SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. 503 
thing but what its name imports, both in appearance 
and the character of its company. The name attracts 
thousands, although the house kept by the Chinaman, 
called the Canton Hotel, is altogether superior in ac- 
commodations. One reason why the place does not 
improve, is, that no encouragement is given to foreign- 
ers to settle here, but quite the contrary. The gov- 
ernment is jealous of them; and from what I heard and 
saw of the conduct of my countrymen, I fear it had too 
good cause to be so. 
Acapulco owed its former importance to its com- 
merce with the Hast Indies through the Phillippine 
Islands. This commerce was limited to a single ship 
of large burden, whose cargo was estimated to be 
worth from £300,000 to £400,000 sterling. When 
the news reached Mexico that she was off the coast, 
the merchants crowded to Acapulco from all parts. 
The exports from Mexico consisted of silver, cochineal, 
cocoa, wine, oil, and Spanish wool. The imports were 
chiefly China silks, India muslins and cottons, spices 
and aromatics, jewelry, and other articles of luxury 
and taste. 
February 2d. The mail steamer ‘“ Oregon” and 
the propeller ‘“‘ Monumental City” arrived this morn- 
ing from Panama for San Francisco. The former had 
four hundred and seventy-two passengers, the latter 
four hundred and fifty. After examining the Jatter, 
and finding her very crowded and filthy, I took a boat 
and boarded the Oregon. She too was crowded, but 
was clean and in excellent order. Captain Pierson, on 
my stating to him my position as a government officer 
charged with important duties, consented to take me, 
