Considering the importance of the subject, there is a remarkable absence of original records respecting the coming of the Zacatecanos and the division of the missions; though it cannot be doubted that much was written at the time which is no longer extant, as is the case respecting many important topics of mission history during these last years. It will be remembered that in 1817 the southern missions were ceded by the college of San Fernando to that of Orizaba; but on account of troubles in Mexico and of the dissatisfaction of Californian friars — who were, however, willing to give up the northern, deemed the poorest establishments — the change was not consummated.[1] The necessity for a reënforcement continued more and more urgent, and San Fernando was in a state of disorganization so complete that it could do nothing of itself; but of the negotiations of that college with others I know nothing until letters of 1832 announced from Tepic that the Zacatecanos were coming.[2] The cession of the northern missions was evidently agreed upon in Mexico; but there is nothing to show to
- ↑ See vol. ii. p. 407, of this work.
- ↑ Jan. 24, 1831, Martiarena at Tepic says to Capt. Guerra, in announcing his appointment as síndico, that Fr. Bernardino Pacheco is going to Cal. as a friar of S. Fernando college, which 'according to the agreement is to furnish 10 friars and the college of Zacatecas 11; the latter will be able to comply, but not the former, which has not more than 7 friars.' Guerra, Doc., MS., vi. 130. April 21, 1832, Cárlos Carrillo, in Mex., says 10 friars from Zacatecas are going, as he is told by the min. of eccl. aff. and by the guardian, who have had great difficulty in obtaining so many. At S. Fernando there are only 4. Id., iv. 242-3. July 18th, Martiarena says the 10 friars are at Tepic and are to sail on the Catalina, to take charge of the ceded northern missions. Id., vi. 129.
Jesus Moreno, with García Diego at Sta Clara; José Lorenzo de la Concepcion Quijas, S. Francisco, succeeding Esténega, who went to S. Gabriel, but soon Q. was transferred to Solano; Antonio Suarez del Real, who succeeded Jimeno at Sta Cruz, the latter going to Sta Inés; José María del Refugio Sagrado Suarez del Real, brother of Antonio, at S. Carlos, freeing Abella for the ministry of S. Luis Obispo; Jesus María Vasquez del Mercado, S. Rafael, in place of Amorós, who had died the year before; José Bernardino Perez, who served for a time as secretary to Prefect García Diego; and finally, Francisco de Jesus Sanchez, of whom we know nothing in Cal. for 8 or 9 years, and who possibly was left in Baja California to arrive later. The preceding is derived from the registers of the different missions, showing merely the presence of a padre at a mission on a given date; for there is no record of the assignments and transfers, with a single exception, that of Gonzalez to S. José on Feb. 13th. Corresp. de Misiones, MS., 39-41.
