Southern telegraph., 1838-08-15

n deg. 10 min. to ~ deg. on the Pacific,
md inland to the great chain of snow cap
,ed mountains which divide it from The sand
llans of the interior. There are about
twenty-one missions in this'province, most
# which were established about fifty years
since, and are generally under the care OF
the Franciscans. These exert a protect
ing sway over about thirty-five thousand
Iindan converts who reside on the lands
iround the mission houses. Each OF these
houses has fifteen miles square of land al
lotted to it, subdivided ato small lots, pro-
per to the number of Indian converts at
tached to the mission. 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
whtewashed and rooted 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 teach
ing the Indans,ihe useful arts. There are
native tanners, shoemak kers, weavers, black
smiths, stonecutters, and other artficers ar
tifcers attached to each establishment
Others are taught hUsbandry and The rear
ing 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 be-
tween 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 pro-
fits arising from sales, are entirely at the
disposal of the priests; whatever is not re-
quired for the support Of the missions, goes
TO augment fund which is under their con-
troll. Hides and tallow constitute the prin
cpal riches Of the missions, and, indeed,
the main commerce of the country -
Grain might be produced to an unlimited
extent at the establishments, was there IA
sufficient market for it. Olives and grapes
are also reared at the missions.
Horses and horned cattle abound through
all this region; the former may be purchas.
ed at from three to five dollars, but they
are of an inferior breed. Mules, which
are here of large size, and of valua,
BILE qualities, cost from seven to ten dol
lars.
There are several excellent ports along
this coast. San Diego, San Barbara, Mon
terey, the Bay of San Francisco, and the
northern port of Bondage; all afford an
chorage for ships Of the largest class -
The port Of San Francisco is too wei
known to require much notice in this place
The entrance from the sea is sixty-seveI
fathoms deep, and within, whole navie'
might ride in perfect safety. Two large
rivers which take theiL rise in mountains
two or three hundred miles to the east, ant
run through country unsurpassed for sol
and climate, empty themselves into tht
harbor. The country around affords ad
mirable timber for ship building. In word
this favored port combines advantages whicl
not only fit it for grand naval depot, bu
almost render it capable of being rendere'
the dominant military post of these seas.
, Such is a feeble outline of the Califor
MIA coast and country, the value of whic
; is now attracting the attention of nava
: powers. The Russians have always shi
Of war upon this station, and have alread
, encroached upon the California boundaries
by taking gpossession of the port of Bonda
60, and fortlfying it with several guns.
Recent surveys have likewise been mad
;, both by the Russians and the English
and we have little doubt that at no yer,
> distant day, this neglected, and until recent
ly, almost unknown region, will be foun
to possess sources of wealth sufficient t
sustain a powerful and prosperous empire
Its inhabitants themselves are but littl
> aware of its real riches; they have not er
terprise sufficient to acquaint themselye
! with the vast interior, that lies almost
: terra incogniti; nor have they the skill an
industry to cultivate properly the fertll
tracts along the coast; nor to prosecute ths
y foreign commerce, which brings all tn
resources of country into profitable az
ton. rs