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Show 247 [ 174 ] 'ts'banks continuously timbered. There were two vessels belonO'ino- to bapt. Sutter at anchor near tl.lC landing-one a large two-masted lighter, and the other a schooner, whtch was shortly to proceed on a voyage to Fort Vancouver for a cargo of goods. Since his arrival, several other persons, principally Americans, have established themselves in the valley. Mr. Sinclair, from whom I experienced much kindness during my stay, i£ settled a few miles distant, on the Hio de los Americanos. Mr. Coudrois, a gentleman from Germany, has established himself on Feather river, and is associated with Captain Sutter in agricultural pur~uit~. ~mong other impr~vcmcnts, the~ are abo~t to introduce the culttvatwn of rape seed, (brasstca rapus,) wh1ch there IS every reason to believe is admirably adapted to the climate and soil. The lowest average produce of wheat, as far as we can at present know, is 35 fanep;as for one sown ; but, as an instance of its fertility, it may be mentioned that Seiior Valejo obtained, on a pieec of ground where sheep had been pastureu, 800 fanegas for eight sown. The produce being different in various places, a vety correct idea cannot be formed. An impetus was given to the active little population by our anival, as we were in want of every thing. Mules, horses, and cattle, were to be collected; the horse mill was at work day and night, to make sufficient flour; the blacksmith's shop was put in requisition for horse shoes and bridle bitls; and pack saddles, ropes, and bridles, and all the other little equipmcnt( of the camp, were again to be provided. The delay thus occasioned was one of repose and enjoyment, which our situation required, and, anxious as we were to resume our homeward journey, was re{?;retted by no one. In the mean time, I had the pleasure to meet with Mr. Chiles, who waA residing at a farm on the other side of the ri\·er Sacramento, while engaged in the selection of a place for a settlement, for which he had received the necessary grant of land from the Mexican Government. It will be remembered that we had parted near the frontier of the States, and that he had subsequently de ccnded the valley of Lewis's fork, with a party of 10 or 12 men, with the intention of crossing the intermediate mountains to the waters of the bay of San Francisco. In the execution of this design, and aided by subsequent information, he left the Columbia at the mouth of Malheur river; and, making his way to the head waters of the Sacramento with a part of his company, travelled down that river to the settlements of Nueva Helvetia. The other party, to whom he had committed his wagons, and mill irons and saws, took a course further to the south, and the wa~ons and their contents were lost. On the 22d we made a preparatory move, and encamped ncar the settlement of Mr. Sinclair on the left bank of the Rio de los Arncricanos. I had discharged five of th~ party: N cal, the blacksmith, (an excellent workman, and an unmanied man who had done his duty faithfully, and had been of very great service to m' e,) desired to remain, as stro~g t. tl d uce.mcnts were offered here to mechanics. Althoutrh at considerable 1nconvcntcnce to myse. lf, his good conduct induced me to comply with his request; and l oblatned for him, from Captain Sutter, a present compc.nsation of h~o do.l~ars and a half per diem, with a promise that it should be tnerensed to {Jve, It he ~roved as good a workman a , had been represented. Lie .was more p~rhcu. larly an ap;r icultural blacksmith. The other men were dt8charged wtth thcu· own consent. |