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L'exemplaire fllmA fut reproduit grdce d la gAnArositA de: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service Les images suivantes ont 6x6 reproduites avec le plus grand soln. compte tenu de la cc" m the East; scholars are it id claimed as fact that San graduates, in proportion to )untry ; but they have go ^c , and to desc-ibe ; they are ;, have taken little time to istic fashions of Nature, to end the varied resources of le. Starr King had written )mia scenery; t.. iIcuJWS :ep sense of the marvels he ring address and magazine lugh Ludlow created wider lisconnected papers in the 1 the journey ; and the pen- is caught the glow and the ef natural wonders in these imortal canvass, to excite ? )sity. But only enough had TO SPEAKER COLFAX V been written, only enough was known of the Nature, of the material resources, of the social and industrial development of these vast Plains and Mountains between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean, to make market for more. So we have open field for our story, and hungry market for our harvest. So my Letters arc rescued from the destined oblivion of daily journalism to figure i - covers. You will see that they bear substantially their original shape. Here and there is an addition; here and there, an irrelevant para- graph is excised ; but they serve better to convey true ideas of the country we passed through, in preserving the freshness of the orgi- nal compofi'ion. They are not a *Jiary of a personal journey; nor a Guide-Uook; nni a HandUook of statistics; but they aim to give, with compactness and comprehensiveness, the distinctive ex" perif nces of the Overland Journey; to describe, as vividly as I may, the various origins' scenery that the route and the country offer; to portray the social and material developments of the several States and Territories we visited,— their present and their futur*, their realization and their capacity; and to develop to the people of the East and to the Government their share in the interests and hopes of the West, — what duties thev had to perform, what benefits they might hope to reap. It was a large field to cover with the travel and the study of a single sumnier , to see, collate and digest the ma- terials of half a Continent ; bu j never did travelers find more gener- ous facilities than we ; and to r/pportunity, such as was never granted to others, we certainly brought intelligent interest and enthusiasm, and the trained eyes and ears and the educated instincts of journal- ism. We certainly brought, too, independence and integrity to our observation ; and in all essential affairs, our conclusions were sin- gularly coincident So we ha- s assumed the responsibility and earned the duty of Truth-speak \g. And on thos? great, pressing public themes of the Pacific Railroad, the Mormons, and the Mines, I would have you bespeak for my revelations and discussions the attentive ear of the B I ^^i vl INTRODUCTORY LETTER eastern public. Neither Government nor people seem half alive to the pressing importance of either, The Railroad is, indeed, the great work of the day ; the great want, the great revealer, the great creator of this Empire of ours west of the Mississippi. It is cheer- ing to find that, since we went over the Plains, labor upon the eastern end of this Koad has had a new impetus ; to learn that new elements of capital and enterprise have become engaged ; and that on both the two main branches, from Kansas City and from Umaha, the Road is worked for sixty miles west of the Missouri, and by spring will be opened for one hundred. But I find no proper con- ception in the East of the progress which should and may be attained in the work. A hundred miles a season seems to be re- garded as great achievement; whereas the company, that takes more than two years to cross the Plains and reach the Rocky Moun- tains, is unworthy its charter, recreant to its generous trusts. There M no vanity in demanding the completion of the entire line in five years; what is being done on the Sierra Nevadas proves this; there is only wanton waste of wealth, only stubborn disregard and neglect of great national responsibilities in being longer about it. With regard to the Mormons, too, we all saw that the time had come for a new departure, for a new policy by the Government. The conflict of sects and civilization, growing up there in Utah, will soon solve the polygamous problem, — rightly and without blood- shed, — if the Government will make itself felt in it with a wise guardianship, a tender nursing, a firm principle. I rely on you, also, to enforce my cautions on the subject of Mining. That great interest is in danger of real injury from feverish speculation, and false and unwise investments. Of the wealth of the regions we visited, in gold and silver ore, no adequate conception can be formed or expressed ; the mind stands amazed before its revelations ; but it does not lie around loose on the sur- face of the grc ind, and is not to be exploited in brokers' offices in Wall Street and "The City." Patient and intelligent labor, in fields well-chosen for their nearness to markets and to supplies, with capital ai success ii Pacific Ri in the bu.< ore. Th< ble returr in connec vided its integrity, victim of try and G New ar all our Pa successful mining e» cific but t Rightly di growth, gi that leave us, who ki predecess In Natl country oi eminent the marve rare effect as were sf the moun scenery e! through ii as Puget's pressive tl so fine an( fornia's; i FTER TO SPEAKER COLI'AX. vU people seem half alive to Railroad is, indeed, the great revealer, the great Mississippi. It is cheer- Plains, labor upon the petus ; to learn that new come engaged ; and that u City and from Umaha, of the Missouri, and by ut I find no proper con- ich should and may be season seems to be rc- he company, that takes 1 reach the Rocky Moun- I generous trusts. There of the entire line in five a Nevadas proves this; ' stubborn disregard and I being longer about it. ill saw that the time had licy by the Government, ing up there in Utah, will ;htly and without blood- If felt in it with a wise iciple. itions on the subject of ger of real injury from se investments. Of the id silver ore, no adequate the mind stands amazed around loose on the sur- lited in brokers' offices in intelligent labor, in fields ts and to supplies, with capital and skill and integrity, are the inevit.ible laws of great success in mining. The first neod of our mining regions is the Pacific Railroad, to equalize prices and enforce morals and system in the business ; the second is improved processes for working the ore. These gained, and no interest is likely to make more valua- ble returns for well-invested capital and labor. A Mining IJureau in connection with the Government is a desideratum, always pro- vided its head shall be a man of special intelligence and divine integrity. A charlatan and a rascal, or one prone to become the victim of such, would make such an institution a curse to both coun- try and Government. New and valuable mineral discoveries are rapidly being made in all our Pacific .States; the season has been one of industrious and successful prospecting; ami we are apparently on the eve of a new mining excitement which shall, this time, take in not only the Pa- cific but the Atlantic as well, and ,veep over the seas to Europe. Rightly directed and restrained, this will prove great impetus to our growth, great source to our wealth ; but it is a whirlwind, after all, that leaves many a wreck in its passing. And woe be to those of us, who know the perils of the storm, who have seen the fields of its predecessors, if we unworthily fan its power 1 In Natural Wonders and Beauties, as in rare gifts of wealth, the country of our Summer Journey stands out prominent and pre- eminent Neither the Atlantic States nor Europe offer so much of the marvelous and the beautiful in Nature ; offer such strange and rare effects, — such combinations of novelty, beauty and majesty, — as were spread before us in our ride Across the Continent, through the mountains, and up and down the valleys. No known river scenery elsewhere can rival that of the Columbia, as it breaks through the Continental mountains ; no inland seas charm so keenly as Puget's Sound; no mountain effects are stranger and more im- pressive than those the Rocky and the Sierras offer; no atmosphere so fine and exhilarating, so strange and so compensating as Cali- fornia's; no forests so stately and so ineihaustible as those pf INTRODUCTORY LETTER Washington ; no trees »o majestic and so beautiful as ttje Sc(|UuU Gigantca ; — aye, and no Vision of Apocalypse so grand, so full of ikwe, to full of elevation, as the Yo Semite Valley I Does not that vision,— that week under the shadows of those wonderful rocks,— by the trickle and the roll of those marvelous water-falls, — stand out before all other sights, all other memories of this summer, crowded as it is with various novelty and l)cauty ? The world may well be challenged to match, in single sweep of eye, such impressive natural scenery as this. Trofessor VVlllTNKV tells us that higher domes of rock and deeper chasms are scattered along the Sierras, farther down the range ; but he also testifies that, in combination and in detail, in vriety and majesty and beauty of rock formations, and in accompanying water-falls, there is no rival to, no second Yo Semite. There will be many to come after us in this Summer's Journey, partly inspired by the pleasure of our experience, chiefly incited by the increased smoothness of the ways. The projecting arms of the Continental Railway will rapidly shorten the distance at both ends. Rival and improved stage lines, new and pleasanter stage routes, surer and better accommodations at the stations, more fre- qucnt opportunities for rest, all will speedily come, with protection from the Indians, which Government cannot longer neglect ; and even another season, I anticipate such facilities for the Overland Passage, as will invite hundreds where one has heretofore gone, and make the journey as comfortable and convenient for ladies even, as it will be safe and Instructive for all. Great as the triumphs of staging which our experience has witnessed this summer, they are but the taste and the forerunner of what will be organized and per- %cted for the overland travel within two years. But will any of our successors share such welcome, receive such hospitality, as was ours ? It can hardly be. The thought of it all, its extent and its unexpectedness, produces a sense of unsatisfying gratitude. I have done what I could, in these Letters, to repay this wide-spread kindness? by making the country, its people and its interests 1 Truth, — n yet it wen tures, all i with a mai friends an from bluff banners y^ River, on i and Farmt welcome tt divine hun dried their fading eyes (Jatc, on th sailors, wh and back it And for ' SrRiNr.riKi Dtcembtr UTTER > beautiful as t1)e Sc(|u dily come, with protection nnot longer neglect ; and 'acilities for the Overland le has heretofore gone, and venient for ladies even, as Great as the triumphs of sed this summer, they are will be organized and per- years. uch welcome, receive such be. The thought of it all, :es a sense of unsatisfying these Letters, to repay this ountry, its people and its TO SPEAKER COLFAX. ix interests better known to the East. They need nothing but the Truth,— none of tlicni asked us to tell other than the Truth. And yet it were impossible adequately to represent all the strange fea- tures, all the rare capacities of this new half of our N.ition. So, with a margin still .igainst me, let this book go through you to our friends and benefactors of the Mountains and the I'acific Coast; from bluff Hen Hollad.iy and his gallant knight, Otis, under whose banners we ventured out among the Indians from the Missouri River, on through Saint and Sinner, Gentile and Mormon, Miner and Farmer, gallant men and ladies fair, who gave us everywhere welcome to store o." knowledge, to every material comfort, to every divine humanity of head and heart,— on to our tender friends, who dried their wet handkerchiefs in the morning breeze bcfdre the fading eyes of niy wifeless comp.inions, as we swept out the Golden Gate, on that cool .September d.iy ; farther on, indeed, to the gallant sailors, who bore us on summer seas down the Continent's side, and back its mate, to Home I And for you and I, my friend,— " When you next do ride abroad. May I be there to see." SrRiNnriRLD, Mass., Decembtr 15, 1863. I am, yours, very faithfully, SAMUEL BOWLES. > / Y ' Pr£F i But littl 1 letter to th then thoug it the public, ■" work is no\ ii tiie iron ra 1 undertakin; 1|_ valed. It I of the Repi 1 Travel will new nature by the East every fibre so unexpecl ;i! of what lies ;|1 continue to ;l ■ terest and 1 that the co 1 ' * mand, the p 1 it at a lowei . ■ omitted; ai ■ never be rei { place to th( i stiil a guide Preface to the New Edition. But little more than three years have gone since, in the prefatory letter to this book, the author said, — wildly as nearly every reader then thought,— that the Pacific Railroad could, and, in the ni . FROM M behind Men o since— Historj over tl Journe Indian FROM TJ ney thi —The' and its em Car Hail, ai I THROUGl tinaouG ture— 1 the Coi How w Red M, Plains- ter— Pa tion ani THE ROC among i ioa— Lo Hounta EDITION. I the same ; its society has 'rmonism and mining con- iscinating interest, — and to nd widest attraction. The wards interesting the great epublic in each other; to- : iron and the gold bonds of per, towards their marriage }n, and in the close-holding self-interest. In their per- common growth, rest, to- th of Civilization. i Index to Contents. LETTER I. PAGE. FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO THE MISSOURI.— The Railroad Ride liehind; the Stage Ride before— Spanning the Continent— Vitality of Men of the West— The Chicago Wigwam five years ago: History since— Cleveland and Chicago, and their new Life— Atchison and its History and its Position— Pomeroy and Stringfellow— The Trade over the Plains— Speaker Colfax and his party for the Overland Journey— The Indians break the Line— Senator Foster and the Indian Question— Agriculture in the West— Coach off; Good-bye, . , 1 LETTER II. FROM THE MISSOURI TO THE PLATTE.— Atchison to Fort Kear- ney through Kansas and Nebraska— General Connor and no Indians —The "Galvanized Yankee" Soldiers— How we Rode— The Country and its Fascinations— The Scenery and the Atmosphere— The Mod- ern Caravans on the Plains— A Storm of Thunder and Lightning and Hail, and how we weathered it, lo LETTER III. THROUGH THE PLAINS TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.— A con- tinuous five days' Stage Ride— The Plains the great National Pas- ture—The Platte River— Climate and Soil— Natural Highway across the Continent— A natural Road-bed— Population of the Region- How we Pared- Prices on the Plains and at Denver— "The noble Red Man," aud our Preparations for him— Life and Death on the Plains— The Prairie Dogs and their Companions— The Alkali Wa- ter—Parting Breakfast with General Connor at Julesburg- His Posi- tion and History— Reception at Denver, 18 LETTER IV. THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND THEIR GOLD MINES.— A Week among the Mountain!) and In the Mines— The Switzerland of Amcr- ioa— Long's Peak and Pike's Peak— Bierstadt's "Storm in the Rocky Mountains"— Theater of the Gold Development on Clear Creek— XIV INDEX TO CONTEN'^S. Central City, Black Hawk, Nevada— Condition and Prospeets of th« Business— Mysteries of the Sulphurites— Speculating Companies— The Gold Production of Colorado— Reports from Idaho and Mon- tana—The United States the Treasury of the World— Questions of the Future, *> LETTER V. OF PERSONS. NOT THINGS.— Reception in Colorado— Grand Gala Supper to Mr. Colfax— Pen Portraits of the Party: Mr. Colfax, Gov- ernor Bross, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Otis— Social Life in the Rocky Mountains— The Young Men and the Young Women— Ben Holladay and his Stages— Famous Rides across the Plains 43 LETTER VI. SUNDAY IN THE MOUNTAINS.- Broad Church in the West-Mr. "Lo, the poor Indian"— A Day and a Night at Virginia Dale; its Scenery and its Landlady— Colorado and its People— Movement for State Government— A Mining Story : General Fitz John Porter, Smith and Parmelee, Judge Harding— Lack of "Help" in the Homes— The Blossoming of Eastern Fashions— Lack of Horticulture— Necessity of Irrigation— Canned Fruits and Vegetables— Prices of Food in Col- orado and Montana- Vernacular of the Mountains, M LETTER VII. PROM DENVER TO SALT LAKE-THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUN- TAINS.— The Indians in our Path— Robberies and Murders on the Stage Line— What shall be done with them?— The Quaker Policy versus General Connor's Policy— Our Escape and our Faith— Wild Game on the Route; Antelopes, Elk, Trout, Bears, Sage Hens, etc.— The Desert of the Mountains- The Sage Brush— The Bittor Creek Country— Through Bridger's Pass to the Pacific Slopes— A Night Ride over the Pass— The Curious Architecture of Winds and Sands— The "Church Butte," and its Wonders— Fort Bridger— Arrival at Great Salt Lake City, LETTER VIII. THE WAY INTO tJTAE: RECEPTION BY THE MORMONS.— Ba- sin of the Great Salt Lake— The Home of the Mormons— Their Triumphs— Ride among the Wasatch Mountains— Playing Snowball i among Flowers— Yellow the Favorite Color of Nature— Echo Can- yon: its Beauties and its Ruins— The Valley of the Jordan— The City of Salt Lake: its Location and its Promise- Mr. Co'fax's Re- ception by Soldier and Saint— The Hospitality of the Mormons^ Excursion to Great Salt Lake— Strawberries and a Mormon Harem- Interview with Brigham Young: How he Looked and Acted— Heber 0. Kimball, Dr. Bemhisel and other Church' Elders— The Anti Mormons, or Gentiles, and what they are Doing— Death of Governor Doty " 6T MORMON Lake Cit; Great Sa of the C< the Mori Utah— Tl Stockton SALT LAK of the » Hot Sulp their Usi chants — 1 chant's— anoe — Br THE POL'S Mormoni Mormc -i fore thi. towards Polygam: ham You anew R< and the I THE MORI The Mor The Chil Wives — 1 Mormon by Brighi fax's Eul ney and ( SOCIAL Lr of Polygf Coat-Tail good thii some Wo The Sole Young—] Sandwicl 1 PA0I. m and Prospects of thu >eculating Oompanioa— from Idaho and Mon- le World— Questioua of SO Colorado — Grand Gala Party: Mr. Colfax, Gov- lial Life in the Rocky Women— Ben Holladay lains, 43 iroh in the West— Mr. it at Virginia Bale; its 1 People — Movement for Fitz John Porter, Smith Ip" in the Homes— The Horticulture- Necessity —Prices of Food in Col- utains. [. I THE KOCKY MOUN- les and Murders on the nT— The Quaker Policy le and our Faith— Wild Bears, Sage Hens, etc. — rush— The Bitt«r Creek fie Slopes— A Night Eide Winds and Sands— The ridger— Arrival at Great 66 6T I. THE MOEMONS.— Ba- )f the Mormons— Their itains— Playing Snowball ■ of Nature— Echo Can- ley of the Jordan— The omise— Mr. Co' fax's Re- ility of the Mormons^ and a Mormon Harem — loked and Acted— Heber rch' Elders— The Anti ting— Death of Governor T9 INDEX TO CONTENTS. LETTER IX. XV MSI. MORMON MATERIALITIES.- Irrigation und its Results— The Salt Lake City Gardens— Wonderful Crops of Grain— The Mysteries of Great Salt Lake— Extent of the Mormon Settlements— Navigation of the Colorado River— Supplies for Utah by that Route— Policy of the Mormons as to Agriculture and Mines— The Silver Mines in Utah— The Soldiers at Work on Them— Visit to Rush Valley and Stockton, 80 LETTER X. SALT LAKE CITY AND LIFE THERR-The Chief Comraerck Ledge— The Gould A ntendent, Mr. Charles L. silow <)acket, and other 3rcs— Number of Quartz I Aoconnt with Nevada— Be to Capitalists— A Rhode 'bin^s Very Uncertain — W n. r the Sierras— The Great le same Flag— Wonderful The Civilisation of San rial Prospects of City and ! of the Truckee, V/ashoe, on at Carson City— The Tahoe— The Stage Ride Placerville— Hard and evrs of California Life, . . let II. velalioo in Oregon— The iramento Valley— Chico— 1 and the Family of John ! Umpqua Rivers— Shasta rietor— Mount Shasta and Diftgings — Pilot Knob— —The Mistletoe and the te— Farming in the Ump- Valley— Its Agricultural culture of Oregon— The 3 Towns and the People of ion and its Importance, , 169 INDEX TO CONTENTS. xvu I LETTER XVIII. ,^^ THE COLUMBIA RIVER: ITS SOENEHY AND ITS COMMERCE.— The Reach ai'd Importance of the Columbia— Its Breach Through I the Continental Mountains— Fort Vancouver and its Uist'^ry— Gen- eral Grant as BoraBinborod Here— The Cascades— The Dalles— Hie | Scenery of Mountain and River— Steamboats on the Upper Colum- t bia— A Bit of Private Fun— The Scenery uf the Columbia as com- pared with the Hudson, the Rhine and the Upper Mississippi- Mount Hood— The Great Mountain of Oregon— The Highest Peaks of the United States— Tlie Oregon Steam Navigation Company— Its / Rise, Progressand Purposes— Oregon's Pacific Railroad Cut Ofl— New Route to the Carrlbou Country— Summing Up of Oregon— Its People and Their Promise • IM LETTER XIX. THROUGH WASHINGTON TERRITORY.-Frora PoHland to Monti- cello by Steamer— A Rough Road— A Hard Ride through the For- ests— Ferns, Blackberries and Snakes — Skookem Chuck — Olympia and Reception thero-^Pacino Tribute to the Stomach— Basis for a Religious Superstructure — Washington Territory— Its Namefand its Capabilities, 19S LETTER XX. PUGET8 SOUND AND VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.-Great Lumber Market for the Paciflc Coast— Saw-Mills ard Ships on the Sound- Victoria, and its English Features— British Taxes and Expendi- tures— Franer River Gold Diggings— Prosperity of Victoria— Depot of the Hudson Bay Company— Grand Dinner to Mr. Colfax— The San Juan Boundary Question— Summer Gardens under the Perpetual Snows— The Pacific Coast Climate venm that of New England, .... 204 LETTER XXI. BAN FRANCISCO: MR. COLFAX, AND HIS RECEPTION IN THE PACIFIC STATES.— Back to Frisco— Its Fascinations and its In- comparable Climate— The Town always "in the Draft"— The Loss of the Steamer Brother Jonathan— Speaker Colfax's Tour Complete —His Reception Describe^ and Analyzed— His Speeches— The Mex- ican Question— His Speech at Victoria— Governor Bross Mid Mr. Richardson „ Zts LETTER XXII. THE YOSEMITB VALLEY AND THE BIG TREES.— First Impres- sions— The Great Natural Wonders and Reautins of the Western World— Distingnishing Features of the Valley— The Verdure of the Valley— Where the Zebra and Dr. Bellows' Church were Borrowed from— Various Shapes of the Mountain Rooks— The Wator-fnlls of the Valley— Thi I Journey to the Yosemite— Cession of the Valley and the Big Trees to the State of California— Our Part.y and its Experiences- The Excursion to the Big Trees: their Siite; their Age: their Beauty: tlieir Migesly, 223 h mskm • •• XVIU INDEX TO CONTENTS. LETTER XXIII. ,^„^ THE CHINESE ON THE P;>u$ the Irish and the A'rican —Chinese Merchants— Their Intelligence and their Honesty— A Din- ner with them— Specimen of Chiaeso Pigeon-English-How the Dinner Began, and how It Went On — The Chopsticks, and the Food— The Writer Rescued by the Police, akd Taken Out to get "Something to Eat," 238 LETTER XXIV. THE GREAT THEME: T^IE PACIFIC RAILWAY.-How its Need ii Felt— Anxiety for its Construction— The Hunger for "Home"- The Condition and Prospects of the Enterprine— Where Timber and Fuel are to come from— Routes over the Rocky Mountains— From Salt Lake to the Sierra Nevadas— What the Government has Done— What I!i6 People are doing at each End— Lack oi Enterprise and Progress at the H^t— Superior Zeal and Progress at the West— Rival Routes over the Sierras- The Wagon Roads and their Business- Mr. T. D. Judah and his Route for the Railroad— Rapid Progress up the Mountains— Four Thousand Chinese Laborers at Work— Five Years Long Rnough to Complete the Whole Line— Appeal »•-. the Men of the East, -26" LETTER XXV. COUNTRY EXCURSIONS. THE GEYSERS, VINEYARDS AND AGRICUIjTURE.— Tho Valleys of the Coast Range— How California is Ctnstruotcd— Oakland— Fred Law Olmste-i and Miyor Ralph W. Kirkham— Tho San Jose Valley and its Be aotiee— Excursion to tho Geysers— Petaluma— Russian River Valley— Healdsburg— A Rare Whip and a Rare Drive— The Geysers Themselves— The Embodi- ment of Hell— The Country in the Neighborhood— Napa Valley— — Calistoga and Warm Springs— Sonoma Valley and its Vineyards- California vvic«8- -Champagne '.lie Mother"? Milk in California— Fa- cilities for Agriculture in California— Illustrative Crops, ...... 274 LETTER XXVI. OP SAN FRANCISCO : BUSINESS MATTERS.- How San Pra' Cisco is Located- Its Sand Hills and tho'r Fickleness— Lone Mr jntain Cemetery— The City Gardens— Contrasts in Business and Social Life- Character of the Business Men— The Bankers— The Bank of Cali- fornia—The Wells A Fargo Express and its Varioub Business— How it Rivals the Government in Carrying Letters— The Machine Shops and the Woolen Mnnufaclnrors— The Mission Woolen Mills and their Succos.s with Chinese liahor— Cotton Manufactory and Other Industrial Enterprises— The Commerce of San Francisco, 288 MINING II PR08PE( Processes Ddep Dig Latter— T Dam " am Valley— 1 in Marip< I'rospecti —Mining fornia— P Into the ( SOCIAL LI AND HI! T!io Sealt Society ii linism— 1 Feminini Rullgion- ers- Rev The Com ciflo Rail of Califoi CLIMATE RENCT mate foi Fruits ai East— Be Paoifio f House-] Question — The W THE MINI Word of in the F and Mr. i Geologic orado U Phaiie ol zona— Li Gold Fe Ciilifornl Growing 1 ENTS. ^**' PAO*. UUR GRAND DINNER granta— What they Do— Railway— 8ervaDta in In— How the White Hen —Their Vices— How they he Irish and the A'rican □ d their Honesty— A Din- igeon-English-How the 'he Chopstlclcs, and the e. ALd Taken Out to get 238 IV. LWAY.— How its Need is [unger for "Home"— The ino— Where Timber and Rocky Mountains— From I Government has Done— -Lack 01 Enterprise and ogress at the West— Rival ids and their Business— Iroad— Rapid Progress up Laborers at Work— Five hole Line — Appeal •■■. the .28u CV. RS, VINEYARDS AND it Range— How California ite-f and Miyor Ralph W. autiep— Excursion to the sy- Healdsbnrg— A Hare lemselves— The Embodi- iborhood— Napa Valley^ alley and its Vineyards— 'f Milk in California-Fa- itrative Crops, ...... 274 VI. R8.— How San Fra' .Cisco kleness— Lone Mr jntain Business and Social Life — ikers- The Bank of Cali- 4 Varioub Business— How ers — The Machine Shops ssion Woolen Mills and I Man n factory and Other ' Sau Francisco, S88 INDEX TO CONTENTS. xix LETTER XXVII. MINING IN CALIFORNIA: liB VARIETIES, RESULTS, AND PROSPECTS.- Present Yield of the Mines of the PaoiHo Stated- Processes and Progress of Gold Seeking— The Soil Washings, the Vaep Diggings, and Hydraulic Mining- Great. Enterprises of the Latter— The Large Results— The Waste of Nature by Mining—*' Yuba Dam" and its AueoUote— The Quarts Mining and its Status— Grass Valley- Lola Hontez,and the Horse Milkman— Condition of Mining in Mariposa County— rhf Fremont Estate Come to Grief— General Prospects and Condition of Mining in California— The Idaho Mines —Mining in the Various Sti '. i Compared— The Advantage for Cali- fornia—Personal Experiences in Visiting Mines— How We Went Into the Gould A Curry Mine, and Hew We Got Out, 303 LETTER XXVIII. SOCIAL LIFE IN SAN FRANCISCO: THE WOMEN: RELIGION AND MINISTERS.— Visit to the Cliff House-The Paoiflo Ocean— T!iu Seals and the Pelicans— A Ride along the Beach— The Chaos of Society in San Francisco— Domination of Materialism and Mascu- liniHm— The Women Savored ».ith it— How the Ladies Dress— A Feminine Lunch Party— Activity in Public Morals— Education and Religion— Churches and School-houses— Ambition for Smart Preaoh- era— Rev. Dr. Wadsworth, Rev. Dr. Scudder, Rev. Mr. Stebbins— The Country Parishes— Wide Field for Missionary Labor— The Pa- cific Railroad the Great Missionary of All— Rev. Mr. Stebbins' Views of California Life, LETTER XXIX. CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS: COST OF LIVING: THE CUR- RENCY QUESTION: THE MINT— Advantage of the Paclflo CH- mate for Invalids— Effects of the Climate upon the Race— The Fruits and Vegetables of Califoruia, Compared with those of the East— Beauty ot the California Spring— The Best Time to Visit the Paoiflo Statts— Comparative Prices of Living— The What Cheer House— Prices In the Ma. «.ets— Gold and Silver the only Currency- Question of Introducing Paper Money— The Mint at San Francisco —The World^) Settling House at San Francisco, 385 LETTER XXX. THE MINING QUESTIONS AGAIN : GENERAL REVIEW.— A New Word of Caution to Eastern Capitallsts-Bpeoulators and Swindlers in the Field— Other Authority for these Views; Professor Whitney and Mr. Ashbumer— Double Injury of Deception— Importance of the Geological Survey of California— The Superior Richness of the Col- orado Gold Mines— New Mining Discoveries in California— Latest Pha.^e of tlie Comstock Ledge— The Gold and Copper Mines in Ari- zona—Last News from Idaho— The Oil Fever of the East and the Gold Fever of the West— The Copper and Quicksilver Mines of Ciillfornin— The Petrolrnm Rpooulatlon in Cnlifornia— Vineyards aed Oil Beds, 341 321 c. XX INDEX TO CONTENTS. LETTER XXXI. „g, THE PAUEWEUi PraTIVlTIES : POLITICS AND HOLlTlCIANfi.— Tha Tathoa of Partlug— Our Final Vlilt li San Fmnoiaco— A Orowdad Weok—MagnlHoenl Dinoor Party— Brilliant Kaiewell Ball and Danquot, with Urthodux Ballas and Hot Beel Tea— Politics of the Paciflo Stataa— Their Raacua ft'oin H«LITlCIANfi.- It ii San Fmnoicco— A '— Brilliiint Ksiewell Hall lotBeel To»-eolilic«of i-pHiioD' -Theii Affiliation i, Lowe luid Oiliba— tlena- oppurtiiDity— Hii Sacrad nia GonKreasmen — Large eKon— Anecdote of Bena- I'afinion, and ita Intoler- I— The Indian Quottion of the Coait--A Parting SOS AND THE ISTHMUS.— the Voyage— The Aooom- > Crowd— The Mixture— ona and in Siglit of Land pping at Acapiiloo— The ining on Shore — luterriew ilexican Independence— n the Coaat Again — Oua- nd Nicaragua— AniTal at one of our Passengers — iiosyncrasieo— The Rail> A Troi)lcal Revelatiuna — River and the Isthmus e Steamship Service on York— The Trip Summed ly and ita new Career— the Crowd on the Steam- imita Reviewed: Its Trl- 870 .t w rn n ^-^-ft^ LETTER I. FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO THE MISSOURL Atchison, Kansas, May ai, 1865. A WEEK of leisure traveling ends the first or railroad stage of th"; great overland trip across the Continent. It is 1,425 miles by railroad from Springfield to Atchison, via Buflfalo, Cleveland, Chi- cago, and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad through northern Missouri. Here, the outmost post of our eastern railway system, we commence a coach ride of two thousand miles before we mee the projecting arm of the California railways at Pla- cerville. Thence a day takes us down to San Fran- cisco, and the Continent is spanned, the national breadth is measured. How this Republic, saved, reunited, bound together as never before, expands under such personal passage and footstep tread ; ■ how magnificent its domain ; how far-reaching and uprising its material, moral and political possibili- ties and promises! There ''? no such knowledge 'if the nation as comes of ir;.veling it, of seeing ^m •«^(W ACROSS THE CONTINENT. M eye to eye its vast extent, its various and teeming wealth, and, above all, its purpose-full people — grow- ing only greater in personal power and activity as they grow fewer in numbers. We think our Yan- kee leaders have active brains and comprehensive hands ; but the pioneers in the commerce rfnd in the civilization of the West impress you as men of broader grasp and more intense vitality. The very breadth of their field expands them. It is five years since I was last in the West. Then I came to attend the Convention that nominated Mr. Lincoln for President. How long ago that seems ! How dim the almost tragic scenes and excitements and struggles of the Wigwam! Personal prefer- ences were lost and won there, life-long ambitions wrecked, new combinations created, and old ones shattered, whose significance was little understood then. What century of other history has held such revolutions, has wrought such influences on the present and the future of the world, as these five years ! What five years of all life, of ours or any- body's else, would you or I exchange for even our witness of these ? We had an afternoon and evening in Cleveland, and a day in Chicago. I gathered new impressions of the beauty of the former city. No other place, East or West, unites such a business street as Su- perior to such a residence avenue as Euclid. It is the gem of the western cities. Springfield has sim- ilar union of business convenience and breadth with beautiful rural homes; but the scale is smaller— -•ur Main street is narrower, our Maple and Chest- nut s palati; Chi( has im all the test, a I St. Lo strides There i ever ha noticed served 1 still nee theticall ner lots turns he philanth the Norl from Ne most ecl( cxecutiv< vain ovei from the luted Ital grand So which led the army, processioi war; and own nobil This bo Kansas ej ,us and tccminK 11 people— firow- r and activity as ; think our Yan- :l comprehensive ommercc itnd in ss you as men of itality. The very m. I the West. Then [lat nominated Mr. g ago that seems ! :s and excitements Personal prefcr- iifc-long ambitions ited, and old ones ts little understood story has held such influences on the rorld, as these five ife, of ours or any- lange for even our ;ning in Cleveland, ;d new impressions No other place, ,iness street as Su- le as Euclid. It is ipringfield has sim- :e and breadth with scale is smaller- Maple and Chest- CHICAGO AND ATCHISON. s nut shorter and less magnificently studded with palatial country residences. Chicago is still great — to all Chicagoians. She has indeed made herself the commercial center of all the North-west. Milwaukee gives up the con- test, and even her own State, to her old rival ; and St. Louis looks on with envy at the more rapid stride.s of the metropolis of the free North-west. There is less building in progress, however, than I ever have seen before, and fewer new structures are noticed on the business streets than are usually ob- served between visits ; though there be sjxjts enough still needing reconstruction. Chicago is getting es- thetically ambitious, however ; she talks less of cor- ner lots and corn and new blocks than of yore ; and turns her thoughts more to art, to literature and to philanthropy. Already with the great journal of the North-west, she is founding another, and draws from New York, in Mr. Dana, to lead it, one of the most eclectic of American s* holars, one of the most executive of American minds. Just now, too, she is vain over a new and beautiful opera-house — reared from the profits on alcohol — and a season of undi- luted Italian opera ; and earnest, moreover, with a grand Soldiers' Fair. Fitting it is that Chicago, which led in these monster fairs for the benefit of the army, should also close their glorious and holy procession. Their history is a proud chapter in our war; and in it the American women write their own nobility and patriotism. This border town of Atchison is memorable in Kansas experiences. It was first settled and pos- 4 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. sessed by border ruffians of the worst type. The fa- mous Buford Company of South Carolinians made it head-quarters. Stringfellow was its paterfamilias. But Mr. Pomeroy, the agent of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, finally got possession of it by strategy — he bought up its newspaper and threw a force of free state men into town during one night, and thenceforth defied the old settlers. Since then Pomeroy and Stringfellow have joined hands, bought up the town as a speculation, and are now growing rich together by its development and prosperity. Stringfellow lives here, and has become gentlemanly and loyal since the war broke out, and Pomeroy is. United States Senator fi"om Kansas, and also re- sides here when not in Washington. The town lies rather incoherently along some broken bluffs on the west bank of the Missouri River, five hundred , miles from St. Louis, about twenty above Leaven- worth, and the same distance below St. Joseph, the metropolis of northern Missouri. A railroad runs along the opposite bank of the river, and gives communication with St. Joseph and Leavenworth. Lawrence lies off to the south-west say fifty miles, Atchison being in fact in the north-eastern corner of the State. It is now the starting point of the overland mail for the mining regions and California, and the head-quarters of the stage company ; also one of the chief points on the border for the trans- shipment, from cars and steamboats to wagons, of goods of all sorts bound to the mines of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, &c., and the saints of Utah. Ne- braska City, Omaha. St. Joseph, Leavenworth and [NENT. worst type. The fa- Carolinians made it IS its paterfamilias. : the New England got possession of it ewspaper and threw vn during one night, lettlers. Since then ioined hands, bought nd are now growing lent and prosperity, become gentlemanly out, and Pomeroy is. ■Cansas, and also re- gton. The town lies le broken bluffs on River, five hundred , ^enty above Leaven- Delow St. Joseph, the iri. A railroad runs the river, and gives )h and Leavenworth, i-west say fifty miles, north-eastern corner starting point of the jgions and California, stage company ; also 1 border for the trans- mboats to wagons, of le mines of Colorado, saints of Utah. Ne- ph, Leavenworth and FREIGHTING OVERLAND. $ Lawrence are rivals in this great business of freight- ing to the far West — how great nobody can realize who iocs not look upon it directly at this the busy season of the year ; — but Atchison lies best as to the roads west, being both upon the river, and, through a great bend in its course, the most western of any town upon it, in the State or in Missouri, and per- haps does more of the outfitting and forwarding than any other one town. Most of the goods are only sent through the town, being bought by the shippers or territorial merchants in Philadelphia, New York, St. Louis and Chicago ; yet a single firm here, in a modest building, is selling one million dollars yearly to small traders, or to fill up forgotten places in large trains. Long trains of heavily loaded wagons, drawn by mules and oxen, are mov- ing out daily, now ; but immense warehouses and large yards are still stored full with massive ma- chinery for working the mines, and goods for feed- ing and clothing the miners, and agricultural imple- ments to cultivate the prairies, waiting for their turn. The mule trains have been in progress for a month, but the ox-teams have had to wait till now, so that the animals could be fed on the grass en route. The Indians made such havoc last year that food for man or beast has been very scarce on the road across the Plains all the winter and spring ; the Overland Stage and Mail Company has been very much crippled thereby; and the grain that it is now- feeding out to its horses on the road has cost it, in purchase and transportation, something like eight dollars a bushel, or eight and ten cents a pound ! I* '^IT'"'^ ACROSS THE CONTINENT. Speaker Colfax and his friends are gathered here for their long and inviting yet rather rough journey to the Pacific Coast. The party embraces the Speaker, Lieutenant-Governor Bross of Illinois, senior editor of the Chicago Tribun^, Mr. Albert D. Richardson of the New York Tribune, and my- self. Mr. George K. Otis of New York, special agent of the Overland Stage Line, accompanies us ; and we have laid in every possible mitigation of the fatigues and discomforts of the long ride. There are rifles and revolvers for Indians and game ; sar- dines for those who cannot digest bacon ; segars for the smoking Speaker ; black tea for the nervous newspaper men ; crackers for those fastidious stom- achs that reject saleratus biscuit ; and soap for those so aristocratic as to insist on washing themselves en route. Something of fillip is given to our ride by the overland stage from the West, due yesterday noon, coming in only this morning, and with the news that it had been attacked by the Indians about one hundred and forty miles back, or some half way to Fort Kearney. It is the first raid of the red-skins this season ; and so thorough precautions had been made by General Connor, who has charge of the troops along the route, that it was believed there would be no trouble ; the stages had assumed their old certainty and regularity, came in here every day 'within half an hour of the schedule time, and left precisely at eight every morning, and timed their arrivals at the stations along the route so certainly that the keepers had the meals all cooked and warm rENT. are gathered here ;her rough journey Tty embraces the Bross of Illinois, ribun^, Mr. Albert : Tribune, and my- slew York, special e, accompanies us ; le mitigation of the long ride. There ,ns and game ; sar- t bacon ; segars for ea for the nervous ose fastidious stom- ; and soap for those ihing themselves en to our ride by the iue yesterday noon, and with the news ; Indians about one jr some half way to aid of the red-skins recautions had been ( has charge of the was believed there s had assumed their ne in here every day edule time, and left ng, and timed their le route so certainly all cooked and warm INDIANS ON OUR TRACK. 7 as the stages drove up, all the way from here to Salt Lake City. But to-day's news shows that some of the Tndians had broken through oi; run around the military lines. They commenced by ambushing a party of some twelve to twenty soldiers, mostly con- verted rebels, on their way up from Leavenworth to Fort Kearney, but without arms. Two of these they killed outright, and most of the rest they wounded so savagely that they will probably die. The next day they assaulted the incoming stage, which had some six or eight passengers, men, wo- men and children, circling around and around the vehicle on well-mounted horses, and shooting their arrows fast and sharp— only one had a musket, and another a pistol — at horses and passengers. The horses were whipped up. the men on the coach had two rifles and kept them in play, and thus the In- dians were held at bay until the protection of a sta- tion and a train was secured, when the attacking party, finding themselves baffled, retired. They numbered about twenty-five in all, and their appear- ance on what was supposed to be the safest part of the route, and the one least protected by soldiers, has made some excitement. Senator Foster of Connecticut, (Vice-president, ex-officio) and Senator Doolittle of Wisconsin, have just started south-west on an expedition to Santa Fe in New Mexico. They take a body guard of over one hundred cavalrymen, and will sweep around, through Colorado, across the Overland Route to the upper Missouri, and come down through Nebraska. The two Senators are a part of a joint committee 8 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. of Congress to visit all our Indian territories, ex' amine into the condition of the Indians and their relations to the whites, and report facts and sug- gestions, with a view to a more intelligent and ef- fective Indian policy. This is the occasion of their journey, the section they are visiting being their allotted space of the committee's work. It is an important, and, it is to be hoped, will prove a be- neficent mission, that is thus undertaken. Who- ever shall discover and cause to be put in practice a policy towards our Indian tribes, that shall secure protection alike to them and the whites, and stop indiscriminate massacre on both sides, will prove the greatest of national benefactors. But the al- most universal testimony of the border men is that there can be no terms made with the Indians — the only wise policy, they aver, is extermination. This is dreadful if true ; and I cannot believe it. The Indians have great provocation for their bad faith and their massacres in our own bad faith to them, in the systematic manner they have been plundered and cheated and every way abused by officers of the government, and the coarsest of the border men. But if the policy of extermination is the only possible one, the sooner it is adopted, and car- ried out, the better. It is cruelty to all parties, it is loss to people and nation, to let affairs drift along in the present way, exposing settlers and travelers to unexpected assaults and robbery, and interrupt- ing the course of the subjugation and civilization of the continent. The season lags, and plowing and planting are NENT. Jian territories, ex' Indians and their )ort facts and sug- intelligent and ef- he occasion of their visiting being their e's work. It is an ;d, will prove a be- undertaken. Who- be put in practice es, that shall secure he whites, and stop th sides, will prove Lctors. But the al- ; border men is that th the Indians — the {termination. This lot believe it. The 1 for their bad faith 1 bad faith to them, lave been plundered Dused by officers of rsest of the border xtermination is the is adopted, and car- elty to all parties, it [et affairs drift along ettlers and travelers bery, and interrupt- tion and civilization ng and planting are 1 THE STAGE STARTS : GOOD-BYE. great^ belated in the West. There is evident lack of labor and nature kindly prolongs the spring- time. A few fields of com are up ; but more stm are yet bemg plowed. A steam plow, cheap, simple, but effective. ,s still the great need of our western agriculture, for plowing is its greatest, most wear- ing, most delaying burden. The other labor-saving machines are in use to an extent that would amaze New England farmers -planters, mowers, reap- ers ;_you see them by the dozens in every little village, and they are the prominent feature of freight at the depots all along the railroads. The " Buck- eye " is the favorite mower and reaper out here The caterpillars are ruining the orchards along our route through Illinois and Missouri as painfully as at the East, and the farmers seem as indifferent to their ravages. It is a sad sight-a thrifty young orchard of apples, otherwise, with half its trees stripped of all life by these pests, and the rest going in the same direction. But the overiand coach waits; General Connor has taken command of our party; and so, dear friends all, we sail out into this vast ocean of land. -Z 1^?,°^ ^°" "^'^^ ^""^^y J°y' ^"d, possibly with selfish longing, with every pain. Do you think of me when the June roses open, with the dew of July mornings, with the fragrant cool of an August evening shower, when the katy-dids sing in September; and. God willing, I shall be with you again ere the maples redden in October. .«■*" r-^Ji, ^^-- LETTER II. FROM THE MISSOURI TO THE PLATTE. Fort Kearney, Neb. »ska. May 24. A TRIFLE short of two days has borne us two hundred and fifty miles, riding night and day, to this point, which is the junction of the Omaha. Nebraska City and Atchison roads for the grand central Over- land Route to Colorado and Utah and the Pacific Ter- ritories. Our road lay through the northern counties of Kansas and the southern of Nebraska; across the valleys of the Big and Little Sandy and the Big and Little Blue rivers ; and here we strike the Platte River, up which and its southern branch we continue till we reach Denver. We came through the region of the Indian surprises and attacks of last week, but met no hostile red-skin. We found abundant evidences, however, of their last year's swoop through the line, in ruins of houses and barns which they then burned, and stories of their terrible massacres. General Connor and his aid, Captain Jewett, are riding out with us on their way to Julesburg, the General's head-quarters, two hund- red miles farther west; and through the exposed parts of the line we had, as all the stages now have. W j»- 1 [I. THE PLATTE. !IEY, Neb. «ska. May 24. 3 has borne us two light and day, to this le Omaha. Nebraska grand central Over- 1 and the Pacific Ter- he northern counties )f Nebraska; across ,ittle Sandy and the d here we strike the southern branch we We came through irises and attacks of red-skin. We found , of their last year's ruins of houses and , and stories of their Connor and his aid, with us on their way ,d-quarters, two hund- through the exposed i the stages now have. I "GALVANIZED YANKEES." i| a guard of two to four cavalrymen. A few soldiers, with a half-dozen cool and well-armed passengers,' are always enough to frighten off or drive away any number of I^idians less than a hundred. The red-skin fights shy, and only attacks where he i.s sure of little or no resistance; and he is despised, as a foe, by all the military men and old stagers along the Plains. But the necessity of keeping up steady mail and travel communication through this region, and of protecting the immense traffic in provisions, goods and machinery now in progress between the East and far West, enforces upon the government the duty of placing a strong military force all along the various leading roads, and then of sending out troops enough to drive the Indians to the far North and South, and keeping them there, or else of wholly exterminating them. Among the present limited number of troops on the Plain are two regiments of infantry, all from the rebel army. They have cheerfully re-enlisted into the federal service, We passed one of these regi- ments on the road yesterday, it having just come upon the line. They were all young but hardy lookmg men ; and the Colonel, who is of course irom the old federal army, testified heartily to their subordination and sympathy with their new service. They are known in the army as "whitewashed rebs," or as they call themselves, "galvanized Yan- kees." Aside from the Indian question—which, indeed, gave only a pleasant zest to our progress, and taught us novices at which end to hold our pistols and ^f 12 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. iL. rifles,— we have had a most delightful ride so far. The weather has been clear and warm ; the com- pany intelligent and good natured; the food at the meal stations more excellent than that of the hotels and restaurants on the railroads west of Chi- cago : the country and its scenes most novel and inspiring. We d'-ove at an average of six miles an hour, including all stops, sometimes making full ten miles an hour on the road, in an easy and com- modious new Cdhcord stage, such as are in use all through this route, and with horses as sprightly and in as good condition as you ever rode after in the good old days of staging in the Connecticut River valley. Every ten or twelve miles we come to a sta- tion, sometimes in a village of log and turf cabins, but oftener solitary and alone, where we change horses ; and every two or three stations, we change drivers; but except for meals, for which half an hour is allowed, our stops do not exceed five min- utes each. The country up to fifty miles of this point, presents the characteristics of the finest prairie scener}' of the West — illimitable stretches of ex- quisite green surface, rolling like long waves of the sea, and broken at distances of miles by an inter- vale with a small stream, along whose banks are scattered trees of elm and cotton-wood. Here and there is a "ranch" or farm with cultivated land, but these grow rarer and rarer— the uniform view is one wide rolling prairie, freshly green, spreading out as far as the eye can reach, with the distant fringe of thin forest by the water-course, and sending forth W" an th( we de( oui the da' thi V\i Pr: str bul roi de( for gre thr rie ver the in '. em bol wic ace loo eye or pas mo lop "'^T^' NENT. LIFE ON THE PLAINS. 13 ightful ride so far. id warm ; the com- ured; the food at nt than that of the ilroads west of Chi- cs most novel and •age of six miles an etimes making full n an easy and com- ich as are in use all ses as sprightly and er rode after in the ; Connecticut River es we come to a sta- log and turf cabins, , where we change stations, we change , for which half an ot exceed five min- liles of this point, >f the finest prairie ble stretches of ex- Ice long waves of the f miles by an inter- ig whose banks are on-wood. Here and I cultivated land, but e uniform view is one ;en, spreading out as the distant fringe of e, and sending forth and receiving the sun at morning and evening, as tiie ocean seems to discharge and accept it when we travel its trackless space. No land could be richer; no sight could more deeply impress you with the measureless extent of our country, and its unimproved capacities, than that which has been steadily before us for these two days. Within the last fifty miles, the soil grows thinner, the grass less rich, the sand hills of the Platte rise before the eye, and Plain, rather than Prairie, becomes the true descriptive name. The streams are few and scant, and the water muddy; but wells give good drinking water all along the route, though oftentimes they have to be sunk as deep as fifty or seventy-five feet. It is too early yet for many of the prairie flowers ; but the rich, fresh green of the grass satisfies the eye. Scattered through it we catch frequent glimpses of the prai- rie hen, multiplying for the hunter's harvest in No- vember ; from its bare, last year's stalks floats out the liquid music of the larks ; the plover, paired as in Paradise, and never divorced even in this west- ern country of easy virtue and cheap legislation, bob up and down their long necks, or flutter their wide wings in flight at every rod ; little blackbirds accompany you in great shoals ; a lean, hungry- looking wolf steals along at a distance with one eye on you, and the other on the carcass of a horse or px, dropped in sickness or fatigue from some passing train ; away off near the horizon scamper most daintily and provokingly a half-dozen ante- lopes — too near for restful palates, too far for wait- m jp 14 ACROSS THE CONTINENT, ing rifles ; and over all and illuminatinjif all floats an atmosphere so pure, so rare, so ethereal, as pic- tures every object with a pre-Raphaclite distinct- ness, makes distant things appear near, and sends the horizon far away in an unbounded stretch of slightly rounding green earth. Add to these a con- stant breeze, tempering the sun to a most grateful softness, and bearing an inspiring tonic to lungs and heart ; sunsets and sunrises that rival Italy or the Connecticut valley; a twilight prolonged as in England ; and a dryness arid purity to the atmos- phere, that you certainly know not in New England, and guards the most exposed against colds, — and you may form some idea of the life of our senses and sensibilities so far on this excursion. But I omit one great feature in the constant land- scape — the long trains of wagons and carts, with their teams of mules and oxen, passing to and fro on the road, going in empty, coming out laden with com for man and beast, with machinery for the mining regions, with clothing, food and luxuries for the accumulating populations of Colorado, Utah and Montana, — for all these territories and the in- termediate populations draw their supplies from this quarter, and not from the California shore. The wagons are covered with white cloth ; each is drawn by four to six pairs of mules or oxen ; and the trains of them stretch frequently from one-quarter to one- third of a mile each. As they move along in the distance, they remind one of the caravans described in the Bible and other Eastern books. Turned out of the road on the green prairie, for afternoon rest or cir tec to for the am im] fon ent mo Inc of; ma the spc fift« twc pra ani: in t the int( 1 so ; and oral veri It i and Fin int >IENT. minatin;^ all floats so ethereal, as pic- aphaelite distinct- ar near, and sends ounded stretch of \dd to these a con- to a most grateful ng tonic to lungs that rival Italy or it prolonged as in irity to the atmos- it in New England, gainst colds, — and life of our senses ccursion. the constant land- ns and carts, with passing to and fro ling out laden with machinery for the od and luxuries for if Colorado, Utah 'itories and the in- r supplies from this fornia shore. The oth ; each is drawn ten ; and the trains one-quarter to one- move along in the caravans described looks. Turned out , for afternoon rest A STORM ON THE PLAINS. 