In fine these
sterling men were worthy compatriots of those giant men and women which
have appeared at different times in Spain. We refer to Saints, Ignatius
of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Dominic, Theresa of Jesus and a myriad
others, also to the fair array of kings and queens, poets, artists,
explorers, whose illustrious names would fill volumes.
When treading El Camino Real and kneeling by the sacred tombs of
Junipero Serra and his hero band of soul-conquerors we may well recall
that passage of the beautiful Hymn of the Knights of Columbus.
"Brothers we are treading
Where the saints have trod."
[4] Alberto de Cordoba, an excellent engineer, surveyed the Harbor of
San Francisco in 1813, at the request of Governor Borica.
[5] A Catholic devotion in honor of Our Saviour's Passion.
Chapter V
California Passes From Spanish to Mexican Rule, Secularization of the
Missions
Amidst the beauty and glory of Spain's dominion in California, while the
gold emblazoned banners of Castile and Leon floated proudly under azure
skies, while the Spanish governors, officers and colonists were doing
honor and credit to their ancient race, and the saintly missionaries
were working marvels for the souls and bodies of the aborigines of the
land, while Spain was thus lending "her beauty and her chivalry" to
California; Mexico, forgetting her old debt to Spain, when she explored
her then heathen shores, had revolted against Spanish rule and set up an
empire of her own, making Augustin Iturbide, a man of half Indian blood
her Emperor.
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