The place we hear about - Public domain book illustration, Library of Congress

Another grim portrayal of violent goldfield life in California, similar to "Things as They Are" (no. 1849-3) and equally critical of the outgoing Polk administration. Here again mayhem erupts, as prospectors and thieves brawl over the gold being taken from the hills. In the center one man discharges a pistol in the face of miner carrying a large sack of gold. Behind them others fight with knives and fists. One desperate character accosts another, demanding "Bread! Bread! Damn you! Bread." On the far right is a table where a buckskin-clad man is served by another man who exacts "A pinch of Gold for a drink." On the left another man, kneeling on the ground, vomits. In the left background rises a mountain with several prospectors hard at work. In the center distance the Capitol and White House are visible. On the "High Road to California," former President James K. Polk and his cabinet, armed with spades and pickaxes, hurry toward the goldfields. Polk, in the lead, says, "Off Boys to reap the reward of our four years labour." The California territory was acquired from Mexico during Polk's administration. "The Place We Hear About" is close enough in composition and in the handling of the figures to Perkins's "Things as They Are" to suggest his authorship.
Drawn by S. Lee Perkins?
Lith & pub. by Henry Serrell & S. Lee Perkins 75 Nassau St. N.Y.
Title appears as it is written on the item.
Weitenkampf, p. 99.
Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)
Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1849-4.