Author: Thomas Jefferson Farnham

Publisher:

Published: 1847

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

Second edition, second printing of Farnham's account of California travel, first published in 1844 as Travels in the Californias, and scences in the Pacific Ocean (New York, 1844-1845), issued in four parts. This is the second edition under this new title, following the first which appeared in 1846. There were many revised, enlarged, and re-worked issues under a variety of titles; the 1850 edition extended to 514 pages. In 1839 Farnham was living in Peoria, Illinois, where he heard Jason Lee lecture on the Oregon mission Lee had founded. Subsequently Farnham led the Peoria Party to Oregon, where Farnham petitioned the U.S. government to annex Oregon to defend the interests of Americans in the area. Farnham's account of this phase of his travels was published as Travels in Oregon Territory (1842). Farnham then embarked on a voyage to the Sandwich Islands, and then to Monterey in California, arriving April 18, 1840. He became involved in the Graham Affair, and travelled to Baja California to secure the release of American, British, and Californio citizens who had been arrested by Governor Juan Alvarado for plotting a revolt against the Mexican government. These adventures, including historical sections on Baja California and the recent history of Alta California, are contained in the text of this volume, which is also a sequel to Travels in Oregon Territory.