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5 The Settlement of California and the Twilight of the Spanish Period In this chapter I examine the expansion of the Spanish Empire into California and identify the indigenous groups who were incorporated within the mission system. In unfolding this history, I illustrate the racial diversity of the colonial population and show that while the church and royal government were entrenching their imperial power in the Southwest, the masses and criollo elite in the interior of Mexico revolted against Spain’s racial order. The changing ideological stance on race culminated in the 1821 Mexican War of Independence and threatened the royal government ’s projects in the Southwest (Weber 1992:30). Of utmost significance was the racial equality legislation passed by the new government, specifically designed to make Indians acculturated citizens. Setting Claim to Alta California Alta California was the last territory of the Southwest to be colonized by Spain. Its colonization was prompted by the fear of a foreign invasion by Russia and England (Weber 1992). England was pushing its westward expansion from Canada to the Pacific, and Russia was moving down the northwest coast from Alaska. If one of these countries took over Alta California, it could threaten the stability of New Mexico, because English or Russian colonies would lie closer to New Mexico than the wellforti fied cities in the outskirts of Mexico City. It was only a matter of time before the threat was executed, as Alta California’s coast had not been colonized and several countries were aware of its value. Many areas along the coastline were inhabited by sea otters, and any country that colonized Alta California could easily develop a sea otter pelt industry. The pelts fetched high prices on the international market, particularly in 127 China, where they were a valued commodity (Takaki 1990). When news arrived in 1768 that Russia had begun to establish colonies along Alta California’s coast, Charles III, the monarch of Spain, promptly initiated its colonization (Bannon 1970:153). The king awoke to the necessity of occupying Alta California or forfeiting control of it. José de Gálvez, a special emissary of the monarch, was ordered to take immediate action. Gálvez ordered the invasion to be launched from Baja California, the peninsula adjacent to Alta California. Nearly a century earlier, missions and presidios had been established in Baja California and many Indians Christianized . Beginning the colonization from the peninsula would facilitate the transfer of supplies and mission neophytes.1 Gálvez initiated his plan by personally traveling to the peninsula and soliciting the aid of Father Junípero Serra, the padre-presidente of the Baja California missions. Gálvez also enlisted the assistance of Gaspar de Portol á, the governor of Baja California, and Mexican-born Captain Fernando Rivera y Moncada, the commander of Presidio Loreto. Gálvez had two ships built in the port of San Blas during his visit and later had the ships loaded with supplies. In preparation for the expedition people were recruited and commissioned to form two land parties and three sea companies .To reach Alta California, Gálvez envisioned that the commanders of the expeditions were to be guided by the maps drafted by Sebastián Vizc áino. In 1602 Vizcáino sailed along Alta California’s coast and reached the Bay of Monterey in present northern California (Engelhardt 1929:53). He described it as a magnificent harbor where a large colony could easily sustain itself.Vizcáino also identified other possible colonial sites where the terrain was pleasant and inhabited by sedentary Indians. After studying Vizcáino’s maps and reports Gálvez selected the Bay of Monterey and present San Diego as the first regions to be colonized. Although Gálvez was confident that the maps were reliable and could safely guide the captains along various sea routes, he was uncertain about how the land parties would reach Alta California, since the lower peninsula had not been explored inland beyond the head of the Gulf of California (Bannon 1970). Gálvez knew that a dangerous journey awaited the land parties. Nonetheless, plans were set. Gálvez ordered the ships to leave the port first, followed shortly afterward by the land parties. Once the ships arrived , the captains were to wait for the land parties at San Diego. After the colonists were reunited, the second phase of the journey would begin. Captain Portolá and a group of soldiers would continue on foot until they 128...

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