1850 Letters

Ship Europe - 1 January 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Yesterday ended the old and today begins a new year. The past has been an eventful one to us all and will most likely be remembered as such by us as long as remembrance continues.

Ship Europe - 3 January 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Six months this afternoon since we left Philadelphia, a period long enough to give us all a dislike to long sea voyages, especially when treated as we have been: being cheated, deceived and belied in every respect

San Francisco, CA - 8 January 1850

Benjamin Lippincott letter to John. L. Stephens... It affords me pleasure to introduce to your acquaintance Genl. Thos. I. Green

Ship Europe - 12 January 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We crossed the Equator Sunday afternoon, January 6th, in longitude 110 deg. 18[min] W. It was cloudy and much cooler.

Washington, MD - 12 January 1850

The issue between the South and the North is the all absorbing subject here, although one would not think so who would judge from the party Organs here.

Ship Europe - 17 January 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... The old craft has been flying through the water, dashing the spray from her bows at a terrible rate.

Ship Europe - 29 January 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... A week ago such a miserable dinner was sent to us that very few could bring themselves to touch it, and the Captain was requested to come down and take a view of what he had furnished us to live upon.

Ship Europe - 1 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We have had a great deal of sport or amusement in catching birds and tying a large bait of pork to them and then letting them go and seeing the others chase them

Ship Europe - 3 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Yesterday the cooks killed two fine pigs, but as they did not scald them properly, they were unable to take the hair all off.

Ship Europe - 6 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... This afternoon all eyes were eagerly directed shoreward. Some asserted that a dim outline of land could be discerned while others could see nothing but clouds.

Washington, MD - 6 February 1850

I received yours of the 8th Jan'y. a short time before the commencement of my recent illness, of which I suppose the papers have informed you. The disease was a modified case of the Pneumonia.

Ship Europe - 7 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Yesterday morning fried mush was promised us for breakfast this morning, and when breakfast time came we were informed that we would have to wait for it until tomorrow morning.

Ship Europe - 11 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... On Friday morning last we again hoisted anchor and by noon were inside of the bay in view of a greater part of the shipping opposite San Francisco, but wind and tide being against us, we had to anchor again

Sacramento, CA - 12 February 1850

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... Never send by private hand--not if your own husband was the person. We have had enough experience in that line here. The person always dies on the way, goes to the mines or to the devil.

San Francisco, CA - 14 February 1850

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... This day a year ago, I little dreamed that in a twelvemonth I should have encountered the terrors of Cape Horn, and after many days of severe suffering, reached the shores of this golden land...

San Francisco, CA - 15 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Tuesday, February 12th, we were landed with our baggage on the beach at a place called Happy Valley, about a mile east of the city

Dawlytown, CA - 16 February 1850

Alonzo Delano letter to unknown... The sight of a late newspaper is rare among us, and when one arrives in the mines it is read and reread, with all its advertisements even, and then it passes from hand to hand till little is left to entitle it to th

, MA - 18 February 1850

Mr. Alcott has issued cards for a "Parliament of the Times" to be held by himself, and Mr. Emerson, with a room full of invited guests.

San Francisco, CA - 20 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We are detained here in Happy Valley, keeping ourselves in readiness to attend the landing of our freight.

San Francisco, CA - 22 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... This being Washington's birthday anniversary, the flags of the shipping were floating all day and guns were fired at regular intervals.

San Francisco, CA - 24 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Early this morning the body of a dead man was found near our tent, no unusual occurrence.

Washington, MD - 24 February 1850

My strength gradually continued to return, but slowly, until I had so far recovered, that I was enabled to take my seat in the Senate last monday and hoped to be able to address the Senate

San Francisco, CA - 27 February 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... The air is very cold and piercing and the distant hills across the bay are covered with snow. Last evening it commenced raining and hailing and continued all night and this forenoon

Sacramento City, CA - 2 March 1850

Alonzo Delano letter to the Free Trader... I made one happy discovery... that temperance societies are not needed in those elevated ranges, that it is wholly useless to preach temperance principle upon those mountain peaks

West Chester, PA - 3 March 1850

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... I had almost forgotten to say that on Thursday last I received a package of letters from you, mailed at Valparaiso, the contents of which sent joy to my heart. These letters were the first positive intellige

San Francisco, CA - 4 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I have done the last clothes washing I intend to do before getting to the diggings.

