TO SAN DIEGO. 91 
This establishment had been abandoned with most 
of the other Californian missions; but when the United 
States became the possessors of the country, several 
claimants sprang up for it, and its valuable lands adja- 
cent, some resting on purchase, pretended or real, and 
some on other grounds. It is said to have been pur- 
chased by some native Californians from the govern- 
ment about the time the country was changing owners, 
who sold it to the Americans. Its ownership will be 
settled by the Board of Land Commissioners appointed 
by the United States government for the purpose. In 
the mean time General Hitchcock, commanding the 
Pacific Division of the U. S. Army, has placed a file of 
soldiers here, to protect the property and keep off plun- 
derers and squatters. 
I remained here two nights, accompanied by Dr. 
Webb and Mr. Pratt, artist of the Commission, and was 
hospitably entertained by the Sergeant in charge ; the 
officer in command being absent in San Diego. In 
such a place as this, with such a range of buildings and 
cultivated grounds, a prince or a nabob might luxuriate 
to his heart’s content. Near by is an extensive orchard 
and garden, inclosed with high walls, and filled with 
every variety of fruit-trees; but the acequias, or irrigat- 
ing canals, had been neglected, the dams and embank- 
ments washed away, and the beautiful gardens and 
Shady walks, where the devotees passed the long 
hours when not attending to their religious duties, 
were all overflowed. A swamp filled with rushes and 
rank weeds had taken possession of these walks and 
groves ; and here the screaming heron and other water - 
fowl had their hiding-places. 
