78 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 California, for the convenience 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 always 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, 



