An Overland Journey from New York to San Francisco in the Summer of 1859

by Horace Greeley, Jo Ann Manfra (Introduction)

In the spring of 1859 Horace Greeley, celebrated editor of the New-York Tribune , set off to explore the projected central route for a great transcontinental railroad line connecting the Mississippi Valley and the West Coast. Greeley traveled to California, primarily by stagecoach, and sent back a series of letters describing the scenery and human endeavor he encountered. He dismissed the plains as a region of "sterility and thirst." Of the new gold fields near Denver he predicted that they were only a modest representation of the rich veins that ran throughout the Rockies. He understood too that it would be those who mined the miners, rather than those who dug for gold, who would reap financial rewards. An inveterate reporter, Greeley commented on everything he saw, from prairie dogs to Mormons to the scenic wonders of the Yosemite valley. He was tireless in recounting economic possibilities for farmers, miners, ranchers, and merchants, ultimately concluding that much of the West was a vast, untapped resource waiting for courageous pioneers and innovative settlers.

Genres: History

386 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

About the author

Horace Greeley was an American editor of a leading newspaper, a founder of the Liberal Republican Party, a reformer, and a politician. His New York Tribune was America's most influential newspaper from the 1840s to the 1870s and "established Greeley's reputation as the greatest editor of his day."[1] Greeley used it to promote the Whig and Republican parties, as well as opposition to slavery and a host of reforms. Crusading against the corruption of Ulysses S. Grant's Republican administration, he was the new Liberal Republican Party's candidate in the 1872 U.S. presidential election. Despite having the additional support of the Democratic Party, he lost in a landslide. He is currently the only presidential candidate who has died during the electoral process.

Reviews

[Trey Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account. Reads like what it is - a diary.

[Anne Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horace Greeley's diary-like log of his travels from New York to San Francisco in 1859. Full of dry, witty observances and careful detail for readers not used to travels in the West, Greeley brings his journey (both positive and negative) to life and leaves for historians a brilliant journal of what travel was like, and what travelers should expect to get used to on their way to California. I only wish Greeley had been able to complete the journey he originally intended to make, going back to New York by way of the Butterfield Mail Coach through California, Tucson, and more! I would have loved to have read that!

[David Cortes · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's impossible to read a non-fiiction book, such as this, written over 150 years ago, without looking upon it with a modern set of eyes...

As educated, as popular and industrious in the realm of Journalism, and as passionate about the Republican Party as Mr. Greeley was, he was incredibly naive and equally as callow regarding the "adventures" facing the men and women he would emphatically attempt to motivate to head west, to fulfill their Manifest Destiny, attain riches, and civilize the natives, for "they are utterly incompetent to cope in any way with European or Caucasian race".

This drive for "civilizing" and expanding of the borders of the Union may seem noble and just on paper, but in practice was just another form of American theft, deceit and genocide. The raping and pillaging of lands and natural resources that did not belong to them is never once mentioned in these papers, merely the importance of connecting the two great coasts of this country.

I cannot defend Mr. Greeley's writings and found them to be in no way informative, let alone motivational or inspirational. Yet another privileged white man looking to expand his empire...
Boo to you sir. Boooooo!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leaving Greeley’s social commentary out of my rating. The text was full of run-on sentences that made retention difficult. Also felt that Greeley should have included Oregon and Washington in this trip before giving some of his opinions on California. The most interesting part was the interview with Brigham Young.