Chimes of Mission Bells
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Maria Antonia Field >> Chimes of Mission Bells
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As it took sometime for Mexico to mobilize her troops and settle her
rule in California, the Royal Presidio of Monterey was not immediately
emptied of its officers or of the Spanish families, whose positions
entitled them to a residence there, and who continued to live there
close on to 1824. Thus although the old familiar standard gave place to
Mexico's new red, white and green, the imprint of Spanish rule remained.
Indeed it was several years before Mexico could change the face of
California, and the Spanish element continued to rule social life at
least to a great extent through virtually all the Mexican period. The
Mexican society of the time certainly contained some excellent
exceptions, but as a general rule it was a sad contrast to that of the
preceding period, nor had the ten governors of this era the energy or
standing of the ever remembered Portola, Borica, de Neve, Arrillaga or
Sola. At times, the Mexican authorities treated Spaniards shabbily for
it is important to note that contrary to what many histories state,
Spaniards unanimously refused to take the Constitutional Oath of
Allegiance to Mexico, and withdrew as a consequence from all public
affairs, only inasmuch as their family interests or the good of the
community demanded their intervention. Thus we find no Spaniard as
Governor, General, or the like during this period. But here a curious
thing occurred. In later years when writers and historians of California
became numerous many Mexicans declared themselves Spaniards or classed
themselves as of purely Spanish descent, passing as such into some
histories, while at the same time they did not hesitate to "sting" the
Spanish name; and there are many California families who are referred to
as "Spanish" whose ancestors in the baptismal and marriage records of
the various mission archives are recorded as "neofita de la mission"
("neophyte of the mission") for the Spanish missionaries were most
accurate of details, and their records of marriages, baptisms and
funerals are like sketches of the persons concerned; parentage, birth
all are given in detail. Thus a child born of Spanish parents is
referred to as "de calidad Espanola" ("of Spanish quality") or if of
some other purely foreign extraction the same is mentioned. And
fortunate indeed, that this care of detail was had in the new country,
else how would much valuable knowledge be obtained?
During our narrative we do not wish to lose sight of the fact that we
have professed our work to be primarily a work of love, avoiding bitter
truth, which can do no good, and avoiding personalities, hence the
absence of names may be noted in this chapter, but it is invariably the
unpleasant duty of a writer to tell some unpleasant things in a
historical sketch, else how could justice be done to others, and how
straighten misunderstandings? We do not wish to merely cast aspersions
at the Mexican race or any other, for the gross and sordid not to say
sinful delight of doing so, but we wish to present to the reader plain
facts of this period of history. Here we will add that even as "there is
beauty in a blade of grass" there were and are good qualities and
virtues in many individual Mexicans, but we cannot but wonder at the
contrast of the two first periods of our state's history, and at the
difference so vast between two races and characters so often absurdly
confused. Here, we must mention perhaps the most deplorable incidents of
this period, incidents to which in spite of ourself we have so often
alluded, namely the Acts of Secularization of the missions. First, we
will mention that some writers accuse Spain of having passed an Act of
Secularization of Mission property in 1813, but such an assertion is
considered unfounded by good authorities, perhaps it had rise from the
fact that disturbances against Spanish rule were felt in Mexico as early
as that period and echoes of it reached the small Mexican faction of
California, causing much uneasiness to the missionaries. But three Acts
of Secularization of the missions were passed in the years 1826, 1829
and 1835. And what did not the good fathers with their neophytes and
converts suffer! And what did not the many loyal friends of these
beloved fathers not suffer with them through sympathy! Indeed no
Spaniard or his descendants can speak of those Acts without the crimson
of just indignation mounting to the cheek. But Spaniards were powerless
to check the lawlessness of the times. The missions were gradually but
slowly dispossessed of their lawful property, and all their wealth
confiscated, several times were many of the dear Spanish fathers
deported; they returned to Spain where a warm welcome awaited them, but
how sad to leave their missions reared by the most heroic labors of the
"martyr stuff" within them or their immediate predecessors, Serra,
Lasuen, Lopez, Dumetz, Crespi, Palou, names "held in benediction;" and
what would become of their poor converted Indians who clung to them so
faithfully and whom they had raised to the plane of christian men and
women from nakedness, savagery and paganism! Besides the missionaries,
many other Spaniards, too, were put on a list of those to be deported,
among these there would not have been much resistance offered, as the
changes of the government were sad enough, but before the resolution was
carried out, while many of them were settling their affairs and
preparing to leave, a few of the better class of Mexicans interposed,
saying, "the Spaniards' are of greater value to the Province than any
harm which could ever come from their presence, it behooves us to let
them remain," so under the condition that they would not be interfered
with, and that no oath of allegiance to Mexico would be forced from
them, the Spanish families remained, and their presence indeed was of
"greater value" than for which credit has been given them. American,
English and Russian trading ships continued to make their appearance in
Monterey, to these were added French ships. Several mercantile
establishments existed, carried on chiefly by Spaniards and Englishmen,
and gay little social gatherings and dances still went on.
