The undersigned, having obtained a grant from the Mexican Government of such part of the Territory of Lower California as lies between 24 20" and 31° north latitude, containing five thousand two hundred square leagues, or forty-six thousand eight hun. dred square miles of land, has formed a company for the purpose of colonizing and developing the Territory. The following brief account of the geography, climate, agricultural and mineral resources of the Territory is derived either from authentic manuscripts of former travellers or from my own observation, and is entirely reliable. JACOB P. LEESE. HERNANDO CORTES, having vanquished, though not subjugated, the Aztec nation, looked towards the western shores of the new world, and, amid his dreams of glory, saw in the horizon, clouds, which like those that indicate to the mariner the proximity of land, gave him assurance that from their midst might yet emerge another Tenoxtitlan. In the year 1534, two vessels, built by his orders in the Sea of Tehuantepec, explored the waters of the Pacific, and discovered the Gulf and land of Lower California. The Gulf was called the Sea of CORTES, afterwards the Vermillion Sea, now more commonly the Gulf of California. His first anchorage was made at a shallow cove on the gulf side, in front of the Island of Cerralvo, (latitude 24° 15".) Without knowing its extent or form, he took possession of the main land in the name of the King, and called it Santa Cruz. After the lapse of one hundred and sixty-three years from its discovery by CORTES, Father JUAN MARIA DE SALVATIERRA, accompanied by Admiral OTANDO, took possession of and colonized the peninsula. On the 19th day of October, 1697, they landed at the Bay of San Bruno; but not deeming this place suitable for their purposes, sailed fifteen miles further north, to the place now called Loreto. Loreto, called from the Virgin Loreto, is situated in north latitude 25° 30", on a bay surrounded by land in the form of a semi-circle. The land is covered with verdure and undergrowth timber, and well watered. It afterwards became the capital of the whole peninsula. In a manuscript book used by Father SALVATIERRA for the entry of the baptisms and marriages of the Indians at the Mission of Loreto, from October 1, 1701, may be found the following note made by Father FRAY JUNIPERO SERRA, at the time of his taking possession of the Mission, April 2, 1768: |