PACIFIC AND BEEPING’S STRAIT, 
35S 
necessary consequence of this indulgence the missions would be ruined CHAP, 
before the system could be brought into effect, even supposing the 
Indians capable of conducting their own affairs. So far from this being Nov% 
the case, however, they were known to possess neither the will, the 
steadiness, nor the patience to provide for themselves. Accustomed, 
many of them from their infancy, to as much restraint as children, and to 
execute, mechanically, what they were desired and no more, without 
even entertaining a thought for their future welfare, it was natural 
that such persons, when released from this discipline, should abandon 
themselves entirely to their favourite amusements, pastimes, and vices. 
Those also who had been converted in later life would return to their 
former habits, and having once again tasted the blessings of freedom, 
which confinement and discipline must have rendered doubly desirable, 
would forget all restraint, and then being joined by the wild discon- 
tented Indians, they would be more formidable enemies to the mis- 
sions than before, inasmuch as they would be more enlightened. But 
I will not anticipate the result, which we had an opportunity of seeing 
on our return the following year ; and from which the reader will be 
able to judge how the system worked. 
The padres, however, dreading the worst, were very discontented, 
and many would willingly have quitted the country for Manilla. The 
government appeared to be aware of this feeling, as they sent some 
young priests from Mexico to supplant those who were disaffected, 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 inno- 
vation. 
The missions have hitherto been of the highest importance to Cali- 
fornia, and the government cannot be too careful to promote their 
welfare, as the prosperity of the country in a great measure is dependant 
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 con- 
sequence, I shall enter somewhat minutely into a description of them. 
In Upper California there are twenty-one of th3se establishments, of 
which nine are attached to the presidios of Monterey and S4n Francisco, 
