La Boussole, Monterrey, September 21, 1786
Though rightly our philosophers decry
those circumnavigators who lay claim in their king's name
to newfound lands without regard for the inhabitants
because they come with bayonet and cannon,
Monsieur Rollain, l'Abbé Mongès and I
desired to be conveyed ashore this morning
to take possession of this region in the name of Flora,
Our Lady Botany. Outside the royal hunting ground
no countryside in Europe so abounds
in game. Pierre and Roux came for the sport
and La Manon pursuant to the study
of savages whom his savants persuade him to call noble.
We ranged the hillside southward in botanical researches
and venery I at once identified
a new procumbent genus of Pentandria.
Our ornithologist bagged numerous
examples of the feathered tribe. We will sketch specimens,
dissect and stuff them after sailing. At noon the gray robed Fathers
received us with a sumptuous repast
under an arbor in the Mission garden.
In the adjacent meadow four deer broused,
edging closer by imperceptible increments through lunch
until we recognized natives disguised in hides, their bodies
painted and stag heads fastened on their shoulders.
They pantomime the animal so neatly,
its starts of watchfulness and pauses, feeding—
sighting them unforewarned ten paces off, we would have fired.
This is their stratagem for stalking deer. Often they drop
several before the herd startles and flees.
Through Padre Sitjar we invited them
to join us hunting back to the Presidio.
Firearms no longer terrify them and they are delighted
by the effectiveness at distance of our Fowling Pieces
upon a species of large quail prolific
in coppices, the males with crests reverted,
lead-colored, with ferruginous breast plumage
and pinkish feet, more savory than those of France, and plumper.
Esselen arrows seldom miss and when our fire goes wide
exulting to display superior skill
while yet the birds flare from our shots they bring them down.
Joseph D'Agelet, Senior Astronomer