STEVE EMBER: Emperor Norton began sending royal orders…called decrees…to the newspapers of San Francisco. The newspapers began publishing them. Many people thought they were funny. Some people bought the newspapers just to read about the latest decree from the Emperor of the United States.

Many of the decrees, however, made people think. For example, Emperor Norton said that Governor Wise of Virginia was to be removed from office by royal decree. Emperor Norton said this was necessary because Governor Wise had ordered the death by hanging of John Brown. John Brown was a rebel who had tried to start a war to free slaves.

Emperor Norton’s decree said John Brown had tried to capture the state of Virginia with only seventeen men. That was evidence, Emperor Norton said, that John Brown was mentally sick and should have been put in a hospital for treatment.

Emperor North said John Brown never should have been executed. Many people in San Francisco agreed with Emperor Norton. The execution of John Brown was one of the many issues that led to the American Civil War.

ROBERT COHEN: Another Emperor Norton decree had to do with the name of the city. Some people often use a short name for city of San Francisco. They call it “Frisco.” Emperor Norton did not like this short name. He decreed that anyone found guilty of using the word “Frisco” must pay a penalty of twenty-five dollars. Even today many citizens of San Francisco warn visitors never to call the great city “Frisco."