The Native Americans were kept at the mission after baptism lest they be corrupted in their former haunts-a move that has brought cries of “injustice” from some moderns. It was the basis for the first significant legislation in California, a “Bill of Rights” for Native Americans.īecause the Native Americans were living a nonhuman life from the Spanish point of view, the friars were made their legal guardians. The outcome was substantially what Junipero sought: the famous “Regulation” protecting the Indians and the missions. Junipero made the long trip to Mexico City to settle great differences with the military commander. Twelve more were founded after Serra’s death. Other missions followed: Monterey/Carmel (1770) San Antonio and San Gabriel (1771) San Luís Obispo (1772) San Francisco and San Juan Capistrano (1776) Santa Clara (1777) San Buenaventura (1782). Joseph’s day, March 19, the scheduled day of departure. Vowing to stay with the local people, Junipero and another friar began a novena in preparation for St. That year a shortage of food almost canceled the expedition. The first mission founded after the 900-mile journey north was San Diego in 1769. José de Galvez persuaded Junipero to set out with him for present-day Monterey, California. So the last two conquistadors-one military, one spiritual-began their quest. Charles III of Spain ordered an expedition to beat Russia to the territory. He became president of the missions there.Įnter politics: the threat of a Russian invasion south from Alaska. For 18 years, he worked in central Mexico and in the Baja Peninsula. On the way Junipero’s left leg became infected by an insect bite and would remain a cross-sometimes life-threatening-for the rest of his life.
Junipero’s desire was to convert native peoples in the New World.Īrriving by ship at Vera Cruz, Mexico, he and a companion walked the 250 miles to Mexico City. Suddenly he gave it all up and followed the yearning that had begun years before when he heard about the missionary work of Saint Francis Solano in South America. Until he was 35, he spent most of his time in the classroom-first as a student of theology and then as a professor. San Juan was the seventh of nine missions established under the direction of this indomitable Spaniard.īorn on Spain’s island of Mallorca, Serra entered the Franciscan Order taking the name of Saint Francis’ childlike companion, Brother Juniper. That year a gray-robed Franciscan founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, now famous for its annually returning swallows. In 1776, when the American Revolution was beginning in the east, another part of the future United States was being born in California.
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