The early history of California and the Portolá Expedition of 1769
The First Anza Expedition
Antonio Bucareli, Viceroy of New Spain, has received an interesting proposal from the comandante of a distant outpost at the northernmost reaches of the province of Sonora. Capt. Juan Bautista de Anza believes that a land route can be found connecting Sonora to the missions of Alta California. Viceroy Bucareli has already met with Junípero Serra, president of the mission chain, and is familiar with the supply problems facing the struggling friars. Shipping from the Mexican mainland to the ports of San Diego and Monterey has proven to be dangerous and unreliable. Bucareli is also very aware of the need to firmly establish a Spanish presence as far north along the Pacific coast as possible to deter Russian encroachment and British territorial ambitions. The viceroy authorizes the expedition and Capt. Anza departs from the presidio of Tubac on January 8, 1774, hoping to make his way across the uncharted desert and distant sierras to Mission San Gabriel Arcángel.
The Truth of Junípero Serra
Junípero Serra has been relentlessly attacked since he was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015. His statues from Sacramento to San Diego have been vandalized. Padre Serra has become a scapegoat for all abuses ever inflicted on Native Americans, real or imagined. In reality, Serra was a saintly man who cared deeply for the indigenous peoples of Alta California. The mission system he established endured for sixty years, encompassing generations of converted Indians, most of whom willing left behind their lives in the wilderness to enjoy the benefits of civilized society. This book tells the true story of Junípero Serra from his birth on the island of Mallorca to his death at Mission San Carlos Borromeo in 1784.
La Verdad de Junípero Serra
Junípero Serra ha sido atacado implacablemente desde el día en que fue canonizado por el Papa Francisco en 2015. El Padre Serra se ha convertido en un chivo expiatorio por todos los abusos infligidos a los nativos americanos, reales o imaginarios. Turbas desordenadas vandalizaron sus estatuas y profanaron sus imágenes en varias ciudades. En realidad, Serra era un hombre santo que se preocupaba profundamente por la gente indígena de la Alta California. El sistema misionero que él estableció perduró por más de sesenta años, abarcando generaciones de indígenas, la mayoría de los cuales voluntariamente abandonaron sus vidas primitivas para disfrutar de los beneficios de la sociedad civilizada. Este libro relata la historia verdadera de Junípero Serra desde su nacimiento en la isla de Mallorca hasta su muerte en la Misión de San Carlos Borromeo en 1784.
Descending Eagle
Cloud boats have been spied on the Eastern Sea. Strange aliens with silvery skins have come ashore in Totonac province. Their eyes are difficult to look upon, shining like jade and jewels in various hues. They have brought with them monstrous beasts resembling huge deer. Although the beasts are much larger than a man, the demons impose their wills on them, climbing on their backs and forcing them to run in any direction with blinding speed. The monsters have feet as hard as obsidian. The teotl bear bright armor on their bodies, covering their arms and legs. They have helmets and shields of the same material. They carry long swords of metal and sharp daggers. But their most fearsome weapons are large tubes of tepuzque which make a noise like thunder and can destroy a tall tree from a great distance. Sacrifices have been made and the omens read. The information has been presented to Moctezuma, Emperor of the Triple Alliance. He must decide. Are the teotl representatives of the gods, sent to aid the Azteca in their wars, or do they pose a threat to the peace and stability of the empire?
Descending Eagle en Español
Nube-barcos agua-casas han aparecido en el Mar del Este. Extranjeros con pieles plateadas han desembarcado en la costa. Sus ojos brillan como jade y joyas. Montan a monstruos con pezuñas de obsidiana, semejante a venados gigantes. Aunque estos monstruos son tan grandes, los demonios imponen su voluntad sobre las bestias, obligándolas a correr en cualquier dirección a una velocidad extrema. Los téotl llevan armaduras de metal sobre sus cuerpos. Portan cascos del mismo material, junto con espadas y cuchillos a sus lados. Poseen armas poderosas, como tubos de tepuzque. Cuando son tocados por el fuego, los tepuzques truenan como relámpagos. Son capaces de destruir árboles enteros en un instante. Tienen otras armas desconocidas, también. Nadie sabe con qué motivo han venido estos extranjeros a las provincias orientales. Los tlamacazquis ofrecieron sus sacrificios para interpretar los augurios y han presentado los portentos a Moctezuma, Tlatoani Supremo y Emperador de la Triple Alianza. A él le corresponde decidir. ¿Son los téotl representantes de los dioses, enviados para apoyar al Emperador, o presentan una amenaza mortal al Imperio azteca?
Aguilar
The year is 1519. Hernán Cortés has been commissioned by Governor Diego Velazquez to investigate rumors of native civilizations and rich lands lying far to the west, beyond the islands of the Indies. Cortés departs from the Cuban port of La Trinidad with eleven ships and six hundred men at arms. He finds a harbor on the coast of Cozumel and while there learns of shipwrecked Spaniards being held prisoner by the Maya of the mainland. One of them is Jerónimo Aguilar, who has been stranded for eight years as the slave of a Mayan cacique. Cortés ransoms Aguilar and persuades him to serve as his translator on the quest, which eventually takes them to Tenochtitlan, capital of the mysterious and powerful Aztec Empire. Aguilar remains true to his faith despite the barbaric cruelties of both the Spanish conquistadores and the pagan overlords of the Aztec nation.
Río de Los Temblores
Gaspar de Portolá, governor of Las Californias, has been commissioned by the viceroy of New Spain to establish a land route to the distant port of Monterey. He assembles men, mules and supplies in San Diego in preparation for an expedition into the uncharted territory lying ahead. Scouts are sent in advance to blaze a trail. As they ride northward, a violent earthquake shakes the very ground beneath their feet. Aftershocks are felt for several days as the scouts continue their journey. They confront many other hazards and unknown dangers as they probe further into the unexplored wilderness of Alta California.