohammedans. The
Eskimos enjoyed witchcraft long before the Salem
puritans, and the Thlinkeets gave to certain animals a
humanity i>efore ])arwin was born.
Every American nation had its order of priesthood ;
one of the [>rinci})al cities of the Zapotecs, Tojiaa, was
ruled liki; Rome by a sovereign pontiff*. The people
«»f the ^fos(|uito Coast had their pantheon as well as
the Greeks. The ^lexicans had their ceremonial cal-
ia
llillil
[SMS.
abollslietl.
LTin.ineiit;
contiiuud,
ance ii\Hni
^isius and
iontli I'on-
fact that
.'S are <-<>n-
C lilUCi, U>
ujiarisoiis;
he j)lia.siri
the WMlhl,
sent inmi-
avin[)aa, was
Ihe peo|)le
IS well as
gonial cal-
AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS.
ondar, and jtrayers and offerinj^s were everywhere
anc
i
tl
le
The Chinese liad their Confucius, the Christians
Mohannnedans their respective originator
Aztcts their C^uttzideoatl as well as their Nameless
One, tln'ir Sujtrenie Creator, their only livini^and true
God. They had their monasteries and religious festi-
vals.
It is a slander upon savagism to talk of its extraor-
diiiaiv tiiarhiiies and cruelties in view of the la<'ts
ot' J\iui<)]Hau civilization. Conij)are the barharities of
the chivalrous Pedro de Alvarado, not to mention
Francisco I'izairo, and the tortures inHicted on Span-
iards hy the Frenchman L'Olonnois in the West
liiditvs, with those of anv wild men the world has ever
sei'U. Yet more: com|)are the most horrihle sav-
agisms of any . ge or land with the barharities t»f
Englishmen in India within the present century.
^\s regards irovernment and society, it is liardly
neeessaiy to refer again to the absolute monarchies of
the Xahuas and ^layas, with their scores of subonli-
nate limited monarchies. Outside of them all was
1'lascala, with its aristocratic rej)ublican system, and
jiailiament, or senate; and tiie confedeiation of states
in Mexico, Tezcuco, and 'I'lacopan, capable of acting m
some respects oidv as a whole, while the authoritv of
each at ]u)nie Nvas su[>reme. Where among tive hun-
ched otiiersdid the Aztecs mt their idea of the cere-
mony ts, alphabets,
cal'iidars, and system of the Mayas; the crtination
rites, ehronological records, eloth and paper manufac-
toiirs, eode of law's, courts of j»rocedure, and gladia-
torial cond)ats of the Xahuas; or of the currency,
government, religit}n, slaverv, ornamentation, court-
COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATIONS AND SAVAOISMS.
sliip and raarriaart of the general evolvings oi" the iii;i\ < rse
which makes one all worlds and systems of worl I .
i
I
LMS.
iscs. and
the rcbt
Vintrican
tiiM-ts of
less tuni-
lI Wo.M,
s^taiKl'mg
oil's s.ikc
lit as one
ica on an
i;^lit li un-
civil i/it'tl,
so I'ar as
the .sinii-
•crvwhere
lie innn in
tiiat tlie
te, ol' the
le luoilern
I (oiruj)-
liii. I an,
no 1 ( '11,2^.
is uiin kl-
> ui:'i\« rse
IVOfl i>.
m
CHAPTER II.
COLONIAJ. POLICY OF SPAIN.
I do not know .mytliiug niorj liiduTous amony the solf-doceiitiona of woll-
nuMiiiii.,' [ [ill' tliuii tlu'ir notion nf patriotism, as nijuirin^' tlu'ni to limit
tlitir ctl'oits to tliu good of their own country; tlie notion that charity is a
j;i'ogra|>liii'.d virtue; and tluit what is holy and righteous to do fur jK'oplo on
(iiiu hank ot a river, it is quite imi)roi)t;r and unnatural to do fi>r ^leoplo uu
tiiL' other. — Ji((din.
Poi.iTU.s jis a science is too young yet to toll alto-
gotlur iVoiM what has been what shall he. And yet,
ll'W philosophers are found with sufficient assurance
to s[>cculate upon the progressional vagaries which
lliree or five centuries jience shall .stand out against
the t'eudalisnis, the knight-errantries, trials hy coinhat,
lack and tliuinh-screw conversions, and rehgiou-re\(>
hitions ofTive or three hundred years ago. J^ut unless
human nature he horn anew, then* is little I'ear that our
siiccessois will iK)t find their full quota of foirK.\s to tilt
for withal. We are not quite ready to place cf)lony-
plantin<'- in the cate«>f»rv t)f infatuations such as holv-
.sej)ulchrc crusading, yi't those who shall come after
us may he. Nevertheless, the twenty-sixth century
may derive henefits fi'oni the experiences of tlie six-
teenth.
The two hundred years fo.iowinu' the discoveries by
('oluml)us, the Cabots, and Vasco da (j!ama were the
world's great age of colonization. Before the six-
teenth c(>ntury, and after the .seventeenth, there were
distant .settlements established by ])arent states, but
none such as then appeared. And none .'^uch will ap-
[)ear again until for cisilization time bridges another
(67)
ih y
ii'jiii!'!'
M niLONlAL POLICY OF SPAIN.
Sea of Darkness, and some new eliristiunity finds fer-
tile heathen fields to j)lough.
riaiifat/oii, corrt'spondhig to the Dutcli volk-pUuitiiuj,
stands as the (ally English euuivalent for the word
colony, from cdlo, to till the soil and dwell in a place,
jis originally applied to the grants hy Roman generals
of conquered countries, snndar to the settk'ments
niade later l>v tlie Kussians in Central Asia, which
wiie at first niiiitary centres and afterward towns,
^'et the former terms referred rather to countries
than to cities. Long before this, however, we recog-
nize tlic colonization idi'a with different motives — for
pur[)oses hoth of trade and agriculture, as among the
I'luenicians and Greeks; for puqioses of migration,
con(|uest, })lunder, and occupation, as among the north-
ern barbarians; fr«)m excess of population, from a love
of gold, for purposes of j)roselyting, and in order to
I'scape servitude, religious j)ersecution, or other kin-
dred infiictions. Those who go, dream of actjuisition
in one or more directions; tho-^e who send, expect ad-
"\antage. Carthage, herself a colony anf' the r.iother
of colonies, defined a policy by which she established a
great navy, and controlled Mediti-rraman commerce.
The (h'eeic colonies Were nominally free, but some-
tinu'S tributary to the pariiit state. The causes actu-
ating or undirlvinii' colonial mi^'rations have not arisen
as a rule from any noble impulse or jirinciplc. The
]*uritans, laiuling on the wild shoi-e of New l^ngland,
]>resent the sul)limest picture in ctjjonial history, and
almost the only one at all sublime. Xeithev for greed
nor glory did they leave comfoi'tabUi homes; neitlier
to defraud the natives, nor fasten on them a strange
religion, did they brave the wildi'rness. It was intel-
lectual freedom they Would have, the higliest, holiest
aspiration humanity is heir to. It is somewhat signifi-
cant in this connection that the descendants of these
])eople did not long n-main colonists. Yet even here,
if the truth nnist be told, was conduct incompatible
with justice and strict moral j)rincij)le, by a people
EARLY COLOXIZATIONS.
69
will) claimicl to liave siicrificetl all for thoso same prin-
ciples of justice and morality.
Tills Uusiiioss of colonizing in its c uTicr staj^'cH was
sclilom i)lua.sant or profitable, either to [larent or oft'-
s;!ring. The first atten^jts were almost always fail-
ures so far as the ha[)i)iness of the latter w. s concerned.
There was usually too nuich of the fij^htinii,^ and gov-
eriiin"" elements amonjx the emigrants, and too few
haiiils accustomed to the axe, and spade, and like
i;!"; ]i inents for the building of substantial connnoii-
wialths, Xeitlu'r hav»> the s.)VC:reigns of Europe
jilayed any noble ])art in this [)eople-]>lanting. llow
til Genoese was obliged to importune them for the use
ot' three or four small v 'ssels! Ferdinand s[)ent some
money on succeeding "loyages, and then like IK-niy
of En'dand irraciouslv i)ermitted his subjects to dis-
cover and colonize new lands at their own cost; ami
after receiving a royal share of whatever was pur
cliased or plundered from the natives, lie held all as
crown i)rop(;rty and crown v ssals.
\\u • the Latin races of Europe had wrested from
sa\i.:\; or hal. -civilized nations three fourths of the
world, tilt; larger pai't of the territory so sinzed was
taken by the Teutonic races and divided into common-
wealths, which wei'e in some instances united i.i leder-
ations more free and forward than their originals. It
strains our credulity somewhat to bi'lieve it, but j»i'ob-
ably l*ope Alexander, Ferdinand, John of Portugal,
Klizabi'th, and Chai'les II. were serious when thev is-
sued maxims unowers. During the seventeenth
and ei^hteentli centuries, America was popularly
designated 'The Colonies.' Then from five America-
holding nations prior to IG74, the mnnber was reduced
to four, and after 17(>^), for th<.' most j)art to three;
between 1775 and IS'Ja European domination in
America became almost extinct; meanwhile in the
United States arose the political j)rinciplo called the
Monroe doctrine, which declared that any attempt on
the part of European nations to extend their system or
contn 1 over any part of this continent not already
occupied by them, would by the ITnitod States be
regarded as d;in;;vrous to their peace and safety.
Jud;;ing from our]>ri'sent stand-])oint,<,n'eater results,
ethical, intellectual, and material, ha\"e arisen from the
colonijrations of (Jreat l^ritain than fi'oni those of any
other nation. I refer to voluntary offshoots rather
than to colonizations at the cannon's mouth. Though
the first centarv of Sitanish-American history was
mediicval ratluT than n>.odern, Sjjain's colonists in
America were not persons impelled to escaju) the
tradi'-guilds, or conunercial, political, or religious dom-
ination of imperial cities that ground them tmder
imposts and intellectual tyrannies. Spaniards did not
wish to fri'o themsidves from anything. They wi're
satisfied ^\iih their country and all its despotisms and
fanaticism.s. Even before thinking of themselves, tiiey
coiujiiered and colonized for their king. Ai'il th(Mr
establishments wluii founded were like neither the
IMuenician factories nor the Roman garrisons; take
from them their gold mines and repartimientos, and
there was little of thetn one would acce|)t as a gift.
Imnu'diate gain with glory, spiritual gain and juate-
rial gain with the glory »f concpiest and lordly domi-
nation, was the pU!i.,.M' of the Spanish colonist, liike
a child or a t^iivage to gratify a passion or achieve a
ENOLANI/S METHOD
SI
proximate result lie would uiKler^o any liardsliij); hut
III tiiut tlioroutjfh and jH-rsisti-iit application lor remote
;iilvaiita;4c'S Mliieh t'liaraeterizi'S the hijjjher onK r of
iiitclii'jfenee he uas founc wanting. His passionate
ciicr'jv (liili'rt'd widely from that persistent nidustry
wlilcli K.ut'd tlie political fahric of the Anglo-Saxons
ill Xiiith America.
The i^liiglish colonist thought of the future. Whether
lie rciiiiuiu'd at home, or wlierever he walked upon tlie
eaitli, lie could not heguilt himself of the idea that he
Mas a i'lee man. Ife had no thought of murdiT and
japliie as means of suh-iistence, but Ix'took himself to
a'Ticuitui'e, lahorinix with his hands, and instructing;
his children in those natural riglits of which ni^.i must
alwiiys stand ready voluntarily to reliiHpii.-h iome for
tlie hetter Securing of oth(>rs, yet not with sutHcient
ri'Liard tor the riiJ'hts of others, I i-ejiret to sjtv. So far
as their own peo})le were «-oncerned, tlu^ \iiglo-Saxon
Wire ready c) ough to till their breasts .vith a love of
Hl)"rty in all its highest and purest forms. In these
sentiments, winch were alroaU]id them first in states, and later in
federations. Thus while the southern American col(»-
nies Were kept wi'ak and puerile by the exci.-ssive legis-
lation of tlie parent government, as we shall j)resently
see, ihe New J'higland colonies, content with nothing
h ss than a p(»lit'cal libei'ty which shoidd enable them
ti» make their own laws and rear their own institutions,
gr(>w sti'ong in the exercise of natural anrited
rights. Sub.se(pientiy, when the yoke of SiKiin drojiped
otl' l)y rea.son of its own rottenr.ess, all Spanish .Vmerica
lapsed into a state of revolution, which IxH'.ame the
primary c(»ndition of their proi^-n^ss, whih" r< v,»lutiou
to the Anglo- American is u[>on instinct abonunation.
The diflerenco then between Teutonic America and
Latin America is not circumstantial but an inlnrited
(hli'erence. From their mother one received theg* ini
of strength which unfolded in magnificent civility; tlio
other weakness, with its attendant stagnation and
62
COLONIAL POLICY OF SPAIN.
(leatli. One souj^ht the conquest of savages, the
other the conquest of self Tlic colonization of the
one was a hirtli ; that of the other a i)urial. It can-
not he changed to climate. We all know what a
Ufarden of wealth hlossonied in the West India
Islands after they were wrested from the Spaniards
hy the French, English, and Dutch, little enough hav-
iMts
of the Americai colonists to manufacture certain
articles i'or themselves were nu-t by the British iiarlia-
'y
1'
ment, not to mention innH)sts and other tyrannii>s. cl
Read the declaration of independence if you would
know the rest. Besides her colonies, England's pride
has been her maritime strcngtii, emj»loyed sometimes
in carrying bibles, sometimes in forcing on unwilling
nations negro slaves, tobacco, opium, and in other
,,,- I
TOMPARATIVE COLOXIZATION.
63
v'asxps, the
ion of the
1. It can-
•w wliat a
ost India
Spaniards
lougli hav-
iftor all for
I; and slu!
ors of new
iliints hiivt'
•rincipli'S ot
She will
pcoi)h' at-
iT^hts; hut
oven while
I atrocities :*
d Australia
utes. Her
id the ])eo-
It is'thr
:lish .statt's-
lie parent-
|u;j;lit forth
e much to
policy <»f
Ions at that
1^ so inipoli-
u attenijtts
re certain
ish parlia-
tyrannii's.
()U Would
find's pride
sometimes
unwillin;^'
in other
like detestable traffics injurious to men and morals.
Though we have less of Asia in America than yet
clings to Europe, we may still find here, up to a recent
p( riod, slavery apart from savajjism, and polygamy
without Mohannnedanism. ]'2nglish policy shows no
systematic attempt to raise savages from their low
estate, or otherwise t(» improve them solely for their
own good, such as we find anumg the Si>aniards. The
English rted of
the latter, Spain's best and most liberal-minded mon-
arch, and of his niinister, the cimde de Aranda, that
they soberly had under consideration at oiv time the
i)oliev of giving the American kiuLidoms autonomv, or
iixh jiendence, and that such policy was not carried
out through fear lest the small white population shoidd
l>e overwhelmed by the natives. The aim of the gov-
ernment (Mjrtainly was that communities in its Ameii-
«'an kingdoms should be as hiixhly cultiired as auv in
i]ui()p(>. It is but fair to add, however, that the
Spaniards in these efforts had to deal with clvilizeil
nations; in their intercourse with the Apaches, Co-
luanches, and other fierce tribes they wert; as unsuc-
cessful as the English.
Notwitiistanding her man\' ben«>volert motives and
acts, Spain, like England, imposed many evils in fit-
terliig political and intellectual liberty, in n-stricting
commerce, manufactures, and tlie like. How then
came British rule to be of so much shorter duration
64
COLDXIAL rOIJCY OF RPAIV.
■1:
in New KuglanU than Spiiin'ti rule in Mexico? Bo-
cause, as [ have said, New Enghmd was settled by
men who left tlieir country throujj^h a love of hherty,
and tliis they were determined to have in its broadest
sonse. The Si)aniards, on the other hand, left homo
to rule nei^Toes and Indians; they soon saw tlieir ml -
take in kiliinLf so many of the natives; and alter that
thev treated ihem better than tlic En-'lish, who ibund
them uni)r()ritjd)le laborers, partieularly if forced. Tiio
S[ianiards were satisfied with luxury and laziness;
tluy desired rather to enslave others than to be fne
themselves; and so lont^- as their grim sujieriors but
smilingl}' iVowned on their irregularities and shared
the {)roceeds, all was serene enough.
The fact is, the svsteni of holding foreiijfn comniuni-
tics permanently subordinate and contributory to the
mother conimunitv, as we shall all in time conclude.
is unnatural and unjust. Colonies are ephemeral; they
will not last.
but tl
I'
lay
itly
le mature ollspring is as indejiendent as himself.
So states ma^- ju tly protect, and while protectin;
govi'rn tlu'ir colonies until they can stand alone; after
whicli it is o[)tional with the latter to be ruled w not.
Further tlian tliis, it is unjust to the members of the
home govermnUlcd by
of liberty,
ts broadest
, U'l't ll'HUO
V their uii -
1 after that
, who fouiul
mecl. Tiic
id la/Zmess ;
to he free
jieriors but
and shared
^n coniinuin-
atory to the
le eonelude,
mend; they
k-erii a clidd,
t as himself.
! protecti!i;j;
alone; alter
■uled or not.
libers of the
the beiielit
\ll men, all
liave e«iual
nuu'h rij;ht
us has the
. And be-
libjeetlon of
sm an(
I tl
le
li'.i'jj to pour
lh(^ old bot-
[last, that is.
iitent has
Beo
[miiaratively
•d irritation.
Lit they had
lv.^.4 pause, but by reason of their loyalty and content.
It is true that three or four viceroys were depo.sed by
the })e(»j)le, Spaniards and natives acting tt)gether, but
dislovaltv or discontent with tlie home j'overnment
liad little to do with tlnse acts, (jrovernnients are
]n riiianeiit only as they faiily represent the national
cluu'acter. ]'\)r centuries iii ^lexico and clsi-where,
thert: existed this essential conu^ruity betwei'U })olitical
forms and the peo[>le. The trouble in the end was
that, fast as the colonists had degenerate tl, the parent
m)V( rnnuMit had den^enerated faster; weak as was
^It \ieo, S[)ain was weaker.
It lias taken <'overnnients a lon<' time to learn, and
tiiere are some statesnnn who seem yet unaware^ <»f it,
t!iat liberty and e<]uity alone are conducive to j^ain.
'I'lade has been the never-failinjjf excuse; but experi-
ence sliow.s that self ujovernin^ Kiii^disli-speakim^ states
huy I'ar niore in Kiii;land than do her huyi' colonial
infants. And it is now quite well uiulerstood by the
phiiusophurs of Enj^land, if by no one else, that loss
entails on the accpiiiing and ridiuLj of distant territory ;
that bare acres politically adt led to national domain are
a minus (juantity, benefieial to individuals, perhaps,
hut prejudicial to the interests of the connnunity at
larL;('. Undoubtedly, benefits accrue to s(jnie by reliev-
ini( overcrowded ci\ ilizi'tl populations; but let this be
a privati^ and business atl'air. (Jovernments should
iiraetirallv stav at home. Ft»r the benefit o|" both,
those wiio remain may help some to ^o; but ht not
such helj) be j^iven with a \ itw to subse(juent imposi-
tion. Leave colonization and trade, wheTO relii^ion
and all ethics are oi* slioukl be, to natural chamiels, if
We would see the most made of thtin. Tln^ i^o»»d old
riuht to steal lands, and to kill and i'nsla\e ad libitum
uiiotlindini; men, formed the main fiatures of eolony-
plantiny-, followed by (»ther8 no less onerous to thq
colonists; hence its later history is a record of decline.
W e mav rule servants, but not sons.
may
Cau Pamt., Vol. I. 5
! i'!
ill i'
66
COLONIAL POLICY OF SPAIN.
There wore three prime factors in tlie Spanisli colo-
nial f'ahric, the govenimeiit, the euiij^raiits, aiul the
pacitii'd peoples. All colonial jK)wer and pn>perty
were vested in the crown; America had heen a tree
fr'ii't to Isabella and Ferdinand by the pojie, who de-
rived title from St Peter, and he from the cicator.
From the sovereigns flowed all grants, and to them
reverted all lands. All governors, magistrates, and
officials, civil and ecclesiastical, were creatid and de-
posed at pleasure. To the settler belonged no rights*
or ])rivileges apart from the crown. To nmnieipalities
was given the liberty of electing their otticials, but
from the people sprang no political power. It is a
significant fact that the king of Spain likewise called
himself king of the Indies; mdicating thereby tliat his
transatlanti<' possessions were provinces, and integral
parts of the crown domain, rather than colonies in the
ordinary sense. The cedillas rcalcs, by wliich tin-
royal j)leasure was expressed, fornud in reality the
Hist kgislative code of the kingdom of th«> Indies,
embodied in the Recojiilacinv dc las fitdias, back ot
which was that of Castile, and /.(/.'* Sicfc ParfaUix, or
tlie common law of Spain. After the establishment
of the council of the Indies, legislative j)ower veste«l
in that body, under the king; executive j>o\ver, in the
captains-general and vicercys, unuer the king.
I havt' fully narrated in tlu^ first volume of my
history of Central America how govermncnt was es-
tiiblished in the Indies, first umliT the Admiral of the
Ocean Sea, and continued by his successors, and se<'-
ondly under the auy of New Spain at the head of one, and the
viceroy of Peru at the head of the other. Subse-
quently this division becoming inconvenient, a thinl
viceroy alty was established at Santa Fe de Pogota,
whose jurisdiction extende
of "Rio (le la Plata. In fi)nus and paraplicnmria, gov-
(•n.Drs of tho siudllcr tolonits imitated the vieeroys,
us tlu' viceroys in tuni imitated royalty. Witliiii tluir
icsjiecti- e territories tiie viceroys exercised sovereiou
.-iiilliority, r<|)r('.sentiin; the person of the king and
jiivr-fcd with his functions. They were supreme over
(•v( IV department of govtirnment, civil and milit^iry,
ami wrie tlie emlxxliment of the two gnat powers,
ii'4isl;itive and executive. They apj)ointect„ The vieerov exercised no
Judii'ial or ecclesiastical power-s. Yet after all tlm
audieiicia might onlv advise; in case of collision, the
will of the viceroy generally pr-exailed. Irr theahsencc
or- death of the viceroy, supreme powei- vested in the
audieiicia.
And notwithstanding all this viceregal pomp anut often the vice-
roy was as ready as any one t«) wink at popular irreg-
ularities — for a consideration. At one time it was
dirticult to find either irr Spain or in the Indies a
revenue otticer who would not take a bribe. The
G8
COLOXLVL POLICY OF SPAIN.
ih[ M'l
;i'1
i I
roiitrabaud traiU' was in volume CMjual to one third of
all the colonial traftic, Justito and injustice couUl l>e
Imu'^lit and sold, and tlie natives w«'ie abtuninaltlv
misused in the face of what were intendcil as the
most righteous laws in their favor. And so nt»torious
was national dt'linqueney at one time that 'Spanish
lioncstv' heeame svnonvnums with 'Punie faith.' The
fact is, the jj^overnnicnt was so jxjndcrous and unwicltly
as to be in some directions inoperative, and justice
was overwhelmed l>y the endless forms and *lis[»lay by
which it was surrounded. The innumtiable offices,
b.ianls, and tribunals incident to this com[»l«x and usc-
l^ss machinery, occupied an army of officials, few of
whom were endoweanish col(»nies.
Lands lacking silver and gold })os8essed little in the
evvereigns s« t them-
.selves about to regulate everything. The fruits.
vegetal>les, and domestic animals of the Old World
were transplanted to the new. Fmigration was en-
couraged; free pas.sage offered; grants of lanil witli
Indian laborers wi>rc freelv made, as (Jod had ijivi ii
them much in this direction, and at little c<»st; colo-
nists were exempt for a time from taxation. Five
REV^ENUE.
69
o thirtl of
J couUl l>e
j«)ininul>ly
I'd as tin*
nil »t« )!'»<> w^
; 'Spanish
aith.' Tho
lI unw kUIv
11 id justuH-
aisi»l:iy hy
A,k' (.flit»s,
rxaiulusi-
ials, few oi
comuuTcial
Ltts without
ico to stt-ai
ace in iH-int^
lul n»»t h»« a
IS the Vwv;^^
yr. Is>llhtlla
tlicir duty
_ tht' In'li" s.
ir Eu'^lish in
tho i>iuyiit
sh (olonir--
UttU' in th»'
. th«ir suh-
.^n»\v i>trou;j,
ith tho soil
the rhurai -
s g. t thrm-
The fruits.
()M WorM
tioii was v\\-
>f laud with
\ had t^iv tho crown. Then for a time enterprise languislu-d,
l")r this was prior to the epoch of systematic pecula-
tions. Under the s^'^stem of licenses to private p^r-
j oils for purposes of discovery and trade, colonization
iivived, lor here was opportunity. The natives were
naked and possessed much gold, anJ there was no
king's army i)resent to protect them. Erelong it be-
« unie necessary to establish the Casa de Contratacion,
or House of Trade, and the Cons* jo de las Indias, «)r
Council of tlie Indies, for the more perfect mana'.;e-
nient of coloni.d commerce and colonial oovernnient.
-Vnli sovereigns woidd have smiled had any one toM
them that, in order to insure greater and permanent
good, tho more widely extentled tlie commonwea];]i
l!ie simpler should be its laws and forms of govern-
ment.
At first Spain's i . venue from her American king-
mnierce, and by innumerable frauds and
abuses of power, the viceroy might accumulate such
sujns as would enable him after a few years of service
t«> return to Spain with a ])rincely fortune. It is said
that a viceroy received fifty thousand dollars on one
iK-easion in birthday presents. On the otlur hand,
several vicerovs entered office rich and abandoned it
in debt, and some refused all presents.
Finance, as well as evervthin-'; else, was founded on
the tln'oiy that the king was proj>rietor of the land.
(V'l'tain of the natives [)aid a capitation tax; some a
j>riiiiivias, or first-lVuits tax; othei-s gave eighteen
months' service in the mines, not all at one time, be-
tween the a-'cs of eighteen and fiftv. A tenth of tho
proeee(in the
plantt>r taxation at every turn. After the raw mate-
rial paid a tenth, the prepared article, such as indigo,
CIUVEliNMEXT.
71
10 lino, and
rod millions
rioa. Then
I tlio rovo-
rnniont ox-
so; so tliat
re bonefitod
kinj,', only
sod bv Iku-
to ini[>ii'ss
large share
:y industry,
As aiiu>!i;j;
brain-powoi
• pla<'os, and
t-is, than in
The vicc-
dollars jx v
loonio. I'V
; of c'ci-tain
! i'niutls and
iiulate suoli
■s of sor\ ice
It is said
lars on one
>tlu'r liaiid,
|)andoni'd it
f«)inulod oil
|»t' the In I id.
LX ; some a
[e eiyfhti^en
le time, be-
knith of the
p chunh in
liany subse-
|l upon the
raw mate-
as indigo,
m
roohindd, and sutjar, paid aL,^ain. Then tlierc wore
tlic oiist.oins duties, tho alcdhiild, of vendor's duty on
urlicKs of coiiiiiicroe, and the ijuinto, or fifth, of the
jiroci't'ds from tiie miius. The sale of tobaoro, salt,
aiitl canls was nionopojl/cd by tiie king's oUhjers; tlie
jMistal revenue belonged to the crown. For keojiing
a t'eiiy, fir hei ping game-cocks, and for selling ]in Indians or negroes.
The highest ambition of the colonist was to imitate
Si»aiii and Spanish institutions, not to throw them off
72
COLONIAL POIJCY OP SPAIN.
or improve upon tlu'iii. As their parent government
had ti'ttereil and Ho^jrcd tlieni, ho would tliey letter
and Hog ()th(!rs; meanwhile thanking G(hI for a fresh
ptM>|»le so to ehristianize and eivilizc. And yet the
time eanie whtai umon<; thost; who made ^lexieo in-
dep«Mident were Spaniards tlicmsclves, t > be bufteted
and ul»used for tln^r pains a Httle later.
We have notijcd in Ferdinand's instructions to
Ovando in 1501, li<»w first he was to \>or8hip his (jlod,
and miik(? the natives WMjrship the same deity; to good
men only should he given office, and th<'re must be
exercised kindness and humanity in practising the im-
position of repartimientos. He nmst be moderate in
his household expenses, and niake otheivi so; he siiould
leave judgment to judges, l»e kind to all brotherhoods,
pay no heed to tale-bearers; he should be considerate
in council, ciiret'ul in exami)le, discouraging idleness,
att^'iitive to business, displaying courage and brevity
in all things, yet not hasty or jxissionate; but when
puiiisliment was necessary he must send it swiftly and
suri'ly.
The Spanish sovereigns were exceedingly jealous of
their prerogatives, not only as against foreigners, but
as against their own subjects; and this sj)irit incn^ased
with the increase of their knowledy:e of the extent
and value of their American posstjssions. Conunerce,
njining, agriculture, and every art and industry were
pUiceil under a system of severe restrictions. No for-
eign vessel might trade with the colonies; no foreigner
might visit them under penalty of death and confisca-
tion of pro|K'rty. All merchandise to and from the
Indies must be carried in Spanish bottoms. For a
time even intercolonial commeice was forbidden, lie-
tween ACexico and l*eru, between Guatemala and
Chile, there must be no civilizing intercourse. But
this highly imiH»litic restrictiou was formally removed
by Carlos III. in 1774.
Many manufactures were prohibited, and even the
COMMERCE.
78
niltlvatlon of tlic olive and tlio vino. Whatever it
Mas best I'T tlioni to hav«', tl»o niotlu>r would kindly
f^;,],plv — tiuir fiinri^uro, their clothes, and no small
jKtrtion even of their food, ller own welfare tirst,
th(; Mrliareof the colonios second, was Spain's hiaxini.
And Irst tlie sovereii^n's suhordinates in America
.sliduld learn to love themselves more than him,
ami the new homes hi'tter than the old ones, it was
liiiallv ordained that natives of Spain should fill the
higher and larL(er proportion of otKees in Spain's
enloiiies; and these must he of the purest rank, vliiipf-
tniit'K, ,)f old Christian fannli«'S untainted hv Jewish
or Moluinunedan hlood, uncensured hyany incpiisition.
J'idni first to last, however, many natives of America
lia\e als(» held hii^h oftice there, political, judicial, and
ecclesiastical, under royal a[>pointment. And then it
nuist he reniemhii'ed that in Spain even, h'yj:}i ofHce
could n(»t he held in the occu[>ant's awn jtrovince.
What folly to tiy to make communities at once self-
opeiative and dependent I
lU exclusiveness was the most hateful feature of
Si)aiiish colonial commerce. Monopoly is toconnnerce*
what coercion is in religion, the most outraixeous of
tyramiies; and the day will come when a free people
will no more suhmit to monopolies, or iiiicjuitous com-
hinations in railway, wheat, or other traffics, than
they W(tuld how hefore the unjust mandate of a royal
ensation.
The old-time delusion was still entertained that
money was not oidy wealth, but the most valuable
and imperishable of propt'rty; hence that commercial
jiolicy was best which brought into Spain and kei)t
there the largest amount of gold and silver. The
resources of the country were strained to produce this
result. Every article of foreign growth or manufac-
ture must be furnished the colonies by Spain alone,
and to Spain must be sent all products from the soil
74
COLONIAL I'OLK V OF .Sl'ALN*.
or niiiK'S of Iut ilci'viidciicii's. Tin- (|u;iiititv, ((iiiillty,
lvt'nimciit nliicials uiid iiioiiopn-
li/iii;^^ iiicrrliaiits t*» inako the supply always I'all sln»it
of lli«' dtinaiid, so that hiiycrs would In; fayci' and
prices hiioyaiit. That oijuit}^ atteiidiiijjf all healthy
Iraiisaetions, whleh bciicilts the huyir as much as the
seller, was waiitiiii^if.
FiM a tiini! all JOiirope was ohlimd to •^•(j tt» Lishoii
fer Indian ]»i'oducts, as pi-e\iai!i all American coniiMeice
was restrict«'d to one port, SevilK' at tiist, and al'fer-
W'ard (Vidiz; and in America to JVirtolu'llo and Wra
Cruz. JJi'tWeen these poits j»assetl the aiuiual fleet,
('(in\oyed l»y vessels of war. An,e-
wliei'e after Spain had, with the expulsion of In i-
artisan, driven manufacturiMs from her shores. All
these ^oods must then pay a heavy duty on iiiter-
ini( Spain, and another on leaviuij^ S[)ain. and another
on enterinijf Mexico, anti anothei" hy the sellej- - one
liundred per cent in duties, and two hundred p«'r cent
inon; taxes and piufits must thus he added to the co-^t
hefore Spain's <'o|(»nist could call his own any Muro-
[>ean article. Thus it was not loujj,' aftei' the plautinjj;
of the Spanish colonies before S[iain's neighbors were
i;i
CLIMATE.
75
i(y, i|iiallty,
Liu; ('t)|((iii( s
r. Ami it
IkI llioiiolxi-
's I'till sliuit
ranci" aixl
all lualthy
iiucii as the
It t»» Lislion
andi'la had
I COllllllflCC
, and jirtti-
) uiid Wia
niiual til t t,
j other side
o tho Spaii-
uls stiaiy a
at Spuiii'.s
ti(»us IS|»aM-
1, nor until
urd to Ht
nor until
A>ia and
end of tin
nirii'han-
il, an honcfit IVoui them tliau Spain lierself,
whieli had so jt alously o;iuii(hd theiu, andyetdid i,'uars of peopliiiiL;' the Xow W«)rld froui Spain
was not a rapid one. The estimate iseflveii that sixty
\. ais al'ti r the diseoverv l>y Columltus theio w re not
Miore than fil'leen thousand 8j»auiards in the iiidi«s.
N"( t o|" these tlierr Were inauy ot'the fii'st «'lass; while
tVoi.i the other states of Europe there went to Auier-
i. a liw hesides the seeond, or third, or tenth elass.
It was ordered hy the eatlutlie .«.overeii^Mia in l."»()8
that.dl eonvirts and infamous jicisons .should he .> I hy the SpaniartU lay
within the tropics, with hK-'h iiit«'rior plateaux; and
it was on these tahle lands, raised fioni miasmatic
junules into cold ethereal iiel'^hts, that aliori;4inal ci\ il-
i/atlon aw<>k(.' to consciousness. There, t.io, th-*
colonist was suddenly freed from twent\- c. ntinies »tf
coi,venti(tnalisms, many of them so holI..w anire-l)uildin this acconijdishnient ;
and so having sUiinnied the placi-rs they sat down to
centuries (»f day-di'eanis. The slowrr, surer road to
()j)ulence was disdained at the heginning, hut with a
little gold wherewith to stold. The Spanish system of le-
jtarlimientos which in\ol\rd a di\ision of tlu" natives
with a dl\ ision of the land, and was so highly estrcnnd
in after yeajs, appeared at first to many as a traji to
catch th«! simple. Some accejited tlu" oiler (»f the hr-
nign nionnrlis1ini(-nt;
Silt down to
iror I'oail to
, ))ut with ti
nd and Imv
lishi-d. TIh
II was j^'iviii
stork; tli«ii
^vstcni of i«'-
i' tho nativt >
dv ('StcollK'd
as a tia|» to
<.r 111.' Ik-
s' yatlu red
woods, al'ti r
IVolM tlif
I WiMlt liark
last jtlarc on
Mr, tor iii-
>ni lias thi'^
tlian lion ,
, hair and
hlut; blood
»f Anu'i'ii'i
all tract; ot
id l»y tlu'sf
of all <'oi.-
a, Janiaiiu,
and Java, thr mulatto cannot lonij reproduce itself,
whih-' in Florida, Mc\i<'o, and Central America there
is no ditliculty in so doiii;;. lint it is not iieces.sary
to d'sccnd to tln'so lowest depths for class divis-
\i>\\>. The creolis, as tin- otl'sprinj; of Europeans born
ill America were called, thouij^h descendants of tho
(■iiiii|iiir<»js. and jireser\ iii'^ in their veins the best
hloud of .SjKiin iiiitaiiited, were in many instances by
],(W d« Lfi'iided, and made inferior to those shiftless
(•li,i|iit.iiics who had li\ed in idleness at home. \\'hat
j(n|i(\ i-oiiid be more suicidal than this, which in etlect
drbariid those cntitlid liy their enterprise to the most
)inii<. table positions tVoiii any but a scanty lot in tin.;
institutions of the c<»uiitry, and made them by virtue
of iliiir devotion wellnii^h ostra«-i/,ed. In the distri-
biiliiiii of lands and natives, the coiuiuerors and their
descendants Were sUp|ios(d to be t'avore«l before all
"ifheis. i>ut men from S|iaiii must manage the oovern-
iihiit ! institutions ot' the e(tmitry. Thus de^^raded
and Ii ' '. indolence and listless and luxui'ions indiil-
'^eiice, they sank into the strange jiosition of wealthy
J iiid respected liumaii beings, ha\iiii^ bonus but no
ciiniitry, lia\ inn' ackiinwledi^rcd rights but no voice in
111" ii" vindication ; thev were I.ikIs nf laiid-^ ami vas-als,
ai.d yet the most impotent t»f mankiml. Thus w.is
engendered hate between classes which subsecpieiitly
la|ist d into chnmic ci\il wais.
Attempts lia\c been ni;ide to classify these several
C-astrS, tiioUoJi wilhnnl |tronoUlU'ed SUece->S. il.tbelt-
siiii places first the chapetones, or old ( "bristian.-, un-
tainted by Jewish or Mojiaimnedan blood; s<-coiid,
crcfil.s; third, mulattoes and inesti/os, the former the
otlsprinu: of an African and Miiropejui. and the latter
an
inericaii and Kurojieaii ; ami la
llyl
idians an*
11' u roes unadulterated. MarriaLTc with the natives
was t iicouniLred by the l;o\ ermiient, but few of their
CO iiiections Were ratified bv nnv holier sentiment
tlian lust. Tl
leie \\;i-, one oldv '.^reat li'Velhr of
rank, the church. Torated, indtpendcnt nations of tluj deseendants of
]'iUropeans spranLf uj>: j»rotrctive interference with
le^ard to the nati\cs, in any eonsidi lahle extent, is
i'ound only wlu-re the liair-<-ivili/.»'d existed' in h\u\i
numbers as to render it iiMpraeticalde to tea( h or tor-
ture them to death.
Teutiinie Anieiie.i ha>: Met !) sutlieienlly curbed by
its al>sor|»tion «.f the (ii'e_ns of l^ui'ope; hill, it has ln-ei!
still worsi- with Latin Ameriea, wliose invadi-rs thus
mixed with their l.lood that of the Indian and Afi"ieaii
to suroduce a )non!4'rel ]>oj)uhi-
lioii iuferifU' to any (|eairof ai)j>roaehin';'
the SJiccess aehieved bv the Iju'liNli. \t all events,
tho hyi'othesis of ] huulioldt and ileuil, in \, u;ue /il'ly
years ai^o, that ail the Spanish ('ohdiies in ^Vnuriea
Would he in tiitie overthrown and subordinated bv the
^J'eutonie ia.ee, antl that the i^nat republic ihenc*^ aris-
in-jf would fall in piec<'s by its owji wi'i^drt, seems now
le^s likely to pn»ve true. Thinkiisef Americans aiv
satisfied with the extent of their doniain; it is only
eandthrs in mines, land speculators, and denia]^o^ues
Avho Would now and then creatt a st nsatieu liv crvin''
U[i some injury, only tt> hv. atomd by a cession of to-
ri tor v.
Kven though soiut! of the Sj)anish-uVnicrican states
are not so lar adsaaced in iidture and sti(ii;.^th as
their Kuntp' an jirinioi^enitoi-. tiiey uro for the mo.-t
jMirt intellii^i'nt and stron^j enou'^h to have put oii
indi'pendetice, and to manliest ti desire i'^v pr«iL;it>.
It i.s now eonc"<.led. by those best able to juuge tli;>i-
■I
not bo tlls-
lit IVoni tlio
i. And y
V. cssoniially
sceiuliuits of
'crencu witli
(Ic (xieiit, is
;trd in sn< li
i(!a( !i or toi
Iv furst'd iiv
t it lias \)vr\\
iivadors tlius
tand AfVicJUi
\(ipill;i-
tiiti exaiiilil''
Ish and I'or-
apju/oat'liinu'
.t all evoius.
1 1 v-.u'ur fiuv
in AnuTii:i
iiati^d l»y tl <
lliciK'i' aris-
scrnis now
Ucl'U JUIS i
llv
it IS onlv
iliUiaj^onuis
«;i liv orvin'4
|'s.«;ion of t<'t'-
•jican .stati's
sti«'M;.!;tli as
.!• tlif ino>t
i;"\'(>
1
lit oil
.|- |)ru;4ic
CHURCH AND CLKUCJY. 79
l!ic dirurcnfo in tlie results of Latin and Toulonic
c.ildiiial attciiijtts in America is as niudi «lu».' to a dif-
f. I't'iKT' of national lirnt and honif inllufncc as of lai-o.
Tin' Sjtanisli c(.I(inists jiad beou une((iio
ai l.iiviii'^ [lolitieal independenet; tliey had to enianci-
jite their niinils, wliile tlio I'ni^lish threw oil' in some
rin
! :t to the full indul'jencc of their lust, and so iii;;;;n
(o den-em-rato the moment tlnv laid down th. ir artns.
To rule the aboriu'inals, holditi'^ their sons as m r,"s
and their !d
institutions of Spain tiansplante.t inter-
este«l Were not jiermitted to take jtart; chri tianity
piopa'^ated at the ]...iiit of the sw.nd, and Wialth
amnnulated by injustice and cruelty; (»ne part of
»e(y iuttened to ,rr<»ssness hy tin; abasement of
.tl
mother iia
lit.
umI wii.iermu" restrictions upon all jno-
Mris^s— these are not the methods fir the attainment ot
nio'je
that
the hi«,diest culture. The pi-imary power in M.'xic
o
WT
iiii
ill ^
'8
,
W COLONIAL POLICY OF SPAIN.
until Into luis been tlio s\vortity id' Mexico. But n<»w war and reliorion are
•^iviii'^' way in stune meaauro to the arts of peace and
liealthy deNelopment.
Thf cliisivl'., I Hfiy, ruled with a strf)ni;' hand tlu
infant eiMonies. Ecclesiastics wi'ie weiconud to the
New V\ (»rld, and by the time tlie settler arrived his
sj>iiitual ruler was ready for him. Kcclesiustieal !l,^ov-
trnniei't was estahlished in America under forms anrevad 111 the Indies." The prelates should look w» 11
Vt the >«ul»«»rdinate clerii'V, and chastise otliiult is.
HeretW's, Jews, anarl;
from the lait\', and it \\as forbidden to lavanv impo-i
EFFECT OF IllTUAL.
ho cliurcli;
s. At Olio
particularly
the landt «l
rolij^iou nr*-
t' peace uhd
[f liand tilt
\nvd t«> the
arrivod his
iuisticnl ;4<>v-
■V tonus ami
(t]»s, l»ishu|.
|»iiy cn-jit III,
ui;^lit n>>t 1"
viuaii luiiili''
ii'S wtTc t'ur
lotis. ami "il
ctiun t>r til''
y jM ii<>r»i»< il
for Hcrvi' •
ImiMln;,!; "^
ih'.iii iH>art,
any iiiil'"'i
tl<»ns iii)f)n tlicm. They iniy will. When ii<» prolate was
i..'es. nt to take eharji^oofa iieWchiireli that was huilt,
the kind's tnasurer should attend t> ))ayinents. In
til. ir resj>eetivo districts, pn-lateswcro t tact as in<|ui.i-
itors; and neither f^Mvernors nrelates
shnul I Ji"t meildlo in secular atlairs; they slioidd visit
the Indians of their jurisilietiou at hast once a year.
Tlit'V slioidil not enjpl'iy ee< lesiastieal <'ensur«'s f* r
li'iht. nlK-nees, nor lay pecuniary fines up(»n the natives.
I'l i'-.«ns dyinj,' nuL'ht chooso tin ir l)Urial-]>laee, jiru-
vid. il it. Mas consei-rated jjfround. Friars n»u>t not
j>i'->s >!Jv persons to leave thoiu le^^acies. Children
iif iiiHi'tls must he haptized; Indiatis a.nd ne!Lj;roes
I'lii^t attend church. Jndians were not to pay for
iiiarria'j,rs or fani'Tals.
Jjy apostolie anthority, and under the text that to
us are i^i Veil theheatlun for an inlieritaniM-, tho clor}.(y
were jtfnnitted to do much as tla-y j>lea„sed with the
Indians, thoU'di under strict l.iW:
To tl
lest,'
llt>\V
i\er, they tVe«|ueiitly paid litthi attention. I have
seen it stated that their s^'stein of prescripts was
carried so far that tlav iv'inindctl tlieir converts,
amoii'L^ t)ther thinj^s, of their inatrinnmial thities at
niidni-lit, l)y means of a hell I Filars wi-it; allowed
vtiy liberty to their
superiors. Franciscan monast adapt itself to ev» ly
• hatacter and cI{v.sh, to tvcry climatt! ami condition.
AiKI to thi^ ])ower of forms tho pt>wer ttf proj)erty, tho
Cai,. V.\sr., Vol. I. 6
COLOXIAL POUCV OF ^V\lS.
il^
^,1
I 1
ji iwi r (•!' cx.iMipl"', iiiid tilt' ]Mi\\(r ut' liiV' and tloatli.
aiil tlitrc was iinthiiiu;' left t(» thr native but bliml
>ulmiissi(iii. And it is wondci't'ul li<>\v stiuni^ is tlir
(•.'tlxtiic t'liuich tudin, wliii h
l"i>r the most jKiit ha\rh'Id thrcNfii t. nor of tinir
way, Shiito and Suiniitcs to the ronfi;iry notwitli-
standin^. And \tt all w.is not sctcui' in rt-jard t •
the temporal alliiiis of thtsr holy m<'U who hail ihl'ow i
< tl'all woildlimss. ( )\\{' wonlil almost take tin* l»isho|i-;
for nii-n of 1m li;d whm one saw tlniii iii ,f
religious oi'di -IS, hnt anioni,^ Krethnu of the saniu- ordi r
fitr provincial or' ronMntual oljice-; of honor Tln-s.-
di-|iutes lasted many years, |iarticMiiirly a> to tin'
imldin'^ of snch ollices hy S|ianiards. '_;;irl.u|ii!ies, or
Creoles. ;i!l to tile infinite dis'^ii>t of jiope .ind kin;.^", ii
whom ap[>( als wer<' constantly l»einij made.
l'!cccntric a-i we nil know socic tv to he, wecan harliv
r< alize tlu^ coiillictin;j,' ahsurdities which the hum.i i
mind is cap;d»le of cntertaininLj. ^^ e punish miii' ;
misd* incaiiois iind let ;4o j^m i .-it crimes; we jter^^ecii'
and kill in tin- name and for the sake of tin* pea<-e < i
( hrist; we eiif.ipce the "gentle jireeepts of a i' Wut bliii'l
tmii'^ is til'
I) ;il»>trarti«>ii
it It* a MM-icfy
ul r«'Ut as it
it is stitin-j;' 1"
ill,i>ii», Nvhi' li
I iii»r <»f tii'ir
•jirv ii.ttwitli-
in rc'jatd t •
() lijul lliiow .
;c tlif l»i>!i"|''
-|.iuiii;j: alx'i'.t
'Uils Win- cur-
• ;,|„1 (.J»l»Osill ,'
In- saiiuj or«l' r
iMiior lli'>''
•ly a-, to tli ■
fat i.u|»ii»«'S. "V
!• and kinu". ' '
w .ran liar liV
till' liuiii;! 1
j.Ulllr>ll ini'i'T
till' |»l<
il. Suiit
HI ':i-
\^ r
IK'
»r;i;
XATIVr TiAfTS. tt
:iii(| (1. unliable ilic Avay of it. The loto tlif woik ltcM;ini liv tilt' s\vt)r(!. Some few
< t" thf wild triltts iidiahitliiv^^ uiiwliolf.sttnio lowlands
w. jvKitl uniiit>K'.stftl. Tlioct»u(|ut'rorsot'act>iiunuiiity
t itiur ul>sorl»or are al)'sorln'd by the roiujucicd. ^Plif
<;vi]i/atioii oCtlio Xaliuas aiitl ^Favas not lioiiH' striMiLT
«-,i(tii^]i, likt! tilt! (Irccian, to take captive its oontiuci-
o;s, Was nicrL,^' tlic debasement tf
Tlio nati\ts wii-e not in (lie eyes « t" tlicir coii-
rs like Christian liat-Ucar' rs.oi* lui-bain-d inlidcl;, ;
rt ol" raw matt rial I'or cliristianitv to
i« it II.
tjUi ro
tat \ Wfl'tj a so
W(.| k
Upon, witiit»nt need t)t cxcrcisiiiL,^ any Imnianc
eitnioiny in the use of it. The eliect was to cri ale in
t!ie hreasts tit' th(> weaker race wants, such us beliefs,
■lotl
les, and
braiiil
Its, wliert iiv eould i>t! sown civiliza
1 b
ili
tioii s tiiseasi's, so
that
ci\ ili/atioii s (Inr^s nii;
fht
!»<>
sold, spiritual ainl tenii>oral. Xot all of these wants,
houeser, w'er(! pennitted gratification; instam-e the
reLi'uIatioiis ibrbitldini^ natisfs to ridc^ on horseback,
.mil u iihholding the white man '^ privile^-e ot' keepinLf
nn>tr(!sscs.
ThoUsanils perished whili> attcinllii;^ the Spaniards
uuniiL;" tlieir tontpiests and civd wai
li
ow niaiiv
ha-: \'asco Nuhe/ to answer Ibr ? how many ('lUtes'
liou many I'izai'rti the Infanitius? In the iniiies of
the mountains perished many, ini'ler the haiil labor ti
lie CO
hi.
wiiicU tl ley Were unaccus'.oiiieii, and lieltin
p'lietratini^ air that strmk with fatal chills their
enti\a(ed frames, so sudtleiily foiced fVom their wai'm,
Miiiny vales. Hut by I'ar the trnviter part >iiiiply dis-
ap[»eared. |*'or in whatsoevei' e;aib t!ie llurojiean
stiani;er appi-oached them, whether as pilferer, priest.
Ol'
peltry
man,
■ IS
reselice was (liutlU
Ih
I-
lliopeail
plet\ was little It Ns pestilential than European ;uai-i«
iJoth ill ueeordetl with tin; native, rei^inie; both eii^en-
deii'd disi'ase, struck down stalwart warriors, swept
tl
Iioll
J^aiids limn the i-arth with a rapiility and certainty
nnattaliiahle by steel and gunpowder.
m
'k 1
ia
H roLoxTAL roLirv of spaix.
AVlu'ii the iUir runiinoiit of Nortli Amtrica lay rowl-
liii}^ ill juimoval plenty, U|"»ii its wcHtmi half al<>in', il'
we iiielude ull <»t Mtfxico and Cmtial America, dwdt
inure than mix huiulred tuitions, tril«H, or |»conl»'8,
spcakinjjf more than six hiUKlrrd lan<;;na^eH or dialects
of laii<^uan;(s. Jiefoie the JOun»itean came with his
superior arms, his Ktes
individual than wondert'ul.
It
IS a sad
I tall
)r«'se
nted
m any
of its phast
AVhatever the primitive process of obtaining f<"»d, it
was much more easy and certain than ever afterward.
If the implements used by tiie wilder tribes in the
capture of animals for fo()d and clothiin; were less ef-
fi'ctual, animals were less wild and more easily cap-
tured. Invention sprinj^a from necessity, and wh< u
the necessity which call(>d forth the invention ceast s,
the jiro}.(ress madt! in that direction is soon lost. (Mm-
of the greatest hanlships imposed upon tiie nativ< s,
particularly toward the north, was despoiling tin ir
country of game, and leaving nothing wherewitii '<•
AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS.
ca luv rovil-
lalf ttl<»ni', u
itTica, dwilt
or |)C<)|»1«'8,
M or iliali-'t'ts
lie with his
, uiul bhxMl-
ustsi, hish>vr
ro WOC8 uu-
ttgaiiist their
)rhacl placed
• blow in dv-
he place was
■r been bin*'',
.eastly things
m, aiul Heart r
,ts than nuuiy
likes antl •lis-
iis, tlie wuiii'
sus[>iei»m, ol
tl treachery .
(|uiekn»'SH »>t
[Kiwern; witli
iiu-nt aiul dis-
[soevcrwrap
Lure in «u> h'>^
|f its phases
t"lM»'"'
|i till' iiativ> H,
sustain life. Wild un'U eaiuint snddcidy cluintjr ilieir
lahits, and dt-rive subsiHteiur fn»ni nrw sources.
Many of the f'lir-liuntrrs supplied tin- natives with
\v< ajioiis superior to tluir own for the purpose of kiil-
iuLT fur-ixarini; animals, and then as jranie became
Hiucc left them without amnuinition. It lias l»ceii
rlaiincd tor the Spaniards that the conquest stopped
thr lionihh' sacriti<«' ot'hnman biinixs which was eliock-
iii.: tlic ^rowtli of ])opuh»tion ; but how niui'h «.M'owth
of jtu|iidation di«l tiie Spaniaids check witii their fiie-
l.Mk-and swords^ As thotii^li the j^rowth of native
Aim rican populations was a matter of su<'h vast con-
4 c 111 to KuropiansI And how many human hves did
S|Mi!i sacrilic*' in christiani/iuLj America'
Touchiiii; the rii^dits of <'ivinzation to lands held by
hunting' tribes, I would say a word. WhiK; n-coy-niz-
\\\'j^ fully the economical princijtlr, tiiat, unlike personal
|ii'ijierty ac<|uired by lahor, the lands of the eaith
111 loiiLT to the whole human race, not to be monopo-
lized hy a few and their siu'ees.sors to the exclusion of
the rest, I am yet unable to perceive any rii^hts apper-
tainiiii; to civilization that do not apply to sava^ism.
If e\ery individual born upon this earth h.as a rii^ht to
h.s .>>liare of it, as he has a liLflit to his poition of the
water, the air, and the sunshine, and that without
the distinctions of wealth, inheritance, or culture, then
the savai^e has a right to his portion ecjually with the
eiviJized man. Xor may agiicultural nations .say with
reason to jiunting nations, "Adopt our modi* of life
and take u|> less room," so long as the aeiieiiltural
nations peiniit certain of their niendxis to oeeui»y
l.inds not ai'cording to their necessities hut limited only
hy tli>ir means with which tf» buy. So long as thc^
minds of men are not e(|ually cultivated, the soil ciiii-
iiot, be. 'I'he se\eral parts of the earth's surfaee have
their several population.s, each (litfering from the others
ill pr<»gress and condition. One has Jio more riuht
pctiling th'ii" |H tli.iii another to call upon his neighbor to abandon
therewith tu HI traditional customs and assume ill-litting eondifioiis.
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
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23 WIS f MAIN STREET
WEBSVERN.Y 14580
(716) a/2-?''C3
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■ 'I
i.i
80
COLONIAL POLICY OF SPAm.
It is neither just nor expedient that land should be
held by individuals in large parcels, no more by the
civilized man for his Hocks than by the sava(>e for a
game preserve. When a landed piopriotor fails to be
a purchaser, when he does not improve his lands or
permits them to deteriorate, from an economical stand-
point he IS as much a detriment to civilized society as
would be a savage with his game park, or a European
nobleman with his. "They do not make a good use
of tiieir lands," says civilization of savagism. And who
is to be the judge? And is every rich man's lands
and money to be taken from him because he gamblis,
keeps mistresses, buys legislatures, bribes judges, fos-
ters iniquitous monopolies, and is a curse to his kind
generally i Better a thousand times leave lands in the
hands oi' tiieir aborisjcinal holders than allow them to
become the j)roperty of tlie average man of millions.
It is a piggish race, this human race of (jurs, and
one that delights in its piggishness. The hrst comers
and their descendants attempt to monopolize all the
available land, and mankind forever after must buy or
rent or steal from them. Who were those first rob-
bers w. may not always know, nor does it nmch
matter, for we are just as ready to rob to-day as ever
we were. One thing is evident. The native Amer-
icans, as a rule, held their lands in common, as the
property of the nation, which custom civilization to-
day nught well consider. In maiked contrast to this
policy, landcHl property in America was not cut by the
colonists into ])arcels convenient to jx.'rsons of moder-
ate means, and made to pass easily from one to another,
but large; tracts, sometimes wliole provinces, wei'e
se'ized and held as encomiendas, greatly to the detri-
ment of the colonies.
The right of Europeans to seize and occu|)y the
lands of the Indians was never questiomsd by the
stronger })arty; neither ditl they pause to inquire it"
the almighty erred in creating America, or if he made
half a world for the malevolent s[)ort and donnnation
INTERNATIONAL LAW.
87
of tlic otlior half, or if his servant Alexander might
not [)ossibly have exceeded tlie bounds of his conuuis-
sioii. Ocju[)aucy, by which the lands of a nation
were made its captor's, was amon;^ the Komans a nat-
ural law, and the property of an enemy res nalli'u;^,
as I have elsewliore explained. Aristotle taught that
Gret;ks were called ujx)!! to recognize no more rights
in barbarians than in brutes; and CfJisar said it was
the right of war to treat the conquered as the con-
querors pleased. By the discoveries of the lifteenth
and sixteenth centuries, this lionian principle of occu-
])iney became somewhat confounded, and failed to
tloterniine how much of an island or a continent the
sovereign of an adventurer could claim by reason of a
lucky discover\^, or what were the acts necessary to be
performed to secure legal ])ossessi»m against other
nations of the European world. These points were
settled, as usual, by fighting, the victor construing the
law. If our teachers would sto}) their cant, and I'ully
recognize the absolute and inexorable right of might,
half the problems of mankind W(mld be solved at once,
it were an)using, if not so })ainfully absurd, to hear
Montescjuicu and the rest of them talk abt)ut "la loi
de la nature," and "la loi de la lumiore naturelle," in
connection with the rights of the conqueror. Natural
justice recognizes no right of conquest; and yet all
nations acquiesce in, and most of them justily, sucli
robbcrv. As is ofttn s(H'n in communities of men, so
m communitlt'S of nations, wrong once become perma-
nent is acknowledged by international law as aright,
and as such it usually passes into history. In the
present day of enliglitened and ])urified morals, ag-
gressoi's committing this species of robbery usually
Seek to shield themselves undi'r some claim, real or
pretended, and so escape the world's censure, fi»r even
the sim])lest of us now I'ecognize the piinciple as
atrocious; or as in the case ')f the; treaty of Cuada-
lupe llitlalgo between the L'u ted States and Mexico,
t!i(^ \ iclor pays t!;e vanipiisln-d money, and so ratities
tiie tlieft by forced bargain and sale.
o9
COLONIAL POLICY OP SPAIN.
Montesquieu is sadly in error vvhen he supposes it
the wish of the Spaniards to sweep the country of it-i
aboriginals, so that they might the better occupy.
Such a charge might much more truthfully be
brought against any otlier European nation. Ter-
ritory was nothing to the Spaniard without sul)jects;
mountains of metal and rich alluvial plains were
valueless without laborers. Never was a conquered
race more tenderly considered — in theory. Other na-
tions were less scrupulous. Spain would ship no slaves
from Africa, but her colonies bought them from the
French and Dutch, until England browbeat her into
buying all her slaves from English ships. And always
the other nations of Europe far exceeded the Spaniards
in their cruelty to negro slaves, the English roasting
them alive at Jamaica for desertion, and this within a
century. In short, when the directors of the East
India Company themselves admit that "the vast for-
tunes acquired in the inland trade have been obtained
by a scene of the most tyrannical and oppressive C(jn-
duct that was ever known in any age or Cf)untry," it
is idle to argue upon the relative cruelty of European
nations.
There was no system of destruction practised by
the Spaniards. In their eager desire to seize the
present, and secure every means for its enjoynient,
only too many of them worked the natives to their
death. This was all, except the m3'stery that the
simple presence of civilization, even when overHowing
with kindness, is poisonous to savagism. Still more
untrue is the assertion made by many tliat the exter-
mination of the Americans was urged by the catholic
ecclesiastics, who claimed the slauixhter of idolaters
to be pleasing to God. If ever tliere was piety or
purity in man, if ever charity or heavenly zeal, then
do these high and holy qualities shine resplendent in
those ministers of peace who abandoned country and
self, sank name and identity, and laid down their
lives for the salvation of souls in the wilds of
COST OF IT ALL. »
America. And as for those general charge.s in cer-
tain quarters that in some of the later occupants of
holy office spirituality had turned to flesh, their zeal
to laziness and lust, resulting in nothing more impor-
tant than repeating prayers and breeding itullins Jfilii,
I can only say that I have elsewhere given the his-
tory of all as fully and fairly as I am able.
And here the anomaly presents itself, that while the
parent government in all its ordinances and instruc-
tions is more just and tender toward its savage sub-
jects than are the colonists, through i orrupt agents the
natives may be more vilely treated than they would
be by filibusters or pirates. Alone in a wilderness,
with no doting parent to call upon for protection, the
private colonist or settler hesitates ere he raises a
swarm of enemies about his ears. Many of the
atrocities attending govermnent colonization are ab-
sent in private colonization. The conduct of Peru
stands out in contrast to that of Pizarro no less
marked than the subsequent doings in Pennsylvania
contrast with those in Peru.
And what price was Spain to pay for all her follies,
crimes, and indulgences, for the outrages of lif r con-
querors, the maleadministration of her agents, her
selfish exclusiveness, her vagarious policy, her exac-
tions and enjoyment? For nations, no more than indi-
viduals, can indulge in crimes and follies with impunity.
In colonial aft'airs as elsewhere, greed generates disas-
ter. Tyrannies and unjust exactions bring their own
])unishment. Iniquity is inexorably alien from per-
manent prosperity. Spain's punishment was earlier
and more severe than tiiat of other European nations
equally or more guilty, and whose reckoning is yet to
ome. If England's God lives, then England has yet
to make her final reckoning.
Besides superior energy, Spain possessed material
advantages which placed her before all otiier nations
at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Her mer-
#1,
lli.
I!
I,
[
I ■
> !
89
COLONIAL POLICY OF SPAIN.
caiitilc marine was the finest in tlie woikl, nuinberiniif
over one thousand vessels.
Tl
le
(juays of Seville were
crowded. The nianutactures of Spain were anijdi', in
addition to lier own requirements, to supply all her
\>V
colonies. C'kttli and coral-work were jiroduced at
Uarcelona, which city rivalled Venice; silk and gro-
ceries at A'akncia; ck)th at C^uenca and Huete; swords
and muske-ts at Toledo; silk, })aper, and flaxen goods
at (iranada; cloth at C'iudad-i'eal, Segovia, and Villa-
castin; steel blad<.'S at Alhacete; soap and groceries at
•pc
•sandOcana; hats and saddles at (\)rdova; linen
in (ialicia, and cutlery and j)late at Valladoliil. Some
of these cities emjtloyed a thousand workmen. IFus-
handrv was conducti'd hv the Min'iscos under the best
methods then known. IJy systi'Uis of iriigatit)n, the
soil wa-; made to yield large retui'us in rice, cotton,
sugar, and other jiroducts. Even the Spanish lan-
i>ii
igi- and the universities felt the im[;ul.-
As earlv
a.s I j.K), the descendants of the concjuered Aztecs and
Peruvians woi' i'ound in the schools of Spain, and
Indian words in her language.
Some time later look again this way. Tlowditferi'ut
the ])ieture Spain [MX'sents toward the close of the sev-
enteenth century. Her soil, exhausted, runs to waste;
lu-r factories are closetl; her aitisans and her agricul-
turists goiu' — oiu! million of her best and most ind
trious subjects, the ^^()riscos, at a single 1)1
us-
(iW
tl
le
small, round worm has bi'en busy among the (piarti'i"-
ings of ( 'asiiK'; lu'r domain is dismembered, Holland
and J?ortugal gt)ne, Artois, Ronssillon, and Franche
Comte, and after anothei- hundred years, nearly all
these broad Americas have slip[)ed from her posses-
sion. The exi>ulsion of the floors by Felipe 111.
followtd the destructive foreign
wai
s of Felipe IJ.
and with the beginning of the seventc^enth centurv
her connmree and manufactures bt'gan to fail, ^len
were even wanting for the army, and ships lay rotting
at anchor for lack of sailors.
The navy, which in J^hilip's time had been the tcr-
PRIXC'E AND I'KOPLE.
01
ror of the sea, was now nduced nine tt-iitlis. Arse-
nals and inajjfazines wore enii)tv, and tVont'u r I'oitivsscs
unj^iiri'isoned. Crime and disoriK-r jirtvadfd tliiouL^li-
»)Ut the land. Simony and peculation wc-rc unlilush-
in*;' and enormous; so that, while the [)i'()[)K' were
ground by taxation, the jiuhlie revenue w.is small.
.Vs a renu'dv, which in truth onlv ay'ijfi'aNatiHl the
disease, the currency was dehased. Any tliird-iate
])ower n)ight now insult with impunity the heirs of
(,'liailes the ^[a,i;nificent, and of riiilij), his mo -t
ca
th
thol
ic son.
Tlie lesson is — and let it he written in
e sKv and ijfraven on the eterna
d hill
s— n<
itl
lei- in-
chviduids nor nations can loui^ live hy im[)ositions
practised (»n their fellow-men.
Still there was territorv enoui^h. Often has the
judicious pruning" of a too widely s[)read empire pioved
heneHcial. It was pith and pulse Sj»ain pow lacked.
She had hied her own vi'ins; played mntlur pelican to
the church; and now to this conijih'xion things have
come. In vain .shall a Chai'les aim at universul em-
])ire; even })etty Duke ^[aurices will not hiiw it so.
In vain shall your nether-millstone-hearted I*hilip
iloat
mvincihio armadas.
I
n vam slia
11 V
einaniU) tie
Jlerrera and Luis de Leon gain the topmost height of
S
)anis
h 1
vricism ; m vam a
( ahl
ei'on or
Veg;
I im-
nKM'taliztj their drama; even in vain shall tlie gre;^test,
grandest, richest name of all, Cervantes, take rain has slept with moie or less htaviness; a
sleep somewhat troubled, it is true, with fi'vercd
tlreams, wherein mingled with smalhr sprites French
revolutions, Isabellas, and Carlists, llolu-nzollerns and
Amadeos, and Prims, and re[»ublics, and one haidly
knows what else.
Daring the middle age, and up to the tim. of J"'er-
02
COLONIAL roUCY OF SPAIN.
4. 1.
dinand tho catholic, tlio people of Spain possessofl
greater liberty tliaii any people in Europe, But about
that time monarchist tre em-
ployed to furnish the required commodities, while the
Spaniards gave themselves up to enjoyment. They
were breeding at Spain's cost communities of artisans,
which more than soldiers or sailors were to Income
the bulwark of the nation, and Spain was forced to
pour into their coffers her dearly loved gold in ever-
increasing ratio; until finally, notwithstanding the
RKFLECTIVK IXFLUKNCE.
95
ononnous yield of the two Atncr'u'as, she liad not suf-
licit'iit lor lur own lU'ct'ssit'us. Tlio malleoli sci'\ icf,
tor more than tw(» ci'iittnit's i]\c pridr of Sjtaiii on
hotli tlio Atlantic and I'acific, was I'ssciitially at
an end bv tlio middle of tho oi'^litoonth i-onturv.
Fni'tlicr and yet fnrtlicr grew tlio ra^o lor woalth,
and tho distasto for lal)or. Wasto was tlio order of
the day in both jiuhlic and |)rivat(i affaii'S. The nn)ro
^old Sj>ain got, the more she re<{uired; the more .sjio
sutl'ered from her exactions, tlie more she exacted.
Xow the king anil liis court, and imnunerahle minia-
ture estal)lishmi>nts, and households of all grades, were
kept aHamo hv western !>old alone. Industi'ies of
every kind vveie aliandoned, and men lived only for
that for which brutes live, to eat, sleep, ar.d propa-
gate. Far better were the days of war than these
days of enervating peace. It was as if all Spain had
laid down everything useful, and had adopted gam-
bling as an occu[)ution. And when this influx .of
Wealth began to iliminish, it was found too latt ; that
the nation had nothing on which to dej)end for sup-
port. Spain became impoverished. Gone were the
mercantile glory of Seville and Ci'idiz. A resort to
l.iws prohibiting the export of si)ecie and raising the
value of copj>er was without benefit.
Xor was this all the disastr-ous effect of Spanish
colonization in America on the aboriijiues, on the col-
onists, and on the j)oople of S[»ain. There' were even
wider eflects than these — such as the influence upon
the commercial and political intercours(> of nations,
which the thoughtful student of the times will con-
sider. Partly from the reflex influence of her colonies,
and partly from other causers, Europe to-tlay is more
republican than monarchical. England, Holland, ar,d
Portugal are monarchies in form only; France has
struggled into republicanism, and even Spain has at-
tempted it.
Thus to the Spanish people America was a C.erna
of ills, a Naboth's vineyard. They despoiled the in-
H COLONIAL POLICY OF SPAIN.
habitants of a distant land only to dissipate their ill-
gotten Wealth, and tlu-n sink beneath the excess of
8elf-iii«Iulgence and sensuality. Two civilizations S[)ain
succeeded in crushing before her ibll, an eastern a: id
a western ; in Mexico and Peru it was her evil destinv
to destroy a culture but little inferior to her own, and
in her turn to be destroyed thereby. Spain was
ruined by her successes. Let men and nations learn
tiie lesson, for there are yet many in like manner to
be ruined. Lord Macaulay and others resolve all
the causes of the decay of Spain into one cause;
which term signifies, if it signifies anything, an erring
people, a corrupt priesthot)d. But this is not what
Macaulay means to say. He assumes too pointedly
that the Spanish nation fell into decay through the
retrogression of its scn'ereigns, which assuredly was
not the case. Were our Philips and Charleses worse
than your Georges and your Louises; why, then, did
not England and France attain these depths ? A mon-
arch may helm the ship of state toward the rocks and
create temporary disaster; but no nation was ever
ruined solely by its rulers. With the people who
constitute the nation and make the rulers, the blame
must chiefly rest.
;i'.
CHAPTER III.
MEXICO AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF SCIENCE AT TFIE
OPENlN(r OF THE NINETKKNTH CENTURY.
Miiltitiido omnia, »icrtt natnra iiiaria, per se immnhilis est; u^ vrati et
auriu cii'iit, ita atit tratiqiiilluiii aut priKjelliu vohis sunt. — />(Vy.
The two Californias were invaded and occupiLd by
j)ri('sts from Mexico, at a time wiien this iv.'ion was
lii'lil to be a part of Mexico. ^Mexico has been ohr-o
seen; perliaps twice. The coiujuerors were ch).-;'i ul»-
servcrs — tiiat is, of gold or anything worth stealiiiL;;
but 'i. tlie eyes of com])reliensive genius Mexico has
never been so viewed, before or since, as by FreiUrick
Hinrv Alexander von Humboldt at the opening of
the present century. His visit to our continent was
in the interest of general science, rather than in that
of any particular })ersons or ])lace. He was thirty
years of age when he landed in South America in
171)9; thirteen years of his life had thus far been
devoted to close study, and before him were yet sixty
other years. We are told that he was a vain man,
and very egotistical; but sur(>ly he had something to
be vain of, and his ego was by no means a small one,
either as regards time or dimensions. In his match-
less ct)nunentaries we hardly know which to admire
most, the universe which he describes so perfectly, or
tlu! all-comprehending intellect capable of such deline-
ation.
Alexander von Humboldt was born in Berlin on the
1 4th of September, 17(>9, when the first mission of Alta
California was being founded at San Diego. His
father. Major Alexander George von Humboldt, liad
Cal.Past:, Vol. I. 7 (97)
¥ i
98
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUPA'.
been in succession chamberlain to the great Frederick,
and to Elizabetr, princess of IVussia. His mother
wlien married by his father, was the widow of a cer-
tain Baron Yon Holwede, and was descended fronj a
Burgundian family, Colomb by appellation, notable
cral'tsmcn in glass in their old country. The young
l[umbt)]dt was for the most ])art brought up in hi;>
Other's old castle of Tegel, three leagues from Berlin.
Here Alexander and his elder brother William played
and studied, in a quiet, unrestricted wny, till 178(5,
when they commenced their academical life at the
university of Frankfort on the Oder. In 178S they
removed to that of Gottingen, "a staid, grav(^ place,
fall of earnest students and learned professors," among
wliich last were Blumenbach, Heine, and Kiclihorn.
The universit}^ life of the brothers ended in 1781).
In 1790 Alexander visited Holland and England
in company with George Foster and Van (lenns, and
])ublished his first work, Observations on the Basalts of
the Rhine. In 17D1 he began studying under Werner,
the Celebrated geologist, at Frej-berg. The result of
some of his observations in the mines of that district
was published in 1793 : Specimen Fhrx Frelhcrr/eiisis
S:ihtcrraneii\ In 1795 he visited part of Italy and
Switzerland, and 1798 found him in Paris, where he
became acquainted with Bonpland, the naturalist, des-
tined soon to be his companion in trav( 1, nnd with
many other French savans. He here ]val>lished, in
conjunction with Gay Lussae, Researches on the Cow-
jws'tioii of the Atmosphere, and on his own account a
work on subterranean gases.
