Chimes of Mission Bells | Page 5

and Leon.
The Father Guardian of the College of San Fernando, on receiving the
letter from King Carlos, immediately appointed Junipero Serra, whose
zeal and sanctity were so well known, as the Father President of the
band of missionaries to set out for California. Among the missionaries
who volunteered to evangelize California were Fathers Francisco Paloú,
Francisco de Lasuén and Juan Crespí.
Here we will introduce a few characters, not of the missionary band,
but who may well be termed faithful co-operators of their labors, men
of unimpeachable honor, whose names add luster to the pages of
Spanish annals. Don Jose Galvez, the Visitador General (general
visitator) of the Spanish possessions in Mexico, a man as pious and
noble as he was brilliant, managed the expedition of gallant Don
Gaspar de Portolá and the missionaries, and gave Junipero Serra and
the brave officers and soldiers much encouragement. This wonderfully
managed and well equipped expedition, on which hinged the future of
California, was wisely divided into two parts, one to go by sea, the
other overland. The sea expedition consisted of three ships the San
Carlos, the San José, and the San Antonio, the last named was a relief
ship and was started after the other two. The San Carlos and San José
carried a large portion of the troops, all of which received the
Sacraments before embarking. On these ships were also placed the
Church ornaments, provisions, camping outfits and cargoes of
agricultural implements. Father Junipero Serra then blessed the ships
and placed them under the guidance of Saint Joseph, whom the
missionaries had chosen as the Patron Saint of California. Each ship
had two missionaries on board and among the crew were bakers, cooks

and blacksmiths; on the San Antonio went the surgeon, Don Pedro Prat.
Simultaneously with these ships started two land parties, one in
advance of the other in order to stop at La Paz in Lower California, to
pick up cattle and sheep wherewith to stock the new country, also to
bring some of the converted Indians of the mission in that region, to aid
the missionaries and soldiers by translating the speech of the Indians of
Alta or Higher California; for while the Indian dialects were numerous,
there was some similarity among them. This first land expedition was
in command of Captain Rivera y Moncada. The second land party was
in command of the newly appointed governor, Don Gaspar de Portolá,
the first governor of California, and wise indeed was the choice of this
good and excellent man! This second land party was doubly blessed
with the presence of Junipero Serra. Many were the dangers and
hardships encountered by these sterling men both by land and sea; and
as the repetition of what is noble never tires, we will again allude to the
painful sore on Junipero Serra's leg, which caused him such intense
suffering, that his continuation of the journey many times seemed
miraculous even before he reached Saint Xavier (the mission
established at La Paz). When his fellow missionary, Father Paloú
advised him to remain a little longer at Saint Xavier's until he would be
in a better condition to travel, his only answer was "let us speak no
more on the subject, I have placed my faith in God and trust to His
Goodness to plant the holy standard of the Cross not only at San Diego
but even as far as Monterey." And God overshadowed the enterprise
undertaken in His Name. The ship San José was never heard from, but
its noble crew were always considered martyrs who brought blessings
on the rest of the expedition. The San Carlos and the two land parties
reached San Diego, their first goal almost simultaneously. Here was
chanted the first Te Deum in California! Here Serra, head of the
religious portion of the expedition, and Portolá head of the civil and
military, conferred with each other on the course they were to follow.
And here we will leave these incomparable pioneers to celebrate the
birthday of California, July 1, 1769.

Chapter II

Brief Sketch of the Conquest of California and of the Founding of the
Missions. Hospitality of the Missions. Care and Benevolence of the
Missionaries Towards the Indians.

Father Junipero Serra and Don Gaspar de Portolá decided on the
following plan; that Junipero Serra with Fathers Francisco Paloú and
Francisco de Lasuén would remain in San Diego, where Serra was to
establish his first mission while Portolá with Fathers Crespí and Gomez,
Captain Rivera y Moncada, Lieutenant Fages and some of the Spanish
dragoons and muleteers started overland to explore the country, and in
quest of the Harbor of Monterey, carrying with them the map of
Sebastian Vizcaino. This expedition was to result in the memorable
"March of Portolá," which lasted about eight