CALIFORNIA. 183 



except that by sea, always more or less interrupted by the course of 

 the winds, and the unhealthfulness of the lower or seaport towns of 

 Mexico. It is very probable that this country will become united 

 with Oregon, with which it will perhaps form a state that is destined 

 to control the destinies of the Pacific. This future state is admirably 

 situated to become a powerful maritime nation, with two of the finest 

 ports in the world, — that within the straits of Juan de Fuca, and 

 San Francisco. These two regions have, in fact, within themselves 

 every thing to make them increase, and keep up an intercourse 

 with the whole of Polynesia, as well as the countries of South 

 America on the one side, and China, the Philippines, New Holland, 

 and New Zealand, on the other. Among the latter, before many 

 years, may be included Japan. Such various climates will furnish 

 the materials for a beneficial interchange of products, and an inter- 

 course that must, in time, become immense ; while this western coast, 

 enjoying a climate in many respects superior to any other in the 

 Pacific, possessed as it must be by the Anglo-Norman race, and 

 having none to enter into rivalry with it but the indolent inhabi- 

 tants of warm climates, is evidently destined to fill a large space in 

 the world's future history. 



Although I have already spoken of the Indians, yet in order to 

 make the state of the country fully understood, it is necessary to 

 explain their former connexion with the missions, as well as their 

 present condition. 



The Indians who were brought into the fold of the missions, were 

 either induced through persuasion, by force, or enticed by presents : 

 the agreement, or rather law, was, that they should be converted to 

 Christianity ; and for this benefit conferred upon them, they were to 

 give ten years' faithful service, after which time they were to be at 

 liberty, and to have allotted to them a small piece of land for cultiva- 

 tion, and a few cattle, provided they could get the security of any 

 respectable person for their good behaviour. This seldom happened; 

 but their treatment was much more kind after the expiration of their 

 term of service, and they usually remained in the employ of the 

 missions, having become attached to their masters and occupations. 

 These chiefly consisted in taking care of cattle, the work of the farm, 

 gardening, and household duties. Some became carpenters and 

 blacksmiths; others weavers, shoemakers, and manufacturers of 

 leather ; and some were let out to private service to " gente de razon," 

 or people of reason, as the whites are termed. The police of the mis- 

 sions was strict, and punishment was administered when required ; but 



