394 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CUM\ continue ; for either it must disappear under the present authorities, or 
the country will fall into other hands, as from its situation with regard 
wll other powers upon the new continent, and to the commerce of the 
Pacific, it is of too much importance to be permitted to remain long 
m its present neglected state. Already have the Eussians encroached 
upon the territory by possessing themselves of the Farallones, and some 
islands off* Santa Barbara ; and their new settlement at Eossi, a few 
miles to the northward of Bodega, is so near upon the boundary as to be 
the cause of much jealous feeling not without reason it would appear, 
as I am informed it is well fortified, and presents to California an 
example of what may be effected upon her shores in a short time by 
industry. 
The tract situated between California and the eastern side of the 
continent of North America, having been only partially explored, has 
hitherto presented a formidable barrier to encroachment from that 
quarter ; but settlements are already advancing far into the heart of 
the country, and parties of hunters have lately traversed the interior, 
and even penetrated to the shores of the Pacific not without the 
loss of lives from the attacks of the Indians, it is true, but with ease, 
compared with the labour and difficulty experienced by Lewis and 
Clarke, who had not the benefit which more recent travellers have 
derived from the establishment of inland depdts by the American fur 
companies. One of these depdts, w'e were informed by a gentleman 
belonging to the establishment, whom we met at Monterey in 1827, is 
situated on the western side of the rocky mountains on a fork of the 
Columbia called Lewis Eiver, near the source of a stream supposed to be 
the Colorado. 
The trade of Upper California at present consists in the exportation 
of hides, tallow, manteca, horses to the Sandwich Islands, grain for the 
Eussian establishments at Sitka and Kodiak, and in the disposal of 
provisions to whale-ships and other vessels which touch upon the coast, 
perhaps a few furs and dollars are sent to China. The importations L-e 
dry goods, furniture, wearing-apparel, agricultural implements, deal- 
boards, and salt ; and silks and fireworks from China for the decoration 
of the churches and celebration of the saints’ days. In 1827 almost all 
