History of California, Volume I, Part 69

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 852

USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 69
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 69

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37 P'rov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 107, 175; xxi. 176-7; Prov. Rcc., MS., iv. 57-S; Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., ii. 64-5. The only ship-building industry recorded is the building of a large boat by the sailors left by Capt. Dorr in 1796. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 79.

619

AGRICULTURE.

Agricultural statistics are given elsewhere in chap- ters devoted to missions, pueblos, and to local prog- ress; but it is well here to give the grand total of production, which was on an average 56,000 bushels of grain per year during the decade. Of this yield 36,000 bushels were wheat; 11,700 bushels, corn; 5,400 bushels, barley; 1,800 bushels, beans; and 1,200 bushels, miscellaneous grains such as pease, lentils, etc. Of other crops no statistical records were kept, though each establishment had a vegetable garden, a fruit- orchard, or a vineyard, most having all of these in a prosperous condition supplying the wants of the country. There have been some interesting discus- sions in modern times respecting the dates at which grapes, oranges, and other fruits were introduced in California; but there are no records which ean throw light on the matter. Many varieties of fruit, inelud- ing probably grapes, were introduced from the penin- sula by the earliest expeditions between 1769 and 1773; nearly all the varieties were in a flourishing condition on a small scale before Junípero Serra's death in 1784; and very few remained to be introduced after 1800.38

Borica gave and required his commandants to give much personal attention to the advancement of agri- cultural interests, using various expedients of reward and threat to accustom the settlers-for there was rarely any occasion to interfere with the friars and their subjects-to habits of industry and to precau- tions against possible famine in years of drought.

38 Information on these matters is very meagre and of a general nature. Vallejo has heard from his father and others of the fundadores that vines were brought up in 1769, and planted at San Diego. Vallejo, Doc. Hist. C'al., MS., xxxvi. 288. Palou, Vida de Junipero Serra, 199, 220, etc., mentions grapes, vegetables, fruits, etc., as flourishing in 1784. Yield of Monterey garden sufficient to pay for a gardner in 1784. Prov. St. Pap., MS., v. 54. La Pérouse left the first potatoes in California in 1786. There are some tradi- tions of wild grapes found in the country near San Antonio, and improved by cultivation. Gomez, Lo que sabe, MS., 105-6. Fages' garden in 1783-91 with 200 fruit-trees, vines, etc. Prov. At. Pap., MS., x. 167. Vancouver names many kinds of fruit raised in 1792. Wine manufactured in the southern mission3 in 1797-8. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 66, 70, 1798. The culture of vines and olives must be encouraged. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 100.

620

INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

Regular weather reports were insisted on, though very few of them have been preserved.39 The hardest years for the province were 1794 and 1795; but even in those years the drought did not extend over all the territory, so that more than half the average crop was produced. In 1793 the governor seconded by Presi- dent Lasuen prohibited the kindling of fires by neo- phytes and gentiles which had in several instances caused considerable damage in the grain-fields.40 In 1795 owners of gardens were required to fence them, or at least to make no complaints of ravages by cat- tle.41 The chief enterprise, however, of an agricult- ural nature in which the government took an inter- est was the attempt to introduce the cultivation of flax and hemp. The establishment of this industry in the American colonies of Spain had been ordered by the king in 1781, and the orders had been promul- gated in California as elsewhere, without receiving any practical attention; but in 1795 special orders and a package of seed having been sent up to Monterey, the experiment was undertaken in earnest by Borica's directions, San José being selected as the spot and Ignacio Vallejo as the superintendent, with the aid of a soldier who knew something of flax-culture. Some details of the experiment will be found in connection with the local history of San Jose for this period. There were some failures of crops, and others result- ing from inexperience in the various processes to which the product was subjected; but several lots of the staple sent to Mexico gave satisfaction, and in 1800 the prospects of the new industry were consid- ered encouraging, and preparations were made to send Joaquin Sanchez to superintend it in California. 42

39 Minor communications of the governor on agriculture. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 52-3, 69-186; v. 63 ;. vi. 67, 80; Dept. St. Pap. S. José., MS., i. 52. Borica offered a premium of $25 for the largest crop in 1796.

