Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/72

 tried by a general court marshal— this seemed to have a great effect on him. 14*^ of August. As to public affairs we have absolutely nothing going on; our friends the Californians, received via Sonora the Mexican papers— detail- ing Scott & Taylors movements in Mexico— the taking of Vera Cruz the levying of taxes by old Taylor for the destruction of his baggage train, and the battle of puente nacional, seems to have acted as a soporific on their war- like feelings— talk of revolt now is not even heard of— every thing in that way is as quiet as possible— rumors of Indian hostilities seems even to have been forgotten— although I think the Californians have done their best to embroil us with a tribe called the St Luis Indians.— These fellows are how- ever our warm friends. An Agent has been recently appointed, Capt Hunter late of the Mormon Battalion, this I hope will have the effect of quieting all reports— The Colonel leaves here to day for the purpose of holding council with all the Indians at San Luis Rey— Occasionally a rumor gets here from the North of disturbance between the Governors and the Ameri- can settlers in the North— The ground of the difficulty seems to be the Mission lands, upon which our western men, following their true instinct and old habit have squatted— and are rather inclined to appropriate the lands &c to their own use— this the Governor objects to as the lands are private property, and as usual in such cases much talk— but no blood as yet—

The Company at Santa Barbara seems to have got in rather a disorganized State— and caused a court martial, the result of which was to send four of the number to Monterey in irons This seems to have quieted every thing— At this place every thing is quiet. Our military guard mounting is quite a show. Robbery has become very common of late— Stores, houses, persons riding & picking pockets. No less than five Robberys have taken place lately to considerable amounts— and the murder that occurred about the 4 of July— The worst of it is— there seems to be no means of finding out who are the authors of the crimes— So long as the Alcaldes supposed that it was a Dra- goon who committed the murder they were excessively energetic— but the evidence being clear that the man was not guilty— no further prosecution was had in the case-

Sickness has prevailed to great extent both among the troops and the popu- lation here among the men— [William] Hopper of Co E died July [blank]. [Thomas] Bosquet Co. E. on 8 of August— [Charles A.] Webster Co E— on the 17^^ of August— all died— with the same fever: ^*^ The attack of this dis- ease is not violent— but gradual— preceeded for some time— (in the two last cases it was so) by Diarrhoea, thin yellow, watery discharges— tongue coated, pulse not exhibiting much signs of disease or febrile action— in a few days the symptoms became worse— the tongue becoming black— chapped— and border around the teeth— slight delirium— nervous twitchings kicking at the bed clothes— position on back— and falling down in bed towards the foot— The Diarrhoea usually continues through the disease