Diary of Father Pedro Font
Colonizing Expedition, 1775-1776
January 1, 1776 SP -- As the journey yesterday was long and the cattle arrived late, it was decided that today we should only ford the river, which, although narrow, carries a large volume of water, is very rapid, and has a very deep bed. At two in the afternoon we started to ford the river, and in an hour the crossing was successfully accomplished. We halted on the other side, close to its banks.
January 2 SP -- We set out from the Río de Santa Ana at a quarter past eight in the morning, and, at a quarter past two in the afternoon, we halted in the Arroyo de los Alisos, having travelled six leagues to the west-northwest.
January 3 SP -- We set out from the Arroyo de los Alisos at a quarter past nine in the morning, and, at three in the afternoon, halted on the banks of the stream which unites with others and forms the Río de San Gabriel, having travelled some six leagues to the west-northwest.
January 4 SP -- We set out from the Arroyo de San Gabriel at nine in the morning, and, at eleven, arrived at the mission of San Gabriel -- marked on the map with the letter B -- having travelled some two leagues to the west-southwest, inclining a little to the west. The mission of San Gabriel is situated about eight leagues from the sea, in a most beautiful and ample place, with plenty of water and very good soil. The site is level and open, and about two leagues from the Sierra Nevada, which lies to the north -- we have had this range on our right since leaving the Puerto de San Carlos, and apparently it ends about this place. At this mission we found the commandant of Monterey, Captain Fernando de Rivera y Moncada, who had come here on his way to the presidio of San Diego on account of the rising of the San Diego mission Indians, who had destroyed it, and killed its minister, Father Luis Jaume.
January 5 SP -- We remained here to rest, and the commanders talked over the affair of the revolt of the San Diego Indians.
January 6 SP -- Mass was sung in thanksgiving for our arrival. Commander Anza offered to accompany Commander Rivera, and to go to the port and presidio of San Diego with twenty soldiers of the expedition to assist in punishing the rebel Indians, if that were necessary in order to pacify the country. It was decided to set out the next day for San Diego, (where I also went), the people and the rest of the expedition remaining at San Gabriel until we should return.
January 7 SP -- We set out, lightly equipped, from the mission of San Gabriel at noon, and, a little after seven at night, halted beside the Río de Santa Ana, after fording it, having travelled some ten long leagues: five to the southeast, three to the east-southeast, and the last two almost due east, with some deviation to the northeast.
January 8 SP -- We set out from the Río de Santa Ana at seven in the morning, and, at a quarter past four in the afternoon, halted in the Arroyo de Santa María Magdalena, otherwise called Arroyo de la Quema, having travelled some fourteen leagues: about five to the east-southeast; four to the southeast -- all this stretch, as far as El Trabuco, winding on account of the hills; and the remainder, southeast by south.
January 9 SP -- We set out from the Arroyo de la Quema at half-past seven in the morning, and, at five in the afternoon, halted at the Río de San Juan Capistrano, having travelled some fourteen leagues with a very variable course, and with many turns on account of the hills -- I suppose it might be set down as one half to the east-southeast, and the other half to the southeast.
January 10 SP -- We set out from the Río de San Juan Capistrano at half-past seven in the morning, and, at half-past three in the afternoon, halted in the village of La Soledad, having travelled some twelve leagues with a varied course: about three leagues to the southeast; some two, to the south-southeast; about four, not quite south, to San Dieguillo; the remainder, south-southeast; and the last, almost southeast.
January 11 SP -- We set out from the village of La Soledad at half-past seven in the morning, and, about half-past ten, arrived at the presidio of San Diego -- marked on the map with the letter C -- having travelled four long leagues: the first two, almost south-southeast, inclining south; and the remaining two, southeast and south-southeast, the greater part of these following the beach of the shallow port. The presidio of San Diego occupies a very bad site on a small and uneven hill, commanded by others. At the foot of the hill flows the river, which during the greater part of the year is dry; it comes from the Sierra Madre de California, which is not far distant, about northeast; after rounding the hill, it empties into the port, which is some two leagues south of the presidio. Here we met the minister of the ruined mission of San Diego, which was situated about one league up the river, and the two ministers of the mission of San Juan Capistrano, which they had begun to establish near La Quema and had left on the rising of the indians. The fathers,and the entire presidio, felt particular pleasure at our coming.
January 12 SP -- This was a pleasant day, unlike yesterday, which was very disagreeable owing to the unusual wind that blew. I observed the latitude of this presidio and found it to be 32° 44 1/2'.
January 13 SP -- Investigations were begun in regard to the late uprising, destruction of the mission, and death of its minister, with examination of some Indian leaders who were held in the presidio.
January 14 SP -- Mass was sung to the Dulcísimo Nombre de Jesús for the happy pacification of the rebellious Indians.
January 15 SP -- The investigations in regard to the affair of the rebellion were continued.
January 16 SP -- Last night the commandant Rivera sent the sergeant of the presidio with fifteen soldiers to the village of San Luis to seize some rebel leaders who, from information given by an old Indian woman, were known to be there.
January 17 SP -- The day was fair in the morning, but in the afternoon the horizon was covered with a heavy fog rising from the sea.
January 18 SP -- Today it continued very damp and gloomy on account of the fog.
January 19 SP -- At night the sergeant and the soldiers came back with four of the offending natives whom they had taken, and with the news that the rebel Indians, with their leaders, had taken to the mountains.
January 20 SP -- In the afternoon I saw a vivid representation of the burning of the mission of San Diego, when, accidentally, a small-sized hut of tule, used as a forge, was set on fire, and could not be put out despite the efforts that were made.
January 21 SP -- Last night it began to rain, and it has continued all day.
January 22 SP -- Today it was very damp and overcast, although it did not rain.
January 23 SP -- It continued cold, and rained during the greater part of the day. These days were occupied in making the presidio secure.
January 24 SP -- The investigations into the revolt, etc., were continued during these days.
January 25 SP -- At nightfall Commander Rivera sent the sergeant with fifteen soldiers to the village of San Luis to seize some offenders who were there.
January 26 SP -- At nightfall the sergeant and the soldiers came back with nine captured Indians; of these, two were leaders, and with them was brought half a stole, a sash, and a piece of cloak with the corresponding lining torn from it. From the prisoners the commander learned that another principal leader had gone to the village of La Soledad, and on the instant he again sent the soldiers and sergeant there to seize him.
January 27 SP -- At midday the sergeant and the soldiers returned without any prisoner, as the Indian for whom they were looking had fled the night before.
January 28 SP -- Nothing particular happened.
January 29 SP -- There was nothing of importance.
January 30 SP -- The day passed without event.
January 31 SP -- Passed without special event.