One of the things that remains largely unknown is the vital importance of missions to the Army in California in the 19th century. Since the California Army received little or no support during the Mexican Revolution against Spain and suffered more after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. In particular, Mission San José was to provide food to military presidios in order to prevent famines. In fact, this had been established in the 1770s with the Reglamento. It is also important to note that at this time in Spanish California, the dominant economic system was based on that of barter. Pesos were much more of an abstract economic factor, both for missionaries and soldiers. As pesos would have been of little use in the underdeveloped territory of California at that time, soldiers and missionary fathers and brothers were instead paid with goods and services, usually from the Mexican port of San Blas. These individuals and institutions had the money deposited in bank accounts in Mexico, and it was from these accounts that the price of the goods was debited. The missions were also indispensable as providers of food, supplies, and labor (via neophytes) to the presidios of the region. An example of this can be seen in an 1814 letter from Duran to the prefect commissioner of the California missions, Father Francisco Sarría: This San José mission aided the guard troops with grain and lard, blankets, bags and thread. Purpose: The forge works most of the year making and repairing bits, spurs, etc., for any soldier who requests them. The mission has not made any special contribution to the Presidio because, until now, it has not been required to do so. A...... middle of paper ......professionals who manned the missions with little interference from the military. The missionary enterprise in California, in addition to being an instrument of evangelization for the Catholic Church, was also a tool for the Spanish kings. It is important to note that one of the main reasons the Spanish wanted to go to California was to increase their influence along the west coast, as well as to check the gradual encroachments of the Russians and English (and later, Americans). on their territory. While converting the natives to Christianity for the brothers, they also knew that in addition to serving God, they also served the state. Although the priests in the California missions tried to protect the native Indians in their charge, they also brought many prejudices with them. One of these biases concerned their evaluation of California Indians..