40 Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 187-8; Id., Ben. Mil., xx. 5: Arch. Arzobis- pado, MS., i. 34; Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., vi. 210-14.

41 Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 16, 17, 29, 33-4, 272, 293; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 77.

42 Nov. 13, 1781, royal orders published by Neve. Prov. St. Pap., MS.,

621

STOCK RAISING.

The companion industry to agriculture, and the favorite occupation of Californians from the first, as requiring less hard work than tilling the soil, was stock-raising. California had in 1800 in round num- bers 187,000 animals in her herds and flocks: 74,000 cattle, 24,000 horses, 1,000 mules, and 88,000 sheep, not to mention the comparatively few asses, goats, and swine. Of the total number the missions had 153,000; the presidios 18,000; and the pueblos 16,000. The increase had been uninterrupted from 1769 except in the year 1794-5 when there was a slight decrcase. The king's rancho at Monterey with branches at San Francisco and San Diego furnished to the presidial companies a very large part of the meat consumed and nearly all the cavalry horses employed in the service, the proceeds of sales on royal account varying from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. The missionaries always looked with much hostility on these establish- ments as depriving the missions of the best and almost the only market for their produce; but having founded

iii. 247-53. 1785, other orders of the audiencia published. Id., v. 250-1. Sept. 13, 1785, José de Galvez to Fages on aiding the enterprise. St. Pap. Sac., MS., iv. 35. Sept. 6, 1793, viceroy orders flax-culture to be promoted in all the missions. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 263-4. Sept. 7th, guardian also recommends the matter, saying that a wild flax is found on the Cali- fornia coast. Id., xii. 14, 15. Aug. 13, 1794, two fanegas of hemp-seed sent to Lasuen. Id., xi. 267-8. Instructions for hemp-culture. Instruments sent 1793. St. Pap., Sac., MS., xv. 15-17; Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., i. 53-6; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 140. See chapter xxxii. for experiments at San José. May 21, 1796, flax and hemp to be free of duty, and implements free from taxcs. Gaceta de Mex., viii. 95-8; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. 194. Dec. 19, 1796, Borica to V. R., 30 fanegas of seed harvested. Missions as a rule will not be able to raise hemp. No success yet in working the material. St. Pap., Sac., MS., iv. 70. Hemp exported in 1796-7 of no use. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 272. 1798, samples sent to Mexico and approved. Id., vi. 103; viii. 189-90. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 272, 287. May 3, 1798, hemp sent to P. Viader to try experiments in spinning. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 213. 1799, 25 arrobas of hemp sent to Mexico. Price $350. Prospects favorable. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 83-4; xvii. 213. Culture must be introduced at Branciforte. Id., xvii. 314-15. San Carlos using hemp for ordinary cloth for neophytes. Prov. Rec., vi. 117. 1800, crops not good. Id., ix. 15; S. José Arch., MS., iii. 70. Arrangements in Mexico to continue to encourage the new industry and to send Joaquin Sanchez to California. S. José, Arch., MS., v. 20; St. Pap., Miss. and Col., MS., i, 55-7; St. Pap., Sac., MS., ix. 102-4. By these arrangements the memoria ships were to take flax and hemp in good condition and pay for it in cash. Sanchez did not sail for California. Guerra, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., iii. 176-9. Vague indications that cotton was also tried. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 108; vi. 209; ix. 6.

622

INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

the ranchos at a time when the missions had no live- stock to sell, the government was not disposed to abandon them later; and indeed it was claimed that only by means of the rancho del rey and of the fixed tariffs of prices were the friars kept from maintaining an oppressive monopoly.43

In 1796-7 Borica made a special effort to promote the raising of sheep in connection with the manufac- ture of cloth. Statistical reports do not show that the increase in the mission flocks was much greater in those than other years, though it was uniformly rapid; while in the pueblos, to which Borica gave his attention more particularly, very little was accom- plished.44 The Californian cattle were very prolific, and, under the early regulations forbidding the slaughter of cows, multiplied with wonderful rapid- ity. The pueblos were not allowed to let their large stock increase beyond fifty head to each settler; the rancheros had no very large herds before 1800; and in the missions during the last decade efforts were directed rather to restrict than encourage further increase; yet in spite of all restrictions, and of the ravages of bears, wolves, and Indians, and of the constantly increasing slaughter for meat and tallow, cattle were becoming too numerous for the needs of

