and wrote to his family and friends with tips on where they could make the greatest fortune by speculating in land and relocating with the enslaved men and women who they claimed ownership of. In 1820, he told his brother to "advise Gerard by all means to sell his landed property and move with his Negroes to KY or the Missouri." Barnes frequently complained to his siblings about his low pay, and implored them to send his money or his "negroes" so that he could work them in Kentucky. He served in the 1st U.S. Infantry during the Black Hawk War. In 1833, he transferred to the 1st U.S. Dragoons as its first Major. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1836. During the Mexican–American War, he served in New Mexico Territory and California, rising to the rank of colonel in 1846. Following the war, he was appointed military governor of California, serving from May 31, 1847, until April 13, 1849. When gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill, Mason made a report of the finding to President James K. Polk. That official description of the massive gold discovery is credited with sparking the California Gold Rush, resulting in the settlement of the land. Mason died in 1850 at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, and was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery. In the US Federal Census of 1850 for Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis County, Missouri, dated 18 August 1850, the following annotation is located at the bottom of the third page: "Brig Genl Mason died at Jefferson Barracks July 1849 of Cholera." However, The St. Louis Intelligencer reported the General's death on Saturday, July 27, 1850, (p. 3, cols. 1, 4.) Marriage and children Mason married Elizabeth Margaret Hunter on 28 January 1836. Richard and Elizabeth had three daughters: Emma Twiggs Mason Wheaton (17 October 1836 – 16 February 1864) Elizabeth Mary Ann Sally Mason (20 August 1838 – 19 November 1912) Alice Graham Mason (c. 1843 – 10 February 1847) Honors In 1882, the Post at Point San Jose in San Francisco, California, was renamed Fort Mason in his honor, and served as an Army base for more than 100 years. Ancestry References External links Guide to the Richard Barnes Mason Papers at The Bancroft Library People of the Conquest of California United States military governors of California 1797 births 1850 deaths American Episcopalians American military personnel of the Mexican–American