Register of the California Gold Rush Era Government
Correspondence,
1850-1869
Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by
Don Walker
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the
Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
URL:
http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html
© 1998
University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.
Register of the California Gold Rush Era Government Correspondence,
1850-1869
Collection number: Mss34
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University
Library
University of the Pacific
Contact Information
- Processed by:
- Don Walker
- Date Completed:
- September 17, 1996
- Encoded by:
- Don Walker
© 1998 University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: California Gold Rush Era Government
Correspondence,
Date (inclusive): 1850-1869
Collection number: Mss34
Creator:
Extent: 0.25 linear ft.
Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections
Shelf location: For current information on the location of
these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], California Gold Rush Era Government
Correspondence, Mss34, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections,
University of the Pacific Library
Biography
Peter Burnett (1807-1895) , California's first Governor (1849-1851), is
represented by a document commissioning Ludlow Thomas as notary public for
Shasta and Trinity counties (July 16, 1850). Burnett first came to Oregon
(1843) where he was a member of the Oregon Supreme Court (1845-1847). He later
moved to California (1848) where he was active, following the California
Constitutional Convention, in seeking the Governership. A Democrat, Burnett's
administration was plagued by an inability to raise sufficient monies to carry
on the business of state government. He is remembered for his opposition to
slavery in California. Burnett resigned in mid-ter to settle his own debts
(1851). No "Ludlow Thomas" appears in the Index to the 1850 Census of the State
of California in either Shasta or Trinity County, nor is a "Ludlow Thomas"
mentioned in the Annals of Trinity County (1857).
John McDougal (1818-1866), California's second Governor (1851-1852), is
represented by a covering letter for a shipment of the Acts of the 31st
Congress from U.S. Secretary of State, Daniel Webster (January 22, 1851). The
letter bears Webster's signature. Shortly after Democrat McDougal came to
California he was elected President of the California State Senate (1849). From
this position of influence he was chosen California's first Lieutenant Governor
(1849-51) and thus succeeded to the Governorship upon Peter Burnett's
resignation (1851). McDougal lost popularity early in his brief term by
pardoning certain convicted murderers and by opposing the San Francisco
Vigilance Committee of 1851. He was never elected Governor in his own
right.
John Bigler (1805-1871), California's third Governor (1852-1856), is
represented by three items. The earliest of these is a covering letter for a
shipment of the "Synoptical Index to the Laws of the United States," from U.S.
Secretary of State, Daniel Webster (January 16, 1852). This item is not signed.
The collection also includes a covering letter for a shipment of the Acts of
the 32nd Congress from Webster's successor, Edward Everett (December 20, 1852).
The letter bears Everett's signature. A third item representing Bigler's
governship is a letter from Wisconsin Governor, William A. Barstow,
acknowledging receipt of California Statutes for 1855 (September 17, 1855).
Bigler came to California in 1849. A Democrat, he faced the same problems of
state indebtedness as his predecessors. When he sought to relieve these through
the sale of reclaimed San Francisco waterfront properties, he was accused of
favoritism and corruption. Bigler attempted to help emigrants by establishing
the Emigrant Relief Train (1852). In this, too, he was accused of corruption,
supposedly diverting funds to himself and his cronies. Bigler was also known
for his attempts to block Chinese immigration and his efforts to provide state
lands for homesteading farmers. Personally popular and an astute politician,
Bigler was the only 19th century Governor elected to a second term.
J. Neely Johnson (1825-1872), California's 4th Governor (1856-1858), is
represented by a routine memo to Col. G.W. Whitman, State Comptroller (February
12, 1857). Johnson, like all early governors, came to California prior to
statehood (1849). He holds the distinction of being the first elected Governor
who was not a Democrat. Although nominally a Whig, Johnson was elected on the
American Party (Know Nothing) ticket during the brief period between the death
of the Whig Party and the birth of the Republican Party (1856). Johnson was
elected on his promise to trim government spending. This he accomplished by
reducing salaries (including his own) and eliminating some offices. Like his
predecessor, Governor McDougal, Johnson opposed vigilantism in San Francisco
(1856).
Frederick F. Low (1828-1894), California's 9th Governor (1863-1867), is
represented by two items. The earlier of these is a letter from the Governor to
Col. A.H. Markland of San Francisco (November 14, 1865) that discusses
arrangements for the latter to meet W.H. Parks. The second item is a letter
from the Governor to B.B. Redding, land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad,
regarding the appointment of John P. Johnson as notary for San Mateo County
(January 5, 1869). Both letters are signed by Frederick F. Low. The future
Governor came to California in 1849, worked in transportation for a time and
achieved the merger of all steamer lines on the Sacramento River. He then
became a banker in Marysville, was later a successful capitalist in San
Francisco and was also active in founding the California Republican Party. He
was briefly a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1862-63) and was
then appointed by President Lincoln Collector for the Port of San Francisco
(1863). As Governor, Low was friendly both to the Chinese and to the Native
Americans. He was a major advocate of a state university and also facilitated
the California's acquisition of the Yosemite Valley as the nation's first State
Park. William H. Parks (1824-) was doubtless a close friend of Frederick Low.
He was a Marysville freight transport magnate and Republican State Senator
(from 1859). Benjamin Bernard Redding of Sacramento (d. 1882) was the Douglas
Democratic State Central Committee chairman and was elected is Secretary of
State (1863-1867). He is presently best known as the man who laid out the town
of Redding in Shasta County.
