It was at Sutter’s Fort, as most of our readers will remember, that the great gold mines of California first received their kindling spark, the discovery of that precious metal having been made there.  While some men were digging a mill-race the alluring deposit first appeared.  This event has made the Fort world-renowned.

At the time we describe Fremont on his second expedition, nothing whatever was known of the immense fields of treasure over which he and his men daily walked, although, for many years previous to the discovery being made, the mountaineers had trapped all the rivers in that vicinity, and on their banks had herded their animals for months together.  They had drank thousands of times from the pure water as it flowed in the river’s channel, and, no doubt, frequently their eyes had penetrated through it until they saw the sand beneath in which, perchance, the sparkling specs may have occasionally allured them sufficiently to recall the proverb that “all is not gold that glitters.”

The writer once made inquiry of one of these mountaineers who had spent two summers in the manner narrated above near and at Sutter’s Fort some twenty years since.  He was asked whether he ever saw there anything in the shape of gold which in any way aroused his suspicions?  His reply was:  “Never.  And had I, it would have been only for a brief space of time, as finally I should have been certain that I was deluded and mistaken, without there had been the Eagle of our country stamped upon it.”

Provisions were immediately obtained at the Fort and carried to Fitzpatrick and his party.  Great difficulty had now to be encountered to prevent the men from losing their lives by the sudden change from want to comparative luxury.  Notwithstanding the utmost care was taken, some of the party lost their reason.  The hardships of the journey had proved too much for them.  Fitzpatrick and the main body arrived at the Fort in a few days, where they were likewise welcomed by its hospitable and generous proprietor, Captain Sutter.  His name in California has ever been but another term for kindness and sympathy for the unfortunate.  This expedition, in one respect only, can be called unfortunate.  When the terrible sufferings of the commander and his men have been named, the catalogue of misfortune is ended.  Its results, grand and glorious, have immortalized the name of every man who assisted, in any way, to accomplish it.  “I belonged to the several Exploring Expeditions of John C. Fremont” is the key note to the respect and homage of the American nation; the truth would be equally real, if we add, to the whole civilized world.  Every heart which beats with admiration for the heroic, or which is capable of appreciating the rich contributions to the sciences, direct resultants from their terrible sufferings, has thrilled with delight when possessed of the history which records the brilliant achievements of these Exploring Parties.