TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORNIAS. 
179 
productive, and the manufacture of cloth is considerably ad¬ 
vanced. Their attendance on the ordinances of religion 
gratifies the Padres, and civilisation seems to be taking root 
among these savages. But as the converts increase, the num¬ 
ber of persons to be fed and clad are multiplied. And as the 
necessities of these grow, the hopes of a proper supply be¬ 
come more precarious. The vessel in which grains are to be 
brought from the opposite coast requires overhauling before 
she can put to sea. Without her the money for the pay¬ 
ment of the garrison cannot be obtained from Mexico. But 
as the Padres have no means of repairing her, Padre Bassal- 
dua, for life or death, sails in her towards Mexico, and Padre 
Piccolo, with equal self-devotion, embarks for Senora in the 
leaky and shattered bark San Xavier. 
The mission of San Josef, on the continent, has been an¬ 
nexed to the Californian missions, in order that the Padres 
may use its resources for a uniform supply of provisions and 
animals. The brave Padre Piccolo is passing now between 
this station and Loretto, with all possible speed and activity. 
But the little provisions he is able to collect,ill suffice the wants 
in California. And as this little is often spoiled in the leaky 
boat before its arrival, starvation is again expected at Loretto. 
Meantime Padre Bassaldua arrives on the coast of Mexico with 
his creaking, leaky vessel; proceeds to Guadalaxara and Mexi¬ 
co ; urges the execution of the Royal Orders for the support 
of the missions • is unsuccessful; collects enough to repair his 
vessel; procures a small supply of necessaries from benevo¬ 
lent individuals ; sails in company with Padre Pedro Ugarte, 
who has been appointed to fill the place of Padre Piccolo, 
and in the latter part of June rounds into the bay of Loretto, 
to add to the number of the desponding and starving! The 
Padres send the vessel and the bark to the continent for pro¬ 
visions. But the shattered condition of these craft, and the 
northwest gales, twice oblige them to put back empty. And 
when at last they succeed in making the voyage, little relief 
comes of it. There is a want of every necessary of life 
i 
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