New-York tribune., 1886-05-02
AFTER An ABSENCE or FORTY YEARS.

COLONEL STrPHENSON's VISIT TO NEW-YoRk-Go-
ING TO CALIFORNIA BEFORE GOLD WAS FOUND
Colonel Jonathan F. StephensOn.Of San FRAN
cisco, who turned up at the Asor House the other day
after a forty years absence from this city. was we'll
known figure in York politics as long ago as the
tme of Wright and Marcy. He fought the Whig as he
says in city politics at Albany with varying success
many Democratic leaders and the outbreak OF
the Mexican War raised volunteer regiment III TINS
city for active service. Tho whole California coast
then belonged to Mexico, and while Taylor was
operating the Rio Grande and scott AZ
ranging for the Vera Cruz campaign. the United
States authorities determined seize the old Spanish
colonies the Pacific. Colonel stcphensons lst New
York Volunteers ordered Wcs. and set sail from
NewYOrk for voyage round Cape Horn on september
&C. ls56 Three sailing vessels carried the three sections
slowly down the coast OF South America At Rio Janero
where they touched the celebrations III honor OF me
birth OF the Emperors first child were at their height
and the command stopped for day or two to enjoy the
sights The Straits OF Magellan were reached about
December. Valparaiso in January. and the first OF the
three vessels, with the Colonel on board. landed on
March 6. 1si7. what ia san Francisco Harbor.
Gold had then been discovered and the country was
known to the newcomers New Albion. A nalf dozen
huts grouped the site OF the present city OF san
Francisco. Part of Colonel stephenson's regiment
ouartered in the North part went TO Los Angeles ana
company two penetrated Lower California ana socn
had The peninsula at their feet hcn came tnu uTHN VII,
with Mexico and the discovery OF gold at suter Ms
Volunteers became miners ana pros
pecors In a Some grew rich and others failed ana
gradually drifted back 10 the East. , ..,.,
Colonel Stephenson went into various enterprises with
all sorts of successes and failures Some times lie bought
piece OF ground. tfty yards square Tor T-oV, ana
sold IT in ten days for $4,000. Again ne
lost $4,000 in the same length Of time For
twelve years he shipping Commissioner or San
Francisco, bat lost office through change o Admins
tra,iob. He had always been Democrat, but ON the
breaking ont OF the Rebellion he became Republican
ana did valuable service for the Union III san
Francisco at the time OF the agitation Tor
secession in California He was nearly slXtv then,
too service, AMI has been engaged In one
business another in Francisco ever since I&tey
have turned badly and his visit East has
firing HIM the pay and cmouments of col0nei III
the regular army. The Society 0f forty-nneIs IN lhs
city has his and delegation Will roDaDy
accompany the aged Colonel TO Albany To urge te Leg
isature petition Congress for relief Dill Inencc
Colonel Stephenson Will to Washington aud dinner
Will be to him his return here ny the SURVIVORS
the lst New-Nork Volunteers and the California
Pioneer Society on the 9TH of May at Martinelis.
great many Old friends called on tho ola Schtcnah
Yesterday AstOI House. and in the morning MS
two daughters with of their children and grand
children came in " | begin to feel Old he said tOa
TRIBUNE reporter, "when | see my great grandchildren
all around me. haven't been about New YORK at all
goes back easily ei5hty-tYO years to the time "heh
Green wicl.st was the front OF the city, and when
we used TO skate winter from Rposcvelt-st To inc
East ver." just then some happened 10 mention
n we-kuown adventures OF the early days OF New
York ana the old gentleman went OF into an account
OF her relations with Aaron Burr Z" | don't take any
part in politics. my SON. he added 10 the reporter VINO
had ,ked about pol;i in California "I want 10 get
my bill through and then can 20 home ana be SATISFIED
settle down quietly ana dc.