CALIFORNIA, New, a province of Mexico, or New Spain, which extends from the isthmus of Old California, or the bay of Todos Santos, to Cape Mendocino in north lat. 40. 19. It is a narrow stripe of land, stretching to 600 miles in length by thirty in breadth. The climate is more mild than in the same latitude on the eastern coast. The
California soil is as well watered and fertile as that of Old California is arid and stony. The aspect of the country is exceedingly picturesque and beautiful, and the inhabitants enjoy almost a perpetual spring. On every side are presented views of magnificent forests and verdant savannahs, whose numerous herds of deer, or elk of gigantic size, graze undisturbed in their sylvan retreats. The soil has easily admitted of different varieties of European vegetation; and the vine, the olive, and wheat are successfully cultivated. There are great varieties of land and water game, and few countries in the world abound more in fish of every description. There are eighteen missionary settlements formed by the Spaniards on the coast of New Carolina; and, of all the colonial establishments, these have made the most rapid progress in civilization. The object of these settlements is, by instructing the natives in agriculture and other branches of industry, to reclaim them from their wandering and unsettled habits, and gradually to bend them under the restraints of social life. To a certain extent they have succeeded. Some of the Indians are employed in spinning woollen stuffs; but their principal occupation is in dressing stag-skins. The hunting of these stags is also a favourite pursuit, in which the natives display singular dexterity and address. San Francisco, the most northern military post or presidio, is situated upon an extensive bay of the same name, into which a large river empties itself. Near the mission of Santa Clara wheat produces from twenty-five to thirty for one, and requires very little culture. The harvest is reaped in July. San Carlos de Monterey is the seat of the governor of the two Californias. The port of Monterey is far from meriting the celebrity which it has received from the Spanish navigators; it is a bay with an indifferent anchorage. Santa Barbara, the principal town of a jurisdiction, is situated on a canal of the same name, formed by the continent and some small islands. The population of New California is estimated at about 15,000 souls, and its surface at 2125 square leagues.