What's New   |    Hispanic Contributions-Books  |  Contributors  |  Sports/Stars  | Home
                        Español   |  Chat Lines   |    Submit URL  |   Click here to Contribute
                              

                                                                    Hispanic America USA, Inc.
                                                        a Non-Profit Organization providing an overview of
                     Contributions of Hispanics &  Spanish Speaking America - World and United States History
                                                                   Copyright © 1996-97 all rights reserved
                                                                        
                                                                               
  
                             Settlement of The Channel Coast 
                                contributed by Michael Hardwick

June 3, 1777 Neve reports to the Viceroy regarding the Channel Coast. The road through this region stretches 24 or 26 leagues (62.4-67.6) miles. Neve estimates that there are some 8000 channel Indians living in over 28 villages along the beach or in heights above it. The danger is obvious. The Indians in an uprising could close the road entirely. The Spanish must establish control of the Channel with posts and military forces large enough to hold the Indians in awe. Missions alone will not suffice. There must be a presidio, preferably half-way through the channel passage route. The central region is more urgent because Indian villages are most numerous and close together in this part of the coast. (Neve, pp 112)

Sept. 3, 1778 Croix approves of Neve’s recommendations. Neve initially thinks he should have a lieutenant, 3 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 62 cavalrymen. This missions of San Buenaventura and Concepcion should each have a sergeant and 14 soldiers. The others should be held in the center to garrison the presidio and protect the mission Santa Barbara. (Neve, pp112) July 19, 1779 Neve draws up a detailed list of articles and supplies needed for the occupation of the channel. He requests that an investigation be made by ships of the approaches to the channel coast to locate the most convenient spot to unload cannon and powder which will have to come by sea. (Neve, pp113)

April 22, 1780 Neve orders a reconnaissance by land of the whole channel area. Lt. Ortega, Sgt. Juan Robles and a party of soldiers are detailed for the job. At the southern end of the channel they find a rich stream of water suitable for irrigation and land favorable to cultivation. Pasturage for animals is sparse, but there is plenty of timber and stone for building purposes. Neve considers splitting his founding party of 24 settlers for Los Angeles into 2 parties of 12 settlers each. One party can be placed in San Buenaventura close to the Santa Barbara Presidio, the other group of 12 could settle on the Santa Ana River where it is closer to San Diego. (Neve, pp113-114)

July 14, 1781 Rivera’s party arrives at San Gabriel from Yuma. There are too few pack mules (62) which are not enough to transport supplies and personnel to the Channel before the rains. Due to the lack of wood in Santa Barbara, buildings there are to be of adobe, which can only be made in dry weather. The decision is made to put off the Channel project until spring. (Neve, 114,115)

March 26, 1782 Neve starts the expedition on its way to the Channel. One day’s march out, Neve is overtaken by the news that Fages has arrived at San Gabriel to confer with him, and that a Sonoran Army is waiting at the Colorado to follow up on the Yuma uprising. Neve decides to shelve the Yuma campaign and to go on with the Channel project. Fages and 15 of his men accompany Neve as he rejoins the Santa Barbara party.

March 29, 1782 The expedition reaches the Santa Clara River and proceeds to lay the foundations of Mission San Buenaventura. Neve rejoins the party here and finding the work well advanced, leads the way up the coast to the presidial site. (Neve, pp118).

March 31, 1782 San Buenaventura is founded. By April 12 there is a complete enclosure of the area of the mission site. The stockade of palings or limbs is set in trenches, woven with branches and daubed with mud. It is about 137 feet by 110 feet and 11 feet high. The stockade has two ravelins or bastions, a gate, and a small storehouse for provisions. Sergeant Pablo Antonio Cota in charge of 14 soldiers is to protect the mission establishment. (Whitehead pp 80)

April 15, 1782 de Neve leaves San Buenaventura and marches roughly 27 miles in one day to Santa Barbara with his founding party.

Neve’s report to the Commanding General dated April 24, 1782: On the 15th of the current month he arrived at this place called previously San Joaquin de la Laguna and found that its lake provided an abundant supply of good water, much wood, and stone, and at less than a quarter league from the only anchoring ground known in the Channel, sufficient wood and pasture lands. The Presidio of Santa Barbara was located on this site on the 11th of the current month, enhancing its position at a small rise next to the lake. Immediately they began cutting of paling to enclose an area of 60 varas (165 feet) with two ravelins (bastions) of oak which will serve while they complete the actual structure which will be 80 varas (220 feet) square with 2 small bastions.. (Whitehead, 91) Serra’s report to the Commanding General, April 28, 1782: We arrived here at the Santa Barbara Channel on April 15. We spent some time in talking over which would be the best site for the foundation, then in getting everything in readiness. And so, the very next Sunday, which was the 3rd Sunday after Easter and the feast day of the patronage of the Most Holy Patriarch Saint Joseph, the foundation was started. There were all the usual ceremonies - the setting up and blessing of a large cross, the blessing of the site, the first Mass, with an accompanying sermon. And so was begun this presidio and mission - at present they are united in one - dedicated to the most glorious Virgin and Martyr Santa Barbara. (Whitehead, 92) April 21, 1782 Founding ceremony of the Presidio of Santa Barbara.

June 2, 1782 Neve reports that plastering, flat roofs, storehouse, guardhouse and barracks remain to be finished and that natives are still happy about the Spanish settlement. Neve inspects the Santa Barbara Presidio and reports that the troops were put through the manual of arms, cavalry formations and target practice, and performed satisfactorily in spite of the fact of their recent recruitment and large amount of time they had spent on constructing the presidio. The governor is complimentary of Lt. Ortega on most counts, but has to reprimand him for being too familiar with the troops. He also lacks firmness and determination, and his accounts as paymaster are in such bad shape, in spite of his known intelligence in such matters, that Neve recommends that he be quickly replaced....Neve considers him a good officer under the direction of another commander.

                    Uniforms are in deplorable shape due to the fact that supply ships have not arrived. Much of the equipment is defective. Safeties on the pistols are inoperative and swords of Toledo steel are tempered so high that they could break into pieces if used carelessly. (Whitehead, 95)