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advocate, was sent to Humboldt Valley to report, and these are some of his unflattering words:
“ There have been in this valley from one to two hundred soldiers, and I think at least half of their pay goes in that way. There have been about ten employes, averaging sixty dollars per month each, and I believe half of this went the same way. The commissioned officers made large outlays in the same direction.
This, taken altogether, more than doubled the government bounty.
Its effect on the Indians has been terrible.
Half breed children, disease, loss of self-respect, are only a part of the evils.
It has dethroned the chief, set aside the influence of the father, husband, and head of family, and brought to the front, in all things, the goodlooking and profligate young women.
They flaunt round in gaudy finery, while their elders are naked or clothed in rags.”
No fiscal from Santa Clara ever told a truer and a darker story of what he found in Santa Barbara and Soledad.
Aware how much had been done by the Franciscans under great and ever-growing difficulties, the Americans have lately paid those fathers the compliment
1875.
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