MS., 19-26; Id., Thirty Years, 26; Salt Lake City Trib., June 11, 1879; Bancroft's Pers. Obs., MS., 171; Illust. of Contra Costa Co., 4-33; Whitney's Metallic Wealth, pp. xxi.-xxxii.; J. J. Warner, in Alta Cal., May 18, 1868; Austin Rerse Riv. Reveille, July 17, 1864, Aug. 10, 1865, Jan. 29, 1872; Cal. Chronicle, Jan. 28, 1856; Prescott Miner, Nov. 22, 1878; Niles' Reg., lxiii. 96; lxxv., index "gold mines;" Cronise's Nat. Wealth, 109; Culver's Sac. City Direct., 71; Barnes' Or, and Cal., MS., 11; George M. Evans, in the Oregon Bulletin, Jan. 12, 1872, from Antioch Ledger, Feb. 3, 1872, and Mendocino Dem., Feb. 1, 1872; Hunt's Merch. Mag., xxxi. 385-6; Barstow's Stat., MS., 14; Carson State Reg., Jan. 27, 1872; Castroville Argus, Sept. 7, 1872; Wortley's Travels in U. S., 223; Sac. Must., 7; Lo Que Sabe, MS.; Green's Lije and Advent., 17; Trinity Journal, Weaverville, Feb. 1, 1868; June 20, 1874; Gilroy Advocate, Apr. 24, 1875; Lake Co. Bee, March 8, 1873; Monitor Gazette, Aug. 19, 1865; Los Angeles W. News, Oct. 26, 1872; Marshall's Discov. of Gold, in Hutchings' Mag., ii. 200; U. S. Gov. Docs, 30th cong. 2d sess., H. Ex. Doc. 1, pt i. 9-10, 51-69, in Mex. Treaties, vii. no. 9; Hist. Napa and Lake Counties, passim; Russ' Biog., MS., 5; Oakland Times, March 6, 1880; Hardy's Trav. in Mex., 331-2; S. I. News, ii. 134, 142, 146–7, 151, 158–66, 193-4; Oroville W. Mercury, Dec. 31, 1875; New Tacoma W. Ledger, Oct. 8, 1880; Harte's Skaggs' Husbands, 299–309; Cal. Star, passim; Californian, passim; Cal. Star and Californian, 1848, passim; S. F. Direct., 1852-3, 8-9; Ross' Stat., MS., 14; Rul (Miguel), Consult. Diputado, 60; Red Bluff Indep., Jan. 17, 1866; Henshaw's Hist. Events, 4-6; Herald, Nov. 24, 1848; Jan. 26, 1349; Marin Co. Hist., 52-3; Sac. Rec.-Union, Jan. 20, 1872, Aug. 28, 1880; S. Diego Arch., Index, 92; S. Diego Union, June 2, 1875; Nevada Gaz., Jan. 22, 1868; S. F. Call, Sept. 16, 1870; Sept. 23, 1871; S. Joaquin Co. Hist., passi; S. F. News Letter, Sept. 11, 1875; S. F. Post, Apr. 10, 1875; Roswag, Métaux, 209-406; Sac. Daily Union, Apr. 27, 1855; June 5, 1858; Oct. 24, 1864; June 7, 1867, etc.; S. F. Pac. News, Oct. 28, 1850; S. F. Stock Rept, March 19, 1880; Pfeifer's Sec. Journey, 290; Illust. Hist. San Mateo Co., 4-16; San Joaquin Valley Argus, Sept. 12, 1874; C. E. Pickett, in Cal. Chron., Jan. 28, 1856; Powers' Afoot, 290-2; S. F. Jour. of Comm., Aug. 30, 1876; Hist. Atlas Santa Clara Co., 9-10, 32-34, 77-81, 96-98, 116-26, 174-218, 244-77, 328-35, 484-8, 543-4; Hist. Santa Cruz Co., 7-49; S. José Pioneer, Jan. 27, 1877; Jan. 19, 1878; S. F. Picayune, Oct. 12, 1850; S. F. Herald, Dec. 31, 1855; S. F. New Age, June 22, 1867; Quigley's Irish Race, 146; Sherman's Mem., i. 40-58; Scala, Nouv. Ann. Voy., cxx. 362-5; cxliii. 245; exliv. 382-90; cxlvi. 118-21; Saxon's Five Years, passim; Sherwood's Cal; Grass Valley Union, Apr. 19, 1870; Simpson's Gold Mines, 4-5, 17; Holinski, La Cal., 142-4; Friend (Honolulu), July 1, 1848, Nov. 1, 1848, May 1, 1849, etc.; Scientific Press, May 11, 1872; Hist. Sonoma Co., passim; Hist. Alas Sonoma Co., passim; Stillman's Golden Fleece, 19-27; Stockton Indep., Oct. 9, 1869; Sept. 14, 1872; Oct. 19, 23, 1875; Dec. 6, 1879; Smith's Address to Galveston, 14; El Sonorense, May 16, 1849; Clark's Statement, MS.; Hughes' Cal., 119; Sutter, in Hutchings' Mag., ii. 194-7; Taylor's Eldorado, i. 73; Thomas Sprague, in Hutchings' Mag., v. 352; Quart. Review, xci. 507-8; 1350, no. 87, p. 416; Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 17, 1875, May 29, 1880; Hist. Tehama Co., 11-15, 53, 109–12; Méx. Mem. Sec. Est. y Rel., 1835, no. 6; Mendocino Co. Hist., 52-3; Monterey Herald, Oct. 15, 1875; S. F. Chron., Jan. 8, Sept. 19, 1880; Simonin, Grand Quest, 286-9; Id., La Vie Souterraine, 309; Merced People, June 8, 1872; McKune, in Cal. Assoc. Pioneer, 1st Annual, 42; South. Quart. Rev., viii. 199; S. F. Bulletin, Dec. 6, 1855; Oct. 2, Dec. 7, 31, 1858; Aug. 13, 1859, etc.; S. F. Alta Cal., Oct. 15, 1851; May 3, Nov. 21, 1852; June 29, 1854; Dec. 22, 1855; July 31, 1856; March 28, Nov. 11, 1857, etc.; Hist. Atl. Sol. Co., passim; Hist. Solano Co., passim; Seattle Intelligencer, June 6, 1874; Hunt's Mer. Mag., xx. 91, 111, 209; xxi. 567-8; xxii. 226–7, 321; xxiv. 768; xxxiv. 631-2; J. W. Marshall, in Hutchings' Mag., ii. 199–201; Mining Rev., 5; Mining Rev. and Stock Ledger, 1878, 126; Hist. Sutter Co., 21-2; Hutchings' Mag., ii. 196–201; iv. 340; U. S. Gov. Docs, H. Ex. Doc. no. 5, p. 158; no. 17, passim; Mason's Repts, July 19, Aug.

