Part I, January 13th, 1851 - April 27th, 1851
Departure from NYork in the [steamer] Empire City
Monday Jany 13th 1851
Left pier No 2 North River at 3 p.m., in the steamer Empire City. Among the Colection of people were many Friends. The excitement Great. Had a fine Run-Out
Tuesday Jany 14th
All this day pleasant weather. Making the Best of our way under a full Head of Steam & Sails [...?] Some acquaintances On Board among them were Col. Baker, Genl. Zaylor, a Mr. Phits & others. Latt by Obs this day at noon 37=15=37, N Long 73=35=00 W. Distance Run Last 21 Hours was 218 Miles
Wednesday Jany 15th
This day presents itself with a fine Breze & pleasent weather. Passengers all in Good Spririts with the exceptions of a few sea sick. Capt. Wilson of the Empire a most Perfect Gentleman. Latt by Obs 33=37=26 Long 73-08 w. Dist run last 24 Hours 223 Miles
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Wednesday Jany 22d
This morning fine pleasent weather. Came to anchor off Chagres at sun rise. One Boat Load of Passengers went ashore it being Rough. Lifted Anchor & run up to Navy Bay. Landed about 50 Passengers for the Rail Road. The Ballance of Passengers took a Small Steamer & went to Chagres. Paid 2 dollars apiece. Arrived at Chagres about 1 pm. Hired a Boat & Slept at 4 up the River. Slept on the Boat & started Early Next Morning. Paid for Our Boat 60 dollars 7 of us.
Thursday Jany 23d
All this day making the Best of our way up the river. Saw nothing remarkable this night. Slept upon a sand Beach. Started next morning for Corgona.
Friday Jany 24th
Arrival at Panama
All this day Making the best of Our way Towards Corgona. Saw this day a Corpes Laying in the water. The Buzards upon him. Landed about 11 a.m., & walked over to the city of Corgona. Our Boat arived about noon. Got our Baggage ashore &c
Saturday Jany 25th
This day pack up our Mules & Left About 8 o clock for Panama across the Isthmus. Found the Roads good. Encampt at Night about 8 Miles from Panama with about 75 Californians Returning
Sunday Jany 26th
Started this morning about 9 and proceeded on. Arrivd at Panama about Noon & put up at the Mansion House, Mr. Smith
Monday Jany 27th
This day Spent in walking about the City. Saw several acquaintances among them were Mr. Fairchild
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Thursday Jany 30
This day was spent as usal. At 4 pm went on Board the Steamer Columbia at Toboga [Tobago?] Island as Stewards Butcher for my Passage & five Dollars. Boat run up to Panama
Friday Jany 31st
All this day Employed variously on Board the Columbia taking in stores &c.
Sunday Feb 2d
All this day employed variously about the Boat at Night Left Her & Spent the night at Toboga [Tobago?]. Visited Church in the Evening, Boat Left.
