ThemonthofJanuarypassed，andthegreaterpartofFebruary，too。
Aswasusual，thearmyofficerscelebratedthe22dofFebruarywithagrandball，giveninthenewstoneschool—house，whichAlcaldeWalterColtonhadbuilt。ItwasthelargestandbesthalltheninCalifornia。Theballwasreallyahandsomeaffair，andwekeptitupnearlyallnight。Thenextmorningwewereatbreakfast:
present，DonaAugustias，andManuelita，Halleck，Murray，andmyself。Weweredullandstupidenoughuntilagunfromthefortarousedus，thenanotherandanother。\"Thesteamer\"exclaimedall，and，withoutwaitingforhatsoranything，offwedashed。I
reachedthewharfhatless，butthedonasentmycapaftermebyaservant。Thewhitepuffsofsmokehungaroundthefort，mingledwiththedensefog，whichhidallthewaterofthebay，andwellouttoseacouldbeseentheblacksparsofsomeunknownvessel。
AtthewharfIfoundagroupofsoldiersandasmallrow—boat，whichbelongedtoabrigatanchorinthebay。Hastilyorderingacoupleofwillingsoldierstogetinandtaketheoars，andMr。
LarkinandMr。Hartnellaskingtogoalong，wejumpedinandpushedoff。Steeringourboattowardthespars，whichloomedupabovethefogclearanddistinct，inaboutamilewecametotheblackhullofthestrangemonster，thelong—expectedandmostwelcome，steamerCalifornia。Herwheelswerebarelymoving，forherpilotcouldnotseetheshore—linedistinctly，thoughthehillsandPointofPinescouldbeclearlymadeoutoverthefog，andoccasionallyaglimpseofsomewhitewallsshowedwherethetownlay。A\"Jacob’sladder\"
wasloweredforusfromthesteamer，andinaminuteIscrambledupondeck，followedbyLarkinandHartnell，andwefoundourselvesinthemidstofmanyoldfriends。TherewasCanby，theadjutant—
general，whowastotakemyplace;CharleyHoyt，mycousin;GeneralPersiferF。Smithandwife;Gibbs，hisaide—de—camp;MajorOgden，oftheEngineers，andwife;and，indeed，manyoldCalifornians，amongthemAlfredRobinson，andFrankWardwithhisprettybride。
Bythetimetheshipwasfairlyatanchorwehadansweredamillionofquestionsaboutgoldandthestateofthecountry;and，learningthattheshipwasoutoffuel，hadinformedthecaptain（Marshall）
thattherewasabundanceofpine—wood，butnowillinghandstocutit;thatnomancouldbehiredatlessthananounceofgoldaday，unlessthesoldierswouldvolunteertodoitforsomeagreed—uponprice。Asforcoal，therewasnotapoundinMonterey，oranywhereelseinCalifornia。VesselswithcoalwereknowntobeenroutearoundCapeHorn，butnonehadyetreachedCalifornia。
ThearrivalofthissteamerwasthebeginningofanewepochonthePacificcoast;yetthereshelay，helpless，withoutcoalorfuel。
ThenativeCalifornians，whohadneverseenasteamship，stoodfordaysonthebeachlookingather，withtheuniversalexclamation，\"Tanfeo！\"——howugly！——andshewastrulyuglywhencomparedwiththeclean，well—sparredfrigatesandsloops—of—warthathadhithertobeenseenontheNorthPacificcoast。Itwasfirstsupposeditwouldtaketendaystogetwoodenoughtoprosecutehervoyage，andthereforeallthepassengerswhocouldtookuptheirquartersonshore。MajorCanbyrelievedme，andtooktheplaceI
hadheldsolongasadjutant—generaloftheDepartmentofCalifornia。Thetimeseemedmostopportuneformetoleavetheservice，asIhadseveralsplendidoffersofemploymentandofpartnership，and，accordingly，Imademywrittenresignation;butGeneralSmithputhisvetouponit，sayingthathewastocommandtheDivisionofthePacific，whileGeneralRileywastohavetheDepartmentofCalifornia，andColonelLoringthatofOregon。Hewantedmeashisadjutant—general，becauseofmyfamiliaritywiththecountry，andknowledgeofitsthencondition:Atthetime，hehadonhisstaffGibbsasaide—de—camp，andFitzgeraldasquartermaster。Healsohadalongwithhimquitearetinueofservants，hiredwithaclearcontracttoservehimforawholeyearafterreachingCalifornia，everyoneofwhomdeserted，exceptayoungblackfellownamedIsaac。Mrs。Smith，apleasantbutdelicateLouisianalady，hadawhitemaid—servant，inwhosefidelityshehadunboundedconfidence;butthisgirlwasmarriedtoaperfectstranger，andoffbeforeshehadevenlandedinSanFrancisco。Itwas，therefore，finallyarrangedthat，ontheCalifornia，IwastoaccompanyGeneralSmithtoSanFranciscoashisadjutant—general。Iaccordinglysoldsomeofmyhorses，andarrangedforotherstogoupbyland;andfromthattimeIbecamefairlyenlistedinthemilitaryfamilyofGeneralPersiferF。