15 or a night's repose, the wagons drawn around in a circle, as a sort of barricade against Indians or pro- tection against storm, and the animals turned loose to feed, and wandering over the rounding prairie for a mile— "cattle upon a thousand hills ;" at night their camp fires burning ; — in any position, or under any aspect, they present a picture most unique and impressive, indeed. I have seen nothing like it be- fore ; and it summons up many a memory of ori- ental reading. Just now, these trains are moving more compactly than usual, for protection agrniist Indian attacks; but their numbers and the am( imt of goods they are hauling, give you an idea of the magnitude and importance of the commerce across these Plains, that neither bare figures, nor parts of speech can impart. The mule trains make from fifteen to twenty miles a day ; and. the oxen about twelve to fifteen. They depend entirely upon the prairies for food as they go along ; and indeed the animals grow stronger and fatter as they move on in their summer campaign of work, coming out of their winter rest poor and scrawny, and going back into it in the fall, fat and hearty. The chief sensation and experience of our ride so far was a storm of thunder and lightning, hail and rain, upon the Plains. Such storms are mem- orable in all travel or life in this country for se- verity ; and we had one of the very best of them. It struck us this morning, about six n.iles back, and just as we had come to the banks of the Platte. First came huge, rolling, ponderous masses of cloud in the west, massing up and separating into sections i6 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. in a more majestic and threatening style than our party ha'l ever before seen in the heavens. Then followed a tornado of wind. Horses, coach and es- cort turned their backs to the breeze, and bendinjj, awaited its passing. It stripped us of every loose bit of baggage ; and we sent out scouts for their recovery. Next fell the hail, pouring as swift rain, and as large and heavy as bullets. The horses quailed before its terrible pain. Our splendid quar- tette of blacks careered and started over the prai- rie ; we tumbled out of the coach to save ourselves one peril, and so met the other — the fire of the heavenly hail; it bit like wasps, it stunned like blows. But horses and coach were to be saved; and after a long struggle, in which the coach came near overturning, and the horses to running away, in dismay and fright, and our driver and military friends proved themselves real heroes, and every- body got wet, the hail subsided into a pouring rain, the horses were quieted and restored to their places, and we got into a drowned coach, ourselves like drowned rats, and hastened to refuge, over a prairie flooded with water, in this hospitable station. We are remaining here a few hours to dry our clothes and baggage, receive and send dispatches, see the quarters of the military establishment, over which Colonel Livingston presides, and put ourselves in order for another two days' ride to Julesburg, half way to our first grand destination at Denver. Speaker Colfax is receiving every attention pos- sible from such people as there are along this line ; everybody seems to kpow him — many to be his old per anc eve cial ing goo enj( but be I nig] 'itl'S' " NENT. linfj style than our ic heavens. Then jrses, coach and es- reezc, and bendinjj, d us of every loose ut scouts for their airing as swift rain, llcts. The horses Our splendid quar- irted over the prai- h to save ourselves :r — the fire of the ps, it stunned like were to be saved ; ich the coach came :s to running away, Iriver and military heroes, and every- into a pouring ruin, ored to their places, ach, ourselves like ;fuge, over a prairie table station. We to dry our clothes dispatches, see the ihment, over which id put ourselves in to Julesburg, half »n at Denver, very attention pos- are along this line ; -many to be his old THE GRAND RIDE A TRIUMPH. «7 personal friends in Indiana; the stage proprietors and their agents are extending to him and his party every hospitality and courtesy ; and the military offi- cials only such protection as they are now accord- ing to all passengers, and such politeness as their good breeding is sure to suggest. For myself, I enjoy the grand ride much better than I expected ; but foi* the remaining twinges of sciatica, it would be unalloyed pleasure ; and the anticipated sleepless night rides prove but small inconvenience. LETTER in. THROUGH THE PLAINS TO THE MOUNTAINS. Denver, Colorado, May 29. Our coach rolled into this town, t> j leading one of Colorado Territory, and lying under the very shadow of the Rocky Mountains, on Saturday noon, exactly "on time," and in less than five days from the Missouri River. It was a magnificent, uninter- rupted stage ride of six hundred and fifty miles, much more endurable in its discomforts, much more exhilarating in its novelties, than I had anticipated. From Fort Kearney, where we struck the Platte River, and finished the first third of the diitance, we found the soil growing thinner and thinner ; the sand hills rose and rolled away in regular serial form, north and south ; and we passed on to and through the great Central Desert of the Continent, stretching from the far distant north to the Gulf of Mexico, and separating by four hundred miles of almost uninhabitable space the agriculturally rich prairies of the Mississippi valley,.from the min- erally rich slopes and valleys of the Rocky Moun- tains. Yet not a desert, as such is commonly in- terpreted — not worthless, by any means. The soil i THE SOIL OF THE PLAINS. 19 III. THE MOUNTAINS. ^YER, Colorado, May 29. own, V- J leading one ying under the very IS, on Saturday noon, , than five days from magnificent, uninter- dred and fifty miles, (comforts, much more lan I had anticipated, ve struck the Platte ;hird of the distance, iner and thinner ; the ivay in regular serial ive passed on to and sert of the Continent, nt north to the Gulf r four hundred miles ce the agriculturally i valley,. from the min- of the Rocky Moun- juch is commonly in- any means. The soil is fa*, indeed, compared with your New England pine plains. It yields a coarse and thin grass that, green or dry, makes the best food for cattle that the Continent offers. It is, indeed, the great Pasture of the nation. This is its present use and its future profit. Now it supports the machinery of the com- merce of the two great wings of the nation, that it both separates and connects. Then — when rail- road shall supersede cattle and mules — it will feed us with beef and mutton, and give wool and leather immeasurable. Let us, then, not despise the Plains ; but turn their capacities to best account. The Platte is a broad, shallow but swift river, fur- nishing abundant good water for drinking and for limited irrigation, but offering no possibilities of navigation — not even for ferriage. When it is too swift and strong for fording, if must be let alone, and a route on either shore kept, or the falling wa- ters waited for. The soil of the valley and of the Plains, which it crosses, is not by any means mere sand, but rather a tough, cold, sandy loam, with an admixture of clay. It is too cold and dry for corn and vegetables. Wheat and barley may be raised on its best acres, with the help sometimes of a sim- ple irrigation ; but the pasture is its manifest des- tiny and use. There is a steady, imperceptible rise from the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains ; half way, we get above the dew-falling point ; and here at Denver, at the base of the mountains, we are five thousand feet above the level of the sea. The days are warm, however; the sun pours down over its shadeless level with a hot, br.rning power; but a 20 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. cool wind tempers its bitterness, and at night the air is absolutely cold This is the universal rule of ail our western countiy, beyond the Mississippi val- ley, and distinguishes the summers of its whole ex- tent from those of the East. This valley of the Platte, through these Plains, is the natural highway across the Continent. Other valleys and routes have similar advantages, but in minor degree : this unites the most ; for it is cen- tral — it is on the line of our great cities and our great industries. East and West, and it is the long- est, most continuous. A smooth, hard stage road is made by simply driving over it ; a railroad awaits only sleepers and rails. Here and there, at rare in- tervals, is a gully or dry creek or petty stream to cross ; but this, the longest and best stage road in the world, has not to-day a quarter of a mile of simplest bridging; and a railroad of six hundred and fifty miles would not need a mile. There is an occasional stretch of heavy sand ; aft ;r a rain also of temporary mud ; but at this season of the year a speed of ten miles an hour could easily be attained by horses, with proper relays and a light load, throughout the whole distance. This would redi'.ce the transit to three days ; but with ponderous mails, a Hfeavy coach, and six to fourteen passengers, the five days occupied in the journey constitutes a great triumph of stage management and horse-flesh ca- pacity. The region is substantially uninhabitable ; every ten or fifteen miles is a stable of the stage proprie- tor, and every other ten or fifteen miles an eating- hou! hou! trail one and milii Stat Thi} The pilec with best itar) hors thicl with clotl only spoc ican a"c and O gooc eggs and casii nish sam( guis dolh tioni tTINENT. ess, and at night the > the universal rule of id the Mississippi val- imers of its whole ex- through these Plains, :he Continent. Other ar advantages, but in e most ; for it is cen- great cities and our :st, and it is the long- ooth, hard stage road T it ; a railroad awaits ; and there, at rare in- ;k or petty stream to nd best stage road in quarter of a mile of Iroad of six hundred i a mile. There is an a,nd ; aft )r a rain also s season of the year a >uld easily be attained ys and a light load, 2. This would redi'.ce with ponderous mails, irteen passengers, the ley constitutes a great It and horse-flesh ca- uninhabitable ; every : of the stage proprie- fteen miles an eating- I WHAT WE HAD TO EAT. 21 house; perhaps as often a petty ranch or farm- house, whose owner lives by selling hay to the trains of emigrants or freighters; every fifty or one hundred miles you will find a small grocery and blacksmith shop; and about as frequently is a military station with a company or two of United States troops for protection against the Indians. This makes up all the civilization of the Plains. The barns and houses are of logs or prairie turf, piled up layer on layer, and smeared over or between with a clayey mud. The turf and mud make the best houses, and the same material is used for mil- itary forts and for fences around the cattle and horse yards. Their roofs, where covered, are a foot thickness of turfs, sand, clay, and logs or twigs, with an occasional inside lining of skins or thick cloth. Floors are oftenest such as nature offers only ; and, as at some of the Washington hotels, the spoons at the table do not always go around. Mex- ican terms prevail : an inclosure for animals is called a "corral ;" a house of turf and mud is of "adobe;" and a farm-house or farm a " ranch." Our meals at the stage stations continued very good throughout the ride ; the staples were bacon, eggs, hot biscuit, green tea and coffee ; dried peaches and apples, and pies were as uniform ; beef was oc- casional, and canned fruits and vegetables were fur- nished at least half of the time. Each meal was the same ; breakfast, dinner and supper were undistin- guishable save by the hour ; and the price was one dollar or one dollar and a half each. The devasta- tions of the Indians last summer and fall, and the 22 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. mi ili fear of their repetition, form the occasion and excuse for enormous prices for everything now upon the Plains and in the Territories on this side the moun- tains. Twenty-five cents a pound has been charged the past year for transporting any sort of goods. The government and the stage company have paid ten and twelve dollars a bushel for corn, all of which has to be brought up from the Missouri and Missis- sippi valleys, and from seventy-five to one hund- red dollars a ton for hay. But General Connor means to emancipate himself from the hay specu- lators hereafter ; he has bought twenty-five mowing machines, which are to be distributed among the military stations, and used by the soldiers upon the generous common grass of the river bottoms for gathering a winter supply of hay. The stage com- pany is also pursuing the same policy. Wood costs on the Plains seventy-five dollars a cord, so distant are the thin forests that furnish it ; lumber, when it is used at all, which is rarely, for it must be freighted from one end or the other of the route, one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars a thousand; a wagon and team of oxen (five pairs) twenty to twenty-five dollars a day ; common labor two and three dollars a day and board. And at Denver, the end of the route, here is a specimen of the prices to-day : potatoes twenty-five cents a pound or fifteen dollars a bushel ; flour fifteen and twenty cents a pound ; corn eighteen cents a pound or ten dollars a bushel; mechanics and laborers eight and ten dollars a day ; beef forty cents a pound, and hams forty-five to fifty cents ; girls as house servants ten doll doM son trar freij infli 1 exp botl perl hea soni sho of \ like gall pist for fens way bre< easi of c vale A ante broi and mor bee: roac of c TINENT. SCENES BY THE KOAOSIDE. ; occasion and excuse thing now upon the 1 this side the moun- ind has been charged ; any sort of goods. i company have paid for corn, all of which Missouri and Missis- ty-five to one hund- 3ut General Connor from the hay specu- t twenty-five mowing stributed among the the soldiers upon the he river bottoms for lay. The stage corn- policy. Wood costs ars a cord, so distant li it ; lumber, when it ir it must be freighted le route, one hundred liars a thousand; a ve pairs) twenty to nmon labor two and i. And at Denver, pecimen of the prices nts a pound or fifteen I and twenty cents a pound or ten dollars lorers eight and ten i a pound, and hams is house servants ten dollars a week. These rates are likely to be cut down one third or one half during the present sea- son, however, as General Connor gives security to transportation across the Plains, and competition in freighting and merchandising works its legitimate influences. The ride from Fort Kearney gave us but few new experiences. The "noble red man" disappointed both fear and hope. He gave us a wide berth; perhaps he had intuitive knowledge of our • "ave hearts and our innumerable Colts', Smith & Wes- sons', Remingtons', Ballards', and double-barreled shot-guns — certainly we bristled with the munitions of war like a fortification prepared for assault ; more likely he saw the four cavalrymen that constantly galloped by our side from station to station, with pistols at holsters and rifles slung in the saddles, — for bloodthirsty as our red brethren are, when de- fenseless men or women or children come in their way, they have a holy hoVror of well-armed soldiers, breech-loading rifles, and magazine pistols. They easily learn and most faithfully practise the maxim of civilization, that discretion is the better part of valor. Animal and vegetable life, too, grew scantier ; the antelope eluded all rifle shot ; only a prairie hen was brought down; we were too early for the buffalo, and not one crossed our path : as the Plains grew more barren, the prickly pear and the sage bush became plenty in their tough unfruitfulness ; the road was marked more frequently with the carcasses of oxen and horses — scarcely ever were we out of H |l» »"ti» » n 24 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. t . it: 4i sight of their bleaching bones ; occasionally the pa- thos of a human grave gave a deeper touch to our thoughts of death upon the Plains, deepened, toe, by the knowledge that the wolf would soon violate its sanctity, and scatter the sacred bones of father, mother or child over the waste prairie ; — the wiser instinct of the Indian showed itself, once in a while, in the sepulture of their kindred above ground — for, rolling his dead in a blanket, he places the body in mid-air between two forked poles, six or eight feet high, and so, if not poised for an upward flight, at least safe from vulture profanation ; — and anon we grew gay over the lively little prairie dogs, looking half rat and half squirrel, as they scampered through the grass or dove, with a low, chirruping bark, back into their holes. These animals are smaller and more contemptible than I had expected ; their holes, marked by a hillock of sand, are congregated in vill; 'es, sometimes extending a quarter or half a mile «.iong the roadside. Only a pair occupy each hole, but we h^ar the same story, that earlier trav- elers record for us, that a snake and an owl share their homes with them. The snakes wo did not see ; but the owl, a species no larger than a robin, solemn, stiff and straight, stood guard at many of the holes. We passed through an alkali region, where the soil for two or three feet seemed saturated with soda, and so poisons the fallen water that, if drank by man or beast after a shower, it is sure to be fatal. All the water of this region and the Plains has a savor of alkali or sulphur in it, but not to an un- hea nan ploi foui sul[ we Cali new gem grai der- the with of n so w it in W felloe ing, i the s brani Sout mark is on aflforc but i1 prote dians and I partir eating and d -■sgt.^'!;^ TINENT. ; occasionally the pa- L deeper touch to our *lains, deepened, toe, If would soon violate cred bones of father, 2 prairie ; — the wiser itself, once in a while, Ired above ground — :t, he places the body d poles, six or eight for an upward flight, lation ; — and anon we prairie dogs, looking iy scampered through ;hirruping bark, back tials are smaller and ;xpected; their holes, are congregated in a quarter or half a y a pair occupy each )ry, that earlier trav- ce and an owl share : snakes we did not larger than a robin, >d guard at many of di region, where the i saturated with soda, :er that, if drank by it is sure to be fatal, ind the Plains has a t, but not to an un- A soluieh's breakkast. 25 healthy degree. We stopped at Fremont Spring, named for its discovery and use by the great ex- plorer, on his original trip through this region, and found it pure, sweet water, slightly marked with sulphur. Wc were not without our daily paper ; for we stopped the incoming stage and had the latest California journals, but, though they gave us fresh news from the Pacific shore, their eastern intelli- gence was indeed a twice-told tale. At the tele- graph stations, however,— for those bare but won- der-working poles and wires ran in sight all along the road, and kept us in their mysterious sympathy with friends and home,— wc had a special privilege of reading the news as it ran East and West, and so we were up with the world, though so far out of It in all material circumstance. We dropped General Connor, who had been our fellow passenger from Atchison, early Friday morn- "ig, at Julesburg, where he has his head-quarters for the summer, and where the Platte River forks, one branch extending north to Fort Laramie and the bouth Pass through the mountains, and the other marking our southerly line to Denver. Julesburg IS only a village of tents and turf forts and barns, affordmg no facilities for a luxurious military life- but It 13 well located for General Connor's plans for protecting the commerce of the Plains from the In- dians, and for punishing them for their past offenses and present threatenings against it. We took a parting breakfast with him in camp, just at sunrise eatmg canned chicken and oysters ofT tin plates and drinkir^ our coffee with the brownest of sugar m "h •mm 26 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. a d the most concentrated of milk, all in the sim- plest and most barren of border life. But we parted from him with real regret and a large respect. He had shown himself to us both a genuine gentleman and a valuable commandant ; and we found reason in our personal acquaintance to confirm the judg- ment of the people of all this region, that he is of all men, whom the government has assigned to the duty, the most fit and efficient for restraining the Indians, for protecting and developing the interests of government and people, for settling the Mormon problem, for giving order and unity to the incoher- ent and chaotic social and material life of all this vast region. General Connor has been for two years m com- mand at Utah, and of his administration there and his views of the Mormons, I shall have occasion to speak when I am on the spot It is only two months since he had assigned to him, also, the pro- tection of the Overland Routes across the Plams ; but everybody hereabouts notes with pride and con- fidence the change already introduced. The sol- diers have ceased to be thieves and bullies; a new and better social tone is visible in all the mining re- gion; the laws are better respected; soldiers guard the whole central line of travel, and cavalrymen escort every stage— theYe is no longer any leal dan- ger, or will not be, so soon as a few more troops can be put in their places, in traveling or freightmg over the main road from the river to the mountams ; the Indians will speedily be driven back to their res- ervations, and forced to submit to whatever terms the PI of an sa: ne di£ sul rie set noi ch( Bu fro: He the nisi aln nov fror for G ist!( earl Uni vice tern Mej Cali othe thei of a NENT. lilk, all in the sira- ife. But we parted large respect. He genuine gentleman id we found reason I confirm the judg- egion, that he is of has assigned to the ; for restraining the sloping the interests lettling the Mormon mity to the incoher- :erial life of all this r two years in com- nistration there and lall have occasion to jt. It is only two to him, also, the pro- is across the Plains ; s with pride and con- itroduced. The sol- 5 and bullies ; a new ; in all the mining re- acted; soldiers guard ivel, and cavalrymen ) longer any leal dan- L few more troops can iveling or freighting ver to the mountains ; iven back to their res- to whatever terms the GENERAL CONNOR's PERSONAL HISTOKV. 27 government may dictate; prices will fall along the Plains and in the Territories on the eastern slopes of the mountains; and all the business of this vast and nch region will receive, under certainty and safety, an impetus, and gain an uniformity, that have never before marked their history. Whether the In- dians shall be wholly exterminated; or forced into submission and half civilization in limited territo- ries, undisputed for the present by the white; or set to work upon the Pacific Railroad— thest are not points for General Connor to decide. The choice belongs to the government at Washington. But General Connor will certainly restrain them Irom violence, and punish them for their barbarities He believes they may be made useful in building the Pacific Railroad; and he has proposed to fur- nish two thousand of one or two tribes, who have already submitted to his authority, and whom he is now supporting at an enormous expense far distant from his base of supplies, to the railroad company for an experiment. General Connor has a personal history character- istic of America. He was born in Ireland, came early to New York with his parents, enlisied in the United States cavalry, when a young man, for ser- vice in our Indian territory, served out his regular term, lived in Texas, rejoined the' army during the Mexican war, and became a captain, removed to California, prospered in business as a farmer and otherwise, again took up arms for his country when the rebellion broke out, and was appointed colonel of a California regiment, and thence, by his well- 28 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. recognized experience and his services in this re- gion, was advanced to a brigadiership, and assigned, some two or three years ago, to the command of the military district of Utah. He is an intelligent and accomplished gentleman, in the prime of life and power, strict in discipline, clear and strong in thought and in its expression ; and if willing to continue in the service, as I am sure the govern- menl ought to be most earnest to have him, and sustained in his policy, he will most honorably and usefully connect his name with the disposition of the two great questions of our national responsi- bility and duty in this quarter— the Mormons and the Indians. Twenty-five years ago. General Con- nor left Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri River, a private in the United States regular army. Last week he, visited it a second time, a Brigadier-gen- eral and the Commander of the District of the Plains, comprising a larger territory, and embracing more delicate and important responsibilities than any other single military district in the country. The contrast of the two facts tells the whole story of his character and his history, and sustains my judgment of him. The reception of Speaker Colfax and his party on their arrival here was very enthusiastic and flatter- ing. They were met and welcomed by Governor Evans and other territorial officers and a committee of the citizens of Denver ; in the evening there was a large popular gathering to pay personal respect to the visitors; and Mr. Colfax, Mr. Bross, and Mr. Richardson made eloquent and effective speeches. r c r V a h tl k n( th th lENT. crvices in this re- ihip, and assigned, I the command of [e is an intelligent I the prime of life lear and strong in and if willing to 1 sure the govern- to have him, and lost honorably and the disposition of national responsi- -the Mormons and ago, General Con- he Missouri River, ;gular army. Last le, a Brigadier-gen- he District of the ory, and embracing ;sponsibilities than ict in the country. ;lls the whole story y, and sustains my fax and his party on usiastic and flatter- :omed by Governor ers and a committee le evening there was J personal respect to Mr. Bross, and Mr. i effective speeches. MR. COLFAX'S SPEECH AT DENVER. 29 Mr. Colfax was especially happy and felicitous ; pub- lic speaking is as natural and easy to him as swim- ming to a duck; and he repeated President Lin- coin s partmg suggestions and messages to the mi- ners with pathetic fidelity, and they were received with mournful interest and deep plersure. Public and private courtesies a/e showered upon him and his friends. They start this morning for a visit to the rnmes and the mountains, which will occupy four days, when they will return here, and again take up their progress westward, in the long ride to Utah next Saturday. They arc all in good health and the best of spirits-not alcoholic-aud very glad they came; esieciallyvour g ^^ LETTER IV. THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND THEIR GOLD MINES. Denver, Colorado, June 2. ' We have been spending an interesting week among the Rocky Mountains ; riding and driving up and down their ragged sides, through their nar- row valleys, and over their occasional plains ; ford- ing their turbulent streams; gazing with never- ceasing delight upon their various forms of beauty, under cloud and storm and sunshine, their snow- capped peaks, their deep ravines and narrow gorges, their purpling, shadowed sides and tops, their high pinnacles of rock, monuments of Creation and His- tory; and then, descending into the golden mines, following tortuous veins of precious rock, hundreds of feet beneath the surface, tracing the specks of gold among the comparative dross of iron and cop- per and lead, hobnobbing with the dusty miners in their dreary workshops, faintly illuminated with oc- casional candles, and then, ascending to day and light again, watching the processes for extractmg the wealth from the ore,— the irresistible grinding of the stamps, the washing with much water, the securing with copper and mercury, the ^ter-delay- ir ti ai S b( m m th w ar ni sp tCi ar pi; sn fin as cit ba nil se( ste are Ra do< Eu bef sur upc HEIR GOLD MINES. IVER, Colorado, June 2. ' ti interesting week riding and driving 1, through their nar- asional plains ; ford- gazing with never- ous forms of beauty, inshine, their snow- s and narrow gorges, and tops, their high of Creation and His- o the golden mines, cious rock, hundreds acing the specks of ross of iron and cop- the dusty miners in illuminated with oc- cending to day and :esses for extracting irresistible grinding ith much water, the cury, the Jrfter-delay THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS VS. THE ALPS. 3 1 ing with blankets : all the rarest wonders and beau- ties of Nature, all the divinest patience of Labor and the faith of Knowledge, all the mysteries of Science and the intricacies of Art have been spread before us during these crowded days among the mines and the mountains of Colorado. How the mind runs back to one's youinful, vague, mythical knowledge of the Rocky Mountains in their actual presence ! How difficult to realize that, whereas, twenty years ago, they and their location and character and the region about them were al- most unknown, now, two weeks from home, I am sporting familiarly under their shadows, following tediously up their sides, galloping in the saddle around their summits, drinking from their streams, playing snow-ball in June with theiv imperishable snow banks, tlescending into their very bowels, and finding companionship and society as various and as cultured and as organized as in New England ; cities of thousands of inhabitants, not only at their base, but away up in their narrow valleys, eight and nine thousand feet above the sea level! All this seems dream-like, yet weary head and sore feet and stern statistics testify to the reality. As to the mountains, as a natural spectacle, they are first cousins to the Alps. When the Pacific Railroad is done, our Switzerland will be at our very doors. All my many and various wanderings in the European Switzerland, three summers ago, spread before my eye no panorama of mountain beauty surpassing, nay none equaling, that which burst upon my sight at sunrise upon the Plains, when I- 32 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. k t?^ fifty miles away from Denver ; and which rises up before me now as I sit writing by the window in this city. From far south to far north, stretching around in huge semi-circle, rise the everlasting hills, one upon another, one after another, tortuous, pre- senting every variety of form and surface, every shade of cover and color, up and on until we reP-ch the broad, snow-covered range that marks the high' est summits, and tells where Atlantic and Pacific meet and divide for their long journey to their far distant shores. To the North rises the king of the range. Long's Peak, whose top is fourteen thousand six hundred feet high ; to the South, giving sourc; to the Arkansas and Colorado, looms up its brother, Pike's Peak, to the hight of thirteen thousand four hundred feet. These are the salient features of the belt before us ; but the intervening and succeeding summits are scarcely less commanding, and not much lower in hight. Right up from Denver stands the mountain top that was the scene of Bicrstadt's " Storm in the Rocky Mountains," and up and down these mountain sides were taken many of the stud- ies that he is reproducing on canvas with such de- light to his friends and fame for himself. No town that I know of in all the world has such a panorama of perpetual beauty spread before it as Denver has in this best and broadest belt of the Rocky Moun- tains, that rises up from the valley in which it is built, and winds away to the right arid to the left as far as the eye can see — fields and woods and rocks and snow, mounting and melting away to the sky in a line often indistinguishable, and sending ba pa de of- soi SOI fan anc Mc the knc of Thi our rich hiU- feet, no ( limi red suni ore ishec Tl terril ters i the r creel the s some are C i^9^y^" INENT. and which rises up ; by the window in ir north, stretching ;he everlasting hills, )ther, tortuous, pre- and surface, every d on until we rep.ch hat marks the high- Atlantic and Pacific journey to their far ises the king of the s fourteen thousand Jouth, giving sourc; ooms up its brother, rteen thousand four lient features of the ing and succeeding nmanding, and not from Denver stands scene of Bicrstadt's s," and up and down n many of the stud- invas with such de- • himself No town las such a panorama )re it as Denver has if the Rocky Moun- ^alley in which it is ight and to the left Ids and woods and melting away to the shable, and sending THE COLORADO GOLD MINES. 33 back the rays of the sun in colors and shapes that pamt and penal never reproduced, that poetry never described. These are sights that the eye never tires of-these are visions that clear the heart of earthly sorrow, and lead the soul up to its best and highest sources. ° Leaving nature for the material, beauty for booty, fancy for fact, I come to speak of the mineral wealth and development of this section of the Rocky Mountains. And, unless I deny the evidence of the senses, and the testimony of experience and knowledge, I must coincide in the inexhaustibleness of the one and the wonderfulness of the other. This whole vast range of mountains, that divides our Continent, seems indeed crowded with veins of ri^h mineral ore. They run into and through the hiU-sides as the bars of a gridiron,-every hundred feet, every fifty feet, every twenty feet. There is no end to them in number; there is no apparent limit to their depth; one hundred feet, three hund- red feej and four hundred feet have the miners sunk suafts, and did we descend, but the veins of ore hold their course and their richness undimin- ished, oftenest enlarged. The chiefest development of these mines in this territory lies along and up the Clear Creek, and cen- ters around its sources some forty miles up and in the mountains west from Denver. Here, along the creek and some narrow gulches leading into it, within the space of five miles, is gathered a population of some SIX to seven thousand. The principal villages are Central City, Black' Hawk and Nevada, holding 34 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. ) ii rank in the order named. These are most uncom- fortably squeezed into little narrow ravines, and stuck into the hill-sides, on streets the narrowest and most tortuous that I ever saw in America; som< houses held up in dizzy hights on stilts, others bur rowed into the stones of the hill, with a gold "lode' in the back yard, and often a well issuing from a rock of precious metals. But here these towns are, thriv ing, orderly, peaceable, busy, supporting two of them each its daily paper, with churches and schools, and all the best materials of government and society that the East can boast of. Down in the close val- leys, and up the steep hill-sides to the very top, rise Vhe mills for grinding out the gold, or the shanties that cover the shafts that lead down after the ore. Farther away, on the mountains, thick as ant- • hills or prairie-dog-holes, and looking the same, are "lodes" or leads of mineral, discovered, dug into, pre-empted, but not worked— hundreds, thousands of them, with fortunes or failures involved in their development, ready to be tried when the discoverer gets time or money, or turned over to a Wall street stock company of five millions capital. Forty or fifty miles below Denver, near what is called the South Park, a beautiful table-land of meadow and wood between Pike's Peak and the main range, is the second center of mineral devel- opment in Colorado territory; but this one upon Clear Creek is, as yet, the scene of largest improve- ment and population. Other sections of the terri- tory are probably as rich in valuable ore ; some are well believed to fee much more so ; no part of the m 01 w CJ ar a§ th or w< er pa do du of mi hi| ha tw mi an( Ea mu cut bee nej exf the cot] atic mir 1^595" •INENT. :se are most uncom- larrow ravines, and ;ts the narrowest and r in America; somt on stilts, others bur 11, with a gold "lode" 11 issuing from a rock hese towns are, thriv' pporting two of them ;hes and schools, and ^rnment and society town in the close val- s to the very top, rise gold, or the shanties ead down after the )untains, thick as ant- looking the same, are discovered, dug into, -hundreds, thousands ires involved in their I when the discoverer over to a Wall street 5 capital. Denver, near what is eautiful table-land of Pike's Peak and the Iter of mineral devel- f] but this one upon ne of largest improve- r sections of the terri- aluable ore ; some are ore so ; no part of the THE QUARTZ MILLS. 35 mountains may be held wholly barren ; it happens only that these localities were most attainable, and were first lit upon by the early comers. What is called gulch mining, or washing the sand and soft and pulverized rock of the valley, for the gold that ages of rains have filtered out of the solid rock of the mountains, is about over in Colorado— we see only now its abundant ruins in sluices, piles of worked over earth, and the rotting simple machin- ery sometimes used; yet in some of the fresher gulches, this work is still profitable; and we saw pan washings that turned out one, two and three dollars to the pan, I have a dollar's worth of gold dust that I saw washed out from about three quarts of earth, in less than ten minutes of time. The chief attention now is given to the solid mining ; but for various causes, principally from the high prices of labor and provisions, all raining here has been dull for nearly a year. Not more than twenty or twenty-five of the one hundred stamp mills in the territory are now at work. With labor and food from three to four times as high as at the East, growing mainly out of the interruption to com- munication by the Indians, and the inflation of the currency last year, and the short supply of laborers because of the war, and with gold now reduced to nearly par, mining hardly pays expenses. When expenses get back, as they are soon likely to do, to the currency standard, the business will again be- come profitable, and be actively resumed. Prepar- ations are fast making for this now, and mills and mines are being set in order, and resuming work. 36 ACROSS THE CONTINENT, Another reason of the dull times is that much of the best property has been changing hands, passing from the early or original owners and workers into joint stock companies, owned mainly in the East, which in some cases are not conducting the busi- ness so wis 'y as their predecessors, and in others are stoppir^g for a better labor and supply market, or to enlarge and improve their works. Again, it is beUeved the mining interest is on the eve of great 'mprovements in the processes of extracting the gold from its associate metals and sulphides, and owners of mines and mills a . experimenting in this direction, or are content to wait for the results of others' experiments. The common process of crushing the ore into fine powder, and then washing the same upon cop- per plates coated with quicksilver, which collects the disintegrated gold, or is supposed to, it is well ascer- tained gets but about twenty-five per cent, of all the precious metal. Three-quarters goes off in the " tail- ings," or refuse, as they are called. With such a waste, only the most valuable of the ore pays ex- penses at such times as these. Good ore yields about one hundred dollars in gold per cord, or twelve dol- lars per ton, under the stamping and quicksilver pro- cess. This leaves a fair margin under favorable management, for getting out the ore costs about forty dollars a cord, hauling five dollars, and crush- ing and extracting twenty dollars. Choice ores yield three hundred dollars a cord ; but these are rare. The difficulty is not in separating the gold from the pure copper, iron or lead, or the quartz with which / '\ itii whi my; chc feet ists on 1 abr its c leav so i orig whi( of p gold emb lars or c( nally hunc ton ( what stam "des this, done, isfact mine: dollai hund; at ab( much ^ -v *i„ [NENT. es is that much of ging hands, passing rs and workers into nainly in the East, anducting the busi- ssors, and in others and supply market, ir works. Again, it t is on the eve of cesses of extracting s and sulphides, and xperimenting in this it for the results of ishing the ore into the same upon cop- :r, which collects the id to, it is well ascer- re per cent, of all the I goes off in the " tail- zied. With such A of the ore pays ex- Jood ore yields about • cord, or twelve dol- and quicksilver pro- gin under favorable the ore costs about e dollars, and crush- s. Choice ores yield but these are rare, ng the gold from the le quartz with which V NEW INVENTIONS FOR EXTRACTING GOLD. 37 it is compacted ; but the sulphurcts of these metals, which suffuse and coat the whole, are the plague and mystery. These cover and hold the gold in a stern chemical lock, how to break which in a simple, ef- fective way is the great study of the mineral chem- ists and mining capitalists. Various processes are on trial ; one which we saw applies a hot flame and a brisk wind to all the pulv . .-^ed ore, which changes its chemical character, burns up the sulphurets, and leaves the metals all free ; then they are scoured, so as to brighten the gold, and then washed, as originally, in copper pans coated with quicksilver, which, better than any other article in these days' of paper currency and forgotten coin, knows the gold when it sees it, and sticks to it with fraternal embrace. This process was getting twenty-five dol- lars a ton from the "tailings" or refuse of the old or common process, or twice as much as was origi- nally obtained. Another process has obtained three hundred and seventy-five dollars from less than a ton of "tailings," which is probably many times what the originnl ore produced by the common stamping and washing. The object desired is to "desulphurize" the ore; both these inventions do this, though in diflferent wa>s. When the thing is done, and this season can hardly pass until it is sat- isfactorily accomplished, we shall see the Colorado mines yielding from five hundred to eight hundred dollars per cord of ore, instead of from fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars as now. (A cord is rated at about eight tons, though different ores vary very much in weight.) This rate of production wUl at 4 38 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. \ once put a new phase upon the business, afford al- most any price for labor and supplies, redeem all the mining companies from whatever present em- barrassments they feel, stimulate, the investment of capital in these mines with great rapidity, and even, by generous dividends, go far to excuse that vicious system of putting up a mining company's stock to one, two, three and five millions, when the actual cash investment was not over as many hundreds of thousands. This last habit of parties interested in the mining business has had a most fatal influence upon the whole interest ; the small dividends upon large, many times watered capitals have erroneously represented the state of the business ; and the suspicions and dis- trust, that the operation has surely scattered among outside capitalists, haVe '-ndered if not forbidden investments. Few or none of the companies now operating here have spent over two hundred and fifty thousand or three hundred thousand dollars for their mines, machinery and mills, yet their capi- tals are reckoned by millions ; and of course in hard times like these they can afford no adequate, seduc- tive dividends on such swollen sums. How much better it would be to have the shares in a half mil- lion company, worth twice the par value, and receiv- ing dividends of twelve to fifty per cent., than with a nominal capital of two or three millions, the stock selling for seventy-five dollars per share, and receiv- ing small dividends with doubt and irregularity, no honest, sensible man can fail to see. I meet no manager of a mine here, whether an old miner or an cor anc pra ten gul cou is 1 nee to I 1 is r rep( last in t orC a sr nati out I ited airin proc with thes Intel veyo ing ( lions noth chan ural: succ< T<:: > NENT. business, afford al- upplies, redeem all atever present em- 3. the investment of ; rapidity, and even, excuse that vicious company's stock to IS, when the actual s many hundreds of rested in the mining influence upon the ids upon large, many neously represented e suspicions and dis- ely scattered among ed if not forbidden the companies now ;r two hundred and ed thousand dollars mills, yet their capi- md of course in hard I no adequate, seduc- i sums. How much shares in a half mil- par value, and receiv- f per cent., than with ee millions, the stock per share, and receiv- t and irregularity, no to see. I meet no ther an old miner or THE PRODUCT OF THE COLORADO MINES. 39 an agent from the home capitalists, who does not condemn, as foolish in itself, a fraud upon the public, and a damage to the whole' mining interest, this practice of making the nominal capitals from two to ten times the actual, in the generally vain hope of gulling the flats in Wall street or in New England country towns. This mining business of the West is too promising in real profit, too legitimate and necessary to the national wealth and development, to be trifled with in this weak and wretched way. The gross production of the Colorado gold mines is not correctly known. The United States mint reports only ten millions in all up to July first of last year. This puts the Territory next to California in total product, ranking her above North Carolina or Georgia in all their history; but it gives her only a small proportion of the whole production of the nation from the beginning till now,— ten millions out of six hundred millions, California being accred- ited with all but about forty millions of the gross amount Other authorities give Colorado's total production as over fifty millions, accrediting her with twenty mUlions in a single year ^1864;) but these figures are certainly as far the other way. An intelligent authority here (General Pierce, the sur- veyor-general of ^he Territory.) gives me the follow- ing estimates: 1862, ten millions; 1863, eight mil- lions; 1864, five millions. The falling off indicates nothing as to the real wealth of the mines, only changes in the business of producing, and the nat- ural results of high prices. The year 1 862 embraced successful gulch mining, and the first of the quartz 40 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. mining, under most favorable circumstances, follow- ing a year (1861) of depression and non-production far more fruitful of croakers than 1864 and the first half of 1865 have been. Just now the new Territo- ries of Idaho and Montana, in the far North, are drawing off the floating population, the gulch min- ers, and those eager for fortunes at a jump. The day of these is over here. Slow and sure is now the motto for Colorado, as for California. Her ca- pacity is proven, admitted; capital, science, labor and machinery will return twenty-five, fifty and one hundred per cent, on their investments ; but gold eagles are no longer picked up by the basketsfull, and hundred thousand dollar fortunes in a day or a month, are not to be had here, — but further on, if at all. The reports from Idaho and Montana, particu- larly the latter, are indeed astonishing ; the gulch mining, discovered and developing in Montana, is reliably reported to me as far richer than any ever realized in California or Colorado, paying steadily an oun e of gold (sixteen to eighteen dollars) a day to the man, and in some gulches two and three ounces a day. But these placers will soon be worked out ; these Territories, like their predecessors, will speedily come down to the hard-pan, and have to pick and powder and stamp and melt out their gold from the solid mountains that hold the original de- posits. Montana and Idaho, too, must hold out greater inducements at first, in order to secure their peopling and development, for the one is dependent on Oregon for supplies, and eight hundred miles aw£ con and fror fron rien tain stati Stai beyc adja^ thei whic Colo whic and thef foun( andf are n fast 1 the r over Irrig£ even and tl workf ican J be re; oppor tion -^ ■INENT. ircumstances, follow- and non-production in 1864 and the first low the new Territo- i the far North, are tion, the gulch min- les at a jump. The ow and sure is now CaUfornia. Her ca- ipital, science, labor ity-five, fifty and one .vestments ; but gold p by the basketsfull, irtunes in a day or a :, — but further on, if d Montana, particu- onishing; the gulch iping in Montana, is richer than any ever ado, paying steadily ghteen dollars) a day ches two and three s will soon be worked 2ir predecessors, will ird-pan, and have to d melt out their gold hold the original de- too, must hold out order to secure their the one is dependent eight hundred miles IRON AND COAL IN COLORADO, 41 away from a base at that; while Montana has to come this way for everything to eat and work with and IS at least one thousand six hundred miles away from railway and water communication. All reports, all facts, whether floating in the air from mouth to mouth, or ground out by hard expe- rience, and put down in black and white, go to sus- tain the broadest and fullest meaning of the dying statement of President Lincoln, that the United States hold the treasury of the world; and establish beyond reasonable doubt, that the countries of and adjacent to the Rocky Mountains are freighted with the most precious of ores-gold first, next silver, in which Nevada and Utah are most conspicuous, and Colorado not found wanting, and then copper (with which the Colorado mineral veins are richly loaded) and also lead, iron and coal. On the Plains, near the foot of the mountains, coal and iron are already found in abundant quantities, ar-l are being mined and put to practical use. Found, too. j ust where they are most needed, to take the place of the wood, now fast being drained from the mountains, and furnish the material for the machinery necessary to work over the ore and make available the finer metals Irrigation, already entered upon on a large scale even here, will supply agriculture with its lacking' and through and by all these means combining, and worked with the energy and enterprise of the Amer- ican people, stimulated by the great profits sure to be realized from wise and persevering use of the opportunities, the western half of the American na- tion will fast move forward in civilization and popu- I 1.% 42 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. f| lation ; this wilderness will blossom as the rose, and the East and the West will stand alike equal and together, knowing no jealousy, and only rivaling each other in their zeal for knowledge, liberty and civilization. But of what effect upon the currencies and the values of the world will be all this tide of gold and silver pouring into the lap of nations? Will their commerce and populations grow in ex- tent and want in equal proportions, and absorb what is to be so lavishly fed out to them ? Perhaps so. But these promises of the American nation and these resulting queries are rich in thought and study. »f Oi morn west throu when in his m the a doz logy quest natioi lamer with impre of th( his w eveni) tel in Terril tleme hundr TINENT. issom as the rose, and itand alike equal and ;y, and only rivaling nowlcdge, liberty and :t upon the currencies irill be all this tide of the lap of nations? pulations grow in ex- ;ions, and absorb what ) them? Perhaps so. :rican nation and these bought and study. LETTER V. OF PERSONS, NOT THINGS. DENVEn, Colorado, June 3. Our week in Colorado is ended ; we are off this morning for the seven days' stage ride north and west along the base of the Rocky Mountains, and through them at Bridger's Pass, to Salt Lake City, where we expect to worship with Brigham Young in his tabernacle on Sunday week. While here and m the adjacent mountains, Mr. Colfax has made half a dozen speeches, and redelivered his Chicago eu- logy upon President Lincoln, the latter at the re- quest of Governor Evans on the occasion of the national mourning (June ist,) for the loss of our lamented chief magistrate. He has been received with distinguished honor, made a most favorable impression, and encouraged the miners and people of the Territory in many ways by his presence and his words. Their compliments to him ended last evening by a grand gala supper at the principal ho- tel in this town, in which the leading officials of the Territory, General Connor, and the ladies and gen- tlemen of the village to the number of over one hundred participated. Though the tickets were M 44 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. twelve dollars each, which is a fair specimen of prices this way, they were soon in earnest demand at an advance of three dollars. The entertainment proved a brilliant one in every respect ; various and bountiful and elegant as a feast ; graceful and grace- fully rendered by both ladies and gentlemen as a compliment; and humorous, eloquent, interesting, and inspiring in its speeches. We go on in our journey with a rich sense of the hospitality and the kindness, the enterprise and the intellectual and so- cial culture of the people of Colorado, both in its City of the Plains and its Cities of the Mountains. Never was progress in wealth, in social and political organization, in the refinements of Anicrican home life, more rapid and more marked than in the brief history thus far of Colorado. Soon she will enter the Union as a State, holding not only the elements but the acquired realities of a noble and proud one, and contributing largely, as she has steadily done even as a Territory, to the common profit of the na- tion. From the beginning, Colorado has always sent more gold to the East than she has brought back in goods; and she is destined to be perma^ nently a profitable partner in the household. Your readers may like to know more of my com- panions on this long journey before we go farther on. Let me introduce them. As a public man, everybody knows about Mr. Colfax ; how prominent and useful he has been through six terms in Con- gress, and how, by virtue of his experience, ability and popularity, he has come to be Speaker, and stands before the country one of its best and most promi best t (listar as yo pcrsoi frank r ncss t pally f arena. one hi brown ower, Gcneri tcr an( life, an cies. liness i backwj his vie person: and he and mo persona and witi and thii success ^he is seeing, ; progres! is not c genius, i absence ^TINENT. is a fair specimen of on in earnest demand I. The entertainment yf respect ; various and it ; graceful and grace- j and gentlemen as a eloquent, interesting, 8. We go on in our the hospitality and the ;he intellectual and so- Colorado, both in its ties of the Mountains. , in social and political nts of Anicrican home irked than in the brief Soon she will enter not only the elements a noble and proud one, she has steadily done mmon profit of the na- , Colorado has always than she has brought destined to be perma- I the household, enow more of my com- y before we go farther n. As a public man, Ilolfax ; how prominent lUgh six terms in Con- his experience, ability le to be Speaker, and ke of its best and most PORTRAIT OF MR. COLPAX. 