Deck and Port: Incidents of a Cruise in the United States Frigate Congress to California

Walter Colton (1797-1851) was an American chaplain, author, and journalist, best known for his work as the editor of the first newspaper in California. He was born in Rutland, Massachusetts, and studied at Yale College before becoming a minister in the Congregational church. In 1846, Colton was appointed as the first chaplain of the United States Navy's Pacific Squadron, and he sailed to California with the fleet. While in California, he became the editor of the Monterey Californian, the first newspaper to be published in the state. He used the paper as a platform to advocate for American interests and to promote the idea of statehood for California. In addition to his work as a journalist, Colton was also a prolific author. He wrote several books about his experiences in California, including "Three Years in California" (1850), which provided a detailed account of life in the state during the early years of American rule. He also wrote poetry, plays, and religious works. Walter Colton's contributions to journalism and literature in California were significant, and his work helped to establish the foundations of the state's cultural and intellectual life. His writings continue to be studied and appreciated today as important historical and literary documents.