PREFACE. 



also to John Bigelow, author of the "Life of John 

 Charles Fremont," in addition to other recorded data. 

 I have written with the hope of pleasing as well as in- 

 structing the younger portion of the present generation 

 who desire, and should become, familiar with the strug- 

 gles, and circumstances, attending the acquisition and 

 development of the great State in which we all feel 

 so laudable a pride, and where over every school 

 building there now floats the emblem of freedom, 

 equality and fraternity. 



To wrest an extensive domain from semi-barbarism ; 

 to reveal its unlimited treasures ; to open up new ave- 

 nues of commerce ; to form a progressive, enlightened 

 and liberal government ; to herald the advent of new 

 social and religious conditions ; these made a com- 

 mendable field for noble endeavor. Living in the 

 glorious advantages their labors secured to us ; who 

 shall say their duties were not well performed by the 

 founders of our grand commonwealth. They brought 

 civilization, beauty, and unrivaled attractions to a vast 

 country of unbounded possibilities ; a land of mighty 

 monarchs of the forests, whose topmost branches pierce 

 the clouds, the wonder of all beholders, a land of giant 

 mountains, which, from their aerial heights, pour down 

 to the thirsty valleys below their crystal floods, beauti- 

 fying all the landscape with fruit, flower and vine, and 

 creating panorama after panorama of unsurpassed ter- 

 restrial beauty. 