45 promismg statesmen. Rut this is not all, nor the best of the man. He is not one of tho.sc, to whom distan.:e lends enchantment ; he grows near to you as you get near to him; and it i.s, indeed, by hi.s personal qualities of character, by his simplicity, frankness, genuine good nature, and entire devoted- ness to what he considers right, that he has princi- pally gamed and holds so large a place on the public arena. Mr. Coliax is short, say five feet six, weighs one hundred and forty, is young, say forty-two, has brownish hair and light blue eyes, is a childless wid- ower, drmks no intoxicating liquors, smokes a la General Grant, is tough as a knot, was bred a prin- tcr and editor, but gave up the business for public l.fe. and ,s the idol of South Bend and all adjacen- cies. There are no rough points about him ; kind- I.ness IS the law of his nature ;-whilc he is never backward in difiering from others, nor in sustaining his views by arguments and by votes, he never is personally harsh in utterance, nor unkind in feeling, and he can have no enemies but those of politics and most of these find it impossible to cherish any personal animosity to him. In tact, he is unbounded, and with him it is a gift of nature, not a studied art : and this IS perhaps one of the chief secrets of his success in life. His industry is equally exhaustless ; -he is always at work, reading, writing, talking seeing, studying-I can't conceive of a single un- progressive, unimproved hour in all his life. He >s not of brilliant or commanding intellect, not a genius, as we ordinarily apply these words; but the absence of this is more than compensated by these il" 46 ACROSS THE OONTINENT. Other qualities I have mentioned,— his great good sense, his quick, intuitive perception of truth, and his inflexible adheren9e to it, his high personal in- tegrity, and his long and valuable training in the service of the peopla and the government. With- out being, in the ordinary sense, one of the greatest of our public men, he is certainly one of the most useful, reliable and valuable ; and in any capacity, even the highest, he is sure to serve the country faithfully and well. He is one of the men to be tenaciously kept in public life ; and I have no doubt he' will be. Some people talk of him for president ; Mr. Lincoln used to tell him he would be his suc- cessor; but his own ambition is wisely tempered by the purpose to perform present duties well. He certainly makes friends more rapidly and holds them more closely than any public man I ever knew; wherever he goes, the women love him, and the men cordially respect him ; and he is sure to be always a personal favorite, even a pet, with the people. The other official of the party, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Bross of Illinois, is indeed our paterfamilias, our "governor," Hale and hearty in body and mind ; ripe with say fi%-five years and a wide expe- rience and culture in school, college and journalism ; cheery in temperament, enjoying rough, out-door life like a true, unspoiled child of Nature ; sturdy in high principles ; unaffected and simple in manners and feeling as a child ; a ready and most popular stump speaker ; enthusiastic for all novel experience, we all give him our heartiest sympathy and respect, and constitute him the leader of the party. Our best 1 ger, c Gove says 1 requii lumb< Collej and I Yo-k Chica has g( now t journ; the Si Mr. lived somet: preser Ofeas (with Bostor to lov( mance editori then w life; c then t( paper < and Co times ; as the the Soi riNENT. led,— his great good :eption of truth, and lis high personal in- lable training in the government, With- e, one of the greatest linly one of the most and in any capacity, to serve the country le of the men to be and I have no doubt of him for president ; he would be his suc- is wisely tempered by ent duties well. He apidly and holds them c man I ever knew; love him, and the men ; is sure to be always :, with the people, arty, Lieutenant-Gov- :ed our paterfamilias, hearty in body and jrears and a wide expe- oUege and journalism ; )ying rough, out-door 1 of Nature; sturdy in nd simple in manners idy and most popular or all novel experience, sympathy and respect, er of the party. Our GOVERNOR BROSS AND MR. RICHARDSON, 47 best foot, We always put him foremost, whether dan- ger, or dignity, or fun is the order of the occasion. Governor Bross was born in New Jersey, — and so says he never can be president, as -the Constitution requires that officer to be a native of the nation ; lumbered on the Susquehannah ; went to Williams College, Massachusetts ; taught school in Franklin and Berkshire counties ; ditto and married in New Yo-k ; and, following the star of empire, went to Chicago, and, entering on the editorial profession, has gone on from small to great things, until he is now the senior proprietor and editor of the leading journal of the North-west, and the second officer in the State government of Illinois, Mr, Richardson of the New York Tribune has lived on the borders of Bohemia for many years, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other, and presents all the contradictions of such an existence. Of eastern Massachusetts birth and early education, (with a brother who is the able conductor of the Boston Congregationalist) he learncf' vhile young to love the smell of the printing office and the ro- mance of the reporter's life, and ran the round of editorial experience in nearly all our western cities; then was bitten by the passion for travel and border life; came out to Kansas for the Boston Journal; then to Colorado with Mr. Greeley, edited a news- paper out here during the early days of bowie knives and Colt's revolvers ; crossed the Plains half a dozen times ; went to Texas and New Mexico ; and finally, as the war came on, after making a secret tour of the South as a special correspondent for the Tribune, I i««aac«K*r-5S&»5M««»SS««SK If 48 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. became the head of th' Western and south-western army correspondents oi" that paper, and in under- taking to run the gauntlet of the rebel batteries at Vicksbui^, when General Grant opened his final cam- paign in that quarter, was captured by the enemy; — as their pet and special prisoner he went the rounds of their jails and pens, and after twenty months' servitude mnde his escape, and in a wonderful jour- ney of one month through the rebel country in win- ter, reached our lines in safety, and became a hero. Notwithstanding this long Bohemian life, amid rough people and in out-of-the-way places, Mr. Richardson imposes on you with the style and air of a man who has had a very narrow escape from the pulpit, and cherishes a natuval hankering for it yet. Certainly you never would recognize in him a true child of Bohemia. He wears black broadcloth and "biled shirts," (the western phrase for white under-clothes,) does not chew tobacco, disdains whiskey, but drinks French brandy and Cincinnati Catawba, carries a good deal of baggage, does not know how to play poker, and shines brilliantly among the ladies. He is a young widower of less than thirty-five, of me- dium size, with a light complexion and sandy hair and whiskers, and is a very companionable man. His large and peculiar experience in the West and in the South by field and flood, gives him a rich store of anecdote and illustration, with which he en- tertains us on our long stage rides. He is already . famous before the country ; and his new book of ex- periences in the South will make him much more so. It is probable he will stay longer on the Pacific shor Utal view Li gage then berf our ( roll. speci Holl: He a losop fills. and 1 with man c we la thoug nor a give 1 wond< makin and p] ing CO Ace public the hoi the mc and le; elers c tion a riNENT. [1 and south-western )aper, and in under- he rebel batteries at opened his final cam- red by the enemy ; — r he went the rounds fter twenty months' in a wonderful jour- rebel country in win- , and became a hero, imian life, amid rough ices, Mr. Richardson ind air of a man who from the pulpit, and For it yet. Certainly him a true child of roadcloth and "biled white under-clothes,) 5 whiskey, but drinks i Catawba, carries a )t know how to play long the ladies. He m thirty-five, of me- sxion and sandy hair companionable man. :nce in the West and od, gives him a rich on. with which he en- "ides. He is already d his new book of ex- ake him much more longer on the Pacific "A DISTINGUISHED COMPANION." 49 shore than the rest of the party, and perhaps revisit Utah, the Mhiing Regions and Mountains, with the view of making a book upon them another season. Looking-glasses are banished from overland bag- gage, and the fourth member of the party must, therefore, remain unsketched. But there is a num- ber five, who is occupying too important a share in our experience, to be forgotten in any call of the roll. This is Mr. George K. Otis of New York, the special agent and representative of our host, Mr Holladay of the Overland Mail and Stage Line.' He accompanies us in the capacity of guide, phi- losopher and friend, which he most generously ful- fills. Himself, under Mr. Holladay, the organizer and manager of the stage line, he is acquainted- w;th all this region and its people; and being a man of infinite jest and of free and generous nature, we lack nothing under his protecting care, which a thoughtful generosity, nor a practical experience nor abounding humor and wide intelligence can give us. His puns are some^-'nes "fearfully and wonderfully made"; but he earns forgiveness by making himself a large share of our daily comfort and pleasure. Happy those who fall to the travel- mg companionship of Otis ! Accompanying so distinguished and popular a public officer as Mr. Colfax, we share mutually in the hospitalities extended to him ; we have access to the most intelligent sources of information; we see and learn in a short time what ordinary private trav- elers could only gain by long and careful observa- tion and examination. Everywhere, so far the 5 4 ' ^f kiM 50 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. ' ' I . people of the towns visited are bountiful in their courtesies; the journey is one continued ovatipn; public receptions and entertainments, and the choi- cest of private hospitalities are showered upon us; and we find that neither the graces nor the culture of life are confined to the East. They flourish here among the Rocky Mountains as beautifully as in the parlors of Boston, or the sweet groves of the Con- necticut valley. Most agreeable of all our experiences here are the intelligent, active, earnest, right-minded and right-hearted young men and women we meet ; peo. pie, many of whom have been here for years, but, instead of losing anything of those social graces that eastern towns and cities are wont to think themselves superior in, have not only kept even pace ih these, but gained a higher play for all their faculties, and ripened,,with opportunity and incen- tive and necessary self-reliance, into more of man- hood and womanhood. Everywhere, too, I find old friends and acquaintances from the Connecticut valley; and nowhere do I find them forgetting old Massachusetts, or unworthy her parentage, i see less drunkenness ; I see less vice here among these towns of the border, and of the Rocky Mountains, than at home in Springfield ; I see personal activity and growth and self-reliance and social development snd organization, that not onl> reconcile me to the emigration of our young people from the East to this region, but will do much to make me encour- age it. To the right-minded, the West gives open opportunity that the East holds close and rare ; and lO SI they Tl lray( of N hims Majc some their Miss forth Plain line, is no' contr i( not at At exten red at miles throu] From hundr ownec manaf agent! used i New ] Lake, north ; Idaho ern Oi riNENT. •e bountiful in their ; continued ovatipn; ments, and the choi- j showered upon us; •aces nor the culture , They flourish here } beautifully as in the t groves of the Con- experiences here are it, right-minded and /omen we meet; peo^ 1 here for years, but, F those social graces :s are wont to think not only kept even jher play for all their pportunity and incen- ce, into more of man- ywhere, too, I find old rom the Connecticut d them forgetting old her parentage, i see vice here among these :he Rocky Mountains, I see personal activity md social development \\y reconcile me to the ople from the East to h to make me encour- l, the West gives open ids close and rare ; and THE OVERLAND STAGE LINE. 51 lo such, opportunity is all that is wanted, all that Ihcy ask. The great Overland Stage Line, by which we are Imelmg, was originated by Mr. William H. Russell of New York, and carried on for a year or two by hunself and partners, under the name of Russell Majors and Waddell. They failed, however, and some three years ago it passed into the hands of their chief creditor, Mr. Ben Holladay, an energetic Missourian, who had been a successful contractor for the government and for c- -at corporations on the Plams and the Pacific. He has since continued the hne, improvmg, extending and enlarging it until it is now, perhaps, the greatest enterprise owned and controlled by one man, which exists in the country If not in the world. His line of stages commence at Atchison, on the Missouri River: its first section extends across the great Plains to Denver, six hund- red and fifty miles ; from here it goes on six hundred miles more to Salt Lake City, along the base of and through the Rocky Mountains at Bridger's Pass From there to Nevada and California, about seven hundred and fifty miles farther, the stage line is owned by an eastern company, and is under the management of Wells, Fargo & Co., the express agents. All this is a daily line, and the coaches used are of the best stage pattern, weU known in New England as the " Concord t jach." From Salt Lake, Mr. Holladay runs a tri-weekly coach line north and west nine hundred and fifty miles through Idaho to the Dalles on the Columbia River in north- ern Oregon, and branching ofT at Fort Hall, also a 52 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. .^^ 5 i tri-weekly line to Virginia City in Montana, four hundred miles more. From Denver, too, he has a subsidiary line into the mountain centers of Cen- tral City and Nevada, about forty miles. Over all these routes he carries the mail, and is in the re- ceipt for this service of six hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars per annum from the government. His whole extent of staging and mail contracts — not counting, of course, that under Wells, Fargo & Co., from Salt Lake west,— is two thousand seven hun- dred and sixty miles, to conduct which he owns some six thousand horses and mules and about two hun- dred and sixty coaches. All along the routes he has built stations at distances of ten to fifteen miles ; he has to draw all his corn from the Missouri River ; much of his hay has also to be transported hun- dreds of miles ; fuel for his stations comes frequently fifty and one hundred miles ; the Indians last year destroyed or stole full half a million dollars' worth of his property, — ^barns, houses, animals, feed, &c. ; he pays a general superintendent ten thousand dol- lars a year; division superintendents a quarter as much; drivers and stable-keepers get seventy-five dollars a month and their living ; he has to mend and in some cases make his own roads — so that, large as the sum paid by the government, and high as the prices for passengers, there is an immense outlay, and a great risk in conducting the enterprise. Dur- ing the last year of unusually enormous prices for everything, and 'extensive and repeated Indian raids, Mr. Holiaday has probably lost money by his stages. The previous year was one of prosperity, and the next chin( ties, great a stn stacl( larity the e of thi sion natur andb of hi small ence But 11 these where and ii of los disco\ for th( as Mr. him h velopi public nity a to the his st£ hundn hundn dollars riNENT. ty in Montana, four Denver, too, he has a tain centers of Cen- jrty miles. Over all lail, and is in the re- adred and fifty thou- le government. His mail contracts — not • Wells, Fargo & Co., ;housand seven hun-. t which he owns some J and about two hun- ong the routes he has ten to fifteen miles; 1 the Missouri River ; be transported bun- ions comes frequently the Indians last year million dollars' worth ;s, animals, feed, &c. ; ent ten thousand dol- endents a quarter as ;pers get seventy-five J ; he has to mend and jads — so that, large as [lent, and high as the s an immense outlay, the enterprise. Dur- f enormous prices for repeated Indian raids, t money by his stage-?. jf prosperity, and the MR, HOLLADAY AND HIS STAGES. 53 next is likely to be. But with so immense a ma- chine, exposed to so many chances and uncertain- ties, the returns must always be doubtful. Only a great man would assume such an enterprise; only a strong man could carry it through, over such ob- stacles as are constantly presented ; and the regu- larity, the promptness and the uniform high state of the entire service, in general and particular, make of the whole a matter of real wonder, and an occa- sion of great credit to Mr. Holladay, It is very natural that he should be unpopular along his route, and be denounced as a monopolist, taking advantage of his monopoly to extort high prices and give small accommodations ; this is the universal experi- ence^ of such great enterprises in a new country. But It would be difficult, if not impossible, through these infant and struggling years of this country,— where travel and business of all kinds are uncertain and irregular, and prices fluctuating, and the risk of losses frj3m Indians and robbers very great,— to discover here or elsewhere the man or the means for the performance of this great service so perfectly as Mr. Holladay does it ; and I am inclined to reckon him high among the agencies that are so fast de- veloping the great western Territories of the Re- public, and to doubt if many others in the commu- nity are doing their share in the work more fairly to the public than he is. The passenger fares by his stages are ndw, from Atchison to Denver one hundred and seventy-five dollars, to Salt Lake three hundred and fifty dollars, to Nevada five hundred dollars, to California five hundred dollars, to Idaho 54 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. five hundred dollars, to Montana five hundred dol- lars. These are much higher than they were two years ago, ■ nd will probably be reduced during the season, as safety from the Indians and lower prices for food and corn are assured, from thirty-three to fifty per cent. Mr. HoUaday now resides in New York City, and is reported to be immensely wealthy, — say five mil- lions. He owns and runs, also, lines of steamships in the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco, north to Oregon and British Columbia, and south to Mazat- lan, Mexico, with contracts for the mails on both ro«te.j from our government or from Maximilian of Mexico. He conducts all this immens? business successfully by the choice of able and trusty mana- gers to whom he pays large salaries. Mr. John E. Russell, formerly of Greenfield, Massachusetts, is his confidently secretary and financier at New York ; Mr. George K. Otis is his special agent at Washing- ton ; Mr. William Reynolds, a life-long stage mana- ger, dating his education as such back to Chester W. Chapin, Horatio Sargent and Frank Morgan in Springfield, but since with large experience in the South and California, is the general manager of the overland line, resident at Atchison ; and his (Mr. HoUaday's) brother resides at San Francisco in charge of his steamships. Mr. HoUaday visits his overland line about twice a year, and when he does, passes over it with a rapidity and a disregard of expense and rules, characteristic of his irrepressi- ble nature. A year or two ago, after the disastef to the steamer Golden Gate on the Pacific shore. "INENT. la five hundred do!-- than they were two ! reduced during the ans and lower prices from thirty-thiee to New York City, and salthy, — say five mil- ), lines of steamships I Francisco, north to , and south to Mazat- tr the mails on both r from Maximilian of is immens? business ible and trusty rnana- alaries. Mr. John E. [.Massachusetts, is his ancier at New York ; :ial agent at Washing- i life-long stage mana- such back to Chester and Frank Morgan in irge experience in the eneral manager of the xhison ; and his (Mr. at San Francisco in Ir. HoUaday visits his ear, and when he does, ty and a disregard of istic of his irrepressi- ago, after the disastef on the Pacific shore, T/AST RIDES OVER THE PLAINS. 55 by which the only partner nc ever had, Mr. Edward Rust Flint, son of old Dr. Flint of Springfield, lost his life, and himself barely escaped a watery grave, he made the quickest trip overland that it is possi- ble for one man to make before the distance is shortened by railway. He caused himself to be driven from Salt Lake to Atchison, twelve hundred and twenty miles, in six and one-half days, and was only twelve days and two hours from San Francisco to Atchison. The trip probably cost him twenty thousand dollars in wear and tear of coaches id injury to and loss of horses by the rapid driv.ng. The only ride over the Plains, at all comp- able with this, was that made by Mr, Aubrey, on a wager, from Santa Fe to Independence, seven hundred miles, in six and one-half days. But this was n.ade on horseback, and when the rider reached s desti- nation, he was so exhausted that he had to oe lifted from his horse. How exciting the thought of such rides as these across these open fields and through these mountain gorges, that make up the half of our Continent! ^^. LETTER VI. A SUNDAY IN THE MOUNTAINS. Virginia Dale, Colorado, June 5. There are no aristocratic distinctions between the days of the week west of the Missouri. The Broad Church rules here, and so broadly that even Saint Burleigh of your modern Florence would find hearty welcome, particularly from our red brethren, who would rate his scalp with its ornaments at the value of a dozen of the ordinary sort. Sundays are as good as other days, and no better. Stages run, stores are open, mines are dug, and stamp mills crush. But our eastern prejudices are not yet alto- gether conquered by the "spirit of the age;" and so, on reaching here yesterday morning at sunrise, we commanded a twenty-four hours' halt. Possi- bly our principles had a point put to them by learn- ing from the down stage that Mr. " Lo, the poor Indian " had got loose up the line, stolen the horses, and interrupted communication. . At any rate, — be the motive fear for our scalps or fear for our souls, — we followed the fashion of our forefathers, and slept through the day, some of us in the coach, the rest stretched out on the piazza of the only house in Virgin even in snow-c ing ou harmoi psalm Lodj Spcakt and tv, and tot side wz and hu in at fr quite a; form of tion th this nil science! tainly s 'caving load of ( whom cling h£ solaced paths St somewh the pret Virgil Iively-lo< of perha tains, — f hills, — st 71. [OUNTAINS. »ALE, Colorado, June 5. istinctions between :he Missouri. The broadly that even Florence would find m our red brethren, ts ornaments at the ary sort. Sundays no better. Stages lug, and stamp mills ces are not yet alto- it of the age;" and morning at sunrise, hours' halt. Possi- ut to them by learn- Mr. " Lo, the poor le, stolen the horses, . At any rate, — be fear for our souls, — jrefathers, and slept the coach, the rest ■ the only house in SWEET VIRGINIA DALE. 57 Virginia Dale ; clambering up a high rock in the cvenmg to view the landscape o'er of valley, stream snow-clad mountain, and far-distant i)lain. and clos- ing out our observances with a mure hearty than harmonious rendering of our small repertoire of psalm tunes. Lodgings are not extensive in this locality; the Speaker borrowed a bed ; two slept in the coach ; and two of us rolled ourselves up in our blankets' and took the floor. I hit upon a board whose hard tHde was accidentally put up; and what with this, and hungry and dry and noisy stage drivers coming m at from two to four a. m., and less vociferous but quite as hungry invaders of our bodily peace in the form of vermin, the night brought more of reflec- tion than refection—to us. Hut we are off early this niurning, having satisfied our Christian con- sciences, ,^nd learned that the Indians were cer- tainly still one hundred and fifty miles away, but leaving behind for a Monday's rest a fresh stage load of eager gold seekers and Salt Lake merchants, whom our scruples on the subject of Sunday trav- eling had thrown one day behind. But they were solaced by the arguments that we would make the paths straight for them above, that they must stop somewhere, and that here was the best food and the prettiest cook on the line. Virginia Dale deserves its pretty name. A pearly, lively-looking stream runs through a beautiful basin,' of perhaps one hundred acres, among the moun- tains,— for we are within the embrace of the great hills,— stretching away in smooth ancWising pasturs 58 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. t m to nooks and crannied of the wooded range ; fronted by rock embaltlcment, and Hanked by the snowy peaks themselves; warm with a June sun, and rare and pure with an air into which no fetid breath h?3 poured itself —it is difficult to imagine a more lova- ble spot in natures kingdom. It is one hundred miles north from Denver, half of the way along the foot of the hills, crossing frequent streams, swollen and angry with the melting snows, and watering the only really green acres we have seen since leaving; Kansas ; and half the road winding over and around and between the hills that form the approaches to the Rocky Mountains. Only the station of the stage line occupies the Dale ; a house, a barn, a blacksmith shop ; the keeper and his wife, the latter as sweet, as genteel and as lady-like as if just trans- planted from eastern society, yet preparing bounti- ful meals for twice daily stage-loads of hungry and dirty passengers ; the stock-tender and his assist- ant,— these were all the inhabitants of the spot, and no neighbors within fifteen miles. For the day, our party and its escort,— the soldiers lying off on the grass by the water with their camp fire and their baggage wagon, — made unusual life, and gave a pe- culiar picturesqueness to the sequestered spot. How women, especially, can live contentedly in these out-of-the-way places pn the borders, working hard and conltSlitly. a«l^3!^|^|pugh and selfish men, and preserve their "terider iemininity, keep them- selves neatly and sometimes even gracefully dressed, and not forget their blushes under free compliments, would be passing slrange, if we did not see it daily in ( of 1 out soc; hur chi< cou ove Wa are and 1 pas! forr its ] to t thoi gon est, are ing esta here for 1 men the cant new isinf for 2 cess in S' ITINENT. roodcd range ; fronted laiikcd by the snowy V a June sun, and rare ch no fetid breath hrs I imagine a more lova- I. It is one hundred [ of the way along the jUent streams, swollen lows, and watering the ive seen since leavin^; nding over and around •rm the approaches to ily the station of the e; a house, a barn, a and his wife, the latter dy-like as if just trans- , yet preparing bounti- ;e-loads of hungry and -tender and his assist- bitants of the spot, and miles. For the day. le soldiers lying off on heir camp fire and their sual life, and gave a pc- ; sequestered spot. :an live contentedly in E' ; borders, working h and selfish men, linity, keep thcm- even gracefully dressed, under free compliments, r we did not see it daily MOKE Ul' COLOKAUO. 59 in our journey, and know it by the whole history of the se.x. 1 certainly have seen young women out here, miles away from neighbors, knowing no society but their husbands and children and the hurried travelers, — depending on the mails for their chief knowledge of what the world is doing,— who could pass without apology m gaucherie to presiding over a Boston dinner party or receiving in state at Washington. Not all, indeed, are such, but they are frequent enough to be noted with both surprise and pleasure. This is the northern border of Colorado. We pass to-day into Dacotah. Before parting with the former Territory, let me note a few facts about it and its people. Colorado has now not over twenty-five to thirty thousand population, which is five to ten thousand fewer than in i860. The adventurers arc gone. What remain are the substantial, the earn- est, who have cast in their lot with the Territory, are satisfied witli its promise, and are wisely work- ing for the construction of a State and their own estate. A very large proportion are men who came here four, five and six years ago, and have a reason for the faith that* is in them. Last year, a move- ment to become a State failed, mainly because of the unpopularity of the men prominent in it, and candidates for its principal oflfices. It will be re- newed this year, under more favorable and prom- ising auspices. The pojiiilation is'too small, indeed, for a State ; but there are advantages in it, and ne- cessities, almost, for it, that justify both the people in seeking and the general government in recog- i 60 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. nizing the change. The Territory has great inter- ests, national indeed in character, needing more vigorous interpretation and espousal at Washing- ton than can be secured by a delegate. The popu- lation is compact and enterprising and ambitious ; willing to assume the burdens of a government for tl'.emselves ; and appreciating the advantages they will get from it. One especial motive with the Coloradians for making a State government is to get a judiciary of their own, that shall be both more intelligent and independent than that furnished by the Washing- ton authorities. The men sent out to these new Territories as judges are not apt to be of a very high order either of morals or intellect. They are often hungry adventurers ; and their salaries bearing gen- erally no comparison to the cost of living in these remote regions, and large pecuniary interests often being involved in the questions brought before them, — as is especially the case in the mining Ter- ritories, — they are too apt to yield to the tempta- tions offered to them, and sell their judgments for a price. However this may be in Colorado's recent experience, her best citizens are convinced that they can get a higher morality, a stricter justice, and a more intelligent law from judges of their own selec- tion and paying, than from those sent out here and paid by " Uncle Sam." A case has just occurred in the mining districts, not illustrating, as I know of, the venality of the federal judiciary, but calculated, at least, to bring it into contempt. General Fitz John Porter, famous as G love bett as' s vein latte part an ir ever they sive to C( coul( Smil Thei Judg smol coul( most not I them griev then courl and 1 Utah he w his U office ways ion, 1 Terri NENT. A CASE OF "CONTEMPT. 6i )ry has great intcr- ter, needing more ousal at Washing- legate. The popu- ng and ambitious ; f a government for le advantages they le Coloradians for ) get a judiciary of ore intelligent and i by the Washing- out to these new to be of a very high :t. They are often ilaries bearing gen- : of living in these iary interests often IS brought before in the mining Ter- eld to the tempta- heir judgments for ti Colorado's recent ;onvinced that they icter justice, and a of their own selec- ; sent out here and le mining districts, he venality of the at least, to bring it )hn Porter, famous as General McClellan's pet, and notorious as having loved his patron and his spite against General Pope, better than his country and her service, is out here as' superintendent of some mines. He claimed a vein, that belonged to Smith & Parmalee, as the latter thought, and began working it. The other party resisted ; Judge Harding sustained Porter by an injunction against Smith & Parmalee ; but when- ever Porter's men undertook to work in the vein, they found it filled with such sulphurous and offen- sive smoke that they could not stay in it, and had to come out. How the smoke came there, no one could tell; but, as the vein connected with the Smith & Parmalee mine, everybody could guess. Thereupon Smith & Parmalee were brought before Judge Harding on alleged "contempt of court," for smoking out the party of the other part : nothing could be proven against them, however; but the most learned judge decided that the defendants had not dtsfrovcn the alleged contempt,' and so held them in five thousand dollars bail ! The judicious grieved, the unskillful laughed, and everybody said there could be no contempt too great for such a court as that. This Judge Harding is from Indiana, and was first sent by Mr. Lincoln to be Governor of Utah, but becoming offensive and ineffective there, he was recalled, and given this judgeship to break his fall. But beside a broken character as a public officer, he brought hither such scandalous, Mormon ways of living, as to shock all shades of public opin- ion, which is now uniting to drive him out of the Territory. J 62 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. As the great need of the business men and min- ers in Colorado is male laborers, so chat of the housekeepers is female laborers or " help." House- keeping in large families — and children do accu- mulate surprisingly here^-is a very serious burden to the wives and mothers. Their eastern sisters, in their direst woes with poor servants, c?»n have but faint appreciation of the burdens of li^ m^- and entertaining here, where, cooks and waiting girls are not to be had at any price. We go to rich dinners and bountiful teas at the homes of distin- guished and wealthy citizens, and sit and eat with- out the company of hostess or any other ladies. Slie and her friends are busy in the kitchen, and come out only to stand behind our chairs, and change the plates and pass the viands. There is an un- comfortable feeling in being thus entertained ; but it is the necessity of the country, and all parties make the best of it. The price of the commonest of female labor is two dollars a day and board. But the Colorado ladies have their compensations ; their husbands complain that they can get no goo(jB^no machinery^ out from the States under a year from the time of ordering—that all business, all progress must wait this long delay ; yet the ladies shine in the latest fashions of millinery and dress- making. Modes that were but just budding when T left home, I find in full blossom here. How it is done I do not understand — there must be a subtle telegraph by crinoline wires ; as the southern ne- groes have what they call a grape-vine teleg»a!ph. The burden laid upon all agricultune, the absolute V a s a t y n d b g a r t. fl n n ii o tl tl il s d 1 ri tl ti tl n (JENT. less men and min- rs, so ihat of the Dr"help." House- children do accu- ery serious burden eir eastern sisters, servants, c?n have •dens of li^ m^" and and waiting girls !. We go to rich e homes of distin- d sit and eat with- ( other ladies. SI.e kitchen, and come :hairs, and change . There is an un- is entertained; but try, and all parties of the commonest a day and board, eir compensations ; they can get no the States under a --that all business, lelay ; yet the ladies lillinery and dress- ust budding when I m here. How it is re must be a subtle IS the southern ne- pe-vine tele^iaph. ;ultune, the absolute y *Ki_;jJfc .--» IRRIGATION. 63 want of all horticulture as yet in all this country, are among its serious drawbacks. The winds, the sun, the porous yet unfriable soil, the long seasons of no or inadequate rain, leave all vegetation gray and scanty, except it is in direct communication with the water-courses. Trees will not live in the house yards ; house owners can have no turf, no flowers, no fruits, no vegetables — the space around the dwellings in the towns is a bare sand, relieved only by infrequent mosses and weeds. The grass is gray upon the plains ; cotton-wood and sappy pine are almost alone the trees of the mountain region ; no hard wood is to be found anywhere; and but for the occasional oases by the streams, and the rich flowers that will spring up on the high mountain morasses, the country would seem to the traveler nearly barren of vegetable life. But what there is is rich in quality ; the coarse and gray bunch grass of plain and prairie, of hill-side and rocks, affords the best of nutriment for horses, cattle and sheep ; they grow fat fast upon it in summer, and exist upon it in winter. Even here, where, in June we see snow on the hill-sides close to us, and shiver under double blankets at night, the cattle live out of loors through the long winter. It is, indeed, a rich grazing country, and will support its herds on thousands. Irrigation is a necessity for all extensive cultiva- tion of the soil, however ; and the extent to which this is already being employed, and the amount of money invested in it, are occasions of surprise. But with the far distance of all competing production, 64 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. and the great fertility of the soil when thus devel- oped, it will richly pay to carry vater from the mountain streams miles on miles from their natural courses, and spread it by little artificial rivulets over acres on acres of grains, potatoes and the other vegetables. A plan is in progress of execu- tion for bringing a large water-course some fifteen miles around Denver, and letting it out in gentle, fructifying streams all over the town and its adja- cent farms and gardens. Then will this now barren wilderness of store and house and sand blossom like the rose ; then can door-yards be green with grass, shaded with trees, and beautiiul with flowers. Meantime, the people must live on canned fruits and vegetables irom the East; and possess their esthetic souls in patience, for the rest, in magnify- ing their mountain view of charming yet constant beauty. The exteudivc and common use of these imported productions of our eastern orchards and gardens in all the country west of the Missouri River, is most astonishing. They are on every ta- ble; few New England housekeepers present such a variety of excellent vegetables and fruits, as we r.iKl everywhere here, at every hotel and station :-- A, and at every private dinner or supper. Corn, ' latoes, beans, pine apples, strawberry, cherry and peach, with oysters and lobsters, are the most common ; and all of these, in some form or other, you may fiequently find served up at a single meal. These canned vegetables and fruits and fish are sold, too, at prices which seem cheap compared with the cost of other things out here. They range eac up doll C two and thei dre( tion port curr Floi cent doll: seve butt ciga cent dolla mola fourt five Mon FIou cent! lar, c tweh dred rible distai .,_...i. ;nt. vhen thus devel- vater from the om their natural irtificial rivulets otatoes and the ogress of execu- rse some fifteen it out in gentle, vvn and its adja- this now barren d sand blossom s be green with ful with flowers, n canned fruits id possess their ■est, in magnify- ng yet constant lon use of these ■n orchards and )f the Missouri are on every ta- TS present such id fruits, as we itel and station supper. Corn, iwberry, cherry rs, are the most ! form or other, it a single meal, ts and fish are heap compared e. They range PRICES IN COLORADO. 6s fu*f. fifty cents to one dollar a can of about two quarts. Families buy them in cases of two dozen each at twelve to fifteen dollars a case; while away up in Montana, *hey are sold at only twenty-seven dollars a case. Colorado has four daily and four weekly papers, two each at Dfenver, and one each at Black Hawk and Central City, in the mining region ; and though their circulation is small— some five to seven hun- dred each— the large prices they get for subscrip- tions, for advertising and for printing, serve to sup- port them all liberally. Let me close with the current Colorado rates of staples and luxuries: Flour twenty cents a pound, meal twenty-three cents, hams fifty cents, lard forty cents, syrup five dollars per gallon, cheese seventy-five cents, coffee seventy-five cents, brown sugar forty-five cents, butter sixty cents, milk fifty cents per quart, best cigars fifty cents each, printing paper sixty-eight cents per pound, daily paper, per year, twenty-four dollars, weekly seven dollars, brooms one dollar, molasses four dollars and a half per gallon, boots fourteen dollars per pair, common labor, per day, five dollars. • And here are some of the latest Montana prices, twelve hundred miles farther on: Flour fifty to sixty cents a pound, hams seventy-five cents, golden syrup eight dollars, cheese one dol- lar, crackers ninety cents, beans fifty cents, wood twelve to fifteen dollars per cord, lumber one huii- dred dollars per thousand. The high price and ter- rible quality of whisky and other liquors in all these distant Territories are operating as a very effective S L.. 66 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. temperance agent. I see very little of them or of their effects anywhere. Some of the vernacular of the mountains is suf- ficiently original and amusing to be reported, also. A "square" meal is the common term for a first rate one; "shebang" means any kind of an estab- lishment, store, house, shop, shanty; '^outfit" has a wider range, your handkerchief, your suit of clothes. the cut of your hair, your team, your whole posses- sions, or the most infinitesimal part or item there- of; and "affidavit" signifies anything else that these other terms do not cover. FRC \ the rid< the see It i Ind free to! hav bro of con pro all' mo pin ery froi the NENT. little of them or of ; mountains is suf- be reported, also, )n term for a first Y kind of an estab- ity; '[outfit" has a ^our suit of clothes, your whole posses- part or item there- hing else that these LETTER VII. FROM DENVER TO SALT LAKE— THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. Salt Lake City, June 12. We finished early yesterday (Sunday) morning the second and severest third of the great stage- ride across the Continent. We are now two-thirds the way to California, and the rest of the journey seems easy compared to what has been |MW5ed over. It is through a more peopled country, frtSer from Indian raids, and will be relieved to us by more frequent resting-places. The distance from Denver to Salt Lake City is six hundred miles ; we should have driven it in five days but for the Indians, who broke in upon the line before us and cleaned it out of horses for fifty miles, threw the country into confusion and travel into anxiety, and delayed our pr9gress for two or three days, so that we were in all seven days in the trip. But we just escaped more severe possible disaster; for the "pesky sar- pints," as they are not unnaturally reckoned by ev- erybody in the West, hovered close upon both our front and our rear ; our escort drove off a band of them who wfire attacking a train of repentant r. .cl (I 68 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. returning Mormons, right in our path ; and they swooped in upon a stage station the night after we passed it, stole all its horses, killed the two stock- tenders, also three of the five soldiers who were located there as guard, and severely if not mortally wounded the other two. But though our escort was small over this line, never over ten cavalrymen, and sometimes none at all, our coach came through unmolested. Whether these fresh Indian inroads in this quar- ter presage a general Indian war, are by pretended friendly tribes or those known to be inJni^ai, are mainly for getting supplies of horses, which has seemed to be the principal object, or inspired by general hate and bloodthirstiness, or, so far as they have fallen upon the "Josephites" or deserting Mor- mons, have been directed by some of the leaders of the Latter Day Saints here to put a stop to this sort of depletion of their power and population; whether they are by petty straggling bands, led by desperate white robbers, or are the advance couriers of all the warlike tribes of the Plains and the Moun- tains, — there is only one course to be pursued with regard to them, and that General Connor is now doing with lew energy. He will guard and patro/ the whole n ain overland road, as he has been do' ing the lower part of it, with cavalrymen and in- fantry, and give an escort to every stage ; from tht military posts, every one hundred to two hundred miles along the route, he will send out scouting parties to track up the marauders ; if the raids and murders can be traced to friendly tribes, as has %■ PJENT, r path; and they the night after we led the two stock- soldiers who were ely if not mortally though our escort er ten cavalrymen, >ach came through roads in this quar- , are by pretended be inJni^ai, are lorses, which has ct, or inspired by , or, so far as they or deserting Mor- e of the leaders of )ut a stop to this ■ and population; ling bands, led by 5 advance couriers ins and the Moun- be pursued with il Connor is now guard and patro/ 5 he has been do- valrymen and in- y stage ; from tht 1 to two hundred end out scouting ; if the raids and lly tribes, as has k THE INDIAN QUESTION. 69 been done in one or two cases, he will demand those eht,aged in it, and failing to get them will seize and hang some of the principal chiefs;— he will re- taliate quickly and sharply; and then, with a large force, now gathering at Fort Laramie, he will go in pursuit of the great body of the hostile Indians in the North, and inflict upon them a sharp punish- ment ;— and so conveying to them all the knowledge of our power and purpose to make them peaceable, do the best and only thing to secure their friend- liness. The government is ready to assist in their support, to grant them reservations, to give them food and make them presents; but it must and will, with sharp hand, enforce their respect to travel, their respect to lives and property, and their respect to trade throughout all this region. And if this cannot be secured, short of their utter extermination, why extermination it must be.. Else, we may as well a,bandon this whole region ; give up its settlement, its subjugation to civilization, its de- velopment to wealth and Christianity. It is the old eternal contest between barbarism and civiliza- tion, between things as they have been and are, and material and moral progress; and barbarism and barbarity must go to the wall, somewhat too roughly perhaps, as is always the case with new, earnest, material communities, but yet certainly. The Mor- mons have exhausted -the Quaker policy towards the Indians ; have fed and clothed them for years, paying them in all ways heavy subsidies, in consid- eration of being let alone ; but they are growing tired of it, both because it is expensive, and is not k 70 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. sure of success. Only a few clays ago, some In- ilians attacked the Mormons at a settlement about eighty miles south of here, and kilV'd '-ighteen or twenty persons. Brigham Yc( .; id either offi- cials of Church and State v/cnt dc- • ' investigate the matter and restore peace ; they have just come back, reporting success, and laying part of the blame on the whites, but still with less of the old disposition to subsidize the barbarians. Montana is disturbed with reports of Indian out- rages ; this whole region of mountains and plains is sensitive and suffering with the apprehensions or the realities of their general recurrence ; commerce suffers ; prices go up ; emigration stops ; and all the development of the great West is clogged. No wonder is it, then, that the entire white population of the Territories clamors for positive measures of restraint and punishment. The red man of reality is not the red man of poetry, romance, or philan- thropy. He is false and barbaric, cunning and cowardly, attacking only when all advantage is with him, horrible in cruelty, the terror of women and children, impenetrable to nearly every motive but fear, impossible to regenerate and civilize. The whites may often be unjust and cruel in turn ; but the balance is far against the Indian ; and the country must sustain the government and General Connor in pursuing a vigorous offensive and defen- sive policy towards him. Do not suppose, however, we lost sleep or rations, or eyes for passing scenery, as we rolled over the mountains, and passed the divide between the great ocea own inim Govi amo; marl we c baco gest; for < vegc time to so bour awaj der succ tend Tl are 1 bran thel The four rarei then- fish - ver £ at th Hall whic moui SIENT. ays ago, some In- a settlement about killed f-ightcen or •,, id other offi- c » ' investigate ey iuve just come tying part of the ith less of the old arians. orts of Indian out- Lintains and plains e apprehensions or rrence; commerce ion stops ; and all ;st is clogged. No e white population »sitive measures of red man of reality omance, or philan- laric, cunning and 1 advantage is with tor of women and r every motive but and civilize. The cruel in turn ; but Indian ; and the iment and General »ffensive and defen- ost sleep or rations, we rolled over the e between the great i THE ANTELOI'E AND TKOl'T. n oceans of America. Wc rested proifdly on our own prowess and the rifles of our escort. We had immense faith in the double-barreled shot-gun of Governor IJross; and we created terrible alarm among some emigrants in our rear by firing at a mark in our front. So we ate our antelope, when we could get it, and our "mountain chicken" (fried bacon) regularly, with faith in its undisturbed di- gestion, and cuddled up each in his corner at night for equally reliable sleep. The canned fruits and vegetables and clean table-cloths disappeared for a time after Virginia Dale, but the antelope came in to soften the fall ; one of our escort shot one of the bounding beauties as he stopped, five hundred yards away, to gaze through his limpid, liquid eyes in won- der on our turn-out; and we found him and his successors most luscious eating — very delicate deer, tender, melting and digestible. The antelopes weigh from sixty to eighty pounds, are fawn-like in color and appearance, have short, branching horns, and are plenty at all seasons upon the high plains and in the mountains of the region. The elk, as large as a small cow, and with horns four to six feet long, and the black-tailed deer are rarer game; this is not the season for shooting them ; and they cling closer to the mountains. Of fish we had but few ; trout were as abundant as fe- ver and ague in Indiana, but always a little way off, at the next brook or station. The soldiers at Fort Halleck had just made captive a cinnamon bear, which strayed down into camp from an adjoining mountain; and our stage gave a wide berth to a _j,-*u--- 73 ACROSU TUB CONTINENT. Im grizzly bear, which was taking his midnight nap in the middle of the road. The grizzly was the only animal that our courage and our double-barreled shot-gun were not equal to ; and he is, indeed, next to the Indian, the terror of all hunters. We missed, too, the .sage hen, a favorite game of the region, but not of the season ; rabbits scented our approach and scooted away out of shot ; the retreat of the hungry, thievy-looking woU" was hastened by our balls ; only the ridiculous little prairie dogs and the funnier and littler squirrels — beautifully striped with black, and hardly bigger \.h.:n a mouse — sported carelessly in our warlike f. esence. The scant, coarse vegetation of the Plains and of Denver's neighborhood grew green and rich in out memory, as we came on north and west from Virginia Dale, entered the Laramie Plains, passed along on the snow line, crossed the mountain range at Fridger's Pass, and went out upon the country of the Bitter Creek. The Desert of the Mountains is far drearier and more barren than the Desert of the Plains. That seems redeemable and has its uses ; this is only for trying the patience and tax- ing the ingenuity of man. There is very little to redeem the middle two hundred miles of our ride from utter worthlessness for human service. The soil is sand, so saturated with alkali as to poison its water, and to give the earth the appearance, in spots, sometimes for large areas, of a fresh hoar frost or a slight snow. Grass is only a spasmodic tuft. The sage bush is the chief, almost only vegetation — a coarse, wild form of our garden sage, growing ^^bb. ard; the val- ley looks sweet and green in June; and back rise the always beautiful and always snow-covered moun- tains. Here we stopped, had kind greeting at two o'clock in the morning, went to bed for the first time in a week, and after a sumptuous breakfast with :uJge Carter, the merchant and magistrate of the precinct, passed on and over inio the basin of the Great Salt Lake. But that day's ride, and our reception and experiences among the Mormons must wait another letter. We remain here for a full week. The grass is too green r the trees too new to our eyes; the roses too red and refreshing; Che strawberries and green pens too tempting to our carnal appetites; the curious social and wonderful material develop- ments of this city and Territory too rare and re- markable; and the hospitality of the people. Mor- mon and Gentile, too generous and invitmg, to per- mit us to leave hurriedly. THI L hith la.ic for Coh Gre; Con inde coui now its ] and thes thin bles hom elenc and that the i- , 4ENT. dgcr, the country /ay to grass; the • lined the water I bearable indeed, antly located post ; imp ) ard ; the val- une ; and back rise now-covered moun- ind greeting at two o bed for the first imptuous breakfast t and magistrate of er into the basin of day's ride, and our ong the Mormons reek. The grass is to our eyes; the he strawberries and ir carnal appetites; x\ material develop- iry too rare and re- of the people, Mor- and inviting, to per- LETTER VIII. THE WAV INTO UTAH : RECEPTION BY THE MOR- MONS. Great Salt Lakb C:ty, Utah, June 14. Leaving Fort Bridger for our last day's ride hither, we leave the first Pacific slopes and table- lands of the Rocky Mountains, drained to the south for the Colorado River and to the north for the Columbia, and go over the rim of the basin of the Great Salt Lake, and enter that Continent within ?, Continent, with its own miniature salt sea, and its independent chain of mountains, and distinct river courses ; marked wonderfully by nature, and marked now as wonderfully in the history of civilization by its people, their social and religious organization, and their material development. This is Utah — these the Mormons. I do not marvel that they think they are a chosen people ; that they have been blessed of God not only in the selection of their home, which consists of the richest region, in all the elements of a State, between the "Mississippi valley and the Pacific shore, but in the great success that has attended their labors, and developed here the most independent and self-sustaining industry mmm mmmm \ , 80 ACROSS TllK CONTINENT. that the western half of our Continent witnesses. Surely threat worUUy wisdom has presideil over iheir settlement and ort^anization ; there have been tact and statesmanship in the leaders ; there have been industry, frugality and inte^jrity in the people; or one could not witness such progress, such wealth, such varied triumphs of industry atid ingenuity and endurance, as here present themselves. Wc enter Utah over and among a new scries of hills, the belongings of the Wasatch Mountains, the first of the subsidiary ranges of the Rocky Mountains, and the eastern guard and parent of the Salt Lake valley. We have our finest day's ride yet along the crests of hills eight thousand feet high, and thn .gh valleys and gorges guarded by perpendicular walls of rock, all rich with a .spring verdure that is fresh and grateful to our eyes. We play at snow ball from the large white drifts that lie along our road ; and we pick abundant flowers at the same time. These spring up quickly with the grass, watered by melting snow, and inspired by the sun's hot heat ; for twice hot ft is compared with our eastern sun, in these high western regions. Some are new to mine eyes; many wear familiar faces, though greatly modified by change of soil and climate ; and above all other colors, the yellow predominates. Did you ever think this the favorite color of nature? What other clothes your mead- ows and these hills with buttercups and dandelions till green is out-borne by yellow? What other has more varieties of plants in its list — more shades in its blossoming? Here I find new ones ; among others fittlc to a pasli resp( we n in it! So sceni and ' snow ness mom sevei of a plunj ter u rrvora so th bruis actin, inac and s neck pling dizzy scene throu ley ir ruins the T marcl went KNT. itincnt witnesses, resided over tlieir re have been tact there have been in the people; or ress, such wealth, itid ingenuity and elves. ig a new scries of satch Mountains, es of the Rocky and parent of the • finest day's ride jht thousand feet orgcs guarded by ich with a .spring to our eyes. We white drifts that abundant flowers g up quickly with now, and inspired hot ft is compared h western regions, lany wear familiar by change of soil colors, the yellow ik this the favorite lothes your mead- ips and dandelions ' What other has -more shades in its les; among others ECHO CANYON. 8i fittlc sun flowers, a foot high, three i four blossoms to a plant, and plants as tiiick as j itains by the pasture path. Let us treat yellow, i hen. with more respect, since it is nature's chosen ; and learn, as we may, what variety and range of beauty there is in its shades. So we rolled rapidly through summer and wintci scenes, with sky of blue and air of amber purity, and when the round moon came up out from the snowy peaks, giving indescribable richness and soft- ness to their whiteness, we kept on and on, now up mountain sides, now along the edge df precipices several hundred feet high, down which the stumble of a horse or the error of a wheel would have plunged us ; now crossing swollen streams, the wa- ter up to the coach doors, now stammering through morass and mire, plunging down and bounding up so that we passengers, instead of sleeping, were bruising heads and tangling legs and arms in en- acting the tragedy of pop-rorn over a hot fir^ -"nd in a closed dish ; and now from up among the clouds and snow, we tore down a narrow canyon at a break- neck rate, escaping a hundred over-turns and top- pling on the river's brink until the head swam with dizzy apprehensions. Most picturesque of all the scenes of this day and night ride v s the passage through Echo Canyon, a very miniature Rhine val- ley in all but vines and storied ruin. The only ruins in' it were those of feeble fortifications which the Mormons set up when President Buchanan marched his army against them, but halted and went away without attack, leaving storCs of pro- 4* 6 wmmmmmmmsm «?