THE FOUNDING OF SANTA INÉS, SAN RAFAEL AND SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO
Estevan Tapis now became president of the Missions, and under his
direction was founded the nineteenth Mission, that of Santa Inés, virgin
and martyr. Tapis himself conducted the ceremonies, preaching a sermon
to a large congregation, including Commandant Carrillo, on September
17, 1804.
With Lasuen, the Mission work of California reached its maximum power.
Under his immediate successors it began to decline. Doubtless the fact
that the original chain was completed was an influence in the decrease
of activity. For thirteen years there was no extension. A few minor
attempts were made to explore the interior country, and many of the
names now used for rivers and locations in the San Joaquin Valley were
given at this time. Nothing further, however, was done, until in 1817,
when such a wide-spread mortality affected the Indians at the San
Francisco Mission, that Governor Sola suggested that the afflicted
neophytes be removed to a new and healthful location on the north shore
of the San Francisco Bay. A few were taken to what is now San Rafael,
and while some recovered, many died. These latter, not having received
the last rites of religion, were subjects of great solicitude on the
part of some of the priests, and, at last, Father Taboada, who had
formerly been the priest at La Purísima Concepción, consented to take
charge of this branch Mission. The native name of the site was
_Nanaguani_. On December 14, Padre Sarría, assisted by several other
priests, conducted the ceremony of dedication to San Rafael Arcángel. It
was originally intended to be an _asistencia_ of San Francisco, but
although there is no record that it was ever formally raised to the
dignity of an independent Mission, it is called and enumerated as such
from the year 1823 in all the reports of the Fathers. To-day, not a
brick of its walls remains; the only evidence of its existence being the
few old pear trees planted early in its history.
There are those who contend that San Rafael was founded as a direct
check to the southward aggressions of the Russians, who in 1812 had
established Fort Ross, but sixty-five miles north of San Francisco.
There seems, however, to be no recorded authority for this belief,
although it may easily be understood how anxious this close proximity of
the Russians made the Spanish authorities.
They had further causes of anxiety. The complications between Mexico and
Spain, which culminated in the independence of the former, and then the
establishment of the Empire, gave the leaders enough to occupy
their minds.
The final establishment took place in 1823, without any idea of founding
a new Mission. The change to San Rafael had been so beneficial to the
sick Indians that Canon Fernandez, Prefect Payeras, and Governor
Argüello decided to transfer bodily the Mission of San Francisco from
the peninsula to the mainland north of the bay, and make San Rafael
dependent upon it. An exploring expedition was sent out which somewhat
carefully examined the whole neighborhood and finally reported in favor
of the Sonoma Valley. The report being accepted, on July 4, 1823, a
cross was set up and blessed on the site, which was named New San
Francisco.
Padre Altimira, one of the explorers, now wrote to the new padre
presidente--Señan--explaining what he had done, and his reasons for so
doing; stating that San Francisco could no longer exist, and that San
Rafael was unable to subsist alone. Discussion followed, and Sarría, the
successor of Señan, who had died, refused to authorize the change;
expressing himself astonished at the audacity of those who had dared to
take so important a step without consulting the supreme government. Then
Altimira, infuriated, wrote to the governor, who had been a party to the
proposed removal, concluding his tirade by saying:
"I came to convert gentiles and to establish new Missions, and if I
cannot do it here, which, as we all agree, is the best spot in
California for the purpose, I will leave the country."
Governor Argüello assisted his priestly friend as far as he was able,
and apprised Sarría that he would sustain the new establishment;
although he would withdraw the order for the suppression of San Rafael.
A compromise was then effected by which New San Francisco was to remain
a Mission in regular standing, but neither San Rafael nor old San
Francisco were to be disturbed.
Is it not an inspiring subject for speculation? Where would the modern
city of San Francisco be, if the irate Father and plotting politicians
of those early days had been successful in their schemes?
The new Mission, all controversy being settled, was formally dedicated
on Passion Sunday, April 4, 1824, by Altimira, to San Francisco Solano,
"the great apostle to the Indies." There were now two San Franciscos, de
Asis and Solano, and because of the inconvenience arising from this
confusion, the popular names, Dolores and Solano, and later, Sonoma,
came into use.
From the point now reached, the history of the Missions is one of
distress, anxiety, and final disaster. Their great work was
practically ended.