Smith。
Ipartedwithmyoldcommander，ColonelMason，withsincereregret。
Tomehehadeverbeenkindandconsiderate，and，whilestern，honesttoafault，hewastheveryembodimentoftheprincipleoffidelitytotheinterestsoftheGeneralGovernment。Hepossessedanativestrongintellect，andfarmoreknowledgeoftheprinciplesofcivilgovernmentandlawthanhegotcreditfor。Inprivateandpublicexpenditureshewasextremelyeconomical，butnotpenurious。
Incaseswheretheofficershadtocontributemoneyforpartiesandentertainments，healwaysgaveadoubleshare，becauseofhisallowanceofdoublerations。Duringourfrequentjourneys，Iwasalwayscaterer，andpaidallthebills。Insettlingwithhimherequiredawrittenstatementoftheitemsofaccount，butneverdisputedoneofthem。Duringourtime，Californiawas，asnow，fullofabold，enterprising，andspeculativesetofmen，whowereengagedineverysortofgametomakemoney。IknowthatColonel—
Masonwasbesetbythemtousehispositiontomakeafortuneforhimselfandhisfriends;butheneverboughtlandortown—lots，because，hesaid，itwashisplacetoholdthepublicestatefortheGovernmentasfreeandunencumberedbyclaimsaspossible;andwhenIwantedhimtostopthepublic—landsalesinSanFrancisco，SanJosh，etc。，hewouldnot;for，althoughhedidnotbelievethetitlesgivenbythealcaldesworthacent，yettheyaidedtosettlethetownsandpubliclands，andhethought，onthewhole，theGovernmentwouldbebenefitedthereby。Thesamethingoccurredastothegold—mines。Henevertookatitletoatownlot，unlessitwasone，ofnorealvalue，fromAlcaldeColton，inMonterey，ofwhichIhaveneverheardsince。HedidtakeashareinthestorewhichWarner，Beator，andI，openedatColoma，paidhisshareofthecapital，fivehundreddollars，andreceivedhisshareoftheprofits，fifteenhundreddollars。IthinkalsohetookashareinaventuretoChinawithLarkinandothers;but，onleavingCalifornia，hewasgladtoselloutwithoutprofitorloss。Inthesterndischargeofhisdutyhemadesomebitterenemies，amongthemHenryM。Naglee，who，inthenewspapersoftheday，endeavoredtodamagehisfairname。But，knowinghimintimately，Iamcertainthatheisentitledtoallpraiseforhavingsocontrolledtheaffairsofthecountrythat，whenhissuccessorarrived，allthingsweresodisposedthatacivilformofgovernmentwasaneasymatterofadjustment。ColonelMasonwasrelievedbyGeneralRileysometimeinApril，andleftCaliforniainthesteamerofthe1stMayforWashingtonandSt。Louis，wherehediedofcholerainthesummerof1850，andhisbodyisburiedinBellefontaineCemetery。
HiswidowafterwardmarriedMajor（sinceGeneral）DonCarlosBuell，andisnowlivinginKentucky。
InoverhaulingtheholdofthesteamerCalifornia，asshelayatanchorinMontereyBay，aconsiderableamountofcoalwasfoundundersomeheavyduplicatemachinery。Withthis，andsuchwoodashadbeengathered，shewasabletorenewhervoyage。Theusualsignalwasmade，andweallwentonboard。Aboutthe1stofMarchweenteredtheHeads，andanchoredoffSanFrancisco，neartheUnitedStatesline—of—battle—shipOhio，CommodoreT。CatesbyJones。