Monday Feb 3d
Left Toboga [Tobago?] at Nine in the Steamer Toboga [Tobago?] & went up in the Toboga Steamer to Panama & took Passage in the Carolina at 150 dollars. Got underway & Left for Toboga [Tobago?]. Took in water and left at 2 AM
Tuesday Feb the 4th
On Board of the Steamer Carolina
This day making the Best of our way up the Coast under wind & steam. This day ends at noon. Much dissatisfaction among the Passengers
Wednesday Feb the 5th
All this day making the best of our way along shore. Weather calm and smooth. The sun verry Hot. Verry much crowded with Passengers. Latt by Obs 7=44 - Long 82=44 west Dist run this last 24 hours 197 miles
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Saturday Feb 8th
This day Comences with strong Breezes from the NE, Crossing the Gulph of Papagenga about Noon Broachd too Broke the Rudder. Remainder of the day Cables and Hausers to steer with. A number sick On Board. Latt by Obs 11=35, Long 91-00 Dist run Last 24 Hours 200
Sunday Feb 9th
All this day Moderate pleasent weather. Making slow Progress in our crippled State. After Supper Had quite a Concert & dance. Latt by Obs. At Noon 14=23, Long 95=22 Dist Run 166 Mils. Accapulco bears NW 230 Miles dist
Laying in the Port of Accapulco
Wednesday Feb 12
All this day fine pleasent weather. Running along the Coast. At Sun Set entered the Port of Accapulco. Found the Steamer Panama. Capt. Watkins also. The Ship manulus of Boston Capt Otis [?] Baker
Thursday Feb 13th 1851
This day was spent on shore. Passengers all ashore, Officers & Crew employd unHanging the old Rudder & Getting Coal & water
Friday Feb 14th
This day was spent as Yesterday on shore. Officers & Crew employed shipping the New Rudder, Getting Coals, water, & stock on Board. Got Steam up & Left about 9 o clock
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Sunday Feb 16th
This day Comences with Pleast [pleasent] weather. Getting along as well as we Can. Some Considerable Sickness On Board
On our Passage toward San Francisco
About 11 pm One of fellow Passengers Departed this Life. His name was C. Lyons from St. Louis Where He Had a wife & four Children. He was Buried with the usal Cerimony at Sea in Latt 18=30 Long 104=10 Dist Run Last 24 [hours] 175 [miles]
Monday Feb 17th
All this day pleasent fine Smooth weather Making the Best of our Way up the Coast across the Gulph of California Latt 20=06 Long 106=40 Dist 170
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Thursday Feb 20th
All tis day Strong Breezes from the N.W., quite excitement on Board with the Passengers Fighting. Boat took fire twice during the night. Latt 26=20 Long 114=14 Dist run 190 Miles
Friday Feb 21st
All this day Strong Breezes from the NW. At noon Passed Close to the & between the Ceras Islands. Some excitement among the Passengers fighting &c. Pass the Steamer Oregon Yesterday about Noon. Learnt from her that the California was Broke down at 21- dieys. Latt by Obs 28=23 Long 115=45 Dist run 153 --
Saturday Feb 22nd
All this day Making the Best of Our way up the Coast. Weather good. Quite an excitement prevaild On Board as Usal fighting with Knives. One Man Cut Badly the Other Put in Irons around the Mezen Mast all Night. Latt 29=51 Long 116=25 Dist run 100 Miles
Sunday Feb 23
Fine pleasent weather. Making the Best of our way Towards San Diego in a Crippled State. At Night Entered about Sundown and took Coals on Board Night Repaird Engine, Put the Prisoner on Shore &c. Learnt the Steamer Left a day before us. The Columbia Left at day Light
Monday Feb 24
Got under way at daylight & Left St. Diego. Weather fine & pleasent. Passed by the Islands of Clement and Catilina. Saw two vessels one at anchor in a bay at Catilina at Midnight abreast point of Conversion at daylight abreast of St. Barbara. Boat took fire again. Strong Breezes
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Thursday Feb 27
During the Night we were Making the Best of our way up. We entered the Port of San Francisco. Got on shore about noon. Met with several acquaintances &c.
Arrival At San Francisco
Friday Feb 28th
Left San Fancisco at 9 oclock in the Steamer Jeny Lynd for St. Jose. Arivd at Alviso. About 2 took Stage & arrivd at San Jose. About 4 found Genl [General] Green & Deliverd what things I Had, & Put up at the Mansion House
Saturday March 1st
All this day was spent in walking About visiting Friends &c. Afternoon went to a Bull fight &c. Weather Delightfull
Sunday March 2d
Thus day was spent visiting About. Went but to Mr. Mathers Ranch. Took some Medicines Out to Mr. Kirby. Took Tea & Traveld Home where where I fell in with Sheriff Rodgers. Had a Long Talk About Friends at Home &c.
