Faxon Dean Atherton (1815–1877) was an American businessman, trader and landowner; initially successful in Valparaíso , Chile . He became a prominent citizen of San Mateo County, California . The town of Atherton, California is named after him.
151-466: John Augustus Sutter (February 23, 1803 – June 18, 1880), born Johann August Sutter and known in Spanish as Don Juan Sutter , was a Swiss immigrant who became a Mexican and later an American citizen, known for establishing Sutter's Fort in the area that would eventually become Sacramento, California , the state's capital. His employee James W. Marshall discovered gold , leading to the founding of
302-637: A Swiss person which was in use during the 16th to 19th centuries, and land . The English adjective Swiss is a loanword from French Suisse , also in use since the 16th century. The name Switzer is from the Alemannic Schwiizer , in origin an inhabitant of Schwyz and its associated territory , one of the Waldstätte cantons which formed the nucleus of the Old Swiss Confederacy . The Swiss began to adopt
453-681: A lower house (the National Council , with representatives elected from across the country). Referendums were made mandatory for any amendments. This new constitution ended the legal power of nobility in Switzerland . A single system of weights and measures was introduced, and in 1850 the Swiss franc became the Swiss single currency , complemented by the WIR franc in 1934. Article 11 of
604-676: A national personification of the Swiss confederacy in the 17th century in a 1672 play by Johann Caspar Weissenbach. The state of Switzerland took its present form with the adoption of the Swiss Federal Constitution in 1848. Switzerland's precursors established a defensive alliance in 1291, forming a loose confederation that persisted for centuries. The oldest traces of hominid existence in Switzerland date to about 150,000 years ago. The oldest known farming settlements in Switzerland, which were found at Gächlingen , date to around 5300 BC. The earliest known tribes formed
755-559: A French passport , he boarded the ship Sully , which travelled from Le Havre, France , to New York City, where it arrived on July 14, 1834. In North America, John Augustus Sutter (as he would call himself for the rest of his life) undertook extensive travels. Before he went to the United States , he had learned Spanish and English in addition to French. He and 35 Germans moved from the St. Louis area to Santa Fe , New Mexico, then
906-418: A Swiss immigrant that served as Sutter's majordomo , wrote of the treatment of the enslaved once captured: "As the room had neither beds nor straw, the inmates were forced to sleep on the bare floor. When I opened the door for them in the morning, the odor that greeted me was overwhelming, for no sanitary arrangements had been provided. What these rooms were like after ten days or two weeks can be imagined, and
1057-517: A change of policy following threats from Germany. Over 100 Allied bombers and their crews were interned. Between 1940 and 1945, Switzerland was bombed by the Allies , causing fatalities and property damage. Among the cities and towns bombed were Basel , Brusio , Chiasso , Cornol , Geneva, Koblenz , Niederweningen , Rafz , Renens , Samedan , Schaffhausen , Stein am Rhein , Tägerwilen , Thayngen , Vals , and Zurich. Allied forces maintained that
1208-925: A country house on the Peninsula, and was soon followed by other prominent San Francisco families—the Selbys, the Floods, the Macondrays, and later the Hopkins and the Stanfords. Atherton had chosen to liquidate all his assets in Chile and reinvested heavily into California. His real estate purchases included Valparaiso Park in San Mateo County; the land now forms much of present-day Atherton. This included 640 acres (2.6 km ) at ten dollars an acre of land on
1359-458: A declaration of Independence and proclaim California a Republic independent of Mexico." On July 7, 1846, Commodore John B. Montgomery , in the aftermath of the renegade Bear Flag Revolt's Battle of Monterey , raised the American flag there. Montgomery sent a messenger with an American flag to Sutter, who, on July 11, 1846, hoisted the same, completing formal transition of his fort to US command
1510-479: A great fortune from his many enterprises; his shipping business and the import and export of goods. In 1848, Atherton corresponded with Thomas Larkin over the disappearance of his brother, Robert in Mazatlán the previous year. Atherton's brother was at the time working for Thomas Larkin on a Gold project in Mazatlán. A year later his brother got promoted to emigration as part of the gold rush, which Atherton had at
1661-474: A highway between Valparaiso and Santiago. Instead he returned to Chile with a $ 259 rotary printing press and a supply of enamel "address cards". He established a ship chandler's store in Valparaiso, whilst at the same time trading in the hide and tallow and other merchandise. It was during this time that he met George Henry Bowen, who would become his business partner and lifelong friend. In Valparaiso he
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#17327729750871812-409: A large ranching/farming network in the area, Sutter relied on Indian labor. Some Native Americans worked voluntarily for Sutter (e.g. Nisenans , Miwoks, Ochecames ), but others were subjected to varying degrees of coercion that resembled slavery or serfdom . Sutter believed that Native Americans had to be kept "strictly under fear" in order to serve white landowners. Housing and working conditions at
1963-654: A letter to a relative that “the Indians of California make as obedient and humble slaves as the Negro in the South". If Indians refused to work for him, Sutter responded with violence. Observers accused him of using "kidnapping, food privation, and slavery" in order to force Indians to work for him, and generally stated that Sutter held the Indians under inhumane conditions. Theodor Cordua, a German immigrant who leased land from Sutter, wrote: "When Sutter established himself in 1839 in
2114-841: A major general in the California Militia . Sutter's El Sobrante (Spanish for leftover) land grant was challenged by the Squatters' Association, and in 1858 the US Supreme Court denied its validity. Sutter got a letter of introduction to the Congress of the United States from the governor of California. He moved to Washington, D.C. at the end of 1865, after Hock Farm was destroyed by fire in June of that year. Sutter sought reimbursement of his losses associated with
2265-598: A new town he named Sacramento , after the Sacramento River . The elder Sutter deeply resented this; he had wanted the town named Sutterville (for both of them) and for it to be built near New Helvetia. Sutter gave up New Helvetia to pay the last of his debts. He rejoined his family and lived on Hock Farm (north of Sacramento along the Feather River ). In 1853, the California legislature made Sutter
2416-466: A now destitute Castro leaving for Chile. Atherton in turn began selling off his portion in smaller parcels. Two men named Cull (the namesake of Cull Canyon) and Luce bought some 2,400 acres (10 km ) and began running a steam-operated saw mill in Redwood Canyon. The Jensen brothers also bought land from Atherton in 1867. Atherton is credited with initiating the custom of owning
2567-768: A province of Mexico , then moved to the town of Westport, now the site of Kansas City . On April 1, 1838, he joined a group of missionaries , led by the fur trapper Andrew Drips , and traveled the Oregon Trail to Fort Vancouver in Oregon Territory , which they reached in October. Sutter originally planned to cross the Siskiyou Mountains during the winter, but acting chief factor James Douglas convinced him that such an attempt would be perilous. Douglas charged Sutter £21 to arrange transportation on
2718-690: A remarkable size, while hundreds of agricultural estates ( Villae rusticae ) were established in the countryside. Around 260 AD, the fall of the Agri Decumates territory north of the Rhine transformed today's Switzerland into a frontier land of the Empire. Repeated raids by the Alamanni tribes provoked the ruin of the Roman towns and economy, forcing the population to shelter near Roman fortresses, like
2869-463: A seagoing merchant from Santa Barbara , who was originally from Brunswick, Maine , who by the 1830s had become engaged in the hides and tallow trade along the Californian coastline. Thompson had married into the powerful Carrillo family. This would have opened doors for Atherton, who became acquainted with influential Californian leaders, both Mexican officials and American entrepreneurs, as well