Aswastheuniversalcustomoftheday，thecrewoftheCaliforniadesertedher;andshelayformonthsunabletomakeatripbacktoPanama，aswasexpectedofher。AssoonaswereachedSanFrancisco，thefirstthingwastosecureanofficeandahousetolivein。Theweatherwasrainyandstormy，andsnowevenlayonthehillsbackoftheMission。CaptainFolsom，thequartermaster，agreedtosurrenderforourofficetheoldadobecustomhouse，ontheuppercorneroftheplaza，assoonashecouldremovehispapersandeffectsdowntooneofhiswarehousesonthebeach;andhealsorentedforusasquarterstheoldHudsonBayCompanyhouseonMontgomeryStreet，whichhadbeenusedbyHoward&Melluaasastore，andatthatverytimetheyweremovingtheirgoodsintoalargerbrickbuildingjustcompletedforthem。Asthesechangeswouldtakesometime，GeneralSmithandColonelOgden，withtheirwives，acceptedthehospitalityofferedbyCommodoreJonesonboardtheOhio。Iopenedtheofficeatthecustomhouse，andGibbs，Fitzgerald，andsomeothersofus，sleptintheloftoftheHudsonBayCompanyhouseuntilthelowerpartwasclearedofHoward’sstore，afterwhichGeneralSmithandtheladiesmovedin。Therewehadageneralmess，andtheeffortsathouse—keepingweresimplyludicrous。Oneservantafteranother，whomGeneralSmithhadbroughtfromNewOrleans，withasolemnpromisetostandbyhimforonewholeyear，desertedwithoutawordofnoticeorexplanation，andinafewdaysnoneremainedbutlittleIsaac。Theladieshadnomaidorattendants;andthegeneral，commandingallthemightyforcesoftheUnitedStatesonthePacificcoast，hadtoscratchtogetonegoodmealadayforhisfamily！Hewasagentlemanoffinesocialqualities，genialandgentle，andjokedateverything。
PoorMrs。SmithandMrs。Ogdendidnotbearitsophilosophically。
Gibbs，Fitzgerald，andI，couldcruisearoundandfindameal，whichcostthreedollars，atsomeofthemanyrestaurantswhichhadsprungupoutofred—woodboardsandcottonlining;butthegeneralandladiescouldnotgoout，forladieswereraraavesatthatdayinCalifornia。Isaacwascook，chamber—maid，andevery，thing，thoughtlessofhimself，andstruggling，outoftheslimmestmeans，tocompoundabreakfastforalargeandhungryfamily。Breakfastwouldbeannouncedanytimebetweentenandtwelve，anddinneraccordingtocircumstances。ManyatimehaveIseenGeneralSmith，withacanofpreservedmeatinhishands，goingtowardthehouse，takeoffhishatonmeetinganegro，and，onbeingaskedthereasonofhispoliteness，hewouldanswerthattheyweretheonlyrealgentlemeninCalifornia。IconfessthatthefidelityofColonelMason’sboy\"Aaron，\"andofGeneralSmith’sboy\"Isaac，\"atatimewheneverywhitemanlaughedatpromisesassomethingmadetobebroken，hasgivenmeakindlyfeelingofrespectforthenegroes，andmakesmehopethattheywillfindanhonorable\"status\"inthejumbleofaffairsinwhichwenowlive。
ThatwasadullhardwinterinSanFrancisco;therainswereheavy，andthemudfearful。Ihaveseenmulesstumbleinthestreet，anddrownintheliquidmud！MontgomeryStreethadbeenfilledupwithbrushandclay，andIalwaysdreadedtorideonhorsebackalongit，becausethemudwassodeepthatahorse’slegswouldbecomeentangledinthebushesbelow，andtheriderwaslikelytobethrownanddrownedinthemud。Theonlysidewalksweremadeofstepping—stonesofemptyboxes，andhereandthereafewplankswithbarrel—stavesnailedon。AllthetownlayalongMontgomeryStreet，fromSacramentotoJackson，andabouttheplaza。Gamblingwasthechiefoccupationofthepeople。Whiletheywerewaitingforthecessationoftherainyseason，andforthebeginningofspring，allsortsofhouseswerebeingputup，butofthemostflimsykind，andallwerestores，restaurants，orgambling—saloons。Anyroomtwentybysixtyfeetwouldrentforathousanddollarsamonth。Ihad，asmypay，seventydollarsamonth，andnoonewouldeventrytohireaservantunderthreehundreddollars。
HaditnotbeenforthefifteenhundreddollarsIhadmadeinthestoreatColoma，Icouldnothavelivedthroughthewinter。Aboutthe1stofAprilarrivedthesteamerOregon;buthercaptain（Pearson）knewwhatwasthestateofaffairsonshore，andranhissteameralongsidetheline—of—battle—shipOhioatSaucelito，andobtainedtheprivilegeofleavinghiscrewonboardas\"prisoners\"
untilhewasreadytoreturntosea。Then，discharginghispassengersandgettingcoaloutofsomeoftheshipswhichhadarrived，heretookhiscrewoutoflimboandcarriedthefirstregularmailbacktoPanamaearlyinApril。Inregularorderarrivedthethirdsteamer，thePanama;and，asthevesselswerearrivingwithcoal，TheCaliforniawasenabledtohireacrewandgetoff。Fromthattimeforwardthesethreeshipsconstitutedtheregularlineofmail—steamers，whichhasbeenkeptupeversince。
