408 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, much better, and its strength may be judged of from its having been 
taken by a small party of seamen who landed from a Buenos Ayrean 
Jan. pirate in 1819? destroyed the greater part of the guns, and pillaged and 
1827 . , - ^ 
burnt the town. 
At the distance of a league to the southward of the presidio lies 
the mission of S4n Carlos, a small establishment containing 260 Indians. 
It is situated in a valley near the river St. Carmelo ; a small stream 
emptying itself into a deep rocky bay. The shores of this bay, and 
indeed of the whole of the coast near Point Pinos, is armed with rocks 
of granite upon which the sea breaks furiously ; and as there is no 
anchorage near them on account of the great depth of water, it is 
dangerous to approach the coast in light or variable winds. Fortunately 
some immense beds of sea weed (Jucus pyriformis) lie off the coast, and 
are so impenetrable that they are said to have saved several vessels which 
were driven into them by the swell during calm and foggy weather. 
The ride from the presidio to S4n Carlos on a fine day is most agree- 
able. The scenery is just sufficiently picturesque to interest, while 
the hills are not so abrupt as to inconvenience a bold rider. The 
road leads principally through fine pasture lands, occasionally wooded 
with tall pine, oak, and birch trees ; but without any underwood to 
give it a wildness, or to rob it of its park-like aspect. Before the valley 
of Sdn Carmelo opens out, the traveller is apprized of his approach to 
the mission by three large crosses erected upon Mount Calvary ; and 
further on by smaller ones placed at the side of the road, to each of which 
some history is attached. In the church is a drawing of the reception 
of La Perouse at the mission, executed on board the Astrolabe, by one 
of the officers of his squadron. I much wished to possess this valuable 
relic, with which however the padre was unwilling to part. 
We found lying in the port of Monterey an American brig en- 
deavouring to dispose of a cargo of dry goods, and to procure hides 
and tallow in return ; and we opportunely received from her a supply of 
spirits, as the last cask was abroach. On the 4th a Russian brig, named 
the Baikal, belonging to the Russian American F ur Company, anchored 
in the bay. This vessel was employed upon the coast trading between 
Sitka, Bodega, and several ports in California, either in carrying or ar- 
