The Explorers, 1492-1774

TRANSLATION: Diary of Don Gaspar de Portola

Diary of the journey that Don Gaspar de Portola, captain of dragoons in the Espana Regiment, Governor of the Californias, made by land to the ports of San Diego and Monterey, situated in 33o and 37o [N. Latitude], having been appointed commander-in-chief of this expedition by the Most Illustrious Don Joseph de Galvez, in virtue of the viceregal powers which had been granted to him by His Excellency [The Viceroy]. The expedition was composed of 37 soldiers in leather jackets with their captain, Don Fernando de Rivera; this officer was sent in advance with twenty seven soldiers and the Governor [followed] with ten men and a sergeant.

The 11th day of May, [1769], I set out from Santa Maria, the last mission to the north, escorted by four soldiers, in company with Father Junipero Serra, president of the missions, and Father Miguel Campa. This day we proceeded for about four hours with very little water for the animals and without any pasture, which obliged us to go on farther in the afternoon to find some. There was, however, no water.

The 12th, we proceeded over a good road for five hours and halted at a place called La Poza de Agua Dulce. No pasture.

Translated by Donald Eugene Smith and Frederick J. Teggert in “Publications of the Academy of Pacific Coast History,” Vol. 1, 39.