USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 76
USA > California > History of California, Volume I > Part 76
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17 Sce chapter xxvi., this volume.
18 Pascual Martinez de Arenaza came to Mexico from his native Basque province of Alava in 1785. He volunteered and was assigned to California in 1786, with a good reputation from the guardian, though his experience was limited and his character somewhat vivo. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 26-7. After a term as supernumerary he served as minister at San Carlos
686
LOCAL EVENTS-MONTEREY DISTRICT.
college, though he subsequently came back to Cali- fornia. Arenaza was followed in the ministry by Francisco Pujol who completed the decade; Señan by Antonio Jaime in 1795-6, Mariano Payeras in 1796-8, and José Viñals from 1798, Carnicer serving also for a short period in 1798-9. Throughout the decade, moreover, President Lasuen made San Carlos his home when not absent on one of his frequent tours through the province. Although the baptisms, 790 in number, exceeded the deaths by 220, yet the neo- phyte population increased during this decade only from 733 to 758. San Carlos had reached its highest figure, 927, in 1794, and was now on the retrograde. Meanwhile horses and cattle had increased from 1,378 to 2,180, and smaller live-stock from 1,263 to 4,160. The crop in 1800 was about 6,000 bushels; the largest in 1797, 7,400 bushels; the smallest in 1795, 1,100 bushels;19 average 3,700 bushels.
Vancouver was at San Carlos on Sunday, Decem- ber 2, 1792, and while he gives no detailed descrip- tion of the establishment, contenting himself with the remark that the buildings, though smaller, were similar in architecture and material to those of San Francisco and Santa Clara previously visited, he pre- sents a drawing which shows four buildings irregularly arranged and partially enclosing a square. The old
from 1788 to 1797. On the expiration of his 10 years of service he was granted permission to retire on July 8, 1797. The last trace of his presence in California is on Oct. 3d of the same year when he officiated at Soledad. Sole- dad, Lib. de Mision, MS., 20. After his arrival in Mexico he died of phthisis before May 14, 1799, as we learn from a letter of the guardian in Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 281-2.
19 Barley was usually produced in as large quantities as wheat, and maize was not far behind. In 1795 both were a total failure. This year supplies had to be obtained from Santa Clara. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., ii. 229-30. 1796 was not much better than 1795, and in 1792 the crops had been very light, and heavy rains after the harvest not only injured much grain in the warehouses, but prevented the hauling of supplies from abroad. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vii. 68. April 2, 1796, governor says the troops are suffering want in consequence of droughts for three successive years. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 235. Aug. 12, 1797, he rejoices at a surplus of 1, 700 fanegas of bar- ley and 200 of pease at San Carlos. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 194. There was a gen- eral drought in 1800, but San Carlos had good crops. Id., ix. 7; St. Pap., Sac., MS., vii. 69. Supplies furnished to the presidio in 1795-6, $1,768 and $1,334. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 203, 206.
687
SAN CARLOS MISSION.