«■ 82 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. visions, wagons and ammunition, and a contempt for the government, neither of which the Mormons have quite exhausted yet. Early "sun-up" brought us to the last station, kept by a Mormon bishop with four wives, who gave us bitters and breakfast, the latter with green peas and strawberries, and then, leaving wife number one at his home, went on with us into the city for parochial visits to the other three, who are located at convenient distances around the Territory. Finally we came out upon the plateau or " bench," as they call it here, that overlooks the valley of the Jordan, the valley alike of Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake, and the valley of the intermediate Great Salt Lake City. It is a scene of rare natural beauty. To the right, upon the plateau, lay Camp Douglas, the home of the soldiers and a village in itself, holding guard over the town, and within easy cannon range of tabernacle and tithing-house ; right beneath, in an angle of the plain, which stretched south to Utah Lake and west to the Salt Lake- land Jordan rolled between,"— was the city, regu- larly and handsomely laid out, with many fine build- ings, and filled with thick gardens of trees and flowers, that gave it a fairy-land aspect; beyond and across, the plain spread out five to ten miles in width, with scattered farm-houses and herds of cattle ; below, it was lost in dim distance ; above, it gave way, twenty miles off, to the line of light that marked the beginning of Salt Lake — the whole flat m a floor and sparkling with river and irrigating cStials, and overlooked on both sides by hills that ■"SPB^ LU JENT. and a contempt for the Mormons have in-up" brought us )rmon bishop with and breakfast, the ^berries, and then, lome, went on with } to the other three, stances around the plateau or " bench," cs the valley of the Lake and the Great intermediate Great le of rare natural plateau, lay Camp :rs and a village in vn, and within easy ithing-housc ; right in, which stretched Lo the Salt Lake — -was the city, regu- ith many fine build- rdens of trees and nd aspect; beyond It five to ten miles lOuses and herds of I distance ; above, it he line of light that ^ake — the whole flat river and irrigating 1 sides by hills that SALT LAKE CITV. 83 mounted to the snow line, and out from which flowed tiie fatness of water and soil tliut makes this once desert valley blossom under the hand of industry with every variety of verdure, every product of almost every clime. No internal city of the Continent lies in such a field of beauty, unites such rich and raie elements of nature's formations, holds such guarantees of greatness, material and social, in the good time coming of our Pacific development. I met all along the Plains and over the mountains, the feeling that Salt Lake was to be the great central city of this West ; I found the map, with Montana, Idaho, and Oregon on the north, Dacotah and Colorado on the east, Nevada and California on the west, Arizona on the south, and a near connection with the sea by the Colorado River in the latter direction, suggested the same : I recognized it in the Sabbath rnorning picture of its location and possessions; I am con- vinced of it as I see more and more of its opportu- nities, its developed industries, and its unimproved possessions. Mr. Colfax's reception in Utah was excessive if not oppressive. There was an element of rivalry between Mormon and Gentile in it, adding earnest- ness and energy to enthusiasm and hospitality. First "a troop cometh," with band of music, and marched us slowly and dustily through their Camp Douglas. Then, escaping these, our coach was way- laid as it went down the hl'l by the Mormon au- thorities of the city. They ordered us to dismount ; we were individually introduced to each of twenty « I L. ^ 84 ACR .^S THE CONTINENT, of them ; we received a long speech ; we made a long one — standing in the hot sand with a sun of forty thousand Icns-powcr concentrated upon us, tired and dirty with a week's coach-ride: was it wonder that the mildest of tempers rebelled? — transferred to other carriages, our hosts drove us through the city to the hotel ; and then — bless their Mormon hearts — they took us at once to a hot sul- phur bath, that nature liberally offers just on the confines of the city, and there we washed out all remembrance of the morning suffering and all the accumulated grime and fatigue of the journey, and came out baptized in freshness and self-respect. Clean clothes, dinner, the Mormon tabernacle in the afternoon, and a Congregational ("Gentile") meeting and sermon in the evening, were the other proceedings of our first day in Utah. Since, and still contihuing, Mr. Colfax and his friends have been the recipients of a generous and thoughtful hospitality. They are the guests of the city; but the military authorities and citizens vie together as well to please their visitors and make them pleased with Utah and its people. The Mor- mons are eager to prove their loyalty to the gov- ernment, their sympathy with its bereavement, their joy in its final triumph— which their silence or their slants and sneers heretofore had certainly put in some doubt — and they leave nothing unsaid or un- done now, towards Mr. Colfax as the representative of that government, or towards the public, to give assurance of their rightmindedness. Also they wish us to know that they are not monsters and mure mam on h rest, wise a gn socia genci pitali grcer apric ever enad( with what ment has t to th( comji home Bros5 dress "dist mutu W< Salt : you f nicke men to be Engl; turne \ . INT. ech ; we made a nd with a sun of ntrated upon us, lach-ride : was it pers rebelled? — r hosts drove us then — bless their ance to a hot sul- >ffers just on the e washed out all fering and all the the journey, and and self-respect, ion tabernacle in onal ("Gentile") ig, were the other ;ah. r. Colfax and his )f a generous and the guests of the ; and citizens vie /isitors and make eople. The Mor- :)yalty to the gov- jereavement, their -Mr silence or their 1 certainly put in ling unsaid or un- the representative the public, to give ness. Also they not monsters and PICNIC AT SALT LAKE. »5 murderers, but men of intelligence, virtue, good manners and fine tastes. They put their polygamy on high moral and religious grounds ; and for the rest, anyhow, are not willing to be thought other- wise than our peers. And certainly we do find here a great deal of true and good human nature and social culture ; a great deal of business intelli- gence and activity ; a great deal of generous hos- pitality — besides most excellent strawberries and green peas, and the most promising orchards of apricots, peaches, plums and apples that these eyes ever beheld anywhere. They have given us a ser- enade ; and Mr. Colfax has addressed them at length with his usual tact and happy effect, telling them what they have a right to expect from the govern- ment, and reminding them that the government has the right to demand from them, in turn, loyalty to the Constitution and obedience to the laws, and complimenting them on all the beauty of their homes arid the thrift of their industry. Governor Bross and Mr. Richardson also made happy ad- dresses, and the jprowd of the evening, and the "distinguished guests" gave every sign of being mutually pleased with each other. We have been t;iken on an excursion to the Great Salt Lake, bat.i.\: m its wonderful wate/s, on which you float like a cork, sailed on its surface, and pic- nicked by its shore, — if picnic can be without wo- men for sentiment and to spread table-cloth, and to be helped up and over rocks. Can you New Englanders fancy a " stag" picnic .' We have been turned loose in the big strawberry patch of one of • 86 ACIiO^o THE CONTINENT. the saints— very worldly strawberries and more worldly appetites met and mingled ; and we have had a peep into a moderate Mormon harem, but being introduced to two different women of the same name, one after another, was more than I could stand without blushing. In Mormon etiquette. President Brigham Young is called upon ; by Washington fashion, the Speaker is also called upon, and does not call— there was a question whether the distinguished resident and the distinguislKJ visitor would meet; Mr. Colfax, as was meet under the situation of affairs here, made a point upon it, and gave notice he should not call ; whereupon President Brigham yielded the question, and graciously came to-day with a crowd of high dignitaries of the church, and made, not one of Emerson's prescribed ten minute calls, but a gen- erous, pleasant, gossiping sitting of two hours long. He is a very hale and hearty looking man, young for sixty-four, with a light gray eye, cold and uncer- tain, a mouth and chin betraying a great and deter- mined will— handsome perhaps as to presence and features, but repellent in atmosphere and without magnetism. In conversation, he is cool and quiet in manner, but suggestive in expression ; has strong and original ideas, but uses bad grammar. He was rather formal, but courteous, and at the last affected frankness and freedom, if he felt it not. To his followers, I observed he was master of* that pro- found art of eastern politicians, which consists in ^tting the arm affectionately around them, and tenderly inquiring for health of selves and familie," • and was feet C the spei hen hail aK like tura of c ciat ges1 Bos con in ii Yor toll as i fath mer sam wee chill to s miu B the are citiz ■:ult ression ; has strong grammar. He was i at the last affected felt it not. To his naster of* that pro- 3, which consists in ' around them, and selves and familie," • HEDER KIMBALL, ET AL. 87 and when his eye did sparkle and his lips soften, it was with most cheering, though not warming, ef- fect — it was pleasant but did not melt you. Of his companions, Heber C. Kimball is perhaps the most notorious from his vulgar and coarse speech. He ranks high among the "prophets" here, and is as unctuous in his manner as Macassar hair oil, and as pious in phrase as good old Thomas a Kempis. He has a very keen, sharp eye, and looks like a Westfield man I always meet at the agricul- tural fairs in Springfield. Dr. Bernhisel has an air of culture and refinement peculiar among his asso- ciates ; he is an old, small man, venerable, and sug- gestive of John Quincy Adams, or Dr. Gannett of Boston, in his style. Two or three others of the company have fine faces — such as you would meet in intellectual or business society in Boston or New York, — but the strength of most of the party secftis to lie in narrowness, bigotry, obstinacy. They look as if they had lived on the same farms as their fathers and grandfathers, and made no improve- ments ; gone to the same church, and sat in the same pew, without cushions; borrowed the same weekly newspaper for forty years ; drove all their children to the West or the cities ; and if they went to agricultural fairs, insisted on having th"eir pre- miums in pure coin. But the hospitality of Utah is not confined to the Mormons. The "Gentiles" or fton-Mormons are becoming numerous and influential here, and, citizens and soldiers, comprise many families *of ■culture and influence. They are made up of offi- •^ \ 88 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. cers of the federal government, resident represcn^ tatives of telegraph and stage lines, members of eastern or California business firms having branches here, and a very fair proportion, too, of the mer- chants of the city. Some of the more intelligent of the disgusted and repentant Mormons swell th^ circle. They have organized a literary association, established a large and growing Sunday school, largely made up of children of Mormon parents, have weekly religious services led by the chaplain at Camp Douglas, conduct an able and prosperous daily paper (the Union Vedette,) and in every way are developing an organized and effective opposition to the dominant power here. These people, united, earnest and enthusiastic as minorities always are, claim a share in entertaining Mr. Colfax and his friends, and gave them a large and most brilliant social party last night. They are not reluctant to show us their ladies, as the Mormons generally seem to be, and their ladies are such, in beauty and cul- ture, as no circle need be ashamed of The enjoy- ment of this social entertainment of music, conver- sation, dancing and refreshments, was sadly and only broken by the announcement during the even- ing of the sudden death of the territorial governor, Judge Doty, formerly of Michigan and Wisconsin. Th anion all th( Thel rain, 1 ter of busim ficial busin( thousi built I versal from t the w; the ga numei spreac tween Indivi as a 1 water i 2NT. esidcnt represcn^ nes, members of 3 having branches too, of the mer- I more intelligent [ormons swell th^ erary association, f Sunday school, Mormon parents, I by the chaplain e and prosperous and in every way ifective opposition ;se people, united, irities always are, r. Colfax and his nd most brilliant ; not reluctant to ms generally seeux n beauty and cul- d of. The enjoy- of music, conver- s, was sadly and : during the even- rritorial governor, 1 and Wisconsin. LETTER IX. MORMON MATERIALITIES. A^ Salt Lake Crrv, June i6. The Necessity of all Agriculture, on the Plains, among the Mountains, on the Pacific shore, nearly all the western half of our Continent, is Irrigation, The long, dry summers, frequently months without rain, the hot sun and dry winds, the clayey charac- ter of the soil, all ensure utter defeat to the farmer's business, except he helps his crops to water by arfi- ficial means. But in Utah, agriculture is the chief business ; its population of one hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants, live by it, prosper by it, have built up a State upon it. Irrigation is, therefore, uni- versal and extensive ; the streams that pour down from the mountains are tapped at various ele'i'ations, the water carried away by canals, big and little, to the gardens and meadows cultivated, and thence, by numerous little courses, one in three or four ttet, spread over the whole extent, over the grain, be- tween the rows of corn, of trees, of vegetables. Individuals, villages, companies perform this work, as a less or greater scale of it is required. The water is apportioned among the takers according to \ ^ 90 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. theii land or their payments. Each one gets his share ; and when the supply is scant, as is often the case, each one suffers in like degree. Salt Lake City is thus irrigated, mainly from one mountain stream ; bright, sparkling brooks course freely and constantly down its paved gutters, keep- ing the shade trees alive and growing, supplying drink for animals and water for household purposes, and delightfully cooling the summer air; besides being drawn off in right proportion for the use of each garden. Once a week is the rule for thus watering each crop ; to-day a man takes enough for one portion of his garden ; to-morrow for another ; and so through his entire possessions and the week. Under this regular stimulus, with a strong soil made up of the wash of the mountains, the finest of crops are obtained ; the vegetable bottom lands of your own Connecticut and of the western prairies cannot vie with the products of the best gardens and farms of these Pacific valleys, under this system of irriga- tion. There needs to be rain enough in the spring or winter moisture remaining to start the seeds, and there generally is ; after that, the regular sup- ply of water keeps the plants in a steady and rapid growth, that may well be supposed to produce far finer results, than the struggling, uneven progress of vegetation under dependence upon the skies — a week or a month of rain, and then a like pro- longation of sunshine. The gardens m the cities and villages are tropical in their rich greenness and luxuriance. I do not believe the same space of ground anywhere else in the country holds so much And Lak T to tl very over once on a in tt tion, irrig mus for that no I and so p vide and half put ent fron for i and a pG irrig lies T aboi two five NENT. Each one gets his cant, as is often the jree. ;d, mainly from one :Ung brooks course >aved gutters, keep- growing, supplying lousehold purposes, immer air; besides rtion for the use of 5 the rule for thus an takes enough for lorrow for another ; sions and the week, h a strong soil made s, the finest of crops )ttom lands of your tern prairies cannot t gardens and farms his system of irriga- nough in the spring to start the seeds, lat, the regular sup- 1 a steady and rapid osed to produce far ig, uneven progress ;e upon the skies — nd then a like pro- ardens m the cities r rich greenness and the same space of untry holds so much THE IRRIGATION IN UTAH. 91 Rnd so fine fruit and vegetables as the city of Salt Lake to-day. The soil of these valleys is especially favorable to the small grains. Fifty and sixty bushels is a very common crop of wheat, oats and barley ; and over ninety have been raised. President Young once raised ninety-three and a half bushels of wheat on a single acre. I should say the same sod located in the East, and taking its chances without irriga- tion, would not produce half what it does here with irrigation. Laborious and expensive as the process must be, the large crops and high prices obtained for them make it to pay. Over all this country, that is forced to have an irrigated farming, there is no business that now pays so well, not even mining, and nowhere else in the whole Nation is agriculture so profitable. But the mountain snows do not pro- vide half the water the valleys need. Many a broad and beautiful valley goes unredeemed from a dry, half-barren vegetation, for the lack of water to be put upon it. Salt Lake City has exhausted its pres- ent supply, and now contemplates a grand canal from Utah Lake, thirty miles off, to provide water for its extending gardens and the wide valley below and beyond the city,— the most of which is now only a poor and growing poorer pasture, but which with irrigation will become as productive farming land as lies under the shadow of the Republic. The country drained by the Great Salt Lake is about one hundred and fifty miles east and west, and two hundred and fifty north and south. Four or five large streams of fresh water pour into it ; but it 1; i \ ^ 92 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. has not a single visible outlet, and its water is one- fourth solid salt — two mysteries that mock science and make imagination ridiculous. Other salt is found in the country ; there is a mountain of rock salt a few miles away; and below i» i.rizona is a similar mountain whose salt is as pin-e as finest glass. President Young showed us a brick of it to- day, thi ' excited our surprise and delight as much as any novelty we have seen on our journey. The Ter- ritory of Utah covers the region drained by the Salt Lake, and perhaps one hundred miles more both in breadth and length. But the Mormon settlements extend one hundred miles farther into Idaho on the north, and perhaps two hundred miles into Arizona on the south, clinging close, through their entire lengtbi of six hundred to seven hundred miles, to a narrow belt of country hardly more than fifty miles wide ; for on the east of this are the mountains, and to the west, the great Central American Desert, that forms part of the great internal basin of this section of the Continent, and leads the traveler on to the Sierra Nevada mountains of the Pacific States. Th^se settlements are mostly small, counting in- habitants by hundreds, gathered about the course of a mountain stream ; but there are several places of considerable importance, as Provo at the South and Ogden City at the North. Their extension south into the valley of the Colorado, paves the way to the successful working of a favorite commercial idea of the leading business men here, which is the use of the Gulf of California and tl^e Colorado River, Which empties into it, for the great avenue of trade ; for b and tural ing. stcar hund this 1 year, roadi over throi torru adva can stear chan way certa pci«l way Hon a ye£ time! tal ai Tl confi self-£ triou blet has 1 an ir the \ 1 ^ ENT. d its water is one- that mock science s. Other salt is mountain of rock »w i» i.rizona is a as pirre as finest us a brick of it to- delight as much as ourney. The Ter- Irained by the Salt niles more both in armon settlements into Idaho on the miles into Arizona "ough their entire lundred miles, to a )re than fifty miles the mountains, and erican Desert, that asin of this section traveler on to the Pacific States, small, counting in- about the course : are several places *rovo at the South Their extension ado, paves the way ivorite commercial here, which is the l^e Colorado River, it. avenue of trade ; THE COLORADO ROUTE FOR COMMERCE. 93 for bringing in the supplies of goods needed here, and for sending out such surplus products, agricul- tural and mineral, as these interior valleys arc offer ing. The Colorado is found to be navigable for steamboats for four hundred miles, or to within six hundred miles of this city, and the substitution of this reduced distance of land carriage, open all the year, through their own Territory, and up valley roads, for seven hundred miles to San Francisco or over one thousand miles to the Missouri River, through deserts and over mountains, and often in- terrupted by rivers, is a manifest improvement and advantage for the commerce of this country, that can hardly be overestimated. There are already steamers on the Colorado, and some of the mer- chants arc having goods come over the rowte by way of experiment. If it succeeds, as seems quite certain, then the heavy trade cf Utah and its de- peiMencies will come and go from New York by way of the Isthmus of Panama and around Cape Horn, and merchants here, instead cf having to buy a year's supply of goods at once, can market several times a year, and do business with much less capi- tal and at much greater advantage otherwise. The policy of the Mormon leaders has been to confine their people to agriculture; to develop a self-sustaining, rural population, quiet, frugal, indus- trious, scattered in small villages, and so managea- ble by the church organization. So far, this policy has been admirably successful ; and it has created an industry and a^production here, in the center of the western half of our Continent, of immense im- ll 94 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. portancc and value to the future growth of the re- gion. A few of the simpler manufactures have been introduced of late, but these arc not in conflict with the general policy. There are three cotton mills, confined to cotton yarns, however, almost ex- clusively, and one woolen mill. Probably there are a hundred flouring mills in the Territory also. Flour, the grains, butter, bacon, dried peaches, home- made socks and yarn, these arc the chief articles produced in excess and sold to emigrants and for the mining regions in the North. Probably two hundred thousand pounds of dried peaches were sold for Idaho and Montana last year. Hides are plenty ; there is a good tannery here ; and also a manufactory of boots and shoes. Cotton grows abundantly in the southern settlements; and ex- periments with flax, the mulberry tree and the silk worm are all successful. As to mining, the influence of the church^as been against it. There have been no placer or sur- face diggings discovered to offer temotations to the mass of the people ; and the leadc i affect to be- lieve that the ores so far found at.* not valuable enough to pay for working. They have a reason for discouraging mining, of course, in the sure con- viction that it would introduce a population and influences antagonistic to the order and power of the church. Iron, they admit, exists in large quan- tities, especially in the southern mountains, and they have made some attempts to develop it, but without great success, for the reason, as they say that they had rot the proper workmen and materia ly to d inert argu than try i; silvc dolla Bi cscei moui pcrhi rics, ists t rival 1 cove: with have cursi valle Nation, and that any cases of its ex- tension will be prosecuted and punished as such. Now half or two-thirds the federal officers in the Territory are polyganiists; and others bear no tes- timony against it. These should give way to men who, otherwise equally Mormons it may be, still are neither polygamists nor believers m the practice of pcjlygamy. No employes or contractors of the government should be [...ilygamists in theory or practice. Herq the government should take its stand, calmly, quietly, but firmly, giving its moral sup- port and countenance, ami its physical support, it necessary for fair play, to the large class of Mor- mons who are not polygamists, to missionaries and preachers of all other sects, who choose to come here, and erect their standards and invite followers ; and to that growing public opinion, here and else- where, which is accumulating its inexorable force against an institution which has not inaptly been termed a twin barbarism with slavery. There is no need and no danger of physical conflict growing up ; only a hot and unwise zeal and impatience on the part of the government representatives, and tn the command ol the troops stationed here, could precipitate that. The probability is, that, upon such ' mmm. no :^Atf.liiilllill ACUOSS THE CONTINENT. a demonstration by the government, as T have sn;!, gcsted, the leaders of the church would receive new light on the subject themselves, — perhaps have a fresh revelation, and abandon the objectionable fea- ture in their polity. No matter if they did not, — it would soon, under the influences now rapidly ag- gregating, and thus reinforced by the government, abandon them. In this way, all violent conflict would, I believe, be successfully avoided ; and all this valuable popu- lation and its industries and wealth may be retained in place and to the Nation, without waste. Let them continue to be Mormons, if they choose, so long as they are not polygamists. They may be ignorant and fanatical, and imposed upon and swin- dled even, by their church leaders; but they are industrious, thriving, and more comfortable than, on an average, they have ever been before in the homes from which they came hither; and there is no law against fanaticism and bigotry and religious charlatanry. All these evils of religious benight- ment are not original in Utah, and they will work out their own cure here, as they have done else- where in our land. We must have patience with the present, and possibly forgiveness for supposed crimes in the past by the leaders, because we have heretofore failed to meet the issues promptly and clearly, and have shared by our consent and protec- tion to their authors in the alleged wrongs. The conversation I have alluded to with Brigham Young and some of his elders, on this subject of polygamy, was introduced by his inquiring of Mr. NENT. DISCUSSION WITH DRIOHAM YOUNO. Ill lent, as T have siift would receive new i, — perhaps have a c objectionable fea- r if they did not,— CCS now rapidly apf- )y the government, ct would, I believe, this valuable popu- 1th may be retained ithout waste. Let , if they choose, so sts. They may be )sed upon and swin- ders; but they are I comfortable than, been before in the lither; and there is igotry and religious r religious benight- and they will work ey have done else- have patience with reness for supposed rs, because we have ssues promptly and consent and protec- 2;ed wrongs, led to with Brigham , on this subject of lis inquiring of Mr. Colfax what the government and people of the East projjosed to do with it and them, now that they had got rid of the slavery question. The i^peaker replied that he had no authority to speak for the govern- ment; but for himself, if he might be permitted to make the suggestion, he had hoped the prophets of the church would have a new revelation on the subject, which shouhl put a stop to the practice. He added further that, as the people of Missouri and Maryland, without waiting for the action of the general government against slavery, themselves be- lieving it to be wrong and an impediment to their prosperity, had taken measures to abolish it, so he hoped the people of the Mormon church would see that polygamy was a hindrance and not a help, and move for its abandonment. Mr. Young responded quickly and frankly that he should readily welcome such a revelation ; that polygamy was not in the original book of the Mormons; that it was not an essential practice in the church, but only a privilege and a duty, under special command of God ; that he knew it had been abused ; that people had entered into polygamy who ought not to have done so, and against his protestation and advice. At the same time, he defended the practice as having biblical au- thority, and as having, within proper limits, a sound, moral and philosophical reason and propriety. The discussion, thus opened, grew general and sharp, though ever good-natured. Mr. Yoirng was asked how he got over the fact that the two sexes were about equally divided all over the world, and that, if some men had two, five, or twenty wives, .L_ 112 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. Others would have to go without altogether. His reply was that there was always a considerable pro- portion of the men who would never marry, who were old bachelors from choice. But, retorted one, are there any more of such than of women who choose to be old maids.' Oh yes, said he, most ungallantly ; there is not one woman in a million who will not marry if she gets a chance ! One of the saints, who was pressing the biblical usage and authority for many wives as above all laws and con- stitutions, was asked as to the effect of the same usage and authority for human sacrifice, — would you, he was asked, if commanded by Go', offer up your son or your enemy as a sacrifice, kiliii.^' them ? Yej, he promptly replied. Then the civil law would lay its hands upon you and stop you, and would be justified in doing so, was the apparently effective answer. In the course of the discussion, Mr. Young asked, suppose polygamy is given up, will not your govern- nrent then demand more, — ^will it not war upon the Book of the Mormons, and attack our church organ- ization? The reply was emphatically No, that it had no right, and could have no justification to do so, and that we had no idea there would be any dis- position in that direction. The talk, which was said to be the freest and frankest ever known on that subject in that pres- ence, ended pleasantly, but with the full expression, on the part of Mr. Colfax and his friends, of their hope that the polygamy question might be removed from existence, and thus all objection to the admis- S101 unt tha diff pra his ifp ous que esc( prei 1 off abs lish tell ing agg let i the that out whe hav( pee] He worl alm( quit I CO mas Ave L.-_ [NENT. ut altogether. His a considerable pro- . never marry, who But, retorted one, an of women who yes, said he, most woman in a million a chance ! One of ; biblical usage and I'e all laws and con- effect of the same n sacrifice, — would ;d by Gc', offer up rifice, kihii.^ them ? I the civil law would you, and would be ipparently effective 1, Mr. Young asked, ill not your govern- it not war upon the c our church organ- itically No, that it ) justification to do e would be any dis- be the freest and ibject in that pres- the full expression, tiis friends, of their might be removed ction to the admis- BRIGHAM YOUNG ON THE REBELS. 113 sion of Utah as a State be taken away ; but that, until it was, no such admission was possible, and that the government could not continue to look in- differently upon the enlargement of so offensive a practice. And not only what Mr. Young said, but his whole manner left with us the impression that, if public opinion and the government united vigor- ously, but at the same time discreetly, to press the question, there would be found some way to acqui- esce in the demand, and change the practice of the present fathers of the church. The conversation was continued on the subjects of punishing the leading rebels, and of slavery in the abstract. Mr. Young favored slavery /^r se a.« estab- • lished by Divine authority, but denounced the chat- tel system of the South ; and he opposed the hang- ing of any of the rebel chiefs as an unwise and aggravating policy. Now that peace is established, let all be pardoned, he said ; but early in or during the war, he would have disposed of the rebel chiefs that fell into the hands of the government with- out mercy or hesitation. Had he been President when Mason and Slidell were captured, he would have speedily put them "where they never would peep," and negotiated with England afterwards. He uttered this sentiment with such a wicked worki'.ig of the lower jaw and lip, and such an almost demon-like spirit in his whole face, that, quite disposed to be incredulous on those matters, I could not help thinking of the Mountain Meadow massacre of recusant Mormons, of Danites and Avenging Angels, and their reported achievements. • 8 \ ._J i LETTER XII. THE MORMON WIVES: OUR I-AST DAY IN SALT LAKE CITY. Salt Lake City, June 18. How do the Mormon women like and bear po- lygamy ? is the question most people ask as to the institution. The universal testimony of all but their husbands is, that it is a grievous sorrow and burden ; only cheerfully submitted to and embraced under a religious fanaticism and self-abnegation rare to behold, and possible only to women. They are taught to believe, and many of them really do believe, that through and by it they secure a higher and more glorious reward in the future world. " Lord Jesus has laid a heavy trial upon me," said one poor, sweet woman, " but I mean to bear it for His sake, and for the glory He will grant me in His kingdom." This is the common wail, the common solace. Such are the teachings of the church ; and I have no doubt both husbands and wives alike often honestly accept this view of the odious prac- tice, and seek and submit to polygamy as really God's holy service, calculated to make saints of themselves and all assoack and forth on its line twenty or thirty times ; its whole excavations foot up five millions of cubic feet, and afford some two miles of underground travel, and it has consumed more lumber to brace up the walls of its tunnels than entire city of Virginia above ground has used .or i its build- ings. This company own the 'irge-^i and finest mill probably in the world, costing nearly a million of dollars, and running eighty sta'vips. This mam- moth enterprise has only drawn one hundred and eighty thousand dollars froi 'ts stockholders, and has paid them back four uullions in dividends. Altogether, it has produced twelve millions of bul- lion, and but for extravagance in management and the necessity for many a blind and expensive ex- periment, its profit share of this sum would have been at least fifly, instead of thirty-three, per cent. In one year the yield of this mine was four and a half millions, and its profits one million , but with . a railroad to San Francisco, the latter would have been swollen to three millions ! This immense development was secured under the energetic superintendence of Mr. Charles L. Strong, a native of Easthampton in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, brother of the brave Gen- eral Strong who fell in leading the black troops ■.-,. ^ .Mitmm.»'< ~ ^ *^^" ' ;.'M.^}'W i M I '^ INENT. ccd even than these n number. argest and most fa- twelve hundred feet ledge, has dug down feet in depth, and nty or thirty times ; ive millions of cubic les of underground lore lumber to brace an entire city of sed >"3r i Its build- e 'arge-^^L and finest ting nearly a million sta^Tips. This mam- vn one hundred and 'ts stockholders, and illions in dividends, velve millions of bul- in management and id and expensive ex- :his sum would have thirty-three, per cent. mine was four and a )ne million , but with :he latter would have i! t was secured under ;e of Mr. Charles L. npton in Hampshire cr of the brave Gen- ing the black troops 1 i THE GOULD AND CURRY MINE. 149 pon the forts of Charleston, and the nephew and ^.idopted son of Mr. A. L. Strong of that village. Mr. Strong took charge of the Gould & Curry mine in its infancy, and carried it on to its perfection and triumph, when, about a year and a half ago, his con- stitution gave way under its great responsibility and work, and he was forced to retire. At one time, the mine sold at the rate of six thousand dollars a foot, but now it is down to about eighteen hundred ; for, though it is producing bullion at the rate of two millions a year, and pays handsome monthly divi- dends uninterruptedly, it has about exhausted all the valuable ore in its mine at the present depth, and is working up mainly the poorer ore that it re- jected in its first progress through the vein. The company is now making an important experiment to find richer ore at a lower depth; and by means of a tunnel, started half a mile off down the hill, and a shaft one thousand feet deep, will soon open the mine that distance down. The future fortunes of the company hang mainly upon the result of this enterprise. Not only, indeed, that of the Gould & Curry, but of most of the enterprises upon the Corn- stock Ledge. Many of them have reached, or seem to be reaching, a like point of exhaustion with the Gould & Curry, and are either making a similar ex- periment, or are awaiting the results of this. The promises of a successful finding are certainly quite encouraging, and they are strengthened by the re- cent success of some small experiments in the same direction on distant parts of the ledge, which seem to indicate improved ore at the greater depths. ^^ LiJK^P i M li Mf" 11 1 150 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. The Ophir Company is another of the mammoth enterprises. That, too, has taken out twelve niiU lions of bullion, but the stockholders have not got much as their share, in consequence of extravagant and fickle management, and experiments that proved expensive failures. The Savage Company, owning another large and successful mine, has taken out six millions bullion. That part of the Comstock Ledge lying on Gold Hill is divided up into smaller properties, such as onq hundred and two hundred feet, and one as low as ten feet, measuring on the surface ; and these have been worked generally to better advantage than the sections in Virginia. The Empire Company's claim has sold as high as eighteen thousand dollars per foot, the highest price ever obtained for any mine here ; -but it has grown less profitable and inter- rupted its dividends since, and has fallen to from three thousand to four thousand dollars a foot. This company never took any money from its stockholders, and in only one month through its operations of some years has it failed to pay ex- penses. Another successful and now popular com- pany in Gold Hill is the Yellow Jacket, which has taken out about two millions of bullion, and paid its stockholders three hundred and thirty thousand aoUars, or thirty-five thousand dollars more than all their assessments. But among its heavy expendi- tures, which suggests one cause of the ruin of many of these mining companies, is an item of two hun- dred and seventy thousand dollars for "legal ser- vices and quieting title." I tio thr anr pr( of thi toi foi of re pe fir mi nc ti( y» of in m dc ar P' b( bi w G d( s» fc a 01 .... ] KENT. er of the mammoth en out twelve miU aiders have not got irkcc of extravagant Timcnts that proved i Company, owning line, has taken out ,edgc lying on Gold aperties, such as onq , and one as low as Lce ; and these have advantage than thq ire Company's claim housand dollars per tained for any mine )rofitable and inter- 1 has fallen to from and dollars a foot, ly money from its month through its it failed to pay ex- id now popular com- w Jacket, which has bullion, and paid its ind thirty thousand lollars more than all J its heavy expendi- ! of the ruin of many an item of two hun- lUars for "legal ser- T COST AND PROFIT OF THE VIRGINIA ORES. 151 The Comstock Ledge ore is, with small excep- tions, much more simple in its combinations than that at Austin, and requires only to be crushed and amalgamated to extract the bullion. These two processes will produce from sixty to eighty per cent, of all the precious metal. It is also less rich than the Austin ore ; fifty dollars is a good average per ton, and is about what the Gould & Curry claims for what it works of its own ore. But the average of all the mines is even less than that ; one mine reports an average yield for the year of but $30.26 per ton ; and the product of the whole ledge for the first three months of the present year is given to me as about one hundred thousand tons, yielding nearly four millions dollars, and averaging a frac- tion less than forty dollars To meet this lower yield per ton, however, is a greatly decreased cost of working the ore, which does not need the roast- ing or smelting process, and the whole expense of mining and reducing does not exceed twenty-five dollars a ton, and is even brought as low as eighteen and twenty dollars by the Gould & Curry com- pany. The probability is that even this cost may be much reduced, and that ore which will yield but ten and fifteen dollars to the ton can soon be worked with profit. A choice selection of the Gould & Curry ore, such as promises one thousand dollars a ton or over, — for there are streaks of such in all the mines, — is sent to Swanzey, Wales, for working ; — this amounts to say fifty tons a year ; a next lower quality, which will yield two hundred or three hundred dollars a ton, and amounts to some 152 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. fifty or sixty tons a month, is sent over into the nci|;hboring valley of Washoe to be treated by the Freiburg process, which includes the roasting, and is the same as is necessary for all the Reese River ores. The balance or bulk of the product is treated at their own mill, which disposes of about one hun- dred tons a day, or, if there is an excess, as there often is, it is worked at some neighboring custom mills. There are, in all, seven tjj-sevcn quartz mills working on ore from the Comstock Ledge, twvMity- two of which are connected with mines, and fifty- five are custom mdis. They are located in four different counties, only about half being in tho same county with the mines whose ores they crush. Fifty-four of them are run by steam, twelve by water, and eleven by water and steam combined. They have in all one thousand and nineteen stamps, and their capacity is one thousand eight hundred and forty-two tons daily, which is only about two- thirds employed now. The mines have been run- ning down in daily production, from one thousand six hundred and forty tons last October to one thou- sand in June, but they are now increasing again ; and if the present search for paying ore at lower depths in the leading mines is realized, it will speedily go up to a higher point than it ever before reached. The present product of the whole State is probably nearly twenty millions dollars a year, of which Austin is sending forward a million and a quarter, and Virginia and Gold Hill fifteen to six- teen millions. Though the bullion, as perfected I .^ 1 INENT. sent over into the o be treated by the :s the roasthig, and all the Reese River le prf)dnct is treated s of about one luin- an excess, as there leighboring custom iCVCM quartz mills ock Ledge, twrr ACROSS: THE RIDE OVER THE SIERRAS. San Francisco, July 4 AcR^s the Continent! The Great Ride is fin- ished. Fifteen hundred miles of railroad, two thou- sand of staging, again sixty miles of railway, and then one hundred and fifty miles by steamboat down the Sacramento River, and the goal is reached, the Continent is spanned. Seven weeks of steady jour- neying, within hail of a single parallel line from east to west, and still the Republic ! Still the old flag,— the town is gay with its. beauty to-day, — still the same Fourth of July ; — better than all, still the same people, with hearts aglow with the same loyalty and pride in the American Union, and the same purpose and the same faith for its future. Greater the wonder grows at the extent of the Republic ; but larger still our wonder at the myste- rious but unmistakable homogeneity of its people. San Francisco, looking westward to the Orient for greatness, cooling its Fummer heats with Pacific breezes, thinks the same thoughts, breathes the same patriotism, burns with the same desires that J: l60 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. inspire New York and Boston, whose outlook is eastward, and which seem to borrow their civiliza- tion with their commerce from Europe. Sacra- mento talks as you do in Springfield; Nevada, oyer the mountains, almost out of the world, an- ticipates New England in her judgments, and makes up her verdict, while those close to the " Hub of the Universe " are looking over the testimony. It is this that is the greatest thing about our coun, try ; that makes it the wonder of nations, the mar- vel of history, — the unity of its people in ideas and purpose; their quick assimilation of all emigra- tion, — come it so far or so various ; their simul- taneous and similar currents of thought, their spon- taneous, concurrent formation and utterance of a united Public Opinion. This is more than extent of territory, more than wealth of resource, more than beauty of landscape, more than variety of cli- mate and productions, more than maivelous mate- ' al development, more than cosmopolitan popula- tions, because it exists in spite of them, and con- quers them all by its subtle electricity. It is very interesting, indeed, to stand amid this civilization of half a generation ; to see towns that were not in 1850, now wearing an old and almost decaying air ; to walk up and down the close built streets of this metropolis, and doubt whether they look most like Paris or New York, Brussels or Turin ; to count the ocean steamer in the bay, or passing out through the narrow crack in the coast hills beautifully called the Golden Gate, and wo'nder as you finish your fingers where they all came froni '■I^ISHWSWIPW***'" Ti tit niv sei an( del to ev( sh( thi as ho ea: to ce; th( ag Al <:ei -il /•ij wi '■\l tri pc th m w" til to NENT. rHii; ( n'lLizATiON of the pacific coast. i6: whose outlook is )rrow their civiliza- 1 Europe. Sacm- ringfield; Nevada, of the world, an- gments, and makes to the " Hub of the testimony, ing about our coun, f nations, the mar- jeople in ideas and on of all emigra- ious ; thei^ simul- hought, their spon- ind utterance of a more than extent of resourcf-, more than variety of cli- 11 marvelous mate- imopolitan popula- of them, and con- ricity. o stand amid this to see towns that m old and almost wn the close built 5ubt whether they Vork, Brussels or lei in the bay, or crack m the coast Gate, and wonder hey all came from airl ar<; ,oing to; to find an agriculture richer and n: JO ', i/ious than that of Illinois; to feast the senbes on a horticulture that marries the temperate and torrid zones, and makes of every yard and gar- den and orchard one immense eastern green-house ; to observe a commerce and an industry that supply every comfort, minister to every taste and fill the shops with every article of convenience and luxury that New York or Paris can boast of, and at prices as cheap as those of the fornier city to-day ; to find homes more luxurious than are often seen in the eastern States and to be challenged unsuccessfully to name the city whose ladies dress more magnifi- cently than those of San Francisco. None of this surjmses me. I had large ideas of the Pacific Coast and its development ; and I long ago gave up being surprised at any victories of the American mind and hand o' er raw American mat- ter. Still, Nevada and Calirorna, with towns and ^itie» of two to fifteen years' gro'/th, yet tD-day all /ill-armed in the elements of civilizai 'on, wanton with the Inxi'.ries of the senses, rich in the social .menities. supplied with churches and schools and •ibraries, fven affecting high art, arew nrlcrrul illus- trations of the /apidity and ear.e with which our people organize societ} and State, and surround themsi-Ves with all the comforts anace only one hundred and sixty feet wide. Through this it pours with a rapidity and a depth, that give majestic, fearful intensity to its motion ; while interfering rocPs occasionally throw the stream into rich masses of foam. Through these second rapids of fifteen mile the rock scenery at first rises still higher and sharper, and then fast grows tame; the mountains begin to slink away I FUN ON THE STEAMUOAT. 189 IS, too massive, n ambidon and ar rock retires, springs strong, 1 the valleys, fill own in Oregon, , and holding a I, It is the en- tern Oregon, for f the mountains, d Owyhee mines e to winter, send re many of their gold dust came Idaho in the sin- n is ambitious of and the Oregon ongress out of a ;erruption to the ;r railway portage itire water of che lort distance into sixty feet wide, dity and a depth, ivy to its motion ; •nally throw the . Through these e rock scenery at )er, and then fast rin to slink away and to lose their trees; the familiar barrenness of the great interior basin reappears ; and the only beauty of the hills is their richly rounded forms, often repeated, and their only utility pasturage for sheep and horses and cattle. The fifteen miles of railway, which, with the lowc ortage of five miles, are built as permanently, and served as thoroughly, with the best of locomotives and cars, as any rail- oao's in the country, landed us on still another large and luxurious steamboat, — " and still the won- der grew," — built far up here beyond the moun- tains, but with every appointment of comfort and luxury that are found in the best of eastern river craft, — large state-rooms, long and wide cabins, va- rious and well-served meals. From this point (Ce- lilo), there is uninterrupted navigation, and daily or tri-weekly steamers running, to Umatilla, eighty-five miles, Wallula, one hundred and ten miles, and to White Bluffs, one hundred and sixty miles, farther up the stream. For six months in the year, boats can and do run away on to Lewiston, on the Snake River branch of the Columbia, which is two hun- dred and seventy miles beyond Celilo, or five hun- dred miles from the mouth of the Columbia, as White Bluffs, the head of navigation on the main river, is four hundred miles from the mouth. We spent the night on the boat at Celilo, and during the evening the most of the party went back by rail to The Dalles for speeches to the peo- ple from Speaker Colfax and Governor Bross. One of the best bits of fun on our journey was impro- vised on their return late in the night. Those who L 190 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. had remained on the boat suddenly emerged Irom their state-rooms, wrapped in the drapery in which they had laid themselves down to sleep, and pro- ceeded to give . on the Pacific Coast. Organized in 1861, with property worth one hun- dred and seventy-five thousand dollars, they have now, with eighteen or twenty first class steamboats, the two railroads around the Cascades and The Dalles, and their appointments, warehouses at all the principal towns on the river, including one nine hundred and thirty-five feet long at Cellilo, and real estate in preparation for future growth, a total prop- erty of rising two millions dollars, all earned from their business. Besides this great increase of wealth from their own enterprise, they have paid to themselves in dividends three hundred and thirty-two thousand seven hundred and fifty dol- lars. With wagon roads from The Dalles, from Um- atilla, and from Wallula, the river and their boats have formed and still form the cheapest and quick- est route for travel or freight from all parts of the Coast to the rich mines of Boise and Owyhee in Idaho, as well as to those in eastern Oregon. Boise 9 i.^ 194 " ACROSS THE CONTINENT. City is two hundred and sixty miles from Umatilla and Owyhee two hundred and ninety miles. The roads from the other points are longer and poorer. So large have been the travel and trade m this di- rection in tCe last few years, that the Oregon steam navigation company has carried to the Upper Co- lumbia sixty thousand three hundred and twenty tons in the last four years, beginning with six thou- sand tons in 1862 and rising to nearly twenty-two thousand tons in 1864. In the same time, their boats have carried up and down on the river nearly one hundred thousand passengers, increasing from ten thousand in 1861 to thirty-six thousand in 1864. California has at last aroused to the importance of securing this trade, if possible, for herself, and is opening shorter wagon routes to Idaho by way of Chico and Red Bluffs in the upper Sacramento val- ley, and through Nevada by the Humboldt valley; but the Oregon people are still likely to keep the larger share of the traffic, for their route, though longer, is very much by water, and so cheaper, safer and pleasanter. The Oregon navigation company are also busy with plans for improving their own route By opening a road one hundred and ten miles long, across a wide bend of unnavigable sections of the Snake River, from Wallula to the mouth of the Powder River, they will again find the Snake River navigable for one hundred and fifty to two hundred miles farther up its course, or into the very heart of the Owyhee and Boise gold basins-, and on beyond towards Utah. Then from this new head of navigation on the Snake NT. OREGON S PACIFIC RAILROAD CUT-OFF. 195 es from Umatilla lety miles. The nger and poorer. I trade in this »'i- he Oregon steam the Upper Co- dred and twenty ing with six thou- learly twenty-two same time, their n the river nearly i, increasing from thousand in 1864. ;o the importance , for herself, and is 1 Idaho by way of !r Sacramento val- Humboldt valley ; likely to keep the hdr route, though d so cheaper, safer ivigation company proving their own hundred and ten id of unnavigable om Wallula to the ley will again find one hundred and ther up its course, Owyhee and Boise rards Utah. Then tion on the Snake River, to Salt Lake, is but one hundred or one hundred and fifty miles more ; so that with wagon roads of less than three hundred miles, steam navi- gation may soon be secured all the way from Salt Lake to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. Substitute for these wagon roads a railway, or, leaving out the navigation of the upper Snake, and building a rail- road five hundred and fifty miles across from Salt Lake through the gold regions of Idaho to Wallula, whence is uninterrupted navigation down the Co- lumbia, and the Pacific Coast is reached by steam through Oregon with less than two-thirds the rail- road building required for the central route into San Francisco. The line for this suggested road is easy, crossing the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon by a very favorable pass, and avoiding by the Columbia River the great work of surmounting the Sierra Nevadas. These are important, preg- nant suggestions. The Oregon navigation com- pany is impressed with their significance, and will next spring construct a steamboat on the upper Snake for testing the practicability of that point in the programme. They mean at least to hold their superiority in the commerce of Idaho, and if the Central Pacific railway interest does not push on its work with alacrity, the despised Oregonians may yet show their heels to their California neigh- bors in the matter of the quickest and cheapest route for travel and freight from the Rocky Moun- tains to the Coast. So at the North, into the heart of British Colum- bia, the Oregon steamboat company are working M (I w 1_- 196 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. out a notable plan for extending their operations. By building a wagon portage of one hundre^ and fifty miles north from White Bluffs, the present head of navigation on the main stream of the Co- lumbia, cutting off a wide and impassable angle of the river, the stream is again struck at a navigable point close to the forty-ninth parallel, and steamers can be run from there one hundred and fifty to t .