1826 - 1826

1826 – Jedediah Strong Smith, legendary “American Mountain Man”, reaches California by land and visits the Spanish settlements.

07-25-1826 – Gov. Col. José Echeandia issues a provisional emancipation decree allowing a small number of neophytes born in the missions (or living there for at least fifteen years) to leave with permission of Franciscans and the Presidio Comandante.