church, partly thatched and partly tiled, stands on the left of the picture, and probably on the west side of the square. Three bells hang on a frame raised on a stone foundation; a lofty cross, bearing a close resemblance to a modern telegraph-pole, rears its head near the centre of the plaza, and just beyond, almost in contact with, and apparently north-east- ward from, the old church, are the rising stone walls of a new one. Beyond, on an eminence, may be seen a corral for cattle, while at the right are the conical huts of the neophytes. The new church was being built of a soft, straw-colored stone, which was said to harden on exposure to the air. The lime used was made from sea-shells. This church, the ruins of which are still to be seen on the banks of the Car- melo, was completed and dedicated in September 1797.20 Nothing occurred to vary the monotonous routine of mission life at San Carlos, unless a rather curious illustration of the method in which justice was administered be worth a place in the record. Estanislao, a neophyte, did not live happily with his
20 There is some confusion among the different authorities respecting this church. Vancouver, Voyage, ii. 10, 34-6, gives the views alluded to, and says distinctly that the natives were at work on the new church at the time of his visit in 1792, the only visit mentioned in his work. But President Lasuen, in two letters of June 7 and Dec. 10, 1794, Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., vi. 219-20; Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 38, says that the first stone was laid on July 7, 1793, or a year after Vancouver's visit. He says that the mason Ruiz came to San Carlos in December 1792, but that no materials were ready, and he had to wait until the rainy season was past. It is impossible to reconcile these two statements; the difficulty may, however, be partially removed by supposing that Vancouver's picture was made at his third visit, in 1794. Taylor, Discov. and Founders, ii., No. 28, 167, tells us that the new church was dedicated Feb. 2, 1793; while David Spence, Id., ii., No. 24, 3, says it was finished in 1786; that it stood north and south, forming the west side of the square, and coming up nearly to the west end of the present church; that the foundations were still visible in 1851; and that Serra's remains were removed on the day of dedication, being buried at the foot of the altar. 1794, masonry church half finished; 1797, 'muy adelantada.' St. Pap., Miss., MS., ii. 5, 29, 100. 1797, finished, with tile roof. Id., 120. Consecrated in September 1797. Lasuen, in Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 66. In 1798 the Indians still lived in miserable grass hints. Sal's Report, in Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 65. 1793-4, several Indians work as carpenters, bricklayers, and stone-cutters under the instruction of the king's artisans. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 59. 1794, one master of each of the trades mentioned assigned to San Carlos. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 192-3. 1799, hemp used to some extent for clothing for neophytes. Prov. Rec., MS., vi. 117.
6SS
LOCAL EVENTS-MONTEREY DISTRICT.
wife, and finally left her in the woods, after having administered some severe blows. So he confessed to his mistress, and so he testified before Sergeant Var- gas, who was sent to investigate after the dead body of the woman had been found. But Estanislao's tes- timony was somewhat conflicting as to the force and manner of his blows, and he was acquitted on the theory that his spouse might have been killed by a bear.21
At San Antonio de Padua de los Robles the gain in neophyte population was from 1,076 to 1,118, with 767 baptisms and 656 deaths, this mission thus reced- ing from the first to the fourth place, behind Santa Clara, San Diego, and San Gabriel. Cattle and horses had decreased from 2,232 to 2,217, having been as low as 1,175 in 1795. Small stock had in- creased only from 1,984 to 2,075; but 240 goats had disappeared altogether. Crops were 1,700 bushels in 1800, 4,200 bushels in 1799 and 420 bushels in 1795 being the extremes, and the average 2,200 bushels.22 In 1787 the San Antonio church was mentioned as one of the best in California; in 1793 a block eighty varas long and one vara thick was built for friars' houses, church, and storehonse; and in 1797 the church is mentioned as of adobes with tile roof. The huts of the neophytes were of a more substantial character than at San Carlos.23 The two venerable founders Pieras and Sitjar served together until 1794, when
21 Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 20-7. Estanislao was freed by an order of Arrillaga dated Loreto, Sept. 13, 1792.
22 Wheat was the leading crop, barley and corn varying greatly, but the latter generally in excess. 1794-6 were very hard years. In 1795-6 the Indiaus killed a good deal of stock, and Lasuen favored severe measures, to dispel the Indians' prevalent idea that Spanish forbearance proceeded from weakness. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 64 5. Supplies to the presidio in 1793-6, $1,490 and $483. Pror. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 203, 206. Hard times in respect of church vestments in 1795-1800. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xii. 62, 64.
23 Fages, Informe Gen., MS., 146; St Pap., Miss., MS., i. 121; ii. 120-1; Sal's Report in Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 65. The exact meaning of the re- port of 1793 is not clear. In 1794 an adobe room 14x 9 varas, and a tile- roofed pozolera, or porridge-room, were completed.
