Rivera y Moncada, Fernando Javier

A fine group of five letters in Spanish by the military commander of Alta California offering a vivid view of the problems of pacification after the native revolt in San Diego, as listed below.

Rivera (ca. 1725–1781) replaced Pedro Fages as military governor but was soon in conflict with Father Serra. When several Indian communities joined together to sack the mission at San Diego in 1775, Rivera had the responsibility of suppressing the revolt. For forcibly removing one of the rebels from a temporary church building at the mission, Rivera was excommunicated by the Franciscans. In 1777 he was reassigned as military commander in Loreto, but was killed on the Colorado River by another Indian revolt in 1781.

Autograph letter signed ("Fern[an]do de Riv[er]a y Moncada"), 1 1/2 pages (12 x 8 1/4 in.; 305 x 210 mm), San Diego, California, 31 January 1776, to Antonio Bucareli y Ursua; creased in upper margin, mended tear in lower right corner affecting three letters. Red half-morocco clamshell box. The military commander of California writes the viceroy requesting clemency in the punishment of an unnamed soldier who had a large family. This is apparently part of the aftermath of the native revolt at the San Diego mission in the previous November.

Autograph letter signed ("Fern[an]do de Riv[er]a y Moncada"), 4 pages (12 x 8 1/4 in.; 305 x 210 mm), San Diego, California, 31 January 1776, to Antonio Bucareli y Ursua; formerly folded. This and the following three letters in black half-morocco clamshell box. Rivera is upset at the desecration of the mission during the revolt, and asks that the garrisons be enlarged, argues that the site of the mission should not be moved to Monterey, reviews the difficulties of defending the presidio due to lack of wood which should be shipped from Monterey.

Autograph letter signed ("Fern[an]do de Riv[er]a y Moncada"), 4 pages (12 x 8 1/4 in.; 305 x 210 mm), San Diego, California, 25 May 1776, to Antonio Bucareli y Ursua; formerly folded. Reports on the pacification of the Indians, advises executing some of them to set an example but this presents difficulties as the ringleaders were baptised, it might be enough punishment just to remove them from the land, "It is not easy to find the number of indians who were in the group that murdered the Padre, as they were of great number, and it is for this reason I plan to arraign the one who gave the cry of alarm. Although they are new christians, I do not believe it convenient to show all mercy, for it is that reason which gives a place to justice to be set as an example ...", reports on the statues burned and the reconstruction of the presidio.

Autograph letter signed ("Fern[an]do de Riv[er]a y Moncada"), 4 pages (12 x 8 1/4 in.; 305 x 210 mm), San Diego, California, 4 October 1776, to Antonio Bucareli y Ursua; formerly folded. Offers a more complete review of his thinking on the punishment of the Indians, he intended to punish the main instigators, knows there are some who criticize this tactic, but based on his own experience: "I imagined that in handling them with the severity they deserved, they would be frightened and scatter over the mountains and this could result in two, three or four years, and after paying a high price, perhaps my eyes would not see the end of this ... I confess that the more I deal with them, the more I find I have to learn, and I am unable to decide on a way of ruling them."

Letter signed ("Fern[an]do de Riv[er]a y Moncada") with autograph postscript, 1 1/2 pages (12 x 8 1/4 in.; 305 x 210 mm), Loreto, Lower California, 19 November 1777, to Antonio Bucareli y Ursua; formerly folded, small tear in fore-edge. The commander reports on the arrival of the Carlos with 52 horses, two colts and five mules, and on his purchase of 150 heads of cattle.