History of Amador County California - 1881
Special Acknowledgements:
(1) The original source document: 
“History of Amador County, California with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers” 1881 - Thompson & West Oakland, Cal. Originally commissioned by the Library of Congress, Washington D.C. - circa 1881 
(2) The WWW source document - High-speed Internet connections: (100 Mb download - PDF) 
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofamadorc00masorich
Internet Archive - history of amador 1881 
(3) The WWW source document - edited for Dial-up Internet connections: Please see below. 
http://www.boitano.net/amador-county/history/1881/index.html

HISTORY -OF- AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA BY J. D. MASON. 


CHAPTER THREE. 

The Exiles of Loreto Father Tierra's Methods of Conversion Death of Father Tierra Arrest of the Jesuits Midnight Parting Permanent Occupation of California Missions in Charge of Francisco Friars Character of Father Junipero Exploring Expeditions Origin of the name of the Bay Mission Dolores Death of Father Junipero. 

IT was the custom of the Spanish Government to send out a certain number of Christian missionaries with each expedition, whether for discovery or conquest. When the conquerors took possession of a new territory, in the name of the King of Spain, the accompanying Fathers also claimed it for the spirit ual empire of the Holy Church, and in this manner California became, at once, the possession of both Church and State, by right of discovery and conquest. 

As before stated, California was discovered in 1534, by an expedition which Cortez had caused to be fitted out in the inland seas of Tehuantepec. From that time, during a period of one hundred and fifty years, some twenty maritime expeditions sailed successively from the shores of New Spain to the coast of California, with the object of perfecting its conquest; but none of them obtained any satisfactory result, beyond an imperfect knowledge of the geographical situation of the country. The barren aspect of the coast, and the nakedness and poverty of the savages, who lived in grottoes, caves, and holes in the ground, clearly indicated that they had scarcely advanced beyond the primitive condition of man, and discouraged the adventurers, who were in search of another country like Mexico, abounding in natural wealth, and the appliances of a rude civilization. After the expenditure of immense sums of both public and private wealth, the permanent settlement of California was despaired of. The Spanish Government would advance no more money, private enterprise was turned in another direction, and it was decided to give over the, so far, fruitless experiment to the Fathers of the church. Many attempts had been made to Christianize the natives of the Pacific coast. Cortez is said to have had several ecclesiastics in his train, though there is no account of their having attempted to convert the natives, or even oflanding among them. The first recorded attempt was made about the beginning of the year 1596 by four San Francisco friars, who came with Viscaino's expedition. During their stay of two months at La Paz, they visited many of the Indians, who thought them children of the sun, and treated them very kindly. Three Carmelite friars also came with Viscaino's third expedition in 1602, two Jesuit missionaries in 1648, two Franciscans in 1688, and three Jesuits in 1683, the latter with the expedition of Admiral Otondo. The celebrated Father Kiihno was one who came with the latter expedition. Once, when attempting to explain the doctrine of the resurrection to the savages, he was at loss for a word to express his meaning. He put some flies under the water until they appeared to be dead, and then exposed them to the rays of the sun, when they revived. The Indians cried out in astonishment, "I bimuhueite ! I bimuhueite !" which the Fathers understood as "they have come to life," the expression he wanted, and applied it to the resurrection of the Redeemer. 

No substantial success was, however, achieved until about 1675. Then appeared the heroic apostle of California civilization, Father John Salva Tierra, of the Society of Jesus, commonly called Jesuits. 

