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 arid 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 ci-editors 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. 2 21 



