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much better, and its strength may be judged of from its having been
taken by a small party of seamen who landed from a Buenos Ayrean
pirate in 1819, destroyed tbe greater part of the guns, and pillaged and
burnt tbe town.
At tbe distance of a league to tbe southward of the presidio lies
tbe mission of Sán Carlos, a small establishment containing S6‘0 Indians.
It is situated in a valley near the river St. Carmelo; a small stream
emptying itself into a deep rocky bay. Tbe shores of this bay, and
indeed of tbe whole of the coast near Point Pinos, is armed with rocks
of granite upon which tbe sea breaks furiously; and as there is no
anchorage near them on account of the great depth of water, it is
dangerous to approach the coast in light or variable winds. Fortunately
some immense beds of sea weed (Jucus pyriformis) lie off the coast, and
are so impenetrable that they are said to have saved several vessels which
were driven into them by the swell during calm and foggy weather.
The ride from the presidio to Sán Carlos on a fine day is most agreeable.
The scenery is just sufficiently picturesque to interest, while
the hills are not so abrupt as to inconvenience a bold rider. The
road leads principally through fine pasture lands, occasionally wooded
with tall pine, oak, and birch trees; but without any underw^ood to
give it a W’ildness, or to rob it of its park-like aspect. Before the valley
of Sán Carmelo opens out, the traveller is apprized of his approach to
the mission by three large crosses erected upon Mount Calvary; and
further on by smaller ones placed at the side of the road, to each of which
some history is attached. In the church is a drawing of the reception
of La Perouse at the mission, executed on board the Astrolabe, by one
of the officers of his squadron. I much wished to possess this valuable
relic, with which however the padre was unwilling to part.
We found lying in the port of Monterey an American brig endeavouring
to dispose of a cargo of dry goods, and to procure hides
and tallow in return ; and we opportunely received from her a supply of
spirits, as the last cask was abroach. On the 4th a Russian brig, named
the Baikal, belonging to the Russian American Fur Company, anchored
in the bay. This vessel was employed upon the coast trading between
Sitka, Bodega, and several ports in California, either in carrying or arranging
the supplies for the Russian settlements to the northward C O M ' .
She was commanded by an officer in the Russian navy, and had on board
Mr. Klebnekoff, the agent. There are several ofthese vessels upon Ja„.
the coast carrying guns, and wearing pendants. On the 5th we took
leave of our hospitable acquaintances, and put to sea on our passage to
the Sandwich Islands.
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