| Summary |
Description: Includes a copy of two letters, one from Father Francisco Palóu to Melchor Peramás, secretary of the viceroy, and one from Miguel Costansó to viceroy Bucareli, giving accounts of exploring expeditions along the coast of California and describing the problems of establishing Franciscan missions at San Francisco, San Diego, and San Gabriel. Palóu's letter of June 15, 1772 contains the text of a letter of May 21, 1772 from Father Juan Crespi, documenting his recent explorations with Captain Pedro Fages in the San Francisco Bay area and as far north as 39 degrees 13 minutes. Upon receiving word that the San Diego mission might be abandoned for lack of food, Crespi and Fages return to Monterey, assemble provisions and supplies, and set out for San Diego which they reach on May 13. Crespi goes on to describe the hardships of life at the San Diego and San Gabriel missions. Palóu assures Peramás that by the time Crespi's letter reached him, additional help was on the way, and that in addition, Palóu will send as much assistance as he can from San Loreto. Costansó's letter of October 9, 1772 describes his discovery of San Francisco Bay in October 1769, while on a voyage of exploration along the California coast, from San Diego to Monterey. He points that the discoveries made by Crespi and Fages are similar to the ones he made three years earlier. |
