J. Ross Browne Collection

Silvia Guzman

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University of the Pacific Library

3601 Pacific Ave.

Stockton, CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2404

URL: https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections

J. Ross Browne Collection

Collection number: MSS 108

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University of the Pacific Library

Stockton, California

Contact Information

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
URL: https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections

Processed by:: Silvia Guzman
Date Completed:: February 2011
Encoded by:: Michael Wurtz and Silvia Guzman

Descriptive Summary

Title: J. Ross Browne collection

Dates: 1851-1861

Bulk Dates: 1858-1878

Collection number: MSS 108

Creator: J. Ross Browne

Collector: Albert Shumate

Collection Size: 0.25 linear feet

Repository: University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Dept. of Special Collections

Stockton, California 95211

Abstract: The collection consists of J. Ross Browne's correspondence, biographical material, and published reports on mining, irrigation, Native American affairs, railroads and California history.

Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Collection open for research.

Publication Rights

Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred Citation

J. Ross Browne collection . MSS 108. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library.

Biography / Administrative History

J. Ross Browne (1821-1875) was born near Dublin, Ireland and immigrated with his family to America in 1833. He was a nineteenth century author, adventurer, artist, and government agent. Browne was considered to be one of the most widely traveled and versatile writers of his time. He also illustrated many of his own works. It is said he influenced the work of Mark Twain. In 1849, Browne came to California to report the proceedings of California's Constitutional Convention. He became an agent for the Treasury Department and surveyed custom houses and mints, reporting on irregularities. He also looked into Indian and Land Office affairs.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection consists of J. Ross Browne's correspondence, biographical material, and published reports on mining, irrigation, Native American affairs, railroads and California history. The bulk of the material is from 1858-78.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Indians of North America - California - Social conditions

Gold mines and mining - California

Silver mines and mining - Nevada

California - History - Sources

California - Politics and government - 1850-1950

BOX 1

Biographical Material

1:1 - Photograph of J. Ross Browne's home, California Historical Society, San Francisco.

1:2 - Shipping receipt from New York to San Francisco dated 15 March 1851.

1:3 - Society of California Pioneers, Opposition Ticket, (J. Ross Browne was a candidate).

1:4 - Oakland Tribune Knave, article on J. Ross Browne and his home, January 22, 1961.

1:5 - Ticket to J. Ross Browne's lecture on Iceland, August 29, 1863.

1:6 - John Ross Browne California Pioneer Check-List of First Editions , by Miriam E. Lone, 1930.

1:7 - J. Ross Browne: A Biography , by Francis J. Rock, 1929, (dissertation).

BOX 2

Correspondence

2:1 - Browne to Gregory Yale Esq., August 20, 1863.

2:2 - Browne to James A. Garfield, June 20, 1866.

2:3 - William Seward to H. B. Anthony, April 4, 1868.

2:4 - Browne to Adolph Sutro, November 29, 1871.

2:5 - Browne to Aldoph Sutro, undated.

BOX 3

Publications

3:1 - Reclamation of Marsh and Swamp Lands and Projected Canals for Irrigation in California , addressed to the Legislature of California by J. Ross Browne, 1872.

3:2 - The Reclamation of Salt Marsh Lands on Sonoma and Napa Creeks , (contains printed letter reviewing the project by J. Ross Browne), 1872.

3:3 - Indian war in Oregon and Washington Territories . 35th Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives, includes report from J. Browne, 1858.

3:4 - 36th Congress, 1st Session, Senate, Report of the Secretary of the Interior, [concerning Indian affairs in California] includes report from J. Ross Browne, 1860.

3:5 - Bodie and Esmeralda Being An Account of the Revival of Affairs … , May 1878, by Joseph Wasson, (includes a report by J. Ross Browne).

3:6 - Lower California: Its Geography and Characteristics , 1868.

3:7 - The Policy of Extending Local Aid to Railroads , 1870, by J. Ross Browne.

3:8 - Postscript to the San Francisco News Letter and California Advertiser , Nov. 28, 1874, (article by J. Ross Browne on "Hubert H. Bancroft and His Literacy Undertaking").

3:9 - Postscript Number Two to the San Francisco Newsletter and California Advertiser, Sept. 11, 1876. "Address to the Territorial Pioneers of California," by J. Ross Browne.

3:10 - Considerations in the Reference to the Establishment of a National School of Mines , 1867.

3:11 - “The Walker River Country,” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, June-Novemebr 1865.