California Historical Society Quarterly/Volume 22/California Copyrights, 1851-1856

California Copyrights, 1851-1856

With Notes on Certain Ghost Books

By Edith Margaret Coulter

WHAT WAS the first California book to be copyrighted, and what type of material did our early California authors and artists consider worthy of protection under the copyright law? Probably not one in a hundred readers of this magazine can answer these questions without referring to the pages that follow. Book collectors and bibliographers have long been interested in the earliest California imprints, but little attention has been given to the first copyrights, although a complete record of the books, maps, and prints entered for copyright in California from 1851 to 1870 has been preserved. The Copyright Record Book of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California may be consulted in the Rare Book Room of the Library of Congress.^ A microfilm of the Record, secured by the writer in 1940, and an enlarged photo-print of each entry are now in the Bancroft Library, at the University of California. A study of this Record for the years 1 85 1 to 1856 appears of considerable in- terest in that it gives a picture of the product of the local presses during the early years of statehood. Of the books entered during this period twenty- two titles have not been identified, and they may therefore be considered California ghost books until copies make their appearance.

The history of copyright legislation as it affected California is here briefly stated. Prior to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, all of the original states, except Delaware, had passed copyright laws.^ This early legislation was due largely to the interest of Noah Webster, who journeyed from state to state advocating the protection of the rights of authors. The encouragement of letters by securing to authors for a limited time the exclusive ownership of their writings was not then a new idea to the delegates to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution contained the principle, but it was necessary to enact legislation to provide for the administration of the copyright privilege. Consequently, "An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned," was approved at the second session of the First Congress, May 31, 1790.^ This law required that the author or proprietor deposit a copy of any book or map published, or deposit a printed copy of the title of such book or map, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court where the author or proprietor shall reside. The Clerk was required to record the entry in a book

to be kept by him for that purpose. The manuscript record so kept comprises the official hst of copyrights issued. The author or proprietor was also required to deposit a copy with the United States Secretary of State within six months of publication.

Many amendments to the copyright law were enacted from 1790 to 1870. In 1802 prints were added to the list of material protected by copyright.* A law passed in 1831^ required that within three months the claimant was to deposit a copy of his work, not with the Secretary of State as formerly, but with the Clerk of the District Court, and the Clerk was enjoined to send, at least once a year, to the Secretary of State a certified list of all such records of copyright, including the titles so recorded, the dates of records, and also all the several copies of books and other works deposited in his office. The idea of building up a national repository of the literature produced in this country, and of protecting the author by an official record, led to the act of 1 846,^ which provided that within three months of publication one copy of each item should be delivered to the Librarian of the Smithsonian Institution, and one to the Librarian of Congress. In 1859^^ a law was approved which centered the records, deposits, and functions in the Patent Office; and the materials in the Department of State were transferred to this office. The law requiring copies to be deposited in the Smithsonian Institution and in the Library of Congress was repealed. In 1865^ the Library of Congress was again made the depository and the proprietor was required to deposit the copy within one month of publication. In this same measure, of March 3, 1865, the privilege of the copyright was extended to include photographs and their negatives. In 1870^ a new copyright law was enacted in which the registration of copyright was centered in the Library of Congress, and all records and deposits in the Patent Office and in the many District Courts were to be turned over to that institution.

The District Courts for Northern and for Southern California were established by Act of September 28, 1850.^° Ogden Hoffman held the office of judge of the District Court for Northern California from February 27, 1851 , to July 27, 1866, on which date the Court was reorganized. James McLIall Jones was appointed judge for the Southern District of California on December 26, 1 850, but was prevented by illness from assuming his legal duties, his death occurring on December 15, 1851.^^ Isaac S. K. Ogier, his successor, was not appointed until January 23, 1854, and held office until May 1861. Fletcher M. Haight, who succeeded him on August 5, 1861, served as judge until his death on February 23, 1866. The Court for the Southern District was abolished on July 27, 1 866,^^ at which time the two courts were united as the District Court of California at San Francisco, Judge Hoffman presiding. The Southern District was recreated by act of August 5, 1886.^^ By the terms of the act of July 27, 1866, abolishing the Southern District, the Clerk

thereof was required to transfer all papers, books and records to the San Francisco court.

