Sanchez was succeeded by padre Tomás Eleuterio Esténega, who came down from the north on the
Luis Rey in 1812-13, at San Juan Capistrano in 1814-26, and at San Gabriel in 1826-31. Though accredited by his superiors in 1817 and 1820 with 'regular' merit and ability somewhat more than medium, yet some doubt was felt about his qualifications as a spiritual guide, and he was spoken of as one whom for reasons known to the guardian it would not be well to leave alone at a mission. Autobiog. Autog. de los Padres, MS.; Sarría, Informe sobre Frailes, 1817, p. 44; Id., Informe de Mis. 1819, p. 115. His chief ministry was at S. Juan Capistrano, where he devoted much study to the manners and customs of the natives, especially their religious traditions. His writings, on this subject, found among his papers and long in possession of Capt. Guerra y Noriega, were published by Robinson in 1846 under the title of Chinigchinich. He is described by Eulalia Perez, Recuerdos, MS., 26, and others as of less than medium stature, fair complexion, considerably bent in his old age; an inveterate snuff-taker; kind-hearted and well liked generally, but subject to occasional spells of apparent lunacy when he seemed to be angry with himself and every one about him. The portrait published with his book is said to look like him. His sudden removal from S. Juan in 1826 and the disparaging hints in reports of superiors as noted above give some weight to the charges of Vallejo and others that the padre was guilty of immoral relations with his neófitas. He tried unsuccessfully to get his passport and quit the country in 1829 under the law expelling Spaniards. Arch. Arzob., MS., v. pt i. 53. His death occurred on July 5, 1831; and he was buried next day in the San Gabriel church on the San José side of the presbytery near the remains of Padre Nuez. S. Gabriel, Lit. Mis., MS., 40; Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 243-4.
José Bernardo Sanchez was born Sept. 7, 1778, at Robledillo, Spain, and became a Franciscan in the convent of N. Sra Sta María de Gracia at S. Miguel supra Tagum, Oct. 9, 1794. Leaving Spain in Feb. 1803, he reached his college in Mexico in Aug., and came to Cal. in 1804. He served at S. Diego in 1804-20, at Purísima in 1820-1, and at S. Gabriel in 1821-33, until his death on July 15th. In 1817-20 he was regarded by his superiors as of distinguished merit and ability far above the average, but was suffering, and in hopes of early retirement. Autobiog. Autog. de los Padres, MS.; Sarría, Inf. sobre Frailes, 1817, MS., 39-40; Arch. Sta B., MS., iii. 130. In 1806 Sanchez accompanied Sergt Pico on an expedition against the Ind.; in 1818, he took an active part in preparations to resist Bouchard's insurgents; in 1821 he went with Payeras on an exploring and baptizing tour among gentile rancherías; in 1828 he was greatly aggrieved by a charge of smuggling, and asked for a pass to retire; in 1829, he again desired a passport as a Spaniard who had not taken the oath; and in 1831-2 he was active in opposing Gov. Echeandía's project of secularization. From 1827 to 1831 he held the high position of president, performing its difficult duties with great credit. He is described as fair and fat, of lively disposition, generous and hospitable, with a multitude of friends of all classes. He was an able manager of temporal affairs, and took great pride in the prosperity of his mission, being greatly disappointed and perhaps soured by the disastrous results of secularization, against which he had struggled in vain, even to the extent of slaughtering the mission cattle at the last as recorded in this chapter. Mofras, Explor., i. 272-3, says that Father Sanchez died of grief; and Eulalia Perez, Recuerdos, MS., 14-15, adds that about a month before his death he was insulted, jostled, and struck by his neophytes, which had a deplorable effect both on his mind and body. It is possible that this story has some slight foundation in fact, though, if so, it is strange that no more definite record appears. His body was buried on Jan. 16, 1833, by Paulre Oliva at the foot of the altar in the presbytery of the mission church. Guerra, Doc., MS., 244; S. Gabriel, Lib. Mis., MS., 40; cited also in Los Ang. Express, Sept. 16, 1874, by J. J. Warner. The remains were disturbed but not removed in Dec. 1850, at the burial of P. Ordaz.
