160 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
any inclination to change our place, unless we see a strong probability of advancing the general interests of religion by it. I can secure a tolerably eligible situation in the vicinity of the mouth of the Columbia River, but at present it is re- mote from the great portion of the population, yet eventually I think it will become a commanding central point. But it will be difficult to induce our brethren to take this view on the subject. While this subject has been engrossing my anx- ious care, our whole community has been perfectly convulsed with the rumor of much gold in the valleys and hills of Cali- fornia. 150 The report has been often repeated and enlarged upon till more than half of the men of our Territory are either digging gold or on the way in quest of the treasure. The region in which it is found is variously represented as being from 120 to 200 miles in length and about 70 in breadth, and it is said that no limits have yet been found. Pure gold is found everywhere where the diggers break the earth and the amount a man procures per day varies from $10 worth to $240. The gold bears the appearance of having been fused and congealed in irregular forms and various sized pieces, from very small pieces (in form resembling wheat bran) to those of more than four pounds' weight. Sil- ver, quicksilver, platina, and even diamonds, are reported to have been found in this gold region; also iron ore, con- taining from 80 to 90 per cent of iron. I never saw so ex- cited a community. Gold is the rage, and it is to be feared that the farming interests in Oregon will suffer immensely; and all our manufacturing, commercial, social, civil, moral and religious interests must suffer for years. Indeed I think a greater calamity to our colony could hardly have been sent. California will fill up as by magic with a heterogeneous mass from every nation and tribe. Our congregations are fast
150 The news of the discovery of gold in California first reached Oregon early in August, 1848. Bancroft Hist, of Ore. 1:42,43. The account of the emi- gration of able-bodied men from Oregon to California is corroborated by contem- poraries. Ibid. 43. (James W. Marshall, an Oregon pioneer of 1844, who spent more than a year in Oregon prior to going to California, is credited with the dis- covery of gold there Jan. 24, 1848. News of the discovery of gold reached Yamhill county early in July, 1848, and William G. Buffum and wife left Amity, in that unty, early in August for the mines. Geo. H. Himes, Sec. Or. Pioneer Assn.)
