*** Source: Thompson, Robert A., Historical and descriptive sketch of Sonoma County, California. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1877, 122 pgs. Notice: This data is donated to the Public Domain by TAG, 2004, and may be copied freely by anyone to anywhere. *** ---page 10--- provisions. The price of a bullock at that time was twelve dollars, and of a sheep two dollars; vegetables were also plentiful, and in their proper season. The “dominion of Spain over the Californias” terminated in 1822, after fifty years of peaceful prosperity for the country. Mexico having established her independence in that year, California gave in her adherence, and declared the northern possessions henceforth dependent alone on the government of Mexico. The Federal constitution of 1824 was afterwards adopted, and California was governed by a political chief, aided by a council known as the territorial deputation. Prior to this change in the government the authorities had commenced to fence against the Russians, who, it was feared, intended to get a foot-hold on the bay of San Francisco, coming south from Bodega. The mission of San Rafael had been established. In June and July, 1823, Jose Altimira came with a military escort from San Francisco to select a proper site for a new mis- sion, to which it was proposed to transfer the mission of San Francisca de Assis. Padre Altimira left San Rafael on the 25th June, and passed, the following day, the point called by the Indians, Chocuali, where Petaluma now stands, and encamped near the old adobe house on the Petaluma plain. The following day they came to the valley of Sonoma. The description of the pioneer, Padre Altimira, is so graphic that it will bear quoting in full. “About 3 P. M., June 28th, 1823,” says the Father, “leaving our camp and our boat in the slough near by, we started to explore, directing our course northwestward across the plain of Sonoma, until we reached a stream (Sonoma river) of about five hun- dred plumas of water, crystaline, and most pleasant to the taste, flowing through a grove of beautiful and useful trees. The stream flows from hills which enclose the plain, and terminate it on the north. We went on penetrating a broad grove of oaks, the trees were lofty and robust, promising utility in the future for fuel and building purposes. This grove was three leagues from east to west, and a league and a-half from north to south. No one can doubt the poplar, and laurel, and especially the abundance and luxuriance of the wild settlement can be formed, truly a most convenient circumstance. We see from these, and other facts, that Sonoma is a most desirable site for a mission.” The explorations were continued in various directions until it was decided that the present site of the old town and mission of Sonoma was the best place for set- tlement. So, on the fourth day of July, 1823, Father Altimira planted a cross near the spot where the Catholic church now stands, and the second settlement, (the first having been made at Ross,) was founded within the present limits of Sonoma county. The mission buildings were commenced that year. Altimira writes to Governor Arguello at San Francisco, that he cut one hundred redwood beams for a granary in four days, and that he was highly pleased with the site, and alleged that it afforded more inducements than any other place between it and San Diego. The mission was destroyed in 1826, by the Indians. Padre Altimira escaped with his life, and soon after left the country. In 1827 the mission was revived, *** end ***