country, are thus annihilated; they have been virtually plundered by all parties.
These were the only places of resort for travellers throughout California, and even in their palmy times were only tolerable; but now a meal cannot be procured without difficulty, and travellers must rely upon their own resources.
On my return to the ship, I started with the Starling, pinnace, two cutters, and two gigs, to explore the navigable limit of the Rio Sacramento; one of three streams, diverging about thirty miles up the north-western arm of Estrecho Karquines, where the Blossom's survey terminated.
At dawn, on the 24th of October, we started, and carried the Starling thirty-six miles. On the 26th, the pilot assuring us that she could not be carried further, we stored our boats with as much provision as they could stow, and moved on. We soon found our pilot mistaken, but it was now too late, our measures were taken, and several boats twenty miles in advance. With a most beautiful day we advanced, touching at particular spots for astronomical stations. Ducks and geese were noticed in great numbers; also elk and deer, in herds of twenty and thirty; but there was no time for delay.
From former descriptions of the river, I was greatly disappointed at not meeting with either the San Joachim or Jesus Maria, equally large streams, said to trifurcate north and south with the Sacramento. These streams may possibly be found upon
