and San Blas, and easier of access than Acapulco, to vessels from Calcutta or China; which, from the prevalence of particular winds in the Pacific, seldom make the Mexican coast to the South of Guaymas, and often steer as far North as Cape Mendocino or San Francisco.
In the Gulf pearls are found in great abundance; they are mostly of a small size, and these are so common in Mexico that they are worn by the lowest orders in the streets. But California, likewise, produces pearls of the very finest quality; nor do I know any part of the world where necklaces of greater beauty may be seen than in New Spain. The pearls of Madame de Regla, of her sister the Marquesa de Guadalupe, and of Madame Vĕlāscŏ, are all remarkable for their size; and General Victoria is in possession of an oyster, recently sent to him from Sonora, which contains a single pearl not yet entirely detached from the shell, but perfect in all its parts, and larger, I think, than any pearl that I ever recollect having seen.
In 1825, a company was formed for exploring the pearl-oyster beds in the Gulf of California, and two vessels were sent round Cape Horn, provided with diving-bells and all the supposed requisites for the fishery. The management of the enterprise was entrusted to Lieutenant Hardy, R.N., who, after a great deal of trouble, succeeded in making an equitable arrangement with the Mexican Government as to the division of the profits; and proceeded to
