The History of California

This is a comprehensive 19th century history of California, from its early times up to the Gold Rush. From the preface: "The following book was written because there seemed to be a demand for a History of California which should sketch the main events of the country from its discovery to the present time. The pioneer, under whose observation the most exciting of these events have occurred, confesses the need of such a book. The thousands who have entered the State since it assumed its present peaceful aspect, complain of the lack of a succinct story of what had to be done here to make the land so pleasant a home. The material for a history of California is abundant. The log-books of ancient mariners who visited the coast-the voluminous, if not well-kept archives of the Government, while the territory was under Spanish or Mexican rule-the official reports and Congressional documents about the transfer to the United States-the files of newspapers since the land was Americanized-the scores of books of intelligent travellers, who have put their impressions on record, and the oral evidence of natives, and early immigrants, who mingled in all the affairs most interesting to us-from these sources may be drawn ample details of life in California, from dates as far in the past as any but enthusiastic antiquarians care to retire to."