GQ VOYAGE TO THE 



CHAPTER II. 



Observations on the Country of California and its Trade — Climate 

 — Meteorological Remarks — Short Account of the Wild In- 

 dians — Natural Productions — Monterey — Mission of San Car- 

 los — Departure. 



The more we became acquainted with the beautiful 

 country around San Francisco, the more we were con- 

 vinced that it possessed every requisite to render it a 

 valuable appendage to Mexico; and it was impossible 

 to resist joining in the remark of Vancouver, " Why 

 such an extent of territory should have been subju- 

 gated, and, after all the expense and labour bestowed 

 upon its colonization, turned to no account whatever, 

 is a mystery in the science of state policy not easily 

 explained," Situated in the northern hemisphere, be- 

 tween the parallels of 22° and 39*^, no fault can be 

 found with its climate ; its soil in general is fertile, it 

 possesses forests of oak and pine convenient for build- 

 ing and contributing to the necessities of vessels, 

 plains overrun with cattle, excellent ports, and navi- 

 gable rivers to facilitate inland communication. Pos- 

 sessing all these advantages, an industrious population 

 alone seems requisite to withdraw it from the obscu- 

 rity in which it has so long slept under the indolence 

 of the people and the jealous policy of the Spanish 



