HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 55 



who performed the meanest services. The prices of 

 all agricultural and manufactured products became 

 treble the previous rates. 



Soon came the first waves of the tide of emigration 

 that was to flood the placers of the gold region. The 

 first influx consisted of Mexicans of the province of 

 Sonoma, Chilians, and some few Chinese. These, 

 principally took possession of the southern mines, or 

 those on the San Joaquin and its tributaries. Some 

 few stopped at San Francisco, and secured lots of 

 ground which they knew would become very valuable 

 in a short time, and erected temporary stores and 

 dwellings. This gave the impulse to the progress of 

 the town, and it soon advanced rapidly in size and 

 population. Then came the emigration from the 

 Atlantic States of the Union, and the whole territory 

 felt the progressive and enterprising spirit of the gold- 

 seekers. The Americans generally took possession 

 of the mines upon the northern tributaries of the 

 Sacramento River ; but as their numbers increased 

 they pushed towards the southern mines, and frequent 

 collisions with the foreigners were the consequence- 

 Finally, a great number of the latter were compelled 

 to leave the country. 



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