the currency." This was m 1843. Bidwell further states that Sandels explored as far north as Chico creek. Mr Dickey was with him. They did not examine any mountains except the Buttes. On his return to the fort Sandels reported " indications of gold, but that unless the mountains on the sides were richer than those in the valleys, the mines would not pay to work."
A man came from the southern part of California to Sutter Fort in the autumn of this same year, 1843, calling himself Juan Baptiste Buelle. In an old quill, which looked as if it had been brought from New Mexico, were a few particles of gold, which he said he had found on the American river. This excited the suspicions of Bidwell, who was present, and these suspicions were increased when the man asked for two pack-horses laden with provisions, and an Indian boy to attend him. He wished to go in search of gold, he said, and he would be absent several days. There was a company of Canadian trappers in the vicinity about to start for Oregon. It was not known that Ruelle belonged to them, but it was feared that with so valuable an outfit he might forget to return. Hence his request was denied.
E. Stevens, a practical gold -miner from Georgia, and the leader of Townsend's party in 1844, came to California with the avowed purpose of discovering gold. While crossing the Bocky Mountains, or shortly afterward, he thought that he recognized indications, and one night, when encamped at some point in Utah, washed out a small quantity of dirt and found the color. Nevertheless, this mining expert and professed gold seeker crossed the Sierra, returned to its summit in the spring for the wagons of his party, and thence to camp, thus, without being aware of it, travelling several times over the very ground of which he was in search. In the Southern Quarterly, in 1845, some one made hap-hazard the fol-
