Coming of the Argonauts to California

The allure of gold, a siren song echoing across continents, drew a diverse wave of humanity to the shores of California in the mid-19th century. While scattered gold deposits had been known and occasionally exploited in California prior to 1848, these discoveries were largely dismissed or ignored by the established populations. Rancheros showed little interest, priests actively discouraged mining, and neither group welcomed the prospect of a burgeoning mining population. As early as 1844, Don Manuel Castañares, California’s deputy to the Mexican Congress, reported gold discoveries near Los Angeles, noting that the mines had produced 2,000 ounces in the preceding year, most of which was sent to the United States.

These early placers, extending nearly 80 miles, were described by William H. Thomes in 1843, who mentioned the acquisition of gold dust by Los Angeles merchants trading with Native Americans. Alfred Robinson even carried a package of gold dust from Abel Stearns of Los Angeles to the Philadelphia Mint, which assayed at .906 fine. The source of this gold was the San Francisco rancho, near Mission San Fernando, worked by the Del Valle family after the mission’s secularization. William H. Davis estimated that $80,000 to $100,000 worth of gold was extracted from these sites in just two years. However, as Colonel Mason noted in 1848, the San Fernando placers were hampered by a lack of readily available water.

The event that truly ignited the world’s imagination was James W. Marshall’s discovery of gold on the American River on January 24, 1848. The news of this discovery spread like wildfire, overshadowing previous finds. The difference lay in the perceived scale and accessibility of the goldfields. The gold was found near the surface, requiring minimal capital investment. A common laborer, armed with only a pick, shovel, and pan, could realistically expect to recover one to two ounces of gold per day, with the ever-present possibility of striking it rich.

Captain John Sutter, a prominent figure in the Sacramento Valley, was constructing a sawmill on the south fork of the American River in late 1847. He employed James W. Marshall to oversee the project. Marshall’s practice of diverting water into the tailrace at night to wash away loosened dirt led to the fateful discovery.

On that pivotal morning, Marshall spotted a gleaming, half-ounce piece of gold in the millrace. He and his men collected more particles, and convinced of the find’s significance, Marshall brought it to Sutter. Both understood the potential impact of the discovery, but Sutter, anxious to complete his sawmill and a grist mill, initially wanted to keep the news quiet. However, secrecy proved impossible. Workers quickly abandoned their tasks, drawn by the irresistible lure of gold. Sutter, also serving as a sub-Indian agent, attempted to secure a lease of twelve square miles on the American fork from the Yalesumni tribe, submitting it to Governor Mason for confirmation. Mason refused, citing the U.S. government’s policy of not recognizing Indian land sales or leases to private individuals.

Within weeks, the American River was teeming with prospectors. By August 1, 1848, an estimated 4,000 men, over half of whom were Native Americans, were working the gold district, extracting $30,000 to $50,000 worth of gold daily. Remarkably, Colonel Mason reported a complete absence of theft or robbery, an unexpected testament to the relative order maintained in the burgeoning gold region.

The discovery irrevocably transformed California. The population shifted from agriculture and cattle raising to mining. Laborers abandoned their trades, and sailors deserted their ships as soon as they reached the coast. Colonel Mason reported widespread desertions from military posts in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Monterey. The potential for earning in a single day at the mines what a soldier earned in a month, or the allure of $15-$20 a day for a carpenter, proved too tempting to resist.

In July 1848, Colonel Mason personally toured the mining region, confirming the rumors of vast gold deposits. He wrote, "I have no hesitation in saying that there is more gold in the country drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers than will pay the cost of the present war with Mexico a hundred times over." By November, he revised his estimate, stating that "if I had said five hundred times over, I should have been nearer the mark."

San Francisco initially greeted the reports with skepticism. However, a few curious individuals quietly ventured out to investigate. Their return, laden with gold dust in bottles, cans, and buckskin bags, shattered the disbelief. Sam Brannan, famously parading through the streets with a bottle of gold dust, shouting, "Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!" ignited a frenzy. The exodus began, with people departing by boat, mule, horse, or on foot, all driven by the fear of missing out. Businesses closed, and the city emptied.