BythesteamerOregonarrivedoutMajorR。P。Hammond，J。M。
Williams，JamesBlair，andothers;alsothegentlemenwho，withMajorOgden，weretocomposeajointcommissiontoselectthesitesforthepermanentfortsandnavyyardofCalifornia。ThiscommissionwascompcsedofMajorsOgden，Smith，andLeadbetter，of，thearmy，andCaptainsGoldsborough，VanBrunt，andBlunt，ofthenavy。Theseofficers，afteramostcarefulstudyofthewholesubject，selectedMareIslandforthenavy—yard，and\"Benicia\"forthestorehousesandarsenalsofthearmy。ThePacificMailSteamshipCompanyalsoselectedBeniciaastheirdepot。ThuswasagainrevivedtheoldstruggleforsupremacyofthesetwopointsasthesiteofthefuturecityofthePacific。Meantime，however，SanFranciscohadsecuredthename。Aboutsixhundredshipswereanchoredtherewithoutcrews，andcouldnotgetaway;andtherethecitywas，andhadtobe。
Nevertheless，GeneralSmith，beingdisinterestedandunprejudiced，decidedonBeniciaasthepointwherethecityoughttobe，andwherethearmyheadquartersshouldbe。BytheOregontherearrivedatSanFranciscoamanwhodeservesmentionhere——BaronSteinberger。Hehadbeenagreatcattle—dealerintheUnitedStates，andboastedthathehadhelpedtobreaktheUnitedStatesBank，bybeingindebtedtoitfivemilliondollars！Atallevents，hewasasplendidlookingfellow，andbroughtwithhimfromWashingtonalettertoGeneralSmithandanotherforCommodoreJones，totheeffectthathewasamanofenlargedexperienceinbeef;thattheauthoritiesinWashingtonknewthatthereexistedinCalifornialargeherdsofcattle，whichwereonlyvaluablefortheirhidesandtallow;thatitwasofgreatimportancetotheGovernmentthatthisbeefshouldbecuredandsaltedsoastobeofusetothearmyandnavy，obviatingthenecessityofshippingsalt—
beefaroundCapeHorn。IknowhehadsuchaletterfromtheSecretaryofWar，Marcy，toGeneralSmith，foritpassedintomycustody，andIhappenedtobeinCommodoreJones’scabinwhenthebaronpresentedtheoneforhimfromtheSecretaryoftheNavy。
Thebaronwasanxioustopitchinatonce，andsaidthatallheneededtostartwithweresaltandbarrels。Aftersomeinquiriesofhispurser，thecommodorepromisedtolethimhavethebarrelswiththeirsalt，asfastastheywereemptiedbythecrew。ThenthebaronexplainedthathecouldgetanicelotofcattlefromDonTimoteoMurphy，attheMissionofSanRafael，onthenorthaideofthebay，buthecouldnotgetaboatandcrewtohandlethem。
UndertheauthorityfromtheSecretaryoftheNavy，thecommodorethenpromisedhimtheuseofaboatandcrew，untilhe（thebaron）
couldfindandpurchaseasuitableoneforhimself。Thenthebaronopenedthefirstregularbutcher—shopinSanFrancisco，onthewharfaboutthefootofBroadwayorPacificStreet，wherewecouldbuyattwenty—fiveorfiftycentsapoundthebestroasts，steaks，andcutsofbeef，whichhadcosthimnothing，forheneverpaidanybodyifhecouldhelpit，andhesooncleanedpoorDonTimoteoout。Atfirst，everyboatofhis，incomingdownfromtheSanRafael，touchedattheOhio，andleftthebestbeefsteaksandroastsforthecommodore，butsoonthebaronhadenoughmoneytodispensewiththeborrowedboat，andsetupforhimself，andfromthissmallbeginning，stepbystep，heroseinafewmonthstobeoneoftherichestandmostinfluentialmeninSanFrancisco;butinhiswildspeculationshewasatlastcaught，andbecamehelplesslybankrupt。HefollowedGeneralFremonttoSt。Louisin1861，whereIsawhim，butsoonafterwardhediedapauperinoneofthehospitals。WhenGeneralSmithhadhisheadquartersinSanFrancisco，inthespringof1849，Steinbergergavedinnersworthyanybaronofold;andwhen，inafter—years，Iwasabankerthere，heusedtoborrowofmesmallsumsofmoneyinrepaymentformyshareofthesefeasts;andsomewhereamongmyoldpackagesIholdoneofhisconfidentialnotesfortwohundreddollars，butonthewholeIgotoffeasily。Ihavenodoubtthat，ifthisman’shistorycouldbewrittenout，itwouldpresentphasesaswonderfulasanyofromance;butinmyjudgmenthewasadangerousman，withoutanytrue—senseofhonororhonesty。