3020-536: A sign of support. In September 2020, a referendum calling for a vote to end the pact that allowed a free movement of people from the European Union was introduced by the Swiss People's Party (SVP). However, voters rejected the attempt to retake control of immigration, defeating the motion by a roughly 63%–37% margin. On 9 February 2014, 50.3% of Swiss voters approved a ballot initiative launched by
3171-405: A significant impact on the psychology and society of Switzerland. The war convinced most Swiss of the need for unity and strength. Swiss from all strata of society, whether Catholic or Protestant, from the liberal or conservative current, realised that the cantons would profit more from merging their economic and religious interests. Thus, while the rest of Europe saw revolutionary uprisings ,
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#17327729750873322-801: A wealthy rancher. In 1839 Atherton was described by John Sutter as an upstanding merchant from Honolulu who later moved to California (although Atherton's own diary brings his moral character into question - see "Legacy," below). Sutter enjoyed dining with Atherton during his stay in Honolulu, whilst he waited for a boat to take him to California. During 1839, Atherton left Oahu on the Don Quixote, and sailed back to New England (via Valparaíso and Cape Horn) with 540 hides valued at $ 1000. He arrived in Boston during May and sold his cargo in Boston. Whilst in Boston he tried unsuccessfully to raise $ 4,500 to build
3473-556: A whole rather than being modified one amendment at a time. This need soon proved itself when the rise in population and the Industrial Revolution that followed led to calls to modify the constitution accordingly. The population rejected an early draft in 1872, but modifications led to its acceptance in 1874. It introduced the facultative referendum for laws at the federal level. It also established federal responsibility for defence, trade, and legal matters. In 1891,
3624-468: Is considered the confederacy's founding document, even though similar alliances likely existed decades earlier. The document was agreed among the rural communes of Uri , Schwyz , and Unterwalden . By 1353, the three original cantons had joined with the cantons of Glarus and Zug and the Lucerne , Zurich and Bern city-states to form the "Old Confederacy" of eight states that obtained through
3775-419: Is fairly cohesive, being rooted in a common historical background, shared values such as federalism and direct democracy , and Alpine symbolism. Swiss identity transcends language, ethnicity, and religion, leading to Switzerland being described as a Willensnation ("nation of volition") rather than a nation state . The English name Switzerland is a portmanteau of Switzer , an obsolete term for
3926-403: Is more, devilish neat and clean. The large ovens for baking they have here are fine handy things. His widow was responsible for building "Atherton House" 1990, California Street, San Francisco (located on the corner with Octavia Street) in 1881. National Register #79000527. Faxon's son George had died at sea in 1887 and his body was shipped back to the house in a barrel of rum, as a result it
4077-659: Is the highest, although the Matterhorn (4,478 m or 14,692 ft) is the best known. Both are located within the Pennine Alps in the canton of Valais , on the border with Italy. The section of the Bernese Alps above the deep glacial Lauterbrunnen valley, containing 72 waterfalls, is well known for the Jungfrau (4,158 m or 13,642 ft) Eiger and Mönch peaks, and its many picturesque valleys. In
4228-542: The Axis and Allied powers. Switzerland's trade was blockaded by both the Allies and the Axis. Economic cooperation and extension of credit to Nazi Germany varied according to the perceived likelihood of invasion and the availability of other trading partners. Concessions reached a peak after a crucial rail link through Vichy France was severed in 1942, leaving Switzerland (together with Liechtenstein ) entirely isolated from
4379-702: The Bear Flag Revolt , to build a water-driven sawmill in Coloma , along the American River . Sutter was intent on building a city on his property (not yet named Sacramento ), including housing and a wharf on the Sacramento River , and needed lumber for the construction. One morning, as Marshall inspected the tailrace for silt and debris, he noticed some gold nuggets and brought them to Sutter's attention. Together, they read an encyclopedia entry on gold and performed primitive tests to confirm whether it
4530-497: The California Historical Society and edited by the historian and former professor at UCLA, Doyce B. Nunis Jr. The publication of Atherton's California Journal has been described as a singular event in the recorded history of California. As a young man from New England, Atherton vividly recorded much of the turbulent change and innovation in the California of the 1830s. The Editor of the journal, Dr. Nunis
4681-628: The Castrum Rauracense near Augusta Raurica. The Empire built another line of defence at the north border (the so-called Donau-Iller-Rhine-Limes). At the end of the fourth century, the increased Germanic pressure forced the Romans to abandon the linear defence concept. The Swiss Plateau was finally open to Germanic tribes . In the Early Middle Ages , from the end of the fourth century, the western extent of modern-day Switzerland
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4832-558: The Congress of Vienna fully re-established Swiss independence, and the European powers recognised permanent Swiss neutrality. Swiss troops served foreign governments until 1860 when they fought in the siege of Gaeta . The treaty allowed Switzerland to increase its territory, with the admission of the cantons of Valais , Neuchâtel and Geneva . Switzerland's borders saw only minor adjustments thereafter. The restoration of power to
4983-740: The Consuls of the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , John Coffin Jones and Richard Charlton , along with merchants such as American Faxon Atherton . The brig Clementine was eventually hired by Sutter to take freight provisions and general merchandise for New Archangel (now known as Sitka), the capital of the Russian-American Company colonies in Russian America . Joining
5134-866: The European Union (EU), the European Economic Area , or the eurozone ; however, it participates in the European single market and the Schengen Area . Switzerland is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons , with federal authorities based in Bern . Switzerland is one of the world's most developed countries having the highest nominal wealth per adult , and the eighth-highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita . Switzerland performs highly on several international metrics , including economic competitiveness and democratic governance . Cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Basel rank among
5285-680: The Federal Palace in 1902 and after 1948 used in the official seal (e.g., the ISO banking code "CHF" for the Swiss franc , the Swiss postage stamps ('HELVETIA') and the country top-level domain ".ch", are both taken from the state's Latin name). Helvetica is derived from the Helvetii , a Gaulish tribe living on the Swiss Plateau before the Roman era . Helvetia appeared as
5436-677: The First War of Villmergen , in 1656, and the Toggenburg War (or Second War of Villmergen), in 1712. In 1798, the revolutionary French government invaded Switzerland and imposed a new unified constitution. This centralised the government of the country, effectively abolishing the cantons: moreover, Mülhausen left Switzerland and the Valtellina valley became part of the Cisalpine Republic . The new regime, known as
5587-577: The Hallstatt and La Tène cultures , named after the archaeological site of La Tène on the north side of Lake Neuchâtel . La Tène culture developed and flourished during the late Iron Age from around 450 BC, possibly influenced by Greek and Etruscan civilisations. One of the most prominent La Tène tribes were the Helvetii , who primarily occupied the Swiss Plateau , alongside the Rhaetians in
5738-653: The Hawaiians ( Kanakas ) he had brought, and also employed some Europeans at his compound. He envisioned creating an agricultural utopia , and for a time the settlement was in fact quite large and prosperous. Prior to the Gold Rush, it was the destination for most immigrants entering California via the high passes of the Sierra Nevada , including the ill-fated Donner Party of 1846, for whose rescue Sutter contributed supplies. In order to build his fort and develop
