BRIEF NOTICES OF PERSONS WHOSE PORTRAITS EMBELLISH THIS VOLUME, AND
WHO ARE PROMINENTLY CONNECTED WITH CALIFORNIA AFFAIRS.
JOHN CHARLES FREMONT
Is a native of South Carolina—was born in 1813—received his education at
Charleston College, and first evinced the vigor of his mathematical
genius in the efficient aid rendered the accomplished Nicollet in his
survey of the basin of the upper Mississippi. The importance of this
service was acknowledged by the government in his appointment as a
lieutenant in the corps of Topographical Engineers. In 1841 the war
department confided to him the interests and objects of an expedition to
the Rocky Mountains, in which he discovered and mapped the South Pass.
The scientific results of this adventure awakened in the public mind an
intense enthusiasm for a more extended exploration. In the following
year he left the frontier settlements at the head of a small party,
crossed the Rocky Mountains, discovered and surveyed the great valley of
the Salt Lake, and extended his researches into Oregon and California.
These explorations, which occupied the greater portion of two years,
were not confined to topographical questions; they embraced all the
departments of natural history, with extended meteorological
observations. They fill a volume, in which the trophies of science are
blended with the incidents of the wildest adventure.
In 1844, the explorer left the United States again for the western
slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and had descended into California, when the
declaration of war suspended his scientific pursuits, and summoned him
to the field. He had been honored successively with the rank of captain,
major, and colonel. A battalion of riflemen enrolled themselves under
his command. Their campaign, in the winter of 1846, impressed its
intrepid spirit and heroic action on the fate of the war. Constrained by
the orders of a superior, Col. Fremont was again in the United States;
where, having declined a return of his commission, which he had adorned
with eminent service, he threw himself, with unrepressed spirit, on his
own energies, and started again for California. This was his seventh
adventure across the continent; and owing to the lateness of the season,
was attended with hardships and privations, in which many of his brave
mountaineers perished. But his force of purpose triumphed over the
elements, and carried him through. The new territory, in the vast
accessions of a rushing emigration, had suddenly risen to the dignity of
a commonwealth. A United States senator was to be chosen: it was the
highest office within the gift of the people, and they conferred it,
without distinction of party, on Col. Fremont. The decree of a military
tribunal, bound to those rigid rules of discipline which never bend to
the force of circumstance, may dispose of the parchment honors of a
commission, but the public services and private worth of the individual
must remain; the substantial benefits conferred on mankind must remain;
the path opened to the golden gates of the west must remain; the flag of
the country still fly along its fortified line, and the great tide of
emigration roll through its avenue for ages. If Humboldt be the Nestor
of scientific travellers, and Audubon the interpreter of nature, Col.
Fremont is the Pathfinder of empire.
WILLIAM M. GWIN
Was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, in 1805. His father, the Rev.
James Gwin, was a distinguished divine in the Methodist Episcopal
church, and one of its founders in the West. He was for fifty years the
intimate and confidential friend of Gen. Jackson, and chaplain to his
army during the late war with England. Dr. Gwin was graduated at
Transylvania University, in Kentucky, and practised his profession, with
eminent success for several years, in his native state and Mississippi.
He relinquished his profession in 1833, and was appointed, by Gen.
Jackson, Marshal of Mississippi,—an office which he filled until after
the election of Gen. Harrison to the presidency, when he became a
candidate for congress, and was elected by a large majority.
He was remarked, during the session, as a ready, forcible debater, and
was renominated by his district with great unanimity, but declined
running, owing to pecuniary embarrassments incurred while he held the
office of marshal, and brought about by the paper money system, which
involved Mississippi in bankruptcy, and especially the public officers,
who, like Dr. Gwin, had been induced, under the decisions of the courts,
to take this irresponsible paper in payment of executions. In 1846, Dr.
