Some are enclosed with high walls; but in general they are open hamlets, composed of rows of huts, built of sunburnt bricks; in some instances whitewashed and roofed with tiles.  Many of them are far in the interior, beyond the reach of all military protection, and dependent entirely on the good will of the natives, which never fails them.  They have made considerable progress in teaching the Indians the useful arts.  There are native tanners, shoemakers, weavers, blacksmiths, stonecutters, and other artificers attached to each establishment.  Others are taught husbandry, and the rearing of cattle and horses; while the females card and spin wool, weave, and perform the other duties allotted to their sex in civilized life.  No social intercourse is allowed between the unmarried of the opposite sexes after working hours; and at night they are locked up in separate apartments, and the keys delivered to the priests.

The produce of the lands, and all the profits arising from sales, are entirely at the disposal of the priests; whatever is not required for the support of the missions, goes to augment a fund which is under their control.  Hides and tallow constitute the principal riches of the missions, and, indeed, the main commerce of the country.  Grain might be produced to an unlimited extent at the establishments, were there a sufficient market for it.  Olives and grapes are also reared at the missions.

Horses and horned cattle abound throughout all this region; the former may be purchased at from three to five dollars, but they are of an inferior breed.  Mules, which are here of a large size and of valuable qualities, cost from seven to ten dollars.

There are several excellent ports along this coast.  San Diego, San Barbara, Monterey, the bay of San Francisco, and the northern port of Bondago; all afford anchorage for ships of the largest class.  The port of San Francisco is too well known to require much notice in this place.  The entrance from the sea is sixty-seven fathoms deep, and within, whole navies might ride with perfect safety.  Two large rivers, which take their rise in mountains two or three hundred miles to the east, and run through a country unsurpassed for soil and climate, empty themselves into the harbor.  The country around affords admirable timber for ship-building.  In a word, this favored port combines advantages which not only fit it for a grand naval depot, but almost render it capable of being made the dominant military post of these seas.

Such is a feeble outline of the Californian coast and country, the value of which is more and more attracting the attention of naval powers.  The Russians have always a ship of war upon this station, and have already encroached upon the Californian boundaries, by taking possession of the port of Bondago, and fortifying it with several guns.  Recent surveys have likewise been made, both by the Russians and the English; and we have little doubt, that, at no very distant day,