5889-615: The Holy Roman Empire around 1000 AD. In the 10th century, as the rule of the Carolingians waned, Magyars destroyed Basel in 917 and St. Gallen in 926. In response, Henry the Fowler , the then ruler of East Francia, decreed the fortification of key settlements to defend against these invasions. Large villages and towns, including strategic locations like Zurich and St.Gallen, were fortified. This initiative led to
6040-611: The Late Middle Ages , following a series of military successes against Austria and Burgundy ; the Federal Charter of 1291 is considered the country's founding document. Swiss independence from the Holy Roman Empire was formally recognised in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Switzerland has maintained a policy of armed neutrality since the 16th century and has not fought an international war since 1815 . It joined
6191-593: The League of Nations , which was based in Geneva , after it was exempted from military requirements. During World War II , detailed invasion plans were drawn up by the Germans, but Switzerland was never attacked. Switzerland was able to remain independent through a combination of military deterrence, concessions to Germany, and good fortune, as larger events during the war intervened. General Henri Guisan , appointed
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6342-515: The Pacific coast . His friend, William Heath Davis came from a Boston seafaring, ship-owning family. Davis was a clerk of a store in Monterey which was owned by his uncle, Nathan Spear. Like Atherton he liked the daughters of powerful men. Davis engaged in trading trips to Yerba Buena and the Hawaiian Islands and settled permanently in San Francisco , subsequently becoming one of the city's most prominent merchants and ship owners. Davis later married María de Jesús Estudillo, daughter of Joaquin Estudillo,
6493-445: The Sacramento River . The site is now part of the California state capital of Sacramento . Sutter's Fort had a central building made of adobe bricks, surrounded by a high wall with protection on opposite corners to guard against attack. It also had workshops and stores that produced all goods necessary for the New Helvetia settlement. Sutter employed or enslaved Native Americans of the Miwok , Maidu , Nisenan , and Ohlone tribes,
6644-405: The Swiss Alps to the south, the Swiss Plateau or Central Plateau, and the Jura mountains on the west. The Alps are a mountain range running across the central and south of the country, constituting about 60% of the country's area. The majority of the population live on the Swiss Plateau. The Swiss Alps host many glaciers, covering 1,063 square kilometres (410 sq mi). From these originate
6795-416: The Swiss economy . During the Cold War , Swiss authorities considered the construction of a Swiss nuclear bomb . Leading nuclear physicists at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich such as Paul Scherrer made this a realistic possibility. In 1988, the Paul Scherrer Institute was founded in his name to explore the therapeutic uses of neutron scattering technologies. Financial problems with
6946-405: The commander-in-chief for the duration of the war ordered a general mobilisation of the armed forces. The Swiss military strategy changed from static defence at the borders to organised long-term attrition and withdrawal to strong, well-stockpiled positions high in the Alps, known as the Reduit . Switzerland was an important base for espionage by both sides and often mediated communications between
7097-653: The 1850s to 1875. These included: Many of the above were subject to court claims by former rancheros such as the Vallejo family. During the conversion of land, records under the Land Commission were changed and Ygnacio's small ranch grew from several thousand acres to 42,000 acres (170 km ). Owners of plots dating back to the Hispanic period, including Indians, Mexicans, and Spaniards, on land not originally owned by Pastor became squatters overnight. Atherton then sent notice to evict them. Many were settlers on improved lands were awaiting pre-emption , including George Hough Dutton and others who had believed they owned property in
7248-531: The 1860s Atherton had settled with his family in the then-fashionable section of San Francisco, Rincon Hill . Other residents included the Latham's, Ralstons, Millses, Stanford's, Sharon's, Donohoes, Floods, O'Briens, Fairs, Selby's and Eyre's. Atherton wanted to be in the company of those who built not just the banks and railroads of the American West, but the cultural and intellectual institutions as well. Atherton focused on ensuring his daughters married into other influential families, and they did, by marrying into
7399-428: The Bold of Burgundy during the 1470s, and the success of the Swiss mercenaries . The Swiss victory in the Swabian War against the Swabian League of Emperor Maximilian I in 1499 amounted to de facto independence within the Holy Roman Empire . In 1501, Basel and Schaffhausen joined the Old Swiss Confederacy. The Confederacy acquired a reputation of invincibility during these earlier wars, but expansion of
7550-407: The British bark Columbia for himself and his eight followers. The Columbia departed Fort Vancouver on November 11 and sailed to the Hawaiian Kingdom , reaching Honolulu on December 9. Sutter had missed the only ship outbound for Alta California , and had to remain in the kingdom for four months. Over the months, Sutter gained friendly relations with the European American community, dining with
7701-560: The EU was attained that eliminated quotas on EU citizens, but still allowed favourable treatment of Swiss-based job applicants. On 27 September 2020, 62% of Swiss voters rejected the anti-free movement referendum by SVP. Extending across the north and south side of the Alps in west -central Europe, Switzerland encompasses diverse landscapes and climates across its 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 sq mi). Switzerland lies between latitudes 45° and 48° N , and longitudes 5° and 11° E . It contains three basic topographical areas:
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#17327729750877852-416: The French in the name of the Helvetic Republic. In 1803 Napoleon organised a meeting of the leading Swiss politicians from both sides in Paris. The Act of Mediation was the result, which largely restored Swiss autonomy and introduced a Confederation of 19 cantons. Henceforth, much of Swiss politics would concern balancing the cantons' tradition of self-rule with the need for a central government. In 1815
8003-444: The Gold Rush, and received a pension of US$ 250 a month as a reimbursement of taxes paid on the El Sobrante grant at the time that Sutter considered it his own. He and wife Annette moved to Lititz, Pennsylvania in 1871. The proximity to Washington along with the reputed healing qualities of Lititz Springs appealed to the aging Sutter. He also wanted three of his grandchildren (he had grandchildren in Acapulco , Mexico, as well) to have
8154-519: The Helvetic Republic, was highly unpopular. An invading foreign army had imposed and destroyed centuries of tradition, making Switzerland nothing more than a French satellite state . The fierce French suppression of the Nidwalden Revolt in September 1798 was an example of the oppressive presence of the French Army and the local population's resistance to the occupation. When war broke out between France and its rivals, Russian and Austrian forces invaded Switzerland. The Swiss refused to fight alongside
8305-472: The Helvetii were forced by Caesar to return to their original lands, where they were subjected to stringent restrictions on their autonomy and movements. In 15 BC, Tiberius (later the second Roman emperor) and his brother Drusus conquered the Alps, integrating them into the Roman Empire . The area occupied by the Helvetii first became part of Rome's Gallia Belgica province and then of its Germania Superior province. The eastern portion of modern Switzerland
8456-403: The Holy Roman Empire and its neutrality . During the Early Modern period of Swiss history, the growing authoritarianism of the patriciate families combined with a financial crisis in the wake of the Thirty Years' War led to the Swiss peasant war of 1653 . In the background to this struggle, the conflict between Catholic and Protestant cantons persisted, erupting in further violence at
8607-438: The Macondray, Selby and Eyre families. Atherton had a business acquaintance with Guillermo Castro , a rancher, surveyor and a former magistrate under the Mexican administration, who had turned to selling large parcels of land in order to reduce his gambling debt. Atherton would lend him money, however took ownership of the land when Castro defaulted on his debt. Castro's final rancho was sold in 1864 to Atherton for $ 400,000, with