17, 1848; Hayes' Coll. Mining Cal., i. 1, 50; Id., Coll. Mining Scraps, v. 2, 3, 17, 175; Id., Coll. Cal. Notes, iii. 7-8; v. 17; Barry's Up and Down, 92-3; Robinson's Cal. and its Gold Regions, 17-27, 47-8; Id., Life in Cal., 190; Duflot de Mofras, Expl. Or. et Cal., i. 137; Wilkes' Narr. U. S. Ex. Exped., v. 181, 190, 195; Dally's Narr., MS., 53; Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 506; Bigler's Diary of a Mormon, MS., passim; Vallejo, Docs, MS., i. 140-1, 369-70; xii. 332; Gillespie's Vig. Com., MS., passim; Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., i. 77; iv. 161; Sutter's Pers. Rem., MS., passim; Id., Diary, MS., passim; Burnett's Recoll. Past, MS. i.-ii. passim; Amador, Memorias, MS., 177-80; Larkin's Docs, MS., i. 116; iii. 98; iv. 318; v. 25; vi. passim; vii. 28, 80; Id., Off. Corresp., MS., i. 96; ii. 131-41; Carson's Early Recoll., passim; Polynesian, iv. 114, 137; v. passim; Crosby's Events in Cal., MS., 2, 3, 17-19; Hittell's Handbook Mining, passim; Frisbie's Reminiscences, MS., 30-32, 34-36.