By the Act of 1886 reconstituting the Southern District only current case records were to be sent south and then only when there was a request that the case be transferred. In reply to a recent inquiry the Deputy Clerk of the Northern District stated that to his knowledge there were no copyright records or books for the early period remaining in the San Francisco files.^*

The writer is unaware of a record of copyright, for the period 1854- 1856, granted by the Southern District, or of title copyrighted. That there were few if any books copyrighted during this period is partly substantiated by an article by Willard O. Waters, entitled "Los Angeles Imprints 1851-1876," which appeared in the Quarterly of the Historical Society of Southern California.^^ This checklist shows that for the years 1 85 1- 1 856, other than official proclamations, broadsides, etc., only three books or pamphlets were printed—William Money's Reform of the New Testament Church, 1854; Mormon Politics and Policies, by order of United Independent Democrats, 1856; and Money's Discovery of the Ocean, 1854. Mr. Waters had not located a copy of the latter, and no record of copyright appears in the other two.

There were entered for copyright in the Northern District of California for the five-year period October 25, 185 1, to December 4, 1856, one hundred and nineteen items. These consisted of sixty books, thirty-six lithographs, seven maps, four musical compositions, two broadsides, two newspapers, and six labels. It is to be remembered that the more important books relating to California, or books by authors who remained for only a short time in the State, were published east of the Mississippi or in Europe. Those published in California were for the most part ephemeral, but they present a picture of the interests and problems of a new society.

For example, the first two California books to be entered for copyright related to Mormonism. The first, entered on October 25, 185 1, by Nelson Slater, entitled The Fruits of Mormonism, was published at Coloma, by Harmon and Springer. Cowan states that it was "apparently the only book published in the historic town of Coloma."^^ Slater was one of some thousand persons forced by illness, loss of horses, and weather conditions to spend the winter in Salt Lake Valley while en route to the California gold mines. On reaching Carson Valley a group of these men decided to formulate a statement of the conditions imposed by the Mormons and to recount the treatment received at their hands. In addition to the statement, a petition to Congress, with a hundred and fifty signatures, asking that a military government be established in the Utah Territory, was drawn up. Slater embodied this account and petition in his Fruits of Mormonism. The second book, copyrighted five days later, strangely enough also related to the Mormons. The Abominations of Mormonism Exposed, Containing Many Facts and Doctrines, Concerning That Singular People, during Seven Years of Mem

bership with Them from 1840 to iS4rj was written by William Hall. It was entered for copyright by William McNair on October 30, 1851, and was published in Cincinnati the following year by J. Hart and Company. The feeling in California against the Mormons is further indicated by the fact that one of the early imprints of Los Angeles was entitled Mormon Politics and Policy, Political and Judicial Acts of the Mormon Authorities in San Bernardino, California, Proceedings of Public Meetings to Counteract the Influence of Mormon Doctrines as Taught to the Indians. This small pamphlet was printed at the office of El Clamor Publico, Francisco P. Ramirez and Co., printers, in 1856.

By 1 85 1 interest in California as a permanent residence is evidenced by a group of titles on the resources, the economic future and the problems of land ownership. John J. Werth's Dissertation on the Resources and Policy of California was published by St. Clair and Pinkham in 1851, one of the few titles printed at Benicia. A number of residents, including John Charles Fremont, Edward F. Beale, Hall McAllister, and William D. M. Howard, had urged Werth to embody the substance of a series of letters that he had contributed to the Alt a California into a more permanent form. James M. Crane in his The Past, the Present and the Future of the Pacific expressed the attitude of settlers who were impatient with the Federal Government for its failure to provide military roads, railroads and telegraph lines across the continent. The book was an elaboration of two lectures delivered by Crane in San Francisco. The Settlers' Guide by George W. Gift, published at Benicia and reprinted three years later at Stockton, is a summary of federal and state laws relating to preemption claims in California. Gift was a midshipman on the St. Mary and visited California in 1848. He later left the Navy and lived in Sacramento, San Rafael, and Napa.

