Fernando Rivera y Moncada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fernando Rivera y Moncada
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| 3rd Governor of the Californias | |
| In office 1774–1777 |
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| Preceded by | Pedro Fages |
| Succeeded by | Felipe de Neve |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1725 near Compostela, Mexico |
| Died | July 18, 1781 (aged 55–56) lower Colorado River |
| Profession | Soldier and military governor |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Spain |
Fernando Javier Rivera y Moncada (born around 1725 – died July 18, 1781) was a Spanish soldier born in Mexico. He played a big role in exploring and settling the far northwestern parts of New Spain (which is now Mexico and parts of the U.S.). He helped lead some of the first trips by land into California. Later, he became the third Governor of California from 1774 to 1777.
Contents
A Spanish Explorer's Journey
Early Life and Military Career
Fernando Rivera y Moncada was born near Compostela, in what was then called New Spain (modern-day Mexico). His father, Don Cristóbal de Rivera, was an important local official. Fernando was one of ten children. Even though his family was pure Spanish, being born in Mexico made him a "criollo." This meant he was one step below those born in Spain in the social system of the time.
Rivera joined the military in 1742. He served in Loreto, Baja California, a place mostly known for its Jesuit missions. By 1751, he was promoted to lead the presidio, which was a military fort or headquarters. He explored new northern areas of the peninsula with Jesuit missionaries like Ferdinand Konščak and Wenceslaus Linck.
In 1755, Rivera married Doña María Teresa Dávalos. They had four children together. Rivera was a successful military leader in Baja California. The Jesuits liked him, but he sometimes had problems with ranchers and miners. Their goals often clashed with the missions' goals.
Changes in Baja California
Things changed for Rivera in 1767 when the Jesuits were removed from Baja California. They were replaced by Franciscans. At the same time, the government of New Spain took more control. This change brought three key people to Baja California: José de Gálvez, a powerful inspector; Gaspar de Portolá, a Spanish soldier; and Junípero Serra, the new head of the Franciscan missions.
Spain's King Carlos III was worried about Russia and Britain moving into Spain's Pacific coast lands. So, he ordered an expedition north to settle more areas of California. These new northern lands became known as Upper (Alta) California. This was to tell them apart from the older Lower (Baja) California. The two Californias were officially separated in 1804.
Exploring Alta California
First Overland Expedition
Despite his past conflicts, Rivera was chosen to be second-in-command for the Portolá expedition. His job was to make sure the whole group had enough supplies. In 1769, Rivera led the first group of the Portolá expedition. He traveled ahead of the main leader, Gaspar de Portolá. Rivera's group reached San Diego first, along with missionary Juan Crespí. Portolá and missionary president Junípero Serra arrived a few weeks later. Setting up a colony in San Diego was the first main goal of the expedition.
After everyone met up in San Diego, Rivera continued north with Portolá. They were looking for Monterey Bay, their second goal. They didn't recognize Monterey Bay when they first saw it. So, they kept going north and discovered San Francisco Bay. Then they returned to San Diego. A few months later, they tried again. This time, they recognized Monterey and started a colony there. After getting more supplies for San Diego, Rivera went back to Mexico around 1772. But he was soon called back to duty.
Governor of California
Father Serra and the Franciscans had argued with California's second military governor, Pedro Fages. So, Rivera took over as governor in 1774. But Rivera soon had his own disagreements with Serra and the Franciscans. He also had conflicts with Juan Bautista de Anza, who led two new expeditions to Alta California. Rivera and Serra disagreed because Serra wanted to build many new missions quickly. Rivera, however, had only about 60 soldiers to protect a very long strip of land. He wanted to wait for more soldiers before building more missions.
Rivera eventually agreed to Serra's wish to build a mission and fort at the northern end of the San Francisco peninsula. Missions at Santa Clara and San Juan Capistrano were also started while Rivera was governor. The first civilian town in Alta California, San Jose, was founded shortly after Rivera left.
Before the 1774 Anza expedition arrived, Rivera led scouting trips from Monterey. With missionary Francisco Palóu, his group became the first Europeans to see the entrance to San Francisco Bay, later called the "Golden Gate". The earlier Portolá expedition had found San Francisco Bay but missed its narrow entrance. On this 1774 trip, Palóu named a long valley formed by California's largest earthquake fault. This name, Cañada de San Andrés, later became "San Andreas" and was used for the fault line itself.
In 1775, several Kumeyaay Indian communities attacked the mission at San Diego. Governor Rivera was in charge of stopping the revolt. He faced a difficult situation when he removed one of the rebels from a temporary church building. For this, he was temporarily excommunicated by Franciscan leaders, including Junípero Serra. Rivera was a religious man, and this deeply bothered him. The excommunication was later reversed when he returned the Indian to the church. Then, he formally asked for the Indian to be handed over, which happened.
After Being Governor
After his time as governor, Rivera was sent to Loreto in 1777. His last job was to find settlers for the new town of Los Ángeles. He had to bring them to Alta California by land from northern Mexico. The settlers made it safely to southern California. However, Rivera and many of his soldiers were killed in 1781. This happened during a revolt by the Quechan Indians on the lower Colorado River. Missionaries, including Francisco Garcés, were also killed. This Quechan revolt was very important. It closed the overland route between northern Mexico and Alta California for 50 years. This meant Spain could not send enough people to Alta California to keep it from being taken by immigrants from eastern North America later on.
Rivera's family had to wait 19 years after his death to receive the money he was owed by the Spanish government. Most of the records were lost or captured during the 1781 uprising. By the time the payments were finally made, Rivera's wife and three of his four children had already passed away. His grandchildren, who had lived in poverty, finally received the money.
Rivera's Legacy
Fernando Rivera y Moncada is not as well-known today as some other historical figures. Some historians have seen him as difficult or too cautious. They say he didn't cooperate enough with Father Serra or wasn't eager enough to build new missions. However, it's important to remember that Rivera had very few soldiers, never more than 100. He had to control a huge area of California, about 450 miles long, with many Native American groups.
Also, three missions were founded during Rivera's time as governor. Only one mission was founded in the ten years after he left. No one has ever said Rivera was selfish. He might have been a bit overwhelmed by the difficult job of settling Alta California. Despite his many achievements—leading important explorations, bringing many early settlers and animals to California, and keeping the settlements at San Diego and Monterey going—Rivera is mostly remembered only by historians. It seems he deserves more recognition for his important role in California's early history.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando Rivera y Moncada para niños