Tennessee Democrat and personal friend of President Polk, William Van
Voorhies (1823-1884) came to California when appointed California's first
Postmaster General (1848). He quit this post because his salary did not pay
expenses (1849), began a law practice and entered into a general merchandise
store partnership in San Francisco. Van Voorhies became California's first
Secretary of State under Peter Burnett and remained in the post under John
McDougal, finally resigning under Governor Bigler when the Democratic Party
split into pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions (1849-1853). Van Voorhies was
well-known as a fiery and partisan orator. When the Civil War forced the
Democrats from office he remained in California, becoming a freelance
journalist and attorney in Alameda County. He is represented in this collection
by two items The earliest of these is a note from the U.S. Secretary of the
Interior, Alexander Stuart, acknowledging a request for information about
certain California swamp lands (1851). The second item is a standard
acknowledgement of receipt of California documents from John L. Manning,
Governor of South Carolina (1853).
James William Denver (1817-1892) was Secretary of State under Governor
John Bigler (1853-1856). Denver administered Bigler's Emigrant Relief Train and
felt obliged to fight a duel with the editor of the Alta California, Edward C.
Gilbert, to defend the Governor's honor against charges of corruption. Denver
killed Gilbert and Governor Bigler promoted him to the State Supreme Court. He
later served in Congress (1855-57) and became Territorial Governor of Kansas
(1857-58). The city of Denver is named for him. The collection contains five
items of Denver's correspondence; with one exception, all are routine
acknowledgements of receipt of government documents addressed to Denver. The
exception is a letter from Thomas Cox, Attorney General of Plumas County,
deploring disorganized conditions in the newly established County (1854).
David F. Douglass (1821-1872) served as Secretary of State under
Governor J. Neely Johnson (1856-1858). Douglass, a Whig and later a member of
the American Party, had been Brigadier General of the State Militia (1850),
U.S. Marshall (1851) and an Assemblyman from San Joaquin County (1855) before
becoming Secretary of State. He is represented in this collection by a single
letter from one W.A. Whitaker requesting a report of the State Geologist.
Henry Lambard Nichols (c1824-) was Secretary of State under California's
10th Governor, Henry Haight (1867-1871). Nichols, a Democrat and physician,
settled in Sacramento (1853) where he became active in politics and was elected
Mayor (1858) before being chosen Secretary of State. He is represented in this
collection by a covering letter from Dr. Lorenzo Hubbard accompanying the U.S.
Grant Mining Company certificate of incorporation. Hubbard, a physician and
naturalist, studied and published reports during the 1850s on the Indians,
earthquakes and the San Francisco water supply.
Box Box 1
California Gold Rush Era Government Correspondence
Folder Folder 1
Peter Burnett, 1st Governor (1849-1851)
-Notary public commission for Shasta & Trinity
counties to Ludlow Thomas(7-16-50) [ms w/ seal signed by Governor and Secretary
of State, W. Van Voorhies] (formerly MS2.T458)
Folder Folder 2
John McDougal, 2nd Governor (1851-1852)
-Covering letter for transfer of public documents from
U.S. Secretary of State, Daniel Webster (1-22-51) [printed, italics; not
signed] (Formerly MS2.W378)
Folder Folder 3
John Bigler, 3rd Governor (1852-1856)
-Circular announcing distribution of "Synoptic Index to
Laws of the United States" from U.S. Secretary of State, Daniel Webster
(January 16, 1852). [printed, italics; not signed] (Formerly
MS2.U58S797)
-Covering letter for transfer of public documents from
U.S. Secretary of State, Edward Everett (December 20, 1852) . [signed]
(Formerly MS2.E93)
-Letter acknowledging receipt of California Statutes of
1855 from Governor William A. Barstow of Wisconsin (September 17, 1855).
[signed] (Formerly MS2.B282)
Folder Folder 4
J. Neely Johnson, 4th Governor (1856-1858)
-Memo to State Comptroller, Col. G.W. Whitman (February
12, 1857). [signed by J. Neely Johnson] (Formerly MS2.J67)
Folder Folder 5
Frederick F. Low, 9th Governor (1863-1867)
-Letter to Col. A.H. Markland, San Francisco (November
14, 1865). [signed by Frederick F. Low] (Formerly MS2.L912)
-Letter to Benjamin Bernard Redding (January 5, 1867).
[signed by Frederick F. Low] (Formerly MS2.L912)
Folder Folder 6
William Van Voorhies, Scty. of State (1849-1853)
-Letter from Alexander H. Stuart, Secretary of the
Interior (October 20, 1851). [signed by Alexander H. Stuart] (Formerly
MS2.U58I61)
-Letter from Governor John L. Manning, South Carolina
(January 22, 1853). [signed by John L. Manning] (Formerly MS2.M283)
Folder Folder 7
James William Denver, Scty. of State (1853-1856)
-Letter from Thomas Cox, District Attorney of Plumas
County (June 5, 1854). [signed by Thomas Cox] (Formerly MS2.C878)
-Letter from U.S. Post Office Department, Washington,
D.C. (February 1, 1855). (Formerly MS2.U58P857)
-Letter from A.H. Reeder, Governor of Kansas Territory
(April 3, 1855). [signed by A.H. Reeder] (Formerly MS2.R327)
-Letter from C. Cushing, U.S. Attorney General,
Washington, D.C. (September 13, 1855). [signed by C. Cushing] (Formerly
MS2.U58A885)
-Letter from James Guthrie, U.S. Secretary of the
Treasury, Washington, D.C. (1855) (Formerly MS2.U58T784)
Folder Folder 8
David F. Douglas, Scty. of State (1856-1858)
-Letter from W.A. Whitaker, Pilot Hill (December 12,
1856). [signed by W.A. Whitaker] (Formerly MS2.W578)
Folder Folder 9
Henry Lambard Nichols, Scty. of State (1867-1871)
-Letter from Lorenzo Hubbard, Alcatraz Is. (March 17,
1869). [signed by Lorenzo Hubbard] (Formerly MS2.H875)