8758-406: The Sacramento Valley, new misfortune came upon these peaceful natives of the country. Their services were demanded immediately. Those who did not want to work were considered as enemies. With other tribes the field was taken against the hostile Indian. Declaration of war was not made. The villages were attacked usually before daybreak when everybody was still asleep. Neither old nor young was spared by
8909-457: The San Francisco peninsula in what was then known as Fair Oaks, becoming one of the first residents of the area. He built his home, Valparaíso Park, situated approximately where the Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane, Atherton has operated as a private country club since 1923. Atherton's familiarity with the grazing lands in the vicinity of Mision San Jose dated back to 1836, together with his accumulated wealth, fuelled his land purchases between
9060-440: The Swiss Alps. 90% of Switzerland's 65,000-kilometre-long network of rivers and streams have been straightened, dammed, canalized or channeled underground, in an effort to prevent natural disasters such as flooding, landslides, and avalanches. 80% of all Swiss drinking water comes from groundwater sources. Forty-eight mountains are 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) or higher in height. At 4,634 m (15,203 ft), Monte Rosa
9211-407: The Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) to restrict immigration . This initiative was mostly backed by rural (57.6% approval) and suburban groups (51.2% approval), and isolated towns (51.3% approval) as well as by a strong majority (69.2% approval) in Ticino, while metropolitan centres (58.5% rejection) and the French-speaking part (58.5% rejection) rejected it. In December 2016, a political compromise with
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#17327729750879362-442: The Swiss drew up a constitution that provided for a federal layout , much of it inspired by the American example . This constitution provided central authority while leaving the cantons the right to self-government on local issues. Giving credit to those who favoured the power of the cantons (the Sonderbund Kantone), the national assembly was divided between an upper house (the Council of States , two representatives per canton) and
9513-420: The United Nations only in 2002 but pursues an active foreign policy that includes frequent involvement in peace building . Switzerland is the birthplace of the Red Cross and hosts the headquarters or offices of most major international institutions including the WTO , the WHO , the ILO , FIFA , the WEF , and the UN. It is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), but not part of
9664-430: The United States Consul at Monterey (with whom he would later be associated with in many real estate and commercial ventures). Several governors of the Mexican era were also his friends, among them Nicolas Gutierrez , José Castro , and Mariano Chico , as were many traders such as W. E. P. Hartnell, Nathan Spear; and the latter's nephew, William Heath Davis , Jr. This was time of influx of settlers from New England into
9815-436: The United States would support any attempt at secession from Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially titled the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits and Settlement between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, was signed on February 2, 1848, between the United States and Mexico that ended the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). The treaty called for the U.S. to pay US$ 15 million to Mexico and to pay off
9966-491: The United States' war against Mexico , Sutter, as a self-professed citizen of France, threatened to muster British, Canadian, and American immigrants and indigenous and again declare New Helvetia a republic under French protection. Sutter wrote to US Counsel Jacob Leese in Yerba Buena : "Very curious reports come to me from below but the poor wretches do not know what they do. The first French frigate that comes here will do me justice. The first step they do against me I will make
10117-421: The White settlers were ranching two million head of livestock, shooting wild game in enormous numbers, and replacing wilderness with wheat fields, available food for Indians in the region diminished. In response, some Indians took to raiding the cattle of White ranchers. In August 1846, an article in The Californian declared that in respect to California Indians, "The only effectual means of stopping inroads upon
10268-595: The above version if not another in red, white, and green. In published, period recollections, Bear Flag rebel J. William Russell wrote, "When I got to the fort the 'lone star' flag was flying. The colors was made up of the old Mexican flag." In 1844–1845, there was a revolt of the Mexican colony of California against the army of the mother country. Two years earlier, in 1842, Mexico had removed California Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado, and sent Brigadier General Manuel Micheltorena to replace him. It also sent an army. The army had been recruited from Mexico's worst jails, and
10419-445: The area of forest that was burned and cleared to build. The name was extended to the area dominated by the canton, and after the Swabian War of 1499 gradually came to be used for the entire Confederation. The Swiss German name of the country, Schwiiz , is homophonous to that of the canton and the settlement, but distinguished by the use of the definite article ( d'Schwiiz for the Confederation, but simply Schwyz for
10570-532: The battle Marsh secretly went over to parley with the other side. There was a large number of Americans fighting on both sides. Marsh met with them and convinced the Americans on both sides that there was no reason for Americans to be fighting each other. The Americans agreed and quit the fight, and as a result, Sutter’s forces lost the battle. The defeated Micheltorena took his army back to Mexico, and Californian Pio Pico became governor. Mexico's control of Alta California having become especially tenuous during
10721-476: The benefits of the fine private Moravian Schools. Sutter built his home across from the Lititz Springs Hotel (renamed in 1930 as the General Sutter Inn and subsequently as the Lititz Springs Inn & Spa). After prospectors had destroyed his crops and slaughtered cattle leaving him only his own gold, Sutter spent the rest of his life trying to get the government to pay him for his losses, without success. He continually petitioned Congress for restitution but little
10872-493: The bombings, which violated the 96th Article of War , resulted from navigation errors, equipment failure, weather conditions, and pilot errors. The Swiss expressed fear and concern that the bombings were intended to put pressure on Switzerland to end economic cooperation and neutrality with Nazi Germany. Court-martial proceedings took place in England. The US paid SFR 62M for reparations. Switzerland's attitude towards refugees
11023-543: The canton and the town). The long [iː] of Swiss German is historically and still often today spelled ⟨y⟩ rather than ⟨ii⟩ , preserving the original identity of the two names even in writing. The Latin name Confoederatio Helvetica was neologised and introduced gradually after the formation of the federal state in 1848, harking back to the Napoleonic Helvetic Republic . It appeared on coins from 1879, inscribed on
11174-603: The citizens, the membership application was withdrawn. Nonetheless, Swiss law is gradually changing to conform with that of the EU, and the government signed bilateral agreements with the European Union. Switzerland, together with Liechtenstein, has been surrounded by the EU since Austria's entry in 1995. On 5 June 2005, Swiss voters agreed by a 55% majority to join the Schengen treaty , a result that EU commentators regarded as
11325-628: The claims of American citizens against Mexico up to US$ 5 million. It gave the United States the Rio Grande as a boundary for Texas, and gave the U.S. ownership of California. Mexicans in those annexed areas had the choice of relocating to within Mexico's new boundaries or receiving American citizenship with full civil rights. This would open great opportunities for Atherton, along with the California gold rush , where Atherton would subsequently amass
11476-525: The confederation suffered a setback in 1515 with the Swiss defeat in the Battle of Marignano . This ended the so-called "heroic" epoch of Swiss history. The success of Zwingli 's Reformation in some cantons led to inter-cantonal religious conflicts in 1529 and 1531 ( Wars of Kappel ). It was not until more than one hundred years after these internal wars that, in 1648, under the Peace of Westphalia , European countries recognised Switzerland's independence from
