Taylor - Eldorado: adventures in the path of empire: a voyage to California, via Panama ; life in San Francisco and Moterey ; pictures of the gold region, and experiences of Mexican travel

Eldorado: Volume 1 was first published 1850 by George P. Putnam, New York.
Eldorado: Volume 2 was first published 1850 by George P. Putnam, New York.
First Skyhorse Publishing edition 2015.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Rain Saukas

Print ISBN: 978-1-62914-714-7
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62914-930-1

Printed in the United States of America

SAN FRANCISCO IN NOVEMBER, 1848.

NEW YORK GEO. P. PUTNAM.

TO

EDWARD F. BEALE, LIEUT., U. S. N.

THIS WORK IS DEDICATED

WITH

THE AUTHORS ESTEEM AND AFFECTION.

VOLUME I

T HIS work requires but few words in the way of introduction. Though the authors purpose in visiting California was not to write a book, the circumstances of his journey seemed to impose it upon him as a duty, and all his observations were made with this end in view. The condition of California, during the latter half of the year 1849, was as transitory as it was marvellous; the records which were then made can never be made again. Seeing so much that was worthy of being describedso many curious and shifting phases of societysuch examples of growth and progress, most wonderful in their first stagein a word, the entire construction of a new and sovereign State, and the establishment of a great commercial metropolis on the Pacific coastthe author suffered no opportunity to pass, which might qualify him to preserve their fleeting images. As he was troubled by no dreams of gold, and took no part in exciting schemes of trade, he has hoped to give an impartial coloring to the picture. His impressions of California are those of one who went to see and write, and who sought to do both faithfully. Whatever may be the faults of his work, he trusts this endeavor will be recognized.

A portion, only, of the pages which follow, were included in the original letters which appeared in the columns of the New-York Tribune. Many personal incidents, and pictures of society as it then existed in California, noted down at the time, have been added, and a new form given to the materials obtained. The account of the authors journey across Mexico, is now published for the first time. The Report of Hon. T. Butler King, on California Affairs, has been added as an Appendix, since many of the authors own statements receive from it additional confirmation, and since those wishing to learn something of California, will desire to possess it in a permanent form.

If, when a new order of things has been established and what has occurred is looked upon as a phenomenon of the Past, some of these pages should be preserved as a record and remembrance thereof, the object of this work will be fully accomplished.

From New York to ChagresThe Shores of FloridaNight in Havana HarborNew OrleansChagres from the Sea

Crossing the IsthmusQuarrel with a NativeThe Village of GatunSongs on the RiverA Priests HouseholdAn Affectionate BoatmanRiding Through the ForestsWe Reach Panama

Scenes in PanamaEmigrants ArrivingRuined Churches

The Pacific Coast of MexicoMeal-time on the SteamerA Midnight Call at AcapulcoThe Mexican CoastThe Old Presidio of San BlasTouching at Mazatlan

The Coast of CaliforniaA Treacherous CoastHarbor of San DiegoNarratives of EmigrationGen. Villamil and his ColonyThe Last Day of the VoyageThe Anchor Drops

First Impressions of San FranciscoAppearance of the TownThe New-Comers BewildermentIndifferent ShopkeepersStreet GoldPeople in Town

To the San Joaquin, on MulebackScenery of the InlandRanches on the RoadColonel FrmontA Sonorian ComradeCrossing the Coast RangeThe Mosquitos and the Ferry

Camp-Life and a Ride to the DiggingsStocktonRocky Mountain MenFiery Travelthe Mules HeartArrival at the Diggings

The Diggings on Mokelumne RiverGold in the River-BedThe SonoriansThe Process of Dry-WashingStories of the Gold-DiggersCost of our Visit

A Gallop to Stockton, with some Words on Law and SocietyAppropriating a HorseThe Californian HorseA Flogging Scene in StocktonLaw and OrderMoral Effect of Gold

A Night-Adventure in the MountainsAn Unceremonious SupperThe Trail LostSecond View of San FranciscoCol. Frmonts Mine

San Francisco by Day and NightThe Streets after BreakfastA Bull-ChaseThe AfternoonThe Inside of a Gaming-Hell

Incidents of a Walk to MontereyFishers RancheAgriculture in CaliforniaA Mountain PanoramaBelated on the RoadThe Gila EmigrantsMonterey at Last

Life in MontereyThe Fleas OutwittedThe Growth of MontereyDomestic Life and SocietyQuiet of the TownPopulationNational Feeling in California

The State Organization of CaliforniaSteps toward OrganizationThe Convention MeetsThe Question of SuffrageTrouble about the BoundaryThe Great Seal of the StateDistinguished Californians

The Closing Scenes of the ConventionA Ball-Room PictureSigning the ConstitutionGen. Riley and the MembersMoral of the Convention

Shore and ForestSwimming a RavineDinner by the Sea-ShoreGeology and Indian TraditionThe Sea-Lions on Point Lobos

Old CaliforniaIts Missions and its LandsRise of the MissionsTheir DownfallExtent of the Mission PropertyThe Law for Granting LandsUncertain Boundary of GrantsDisposition of the Gold Land

Return to San FranciscoJourney in an AmbulanceNight and Morning in the MountainsFording the Pajaro RiverA Sirocco in San JosNight-Camp under the Oaks

San Francisco AgainPost Office ExperiencesMore Statistics of GrowthAn Ague CaseStructure of the Post OfficeSounds on the PorticoIncrease of Pay Needed

Sacramento River and CityThe Straits of CarquinezNew-York-of-the-PacificView of Sacramento CityIts Life and BusinessCattle of ExperienceSights at the Horse Market

Traveling on the PlainsNight, Rain and a RancheThe Nevada at SunsetPrairie and Wood CraftAmong the HillsA Knot of Politicians

Journey to the VolcanoThe Forest TrailCamping in a StormThe Volcanic CommunityAppearance of the Extinct CratersThe Top of Polos PeakReturn to the Mokelumne