1849 Letters

Sherwood Forest, VA - 2 January 1849

I perceive that the abolitionists are in the lead among you in Congress, and how the matters are to terminate the future will disclose.

New York, NY - 3 January 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... I called on all my friends Monday, but could not bid any of them a serious farewell as the girls would not believe that I am going.

New York, NY - 17 January 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... Ho for California and the Gold Regions! Westward the Star of Empire takes its Way!

Washington, MD - 24 January 1849

The meeting of the Southern members took place again last Monday night. My address was adopted by a decided majority.

Taos, NM - 27 January 1849

The guide came nigh being frozen to death here, and dead mules were already lying about the fires. Meantime, it snowed steadily.

Senate Chamber, MD - 30 January 1849

You know Mr. Polk and your view of the manner in which he should be dealt with as shown by your letters has very closely agreed with my own.

Springfield, MA - 5 February 1849

We have in this part of the country the strongest proofs that the great majority have made gold their hope, their only hope.

Taos, NM - 6 February 1849

I wish for a time to shut out these things from my mind, to leave this country, and all thoughts and all things connected with recent events, which have been so signally disastrous as absolutely to astonish me...

Elmwood, MA - 21 February 1849

You know that I never agreed to the Dissolution-of-the-Union movement, and simply because I think it a waste of strength. Why do we not separate ourselves from the African whom we wish to elevate?

Socorro, NM - 24 February 1849

We lost all our animals and ten men, the mules frozen, and the men starved to death, Proue only excepted. He was frozen.

Elmwood, MA - 26 February 1849

On the whole, these things heighten one's zeal against slavery.

Rio De Janeiro, BRA - 11 March 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... We rode along among the mountains, every now and then meeting parties of our countrymen, cruising around on jackasses, some in carriages having a jolly time.

Rio De Janeiro, BRA - 13 March 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... In the evening, hearing that the Emperor was going to be present we took a box at the theatre for six, at three dollars and a half.

Washington, MD - 2 April 1849

Zachary Taylor letter to Persifer F. Smith... Congress has adjourned without making any adequate provision for the formation of a Government or the establishment of our laws in California

Fort Hill, SC - 10 April 1849

I had a safe and pleasant journey home. The weather was pleasant and Spring was rapidly advancing. The Jessamine and Dogwood were in bloom, and the forest had just commenced clo[th]ing itself with green.

St. Joseph, MO - 21 April 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to the Free Trader... At St. Louis the emigrants have been egregiously imposed on by false representations as to the capability of furnishings outfits here

Eutaw, AL - 29 April 1849

The immediate object of this letter is to inform you of an attempt, which is being made, to destroy your influence in this state, by secretly circulating an abominable falsehood, well calculated to deceive the unwary

English Grove, MO - 30 April 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to the Free Trader... About four o'clock in the afternoon, while laying in comparative ease, he was taken with gasping for breath and in ten minutes he lay a corpse before us.

Harney's Landing, MO - 2 May 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to the Free Trader... And now commence our wanderings, and whether they will continue as long and be as varied as those of the children of Israel, remains to be seen.

Amesbury, MA - 10 May 1849

We have had a dreary spring a gray haze in the sky a dim, beam-shorn sun a wind from the northeast, cold as if sifted through all the ices of frozen Labrador...

Callao, PER - 31 May 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... One hundred and twenty four days from N.Y.; seventy one from Rio and we dropped our anchor on Peruvian ground in the Bay of Callao.

Fort Hill, SC - 15 June 1849

It is, indeed, distressing to be so far off and for so long a time from those so dear to us; but let us rather look forward to when we shall again meet, than indulge in unavailing sorrows.

Fort Hill, SC - 23 June 1849

I read the account of your proceedings with reference to the Slave question with pleasure. Both tone and substance are good.

West Point, NY - 29 June 1849

Winfield Scott letter to J. C. HAMILTON, ESQ.

Brattleboro, VT - 29 June 1849

This week has been unusually fatal. The disease in the city has been malignant and virulent. Hearse drivers have scarce been allowed to unharness their horses

Philadelphia, PA - 30 June 1849

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... . The longer the vessel delays now, the worse it will be for me. Were it not for sweet hope in the future this trial would break me down; and this morning, as it is, my heart has been heavy.

, MA - 0 July 1849

I read yesterday Emerson on war. How good it is to have been written so many years ago! I wish he would write something as useful now...

West Chester, PA - 1 July 1849

Money is a very convenient thing but if you should not be successful, do not be discouraged. If you have your health and return to America, you will find even little West Chester large enough to make a comfortable living

West Chester, PA - 1 July 1849

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... Everything looks natural in the Record office, with the exception of your absence. A universal regret prevails among your numerous friends in West Chester.

Cabin Of The Europe, Delaware River - 4 July 1849

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... I shall remember that I sailed for San Francisco on the Fourth of July, 1849, leaving all that's near and dear for yellow gold.

, MA - 9 July 1849

Sumner came out Saturday evening just as we were locking up, went to church with me yesterday, to hear William White preach a very dull sermon, and had Felton to dinner.

