Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-07-13
EARLY CALIFORNIANS.
BY J. W. FoRNEY.

did not sit down to write politics, or
to show how Providence overthrows the
best-laid plans of mbitious men, but to
restore to the memory of my readers
some of those who figured in the early
days of California. These were all in
the prime of lie, most of them young,
and all OF them seeking their fortunes.
They came from various sections. Young
Fremont, when in his 9th year, explored
the South Pass, afterwards penetl ated To
the Rocky Mountains and the great Salt
Lakes, and still later unIolded Alta Cali
iornia, the Sierra Nevada and the val
leys o San Joaquin and the Sacramento,
and was the first United States Senator
after the war and the ratification OF the
treaty OF Guadalupe HidaIgo. This was
in 1850, when he was thilty-six years old.
| remember him well-hs quiet manner
and his youthful figure. His colleague,
DR.. VIM. M. Gwin, of Mississippi, who
had grown to be a veteran in the bitter
conflicts OF the South, where he had held
any number Of places, emigrated to Cali
torna like the rest, to better his condi
tion, and was made a Senator in Con-
gress in 1850 for six years. He was then
just 40, full of vigor, resources, busy,
contriving and resoute, not over scrupu-
lous, and intensely ambitious. His wife
was exactly the mate for such man
fashionable, LIBERAL dashing, generous
and full of Southern partialities. Their
house was as hospitable rs plenty of mon
ey and pleasant people could make 1t.
George w. Wight was then a Repre-
sentative in the House in l850-5l. He is
now resident of Washington, and a
sound Republican.
In 1852 Milton s. Latham came to
Washington as Representative iiom
California. He was just rs when he took
his seat-a handsome boy, who, after
short career in Alabama, had emigrated,
in his 23d year, to the Golden State. He
was modest and graceful, made good
sophomore speech, was never violent,
and soon concliated great favor. Few
men have enjoyed more Of the wotid's
smiles and tavors, and few deserved
them more than this young man. He
was Clerk of the Recoi der's Court OF
San Francisco in 1850, District Attorney
in 1851, Representative in Congress in
1852, and declined re election was
Collector of the Port of San Franci-co in
1855 was elected Governor of Caliior-
nia in 1860, and three days after his in
auguration chosen a Senator in Congress
for six years. He was always moderate
in his politics, though Democrat; liked
Douglas and Breckenridge; was close
friend of Andy johnson, and never "fell
out" | believe, with Hotspur Wigiall
or dopmatic Toombs. He was even and
genial to all had no angular points, and
made money with the ease of fortunes
favorite. He is now living at San Fran
cisco, millionaire Mt 45, having had an
experience of a quarter of century un-
usual in any mans history, with, per-
haps, as many years before him in which
to increase and enjoy his large posses
sions. Ola widely different type was r..
G. Marshall, who went forth from Ken
tucky to California about the same time,
and sat in the House with Latham AS his
colleague. He was genius impetuous,
blind, reckless {; true scion Of gifted
and eccentric race. Sbme of his speeches
we're gems, but he had no system, and
wasted his gifts lavishly, while the more
prudent Latham carefully garnered and
added to his.
Then came the big-brained james A..
McDougall, born in New York, thence
removing to Illinois and in 1850 settling
down in California, where, after other
service, he was chosen to succeed Latham