184 CALIFORNIA. 



then rewards for good behaviour were also given, as well as for 

 bringing in neophytes. In the latter way, it is said that the missions 

 were usually recruited. 



During the troubles of 1836, the Indians of many of the missions 

 were cast off neglected, and in fact deprived of the proceeds of their 

 labour. They had reason to believe, as had been impressed upon 

 them by the Spanish padres, that they were interested in the pro- 

 ceeds and wealth that had been accumulated by their labour; and 

 this belief had naturally tended to attach them to the soil. 



The ravages of the small-pox, two years prior to our visit, com- 

 pleted the destruction of these establishments ; for it swept off one- 

 half of the Indians, and served to dispirit the rest. Many of them 

 have joined the wild Indians, and are now committing acts of violence 

 on the whites ; they are becoming daily more daring, and have 

 rendered a residence in single farm-houses or estancias not without 

 danger. In looking at the state in which these poor Indians have 

 been left, it cannot be denied but that they have cause to be dissatis- 

 fied with the treatment they have received. 



Every mission was regarded as a separate family of Indians, and 

 some of these included twelve hundred individuals. During the 

 management of the Spanish priests, every thing was judiciously con- 

 ducted : the Indians were well dressed, well fed, and happy ; out of 

 their earnings the priests were able to buy annually ten thousand 

 dollars' worth of articles for their wants and gratification, from the 

 vessels trading upon the coast. Each mission formed a body politic 

 of itself, having its own alcalde, inferior officers, &c, and every thing 

 went on prosperously. The Indians, though at first disinclined to 

 work, soon became industrious, when they found the benefits and ad- 

 vantages that accrued to themselves, and became converts to Christian- 

 ity, so far as forms went, in order to entitle them to its presents. It is 

 not surprising that a rapid increase of wealth took place, considering 

 the number of labourers in the field, added to a rich soil and fine 

 climate. 



As has been before stated, in 1835, orders from the supreme govern- 

 ment were issued, administradors were appointed to each mission, and 

 the priests were deprived of their sway, leaving them only their clerical 

 duties to attend to, with a small stipend. So far as they were person- 

 ally concerned, this was deserved ; for, with but one or two exceptions, 

 their lives were entirely opposite to what they ought to have been; they 

 were openly and publicly dissolute. The administradors have made 

 themselves and those by whom they were appointed, rich upon the 