In 1823 Mexico overthrew her empire and established a republic. But
throughout this period, disturbances and guerrillas scarcely ever
ceased, while the gradual but sure devastation of the missions and the
behavior of the authorities towards the beloved padres heightened the
indignation of all noble-minded citizens and increased the unpopularity
of the governors and authorities, most of whom were so very different to
the Spanish governors, who at all times declared themselves "loyal sons
of mother Church" and of whom no record of the practice of the contrary
exists save a very few minor differences in defining the extent of
military and ecclesiastical power. Good Bishop Garcia Diego, Bishop of
California and worthy Prince of the Church was also a sufferer on
several occasions from the disrespect of the civil authorities of
Mexico, who even tried to prevent his landing in Monterey, the seat of
the diocese then. Let us repeat a few Mexican authorities were
exceptions of this type, but as we have said, these were few indeed, and
slowly Mexican power began to wane. United States, England and France
all stood in line for possession of California as soon as a ripe
opportunity presented itself. This plan was most welcome to the
Spaniards, who contrary to the statements of some prominent historians,
entertained no dislike for any of these nations. Spaniards, like some
others only wished that a happier and better government would supplant
the inactive yet turbulent government of Mexico, who had hurled the
Spanish flag from her position years before and despoiled the missions
of their wealth and glory. Thus United States Consul, Thomas Larkin was
always well received in the homes of the Spanish families and in turn
Mr. Larkin always referred to them in words of praise. Meantime, things
went from bad to worse, a change of government seemed inevitable. We
will soon see how this came about.
The only things for which Mexican rule in California was noted, was the
continuation of the making of large land grants, and an easy, careless
existence without the "hurry and flurry" of today; feasting, making
merry, and great parties in the "rancherias" where there were always
large "spreads;" it was during this period chiefly that the typical
Mexican dishes of tamales, enchiladas, and others which are still
relished in California were introduced in this province. In a word this
was the period of the sweet "manana," where everyone seemed to have time
to enjoy the "dolce far niente" and exercised an open handed generosity
with regard to the "fleeting goods of earth."
Chapter VI
California Passes From Mexican to American Rule
The year 1846 found the Mexican government in California struggling with
a poor exchequer and some of its leaders in an unfriendly mood towards
one another on account of petty differences, while France, England and
United States waited eagerly for an opportunity to seize California, nor
may their desire be termed dishonest since a change of government each
day seemed more inevitable.
Americans had often been treated with hostility and not given their
lawful rights under the existing form of government in California. Just
about this time United States Consul, Thomas O. Larkin had been sent to
Monterey and Captain John Fremont to Northern California, the latter
presumably to survey the country of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific
Coast in the interests of travel, but the real reason of the presence of
these gentlemen in California was thought to be, that they should keep a
close watch on the turn of affairs.
When circumstances shaped themselves for the worst, a party of Americans
at Sonoma headed by Captain Ezekiel Merritt gave the first signal of
uprising which led to the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic of
California. These men applied to Captain Fremont for help, but as
Fremont was an officer in the United States army, he could not
personally take a hand in the affair without authority from the United
States Government, but left his men free to join Captain Merritt's
ranks, and many did so. Under Captain Merritt the Americans captured
horses and arms from a Mexican regiment on the march for Sonoma, also
the garrison of Sonoma; encouraged by this William B. Ide, one of
Merritt's chief advisers and successor issued a Proclamation which
launched the Bear Flag Republic into its existence of twenty-four days.