689
SAN LUIS OBISPO.
the former, worn out with his long labors, retired to his college,24 and was succeeded by José de la Cruz Espí in 1793-4, José Manuel Martiarena in 1794-5, and Marcelino Ciprés from 1795. Sitjar was absent at San Miguel from July 1797 to August 1798, and his place was filled by Benito Catalan, who served here from 1796 to 1799.25
At San Luis Obispo Miguel Giribet continued as senior missionary until 1799, when he left California for his college;26 and President Lasuen seems to have acted as senior minister after Giribet's departure until August 1800, when José Miguel came. The position of associate was held successfully by Estévan Tapis in 1790-3, Gregorio Fernandez in 1794-6, Antonio Peyri in 1796-8, and Luis Antonio Martinez, who began his long ministry in 1798. Bartolomé Gili spent some time here before his departure in 1794.27
24 Miguel Pieras was a native of the island of Mallorca; was appointed to the California missions in August 1770; left the college in October; sailed from San Blas in January 1771; arrived at San Diego March 12th, and at Monterey May 2Ist. His only service as regular minister was at San Anto- nio where he served from the foundation July 14, 1772, to April or May 1794. His last signature in the mission-books was April 27th. His license from the viceroy was dated Jan. 10th, and that of the governer on May 31st. I have found nothing in the records bearing upon his character. For his hand- writing and autograph see San Antonio, Doc. Sueltos, MS., 18, 22.
25 Nothing is known of Padre Benito Catalan beyond the fact that he served at San Antonio, was one of the unfortunate padres afflicted with in- sanity, Lasuen, in Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 56, and sailed from San Diego on the Concepcion in January 1800.
26 Miguel Giribet came to California in 1785 where he served two years at San Francisco and 12 at San Luis Obispo. It is noticeable that President Lasuen in a letter of Aug. 13, 1799, to Borica, credits Giribet with only 12 years of service in California. He was zealous and successful, but as was so frequently the case his health was unequal to his task. His last signature on the San Luis books was on Oct. 2, 1799. His license from the governor was dated Aug. 22d, and he sailed from San Diego on Jan. 16, 1800. He died in 1804 at the college. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 60-1, 283, 294; Arch. Arzo- bispado, MS., i. 56; S. Francisco, Lib. de Mision, MS .; S. Luis Obispo, Lib. de Mision, MS.
27 Bartolomé Gili came to California in 1791, and served irregularly, as supernumerary for the most part, at San Antonio, Soledad, and San Luis, from 1791 to 1794. He was one of the few black sheep in the missionary fold. He asked leave to retire in 1793 on a plea of ill-health, but his request was denied until a full report could be rendered respecting the peculiar nature of his illness and his immoral excesses for a period of five years. The full results of the investigation are not known; but Gili sailed as chaplain of the Con- cepcion in August 1794.
HIST. CAL., VOL. I. 44
690
LOCAL EVENTS-MONTEREY DISTRICT.
San Luis with 675 baptisms and 523 deaths had gained in neophyte population from 605 in 1790 to 726 in 1800; but this mission had reached its highest figure of population in 1794 with 946 souls. Cattle and horses had increased to 6,500 head; sheep to 6,150; and 2,700 bushels of grain were raised in 1800, 4,100 bushels in 1798 being the largest yield, 1,800 in 1791 the smallest, and 3,200 bushels the average. No barley was raised at this mission.28 A water-power mill was finished early in 1798; a miller, smith, and carpenter of the king's artisan instructors were sent here in 1794; and a small quantity of cotton from San Blas was woven on the mission looms.29 The church, of adobes with tile roof, was built before 1793, in which year a portico was added to the front. In 1794 the ministers' house, work-room, barrack, and guard-house were completed. The native huts here were well built and afforded sufficient protection against everything but fire.30
In 1794 a slight ripple of excitement was caused by what seems to have been an attempt to incite an Indian revolt at San Luis. Four or five gentile chiefs were the guilty parties, and they sent agents with presents to enlist the neophytes of Purísima. Indeed this sending of agents was apparently the only overt act committed; but the neophytes refused to attack their Christian friends for any such paltry presents as were offered, and the matter ended with the condemn- nation of five ringleaders to hard work at the presi- dios.31 Subsequently in the beginning of 1797 the natives were in an excited condition over the murder of a neophyte by two gentiles, but the presence of Captain Ortega served to restore quiet.
28 Supplies to Monterey presidio in 1795-6, $2,504 and $1,131. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 203, 206; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 222. The governor granted a piece of land at Santa Margarita to the invalid corporal Cayuelas in the name of his neophyte wife, but Lasuen objected. Arch. Sta Bárbara, MS., xi. 398. 29 Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 177; vi. 68; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 192-3; St. Pap., Miss., MS., ii. 6, 108; Arch. Arzobispado, MS., i. 30-2.
