-Editor's Note to this Reprint- I had great pleasure reprinting and publishing this historical treasure. Revere's eyewitness to the Gold Rush while serving in the U.S. Navy is fascinating. The muscularity of his world view, insight to the racism of the times, and his prophetic predictions for the Golden State, all combine to make this a worthwhile project. I thank the Ventura County Library of Ventura, California for bringing this book to my attention. Kenneth E. Bingham April, 2011 An Important Work on the California Gold Rush and Gold Regions Of California in 1849 OF ALL THE MANY BOOKS TO WHICH THE CALIFORNIA EXCITEMENT HAS GIVEN, LIEUTENANT JAMES W. REVERE's--the Grandson of Paul Revere--book is probably the most concise and comprehensive, as well as being of a lively and attractive style abounding in anecdote and graphic scenery. His official capacity, and the favorable circumstance, of his approach to the "El Dorado,"together with an apparent accurate understanding of the matter, make his book exceedingly valuable to those who wish as it were a personal introduction to men and things in that remarkable region. --From the 1849 UNITED STATES MAGAZINE and DEMOCRATIC REVIEW