Just remember,
The Calfornios thought anything not done on a horse was beneath them .... I have a hard time getting my cummerbund tight enough to hold my pants up ... but that would have been done for him .... probably by an indian servant or a spouse
And mess kits and cooking seem to have been the providence of women and servants ... Hey, I'm just saying ... but the plates and silverware would have been the best they could obtain ... it kind of reminds me of the Russian Court and Officers just before the Revolution ... forced to live far beyond their means .... it is said that one could never be sure of the fiscal situation with a Californio .... that a person might be riding a silver embroidered saddle and a prize stallion and still not know where his next meal was coming from ....