PACIFIC AND BEERTNG'S STRAIT. 9 



landed at Monterey and placed under the charge of 

 the g-overnor, where all other tobacco is contraband ; 

 and as the Spaniards are fond of smoking, it stands a 

 fair chance, in the course of time, of answering the 

 intention of the government, particularly as the troops 

 apply for these oftener than they otherwise would, 

 under the impression of clearing off a score of wages 

 that will never be settled in any other manner. For- 

 tunately for Martinez and other veterans in this 

 country, both vegetable and animal food are uncom- 

 monly cheap, and there are no fashions to create any 

 expense of dress. 



The governor's abode was in a corner of the pre- 

 sidio, and formed one end of a row, of which the other 

 was occupied by a chapel ; the opposite side was 

 broken down, and little better than a heap of rubbish 

 and bones, on which jackals, dogs, and vultures were 

 constantly preying, the other two sides of the cpia- 

 drangle contained storehouses, artificers' shops, and 

 the gaol, all built in the humblest style with badly 

 burnt bricks, and roofed with titles. The chapel and 

 the governor's house w^ere distinguished by being 

 whitewashed. 



Whether viewed at a distance or near, the esta- 

 bhshment impresses a spectator with any other senti- 

 ment than that of its being a place of authority ; and 

 but for a tottering flag-staff, upon which was occa- 

 sionally displayed the tri-coloured flag of INIexico, 

 three rusty field pieces, and a half accoutred sentinel 

 parading the gateway in charge of a few poor wretches 

 heavily shackled, a visitor would be ignorant of the 

 importance of the place. The neglect of the govern- 

 ment to its establishments could not be more tho- 

 roughly evinced than in the dilapidated condition of 



1 820". 



