by H. W. Brands
77–79 “The town of Chagres… die lazily”: Marryat, 1–3.
79 “naked, screaming”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 27.
79–81 “We were near…to the base”: ibid., 30–32.
81 “Scrambling up”: Taylor, 24.
81 “It was astonishing”: Borthwick, 34.
81 “We found the ‘road’ ”: Davis, 7.
81–82 “consisted of frames… landed there”: Marryat, 5.
82 “There are various reasons”: Hanson letter, Dec. 22, 1849.
82–83 “The nights were odious… leaving home”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 34.
83 “Never were modern”: Marryat, 8.
84 “The natives”: Borthwick, 39.
84 “is inhabited”: Norris letter, Nov. 12, 1851.
84 “Many of the women… future occasion”: Borthwick, 39.
85 “This morning”: Davis, 10.
85 “Keep clear”: Bunker letter (from Frederick C. Sanford), Jan. 16, 1849.
86 “I became possessed”: Jessie Frémont memoirs, 82.
87 “In starving times”: Nevins (1928), 2:410.
87 “The sight was beautiful”: ibid., 400.
87–90 “The trail showed… bright weather”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 44–54.
91 “These two…my strength”: ibid., 56–60.
4. To the Bottom of the World and Back
95 “There is no French province”: Nasatir (1934), 13.
95–103 “The gold fever…of the hair”: Perlot, 6–21.
105 “a perfect mania”: Whipple, 61.
105 “A strutting dude”: ibid., 102.
107 “Her bow rises”: Howe and Matthews, 1:60–61.
108 “They ate holes”: Whipple, 122.
110 “I think it was the worst”: ibid., 159.
111–14 “twenty-two days… with speed”: Perlot, 22–26.
120 “I felt the bones”: Whipple, 189. (The account here of the reign of terror aboard the Challenge follows Whipple, 178–90.)
5. To See the Elephant
124 “Hugh is making… but poetry”: Heiskell, xv.
124–26 “I have seen…as I have”: Durham, 6–12.
127–29 “We are quite sure… the spectacle”: Holliday (1981), 55–56, 66–74.
130 “We were on board”: Bruff, 567.
130 “The slow progress”: Holliday, (1981) 78–79.
132 “I felt a change”: Manly, 61–62.
133 “Is it not owing”: Ingalls, 16.
133 “rattled away”: Manly, 66.
133–35 “The morning… lovely scene”: S. Royce, 3–7.
135 “on nearly as low terms”: Ware, 3.
135 “It ought to be”: Haskell, xxii–xxiii.
137 “He says”: Holliday (1981), 71.
137 “The cholera”: Heiskell, xxii.
138–39 “The oldest… land of savages?”: S. Royce, 14–17.
139 “a treacherous, hostile race”: Ingalls, 21.
139–140 “The men… sight of them”: S. Royce, 13–14.
141 “We are getting”: Holliday (1981), 129.
141 “Camp full of Indians”: Heiskell, 12.
141 “We found”: Manly, 72–73.
142 “It was a revolting sight”: Holliday (1981), 162.
142 “This afternoon”: ibid., 151–52.
143 “He still kept”: Manly, 70.
144 “I presume that not less”: Sawyer, May 21, 1850.
145 “We are determined”: Heiskell, xxvi.
145 “Over 100 teams”: Van Dorn diary, May 13 and August 19, 1849.
145 “At twelve o’clock”: Holliday (1981), 167–68.
146 “A flare up”: Heiskell, 25.
147 “I did not like this”: Manly, 69.
148 “Our Guide Book”: S. Royce, 26.
149 “The sun in magnificence”: Heiskell, 15–18.
150 “presented the appearance”: Holliday (1981), 215.
150 “who he appears… cowhiding”: Heiskell, 13.
151–52 “It was near sunset… western feet”: S. Royce, 29–30.
152–61 “This was bad news… rough and dangerous”: Manly, 76–108.
6. Where Rivers Die
163–64 “The road this evening… ride across”: Heiskell, 34–36.
163 “The river here”: Holliday (1981), 238.
164 “Dent & Crocker”: Heiskell, 37.
164 “Range of the Pah Utahs”: Bruff, 633.
165 “We no longer see”: Heiskell, 51.
166 “Along the edge”: Bruff, 147–48.
166–68 “The moon was some… miles distant”: Holliday (1981), 254–62.