^o hundred miles north through the series of lakes into which the river widens in that region, away up to the fifty-second and fifty-third parallels, where steamboats were never heard of or thought of. and into the now most famous gold region of British Columbia, the Carriboo country. The steamboac company are already building a steamer in this double upper Columbia, and next season will prob- ably be enabled to inaugurate this capital idea and illustration of their enterprise. Now the Carriboo mines are only reached by way of Victoria, Frazer River, and three hundred to five hundred miles of rough land travel. This new route will bring them into quick and cheap communication with American markets and American impulses at Portland. In this and other ways, Oregon and its people make a pleasant and promising impression upon us They lack many of the advantages of their neighbors below; their agriculture is less varied, but it is more sure; mining has not poured such irregular and intoxicating wealth into their laps; they need, as w.ell, a more thorough farming and a more varied industry; they need, also, as well, in- telligent, patient labor and larger capital; but they have bu more wi severe r encount( not of 1 Coast, ir and mor England exciting among t the Coll extensiv the quar Nevadas capital £ but whil and inve the real reckless and ficl< whole b m unity, great ob and gro\ itself, 01 against thrown i NT. OREGON, PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE I97 their operations, ne hundre^ and iflfs, the present tream of the Co- jassable angle of :k at a navigable llel, and steamers d and fifty to t.vo J series of lakes t region, away up . parallels, where ir thought of, and region of British The steamboat , steamer in this season will prob- s capital idea and Now the Carriboo f Victoria, Frazer hundred miles of ite will bring them ion with American at Portland, on and its people impression upon [vantages of their ure is less varied, i not poured such h into their laps; jgh farming and a d, also, as well, in- r capital ; but they have builded what they have got more slowly and more wisely than the Californians ; they have less severe reaction from hot and unhealthy growth to encounter, — less to unlearn ; and they seem sure, not of organizing the first State on the Pacific Coast, indeed, but of a steadily prosperous, healthy and moral one, — they are in the way to be the New England of the Pacific Coast. Just now, new and exciting discoveries of placer gold have been made among the head waters of the John Day branch of the Columbia River, in south-eastern Oregon, and extensive improvements are being developed among the quartz mines of the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas, just off from the Willamette valley ; and capital and labor are hastening in both directions : but while there is much to hope from these promises and investments, there is also something to fear for the real growth of the State. The uncertainty, the recklessness, the gambling habit which the varied and fickle results of gold mining throw over the whole business and morals and manners of a com- munity, that is possessed by the passion, are very great obstacles to a real and permanent prosperity, and growth in high civilization. May Oregon steady itself, or be steadied by sufficiently early failure, against such dangers as California's experience has thrown arotmd her condition as a State. i L # LETTER XIX. THROUGH WASHINGTON TERRITORY. Olympia, W. T., July 26. Unless you have been studying geography lately, you will need to open your map to follow us in our journey northward. So near the north- western limit of the Republic and not to touch it ; so close to John Bull and not to shake his grim paw, and ask him what he thinks of the preposter- ous Yankees now ; so near to that rarely beautiful sheet of water, Puget Sound, and not to sail through it, and know its commercial capacities and feel its natural attractions.-^it would never do. So, two days ago, we put out of Portland, steamed down the Columbia for fifty miles, and up its Cowlitz branch for two miles (all it is now navigable), and landed on the Washington Territory side at two houses and a stage wagon, bearing the classic name of Monticello. Jefferson was not at home; but there was a good dinner with Mr. Burbank, scion of your northern Berkshire Burbanks ; testifying, like all the rest of these border settlers, away from schools and churches and society, that there was no such other country anywhere, and that you could THE not dr!v( of " the : Then gers in ninety-n It was I them on the woot Most ui miles of this rid rough b it is just is over swamps a path c depth a who woi whose I for the laziest memori( instead Butt ests, thi for the ( was CO are the larger a tall tha them c growth L X. ERRITORY. PIA, W. T., July 26. iying geography ur map to follow near the north- \ not to touch it ; o shake his grim of the preposter- it rarely beautiful lot to sail through icities and feel its ;ver do. So, two id, steamed down id up its Cowlitz 3W navigable), and ritory side at two g the classic name lot at home; but k'Ir. Burbank, scion rbanks; testifying, settlers, away frooi ', that there was no nd that you could THE FORESTS OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 1 99 not drive them back to the snows and cold winters of " the States." The next question was, how to put eleven passen- gers in ar open wagon that only held seven, for a ninety-mile and two-day drive across the Territory. It was successfully achieved by putting three of them on saddle horses; and off we bounced into the woods at the rate of three to four miles an hour. Most unpoetical rounding to our three thousand miles of staging in these ten weeks of travel, was this ride through Washington. The road was rough beyond description ; during the winter rains it is just impassable, and is abandoned ; for miles it is over trees and sticks laid down roughly in swamps : and for the rest, — ungraded, and simply a path cut through the dense forest, — the hight and depth are fully equal to the length of it. Those who worked their passage, by whipping lazy mules whose backs they strode, and paid twenty dollars for the privilege, made the best time, and haa the laziest of it. Yet since, I observe, with tender memories of hard saddles, they "stand and wait," instead of sitting upon wooden chairs. But the majestic beauty of the fir and cedar for- ests, throug . which we rode almost continuously for the day and a half that the road stretched out, was compensation for much discomfort. These are the finest forests we have yet met, — the trees larger and taller and standing thicker ; so thick and tall that the ground they occupy could net hold them cut and corded as wood; and the under- growth of shrub and flower and vine and fern, al- 200 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. • most tropical in its luxuriance and impenetrable for its closeitess. Washington Territory must have more timber and ferns and blackberries and snakes to the square mile than any other State or Territory of the Union. We occasionally struck a narrow prairie or a thread-like valley ; perhaps once in ten miles a clearing of an acre or two, rugged and rough in its half-redomptljn from primitive forest; but for the most part it was a continuous ride through for- ests, so high and thick that the sun could not reach the road, so unpeopled and untouched, that the very spirit of Solitude reigned supreme, and made us feel its presence as never upon Ocean or Plain. The ferns are delicious, little and big,— more of them, and larger than you can see in New Eng- land,— and spread their beautiful shapes on every hand. But the settlers apply to them other adjec- tives beginning with d, for they vindicate their right to the soil, in plain as well as forest, with most tenacious obstinacy, and to root them out is a long and difficult job for the farmer. We dined on the second day at Skookem Chuck (which is Indian for "big water,") and came to the head of Puget Sound, which kindly shortens the land-passage across the Territory one-half, and this town, the capital, at night, encountering the usual demonstration of artillery, brass band and banners, and most hospitable greeting from Acting-Governor Evans and other officials and citizens. Olympia lies charmingly under the hill by the water-side ; counts its inhabitants less than five hundred, though still the largest town of the Territory, save the mming center of wards Id within ci center fo airs and 1 and entei Phebe lit fair Afric robed in and dign training ; If thei among t Coast or good eat Cisco to 1 ness of > is the ru habitanti cooks. lively rec captions, ancient 1 if you d requeste o' nighti fleas an New Er a church here, th( a restau; bitters J 9' INT. ind impenetrable rritory must have erries and snakes State or Territory struck a narrow rhaps once in ten rugged and rough ive forest; but for ride through for- in could not reach louched, that the ipreme, and made n Ocean or Plain, nd big, — more of see in New Eng- l shapes on every them other adjec- ;y vindicate their ell as forest, with ) root them out is rmer. It Skookem Chuck ') and came to the mdly shortens the ^ one-half, and this untering the usual band and banners, a Acting-Governor tens, Olympia lies water-side; counts mdred, though still y, save the mming THE FOOD OF THE PACIFIC. 20 1 center of Wallula, way down in the south-east to- wards Idaho; numbers more stumps than houses within city limits; but is the social and political center for a large extent of country ; puts on the airs and holds many of the materials of fine society ; and entertained us at a very Uncle Jerry and Aunt Phebe little inn, whose presiding genius, a fat and fair African of fifty years and three hundred pounds, robed in spotless white, welcomed us with the grace and dignity of a qu(ien, and fed us as if we were in training for a cannibal's table. If there is one thing, indeed, more than another, among the facts of civilization, which the Pacific Coast organizes most quickly and completely, it is good eating. From the Occidental at San Fran- cisco to the loneliest of ranches on the most wilder- ness of weekly stage routes, a "good square meal" is the rule ; while every village of five hundred in- habitants has its restaurants and French or Italian cooks. I say this with the near exj rience and the lively recollection of one or two most illustrious ex- ceptions, where the meals consisted of coarse bacon, ancient beans and villainous mustard, — and where, if you declined the two former, you were politely requested to help yourself to mustard, — and where, 0' nights, the beds could e'en rise and walk with fleas and bedbugs. When the Puritans settled New England, their first public duty was to build a church with thrifty thought for their souls. Out here, their degenerate sons begin with organizing a restaurant, and supplying Hostetter's stomachic bitters and an European or Asiatic cook. So the i 202 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. seat of empire, in its travel westward, changes its base from soul to stomach, from brains to bowels. Perhaps it is only in obedience to that delicate law of our later civilization, which forbids us to enjoy our religion unless we have already enjoyed our victual, and which sends a dyspeptic to hell by an eternal regard to the fitness of things. And cer- tainly the piety, that ascends from a grateful and gratified stomach, is as likely to be worthy as that fitfully fructified by Brandreth's pills. Is it not a little singular that only our forty- oddth State should bear the name of Washington ? That it was left to this day and to this cornermost Territory to enroll his name among the stars of the Republic's banner.? Washington Territory is the upper half of old Oregon, divided by the Co- lumbia River and the fortieth parallel for the south- ern boundary, and extending up to the forty-ninth, to which, under the reaction from the unmartial Polk's "fifty-four-forty or fight" pretensions, our northern line was ignominiously limited to. Its population is small, less than twenty thousand, and not likely to grow fast, or make it a State for some years to come, unless the chance, not probable, of rich gold and silver mines within its lines should flood it with rapid immigration. But it holds sure wealth and a large future through its certain illim- itable forests and its probable immense coal depos- its. Of all Its surface, west of the Cascade or Si- erra Nevada Mountains, not more than one-eighth is prairie or open land ; the rest is covered by a growth of timber, such as, alike in density and in L ENT. ward, changes its brains to bowels, that delicate law rbids us to enjoy sady enjoyed our ptic to hell by an hings. And cer- )ni a grateful and be worthy as that lills. t only our forty- : of Washington ? this cornermost long the stars of igton Territory is ivided by the Co- allel for the south- to the forty-ninth, om the unmartial ' pretensions, our f hmited to. Its :nty thousand, and it a State for some e, not probable, of in its lines should But it holds sure h its certain illim- imense coal depos- the Cascade or Si- re than one-eighth st is covered by a in density and in THE SOIL OF WASHINGTON. 203 • size, no other like space on the earth's surface can boast of. Beyond the mountains to the East, the country partakes of the same characteristics as that below it; hilly, barren of trees, unfruitful, whose chief promises and possibilities are in the cattle and sheep line. Its arable land this side the moun- tains, where the forests are cleared or interrupted, is less fertile than that of Oregon and California ; but it sufficeth for its present population, and even admits of considerable exports of grain and meat for the mining populations in British Columbia, and will grow in extent and productiveness probably as fast as the necessities of the Territory require. yi-^^t^ "* __«»gM^^^^^g \m I LETTER XX. PUGET SOUND, AND VANCOUVER'S ISLAND, Victoria, V. L, July 28. We were a full day and night coming down Puget Sound, on the steamer from Olympia; loitering along at the villages on its either shore, and study- ing the already considerable development of its lumber interests, as well as regaling ourselves with the beauty of its waters and its richly-stored forest shores. Only the upper section of the southern branch of these grand series of inland seas and rivers, that sweep into the Continent here, and make Vancouver's Island, and open uo a vast re- gion of interior country to the ocean, is now called Puget Sound,— only forty miles or so from Olympia north. Formerly the whole confines went by that name; and rightfully it should remain to all which runs up into Washington Territory from out the Strait of San Juan de Fuca, for this has a unity and serves a similar purpose. For beauty and for use, this is, indeed, one of the water wonders of the world ; curiosity and commerce will give it, year by year, increase of fame and visitors. It narrows to a river's width ; it circles and swoops into the land with c miles < where free of of all < It i£ Coast, shores thirty- sand fc of five ing wi presen lumbci hundn averag millior tomer Pacific Bueno for bu cheap( shippii Sound from 1 The I grow A and w' m oth( calcuh these come I PUGET S SOUND, AND ITS LUMIJKR. 205 fVER'S ISLAND. TORIA, V. I., July 28. aming down Puget Hyrnpia; loitering • shore, and study- evelopment of its ing ourselves with richly-stored forest n of the southern f inland seas and intinent here, and •pen UD a vast re- cean, is now called 3r so from Olympia fines went by that emain to all which itory from out the his has a unity and beauty and for use, er wonders of the will give it, year by jrs. It narrows to voops into the land with coquettish ficedom; and then it widens into miles of breadth ; carrying the largest of shii)s any- where on its surface, even close to the forests' edge ; free of rocks, safe from wind and wave ; — the home of all craft, clear, blue and fathomless. It is the great lumber market of all the Pacific Coast. Already a dozen saw-mills are located on its shores ; one which we visited was three hundred and thirty-six feet long, and turns out one hundred thou- sand feet of lumber daily ; three ships and two barks of five hundred to one thousand tons each were load- ing with the product direct from the mill ; and the present entire export of tl;e Sound, in prepared lumber and masts and spar.s, reaches nearly to one hundred millions of feet yearly, and yields at the average price of ten dollars a thousand about one million dollars. San Francisco is the largest cus- tomer; but the Sandwich Islands, China, all the Pacific American ports, south and north, and even Buenos Ayres around on the Atlantic, come here for building materials, and France finds here her cheapest and best spars and masts. Much of the shipping employed in the business is owned on the Sound; one mill company has twelve vessels of from three hundred to one thousand tons each. The business is but in its very infancy; it will grow with the growth of the whole Pacific Coast, and with the increasing dearth of fine ship timber m other parts of the world ; for it is impossible to calculate the time when, cut and saw as we may, all these forests shall be used up, and the supply be- come exhausted. 1 to6 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. The size of these WashinKton Territory trees is rather ovcrpoweriiiK,— we have not seen the big trees of California yet,— and not daring to trust unaccustomed eyes, we resorted to the statistics of the lumbermen. Trees, six and .seven feet m diam- eter, and two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet !ugh, are very common, perhaps rarely out of sight in the forest ; eight feet in diameter and three hun- dred feet high are rarer, but still not at all uncom- mon ;— the builder of the telegraph line has hitched his wire in one case to a cedar (arbor vitsc) which is fourteen feet in diameter ; a monster tree that had fallen,— the forests arc full of fallen trees,— measured three hundred and twenty-five feet long ; and another tree, at the distance of ninety feet from its root, was seven feet in diameter ! Masts for ships are readily procurable, straight as an arrow, and without a knot for one hundred feet, and forty inches in diameter at thirty feet from the base. I stop my figures here, lest my character for truthful reporting grow questionable. Out of the Sound and straight across the Strait, twenty miles, we encounter the rocky shore of Vancouver's Island ; searching along we meet a hidden hole in the wall, and, steaming in, there opens out a little wash-bowl of a bay ; and here is Victoria. It is a charming surprise,— the prettiest located and best built town on the Pacific Coast, and next to Portland in size and business,— a healthy copartnership of American enterprise and enthusiasm, and English solidity and holdfastness. The population ranges from twenty-five hundred m summei winters in Hriti to towi and its there ai minous worked which here co whole ' than fi' these r chinery ment,— resenta last yes a year, town b burdeni our pe< special income practici duties, the con Over is repei British ulation, from th of Fra T. irritory trees is t seen the big daring to trust he statistics of m feet in diam- cd and fifty feet cly out of sight and three hun- )t at all uncom- line has hitched 3or vitic) which )nster tree that fallen trees, — ^-five feet long ; ninety feet from ter! Masts for ht as an arrow, :l feet, and forty om the base. I icter for truthful icross the Strait, rocky shore of long we meet a :aming in, there bay ; and here is c, — the prettiest le Pacific Coast, nd business, — a n enterprise and ind holdfastness. y-five hundred in VICTUKIA: UKITISH RULE. 207 summer and dull times (now) to five thousand in winter and the flush season, when the mining across in British Columbia pays well, and the miners come to town to spend their harvest. Out of the town and its trade, the island offers little development ; there are some poor-paying gold mines ; good bitu- minous coal is found in abundance, and profitably worked; here and there is forming in patches, which is extending, but most of the food eaten here comes from California and Washington. The whole white population of the island is no more than five thousand to seven thousand, and over these reigns the cumbersome and expensive ma- chinery of an especial English colonial govern- ment, — partly appointed by the crown, partly rep- resentative, — with a parliament that sat ten montlis last year; spending four hundred thousand dolhrs a year, and raising it out of the business of tl\is town by a system of taxation many times more burdensome than our civil war has imposed on our people, — including a tax on all sales, besides special licenses for each particular business, and an income tax on top of all ; but giving in return a practically good government, a port free of customs duties, order in the city, and excellent roads into the country. Over across the Gulf of Georgia the same thing is repeated ; there stretches out the vast region of British Columbia, with another seven thousand pop- ulation, largely mining and American, but scattered from the capital of New Westminster at the mouth of Frazer River, north and east to the Carriboo fi! -"wmi^,: 208 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. country and the valley of the Kootenay, five hun- dred and six hundred miles away ; duplicating this formal and expensive machinery of government, with £ni;lish castles almost for gubernatorial resi- dences, and fifteen thousand dollars a year salaries to live in them with, and a long retinue of imported British officials to match ; raising revenue on this side the gulf, however, from cu, .oms duties and a fifty cent tariff on every ounce of gold dug, in part ; and giving nothing to boast of back but better roads to the mines than the American States offer. The taxation for public purposes in British Columbia swells to the enormous sum of one hundred dollars per head of population, and that in Vancouver's Island to seventy dollars, a year. The Frazer River gold diggings, in British Co- lumbia, are about worked out now; few besides Chinamen are washing in them this year ; and the rush of the white miners is to the more distant and better paying regions of Carriboo and Kootenay, though these, as all others on the Coast, are over- shadowed this season by the fame of Idaho and Montana. Victoria is the chief commerc'?' "oint for these two British Provinces, and in pari, also, for Wash- ington Territory; and much profitable smuggling goes on across these waters and imaginary territo- rial lines into the .United States. There are fewer Americans in Victoria than formerly; they are stepping out, as its prosperity seems waning ; but the English element is apparently increasing. The two nations mingle pretty cordially ; the Yankees tenay, five hun- duplicating this of government, bernatorial resi- s a year salaries inue of imported revenue on this ms duties and a old dug, in part ; : but better roads tates offer. The British Columbia ; hundred dollars in Vancouver's ;s, in British Co- ow; few besides lis year; and the more distant and and Kootenay, J Coast, are over- ne of Idaho and ?' "oint for these L, also, for Wash- fitable smuggling iiiiaginary ternto- There are fewer •merly; they are ems watiing; but increasing. The illy ; the Yankees RECEPTION AT VICTORIA. 209 chafe a good deal at the extraordinarily high taxes and the aristocratic government, and even practical John Bull begins to see the ridiculous side of it. More surely than the Canadas, even, when these provinces become really important and worth hav- ing, they will be ours. They will drift to the Union by the inevitable law of gravitation, and by the in- fluence of the leaven of American nationality and sentiment, already large throughout their borders, that will grow with their growth, and flavor their whole progress. Three daily papers seem to pros- per in Victoria; the stores are exceedingly well built, and, aside from the twenty-five to thirty-three per cent, that are now unoccupied, make a good showing of English goods; "sh< ^ing" is cheaper than anywhere in the States ; anct the whole order of the civilization here has many pleasant points of contrast with other towns on the Pacific Coast. This, too, is the great depot of the Hudson Bay Company ; all their business from the Pacific Coast to the Red River of the North, beyond Minnesota, centers here ; and their warehouses of accumulat- ing furs and of distributing goods to pay for them are among the chief curiosities of the place. They do a general trading business wherever they have stations or stores; and you can buy calicoes and cottons, hardware and mm at their counters, as at any old-fashioned country store in New England. Our day and a half in Victoria has been a very pleasant experience indeed. The Americans gave Mr. Colfax and his friends cordial welcome; the English were no whit less hearty in demonstration 14 2IO ACROSS THE CONTINENT. of good feeling and respect ; there was what the French call a "grand dinner," the eating whereof lasted from seven to ten p. m., and the speaking whereat continued from ten to three A. m., — the re- sult of which was that all little international differ- ences and accounts were amicably adjusted, Andy Johnson and Queen Victoria were married, and the two grand nations of the Anglo-Saxon race were joined into one overpowering, all-subduing, all-fruc- tifying Republic ! "And what a bloody country that would be," exclaimed an enthusiastic Britisher at one of the clock in the morning. How could the little question as to the title to a group of small islands in this inland sea, and known by the name of the largest,' San Juan, be thought of in such a fraternal baptism ? And, indeed, by the cool of the morning after, it seems a very small affair. Nothing but wide war between the two countries could evc;r make it of the slightest prac- tical consequence. The question turns on whether the boundary line runs from strait to gulf by one channel or the other, this side the isUinds or that. Meantime, each government supports a captain and corporal's guard of soldiers on San Juan,— only dis- tinguishable, probably, one fiom the other by the blue and the red of their uniforms,— and fraterniz- ing daily, doubtless, over a game of cards and a whisky bottle. All these differences do indeed grov; small and unpractical as you get near to them ; and it is difiicult to appreciate what an ex- citement and passion one of our generals created up here a few years ago by laying hold on the whole of what map, anc ican clai view of our lap i uable, th dcfinitel; Up he treal, we to you ii of Calif in deep Mounts down Pi to three in hight of deep coast, 01 region o white tl ical flow Victoria shadow! and rai fuchsias and otb rioting and all not gro The present son wit :nt. re was what the ; eating whereof nd the speaking ee A. M., — the re- ternational differ- y adjusted, Andy ; married, and the Saxon race were subduing, all-fruc- oody country that astic Britisher at LS to the title to a id sea, and known Juan, be thought And, indeed, by eems a very small between the two he slightest prac- turns on whether ait to gulf by one he isliinds or that. )orts a captain and in Juan, — only dis- the other by the tis, — and fratemiz- ic of cards and a ;rences do indeed you get near to ;ciate what an ex- r generals created f hold on the whole THE SUMMER IN VICTORIA. 211 of what the half is a burden. Palpably, by the map, and by the course of ocean travel, the Amer- ican claim to these islands is the right one ; but ii\ view of the certainty of all this apple falling into our lap as soon as it is ripe enough to be really val- uable, the present status may as well as not go in- definitely on. Up here, above the latitude of Que'bec and Mon- treal, we bask in the smile of roses that are denied to you in New England. Mounts Shasta and Hood of California and Oregon are more than rivaled in deep snow fields and majestic snow peaks by Mounts Rainier and Baker of Washington ; sailing down Puget Sound, we take in the former from base to three peaked summit of thirteen thousand feet in hight, all aglow with perpetual white, — a feature of deep beauty and impressiveness ; along the sea coast, on the opposite side, the hills also ribe to the region of continuous snow, and look down bald and white through the long summer days into the trop- ical flower gardens and orchards and hot streets of Victoria ; and here, everywhere under these wintry shadows, reigns a year, that knows no zero cold, and rarely freezing water or snow; that winters fuchsias and the most delicate roses, English ivies and other tender plants, aYid summers- them with rioting luxuriance ; that grows the apple, the pear and all the small fruits to perfection, and only can- not grow our Indian corn. The climate of all this Pacific Coast certainly presents many solaces and satisfactions in compari- son with our own New England. I do not wonder 212 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. the emigrants hither find new health and life and much happiness in its great comparative evenness ; but I do not yet recognize that which would com- pensate me for the loss of our slow, hesitating, coy- ing spring times, our luxuriously-advancing, tender, red and brown autumns, aye, and our clear and crisply-cold winter days and snow-covered lands, with the contrasting evergreens, the illuminated sky, the delicately fretted architecture of the leaf- less trees, the sunsets, the nerve-giving tonic of the air. Surely there is more various beauty in the progress of a New England year than any which all the Pacific Coast can offer. SAN FR/ "Fris< calls the a good pi and rollii on a wide legs over cramping It is sora junction quick, ch "to be s sleep as mind to bands lie horrid W( ners vex There independ city. Ai The Wa: ENT. lalth and lii'e and arative evenness ; rhich would com- w, hesitating, coy- idvancing, tender, id our clear and )w-covered lands, , the illuminated icture of the leaf- jiving tonic of the us beauty in the r than any which LETTER XXI. SAN FRANCISCO: MR. COLFAX AND HIS RECEP- TION IN THE PACIFIC STATES. San Francisco, August a. " Friscoe," as the interior lovingly and for short calls the commercial capital of the Pacific Coast, is a good place to come back to, after dusty stage rides and rolling ocean travel. It is refreshing to stretch on a wide bed at the Occidental, after tangling your legs over night in the corner of a " mud wagon," or cramping them in the narrow berth of a steamer. It is something to miss the punctual Speaker's in- junction to be ready at four in the morning, and his quick, cheery voice at quarter before, cautioning us "to be sure and be on hand;" something also to sleep as long as we can, and eat when we have a mind to; much, indeed, to know that no brass bands lie in wait for us, no hoarse cannon hold a horrid welcome for tender nerves, no midnight din- ners vex dyspeptic stomachs. There is real refreshment and rest, always, in the independence and let-you-alone-ativeness of a large city. And Friscoe is, indeed, a good place, per se. The Washoe people have their chief fhcentive to 214 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. h'fi , .m m piety in the assirraiice that thus, when they die, they will come here ; just as good Bostonians count Paris their paradise. These bare, brown and white sand hills, that Nature exposes wliere art has not covered her, all around in San Francisco, furnish no poetical proof of the susceptible Washoe theory ; they are just about as far away from all traditional and imaginative ideas of the Garden of Eden as it is possible for ugly fact to be ; but the dissimilitude of the "F;;iscoe" climate to all known anywhere else on the face of the terrestrial globe, may suggest a point on the side of the Washoeites. You cannot palm off old Thomas's almanac on the weather question, — "calculated for Boston, but equally ap- plicable to any other meridian," — in this town. San Francisco weather is only its own parallel; there is nothing like it, either here on the Pacific Coast, or elsewhere, so far as Bayard Taylor has traveled, or Fitzhugh Ludlow imagined in Hash- eesh. It has its summer in winter, and its winter in summer ; the ladies go to church and to opera and a shopping, in July and August, clad in heavy furs ; overcoats are a daily necessity to every man not lined with a patent air-tight coal stove; and this very day of August is borrowed from the sui- cide week of November, — I would go "my bottom dollar," as the miners say, that it would siiow in half an hour, were I on my native heath. And yet, — ingrate, am I not ? — while I write this plaint, I am eating Sweetwater grapes bought in the shops at ten cents a pound, though the season is but just opening; Black Hamburgs are equally cheap and plenty ; cents tc apricots, berri ,s ( at equal: What is, that i where, a break tt ivca, hen ters of bay, anc breeze i changes betweer sky is c Thus th apologi2 of weal here, ar the dayi cool ; a: ciably. Ben broughl days ; 2 by the storm r but rol and th« by higl fortificj ENT. 5, when they die, I Bostonlans count , brown and white (vliere art has not Francisco, furnish le Washoe theory ; rom all traditional den of Eden as it It the dissimilitude own anywhere else ibe, may suggest a ites. You cannot c on the weather •n, but equally ap- 1," — in this town. its own parallel; lere on the Pacific 3ayard Taylor has magined in Hash- iter, and its winter lurch and to opera gust, clad in heavy issity to every man It coal stove; and awed from the sui- ild go " my bottom it would siiow in lative heath. And I write this plaint, )ought in the shops g season is but just equally cheap and :an Francisco's summers. 215 plenty ; peaches are ponderous and luscious at fifty cents to one dollar a basket; and pears, plums, apricots, nectarines, figs, blackberries and straw- bcrri ,s (still !) all flood the fruit stores, and are sold at equally low rates. What gives San Francisco its harsh summer days is, that it is constantly " in the draft." While else- where, along shore, the coast hills uninterruptedly break the steady north-west breeze of the summer sea, here they open just enough to let out the wa- ters of the Sacramento River and San Fiancisco bay, and let in like a tide of escape steam the ocean breeze and mists. When winter comes, the wind* changes to south-east, and blows to softer scale, and between showers, — for then comes the rain, — the sky is clearer and the air balmier than in summer. Thus the Friscoe people boast of their winters, and apologize for their summers. Invalids, especially of weak lungs, find the latter seasons very trying here, and flee to the protected valleys inland, where the days are hot and clear, and the nights agreeably cool ; and come back here to winter safely and so- ciably. Ben HoUaday's good steamer Sierra Nevada brought us down from Victoria in less than three days ; and we tried the Pacific Ocean and came in by the Golden Gate for the first time. Though no storm raged, the sea did not prove title to the name, but rolled and pitched us altogether unpacifically ; and the mile wide gate to San Francisco, guarded by high hills, abruptly opened, and bristling with fortifications, found from us ready answer to its 2l6 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. welcome ; and we swept around its double corner, and came to wharf in the generous and land-locked bay of San Francisco, with thanksgiving and grati- tude, swelling anew and higher to Providence, Cap- tain Conner and Dr. Murdock, as we learned the sad fate of our alternate steamer, the Brother Jona- than, on her passage by us up the route. We passed her and her fatal rock, only an hour or two before their sudden and sad collision ; and we readily join, as you can imagine, in the wide tide of feeling that the disaster creates here. The genial old General Wright, long and honorable in service, and beloved throughout the Pacific States, and Mr. Nesbit of the Bulletin editorial staff, we knew, and had expe- rienced their hospitality. Other prominent and be- loved citizens went down in that mysterious, sudden wreck. Speaker Colfax and his friends have now made the round of the Pacific States and Territories, so far as their time will admit. Idaho and Montana they regret not to visit, but they have obtained much intimate knowledge of their characteristics and capacities. A month more remains to them here ; and this they spend in excursions to the in- terior of California,— to the Big Trees, the Yosem- ite, the Geysers, etc., — and in more private engage- ments in this city and State, than they have yet been able to make. The Speaker's public visit, or perhaps more properly his public reception by the people of the Pacific States, may be said to be over. It has been a very remarkable one for its generos- ity and universality and spontaneity; altogether ENT. ts double corner, s and land-locked sgiving and grati- Providence, Cap- is we learned the the Brother Jona- oute. We passed our or two before id we readily join, ide of feeling that ;enial old General rvice, and beloved nd Mr. Nesbit of Bw, and had expe- prominent and be- aysterious, sudden s have now made md Territories, so laho and Montana ley have obtained leir characteristics remains to them cursions to the in- Trees, the Yosem- ire private engage- lan they have yet er's public visit, or c reception by the ' be said to be over, ne for its generos- ineity ; altogether THE GREETINGS TO MR. COLFAX. 217 unexpected to him, and so still more flattering; and greatly creditable to the hospitality and genu- ine patriotism of the people of these States. I have omitted any record of it, in our progress from town to town and State to State, becaiise the story in all general terms was the same. But now that it is substantially over and the journey completed, it is only simple truth to say that no man ever had such a generous popular welcome on these shores before. From his arrival at Austin in Nevada, where we first struck the spreading tide of Pacific civilization and population, through that State, through Cali- fornia to this city, and again northerly through the State, through Oregon and Washington, and into the British Provinces, up to this time, — a period of six weeks, — his progress through the country has been a continuous popular ovation. Everywhere the same welcome from authorities and citizens, the same unstinted proffer of every^ facility for the journey, for seeing all parts of the country, all shades of its development: special coaches, special trains and extra steamboats have been at his service ; welcome everywhere to confi- dence, to fullest fact from most intelligent sources ; welcome everywhere by brass band, cannon, mili- fary escort, public addresses ; and everywhere, even to smallest village and tavern collection of neigh- boring rancheros, the same eager desire to hear the distinguished visitor speak, and eke then for big or little orations from his less distinguished com- panions. There is a combination of causes for the marked 10 if I 2i8 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. to Mr. Colfax in all this region. Chief, of course are h s conspicuous public position, and the fact tha ie is the fir Jt man high in State who has ever visited the Pacific States for the simple and sole reason of studying their resources and interests, so as tl c bette to serve them in the government; his early a^d Lady friendship and lead-^ip m importan lecislation at Washington in behalf of all this re In Z wide personal popularity among public Ten 'and private men, who have ever known him Z the m'agnetic spread of this Populan^^^^^^^^^^ his iourncy from his intercourse with the people and hrspeeches to them. We must add to these easons. now, the newly-developed and hea^^^^^^^^^ nathv of these western States with the pohtical ex rertUes and interests of the East; their inability Tshare in the war directly, but their therefore Ire intensely loyal feeling in regard to it and i issues, and the limited occasion for expressing it. Also and an important consideration, is the eager Lwng for larger knowledge and new appreciation of the capacitfes and interests of these States, in this time of their depression and compara >ve pov- erty ; and the desire for the spread of such infor- m Jion among the public men. and through th. press of the last, as will lead to a fresh emigration and a new supply of capital. It is dull times here ; ft fs flush tim^s in the East; and the West wou^ borrow of our new life and prosperity. Mr. Colfax and his companions ..ere men thought to be m po- sitions to contribute to such results; and part of their wcl hospitalit confcssec motive, | croditabl bountiful people n feeling a are move Mr. C( cverywh( route wai to be tun greeting long and «ince he speeches ied, they elaborate ular eloq in all his other of so much, cced so w ing have frankness plicity in clear exp which ha with his treated h ing out < iNT. THE SPEECHES OF MR. COLFAX. 219 of this welcome Chief, of course, , and the fact that 10 has ever visited ,nd sole reason of terests, so as the •nment ; his early ship in important lalf of all this re- •ity among public ever known him, i popularity along e with the people must add to these :d and hearty sym- ith the political ex- ast ; their inability )ut their therefore regard to it and its 1 for expressing it. iration, is the eager id new appreciation of these States, in id compara ive pov- pread of such infor- a, and through the a fresh emigration :t is dull times here; and the West would sperity. Mr. Colfax thought to be in po- results ; and part of their welcome, part of the generous confidence and hospitality that have been extended to them, have confessedly been on this ground. Such union of motive, gratitude, appreciation, loyalty, wise and creditable selfishness, have inspired and fed most bountiful welcome and treatment. These western people never do anything by halves ; they give of feeling and of time and of money, whenever they are moved, without stint, without calculation. Mr. Colfax has freely gratified the popular desire everywhere to listen to his voice ; no place on his route was too small, no gathering too insignificant, to be turned off with indifference, when such hearty greeting appealed for attention ; and he has spoken, long and short, an average of at least once a day since he left the Missouri River; — some days his speeches number four and five. Never much stud- ied, they were rarely alike in form ; never greatly elaborated, they always reached a high level of pop- ular eloquence. The average quality of excellence in all his efforts has surprised me : I doubt if any other of our public men could speak so often and so much, and on such various occasions, and suc- ceed so well in all. The characteristics of his speak- ing have been practical wisdom or good sense, entire frankness in utterance of opinions, a charming sim- plicity in his style of oratory, coupled with a ready, clear expression, and a steady, natural enthusiasm, which have kept his hearers in constant sympathy with his individuality. The staple subjects he has treated have been the War and the questions grow- ing out of it, the Resources of the Pacific States -"•"mx^ J 220 ACROSS THK CONTINENT. and their development, the Mining and the taxation of its results, the Mexican question and the Monn.e doetrinc, the Future Destiny of the Kcpubhc Mr Lincoln and his character, the Pacific Railroad, and such local and personal matters as the place and hour suggested. , . • i As to the mines and the taxation of their prod- ucts, which is a subject of much anxiety in the mining districts. Mr. Colfax has taken the ground that the mineral lands should be thrown open by the government to the free occupation of discover- ers and workers, the same as our agricultural lands, and under similar regulations to those the miners themselves have adopted, in the absence of any governmental action, and that the government should not tax the product until it passes, finally. in the form of bullion, into the commercia uses of the world ;~the same as it taxes grain only m the form of whiskey and flour, sheep and wool as cloth, and the woods in their last processes of manufac- ture He argued this point so justly and strongly that he gained general acquiescence even from the classes who have generally contended that mining should, in no form or stage, be obliged to contribute to the support of the government. On the Mexican question, he even -more bravely set himself against the current of public opinion on this Coast. Here it is popular to talk of " cleaning out" Maximilian in sixty days ; of taking up arms for the Juarez government, even if war with England and France should thus be precipitated. Mr. Coltax said distinctly that he had no sympathy with this MK. ( demand ; thought 1 Mexico ; by our p< new war needed tl we nccdc our mine titrc, and bidden o: war; anc and a g( the pcof factorily calamity by the ] and aga made a citizens his opin almost a of the r added to by his c( His visit for the i Mr. C Placervi and 01> plcte ai sions. combine NT. MK. COLFAX AND THE MEXICAN (jUESTION. 221 and the taxation and the Monroe Republic, Mr. ic Railroad, and IS the place and ie it )n of their prod- 1 anxiety in the aken the ground thrown open by ition of discover- igricultural lands, those the miners ; absence of any the government it passes, finally, )mmercial uses of grain only in the and wool as cloth, :esses of manufac- ustly and strongly nee even from the mded that mining liged to contribute t. ;ven«more bravely ■ public opinion on ) talk of "cleaning ■ taking up arms for war with England litated. Mr. Colfax ympathy with this demand ; he believed in the Monroe doctrine, he thought the Juarez was the rightful government of Mexico ; but he was for no hasty, no harsh action by our people or government. We should have no new war if it could be avoided honorably; wc needed the healing, developing influences of peace; we needed to build the Pacific Railroad, to develop our mines and our manufactures and ou. agricul- ture, and to pay our debts, — all which wouM be for- bidden or suffer delay and depression under foreign war ; and he believed that with patience and tact, and a generous confidence in our government by the people, the Mexican question would be satis- factorily solved ere long, without any such dire calamity as a new and gencial taking up of arms liy the Nation. Pressing these views constantly and against the popular passion, he has clearly made a strong impression in their favor; leading citizens and prominent journals have responded to his opinions ; and he may be said to have worked almost a revolution in the current public sentiment of the Pacific States on this subject ; while he has added to the universal respect felt for him personally by his courage in espousing an unpopular view here. His visit may be counted as of real national benefit for the influence of his course in this matter alone. Mr. Colfax's speeches at Austin, Virginia City, Placerville, Sacramento, San Francisco, Portland and Olympia may be reckoned as his most com- plete and satisfactory and statesmanlike discus- sions. That at the dinner table in Victoria, to his combined American and British entertainers, was tmm 222 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. his finest specimen of popular eloquence ; it was well-conceived and tasteful in thought, well-pitched and richly sustained in expression; and its impres- sion upon his audience, one of the nxost intelligent and critical he has ever addressed, wai? most decided and gratifying. The leading ' English gentlemen present were enthusiastic concerning both its mat- ter and manner. It breatned the spirit of peace and fraternal feeling towards the English sovereign and people; while setting forth most effectively the success and destiny of the great American Re- public. Mr. Colfax has indeed gained credit and popu- larity everywhere on his journey, and his visit here is as likely to prove as valuable to him personally, in his growth as a public man, as it surely will be important and useful in intertwining the bonds of business and of political union, of profit and of pa- triotism, among the widely separated .States of the Nation. Of his compar.ions in his travels, Governor Bross has generally joined him in addressing the popular audiences that have welcomed the party, and Mr. Richardson occasionally, and both with much acceptance. The Governor is sure to gam the cheers of the men, the smiles of the ladies; and Mr. Richardson has charmed all by his cul- tured sentences and his well-rounded rhetoric holding NT. oquence; it was ght, well-pitched , and its impres- n\ost intelligent va:5 most decided iglish gentlemen ing both its mat' 2 spirit of peace English sovereign jst eflfsctively the t American Re^ credit and popu- and his visit here him personally, 5 it surely will be ling the bonds of ■ profit and of pa- ited States of the i travels, Governor in addressing the [corned the party, y, and both with or is sure to gain les of the ladies; ed all by his cul- aded rhetoric LETTER XXII. THE YOSEMITE VALLEY AND THE BIG TREES. YosEMiTE Vailey, California, August n. The Yosemite ! As well interpret God in thirty- nine articles as portray it to you by word of mouth or pen. As well reproduce castle or cathedral by a stolen frieze, or broken column, as thifs assem- blage of natural wonder and beauty by photograph or painting. The overpowering sense of the sub- lime, of awful desolation, of transcending marvel- ousness and unexpectedness, that swept over us, as we reined our*horses sharply out of green forests, and stood upon high jutting rock that overlooked this rolling, upheaving sea of granite mountains, holding far down its rough lap this vale of beauty of meadow and grove and river,— such tide of feel- ing, such stoppage of ordinary emotions comes at rare intervals in any life. It was the confrontal of God face to face, as in great danger, in solemn, sud- den death. 4t was Niagara, magnified. All that was mortal shrank back, all that was immortal swept to the front and bent down in awe. We sat till the rich elements of beauty came out of the majesty and the desolation, and then, eager to get 224 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. WM nearer, pressed tired horses down the steep, rough path into the Valley. And here we have wantlered and wondered and worshiped for four days. Under sunshine and shadow ; by rich, mellow moonlight ; by stars opening double wide their eager eyes ; through a peculiar August haze, delicate, glowing, creamy, yet hardly perceptible as a distinct element,— the New England Indian summer haze doubly refined,— by morning and evening twilight, across camp fires, up from beds upon the ground through all the watches of the night, have we seen these, the great natural wonders and beauties of this western world. In- deed, it is not too much to say that no so limited space in all the known world offers such majestic and impressive beauty. Niagara alone divides hon- ors with it in America. Only the whole of Switzer- land can surpass it,— no one scene in all the Alps can match this before me now in the things that mark the memory and impress all- the senses for beauty and for sublimity. The one distinguishing feature is a double wall of perpendicular granite, rising from a half a mile to a mile in hight, and inclosing a valley not more than half a mile in width on the average, and from ten to fifteen miles in length. It is a fissure, a chasm, rather than a valley, in solid rock mountains ; there is not breadth enough in it for even one of its walls to lie down ; and yet it ofMs all the fer- tility, all the beauties of a rich valley. There is meadow with thick grass ; there are groves of pine and oak, the former exquisite in form and majestic in size, ri drcd and birch, ba> shrubs; j violet an( skies can cant field pine and find a fai and out a and trans air leaves polished deep poo holding 1 brook tr< the shrul Valley ai variety a: but they numbers, and swe< as those Now i sharp, or irregular granite i and Hob The col( drab or soft. In is dark 1 THE VERDURE OF THE VALLEY. 225 he Steep, rough and wondered Fnder sunshine ilight ; by stars yes; through a ing, creamy, yet nent, — the New Dly refined, — by is camp fires, up I all the watches lie great natural ern world. In- it no so limited s such majestic one divides hon- rhole of Switzer- i in all the Alps the things that I'the senses for is a double wall >m a half a mile valley not more ^rerage, and from It is a fissure, a rock mountains ; for even one of )fMs all the fer- ^alley. There is re groves of pine jrm and majestic 1 in size, rising often to two hundred and two hun- dred and fifty feet ; there arc thickets of willow and birch, bay trees and dogwood, and various flowering shrubs ; primrose and cowslip and golden rod and violet and painted cup, more delicate than eastern skies can welcome, make gay garden of all the va- cant fields now in August; the aroma of mint, of pine and fir. of flower loads the air; the fern family find a familiar home everywhere ; and winding in and out among all flows the Merced River, so pure and transparent that you can hardly tell where the air leaves off" and the water begins, rolling rapid over polished stones or soft £ mds, or staying in wide, deep pools that invite the bather and the boat, and holding trout only less rich and dainty than the brook trout of New England. The soil, the trees, the shrubs, the grasses and the flowers of this little Valley are much the same in general character and variety as those of your Connecticut River valleys ; but they are richer in development and greater in numbers. They borrow of the mountain fecundity and sweetness ; and they are fed by summer rains as those of other California valleys rarely are. Now imagine, — can you.'— rising up, sheer and sharp, on each side of this line of fertile beauty, irregularly-flowing and variously-crowned walls of granite rock, thrice as high as your Mounts Tom and Holyoke, twice as high as Berkshire's Graylock. The color of the rock is most varied. A grayish drab or yellow is the dominant shade, warm and soft. In large spots, it whitens out ; and again it is dark and discolorel as if by long exposure to io» IS ■«';i! 226 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. rain and snow and^wind. Sometimes the light and dark shades are thrown into quick centrist on a single wall, and you know where the Zebra and Dr. Bellows' church were borrowed from. More varied and exquisite still are the shapes into which the rocks are thrown. The one gie. t conspicuous object of the Valley is a massive, two-sided wall, standing out into and over the meadow, yellowish- gray in color, and rising up into the air unbroken, square, perpendicular, for ftill three-quarters of a mile. It bears in Spanish and Indian the name of the Gre ••. Jehovah ; and it is easy to believe that it was an jbject of worship by the barbarians, as it is not difficult for civilization to recognize the Infinite in it, and impossible not to feel awed and humbled in its presence. In other places these mountain walls of rock take similar and only less majestic shape ; while as fre- quently thej assume more poetical and fantastic forms. Here and there are grand massive domes, as perfect in shape as your State-house dome, and bigger than the entire of a dozen State-houses. The highest rock of the Valley is a perfect half- dome, split sharp and square in the middle, and rising almost a mile or near five thousand feet,— as high as Mount Washington is above the level of the sea, — over the little lake which perfectly mirrors its majestic form at its foot. Perfect pyramids take their places in the wall ; then these pyramids come in families, and mount away one after and above the other, as " The Three Brothers." " The Cathe- dral Rocks" and "The Cathedral Spires" unite the 1 great n form of ^nd coL them, tl cathedr but bat The sloping times stretchi out of arches shelves able cr pearinj wall; £ anothe columr face; s ley lik< and si shapes massiv great r the we ments, house low. Ove ter ou h'ghei thousa ■■^^" NT. les the light and k contrast on a I the Zebra and ed from. More liapes into which 1 e< t conspicuous !, two-sided wall, :adow, yellowish- :he air unbroken, ree-quarters of a dian the name of to believe that it larbarians, as it is gnize the Infinite ved and humbled walls of rock take ipe ; while as fre- cal and fantastic d massive domes, -house dome, and zen State-houses, is a perfect half- i the middle, and 2 thousand feet, — above the level of h perfectly mirrors feet pyramids take ;se pyramids come t after and above rs." "The Cathe- 1 Spires" unite the THE MONARCH ROCKS. 