West Chester, PA - 5 March 1850

Ellen Apple letter to Enos Christman... Could I seat myself by your side but for one hour, how much I could tell you that my sheet will not contain.

Washington, MD - 10 March 1850

Since then, my health continues to improve and my strength is so far returned, that I am able to take my seat in the senate and a part in the discussions of the body.

San Joaquin City, CA - 11 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... On Tuesday morning last, we arose early, partook a hasty breakfast, struck our tent, and with our baggage reached the steamer as she was about to start off.

San Joaquin City, CA - 14 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We were informed that a train of pack mules and teams were stopping for the night a few miles distant and would be along here on their way to the mines

Camp 20 Miles From Hardie's Ferry, CA - 16 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Night before last it rained during the greater part of the night and the following forenoon, consequently we made a late start yesterday morning

Side Of A Hill And Near A Small Ravine, CA - 18 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We travelled within fourteen miles of Burns' Diggings and thirty-five miles of Mariposa

, CA - 19 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... This morning we moved on a few and encamped upon a small stream of water within less than a mile of where some two or three hundred workmen are engaged digging and washing out the precious ore

Road To The Mariposa Diggings, CA - 20 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... All things being in readiness yesterday morning and the weather being propitious, we again started on the march with the four other teams.

, CA - 21 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Our repose at night has been somewhat interrupted by the almost continual braying of mules feeding on the hills near by

Ottawa Bar, Feather River, CA - 22 March 1850

Alonzo Delano letter to unknown... you can scarcely make a journey of twenty miles without meeting some adventure worthy a paragraph. It was during a walk of ten miles in the mountains...

, CA - 23 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... McCowan and I started ourspecting with our pans and shovels early Friday morning but we had scarcely reached the diggings before it commenced raining and we returned to camp

Road To The Mariposa Diggings, CA - 24 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We are encamped on the main road to the Mariposa Diggings and hundreds of heavily packed mules and a few teams have been passing daily

Princeton, NJ - 25 March 1850

A great crisis presents itself in the path of the Republic. Interests of incalculable consequence are involved in it to you, to myself, to every citizen consequences not limited to our times, but extending onward to all future generations...

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 31 March 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I rambled several miles up and down the stream on Wednesday endeavoring to find a vacant lot.

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 3 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... It is a cool, beautiful evening and I am now seated on a log by the side of a fine blazing fire in front of our tent, giving the proceedings of the past three days.

Dawlytown, CA - 4 April 1850

Alonzo Delano letter ... One of the peculiar concomitants of a town in Alta California is gambling.

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 8 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Being stiffened and disabled by the poison for four days, I could not work much but the poison is gradually disappearing and I am again able to move around quietly.

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 10 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... This morning while at breakfast, Mr. Cox came up and informed me that two men were at work upon my claim. This surprised me very much

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 12 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Early yesterday while I was digging a hole to put the beef head in, Mrs. Cox told me that the express had come in the night before.

Burgettstown, PA - 12 April 1850

When at New York, on my way here, I called at Messrs. Fowler & Wells's office, but you were absent. Mr. Perkins has made me a visit here...

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 15 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... The last two days have been extremely hot during the middle part of the day, without a breath of air stirring

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 17 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I have prospected enough to dig out about 75 cents, and I have been digging and ditching on the lot, hoping soon to master the water.

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 20 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Thursday morning I commenced work upon a lot in partnership with two men, and after ditching and clearing off the top of the ground, we came to the top of the blue clay

Sacramento, CA - 25 April 1850

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... We have built a new store, one of the handsomest in Sacramento City: twenty feet wide by fifty eight long, two stories with an elegant front and balcony.

Akron, OH - 25 April 1850

I will just say, in few words, that such is the effect here of the California fever, that a man is becoming more precious than gold...