30 St. Pap., Miss., MS., i. 119; ii. 21, 120; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvii. 65. $1 Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 100-3, 194.
691
CENTRAL DISTRICT.
Aptos
Corralitos
Saisipuedes-
i. Monterey
\R. Pajaro
S.Isidro_
Pujaro
Animas'
Pta.Hinog
S. JUAN BAUTISTA
Pta.Cipruses E Carmelo
Natividad
Rancho-del Rey
Gavilan
Salinas
Alisal-
Pilarcitos~
Chualar
Los Tulares
R. Monterey
SOLEDAD
Salinas
SE 'S Miguelito m
S. ANTONIO
AnOjitos
Jolon
Pleito
S.Simeon
R: Nacimie, Pajaro
O S. MIGUEL
Sta.Isabel
~~ S.Antonio
Paso Robles
Asuncion
Morro
Sta. Margarita
Los Osos
Monterey
S. LUIS OBISPO S. Antonio
F : S Luis
120
MAP OF MONTEREY.
Los Tulares
C.S. Wurtin
S.Benito
MONTEREY S. CARLOS
CHAPTER XXXII. LOCAL EVENTS AND PROGRESS-SAN FRANCISCO JURISDICTION.
1791-1800.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICIALS-MILITARY FORCE-POPULATION-FINANCE-PRE- SIDIO BUILDINGS-PLAN-CASTILLO DE SAN JOAQUIN AT FORT POINT- CÓRDOBA'S REPORT-RAVAGES OF ELEMENTS-REPAIRS-BATTERY OF YERBA BUENA AT BLACK POINT -- VANCOUVER'S VISITS-CAPTAIN BROWN- MINES DISCOVERED-ALBERNI'S COMPANY-WRECK OF THE 'SAN CAR- LOS '-THE 'ELIZA '-RANCHO DEL REY-MISSION VERSUS PRESIDIO- INDIAN AFFAIRS-RUNAWAY NEOPHYTES-AMADOR'S CAMPAIGNS- PADRE'S CRUELTY-SAN FRANCISCO MISSION-FATHERS CAMBON, ESPÍ, DANTÍ, GARCÍA, AND FERNANDEZ-BUILDINGS, STATISTICS, INDUSTRIES- PUEBLO OF SAN JOSÉ-INHABITANTS AND OFFICIALS-STATISTICS-HEMP CULTURE-LOCAL EVENTS-PROPOSED REMOVAL-BOUNDARY DISPUTE -- SANTA CLARA-PEÑA AND NOBOA-POPULATION, AGRICULTURE, BUILD- INGS, AND MANUFACTURES.
THE official list of San Francisco for this decade is confused, though the minor complications are hardly worth recording. José Argüello was the lieutenant, brevetted captain in 1798, of the company, and properly its commander throughout the period; but he was absent in Monterey from 1791 to 1796, during which absence Alférez Hermenegildo Sal of the Monterey company was acting comandante until the middle of 1794, and Alférez José Perez Fernandez from that time till the spring of 1796. The same persons acted as habilitados, except that Raimundo Carrillo served in 1796-7.1 It must be noted, however, that Lieu-
1 These brief statements are made from a careful study of the 65 distinct references to different archives which are before me, but which it would serve no good purpose to print. About the date of Argüello's return there is some 'confusion. May 2, 1795, viceroy's order that Argüello rejoin his company. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 85, 91. Ordered by governor in January 1796 to ( 692 )
693
PRESIDIAL COMPANY.
tenant-colonel Pedro de Alberni, captain of the Cata- lan volunteers, by reason of his superior rank in the army, was commandant of the military post from April 1796. The alférez of the presidial company was Ramon Lasso de la Vega until the end of 1791, José Perez Fernandez from 1792 until 1797, and Manuel Rodriguez from 1797 to 1800, although he never served at San Francisco, and the place. was practically vacant. The position of sergeant was held throughout the decade by Pedro Amador.