This Proclamation was a praiseworthy document, stating the grievances of
the American settlers, namely unfriendliness and threats of expulsion,
also declaring the justice of overthrowing a government which had
confiscated mission property calling upon the assistance of peace-loving
citizens of California and promising not to molest persons who had not
taken up arms. The Bear Flag of the Republic of California was then
designed by a Mr. William Todd and hoisted in Sonoma on June 14, 1846,
also in Monterey. The American flag could not be hoisted because the
actions of this party of Americans had virtually been unauthorized, and
they would have been responsible to the United States for so doing,
however, it was their intention to turn over their conquests to the
United States as soon as possible. But the Mexican military authorities
regarded the actions of these Americans as a gross hostility, and from
all sides prepared to attack them. The position of this plucky little
band now became very perilous, and again they laid their cause and
dangers before Fremont, who was in his camp on the American River. Now
the Captain did not hesitate in his decision and with a small mounted
force began action on the field. Fremont was a man of many commendable
qualities, possessed of bright mentality, unwavering and extremely loyal
to the American cause, but he had his failings, among them being that on
several occasions he took advantage of the tangled state of affairs, to
seize upon personal property considered without the range of his lawful
power to take, hence the dislike that exists for him among many old
California residents; still it was the "Pathfinder" as he was called,
who with Commodore Robert Stockton, Lieutenant Archibald Giliespie in
command at Los Angeles, General Stephen Kearny and some others fought
the brief battles which terminated in the raising of the American flag
at the Custom House of Monterey on July 7, 1846, thus was California
admitted into the Union as a territory. By a treaty of peace which
followed the Mexican War, California was ceded to the United States for
the sum of $15,000,000 in 1848. Among Monterey's landmarks Colton Hall
is pointed out as the place where representative men from various parts
of California convened and framed the first American Constitution for
the State, September 3, 1849. On November third of the same year the
first election was held, with the result that Peter H. Burnett was
elected Governor, John McDougall, Lieutenant-Governor, and Edward
Gilbert and John Wright first Congressmen from California. From Monterey
the State Capital was removed to San Jose, where John Fremont and
William Gwin were appointed senators, and it was they who pressed the
Government to admit California as a state, with the result that
California was admitted as such on September 9, 1850. Major Robert
Selden Garnett, U. S. A. designed the state seal.
In 1854 the capital was removed to Sacramento from Benicia which held it
one year, San Jose having held it two years as, also Vallejo.
The discovery of gold in 1849 brought on a mad rush of all classes of
people into California and acts of lawlessness and violence became
numerous and frequent; for the purpose of checking these disorders the
"Committee of Vigilance" was formed in San Francisco in 1851. This
committee was composed of responsible men and much good came of it but
like in so many enterprises of the kind, many abuses were committed and
many innocent persons were unjustly punished.
As soon as affairs became settled and order established, American rule
in California became marked by progress and order, the discovery of gold
brought on a wonderful increase in population and more towns and cities
sprung throughout the state.
Much indeed could be said of the present, but as our story is only a
brief sketch intended to deal chiefly with the beloved old missions and
missionaries, and unravel if but a few of the tangled skeins of
misrepresentation cast about the older history of the state which is
more wrapt in mystery, with warm gratitude for what the present is and
for what the future will bring, we will return to the traces of the good
fathers whose missions are still the wonders of California, with them we
can still hear the chimes of mission bells.
Chapter VII
Mission Anecdotes and Hymns
Told of Father Vicente Sarria
Father Vicente Sarria, a venerable and saintly missionary in charge of
Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad at the time the first two acts of
Secularization were passed, was one of the keenest sufferers from the
injustices of the times, undergoing untold labors and hardships, which
in no small degree contributed to his death in 1833, which found him at
his post of duty at the mission. Father Sarria's reputation for sanctity
was well known throughout California, particularly in Monterey and
Soledad, and after his death it was no strange thing to hear both from
Caucasian and Indian such an ejaculation as "alma de nuestro Padre
Sarria, ayudanos con tu intercesion" (soul of our Father Sarria help us
by your intercession). Of course this pious demonstration was not public
because for many wise reasons, the church forbids the public veneration
or invocation of a saint until the required process of canonization has
authorized it, however, the allowable private invocation was freely
practiced as it has been done in the case of other saintly missionaries,
namely, Junipero Serra, Magin Catala and others. And the following sweet
legend is told of Padre Sarria. As the Indian carriers lowered the
humble redwood coffin which contained the Father's precious remains into
the mission vaults, the edifice was filled with an exquisite fragrance
as of roses, and this story told with all earnestness was given much
credence about the mission towns. While not authenticated by infallible
investigation, may not this incident be classed at least as a
probability by the spiritual minded? For is it not in the power of the
God of the beautiful in nature to proclaim thus His appreciation for the
heroic charity of one of His servants, especially to strengthen the
faith of the sorely tried convert Indians who clung so lovingly to the
mission in the days of its trials?