11627-526: The constitution forbade sending troops to serve abroad, marking the end of foreign service. It came with the expectation of serving the Holy See , and the Swiss were still obliged to serve Francis II of the Two Sicilies with Swiss Guards present at the siege of Gaeta in 1860 . An important clause of the constitution was that it could be entirely rewritten, if necessary, thus enabling it to evolve as
11778-561: The constitution was revised with uncommonly strong elements of direct democracy , which remain unique today. Switzerland was not invaded during either of the world wars. During World War I , Switzerland was home to the revolutionary and founder of the Soviet Union Vladimir Illych Ulyanov ( Vladimir Lenin ) who remained there until 1917. Swiss neutrality was seriously questioned by the short-lived Grimm–Hoffmann affair in 1917. In 1920, Switzerland joined
11929-580: The construction of a railroad in Hayward . He served on the board of trustees of the Lick Trust from 1875. This trust had been set up initially by James Lick in 1874 but he replaced the board with Atherton, John Nightingale, Bernard D. Murphy and John H. Lick. After a period of courtship, Atherton married Dominga Rosario Goñi Prieto (1823–1890) on July 7, 1843, in Valparaíso , Chile . His wife
12080-437: The crew as unpaid supercargo , Sutter, 10 Native Hawaiian laborers, and several other followers embarked on April 20, 1839. Staying at New Archangel for a month, Sutter joined several balls hosted by Governor Kupreyanov , who likely gave help in determining the course of the Sacramento River . The Clementine then sailed for Alta California, arriving on July 1, 1839, at Yerba Buena (now San Francisco ), which at that time
12231-542: The daughter of a rich widow. He operated a store but showed more interest in spending money than in earning it. Because of family circumstances and mounting debts, Johann faced charges that would have him placed in jail and so he decided to dodge trial and fled to America. He named himself Captain John Augustus Sutter. In May 1834, he left his wife and five children behind in Burgdorf, Switzerland , and with
12382-610: The defence budget and ethical considerations prevented the substantial funds from being allocated, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968 was seen as a valid alternative. Plans for building nuclear weapons were dropped by 1988. Switzerland joined the Council of Europe in 1963. Switzerland was the last Western republic (the Principality of Liechtenstein followed in 1984) to grant women
12533-604: The development of what were essentially early urban strongholds and city governments in Eastern Switzerland. By 1200, the Swiss Plateau comprised the dominions of the houses of Savoy , Zähringer , Habsburg , and Kyburg . Some regions ( Uri , Schwyz , Unterwalden , later known as Waldstätten ) were accorded the Imperial immediacy to grant the empire direct control over the mountain passes. With
12684-564: The east. Switzerland is geographically divided among the Swiss Plateau , the Alps and the Jura ; the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, whereas most of the country's population of 9 million are concentrated on the plateau, which hosts its largest cities and economic centres, including Zurich , Geneva , and Basel . Switzerland originates from the Old Swiss Confederacy established in
12835-479: The eastern regions. Facing pressures from Germanic tribes, in 58 BC, the Helvetii, influenced by Orgetorix , a wealthy aristocrat, decided to abandon the Swiss Plateau for better opportunities in western Gallia. After Orgetorix's mysterious death, the tribe continued their migration but was decisively defeated by Julius Caesar's armies at the Battle of Bibracte , in present-day eastern France. Following their defeat,
12986-468: The elder Sutter could impress his son with a large amount of the precious metal. However, when Lienhard later went to the Fort, Sutter Jr., having taken charge of his father's debt-ridden business, was unable to return his share of the gold to Lienhard, who finally accepted Sutter's flock of sheep as payment. The younger Sutter saw the commercial possibilities of the land and promptly started plans for building
13137-632: The end of the 15th century. The expansion led to increased power and wealth for the confederation. By 1460, the confederates controlled most of the territory south and west of the Rhine to the Alps and the Jura mountains , and the University of Basel was founded (with a faculty of medicine) establishing a tradition of chemical and medical research. This increased after victories against the Habsburgs ( Battle of Sempach , Battle of Näfels ), over Charles
13288-410: The enemy and thus the unhappy people were shot and killed with rifles from both sides of the river. Seldom an Indian escaped such an attack, and those who were not murdered were captured. All children from six to fifteen years of age were usually taken by the greedy white people. The village was burned down and the few Indians who had escaped with their lives were left to their fate." Heinrich Lienhard ,
13439-471: The enemy, and often the Sacramento River was colored red by the blood of the innocent Indians, for these villages usually were situated at the banks of the rivers. During a campaign one section of the attackers fell upon the village by way of land. All the Indians of the attacked village naturally fled to find protection on the other bank of the river. But there they were awaited by the other half of
13590-547: The executor of his estate. Atherton gave an eyewitness account as a twenty-one year old Bostonian of his hide and tallow trading days in Mexican California. It also makes references to historic sites such as the Mission San José and Mission Santa Clara de Asís , and the settlement of Alviso and areas of San Francisco Bay . The California Diary of Faxon Dean Atherton 1836 - 1839 was published in 1964 by
13741-640: The extinction of its male line in 1263, the Kyburg dynasty fell in AD 1264. The Habsburgs under King Rudolph I (Holy Roman Emperor in 1273) laid claim to the Kyburg lands and annexed them, extending their territory to the eastern Swiss Plateau. The Old Swiss Confederacy was an alliance among the valley communities of the central Alps. The Confederacy was governed by nobles and patricians of various cantons who facilitated management of common interests and ensured peace on mountain trade routes. The Federal Charter of 1291
13892-446: The fact that nocturnal confinement was not agreeable to the Indians was obvious. Large numbers deserted during the daytime, or remained outside the fort when the gates were locked." Lienhard also claimed that Sutter was known to rape his Indian captives, even girls as young as 12 years old. Despite the procurement of fertile agriculture, Sutter fed his Native American work force in pig troughs, where they would eat gruel with their hands in
14043-481: The find. Large crowds of people overran the land and destroyed nearly everything Sutter had worked for. To avoid losing everything, Sutter deeded his remaining land to his eldest son, John Augustus Sutter Jr. , who had come from Switzerland to join his father in September 1848. When Sutter Jr. arrived, Sutter Sr. asked his fellow Swiss majordomo Heinrich Lienhard to lend him his half of the gold he had mined, so that
14194-892: The foremost influential Californios ; including the Vallejos, Bandinis, and De la Guerras. When Atherton traveled to Alta California with Thompson on the ship Bolivar Libertador in 1836, arriving in San Francisco, the city was in its infancy. Atherton worked for Thompson for a period of two years, initially accepting a position as a clerk for $ 50 a month. He would soon be tasked to travel the California coast, between San Francisco and San Diego, selling goods to rancheros from Thompson's home port of Santa Barbara. During this period, Atherton penned his California diary and formed friendships with many prominent Californians, including Carlos Antonio Carrillo , José Antonio Carrillo , Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo , Juan Bandini and Thomas O. Larkin ,
14345-441: The fort were very poor, and have been described as "enslavement", with uncooperative Indians being "whipped, jailed, and executed." Sutter's Native American "employees" slept on bare floors in locked rooms without sanitation, and ate from troughs made from hollowed tree trunks. Housing conditions for workers living in nearby villages and rancherías was described as being more favorable. Pierson Reading, Sutter's fort manager, wrote in
