CALIFORNIA. 171 



hundred-weight. What adds to the facility of doing this business, is 

 the fact that large quantities of salt collect in the ponds in the dry 

 season, which may be obtained for the expense of carting it. 



As respects trade, it may be said there is scarcely any, for it is so 

 interrupted, and so much under the influence of the governor and the 

 officers of the customs, that those attempting to carry on any under 

 the forms usual elsewhere, would probably find it a losing busi- 

 ness. Foreigners, however, contrive to evade this by keeping their 

 vessels at anchor, and selling a large portion of their cargoes from 

 on board. Great partiality is shown to those of them who have a 

 full understanding with his excellency the governor ; and from what 

 I was given to understand, if this be not secured, the traders are liable 

 to exactions and vexations without number. The enormous duties, 

 often amounting to eighty per cent, ad valorem, cause much dissatis- 

 faction on the part of the consumers : the whole amount raised is 

 about two hundred thousand dollars per annum, which is found barely 

 sufficient to pay the salaries of the officers, and defray the costs of the 

 government feasts, which are frequent, and usually cost a thousand 

 dollars each. These emoluments are shared among the heads of 

 departments at Monterey, whilst the soldiers are often for months 

 without their pay, and are made to take it in whatever currency it 

 may suit the government to give. Besides the above duties, there is 

 a municipal tax on many things : thus, a dollar is demanded on every 

 gallon of spirits imported ; fifty cents on each beaver or otter skin, 

 and on other articles in the same ratio. Next come the church tithes, 

 which are enormous. I heard of a farmer who was made to pay 

 one hundred and ninety dollars as the tithe on his produce, although 

 he lives far removed from either church or priest. All these things 

 are bringing the government into great disrepute, and the governor is 

 every day becoming more and more unpopular ; so much so, that his 

 orders have not been complied with, and have been treated with 

 contempt, particularly when he desires to recruit his forces. A short 

 time before our arrival, he sent a list to a pueblo of the young men to 

 be drafted as soldiers ; when it was received, they in a body refused 

 to go, and sent back the disrespectful and defying message, that he 

 might come and take them. 



Nothing can be in a worse state than the lower offices, such as the 

 alcaldes, &c. They are now held by ignorant men, who have no 

 ideas of justice, which is generally administered according to the 

 alcalde's individual notions, as his feelings may be enlisted, or the 



