singers. Such is the capital of the vast interior valley,
pregnant with approaching importance. In Decem-
ber 1847 Sutter reported a white population of 289
in the district, with 16 half-breeds, Hawaiians, and
negroes, 479 tame Indians, and a large number of
gentiles, estimated with not very great precision at
21,873 for the valley, including the region above the
Buttes.^ There are 60 houses in or near the fort,
and six mills and one tannery in the district; 14,000
fanegas of wheat were raised during the season, and
40,000 expected during the following year, besides
other crops. Sutter owns 12,000 cattle, 2,000 horses
and mules, from 10,000 to 15,000 sheep, and 1,000
hogs.^ John Sinclair figures as alcalde, and George
McKinstry as sheriff*
The greater portion of the people round the fort depend upon Sutter as permanent or temporary em- ployes, the latter embracing immigrants preparing to settle, and Mormons intent on presently proceeding to Great Salt Lake. As a class they present a hardy, backwoods type of rough exterior, relieved here and there by bits of Hispano-Californian attire, in bright sashes, wide sombreros, and jingling spurs. The na- tives appear probably to better advantage here than elsewhere in California, in the body of half a hundred well-clothed soldiers trained by Sutter, and among his staff of steady servants and helpers, who have ac- quired both skill and neatness. A horde of subdued savages, engaged as herders, tillers, and laborers, are conspicuous by their half-naked, swarthy bodies; and others may be seen moving about, bent on gossip or trade, stalking along, shrouded in the all-shielding blanket, which the winter chill has obliged them to put on. Head and neck, however, bear evidence to their love of finery, in gaudy kerchiefs, strings of beads, and other ornaments.
" McKinstry Pap., MS., 28.
- ' There were 30 ploughs in operation. Siitter^s Per a. Rem,, MS., 43. The
version reproduced in JSac. Co, Hist., 31, differs somewhat.
