Diary of Father Pedro Font

Colonizing Expedition, 1775-1776


February 1 SP -- At midday the mail was despatched with six soldiers, directed to Mexico by way of [Lower] California, informing the Viceroy of what had happened, and of the condition in which the presidio was left.

February 2 SP -- I again observed the latitude of this presidio, to see if it agreed with the previous observation I made on January 12th, and found it to be the same -- 32° 44 1/2'; so I say: At the presidio of the port of San Diego, February 2, 1776, meridian altitude of the lower limb of the sun, 40° 14'.

February 3 SP -- Preparations were begun for our march to Monterey.

February 4 SP -- It was decided to start tomorrow for Monterey.

February 5 SP -- This morning it was found to be raining, and for this reason the march was postponed.

February 6 SP -- We remained as the day threatened to be wet, and at noon it began to rain.

February 7 SP -- It was impossible to set out because it rained all night, and so continued the greater part of the day.

February 8 SP -- The day began without rain, but it was decided to remain here today because the weather was not yet settled.

February 9 SP -- We set out from the presidio of San Diego -- Commander Anza and the rest -- at a quarter to nine in the morning, and, at a quarter past five in the afternoon, arrived at the place called Agua Hedionda, having travelled some thirteen leagues by the same road, and with directions corresponding to those of our coming, the principal being northwest. (Commander Rivera remained. as he decided not to proceed until he should finish capturing the offenders, and leave the presidio in security.)

February 10 SP -- We set out from Agua Hedionda at seven in the morning, and, at a quarter to six in the afternoon, halted at a small gully, one league before arriving at La Quema, having travelled some sixteen leagues, mainly to the northwest, and with the same variations as on the outward journey.

February 11 SP -- We set out from the little gully at seven in the morning, and, at half-past four in the afternoon, halted beside the Río de Santa Ana after fording it, having travelled some fifteen leagues, with the varied direction as in coming, but following mainly to the northwest.

February 12 SP -- We set out from the Río de Santa Ana at seven in the morning, and, at two in the afternoon, arrived at the mission of San Gabriel, having travelled some ten leagues with the variation of direction as in coming, but following mainly to the northwest. At this mission we learned the news that, last night, a soldier from Monterey and four servants and muleteers of the expedition had deserted, taking with them thirty animals, and other articles that they stole, and that the lieutenant of the expedition had started in pursuit of them with nine soldiers.

February 13 SP -- With this new condition of affairs, it was decided to wait some days until the lieutenant should return. I observed the latitude of this mission, but as the day was cloudy I was not satisfied with the observation.

February 14 SP -- At night two of the soldiers who went with the lieutenant returned; he ordered them back because their horses were tired out, and they told how the lieutenant was determined to overtake the deserters, following their fresh tracks.

February 15 SP -- There was nothing particular.

February 16 SP -- We continued without special event.

February 17 SP -- I again observed the latitude of this mission and found it to be 34° 5 1/2'; so I say: At the mission of San Gabriel, February 17, 1776, meridian altitude of the lower limb of the sun, 43° 42'.

February 18 SP -- Nothing whatever occurred. --

February 19 SP -- I again observed the latitude, in order to satisfy myself, and obtained the same results as on the 17th. It was decided to wait for the lieutenant no longer than tomorrow, considering the fact that the days were passing, and the conclusion of the journey of the expedition to Monterey was being retarded.

February 20 SP -- The lieutenant did not return, so it was decided to resume the march.

February 21 SP -- We set out from the mission of San Gabriel at half-past eleven in the morning, and, at half-past four in the afternoon, halted at El Puertezuelo, having travelled six leagues: two to the west, with some winding from one side to the other, and the remainder to the west-northwest. At the end of two leagues we crossed the Río de Porcíuncula.

February 22 SP -- We set out from El Puertezuelo at eight in the morning, and, at half-past three in the afternoon, halted at the place called Agua Escondida, having travelled some ten leagues: about seven west by north, and the remainder west-southwest.

February 23 SP -- We set out from Agua Escondida at eight in the morning, and, at half-past six in the afternoon, arrived at the Río de Santa Clara, having travelled some fifteen leagues: three, to the west-southwest; five, west; one, northeast, when we came to the steep slope; and finally, when we had descended it, some six leagues to the west, as far as the river.

February 24 SP -- We set out from the Río de Santa Clara at half-past nine in the morning, and, at half-past three in the afternoon, halted on a small bluff by the sea near the village of La Rinconada, having travelled some nine leagues: three to the west, as far as the seashore and the first village of the Canal de Santa Bárbara, called La Carpintería, situated near the Río de la Asumpta; and the remainder, west by north, with some slight, negligible deviation to the west at the several points on the coast.

February 25 SP -- We set out from the village of La Rinconada at nine in the morning, and, at three in the afternoon, halted at a place called Las Imediaciones de las Rancherías de Mescaltitan, having travelled some nine leagues: about six, west by north; two, northwest; and finally about a short league to the southwest.

February 26 SP -- We set out from Las Imediaciones de Mescaltitan at a quarter past eight in the morning, and, at half-past three in the afternoon, halted on a small bluff by the sea near the Ranchería Nueva, having travelled some ten leagues, the greater part along the beach: about one to the southwest; two to the west-southwest so as to round the estuaries of Mescaltitan; and the remainder, nearly west-northwest or with some inclination to the west.

February 27 SP -- We set out from the vicinity of the Ranchería Nueva at eight in the morning, and at half-past three in the afternoon, halted on the seashore near the Ranchería del Cojo, having travelled some ten leagues nearly west-northwest or with deviation to the west.

February 28 SP -- We set out from the vicinity of the Ranchería del Cojo at eight in the morning, and, at four in the afternoon, halted near the Río de Santa Rosa, having travelled some twelve leagues: about one to the northwest; two to the north-northwest; two to the northwest; and two to the west-northwest, following a semicircle that the coast makes here until we doubled the Punta de la Concepción, which is the last point of the channel and the one that projects farthest; then about one league to the north; two to the north-northwest; and two to the northwest. We halted near the beach.

February 29 SP -- We set out from the vicinity of the Río de Santa Rosa at noon (it was not possible earlier as it was necessary to wait for low tide in order to cross the Río de Santa Rosa), and, at a quarter past three, halted at the Laguna Graciosa, having travelled some four leagues to the north, with some deviation to the northeast.