4 ST. LUCAS BAY. 



a bay, corresponding to a small grazing settle- 

 ment. Upon landing here we were kindly 

 received by the inhabitants, and hospitably en- 

 tertained by them during the two days we were 

 engaged in receiving beef on board the ship, 

 and salting it for sea-stock. 



This bay is situated on the N.E. side of Cape 

 St. Lucas, and is extensive ; but affords anchor- 

 age only on its eastern side, in about seventeen 

 fathoms water close to the shore, and lies ex- 

 posed to S.E. gales, which occasionally (and 

 chiefly in the tempestuous summer months) in- 

 vade its shores with great severity : the sea 

 inundating the lowlands and leaving permanent 

 traces of its inroads. Its beach is sandy, and 

 washed by a long surf; but landing from boats 

 may be safely effected. The tide on the coast is 

 regular, with a rise and fall of six feet. 



The level plain that opens upon the bay is 

 about thirty miles in length by ten in breadth, 

 and entirely composed of a fine silicious sand, 

 covered with a dense jungle. The mountains 

 that enclose it are of white and red granite, and 

 clothed with a cheerful verdure. The entire 

 plain is one estate, which was originally possessed 



this claim was never vindicated by Great Britain; and, 

 until the late war of independence, California, with the 

 annexed coast of Mexico, remained a possession of Spain, 

 by the right of discovery and conquest. 