A series of titles descriptive of western types— the miner, the gambler, the desperado— began with the publication in 1 85 3 of Alonzo Delano's Pen Knife Sketches or Chips of the Old Block, followed by his Old Block's Sketch Book or Tales of California Life. Both were illustrated by Charles Nahl, "the Cruikshank of California," to quote from the title page of the latter, and both were among the "best sellers" of the fifties. California Characters by Whittlestick and Mining Scenes and Sketches by an Old Miner is attributed to Henry C. Williston. It was published by Bonestell and Williston, Wide West Office, San Francisco, 1855. Another book published anonymously was George Denny or Sketches of Life in the Far West by Chinquopin. P. P. Hull and Company published this at the Town Talk office, San Francisco, 1856. In a somewhat different vein, John RoUin Ridge's The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit, by Yellow Bird was registered for copyright on June 3, 1854.

Calif ornians loved to sing, if we may judge from the quantity of song books and sheet music copyrighted. On November 15, 1852, George Faw

cett entered for copyright "Songs of the Mines, Written Expressly for the Sons of the Rocker by Robin Rover." The title page bore the following lines:

No shrilly strain, miscalled a song The high-flown air I bring you But, if your nerves are pretty strong A sailor's song I'll sing you.

On April 16, 1852, Joseph F. Atwell sought copyright protection for the "San Francisco Quadrilles Arranged from the Most Favorite Negro Melodies for the Pianoforte, Respectfully Dedicated to the Ladies of California by Their Sincere Admirer, George Peck." Put's Original Songs as Sung by the Sierra Nevada Rangers with Unbounded Applause throughout the State was entered on September 20, 1854, by John A. Stone. In 1854 Nicholas Charles Bochsa entered for copyright two volumes of opera entitled Anna Bishop's Operatic Library. Madame Bishop gave a series of concerts that year at the Metropolitan Theater in San Francisco. Bochsa, a harpist, acted as the manager. The books were published during this engagement. M. A. Richter presented for copyright a musical composition entitled "The California Pioneers," and Stephen C. Masset, the title "Clear the Way or Song of the Wagon Road." Masset, an Englishman, had come to California in 1846. He gave entertainments in San Francisco at which he sang his own songs. Notice of his farewell concert appeared in the Alta California of February 22, 1852. In 1863 Masset wrote Drifting About or What Jeems Pipes of Pipesville Saw and Did, This work is autobiographical and relates incidents of his several visits to California.

In one instance the copyright record has aided in identifying a partial ghost— a book preserved only as an imperfect copy with title page and preliminary pages lacking. It bears the running title "Guide to California." Wagner in Plains and the Rockies<r17> lists this under Platt, with date and place of publication lacking. The copy thus described was carried by Thomas Reber across the plains in 1854. On January 16, 1852, P. S. Piatt and Nelson Slater, the latter the author of "Fruits of Mormonism" entered for copyright a book entitled "The Traveller's Guide across the Plains , the Northern Overland Route from the States to California. Showing the Distances from Point to Point, Accurately Measured with Roadometers, and Describing the Springs, Streams of Water, Hills, Mountains, Camping Places, and Other Notable Objects along the Route, together with an Appendix, Containing the Routes from Council Bluffs to Fort Laramie, from Fort Leavenworth to the Big Blue River, the Routes by way of Salt Lake and Fort Hall, and a General Summary of Distances." This is without doubt the book referred to by Wagner.

In another instance the title of a book was registered and remains in manuscript today— "The Narrative of the Life and Adventures of G Yount, Comprising Much of the Early History of California and a Graphic Detail of the Scenes and Privations of a Border Life" by Orange Clark. A note in the Napa Register of October 1865 stated that "the Reverend Dr. Orange Clark of San Francisco once wrote a very interesting work on this old trapper (Yount) and it is probable that it will be published." Excerpts from Clark's "Narrative" were later printed in the California Historical Society Quarterly.^^ The Clark manuscript is now in the Bancroft Library, University of California.

