Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/741

Rh General Vallejo's prominent position in all that concerned the frontera del norte and of the complete documentary record of other matters contained in the papers of his collection. Vallejo had many difficulties to contend with, but his zeal and energy in this cause were without parallel in California annals; and the credit due him is not impaired by the fact that the development of his own wealth was a leading incentive. His Indian policy was admirable, and in the native chief Solano he found an efficient aid. For the most part at his own expense he supported the regular presidial company, organized another of native warriors, kept the hostile tribes in check by war and diplomacy, protected the town and ranchos, and, in spite of the country's unfortunate political complications and lack of prosperity, established a feeling of security that in 1839 had drawn 25 families of settlers to the northern frontier. Could he have had the coöperation of the friars he would have founded new missions in the north and east. I have estimated the population of gente de razon, not including the Russians, north of the bay in 1840 at 200 souls. The establishments of Ross and New Helvetia during this period, having been treated in special chapters, require no further notice here.

Turning to the southern establishments of the district we find that Padre Narcisco Duran at San José