Spanish Settlements on the Pacific Coast 

 more than 3000 at its greatest and less than 1000 

 during the crucial days of the eighteenth century. 

 Lnder Mexico, population increased, but there were 

 certainly not more than 10,000 people of white race 

 in California at the time of its acquisition by the 

 United States. 



It is usual to speak of California's early history 

 as if it were all summed up in the missions. This 

 is due, perhaps, to the fact that the mission ruins 

 are almost the only tangible remains from that 

 period, and also that the mission fathers left more 

 records of their works than did the others. In fact, 

 the backbone of the establishments here as else- 

 where in Spanish colonies was the military element, 

 whose principal manifestation was the presidio. 

 Each mission also had its guard, usually a corporal 

 and six soldiers, quite enough to keep the Indians 

 in subjection, but a very necessary part of the mis- 

 sion establishment. 



There were four presidios, San Diego (1769), 

 Monterey (1770), San Francisco (1776), and Santa 

 Barbara (1782), the most important being Monterey, 

 whose commander was also civil and military gov- 

 ernor of the province. 



Around each presidio, but more especially at 

 Monterey, centered the life of the colony. Towns 

 grew up around the presidios, ranch owners came 

 there to visit, foreign traders stopped to enjoy Cali- 

 fornia hospitality, and close at hand there was in 

 each case a mission. Life was one continuous round 

 of hospitality and social amenities, tempered with 

 vigorous outdoor sport. There were no hotels in 

 California. Every door was open, and food, lodg- 

 ing, a fresh horse, and money, even, w^ere free to 

 the guest, whether friend or stranger. No white 

 man had to concern himself greatly with work, and 

 even school books were a thing apart. Music, 

 games, dancing, and sprightly conversation — these 

 were the occupations of the time — these constituted 

 education. Also men and women were much in the 

 open; all were expert horsemen, could throw a 

 lasso, and shoot unerringly, even the women, ac- 

 complishments w^hich fitted their type of life, and 

 made hunting a general pastime. When foreign 

 ships came, there were balls and the gayest of fes- 

 tivals, nor were these visits the only occasion for 

 that type of entertainment. 



This happy life was possible because there were 

 Indians to do the work. Virtual slavery existed, 

 sometimes by direct bargain with a chief for mem- 

 bers of his tribe, or by willing submission of the 

 Indians who found themselves better clothed and 



11 