Gwin removed to New Orleans, and was soon after appointed commissioner
to superintend the erection of the custom-house in that city, destined
to be one of the largest public edifices in the country. From this
position he retired on the election of Gen. Taylor to the presidency,
and emigrated to California, where he engaged actively in organizing a
state government. He was elected a member of the convention from San
Francisco, and bore a prominent, influential part in its debates and
proceedings, which resulted in the present noble constitution. The
importance of these services were duly recognized by the people of
California, and they testified their regard and confidence in conferring
on him the dignity of a United States senator. He will have it in his
power to do much for the new state, and we feel assured she will find in
him a resolute champion of her rights.
THOMAS OLIVER LARKIN.
Born in Charleston, Mass., 1803, and emigrated to California eighteen
years since. The same spirit of adventure which took him to this
country, characterized his subsequent career. He came here without
capital, and with no sources of reliance save in his own enterprise and
activity. There was then no gold out of which a fortune could be
suddenly piled, and no established channels of business through which a
man could become regularly and safely rich. But this unsettled state of
affairs was suited to the enterprising spirit of Mr. Larkin. He often
projected enterprises and achieved them, seemingly through the boldness
of the design; but there was ever behind this a restless energy that
pushed them to a successful result. Many and most of the public
improvements were planned and executed by him; the only wharf and
custom-house on the coast were erected through his activity.
Through all the revolutions which convulsed the country, he held the
post of United States consul, and vigilantly protected our commercial
interests and the rights of our citizens. He was deeply concerned in all
the measures which at length severed California from Mexico, and loaned
his funds and credit to a large amount in raising means to meet the
sudden exigences of the war. The Californians, to cut off these
supplies, managed at last, very adroitly, to capture him, and held him
as a hostage in any important contingency. But the work had already been
measurably accomplished, and a restoration of prisoners soon followed.
Mr. Larkin early engaged in the organization of a civil government—was a
delegate from Monterey to the convention for drafting a constitution,
and impressed his practical genius on many of its provisions. He has
never been a candidate for any office, and resigned that of Navy Agent,
with which he had been honored, as soon as the condition of public
affairs would allow. His commercial enterprise and sagacity work best
where they have the most scope; they have secured to him an ample
fortune. His house has always been the home of the stranger; his
hospitalities are ever on a scale with his ample means.
GEORGE W. WRIGHT.
Among the successful adventurers into California, Mr. Wright holds a
prominent place. He was born in Massachusetts in 1816, where he received
a business education, and commenced life with no capital beyond his own
enterprise and sagacity. Through these he won his way to a partnership
in a large commercial house, extensively engaged in the whaling service
and its correlative branches of trade. Without disturbing these
relations, he determined to push his adventures into California, where
he arrived soon after the discovery of the _placers_, and engaged in the
commerce of the country. Success and a rapid accumulation of capital
attended his efforts. A large banking-house at San Francisco was
proposed, and he became the leading partner. This house has withstood
all the shocks which have carried ruin to many others, and maintained
its credit unshaken. At the adoption of the constitution, two members of
Congress were to be chosen, and Mr. Wright was elected to this honorable
position. This token of confidence and regard was the more to be
appreciated, as it resulted from no constrained party organization, but
the decided preference of the citizens, expressed at the ballot-box.
Mr. Wright was the first to collect specimens of the gold-bearing
quartz. He traversed the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada for this
purpose, and underwent many hardships and perils. He was often for days
on the very shortest allowance, and obliged to share even this with his
famished mule. The quartz frequently seam the loftiest ridges, and can
be reached only through the most exhausting fatigue. None but those of
iron muscles can scale the soaring steep, or dislodge, with steady hand
and head, the treasured vein in the giddy verge. Against these obstacles
Mr. Wright persevered, and gathered a great variety of specimens,
curious in themselves and often rich, but valued mainly as indications
of the wealth of the quartz, and as leading-clues to their localities.
They will serve to stimulate the exertions and guide the footsteps of
the subsequent miner. They are not stowed away as secrets for the
exclusive benefit of the discoverer: the information they impart is free
to all. The only danger lies in conclusions too glowing for the reality,
and those hasty adventures in which anticipation overleaps the laborious
process. The specimens are genuine, and have been pronounced at the mint
the richest that have been tested. The _extent_ to which the
gold-bearing quartz prevails can be thoroughly known only in the results
of mining operations. It has been found in different localities between
Feather river and the Mariposa; and if it approaches in value the most
ordinary specimens gathered by Mr. Wright and myself, will munificently
reward the labors of the miner, and will upset all geological deductions
connected with gold-bearing quartz in other countries.