Littlebylittletherainsofthatseasongrewlessandless，andthehillsoncemorebecamegreenandcoveredwithflowers。ItbecameperfectlyevidentthatnofamilycouldliveinSanFranciscoonsuchasalaryasUncleSamallowedhismostfavoredofficials;
soGeneralSmithandMajorOgdenconcludedtosendtheirfamiliesbacktotheUnitedStates，andafterwardwemen—folkscouldtaketocampandliveonourrations。TheSecondInfantryhadarrived，andhadbeendistributed，fourcompaniestoMonterey，andtherestsomewhatasStevenson’sregimenthadbeen。A。J。Smith’scompanyofdragoonswassentuptoSonoma，whitherGeneralSmithhadresolvedtomoveourheadquarters。OnthesteamerwhichsailedaboutMay1st（IthinktheCalifornia），weembarked，theladiesforhomeandweforMonterey。AtMontereywewentonshore，andColonelMason，whomeantimehadbeenrelievedbyGeneralRiley，wentonboard，andthesteamerdepartedforPanama。OfallthatpartyIaloneamalive。
GeneralRileyhad，withhisfamily，takenthehousewhichColonelMasonhadformerlyused，andMajorCanbyandwifehadsecuredroomsatAlvarado’s。CaptainBanewasquartermaster，andhadhisfamilyinthehouseofamannamedGarner，neartheredoubt。BurtonandCompanyFwerestillatthefort;thefourcompaniesoftheSecondInfantrywerequarteredinthebarracks，thesamebuildinginwhichwehadhadourheadquarters;andthecompanyofficerswerequarteredinhiredbuildingsnearby。GeneralSmithandhisaide，CaptainGibbs，wenttoLarkin’shouse，andIwasatmyoldroomsatDonaAugustias。AsweintendedtogobacktoSanFranciscobylandandafterwardtotravelagooddeal，GeneralSmithgavemethenecessaryauthoritytofitouttheparty。Therehappenedtobeseveraltrainsofhorsesandmulesintown，soIpurchasedaboutadozenhorsesandmulesattwohundreddollarsahead，onaccountoftheQuartermaster’sDepartment，andwehadthemkeptunderguardinthequartermaster’scorral。
IrememberonenightbeinginthequartersofLieutenantAlfredSully，wherenearlyalltheofficersofthegarrisonwereassembled，listeningtoSully’sstories。LieutenantDerby，\"Squibob，\"wasoneofthenumber，asalsoFredSteele，\"Neighbor\"
Jones，andothers，when，justafter\"tattoo，\"theorderly—sergeantscametoreporttheresultof\"tattoo\"roll—call;onereportedfivemenabsent，anothereight，andsoon，untilitbecamecertainthattwenty—eightmenhaddeserted;andtheyweresoboldandopenintheirbehaviorthatitamountedtodefiance。Theyhaddeliberatelyslungtheirknapsacksandstartedforthegold—mines。Dr。MurrayandIweretheonlyonespresentwhowerefamiliarwiththecountry，andIexplainedhoweasytheycouldallbetakenbyapartygoingoutatoncetoSalinasPlain，wherethecountrywassoopenandlevelthatarabbitcouldnotcrosswithoutbeingseen;
thatthedeserterscouldnotgotothemineswithoutcrossingthatplain，andcouldnotreachitbeforedaylight。Allagreedthatthewholeregimentwoulddesertifthesemenwerenotbroughtback。
Severalofficersvolunteeredonthespottogoafterthem;and，asthesoldierscouldnotbetrusted，itwasuselesstosendanybutofficersinpursuit。Someonewenttoreporttheaffairtotheadjutant—general，Canby，andhetoGeneralRiley。Iwaitedsometime，and，asthethinggrewcold，Ithoughtitwasgivenup，andwenttomyroomandtobed。
AboutmidnightIwascalledupandinformedthatthereweresevenofficerswillingtogo，butthedifficultywastogethorsesandsaddles。IwentdowntoLarkin’shouseandgotGeneralSmithtoconsentthatwemighttakethehorsesIhadboughtforourtrip。
