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FOR a century and a half Spain slept, while California lay exposed to the covetous eyes of other nations. The fatalist might well be persuaded that some unseen power was preserving California to Spain, and preparing the way for a great American Commonwealth.

Rival nations were looking longingly toward the Pacific; England had laid definite plans for a colony in New Albion; France and Holland had serious designs on the western coast of North America; and Russia was effecting a firm foothold in Alaska. All this time Spain, though fully aware of the importance of protection through frontier advancement, procrastinated. At the beginning of this period, Philip III occupied the throne, and Montesclaros was Mexico’s Viceroy—an idle and pleasure-loving king, and a selfish and designing Viceroy.

Then came a succession of Philips and Charleses, who