CALIFORNIA. 211 



acts of the governors, it is said that one of them entertained the idea 

 of training the Indians as soldiers, and a company of them had 

 been brought together, drilled, and made such proficiency in the use 

 of their arms, that his excellency became alarmed, and forthwith 

 ordered them all to be shot ! I have little doubt that this story 

 may be essentially true, for the value of an Indian's life in the eye 

 of the rulers scarcely exceeds that of one of the wild cattle. The 

 commandant-general is frequently said to hunt them, and by his 

 prowess in these expeditions, he has gained some reputation. Sal- 

 vadore Vallejo is engaged in agricultural pursuits, and particularly 

 in raising cattle, which, under the governor, he has the especial 

 privilege of supplying to vessels, which he does at prices that insure 

 a handsome profit. In times of scarcity, vessels are sure to be sup- 

 plied by applying to the governor, who will order supplies to be 

 furnished, and even obtain them by compulsion. On my arrival, 

 finding that we wanted supplies, and not knowing how long (in the 

 event of an accident to our land party) I might be detained, I was 

 advised to apply to the commandant-general, through whom I would 

 be sure of obtaining them. I therefore despatched a note by an 

 officer, whom the general treated with great politeness, and returned 

 for answer, that he could supply me with the following articles: Lima 

 beans, wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables, which we had been 

 unable to obtain. Fortunately for us, as well as for the lower orders 

 and Indians, the party arrived, and we were not under the necessity 

 of making use of his powerful intervention. The general, I was told, 

 considers every bushel of grain as much at his command as he does 

 the persons of the people, and the property of the state. Zonoma is 

 to be the capital of this country, provided the general has power and 

 lives long enough to build it up. An idea has got abroad that he is 

 looking to the gubernatorial chair, and to be placed there by the same 

 force that has raised Alvarado and himself to the posts they now 

 occupy. 



Zonoma is on the road that leads to Ross and Bodega ; and by this 

 route Captain Suter has transported all the stock he purchased of the 

 Russians. 



The reality of the hostility said to exist between these two rival 

 administradors, seems doubtful, at least to the extent reported by the 

 residents. 



The state of society here is exceedingly loose : envy, hatred, and 

 malice, predominate in almost every breast, and the people are 



