"CITY oF SAN FRANcisco,
Alta California., January 31, 1850. SIR: I arrived within the limits of my official duties on the
3d day of November last, and should have rendered an account, under my letter of instructions,
before this date, but for the following reason. When at the city of the Great Salt Lake, I
was advised by mountain men that the season was then so far advanced, it would be impossible
tor the train of wagons to cross lhe Sierra Nevada mountains this winter. Being anxious to reach
my place of distination, I abandoned my wagons, left the escort, and pushed forward for the
mountains as rapidly as possible. On separating from the train I placed my trunk, containing
some of my papers, under the care of Capt. Morris of the escort, who retained a few of his
light wagons, with which he intended to cross the mountains. As I travelled more rapidly than his
train, I reached the city of Sacramento several days in advance of him. From that place I came
to Benicia, for the purpose of turning into the Quarter master's department such public
property as I had on hands, and after one day's delay there, came to this city. Captain Morris did
not come here, as he expected to, but remained at Sonora, and I am yet without some papers and
vouchers necessary in rendering a proper account of my appropriations and expenditures. On
receiving them I shall lose no time in rendering my accounts. Soon after my arrival here the
rainy season set in, and, with few intervals of fair days, has continued ever since, rendering
it impossible to pass over the interior of the country. I have consequently been able to visit
a few points by water communication for the purpose of gathering such information touching
the objects of my mission as I could obtain from persons who have resided for some length of
time in the country. When the rains cease and the roads become passable, I shall lose no time
in prosecuting the investigations required by the department. In the mean time I shall endeavor
to collect from reliable persons and other sources such information as will enable me to report
to the department at the earliest possible time.
I have been informed that some years ago, there was at the mission of Santa Barbery, an ancient
manuscript, history of the aborigines of California, or the Indians residing west of the Sierra
Nevada. It was in the possession of Padro Gonzales of that mission. I have written to him
regarding it and if not taken to Mexico during tbe Revolution, I hope to obtain it at least for
inspection.
The Indians residing in the vicinity of the old missions, or the Ranchos of this county, so far
as I have been able to observe, are of mixed breeds, and in many instances it is difficult to
determine whether thc aboriginal or Spanish blood prevails. They are in general stupid, indolent,
and ignorant, and in intellect far inferior to any of the tribes East of the Rocky mountains.
This perhaps does not opply to the pure Indians inhabiting the more mountainous part of this
country, but to those residing at or near to either a mission or a rancho. They seem to consider
themselves an appendage thereto, belonging to the priest of the mission or the owner of the
rancho. I have not yet learned that any of those Indians hold prisoners, either Mexicans
or Americans, but on the contrary, they think themselves the property of the owners of the
respective ranchos where they reside, as much as does the negro of the south to the owner of his
cotton plantation. Indeed, the owner of a rancho looks upon them as his property and in
estimating the value of his lands, he always counts upon the services of his fifty or one
hundred Indians as the case may be, to enhance its value. In connexion with this subject I
would call your attention to the situation of the mission lands of this country, and the
object for which they were originally granted. Those land was granted by the King of
Spain to the Jesuits for the purpose of Christianizing the Indians. On the supprresion of that
order, the Dominicans, or order of Saint Francis, came into possession of them under like trusts
and restrictions. The priests at one time used power over the lands and property of the
missions, and managed them rather to enrich themselves, than for the benefit of the Indians.
In 1835 the supreme government annulled the jurisdiction of the priests, a1lowing them only
their religious powers, with a salary or compensation; at the same time sending to every mission
its administrator to mannge its temporal affairs for the use and benefit of the Indian
population. There was at each mission an administrator up to the time of the war between the
United States and Mexico. Such being the original object of those grants, it has occurred to me
that no change was made by the treaty, at that the property held in trust for the Indians by
administrators under the government of Mexico might properly pass into the hands of Indian
agents under the government of the Untted States, to be held in trust for the Indians, as they
formerly were under agents of the government of Mexico.
Should this not be the case, then those lands under the government of the United Stutes become a
part of the public domain and in either view, it seems to me they should be guarded from the
moSt unjustifiable and wholesale land piracy carried on here, that has ever developed itself
in any country. I am informed that much of those mission lands have been unlawfully seized and
held in possession by persons without any color of title whatever in some cases, and in other
instances under false or pretended titles from persons having no right to sell or grant the
same. I have made these suggestions, in order that the Department of the Interior, under whose
care the matter so fully comes, may adopt such measures as it may deem proper in the premises.
My own opinion is, that it may be advisable to appoint a commission for the purpose of
investigating and settling such titles, at as early a day as practicable.
I have the honor to be, Your humble servant, ADAM JOHNSTON.
ORLANDO BROWN, Esq.,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