From his boj-hood, Humboldt had been planning
some great voyage of discovery; and in 1789 ho was
in Madrid, applying for permission to explore th(^
Spanish possessions in America. That permission
was granted, and havuig secured Bon inland as a
coadjutor, he sailed from Corunna in the sloop Pizarro,
on the 5tli of June, 179r. On the 19th of June the
Pizarro put into Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe;
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT.
99
IV aiul
i-c he
, dos-
witli
led, in
Com-
)Uiit a
Inniuf^
jo was
re the
ilssion
as a
zan'o,
\\Q the
icriffc ;
and the naturalists, avaihug- themselves of the few
days the ship remained there, ascended the famous
Pico de Teyde. In the middle of July they reached
Cumand, South America, and landed. They spent
the rest of the year in visitin<^ the coast of Paria, the
Indian missions of Chaymas, and the provinces of
New Andalucia, New Barcelona, Venezuela, and
Spanish Guayana. Leaving Caracas in Jaimary 1 800,
they examined the charming valleys of the Aragua,
and the great lake of Valencia, or Ticarigua, resem-
bling in general appearance that of Geneva, but with
its shores clothed in all the beauty and luxuriance ttf
a tropical vegetation. From Puort>) Gabello they went
south, crossing on horseback the vast i)lains ol" Cala-
l>()Zo, Apure, and Orinoco, and the dreary llauus.
At San Fernando, on the river Apure, they began a
latiguing navigation of more than ;5,000 miles. They
jiei formed this in canoes, crouching in awkward pos-
tures, scorched by the terrible sun which not only
liiihtens but colors and burns, and devoured bv a ten-
fold Egyi)tian plague of crawling, creeping, and Hying
tilings. Sailing down the Apure, they entered the Ori-
noco at the seventh degree of north latitude, and then,
ascending this river, ])assed the cataracts of Mapures
and Atures, and gained the conHux of the Guaviari.
Thence they ascended the small rivers Atab and
Teini. From the mission of Javita, they passed over-
land to the sources of the famou^ liio Negro. About
thirty Indians were employed to carry the canoes
through lofty forests to tlie creek of I*emichin. Fol-
lowing the current now, they shot into the Pilo Negro,
descending to San Carlos. From this they remounted
to the Orinoco, by way of the Cassiquiari, and thus
forever cleared uj) all doubts as to the existenee of a
connnunication between the Orhioco and the Amazon.
l*assing up the Orinoco, they visited the volcano
Daida and the mission of Esmeralda ; but the Guaicas,
an independent native tribe of very fair complexion
and small build, yet extremely warlike, prevented the
^f
i'^M
100
MEXICO m THE NINETEEXTII CEXTrRV.
travellers from rcaclilnjx the sources of tlio Orinoco.
From Esmeralda thev tloscended the swelliin*- rivir to
its mouth, and then returned to Cumuna, by the plains
of (yari, ai'.d the mission of the Caraibs, a race, next
to the PatajTonians, the larofcst and stoutest known.
After a i^hort rest, necessary to their enfeebled
strength, they sailed for Cuba on the Kith of Novem-
ber, and were nearl}^ shipwrecked on the way. They
remained three months in that island; and fearini^
accident, Humboldt sent a good part of his collections
and manuscripts to Europe.
In March J 801 they hired a small vessel and sailed
for Cartanena, South America. ()wini>' to adverse
circumstances, the voyage was tedious, and they
ai'rived too late in the season for crossing the isthmus
of l*ananul, and reaching Gunyaquil or Lima; they
liowever pushed on up the Magdalena up Santa Fe
do Bogota.
In September 1801, though the rainy season was
not (piite over, they began their journey to Quito,
crossed the Andes of Quindiu, arrived at Cartago in
the fine valley of Cauca, passed througli Popayan, the
capital of the province, through the dangen)us detihs
of Almaguer, t]iroui:;li the town of Pasto, the villauo
of 'Pulcan, and the valley of Guaillabamba, and in
Jamiary 1802 reached Quito. Xeai'ly six months
were here devoted to researches of various kinds in
t!io surrounding country. Near midsununer, in com-
pany with Don Carlos ^lontiifar, they visited the
Nevado del Chimborazo. Thev traversed the fright-
ful ruins of Riobamba and other villa<''es, destroyed
by an earth(piake February 7, 1797, and climbed
the Cuchilla de Guandifa. On the eastern sloj)e of
Chimi)orazo thev stood on the hii«hest spot ever
before trod Ijy man. They then descendeil to the
region of vegetation and ft)lloW(Hl the great chain of
the Andes, with fiftemi or twenty baggage mules.
Skirting the high savannas of Tiocaxas, tlu?}' ad-
vanced to Sitzun, in the woody pnramo of Asouay,
ARRIVAT. IN MFAICO.
10\
and crossed tlie inouiitahis hy that dauj^orous passage.
Advaiu'iinjf toward Cucnca, tliov t'oinid ruins of
j);da(x,'S of tlio iiicas. ]3ryond that town was ]-.oja;
iVonj Loja they passed into tlie vale of the hcd of tlio
Cutaco; mounted auntains to San Felipe, and embarked on the
('huDunja; descended it to the cataract of Kentema,
asceiuled tlie eastern declivity of tlie cordillei-as;
t xaniiiied the arj^entiferous mountain of (iualiravoc;
visited the towns of Micuipamj)a and Cajamai-ca, itnii
th(^ ruins of the palace of Atahualpa in tlui vicinity
of th(^ latter place; reached Lima, <'apital of l*eru,
enteiinsjf for the first time that "Ion*; narrow valley
hi)Un(l«Ml by tlie shoies of the Pacific in wliich rain
and thunder are unknown."
J n January 180."3 the travellers embarked for(;tuaya-
<|uil; from Guayacjuil readied Acapulco by sea, land-
i:i^' in Mexico, 2.'5d of March, 18U;5. Acapulco stands
i;i the recess of a bay near a chain of '''ranitic moun-
tains. The iiort is i)art t)f an immense basin cut i;i
P
1'
jLj^ranite rocks — a coarse-j^rained ijfranite like that of
I'ichtelbei'g and Carlsbad, toothed and rent like tlie
Catalonian Montserrat. In two hemis[)heres Hum-
boldt Jiad seiMi few wilder sights, few scenes at once
more dismal and more romantic. The climate was
terrihl}' sultry and noxious, tlie inhabitants sickly and
w
retched. A
cotton tree
hoinJh
il
'HIX CC/tMi, WJlOSt
overturned trunk was more than seven nietn-s in cir-
ca mferenc(% proved the tremendous force of the vctiila-
vahs, by wliich it was often swept.
in the beuinniiiir of May, tlie travellers set out in
'^}'
"^'
the direction of the capital, ascendin^jf by the burnii
valleys of Papagayo and Mescala — thermometer S'.).(r
I'ahr. in the shade — to the higher plains of Chilpan-
eiiigo, Tehuilotepec, and Tasco, existing in a ni<<'ed after the Asiatic fashion. Humboldt
concluded from the foregoing information which he
collected, and from its position being indicated in a
very ancient native map by two warriors in combat,
tliat tlie place served the purpose, not only of a temple,
but also of a fort. Its origin is referred to the Toltecs,
f )r tliis nation is to the Mexican antiquarians what
tlie Pelasgian colonists were to the archaeologists of
Italv — anvthing of which a Mexican knows nothiiijjf is
Toltec.
We next find our scientists in the citv of AFexico.
Tliey found the latitude of the capital at the convent
of 8t Augustine by meridian altitudes of the sun
and stars. The lon-'itude was deduced from the
eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter, from the distances
between the moon and sun, from transference of tli*'
time from Acapulco, and from a trigonometrical esti-
mation of tlie difference of meridian between Mexico
and Vt>ra Cruz. This method of check and countt^r-
check was followed as far as possible in all cases, and
thouGfh detailed accounts of these thino's can Iiardlv
interest any but scientific men, they give to the most
superficial some idea of the minute and patient indus-
trv of Humboldt.
fill
CITY AND COUNTRY.
103
lllg IS
ludus-
Mexioo is described by earlier writers as seated in
tlie midst of waters, but it is now more tliau two miles
from the margin of the diminished Tjzcuco. This, a
residt of increased drainage, has not contributed to
tlie general fertility of the valley. A lack of vigorous
vegetation has been becoming more and more appar-
ent since the conquest, at which time the clayey soil,
being washed by more frequent inundations, was cov-
ered with beautiful verdure. The climate of the city
of ^Mexico is generally mild, even in winter, as that of
Naples. In point of appearance it is one of the finest
cities in the new continent. It is more im]K)sing and
majestic, thougli not perhaps so beautiful or so smil-
ing as when great tcocallis lifted their minarets ovi r
the heads of an uncomjuered people, and waters pressed
on its foundations, and thousands of boats shot througli
its street-canals — an Aztec Venice. The present arch-
itecture is generally pure in style and of good taste,
not surcharged with ornament, but solid, often even
magnificent. Seldom arc to be seen those ponderous
wooden balconies which disfigure .-^o many other Eu-
ropean-founded cities in the Indies and Americas; but
here tlie balustrades and spates are of Biscav iron
ornamented with bronze.
Tile travellers were somewhat surprised to see in
tliis city many fine establishments devoted tt) science
and the fine arts — a school of mines which was grndu-
;\\]y introletcd
a maj^nificent bronze equestrian statue of Charles IV.,
reiLcning king of Spain, and Humboldt had the i)leas-
ure of witnessing both its castinij and its erection. In
this square were the new cathedral with its massive
towers, built over the remains of the great tenqdo of
Mexith, and the viceroy's palace, fronting the s[)ot
on which the palace of Montezuma had formerly sti>od.
]5uried in one of the passages of the university
of ^Texico was a great double Aztec idol, in ba.saltic
})orpliyry, which had been dug uj) by workmen en-
gaged on an excavation in 17*J0, conveyed to the uni-
versity, and concealed there lest it might trouble the
weak faith of the Aztec youth. Humboldt, by dint
of solicitation, secured the privilege of examining and
ski'tehing it. ]te supposed it to represent tlie Aztec
god t»f war and his wife. He also studied the stone
of sacrii'ice, and the calendar-stone. The first was
adorned in relief with the triumphs of some old Aztec
warrior, probably a king. This stone, Humboldt, con-
trary to the usual hy{M)thesis, suppc)sed to have served-
the pur})ose, not of an altar for tlu; sacrifice of human
victims, but of a tcmaJacatl, one of those great stones
on which, as on a platft»rm, prisoners were allowetl to
contend, in certain cases, for their lives with ^lexican
warriors. As to the calendar-stone — the most imj)or-
tant of all the Aztec monuments, and one which seems
to prove the existence of a civilization which we have
some difficulty in belitving to be the result of ob-
servations made by a nation of mountaineers in the
H
VALLKV OF MFXICO.
10.-)
unciiltlvatcd regions of tlio iww continent Huni-
l)ol(lt coniiJarod tlic cinunistanccs attending" its jtos-
session by tlio Aztecs to tliose in which a l:in^n;ii;'e,
rich in words and in };;raniniatical forn^s, is found with
a jKople wlioso paucity of ideas is wliolly incoininen-
surato with the niultiphcity <)f nieiha adapted to eon-
\ry and enihodv tlieni. "Tliose lani^ua-'ts rich and
ili'xihle, tlioso modes of intcrcahitioii which picsup-
j»os() jin accurate knowdedj^o of the duration of tlic
astronomical year, are perhaps only the renmants of .mi
iiiheritancc, transmitted to them 1>\' nations jiejtto-
i'oro civilized, but since relapsed into baii)arism."
Humboldt had often been struck with tlu' analogy
wliich existed between the ancient tradition and
i.ieniorials of various })eo[)les of Asia- the; I'liihetans
and Ja[)anesc, for example — and those of the ^Fi'xican
races; but this anal(»_i^y was n<»wliero so ajtpai-eiit as
in the division of time revealed in this calendar, in
the employment of recurring jteriods, and m tlie in-
genious though embarrassing method limits of the v.allev, and from thest> and a <>reat
mass of collected material constructed an excellent
m
'ut
IIumb(,ldt was a man of the sahnis as well as of tlie
museums, and was as perfect in flirtation and sarcasm
as in handling fossils or gymnoti. His flirting was
])robab]y a mere foil of politeness and relaxation, but
his sarcasm was incisive. These, his less philoso[)]ii-
cal (jualities, or if you will his littleness, have been
quietly ignored by his biographers as derogatory to
h!s dignity, or to his amiability. In the city of ^[ex-
ico he seems positively to have been smitten outriglit
by a famous creole beauty, I^a Giiera llodriguez,
dauiihter-in-law of that Count dc liei^la wlio l)uilt,
ecjuipped, and presented to the king of Si)ain two
sliips of war, of the largest size, in maliogany and
cedar, and offered to pave the road from A'era Cruz to
the capital with silver, if his ^lajesty of Spain would
visit his American provinces. "She was then veiy
young, though married, and the mother of two chil-
dren," says ^Madame Calderon de la Barca. "He came
to visit her mother; she was sitting sewing in a corner
where the baron did not perceive her; until, talking
very earnestly on the subject of cochineal, he inquired
if he could visit a certain district where there was a
l)lantation of nopals. * To be sure,' said La (jriiera from
her corner, 'we can take M. de Humboldt there;'
MINKS AND >rANUFACT>miES.
107
been
V to
Mcx-
•ijjjlit
JJllCZ,
)uilt,
two
and
uz to
iNVould
very
ehil-
canie
corner
Ikin^jf
juireil
was a
from
lere;'
whereupon, lie first perceivintjf lier, stood aniazele. The convicts of the country Wi'r*; distributed
among these factories, that tliev miujht be coinnt'lled
to work. But free men wi'i'o confouiuU'd with these
convicts, and subjected with them to the treatment of
felons. Every workshop was a dark prison, whose in-
mates, shut in by double doors, were ragged, pallid,
and mai
»y
of th
dcf<
lem (icTormei
1. i^:
veil
tl
lose wJio hv a
refinement c»f sarcasm were called free, never saw the
faces of their families except on Sundays; while all
Mi..
m
w
h
I !
(I
H'
108
MEXICO IN THE NINETKKXTII Ci:\TUUV
werc subjt'cted to incrciilt'SH fl<) l>o
his
[VSVllt
that
, anil
was
than
innit-
,lv in-
^uati'cl
vnno(\'^ in clitMnistrv and nnchanics, Avonld ha\«>
11 thu'»'(l the rxji«>nsrs hy liaU'. Jn the [iroccss d
aiiial;4aniati(ni (.'specially, tlu'i't' Avas an eimi-nious w.-istc
of iniTciiry, which itself should bo a ncvcr-failini,'
source of wealth. Few countries have so many indi-
cations of cinnuharas this tahle-land from tlio ll'th to
t!ie --t{ parall<'is. Wein'hini;', liowcscr. upon what
was (
xtracti'd were various vtxati
Kiis '_;(>\(rnnn'nt
regulations, forcini;. i'oi' exaniph-, e\ery niiin-ownei'
to buy such and such a )»rojM)rtion of tlie ;;dverninent
imported mercury, and in fiict, dealing' »)ut tlie sup-
plies from all s(»urces in an arl)itrary and »'nteipii>-r-
destroN iu''- way.
The ores, too, when extracted, ai'e suhjectid to
\arious inij»t>sts and duties of seit^-iioraue. Ndw. it
tl
le same wi
th tl
lese (hrect imjiosts on o(
.1.1
lllMl
\er as with the jtrotit the novertnnent derl\i's from
ll;e sale of mercury. Miniiij^' o]»erations will incre
ise
;e; these nn[)osts (hmiiMsh, and as the mercury iiKhs-
|niisal>le to amalgamation sjiall he furnished at a
llumhold was astonished that Adam
iwer i>rict
. 1' . .
Smith should minu'le with the soundest ideas i-elative
to the exchani;'!' of metals a defence of the suicidal
(hities of seig'iiorag'e. Considering", then, the vast ex-
tent of the Cordilleras, the jirohahle richnes- of tlieir
drposits, and the wasteful way in which the compnra-
tively few veins already examined ha\*' heen woiked, it
is prohahle that tlu' mines of ^[exico have yet to reacli
their maximum. T\\c opinion that Mexico jiroduees
oiilv perhaps the third pai't of the ])recious metals
which it could under hapjiier j)olitical and social cir-
cmnstauces, under a better administration and with a
more industi'ious and better instrueted people, is eoni-
iiion to the most intelligent individuals of that country.
Humboldt knew wi-ll that this was in direct oontra-
(liction with most authors on political economy — they
allirming the Anu'i'lcan mines to be ])artly exhausted,
and partly too dei>)) for furtlicr retmmerativi' ex]tlora-
tion - still ho believed that theoretic opinions must
no
MEXICO IX THK NINKTEEN'TU (T.XTURY.
r!i;
ii I' i
giv(! wuy Initoro tlio results of the ])iiticiit investigation
tincl t'ctinparisoii of facts. Xeitlier did lie sluire in
anotiiiT very general idea, that the mines were at bot-
tom more injurious than helpful to the country, and
iion-prodiietivo in tlie long event of any permanent
good. Of course, notwithstanding the great advan-
tage of the precious metals in ])urchaslng the goods of
other nations, it is well to understand definitely that
it is in the nature of thin('ciniens from other and distant countries, tlioso
illustrative of the mineralogical ositions of the several minerals,
should l)e i'acilitated and extenrovince of ^Fichoacan, the most fertile and
dcli;^htful (»f Mexico. Next ho ilescended, notwith-
stanchng the heavy autumn rains, to the plain of Jo-
rullo, hv wav of l^ascuaro, situated on the shore of
Lake J*ascuaro, whose picturescpio beauty riveted tho
attention of the traveller. ]^ut admiration gave place
to awe at sight of the !Mal[)ays, a tract of thi'ce or
lour S(|uare miles in extent, which had been suddenly
tiirown up into a great dome by volcanic forci's, in
Juno 1751). On this again six great masses a j>peared,
of irom l,r{00 tf) 1,700 feet each above the old hv(l of
the plains. Among these the great volcano of Jorullo
was cons[)icuous; and the whole was stUTounded by
tliousands of little cones from six to nine feet in
height, and always covered with vapor. On the night
this eruption occurred, the earth rolled like a troubled
sia, and spouting fire, ashes, and mud, swallowed
tlio two rivers of Cuitamba and San Pedro. The
subterraneous fires at this time were moderated, and
Vegetation was beginning to appear on the sides of
if
112
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
I ' '!|
the great volcano. Still, such was the eftect of the
hmunicrablo small cones, or ovens, as they were called,
that tlie thermometer, even at a great distance from
the surface, and in the shade, marked 101)°. On the
19th of September, Humboldt descended 250 feet into
the burning crater of tlie central cone of Jorullo, and
collected its gaseous products.
The position of this volcano gave rise to a curious
train of speculation in the mind of its visitor. He
remarked that there had existed from historic times a
parallel of volcanic mountains, situated in a line at
riofht anoles to the axis of the o;reat cordillera of And-
huac. The Peak of Orizaba, the two volcanoes of
Puebla, l*op atepetl and Iztaccihuatl, the Nevado de
Toluca, the Peak of Tancitaro, and the Volcan de
Colima, cimjpose a single " pa rallele des grandcs eleva-
tions," from the Atlantic to the Pacific; and when
Jorullo sprang up, it sprang up in line. Considering
all this, he supposes it to be not improbable that there
exists in ^[exico, at a great d^pth in the interior of
the earth, a line of weakness, as modern physicists
would call it, IP)? leagues in length, through the
porphyritic rocks, from ocean to ocean. Perhaps, too,
this chasm extends to that archipelago called by Col 1-
nott tlio Archipelago of Pevillagiedo (Revilla Gigedo),
around which, in the same parallel of which we have
been speaking, puinice-stone and other volcanic pnjd-
ucts have becK seen floating on the Pacific.
From Valladolid the traveller returned toward
!>[oxico by the plateau of Toluca, where he examined
the trunk of the famous hand-leaved tree, the cheiros-
tcmon 'i)hdan aides of Professor Cervantes, nine j'ards
in circuit, and of great antiquity. He also climbed
and foun'l the level of the adjacent mountain, which,
itself over 10,000 feet high, contains a lake in its
crater at an elevation of 12,000 feet, from which flows
a cold stream, temperature 48' Fahr. Humboldt was
once more in the capital about the close of September,
Here he and his companion set themselves to arrange
MOUNTAINS AND PYRAMIDS.
113
f the
xlled,
from
n the
t into
), and
irious
Ho
,raes a
ine at
: And-
oes of
ado do
3an do
; elcva-
[ when
ideriii*^
t there
jrior of
lysicists
the
is, too,
Coll-
igedo),
'c have
e prod-
oward
amhied
chelros-
yards
Vnnbed
which,
in its
h flows
kit was
teinber.
arrauL-e
®
s
their f^eological and botanical specimens, to calculate
various nieasurenients which they had made, and plat
out some of tlieir maps — especially the nstructio)\, l)ut in object; cither beiiiL;
at once a tomb ai'd a ti'nij)le. There also existed
strong analogies between the form of these teocallis
and that of the other pyramids of Asia and Egypt;
hut on the other hand, their destinies were dift'erent.
Tlie pyramids of Asia and Egypt served only as the
tmubs of illustrious ])ersonages. Between the Egyp-
tian and the ^fexican, the p3'ramid of Belus is prol)-
ahly a conuectiug link, inasmuch as it would seem that
Cal. Past., Vol. 1. 8
114
MEXICO m THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Vir.m
P'. ; lii
li! '
^y-M
■^ m.
c'iil:
tlio addition of the temple to the latter was an acci-
dental circumstance.
Next, tlie volcanoes of Iztacciluiatl and i*o|io(.-utcj)(tI
were visited, measured, and the latter ascended. Ti.is
"Volcan grande de Mexico" is higher than Mont
Blanc, and in the scientist's opinion grander in aspect
than anything Europe can show.
Tlie travellers then descended, often by steep slopes
and through dense forests, to Jalapa, where they
lodged in the convent of Saint Francis. This charm-
ing town commanded a magnificent view; on the one
side the ocean and its sultry adjacent plains; on the
other the Cordilleras of Andhuac, the peak of Orizaba,
and the square-topped Cofre de Perote.
The intendency of Vera Cruz contains a remarkable
ruin, that of I'apantla — a pyramid which Humboldt
describes, but does not seem to have visited.
The danoferous route tlirourrat ext(!nt staked on its existence.
In February Hundx)ldt and Bonpland saw in tlio
liospital of San Sebastian wliat would seem to have
been the only cast; of the epidemic then in Vera Cruz,
it brinjjj the cold season. The yellow fi'ver wjus not
considered contagious at Vera Cruz; still it is inipnjb-
ablo that there are many unprofessional p<;rsons who
Would care to carry their medical researches to such
au extent as this, in a town of such an unpleasant
cliaracter. The air of Vera Cruz from its natural sur-
roundings is always tainted with putrid emanations,
wliich, breathed for the shortest time when at their
maximum, introduce disorder into all the vital func-
tions. Yet so potent is use, that persons born in that
ciiy are not, while in it, exposed to contract the
disease. Let them, however, leave their native; coun-
try, let them visit llabana, Jamaica, or the United
States, and they often fall victims to its })articular
typo there; and conversely the same is true of the
inhabitants of these latter places when they visit Vera
( 'ruz.
From Vera Cruz the scientists were carried to
llabana by a Spanish frigate, leaving Mexico on the
7tli of March. Having spent two months at Habana,
l)aehing and shipping their various collections, they
sailed for Philadeli)hia, visited Washington, and
spending eight weeks in the United States, studying
A\ith interest the men and institutions of the great
republic.
On the 9th of Juno they set out for Europe, and
landid at Bordeaux August t], 1804, having been five
years absent from Europe on their American explora-
tions; of which time about a year had been spent in
Mexico.
At the time of Humboldt's visit to Mexico — or New
Spain, as he preferred to call it — "the wealth of the
great landed proprietors had attained its maximum.
lie
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
The extraordinary success of mining adventures, which
had gone on flourishing with scarcely any interruption
for nearly a century, had stimulated the cultivation
of the soil ; and from the comparatively low price of
labor, immense fortunes were realized by landlords
and ca])italists."
On [lis arrival in New Spain Humboldt was favor-
ably impressed by the contrast oflered by its civiliza-
tion to the very limited culture of most of the Spanisli
South American colonies. This contrast led him t(»
study very particularly the causes which led to this
result. Karely has there been a man better qualified
by nature and education for such a work. Profound
in many of the natural sciences, and knowing more or
less of all, at home in many languages and loving
literature, a man of society, with German sober sense
and French esprit, who knew how to conciliate those
with whom he was brought into contact, he was in
every sense qualified for his self-imposed task. Xo
light task either, wlien we consider the magnitude of
its results, and the paucity of previous information
existing on the subject. To ascertain the cxael out-
line of elevation of the great table-land of !^[exico, he
executed five great surveys: the first across the whole
country from ocean to ocean — from Acapulco to Mex-
ico, and from ^Mexic to Vera Cruz; the second from
Mexico to Guanajuato, by Tula, Queretaro, and Sala-
manca ; the third from Guanajuato through I'ascuaro to
the volcano of Jorullo; the fourth from Valladolid
to Tolucaand thence to Mexico; the fifth was devote 1
to the neighborhood of Moran and Actopan. lie
determined the exact heights above sea-level of 20S
points, situated in the country bounded by the i)ai'
allels IG^ 50' and 21° of north latitude, and lyinu'
between the meridians 98° 28' and 162° 8' of longitudi'
east from Paris.
In the main, the soil, climate, and vegetation of
Mexico resemble those of the temperate zones; liut
its productions arc of no one type ; it depends little
;s, wliich
rruptioii
Itivatioii
price of
iandlords
'as favor-
3 eivili/a-
j Spanish
id him tt»
(1 to this
• qualified
Profound
if more or
^id h)vu»g
obcr sense
iate those
he was in
task. X<'
Lgnitude of
iformatiou
exact out-
\[cxico, he
the whole
to Mex-
cond from
and Sala-
'ascuaroto
VaUadoli'l
as devoted
opan. lit-
vol of 20S
y the pav-
and lylnu
f longitude
fetation ef
1 zones; i'Ut
r)ends little
CLIMATE AND SOIL.
117
on latitude, for nature has piled all climates upon the
1 lacks and Hanks of its mountains. Its worst want is
that of old Spain herself, a want of water. There are
parts of the Mexican interior so arid and destitute of
vei^etation, that their aspect recalls the j)lains of the
two Castiles; and where saline elflorescence abounds,
the steppes of central Asia. This evil has augmented
since the concpiest by the Europeans, who have tk>-
stroyed without planting, to an alarming extent, and
drained to excess great tracts of country. I have
('idled attention to the etlects of this latter evil in the
viilli y of Mexico itself; and the effects of the former are
perhaps even more disastrous. For timber grows
scarcer year by year, while the demand as steadily in-
creases, and the lands cleared of their wood seem often
to become barren. The iuHuence of forests is princi-
pally })reservative, cooling and refreshing the air, and
protecting the soil against the direct ravs of the sun.
Humboldt proves that a single tree, with foliage of a
given lu)rizontal section, exercises an influence of this
kind several thousand times greater than a surface of
humid or grassy soil equal in area to this section.
Happily, however, the sterility of which we have
spoken is only to l)e found in the most elev^ated jdains,
and a great part of the kingdom a|>pertains to the
most fertile regions of the earth With proper cul-
tivation the many climates and varying soils of Mexico
could be made to su})pl3', in greater or less extent, all
the productions of all the zones. But agaii'., m a few
seaports and deep valleys, this fertility is balanced by
a terrible concomitant. Beneath the burning sun of
the tropics, extraordinary fertility too often indicates
an atmosphere charged with deadly miasma, laden
with the terrible germs of tropic fever. It was this
which made the price of labor three times as high at
A era Cruz as on the central plateau.
Manufactui-es had made but small progress in the
Spanish colonies - a thini; hardlv to be grieved at if
many w^re conducted after the brutal system followed
I 'S'llS
m
118
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUPwY.
at Queretaro ; a thing in no case to bo wondered at,
considering the vexatious anr^. suspicious pohcy of the
home government toward colonial [jroductions — a
policy wliose spirit embodied and stigmatized itself by
orders for the rooting up of vines, lest the wine of
Spain should suffer by competition; by indirect and
direct discouragement in all similar cases.
This was partly the usual modern colonial policy.
For ages all the mother countries of Europe had con-
sidered a colony as a sort of step-child, which, [)os-
sessing few of the privileges of home province, was
to be subjected to more enactments and restrictions
than a conquered one It was only thought useful in
so far as it supplied raw material for the metrop )litan
manufactures, and consumed again in turn a greater
or less portion of these manufactures, when carried to
its harbors by metro[)olitan ships. Such p"hiciples
are easy of adaptation, and perhaps very slightly pro-
ductive of evil to islands of small extent, or to isolated
factories on the shores of a continent. It was other-
wise with the Spanish colonial provinces, particularly
with Xew Spain, where were sutticient hands to fur-
nish labor, and a demand sufficieut to pay them. If
other reasons were necessary, they would be found in
the enormous expense of transporting goods iidand, an
expense which would, properly applied, go far to ])rii-
duce them on the spot, and an ex[)cnse still fuitlur
increased by the sup[)ort of officers to guard against
smuggling. Strictly speaking, there existed no royal
decree declaring that manufactures should not oxisi ;
but then it is on the spirit in which laws are admiuls-
tered that their effects depend; and where indirect
and equivocal decrees can, by their manner of exeiu-
tion, bo made to produce the required effect, there is
evidently no necessity for a waste of thunder in edicts
more explicit.
As an example of the method followed by tiie
Spanish government in dealing with private enter-
prise, read the following: "II n'y u qu'un demi-sieclo
[ered at,
y of the
ions — a
itsoir by
wino of
rect and
.1 policy.
liaUt'ipk:^
;rhtlv pro-
• " 1 1
to isolatud
^vas otlior-
.iticulaily
ds to fur-
[tliem. It'
|e found in
inland, tin
ar to pi""-
lill fuitlKi'
rd ai^'ainst
lI no royal
not oxist;
•c adniini!^-
•c indiivtt
of CXC'i'U-
■t, thoiv is
Y in edicts
Ld bytiie
late enttv-
leau-sietl*^
MANUFACTURES.
119
que deux citoyens, aniiuc's du zele patriotlque le plus
pur, le conite de Gijon et le marquis do Maunza, con-
(;ur«.;nt 1(! projet de eonduiro a Quito uue colonie d'ou-
viicrs ot d'artisans de I'J'^urope: le ministere espaL>nol
f('i»»nant d'api)laudir a Icur zelc, no erut pas devoir lour
rt'tuscr la permission do monter dcs ateliors ; mais il
sut telkimi'iit entravor les demarches do ccs deux
lioinnies entreprenaus, que s'otant a[)orcus ,\ la fin que
(^ics ordres secrets avoient etc donnes au vice-i'oi et a
I'audient^e, pour faire cchouer Icur entreprise, ils y
rcnoncurent volontairement."
In New Spain the nuumfacture of powder was
wliolly a royal monopoly, as in most other countries.
Jjiit here, as elsewhere, tlie j^overnment which creates
artiticial restrictions and monopolies is .smitten with
tlie pla;j;ue' of contraband. Hundxddt, as the result of
diligent research, concluded that the quantity of pow-
der manufactured by the rcjyal mill near Santa Fe,
three lea^'ues from the city of Mexico, was to that sold
fraudulently in the proportion of one to four. The
mines are the principal consumeis; they are dispersed
far iVoni towns, in the wildest and most solitary situa-
tions, on the ridges and in the raviiu'S of the cordi-
Ihras, wlien; it is impossible to watch the smu^gh.'r.
This branch of contraband cannot be met but by re-
ducing the })rice of the government powder, or wliat
is Ifctter, bv t]irowin«>f the trade cntirelv open.
The manufacture of money and jtlate was an nnpor-
tant braneli of Mexican industry. The smallest towns
liiid tiioir goldsmiths' and silversmiths' shops, and the
mint of Mexico was the richest and most extensive in
the World. The academy of the fine arts and tlie
(hawing-schools of Mexico and .T;diq)a had dom^ mucli
to diii'use a taste for the beautiful forms of the anti(^ue.
Sei'vices of plate had been manufactnr«.'d in the capital
whieh, for elegance and finish, might be compared
Willi the beautiful products of European taste and
skill.
The mint was a building of simple architecture.
4-
120 MEXICO IN THE NIXETEEXTH CENTURY.
atljoining tlio viceroy's pdacc. The silver ])roduced
in all the mines of Eur()[)e would not give employment
to this mint ior more than 15 clays. Yet the various
machines in use were far from as })erfect as those in
the French and English mints, and the motive j)ower
was still mules, though the building was so situated
that wat(!r might ho easily applied.
The taxes on imp(3rtation, the ulcahala and the in-
numerable (/crccAos, tended to clog ^lexican connnt ree,
in the legitimate smisc, and promote smuggling. Hum-
boldt, by the collection and examination of exact data,
found that the yearly imp(jrtation of foreign goods
into Spain, contraband included, amounted to about
twenty million of piastres, and that the ex[>ort of its
agricultural and manufacturing; industrv amounted to
about six million piastres. Xow, the mines of Xew
S[)ain produced yearly 2:j million of piastres; from
eight to nine were exported on account of the king.
Deduct, then, from the 15 million of piastres remain-
ing fourteen million, to meet the excess of the imj)or-
tation over the exjjortation, and we find a million of
piastres, balance, in favor of Mexico, thus:
Piastres.
Mexico pays annually for fdreign goods. . . 20,000,000
Mexico cx^Mirts on account of the king. . . 8,000,000
Expendituro of M'jxico 28,000,000
Mexico receives for Iicr exports 0,000,000
Mexico draws from her mines 2.%000,000
Income of Mexico 29,000,000
Balance in favor of ^Mexico — 1,000,000
The specie wealth of New Spain was then annually
increasing by something less than a miHioi\ piastres.
In collecting the matter fur the various tables on
which his conclusions are based, HumboMt endeavored
to inform himself on the spot in each province, jis to
its trade, agriculture, and manufactures; colk^cting
and comparing all the information which might pos-
sibly be of value, from all sources — in connnercial
matters principally from merchants of intelligence,
and the various tribunals of commerce.
As to the amount of the contraband trade, it had
ii|, :„.:|
i
li ' ' T '1
1
til
ROADS AND TRAFFIC.
121
rtduced
)yuiciit
various
•>
1
hose in
;i
s power
situated
wt'i
the in-
nuurce,
Huui-
Lct data,
n ol(lt was staying at Jala})a, in February I !!()4,
at its most difficult points, in the ravine called Plan
(]' 1 liio, and on the C^uosta del Soldado. It was i:i-
tinded that columns of porphyry should be })laccd
along the road, graven, not only with tlie distances,
liut also with the elevation of each pillar above tlic
li'Vel of the sea.
Humboldt strongly advocated the introduction of
camels as beasts of burden in Mexico. 1T(^ did not
tliiuk the ta1)le-land through which the great roads
i)assed too cold for them; and he was sure they would
sutler less than horses and mules from the aridity of
tlie soil and the lack of water and pasturage to which
hoasts of burden are exposed north of (Guanajuato,
> sjtfcially in that desert by which New Biscay is
separated from New Mexico.
122
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
I ii . '! if"l
riiusiili
III
! ■U,:f:l
Highly impressed witli the importance of an inter-
of'canie communication, Humboldt collected all acces-
sible information, and map[)etl in eight several .sketches
the various points at which such communication
might be possible. Having discussed in detail the
various obstacles and advantages to be overcome and
hoped for in a junction of the two oceans, at some
point of Central America, Mexico, or even north of
tliere, he finally concluded i)i favor either of a passage
tlirough the isthmus of Nicaragua, or of one through
tliat of Cupica— at the very northern extremity of
South Anujrica — not because these were the shoi'test,
but because, if the im|)erfect information then attain-
able could 1)0 depended upon, they were the least
obstructed by natural obstacles for canals of large
iliiueiisions — such, in fact, as would constitute a veri-
table strait, by which vessels of the size usual in the
Indian and Chinese trade could pass — not a mere
means of inland carriage for bari'es and Hat-boats.
Humboldt ]>()inted out the Caledonian canal in Scot-
land as one possessing all the qualiti(!s required for an
interoceanic liighway of the world's ships. He be
licved, howevc^', that a joint association for such an
undertaking could oidy be founded when the practica-
bility of sucli a canal — a canal capable of receiving
vessels of 300 or 400 tons burden — between latitudes
7° an iLi", had l)een fully proved by accurate prepara-
tory surveys, and the ground fixed u|)on and recog-
ni;:cd. .Vlso, tliat whatever •••overmncnit miiifht own
tlic i,o\\ ou which such a canal should be estal)lished,
tlie benefit of such hydraulic work should belong to
every nation of both worlds which would contribute,
by t.ikin 1^ sliares, toward its execution.
Next in eligibility to Nicaragua and Cupica, he
put the isthmus of Tehuan tepee- --the importance of
the Coazacoalco to this end had been discussed by
CortJs rM early as the conquest-- and Humboldt only
gave to tlie Istlimus of Panamd a fourth place as to
probable practicability.
1 ti'
GOVKIlNMF.XT.
m
inter-
acccs-
etcbos
catiou
lil tho
no and
■j some
.vth of
)a!ssug-o
hrougli^
nity ot*
iii»rtt!fet,
attiiiu-
le least
)f large
i a veii-
,1 in the
a mere
Lit-boats.
in Seot-
.J for an
He be
sueb an
inactiea -
eceiviuLi;
latitudes
prepara-
d reeog-
al)lisbed,
elonjj; to
utributf,
ipica, be
Irtauco of
lusscd by
Licit only
laec as to
New Spain, socially as wvW as pliy.sically, was tlie
country of inequality. In no otlicr country could
such alarming contrasts in tho distrilmtion i»f for-
tun«'S, civilization, and population have been stcn.
The wealth, luxury, refinement, and cleirance of the
higher class had its frightful antithesis in the naked,
foul, and de))raved misery of the pariahs of the hind.
This inequality of fortune existed, not only among the
whites, but was often found among tiie mixed and
Indian castes.
Within the twenty years preceding Humboldt's visit,
the S[)anish- American youth of the settlements of the
new continent, beiuij brou<»ht more and more into con-
tact with Anglo-Americans, English, and Fiench, had
sacrificed apart of their national prejudice and formed
a marked predilection for those nations more energetic
and more advajiced in culture than the Spaniards. It
was then nothing strange to him that the i)olitical
movements of Europe, since 1789, should have excited
the keenest attention among a peo[)lo long aspiring to
rights, the privation of which is at once an obstacle
to tlie public jirosperity, and a motive of resiMitmont
against the mother countrv. Certain vicerovs and
governors had proceeded to take measures, which, far
from calming the agitation of the colonists, had only
imbittercd tho nascent ill feelinof. These over-zealous
rulers pretended danger in all associations for the pur-
suit and dissemination of knowledge. Printing-presses
were prohibited in towns counting forty or fifty thou-
sand inhabitants; and to possess and read quietly the
works of Montesquieu, Robertson, or liousseau was
to be suspected of revolutionary principles. Now, to
to be just, this terror was not wholly without founda-
tion; 178'J was quite sufficient to scare any Si);uiish
viceroy; it had scared all the kings of Europe — had
l)urst upon Europe like a storm, causing a general
holding on of crowns with the one hand and clinging
tc thrones with the other. "That whirlwind of the
universe," as Carlylo has it, wherein were "lights ob-
124
MKXirO TN TifE NINKTKKNTH rKXTURY,
»''l
: ^li
M
litt-'iat'd, and the torn wrecks <»!' earth an«l Ik 11 huiled
aloft into the empyrean, hlack whii-hvind, which made
even apes serious, and tirove most of them mad," was
(juite iMpial to causing, hy the terror of its iid'ernal
pyrotechnics, a Ht of moral eurft'W-legislation, and
confused jjilini,' of bushels upon lights, pitiful to see —
arising out of Hahhiness of liver anil oscillation of
knees amonuf ministers and yfovernors and the like in
^[exico. But it was not in these futilitii-s that t\\v
security of a Spanish govi^rnment lay, hut rather in
the disp(!rsion of the inhahitants over so vast an extent
of country, and in the mutual hatred of the various
castes. The lack of sociahilitv, the utter want of all
sympathy between these diffei'ing castes couhl have but
one effect on an advancin<; national life. Wise after
its jxeneration — a ^feneration soon to be known no
more in Mexico — the government fanned these ani-
mosities so that in division there might be weakness,
and that in wranglings within there might be left
neitlnT stomach nor capacity for strivings without.
In this policy, and not in arniilua at Vera Cruz, or
of San L)iego at Acapulco,
Though the Indians were no longer legally subject
to forced labor, they were in tlie mass in a state oT
miserable degradation. Driven to the worst lands,
indolent, if not by original disposition, at least by that
character superinduced by long political depression,
and unnerved by the listless fatalism which is its inva-
riable concomitant, perhaps consolation, they live, let-
ting each day provide for itself. Except in intoxica-
SO memory of sorrow or death,
And thuir uuinuiita arc sacred to liberty."
There is, let us hope, a brighter future in store for
126
MEXICO IN TllK NINETEENTH CENTURY.
:-i t
:i:'l
\m- M^'^'
t\-
the Indians in Mexico; jukI it is coi'tain, as the records
of the ]t(:ll-t;ix prove, that, liowever, at an earher date
this indigenous population may liave l)ecii diminished
by the cruelties of the eoiKpieiors^at the time of ]luni-
holdt's visit, and for fifty years before, they had been
steadily inereasini:.
Connected with these peoples are several great
problems of origin, anti(|uity, and civilization, coneei-ii-
in<^ which we shall attemjtt to present Humboldt's
conclusions. And first, as intimately connected with
these, wt' may speak of the ai^c of the Amei'ican con-
tinent. He looked with a ij^ood deal of fjuiet ri(hcule
on the idea that the so-calk-d new continent was in
reality j'ounsj^ei- than the old. Was it that its exuber-
ance of volcanic action indicated a modern structure,
the eiiL^ines of whose ele\ation were not yet cold ? If
so, is not southern Italy tlie twin of this ultimate olF-
sprinij;' of chaos? Who asserts this? yet why should
jihilosophers })ut asunder times and causes which effect
has joined ? He preferred to su}>posi> that the volca-
noes of Amei'ica had, in tlu' n)ass, pi-eserved their fires
lonj^'er than those of the other continents, bec.iuse the
mountains through whicli the}^ acted happened to be
in ijeneral close to the sea— a nciijhbor which, in some
way yet to be explained, appiars, with few cxce}>tions,
to influence the eui-rgy of these subterranean fii'es.
Aside from this, there are n^asons founded on hvdrct-
static laws and geological discoveries which would
forbid the idea of any large part of America remain
ing submers^ed after the emerLT'^nce of the old conti-
iu>nt. Lastly, to account for the superior climate and
Soil of most parts of America, compared with that of
Africa, for example, it is not at all necessary to sup-
pose a later birth or upheaval from the central daik-
ness. Its physical conformation, its outlines, mountains,
and rivers, are fully suflicient to account for this.
Nor does the existence of man seem to date, in
America, from any more r(>cent epoch than in th<>
other continents. It is not necessary to suppose that
/ -t v.
RACE PROBLEMS.
127
cords
• (late
Llum-
been
great
nccrn-
bol.lt's
il with
111 coii-
idicuU'
was in
ucture,
kU K
iat'3 oiV-
sliould
•h effect
[> volca-
eir tires
use the
(.1 to he
in some
ptions,
,11 fires.
livih'o-
\\i )ul J
remain
conti-
ate and
that of
to sup-
lal dark-
luutaius,
lis.
date, in
in th<'
)se that
tlic countries the most anciently inliahited are tliose
which sliow tlie largest populations. There are vast
tracts of northern Asia as scantily j)eoplcd as the
plains of New Mexico and Parajjfuav. ]-ieiU'iith the
tro[)ics, natural ol)stacles — the vigor and mass of
the vegetation, the breadth (»f rivers, and the frequency
and extent of their inundations — fetter the migrations
of peoples.
Tfe believed in the unity of origin of the human race ;
and as nearly as might be in the unity of stock of the
American aborigines, with the exci'ption of those bor-
dering the j)olar circle. Yet, it is well to understand
that a European who decides on the resemblance of
swarthy races is subject to a particular illusion. The
uniformity of color conceals for a long time diversity
of features — the eyes are l(>ss fixed on the expression,
soft, melancholy, or ferocious, as it may be, than on
the strange skin, antl the coarse black hair, so level
and glossy that it seems always moist. Besides, it is
intellectual culture which individualizes faces; wdiere
this is wanting, there is rather a physiognomy of tribe
than of individual — something which may be also ol)-
served in comparing domesticated animals with those
which inhabit the wild i)laces of nature.
ThouLjh he thus «>ivesus his oiiinion as to the origin
of these autochthones, and does actually discuss the
(|uestioii in various parts of his works, lie considered
this whole question of the first origin of the people of
a continent as entirely beyon*! the pi'ovince of history,
and even of philosophy.
It is evident, from the whole tone of his refiections
on the })arentage of the uVmerican races, that he is in
favor of an Asiatic origin, but from what particular
stock he derives them it is difiicult to sav. On the
whole, and by compariion of various passages, ]\v.
seems to lean toward the opinion that the Toltecs
and Azt-^ . were a part of those lliongnoux, or
descendants of Hiong-nu, known at diflferent times
under the name of Kalkas, Kalmuks, and Burattes -
128
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
m
m
warlike shcpliercls, who, under their name of Huns,
have laid waste the fairest regions of civilized Europe,
and changed more than once the face •*" eastern Asiatic
politics.
He seems to favor China as the p(Mnt at which this
emigration left the Old World. Let us not forget that
wo are discussing, not the original c(jlonizing of the
American continc^nt, inhahited as early, according to
Humboldt, as tlio rest of the world, hut that of ^lex-
ico. "It is historically demonstrated that Bonzes and
other adventurers navigated tlie Chinese sea, to seek
a remedy which should secure inmiortality to man.
It is thus that under Tschin-chi-houang-ti, 201) years
before Christ, three hundred couples of young people
of both sexes, sent to Japan, established themselves
at Xipon instead of returning to China. Miglit
chance not have conducted a similar exjiedition to the
Aleutian Islands, to Alaska, or Xew California? The
American conthient and tlie Asiatic only a})proaching
at the north, and the distance separating them in
the temperate zone being too considerable for such a
voyage, we must suppose this disembarkation to have
taken place bencjath the inhospitable climate betM'cen
the 5jth and Oath parallels; and that this civilization
penetrated little by little southwards, the usual direc-
tion of American migration, as all data would indicate.
at that time." llemains of Chinese or Japanese
vessels have even, it has been affirmed, been found on
the American coast as early as the 14th century.
He then seems to bring his colonists south by slow
stages into ^lexico, ami connects the monuments of the
Gila witli this migration.
The ^lexicans made use of hieroglyphics in chroni-
cling: their micrrations and other historical events:
though in a manner very far from that perfection tn
which the Egyptians had attained. The Mexican
writings were principally rough paintini^fs of oviiits,
eked out by a few conventional signs repn'scnting tlic
elements and relations of time and place; while tlic
If
AZTEC CULTURE.
129
luns,
irope,
.siatic
h tills
■t that
of tlu'
injjj to
Mcx-
ius aiul
to seek
man.
) years
1 people
uiselves
Migl't
11 to the
i1 The
foachiag
them iu
»r such a
to have
[between
.ilizatlon
■i\ threc-
uidk'ate.
ivpaucse
[found on
jury,
by sh^w
ktsoftlu'
In chroii'-
ovents;
octlon to
Mexleaii
If events,
Intln;? tlu>
Ivhlle tlH'
Egyptian ^vritings aj)proached nearer to narratives,
coiiiposetl of arbitrary and .simple eharaeters, suseepti-
l)le of being emj)loyed si>parately, and of being tliiier-
ently eombined. It is :)nly by a refinement of the
hitter method that the painting of ideas becomes easy
and ap[>r(>ximate8 to writing.
Tlu^ rudeness of these ]Mexiean jialntings no doubt
(U'notes the infaney of art; still, we nmst not forget
the end they were prineipally intended to subserve —
tliat of a simple record: and that the necessity of
siin])licity, and rapidity of execution, would lead a
])eo|ile, who so expressed their ideas, to attaeh as
little importance to artistic painting as do the literati
(■■' J'>uroi)e, in their manuscripts, to a fine handwriting.
S. we may see in all this a potent means of spoiling
(ho taste of a nation. This constant familiaritv with
the most hideous and disproportionate iiguri'S, and
tliis obligation — under pain of confusion — to preserve
the same forms without chanu^e, were enouuh to root
out all sense of delineatlve grace, all feeling of the
heautiful in art; without which sense and feeling,
jtaintlng and scul]iture, he they nover so diligently
tol lowed, cannot rise above the ranks oi' the mechan-
ical.
As to the value of proofs of migration or origin, to
ho *l''rlved from languages themselves, whether writ-
ten '»r s})<*ke;i, j[und)ol(lt si'cms to have consiih'rably
ihr,ige(!. or uj least modified, his ideas in his later
\vi ir>' ii.-' 'bst opinion of their importance, as ex-
]i''sst;i in 'ic introdu( tion to his Pergonal Xarratirc,
was extra vagMLiy high; the most concise and [)erl'ect
i:li a of his mature conclusions on this subiict niav be
Hiven by a (piotatlon from his TahJcaux ik la Nature:
"Th(> analogies of languages are worthy of no con-
fidi'iice when they are limited to mere accord of the
Miuiids in their roots. It is necessary to penetrate
into th organic structure, the granunatical ilexions,
and id, hut interior mechaiusni where traces appear
'»f tlu \. i!: t>f iiitelllixence."
Ck'u. i'AsT,, Vol. I. 9
ii
I '■
190
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
His only definite conclusion as to the languages of
Mexico was that their great variety proved as great
a variety of races and origin — a conclusion wliieh, un-
less tlie tiu'nis race and origin are understood in some
illogically restricted and comparative sense, is flatly
in contradiction with the manner in which he else-
where expresses himself
We may here notice an interesting kind of record of
migration, which Humboldt pointed out as worthy of
attentive examination. He sa^'s identities of tastes
among various peoples, as to the cultivation of certain
plants, indici ; '^^er identity of race or a contact
more or less a it; so that vegetables, like lan-
guages or physiog: mies, may become historical monu-
ments. A few strange vegetables, a few foreign
words, either in tlic possession of the wanderers or
among those through whom they have passed, will often
fix the road by which a nation has crosses* a continent.
Considered thus, the potato furnishes a problem. Not
known in Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards,
it was yet cultivated elsewhere in America Irom lati-
tude 40" south to 50" north. Did the Soutli Ameri-
can tribes succeed in penetrating northward to tli<'
banks of the Rappahannock ? or did the i)otato wander
south, like the successive peoples who have apjKiarcd
on the plateau of Andhuac? Iji eitlier case, how
came it not to take root in Mexico? It is probabU'
that pi)tato cultivation gradually extended itself north
from C^hile by Peru and the kingdom of Quito, to the
table-land of Bogotit, the course followed by the imas
in their conijuests. But here the Cordilleras, whlcli
had preserved a great elevation all the way from Chili',
fall suddenly near the sources of the river Atrato.
Xow, in the tropics, potatoes grow only in the cold and
^(^l^gy climates secured by elevated grounds. S'l "h
were not to be found in Choco and Darien; l)at
instead, close forests inhabited by hordes of hunters,
enemies of every sort of civilization and cultivation.
Here, then, is the barrier which physical and nn'ial
CHARACTER OF HUMBOLDT.
131
nroS of
U, uu-
l SOlllO
tlatly
clsc-
■corel of
vthy of
;' tastes
certain
contact
Ike lan-
il monii-
forei'j^n
[crers or
,y\\\ often
ontinent.
nn. Not
ijxiuiartls,
from lati-
1 Anieri-
•a ti) tlif
,() Nvander
ap]K'ar»''>^^'
[self north
ito, to tlu'
the iw-i^'^
•as, wli'u'h
foni Cliil^',
jv Atrato.
|o cold autl
[s. Svv.-U
.rien; '»^i^
i{ Ivuntevs,
lultivafu'n-
Luul nv'ViU
cruses have opposed to further progress from this side.
As to the nortli, if Kaleigli's settlers really did find
potatoes there, as is asserted, we can hardly refuse to
l)t lieve that this j)lai)t is independently indigenous to
the northern hemisphere.
And now we liave followed the distinguished natu-
ralist from the shores of J'^uropc to that new continent,
which, if Columbus discovered, he revealed; fmm
plains rocked hy the earthquake, up to mountains
where the lava shaj)ed the path, and down again to
marshy sloughs, whei ' gymnoti writhed in the tny/.v,
Hashing at will througli Jieir slimy and sj>ott(-d skins
such ti'rrible shocks as no man or beast could endure
— or farther south, between the Orinoco and the
Amazon, where the soil is hid by impenetrabh; forests,
ceaselessly echoing the noise of waterfalls, the roaring
ef the jaguar, and the weird cries of tlie bearded
ape, presaging rain, and sounding itself like the first
muiiled sounds of a distant tempest. On the s.ind
banks lay the crocodiles, moti(jnless as logs, and witli
giipuig mouths, seeming in their clumsy way to ])ant.
On the river banks the boa watched, with its tail
anchored on sonic brancli, and its spotted skin coiled
]ik(! a spiral ; and the jaguar, as he couched along his
f.iNorite limb, in silent ambusli, flattened himself still
more at the traveller's step. There were men, too,
not less savage, who coukl drink the bl(v.)d of their
inemies; or, venomous as a viper or a Borgia, kill by
tlie scratch of a thumb-nail — "men who r<'Vc-aled to
man the ferocity of his species." As Humboldt
passed to the north<;rn continent and ]\r<'xico, W(! fol-
lowed him still, no longer afar off and vaguely, l)Ut
step by step, and hiaving no notable word or work
without its faithful chronicle. For us his work is
, and if Asia S(>es him on her distant steppes, and
tlie I'ralian mountains, and the Siberian prison-house
of the tzars, wc follow him not.
'I
■'V
132
MKXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURV.
:^r:yrM
« i
t: fi
"Hi
Humboldt as a savant and a man astonishes us, not
so nmch by liis heiglit as by his breadth. It is proba-
l)le that in any simple branch of research and learning
there have been greater men ; but for comprehensive
knowledge his ecjual had not at this time a])peared.
Not a peak piercing hea\'en, too awful, too barren for
any sentiment save awe, but a mighty tiible-land, such
as he loved to describe, broad as a continent and far
above vulgar level; yet not so high but that golden
grains and jmrple fruits dwelt there. Though egotis-
tical he was humble, as all great souls are who have
lifted themselves over petty men and things by stern
and patient lobor; for the illimitable fields of the
universe widv ii as we climb. There is a time when
young and eager minds think they are very near to
the most p< rfect truth — think it but needs anothc r
thought, anotlier fact, and their theory of cosmos Mill
l)e compli-te, ineluctable, irrefragable. But every lunr
lact trails in new thoughts, new complications, and
new contradictions. Men of average mind stop herr;
tliey become frightened, seize an opinion, and stick to
it as a battered limpit to a rock; or worse, become
aggressivclv bi'^o^ed. ]^ut irumboldt was a great
man, for he could always see two sides to a question;
a great man who knew what he did not know.
Such knowledge seems sadly wanting, for the most
part, to his biographers — a race by whom he has beta
ridiculously overj)raised, they either not knowing or
not caring to remember that in both the literarv and
scientific parts of his work were constantly employed
the revision and aid of almost all the great men of
his day. l^robably no man ever enjoyed the intimate
society of so many philosophers as Hmnboldt, and
few appear tt» have made a better use of it. It I-;
oidy bj' studying his enormous scientific and friendly
correspondence that a just idea of his means of
information can be formed.
Ho could not write of natural history like Bufibn,
nor of jihilosophy and physics like his (ierman Goeth< :
lie could not })aint a ruin or an antique palace liKo
OENIUS AND H.\BITS.
i33
;, not
v(>\ ai-
ming
•usive
311 for
, such
lid far
ia)kk'U
ecrotis-
[) have
V stern
of tlu)
lu-ar tt>
an«>tlur
nos ^viU
fi y ncvf
ous, aiul
o^) here ;
stick ti>
),ecouie
a tijrcat
|Vicstiou;
the most
has boiu
l)W\u"j; **r
Irary ami
men ot
1 intimate
)klt, aiiil
It. It i<
friendly
iieans el
BuiVeu,
Goetli' -.
llace Id"*-
liim who looked on ^Melrose by niy^lit; the scttini^ sun,
n storm among" tlie mountains, like tlie ereutor of
^^an^'red; a ]»rimeval forest, a Nia<;ara, like Cliatoau-
hiiand; or the Ljlorv of tlie firmaim-nt, the elouds of
heaven, and tlu^ mountain-tojis, like the peerless .jolm
liuskin; yet ho was not very far from the suhlinu' in
tlie massive and scjuare simplieity of his great vvoiks.
He had the purity of uninihiti'd style, presn-viiiLT
always a perfect atlaptai)ility and fitness to the end lie
ki pt in view. l[o matlo no attempt to j^ive what it
pleases Knskin to call "the far hii^her and (U'e[)er
tintli of mental vision, rather than that of tlie physi-
cal faets;" and consequently, Ins descriptions are of
more use to engineers and geographci's than to painters
aiitl poets. He could not soar, and ho was wise enougli
not to court an Icarian failure. This is in itself an
clement of greatness not to be despised.
Of Huud)oldt's method of working, we will tran-
sciihe Bavard Taylor's account : "Tho habits of Hum-
holdt are not remarkable, except in the limited nun)l)er
of liours necessary to sleep, and in temj»ei-ance and
regularity. His time is systematically divided. \ le
lises at six in the winter, and five iji the sunmier,
studies two hours, drinks a cuj) of coti'ce, ictunis to
his study, and commences the task «»f answering his
letters, of which he receiyes yearly m()re than one
hundred thousand. From twelve until two he receives
A isits, and returns to work at two. At four ho dines,
in sunnmT with the king, in winter at hom(>. From
lour imtil eleven he passes at the table, an«l gonc^rally
in com}>any with the king, but sometimes at the meet-
ings of learned societies, or in the comjiany of his
friends. At eleven he retires to his study, and con-
tinues there until one or two, answi'i-ing letters, or
Avriting his books, or jireparing them by study. 11 is
lust books have all been written at midniy^ht. He
sleeps four hours." With sm-h a brain, for so long a
time so (Miiployed, there is no wonder that great things
came of it.
134
MEXICO IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
It was Humboldt himself who said that " the course
of tlie world refuses to admit of great exceptions to its
com}iensatory system of pleasure and sadness," and he
proved it well. Liberal in politics and religion, he
was a bitter morsel, upon which bigots and reactiona-
ries were always gnawing. Take the following ex-
tract from his friend Varnhagen's diary, date 2(jth of
December, 1848: "Humboldt has called ; he assures
me tliat were it not for his position at court he
would not be suffered to remain in the country, but
would be expelled, so strong is the hatred of the
ultras and bi<;ots ajjainst him." And at this time he
was in his eightieth year. In February 1854 Hum-
boldt writes: "I live in a monotonous and sad mood —
et mourant, avant le principe." His brother was dead
long before, and he had no consolation but in his own
heart — a heart which was never closed by envy or
avarice against any worthy object, liis enemies even
being judges. His was a hard and lonely journey,
without wife or child; even though his ]»ath was
])avtd with honor. At the best of times, " tlie way
to fame is like the way to heaven — through nmcli
tribulation." But since the beginning of the world —
"Be the tlay weary, or l)e tlio tluy li'iig,
At luiigth it riugeth tt> evuii song."
And after bearing up stoutly to his 90th year against
the infirmities of age, he took to his bed for the last
time in April 185U. The traveller was setting out
on his last journey. On the Gth of May he dietl.
Karely Berlin sees such a funeral; the princes of the
r()val blood of Prussia stood bareheaded by his cotliii
with the greatest and tlie poorest of their people.
" He is goiio—
Who never soUl the truth to servo tlio liour.
Nor paltered with eternal Clod for power;
Wlio let the turhid streaiiia of rumor How
Tliro' eitlier babbling world of high ami low;
Whose life was work, whose Lmguago rife
With rugged maxims hewn from life;
. . .lie wears .a truer crown
Than any wreath that nuiu can weave him.
. . .Speak no more of hi.s renown,
Jjay your earthly fancies down,
And in the vast cnthetlral leave him,
(Jod acceDt him, Clirist receive him."
?ourse
, to its
uicl ho
oil, lie
ct'ioiia-
llg CK-
2GtU of
assures
urt lie
:ry, l>ut
of the
tuuo he
t Huni-
luootl —
,'as tload
his own
envy or
ACS even
jourmy.
)ath was
the way
r\\ much
worhl —
Ir against
1- the last.
jting out.
he died.
les of the
Ihis cotWu
)ple.
CHAPTER IV.
LOTO.>i-LAND.
In the afternoon they came nnto a laml.
In wliicli it seenieil always atti.'rniH)ii,
All roiind till! coast the languid air did swoon,
Breathing like one that hath a weiu-y dream.
T/ie Lotoit-EiUcrn.
Tf ever one were justified in rising out of tlio ])ath
of exaet narration, and indulging in a brief spell of
till' fanciful or ideal, it is in thinking of California
when the white men came. A narrow strip of sea-
hoanl, the air low hreathing and of tender tone, with
green and grizzly mountains for a baekgrouiul, all
opening toward the sun-waves — this is our lotos-land,
where fancy may place the lotos-tree, with its leaves
like the ears of elepha'its, and its branches dro()])ing
(li»\vn fioiii heaven. Among these branches are birds
of sweetest song, whose strains are fresh from para-
dise, and under their shadow angels pause and rest.
The seeds of this tree each encloses an houri; and from
its rcjots spring the two rivers wiiich How by the in-
visible throne of Allah. Sitting on a lote-triH>, rising
from the water}' mud, the Egyptians i)icture deity,
while the great desert prophet jdaces a lote-tree in
his seventh heaven.
It is a winterless earth's end perpetually r»'freshed
by ocean, a land surpassed neither l)y the island grotto
of Calypso, the Elysian tit'ldsof Homer, nor the island
valley of Avalon seen by King Arthur ju his dying
tliought. Here day after day, and year after year,
may come the stranger, and eat the lotos, and be
li ij>|»y: he may eat the lotos and forget the old home
and country, forget the wife and children, content for-
(135)
1
li'' I
m '
iiki'/ki
1 !^ a*
n
136
LOTOS-LAXD
ever to rest in this strani^o land, wakinj,' to fall asleep
aiL,'ain, and dream day-dreams and niglit-dreains, as
he floats silently down the sluii;'f,nsh stream of time.
Here might he placed the Hebrew's Eden, or the
l)eatitude of the Buddhist; here may the dark -eyed
Italian enjoy his dolce far nientc, and the sighing
ghost of Charles Lamb find a region beyond the do-
niain of conscience. And I d('>ul)t not, if proper search
be made, that here may be found the singing-tree of
the Arabian tale, the leaves whereof are mouths, each
one of which discourses harmonious music.
At either end of this seaboard strip is a beautiful
ba}'; San Diego, in the south, the starting-point in
Alta California of the Franciscan friars in their tour
northward, the initial point in their line of mission
buildings, San Francisco being the northern terminus.
What shall I say of this land, and not lay myself
open to the charge of hy[)erbole, grosser than any
ever indulged in by the ancients f If they wrote
nmch about their Arabys and Arcadias — the world
learning their stories by heart and repeating tlieui
over and over to this day — may not I write a little
about a better country ? But indeed, there is no need
here for exaggeration, even if I desired to indulge in
it; plain, homely prose best fits this and all honest
occjusions.
Grant that Andalusia is the garden of Spain,
Amboise of France, Italy of Europe, and Sicily of
Italy, and we may justly claim for our lotos-land a
place before them all as the garden of the world.
Grant to be not wholly fanciful the great story of tin-
Greek Ulj'sses; we can match it in tangible truth from
the li[)s of the English Anson and Cook, wlien among
the soft South Sea isles, and fn)m the profane mouths
of scores of ship-masters sailing along the California
main, who tell how they often were forced to drag
back their seamen to the vessel, provided they were
fortunate enough to catch them, so loath were they to
abandon the fascinations of the shore.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
187
islccp
lis, as
tiiiic.
)!' tlio
i-eyed
'iLjlnn'''
iie do-
soarch
tree ot"
s, ouch
jautiiul
loiut in
jir tour
mission
riniuus.
' myst-'lt
laii any
y -wrote
e world
(T tlu'ni
a littlt'
no need
lulo-e in
lionest
Spain,
)icily ^'f
5-land a
world.
ly of tilt •
itUiVoui
|i anioni;*
moutli^
Ulifornia
ito dra;j;
ley wero
they to
I do not say that there are licre no ott* days, no
trt'a<'her<)us rocks, or slimy reptiles, or poisonous
jijants; 1 do not say that winds never blow and
storms never beat; that there are no withering;
northern Idasts, or sand-whirlinijfs in the desert, or
Miow on the uiountain-to[)s; or that sometimes when
iii;j,ht sets in the eastern ridges do not subside and
cover their heads beneath the fog-blankets of the
valleys — but these are the exceptions, and there are
scarcely enoui»'h such days to break the dead monot-
ony of the warm, misty mornings that overspread the
Iiiipjiy hills and echoing canons, forever wooed by the
cnclianting smile of ocean. Here along we may be
sui'c are no waters of adversity beneath which the
sca-llower blooms nt)t.
l^ut I have seen the ^Mediterranean angry, spit(>-
i'ully so; one would infer from the high recorded cx.-
jiciicnci's of the veracious old IHysses, in his little
jiadillings thereabout, that he had been five times
loimd the world, to have seen so inany things which
never exi.sted. When we have catalouued the ills of
all other Edens, the fever-breeding sun, the f»)ul, float-
ing miasma, and other pestilential airs of Amboise and
Andalusia, of Egypt and Italy, antl have spread them
all out before our California lotos-land, we shall then
see the poverty of this place in death-dealing agencies.
To grass and flowers, indeed, death comes not in the
cold and melancholy robe of autunm ; but sublimated
by the summer's sun, undecaying they die, leaving
their ])art substantial for the hungry brute, like the
departing soul which leaves the substance of its life in
generous deeds. And we are even told of saints de-
]i;iitcd, whose bodies were preserved by the gods from
decay, even as Hector's body was kept fresh and
roseate by the devotion of Venus and A])ollo.
Ming vourself in early morning, the skv red-flu.sh-
uig with the rosy dawn, upon a point of land — Point
l^oiiia, if you will — and looking seawar*.! and shore-
ward aloiisjf the white, curvini; line of sand, until in
iJV-
m
1^ M
h
., '!
It i
IM
LOTO.S-LANU.
tho far perspective slioro, Bca, and sky meet; pres-
ently you may see Aurt)ra stealing over the eastiiu
mountains, ami peeping'- in uj)on her favorite fairy-land,
nestling warm and glowing under a coverlet of gray
mists, while with roseate lips she kisses night away.
Salute this land, blessed above all lands! Salute
the unstained altars and sky-roofed temples of lur
gods I It is not the Arcadia of tradition, sung by
poets, and ethercalized by romance writers as a golden
refuge-land, free from the harsh prosaic life of other
lands; it is the Arcadia of reality, with the three
fates plying their lively trade — Lachesis who spins
the thread of life, Clotho who holds the distatf, and
Atropos who eli[)s, clips, cli})s, every time-tick ending
an earthly existence and opening an eternity ; yet with
sweet vales tl(»wered by fairy fingers, and watered by
smoky streams and dew dropped by departed night,
and opening through the mountains vistas far inland
of a country where day is but night warmed and
lighted by tlie unseeing sun, and night but shadowy
day; where s[)ring and winter, life and decay, fetcli
and carry fair forms and sweet odors, their coming and
going being not birth and death, but only change, and
man most of all most unintelligibly changeable, per-
chance with daughters who even now, like butterflies,
lie dreaming m their ante-natal home.
Almost Jill the days are halcyon, wherein upon tho
surface of the sea the kingfisher may lay its eggs to
incubate. So gently slide the seasons from sumnur
to autunm, and from winter to sprmg, that sunnmr
seems but winter smilmg, and winter but the sum-
mer born anew by the refreshing rain. So gently
fades the summer, like stars before the rising moon;
so sweetly falls the winter rain robing all nature in
gay livery! Stingless winter with its fresliening rains
spins the green and flowery coverlid which sprinj;
spreads over the hills and plains.
Spring breathing bliss comes, and holding wmter in
her warm embrace until his surly mood is melted,
SKA AND SEASONS.
130
prcs-
■asteru
y-laiul,
f vrniy
iway.
Saluti!
of lur
ang ^)y
gokluii
)f otlur
o throe
lo spins
;atf, and
: ending
yet with
torotl \»y
!cl uijjjiit,
ar inland
mod and
shadowy
•ay
uiinjj;
fetrli
and
iw^c, and
iblc, por-
ittertlies,
I upon the
[s eggs to
suninur
smnnur
Ithe suni-
irentlv
g moon;
laturo in
lin^r rauis
fh sprin:4
I winter in
melted,
spreads the hills with brilliant tapestry, paves tlu? val-
I ys with tender green, and freights the gtintlo winds
with the melody of birds and the fragrance of ilowijrs.
t>vi'r the white shining peaks iloat tiie white shining
clouds, with a purity and splendor equalled only by
the gk>ries of Bunyan's eelestial city Gentle showers
suoeeed the heavier rains of winter, and after the
si>rin<' showers are the invisible mornin<' dew-elouds,
I o o
whirl), after dropping tlieir celestial moisture, hie at
tlie bidding of the sun to realms impalpable. Then
from the refreshed earth spring life-sustaining fruits,
low panting to perform their mission of martyrdom.
Spring skips over the hills scattering daisies, toueii-
iiig with a livelier hue the paljutating vales, distilling
into the blades of grass a darker green, deepening the
eiiiiison on the rt)bin's breast, while the lapwing crests
himself anew ; then sunnner comes to every valley atid
gulden, curing the gra.ss, and reddening and yellowing
the liHci(»us fruit, filling the air with rich aroma.
Soft, warm, billowy sea bonlered by a soft, wa)'m,
iiillowy shore; billowy green shore bordering a billowy
hluo sea, and canopied by a deep blue sky; the
iiicniiniifs always youn*;, the nii^hts soothinij:, j^entle
(It \vs descendint'' wooin*j frajjrance from the fra*j:rance-
hicathing tlowers, the valleys carpeted with green, the
iilaius clothed in balm and boautv ; while always toward
the east the hills rise and roll off in voluptuous swells,
like the heaving breast of a love-lorn maid. On pin-
iiacU's of the aged mountain range staiids flushed by
wtstei'ii light the aged snow. Over blos.soming law-ns
rush the wild, bellowing herds, treading out honey and
]Hituuie, while the bashfid hare, innocently bold, leaps
through the tall grass. In the air are swallows, birds
ot luck and consolation, sacred to the penates.
hike the happy valiey of Rasselas, it is coni])ara-
tivcly inaccessible except from one side; yet softly on
this slanting shore falls the slanting light, gilding the
slanting shore.
The soil is light and dry, and like Attica, it is a
■M
140
LOTOS-LAND.
'"Ml
land of olives, vines, and honey, of sheep and cattle,
rather than of corn or cereal cultivation, jL^ow-bencl-
ing branches, freighted with fruit fair as any that
ever tempted Eve, yet all unforbidden seek the hand,
begging earth and man to relieve them of their fra-
grant burden. Sun-painted grapes glowing in rich
purple, green, and black clusters, fragrant with tin;
unawakened, care-dispelling juice, coquet wantonly
with wind and leaves.
Here and there tlie earth has clothed herself above
the dark and sappy green in a coat of many colors
eschscholtzias, ytiUow as gold; lupins, blue as the rohc
of the ephod, or purple as Ciesar's toga; ancient colum-
bines, twining convolvuli, and lilies white and shining
as snow. There is laurel for the Parthian victor's
Mreath, wild olive for the Olympian, green parsley
for the Nemean, and green pine-leaves for the Isth-
mian. Gray groves of olive, dark green orange-trees
gilded with golden fruit — the olive, symbol of peace,
emblem of chastity, sacred to Pallas Athene. For
when the gods decreed that vviioever should [jroduce
a gift most useful to man should have possession of
the land, and Poseidon, with his trident striking the
ground made to appear the horse, Athene meanwhile
planting the olive, did nt)t the gods decide that the
olive was more useful to man than the horse, and so
gave the city to the goddess, from whom it was
called Athenie?
Back of the Coast Range our lotos-land reaches
not; but Jigencies are there at work, and none the less
influential because unseen. There is the proud Siena,
standing like a crystalled billow rolled in from the
ocean, scarred and knotted by avalanche, riven hv
earthquakes, rent asunder by frost and fire, fiK
night, their clear, cold waters rise and fall each day
with the regularity of the tide. From the woodid
valleys lying between the parallel ridges, spriii)j:.s
shoot up and send their rivulets to swell the largi r
streams. A series of singularly regular table hills,
risijig into mountains farther up, where they assume
the form of battlements, with all the angles of regular
fortifications and bastioned wings and front, mark the
course of these headwaters i'vr many miles. The
table mountains, for from fifty to two hundred feit
from their flat tops, present a blank, cheerless suifac"',
with perpendicular sides, then slope off in uncNrii
descent, with here and there small indentations con-
taining a few stunted trees and meagre vegetation.
