In the years following the Cuevas episode numerous expeditions were sent
out which opened up the interior of California. Most of these are more
appropriate to a consideration of the interior valleys than to a survey
of the coast ranges to the east of San Francisco Bay. Two, however,
contain sufficient pertinent material to warrant their citation. They
are the first expeditions by Father Fray Jose Viader in 1810 and that by
Father Fray Ramon Abella in 1811. Both these missionaries explored the
delta region and the rivers but on their way to the valley they passed
through the East Bay and left descriptions of considerable interest. A
translation of this portion of the diaries is presented without comment
and a discussion of the native tribes mentioned is deferred until a
subsequent section.
_Fr. Jose Viader's Diary (1810)_
_August 15._ [Left San Jose Mission and went 6 leagues north to
the valley of San Jose.]
_August 16._ In this day, following the same direction, north,
we traveled about 6 leagues before noon, and having killed two
bears and a very large deer, we stopped to rest at the
headwaters of a stream called Walnut Creek. This stream,
although it has good water, is running very little. In the
afternoon, in the same direction, having traveled another six
leagues, having killed a deer and an antelope, and having
observed fine country well covered with trees, all without
water, we arrived at dark at the end of Walnut Creek. This is at
the beginning of some inlets on the northeast side of a well
known plain, well covered with trees (among others large
walnuts).
_August 17._ We passed this day (without moving camp) in
scouting the plain and adjacent hills, the lands of which belong
to the Tarquines, most, or almost all, of whom are Christians of
San Francisco. We have seen the mouth of the two rivers, one of
which comes from the north and the other from the southeast.
Uniting, they enter one of the estuaries which reach from San
Francisco. In all this region, very well known for its climate,
fine lands, much wood and walnut groves, the only water we found
was one pool of stagnant water, another with good water although
its water could not escape, and a spring which flows a little
and which is next to the willow grove close to the inlet where
it is said used to be the rancheria of the Tarquines. Granting
what has been said and that Walnut Creek contains very little
water, the area seems to me unsuitable for a foundation. In all
this day we killed three bears and 11 deer....
_August 18._ We set out early from the above mentioned place,
and going to the east we crossed the main range and in 7 leagues
reached the San Joaquin, or, as they say, the Tulare River. This
is one-quarter of a league wide and appears to be very deep and
to feel the tides of the sea. Here we stopped to rest between
the river and a very large oak forest. This is said to be the
land of the Tulpunes. We saw neither them nor any sign or trace
of heathen.... In the afternoon we went two leagues further,
toward the east, in the middle of the oak forest ... and this
place also belongs to the Tulpunes, who did not let themselves
be seen.
_August 19._ [Went on southeast to Pescadero.]