Of the sixty books registered in the Northern District of California from October 25, 1851, to December 4, 1856, twenty-two have not been identified and are therefore phantoms to the writer. It is probable that certain titles were never published or were published in a small edition and if preserved at all exist only in an unique copy in private ownership or in a public collection not examined. The search for the titles is perhaps more of a game than a valued contribution to the history of book publication in the State. But whether they are ghosts or not, the intent to publish indicates the author's literary activities. For example, we learn from the copyright record that Warren Baer, the author of The Duke of Sacramento, wrote another play, "The Californian's Return"; that E. N. Spangenberg prepared for publication "A Trip to Australia or Lola Montez on the Fanny Major, A Local Drama in Two Acts"; that I. R. Poynter, M.D., wrote "Entewa, the Mountain Bird, a Romance of California Founded on Fact." Those interested in the mines might like to meet C. S. Capp's "Life West of the West," or "California Sketches Illustrating Life in the Mines"; or David Duncan's "The Miners' Guide Book"; or even George Fawcett's "Songs of the Mines, Written Expressly for the Sons of the Rocker by Robin Rover."

A list of copyrights entered in the Northern District of California from October 25, 1851, to December 4, 1856, in chronological order and including not only books but prints, maps, and labels, is given below.^^ No attempt has been made to identify the maps and prints for this article. The first entry is given in full to show the form used, and the ghosts, or those books not identified, are indicated by asterisks. The writer would appreciate learning of the existence and location of any of the unidentified titles.

List of Books, Maps, Prints, and Labels Copyrighted in the Northern District of California, 1851-56

1851 Oct. 25

District Court of the United States for the Northern [District] of California to wit:

Be it remembered that on the 25th day of October Anno domini one thousand Eight Hundred & fifty-one N. Slater of the said District hath deposited in this office the title of a Book the title of which is in the words following to wit: Fruits of Mormonism or a fair & candid statement of facts illustrative of Mormon Principles Mormon policy & Mormon character by more than forty Eyewitnesses Compiled by N. Slater A.M. the right whereof he claims as author in conformity with an Act of Congress entitled An act to Amend the several Acts respecting Copy rights.

Jno A Monroe
Clerk of the Distr.

Oct. 30

18 s 2 Jan. 14 Jan. 16

Jan. 24

Feb. 17 March 2

(March 15 March 14 March 25 April 3

April 9 April 16

Jm April 17 April 29

May 17

Hall, William

The Abominations of Mormonism exposed, containing many Facts and Doctrines, concerning that singular People, during seven years membership with them from 1840 to 1847.

• POYNTER, I. R.

Entewa, The Mountain Bird, a Romance of California, founded on fact. Platt, p. L., and Slater N[elson]

The Traveller's Guide, across the Plains, The Northern overland route, from the States to California, showing the distances from point to point, accurately measured with roadometers, and describing the Springs, Streams of water. Hills, Mountains, Camping places, and other notable objects along the route, together with an Appendix containing the Routes from Council Bluffs to Ft. Laramie, from Fort Leavenworth to the Big Blue river. The routes by way of Salt Lake, and Ft. Hall, and a general summary of distances.

Shelton, C. a.

Miners Prospecting— and Miners Cabin, Result of the Day. (Lithograph

engravings.)

Sweeney, George F., and Baugh, Theodore E. Marine Telegraph Signals. (Lithograph engraving.)

Paul, Charles F.

The Flying Fish. (Lithograph engraving.)

GODDARD, G[eORGE] H.

Sonora. (Lithograph engraving.) RiCHTER, M. A.

The California Pioneers. (Musical composition.) GoDDARD, G. H.

Columbia. January, 1852. (Lithograph engraving.) Morrill, Charles

The Eureka Compound for Fever & Ague and all Billions & Nervous diseases of a Periodic character. (Label.) Pierce, J[oshua] H., and Johnson, W. H. J. A. Sutter. (Lithograph.)

• Atwill, J[oseph] F.

The San Francisco Quadrilles, arranged from the most favorite Negro Melodies for the Piano Forte, respectfully dedicated to the Ladies of Cali- fornia by their sincere admirer, George Peck. Sharp, George F., and Baugh, Theodore E. Marine Telegraph Signals. (Lithograph.) Werth, John J.

A dissertation on the resources and policy of California, mineral, agricul- tural, and commercial including a plan for the disposal of the mineral lands.

• Davis, George H., and Harris, A. H.

