The migration from New England and the middle states to California in 1849 and 1850, was one of the remarkable events in the history of the American Union. It was one of those events, of which the history of the world furnishes many examples, accomplishing in the end results far removed from the purposes sought in their conception, and apparently carrying out the designs of an overruling providence, in which man has only served as its instrument. It is a question worthy of consideration, whether the destiny of the American republic would have reached its present measure of accomplishment, without the inspiration which a mere thirst for gold served to excite. It was another of those incidents, of which the Pilgrim colonization was a striking example, which reached its consummation through the aid of the merchants of London, who were looking merely for discoveries of ores of gold and silver to reward their enterprise. On the 9th of February, 1848, while three Americans were at work repairing the race way of Sutter’s Mill, on the American fork of Sacramento river, a little daughter of Mr. Marshal, the superintendent of the mill, picked up a lump of gold, and showed it to her father as a pretty plaything. The discovery was too important to be kept secret, and a letter written by Rev. C. S. Lyman appeared in the March number of the _American Journal of Science_ announcing it to the world. No news ever spread more rapidly. In the New England states, and in Massachusetts, especially, a wave of migration set in, which was as strong in Plymouth as elsewhere. The time was favorable; the supply of labor was just then greater than the demand, and the temptation to seek wealth in California became almost irresistible. Those who at once made preparations to go were the bone and sinew of the town, carpenters, masons, painters and clerks, and for a time after their departure our streets seemed almost deserted. Among the first to leave were those who sailed in the Brig Isabelle of Plymouth, Chandler Burgess, Jr. of Plymouth, master, which sailed from New York, January 14, 1849. Her passengers were: Ephraim Paty, Jr., James Burgess, Jr., Freeman Morton, Jr., Stephen Pember, Winslow Morton, George Morton of Plymouth, and twenty-one others. The schooner Roanoke sailed from Boston, January 19, 1849, carrying Russell Bourne, John E. Sever and Frederick Morton of Plymouth. The Capitol from Boston sailed in January, 1849, with Rufus Ball, Thomas Atwood, Thomas Wood, James A. Young, Jacob Hersey, James M. Thomas, Daniel Bickford, George E. Lugerder, Adam E. Stetson, George E. Burns, Tolman French and one hundred and eighty-four others. The Rochelle sailed from Boston, February 7, 1849, with Daniel P. Bates, Wm. Churchill, Josiah Byram, David Gurney and John T. Pratt. The bark Diman sailed from New Bedford, February 8, 1849, with Hiram Churchill and Samuel D. Barnes.