14496-608: The frontier which he was trying to maintain against Indians, Russians, Americans and British." Sutter persuaded Governor Alvarado to grant him 48,400 acres of land for the sake of curtailing American encroachment on the Mexican territory of California. This stretch of land was called New Helvetia and Sutter was given the right to "represent in the Establishment of New Helvetia all the laws of the country, to function as political authority and dispenser of justice, in order to prevent
14647-440: The government. By 1852, the state had authorized over a million dollars in such claims. In 1856, a San Francisco Bulletin editorial stated, "Extermination is the quickest and cheapest remedy, and effectually prevents all other difficulties when an outbreak [of Indian violence] occurs." In 1860, the legislature passed a law expanding the age and condition of Indians available for forced slavery. A Sacramento Daily Union article of
14798-451: The great eagerness to obtain a share of the [gold] placer. Last July gold diggers were satisfied to obtain 2 or 3 ounces of gold per day. Now they throw up spade and pickaxe if they do not find every heave or two a "junk" of gold. Up to $ 600 have been [paid] for single lumps." "Many young men, who in May 1847 had less than $ 400, are now doing well and worth $ 5,000 to $ 30,000. … People come in by
14949-661: The headwaters of several major rivers, such as the Rhine , Inn , Ticino and Rhône , which flow in the four cardinal directions, spreading across Europe. The hydrographic network includes several of the largest bodies of fresh water in Central and Western Europe, among which are Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French), Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) and Lake Maggiore . Switzerland has more than 1500 lakes and contains 6% of Europe's freshwater stock. Lakes and glaciers cover about 6% of
15100-657: The hide and tallow trade, Thomas Larkin had previously urged Atherton to move to California. Larkin wrote: "... [T]here is education available for your children and a dignity of living on landed estates down the San Francisco peninsula (that is) convenient and accessible ... [Y]ou and I were of that country. Our eyes were turned towards it in admiration and in my part in gratitude. My children were from there. They and yours will soon be." Whilst in Oahu, Atherton met Captain Alpheus Basil Thompson (1795–1869),
15251-413: The highest in terms of quality of life, albeit with some of the highest costs of living . Switzerland holds an international reputation for its established banking sector, alongside its distinctive recognition for their watchmaking and chocolate production. It has four main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, Italian and Romansh . Although most Swiss are German-speaking, national identity
15402-532: The hundreds, where they sleep I know not … My head whirls with speculation! My hair grows grey by the excessive working of my brain and ambitions! … Every one is becoming rich!" By 1850, both Atherton and George Bowen had joined Loring & Co, Valparaíso as partners. It would take a further eight years and the failing health of Thomas Larkin for Atherton to make the decision to settle permanently with his Chilean family in California. Atherton arrived with his family from Chile in 1858. His friend Thomas Larkin, who at
15553-482: The kidnapping and forced servitude of Indians by White settlers. In 1851, the civilian governor of California declared, "That a war of extermination will continue to be waged ... until the Indian race becomes extinct, must be expected." This expectation soon found its way into law. An 1851 legislative measure not only gave settlers the right to organize lynch mobs to kill Indians, but allowed them to submit their expenses to
15704-563: The last widely recognised state without full UN membership. Switzerland is a founding member of the EFTA but not the European Economic Area (EEA). An application for membership in the European Union was sent in May 1992, but did not advance since rejecting the EEA in December 1992 when Switzerland conducted a referendum on the EEA. Several referendums on the EU issue ensued; due to opposition from
15855-541: The mill-making team at Sutter's Mill . Sutter, however, saw his own business ventures fail during the California Gold Rush , though those of his elder son, John Augustus Sutter Jr. , were more successful. Sutter was born on February 23, 1803, in Kandern , Baden in present-day Germany, to Johann Jakob Sutter, a foreman at a paper mill , and Christina Wilhelmine Sutter (née Stober). His father came from
16006-880: The mortification of seeing them dine I may give a short description. 10 or 15 Troughs 3 or 4 feet long were brought out of the cook room and seated in the Broiling sun. All the Labourers grate [sic] and small ran to the troughs like so many pigs and fed themselves with their hands as long as the troughs contained even a moisture." Dr. Waseurtz af Sandels, a Swedish explorer who visited California in 1842–1843, also wrote about Sutter's brutal treatment of Indian slaves in 1842: "I could not reconcile my feelings to see these fellows being driven, as it were, around some narrow troughs of hollow tree trunks, out of which, crouched on their haunches, they fed more like beasts than human beings, using their hands in hurried manner to convey to their mouths
16157-629: The name for themselves after the Swabian War of 1499, used alongside the term for "Confederates", Eidgenossen (literally: comrades by oath ), used since the 14th century. The data code for Switzerland , CH, is derived from Latin Confoederatio Helvetica ( Helvetic Confederation ). The toponym Schwyz itself was first attested in 972, as Old High German Suittes , perhaps related to swedan 'to burn' (cf. Old Norse svíða 'to singe, burn'), referring to
16308-621: The name of Sutter. Sutter Street in San Francisco is named for John A. Sutter. Sutter's Landing, Sutterville Road, Sutter Middle School, Sutter's Mill School, and Sutterville Elementary School in Sacramento are all named after him. The Sutterville Bend of the Sacramento River is named for Sutter, as is Sutter Health, a non-profit health care system in Northern California. The City of Sutter Creek, California and Sutter, California are also named after him. In Acapulco , Mexico,
16459-762: The national territory. Lake Geneva is the largest lake and is shared with France. The Rhône is both the main source and outflow of Lake Geneva. Lake Constance is the second largest and, like Lake Geneva, an intermediate step by the Rhine at the border with Austria and Germany. While the Rhône flows into the Mediterranean Sea at the French Camargue region and the Rhine flows into the North Sea at Rotterdam , about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) apart, both springs are only about 22 kilometres (14 miles) apart in
16610-809: The nearby town of Rünenberg , in the canton of Basel in Switzerland , and his maternal grandfather was a pastor from Grenzach , on the Swiss-German border . After attending school in Kandern, Sutter studied at Saint-Blaise between 1818 and 1819, then worked as an apprentice at the Thurneysen printing and publishing house in Basel until 1823. Between 1823 and 1828, he worked as a clerk at clothing shops in Aarburg and Burgdorf . At age 21, he married
16761-512: The next month upon his own commission as a lieutenant under U.S. Army Captain John C. Fremont . Command of the fort reverted to Sutter in March of the next year. In 1848, gold was discovered in the area. Initially, one of Sutter's most trusted employees, James W. Marshall , found gold at Sutter's Mill. It started when Sutter hired Marshall, a New Jersey native who had served with John C. Frémont in
16912-582: The patriciate was only temporary. After a period of unrest with repeated violent clashes, such as the Züriputsch of 1839, civil war (the Sonderbundskrieg ) broke out in 1847 when some Catholic cantons tried to set up a separate alliance (the Sonderbund ). The war lasted less than a month, causing fewer than 100 casualties, most of which were through friendly fire . The Sonderbundskrieg had
17063-510: The perception of his character as moral. In fact, Atherton himself wrote of raping Indigenous girls at Mission San José during a night he spent there in 1936. "All the young girls of the Mission [sic] are kept locked up nights by themselves. They are under the charge of a man who is called an Alcalde, but I found that he knew the value of a 4 real piece and understood what he received it for. There are some pretty fair girls amongst them, and what
