Alta California 1840-1842: The Journal & Observations of William Dane Phelps, Master of the Ship Alert

Arthur H. Clark Company, Glendale, California, 1983. Western Land and Waters Series XIII.
Signed by the editor with a dedication 'For Joan & Ron...'

Phelps' diary gives us a vivid picture of California settlements and settlers, the hide and tallow trade, and comments on agriculture, social customs, political events. His New England prejudices are much in evidence, but do not detract from the valuable insights and contacts which he had. He made 76 stops at 11 ports along the coast during this period.