Father Tierra, the founder, and afterwards visitadore of the missions of California, was a native of Milan, born of noble parentage and Spanish ancestry, in 1644. Having completed his education at Parma, he joined the order of Jesuits, and went as a missionary to Mexico in 1675. He was robust in health, exceedingly handsome in person, resolute of will, highly talented, and full of religious zeal. For several years he conducted the missions of Sonora successfully, when he was recalled to Mexico in con sequence of his great ability and singular virtues, and was employed in the chief offices of the provinces. After ten years of ineffectual solicitation, he obtained permission of the Viceroy to go to California, for the purpose of converting the inhabitants, on condition that the possession of land should be taken in the name of the King of Spain, without his being called on to contribute anything towards the expenses of the expedition. Tierra associated with himself the Jesuit Father, Juan Ugarte, a native of Honduras. On the 10th of October, 1697, they sailed from the port of Yaqui, in Sonora, for Lower California, and, after encountering a disastrous storm, and suffering partial shipwreck on the gulf, landed, on the 19th of that month, at San Bruno, at Saint Dennis bay. Not finding that place suitable for their purpose, the Fathers removed to St. Dyonissius, afterwards named Loreto, and there setup the sign of civilization and Christianity on its lonely shore. Thus Loreto, on the east side of the peninsula, in latitude 25 35' north of the equator, may be considered the Plymouth Rock of the Pacific coast. This historic and memorable expedition consisted of only two ships and nine men, being a corporal, five private soldiers, three Indians, the captain of the vessel, and the two Fathers. 

On the 19th of October, 1697, the little party of adventurers went ashore at Loreto, and were kindly received by about fifty natives, who were induced to kneel down and kiss the crucifix. 
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METHODS OF CONVERSION. 

It is said of Father Ugarte that he was a man of powerful frame. When he first celebrated the ceremonials of the church before the natives they were inclined to jeer and laugh over solemnities. On one occasion a huge Indian was causing considerable disturbance, and was demoralizing the other Indians with his mimicry and childish fun. Father Ugarte caught him by his long hair, swung him around a few times, threw him in a heap on the floor, and proceeded with the rites. This argument had a converting effect, as he never rebelled again. As the conversion of the natives was the main object of the settlement, and 11 mutter of the greatest importance, to the natives at least, no means were spared to effect it. When the natives around the mission had been Christianized, expeditions inland were under taken to capture more material for converts. Some- tiiiu-s many lives were taken, but they generally succeeded in gathering in from fifty to a hundred women and children, the men afterwards following. Two or three days' exhortation (confinement and starvation) was generally sufficient to effect a change of heart, after which the convert was clothed, fed, and put to work. Father Ugarte worked with them, teaching them to plant, sow, reap, and thresh, and they were soon good Christians. 

The imposing ceremonies and visible symbols of the Catholic church are well calculated to strike the ignorant savage with awe. Striking results were often attained with pictures. When moving from one mission to another, and especially when meeting strange Indians, the priests exhibited a picture of the Virgin Mary on one side of a canvas, and Satan roasting in flames on the other side. They were offered a choice, to become subjects of the Holy Mother, or roast in the flames with Satan, and generally accepted the former, especially as it was accompanied with food. 

DEATH OF TIERRA. 

After twenty years of earnest labor, privation, danger, and spiritual success, Father Tierra was recalled to Mexico by the new Viceroy, for consultation. Ho was then seventy years old; and, not withstanding his ago and infirmities, he set out on horseback from San Bias for Tepic; but, having tainted by the way, he was carried on a litter by the Indians to Guadalajara, where ho died July 17, 1717, and was buried with appropriate ceremonies behind the altar in the chapel of our Lady of Loreto. 

The historic village of Loreto, the ancient capital of California, is situated on the margin of the gulf, in the center of St. Dyonissius' Cove. The church, built in 1742, is still in tolerable preservation, and, among the vestiges of its former richness, has eighty- six oil paintings; some of them by Murillo, and other celebrated masters, which, though more than a hundred years old, are still in a good condition; also some fine silver work, valued at six thousand dollars. A great storm in 1827 destroyed many of the buildings of the mission. Those remaining, are in a state of decay. It was the former custom of the pearl-divers to dedicate the products of certain days to Our Lady of Loreto; and, on one occasion, there fell to the lot of the Virgin a magnificent pearl, as large as a pigeon's egg, of wonderful purity and brilliancy. The Fathers thought proper to change its destination, and presented it to the Queen of Spain, who gratefully and piously sent Our Lady of Loreto a magnificent new gown. Some people were unkind enough to think the queen had the better of the transaction. 

ARREST OF THE JESUITS. 