The company was composed of thirty-one privates, besides the sergeant and four corporals. After the middle of 1796 the military force was augmented by detachments of twenty-five Catalan volunteers and seven or eight artillerymen. There were also from three to eight pensioners, making 79 men in all, who with their families constituted a population, not includ- ing San José and Branciforte, of 225 within the juris- diction. With the two pueblos the population was 460, and the christianized natives numbered 2,670. Not less than twenty of the soldiers were usually scattered in the mission and pueblo guards, so that before the infantry reënforcement came the presidio had but a very small force, and when parties had to be sent with despatches, or against the natives, or for
turn over command at Monterey and go to San Francisco. St. Pap., Sac., MS., vii. 38-9; Prov. Rec., MS., iv. 178. Took command in April. Id., v. 85. But there are indications that Argüello went again to Monterey to com- mand for a short time in the spring of 1797. He returned to San Francisco April 18th. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 57, 212. Sal gave up the command to Perez on June 30, 1794. Id., xvi, 84; Prov. Rec., MS., ii. 149. Perez retained the command until November 1795, when Sal seems to have resumed it for a few months until Argüello's arrival. Id., iv. 237; v. 75. But Sal did not resume the habilitacion, which Perez gave up to Carrillo in April 1796, accord- ing to orders dated Nov. 8, and Dec. 11, 1795, transferring him to Montercy. Id., iv. 237; v. 74. Carrillo gave up the habilitacion to Argüello on Sept. 1, 1797. Id., vi. 7. Carrillo's accounts at the end of August showed a deficit of $1,823. Figures given Prov. St. Pap., Presid., MS., i. 81-2, 84-7. Also stated to have been $1,425, and $1,946. Prov. Rec., MS., v. 265, 267; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 80-1. This amount was charged to the company, until it could be repaid from half of Carrillo's pay as alférez. It was a great hardship to the soldiers and their families; and Argüello thought it particularly unjust that the presidal company should have to bear the whole burden while the volun- teers and artillerymen were exempt, and also while Lasso de la Vega was re- ceiving half-pay and was not required to pay up his old indebtedness. Id.,. xvi. 40-1.
694
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
supplies, the post was left almost deserted.2 From the fragmentary company accounts that have been preserved we learn that the annual appropriation for pay-roll and contingent fund of San Francisco was a little less than $10,000; supplies from Mexico amounted on an average to about $7,000; and sup- plies from the missions about $3,000. At the end of each year an inventory showed from $11,000 to $16,- 000 worth of goods in the presidial warehouse.3
The subject of presidio buildings received a large share of attention and correspondence between 1791
2 March 4, 1792. Nov. 1, 1794, complaints of commandant. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xi. 51-2, 56; xii. 42. Thirty soldiers were left at San Francisco in April 1797 as a temporary expedient, Id., xxi. 255-6; Prov. Rec., MS., viii. 178; and there were also workmen left at other times not included in the statistics of population. The guard at San Francisco mission was four men. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xii. 25, 77; xiii. 231. List of the cuera soldiers and their families in 1795. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiii. 236-7, 242-4. List of the artillerymen. Id., xiii. 75. List of volunteers. Id., Ben. Mil., xxiv. 1, 2. List of presidial company in 1798. Id., xvi. 16, 17. Company rolls and statement, in Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xiii. xxviii .; St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. v.
