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The orders that Galvez had received were clear and positive:
"Occupy and fortify San Diego and Monterey for God and the King
of Spain." He was a devout son of the Church, full of enthusiasm,
having good sense, great executive ability, considerable foresight,
untiring energy, and decided contempt for all routine formalities.
He began his work with a truly Western vigor. Being invested with
almost absolute power, there were none above him to interpose
vexatious formalities to hinder the immediate execution of his
plans.
JUNIPERO SERRA
Founder and First Padre Presidente of the Franciscan
Missions of California From the Schumacker crayon
Map of the Coast of California
Map originally made for Palou's Life of Padre
Junipero Serra, published in Mexico in 1787.
In order that the spiritual part of the work might be as
carefully planned as the political, Galvez summoned Serra. What a
fine combination! Desire and power hand in hand! What nights were
spent by the two in planning! What arguments, what discussions,
what final agreements the old adobe rooms occupied by them must
have heard! But it is by just such men that great enterprises are
successfully begun and executed. For fervor and enthusiasm, power
and sense, when combined, produce results. Plans were formulated
with a completeness and rapidity that equalled the best days of the
Conquistadores. Four expeditions were to go: two by land and
two by sea. So would the risk of failure be lessened, and practical
knowledge of both routes be gained. Galvez had two available
vessels: the "San Carlos" and the "San Antonio."
For money the visitor-general called upon the Pious Fund, which,
on the expulsion of the Jesuits, he had placed in the hands of a
governmental administrator. He had also determined that the
Missions of the peninsula should do their share to help in the
founding of the new Missions, and Serra approved and helped in the
work.
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