There are no outlets offered, aside from mount.iiii
passes, save the portal pierced by the mighty streams
through the Carquinez Straits and the Golden (iato.
That rush of waters drained tlie inland sea once left !•>'
receding ocean, and still drains its relic in the bay < f
San Francisco, ever widening the channels which aro
still too narrow or shallow for the swelling spri ig
":4.
VALLEYS AND STREAMS.
143
dthougli
location
'ame the
r wavinj^
Che kad-
Sierra at
;ios in the
y of Call-
in yellow
2d by the
rocky ob-
h glooniy
I shooting
iacraniento
y dtnvn to
' the warm
less of tho
II each day
j,lie woocU'd
es, spriiij,^^
the larir^r
table hiU^.
ley assume
Is of regular
,, mark the
lilos. The
ndred feit
less surtaiv,
in unevrii
.ation^ coii-
[rctatioii.
niountiilu
^ty streams
[olden Ciate.
,ncc left I'V
the bay « t'
[a which nvo
lUng spriig
.;f;
flow. It is in truth two valleys merged in one, with
two great rivers that join in sisterly embrace near
the outlet, forming one continuous line. Each pre-
sents a beautiful leaf-like ramification of tributaries,
one hundred and twenty miles lotig on an average,
flowing from the east as the higher slope, owing to
the greater upheaval of the Sierra and its lieavier
wadi. This system embraces the main flow of the
country; a few minor streams fall into the same bay,
the rest into the ocean in great number, but small in
importance. For instance, the only navigable stream
-and that only near its mouth — south of the bay of
H;ui Francisco is the Salinas; all south of that are by
uutinnn lost in the sands before reaching the sea.
The five eastern tributaries of the basin partake of
the romantic interest centring in the country, passing
;is they do through so wide a range of altitude, scenery,
iiiid wealth. From the sharply })rofiled sky-line of
the great Sierra, where the snow-clouds sweej) from
peak to peak through the cold dry ether, and falling,
liang in glistening festoons from pinnacle and dome,
tho brook leaps down in l)oisterous play, enteritig open
vales all afoam from their mad race, pausing in lacus-
trine hollows, rippling over shallows, eddying arouml
rocks, and splashing against bowlders. Descending
t'aitlu X, the gnarled and storm-whipped coniferie wiiich
hover about the limits of plant-life are soon left, the
th'jily scattered pines gather in aroma-shedding dus-
ters, tlie white rocky summits are shut out by the
(iccpcning foliage of stately groves, and at length a
belt of black, cor.ipact forest is entered, vast in extent
and wildly sublime, bounded by earth-fractures, fan-
ta>tio with buttress, towers, and bastions. Closely
fitting the mountains like a vesture, rising and falling
with thoir heaving sides, and wrapping their limbs in
its warm velvety folds, a robe of emerald succeeds a
crowK of hoary white. A belt oi billowy forest in-
tervenes between this and the prairie-plain below.
lianged in long vistas of sweeping colonnade, or gath-
II if-
^ If:
;i ','1.
m?'
LOTOS-LAXD.
erod in donso t^roups, standinsj; asido from bramblcd
cnigs and tiilted bluflk to let in tlio j^lowinij^ sunshino,
arc myriads of barbed arrow-shafts and tinted i^reen
spires pierciii*:^ the sky, sable points of pine tiankin*^
the Sierra, and drooping plumes of swarthy eypress
and closely interwoven firs and cedars casting cold
shadows on the earth, and roofing it in infinite \erdurc.
Then the ocean-seeking stream emerges upon a hilly
bench sloping roughly toward the ]>lain, and covered
with red metalliferous earth, blushingly conscious of
its embosomed treasures. Here along tliis western base
of the Sierra, from Siskiyou to San Diego, stretches
the famous gold belt of California, with its thousands
of dead streams, soon to be flooded by currents of
human toilers inflowini; from every corner of a tributary
world. A general dryness characterizes this region,
as if nature, exhausted in her mightier efforts above,
])aused before entering upon the more di'licate traceiy
of tlu' valley. Kising duskily from the }>lain, and
fVinoino- the background wall of dark ^i-een firs with
golden-berried manzanita and pttlished madi'ono, with
antlered maple and dogwood, the Sierra foothills
present their own peculiar aspect. Their rusty vig* -
tation and dull gray undergrowth, their groves of
dwai'fed pine trinnned with large bioad-spreading oak.
ai'cord well with the scorched soil and lurid, eojipt ly
tone. Even air and sky seem significant of tlie luct-
alh'.rgical j)rocesses which have here beeri going on
since time beyfan.
Much of the barrenness is due to the age of fr(>st,
v\ hich in the building of the Sierra succeeded the a^o
of fire. Slowly creeping down the mountiiin, its
monster glaciers forced their way through earth and
solid rcK'k, and ribbed the western slope from toj> t"
bottom, at intervals of twi-nty or thirty miles, with
eroded canons and serpentine chasms. Lesser furrows
were ploughed between, and thus the Sierra's b-i-i'
M'as sculptured into a maze of foothills. Then tin iv
was the widening process by the rains of winter and
FURTHER .CONFIGURATIONS.
146
\ irrotiU
\onlur»'.
[ covoivd
scums oi
.tt.rn\)iise
stivtfUos
[,\\*)usan«ls
irrouts ot
.trilmtavy
lis vo;j;i«>i»-
its al)ovo.
ito tracei y
|)\aiu, aul
,t' tlu' lUft-
r. '.lioin'j; "11
re of fr**^t'
[ed the a;4o
oarti\ au'l
|-<)U\ tc>V ^"
inilos, with
,,.r fun-'Avs
Lrra's h=«-^'
IrUrn tb> 'V
1 winter au«i
tlio melted snow of summer, which came in rushin*;
brooks and vaulting torrents, freighted with earth and
roik and gold, heaping up the old moraine, and mak-
ing ready for the grand carnival.
A little farther and the streams enter the level plain,
gli(Hiig dreamily past old and festooned oaks along the
;j;rassy banks, finally to merge and enter all together
into the great receptacle. The course of the two main
rivers differs more than that of the tribufciries. The
Sun Joaijuin, rising in a vast expanse of morass cen-
tring round Tulare Lake, H<)ws through marsh}' soil,
sonii wliat turbid, yet still free from the yellow tinge
that after 1848 testified to the disembowelling along
the eastern base. The Sacramento runs for a long
distance in the midst of striking mountain scenerv ere
it enters the broad plain to expand between the fenny
banks.
The space enclosed by the two ranges is charaeter-
izt'd by gjiind beauty of topography, of uneven har-
mony, and uniform irregularities of siu'face. F(»r
liunring watercourses
Aviinling round the green-enanu'Ued glacis, and creei)ing
with gentle nmrmurs through the tules, or round st)l-
itarv buttes. wiili crests wreathed in soft silvery cloud-
mantles, whieli rise abruptly from a |»lain carpeted
with long, wavy grass! It swi'eps round the arena,
rising lu^ie and there in long undulations, and throw-
\\\\i; itstlf in angry waves upon the base of the Sierra,
iuid tinally breaks into a chain of oi>en plains whose
links are formed by forest-elad promontories, whieli
soHiriinu's extend half-way across the valley, and cut
It into transverse sections of successive ridges and in-
Cal. 1'ast., Vol. L 10
,i!;i
h ii'^^ m
146
LOTOS-LAND
tervcning glades, their sides fretted with rivulets and
flashing cascades winding in successive leaps and rests
down to a base garnished with blazing yellow and
purple flowers, and expanding into smiling vales, liko
isle-dotted estuaries of the ocean. The Coast Range
with its series of ranges is full of these long valleys,
running parallel with the coast, some exposed to tin-
winds and fogs of the ocean, others so sheltered as to
enjoy an almost tropical climate. All of them may
be classed among the loveliest spots of earth, our lotos-
land still remaining apart, unap])roachable.
Round the whole circumference of the valley of
California, clustered like a great diamond set in a circli-
of diamonds, this system of minor valleys extends, in-
tricate and confusing at the northern end, l)ut more
simple toward the south. Most of the smaller <»iu s
are oblong in shape, and have a level surface. Far
up the sides of the Sierra, even, hundreds of them ai »■
found, well-watered, fertile, and exceedingly beautiful.
The soil in the great valley consists chiefly of rich,
deep loam, covered in places by beds of drift. At tlic
northern end, where the plain rises and blends with the
foothills, the surface is red and gravelly; but soiitli-
ward, and throughout almost the entire area of tlio
great and small valleys, for purposes of agrieultuiv
the soil exceeds in richness the most favored districts
of France, Italy, or the Rhine.
Much is idyllic, park-like land, with natural nu all-
ows arabesque with tawny wild-oat fields, patchis of
blossoming pea, and golden mustard beds sown and
husbanded by nature, and interspersed with indigo-
nous vineyards, fruit thickets, and fairy flower-ganleus
laid out in exquisite pattern, stars and crosst.i and
chaplets of yellow, purple, white, and red; all vario-
gatc^'d with scraggy, scattering oaks, clustering gro\ os,
and clum})s of undergrowth, freckled by the shadows
of floating clouds, and lighted by trembling lakes and
lakelets, shining tule lagoons, and rivers which n<»\v
race through the canons like frightened herds, tlicii
CLIMATIC FEATURES
147
ilcts au(?
and rests
illow and
;ales, like
st Range
cr valleys,
^ed to the
ered as t<>
them nuiy
. our lotos-
i valley of
t in a circli"
Ljxtends, iu-
l, but ninre
mailer I'lus
rtace. 1' '^^'
of them art'
ly beautiful
etly of ri»-h.
ft. At tlif
nds with the
but south-
area of the
acrriculture
red districts
with muffled feet roam the low-lying Lombardy pUiins;
canopies of glistening foliage Hushed with misty sun-
shine, with branches densely^ matt«d into a smooth,
continuous belt of russet gold and green. Warm, sen-
suous life is filling lowland, lawn, and meadow, and
flinging the foothills which here and there crop out
in little zones of timbered land, crowned by beech and
birch, ash, myrtle, and laurel, or garlanding with
tulips and wild onion, flax and prickly chaparral, the
smooth-browed hills that rise from these seas of ver-
dure.
The foggy district, or seaward side of the northern
section of the Coast Range, is clad in majestic forests
of redwood, which overspread its sides like the shadow
of the Eternal ; while the southern section, and inner
ridges and valleys of the range, are smooth and bare,
and dotted at intervals with orchard-like oak gather-
ings, groves of stately arbutus, az^dea, and royal
laurel, and red hills covered with maple, hazel, berry-
li-aring bushes, red-stalked, glistening manziinita, sub-
dued pines of balsamic odor, and tangled solitudes of
annual and perennial plants and sweet-smelling shrubs,
mustard plains, heather wastes, and meadows, all
drinking in tiie morning vapors. Trailing through
the valleys are long lines of sycamore, garnished with
mistletoe, and on every side lakelets of blue lupine,
golden buttercups, fleurs-de-lis, white lilies, and dainty
hare-bells, tessallated beds of purple larkspur and
thistlo-Uossoms, white and variegated convallaria and
wild honeysuckles woven in fairy network, crypto-
ganious and delicate ferns, aftd over all presidhjg vener-
alile oaks, bearded with long flowing mo.ss of silver-
gray. The madrono, with its smooth bronze trunk and
culling i>ark, its blood-red branches and varnished,
waxen leaves, fit garniture f(»r a nmrderer's grave, is
at Monterey^ a stately' tree, but northward dwindles
to a shrub. Here, also, nature spreads her green car-
pet in autumn and takes it up in summer.
The animal kingdom is no less profuse. Pelican
MM
148
LOTOS-LAND
i^ #.
w
and sea-gull fish together in the bays; seals and sea-
lions bask and bark upon the islands of the shore;
myriads of noisy wild fowl fill the lakes and tulc-
marshes; the streams and ocean swarm with sulmoji-
tfout and cod and herring; lions, panthers, and the
great grizzly bear roam the forests, preying upon
elk and deer; hares and rabbits fill the underbrush ;
coyotes howl upon the hillside at night, and by day
sneak around the edges of watercourses; the plains
are perforated by ground-squirrels; and larks, robins,
and tufted quail make the luxuriant wild oats their
covert.
Here birds and beasts may rest content and never
migrate, their little journeys between valley and moun-
tain being scarcely more than an afternoon's ramble.
Piping on the tangled hillside is heard the soft note (tt
the curlew, likewise the rustling of the pheasant, tliu
chirrup of the blackbird, the whistling of the i)ar-
tridge, and the sweet songs of the robin and meadow -
lark. Even the prudent bee, careless for the futuic,
sometimes leaves neglected the honey-bearing Howori^
and fails to lay in a winter's store. To elk and ante-
lope, deer and bear, hill and plain, scorched by smnnur
sun or freshened by winter rains, are one; bounte()u.>^
nature brings forth the tender verdure, cures the
grass, and }>rovides the acorns. Here is no froziii
winter, and before the white man came to stir the
ground, no damp, malarious summer ; cool, invigorat-
ing nights succeed the warmest days. Ice and snow,
banished hence, sit cold and stolid on distant j)eaks,
staring back into the faCe of the sun his impotent
rays, and throwing its eternal glare over the per^ipir-
in^c earth and back to mother ocean.
In the survey of grand scenery, distance always
lends enchantment; in California, distance covers tlie
naked earth, fills up spaces which intervene between
clumps of foliage, mats the thin grass into lawns in\ it-
ing to repose, tones down rugged deformities, brides
aoualling chasms, blends colors, veils the hills in purple
WONDERS OF NATURE.
149
oauzo, and casts a halo over the roinoter mountains;
until the lantl8c'a|)c, cold and forbidding jterlia[)S
uiitKr closer scrutiny, fades away in warm, dreamy
|M rspective. Nowhere on earth do landscajtos display
so throat a variety of tints and shades. Italy may
l)(iii.('(uliar, in this favored country; in soil and climate,
nsnurees and eniovments, it more than verifies the
iiiowuig scenes ascribed to an ever- retreating Hes-
l'tri(h's. even to the doubling of the goklen app.lc.j, in
160
LOTOS-LAND.
t'^f-m
w^i' ;.'■■«.
glittering metal, and in fruit of orange groves and
orchards. Here, at the. world's end, nature has in
truth made the last and supreme eflbrt toward a mas-
terpiece.
Thus dreamily the Pacific had slept the sleep of the
ages, its waters unploughed save by whale amd por-
f)oise, itn sunny islands breaking into ripples the seji's
azy swells, or frowning back the laboring tempt-st.
Thus ages have rolled along, centuries have come and
gone, while no stranger approached the gilded sIkmv.
And now, silent as a snow-bound canon of the Sierra,
lonely as night on a moon-lit lake, beautiful as un-
folding womanhood upon whose face the rude gaze of
man hath never brought a blush, sits California, on
the siiorc of a great sailless sea, the world's divine.st
poein, all unsung save by the waters that murmur
their presence at her feet, save by the mountain birds
and wild fowl, the land beasts and water beasts, that
raise their voices to scare away the stillness; all hid-
den and unknown her blushing beauties and her
treasures, save to the native men and women, wli(»,
clotlied in the innocence of Eden, creep through the
chaparral, or lie listless on the bank beside their rustic
rancherfa.
" Let us swear an oath, and keep it with an equal mind.
In tlie hollow Loto8-lanuiid, and brcatlu.' the air, and tc'cl iIh- suiisliiut',
otherwise they should he killed, they and their wives
and their little ones; for it is thus that the stronijftr
men and j^ods decree, even as these wild men lnar
tliemselves toward one another. The ditlerence be-
tween them was onlv on the surface. All men at
heart are still l>rute8.
This was tlie lesson these j'entle sava«rea were now
to be taught; they had never known it else. Hitherto,
on their hills and in their canons, these lords ahoriij;!-
nal had themselves dwelt like Olympian deities, con-
tent with their nectar and ambrosia, and careless of
the joys or woes of the busy world without, careless of
the moanin<;8 of mankind, careless of the weariness
and heaviness of heart of others, of wars and revulu-
tiofis, of biting wjint and ])estilence, of seas tumultuous
and deserts scofching, of Christian butcheries, of^xiliti-
cal snarlings, of joy-dispelling books, of inquisitions, of
murky, reptile-breeding prisons, of penitential castiga-
tions, of hunger, cold, and heat, of m u,rs on evil, the
moanings of progress, and the creaking wheels of civil-
ization.
All that was bright and sunny, all that savored of
out-of-doors, belonged to them. They were cheerful
and thoughtless and triHihg, but they were not morose,
or melancholy, or sad. They were human and child-
like as Homeric heroes in their petulance and tears.
Enough they had both of gods gloomy and gods sunny ;
but though the evil spirits cried aloud, there was al-
ways at hand a certain escape. Sure 1 am the gods
of their 'varm, billowy shore were sunny deities, lu»w-
ever black the priests may have painted them.
Hitherto the savage had supjuised himself — if in-
deed he thought at all — one with his environment; of
hills and vales, of ocean and sky, of trees and fruits
and game, a part. He had his tlieory of how all these
came about, how the world was made — thougli imt
imagining that it 'extended far beyond tiie mountains
m :-m
COMING OF THE MISSIONARIES.
15.1
[k u\>on
iv wive-*
stronirer
ouco bo-
uiL'U at
,vcrc now
I litlu'ito,
s al)onu;i-
itics, ei)U-
aroless of
^•uroli'^^ of
lul rcvitlu-
uuiultu«)us
■s, of^'oliti-
aisitions, ot
ial i'a«ti!^a-
n evil, tho
lels of fi vil-
li
yonder — liow man was created, and whithor ho f^oes
\\ hen he leaves tlii-s wo. Id. His coneeptions wen- cruder
than thcst v»f tlie Europeans; nevertheless, he had tlio
same riiifht to them that the Europeans had to theirs,
jind who shall say where none know which was right
or wrong ?
Whosoever his creator, and f(>r whatsoever purpose
iiiiidc, the California savage was fulHUing the design
of that heing concerning him. He was not, as the
incoming strangers would say, an interlop the inhabited heavens — these
sainted strangers are coming hither to do you good,
to tell you what the ignorant and superstitious of aL:is
past ac'A of the supernatural, and to ask you to ii"-
lieve it. Thev bring their formulas and ceremonials,
and tell you thus and so; if you accept their hcatc-
ments — which I grant is somewhat difficult for a rea-
sonable .savage to tlo — well; then you shall be permittid
to wait UDon them, and work for them, build houses,
ten«l cattle, and till lands for them, you shall pray
like them, and bless and curse as do they; and wii< u
you all di(^ you shall ^ollow them to the happy luax eii
they tell about, an*' wait u|)on them there. If you i< -
fuse their piottered benefits, which they have come so
far ant"
?re lives his
cnt cannot
omnipotent,
dversary.
way hithrr,
rolling hill^.
itored nian-
„ar runniiv^'
Ivens — the>''
[() you goo* I,
ions ofag^*^
vou to l"-
oremoniai>,
their hcat*-
\\t for a ivii-
jopernihtid
luild houses,
shall \>vay
; and wiH u
iippy heavtu
if you iv-
jave eomt' >"
, then tli'>^''
,)U dead, aiul
cut you in pieces, you and your wives and little ones;
for so their masters hid them do.
They have come to tell you that you arc very
wicked, while they are very good; to teli you that the
maker of this universe is their particular friend, that
tliiv know him well, and all ahout him — his impulses,
thoughts, desires, and purposes; and that they are
sjitoially commissioned by this almighty one to come
to this lotos-land and tell the people hero that they
are all had, altogether oad, vile, miserahle .sinners,
tit only to he cut in pie?u.s, uidess they will say that
tluv believe what is now beinir told them, in which
ciiso they shall some day go to heaven, tin ic to sit
and sing the })raises of their masters throughout all
tteniity, while watching with holy satis'a«'ti»m the
writhings of the tortured who never had so said.
It was quite a mistake on the part o' the creator
to have mac'e you at all, redskin brotLor, and unless
wi' can imp' ove his handiwork we shall murder you.
We do not know how a perfect being can produce
imperfect work, but we know that it is so — and be-
sides, we want this land, and we must have it; so
speak (|uickly, for we must know whether we are to
kill you, or only cultivate you to death." Thus came
tlie serpent civilization into this Eden, and the inhabi-
tants thereof from that moment were doomed.
Again the wild man asks, "What benefit shouM
tlow from this serene and heavenly life?" And the
ai:s\ver is, "Besides religion, your beasts aiid reptiles
aii(! birds of j)rey will be exterminated, the wilderness
will be turned into a garden, famines will tH\ase, pesti-
lence will be controlled, physical forces now intago-
I'istie to your well-being will be subjugated, and you
will bo less dependent on fitful nature.
"Vou do not want them, you say, or their religion.
^ oil arc better otf as you are, as the re*il and true
eniitor made you and placed you, and you do not
1« lievo that their traditions, or knowh'dge of tlu^ un-
kiiu\vul)lo, are better than vours, or that they know
m
OPPOSING FORCES.
,i
more than you of wliat they have never seen, of wliat
no one has ever seen — for surely tliey eoiild not ask
you, you say, ignorant and superstitious tliougli you
are, to accept as true what other ignorant and su[)er-
stitious men said they saw ages and ages ago. And
'f the strong white man has the right to take the
li'.nils of the weak red man beeause he does not make
the best use of tliem, may not any one who is able
take the possessions of another on the same ground?
And why do they w ish to per-suade or foret; you to
accept their faith* and what would tlu'V sav were vou
to cross the ocean and endeavor to thrust your religion
down their throats?"
Ah! gentle savage, these are pertinent <|uestions.
There are several reasons why they wish you to accept
tluir faith. The principles upon which proselyting
stand arc benevolence, superstition, and selfishness.
Probably the last named should be i>laced first. Tlnso
men firndy believe that by making converts to their
fiiith, as they call it, they will be most liberally })iU(l
for it after their death. They have many maxims to
this eflect. They will shine as stars; they will have
a high yeat in heaven; they will in many ways be
specially favored by their heavenly father, all the whili'
having the satisfaction, as I have said, of seeing those
who would not listen to them broiling in regions below.
Again, if you accept their religion you accept them,
and their ea 'thly master, the king of Spain; you nmst
give up your liberties and your lands, and work for
them, thereby making them rich and comfortable
even in this lifj, so that they secure a foretaste of
heaven here. Piety with property is great gain, my
good savage.
Then, too, strange as it may seem, believing wh.it
they tell you is true, it is natural, not only for n li-
gionists but for scientists and all wlio have anj' enthu-
siasm in what they think and do, to endeavor to win
over to their way of thinking .as many as ])ossible.
This proselyting spirit is all well enough within pro[>» r
MISSIONARY WORK.
w
^ of what
not ask
,ujrli you
lid su[)er-
To. And
tako the
not make
u) is alile
•CO you to
/• wero you
,ur roligion
(jucst'ions.
mtoao<-<-'\>t
jiroselytiuj^
solfishutss.
rst. Thrse
;rt9 to tlieir
berally paid
J maxims t'>
y will have
iny ways bo
|iU tlio VUilo
jcein*^ tliosc
^ioiis bolow.
J;copt them,
h; youmu>t
[id work to I'
icouifortaitlo
forotasti' »'t'
lliniis; it is well enough so long as sound reasoning
iiiiiy is employed, and not steel and gunpowder. Co-
ncion in this direction is the greatest of crimes. In
propagating creeds, or in moral conquest, conversion,
(»r proselyting, men are secured more easily being led
than driven. Argument has little to do with conversion
ill savage minds, but example much, and food and trink-
i is more. Let a superior race practise pompously
any tt'iieto, I care not what they are, aujong savage
)i',(>|)1l'S, and the doctrines so pronudgated will prove
citcliing. See how radically in political matters a
leading mind can change opinion throughout the entire
tiiuimimity. So a strong-minded missionary will coii-
viit ids thousands and make them do his bidding by
sliver force of will.
These ndssionaries are men of sublime heroism, of
imhounded faith, of limitless credulity. In their
(K'\(>tioii to their faitli they are as firm as Abdiel,
upon wliom Satan's eloquence urging heaven to revolt
fril powerless. They have been told that it is the
tiling to do to ct)nvert the heathen, to njake them
stand still while they nmmble dogmas and scatter
water over them. Therefore they do not fear. Man
i>lc ;
we of to-day see in it all the natural product of his-
torical antecedents. The power of the almighty tciii
pered their steel. "Ah! thou my good sword, hail,
bright Toledo, soul-saver, slave-maker, land-giver,
gold-finder, I worship thee ! Of all things, what can
give me so much as thou? Sensuality and salvation,
wealth and worship, lust, avarice, and immortal glory.
God and Satan recompense me for doing devilish
deeds in Christ's name. Cut and slash, thou switt
blood-letter, thou holy hewer of quivering tiesli ! I
bow to thee ! "
In the solitude and gloomy shade of their wildii-
ness, although alone, no one knowing their wlun-
abouts, the niissi..naries felt, at all events, that tlic
eyes of God were upon them — the eyes of tlio oiii-
ni[)otent Jehovah, of the Lord Christ, and of the holy
vir«rin, stealing through soul and sense like the g.i/c
of a tender mother, which penetrates with such strono;
magnetic influence the breast (»f her not wholly unci»ii-
sclous sleeping child. Their faith, like Mambriiu-V
helmet, rendered them invulnerable to evil. Tiny
could pray for a safe and prosperous journey to wlmt-
ever spot God pleased, for thither were they bound,
and then strike out boldly and confidently into tho
unknown, trackless wild. To them the loss of a lift'
was insignificant compared to the loss of a s<>ul.
Teaching, as they did, with the doctrines of tin ir
faith the arts of civilization, these missionaries m. rv
in the strictest economical si'use productive labor* is.
In their mission were united all the utiUties, material,
moral, and ideal. And every opportunity is gi\iii
heaven to bless them; they always leave a handle t'nr
providence to take hold of, as the ^[ussulman hfivost
upon his shaven crown a lock for the angel's ham I to
grasp while being borne aloft to }»aradise.
POWER OF PROSELYTING.
tw
(S diviiu ly
lie peopU".
uct of liis-
iglity t«--in-
Nvord, bail
land-givn",
^, what can
I salvation,
ortal glory.
Qn\-
tl of the holy
like the gii/o
such stron;j;
holly UlUiMJ-
Mamhn»*'V
evil. Tluy
tiey to what-
thcy hound,
itlv into tho
[OSS (»i a ''' '
of a soul.
ues of tli>ir
lonaries w ro
ivo labor. IS.
lies, material,
lity is g'l^*'^
la luuulb' t'-r
ihnao hi'^^'*
■oVs bau'l to
(>
TTiif.py combination ! Soldiers for Clirist and soldiers
fdi- the king. Christ for men, and men for souls,
tlu! devil helping, taking his chaneo of securing even
some of tho elect Wc can understand how the king
f Spain might employ soUlicrs; but that the Lord
Christ should want such sc-rublty things as these gt)ing
up and down tho eartli killing savages for him is past
the comprehension of all wisdouK A little learning
iiiiide priest and secretary pretenticms, putted u|) with
])r()ud sui>eriority. And in their own eyes the AEexi-
»;ui soldiers were ever cool, gallant, patriotic, and of
inflexible coura»je. Their hearts swelled with hiijh
lievotion to a cause.
In the new-comers were united the attributes of
settUr and saint. Like Ulvsses, thev wen; n>en of
pious ^viles, tlu'se missionary fathers; they were wise
as seipents, though not always as harndi'ss as doves.
Tluy knew how to captivate and capture the wild
men. First tluy t>ntered into intimate relationshi[)s
with them, material and mental, placing them.selves
in their stead, seeing with their eyes, thinking their
tlidughts, and weigliing and measuring their every
idea and idiosyncrasy.
At the outset their material condition nmst be ini-
inoved. A savage can understand that religion is a
tj^ood thing when it feeds and clothes him. In pro-
jtnition to the presents given will his faith be. The
St Sinionian soc-iety of Jesuits in Paraguay, uniting
with religion a communily of W(»rldly interests, brought
ilie minds of the natives under such control, that not-
withstanding their abhorrence of work, they sultmitted
tlieniselves with reverence to the new authority, and
labored faithfully for the comnmnity.
Wealth is ever the })recursor of civilization. !More
than that, wealth is the foundation-stone of religion.
Of all intellectual and ajsthetic culture, pt»verty is tho
oiieniv. To send missionaries amoni; the savajLjo
Ileal lien with empty hands avails little. Abstract fu-
ture ueradv»ii-
ture the great creator will change his mind and )»ur-
pose because we tisk it — we, who know so much bttt> i
what this world should be, who could make so mu« li
better a W(»rld had we the power. Then pray, brot It-
ers, pray I and we shall see come of it what we sliall
see.
Hail, holy virgin! Hall, holy child! Hall, fatht r nt
all, omnipotent regulator! One father in heav«>n; many
fatiicrs (»ii earth — lioly fithers, soU* agents and r< piv-
sentative.s of our fatlier in heaven ; lathers of every
MEDITATIONS OF THE SAVAGE.
161
ason, the
llh^) HONvn
with tho
jrty irt iuv-
is iin\>«>^-
[ucate and
bristianii'^'-
icrcls; giv^'
them enjoy
are wealth,
t here thi-
pathway «'t
il)ow-brul:4'^'
ris when on
. v{r<^en san-
iTues aiul liiU
church aii'l
gardens, th«'
wire, by tin'
woman, hy
ly, brotheiv,
^.rse to fiiiif^'
Ltesoeoh h'uu
ai»cl to il«' :i
11,1 perailvi Mi-
md and \»ui-
>much Vnttt 1
mke so mil' 1i
pray, brotlj-
,'hat we siiiil^
[ailfathii-ot
leaven; nwinv
Its and iv\'»'-
liefrt of •-•very
nation, toni^mo, and color; fathers of the black gown,
Au^ustinian and Dominican; fathers Franciscan, blue
and uray; Carnu'litc fatliors of the white gown, and
all the rest; fathers true and fathers false; fathers
jmi'e and impure; fathers who are not fathers, and
t'lilhers, alas, too much! Twelve children crowned
the joys v)f happy Father (;iabriel, missionary president
of the two Californias, in the year of our Lord 1 HID —
su it is said, and a wise father, he.
Further the red man ruminates: "If all that they
do and say be good for white people, it must l)e go»)d
for the red; for we are told if we pray enough, and
in tlio riglit way, the almighty will revise his work,
and we shall all be made white, and cunning, and have
ureat good here, and a better place than others in
heaven; though why a repentant sinner should be
luadi; more of by the select society above the clouds
than one who has never sinned, it is difficult to under-
stand."
])oul)t]ess heav(!n is a iiappy i>lace; but earth is
more substantial. ]3oubtless tlu- joys of heaven are
very fine; but few care to K'ave eartli's sunshine to
;jjo theii^ ])oubtless Christianity is a great bo(»n : tin*
native .Vmeiicansare willing that Europe should have
tlu' whole of it. Doubtless angels dislike having the
roinforts of the celestial citv to do drud"'erv work here
I'll larth; but in seU'-sacrifiee there is bapiiiness- -in
wliirh case it is not self-sacrifice.
There an^ earthly anufels as well as heavenlv: tliev
aiv (ilttinies indeed of earth earthy, and not always
\i ly clean; spiritually minded, but gr«)ss and mattiial
I'll the surface — very. Two or three hundred y»ars
i(>.,'o there were more angels on this eartli than now;
tin IV weie too many; nn-n had to labor ttM) hard to
tird and house them; the way to heaven can now be
noiiit((l out more bricHv and with fewer wortls : so
>"iiii of them went to heaven, while others went — to
Work.
Tilt i-e is more to Christianity than monks and nuns
Cal. 1'a.ht., Vol. I. U
162
OPPOSINfl FORCES.
IfH;
ft"
ii ;,
l«K t.
':
J,. .. J,
IS*" ,
— for example, the bell, invented by Paulinus of Xola,
about tlic year 400; the or^'an, brought from tlic
Greek church to the M'estern one in the seventii or
eighth century; the gothic cathedral, which sitrani^-
from the religious efflorescence of the twelfth century
— all these were powerful aids to make men tit for
lieaven, to make many fit for heaven who were not iit
to live (m this earth.
The Franciscan fathers who kindly came to our
lotos-land, who came from afar to our lotos-land to
drive out Satan, were astonished to learn that in*
devils were here before they came. Why do deviU
so beset good men; and why did not these fatluis
stay at home and fight them there' "I have set ii
and ray, scourge, and sit in sackclotli, for so sliall
the soul find plenty and joyous honors heroafti r.
iruinaii nature is fitting an immortal soul predcstint'd
to eternal damnation by a beJieficent creator only as a
s;u'rifice to l)e offered up for the subse(|uent bemfit of
the spiritual nature. Hence the holy fathers ciy, hv-
ware of the devil! and Dante revels in purgatorial
pictun's.
To tlie church and clergy of Spain, America is in-
ilthttd for woes umiundured. The strujjf'dc against
the ineradicable |>rinciple of evil within the heart,
aL;ainst the fascinating demon of wrong-dath
el' the believer was a Jeremiad, a lamentation, a tah-
el" \V((e. Hating life, the body a loathed encumbiance,
li'' Would anticipate death and enter at once a gl(»ritied
existence
I''iM\ulation is excited; admirini^ crowds j-athei- around
the hermit's hut; Mionasti-ries are built, and thus the
inward spiritual lite finds outward expression Aus-
triity and discipline, having attained perfection, grow
l.aiiglity. The humble saint bcccmies proud of his
liuniility. For a time he still denies himself sensual
indulgence, but only in order the better to gratify the
nioio subtle vices of pride and power. He accepts
164
OrPOSIN(; FORCES.
m
|>i(tflri'r('(l nduUition, aHsunu's autliority, levies trilmto
for his ;4<)illiness, waxes fat, and enjoys relij^iou. No
more caves or shaky huts, or inidiiijjht vi^il, fast, or
jK'iiaiioe ; hut stately castles, hroad fields, ami well-filled
larder. Crowds now tlock for admittance to the churcli
that <^ives her votaries both sensual anot, and in place of stony cavern and scanty Iierbs,
rich viands, generous wines, voluptuous revels; and to
grace their jileasures, if we may credit Draper, ** visions
of loveliness . ere converted into breathing, blushing
realities, who exercised their charms with better ett'ect.
than of old their phantom sisters had done." Behold
the end of ri«rhteousnes8 overmuch: so hard it is for
man to re-create himself 1
Is not the philosophy of living to avoid extremes'
The golden mean is the rosetta sthics. The man who throui;h all the waves of
passion, by the craggy walls of prejudice, and through
the tortuous paths of reason, holds nearest a medimu
coursj', live'S nearest a perfect life, and nowhere dors
excess appear more ott'ensive than in religion. In tin-
earlier stages of the church, many of lu-r votaries, iii-
sjtired by the examples of the apostles who lived with
simplicity and sutfer-ed with resignation, labored t<>
out
,|. "visioiis
r,'\)\usl»ii>'^
ii'ttfi- I'tt'*''^'
" Boholtl
rd it is *"•'»■
1 cxtroims '.
social hiev»'-
10 waves ot
and t\iro*»:-i^'
st a mcdiuiu
.owlierc (.U»« s
ion. l»t)"'
votaries, m-
,vo Uvocl witU
,, la\>orea <"
render tlu »»•
To sucli iiu
f-abncj^atioM,
•V. bccan\e >i»
.onco. K>'!-
loct vovei-ty i>
trials is ^vtH.
tor.
ti foilowcrs ' >-
Itation, pray; v.
\,r nieditatio"
■a for vray''
and sjient their lives in koo|>iii«^ their body at deatli's
tl.M.r \)y starvation and tornicuts. These anchorites,
h\ rigi«l tasting and sloopUss and incessant contenipla-
tinii, wrouglit tlieir imagination into a frowzy not
unlike tlic dehriunis of o[)iun«, of alcohol, or of fovor.
'i'lu'V saw visions and dreanud dreams. Thi' sensihil-
ity of the body was blunted, and strange phantasms
llo.ittd through the brain. Thus the ai)paritions and
niiiaelos of the church arc not in every instiinco a>
Mtnie would have them, inventions of designing priists.
Xumborlcss instances are recorded of strui'i'les with
« inissaries of Satan, of fierce wrestlings with imps
.ind diabolic monsters, of visions and rt;vcIations of
liravcnly or hcUisJi import, in which the sincerity
• if the visionary was bevond <|Uestion. The victims
ul" these liallueinations may have been insane, but they
wnc not impostors.
Tit doubt till! sincerity of the monks and fiiars who
cumo as ndssionarifs to the Now World is to doubt
nligion, and give the lie to humanity. Schooled in
till' discipline of the cloister, the old nature with the
nld life is eradicated. By their vows, the world with
its passions and andiitions is forever denied them,
iiiiying aside their apparel and a(loj)ting that of their
• mlt r, giving up their very name for some simple or
siiiitl}^ appellative, identity, personality, that which
Utnrious minds most hiufhlv prize, and which consti-
tiitt'stho most powerful incentive to noble actions, is
iii>t. Honors and rewards await them not hero but
li< itafter. They have nothing to hope for from man,
iMiiliiug to fear; for earthly ignominy and pain only
add to their future joys, and death itself is but a re-
Itaso from toil and sutferiny: to the eternal jovs of
liaradiso. Nic«)lini tells us that when the citizens of
\ it'ima threatened to throw Legay into the Danube
ti'f |>n>mulgating the reforms of Ignatius of Loyola, he
>'oiiifulIy replied: "What care I whether I enter
111 :i\( II by land or water?"
And Motley says: "Priesthood works out its task,
'H ^\-^:i
: i:
-^'i
mi-'- '■■
m
!'?
I
i:
'l I.
166
OPI'OSINCJ FORCKS.
aye after a<^e; 1U)W Hiiioothiii^' ponlteiit death-bedt*.
roiiscciatiii^' ernatural powers in human events. To tlic
forces of nature, and the apparent prevalence of chamc
in human affairs, a cause must he assigned, ainl
without a knowledge of the true and natural caiiM .
extraordinary events are attributed to supernatui.il
agencies. As the causes which govern natural |i1m
nomena are known, th.it which before was supernatui;il
in nature disappears. Eclipses, comets, and eaitli-
• juakes are no longer evidences of divine displeasun .
13ut so long as the people remain in [)()verty and igno-
rance, so long will they blindly follow their religious
teachers.
At this time, not only were men taught to belicvr,
but forced to btslieve. l*roselvtism is an esseutial
element of every religion ; anil as te;'.chers are possessul
of power, so, whether priest or puritan, will they en-
force their teachings. To persua if possible, if not
to coerce; to win by love, or teirify by puJiisluiunts:
to compel the intellect to receive what reason rejects:
to make men believe to be true what they know to !»•
false; to constrain to a life of hvi)ocrisv or doom t«
martyrdom; to force by violence convictiotis that < iui
not be carried by arguments; to torture men in act < pt
ing forms and creeds which conscience teaches tin ni t(
reject — or fjiiling in this to kill them. These ys'vix
SrANISH CHRISTIANITY.
tlie iri.struiuents with whicli religion wrought in the
tiltt'onth coiitury.
Thu.s it wa8 that not uUine nobles and prelates, hut
tlio illiterate dregs of old ^ 'astile, were lofty in their
li»yalty, exalted in their piety, fearless of any danger
Nivo the i^ods and devils of their own ereation. As
adventurers to the New World, without a murmur
tlit-y would encounter the inhospitable climate, inhale
the nmlarious air, wade through tangled morasses,
(Tniilt rugged mountains, swelter under a tropical sun,
and all for the love of CJod, and gold, and glory;
traversing the trackless wilderness, scourging, bap-
tizing, working miracles, scorning pain, disease, and
dtath in their mad eflbrts to save from hell men not
lialf so near that place as themselves. Carried away
by a ferocious enthusiasm, they became devilish in their
(lisiri's to make men Christians; butchering their fel-
iiiw mm by scores, thousands, converting and killing —
int anwhile ravisjiers of maids, jnurdi'rers of old men
and children, j>erfidi«)us liars and cheaters, laying a fair
l;ind waste in the name of peace. Their heroism was
as higli for [)lunder us for piety; for lands and captivi;
.slaves thi'V I'ould wrestle as fervently as for S(>uls, and
thiir unscrupulous severity in the accomplishment of
tht ir desires was only e(|ualled by their versatility in
the clioice of means. Why they were so, what made
tlirm so, it is easy enough to see in the ign<»ran<'i' and
hlind fanaticism growing out of their religious teach-
ings, and in their social maxims.
Nor were these heterogeneous, di.set)rdant elements,
though thrown together by a conjunction of clas.ses
and clans, destined to remain apart, some in one and
siiMic in another; on the contrary, they cond>iiicd in
gitatcr or less degree in the individual, an«l formed
till' hasis of Spanish, more particularly of (\istilian,
cliaracter. In the same person wo see united enthu-
siastic piety with cruel avarice; indeed, we need not
';.'> l>U(k four centuries, nor look alone up«)n the Span-
ish IVuinsula, for unions of ill-assorted and badly min-
}n
i'l«
1
1-
'; 1
i.
i
i
^
i
'■
108
OPPOSING FORCES.
gle«l traits of human cliaractor ; for even now in Anjjjlo-
Stixon- puritan stock, in every u
live and n'>t die; these; with their cond'orts and tin ir
kindness kill«'articular comfort and happinessi So tluse
saints and soldiers would have us believe.
.lunijM'jo was a <'on(pit'ror, and his g»«'atest achicx' -
ment was the compiest of self; as I'ublius Syrus iisi >\
t(< say, "IVis vincit, (jui se vincit in victoria" - he coii-
qui'rs twice who coiKjuers himself in victory. Thoiijii
outwardly mild and humble, a fii'e of devoted entliii
siasm burned within; butwitii self sacrificed so suli-
onlinated that he envied his divine mast<'i" but one
thing, cru<*ifixion — this fire shot forth occasionally,
when he fancied his redeemer slighted or insultnl,
but never for slight or insult placed ujion himself
Hear how a brother I'riar tells in orthodo.x. terns
THE PADRK I'UKSIKENT.
109
, Anglo-
V turmtl
ay iVoiii
be sc'«u
lio saint'
be Span-
Ic on tl\i'
(>-Aui«ii-
|>iiti'rniil
L'l'o ln'iii;.;-
iviruatioii
nations \'<
Hi hitlifi'.
rt-ally (K-
l tlMin to
anil tlitir
nl I'iwuio
iscll"; th^'
1st JU'lii*'^" -
iynis US- 'I
-]\V i'oll-
Thoujh
Led i-ntliU
,1 _..Sl) Huli-
IT but ii^''
[(•as'n'iii'l'^ •
Ir insult' ^,
iumclt.
uluX. toUiS
tlio story of his lifi": "Juniju'ro St-rra was born on
the li4tli of Xovcnibfr, I7l;{, at tlu; villa d»; IVtra,
i>laM(l of Mallorca, lu'lonoini^ to jMcditrrrautan Spain.
His parents wwe pi'ojdf in liuniblo circunistancrs, but
lit' (Irxout and pious faith accordin*^ to the c.-itiiolic
(liurrli. Jlis liithor's name was Antonio Srrra, liis
iiii>th«r Mart^arita Ferrer. Fi'oin liis cliildlKMid ho
w.is (tf a iLfrave, benevoh'ut, serious <'haraeter, and liis
^iv.itest j)U'asure was in attentlinj.^ the church of San
jlciiiardino in liis native town.
T\
lest
habit:
M'
s nnnressed uiion nis nn
h
ind tl
« dutv o
(livotinjjf liini.self to the si rvice of the church, and Im
•rdinyly assumed the habit of a Franciscan fi iai- at
a«'i'i
tlic ai^t' of sixteen. ilis zeal and exemplary conduct
iiidcared him to hi-( supej-ior, and thi! brethren of the
tinier, who vied with each other in forwardin:LC his
\ii\vs, and perfcctini; his theoloLjical studies. His
atlrctionate, earnest, and devout spiiit led him to seek
tiie conversion of the American In«lians to the faith
• it" ('liiist, and he accortrm'';lv became a missionaiv of
ilir Societv I'oi* the I'ropaLjation of the I''aith. In
ill rdidanee with the linietious ol' his new otlice, and
with the lienetlictions of ilis friends and th
o.se «)
f tl
le
111 it
ht rhood of San Francisco, he proceedtd to Mex-
ii ". and for many years ollieiated in the Indian mis-
^Imis of the Siej'i'a ( Jorda, anrovince.
i
m
m
170
OPPOSING FORCES.
aiul fintlinj^ tiie religious ostaldishiiieiits there placetl
under the eoiitrol of the ]Joiniiiicans, with the ui.S
irojeeted two expechtions to Alta Cahfornia, one l)y
iiid on the sliore hy tlie gulf, and the other hy sea.
The one hv land hrouufht tlie first livc-stoek, altout
GOO in nunilter of all kin tliis eountry; and in ;i
coniparativelj short space of time, from the finen
ot the climate and richness of the pastures, they were
numhered hy tens of thou8an1) the first mission of Ah.i
California. ]n the year following was founded the
presidio of ^[onU'rey, and the mission of Carnielo. Ily
the year 1784, he had foundetl and settleil with priests
the estahlishments of San Fiancisco ])olores and
Santa Claia in the north, and tho.se of San liuis
()l>ispo, San Antonio, San Jiuenaveiitura, San ( lii
hriel, and San Juan Capistrano in tin* south; at each
of which places weie also retained small companies ut
tin' king's soldiers.
"(jlradually the [»ri«'sts, under the enorgt;tic hut
paternal dirt-ction ami care of the veneraide president,
gatiieri'd into their missions the wild Indians of the
valleys of the coast. H is and their lives wi're of gr< at
exposure, lahor, and jierpetual risivs and disadvantaue>,
thinui'h which tliev persevered with an ind»'lat iua''lf
zeal, kiKtwn only to men ind)ue(l with direct [iurp«>-es.
ami a lively, ardent faith, which knew no ([ueiichiu.;
m a new field lor the rea[K'r's sickhs and lal>orei-s dis-
jiroportioned to tlie work. They huilt housts, conse-
crated churches, planted vineyaids and or<'hards, sowed
fields, stocki'd the j>asturi'S, taught the gentiles lalmr
and the consolation of Christ's religion, and finally
triumjihed over all difficulties of the first settKim lit
of a frontier wikh-i-ness, which, after th«ir saciil
Id
and
sound as the rosi;
j>rivations, sprung to lite and Idooniei
1 and
liut this was not the oidv reward of the devottii,
DEATH OF JUXiPEUO SKUUA.
171
c placed
10 aul *'^
t)10tl) 1'*^
L, one l>y
r by ^*' :>•
oU, al«>ut
and in a
. lini'niss
Llu'y vvi-'i'^^
,V() coniv;*-
u ot" Ait;i
viuded tli>
nielo. I >y
/ith priests
olores aii.l
San l^viU
t, San *;;'
tU; at *-a«li
i)nJl>anic- "I
I'trctic b"t
u president.
liaiis of tli<'
riv ol' ;j;n !it
.nlvanta-o-
idrliitij^a*'^"'
|(.t \nuv"-;^-
,) (jiicnt'i'ii'-
,.Urti-S, eousr-
uir*ls.s..\\.(l
irntUrsb'"'!'
ar.d linalK
•ir sueriti*''
I and I'l"-
llhi" dr\"i"*'
( nii^t'tlc, and pious lilV' of the founder ot our state.
His aim was the crown of j^lorv, tht^ jutssission of
whieh aniniat(\s the devoted eatlioHe to lav tlown his
lite, if neci'ssary, when he remcMuhers for all trials
and sulferinjjjs that lie that e(mvorteth a s«)ul to God
shall shine as a star in the Hnnainent of heaven.
And now, ai^e creepiuij on apace, and privations
ami
Irauie
I exiiosures haviuLT had their natural eUe«'t on his
CI
le was taki'ii sick in the month of Aui;ust,
with a severe <'omi>laint of the throat and lun^s, at
tin' mission of C'armelo. Loni( and an.xiously did the
iVieiids and companions of IJic venerahle foundei- ol
California nurse and attend him witii tlie' m<»st tender
iv; but ju! told them from the first, with serenity
aii -t who had devoted tiieil" lives to the '>'I<»>'N' of" (Jod
Mild the conversion of tlu- gentiles His Indian chil-
tlivn heuailed with ijroans and tears the melandiolv
ii|i|iroach of the time which was to separate him t'or-
(•\if from their si^ht, who had left all to rescue tli< ui
tiHiii liarliaiisni and the lives of hrute heasts.
"At last jiis body, spent with exhaustion and wi ak-
in >>, but his mind eleai- to tlu' last, the fatlier of ('; I-
it'Hiiia sank to j-est in the ai-ms of his beloved iVirud
ami disi-iple, Francisc(» l*alou, as i^cntly as an iiit'nit
• «ii its mother's breast.
'"Tins event took place on the dav of San Au'jiis:iii
fit the mission of Carnielo, near ^^onte•rl y, in the yeir
17> I, at the ai.^e of seventy -one, lacking- a few wcek^,
I'llty-four years of his life had he olliciatt d a> ,i
I'l'i' st, thii'ty-five of which were spent amoiii;; the ln-
• liius of Cahlbrnia and Mexico, as a missionary ot'tlie
• itliolic church. liis body was biuied near the last-
iii'iitioned nussion, in one of the most beautiful vales
"• ( alilnniia, within S(»nnd of old ocean's soh nm le-
'I'i' III, and amid the tears and niourniuirs o| the <<>n-
172
orrosix;; FOnCES.
M'ltod heathen wlioin lu- aixl his oonipanuuiM luul
tijiinod to the enjoyiiitut (tf Christian hahits ami coii-
scdations. Great was tlie sorrow felt l>y the mission-
aries and sinipki pijoph: of thosi! days, in our th( ii
rciiiote eountry, at thi; luss of tlie veiirrahlc fouiMlrc
and presi(Umt oi' tlie missions — a ftrHnu- which ex-
tended even to Mexico, where his memory was nvcn d
by all elasses of piiopK-,
"Junfpero Sena was a man of i;nat henevokiu *
and amiability of ciiaracter, charity, and <^cnerosity,
combined with a fervent zeal in his iii^h duties, wlurli
attaehetl to him with sti'oUL'' atlection all who caiih
within the s|)herc of his inlluence. ]|e was a man i I
the most in(lefatiij:al)le and industrious habits, ot'<>;re;ii
persevtrance, enter[jrisc, and personal couraj^c ; and it
may be said that no man with a diiferent chariictf i
c(»uld have accompiished. in those days, obje<*ts sdi
roun(le
An-icles, and ijaihered nearly 90 savage Indian-
ini-o nine of the- [afterwards j wealthiest miss'otis of tin
eo
untry
His o-
overument was fru''Jii,
thrifi
an<
J fi
W( ll-dirtieted eiiei-uv; for at his death the live-st
(M>
o
f the
-tablishni'iits number* d nearlv 20.000 hea.
and the tiacliinu of tlu' ]»iiests was takitijf deep m anish «i;ovci'mni lit. I i i-
life was ])ubliNh«'d in Mexico, in I7."7. undi-r th
lowniLT title
a I
id a liiiililv curi
«»u.«
a! Ml
(
interest 'II''
book it is to those wh(*-e Kouh-, are not »lto M/'xivit, pur I>int l-'il'jx'
U Yj
tu:
'",'/" .'/ ^htiiviro^.
I7b7
Tur tl\< u
t'ouiul'i'
bich i'^-
lU'VoU'li*'*'
I'lifrosity.
■„.s, \vM«ii
who ciiii'^
* a mail 'I
i(r(« ; and it
■ rliavi»«'t' »
Bcfoiv 1;'-
ouutl'd t'"
>so aiul 1' "'
crc Intliiiii-
cvtons oi til'
laud l"uH -*
le iivc-st<" i"
lo.OOO lua.i.
If ill r\» >■•' ''
not y' ■'; ■
l„Ur til. ' •'■
illtrivsl'ii.:
jlltO'^^'^^"''
\iiulu(t, and (lirectetl with «^roat rlroinnsjH'c-
titpii and cncrixy, di> wu owe th(; t'oinahitiou of tlio
structure of our Pacitic enipirr, wliicli has, within lour
\ ca
IS, sliakcn to the roots old system
an<
•nncMilrs.
iii>tfd and hardened by the past «;,0()0 vi ars. I!)
Si>\\l(|
the
secti
1, and
wo reap the fruit; hut who can
t. II wliat a dav will hrinu- forth ^
■ We now concludi' a fcrhlc atten)])t t<» s]l,' eathoMc missionary.
To 1
tim is {'alifoniia
!wii \{>i' indel>tesifin i'ect't(!>.
lUiu none now !i\ mil,' in
Mont
er«'V who Wel'e ah\e at
tlie time of his death, it has heen without su
ccess
In lh( present period. Ihe spot when- our Xelielalih'
f'lUiiiler first said mass in Monterey in I7()ti is still
traditionally pointed out hy the old Sj»anish nati\ old mission church
"t San ( arlos, in the ( 'armek) \alley, iindei- whose
^l''lli tlae;s the hody of the Xtiieiahle plcsidi lit v'.as
liiiii at, rest.
'■' M' the tw''n'^\-toii(. d
to iiitlict cruelty, they mu.^t aeeustom themselves t"
hear it. And as for women, tame, indeed. mu>t !•
earthlv forms, fit only lor t-arthU use, heside hei- w loiu
they w«jrship in hea\en her for whom they fi'^ht a'nl
die, .'.,'.
hut this i-efiLjious loyalty. whi r
italto-til" r
ys tin" lU'-t,
tV' sauftiti"!
s Calit*'vn.;i
11. »t buM ••-:
, t wli«n 1
r,.r Jumi" •
o COO liviiia-
11 hi av. n, at
• ill Aii\' 1 ' '
id iliit •«•'''>
uslt'in 111'"'
Iht'insi'lv"^ '
c'.l. nivi-' '
L.y ti:j;\.t "■"'
hilifornia wu^
botli pru'sts n\u\ snklii-rs, :tiHl so stTuriiiLj uiiaiiimity
of j>ur|n)st' antill iiioic liis
jilillity to hold oHicf; hut now tin* Itankt r thus not
;i-k of his custoiniT who wishis to hoirow iiiomy what
his opinion may l»r in i\'i;ard to thf immai-ulatt' con-
>tion.
hi
d I
I Voiced i)V science. iciit;ioii iind i^ovirn
iiniit arc no lonurr aiiic
M
oialit V an<
I iclii;
ion Were
.luiiipero's stock in trade; and e\t ry tihie ot' his nafuic
was so imhued with them that, in the suhju"u;ation oj
the wilderness, a handiul of men under jiis o-uidance
was c(|ual to an army under tin direction ot' aimther.
Xoitliward he marched, hi<;'ii, holy, and Hcreiic, hi.-
inind and attitude as (iod's (Jahrii 1. j'l.intin;^ at intei-
\ lis those i^reat nKMiuineiits to hi> laith. which hence-
Initji Were to stand there in tlcir monotonous inllueiice
like the lireakillLf ot' time Wa\«'S on the shore of ete|--
liltV
yreat
ocean.
\e
llul alas! .lunfperos succ«'S.sors were not all lil
liiiii. As a lule. they could not Ik- called liaii«lsome
iiieii. or men of reline of thiir tloek
w'liitl Well' they \\ hateVer Iheycliose to he. ( )\.r
liH'ir whitewashed wild ones they e\ei-ci>ed a too
I'lU I'ful inllueiice. in theii- features earths defor-
mity and heaven's «li\ inity met : so that althoU'^h they
iiii'jlit 1)0 the most ill favored of men. tiny ueie yet
till' most iuautil'iil of heiiiLj.^. I»y their looks and
lite arul teachinLjs, and hs these alone in (he minds
tl
k; hunple .savaefes, must he shaped hcaxciis eter
ale si I ill MX
I'
lull '4lory,just as cosmoMdnie coiic«'piioii.-
''V .innate ami conliouration.
.luiii|iero was a man of ^^reat wiii-powtr and enei'^fy
N't who could not exercisi- will and ener<_ry. knowing'
tliat the almi''litv walkid l>v his sitje to hear him up
\i->.i
i ifl
1
170
Ol'POSlXt; FORCES.
or pitcli liitn into ]i<>av<'ii in case hv fill. Ch-ii'Dud
ami awt'd as wc arc l»y tlu' artivc nianifcstatioiis ot
tuicc ill iiatuiT, We an- none tla- l«ss iiiturustcd in
watcliin^' tlic »ii('i';/y <»t' artinfi in num. EhxjiU'Mco is
iiitrllcct al»la/o; aiul wliat is lafkiiijL,^ in intellect may
oi'ttii Im> mad*' 11)1 in doL^matic dtM-lamation, in l(>uii'ty, tlitsc
siU-.sacTiHcinj^ ratlurs of the cliunli, and were always
ready if auccssaiy to t'cc'd their young with tluir own
i)lood.
I'litsts and |iiety, as a suhject, must ever present i
ehaptt r of e<»ntiadieti<»ns. lniat;ination is nnn'«' oft in
powcit'nl than reality. The lathers were sehooled in thr
invsteries of the iina<4ination, and now thev must tem li
tl
lell' (liselples
l»V till! o\-erheat«'
tian li^lit tin ir souls were setii'ehed fis tilt ii" skin> l.-nl
heen liy the gloi-i(»us sun's ellidjijent hi'i'^htiiess. ,Miii
gled ^^ ith his prayers weiv tory of scculaii/a-
tions. The church wraps ancient learning in a luipUii
rHAU.UTKR OF TIIK MISSIOXAUIKS.
177
ltio»\s oi
estr«l in
Irct u»»y
\\\ lovul-
ways, at
tin;^', at»"-
,.,,\iviilsi<'ii-
tluni u\«'Ui
i,.n was ll"
■ 11 o\H'»»t 'i '"
strains, :iii'l
a John i>'"l
UlVi'VSr NVltl'
of li'iH raiii'l
colllil >'>'''■
. it was lilt'
\u>l.l K'''''V'"
..s tUiin il'y
,r Ihaf'^'^'-
I,f in a niM'l^>»
;iii(l lavs it awav; sint-o wliicli tiino tlu' iM<'i'nuitv of
iii.iM lias Im'cij t'in|>l()y«'«l to .strip oft' the rovniii^s, anil
|i t tin- lit^lit sliino forth. All things \\ tin* <;hastly skclcttui of ahstra<'t r«li:^ious coii-
t< iii]>liitioii and <'«>n>monious homage as ])ro[>itiatory (>i
otl'i ruled dtitv. As to r«'al knt)wledi't', tla-v ha in their
|ii iiitcnce, and sat( I nii,' an_i,^ls; of the darkness, fiends. They
\\'\,' <-ruel to he kind, at least so they fancied, us
kitidly ( ruel, tluiso soul-savris, as the sui%'eon who
!iiid kills his victim in no hlood-thirsty or riv« n^e-
t'lil iiiood. And to this end emotion must he sacrilieid
tn motive
ll(
erou! and couiaL,''fous as tliev wtii
t!n.>e (jU.llities Were often seen to fade hefore the svill-
|>:itlictic and humane
riit'V hail come from afar, and liv a toil.soi
Me w;i\'
iH \' r nu'U struggled .so hard to acliieNt' martyi'doni.
\\ ' t' there no anijels at their own dotus to ent< ilaiii,
ii" whiter, nearer souls to nawf ()r is it that the re-
ward is in propurtion to the elfort rather than to ,suc.
'■'"^-' Surely there Were Worse men ill Sp;iiii for
wli '111 Christ died than these harmless lote-eaters.
1!
>iit 111 Spam every man who.se soul was woi-tli s.i\ m^
iii.;l I hiive a priest of his own if he liked. They
VMv plenty en<»UL,di, and idle eiKamh. Hut tliiit was
( u. r\HT., Vol.. I. r;
!|'l
in
Ori'osiXi; FoHChS.
}.J
t<»<> rasy; i]\vuy Wi'vr lands wlicro cliristiaiiity v.as
not sn (i\(T«l(»ii«'. Too Ljfcat pro .|M'rity is a»H't»uiitt i|
ratlur ail <'vil than a Mcssini;; , ir(MKl dot-s not )»uni>!i
lie Is nui'snij^ his wralh. I^iki; I^Ml^i;.^), kinj^ «it
Spain, wlioni hy way of* prnanc*; tiio hermit consi^^m ,|
to a cavo filled with snukrH and li/tmls, which, niiiar-
uIon>iy restrained, tor days would not toueh liiin;
(lod would n(»t a«cej)t the sacrifice, would not (\iii
permit his servant the pleasure of hein^; eaten hy holy
nptiles; hut finallv one day, as the hermit, who h.i'l
heeii jiassin;^ the ni:j;ht in prayer, <'ame to him, he juy-
f'ully e\t lainied, "Thtyrjit mcnowl they eat me now I
I f'rrl the adder's hitt;!" And so t'orj^iven, his sins
atoned, rejoic'inj^dy lit^ dies.
It was the AuLTUstan a;^c of* missions, this, when the
Ljood tlun(pon> lived and died; all savaucedom must l-r
placed on the sto(tl
the JiiMM (lictine nmtto, ( tra if UOiunt. I*ray ainl
woik -especially pray. If* work was too fatii^niinj.
prayer was tiasy and always effectual ; for if it hrou^l.t
not the invoked the aid nt
luaven aNcrted «*alamities, and htouj^ht tlown \u;.;ht paidon for sins, .iml
pi-ocure«l eternal happiness for the soul. liut iiiiitllil
he \ <>ui' j(»v, let vour triumph he low toncil, yom- li' lU
rin;4 out their peals in whisp«'rs, and yourifuns ImIImu-
ill noiseless puffs, for the souls that here should nn'st
rejoice have shot lu-yond the ether 1
ulty \v:m
ri'i>uut» li
•h, miiat-
UfU liiiii;
not (N'll
'II liy li"'iy
, who liail
m, ii»' .!">-
II, lii> ^^n'"*
I, wIh'M tlir
iin must I"'
tlicifs w.i-
l>niy iniil
> t:iti';,'uiii'i.
f it l»v"-
It was til' y
'nr sin>. "'"'
I5ut iiiulll"l
.^iiiis IhII'iW
JiuiuUl in">t
CHAPTER VI.
COLKKN A<;K ok rALIIORNlA.
Ami ('%'(!!■ aKiiiuMt isttiii;; caruii
Litjt MIL' ill ttiift Lytliiku iiira.
— 1,'AUnjm.
First tlio fJoldtn A<;t', and tluu tlio \\fv ot'dold.
11<»\\ dilKr«ntI And yi't Itctwcfii tlu' end and ln--
'^iiiniii":; <»f a drcade Caldornia j^ivis us a s|K'('inM n
lit' each, Nvliirli brii'f ptilttd jin'scnts two I'pisodt s
nt" society till' history of tlio world cannot parallel.
Ilotli wt'ro oi'i^inal, hoth |»h('nonn'nal ; and so dostly
ii|ion the Im'cIs of one follow»>d the otlu-i", that lor an
iu>tant hoth wvxv on tho t-roimd at the same time,
iliit onlv lor an instant. The lamh may 1k' di»wn
with tilt! lion, and j>eratlventiii'e escape heint^ eaten;
ii'it so with tho mild find ni'rveless inhahitant of
SHiitherii ( 'alifornia, and the wild, tigerish jLTold-seeker
scenting; the metal iroin afar.
It was when the j^old-seekeis canu' that tiiis t^olden
aire of California wasdestinetl to he alloyed with hras> ;
I"!' not tho ii\f{i of »^old was ( 'alifornia's trui' Ljolden a^e.
Tlit^ ai^(! of 1,'old was tho 'a\*v of avarico, tho ago of hiii-
t.il iMurdi'rs, of wild nuloness and insano revellinus.
More riearlv resemhlin;' the <'Uthanasia of the ancients
as the pastoral lifo precetling the fimling of th
Sit ria's treasures. Xover hofor
o or since was
thel'i
a pi't, in America whore life was a long liappy holi-
• lay. where there was less lahor, less care or trouhle,
>ii' li as the old-tiino jrolden aije under Cronos or
Saturn, the gathi'ring o{ nature's fruits heing tin
' ^1
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
I.I
IIM 1112.5
'i^ IIM IIIII2.2
m
2.0
1.8
1.25 1.4
J4
.4 6" -
►
Hiotographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WES rMAIIl STREET
WEBSTEIi.M Y. 14S80
(716) 873-4503
?
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6
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180
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
chief burden of life, and death coming without decay,
hke a gentle sleep.
To constitute a true golden age, there must be pres-
ent certain conditions. Though there need be no
great riches, there must be enough, so that all may
live in plenty. Never were so many men in America
so rich as now ; yet no one would think of calling this
a golden age. We lack the true sources of happiness —
innocence and contentment — essential to a golden age.
We indulge too much in luxury and vice to please the
gods, and so we are cursed with crimes, political and
social. A golden age must be a time of truth, of
right, and reason, and universal moderation. Men
must be satisfied and women virtuous. Women must
be satisfied and men honest.
Half-way between savagism and civilization, Cali-
fornia's pastoral days swept by, midst the dreamy rev-
eries of a race half-way between the proud Castilian
and the lowly root-digger of the Coast Range valleys.
How much of culture, wealth, refinement, morals, and
religion does it take to make men the most miserable ?
Gold fi r use must have alloy ; in the golden age there
is no alloy. It is not for use, a golden age, but for
enjoyment. Savagism suffers too greatly from heat
and cold, from hunger and a too deep debasement.
Savagism has no golden age; if it had, it would not
be savagism; yet the naked wild man, when he is
happy, is very happy ; he has his periods of heavenly
bliss, but they are too short and fitful, and the inter-
vals are filled with a too deep despondency.
But let not civilization boast overmuch. What
though savages are ignorant and lazy lotos-eaters,
there is not a fancied benefit civilization has that is
not dearly paid for. As for ignorance, there is plenty
of it left; they who read writings in the sky are not
half so learned as they fancy. And as for energy,
had we less of it, smaller penitentiaries would answer,
and there would be fewer people at large who ouylit
lo be in them. A man rolls up his five or fifty million
WEALTH AND WISDOM.
Ifl
t decay,
be pres-
[ be no
all may
America
ling this
>piness —
Iden age.
lease the
itical and
truth, of
)n. Men
naen must
bion, Cali-
eamy rev-
[ Castilian
[Te valleys,
lorals, and
miserable ?
age there
re, but for
from heat
basement,
would n(»t
hen he is
f heavenly
the intei-
and dies; what is he the better for it all, or any oue
else? Peupeumoxmox, the savage, struggled nobly
for the welfare of his people, and died. Peter Funk,
tlio millionaire, struggled bravely for himself, for Mrs
Funk, and the little Funks, and they all died. There
are many Funks abroad, and they are getting thicker
and less worshipful every day; but only once in a
lifetime do we meet with a Peupeumoxmox, either
savage or civilized.
The human race is yet in its childhood. This planet,
which for thousands of ages has been preparing for
man, is but just now ready — is, indeed, not wholly
finished The six thousand or sixty thousand years
of infancy have barely sufficed to rid the best of us of
our swaddling-clothes ; a large portion of mankind yet
wear them, or wear none. Manhood, with its earnest
labors, is dawning upon us; the mind is just beginning
to think, and the hands to work. Nature in some
slight degree is being laid under contribution; already
we annihilate space, walking by steam and talking by
electricity. Yet everything to man is crude, unde-
veloped, and ill defined. Our religion is mixed with
superstition, our politics with selfishness, our morality
with fashion, and of science we know next to nothinjr.
It is only in a simple and quiet life that the soul finds
ail antidote to the materialism of engrossing intercourse
with the world, and is able to place itself en rapport
with nature and the supernatural.
After California's golden age and age of gold comes
tlie age of silver, into the mysteries of which we will
not attempt at this time to penerate. What, then, is
there here a deterioration? In many respects, yes.
Men have enough in the silver age, but they are not
satisfied. The bronze age is a time of violence, of
wars and misdeeds. Is it progress when social, poli-
tical, and commercial morals sink into the depths 1 Is
it j)r()gress when men rise from the ground and through
lying and chicanery get hold of the people's money,
organize iniquitous and grinding monopolies for tlie
we- GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
purpose oi extorting from a too long suffering and
patient people more money? Is it progress wlien all
tlie world, like silly sheep, rush to the gamblhig pools
of swindling manipulators of shares?
The heroic age — none such has yet appeared on
those shores. We have had heroes enough, braver
and better than any who lead armies to battle, or in-
dividually excel in the art of manslaughter — heroes
who conquer self, who put under foot their baser pas-
sions, who toil on all through a weary life, self-denying,
self-sacrificing for some good and worthy object, for
wife and children, God bless them, for the right,
for humanity, for something better than the mere
heaping up of money as a soul-substitute. An age of
heroes, yes; but beware the age heroic; likewise the
brazen age, still more the ages of iron, stone, and clay,
ages of deep debasement to w ich we know not but
wo may be unconsciously drifting.
The shepherd of the pastoral age is not the shep-
herd of to-day. On the gently sloping hillside, under
the outspread, bearded oak, sat the shepherd of pastoral
(lays, gazing out upon the liquid crystal, and watching
his Hocks as month after month they continued to wax
fat and increase. Serene his thoughts, and some-
times mighty ; mighty and serene as those of tiieir
herds, as they lay upon the warm, dry grass ruminat-
ing. The shepherds of to-day are wolves; the people
are their silly sheep, which they fatten but to devour.
Shepherds of the pastoral times knew something of
astronomy, and were full of piety to the gods. The
shepherds of to-day know how to salt a mine, how to
discriminate in freights and fares, how to keep up the
price of sugar, of flour, how to swindle, cheat, and lie;
they, too, are full of piety; there is no god like their
god, and his name is Mammon.
It was in rather humble guise that church and
state came marching hand in hand up along the ocean
border, two or three priests representing the one, and
twice or thrice as many soldiers the other. It was
MISSION-PLANTING.
183
enough, however, considering the power behind and
the impotence before them; not to mention the al-
mighty maker of the universe and the king of Spain,
or their legions in heaven and in Europe, there were
colleges and convents enough in Mexico to quite con-
found Satan, who flourished in a mild form in these
parts. There was the college of Zacatecas, with mis-
sions in Chihuahua and Durango; the college of San
Fernando in Mexico, with missions in Alta Califor-
nia. The Franciscans also had missions in Sonora,
Slnaloa, and Texas; the Dominicans in Guadalajara,
Durango, and Zacatecas ; and the Augustinians, Car-
melites, and Mercenarios, with the others, over nearly
all Spanish America.
After several expeditions by water and a thorough
examination of the country along the shore, sites
al)out fifteen leagues apart were selected for missions,
which should be heavenly mile-stones and temples of
God in the wilderness, resting-places of hospitality and
devotion for the wayfarer; and for the fat padres who
should dwell therein, acting as middle-men between
(iod and his creatures, they were marks of merit for
stripes, humility, and services rendered, and foretastes
of heaven. Thanks, cowled priests; but ages before
you brought hither your not too lc)vely persons, there
was not a foot of this lotos-land from San Diego Bay
to San Francisco that had not its living temple to
God, be it a pebble, a flower, or a horned toad.
In the selection of mission sites, care was taken to
be not far from a landing for ships, and yet not so
near that their Indians would be contaminated by
the evil influence of soldiers and sailors. There must
be water at hand, some tillable land, and a fair extent
of pasturage.
The work of conversion was quickly begun and
went bravely on. In due time mission buildings were
erected, and settlers came in and clustered near the
presidio, thus forming towns, many of which remain
to this day, some having grown into respectable cities.
m
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA,
hi
1'^
To the first one built in this northernmost section
of Spain's heathen fields was given the name of San
Diego, probably in honor of San Diego de Alcald,
who was a saint sprung from the Franciscan order.
It was founded on the IGth of July, 1769, according
to the record of the foundation appearing on its first
book of baptisms, "at the expense of the catholic
monarch, Don Carlos III.,rey de las Espaiias, whom
God prosper, defrayed under most ample authority
from his Excellency Don Carlos Francisco de Croix,
Marquds de Croix, present viceroy, govenu>r, and
captain-general of this New Spain, by the most Illustri-
ous Don Joseph de Galvez, of the council and clianibcr
of his Majesty in the royal and supreme of the Indies,
intendent of the army, and visitador general of this
Nueva Espana, by the religious of said apostolic col-
lege, San Fernando of Mexico."
Its first ministers were the father preacher Friar
Junipero Serra, president, and the father preacher
Friar Fernando Parron, apostolic preachers of said
college of San Fernando of Mexico, associated with
the father preacher Friar Juan Vizcayno, appointed
to the foundation of another mission.
The book from which these extracts were taken
replaced the originals commenced at the foundation,
and which were destroyed during an Indian revolt
in 1775, together with other books and papers, the
church ornaments, sacred vessels, houses, and uten-
sils of the mission. It appears that up to the 5tli of
November, 1775, 470 adults and children had been
baptized.
The mission was first established on the hill or
beach afterward occupied by the presidio at the port
of San Diego, which the natives called Cosoy. It
was subsequently transferred, in August 1774, to
another site up the river, two leagues distant, known
among the natives as Nipaguay, where the destriK -
tion took place. The authors of the revolt were gvn-
tiles and neophytes from upwards of 70 rancher las
MISSION SAN DIEGO.
or villages, and in overwhelming numbers assaulted
the mission, which they partly plundered, and mostly
burnt, wounding the corporal and three soldiers of
the mission guard, and killing a carpenter, Jose Ur-
sc'lino, a blacksmith, Josd Manuel Arroyo, and the
missionary Friar Luis Jaume; his fellow-missionary.
