The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-05-07
A TRAVELLING REPUBLIC
STARTED 65 YEARS AGO
INCIDENT IN CONNECTION WITH
DISCOVERY OF GOLD
IN CALIFORNIA.

SiXty-five years ago saw the depart
one of the most grotesque and oddly
formed expeditions which ever set sail
upon the American plains-the Ten
nessee- California travelling republic, II
peculiar experiment in altruism hay
ing its origin at Memphis, Tenn. Late
in January, lS4S, gold was discovered
near Sacramento, Cal, and the news
sped to every part of the civilized
world. Throughout the eastern and
southern states thousands We're fired
with an almost insane desire to reach
the new Eldorado; but between the
farthest outpost and the Pacotic coast
stretched over 1000 miles of PRACTICAL!
uncharted, Indian infested mountain
and plain. 1t was to overcome these
obstacles that the travelling republic
was formed.
Studying the problem Of quickly
Watkins, u Virginian, who had served
in the legislature of that state. con-
ceived the idea Of forming a complete
government, with executive, judiciary,
legislative and military branches
whereby all who desired to become
citizens thereof, up to certain limit,
might be assured Of safe passage to
the tabled gold fields.
Forms Independent Government.
Announcing his plan, Watkins
found little trouble in securing volun-
teer subjects and during December,
1913, meeting was held at Memphis
to organize a provisional government.
About rs volunteers from various
parts of the south attended and took
the oath Of allegiance, each pledging
himself to contribute $1,000 in cash to
the treasury and to abide by the rule
Of the majority in every particular UNI
til the republic should be formally
and legally disbanded in California.
The citizenship was later increased to
the full limit, 100.
An elaborate constitution. covering
every possible contingency, was
drawn up and adopted. At the cleo
ton which followed Captain Watkins
was elected president, the other Of
ficers being vice president. three
judges, court of appeals judges, mem
bers of legislature and many minor
functionaries, ranging down to sher-
iff and constable. The army was or
ganized with full quota of Officers
and privates.
Travelling Republic Starts
Strictly according to law the Ten
nessee- California travelling republi,
left Memphis on the first day o
March, 1S49, and proceeded by spe
cially chartered steamer up the Mis-
sissippi and Missouri rivers to TIT
Quitting point near independence
Mo. All went well during th
portion Of the journey. The legisla
ture held sessions at intervals an,
passed such laws as seemed necessary
while the courts tried and punshe,
any casual offenders among the citi
zenship.
Arriving at the end of the steame
! journey it was found that advanc
agents had about completed purchase
Of equipment and supplies and tina
the actual start for the gold field
might soon be made. The caravan, a
QUILTED, consisted of 20 wagons, eacl
drawn by two oXteams, together wit
many extra cattle and saddle horse
for the president and leading officers
The store of supplies was large am
expensive. Early in April all arrange
ments had been completed and on tn
18th the Tennessee California travel
ing republic set forth upon it's voyag
across the plains.
Officers a Privileged Class.
Early in it's history the legislature o
the travelling republic had passed
law exempting all persons holding of
fetal positions, whether by election o
appointment, from camp drudgery an
guard duty. In the enthusiasm of tn
start, little attention was paid to thi
law, but before so miles Of the plain
had been traversed it's practical work
ings became a source of irritation t
the populace. Robust legislator.
judges and all sorts of petty legislat tor
insisted upon the privileges attache
to their positions. They rode Will
others walked, rested in camp Will
others worked and slept while other
heard, the privileged class was open
ly reviled and before many days ha
elapsed mutiny and rebellion were ril
in the travelling repllblic