on botany, zoölogy, and other branches, though of great value, can of course receive in a work like this no further attention than mere mention;[1] and what remains of general description, respecting the country and its institutions, on account of its very accuracy, would be but vain repetition here. Had the visitor been less careful and made more blunders, he would receive more attention from me. Such is fame, and the reward of painstaking.
The missions and the Indians claimed a large share of Beechey's attention, as in the case of earlier visitors, and he was not blind to either the faults or excellences of the system or of the friars who had it in charge.[2] Respecting the result of Echeandía's experiment at partial emancipation of neophytes, this author happens to be wellnigh the only authority; and he also translates an interesting diary of an expedition against the gentiles under Alférez Sanchez, as noted in the preceding chapter. He gives consid-
- ↑ See note 13 of this chapter.
- ↑ 'Though the system they pursue is not calculated to raise the colony to any great prosperity, yet the neglect of the missions would not long precede the ruin of the presidios and of the whole of the district.' Vol. ii. p. 15. 'As to the various methods employed for the purpose of bringing proselytes to the missions, there are several reports, of which some were not very creditable to the institution; nevertheless, on the whole, I am of opinion that the priests are innocent, from a conviction that they are ignorant of the means employed by those who are under them. Whatever may be the system, ... the change according to our ideas of happiness would seem advantageous to them, as they lead a far better life in the missions than in their forests.' p. 17. 'The produce of the land and of the labor of the Indians is appropriated to the support of the mission, and the overplus to amass a fund which is entirely at the disposal of the padres. In some of the establishments this must be very large, although the padres will not admit it, and always plead poverty. The government has lately demanded a part of this profit, but the priests, who, it is said, think the Indians are more entitled to it than the government, make small donations to them, and thus evade the tax by taking care there shall be no overplus.' p. 19-20. 'Though there may be occașional acts of tyranny, yet the general character of the padres is kind and benevolent, and in some missions the converts are so much attached to them that I have heard them declare they would go with them if they were obliged to quit the country. It is greatly to be regretted that, with the influence these men have over their pupils, and the regard those pupils seem to have for their masters, the priests do not interest themselves a little more in the education of their converts.' 'The Indians are, in general, well clothed and fed.' p. 21-2. 'Nothing could exceed the kindness and consideration of these excellent men to their guests and to travellers;' but they 'were very bigoted men, and invariably introduced the subject of religion.' p. 33-4.
