CALIFORNIA. 1S9 



which were ripe, and the landscape had that peculiar golden hue 

 before remarked. The contrast of this with the dark green foliage of 

 the scattered oaks, heightens the effect, which, although peculiar, is 

 not unpleasing to the sight. The trees all have an inclination towards 

 the southeast, showing the prevalence and violence of the bleak north- 

 west winds, producing on them a gnarled and mountain character. 

 This feature is general throughout the coast of California, and gives 

 the trees a singular appearance, the flat tops having the air of being 

 cut or trimmed after the manner of box trees. The tops are bent 

 to one side, and the larger branches hidden by the numerous twigs 

 which compose the mass. The only place where a similar character 

 was observed by us impressed upon the foliage, was at Terra del 

 Fuego. 



After passing the straits, the delta of the Sacramento opened to 

 view. The Tula marshes, which are overflowed by the river above, 

 are very extensive, and are said to be the resort of a vast number 

 of beavers, which, in consequence of the nature of the ground, are 

 difficult to catch, many more traps being necessary than in other 

 localities. 



The party took the southeast arm of the Sacramento, and proceeded 

 up the stream for the distance of three miles, where they encamped, 

 without water, that of the river being still brackish. The soil was 

 hard, from being sunburnt, and the foot-marks of the cattle, which 

 had been made during the last rainy season, still remained. 



In the morning, they discovered that they had taken the wrong 

 branch of the river, for this led immediately into the San Joachim. 

 They, in consequence, returned to the entrance, where they began 

 their survey. On the 23d, they reached the residence of Captain 

 Suter, and encamped on the opposite bank. 



Captain Suter is a Swiss by birth, and informed them that he had 

 been a lieutenant in the Swiss guards during the time of Charles X. 

 Soon after the revolution of July, he came to the United States, 

 and passed several years in the state of Missouri. He has but 

 recently removed to California, where he has obtained from the 

 government a conditional grant of thirty leagues square, bounded by 

 the Sacramento on the west, and extending as far up the river as the 

 Prairie Butes. The spot he has chosen for the erection of his dwelling 

 and fortification, he has called New Helvetia; it is situated on the 

 summit of a small knoll, rising from the level prairie, two miles from 

 the east bank of the Sacramento, and fifty miles from its mouth. New 



vol. v. 48 



