San Rafael Arcangel. It
was originally intended to be an _asistencia_ of San Francisco, but
although there is no record that it was ever formally raised to the
dignity of an independent Mission, it is called and enumerated as such
from the year 1823 in all the reports of the Fathers. To-day, not a
brick of its walls remains; the only evidence of its existence being the
few old pear trees planted early in its history.

There are those who contend that San Rafael was founded as a direct
check to the southward aggressions of the Russians, who in 1812 had
established Fort Ross, but sixty-five miles north of San Francisco.
There seems, however, to be no recorded authority for this belief,
although it may easily be understood how anxious this close proximity of
the Russians made the Spanish authorities.

They had further causes of anxiety. The complications between Mexico and
Spain, which culminated in the independence of the former, and then the
establishment of the Empire, gave the leaders enough to occupy
their minds.

The final establishment took place in 1823, without any idea of founding
a new Mission. The change to San Rafael had been so beneficial to the
sick Indians that Canon Fernandez, Prefect Payeras, and Governor
Argueello decided to transfer bodily the Mission of San Francisco from
the peninsula to the mainland north of the bay, and make San Rafael
dependent upon it. An exploring expedition was sent out which somewhat
carefully examined the whole neighborhood and finally reported in favor
of the Sonoma Valley. The report being accepted, on July 4, 1823, a
cross was set up and blessed on the site, which was named New San
Francisco.

Padre Altimira, one of the explorers, now wrote to the new padre
presidente--Senan--explaining what he had done, and his reasons for so
doing; stating that San Francisco could no longer exist, and that San
Rafael was unable to subsist alone. Discussion followed, and Sarria, the
successor of Senan, who had died, refused to authorize the change;
expressing himself astonished at the audacity of those who had dared to
take so important a step without consulting the supreme government. Then
Altimira, infuriated, wrote to the governor, who had been a party to the
proposed removal, concluding his tirade by saying:

"I came to convert gentiles and to establish new Missions, and if I
cannot do it here, which, as we all agree, is the best spot in
California for the purpose, I will leave t