208 



SAN CARLOS AND SAN ANTONIO. 



[1825. 



missions, surrounded by a wall of ten feet in height, built of free-stone, 

 and enclosing about two hundred houses. There are also one church 

 and a nunnery. The residence of the governor, his excellency Don 

 Miguel Gonzales, is a very handsome edifice. 



The inhabitants of Monterey are very similar to those of St. Diego, 

 in appearance, character, manners, customs, and habits. The climate 

 is mild, salubrious, and healthy ; being on the same parallel as Nor- 

 folk, Virginia, and never colder than 58°, and seldom warmer than 85°. 

 This part of the country is well wooded, and the soil is rich and fer- 

 tile. Some of the plantations would eclipse our finest gardens — pro- 

 ducing all kinds of grain, vegetables, garden herbs, and a variety of 

 fruits common to the United States. This is a fine place for whaling- 

 ships to touch at for refreshments, which may be had in great abun- 

 dance, including cattle, sheep, deer, hogs, poultry, vegetables, fruits, 

 &c. ; all of which may be purchased here at very reasonable prices. 



This coast has been famous for its abundant supplies of hides and 

 tallow ; but the success of this trade drew such numbers into it for 

 the last ten or fifteen years, that the cattle and horses are becoming 

 scarce, and their prices too high to render it a business worth follow- 

 ing any longer by vessels from the United States. Previous to the 

 revolution in Mexico, and before a republican flag had ever floated 

 over the presidios* and forts of California, the government of Ord 

 Spain reserved to itself the exclusive commerce of its hides and pel- 

 tries, from which they collected an immense revenue. 



The mission of San Carlos de Monterey lies about a league to the 

 southward of the presidio ; it is a small establishment, containing two 

 hundred and sixty Indians. It stands in a pleasant valley, near the 

 river St. Carmelo, a small stream that runs into a rocky bay, south of 

 Point Pinos. The road from the port to this place is truly delightful, 

 leading through rural scenery of the most pleasing and picturesque 

 appearance. Here are fine pasture lands, interspersed with pine, oak, 

 and birch trees, with very little underwood. 



About ten miles to the east-south-east of Monterey is the mission of 

 St. Antonio de Padua. This place is built in a circular form, having 

 the appearance of military barracks, with a church in the centre. 

 There are now about fifteen hundred Indians in this mission, governed 

 by two friars and four monks, who keep the Indians at work in culti- 

 vating the ground and rearing cattle. All that their labour produces 

 over and above the support of the establishment, is sold at Monterey 

 by the friars, and the proceeds laid out in clothing, agricultural imple- 

 ments, and other necessaries, for the good of the mission, and the im- 

 provement of the Indians. The latter are very industrious in their 

 labours, and obedient to their teachers and directors, to whom they 

 look up as to a father and proter .or, and who in return discharge 

 their duty towards these poor Indians with a great deal of feeling and 

 humanity. They are generally well clothed and fed, have houses of 

 their own, and are made as comfortable as they wish to be. The 



* With the Spaniards the word presidio is a general name for all forts (both in Africa and 

 America) which are placed in the middle of a country of infidels, and implying that there are no 

 other inhabitants, besides the garrison, which reside within the citadel 



