Background
Juan Bautista de Anza was born on July 7, 1736 in Fronteras, Sonora, Mexico, into a military family living on the northern frontier of New Spain. He was the son of Juan Bautista de Anza I and Maria Rosa Bezerra Nieto De Anza.
(Excerpt from Colonel Juan Batista De Anza, Governor of Ne...)
Excerpt from Colonel Juan Batista De Anza, Governor of New Mexico; Diary of His Expedition to the Moquis in 1780: Paper Read Before the Historical Society at Its Annual Meeting, 1918 No country is secure in its future unless the substructure is cemented in business energy and enterprise; nor has any nation ever remained great, if the people placed sole reliance upon material prosperity. The insistent, fighting spirit of the Crusader, the conqueror of primeval forest and desert expanse, the hardihood of the explorer, the prowess and fortitude of the pathfinder and the trail-blazer, the unswerving character of the apostle of beliefs and principles, must always be present and prepared for any adventure, if a nation shall remain per manent in its greatness. It is on this account that a more lasting recognition is due and is always accorded to those figures in history whose vision sensed the future of a race and nation. In this section of Spanish America, in the period of which we write, no matter what may have been the vision of the Spaniard, destiny had already affixed its seal. The great southwest and California, in less than a century were to be come a part of the mighty republic, whose foundations were then being laid by Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Benja min Franklin. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
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Juan Bautista de Anza was born on July 7, 1736 in Fronteras, Sonora, Mexico, into a military family living on the northern frontier of New Spain. He was the son of Juan Bautista de Anza I and Maria Rosa Bezerra Nieto De Anza.
At an early age he became a lieutenant and in 1760 was made captain of the Presidio of Tubac, though not confirmed in the position. Spain at this period (1769-1776) was more or less constantly planning to occupy the Pacific coast of North America as far as the Bay of Monterey and beyond, in order to anticipate possible occupation by the Russians or the English.
In 1770 a mission had been planted at Monterey itself by members of the Franciscan Order under Fr. Junipero Serra, and in 1771 there had been planted San Gabriel Mission near the present Los Angeles. As for Monterey, it was thought by Anza that supplies could more successfully be transported thither overland from Sonora than up the coast by ship.
In pursuance of this idea, and of permission granted by the Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio Maria Bucarely, Anza on January 8, 1774, set forth from his Presidio of Tubac with twenty-one soldiers, thirty-five loads of provisions, munitions, pack animals and cattle. His course was by way of the Presidio of Altar and of Caborca Mission northwest to the junction of the Gila and Colorado Rivers. From this junction he proceeded to the foot of the San Jacinto mountains, and from the San Jacinto mountains by San Carlos pass to the Mission of San Gabriel. Much of the journey lay across the Colorado Desert and was accomplished only with great suffering.
Quitting San Gabriel on April 10, Anza took the road for Monterey. There he made a short stop and then started back to the Presidio of Tubac whence he had set out, arriving May 26, 1774. In recognition of his expedition to Monterey, which had proved the practicability of the route, Anza on October 4, 1774, was made a lieutenant colonel.
Straightway a second California expedition was decided upon by Viceroy Bucarely, and Anza was instructed to explore the land about San Francisco Bay and to place at some suitable point a presidio, for the site "ought to be occupied in order to advance the Spanish conquests. " The expedition set forth from Tubac on October 23, 1775. It consisted not only of a body of troops but of the wives, children, and servants of the soldiers--some 240 persons.
California was not merely to be occupied in a military sense but was to be colonized. The route was north to the Gila, then down that stream to the Colorado. Anza reached San Gabriel, January 4, 1776. From San Gabriel he set forth for Monterey on February 21, where he arrived March 10. Attended by his chaplain and cartographer, Pedro Font, he explored the site of San Francisco, marched around the lower end of the bay, and ascended for a short distance the San Joaquin River.
In April he departed for Sonora and the City of Mexico, leaving the final dispositions to be made by Lieut. José Joaquin Moraga. On September 17, 1776, there was celebrated the founding (on the site chosen by Anza) of the San Francisco presidio, and on October 9, the founding of the Mission of San Francisco.
In June 1777 Anza was made governor of New Mexico, so that he might bring about communication between California and Santa Fé. In 1780 colonies were established on the Colorado River, but in 1781 they were overwhelmed by an attack of the Yuma Indians. For this disaster Anza was criticized, as in the reports of his California expeditions he had spoken highly of the pacific disposition of the Yumas.
In 1787 he was put forward for governor of Texas but failed of the office, and in 1788 was relieved of his governorship of New Mexico. Thenceforth he disappears from view.
(Excerpt from Colonel Juan Batista De Anza, Governor of Ne...)
An official said of him that by reason of his activity, valor, zeal, intelligence, and notable unselfishness he was an all-round good officer.
He married in 1761. His wife, Ana Maria Regina Perez Serrano was the daughter of Spanish mine owner Francisco Pérez Serrano. They had no children.
