T8 DOMINICANS AND FRANCISCANS. 



bably be found in the fear that any other 

 nation should establish itself in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Mexico and the Spanish gold- 

 mines. 



The Jesuits came and made converts. These 

 were followed by the Dominicans, who still have 

 settlements, called here missions, in Old Cali- 

 fornia ; and subsequently by the Franciscans, 

 who have established themselves in the New. 

 They all convert away at a great rate, — we shall 

 soon find how. 



The first missions were seated on the coast 

 of Old Cahfornia, for the conveniencS of com- 

 munication by sea with Mexico, and because 

 the country was favourable to agriculture. 

 The military who accompanied the monks, 

 selected for their residence a situation from 

 whence they could overlook several missions, 

 and be alvi^ays ready for their defence. These 

 military posts are here called Presidios. 



As it was not ' possible to make the savage 

 natives comprehend the doctrines of Christi- 

 anity, their inculcation was out of the question ; 

 and all that these religionists thought neces- 

 sary to be done with this simple, timid race, 