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Wednesday 5th
Left San Jose about 8 oclock in the Stage for San Francisco. Passd through passd through the Citys of Santa Clara & one of the pretiest Countrys I ever saw. Arrivd at San Francisco about 5 the same day. Put up at the Franklin House. Met with Several Acquaintances Such a Col Banner [?], Capt Bakers & others
Thursday March 5th
All this day was spent in Stroling about the City Left at 4 in the Steamer Confidence for Benicia at which place we arrived at 7 o clock & put up at the American Hotel
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Saturday March 5th
All this day was spent in walking About the City Of Benicia Seeking employment. Weather fine. Saw Mr. Littlefield
Sunday March 9th
Arrival and Staying at Benicia
Sunday was Spent in walking About. Afternoon was quite amusd. Seeing a Preacher & His Lady, Singing and Preaching in the Street, in Front of a Billiard Room & Nine Pin Alley all Going On at Once. Weather fine & warm
Monday March 10th
This day was Spent in Vistg [visiting] the City of Velezo. Walkd down & Back it Being About 8 Miles from Benicia. The City consisted of four Tents so [...?]
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Thursday March 13th
Employed walking About Looking for work. Got a Letter from Home
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Saturday March 15th
This day Left at 11 in the Steamer Fawn for Sacramento City. Arrivd about 11 at Night. Put up at Mrs. Merrills. The Fountain House on J Street between 10 and 11th
Sunday 16th
After Breakfast took a Ride with Mr & Mrs About five Mile in the Country. Visited the Old fort of Sutters, the Hospital &c. Evening met with Kelsey
Monday 17th
Spent Part of the day walking about the City & Left at 2 in San Joaquin for Benicia. Arrivd about 12 at Night. Met with Capt. Foster & Genl. Green. Got My Concession
Tuesday 18th
This day we Spent in Going down to Velezo & Pitchd 3 Tents &c. Came Back
Friday 21st
Yet Staying At Benicia Cal [California]
Part of this day doing Nothing. Mr. May and Capt Foster went down to the New City. Myself, Genl Green and Capt Frisbe went down to an Francisco on the Steamer Confidence
Saturday 22nd
All this day was spent in walking About San Francisco. Left at 4 o clock in the Steamer West Point for Benicia again
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Wednesday 26th
All this day was spent in walking about the city. Nothing doing. At Night quite an excitement took place. A Case of Suicide attempted by a woman of the House where I am stopping. She Run down upon the Wharf & jumpd overboard & was rescued by some Boatmen which Happend to be Near bye & Brought Back to the House &c
Thursday 27th
All this day Spent as all others walking about doing nothing. Rainy weather
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Saturday March 29th
Employd this day in Getting Rigging & Jackets from the Ship Charleston to move Mr Pettits Building at Velezo. Got then on the wagon & Left for Velezo. Got down & Prepaird fro Moving the Building. Slept at the Tent on Capitol Hill
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Tuesday April 1st
Employd all day & finished Moving Building after Moving About 200 feet. Weather fine
Wednesday 2d
This day was spent in Looking around the Country. Went down to Col Estels. Shot a Goose &c
Thursday 3rd
This day not much doing. Changed my Boarding House to Mr Taylors. Not doing much this day
Friday 4th
This day Employd for Mr Pettit. Clothing & Papering &c
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Monday April 7th
Employd Variously About the House Papering & Lining Rooms &c
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Wednesday 9th
Employed About the Hotel as Usal. Changed my Boarding House to Mr Pettit, the Velezo Hotel. Joseph Wilson Came to see me & Slept with me for several days. Weather fine
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Wednesday 16th
Employed Variously about the House. Weather fine
Thursday 17th
Employd Variously about the Premises. Mr. Kellog Commenced His Wharf. Weather fine
Friday 18th
Employed Lining House. Mr Pettit Comenced Long Wharf where the principle Landing will be.
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Wednesday April 23d
Employd papering &c. Saw a Boat upset in the Bay with 5 Men 3 Women & one Baby. All Indians. We rescued them after being in the water about 1/2 hour
Thursday 24th
This day was spent variously. Found a Dead Man Washd up on the beach. We Buried Him as Decent as Circumstances would admit of. Weather fine & pleasent
Friday 25th
Employd Variously At the Capitol Building Wharf Boating Store
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Sunday 27th This day was spent in Crusing About. Killed four seal & Returned
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[Diary, part II, May 4th, 1851 - November 2nd, 1851]