and Indian villages, and derive their support from agricultural pursuits.
Aside from these, the country is entirely devoid of population other than wild beasts and uncultivated savages. The white inhabitants are computed at one thousand or more, and are generally Americans; while between ten and twelve thousand Mexicans curse the country with their presence, and disgrace the Edens they possess.
The government of California has been, like all Mexican governments, very lax and inefficient. It was but little other than a despotism, or, rather, a complicated machine for the oppression of the people and the perversion of justice! and infinitely worse than none.
Whether the late revolution has produced a better order of things remains to be determined; but, one fact is worthy of notice — no permanent reformation can be effected so long as Mexicans exercise any controlling influence in the administration of the laws; and, to speak plainly, not until the government is placed in other and better hands.
The Mexicans occupy eight military stations at different points along the coast, garrisoned by about three hundred and fifty soldiers, and mounting some fifty pieces of artillery. The largest of these fortifications is at Monterey. This post is garrisoned by two hundred soldiers, and twelve pieces of canon — while the fort at New Helvetia, held by the Americans, mounts an equal number.
In case of an emergency, it is supposed the whole Mexican force might possibly amount to between ten and eleven hundred men — in efficiency nearly equal to a party of one hundred and fifty well-armed Americans.
It will be seen at a mere glance, that Mexico cannot maintain her hold upon California for many years to come. Emigrants from the United States and other countries, attracted by its fertile soil and healthful climate, will continue to pour into it with increased ratio, until, by outnumbering the degraded race that at present bears sway, this delightful portion of the globe shall of necessity become either the dependency of some foreign power or assume a separate and distinct existence as an independent nation.
