264 SOUTHERN OREGON. 



opposite side the houses for the neophytes, consisting of small low 

 buildings, with every appearance of filth and decay about them. 

 Indeed the whole establishment is falling into ruins ; the walls and 

 gates are thrown down, and every thing wears a look of neglect, both 

 in the buildings and the persons who inhabit them. The halcyon 

 days of this mission have passed away ; it is no longer the abode of 

 hospitality and good living, since it has fallen into the hands of the 

 administradors or agents of the government. The remains of a fine 

 garden are also perceptible, where there is yet good fruit ; and near 

 by are extensive fields of Indian corn, which were formerly cultivated 

 by irrigation. 



The reception of our gentlemen was in keeping with the place, 

 neither polite nor friendly. No civilities were tendered, no offers of 

 accommodation made, although they brought a particular letter from 

 Captain Suter. Our party were inclined to believe that this was 

 owing, in part at least, to the condition of their wardrobe ; their whole 

 appearance, it must be admitted, was not much in their favour, dressed 

 as they were in the deer-skins that had been worn on their journey, 

 yet they thought that their characters might have been discovered 

 through their buckskins. 



The administrador told them there was no accommodation for 

 their horses, and showed them none, except a miserable hole without 

 any furniture. The letter of introduction bore the superscription 

 of Don Jose Antonio Estrade. They met with the tailor to the 

 establishment, Ephraim Travel, an American, of Philadelphia, who 

 showed them the lions of the place with great politeness, and as far 

 as in him lay, made amends for their otherwise cold reception. He 

 took them round the gardens, through the churches, and told them 

 that the Indians under the care of the mission were at the present 

 time about six hundred, which was only one-third of the number they 

 had two years before. In consecpience, there was but little cultivation 

 carried on, compared to what there had been formerly. 



The harvest at the mission had been very small, from the great 

 drought. No rain had fallen for upwards of a year. The vintage, 

 however, had been very fine, and forty barrels of wine had been made, 

 besides a large supply of grapes for the whole establishment. The 

 two vineyards comprise about four acres, and beside vines, are filled 

 with apple, pear, and other fruit trees. The buildings of the mission 

 are all constructed of adobes, and covered with tile roofs. 



Fortunately for the party, Mr. Forbes, the agent of the Hudson 



