HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 39 



country had done, from its volcanic formation and 

 peculiar geological features, that they might be found 

 to exist in considerable quantities.* 



As is often the case, chance at length accomplished 

 what science had failed to do. In the winter of 

 . Marshall commenced the construction 

 aw-mill foi Captain Sutter, on 

 of the American Fork, and about fifty miles above 

 New Helvetia, in a region abounding with pine timber. 

 The dam and race were completed, but on attempting 

 to put the mill in motion, it was ascertained that the 

 tail-race was too narrow to permit the water to escape 

 with perfect freedom. A strong current was then 

 passed in, to wash it wider and deeper, by which a 

 large bed of mud and gravel was thrown up at the 

 foot, of the race. Seme days after this occurrence, 

 Mr. Marshall observed a number of brilliant particles 

 on this deposit of mud, which attracted his attention. 

 On examining them, he became satisfied that they 

 were gold, and communicated the fact to Captain 

 Sutter. It was agreed between them, that the cir- 

 cumstance should not be made public for the present ; 

 but, like the secret of Midas, it could not be concealed. 

 The Mormon emigrants, of whom Mr. Marshall was 

 one, were soon made acquainted with the discovery, 

 and in a few weeks all California was agitated with 

 the starling information. 



* Sco Farnham's Adventures. Wilkes's and Fremont's Narratives, 

 and Kniory's Repo genio Macnamara, a Catholic rriest 



;;?!t oi" a large tract 01 land Leiweeu ( Le 

 Sun J>>a ;uin and I da, the CosLmnes and the Tu lares 



iu the vicinity oi S a Pio Pico, governor oi the Caiiior- 



nias, for the purpose of establishing upon it a largo colony oj Lish 

 Catholics; but the grant was not ratified by the Central Government, 

 and the project was not carried into effect. There is no evidence 

 that Father Macnamara was aware of the existence of gold in the 

 valley of the San Joaquin. 



