Early in 1819 a party of Mojave Indians arrive at Ventura mission to trade with the Mexicans and the Indians on the coast.
Authorities promptly decided that they should be taken prisoner, The ensuing struggle resulted in the violent deaths of two soldiers and several Indians. Many of the Indians fled. It was decided to post lookouts in order to give advance notice of Indians coming from the Colorado River region.
That same September the Indians of the San Bernardino area, not wanting to be killed, mistakenly for Mojave, killed for being Indian like Mojave, or killed by Mojave for being too close to the Californios, petitioned for a mission in the area.
In September of 1819, in spite of lookouts, a Mojave raid though the Cajon pass resulted in loss cattle, attacks on Rancherias, and the mission/fort itself being threatened. The raid nearly reached San Gabriel mission. Lieutenant Gabrial Moraga was sent to punish the Indians. He took with him 15 soldiers newly arrived from Matzatlan n 35 cavalrymen. He said that lack of water kept him from finding any Indians.
Its not easy to be an Indian in California. Then its not real easy for much of anyone to be in California these days.
More Californios and Indians soon.
The above is made up of my best guesses at the facts at the moment. Please feel free to set me straight.
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