Some few among them appear to have been active and industrious, but the great majority speedily relapsed into habits of indolence and slothfulness. No extraordinary efforts were made to develop the resources of the country; considerable silver was discovered, but as there was no mercury to purify it, that obtained was of an inferior quality, and afforded a trifling profit. A rich mine, called San Antonio. near La Paz, was wrought for several years, and is said to have yielded handsome returns. But the political dissensions that agitated the southern departments of Mexico, were felt in the Californias, perhaps more than all, in the baneful influence which they exerted in repressing the energies of the inhabitants, and curbing the little spirit of enterprise that had previously animated them.
For many years, there was scarcely the least improvement in Upper or Lower California, and if any progress was made, it was at a snail's pace. Hides and tallow formed the principal articles of exportation from the upper province; but the trade was small, and liable to frequent interruptions, by reason of the struggles between the different factions for the ascendancy. Matters remained pretty much in this condition, till after the termination of the war with the United States, and the cession to them of Upper California.
This territory, now belonging to the American Union, embraces an area of 448,961 square miles. It extends along the Pacific coast, from about the thirty-second parallel of north latitude,[1] a distance of near seven hundred miles, to the forty-second parallel, the southern boundary of Oregon. On the cast it is bounded by New Mexico. During the long period which transpired, between its discovery and its cession to the United States, this vast tract of country was frequently visited by men of science from all parts of the world. Repeated examinations were made by learned and enterprising officers and civilians; but none of them discovered the important fact, that the mountain torrents of the Sierra Nevada were constantly pouring down their golden sands into the vallies of the Sacramento and San Joaquim. The glittering particles twinkled beneath their feet in the ravines which they explored, or glistened in the water-courses which they forded, — yet they passed them by unheeded. Not a legend, or tradition, was heard among the white settlers, or the aborigines, that attracted their curiosity. A nation's ransom lay within their grasp, but, strange to say, it escaped their notice, — it flashed and sparkled all in vain.[2]
The Russian American Company had a large establishment at Ross