Bankers Merchants and Miners table for the purchase and sale of Gold-dust at from $16 & $17.50 per ounce from one grain to one Th ousand Ounces.

July 9 Cooke & Le Count

Stockton. (Lithograph engraving.) July 9 Cooke & Le Count

Sacramento City. (Lithograph engraving.)

Aug. 4 Parker, James M.

San Francisco City Directory illustrated with a Map of the City. Aug. 5 Cooke & Le Count

Bird's Eye view of San Francisco. (Lithograph engraving.)

Oct. 7 Bennett, Nathaniel

Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the State of California.

Oct. 20 Plan of the village of Grass valley, Nevada County, California. (Litho-

graph.)

Nov. 5 Parker, James M.

The San Francisco Directory for the year 1852-53 emgracing a general directory of Citizens, A Street Directory, A New & complete Map of the City, and an Appendix of general information, an Almanac, etc.

Nov. 15 *Fawcett, George

Songs of the Miners, written expressly for the Sons of the Rocker by Robin Rover.

Nov. 20 *Bingham, William St. Maur

Genealogical Tree of Jesus Christ showing the Descent of the Patriarchs, the Jewish Hierarchy and Historians with other interesting Matter.

Dec. 20 Ogilby, R. E.

View of Ham's Mammoth Aqueduct, California. (Lithograph engraving.)

7 5*55 Benton, J[oseph] A[ugustine]

March 12 The California Pilgrim.

March 2 1 Britton, Rey & Trask

Topographical Map of the Mineral Districts of California, being the first map published from Actual Survey, by John B. Trask. (Map.)

March 26 Eddy, William M.

Approved and declared to be the Official Map of the State of California, by an Act of the Legislature passed March 26th, 1853. (Map.)

April 29 Wells, G. S.

Sonora from the North. (Map, lithographed.) Springfield, Tuolumne County. (Map, lithographed.)

May 4 Barthrop, G.

Yreka, Siskiyou County, A view from the Humbug Trail with Shasta Butte in the distance. (Lithograph engraving.)

May 12 * Wheeler, 0[sgood] C[hurch]

Sketches of the Life Trial Confession and Execution of Stewart Ackerman, & Thompson (Dunham) For the Murder of John Carroll, Alias "Boot Jack" in Sacramento City on the night of Feb. 20, 1853.

June 2 Taylor, Alexander S.

The Voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, first discoverer of the coasts of California and of his pilot Bartolome Ferrelo.

June 8 Hanford, H.

Mammoth Arbor Vitge standing on the head waters of the Stanislaus and San Antoine rivers in Calaveras County, California, diameter 3 1 feet at the base, circumference 96 feet, height 294 feet, 3000 years old. (Lithograph engraving.)

June 12 Ryan, R. F.

California past and present, Judges and criminals or shadows of the past.

June 15 Richardson, John H.

View of Camp Seco and Quartz Mountain, Tuolumne county. (Litho- graph engraving.)

Aug. 6 Tennent, Thomas

Map of Lower Oregon and Upper California from the latest and most authentic Surveys. (Map.)

Aug. 9 Hale & Emory

Hale and Emory's Marysville City Directory, August 1853, First Publication.

Sept. 27 Britton & Rey

Map of the State of California, drawn and compiled from the most recent surveys by J. B. Trask. (Map.)

Oct. 19 CoLViLLE, Samuel, Publisher

The Sacramento "Directory for the year" 1853-54 embracing a general

Directory of citizens, an Appendix of general information etc., together

with a history of Sacramento, written by Dr. John F. Morse. Oct. 25 Anthony, James, Publisher

Pen Knife sketches or chips of the old Block, a series of illustrated letters

written by one of California's Pioneer Miners . . . Nov. 3 Adams & Co. Express

Likeness of D. Hale Haskell Esq. one of the firm of Adams & Co.

(Vignette, or stamp.)

Dec. 12 Hunt, T. Dwight

The past and present of the Sandwich Islands, being a series of lectures to

the First Congregational Church, San Francisco. Dec. 30 HuTCHiNGs, James M [ason]

The Miners ten Commandments. 1 8^4 Hepburn, H. P. ,

April 1 3 Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the state

of California in the year 1852. April 22 Gift, George W.