Friar Vicente Fuster, and another blacksmith, Felipe
Komero, miraculously escaping with life. Fathers
Scrra and Parron had charge of the mission to about
tlie middle of April 1770, when Serra departed to
found a mission at Monterey, leaving in his place
Friar Francisco Gomez, Father Vizcayno having re-
turned to Mexico via Lower California. Parron and
Gomez administered the religious and temporal affairs
of the mission for more than a year, when, owing
to sickness, one returned to Lower California, and the
other went away by sea to Mexico. It was then that
the president appointed to succeed them Friar Fran-
cisco Dumetz and Luis Jdunie, who had recently
arrived in California, together with eight others, by
sta. Dumetz remained there a year, and was then
transferred to Monterey, being succeeded by Friar
Juan Crespf, who had been till then Serra's compan-
ion at tlie San Cilrlos. In September 1772, Crespf
was returned to Monterey, and replaced by Friar
Toiniis de la Pena, who remained in the mission till
September 1773, when Father Fuster took his place
hy appointment made by the vice-president of the
mission. Father Francisco Palou, who acted in the
}ilace of Father Serra, absent in Mexico. Jdunjc was
murdered, as we have seen. It seems that, besides
tlie fathers already named, Friars Pablo Mugdrtegui,
^liguel Sanchez, Gregorio Amurrio, and Fermin
Fiancisco de Lasuen had visited the mission and oc-
casionally officiated.
It was the river of San Diego on which the mis-
sion was placed, a brave enough stream when flushed
with the rains of winter, but sinking into the simds of
humility in summer. If there is anywhere a fairer
186
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
patch of earth and sea than here extends for fifty miles
in every direction, it has yet to be found. The soil,
though not so rank as to fill the air with noxious va-
p(jrs arising from redundant vegetation, is still rich
enours and a neophyte, all of whom, as well as the
ixocutod one, were buried bv Father Fernando Mar-
tin. A connnander did San Diego mission the honor
to die and be buried there, namely, Captain Jose
Alalia Estudillo, on the 9th of April,' 1830.
It was a ijfreat event at Mission San Dieoo, the con-
f?t'(>ration of a new church, the one latest existuig, on
the 1 2th of November, 1813, the day of San Diego.
Tilt" benediction took place on the 12th by Father Jose
Bai'ona, Father Geronimo Boscana preaching the ser-
mon. On the following day were transferred thereto
the remains of the missionaries Jiiume, Figuer, Mari-
ner, and Panto. The sermon was delivered by Friar
188
GOLDEN AOE OF CALIFORNIA.
II
Tomds Ahumada, a Dominican from Mission San
Miguel in Lower California. The ministers of the
mission at the time were Friars Jos^ Sanchez and
Fernando Martin.
A maj^nificent pile for one reared in the heart of
savagedom, and not by the hands of experienced arti-
sans, was that of San Luis Rey, north of San Diego,
and at a little distance from the sea. It was founded
by Father Peyrf in 1798. The buildings surrounded
a large square, in the centre of which played a foun-
tain, while the gardens were filled with fruits, and
tlie fields with grain and cattle. This Padre Antonio,
as Peyri was called, on his departure from the coun-
try, took with him two or three Indian boys, one of
whom turned priest and lived in Rome, lived a sainted
savage near the Vatican.
Northward the good men go, and on the site called
by the natives Sajirit, and also appearing as Quanis
Savit, found San Juan Capistrano, Father Presiticnt
Junipero Serra officiating on the 1st of Novembei",
1770, assisted by Father Gregorio Amurrio at royal
expense during the rule of Viceroy Bucareli, yck-pt
" insigne favorecedor de estos nuevos estableoimieti-
tos." Its first ministers were fathers Pablo de Mugar-
tegui and the aforesaid Amurrio. The mission held
fifteen leagues of and along the seaboard, extending
back to the mountains, which area was interspersed
with shady groves and fertile ravines, and covered
with herds of stock and fields of waving grain.
On the 7th of September, 1806, was consecrated to
the service of God a new church built by the ne(»-
phytes of stone and lime, with vaults. The con-
struction was begun on the 2d of February, 171)7,
and terminated in 1806. The benediction took place
on the day aforesaid by Father Estevan Tapis, presi-
dent of the missions, assisted by fathers Jos(5 de Mi-
guel and Josd Antonio de Urresti, ministers of Mission
San Miguel; Mdrcos Antonio de Victoria of Mission
Santa Bdrbara; Jose M. de Zalvidea of Mission San
CHURCH CONSECRATION.
Fornando; Antonio Peyrf of Mission San Luis Rey;
IV'tlio de 1m, Cueva of Mission San Jose; and Juan
Norburto de Santiay;o and Josd Fdura, ministers of
Sail Juan Capistrano. There were also present at
the inipt)sing ceremonies Lieutenant-colonel Jose Joa-
(luin de Arrillaga, governor of California, Muimel
Jlodriguez, captain commandant of San Diego, Lieu-
ti'iumt Francisco Maria Ruiz of the presidial com-
pany of San Diego, Joaquin Maitorena, aHeroz of
Santa Barbara, besides a large concourse of soldiers,
civilians, and neophytes of San Juan and the neighbor-
ing missions. On the 9th of the same month were
transferred to the new church, from the former one,
the bones of Father Vicente Fuster, minister of the
mission, wlio died on the 21st of October, 1800. He
\vas, it will be remembered, the companion of Father
Jiiiune at San Diego in November 1775, at the tinie
the soul of Jdume was set free by the natives. All
this was not enough to intimidate a terrible earth-
quake, which cracked the walls and rattled down the
rafters and stones, killing forty-three persons, and se-
riously injuring a nmcli larger number. This mark
of tlie Almighty's displeasure occurred on the 8th of
December, 1812.
Here let me relate a miracle. No one who ever
lived and worshipped God in California better deserves
a name in history and a place in heaven than Padre
Jose Maria Zalvidea. He was a missionary Martin
Luther, if such a monstrosity could be conceived of,
eminent in talents, virtues, and efficient services, par-
ticularly in the development of the material resources
of San Gabriel and other mission districts. He
greatly loved to engage in hand-to-hand conflict with
his archenemy, Satan, at whom he would scream,
kick, and incontinently spar with his fists, until the
devil was so frighten^ he dare not come near him.
After that he would mellow, like a great l"mp of sweet
cream, into the rich milk of human kindness.
(Jnc day in the spring of 1841, while the pious
190
GOLDEN AOE OF CALIFORNIA.
father was blessing San Juan Capistrauo by li'is j;rrs-
cnco, he walked out among the cattle, his eyes fixed
upon his holy book, his soul communing with heaven.
** Have a care, good father," shouted a vaqu(!ro.
"He for whom God cares, my son, himself netd
have no care," cahnly replied the priest, as he raised
his eyes and encountered the threatening attitude of a
mad bull. Then lowering them to his book again, Ik;
continued his reading, turninij neither to the ri^l.t
hand nor to the left. The beast bellowed lustily; tlio
fatlier began to sing a hymn. The beast tore up the
earth with its feet, throwing dirt upon the sacred ves-
tures of the priest. Then the animal charged upon
the padre, while all who saw it held their breath in
horror, feeling sure that the next moment the good
man would be gored to death.
"Peace, peace, malignant spirit!" the father said
and smiled; "come, come, wouldst thou throw dirt
on me?"
The mad bull paused, then raised its head, droppt d
its tail, and trotted away to another part of the field,
overcome by the power of God and the magic of ti
good man's voice.
The mission San Gabriel Arcdngel, near Los An-
geles, was founded at royal expense, pursuant to ordii s
of Viceroy Marques de Croix and the visitador-general
of New Spain, Joseph de Galvez, by Father Junii>ei()
Serra, president of the missions, on the 8th of Sep-
tember, 1771. Its first ministers were fathers Pedro
Benito Cambon and Joseph Angel Somera. Tlie
number of baptisms of all classes from the foundation
to the 29th of December, 1850, was quite large, rcarh-
inof 9,123. The number of marriages is unknown, tlio
record being mcomplete from 1840 to 1849. After
October 1850, the town of San Gabriel was in charoe
of parish priests. The last qprtificate of interment,
dated December 28, 1850, bears the number 6.117, of
which 1,707 were prior to the end of 1800. Among
the gente de razon buried are iucluded those who were
MISSION SAN GAinilEL.
lis v-rcs-
es fixed
heaven,
m^ro.
lelf need
16 raisrd
tiule of a
a;j;ain, Ik^
l\\c rijJil.t
stily ; tlio
re up the
icred vcs-
*Ted upon
breath in
the good
ither said
hrow diit
[I, dropp< d
the tield,
Liaijic of a
iidiahltants of the town of Los Angeles. Several
missionaries of the college have died, and heen in-
terred in tlie church of this nussion, to wit: tTuly 28,
IHOli, Miguel Sanchez; October 12, 1804, Antonio
Cruzado, who had served 22 years in Sierrii (iorda
and 33 in this California ; January 15, 18 11, Fnincisro
Dunietz; June 16, 1821, Konian Ullil)arri; Dccendjer
21, 1821, Joa«iuin Pascual Nuez; July 0, IH.'U, Ge-
r<')ninio Boscana; and on July 10, 1833, Jose l^crnardo
Sanchez, ex-president of the missions. Thouias KKu-
tcrio Estenaga died some time in 1847, wliile on tjr
11th of November, 1850, Bias Ordaz breathed his
last.
This mission occupied one of the most chf ; .ling
spots in California. Its gardens abounded in oranges,
grapes, figs, j^ Miegranates, peaches, apples, lini' s,
pears, and citrons, and the air was pernnned with ifs
trees and flowei-s. Wine, brandy, and cattle were
liere produced in great abundance.
I'eople are af)t to tell and believe great stories about
money. Large sums in specie have been reported as
existing at the missions, especially at San (ial»riel,
h'.it such statements should be taken with allowance.
Where was such money to come from? Most of the
transactions with merchants were exchan":e of ijoods.
Tliere was some coin in the country, of course — more,
indeed, in the northern missions than at the south,
owing to trade with the Russians, who usually paid
for the wheat they bought partly in money. There-
fore, let it be understood that when I give the amount
of specie at a mission, I only repeat from the record,
but without fully believing it myself.
To drink and not get drunk; to teach temperance
and keep the world sober while manufacturing rum at
a good profit ; these are vital questions alike for good
livers, priests, and political economists. tT-^iissens tells
a story showing how^ the liquor-loving savages of San
(irabriel used to outwit him while making into wnie
and brandy the grape crop of the mission. It was in
192
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
i
1840, while Don Juan Bandini was in charge. Jans-
sens observed that the Indians at work about tlie
stills were always more than half drunk, and well
swollen out in face and belly; the question was, How
did they get hold of the liquor? In vain was every-
thing closely watched night and day, and every imagi-
nary loop-hole kept under lock and key. In vain
liberal rations of wine were dealt out to them morn-
ing, noon, and night. The mysterious intoxicatit)n
increased, and bellies and faces waxed bigger and
bigger. Finally it all came out, and no thirsty Maine
man or Boston anti-prohibitionist showed more
shrewdness in evading the law than these so lately
gentle heathen, thus whitewashed by civilization.
It was Janssens' custom, after he had fed the stills,
to leave the Indians tendmg the fires, while he retired
to his room, through which ran the tubes of tJio
brandy stills and the water, the only exit tlie fluid had
from the stills. It was a comparatively easy matter
to watch the master, and while he was not lookino',
raise the cover of the stills and help themselves. TLis,
however, was soon detected, and padlocks put on tlio
covers, while the offenders were ironed. Then fol-
lowed a neater trick. The wine was conveyed from
the fermenting vats in barrels, with one of the hea(!s
off, the head being carried at the end of a long stick
by the hindermost man. The burden was heavy, and
the poor carriers were permitted to set it down and
rest occasionally. " O, if this stick were only hollow I "
sighed the hindermost. "A cane would do," answered
the foremost, "and we could then take our turn carry-
mg the barrel-head." And so it all came about; after
which manifestation of the power of mind over matter,
it were calumny to say that these heathen could not
be christianized.
In a beautiful plain north of San Gabriel was tlie
mission of San Fernando, founded in 1797, where was
distilled annually two thousand gallons each of wine
and fine brandy. In 182G, besides large herds of
I ii
SAN FERNANDO AND SAN BUENAVENTURA.
193
Jans-
)out the
.nd well
as, How
IS evcrv-
ry iiuagi-
In vain
;in luoru-
oxication
yger and
ity Maine
ed more
so lately
ation.
the stills,
he retired
es of the
e fluid had
asy matter
)t lookin;J,
ves. Tl.i^,
put on tli'J
Then fol-
eyed fri)ni
the heads
long stick
heavy, and
down and
[y hollow 1"
'"' answi>red
Iturn carry-
bout; after
er matter,
could not
iel was the
where was
Ich of wii»c
herds of
cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and swine, it had in store
$50,000 worth of merchandise, and $90,000 in specie.
The mission of San Buenaventura owned about
1,500 square miles, sixteen leagues north of San Fer-
nando. Besides stock, orchards, and vineyards, it had,
ten years before its secularization in 1835, $35,000 in
merchandise, $27,000 in specie and church ornaments,
and clothing to the value of $61,000.
Saint Bonaventura, cardinal-bishop, was one of the
great doctors of the church, and ex-minister-general of
the Franciscans. This establishment, with the Santa
Barbara channel at its door, was founded at royal
expense on the 31st of March, 1782, by the father-
president, Junipero Serra, associated with Father
Pedro Benito Cambon — both priests remained in
cliarge temporarily until the arrival of the royal ship,
wliuTi brought out more missionaries. A new church
was dedicated to the service of God in the mission on
the 9th of September, 1809, by its ministers, friars
Jose Senan and Mdrcos Antonio de Victoria, assisted
])y tlio clergyman, Jose Ignacio Argllello, a son of ex-
jrovernor pro tern. Joseph Dario ArgUello of this Cal-
ifornia, and subsequently governor of Lower California,
and friars Luis Gil de Taboada, Josd Antonio Calzada,
Jose Antonio Urresti, and Josd Maria do Zalvidea,
ministers respectively of Santa Bdrbara, Santa Ines,
San Fernando, and San Gabriel. On the 1 1th of the
same month were transferred thereto from tlie old
cliiiroh the remains of Father Vicente de Santa Ma-
ria, ex-minister, who died on July 16, 1806. This
clmreli was greatly damaged by earthquake s, which
rendered it necessary to erect a temporary hut of straw
at San Joaquin and Santa Ana, about three quarters
of a league away, to serve as a temple. The people
had been obliged to move from the mission buildings,
fearing from the agitation of the sea that a tidal wave
Would flood it. In November 1818, there was another
flip;! t from the mission, during the presence of three
weeks and three days on the coast of two insurgent
Cal. Pa8T. is
194
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
ships of Buenos Aires, which, under Bouchard, had
bombarded and plundered Monteiey. There is an
entry in the book of baptisms of the mission, on the
30th of Decomber, 1827, in which the minister. Friar
Josef Altimira, formerly of San Francisco, and who
first planted the symbol of Christianity in the Sonoma
valley, certifies having christened Papenajda, a half-
breed from the Hawaiian islands, "whose natives live
without knowing the true God, in a most dark and
diabolical superstition, practising idolatrous rites, and
paying a cult, *nmy animal 6 bestial que dan al padre
pe la mentira, y gefe de los abismos.'" The zealous
father stated this upon information given him b}'' his
steward, an Englishman named George Colman, wlio
had lived ten years on those islands, and had lately
joined the catholics. Among the notable burials here
recorded were three soldiers, in 1810, murdered by
Mojaves, who visited the mission; of three Indian
centenarians, all women, one of 100, another of 105,
and the third of 114, and supposed to be even older.
Also, besides Father Santa Maria, were buried in tlio
mission church August 25, 1823, Jose Senan, vice-
prefect, and twice president of the missions; June 18,
1831, Francisco Suner.
Santa Bdrbara, famous for its choice wines and pro-
fuse hospitality, was located some nine leagues north
of San Buenaventura, upon a picturesque elevation
about three miles inland. The mission buildings wtio
of stone walls, with two towers at one end, between
which was a high gable, and two wings, all of stone.
The roof was covered with tiles laid in cement, and
in the towers were several richly toned bells from
Spain. In one of the wings lived the padres; tlie
other was the prison, while rows of adobe huts near
by wer? occupied by the Indians. Near the cliurdi
was a beautiful garden, surrounded by a high fence of
stone and cement, yielding a variety of choice fruit.
In front of the church were constructed of solid ma-
sonry a series of tasteful fountains, a pool, and a res-
MISSION SANTA BARBARA.
195
rd, hacl
e is an
on the
ir, Friar
tnd wlvo
Sonoma
t, a lialf-
ives live
lark and
•ites, and
al padre
e zealous
im by bis
man, wlio
lad lately
irials here
rdered by
•ee Indian
er of 105,
;ven older,
ried in tbe
iiian, vice-
June 18,
crvoir seventy feet long. Water was brought from
an adjoining hill through an open stone aqueduct, and
near it were the grist-mill and bath-house, the latter
a stone structure six by ten feet, over the door of
which a beautiful jet of water was thrown from a
stone lion's head. The water, after performing divers
duties, was carried to the tannery, and finally dis-
[tersed over the soil in irrigating canals. The churcli
was sixty by one hundred and sixty feet, forty feet in
heiijht, and the walls eight feet in thickness. Paint-
ings adorned the walls, and sepulchral vaults, the
final resting-place of the clergy, underlaid the floor.
Kichly furnished dressing-rooms opened into the
church, and the ususl paraphernalia of worship adorned
tlie altar. From the chancel a door opened into a
Availed cemetery consecrated to the burial of baptized
Indians. Within this enclosure was a general tondi,
six feet in depth, with heavy walls six feet apart, in
wliich the Indians were first buried. As the place
became filled, the bones were removed to a spot within
the enclosure.
According to a certificate of tlie father-president,
religious ceremonies were held by him on the spot
wliere the presidio was established on the 21st of
April, 1782. The foundation of a mission was sus-
]K>nded till toward the end of 1786, when it was car-
ried out half a league to the northwest. Notable
events: January 10, 1795, Ignacio Rochin, soldier,
executed for murder; February 4, 1798, was buried
Captain Josd Francisco Ortega, who was a sergeant
tif the troops at the foundation of San Diego in 1709,
a most efficient officer; February 11, 1801, Jose An-
tonio Rosas, a soldier, born in Los Angeles, convicted
o{' heiifiale peccatum, and sentenced to be burnt, together
witli the beast, was shot ; his body was passed over
file, and then given christian burial; February 24,
IS J 4, there was an Indian revolt, and some twenty-
nine of the rebels were killed, thirteen of whom were
buil'jd by the missionary, and the rest by their com-
106
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
panions; December 28, 1848, Joseph Lynch, Pctcr
Remer, and Peter Quinn, murderers of the Reed fain-
ilv in the mission San Miguel, were executed at Santa
Bdrbara, and buried in the city cemeter}'^; Ramon
Rodriguez, who lost his life in the pursuit of these
malefactors, had been buried on the 13th of the same
month; February 26, 1852. Cdrlos Antonio Carrillo,
who, in 1838, received from Mexico the appointment
of governor of California, but was not permitted to
act as such by the northern Californians, was buried
here to-day. It is known that the remains of Gov-
ernor Figueroawere deposited in the mission in 1835,
though no record of the fact appears in its books.
There is no evidence that they were taken away again.
The followinof missionaries were buried in the mission
church, to wit: February 14, 1793, Antonio Paterna;
December 2, 1829, Antonio Jayme, who had served
upwards of 30 years in California ; Antonio Menendt z,
a Dominican, who was acting as chaplain of the pre-
sidio b" permission of the father-president, Narciso
Duriln ; November 1834, Francisco Javier de Una;
December 18, 1840, Buenaventura Fortuny; May .'5,
184G, Francisco Garcia Diego, first bishop of the Cal-
ifornias, who died on the 30th of April, at the age of
sixty years; June 3, 1846, Narciso Duriln, president
of the missions, one of the guardians of the vacant
diocese, who had been vicar-forain of the bishop tif
Sonora, and twice prefect of the missions.
The missionary. Friar Luis Gil de Taboada, said
that on the 8th of December, 1812, while he was at
tlie presidio of Santa Bdrbara, the earth shook nidst
violently, and the sea receded, forming a high lilll.
He, with all the people, ran toward the mission,
chanting the litany to the virgin Mary. Suddenly
there was a great calm. And yet all was not calm.
For, upon setting up in the ground a pole with a hall
upon the top, in a place where no wind blew upon it,
the ball was constantly in motion during eight days.
After that, the ball would keep still for two or three
SANTA IN^S,
197
, Peter
ed fain-
it Santa
Ramon
of these
he same
Carrillo,
jintment
litted to
ls buried
, of Gov-
i in 1835,
ts books.
^ay again,
le mission
, Paterna;
ad served
Menende/.,
,f the pr.-
t, Narcis!)
de Urm;
, ; May '^
oftheCal-
the age of
, president
\ie vacant
bishop of
lirnirs, and then move again. This lasted about a
fortnijiht. Hundreds of miracles Vtiit unrecorded
hereabout, because, first, they were too frequent to be
startling, and secondly, the fat priests were too lazy
to write them down.
It was an even thing l^etween them sometimes —
Christ and Belial — as represented by the army chap-
lain and the soldiers, though when it came to tlie
darker-skinned natives — for that of the Mexican was
(lark enough — both Christ and Belial were against
them.
There was Father Antonio Menendez, at one time
cluaplain at Santa Bdrbara, a Dominican of gay feather
even for an army chaplain of the olden time. Men's
souls for heaven, but women for himself, he loved,
and wine and cards. This good man was once sta-
tioned at San Diego, at the time when Pio Pico as a
young man was trading between that point and Lower
California. One day Pico arrived with a fine lot of
sugar, upon which the good priest cast his eye covet-
ously.
"What say you, Don Pio, let me deal you a little
nionte this evening?**
"With pleasure, holy father, and may Saint Domi-
nic help us."
Game after game continued, until when the short
liours were reached, all of Pico's sugar had melted
into the priest's capacious maw. And with this lot
of sugar was gone young Pico's entire capital, none of
wliich the priest offered to ioturn. On the contrary,
1k' revile; j victim.
"Know you, Pio amigo, that you just now reminded
nie of our Saviour's visit to this world?"
" How so ?" growled Pico.
"Listen," said the priest:
" ' Cristo vino al mundo & redimir el pecado;
Vino por lana y so fue trasquiladol ' "
Which is to say:
Christ camo to ransom man of woman bom;
Ue aought hia sheep, iiimself departed shorn. '
193
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
The mission of Santa Inds, thirteen leagues north
of Santa Bdrbara, held less land than any of the oth-
ers, but it possessed beautiful horses, and vast herds
of other stock. In 1823, the property of this mission
was valued at $800,000.
The natives called the place Alajulapu. It was on
the I7th of September, 1804, that it was formally taken
from them by Father Est<5van Tapis, president of the
missions, associated with three other missionaries. Its
first ministers were fathers Jose Antonio Calzada and
Jose Romualdo Gutierrez. Among others buried
here were the missionaries, Jose Antonio Calzada,
December 24, 1814, whose remains were transferred
on July 4, 1817, to the new church this day dedicated
to divine service; July 26, 1836, Mdrcos Antonio
Saizardo Vitoria y Odriozola; September 20, 1840,
Felipe Arroyo de la Cuesta; May 24, 1842, Ramon
Abella; December 28, 1845, Juan Moreno. An ec-
clesiastical seminary was established here on the 4t]i
of May, 1844.
In 1836, when Colonel Mariano Chico, the ncwjefe
politico and comandante general, was in Santa Biirbaia,
on his way to Monterey to take formal possession of lii-s
offices, Father Antonio Jimeno, then chief missionary ( f
Santa Ines, provided a meal for him and suite at the
Tecolote, where lived the ijeophyte Cristobal Manojo,
an Indian sixty years old, but lively and witty, and with
Si)anish speech peculiarly quaint. The savage was di-
rected by the fax her to be present, and attend on tlie
great man, who was apprised of the Indian's pecuhar
wit and ways. But tlie fellow failed to present himself,
and only turned up after Chico had departed. Bt ing
asked to account for his failure to come and present
his respects to the jefe politico, he answered :
"O, father, it did not suit me to be in company Avith
a bad man. He is a rascal. Don't you see he is a
boy, and wears spectacles? I saw him when he Mas
coming, and noticed his eyes looking from under his
spectacles. I am afraid of him."
PURISIMA AND SAN LUIS.
fW>
es north
the otli-
tst herds
3 mission
[t was on
illy taken
3nt of tlic
aries. Its
ilzada and
•rs buried
) Calzada,
ransferrcd
' dedicated
3 Antonio
20, 1840,
42, Kamon
0. An et-
on the 4tli
he new jefe
ta Barbara,
ssion of liii^
lisslonaryet
julte at the
)al Manojo,
ty, and with
^e was di-
tend on the
m's pecuhar
jent hiniselt,
ted. Being
and present
red :
)mpany with
see he i^ ^^
vhen he was
ni under liis
"Nay, not so," said the other, "he is a good gentle-
man ; he is our general."
"Wait a while, and you will see," said the savage.
"A ver quicn gana, tii 6 yo" — ^tell me by and by if he
be good or bad.
It is a laatter of history that this jefe politico waa
one of the most despotic rulers who ever came to the
Californias.
Then there was Purisima, and the regal San Luis
Obispo, and fourteen leagues away San Miguel, whose
lands, sixty leagues in circumference, contained many
farming tracts of remarkable fertility.
La Purisima was first founded on the valley of the
Santa Rosa river, in the place called by the natives
Algsacupi, on the 8th of December, 1787, by Father
Ferinin Francisco de Lasuen, president of the mis-
sions. Its first ministers were fathers Vicente Fuster
and Joseph Arroita. The mission was tranfiferred,
on April 23, 1813, to the Canada de los Berros, and
the site called Amiiu by the Indians. Its ministers
then were Mariano Pay eras and Antonio Rijjoll. The
former, while prefect of the missions, died, and was
buried in this mission on the 29th of April, 1823. On
the 1st of January, 1836, there were in this cstab-
hslinicnt 192 men and 130 women.
The mission named Gloriosisimo Prfncipe Arcdngel
Senor San Miguel was placed on the site known by
tlie natives as Raticii, or Vatica. The date of foun-
dation was the 25th of July, 1797, and the founder,
President Lasuen Its first ministers were friars
Buenaventura Sitjar and Antonio de la Concepcion.
The mission of San Luis Obispo, one of the wealthi-
est in California, was situated three miles from the
eoast, and about eighteen leagues north from La
Purisima. Luis Martinez, under whose charge the
agriculture and industry of this mission assumed the
I^randest proportions, was a man of no common energy
and ability. Every mountain stream was made tribu-
tary to his rich lands, which covered a wide area along
200
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
the ocean. He planted cotton, grew olives, taught
his Indians to catch otter, and navigate a launch to
Santa Bdrbara. At Santa Margarita was a well-filled
granary 1 90 feet long. Upon his table were always
found the choicest delicacies, rich wines, and game ;
and his guests were welcomed and entertained in a
princely manner. When obliged to abandon his
work, upon its secularization in 1834, it is said that
he returned to Spain with piety and industry well
rewarded in the shape of money to the amount of
$100,000. This the good father no doubt thought
better than taking his chances on everything in the
next world.
San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, this mission is called,
and it dates from the 1st of September, 1772, when
it was formed by Junipero Serra on the Canada do
los Osos, called by the natives Tixlini. The first
ministers who took charge of the spiritual and tem-
poral affairs of its neopliytes were Domingo Juncosa
and Joseph Cavalier. The records of this mission are
incomplete. The number of baptisms therein from
the date of foundation to September 21, 1821, was
2,549. The original book of marriages was burnt
on November 29, 1776, at which time there had
been 5G, and to the end of 1784, 163. The num-
ber of deaths to the 7th of November, 1838, includ-
ing a few not neophytes, were 2,441.
Jose de Jesiis Pico, speaking of gold found near
the mission early in the century, says : " To several
of us Father Luis A. Martinez, in 1829, gave gold;
to myself, Raimundo, and Gabriel de la Torre, and
Francisco Soto, he made a present of about twenty
ounces of gold, not coined, but in little balls of one
ounce each ; because he had much affection for us,
who had been his pupils and acol3rtes here in the mis-
sion where we learned to chant church music. The
two brothers Raimundo and Gabriel and I had been
with the padre over a year before we enlisted as
soldiers. This gold must have been found at the
SOLEDAD.
201
taught
unch to
ell-filled
) always
d game;
ned in a
idon his
ja'id that
jtry veil
mount of
thouglit
ig in the
is called,
72, when
lafiada do
The first
and tem-
D Juncosa
aission arc
irein from
1821, was
vas burnt
there had
.'he nuiii-
8, includ-
place called San Josd, near the mission. There were
then — we being little boys — about twelve Spaniards
within the site proper of the mission, who, as I be-
lieve, were engaged in cleaning silver and gold; and
I ground my belief on this, that the father had many
flasks of quicksilver, together with tools and materials
for cleaning these metals. I know this, that we often
desired to go in and see what these men were doing,
and never were permitted. It was only some Indian
alcalde that was allowed to enter the quarters under
menace of severe punishment if he divulged any
st'cret.". . ."When Jose Mariano Bonilla took charge
(»f the mission he still found a room full of flasks of
([uicksilver and cotton, and it was he who sold the
({uicksllver to a vessel."
This Martinez once travelled from San Luis Obispo
to San Cdrlos in a fine coach, with coachman and pos-
tillion. The two savages who served in the latter
capacity were gorgeously attired, silver and gold trap-
pings shining resplendent. Now when this came to
t!ie ears of the father-prefect, Sarria, who was humil-
ity itself, he was wroth, and Marthiez was severel}-
reprimanded for his violation of the rules of the
Franciscans, as in this carriage ride, however nmch
Lo may have enjoyed it, there was about it little pov-
erty or humility.
It was customary for the prelate and the mission-
aries to assemble from time to time at the San Cilrlos
mission for the purpose of consultation. On such
occasions the missionaries proceeded to Monterey in
carriages, while others rode on horseback. From
^lonterey to the Carmelo, some four or five miles, all
walked, proceeding in double file, the Indian servants
ill charge of the carriages and animals bringing up
the roar.
In the plain called Llano del Rey, fifteen leagues
south-west from Monterey, stood Soledad, the inde-
fatigable father of which mission, in order to obtain a
plentiful supply of water, constructed with Indian
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
If
labor an aqueduct fifteen miles in length, by means
of which 20,000 acres of fertile land was every year
redeemed for the summer drought. So rapidly did
horses breed at this mission that they were giviii
away at times in order to preserve pasturage for
cattle.
Nuostra Scnora de la Soledad was placed on the
site named by the natives Chuttusgelis, the 9tli of
October, 1791, by the father president. Lasuen, wlio
made Friars Diego Garcia, and Mariano Rubf its fiist
ministers. The records s^^ow that there were 2,21»0
baptisms to 1841, 738 marriages, and 1887 deaths in
the same period. This mission holds the remahis of
Colonel tfos^ Joaquin de Arrillaga, governor and
commander of the forces of California, who died there
on the 24th of July 1814, and was buried the 2Gtli;
also those of the missionary Florencio Ibanez, wlio
was buried on November 18, 1818.
Mrs Ord states that the mission San Miguel was
visited by her in 1833, when it still retahied its
■wealth. Father Cabot showing her the warchousis
full of produce and goods; there was also a consider-
able amount of money. When she was there again
in 1835, she did not see even a tumbler to drink out
of, and had to use a small ji'cara that she had with
her. All the effects of the mission, the cattle inclu-
sive, had disappeared.
The mission San Antonio de Padua was besjun (Mi
the 14th of July 1771. It is situated in the sierra <»f
Santa Lucia aiid Canada de los Osos. Its fouiwhr
was Serra, and its first ministers were Friars Miguel
Pieras and Buenaventura Sitjar. The nund^er of
baptisms effected in it to the 14th of June 1850 was
4,571; of marriages to June 18, 1846, 1,282; of
deaths to April 22, 1849, 4,063. Interred in this
church were: March 15, 1801, Francisco Puyol, min-
ister of San Cdrlos, and September 3, 1808, Buena-
ventura Sitjar, both of whose remains were on tho
14th of June, 1813, placed in one grave in the pros-
• MISSION SAN ANTONIO.
)y means
/cry yt'iir
piiUy tVul
oro given
urage for
;d on the
le 9th of
,suen, who
ibl its first
rore 2,21*0
deaths hi
remauis of
eruor and
, died there
the 26th;
baiiez, who
Miguel was
■etaiiied its
warehouses
a consider-
there again
drink out
le had with
cattle inclu-
LS begun on
he sierra ot
Its fouuihr
i-iars Migurl
number of
1850 was
., 1,282; of
rred in this
puy*)l, 1'-^'"^'
L808" Buiua-
were on tho
in the vros-
le
hj'ieiy; February 8, 1830, Juan Bautlata Sanclio,
Avlio with Father Pedro Cabot left Spahi in company
and lived together for a period of twenty-six years in
tills mission; May 24, 1835, Vicente Francisco do
8ania, minister of La Soledad, and who had siTved as
])iefe(t of the missions two terms of six years each.
On tlie death of the president, Father Senan, wlio
named Sarrfa his successor in August 1823, the latter
assumed the duties, calling himself vice-president of
the missions. Through his mediation the Indian
revolt at Santa Inds, La Purisima, and Santa Barbara
in 1824, was terminated. When the mission San
Antonio was in charge of fathers Juan Cabot and
Juan B. Sancho, the latter directed agricultural oper-
ations, and also attended to the music, the mission
having a good orchestra. He always kept near his
jHTson a handsome Indian boy named Josafat, who
was charged to give timely warning of the venomous
ants abounding in that region. Nevertheless tlie
padre was often bitten, and then Josafat received a
Avliipphig at the hands of the mestizo, Antonio Kosas.
Later Josafat became a good cook, wliereupon the
jtious Sancho gormandized, and in consequence often
had tlie stomachache, for which Josafat was blameened
into tiie four cells of tlio friars. An outside stairway
1"(1 to tlie churcli tower, whore hung six bells, one of
wliich rang for meals, work, and rest, and the otliers
for cimrcli services; and by means of which the daily
routine of the mission was conducted with such regu-
1 irity that even the laboring animals understood and
obeyed. Ten years before its fall a piratical cruiser
Avas reported on the coast, when tlie worthy frairs
( ounted up their specie to bury it, and found on hand
840,000. The place was deserted in 1840, overgrown
w\':]\ grass and brush, with scattering Indian huts in
1 lie vicinity, a family of half-breeds keeping tho keys
of tho church.
Till) mission Sin Cdrlos Borromco was originally
fiunded on June 3, 1770, on a site a gunshot from the
lioach of ^Monterey, and three times as far from the
Y >rt on an inlet communicating with tho bay at high
water. It was transferred in 1771 to Carmelo bay
niid river; hence it has often been called mission del
Canaclo, but San Cilrlos was always its proper name.
Tilt! ff)undation was made by Serra, at royal exj)ense,
like that of the other missions, and its first ministers
Were tho father president and Father Juan Crespf.
Among those buried in its church were : Auijust 29,
17R4, prefect and president, Junfpcro Scrra, doctor of
]i'iilo.st)phy, by Father Francisco Palou, in the j)res-
tiK'o among others of the reverend Cdrlos Diaz, cap.
tain of the royal vessel SanCdrlos, and friars Buena-
ventura Sitjar, minister of San Antonio, Mathias de
Sauta Catharina of San Cdrlos, and Antonio Patcrna
206
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
I
I 5? ■
if- .
Ir
I
V:l
of San Luis Obispo. June 27, 1803, was interred
Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, president of the mis-
sions, vicar-forain for the bishop of Sonora, commis-
sary of the Inquisition. He was buried by Father
Baltasdr Carnicer, Lieutenant-Colonel Josd Antonio
Ronieu, governor and commander of the forces, who
died at Monterey on April 9, 1792, was buried at
San Cdrlos on the following day. Lieutenant-colonel
Pedro de Alberni, captain of the Catalan infantry
company, and military commandant of Alta Califor-
nia, who died at Monterey, March 11, 1802, was like-
wise buried here.
The edifice had a single aisle. In the south was a
small chapel, being the first church founded by Father
Juuipero S* rra, and was named Capillade los Dolores.
In the centre of the altar in this chapel was a large
statue of Christ, later placed in the catholic parish
church at Monterey. In the same parochial church
were placed a St John the Evangelist and a Dolorosa,
formerly belonging to that chapel. Above the sanc-
tuary of the large church was the chief or high altar.
St Charles, the patron saint, occupied a niche oppo-
site the centre of the altar, St Joseph on one side,
and St Anthony with the child Jesus on the other.
There were other niches with statues of the arch-
angels, and other altars with saints and devices of the
catholic worship. The church had two towers, one
of them arched with four large bells which were
heard at the presidio; the other tower had two bells.
Among the statues and pictures were those of St
Benedict of Palermo, a Dolorosa with Christ dead in
her arms, and a small statue of Christ of the size of
an average child of two years. Of pictures there
was a St Rose, one of Glory, another of Hell, ex-
hibiting the condeumed in their tortures. There were
fourteen paintings of the passion of Christ, which
were placed in the parish church of Monterey. Tlure
was one remarkable painting representing a beautiful,
vain woman with a ^nake coiled around her arm, and
AN AMOROUS POET.
207
interred
lie niis-
comniis-
j Father
Antonio
■ces, who
)uried at
it-coloncl
infantry
1 Califor-
was liWe-
itli was a
by Father
)S Dolores,
as a largo
olic parish
lial church
i Dolorosa,
^ the sane-
high altar,
liche oppo-
n one side,
the other.
, the arch-
vices of the
towers, one
^rhich were
. two bells.
hose of St
rist dead iu
the size of
tures there
,f Hell, ex-
There were
[rist, which
rey. Tlu'vo
a beautiful,
jr arm. aud
in the act of biting her under one of her breasts, the
(unaments in her ears and on her arms were toads,
serpents, and other unclean animals.
Paulino Serra, an Indian who was baptized at the
San Ciirlos mission by the father president, was till
the day of the priest's death his body servant. Pau-
liiu) was manied, but not satisfied for he became
enamoured of the caporal's wife. He was a knowing
chap ; and though his Spanish was imperfect, he was
none the less thereby prevcLted from perpetrating
])()ctry. On day while sitting at the house of Toribio
Martinez, an old soldier and founder of the presidio,
situated in the Huerta Vieja, just out of the presidio's
walls, he broke out in the following quatrain
Aqui me siento, me canto^
Rimailo con el Pader
A ver si puedo me saco
Del caporal su mujer.
Which transformed into correct Spanish would be
Aqui me siento & cantar
Arrimado &. esta pared
For ver si puedo sacar
Del cnporal la mujer.
which signifies that he was there singing, seated by
the wall, to see if he could not draw out the idol of
his heart, the caporal's wife.
On St John's day in 1842 Rafael Gonzalez of Mon-
terey invited several friends to dine with him. He
had an Indian cook named Principis, an ex-neophyte
(jf the San Cdrlos mission, of whom he was pai-ticularly
proud.
" I will show you this day, seiiores, specimens of
the culinary art such as you do not often encounter."
The viands were thereupon ordered served. The
guests waited, but nothing was brought in. Gonzalez
grew impatient, and asked of his servants if dinner
was not yet ready.
"No, nor will it be, I fear, senor."
"What!" demanded the master.
"There is no dinner."
"No dinner! Send hither the cook."
208
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
]
*' Now, fellow, tell me, why dost thou not serve tlie
dinner ? "
"Seller, it has all been eaten," coolly answered tlio
savage.
"All eaten; what do you mean?"
"Dost not thou eat every day, Seftor? Months
pass, sometimes, wherein my parientes may not onoo
fairly fill themselves. I cannot see my kindred suffer 1 "
Within an amphitheatre of mountains benched by
scalloped hills and broad flats sinks a basin, rimmed
even on the seaward side ; and in this basin sits the
town of Santa Cruz; while on the rim, at the end
of the bench, where the river San Lorenzo breaks
through, and amidst hundreds of beautiful homes,
stands the mission, the old church — which the last
time I saw it was in use as a stable — cornering on the
bluff, with an irregular square in front of it. Patches
of fresco still adhered to the walls of the chapel.
On the left, looking toward the ocean down a steep
embankment, is the broad river-bottom of the San
Lorenzo, covered with waving foliage of every hue of
green. Beyond, the bank rises into a bluff again,
back of it the plain or bench, and back of that tlie
mountains. From this point the western sun sinks,
not into the sea, but behind the hills. Just above the
liglithouse is a stony beach, the strata upturned edge-
wise, and upon this unyielding barrier, full of holes
and abrasions, the waves break eternally, wave after
wave, every moment one. Thus at Santa Cruz to-
day is seen a city with its shops, churches, and
temples of sensuality; its street-cars, telegraphs, and
diverging lines of railways; its bummers and boot-
blacks; its lawyers, doctors, and merchants ; its milli-
ners and milliner-made women.
The mission was founded on the 25th of September,
1791, its first ministers being friars Alonso Salazar
and Baldomero Lopez. On the 10th of May, I7!i4,
Friar Thomas de la Peila, associated with other priests,
dedicated, with the usual pomp, the new churtli.
SANTA CRUZ.
209
jrve tlie
;red the
Months
not oBCo
1 suffer 1"
ichcd by
,, rimmed
i sits the
the end
zo breaks
ill homes,
a the last
•ing on the
patches
hapeh
,wn a steep
f)f the Sau^
^ery hue ot
)luff again,
,f that thc!
sun suiks,
. above the
irned edge-
,11 of holes
[wave after
,a Cruz to-
„rchcs, and
traphs, and
and buot-
; its milli-
ISeptember,
Vso Sahazur
[ay, l7'-'-l'
[her priests,
lew chureli.
Garcia Diego, bishop of tlie Califomias, on the IGth
of June, 1844, declared its main altar privileged, in
tliat all priests, whether secular or regular, officiating
thereat, might free from the sufferings of purgatory
the S(^ul of the person in whose behalf the holy sacri-
fice of the mass should be applied, this privilege to be
good only for one hundred years, reckoned from said
year. The bishop ordered the minister of Santa Cruz
to give due publicity to his decree. This mission was
plundered by Indians and others in 1818, during the
removal of valuables, because of the invasion and
bombardment of Monterey by two armed insurgent.
vessels from Buenos Aires under Bouchard. A gen-
eral inventory and valuation of the mission and its
property, made on December 1, 1835, showed the
total of assets to be $84,335, and of liabilities, $4,979.
The mission had 3,700 head of neat cattle, 110 tame
horses, 400 mares, and 2,900 head of sheep, 28 hogs,
besides 30 yoke of oxen, 41 mules, 7 jacks, 4 pregnant
jennies, and a drove of yeguas aburradad.
A monster of cruelty ruled here from 1818 to 1821
— Father Ramon Olbes, though he kept the neophytes
well clothed and fed. He would attend in person to
the distribution of rations, first to the men and then
to tlie women. Once he noticed two neophyte women
with scratched faces, for they had been fighting. One
of them was childless. Olbes inquired into the cause
of the quarrel, and demanded the reason of the woman
having no children, why it was so. Neither decency
nor humanity restrained the priest. He would not
accept the woman's explanation, and undertook to ex-
aniiuo her person, but she resisted so violently that he
was obliged to call to his aid the alcalde and the in-
terpreter. Thereupon the brutes stripped the woman,
and had her severely flogged, after which she was
placed in irons, and confined in the monferio, or single
Women's quarters. The next step taken by this nine-
toon Ui century missionary of Christ was to have a
wooden doll made, resembling a new-bom child, and
CAL. I'AST. 14
»0
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
compelled the woman to carry it about as if it were
lier infant, thus wreaking his revenge, and bringing
the poor creature into deep debasement by reason of
her infirmity. For nine days she was compelled to
present herself at the church door with this insult in
her arms. All the sterile women became greatly
alarmed lest they should be so treated. The woman's
husband must likewise be brought into ridicule. A
pair of ox-horns were fastened with thongs to liis
head, in which guise, being also in irons, the man was
brought from his prison to attend mass" every clay.
As he passed along, the other Indians mocked him,
playing with him as with a bull.
Upon the authority of Lorenzo Asisara, a neophyte
born at this mission, this, same Father Olbds often
had the Indians flogged on their bellies. Even cliil-
dicn of eight or ten years were given twenty-five
lashes by the hand of a strong man, either on the back
or belly, according to the padre's whim. He ne\cr
ordered less than fifty lashes to a grown man or wo-
man. Once there was a riot, because he wanted to
flog on the belly a man named Ddmaso, who had not
been at work that afternoon, and was somewhat late
in reporting himself after working hours.
Tho mission of Su,n Juan Bautista, situated thirty
miles northeasterly from Monterey, was founded in
1794, and secularized in 1834. In 1820, it owned
$75,000 in merchandise, $20,000 in specie, 44,000 cat-
tle, 69,000 sheep, and 6,000 horses.
The aboriginal nameof the place was Popeloutachom,
The father-president, Lasuen, officiated at the found-
ing, on the 21st of June, 1797, and the first ministers
appointed thereto were Joseph Manuel de Martiareiia
and Pedro Adriano Martinez. The number of cliris-
tenings effected from the foundation to the 9th of
December, 1849, was 4,896, including the gente de
razon ; that of marriages to November 29, 1849, 1,313;
and that of burials to November 23, 1849, 4,C17.
There are burials recorded in the mission books : Scjv
SAN JUAN AND SANTA CLARA.
211
if it were
[ bringing
reason of
npelled to
is insult in
ne greatly
le woman's
idicule. A
)ng8 to his
lie man was
• every day.
aocked hiui,
t, a neophyte
Olb4s often
Even oiiil-
i twenty-iive
r on the back
^, He never
n man or wo-
le wanted to
who had not
amewhat late
ituoted thirty
as founded m
B20, it owned
;le, 44,000 cat-
tember 14, 1808, Father Andres Dulanto; November
25, 1821, Sebastian Arrista, "Intendente honoraris de
provincia, comendado de la real 6rden americana de
Isabel la catdlica," a native of and refugee from Perii,
who died on the 24th; November 4, 1825, Father
Estevan Tapis, minister of the mission, and ex-presi-
dont of the missions. He had been minister of other
missions. A poor fellow, buried October 28, 1819,
lost his life " because he ate tobacco mixed with burnt
sliells, which is customary among the Indians." On
the 13th of June, 1803, was laid the comer-stone for
a new church, which was finished and dedicated to
the service of God on the 23d of June, 1812.
Six miles from the embarcadero, at the southern
extremity of the bay of San Francisco, in one of the
richest valleys of the state, is situated the mission of
Santa Clara, which in 1823 branded as one year's in-
crease 22,400 calves. Besides a most magnificent
cl lurch edifice, garnished with massive silver, the mis-
sion owned merchandise to the amount of $120,000,
75,000 head of cattle, 6,000 horses, and 82,000 sheep.
This mission was established on the 12th of Janu-
ary, 1777, by Junipero Serra, on the site called by the
natives Thamien, and dedicated to ** Santa Clara de
Assis, vfrgen, abadesa, y matriarcha de su celebdrrima
religion." Its first ministers were friars Joseph An-
tonio de Murgufa and Thomas de la Pena. On the
I'Jth of November, 1781, was laid by Serra, the cor-
ner-stone of a new church for the mission, which being
finished on the fifth Sunday after easter, was on that
(lay solemnly dedicated to divine service by Father
Serra, in the presence of fathers Francisco Palon and
Pefia. Governor Pedro Fages, who acted as secular
sponsor, and Joseph Joachim Moraga, commandant of
tfio presidio of San Francisco, were also present. On
tlie 6th of March, 1833, the mission was transferred
l)y the Fernandino friars to those of the college of
Guadalupe de Zacatecas, and several ministers have
been buried in the church of this mission: May 12,
212
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
■;;i
1784. Joseph Antonio dc J( dus Maria Murgufa, and
on the 22d of November, 1830, Magin Catala, to
whom was popularly attributed certain miraculous
powers, on the strength of which, it is presumed, tlio
church took, in 1884, preliminary steps toward lii.s
beatification. Eusebio Galindo says: "Very many
years before the Americans took this country, he told
us we were to be witnesses of extraordinary events,
including atmospheric changes, droughts, and other
calamities, predicting at the same time the discovery
of great riches toward the north, the coming of im-
mense numbers of strangers from all parts of the
world, and the establishment of many religious sects.
He likewise announced that the missionaries would be
expelled from California, but he would remain till
death overtook him, which came to pass.
According to Kotzebue, the monjerio of Santa
Clara in 1824 was entitled to the name of dungeon.
He says the dungeons were opened two or three times
a day to allow the inmates to attend church ; that lie
saw the girls rush eagerly to breathe the fresh air,
and were driven into the church by an old white man
with a stick. After church service, they were driven
back to their prisons. Some had their feet ironed, as
a consequence of detected transgression.
In a rich valley east of the southern end of San
Francisco bay, and fifteen miles north of the town
which bears its name, was situated the mission of San
Jose. This establishment for many years supplieil
the Russian settlements with grain. The arclu^es
now before me affirm that from 80 bushels of wheat
sown was gathered the same year 8,600 bushels, and
the year following, from .the scatterings of the first
harvest, 5,200 bushels. Besides a fine vineyard and
fruit-trees, in 1825 it owned 62,000 cattle, besides
horses, sheep, and mules, and watched over 3,000
Indians.
Mission San Jose boasted a ijood stone church,
which was preserved beyond the days of secularization.
MISSION SAN JOS&
213
ula, and
itala, to
iraculous
med, tlio
ward \n^
;ry many
y, he told
ry events,
and other
discovery
\i\cf of hu-
rts' of the
rious sects,
'g would l>e
reinaui till
3 of Santa
of dungeon.
. three thncs
•ch; that he
^e fresh air,
Id white nuiu
were driven
jet ironed, as
end of San
Lf the to^^•ll
lission of San
jars supi'liea
^\^Q archives
[els of wheat
bushels, and
of the first
rineyard and
lattle, besides
over 3,000
ktone chnrch.
aecularizatiou-
Tlic place where was founded this mission was
callt'd by the natives Oroysom. On the 11th of June,
1797, the father-president, Lasuen, performed the
ceremony, its first ministers being padres Isidro Bar-
ccnilla and Agustin Menno; but the first baptism
took place only on the 2d of September of that year.
The number of baptisms at this church from that date
to May 8, 1859, was 8,945; that of marriages from
September 24, 1797, to May 17, 1859, 2,587; and of
deaths to April 25, 1859, 6,945. There is no entry
in the book of interments for the period from May 1,
1849, to May 18, 1850. There is an entry by Father
Duran on May 7, 1832, which says, "estoy aburrido
con tanto enfermo, y morirse estos indios mas frdgiles
que el vidrio"; adding that he had five boys whose
only f)Ccupation was to keep him advised of Indians
taken sick, that no one should die without the sacra-
ments. Father Rafael de Jesus Moreno, minister of
Santa Clara, one of the college of Guadalupe Zacate-
cas, was buried here on June 9, 1839. Jose Maria
Amador assures us that the Indians of mission San
Jnse were dealt with most rigorously. Violations of
duty were seldom overlooked, a slight punishnient be-
ing fifteen lashes, and a more serious one twenty -five.
Any Indian failing to attend his work for two weeks,
without leave or without good excuse, received fifty
lasliLS. Fighting in the rancherfas, accompanied with
Itloodshed, was punished with one hundred lashes, and
the offenders were also kept in irons at the guard-
house during the hours of rest for a week or two.
Iiidiaiis wlio failed to present themselves for prayers
at tlie church were recorded in a list. No Indian was
ever sent for, but when he made his appearance, the
father at San Jose would say, "dente el socorro espi-
ritual " — let him have the spiritual relief, according to
the fault; if the absence had been of one day, six
lashes; if from two days to a week, fifteen to twenty-
five lashes. Sometimes the grim inquisitor would
wax facetious over his painful duty.
m
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
"Ah, Lugo, is that you ? Which way sits the wind,
my son?"
" From the southwest, Senor.
"Yes, yes," Duran would say, striking a meditative
attitude. "Well, let it rain."
Then, as the "spiritual relief" fell on the shoulders
of the culprit, the good father would stand by and
emphasize the blows by ridicule or cutting irony, or
if in the humor, he might remit a portion of the pun-
ishment.
Every day there were a number of Indians flogged
— some days as many as ten. The Indians did not
seem greatly to mind short flogghigs, for after receiv-
ing them, they would rise up cheerfully and go to
their work.
Josd Maria Amador, who relates to me the above,
says that he never saw at the missions of Santa Clara,
San Josd, San Francisco de Asfs, San Rafael, or San
Francisco Solano, the cruel punishments inflicted of
which he heard as occurring at Santa Cruz, San An-
tonio, and other places. He looks upon the punish-
ments he witnessed in the light more of reprimands
than cruelty.
He relates an occurrence at Santa Clara, while
Padre Jose Viader had charge of the mission. Three
Indians had failed to appear at roll-calling. There
was a large hole in the ground near tha ayunte, into
which the three Indians, by the advice of a soldier,
went, and covered themselves with dry grass, which
the soldier set fire to. The Indians rushed out, greatly
frightened, which set the padre roaring with laughter.
They came and knelt before him, kissing his hand,
and he forgave them.
The Indians had converts to their beliefs as well as
the Christians. For instance : the owl could paralyze
the forefeet of horses on dark nights so that they
could not travel. Then there were miracles in the
form of sleight-of-hand. Amador says that when he
was majordomo of the mission San Jose, an Indian of
MISSION SAN FRANCISCO.
215
,he wind,
•editative
shoulders
id by and
; irony, or
f the puu-
ias flogged
ns did ivot
Fter receiv-
and go to
the above,
;anta Clara,
fael, or San
inflicted of
iz, San An-
the punisli-
reprimauds
lara, while
ion. Three
ing. There
ayunte, into
of a soldier,
grass, which
out, greatly
ith laughter,
ig his hand,
efs as well as
)uld paralyze
so that they
racles in the
,hat when lie
an Indian ot
Santa Clara, named Firmo, often came there to pro-
mote dances and practise devilish tricks. On such
visits, the San Jos^ Indians failed to report for work.
Father Gonzalez ordered Amador to ascertain the
cause of such absences. He disguised himself and
went to the woods where the dance was going on.
The Indians recognized him, but said nothing to tlie
s7
yoiidored
to trans-
;Ui, on tlu'
rose Alti-
moniorial
,nsfor, and
liLi syndu)!
ary in tin"
San Fran-
\, and S«in
lot subsist
.)rity, wtiit
F the proi'-
la, with an
^.d to erect
,lior-l>ret'e('t
icli usuqia-
[ice ensui'd.
]^c\v San
ular stand-
lie was to
[th old San
Kafael was
neophytes
|d, be trans-
year,
persuasion,
saw in tho
■,y scatterrd
brin«j;in'j^ ii»
as fatiojuuig
tgli thicUets
,nding ceun-
AV it, moro-
over, under sad auspices, ruinous, dirty, and about to
beeouio the abode of the Mornionites. The eliurch
of the mission, a slovenly, ill-built edifice, decorated
in a tawdry, unpleasant style, common in the poorer
cliurchea in Spain and Italy, was still in repair.
The houses intended for the Indians were of tlie
meanest description, mere mud hovels, with only one
apartment, but disposed regularly in ranges and
streets. These were for the married cou})les ; those
Indians who remained single were locked up in a
quadrangle, formed by the houses of the superior,
the priests, and officers of the establisliment. The
eliurch, the factories or workshops, and tlie i)rison —
everything, was carried on within itself; carpenter-
ing, weaving, blacksmiths' work, were all pursued
with success under the auspices of the industrious,
painstaking padres. However, the confinenu^nt in
which tlie Indians were kept, and a solitary life, were
usually found so irksome that few of them contin-
ued long under lock and key ; they soon acquiesced
in til at state of passive obedience which it was
the aim of the institution to establish. That the
fathers did not go beyond appears to have been their
great fault, the rock on which their system struck.
We found the house of the superior in the posses-
sion of some Mormons, who had arrived in great
force; they are a peculiar sect with sensual maxims,
hut apparently as long as they can exist in plenty,
disposed to be harmless." Here are our blessed peo-
ple brought down to the level of swine, and Latter-
day Saints placed on a par with rattlesnakes which will
nt)t l)ite unless unduly stirred up 1
III San Francisco Bay, and all along the coast, seals
and sea-otter were very numerous. Senor Amador,
of Mission San Josd, affirms that in 1830 with three
or four natives he lassoed thirty out of a hundred sea-
otter which he found at Point Quintin. The last of
the race within the Golden Gate were at the mouth
of Sonoma Creek, a small but happy family, under
218
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
the protection of Vallejo. There they enjoycfl un-
disturbed their ancient home until 1846, when certain
hunters crept in from Santa Bdrbara in light canots
and shot every one of them, securing forty-two skins
valued at sixty dollars each.
In 1825 the property of the mission of San Fran-
cisco consisted of lands forty leagues in circuniferenco,
$35,000 in merchandise and $25,000 in specie, 76,000
head of cattle, 3,000 horses, 79,000 sheep, 2,000 hogs,
and 18,000 bushels of whv. .t and barley.
The record books of the mission San Rafael have
been nearly all lost. I found at Saint Vincent's
Orphan Asylum one book of marriages, and at the
parish church of Dolores one of baptisms, marriages,
and deaths; the former beginning in August 1840, af-
forded no information worth relating here. The latter
shows that San Kafael Arcdngel, called an asistenda
was founded at the placed called by the natives
Nanaguanui, by the father prefect Sarria on the 14th
of December, 1817, in the presence of fathers Abella,
Gil, and Duran. Father Luis Gil was placed in
charge, but it was declared that San Rafael being a
part of San Francisco, the ministers could act at
either place. The saintly missionary Juan Amor(')s
who had been serving in California since September
1804, the first fifteen years in San Cdrlos, and tlie
remainder of the time in San Rafael, died July 14,
1832, and was buried here.
Mission San Francises? Solano, situated in the
Sonoma Valley, began its v. oik on the 26th of De-
cember, 1823, with the burial of an Indian wonuiii
from San Francisco; on tiie 4th of April 1824 oc-
curred the first baptism. The number of baptisms
from that date to the end of 1839 was 1,494; that of
interments to the end of 1839 was 875. The record
shows that the mission was visited by a pestilence in
1833, and that about sixty natives died of it between
August 13th and November 28th. The smallpox
raged badly from July to December 1838.
FATHUR JOSlfe SORENIZO QUIJAS.
210
id un-
•ertaiu
CaiKH'H
3 skins
Fran-
ereiice,
76,000
hogs,
01 have
inceut's
at the
irriages,
L840, af-
he latter
asisteiicia
natives
the Uth
S Ahella,
ilaced in
being a
d act at
Auior«')s
cptembcr
and the
July 14,
I in the
li of De-
woniau
1824 oc-
baptisms
4 ; that of
he record
tilence in
it between
. smallpox
,n
The last minister of San Francisco Solano was Padre
Jest) Lorenzo Quijas. In person he was large and
of great strength ; in character he was resolute and
ftarless. Alvarado says that he excelled in oratorical
powers and, being no hyprocrite, he did not hesitate to
inveigh from the pulpit against what seemed to him
inunoral, whether the offender was grandee or churl.
Kind-hearted as well as strong-minded, he was often
found on the side of the weak. Feeling it his duty
to champion the cause of certain prisoners in confine-
ment, in 1838, at Sonoma, the bold friar found him-
si'lf in collision with tlie feudal lord of the north.
Aijfain in 1843, when Vallejo resisted the collection of
tithes for the purpose of founding a seminary at
Santa Bdrbara, Quijas was unsparing in upbraiding
the recusant son of the church.
At the same time his own moral character was by
no means above reproach. He preached well, and
fought well for the right; but he could not help lov-
hig wine and women, for he was human; besides,
could ne not sell himself whatever indulgence he re-
quired, being one of the Lord's anointed ? In taking
tlie habit of his order, there clung to him some of
the old Adam of his early life, for in his youth,
Father Quijas had earned his living as a muleteer.
He had five trains of pack -mules, and used to carry
goods to Santa ¥6, bringing back to Mexico beeves
and sheep. He fell in love with a fair Santaferiana
who jilted him, and in despair he became a friar.
Salvador Vallejo says that during the first few years
of his residence at Sonoma he was considered a model
of virtue, but by reason of frequent visits to the
trading vessels his morals were corrupted, and he
took to strong drink, which ultimately made a wreck
of him. He frequently went, without a pass, to
lioss, and always returned full of liquor, and bring-
inu; plenty with him. The Russians themselves, no
triticrs with the bottle, swore that Father Quijas
Could hold his own with any Kadiak at Ross, while
220
GOLDEN AGE OF CVLIFORNIA.
Alvarado, who was well qualified to form an opinion
in the matter, held that the friar could lay any man
in California under the table.
In his cups he was, up to a certain stage, good-
humored and agreeable, but when he exceeded that
limit, which was almost always the case, he became
quarelsome, and even dangerous.
Arnaz relates that when the governor of Ross
visited San Francisco, a ball was given on board the
Kussian vessel. This ball Father Quijas attended,
and was so carried away by his enthusiasm that he
hastened to borrow Arnaz' coat in order to take part
in the dance.
The estimated wealth of th-e twenty-one missions
at the time of their opulence, in stock and grain, was
$435,000, San Gabriel heading the list with $110,000,
while San Rafael had but $5,000 worth of property.
All the missions of Upper California were under
the control of a father president, who was responsible
for his actions only to his superiors of the college of
San Fernando in the city of Mexico. Each mission
was directly managed by a resident priest, whosr
power over his flock was absolute, but who was sub-
ject to removal from one mission to another by the
father president. It was the duty of the resident
father to keep books of accounts and to make annual
returns to the father president, which sliould be a
faithful exhibit of the state of his charge, both in
sacred and secular things; it should state the numbi r
of baptisms and conversions, births, marriages, and
deaths ; and should set forth the amount of stock and
grain produced during the year, and the quantity it -
maining on hand. Tiiis statement was forwarded to
the father president witli a request for such ai-ticles
as were needed by the mission for use during the
ensuing year.
Thus we observe as a rule the missionaries and tlie
soldiers coming, a little baud of each together, to
1^'
I ■■■
FOUNDING OF MISSIONS AND PRESIDIOS.
221
)pinion
y man
, good-
id that
became
»t' Ross
ard tlie
ttended,
that he
ake part
missions
rani, was
1110,000,
property.
3 re under
jsponsible
college of
h mission
st, whose
was sul)-
by the
resident
ie annual
uld be a
e, both in
he number
ages, and
stock and
uantity it -
warded to
ch ai^ioh's
during the
er
nocupy the country for God and the king, taking up
their quarters near enough to be of aid to each other,
but not so near that the soldiers should interfere with
the work of the saints. The presidio, or soldiers'
(juarters, was usually at the port,, or near the landing,
as I have said, while the mission buildings would be
])laced some two leagues away. And when settlement
l)rgan, the incomers at first always located them-
selves having an eye to proximity to the presidio, the
towns indeed springing up usually immediately around
tlicni. But soon, owing to the mild character of the
people and the country, immigrants settled themselves
anywhere and everywhere throughout the entire
region.
ies and the
ogether, to
When a mission was to be founded, the first build-
ing erected was the presidio, whose forts and walls
were of adobe, the latter eighteen feet hiijli in some
places, and in other less xposed points twelve or four-
teen feet. On each side of the presidio was a clear
space of about 300 feet. The walls were six feet
thick, and had iron or bronze guns at each comer.
Tlie guns were generally useless, except to inspire
terror. The San Diego Indians called them creators
of thunder. Church, warehouses, and dwellings were
all inside the walls. The gates were of heavy timber.
Besides the central establishment there were on an
I'xtent of from thirty to forty square leagues, a num-
l)er of accessory farms, and a few branch chapels at
which religious services were held on stated days.
In the neighborhood of < acli presidio, and generally
at a distance of four or live leaij^ues, ranchos tie real
hacienda, or ranchos nacionales, were set apart for the
usi' of the soldiers. These, at first, were also intended
for depositaries of tithes, to be collected in cattle and
i> rain by the government ; but as the missions were
never liaVi to tithes, and the other settlements were
of small value, this branch of revenue was never of
nineli consequence, and the ranchos only contained a
few cattle belonging to the presidios. The} were uu-
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
der the direction of the commandants of the respect-
ive presidios.
The lands of each mission joined those of other
missions on either side, so that all v.ere connected, or,
in other words, the missionaries occupied all the land
along the coast, except the presidios, the three pueblos
and their lands, and a few ranchos which were held by
virtue of grants from the king of Spain.
I have said elsewhere that the missionaries objected
to any settlements in the country but the missions ;
the presidios they regarded as a necessary evil. They
would like to have all the lands to themselves. Josd
Marfa Amador related to Commandant-general Vic-
toria the following case, which occurred in his pres-
He and another soldier had gone to the missioji
ence.
San Luis Obispo escorting Father Tapis, who was
then president and vicar- forain. It was on a quiet
night, with the moon shining brightly. Amador and
an old man from Spain were sitting on one side. Tlio
priests bejjan a discussion on the nature of the moon,
and the old Spaniard was asked by one of them for
his opinion. He coolly remarked as follows: "Land
it cannot be, nor water; frost, still less. Were it
land, there would be sheep of the missions up there.
For when your reverences hear of ^ome poor fellow
asking for a piece of land to place his live-stock on,
and earn a living for himself and family, you say to
the government that he must not have it, because the
mission needs it for its flock of sheep."
At a later date, many of these ranchos, by viituc
of the colonization law, were given to private individ-
uals ; but while they pertained to the missions, each
rancho was managed by a mayordomo, either de razon
or an Indian. Each rancho was, as a rule, dedicated
to one particular branch of industry — as homed cattk\
sheep, agriculture, and the like; but where two or
more branches were attended to on the same raneho,
each of these was under the care of a capataz. Tlio
neophytes who labored on these ranchos dwelt there,
MISSION BUILDINGS.
223
aiicl were subject to the same general discipline as
tliose at the mission proper. Early in the present
century, there were about 50,000 Indians connected
with the missions. ]N one but the alcaldes, carporales,
and vaqueros were allowed to ride on horseback.
During the epidemic of measles, about 1825, which
carried off so many natives, the mortality seemed to
be greater on Sundays and Mondays ; this was attrib-
uted to the free use of beef, as the slaughter of cattle
and distribution of the meat took place on Saturday.
The neophytes at the San Cdrlos mission were reduced
from 1,000 to 300 souls. During the small-pox of
1834, which ravaged the northern part of the state,
particularly Sonoma, the southern section almost en-
tholy escaping, the natives suffered severely from bc-
iig loft to themselves. It was a scurvy trick for civ-
ilization to bring its pestilence and foul diseases to
scatter among these simple savages, and then abandon
tliem to their fate, not to mention rum, syphilis, and
other virulent refinements, causing fearful havoc.
The ranchos de ganado mayor of the presidio com-
panies were formed at their cost, and well tended by
a corporal and four privates, who acted as herders.
Ill a certain month, once a year, the free soldiers gath-
ered there to brand the cattle, the comandante gener-
ally attending. This was concluded with a ball. The
ejidiers «lso had large fields of grain on the river
near ]Mo!it;erey. In later times, Comisario Herrera
ittotiipto^I vO interfere in the management of the pre-
sivliv ranch! ts, o** ranchos nacionales, intending to make
perst.nal [ rofi' s out (>'! them. Yet he knew they were
the propevu^v of the troops. This gave rise to disputes
between the comandante at Monterey and the comi-
sario, whereupon the governor despoiled the owners
of the property.
Tlie mission buildings, besides the church, which
was always the grand and prominent figure, consisted
of i 3 dwellings of the padres and their attendants,
biitT /;^':j for the escolta, storehouses, outhouses, and
224
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
corral sheds. Then there were huts and houses of all
grades, built chiefly of adobe, however, for the tamed
Indians, married and single, the former living in
houses of their own, and the latter divided, the boys
in one house and the girls in another, each watched
over by proper superiors. Often the buildings at a
mission were disposed around a large hollow s(iuar(',
the different edifices being accessible from the interior.
One or two large doorways, called portones, gave in-
gress to the court-yard. The house of the padre niin-
istro, which was next the church, and like it fronted
outward, was "J so in the square. Opening into the
i were the workshops of the car-
saddlera, weavers, hatters, tan-
interior of the
penters, blacksn-
ners, soap-boilers, as well as the warehouse when;
were deposited the agricultural products and manu-
factured articles of the missions, and the effects which
the padres bouglit from vessels or traders. Within
the square were the kilns for burning bi Ick and tile.
Outside the square were the pits where adobes wt>re
made. Sometimes the buildings were partly of adobe
and partly of adobe stone and cement, with roofs rs sliould redound to the public weal. Thus was
cleared tlie land round the missions, and houses built,
mid water for general use and irrigation brought in.
e.\L. I'A,fT. 15
GOLDEN AGE OF CAUFORinA.
ii
I
V!*?
While some looked after the stock, others planted
corn, potatoes, fruit-trees, and vines, and still others
learned to be carpenters, masons, weavers, smiths,
quarrymen, and the like. Whenever strangers who
knew anything of mechanics, arrived at the missions,
says Robinson, the padres availed themselves of their
services to teach the Indians. The centenarian
Eulalia Perez, who lived many years in the missiotis,
stated that a neophyte was taught the work for which
he manifested a liking. The more intelligent were
likewise taught to reatl and write. It was so, at least,
at San Gabriel, when Father Zalvidea was in charge.
And while these thus near the drippings of the sanc-
tuary were proceeding so gloriously along the highway
to heaven, the surrounding pagans, living some ilis-
tance back, would come over the hills, and down to
where the sweets of earth and heaven were bciiit^
hived by the busy swarm of industry, waiting aiul
watching for what they could get of the crumbs of
civilization without working for them.
The natives were quick to learn the mechanic arts
and willing to work ; but left to themselves tlicy
would do nothing. They were but children, and
needed the presence of the father. And so it was
that lands were not assigned to individuals or faniilirs,
but to communities having an overseer. In that
way they would work and eat together, cultivating
the land in common.
Likewise the padres were physicians for the body
as well as for the soul. If they were so great and
good as they claimed, they and their god and their
king, then they must do great and good thin'jjs, as
they claimed their master did of old, feed, clothe,
heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out devils.
The climate being salubrious and food plenty, the
priests were usually equal to the emergency ; though
the whitewashed savages could not fail to notice that
howsoever prevailed for a time the legerdemain of the
priests, Satan was sure in the end to get the best of
DIVERS CUSTOMS AND REGULATIONS.
m
planted
U others
, smiths,
gers who
missions,
;9 of their
sntenariau
missioi^*'*
for which
igent were
io, at least,
, in chari^e.
f the sauc-
tie highway
T some clis-
'nd down to
were bciiii?
^vaiting and
3 crumbs of
them ; for under the white dispensation as under the
red, all men sooner or later came to grief, were
ol)Hged to die, and be buried in the ground — where-
upon the priests would then say it was all for their
had sexual con-
nection, was placed apart to be married to her or him
with whom that connection hatl been, to be married
whether they were willing or not. The rest of the
men were then asked, one by one, which of the
women opposite they chose to marry. If the selected
woman showed unwillingness to accept the man, h<'
had to choose again. If any could not be matched
among the gentiles, christianized men and women were
called up to choose or be chosen. If several women
chose one man, and he did not manifest a preference
for any of them, their names were thrown together
into a box, and the man drew out one, whose owner
was forthwith through a messenger, advised of tlie
result, and required to set forth her objections, if any
she had. The marriages of the several couples took
place on different days, for each one, or for such
group of old and new Christians.
There was an Indian herder named Cashuco, who
was chosen by ten women at the same time. Tlioy
cast lots, and the one that drew the prize was made
supremely happy.
Care was taken early to instill into the hearts aiul
minds of the native children the power of religion
and the dogmas of the church; infants who lived witli
their parents at or near the mission were brought
almost every day to the priests, who would see t(»
their food and general comfort, until they were four
or five years of age, after which the child remained at
the mission. Thus these little California shock-heads
became, indeed, children of the church. The mission-
aries were very attentive to their spiritual duties,
exerting themselves to increase the number of Chris-
tians, and in keeping the latter well instructed in tlu;
tenets of the faith; often using to that end th(.'
Indian language. They were at all hours of the day
or night prompt in administering the sacraments, or
GOOD AND BAD MEN.
ing aye,
:. Anv
ual cou-
r or \nw
marric*!
(t of the
I of the
3 selecte stock,
said to have been about 100,000. And possibly Sau
Luis Key did the saoie.
MISSION RULE AND ROUTINE.
2»1
nissionor
,bc prop-
erninent,
Ac, gi>ats,
ch. single
It was
lieiu. But
about one
jled away
!r a wliiW'
ning tluir
'ranchcros,
liuistratois
•he lutliaus
ised mostly
I the bands
ve off stock.
,ns, but tlie
L the latter
he cattle as
rs of cattle
te persons
ect in vit'Nv,
liitlcs. The
\cnt becanK'
•y would l>e
jn were not
ires to put a
who entered
Gabrial, ac-
who had the
hat there was
Nevertheless
the mission
ids killed, I'O-
3rmouF> stock,
possibly Sail
The bachelors lived in a separate edifice, and were
locked in at night, the key being given to the padre.