Itwasnearlythreeo’clocka。m。beforewewereallmountedandready。IhadamusketwhichIusedforhunting。WiththisIledoffatacanter，followedbytheothers。Aboutsixmilesout，bythefaintmoon，Isawaheadofusinthesandyroadsomebluecoats，and，fearinglesttheymightresistorescapeintothedensebusheswhichlinedtheroad，IhaltedandfoundwithmePaymasterHill，CaptainN。H。Davis，andLieutenantJohnHamilton。Wewaitedsometimefortheothers，viz。，Canby，Murray，Gibbs，andSully，tocomeup，butastheywerenotinsightwemadeadashuptheroadandcapturedsixofthedeserters，whowereGermans，withheavyknapsackson，trudgingalongthedeep，sandyroad。Theyhadnotexpectedpursuit，hadnotheardourhorses，andwereaccordinglyeasilytaken。Findingmyselftheseniorofficerpresent，IorderedLieutenantHamiltontosearchthemenandthentomarchthembacktoMonterey，suspecting，aswasthefact，thattherestofourpartyhadtakenaroadthatbranchedoffacoupleofmilesback。
DaylightbrokeaswereachedtheSaunasRiver，twelvemilesout，andtherethetrailwasbroadandfreshleadingdirectlyoutontheSaunasPlain。Thisplainisaboutfivemileswide，andthenthegroundbecomessomewhatbroken。Thetrailcontinuedveryplain，andIrodeonatagalloptowheretherewasanoldadobe—ranchontheleftoftheroad，withtheheadofalagoon，orpond，closeby。
Isawoneortwoofthesoldiersgettingwateratthepond，andothersupnearthehouse。Ihadthebesthorseandwasconsiderablyahead，butonlookingbackcouldseeHillandDaviscomingupbehindatagallop。Imotionedtothemtohurryforward，andturnedmyhorseacrosstheheadofthepond，knowingthegroundwell，asitwasafavoriteplaceforshootinggeeseandducks。
Approachingthehouse，Iorderedthemenwhowereoutsidetogoin。
Theydidnotknowmepersonally，andexchangedglances，butIhadmymusketcocked，and，asthetwohadseenDavisandHillcomingupprettyfast，theyobeyed。Dismounting，Ifoundthehousefullofdeserters，andtherewasnoescapeforthem。TheynaturallysupposedthatIhadastrongpartywithme，andwhenIorderedthemto\"fallin\"theyobeyedfromhabit。BythetimeHillandDaviscameupIhadthemformedintworanks，thefrontrankfacingabout，andIwastakingawaytheirbayonets，pistols，etc。Wedisarmedthem，destroyingamusketandseveralpistols，and，oncountingthem，wefoundthatwethreehadtakeneighteen，which，addedtothesixfirstcaptured，madetwenty—four。Wemadethemslingtheirknapsacksandbegintheirhomewardmarch。Itwasnearnightwhenwegotback，sothatthesedesertershadtravelednearlyfortymilessince\"tattoo\"ofthenightbefore。Theotherpartyhadcapturedthree，sothatonlyonemanhadescaped。IdoubtnotthispreventedthedesertionofthebulkoftheSecondInfantrythatspring，foratthattimesodemoralizingwastheeffectofthegold—minesthateverybodynotinthemilitaryservicejustifieddesertion，becauseasoldier，iffree，couldearnmoremoneyinadaythanhereceivedpermonth。Notonlydidsoldiersandsailorsdesert，butcaptainsandmastersofshipsactuallyabandonedtheirvesselsandcargoestotrytheirluckatthemines。Preachersandprofessorsforgottheircreedsandtooktotrade，andeventokeepinggambling—horses。Irememberthatoneofourregularsoldiers，namedReese，indesertingstoleafavoritedouble—
barreledgunofmine，andwhentheorderly—sergeantofthecompany，Carson，wasgoingonfurlough，IaskedhimwhenhecameacrossReesetotryandgetmygunback。WhenhereturnedhetoldmethathehadfoundReeseandofferedhimahundreddollarsformygun，butReesesentmewordthathelikedthegun，andwouldnottakeahundreddollarsforit。Soldiersorsailorswhocouldreachthemineswereuniversallyshieldedbytheminers，sothatitwasnexttouselesstoattempttheirrecapture。IndueseasonGeneralPersiferSmith，Gibbs，andI，withsomehiredpackers，startedbackforSanFrancisco，andsoonafterwetransferredourheadquarterstoSonoma。AboutthistimeMajorJosephHookerarrivedfromtheEast——theregularadjutant—generalofthedivision——relievedme，andIbecamethereafteroneofGeneralSmith’sregularaides—de—camp。
Astherewasverylittletodo，GeneralSmithencouragedustogointoanybusinessthatwouldenableustomakemoney。R。P。
