456:, "On the Plan for Strengthening the Presidios of New California." Imagining British naval assault on Spain's California ports followed by Britain's colonization of California from its settlements in "Greater China," Costansó pointed to the sparse population of Spanish/Mexican colonists in California as the root source of Spain's military weakness there. He went on to lament the stagnation of many Catholic missions in New Spain: "There are missions that are over a hundred years old," wrote Costansó, "and we still see them staffed by padre-ministers and by the same military escort as in the beginning. But it has to be that way because, in those reductions , there are scarcely any other inhabitants except those native to the territory, whose inconstancy must be continually observed so that the restless ones do not flee and disturb the tranquility of the land."
209:"There are no thick tree trunks in this land with which they can make canoes," Costansó continued, "but they supplement the lack of these with balsa rafts made from cattails whose reeds are tied together with ixtle fiber. With these they maneuver and can enter the estuaries and beaches of the port to spearfish or fish. They use a short double-bladed paddle and row with the greatest agility from one side to the other. Each raft cannot hold more than one man, who sits in the middle over a little stack of hay with legs crossed. They always get their buttocks wet, but it does not matter much to them."
435:
proposed that each immigrant artisan spend at least four years teaching mission
Indians, while receiving a salary and rations according to his line of work and the size of his family. After an artisan finished his four-year teaching commitment — suggested Costansó — he should receive land, cattle, and other goods as inducements to settle permanently in California. Costansó recommended sending artisans to California along with their families, and encouraging bachelor artisans to marry.
464:
Indians. Perhaps this is so because when are reduced to a civilized life or to a less wild existence, they procreate much less; or because when they intermarry with
Spaniards or white persons, there is generally produced from the second or third generation some individuals who barely have a trace of Indian since they are reared among Spaniards — and their language, habits and customs no longer differ from ours."
202:"The men are entirely naked. The women cover their private parts with double nets cinched at the waist and reaching to the middle of their thighs. At times they also use a kind of little cape made of strips of fur interlaced and twisted. All randomly stain and paint themselves of various colors, among which…they prefer that of red and
191:"docile but inclined toward robbery and thievery; they covet everything and fall in love with anything as soon as they see it. They are lazy idlers and not very industrious. I have seen no other evidence of dexterity but their nets, which they weave very well from a thread that looks like hemp, but it is of
434:
In the late 1780s, officials in New Spain (Mexico) asked
Costansó for advice on how to bolster the small colonies of people who had migrated from Mexico to settle near new Catholic missions along the California coast. The California missions and pueblos needed skilled artisans in particular. Costansó
459:
Urging the viceroy to promote migration of
Spanish/Mexican civilians to California, Costansó suggested that the king provide those colonists with tools and farming equipment. "By such a measure," Costansó added, "the Indians, aided by the paternal love and Christian zeal of His Majesty, will receive
463:
Costansó envisioned mission
Indians assimilating into New Spanish society through intermarriage and adoption of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture: "Experience has demonstrated the fertility of the Spaniards and of the persons of mixed blood in this kingdom is much greater than that of the
216:
and Juan Vizcaíno and six soldiers, to see how far it cut inland. Along the way, they found an Indian village consisting of around 75 families. "These people received us with a thousand demonstrations of happiness and joy," wrote
Costansó, "because they recognized us and had visited us on various
264:
Along the way, Costansó observed plants, animals and the local astronomy, recording his findings in his diary; he also noted details about the
Indians' customs. His reports of the expedition were later published widely, including translations into English and German. On January 24, 1770, the 74
397:(royal currency house or mint), a project that occupied him for eight years. At a time when Spanish rulers felt their empire threatened by British naval power, Costansó helped shore up New Spain's (Mexico's) military defenses. He surveyed and reported on major damage done to the
364:
to Alta
California. Bucareli consulted Costansó on the feasibility of such an overland route, which aimed to facilitate the migration of colonists — including women — to the new Spanish outposts in coastal California. Accurately estimating the straight-line distance between
392:
Once settled back in Mexico, Costansó worked as an engineer in the service of New Spain for over 40 years. He took charge of the construction of the
Hospital General de San Andrés. In 1772 he launched a project to construct a new building for the
405:
Bay by a 1776 earthquake. His pentagonal design for a new fort got approved in 1777 and slightly modified in the subsequent rebuilding of the fort, which served as the main defense of Mexico's
Pacific coast. By order of viceroy
199:… These nets serve as a belt and, at the same time, as an instrument with which to fish and hunt. In the woods they catch birds and little rabbits with them. They also make purses or very large sacks woven of rather fine net.
