210 CALIFORNIA. 



Upon paper, Zonoma is a large city, and laid out according to the 

 most approved plan. In reality, however, it consists of only the follow- 

 ing buildings : General Vallejo's house, built of adobes, of two stories, 

 which fronts on the public square, and is said to be one of the best 

 houses in California. On the right of this is the residence of the 

 general's brother, Salvadore, and to the left, the barracks for the 

 accommodation of the guard for the general, consisting of about 

 twenty fusileers. Not far removed is the old dilapidated mission- 

 house of San Francisco Solano, scarcely tenantable, though a small 

 part of it is inhabited still by the Padre Kihas, who continues, not- 

 withstanding the poverty of his mission, to entertain the stranger, and 

 show him all the hospitality he can. 



Besides the buildings just enumerated, there were in the course of 

 construction, in 1841, a neat little chapel, and a small building for a 

 billiard-room. There are also three or four more houses and huts 

 which are tenanted ; and at some future day may boast of some farther 

 additions. 



General Vallejo was one of those who figured in the revolution of 

 1836, and was then appointed Commandant-General of Alta-Cali- 

 fornia. He is now the owner of large estates ; and having chosen this 

 part of the country for his residence, he is free from the opposition 

 and broils that are continually growing out of the petty concerns of 

 the custom-house and its duties. He is not over-scrupulous in 

 demanding duties of the vessels entering the port of San Francisco ; 

 and until he has been seen and consulted, a vessel trading here is 

 liable to an indefinite amount of duties. A portion of the payment 

 adds to his wealth, and how much goes to the government is not 

 known ; enough, I was told, in some cases, to save appearances, and 

 no more. The foreigners who trade here are very attentive to him ; 

 and it might be supposed, before' making inquiry into the cause, that 

 he is a great favourite with them. The highest official protection is 

 necessary for all those who wish to prosper in their trade to this port, 

 and to prevent exactions from subordinates. 



I have already spoken of the unceremonious manner in which Cap- 

 tain Suter officiated as administrador of the district to the east of the 

 Sacramento. The anecdotes related to me of Vallejo, in like manner, 

 show a striking disregard for the lives, as well as for the property and 

 liberty of the Indians and gente de razon. He is supreme, and acts 

 with the same impunity as all his predecessors, with one or two 

 exceptions, have done before him. As an instance of the lawless 