3 Company accounts in Prov. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., xiii .- xviii. passim; St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 52; ii. 36; v. 60, 73-4; vi. 120. Argüello's account as habilitado for 1800 is as follows: charges himself with effects on hand Dec. 31, 1799, $14,748; supplies from Mexico and San Blas, 1800, $10,876; balances due soldiers, $3,299; funds of montepio, inválidos, and retencion (amounts held for the soldiers), $604; proceeds of tobacco, post office, and tithes, $1,403; debt to presidio of Monterey, $881; supplies received from missions, $3,417; draft on habilitado general, $680. Total, $35,748. Credits himself with: pay-roll of company and pensioners, $9,504; amount paid company on old account, $3,573; other sums paid, $565; paid debt of 1799 to Monterey, $2,593; paid missions for supplies of 1799, $3,776; amount charged by habili- tado general, $3,081; effects on Dec. 31, 1800, $12,885. Total, $35,977. Balance in favor of Argüello, $229. The fondo de retencion (money held back from a soldier's pay to be given him at discharge) amounted in the early years to about $1,200, but later, when added to the fondo de inválidos (percentage on pay reserved with which to pay pensions), and the fondo de montepio (per- centage on officers' pay for their widows), it amounted to only about $700. St. Pap., Sac., MS., v. 60, 73-4; Prov. St. Pap., MS., xvi. 202-3. In 1795 the habilitado reports only $3,490 to pay for the next year's supplies. St. Pap., Sac., MS., i. 52. Of $1,122 in coin sent up in 1796, $266 was paid to soldiers, $300 to the mission, and $400 to Argüello; so that the sergeant applying for money was told to wait. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xiv. i. In 1798 the presidio got $6,404 in supplies from the missions. Id., Ben. Mil., xvii. 12, 13. In 1797 the amount was $8,973. Id., xxv. 9, 10. In 1799 it was $3,776. Id., xxvi. 7,8. In 1800 it was $3,417. Id., xxviii. 18, 19. Accounts of tithes are neither complete nor altogether intelligible. For some years the proceeds are given as $500 and in others $80, some reports perhaps including the whole jurisdiction and others not. Papal bulls yielded in 1797 only $2. The net proceeds of the post-office averaged $83 per year for the decade. Revenues from tobacco sales were from $500 to $1,500, averaging $1,100. Prov. St. Pap., MS., xxi. 193; Id., Ben. Mil., xiii. 7; xiv. 5; viii. 14; ix. 1; xvii. 12; xviii. 2, 3; xxi. 1; xxv. 9; xxvi. 7; xxvii. 2; xxviii. 14, 15.
693
PRESIDIO BUILDINGS.
and 1800, with but meagre results so far as the presidio proper was concerned. On March 4, 1792, Comandante Sal sent the governor a description accompanied by a plan which I reproduce.4 Three sides of the square of 120 yards were occupied by adobe walls and houses, both of adobes and of rough stones laid in mud; and the fourth side was protected by a primitive palisade fence. All the structures were roofed with straw and tules, exposed to fire and at the mercy of the winds. All, except the com-
6
5
4
1
2
3
PLAN OF SAN FRANCISCO, 1792.
mandant's house lately completed and two or three of the soldiers' houses, were, through the poor quality of materials and want of knowledge and care on the part of the builders, liable to fall at any moment, the church being in a particularly precarious condition. None of the structures were those originally built; each year some of them had fallen and been restored in the same faulty manner with the same perishable
" Sal, Informes sobre los Edificios de San Francisco, 1792, MS. 1. Com- mandant's house, 4 rooms and yard, 37 x 6 varas, of adobes. 2. Sergeant's house, of stone, without mortar. 3. Chapel 19 x 8 varas. 4. Barracks, guard-house, and calabooses, of adobe and stones. 5, 6. Warehouses for food and clothing, of stones and mud. The other structures are the soldiers' dwellings.
LOCAL EVENTS-SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT.
material. Timber had to be brought thirty miles, and tules nine miles. The garrison was so small and its duties so many that Sal deemed it impossible to accom- plish the necessary repairs. At the end of the year the same condition of affairs existed, and Sal urged the government to send eight or ten sailor-workmen and a bricklayer; otherwise an appropriation of $3,000 would be required to hire Indian laborers. Mean- while Vancouver visited and described the presidio in November, and he describes it as a "square area whose sides were about two hundred yards in length enclosed by a mud wall, and resembling a pound for cattle. Above this wall the thatched roofs of their low small houses just made their appearance." One side was " very indifferently fenced in by a few bushes here and there, fastened to stakes in the ground." The wall was " about fourteen feet high, and five feet in breadth, and was first formed by uprights and hor- izontal rafters of large timber, between which dried sods and moistened earth were pressed as close and hard as possible, after which the whole was cased with the earth made into a sort of mud plaster, which gave it the appearance of durability." The church had been whitewashed and was neat in comparison to the rest. The floor in the commandant's house was the native soil raised about three feet above the original level. The windows were mere holes in the thick walls, without glass.5
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