doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

security of the Department, without having received any indemnification; and, whereas,
this gentleman has, for his own personal benefit and that of his numerous family, asked
to purchase the mission of San Diego, with all its lands and property belonging to it,
both in town and country, he paying fully and religiously the debts of said Mission, which
may be established by the reports of the committee of Missions, binding himself besides
to provide for the support of the priests located at said Mission, and of divine worship. In
view of all which I have made real sale and perpetual alienation of it forever, to Don
Santiago Argüello, according to, and in conformance with, what has been agreed upon,
with all the appurtenances found and known at the time as belonging to it, whether consisting
of lands, buildings, improved real estate, or cattle."
The reader will not fail to note the pious terms in which the instrument was
drawn. The object of the transfer was "to alleviate" the Mission, and to avoid its "total
ruin." The purchaser was required to provide for the support of the priests and to maintain
divine worship. These diplomatic phrases deceived no one, and least of all the
priests. The idea of a proprietary mission dependent for its support upon the bounty of
an individual, must have been repugnant to their souls. Certainly, such an arrangement
could never have proven workable, but it was not put to the actual test. The war came
on with swift footsteps, and when it had passed, Mexico had gone the way of Spain and
the Missionary Fathers had gone with them, so far as the dominion of California was
concerned.
What was the net result of Spanish dominion in San Diego which nominally began
with the discoveries by Cabrillo in 1542 and Viscaino in 1602, and ripened into actual
occupation with the expedition planned by Galvez and executed by naval, military,
civil, and missionary leaders in 1769?
They left, of course, a great memory which will endure to the end of time and
which is likely to grow rather than diminish in the quality of picturesque and romantic interest.
They left their nomenclature, and this is somehow so pleasing to the ear and eye
of the composite race which has evolved into the American population of today that it
seems likely to last as the visible expression of the Spanish tradition. Not only does it
remain in the name of the city and of landmarks to which it was given by the Spanish
explorers and founders, but
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[Ruin of San Diego Mission]
it blooms perennially in many other forms, including the names of new residences and
estates, for which it is frequently preferred to names associated with the racial, national,
and family traditions of their owners. Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the power of
the memories of Spanish occupation upon the popular imagination. The same influence
is apparent in architecture, and this seems to be growing and likely to grow more in the
future. The Spanish speech still lingers and may do so for a long time, though it tends to
disappear and will some day be no more in evidence than the speech of other European
peoples who had nothing to do with the early time.
Aside from this virile tradition, expressed in the nomenclature and architecture of
the city and its surrounding country, the Spaniard left nothing pertaining to his national
life. But the value of this contribution to civilization should not be underestimated. Happy
is the land which has memories to cherish! Twice happy when the memories are asso-