e Jesuits, who established a mission there. To
the Jesuits succeeded the Franciscans, who were a good, lenient, lazy,
and kind-hearted set of fellows, funny yet moral, thundering against
vice and love, and yet giving light penalties and entire absolution.
These Franciscans were shown out of doors by the government of Mexico,
who wished to possess their wealth. It was unfortunate, as for the
kind, hospitable, and generous monks, the government substituted agents
and officers from the interior, who, not possessing any ties at
Monterey, cared little for the happiness of the inhabitants. The
consequence is, that the Californians are heartily tired of these agents
of extortion; they have a natural antipathy against custom-house
officers; and, above all, they do not like the idea of giving their
dollars to carry on the expense of the Mexican wars, in which they feel
no interest. Some morning (and they have already very nearly succeeded
in so doing) they will haul down the Mexican flag from the presidio,
drive away the commissarios and custom-house receivers, declare their
independence of Mexico, and open their ports to all nations.

Monterey contains about three thousand souls, including the half-breeds
and Indians acting as servants in the different dwellings. The
population is wealthy, and not having any opportunity to throw away
their money, as in the eastern cities (for all their pleasures and
enjoyments are at no expense), they are fond of ornamenting their
persons, and their horses and saddles, with as much wealth as they can
afford. A saddle of 100 pounds in value is a common thing among the
richer young men, who put all their pride in their steeds and
accoutrements.

The women dress richly and with an admirable taste; the unmarried girls
in white satin, with their long black hair falling upon their shoulders;
their brow ornamented with rich jewels when at home, and when out, their
faces covered with a long white veil, through which their dark eyes will
shine like diamonds.

The married women prefer gaudy colours, and keep their hair confined
close to their head by a large comb. They have also another delightful
characteristic, which indeed the men share with them; I mean a beautiful
voice, soft and tremulous among the women, rich, sonorous, and majestic
among their lords. An American traveller has said, "A common
bullock-driver on horseback, delivering a message, seemed to speak like
an ambassador to an aud