SAN RAFAEL, ARCÁNGEL
The Mission of the Archangel, San Rafael, was founded to give a health
resort to a number of neophytes who were sick in San Francisco. The
native name for the site was _Nanaguani_. The date of founding was
December 14, 1817. There were about 140 neophytes transferred at first,
and by the end of 1820 the number had increased to 590. In 1818 a
composite building, including church, priest's house, and all the
apartments required, was erected. It was of adobe, 87 feet long, 42 feet
wide, and 18 feet high, and had a corridor of tules. In 1818, when
Presidente Payeras visited the Mission, he was not very pleased with the
site, and after making a somewhat careful survey of the country around
recommended several other sites as preferable.
In 1824 a determined effort was made to capture a renegade neophyte of
San Francisco, a native of the San Rafael region, named Pomponio, who
for several years had terrorized the country at intervals as far south
as Santa Cruz. He would rob, outrage, and murder, confining most of his
attacks, however, upon the Indians. He had slain one soldier, Manuel
Varela, and therefore a determined effort was made for his capture.
Lieutenant Martinez, a corporal, and two men found him in the Canyada de
Novato, above San Rafael. He was sent to Monterey, tried by a
court-martial on the 6th of February, and finally shot the following
September. This same Martinez also had some conflicts about the same
time with chieftains of hostile tribes, north of the bay, named Marin
and Quentin, both of whom have left names, one to a county and the other
to a point on the bay.
When San Francisco Solano was founded, 92 neophytes were sent there from
San Rafael. In spite of this, the population of San Rafael increased
until it numbered 1140 in 1828.
In 1824 Kotzebue visited the Mission and spoke enthusiastically of its
natural advantages, though he made but brief reference to its
improvements. On his way to Sonoma, Duhaut-Cilly did not deem it of
sufficient importance to more than mention. Yet it was a position of
great importance. Governor Echeandía became alarmed about the activity
of the Russians at Fort Ross, and accused them of bad faith, claiming
that they enticed neophytes away from San Rafael, etc. The Mexican
government, in replying to his fears, urged the foundation of a fort,
but nothing was done, owing to the political complications at the time,
which made no man's tenure of office certain.
The secularization decree ordered that San Rafael should become a
parish of the first class, which class paid its curates $1500, as
against $1000 to those of the second class.
In 1837 it was reported that the Indians were not using their liberty
well; so, owing to the political troubles at the time, General Vallejo
was authorized to collect everything and care for it under a promise to
redistribute when conditions were better. In 1840 the Indians insisted
upon this promise being kept, and in spite of the governor's opposition
Vallejo succeeded in obtaining an order for the distribution of the
live-stock.
In 1845 Pico's order, demanding the return within one month of the
Indians to the lands of San Rafael or they would be sold, was published,
and the inventory taken thereupon showed a value of $17,000 in
buildings, lands, and live-stock. In 1846 the sale was made to Antonio
Suñol and A.M. Pico for $8000. The purchasers did not obtain possession,
and their title was afterwards declared invalid.
In the distribution of the Mission stock Vallejo reserved a small band
of horses for the purposes of national defense, and it was this band
that was seized by the "Bear Flag" revolutionists at the opening of
hostilities between the Americans and Mexicans. This act was followed
almost immediately by the joining of the insurgents by Frémont, and the
latter's marching to meet the Mexican forces, which were supposed to be
at San Rafael. No force, however, was found there, so Frémont took
possession of the Mission on June 26, 1846, and remained there for about
a week, leaving there to chase up Torre, who had gone to join Castro.
When he finally left the region he took with him a number of cattle and
horses, went to Sonoma, and on the 5th of July assumed active command of
all the insurgent forces, which ultimated in the conquest of the State.
From this time the ex-Mission had no history. The buildings doubtless
suffered much from Frémont's occupancy, and never being very elaborate,
easily fell a prey to the elements.
There is not a remnant of them now left, and the site is occupied by a
modern, hideous, wooden building, used as an armory.