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Page: of 436
DECEMBER 1849—MAY 1850
season—the passage to and from occupies from 2 to 4 weeks, usually
about 20 days. It is a very fine trip, I think, and have thought strongly of
trying it myself, but have not yet determined.
There is here the greatest mixture of foreign residents I ever saw. All
parts of Europe are represented, I think. South America has sent large
delegations from Peru, Chile, and other States; the Chinese number from
300 to 500, which together with the Sandwich Islanders, New Zealanders,
Malayas and some from Australia make up a well mixed population. The
Chinese are a very industrious class and are mostly employed in eating
houses. They have some 6 or 7 large eating houses with tables and fixtures in Yankee style, set well filled tables, give better fare for the same
price and are better patronized than any houses of the kind in town.
There are large quantities of Chinese goods in the market, being direct
importations from China—some of them in Chinese vessels.
The hills around town present a somewhat barren appearance and
are covered with a thick growth of low bushes bearing very pretty
clusters of red berries, much like the mountain ash. Fire wood is enormously high, varying from $40 to $60 per cord—there is no timber in
this vicinity, and it is principally brought from the Sacramento and San
Joaquin rivers. The Spanish and Native Californians carry their wood
and water upon the backs of donkeys and mules. It is somewhat astonishing to see the little donkeys toiling up the steep ascents with a load
almost equal to themselves in size.
The water from the old Spanish wells and springs is very fine. It is said
the lands near the mission, some three miles distant, are very fertile and
productive. I intend to visit them as soon as convenient. . learn they are
making large preparations in that section for supplying this market with
vegetables the coming season.
I received your note of June 22d shortly before leaving Sacramento
City—which is the last—but I presume . shall receive another soon, as
Niles gave my name with his own for an express man to get letters for us,
and I passed him coming down the river. So, when the mail arrives from
Sacramento, shall expect a line from you and Niles too..
We are expecting another steamer about the 22d inst. The process of
obtaining letters from the Post Office would be somewhat amusing to
you, could you once witness it. There are two places of delivery, each
from windows fronting on a piazza—the one for letters from A to K
inclusive, the other from K to Z—the order of delivery is first come, first
served, so as the applicants arrive, they fall into line, single file, each
before his respective window. The office is constantly thronged, the
number varying from 30 to 200. You are obliged to wait from one to six
hours before your turn comes, so I can assure you, we do not get letters
247