Life in a California Mission
de la Pérouse, Jean François / Margolin, Malcolm / Yamane, Linda
Nonfiction. California Studies. On the afternoon of September 14, 1786, two French ships appeared off the coast of Monterey, the first foreign vessels to visit Spain's California colonies. Aboard was a party of eminent scientists, navigators, cartographers, illustrators, and physicians. For the next ten days the expedition's commander, Jean Francois de la Perouse, took detailed notes on the life and character of the area: its abundant wildlife...