1852 Letters

Lexington, VA - 16 January 1852

Thomas Jackson letter to sister... Having made our selection of Christianity, the next point is to consider whether we can believe the teachings of the Sacred volume; if so, then its adoption should of necessity follow.

Troy, NY - 23 January 1852

DEAR CHILDREN... If you find it difficult for you to pay for Douglass paper, I wish you would let me know, as I know I took liberty in ordering it continued.

Sonora, CA - 25 January 1852

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... Parents should be consulted in regard to such matters, and it is always desirable that they should approve the choice of their children, but I must own to you that opposition from such a source would never dete

Sonora, CA - 25 January 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... The weather here is not very cold and we seldom have frost or ice. Most of the trees are covered with green foliage, and the hills and valleys are carpeted with new grass.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 27 January 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... I WISH that it were possible, dear M., to give you an idea of the perfect saturnalia which has been held upon the river for the last three weeks, without at the same time causing you to think too severely of

Elizabethtown, NY - 6 February 1852

Mr. Judd is wanting to buy a large quantity of oats, for which he is now paying one cent per pound, cash.

West Chester, PA - 8 February 1852

Peebles Prizer letter to Enos Christman... I am glad to hear you are in such good spirits and that there is a strong probability of soon grasping you by the hand. Well, come on. We will try and receive you.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 27 February 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... A few days ago we had another specimen of illegal, but in this case at least extremely equitable, justice. Five men left the river without paying their debts...

West Chester, PA - 5 March 1852

Ellen Apple letter to Enos Christman... Please, dear Enos, do not put it off longer. Begin to settle up your affairs soon, for it will take a long time to get ready to leave a place where you have been three years.

New York, NY - 11 March 1852

I called on Messrs. CLEVELAND & Titus to-day. Found Mr. CLEVELAND intended to charge us three hundred dollars as a balance of accounts.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 15 March 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... THIS fifteenth day of March has risen upon us with all the primeval splendor of the birth-morn of creation. The lovely river, having resumed its crimson border (the so long idle miners being again busily at

, MA - 18 March 1852

Have you seen Miss Mitford's gossiping book of literary reminiscences? She spoils in it Henry's ghost story of Washington appearing on a white horse

Akron, OH - 20 March 1852

DEAR CHILDREN, I reached home on the 18th at evening, meeting with father on the way, who went home with me and left us yesterday

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 10 April 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... I HAVE been haunted all day, my dear M., with an intense ambition to write you a letter which shall be dreadfully commonplace and severely utilitarian in its style and contents...

, MA - 16 April 1852

Charley Norton is a very noble youth and interests me much.

Sonora, CA - 28 April 1852

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... The nearer the time approaches for my return, the more impatient and restless I am getting. But time flies on lightning wings and a few weeks will soon roll around.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 1 May 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... His high mightiness the Yankee was not going to put up with any such impertinence, and the poor Spaniard received for answer several inches of cold steel in his breast...

, MA - 10 May 1852

Another book is having immense success Uncle Toms Cabin, by Mrs. Stowe (Miss Beecher that was).

Akron, OH - 14 May 1852

I have a great deal to write, and but very little time in which to do it.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 25 May 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... . a troop of mules came onto the Bar, bringing us almost-forgotten luxuries, in the form of potatoes, onions, and butter...

Parkman, OH - 15 June 1852

Alonzo Delano letter to the True Delta... your columns have set forth these things in their proper light always, and to me it seems strange that people should become so infatuated as to rush into dangers with eyes wide open.

Unknown Sailing Vessel - 29 June 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... A large number of persons bound for Panama held a meeting on Long Wharf and formed a company of 37, myself included.

Acapulco, MEX - 4 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... After a warm and damp night, we arrived in the harbor of Acapulco, where we were boarded by the Custom House officers and permitted to land...

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 5 July 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... OUR Fourth of July celebration, dear M., which came off at Rich Bar, was quite a respectable affair. I had the honor of making a flag for the occasion.

