Thomas O. Larkin: A Life of Patriotism and Profit in Old CaliforniaArriving in Mexican California in 1832, Thomas O. Larkin (1802-1858) expected to become a rich man-and he did: he became a successful merchant, financier, and land developer. Larkin also became the confidant of California officials, American consul to California, and secret agent of the president of the United States during the territory’s transition from Mexican to American control. Harlan Hague and David Langum have uncovered a large body of new information, shedding light on many aspects of Larkin’s personal life as well as on his business and diplomatic activities. Historians and general readers will welcome this full-scale biography of one of the most important men in the history of early California. |
Contents
Land Speculation and Ranching | 176 |
California Paisano or New York Nabob? | 199 |
Repose | 224 |
Bibliography | 287 |
Common terms and phrases
Abel Stearns accounts affairs agent American appointment April arrived August Bancroft Library Benicia Boston Captain Castro Childs to TOL claim Commodore consular Correspondence and Papers December Ebenezer Faxon Dean Atherton February Frederic Larkin Frémont Gillespie governor Hawgood History of California ibid interest James Buchanan January January 14 John B. R. Cooper John Bidwell John Parrott José Josiah Belden Juan Bautista Alvarado July June land Larkin Family Collection Larkin Letters Larkin Papers Larkin wrote Last Consul Leese Leidesdorff Manuel Micheltorena March Mazatlán merchants Mexican California Mexico Micheltorena Mission Missroon Monterey navy November October Phelps Pico Pío Pico Rachel H Rogers Sacramento San Francisco Santa Barbara Secretary Semple sent September ship Sloat Stockton Sutter Talbot H Thomas Oliver Larkin TOL to Abel TOL to Faxon TOL to James TOL to John TOL to Rachel TOL to William told town trade United Vallejo Documents