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 28 April 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Last Sunday morning, Atkins, feeling very well, proposed a walk down to the city, not having been more than one hundred yards from our tent at any previous time.

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 3 May 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... On Wednesday we washed out some sand and found about three dollars.

Oleepa, CA - 8 May 1850

Alonzo Delano letter ... He overtooka family where there were three women and three or four little children who had not a mouthful to eat, and the men had gone out to seek aid. Their cattle had all died and they were left helpless.

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 9 May 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... Sunday I went down to the city and received pay for three-fourths of a day's work done on Thursday last, $3.75

Oleepa, CA - 12 May 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... I am at present living in immediate proximity of two large Indian villages, where the night revels of these poor savages, together with the howling of the coyote, are my evening lullaby...

West Chester, PA - 12 May 1850

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... Your letters placed a decided veto on my going to California. Had you offered the least encouragement, in all probability I would have taken the Isthmus route instanter for the Gold Regions

Mariposa Diggings, CA - 14 May 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I had as reward for five days hard labor, $2.90. We hoped the work in this hole would turn out better.

Washington, MD - 22 May 1850

Mr. Clay has the next parlor to ours and often favors us with a chat. He is impatient to have his compromise acceded to, but there seems little promise of any speedy decision...

Stockton, CA - 24 May 1850

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... We were at Mariposa about seven weeks and during a part of that time I worked hard in mud and water two feet deep. I sent you a specimen...

Stockton, CA - 24 May 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... after going some distance the teams concluded to go on down to Stockton, then send out two men to the mines and ascertain if they were worth going to...

Sacramento, CA - 28 May 1850

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... There are plenty of gardens here and they do well. We have green peas, lettuce, turnips, etc., and splendid salmon and if we only had a cook we could live well.

Calaveras River, CA - 1 June 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... We have moved our camp about three miles and are now encamped on the Calaveras River, a small stream.

Calaveras River, CA - 3 June 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I remained in camp all day Sunday trying to rest, but was prevented from doing so by the devilish mosquitoes. They are a perfect pest here...

Stockton, CA - 9 June 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... On Tuesday morning last, I commenced type sticking in the Times office

Yateston, CA - 15 June 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... DID YOU ever hear of Jim Beckwith? There is a class of men in California whose adventures, if written out, would equal, if not surpass the works of fiction.

Dawlytown, CA - 25 June 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... Anyone who knows California men knows that they keep digging as long as there is a shot left in the locker, and when the storm somewhat abated they again started.

Sacramento, CA - 27 June 1850

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... we have two theatres, negro minstrels, sparring exhibitions by Yankee Sullivan and others, and occasionally a monte bank is bust by way of variety, yet I do not mix up in them.

Stockton, CA - 30 June 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... During the past three weeks I have been steadily engaged in the Times office, working late and early.

West Chester, PA - 14 July 1850

Ellen Apple letter to Enos Christman... Philadelphia has been visited by one of the worst fires that ever was there. Three hundred and sixty-four houses burned down and many lives were lost and many persons injured.

Stringtown, CA - 22 July 1850

Alonzo Delano letter to the Free Trader... if I was killed my companions could tell what had become of me, which was more than many a poor fellow who has perished in the weary search for gold could have done for him, and strange as it may seem a ray

Sonora, CA - 24 July 1850

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... A year has passed since I held thy hand and bid thee a sad adieu. What a short time! Yet how many trials, difficulties and dangers have we passed through during that time!

West Chester, PA - 28 July 1850

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... This stated that you were at work at some place sticking type. I was glad to hear that you were doing something by which we have reason to suppose you can live.

Stringtown, CA - 29 July 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... Our table, of which I have said nothing, stands under a bush porch in front of the cabin, where we perform the daily ceremony of mastication with good appetites, but with no one to kiss the cook. Unfortunately I am the cook...

