In the first episode of this series, we explore the memoirs of Antonio Franco Coronel, a significant figure in Southern California's Mexican past.  

Coronel takes us through his reminiscences of the struggles the controversial Híjar-Padrés Colony faced in early California. 

He describes the hardships encountered by the colonists, the betrayal by Don Mariano Vallejo's troops, and the political tensions between Mexican leaders over California's future. 

Coronel's narrative also offers a different perspective on the controversial secularization of missions and the role of the colonists in California's development. 

00:00 Introduction to Antonio Franco Coronel's Memoirs

01:38 Who Was Antonio Coronel?

02:44 Coronel's Early Life and Journey to California

05:01 The Colonization Efforts and Challenges

08:26 The Journey to Monterey and Sonoma

12:21 Struggles and Dissolution of the Colony

18:18 Reflections on the Mission Secularization

20:51 Conclusion and Next Steps

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