GENERAL SUTTER has been more extensively associated with California than any of the pioneers of the new State. Every quarter of the globe, even to the most barbaric, is familiar with his name. Hence, it would be a grievous fault were we to omit our due tribute to the gallant old hero by awarding him a niche in our "Annals," even though his connection with San Francisco has been an indirect one. Very few men so well merit his universal distinction-still fewer would cavil to see him enjoy it.

John A. Sutter was the son of a Swiss of the Canton Berne, but was himself born in Baden, at midnight of February 28th (or March 1st), 1803. His early life was passed in the Grand Duchy, and there he received his education. Like many of his countrymen, feeling desirous of enjoying the institutions of our

far-famed republic, he sailed for and reached New York in July, 1834; but finally settled and for several years resided in Missouri. The wild west had always possessed a charm for him, and he had removed thither; but now his adventurous spirit looked still further towards the setting sun, and roved along the waters that sped their unknown way to the Pacific. Leaving family and home, in company with Sir William Drummond Stewart, he joined a party, under the charge of Capt. Tripps, of the "American Fur Company," and started for the broad valleys of California, where he knew that rich and fertile lands only awaited an industrious cultivator; and where Providence had even a still richer yielding field that he knew not of. He left the trappers at their rendezvous on the Wind River among the Kansas Rocky Mountains, and with a new party of six decided on proceeding to their destination by way of Oregon. Crossing the valley of the Willamette, he finally arrived at Fort Vancouvre, and there ascertained that innumerable delays must elapse before he could reach California. Nothing daunted, and apparently urged, like Columbus, to accomplish his object despite of fate, Capt. Sutter sailed for the Sandwich Islands, hoping to embark thence direct for the Spanish coast. But when he arrived there, no vessels were about to sail in that direction. Again he threw down the gauntlet to fate, and re-embarked for Sitka Island, in Russian America, and from that immense distance at last reached Yerba Buena on the 2d of July, 1839. Not permitted to land here, he again embarked, and was finally allowed to set foot on California soil at Monterey. What a contrast to the present lightning modes of travel was this circuitous and extended route! Having succeeded in overcoming the Spanish opposition to foreign settlers, he obtained the permission of Gov. Alvarado to locate himself in the valley of the Rio del Sacramento; more readily granted, perhaps, because it was then densely peopled with savage Indians. He explored the Sacramento, Feather and American Rivers, and in August, 1839, about eighteen months after he commenced his journey, permanently established himself on the latter river, with a colony of only three whites and eight Kanakas. Shortly afterwards he removed to the present location of what is known as "Sutter's Fort," and took

possession of the surrounding country under a Mexican grant, giving to it the name of New Helvetia. From this point he cut a road to the junction of the Sacramento and American Rivers, where he established an embarcadero (quay, or landing-place), on the site of which has since been built the City of Sacramento. Here he remained for several years, his settlement being the head-quarters of the immigrants, who, following his example, poured into the country from the American States.

It would be interesting, though hardly german to our present purpose, to record the captain's innumerable hair-breadth escapes and wild adventures, while dwelling in this rude wilderness, as he has often over and over again related them to us in his own pleasant way, but the few facts we have given as we received them from him must suffice. By far the most important event

in his life was yet to happen. In the winter of 1847-'48, he had contracted with Mr. JAMES W. MARSHALL to erect a lumber saw-mill on the south fork of the American River, and in January of 1848, that great discovery was accidentally made which hastened the development of the country, far beyond what centuries of the unassisted progress of nature could have effected. Marshall one day having allowed the whole body of water to rush through the tail-race of the mill for the purpose of making some alterations in it, observed, while walking along the banks of the stream early the next morning, numerous glistening particles among the sand and gravel, which had been carried off by the force of the increased body of water. For awhile he paid no particular attention to them, but seeing one larger and brighter than the rest, he was induced to examine it, and found it to be a scale of gold. Collecting several, he immediately hurried to Sutter, and began his tale in such a hurried manner, and accompanied it with such extravagant promises of unbounded wealth, that the captain thought him demented, and looked to his rifle for protection: but when Marshall threw his gold upon the table, he was forced into the delightful conviction. They determined to keep the discovery a secret, but were observed while examining the river, and soon had the immense armies around them that we have elsewhere spoken of. Mr. Marshall has lived to see the world enriched by his discovery, while he himself wanders poor and homeless over a land that has too long neglected to repay her immense debt of gratitude to him who gave her all her wealth, power and position. As with all great benefactors of mankind, some future century may record his name on some historic page, while millions less worthy than himself have fattened where he starved.

Gen. Sutter at present resides at Hock Farm, on the right bank of the Rio de las Plumas, anglice, Feather River; and here, leading the happy, contented life of a tiller of the soil, he meets friend and stranger with that sincere, unostentatious hospitality that has endeared him to the whole community. A more kind-hearted, generous and benevolent man does not dwell in any corner of the State.

AMONG the most estimable of the citizens of San Francisco, must be ranked the old Castilian residents of California. Very many of these have remained with their families in the country and have occupied positions as framers of the constitution, delegates to conventions, and members of the State and local governments under the American rule. The most prominent of these is Gen. Vallejo, both for his share in the early history of the country and his subsequent political connection with the place.

His father was a native of Spain, and had immigrated to Mexico and settled in the State of Guadalajara during his extreme youth. Many of the Vallejo family had voluntarily chosen or been devoted to the service of the church-the males becoming members of the priesthood and the females entering the nunneries. Mariano's father had been designed for a similar course of life, but his feelings and tastes revolted at the idea. Finding it, however, impossible to avoid what he so much disliked should he remain in Guadalajara, having already taken the preliminary