The Cyane and Warren have just returned from a cruise on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico.  The town of Guymas had been taken by bombardment.  The Cyane had captured, during her cruize, fourteen prizes, besides several guns at San Blas.  The boats of the Warren, under the command of Lieut.  Radford, performed the gallant feat of cutting out of the harbour of Mazatlan the Mexican schooner Malek Abdel.

Landing in San Francisco, I found my wardrobe, which I had deposited in the care of Capt.  Leidesdorff, and the first time for nearly five months dressed myself in a civilized costume.  Having been during that time almost constantly in motion, and exposed to many hardships and privations, it was, as may be supposed, no small satisfaction to find once more a place where I could repose for a short time at least.

CHAPTER XIV.

  Progress of the town of San Francisco
  Capt.  Dupont
  Gen. Kearny
  The presidio
  Appointed Alcalde
  Gen. Kearny’s proclamation
  Arrival of Col.  Stevenson’s regiment
  Horse-thief Indians
  Administration of justice in California
  Sale of lots in San Francisco.

Wherever the Anglo-Saxon race plant themselves, progress is certain to be displayed in some form or other.  Such is their “go-ahead” energy, that things cannot stand still where they are, whatever may be the circumstances surrounding them.  Notwithstanding the wars and insurrections, I found the town of San Francisco, on my arrival here, visibly improved.  An American population had flowed into it; lots, which heretofore have been considered almost valueless, were selling at high prices; new houses had been built, and were in progress; new commercial houses had been established; hotels had been opened for the accommodation of the travelling and business public; and the publication of a newspaper had been commenced.  The little village of two hundred souls, when I arrived here in September last, is fast becoming a town of importance.  Ships freighted with full cargoes are entering the port, and landing their merchandise to be disposed of at wholesale and retail on shore, instead of the former mode of vending them afloat in the harbour.  There is a prevailing air of activity, enterprise, and energy; and men, in view of the advantageous position of the town for commerce, are making large calculations upon the future; calculations which I believe will be fully realized.

On the 15th I dined on board the sloop-of-war Cyane, with Commander Dupont, to whom I had the good fortune to be the bearer from home of a letter of introduction.  I say “good fortune,” because I conceive it to be one of the greatest of social blessings, as well as pleasures, to be made acquainted with a truly upright and honourable man—­one whose integrity never bends to wrongful or pusillanimous expediency;—­one who, armed intellectually with the panoply of justice, has courage to sustain