Historic Newspapers: Search Results

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 9, 1849  Among the articles on the Gold Rush and Westward Expansion are: "The Travel Over The Western Plains" "From San Francisco" "Virginia Gold Mines" and two articles covering the Washington Monument. Also an interesting item on New York's Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, among the most renowned cemeteries in the United States.
Eight pages, very good condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1848  

* Gold discovered in California
* Official government report
* Pre 49ers- Forty-Niners

Beginning on the front page and taking all of page 2 and most of page 3 is  the: "President's Annual Message" to the nation, in which is a rather lengthy & detailed report on the discovery of gold in California.
Although there were earlier newspaper reports of gold discovery, this was the first "official" announcement by the government and did…

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, Jan. 10, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

The front page has: "Gold Region" noting in part: "...such astonishing news from California that they dare not publish it. If published the marvelous tale as to the length & breadth of the Gold Region would not be credited...Col. Fremont...acquainted with the existence of extensive 'gold findings' in California...resigned his commission...set off immediately for the mines...When all is known...of the…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 23, 1848  The front page has several items on the California Gold Rush including: "California Adventurers" beginning: "The 'stream of human life' is now setting as irresistibly towards California...The gold attraction is so strong that few are willing to lose the time necessary to go by water round the cape or by the overland route..." & more.
Also: "The Gold Fever" has a letter beginning: "The gold fever, which is spreading like an epidemic…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 2, 1849

* California gold rush
* Hardships for 49ers

 Page 3 has: "For California" which reports of several ship heading to California. The back page has over half a column headed: "California--Gold Mines" which is a terrific letter relaying the situation in California at the time, at least that writer's telling of it. It begins: "The moral condition of the country was bad enough before the gold discoveries--it is now in a state of…

THE DOLLAR NEWSPAPER, Philadelphia, May 30, 1849  Page 2 has an article headed: "California Gold - Very Late From California" which includes a letter noting in part: "The poorest man in this place can show from  $500 to $1500 in gold dust that he has gathered by his own hand in a month or so...No one with the least labor fines less than $15 to $20 per day..." and more. This is followed by a letter datelines: "Sutter's Fort, Upper California, Feb. 2, 1849" which includes: "...having been…

SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Sept. 22, 1849

* California gold rush - 49ers
* Steamship "Empire City"

 Page 3 has: "From California" with the latest news, bits including: "...The Empire City brings over $600,000 in species and gold dust...An attack had been made by a party of rowdy Americans in San Francisco...emigrants from Missouri...are now arriving daily...In the gold diggings, many of the placers are becoming exhausted but new ones are being continually discovered. About an…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

Page 3 has a terrific, nearly full column report headed: "The California Gold Region" which has much detail and fascinating accounts. It begins: "It is now nearly two years since the discovery of the gold mines in this country...". There is too much fine content to detail here--see the photos.
Page 3 has: "Overland Travel To California" which has: "This gold excitement has caused an…

ILLINOIS JOURNAL, Springfield, Feb. 7, 1849  Page 3 has two articles concerning the California Gold Rush.
"California Items" is mostly concerning the passengers at Chagres, Panama, mid-way on their journey to California. Also: "...that Lt. Frisby...has written to his family that he has accumulated $200,000 worth of gold dust...". And: "Distress In the Gold Region" notes in part: "...state of distress & suffering prevails here such as the world probably never before saw. People were so eager…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 13, 1849  

* California gold rush - 49ers
* United States Congress - statehood ?

The front page has over a full column headed: "The Gold Region - A System of Government Proposed". With the recent gold discovery, Congress wanted to act quickly to make California a part of the Union.
The report begins: "In common with the great mass of my fellow citizens, I have been extremely interested by the various authentic accounts, official &…

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, Jan. 12, 1849 (misdated as Jan. 11)

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

Page 2 has several nice reports from the California Gold Rush under the heading: "California Items", including: "...The gold fever at Charlestown, Va., has begot a scheme for a company of 50 to go to California at $250 each, which 25 most useful and respectable citizens have already signed..." with other items (see).
Four pages, damp staining to the bottom half, good condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 19, 1849 

