198 CALIFORNIA. 



true, for the value of an Indian's life in the eye of the rulers scarcely 

 exceeds that of one of the wild cattle. The commandant-general is 

 frequently said to hunt them, and by his prowess in these expeditions 

 he has gained some reputation. Salvadore Vallejo is engaged in 

 agricultural pursuits, and particularly in raising cattle, which, under 

 the governor, he has the especial privilege of supplying to vessels, 

 which he does at prices that insure a handsome profit. In times of 

 scarcity, vessels are sure to be supplied by applying to the governor, 

 who will order supplies to be furnished, and even obtain them by com- 

 pulsion. On my arrival, finding that we wanted supplies, and not 

 knowing how long (in the event of an accident to our land party) I 

 might be detained, I was advised to apply to the commandant-general, 

 through whom I would be sure of obtaining them. I therefore de- 

 spatched a note by an officer, whom the general treated with great 

 politeness, and returned for answer, that he could supply me with the 

 following articles : Lima beans, wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables, 

 which we had been unable to obtain. Fortunately for us, as well as 

 for the lower orders and Indians, the party arrived, and we were not 

 under the necessity of making use of his powerful intervention. The 

 general, I was told, considers every bushel of grain as much at his 

 command as he does the persons of the people, and the property of the 

 state. Zonoma is to be the capital of this country, provided the 

 general has power and lives long enough to build it up. An idea has 

 got abroad that he is looking to the gubernatorial chair, and to be 

 placed there by the same force that has raised Alvarado and himself 

 to the posts they now occupy. 



Zonoma is on the road that leads to Ross and Bodega ; and by this 

 route Captain Suter has transported all the stock he purchased of the 

 Russians. 



The reality of the hostility said to exist between these two rival 

 administradors, seems doubtful, at least to the extent reported by the 

 residents. 



The state of society here is exceedingly loose: envy, hatred, and 

 malice, predominate in almost every breast, and the people are wretched 

 under their present rulers ; female virtue, I regret to say, is also 

 at a low ebb ; and the coarse and lascivious dances which meet the 

 plaudits of the lookers-on, show the degraded tone of manners that 

 exists. 



The mission of San Rafael is in the fertile valley of that name, 

 about twelve miles from Sausalito, and consists of a large building, 

 with a small chapel at its end ; it is in a tolerable state of preser- 

 vation, and is under the superintendence of an Irishman, named 



