14 VOYAGE TO THE 



The padres, however, dreading the worst, were very 

 discontented, and many would willingly have ([iiitted 

 the country for Manilla. The government appeared 

 to he aware of this feeling, as they sent some young 

 priests from Mexico to supplant those who were dis- 

 affected, and desired that they should be trained up in 

 the mission, and should make themselves acquainted 

 with the language and usages of the Indians, in order 

 that they might not promote discontent by any sudden 

 innovation. 



The missions have hitherto been of the highest im- 

 portance to California, and the government cannot be 

 too careful to promote their welfare, as the prosperity 

 of the country in a great measure is dependent upon 

 them, and must continue to be so until settlers from 

 the mother country can be induced to resort thither. 

 As they are of such consequence, I shall enter some- 

 what minutely into a description of them. In Up- 

 per California there are twenty-one of these estab- 

 lishments, of which nine are attached to the presidios 

 of Monterey and San Francisco, and contain about 

 7000 converts. They are in order as follow from north 



to south : — 



Converts. 



'"San Francisco Solano, ") , ,,_,_ , ^ „ „ _, 

 ,,. , , . M822, about 1000 

 established in J 



San Raphael - - 1817 - 250 



Sdn Francisco - 1776 - 260 



Sdn Jos^ - - 1797 - 1800 



Santa Clara - 1777 - 1500 



pSdntaCruz - - 1797 - 300 



F I San Juan - - 1797-1100 



I "l Scin Carlos - - 1770 - 200 



S LLaSoledad - 500 



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