The discovery of America is based around the quest for lands unknown, the promise of freedom, and, most importantly, gold. Therefore it is no surprise that the discovery of gold in California came to be known as the new "El Dorado." This finding quickly brought a surge of Americans of all ethnicities, along with Europeans, South Americans, Australians, and Asians, all searching for a land filled with promises of financial profit, freedom and equality. Although many of these entrepreneurs walked away with only disappointment, leaving a trail of native blood, the large and diverse population which sprouted in California and other previously nearly uninhabited western states foreshadowed the largely diverse population, controversial policies, and racial and sectional tension to come nationwide.

John Marshall was hired by Swiss-American John Sutter to oversee the construction and maintenance of a sawmill on Sutter's land. On the fateful morning of January 24, 1848, Marshall...