443:
friars who ran the missions, claiming lack of funds, insisted that the artisan/teachers work for almost no pay. Costansó's plan to increase the population of Spanish/Mexican pueblos in California failed to bear fruit.
438:
Acting on Costansó's proposal, New Spain officials sent around 20 artisans to California starting 1792. A few of them settled permanently in California, but most returned to Mexico once their contracts expired. The
414:
near Mexico City — a project that lasted over two years. Drafting plans for roadways, he supervised the paving of streets and leveling of paths in Mexico. He served as a consultant on the draining of
669:"Copia de las condiciones propuestas á S.E. por el Ingeniero 2º Miguel Costanzo para las contratas de artesanos…," manuscript copy, Bancroft Library, University of California at Berkeley, CA-55.
90:
in 1768 for a meeting to plan the upcoming Spanish land and sea expeditions to Alta California. Aiming to develop San Blas as a permanent settlement and supply base for the chain of Spanish
460:
a training capable of making them as happy in temporal matters as in the spiritual… But without trades and industry, the Indians will never be able to be men and useful vassals."
221:, which is what they call our clothes. They later went into the woods and, in less than three hours, brought us a substantial amount of game that we took in exchange for cloth."
59:, he entered the corps of military engineers in 1762 with the rank of second lieutenant. In August 1764, along with six other military engineers, Costansó voyaged from Spain to
380:
Following prevailing military regulations, Costansó petitioned for permission to marry in 1776. A little over a year later, his superiors granted his request to marry
453:
783:
206:. Some use lead-colored black and they look hideous. These are people of little ambition and they recognize our superiority in weapons and in all the rest…"
94:
and Catholic missions projected for Alta California, Gálvez assigned Costansó to complete a set of maps and drawings of San Blas, for submission to viceroy
265:
hungry and exhausted men of the Portolá expedition — including Costansó — returned to San Diego, to a warm welcome from their fellow soldiers and friars.
75:
to suppress Indian rebels. He served about a year in that campaign, charting battle plans and taking topographic measurements used in later maps.
342:
95:
217:
occasions. They told us by signs that they would look for rabbits and hares for us to eat, with the understanding that we would give them
778:
873:
353:
878:
863:
110:
187:, he reconnoitered the port and inland areas of San Diego. In his letter reporting to Gálvez, Costansó called the local
278:
858:
853:
868:
838:
294:
150:
118:
833:
756:"Costansó's 1794 Report on Strengthening New California's Presidios," translated by Manuel P. Servín.
63:, Mexico (New Spain), where they formed a brigade. From 1764 to 1767, Costansó mapped the coast of the
714:"Costansó's 1794 Report on Strengthening New California's Presidios," translated by Manuel P. Servín.
699:"Costansó's 1794 Report on Strengthening New California's Presidios," translated by Manuel P. Servín.
179:
Upon recovering from the ill effects of the voyage, Costansó set about fulfilling the instructions of
761:
752:
729:"Costansó's 1794 Report on Strengthening New California's Presidios," translated by Manuel P. Servín.
728:
713:
698:
654:
638:
622:
525:
497:
481:
306:
254:
242:
146:
106:
293:
led a new overland party out of San Diego also bound for Monterey, where they aimed to establish a
599:
Gaspar de Portolá. "Diario del viage" (Diary of the Trip), APCH: Publications, vol. 1, pp. 84-89.
122:
683:
423:
411:
357:
796:
571:
553:
249:
and Francisco Gómez. The party failed to find Monterey Bay. According to governor/commander
230:
28:
848:
843:
679:
422:
arena, botanical gardens, house of mercy, fountains for Mexico City's main plazas, and the
374:
286:
257:— urged him to search farther north for Monterey. Costansó's tenacity enabled him to reach
804:
747:
Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín, "Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
526:
Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín, "Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
407:
334:
290:
250:
134:
32:
8:
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approved the plan, and De Anza set out from Tubac on his first exploratory trek in 1774.
346:
180:
171:, surgeon Pedro Prat, and 25 soldiers under Fages' command along with a crew of sailors.
