José Joaquín de Arrillaga facts for kids

José Joaquín de Arrillaga was a Basque officer. He served as a leader, or governor, of the Californias two times. He was also the very first governor of Alta California. This happened after the Californias were split into two parts in 1804. He was the only Spanish governor from that time to be buried in California.

Becoming Governor

Arrillaga was a captain in the Spanish army. He served in northern Mexico and Texas in the 1780s and 1790s. He was the commander, or comandante, at Loreto, Baja California Sur. People liked him a lot. He was known as a fair and honest officer.

When Governor José Antonio Roméu passed away in 1792, Arrillaga was chosen to be the acting Governor of California. He wanted to stay in Loreto and lead from there. But he was told to go to the capital city, Monterey, California. He arrived there in July 1793.

Exploring California

To see how big the Spanish missions in California were, he traveled north. He visited many missions and the Presidio of San Francisco. A presidio was a Spanish military fort. He returned to Monterey in September 1793. Arrillaga worked to make the presidios stronger and better. During his time as governor, one new mission was started: Mission Santa Inés in September 1804. His time as governor was peaceful for the missions.

Meetings with George Vancouver

Arrillaga met with George Vancouver. Vancouver was an English officer from the British Royal Navy. He was on an expedition from 1791 to 1795. His trip explored and mapped the northwestern Pacific Coast of North America. This included areas that are now Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Vancouver also explored the Hawaiian Islands.

Arrillaga wanted to start trade with Vancouver. Arrillaga found out that Vancouver had visited Mission Santa Clara de Asís without asking for permission. Even so, Arrillaga had dinner with him. He showed him Spanish hospitality, which means being very welcoming.

Vancouver made a second trip to California in 1793. He visited Arrillaga again. Vancouver had just come from Hawaii. Arrillaga was not happy that Vancouver had returned. He did not trust Vancouver's reasons for being there. Arrillaga ordered Vancouver's men to go back to their ship every night. He also put guards at all the storage buildings. He gave them water and some supplies. Vancouver saw that the Spanish were less welcoming this time. He left, leaving behind some water and goods that had been given to him.

Land and Roads

Arrillaga gave out a few land grants in Monterey to some of his soldiers. He also had a road built to the Pajaro River. He made a place to cross the river.

Meeting with Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra

Arrillaga also met with Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra. He was a Spanish commander from San Blas, Nayarit. He had led a naval trip to Nootka Sound. This sound is on the west coast of what is now Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Bodega y Quadra had been sent to learn about British and Russian settlements on the northwest Pacific coast. This was part of treaty talks with George Vancouver, called the Nootka Convention.

The talks decided that the Spanish outpost at Nootka Sound would be given to Great Britain in 1795. This happened shortly after Arrillaga left office. Spain decided Nootka Sound was too far north to protect it from British forces.

Later Governorships

Arrillaga was replaced as governor in 1794 by Diego de Borica. But Borica died on August 19, 1800. Arrillaga was again chosen to be Governor of the Californias. He served until 1804. In 1804, the two Californias were separated. Arrillaga was then named the first Spanish Governor of Alta California. He stayed in this job until he passed away.

In 1806, he traded goods with a Russian named Nikolai Rezanov. Rezanov had traveled from the Russian American Company's outpost in Sitka, Alaska. After Arrillaga died, Spain changed its rules. They ordered the Russian settlements to be removed. But because the settlements were so far away, this rule could not be fully carried out.

His Passing

The gravesite of José Joaquín De Arrillaga at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, also known as the Soledad Mission.

José Joaquín de Arrillaga passed away at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad on July 25, 1813. He was buried there. People say he was the only Spanish governor to be buried in California. But this might be a mistake. The Spanish Governor before him, José Antonio Roméu, was buried at Carmel Mission in 1792.

José Joaquín de Arrillaga's grave is at 36°24′17″N 121°21′19″W / 36.40472°N 121.35528°W / 36.40472; -121.35528. A sign at his grave says: "Known affectionately as "Papa" by his soldiers, companions and friends, he served twice as governor of California under Spanish rule. Upon his death in 1814 he was, at his request, garbed in the Franciscan habit and buried in the mission church." He was called "Papa" because he worked hard to make life better for his men.

See also

• New Spain
• History of California through 1899
• List of pre-statehood governors of California

Images for kids

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  A view of the Habitations in Nootka Sound. In: "A Collection of Voyages round te World ... Captain Cook's First, Second, Third and Last Voyages ...." Volume V, London, 1790, page 1767.

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  Friendly Cove, Nootka Sound. Volume I, plate VII from: "A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World" by Captain George Vancouver.