The church on the plaza stood empty, the alcalde’s office padlocked. Ships lay deserted in the harbor, their crews gone. Soldiers abandoned their posts, taking arms and supplies, and were pursued by officers, who, in turn, joined the rush to the mines. General Sherman, then a lieutenant, recounted organizing a force to apprehend 28 deserters, successfully capturing 27 of them.

Governor Mason issued a proclamation in July 1848, addressing the desertions and the neglect of families. He threatened to concentrate military forces in the gold region, exclude unlicensed individuals, and punish those harboring deserters. However, the situation was further complicated by the ratification of the treaty of peace with Mexico, leading to the mustering out of volunteer regiments. With only a handful of regular troops and no naval support, the governor faced the daunting task of maintaining order across a vast territory with a diverse and restless population inflamed by the gold discoveries.

Major Hardie warned of the potential for serious consequences due to the lack of law enforcement in San Francisco. Captain Folsom reported daily acts of violence on ships in the harbor. Colonel Mason, overwhelmed by the situation, requested a transfer home.

The disbanding of troops and the absence of citizens at the mines left California vulnerable to Native American raids. Colonel Mason granted furloughs to his men in an attempt to curb desertions. Some soldiers, like Private John K. Haggerty, returned with substantial quantities of gold.

Reports from California’s goldfields spread throughout the Americas and Europe. General Smith, writing from Panama, confirmed the exaggerated accounts, citing significant gold shipments from Valparaiso and Lima. The Pacific Mail was incorporated to establish steamship service between the east and west coasts, with the California being the first ship completed.

Lieutenant Loeser arrived in the eastern states in November 1848, bringing dispatches from Governor Mason and a box filled with gold dust. The gold was displayed at the War Office, and Mason’s report was included in President Polk’s message to Congress, fueling the "gold fever." Companies were formed to travel to California from around the world. Thousands came overland from Sonora, Mexico, and by sea from Chile and Peru.

Adventurers from the Atlantic ports of the United States embarked for Panama, Vera Cruz, and Nicaragua. The journey across the Isthmus of Panama was fraught with hardship. Insufficient transportation led to delays, sickness, and even cholera outbreaks. Panic ensued, with emigrants abandoning their possessions in a desperate flight to Panama.

Major-General Persifer F. Smith, appointed to command the Third (Pacific) Division, faced cholera outbreaks and the death of staff members during his journey. Arriving in Panama, he found a city overwhelmed by emigrants, facing famine and pestilence. Finally, the California arrived, but it had limited capacity, leading to intense competition for passage. The California sailed for San Francisco on February 1, 1849, carrying 350 passengers in cramped conditions.

On February 28, 1849, the California sailed through the Golden Gate, arriving at a collection of ramshackle buildings and tents, the outpost of the new Colchis. The weary travelers were greeted with enthusiasm, celebratory gunfire, and a town brimming with miners.

The motivations of these "Argonauts" may not have been lofty, but their actions shaped California. They came seeking fortune but remained to build an empire. Their role in the founding and development of a great state on the Pacific coast is what makes their arrival so significant.

The California‘s departure from Panama left behind a multitude of disappointed emigrants. The Oregon, the second Pacific Mail steamer, arrived in March and transported about 500 passengers to San Francisco. The Panama arrived in June. Ships from all over the world arrived, packed with fortune seekers.

The experiences of those who traveled by sea paled in comparison to the hardships endured by those who journeyed overland. The scale, peril, and endurance of the overland emigration were unparalleled. In 1849, an estimated 42,000 emigrants traveled overland to California.

The rendezvous point for overland emigrants was typically Independence, Missouri. Emigration parties were formed in towns across the eastern United States, with each member contributing to the outfit. The equipment ranged from sturdy "prairie schooners" to light spring wagons.

Arriving at the rendezvous, the smaller groups combined to form larger caravans, electing a captain and embarking on the 2,000-mile journey. The northern route followed the Oregon Trail, while others took the Santa Fe Trail.

By the end of April 1849, 20,000 emigrants were camped on the Missouri River, waiting for sufficient grass for their livestock. Cholera outbreaks plagued the travelers. Fort Laramie marked the completion of the journey’s first stage.

The journey continued through harsh terrain, including the Black Hills and the South Pass. The route then led to Fort Hall in Idaho, and down the Humboldt River. Reaching the Humboldt marked the beginning of the last leg of the journey.

