WHAT THE RESULT WILL BE. 197 



The latter is situated upon the bay of that name, and, from its superior 

 commercial advatitao^es, is destined to become one of the largest and most 

 important business cities upon the western coast of the American conti- 

 nent. Possessed of one of the finest and most commodious harbors in the 

 world, (emphatically the harbor of harbors,) and located at the mouth of 

 a large navigable river, that waters a vast expanse of country unsurpass- 

 ed in fertility, what should hinder it from assuming that commanding po- 

 sition designed for it by nature ] 



It is built after the English manner, and its inhabitants, numbering 

 about two hundred, are principally American, English, and French, with 

 a few Mexicans and Indians. 



There are also several settlements upon the Sacramento and other 

 rivers, consisting mostly of foreigners. 



The Catholic missions are generally the nucleus of small Mexican and 

 Indian villages, and derive their support from agricultural pursuits. 



Aside from these, the country is entirely devoid of population other than 

 wild beasts and uncultivated savages. The white inhabitants are com- 

 puted at one thousand or more, and are generally Americans ; while be- 

 tween ten and twelve thousand Mexicans curse the country with their 

 presence, and disgrace the Edens they possess. 



The government of California has been, like all Mexican governments, 

 very lax and inefficient. It was but little other than a despotism,- or, ra- 

 ther, a complicated machine for the oppression of the people and the perver- 

 sion of justice! and infinitely worse than none. 



Whether the late revolution has produced a better order of things re- 

 mains to be determined ; but, one fact is worthy of notice — no permanent 

 reformation can be effected so long as Mexicans exercise any controlling 

 influence in the administration of the laws ; and, to speak plainly, not un- 

 til the government is placed in other and better hands. 



The Mexicans occupy eight military stations at diflferent points along 

 the coast, garrisoned by about three hundred and fifty soldiers, and mount- 

 ing some fifty pieces of artillery. The largest of these fortifications is at 

 Monterey. This post is garrisoned by two hundred soldiers, and twelve 

 pieces of canon — while the fort at New Helvetia, held by the Americans^ 

 mounts an equal number. 



In case of an emergency, it is supposed the whole Mexican force might 

 possibly amount to between ten and eleven hundred men — in efficiency 

 nearly equal to a party of one hundred and fifty well-armed Americans. 



It will be seen at a mere glance, that Mexico cannot maintain her hold 

 upon California for many years to come. Emigrants from the United States 

 and other countries, attracted by its fertile soil and healthful climate, will 

 continue to pour into it with increased ratio, until, by outnumbering the 

 degraded race that at present bears sway, this delightful portion of the globe 

 shall of necessity become either the dependency of some foreign power or 

 assume a separate and distinct existence as an independent nation. 



