Chimes of Mission Bells; an historical sketch of California and her missions — John Shaqi
Chimes of Mission Bells; an historical sketch of California and her missionsField, Maria Antonia
Religion
Chimes of Mission Bells; an historical sketch of California and her missions
Field, Maria Antonia
Missions -- California; Spanish mission buildings -- California
Portola was succeeded by Gov. Felipe de Barri, who after three years
was removed from office on account of infringing on the rights of
the missionaries and siding with Captain Rivera Y. Moncada who was a
somewhat arrogant man, who also on several occasions infringed on the
rights of the missionaries; but the faults of the latter have been
very exaggerated by some historians, namely, some declare that he
was ex-communicated from the church on account of insolence to the
missionaries, whereas there is no record of such a fact. Excepting their
officiousness and arrogance, Barri and Rivera were moral and able men.
Barri was succeeded by Felipe de Neve, a statesman, scholar and worthy
governor who at once declared himself the friend and protector of the
missionaries. It was Governor de Neve who drew up California's first
code of legislation dated from the "Royal Presidio of San Carlos at
Monterey" in June 1779. This code known as the "Reglamento" is regarded
by capable judges as a most remarkable and valuable document. It was
also Governor de Neve who founded the present city of Los Angeles,
the original name of which was Neustra Senora de los Angeles, later
shortened into Los Angeles. The towns of San Jose and Santa Clara also
owe their foundation to de Neve, who selected the location of these
cities around the mission sites. After eight years of office de Neve was
marked for higher honors, and was succeeded by Governor Pedro Fages.
Governor Fages was a good and energetic man, but better fitted for
the army than for the state; he was noted for his lofty principals of
morality. Fages resigned his office and returned to Spain; he was not a
tactful ruler, but like many others his name has suffered at the hands
of unscrupulous writers. Fages was succeeded in 1790 by Governor Jose
Antonio Romeu, a bright and able but very sickly man. Dr. Pablo Soler
the excellent physician and surgeon of the Province of California was
unable to help him; and Romeu died in Monterey in less than two years of
office.
Jose de Arrillaga was the sixth governor. This governor was a finished
general, and placed the presidios of California on a solid basis; he
was painstaking and careful of detail. He resigned on account of private
business affairs but later returned as he was reappointed governor of
California.
The seventh governor was Diego de Borica. Around this Governor cluster
many beautiful pages of Spanish history in California; his was a
character as gentle, religious and home-loving as he was scholarly and
tactful. It was under Borica's administration that the boundary lines
of Upper and Lower California were clearly defined. Borica, however, was
not a man who courted public life or honors, and resigned his office,
returning to Spain with his charming wife and daughter who always longed
for their mother country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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