Transcript The Californian Gold Rush

The Californian Gold Rush
(1848- 1849)
In January of 1848, James Marshall had a work crew camped on the
American River at Coloma near Sacramento. The crew was building a saw
mill for John Sutter. On the cold, clear morning of January 24, Marshall found
a few tiny gold nuggets. Thus began one of the largest human migrations in
history as a half-million people from around the world descended upon
California in search of instant wealth.
The first printed notice of the discovery was in the March 15 issue of "The
Californian" in San Francisco. Shortly after Marshall's discovery, General John
Bidwell discovered gold in the Feather River and Major Pearson B. Reading
found gold in the Trinity River. The Gold Rush was soon in full sway.
In 1849, quartz mining began at the Mariposa mine in Mariposa County. Gold
deposits were often found inside quartz veins. In 1850, California became a
state. Also that year, gold-bearing quartz was found at Gold Hill in Grass
Valley. This led to the development of the great underground mines in that
district and a major industry the continued for more than 100 years.
In 1851, Gold was discovered in Greenhorn Creek, Kern County. This
discovery led to the rush to the upper Kern River region. By 1852,
California's annual gold production reach a then all-time high of $81 million.
By 1864, California's gold rush had ended.
The rich surface and river placers were
largely exhausted; hydraulic mines were
the chief sources of gold for the next 20
years.
Sir,—I have the honour to inform you that, Its people, before engaged in cultivating their
accompanied by Lieut. W. T. Sherman, 3rd
small patches of ground, and guarding their
Artillery, A.A.A. General, I started on the
herds of cattle and horses, have all gone to
12th of June last to make a tour through the
northern part of California. We reached San
the mines, or are on their way thither.
Francisco on the 20th, and found that all, or
Labourers of every trade have left their
nearly all, its male inhabitants had gone to
work-benches, and tradesmen their shops;
the mines. The town, which a few months
sailors desert their ships as fast as they arrive
before was so busy and thriving, was then
almost deserted. On the evening of the 24th
on the coast; and several vessels have gone to
the horses of the escort were crossed to
sea with hardly enough hands to spread a
Saucelito in a launch, and on the following
sail. Two or three are now at anchor in San
day we resumed the journey, by way of
Francisco, with no crew on board. Many
Bodega and Sonoma, to Sutter’s Fort, where
we arrived on the morning of July 2. Along
desertions, too, have taken place from the
the whole route mills were lying idle, fields of
garrisons within the influence of these mines;
wheat were open to cattle and horses, houses
twenty-six soldiers have deserted from the
vacant, and farms going to waste. At Sutter’s
post of Sonoma, twenty-four from that of San
there was more life and business. Launches
were discharging their cargoes at the river
Francisco, and twenty-four from Monterey. I
and carts were hauling goods to the fort,
have no hesitation now in saying, that there is
where already were established several
more gold in the country drained by the
stores, a hotel, etc. Captain Sutter had only
Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers than
two mechanics in the employe—wagonmaker and a blacksmith, whom he was then
will pay the cost of the present war with
paying $10 per day. Merchants pay him a
Mexico a hundred times over. No capital is
monthly rent of $100 per room, and while I
required to obtain this gold, as the labouring
was there a two-story house in the fort was
man wants nothing but his pick and shovel
rented as a hotel for $500 a month. The
discovery of these vast deposits of gold has
and tin pan, with which to dig and wash the
entirely changed the character of Upper
gravel, and many frequently pick gold out of
California.
the crevices of rocks with their knives, in
pieces of from one to six ounces.