My last visit in this part of the country was to a new and rich
farming region, the Napa Valley, the United States Navy Yard at Mare
Island, the river gold workings, and the Geysers, and old Mr. John
Yount's rancho. On board the steamer, found Mr. Edward Stanley,
formerly member of Congress from North Carolina, who became my
companion for the greater part of my trip. I also met- a revival on
the spot of an acquaintance of twenty years ago- Don Guadalupe
Vallejo; I may say acquaintance, for although I was then before the
mast, he knew my story, and, as he spoke English well, used to hold
many conversations with me, when in the boat or on shore. He
received me with true earnestness, and would not hear of my passing
his estate without visiting him. He reminded me of a remark I made
to him once, when pulling him ashore in the boat, when he was
commandante at the Presidio. I learned that the two Vallejos,
Guadalupe and Salvador, owned, at an early time, nearly all Napa and
Sonoma, having princely estates. But they have not much left. They
were nearly ruined by their bargain with the State, that they would
put up the public buildings if the Capital should be placed at
Vallejo, then a town of some promise.
Pages:
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720