* California gold rush
* Hardships for 49ers

Page 3 has an article: "Gold Digging" which includes a very good letter on the details, including: "The suffering from heat is almost incredible...The changes from heat to cold are very sudden & prejudicial to health. Much sickness prevailed at Sacramento...Board at the mines cost from $14 to $20 a week...The labor of digging for gold is intolerable to any but the stoutest & most…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 1849  Page 3 has an interesting letter headed: "California Items" concerning: "The only white woman that I have seen in the mines...came here from Calcutta...dresses in trousers & wears a thin hat & red shirt as most of the miners do...Failing in business & becoming poor, he determined to dig a fortune out of the earth in California & the wife, true to her companion, only consented when he promised she should accompany him...one of the…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 13, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

Page 3 has a wealth of reporting from California including: "Important From California" which takes over a full column and deals with the efforts to create a constitution so they can join the Union. One paragraph begins: "A Bill of Rights precedes the Constitution, which, as adopted in committee of the whole, embraces  20 sections of the usual character of such provisions...".
…

BOSTON MUSEUM, Dec. 16, 1848  Page 4 has: "California Gold" which includes: "All of our brethren are having their say about the California gold discoveries...But California, nor any other unsettled country, should not be peopled by fortune hunters. The wilderness wants practical men, not visionary drones...The mining fever is raging here as well as elsewhere...one of our citizens has been at the gold placers a few weeks; he had collected $1500 worth of the 'root of evil', & was still averaging…

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, November 10, 1849 

* California gold rush

The back page has: "California Facts" which includes: "...Within a few days gold coins of the value of ten dollars made from the California metal have been issued by Messrs. Moffatt and Co...and by Messrs. Wright & Co...of San Francisco. They are very similar in appearance and also strongly resemble the $10 gold piece coined at the U.S. Mint..." with more. Also: "Mr. Sutter is now sitting to Mr. Osgood for a portrait..."…

SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, March 24, 1849  Page 3 has: "The Gold Region" with the latest from the California gold rush. A few bits include: "...Emigrants were flocking in by the thousands...by next August 1200,000 persons would have entered California...almost every one not engaged in gold digging was preparing to go to the mines in the Spring...At San Francisco real estate had advanced 500 per cent within 12 months...As to the profits of gold digging, accounts vary...Parties can…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 18, 1849  Most of the front page is taken up with the: "Speech of Mr. Palfrey On the Bill Creating a Territorial Government for Upper California" in the House of Rep.
Page 2 has: "Advice to California Emigrants" which has some fine content. Also on page 2 is: "Letters From Panama" taking over 2 columns with reports concerning those in Panama on their way to or from the gold fields of California.
Page 3 has: "California Emigrants at the…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 1848  The top of the back page has a column head: "Further Of The Gold Mines" which is an early report on the California Gold Rush. It is primarily a lengthy letter datelined "Monterey, California, August 29, 1848".
A few bits include: "The gold discoveries still continue--every day brings some new deposits to light. It has been found in large quantities...At present the people are running over the country & picking it out of the earth here…

SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Sept. 29, 1849  Page 2 has: "California" with the latest news, bits including: "...has been one of the fortunate 'hunters' having accumulated during his short sojourn in California between 11,000 and 12,000 dollars worth of the 'stuff'...".
Much more on the gold rush with subheads: "The Climate and Soil" "The California Camp" "New Process For Collecting Gold Dust" and more.
Four pages of very large size paper measuring 25 by 33 inches, folded three times,…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 1848  Page 3 has a report headed: "From California" which includes in part: "...fully confirms the most glowing accounts heretofore received in the States of the richness & extent of the gold region...the gold is found from the tops of the highest mountains to the bottom of the rivers..." with more. 
An early report on the California Gold Rush.
Four pages, binding indents at the blank spine, good condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 4, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

Page 3 has: "California Items" which has various news items which relate to the California Gold Rush. Much concerning transportation plans for the West.
Page 2 has: "The Astor Place Rioters".
Four pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 28, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

The bottom of page 3 has: "Gold Diggers" with: "...an official report to the War  Dept.  on the civil affairs of California, Gen. Riley estimates the number of persons actually employed in digging for gold at ten thousand, while the number of persons engaged in other employments at the placers would greatly increase this amount...".
Four pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 22, 1849  Page 2 has a very descriptive article: "The Bay of San Francisco" which is fine reading concerning the effects of the Gold Rush on the region.
Page 3 has: "Gold Digging In California" which is a great letter to those back East urging them not to venture West in search of their fortune.
Also on page 3: "California" which has more on the gold rush. Also a detailed article on: "A Fatal Duel".
Four pages, very nice condition.

