En la patria celestial
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."



[6] This beautiful hymn is found in many ancient Spanish books of
devotion.



Chapter VIII



Retrospection of the work of the Spanish Missionaries, Explorers and
Settlers and their place in California's Appreciation



We have followed the venerable band of missionaries from their homes in
Spain, where fired with zeal for the conversion of the savage heathen of
the New World they set out for the comparatively newly discovered land
of Mexico, where Spain had already a few establishments and churches, an
archbishopric in the city of Mexico, and the Franciscan Fathers a well
equipped monastery and mission at San Fernando in the northern part of
the country. We have seen the Spanish Franciscans' zeal in the land of
the Aztec, and we have also seen the noble cooperation given them by the
government and civil authorities of Catholic Spain. We have traced the
missionaries' steps, followed by gallant Portola, and his fellow