SOUTHERN OREGON. 
247 
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 ren¬ 
dered 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 collecting 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 
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 
