500 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



by means of fortifications. For temporary pur- 

 poses, the site of the old cuartel is well suited 

 for the construction of defensive barracks, inas- 

 much as it commands the town, and may readily be 

 secured against an attack from the side. The 

 buildings at present occupied as barracks are not 

 judiciously located. A permanent work on Punta 

 Colorada will completely close the entrance to 

 Pichilingue cove, and its heavy guns will reach the 

 entrance to the channel of La Paz ; but to give the 

 requisite security to the latter, a small battery will be 

 necessary on Punta Prieta. The topographical fea- 

 tures of both these points are favorable for the con- 

 struction of small fortifications. Stone of good 

 quality for building purposes is found in the imme- 

 diate vicinity, and good lime may be procured at the 

 distance of only a few miles. Quarries have been 

 opened in the " Calaveras," and the stone, though 

 soft and easily worked, is found to be in this climate 

 of a very durable character. La Paz is not difficult 

 to defend against a naval attack, and the proposed 

 fortifications may be constructed in a short time and 

 without a very large expenditure of money. The com- 

 mercial character of the place, its military import- 

 ance as connected with the defence of the peninsula, 

 its great value as a naval depot and port of refuge 

 for our commercial and military marine in case of war 

 with any naval power, will, it is believed, fully justify 

 the expenditures necessary for securing this port 

 against a maritime attack. 



III. Commercial and military importance of Lower 

 California. — Thus far in my report I have proceeded 

 on the supposition that it is the intention of our gov- 

 ernment to retain the whole of California in any 



