To the emigrant to California at the
present time, this system is not with
out its advantages, as the Padres are
■ willing to hire out hands of their con
i verts ns laborers at a very tiifling rate.
iTiicsa Indians are good workmen.
I though rather indo! nt from want of
Imotives to exertion. They are par
ticularly useful in herding cattle and
sheep.
The soil and climate of California
are admirably adapted to (he raising
of all the serial crops. Wheat, corn,
oats, barely, &c., are produced with
great facility and in surprising abun
dance. Tho grape grows in luxuri
ance, and even now much wine is made
•Cotton, sugar, sit’d tobacco are raised
| with ease. The timber is fine, and
'consists of all the most important vari
eties. Captain Wilkes and Mr. Pre
imont make frequent mention of the
ienormous size of the trees.
I Monterey is the principal common
cial town of California. It contains
some three or four thousand inhabitants,
and is constructed of sun dried birch.
Thera are to be found many American
merchants, who have contrived to do
a profitable business, notwithstanding
the absurd restrictions ol the Mexican
tariff.
It has been the custom of late years
for the Mexican government to farm
•out the customs of her principal ports,
in a like measure as the earlier kings
of England did with the Cinque ports.