The Jesuits continued their missionary work in Lower California for seventy years. On the second day of April, 1797, all of the Order throughout the Spanish dominions, at home and abroad, were arrested by order of Charles III., and thrown into prison, on the charge of conspiring against the State and the life of the king. Nearly six thousand were subjected to that decree, which also directed their expulsion from California, as well as all other colonial dependencies of Spain. The execution of the despotic order was entrusted to Don Gaspar Portala, the Governor of the province. Having assembled the Fathers of Loreto on the eve of the nativity, December 24th, he acquainted them with the heart breaking news. Whatever may have been the faults of the Jesuits in Europe, they certainly had been models of devoted Christians in the new world. They braved the dangers of hostile savages, exposed themselves to the malaria fevers incident to new countries, and had taken up their residences far from the centers of civilization and thought, so dear to men of cultivated minds, to devote themselves, soul and body, to the salvation of the natives, that all civilized nations seemed bent on exterminating. It is probable that the simple-minded son of the forest understood little of the mysteries of theology; and his change of heart was more a change of habit, than the adoption of any saving religious dogma. They abandoned many of their filthy habits, and learned to respect the family ties. They were taught to cultivate the soil, to build comfortable houses, and to cover their nakedness with garments. They had learned to love and revere the Fathers, who were ever kind to them. 

MIDNIGHT PARTING. 

After seventy years of devoted attention to the savages; after building pleasant homes in the wilderness, and surrounding themselves with loving and devoted friends, they received the order to depart. They took their leave on the night of February 3, 1768, amidst the outcries and lamentations of the people, who, in spite of the soldiers, who could not keep them back, rushed upon the departing Fathers, 
[p. 18] 

kissing their hands, and clinging convulsively to them. The leave-taking was brief, but affecting: " Adieu, my dear children! Adieu, land of our adoption! Adieu, California! It is the will of God!" And then, amid the sobs and lamentations, heard all along the shore, they turned away, reciting the litany of the Blessed Mother of God, and were seen no more. 

For one hundred and sixty years after the discovery of California, it remained comparatively un known. It is true that many expeditions were; fitted out to explore it for gold and precious stones. The first was fast locked in mountains of the Sierras, which were occupied by bands of hostile and war like Indians; and the last have not yet been found. The circumstances attending the discovery of the great bjjy, will always be of interest, and deserve a place in every record; for up to 1769, no navigator ever turned the prow of his vessel into the narrow entrance of the Golden Gate. 

On the expulsion of the Jesuits from Lower California, the property of the missions, consisting of extensive houses, flocks, pasture lands, cultivated fields, orchards, and vineyards, was entrusted to the College of San Francisco in Mexico, for the benefit of the Order of St. Francis. The zealous scholar, Father Junipero Serra, was appointed to the charge of all the missions of Lower California. 

FATHER JUNIPERO, as he was called, was born of humble parents in the island of Majorca, on the 24th of November, 1713. Like the prophet Samuel, he was dedicated to the priesthood from his infancy, and having completed his studies in the Convent of San Bernardino, he conceived the idea of devoting himself to the immediate service of God; and went from thence to Palma, the capital of the province, to acquire the higher learning necessary for the priesthood. At his earnest request, he was received into the Order of St. Francis, at the age of sixteen; and, at the end of one year's probation, made his religious profession, September 15, 1731. Having finished his studies in philosophy and theology, he soon acquired a high reputation as a writer and orator, and his services were sought for in every direction; but, while enjoying these distinctions at home, his heart was set on his long projected mission to the heathen of the New World. He sailed from Cadiz for America, August 28, 1749, and landed at Vera Cruz, whence he went to the City of Mexico, joined the College of San Fernando, and was made President of the missions of Sierra Gorda and San Saba. On his appointment to the missions of California, he immediately entered upon active duties, and proceeded to carry out his grand design of the civilization of the Pacific coast. Acting under the instructions of the Viceroy of Mexico, two expeditions were fitted out to explore and colonize Upper or Northern California, of which little or nothing was known, one of which was to proceed by sea, and the other by land; one to carry the heavy supplies, the other to drive the flocks and herds. The first ship, the San Carlos, left Cape St. Lucas, in Lower California, January 9, 1769, and was followed by the San Antonio on the 15th of the same month. A third vessel, the San Jose, was dispatched from Loreto on the 16th of June. After much suffering, these real pioneers of California civilization, reached San Diego; the San Carlos, on the 1st of May; the Sun Antonio, on the 11th of April, 1769, the crews having been well nigh exhausted by scurvy, thirst, and starvation. After leaving Loreto, the San Jose was never heard of more. 

