RANCHO DE CHINA.—EL MONTE.—LOS ANGELES. 135 
Our course was west-southwest upon the northcrn border of the elongated basin before men- 
tioned. In size, importance, and direction, it conforms to the great mountain chain, by the 
upheaval of which this depression was probably produced. It is watered by many streams ; 
some of them said to be permanent, others owing their origin to rains and melting snows upon 
the mountains. Over this wide extent of fertile valley are seen a few adobe houses, and occa- 
sional grazing herds of horses and cattle. Upon our left was pointed out the superb ** Rancho 
de China," for which Colonel Frémont is said to have offered, in 1849 or 1850, two hundred 
thousand dollars. Beyond, having travelled twenty-four miles, we encamped upon the bank of 
the pretty stream of San Gabriel, opposite the town of El Monte. 
On the way, two California gentlemen from San José met and accompanied : us a short dis- 
tance. They showed much interest in our operations, and expressed their opinion that the 
Tejon was the best pass known, and that through it the railway should be constructed to Tulare 
valley, and thence to San Francisco. 
March 21—Camp 152.—Having crossed the little river of San Gabriel, we entered the pre- 
cincts of the town of Monte. Each spot of 160 acres, for miles in all directions, appeared to 
be ditched around, hedged, and cultivated. Houses of canvass, brush, boards, or adobes, gave 
shelter each to a family of settlers. Improvements were rapidly progressing. There were the 
cheerful sounds of American voices, of the blacksmith's hammer, and the merry laugh of chil- 
dren trudging to school. The whole scene appeared very odd, as if a New England village 
had by some magic sprung up upon the Pacific. Possession of all the beautiful country we 
have traversed since leaving Cajon Pass is claimed under old grants from Spain or Mexico. A 
few months since, however, a party of emigrants conceived that there was a flaw in the old 
Californian's title to this spot, and consequently they ‘‘squatted.’’ There are supposed to be 
five hundred families upon the location. Their estimate of the fertility of its soil and the excel- 
lence of its climate is clearly exhibited, by their leaving rich placers to cultivate and improve 
lands, with the risk of being finally driven from them by law. 
Upon our course, south 60° west by compass, we passed to the left of the beautiful mission 
of San Gabriel, and were near enough to see that it was a fine old ruin, surrounded by gardens 
and vineyards, and with a rivulet flowing at the foot of a lawn. To save distance probably, 
for smooth prairies seemed continuous upon the right, our road entered a ravine among ridges 
of hills, passed over broken ground for a short distance, and then, from a slight eminence, we 
looked upon the valley and city of Los Angeles. Descending, we crossed the river which 
waters the valley, and entered the city. The stream, where we forded it, was about fifty yards 
wide, and from two to two and a half feet deep. Above and below were numerous acequias ; 
irrigating vineyards, orange and olive groves, peach orchards, gardens, and cornfields. 
Along dismal-looking lanes were scattered piles of adobe houses, and the intervening spaces 
were lined with mud walls and cactus hedges. But as we proceeded towards the plaza, the 
sombre character of the place nearly disappeared before the march of American improvements. 
There were respectable indications of business and activity. We noticed hotels, cafés, barbers’ 
signs, and a long array of flaunting shops. "The buildings were formerly of one story, with a 
broad piazza in front. But houses are being erected in more modern style, and many white 
tents in the suburbs mark the spots where new comers design to build. The population is said 
to be 3,000, and is rapidly increasing. 
Camp was pitched upon the point of a ridge of hills which comes down to the left bank of the 
river, overlooking the city. As we were now within the limits of the operations of the ** Coast 
Survey," and an almost unbroken plain is said to lead from Los Angeles to San Pedro, we 
determined to disband the party, and proceed with all possible despatch to Washington; there 
to make known the results of our explorations. As there was no officer of the government in 
the place to whom the United States' property in our possession could be turned over, it appeared 
necessary to dispose of it, and immediate notice was given that a public sale would take p 
. at the plaza, on the morrow. At night astronomical observations were taken for the iet 
nation of latitude and longitude. 
