DECAY OF THE MISSIONS. 101 



and with much courteousness, blended with the 

 ceremonious politeness of the Spaniards, invited 

 us to enter their simple but cleanly dwellings. 

 All their countenances bespoke health and con- 

 tentment, and they have good cause to rejoice in 

 their lot. Unburthened by taxes of any kind, 

 and in possession of as much land as they choose 

 to cultivate, they live free from care on the rich 

 produce of their fields and herds. 



The population of these Pueblos is every year 

 on the increase ; while, on the contrary, the num- 

 bers of the Indians dependent on the missions 

 are continually decreasing. The mortality 

 amongst the latter is so great, that the esta- 

 blishments could not continue, if their spiritual 

 conductors did not constantly procure fresh 

 recruits from amongst the free Indians, to fill 

 the thinning ranks of their labourers. 



In Old California, many of the missions have 

 gone to decay on account of the total extermi- 

 nation of the savages. The north still affords 

 an abundant supply to New California ; but if 

 the missionaries do not economize the lives of 

 their men more than they have hitherto done, 

 this source also will in time be exhausted. 



