This period of time seems analogous in some respects to the year 1852, and was one of very marked severity on this coast, as was also the latter year; it was analogous to other periods of subterranean disturbance in other parts of the earth since the historic era began, and there is no good reason why we may not look for the recurrence of similar events in future time. But we must not lay too much stress on the destruction of the two mission churches in 1812, to guide us in an estimate of the force of this earthquake, for the construction of those buildings had but little relation to similar structures of modern date, either in strength or material.
From 1812 to 1850, the archives are silent on this subject. In the latter year our record began and has continued with little interruption to 1863, a period of thirteen years. Within that period there are but few earthquakes occurring north of the thirty-ninth parallel which have escaped notice and have not been made matter of record.
1850.
During this year the following earthquakes were recorded:
March 12th.—A light shock was felt in San José.
May 13th.—A light shock in San Francisco. An eruption of Mauna Loa, S. I., and shock same day.
June 28th.—A light shock in San Francisco.
August 4th.—A smart shock was felt in Stockton and Sacramento.
September 14th.—Smart shock at San Francisco and San José. Total number recorded in 1850, five.