The long and arduous journey transformed the emigrants. The initial optimism and camaraderie gave way to grim determination. The faint-hearted were left behind, and the weak succumbed to disease. Ahead lay the most challenging part of the journey, the crossing of the Sierra Nevada.

Overloaded wagons were a common problem, leading to the abandonment of possessions. The road was littered with discarded goods. As the journey progressed, feed became scarce, water quality declined, and Native Americans became more aggressive.

Reaching the sink of the Humboldt, the emigrants faced the dreaded desert. Long stretches of alkali flats and scorching heat added to their misery. Cholera outbreaks further decimated their ranks. The march resembled a retreat.

Many travelers diverted to the northern route through Lassen’s Pass, lured by false promises of better conditions. However, they encountered even greater hardships, including rugged mountains and deep snow.

Others took the Carson River Route, following the Carson River and crossing the Sierra to the south fork of the American River.

The vanguard of the emigration began arriving in the Sacramento Valley in July 1849, recounting tales of horror. Relief efforts were organized, and supplies were sent to the suffering emigrants. The coming of the Argonauts to California would be a pivotal moment in its history.

The rains came early in 1849, and the mountains were covered in snow. The northern relief station sent out teams with food and mules. The suffering was immense. Many emigrants were without food for days.

In 1850, the suffering was even greater. Provisions ran out, and the emigrants faced starvation. The Mormons in Salt Lake provided some assistance, but they were short of supplies. The coming of the Argonauts to California was a tumultuous time for both the new settlers and the established populations.

Emigrants arriving in Sacramento in July 1850 reported the desperate condition of those in the desert. Travelers were forced to swim rivers for grass, and animals died from starvation.

M. Sheppards reported that only one wagon out of five would make it through. The emigrants still faced the difficult passage of the Sierra Nevada.

Tales of distress continued to arrive. Cholera raged, and nine-tenths of those in the desert were on foot and starving. The coming of the Argonauts to California brought both hope and hardship to the Golden State.

Miners contributed generously to the relief efforts. However, the lack of organization hampered the distribution of supplies. Captain William Waldo organized relief efforts, but the suffering continued.

By September, traders were selling supplies at exorbitant prices. Many emigrants ran out of money and were forced to sell their possessions.

The emigrants eventually reached their destination, but their troubles were not over. They faced disease and exhaustion. However, they found kindness and assistance from the miners.

California was transformed from a quiet pastoral community into a bustling mining camp. A diverse population poured into the territory, all seeking wealth. The arrival of the Argonauts to California forever altered the state’s character.

Some sought to mine for gold, others to supply the miners, and still others to exploit them. Farmers sought to cultivate the fertile soil.

The lack of a formal government led to disorder. However, the inhabitants formed their own governments and established local laws.

The Alcalde of Monterey sold land on the old Spanish fort, raising concerns about the legality of the transaction.

In 1846-47, immigrants sought shelter in the missions of San Jose and Santa Clara, eventually dispossessing the priests.

The immigrants also dispossessed rancheros and occupied their ranchos. The "Squatters’ League" resisted the execution of the sheriff’s writ.

The better class of immigrants disapproved of the squatter methods. However, some of the early immigrants engaged in violence against Native Americans and foreigners. The coming of the Argonauts to California was not always a peaceful process.

Desperadoes committed crimes, prompting the citizens to take the law into their own hands.

Army deserters contributed to the general disorder.

Native American tribes renewed their raids, emboldened by the withdrawal of troops.

The military forces were stretched thin, trying to maintain order across the territory.

Congress failed to provide California with a government. The people of California, seeking self-government, convened a convention in Monterey to form a state constitution.

The convention completed its work on October 12, 1849. The constitution was ratified, and a legislature and state officials were elected.

On December 20, Riley resigned his powers as governor to Peter H. Burnett. A diverse population had founded a commonwealth. The coming of the Argonauts to California resulted in the birth of a new state.

Many who sought gold returned to San Francisco. The opportunities in trade and commerce proved more lucrative.

The influx of men led to recklessness and disorder. However, the lawless element prompted the people to establish order.

The struggle for wealth was tempered by generosity. Old distinctions were abolished. The experience in the mines provided valuable education and opportunities. The coming of the Argonauts to California marked a period of significant social and economic change.