Don David Spence, ‘a good-natured Scotsman,’ helped DON GUILLERMO HARTNELL prepare a proper ‘Casa Arnel for the bride’s inspection’ at Monterey

+++   … ‘By the Hebe we particularly desired that the first vessel which you sent us should be destined to return to Lima with Tallow; and by her we were to let you know when, and how many, vessels you ought to send for the Hides by which means we should never have more vessels on the coast than we could immediately provide with cargo, and thus avoid the enormous expenses occasioned by the delay former ships have experienced.  But to these instructions no attention what so ever was paid, for the first vessel you send us comes with orders to load for England; two months afterward you dispatch the one for tallow which ought to have come first; and then a few days after her sailing, without waiting for our advices or knowing what may have happened in California, you send us the Esther with a charter which obliges us to dispatch her for England whether we have cargo or not – and she arrives at a season of the year when, altho the cargo were all ready for her at the different points of embarkation, she would have to encounter great difficulty and considerable danger in getting it off owing to the heavy rains and southerly winds which at this time of the year continually prevail on the coast.’  ++  The irritation of having to fill indiscriminately chartered vessels had caused Hartnell many sleepless nights – nights which Begg, in Lima, imagined him spending in carousing or dalliance.  But the above statement of grievances resulted in assurance both by Begg and McCulloch that in the future vessels would be sent only according to his instructions (McCulloch to Hartnell, February 25, 1825).  ++  The building of ‘la casa Arnel’ proceeded slowly but reliably.  David Spence planned to have it shipshape for the bride’s inspection.  He also promised faithfully to attend the company business in the manager’s absence.  The ‘Junius,’ consigned from Liverpool to the California coast, was expected sometime in April.  When the time came for Don Guillermo to take orders and assemble her outgoing cargo, he started south with peace of mind and pleasant prospects, combining business with pleasure in the most satisfactory manner.  ++  From mission to mission, he followed ‘El Camino Real’ over green and golden hills – green of grass and gold of mustard flowers – through flower-carpeted valleys, along a rugged seacoast, and beside rivers vitalized by winter snows and spring rains.  The long ride ended on his lady’s doorstep.  +++