Father Junipero Serra's Promise
One beautiful summer day while walking about the San Carlos Mission
Garden, Junipero Serra pondered over the wonderful progress of
California both in the spiritual and material order; filled with joy the
good priest blessed the land, and made a solemn promise to celebrate one
hundred masses for the future peace and prosperity of California,
moreover he promised to begin the fulfillment of his promise on the
following November, twenty-fourth, feast of Saint Charles, the patron
saint of the mission. Soon after, the venerable Serra was overtaken by
his last illness and went to his reward before November, the
twenty-fourth. But every year on the eve of the feast of Saint Charles
just before midnight a ghostly procession wended its way to San Carlos
Mission, for all the missionaries, Spaniards, or their descendants who
had ever lived in California would arise from their graves and with them
all the Christian Indians of the mission towns joined the "ghostly
throng" to San Carlos where Junipero Serra would arise from his tomb and
celebrate mass while the spirits sang their ancient hymns, after which
all the scene vanished like silver fumes of smoke, and this continued
for one hundred years. This most unlikely legend has been told in
beautiful Spanish and English poetry, and for all its unlikelihood has
found its way with its weird charm into many homes.
A True Story
Somewhere in the eighteen fifties a non-catholic of very irreligious
character, made targets of the eyes of a statue of Saint Benedict,
belonging to San Carlos Mission, taking advantage of the neglected
condition of the place at the time. A few days after this proceeding the
man was struck blind. This incident is no legend, but within the
remembrance of many old residents of Monterey. The unfortunate man later
acknowledged that his calamity was a direct visitation of Almighty God
for his gross and intentional irreverence to the image of a saint. The
writer refrains from giving the name of this man who has long ere this
passed to the "Great Beyond" but many Montereyans, who will read this
sketch will know it.
Countless stories and legends of mission times are told and written
without the least foundation for veracity, for example the story of "The
Lost Pearls of Loretto;" others are founded on facts but distorted
beyond recognition. Still this is not startling in a land as full of
sentiment and romance as California, where so many writers, (most of
them "New-comers") have given vent to their poetical imaginations, and
it is not hard to believe that the eventful history of the state
contained many authentic stories, and legends with some ground of truth.
Hymn to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary[6].
"Para dar vida mortal
A Un Dios Autor de la vida
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Para humillar la serpiente
Que con su mortal veneno
Dejo todo el mundo lleno
De su aliento pestilente
Que marco a todo viviente
Con el sello mas fatal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Como Ester la mas amada
Del mas generoso Asuero
Gracia recibes primero
Que estes del crimen manchada
Pues para no ser contada
En la indignacion real
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Ciudad fuerte y mas hermosa
Que de Asirio acometida
No lograra verte herida
Su saeta ponzonosa
Pues para ser victoriosa
De su poder infernal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Luna llena de esplandor
Sin ser nunca eclipsada
Porque fuiste iluminada
De un sol de poder, y amor
Pues por no ver el horror
De un eclipse criminal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Mujer heroica y valiente
Que con divino valor
Pisas gloriosa el furor
De la enganosa serpiente
Pues por no temer el diente
De aqeste monstro infernal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Virgen que de nuestro suelo
Subes vestida de estrellas
Mas bela que las mas bellas
A ser la gloria del cielo
Pues para tan alto vuelo
Con un favor sin igual
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Patrona la mas amada
De nuestro suelo Espanol
Nuestro mas luciente sol
En la noche desgraciada
Pues para ser proclamada
Con el voto mas cordial
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
"Concede en fin Madre amada
A tus hijos este dia
La mas cristiana alegria
Y la muerte deseada
Para que seas cantada
En la patria celestial
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."
[6] This beautiful hymn is found in many ancient Spanish books of
devotion.
