Author: dave

WEDNESDAY 10th

At 12 OClock last night the wind. hauled again to the N .W blowing Strong compelling us to take in Our Togallen Sails. Still we are Making rapid pro­gress directly on our course.  At daylight the welcome cry of Sail Ho was heard from aloft.  A Vessel baring the appearance of a Brig appeared off our Starboard Beam 10 or 12 miles distant. Two more porpoises were caught this Morning before Break­fast.  They are very numerous. ToMorrow we hope to enter the Port of St Francisco. The Thought is cheering indeed.   We look forward to the time, with pleasure, when we May Break the Seal of letters from our friends far away. Just before Sundown, a Sail appeared dir.ectly ahead, coming down towards us      She proved to be a Bark.

THURSDAY 11th

Land Ho, California has at last appeared to our view. We are a great distance from it, So that it appeared like a cloud. Still by the help of the Glass we can distinctly See large trees covering the Hills. Several Vessels are in Sight bound in. We exchanged Signals with the one nearest us which proved to be Germen. The wind has died away, nearly to a calm, which Makes it rather doubt­ ful about our geting in to day. The Morning is very pleasant. At One OClock P.M .We got a fine breeze from the Westward, but a thick fog Set in with it, which prevented us from Seeing but a Short distance ahead. At five o clock a Ship appeared off our weather Bow nearing us quite fast. She was Soon within hailing distance. Our Stars and Stripes were hoisted and She Soon raised the Same. We gave them hearty cheers, which were as heartily returned . Our Captain then Spoke to her. She prov­ed to be the Ship Mason of New York, from Philadelphia 231 days out.  We kept in company with her Steering the Same course until Six, O,Clock when She was Seen to come about, and Steer directly for us. When within hailing distance, her Captain Sung out with all his might Ship Salem put up your helm hard up Land ahead. Shure enough a large Mountain of Rocks appeared throught the fog, close to us so that by the time our Ship was got about we could distinctly see the Breakers dash against the Rocks. there was great confusion for a Short time on deck but we were soon out of all danger     Standing off from the land Both Ships now were near each other again, and both Captains agreed to Stand off and on during the night, and if possible to keep in company. We have no doubt the land we discovered was the Faron Islands distance about twenty miles from the Mouth of the Harbor.

Both Vessels kept in company til three 0 Clock this Morning. when we lost Sight of her.    at daylight, we had a Strong breeze from the west.    we hove in for the Land.         (but it was Still fogy, but not so much as it was yesterday)     at eight 0 Clock the Ship was discovered off our weather Bow.        also the dutch Vessel mentioned yesterday, was Seen off our lee Bow Standing along with the Land, and a few minutes afterwards the land appeared directly ahead, and we were much pleased to See the Same cliff that we were So near last night. St Francisco lays twenty Miles from this Bluff, as Stated yesterday. We Stood in for the harbour and at twelve 0 Clock we heard very heavy guns firing directly ahead. A general hurah now took place for we knew we were not far from St Francisco. At about three P.M.the mouth of the harbour appeared to the Joy of all on Board. Several vessels were bound out and appeared to be in great haste.  As we entered the harbour a large fleet of Vessels presented itself to our view. This caused another huraghing. The town also appeared, and Such a Sight I never Saw, houses going up in all directions, tents pitched on the beach and Surrounding hills. It is impossible to give a discription with any degree of correctness. at five O Clock P.M .our Anchor was dropped in the beautiful Bay of St Francisco, and in a few Minutes the Mason (mentioned yesterday) done the Same. The Bark Susan that Sailed from Talcahuano about one hour before we did, let her Anchor go about one hour before we did. The Susan Jane also arrived today. Many of our American friends from other Ships, came on board, from whom we were able to gath­er Some news both as it regards Mining and the prospect of things in the town of St Francisco. it was very flattering. But on inquiring concerning the News from the States, Our Spir­ it were cast down amediately on hearing that the cholera was raging to an alarming degree, carrying hundreds to the grave . this caused Many to get a convayance to the Town as Soon as possible, for the purpose of getting letters.   there Being three Males Back, very few received letters, but Some in that number had cause to Moan for departed relatives and friends. We was informed That the Steamer Unicorn (Mentioned in Talcahuano) was expected every hour with the back males. So Ends the Voyage.

SATURDAY 13th

This is a beautiful Morning. Ten O Clock AM went on Shore to See the town. Such another place I never Saw before, hundreds of buildings going up in all directions    Mechanics wages twelve dollars a day, and goods laying all through the Streets exposed to the weather. The greatest confusion reigns all through the place, that I ever Saw. Money is as plenty here as potatoes in York. The news is Such I declare that I cannot write as I Should concerning the various matters of interest that present themselves. There are at present about three hun­dred Sails in this port.   Vessels are considered of So little Value that Some are run up the Sacramento as far as the water will permit and then Beached.  good order is Maintained both here and at the Mines.  firearms are of no use whatever by Way of defence. So much so that revolvers that cost from ten to fifteen dollars in New York can be bought for three or four here. Called at the Post office but no letters.

