“The quantity of hides gathered yearly is about thirty or forty thousand; and the arrobas of tallow, with very little difference, will be about the same.  Averaging the price of each article at two dollars, we shall see that the intrinsic value in annual circulation in California is 140,000 dollars.  This sum, divided between twenty-one missions, will give each one 6666 dollars.  Supposing the only production of the country converted into money, with what would the Indians be clothed, and by what means would they be able to cover a thousand other necessaries?  Money is useful in amplifying speculations; but in California, as yet, there are no speculations, and it productions are barely sufficient for the absolute necessary consumption.  The same comparison may be made with respect to private individuals, who are able to gather a few hides and a few arrobas of tallow, these being in small quantities.”

CHAPTER II.

  Leave New Helvetia for San Francisco
  Coscumne River
  Mickelemes River
  Ford of the San Joaquin
  Extensive plain
  Tule marshes
  Large droves of wild horses and elk
  Arrive at Dr. Marsh’s
  Vineyard
  Californian grape
  Californian wine
  Aguardiente
  Mormon settlements on the San Joaquin
  Californian beef
  Cattle
  Grasses of California
  Horses
  Breakfast
  Leave Dr. Marsh’s
  Arrive at Mr. Livermore’s
  Comforts of his dwelling
  Large herds of cattle
  Sheep
  Swine
  Californian senora
  Slaughtering of a bullock
  Fossil oyster-shells
  Skeleton of a whale on a high mountain
  Arrive at mission of San Jose
  Ruinous and desolate appearance of the mission
  Pedlars
  Landlady
  Filth
  Gardens of the mission
  Fruit orchards
  Empty warehouses and workshops
  Foul lodgings.

September 13th.—­We commenced to-day our journey from New Helvetia to San Francisco.  Our party consisted, including myself, of Colonel Russell, Dr. McKee of Monterey, Mr. Pickett, a traveller in the country, recently from Oregon, and an Indian servant, who had been furnished us by Captain Sutter.  Starting about 3 o’clock P.M., we travelled in a south course over a flat plain until sunset, and encamped near a small lake on the rancho of Mr. Murphy, near the Coscumne River, a tributary of the Sacramento, which heads near the foot of the Sierra Nevada.  The stream is small, but the bottom-lands are extensive and rich.  Mr. Murphy has been settled in California about two years, and, with his wife and several children, has resided at this place sixteen months, during which time he has erected a comfortable dwelling-house, and other necessary buildings and conveniences.  His wheat crop was abundant this year; and he presented us with as much milk and fresh butter as we desired.  The grass on the upland plain over which we have travelled is brown and crisp from the annual drought.  In the low bottom it is still green.  Distance 18 miles.