JACOB R. SNYDER.
Born in Philadelphia, 1813, emigrated to the west in 1834, and has been
for the last five years a citizen of California. At the commencement of
hostilities in that country, Com. Stockton, then in command of the land
and naval forces, confided to him the organization of an artillery
corps, and subsequently conferred on him the appointment of
quarter-master to the battalion of mounted riflemen under Col. Fremont,
which office he continued to fill during the war. At the restoration of
peace, Mr. Snyder was appointed by Governor Mason surveyor for the
middle department of California, where his activity and science were
called into play in the settlement of many questions of disputed
boundary in land titles. In the organization of a civil government, he
was elected delegate from Sacramento district to the convention, and was
one of the committee for drafting the constitution. His remarks in the
convention are characterized for their pertinency, brevity, and sound
sense. He is a good specimen of that versatility which belongs to the
“universal nation.” Fond of adventure, and with resources in himself to
meet all its exigencies,—partial to new positions, new duties, and
responsibilities, and yet perfectly at home in each—ever with some
beckoning object ahead, which, when attained, is to be relinquished for
one of still greater magnitude,—and all this with a sound judgment,
inflexible integrity, and unostentatious generosity. He was one of the
original projectors of Sacramento City, and is still largely concerned
in its prosperity. His liberal policy, sustained by that of his
enterprising, intelligent partner, Major Reading, is exhibited in the
ample reservations which have been made for churches, school-houses, and
public squares.
CAPT. JOHN A. SUTTER.
The leading features of interest in the adventurous life of Capt. Sutter
are connected with California affairs. He was born in Switzerland near
the close of the last century, and early relinquished its glaciers and
lakes for the sunny fields of France. His love of adventure turned his
attention to the camp, where his gallant conduct soon secured him an
honorable commission. But the wars of the continent being over, he
emigrated to the United States, and having resided several years in
Missouri, turned his roving eye to the shores of the Pacific.
Through a series of adventures, which seem more like fictions than
realities, he at length reached the valley of the Sacramento, where he
procured from the government the grant of a large tract of land. The
country around was in the possession of wild Indians, some of whom he
conciliated, and through their labors constructed a fort to protect
himself from the rest. His influence over these children of the forest
was such that in a few years he had over a thousand of their number at
work on his farm. He was upright in all his dealings with them, and paid
each as punctually as if he had been a king. His place, to which he gave
the name of New Helvetia, was for years the emigrant’s goal,—the land of
promise, which glimmered in warm light through his cold mountain dream.
_There_ he was sure of a cordial welcome, and a hospitality that knew no
bounds; no matter from what clime he came, or what were his credentials;
it was enough for his generous host to know that he was an adventurer,
poor in all things save a manly purpose. But often the bounty of Capt.
Sutter has gone forth to meet the emigrant; it was his sympathy and
active benevolence that mainly rescued the emigrants of forty-six from
starvation in the California mountains. When his relief reached them,
their last animals had been killed and consumed for food, their last
pound of provisions, and their last means of subsistence had given out;
they were embayed in depths of snow which baffled their exhausted
strength, and hunger hung in horror over the dead.
It was on the lands of Capt. Sutter that gold was first discovered; the
cut of a mill-race revealed the entrancing treasure; but all were
welcome to the results; no spirit of monopoly obstructed the digger, or
enriched the proprietor; fortunes went freely to the pockets of those
who drove the spade and turned the bowl. When a civil organization was
proposed, the generous captain was deputed by the electors in his
district to represent them in the convention. He there favored all
measures calculated to secure the interests of the emigrants, and
develop the resources of the country. When he put his own signature to
the constitution, he dropped the pen in very gladness; the light of
other days encircled his spirit, he was a child again; all felt the
tears which filled the eyes of the old pioneer, and wept in joyous
sympathy with their source. The work was done, and California was
henceforth to revolve among the glorious orbs of the republic!