17214-505: The place of their birth, without demanding of them any promises that in their homes the Indians should be treated with kindness." Despite his promises to the Mexican government, Sutter was hospitable to American settlers entering the region, and provided an impetus for many of them to settle there. The hundreds of thousands of acres which these men took from the Native Americans had been an important source of food and resources. As
17365-457: The preacher is a fine looking man and his sermon is orthodox, in quality and quantity. The law we have or live under is brief and accommodating, each party concerned bringing proof that either the laws of Mexico or the U.S. are or ought to be in force. The defenders of the latter are rather split into small parties as each advocates the law of his native state as the only just and true one"......"Law, gospel and politics are beginning to be obsolete in
17516-554: The profits with his partner, Robert P. Ross. Initially, Atherton speculated in cargo in Valparaiso. He got to know Elishu Loring, a shipping agent and secured a position with Loring & Co, a ship chandlery firm. He was made responsible for the operation of vessels plying between Boston - Valparaíso, Chile and Monterey, California . After working in Chile for a year he sailed to Oahu in November 1835 to investigate business opportunities there. His friend and business associate in
17667-579: The property of the country, will be to attack them in their villages." On February 28, 1847 Sutter ordered the Kern and Sutter massacres in retaliation. Much of Sutter's labor practices were illegal under Mexican law. However, in April 22, 1850, following the annexation of California by the United States, the California state legislature passed the "Act for the Government and Protection of Indians," legalizing
17818-669: The property that used to belong to John Augustus Sutter Jr. became the Hotel Sutter, which is still in service. The Sutter Buttes , a mountain range near Yuba City, California , and Sutter County, California (of which Yuba City is the seat) are named after him as well. The Johann Agust Sutter House in Lititz, Pennsylvania was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The 'Sutter's Gold' rose, an orange blend hybrid tea rose bred by Herbert C. Swim,
17969-414: The right to vote . Some Swiss cantons approved this in 1959, while at the federal level, it was achieved in 1971 and, after resistance, in the last canton Appenzell Innerrhoden (one of only two remaining Landsgemeinde , along with Glarus ) in 1990. After obtaining suffrage at the federal level, women quickly rose in political significance. The first woman on the seven-member Federal Council executive
18120-480: The robberies committed by adventurers from the United States, to stop the invasion of savage Indians, and the hunting and trading by companies from the Columbia (river)." The governor stipulated however that for Sutter to qualify for land ownership , he had to reside in the territory for a year and become a Mexican citizen, which he did to assuage the governor on August 29, 1840. However, shortly after his land tract
18271-611: The shipping and merchant business at the age of 15 as an apprentice to his brother-in-law, merchant Charles T. Ward. It was a time of growth in trade between the Massachusetts shoe and leather goods mills which needed raw hides from California and Chile. William Sturgis was among the most prominent at this time in the hide and tallow trade primarily focused on the California hide trade . Within two years, Atherton started his own hauling business in Boston, Massachusetts , in 1832. This
18422-778: The sixth century, following Clovis I 's victory over the Alemanni at Tolbiac in 504 AD, and later Frankish domination of the Burgundians. Throughout the rest of the sixth, seventh and eighth centuries, Swiss regions continued under Frankish hegemony ( Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties) but after its extension under Charlemagne , the Frankish Empire was divided by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. The territories of present-day Switzerland became divided into Middle Francia and East Francia until they were reunified under
18573-499: The soldiers soon began stealing Californians' chickens and other property. Micheltorena's army was described as descending on California "like a plague of locusts, stripping the countryside bare." Californians complained that the army was committing robberies, beatings, and rapes. In late 1844, the Californios revolted against Micheltorena. He had appointed Sutter as commandante militar. Sutter, in turn, recruited men, one of whom
18724-677: The southeast the long Engadin Valley, encompassing St. Moritz , is also well known; the highest peak in the neighbouring Bernina Alps is Piz Bernina (4,049 m or 13,284 ft). The Swiss Plateau has greater open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open pastures, usually with grazing herds or vegetable and fruit fields, but it is still hilly. Large lakes and the biggest Swiss cities are found there. Switzerland contains two small enclaves : Büsingen belongs to Germany, while Campione d'Italia belongs to Italy. Switzerland has no exclaves. Faxon Atherton Faxon Dean Atherton
18875-407: The sun on their knees. Numerous visitors to Sutter's Fort noted the shock of this sight in their diaries, alongside their discontent for his kidnapping of Indian children who were sold into bondage to repay Sutter's debts or given as gifts. American explorer and mountain man James Clyman reported in 1846 that: "The Capt. [Sutter] keeps 600 to 800 Indians in a complete state of Slavery and as I had
19026-526: The thin porage [sic] which was served to them. Soon they filed off to the fields after having, I fancy, half satisfied their physical wants." These concerns were even shared by Juan Bautista Alvarado , then Governor of Alta California, who deplored Sutter's ill-treatment of indigenous Californians in 1845: "The public can see how inhuman were the operations of Sutter who had no scruples about depriving Indian mothers of their children. Sutter has sent these little Indian children as gifts to people who live far from
19177-417: The time accused high-pressure lobbyists interested in profiting off enslaved Indians of pushing the law through, gave examples of how wealthy individuals had abused the law to acquire Indian slaves from the reservations, and stated, "The Act authorizes as complete a system of slavery, without any of the checks and wholesome restraints of slavery, as ever was devised." Note: In early 1846, Sutter hoisted perhaps
19328-663: The time between Valparaíso, Mazatlán , and San Francisco. Between 1841 and 1846 Atherton had tried to lure Thomas Larkin into the Valparaiso lumber market. Although Atherton assured him that goods in Chile were cheaper, Larkin did not become interested in this trade, instead focusing on the Pacific Coast of Mexico . During the Mexican–American War from 1846 to 1848, Atherton's wealth increased steadily and he wrote to Thomas Larkin that he had accepted drafts for $ 300,000 from whalers that had all been honored. Atherton
19479-512: The time dismissed. Atherton was skeptical at first witnessing gold seekers leaving Valparaíso for California. Instead he had hoped coal would be found. Thomas Larkin wrote to Atherton during 1849 on California's first boom: "JAN. 19, 1849 We yet remain in a quiet state under the combined influence of some gospel and plenty of law, the beauty of the first exemplified in many who attend church from early habits or to set an example without caring much what creed they listen to, only being aware that
19630-525: The time of his death was one of the richest individuals in San Francisco, had died of Typhoid that same year. Atherton went on to become one of the wealthiest men on the Pacific Coast, making extensive investments in California commerce and real estate. In 1853, he hired San Francisco agent Alexander B. Grogan to represent his interests in California. However it would not be until 1860 that Atherton would return to California to settle permanently. By
19781-521: The town of Jolon . Dutton bought an Inn and 100 acres on the property for $ 1,000, now called the Dutton Hotel, Stagecoach Station . He added a second adobe story, a merchandise store, saloon post office, and stagecoach stop. Atherton became prominent in banking, financial enterprises and railroad building, with projects such as the Oregon and California Railroad . He played an instrumental role in
19932-695: The wider world by Axis-controlled territory. Over the course of the war, Switzerland interned over 300,000 refugees aided by the International Red Cross , based in Geneva. Strict immigration and asylum policies and the financial relationships with Nazi Germany raised controversy, only at the end of the 20th century. During the war, the Swiss Air Force engaged aircraft of both sides, shooting down 11 intruding Luftwaffe planes in May and June 1940, then forcing down other intruders after
