SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. 495 
houses built of poles, with high pointed roofs, and 
thatched with cocoa and plantain leaves. These houses 
are ranged in a line along the beach, and are occupied 
by a cadaverous-looking people, who seem to have 
scarcely energy enough left to keep body and soul to- 
gether. Found a German here, the commercial agent 
of Mr. Mejer, who spoke English well. I saw also two 
custom-house officials, who appear to be gentlemanly 
men. Beside these three, the whole population con- 
sists of the lowest class. 
The Bay of Manzanillo, though little known, is one 
of the finest on the coast, being equally well protected 
against all winds. The place has no direct trade, and is 
merely resorted to as the port of Colima, which can be 
approached from the sea only through this bay. There 
is no arable land near save small garden spots about the 
houses, the hills rising directly from the sea and from 
the bay. Hence its admirable harbor, which is far 
superior to those of San Blas and Mazatlan, cannot be 
taken advantage of. Within a quarter of a mile is a 
lagoon and morass about two miles in width, and sixty 
miles in length. During the dry season this lagoon 
becomes nearly empty of water, when a pestilential 
effluvia arises which renders it extremely dangerous to 
all who live on the bay, and even to the crews of the 
ships which stop there. This, of course, will prevent 
any considerable settlement from ever being made 
here. Instances have occurred where every soul on 
board a ship has been taken sick and half of them have 
died, while stopping here a few days to discharge a 
cargo. My German friend cautioned me not to eat 
any fruit while here, even an orange, and to avoid the 