142:
83:
102:
373:, Costansó judged the route feasible, despite mountainous terrain along the way. King
398:
258:
158:
87:
274:
36:
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on the successful occupation of Alta California by the Portolá expedition parties.
310:
72:
814:
188:
137:
to expand Spanish rule into Alta California, Costansó consulted with New Spain's
60:
313:, 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Monterey. Several sailors fell sick with
245:; leather-jacketed soldiers; Christian Indians from Baja California; and friars
229:
On July 14, 1769, Costansó set out from San Diego with a party of 74 men on the
801:, vol. 21, no. 2, spring 1975. Translated and edited by Iris Wilson Engstrand.
558:, vol. 21, no. 2, spring 1975. Translated and edited by Iris Wilson Engstrand.
366:
114:
67:
from his base in Veracruz. Upon his own petition, he was selected to travel to
64:
246:
213:
827:
554:"Pedro Fages and Miguel Costansó: Two Early Letters From San Diego in 1769".
325:
on May 31, welcomed by the Portolá party which had arrived one week before.
795:"Pedro Fages and Miguel Costansó: Two Early Letters From San Diego in 1769"
322:
234:
572:
Letter from Miguel Costansó to José de Gálvez, San Diego, June 28, 1769.
542:
The Life and Times of Fray Junípero Serra: The Man Who Never Turned Back.
415:
238:
184:
168:
154:
440:
164:
163:
as cartographer and engineer. Also on board were captain Vicente Vila,
447:
410:
in 1779, Costansó began work on a new powder factory in the pueblo of
813:
Miguel Costansó; Manuel Carpio (1911). Frederick John Teggart (ed.).
426:
for the study of fine arts, where he became a professor of geometry.
419:
370:
117:, where he made scale drawings and plans of the cape, Bahía (bay) de
52:
48:
768:«Diario del viaje de tierra hecho al norte de la California» (1770)
544:
Academy of American Franciscan History, 1959, vol. 1, pp. 200, 207.
402:
305:
got buffeted by unfavorable ocean winds that blew it back south to
298:
91:
24:
612:. Academy of American Franciscan History, 1959, vol. 1, pp. 245-7.
56:
429:
418:
to supply water for Mexico City. He designed a tobacco factory,
341:
in Monterey Bay to sail to Mexico. There he reported to viceroy
361:
314:
68:
39:, serving aboard ship as cartographer and on land as engineer.
816:
The Portola Expedition of 1769-1770, Diary of Miguel Costanso
590:
Academy of American Franciscan History, 1959, vol. 1, p. 232.
387:
224:
203:
196:
192:
812:
128:
261:, which he became the first person to map professionally.
51:
in 1741. After serving in the Spanish infantry in coastal
452:
In 1794, Costansó wrote a report to New Spain's viceroy
212:
Costansó and Fages explored a canyon, along with friars
145:
about the details of the sea and land expeditions from
27:
engineer, cartographer and cosmographer. He joined the
567:
565:
678:
448:
Vision of Indian assimilation into Hispanic society
174:
71:as engineer for the expedition headed by brigadier
655:"Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
639:"Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
623:"Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
562:
498:"Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
482:"Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder."
195:fiber which they get from a very small species of
751:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, pp. 3–19.
825:
760:, vol. 49, no. 3, Sept. 1970, pp. 221–232.
273:On April 16, 1770, Costansó — along with friar
109:, landing in rundown mission fields vacated by
153:, Costansó boarded the Spanish "paquebote" (a
628:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, pp. 11-12.
430:Plan to settle artisans in coastal California
688:. Vol. 1. History Company. p. 615.
660:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, pp. 9-11.
113:. Gálvez sent Costansó to the area north of
779:Companyia Franca de Voluntaris de Catalunya
704:, vol. 49, no. 3, Sept. 1970, pp. 224, 226.
503:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, pp. 3-4.
384:, a woman from a wealthy family in Mexico.
101:Gálvez and Costansó then sailed across the
588:The Life and Times of Fray Junípero Serra.
388:Design and construction projects in Mexico
225:Portolá expedition up the California coast
644:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, p. 11.
610:The Life and Times of Fray Junípero Serra
806:Diary of the Portolá Expedition, 1769-70
530:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, p. 5.
516:. A. H. Clark Company, 1967, p. 62.
487:, vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, p. 3.
129:Voyage from Baja California to San Diego
758:California Historical Society Quarterly
749:California Historical Society Quarterly
732:California Historical Society Quarterly
717:California Historical Society Quarterly
702:California Historical Society Quarterly
658:California Historical Society Quarterly
653:Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín,
642:California Historical Society Quarterly
637:Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín,
626:California Historical Society Quarterly
621:Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín,
528:California Historical Society Quarterly
501:California Historical Society Quarterly
496:Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín,
485:California Historical Society Quarterly
480:Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín,
826:
734:, vol. 49, no. 3, Sept. 1970, p. 227.
719:, vol. 49, no. 3, Sept. 1970, p. 226.
333:On July 9, 1770 Costansó, along with
268:
241:with his Catalan volunteers; captain
360:for permission to open a route from
78:Summoned from Sonora by New Spain's
328:
13:
467:
285:in San Diego Bay and set sail for
253:, Costansó — as well as Fages and
167:friar Fernando Parrón, lieutenant
14:
890:
789:
133:Joining the expedition headed by
685:History of California: 1542-1800
514:The Naval Department of San Blas
237:. The party included lieutenant
175:Observations of Kumeyaay Indians
111:recently expelled Jesuit priests
874:18th-century Spanish scientists
722:
707:
692:
672:
663:
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631:
615:
602:
576:, vol. 21, no. 2, spring 1975.
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1:
86:, Costansó traveled south to
799:Journal of San Diego History
574:Journal of San Diego History
556:Journal of San Diego History
42:
7:
879:19th-century Spanish people
819:. University of California.
772:
309:, then as far north as the
19:(1741–1814), original name
10:
895:
864:Spanish military engineers
741:
31:of Alta California led by
765:«Diario Histórico» (1770)
356:received a petition from
352:In 1772, the new viceroy
96:Carlos Francisco de Croix
29:expedition of exploration
149:. On January 9, 1769 in
859:19th-century engineers
854:18th-century engineers
784:Badia de San Francisco
345:and inspector general
281:— boarded the galleon
869:Spanish cartographers
839:People from Barcelona
809:, by Miguel Costansó.
512:Michael E. Thurman,
454:Marqués de Brancifort
424:Academy of San Carlos
382:Manuela de Aso y Otal
358:Juan Bautista de Anza
115:Cabo (cape) San Lucas
47:Costansó was born in
680:Hubert Howe Bancroft
321:finally sailed into
141:(inspector general)
82:(inspector general)
395:Real Casa de Moneda
269:Voyage to Monterey
231:Portolá expedition
834:Spanish engineers
399:Fort of San Diego
277:and ship captain
259:San Francisco Bay
135:Gaspar de Portolá
33:Gaspar de Portolá
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540:Maynard Geiger.
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329:Return to Mexico
311:Farallon Islands
289:. The next day,
189:Kumeyaay Indians
98:in Mexico City.
73:Domingo Elizondo
21:Miquel Constançó
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307:Baja California
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243:Fernando Rivera
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147:Baja California
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107:Baja California
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17:Miguel Costansó
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84:José de Gálvez
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849:1814 deaths
844:1741 births
416:Lake Chalco
339:San Antonio
319:San Antonio
303:San Antonio
283:San Antonio
247:Juan Crespí
239:Pedro Fages
214:Juan Crespí
185:Pedro Fages
169:Pedro Fages
828:Categories
441:Franciscan
375:Carlos III
279:Juan Pérez
233:to locate
165:Franciscan
160:San Carlos
371:San Diego
139:visitador
92:presidios
80:visitador
53:Catalonia
49:Barcelona
43:Biography
773:See also
682:(1884).
412:Santa Fe
403:Acapulco
354:Bucareli
299:presidio
287:Monterey
88:San Blas
61:Veracruz
23:, was a
742:Sources
408:Mayorga
335:Portolá
295:mission
291:Portolá
251:Portolá
57:Granada
25:Catalan
362:Sonora
347:Gálvez
317:. The
315:scurvy
301:. The
255:Rivera
197:maguey
151:La Paz
121:, and
119:La Paz
69:Sonora
367:Tubac
219:ñipas
204:ochre
193:ixtle
369:and
297:and
155:snow
55:and
35:and
401:at
105:to
830::
564:^
157:)
125:.
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