CALIFORNIA. 171 



It would appeal* by this want of attention on the part of our govern- 

 ment, that it had not been fully satisfied that the conduct of its citizens 

 had been correct; at least, that is the feeling among them abroad. I 

 have little testimony on this subject, except the protestations of many 

 of those who have been more or less suspected of taking part in the 

 expected revolt. 1 can say, that all the accounts I received invariably 

 spoke of the foreigners as having had nothing to do with the intended 

 outbreak, even if it were organized; and every one should be satisfied 

 that they were innocent, by the fact that in Mexico they were all 

 adjudged to be entirely guiltless of the charges brought against them, 

 and that they were sent back at the expense of the Mexican govern- 

 ment, with letters of security, and an order making it obligatory on the 

 Governor of California to assist them in procuring evidence of the 

 damages they had sustained. Although this may have been ample 

 satisfaction, so far as mere remuneration goes, yet for the barbarous 

 conduct shown to them by the authorities, some punishment ought 

 to have been inflicted, and an example made. But such has not been 

 the case, and those officers are still kept in their high places, with the 

 power to repeat like barbarities. There is no other way to account 

 for this not being insisted upon, than by supposing that the Mexicans 

 hold so little authority over this territory as to make them extremely 

 scrupulous how they take any measures that may cause the dismem- 

 berment of the state, and the loss of even the nominal dominion they 

 now possess. 



The situation of Upper California will cause its separation from 

 Mexico before many years. The country between it and Mexico can 

 never be any thing but a barren waste, which precludes all intercourse 

 except that by sea, always more or less interrupted by the course of 

 the winds, and the unhealthfulness of the lower or seaport towns of 

 Mexico. It is very probable that this country will become united 

 with Oregon, with which it will perhaps form a state that is destined 

 to control the destinies of the Pacific. This future state is admirably 

 situated to become a powerful maritime nation, with two of the finest 

 ports in the world, — that within the straits of Juan de Fuca, and 

 San Francisco. These two regions have, in fact, within themselves 

 every thing to make them increase, and keep up an intercourse with 

 the whole of Polynesia, as well as the countries of South America on 

 the one side, and China, the Philippines, New Holland, and New Zea- 

 land, on the other. Among the latter, before many years, may be 

 included Japan. Such various climates will furnish the materials for 

 a beneficial interchange of products, and an intercourse that must, in 

 time, become immense; while this western coast, enjoying a climate 



