With Captain Kotzebue was the German poet, Albert von
Chamisso.
The Russian captain, with brighter faith and keener insight than any
other of the early visitors to the coast, says of the country: "It has
hitherto been the fate of these regions to remain unnoticed; but
posterity will do them justice; towns and cities will flourish where all
is now desert; the waters over which scarcely a solitary boat is yet
seen to glide will reflect the flags of all nations; and a happy,
prosperous people receiving with thankfulness what prodigal nature
bestows for their use will dispense her treasures over every part of the
world."
In the writings of Albert von Chamisso can be found a most interesting
description of his visit. To him is due the honor of giving to our
Californian poppy its botanical name.
In 1841, the supply of otter having become exhausted, the Russians sold
their property and claims about Fort Ross to the Swiss emigrant, the
genial John Sutter. In 1903, through the agency of the Landmarks
Society, this property and its still well-preserved buildings came into
the possession of the state of California.
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