DAILY EVENING TRANSCRIPT, Boston, Jan. 13, 1849 

* California gold rush - 49ers

Page 2 has an article: "From California" which includes: "...the price of gold dust in the 'diggins' had  fallen to six  dollars an ounce, being less than one third its real value at the U.S. Mint...There was much suffering at the mines & even apprehensions of famine in consequence of the multitudes arriving from all quarters..." and a bit more.
Also a brief item: "New California Association" being created…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 1849  
Page 3 has three items concerning the California Gold Rush headed: "How They Go!" and: "State of Society in the Gold Region" with a report on the gold discoveries; and: "Curious Reminiscence of California".
Four pages, nice condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 1848  Page 3 has a report headed: "From California" which includes in part: "...fully confirms the most glowing accounts heretofore received in the States of the richness & extent of the gold region...the gold is found from the tops of the highest mountains to the bottom of the rivers..." with more. An early report on the California Gold Rush.
Four pages, nice condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 1849  
The front page has nearly two columns taken up with a detailed article: "Gold Hunting In California, in the Sixteenth Century".
Page 7 has most of a column headed: "California Items" with a lengthy list of reports concerning ships heading for the gold fields, etc. One bit mentions: "The celebrated Kit Carson, and Moses, the Texan Ranger, will conduct a company to California from Independence (Mo.) in April net. This offers a fine…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, 1848 The top of pg. 3 has a column head: "The California Gold Region" which has near the beginning: "The accounts which have reached the United States concerning the auriferous region of country on the Sacramento...induced hundreds, we might say thousands, of our citizens to turn their eyes in that direction..." with more on the gold rush.
Quite early concerning the discovery of gold in California.
Four pages, nice condition.

SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1849  The top of page 3 has a column headed: "Mode Of Extracting Gold From the Ore"  being a timely article given the recent discovery of gold in Calif. But the article begins with: "...The metallic grains found in the sands of rivers in California do not require to be subjected to a metallurgic process."
Page 3 begins with: "California" being rather lengthy and includes two accounts of the gold diggings, plus more.
Four pages of very large size…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 5, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

Page 3 has half a column headed: "The California Emigration" which begins: "The emigration to California from the Atlantic States is still going on steadily...In some places new associations are forming for the gold regions..." with more. Included is a nice chart noting the vessel, the master's name, port from which they sailed, and the date of departure.
Four pages, very nice…

NEW ORLEANS WEEKLY DELTA, Louisiana, July 9, 1849 

* California gold rush
* Rare Antebellum title

The front page has a short report: "From the Pacific" which references the gold from California (see). Items inside include several reports on the celebration of the 4th of July; "The Texian Expedition to the Wicheta Hills" which concerns the Gold Rush; "Our City" and more.
Eight pages, slightly irregular at the spine from disbinding, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 15, 1849  Page 3 has an interesting article: "Population Of California" noting that the entire "country" has about 60,000 people, broken down by country of origin. It also notes: "...Of the population already in the country, it is supposed that one-half...are engaged in various business pursuits, and the other half in digging for gold."
There is also a black-bordered report headed: "Death Of Albert Gallatin". And there is also half a…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 1849  Page 3 has: "Late From California" which begins with a very historic report: "The constitution for the State of California has been adopted and published. The reports from the gold region continue to be encouraging. The health of the miners was generally good...The estimate of the number of persons at the mines runs up to 80,000...The Crescent City brings a million dollars' worth of gold dust besides nearly half as much more in the…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 1849 

* California gold rush hardships

Page 3 has: "Items From California and Panama" which begins with a discouraging report: "Nearly all the American passengers by the Empire City are returning from the mines, disgusted with the life of extreme toil & hardship which must be endured there..." and continues on with the conditions of life in the gold region. One item notes: "...The number of women in San Francisco was increasing,…

NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, June 5, 1849  

* Thomas Hart Benton
* California gold fields

The front page features a nice prying of the: "Odd Fellow's Hall, Corner of Grand and Center Streets, New York" with a lengthy article on its dedication.
The back page has: "Important from the West--Cholera Among Emigrants--Col. Benton's Speech" as well as: "From the Plains", both articles concerning travelers heading to the gold fields of California and their various tribulations.
Four pages, very…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 22, 1849  

* California gold rush - 49ers
* Mormons at Salt Lake City
* Mormonism - emigration

Two-thirds of a column on page 3 is taken up with: "The Mormons" which notes in part: "...Seven thousand of them have found a resting place in the most remarkable spot on the American continent...to follow after a new Jerusalem in the West...They are again assaulted by popular persecution; their prophet murdered, their town depopulated, &…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 3, 1850 

