Life in California before the Conquest Alfred Robinson, 1846
Alfred Robinson, a United States merchant in the Mexican
territory of Alta California, published Life in Califorfor the
Cowest in 1846
The resources of California, its magnificent harbors, climate, and abundance of
naval stores would make it the renderrous for all the steamers engaged in the trade
between Europe and the East Indies, as well as those from the United States, and the
facilities for emigration would be such that soon the whole western cast of north
America would be settled by emigrants both from this country and Europe
During the anarchy which existed in past years throughout this fertile country, there
were many of the native Californians who would have been thankful for the protection
of either England or America, and indeed a great many desired it in preference to the
detested administration of Mexico Perhaps there are many who still feel as they did
then, and in this age of annexation" why not extend the area of freedom" by the
annexation of California? Why not plant the banner of liberty there in the fortress at the
entrance of the noble, the spacious Bay of San Francisco?lt requires not the farmaching
ye of the statesmanner the wisdom of a contemplative mind to know what would be
the result Saan its immense het of water would becomeenlivened with thousands of
vesels and steamboats would ply between the towns which as a matter of course
would spring up on its shores, while on other locations akng the banks of the rivers
would be manufactories and sawmills
All this may come to pass, and indeed it must come to pass, for the marche
emigration is to the West and naught will arrestits advance but the mighty van.
Questions to consider
1. What is the appeal of California?
2. Why does Alimed Robinson believe that rative Californians" (Californis)
would laver US. anneration of California?
To what extent does this selection from Robinson's took support the belief in
Manifest Destiny