Hammond，JamesBlair，andI，madeacontracttosurveyforColonelJ。D。Stevensonhisnewly—projectedcityof\"NewYorkofthePacific，\"situatedatthemonthoftheSanJoaquinRiver。Thecontractembraced，also，themakingofsoundingsandthemarkingoutofachannelthroughSuisunBay。Wehired，inSanFrancisco，asmallmetallicboat，withasail，laidinsomestores，andproceededtotheUnitedStatesshipOhio，anchoredatSaucelito，whereweborrowedasailor—boyandlead—lineswithwhichtosoundthechannel。WesaileduptoBenicia，and，atGeneralSmith’srequest，wesurveyedandmarkedthelinedividingthecityofBeniciafromthegovernmentreserve。Wethensoundedthebaybackandforth，andstakedoutthebestchannelupSuisunBay，fromwhichBlairmadeoutsailingdirections。Wethenmadethepreliminarysurveysofthecityof\"NewYorkofthePacific，\"allofwhichweredulyplotted;andforthisworkweeachreceivedfromStevensonfivehundreddollarsandtenorfifteenlots。Isoldenoughlotstomakeupanotherfivehundreddollars，andletthebalancego;forthecityof\"NewYorkofthePacific\"nevercametoanything。Indeed，citiesatthetimewerebeingprojectedbyspeculatorsallroundthebayandalloverthecountry。
Whileweweresurveyingat\"NewYorkofthePacific，\"occurredoneofthoselittleeventsthatshowedtheforceofthegold—fever。Wehadasailor—boywithus，aboutseventeenyearsold，whocookedourmealsandhelpedworktheboat。Onshore，wehadthesailspreadsoastoshelterusagainstthewindanddew。OnemorningIawokeaboutdaylight，andlookedouttoseeifoursailor—boywasatworkgettingbreakfast;buthewasnotatthefireatall。Gettingup，Idiscoveredthathehadconvertedatule—bolsaintoasailboat，andwassailingforthegold—mines。Hewasastridethisbolsa，withasmallparcelofbreadandmeatdoneupinapieceofcloth;
anotherpieceofcloth，suchasweusedformakingoursignal—
stations，hehadfixedintoasail;andwithapaddlehewasdirectinghisprecariouscraftrightoutintothebroadbay，tofollowthegeneraldirectionoftheschoonersandboatsthatheknewwereascendingtheSacramentoRiver。Hewasaboutahundredyardsfromtheshore。Ijerkedupmygun，andhailedhimtocomeback。Afteramoment’shesitation，heletgohissheetandbegantopaddleback。Thisbolsawasnothingbutabundleoftule，orbullrush，boundtogetherwithgrass—ropesintheshapeofacigar，abouttenfeetlongandabouttwofeetthroughthebutt。WiththesetheCaliforniaIndianacrossstreamsofconsiderablesize。
Whenhecameashore，Igavehimagoodoverhaulingforattemptingtodesert，andputhimtoworkgettingbreakfast。Induetimewereturnedhimtohisship，theOhio。Subsequently，ImadeabargainwithMr。HartnelltosurveyhisranchatCosnmnesRiver，SacramentoValley。Ordandayoungcitizen，namedSeton，wereassociatedwithmeinthis。IboughtofRodmanM。Priceasurveyor’scompass，chain，etc。，and，inSanFrancisco，asmallwagonandharness。
Availingourselvesofaschooner，charteredtocarryMajorMillerandtwocompaniesoftheSecondInfantryfromSanFranciscotoStockton，wegotuptoourdestinationatlittlecost。IrecallanoccurrencethathappenedwhentheschoonerwasanchoredinCarquinezStraits，oppositethesoldiers’camponshore。Wewerewaitingfordaylightandafairwind;theschoonerlayanchoredatanebb—tide，andaboutdaylightOrdandIhadgoneashoreforsomething。Justaswewerepullingofffromshore，weheardtheloudshoutsofthemen，andsawthemallrunningdowntowardthewater。Ourattentionthusdrawn，wesawsomethingswimminginthewater，andpulledtowardit，thinkingitacoyote;butwesoonrecognizedalargegrizzlybear，swimmingdirectlyacrossthechannel。Nothavinganyweapon，wehurriedlypulledfortheschooner，callingout，aswenearedit，\"Abear！abear！\"ItsohappenedthatMajorMillerwasondeck，washinghisfaceandhands。
Heranrapidlytothebowofthevessel，tookthemusketfromthehandsofthesentinel，andfiredatthebear，ashepassedbutashortdistanceaheadoftheschooner。Thebearrose，madeagrowlorhowl，butcontinuedhiscourse。Aswescrambleduptheport—aidetogetourguns，themate，withacrew，happenedtohaveaboatonthestarboard—aide，and，armedonlywithahatchet，theypulledupalongsidethebear，andthematestruckhimintheheadwiththehatchet。Thebearturned，triedtogetintotheboat，butthematestruckhisclawswithrepeatedblows，andmadehimletgo。