Philadelphia, PA - 11 July 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We left Pine Street Wharf, Philadelphia, on Tuesday evening, July 3d, amid the shouts and cheers of assembled hundreds

, MA - 19 July 1849

Poor Rome! I watch her fate with intense interest. I wonder the nations do not remonstrate as protectors of antiquity and art.

Ship Europe - 21 July 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Several of the passengers have been attacked again with seasickness; among the number, friend Atkins and myself.

West Chester, PA - 22 July 1849

Ellen Apple letter to Enos Christman... I know that you have been wanting to go to that tempting place, California, and that you would never be satisfied if you did not go. So I hope it is all for the best.

West Chester, PA - 22 July 1849

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... Miss Bradshaw, although possessing many generous and noble qualities, allowed jealousy to wither her better feelings and prevent herself, Miss Apple and me from mutually enjoying many pleasures

Fort Hill, SC - 24 July 1849

It is high time the South should begin to prepare. I see no hope of bringing the North to a sense of justice, but by our united action, and for that purpose, a Convention of the South is indispensable.

Ship Europe - 25 July 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Yesterday the Association held a meeting and each member secured the professional services of Dr. Harris for two years by paying one dollar and sixty-three and a half cents.

Ship Europe - 29 July 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... I was sick, very sick, but feeling better, I ate a very hearty breakfast of fresh bread, the first we have had since leaving the Capes

Ship Europe - 3 August 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... It is now just one month since we left Philadelphia and we are not yet 2,000 miles from there. If we do not progress faster hereafter it will take us about eight months to reach San Francisco.

Fort Hill, SC - 4 August 1849

You are right, as to the source, whence Benton draws his support. He has bribed the papers at the seat of Government by jobs at the publick expense

Ship Europe - 16 August 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We crossed the Tropic of Cancer in damp and disagreeable weather, and are now in the Trade Winds.

San Francisco, CA - 22 August 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... As we entered this noble Bay, with a cracking breeze, the blue devils that had been haunting us for the last month left and every countenance was radiant

San Francisco, CA - 23 August 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... The death of J. K. Polk was received here by the steamer on Saturday. On Monday all the shipping displayed their flags at half-mast and the man of war fired minute guns.

Fort Hill, SC - 24 August 1849

Politically I have nothing good to write. The appearance is, that Taylor's administration will prove a failure. I fear he is in the hands of the Northern Whigs

Ship Europe - 29 August 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Notwithstanding our nearness to the Equator, this has been the coldest day we have experienced since leaving port. Indeed it is so cold that many have brought out their overcoats

London, ENG - 29 August 1849

Have called on the Messrs. Pickersgill, and find they have neither sold any wool nor offered any.

Washington, MD - 29 August 1849

Now I must tell you of the progress of the Cuba affair. The main spring or mover in the matter has just left me

Ship Europe - 9 September 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We crossed the Equator Friday, August 31st, in longitude 23 deg. W. In the evening, pursuant to custom, old Neptune and his assistants made their appearance, dressed in the most grotesque style

Lawson's Settlement, CA - 18 September 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to wife Mary... When we were going down the Humboldt River, a report began to be accredited among the emigrants that there was a new road that led to Feather River, or the Sacramento, or the somewhere, that it was an hundred mile

Ship Europe - 21 September 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We have crossed the Tropic of Capricorn. The sea has been exceedingly rough and I have not felt like writing. The way the vessel rocked from side to side and rattled the dishes and trunks was a caution to Davy Crockett

London, ENG - 21 September 1849

...a lot of No. 2 wool was sold at the auction sale, at from twenty-six to twenty-nine cents per pound. This is a bad sale, and I have withdrawn all other wools from the market, or public sales.

Monterey, CA - 25 September 1849

Benjamin Lippincott letter to John. L. Stephens... I am now occupying a seat in the Convention of California from the San Joaquin District--having been elected during my absence to this place

Sacramento City, CA - 30 September 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to MESSRS. EDITORS... I have been here four days and am on the point of leaving for the Upper Sacramento.

Ship Europe - 30 September 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Now that the weather has become cold, we have opened a theatre in the second cabin and "Macbeth" was played with great effect amid thunders of applause from a crowded house

Ship Europe - 0 October 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... For several hours, while the sea was smooth, we were literally surrounded by whales, some of them of enormous size. Three came within a few feet of the vessel, giving us a good view of them...

Ship Europe - 0 October 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... on Tuesday we rolled too much to have the table set at dinner, each man taking his pork and bread in his hand and practicing on the motto that fingers were made before forks.

Ship Europe - 0 October 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... A tremendous wave struck the vessel Tuesday morning, covering the deck with several feet of water and rolling some of the passengers from side to side, ducking them most thoroughly

Ship Europe - 0 October 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... This afternoon a penguin kept floating round the ship a long time. This was the first penguin I ever saw and as it came up to the surface of the water appeared very much like a guinea in form and of a dark greenish col

Ship Europe - 0 October 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... All hands have again been engaged catching water with tin cup or bottle, off every spar and rope, wherever a drop would run down. But very little of the water caught in this manner is fit for drinking...

