[DiogenesLamp]

Do you suppose maybe the fact that the California constitution prohibited the formation of banks until 1862 had anything to do with that?

Are you suggesting they sent gold and silver several thousand miles across land (and much much further around the cape) to New York just for safekeeping?

No, I don't think that was the primary reason why specie ended up in New York to pay for part of the European trade.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Ever hear of Wells Fargo?