Ex. Doc. No. 41. , 115 



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over the mountains, where lunar distances were observed, 117° 14'; 

 tut I have not hesitated to take the results of Sir Edward Belcher, 

 although I have had no opportunity of seeing his observations. 



Malispina's observations were made long since, and the results 

 from the chronometers brought overland by me are liable to objec- . 

 tions: first, from the imperfection in the determination of my inter- 

 mediate stations by lunar distances, and, next, from the disturb- 

 ances to which the chronemeters were subjected in the battle of 

 the 6th December, and the skirmish of the 7th, but more particu- 

 larly the- last, w^here a sudden charge w^s made in an open plain 

 on our baggage by the enemy's cavalry. 



The harbor was originally explored by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1603, 

 but no settlement was made at San Diego until 1769. 



Vessels may ride at anchor in the harbor, perfectly land-locked, 

 but in very heavy southerly gales some inconvenience may be felt 

 by those^not provided with good ground tackle, from the immense 

 Tolumes of kelp driven into the harbor. 



The kelp (fucus gigantens) occupies a space in front of the har- 

 bor some miles in length and half a mile wide. At a distance, I 

 took the kelp for a low island j but was informed of my error by 

 "Captain Schenck, who told me vessels were forced through it in a 



BtifFb 



reeze. 



On the morning of the 29th December we marched out of San 

 IJiego with the following force: 



Capt. Lieut. Sergt. Corpl. Bag. Privates. 



I>ragoons 1 1 2 4 2 47 



Sailors acting artillery.. 11 2 4 - 39 

 Sailors and marines act- 

 ing infantry 8 10 17 17 - 345 



Volunteers ' 3 3 6 - - 48 



Three employes of the topographical engineers, three medical 

 officersj and twenty-five men, Indians, and Californiansj the whole 

 ^JTided into four divisions or battalions, commanded respectively 

 H Captain Turner, Lieutenant Renshaw, Lieutenant Zielin, and 



Captain Gillespie. 



Six pieces of artillery, of various calibre, got up with great ex- 

 ertion, under the orders of Commodore Stockton, by Lieutenant 

 Tilghman of the navy, acting as captain of artillery. 



■^ Tragon train, consisting of one four-wbeel carriage and ten ox 

 carts, under the charge of Lieutenant Minor of the navy. The 

 Wagons were heavily laden, and our progress was slow in the es:- 

 treme. We did not reach the Solidad, the first watering place, till 



^ o'clock at night. 



I was ordered to ride forward and lay out a defensive camp, 

 joping to give confidence to the sailors, many of whom were now, 

 ior the first time, transferred to a new element. 



We soon found their habits of discipline aboard ship made the 

 "ansition easy, and I speedily arrived at the conclusion that Jack, 

 properly handled, made a very good infantry soldier. 



