HISTORY OP CALIFORNIA. 499 



security to these whalers in case of a war with a 

 maritime power. 



On our arrival here in October last, it was deemed 

 desirable to establish a small military post at San 

 Jose, for the double purpose of giving protection to 

 the friendly inhabitants against a band of Mexican 

 freebooters who had crossed the gulf from Guaynas 

 to Mulige and Loreto, and of preventing the further 

 introduction of men and munitions from the opposite 

 coast. The old mission building was found well 

 adapted to the purpose in view, and with a few 

 repairs and improvements served as an admirable pro- 

 tection for the little garrison in the several attacks 

 which it afterwards sustained from greatly superior 

 forces. It will probably be necessary to continue 

 this post during the war with Mexico, or at least so 

 long as there is any danger .of the enemy's sending 

 troops from the opposite coast to again disturb the 

 tranquillity of the peninsula ; but it is not deemed ad- 

 visable to establish at this place any works of perma- 

 nent defence, the character of the port not being such 

 as to warrant expenditures for this purpose. The 

 defences of the cuartel or mission building are deemed 

 sufficient for all purposes of temporary occupation. 



Should the war with Mexico continue, and the 

 naval forces be again withdrawn from the gulf, it may 

 be necessary to establish temporarily a small military 

 post at Mulige ; but no permanent garrison will be 

 required either at that place or Escondido, unless, 

 perhaps, hereafter the commercial importance of the 

 latter port should justify such a measure. 



La Paz is, therefore, the only port in Lower Cali- 

 fornia which it will be necessary, for the present, to 

 occupy with a permanent military force, or to secure 