DON MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO.
This distinguished Californian was born in Monterey, 1817; his father
held a military command under the crown of Spain, and subsequently under
the Mexican republic; he lived to the advanced age of 95, and saw his
children allied in marriage to the most influential families in the
province. Don Mariano entered the service of the government as a cadet;
rose rapidly to a post of commanding influence, but always evinced a
repugnance to Mexican rule. In 1837, assisted by his nephew, Alverado,
he succeeded in driving the satellites of that ill-starred republic out
of the country, and in the organization of the new government, was
honored with the post of commandante-general.
When the United States flag was raised, Gen. Vallejo saw in it the
opportunity of securing the permanent tranquillity and prosperity of
California: a thousand of his noble horses went under the saddles of our
mounted riflemen. The war over, he was first and foremost in measures
for a civil organization, and represented the district of Sonoma in the
convention for drafting a constitution. His liberal views and sound
policy pervade every provision of the instrument. He was subsequently
elected a senator to the state legislature, and might have been a
successful candidate for any office within the gift of the people. He is
a large landed proprietor; his cattle are on a hundred hills, and his
horses in as many vales; while a thousand Indians, whom he has won from
savage life, cultivate his fields, and garner his grains. His munificent
liberality and profound interest in the cause of education, and the
claims of humanity, may be gathered from the following statement
contained in the report of the committee of the California legislature
on public buildings and grounds, in relation to the permanent location
of the seat of government. This committee say:
Gen. Vallejo, a native of California, and now a member of the
legislature, offers a site lying upon the Straits of Carquinas and
Napa river, where he proposes to lay out the capital to be called
Eureka, or such other name as the legislature may suggest. He
proposes—
1st. That said permanent seat of government may be laid out in such
form as five Commissioners may direct, three of whom shall be
appointed by the legislature, and two by himself.
2d. That he proposes to grant to the state, for the following
purposes, free of cost:
Acres.
Capitol and grounds 20
Governor’s house and grounds 10
Offices of Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of State, &c. 5
State Library and Translator’s office 1
Orphan’s Asylum 20
Male Charity Hospital 10
Female Charity Hospital 10
Asylum for the Blind 4
Deaf and Dumb Asylum 4
Lunatic Asylum 20
Four Common Schools 8
State University 20
State Botanical Garden 4
State Penitentiary 20
Also, your memorialist proposes to donate and pay over to the state,
within two years after the acceptance of his propositions, the
following sums of money, for the faithful payment of which he proposes
to give to the state ample security.
For building State Capitol $125,000
Furnishing the same 10,000
Building Governor’s House 10,000
Furnishing the same 5,000
State Library and Translator’s Office 5,000
State Library. 5,000
For the building of the Offices of Secretary of State,
Comptroller, Attorney-General, Surveyor-General, and
Treasurer, should the Commissioners deem it proper to
separate them from the State House 20,000
Building Orphan’s Asylum 20,000
Building Female Charity Hospital 20,000
Building Male Charity Hospital 20,000
Building Asylum for Blind 20,000
Building Deaf and Dumb Asylum 20,000
Building State University 20,000
For University Library 10,000
Scientific Apparatus therefor 5,000
Chemical Laboratory therefor 3,000
Mineral Cabinet therefor 3,000
Four Common School Edifices 10,000
Purchasing Books for same 5,000
For the Building of a Lunatic Asylum 20,000
For a State Penitentiary 20,000
For a State Botanical Collection 3,000
In accordance with another proposition of Gen. Vallejo, the committee
further report in favor of submitting this offer to the acceptance of
the people, at the next general election. The report adds:
“Your committee cannot dwell with too much warmth upon the magnificent
propositions contained in the memorial of Gen. Vallejo. They breathe
throughout the spirit of an enlarged mind, and a sincere public
benefactor, for which he deserves the thanks of this body, and the
gratitude of California. Such a proposition looks more like the legacy
of a prince to his people, than the free donation of a private planter
to a great state.”