169–74 “After hearing his instructions… Carson River”: S. Royce, 39–56.
176–85 “I reached the summit… bright day”: Manly, 146–201.
186–87 “One who has never… Death Valley”: Manly, 221–41.
188 “We bid a long… own hook”: Holliday (1981), 276–77. 189 “They brought us”: Heiskell, 71–74.
189 “Their rapidity… how it was”: S. Royce, 63–64.
190 “Rice came in”: Heiskell, 72.
190 “I looked down”: S. Royce, 72.
Part Two: From Vulcan’s Forge
193 “Never, since the Roman legionry”: Hutchings’ California Magazine, May 1859 (p. 167 in Olmsted ed.)
193 “tally of gold-hunters”: The best assessment of immigrant numbers is Holliday (1999).
7. With a Washbowl on My Knee
197 “The gold is in fine bright scales”: Sherman and Sherman, 45.
198–200 “The system… ounces of gold”: Pérez Rosales, 44, 51–52.
200 “This new invention”: Perlot, 103.
201 “Time is money”: Pérez Rosales, 54 and passim.
202 “the astonishment”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 80.
204–06 “a long thin young captain… greatest wishes”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 71–82.
206 “They all appear”: John Lambert letter, Nov. 4, 1849.
207 “This they did”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 81.
207–09 “The blow was terrible… into the trench”: Perlot, 32, 41–42, 60–61, 85–86, 102.
210 “I did not see him… dreaded hour”: Heiskell, 87.
211 “Physicians are all making fortunes”: Wyman, 158.
211 “The price of provisions”: Archer, 214–15.
212 “a large store”: Pérez Rosales, 37–38.
214–16 “All were so absorbed… natural prey”: S. Royce, 80–87.
216–20 “I soon found myself… quarter-ounce nuggets”: Archer, 184–85, 192–95, 204–6.
221–22 “I saw many places… speedy fortune!”: Perlot, 111–12.
222–25 “We judged… high hopes”: Holliday (1981), 313–15, 331, 337, 358.
8. A Millennium in a Day
226 “Should that sum”: Hutchings’ California Magazine, September 1857 (p. 109 in Olmsted ed.)
229 “A claim at Iowa Hill… hundred yards”: Paul (1947), 154–55.
230 “The quantity of powder”: Browne (1869), 150–51.
231–32 “The Mariposa Estate… from the mine”: Browne (1869), 21, 28.
235–39 “We descended their shaft… several millions of people”: Hutchings’ California Magazine, October 1857 (pp. 170–77 in Olmsted ed.).
239 “I have with me”: Holliday (1981), 422–23.
240–42 “But they were ignorant… myself alone”: Perlot, 118–20.
Part Three: American Athena
245 “Plutus rattled his money bags”: Soulé, 507–8.
9. The Miracle of St. Francis
248 “Our fourth ended”: Soulé, 171.
248 “God help the city”: ibid., 165.
248 “Last Wednesday”: Gilman letter, Jan. 22, 1850.
249 “Our type”: Soulé, 175.
250 “In the immense crowds”: S. Royce, 109.
251 “The usual order”: Charles Thompson letter, Sept. 10, 1851.
252 “
No place in the world”: Soulé, 645–66.
252 “Denison’s Exchange”: Taylor, 118–19.
254 “California beef”: Van Dorn diary, Nov. 13, 1849.
255 “Before eleven”: Soulé, 274.
255 “I put into this”: John Lambert letter, May 10, 1850.
255 “New buildings”: Soulé, 275.
257 “I arrived here”: Lotchin, 175.
258 “Her wild fevered gaze”: Nevins (1955), 399
258 “It is more disagreeable”: Jessie Frémont (1993), 49.
259 “son of a nigger”: Pérez Rosales, 10.
261 “It will be asked”: Cary, notebook 1.
261–62 “Compliant… making bricks!”: Pérez Rosales, 68–69.
263 “The voyage from Sydney”: Soulé, 565.
264 “With the families”: Cary, notebook 1.
265–68 “the maintenance of the peace … the people said Amen!”: Soulé, 569–81.
10. Sutter’s Last Stand
271 “Before the celebration was over”: Sherman (1875), 73, 1123.
271 “I was no more”: Dillon (1967), 294.
271 “enthusiastic”: Sherman (1875), 1123.
271–72 “I went to eat…no law”: Dillon (1967), 294–98.
273 “where orgies”: Vallejo memoirs, 5:160.