Stockton, CA - 11 August 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... At this time great excitement existed along the road on account of the many horrid murders that had been committed within a short time. I had passed the bodies of three Americans who had been killed by the Mexicans

, MA - 14 August 1850

Sumner has been down one or two Sundays, and the last one Whittier also came, and we all drove over to Lynn to see Grace Greenwood...

Sonora, CA - 25 August 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... This afternoon papers were brought up by special express from Stockton, announcing the death of General Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States.

Independence, CA - 1 September 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... I AM one hundred and fifty miles in the mountains, amid the most sublime scenery I ever saw, where the snow still lingers on the hills and where the ice freezes in our buckets every night.

Sonora, CA - 6 September 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... On Wednesday a large number of wild Indians, both men and women, passed through our town on their way to the Tuolumne River.

West Chester, PA - 8 September 1850

Ellen Apple letter to Enos Christman... I am delighted that you have quit digging the earth for what you could not find, and have taken surer means of making a living.

Sonora, CA - 8 September 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I printed five hundred tickets for candidates for election to the assembly, charging five dollars for my services.

West Chester, PA - 23 September 1850

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... I suppose you in California watched the proceedings in relation to your State with great interest. It is at last one of the states of the Union.

Sonora, CA - 26 September 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... During the past two weeks the weather has been quite cool and threatened rain, and yesterday we had two good showers, the first since the beginning of April, which settled the dust completely.

Sonora, CA - 6 October 1850

Enos Christman letter to Peebles Prizer... I cannot yet say that I regret coming here for I believe I can and will make some money before I leave, yet I have learned a lesson which I can never forget...

Sonora, CA - 6 October 1850

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... The longer I am absent and the further I am from you, the stronger my attachment becomes.

Independence, CA - 20 October 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... I shall remove to the mouth of the creek four miles below, where about two hundred and fifty men are preparing winter quarters where, by the appearance of the trees, the snow falls forty or fifty feet deep.

Sonora, CA - 22 October 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... On the 7th of October our election for state and county officers took place. Everything passed off quietly, but the clerks of the election got so drunk they could not count off the votes and new ones had to be sworn in

Marysville, CA - 31 October 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... I once more move in the throng of civilized man--a washed, combed and shaven hombre. I see many changes in matters and things which have occurred during my last sojourn in the mountains...

Whitehall, NY - 4 November 1850

...these different claims amount to some forty thousand dollars, and if lost will leave me nice and flat.

Sacramento City, CA - 5 November 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... AS FOR the aristocracy of wealth, I don't know what it is here, nor the aristocracy of employment, and that is one of the good features of the country

San Francisco, CA - 15 November 1850

Alonzo Delano letter... DIG, dig, dig, and so I did, till I dug two thousand dollars and over, but hang me if I didn't dig it out of pocket instead of in.

Princeton, NJ - 19 November 1850

I notice in the papers of the day, have learned from letters, and heard in private circles, that my name is spoken of in connection with the office of United States Senator for New Jersey.

Sonora, CA - 20 November 1850

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... Often when in a melancholy mood of mind have I sat down and perused your letters over and over again, and they have nerved me up and driven all such feelings away.

Sonora, CA - 20 November 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I tried my hand at mining for a few weeks, but upon dividing the gold we dug during my last week, we found that we had only about 1 1/4 pounds.

Springfield, MA - 28 November 1850

It now seems that the Fugitive Slave Law was to be the means of making more Abolitionists than all the lectures we have had for years.

San Francisco, CA - 1 December 1850

Franklin A. Buck letter to sister... I have not seen Captain Phillips but I think of going a voyage with him in the Schooner Columbia. I want to do something until next Spring...

Springfield, MA - 4 December 1850

What burdens me most of all is the apprehension that Mr. Perkins expects of me in the way of bringing matters to a close what no living man can possibly bring about in a short time...

Brunswick, ME - 17 December 1850

From the time that I left Cincinnati with my children to come forth to a country that I knew not of almost to the present time, it has seemed as if I could scarcely breathe, I was so pressed with care.

Sonora, CA - 23 December 1850

Enos Christman journal entry... I see by the papers from the Atlantic States that the Disunionists in the South count on California joining them in a Southern confederacy.