The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 20, July 1916 - April, 1917 Page: 43
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The Last Expedition of Josiah Gregg 43
drove the miners from the rich river bars, and which also was
sure to cause a scarcity of food to carry the large population
through the months of enforced idleness, many of the men pre-
pared to leave the mines. A great number drifted to San Fran-
cisco and other centers, where their earnings were soon gathered
in by the amusement and gambling resorts. To Josiah Gregg,
however, this respite from mining offered an opportunity for
wider activity.
The Trinity mines were greatly handicapped because they were
so difficult of access, being located far up the Sacramento Valley
and separated even from this by an almost impassable mountain
barrier. On the other hand it was believed that but a short dis-
tance lay between these mines and the mouth of the river, which,
as its name implies, was supposed to enter the ocean through the
bay known to the Spaniards and named by them Trinidad Bay.
During the mining season there was no time for explorations,
but if during the idle period a shorter route could be discovered
it would be a most desirable and probably also profitable under-
taking. Furthermore, according to the Indian guides, there was
at eight days' distance a beautiful bay surrounded by fertile
fields, which might offer opportunities for settlement and com-
merce. Such an adventure appealed most strongly to the scien-
tific mind of Gregg, so it was but natural that he should become
the leader of a body of men who had as their object the ex-
ploration of the country lying to the west of them.
One of the members, who has left a narrative of the expedi-
tion, says,4
Among the first and most active in getting up and organizing
the expedition was a gentleman by the name of Josiah Gregg, a
physician by profession, formerly of Missouri. Ile had with him
all the implements necessary to guide us through the uninhabited,
trackless region of country that lay between us and the point to
be sought. No one seemed better qualified to guide and direct
'The source of information for this expedition is a narrative by L. K.
Wood, one of the party. It was 'originally published in the Humbold
Times, April 26, 1856, seq., and has more than once been reprinted in it
.and other Eureka papers and also in pamphlet form by his son. It
may be found in the Kentucky State Historical Society, Register, VI,
19-32; in Elliott, History of Humboldt County, California, 83-95; and
in paraphrase in Bledsoe, Indian Wars of the Northwest, 73-103; and
Hittell, History of California, III, 817-832.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 20, July 1916 - April, 1917, periodical, 1917; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101070/m1/49/?rotate=90: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.