It is from the Spanish period that the history and standing
of California date. The ten Spanish Governors of California as well as
the officers of the Army and Navy were men of honor and ability, and the
record left by the Spanish settlers is one of which any country might
be proud. During the Spanish period the geographical lines of California
were settled and her harbors surveyed [4]. It was during this period
that most of the present cities of California were founded, Spain
following the plan of building the towns around the missions. The first
Governor, Don Gaspar de Portola, was a great and good man as well as
a brilliant officer, gentle and reasonable in every respect, he was
beloved by all; to him California owes the discovery of San Francisco
Bay, and the great co-operation he gave to Junipero Serra, as well as
his reverent esteem for this saintly man has endeared his memory to
every true Californian, and immortalized his name in Spain. After a
period of two years in office Portola went to Mexico, then under Spanish
rule, and from there returned to Spain.

Portola was succeeded by Gov. Felipe de Barri, who after three years
was removed from office on account of infringing on the rights of
the missionaries and siding with Captain Rivera Y. Moncada who was a
somewhat arrogant man, who also on several occasions infringed on the
rights of the missionaries; but the faults of the latter have been
very exaggerated by some historians, namely, some declare that he
was ex-communicated from the church on account of insolence to the
missionaries, whereas there is no record of such a fact. Excepting their
officiousness and arrogance, Barri and Rivera were moral and able men.

Barri was succeeded by Felipe de Neve, a statesman, scholar and worthy
governor who at once declared himself the friend and protector of the
missionaries. It was Governor de Neve who drew up California's first
code of legislation dated from the "Royal Presidio of San Carlos at
Monterey" in June 1779. This code known as the "Reglamento" is regarded
by capable judges as a most remarkable and valuable document. It was
also Governor de Neve who founded the present city of Los Angeles,
the original name of which was Neustra Senora de los Angeles, later
shortened into Los Angeles. The towns of San Jose and Santa Clara also
owe their foundation to de Neve, who selected the location of these
cities around the mission sites. After eight years of office de Neve w