170 CALIFORNIA. 



or five thousand dollars in specie, and about ten thousand dollars in 

 cattle, which he had reared and bought, through his own industry : 

 this, it is supposed, fell into the hands of the governor, who was much 

 in want of funds at the time, and could conceive of no way by which 

 his coffers could be so readily replenished as by such a wholesale 

 robbery. 



After the arrest of Graham, more than sixty foreigners were taken 

 up immediately, put into irons, and cast into prison with him. At the 

 same time, orders were issued to apprehend every foreigner found 

 upon the coast, and in case of their not giving bonds for their appear- 

 ance, they were to be thrust into prison. 



Forty-seven of these men were embarked in a vessel called the 

 Guipuzcoa, loaded with irons, nearly half of whom are said to have 

 been citizens of the United States. One of these died from the treat- 

 ment he received; and the hardships they were obliged to undergo on 

 their journey to Tepic, are almost past belief. 



The Guipuzcoa was eleven days on her passage to San Bias, during 

 which time the prisoners were kept in the hold of this small vessel, 

 without light or air, and endured every description of ill treatment. 

 On their arrival at San Bias, they were landed without delay, and 

 immediately marched, in the short space of two days, to Tepic, a 

 distance of sixty miles. 



The thermometer was at 90°; the road was mountainous and rough; 

 they were barefooted, heavily ironed, and without any food, except 

 what was given them from charity. They were urged forward by 

 lashes inflicted on their naked bodies, and one who sank under the 

 fatigue was severely beaten with the but-end of a musket. 



At Tepic, they found in the English and American consuls kind 

 friends, who exerted themselves to relieve their wants, and finally, 

 through their remonstrances, and those of the English and American 

 ministers, they were allowed to return to California ; and orders were 

 given that they should produce certificates of their losses, and be paid 

 for them. All the Englishmen have returned, with every necessary 

 document to establish their claims, and obtain redress for their wrongs ; 

 but on the part of the Americans, this is far from being the case. Of 

 them none but Graham have returned, and he is broken both in health 

 and spirits. What remuneration he has received, I did not learn ; 

 but the French and English have all obtained indemnity, through the 

 attention their governments have paid to their wrongs. Ours alone 

 has failed in the prompt protection of its citizens ; and many com- 

 plaints are made by our countrymen abroad that the government at 

 home seems to have very little regard for their lives or property. 