43 Prov. St. Pap., MS. x. 91; xii. 30, 97; xvi. 92; xvii. 14-16; Id., Ben. Mil., xiii. 1-7; xvii. 1; xviii. 4, 5; xxv. 2-4; Prov. Rec., MS., i. 208; iv. 16, 117, 134, 255-6, 273, 285; v. 64, 68, 85, 269; vi. 100, 104, 109; St. Pap., Miss., MS., i. 73-4; St. Pap., Miss. and Col., MS., i. 68-78. See also chapters xxx. and xxxii. for local items respecting the rancho del rey. 1795, cattle lost on the road were charged to the consumption of the troops. 1790, 4,000 cattle belonging to the real hacienda, from which many private persons were sup- plied. 1795, each soldier might have two milch cows. There seem to have been some sheep on the rancho. After 1797 an account was made of the hides, which before had been left to the soldiers.

" Efforts at Sta Bárbara. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 66. Rancheros must keep sheep or live in the pueblos. Id., iv. 86. Introduced at Angeles, S. José, and San Francisco. Id., vi. 79. Every settler should have at least 11 sheep, for which they may pay in grain. Id., iv. 147. Breeding-sheep to be pur- chased and sent to Monterey. Id., iv. 62. Six hundred and fourteen sheep at 7 reals, wethers $2, received from San Diego. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vi. G. Wool at S. Gabriel 20 reals per arroba. Id., vi. 6. Two hundred sheep dis- tributed at Angeles August 1796. Id., vi. I. Every settler at San José must keep 3 sheep for every larger animal. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., i. 73-4. The breed at San Francisco was merino, and better than elsewhere. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xv. 8, 9.

623

HORSES AND MULES.

the country. Horses, not being used for food, nor as yet stolen extensively by Indians, were largely in excess of all demands at four or five dollars each. Mules at fifteen dollars were generally in demand, comparatively few being yet raised. Tithes of all live-stock except in the missions were branded each year in October or November and added to the rancho del rey.45

45 1791, mission stock should be reduced to prevent dispersion. The Indians eat too much meat. Missions not allowed to buy animals from the troops. The raising of horses and mules should be promoted. Yearly slaughter for meat ordered. Fages to Romeu, in Prov. St. Pap., MS., x. 150, 157, 170. 1792, no more fat to be shipped from San Blas, and 200 cows to be killed each year. It is better to make monthly distributions of meat. Arrillaga, in Id., xi. 37-8; Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 156. Vancouver took some cattle away for Botany Bay and the Sandwich Islands. Vancouver's Voy., ii. 99; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 122. 1794, no market for horses. Mules promise better. Pueblo stock much exposed to Indians. Soldiers allowed only three or four cows. King's stock not much affected by the removal of females. Adobe houses built for soldiers guarding stock, in place of huts of hides. Arrillaga, Papel de Puntes, MS., 189-91. 1793, rancheros have but little stock and it must not increase. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 260, 219, 224-5. 1796, wild beasts troublesome, preventing the increase of tithes. A lion attacked a cor- poral, soldier, and Indian woman at Rancheria Nueva. Prov. Rec., MS., ix. 6, iv. 63. 1797, no settler to have over 50 head of large stock, for each of which three head of small stock must be kept. Id., iv. 204, 284; Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., i. 73-4. Two reals to be paid on cach head of cattle killed. S. José, Arch., MS., v. 31. Tithe cattle to be branded with royal rancho brand applied crosswise to prevent confusion. Id., v. 31. Over 12,000 horses on the Monterey ranchos in 1800 (evidently an error). Arrillaga, Estado de 1800-1, MS., iu Bandini, Doc. Hist. Cal., 3, 4.

CHAPTER XXIX.

INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 1791-1800.

COMMERCE-TRADE OF THE TRANSPORTS-OTTER-SKINS-PROJECTS OF MAR- QUEZ, MAMANELI, INCIARTE, PONCE, MENDEZ, AND OVINETA-PROVINCIAL FINANCES-HABILITADOS-FACTOR AND COMMISSARY-COMPLICATED ACCOUNTS-SUPPLIES AND REVENUES-TAXES-TOBACCO MONOPOLY- TITHES-MILITARY FORCE AND DISTRIBUTION-CIVIL GOVERNMENT- PROPOSED SEPARATION OF THE CALIFORNIAS-ADMINISTRATION OF JUS- TICE-A CAUSE CÉLÈBRE-EXECUTION OF ROSAS-OFFICIAL CARE OF MORALS-USE OF LIQUORS-GAMBLING-EDUCATION-BORICA'S EFFORTS -THE FIRST SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-MASTERS.

CALIFORNIA had as yet no commerce. Not a trading- vessel proper touched on the coast before 1800, though there had been some little exchange of goods for meat and vegetables on several occasions between the Cal- ifornians and such vessels as arrived for purposes other than commercial. " It is sad to not see a single ship- owner on the Pacific coast," wrote Costansó in 1794; no trade in the South Sea, and therefore no revenue, a lack of population, and great expense to the crown. The Cádiz merchants from mistaken motives stifled the coast trade in its infancy. A grand commerce might be developed, affording California colonists a market for their products, including fish and salted meats.1 The Spanish laws strictly forbade all trade not only with foreign vessels and for foreign goods, but with Spanish vessels and for Spanish-American goods except the regular transports and articles brought by them. At first the transports were for- bidden to bring other goods than those included in the regular invoices to the habilitados, and great pre-

1 Costansó, Informe de 1794, MS.

( 624 )

625

TRADE WITH THE TRANSPORTS.

cautions were insisted on to prevent smuggling by friars, soldiers, and sailors. After 1785, however, trade was free on the transports except that from 1790 to 1794 one half the regular rates of duties must be paid, and that at no time could foreign goods be introduced. The methods of conducting this traf- fic are not clearly indicated, but apparently the offi- cers and even sailors of the transports brought up from San Blas on private speculation such articles as they could barter with the soldiers. In the absence of money this trade could not have assumed large pro- portions; but the soldiers formed the habit of exchang- ing the regularly furnished goods needed by their fanı- ilies for liquors, bright-colored cloths, and worthless trinkets. To prevent this the governor sometimes delayed opening the regular supplies till after the ves- sel had departed. The supply-ships continued during this decade as before to take an occasional small quan- tity of salt or salt meat to San Blas, besides receiving the needed supplies for their return trips. The im- portation of mission produce from Lower California was allowed, but naturally little was done in this direction, though one or two lots of brandy, figs, and raisins for the friars were sent up overland.2

2 Feb. 26, 1791, Fages disapproves the free trade with San Blas because the soldiers sacrifice useful articles in barter for luxuries and liquor. Papel de Puntos, MS., 158-9. 1793, the viceroy thinks no branch of commerce is likely to succeed unless it may be the shipment of grain to San Blas. Revilla Gigedo, Carta de 1793, MS. 1794, Gov. allows importation from Baja Cali- fornia, except of mescal and other liquors. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 110-11. Nov. 1794, publication of the king's renewal of license (of Feb. 18, 1794), for free trade with San Blas for 10 years. Id., xi. 186-7; xii. 9, 10, 177-8. May 27, 1795, V. R. has learned that the habilitados have paid the half duties on San Blas imports down to Nov. 21, 1794. This would indicate perhaps that this duty was paid on the regular memorias, as well as on extra goods. Id., xiii. 91-2; xii. 135. June S, 1795, all foreign goods except such as are in- elnded, in the regular invoices of the habilitado general are to be confiscated by V. R.'s order. Id., xiii. 208; Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 47; S. José, Arch., MS., iv. 31. July 7, 1793, Perez Fernandez of San Francisco wants instruc- tious how to carry out this order. St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 21-2. 1796, royal order not to admit goods from foreign vessels. Prov. Rec., MS., viii. 163. Aug. 17, 1796, V. R. transmits royal order of May 5th approving certain restrictions imposed on the leaving of cloth, etc., in payment for supplies by captains Moore and Locke. English cunning and pretexts for trade must be watched. At. Pap., Sac., MS., v. 30-1. 1798-9, brandy, figs, and raisins sent up from Baja California. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 216, 238. HIST. CAL., VOL. I. 40

