“While nowhere near as large a figure in the war as Washington, Jefferson, or Adams, for his efforts in supporting them, Father Junípero Serra truly has his place among the founding fathers of the United States.”

By George Yagi Jr.

FOR MANY, thoughts of the American Revolution swiftly turn to famous patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. In addition, some look back on the iconic moments that have been memorialized as part of the national identity. These include the stories of redcoats and minutemen firing the first shots at Lexington and Concord in 1775, the gathering of delegates to vote for independence in July of 1776, and Washington’s major victory at the Battle of Yorktown in 1780.

With such colorful events, little attention is given to remote regions of the Americas that nonetheless played small roles in the conflict, particularly California.

Although a part of the Spanish Empire at the time, it was hardly untouched by the contest unfolding on the opposite end of the continent.

On June 21, 1779, Spain declared war against Great Britain, bringing the struggle to the West Coast, almost quite literally. The following year, Spanish forces in California were on the alert for a possible invasion led by British Admiral Sir Edward Hughes. On March 22, 1781, at the Royal Presidio of Monterey, Governor Felipe de Neve made preparations for an attack against the capital. Should the British appear in Monterey Bay, Mission Indians were to evacuate the Presidio’s animals, while soldiers would take up defensive positions to oppose any enemy landings.

As the governor busied himself with local military affairs, another far more famous figure played a major role in organizing support for Washington’s army – Father Junípero Serra. Remembered as the founder of the California Mission chain, Serra is often not associated with the American Revolution. However, he played a prominent role in leading California’s efforts to aid the Thirteen Colonies.

Serra first learned of Spain’s entrance into the conflict while visiting San Francisco in 1779. Initially, royal orders passed on to the friar from the region’s commandant general, Teodoro de Croix, were not very demanding.

Following the receipt of Croix’s communiqué, Serra wrote a circular letter to all his missions on June 15, 1780 stating, “The King, inspired thereto by his sense of piety, and wishing above all things to implore the protection of the Almighty, on Whom depend the destinies of empires and the issue of wars, has given orders directing that, in all his possessions in Spain and America, public prayers be offered up for the prosperity and success of our Catholic armed forces.”

As the missions organized Masses and litanies, another order arrived from Madrid on August 12, 1781, instructing “all free vassals in America” to make donations to support the war effort. While supposedly voluntary, there was little to escape the collection of what was essentially a tax. Among the residents of the fledgling colony, each Spaniard was required to donate two pesos, while every Mission Indian was expected to provide one.

Croix added in his instructions to Serra, “I hope that Your Reverences will make them understand the importance of this small service which the king asks of all his faithful vassals in order to help him to meet the extraordinary expenses which the present war against the enemies of religion and of the state calls forth, realizing that no other means were found to this end.”

Understanding the burden this might put upon the Mission Indians, Croix continued, “They are light and sensible and can be met by the Indians. This they can do from their community assets in that proportion and at the time the instruction provides.”

In addition, missions that were poor and unable to fulfill the request were to be exempt. However, Serra was advised to do the best that he could in carrying out the royal command.

Always defensive of his Mission Indians, Serra was not pleased about the imposed tax. A padrón or census, was ordered to be made at every mission, listing all those aged 18 and over, as well as the number of produce that had been supplied to the governor, which was to be sold.

A flustered Serra described the situation to his superior at the College of San Fernando, Father Francisco Pangua:

While all this was taking place, we collected from the Indians belonging to these missions the sum of one peso each for the expenses of the war. Throughout all this territory the Indians never have had a peso, nor have they such pesos now. Many do not know what the word means and cannot understand that you need money to make wars. In their own experience they often go to war and are not bothered about money. Still less can they understand that the King of Spain, our Lord, should need a peso from them.

Ultimately, the missions paid the tax on behalf of the natives. In order to achieve this outcome, the padres resorted to using their Mass stipends and collecting debts from soldiers, in addition to the produce sold by the governor.

Serra summarized the efforts of the missionaries:

The money was realized from the offerings for Masses, which a number of soldiers had owed, and from other debts of the same for some things which they received from the missions to satisfy their hunger, for which the Governor did not allow them to run up a bill at the storehouse. But now, to help him realize the levy, he has thrown open its doors. And so, thanks to this change in policy, the Governor will secure the cash in reales. They tell me the money is being taken away in the boats that are now sailing-namely, a peso for every Indian. As to the rest of the money which soldiers owe us, whether we will ever see it or not, who can tell?

When Croix received the funds from the distant province on December 7, 1782, he recorded that California had collected a total of 4,216 pesos for the war effort. Although the sum might appear negligible at first, it marked California’s greatest contribution to the American victory. Following the arrival of the money in Mexico, within a year the war would be over.

While no battles occurred in California, its population was mobilized to support the American Revolution. With a steady stream of prayers rising along the coastal mission chain, all inhabitants of the colony, both Spaniards and Mission Indians, provided valuable monetary support to aid their American allies. On their efforts, Serra remarked:

Besides the numerous prayers which we are constantly offering up, after we were requested to do so at the commencement of hostilities, for the successful issue and victory for our Catholic armed forces, we have turned into a reality the impossibility of giving what we do not possess. We have shown how false is the proverb, “The miser gives more than the man who has no clothes.” I really believe that our naked Indians here have given more, on the present occasion, than the Governor himself. The story should be set forth in song. But at present we feel but little inclined to sing.

In the larger picture of the Revolutionary War, the story of California appears minor at first. However, when compared to its counterparts on the East Coast, the future state provided financial aid to the cause at similar levels. Despite a lack of dramatic events, the people had given all that they could. In addition, while nowhere near as large a figure in the war as Washington, Jefferson, or Adams, for his efforts in supporting them, Father Junípero Serra truly has his place among the founding fathers of the United States.

Dr. George Yagi Jr. is an award-winning author and historian at California State University, East Bay. Follow him on Twitter @gyagi_jr.