TO SAN ANTONIO. 
21 
in some of the new States of the West, when courts 
were first introduced. 
Victoria is a place of recent growth, having been 
settled within ten years. The Guadalupe Eiver, where 
it passes the town, is an insignificant stream ; but its 
high banks bear witness that it is at times one of con- 
siderable magnitude. Attempts have been made to 
navigate it by means of a small steamer, but with 
indifferent success ; and the difficulties attending the 
navigation of Espiritu Santo Bay, into which the river 
empties, will prove a serious obstacle to regular com- 
munication with the seaboard. I directed the quarter- 
master to transport the property of the Commission to 
Victoria by steamer from the coast ; but finding it a 
very uncertain mode, and one which might be attended 
with serious delays, he thought it most prudent to 
make use of wagons, and such of our stores as exceeded 
our own 'means of conveyance were drawn with hired 
teams. As I did not pass through this place on my 
return, I do not know whether the attempt to navi- 
gate the Guadalupe with steamboats has been success- 
ful or not. 
September IMh, The weather was extremely warm 
to-day, the mercury rising to 102° in the shade. Took 
an early breakfast, in order to examine the country 
around us before the sun was too high. The banks of 
the Colette are overhung with trees, from the branches 
of which hang long festoons of moss, waving grace- 
fully with the breeze. The river is about 150 feet 
wide, and near our camp about five feet deep and quite 
sluggish. Saw many fine fish, among them the kind 
known as the “ buffalo fish but it would not take the 