626

INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

Within the limits of California trade consisted in the delivery of goods from the presidio warehouse to the soldiers for their pay and rations and to the set- tlers in payment for grain and other supplies, the ha- bilitados being required to purchase home productions rather than to order from Mexico. Money was paid but rarely, but goods were delivered at cost. For the benefit of the pueblos Borica urged not only the exportation of grain that the settlers might have a market, but the sending by the government of special invoices of goods to be sold to them at a small advance on cost, in order that they might not be compelled to purchase inferior articles at exorbitant prices from the San Blas vessels.3 The missions also sold supplies to the presidios, and sometimes received goods in pay- ment; but they preferred as a rule to keep an open account which was settled once a year by a draft of the habilitado on Mexico, with which special invoices of articles needed by the friars for themselves or their neophytes or their churches were purchased and sent to California free of all duties. The friars still sent a few otter-skins to Mexico, and an occasional cargo of tallow found a market at San Blas.4

3 1794, orders to try all possible home products, paying in goods at cost. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 163-4; xii. 91, 99; xiv. 76-7; Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 127-8; iv. 118. 1796, care must be taken to prevent the settlers selling too much of their grain, and keeping none for seed. S. José, Arch., MS., ii. 73-4. Correspondence between governor, viceroy, and habilitado general about the project of special invoices of goods for the pueblo trade. The matter was taken under consideration. St. Pap., Sac., MS., ix. 18-29; Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 7, 103-4. The settlers were disposed to cheat the government by selling .damp flour. S. José, Arch., MS., vi. 46.

4 The only communication which I find respecting the fur-trade in this «decade is a somewhat remarkable circular of President Lasuen dated July 22, .1791, in Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., ix. 314-15, 317, in which he says that .advices from Mexico promise better prices for otter-skins, which may there- fore be accumulated. They can be sent to the Mission síndico so packed and mixed with other goods that the contents of the packages may not be appar- ent; but the guardian or procurador should be notified as to the details of marks, etc .! Lasuen in the same circular, Id., ix. 315-16, says that too much tallow has been sent to San Blas and the price is lower; therefore the remainder may be disposed of to private persons. 1794, the guardian gives the bad quality of the tallow as the reason why the ships have refused it. They will take 500 or 600 arrobas yearly at $2.50 if well prepared. He sends directions for preparing it. Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., iv. 51-2; Arch. Sta Búr- .bara, MS., xi. 258, 264-7, 271-3. Salazar complains that pueblos have the preference as sellers, and also of the long time that the missions have to wait.

627

COMMERCIAL PROJECTS.

In 1793 the king granted to Roman Marquez of the Comercio de Indias license to make an experi- mental trading voyage from Cádiz to San Blas and California, with the privilege of introducing Spanish goods free of all duties, though foreign goods must pay seven per cent. Californian products exchanged for these goods might also be exported free of duties. Due notice was forwarded to the viceroy, and by him to Borica and Lasuen, who notified friars and com- mandants to be ready for the expected commercial visitor. It was announced in November 1794 that the vessel, the Levante, had actually sailed. A year later came the notice that as Marquez had failed to carry out his enterprise it would be undertaken by Ignacio Inciarte. Here the matter seems to have dropped out of view.5 Meanwhile the king and vice- roy in 1794-5 approved the petition of Nicolás Ma- maneli who proposed to make a trading voyage from California and return; but nothing more is heard of the scheme.6 Permission was also granted to Antonio Ponce to build a schooner and open a trade between San Blas and California.7