Unknown Sailing Vessel - 7 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... I have been sleeping on a bench on deck. Last night was hot and sultry, with a light wind offshore.

San Jose, CA - 14 July 1852

Benjamin Lippincott letter to John. L. Stephens... I am now engaged in superintending the state prison labor. Having an interest myself, aside from the salary of $400 a month.

Steamship El Dorado - 14 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... We arrived in Panama Harbor about 2 o'clock Sunday night, and landed next morning in small boats, paying two dollars for self and baggage.

Steamship El Dorado - 14 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... Last evening we hoisted anchor and paddled out to sea.

Steamship El Dorado - 16 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... During the night a passenger, a middle-aged man, died and was consigned to the deep

Steamship El Dorado - 18 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... No deaths today, and the sick are getting better. I have been quite seasick

Steamship El Dorado - 20 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... A terrible day on board. There have been seven or eight deaths and burials

Akron, OH - 20 July 1852

I wrote you a few days before the death of our infant son, saying we expected to lose him ; since then we have some of us been sick constantly.

Steamship El Dorado - 21 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... There are two new cases of sickness, and two deaths today.

New York, NY - 23 July 1852

Enos Christman journal entry... Last night with a single exception was the first time I have slept in a civilized bed for more than three years. It was quite refreshing...

Parkman, OH - 1 August 1852

Alonzo Delano letter... THE IMMENSE resources of California, as yet only partially developed, afford to the political economist and to business men a fruitful theme of contemplation.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 4 August 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... WE HAVE lived through so much of excitement for the last three weeks, dear M., that I almost shrink from relating the gloomy events that have marked their flight

Akron, OH - 6 August 1852

One word in regard to the religious belief of yourself, and the ideas of several of my children. My affections are too deep-rooted to be alienated from them; but...

Akron, OH - 10 August 1852

The cars have been running regularly from Akron to CLEVELAND since July 5, so that there is now steam conveyance from Akron to Westport. This is a great comfort, as it reduces the journey to such a trifling affair.

Senate Chamber, MD - 13 August 1852

I have never desired to come here, as you well know. Since I have been here, our cause has never been out of my mind.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 4 September 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... A few days after the death of the unfortunate Spaniard, related in my last letter, a large log, felled by some wickedly careless woodman, rolled down from one of the hills...

Akron, OH - 21 September 1852

We drew three second premiums at the fair, but no first premium. Our bull by far the most extraordinary animal we have got no premium at all.

Akron, OH - 24 September 1852

DEAR CHILDREN... but just then we learned that our trial would not come on until November next.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 16 October 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... But to begin at the beginning, let me tell you the history of my dreadful pleasure-tour to the American Valley...

Sonora, CA - 26 October 1852

Enos Christman letter to Ellen Apple... if a man is quiet and sober he can generally avoid all quarrels in which rowdies and drunken men always see fit to draw the bowie knife and revolver.

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 27 October 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... IN MY last epistle, my dear M., I left myself safely ensconced at Greenwoods Rancho, in about as uncomfortable a position as a person could well be...

Cambridge, MA - 15 November 1852

The Lowells returned two days since looking fresh and well, but James's picturesque beard succumbed to English prejudices, and its removal takes half the poetry from his face

Indian Bar, From Our Log Cabin, CA - 21 November 1852

Louise Clappe letter to her sister Mary... My heart is heavy at the thought of departing forever from this place. I like this wild and barbarous life. I leave it with regret.

Vernon, NY - 8 December 1852

I have this moment got a line from Mr. Ely, saying our trial at Boston will not come on until the first week in January next.

Akron, OH - 9 December 1852

Had I expected so hard and so expensive a trip, I should not have returned.

North Elba, NY - 15 December 1852

Our trial at Boston is to come on by agreement on the 6th January. I shall write Mr. Perkins to send you money for expenses...

Vergennes, VT - 22 December 1852

I have written Mr. Perkins to send you money for expenses, so that you may set out for Boston by the 21st January at furthest.