California and Oregon: A Speech

Abstract

Jonathan Trumbull Warner, better known as J. J. Warner because of his preference in using the Spanish translation of his name, Juan Jose settled in Southern California in 1834. Prior to establishing his permanent residence, he had for several years been actively engaged in the Southwest fur trade, including forays into California. Joseph J. Hill has written extensively of Warner's career in his book, The History of Warner's Ranch and Its Environs (Los Angeles, 1927), and recently, Lorrin L. Morrison has published another brief study. The Southern California Historical Society in both its Annual and Quarterly publications has printed a number of articles relating to its first Society president and distinguished local pioneer. Among these, the Society published Warner's Reminiscences of Early California from 1831 to 1846 {Annual, VII, Pt. 2-3 [1907-1908], 176-193.) Warner, in later years with the collaboration of Benjamin Hayes and Dr. Joseph E Widney, authored An Historical Sketch of Los Angeles County, California in 1876, which was reprinted by O. W. Smith in 1936. Hill, in his book on Warner's Ranch, points out that Warner spent the years, 1840-1841, in the East (pp. 102-103), an(* observes: Just what the purpose of the trip was has never, to my knowledge, been stated!' One can surmise that Warner wanted to visit his family in Connecticut, his birthplace. From there, under date of Had Lyme, Connecticut September 21, 1840, he addressed a letter to President Martin Van Buren in support of the argument for the appointment of an American Consul at Monterey. It is a rather awkward letter and contrasts sharply with the polished text of his speech (which is published herewith) . Henry R Beers published the text of Warner's letter in his documentary