The young women lived in another edifice, called the
nionjerio, under a matron who guarded them night
and day. They were locked in at night and the key
given to the padre. The alcaldes dv order of the
inayordomo gave the Indians their task, and released
tilt! I ocked-up bachelors, as did the matron the spinsters.
TIk! unmarried were fed daily. The married received
every Saturday one ration for the week of maize,
wlioat, frljoles, and meat, fresh or dried. Breakfast
was eaten at daybreak, of atole or pozole. At 1 1 :30
A. M., laborers returned from work to the pozolera, if
the work was near enough, and went back to work at
1 \\ M., stopping at sunset, when the third meal was
given, of atole as before. They were well fed.
Once a year the mission Indians were allowed to
go to the woods to gather fruits. It was generally
the old men and women wl.o went, escorted by some
«)tlH rs. Every Indian received one blanket a year,
and if he tore it, or wore it out, before the year was
over, lie received another. Every man received a
taparabo, or loin cloth, and a coton de jerga, or sergo
blouse. Every woman got serge for a petticoat. In
later times a variety of cloth was given for clothing.
Indians working at remote ranches generally lived
there, and had their pozolera.
Tlie missions had various mayordomos, who were
cliarged with different branches or with a rancho.
Tliey were gente de razon. Capataccs, who were also
iiitrri)reters, were chosen from the most intelligent;
(»iu> (jf their duties was to transmit orders tt) those
^vh() did not understand Spanisli. They also aided
the alcaldes and mayordomos in keeping order.
The mission herders were chiefly Indians, and
tended stock under the care of mayordomos, many
receiving saddles and boots. Women were seldom em-
ployed ill field work, because there were generally
nil II enough. They attended rather to weaving, sew-
I
if
pi!
232
COLDEN AP.E OF CALIFORNIA.
ing, and keeping the houses clean. In eacli workshop
was a teacher ue razon. Indians coukl not quit the
preuiises without k'ave, which was seklom granted.
Many were sent under contract to work at presidios
and ranches, the pay going to the conununity, it was
said — the \mire receiving it, however. A few Indijin
boys were taught to read, and other acconiplislinients,
besides trades. They acted as the pages of tlie
padre, and were better dressed and ttd than tlie
others. None but valiytos
ir cliildren
ro l)rou;j;lit
until the
an, known
monjerio.
veil to the
Liidian who
n at ui;j;ht;
laht to the
lor mother,
[cd for hav-
^irls wint
Ivlierc thty
lado— <"liec-
}l bread, or
this, each
I task.
From the earliest days the inissious were allotted
by two ministers each. As a rule, the one most oom-
piitent to attend to temporal affairs was placed in
charge of them, while the other looked after the spir-
itual. The former also assisted in baptizing, burying,
and teaching. Prior to 182H, the i)a(.lrcs had no stew-
ards; they would select from the neophytes the most
suitable for such work, and i»lacc them in charge, each
of some one part of the farm work. The padre took
jHisona] care of the warehouses, and superintended
till' cutting of garments for the natives, and the dis-
tril)ution of rati«ms. They labored nmch harder than
after 1828. Very few nnssions had servants d(! rjizon,
unless it was sometimes the llavero. Occasionally
tliiy wouhl emph)y the corporal of the guard, or some
old soldier, who understood how to till the soil, but
this was usually discountenanced by the coniandantes
of presidios, on the plea that after a soldier gahied the
L'ood will of the padres and became accustomed to
the luxuries and comforts of the mission, he neglected
military duties.
The Indians rose early. After dawn the bell rang
for mass, which the padre said while the Indians rc-
eitiHJ the prayers. After the first mass another padre
said a second mass, after the Indians had gone to work,
hnakfast being over. All Indians in the ranchcn'as
eanie to the pozolera before dawn, to take breakfast of
atole, made of barley roasted and ground, and sifted.
The bachelors and spinsters breakfasted after mass,
wliieh, as residents at the mission, they had to attend
daily. The neoph}i;es had three meals each day, the
desayuno before going to work, the comida at 1 2 m.,
and the cena after work was done. Their food con-
sisted, besides the pinole, of beans and maize or wheat
cooked together. Sometimes in the morning they
Were given meat and atole, which was maize boiled
witli lime, and after a thorough cleansing, ground by
the Women into a paste, after which it was man of a (li
lat of an
iiission «'t
-work and
.t the ini>*-
'tiou, they
regard t<»
lupieunnts
,wu, it ^vii8
novortheless in a sufficiently advanced state. The
|)riiuij)al cereals cultivated gave abundant harvests,
iunply ^sufficient for the missions' use, and wherewith
to .-^ull to and aid the people de razon and the presidial
troops,
"From my own observation," says Coronel, *'and
from what I learned from frequent conversation with
Padre Zalvidea of San Juan Capistrano, the system
of agriculture, nmnufactures, and instruction in opera-
tion at the missions was ba-;ed on a work entitled,
('(iMi de Cu)npo y IhiMoril, a treatise which contained
full information regarding the proper management of
the pro})crty and the laborers."
At the missions he who passed judgment on the
,.lh nces of the neophytes was the padre ministro. He
lieard the comj)laints of the alcaldes, mayordomos, or
foremen, and ordered the a}>plication of the punish-
nit lit — stripes (azotes), or the stocks (el cepo), irons
^^lillos), or the corma (a sort of portable ambulatory
stocks). Besides this, there was always a calaboose in
wliitli to secure culprits. When the punishment con- •
>isted of azotes, the culprit was either triced up to a
post or stretched face downward on the ground, his
liitvch-clout was removed, the flap of his shirt raised,
iihd the alcalde or capataz delivered on his buttocks,
or the back below the shoulders, the immber of blows
oiil( ii'd by the padre. Generally punishment was
ii(liiiiiiistered at the guard-house, which was next to
the calaboose.
Xcophytes were sometimes punislunl by confinement
.111(1 the stocks. When the offence was grave the
otfciuler was tr.ken to the guard-house, there bound
to ii post or cannon, and given 25 stripi'S, or more ac-
(ordiiig to the case. Sometimes the head was put in
the stocks; at others a gun was tied to the legs just
liehind the knees, and the hands were brought dow n
and tied to the gun. This was a severe punishment,
and was called the ley de l^avona. Padres Zalvidea
and Sanchez always showed great kindness to the
Indians.
' w '1
_A
238
GOLDEN AGE OF CAUFORNIA.
I'
■CI
The system of corporoal punishment established by
the padres was adopted by the administrators of mis-
sions, the alcaldes, and commissioners, and even by
individuals who had Indians in their service. Evtjry
one arrogated to himself the right to chastise at his
own pleasure the Indians in his service.
The mission Indians fancying themselves abused
at their missions had a right to prefer complaints before
the comandante of the presidio to whose jurisdiction
the mission belonged; and it was his duty to redress
their wrongs, but obviously for several reasons there
were few such complaints made.
While Padre Duran was at San Jose several Co-
suranes presented themselves for baptism, whieii rites
they received, together with a blanket and a shirt, as
usual. Misdemeanors were punished every Sunday
after mass with a dozen or more lashes at the church
door, after which the culprit went to kiss the padre's
hand in sign of submission. One of these Cosutniios
who had been thus punished became enraged, and nn
reaching the padre took off the shirt, and tlirew it with
his blanket at the feet of the holy man, saying : " Piuho,
take back thy Christianity; I want none of it; I will
return a pagan to my country "
In early times the padres were wont to go to distant
rancherfas unaccompanied by any military escort, thus
imperilling their lives. After the assassination of
Padre Quintana, the government adopted se\('ro
measures prohibitory of the padres' running like risks.
Therefore, the escoltas received strict orders, the
corporal and soldiers being individually respoiisiMo
for a ctunpliance therewith, never to allow the padro
to leave the mission without the escolta, whether he
liked it or not.
One Salvador Espinosa, soldier of an escolta, was
obliged, on a certain occasion, to use force in order to
prevent the padre, who was better mounted than
he, from going on in advance. Espinosa was put i;; Hie
stocks, and the padre complaining of him was obliytd
PRESIDIO SOLDIERS.
to appear before Governor Sola, who, on learning the
circuuistances, approved of what Espinosa had done,
and praised the fidelity with which he had obeyed
orders. It is to be noted that in those times, "cuando
todavfa se amarraban los perros con longanizas" (when
dogs were still fastened with sausages) — or in other
words, before the people of California had their eyos
opened — laying violent hands on a padre ininistro was
a most heinous offence, which was punished with the
greatest severity. The individual so offending lost
his position in society, being excommunicated and
ostracized.
The corporal of the escolta had criminal jurisdiction,
and in cases of weightier import which did not come
witliin the cognizance of the padre, he it v/as who
ordered punishment, consisting of lashes and the stocks,
to be administered. In still graver cases he made the
preliminary examination, and then sent the culprit to
the presidio for judgment. The corporal was charg( d
with tlie defence of the missions in case of a sudden
attack by either internal or external foes, and possessttl
oven the power of life and death, but this only on an
cuiergency when it was impossible to communicate
with the comandante of the presidio.
Ill early times double escoltas were stationed occa-
sionally at the missions, such an escolta being com-
iiianded by a sergeant. In those days the corporal of
an escolta was appointed by the governor, who alone
conld remove him. In an uvgent case, however, he
inioht be suspended by the comandante of the presidio
to the jurisdiction of which the mission belonged.
Ordinarily the escolta consisted of a corporal and five
men.
A soldier of the escolta kept watch by day, and at
nig] it a sentinel was placed, who by means of a btll
announced the four watches. Of course the cor[)()ial
had to be present at each relief; and when there was
a less number than four enlisted men in the escolta,
was liimself obliged to keep a watch, which was eitluj
:
240
GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA.
r
the first or the last. Tlie mission furnished rations
of meat am} grain to the esoolta, afterward sending in
the account to the liabiHtacion.
The married corporals and soldiers of an escolta
had their families with them at the mission, and there
was a little group of houses for the use of the troops
Tlie wives of the married men prepared the meals of
tlie bachelors, who made over to these women their
rations free of charge. On extraordinary occasions,
such as feasts of the church, the padres made presents
of fruit and wine to the escolta and their families.
When the corporal acted as mayordomo, he received
from the missions additional ])ay as such, say $10 a
montli.
In the mission escolta it was so arranged that one
soldier acted as sentinel from G ^. m. till 12, anotlier
till 6 p. M., another from G to D p. m., the rest all taking
their turn for three hours during the night. When
the padre wanted an escort, the soldier was sent who
had been sentinel el cuarto de alba, or the next one.
The day sentinel walked with sabre or sword, the one
by night witli nmskct constantly in hand. Cabo and
men had all to sleep in the guard-house, whether mar-
ried or single. When the cabo did not watch tluin,
tiie soldiers would seek the Indian girls at the raneli-
erfa.
On October 7, 1827, Jefe Politico Echeandia issued
a bando to the effect that no person should leave his
place of residence without apprising tlie local au-
tliority, or spend the night away from it without a
pass; persons found without sudi passes must be de-
tained, and no person should tarry at any other place
than that specified, or beyond the specified time, unless
sickness or otiier sufficient cause rendered it necessarv.
In no case should any one settle in any place with* "tit
permission.
Each mission was not only self-supporting wlun
once established, but was an instrument for the rajid
accumulation of wealth. They possessed within tliem-
NATIVES AND PRIESTS.
241
rations
ding "i
escolta
id there
i trtM)p^
nieals of
en tlicir
[•casions,
presents
families,
received
xy $10 a
that one
;, another
all takini,'
;. When
sent \vht»
next one.
1, the one
Cabo and
ithcr mar-
ch them,
,lio ranc'h-
Idia issued
h>ave his
h>eal an-
Iwithout a
List be dc-
Ither l)lat'o
ine, unless
inecessary.
;o without
tnig wbt;n
the r:\l'i«l
Ithui them-
selves all the elements of success. They guaranteed
to their converts the most possible of both worlds.
Tlity acquired titles to broad and fertile lands, and
paid their laborers in spiritual wares. Their costly
edifices, workshops, and storehouses were erected and
filled upon a credit which was to run throughout time;
all tlieir work was done by laborers, who at the close
off very day found themselves more and more indebted
to tlicir employers — obligated to such an extent that
iiiijdiiit and blind obedience and faithful services
tliiouLjhout time and eternity would be all too short
ill wliicJi to make their acknowledgments.
It would a|)pear that if it were possible under any
cinuinstances for Christianity and civilization to bene-
fit the Indians of America, such fruits could not fail
tuin and destroy. To the savage, civilization is
Satan.
After secularization, mingled with the Californians,
as servants, and partly by marriag(3, were many abo-
riiiin. s fro?u the plains and missions. The mission,
lirukeii up and despoiled, no longer afforded shelter to
Its cliildren, save a few of more solid character, who
liad managed to secure a portion of the community
land and efifects, and retain them. The rest had been
di>pers. (I to seek refuge among settlers or in the wil-
derness, leaving the establishments which had been
Cal. Past., Sol. I. 16
942
GOLDEN ACE OF CALTFORNTA.
?
I
built lip with so much labor and ticvotion to be carried
away by plunderers, or to decay under the unavailing
eflbrts of half a dozen remaining friars. These, jur-
force, nmst now turn their attention to the spiritual
wants of the settlers, whose fitful ears heard the jtcal
of bells only on sabbath mornings, rolling faintly
through the distance, and to be drowned perhaps l»y
more alluring calls, unless revived by promjjtings of
gallantry and display. The natives who deserted to
the woods relapsed into barbarism among the wild
Indians, living in rancherfas of sheds or brush arlxnN,
depending on tlio hook or trap for food, with roots and
fruit, and occasionally some maize from a petty fit Id
tended by the women. The practice obtained in the
forties, though forbidden by law, for families to pur-
chase Indian boys and girls from New Mt^xico. It
was winked at because of the benefit accruing to the
Indians so purchased, for they were educated and
treated as members of the family whom they ser\ cd.
Adhering to the traditionary usage of missioiiaiies,
the settlers would still descend upon these waifs in
armed force, and after killing a number of wairiois.
capture the women and children, or even men, for
compulsory service in tillage and toil, for wliieli no
compensati(m was accorded beyond food and seanty
covering. Such outrages aiforded just cause for le-
taliation under the guidance of mission fugitives; and
although generally confined to stock-stealing, their
raids at last caused great anxiety, especially in the
south, with constant calls for garrisons or Vfdunteer
expeditions. In the north the scantiness of jxyjtula-
tion had led to a more general employment of natives
at fair wages, which were squandered during frequent
intervals of idleness in tawdry finery and needless
articles of consumption. But of social and domestic
characteristics we sihall have fuller facts anon.
Before the revolution a salary of $400 per annum
was allowed to each of the priests connected with tho
missionij. This salary was discontinued by the repub-
PATE OF TITE NATIVES.
243
)C carried
tnava\l\n;4
hose, IHT-
! spiritual
[I tho l>t'al
\ir faintlv
crhap l»y
iiptiu;.?!^ of
^csertcil to
r the wiUl
usli armors.
h roots and
petty tirltl
inetl in the
lies to pur-
Vlexico. It
uinj:? to the
lucated and
they ser\ed.
missionay'ies.
ose waits in
of \varrit>rs.
en inciK tor
jr whieU no
and scanty
■ause for le-
iiyitivos; and
^alini?, their
Icially in the
or vcdunteer
iS of popula-
;nt of ni^tives
|rin*l freqii*'"^
land noedlesi^
md domestic
,non.
per annum
J^tedwitiith^^
|by the repub-
lic, fjrcatly to the disgust of the clergy, wlio wore also
roijuired to renounce allegiance to the king of Spain
and acknowledge the authority of the republic. An
order was executed liberating from the jurisdiction of
the missions all christianized Indians of good character,
wlio were to have lands assigned them for cultivation.
The work of the missions was still to contiime; they
wore to appoint parish curates over the liberated In-
dians, and prosecute their efforts to reclaim untamed
jrciitiles. All this gave rise to much dissatisfaction,
and many of the missionaries abandoned their labors.
The new order of things, instigated no doubt by the
most philanthropic and economic motives, operated
against the interests of the church in Califi>rnia.
The Indians thus emancipated were essentially the
support of the missions, under the strict surveillance
of the priests; they performed their labors faithfully,
lit Id in check the vicious, and were an example to
all; but with their new liberty, unacciistomod to the
exorcise of forethought or self-command, they soon
foil into dissolute habits, and rapidly melted away.
The care and discipline of the fathers being with-
diawn, as a matter of course the spirituality of their
eliildron was soon dissipated. Abandoning themselves
to spirituous liquor when they could obtain it, and
<;iviiig way to laziness and vice, tlie converts fell; and
as their own original means of support had been
witlidrawn from tliem, the depth t»f their degradatitm
was greater than during their primitive state. St)me
of them pursued the shadow of their former progress,
and cleared the weeds from spots sufficient to sustain
tin inselves; others abandoned all attempt to maintain
tluir former state of comparative ease and happiness,
and made acquisitions only in the new vices which
wci'o taught them by the settlers who were now
rapidly closing in around them.
The administrators placed in charge of the missions
after their secularization were mostof tliem incompetent
or unprincipled men. The few who were honest tried
244
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
W
to save tlio property, but their efforts were unavailiiij:
airainst the orders they eonstaiitlv received to di ll\i r
it to others. It is well known that several adiniiii^-
trators fjjrew rich by despoiling the establish nicnts
they had control of. Stealing was carried on to sudi
an extent, that plates, pots, and pans, doors, tiles, and
every other movable thing was made away witii t'lnm
several missions. The departmental govcrnim-nt tol-
erated these thuigs to secure the support of a certain
cli<|ue.
After secularization the administrators slaughtercti
large bands of cattle under the pretext of covering r\-
penses. One of the occasions of great slaughter was
to meet the cost of the schooner California for goveiii-
ment uses. It was said the schooner cost 7,000 hidt s.
Nothing was utilized but the hides. The slaugiiti i-
ings were let to contractors who frequently kilKd
largely in excess of the number required, carrying otf
the surplus for their own benefit.
Soon after Alvarado became governor, in 1830, ho
began to lend cattle to his friends and favorites, ft \v,
if an}', of which were ever repaid. None of the
loans were of less than 100 head, some even exceedtd
1.000. Add to that the orders of the governni« iit
for cattle to meet debts, and the draft was ruinous.
The loans were made on the following terms: to
return the same number of animals and of the smio
quality in five years; otherwise, to pay the |>iioo
stipulated if demanded by the government or any
ecclesiastical authority, a way of dying business so
criminally loose as to invite rascality. In SoKiiiul
1,000 head were sold at $1.50 each, })ayable in giKtiU.
when the current price was $4 to $5 per head in sil-
ver. The same man gave 800 cows of from one viar
to three years old for fifty horses. The same fellow ck-
livered fifty cows belonging to the Soledad mission
for fifty bottles of common brandy. A general iK-
bauch followed. This accordiug to the testimony ot
Estevau de la Torre.
IXDIAX LANDS.
slinu'iits
t to sucli
tiles, and
ni\\ tVoui
i\u'nt l"'l-
a certain
lUg
htori'd
veriu|4 ^•>^-
.rliter was
i)r «i"uvi'ru-
,000 likK'S,
slauji^itrr-
ntly W^'''\
;arry'ni;- ftl
11 IB'.iC, la'
orites, tcW,
:me of tlio
II excer<.l>'l
[rovermiK nt
[as ruiiu'vi^.
teruis: to
,f the suae
the 1>«"h-^'
[eut or auy
busineft*^ so
,loiu j4>i*»^'
general *-lo-
^estiluouy ^^
After the missions hatl been stripped of their live-
stock, the administrators and otlicrs petitioned for
lands, which they stocked with neat cattle, sheep, and
horses from the missions. Some of them would take
just enoue h to pay themselves for arrears of salary; oth-
ers were less scrupulous. The government was well
aware of the rascality, but accustomed to such dealings.
When Alvarado, Jose Castro, and their forces, re-
turning fnnn the south in IHJ^fi, arrived at Tecolote,
tilt' place where the eccentric Indian Cristobal ^[ano-
jo lived, he greeted them "Viva California libre,
iiu'ti! la mano onde quierel" Keing asked what he
meant by saying "poke in the hand where you
plrase," he coolly answered, "jmes, ttxlo se la roban,"
which means, "well you steal everything," All
laughed, and he was let alone. After the missions
wc\v. fully secularized, Manojo'a remark fully ex-
pressed the situation.
All governments are erected upon the supposition
that a hirge pn)portion of their servants must he ras-
cals, who shall give bonds for their good behavior.
The chief difference in this rcijard between the jMexi-
tan government, including the California branch of it,
and some others in Europe and America, was this,
that while in the latter it was expected that some of-
ticials would prove hcmest, no such state of things
was lo(»ked for among the Mexlcan.s, If any were
al)ovi! peculation or other rascality, they were the ex-
ception, and their honesty was often the result of a
lack of avarice, or the absence of any disposition to ap-
propriate to their own use the public funds.
The colonial laws of 8i»aln gave the Indians a right
to as much land as they needed and would use for
cultivation and pasturage, S«'ttled communities were
to ho provided with land for this ])urpose, and the
scattered families of the wilderness were ordered
I'lought to the villagss, tamed, and chriscianized. It
was for this, primarily, that the missions liad l)een
tstahlished. Indian lands in actual use and occupa-
'!'■ ;f;
;f
'i
246
GOLDEN AGE OP CALIFORNIA.
tion could not be granted to Spaniards. Mission lancl.s
were the property of, or held for the benefit of, t],f
Indians. This was the theory: when a grant was
made of land upon which was a rancheria, or Indian
settlement, such grant was made subject to the rlglits
of the Indian, and the grantee did not acquire title (ir
possession until the village, of its own free will, re-
moved fronv the grant. So nmch better were tljo
laws of man than the deeds of these men of God !
The system of despoliation which began with the
conquerors was continued around the circle of mis-
sionary enterprise, until the cause was left where it
was commenced, with the difference only of a fiw
millions of Indians having disapjx^ared in the mean
time. The Jesuits, by their influence and address, had
obtained from individuals the means with which to
found the missions of the Califoniian peninsula, and tlic
natives were then called upon to contribute to tlicir
support. Fortune rolled in upon their efforts, and \\ lu u
in the heiglit of their prosperity ; 'le orders reaclad
them from Cdrlos III. to turn over all their property
to the Franciscans and depart from the country Avitli-
out the spoils, was created the Pious Fund of Cali-
fornia; and the Franciscans, with splendid resourcis,
immediately set out fi)r their new field in the north,
where, after drawing upon the natives for thirty tliou-
sand laborers for half a century, they acquired innuciisc
wealth, only to be themselves deprived of power, and
their neophytes robbed, through the secularization of
their missions, in 1833-5, by agents of the government.
But the end was not yet; for as the government was
robbed by the administrators, so were the Californians
robbed by the incoming Yankees. What power shall
next appear to wrest these lands from us we cannot
tell; but whatever it may be, as good and civilized
Christians, we must hail it as sent of God, in his in-
finite mercy and wisdom, and for the glorious pur[
of progress.
poses
WILL THERE BE ANOTHER?
247
Decay and death, however, are not our present
theme, but life, and light, and joy. All through the
^M)l(k'ii age lay this blissful land in slumber breathing,
dreaming like the unblown blosuom of its future glo-
ries, its soft wind sighing the longings of ambitious
youth; meanwhile onward marching the constrained
impatient world through time from eternity to eter-
nity, never ceasing, never resting, the same force that
l)iit»gs men into life hurrying them hence, the same
.summer sun that warms into being, that forces from
tlio buried seed the wide-spread tree and sweetens the
rii)ening fruit, bringing rottenness and death. Woods
♦lecay, forests fall, rivers die, mountains melt, nations
come and go, mind only remains, and with the ages
iiatljers strength and volume.
(fone are those hajpy hours when plenty bloomed,
and care and wealth alike were unknown ; gone are
the light labors and healthful sports, without which
Eden would be no paradise; and in their place we
liave the screeching of steam, the bustle of trade, the
^ ui ibrous activities of opulence, and hearts heavily
^vr .rlited with care.
Will California ever have another golden age ? I
trust so ; but not in the near future. When it comes
it will be neither an age of savagism, nor an age of
pastoral sensuousness, nor yet an age of city-building,
of soil-subduing, of mad money -gathering; but it will
be tlie day when mind and morality shall reign supe-
rior to avarice and passion, when genius is worshipped
in place of gold, and when studious leisure and taste-
ful simplicit}' shall take the place of absorbing lust and
gaudy splendor.
CHAPTER VII.
COLONIZATION, PUEBLO SYSTEM, AND LAND GRANTS.
But still there is unto a patriot nation,
Which loves so well its country and its king,
A subject of sublimest exultation.
— Don Juan.
The thrifty padres from the start insisted that the
missions would hardly support the neophytes, let alone
providing; for the presidios ; wherefore the ^^overnincnt
contemplated, as early as 1776, establishing puthlos
or towns in fertile regions. This plan had a double
object, namely, supplying the new presidios at reduced
cost, and settling the land with gente de razon.
Governor Felipe de Neve recommended two si)()ts
as eminently fitted for this purpose, one on tlio river
Porciiincula in the south, and another on the Guada-
lupe in the north. Without waiting for the sanction
of his superior, he proceeded at once to found the
northern town, with nine soldiers from Monterey and
San i^'rancisco, and nineteen other persons, with tin ir
families, making a total of 66 colonists. The pu('l)lo
was founded near the eastern bank of the Guadalupe.
and about three fourths of a league southeast of the
Santa Clara mission. This foundation took place on
the 2Utb of November, and the town was named San
Josd de Guadalupe, though an eftbrt was occasionally
made to attach to it tbo name of Galvez, the visitador-
general of New Sruin, to whose enerjjjetic measures
was due the CAl.Monce of the new establishments. Ti
each settler were given a tract of irrigable land suffi-
cient to sow thereon three bushels of Indian coin, a
house-lot, ten dollars a month, and a soldier's rut urn,
(248)
FOXJNDING OF SAN JOSfi.
fltf
besides a yoke of oxen, two cows, one mule, two sheep,
twt) goats, and the requisite seed and implements.
Such was tlie origin of the beautiful city of San Jos^,
on which has been bestowed in later years the well-
merited title of the garden city.
Neve's act could, until 178T, be regarded as only
experimental. From the beginning it met with oppo-
sition from the missionaries, who now were willing to
supply the presidios. Jiut the governor had another
object in view, which Nvas to people the land with
Spanish subjects.
A regulation for the militaiy govemmont of the
new settlements, duly sanctioned by 8uperi"»* author-
itv, has been credited to Governor Neve, and went
practically into effect early in 1781. It eii braced also
a i)lan of colonization. Under it was nude a formal
redistribution of the lands in the pueblo of San Jost5,
and the foundation of Los Angeles on <,he Porciilncula
Wii8 Jilso c'fected. This regulation bears the title of
IxdiJivncutc e fnstruccion para los Presidios dc la l\"nin-
ifiila de California, Ereccion de Nuevas Misioves, y fo-
'iiirnto del pueblo y extension de los Esfahlerimientos de
M' 01 ferry. Its 14th section deals witii the subject of
pueblos and colonization. Under this section, settlers
were to bo brought from the older provinces. Each
et tliem was to receive a house-lot, and a tract of land
for cultivation, being four fields of 200 varas square
each, some live-stock, implements, and seed, to be by
them gratlually repaid in five years from the products
of tlieir lands. Adults leaving their country to settle
ill California were, furthermore, to be allowed in cloth-
in«j; and other necessary efltects, at cost price, $110.50
a year during the first two years, and $00 yearly for
the next three years. The settlers were also exempt
from taxes and tithes during the entire period of five
years. As communities they were, besides, entitled
to the use of government lands for pasturage, and to
all Mee(l(>d wood and water. Other colonists, such as
huuoiably discharged soldiers, were to have the same
250 COLONIZATION, PUEBLO SYSTEM, AND LAND GRANTS.
privileges in respect of lands. In return for these
favors, the colonists were to sell to the presidios ex-
clusively the surplus products of their lands at fair
prices, to be from time to tune fixed by the govern-
ment, taking as a basis the market prices for sucli
pn)ducts in the southern province?. In the absence
of other purchasers, this condition was a benefit ratJicr
than a burden. Each settler was to hold himself in
readiness with his horses and arms for military duty.
Other conditions were to the benefit of the colonist,
rather tlian to the government. The settlors were to
have their farms within the pueblo limits of four square
leagues; they could neither sell nor encumber tlicir
lands; they were to build houses, construct ditclas
for irrigation, cultivate their lands, and keep tlieir
implements in serviceable order; they were forbidden
to kill or dispose of their live-stock except under cer-
tain conditions, nor was any one to have over 50 ani-
mals of any kind, so that none should monopolize the
wealth of the puebhj. Each conununity was bound
to construct dams and irrigating sluices, provide mads
and streets, erect a church and the necessary town
buildings, and keep the pro})ios!, or pueblo lands, tilled,
as f.<)m their products had to be defrayed the muniii-
pal expenditures.
Tlie colonization system thus established nmst be
held to hive been a wise tine, well suited to the re-
quirements of the country. And yet, it failed to
yield the desired results, owing to the character of
the settlers, i».ost of whom were half-breeds. Some-
thing may be due, likewise, to the mildness of tho
climate, and to tho influtnitial opposition of tiie mis-
sionary college of San Fernando in Mexico, whose
faiars were opposed to any other establishments in
the land but their missions. They felt obliged to
endure tho presidios, but they wanted the government
to nrovido for them
Captain Rivera y Moncada, former commandant of
FOUNDma OF LOS ANGELBS.
251
tlie new establishments, and now lieutenant-governor
of the two Californias, was directed to procure pettlers
for the soutliern town on the Porcidncula. The or-
ganized expeditions, consisting of soldiers and priests,
started for California, to found several missions in the
Santa Bilrbara channel, as well as of colonists for the
now pueblo. They arrived at difterent times, without
mishap, at San Gabriel, and the pueblo of Nuestra
Seiior V \e los Angeles, otherwise called Reina de los
An;j;cles, was founded on the 4th of September, 1781,
with twelve settlers and their families, 46 persons in
all, whose blood was a mixture of Indian and negro,
with a few traces of Spanish. Lands were given to
thorn, and the possession was formally confirmed at
tlio expiration of the first five years, in September
1780, by Alfdrez Josd Dario ArgUello, commissioned
therefor by Governor Fages, Neve's successor. Nine
of the settlers then remained, each ^f whom was sum-
moned, and in the presence of his neighbors, and of
the legal witnesses, who acted in lieu of a notary pub-
lic, the commissioner granted him first the house-lot,
then the four fields, and finally the iron for branding
his live-stock. A form of measurement of town lots
and lands was gone through, and a separate title-deed
was drawn up for each of the grants, and signed by
the commissi(mer and his leijal witnesses. None of
the grantees knowing how to read or write, each ap-
pended a cross to the documents, after he had l)een
duly informed of its contents. At San Josd, the same
formalities had been effected, in May 1783, by Lieu-
tenant Joseph Moraga under similar powers from the
ji:ovi'rnor. At this place education was not utterly
ahseiit, one of the settlers, the ancestor of the after-
ward famous bandit, Jose Tibureio Vay.<|uez, being
ahle to sign his name, while the r'-alde, Archuleta,
was not so fortunate. The boun
ranchos ()ccuj)ied by sjjecial pennits were subsequently
taken from the holders because needed by the urn-
sions.
At the end of the eighteenth century, there were
in California eitrlitccn missions and four pres'uiius
without settlers, but each was intended to beeonir in
due time a pueblo ; three towns of Spanlanls, so calKd,
with alK)ut 100 heads of families; and finally, twenty
or thirty men occupyhig ranchos under provisional
pennits, which involved no legal title to the lands.
Tlie Spanish c6rtes, in 1813, passed a decree to reduce
f>ublic lands to privates ownership; but this drdvc.
ike another of the same year f(f>r the seculari/ation of
missions, was unknown in California before 18*J0, and
was then^fore ino|»t!rative. Colonization rules wnv
decreed by the ^[exican government on Novenii»r
21,1 828, to give effect to an act of ctmgress of AiiLrust
18, 1824; but they did not authorize the distribution
of mission lands. The mode of granting lands to in-
dividuals prescribed by the law was the one ratlirr
car«>lessly practised till 1846. A law of April fi, I s:!(),
somewhat modified those of 1824 and 1828, autlioriz-
h»g the national goveniment to seize all lands re()uiiv(l
for national defences, and forbade frontier colouiwitioii
by f(»reigner8 who were citizens of an adjoining nation.
In 1822, after the Spanish sovereignty had Ci-asnl.
th(^ provincial diputaK'asure among the |)eoplc in tl
north, with conesjwnding elation in the south ; but as
the people of Los Angeles maik' no provision of build-
iii'^s for public uses, the matter dropped out of sight
for some tune. An attempt was subsecjuently made
to make that decree eflective, which failed, and it was
oiilv in 1845 that Los Auijeles actually became the
scat of government, renjaining so until the country
ctascd to be an appendage of the Mexican republic.
As a result of the seiularization of the missions,
lu w pueblos were organized, namely, San Juan de
AiL,'iu'llo, Las Flores, San Diegulto, and San Pascual
ill the south, San Juan de Castro, San Francisco, and
Siiiionia in the north. Santa Biirbara, the former
inesidio, also became a tt)wn.
CHAPTER VIII.
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY.
Qnanto maa que oada uno m hi jo izc and 1» nger neck than the Mexican prototype,
wtre subordinated at times by nomadic rt^nclleros.
Cattle formed a ready recourse with which to obtain
from flitting trading vessels such ccmiforts and luxuries
as i^rowing taste suggested. The annual rodeo con-
stituted the stock-taking period, when additions to the
litrds were counted and branded, old marks inspected,
and stragglers from adjoining ranges restored to
claimants. The occasion became a rural festival,
t'n»m the necessary congregation of neighbors for mu-
tual aid and 8U})ervision of interests. Wives and sis-
tors lent their charms to the meeting, and animation
to the scene, by inspiring the horsemen to more dash-
ing feats, either in rounding up the herds, or dur-
in•( 1(1(1
vliut ill
on till'
|)jirtly
:)rts to
Moved
y was
iviuly
lor the
.j,. icing
in bull-fighting and bear-baiting, eager fur the chase
as for the fandango, and sustaining the Hagging ex-
citement with ganibhng, winning or losing with an
iiui)eiturbability little in accord with his othi'iwiso
movable nature; yet he gambled for excitement, while
tlie foreigner, who freely gave vent to his feelings in
round oaths or ejaculations, was impelled mainly by
avarice,
Sunday ni(-rning was spent, where possible, in de-
votion, with senses quickened to loftier feelings i>y
tlie solemnity of the place, the illuniinat'. u splendor
(»f the altar, the beauty of the chant, the awe-imposing
ritual. This duty was quite irksome, however, in-
volving as it did so great a restraint. After service,
amends were made, the remainder of the day being
passed in active games or social entertainments. The
load of sins renu)ved by penance or confession, the
soul was ready to take on a fresh load of iniquity, to be
as easily removed another day. And when in winter
time the sun hurried the day along, and night slack-
I'licd its pace, then lovers met. The old fashioned
rule in Spain was that a kiss was equivalent to be-
trothal; but there were here many kisses for (ivery
httrothal, and many betrothals for every marriage,
and sometimes a marriage without a priest. The
i,MiiUir and violin were in constant use, the players
Ixiiig always ready for dance and song, the simple
music being usually mrrli^t) by a plaintive strain. The
sillying was frequently improvised, especially in honor
of ^Micsts, or in sa.< astie j»lay upon men and events.
Lazy some of them might be, and were; day after
day, at morning and at night, lazily they told their
rosary, lazily attended mass, and lazily ate and slept.
TIk y were as sleepy, and indcdent, and amorous, as if
tilt y ft'd exclusively on mandrakes. But the languor
ortiiimi was not common with them. They could do
iiotliing easily and not tire of it. Theirs was that
abiHumity wherein rest was the natural condition.
Sujiremest happiness was theirs; the happiness that
S64
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY,
I
knows no wan i;, that harbors no unattainable longing,
no lU'siros that might not be gratified, tiie hai)pine^a
of i«j;M()ranro, of absence of pain. Nor might it trutli-
fully be «aid of them that theirs was only a ncgativi;
happiru'ss. Was it not happinensto breathe the intoxi-
cating air, to revel in health and plenty, to bask in
the Hunshine and fatten on luscious fruits, to enjoy
all of (lod's best gifts uncursed, in their Eden to pos-
sess their souls in peace? And of the doings of tlie
outer world, of past ages, of t)rogress- —these are not
happiness; does not knowleclge bring with it vastly
more of pain than pleasure? Yet sadness they were
not wlu>lly free from; a shade of ntelanchoiy is ehar-
acteristie of tlieir features. But what of that { 1 )()<•«
not the serenest joy often spring from quiet hiarts,
and sad thoughts find expression in sweetest song?
There were not lacking verse-makers among tht in,
though in poetry no attempt was made to achieve the
upper regions of Parnussus, their half-Hedged muse
bring apparently content to flutter round the moun-
tains bare.
Like their language, the Spanish are a pontic,
rytiimic people; yet stern, majestic, and with a nnl.in-
eholy tone. In their softer moods they are toiuii-
ingly sweet and tender, but when roused their tongut;
is ttrrible.
The empirical law of human nature, which asserts
that youth is impetuous and old age cautious, finds in
the nispano-('alifornians an exception; the yoiing
men were impetuous, tiiul the old men scanrly 1< s.s
so. A life-long expeii« nee failed to generate circum-
spection.
Though bursting with conditions favorable to wealth,
tlnrc was c(»n>paratively little wealth in the land.
(Jold lay Kcatteri'd in tlie streams and imbeddid in
the crevices of t!»e Sierra foothills, and the vall< vs
W«'re fat with grain-producing soil. Yet there la« kid
the applied labor that should turn thest^ resoun-es into
tangible riches. Some, nevertheles.s, actpiired what
POVERTY AND PLEASURE.
26ft
mijjfht be called wealth in those days, though not by
voluntarily saving j>art of their earnings, but bocaUKe
tin y could not spend their accumulations. They did
not love money. Any time they would fwmr out a
•gallon of it for a pint of pleasure; but the trouble was
too often that there was nothing to buy.
Lifo then was uidike any of the n)<»dificationH of
feudal Europe; it was unlike the fixtrl features of
Oriental 8(»cit'ty, the nomadic communities of Arabia,
the aristocrtitic tribes of America, or any of tin; great
tyi>es of human society, aboriginal or cohmial, that
liad ever before existed. Idleness there (liugli-
iii.; <»r siieep-raising, for witlnjut enj«>yment tiie race
would speedily tlegentsrate.
The products of these engendering conditions were
y were of such a character as
not to be (l«>pen«li'nt U]>on money or wealth.
N tars passed by with never a broken siesta of priest
(tr <'oMiandante, with never a n(»on dav aiM'e,
iiii'Mav and midnight were alike saen-d to slumber.
Though farming was limited, their wants being not
oxtensiv*' in this direction, und the «'are of horses and
cjittie claiming the most attentiiui, yet seed-time uiul
li.irvest were epochs in their (juiet lives, and sonie-
tiiih-» pruning and vintage, for in due time the padres
liiitl Well Hlh'd wine-cellars, in the disposition of which
tiny themselves wei'e not their worst custuners. In
tilt if farming operations, as in everything else, they
LOTOS LAND SOCIETY.
lu'ld, with Hesiod, to their lucky and unhieky days.
The old men saw visions, the young men dreanud
dreams. Nor were women old or younj.? without tiieir
schemes — innocent and childlike littU- [dots they wvrv ;
not hloodless, indeed, for tiie blood of young men and
maidens is rich and warm; but there was little uf
blood-spilling in these dreams and sehemes other than
the blood of bullocks fat for feasting.
Living thus surrounded by such scenes of natural
beauty, amidst olive orchards and vineyards, evtr
looking forth from sunny slopes on the iuiglit waters
of bay and sea, living so nmch in the oj)en air witli
higli exhilaration and healthful exercise, many a yoimg
woman jjlowcd in her lustrous boautv, and many a
young man unfolded as perfect as A|)ollo. Even the
old were cheerful, strong, and young in spirit.
Gatiiered at theii festivals, it might be said of the
as8end)lv as some one said of the lonians Ljathercd it
DvV>s. so fresh and blooming were they, as if blessed
with endless youth. And indeed, life here was ahn.'st
like a returning «)f the world to its infancy; a rretiy l>are feet, and ending tiieir
labors with ball-ganie and Uincjuet. l^y tht'ir l»ehi!\ii>r
one would think they were Imrn in tht; silver age t
r-'tui i~
I, Wli-'U
u\ II' 't,
>, wlu'U
n evt ry
mi Nv;'^
i-lovin;4
(1. r am!
eavd <>t.
t ahii"»t
iiaidfiis,
i,uiH>iii:^
11.4 thrir
K'lli!vi"r
,,. ajfr . f
d years,
fur none of these were one hundred, and tliey all acted
like children.
As nature grows, so grows man's uitelligencc ; as
nature speaks, so speaks the lieart of man. The hinl
sinijfs, and man prays; human lift;, like leaves, ennics
and "^otis, and no one kni>w.s whence orwJiither. 1'liat
which built mountains builds churches; seas and for-
ests, like nations, are born and die; that wliieh unfolds
the hidden seed unfolds the germ of intellect; nature
antl man--wild man or tam«'d -arc one, and all alike
are but blind chance or the developtnent of infinite
thttugiit.
In America, wherever tlie European plants himself,
tli«' native is overshadowed. And tlu; lower in the
sciile of l)umanit.y he is, the quicker lie dies. No )>(•!>-
}'K' have longer endured the intimate contact of Kuro-
jicans than the Nahuas of the Mexican tabh-huid.
T!ie Tasmanians Iiave gone, and the Australians, the
\t w ZralaiukTs, and the llawalians are fast going.
Our fond, our r;iiri('s. (.)ur })resent civilization te!i kindest motives, devoting their lives to the
amelioration of one of the most abject races of the
World, raising tlieni from a condition of nakidness,
hun;.r' '•, want, and exj>osure, and comfortably clothing,
Iioijoiiig, and fei'ding them, were doomed to see them
gradually i\u\e away. They can no more endure
kindi«KH than cru«lty.
Their sonjjs of native rdadness were changed to
minor moods, as they were made to sit in sackcloth,
and cry peccavi !
The savages are great itnitators; and once tlie
missionaries succeeded in gaining their good-will, they
soon were full of some kind of enthusiasm, they hardly
knew what. These strange white men they felt to
be their superior, hence to do as they did soon became
the fashion among them, even to falling down and wt>r-
shipping a snint-figure with crucifix and skull, glaring
down upon them from the church wall —eertyjiinly no
small tax upon the credulity of the wavaj^e or civiii;iij»erior political institutions.
Roth Indian and S[>aniiud wvm alike in natural
iiie! deuce, love of luxury, fondness for anmsement, and
hatred of menial oeeupations. Both would undergo
l!>e greatt^st hardships without a murnuir; 1 ut when
til'- j>as.sion had cooled, or when the exigency which
tailed forth these spasms of energy luvd passed, there
came a reaction in which indulgence was in as great
270
LOraS-LAND SOCIETY.
I
excess as the discipline had been severe. For i\u'
C(»iitiiiU()us a[>plicatiamboats and stage-coaches W(!re tlic
curse convtn'ing to silent ranchos and sleep}' pii('l»|iii
the policy of the latter to turn their country into a
H-nal colonv for Mexican convicts. This disi)leasun)
)eeame further increased wiieii the governm<'nt iv-
8olvere far more cd-
dially hated than any foreigmrs." Alvarado had
onc<* inflicted chastisement witli his own hands, on a
Mexican schoolmate named Kouiero, for making in-
CAUFORNIANS VERSUS MEXICANS.
m
suiting remarks on tho dress of the administration of
wliic'li lie was a meiiiher. A (juarrel hctwotn Alva-
railo and Alfurez Pliejj^o was another event }j[r«»winj^
out of the sectional liatred. The character and con-
duct of the battalion of cholos, brought by (Jcneral
^fiilu'ltorena in 1842, capped the climax, cxaspcrnt-
liii,^ the Californians to open rebellion, for the
sdlcUers were not only vicious and a disgrace to
tlie service, but altogether useless, and a burdefi
which the slightly developed country ct)uld ill sup-
port.
Said JostS do Jesus Vallejo to Cerruti: "CJeneral
Mieheltorena sent to Mexico, by Coronel Telle/, a
1> ison in whom he placed full confidence, st^veral otfi-
( iai notes addressed to the minister of war of the
Mexican republic, demanding of him assistance to
fi^^Iit the Californians, whom he repri'sented as un-
w.iithy of his confidence, because they were unit<'d i»y
iiiasduie bonds and all conspired against him. I be-
lieve tluit Oeiu'ral Michelhnvna would have done a
>rre!it deal better if he had franklv c()nfessed that tho
siiltliers under his orders were tliieves and not militiiry
men. and such a pack of cowarl was eom|)osed of:
(Jeiieral Micheltorena's «)tlieers, wiili a few lioiiora-
hle exceptions, were corrupt and altogether l)a(l.
Colonel (hirfias, an old veteran, who had beeu a[>-
poiiited < onnnander of the battalion, refused the com-
iiiaiid, and told the general: "^fost of your officers
are a miserable set. If you send tliem to buy six
jLiKe \\(»rth of cigarettes, they will lose the coin."
Among them was a Lieutinmnt Aguado, whoso
Sf-rvant was a choU> soldier. The latter was i'oming
Hem tli(! direction of the orchards — in Los Angeles, — •
\vni|ipr(l in a striped woolen bl.mket, and meeting
the lieutenant, oitened his wraj) a Utth! to show the
tw
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY.
I
head of a largo turkey, and said, "My lieutenant, see
what a fine viohn (base viol) I have with me." " That
is ri«;fht, my son, take it to my (juarters," aiiHWcrtd
Aguado, who well knew he would have for his dinner
a good share of the stolen turkey.
Manuel Requena, a citizen of Los Angeles, notified
Alcalde Coronel in 1842 that his poultry yard liad
been robbed of a number of turkeys, and that he had
reason to believe the thieves were some of Michrl-
torena's lambs. An Indian woman identified om-
of them at the barracks. On being asked what
had become of the turkey, he answered witli u
question and a reply thereto. Didn't you rect-ive a
nice little stew from my woman? And you ate it?
So did I and my companions. He alleged not havin.;
stoK'n the turkey, and explained the pnK'ess by wliidi
he came to have it, drawmg out of his ix)cket a line; at
th(5 end of wliich were several pieces of criKiked ncedl* s
securing a number of grains t)f com. He added tint
it was a way he had of anmsing himself, and in passin ,'
liequena's house, he threw those little gniins on tlu'
other side of the fence to see if he could catch somo
crows or other birds. Presently he felt a pulling ;»t
the line, whereupon he slowly and carefully dnw it
to himself, fearing that the line might jwirt; finally Ik-
discovered that the violincito had entangled its. If.
He then wrapped it up in his serajx), judging tliat it
was his by rij'ht of conquest. Being told by lis
coK>nel that this was theft, he answered that he had
always understood theft to be takhig things wltlxiut
tlieir owner's consent; but in the present case tin-
little animal had come to him of its own accord. Tlii^
ingenious pleadhi^ did not, however, save him fr 'in
tlie punishment, m the form of blowe with witln s.
that his commander ordered applied to his bare Imrk.
The first foreigners wlio established theins.l\rs
among the Californians wcsre regarded by those wlif
came later from Mexico as renegades and apostat»\s
or even traitors to their countrymen. They ac( u^ccl
CUAILVCTER OF THE CAUFORXIAXS.
flit
tlitin of secrotly plottiu«^ for their expulsion, foarlii<^
that their aseeiMleiiey over tlu; MexicauH was in y the poor i)Ut liolj
ami entcrprisinyf settlers who were beginning to reach
tin country. The majority of tliesc older eniiijfranta
hail (••tntornieti to the catholic rclijifion, anil were ac-
customed to «)ut-Mexican the Mexicans in liii|L;, and fandan;^oin<;, that they might ohtain
t'iiNof of the Californians, and l)ecome traitors in the
eycH of the minnows of Mexico — the female minnows
e8jMcially.
The character of the Californians was what in
tilt' main would be called ufould travel from
Sail Diego to Sonoma without a coin in his pocket, and
IKV( !• want for a roof to cover him, a bed to sleep on,
loud to eat, and even tobacco to smoke. Serrano says
in Iraxclling he once came to the house of some juior
|ico|i|<' who had but one bed; this they wished to give
liim and sleep themselves on hides s|>read on the
j,nnun(l. The guest resisted, until they considered
tiicmstlves slighted, and he was forced to yield. This
liii>|»itality was not only extended to acijuaintances,
hut to strangers; and if any one attempted to pay for
St ivices rendered, the poorest Californian would never
actt pt any reward, but would say, "Senor, we are
not ill the habit of selling food."
" ( )ii arriving at a ranclio," savs Arnaz, " the traveller
was received with joy, and the best things were |»re-
jian (I for him, with horses and servants on leaving.
K\( II their beds were given up. When the missions
tinuiished a man could travel from one end of Califor-
nia to the other, obtaining horses, servants, food, etc.,
without cost to him, and this hospitality was kept up,
or iicaily so, by rancheros after the decline of the mis-
CaL. Takt. 18
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
I.I
1.25
IIM 1112,5
112
IM
2.2
12.0
1.4 ill 1.6
V]
/^
^»
->
/
'/
/A
Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER N.Y. 14580
I 716) 872-4503
4^
%
L^
^
^v
ll
274
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY.
sions.' Some of Belden's party reached Aguirro's
ranoho unable to speak Spanish, and hardly knowing
how to get along. He made signs for food. The
Californians lassoed a bullock, killing it, and UAd
them to leave the hide and take as much meat as
they wanted, and refused to accept pay.
Every man travelling carried his scrape, whicli
served him well in rainy or cold weather; at night
it was a covering to sleep under. He could always
count upon a hide to lie on in the common house;?,
and a simple bed in those of the better class.
At the missions the same. The traveller being fed
was lodged in the guest's apartment; his horse was
taken care of, and when he departed he was given
provisions for the remainder of his journey. If liis
horse was tired out, he was given another, until such
time as he returned to exchange it for his own. " And
so," says Robinson, "any stranger travelling throut,']!
the country could stop at any one of the missions as
long as he pleased — for months, if he chose; his plate
would always bo laid at table, and every possible at-
tention paid to him. When ready to leave, all he liad
to do was to tell the padres, and his horses would he
ready, with a guide, and provisions for the road, which
were generally a chicken or two, a boiled tongue, a loaf
of bread, boiled eggs, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of
brandy, and the traveller was at no expense whatever."
A gentleman bummer, as the slang of to-day would
have it, could thus spend a lifetime going round from
mission to mission, and be always well received, and
all free of charge. He must have a constitution that
could endure some religion, however. The padres
were always glad to have strangers come.
"It is a proverb here," Bidwell remarks in 1841,
"and I find a pretty true one, that a Spaniard will
not do anything which he cannot do on horseback.
He does not work, perhaps, on an average one month
in tlie year. He labors about a week when he sows
his wheat, and another week when he harvests it; the
rest of the time is spent in riding about."
PHYSIQUE.
275
' knowing
,od. The
and told
\ meat as
,pe, which
, at niaf
Id a bottle of
[e whatever.
io-day would
round from
.'cceivcd, and
ftitution that
The padies
Both the men and women were quite fine-looking,
tall, robust, well-made, handsome in feature, and
lualthy in appearance. There was here a greater
pnrity of race than in Mexico. Many of the women
were as fair as those of New York, and had rosy
cliccks, contrasting with their jet-black hair, eye
hrows, and eyelashes. Their beauty was by no means
of an inferior order. Both the men and women had
small feet.
Vischer saw in San Diego and Santa Barbara the
('i'ii(lles of California society, the classic type, Greek
or Koman, running through whole families, with a fre-
quent occurrence of the oriental and Gothic. Their
cKnieanor was one of quiet dignity, all affectation be-
nio- absent
A.S I have said, the people were all indolent; only
Ik re and there was one who showed any inclination
to better his condition. They were not vicious, and
oor(
of love like
led, graei>fal
his life ui
'eathing the
kHXinion, tjie
[into all life's
the cavaliers
of old Spain. His courage no one will question who
lias seen him face a herd of wild cattle, 'or lasso a
grizzly, or mount an unbroken horse, or fix his un-
thnching gaze upon the muzzle of a pistol pointed
at his breast. He is by nature kind and frank.
The treatment he received at the hand of hard-
featured, ill-mannered, grasping, and unprincipled
strangers taught him to be suspicious; but his confi-
dence once gained, he is yours wholly and forever. In
]i is ardent nature there is no half-way course : either
ho loves or hates; in his eyes every one he meets is
either for or against him, every one is either friend or
foe.
Absolutely unconfined, socially and politically, or as
nearly free as it were possible for poor erring humanity
to be who cannot escape a master of some sort, or who
make any pretensions to government, religion, or social
ethics — masters of all their eyes surveyed, the beauti-
ful earth and its fruits as free as the sweet air and
sunshine, lands unlimited, cattle on a thousand lulls,
with ready-made servants to terid them, born here,
basking here, with none to molest or make afraid,
with woman to love, and oiFspring to rear, and priest
to shrive, with heart full and stomach full, yet relieved
from skull-crackinof brains withal — how should thev
be else than happy, than lovers of home and country ?
Life at San Diego in 1825, what was it? Life,
not death, for nine tenths of life is death or a dream-
ing. "Ah, what times we used to have!" exclaims
what a little later was a wrinkled old woman of refiect-
ivo memory. "Every week to La Playa, aboard the
.shij)s— silks ! oflftcers ! rebozos! music ! dancing I frolic I "
Such was the impression a ship at La Playa every
\veek for one or two weeks created on the female mind
in the year 1825.
"Days of primitive simplicity, its traces not yet all
gone from among the descendants of the founders,"
eoiitinues the sighing one. "The summer labors and
harvest and their cattle filled most of their wants.
1 . . ■ 1' ■ ,i ■
r
278
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY,
The missionaries drew a heavy commerce from ahroad
that supplied many luxuries in excliange for tlie pro-
duets of individual industry. The arrival of a ship was
more than a sensation; its date served the memoiy
to reckon ordinary events thereafter. And cold the
heart not to relish the gayety and enjoyment that
followed the dropping of the anchor at La Playa. .
Liberality on one side, unbounded hospitality on tlie
other, contributed to gild and prolong the festive
hours."
In the south society was most refined at Angeks
and Santa Bilrbara, these settlements bein}; larsjfor
and the people more wealthy than elsewhere on tliu
coast. Moreover, at these points larger military forces
were in garrison, and the officers were men of a culture
far superior to that of the rough ranclieros, wherefore
an improvement in manners was felt. In this vicinity,
too, were to be found choice lands, together with tlie
most inviting climate ; and these lands were secured by
the most influential of such as came to the country'.
Sail Diego would, undoubtedly, have been the
metropolis of early Alta California had the country
immediately surrounding the harbor been as fertile as
the valleys of Santa Bdrbara and Los Angeles, which
latter place bore off the palm — although in point of
respectability, Santa Bdrbara was not far behind.
The blood of Spain, already somewhat mixed with
that of the people of Montezuma, was still further
reduced by the occasional union of the Mexican and
Indian. When in 1835 the government began to make
grants of land, and the missions were secularized and
sold and the troops disbanded, many of the connuoii
soldiers wived with Indians. Hence came the baser
stock of Hispano-Californians, such as, in the time of
gold discoveries, were yclept greasers.
Thus there were two distinct classes — that which
sprang from the admixture of jVIexican and Indian,
and that of Mexican blood alone.
Whiteness was the badge of respectability, and the
POPULATION.
279
m\ abroad
)r the i>i<»-
a sliip was
le mcuKtvy
1 cold the
ment that
La Playa. .
lity oil the
the festive
at Angehs
eiiig hargcr
lere on the
litary forces
of a culture
s, wherefore
his vicinity,
ler with the
•e secured hy
e country,
e been the
the country
as fertile as
igeles, which
in point of
behind,
mixed with
still further
^exican and
jgan to nuike
!ularized and
the conuucni
le the baser
the time of
-that which
and Indian,
lilitv, and llic
white Anglo- American mated with her he cliose from
among the rich dusky daughters of Mexican descent.
TJiisclaim is to this dayrathcr a sensitive point, not only
with tlie Mexico-Californians themselves, but with
tlie Americans and Englishmen who married here.
A too close scrutiny of the blood with which thoy
alUed themselves is not always palatable to the fathers
(f dark-complexioned children, especially if the fathers
\)c rieh and respectable and the sons and daughters
(■(hieated and accomplished.
]\[orinoau's observations in 1834 are not wide of the
mark. "Since the time of La Perouse," he says, "the
Creole population of California has increased rapidly.
The immber of births is triple that of deaths. There
are often nine or ten children in a family. This is
owing to the wod climate, and tlie exercise which the
youths take— lassoing, riding, etc. Their violent ex-
ercise and lack of education make the Californians
rough and almost brutal. They liave little regard for
their women, are of a jealous disposition, and are strict
witli their families. Although brusque, they are kind
to strangers. Their wives are dunces, attached to
their children, and hospitable. Being almost all rc-
lited to each other, thoy live In great intimacy.
1 !u re is no difference of rank among them. One who
h;!s become rich by his Industry is neither admired
nor envied by any one. Theft is extremely rare.
!Murder Is without example. They do not like work,
l)ut are all day in the saddle, looking after their herds,
or huntinjr. The women manage the householiL In
the evenings they sometimes go to pass the time with
a neighbor, and play cards for money. Without prid-
ing thenisolves on their politeness, they sometimes
^i;iM! balls, and dance to the guitar and violin. Besides
the jota and jarabe, which they dance In pairs, they
have a favorite dance executed by a single woman.
From the crowd of admirers are thrown pieces of
nioiuy at the feet of tlic dancer, while the tallest cava-
lier places his hat on her head and his cloak on her
280
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY
.1
F:IH 'I
l.!^i
1(1
shoulder; a gage which he may not take back with-
out making an offering to tlie beauty. The Creoles
served no drink at their festivals but brandy ; lately
they have used French wines. The \v(mien preflr
Frontignac and the men Bordeaux. If the men are
fond of violent exercise, the women like spectacles of
a similar kind, such as bear and bull fights und horse-
races." Which is as this man saw it.
Laplace avers that "whatever good qualities the
native Californians may have inherited with their
Castilian blood are more than counterbalanced by
their laziness, pride, vindictiveness, and jealousy of
foreigners. For the most part they are very igno-
rant, and pass their time smoking and sleeping when
not gambling. They are indifferent husbands, faith-
less and exacting, and very hard masters. The women
are pretty, but vain, frivolous, bad managers, and ex-
travagant. They prefer to take their husbands from
among the foreigners. The houses of the lower class
were scarcely better than Indian huts. An air of
squalor and slovenliness was over things and persons.
Kjome of them when mounted and equi[)ped had a fine,
brave appearance, not in their case always a proof of
braverj^ Their daughters and wives were gracious
and attractive."
*' The state of society here," says Wilkes, " is ex-
ceedingly loose ; envy, hatred, and malice predominate
in almost every breast, and the people are wrctcluJ
under their pi'esent rulers. Female virtue, I regret
to say, is also at a low ebb ; and the coarse and lasci-
vious dances which meet the plaudits of the lookers-
on show the dcsfraded tone of manners that exists."
AYilkes found the men with no trades, and dependent
for everything upon the Indians at the missions. The y
were so indolent, and withal had so much pride, tliat
they regard all manual labor as degrading. "An an-
ecdote was related to me," he says, " of one who had
been known to dispense with his dinner, althcugh the
food was but a few yards off, because the Inoian was
III i
PATRIARCHAL CUSTOMS.
281
not at hand to bring it to him. . . . Priest and layman
ai e ahko given up to idleness and debauchery." They
delay paying their debts, but always pay in the end if
tiny can. Had Wilkes seen more, perhaps he would
not have been quite so dogmatical.
The constant horse-riding made them slovenly in
ap]»oarance and manner. They were so little used to
walking that they waddled from one side to the other.
They were roused from idleness only by the necessity
of lookini; after the herds.
Arrillaga and many other governors were continu-
ally complaining to the viceroy of the need to repair
this or that fort or house, the want of artillerymen at
ct'itain forts, and the need of padres at presidios, all of
wliich, by a little thought and energy, could have been
accomplished by the soldiers at no expense; artillery-
men could have been sent from a central presidio to
train soldiers in gunnery at other points, and i)ious
readings might have been held by sergeants.
Little wonder is it, therefore, that in looking back
the old inhabitants, sorrowing, maintain that Cali-
fornia was a perfect paradise before the foreign im-
ini<,aation set in to corrupt patriarchal customs ; then
robbery and assassination were unheard of, blasphemy
rare, and fraudulent creditor not known. Captains
would sell goods along the coast, and return in
twelve or eighteen months after to receive payment
in ])roduce. " I never heard of a complaint against
Californian rancheros," says Fernandez, "from Argue-
llo's to Figueroa's time."
^richeltorena relates that Santa Anna, on sending
hiui to this country, said that the Californians were
lambs which he commended to his care. "I wish,"
retorted the governor later during the revolts, "that
Santa Anna would come to pasture them now.
"The Californians vent their grief too reservedly,"
says Hayes, in 185G. " It is only to their friends they
unbosom themselves, and always very quietly. As
i«:t
Ill J
282
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY.
.'I 1
f-'i
yet they have not come universally to appreciate their
position as a part of the people."
"Nature gave the Californians high talents," says
Bantlini, "frankness, and simple manners. They weru
hospitable, and were capable of making great sacrifices
to aid the afflicted. I do not believe there is one of
tlie many white men who professes a trade; their oc-
cu[)atioii is tending stock, some small cultivation, and
idling."
Speaking of the characteristics of the families wlio
came to pastoral California, Sepulveda says: "Settled
in a remote part from the centre of government,
isolated from and almost unaided by the rest of tlic
Mexican states, and with very rare chances of com-
munication with the rest of the world, they in time
formed a society whose habits, customs, and manners
ditfered in many essential particulars from the otlier
people of Mexico. The character of the new settlers
assumed, I think, a milder form, more independence,
and less of the restless spirit which their brothers in
old Mexico possessed. To this the virtuous and in-
telligent missionaries doubtless contributed greatly."
In January 1845 Larkin at Monterey writes to
Parrott at Mazatlan: "The people here do not know
what Mexican family to associate with, it being im-
possible to decide whether the officer and his woman
are man and wife or not. This has held so too often
in Monterey, from the generals to the ensigns. Ur
Mora was sent out here when I came up, with his
wife, as he said — opened house, purchased furniture,
received company, and paid visits. In a few weeks
came an order from the government in Mexico to
retain part of his pay for his wife in Mexico, In
twenty-four hours this man and wife had not a Cali-
fornian house open to them, to my knowledge. This
is not a single case. This couple have now gone, with
three or four more officers, and 50 to 75 soldiers have
run away. If General Micheltorena would despatch
the whole of them, and depend on the Californians,
COLOR AND CASTE.
283
ite their
ts," says
ley wen;
sacrifices
is one of
their i>o-
,tion, and
lilies who
•'Settled
^'ernnient,
;st of the
s of coni-
.y in time
1 manners
the other
3\v settlers
ependence,
jrothers iu
us and in-
greatly.'
writes to
not know-
being im-
Ihis woman
|o too often
;ns. I>r
J, with his
furniture,
few weeks
[Mexico to
fexico. Ii^
[not a Cali-
Idge. This
gone, with
hdiers have
Id despatch
talifornians,
liG w^ould do well. At present soldiers use knives and
otfiecrs swords too much for good order." Perhaps
the consul was a little more particular and prudish
than he would be were he living in Monterey to-day.
In 1796 I find the governor referring to a tailor in
very courteous words. Coupled with this conventional
pohteness of the governor were some fiery doings on
the part of the females. In the San Diego archives
it is recorded in 1843 that a man was fined fifty
dollars in a conciliation suit, because his wife had
severely beaten an Indian servant, a niece of the
alcalde of a town. Thus it seems that gende woman
had her race prejudices. When a negro was taken
from the Bouchard party, a strong-minded female,
^vho proposed to burn him alive, tried to find out if he
had a tail, as the holy fathers had taught them to
believe that all heretics had a tail. This upon the
authority of Governor Alvarado in his manuscript
Hixtoria de California.
The Creoles had no servants as a rule, and they
rarely were able to get Indians from the missions to
tend the cattle. Neighbors regarded the property of
one another to some extent as commcn, and none
cared whether the other slaughtered one o'" his bulh^cks
or t(jok one of his horses. They called one another
cousins though no relationship existed. When fami-
lies met at a house, every woman went about the
household duties as if she lived there. On returning
from church, they often remained at the first rancho
belonging to one of the party for the night. The men
went to kill a fat calf, and the women set about different
duties as if they were at home. After eating there
was .singing, music, and dancing.
The Californians were not accustomed to see negroes
except in menial positions, and of these there were
only two in 1831, a female slave brought from Peru,
and the negro captured from Bouchard's party. This
was the reason the women of California, especially,
were very adverse to associating at balls and parties
M
LOTOS -LAND SOCIETY.
I ' i'' i>
with the gobcmador negro Victoria, r.s they callfd
him. All this, however, was somewhat u|)()n the
principle of the so-called respectable women of our
day waging war on prostitutes. They find it neces-
sary to do so in order to keep their own virtue up to
the social and commercial standard. Now, the women
of California were dark, while each, above all tilings,
aspired to be of lighter skin than her neighbor; so
she daubed on the cosmetics and powder, and held up
to holy horror a negro.
One governor did not like to see the Spanisn peo-
ple decline in social dignity, and in 1799 he wrote to
the viceroy, referring to rather indecorous means re-
.sortcd to by the poor subalterns to subsist; such as
letting their wives and daughters wash their own
clothes, and make bread and sew for others, and at
the same time fail to procure shoes and stockings for
the children.
The lower classes of the community, which were
composed chiefly of a mixture of Spanish with aborigi-
nal blood, presented a cadaverous appearance. Tlity
were bushy-headed, black-eyed, and sinewy. Exci'pt
when roused by some excitement, they were drowsy
and listless. A society of these beings presented the
appearance of having been recently emptied out of a
dilapidated graveyard before the sounding of the final
trump, and sleepih, resting until called somewhere
agam.
The following tale savors more of the manners of
unfledffed fiends than of the nature human. On tlic
r2th of January, 1822, in a thicket near the Mission
Dolores of San Francisco, the body, partially eaten by
wild beasts, of an Indian boy and a bit of rope of raw-
hide were found. By order of Captain Argiiello, the
matter was investigated by Lieutenant Martinez. It
was ascertained that the remains were those of Juan,
a pajarero, a boy employed to frighten birds from the
growing grain. The other pajareros were summoned,
and Braulio, to whom, because of his slight knowl-
Bii
GOSSIP AND S.VLUTATI()N.
285
odijfo (»f religion, no oath was adniinisteretl, stated tliat
uliout the 5tli or (>th of the month, he, as ])ajarero,
was in cliarge of* the phmted field close hy the mission.
Miucelo, aged eleven years, invited deceased to go for
wood, which, however, the latter declined to do. Mar-
celo, continuing to urge him, Juan i] rew a small
stone at him, which struck Ventura, aged nine yt-ars,
on tlie head. Marcelo and Juan then grapjded, the
lutti-r heing brought to the ground, ^[arcelo then
called Vicente, aged ten years, who cried, "Kill him!
kill him!" Vicente then tied the raw-hide rojte,
which Marcelo had for fetching wood, round tlie neck
of the ])rostrate boy. Meanwhile Marcelo was fasten-
ing Juan's hands, and called out to Ventura and llde-
foiiso, nine years old, to come and as.^i. ' The four
tarried Juan to a piece of rising grountl and thn-w
him down. A'icente tig]it(>ned the rope about Juan's
neck, at the same time tilling his '^outh witli f their hus-
arc a num-
bed IngU'i'i^'^i
from tlicir speaking the English language. These
have niarrietl Californians, have joined the catholic
church, and have acquired considerable property, owing
to tlieir possessing more industry, frugality, and enter-,
prise than the natives, and these qualities soon bring
the whole trade of the town into their hands. They
usually keep shops, in which they retail to advantage
the goods purchased in large quantities from vessels
arriving in the port. They also send merchandise into
the interior, receiving hides in payment; these they
again barter with the vessels for goods. In every
town on the coast foreigners are to be found engaged
ill this lucrative traffic. In Monterey, but two shops
are kc^pt l)y natives. The people are naturally sus-
piciniis of foreigners, and would not have allowed them
to remain in their towns if they had not become good
oatliolics; but by marrying natives of the country,
and bringing up their children as catholics and Span-
iards, taking care not to teach them the English lan-
guage, they managed to allay suspicion, and even
become popular; so much so that the chief alcaldes,
both at ^lonterey and Santa Bdrbara, are Americans
by I'irth.
"Tlu! men are always on horseback; horses being
as plentiful in the country as dogs and chickens are in
Juan Fernandez. These animals arc never stabled, but
are allowed to run wild and seek for pasture where
they i>loase; they are however branded, and attached
to their neck is a long green-hide rope, called a lasso,
whidi trails Ijehind them, and renders them easy to
catch when wanted. One is generally caught in the
morning, a saddle and a bridle is thrown over him,
and lie is used for the day; at night he is turned loose,
and another takes his place the next day. When they
S'o long journeys, they ride one horse till he breaks
down; another is then caught, saddled, and bridled,
and rklden till his strength also fails him, when a third
undergoes the same process; and so on until the jour-
ney is accomplished. There are not better riders iu
Cal. I'ast. 1»
200
LOTCS-LAND SOCIETY.
•!■■
the world than the Californians, perhaps from their
being so early accustomed to equestrian exercises ; as
they mount on horseback even so young as four or
five years old, their little legs not being long enough
to come half-way down the horse's ribs, and from
thenceforth they are so continually on horseback tliat
they may almost be said to have grown there. The
stirrups are covered or boxed up in front, to prevent
the feet catching when riding through the woods; the
saddles are large and heavy, strappi^d very tight upon
the horse, and having large, high pommels, round
which the lasso is coiled when not in use. They can
hardly go from one house to another except on horse-
back, there being always several of these animals stand-
ing tied to the door-posts of the little cottages. When
a cavalier wishes to show his activity, he makes no
use of the stirrups in mounting, but striking his horse
sharply he springs into the saddle as the animal starts;
then, with a prick from his long spurs, he dashes off
at full gallop. Their spurs are most cruel instruments ;
they have four or five rowels, each about an inch long,
and dull and rusty. The flanks of the horses are often
in a terrible state from their use.
"^.lonterey is also a great place for cock-fighting, as
well as gambling of every kind, to which may be added
fandangos, dances, and every sort of amusement and
knavery. Trappers and hunters who occasionally come
down here from the Rocky Mountains, bringing with
them valuable skins and furs, are greeted with every
sort of pleasure and dissipation whilst their money
lasts ; when, however, their time and their money have
been completely wasted, they are quickly sent away
stripped."
The cainameros called the English and Americans
'greasers' because they bought fat and tallow, and the
latter returned t]i9 compliment because the Californians
sold the stuff. Abrego says that many supercargoes
knew no Spanish, and on entering a house would say:
"Seilor, mi quicre grease," hence the name greaser
AT MISSION SAN JOSfi.
201
heir
; as
IT or
)Ugh
from
til at
The
Bvcnt
,; the
upon
rouiul
:;y can
horse-
stand-
When
kes no
s horse
starts;
shcs off
imcnts ;
h long,
re often
iting, as
le added
snt and
lly come
[ng with
:h every
money
Ley hi^^'6
it away
lericans
and the
lifornians
Ircargoos
Uldsay;
greaser
e
was applied to supercargoes or captains who traded in
grease, while it was also applied by them to the Cali-
fornians who sold it.
When Joa6 de Jesus Vallejo took command of the
mission San Josd, there were 5,000 Indians there, men,
women, and children. To keep this body in order but
eight men were required, five soldiers and three offi-
cers. An outbreak was not feared, for two reasons:
the savages were of a mild and friendly disposition,
and being not all of one tribe, but of different and oppug-
nan' peoples, if one should entertain evil, or endeavor
to hatch conspiracy, the others would be sure to report
it.
To feed this horde, fields of wheat were cultivated,
the Indians cutting it with sickles, and carrying it on
their backs to the thrashing corral, where the horses
tramped it out, the wind winnowing it. It was then
sacked in bags made of sail-cloth, and some of it stored
and some sold to the Russians. In summer on Sat-
urdays a hundred cattle were killed, and the meat
given in rations to the Indians, great quantities being
dried in the sun for winter use. To those who would
not work, or who absented themselves from morning
and evening prayers, the whip was applied, the culprit
having the choice of a raw-hide or hazel twigs. The
mother who through neglect allowed her child to
die must carry a wooden block of equal size, and for
the same length of time she would have carried the
child had it lived.
"The Indian girls and widows," says the daughter,
Guadalupe, "were separated from the others; a whole
sijuarc of houses was assigned to their use, where they
Avere kept seclude,^, and busy, spinning, etc. A large
nd of water was in the court-yard for their use in
washing and bathing. They were visited by their par-
outs, but were never allowed to leave except to walk for
exercise or to go to prayers, always well guarded by al-
caldes. They left this nunnery or cloister only to be
married. Ten or twelve of them would gather to-
1
•'ii
h '
I! (.
I'
LOTOS-LAND SOCIETY.
gether to go and demand a husband of the padre, nam-
ing whom they had selected, and it is said that it was
never known that one of these elected husbands refused.