EXPLORING EXPEDITIONS. 

The overland expedition was divided into two divisions; one under command of Don Gaspar de Portala, the appointed Military Governor of the New Territory; the other, under Capt. Rivera Y. Moncado. Rivera and his company, consisting of Father Crespi, twenty-five soldiers, six muleteers, and a party of Lower California Indians, started from Villaceta on the 24th of March, and reached San Diego on the 14th of May, 1769. Up to that time, no white man had ever lived in Upper California; and then began to rise the morning star of our civilization. 

The second division, accompanied by Father Junipero, organized the first mission in Upper California on the 16th of July, 1769; and there the first native Californian was baptized on the 26th of December, of that year. These are memorable points in the ecclesiastical history of this coast. 

On the 14th of July, 1769, Governor Portala started out in search of Monterey, as described by previous navigators. He was accompanied by Fathers Juan Crespi and Francisco Gomez ; the party consisting of fifty-six white persons, including a sergeant, an engineer, and thirty-three soldiers, and a company ol emigrants from Sonora, together with a company of Indians from Lower California. They missed their course, and could not find the Bay of Monterey, but continued on northward, and, on the 25th day of October, 17G9, came upon the great Bay of San Francisco, which they named in honor of the titular saint of the friar missionaries. 

ORIGIN OF THE NAME OP THE BAY. 

It is said that, while on this expedition, a regret was expressed that no mission was as yet named after the patron of the Order. Says Portala, "Let the saint guide us to a good harbor, and we will name a mission for him." When they came in sight of the bay, Father Gomez cried, " There is the harbor of San Francisco," and thus it received its name. 

Father Junipero Serra was not of this illustrious company of explorers, and did not visit the Bay of San Francisco for nearly six years after its discovery. The honor belongs to Fathers Crespi and Gomez, Governor Portala, and their humbler companions. The party then returned to San Diego, which they reached on the 24th of January, 1770, 
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after an absence of six months and ten days. Six years thereafter, on the 9th of October, 1776, the Mission of San Francisco de los Dolores, was founded on the western shore of the great bay, the old church remaining in tolerable preservation to the present time, the most interesting landmark of our present civilization. 

MISSION DOLORES. 

One may retire from the noise and bustle of the city, and spend a pleasant hour among the quaint surroundings of the old church. The adobe walls, the columns of doubtful order of architecture, the bells hung with rawhide which called the dusky converts to worship, all were doubtless objects of wonder and mystery to the simple-minded natives. From 1776 to 1881, what changes on either side of the continent. A hundred years is much in the life of men, little, except in effect, in the life of a nation. 

Father Junipero, who founded these missions, and under whose fostering care they reached such unexampled prosperity, reposes in the old church-yard at Monterey. His life reads like a romance. 

CHURCH HISTORY. It is related of him as illustrating his fiery zeal, that, while on his way to found the mission of San Antonio de Padua, he caused the mules to be unpacked at a suitable place, and the bells hung on a tree. Seizing the rope he began to ring with all his might, regardless of the remonstrations of the other priests, shouting at the top of his voice, " Hear! hear, O ye Gentiles ! Come to the Holy Church! Come to the faith of Christ!" Such enthusiasm will win its way even among savages. 

FATHER JUNIPERO'S DEATH. 

At length having founded and successfully established six missions, and gathered into his fold over seven thousand wild people of the mountains and plains, the heroic Junipero began to feel that his end was drawing near. He was then seventy years old; fifty-three of these years he had spent in the active service of his master in the New World. Having fought the good fight and finished his illustrious course, the broken old man retired to the Mission of San Carlos at Monterey, gave the few remaining days of his life to a closer communion with God, received the last rites of the religion which he had advocated and illustrated so well, and on the 29th of August, 1784, gently passed away. Traditions of the "boy priest" still linger among the remnants of the tribes which were gathered under his care. 



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