* California gold rush producing

The back page has more than half a column taken up with: "Paul "Revere" which has much on his life (see photos). Also: "California" which is a letter from San Francisco, June 1, 1850 which includes: "...beg...your attention to a regulation...prohibiting the importation of convicts..." with more, and also: "...The export of gold continues to increase, being now upwards of 2 millions per month...A…

SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Aug. 4, 1849  Page 3 has: "From California" with the latest news, bits including: "...The Crescent City brings $230,000 in specie...that probably $300,000 would cover all the gold dust on board...one opinion among the passengers with regard to the gold in California; it is still found in great quantities...There was no sickness at the mines..." with much more on the latest.
This article takes over three-quarters of a column with a great wealth of…

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, Jan. 11, 1849  Page 2 has several Gold Rush reports under the heading: "California Items" including: "...number of passengers who have already sailed, or are on the point of sailing from this port for California, is 370...are now between 20 and 30 vessels at this port up for California...The state than $2,00,000 worth of the dust was at San Francisco...that excellent order prevails & there had been but two or three petty depredations since operations commenced in the…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 24, 1849  Page 3 has: "Crossing The Isthmus" being a letter on the challenges of crossing at Panama to reach the gold fields of California.
This is followed by a similar report: "From Another California Emigrant" being a letter datelined at Acapulco, Mexico, concerning others journeying across the isthmus on the way to California. Also: "Trespass Of Foreigners In California".
Four pages, very nice condition.

DAILY HERALD, Newburyport, Massachusetts, April 25, 1849  This issue has many reports concerning the Gold Rush of 1849, with the front page beginning with a quite detailed letter which is prefaced with: "From Mexico" "...the following letter...who went out to California in command of a company of adventurers, taking the Mexican route...his narrative contains much interesting and valuable information." What follows is the letter.
Page 2 begins with: "Sufferings of California Emigrants", then…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 1849  Page 3 has over a full column of reports from California, mostly focused on the Gold Rush. Subheads include: "Placer Intelligence" "A Trinity River Expedition" "Successful Gold Diggings" with details; "The Mines" "Improvements at San Francisco" and more.
A wealth of fine reading from during the height of the Gold Rush mania.
Four pages,very nice condition.

SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, New York, Sept. 25, 1850  First column heads on page 7 include: "LATER FROM CALIFORNIA" "$1,000,000 in Gold Dust!" "Terrible Riot At Sacramento City" "The Mayor Shot" "Martial Law Proclaimed" "The City In Ashes!" "Large Yield Of the Mines" and more. Some of the subheads include: "Terrible Riot at Sacramento!" "Great Yield of the Mines" "The Gold Mountain" "Extraordinary Success" "Gold Diggings in the Trinity Region" "Matters on the Pacific Side".
Four pages, nice…

SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, New York, Aug. 21, 1850  The front page has over 1 1/2 columns taken up with: "CALIFORNIA" "From the Southern Mines--A Prudential Account of the Miners and Mining" which notes near the beginning, in a letter from California: "...I have been surprised at the repeated announcements of an increasing emigration from the States to the gold mines of California...".
Eight pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 9, 1849  The entire front page & a portion of page 2 are taken up with the: "Speech of Mr. Jas. McDowell On the Formation of Governments for New Mexico and California", recently won during the Mexican War.
Page 3 has: "From the Isthmus of Panama" concerning passengers who used this route to the gold fields of California. Also: "For California" which includes an account of an elderly couple from Illinois who gave up so much in hopes of…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 25, 1849  Page 2 has nearly a full column on: "Bay of San Francisco & Dependent Country".
Page 3 has: "Overland Journey to California" "More California Gold" "Photography In A New Form" and: "A New California Enterprise".
Four pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, 1849  Page 2 begins with: "Scenes In The Pacific" which reports on the arrival of Captain Fremont at Monterey, California in 1846.
Page 2 has over half a column headed: "The California Mines" which has many accounts of how much gold is being discovered--fine reading. Then a nice article headed; "Botanical Treasures of California".
Four pages, very nice condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 24, 1849  Page 3 has half a column headed: "From California" which is a letter depicting: "...a vivid and life-like picture of the state of things in California at the time of his writing." which is datelined from Monterey, Nov. 1, 1848.
Near the beginning is: "It would be impossible for persons at a distance to realize the state of affairs here. Gold is the only subject discussed. It is bought & sold in grocer's scales..." with so much more.
…