Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-03-19

Saw some tmber-live oak, sycamore,
walnut, &c. Encamped in vineyard,
and turned our mules INTO wheat field,
near an Indian ranch, with the permission
of The owner. If we were not sin clover"
wheat for our animals, and grapes for
ourselves were equally as good. We
paid the Indians for the fruit we used, of
course. Had a fine grape pie for supper.
Distance, 20 miles-2lsl.
Saturday. Sep. l.-Whle at Los Ange
los weighed l57 lbs., being gain of :
lbs. since leaving home. Maj. Green
Weighed l6O lbs, loss of 5s lbs. in the
same time. So much for high living.
We were advised by some Americans at
Los Angeles, to take but IL or Is days
provisions, cross the mountains into the
valley Of the San joaquin. and proceed
directly 10 the nearest mines, as much
shorter route, and the Maraposa being re-
ported the best diggings in the country.
This morning we found that we were upon
the Coast road, which was not our route.
A Spanard gave us directions, which we
followed. The trail led over level plain,
covered with a dense growth Of clover !;
and we soon reached the Mission of San
Fernando This place is almost deserted.
A few Indians inhabit the dilapidated build
ings, which were built by the Catholic
church for their use and comfort. Thes e
California Missions were once in a flour.
;shing condition. Thousands of wild In
dians were gathered around them, instruc
ted in the " holy iailh," and taught 10
cultivate the earth. Each mission had its
vineyards and fruit garden. a large tract Of
land under cultivation, and countless num-
bers of cattle. horses, sheep, &c. Good
order, peace and plenty, once reigned over
these beautiful spots. The "Padre' had
the entire control OF the concern. and was
reverenced as prime ruler" by his devo.
ted subjects. But all this has changed.
The Priests have left, nunneries are deser-
ted, the Indians are scattered, and many
of them have fled TO their wild haunts in
the mountains, and the buildings are fast
going to ruin. By what can learn, these
changes have been brought about by revo-
utions in the country, altering the govern
men. OF the missions, restricting the power
Of the Padres &C., and finally the country
falling into the hands of the Americans. land
the discovery of the gold mines, have
made complete wreck Of these once pop.
ular institutions. Although am far from
being a believer in the religion Of the
Roman Catholics, or rather their doctrines,
| can not look upon these missions, and
hear the story Of their rise and progress,
and downfall, without feelings Of regret.
that they have not been sustained. The
principal building in the mission of San
Fernando, containing the church. convent,
Padres rooms, &C., is noble edifice, al.
though the architecture is very rude. 1t is
two stories high, built Of adobes, plasered
and whitewashed, The roof is covered
with fluted tile. The windows are crossed
with iron bars. lis arches, pillars, belfry,
statues, fountains, paintings, &C., give it
an imposing appearance, and it must be
acknowledged a we'll constructed edifce,
for this country, where building material
is so scarce. There are several Spaniards
in charge Of the building, yards, cornield
&c. We purchased some pears and mel.
ons. There were number OF Indians
keeping watch over the corn field, each
one perched upon small scaffold. above
the tops of the corn. Shortly after leaving
the Mission we entered the mountains,
following small trail up ravine, 10 the
head, where an apparently impossible
mountain seemed TO obstruct our further
progress. There was no alternative, we
must either scale it, or take the back track.
1t was not more than 500 yards high, but
very steep, and the trail scarcely visible.
After one of the hardest struggles have
witnessed on the route, our mules reached
the summit with their loads. The descen,
was almost as difficult. Shortly after
wards, we encamped in ravine, beneath
the shade of some large sycamore trees
good grass, but little water. Saw "Griz.
ely" upon the mountains. but he was not
within rifle shot, and we could not get 10
him. Distance, 20 miles-22Ol. va-
Sunday, Sep. 2.-Very cold last night.
We now feel the need of The blankets we
were obliged to throw away, we have but
one apiece left. Shortly after starting we
entered small valley. A great many
cattle in it, and we were led estray by their
numerous trails. This detained US an
hour or TWO, but finding the casa Spanish
name of house or home) we we're
righted on our course. Here we entered
The mountains again, and crossed a very
high range, so steep that we had almost |