70 THE QUICKSILVER MINES OF NEW ALMADEN. 
tlers, he would have been one of the richest men in 
America; but speculators took advantage of his easy 
disposition, led him into wild speculations, induced him 
to lend his name to a large amount, and thus extorted 
from him or compelled him to give up all of his valu- 
able property, but the Hock farm, where he now re- 
sides. He still seems cheerful, and endeavors to make 
the most of his misfortunes. When I saw him, he told 
me he had not visited San Francisco for a year.* 
* Captain Sutter is a native of Switzerland, from 55 to 60 years 
of age, and of fine personal appearance. He was one of the officers of 
the Swiss Guard in the Revolution of July, during the reign of Charles X- 
After this he emigrated to the United States, became naturalized, and 
resided several years in Missouri. From thence he went overland to 
Oregon, and in 1839 reached California. He bought out the Russian 
establishment at Fort Ross and Bodega, when the Russians abandoned 
their settlement in California. His fort on the Sacramento was a large 
inclosure, five hundred feet in length by one hundred and fifty in breadth, 
where he had under his control a body of Indians, whom he employed 
in cultivating the soil. After obtaining his large grant from Mexico, 
that government made him military commander of the frontier. 