"Widows lamented as much for this imprisonment,
which was sure to follow, as for the dear departed.
"Wheat, barley, and hides were the chief articles
of trade with the Russians. In the winter when the
roads could not be travelled by wagons, about a thou-
sand Indians were loaded each with a hide, and thus
carried them to the embarcadero.
"Among the whites, one of their customs in balls
was to stop in the middle of the dance at the wonl
' bomba,' called by the musicians, and the gentleman
who occupied the floor had to say something in com-
pliment to his partner. This was commonly said in
verse, and often improvised for the occasion.
"Girls who persisted in marrying against the con-
sent of their parents were made to take the whole
responsibility of housekeeping."
In conclusion, we may sum up our Lotos-land
society in this wise: ignorant, lazy, religious, the
religion being more for women, children, and Indians
than for European men — though Coronel speaks of
pausing in the midst of a fandango or rodeo to pray ;
and all went to church, though they gambled freely
afterwards. It was common for heads of families and
all circumspect persons to wear sanctimonious faces in
the presence of the young, refraining from the men-
tion of wickedness lest they should be contaminated.
Morals at first were quite pure ; later they became
very bad, syphilis being quite common among all
classes and both sexes.
They were a frank, amiable, social, hospitable peo-
ple, and honest enough where it did not require too
great an exertion to pay their debts. No obligations
of any kind weighed very heavily upon them. They
were an emotional race ; their qualities of mind and
heart floated on the surface ; they not only possessed
feeling buH they showed it.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.
293
m-
ed.
;ut,
clos
the
lOU-
tlius
balls
word
3inau
coiu-
.id in
3 coii-
whole
s-laud
3, the
iid'uins
iks of
prav ;
freely
|es and
ices in
luen-
iuated.
)ecanie
bug all
They were not a strong community in any sense,
either morally, physically, or politically ; hence it was
that as the savages faded be tore the superior Mexi-
cans, so faded the Mexicans before the superior
Americans. Great was their opportunity, exceedingly
o[rcat at first if they had chosen to build up a large
and prosperous commonwealth ; and later no less mar-
velous, had they possessed the ability to make avail
o:' the progress and performance of others. Many
were defrauded of their stock and lands ; many quickly
s([uandered the money realized from a sudden increase
in values. They were foolish, improvident, incapable;
at the same time they were grossly sinned against by
the people of the United States. There was a class
of lawyers, the vilest of human kind, whose lives
were devoted to a study of the cunning and duplicity
necessary to defraud these simple-minded patriarchs.
Nevertheless, as I have said, it would be difficult to
find in any age or place, a community that got more
out of life, and with less trouble, with less wear and
•wickedness, than the people of Pastoral California.
le peo-
lire t«^(^
Rations
They
id a>^^^
Lssessed
CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY SYSTEM.
So Jove's bold bird, high balanced in the air,
Stoops from the cloudii to truss the quivering hare.
— Homer.
California from its first settlement, and almost to
the end of the Spanish domination, was under a
strictly military rule. A provisional arrangonicnt
existed until the beginning of 1781, when Governor
Felipe de Neve's Reglamento e Instruccmi para las
Presidios de la Penlimda de California, went into
effect. Under this regulation the governor had au-
thority over the two Californias, with the seat of
government at Monterey, and the commandant of
the presidio of Loreto, in Lower California, was ix-
officio lieutenant-governor. Upper California was
divided into four military districts, with a presiilio at
each, whose commandant was clothed with civil ami
criminal jurisdiction within its limits, ^t that time
there were three presidios, namely, at San Dies^o,
Monterey, and San Francisco; the fourth one was
established, in 1782, at Santa Bdrbara. The military
force then consisted of four lieutenants, four suli-
lieutenants or alfereces, one surgeon, six sergeants,
sixteen corporals, and 172 privates, from whicli num-
ber the missions and pueblos of San Jose were fui-
nishcd with guards. The rest of the force garrisomd
the forts, cared for the horses and cattle, and canidl
the mails, this last-named service being the hankst
in time of peace. There were also a few meclianios
and native servants. During the Spanish doniina
tion only men of good character were admitteil iu
(284)
PRESIDLVL COMPANIES.
290
tlic service of tlie presidial companies. Each soldier
luul a broadsword, lance, shield, musket, and pistols;
six horses, a colt, and mule. One horse was kopt
constantly saddled and ready day and night. Each
company had also an extra supply of anus, and an
armorer to keep arms in repair. The governor was
provincial inspector of the presidios, in the dis-
ci large of which separate duties he was assisted by
an uj/mlmife inspector of the rank of captain, and with
tho })ay of $2,000 a year.
In the presidial companies were a few cadets and
Hohlados ditithiguidos. The former received their ap-
pointments from the viceroy, and though doing duty
in the ranks, did not live with the soldiers, but asso-
ciated with the officers. As they received only a
soldier's pay, they were required to have an income
to enable them to live and dress genteelly. Their
promotion was direct to alferez. The soldado distin-
guido was umstered into the service like any other
soldiirs; but on producing evidence of gentle birth
was enrolled as a distinguido, with the prefix Don to
liis Cliristian name. Any commissoned officer's son
wituld have the privilege. He lived in the barracks,
ant! did militarv duty as the other soldiers, but was
exempt from all menial work. He had to go through
the grades of corporal and sergeant before obtaining
a eommission of alferez. Another peculiarity of the
ser\iec was the granting to old veterans who had ren-
dered honorable service from 30 to 40 years as pri-
vates or corporals, on their retirement, the honorary
rank of officers-alferez for 30, and lieutenant for 40,
years — besides their pensions. They could wear the
uniform of such rank.
To ])rovide a system of regular defence against for-
eign invasion was found to be surrounded with insup-
erable difficulties. Forts would be of little use in a
distant province having no resources of its own. It
was then decided to have batteries of eight r2-pound-
crs for eacli port, with a sufficient number of gunners
296
MnJTARY SYSTEM.
as a protection against mere corsairs, and vessels for
coasting service. During a period of war with
France a company of Catalan volunteers, rallt^d tlio
Compailfa Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna, or
Conipanfa de Fusileros de Montana, 75 uum in all,
was sent out as reiinforcements, and distributed at
San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco; its oaj)-
tain, Brevet, lieutenant-colonel Pedro de Alheriii,
being stationed at the last-named place as command-
ant of the presidio. A small detachment of artillury-
men under Sergeant Roca was also provided. An
inspection qf the fortifications at the three presidios —
Santa Btlrbara had none — by an engineer oliicer in
17'J7, established the fact that they were cxcectliiigly
defective, indee*'!, almost useless. In Monterey tlioro
was a barbette battery consisting mostly of a few 1< )gs
of wood, irregularly placed, behind which stood about
eleven pieces of artillery. In San Diego, according
to the records, the priests blessed in November 17\H],
the esplanade, powder magazine, and flag. Early
in 1795 Point Guijarros had been chosen for a foit of
ten guns. This work was not finished until after
1800. In San Francisco the presidio buildings were
more or less damaged. The San Joaquin fort, in
form of a horse-shoe, was completed in 17'J4, and its
eight guns mounted on the spot now known as Foit
Point. Its main walls were of adobe faced hi tlic
embrasures with bricks; the cost was $6,000. The
elements soon began their work of destruction, and
repairs had to be almost constantly going on. An-
other battery was planted in 1797 on Point Medauos,
since known as Point San Jose and Black Point, re-
named Mason. At that time it was called Bateria
de la Yerba Buena. It was a less elaborate work
than the San Joaquin, mostly constructed of brusli-
wood fascines, with eight embrasures, and five 8-pouud
guns. No garrison was kept here, but the work was
daily visited, and to some extent kept in order. In
1816 the San Joaquin was repaired, and in 1820 it
SUrrLIES AND PAY.
had twoTity j^uns, of wliich three were 24-pounder8.
Tilt' presidio was newly built in 1816.
Sujiplios for the presidios came at stated periods
from Mexico and San Bias on the royal ships from
the latt(!r place. They were purcliased then^ in ac-
cordance with the memoria.% or memoranda, of articles
ntieded, forwarded a year in advance, in March or
A])ril, by tlic governor to the viceroy of Mexico, and
(Iclivercd to the presidial officers and men for their
pay. There was an hnportant change made under
tlie new system. Formerly the men were chargc^d a
profit of 150 per centum on the effects delivered them.
This extra charge was now done away with, the sup-
plies being furnished at cost and free of freight from
Sail Bias. But to offset this the pay of the men was
ri'duced 40 per centum; thus a sergeant's pay was re-
duced to $262, the corporal's to $225, the private's to
8-17.50, and the mechanic's to $180. The pay of
the lieutenant was made $550, that of the alferez
.S400, and the surgeon's $450. The men had likewise
to su1)niit to losses and damages incurred at sea, and
to the payment of a commission of two per cent to
ail JtdhiliUidn, elected by all the company, who under
the inspection of his commanding officer received and
distributed the pay and rations, and kept the com-
])aiiy accounts. This hahilitado could purchase Cali-
fornia productions when offered for sale. There was
an hahilHadn-general in the city of Mexico to attend
exclusively to the affairs of both Californias, who was
chosen by the votes of the companies' officers. This
position was in after years often filled by an officer from
California. The accounts for each presidial company
wure k(!pt separate. No articles of luxury could be
included in the memorias sent to Mexico for supplies.
Some coin came with each invoice, enough to cover
the pay of the governor, and one or two other officers,
with a small amount for the soldiers.
At the beginning of 1799 the expense of the mili-
tary t tablishment was nearly $74,000, which included
MIUTARY SYSTEM.
$4,000 for the governor's salary. From each private
soldier of the presidial companies was retained a
certain portion to form the foiido de retencimi, which
did not go into the royal treasury. The total of such
retention, at first of $50, and later of $100, was reim-
bursed to the man on his being mustered out of the
service at the end of his term. There were other
funds, to wit : fmido de fp-atificacion, made up from an
extra allowance to each company yearly of 8 1 jxr
private soldier, and intended to meet contingent ex-
penses. The liability of the presidial company was
well defined. Horses, mules, and all effects assigned
thereto, were duly charged. If any annual dicti, or
any of the effects were lost, whatever the cause, even
by defalcation of its habilitado, the company Iiad to
pay for the same, unless for some powerful reason the
government in Mexico exempted it from the respon-
sibility. The fondo de invalidos proceeded from tlie
discount of eight maravedfs on each dollar, from offi-
cers and men, and was applicable to the payment of
pensions on their retiring after service of at least
eighteen years; and the fondo de mwitepio was an-
other deduction from officers' pay for pensions to thdr
widows and orphans. It must be borne in mind that
officers could not marry without first obtaining the
king's consent. Such consent was not given to any
one below the rank of captain, unless he pro(hicecI
evidence of having an income of his own, separate
from his pay ; even then his widow would not be en-
titled to montepfo, though she would prolmbly gtt a
pension if he had died in battle. The widow of an
officer who married her when he was of the age of
m\t} years or upwards, was not paid any montepfo.
In --^he decade, 1801-10, the Catalan infantry com-
pany 7as withdrawn from Califoniia, and the cavahy
comp. lies were increased by about 90 men. In 1810
the tt il force of the presidios was 412 men, to wit,
two c ptains, one more absent in Mexico acting as
habilivddo-general, one surgeon, four lieutenants,
DUTIES OP OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS
299
four alforoces, nine sergeants, 31 corporals, 4 cadets,
'J42 privates, throe nu'clianics, one phlebotomist,
nuiking 301, besides 95 invillidos, and 15 artillerymen.
Officers and soldiers, at such hours as thev were
not attending to their military duties, would cut
Wdod, and procure other things for the'r families.
Some were shoemakers, otliers tailors, etc. The
mission escorts, usually consisting of a corporal and
fivt' privates, beside their strictly military duties of
standing guard, and looking after their arms and
anmmnition, were required to protect the jwrsons of
the priests in and out of the missions. The corporal
liiul charge of the criminal justice; in certain cases
wliich were beyond the priest's authority, he could
order flogghig and stocks. In very serious cases it
was his duty to instli-ate proceedings of investigation
in writ!:ig, and to forward them, together with the
witnesses and accused to the presidio for trial. He
could at times, in defending the mission from assaults,
exercise extraordinary powers, even to the \xnnt of
taking life. However, he could do this oidy when
there was no time to apprise the commandant of the
jirosidio, and await his action. In the early years
there were occasicms, when double escorts, some of
them under sergeants, were stationed at missions. In
those times the corporal or sergeants were ap})ointed
l)y the governor himself, and he alone could remove
tlunn ; though in urgent cases the respective com-
mandants might suspend them.
Early in the present century, most of the men in
California were soldiers, beginning their career on
entering their sixteenth year. The rule was to leave
to parents, having two or more sons, one chosen by
tliemselves. The rest were nmstcred into the cavalry,
or artillery, the choice being left to the recruit.
Later in the third decade, when the government
called on the alcaldes for recruits, usually the va-
grants, lazy, or vicious, were summoned. Governor
Figueroa called them "mataperros, enslUadores de
300
MILITARY SYSTEM.
caballos agenos, quitadores de algun cuero." Of
course, the industrious and well-behaved were often
mustered in from necessity, and occasionally out of
spite on the part of the alcaldes to them or their
families.
Discipline was very rigid. Among the punishments
inflicted on soldiers for serious offences, besides loss
of pay, were death, hard labor in the chain-gang, im-
prisonment, increase of service, etc., carreras de ha-
qiicta, the culprit having to run between two lines of
men, each man armed with a ramrod and striking him
as he pleased. The old Spanish articles of war pre-
scribed the death penalty for even what would appear
a trivial offence in a civilian. It was really astonisli-
ing how any man could escape the death penalty.
Grumbling was a serious matter. Once a number of
men at Santa Bdrbara made known through their
;- rgeant to Captain de la Guerra, that they wanted
to know how their account stood. After forming tlio
company in line, the captain walked up and down,
and asked who were the grumblers. He then related
how once some men for saying, "must we eat bread
like this ? " were shot. He told one or two more st( »ries
of a like nature, and awed the men so that a dead
silence prevailed. Finally, they all begged pardon,
which he granted, and no more was said about tlio
accounts.
The decade 1811-20 was in New Spain, as well as
in South America, one of strife. Revolution raged,
and the Spanish authorities were often at their wit s
ends to procure the means for carrying on the war
against the insurgents. This state of affairs was ])ur-
posely kept secret in California. The archives, l)()th
secular and ecclesiastic are silent. Nevertheless,
mails being pretty regular all the time, the officers
and friars must have known what was taking place in
the viceroyalty. There were no signs of disaffc^etien
to Spain among the troops, and all awaited patiently
the result of the struggle, though the viceroy -vas
A SWINDLING GOVERNMENT.
m^
constantly abused in every one's mind for his apparent
i»'j*j;lect to send supplies. The troops suffered severely
for want of clothing, shoes, and other articles that
the missions could not furnish. Owing to the in-
fluence of Father Payeras, prefect of the missions, the
soldiers did not want for food. The missionaries,
though with an occasional grumble, furnished grain
and other things on credit, as the provincial govern-
ment had no funds to pay for them. Rations were
distributed, which occasionally might be traded to
Sjtanish ships, or illegally to the Russians or Ameri-
cans. The friars were also without their stipends,
but they carried on a surreptitious trade with for-
eigners; whereas the soldiers were in a sorry l)light,
havino' nothing to sell.
With the change of sovereignty the soldiers lost all
arrmrs of pay due them, including what they had in
till! fn)ido de retencion, and the old invdlidos did not
get their pensions. Amador says that for over eigii-
teen vcars' service he received nothing; — aside from
his rations — from the government, Spanish or Mexi-
can. Or, as he expresses it, " el ^nico prest que
recibi fuoron los 14 agugeros de flecha que tengo en
ml cucrpo." The hapless soldier underwent hard-
si dps, had to stand guard, pass sleepless nights, march
and countermarch at all hours and in all seasons when
reiiuircd, carry mails, care for horses, etc. Further-
more he had to be humble and submissive to his su-
periors, or in other words, an abject slave.
Shortly before the oath to support Mexican inde-
j)endeiice was finally administered, one Pedro Cha-
bolhi appeared before Governor Sola, who was a
martinet, and usually, when in public, wore his
colonel's uniform anniinand. Chabolla, took off his hat, saluted, and
put it oil again. Sola eyed him in astonishment, and
demanded what he meant by wearing his hat in the
govirnnr's presence. Chabolla answered, "Liberty
has given me the right to wear this hat." He had
902
MILTTARY SYSTEM.
:ilh
I i
t' 1
been reading the Acta Constitutiva, adopted by the
Sovereign Provisional Junta of Mexico in 1822,
which had surreptitiously entered California in pam-
phlet form, and the soldiers had read it. Sola was
furious; with his cane he struck Chabolla several
times, and sent him to the calaboose. Chabolla in an
irate manner said before retiring : *' Senor Gobernador:
Your senoria in punishing me unlawfully makes use of
the legislative, executive, and judicial powers." The
acta enjoined that the three powers should not be
vested in the same person.
Another instance is given of Sola's military despo-
tism. Rafael Galindo, who had been a soldier, asked
him in Monterey permission to buy some cigarettes
from the habilitado of the presidial company. Sola
came close to Galindo, and brusquely said :
"Who are you?"
"The alcalde of San Jose," was the answer.
" Then attend to your duties at San Jose," said the
governor.
The presidial companies could do but little service
in the coast defence, as was evident when Monterey
and other parts were assailed by the Buenos Aires
insurgents with two ships, under Bouchard, in 1818.
This occurrence made a stir at court in Mexico, and a
cavalry company from the escuadron de Mazatlaii,
composed of good, orderly men, and an infantry one
from San Bias, mostly made up of jail-birds, togetlier
with a small detachment of artiller}mien, and a few
poor arms and ammunition, were sent out the next
year.
The same military system continued under Mexican
rule. Guards were not kept at the secularized niis-
The force in 1835 consisted of 307 men, iii-
sions.
eluding 22 officers of all ranks, among whom were the
governor and commander-in-chief, who was a brigadier-
general, and two naval lieutenants. The organizations
were one artillery companv, 38 men, four presidial
companies, 138 men, Mazatlan company, reduced to
GARRISONS AND ARMS.
303
■the
822,
paiii-
, was
veral
in an
lador:
use of
The
ot be
despo-
askcd
irettcs
Sola
aid the
service
interey
Aires
11 1818.
, and a
,zatlan,
itry one
logether
d a few
Lie TH'Xt
Viexican
sed niis-
iien, iu-
rcrc the
rigadicr-
izatlons
reaidii^ii
ucod to
37 men, and a small detachment of infantry, 36.
Later, a militia was organized in battalions, called
auxiliares dcfensores de la patria. The presidial and
other companies declined to mere skeletons. The
last record about the San Diego company is Alfdrez
Salazar's report of November 1842, to the effect that
he had 14 men without arms or ammunition. Earlier
in the same year, Mofras saw a few soldiers and an
officer at the pueblo, and a few cannon half buried
amid the ruins of the presidio and fort. When Com-
modore Jones seized Monterey in 1842, Phelps, mas-
ter of the American ship Alert, spiked the guns, and
threw every movable article into the bay. After
1842, an occasional wail is heard that San Diego has
neither soldiers nor means of defence.
FrcMii 1842 to 1845 the batallon fijo, brought by
General Micheltorena, garrisoned the department, caus-
ing a very heavy expenditure. This battalion was
withdrawn on the general's departure. In 1845, the
!Monterey company still existed, with 20 or 30 men,
though the presidio had disappeared. In the previous
year, an auxiliary company of cavalry had assumed
the role of defenders of the country from internal and
external foes. The so-called fort had about twelve
mm, and three or four serviceable guns. At San
Francisco were, in 1845, an alferez and ten men from
tlie old San Francisco company, which during several
years had been stationed at Sonoma. Forty or fifty
dcfensores held themselves ready to fight. The com-
pany at Sonoma — 40 or 50 men — was disbanded about
1844. For a time there had been an Indian infantry
company, which was also nmatered out. There were
some sixty militiamen in the district. Down to 184.*^,
the ]>lace was entirely under military control. Ac-
cording to a report of the minister of war of Mexico,
there were in California in 1840 three 24-pounders of
iron, mounted, eight 8-pounders, eight 6-pounders,
ten 4-])ounders, one 2-poundcr, some of iron, others of
brass ; a number were dismounted.
804
MILITARY SYSTEM.
I !«'Vf
Tn the latter part of 1845, the monthly pay-roll of
officers, a few retired soldiers, and one widow, amounted
to $2,959. There were officers enough for a force of
3,000 men, all drawing pay with more or less reo'u-
larity. A number of thoso officers were useless, and
many of them rendered no service. The rank and ])ay
were given them as a reward of partisanship. When
the Americans invaded California, most of those fel-
lows proved themselves utterly incapable. In July
1846, the Californian forces, 400 or 500 strong, and
all mounted, concentrated at Los Angeles. They Jmd
neither food nor clothing for several days. Tlion
some old oxen were provided for their use. Thero
was a comjiania de honor, made up of officers. The
first old ox slaughtered for this company was nick-
named the " buey fundador de la mision de San Ga-
briel." The men of the company of honor preferred
to it the pears and apples they used to steal from the
private orchards. When the forces were on their
march south, even the officers, their commander, Joso
Castro, excepted, went hungry. In the Solcdad val-
lej', he received from the Guadalupe rancho a Iju^e
supply for himself of cooked provisions, poultry and
pastry. He supped alone, under a tree, with his hack
turned to his hungry companions. When he had sat-
isfied hia appetite, he wrapped up the things, and left
the bundle on the ground, covered by his saddle.
About midnight, Lieutenant Josd Antonio Chaviz
crawled to the spot, and brought away the eatables, and
with his friends demolished them; after doing whidi.
he went back with the bones, and placed them, together
with dry horse-dung, under the saddle. Then findinij;
a bottle with brandy, he of course confiscated it. Next
morning Castro, on discovering the trick, loolied
around with a fierce scowl, using the vilest of lan-
guage, and threatening dire vengeance, but no ow
paid him the slightest attention. Ever after, on re-
ceiving new supplies, he would hold his orderly, Felipe
Espinosa Barajas, responsible for them.
. of
ited
e of
and
pav
lien
; M-
Jul\-
, and
r }iad
Then
[liero
The
nick-
n Ga-
ferrcd
iiii the
their
r, Jose
id val-
i hu!j;t'
ry and
s hack
d sat-
d h'ft
addh'.
havez
OS, and
whiih.
hjrothor
finduv^
Next
look'xl
of h^i>-
no one
on rt'-
1, IV'lip'^
CHAPTER X.
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
Kennst du das Land wo die Citroneu blilhn,
Im duukeln Laub die (lold-Oraiigen glulin,
Elin sanfter Wind vom blauen Hiiinnul wuht.
Die Myrte still und lioch der Lorbuur stuht,
Kennst du es wohl ?
Dabin ! Dabin
Mocht ich mit dir, o, mein Gcliubter, ziclm.
-Ooethe.
"Women were not treated with the greatest rospoct :
in Latin and in savage countries tlicy seldom are;
liencc, as these were half Latin and half savage, we
are not surprised to Jearn that the men too often idled
away their time, leaving the women to do all the work
and rear the family. True, while the women, besides
attLiiding to their domestic duties, cut the wood, cul-
tivated the garden, went washing to the water, wliere
they erected an arbor, the men were on horseback
lassoing wild cattle, and if they brought home some
nuat the wife was thankful and content.
Tliere was strong affection, and never a ha|ipier
family than when the ranchero, dwelling in pastoral
siinitlicity, saw his sons and his f^on's sons bringing to
tilt' i)aternal roof their wives a'.d seating them at the
ovir-lcuijfthenininr table. Additions were sometimes
made to that most comfortable of buildings, the family
adoho, and if here was not the highest intelligence
and refinement, happiness was present.
Oil the other hand, as Sanchez says, the women
Were not without their champions. Chico and Pico
Cal. Pa8T., Vol. I. 20 ( 806 )
lil
306
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
!• '
did the most for them, and for their education, accord-
ing to tradition, refusing them nothing. During all
their wars, he affirms, the Califomians never neglected
their wives and daughters. True, there were times
when the women v. ere exposed to hardships, and sounj
men did not treat them with due consideration. This,
however, changed gradually; and with Pico's rise the
difl'crence became so radical that even the gentlest
women seized their husbands by the beard.
Fermina Espinosa, owner of Santa Rita ranclio,
now Sotoville, was very masculine, and did all the
rancho work, breaking colts, lassoing cattle, while lu r
husband did nothing but eat, sleep, smoke, and in-
crease an already numerous family. She was much
respected. V. Avila of Sal-si-puedes rancho had four
daughters, fair and blue-eyed, who worked like iiu n,
roamed the mountains in men's attire, guarding stoi k
and felling timber. They also made blankets and
clicese, and drove the old wooden-wheeled ox-eait
here and there as duty demanded. One girl married ;
the rest remain single to care for the old father.
The days of legal discipline were not yet over, and
woman here came in for her share. I will quote a
few cases in actual life taken from the archives.
In 1840, at Los Angeles, Prefect Arguello directs
the 2d justice of the peace to conduct by force a
woman who refuses accompa.iying her husband. At
San Jose, Juan Lisaldo complained to the alcalde
that he believed his wife Maria de las Nieves was
about to abscond. A summons was issued on the
27th of April, 1847, and the case tried the same day.
The alcalde directed that the parties be united ai,^ain,
or be imprisoned until they consented to live together.
On the 1st of May a letter was sent to the pri( :^t ef
Santa Clara, who ordained that they should be cnni-
pelled to live together. After three days given fer
reflection, Maria refused to comply, whereupon she was
put in prison, there to learn obedience.
Said Sub-prefect Sunol to Alcalde Guillen: "If Juana
FELICITIES AND INFEUCITIES.
307
accord -
.ring all
eglectrd
re tiiiK'S
lid some
1. _ This,
; rise the
gentlest
Giilinclo still manifests repugnance toward lierliusband
and refuses going back to him, the alcalde shall have
her taken from her house, and putting handcutis on her,
^.liall deliver her to her husband, charging him with
liLi' care and responsibility. Dios y Libertad."
Writing to Ortega the 25th of March, 1783, Fagcs
declares that he has learned what has passed between
C'urro and his girl-wife, and thinks it is her love for
Ik r })arents which makes her object to the duty imp()sed
hy nature. Let her go and live with Curro in some
otlur place, suggests the governor, and then she will
virld to his desire.
Vet plainer is the complaint of Jose !Madariaga to
till- justice of the peace at Monterey in 1845 — too plain
for printing forty years later. Repelling all of his
advances, he finally asked her if she had made a v(»w
of chastity, and was answered no. He proposed that
tlay sliould confess to the priest, who should suggest
a it'inedy, but she refused to confess, or have anything
tn do W'ith the priest. That night she ran away.
Soiuotimes the wife even dared to coni{)lain of the
husliaiid. At Monterey, in 1846, Mariano Silva, cap-
tain of artillery, petitions in the name of Senora ]:}rionts
tiiat her husband Miranda beexiled at leasttifty leagues
finiu his family at Yeiba Buena, because of drunken-
m ss, immorality, and cruelty. He had already been
t \iled from Sonoma for immoral conduct.
"If Juana
"It was considered very im]>roper for any giil to
receive a proposal of marriage," writes the charming
(iuadalupe Vallejo, "before her j)arents had b«?eii
consulted by the lover or his parents. Old maids
wuie scarce, and very much thought of. A lady wlio
did not marry in those times was not for lack of suitors,
fir, indeed, white women were very much in demand,
hut from choice; and therefore slie was very much
admired and venerated.
" L have an aunt (a sister of my mother), wdiose
parents having died, and being dissatistied with her
«»
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
life at her uncle's, formed the determination of accept-
in<^»' the first offer that should bo made to her. Slie
was then fourteen years of age, and they lived at a
ranch a few miles from Santa Barbara.
" Very soon a letter came to her uncle, with proposals
of marriage for his niece, from Don Ignacio Peralta, a
young gentleman from San Jose. She was told of it;
and (I think) that much to the surprise of all, she ac-
cepted, although she had never laid eyes on the suitor.
The answer was accordingly sent, and arrangements
proceeded for the wedding. The accepted lover soon
arrived, accompanied by his brother; and mdeed, it
required all her moral courage and strength to sustain
herself in her determination ; for such uncouth person
she had never seen before ; she was totally unprepai-cd
to meet her fate with such a face. However, slic
kept her word, and rode on horseback, accompanied
by her friends, to Santa Bdrbara to be married. She
says that she wept bitterly all the way ; her face, all
tear-stained, was more like that of one proceeding to
a funeral than that of a happy bride. He died last
year, after having been married fifty-nine years. She
was at last liberated from her cruel fate, at the ai>e of
seventy- three ! "
It was common to betroth children at a young age,
an arrangement effected by the fathers, the children
being seldom consulted. About two years before the
marriage, the girl's father would ask the other father
for his son, who was sent to live in the house of the
former. This act made them ni^vios, or affianced, and
the young man treated the girl's father as his own,
working for him, and being regarded as a son, not
even opposing the infliction of corporal punishment
for faults. When the young man had learned to work,
the marriage was consummated.
Girls married at from thirteen to fifteen, the parents
selecting the husband. A man wishing to marry sent
his father to ask the father of the girl; he himself
never asked for her, for that was not considered proper,
COURTSHIP AND BETROTHAL.
800
though he might address a letter intmiathig his desire
ti> the girl's parents. In whatever way negotiations
liad heen opened, the applicant was obliged to wait
tight or ten days "or an answer. If during that time
hr heard nothing, he might then beg his father tt) go
tor the answer. Sometimes the answer would come
at once. The parties were usually married in the
church; sometimes there were two bridesmaids and
two iiToomsmen. There was usually no nmrriajife set-
tlcment, notwithstanding the lengtiiy deliberations of
till' senors over the event.
The marriage day fixed, the fathers spoke to the
piicst, who proceeded with the publication of the bans,
unless he was paid to omit them. The bridal party
marched silently to church, and without nmsic; i»ut
after the ceremony, friends received them at the door
with music, and bore them home in triumph. If the
jiair lived at a distance in the country, another band
of umsicians met them half-way, and all proceeded to
the rancho, where an arbor had been prejiarod for
the dance, which lasted sometimes a week or more.
The wagons of the party were adorned with colored
mverlets, and silk kerchiefs, branches, and flowers.
The men were all on horseback, and some f)f the
women, who, at times, had a man on the croup of their
horse. A special table was generally set for [tromi-
iieiit guests ; the others feasted beneath the trees, by
the creek or spring, cooking their own steaks. Most
of the men played instruments, so that the nmsicians
could always be relieved.
Often the happy pair were dressed in their ordinary
apparel, the bride adding only ia crown of artificial
flowers, sometimes white, but usually variegated.
Often the fathers would not allow the pair to meet
till after the feast. The padre attended, but was not
detained more than a day. The padrinos of the pair
Avcre selected by the parents of both. The pair con-
sidered it a duty to visit the padre after mass the
Sunday following the marriage, accompanied by their
,11
\v ■
fllO
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
fatliors and padrinos, to give thanks. Tlic padre pro-
sciitod tlie party some fruit. The fee was paid in money
or pnxUiee. This accordinj^ to Hijar.
Another relates that when the marriage contract is
agreed on by the parties, the fir.st care of tlie bride-
groom is to get, by buying, begging, or stealing, tlie
best horse possible, and also a saddle and a silver
mounted bridle; the overleathers of tlie saddle mu.^t
likewise be embroidered. These articles were deemed
mdispensable to a wedding, no matter how poor tlie
parties might be. The bridegroom must furnish the
l»ri«le with not less than six articles of each kind ot'
woman's clothing, and provide everything necessary
to f(>ast his friends for one, two, or three da vs.
The wedding day being come, the fine horse is sad-
dled, and the bridegroom takes up before him on lii.s
horse his future godmotlier, and the future god-
father takes the bride before him on another fiiu?
hor.se, and so they gallop to church. The ceremony
over, the newly married couple mount one horse, and
the godfather and godmother mount the other, and
so they gallop back to the house of the bride's parents,
where they are received with squibs and firing of mus-
kets. Before the bridegroom has time to dismount,
two per.sons who are in readiness seize him and re-
niove his spurs, Avhich the}- keep until he redeems
them with a bottle of brandy, or money to buy one.
The married couple then enter the house, where the
near relatives are waiting in tears to receive tluin
alone. They kneel down before the parents and ask
a blessing, which is bestowed. Then the bridegroom
signs to some one near him, whereupon the guitar
and violin strike up, and dancing and drinking begin.
Shortly after Micheltorena's arrival in 184J at
Angeles, he and his officers and the prominent people
were invited to a wedding there, to be held in a hu(Mta.
Branches of willows were laid thickly upon a trellis-
work to afford shade. At the further end tiiereof an
apartment was formed of yellow doth, open toward
WEDDING FORMALITIES.
311
tlio troll is-covor, in which were placed half a dozen
cliair.s for the general, liis wife, and officers, and be-
hind which were rude bondies in rows. In tlie centre
of the room was a large table covered with clean
clotlis, china plates, and cut-glass decanters. At one
side was a row of barrels of drink — wines, brandy,
and otlier liquors.
A calf hung ready for roasting in the huge glowing
fire, and otJicr fires were read}' for vari(>us prepara-
tions, while delicacies of all kinds aboundtd.
Between eleven and twelve a. m. the marriage party
loft the church for the fjrove, attended by all the
guests, godfathers, and parents — all marching in pro-
cession, j^receded l)y music of violins and guitars ]>lay-
iiig [)opular airs. The general arrived an hour later,
was conducted to the grove by the bridal party, and
seated by the side of the bride, at the head of the
tabic, while the general's wife sat next to the gioom,
then the Ljodfathers, and next the officers accordinij to
lank, and after them the people of the country. Toasts
were given, and four hours after the general's arrival
they rose from table and proceeded to the house,
wliore the ball took place. The soldiers were invited
to tlie second table. The party did not break up till
dawn of day.
]\[en have a trick or two in love, as well as women ;
hotli sometimes deviate from innnaculate cleanliness in
their tricks. A woman will sav of a man wiiom she
tries in \a\n to marry, that she has refused him once,
twice, several tin»es. iVfale wooers — I cannot call
tluun men -are sometimes l)lack in heart enough when
defeated to rail against the sex with Draconian sever-
ity. So it was with the baser sort of early adveri-
tuiers among the Californi.ans; and so it was that
many credulous fools were caught by these lagos, and
many worthy and chaste dames guiltless met re[)roach.
It is not probable that the women of the time were
cold as the curded snow that hangs on Diana's temple;
but is that a reason why they should be cursed on
i
312
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
every convenient occasion, bitterly as was Meroz, in
ricliest pioneer idiom?
It was a happy day for the CaHfornian bride wlioso
husband was American ; and happier still for the C'ali-
fornian husband whose bride was Yankee. In 1847
there lived at the raneho of San Lorenzo two bacliolor
brothers who once entertained Mr Bryant for tin.'
niglit. They were men of intelligence and politeness,
and their hearts yearned for somethmg to relieve tlic
desolation of their loneliness. They prayed with sim-
ple earnestness that Mr Bryant should send them two
American women, that they might marry, live happy,
and die lamented.
Girls were L«,ught to sew, embroider, and weave.
Some could knit (tejer) fine garters, chiefly silken, for
tiie botas of the vaqueros, with silk or gold thread tufts,
or knots of gold and silk and silver, bearing figures <.f
men, hearts, etc., forming quite a bunch on the side
of the calf The rich strove to place all possible
ornaments there.
A prudent calculation gives each California fomily
an averaoe of ten children; if some had none, others
had twenty or twenty -five.
The occupations of the women were in every way
su|ierior to those of the men, as well as more arduous
and continuous. They had charge of the kitchen and
of the sewing, which was by no means a light task,
for tJiere was a great deal of embroidery about the
clotliing of both men and women, as well as bed-linen ;
and all of this was the work of their hands. In iron-
ing the hand was used instead of a flat-iron, by many
women. They also combed and braided every day the
liair of their fatijc rs, husbands, and brothers. Many
of them made tiie aead, candles, and soap consumed
by the family, nivl many took charge of sowing and
harvesting the crops.
Notwithstanding the fact that women were sedu-
lously taught that for them to be able to write was
prejudicial, and at most they might learn to read, they
MARRIACIE AND DIVORCE.
.tlS
were of good morals, says Coroiicl, industrious, and
iitat. Dedicated to tiieir domestic duties, many of them
were {d)le to assume, and did assume, such as le«^iti-
iiiiiti'ly pertain to men. Tliey were both eliaritahlc
and li()si>ital>k', the housewife holdinIue bathing-dress and sandals.
"I never saw a mother in California," says Torres,
"solute, and for nuitual trancjuil-
lity. it appeared best to the hombres buenos, and tiie
judge determined to grant the usual certificate. The
]>laiiitifi' havinjjf askeil for alimonv, the husband assii-ned
-50 a year for the present, to be increased if liis cir-
I
li
m I
m
rl!
ti
i
m
! ediment of affinity when illicit copulation had t < -
curred, provided one of the contracting parties was in
good faith and was ignorant of the relationship — the
impediment not to be made known to the innocent
party; otherwise, if the impediment had been pub-
lished before court this privilege was not to ap[)ly to
either of the parties.
In 1821 the governor asked the padre prefectoto
order the hysterical padre Gil de Taboada not to
interfere in marriages. He had broken several iii-
gagements, among them that of Valle and Catalina
!Mamaneli. The latter had her father's consent, and
was willing, when this jtadre ordered her to retire into
seclusion for a few days and repent of the engagement.
In 1825, at Santa Barbara, J. A. Yorba wantid to
marry a first cousin of his first wife, who was fond of
his children. The request was not granted by the
padre president.
One Carpo, a neophyte, had when a gentile married
a woman, also a gentile, after the gentile manner, wlio
died. He had become a Christian before marryiiiL;'
another woman, also a Christian. It was discoveit d
that the women were daughterc of two gentile sons
MORALITY MANUFACTURERS.
317
to live
hc or-
of lu-r
ly-reed.
in this
t)S, ai)(l
uainiug
he pro-
Hapi-y
s %vr«>t(!
autlior-
1811, t.)
coiieien-
ges cou-
nknown
had '-
s was 111
lip — tho
innocent
!on l>id>-
apply to
focto to
not til
eral cii-
Catalina
iont, aiul
tire into
Monu'Ht.
anted to
H fond ot
hy the
married
nier, who
niarryiii'j,'
isroverea
itile !5onrf
of the same father, but of different mothers. Padre
Arroyo separated Carpo and his wife, and reported
the ease to Padre Prefecto Sarri'a, who decided that
a dispensation should be given, and the couple re-
married, the first marriage being null, as the women
Were within the prohibited degrees of affinity. At
San Diego, in i825, one Yaldez asked permission to
iiiarrv a relative in the second defrree, with whom he
liad had intercourse. He desired this also on tlie
score "of God's service and the salvation of his soul."
Tlie ] (resident remarked that he could serve God ami
save his soul with any woman, and denied the ])etition.
In a letter to a padre the i)resident said that if the
ini])ediment to the marriage were unknown to the
jiul'He, the dispensation would have been easier to
uhtain.
The neopliyte Felipe, lieing a widower, had been
lirtrothed or desired to marry a neophyte woman, but
tliev were w'ithin the second desjfree of affinitv, for
tlie woman had had intercourse with Felipe's cousin,
wliieli she confessed to Padre Arroyo, otherwise tlie
matter was a secret. Padre Ai'royo reported to the
J'adre Prefecto Sarria, who decidi'd that they should
he married, since they were betrothed, and in onh'r
to avttid scandal; and moreover Felipe was innocent,
and niio'lit not be able easilv to find another woman to
lii~ liking. That the woman might recognize; the
t'lMir done by h<»ly church, she must hear mass on
li 1'" tiays, but without telling her husband or any
Oil' t.'lse whv.
hi IHl\5 ^r. C. ^Nfontero, enceinte by the soldier
S> 10, had agreed to marry Garcia, an own nephew
5 ' S(v I.., to e.scape dishonor, and Garcia took steps to
o'liain a dispeit.satioii, owing to the relatioiisliip.
Mmiterosoon chanu'ed her mind and wanted to mariv
liiules. claiming that the ndationship between Soto
and (Jarcia was interdicting. (Jarcia, who had re-
mained constant, then demandt'd reimbursement of
exjunses for dispensation. The padre president at
318
WOMAN AND HEIl SPHERE.
first declared the palabra de esponsales between ^loii-
tero and Garcia to be null; bit other padres repiv-
sentcd that dispensations between second cousins had
oiten been granted, and that this marriage had been
ratified, and the [)resident accordingly declared tlio
mairiage valid, unless Montero could present beUer
objections.
Maria Josefa Castro was brought to the juzgado hy
Antonio (ialindo, with the request to be married.
The parish priest was present and ordered her to
be depositada till her disability as to age should ho
reino\ed by proper authority. Thereupon the suh-
pri Toct referred her to the prefect, that this might Ijo
doi " rcordance with the petition of herself and of
the [.. priest.
On ti. . '2i\d of June, 1847, Padre Gonzalez, goverimr
of the diocese, declared the marriage of F. de l*aul;i
Johnson and Juana Silva valid; but as they confessed
in marrying to have broken the laws of their parents
and of the church, they sIh uld be subject to tlio
j)enalty of the santo coiicilio, except excommunication.
In view of time and persons iie reduced the $1.^0
fine to §70 for each witness of the act, and t(»()k otf
$l()0 from the fine imposed upon the contracting'
parties, so that they need pay but $200 before coiiah-
iting, wliich should be exacted frcmi them by the
judge if need be, the fines to go toward the cult of the
parish. During the tliree festive days on which this
edict shoukl be published, and during mass, the twn
should kneel wliere the novios watched. The ratiti-
cation and blessing sliould not be given until the tliiid
festive day. (Jonzalez re(|uests the judge to eiifoivc
these fines from the seven witnesses and the priiui-
pals.
On the 3d of September, 1844, a threat of excdni-
niunication was addressed by the bishop, Garcia
.Diego, to the diocesans of San Jose^ which stated
that the bishop had seen with great grief that Filipf
Patron and Maria Natividad Hij-uera had contracted
MORE ABOUT MARRYING.
319
matrimony with the impediment of the third deixree
ot' aliinity, without previous dispensation.
He called this a most horrible crinu^ such union
b(ini>' illegitimate, detestable, and condennied by the
cliurch, and that such commerce should be held as
ti iiiiinal and incestuous. He ordered this declaration
ti» he read from the ])ulpit on three feast days, and
i(M|uired the juez of the town to se[)arate Felipe
i\itr()ii and Maria Natividad without ho[)es of ever
olitaining dispensation. If the parties refused t(» obey,
aiul to sej)arate, he ordered the padre to immediately
iiilbrm him, that he nii»dit fulminate against them the
tciiiblc sentence of oxcomnmnieation, to be read from
tlic pulpits of his diocese as an example and horrible
wan ling to perjurers, and to all those who dared
(Itccive the Cj.'irch — with further pious whoops to
tViu'liten the faithful.
Among his universal powers and prerogatives the
pntcntate of New Helvetia assumed the solenmization
of nianiages. But in due time the disaffected of his
juopli! began to question the genuineness of his minis-
trations, and to pronounce the article he vended
Ixt^us. Wives ran away, and would not return at his
iiiandate, and men began to question the rights of
liciis so l;;»rn to inherit. Sutter turned this way and
that, and found no relief. ^leanwhile humanity were
linin and died, the world went round, and the waters
"t" tlie Sacramento rolled to the ocean, despite the
iiioiiieiitous question of the quality of marriages on
its lianks.'
The men made the laws in and for California: the
Wdiiieii were expected to obey. Hence it was ordained
that the woman an officer married must have ."?'5,000.
All mothers were forbidden from leaving as heir to
till' otate any child who has contracted a marriage
ill npposition to the father's will. From the various
1';h hones it was ascertained that a great proportion
"f the married women were from 15 to 20 years of
im
^
320
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
acfo. Yet high above nature was law in tlioso parts:
if too young to marry, tlic law might declare the duu.
sel old enough. The prefect of Santa Clara in 11^41
decreed that liamona Prudenciana Buelna should l>o
considered of a;-
pose of the gananeiales, without being ol)liged tu
reserve for the children of the marriage eitlur the
])ro|>erty in or proceeds of the gananeiaK'S. If tlie
heirs of a deceased wife be the children of the mar-
riage, they had the right of succession on the death
of the fother to the w'hole estate — tjananciales — with
the right in the father to dispose of one fifth; but \>y
the estate in law was understood the residue after all
debts had been paid. A father during his lifetime,
and after the death of his wife, might, although tlure
had been children of the marriage, dispose of the
gananeiales for any honest purpose, when tliere was
no intention to defraud the children, and might hy
will direct the sale of them for the payment of his
debts.
A royal order of December 10, 1803, declared that
minors — men under 25 anil women under 'J:!-(nulil
not marry unless with the consent of parents; and tin-
])arents were not required to give their reasons !> r
any opposition they might offer. If there wert^ H'l
j)arents, grandparents, or guardians, the jueces might
object without giving their reasons, and license niu>t
be asked of the king through the governor, and by
consent of officers, if they belonged to the military.
A law of the 23d of June, 1813, gave to jcfes poll-
LOCAL MORALS
321
ticos autlioritv to pjruit or ivfuso license for coiitract-
iii'j: marriage to hijos de familia, wliose fathers should
have ri'fused it to them.
A wife once sununoned her husband hef )re an al-
calde for liavin*^ serenaded another woman.
•Britiij; forth the culprit," said the judge, "and K't
liiui i>lav to us as he played before the woman he
wi.slu'd to captivate."
When this was done, the judge asked:
"Is that the tune you played .'"'
"Si, Senor."
"Is that the best you can play it?"
"Si, Senor."
"Then I fine you two dollars for disturbing the
])ul»lie peace."
DiH' .Jose Maria Perez, sentenced by the viceroy to
six years' service at the San Francisco presidio, desired
to marry the maiden Maria Margarita Rodriguez.
Argiiello, as the man was under sentence, did not take
u|H)ii hiiiKself the decision of the case, but referred iJb
ti> Arrillaga, who decreed that if Perez was •J.') years
of age the petition should be granted. Thereu[)on
Argiiello concedes the license.
During the last years of Mexican rule, morals de-
dined in Santa Barbara, as shown by the many ille-
gitimate children there. Yet even after the coniimj:
of tlie Americans, it was difficult to find there a i)ub-
lic Woman native to the place.
There was at times and places a looseness in the
Wduieii as to chastity. The young girls were mostly
particular, and closely guarded withal; but among
tlu' married women of the common class, there was
looseness — not remarkably so, but they were less
strict than American women in this respect. The
Women occupied themselves with the care of tluir fam-
ilies, and ill sewing. They were domestic, but spent
much time in visiting, going to dances, picnics, and en-
joying themselves. They were clean in habits, and about
c;al. J'a.st. 21
322
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
5-Ui
• till
VS;
their houses, however poor these miofht be. Thoy
washed out of doors, generally going to some spring
or ^creek in the vicinity.
Abrego remarks in 1874 on the alarming decli?ie of
morality since the conquest. Formerly each couple
would raise ten or twelve children on the average, and
sometimes twenty-four; at this time two were a lair
estiinate.
"I hear from the most unexceptionable authority,"
writes Sir James Douglas, of the Hudson's Bay Coni-
])any, in his private journal, "that the ladies in Cali-
fornia arc not in general very refined or delicate in
their conversation, using gross expressions, and indulg-
ing in broad remarks which would make modest woiiuu
blush. It is also said that many, even of the respect-
able classes, prostitute their wives for hire ; tliat is,
they wink at the familiarity of a wealthy neighbor wiio
pays handsomely for his entertainment. This infa-
mous practice was introduced from Mexico, where it
is almost general. This is done with some respect to
insulted virtue. If openly asked to do so, they would
feel insulted; they merely play the part of complaisant
husbands. There seems indeed to be a total oxer-
throw of public morals among this degenerate people,
even from the priest downward."
While the men, says one who pictures in ratlior
high colors, are " thriftless, proud, and extravagant,
and much given to gaming, the women liavo but little
education and a great deal of beauty, the natural con-
sequence being that tlieir morality is none of the
f)urest; the instances of infidelity, however, are nuich
ess frequent than might be anticipated, for one vice
is set aufainst another, and a certain balance is ob-
tained; thus, though the women have but little virtue,
their husbands are jealous in the extreme, and tlioir
revenge is deadly and almost certain. A few inches
of cold steel have becm received by many an unwary
man, who has perhaps been guilty of nothing more
than mere indiscretion of manner. Thus, with the
FEMALE FORM DIVINE.
323
;. Thoy
\G spring
lecUiie «if
3h couple
jrage. and
•ero a tair
uthority,"
Bay C<»ni-
;s ill Cali-
;lericat<3 in
Liid inclulg-
cst wonuni
lie n's\>t'ct-
e; that is,
ighlK)r who
'This inta-
;o, where it
respect to
they would
complainant
total ovrr-
ratc peol'lo,
s in rather
xtravajj;ant,
vc but little
natural eon-
.one of the
r, arc nuich
for one vice
lance is f^-
llittlc virtue,
|c, and their
few inches
an unwary
)tbinp; uu.re
Ls, with the
married women, the difficulties that surround any
attrnipt at indiscretion are numerous, whilst the con-
s((juence.s of discovery are fatal. With the unmarried,
too much watchfulness is used to allow of any liais(^n;
t!u; main object of the parent bein^ to marry his
(lauijfhter well, the slightest slip must necessarily dis-
atrange such a scheme. The sharp eyes of a dueha,
and the poniard of a father or brother, are therefore a
uiiat protection, lendered absolutely requisite from
tlin characters of both nien and women; as the ftuid
father or affectionate brother, who would lay down his
life to avenge the honor of his daughter or sister,
would be eipially ready to risk that life to complete the
dishonor of another. Of the })oor Indians little care is
talun. The prie.sts, indeed, at the missions are said to
ktHp them very strictly, and rules were usually made
hy tlie alcaldes to punish their misconduct; but it all
amounts to little. If any of the girls should chance to be
discovered foil* >wing evil courses, the alcalde orders tiiem
to \)v whip[)ed, and keeps them at work for a certain
period sweeping the square of the presidio, or carry-
luif mortar and bricks for building; yet at any time a
few reales will buy them off. Intemperance is a com-
mon vice amongst the Indians, but the Spanish inhabi-
tants are, on the contrary, extremely abstemious." So
says this one: another says the reverse; but men and
Women are not everywhere exactly the same.
There are dances, says this same observer, which
aie "particularly liked by the females — who more than
any other women in the world seek to draw forth
admiration — as it enables them to show the handsome
roun( lings of their naked arms, and their small and
eleountly turned feet, as also to develop to full advan-
tivH' the graceful vivacity of tlieir motions, as they
wind through the mazes of their national dance, which
is of itself Hufficiently attractive. The females gener-
ally are exceedingly well shaped, and have a slight tint
f l)row'n in the skin; but a pair of black and sparkling
eyes, and teeth of the whitest color, give to their
m
<)
i
3!M
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
! ■:
countenances an appearance of the greatest aiiiinatinii.
They wear neither caps nor bonnets, hut have tlit ir
hair turnetl upon the crown of the liead, where it is
lield hy a tortoise-shell coinh, very hi^h in the hack;
the tuft thus formed is jiierct'd hy a thick and lony pin
of ^old, silver, or copper, whicli has at one of its
extremities a ball or i^lohe of the same nu'tal. Wlun
they are going out they wear basqniitas, more or less
ornamented, and a inatitilla which covers their heads;
the ends of these being gathered up and crossetl oni r
the breast draws the mantel tight round the hip^, aiid
shows the graceful shape of the wearer to givat ad-
vantage. In these descriptions, allusion is oidy made
to the Creoles of a pure Spanish or Atexican origin, \'or
the greater portion of the inhabitants of California aic
of mixed origin, which gives to their color a tint ct'
reddish brown, and to their countenances a rather hard
and wild appearance."
Many of them were clear-skinned, dark brunette,
with lustrous eyes, long black glossy hair, and cany-
ing themselves with indescribable grace and ease, with
fine manners and personal appearance charactiM-istic nf
the Latin race. Jewelry and gorgeous dress slionc
beneath the blue wreathings of the cigarritos, enough
to fill the measure of delight in indulgent fathii- and
hopeful lover.
The beauty of women is of shorter duration in
Spanish countries than in the United States; liut
the monster Time behaves dift'erently in the two
places. In the states, the sere and yellow leaf ef
beautv shrivels into scrain^j^iiiess in the extremes ef
the type; but in Spanish-speaking countries it is m it
the withering of the gourd of beauty that those liave
to deplore who sit beneath its shadow with so givat
deliijht, but it is the broadening of that sliadciw.
Without altogether indorsing sylph-like forms, it is
yet safe to affirm that degrees of beauty in wonuii
are not in direct ratio to the degrees of the latitude
of their circumference.
IDIOSYNCRASIKS AND CHARACTEUISTICS.
3Jo
At night the dwolliiio-jilace of woman was as tlls-
tiiict as by day, only darker; Itlonde had become
liiinietto — that was all. The orange leaves glittered
ill the niooidight with a glaucous sheen, and the air
was moist with the subtile perfume that betrayed the
hidden bloss«mi. And women passed to and fro on
tlio arms of their caballeros, as fair as those of any
a^e or country, with eyes like the soul of night, and
soft forms fit for light and love, and lips juirted in the
ruddy strife of head and heart.
Settlers north of the bav were in constant danuer
linth from Indians and the bears. Even tlie women
writ' accustomed to carry guns or pistols, when tlicy
\\( nt out to make calls. Mrs Vallejo has a sm.dl riHe
which she used to carry for this purpose; and slie says
that in the earlier years she had fired tlie riHe at
hears to keep them out of the court-yard of her house.
Stock had to be carefully guarded, and could not be
allowed to run at large at night, as in the south,
wlui'e bears were nearlv extinct before this time.
The field labors of a ranchero, whether they con-
sisted in rodeos and herraderos or were agricultural,
wrvc concluded about 1 1 o'clock, at which time the
laltorers went to dinner and to rest till 2 o'clock. In
a jiottr family, the W'onien attended to all the menial
stixit'c; in those families able to aflbrd it, this was
piit'ormed by Indian servants of both sexe.s. At 2
1'. M. rich and poor alike returned to their field labors,
which lasted till nightfall. Of course rich rancheros
employed field-hands.
Mr l^ryant, while on a journey from Los Angeles
to San Francisco in 1840, sto})pcd for the night at a
small adobe country house, where he was comfortably
lU'ovided for. The good woman of the house was
(Kliglited above measure by an incidental remark of
the questioned traveller, to the eflect that clothiiKf
and tiuery of all sorts would become immensely ;
(luccd in price under the new regime. Wittingly <»r
unwittingly, he had struck a chord tender in the uni-
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
versal female licart, and her Vivaii los Americanos 1
was so genuine that in the morning she could hardly
be j)orsuadcd to accept remuneration for her trouMc;
and only, at last, on the condition of lier guest t;)'
Avith him a good supply of her cookery for future ,o.
"California women are an interesting race in many
respi'cts," writes Hayes in his Emigrant Notes — *\a
kind-hearted, amiable, industrious set. I like thcin
better than the men. These have their virtues too,
as well as their faults. They liave all the politcntss
of manner of the Spanish stock whence they spruncj,
l)etraying often a spice of tlie Indian character with
wliich they have been familiarized. Especially I love
the children, so sprightly and quick to learn."
"Formerly," says Salvador Vallejo, "our cattlo
roamed by thousands, yet not one was stolen, for tlie
unwritteii law of tlie land granted to tlie weary travil-
lor the privilege of killing cattle whenever he wanted
beef. Since tlie transfer of California .... many na-
tive Californians have been hanged for stealin<' cattle;
and I firmly believe that some of the victims did not
know th^t under the new government it was a ciinie
to kill a steer of which he had not a bill of sa^o,"
Robinson says that "the men are generally 'olcnt
and addicted to many vices, caring little fo? wrl-
fare of their children. Yet the women do not appiar
to have felt this bad influence, and in few plac( s of
the world, in proportion to inhabitants, can be found
more chastity, industrious habits, and correct deport-
ment, than among the w^omen. It is not unusual to
see the most perfect familiarity between the two
classes. This often leads strangers to form incoriict
opinions. They are firm to the observances of tlicir
churcli, and the most trifling deviation therefrom is
looked upon Avith abhorrence."
The women were passionately fond of fine, showy
dresses; they generally exhibited good taste, as far as
they had the means. They were rather pleasing in
their dress, with not a great deal of jewelry, tliongli
PURTHER PECULIARITIES. 827
fond of it. Olio almost univtirsal urticlo of tlross was
tho nhozo to cover tlio head and shoulders. Some of
the rebozos were very tu\c aiitl costlv, made of sill;,
others were of cotton, or liiieii, according to tho purse
of tho wt arer.
Previous to 1830, or thereabout, tho men of Cali-
fornia were of good morals. Of course tlure were the
(lisitputable, drunkards, gamblers, men who abandoned
their families to want; but such cases were rare. "The
women of California," says Amador, "were always
noteworthy for their excellent conduct as daughters,
slsttTS, wives, and mothers. They were virtuous and
industrious, aiiursc with foreigners, who were nt)t all of good
cliarjicter; to the greater facility of acquiring means,
and to political disturbances — these latter in particular
opening tho door to evil customs which were dissemi-
nated amongst the men. Gambling, drunkenness,
lewdness, and vagrancy became coiinnon, and these
\ lees brought in their train theft, ^\ iiicli was necessary
to sustain them.
There were hundreds of little peculiarities and
strangt; ways, most of which dropjied out of use, ntner
liavlng been recorded. The month of May they used
to call ^laria, A boy must not take his lirst shave
without permission from his father, who seldom givi'S
It before the age of twenty-two, when the time has
eouie for him to marry.
The women, at intervals, had a general wash-up, on
wlileh occasions, their own clothes being done, they
would ask their neighbors for theirs, and di'manded
110 recompense for the work, "^fy clothes were thus
often washed without charge," says Hijar. When
tilth- washing was concluded, after six or more days,
tilt y returned home and feasted. A calf was killed,
and songs and joy followed. While the women re-
.i'a,.i
328
WOMAN AND HER SPHERK
mi;ined at the creek, under the arbor, sleeping in the
open air, the males of the family regarded this cauip
as their home.
The aguadores who brought watei from the Carmelo
were Indian boys; they carried a forked stick, servinj^
to hold up one cask while the other was being tilled ;
and also to climb up behind the casks where they rode
on the ass' rump. " It was very amusing," says Al-
varado, "to see them running races, and often decked
in bright-colored flowers."
Formerly the veleros, or manufacturers of tallow
candles, used to carry them for sale in two large bas-
kets on the back of a burro; but after the coming of
the cholos the candles were carried on the shoulder
fastened round the circumference of two hoops which
hung from the ends of a stick four feet long, some-
thing in the Chinese style.
A woman from Chile thought her California cousins
preferred the floor to a chair to sit on, as they rest
better so.
While Robinson wis at San Diego, in 1829, Ban-
diri's house was bendecida, or blessed. The general,
his officers, and a number of friends were present.
The ceremony took place about noon; the chaplain
went through the different apartments and sprinkled
holy-water on the walls, uttering verses in Latin. The
party then sat down to an excellent dinner, after which
was nmsic and a dance, followed in the evening by a
fand'iuijo. It was better than insurance, and not so
expensive.
Sepiilveda, speaking of Pastoral California, says:
"There was one link m the chain of societv of those
days which contributed to keep in a strong and afll'c-
tionate unison the social relations between men. It
was the relation of compadre. Whotver stood god-
father or godmother to a child was the compadre
or >?omadre of the father and mother of the infant.
Alwaj's treating each other with respect and affection,
and having the child as a living token of their esteem,
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.
329
it was rare to see these pleasant relations disturbed.
It no doubt added much to the harmony of society."
.Vt the death of a father it was customary for the
vounirer brothers to resoect the elder, who stood in
the position of father to the family. Nothing could
]iavc a better effect, that of mutual assistance and
trust on the entire family, than the observance of this
beautiful custom.
Wlien two men were so intimate as to be consta.ntly
toiretlicr in order to indicate a feeling deeper than
that merely of a friend, they designated each other as
valcilor. The word was also applied by the raiicheros
to any one whom they especially appreciated and
trusted.
The extent of kinship was incalculable; for to such
an extent had the different families of California
intermarried, that all were akin by usage, if not by
blodc).
When a man found 'his wife enceinte, he invited the
persons whom it was agreed to make padrinos or
witnesses, omitting proclamas conciliares, nuiitial
benediction, and other solemnities, but with tlu'
condition that the wife should not be seduced from
the church, that the children should be educated
A LOVE STORY.
331
09 catholics, and that the wife should pray God to
convoit the captain to the church.
Meanwhile the guardian of the diocese learned with
great satisfaction of the pains the alcalde was at to
prevent the protestant clergyman at Monterey from
authorizing the marriage of Captain Burton and
]\[arfa del Amparo Ruiz — she being a catholic — and
on the 23d of August, 1847, Governor Mason ordered
all the authorities of California not to authorize any
marriage where either of the parties was a catholic.
Padre Gonzalez understood that this order was bind-
ing, and therefore to be observed until rescinded by
cc)iii[)ctent authority. As this order was necessary
ill order that catholics might not contract marriages
wluch would be null, Gonzalez wrote to the governor,
requesting him to ratify his predecessor's order, and
if moessary call tlie attention of all the authorities
thereto. Padre Gonzalez again thanked the alcalde
for his zeal in preventing the infringement of the laws
of Catholicism b}' any catholic attempting to marry
according to the protestant rite, and hoped for his
aid in seeing that no innovation be made, but that
the i>-overnment ratified Mason's order.
CoDoepcion Maria Argiiello, daughter of Jvse Dario
Arui^uello, who had been governor of Cainoniia in
1814-15, and sister of Luis Argiiello, who was ap-
[lointed governor in 18*22, was a beautiful girl of good
education and refined manners. She was residing in
tin; fort of San Francisco in 1807 at the time of the
arrival in California of tlie Russian frigate Jimo, hav-
ing on board as passenger Count Rezanof, grand
cliiunberlain of the Russian einp(>ror, who fell in love
Mitli the young Californian, and with her consent
re(ju sted lier parents to allow him to marry her. To
this proposal they agreed, deeming it highly advan-
tiiuv«»us to be related by marriage to the young diplo-
inate. Count Rezanof took his departure from Cali-
f'Miiii, intending to go to Russia, and tliere makj
tlie necessary arrangement for his intended marriage,
WOMAN AND HER SPHERE.
but unfortunately, while crossing a deseit, he fell from
his horse and was killed.
On receipt of the terrible news, the fair Concepcion,
arrayed as a beata, that is to say, one who wears a r(}-
ligious habit, and is engaged in works of charity, luft
San Francisco and went to Santa Bilrbara, where she
spent her time in the small church of the Franciscan
friars, and at night retired to the room allotted to Iut
in the house of Captain De la Guerra. During the
many years she thus lived, the young men of Santa
Bilrbara tried their utmost to induce her to take part
in their festivities, and some went so far as to insist
that she should marry, but all to no purpose. Had
she not narrowly missed being a countess? So slie
continued her works of charity and humiliation, going
into the miserable dwellings of the neophytes, where
she spent hour after hour attending to the wants of
some dying Indian, or teaching young children tlie
Christian doctrine. Finally, when the good sisters < if
Saint Dominic, in 1850, opened in the town of Benicia
the academy of Saint Catherine, she repaired to tlicir
convent, and resided there until 18fiO, when she died, at
the advanced age of seventy-six years. This incident
is given as an example to be followed by all good Cali-
fornia girls who so narrowly miss becoming countesses I
About the year 1837, the wild Indians of Lower
California fell upon the rancho of Pio Pico, killed some
people, and carried off the daughters, Tomasa and
Ramona, of Ley va, the majordomo.
The wife of Licentiate Cosnie Pefta, ex-asesor of
California, eloped with a musicia!i named Arias. On
their journey, they were captured by Indians of the
Colorado river; he was killed, and she kept as a wife
of one of the chiefs. She was later captured frv in
them by the Indians Castucho, Martin, and otliers,
who held Tomasa and Ramona.
The occupations of the women were not only nnich
superior, but more laborious and continual, than tliose
of the men. The kitchen was, of course, in their en-
MANNERS AND MORALITY.
S33
tire charge, or at least under their supervision. Many
of them made bread, candles, soap, and even worked
in the field. Needlework was in constant demand,
nnd in every form. Thev made their own garments,
as Well as those of their fathers, husbands, and broth-
ers, all calling for embellishments in the way of em-
broidery, fine stitchuig, etc. The utmost care and
tiiste were displayed in the beds and bedding, the
linen being embroidered, or otherwise adorned.
Clothhig being expensive, economy demanded that
tliey should be kept well mended, and made, when
jxissible, to look almost new. Pressing was done
witli the hand until the piece became perfectly smooth.
The well-to-do of both sexes used the best material
they could procure, silk, wool, velvet, etc. The poorer
classes, while dressing in the same style, had to be
content with inferior goods.
The women daily braided the hair of their male
relatives till late times, as long as queues were in
fashion. The hair was usually parted in the middle,
and thrown over the back and tied ; one braid of three
tresses was then made, a la Chinois. Most men tied
a hlack silk kerchief round the head, with the knot
heliintl or above the forehead. The women let the
hair cover their ears, parted in the middle, and braided,
as with the men. Lugo has it that men shaved all
the beard, except that from the temple to the border
of the jaw. The shaving was usually done every
third day, and certainly on Saturday afternoon or
Sunday morning.
Living in concubinage by the common people was
considered, during the Spanish domination, a heinous
otl'enee, and was severely punished. The man would
': condemned to hard labor in irons, and exile for a
number of years. The woman had her hair clipped
short, and was forced to stand with a puppet-babe at
lier breast at the church door every Sunday at the
our
of mass, during a month or so, that she might
Serve as a warnmg.
SS4
WOMAN ANT) HER SPHERE.
About 1829 or 1830, during Governor EcheanHi'a's
term, it was judicially proved that a soldier of tlio
Monterey company was holding illicit relations witli
a woman and her daughter at the same time, and tliat
the latter was pre^ant by him. These facts havin*;
become known to Father llamon Abella, he reported
them to the authorities. The result of the trial was
that the soldier was made fo marry the pregnant
woman. The man and woman, from the day of tlic
first publication of the bans, were compelled to kneel
near the presbytery, in full sight of the public, bound
together by the neck with a thick hempen rope, and
having before them a washtub filled with green grass,
representing the manger of a stable, to signify tliat
the man and woman had been living like beasts. At
each publication of the bans. Father Abella delivereil
remarks from the pulpit relevant to the subject, to
remind his flock that the penalties of hell would cer-
tainly befall those who indulged in incestuous prac-
tices. The couple afterward lived happily togetlier,
and had a numerous family. Their descendants live
in California, and flourish to this day.
CHAPTER XI.
PASTURES AND FIELDS.
There Jove accords a lengthened spring.
And winter wanting winter's sting,
And sunny Aulon's broad inuliue
Such mettle puts into the vine,
Its clusters need not envy those
Which fiery Faleruum grows.
Horace.
For many years cattle-raising was the chief if not
the sole occupation of the Hispano-Californians. It
was a mode of life well suited to their temper and
habits. There was little work about it, little of the
drudgery of labor such as attended agriculture and
manufactures ; and if in the pursuit there was little of
the sweet power that displays itself in the domination
of men, the ranchero might at least rule cattle.
Then, too, stock-raising brought men up to a level ;
for in wealth and occupation there was here in those
days a low level and a high level. Upon the low
level rested contented those who had nothing; upon
the high level were those who had something. Be-
tween something and a hundred times more, there was
little difference. Land in itself was valueless, so that
it made little difference whether one's possessions were
CDUuted by acres or square leagues. So with live-
stock. Four thousand of any kind was as satisfying
as f(trty thousand, or four hundred thousand, as a
moilerate number was more than a man could sell, and
as many as he cared to attend to. Hence as the
horses and cattle brought from Mexico increased,
until the proper care of them involved more exertion
(MS)
336
PASTURES AND FIELDS.
tlian the owner cared to put forth, they were allowod
to relapse into barbarism, grow wild, and range at will
over the San Joaquin and Sa«;rauiento plains.
Such was the state of things that for a time any
one might kill cattle at pleasure for food, so lony as
the hide was placed witiiin easy reach of the owner.
But later, when immigration set in, values began to Kc
set on cattle. A large amount of stock fell into the
possession of tlio officers of Micheltorena, who, seoiiiif
that tlie revolution was about to come, sold thtso
anhnals to Spence, Fitch, and other foreigners.
In the early days it was common for Californians to
go in companies to catch wild horses on the Marii)()sa
plains and elsewhere at certain seasons of the ytar,
carrying brandy, tobacco, and other articles for festi\ e
enjoyment. Sutter says there were vast droves of
wild horses in the San Joaquin and Tulare valleys,
bred from those stolen by the Indians from the mis-
sions. They rapidly increased into immense droviis.
They were not claimed by the Indians, to whom it
came easier to steal horses when they wanted tlioni
than to tame them. Later, Americans and Califor-
nians went there and lassoed them, catching all they
wanted. There were few wild horses in the Sacra-
mento Valley when Sutter went there.
Bidwell affirms that in 1842 there were many slieep
in some places. On the rancho of Livermore were
0,000, and Sutter had 1,000. They were small and
the wool rather coarse. There were a few fine hogs;
one weighing 200 pounds was worth $4 or $5. The
cattle were very large, and were in great nuniheis,
There was no regular price for them, but it stood at
about $4 per head. Hides were worth $2 ; tallow 3'' I'^'i'
100 pounds. Horses were very numerous, and woitli
from $S to $30. Mares were never worked or ridden,
and were worth from $3 to $5. The mules were lai^e
and fine, and worth $10 unbroken, and $15 broken
Jacks were worth from $100 to $200 each. Broken
oxen fetched $25.
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.
Ml
The missionaries generally had a manual on agri-
culture, which they followed in the cultivation of the
soil. In planting wheat they would soak the seed in
]\v. This was the practice in Spanish times, and
wiis continued after the country became separated
from Spanish domination. Cultivation of produce in
the district of Monterey was limited to the space
lying between the Tucho and the Pilarcitos, in small
portions, apart from the plantations at Alisal, the
Sauzal, Natividad, San Cayetano, Bolsa del Piljaro,
Coiralitos, Salsipuedes, Las Aromas, a portion of the
Sail Juan valley, San Felipe, San Isidro, the Carnea-
doro. and La Brea, besides El Carmelo.
Special droves of mares were provided at the mis-
sions and on ranches, with jackasses to raise mules.
And in order to arouse the passions of the former to
tlu' point of allowing themselves to be approached by
tlu! latter, there were caballos volteados, which with-
out heing capable of procreating, brought about the de-
sired eti'ect.
Severe droughts were often experienced. In 1809-
10 the missions and presidios suffered greatly for
pasturage and crops, especially the horses for the use
of the troops and mission vaqueros. In 1820-21
there was another visitation of the same kind, and
tlu' live-stock of the missions, now increased to 400,-
000, had nmch difficulty in finding grass enough to
keep them in condition fit for food. It was;^ more
severely felt than that of 1809-10. Governor Sola
caused a large number of mares to be sold. Past ex-
poricnre had taught the missionaries the necessity of
laying up grain, dried meat, fat, etc., for two years.
Tliey also had trained fishermen to furnish food from
the sea, not only in keeping lent, and weekly one
day's abstinence from meat, but hi order that nmssels
and (isJi, so abundant on the coast, should help to
oconoinize the laid up stores. In 1823 a special dis-
pensation was issued by Senan, the father-president,
to use meat, eggs, etc., on forbidden days, owing to
t'AL. I'AST. 22
.138
PASTURES AND FIELDS.
tlic scarcity of maize and beans, from want of rains.
esjKJcially in the soutli, which was furth«'r intcnsitiod
l)y a plague of locu.sts and caterpillars. In the season
of 1824-25, the best known in California from 1770
to 1864, sufficient water fell to keep, t<\<;etlu'r with
the ordinary winter rains, the pastures and s(iwiii.rs
i?i excellent conditicm until the great drought of JJ
months between the rains of 1828 and 18.'}0, uiniiitj
which the wells and springs of Monterey gav»> out.
and water for the use of families had to be i>r()Ui;ht
from the Carmelo river, three miles distant. Hardly
any crops were obtained, and it was estimated tliat
fully 40,000 head of horses and neat cattle perisIuMl
throughout the province. Hundreds of man's were
killed, and many were sold by the missions at 2.) aiii).
June 1.3, 1708.
Nov. 1, 177t>.
Sept. 8, 1771.
Sept. 8, 1797.
Mar. 31, 1782.
Dec. 4, 1780. .
Sept. 17, 1804.
Dec. 8, 1787 .
Sept. 1, 1771 .
.Tuly2.\ 1707.
July 14, 1771.
Oct. !», 1701..
.Tune 3, 1770, .
June 24, 1700.
Aug. 28, 1701.
Jan. 18, 1777.
Juno 18, 1707.
Oct. 9, 1770..
Dec. 18, 1817.
Aug. 25, 1823.
2,500
3,500
1,700
2,700
L.WO
1,100
1,200
i,:ioo
900
1,2.50
2,000
1,400
700
.500
1,450
GOO
1,800
2, .'UK)
.500
1,2.50
1,:«X)
Horned
I'attle.
