SOUTHERN OREGON. 263 



The other detachment, consisting of Messrs. Eld, Peale, Rich, 

 Brackenridge, and the sergeant, with some of the men, went by land. 

 I cannot avoid again returning my thanks to Captain Suter, for his 

 kindness to this party. All the officers spoke most particularly of 

 the attention he paid to them, individually and collectively, and of 

 his care and watchfulness in making provision for our sick. 



On the 21st, the land party commenced their journey, with a young 

 and intelligent Spaniard for a guide. The same day they made fifteen 

 miles, passing over a dry portion of country, and encamped near two 

 ponds, called in the country, Poros, the only place, as was supposed, 

 where water could be obtained within twenty miles ; they, however, 

 found some the next day in the Rio Cosmenes, within a mile and a 

 half of the camp. Game was, as usual, very abundant; but the 

 whole country was suffering from the drought that has been before 

 spoken of. 



On the 22d, about noon, they crossed the river Mogueles, which 

 was then a small stream ; but at other seasons, it is said it cannot 

 be crossed on horseback. They travelled this day as far as the San 

 Juan : the only water that it contained was in small pools. This 

 place had been termed the Frenchman's Camp. The ducks and 

 geese had rendered the water scarcely drinkable. 



On the 23d, before noon, they reached the San Joachim, which 

 they found about fifty yards wide, and about three feet deep. Under 

 the expectation of finding water, they were induced to ride forty-four 

 miles, but were again disappointed. On the 24th, they entered 

 among the Pul Porrice hills, a bare and barren range, composed of 

 sandstone and volcanic rocks. As they approached the mission of 

 San Jose, the country became more hilly, the oak abundant, and 

 herds of cattle and horses were seen. On their way they fell in with 

 large encampments of Indians, who were busily employed in collect- 

 ing acorns. They were all half civilized as to dress, the men being 

 clothed in shirts and trousers, some in velvet breeches ; the women 

 in calico gowns, and gay-coloured shawls; several hundred of these 

 were met, each loaded with the beef which is distributed to them in 

 weekly rations. They are annually allowed a short holiday to return 

 to their native wilds, during the time acorns are in season. 



The approach to the mission shows it to have once been a large 

 establishment. It has all the appearance of a town, being built in the 

 form of a street of considerable length. In the centre is the church 

 and convent, with large dwelling-houses on each side of it, and on the 