Unknown, CA - 1 October 1849

Benjamin Lippincott letter to his sister Amelia... Col. Fremont & family are here & I had the pleasure to hear from Mrs. F. the other day that a chair at her table was always vacant for me...

Upper Diggings, Feather River, CA - 12 October 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to Dear Sir... The Valley of the Sacramento, instead of being such a delightful region with its perennial spring, its blooming flowers, and clear sky, we found to be parched with drought

Fort Hill, SC - 14 October 1849

My correspondence is necessarily heavy. It occupies one day and sometimes two a week; but what mainly occupies me, is the work I have on hand.

Fort Hill, SC - 22 October 1849

Mississippi has acted well on the slave question, and I hope Alabama and every other Southern State will back her and send delegates to Nashville.

Sacramento, CA - 25 October 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... I think we are in a fair way to make our pile and be ready to come home one of these years.

San Francisco, CA - 31 October 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... All the canvass houses have disappeared and handsome frame and brick buildings have taken their places. Several new saloons have been opened...

Ship Europe - 4 November 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... The gale of Wednesday night was terrible, making every timber in our old craft quiver and tearing our fore-top staysail to pieces.

Westport, NY - 9 November 1849

I reached home last week, and found all well, and the weather fine, which has been the case since you left

Ship Europe - 12 November 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Ten or twelve large albatross were caught and slaughtered, some of them weighing 22 pounds and measuring as much as 12 feet across the wings from tip to tip.

Valley Of The Sacramento, CA - 19 November 1849

Alonzo Delano letter to the Free Trader... It has been found impossible hitherto to penetrate very high up the mountains from the difficulty of getting provisions up, and strong parties are more necessary on account of the treacherous savages who inh

Ship Europe, Off Valparaiso, CHL - 19 November 1849

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... To tell you of all the sweets and bitters of this voyage would require a volume, for we have had a very long and in many respects a tedious voyage of twenty weeks, where twelve should have sufficed.

Ship Europe - 19 November 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We have been successful in catching four porpoises, or sea-hogs, and they furnished several meals of fresh meat all around...We eat it with a hearty relish as I believe we would relish anything in the fresh meat line a

Ship Europe - 20 November 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Early in the morning we came near the coast and continued close to it, until entering the Valparaiso harbor about 7 P.M.

Ship Europe - 23 November 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... There are from 70 to 80 vessels now lying in port waiting their turn for water, and at least one half of them are American bound for California.

Sacramento, CA - 25 November 1849

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... I have not come 20,000 miles to turn around and go right back again like some persons who have been here and gotten homesick.

Ship Europe - 26 November 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We all anticipated receiving papers and letters from home, but in this we have been disappointed. Not one of our passengers has received a newspaper or letter...

Ship Europe, Valparaiso, CHL - 27 November 1849

Enos Christman letter to Peebles Prizer... Should any more of our friends be coming this way, tell them to beware of such men as Finley and Hathaway, who are a pack of rascally swindlers.

Washington, MD - 2 December 1849

There is much confusion in the ranks of both parties and it is thought it will be difficult to elect a Speaker.

West Chester, PA - 5 December 1849

Ellen Apple letter to Enos Christman... Your daguerreo-type proves the greatest source to my comfort. It would be impossible for me to tell you how often I have opened it. I hold it most dear of anything this side the ship Europe.

Washington, MD - 8 December 1849

Congress has been in Session now for four days without being able to elect a speaker. It is uncertain when one can be elected.

West Chester, PA - 9 December 1849

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... If your vessel has had good luck she must have rounded Cape Horn, and you have become acquainted with all the dangers of this terrible passage.

Ship Europe - 10 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... We have had fine pleasant weather, as warm as our own summer. When the weather is perfectly clear, the snow-covered peaks of the Andes can be seen at a great distance.

Mission Of San Diego, CA - 10 December 1849

Louisiana Strentzel letter to family... After an absence of eight long months I at last have an opportunity of writing to let you know that we are alive and have reached in safety the borders of the promised land

Valparaiso, CHL - 14 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Yesterday when everything was ready for our departure, our new pumps were tried and to our great disappointment did not work and had to be taken ashore again

Valparaiso, CHL - 15 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... This morning the Captain went ashore and purchased a considerable addition of flour and potatoes. About four P.M. we hoisted our anchor and set sail again for Eldorado

Ship Europe - 19 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... The "old man," as sea captains are universally called, has evinced a determination to make a quick passage from Valparaiso to San Francisco

Ship Europe - 22 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... It is now just one weeke we bid farewell to Valparaiso, and thus far it has been the brightest in our calendar. We have made 1,051 miles in our course

Ship Europe - 25 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Today has been Christmas, the day above all others for merrymaking throughout Christendom, but here we have spent it much unlike the merrymaking we have in our own distant home

Ship Europe - 29 December 1849

Enos Christman journal entry... Another week of good sailing ends with this evening, and should we be thus favored four or five weeks more, we will be safely landed again on terra firma.

Washington, MD - 31 December 1849

Since my arrival here I have allotted most of my spare time to preparing my manuscript for the press.