The Governor’s Right Eye

By Charles M. Skinner

In the rustic, sun-baked landscape of Presidio, California, during the era when Spanish rule held sway over the land, resided old Governor Hermenegildo Salvatierra. A figure of authority and respect, Salvatierra was easily distinguished by a prominent feature: he possessed but a single eye. The right eye socket was a vacant reminder of a past encounter with a Native American archer, leaving only his left eye to perceive the world.

It was during the rainy season, a time when winds howled and the heavens wept upon the parched earth, that a peculiar incident unfolded within the governor’s residence. On one particularly blustery afternoon, as Salvatierra sat gazing into the flickering flames of his hearth, a visitor was announced. This individual, a stout man clad in a sou’wester hat, identified himself as Captain Peleg Scudder, master of the schooner General Court hailing from the distant port of Salem.

The captain’s arrival was met with an enthusiasm that seemed disproportionate to the mere announcement of a visiting ship captain. Governor Salvatierra greeted Scudder with open arms, offering copious amounts of food and drink. The atmosphere within the governor’s residence became increasingly convivial. With each passing bowl of wassail and glass of wine, the commandant’s cheer grew more pronounced. By the third bowl, Salvatierra, his voice somewhat hoarse, was regaling the captain with love ballads and, to the astonishment of those present, even clambered atop a table to demonstrate the lively steps of the cachuca dance.

The visit, however, was fleeting. Spanish law at the time forbade prolonged stays by American vessels in their waters. The General Court weighed anchor and departed under the cover of darkness that very night, disappearing into the vast expanse of the Pacific. This was in the year 1797, a time when the Spanish crown held dominion over the remote California coast.

The following day dawned with a revelation that astonished the residents of Presidio. Governor Salvatierra appeared before them, not with the familiar single eye, but sporting a brand-new right eye. The news spread like wildfire throughout the settlement and beyond. The Franciscan priests stationed at the fort deemed it a miracle, a testament to the power of faith, prayer, and righteousness. A special service of praise was held, and the tale of the governor’s miraculous recovery was shared with the local Native American tribes as a shining example of divine intervention. People journeyed from far and wide to witness this marvel firsthand, filling the church to capacity. The appearance of The Governor’s Right Eye was the talk of the town.

However, the initial awe and reverence soon gave way to unease and suspicion. Whispers began to circulate among the populace, casting a shadow upon the governor’s newfound piety. It was said that the new eye was not a gift from God, but an instrument of malevolence. Some claimed that The Governor’s Right Eye possessed the uncanny ability to penetrate the deepest recesses of the human mind, revealing hidden thoughts and secrets with its cold, unwavering gaze.

Stories emerged of priests who, under the influence of the governor’s gaze, had confessed to transgressions that the commandant had never suspected them of committing. Fear gripped the community. People began to attribute a series of unsavory acts to the old man, actions that were entirely out of character for the usually benevolent governor. The Governor’s Right Eye became a symbol of dread, a harbinger of misfortune.

This pervasive fear and suspicion, as is often the case, had a profound effect on Governor Salvatierra himself. Unbeknownst to him, the negative perceptions of his people began to subtly shape his behavior. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, he transformed from an indulgent and understanding leader into a stern and exacting lawgiver. He remained unaware of the rumors swirling around him, never suspecting that his new eye was the source of the growing unrest and distrust.

One balmy evening, Salvatierra retired to his chambers, leaving the windows open to allow the gentle night breeze to circulate. These windows opened directly from his garden, their sills level with the floor. As darkness enveloped the settlement, a shadowy figure crept along the gravel path and stealthily entered the governor’s room through one of the open windows. It was a Native American from the local mission. He had overheard the faithful discussing The Governor’s Right Eye and had come to believe that destroying its power would be a service to both God and mankind.

The intruder approached the governor’s bedside and peered intently at the sleeping figure illuminated by the flickering candlelight. Suddenly, he emitted a bloodcurdling howl, a sound so piercing that it jolted the old man awake. The intruder had seen something that terrified him. While the governor’s left eye was closed in slumber, the right eye remained wide open, its gaze fixed and unwavering, emitting an eerie, spectral glow.

Instantly, the commandant sprang to his feet, instinctively grabbing his trusty Toledo sword. He rushed to the window, brandishing the blade with practiced skill, striking out at the red renegades who had followed the first intruder into the garden. In the ensuing melee, Salvatierra received an unfortunate blow to his right eye.

When the sun rose the next morning, the people of Presidio were greeted with joyous news. The evil eye, the source of their fear and suspicion, had been extinguished, darkened forever. The people once again placed their trust in the governor. Freed from the weight of their dread, Salvatierra’s voice softened, his manner became gentler, and he resumed his role as a compassionate and understanding leader.

Coincidentally, a period of unusually heavy rainfall that had plagued the region ceased that very day. The destructive floods that the missionaries had prophesied were averted, and the clergy sang Te Deum in the church, giving thanks for their deliverance.

Throughout his remaining years, the old commandant never mustered the courage to confess the truth: that the infamous evil eye, the subject of so much fear and speculation, was nothing more than a glass eye. The legend of The Governor’s Right Eye lived on, a curious blend of superstition, fear, and the enduring power of perception.

Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated October 2020.

About the Author: Charles M. Skinner (1852-1907) authored the complete nine-volume set of Myths and Legends of Our Own Land in 1896. This tale is excerpted from these excellent works, which are now in the public domain.

Also See:

California – The Golden State

Folklore & Superstition

Legends, Ghosts, Myths & Mysteries

Spanish Missions in California