Front:
LOOKING INTO SAN FRANCISCO BAY FROM THE NORTHERN EXTREMITY OF THE PENINSULA.
CAPT. GASPAR DE PORTOLA became Governor of the
Californias (Lower and Upper) in 1768. Spain, having de-
termined to check the Southward encroachment of
Russians (who had been steadily advancing since the be-
ginning of their Alaskan explorations in 1741), and to
hold Upper California under Spanish dominion, instructed
Don Jose de Galvez, Visitador General of New Spain, to
send a force to fortify and hold San Diego and Monterey.
GOVERNOR
the
PORTOLA
Capt.
and
Fernando
J. de
Rivera, Lieut. Pedro Fages, Father Junipero Serra with
other priests, a military force, artisans, etc., arrived on
foot at San Diego, and on July 16, 1769, the first mission
in Upper California was established.
On July 14, 1769, Gov. Portola commanding a force of
64, left San Diego on foot for Monterey Bay, but such was
the inaccuracy of the maps and charts, that the bay was
passed and not recognized.
DISCOVERY OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY.-While
camped near Mussel Point, two important events occurred.
Sergeant Jose Francisco Ortega, with a few
dispatched by Gov. Portola towards Point Reyes to con-
tinue the search for Monterey Bay, and while en route,
was the first white man to explore the peninsula upon
which now stands the great city of San Francisco.
this same time a few of Gov. Portola's men, while hunting,
traversed the hills northeast of the camp, and on Nov. 2,
1769, beheld a "great inland sea" in, the distance.
was the first time that European eyes gazed upon the
Bay of San Francisco, within the Golden Gate.
Further search failed to locate their objective point,
so a council was held, and against the inclinations of
Portola, the
passing Monterey Bay, where a cross was erected.
A second expedition was formed, upon the advice of
Father Serra, who had remained at San Diego, and, led
by Gov. Portola, started on foot, April 17, 1770, after the
supply ship "San Antonio'" had arrived with
orders from Galvez.
On May 24th the party again reached Monterey Bay,
and Portola became convinced that before him lay the
famous bay discovered by Vizcaino in 1602.
later the "San Antonio" arrived with Father Serra, and
on June 3rd, 1770, possession of the region was taken for
King Carlos
Governor of Puebla, Mexico.
en-
men, was
At
This
expedition returned to San Diego, again
further
A week
III.
Gaspar de Portola, in 1779, became
COPYRIGHT 1909, PORTOLA POST CARD CO., 415 CLAYTON ST., S. F-
3 dabrO COUNCIL
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