CALIFORNIA. 
161 
things : thus, a dollar is demanded on every gallon of spirits imported ; 
fifty cents on each beaver or otter skin, and on other articles in the 
same ratio. Next come the church tithes, which are enormous. I 
heard of a farmer who was made to pay one hundred and ninety 
dollars as the tithe on his produce, although he lives far removed from 
either church or priest. All these things are bringing the government 
into great disrepute, and the governor is every day becoming more and 
more unpopular ; so much so, that his orders have not been complied 
with, and have been treated with contempt, particularly when he desires 
to recruit his forces. A short time before our arrival, he sent a list to 
a pueblo of the young men to be drafted as soldiers; when it was 
received, they in a body refused to go, and sent back the disrespectful 
and defying message, that he might come and take them. 
Nothing can be in a worse state than the lower offices, such as the 
alcaldes, &c. They are now held by ignorant men, who have no 
ideas of justice, which is generally administered according to the 
alcalde’s individual notions, as his feelings may be enlisted, or the 
standing of the parties. To recover a debt by legal means, is consi¬ 
dered as beyond a possibility, and creditors must wait until the debtor 
is disposed to pay. Fortunately, and to the honour of the country, a 
just claim is rarely or never denied; and, until lately, the word of a 
Californian was sufficient to insure the payment of claims on him; but, 
such has been the moral degradation to which the people have fallen 
since the missions have been robbed by the authorities, and the old 
priests driven out, that no reliance can be placed now upon their 
promises, and all those who have of late trusted them, complain that 
engagements are not regarded, and that it is next to impossible to 
obtain any returns for goods that have been delivered. The state of 
the country is, however, some excuse, as it has been impossible for any 
one to make calculations under the existing anarchy and confusion. 
It was at first believed that the revolution which took place in 
November 1836, would result in much immediate good to those who 
effected it; but such has not been the case. Foreigners unquestionably 
performed a large part in planning and carrying the change out; yet 
none have suffered so much by it as they have. 
Much of this derangement of business has grown out of the state of 
the country for the last twenty years ; and, although its history is of 
little importance, a succinct sketch of it may not be wholly devoid of 
interest. The facts are derived both from Californian and Mexican 
authorities, as well as from Americans; and, although the accounts 
frequently differ in some particulars, yet as to the main points they 
agree. 
vol. v. 0 2 21 
