Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 1, 2025
Father Junipero Serra and Don Gaspar de Portola decided on the following plan; that Junipero Serra with Fathers Francisco Palou and Francisco de Lasuen would remain in San Diego, where Serra was to establish his first mission while Portola with Fathers Crespi 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.
Suddenly, as they came back through the forest from the Point of Pines, the thought came both to Crespi and Portolá that here, after all, was the lost bay of Vizcaino. In this thought they ran over the landmarks of his description, and found all of them, though the harbor was less important than Vizcaino had believed. Since that day no one has doubted the existence of the Bay of Monterey.
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.
After the religious services Governor Portola proceeded to found the presidio and take formal possession in the name of the king of Spain by hoisting and saluting the royal banner, pulling up bunches of grass, and casting stones, which was an ancient manner of taking possession of a piece of land or country.
Portola and his men, in spite of many discouragements, traveled steadily northward for nearly two months until at last, one October morning, they saw what they thought to be Point Pinos, the name given by Cabrillo to the pine-covered cape to the south of Monterey Bay.
After a period of two years in office Portola went to Mexico, then under Spanish rule, and from there returned to Spain. Portola was succeeded by Gov.
A land expedition under Portolá was to go to Monterey, while Serra and others remained at San Diego to found the Mission. The vessel sailed, Portolá and his band started north, and on July 16, 1769, Serra raised the cross, blessed it, said mass, preached, and formally established the Mission of San Diego de Alcalá.
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.
Junipero Serra left the Mission of San Diego in charge of two of the good fathers and a small garrison as guards, and set out with Portola on his second expedition; and it was Serra whose very presence seemed to draw the blessings of heaven, who pointed out to the Governor the error on Vizcaino's map which caused him to miss the Port of Monterey.
A service of thanksgiving was held, and happiness smiled on every face. With new energy, vigor, and hope, Portolá set out again for the search of Monterey, accompanied by Serra as well as Crespí. This time the attempt was successful.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking