The Discovery Of Gold In California
In the annals of American history, few events are as transformative and captivating as the discovery of gold in California. It was an event that ignited the dreams of countless individuals, reshaped the demographic landscape of the West, and left an indelible mark on the nation’s identity. This account, penned by John A. Sutter himself in 1857, offers a first-hand perspective on the pivotal moment that sparked the California Gold Rush. It’s a tale of ambition, serendipity, and the profound consequences that reverberated through Sutter’s life and the burgeoning territory of California.
The story unfolds in January 1848, specifically January 24th, at Coloma, a site where Sutter was diligently overseeing the construction of a sawmill. The contractor entrusted with this ambitious project was James W. Marshall, a carpenter hailing from New Jersey. Prior to Marshall’s arrival, Sutter had dispatched P.L. Wimmer, along with his family and a contingent of laborers from the recently disbanded Mormon Battalion, to the mill site in the fall of 1847. Subsequently, a Mr. Bennet from Oregon was enlisted to assist Marshall with the intricate mechanical aspects of the mill. The Wimmer family played a crucial role, with Mr. Wimmer overseeing the transportation of materials and Mrs. Wimmer providing sustenance for the workforce.
Sutter’s impetus for constructing the sawmill stemmed from a pressing need for lumber. He envisioned utilizing the timber to complete his expansive flouring mill, equipped with four run of stones, in Brighton. This flouring mill was already under construction, progressing rapidly, and Sutter intended to use the lumber for various buildings, fences, and other infrastructure improvements in the burgeoning village of Yerba Buena, which would later become known as San Francisco.
However, Sutter’s ambitious endeavors were not universally lauded. At the City Hotel, the sole establishment of its kind at the time, his ventures were often met with skepticism. Some derisively labeled them "another folly of Sutter’s," echoing the initial criticism directed at his establishment of the old fort near Sacramento City. Ironically, there was some truth to the criticism. Sutter had been presented with opportunities to acquire prime locations near existing settlements, even well-stocked ranchos, under remarkably favorable terms. Yet, he had consistently declined these offers, preferring instead to explore the untamed wilderness and carve out a territory along the banks of the Sacramento River.
The fateful day of the discovery of gold in California arrived on a rain-soaked afternoon when Marshall sought out Sutter at his office in the Fort. Marshall’s unexpected arrival piqued Sutter’s curiosity, as he had visited just a few days prior when Sutter dispatched teams laden with provisions, mill irons, and other essential supplies to Coloma. Marshall insisted on sharing some "important and interesting news" in strict secrecy, urging Sutter to accompany him to a secluded location where their conversation would be shielded from prying ears.
Sutter obliged, leading Marshall to his private quarters. At Marshall’s behest, Sutter locked the door, though he assured his guest that the only other person present was the clerk, occupied in his office in a different part of the building. After a servant fulfilled Marshall’s request for something he needed and departed, Sutter inadvertently left the door unlocked. It was at that precise moment that the clerk entered, just as Marshall produced a rag from his pocket, revealing the glistening yellow metal. He possessed approximately two ounces of the substance, which he quickly concealed again. The clerk, who had come on business, apologized for the interruption and left. Marshall, now visibly agitated, exclaimed, "Now lock the doors! Didn’t I tell you that we might have listeners?" Sutter reassured him that such behavior was uncharacteristic of the clerk, but Marshall remained unconvinced.
Marshall proceeded to display the metal, comprised of small pieces and specimens, some of which he estimated to be worth several dollars. He recounted how he had voiced his suspicion that it might be gold to the laborers at the mill, only to be met with ridicule and disbelief.
Sutter, a man of scientific curiosity, subjected the metal to rigorous testing. He employed aqua fortis from his apothecary shop and consulted the "gold" entry in the Encyclopedia Americana. After careful examination, he declared the substance to be gold of the finest quality, at least 23 carats.
The confirmation ignited a fire in Marshall, who was now impatient to return to Coloma. He implored Sutter to accompany him immediately, but Sutter demurred, citing the lateness of the hour and the impending supper. He proposed that Marshall stay the night and they travel together in the morning. However, Marshall would not be dissuaded, pressing Sutter with the question, "Will you come tomorrow morning?"
Sutter assented, and Marshall departed for Coloma despite the heavy rain and his already drenched state, foregoing even a meal. Sutter, while outwardly calm, spent the night contemplating the potential ramifications of such a discovery. He issued the necessary instructions to his numerous laborers and, at 7:00 a.m. the following morning, set off for Coloma in the company of an Indian soldier and a vaquero, undeterred by the persistent rain.
En route, approximately halfway to their destination, they encountered a figure emerging from the brushwood. The Indian identified him as the man who had been with Sutter the previous evening. As they drew closer, Sutter recognized Marshall, soaked to the bone. Sutter gently chided him for not remaining at the fort, but Marshall explained that he had ridden to Coloma, secured another horse, and come halfway to meet Sutter. Together, they continued their journey to the "new Eldorado."
The weather improved in the afternoon, allowing them to conduct a preliminary reconnaissance. The next morning, they ventured to the tail-race of the mill, where water had been flowing throughout the night to clear away the gravel loosened to widen the race. Once the water had receded, they began their search for gold.
This routine became a daily practice. Small pieces of gold were routinely found on the bottom of the clean, washed bedrock. Sutter himself collected several pieces, and laborers willingly shared their finds with him. Marshall also contributed to the collection. Sutter declared his intention to have a ring crafted from the gold as soon as it could be done in California. The ring, a symbol of this momentous discovery, would bear his family’s coat of arms on the outside and the inscription "The first gold, discovered in January 1848" on the inside. Sutter also mused about whether Mrs. Wimmer might possess a piece found earlier than his own. Marshall, he suggested, would be the one to know.
The following day, Sutter and Marshall embarked on a prospecting tour of the Coloma vicinity. On the subsequent morning, Sutter departed for Sacramento. Before his departure, he implored his workers to keep the discovery of gold in California a secret for six weeks, giving him time to complete his large flour mill in Brighton, an investment of approximately $24,000 to $25,000. The workers promised to comply. However, Sutter harbored deep reservations about the likelihood of maintaining secrecy, a premonition that would soon prove accurate.
Within two weeks of Sutter’s return, he dispatched several teams, led by a white man, as the teamsters were Indian boys. This man was familiar with the workers at Coloma, and Mrs. Wimmer divulged the secret to him. The Wimmer’s young sons also shared their knowledge of the gold and even gifted him a few dollars’ worth.
Upon the teamster’s return to the fort, he visited a small store in one of Sutter’s outbuildings, managed by Mr. Smith, a partner of Samuel Brannan. He requested a bottle of brandy, offering to pay in cash. He then used the small pieces of gold as payment. Smith, astonished, questioned whether the teamster intended to insult him. The teamster directed him to inquire with Sutter. Smith rushed to Sutter, who, with no other recourse, revealed the truth. Smith reported the news to Samuel Brannan, who immediately arrived to gather information. Brannan then sent a large supply of goods, leased a larger house from Sutter, and established a thriving business. He soon opened a branch at Mormon Island.
Brannan effectively claimed Mormon Island and imposed a tax, reportedly 30 percent, on the Latter-Day Saints. This tax was initially paid, but eventually met with resistance. Some Mormons claimed the funds were intended to build a temple.
As the news of the discovery of gold in California spread, Sutter’s workforce began to desert him, first in small groups and then en masse. Clerks and cooks alike abandoned their posts, leaving Sutter in dire straits. Only a handful of mechanics remained to complete essential tasks, along with eight invalids who continued to work a few teams, slowly excavating the mill race at Brighton. The Mormons, though reluctant to leave the mill unfinished, succumbed to the gold fever like everyone else. After amassing their fortunes, they departed for the Great Salt Lake. Sutter acknowledged their industriousness and faithfulness, noting that they were always content and satisfied when settling their accounts.
In May 1848, a mass exodus from San Francisco and other parts of California commenced. In San Francisco, only five men remained to safeguard the women and children. Single men locked their doors and headed for "Sutter’s Fort" and, from there, to the Eldorado. Initially, those in Monterey and further south dismissed the gold discovery as a "Ruse de Guerre" orchestrated by Sutter to attract neighbors to his wilderness. However, the influx of neighbors proved to be overwhelming, and not all were desirable.
For Sutter, the sudden discovery of gold in California was a catastrophe. It shattered his hard-won gains, his tireless efforts, and his carefully laid plans. His mill buildings yielded no benefit, and even the mill stones were stolen and sold. His flourishing tannery was abandoned, leaving a large quantity of leather unfinished in the vats and raw hides rendered worthless. Similar fates befell his other mechanical trades. Everything was abandoned, resulting in immense financial losses.
Even the Indians lost their desire to work in Sutter’s fields. White men had begun employing other Indians to work for them, paying them in gold. Sutter’s Indians, seeing this, yearned to seek their own fortunes in the mountains. Sutter relented, organizing an expedition with approximately 100 Indians and 50 Sandwich Islanders (Kanakas). They established their first camp about ten miles above Mormon Island on the south fork of the American River.
Within weeks, the camp became overcrowded, and Sutter’s venture proved unprofitable. He relocated the camp further south to Sutter Creek, hoping to be alone. The work progressed well for a time, but the arrival of traveling grog shops, located within a mile or two of the camp, proved detrimental. The gold was quickly spent on drinking and gambling, leaving the workers sick and indebted. Sutter realized the futility of the endeavor and disbanded the camp, returning to the Fort. The entire expedition resulted in a substantial loss.
Sutter also held a stake in a mercantile firm in Coloma, which he relinquished in January 1849. After that, he refused to be involved in any further gold-related ventures. The Fort served as a major trading hub, but Sutter found no joy in remaining there. He moved to Hock Farm with his Indians, who had been with him since childhood.
Interestingly, none of the Indians ever brought him a piece of gold, despite frequently bringing him other specimens. Sutter had always encouraged them to bring him curiosities from the mountains, rewarding them generously. He had received animals, birds, plants, stones, and various other items, but never gold.
Prior to the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Dana, a member of Commander Wilkes’ Exploring Squadron, had informed Sutter of strong indications of gold near Shasta Mountain and further south. Doctor Sandels, a scientific traveler, had also noted signs of gold during a brief visit. However, neither encouraged Sutter to pursue mining, suggesting it would be unprofitable and best left to the government.
Sutter had chosen to focus on agriculture, despite his knowledge of the region’s mineral wealth. An old Mexican servant, who had followed him from the United States and possessed expertise in placer mining, had also found signs of gold on Bear Creek. They had planned to begin mining operations after returning from their campaign in 1845, but the servant was captured and executed as a spy.
The unexpected discovery of gold in California shattered Sutter’s ambitious plans. He lamented that, had he been allowed to prosper for a few more years before the discovery, he would have become the wealthiest citizen on the Pacific shore. Instead, he was ruined, largely due to the delays caused by the United States Land Commission and the influence of squatter lawyers. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court of the United States would ultimately deliver justice.
He further accused the Common Council of Sacramento, composed partly of squatters, of paying Adelpheus Felch, a former Land Commissioner, $5,000 to challenge his claim before the Supreme Court.
This account, written by John A. Sutter in 1857, provides a poignant and insightful glimpse into the events surrounding the discovery of gold in California and the profound impact it had on his life and the region as a whole.