Afterseveralpasseswithhim，themateactuallykilledthebear，gotaroperoundhim，andtowedhimalongsidetheschooner，wherehewashoistedondeck。Thecarcassweighedoversixhundredpounds。ItwasfoundthatMajorMiller’sshothadstruckthebearinthelowerjaw，andthusdisabledhim。Haditnotbeenforthis，thebearwouldcertainlyhaveupsettheboatanddrownedallinit。
Asitwas，however，hismeatservedusagoodturninourtripuptoStockton。AtStocktonwedisembarkedourwagon，provisions，andinstruments。ThereIboughttwofinemulesatthreehundreddollarseach，andwehitchedupandstartedfortheCoaumnesRiver。
AbouttwelvemilesoffwastheMokelumne，awide，boldstream，withacanoeasaferry—boat。Wetookourwagontopieces，andferrieditanditscontentsacross，andthendroveourmulesintothewater。Incrossing，onemulebecameentangledintheropeoftheother，andforatimewethoughthewasagonemule;butatlastherevivedandwehitchedup。Themuleswerebothpack—animals;
neitherhadeverbeforeseenawagon。YoungSetonalsowasaboutasgreen，andhadneverhandledamule。Weputontheharness，andbegantohitchthemin，whenoneofthemulesturnedhishead，sawthewagon，andstarted。Weheldontight，butthebeastdidnotstopuntilhehadshiveredthetongue—poleintoadozenfragments。
Thefactwas，thatSetonhadhitchedthetracesbeforehehadputontheblind—bridle。Therewasconsiderableswearingdone，butthatwouldnotmendthepole。TherewasnoplacenearerthanSutter’sForttorepairdamages，sowewereputtoourwits’end。
Wefirstsentbackamileorso，andboughtaraw—hide。Gatheringupthefragmentsofthepoleandcuttingthehideintostrips，wefisheditintherudestmanner。Aslongasthehidewasgreen，thepolewasveryshaky;butgraduallythesundriedthehide，tightenedit，andthepoleactuallyheldforaboutamonth。Thiscostusnearlyadayofdelay;but，whendamageswererepaired，weharnessedupagain，andreachedthecrossingoftheCosumnes，whereoursurveywastobegin。Theexpediente，ortitle—papers，oftheranchdescribeditascontainingnineorelevenleaguesontheCosumnes，southside，andbetweentheSanJoaquinRiverandSierraNevadaMountains。WebeganattheplacewheretheroadcrossestheCosumnes，andlaiddownalinefourmilessouth，perpendiculartothegeneraldirectionofthestream;then，surveyingupthestream，wemarkedeachmilesoastoadmitofasubdivisionofonemilebyfour。Thelandwasdryandverypoor，withtheexceptionofhereandtheresomesmallpiecesofbottomland，thegreatbulkofthebottom—landoccurringonthenorthsideofthestream。WecontinuedthesurveyupsometwentymilesintothehillsabovethemillofDailorandSheldon。Ittookaboutamonthtomakethissurvey，which，whenfinished，wasdulyplotted;andforitwereceivedone—tenthoftheland，ortwosubdivisions。OrdandI
tooktheland，andwepaidSetonforhislaborincash。Bythesaleofmyshareoftheland，subsequently，Irealizedthreethousanddollars。AfterfinishingHartnell’ssurvey，wecrossedovertoDailor’s，anddidsomeworkforhimatfivehundreddollarsadayfortheparty。HavingfinishedourworkontheCosumnes，weproceededtoSacramento，whereCaptainSutteremployedustoconnectthesurveyofSacramentoCity，madebyLieutenantWarner，andthatofSutterville，threemilesbelow，whichwasthenbeingsurveyedbyLieutenantJ。W。Davidson，oftheFirstDragoons。AtSutterville，theplateauoftheSacramentoapproachedquiteneartheriver，anditwouldhavemadeabettersiteforatownthanthelow，submergedlandwherethecitynowstands;butitseemstobealawofgrowththatallnaturaladvantagesaredisregardedwhereveroncebusinesschoosesalocation。OldSutter’sembarcaderobecameSacramentoCity，simplybecauseitwasthefirstpointusedforunloadingboatsforSutter’sFort，justasthesiteforSanFranciscowasfixedbytheuseofYerbaBuenaasthehide—landingfortheMissionof\"SanFranciscodeAsis。\"