IIorscH.
I
12,000
80,000
70,000
105,000
14,000
4,000
5,000
14,000
15.000
9,000
4,000
12,000
COOO
3,000
9,000
8,000
13,000
2,400
5,000
.3,000
.3,000
1,800
10,000
1,IH)0
20,000
5,000
1,000
1,200
1,200
2,000
4,000
2,500
2,000
1,200
700
1,200
8(K)
1,200
1,100
1,*'>00
500
700
Sliorp,
UiiaU,
and
Pigs.
17,000
100, (KM)
10, (NX*
40,000
7,0(H»
6,(HH)
5,000
12,000
14,(M)0
7,(HH)
10,000
14,000
7,0
4,000
Harvest.
I
I
i bush.
1.3,000
14,000
IO,(N)0
20,000
8,0(X)
3,(HX)
.3,000
3. .500
0,000
4,000
2,500
3,000
2, .500
1,500
3,500
2,500
(5.000
10,000
2..")(H)
1,.500
.3,000
Totil 31,450 396,400 61,600 '.321,.500 123,000
STATISTICS OF 1842.
Mission.
Indians.
Cattle.
Horses.
Siicop, (loats,
and I'l^s.
San I hego
500
G.")0
100
500
400
.300
400
250
00
80
.30
150
20
40
80
50
.300
400
50
20
70
20
2,800
500
700
l.-HK)
200
1,800
10,(KH)
800
300
40
800
8,000
(iO
100
400
150
500
400
40
180
.500
aoo
200
50
500
'256
200
60
200
■San l.uis Roy
4,000
Sail •) nan Capistrano
San (iahriel
200
.3, .500
San Fernando
2,000
400
400
San Buenaventura
Santa liarbara
Santa lues
4,000
Purisiina
3, .500
800
San 1,111.1 Obispo
Sm .Mijjue)
400
San Antunio
2,000
S,,l,.,lail
(.'arineld
Sin .luan Bautiata
Santa Cruz
Santa Clara
3,000
7,000
.*l»a.
half in money and half in goods. A field after tlio
nuqueo looked like Waterloo after the charge of tin
old guard.
ISIarsh says that in Mexican times one man had aOO
saddle-horses for the use of his rancho. One mission
had 100,000 horses and nmles. Cattle were kiild off
on the mission lands after the seculariziition in 18.U;
it commenced in 1832, and continued until checked l>v
the ijovernor. Thev w re on the decrease until l."^ 10,
"Sheep are small," remarks Clymer, "and proclun^ a
small quantity of coarse wt)ol along the back, the \)v\l
being entirely bare. Their cattle are of good size, and
handsomely built. Some farms or ranchos have from
five to twenty thousand head of such stock on them,
with large stocks of horses and sheep." The way the
padres estimated their stock was to count those they
branded. If these were 5,000, they estimated lo,UOO
for the year.
A great number of vaqueros, or mounted herdsinoii,
were necessary to look after the stock, which was ludf
wild at best. At San Jose, at a rodeo, or gathi linir
of stock for the j)urpose of counting it, Visitador Hart-
nell says that Administrator Castro was assisted hy a
mayordomo and fifty vaqueros.
.,;
THE LASSO.
Ml
Tli<^ Vt^'ai'ly rodeo was not only for brandinjjf and
(li\ i(lin«; stock, but for niakini^ the cattle accustomed
to a certain place, and prevent their going JioiJclessly
wild.
The nii.ssions had a weekly rodeo, and killed twenty
(ir thirty or more cattle tor provisions. The Indians
killed them before a niayordomo de campo, who dis-
till mtetl the moat for the week. The razon people
canie to cut for themselves. The bones were left in
the corral till the followini.; Friday, when they were
jiilcd uj» outside of the rodeo. Each mi.ssion had
tliice corrals, one for cattle, the others for sheep and
liitfses.
On Friday morning some neophytes were sent to
i»ring in stock for the Saturday slaui»hter. On Satur-
(lay morning some mounted Indians lassoed and
hrought out the stock from the corral, for other In-
dians. Tliese lassoed the beast by peal, threw it,
killed, flayed, and cut it up. Head, spine, and intes-
tiiKS were rejected. The fat was dragged to the
mission in the hide. Thus twenty or thirty heads
wtrc killed weeklv for food.
When the year was l)ad and pastures meagre the
padres ordered a desviejar, that is, the killing of old
j^tcK'k. On such occasions, Indians and white men
were armed with lances, and entered the corrals
mounted. They were also hunted up in the fields.
The hides were tiiken off, and the flesh left for beasts
and birds, or for the Indians.
Markofl' tells of a novel way of catching wild oxen
in California. \ trained ox was taken out with the
hunter. The wild ox was then lassoed and bound,
after which his horns were tietl to those of the trained
ex. which dragged him home to be slaughtered. This
was to avoid carrvinof the meat a long distance.
>\ il(l horses were caught at the watering-places by
lasso, or by false corrals. When several had been
eauL,dit they were tied in pairs and driven home, or to
the next catching-place.
PASTURES AND nELDS.
II
The dexterity of the CaHfornians with the lasso was
surprising. As for their horsemanship they were not
surpassed by the Cossacks of Tartary. "It is com-
mon/' says Bidweil, "for them to take up things from
tlie ground going ujK^n a full run with their horses.
They will pick up a dollar in this way. They fre-
quently engage the bear on the plain with their las-
soes, and two holding him in opposite directions witli
ropes fastened to the pommels of their saddles. I was
informed that two young boys encountered a lari^f
buck elk in the plains, and having no saddles, fastentd
the ropes round the horses' necks, and actually dragged
the huge animal into the settlements alive."
Morineau writes: "Dans la vue de menager Ics
pacages pour les boeufs, un arrete de gouvjrnenuiit
defend a chaque j)articulier d'avoir plus de 20 juniciito
poulinieres. C'est aussi par le memo motif (|ue Ynn
fait tuer tous les ans, plusieurs milliers de chcvaiix
sauvagcs, bien que Ton ne tire aucun parti de Icurs
depouilles." Mules were employed on hard labor.
and asses were kept for their reproduction. Each
mission possessed 10,000 or 12,000 sheep. The
Creoles raised few sheep. The wool was good, but
that used in the country was made only into coarse
stuffs. Pigs were not raised at the missions, as the
Creoles did not care for the Hesh, and the Indians have
always had a horror of it.
Writes the governor, July 7, 1844, to the alcalde of
San Francisco: "Thv. French fragata and other ves-
sels may l)uy stock in San Francisco, but none must
sell a heifer at less than six dollars, or abuse will
spring up and injure the countr. . '
In the session of assembly of July 24, 18.']4. the
coinision de gobernaci»»n presented a dictdmen on the
[•etition of Chabolla to cat«'h (correr) mesteno stoik
for urgent want. Permission was thereupon granhd
to any one under the same plea, on condition of gi\iii.;
one fifth to the nation. The sindico was to aeeouiit
f^r the one fifth, leaving it in care of the grantee. The
STOCK REGULATIONS.
343
grantee was to destroy (tuinbar) the corrals erected
for tlio purpose. This license was valid tor once only,
at the judgment of the ayuntaniiento, which would
(Icttiniine the time when each one should perform the
corrida.
One Villavioencio, May 17, 1830, was given a pt^r-
niit to go after runaway cattle between the IMnal del
Tt niascal and the Sierra de la Panocha. He was to
rcjiort the events which might take place, names of
those who accompanied him, and the marks on the
oars, in order that he might be paid immediately ac-
coiding to cus*iX)m.
N'iotoria, writing to the minister of relations on the
7tli of June, IHol, says: "As regtirds caballar, the wiM
kind called mesteilo i.iundate tl e fields. Formerly
tlitie were large slaughters; this he has restrained,
tliiiiking that this slaughter should be made useful if
only in the hides."
On the 21st of June, Figueroa wrote to the alcalde
of S;in Jose that the asssembly had ordered tliat every
« wiur of .stock and honses ai' j ids [laid servants siiould
jH'tt to give personal aid at the customary rodeos,
wit'iout excepting his sons, if he should liave any old
cimugli. No persons might excuse themselves or
others fntm helping without some good reason. I*er-
Niiis exempted from these services were mechanics,
iioii owners of stock, those physically impeded, sexa-
}rt nariuns, except their sons and paid servants, in case
tiif exempt parties owned stijck.
In tiie San Diego archives I find a decree of Feb-
ruary IS35, in which the assembly declares that 150
hi'.id (tf cattle are needed to entitle the owner to a
hraiid. The alcalde must determine who shall have
a hniiid and who a mark.
A person desiring to make use of a particular iron
to) marking cattle petitioned the juez de paz to that
ctK ct; fac-.similes of the fierro and venta acconipanied
the petition. Tiie juez decreed in accordance with tlie
petition, and registered the marks in the libro de regis-
i^
■
344
PASTURf:S ANT) HELDS.
tros. The n)uni(i()al rot^ulations of San Jose, of Jan-
uary U'», 1835, say that none mij^ht mark, brand, or
kill stock except on days desij^nated by the ayuntanii-
ento, and never witliout perniit of the juez de canijH),
wJKj .s)i<»uld inform the alcalde of such. Penalty for first
oti'ence twenty reales; whoever lassoed or saddled a
beast not beloni;in<; to him should pay '^d, and as nuK h
more as the owner claimed in justice.
California was infested by Mexican convicts, wlio,
knowinjj; that they could make no use of stolen cattle it'
not bearing the mark of the seller, were accustonud to
forj^e the brands of well-known sellers, thus causiii!,'
j,'reat confusion. A few were arrested; but the IcK-al
auth(.rities did not understand the maj^nitude of the
crime, and simply exiled the prisoners to other pueblos,
where tiiey went on with the trattic.
" In I 843," savs Bias Pena, "I slauij^htered with m)v
men l,:i(>0 heads of cattle in Captain Fitch's rancho.
I*art of the meat 1 made into tasajo, that is to say, it
was jerkeil and dried; the rest was pickled. The tal-
low was sent to the IT nited States in j^uts, or l>laddrts.
or hides. The t
ed a
nuch
ttlf if
c\'.t ill a certain way. A |x>tition to bo allowed to
us. such marks was made to the juez do paz, a fae-
si'uile of the mark accompany ini^ the same. The
jiiez (granted the permission, and registered the same
ill a book kept f<»r the purpose.
On the IHli (»t' April, 1844, at Los An«,nK's, Ban-
(iiiii made a lonjjf sj)eech betore the a^'uiitamiento,
ciiticisiiiji;; the Laws relatin*; to hides, and urt^ini^
JK-tter measures to protect stock-owners, H(! t'nded
l»y pi(»i>osini>; that no hides should be sold which had
not the owner's mark. Stock-raisers, who according
to tin' law of 1827 should have brands, should send in
tlic notice of the registro thereof, in one month; others
should register their brands. Marks were also to be
sent in.
The ayujitamicnto of Angeles, on the 1 4th of
August, 1847, declared that mestcno (wild) horses
might be chased on Lugo's rancho, after due notice, so
iis to allow the neighbors to attend. All branded ore-
jano beasts that were mestcnos, and fell, belongi-d to the
one who formed the corri(H. Fallen beasts belonging
t.» partit-ijtants in the corrida were giveii up to theui.
Tli(»si' I'alling wliich belonged to non-partici|)ants, for
tluni tlu' owners sluudd pay ^1 per head, 5i52 for
iiuilcs, four reales for wild nuires (bronca or potra),
wliich sums went to the former of tin; corrida,
lit asts with unknown brands wen; divided, one going
to the former of the cori'itla, ami tlu; other t«» the
miuiiripal fund. A juez ped from the tail. On one
occasion a fandango was going on, and surroundiiiLf
the houst' were the horses of the })articipants, with
elaborately trinnned saddles, and the long hairof tluir
tails combed out so as to look their best. One of the
dancers, Jose Antonio Yorba, a famous jmictical joker,
slipped out of the house unobserved, and cut oil' the
HORSES FOR MEN AND WOMEN.
347
tails of all the horses, his own among the number,
that suspicion might be averted from himself, and
returned quietly to the dance. Great was the con-
sternation and chagrin of the dancers when, after the
revelry was over, they led out their fair partners to
place them on their saddles before mounting beliind
tliem, as was the custom. It was as if a great calam-
ity, attended with shame or disgrace, had come upon
them.
Horses de sobrepaso, or as they were called de
geiiero 6 generosos, were destined for women and
friars.
Some of the rancheros lived in feudal style, each
having his band of Indian retainers subject to his
autliority. Warner's mayordomo said he could raise
for liis master 300 fighting men in a few hours.
The rancheros had large bands of breeding mares.
"The jiorses multiplied to such an extent," says Belden,
"tl)at in seasons of drought they would destroy large
iiuinlicrs of mares, and perhaps some of the horses,
(hiving them over a precipice to get rid of them, and
tlius save feed for the cattle, which were more valuable
than horses, on account of the hides and tallow. The
rancheros hardly ever cut grass, had no barns, and
ill a dry time had nothing to rely upon. Occasionally
a fanner might have a little hay, but very rarely, and
.'^o far as they fed their horses about the house, they
used barley."
Few cows were kept near the house for milking ;
the milch cows generally were not gentle, and to milk
them their hind legs were tied together, and the head
tie
divided proportionately between the nine who sign,
and f(L)ur women who also take part in the labors.
Private estates, if devoted to stock, were calltd
ranclios; if chiefiy for plantation, haciendas. The
establishments of Buriburi, San Antonio, Pinole, Sau
Pablo, Na|)a, Santa Teresa, and Petaluma were not
ranchos, but haciendas. In these the buildings wore
large and sumptuous, had a house for servants, and a
room for implements, and another for milk and chocsi'.
another for tallow and lard put up for exportati(»n in
skins. Each establishment had thousands of cattle
and droves of mares. Some had over a hundred
Indian retainers under white mayordomos. Each
hacienda had rooms for guests, and travellers weii'
entertained without charge. A Californian never
used to speak of his farm by acres, but by leagues.
One of four or five leagues was considered quite s;nall.
A thrifty farmer should have 2,000 horses, lo.omj
head of cattle, and 20,000 sheep, as his productive
stock, on which he should not encroach, except in an
emere^encv."
Vallejo had really land without limit; nominally,
he held thirty-three leagues, equal to 140,000 acres.
with 400 or 500 acres under cultivation, the rest l>eiiiL,'
used for pasturage. Of stock he had from 12,000 to
15,000 head of neat cattle, 7,000 or 8,000 head ..f
horses, and 2,000 or 3,000 sheep. He had also ;5(iO
working men, with their usual [)roportion of fenialt s
and children, all kept in a nearly naked state, poorly
fed, and never paid. Where there was any fenei'. it
was made of small willows, placed in the ground and
woven into wicker-work, the fiimsy atiair requiring to
be renewed every season.
, i.
DWELLINGS AND PRODUCTS.
349
Tlio people devoted themselves to raise only the
(|uantity needed for their wants. They did not look
lo making a fortune for themselves or their posterity.
It' tlity had, and had raised 1,000 bushels of wheat
nr corn, where would they sell it?
A'ictoria declared to the mi ni.ster of relations on the
7th of June, 1831, that vhiieulture promised to de-
velop largely, and in time to become the most valuable
(if exports. The progress of agriculture was due to
till' friars and their Indians, who were the oidy in-
dustrious hands in the country.
Castaiiares says that the olive-oil (aceite do comer)
made at San Luis Obispo was as good as or better
than the Spanish, and the olives of San Diego were
as good as those of Seville.
i'revious to 1842, according to Vallejo, the Califor-
iiian rancheros were celebrated ft)r their hii^h souse of
lionor and good fiiith. They used to select as a site
for their houses and corrals hills of small elevation,
with springs near by. They generally avoidi'ii the
plains, fearing floods, although the rains were never
so litavy as they have on several occasions been since
the American occupation.
The colonists about San Jose first selected a raised
sjMit near running water, and placed four large logs in
till' ground ; on them other smaller ones were laitl, and
oil these a roof of tule-leaves tied together and made
water-proof. Then they placed a line of large stones
ell the ground from post to post, and with mortar and
smaller stones built the walls uj) to the roof Then
the house was divided into two or three rooms, and
tiiially the tapanco or attic was built. The furniture
ceiisisted of a cot covered with skins, a few connnon
hlanki'ts, half a dozen trays (troughs), a littlo com-
imtn crockery, three or four small chairs of wood
covered with skins, half a dozen stools, and a table.
Thiit't}' people put in painted wooden doors and white-
washed the walls outside and in; but the lazy poor
used hides for doors. Near the house tliey made a
corral on a level spot, and in front of it they put two
PASTURES AND nELDS. "
or three large posts, nailing a fresh hull's hide to carli,
and anointing the posts with hull's blood. The cattlt-
were at intervals of a few days forced into this corml
until they were used to it, and hundreds could easily
be driven in by two vaqueros. Each ranchero rais( tl
com and vegetables enough for his own family, be-
sides raisinjj cattle.
Taking the fanega at 2^ English bushels, the har-
vest in 18.31 would be as follows :
Quarters.
, Wheat 7,sr.7.|i
Maize 3,414J|
Frijoles 514
Barley 2,314
Beana, garvauzas, aud pease 338
Tofcil 14,438
Reckoning the average price of grain at the same
period to be, wheat and barley ^2 a fanega, and inaizo
$1.50, the following would be the value of the pn)duoc':
Wheat $49,114.25
Maize 2I,340.()0
Barley 11,570.(K)
Pease and lioans (reckoned as barley) 4,2(!().0U
Totol j««,284.25
In 1834 the several missions harvested in wheat,
maize, beans, e. c. :
FanoKftf.
San Diego 13,«M)t)
San Luis Rey 14,(K)0
San Juan Capiatrano lO.CKX)
San Oahriel 2().(KX)
San Fernando 8,000
San Buenaventura 25, (MK)
Santa Mrbara 3,000
Santa luea 3, 500
Purlaima 0.000
San Luis Obispo 4.000
San Miguel 2,500
San Antonio 3,000
S..ledad 2,500
Carniclo 1 ,500
San Juan liautista 8,.')00
Santa Cruz 2,500
Santa Clara 0,000
San Jose 10.000
San Francisco 2,500
San Rafael. 1.500
Solano 3,000
Total 145,000
AORICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
351
In 1841 so little wheat had been sown in Upper
California, and the harvest was so bad on account of
drought, that two schooners were sent to San Bias
and Guaymas for flour.
The various inventories of missions from 1834 to
1846 show a I'radual abandonment of field-work —
broken down fences, useless ploughs, etc., fill the
iccord — here and there is an announcement of a small
]tatch of grain. Orchards and vineyards are also half
if not wholly ruined.
Some of the Californians have tried to raise tobacco
on tlieir farms. It grew luxuriantly, but in quality
would not compare with tliat of the eastern coast of
tlie continent. Cotton was planted in 1846, and
grow well. The cotton of California was pronounced
suj^urior to that of Acapulco, and received the atten-
tion of the Tepic manufacturers. Flax and hemp
AViTo produced to meet all necessities for textures and
ropes.
Wheat was sometimes separated by the Indians
rubbing the heads of the graui in their hands, and
Itlowing the chaff" away, and was ground between two
stones by hand.
On being harvested the grain was put into a stack,
and a corral was made, like the thrashing floor of an-
cient times, an enclosure, generally of a circular form.
The grain was then spread over the ground and a band
of liorses was turned in, and driven round over it to
tran»[) it out. The grain, after being thrashed out was
winnowed from the straw, which was done, throwing
it up in the air when there was a wind, to have the
cliaH' i)lown away. They generally washed it before
the grinding, and made their flour m a mule mill with
two stones, one upon another, a bolt being attached
to the upper stone, which made one revolution only
as often as the mule went round. The operation was
ni'ci r«arily a slow and tedious one.
On the 6th of September, 1845, Pio Pico, senior
nicuibor of the most excellent junta departamental
352
PASTURES Am) FIELDS.
l\
and actinjjf cfovornorof tlio ('lopartincnt, isRUo«l the fol-
lowiii}^ (Ictrco intended to protect vhu^yards and tlicii-
owners fioni depredators : I st. Every owner of a vine-
yard who sells j^rapes in any quantity exreedinj^ 1.)
pounds must furnish a voucher to the purchaser, wlio
will keep it for his protection. If such owner «4ive.s
to his servants over two pounds, he must als< ^^ivc
them a paper statin^f the fact. 2d. It is forbidden to
purchase jj;rapes from Indians and servants of the oi--
chards, without they produce the voucher spoken <•['
in the preceding article. 3d. Any jierson. not tlie
owner of a vineyard, desiring to estahlish a place for
fermenting grape juice, nmst obtain a permit from the
first alcalde, and submit himself to the police visits
that nmst be made to examine his })remises, tubs, etc.,
and produce, whenever it is demanded, tlio vouchers
mentioned in article first. 4th. The alcaldes will visit
all premises rei)orted to them where fermentation is
carried on, and everv citii:en is bound to renik-r everv
possible assistance, for the fulfilment of each one of
the articles of this decree. 5th. The alcaldes per-
8(mally, or through trusty |iersons, but still uiuUt tlieir
own responsibility, will make a daily examination in
the huts of the Indian ranchen'as that may be in the
environs of this city, to ascertain if there are in thnn
any grapes, or fermentation thereof, which have not
been lawfully acquired. 6th. Those officials in the
same maimer will visit and examine all taverns, at Ica^t
twice every week; also the houses of persons havinii;
the license mentioned in article third.
Any owner of a vineyard infringing the proviso of
article first, incurred the fine of $50, or had to un-
dergo the penalty of forty days in the public works.
In a tavern or house having permission to ferment
grape- juice, if any of this fruit was found without the
proper voucher, as per article first, the grape and juice
were confiscated, and the tavern-keeper or owner \vas
subjected to a fine of $50, or two months in th»^ public
works. Any person caught stealing hi a vineyard,
FREE TO\VNS.
fol-
lu-iv
u\t -
r i:,
who
ell to
le ov-
en of
>t tlu'
CO i'ov
visitH
luohci!^
iU visit
Ltion in
r every
one of
les per-
lor tlu'ir
[itiou in
|e in tlic
in thnii
^avc not
in tho
I, atlt-a-^t
liavin;^
mviso of
t\ to un-
\c worUs.
fi'nn«'»it
Ihout the
\iw\ juico
/nor ^v!^'^
|]^,. yniitlic
iue} aid,
upon being convicted, was to suffer the punishment of
four months at puhhc work, with sliackh-.s to his legs
it' a eiviliaii; if of the mihtary, he wouhl, within the
time prescribed by law, be turned over to mihtary au-
tlutrity, with the proofs of guilt, to be punished aceord-
iii •■ to the mai^nitude of the oft'ence.
Among my original documents is one without date
or signature, but which may be placed in the year
181.J. It is a calculation of what a plantation in
IVtuluma could yield in one year. It states that 15
yokes of oxen are needed. Price of their transporta-
tion tliere unknown. Xo price given for the land to
Ix' iist'd, sucli a thing being unknown in !ie country.
KxiH'nse:
2IN» (|iimt(ils Itarlcy, for sowing, nt Sfi 81,2()0
4(1 iniiiit:ils potutocs, for sowing, at .?4 100
]') Mitii lu'i'ileil say 100 days for sowing, etc., cost of supporting them
at S4 pir (lay 400
1') nii'M iifcclcil same time for gathering crops, etc 400
Iiitei'ust on money at ti i>er cent per month, H months, from Dec. to
July 844
Kxiuitoil to yield:
Rifli\. ;{.'( (niintals fur each one sown — 7,0<1() i)uintals, sold at S.'^.
I'ot.itiKis, 'J.'xpiiiitaU for each one sown— 1,000 ()uiutul.s, sold at ^'J.
lii;{,004
,..*•_'!. 0(M»
Alliiw iiiii to the laborers one third for their work 7,0()0
For the hacienda S!l").:*:H
I'lihii't the expenses above H,(X)t
Net proceeds S'l-.*i!<0
111 1835 tliere were only three free towns, with
clijiittis, independent of the missions and presidios, in
all L'[)per California. These towns were to a gieat
txtciit peopled by the old Spanisli or croole soldiers,
who aftiT a certain term of service at the missions
liiul )>i rinission to return to their native land or settle
ill tilt' country. Alosc of them were married and had
families; and when the retirement to the puebhts was
preferred, grants of land with some necessary articles
wtic i;iven them to commence their now occupation of
liusibaiidry, which, with the aid of the natives, they
Cal. Past. 2S
Mi Ta.'.TUUE:; axd fiklds.
generally prosecuted suc'ce>>8fully. The most fntll'
spots were generally clH»seii for the pueblos, and tlu-
produce of these not only supported the inhahitniits
of the plac(% but supplied the neighboring inissic.ii
and piesidio. The principal pueblo at this time was
Los Angeles, whose population was about 1,500. It
had an alcalde, three regidores, and a sfndico, com-
posing the ayuntamicnto, or town council, lictoiv
this, Los Angeles had been proposed fo** tiie ca[iit;.l
of tiie country; and as the Spaniards in their colollit^s
always used to have an inland site for the capita],
this scheme might have been adopted if the couiiti v
had remained in their hands; but at this time it was
thought that Monterey would be the capital until a
population should arise on the bay of San Francisco,
when it would no doubt be fixed there. The scccmd
free town was San Jose, whose population in I S;;.^
was GOO. It was governed in the same way as Los
Angeles. The inhabitants raised wheat and cattle,
and traded in the skins and tallow of deer, which wnv
abundant in this district. The third free town was
Brancifortc, whose population was not more than IJU.
This place hod also its alcalde, but was dependent (Hi
the military conimandant of Monterey.
The little progress made by free settlers in populat-
ing California arose not only from the inaptitiitlc of
the Spaniards for colonizing such a country, but rnmi
the jealousy of the missionaries who clainied aliiit
all the land. By this means only a few settlers were
admitted, and those had to be firm adherents of llio
missionaries, and blindly obey their mandati's. The
total of the free settlers at this time did not < x-
ceed 5,000. In this nup.ber were included all w liite
and mixed castes who lived in the country, in the five
pueblos, and at the missions and presidios. Of such,
many lived at the missions and on their lands, ami
could scarcely be said to bo independent of tluin.
The constant revolutions in the south causetl j^rcat
discontent among the working classes, and luaiiy
IRRIOATION.
faiii'ilit's who ]\m\ n)iiu> fnmi Sonorn niul San Blur to
stttli' ulmut Lo8 Aiiij;t'l«'S chaiiLjcd tlu'ir iniiuls and
wt lit nortli to tliu it'gion of San Jose and Santa
( lara.
A jirowl was srnt tlown from Sonoma to the <:t»v-
trw>r ill IH44, m'ttiii|>ri'HHion frit \>\ t\,r
Ial»i»riii«: class lu'causn of tlie titlit'S and tlif tarilK
and wliert'liy the rancluTo was^ made; a vassal of
tlif trader. F<»rt'i«j;n hunters luul destroyed otttr
liiiiitinjjj, and were (U*stroyin«5 heaver tra|))»iii«4, and
the su|»erearf all the
stock in California would not sutHee to pay what was
owinir to tratliui^ vessels. The remedy suuiiested
was to <(rant U> whallni^ vessels full permission to
come into California ports for repairs and suj)iilies.
Tills Would foment ai^rieulture, and take awav from
the tra«lin;^ vessels their ruinous monoi>oly.
It is interesting; to see how irri'»;atinii made hy the alcaldes of Los Anjjieles on the 7th
of March, 1S41. The time is at hand when the irri-
j^atiii;; ditch should he repaired, and due order should
lie ol)ser»ed in the necessary W(>rk : Ist. The tlitch
will still be under tlie oharuje of a man of prohity who
shall oversee the repairs, keep a list of i)roprietors of
VMi< yards and cultivated lands which are in the city,
and employ the reijuisitc numluT of laborers. 2d. As
sonji us notice is uiveii hv the ditch conunissioner, each
ruhivator shall si-nd an Indian with the necess4irv
ini|ihinents, and whoever has three riegos must semi
two Indians — who must not he missin*' when the dav's
Wdik is needed. 3d. From amoiiijj the cultivators two
.shall he ap|Mmitcd tt) assist the conunissioner in man-
a.rinu;the Indians ; they must he mounted, and shall be
ex. ni[)t from furni-shin*; Indians. 4t]i. The commis-
si'iii' r is to see that the ditch is kept clean and the
350
PASTURES AND FIELDS.
minor ditches in j^-ood t)rd('r; also that fairness ]>() oh-
sorved la the use of thi* wattT, wliieh sliall not \>i>
wasted. 5tli. The o<»innnsHioner must see that each
eitiztn making use of the water sliall have a t('
of water. 8th. As it has hecn noticed that majiy wait
till the Work in the diteh is done l)eforc sowing, tlio must aid in the n
{'<■{■>>-
sary labors. l>th. The eolKctor will
sec
Who vvasli f
■lotl
les m
tl
le main <
litcl
1, or wiio
that ti
tl
II !>(•
ll'iiW
tilth into the same, or who all<»w swamp-land to he
formed, are amenahle to con«lign punishuK nt.
.Vs these measures are intended for* the general g-idd,
any infraction of the first ei^ht articles will l»e |iu!i-
isiied as follows: a fine of ."? I for the first oIl'eiK . , uii I
!^S for the second, wiiile a third infiaeti«)n will Hul>je( t
the culprit to he punished as disohidient. Each infiac-
tion of article ninth will be jiunished with a fine of ^'1.
Tiiat I'VeiT one be jnt'oriued of the above, and that Iim
one may allege i<^nor;inee. let tlii> deeree In- puMisli' 'I
by bando, and posted in the public phucs.
The ground was ploughed onee or twice. A yoL "f
oxen guided by an Indian draggtd a j»lougli with an ii'
ill
point ntade ly an J iidian
bh
^niitl
\VI
len ll'iii u.iH
wanting. pltMighs of oak without the iion point \\. re
Used at the missionsiis well a> ly indl\ iduaU. I^'uitowh
Were made with the same ploiji^ii, with a wooden >haiv
fastened thereto tor ijic pnipose of making the \'\\vv
wider
eed wa> .sown i»v
hand
thn
loiir, "1'
fi\e grains of >iiai/e oi- beaii> were planti'd. Hail' v
anil wheat were sown broadcast, anil the ground wan
A CAUFOUXIA UAXCHO.
887
afterward liarrowetl, for wLicli puri)()KC brandies of
trots were used.
The harvest was uf.athered from Jaly to September,
sometimes liowever beijf'muiii},^ in Mji.y, in wliieh ease
all the «^rain was liarveste«l !)}■ August. Men, women,
jiiid ehihhen eael) carried on their back a eora, int-.
uliicli the Ljrain was tlirown, an a cart. The j;jain was thrashed by men
with btielvs (j^arrotes^, and winnowed by women wIkj
tnssetl it in wotxjen l)owls called battas. The jjrrain
\\;is stoicd in bulk, in innnense jj^ranaries called trojes.
This is JMo l*ico's description.
.\lmost e\ery tuttive C'alif'rnian had his ranclio
iiiid herds of ('attle and hoi-S's. Some had several
lanche's in d'Herent parts of the <*ountrv. They \in\v
a few vci^t tables and fruit, maize and wheat. 'I'lie
women Ljiound the coin and made tortillas. From
lime ti» time the man killed a number of cattle I'm'
tlicir liides ami tallow; tliesi,*, and some f)f the bet t'
saved, w<'re sold to vessels, and in this manner the
jiiople obtaimd their wearin;^ apparel and other cum-
iiiiMlitie.s. About \Xl(] a chani;f of view, as re'4ar(let huM
el' land and bi't,nM( to ciiltivati! it. 1'liere were ii"t.
many extensive attemp s at aj^riculture till after I ^ |C>,
when the new-comers licean to scattei' around tip'
Santa Clara valley .iml cultivate there and on the
ethij" siile of the bav.
hi early tiini's, after obtaiiiin;jf an allotment of laixl
from the j^o\i.': 'lor, s«'ttlers would yo to the mission-
aries, and ol»tam th*.; loan \'
stock, whicii tlM'y w<»uld return at the expiration of a
crrtain time sav fi\e Nears. 'i'he <-ost of ohlidliili''
possession of the land was al>out SI il ; so that in tho^e
• lavs it re<|uire I no o-n-at amount of capital or ability
to lav the I'oundation of a lai'-eand lucrative business.
III order to obtain judicial jiossession of a tract of land.
apprKation was made to the alcalde of tlu' tlistrict.
who, with two wituu«fc>e« and a riata tifty feet iu
I - k
i
If
:i'8
PASTURES AXD FTSLDS.
■'
L'l S
H
I
liijxth, would |nro out Oil horsc'hack, and measure otf
tlir tract. The ceiiniuiiy was ('ominciK'etl l)y tlirow-
iii«4 up a pile of stones or earth as an initial point, aii-l
jtiantinj^ a cross thereon. This initial pointwascall* d
a niojonira. Thev cultivated only little jijrain, Imi
if t' • ~ '
had small milpitas where they raised ve'
wtic some small fields of corn, wheat and havley.
where thev raised in favt>ralile seasons enoui^h t'nr
tlieir use — corn and wluat for hreadstutf, and the
harlev for feedint; their horses.
Vehicles consi.sted of carts with a hide on th«; Imt-
tom, one on top, and hides on tiie si«|es. The wherU
wese made of one piece of wood, not vt^ry round, am!
some with iron tires. They were drawn hy <'Me "i
more y
family. The mission of San Luis Ohispo had ju
waijons of two wheels, which weii;, together with
the harness, anpuit»Mian<'es, including flu
iioii w«»rk, madi' in it. The wagons wer<^ tirawii
l»v fttur nmleseacii, and were used for carrying tall'W.
et«-. Fraiicis<'o Hicoin lH4t stalled from the pi,
AORICUl.TURAT. IMPLEMENTS.
359
> ]»nt-
il, aiin(' "1-
with
.■ tlir
I'll W II
llloW.
■sidio
n I'V
, thV
1.1 1.*
n til*'
tiff is
tlirtv
la'j,'^.
ITS ut
lu. ir;i
•s will'
lissi'iii-
latli- I-.
Is. Ill
cult')
w itli spoked wlicols from the United States. On the
i>tlinius of Nicaragua a s|>ecies of conveyance ob-
tained wliich was not found on tlie rugged mule trails
g with
li.ilts iiored through theheait, and a |)<)U^ run through,
idiil riiich-i»imied at either end, on whicli rests a cane
tiv reed frame covered witli rawhides. Tlie veliicle
was drawn hy one or two yoke of oxen, yoked by
l.isliing tht> forelieads of two abreast to strong sti«'ks
al>-nit four feet in length. This was tlie ortliodox
V. hicle throughout all Central, and iiuleed all Span-
iel i Anniica, inclu«nng the Californias.
The California plough was a crooked limb of a tree,
witli a piece of flat iron for a point, and a sniall tree
tor tlu! pole. Ea or three oses, t:)
>u|'|»ly leaves and branches for I'alm Sunday.
lit/ 1/
^-^
f
CHAPTER XII.
F(H)I>, KUKSS, DWELLINGS, ANI> DOMESTIC UOUTINK.
Kttii Iwiie olut, ((ui bono BOinper nlot. — Martutl.
Fkw |)ooplo of any a»i^e or cliino did more liviuLf jur
du'iii than tlic imstonil (,'alif'oniians. N(»t tluit tiny
ate and drank exct^ssivrly, or sju'nt large sums in I'cs-
tivitit's, or on tho wliolc were extravagant in tluir
dress, or l)U''t for theniseJveK palatial n^sidences; iu
all tiiese things tliey wer. «|iiite tenl|^erat(^ for one
very good reason, if no other — lack of o[H)ortuiiitv.
As lor eating, their apjietite was healthy, hut tlu n;
were tew Trench cooks in tin; country, and condiuiciit.s
and groj-ei'ies were not present in gnat vaii.ty nr
refined (piality. They could make strong drink in
unlimited quantity, and they (umid got drunk iipnn
occasion. Dress tln'y certaiidy would Ji.ivc gone iniirh
f\n-th<.r in, if they luul hiid the money, and it* tli. ic
had iieen auvthiui; at hand to huv. .\s tor hous( s.
the climate was kind and umu wer.' la/y.
And so they lived. (Opening their eyes in tlic
morning tlu^y sjiw the sun; they hreathed the tit>li
air. and listened to tlte song of hij'ds; mounting tl.< ir
stei'ds they rod'' I'orth in the i ni<'vnient of henitlit.tf
exercise; thev tended their tlocks, held inti'
with each other, and ran up a faircnidit with htii\>ii.
How many among the statesmcMi, among the proti —
sioiial and Ims-iiness men an«l artisans v\' our prt st iit
high «'iviri/{itioas, can say as mu<'h ' It was tin ir
husiness to Ww., to do nothing hut exist,; and tii«y
did it well.
FOOD, SUPPLIES AND HAHITA'llONS.
861
Tt was with difficultv, (lurinij tlicir first years in
r.ili for Ilia, that tlic uroocl padros — tortlio early jii'usts
Avdt' really j^ood iiu'ij — wisre ahlo to secure foiul for
tliemselves and their dusky IaMd)s. Tliey hieked the
|»i)/,ol<> and atole which had proved so etticaeious in
(hawiii'j; tlu; natives of Lower California into the
Cliristian fold. Indeed, down to tlu; middle of March
177.^ Father Juni|H'ro and his associates could oiler
lli(ir converts nothin*^ hut a little milk. On the
otjuir hand, the natives had furnished nuich in the
form of seed and fish. Missionaries and soldiers had
to (lepend »)n the chase for meat. This was owinyj in
a ui'iat measure to the had <|uality and careless |)ackin;^
of provisions sent from San ]^las.
in tlu^ hei^innin^LC all were poor; the rich as a rule
(I'kI not ptMietrate tlic wilds of America; so that in
mattei's of dress, food, an; four adohe walls were j»ut up, though
Sometimes a frame-work of timhers was erected, the
spaces and interstices Iteino; filled with ad(»l>es. Some
clitircli walls wei'e made in this wav. But opt the
(I'MW. widow -franies, and roof-ttmhers. The simplest
sty'i' of ail adohe house is a, tenement of on«' room.
The next more pretentious had a cross ]>artitioM sepa-
I'.itiii'j; the one room into two. Then a still laroer
liniise would contain several rooms, or additional
rooms Wove added to the oriijfinal struetiiiv, or out-
liiiu,es Were huilt, ]^etter cliiss houses had a portico
pted the |)aiitalooiis and other garments. A iiui-
joritv of th«' raueheros left oft' the slu>rt hret'ches f .r
tiie calzonera and the heeled hoot for the hota de ala.
After till' Americans became |»(»ssesseu!i-
trv another chanuje wjis experienced, which still .-nl>-
sists. J^ut more of this hereafter. Domestic routine
from tile first was hascd on that of Spain with some
nKKJilieations. The kitchens in some liouses had
h<>r>nll(is made of atlohes, on which the ]»ans or p^ts
were placed to stew or boih In other i)arts they hail
on
Iv st
ones
f.)r
ovens.
The Spiuiish missionaries, as a rule, after the mass
l>i'<»ke their fa.st with chocojat*' and toast or some snit
of hiseuit. At ahout I I A.M. they would take a iilass
of hr.indy. with a piece of cake and clu'cse, "paia
]iae«r hoca." J)inner at noon consisted of vermin Hi.
rice, n)' hread souj); next i\iv olla, made with litef m-
mutton and !iam. toj^ether with lejjjumes, as heans. li n-
tils, Spa,nish peas, anr
othei' li;4ht meat ami chtM-olate. This was ahout flif
daily fare. WIk ii the fathers had i^uests at tahjr. as
c<»mmission«"d officers, eccasionally si-ri^rants. iin i-
cliants, or other res|tretahlt> persons, extra dishes w> n
]>?'i>\ id
at davhreal
mi
Ik
mixean,
an'ood hroth, a la espa-
111 la. made usually of heef or mutton, and to thicken
till Kritth rice, jj;ail»anzos, ijood cahhajjje, etc., were
iM.iJ.d with it. After the hroth came soups a la I's-
]>aiiula, made with rice, vermicelli, tallarlnes, macca-
niii. jnmteta, or small dumplinj^s of wheaten flour,
111' ail. oi" tortilla dt^ mai'z, 'i'he next course was the
]'U. hno, which usually was the meat and vci^i-tahles
iVoiii which the hroth had hern made, with sau<'i! to
stimulate the appetite. 'I "lis sau<'e was utiiei-ally
(Miittctioued in summer with 5.jrern jieppns and ri'd
tdiiatiMS. nunced onions, ])arsley, or jjjailic In wm-
tri tlif sauce was made with «hied pcjipers. Lastiv,
til n w a li;j;ht supper of meat layout, ni* roast, linishiniL,^
witli beans, These were the usual meals anionnj; tlu'
iniiiiipal classes. It is harli ot every kind, when- it could be luui, was fr«--
'lUi iitlv used, esiieciallv on i''ri(la\s, and other davs
wli'ii tlie church inhibited the us«> of llesh.
'•u this fan- the iidiabitant.s, for the mo.st part, suf-
^i!+l
h
3&1
FOOD, DRRSS, AND DWELLINfiS.
furod from few diseases, kei)t robust, stron<^, ajjjilc, and
of <^ood color, liad a numerous proji^cny, and lived to
a trood old age. For the food was simple and wliolr.
somo. Then, too, the Californlans were no gourmands;
a sensitive palate was too trouMesomc. The Mexic.iii
tortilla remained tlie substitute for bread. Stuid
beans were a favorite dish »)f ricli and pt)or. Mi at,
particularly beef, was largely consumed, frtsh, jerked.
and in soups. Nearly all dishes were highly scasc turd
with peppers and garlic. Chicken and hard givm
cheese were connnon enough, but milk, thougli in a
country occupied by hundrers. par
ticularly «Mi liolidavs and Sundavs.
Th(! [)eople at large livetl almost entirely o.i Im i f,
reddish beans, and tortillas. They used but liiil'
Houi'. Corn tl ley ate in the form of tortillas, llttf
was fre(|uently <'ut in slices or strips, and roasted he-
fore an open fii'e on an iron sjtit. Peppi'rs and lie.nis,
as W(dl as th(! corn, were raiseD.
3G5
I), tlirll
'I'l' wa^
).\ lirrt,
t littl'
liraiis,
TS Wt'W
li simai'
r iiiai/f
aiinriia,
a. cliiii-
doiiil'ii'.
in \V(»<)(lon moulds, witliout any pretcnco of cliinfica-
ti'iii.
Am larly breakfast ainon«jf tlio hctter class iniu;lit
111' of u iiwule a thick tortilla of maize called niscoyote, in
\v!,ir|, fat was an iuLjredient in a small (luantitv, to-
ii'tiK r with suj^ar, panocha. or honey to sweeten it.
Tli'tt was a wav of makin'j" the common toitilla last
iiiaii\- iiion
thsl
»y mixin ( aiiipaijjjnniL; .soldiers.
Hi
unuelos were roUlK
1 cal
\eS
a'le of white corn-nie.al ecnerally. and frieil in lard
after tlu! manner of dou;j,linuts. Women sent them
tn tlidr friends at CI iristmastide, and often, for a joke,
wniild fill them with C(»tton wool. ]3unuelos were
iiiucli appreciated at that sea.son. , ^
I'Acept in .s(»me of the best fninilies. they never set
a tal»le, but would \x^> into the kitchen, have the t'ood
nrtrt
FOOT), IHtKss. A\D mVKLUXns.
I •
takt'ii from tlie kc^ttlcs, and |iassroMiisand forks; or tlicy would tak •
up tlic meat and Ixans witli a piiro of tortilla, and < at
it all tojLjctlu'r. The knives used vverc^ tlioso fmplt»\ nj
for any purpose. Town and country life were aliki .
Clreen c«>rn, helotes, was a favorite dish with tl,.'
white men, accordiniLf to Alvarado. Th'^ Indians did
not like It, or thouj^ht it sat heavy on the stoniut li.
It was eaten roasted, iiaked, or l)<»iled. It was ot"i< n
an ingredient of the sancocho, a dish of nutats, putu-
to(>s, and other vcjjjetahh'H, l)oiled tojjfcthcr, and s( a-
sonod. The result, hcsides Hancooho, was the oUa \un\i\.
da; in fact, the lattt'r was prohahly the earlier naii.( '\\\
(^dlfornia, I »ut the other was introduced from Souili
America hy l^andini, Malarin, Hartnell, and Fit( li.
P«»tatoes were unknown until introduces.
Katlons were {^iven him weekly, and consisted of as
nuich as he coulil consume of heef, lard, mai/e, htaiis.
and lentils. Other thinjjfs, such as pumpkins, onioiis,
ami chiles, the lahorer raised on land which he was
allowcn crops, made a rtorts of three peix'iis.
One held the cow by the head; a second held tlio
MORE ON TABLE DEUCACIES.
307
ri>fita ronfiniii*]f hor hind loj^s, and battled with the
liuii.;ry calf, while tlu' third milked with our lunul,
li(tl(lint( tlu" ror(|»taok' for it in the otlur. Milk [nuU
Will' unknown, and tho ranclu/s assortnuMit of cnM k-
(fv was small, ho that, if scvoral cowh wvw nrilUcd,
all the tuniblc's, tea-cupH, and h<»wls wvw l)nm<^ht
into iiMjuisition, Ateanwliilo tho ranchero, his wife
fuul childri'ii, the unoerujued servants, and the stranger
within tho jjjates, assisted as speetators. IMilk was
sold hy the hottle. One of the missionaries of San
Kianeiseo ottered, in 1815, to supply Kotzi-hue's sliip
with fresh stores daily, including two hotth'S of milk,
iHiastiiii; that he was the oidv man ahout all San
Fiaiieisc(» hay who, after many f it with the u;reat-
ist ft to Indians or beasts. I jiave it on good
iiii'lioiitv that amon<' the Ilisitano-Callfoi-riiaMS wen;
hi iii.;s in the form of men who did not scruple, M'hen
"II a journey, to lasso a vaquilla, cut out the frazada,
and let her loose again. This frazada, or fiesada as
U^i
M*l#'''
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
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1.0
I.I
1.25
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Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
33 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBtTER.N.Y. M580
(716) 872-4503
.^
^
368
POOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
the illiterate called it, was the meat covering the ribs.
Hispaiio-Califijrnians never took kindly to bear's meat,
pork, or even mutton. They liked beef, and woro
particutarly found of veal, to obtain which tlicy
killed tlie female calf of six months to a year. But
their favorite morsel was the frazada, which tluy
would, when in the field, throw upon the hot coals,
and turning it once or twice, would eat it half raw
with a little salt, of which article they always liad
S(Hne with them. Arnaz says that he tasted the
frazadas several times, and his palate never appre-
ciated tlieir vaunted merits, as it always found them
tasteless, and tough as sole leather.
Some of them were good cooks. Arnaz even
assured us that they could have compared with tliose
served at the celebrated bodas de Camacho so elo-
quently described by Cervantes in his Don Quixote.
But the aboriginal Californian always liked beef,
horse-flesh better, and donkey's meat still more.
Poor jack, so despised elsewhere, except when needed
for hard, unrequited work, or to breed a hybrid, was
here higlily appreciated by tlie native American for
his meat. Inocente Garcia relates the following in-
cident. About 1836 he was appointed by Governor
Alvarado administrator of San Miguel mission. Be-
fore taking possession of his trust he ascertained that
the neophytes were in the habit of going out, way-
lavinijc travellers to rob them, and stealinij horses to
eat them, not even those of the mission escaping tliiir
depredations. He saw the necessity of checking,'
these abuses, and afterward corrected them. One
day, sitting on a bench in the portico of the minister's
house, two gentiles from the Tulare region came to
see him; they spoke in a dialect which he pretended
not to understand, and he called for an interpreter,
through whom they asked for food. He gave tliiiii
some bread. The interpreter went away, but the
gentiles staj^cd. At this moment a vaqucro passed
by mounted on a fine horse. One of the gentllesj
HORSE AND MULE MEAT.
tm
then remarked, **see how fine and fleshy that horse
is, SI) good to eat;" to which the other feUow an-
swtiod, *'Yes, very good indeed; but it could not
possibly be so good and so sweet as the youni]; donkey
which was sold us last ni^lit by the alcalde, Juan, and
we ate up at the teniascal." Garcia understood them
W(ll, an«l had the teniascal searched for the bones (;f
vouih^jack. The Indian's words proved true. This
was but one instance, among many, of Indian predi-
lection for asses' meat.
Scnora Paz Espfnola used to do washing, and besides
kci)t a wooden bench in front of her house where she
sold fried fish. For half a real, an Indian or a laborer
could buy two or three tortillas and fried fish enough
to apjicase hunger for twelve hours. On feast days,
said sefiora used to move her establishment to the
church door, and sell meat pies, well seasoned with
chile. For a real she gave two of the empanadas and
a glass of apple cider.
There was a somewhat puerile attempt at bread
laws by the Monterey ayuntamiento in 1835. The
siiidico asked for instructions as to the weight and
quality of bread. It was agreed that no rules could
be made as to the weight, except that persons should
l)e obliged to sell the weight they declared to deliver;
and when the quality was bad, they should lose the
amount of their baking. If not of bad quality, but fell
short in weight, the bread should be disposed of among
the prisoners.
"The Californians," says one, "are celebrated for
the luaimfacture of sugared pastry ; amongst these are
azuearillos, a kind of white biscuit formed from crys-
tallized sugar. It is melted in iced water, and forms
a delightful drink, being sweet, with a delicate, aro-
matie flavor. "
Tliiy were a great people to make visits to their
friends and relatives, the whole family going, and stay-
iiiif a week or a month. Of these visitors, sometimes
fifty of them would light upon a place together, when
C'AL. I'AST. 24
370
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
the tortilla-makers would get no rest day or niglit.
Of a bullock butchered one morning, there would not
bo enough left for breakfast next morning.
For a long time there was a prejudice against pork,
the people refusing even to use lard in their cookinij,
confining themselves to beef fat. Pigs were only fit
to make soap of, they thought. Neither did tlioy
care to eat bear, or sheep flesh ; beef alone suited thcin,
especially vaquillas six or twelve months old; and tiny
relished roasted meat the best. When a beef was
slaughtered, the ribs were quickly bared of the hide,
and ihefrazada — the meat on the ribs — cut out. Tills
was thrown on the coals with a sprinkling of salt, and
when half cooked was eaten with relish. "1 never
cared for it," says Arnaz; "it had no taste, and seemed
like leather." Roast meat and milk was the usual
food of rancheros, with cheese, asaderas, frijoles, and
tortillas. But at feasts they could prepare many lirh
dishes. Women did not eat with the men. Poor
people had no tables ; they sat on the ground and ate
with their fingers.
All mankind will have their alcohol and opium in
some form. The California aboriginals had a drink,
the pispibata, which the padres would not allow tin in
to use, so strong was it, and so deleterious. It was
made of powdered calcined shells, wild tobacco juice,
and islais, or wild cherries, powdered, shaken, and
ground, water being added, until it assumed a consis'
tency almost solid. Sometimes maize, or fruit of easy
fermentation, was used. The pispibata was a power-
ful decoction, equal to a mixtureof rum, tobacco jnice,
and opium — if one can imagine what that would I)e.
The horrible mixture prepared, the savages would stat
themselves round it, in the hot sun, and dipping the
forefinger into the mass they would touch it to their
tongue and give a smack of satisfaction. This done
two or three times, the participant fell back dead
drunk, or dead indeed if a little too much should be
IXTOXICATmCr DRINK.
S71
ght.
not
)()rk,
ly lit
they
,ht'in,
f was
hide,
This
t, and
never
eeiucd
usual
;s, and
ly rich
Poor
ind ate
talvon. It is said that during the lethargy, the moder-
ate participant seemed to reaHze his most ardent hopes
indulged in while awake, and that though the body
was paralyzed, the soul entered the realms of superla-
tive happiness.
In 1834 Gallardo and Arzaga of Sonora petitioned
+lic jofe for permission to erect a brandy distillery near
San Felipe, and to have the ten dollars municipal tax
removed. This was in June. Before the year had
(_ xi)irod, Gamboa y Caballero was granted permission
i)y Figueroa to make mescal brandy for one year
between Monterey and San Luis Obispo, but he must
pay the municipal dues,
^lost of the missions manufactured aguardiente
from grapes, apples, and pears. The brandy of San
Fernando acquired great reputation in California.
Graham had a still on the Vergeles rancho, and used
wheat and maize. A bottle of Catalan brandy used to
cost twelve reales, or an ox-hide. Gamboa used to fill
an empty brandy-keg witii water, expose it to the sun
for half a day, then put in burnt sugar and ground
chile. This he would sell to the savages as brandy;
and when they complained that there was no happiness
in it, he would say that he had kept it so long it had
lost its strength. An alcoholic liquor was obtained
from the baked torogUi root, which was crushed, left
in earthen pots to ferment, and then heated for dis-
tillation.
At San Josd good wine and brandy were made long
before the days of the amorous Naglee. Padre Duran
was skilled in this pious industry. His aguanliente
was as clear as crystal, or when treated with burnt
sugar became of a clear yellow. It was doubly dis-
tilled, and as strong as the reverend father's faith.
The wine of pastoral days was made after this man-
ner: Suitable ground was selected, and a desvan or
jilatform placed thereon. This was covered with clean
hides, and the grapes piled upon it. Some well-
washed Indians, having on only a zapeta, the hair
372
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
carefully tied up and hand covered with cloth whert'-
with to wipe away the perspiration, each havin^^ a
stick to steady himself withal, were put to treading out
the grape juice, which was caught in coras, or in leatli-
ern bags. These were emptied into a large wooden tul^,
where the liquid was kept two or three months, und( r
cover of tlie grape-skins, to ferment. Such as did not
flow ofl' was put into wooden presses, and the juicii
into copper jars, and covered with a kind of hat.
Through two or three hiserted tubes heat was con-
veyed to the mass to aid evaporation and conderihsa-
tion These jars served as a still for brandy. For
white wine the first juice only was taken and stored.
On the 28th of April, 1840, the assembly passed to
the committee the proposition of Gonzalez to prohibit
brandy distilling from wheat, maize, and barley, a>
prejudicial to health; and the introduction thereof from
abroad, for this was prejudicial to the agriculturists.
The prohibition of wheat, maize, and barley biandy
was approved.
In 1843 there were at Santa Barbara two good
stills, and two that were valueless; San Buenaventuia
had four, two being useless, with eleven barrels of
brandy in store; San Antonio had a still worth $1U0
in 1845, and two wine-presses with some jara, barrels,
and tools, worth in all $200.
On the 10th of October, 1845, the prefect writes
from Monterey to the secretary of government of the
harm done by making aguardiente from grain, as well
as the abuses and public scandal caused by its cheaj)-
ness, and the evil efl'ects to the public health by its
use ; he thinks the prefecture should not grant licenses
for its manufacture. Two years before this, the Mon-
terey prefect had ordered the sub-prefect at San Jose
not to allow the making of liquor from molasses and
grains, with an *6rden superior.'
Drunkenness was not common, says Arnaz; the men
usually took a mouthful or so of brandy, but few
drunken men were seen, although liquor was common
PASSION FOR ADORNMENT.
373
and cheap. Most took wine for dinner at Angeles,
whore it was made ; elsewhere water was used. Drink-
in^' was more prevalent in the north, thou^^h not ex-
cessive there.
as
good
ntura
tch of
$U)0
irrcls,
irrltes
)f t\ie
Is well
b\ica\>-
[by its
reuses
;Mou-
h Jose
iS and
Ic men
It few
liuuiou
On this outskirt of civilization, not to say creation,
we find humanity just as insane over the subject of
(hoss and ornamentation of person as in Paris or 8t
}^^tcrsburgh, and the men were as silly as the women.
There was a great variety of attire present, more among
tlie men than among the women ; and to give what
everybody says upon the subject may have the a])pear-
anee of repetition; but in this way only can this va-
riety be intelligently placed before the reader. I
arrange my notes on this subject chronologically, to
give the sketch the greater historical value. If there
are apparent contradictions herein, they must be
charged to my authorities, who wrote at different times,
and under various circumstances. It is onh' in listen-
ing to them all, however, that we can learn all.
This nmch may be said by way of preface, that
the ordinary orthodox dress of the Californian was
a hroad-brimmed hat of dark color, gilt or figured
liand round the crown, lined under the rim with silk;
sliort silk or figured calico jacket; open-necked shirt;
rif'li waiscoat, if any; pantaloons open at sides below
the knee, gilt laced, usually of velveteen or broadcloth ;
or sliort breeches and white stockings ; deer-.skin sIkjcs,
dark brown, and much ornamented; a red sash round
the waist, and poncho or scrape. The latter was al-
>vays a mark of the rank or wealth of the owner, and
was of black or dark blue broadcloth, with velvet trim-
mings down to the coarse blanket poncho of various
colors.
Women wore gowns of silks, crape, calicoes, etc.,
witli short sleeves, and loose waist without corset;
slicH^s of kid or satin, sashes or belts of brig'nt colors;
and almost always necklace and ear-rings. They had
no bonnets, the hair hanging loose or in long braids.
374
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
IP I
lllll
Married women did it up on a high comb. Over tlie
head a large mantle was thrown, drawn close round
the face while out of doors. In the house they cairicil
a small scarf or neckerchief, and on top of the head a
band with star or ornament in front. This accord! iitr
to Dana in 1835.
The men of 1780, says Amador, soldiers and civil-
ians alike, used knee-breeches of cloth or velveteen—
pana; it had a flap, called a tapabalazo, sometinus
narrow, sometimes wide, and the band at the knee was
fastened by a buckle of silver or other metah Tlio
stocking was of wool or silk. The jacket was short.
The military jacket was also short; the little standing
collar — collarin — facings — vueltas — ^and braidings or
other adornments — fravjas — were red, as was the waist-
coat of cloth. The stock, or corbatin, was black and
well adjusted, so that the chin remained up.
When the soldier went on service he put on liis
cttera. This was made of seven thicknesses of ante-
lope hide, called gamiiza. It was a sort of waistcoat,
made in three pieces, and was fastened under the arms
with thongs of the same material. It fell to the kmc,
and served as a protection against arrows. He carriod
also an oval adarga, or shield, of ox-hide doubled ; on
the inside it had a loop for the arm.
The hota, or legging, was shaped like a stocking-leg,
reached from the ankle to just below the knee, where
it was confined by a garter of silk or thread, according
to the taste or means of the wearer. The shoe of her-
riichi — a term probably applied to the shape or make
of the shoe — came to above the ankle, and outside of
the bota, being fastened on the outside. The hat was
of wool, low in the crown, broad in the brim, antl fas-
tened by means of a cord passing under the chin and
called a harbiquejo. The dress of *he officer was
the same as that of the enlisted man, except that the
materials were finer. It bore devices indicative of tlie
wearer's rank. The officer in full dress, in 1780, wore
a throe-cornered hat ; and for ordinary service one like
WOMEN OP QUALITY.
375
that of the soldier. The officer wore a sword four or
five Flemish spans, cuartas tlamencas, in length, and
having a steel scabbard, which he used as a cane. On
a campaign he carried also a lance, a poignard, pistols,
and a carbine. The soldiers carried the same offens-
ive arms as the officer on a campaign.
Ill my collection of state })apers relative to early
( 'alit'ornia is a list of two and a half pages, giving the
uootis and various supplies required for the annual
consumption of San Josd and Los Angeles in 1790.
It comprises varieties of silk, woollen, and cotton
goods, thread, needles, and scissors. Among the
articles of dross are six dozen scarlet silk stockings for
women; the prevailing colors of other goods are scar-
let and blue. Various implements of agriculture are
named ; also a considerable supply of carpenters' tools.
A woman of quality, of this period, when she paid
or received visits, or on festive occasions, would appear
ill a white skirt with an embroidered hem of four
fingers in width ; over this another of a silky stuff called
8(1 n/a, and blue, green, or black in color; a low shoe
with a buckle of silver or othe*' metal, the heel being
of moderate height; silken stockings, black or red; a
Tchozo of silk or thread; a necklace of pearls — or rather
an imitation of them. In the house, occupied in
.:lk <»t" (litK'ifiit colors. Stri'ct shoes, or zapatos do
jiiitillo, had high hcols made of light wood. This dress
Mcms to have been (liHVrout t'roni that worn in Mex-
ico; for (Governor Sola is said to have regarded it as
a novelty; and he was much gratified to find here re-
\\\rd the costume of ancient Castilian women, which
iccalK-d the scenes of his youth. What a retlection
ell damsels and dames all the time imagining they
weie (•on(juering in the latest cut and tit of their
flethesi
In i SIC) 18, when no goods came from Mexico on
account of the war for independence, the women, rich
and poor alike, made use of the jcrga, a very coarse
Woollen stuff woven at the missions, and were glad to
i( t it, holding it as the finest muslin. Those who were
ahle hought wool and sent it to he knitted into stock-
ings by the ^lexicans or Indians; the poor wore the
stockings which nature gave them. The jerga was
currentlv known as muselina de las misiones, or mis-
sioii nmslin.
The officers, who of all others were best able to
obtain clothes, had only a collar and shirt front fastened
to the inside of the waistcoat by means of a button-
hole to the flap. The back of the waistcoat was next
tlie skin, for the wearer liad no shirt. Some of the
soldiers wore a shirt made of the jerga at the missions;
others wore their old shirts patched until frayed into
mere threads. In fact, the troops were almost naked.
Almost all were shoeless. Many even mounted guard
with bare feet and the body wrapped in a blanket.
Nevertheless, they served contentedly, so great was
their affecti(m for their officers!
The same condition of things existed throughout
California. The women dressed in garments of jerga;
occasionally one had a chemise of manta, or cotton
i;iio(ls, but fihe nagua or skirt was always of jerga.
The wives of officers made out to do with indiana, as
tile p'.inted cotton stuff was called, and sarga. For
378
POOD, DRESS, AND DWEIXINOS.
8lij)pcrs tlicy used coletilla, a coarse unhleacliod lieiupi n
stuff', or pafio — ^clotli — when obtainable.
Before Echeandia's arrival, observes Maeliado, tlie
dress was a shirt of cotton or other fabric, vest with-
out facings (ciialeco sin voltear) reaching to the waist
of different color, the troops using blue. Over tho
chaleeo went the chupin, which was a levita with lap-
pets, and bright red braiding, also round the neck.
This was the soldiers' fashion; but the rest wore nearly
the same, the color varying according to taste.
Short pants of cloth, coleta, drill, or other stuff, the
troops using pano. They reached to the knee, whcn'
they opened to the outside, with lapels to both si«l( s,
and with six buttons on each side. The fine hats
from Spain were kept with care. The common pjihii
liats were made by Indians.
Speaking of 1824, Torre says that the wonun
dressed nearly all alike, whatever their position, ex-
cept that those who were better ofl' used finer tex-
tures. The customary dress was blue indianas or colttii
for work-days; on festival days nmslins and othtr
finer material. Petticoats were trimmed with blue
silk and black bodice, the sleeves coming to half-way
between the elbow and forearm. They had a })uipli'
or scarlet belt around the waist, and a black or other
colored kerc'nef around the neck fastened witli ]miis
across the b: .ast. The hair was neatly combed into
a single plait which hung down the back, the |»lait
set off with various colored ribbons according to tasti'.
Women of superior pretensions dressed the hair likr
ordinary women until the fashions came, and aristo-
cratic distinctions became more marked. Their shoes
were of calf-skin, blue coleta, or satin, with silk or
cotton stockiiiijs. A silk or cotton rebozo coverall
the head and i>art of the face when they went out iiit(»
the street. When mounted on horseback it was car-
ried tied to the left side.
Lugo places upon women of this period short skirts
fastened about the waist. Their upper garment was
ANGELES COSTUMES.
370
n sliort-slceved clieinise, which came to a httlo below
tilt' waist. I^eneath this skirt they wore another of
Itiiyeta — a coarse, heavy riamiel — and under this an-
other of material coarse or tine, according to their
iiuans. This latter skirt very poor women did not
wear. On feast days the well-to-do women wore jackets
i>t" vi'lvet, cloth, or satin. About 18;}0 women beijan
to use combs of tortoise-sliell, or other less costly nuite-
rial. They wore low shoes, with or without heels,
tlie latter called de resbalon, and were used at balls.
Women wore hats only when they rode to some dis-
tant place.
Soldiers dressed like civilians, except that on their
jacki'ts were their insignia, and when they went on
an exj)edition they wore the cifra, which was a
kind t)f waistcoat of many thirkMesses of antelope-
skin, and in the exterior sea. is liftd a w»'lo of green
cloth. This cuera was useu by the cavalry de cuera
oiih*.
He who could buy them wore stockings, but many
liad neither shoes nor socks, because unable to j)ur-
cliaso them. Men's neckerchiefs were frequently
enihroidered at the ends like lace.
Wlien mounted, the men often wore two pieces of
well-tanned deer-skin, very soft, stitched to a narrow
belt of the same skin, which was tied round the
waist; each of these fell over the thigh below the
knee, and was fastened underneath with small thongs.
These were called armitas, and were used when they
entered the corrals to lasso cattle, the armitas pro-
tecting the breeches from the chafing of the rope.
Others somewhat similar Mere worn, called armas,
made of goat-skin, tanned with the hair on. At the
narrowest part they were fastened to a belt of skin to
tie round the waist, and hung down to the tapadera of
tlie stirrups. The armas afforded shelter from the
rain, and from the brambles and chamise; they were
also useful for sleeping in when obliged to camp out.
At Los Angeles, ]^uhaut-Cilly remarks that the
Mi*':
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLMGS.
*;
men alone wear a dress that can be termed national,
and adai)ted to their life on horseback. Short
breeches of dark cloth or velvet, terminating at tlie
knee with gold or silver galloon, but not buttoned.
The open breeches permit a view of the edge of the
wide white drawers descending half-way down the log.
covering partly white stockings, which are loose, for
tight and drawn-up stockings would be ridiculed.
The doublet worn as a sobretodo, or surtout, is
usually of the same material as the breeches, without
collar, but adorned with a red flounce and facing. Its
man}'' metal buttons are not for use, nor are the laps
big enough to cover the chest.
As they use no braces, the white shirt peeps out
between trousers and vest. To avoid this, a red faju
or sash is wound round the waist. Their shoes or
short boots are laced over the foot. The upper-leather
is divided lengthwise in two parts, one yellow, the
other brown — rather tasteful. At the heel of the shots
a fringed piece of leather projects, serving to support
the big spurs.
When on horseback they wear the leg enveloped
in leggings called gamuzas; of this they are most
proud, and the manner of enveloping the calf is an
esteemed art. Woe to him who allows tlic form of
the leg to be seen ! The shoe is besides tightly fixed
around the leg by a cord of silk and gold worked Ity
his lady-love. Hats are usually of felt, flat and broad-
brimmed. A mantle is worn in cold weather, and
consists of a piece of cl>n,h with an opening for the
head, called a poncho, or mangas, in different parts of
Spanish America. This dress wants neither giaee
nor dignity, but the chief advantage is the freedom of
limbs it allows.
The dress of the women is more ridiculous, beimLj ises in two equal parts, and forming a plait of
382
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
each interlaced with ribbons of some dark shade ; these
plaits were crossed in opposite directions, and wound
round the upper part of the head, terminating on the
top, at the back part, and thereon was placed a black
or coffee-colored velvet bow. While occupied in
household duties, to protect this from dust the bead
was covered with a good-sized silk kerchief of diifer-
ent colors, arranged in graceful folds, so as to give it
the appearance of a coquettish little cap. The gen-
eral mode of dress of all classes was modest and
simple.
The women's hat when on horseback — for only then
they wore one— was of felt, very high, less than two
inches of brim, wider above than below — looked like a
sugar loaf Before putting on the hat, a handkerchief
bordered with different colored silk was laid on the
head, which covered the back, front, and part of the
cheeks, and was fastened by a pin under the chin.
This was the dress usually worn in former times;
later came in the fashion of the tunic, which was a
narrow sack without sleeves, with only loops for the
arms. This tunic was called the medio paso, for
it was so narrow the woman could scarcely walk.
Small sleeves were worn to cover the arms, with a
strap behind and in front to keep them up ; the one
in front was buttoned. Such an arrangement was
very inconvenient. This tunic was the only change
that took place in a long time. Afterward came wide
tunics, buttoned behind with wide sleeves — manias
do monjas. So successive changes were introduced,
varying until the arrival of the Mexican colony in
1834; and as intercourse with the outside world
became more frequent, there was little difference he-
tween the dress of California females and those of
other countries
The cavalry soldier's carbine was carried in the
leather cover of the saddle ; the lock was enveloped in a
piece of chamois, and was moreover enveloped in a fox-
skin bag, the whole fixed in the saddle cover, lea\ iug
SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS.
383
the tail and part of the fox's legs outside. A shield
hung at one side of the saddle bow. The soldier also
carried a lance and sword, a cartridge-box on the belt,
at one side of which was a little pocket for spare
Hints. The shield was of several hides, slightly con-
vex in front, with armlet inside so as to cover nearly
the whole front of the rider without preventing the
use of his fire-arm. The infantry arms were musket
and bayonet, with cross-belts, one to carry the bayo-
net, the other the cartridge-pouch. The artillery
carried a carbine and short sword.
The presidio companies wore the following: The
hat was the usual wide-brimmed one with the crown
de la panocha; instead of the parti-colored ribbons, it
had a silk cord with tassels hanging on the brim.
The hair in a plait with a piece of ribbon at the end,
green or red; a kerchief loose around the neck, fall-
ing over the breast, adorned with spangles; cotton or
linen shirt and black cloth jacket with scarlet facings.
The vest was of stuff called coleta, yellow and bor-
dered in front with black silk. One or two sashes of
different colors passed around the stomach ; some put
a wonian's cotton scarf or a sash of blue coleta of a
third of a vara wide. Short breeches of cloth with
bragueta, a fall or flap in front, fastened with a large
silver or copper button. These were open on the
outside of the leg for about a third of a vara above
the knee. In this opening were a row of buttons on
one side and holes on the other; the breeches reached
a little below the knee, having at the extremity about
an inch breadth of gold lace; pockets on each side
called bolsicos; below the breeches were wide linen
<»r cotton drawers. White cotton or woollen stock-
nigs ;
chamois ridiuir-loggings reaching down to the
nistep, sewed a little at the heel, and otherwise open
behind; they were in several folds tied with silken
garters, hand-wrought and adorned with spangles,
scales, and tassels, which hung upon the leg below the
knee; the shoe, which was called del berruchi, opened
in
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS
'■Si
■fi:
I
I ''
on the outside, where it was fastened with a thono-;
the shoe came up to the instep, and the leggings went
inside, and over the shoe fell a flap of the same
chamois.
On service a soldier had a thick cuera de ganuiza
stitched; this was a kind of short sack which read ml
to the knees with a button to fasten it at the neck a
little below the throat; on the left shoulder was a
button whereon to hang the hat when the soldier
went to mass without arms. The officers appeared in
black })antaloons with low waistband, rather wide, de
tapabalazo ancho, a broad flap across the front, and a
pocket on each side, a short jacket or frock of black
cloth with lace appohitments and epaulets according
to rank. When in full dress they wore a three-coi-
nered hat, and also a cuera when on field duty. Citi-
zens wore a similar dress to that of the soldiers, ex-
cepting the cuera and military distinctions.
The full dress of the artillery was white, a short
buttoned-up coat called hudcaro, with blue facing; a
manijeluke of cotton or linen stuff"; a wide scarlet
sash; half-boots open in front, tied with a thong;
on the head a kind of cap with tricolor pompon the
shape of the Mexican flag; a waistcoat of white
cotton buttoned to the throat. Officers wore a red
coat with green facing, white pantaloons with wide
flap; sometimes light blue pantaloons with broad
gold lace on the outer seam; a purple velvet waist-
coat or of scarlet cloth. When dressed in white the
waistcoat was scarlet; when the coat was scarlet they
wore blue pantaloons and purple waistcoat. Infan-
try, full-dress coat, dark blue cloth, scarlet facings;
pantahH)ns, blue cloth with red piping down the seam ;
waistcoat of same cloth, tall chaco with pompon.
Officers wore the same uniform, with only the diH'er-
ence of the lace on the pantaloons, shoulder-straps
and facings, and coat and vest.
The artairs of the nati(m were insignificant rs (< ni-
pared with the in5[)ortance of the cabullero'ti trap[)ing3.
CAVALIERS ATTIRE.
385
The bit was very rude and heavy, and suspended by
narrow leather bands dyed black. The reins were
woven of very narrow strips of calf-skin, the same as
the lazo; they were very long, and to the end was at-
tached a long whip (Isitigo) plaited in a similarmanner,
and which terminated in two pointed ends; the bridle
(liead-stall) that sup]K)rted the bit was called the
cahezadas, and this as well as the reins was adorned bv
tlic poorer classes with buttons and silver buckles, and
by the rich with ornaments of the same metal engraved
or in relief (ya grabados, 6 ya calados), the same kind
of adornment was on the monturas (saddles) and spurs.
The montura, or saddle, should consist of an innnense
wooden saddle-tree, whose colossal rounded head served
to hold the lasso when a horse or bull was caught.
This saddle-tree was secured to the back of the horse
Ijy a broad band made fast to the lower j>art by strong
strips of hide passing under the belly to the other side
of tlie saddle, which had an iron ring and buckle.
