July 27, 1769

This day in history...

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We set out early in the morning--it must have been six-o'clock; cloudy, very overcast with fog--from here at the two small Saint Pantaleon Springs, following a due northeastward course over this far-reaching plain that we started upon yesterday, all of it level, very grass-grown soil almost all of which had been burnt off by the heathens.

from Alan K. Brown's translation

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When I transcribe, copy, I can only remember-carry about one sentence, so it takes awhile, and rather than transcribe all, I looked about on web for Crespi's diary...this site has some of it, and others, and somewhat different translations!  I'm reminded of Graves going over how translations in poetry are often awry, or at odds!

http://pacificahistory.wikispaces.com/Portola+Expedition+July+27,+1769+Diaries

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the 28th

Fray Juan Crespi Diary About seven in the morning we set out, continuing our way to the northwest along the skirts of the mountains which we have on the right, to the north, and after traveling a league and a half we came to the banks of a river which has a bed of running water about ten varas wide and half a vara deep. It is not at all boxed in by banks. Its course is from northeast to southwest, and it empties through this place, according to the judgment of those who sailed to the bay of San Pedro. It apparently has its source in the range that we have in sight on the right, about three leagues from the road that we are following. The bed of the river is well grown with sycamores, alders, willows, and other trees which we have not recognized. It is evident from the sand on its banks that in the rainy season it must have great floods which would prevent crossing it. It has a great deal of good land which can easily be irrigated. We pitched camp on the left bank of this river. On its right bank there is a populous village of Indians, who received us with great friendliness. Fifty-two of them came to the camp, and their chief told us by signs which we understood very well that we must come to live with them; that they would make houses for us, and provide us with food, such as antelope, hares, and seeds. They urged us to do this, telling us that all the land we saw, and there was certainly a great deal of it, was theirs, and that they would divide it with us. We told him that we would return and would gladly remain to live with them, and when the chief understood it he was so affected that he broke into tears. The governor made them a present of some beads and a small silk handkerchief, and in gratitude the chief gave us two baskets of seeds, already made into pinole, together with a string of beads made of shells such as they wear. I called this place the sweet name of Jesus de los Temblores, because we experienced here a horrifying earthquake, which was repeated four times during the day. The first, which was the most violent, happened at one in the afternoon and the last one about four. One of the heathen who were in the camp, who doubtless exercised among them the office of priest, alarmed at the occurrence no less than we, began with frightful cries and great demonstrations of fear to entreat heaven, turning to all the winds. This river is known to the soldiers as the Santa Ana.

from web site

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Brown's translation has the Spanish original set side by side, and it is more extensive than the excerpts at the web site.  And it is charming to read!  Back then, I would have been able to see the Indian Village, and Portola Expedition from where I presently live, and have for most of my life.  "very overcast with fog"...a june-gloom summer morning, I'd say!