These interesting little maps were made by Lt. William T. Sherman, of later Civil War fame, who drew the maps when he was working as an adjutant to U.S. Military Gov. Mason. Gold was first discovered in January 1848 and Sutter tried in vain to keep the discovery quiet. In July, Col. Mason, the Military Governor of California, toured the diggings and sent a report to the President officially announcing the discovery of gold. These maps were a part of this important report, and spawned the great California Gold Rush

. The map at the top of the sheet shows the Upper Mines along the South Fork of the American River and shows where James Marshall first found gold. The lower map depicts numerous tents surrounding a store with a large area of the bar marked GOLD.

References: Wheat (Gold) #52.

Condition: A

Tiny chip in bottom margin, well away from maps.