PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 67 



government. Indeed it struck us as lamentable to see 

 such an extent of habitable country lying almost de- 

 solate and useless to mankind, whilst other nations are 

 groaning under the burthen of their population. 



It is evident, from the natural course of events, and 

 from the rapidity with which observation has recently 

 been extended to the hitherto most obscure parts of 

 the globe, that this indifference cannot continue ; for 

 either it must disappear under the present authorities, 

 or the country will fall into other hands, as from its 

 situation with regard to other powers upon the new 

 continent, and to the commerce of the Pacific, it is of 

 too much importance to be permitted to remain long 

 in its present neglected state. Already have the Rus- 

 sians encroached upon the territory by possessing them- 

 selves of the Farallones, and some islands oft' Santa 

 Barbara; and their new settlement at Rossi, a few 

 miles to the northward of Bodega, is so near upon the 

 boundary as to be the cause of much jealous feeling ; 

 — not without reason it would appear, as I am in- 

 formed it is well fortified, and presents to California an 

 example of what may be efi^ected upon her shores in 

 a short time by industry. 



The tract situated between California and the 

 eastern side of the continent of North America, hav- 

 ing been only partially explored, has hitherto pre- 

 sented a formidable barrier to encroachment from that 

 quarter ; but settlements are already advancing far into 

 the heart of the country, and parties of hunters have 

 lately traversed the interior, and even penetrated to the 

 shores of the Pacific ; — not without the loss of lives 

 from the attacks of the Indians, it is true, but with 

 ease, compared with the labour and difficulty expe- 

 rienced by Lewis and Clarke, who had not the benefit 



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