Colonial Expeditions to the Interior of California Central Valley, 1800-1820 — John Shaqi
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.)
_31st day and 21 [October]._ Today a scouting party went to the east
and found a river already discovered by the expedition of the month of
April, already mentioned. It was called the San Pedro.[35] Because that
portion which was examined was found to be without water we were forced
to move the camp to the village of 600 souls mentioned above, called
Telame, where water was scarce but good pasturage was obtainable. Here
we pitched camp.
_32nd day and 22 [October]._ Today, having explored all the points of
interest and villages of the oak forest the expedition remained at rest,
meanwhile waiting for supplies which were to come from Mission San
Miguel.
_33rd day and 23 [October]._ On the morning of this day I, together with
the Commander, Don Gabriel Moraga, went to the aforementioned village of
Telame. We had the luck to find there a little girl, who was wasted away
and at the point of death. Her parents, as soon as I showed them the
benefit which would come to their daughter when she died, gave her to
me so that she might be baptized. And in fact I did baptize her, the
parents being very happy with her good fortune, and we being pleased
with having gained another soul. During the days which we spent at this
place all the Indians showed themselves very much satisfied with having
us in their midst, even to the extent of pointing out to us a spot
appropriate for the establishment or foundation of a mission. All the
people of the villages, even though on our arrival they had hidden
themselves, came to visit us, bringing their small possessions and
feeling insulted if they were not accepted.
_34th day and 24 [October]._ Today there is nothing in particular to
note, other than that we received the provisions early in the evening.
_35th day and 25 [October]._ In the morning of this day the provisions
were distributed to the troops and in the afternoon we set out. We
traveled to the east, being guided by two heathen Indians, and at about
two leagues we turned to the west. In another two leagues we came upon
a very copious spring. This water is reached by taking a big stream bed,
which is encountered to the east of the village, and following it to the
west for about four leagues. At this point the water is discovered in
the arroyo itself. We suppose that the water is the River San Gabriel,
which has percolated through the immense stretches of sand along it.
This place has much grass but the land is alkaline in most parts.
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