Timeline of the
Settlement of The Channel Coast
by Michael Hardwick
Dates: 1777 - 1780
- March 1782 - April 1782
- June 1782
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. (Beilhartz, Felipe de 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.
(Beilhartz, Felipe de Neve, pp 112)
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. (Beilhartz,
Felipe
de Neve, pp 113)
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. (Beilhartz, Felipe
de 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. (Beilhartz,
Felipe
de 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. According to Beilhartz, pp118, "Neve
accepts the use of Fages’ men and sets off with them and their commander
to rejoin 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. (Beilhartz, Felipe de 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,
Unpublished Manuscript, pp 80)
April
15, 1782
Neve leaves San Buenaventura and marches roughly 27 miles in one day
to Santa Barbara with his founding party.
April
24, 1782
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,
Unpublished Manuscript, pp 91)
April
28, 1782
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, Unpublished Manuscript, pp 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, Unpublished Manuscript,
pp 95)