CHAPTER VII.

BROADER EFFECTS OF THE GOLD DISCOVERY.

1848-1849.

THE REAL EFFECTS ETERNAL-HOW THE INTELLIGENCE WAS CARRIED OVER THE SIERRA-TO THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS-BRITISH COLUMBIA-OREGON AND WASHINGTON-THE TIDINGS IN MEXICO-MASON'S MESSENGER IN WASHINGTON-CALIFORNIA GOLD AT THE WAR OFFICE-AT THE PHILADELPHIA MINT-THE NEWSPAPER PRESS UPON THE SUBJECT-BIBLIOGRAPHY-GREELEY'S PROPHECIES-INDUSTRIAL STIMULATION-OVERLAND AND OCEANIC ROUTES-GENERAL EFFECT IN THE EASTERN STATES AND EUROPE-INTEREST IN ASIA, SOUTH AMERICA, AND AUSTRALIA.

THE full and permanent effects of the California gold discovery cannot be estimated. All over the world impulse was given to industry, values changed, and commerce, social economy, and finance were revolutionized. New enlightenment and new activities succeeded these changes, and yet again followed higher and broader developments. It was the forerunner of like great discoveries of the precious metals elsewhere, in Australia, in Nevada and Idaho and Montana, in British Columbia and Alaska. There had been nothing like it since the inpouring of gold and silver to Europe, following the discovery of the New World by Columbus. It is not in its fullest, broadest sense, however, that the subject is to be treated in this chapter. The grand results can only be appreciated as we proceed in our history. It is rather the reception of the news in the different parts of the world, and the immediate action taken upon it, that I will now refer to.

By various ways intelligence of the gold discovery

DISPERSION OF THE NEWS.

111

travelled abroad. The Mormons carried it over the Sierra, scattered it among the westward-bound emigrants, and laid it before the people of Salt Lake, whence it passed on to the east. Definite notice was conveyed overland by the courier despatched specially by the people of San Francisco, on the 1st of April, 1848, to carry letters, and to circulate in the states east of the Mississippi the article prepared by Fourgeaud on the Prospects of California, and printed in the California Star of several issues, in order to stimulate emigration.1

The first foreign excitement was produced in the Hawaiian Islands. With this western ocean rendezVous San Francisco merchants had long maintained commercial relations, and they now turned thither for supplies incident to the increased demand growing out of the new development. By the intelligence thus conveyed, the hearts and minds of men were kindled. into a glow such as Kilauea or Manua Haleakala never had produced.2

1 The recent discovery of Marshall played no part whatever in originating the article and the enterprise. A mere allusion was made to the finding of gold; and nothing more was thought of it than the known presence of a dozen other minerals, nor half so much as of the agricultural and manufacturing possibilities.

As a forerunner announcing the new Inferno, with two pounds of the netal as tangible proof, sailed from S. F. May 31st the Hawaiian schooner Louise, Menzies master, arriving at Honolulu the 17th of June. In a halfcolumn article the editor of the Polynesian, of June 24th, makes known the facts as gathered from the California papers, and congratulates Honolulu merchants on the prospect of the speedy payment of debts due them by Californians, 'probably not less than $150,000. By the store-ship Matilda from New York to Honolulu, touching at Valparaiso, Callao, and Monterey, Mr Colton writes to Mr Damon, who publishes the letter in the Friend of July, with a few editorial comments. Afterward arrived the Spanish brig Flecha, Vasquez master, from Santa Bárbara, the Hawaiian brig Euphemia, Vioget master, from S. F., and others. The Hawaiian schooner Mary, Belcham master, though sailing from S. F. before the Louise, did not arrive at Honolula until the 19th. Ib., The Friend, July 1848. In its issue of July 8th, the Polynesian speaks of the rising excitement and the issuing of passports, except to absconding debtors, by the minister of foreign relations to those wishing to depart. The fever rages high here,' writes Samuel Varney, the 15th of July, to Larkin, and there is much preparation made for emigration.' Larkin's Docs, MS., vi. 145. The file of the Polynesian runs on as follows: July 15th, one crowded vessel departed the 11th, and half a dozen others are making ready; 24 persons give notice of their intention to depart this kingdom; 200 will probably leave within two months if passage can be procured. Aug. 5th, 69 passports have been granted, and as many