I have alluded to Borica's recommendation in favor of the sending of special invoices by the government for pueblo trade. In May 1797 the habilitado gen- cral made a long report in favor of the project, ex- plaining that nothing but a market for produce could arouse Californian industries from stagnation to pros- perity; enumerating the facilities for a profitable exportation of furs, hides, fish, grain, flax, oil, and wine, and especially sardines, herring, and salmon, and insisting that the government must take the initiative in opening this provincial commerce, since the pros-

Condicion Actual de Cal., MS., 71-3. 1799, contracts not to be made with Mission majordomos without consent of padre. S. José, Arch., MS., vi. 40. 5 Viceroy's communication of April 2, 1794, enclosing royal order of Oct. I, 1793, and other papers. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xi. 168, 188-9; xii. 21-2; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 116-17, 119, 140; Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 40; Cedu- lario, MS., i. 249.

6 Feb. 28, 1795, viceroy to governor, in Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii, 12. " Nueva España, Acuerdos, MS., 92-3.

G28

INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

pects at the first were not sufficiently flattering to attract private companies. He urged the sending of an experimental invoice of $6,000, and gave many . details respecting the management of the business. Here so far as the records show the matter ended without practical benefit to Los Angeles and San José.8 Two other commercial schemes in behalf of California were devised in 1800 and were still in abeyance at the end of this decade. Juan Ignacio Mendez, who had brought some goods to California for sale on the supply-ship in 1798 and had worked in the country as a carpenter, asked for a license to export California productions on private account by the same vessels. Juan Bautista Ovineta asked for the approval of a contract which he had made with the settlers of San José and Branciforte for one thousand fanegas of wheat each year at two dollars and a half a fanega. The viceroy and fiscal were disposed to favor both projects, but called on the governor for his opinion.9

8 Cárcaba, Informe del Habilitado General sobre la remision de memorias de Efectos para los Pueblos de California, 1797, M.

9 Oct. 3, 1800, viceroy to governor, on the Mendez proposition. St. Pap., Sac., MS., ix. 104-6. Dec. 18, 1800, fiscal to V. R., on Ovineta's contract. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xviii. 72-5. Viceroy Azanza in his Ynstruccion, MS., 91-2, speaks of a proposal of Tepic merchants to supply California with mer- chandise. On prices I append the following items: Feb. 26, 1791, Fages sug- gests a reduction in some of the tariff prices for grain and meat. Prov. St. Pap., MS., x. 156-7. Prices at Sta Bárbara and S. Buenaventura, 1794 to 1821. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., vii. 41-66, 80-111; ix. 485-7. Sept. 22, 1793, Borica gives a list of articles which could be advantageously sold in California, including hats costing $22 and selling at $30 per dozen; stockings, $0-$12 per dozen; handkerchiefs, $13-$18 per dozen; gold lace, $28-$50 per pound; chocolate, 1.75 reales to 3.5 reales per pound. Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xxii. 2. 1796, cojinillos, saddle-pads, 50 cents a pair. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 160. Wheat, $3 per fanega. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., i. 69. Freight on grain from Angeles to Sta Bárbara 7 reals. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 82-3. 1797, wool 18 reals per arroba (9 cents per pound). Id., iv. 91; $3 at Monterey. Dept. St. Pap., S. José, MS., i. 78; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 214. Lambs offered, 7 reals; asked by padres, $1. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xv. 86. 1798, tiles $20 per thousand. Id., xvii. 97. Bulls, $4. Id., xvii. 103. Calves, $4; cows, $3. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 102, 105. 1799, blankets $4.50; brandy, $1.07 per cuartillo; figs, 30 cents per pound; olive-oil, 40 cents per pound. Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 110; vi. 233. Chickens, 50 cents per dozen. S. José, Arch., MS., vi. 41. June 26, 1799, Borica favors reduction in price of horses from $9 to $7; mares, $4 to $3; and colts, $5 to $3.50. Other tariff prices fair enough. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 126-7. Soap, 15 cakes for $1. Tithe wheat may be sold for 13 reals for cash or on 4 months' time. S. José, Arch., MS., vi. 48, 41.

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History of California, Volume I, Part 69

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 852

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 852