Colonial Expeditions to the Interior of California Central Valley, 1800-1820Cook, Sherburne Friend
History
Colonial Expeditions to the Interior of California Central Valley, 1800-1820
Cook, Sherburne Friend
California -- Discovery and exploration; California -- History -- To 1846 -- Sources; Central Valley (Calif.)
[25] Cutter (MS, p. 107) concludes that the first stream (Río San
Francisco) was the Calaveras, and the second (Río de la Pasión) the
Cosumnes. There is little reason to disagree. The distances are right,
and the linguistic border between the Miwok and the Maidu runs along
the Cosumnes. On the other hand, it is difficult to explain the failure
of the diarist to mention the Mokelumne, an all-year stream. Moreover
a round trip of 30 leagues, or about 75 mi., is incredible, even for
an accomplished group of horsemen traveling without baggage. Another
guess would be that Muñoz meant the first river was 6 leagues from the
starting point on the Stanislaus and the second 9 leagues _from the
Stanislaus_, rather than 9 leagues _additional_. This would end the
trip at the Mokelumne and satisfy the criterion of distance but would
not explain the linguistic change.
[26] Cutter (MS, pp. 109-110) identifies the Santo Domingo with Mariposa
Cr. and the Tecolote with the Chowchilla.
[27] The Santa Ana was the Fresno R. Throughout the journey from the
Merced to the San Joaquin Moraga's party stayed close to the eastern
edge of the valley. On the seasonal streams found in this area there
was a distinct absence of permanent Indian settlements. Pizcache, on
the San Joaquin, is listed in the appendix directly following Lachuo,
on the Merced. On the San Joaquin, Moraga probably halted approximately
north of Fresno, below Le Grand.
[28] There is a discrepancy here. Moraga, or Muñoz, says that this
village was in the mountains or at least the foothills. But Kroeber
(Handbook, p. 484) says that the Pitkachi "held the south side of the
San Joaquin, living at Kohuou, near Herndon or Sycamore; at Weshiu,
on a slough; and at Gewachiu, still farther downstream." Gayton (1948,
p. 5) says: "After getting aid Derby's party reached the bend of the
San Joaquin River, country attributed to the Pitkachi, on May 24." It
appears as if this group moved downstream between 1806 and 1850.
[29] For comment on the New Mexico legend see Cutter (MS, pp. 110-111).
[30] Kings R. was reached near Sanger or Centerville.
[31] No record exists of this expedition.
[32] The village list at the end of the report mentions by name Aycayche
and 4 other villages which can be ascribed to the Kings R. basin. The
text mentions Ayquiche plus 6 others upstream and 3 downstream, a total
of 9. Evidently the village list does not include all those which were
actually seen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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