Before it could scale the northern mountains the news swept round to Oregon by way of Honolulu, and was thence conveyed by the Hudson's Bay people to Victoria and other posts in British Columbia, to forts Nisqually and Vancouver, reaching Oregon City early in August. The first doubts were dissipated by increased light upon the subject, and streams of population set southward, both by land and water, until more than half of Oregon's strength and sinew was emptied into California.

more have left without passports. Aug. 26th, three vessels sailed within a week; one man set out in a whale-boat. Sept. 23d, excitement increases. A vessel advertises to sail, and immediately every berth is secured. Sept 30th, real estate a drug in the market. Business low; whole country changed. Books at an auction will not sell; shovels fetch high prices. Common salutation, When are you off? Oct. 7th, the Lahaima sails with 40 passengers. Honolulu to sail the 9th, and every berth engaged. Heavy freight $40 per ton; cabin passage $100, steerage $80, deck $40. Oct. 21st, 27 vessels, aggregating a tonnage of 3,128, have left Honolulu since the gold discovery, carrying 300 Europeans, besides many natives. The Islands suffer in consequence. Oct. 28th, natives returning, some with $500. Five vessels to sail with 15 to 40 passengers each. The Sandwich Island News of Aug. 17th states that upward of 1,000 pickaxes had been exported from Honolulu. The excitement continued in 1849, when, according to Placer Times, June 2, 1849, nine schooners and brigs, and a score of smaller craft, were fitting out for Cal. The Friend, vii. 21, viii. 28, speaks of more than one party of sailors absconding in small craft.

3 In the Willamette about that time, loading with flour, was a S. F. vessel, the Honolulu, whose master knew of it, but kept it to himself until his cargo was secured. In searching the files current of the Hawaiian journals, I find among the departures for the north the following: June 8th, the American brig Eveline, Goodwin master, for Oregon, too early for definite information; June 20th, Russian bark Prince Menshikoff, Lindenberg, for Sitka; July 5th, American bark Mary, Knox master, for Kamchatka; and July 15th, H. B. M. brig Pandora, destination unknown, and English brig Mary Dare, Scarborough master, for the Columbia River. It was undoubtedly by this ship that the news was brought, and the fact of her clearance for the Columbia River did not prevent her first visiting Nisqually. Mr Burnett is probably mistaken in saying that he heard of it in July; as that, according to his own statement, would allow but a fortnight for the transmission of the news from the Islands to the Willamette River-not impossible, but highly improbable. See Hist. Oregon, vol. i. chap. xxxiv., this series; Crawford's Nar., MS., 166; Victor's River of the West, 483-5; Californian, Sept. 2, 1848.

Estimated white population of Oregon, midsummer, 1848, 10,000. 'I. think that at least two thirds of the population of Oregon capable of bearing arms left for Cal. in the summer and fall of 1848.' Burnett's Rec., MS., i. 325. A letter from L. W. Boggs to his brother-in-law, Boon, in Oregon, carried weight and determined many. By the end of the year, says the Oregon Spectator, almost the entire male and a part of the female population of Oregon has gone gold-digging in California. Gov. Abernethy, writing to Col. Mason Sept. 18th, said that not less than 3,000 men had left the Willamette Valley for Cal. Arch. Cal., Unbound Docs, MS., 141. Star and Cal., Dec. 9, 1848, assumes that about 2,000 arrived in 1848. One of the first parties to set out the first, indeed with vehicles, and preceded only by smaller com