CALIFORNIA. 197 



which fronts on the public square, and is said to be one of the best 

 houses in California. On the right of this is the residence of the 

 general's brother, Salvadore, and to the left, the barracks for the 

 accommodation of the guard for the general, consisting of about twenty 

 fusileers. Not far removed is the old dilapidated mission-house of San 

 Francisco Solano, scarcely tenantable, though a small part of it is 

 inhabited still by the Padre Kihas, who continues, notwithstanding the 

 poverty of his mission, to entertain the stranger, and show him all the 

 hospitality he can. 



Besides the buildings just enumerated, there were in the course of 

 construction, in 1841, a neat little chapel, and a small building for a 

 billiard-room. There are also three or four more houses and huts 

 which are tenanted; and at some future day it may boast of some 

 farther additions. 



General Vallejo was one of those who figured in the revolution of 

 1836, and was then appointed Commandant-General of Alta-Cali- 

 fornia. He is now the owner of large estates ; and having chosen this 

 part of the country for his residence, he is free from the opposition 

 and broils that are continually growing out of the petty concerns of 

 the custom-house and its duties. He is not over-scrupulous in demand- 

 ing duties of the vessels entering the port of San Francisco; and until 

 he has been seen and consulted, a vessel trading here is liable to an 

 indefinite amount of duties. A portion of the payment adds to his 

 wealth, and how much goes to the government is not known ; enough, 

 I was told, in some cases, to save appearances, and no more. The 

 foreigners who trade here are very attentive to him ; and it might be 

 supposed, before making inquiry into the cause, that he is a great 

 favourite with them. The highest official protection is necessary for 

 all those who wish to prosper in their trade to this port, and to prevent 

 exactions from subordinates. 



I have already spoken of the unceremonious manner in which Cap- 

 tain Suter officiated as administrador of the district to the east of the 

 Sacramento. The anecdotes related to me of Vallejo, in like manner, 

 show a striking disregard for the lives, as well as for the property and 

 liberty of the Indians and gente de razon. He is supreme, and acts 

 with the same impunity as all his predecessors, with one or two 

 exceptions, have done before him. As an instance of the lawless acts 

 of the governors, it is said that one of them entertained the idea of 

 training the Indians as soldiers, and a company of them had been 

 brought together, drilled, and made such proficiency in the use of their 

 arms, that his excellency became alarmed, and forthwith ordered them 

 all to be shot ! I have little doubt that this story may be essentially 



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