Captain Dana is a native of Massachusetts, and has resided in this country about thirty years.  He is known and esteemed throughout California for his intelligence and private virtues, and his unbounded generosity and hospitality.  I purchased here a few loaves of wheat bread, and distributed them among the men belonging to our company as far as they would go, a luxury which they have not indulged in since the commencement of the march.  Distance 15 miles.

December 19.—­The night was cold and tempestuous, with a slight fall of rain.  The clouds broke away after sunrise, and the day became warm and pleasant.  We continued our march up the valley, and encamped near its head.  The table-land and hills are generally gravelly, but appear to be productive of fine grass.  The soil of the bottom is of the richest and most productive composition.  We crossed in the course of the day a wide flat plain, upon which were grazing large herds of brood-mares (manadas) and cattle.  In the distance they resembled large armies approaching us.  The peaks of the elevated mountains in sight are covered with snow.  A large number of horses gave out, strayed, and were left behind to-day, estimated at one hundred.  The men came into camp bringing their saddles on their backs, and some of them arriving late in the evening.  Distance 18 miles.

December 20.—­Parties were sent back this morning to gather up horses and baggage left on the march yesterday, and it was one o’clock before the rear-guard, waiting for the return of those, left camp.  The main body made a short march and encamped early, in a small hollow near the rancho of Mr. Faxon, through which flows an arroyo, the surrounding hills being timbered with evergreen oaks.  The men amused themselves during the afternoon in target-shooting.  Many of the battalion are fine marksmen with the rifle, and the average of shots could not easily be surpassed.  The camp spread over an undulating surface of half a mile in diameter, and at night, when the fires were lighted, illuminating the grove, with its drapery of drooping Spanish moss, it presented a most picturesque appearance.  Distance 3 miles.

December 21.—­Clear and pleasant.  A foot march was ordered, with the exception of the horse and baggage guard.  We marched several miles through a winding hollow, passing a deserted rancho, and ascending with much labour a steep ridge of hills, descending which we entered a handsome valley, and encamped upon a small stream about four miles from the mission of St. Ynes.  The banks of the arroyo are strewn with dead and prostrate timber, the trees, large and small, having been overthrown by tornados.  The plain has suffered, like much of the country we have passed through, by a long-continued drought, but the composition of the soil is such as indicates fertility, and from the effects of the late rains the grass is springing up with great luxuriance, from places which before were entirely denuded of vegetation.  A party was sent from camp to inspect the mission, but returned without making any important discoveries.  Our horses are so weak that many of them are unable to carry their saddles, and were left on the road as usual.  A man had his leg broken on the march to-day, by the kick of a mule.  He was sent back to the rancho of Mr. Faxon.  Distance 15 miles.