There was a leather band made fast to the tree to
save tlie horse from being chafed. Under the tree
were placed one or two blankets, called sudaderos,
douI)l(jd several times; the tree was covered with a
broad sheet of leather having two openings, one fur
the head of the tree, the other for the cantle, the ends
lianging down over both sides of the horse; this cover
was called a mochilla, and upon it was set another
Somewhat larger, the coraza. This was luuulsomely
setoff with embroidery- work called talabarteria, such
as birds, flowers, or other tasty ])atterns; also through
little holes pierced in it could be seen pieces of silk or
cloth of vari 'US colors. This second cover was rather
costly, as it was also bordered with silk or gold
and silver thread, and it was not used on work-days.
^\ lien travelling, over these two covers was placed
a third, also finely adorned, and at the sides in front
weie two pockets, cubos, of leather with covers, like
liolsters, the covers secured by a strap and buckle,
bioehe, of the same material. These holsters served
Cal. Fast. 25
S86
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
I
to carry food, or anything else too large to be carried
in the coat pocket. At the back of the saddle-tre:' to
cover the croup of the horse, and tie with thongs a
nialeta with clothes or the serape doubled, was placed
a large piece of leather in semicircular shape, or like
the tail of a bird. This was fastened to the saddle-
tree with thongs, and was called an anquera. The stir-
rups were made of coarsely wrought oak, hung from
the saddle-tree by leather straps called arzones; the
front of the stirrups were each covered with two
rounds of leather, over which was another piece of
triangular shape. These three pieces were called the
tapaderas, and were so large as almost to touch under
the horse's belly. The enormous spurs had four
or six long sharp rowels, under the infliction of
which the poor beast suffered the tortures of the in-
quisition.
Bias Pefia, born at Monterey in 1823, says that in
his day men wore corduroy or cloth breeches, jackets,
broad-brimmed, low-crowned hats, placing around the
crown a girdle of silver or gold thread, or simply of
beads, connnonly called chaquiras, but to which the
missionaries gave the name of paternosters. In rainy
weather the hat was covered with a thin yellow oil-
cloth. Top-boots were common, botas de ala 6 de tiiKin,
of chamois-skin or leather, most of them being made in
the country, the upper part secured with silk ril)l)oiis
of various colors. They also wore berruchi shoes, and
another kind called zapatones, a large clumsy aHliir.
The berruchi were tied on the outer side, the zapatones
on the middle of the foot, with thin straps or with
strings.
Some of the men wore short breeches, reaching
down to the knee only, open about six inches on the
outer side, where were buttons of silver, or of some
base metal, according to the wearer's means. They
iiad falls which were closed with a fine silver button,
or W'th one of copper if the wearer could not atl'ord
the fermer. The buttons used by the wealthy hatl the
CALIFORNIAN TOILETS.
387
^loxican eagle stamped on them. The breeches were
secured round the waist with a handsome silk or crape
sash, which was further ornamented with tassels of
trold or silver thread, the ends hanirins: on either side,
or both on one side, but never in the middle. ^len
were likewise accustomed to wear cloth sleeves of blue,
coffee-color, or black, with silk or velvet cuffs, round
wJiich was silver or gold thread wound. The hair
was braided like that of the Chinese, but never in-
crcased by any false hair. In 1840 they began to
kave off these cues, and cut tlie hair short behind,
leaving it long in front. This way of dressing tlio
hair went by the name of imnado de fiiria, the fury
fashion of carrying the hair.
Women in former times braided the hair in one pieco,
and twisted it round the top of the head, which
fashion was called pcumdo delmolote, the molote being
liuld by a comb made of horn, or of tortoise shell, ac-
cording to the pecuniary means of the wearer. The
American captain, Fitch, in one of his voyages friMU
Peru, brought four tortoise-shell combs, which he sold
at 3'»00 each, one of them being purchased by Josd de
la Guerra y Noriega for his wife, one by Mariano Es-
trada, another by Joaquin Maitorena, who shortly
afterward was elected a deputy to the national con-
gress, and Vallejo the last one.
Until six or eight years of age, children wore short
shirts. From an early day, boys whose parents could
afford it indulged in trousers of cloth. After that
age they wore pantaloons of jerga, or bayeton, or
coleta — chiefly the last. Children of wealthy parents
wore shoes, but generally a boy put on shoes only
afucr he could earn them. More pains were taken
with regard to girls* shoes. It was rare to see a boy
of k'ss than 12 or 14 years with a hat.
The following was the way in which a rich young
man of Los Angeles was dressed on his wedding day,
in IS 42, Yellow hat of vicufla wool, with abundance
of glass-seed beads ; the under-part of the brim nearly
u
FOOD, DRESS AND DWELLINGS.
I \
covered with silver lace. The jacket easy set, of
groon satin, with large flapi? of the same material, its
buttons being of Mexican pesetas with t!ic eagle staiiii)
on the exterior. The waist-coat of yellow satin with
the pocket flaps buttoned up with gold dollars. Bn t;i I
breeches of red velvet to the knees, held with silv< r
buckles. The buttons of the breeches flap, plainly
visible being also pesetas. On these buttons, the one
known as the atrancador exhibited a motto in these
words, '*No me saques sin razon, ni me metas sin
honor." A buckskin boot of the natural color, bound
to the knee where the breeches ended, with gi'cen
silk ribbons forming a flower, and with tassels from
which depended little figures of cats, dogs, puppets,
etc., made of seed-glass beads, interpolated with eiii-
bei'ilshments of ^old and silver thread. Where the
boot-leg ended began the shoe, which was sharp-
pointed and turned upwards, with tinsel ornanKMits,
most of them in the form of roses. The man'>a was of
sky-blue cloth of the finest quality, with red lining;
the opening for the head was lined with black velvi t,
and was oval-shaped, with silver galloon all round it,
and fringed. The hair in three braids fell upon the
jacket; at the end was a large flower of green ribbon.
To liuht his cihin
I balsam.
las brisk
[(WBiltil),
white
|a, ilfsU
le btiHl,
/■ritos o'l
ind the
belli nth
ilacttl a
li;it <»r tbo fashion we now use. It was always se-
( urcd by a barbiquijo, or tliroat-stia^), of aiitcloi)L'-
i^kiii, or of silktn ribbon, which latter motlo was in
vogue among such as were in comfortable circuni-
btances. He who aft'ected a dashing style wore his
hat cocked on one side, or tilted far back on the head.
The hats in general use were called poblanos, because
they came from Puebla in Mexico, and were low in
tlie crown and rather broad of brim. Some of fine
vicuna wool wt^re bought only by the otticiTS, or men
of means. Some hats were of leather, and others,
wliich were made by the Indians, of palm-leaves.
Thi> betas, which may be translated leggings, were
of antelopc-skin — a whole skin, less the legs, forming
one beta — from the neck of the animal downwari^L
Tlu! skin reached to just below the ankle, and was
.Sewn for a short distance at the l(>wer end.
^lost men used the whole width of the skin, but
!-oiHe doubled it into two, others hito three folds.
The bota was secured by a strap, a ribbon or a garter
woven of silk intermingled gold and silver thread
siiaiigles and escarchi (gold and silver twist, such
Jis i.s used in epaulettes). The bota was well unund
on the edges. The shoes were of calf-skin, end)rt)i-
(.Kred with white thread of the maguey; came up to
tiie ankle only; were open on the outside that tlu!
t lot might be introduced, the ojiening being closed by
a tlap bound with some colored material, and fastenetl
with black leathern straps or silken cords. Men of
ineaus wore about the neck a whole silktn handker-
chief — black generally. A nian's hair was sel(h)m cut
— never, were he a soldier. His hair was cond)ed
hack and parted in the middle. It was then tied as
]ii;j;h on his head as possible, and in three strands,
l>iaided into a sort of cue which hung down the
hack like those of the Chinese. At last the soldiers
\V( re forced to cut their hair. The women wore
tlic hair in the same fashion — except that their cars
390
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
Were concealed. The face was clean-shaven, except
the part covered by a whisker from the temple to the
edge of the lower jaw. Generally men shaved every
four or five days; but some did so only on Saturday
night or Sunday morning — in order to present them-
selves clean of face at mass.
The full dress unifonn of the frontier soldier was
that in use from the earliest days of the conquest.
All the horses were large and of one color. The sol-
diers wore their cueras, or leather jackets, being a
sleeveless sack, or surtout, sewed and quilted, with
four or five dressed sheep-skins, finely tanned, of a
vellowish color, and so thick that the Indian arrows
could no+ easily penetrate them. They had also
an adarga, or shield, made of the thickness of two
ox-hides, untanned; they were oval-shaped, and of
about 1 00 inches in circumference. Inside of it was
a strap, through which the soldier put his left arm
The face of the shield was well varnished, and the
king's arms painted on it. The flint-lock gun was
carried in a sack of well-tanned cow-hide, embroidered
on the outside, laid across the pommel of the saddle,
and was well covered to protect it from the ruin.
They used also a long lance, or spear, with a flexible
filbert-wood pole. A cartridge-box attached to tlie
waist contained the powder and ball ; five days' provis-
ions were carried in bags at the saddle bow; a cow-
liide covering extended from the waist to below the
knee, to protect the legs from rain and from shruhs;
the trousers were quite short, reaching only to the
knee, and from there was visible a boot of chainnis
leather that covered the legs. The hat was low-
crowned ; the soldier wore his hair long, and flowing
on the back on gala-days.
A California dragoon's dress, as Beechey saw it,
was a round, blue cloth jacket, with red cufts and
collar, blue velvet breeches unbuttoned at the knees,
showing white cotton stockings, cased over half-way
in deer-skin boots; a black hat, with very wide
WOMEN OF THE TWENTIES.
801
brim and low crown, kept in order by its own weii^ht;
a profusion of dark hair, which met behind and dangled
half-way down the back in a thick cue. A lonj^
musket, with fox-skin round the lock, was balanced on
the pommel of the saddle; the bull's-hide shield still
had the Spanish arms; a double-fold deer-skin cuirass
covered the body. The feet were arined with a tre-
mendous pair of iron spurs, secured by metal chains,
and were thrust into enormous wooden, box-shaped
stinups.
The dress of the middle class of females in 1829,
savs Robinson, " is a chemise with short embroidered
sleeves, riclily trimmed with lace, a muslin petticoat
flounced with scarlet, and secured at the waist by a
silk band of the same color, shoes of velvet or blue
satin, a cotton rebozo or scarf, pearl necklace and ear-
rings, with the hair falling in broad plaits down the
hack. Others of the hisjher class dress in the English
style, and instead of the rebozo, substitute a rich and
costly shawl of silk or satin. . . . Short clothes and
jacket trimmed with scarlet, a silk sash about the
waist, betas of ornamented and embroidered deer-skin,
secured by colored garters, embroidered shoes, the
hair long, braided, and fastened behind with ribbons,
a black silk handkerchief around the head, surmounted
by an oval and broad-brimmed hat, is the dress uni-
versally worn by the men of California."
Tomds Yorba, proprietor of the rancho de Santa
Ana, between San Gabriel and San Juan Capistrano,
wore upon his head a black silk handkerchief, the four
corners hanging down behind. "An embroidered
shirt, cravat of white jaconet tastefully tied, a blue
damask vest, short clothes of crimson velvet, a bright
green cloth jacket, with large silver buttons, and shoes
of embroidered deer-skin." On some occasions, such
as a feast day or festival, his display exceeded in value
a thousand dollars.
After 1832-3 the dress of the men was modified.
Calzoneras came into fashion. The calzoneras iro
302
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELUNGS.
; i ':^
pantaloons with the exterior seam oixjn throufj^hrait
its length. On tlio upi>cr edge was a strip of cloth —
red, l)lue, or black — in which were the button-holes.
On the other edge were eyelet-holes for the buttons.
In some cases the calzonera was sewn from the hip to
the middle of the thigh, in others buttoned. Froiii
the middle of the thiuh downward the leg was cov-
ered by the bota, used by every one, whatever his
dress.
Gomez states that up to 1834, when the colony
came, the dress was a big green silk kerchief tit-d
round the head, the knot in front; another kerchief
wrapped the neck; a blue wide chaleco, partly open
below to exhibit a belt of crimson silk — often two or
three belts — a blue jacket adorned with big metal
buttons; short, wide breeches secured at the kne»s;
boots of deerskin like polainas — spatterdashers or leg-
gings — secured with colored silk bands, adorned witli
mottoes in silk and beads; shoes clasped in front—
abrochados — a wide-brimmed hat, low crowned, and
small opening secured by a string — barbiqu-jo. In
the wide pockets of the jacket a silk handkerchiof
was carried. The braided hair fell over the shoulder.
And thus Pena: The men wore braids like Chi-
nese, but without adding false hair. In 1840 this f(jrni
was abandoned for short hair, very short behind, huv-
ing it very long — largo — in front. This was ternird
de furia. The women formerly used one braid, later
two. The single braid was coiled on the crown, and
tliis was termed del molote. A comb of horn or tor-
toise kept it in pla^e.
Coronel, in 1834, describes the underskirts of the
women as elaborately and tastefully embroidered,
"he clothing of the men who could afford it was made
y the women of the family. The jacket, of cloth, ^vith
. any button-holes worked round the edges, was bound
' ith ribbon or cloth and elaborately stitched. The
./aistcoat, of cloth or silk, was also elaborately stitched
with silks of divers colors, the button-holes also being
COSTUME IN THE THIRTIES.
erchief
uklcr.
Chi-
f«>riii
, IrMV-
teruit'd
latrr
n, aial
)r tor-
cliiborately worked with the same. The manga, or
1 idiiiLf-jacket, ailoriied at the wrist with cloth, vtlvet,
or fringe, was also made by the women, as wi'ie the
(itudcras, or garters, used by the men to keep up the
1» !4.s of their boots, and which were woven of silk with
licads in the figures of annuals, fruit, etc. The skirts
of the men were also embroidered.
The dress of a seiu)ra of some means was a ttinico,
or gown, the skirt very narrow and de medio jutso, be-
fore mentioned, that is, so small in circumference at the
bottom tiiat the wearer could take but half a step at a
time, made of gauze or of silk, with the waist very high
in the neck and close fitting. This was adorned with
ril)bons and the like according to the taste of the wearer,
l^nderneath the skirt was worn another of red flannel.
On the siioulders was a rebozo of the shape of tiic
Spanish mantilla, and on the feet low shoes of divers
materials. The hair was drawn smoothly and tigiitly
to the back of the head, and plaited in a single braid,
which was tied above by a ribbon, and below ended in
a rosette or bow, also of ribbon. A kerchief of silk was
worn about the neck, the ends being knotted in front.
Some women used the camorra, a black silken shawl
coquettishly disposed about the head and shoulders.
The men wore breeches which reached almost to
the knee. The exterior seam was open for about six
inches from the bottom, the edges being bound with
ribbon, cloth, or braid, and ornamented with four or
six buttons of silver or some other metal. The open-
ing in front of the breeches was secured by a single
button of silver about the size of a silver dollar. The
waistcoat was of cloth, velvet, silk, or cotton stuff,
cauio well down over the belly, and was capriciously
adorned. The jacket was of like materials, but larger,
and w.s similarly adorned. The betas, a sort of leg-
ging which had heels, were made each of the entire
skill of a deer tanned and dyed black or red, and was
tdoled or embroidered with silk capriciously. A strap
passed under the bottom of the foot. From the top
394
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
I i
the beta was doubled over until it came to just below
the knee, where it was confined by the atadera, or gar-
ter. The shoe was made of tanned calf or buckskin
in four or six pieces, each being of two colors, red and
black, the piece going over the instep being embroi-
dered with silk or thread of maguey. The sole of the
shoe was of tanned ox-hide, single, so that it might be
flexible, allowing the foot to cling to the stirrup, and
ending in a point which turned up over the toe and
protected the leather of the shoe from the stirrup.
The shoe so made was called del berruchi. The hat,
broad in the brim and round as to the crown, was of
wool, and kept on the head by means of a ribbon two
inches wide passing under the chin, and ornamented
below the chin by a great rosette. Almost all the
men bound a large black handkerchief about the head
after the manner of the lower classes in Andalusia.
On the arrival, in the Hijar colony, of women from
the city of Mexico, fashionable females exchanged
their narrow skirts for more flowing garments, and
abandoned the braided hair for the coil, and the large
combs till then in use for smaller combs. The poorer
women, and in general old women, from the waist
down dressed in an underskirt only, dispensing with
the gown — the material being according to the means
of the wearer — and a chemise with sleeves coming
below the elbow. The neck and breast were covered
by a black handkerchief, of silk or cotton, doubled
corner-wise, tlie corner being secured at the back and
the two points passing over the shoulders and cover-
ing the neck and breast, and fastened at the waist by
pins. The poorer women retained and continually
wore the rebozo of linen or cotton. Their shoes,
made by a member of the family or other relative, were
called del berruchi, for the sole ended in a turned-up
point, and another point at the heel. All women of
means wore stockings, for it was deemed imnu)dest
to allow more than the face and hands to be uncovered.
Sheets and pillow-cases were embroidered, more or
PECULIARITIES OP THE PERIOD.
less elaborately, and as stuffs were costly, they were
mended and remended as long as possible.
At the missions were kept a great store of woollen
cloths, blankets, serapes, jergas, etc., and at length
some of them manufactured sayal and pano good
enough for clothes for the missionaries. Formerly
no gente de razon went without shoes; but the cholos
of Micheitorena introduced the custom of wearing
sandals of rawhide, protecting the feet from stones,
but not against the hot sun. ,
In the Vallejo documents are some satirical verses
of Buelna entitled, Paquete que se andan dando —
Dandies arriving — in bad rhyme and worse grammar,
addressed to the first native rancheros who wore
lovitas, frock-coats, and tirantes, or suspenders.
"On arriving from Mexico in 1834," says Hijar, "I
was surprised to see the men with hair as long as that
of the women, worn in a braid over the back, or
gathered in the crown of the hat."
Wlien he went on an Indian expedition, or when in
the military service, the Californian added to his usual
rklinijj-dress the cuera, a long overcoat made of seven
thicknesses of antelope-hide stitched together, which
covered the body from the neck to the knees, and pro-
tected the wearer against arrows. He also carried on
his left arm a concavtvconvex oval shield — adarga — the
convex side outward. His arms consisted of an old
tlint-lock escopeta, occasionally a lance, sometimes
pistols, these latter rarely, and only for officers.
Generally all carried the Spanish Toledan raj)ier.
The same arms and equipment were used by military
iiitn, who were however distinguished by their in-
sij^nia and devices. The knife was an article of prime
necessity, and was carried in a slieath stuck in the
gaiter on the outside of the right leg. The sword,
although not of much use to civilians, was carried by
all mounted men, and was fastened on the left-hand
sid(> of the saddle, under the leg.
]Markoff, at San Francisco about 1835, thus de-
396
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
scribes the rig of Senor Castro, the alcalde^ on his
visit to that place: "He rode in a long blue velvLt
cloak, with a small cape of the same color, resembling
a woman's pelerine, embroidered and trimmed with
yellow velvet. Beneath the cloak a petticoat or sliott
skirt was visible, held together by a wide silk sc^arf,
from which a beautiful dagger protruded. A black
felt hat and long black mustaches gave his face a
martial and severe expression." At this time tho
women wore slipper-shaped shoes of satin or buck-skin,
with heels; they were fond of jewelry; had each as
many silk dresses as she could afford. Bernardo Yorba,
of Santa Ana, had 150 dress patterns of silk and satin
of the finest sort, and whenever a son or dauglitcr
married, to the bride was given a trunk full of dresses
worth $80 or $100 each.
A cuotom which ealled my attention in Santa Biir-
bara in 1840, says Arnaz, was the camorra of the wo-
me!i — a black silk kercliief, folded into a band of abt)ut
two inches in width, tied round the forehead, into a
knot under the nape. This gave the Santa Bilrbara
women a different appearance from others in soutliorii
California, and all tliere used it.
Wealthy women wore pearl or gold bead necklaces;
aretes or coquetas of gold, diamond rings, and the like.
The shoes of the men were often of gamuza, em-
broidered with gold and silver thread. The women
had silken shoes for balls, but cotton shoes for ordinary
wear. People sometimes bought ready-made clothing,
but generally purchased the cloth, made it up them-
selves into the style of dress desired.
Sir Simpson, of the honorable Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, found the women of California in 1844 wearing
a sliort gown, displayhig a neat foot and ankle with
white stockings and black shoes; a handkerchief mi
the head concealed all the hair, except a single looj) o\\
either cheek ; the shoulders were swathed in a shawl,
and over all when they walked out was the "beautiful
and mysterious mantilla."
HATS, BOOTS, AND BREECHES.
SbT
The dress of the men was more showy and elab-
orate: a broad-brimmed hat tied round with parti-
colored cord or handkerchief; a shirt usually of the
finest linen, with a profusion of lace and embroidery
on the breast; a cotton or silk jacket of the gayest
hues, with frogs on the back and numerous buttons
on breast and cuffs; the pantaloons split on the outside
from the hip to the foot with a row of buttons on
either edge of the opening, which is laced nearly down
to the knee; and a silken belt round the waist serving
the purpose of braces. Under the pantaloons peer
out full linen drawers, with boots of untanned deer-
skin, the one on the right leg invariably forming a
sc:il)bard for a knife.
Heeled boots, de ala 6 de talon, were used of deer
or calf skin, and chieflv made in California. The
upper part of the boot was secured with silk bands of
viuious colors. The shoes were called berruchi and
za|»atoncs. The berruchis were laced on the side, the
zapa tones in the centre of the foot with cords or thongs.
Wlien women went out to ride, Serrano says, they
put on the head a broad sun cloth, white or colored,
and ornamented at the four corners with embroidery
of silk, gold, silver, or beads. This was intended to
keep the face cool by its fla])ptng; over it was placed
a wide straw hat as a protection from the sun ; at the
ri^lit side she carried her silk shawl or rebozo, a part
of tlio dress that is highly esteemed and great care
taken of
It was regarded as ill-bred to expose the ears, and
so the long hair was allowed to cover them. Says
tlie ( alifomiian, in April 1847: "For a month past
tlie (piestion has been agitated among the wcnnen,
S'lall they, or shall they not, adopt the use of bormets?
Fi-.im present indications the ayes have it. Who
will supply them?"
At Angeles twenty-six years later we find a bride-
j?i 'om at a fashionable wedding dressed in a yellow
liat of vicuna-skin, adorned with heavy bands of cha-
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
quira beads of different colors, \s^ith tufts of the same
material, the falda or skirt almost covered below witli
heavy silver galloons. A wide chaqueta, or jacket, of
green satin, with large flaps, was ornamented with
buttons of Mexican pesetas, the eagle on the face.
Vest of yellow satin, with pockets de cartera, buttoned
with gold escuditos, worth $1 each, eagle facing out-
ward. Wide breeches of red velvet were sometimes
seen, reaching to the knees, where they were fastened
by silver hebillas on the side. The bragueta, which
revealed itself at every movement, was set with
pesetas, one of which, of copper and very large, called
atrancador, bore an inscription which decency forbids
a mention of here. Some of the people displayed
botas of deer-skin, of natural color, reaching to the
knee, where they were secured with green silk bands,
tied in a rose, with pendants holding figures of cats,
dogs, dolls, etc., of chaquira beads and gold and silver
thread, called alinos. Where the botas ended began
the shoe, which was pointed upwards, with colgaduras
covered with tinsel figures, generally roses, which
were introduced between the coverings and fixed witli
cement ; the rest was covered with embroidered green
silk manga, tastefully braided — terciada — of blue fine
cloth, with red lining. The opening for the head,
called muceta, was bordered with black velvet of oval
form, with silver galloon around and pendones of the
same stuff. The hair, according to the prevailing
fashion, fell in a braid over the jacket, ending in a rose
of green ribbons. He used a mechero to hold the
cigarrito of native tobacco and maize leaf, with flint and
steel weighing an ounce. From the end of the media,
or wick, hung a bead doll, well worked, one cuarta in
size, and perfumed with Peruvian balsam.
The bride wore a tunic of yellow satin, adorned he-
low with green stripes; white satin shoes called Ixr-
ruchi, pointed upwards ; stockings of flesh-colored silk;
pafloleta with green points, triangular, with a green silk
flower in the end falling over the back and secured
I '
CLOAK AM) SPUBfl.
over the breast with a similar flower; black niascada
gathered like a turban on the head, surmounted by a
crown of white artificial flowers, closed by costly
Chinese silk of different colors, with figures of birds,
fruit, etc.; ear-rings of false pearls and necklace of the
same.
A writer on Santa Bdrbara speaks of the prevailing
costume of the country as consisting of "a broad-
brimmed hat, usually black, with a gilt or figured band
round the crown, and lined with silk; a short jacket of
silk or figured calico, the European skirted body-coat
being never worn; the shirt usually open at the neck ; a
waist-coat, when worn, always of a rich quality ; the
trousers, wide, straight, and long, usually of velvet,
vilveteen, or broadcloth, occasionally knee-breeches
are worn with white stockings; shoes of deer-skin are
used ; they are of a dark brown color, and being made
by the Indians, are commonly nmch ornamented;
braces are never worn, the indispensable sash twisted
round the waist serving all their purposes; the sash
is usually red, and varies in quality according to the
means of the wearer; if to this is added the never-
failing cloak, the dress of the Californian is complete.
The latter article of dress, however, is a never-failing
criterion of the rank or wealth of its owner. The
cahallero, or gentleman aristocrat, wears a cloak of
black or dark blue broadcloth, with as much velvet
and trimming on it as it is possible to put there ; from
this, the cloaks gradually descend through all grades
until the primitive blankco of the Indian is reached.
The middle class wear a species of cloak very much
resembling a table-cloth, with a large hole in the cen-
tre for the head to go through; this is often as coarse
as a blanket, but it is generally beautifully woven with
various colors, and has a showy appearance at a dis-
tance. There is no working-class amongst the Span-
iards, the Indians doing all the hard work ; thus a
rich man looks and dresses like a grandee, whilst even
a miserably poor individual has the appearance of a
400
POOD, DRESS, AND DWELLINGS.
broken-down gentleman ; it is not, therefore, by any
means uncommon to see a man with a fine figure and
courteous nip, mer dressed in broadcloth or velvet, and
mounted on a noble horse, completely covered witli
trappings, who perhaps has not a real in his pocket,
and may even be suffering from absolute hunger."
Many Californians wore silver spurs, and plated
work on their saddles and reins; and on arriving at
the house of a friend, they would give the servant a
dollar to take off their spurs. General Vallejo says
that after tlie discovery of gold he used to fling the
boy who held his horse an ounce, equivalent to sixteen
dollars. Later tlie general would have been glad to
have had some of those ounces back in his pocket.
"Leading Californians," Torres remarks, "as Gueria,
Alvarado, Vallejo, Alvarez, always wore short hair
since I knew them, while the middle-blood people
wore it long." A popular hau was the sombrero de
vicuna, yellow, with wide rim, and a crown four or
five inches high. They were not flexible, but were
light. On the rim round the crown lay a coil of gold
or silver braid, while some persons placed an emerald
where tlie coil united. A hat without a coil cost $40 ;
but after the conquest an imitation very similar to the
vicuna was introduced, which at first brought the
same price as the real article, and then fell to half an
ounce. Americans liked them for their comfort.
Thus we see that although the appetite was moder-
ate, vanity ruled high, as displayed in elaborate and
costly trappings and attire, and that here, as in the
animal kingdom, the male donned the gayer pluma!4o.
To this love of finery, the trading vessels pandund
by bidding freely for hides and tallow with articles of
fancy and utility. While supplying cloth and ribbons,
however, they could not dictate the fashions, wliifli
followed those of Mexico, although there they were
greatly modified by Europe.
The true import of home, that great promoter of
HOME SURROUNDINGS.
401
culture, was little understood. The Californian lived
ill the open air and in the invigorating sunshine. The
li»\v, one-story dwelling of adobe, or mud and sticks,
was reserved for sleep and storage. Notwithstanding
the gleaming whitewashed walls and bright tile roof,
it lacked allurements, and was devoid of the romantic
aspect so widely attributed to Anglo-Saxon country
houses. Xo pretty creepers, no infolding grove, no
shady trees in close proximity, no ornamental garden
fringe, to relieve the desolate bareness, which was in-
creased bv the absence of architectural decorations,
and by the smallnes-s and de|»th of the window open-
ing, seldom glazed, and often barred. This conibined
dearth of taste and carelessness was a Spanish inher-
itance.
Tlie door opened frequently into an only room, with
day floor, for lumber was costly from the lack of
mills. The simi)le furniture consisted of a bench or
two along the walls, perhaps some chairs plaited with
rawhide thongs, a table; in one corner a stretcluT
with a hide cover for a bed, perhaps curtained off in
the absence of walled partitions. The low walls were
relieved with a looking-glass, some gaudy pi'ints of
martyrs, and a madonna image, or crucifix, with its
dim light which shed a gleam of solemnity through
the half-gloom of the corner, a guiding-star to loftier
thoughts. The Anglo-Saxon hearth was not to be
seen. The only fireplace was in a shed or separate
hut, partly because of the mild climate, partly from a
superstitious aversion to fires in dwellings. In this
hut could be seen a few pieces of pottery and in^n-
ware, and a hand-mill for grinding the daily sup})ly of
flour. Xear by hung the hammock wherein the lord
and master swunof himself into reverie while awaiting:
preparation f»)r the meal by the mistress and her
liaud maidens.
The guest was placed in possession of the premises
—theoretically; the key to the gate perhaps was
given him; the house was his own, and all its inmates
Cal. Past. 26
11
402
FOOD, DRESS, AND DWELUNGS.
were his servants. On retiring to rest, tlie family
united in pronouncing a benediction, and calling on all
the saints to guard him.
There was also a better class of houses, built after
the Spanish fashion, in squares, with small inner court
filled with luxuriant plants, watered by a fountain in
the centre. All around the court ran a corridor, ujioii
which opened the large, half-lighted rooms, witli low
ceiling, and furnished with something of barbaric
luxuriousness. The red-tiled roof w ith fervid stolid-
ity returned the sun's stare. Several of the richer
families possessed, after 1824, handsome bureaus, laryo
mirrors, tables inlaid with shells — all brought from
China or Peru.
The rancho house wa& of wood (palo parado), with
tule roof, and had at the most two divisions, one for a
sitting-room (sala y alcoba), the other for sleeping in.
If the family was large, they spread into both rooms.
Many houses had a door of sticks covered with an ox
or horse hide, but none had locks; nor was it neces-
sary to lock the door on the outside, for none wislied
to rob, and besides there was nothing to steal. If the
family were absent for some days, the things of value
were taken along, such as the trunk of clothes and
bed.
Some had beds of poplar (dlamo or alamillo) lined
with leather, and with it sheets, blankets, and cushions,
according to means. Others slept in big cacdisks,
.made of latitas with a hide on top. Others slept on a
hide. The furniture consisted of a table, a bench,
stools, whalebone seats, small cacdistes of reed, latita.
Outside the house were adobe benches (poyetes) at
least a vara high, often whitewashed like the wall.
Sometimes the whitewash was too difficult to obtain.
In some parts the kitchen was an adobe oven (lior-
nillas), upon which the pots were placed to cook.
Others had only stones to support the pots over the
fire.
" The houses," remarks a traveller, *' in all the
MISSIONS AND RANCHOS.
408
towns, are of one story, and are built of bricks. These
bricks are about four and a half inches square and
from three to four inches thick, hardened in the sun.
They are cemented by mortar made of clay, and the
wliole is of a common dii-t color. The floors are gen-
erally of earth, the windows grated, mostly without
glass, and the doors, which are seldom shut, open into
the common room, there being no passage or entrance
lialls. Some of the wealthier inhabitants, however,
have glass to their windows, and have their floors
boarded. The common houses have two or three
rooms which open into each other, the furniture con-
testing of a bed or two, a few chairs and tables, a
looking-glass, a crucifix of some material or other, and
a few small daubs of paintings enclosed in glass, repre-
senting some miracle or martyrdom. They have no
chimneys nor fireplaces to the houses, the climate
being such as to make fires unnecessary; all the
kitchens are detached from the houses. The Indians
do all the hard work, two or three being attached to
every house; and even the poorest amongst the
inhabitants are able to keep one at least. All that
lias to be given to these poor creatures is their food,
and occasionally a small piece of coarse cloth and a
bolt to the men, and a coarse gown, without either
shoes or stockings, to the females."
The mission children, Wilkes affirms, were for the
most part left to take care of themselves and run
abcmt naked and dirty. A large number died from
accidental falls from horses, which they rode from
earliest childhood. Amador sa3's: "When I was a
young man every one retired for the night at eight or
nine o'clock, immediately after supper. Each young
person of either sex slept in an apartment under lock
and key. The parents always arose very early in the
morning in order to open the doors, the father those
of the boys' apartments, the mother those of the girls'."
Although hospitable, the Californians seldom al-
404
POOB, BRESS, AND DWELLIKOS.
^t
lowed strangers in their private t'aniily rooms. In the
houses of the wealthy there were rooms for strang^trs,
but they were not allowed to enter into familiar (mm-
versation with the young women. It was conniKui
for the Californian to sleep out of doors, when tlic
saddle-tree served as a pillow, while lying on the sad-
dle-cover with his serape over him.
Small children of both sexes had various games.
On moonlit nights they played gallina ciega, or blind-
man's buff; they rode wooden horses about the hill.-,;
they played vaquela, which consisted t>f throwing l)its
of stone, or the like, at a mark drawn on the ground
at a certain distance. There was also a game called
caiia, or tdngano, the American ducks and drakes,
a game which Roma^i children played, meta in ludo,
and to-day almost universal. On the result of the
game they bet buttons, encouraged so to do by tluir
elders, who staked money. Often urchins might he
seen without a button on their clothes, all having boiu
cut off by them and laid upon the altar of fortune.
A fondness for some particular name was frequent.
Thus, Juan Antonio Hernandez had three sons named
Jos^ Basilio, Jose Fernando, and Jose Antonio, while
two of his daughters were named Marfa.
Parents, or rather fathers— for the punishment
usually hurt the mother as nmch as the child — were
very strict with their children. A common way of
inflicting punishment was to oblige the youthful
wrong-doer, while his parents and playmates were
eating their noon meal at the table, to kneel before a
hide-covered stool, bearing an earthen plate, a tin cup,
and a wooden spoon, in one corner of the dining-room.
" It was a thousand times worse than flogging," says
Alvarado, "as I know by frequent experience; hut
we never used to increase the shame of it by laughing
at the culprit. And as soon as the father went out,
mother and brothers and sisters always hastened to
the one en penitencia, and gave him all the choice
food he could eat, besides their sympathy."
l! I
BOYS AND WOMEN.
405
And Yallejo laments: "In our day a boy would
liave been buried in the bowels of tiie earth sooner
than appear before his father with a cigar in his
luttutli ; but now it is common. Before the Americans
tame, our sons, meeting us on the street, came up re-
spectfully, and with hat in hand, said, 'Senor padre,
he saHdo de su casa con dnimo de ir con Fulano d dar
im pasco. I Me permite Vd. que continue divirtiendo-
1110 r If we consented, he saluted again, and went
away; but if we refused, he obeyed without a word.
Now, children say, 'conio te va, papd, d donde vas^'
TluMi, 'conio estd Vd., senor padre, que se le ofrece?'"
Writhig from Monterey, on the 1st of July, 1785,
to Diego Gonzalez, Governor Fagcs communicated
the following order by the comandantc general. It
being notorious that the officers and troops of the pre-
sidios conduct themselves among the missions with
yreat laxity and innnorality, very prejudicial from the
scandalous deeds committed with the Indian females,
the governor is ordered to prevent a contiimance of
siK'h evils, and to issue an order condemning such
jdactices, and imposing severe punishment to those
will) commit them, overlooking none in this matter.
The padre presidente, speaking to his Hock the Gth
of ^Tay, 1829, regrets the many promises given by
men to incautious women, often merely for the pur-
pose of enjoying the privileges of marriage. When
the men thereupon wish to marry others, the women
interposed objections. He finds the remedy in a ce-
dula of April 10, 1803, which orders that no tribunal
shall admit petitions regarding marriages unless cele-
brated by authorized persons, or promised by public
writing. Hence the women must know that no heed
will be given to their complaints, unless the promise
is proved by escritura publica.
iir
III
CHAPTER XIII.
AMUSEMENTS.
Vomm pone moras, et atndiuin Incri;
Kigronniique memor, duni licet, ignium,
Miaue stultitiam consiliis hrevcui:
Dulce eat dusipere iu lovo.
— Itornee,
The Californians were much given to divertliit,'
themselves. Iiulocd, to pass the time pleasantly, joy-
ouslv, was one of the serious consideratioTis amonjjf this
world's affairs, and was on a par with eating, drinkiiii;,
and religion, which latter was but the securing of a
happy existence in the heavenly kingdom, while busi-
ness, learning, and all that were but secondary aftlii is.
And why should they not devote themselves to wli:it-
ever they most enjoyed? Is not this the privik'i,n —
nay, the chief end — of man, of all animate things, tlic
butterfly and the bee, apes and women, and no ]( ss
the merchant, the politician, the preacher, and }>• il-
lor, and pig?
It is said by Senor Arnaz that the San Diego peo-
ple were very merry and fond of fandangos, while +li<»se
of Loii An<>cles were more reserved, and at Santa I^.;ir-
bara thoy •'/ere still more so, their superior gravity in
that quarter having a religious tint, due to the padiis
and to the great 13e la Guerra, the latter being n<>t
only the defender of Santa Bdrbara, but the consoL r
of the poor. During the later years of Mexican rr.k'
morals declined, as shown by the many bastard cliil-
drcn, sober Santa Bdrbara having her full quota ot
these. Entertainments were more common at 31 ou-
(406)
SAX DIEflO AND SANTA BXrRARA.
407
toroy, whoro tlio contact with stran«5oi'8, the presence of
tlicj^overnorand otticials, IiaclBtaniped the customs and
manners in accordance. Picnics (paseos al canux)) and
l)alls were frequent. Society was organizi'd and classes
separated; order and fun reigned at entt^rtainnients.
Cooper, Aniesti, and Abrego's liouses were tlie cen-
tres where halls were given on festival nights, with-
out ostentation or cost. At public balls rich wines
ill 1(1 delicacies were plentiful.
Picnics to the country were common, in which sev-
eral families joined, each contributing something, such
as chickens, stuffed turkeys, tamales, enchiladas, etc ;
usually a fat calf was killed on the spot and roasted
in the open air.
One or more carretas went in advance with provis-
ions. Elderly and married females went on horseback,
on their own saddles; the young women rode with the
young men, having a straw stirrup to rest the foot, the
man seated behind with an arm around the damsel to
support her, his hat on her head, while his head was
bare, or a handkerchief bound around it.
Arrived at the picnic-ground, all alighted, and the
fun began under the trees, eating, drinking, singing,
dancing, and games. For the picnic, mats covered
witli shawls were spread on the ground, and on these
wi'ie placed the eatables, wines, etc. On returning
to town, a ball was given in the house of some one of
the party, which lasted until the following morning.
Tlie young men supplied the wines. It was usual to
have a sui)per at midnight.
Sometimes on a picnic they would ride in wagons
drawn by oxen, and in returning various popular S(^ngs
Would be sung. If a violin or guitar player was pres-
ent, a friend would mount behind him to guide the
horse while he played. In the fruit season, people de
razon were always allowed to enter the mission or-
chards and gather fruit.
J)ona liefugio de Bandini speaks enthusiastically
ef tlio time when she was a irirl. "How often did we
m
AMUSEMENTS.
1 1
spend half the night at a tertulia till 2 o'clock in the
niorninjjf, in the most aarreeable and distinsjjuished so-
ciety. Our house would be full of company — thirty
or forty persons at the table; it would have to be sit
twice. A single fiesta might cost $1,000, but in thoso
days the receipts at my husband's store were $18,000
a month. The prettiest women were to be found at
San Diego."
The permission of the authorities had to be obtained
to hold a ball and illumination ; as for instance, the oiu-
at Carrillo's house, in honor of Fitch's return with his
bride in 1830.
Dancing was a passion with the Californians. It
affected all, from infancy to old age; grandmothers
and grandchildren were seen dancing together; tlieir
houses were constructed with reference to this anmse-
ment, and most of the interior space was appropriated
to the sala, a large, barn-like room. A few chairs
and a wooden settee were all its furniture. If a few-
people got together at any hour of the day, the first
thought was to send for a violin and guitar, and shoiilil
the violin and guitar be found together, in appropri-
ate hands, that of itself was sufficient reason to send
for the dancers.
In early times balls broke up at 10 or 11 o'clock
at night. Subsequent to 1817, or thereabout, the
keeping of such early hours began to be disregartUcl.
Finally the balls lasted the night through. In 1840,
on the occasion of the marriage of one of his sons,
Amador remembers that there was a ball at the house
of Sdlvio Pacheco, at San Jose, which lasted all night,
and until 9 o'clock in the morning, continuing again
at 8 in the evening of this second day, and kept
up all night. In 1843, at the marriage of another
son, dancing continued for three days and nights. The
supply of wine, aguardiente, and comestibles of all
kinds was unlimited.
of California dances and
)bably
analy
m
dancing is by Coronel, and dates from 1834. For a
PASTORAL DANCES.
409
««
ball, ho says, a large space in front of the house
selected was roofed with boughs, three of its sides
being covered with white cotton stuff adorned with
ribbons and artificial ilowers. The fourth side was
left open, and there horsemen collected in a group, a
strong fence preventing the intrusion of the horses.
Around, the three enclosed sides were seats for the
women. The musicians, consisting of a violinist, a
guitarist, and two or three singers, stationed them-
selves in a corner, where they were out of the way.
The master of ceremonies, or bastovero, was called
el tecolcro; from the first he was present organizing
everything connected with the ball. He led out the
women when they danced singly; beginning at one
end of the salon. Clapping his hands, ho took steps
to the music in front of her whom ho desired to call
out. She rising went to the centre of the salon, and
with both hands taking hold and extending her skirts,
began to dance to the sound of the music. After
taking a turn or two in the centre of the salon, she
retired and another took her place. In this way all
the women present were in turn called out, except
such as could not dance Or did not desire to do so,
and these, for compliment's sake, rose, and giving a
liand to the tecolcro, were by him turned and reseated.
While the women were dancinir, the men on horseback
ke[)t up a continual movement, and sky-larking, com-
ing and goin<^, and disputing places, each endeavoring
to force his lu^rse to the front.
If the piece were to be danced by a couple, the
horsemen who wished to take part dismounted, re-
ni(»ved their spurs, and hung them at the saddle-bow;
then, hat in hand, they entered the sakm, and took
out f'.acli the female selected. The piece concluded,
tlio women retired to their seats and the men re-
mounted.
Their balls the Californians called sones, and though
all were much alike, they varied in the song and in
the; e'Tcmonies. The jota was the favorite, and was
danced thus: Each cavalier took out a lady, and the
410
AMUSEMENTS.
couples faced one the other. The music commenced,
and the singers began their verses, or estribillos — a
kind of refrain of lyric couplets of not a very high
order of poetry — and immediately each set of couples
commenced to move the hands and arms capriciously,
taking care that this should last as long as the verse
lasted. Then the singers began an estribill'^, and all
the couples taking hold of hands formed in a circle a
chain, whereupon the men went in one direction and
the women in the other until partners met again, wJieu
each couple took its proper place. The singers tlioii
began another verse, and the couples began to make
different figures, but during the estribillo the move-
ments were as during the first. Of this da.nr e, the
step consisted in alternately raising the ftdt r.i ) liop-
ping gracefully in time with the music. ^^V!,, the
dancers understood this dance it was very ha^m luious
and graceful ; hence it was generally executed by the
older people who fully understood it, and because this
dance required in its execution a certain majestic grace.
The words of the verses were according to the caprice
of the singers, and perhaps came down from ancient
times. The estribillo was long or short, according to
the number of couples taking part in the dance.
The bamba was danced only by those women who
knew it, for it consisted of many intricate steps wliich
changed frequently. The most dexterous [)lacecl on
the head a tumbler of water; on the floor was pi;) cod
a handkerchief with two of the corners tied togcrher.
This handkerchief, the dancer while dancinif to<)
up with her feet and concealed about her person -
sometimes doing so with two or three handkercJdefs.
These she would afterward again place on the ihnn-.
All this she did without a single drop of water being
spilled. The feat concluded, the tecolero took from
her the glass of water, and amid frantic applause slie
returned to her seat.
The zorrita was danced by couples, as was the sot
from which it differed in that durini? the sinsifiiiL;
verse the men made to their partners signs or demon-
ZORRITA, ZOTA, AND FANDANGO.
411
strations in keeping with the sentiment of the verse.
During the estribillo each two couples, joining hands,
made a turn or chain. A second estribillo indicated
tlie time when the men gave a leap while clapping
tlieir hands. Los camotes was a dance somewhat
similar to the foregoing, though the time of the music
as well as the verses and movements were distinct.
This dance was characterized by very measured move-
ments, and at the end of the estribillo the man
saluted his partner, another taking his place. More-
over, the dancers also sang. El borrego was danced
by a man and a woman. When the music struck up
they began to take steps, and on the singing com-
mencing, each took out a handkerchief and made
motions with the hands appropriate to the sense of
the words — for if the verse said borrego, the man
feigned an attack on his partner, who made motions
with the handkerchief as if baiting a bull, capear; if
the verse said borrega, the r61es were reversed. El
burro was generally danced at reunions of persons
who were intimate, and toward the close of the diver-
sion. As many men as women took hold of hands
and formed a circle. Another person, cither man or
woman, took place within the circle as burro. When
tlie nmsic commenced, those forming the circle began
to dance about the central fiijure. Two or three verses
were sung, and at a certain word each man embraced
a woman, and the person who was left alone became
l)urro. In all these dances, there was a great variety
in the words of the versos and estribillos.
xlie ftindango was danced by a man and a woman.
It was necessary that he should understand the dance,
for after a jaleo with castanets, or if he did not know
how to use them, snapping his fingers, with changes
ami motions of arms, several walks were taken, while
the nmsic played and the singer finislied the verso and
estribillo. The music ceasing, the singer said boinba !
and the man had to recite a verse, generally of an
amorous character, to his partner — wliioli poetry was
good or bad according to the intelligence of him re-
0i
AMUSEMENTS.
citing the same. On : repetition of the perfornianco,
the lady was the one who recited the verse. If slio
did not or could not do so, the man recited another
verse. Another man would then step forward, and
the tecolero would lead out another woman.
El jarabe is the national dance of the Mexican peo-
ple, and is of a capricious character, for many words
and airs being mingled, each change requires new steps
and movements. The tecolero selected a man and
woman who he knew could dance it well. Tluy
began to dance, and in tlie pauses between the diflcr-
ent airs the sincfers san<; verses according^ to the nmsic
which had just been playefl.
ia contradanza was a dance of the better class of
.-. lety. The partners sto )d in two rows — the men
facing the women. The nmsic was that of a slow
waltz — durinjj the first four bars the fij^ure was
formed, and during the next four waltzing took place.
The figures referred to were capricious, but genei .Jly
the same routine was followed. Young persons rarely
took part in this dance. The old women of the lower
class also had their popular dances. El caballo was
danced by a man and woman, who, when the nmsic
commenced, began to balance to each other. While
the verso was sunij, therr were movements of handkor-
chiefs. At a certain designated time the woman
seized her skirts before and behind as if about to
mount a horse, the man got astride of his handkii-
chief, and to the sound of the music they made move-
ments as if on horseback.
Torre says that the balls given at a celebration of
nuptials lasted regularly three days. The people atf,
drank, and danced day and night; while some rested
or slept, others continued the festivities. These balls
were given in arbors, the ground being well watend
and beaten level some days previor.s. The arbor was
lined inside with sheets, bed-covers, or other articks,
to exclude the wind ; around the sides were benches.
The women occupied one end, entirely separated from
the men. If the women were numerous and filled
MUSIC AND SONG.
413
tlio scats, the men would stand at the entmnce, which
was very wide, some on loot, others on horseback.
The musicians occupied a place assigned to them in
the middle of one of the sides. The tecolero went
around beating time with his feet and leading out the
females to dance. His method was to make pirouettes,
(»r clianges of place, accompanied by clapping the
liiuids. V ery soon the female came forward dancing,
wliile he made a turn around her like a cock around a
hen. The music consisted usually of two violins and
a guitar, which la :ter the plaj'er thrummed as hard as
he eould. Soon came out two or three singers, who
s(jU'»tted in front of the nmsicians to sing the air for
(liinci. ■••, for the greater part of the dance was carried
on to song accompaniment.
The female who came out to dance retired to her
place when she so desired, and the tecolero con-
tuiu'd beatiuix time with his feet and l)rini»ing out the
women one by one until he had exhausted the number.
Tiio woman who did not know how to dance well, or
ciiiild not for some other reason, came out, gave one
turn, and returned to her place.
It often happened that while a woman was dancing
(iiie or more men on horseback wt)uld enter the arbor
with glasses or bottles of aguardiente, wherewith they
spri'.kled the ground where she danced, at the same
time making their horses dance, and shouting, "£che-
las todas, mi alma; sabe que soy suyo, yo la amparo!"
Throw it all in, my darling; know that I am thine, and
will guard thee I Presently rows began, and scrim-
mages, and those brave ones went forth to fii^ht out-
side.
Ill the early days there was a dance called the con-
tradanza, very measured. The jota was the favorite
(lance among Californians. It was aeeompanied by
versi's and refrain. In the verse occurred certain
figures, and in the refrain a chain of hands. On oe-
• asidiis there were sixteen couples in the jota, and
never less than four. The refrain was lonjx when the
414
AMUSEMENTS.
, i:ii
couples were numerous. The verses were unlimited
iti number. For example, when commencing the jota
a verse such as the following was sung :
Piilomita, vete al Campo,
Y ilile & lo8 tiradores
Que no te tiren, porq'eres
La (lue&a de mis ainores.
Then followed the refrain :
El cuervo en el airo
Vuela vigilante
Vuela para atrds
Viiela y& delante.
Si la piedra es dura;
Tu ores un diamante,
Porque no ha podido
Mi amor ablandarte:
Si te hago un cariAo
Me haces un despreciO)
Y luego me dices
Quo yo soy el necio;
Coino si el quererte
Fuera necedad.
Pero anda, ingratota,
Quo algun dia cntre suefio
Tii to acnrdaras
Que yo ful tu dueflo.
There were various styles of refrain and verses sung;
Entro liis florea de lirio
No te pude conocer,
Que no parecias muger,
Sino Angel del Cielo empfreo.
Refrain :
Yo vide una rata
Con trcinta ratones,
Unoa sin ore j as,
Otros ore Jones:
Unoa sin narices,
Otros narizones.
Unos sin hocico
Otros hocieonea.
Maflaua me voy
Para los Sauzalea,
A ver & mi china,
La Rosa Morales.
MaAana me voy
Para Vera Cruz
A ver d mi chata
Maria do la Luz.
En fin el burreon
Siempre canta mal.
Pajaro lucido
Solo el Cardenal;
Falomita hlanca,
Pico de coral,
Llevale & mi duefi»
Este memorial.
JARABE AND JOTA.
415
T^e jarabe was also danced, in which two or four
persons took part, who endeavored to excel in the
shuffling of feet and sinj^fing of versos.
Then there were dances among the very low classes ;
these were the same, but with more license and lati-
tude. These generally ended with a fight, broken
heads, filthy language, and insults.
The dances changed somewhat with time; under
Echeandia it was customary to place a guard at the
entrance, those among respectable persons being gen-
erally held in the parlor of the government house.
For these there were invitation tickets issued, which
had to be shown to the sentry. All respectable fami-
lies, however poor, received invitations. Later, tliese
dances became demoralized, and respectable families
withdrew from them, holding balls only at their homes,
when some modern dances were introduced.
Amador, born in 1781, says : " When I was a young
man, the dances in vogue were the jarabe, the pon-
torico, the navaraba, the cuando, the queso, and other
airs (sones) which I do not remember." From Ama-
dor's use of the word son, it is evident that these were
names of different airs and dances, in faster or slower
time, a single couple, or several, occupying the tioor,
eacii individual introducing the steps he chose while
keeping time to the music. In fact, these dances re-
sembled minuets and the like, rather than modern
dances,
A ball always concluded with las cuadrillas or the
jota. The latter came from Spain, differing slightly
in the various provinces, that of Aragon being the
better known, and was a very quick, lively dance. It
resembled an English country-dance, or an American
Virginia reel — the men and women standing in long
lines facing each oilier — with which twenty years
since a country ball in the United States concluded,
and in some parts so continues to do.
Jn 1800 few houses had any other floor than the
bare earth. The owners would bring two boards,
416
AMUSEMENTS.
1
which were nailed upon three wooden horses, thus
forming a platform on which women might dame;
also tlioso of the men who danced well. The jaralx'
v.as danced by couples, two, tlirce, or four, wiio en-
deavored each to execute the most difficult and variiil
sLeps.
Kohinson describes a fandango at Bandini's liouso
in San Diego in 1829. Any one might attend without
an invitation. The room was some 50 feet lony; bv
20 wide, crowded along its sides. A mass of people
around the door shouted their approbation of tlie per-
formances. Two persons danced the jarabe, kee})ing
time to the nmsic by drununing with their feet, on
the heel-and-toe system. The female dancer stood
erect, with liead a little inclined to the right shoulder,
her bands holding her dress so as to show the execu-
tion of her feet. Her partner, sombrero undoft'etl,
rattled with his feet with wonderful dexterity. His
arms behind bis back secured tlie points of his scrape.
Dye, who came to California in 1832, gives the fol-
lowing about ball-room customs, wiiich, he says, wei-e
co'.nnjon among the highest and lowest. Indeed, in
earlier days there was very little class distinction;
the poor and rich associated on equal terms, and at-
tended the same parties, "excluding oidy such persons
— especially women — as were known to be lewd, or of
notoriously bad conduct in other respects." This state
of things changed in later years, however, and class
e'.lctinction grew clearly defined — say from 1 840 to
ir jO. Fornierl}' private soldiers and their wives were
fill.>wed at the best balls, but afterward such a thini,^
wcs never seen.
When a woman was a skilful dancer, she had a
piod o})i)ortunity to display her graces. The nuu
would become enthusiastic and applaud her, and as
a mark of particular appreciation would place their
hills on her head, one on top of the other; and win ii
her head could boar no more, she would take the lints
in her hands, dancing all the time; still more hats,
BALL-ROOM CUSTOMS.
417
, were
'ud, in
K'tioii ;
jid tit-
le rsons
or of
state
class
l40 to
WrVO
,tiiiii<^'
had a
IIU'U
lid as
I their
^vlieii
liats
lliats,
and even coin, were tlirown at lier feet, and when she
returned to her seat these were jj^athcred up hy the
tecolero and brought to her. All the hats in lier pos-
isession liad to be redeemed by tlie owners with coin —
each one paying what he pleased, from two reales to
five dollars.
Wlien the ball broke up, the men accompanied the
women to their homes, playins; music. When the
female eliMncnt had been disposed of, the men went
into the street on horseback, and sang to music more
or k'ss vulgar songs. Tired of this, they would ri«le
to the fields and lasso or colear (seize by the tail) the
stock; or tiny would watch in the streets for some
annual to give it gand)ia with the lasso from opposite
sides. The men would fre(|uently leave the ball at
intervals to buy brandy at the tienda.
"At a party in Santa Barbara," says Garcia, writ-
inn" in ls;5(), "the band was brought by the ship Qni-
ph\ consisting of six negroes, with a bombo, two tam-
1 tores, a timbal, and two clarinets, all of fearful
tlix'oi'd. Thonjpson's house was lighted up by 8 P. m.,
with six talh^w candles placed along the wall in
candlesticks. Soon the most pronunent families bc-
)IM\ to arrive, and the music starttMl, a violin, a guitar,
and two singers. The negroes could l>lay (»nly for
eeitaiu dances. There was a motley of colors, which
IVoni the mingling presented a fine app(>arance.
Tliere was also a figure in mask, general!}' black,
will eh was termed camorra, if with turban. If the
mask was narrow, of small surface, like a mere band
^vitll a knot in front, it was called melindre. When
the director shouted vataa! vataal each ])erson rushed
I'T liis partner. At II or ll:oO, supper was an-
nounced, consisting of tongue, olives, bread, cheese,
and Mine. After this dancinsj: was resumed. At
last the ball concluded with the canastita de fioi-cs,
iDiisisiiiig of a ring formed by all the dancers, who
'inicd around, singing. At the last word, each man
lushed forward to embrace the girl he loved. As a
Cal. Past. 27
418
AMUSE MKXTS.
nil , f^ome fomalo was I'.^ft in tlic cold, nirl ])ocaino i].o
clucuu do las biirhis. This was repeated S"veral tiims.
so tliat tlio diKM^ia Avas rlituii^ed."
Doctor ^Maxwell, lonL'C a j)roinitient physician it)
San Fraiiclseo, wrltiiiL: in 1843, says: "We, tin- i-tH
cers of the squadron, gave a ball at the '^overnnniit
h(3iise. At that time the female population of ^fun-
terey had never tasted eak«,', niince-pie, or anytliiii':;
of tliat sort, and the stewai'ds of our nu^sses were sict
to wo)'k niahin'j; all kinds of delit'aeies of the kind fur
CD
tlie supper. Our ^fad^'ira wine was all ex])end('d. so
we were ohlijied to deiieiul on whiskev-toddv, \\\'v\
the ladies thou_^ht very fine, and some of them i'l-
dulged in it rather too freely. At the 1)all wnv m
number of American hunters, who had come to toAvn
because of our presence there. Captain Armstroii'^'s
dancing w;is ver\' vigorous, and the perspiration rollcfl
d(;wn his cheeks. The natives called h.im T)r;izos
Fuertes.
"These peo])le had the most extraordinary' cu-fi'His:.
They Wf)ul(l come on board ship and dance all 'S, evervtliiii','.
Their manners were exceedingly primitive." The
doctor went still further with some pin in relnt'')ii';
Ind(Hxl, these people, in their unsophisticated v.; v>.
would do things sometiuK^s that would b'j consid^ivil
improper by our more prudish people.
Every Saturday at the missions the neophyti^s Imrl
a ball. Some missions had a separate place fcv ^1'"-^:
at others the dance went on in the field. Wlierv ;i
place was s(^t aside, it consisted of a rotunda, ten yin!>
or mon; in diameter, formed of poles, separated fn^m
one another, which supported a tulo roof.
MISSION INDIANS.
410
TliG ball l)o«j:au about isunsct. Tlic music consisted
ipf di'Uin, lu)iu truiupcts, and small sticks, like cas-
tanets, wliicli set up a terrific lium-drum. A fire
W;is ]ii;-bti'd In tlie I'l'utre of tlie danelng-[)laee, and sev-
eral outside Ibr the audience.
The dancers were usually men, covered with a luin-
cloth, and lines (jf black, blue, and red colors over the
body and face. On the head they wore a liat with
various feathers, k^aeh held a stick taller than lilni-
scir. Tliey ])laced thenist.lves In file, and be^an to
cir( h' round the fire to the music, making contortions
and gi'imaees, and shouting somewhat lllce sailors
liiuviniif the anchor. After a while the leader of the
fiK' W(»uld throw a li\'o sjtarrow-hawk (ga\ llan) Into
ihe fire, whieli all turned witli tlieir poles wliik:
dancing, so as to roast It wt.ll. Wlien done it was
lalved out to be distributed.
l)urlns,
Juan Bandini introduced it in California in 1830, and
it was danced that same year at a ball given by tl'.e
governor to the diputacion at Monterey.
In the mission of San Cdrlos de Monterey, gtnor-
INAUGURATION CP:REM0NIES.
421
ally known as the Carmclo, situatoil aWout throe miles
from the capital, resided the jj^reut theolojifian, Fray
Vicente Francisco de Sarria, and his abh^ sccretarv,
Fray Estevan Tapis, the f'onncr at that time jjresidcnt
nt" the missions. On the laza stood the llag-stafl* at the top
"f which waved the S[)anish ensign with its lion of
Castile.
' hi the following day, about twenty priests, with
their president, were in attendance at the church to
• haiit a te deum, assisted by thirty Indian musicians
• ollected from the different missions, together with an
I
FEASTLNG AND GAMES.
423
ml )a it
iers nf
tmv ;
:-lu-iiii,
at'mns.
J''ui;i
<■• In
> llu'
will)
i/.lllLi"
ivte>,
■ l!:c
self,
ell, at
1 tliut
t.i !iis
sul'tlo
y.'Uii;;
liii" — to kiss the hand of his soiioria in the nauic
of t]i(}ir })areiits, accordin^jf to custom. Anions; tiiose
]>i<)tnin(M)t for their beauty and iiianner wnv Mao-
tlaiciia liistudillo, Ma*i,(lalcna Valltjo, and Jusuhta
Estrada. I-pon tiie word, the lirst named stepped
forward and informed his seiloria that she and her
companions liad come on belialf of tlieir ])arents and
iriends, to tender to his scnoria ^heir fehcitaiions
on Ills accession to the ijovernment of the peniusuhi.
All these ^irls were dressed in the heiglit of eh'^'ance,
jiicording to tlie usages and fasliions of tlie times;
llii.v kissed the governor's Jiorny liand, and the fat,
lial»l.y hands of the missionaries. Tlie good governor
Jiked it, and would not have objected to more. The
]iriests were accustomed to it. The governor, (d'
cninse, was overwhelmed at the sight of so nmch
gathei'ed loveliness. He invited them to take seats,
addressed them in a[)pro}»riate terms, and Illkil with
uratitude, he caused his orderly to brinsi' into the
r( i( |)ti<,)n-room several l)eautiful boxes that lu; had
iiiought from ^lexico, containing sweetmeats, one of
wliich he gave to each of the lovely damsels, who
I'll rru])on r"tlretl, ■.veil satisfied at having thus fuliilled
so pleasing !i,nd important a duty.
the governor and suite then repaired to the dining-
inoiii, wher.; was ready an a}nl>/;/n, or luncheon, con-
sist iiig of dt»mestic and game birds, conlials a!id wines,
Iresh and jtreserved fruits, the production of the south-
( vii ])art ot' the ])eninsula, ))r'oniiiunt amongst the nii-c
things being tlie t)h\es of iSan JDieg(», the oranges and
pomegranates of San (iabriil, the tigs, ]>ituhayas, and
jii'i served (Kites of Lower California, and the wines of
I'll' San J''<'rnando mission, whose pailri'S so well
initood the l)U.>-iness that the like of tliem has
H' \er been repeate(. to this day. The table was fur
tlur set otf with roses and other llowers from JJou
f cjipo (iarci'a's garden, about half a mih; east ol" the
|'!'sidit). \)i)\\ Fi'lipe was (|uitc aged, liaving liteu
"11' of the lirst settlers of the capital. l*resent were
424
AMUSEMENTS.
throe of Lis oliarming white daugliters, \vliito as snow
and with rosy cheeks, and black liair reaching down to
their ihi^t. And such waa its profusion tliat their
necks had grown thick in carrying it. His worshii)
was (juite struck witli tlie niagniticence of tliis ban(|U(t,
which displayed such liberality and good taste. Tlic
bread and cakes were of wheat tlour from the mission
of San Antonio, fan\ous over all others in the country
for its good quality. After the ambigu, which was
about 1 P. M., and the toasts and usual com[)linu iits
being over, as the quantity of viands left was so great,
orilers were given to put up tables, and call in the }»op-
ulace to eat and be tilled. About five hundred wiiv
thus fed, and there was still food enougli left to 1;l'lji
the otHcers in good humor for a i'ortnight.
The commandant now informed the governor tliat
the soldiers, dresF'^d in their vaquero's garl), wcic
ready to exhibit before his worship their customary
entertainment. The governor expressing his assent,
forthwith four riders mmmted on Hery steeds enttittl
the plaza through tiie great gate of the [)resi(Ho. Tin y
were covered with an embroidered cuirass, and an aii-
quera with bells. They were not alone, but \vitli
them were two large black bears; four other horsr-
mcn drove in two fii-rce bulls, which were to be made
to fight. The crowd shouted and made their btt
The native musicians loudly sounded tlu'ir violins,
fiutes, and drums. After the figlit was over, the gov-
ernor was told bv the comandante that thi'se Iteasts
were continuallv coming down fr(.)m the high nioun-
tains and destroj'ing cattle, and that the inhabitants
had no nutans of exterminating them. A ball was
amiounced for the evening, and the padres tot>k tin ir
departure.
Two days later, the governor, with his eseoit of
ofHeers, soldiers, and private persons, repaired to tlic
San Ciirlos mission, proceeding by the Calvario loid.
Tliis road went through a dense forest of pine, ahout
a thousand varas from the mission buildings. In ihf
AT THL MISSION CHURCH.
425
forest were placed manv ofreat crosses, slnfiiificaiit of
( 'lirist'.s sufleriiiLifs. They had not procccdeil far, when,
liilioldl a hand of holy men appeared, to tlie nuniher
(if twenty, all woarinj^ newly washetl robes, and at-
tended by a multitude of young Indians, who also
liad on their dress of acolytes. The vaniifuard of
the acolotists Avas closely followed by tlie padres
marching" in two wings, and in the centre, u[>on a
grand platform, was set a crucifix; next came a
lioi'de of whitewashed savages, to the number of two
tliousand, each carrying a branch in his hand. The
ii'overnor was escorted by twentv-five cavalrymen in
full uiiii'orm. Behind the escort came a goodly num-
ber of ft'males of all ages, and all mounted on fine
liurscs. The governor and his officers stopjx'd. alighted,
ami walked to the centre, where the crucifix was pre-
sented by the president of the missions, llfs wor-
?lii[>, and the officers one by one, kissed the leet of
that c'ffigy, and then rei)aireil to the temple. The
acolytes kept burning incense in a large number (»f
silvt r thuribles. The church ceremony consisted of a
srruKMi preached in Spanish and in Ii> lian by the vir-
tuous Fray Juan An)oros.
When ( V>siromitinofl' came to San Francisco with
the Hussian governor in 1842, ho gave a ball <»n board,
t'l which iill the families around wore invitt d, the ship
heiiig fitted for the occasion, and with burning ]>or-
funies to deaden the smell of the Kodiaks. Koal
sherry wine was ottered in honor of the Califoiniaiis
rt the bancjuet preceding the ball. Arnaz savs that
Iridic Quijas came and changed dress with him, he
takiug the priest's robe and dancing the (juudrille
with iiim, to the enjoyment of the girls.
So great was the res[)ect f »r pan-nts in California
tliata young man would never dance in their ])reseiice
until permitted. They were not allowed to jt»in a ball
bt Tore twenty, although they may have learned to
(laiiee in the alsi'uce of their parents. After ltS;;i the
tu.st(nu became less strict. JJalls wore begun by the
42G
AMUSEMENTS.
older people, no 3'^oung person taking jiart unless mar-
ried. When tlie old men retired, then the more ad
vanrcd youth entered.
Ji;irkiii gives the following as the cost of a ball:
2 dozi'ii wine, .^li); 1,', dozi'u beer, $13.50; ^O pits,
s!:i; cake, ^12; box raisins, 84 ; cheese, $1.50; U \^^t-
tles aguardient(>, $i:i.50; nmsic, $25; i) pounds sperm
candles, $1); comichi, s5; 5 j>ouiids cftfl'^e, .i?2.5'); (i
pounds sugar, $:]; servants, $4. Total, $125.
After tids was a sham fiiiht of the Indians, t' rnii-
nating with their looseniufji; the striiiLi's of their bov.s,
;ind laying their arms at the feet of the governor as
a mark of .-lubmission. The Indians were dismissed
after presents of beads had been distributetl among
them.
( )n the arrival at San Dit-go of the Ilijar colony, a
ball was given in their honor by Jose Antt)ino Aguine,
and another by Juan J^, and the i-ontradanza were m;i.! '
known to the people of Calif )rnia.
Tht.' following is a litend translation of a print' d
invitati(.n toal)aJl: "Jos('' Figueroa, J[mt;es for th(> tiM'iitory, and tiie country
U[>oii its enjoyiiient of miion and pi-ace. M()ntci'iy,
X
ov
!. Is;l4. ("it!
xen
.^[;
inano Ijonilla
All ( 'alif(»rnians could make shoes ami play tla'
vihu'la or guitar. I^nciv niu'lit thev passed tlii'tii-li
the streets '''ivuig seri'iiades and sinuin'-' wluit occuiicd
to them. One soif-' ran :
o
Yi ii.'iriil 1 I riti- li'n rntonc>:.
Uuuii biu uabLxi — y iitrub cubuzoiiea.
II ISTORIC IN.STRU-MENTS.
lilt'
.1
(■(H\
i»
i'uit
^ »
1,:.
•k
cU
-r
lo
<'f
. 1^
U'
i,try
V,
The airs playctl at liall.s wne v\ malciiado, <■] alor-
ratlo, ol a'lullo, (1 tu/;a. ol iiiaracuinlic, la va(
iui
a, etc-
MoNt iiuu could ]dav instruments and sin*'-, so that niu-
sicians were easily relievi-d at a party. At San (Mrl'»s
in the inventory of" rliureh pro[terty of !84:'5 a[)[
thn
CO vioinies, one vioion, one
U
tatuh
ear
)ra, and one tnan-
Allf).
All throuc^h these pastoral d;iys there was present
the material for a hundred pastor.d ])oems, oidy there
v;a;:5 not present any discovered Tlieocritus or Virgil
to v,-rite them.
.Vr!ia/ state
-ni
some of which points he is mis-
I
L-IU-
takeii — that the usual instruments were A-iolin-
tirs, and some clarinets and harps. The p!'>'HM'r
jlano was played by Manuel Jinieno. Santa Ijiirhava
Mas foremost in havinu' the •••uitar, (!uillirm<» ( 'ariillo
H Ul
1
til
tl
le
play
er.
<>1
•era musie was nt
>t 1<
nown,
hut
le wonuMi could play and snii;' J'retty S}>ani'ii'ls had no musical kn-'wled^e, vet
til- y sang well. The hest violin and harp players
Were at Angeles; the hani i)lavei'3 were from ^Irx-
o, one Jjopi'Z liemg promn
|| u
t. Tl
le vio
lini-t-
Wel'
( alifornians, the best heing the Mrst Imsl^and of
Sl'phen Forster's wife. TIu' missions had orchestras
ef Indians taui-'ht by the padres, coiisistln-'' usuallv of
one ])oinbo, one drum, one tria!V4lo, one violin, sev-
crd base viols, and one tlute. Tli'- ])lavers saiiLir also
l!l
the choir, assisted by (.»thers. Although a.t tim
es
'OOf
1 compass, yet it was ofteti dissonant, b(>th in
l>l:\ing and sin<'in'jr. The Trdians could not ^-i-asi)
nuisic. Tl!e\' were iicver call"d to nhn' at a baJl : there
til" guitar and vidhn were connnonly uslcI, and at rare
tiui's the band was brouglit from a man-of-war.
Xotwithstanding what Aiiia/ says. San ( Jabriel
liad an orchestra of Indians who }>layed ilute-, guitars,
violins, drums, tiiano-lcs, and cvmbals, A1I other
missions had more or |i
H'Ol )(
1 oreh.cstras and sinuers.
K\"''rvtliing played in tlie temple W.as c-dl. d a minuet.
Joa(|uin Carrillo, father in-law of A'allcjo, was an
■ ni
428
AMUSEMENTS.
accomplished violinist. When a soldier he was ono.
night playing at a ball at the house of Comandaiitc
Kuiz at San Diego. Ruiz was fond of a certain air,
wiruh ho ordered CarriUo to })lay; and because he
thought the latter too long in tuning his instrument,
Ruiz ordered him put in the stocks, and sent the
guests home, it being then about midnight.
While Commodore Jones was at ATonterey, many
balls were given in his honor by Larkin and otlnis.
On one occasion Larkin borrowed of Abreijo onr of
the three first piamxs brought to California. They
were brought from Baltimore by Captain Smith, one
sold to Jose Abrego, another in San l^edro to Eulogio
Celis, and the third to M. G. Vallejo at San Fran-
cisco. Aijrego granted the request, but suggisttil
that a piano would not be of much use, since no nw
knew how to play on it. Rut to the surprise of all,
it was solemnly affirmed, the boy Pedro Estrada sui-
ceeded in phu'ing the instrument, althougli he had
never touched one before! It was proposed to si nd
the boy to Mexico to be educated in nmsic, but the
advice of David Spence prevailed, who thought a cai--
penter more useful than a musician.
Most of the instruments used in the mission choii-s
were made at the missions, and were consequently
rude and inferior. The ancient po])ular songs of the
Californians were introduced from Sonora.
Their ])assion f )r nmsic is aptly illustrated In' an
incident of the war. California once conquered, tlic
ITnited States authorities adopted the judicious polii y
of conciliathig the ^Texican element in everv wav
possible. Rights of property were respected, and the
people were invited by proclamations of anniesty and
protection to return to their homcb, and no vioUiico
should be ofl'ered to any. The commodore, wluu
at Los Aiigeles, even went so far as to request (^ip-
tain Rhelps, long a trader on the coast and a man
familiar with the ways of the people and possess! n.;
their confidence, to visit them in their hiding-places,
I
POWER OF MUSIC.
429
iissure them of safety, and induce them to come forth.
Ca{)tain Phelps ri'plied: "You have a fine hand of
iiuisir; such a thin«^' was never before in tiiis country.
Let it phiy one liour in tiie phiza each day at sunset,
and I assure you it will do more toward reconciling
the }>le than all 3-our written proclamations, which,
iiidcid, l)ut few of them could read." " My sujj;