doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

they approached San Diego they met many of the gentile Indians, and when they came
in sight of the ships and camp they were welcomed by a salute of fire-arms.
Rivera proceeded at once to establish a more permanent camp, moving it from
the present site of the city to the neighborhood of what is now known as Old Town, in
order to be near the river. The exact location of this first attempt at a permanent camp is
not entirely clear. Costansó says it was on the "right bank of the river," and, if he used
the term as it is now understood, he must have referred to the north bank of the stream.
There is a tradition in Old Town to the effect that the camp was on the north side, though
the more general impression seems to be that it was on the south side, not far from the
famous old palms. The camp was fortified, a few rude huts built, and a corral made for
the animals. Here the whole party was busy for six weeks, attending the sick and unloading
supplies from the San Antonio. It was here that the second land party found
them when it reached San Diego at the end of June. Governor Portolá arrived June 29th
in advance of his men, and Father Serra just before noon, July 1st. Besides the leaders,
the party included nine or ten soldiers, four muleteers, two servants of the governor and
the President, and forty-four natives of Lower California.
The personal letter which Father Serra sent to Father Palóu his intimate friend
and biographer, supplies an account of the expedition which will always be regarded as
one of the most precious memorials of San Diego history. The letter in full is as follows:
"My Dear Friend and Sir: Thank God I arrived the day before yesterday, at this
port of San Diego, truly a fine one, and with reason famous. Here I found those who had
set out before me, by sea as well as by land, excepting such as died on the way. The
brethren, Fathers Crespí, Viscaino, Parro, and Gómez are here and, with myself, all
well, thanks be to God. Here also are two vessels; but the San Carlos is without seamen,
all having died except one and the cook. The San Antonio, although she sailed a
month and a half later, arrived twenty days before the San Carlos, losing on the voyage
eight seamen. In consequence of this loss, the San Antonio will return to San Blas, to
procure
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[Father Junipero Serra]
seamen for herself and the San Carlos. The causes of the delay of the San Carlos
were, first, the want of water, and, second, the error which all were in respecting the
situation of this port. They supposed it to by in thirty-three or thirty-four degrees north
latitude; and strict orders were given to Captain Villa and the rest to keep out in the
open sea till they should arrive in thirty-four degrees, and then make the shore in search
of the port. As, however, the port in reality lies in 32 deg. 43 min. according to observations
which have now been made they went far beyond the port, thus making the voyage
much longer than was necessary. The people got daily worse from the cold and the
bad water; and they must all have perished, if they had not discovered the port about
the time they did; for they were quite unable to launch the boat to procure more water,
or to do anything whatever for their preservation. The Father Fernando did everything in
his power to relieve the sick; and although he arrived much reduced in flesh, he had not
the disorder, and is now well. We have not suffered hunger or privations, nor have the
Indians who came with us; all have arrived fat and healthy. The tract through which we