20083-441: Was Elisabeth Kopp , who served from 1984 to 1989, and the first female president was Ruth Dreifuss in 1999. In 1979 areas from the canton of Bern attained independence from the Bernese, forming the new canton of Jura . On 18 April 1999, the Swiss population and the cantons voted in favour of a completely revised federal constitution . In 2002 Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations, leaving Vatican City as
20234-443: Was John Marsh , a medical doctor and owner of the large Rancho los Meganos . Marsh, who sided with the Californios, wanted no part of this effort. However, Sutter gave Marsh a choice: either join the army or be arrested and put in jail. In 1845, Sutter's forces met the Californio forces at the Battle of Providencia (also known as the Second Battle of Cahuenga Pass). The battle consisted primarily of an artillery exchange, and during
20385-408: Was a successful merchant, dealing in hides and tallow, foodstuffs, and other commodities. As such he was a desirable bachelor, and in 1843 he married into a prominent Chilean family and soon had a family. He wrote to his friend Thomas Larkin in California during August 1843 to say that he had married the previous month. Atherton's letter provides an insight for historians into the trade route in place at
20536-543: Was an enthusiastic supporter of the Annexation of California . He had followed events from Chile and Tahiti, and was very much in favor of it being incorporated into the United States. Whilst in Tahiti, he wrote to commercial associates in 1843 saying: I hope that the U.S. will acquire California by purchase or otherwise, as it is a most beautiful country very similar to Chile. Early in 1846, Thomas Larkin had received instructions from Secretary of State James Buchanan to begin working covertly to assure all concerned that
20687-442: Was begun in August 1839 on a fortified settlement which Sutter named New Helvetia , or "New Switzerland," after his homeland. In order to elevate his social standing, Sutter impersonated a Swiss guard officer who had been displaced by the French Revolution and identified himself accordingly as 'Captain Sutter of the Swiss Guard'. When the settlement was completed in 1841, on June 18, he received title to 48,827 acres (197.60 km) on
20838-435: Was born in Chile. His daughter Florence has been confused by researchers with Florence Atherton Spalding , who was a Boston music teacher, who also married in 1886. Atherton died in Valparaiso Park on July 18, 1877. His wife died on September 20, 1890, in San Francisco, aged 67. He is buried at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California. After Atherton's death, Alexander B. Grogan served as
20989-486: Was born on August 4, 1823, into a prominent Valparaíso family. Biographers have described her as a plump, witty young woman. She spoke no English. Although Atherton was not a Catholic by birth, they were married by the Catholic Church in Valparaíso, since she was a devout Catholic. Biographers have described Atherton as a persistent womanizer, for having had a string of affairs. The couple had nine children (with seven children reaching adulthood); all but one child (Florence)
21140-410: Was born on January 29, 1815, in Dedham, Massachusetts into an established New England family, with roots dating back to the colonial period of the United States. He was the son of Abner Atherton and Betsey Dean of Dedham, Massachusetts. His father was a sea captain, first married to Catherine Dean, and after her death, married her sister Betsy, who became Atherton's mother. In 1830, Atherton entered
21291-399: Was complicated and controversial; over the course of the war, it admitted as many as 300,000 refugees while refusing tens of thousands more, including Jews persecuted by the Nazis. After the war, the Swiss government exported credits through the charitable fund known as the Schweizerspende and donated to the Marshall Plan to help Europe's recovery, efforts that ultimately benefited
21442-427: Was done. On June 16, 1880, Congress adjourned, once again, without action on a bill that would have given Sutter US$ 50,000 (~$ 1.36 million in 2023). Two days later, Sutter died in the Mades Hotel in Washington. His body was returned to Lititz and buried adjacent to God's Acre , the Moravian Graveyard; Annette Sutter died the following January and is buried with him. There are numerous California landmarks bearing
21593-399: Was granted and his fort was erected, Sutter quickly reneged on his agreement to discourage European trespass. On the contrary, Sutter aided the migration of other Europeans to California. "I gave passports to those entering the country… and this (Bautista) did not like it… I encouraged immigration, while they discouraged it. I sympathized with the Americans while they hated them." Construction
21744-405: Was integrated into the Roman province of Raetia . Sometime around the start of the Common Era , the Romans maintained a large camp called Vindonissa , now a ruin at the confluence of the Aare and Reuss rivers, near the town of Windisch . The first and second century AD was an age of prosperity on the Swiss Plateau. Towns such as Aventicum , Iulia Equestris and Augusta Raurica reached
21895-408: Was named after him. Gov. Jerry Brown , elected to a third term in 2010, had a Welsh corgi named Sutter Brown , affectionately referred to as the First Dog of California. Sutter died in late 2016 from cancer. On June 15, 2020, amid the Black Lives Matter protests and the removal of many statues deemed to be racist, the statue of John Sutter outside the Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, CA ,
22046-579: Was not enough for young Atherton, who also established a parcel delivery service for merchants. Atherton was intent on making his fortune in the Pacific Coast Trade. He had accumulated sufficient capital for such an overseas enterprise. He chose South America to seek his fortune, and left Boston on the Boston Ship "Mercury" in 1833, with a motley of cargo goods valued at $ 500. It included cigars, cologne, brushes, shoes, other leather goods and German harps. Upon arrival in Valparaiso, Chile he quickly sold all his cargo to Augustus Hemenway's commission firm, sharing
22197-421: Was only a small seaport town. At the time of Sutter's arrival, Alta California was a province of Mexico and had a population of Native Americans estimated at 100,000–700,000. Sutter had to go to the capital at Monterey to obtain permission from the governor , Juan Bautista Alvarado , to settle in the territory. Alvarado saw Sutter's plan of establishing a colony in Central Valley as useful in "buttressing
22348-403: Was part of the territory of the Kings of the Burgundians , who introduced the French language to the area. The Alemanni settled the Swiss Plateau in the fifth century and the valleys of the Alps in the eighth century, forming Alemannia . Modern-day Switzerland was then divided between the kingdoms of Alemannia and Burgundy . The entire region became part of the expanding Frankish Empire in
22499-479: Was precious metal. Sutter concluded that it was, in fact, gold, but he was very anxious that the discovery not disrupt his plans for construction and farming. At the same time, he set about gaining legitimate title to as much land near the discovery as possible. Sutter's attempt at keeping the gold discovery quiet failed when merchant and newspaper publisher Samuel Brannan returned from Sutter's Mill to San Francisco with gold he had acquired there and began publicizing
22650-435: Was removed, "out of respect for some community members' viewpoints, and in the interest of public safety for patients and staff." Switzerland in Europe (green and dark grey) Switzerland , officially the Swiss Confederation , is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe . It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to
22801-531: Was the editor of the Southern California Quarterly during the 1960s and when promoting his book in the December 1964 edition of The California Historical Society Quarterly was quoted saying: "Since Atherton begins where Richard Henry Dana leaves off, his diary is not an unworthy companion to Dana's classic. Previous authors have referred to the "gamey passages" (as on pp. 122 and 144) in his journal. Several pages are also missing and researchers have indicated they may have been removed in an attempt to preserve
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