From Bodega we traveled to Sonoma, by way of Petaluma, and spent a day with General Vallejo.  I had been there before, as related, in the business of the alcalde Nash.  From Sonoma we crossed over by way of Napa, Suisun, and Vaca’s ranch, to the Puta.  In the rainy season, the plain between the Puta and Sacramento Rivers is impassable, but in July the waters dry up; and we passed without trouble, by the trail for Sutter’s Embarcadero.  We reached the Sacramento River, then full of water, with a deep, clear current.  The only means of crossing over was by an Indian dugout canoe.  We began by carrying across our packs and saddles, and then our people.  When all things were ready, the horses were driven into the water, one being guided ahead by a man in the canoe.  Of course, the horses and mules at first refused to take to the water, and it was nearly a day’s work to get them across, and even then some of our animals after crossing escaped into the woods and undergrowth that lined the river, but we secured enough of them to reach Sutter’s Fort, three miles back from the embcarcadero, where we encamped at the old slough, or pond, near the fort.  On application, Captain Butter sent some Indians back into the bushes, who recovered and brought in all our animals.  At that time there was not the sign of a habitation there or thereabouts, except the fort, and an old adobe-house, east of the fort, known as the hospital.  The fort itself was one of adobe-walls, about twenty feet high, rectangular in form, with two-story block houses at diagonal corners.  The entrance was by a large gate, open by day and closed at night, with two iron ship’s guns near at hand.  Inside there was a large house, with a good shingle-roof, used as a storehouse, and all round the walls were ranged rooms, the fort wall being the outer wall of the house.  The inner wall also was of adobe.  These rooms were used by Captain Sutter himself and by his people.  He had a blacksmith’s shop, carpenter’s shop, etc., and other rooms where the women made blankets.  Sutter was monarch of all he surveyed, and had authority to inflict punishment even unto death, a power he did not fail to use.  He had horses, cattle, and sheep, and of these he gave liberally and without price to all in need.  He caused to be driven into our camp a beef and some sheep, which were slaughtered for our use.  Already the goldmines were beginning to be felt.  Many people were then encamped, some going and some coming, all full of gold-stories, and each surpassing the other.  We found preparations in progress for celebrating the Fourth of July, then close at hand, and we agreed to remain over to assist on the occasion; of course, being the high officials, we were the honored guests.  People came from a great distance to attend this celebration of the Fourth of July, and the tables were laid in the large room inside the storehouse of the fort.  A man of some note, named Sinclair, presided, and after a substantial meal and a reasonable supply