Settler's Guide containing all the circulars and Laws relating to Pre-Emp-

tion claims in California. April 22 *Kauffman, Edward

A Miner's theory of Earth's construction and Relations. May 6 Britton & Rey

Capt. Sutter's account of the first-discovery of the Gold. (Broadside.) May II *ToLER, Hopeful

Cornelia Bororquia or A Tale of the Inquisition, translated from the original

in Spanish by an America Citizen to which is added an Appendix showing

the number of victims to the Inquisition in Spain from 1452 to 1808.

June 3 LiNDLEY, Charles, and Ridge, John R.

The life and adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the celebrated California Bandit. By Yellow Bird.

June 6 Zakreski, Alexander

An improved Topographical map of the Northern and Middle Mines compiled from the most recent and authentic surveys showing a practicable Route for the great Atlantic & Pacific Rail-Road through the Sierra Nevada at Fredonyers Pass with a faithful delineation of the Course of Rivers, Mountains, Ranges & location of Cities Towns Roads Mines etc.

June 9 Emmert, Paul

A Panoramic view of the city of Honolulu. Oahu. Sandwich Islands, with its public buildings principle mercantile Houses & private residences. (Lithograph engraving.)

June 9 Bonestell & Williston

California Characters, by Whittlestick, and Mining Scenes, and Sketches, by an old Miner.

June 20 Douglas, I. W.

California Vaquero Scene (Wood cut engraving.)

July 18 BocHSA, Nicholas Charles

Anna Bishop's Operatic Library. Der Freischutz or The Seven Bullets.* Grand Romantic Opera. In three Acts. The Music by Carl Maria von Weber, Translated from the original German into English and performied for the first time in California at the Metropolitan Theatre, San Francisco.

Aug. 22 HuTCHiNGS, James M.

Hutchings, California Scenes, The Mammoth Tree. (Wood engravings.) Aug. 25 Hittell, John S[hertzer]

The evidences against Christianity, or Dare you look on the other Side? Aug. 25 *Hittell, John S.

Werther and Preciosa, Translations from the German of Goethe and the

Spanish of Cervantes.

Sept. 20 Stone, John A.

Put's original California Songster. The Land of Gold. Original Songs as sung by the Sierra Nevada Rangers, with unbounded applause throughout the State.

Sept. 21 BocHSA, Nicholas Charles

Anna Bishop's Operatic Library— Judith, a grand opera spectacle in six

tableaux, Dramatized and the music selected from Verdi's celebrated Sacred

Operas, Nabucco, I Lombardi, Joan of Arc etc. Oct. 20 Barber & Baker

Miners Life. (Lithograph engraving.)

Oct. 26 *YouNG, J[acob] C.

Pocket AEsculapius or Medical Companion, being observations on Man- hood in its premature decline, embracing critical and practical treatises on venereal diseases impotency and sterility. The proper study of Mankind is Man.

Nov. 25 Murray, John Frederick Alexander

Wood cut or stamp with the likeness of John Frederick Alex. Murray and the word Murray imprinted above and "Venerial Prophylactic" below.

Dec. 4 Barber & Baker

San Francisco. Past and present. San Francisco as it was 1 849. San Francisco as it is 1854. (Wood cut.)

Dec. 8 CouRNER, I. W. [J. W. Conner? ]

Daily Alta California. (Daily newspaper.)

Dec. 16 McDonald & Levy

Manzanita. Compound Fluid Extract. (Label.)

Dec. 18 *Benham, John M.

The Golden Cloud— or the True Gospel Way.

Dec. 23 Baker, George H[olbrook]

Map of the Mining Region of California, 1854. (Lithographic map.)

Dec. 29 Wood, John Henry

Italian Cough Remedy. (Label.)

18 ss * Duncan, David

Jan. 10 The Miner's Guide Book, being an essay on Geology as relates to Gold

Mining.

Feb. 20 Little & Co.

Dr. Devine's compound Pitch Lozenge— for the cure of Coughs Colds and Bronchial Affections. (Label.)

March 10 * Clark, John Goddard, and Yount, George C.

A Narrative of the life and adventures of George C. Yount, comprising much of the early history of California and a graphic detail of the scenes and privations of a border life. By his friend Orange Clark.