I Saw a paper from New York dated May Seventh with a list of the names of those died with Cholera. Saw the name of Mary E. Carpenter, who I think is or was a very intimate friend of Mine. I enter this here that I may not forget to inquire on my return home (If I should ever be So fortunate) if it is the person I think it is.

SUNDAY 14th

Visited the first Baptist Church at San Francisco. Under the Pastoral care of the Rev W Wheeler, I listened to the first Sermon in Seven months, heb 4th Chapter 16th Verse. Mr Wheelers remarks was very appropiate, and interesting to a houseful of hearers.

TUESDAY 16th

Sold the Ship for five thousand five hundred and eighty-two dollars. The Association found that if they had to wait till the Ship was discharged by the Members, it would detain them at least One Month. And it was resolved to Sell her with what Provisions there remained, and all Property belonging to the Association as a Body. She was bought on the following terms the person or purchaser was to give the Sum above mentioned for the Ship as She Stands, relieving the Association of all debts, Contracted by the Same, and fulfilling every engagement to the letter. We the Association to have the privilege of the use of the Ship, Boats, and provisions, till the first of next Month. Many are making preparations for departing for the Mines. The Male Steamer for the States leaves on the First of Next Month, and as we expect to leave this place for the mines, in the course of two or three days. We are compelled to put our letters in the office to day without getting any from home. Wrote one to L.H., one to H.D., one to the Sixteenth St choir one to E••••F.H.and one to grandmother at S.S.

28th

The Male Steamer for the States leaves on the First of Next Month, and as we expect to leave this place for the mines, in the course of two or three days. We are compelled to put our letters in the office to day without getting any from home. Wrote one to L.H., one to H.D., one to the Sixteenth St choir one to E….F.H.and one to grandmother at S.S.

 

JOURNEY UP THE JOAQUIN RIVER TO STOCTON

From thence to the Gold Mines on the Toualamy River, Together with a Journal of the proceedings of the New York and California Excelsior Mining Company, of which Iam a Member.

On the 30th of October the nesesary arangements being com­ plete, We Set Sail for Stockton in the Schooner Lawrence a Small Vessel of only Six tons burden. When we Set Sail the wind was fair and the weather pleasent but at Sundown we got a cloudy Sky that threatened rain.   the wind increased and Soon oblidged us to haul up under the Land and anchor. the hole of our craft being filled with our provisions and baggage, we had to Make our beds on the deck or els Sit up all night.     to add to our awful Situation it began to rain just about the time to turn in, but by Spreading our hammocks over us we Man­aged to keep ourselves tolerably dry, and to get Some Sleep.

At one O Clock, A.M. We got a fair wind and clear weather.  we arose from our uncomfortable beds and were Soon under way Stearing for the Joaquin  at nine 0 Clock A M we entered that River and passed by Bonitia a Small town Situated about 1/2 mile from the Rivers Mouth. This place like all the rest on this river through to Stockton (including the latter) Owes its Origin to the discovery of the Gold Mines. After passing Bonitia the Stream began to be very crooked, So much So that we could See but a Short distance ahead. Often the Crooks would form a right Angle and frequently an Obtuse Angle, Causing a wind that would be fair in Some places, to be directly ahead in others. About four 0 Clock P M we passed New York, the head of Ship navigation on the San Joaquin.  fore or five Ships were lying at this place apparantly the property of Associations Who had all (with the exception of two or three for Ship keepers) gone off to the Mines. This Place is or was Named after the Great City of New York in the States. The Surveyors have laid out the ground intending it for a fine city, the Streets broad, and Named after the Most Popular of the Empire City. I get ‘this information from an advertisement in the Paper.   that Paper Speakes of the place as being a Splendid Cite for a City, and Many of the lots are already offered for Sale. But I could See nothing very inviting. Nor know why any Man Should desire to live in Such a barren looking Place at present there is but one house on the ground, and I think this will be the extent (for years to come) of the City of New York of the San Joaquin. The evening was cool but Pleasent other­wise, a fair breeze was wafting us over the water finely. We were all contemplating with pleasure, a Speedy termination of the Voyage up the River. At about nine P M we discovered with regret that our boatmen had lost their way in the Dark and Got in Some distance to a Slough that branched off from the main River. The Sails was lowered, and the Anchor let go until the tide turned So that we could float down to the Mouth of the Slough and get on the right road again. After boiling Some coffe and eating a Scanty Meal we layed down upon the Vessels deck to Sleep .

At daylight the tide turned, and we were Soon floating down the Stream, and about 9 0 Clock we found ourselves again on the San Joaquin. We was favored with a fair wind all day, and we continued under way till late in the evening, when we again found ourselves in a Slough where we Stopped for the night.