TO SAN DIEGO. 97 
doubt be beneficial, and the plan is worthy the atten- 
tion of the government. 
Three miles south of San Diego is another town 
near the shore of the bay, which was surveyed and 
plotted by Mr. Gray, U. 8. Surveyor to the Boundary 
Commission, while on duty here. Thisis called ‘“‘ New 
San Diego.” It consists of a few substantial frame 
houses, and is the depot for the United States Subsist- 
ence and the Quarter-master’s Departments. A large 
and fine wharf was built here at a great expense; but 
there is no business to bring vessels here, except an 
occasional one with government stores. There is no 
water nearer than the San Diego river, three miles dis- 
tant. Efforts indeed are making to find it with an Ar- 
tesian well; but with what success, remains to be seen. 
There is no timber near, and wood has to be brought 
some eight or ten miles: nor is there any arable land 
within four miles. Without wood, water, or arable 
land, this place can never rise to importance. At the 
head of the bay are some good lands with pastures for 
grazing. The bottom lands along the stream back of 
the old town of San Diego, possess great fertility, and 
with proper attention might be made very productive. 
The admirable harbor of San Diego and its position 
on the coast, will always make it an important stopping 
place for shipping ; but whether the Playa or beach near 
the entrance, the old town of San Diego, or “‘ Gray 
Town” as New San Diego is called by the people of the 
old town, will have the ascendancy, remains to be seen: 
—each has its advantages and disadvantages. 
It appears from the early Spanish writers, that the 
promontory north-west of the harbor was once well 
VOL. 11.—7 