March 27 Hepburn, H. P.

Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of The State of California in the year 1853.

May 23 Ryan, R, F.

The Cosmopolitan. (Weekly newspaper.)

June 14 Hutchings, James M.

Hutching's California Scenes— Methods of Mining. (Wood cut engraving.)

July 5 Horn, George

Horn's Examiner into the Laws of nature.

July 10 *Lecount & Strong

Corporation Manual of the City of San Francisco, containing the new City Charters, approved May 5th, 1855, with an alphabetical Analysis by J. R. West.

Aug. I Plecker, D. a.

A Correct view of the Mammouth Tree Grove. (Lithograph engraving.)

Aug. I KiBBE, William C.

The Volunteer containing exercises and movements of Infantry, Light Infantry, Riflemen and Cavalry compiled from the most approved works and dedicated to the volunteers of California.

Sept. 6 Wheeler, Alfred

Wheeler's Topographical Map of San Francisco County. Surveyed by Vitus Wackenreuder for Alfred W heeler.

Sept. 8 HuTCHiNGs, James M.

Hutchings Panoramic Scenes in California. The Yo-Hamite Falls, Situated

in the Yo-Hamite Valley near the source of the Middle Fork of the River

Merced, Mariposa County, California. Oct. 6 Walbridge, D. S. [Dunstan S. Walbridge]

Fifty Vara Lot No Within the Block bounded by and

streets. (Lithograph engraving.) Nov. 7 Craine, J. V.

The Conspirators Victim, or the life and adventures of J. V. Craine, who

vi^as hung at Coloma Cala. October 26th, 1855. Written by himself in prison.

Nov. 15 KUCHEL AND DrESEL

Stockton. (Stone cut engraving.) Nov. 28 Ayres, T[homas] A.

The Mammoth Tree Grove. (Stone cut engraving.) Nov. 30 Scott, W[illiam] A[nderson]

The Wedge of Gold, or Achan in El Dorado. Dec. I *Baer, Warren

The Californian's Return. Dec. 24 HiTTELL, John S.

The Evidences against Christianity.

Dec. 3 1 KucHEL & Dresel

Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County. (Stone cut engraving.)

18^6 MoisE, Henry

Jan. 17 The California Fireman's Certificate. Frame Dedicated to the fire depart-

ments of California. (Sketch.)

Jan. 19 Baer, Warren

The Duke of Sacramento

Jan. 30 McKorkell W[illiam]

Gentle Mary Hand, Ballad written by Frank Soule, Esq. composed by W. McKorkell. (Musical composition.)

Feb. 14 Davis & Ray

Placerville, Eldorado County. (Stone cut engraving.) Feb. 19 Hepburn, H. P.

Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the State of California in the year 1854.

March 15 Kuchel & Dresel

Nevada, 1856. (Stone cut engraving.)

April 2 Crane, James M.

The past. The present and the future of the Pacific.

April 19 Delano, A[lonzo]

Old Block's Sketch-Book or Tales of California life.

April 29 Massett, Stephen C.

Clear the way or Song of the Wagon road. (Musical composition.)

May 19 *Capp, C[harles] S.

Life, West of "the West" or California Sketches illustrating Camp Life in the Mines.

May 20 *Sabatt, Henry J.

The Practice act of California, entitled an act to regulate proceedings in the civil cases in the Courts of Justice in this State as passed April 29, and amended May 18, 1853, May 18, 1854, April 28, May 4 and May 7, 1855, with notes, appendix and index.

May 29 HiTTELL, John S.

The evidences against Christianity, Revised, corrected and enlarged.

May 29 HuTCHiNGS, James M.

James King of William. The Patriot Martyr of California. Editor of the San Francisco Evening Bulletin who was murderously assassinated by James P. Casey, May 14th, 1856. Portrait of Mr. King after death. Showing the entrance and exit of the fatal ball. (Wood engraving.)

June 5 * Taylor, E. A.

The California Register and Statistical Reporter.

June 23 Chinquopin

George Denny or Sketches of life in the far West by Chinquopin.

July 1 1 *Spangenberg, E. M.

