HISTORY OP CALIFORNIA. 135 



to be faithful and intelligent. But those who are at 

 all in a wild and uncultivated state are most degraded 

 objects of filth and idleness. 



" It is possible that government might, by collecting 

 them together, teach them, in some degree, the arts 

 and habits of civilization ; but, if we may judge of the 

 future from the past, they will disappear from the face 

 of the earth as the settlements of the whites extend 

 over the country. A very considerable military force 

 will be necessary, however, to protect the emigrants in 

 the northern and southern portions of the territory." 



So much for the population of California at the 

 commencoment of the present year, (1850.) By its 

 close, it is highly probable, the number will reach two 

 hundred thousand, exclusive of the Indians. Such a 

 population, composed, for the most part, of those who 

 are impregnated with the active, progressive spirit of 

 the American people, will undoubtedly conduct Cali- 

 fornia to a brilliant position among the stars of the 

 republic. With, regard to the climate of the country, 

 various conflicting statements have been promulgated, 

 which arises from the visits of those who make the 

 statements having been made to different portions of 

 the country, and stating the climate of a portion as 

 the climate of the whole. Mr. King's Report fur- 

 nishes the most accurate account of the changes of 

 the temperature, and the state of the atmosphere 

 throughout the year, together with an explanation of 

 their causes. He says — 



" I come now to consider the climate. The climate 

 of California is so remarkable in its periodical changes, 

 and for the long continuance of the wet and dry sea- 

 sons, dividing, as they do, the year into about two 

 two equal parts, which have a most peculiar influence 



