NEW MEXICO, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA. 



SITUATION AND EXTENT. 



Miles. . Degrees. Sq. Miles. 



Length 2000 > between $ 94 and 126 West longitude. ? 

 Breadth 1400$ Detween £ 23 and 43 North latitude. $ 60() > 000 

 Boundaries. ...Bounded by unknown lands on the north ; by Louisi- 

 ana on the east ; by Old Mexico, and tlfe Pacific Ocean, on the south ; 

 and by the same ocean on the west. 



Divisions. Subdivisions. Chief Towns. 



North East division, New Mexico Proper, 5 SantaF e W. long 104° 



^ I North lat. 36°. 



South East division, Apacheira. St. Antonio. 



South division, Sonora, Tuape. 



Western division, California, a peninsula, St. Juan. 



Climate, soil... .These countries, lying for the most part within 

 the temperate zone, have a climate in many places extremely agreea- 

 ble, and a soil productive of every thing either for profit or delight. 

 In California, however, the heat is great in summer, particularly to- 

 wards the sea coast; but in the inland country the climate is more 

 temperate, and in winter even cold. 



Face of the country, produce. ...The natural history of these 

 countries is as yet in its infancy. The Spaniards themselves know 

 little of them, and the little they know they are unwilling to commu- 

 nicate. It is certain, however, that in general the provinces of New 

 Mexico and California are extremely beautiful and pleasant; the face 

 of the country is agreeably varied with plains, intersected by rivers, 

 and adorned with gentle eminences covered with various kinds of 

 trees, some producing excellent fruit. With respect to the value of 

 the gold mines in these countries nothing positive can be asserted. 

 Their natural productions are undoubtedly sufficient to render them 

 advantageous colonies to any but the Spaniards. In California there 

 falls in the morning a great quantity of dew, which, settling on the rose 

 leaves, candies and becomes hard like manna, having all the sweetness 

 of refined sugar without its whiteness. There is also another very sin- 

 gular production : in the heart of the country there are plains of salt, 

 quite firm, and clear as crystal; which, considering the vast quanti- 

 ties offish found on the coasts, might render it an invaluable acquisi- 

 tion to any industrious nation. 



Inhabitants, government. ...The Spanish settlements here are 

 comparatively weak ; though they are increasing every day, in propor- 

 tion as new mines are discovered. The inhabitants are chiefly Indians, 

 whom the Spanish missionaries have in many places brought over to 

 Christianity, to a civilized life, and to raise corn and wine, which they 

 now export pretty largely to Old Mexico. The inhabitants and go- 

 vernment here do not materially differ from those of Old Mexico. 



History. ...California was discovered by Cortez, the great conqueror 

 of Mexico. The famous English navigator, Sir Francis Drake, took pos- 

 session of it in 15.78, and his right was confirmed by the principal king or 

 chief in the whole country. This title, however, the government of 

 Great Britain have not hitherto attempted to vindicate, though Cali- 

 fornia is admirably situate for trade, and on its coast has a pearl 

 fishery of great value. 



