364 APPENDIX. 
measure. The wheat, it will be perceived, is greater than any of the other grains ; 
and this is the reverse of what usually occurs throughout the rest of Mexico.* 
The mills for grinding flour are few and primitive ; and although, as we have 
seen, all sorts of vegetables and fruits, from the potatoe to the vine, fig and pines, 
may bo readily cultivated ; and although the same extent of ground will produce 
about three times as much wheat as England, and returns maize one hundred and 
fifty fold ; yet every species of agriculture seems to be abandoned that is not 
merely and absolutely necessary to support existence. Pasturage here, as well 
as throughout most of the Spanish settlements, appears to be the great object of 
the farmer ; and he derives his profits from it in the easiest manner, by the sale 
either of his beeves and horses, or of their fat and hides. 
The following table will give you the total number of cattle, of all descriptions, 
for the year 1831 if 
Black cattle, 216,727 
Horses, 32,201 
Mules, 2,844 
Asses, 177 
Sheep, 153,455 
Goats, 1,873 
Swine, 839 
In addition to these, there are numbers at large which are not marked as belong- 
ing to any of the jurisdictions, missions, haciendas or towns ; and are hunted, las- 
soed and slain, to prevent their interference with the pasturage of the more useful 
cattle. But from all this vast multitude but little advantage is gained, except in 
the hides and tallow. Butter and cheese are almost unknown, and the dairy con- 
sequently altogether neglected. A fat ox is worth $5 ; a cow ^5 ; a horse, for 
the saddle, $10 ; a mare $5 ; a sheep $2, and a mule is worth $10. 
In former times, it was not unusual to find a thousand head of cattle driven to 
the city of Mexico from the large estates on the Pacific ; and although the practice 
is still continued, yet it is not to the extent as formerly. During the first few years 
after the opening of the ports, the trade with California was but trifling. The 
amount of exports was then estimated, at about thirty thousand hides and seven 
thousand quintals of tallow, with some trifling cargoes to San Bias, being not 
more than $130,000 in total value ; but within a few years past the trade has con- 
siderably increased, and a brisk intercourse has been conducted, almost entirely 
by Americans, with the Sandwich Islands. There is but small internal commerce, 
and although it forms part of the Mexican Republic, it is almost entirely cut oflT 
and isolated from the great mass of the nation. 
Besides a genial climate, and an exceedingly prolific soil. Upper California has 
several of the best harbors on the Western Coast of America. 
Monterey, which was recently taken possession of by Commodore Jones, in the 
most impromptu manner, is tolerably safe, though but an open roadstead. San 
Diego has a good and secure anchorage. San Pedro is an extensive bay, with 
good holding ground, but almost totally unknown. San Juan has an anchorage of 
five fathoms throughout the bay, and San Francisco, (a narrow arm of the sea, 
penetrating far inland, by a safe and deep channel,) forms one of the most capacious 
and secure harbors in the world. It is perfectly shielded from every wind, and the 
largest frigates may ride in safety on its bosom. 
• Forbes, 260. t Forbes, 265. 
