350 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, would, under the impression of clearing olF a score of wages that will 
never be settled in any other manner. Fortunately for Martinez and 
>ov. other veterans in this country, both vegetable and animal food are un- 
1826 . ® . 
commonly cheap, and there are no fashions to create any expense of 
dress. 
The governor’s abode was in a corner of the presidio, and formed 
one end of a row, of which the other was occupied by a chapel ; the 
opposite side was broken down, and little better than a heap of rubbish 
and bones, on which jackals, dogs, and vultures were constantly preying ; 
the other two sides of the quadrangle contained storehouses, artificers’ 
shops, and the gaol, all built in the humblest style with badly burnt 
bricks, and roofed with tiles. The chapel and the governor’s house 
were distinguished by being whitewashed. 
Whether viewed at a distance or near, the establishment im- 
presses a spectator with any other sentiment than that of its being a 
place of authority ; and but for a tottering flag-stafij upon which was 
occasionally displayed the tri-coloured flag of Mexico, three rusty field 
pieces, and a half accoutred sentinel parading the gateway in charge of 
a few poor wretches heavily shackled, a visiter would be ignorant of 
the importance of the place. The neglect of the government to its 
establishments could not be more thoroughly evinced than in the 
dilapidated condition of the building in question ; and such was the 
dissatisfaction of the people that there was no inclination to improve 
their situation, or even to remedy many of the evils which they ap- 
peared to us to have the power to remove. 
The plain upon which the presidio stands is well adapted to cul- 
tivation ; but it is scarcely ever touched by the plough, and the garrison 
is entirely beholden to the missions for its resources. Each soldier has 
nominally about three pounds a month, out of which he is obliged to 
purchase his provision. If the governor were active, and the means 
were supplied, the country in the vicinity of the establishment might be 
made to yield enough wheat and vegetables for the troops, by which 
they would save that portion of their pay which now goes to the pur- 
chase of these necessary articles. 
The garrison of San Francisco consists of seventy-six cavalry 
