Port of Call: Monterey. The old Mexican Customhouse, the oldest extant governmental building in that state, stands in Monterey State Historic Park, close by that city's Fisherman's Wharf. For roughly two decades (1827-46) Mexican authorities attempted to constrain foreign merchant ships to stop in Monterey, unload all their goods, and pay duties before going on about their businesses. It must have been hit or miss, relying on word of mouth and veiled threats of repercussions for those who failed to stop. The resident park ranger allowed as how many a wily sea captain unloaded his best goods in the Channel Islands before dropping anchor in Monterey to claim his right of passage.
