HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 493 



lying between the coast range and the Sierra Nevada 

 is exceedingly sickly at certain seasons of the year. 

 The common timber of the country (oak) is not fit for 

 building purposes ; and I was greatly disappointed in 

 finding that south of the Sacramento River, pine fit 

 for lumber exists only on the spur of the mountains 

 in small quantities, and in places difficult of access. 

 Stone, as a building material is scarce ; and at several 

 of the points where it may be desirable to establish 

 military posts, grain for forage is out of the question, 

 and grass can only be found in exceedingly limited 

 quantities. I expressed a hope in my despatches to 

 the War Department of June 30, that I would be able 

 to make an examination of the country along the 

 western slope of the Sierra Nevada, from the source 

 of the San Joaquin to the southern boundary of Cali- 

 fornia ; but the season is now so far advanced that I 

 fear I shall not be able to accomplish more than the 

 determination of a position to be occupied in the 

 neighborhood of Los Reyes River. It is of great un- 

 importance that this point should be determined as 

 soon as possible ; for the new discoveries of gold 

 constantly being made in that direction, are at- 

 tracting thither a large portion of the mining 

 population. The rapidly increasing population of the 

 northern placers is gradually forcing the Indians to 

 the south, and congregating them on the waters of the 

 Lake Buena Vista, (Tula.) This position should be 

 occupied, if possible, before the miners have become 

 established in Los Reyes and the neighboring rivers ; 

 and the necessary examinations and arrangements will 

 be made as soon as it is possible to do so. 



Since my application (April 25) for officers of the 

 quartermaster's department was made, two officers of 



42 