227 great impressiveness, the beauty and the fantastic form of the Gothic architecture. From their shape .and color alike, it is easy to imagine, in looking iipon them, that you are under the ruins of an old Gothic cathedral, to which tjiose of Cologne and Milan are but baby-houses. The most common form of the rocks is a slightly sloping bare wall, lying in long, dizzy sweeps, some- times Horizontal, sometimes perpendicular, and stretchii g up and up so high as to cheat the Valley out of hours of sunshine every day. Here huge arches are carved on the face ; there long, narrow shelves run midway, along which and in every avail- able crevice, great pines sprout and grow, yet ap- pearing like shrubs against the broad hight of tlie wall : again, the rock lies in thick folds, one upon another, like the hide of a rhinoceros ; occasional columns stand out as if sculptured upon the sur- face ; sometimes it juts out at the top over the Val- ley like the brim of a beaver ; and then it recedes and sharpens to a cone. Many of the various shapes and shades of color in the surface of these massive walls of rock come from the peeling off of great masses of the granite. Frost and ice get into the weak crevices, and blast out huge slices or frag- ments, that fr^ll in boulders, from the size of a great house down to that of an apple, into the valley be- low. Over the sides of the walls pour streams of wa- ter out of narrower valleys still above, and yet h'gher and far away, rise to twelve and thirteen thousand feet the culminating peaks of the Sierra 1 228 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. J., /> Nevadas, with still visible fields of melting suovs. All forms and shapes and colors of majesty and beaflty cluster around this narrow spot ; it seem^ created the home of all that is richest in inspiration for the heroic in life, for poetry^ for painting, for im- aginative religion. The Water-falls of the Valley, though a lesser inci- dent in all its attractions, offer much that is marvel- ous and beautiftil. This, however, is the season of their feeblest power. It is in May and June, when their fountains are freshest, that they appear at their best, and assume their proper place in the grand panorama of beauty and sublimity. In the main portion of the Valley, the Bridal Vail is the first con- spicuous fall,— now a dainty rivulet starting over a precipice nine hundred feet high, but nearly all lost at once in delicate spray that, sways and scatters in the light breeze, and fastens upon the wall, as sign of its being and its beauty, the fabled rainbow of promise. The name of this fall is well chosen ; it is type of the delicate gauze, floating and illusory, by which brides delight to hide their blushes and give mystery to their charms. Farther up, before the hotel, you see the Yosemite Fall, perhaps twice the size in volume of the Bridal Vail, but distin- guished for its hight,— the greatest bight of any water-fall yet discovered in the world. It is broken about two-thirds the way down its high wall of rock by projecting masses of the mountain, giving it sev- eral hundred feet of cataract passage ; but counting its whole fall from top to bottom, it is two thousand six hundred feet in hight, which is onlv fifteen times as high 1 ribbon c delicate season, ' down, it wonderf The> or three in by tl these, tl upper f( and fift) points 1 fall is Ci hight wi exquisit nomena name of into a J half wa; ing wall keep th( of foam there is cinating in Wate culiar c water b sheet, r beginni rock, ea ing of 1 THE VERNAL AND NEVADA FALLS. 229 nelting suovs. if majesty and spot; it seeing t in inspiration ainting, for im- gh a lesser inci- that is marvel- s the season of ind June, when appear at their e in the grand In the main is the first con- starting over a it nearly all lost and scatters in he wall, as sign )led rainbow of well chosen; it ng and illusory, eir blushes and rther up, before 11, perhaps twice Vail, but distin- st hight of any Id. It is broken [ligh wall of rock .in, giving it sev- je; but counting is two thousand )nlv fifteen times as high as Niagara Falls ! Now, it is a mere silvery ribbon of spray, shooting down its long passage in delicate rockets of whitened foam. Earlier in the season, when ten times the volume of water pours down, it must, indeed, be a feature of fpscinating, wonderful beauty. The Valley above this point .separates into two or three narrow canyons, and these are soon walled in by the uprising rocks. At the end of one of these, the main branch of the river falls from its upper fountains over two walls, one three hundred and fifty feet high and the other seven hundred, at points half a mile apart. The lower and shorter fall is called the Vernal, and pours down its whole hight without a break, and forms at the base a most exquisite circular rainbow, one of the rarest phe- nomena in all hature. The upper fall bears the name of Nevada, breaks as it comes over its crest into a grand blossom of spray, and strikes, about half way down its seven hundred feet, the obtrud- ing wall, which thence offers just sufficient slope to keep the water and carry it in chasing, circling lines of foam to the bottom. This is the fall of falls, — there is no rival to it here in exquisite, various, fas- cinating beauty; and Switzerland, which abounds in Water-falls of like type, holds none of such pe- culiar charms. Not a drop of the rich stream of water but is white in its whole passage, — it is one sheet, rather one grand lace-work of spray from beginning to end. As it sweeps down its plane of rock, each drop all distinct, all alive, there is noth- ing of human art that you can compare it with but *■■! 330 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. innumerable and snow-white point-lace collars and capes; as much more delicate and beaut:ft.l and perfect, however, as Nature ever is than Art. tor half the distance between the two falls, the river runs swift over a solid plane of granite, clean and smooth as ice, as if Neptune was on a grand slidmg- down hill frolic. e ^ *u^ The excursion to this head of the chasm from the stopping-place below is through narrow defiles, over fallen rocks, up the sides of precipices, and over perpendicular walls by ladders, for a total distance of about four miles, and is the most difficu t and fatiguing one that confronts the visitor; but both in L beauty of its Water-falls, and the new and rare shapes of rock scenery that it offers it is most richly compensating, and never should be omitted^ The journey hither from San Ftancisco is bc.h a tedious and an expensive one. and so a barrier to the extensive popular enjoyment of the rare works of nature here gathered. But the number of visi- tors is rapidly increasing; last year there were in all but one hundred, and already this season over three hundred persons have come into the Valley. Congress has ceded the territory of the Valley to the State of California for reservation and preser- vation as a spot for public resort and popular enjoy- ment; and a laudable and promising effort is now making, under the lead of Mr. Frederick Law Olm- sted, the manager of the Mariposa estate, to secure an appropriation from the State treasury for improv- ing the means of access, laying out paths among its beauties, and providing cheap yet agreeable accom- THE JOURNEY TO THE YOSEMITE. 231 lace collars and 1 beautiful and than Art. For . falls, the river anite, clean and a grand sliding- ! chasm from the TOW defiles, over ipices, and over a total distance ost difficult and 'isitor; but both nd the new and offers, it is most lould be omitted, i'tancisco is be .h id so a barrier to )f the rare works J number of visi- ;ar there were in this season over 2 into the Valley, r of the Valley to ation and preser- ind popular enjoy- sing effort is now ederick Law Olm- sa estate, to secure easury for improv- ut paths among its t agreeable accom- modations for visitors. This wise cession and dedi- cation by Congress, and proposed improvement by California, also includes the nearest of the groves of Big Trees, which is to be similarly held and pro- tected for the public benefit, and furnishes an ad- mirable example for other objects of natural curi- osity and popular interest all over the Union. New York should preserve for popular use both Niagara Falls and its neighborhood and a generous section of her famous Adirondacks, and Maine one of her lakes and its surrounding woods. The first stage of the journey to the Yosemite is by steamboat to Stockton, up the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, one hundred and twenty-6"e miles. Next was a stage ride of a day and a half (one hundred miles) up the San Joaquin valley, over now arid plains, waiting for irrigation to be produc- tive, and turning next tc the east, among the foot- hills of the Sierra Nevadas, along the valleys of the tributaries of the San Joaquin, and into and through Mariposa County, seventy square miles of which constitute the celebrated Mariposa estate of Gen- eral Fremont. Here, at a point near the village of Mariposa, we came to the end of the stage road, and entered upon forty miles of horseback riding, so much farther into the bowels of the Sierras, in order to reach the Happy Valley. Along a nar- row trail, climbing up and down steep mountains, by and through close defiles, through continuous forests of majestic pines and firs, rich with yellow- green mosses, up to six and eight thousand feet above the sea level, we rode in single file, — a part t *!ii 232 ACROSS THE QDNTINENT. Ill;" W 'M 'X M b of the way by a moonlight that lent indcscribal >-J picturesqueness and fascination to forest and ravine, besides frequent doubt as to the trail ;— every hour a joy, every hour a fatigue, full of soreness and dirt and merriment; eager for the end, but enjoying every moment of the novel experience, every long mile of the rare road. Our party had swollen to seventeen, t'le largest that had ever made the trip, and included five ladies. We had Law Olmsted, creator of New York Central Park, and organizer of the Sanitary Commission; Mr. Ashburner of the Geological Survey corps; Boston lawyers; San Francisco journalists ; wit, grace, beauty. We exhausted all the horses of the kingdom of Fremont, and created famine in our path. Lodgings were abundant, however, for whom house and tent did not hold, the wide expanse of heaven safely covered, and the hay-stack warmed. The out-door beds, indeed, came to be at a premium ; for in the dry,-pure air of this region, there is not only no harm, but actual health in sleeping upon the ground either under tents or wholly in the open air. The mountain pastures,— scattered meadows rich at this season with a vernal green,— furnish mutton sweeter and richer than even English breeders or butchers can give you; the forests yielded their deer, and the rivers their trout to our appetites ; the valley has its one vegetable garden,— so that, however our im- mediate successors shall fare, we have had no com- plaint to make of the commissary department. Our companions from San Francisco proved rich in song overflow lery; ar "kept n we serci pined fc soul ove dayofju helped ' from th( possibl)! and dirt ceremoj is 6ver, and coi see the save in of infin The valley i: the ton tcry of it Yo-s( Yo-sem probabl reigned treat, a the nat] The fo( eye of wonder the In( THE NAME OF THE VALLEY. 233 indcscribal'-J •st and ravine, ; — every hour cness and dirt but enjoying cc, every long en, t'le largest included five reator of New f the Sanitary the Geological 5an Francisco 3 exhausted all nt, and created rere abundant, id not hold, the ^ered, and the beds, indeed, he dry,-pure air tarm, but actual d either under The mountain at this season on sweeter and ar butchers can r deer, and the the valley has lowever our im- ve had no com- epartment. SCO proved rich in song and sentiment; good-nature flowed and overflowed ; fatigue was forgotten in joke and rail- lery ; and digestion aided by sturdy laughter. We "kept marching through Georgia" with Sherman; we serenaded the "sweet lady" till she must have pined for ;i chance to sleep ; we put John Brown's soul over its familiar road at least twice a day ; had "a day of jubilo" with our colored brothers equally often; helped " the turkey gobbler to yank the grasshopper from the sweet potato vine " oftcner than he could possibly have been hungry ; grew steadily barbaric and dirty ; laughed at dignity ; and voted form and ceremony a nuisance. But our week in the woods is 6ver, and we turn our faces towards civilization and conformity to-morrow. We shall be glad to see the washerwoman, but we lament that no more, save in memory, shall these eyes behold these scenes of infinite beauty and sublimity. The name that has attached to this beautiful valley is both unique and euphonious. It rolls off the tongue most liquidly when you get the mas- tery of its pronunciation. Most strangers render it Yo-se-mite, or Yo-sem-ite ; but the true style is Yo-sem-i-te. It is Indian for Grizzly Bear, and probably was also the name of a noted chief, who reigned over the Indians in this, their favorite re- treat, and from this chief comes the application of the name to the locality and its marvelous scenery. The foot of white man never trod its limits, — the eye of white man never looked upon its sublime wonders till 185 1, when he came here in pursuit of the Indians, with whom the settlers were then in I. 234 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. w war. The red man had boasted that their retreat was secure; that they had one spot which their en- emies couUl never penetrate, and here they would gather in and enjoy their spoils unmolested. Hut to the white man's revenge was now added the stimulus of curiosity ; and hither he found his way, and, coming to kill and exterminate, he has staid, and will forever henceforth stay, to wonder and worship. There are but two or three settlers in the Valley. One, Mr. Hutchings, keeps a hotel, and can accom- modate a dozen to twenty people at once very com- fortably, and is both enterprising and courteous. There arc only two paths out of the Valley, one over the mountain to the right, to Coulterville, and the other in the opposite direction to Mariposa. Each are simple trails for foot passengers and horses ; and all baggage, all provisions, lumber, etc., have to be packed in on the backs of mules and horses. The mountains close in upon the river so nearly below this spot, that there is no egress or ingress in that way, except for foot travelers, End only with diliiculty to them. Part way in our horseback ride into the Valley, we stopped for a day at a solitary ranch on the ' South Fork of the Merced, and had generous wel- come from its owner, Mr. Galen Clark, an old and intelligent pioneer in this region, and under his pi- lotage saw the reservation of Big Trees near the border line of Mariposa and Fresno counties. They are but a few miles off the direct road to the Yo- semite, and while of the same character, are alike more n than th The la describ lie in : the roil groves within among of sev six hu pine a these ' der of to six to twc hight. side o: name to thi below those diame ferenc hundi NT. hat their retreat which their cn- icre they would nniolestccl. But now added the ic found his way, itc, he has staid, to wonder and ,'rs in the Valley, and can accom- t once very com- <; and courteous, i Valley, one over ilterville, and the Mariposa. Each ;crs and horses ; nbci", etc., have to lules and horses, e river so nearly jress or ingress in :s, 2nd only with z into the Valley, iry ranch on tho lad generous wel- Clark, an old and and under his pi- g Trees near the .0 counties. They :t road to the Yo- laracter, are alike THE SEQUOIA GIGANTEA. 235 more numcrou-s and larger in individual specimens than the grove of Big Trees in Calaveras County. The latter are the ones first discovered and often described, and .ire still those most visited ; but they lie in an adjoining county, and farther away from the route we took to the Yosemite. Other similar groves to both these two have been discovered within a year or two, and .some fifteen or twenty are now known to exist among the forests on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas in southern California. They occur along at various points through some hundred miles ; and it is quite likely that many more still will be found in the same range yet farther south. The Big Trees we visited arc scattered in groups among the pine and cedar forests through a space of several miles. The collection numbers about six hundred. East of the Rocky Mountains, their pine and cedar companions, — so common all over these hills and in these valleys, — would be the won- der of the States for size and beauty ; for they grow to six and eight and even ten feet in diameter, and to two hundred and fifty and three hundred feet in hight. But these mammoths sink to pigmies by the side of the Sequoia Gigantea, which is the scientific name applied to the Big Trees proper. They .swell to thirty and forty feet in diameter, and rarely fall below two hundred and fifty feet in hight. Among those we examined are six each over thirty feet in diameter, and from ninety to one hundred in circum- ference ; fifty over sixteen feet in diameter, and two hundred over twelve feet. "The Grizzly Giant," 236 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. which is among the largest and most noteworthy, runs up ninety feet with scarcely perceptible dimi- nution of bulk, and then sends out a branch, itself six feet in diameter. But they are even more impressive for their beauty than their bigness. The bark is an exquisitely light and delicate cinnamon color, fluted up and down the long, straight, slowly-tapering trunk, like Co- rinthian columns in architecture; the top, resting like a cap upon a high, bare mast, is a perfect cone ; and the evergreen leaves wear a bright, light shade, by which the tree can be distinguished from afar in the forest. The wood is a deep, rich red in color, and otherwise marks the similarity of the Big Trees to the species that grows so abundantly on the coast range of mountains through the Pacific States, and known generally as the redwood. Their wood is, however, of a finer grain than their smaller kindred, and both that and the bark, the latter sometimes as much as twenty inches thick, are so light and deli- cate, that the winds and snows of the winter make frequent .wrecks of the tops and upper branches. Many of the largest of these trees are, therefore, shorn of their upper works. One or two of the largest in the grove we visited are wholly blown down, and we rode on horseback through the trunk of an old one, that had been burned out. Many more of the noblest specimens are scarred by fires that have been wantonly built about their trunks, or swept through the forests by accident. The trunk of one huge tree is burned into half a dozen little apartments, making capital provision for a game of hide a nic of Wil the la grouni They were , rose a been i Ninet type c life th( the na ica, of pared, tions 1 Yoseri to the stand derful NT. lost noteworthy, jerceptible dimi- t a branch, itself e for their beauty 1 exquisitely light :d up and down ; trunk, like Co- the top, resting IS a perfect cone ; •ight, light shade, shed from afar in ich red in color, ' of the Big Trees intly on the coast •acific States, and Their wood is, • smaller kindred, tter sometimes as so light and deli- the winter make upper branches. :es are, therefore, le or two of the are wholly blown :hrpugh the trunk imed out. Many e scarred by fires ut their trunks, or dent. The trunk Kalf a dozen little )ion for a game of THE AGE OF THE BIG TREES. 237 hide and seek by children, or for dividing up a pic- nic of older growths into sentimental couples. Wild c Jculations have been made of the ages of the larger of these trees ; but none now upon the ground date back farther than the Christian Era, They began with our Modern Civilization; they were just sprouting when the Star of Bethlehem rose and stood for a sign of its origin; they have been ripening in beauty and power through these Nineteen Centuries ; and they stand forth now, a type of the Majesty and Grace of Him with whose life they are coeval. Certainly they are chief among the natural curiosities and marvels of western Amer- ica, of the known world ; and though not to be roiii- pared, in the impressions they make and the emo- tions they arouse, to the great rock scenery of the Yosemite, which inevitably carries the spectator up to the Infinite Creator and Father of all, they do stand for all that has been claimed for them in won- derful greatness and vnaje«tic beauty. f'M\ LETTER XXIII. THE CHINESE: GRAND DINNER WITH THKM- San Francisco, August i8. I HAVE been waiting before writing of the Chinese in these Pacific States, till my experi- ence of them had culminated in the long-promised grand dinner wi^h their leaders and aristocrats. This came last night, and while I am full of the subject,— shark's fins and resurrected fungus digest slowly,— let me write of this unique and impor' tant element in the population and civilization of this region. There are no fewer than sixty tff eighty thousand Chinamen here. They are scat tered all over the States and Territories of the Coast, and number from one-eighth to one-sixth of the entire population. We began to see them at Austin, in Nevada, and have found them every- where since, in country and city, in the woods, among the mines, north in the British dominions, on the Coast, in the mountains,— everywhere that work is to be done, and money gained by patient, plodding industry. They have been coming over from home since 1852, when was the largest emi- gration, (twenty thousand.) A hundred thousand 'im i^#&m A. THE CHINESE HOUSE SERVANTS. 239 [I. L WITH THKM. .Ncisco, August 18. writing of the , till my experi- he long-promised and aristocrats. I am full of the :ted fungus digest lique and impor' nd civilization of er than sixty t(r They are scat rerritories of the th to one-sixth of m to see them at lund them every- :y, in the woods, British dominions, —everywhere that gained by patient, been coming over s the largest emi- hundred thousand in all have come, but thirty thousand ^to forty thou- sand have gone back. None come really to stay ; they do not identify themselves with the country ; but to get work, to make money, and go back. They never, or very rarely, bring their wives. The Chinese women here are prostitutes, imported as such by those who make a business of satisfying the lust of men. Nor are their customers alto- gether Chinese; base white men patronize their wares as well. Some of these women are taken as "secondary" wives by the Chinese residents, and a sort of family life established ; but, as a general rule, there are no families among them, and few children. The occupations of these people are various. There is hardly anything that they cannot turn their hands to,— the work of women as well as men. They do the washing and ironing for the whole population ; and sprinkle the clothes as they iron them, by squirting water over them in a fine spray from their mouths. Everywhere, in village and town, you see rude signs, informing you that See Hop or Ah Thing or Sam Sing or Wee Lung or Cum Sing wash and iron. How Tie is a doctor, and Hop Chang and Chi Lung keep stores. They are good house servants ; cooks, table-waiters, and nurses ; better, on the whole, than Iri.sh girls, and as cheap,— fifteen to twenty-five dollars a month and board. One element of their usefulness as cooks is their genius for imitation; show them once how to do a thing, and their education is per- fected ; no repetition of the lesson is needed. But \l il 240 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. 1 . s\% 'ii they seem to be more in use as house servants in the country than the city ; they do not share the passion of the Irish girls for herding together, and appear to be content to be alone in a house, in a neighborhood, or a town. Many are vegetable gardeners, too. In this even climate and with this productive sol!, their pains- taking culture, much hoeing and constant watering, makes little ground very fruitful, and they gather in three, four and five crops a year. Their garden patches, in the neighborhood of cities and villages, are always distinguishable from the rougher and more carelessly cultured grounds of their Saxon rivals. The Pacific Railroad is being built by Chi- nese labor; several thousand Chinamen are now rapidly grading the track through the rocks and sands of the Sierra Nevadas,— without them, in- deed, this great work would have to wait for years, or move on with slow, hesitating steps. They can, by their steady industry, do nearly as much in a day, even in this rough labor, as the average of white men, and they cost only about half as much, say thirty dollars a month against fifty dollars. Be- sides, white labor is not to be had in the quantities necessary for such a great job as this. Good farm hands are the Chinese, also ; and in the simpler and routine mechanic arts they have proven adepts ;— there is hardly any branch of labor in which, under proper tuition, they do not or cannot succeed most admirably. The great success of the woolen man- ufacture here is due to the admirable adaptation and comparative cheapness of Chinese labor for the de- tails. T faithful, over. / and twe selves, t the mill are the 1 such ec what Yi Thou gold fie miners, or negi their pr washer while tl with tv the pre be the ambitic everyw in the ( other, ( sharing tocratl Labi need capital we she corned and th we sei )JT. ouse servants in not share the ig together, and in a house, in a »o. In this even sol!, their pains- mstant watering, id they gather in . Their garden ties and villages, ;he rougher and of their Saxon ing built by Chi- inamen are now b the rocks and ithout them, in- to wait for years, teps. They can, ly as much in a i the average of lut half as much, fifty dollars. Be- in the quantities this. Good farm the simpler and proven adepts; — >r in which, under not succeed most the woolen man- )le adaptation and J labor for the de- CHEAPNESS OF CHINESE LABOR. 241 tails. They are quick to learn, quiet, cleanly and faithful, and have no "off days," no sprees to get over. As factory operatives they receive twenty and twenty-five dollars a month, and board them- selves, though quarters are provided for them on the mill grounds. Fish, vegetables, rice and pork are the main food, which is prepared and eaten with such economy that they live for about one-third what Yankee laborers can. Thousands of the Chinese are gleaners in the gold fields. They follow in crowds after the white miners, working and washing over their deserted or neglected sands, and thriving on results that their predecessors would despise. A Chinese gold washer is content with one to two dollars a day ; while the white man starves or moves on disgusted with twice that. A very considerable portion of the present gold production of California must now be the work of Chinese painstaking and moderate ambition. The traveler meets these Chinese miners everywhere on his road through the State ; at work in the deserted ditches, or moving from one to an- other, on foot with their packs, or often in the stage, sharing the seats and paying the price of their aris- tocratic Saxon rivals. Labor, cheap labor, being the one great palpable need of the Pacific States,-far more indeed than capital the want and necessity of their prospenty,- we shoul ' all say that these Chinese would be wel- comed on every hand, their emigration encouraged, and themselves protected by law. Instead of which, we see them the victims of all sorts of prejudice 16 10 m .ill 242 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. and injustice. Ever since they began to come here, even now, it is a disputed question with the public, whether they should not be forbidden our shores. The do not ask or wish for citizenship ; they have no ambition to become voters ; but they are even denied protection in persons and property by the law. Their testimony is inadmissible against the white man ; and, as miners, they are subject to a tax of four dollars a month, or nearly fifty dollars a year, each, for the benefit of the County and State treasuries. Thus ostracized and burdened by the State, they, of course, have been the victims of much meanness and cruelty from individuals. To abuse and cheat a Chinaman ; to rob him ; to kick and cuff him ; even to kill him, have been things not only done with impunity by mean and wicked men, but even with vain glory. Terrible are some of the cases of robbery and wanton maiming and murder reported from the mining districts. Had "John,"— here and in China alike the English and Americans nickname every Chinaman "John,"— a good claim, original or improved, he was ordered to " move on," — it belonged to somebody else. Had he hoarded a pile, he was ordered to disgorge ; and, if he resisted, he was killed. Worse crimes even are known against them ; they have been wantonly assaulted and shot down or stabbed by bad men, as sportsmen would surprise and shoot their game in the woods. There was no risk in such barbarity ; if "John" survived to tell the tale, the- law would not hear him or believe him. Nobody was so low, so miserable, that he did not despise the Chinaman, field, i mon about place demo pie o iNT. ;an to come here, I with the pubUc, Jden our shores, niship ; they have lut they are even [ property by the sible against the are subject to a irly fifty dollars a bounty and State burdened by the n the victims of . individuals. To rob him ; to kick have been things mean and wicked Terrible are some ton maiming and g districts. Had e the English and laman "John," — a he was ordered to lebody else. Had [to disgorge; and, /^orse crimes even ive been wantonly Dbed by bad men, I shoot their game in such barbarity ; ale, the law would fobody was so low, pise the Chinaman, OPPOSITION TO THE CHINESE. 243 and could not outrage him. Ross Browne has an illustration of the status of poor "John," that is quite to the point. A vagabond Indian comes upon a solitary Chinaman, working over the sands of a deserted gulch for gold. " Dish is my land,"— says he,— "you pay me fifty dollar." The poor celestial turns, deprecatingly, saying: "Melican man (Amer- ican) been here, and took all,— no bit left." Indian, irate and fierce,— "D Melican man,— you pay me fifty dollar, or I killee you." . Through a growing elevation of public opinion, and a reactionary experience towards depression, that calls for study of the future, the Califomians are beginning to have a better appreciation of their Chinese immigrants. The demand for them is in- • creasing. The new State, to be built upon manu- factures and agriculture, is seen to need their cheap and reliable labor; and more pains will be taken to attract them to the country. But even now, a man who aspires to be a political leader, till lately a pos- sible United States Senator, and the most widely circulated daily paper of this city, pronounce against th^ Chinese, and would drive them home. Their opposition is based upon the prejudices and jeal- ousy of ignorant white laborers,— the Irish partic- ularly,— who regard the Chinese as rivals in their field, and clothes itself in that cheap talk, so com- mon among the bogus democracy of the East, about this being a "white man's country," and no place for Africans or Asiatics, But our national democratic principle, of welcoming hither the peo- ple of every country and clime, aside, the white 244 ACROSS THE CONThNENT. iili ■U man needs the negro and the Chinaman more than they him ; the poclcef appeal will override the prej- udices of his soul, — and we shall do a sort of rough justice to both classes, because it will pay. The political questions involved in the negro's presence, and pressing so earnestly for solution, do not yet arise with regard to the; Chinese,— perhaps will never be presented. As I have said, the Chinese are ambitious of no political rights, no citizenship, — it is only as our merchants go to China that they come here. Their great care, indeed, is to be bur- ied at home ; they stipulate with anxiety '" r that ; and the great bulk of all who die on these shores are carried back for final interment. There is no ready assimilation of the Chinese with our habits and modes of thought and action. Their simple, narrow though not dull minds h«ve run too long in the old grooves to be easily turned off. They look down even with contempt upon our newer and rougher civilization, regarding us bar- baric in fact, and calling us in their hearts, if not in speech, " the foreign devils." And our conduct to- wards them has inevitably intensified these f1!el- ings,— it has driven them back upon their naturally self-contained natures and habits. So they bring here and retain all their home ways of living and dressing, their old associations and religion. Their streets and quarters in town and city are China reproduced, unalleviated. Christian missionaries make small inroads among them. There is an in- telligent and faithful one here (Rev. Mr. Looniis,) who has an attractive chapel and school, but his fol- NT. laman more than )vcrride the prej- a sort of rough t will pay. The negro's presence, ition, do not yet (e, — perhaps will said, the Chinese s, no citizenship, ) China that they eed, is to be bur- anxiety '" r that ; J on these shores it. 1 of the Chinese aught and action. dull minds h«.ve » be easily turned ontempt upon our ■egarding us bar- ir hearts, if not in id our conduct to- isified these ffiel- on their naturally I. So they bring ^ays of living and d religion. Their id city are China itian missionaries . There is an in- R.ev. Mr. Looniis,) school, but his fol- • CHINESE RELIGION AND VICES. 245 lowers are few. and not rapidly increasing. But he and his predecessors and assistants have been and are doing a good work in teaching the two diverse races to better understand each other and in .bow- ing them how they can be of value to one another. They have been the constant and urgent advocates of the personal rights of the Chinese. The religion of these people is a cheap, showy idolatry, with apparently nothing like fanaticism m it, and not a very deep hold in itself on their na- tures. "Josh" is their god or idol, and the "Josh houses are small affairs, fitted up with images and altars a good deal after tV stvle of cheap Catholic churches in Europe. Th* -r v cle civilization im- presses me as a low, d: -iplirec., perfected, sensu- ous sensualism. Everything in their life and their habits seems cut and dried like their food. There IS no sign of that abandonment to an emotion, to a passion, good or ^d. that marks the western races Their great vice is gambling ; that is going on constantly in their houses and shops ; and com- mercial women and barbaric music minister to its indulgence. Cheap lotteries are a common form of this passion. Opium-smoking ranks next; and this is believed to be indulged in more extensively among them here than at home, since there is less restraint from relatives and authorities, and the means of procuring the article are greater. The wildly brilliant eye, the thin, haggard face, and the broken nervous system betray the victim to opium- smoking; and all tense, all excited, staring m eye and expression, he was almost a frightful object, as i! 246 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. TI] '■'V JJ we peered in through the smoke of his half-lighted little room, and saw him lying on his mat in the midst of his fatal enjoyment, But as laborers in our manufactories and as ser- vants in our houses, beside their constant contact with our life and industry otherwise, these emi- grants from the East cannot fail to get enlargement of ideas, freedom and novelty of action, and famil- iarity with and then preference for our higher civil- ization. Slowly and hardly but still surely this work must go on; and their constant going back and forth between here and China must also trans- plant new elements of thought and action into the home circles. Thus it is that we may hope and expect to reach this great people with the influ- ences of our better and higher life. It is through modification and revolution in materialities, in man- ner of living, in manner of doing, that we shall pave the way for our thought and our religion. Our missionaries to the Five Points have learned to attack first with soap and water and clean clothes. The Chinese that come here are unconsciously be- sieged at first with better food and more of it than they have at home. The bath-house and^ the res- taurant are the avant couriers of the Christian civ- ilization. The Chinese that come to these States are among the best of the peasantry from the country about Canton and Hong Kong. None of them are the miserable coolies that have been imported by the English to their Indian colonies as farm laborers. They associate themselves here into companies, ENT. • )f his half-lighted n his mat in the tories and as ser- constant contact rwise, these emi- get enlargement action, and famil- r our higher civil- t still surely this istant going back a must also trans- nd action into the ve may hope and le with the influ- ife. It is through iterialities, in man- ing, that we shall and our religion. )ints have learned r and clean clothes, unconsciously he- ld more of it than louse and the res- ■ the Christian civ- e States are among the country about le of them are the n imported by the s as farm laborers. e into companies, THE CHINESE VS. THE IRISH AND AFRICAN. 247 based upon the village or neighborhood from which Ihcy come at home. These companies have head- quarters in San Francisco; their presidents arc men of high intelligence and character; and their office is to afford a temporary refuge for all who be- long to their^odies, to assist them to work, to pro- tect them against wrong, and send the dead back to their kindred at home. Beside these organiza- tions, there are guilds or trade associations among the Chinese engaged in different occupations. Thus the laundry-men and the cigar-makers have organi- zations, with heavy fees from the members, power over the common interests of the business, and an occasional festivity. The impressions these people make upon the American mind, after close observation of their habits, are very mixed and contradictory. They unite to many of the attainments and knowledge of the highest civilization, in some of which they are models for ourselves, many of the incidents and most of the ignorance of a simple barbarism It may yet prove that we have as much to learn from them as they from us. Certainly here in this great field, this western half of our continental Nation, their diversified labor is a blessing and a neces- sity It is all, perhaps more even, than the Irish and the Africans have been and are to our east- ern wealth and progress. At the first, at least, they have greater adaptability and perfection than "either of these classes of laborers, to whom we are so intimately and sometimes painfully accus- tomed. ,ii1 : 1r ACROSS THE CONUNENT. There arc quite ^ mimbcr of heavy mercantile houses here in the huiuls of the Chinese. The managers are intelUgent, superior men. Tiieir busi- ness is in suppUes for their countrymen and in teas and silks and curiosities for the Americans. They import by the hundreds of thousands, even millions, yearly ; and their rei)Utation for fair and honest deal- ing is above that of the American merchants gen- erally. These are the men, with the presidents of the six companies, into which the whole Chinese population is organized, as I have described, with whom Mr. Colfa.x and his friends dined last night. There were formalities and negotiations enough in the preliminary arrangements of the entertainment to have sufficed for a pacification of Kentucky poli- tics, or the making of a new map of Europe ; but when these were finally adjusted, questions of pre- cedence among the Chinese settled, and a proper choice made among the many Americans who were eager to be bidden to the feast, all went as smooth as a town school examination that the teacher has been drilling for a month previous. The party numbered from fifty to sixty, half Chi- nese, half white folks. The dinner was given in the second story of a Chinese restaurant, in a lead- mg street of the city. Our hosts were fine-looking men, with impressive manners. While their race generally seems not more than two-thirds the size of our American men, these were nearly if not quite as tall and stout as their guests. Their eyes and their faces beamed with intelligence, and they were quick to perceive everything, and alert and an fait My nar My fall He smi tio fasli My no I.ittee Thatn No go That 1( Chop-( That r My on Ili-yal Too pi No cai So fas He My kr Catch iNT. heavy mercantile e Chinese. The nen. Tiieir busi- •ymen and in teas mericans. They ids, even milUons, r and honest deal- \ merchants gen- the presidents of 10 whole Chinese c described, with dined last night. iations enough in ;he entertainment of Kentucky poli- p of Europe ; but questions of pre- led, and a proper lericans who were 11 went as smooth ,t the teacher has s. to sixty, half Chi- ner was given in taurant, in a lead- were fine-looking While their race wo-thirds the size nearly if not quite Their eyes and ice, and they were 1 alert and au fait THE CHINESE "PIGEON-ENGLISH. 249 in all courtesies and politeness. An interpreter was present for the heavy talking ; but most of our Chi- nese entertainers spoke a little linglish, and we got on well enough so far as that was concerned ; though handshaking and bowing and scraping and a general flexibility of countenance, bodies and limbs had a very large share of the conversation to i)cr- form. Neither here nor in China is it common for the Knglish and Americans to learn the Chinese language. The Chinese can and do more readily acquire ours, sufficiently at least for all business in- tercourse. Their broken or "pigeon" English, as it is called, is often very grotesque, and always very simple. Here is a specimen— a "pigeon-English" rendering of " My name is Nerval," etc. : — My namce being Norval topside that Glampian Hillee, My father you sabcc my father, makee pay chow-chow he sheep. He smallo hcartce man, too muchee take care that dolla, gallo? So fashion he wantchee keep my, counta one piece chilo stope he own side. My no wantchee long that largee mandoH, go Icnockee alia man ; I.ittee turn Josa pay my what thing my father no like pay That mourn last nightee get up loune, alia same my hat. No go full up, no got square ; that plenty piece That lobbie man, too muchee qui-si, alia same that tiger. Chop-chop come down that hillee, catchie that sheep long that cow, That man, custom take care, too muchie quick lun away. My one piecie owne spee eye, look see that ladlone man what side he walkee, Ili-yah I No good chancie, findie he, lun catchie my flew i Too piecie loon choon lun catchie that lobbie man ! he No can walkee welly quick, he pocket too much full up. So fashion knockee he largee. He head m. n no got shutte far My knockie he head, Hi-yah ! my No. I strong man, Catchie he jacket, long he toousa, galo 1 You likee look see ? II* 250 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. :\ ;i. My no likee takee care that sheep, so fashion my hear /ou got fightee this side. My takee one servant, come your country, come helpic you, He heart all same cow, too muchie fear lun away. Masquie, Joss take care pay my come you house. We were seated for the dinner around little round tables, six to nine at the table, and hosts and guests evenly mixed. There was a profusion of elegant China dishes on each table ; each guest had two or three piates and saucers, all delicate and small. Choice sauces, pickles, sweetmeats and nuts were plentifully scattered about. Each guest had a sau- cer of flowers, a China spoon or bowl with a handle, and a pair of chop-sticks, little round and smooth ivory sticks about six inches long. Chi Sing-Tong, President of the San Yup Company, presided at Mr. Colfax's table. Now the meal began. It consisted of three dif- ferent courses, or dinners rather, between which was a recess of half an hour, when we retired to an ante- room, smoked and talked, and listened to the simple, rough, barbaric music from coarse guitar, viol drum, and violin, and meanwhile the tables were reset and new food provided. Each course or dinner comprised a dozen to twenty different dishes, served generally one at a time, though sometimes two were brought on at once. There were no joints, nothing to be carved. Every article of food was brought on in quart bowls, in a sort of hash fo-.m. We dove into it with our chop-sticks, which, well handled, took up about a mouthful, and, transferring this to our plates, worked the cl moutl taste relish hundi petite sticks could vided also I a bit same into 1 alwai Th first > fins i soup wate soup ban a seen in s( penc men agl sedt eyei arti( real and hire !NT. lion my hear /ou got me helpie you, .way. >use. round little round hosts and guests fusion of elegant guest had two or licate and small. ts and nuts were I guest had a sau- jwl with a handle, ound and smooth Chi Sing-Tong, ly, presided at Mr. listed of three dif- letween which was retired to an ante- aned to the simple, ; guitar, viol drum, )les were reset and )rised a dozen to generally one at a 2re brought on at :hing to be carved. : on in quart bowls, ve into it with our [, took up about a ) our plates, worked THE CHOP-STICKS, AND THE FOOD. 2$ I the chop-sticks again to get it or parts of it to our mouths No one seemed to take more than a single taste or mouthful of each dish ; so that, even if one relished the food, it would need something Iikc a hundred different dishes to satisfy an ordinary ap- petite. Some of us took very readily to the chop- sticks; others did not,-perhaps were glad they could not; and for these a Yankee fork was pro- vided, and our Chinese neighbors at the table were also prompt to offer their own chop-sticks to place a bit of each dish upon our plates. But as these same chop-sticks were also used to convey food into the mouths of the Chinese, the service did not always add to the relish of the food. These were the principal dishes served for the first courle, and in the order named : Fried shark s fins and grated ham, stewed pigeon with bamboo soup, fish sinews with ham, stewed chicken with water-cress, sea-weed, stewed ducks and, bamboo soup, sponge cake, omelet cake, flower cake and banana fritters, bird-nest soup, tea. The meats seemed all alike; they had been dried or preserved In some way; were cut up into mouthfuls, and de- pended for all savoriness upon their accompani- ments The sea-weed, shark's fins and the like had a glutinous sort of taste; not repulsive, nor very seductive. The sweets were very delicate, but like everything else had a very artificial flavor; every article, indeed, seemed to have had its original and real taste and strength dried or cooked out of it, and a common Chinese flavor put into it. The bird-nest soup looked and tasted somewhat as a i 252 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. very delicate vermicelli soup does. The tea was delicious,— it was served without milk or sugar, did not need any such amelioration, and was very re- freshing. Evidently it was made from the most delicate leaves or flowers of the tea plant, and had escaped all vulgar steeping or boiling. ■ During the first recess, the presidents of the com- panies, — the chief entertainers,— took their leave, and the merchants assumed the post of leading hosts ; such being the fashion of the people. The second dinner opened with cold tea, and a white, rose-scented liquor, very strong, and served in tiny cups, and went on with lichens and a fungus-like moss, more shark's fins, stewed chestnuts and chick- ens, Chinese oysters, yellow and resurrected from the dried stage, more fungus stewed, a stew of flour and white nuts, stewed mutton, roast ducks, rice soup, rice and ducks' eggs and pickled cucumbers, ham and chicken soup. Between the second and third parts, there was an exchange of compliment- ary speeches by the head Chinaman and Mr. Col- fax, at which the interpreter had to officiate. The third and last course consisted of a great variety of fresh fruits ; and the unique entertainment ended about eleven o'clock, after a sitting of full five hours. The American resident guests ^urnished champagne and claret, and our Chinese nosts, in- variably at the entrance and departure of earh disji, invited us, with a gracious bow, to a sip thtieof, in the which they all faithfully joined themselves. The dinner was unquestionably a most magnifi- cent one after the Chinese standard; the dishes were n thing ' curiou: rarest fax on satisfa not se princi] do as ^eriati sonal to be the tz unive tite; incap with ; when The I touch door bring violai lice ' polit( the ( neig] Afri me c few door were I MM, mm- i |NT. The tea was ilk or sugar, did lid was very re- from the most [a plant, and had PS- ents of the corn- took their leave, post of leading he people. The ca, and a white, id served in tiny nd a fungus-like stnuts and chick- resurrected from :d, a stew of flour 'oast ducks, rice :kled cucumbers, I the second and e of compliment- lan and Mr. Col- officiate. The 1 great variety of rtainment ended ting of full five guests ^urnished hinese nosts, in- ture of each dish, a sip thticof, in themselves, a most magnifi- ard; the dishes A RESCUE BY THE POLICE. 'S3 were many of them rare and expensive ; and every- thing was served in elegance and taste. It was a curious and interesting expetience, and one of the rarest of the many courtesies extended to Mr. Col- fax on this coast. But as to any real gastronomic satisfaction to be derived from it, I certainly "did not see it," Governor Bross's fidelity to the great principle of "when you are among the Romans to do as the Romans do," led him to take the meal ^eriatim, and eat of everything ; but my own per- sonal experience is perhaps the best commentary to be made upon the meal, as a meal. I went to the table weak and hungry ; but I found the one universal odor and flavor soon destroyed all appe- tite ; and I fell back resignedly on a constitutional incapacity to use the chop-sticks, and was sitting with a grim politeness through dinner number two, when there came an angel in disguise to my relief. The urbane chief of police of the city appeared and touched my shoulder : " There is a gentleman at the door who wishes to see you, and would have you bring your hat and coat." There were visions of violated city ordinances and "assisting" at the po- lice court next morning. I thought, too, what a polite way this man has of arresting a stranger to the city. But, bowing my excuses to my pig-tail neighbor, I went joyfully to the unknown tribunal. A friend, a leading banker, who had sat opposite to me during the evening, and had been called out a few moments before, welcomed n^e at the street door with : " B , I knew you were suffering, and were hungry — let us go and get something to eat — 254 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. a good square meal ! " So we crossed to an Ameri- can restaurant ; the lost appetite came back ; and mutton chops, squabs, fried potatoes and a bottle of champagne soon restored me. My friend in- sisted that the second course of the Chinese dinner was only tne first warmed over, and that that was the object of the recess. However that might be,— this is how I went to the grand Chinese dinner, and went out, when it was two-thirds over, and "got something to eat." • THE agric ular; weal org! dant 1 ENT. ssed to an Ameri- came back; and toes and a bottle My friend in- le Chinese dinner md that that was r that might be,~- linese dinner, and Is over, and "got • LETTER XXIV. ^ THE GREAT THEME: THE PACIFIC RAILROAD. San Francisco, August 20. To feel the importance of the Pacific Railroad, to measure the urgency of its early completion, to become impatient with government and contractor at every delay in the work, you must come across the Plains and the Mountains to the Pacific Loast. Then you will see half a Continent waitmg for its vivifying influences. You will witness a 4D0undless agriculture, fickle and hesitating for lack of the reg- ukr markets this would give. You will find mineral wealth, immeasurable, locked up, wastefully worked, or gambled away, until this shall open to it abun- dant labor, cheap capital, wood, water, science, ready ^ oversight, steadiness of production,-ever- thing that shall make mining a certainty and not a chance You will find the world's commerr.. vi.a India and China eagerly awaiting its oppo . .ties^ You will see an illimitable field for mamu ctures unimproved for want of its stimulus and it.^ -.^van- taoes You will feel h'-arts breaking, see moxv .. struggling slowly upwaid against odds, knr v thai religion languishes ; feel, see and know that all the. 1 t* '; 'AlI^ r I 4 V. ■ If 256 /.CROSS THE CONTINENT. sweetest and finest influences and elements of so- ciety and Christian civilization hunger and suffer for the lack of this quick contact with the Parent and Fountain of all our national life. It is touching to remember that between Plains and Pacific, in country and on coast, on the Colum- bia, on the Colorado, through all our long journey, the first question asked of us by every man and wo- man we have met, — whether rich or poor, high or humble, — has been, " When do you think the Pacific Railroad will be done.^" or, "Why don't or won't the government, now the war is over, put the sol- diers to building this road .' " — and their parting ap- peal and injunction, as well, "Do build this Pacific Road for us as soon as possible, — we wait, every- thing waits for that." Tender-eyed women, hard- fisted men, — ^pioneers, or missionaries, the martyrs and the successful, — all alike feel and speak this sen- .timeat. It is the hunger, the prayer, the hope of all these people. Hunger and prayer and hope for " Home," and what home can bring them, in cheap and ready passage to and from, of reunion with par- ent and brother and sister and friend, of sight of old valley and mountain and wood, of social influ. ence, of esthetic elevation, of worldly stimulus anci prosperity. "Home," they all here call the East It is a touching and pathetic, though almost un^ conscious, tribute. Such an one "is going home next spring;" " I hope to go home another year;" "When I was home last;" "I have never been home since I came out ;" "I am afraid I shall never go home again;" — these and kindred phrases are IS i_ ENT. d elements of so- mnger nnd suffer : with the Parent ife. it between Plains ist, on the Colum- our long journey, very man and wo- i or poor, high or 1 think the Pacific ly do n't or wo n't over, put the sol- i their parting ap- build this Pacific — we wait, every- ^ed women, hard- aries, the martyrs ,nd speak this sen- ayer, the hope of ayer and hope for ng them, in cheap reunion with par- friend, of sight of 3d, of social influ. rldly stimulus and ere call the East hough almost un- e "is going home ae another year;" have never been fraid I shall never ndred phrases are THE nation's need. 257 the current forms of speech. Home is not here, but there. The thought of home is ever rolled, like a sweet morsel, under the tongues of their '° n'ere is large appeal both to the sympathy and foresight of the eastern States. Here is present bond of union and means for perpetuating it. lo build the railroad, and freshen recollection and re- new association of the original emigrants, and to bind by travel and contact the children here with the homes and lives and loves of their parents there : this is the cheapest, surest and sweetest way to pre- serve our nationality, and continue the Republic a unit from ocean to ocean. A sad and severe trial will ensue to the Union if a generation grows up here, that "knows not Joseph." The centrifugal forces will ever be in hot action between the far-separated eastern and western sections of the Nation.