THE ROMANCE OF MONTEREY 27
under the sanction of the third—Croix—as they did at santa Ana, in Lower California, on October 31, 1768, to
confer regarding the exact means and course for reaching Monterey, activity was assured.”
The expedition as finally organized, was to make the journey in two stages; first to San Diego, where a part of the men would be left to establish a relay station and Mission, while the rest of the expedition took up the second stage, to Monterey. To San Diego, the expedition was to comprise four parties, two by land and two by sea, all starting from Lower California. The command of the entire expedition was given to Don Gaspar de Portola, then Governor of Lower California.
The hardships and dangers attending this exploit are difficult of appreciation. In the day of Galvez and Croix and Portola and Serra, water transportation was by hand-propelled craft, or by sailing vessels of small tonnage. At the disposal of Portola were two sailboats, the San Carlos and San Antonio, of scarcely two hundred tons burden each.
In these, it was necessary to convey
from the Mexican mainland across the Gulf of California to the southern end of Lower
California, all the men,
supplies and equipment needed for-the Monterey expedition. And a voyage across the gulf was then a matter of weeks, often of months, over water frequently harassed by dangerous storms.
Lower California is an arid and largely barren land. The Missions established there were compelled to draw upon Mexico for additions to the meager supplies locally
