mss142-vasilevShishmarev-i4-013

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Lazarev ashore to make arrangements with the commandant, Cav-
alry Captain Don Louis Argnelo [Luis Antonio Arguello], con-
cerning the salute. He returned before sunset, and then and
there we saluted with nine rounds, receiving as many in answer.

Our voyage from Sitka to California was unusually fortu-
nate, taking into consideration the time of year and the fact
we were sailing in a most stormy ocean.

In 15 days we made more than 3,000 versts [1980 miles] on
a direct course, and, as if by magic, were transported from
the depths of autumn into the most gorgeous summer. Never,
before or after, did we feel so keenly the effects of such a
quick change. At Sitka and during the trip, we had cold, hu-
mid weather, and suddenly we found ourselves under Italian
skies in a land endowed by bountiful nature with all the de-
lights of southern countries, but without the exhausting heat.

The outer coast of California near Port San Francisco
pressents the appearance of infertile, sandy hills and bare
rocks, behind which, in the distance, one can see chains of
high mountains. The entrance into the harbor is clearly
marked by two high capes, between which, in the distance, can
be seen a coast covered with the most exquisite verdure bor-
dering an immense bay. On the southern cape is built a re-
doubt [fort] armed with 18 cannons of various calibers, of which
only five were serviceable, and even they were mounted in em-
brasures on logs, and not on bases. Here at that time the
Spanish flag still flew. Having passed this redoubt, we

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