176 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



history of this coast, we have spent many an hour of wrapt cnjoj'ment 

 looking over the curious and mystic records which have been made by 

 the changes and mutations of Time. Among these quaint 8tor3'-tellers 

 of tlie ]jast, the most interesting one, ])erhaps, for our purpose, is the 

 Califonua Star, at the head of which is the following : 



"A Weekly Journal, devoted to the Liberties and Interests of the 

 People of California. Published by Samuel Brannan, and edited by E. 

 P. Jones, and subsequently by E. C. Kemble." 



On the twenty-fourth of April, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, this 

 paper luxuriates in the latest intelligence from the United States. This 

 Intelligence consists of extracts from the New York Tribune of the fifth 

 of November, eighteen hundred and forty-six. Five, six, and seven 

 months were required for news to travel iVom one side of the continent 

 to the other. Complete ox-team time across the Plains, little better than 

 a sailing tub passage "round the Horn," and just about a respectable 

 bungo voyage Irom Panama. These were the news facilities enjoyed by 

 the pioneers of California less than eighteen years ago. Yet 3'ou must 

 not suppose the irrepressible, omnipresent Yankee was not here. Oh, 

 no ! Brother Jonathan supplied the ethnological material for about two- 

 thirds of the white population of San Francisco. And if a specific and 

 conclusive fact be necessary to demonstrate his presence and fix j^our 

 convictions, we will give it to you from the advertising columns of the 

 California ISfar : 



On the sixteenth of Api-il, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, " B. I{. 

 Buckelew respectfully informs the citizens of California that he has 

 located permanently in the Town of San Francisco, for the purpose of 

 pursuing his profession. Watches, clocks, jewelry, and all other fine 

 metallic work, repaired in the best manner, and on terms proportion- 

 ateh" with general prices in California. Business intrusted through a 

 friend will be attended to the same as with the person proper. Watch 

 glasses and keys fitted. Cash invariablj/ required, except otherwise pre- 

 viously understood." 



J!^ubody could entertain a doubt as to the identity of that advertise- 

 ment. It is a genuine type expression of the nervo-sanguine-pushing- 

 coticeited-irresistible-ornate-monej'-making-dare-devil Jonathan. He had 

 started out, without rudder or compass, upon the wild waves of adven- 

 ture, and they had landed him sanxremnonie in the Town of San Francisco. 

 There had been no huge placards posted upon adobe walls, declaring 

 with my.stic uncertainty that B. E. B. was coming! Yet he was here, 

 and so full of the inspiration of business that his own personal safety 

 obliged him to advertise. He therefore announced through the columns 

 of tlie IStar tliat he had permanentl}' located in the Town of San Fran- 

 cisco for the })arpose of pursuing his ])r()fession. He is above deception, 

 and that no one should take him for a minister, doctor, or knvyer, he 

 says his professional business is the re])airing of watches, clocks, jewelry, 

 and other fine metallic work, and the fitting of keys and watch glasses. 

 Mr. Buckelew's advertisement does not slate where he was born, but it 

 would be pretty safe to conjecture that he originated in Providence, 

 Rhode Island, or Jei'ieiio, Vermont. J5ut for the last clause of this 

 advertisement, it would ajipear as the embodiment and expression of 

 the most attractive and unmitigated complacency. "Cash invariably 

 required, except otherwise previously' understood," especially with the 

 first three woi'ds italicised, is harsh, and less ornamental than useful. 



