Departure for the Gold Regions

"On the American Fork of the Feather River there has been, within the present year, discovered a vast tract of land containing gold ... what good or bad effect this gold region will have on California, I cannot fortell."
 
–Thomas O. Larkin, writing to U.S. President James Buchanan, June 1, 1848
 
Corresponding Audio: 202 – East Bay Gold Rush-era night spot, 1849