Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/121

 thousand inhabitants, on the rim of a dense forest. Michigan was not yet a state but had hopes, and Waller quite possibly had received a Federal appointment from President Jackson in anticipation of the territory's admission. This was accomplished on January 26, 1837, by a compromise common in middle America: Michigan came in as a free state and Arkansas as a slave.7 Less than two months later President Van Bureau took office, and the greatest depression in the history of the new republic crashed down upon the dreams of quick fortune everywhere.

Waller practiced law in Detroit^ for several years but finally decided to return to the Atlantic States. Some time in 1839 the thirty-seven-year-old attorney opened an office in New York City,^ where he practiced until 1849. During this time he apparently returned to the Whig party. The Albany regency and the suave domination of redheaded Martin Van Buren were definitely not to Waller's taste. Chastened and penitent, he turned his back upon Jackson's chosen successor. He was through with adventure, he thought.

But the Wallers, now graying and middle-aged, arrived in San Francisco aboard the ship Normon,^'^ sixty-three days out of Panama, on July 15, 1849. It was a further test of the amazing endurance of these two New Englanders. On the very same day arrived the steamer California, but twenty-two days out of Panama. Waller was now nearly fifty, one of the older men in a city full of gold-mad boys and young men.

While most of his fellow men stalked adventure in the dark muddy streets or stood bedazzled in the lurid gambling saloons. Royal H. Waller paid his respects to the Rev. Albert Williams, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, who held services twice each Sunday in the little red schoolhouse on the Plaza.^2 During the rest of the week the Reverend Mr. Williams kept school in the little building, which had served as jail, court, and meeting house and was known as the Public Institute. Waller became interested in the school at once and was promptly appointed a director, serving until Mr. Williams found it necessary to abandon the school in the fall of '49,^^ owing to pressure of church work.

The childless Wallers devoted their frustrated parental instincts to every enterprise for the spiritual development of other people's offspring. There were many such opportunities. Churchmen were greatly exercised over the increasing neglect of children by the carefree population. Aside from the need for schools, there was a great need of religious instruction. Royal Waller was one of the early officers of the Pacific Tract Society, founded on February 24, 1850.^* He became almost at once a sturdy pillar of the First Presbyterian Church.

The ideals and good deeds of the Wallers shine serenely through the rolling smoke and political fury of the town in which they now lived. While it burned five times in 1850, only to rise and burn again, they pursued their