d the later but
more substantial movement upon the development of the silver mines of
Nevada. I could have recounted the efforts made in 1860 and 1861
to keep the State in the Union against the movements of the
Secessionists, and the communications had with President Lincoln
by relays of riders over the Plains. I could have described the
commencement, progress, and completion of the Pacific railroad, and
the wonderful energy and unfailing resolution of its constructors. I
could have told you stories without number, full of interest, of the
Judges of California, State and Federal, who preceded me on the bench,
and of members of the profession; of Hastings, Bennett, Lyons, Wells,
Anderson, Heydenfeldt, and Murray, of the State Supreme Court; of
Hoffman and McAllister of the Federal bench; of Robinson, Crittenden,
Randolph, Williams, Yale, McConnell, Felton, and others of the Bar,
now dead, and of some who are at its head, now living; composing as a
whole a bar not exceeded in ability, learning, eloquence, and literary
culture by that of any other State of the Union. But you asked me
merely for personal reminiscences, of occurrences at Marysville and
during the days preceding my going there. I will, therefore, postpone
until another occasion a narrative which I think will be more
interesting than anything I have here related.

[1] These sketches were in the main dictated to a short-hand
writer at the request of Mr. Theodore H. Hittell, of San
Francisco.

[2] The letter is printed at the end of this narrative at
page 135.

THE CAREER OF JUDGE FIELD ON THE SUPREME BENCH OF CALIFORNIA, BY JUDGE
JOSEPH G. BALDWIN, HIS ASSOCIATE FOR THREE YEARS.

[_From the Sacramento Union, of May 6, 1863._]

"The resignation by Judge Field of the office of Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of California, to take effect on the 20th
instant, has been announced. By this event the State has
been deprived of the ablest jurist who ever presided over her
courts. Judge Field came to California from New York in
1849, and settled in Marysville. He immediately commenced the
practice of law and rose at once to a high position at the
local bar, and upon the organization of the Supreme Court soon
commanded a place in the first class of the counsel practicing
in that forum. For many years, and until his promotion to
the bench, his practice was as extensive, and probably as
remune