Chapter IV
California Under Spanish Rule
With the landing of Serra and Portola at San Diego in 1769, began the
Spanish period of California. The chief events of this period are in a
pith, the following: The establishment of the missions, the
christianizing of the Indians and the exploration and colonization of
California. It is from the Spanish period that the history and standing
of California date. The ten Spanish Governors of California as well as
the officers of the Army and Navy were men of honor and ability, and the
record left by the Spanish settlers is one of which any country might be
proud. During the Spanish period the geographical lines of California
were settled and her harbors surveyed[4]. It was during this period that
most of the present cities of California were founded, Spain following
the plan of building the towns around the missions. The first Governor,
Don Gaspar de Portola, was a great and good man as well as a brilliant
officer, gentle and reasonable in every respect, he was beloved by all;
to him California owes the discovery of San Francisco Bay, and the great
co-operation he gave to Junipero Serra, as well as his reverent esteem
for this saintly man has endeared his memory to every true Californian,
and immortalized his name in Spain.
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