- First among the centripetal powers is the Pacific Rail- road, and every year of its delay increases tenfold its burden; every year's postponement weakens in equal degree the influences here by which it shall operate. . What is doing to supply this great want ot Pa- cific progress and civilization and national unity? What are the possibilities and probabilities of the great continental railway? are what you will wish to know from me. Our journey has lain along its most natural commercial route ; we started from its eastern terminus on the Missouri border; we kept in the main line -of population and travel, which it is desirable for it to follow; we finished our ride 17 258 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. upon its beginnings at this end ; and we have every- where had the subject forced upon our thought, and made it constant study. Many of the obstacles to the great work grew feeble in travel over its line. Want of timber, of water, of coal for fuel- the steep grades and high ascents of the two great continental ranges of mountains to be crossed, the Rocky and the Sierras ; and the snows they will accumulate upon the track in the winter months,— these are the suggested and apparent difficulties to the building and operating of the Pacific Railroad. There is plenty of good timber in the mountains ; • and the soft cotton-wccd of the Plains can be kyan- ized (hardened by a chemical process), so as to make sound sleepers and ties. There are sections of many miles, even perhaps of two hundred, over which the timber will have to be hauled ; but the road itself can do this as it progresses,— taking along over the track built to-day the timber and rails for that to be built to-morrow. As to water, artesian wells are sure to find it in the vacant desert stretches, which are neither so long nor so barren of possible water as has been sipposed. The fuel question is perhap? more difficult to solve as yet.* The Sierras wiU furnish wood in abundance, and cheaply, for all the western end; we know there is coal in the Rocky Mountains; and we were told almost everywhere over the en- tire line that it had been, or could undoubtedly be found,— in Kansas, on the Plains, among the hills of the deserts. But suppose the supplies of food for steam have to be carried over a few hundred ENT. nd we have every- 1 our thought, and f the obstacles to avel over its line. ;oal for fuel • the of the two great to be crossed, the J snows they will winter months, — rent difficulties to J Pacific Railroad, in the mountains; lains can be kyan- :ess), so as to make e are sections of wo hundred, over e hauled; but the rogresses, — taking ly the timber and row. As to water, 1 the vacant desert ong nor so barren pposed. 5 more difficult to i furnish wood in the western end; Rocky Mountains; where over the en- ild undoubtedly be ns, among the hills le supplies of food ver a few hundred ROUTES OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 259 miles of the road, east and west from the Sierras and the Rocky Mountains; that is not so hard a matter,— certainly nothing to daunt or hesitate the enterprise. We shall soon learn, tpo, to make steam from petroleum; and that is easily trans- ported for long distances; besides which, prospect- ors are finding it everywhere from Missouri to Pa- cific. Build the road, and the intermediate country will speedily find the means for running it. Now as to difficulties of construction, heavy grades and high mountains, and the winter snows as obstacles to continuous use. The first third of the line, from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, is mere baby-work. Three hundred men will grade it as fast as the iron can be laid. It is a level, natural roadway, with very little bridging, and no want of water. It is a shame all this section is not finished and running already. The first of January, 1867, ought now to be the limit for its completion. From here to Salt Lake, over the Rocky Mountains, there are appar- ently'no greater obstacles to be overcome than your Western Road from Springfield to Albany, the Erie and the Pennsylvania Central have triumphantly and profitably surmounted. There are various con- testing routes ; northerly by the North Platte and the South Pass; by the South Platte and Bndgers Pass, which is the route we traveled m the stage,— or more direct still, from Denver through the pres- ent gold mining region of Colorado by Clear Creek and over the Berthoud Pass ; or again by a kindred route to the last, up Boulder Creek and over Boul- 26o ACROSS THE CONTINENT. r^m der Pass, both these last two entering the " Middle Park" of the Mountains, and through that to the head waters of the Salt Lake Basin. The Herthouci and BntiMri Pr s routes would probably involve higher gu>.< vnti more rock cutting, and in winter deeper snc .nt they would pass through a richer country, avmd the deserts of the north, and save at least one hundred miles of distance. A new road for the overland stages is this very season being cut through the Berthoud Pass route by the help of United States soldiers from Utah ; and the stage line is expected to be transferred to it next spring. But by the Bridger or South Pass routes, the rail- road can surmount the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains with the greatest ease. Our stage teams trotted up the hardly perceptible grades by the Bridger route without any effort. Coming down^ into Salt Lake Valley, there would be rougher work; but there are several considerable streams along whose banks the track could be brought, I am sure, with no greater labor or expense than has been incurred in a dozen cases by our eastern railroads: From Salt Lake to the Sierra Nevadas are two routes; southerly through the center of Nevada, and striking Austin and Virginia City, the centers of the silver mining region,— which is the present stage and telegraph route,— and northerly by the Humboldt River. The former would pass more directly through the chief present and prospective populations; but it would encounter a dozen or fifteen ranges of hills to be crossed, and find little wood a be mor better ( It is ge way a< always it, Vir branch neighb Now toughc rcachii covere arc m: by the and ai energy Railro get to can a: caster fornia, its de solve nenta! teemi] work profes Coast Lei end tl Coi ENT. jriiig the " Middle rough that to the 1, The Bcrthoud probably involve ing, and in winter is through a richer north, and save at nee. A new road /cry season being route by the help tah ; and the stage to it next spring, ss routes, the rail- lope of the Rocky Our stage teams )le grades by the t. Coming down^ would be rougher risiderable streams )uld be brought, I ■ or expense than ses by our eastern I Nevadas are two center of Nevada, ia City, the centers hich is the present d northerly by the would pass more ;nt and prospective ounter a dozen or 3sed, and find little OVER THE SIERRAS. 261 wood and scant water. The Humboldt route would be more cheaply built, and goes through a naturally better country as to wood, water and fertility of soil. Il is generally conceded to be the true natural road- way across the Continent. The emigration has always taken it. If the railroad is built through it, Virginia City and Austin will be reached by branches dropping down to them through their neighboring valleys. Now we reach the California border, and the toughest part of the work of the railroad,— the high- reaching, far- spreading, rock -fastened, and sno\- covercd Sifrra Nevadas. But the difficulties here are mitigated by plenty of water and timber, and by the near presence of an energetic population, and are already being practically overcome by the energy and perseverance of the California Pacific Railroad organization. I only wish the East would get to Salt Lake with their rail so soon as the West can and will with theirs. It is not gratifying to eastern pride, indeed, to see how much more Cali- fornia, with its scant capital, its scafce labor, and its depressed industry and interests, is doing to solve this great practical problem of the conti- nental railway, than your abounding wealth and teeming populations of the East, with a great net- work of railroads from the Atlantic, all needing and professing to seek an outlet west to the Pacific Coast. Let me state the condition of the work on each end the line. Congress has given princely bounties to the en- 36J ACROSS THE CONTINENT. ¥i )i-^l 'orprise, all that could be expected, everything that was asked. Government bonds arc loaned to it to the amount of sLxteen thousand dollars a mile through the plains and forty-eight thousand dollars a mile in the mountains ; besides which half of all the land each side of the road for twei.ty miles deep is donated outright to the companies doing the work. The Union Pacific Railroad company is recognized at the East, and the Central Pacific Rail- r ..a.i company here, as entitled to this bounty, and ttie respectively authorized to construct the road from their starting points until they meet. The comnanies are further authorized to issue their own bon.'is to an equal amount to those granted by the government, and secure them by a first mortgage; the government loan taking the second place in security. The business of supplying the populations of Col- orado, Utah and Montana,— at least one hundred and fifty thousand persons,— invites the speedy con- struction of the road from the East. This busi- ness for 1 864? is estimated at forty million pounds, and for 1865 at two hundred millions, and employed last year nine thousand wagons, fifty thousand cat- tle sixteen thousand horses and mules and ten thou- sand men as drivers, laborers and guards; and the sum paid for freight in the former year is estimated by one authority at enough to build the railroad the entire distance at a cost of forty-eight thousand dollars the mile! And during the months of May and June, this year, counting both the emigration and the freight trains, there passed west over the JENT. ;d, everything that i are loaned to it and dollars a mile It thousand dollars s which half of all . for twciity miles • companies doing :ailroad company is lentral Pacific Rail- to this bounty, and construct the road [ they meet. The d to issue their own ose granted by the ly a first mortgage ; le second place in ; populations of Col- least one hundred dtes the speedy con- ; East. This busi- arty million pounds, Uions, and employed 5, fifty thousand cat- , mules and ten thou- ind guards ; and the ler year is estimated build the railroad forty-eight thousand the months of May both the emigration >asscd west over the IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 1.0 1.1 ||0 - '""2.2 2.0 140 m 1.25 1.4 III ,.6 ■» 6" ► k. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. USttO (716) 873-4503 <^ mm:*. t/j $ s' CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques THE ROAD OVER THE PLAINS. 263 Plains full ten thousand teams and fifty thousand to sixty thousand head of stock, according to data furnished from Fort Laramie and the junction of the overland routes on the Platte River. The ship- ment of supplies for the United States troops on the Plains and in the Mountains this season is alone over eleven million pounds. All these statistics may not be perfectly accurate ; but they have a substantial basis of fact, and with such generous gifts as the government makes, and with such large railway interests behind to be ben- efited by farther extension of railway lines to the west, they would seem to justify and to demand a rapid construction of the road out from the Mis- souri River, especially when for the first five hun- dred to six hundred miles of that road, there is scarcely more required than to scrape a place in the soft soil for sleepers and ties and iron. And yet, though three to four years have passed since the company accepted the bargain of the govern- ment and assumed its responsibilities, not a mile of the main road is running from the Missouri west. The lower branch from Kansas City is open to Lawrence, forty miles, and graded to Topeka, sixty miles; but from Atchison and Omaha there is no iron down, and only small sections graded or half graded. Is it said that by the government flooding the markets with better classes of its securities, there was no sale for the bonds allotted for this work, and so no means for its construction ? The reply :s that no set of men should step forward to accept this 264 ACROSS THK CONTINENT. largess and undertake this enterprise, holding such sure profits in its future, that have not at least a million or two of their own to make a beginning with. Has the war absorbed all labor and capital during these years.? Other railroads have been built meantime, and labor was cheaper on the Plains than in California. Beside, here are six months since the war ended, and the end witnesses no marked progress, no larger activity, than the begin- ning. I know nothing of the men who form the Pacific Railroad Company of the East; I suspect their names are more familiar to Wall street than to the West or the railroad world ; but I do know that all I could see or hear of them and their work, along the route of the continental railway, did not indi- cate either the earnestness or the power that should accompany their position, their responsibilities and their opportunities. After leaving the Missouri River, indeed, they offered no sign of life except in a single small party of engineers in Salt Lake City, who were on a straggling hunt for the best route through the Rocky Mountains, but who seemed to have no proper leadership, and no clear purpose, and in fact confessed that the company had no chief engineer worthy the name or position. Here in California, however, there is more life and progress. Energy and capital are not perhaps the best directed possible ; there has been and still is somewhat of controversy and waste of power as to the true route; but there is earnestness and movement of the right sort, and the track is fast ascci has I trad( mucl lay in Mou amp] and in tl from road the : the : so:n( agaii side, Sacr one theii for 1 thei T road whic The fort) ville taini and imm ' doll: tran H riNENT. jrprise, holding such have not at least a make a beginning all labor and capital railroads have been ;heapcr on the Plains lere are six months e end witnesses no ivity, than the begin- who form the Pacific ist; I suspect their all street than to the ut I do know that all nd their work, along railway, did not indi- ;he power that should ir responsibilities and caving the Missouri sign of life except in ^rs in Salt Lake City, nt for the best route s, but who seemed to id no clear purpose, company had no chief position. ir, there is more life ipital are not perhaps ere has been and still nd waste of power as e is earnestness and and the track is fast T THE ROAD OUT FROM CALIFORNIA. 265 ascending the Sierras on its progress eastward. It has no immediate way business to tempt it but the trade of Nevada with thirty thousand population, — much less, therefore, than that which invites the laying of the rails across the prairies to the Rocky Mountains, — but this business has constructed and amply paid for two fine toll-roads over the Sierras, and was, until a few days ago, building two railroads in their tracks. There being free water carriage from San Francisco to Sacramento, these rival roads (both carriage and rail), have their base at the latter point, and branch off right and left into the mountains, and cross the summit of the latter some thirty or forty miles apart, coming together again at a common point in Nevada on the other side, namely, Virginia City. The distance between Sacramento and Virginia City is about the same, one J undred and sixty miles, by each road ; and their rivalry has given excellent accommodations for travel anc! traffic, and helped to push forward the railroad tracks on both lines. The original and heretofore most popular wagon road was that by Placerville and Lake Tahoe, over which we cAme into the State, as ab ^■'dy described. The railway track on its line is now laid about forty miles from Sacramento or nearly to Placer- ville, which is among the foot-hills of the moun- tains. During the "flush" times of Nevada, 1862 and 1863, the business done over this line was immense ; in the latter year about twelve millions dollars were paid for freights alone,— the cost of transportation being from five t<- ten cents a 12 L, 266 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. pound,— and the tolls on teams, received by the constructors of the wagon road, amounted to six hundred thousand dollars. The charge for a smglc team is about thirty dollars; and in 1864, when the business was much less than before, no less than seven thousand teams passed over this Placerville route; carrying all kinds of food and merchandise and machinery over into Nevada, but coming back nearly empty. As showing how great and wasteful was and still is the cost of doing business in Nevada under such circumstances, it has been carefully estimated that the famous Gould & Curry silver mine at V rcmia City would have saved two millions dollars lA ex- penses in a single year, had a railroad been built and running over the mountains. The production of the mine that year was four millions and a halt of dollars, but its expenses absorbed three millions and a half, leaving only one million profit to stock- holders, against three millions, probably, had there been ready and cheap communication with the San Francisco markets. The staging and freighting over these mountain toll roads are performed in the most perfect style, however. The freight wagons are bigger and stronger than anything ever seen in the East ; gen- erally a smaller one is attached as a tender to the main wagon; ten to twelve large and strong mules or horses, in fine condition, constitute the usual team; and the load ranges from five to ten tons. To each mule in the best teams a large bell is at- tached, and they are trained to keep step to their stai ITINENT. ims, received by the oad, amounted to six 'he charge for a single and in 1864, when tlic 1 before, no less than 1 over this Placerville food and merchandise /ada, but coming back wasteful was and still in Nevada under such arefuUy estimated that silver mine at V''-£rmia millions dollars itt ex- l a railroad been built :ains. The production 3ur millions and a half absorbed three millions million profit to stock- ns, probably, had there lunication witb the San ig over these mountain the most perfect style, igons are bigger and r seen in the East ; gen- ched as a tender to the large and strong mules in, constitute the usual 3 from five to ten tons, teams a large bell is at- ;d to keep step to their TRAVEL AND TRAFFIC OVER THE SIERRAS. 26/ music, and so pull and move uniformly. Frequently the road will be filled with these teams for a quarter and a half mile, and the turning out for them is the only interruption to the steady trot or the grand gallop of the six-horse stage teams that, attached to the best of Concord coaches, usually loaded with passengers, go half-flying over these well-graded mountain roads, three to four each way daily. The stage horses are sleek and fat, gay as larks, changed every ten miles, affd do their work as if they really loved it. The Placerville road is watered through- out nearly its whole line by sprinkling carts, in the same way as the streets of a city are wet in the dry summer season ; and luxurious as this seems and is, — for the dust is otherwise most fearful, — it is found to be the cheapest way of keeping the road itself in good repair. When dry, the heavy teams cut up the track most terribly. But these horses are running away with the loco- motive, \Auch is my main theme to-day. The rival of the Placerville route, though opened since, has won the title and the government bounty of the Pacific Railroad, and has this season pushed its iron track ahead of the former, and so henceforth must have every advantage for both traffic and travel. Indeed, within a few days, its friends have bought a controlling interest in the railway section of the Placerville route, and will probably put a veto upon the construction of the latter beyond that town. It is called the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake route, as well as the Central Pacific Railroad, and lies to the north of the other. Its line was selected by the late \>M I :l 268 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. Mr. T. D. Judah, who has left a very enviable repu- tation in California both for personal integrity and professional ability as an engineer, after a thorough examination of other lines and passes over the mountains ; and having gained, mainly by his in- dorsement, the approval of Congress, and the sup- port and bounty, also, of San Francisc. and Sacra- mento, it has readily achieved these decided advan- tages over its rival, which has been sustained only by private capital and the profits of its toll-road. Mr. Judah, who died after having established the general route of the Pacific Road and secured its indorsement by Congress, was an assistant engineer in the construction of your Connecticut River Rail- road in Massachusetts, and married a Greenfield lady. His reputation is one of the main bulwarks of the friends of his road, in the bitter controversy that has raged between them and the advocate:, of the Placerville route ; and, though this contest now seems nearly over under the triumph of the upper route, many of the most intelligent citizens of the State still contend that the Placerville line is the easiest and safest for the railroad track. Our own superficial examination of the two routes tended to this conclusion, also ; but it is too late, now, to argue thv't question. The Judah or Dutch Flat Route has got the name and the means, and is being pushed over the mountains with commendable vigor and rapidity ; and it is wise for California and the coun- try alike to sustain it, and secure its completion as early as possible. This accomplished, the other may and probably will be extended over into Nevada, and ye 1.. TINENT. a very enviable repu- ersonal integrity and neer, after a thorough ind passes over the sd, mainly by his in- Dngress, and the sup- Francisc^ and Sacra- these decided advan- s been sustained only refits of its toll-road, aving established the Road and secured its s an assistant engineer onnecticut River Rail- married a Greenfield of the main bulwarks the bitter controversy 1 and the advocates, of lOUgh this contest now I triumph of the upper elligent citizens of the Placerville line is the Iroad track. Our own le two routes tended to s too late, now, to argue r Dutch Flat Route has is, and is being pushed ammendable vigor and :alifornia and the coun- ecure its completion as mplished.the other may :d over into Nevada, and TRACK ON THE SUMMIT OF THE SIERRAS. 269 already there is agitation to secure government bounty in its behalf. Our party made a very profitable and interesting excursion over the route of the Central Pacific Road from Sacramento to Donner Lake, on the eastern slope of the mountains, by special train and coaches, and along the working sections on horseback. The track is graded and laid, and trains are running to the new town of Colfax (named for the Speaker), which is fifty-six miles from Sacramento. Grading IS now in active progress on the next two sections, to Dutch Flat, twelve miles, and the Crystal Lake, thirteen miles .farther, with a force of about four thousand laborers, mostly Chinese, Though these sections are through a very rough and rocky coun- try, the work will certainly be done to Dutch Flat by spring, and Crystal Lake earl> next fall. Then the rails are within fifteen miles of the summit of the Sierra.?, The toughest job of the whole line lies in these fifteen miles up, and the three or four miles down to Donner Lake, on the other side. This m.ust hang on for tv/o or three years, it seems to me ; there will be some tunneling, probably, and much hcvy rock-cutting; for several miles along the summit, which is seven thousand feet above the sea level, the road must apparently be cut into a wall of solid rock, and then be covered by a roof to keep off the snows ; — but the later surveys soften the anticipaicJ ^ verity of the work, and the com- pany and its contractors are sanguine of mastering all the difficulties of the s»- nrait sections in two years. 270 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. The wagon-road goes down from the summit to Donncr Lake at the rate of about four hundred feet to the mile, and the railway track will have to be wound in and out on the mountain sides for ten or more miles in order to get ahead two or three, and reach the level of the lake, whence it can be run readily down by the Truckce River into the valleys and plains of Nevada. The road ascends the moun- tains on this side by a very regular and nearly uni- form grade, never exceeding one hundred and five feet to the mile, which is less than the highest grades of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to which the act of Congress limits this road. In going down the other side, no grade will exceed one hundred and five feet, and after reaching Don- ner Lake the grade will be reduced to forty feet. But the company does not purpose to wait for the full construction of the track over the summit be- fore pushing the work on the line beyond. While that is advanced as fast as possible, they will com- mence next spring at Donner Lake and proceed down the mountains and out into and through Ne- vada as rapidly as may be, eager to absorb as much of the whole enterprise, and meet the road commg west at a point as far east as they can. So far the company have used none of the United States bonds or lands granted by Congress in aid of the work. Some two and a half millions in these bonds are now due. The company can issue an equal amount of their own bonds guaranteed by a preceding or first mortgage; but none of these, also, have yet been used. They also have available :i 11 k TINENT. from the summit to out four hundred feet rack will have to be ntain sides for ten or ;ad two or three, and /hence it can be run River into the valleys •ad ascends the moun- ;gular and nearly uni- 3ne hundred and five 2SS than the highest id Ohio Railroad, to limits this road. In no grade will exceed d after reaching Don- reduced to forty feet, lurpose to wait for the : over the summit bc- ; line beyond. While ossible, they will com- ler Lake and proceed ; into and through Ne- Lger to absorb as much meet the road coming i they can. sed none of the United :ed by Congress in aid a half millions in these company can issue an bonds guaranteed by a e; but none of these, 'hey also have available THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE ROAD. 27 1 a million and a half of other bonds on which the State of California pays seven per cent, interest in gold for twenty years. Here are six millions and a half of good securities now on hand for prosecuting the work, besides what is earned as the road pro- gresses, and the power- to anticipate the issue of their own first mortgage bonds at the rate of forty- eight thousand dollars for a mile of mountains and sixteen thousand dollars for a mile of plain, for one hundred miles in advance of construction. The work so far has been done out of about a million of paid-up stock, and subscriptions of the county of Sacramento of three hundred thousand dollars, the county of Placer of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and of San Francisco of four hundred thou- sand dollars, and the profits of that part of the road in running order. Of these sums, nearly '.alf a million is still left, and as the road has gone so far as to substantially secure a monopoly of all the business over the mountains, the profits on its com- pleted section will be constantly increasing. Then, besides all this, there are between eighteen and nineteen millions of the twenty millions capital stock of the road, yet unsubscribed for. Sometime, though not at present, this will be paying property ; and it may suffice even now for the profits of the contractors. The company thus feel strong finan- cially, and though much of their securities are not just now marketable except at a discount, they are confident there need be no further delay for the lack of means, and are increasing their working force upon the road as fast as laborers can be had. Ill 272 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. All the Chinese that offer, or thai can be encouraKeil to emigrate from home, are employed, and it is ex- pected that five thousand will be at work on the road before; the present season closes. These details are very long, but I trust are not altogether tedious or uninteresting. The theme presses itself upon us more deeply, more solemnly, than any one other offered by our journey and its observations. It is pathetic and painful, as I said in the beginning, in the solicitude and anxiety it awakens here among the people, and which we can- not help but share. There is really nothing unrea- sonable in demanding that rails should be laid and trains running over half the line between the Pacific Ocean and the Missouri River in two years and a half, over two-thirds of it another year, and the en- tire distance, unbroken, in five years. There are short sections in the mountains that may require three, or even five years to work them out ; but the great bulk of the way can be graded and laid with rails in three years. The California Pacific railroad company, led by some of the best men in the State, with Ex-Governor Stanford for president, say, calmly and distinctly, in their annual report just published, that they will take their completed line into Salt Lake City in three years from date. I believe they can and will do it, with anything like an easy money and labor market. And it is just as practicable for the road from the East to reach the Rocky Moun- tains in twelve or eighteen months^ and to span these mountains in two years more. Next spring should see as many men at work on the fill i8( anc wa; pic of anc of 1 ha\ of spc sec am I.c mil ma grc sec of ing me her tioi cor TINRNT. FINAL APPEAL FOU TIIK RAILUOAD, 273 at cim be cncouragcil nploycci, and it is c.\- 11 be at work on the I closes. ;, but I trust are not •esting. The theme x'ply, more solemnly, f our journey and its md painful, as I said citude and anxiety it )le, and which we can- really nothing unrea- ils should be laid and le between the Pacific ()r in two years and a ther year, and the en- ve years. There are lins that may require )rk them out ; but the graded and laid with ifornia Pacific railroad best men in the State, • president, say, calmly report just published, npleted line into Salt date. I believe they ig like an easy money just as practicable for ich the Rocky Moun- monthsj and to span . more, many men at work on the eastern line as there will be on the western ; the fall, fifteen to twenty thousand along its entire route ; 1.S67 should count fifty thousand shovels and picks and drills, leveling the paths for this national high- way; and in 1868 the hungry hearts of these peo- ple of the Pacific States should dance to the music of a hundred thousand strong, — music sweeter far and holier even than that of all the martial bands of the new Republic. Men of the East! Men at Washington! You have given the toil and even the blood of a million of your brothers and fellows for four years, and spent three thousand million dollars, to rescue one section of the Republic from barbarism and from anarchy ; and your triumph makes the cost cheap. Lend now a few thousand of men, and a hundred millions of money, to create a new Republic ; to marry to the Nation of the Atlantic an equal if not greater Nation of the Pacific. Anticipate a new sectionalism, a new strife, by a triumph of the arts of Peace, that shall be even prouder and more reach- ing than the victories of your Arms. Here is pay- ment of your great debt ; here is wealth unbounded ; here the commerce of the world ; here the comple- tion of a Republic that is continental ; but you must come and take them with the Locomotive ! 12* 18 '^/Mf LETTER XXV. COUNTRY EXCURSIONS: THE GEYSERS: VINE- YARDS, AND AGRICULTUi^E. San Francisco, August a8. Perhaps this is the least pleasant month of the twelve to see San Francisco and California in,— the dryesc and dreariest and dustiest, when Nature is at r-st ; yet we find more to see, more delightful journeys to make into the interior, than we have time for. In every direction, there is a novelty, a surprise for us ; everywhere Nature makes strange and fascinating combinations, presents herself in new forms, outrages all our pre-educated ideas as to her laws and habits, and yet everywhere, as ever, is impressive and beautiful. These valleys .nside the Coast range of mountains about San Francisco are particularly rich in novelty and beauty, and have been the theater of several very delightful excur- sions by our party since we came back from the Yosemite. They form the garden of CaUfornia agriculturally, and their nearness to the central market, and their fertile soil, have made them to be the best improved r.nd the most steadily pro- gressive in wealth and population of all the mtenor sections of the State. XXV. HE GEYSERS : UCULTUi^E. VINE- A.N Francisco, August 28. pleasant month of the and California in,— the istiest, when Nature is 10 see, more delightful interior, than we have n, there is a novelty, a : Nature makes strange ns, presents herself in r pre-educated ideas as yet everywhere, as ever, . These valleys .nside ns about San Francisco Ity and beauty, and have 11 very delightful excur- ve came back from the e garden of California, learness to the central oil, have made them to the most steadily pro- bation of all the interior THE NATURAL DIVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA. 2/5 California, as you will see by the map, is 11^ a great basin or bowl, between two ranges of n.oun- tains. Along the Coast runs one ; and the Sierras, two hundred miles east, separate her from Nevada. The Golden Gate at San Francisco lets in the ocean and out her interior waters ; to the north from that city stretches the Sacramento River and its tributa- ries through a plain two hundred miles long and forty to fifty wide ; to the south, the San Joaquin (pronounced San Walk-in) repeats the same ; and the two, with all the drainage of the interior, all the inside waste of both ranges of mountains, meet above San Francisco, and spread out into the wide inland bays, twenty to fifty miles long and four to ten wide, that give to that city its beauty, its wealth, and its commerce ; and delaying here, they leisure- ly balance accounts with tfie ocean through its nar- row gateway. San Francisco hangs over the edge of its chief- est, largest bay, like the oriole balancing on the crest of his long, pocket nest ; peeping around the corner into the Pacific, but opening wide eyes north and south and east, to the interior. To the north and south, the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys are shut in by the two ranges of mountains chas- eezing into each other. And this is California. The side valleys from ^he Sierrjis are the field of the gold diggings and the quartz mining; their mate's over the way, inside the Coast range, and among its foot-hills, squeezing first and longest the spongy clouds from the ocean, get the most rain, and are the kindest to the husbandman ; while the r 1 276 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. broad, intermediate plains along the main rivers, wait somewhat on irrigation or a better understand- ing of the mysteries of their wealth. Every year s experience goes more and more to prove, however, that nature here do^s not forbid successful agricul- ture in withholding rain for six months of the year. The laws of her increase are peculiar ; but they are not hard. The vine does not need irrigation, nor the other fruits ; and the small grains are natural to hill and plain alike : and all ripen richly under the stimulus of the winter and spring moisture. Across the bay from San Francisco lies its sub- urb, Oakland, home of many of its best people. Here is one of the Coast valleys 1 1. ive mentioned, thick with low-branching evergreen oaks, and soft- er in sky and air than the city; here is quiet of country and cultivation of town; here grows the "garden sauce" of the metropolis; here are its best seminaries and its hopeful college; here, too, Fred Law Olmsted has planned on a large scale, and with novelties of arrangement befitting th^ novelties of climate and verdure, a grand rural cem- etery; and here Major Ralph W. Kirkham, whom Springfield sent to West Point a generation ago, and has been proud of ever since, has the most ele- gant house and home to be found anywhere on the Pacific Coast. Down the bay on the San Francisco side, through the San jose (Ozay) valley and its villages and its culture, and around its base, and back on the Alameda and Oakland shore, forms one of the most interesting of our late excursions. It is a sweep of a hundred miles; but raUroads at mi "^m INENT. g the main rivers, x better imderstand- :alth. Every year's ! to prove, however, 1 successful agricul- months of the year, iculiar ; but they are need irrigation, nor 1 grains are natural 1 ripen richly under spring moisture, ancisco lies its sub- of its best people. 'S I 1. ive mentioned, jreen oaks, and soft- ity ; here is quiet of wn; here grows the opolis; here are its 111 college ; here, too, led on a large scale, ;ement befitting the •e, a grand rural cem- W. Kirkham, whom nt a generation ago, ice, has the most ele- und anywhere on the on the San Francisco Ozay) valley and its around its base, and Oakland shore, forms ■ our late excursions, liles ; but railroads at THE SAN JOSE VALLEY. 277 beginning and end, — the arms which San Francisco is crooking around her intervening waters to stretch out, by way of Stockton, to Sacramento, and there welcome the continental cars, — helped us to make it leisurely in a day. Many an elegant country home, with orchards and gardens acres wide, showed the overflow of San Francisco wealth, as we rode down the San Jose valley ; miles of wheat fields proved how extensive are the plans of agriculture here ; busy and pros- perous villages told of their sure and steady profit, — quite in contrast with the desolated look of most of the mining towns of the interior ; old and tumble- down mission-hovses and churches, built of mud and stone, without wood or nails, and neighbor- ing orchards of ancient pear and fig trees, marked the old homes of Catholic and Spanish missionaries among the Indians ; modern convents and colleges holding up the cross, proved the presence of the same element, flexible in its character, and now offering perhaps the best education of the Coast to the children of our Puritan emigrants ; — everywhere was novelty, on every side beauty, though most of the hills were bare and brown ; and only the low, scraggy oaks, making park of field, and the culti- vated orchard fed the eye with green. The plain was everywhere yellow with the stubble of grain, or the wild oats that grow spontaneously on unoccu- pied hill and meadow all over California, or brown with the dry grass, that is hay ungathered, and rich feed still for cattle and horse ; and the hills, still of loose beautifully rounded shapes, that I first recog- 1_ 278 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. nized in Nevada, and are ever a surprise and a de- light to the eye, wearing the same colors of yellow and brovTn, blending into each other, and soft and rich under the bloom of a haze that belongs to the season and the shore ;— there was no avail in strug- gling against education and experience, — here was beauty and exhilarating life without rain for many months, without forests, without rivers, without green grass, or flowers. Similar and prolonged experience, with some added and fresh elements, came from a rapid three days' journey northerly from San Francisco to see the Geysers, or famous boiling springs, and the neighboring valleys famous for farms and fruits and vl leyards. Captain Baxter's steamer "Peta- luma" took us up through San Puebla Bay, one of the widenings of the outcoming waters of the inte- rior, and Petaluma Creek, to the thriving town of the latter name. I took a sharp look at it because of its persistent desire to steal your neighbor. Rev. Mr. Harding, away from Longmeadow, for its own minister ; and found it one of the most prosperous and pleasant of California towns, at the foot of one of the richest agricultural regions of the Coast. The rest of the day we rode through dryest dust and reposing nature, up through the Petaluma val- ley, and over into that of the Russian River, famous and peculiar here for its especial kindliness to our Indian corn,, also for its toothsome grouse, first cousin to our partridge ; stopping at the village of Healdsburg for brass band, speeches and supper, and. after a rapid hour's drive by moonlight, at a INENT. X surprise and a de- ,me colors of yellow other, and soft and that belongs to the 'as no avail in strug- perience, — here was thout rain for many ,out rivers, without erience, with some e from a rapid three an Francisco to see ig springs, and the 3r farms and fruits er's steamer "Peta- i Puebla Bay, one of g waters of the inte- he thriving town of 'p look at it because your neighbor, Rev. meadow, for its own the most prosperous ns, at the foot of one gions of the Coast, through dryest dust ;h the Petaluma val- .ussian River, famous ial kindliness to our thsome grouse, first >ing at the village of ipeeches and supper, e by moonlighti at a A RARE WHIP AND A RARE DRIVE. 279 solitary ranch under the Geyser mountain for the night. Sunrise the next morning found us whirling along a rough road over the mountains to the especial object of the excursion. But the drive of the morn- ing was the more remarkable feature. We supposed the Plains and Sierras had exhausted possibilities for us in that respect. But they were both outwit- ted here. For bold daring and brilliant execution, our driver this morning must take the palm of the world, I verily believe. The distance was twelve miles, up and down steep hills, through enclosed pastures ; the vehicle an open wagon, the passen- gers six, the horses four and gay, and changed once ; and the driver Mr. Clark T. Foss, our landlord over night and owner of the route. For several miles the road lay along "the hog's back," the crest of a mountain that ran away from the pt)int or edge, like the sides of a roof, several thousand feet to the ravines below; so narrow that, pressed down and widened as much as was possible, it was rarely over ten or twelve feet wide, and in one place but seven feet ; and winding about as the crest of the hill ran ; — and yet we went over this narrow cause- way on the full gallop. After going up and down several mountains, hold- ing rare views of valleys and ravines and peaks, under the shadows and mists of early morning, we came to a point overlooking thjj Geysers. Far be- low in the valley, we could see the hot steam pour- ing out of the ground; and wide was the waste around. The descent was almost perpendicular; \ „ 280 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. the road ran down sixteen hundred feet in rne two miles to the hotel and it had thirty-five sharp turns in its course : " Look at your watch," said Mr. Foss, as he started on the steep decHne; crack, crnok went the whip over the heads of the leaders, as the sharp corners canie in sight, and they plunged with seeming recl.lessness ahead, — and in niue minutes and a half, they were pulled up at the bottom, and we took breath. Going back, the team was an hour and a quarter in the same passage. When we wondered at Mr. Foss for his perilous and rapid driving down such a steep road, he said, "Oh, there's no danger or difficulty in it, — all it needs is to keep your head cool, and the leaders out of the way." But nevertheless I was convinced it not only does require a quick and cool brain, but a ready and strong and experienced un.nd. The whole morning ride was accomplished in two hours and a quarter ; and though everybody predicts a catastrophe from its apparent dangers, Mr. Foss has driven it, after this style, for many years, and never had an accident. The Geysers are exhausted in a couple of hours. They are certainly a curiosity, a marvel ; but there is no element of beauty ; there is nothing to be studied, to grow into or upon you. We had seen something similar, though less extensive, in Neva- da ; and like a three-legged calf, or the Siamese twins, or P. T. Barnum, or James Gordon Bennett, once seeing is satisfactory for a life-time. They are a sort of grand natural chemical shop in disor- der. In a little ravine, branching off from the val- ley, is their principal theater. The giound is white I. ^ [KENT. THE GEYSERS — HELL EMBOP'ED. 281 Jred feet in rne two irty-five sharp turns ,tch," said Mr. Foss, dine; crack, crack f the leaders, as the i they plunged with and in niue iniuntcs I at the bottom, and le team was an hour lassage. When we perilous and rapid oad, he said, "Oh, n It, — all it needs is e leaders out of the :onvinced it not only rain, but a ready and The whole morning lours and a quarter ; 5 a catastrophe from ; has driven it, after ;ver had an accident, n a couple of hours. a marvel ; but there re is nothing to be you. We had seen extensive, in Neva- :alf, or the Siamese les Gordon Bennett, r a life-time. They :mical shop in disor- ing off from the val- The gt ound is white and yellow and gray, porous and rotten, with long and high heat. The air is also hot and sulphurous to an unpleasant degree. AU along the bottom of the ravine and up its sides, the earth seems hollow and full uf ■ >oiling water. In frequent little cracks and pin holes it finds ven^ , and out of these it bubbles and emits steam like so many tiny tea- kettles at high tide. In one place the earth yawns wide, and the " Witches' Caldron," several feet in diameter, seethes and spouts a black, inky water, so hot as to boil an egg instantly, and capable of reducing a human body to pulp at short notice. The water is thrown up four to six feet in height, and the general effect is very devilish indeed, The "Witches' Caldron" is reproduced a dozen times in miniature, — handy little pools for cooking your breakfast and dinner, if they were only in your kitchen or back yard. Farther up you follow a puffing noise, exactly like that of a steamboat in progress, and you come to a couple of volumes of steam struggling out of tiny holes, but mounting high and spreading wide from their force and heat. You grow faint with the heat and smells ; your feet seem burning; and the air is loaded with a mixture of salts, sulphur, iron, magnesia, soda, am- monia, all the chemicals and compounds of a doc- tor's shop. You feci as if the ground might any moment open, and let you down to a genuine hell. You recall the line from Milton, or somebody : " Here is hell, — myself am hell." And, most dread- ful of all, you lose all appetite for the breakfast of venison, trout and grouse that awaits your return ?=iS-«S1«»ST'-' ?82 ACROSS TIE CONTINENT. to the hotel. So you struggle out of the ravine, every step among tiny volumes of steam, and over bubbling pools of water, and cool and refresh your- self among the trees on the mountain sid*^ beyond. Then, not to omit any sight, you go back throuj;h two other ravines where the same phenomena are repeated, though less extensively. All around ly the hot pools and escape valves are delicate and beautiful little crystals of sulphur, and soda, and other distinct elements of the combustibles below, taking substance again on the surface. All this wonder-working is going on day and night, year after year, answering to-day exactly to the descriptions of yesterday and five years ago. Most of the waters arc black as ink, and some as thick; others are quite light and transparent; and they are of all degrees of temperature from one hundred and fifty to five hundred. Near by, too, are springs of rool water ; some as cold as these are hot, almost. The phenomena carries its own explanation ; the chemist will reproduce for you the same thing, on a small scale, by mixing sulphuric acid an A cold water, and the other unkindrcd ele- ments that have here, in nature's laboratory, chanced to get together. Volcanic action is also most prob- ably connected with some of the demons^-ations here. There must be utility in these waters for the cure of rheumatism and other blood and skin diseases. The Indians have long used some of the pools in this way, with results that seem like fables. One of the pools has fame for eyes; and, with chemi- gn-« riNKNT. c out of the ravine, ;s of steam, and over ool and refresh your- ountain sid*^ beyond, you go back throu<;h same phenomena are t^ely. AH around by Ives are delicate and Iphur, and soda, and : combustibles below, ; surface. is going on day and •ing to-day exactly to f and five years ago. c as ink, and some as and transparent; and :empcrature from one ndred. Near by, too, some as cold as these )mena carries its own I reproduce for you the ;, by mixing sulphuric ; other unkindrcd ele- •e's laboratory, chanced lion is also most prob- of the demonstrations icse waters for the cure ood and skin diseases, d some of the pools in seem like fables. One iyes ; and, with chemi- NAPA valley: its springs anp daths. 283 cal examination and scientific application, doubtless large benefits might be reasonably assured among invalids from a resort to these waters. At present there is only a rough little bathing-house, collecting the waters from the ravine, and the visitors to the valley, save for curiosity, are but few. It is a wild, unredeemed spot, all around the Geysers ; beautiful with deep forests, a mountain strcyon, and clear air. Game, too, abounds; deer and grouse and trout seemed plentier than in any region we .uwc visited. There is a comfortable hotel ; but otherwise this valley is uninhabited. The entire region for two miles in length and half a mile in breadth, in- cluding all the springs. Is owned by one man, who olFcrs it for sale. Who would speculate in a mun- dane hell ^ Back on the route of our morning ride, we then turned off into the neighboring valley of Napa, cclcl' v*^ed for its agricultural beauty and produc- tiveness, and also for its Calistoga and Warm Springs, charmingly located, the one in the plains and the other close among mountains, and con- stituting the fashionable summer resorts for San Franciscans. The water is sulphurous ; the bath- ing delicious, softening the skin to tiie texture of a babe's ; the country charming : but we found both establishments, though with capacious head-quar- terr and numerous family cottages, almost deserted of Meople. Past farms and orchards, through parks of ever- green oak 'lat looked as perfect as if the work of art, we stopped at the village of Napa, twin and r 284 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. rival to retaliimn - - ^ from here, crossing ar\othcr spur of the C uigc, we entered :itill another beautiful and lertilc valley, that of Sonoma. Here arc some of the largest vineyards of north- ern California, and we visited tluil of the Hueiia Vista Vinicultural society, under the management of Colonel Ilaraszthy, a Hungarian. This estate embraces abouifive thousand acres of land, a prince- ly-looking house, large wine manufactory and cel- lars, and about a million vines, foreign and native. The whole value of its property is half a millioii dollars, including one hundred thousand dollars' worth of wine and brandies ready and in prepara- tion for market. We tasted the liquors, we shared the generous hospitality of the estate, and its super- intendent ; but we failed to obtain, here or else- where, any satisfactory information as to the boasied success of wine-making, yet, in California. The business is still very much in its infancy, indeed ; and this one enterprise does not seem well-managed. Nor do we find the wines very inviting ; they par- take of the general character of the Rhine wines and the Ohio Catawba ; but are rougher, harsh and heady, — needing apparently both some improve- ment in culture and manufacture, and time for soft- ening. I have drank, indeed, much better California wine in Springfield than out here. The vine and wine interest is already a great one, and is rapidly growing. Nearly all parts of the Stqte are favorable to it ; the deserted and exhausted gold fields of the Sierra Nevada valleys and hill- sides, as well as the valleys of the Coast range and TINENT. crc, crossing another entered ;itill another It of Sonoma, it vineyards of north- l that of the Huena der the management igarian. This estate lores of land, a prince- manufactory and cel- s, foreign and native. :rty is half a million ed thousand dollars' eady and in prcpara- :he liquors, we shared e estate, and its super- obtain, here or else- ation as to the boasied , in California. The n its infancy, indeed ; ot seem well-managed, ry inviting ; they par- ;r of the Rhine wines ire rougher, harsh and both some improvc- ture, and time for soft- much better California here. t is already a great one, early all parts of the deserted and exhausted 2vada valleys and hill- )f the Coast range and CALIFORNIA WINES VS. CHAMPAGNE. 285 tlic sotTthcrn mountains. Down in Los Angclos County, this season, though the grapes are twice as abundant as last year, the price is treble, because of the increased preparations for their manufacture, and the profit that is sure to be realized from the ])usiness when well-conducted. The Ikiena Vista vineyards have been making part of their wine into charppagne the last year, and gratifying results are confidently predicted. But as doctors never take their own medicines, the true Californian is slow to drink his own wine. He prefers to import from France, and to export to the East; and probably both kinds arc improved by the voyages. More French wines arc drank in California, twice over, than by the same popu- lation in any part of the eastern States. Cham- pagne is mother's milk, indeed, to all these people ; tliey start the day with "a champagne cock-tail," and go to bed with a full bottle of it under tlieir ribs. At all the bar-rooms, it is sold by the glass, the same as any other liquor, and it answers to the general name of "wine" with both drinker and landlord. From Sonoma, over another hill, to our steam- boat of three days ago, and by that back in a few hours to the city. These three days seem long, they have been so rich in novelty and knowledge, in beauty of landscape, in acquaintanceship with the best riches of California. These valleys are, indeed, agricultural jewels, and should be held as prouder possessions by the State than her gold mines. The small grains, fruits and vegetables are ACROSS THE CONTINENT. their common, chief productions; and the yields arc enormous, while the culture and cure are com- paratively light. In California, from December till April and May is seed-time; from June till September is harvest. No barns arc needed for housing stuck ; they can roam safely in pasture for the whole year. Neither are they needed for the harvests; threshing and winnowing are done as well in the open field,— sometimes, indeed, by the very machine that reaps, and at the same i nu-,— and the grain is put in bags, and thus transported to the market ; all at leisure, for there is no rain nor dew to spoil the crop ; it lies safely in any shape in the open field. There is no hot, hurrying work with planting and harvest- ing, as in the East ; no dodging of showers ; no lost days during the long summer. Fifty bushels of wheat to the acre is more common here than twenty-five in the best wheat fields of the States, and seventy-five and eighty bushels are often ob- tained. Barley, which is another leading crop, yields still greater return ; an authentic instance of one hundred and twenty bushels to the acre is be- fore me • and crops that would astound an Eastern farmer are often gathered from the droppings of a last ye?r's harvest. A single farmer in the neigh- borhood of San Jose, with a twelve hundred acre farm, has this year gathered in over fifty thousand bushels of wheat; and the county of Santa Clara, in which this farm is located, lying south fifty miles from San Francisco, and in between two sections of the Coast range of mountains, presents the foi- lowi two hum \nuv appi croj; one whe sane of c N nia I nort east ever gati< b'.it live opcc Eas^ cattl two for] INENT. AGRltUlTURAL KILIIKS OF CALII'OKNI A. 287 ns; and the yields ; and care arc tum- r till April and May jptembcr is harvest, ing stuck ; they can vholc year. Neither ests ; threshing and in the open field, — r machine that reaps, ; grain is put in bags, larket ; all at leisure, to spoil the crop ; it open field. There is lanting and harvest- ging of showers ; no itimer. Fifty bushels a common here than fields of the States, jushels are often ob- nother leading crop, authentic instance of lels to the acre is be- d astound an Eastern m the droppings of a farmer in the neigh- twelve hundred acre in over fifty thousand ounty of Santa Clara, lying south fifty miles between two sections tains, presents the fol- lowing aggregates of agriculture: acres fenced in, two hundred and ten thousand ; cultivated, one hundred and thirty thousand; grape vines, eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand nine hundred ; apple trees, one hundred and twenty thousand; crops this year, — thirty-five thousand tons of hay, one hundred and thirty-five thousand bushels of wheat, one hundred thousand of barley, si.