A trip to Australia or Lola Montez on the Fanny Major, A local Drama in Two Acts.

Aug. 6 Nahl, Charles and Lang, C. E.

Committee of Vigilance of San Francisco. Reorganized 15th May 1856 for the mutual protection of life & property. In the name of the people. This is to certify that (blank) (blank). No. (blank) is a member of the Committee of Vigilance of the City of San Francisco. (Lithographic design.)

Aug. 18 Case, Charles S.

Trial of David S. Terry. By the Committee of Vigilance, San Francisco.

Sept. 18 Crocker, E[dwin] B.

California Digest, being a digest of Decisions of the Supreme Court of the state of California.

Oct. 8 *Udell, J[oseph] H.

The History of the Committee of Vigilance of 1856. together with the causes that produced it, illustrated with a full and complete narrative of everything which transpired during that eventful period.

Oct. 28 Roman, Anton

Shasta, 1856. Shasta County, California. (Stone cut engraving.)

Oct. 28 Fagg & Feast

Weaverville. 1856. Trinity County, California. (Stone cut engraving.)

Nov. 6 Carroll, W.

Dr. Scott. The Vigilance Committee and the Church. A Lecture by W. Carroll. Delivered in Musical Hall San Francisco, October 12th, 1856.

Nov. II Oakes, W[illiam] H.

He fell at his post doing duty. Words by Caxton, written on the death of James King of William. Music composed by R. Herold. (Musical composition.)

Nov. 13 Roman, A[nton]

Yreka. 1856. Siskiyou County, Cal. (Stone cut engraving.)

Dec. 3 *HuBBARD, Lorenzo, M.D.

Rise and Progress of the Committee of Vigilance,

Dec. 15 *Shannon & Armstrong

The Editorial writings of James King of Wm., Late Editor of the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, With a preface etc.

Dec. 20 Wheat, M[arvin]

Travels on the Western Slope of the Mexican Cordillera in form of Fifty- one letters descriptive of much of the portion of the Republic of Mexico, of some of its chief cities and towns of the constitutional aspect and topo- graphical features of that region and of its productions and capabilities embracing its commerce, agriculture, industry, mineral & forest resources, as well as manners and customs of the people.

Dec. 24 Crocker, E. B.

California Digest, being a Digest of Decisions of the Supreme Court of the State of California.

NOTES

1. Copyright Record Book, United States District Court for the Northern District of California (original MS in Library of Congress, Washington, D. C, stored during the war; copy in Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley) .

2. Roberts, Martin A., Records in the Copyright Office Deposited by the United States District Courts (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1939).

3. Solberg, Thorvald, Copyright Enactments, ijS^-ipoo, U. S. Library of Congress, Copyright Office, Bulletin No. 3, 1900.

4. 2 U. S. Stat, at L. (1799-1813), 171-72.

5. 4 U. S. Stat, at L. (1824-35), 436-39.

6. 9 U. S. Stat, at L. (1845-51), 106.

7. II U.S.Stat, at L. (1855-59), 380-81.

8. 13 L7. S. Stat, at L. (1864-65), 540-41.

9. 16 U.S. Stat, at L. (1869-71), 212-15. ID. g U.S. Stat, at L. (1845-50,521-22.

11. See George Cosgrave, "J^nies McHall Jones, the Judge That Never Presided," in this Quarterly, XX (June 1941), 97-116.

12. 14 U. S. Stat, at L. (1865-67), 300.

13. 2^ U.S. Stat, at L. (1885-87), 308.

14. Verbal statement by Carl W. Calbreath, deputy clerk, October 14, 1942.

15. Historical Society of Southern California Quarterly, XIX (1937), 63-94; ^^ (1938), 60-83, 93-118.

16. Cowan, Robert E., A Bibliography of the History of California, is 10-1930 (San Francisco: Printed by John Henry Nash, 1933) .

17. Wagner, Henry Raup, The Plains and the Rockies Revised and Extended by Charles L. Camp (San Francisco: Grabhorn Press, 1937).

18. Camp, Charles L., "Chronicles of George C. Yount," in this Quarterly, II (April 1923), 3-66.

19. The list is printed, by permission, from the original Copyright Record Book in the Library of Congress.