Chapter VIII
Retrospection of the work of the Spanish Missionaries, Explorers and
Settlers and their place in California's Appreciation
We have followed the venerable band of missionaries from their homes in
Spain, where fired with zeal for the conversion of the savage heathen of
the New World they set out for the comparatively newly discovered land
of Mexico, where Spain had already a few establishments and churches, an
archbishopric in the city of Mexico, and the Franciscan Fathers a well
equipped monastery and mission at San Fernando in the northern part of
the country. We have seen the Spanish Franciscans' zeal in the land of
the Aztec, and we have also seen the noble cooperation given them by the
government and civil authorities of Catholic Spain. We have traced the
missionaries' steps, followed by gallant Portola, and his fellow
officers and men, and have sympathized and rejoiced with them in their
hardships and joys. We have no doubt, often marveled at the stupendous
work of the Sons of Saint Francis in the conversion of the unenlightened
heathen, and have seen the Indian tribes turn from the worship of idols
to the altar of the one true God.
Let us now give a brief glance at the work so nobly done by the immortal
heroes which Catholic Spain sent to these shores. Many a time, winter
blasts of misunderstanding and wrong have been cast upon them, and many
a time have noble sympathizers fought just battles with prejudice in
their behalf, with the blessed result that the thickest clouds of errors
and "threadbare calumnies" have almost entirely disappeared, and with
them the remaining mists of wrong are fast vanishing at the powerful
approach of truth's sun, so that in relating the glories of that legion
of splendid characters whose names are so tenderly clasped about the
fondest memories of mission times, we shall not forget their friends and
champions of later years.
But first let us see what the brave Spanish pioneers did for California.
We will begin with the missionaries. To them we owe the conversion of
the heathen and savage Indians, which work was super-human in itself,
and which contrary to the statements of libelers, the fathers
accomplished with heroic patience and charity, teaching the Indians
besides religion, useful trades, civilizing them, and taking such
conscientious care of them that they made a nightly round of their
quarters, not with whip in hand to punish imaginary misdemeanor, but to
see that the spiritual and temporal welfare of their converts and
neophytes, was guarded, and so great was the attachment of the Indians
to the fathers that if a father was called on business from one mission
to another, the Indians would follow him a long distance weeping. Very
few of the Indians were taught the art of reading, not because the
fathers were in any way unwilling to teach it, but because for this one
art most of the Indians showed no desire or willingness to learn, yet
this has given the ever ready, unscrupulous writer food for saying that
"the fathers endeavored to keep the Indians in ignorance" and the
healthy rule of the fathers with its hours of prayer, labor, instruction
and recreation for the Indian families in the mission quarters, has been
distorted by erroneous histories, and statements have been made by some
writers to the effect that "the Indians were treated harshly and
oppressed." Whereas under what nation were Indians or unenlightened
natives christianized, allowed to remain in their lands or treated with
more humanity than under Spain or her missionaries, wherever they
explored and wherever they went?
"Harsh, oppressive, endeavoring to keep the Indians in ignorance," if
such actions mean all that these saintly missionaries accomplished, if
they mean their leaving refinement, christianity, fond home and kindred
in distant Spain to brave untold hardships, nay, martyrdom, to rescue
souls from paganism, and if such conduct as "harshness, oppression,
endeavoring to keep the Indians in ignorance" could be compatible with
the practice of heroic virtue and acts of mortification of mind and body
which to the spiritual man or woman appear beyond words of admiration,
to the scoffer and frivolous (but for this latter class we are not
writing) foolish and impossible. The missions too, with their honest
wealth and industry were California's first centers of enlightenment and
refinement. The Spanish missionaries were scholars as well as religious,
and their institutions were California's cradles of literature, music
and learning hand in hand with religion. To these early fathers we owe
the first paintings and statues brought to California, while their well
equipped missions, even contained medicine chests and medical books, to
them we also owe the first architecture in the building of the missions,
the first agricultural implements, even the first system of irrigation,
in the state; to these we may add the first stock of sheep, cattle,
horses, the first fruits, vineyards and teeming grain fields, yes, even
the first roses of California were brought here by them, and it was from
the missions that Dr. Robert Semple borrowed the printing type,
wherewith he printed the first newspaper in California, which appeared
in Monterey in 1846, making the letter "w" by joining two vs as the
Spanish alphabet contains twenty-five letters, "w" excepted.
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