Heading: (California Gold Rush)
Author: [Polk, James K]
Title: Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Thirtieth Congress.
Place Published: Washington
Publisher:Wendell & Van Benthuysen
Date Published: 1848
Description:

1275 pp. Illustrated with 5 (of 8) folding lithographed maps, including a large hand-colored one; 7 folding tables; 15 folding illustrations. (8vo) period half calf over marbled boards, red leather spine label. First Edition.

Important message from the president, being the first official publication of the news of the California Gold Rush and containing three maps of the gold region. The large hand-colored map is of the U.S., reflecting the various portions added following the Mexican War; in addition there are battle maps from the Mexican War. Wheat notes it "Contains Colonel R.B. Mason's celebrated report of his visit to `the newly discovered gold placer in the valley of the Sacramento,' as well as Lieutenant E.O.C. Ord's `Map of the Gold and Quicksilver District of California (lacking in this copy),' and other maps of Gold Rush interest." These include maps of the Upper Mines and the Lower Mines or Mormon Diggings. Cowan p.426; Howes P446; Kurutz 105; Wheat Books 30.

Binding rubbed; lacking 3 maps, remaining maps with a few chips and tears; foxing throughout; very good.