SANTA BARBARA MISSION

[SANTA BARBARA MISSION]. TAPIS, Father Estevan. Presidente of the missions in Alta California from 1803 to 1812. Autograph Letter Signed, one half page, small quarto, Mission of Santa Barbara, November 14, 1804. To Jose Dario Rouset. Father Tapis discusses new regulation which pertain to the use of Holy Oil in the Mass and requests that the mission be allowed to continue to use the supply which the fathers have obtained from Mexico.

From his headquarters at Santa Barbara, the "Queen of Missions," Father Tapis presided over the California missions during the period of their greatest activity. During his nine-year tenure, he founded Saint Ines, and partly by his emphasis on music he greatly increased the number of neophytes. Tapis retired in 1812 and the missions began a long period of decline, a trend that accelerated after Mexico won her independence from Spain in 1822. Fine condition. Framed in cream, gold and gilt and measuring 13 3/4 inches wide by 19 3/4 inches high.

This item is associated with these categories in our inventory:

• Religion
• Western Americana