64 



eminences covered with various kinds of trees, some producing 

 excellent fruit. With respect to the value of the gold mines in 

 these countries nothing positive can be asserted. Their natural 

 productions are undoubtedly sufficient to render them advan- 

 tageous colonies to an3' but the Spaniards. In California there 

 falls in the morning a great quantity of dew, which, settling on 

 the rose leaves, candies and becomes hard like manna, having all 

 the sweetness of refined sugar without its whiteness. There is 

 also another very singular production: in the heart of the coun- 

 try there are plains of salt, quite firm, and clear as crystal; 

 which, considering the vast quantities of fish found on the coasts, 

 might render it an invaluable acquisition to any industrious 

 nation . 



Inhabitants, Government. — The Spanish settlements here 

 are very weak; though they are increasing ever)/ day, in pro- 

 portion as new mines are discovered. The inhabitants are 

 chiefly Indians, whom the Spanish missionaries have in many 

 places brought over to Christianity, to a civilized life, and to 

 raise corn and wine, which they now export pretty largely to 

 Old Mexico. The inhabitants and government here do not 

 materially differ from those of Old Mexico. 



History. — California was discovered by Cortez, the great 

 conqueror of Mexico. Our famous navigator, Sir Francis Drake, 

 took possession of it in 1578, and his right was confirmed by the 

 principal king or chief in the whole country. This title, how- 

 ever, the government of Great Britain have not hitherto 

 attempted to vindicate, though California is admirably situate 

 for trade, and on its coast has a pearl fishery of great value. 



IN BAJA CALIFORNIA. 



By the Santa Maria I found myself the 27th of April, 1886. 

 El Rosario mission, Baja California, was distant some eighty 

 miles to the south, and the San Fernando mission still sixty 

 miles beyond — and that was my ostensible objective point. A 

 little sauzal (grove of willows) surrounded the rather dilapidated 

 ranch buildings, situated twelve miles or so from the salt mines 

 of San Quintin bay. 



The Santa Maria valley was broad and sandy, covered with a 

 dense, almost impenetrable growth of mock willows and 



