CALIFORNIA. 
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Murphy. He has been put there, from its being considered a place 
of emolument, through his interest with the governor, and in order 
to pick up the crumbs that are still left. I understood, however, that 
Murphy had been disappointed in his expectations, and that it was his 
intention to establish himself elsewhere. Padre Kihas resides at this 
mission for six months of the year, and performs the duties of priest to 
those around it. 
On the 24th of October, a fete was given at this place, in honour of 
the patron saint; and it was rumoured that there was to be a grand 
bull-fight. This spectacle came off accordingly, but was so miserably 
conducted as to prevent all kind of sport. The bulls had greatly the 
advantage, and the men and horses were tumbled about in a ridi¬ 
culous manner, until they both became quite shy. They had cut off 
the tips of the bulls’ horns, which was a fortunate circumstance for 
both horses and riders, who received no material injury. There was 
no bull and bear fight; in consequence, it was understood, of their not 
being able to procure one of the latter animals. In the fights between 
the bull and bear, it is said that however strong and savage the bull 
may be, the bear is always the conqueror: the only part of the bull he 
endeavours to attack is the tongue, by seizing which he invariably 
proves the victor. 
When the fights were over, dancing was resorted to, and continued 
during the evening and all night. It was accompanied with hard 
drinking and uproarious conduct. Mr. Murphy’s entertainment was 
considered fully equal to any that had been given for some time, and 
particularly the latter part of it, which may be better imagined than 
described. 
Our duties at this port being completed, I felt desirous of knowing 
something of the missions at the south end of the bay of San Francisco, 
and, with Captain Hudson, determined to make a visit to them. 
We left the Vincennes on the morning of the 29th, at an early 
hour, intending to reach the mission of Santa Clara by water. We 
stopped a short time at Yerba Buena to see Captain Hinckley and 
Mr. Spears, who kindly furnished us with a guide to point out the 
passages through the shoals, and the entrance to the creek that leads 
up to the Embarcadero, the landing whence the people of the mission 
usually ship their hides. We had a fine wind, and went briskly on 
until we reached the upper part of the bay, where we found our guide 
useless as a pilot. The consequence of his incapacity was, that we got 
on shore, and were detained so long that night overtook us before we 
entered the river Caravallio, that runs in a tortuous direction to the 
Embarcadero. Its course more resembled the turns of a corkscrew 