274 “Had I not been”: Bancroft, 6:447.
275–76 “Hold on…by the Lord”: Dillon (1967), 303, 306, 314.
277 “As Congress”: Report of Debates, 3–5.
277 “agriculturist”: ibid., 478.
278 “Dr. Gwin”: Browne (1969), 121.
278 “I was gravely”: Taylor, 158.
279 “Neither slavery”: Report of Debates, 43.
279 “In a country”: Nevins (1928), 2:438.
279 “Nor shall the introduction”: Report of Debates, 44.
280–81 “No population… enlightened principles”: ibid., 137–41.
283 “The people of California… gambling state”: ibid., 91–92.
283 “holy horror”: ibid., 327.
283 “associations”: ibid., appendix.
283 “I am not wedded”: ibid., 259.
284–85 “The hall was cleared… from his eyes”: Taylor, 159–64.
286 “General… prosperity”: Report of Debates, 476–77.
11. Shaking the Temple
288–89 “gave freedom… working forces”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 91–94.
289 “All these women”: Herr, 208.
289 “Mrs. Frémont”: Bosqui, 150.
290 “the better man”: Crosby, 35.
290 “One evening”: Jessie Frémont (1878), 103.
291 “I had done so many things”: ibid., 100–101.
293–95 “But it is impossible… heart-rending spectacle”: Congressional Globe 31:1, app. 116–18, 127.
295–97 “the greatest and the gravest… from all responsibility”: ibid., 451–55.
297 “He was a black”: Peterson, 38.
298 “Liberty and Union”: ibid., 178.
298 “That man”: Hamilton, 26.
298–301 “I wish to speak… certain destiny”: Congressional Globe 31:1, app. 269–76.
301 “The Government of the United States”: John Frémont letters, 3:139.
301 “omnibus speech”: Hamilton, 62.
302 “calumniator… pistol on me!”: ibid., 93.
302–03 “This batch…is her cry!”: Congressional Globe 31:1, 677–84.
303 “The omnibus”: Hamilton, 110.
303–04 “I was willing… Union stands firm”: Peterson, 474–76.
12. Children of the Mother Lode
307 “He is a man”: Eccleston, 106–7.
310 “Savage said to them”: ibid., 15.
310 “We reached the camp”: Bunnell, 22.
311 “He says”: Eccleston, 29.
311–12 “From his long acquaintance… six mules”: Bunnell, 30–33.
313 “We had not the time”: ibid., 84.
313 “Burnt over 5000 … not long deserted”: Eccleston, 49, 67–68.
313 “Their courage”: Bunnell, 126.
313–14 “who had been led…I am done”: ibid., 170–71, 177.
314–15 “We are afraid…to the plains”: ibid., 43, 60, 62–63.
315 “Where can we now go”: ibid., 234.
315 “The whites”: ibid., 223.
316 “The white man”: Hurtado, 134–35.
317 “high indignation”: ibid., 115.
319 “that Swiss adventurer”: Vallejo memoirs 5:19.
320 “When we join our fortunes”: Rosenus, 90–91.
320 “In spite of the fact”: Vallejo memoirs, 5:77.
321 “I left Sacramento”: Emparan, 43.
321 “The good ones”: Pitt, 52.
321 “the great crowd”: Vallejo memoirs, 5:189.
322 “He is better acquainted”: Taylor, 157.
322 “it be represented”: Report of Debates, 323.
323 “I think I will know”: Rosenus, 230.
323 “Let me see… purest blood of Europe”: Pitt, 27.
325 “For some time back”: Latta, 36.
326 “The band is led”: ibid., 37.
326–27 “We publish today… along the road”: ibid., 44.
327 “When shot at”: Varley, 49–50.
327 “I have been engaged”: Boessenecker, 91.
328 “I have arrested”: Latta, 479.
328 “Capt. Love”: ibid., 474–75.
329 “There is not the least doubt”: ibid., 513.
331–32 “We find… judicial tribunal”: Farkas, 10–11.
333 “all great men…do good to them”: Cary, notebook 2.
13. Reflections in an All-Seeing Eye
334 “The consummation”: McPherson, 76.
334 “another triumph… around her”: Peterson, 476.
336 “sink in hell”: Potter, 155.
336 “raise a hell… out & out abolitionist”: McPherson, 122–24.
337 “Since there is no escaping… the abolitionists”: ibid., 145–46.
338–40 “Mining is not… care and dispatch”: G. Clark, 50–65.
342 “In Sacramento… stain of abolitionism”: ibid., 73–78.
343 “In these prosperous times”: Sherman and Sherman, 51.
346 “My business here”: ibid., 53.
347 “as clearly as a proposition”: Sherman (1875), 126.
349–50 “all the banks… any security whatever”: ibid., 130–34.
351 “It’s no use”: J. Royce, 435.
351 “I found him on the roof”: Sherman (1875), 143.
352 “Rosario”: Pérez Rosales, 19.
352 “Americans were irresistibly attracted”: Levy, 161–62.
353 “the finest-looking woman”: ibid., 167.
353 “They commonly accepted”: S. Royce, 115–16.
354 “Is it not wonderful… meaningless giggle”: Lotchin, 257.
355 “What the People Expect”: J. Royce, 454.
356 “Remove your fort… inevitably follow”: Sherman (1875), 146–47.
358 “I think the community”: Sherman and Sherman, 58.
Part Four: The Gordian Knot and the Pacific Connection
361 “The sunburnt immigrant”: Bancroft, 7:542.
14. The Pathfinder’s Return
365 “higher law… abominable”: McPherson, 73.
366 “It is the choice”: Nevins (1928), 2:2:478.
366 “prairie fire… yet been named”: ibid., 2:481–82.
366–68 “He also won the heart…to have him elected”: Herr, 254–61.
368 “quite a female politician”: Donald, 315.
368 “These incidents”: Jessie Frémont (1969), 132.
368 “Had we been”: Herr, 265.
369 “John and Jessie… Jessie for the White House”: ibid., 263; Nevins (1928), 2:496.
369 “I am above”: Herr, 268.
369 “We are treading”: Nevins (1928), 2:50
5.
369 “The election… eternal separation”: Potter, 262.
369 “Tell me”: Nevins (1928), 2:509.
370 “I heartily regret”: Jessie Frémont (1969), 140.
372 “no black or mulatto”: Lapp (1977), 192.
373 “Private School”: Lapp (1969), 10.
375 “Why, Lord”: ibid., 48.
375 “I don’t want”: ibid., 8.
377 “When they come… Charles A. Stovall”: Franklin, 149–51.
377 “It vies with the most”: ibid., 152.
377 “The law was given”: J. Hittell (1878), 271.
381 “Archy, my boy”: Lapp (1969), 58.
15. South by West
383 “His appearance”: Warren, 212–13.
384 “The Republic”: Wells, 24.
385 “He is a veritable”: Scroggs, 42.
385 “The scene”: Wells, 30–31.
386 “We had to shoot”: ibid., 33.
387 “There, sir”: Scroggs, 91.
388 “Gentlemen”: Brands (1999), 20.
388 “A beleaguered force”: Walker, 266.
389 “Instead of treating”: Scroggs, 233.
390 “that we inscribe… railroad is concerned”: G. Clark, 78–79.
391–92 “I feel… white clingstone”: ibid., 83–91.
393 “Every dollar”: ibid., 92.
395–97 “having the Federal… above all price”: ibid., 99, 108–12.
397 “I believe”: Bancroft, 7:258–59.
397 “California is ready”: ibid., 7:272.
398 “I was young”: Harpending, 17.
399–400 “I will never forget… what followed”: ibid., 24–26.
400–01 “He fully realized… thought of me”: ibid., 33–34.
401–02 “After that… small fortune”: ibid., 49–55.
16. From Sea to Shining Sea
404: $600 million…$130 million: Hill (1999), 263.
405 “We are all safe”: Sherman (1909), 150–51.
406 “Having nothing”: Sherman (1875), 154.
406 “I suppose”: L. Lewis, 123.
406 “West Point”: ibid., 97.
406 “I would as soon”: Sherman (1909), 151.
406 “If I turn”: ibid., 153.
406 “Avoid the subject”: Sherman and Sherman, 55.
407 “If he is fit … nigger question”: Marszalek, 109.
407 “I would not”: L. Lewis, 119.
407 “If they design”: Sherman (1909), 163.
407 “I had read of retreats”: Marszalek, 151.
408 “I believe he would do it”: Fellman, 91.
408 “Command me in any way”: ibid., 102.
408 “Sherman saved”: ibid., 115–16.
409 “If the North… Georgia howl!”: L. Lewis, 429–31.