\ty thou- sand each of oats and potatoes, and four thousand . of corn. Nothing is wanting to the agriculture of Califor- nia but a steady and extensive market ; she sends north to Washington and the Uritish Provinces ; east to Nevada and Idaho ; south to Mexico ; is even trying China on the west, and with steam navi- gation hopes for large market for wheat there; — b'-it most of her soil is still unbroken, — her produc- tive power is but suggested, not proven, undevel- oped. And still she buys half her butter in the East ! Visit ranches in the interior, that boast their cattle by the tens of thousands, and the chances are two to one that neither milk nor butter can be had for love or money I 1 LETTER XXVI. OF SAN FRANCISCO: BUSINESS MATTERS. San Francisco, August 26. This is a very ridiculous and repulsive town, in some aspects, and a very fascinating and commend- able one, in others, both materially and morally, physically and esthetically. Its youth is its apology in one regard, its wonder and its merit on the other. The location must have been chosen for its water and not its land privileges. It is set upon the m- side of a range of the purest sand-hills, six or seven miles wide, blown up from the ocean, and still blow- incr up, between it and the bay. The main busmess streets are in the hollows, or on the flat land, made by pulling down the sand from the hills. But go out of these in any direction, and you are con- fronted by steep hills. Some of these are cut through, or being cut through, others are scaled, to make room for the spread of the town. Tlje happy thought of winding the streets about their sides, which would have made a very picturesque and certainly get-around-able town, came too late. If but the early San Franciscans had thought of Bos- ton, and followed the cow-paths, what a unique, nice THE SAND-HILLS OF SAN FRANCISCO. 289 XXVI. JSINESS MATTERS. ln Francisco, August 26. ind repulsive town, in inating and commend- aterially and morally, Its youth is its apology its merit on the other, n chosen for its water It is set upon the in- sand-hills, six or seven e ocean, and still blow- Ly. The main business • on the flat land, made rom the hills. But go ion, and you are con- ome of these are cut ;h, others are scaled, to ■ the town. The happy ■eets about their sides, very picturesque and )wn, came too late. If ms had thought of Bos- iths, what a unique, nice town they would have made of this ! Only I fear there never was even an estray cow on these virgin sand-hills, as innocent of verdure as a babe of sor- row or vice. The modern American straight line style was the order, no matter what was in front ; and the result is that going about San Francisco is all collar and breeching work for man and beast. The consequence is, also, there are only two or three streets that you can think of driving out of town on. The only way to get up and down the others with a horse, is to go zig-zag from one side to the other. Some of the principal residence streets are after this fashion, however ; I found our friend. Rev. Horatio Stebbins, of the Unitarian church here, holding on by main strength to a side hill that runs up at an angle of something like thirty degrees. And so they run up and down, and the city is straggling loosely over these hills for several miles in all directions. Some of the highest of the knobs are being cut down, and this leaves the early houses, — that is those built four or five years ago, — away up one hundred feet or more in the air, and reached by long flights of steep steps. Wherever the hill-sides and tops are fastened with houses or pavements, or twice daily seduced with water, there the foundations are measurably secure ; and the deed of the purchaser means some- thing ; but all elsewhere, all the open lots and un- paved paths are still undergoing the changing and creative process. The daily winds swoop up the soil in one place and deposit it in another in great masses, like drifts of snow. You will often find a '3 '9 1* I! 290 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. suburban street blocked up with fresh sand ; and the owner of vacant lots needs certainly to pay them daily visit in order to swear to title ; and the chance is anyway that, between one noon and 'another, he and his neighbor will have changed properties to an indefinite depth. Incidental to all this, of course, are clouds of sand and dust through all the residence and open parts of the city, making large market for soap and clothes-brushes, and put- ting neat housekeepers quite in despair for their furniture. Naturally enough, there is a looseness on the subject of cleanliness, that would shock your ofd-fashioned New England housewives. But then, as compensation, the winds give health, ^keeping the town fresh and clean ; and the hills offer wide visions of bay and river, and islands and sister hills,— away out and on with varying life of shipping, and manufactures, and agriculture ; and, hanging over all, a sky of azure with broad hori- zons. Oceanward is Lone Mountain Cemetery, covering one of the hills with its scrawny, low- running, live oak shrub tree, and its white monu- ments, conspicuous among which are the erections to those martyrs to both western and eastern civili- zation and progress,— Broderick, the mechanic and senator, James King of William, the editor, and Baker, the soldier. Here is the old Mission quar- ter, there the soldiers' camp, yonder, by the water, the bristling fort, again the conspicuous and gener- ous Orphan Asylum, monument of the tenderness and devotion of the women of the city, and to the left of that still, the two Jewish Cemeteries, each JTINENT. PERPETUAL GARDENS IN THE CITY. 291 with fresh sand; and ;cds certainly to pay ivcar to title ; and the ween one noon and ar will have changed pth. Incidental to all sand and dust through rts of the city, making ithes-brushes, and put- e in despair for their 1, there is a looseness :ss, that would shock land housewives. , the winds give health, d clean; and the hills I river, and islands and n with varying life of and agriculture; and, azure with broad hori- : Mountain Cemetery, with its scrawny, low- e, and its white monu- ivhich are the erections stern and eastern civili- :rick, the iftechanic and William, the editor, and J the old Mission quar- p, yonder, by the water, conspicuous and gener- ment of the tenderness I of the city, and to the ewish Cemeteries, each with its appropriate and tasteful burial chapel. No other American city holds in its very center such sweeping views of itself and its neighborhood. Then the. little yarc'^ around the dwellings of the prosperous, even of those of moderate means, are made rich with all the verdure of a green-house, with only the cost of daily watering. The most delicate of evergreens; roses of every grade and hue; fuchsias vigorous and high as lilac bushes; nasturtiums sweeping over fences and up house walls ; flowering vines of delicate quality, unknown in the East; geraniums and salvias, pansies and daisies, and all the kindred summer flowers of New York and New England, grow and blossom under these skies, throughout the whole year, — the sarne in December and January as in June and August, — with a richness and a profusion that are rarely attained by any out door culture in the East. The public aqueducts furnish water, though at consider- able expense, and pipes convey and spread it in fine spray all over yard and garden. The result is, every man's door-yard in the city is like an east- ern conservatory ; and little humble cottages smile out of this city of sand-hills and dust, as green and as yellow, and as red and as purple, as gayest of garden can make them. There is no aristocracy of flowers here ; they greet you everywhere in greatest profusion, and are tender solace to home- sick heart and cheap and sweet tonic to weary brain. Kindred contrasts force themselves upon the ob- servant stranger, in the business and social Hfe of 292 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. the town. Some of the finest quaUties are mingled with others that are both shabby and "shoddy." There is sharp, full development of all material powers and excellencies ; wealth of practical qiial- ity and force ; a recklessness and rioting with the elements of prosperity ; much dash, a certain chiv- alric honor combined with carelessness of word, of integrity, of consequence ; a sort of gambling, spec- ulating, horse-jockeying morality,— born of the un- certainties of mining, its sudden hights, its equally surprising depths, and the eager haste to be rich,— that all require something of a re-casting of rela- tionships, new standards, certainly new charities, in order to get the unaccustomed mind into a state of candor and justice. People, who know they are smart in the East, and come out here thinking to find it easy wool-gathering, are generally apt to go home skorn. Wall Street can teach Montgomery Street nothing in the way of "bulling" and "bear- ing," and the "cor..ers" made here require both quick and long breath to turn without faltering. Men of mediocre quality are no better off here than in older cities and States. Ten or fifteen years of stern chase after fortune, among the mines and mountains and against the new nature of this original country, has developed men here with a tougher and more various experience in all the tem- poralities of life, and a wider resource for fighting all sorts of "tigers," than you can easily find among the present generation in the eastern States. Nearly all the men of means here to-day have held long and various struggle with fortune, failing once, twice 'A fc ai h n tl P t( g P it a a a s a n s s C V tl a t ( c \ 4ENT. alities are mingled by and "shoddy." nt of all material 1 of practical qital- id rioting with the ash, a certain chiv- sssness of word, of t of gambling, spec- \f, — born of the un- 1 hights, its equally haste to be rich, — L re-casting of rela- linly new charities, d mind into a state who know they are ut here thinking to generally apt to go teach Montgomery bulling" and "bear- ! here require both vithout faltering. 2 no better off here es. Ten or fifteen ne, among the mines J new nature of this ;d men here with a rience in all the tem- source for fighting all easily find among the tern States. Nearly •-day have held long ne, failing once, twice THE BUSINESS MEN OF SAN FRANCISCO. 293 or thrice and making wide wreck, but buckling on the armor again and again, and trying the contest over and over. So it is throughout the State and the Coast; I have hardly met an old emigrant of '49 and '50, who has not told me of vicissitudes of fortune, of personal trials, and hard work for bread and life, that, half-dreamed of before coming here, he would never have dared to encounter, and which no experience of persons in like position in life in the East can parallel. In consequence partly of all this training, and partly of the great interests and the wide regions to be dealt with, the men I find at the head of the great enterprises of this Coast have great business power, — a wide practical reach, a boldness, a sagac- ity, a vim, that I do not believe can be matched anywhere in the world. London and New York and Boston can furnish men of more philosophies and theories, — men who have studied business as a science as well as practiced it as a trade, — but here are the men of acuter intuitions and more daring natures ; who cannot tell you why they do so and so, but who will do it with a force that commands success. Such men have built up and direct the California Steam Navigation Company, that is to the waters of this State what the Oregon Company u to those of that, commanding the entire navigation and furnishing most unexceptionable facilities for trade and travel ; the California and Pioneer Stage Companies, that equally command the stage travel of the Coast ; the Woolen Mills of this city ; the Wells & Fargo Express Company ; the great Ma- ^^-^^-'■■■^3i:^r~fKt^ 294 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. chine Shops of Pacific street; the Pacific Mail Steamship Company ; and the great private Bank- ing Houses, of which there are many and most pros- perous. Much British capital is invested in bank- ing here ; nor only in original houses, but through branches of leading bankers in London, India and British Columbia. But chief of the banks is the Bank of California, with two millions of capital, divided into only forty shares of fifty thousand dol- lars each, and owned by fewer than that number of persons, who represent a total property of thirteen millions (gold). This institution does about half the banking business of the city, and its average cash movement every steamer day, in shipments of bullion and drafts, is five millions of dollars. It keeps the best commercial and financial writer of the Coast in its employ, has agents in all the centers of productive wealth in the Pacific States, invests, directly or indirectly, in most of the leading enter- prises of the State, has an eye out for the politics and religion of the country, and to a very consider- able extent "runs" California every way. But there is no institution of the Coast that has interested me more than the Wells & Fargo Ex- press. It is the omnipresent, universal business agent of all the region from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Its offices are in every town, far and near ; a billiard saloon, a restaurant, and a Wells & Fargo office are the first three elements of a Pacific or Coast mining town ; its messengers are on every steamboat, and rail-car and stage, in all these States. It is the Ready Companion of TINENT. :t; the Pacifc Mail ; great private Bank- many and most pros- is invested in bank- houses, but through n London, India and ' of the banks is the > millions of capital, of fifty thousand dol- • than that number of I property of thirteen tion does about half city, and its average r day, in shipments of iUions of dollars. It ,nd financial writer of ;ents in all the centers Pacific States, invests, t of the leading enter- ye out for the politics ind to a very consider- L every way. of the Coast "that has e Wells & Fargo Ex- nt, universal business the Rocky Mountains ices are in every town, )n, a restaurant, and a e first three elements town ; its messengers rail-car and stage, in Ready Companion of ■ WELLS AND FARGO AS : ETTER-CARRIERS. 295 civilization, the Universal Friend and Agent of the miner, his errand man, his banker,, his post-office. .It is much more than an ordinary express com- pany ; it does a general and universal banking busi- ness, and a great one in amount ; it brings to market all the bullion and gold from the mining regions, — its statistics are the only reliable knowledge of the production ; and it divides with the government the carrying of letters to and fro. In the latter respect its operations are very curi- ous. Going along hand in hand with the rapidly changing populations of the mining States, offering readier and more various facilities than the. slower- moving and circumscribed government machinery, carrying the goods of the merchant and the bullion of the miner, as well as their letters, it has grown very much into the heart and habit of the people, and even conveys many of the letters upon routes that the government mail now goes as quickly and as safely as the express company, though their cost by the latter is much the greatest. The company breaks none of the post-office laws, but pays the government its full price for every letter it carries. The process is thus : Wells & Fargo buy the post- office envelopes bearing the government stamp, and then put their own stamp or frank upon them, and sell the same for ten cents each ; and in these en- velopes, thus doubly stamped, all the letters by ex- press are carried. Where the letters are above the single rate, additional govcnment stamps are put on and charged for by the company. The extent of this business is showij by the facts 296 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. that Wells & Fargo bought of the govern. nent in 1863 over two millions of three-cent envelopes, fifteen thousand of six-cent envelopes, and thirty thousand of ten and eighteen-cent ones, besides seventy thousand of extra three-cent stamps and twe've thousand five hundred of six-cent ditto. In 1864, the business increased, as it has steadily all along, and the three-cent envelopes bought and sold by Wells & Fargu in that year were nearly two and a quarter millions, and the extra stamps about one hundred and twenty-five thousand. Thus all the agencies of Wells & Fargo are private post-ofiices, doing the business of the government better and more satisfactorily than it does it itself, and paying the government its full price for the same. One long side of the great San Francisco office is de- voted to this letter business; clerks wait courte- ously, and at all hours, on all callers ; letters with known or discoverable local addresses are delivered ; and for the others, lists of those received each day are regularly posted, so that any one can tell at once, without inquiry, if there be anything for him. The messengers of the company on stages and steam- boats receive all letters under the appropriate en- velopes, and the facilities of letter carriage they aflford are much wider and more intimate than the government gives. This part of the business of Wells & Fargo is very profitable, and its success, popularity and wide extension, reaching through one hundred and sev- enty-iive difi'erent towns and villages, and extending as well to \\t newest mining regions in Idaho as to r t 1 I £ I S I t t t t c a 1 a I 1; i i t V a c a a c G l TINENT. ROPBERIES OF THE MESSENGKkS. 297 )f the govern inent in hrce-cent envelopes, envelopes, and thirty ;n-cent ones, besides iree-cent stamps and of six-cent ditto. In as it has steadily all lopes bought and sold r were nearly two and tra stamps about one usand. Thus all the e private post-offices, >vernment better and ;s it itself, and paying : for the same. One vrancisco office is dc- ; clerks wait courte- 1 callers; letters with Idresses are delivered ; 3se received each day ly one can tell at once, lything for him. The on stages and steam- :r the appropriate en- f letter carriage they lore intimate than the of Wells & Fargo is is, popularity and wide one hundred and sev- villages, and extending regions in Idaho as to the chief cities of California,— even beyond and off mail routes and post-offices, — jircscnt very effective practical arguments for the government's giving up wholly its post-office department. The main rea- son offered against such abandonment has generally been, that the sparsely settled States and widely separated populations could not, by private enter- prise, be served with their letters except at high cost ; but this experience on the Pacific Coast more than meets this. Private enterprise here does bet- ter than the government, and is preferred to it. Wells & Fargo even offered some years ago to do the whole mail service of the Pacific Coast at five cents a letter, provided the franking privilege was abolished. They could doubtless perform it with profit at three cents, and would if the business were all secured to them. The Wells & Fargo Express is mostly owned in New York, but it is managed out here by men of large business experience and great sagacity, and in its enterprise and popular facilities not only strik- ingly illustrates but greatly advances the civiliza- tion of these States. Often it runs special treasure wagons with escort, and frequently its messengers are exposed to great peril from robbers and Indians. Those from Idaho now have to ride wide awake, day and night, with guns and pistols ready loaded and cocked. The stages on which their messengers and treasure were passing were stopped and robbed on the road eight times during 1864; and several serious robberies have also occurred this year, and in one case a messenger was murdered. The man- ia* ACROSS niE CONTINENT. agers of the express arc influential leaders and movers in the opening of new routes and in estab- lishing lines of stages ; even also are high powers ^ in the construction of railroads. The success and extent of the Machine Shops and Woolen Manufacture here in San Francisco were also interesting* objects of observation. There is no longer use or profit in importing machinery from the East. As good, if not better, is made here, and as cheap ; stean\ engines and boilers of the highest g'ade ; and stamps and crushers and all the various machinery for the mining regions. The machine shops are mostly in a single street, and must employ in the aggregate about one thousand mechanics and laborers. One of the largest and most complete of these establishments is owned and conducted by Mr. Ira P. Rankin, formerly of Boston and Northampton. There are two large and successful Woolen Mills. The oldest and most successful is the "Mission," the creation of an indomitable Scotch-Yankee, Mr. Donald McLennan, who learned his business among the mills of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and came out here some eight or ten years ago, with only a few dollars in his pocket, but with a big cap- ital of experience, industry and courage. His estab- lishment is now worth over half a million dollars ; consumed last year over one million pounds of wool, and manufactured thirty-two thousand pairs of blankets, near half a million yards of flannels, and over one hundred thousand yards of cloths and cloakings. The wool is all of California growth,— r 'INENT. uential Icadfrs and routes and in cstab- Iso arc high powers i. the Machine Shops •e in San Franciscc observation. There mporting machinery not better, is made gincs and boilers of i and crushers and all nining regions. The a single street, and I about one thousand e of the largest and blishments is owned Rankin, formerly of :ccssful Woolen Mills, iful is the "Mission," e Scotch-Yankee, Mr. cd his business among y, Massachusetts, and r ten years ago, with et, but with a big cap- d courage. His cstab- half a million dollars ; le million pounds of ty-two thousand pairs ion yards of flannels, ,nd yards of cloths and f California growth,— TTIE MISSION WOni.EN MILLS. 899 for this is a large and cheap wool-producing State ; — the machinery, which includes eleven sets of cards, thirty-five lunulred spindles and fifty broad power- looms, is of the very best and most modern descrip- tion, from England and the East ; and the goods produced are of much variety of grade and style, in order to suit and fdl the limited market here. The blankets are the finest made anywhere in the United States, perhaps in the world; certainly there are none in the eastern markets to compare with them either in thickness or softness ; and except for the very finest of broadcloths and cassimere.s, these mills are fast driving all woolen goods from the East and from Europe out of this market. The army and Indian departments on this Coast have been laigely supplied with their blankets and cloth- ing from this estabUshment during the last four years; and the government officers testify that these goods are of much superior quality to those generally sent from the East. One of the most interesting features of Mr. McLennan's cstablishmeirt is that the work is nearly all done by Chinamen, almost three hundred being employed. A few whites arc only necessary for the more intricate and skill-requiring processes, and for superintending. The Chinese are found much cheaper of course ; indeed the business could not be carried on successfully here but for their labor, which costs but one dollar and twelve cents a day against two dollars and ninety-seven cents for the whites employed ; and the superintendent testifies that the difficulties of a first beginning 300 ACROaS THE CDNTININT. with them were veiy speedily and fully overcome, and they were found very quick to learn all the details of the work, such as carding, spinning, weav- inR, finishinR and wool-sorting. They live in a large buiUliiig on the mill gr :)unds, and make the most reliable, constant and valuable of factory operatives. The first cotton manufactory in California is just finished and going into operation, over the bay in Oakland, and will get its raw material from the Mexican States, for the present at least. Success- ful experiments in cotton raising on a large scale have been made this season in southern California. There is a great sugar refinery establishment in San Francisco, drawing its materials for refining- from the Sandwich Islands, which are fost coming to be the exclusive source of sweetening for all these Stat'js. — There arc also extensive lead and iron and glass works. San Francisco enterprise and capital are at the foundation of all these pioneer manufactures; but success will soon extend and multiply them over the State. I dwell upon these particulars, these illustrations of the enterprise and skill of this city and these States, because they form the promise of the great future. There is a sea-captain in your town, and quite a young man, too, who used to come here for hides, when only a single cabin marked the site of San Francisco. Uow it has a population of over one hundred thour,and, or nearly a q^uarter of the whole State ; pays half the taxes of the State ; has a larger foreign commerce than any city in the Na- tu foi lif tw ci| to ni sa th th sti wi II as of th th JNINT. COMMERCE OP SAK FRANCISCO. 301 and fully overcome, lick to learn all the ling, spinnin;;-, weav- g. They live in a iintls, and make the valuable of factory f in California is just lion, over the bay in V material from the it at least. Success- sing on a large scale I southern California, lery establishment in natcrials for refining- hich are fost coming if sweetening for all 3 extensive lead and Francisco enterprise )n of all these pioneer vill soon extend and tion but New York and Boston, its customs-revenue fur the first six months of this year being three mil- lions and a quarter dollars, and its port clearing two hundred and thirty vessels of one hundred and eighty-three thousand eight hundred and thirty-four tons for foreign ports, and entering one hundred and ninety vessels of one hundred and forty-nine thou- sand seven hundred and forty-four tonnage during the same time, besides a domestic shipping two- thirds these figures ; aiid soon, within ten years, — struggle as Boston may and grow as she will, — it will divide commercial honors with New York alone. Here is seat of empire, and of population, as great as yours of the eastern States ; here the equal arm of the American Nation ; and the.se men and means that I have been describing are the beginnings of the great and majestic cad. xrs, these illustrations f this city and these : promise of the great in in your town, and used to come here for in marked the site of a population of over ;arly a quarter of the Lxes of the State ; has an any city in the Na- "■€ s LETTER XXVII. MINING IN CALIFORNIA: ITS VARIETIES. RESULTS AND TROSPECTS. Mariposa, California, August 28. We have been making our final studies of the mining business of the Pacific States here among Se mtnes and mills of the famous Mar.posa estate of Colonel Fremont. Thus the occasjon is a proper one to sum up my various notes and observations n Ca i ornia on that subject, and so far as possible represent the state of the business in the whole eg on west of the Rocky Mountains. The gross ;7oductior. of gold and silver by all the^e S a es was probably never greater than now. There are no very exact figures to be had; those of Wells, Fargo & Company's Express and the San Francisco nitnt furnish the best data, and are before me in detail They indicate a total yield for 1864 of abou si^ty millio/s of dollars, and for this year at leas an Jqual probably a greater sum, perhaps sixty fiv or seventy millions. California ^^rself produce now but about one-third of this amount, she h fallen off from forty and fifty millions a year to twenty and twenty-five; while Nevada now offe from fifteen to twenty millions a year, mainly of QUARTZ MINING AND SOIL DIGGINGS. 3O3 :xvii. , VARIETIES, RESULTS ECTS. OSA, California, August 28. ur final studies of the fie States here among imous Mariposa estate the occasion is a proper notes and ^observations , and so far as possible business in the whole Mountains. The gross ;er by all these States than now. There are e had ; those of Wells, 5 and the San Francisco ., and are before me in il yield for 1864 of about id for this year at least r sum, perhaps sixty-five fornia herself produces ,f this amount; she has fifty millions a year to vhile Nevada now oflfers llions a year, mainly of ± silver ; Idaho and eastern Oregon sent forward nine millions last year, and will probably increase this to twelve or fifteen millions this year ; and the British Provinces and Arizona furnish perhaps five millions. The gold of Montana mainly finds its way east through Colorado; but this is the first season of any large production there. But the production of all the States and Territories this side of the Rocky Mountains comes to San Francisco ; one-third of it, or about twenty millions, is coined at the United States mint there ; and the rest is exported in bars or dust, mainly in bars, to New York, China and En.cfland, but chiefly now to England. The western or California slopes of the Sierra Nevada yield no silver ore, — here the mining is of gold alone, and it is divided into two general classes ; that which seeks the metal from the solid rock, or quartz, and that which finds it in sand, gravel, or soil. The former process is the universal and famil- iar one of all rock mining, following the rich veins into the bowels of the earth with pick and powder, crushing the rock, and seducing the infinitesimal atoms of metal from the dusty, powdered mass. The accepted theory is that this is the original form or dep 'i of the precious metals, — that the gold found in gravel, sand or soil, — lying as it does almost universally in the beds of rivers, dead or alive, or under the eaves of the mountains, — has been washed and ground out of the hard hills by the action of the elements through long years. Washing with water is the universal means of get- ting at these deposits of the gold. But the scale f:\it 304 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. on which this work is done, and the instnimentali- ties of'application, vary, from the simple hand-pan and pick and shovel of the individual and original miner, operating along the banks of a lifile stream, to grand combination enterprises for changing the entire course of a river, running shafts down hun- dreds of feet to get into the beds of long a^o streams, and bringing water through ditches and flumes and great pipes for ten or twenty miles, wherewith to wash down a hill-side of golden gravel, and get at its precious particles. The simple indi- vidual pan-washers have mostly "moved on" for the richer sands of Idaho and Montana; what of this sort of gold seeking remains in California is in the hands of patient and plodding "John Chinaman," who works over the neglected sands of his prede- cessors, and is content to reap as harvest a dollar's worth a day. The other means are employed, on greater or less scales of magnitude, by combinations of men and capital. All the forms of gold washing run into each other, indeed; and companies of two or three, sometimes of Chinamen, with capitals of hundreds of dollars, buy a sluice claim or seize a deserted bed, and with shovel and pick and small stream of water, run the sands over and over through the sluice ways, and at end of day, or week, or month, gather up the deposits of gold on the bottoms and at the ends of their sluices. From this, opera- tions ascend to a magnitude involving hundreds of thousands, and employing hundreds of men as partners or day laborers for the managers. Some- •-^^^msm^ Wj&aav f-as?; ;*>viK« [TINENT. DEEP DIGGINGS AND HYDRAULIC MINING. 305 nd the instnimentali. the simple hand-pan idividual and original inks of a little stream, •ises for changing the ing shafts down hun- le beds of long a^o through ditches and ten or twenty miles, 1-side of golden gravel, les. The simple indi- tly " moved on " for the lontana; what of this in California is in the ng "John Chinaman," 2d sands of his predc- ip as harvest a dollar's oyed, on greater or less nbinations of men and ;old washing run into ipanies of two or three, :h capitals of hundreds im or seize a deserted ;k and small stream of and over through the lay, or week, or month, jld on the bottoms and ;s. From this, opera- de involving hundreds g hundreds of men as the managers. Some- times, too, the enterprise is divided, and companies are organized that furnish the water alone, and sell it out to the miners or washers according to their wants. The raising of auriferous sands and gravel from the deeply covered beds of old streams, by running down shafts and out tunnels into and through such beds, and then washing them over, is called " Deep Diggings," or " Bed-rock Diggings," and in their pursuit the bottoms of ancient rivers will be followed through the country for mile after mile, and many feet below the present surface of the ea;th. The miners in this fashion go down till they reach the bed-rock, along which the water orig- inally ran, and here they find the richest deposits. The other sort of heavy gold ;washing, employing powerful streams of water to tear down and wash out the soil of hill-sides that cover or hold golden deposits, is known as " Hydraulic Mining." This is the most unique and extensive process, involving the largest capital and risk. The water is brought from mountain lakes or rivers through ditches and flumes, sometimes supported by trestle-work fifty to one hundred icct high, to near the theater of operations. Then it is let from flumes into large and stout iron pipes which grow gradually smaller and smaller; out of these it is passed into hose, like that of a fire engine, and through this it is ^red with a terrible force into the bank or bed of earth, which is speedily torn down and washed with resist- less, separating power, into narrow beds or sluices in the lower valleys, and as it goes along these, hin- dered and seducea at various points, the more solid 30 i,. 306 ACROSS THE CONTINr:JT. gold pcarticles deposit themselves. Usual'y, in large operations of this kind, the main stream of water is divided in the final discharging hose into two or more streams, which spout out into the hill-side as if from several fire engines, only with immensely more force. One of the streams would instantly kill man or animal that should get before it, and frequent fatal or half-fatal accidents occur from this cause. Near Dutch Flat, where extensive hydraulic mining is in progress, a water company taps lakes twelve to twenty miles off in the mountains, and turns whole rivers into its ditches ; and as further illustration of its majestic operations, we learned that it spent eighty thousand dollars in one year in building a new ditch, and yet made and divided one hundred and twenty thousand dollars in additional profits that same year. Up near Yreka, in northern California, a ditch thirty miles long, and costing two hundred thousand dollars, was constructed for this business ; but in this instance, the enterprise did not prove profitable. Near Oroville, also, are supposed rich gold banks and beds that only lack water for development ; but to get this will require ditches costing two hundred thousand dollars. The citizens of the neighborhood are confident it would be a richly-paying investment, however, and say the chief reason why it is not entered upon is the lack of certain laws regulating mining claims, and the conflicts and doubt that are engendered by the neg- lect of the government to establish the terms of ownership in mining lands. As it is now, squatter sovereignty is the substan- tial min tern occi pun is a in f not! in i eve lati( pro; tair will ruk the the clai ent mil mi- dee Al cor fen dol is : aft( due get dol )NTiNr:jT. ;lves. UsuDl'y, in large main stream of water irging hose into two or 3ut into the hill-side as i, only with immensely treams would instantly ould get before it, and :cidents occur from this lere extensive hydraulic ter company taps lakes in the mountains, and ditches ; and as further operations, we learned id dollars in one year in 2t made and divided one ind dollars in additional near Yreka, in northern niles long, and costing ars, was constructed for instance, the enterprise Near Oroville, also, are and beds that only lack t to get this will require 1 thousand dollars. The )d are confident it would ;nt, however, and say the entered upon is the lack mining claims, and the ; engendered by the neg- > establish the terms of vereignty is the substan- PROFITABLE GOLD WASHINGS, 307 tial law of mining properties; prospectors and miners have established a few general rules for de- termining the rights of each other ; and they, can occupy and use the properties that they discover or purchase, to a certain limited extent. No one man is allowed to take up more than a certain amount in feet or acres. The government so far has done nothing with these mineral lands, whose fee is still in itself, and gets no revenue from them. When- ever cases of conflict come into court, the regu- lations of the miners of the distric*:, where the properties are located^ have been generally sus- tained. But the apprehension that the government will yet assume its rights, and establish different rules for the possession and use of these lands, and the uncertainty and controversies growing out of the present loose ways of making and holding claims, are undoubtedly a stumbling-block to large enterprises, and an obstacle to the best sort of mining progress and prosperity all through the mi"eral country of this Coast. The returns obtained in some cases of extensive deep diggings and hydraulic mining are very great. A thousand dollars a day is often washed out by a company holding rich soil and employing a large force ; and a run of several weeks averaging fifty dollars and one hundred dollars a day to the hand is frequently recorded. A single "cleaning up," after a few weeks' washing in a rich place, has pro- duced fifty thousand dollars in gold dust and nug- gets ; and in other cases, even one hundred thousand dollars is reported. These are the extreme cases 3o8 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. of good fortune, however ; other enterprises are run with a loss, or with varying result ; but the gold washings, as a gei>eral thing, are paying good wages and a fair return to the capital invested. Of course all these operations create a wide waste wherever they drc going on, and have been in progress. Tornado, flood, earthquake and volcano combined could hardly make greater havoc, spread wider ruin and wreck, than are to be seen every- where in the path of the larger gold-washing oper- ations. None of the interior streams of California, though naturally pure as crystal, escape the change to a thick yellow mud, from this cause, early in their progress out of the hills. The Sacramento is worse than the Missouri. Many of the streams are turned out of their original channels, either directly for mining purposes, or in consequence of the great masses of soil and gravel that come down from the gold-washings above. Thousands of acres of fine land along their banks are ruined forever by the deposits of his cha '■^er. There are no rights which mining respects m California. It is the one supreme interest. A farmer iiay have his whole estate turned to a barren waste by a flood of sand and gravel from some hydraulic mining up stream ; more, if a fine orchard or garden stands in the way of the working of a rich gulch or bank, orchard and garden must go. Then the torn-down, dug-out, washed to pieces and then washed over side-hills, that have been or are being hydraulic-mined, are the very devil's chaos, indeed. The country is full of them among the mining districts of the Sierra Neva upon a bra ilhisti when now ( "Yut conni out t teur, ; poun( minci Th neigh in th and ! and I mous ful ar arour ty, w gion. impoi ' did r signs quart ley, a dollai and t work on th ccssfi ONTINENT. ther enterprl.es are run g result; but the gold , are paying good wages ital invested, ions create a wide waste on, and have been in earthquake and volcano :e greater havoc, spread 1 are to be seen every- rger gold-washing oper- or streams of California, ystal, escape the change om this cause, early in ills. The Sacramento is Many of the streams are channels, either directly :onsequence of the great hat come down from the ousands of acres of fine e ruined forever by the There are no rights California. It is the one ler 1 lay have his whole ivaste by a flood of sand aulic mining up stream ; jarden stands in the way ilch or bank, orchard and the torn-down, dug-out, X washed over side-hills, ing hydraulic-mined, are ;ed. The country is full g districts of the Sierra YUBA DAM — GRASS VALLE^QUARTZ MINES. 309 Nevada foot-hills, and they are truly a terrible blot upon the face of nature. The valley of the Yuba, a branch of the Sacramento, was one of the worst illustrations our journeying has presented; and when we came to the sign over the "grocery" of a now deserted mining camp, indicating that this was "Yuba Dam," we thought of the famous anecdote connected with this name, from its repetition, with- out the benefit of spelling, to an inquiring colpor- teur, and were fain to confess that the profane com- pound fairly represented the spirit of the lawless miner. The gold quartz mines are mostly in the same neighborhoods with present or past gold-washings ; in the hills back and abeve the rich stream beds and gravel banks. Nevada County in the north, and Mariposa in the south, have been the most fa- mous counties for this interest. The most success- ful and noteworthy operations of it now are in and around the town of Grass Valley, in Nevada Coun- ty, which has always been a profitable mining re- gion. It seemed almost the only mining town of importance in California, that we visited, which ♦ did not have vacant stores and houses, and show signs of decrepitude. There are now about twenty quartz mills in successful operation in Grass Val- ley, and the ore they work yields from ten to fifty dollars a ton ; occasionally as high as one hundred and two hundred dollars. The cost of mining and working is from six to ten dollars a ton, depending on the facilities of mine and mill. Among the suc- cessful miners and capitalists here, is Mr. S. D. 310 ACROSS^THE CONTINENT, Bosworth, from West Springfield and Springfield, who now occupies the ccltage which the notorious Lola Montez built -nd lived in for several years. She came here to perform for the miners in 1854, and staid to ruin one husband, and change him for another. She led a rollicking life here» and the town is full of scandals concerning her. Intelli- gent gentlemen who piet her confess to her intel- lectual power and impressive conversation, and to her fascinating manners. Grass Valley also boasts an old horse that goes around alone with a milk- wagon, stopping before the doors of his customers, and nowhere else, and delivering his daily allow- ances to each with unvarying fidelity. But the really wonderful thing about this story is that Grass Valley should have a population that can be trusted to help themselves to milk, and not take, any of them, more than their allotted share. The mines here are receiving enlarged attention just now, and extensive new investments are being made, both in Grass Valley and the neighboring town of Nevada. But here in Mariposa County, the interest has a different look, and affairs are in a desperate condi- tion. There are in all ten quartz mills here, all or nearly all on the Fremont estate, but only two or three are now running, and these with moderate re- sults. The villages are decreasing in population ; the best people are going away; viciousness of all sorts seems to be increasing; and highway robber- ies are of almost nightly occurrence. The great Mariposa mining company, formed in Wall street two years ago with a capital of ten millions, a deot of tv SUCCI style most Fred undc affai) homi tion over tors on a mula in 01 obta: lars gin( cent his 1 frien Thei weal has 1 byp capil as a alon^ agn V cont iVlraw usefi Prin NTINENT, jfield and Springfield, e which the notorious 1 in for several years, r the miners in 1854, id, and change him for ing Hfe here, and the ncerning her. Intclli- ;r confess to her intcl- e conversation, and to Irass Valley also boasts und alone with a milk- doors of his customers, ivering his daily allow- ing fidelity. But the this story is that Grass ,tion that can be trusted :, and not take, any of tted share. The mines attention just now, and are being made, both in boring town of Nevada, unty, the interest has a re in a desperate condi- quartz mills here, all or estate, but only two or these with moderate re- creasing in population; away ; viciousness of all g ; and highway robber- occurrence. The great r, formed in Wall street il of ten millions, a debt THE MARIPOSA ESTATE — ITS RUINS. 311 of two millions, and not a cent of ready cash, — succeeding to General Fremont's property and his style of doing business, — has come to grief. Its most worthy superintendent and manager, Mr. Frederic Law Olmsted, who was beguiled out here under a gross misapprehension of the situation of affairs, and the duties he was to perform, is going home disgusted, to resume more congenial occupa- tion in the East; the sheriff has been brooding over the estate for six months ; and its local credi- tors are running one or two of its mills and mines, on a close and economical scale, — using up accu- mulated materials, but laying in no new supplies, — in order to obtain their claims. The ore now being obtained and thus worked returns from seven dol- lars to ten dollars a ton, which gives a small mar- gin of profit. It is all a sad, vast ruin, — a magnifi- cent gentleman, holding his head high, but wearing his last year's clothes, and dining around with his friends, — a sort of grand land and mine Micawber. There is doubtless life and value, possibly great wealth, in it still, but not of the sort or degree that has been set up for it. Divided up, and conducted by private parties or small companies on a moderate capital, as the Grass Valley mines are, or managed, as a whole even, with an eye to practical results alone, arid no such side issues as the presidency, or a grand Wall street stock-jobbing operation, or the V control of California politics, depending on it, and iVlrawing its life-blood, the estate may yet have a useful future before it. But the end to it as a grand Principality, as an exhaustless Fountain for political 312 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. and financial jobbing, seems surely to have come. Indeed, its most striking capacity always has been in carrying an immense, a magnificent mdebted- ness. A few men are rich from it here and m the East • but their wealth is more from the sale of stock and bonds in New York, than the profits of its mines in Mariposa. The illustration of the whole lies best, perhaps, in the sincere boast at- tributed to its most gallant but never thntty origi- nal owner. "Why," said General Fremont, "when I came to California, I was worth nothing, and now I owe two millions of dollars !" There are no very reliable statistics as to the ex- tent of the quartz-mining interest of California, or of its comparative results by the side of the gold- washings. The estimate of a prominent authority before me place* the number of quartz-mills in the State at six hundred, their cost at twelve million dollars, and their product, on an average of ten dol- lars to the ton of ore, at eighteen millions of dollars a year. But these figures are clearly wide of the fact; there can hardly be over one hundred quartz- mills, properly so called, in all California; and they do not divide the State's product with the gold- washers equally. Mining in California, of all kinds, is now much more systematically and intelligently conducted than ever before. It is losing its waste- ful, gambling characteristics. In 1 862, it apparently had its greatest production; the returns for 1864 were only about half as much ; and probably this year will show no gain upon the last. The interest is, on the whole, at the ebb tide. But the risks of TINENT. surely to have come, icity always has been (lagnificcnt indebtcd- om it here and in the lore from the sale of k, than the profits of je illustration of the the sincere boast at- lut never thrifty origi- leral Fremont, "when orth nothing, and now !" statistics as to the cx- terest of California, or r the side of the gold- a prominent authority ■ of quartz-mills in the cost at twelve million an average of ten dol- teen millions of dollars ire clearly wide of the er one hundred quartz- ill California; and they product with the gold- California, of all kinds, tically and intelligently It is losing its waste- In 1862, it apparently ; the returns for 1864 ich ; and probably this I the last. The interest tide. But the risks of THE IDAHO MINES. 313 the business will henceforth be less than heretofore ; the cost of production is cheaper here than in the newer and more remote fields; new and valuable fields are being discovered and opened among the Sierras ; and I am inclined to the belief that invest- ments in mining in California can be made with better results, at least with more certainty of profit, if less possible gains, than in any of the fresher and more fashionable regions. The Idaho mines are perhaps exciting the most interest at present among the people of the Coast ; and they are also beginning to divide enticements with those of Nevada and Colorado,, for eastern speculators and capitalists. Some reliable facts about them, which I have from original sources, will not be amiss therefore, and servt; to complete my general review of the mining developments of this whole region. The Boise Basin district is still rich in gold-washings, and is perhaps the richest region in that respect yet worked anywhere in the West. It has also rich quartz veins, and there are already eight mills in operation there, with eighty- four stamps. South Boise is less rich in placer dig- gings, but has an even larger development of the quartz interest. The ' uUion (gold) here holds a large proportion of silver, and is not worth over fourteen dollars an ounce. The Owyhee district borders on Oregon, and its mining wealth runs over into that State. The ore here is like that in Nevada, having more silver than gold in it. There are six mills now in this district, one of them with thirty stamps. The veins in Boise Basin and South 14 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. \^m Boise are small, like those of Reese River, in Nc vada, opening sometimes as low as four inches, but enlarging generally to four or five feet. The "Mammoth Vein" is from three to twelve feet wide ; the ore is generally free and simi)le, and is worked without roasting. The yield is from forty dollars a ton up ; one vein runs from forty to eighty dollars ; and others have yielded from two hundi cd to three hundred dollars a ton. It is not probable that the full value of the ore is obtained by tin- present means of working, and the tailings arc saved. The country is very barren, having the same general characteristics as eastern Oregon and Ne- vada. There are some good valleys, and timber is plenty enough for the present save in the Owyhee district. The price of labor is six dollars a day, and goods and provisions are in proportion. The population is made up mostly of the floating mining elements of California, Oregon and Nevada; the men who are always moving on for the newest mines; prosperous to-day, poor to-morrow. The winters in Idaho are severe, and the work in the placer diggings is then suspended. The miners float back to the older towns, to The Dalles and Port- land in Oregon, and San Francisco, in the fall, and spend there their summer savings, and start out again in the spring for the old diggings, if no newer and more fabulous ones have been since discovered. Taking these figures as reliable as statements about mines generally are from those engaged in the business, I do not see that Idaho really offers _j ITINENT. Rccsc River, in Nc- )w as four inches, but or five feet. The three to twelve feet lie and simple, and is lie yield is IVom forly lis from forty to eighty Jed from two hundicil a. It is not probable •e is obtained by tin- and the tailings ar*' ren, having the same stern Oregon and Nc- valleys, and timber is \t save in the Owyhee r is six dollars a day, re in proportion. The { of the floating mining gon and Nevada; the ng on for the newest poor to-morrow. The e, and the work in the spended. The miners , to The Dalles and Port- ancisco, in the fall, and savings, and start out Id diggings, if no newer e been since discovered. reliable as statements from those engaged in that Idaho really offers CALIFORNIA 3 AUVANTAUE FOR MINING. 31$ any better inducements for emigration and capital than Nevada and Colorado. It is probable my statements relate to the best veins, that the average will fall below these rates of production, and that the permanent prosperity of the mining interests and the sure progress of the State will await the profitable working of ores yielding from ten dollars to twenty-five dollars a ton, as is already adr Uted to be true for California, and for Virginia City, Nevada, and will probably soon be proven in Reese River and in Colorado. And this can hardly be done until quicker and cheaper communication is pro- vided. Only the rare veins, only the choice ore in any of these States can be worked to much profit, so long as all machinery, all food, all goods, used in the business and for the people, have to pay a freight tariff of ten to thirty cents a pound, and labor is from four to eight dollars a day. Caliibrnia has the advantage over her rivals in those respects now; and I repeat that it seems to mc mining is likely to be as profitable in this State for the next five years, taking all things into consideration, as in any of the newer regions. The others must wait for the rail road to give real and permanent and steady develop- ment and prosperity to greater apparent capacities. Do not complain, my reader, that this letter is getting dull with dry fact and statistics ; consider the mass of figures and " disgusting details " that I have before me, and have spared you, and be gratelul : and come now with me, and let us have the sensation of a visit into the abyssmal depths of the mines themselves. Our party have done con- 3l6 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. siderable of this descending into mines in our prog- ress across the country; for it became occasion of reproach and doubt of our intelligent future judgment, if we failed to go down into every miner's particular pet hole. Over in Austin, we had amuiing experience in this regard. We were to stay but three days there. But that is nothing, said the disappointed people; you. can't begin to see our mines in that time ; you better have staid away. Well, come on, was the reply; show us what you can in three days, and then let us see what is left that is new and strange. So we mount- ed ; and there was an extensive cavalcade of local officials, practical miners, speculators, and genteel bummers generally. We went over and around hills, down into mines, through mills, everywhere that our guides led us ; finding naturally great sim- ilarity of sights and testimony everywhere. By afternoon, our hosts had dwindled one-Lalf. The next morning, instead of a dozen, we had but three or four guides ; at noon, they were reduced to one, and at night we had exhausted not only his strength ,.iQ patience, but all he had to show us. We had seen /ustin and its mines, and had a day to spare! The lewer mines, whose shafts are but fifty or one hundred feet, are descended by a simple rope and bucket, worked by a common hand windlass ; older and deeper ones, by the same contrivance, with steam power: if, as is often the case, the vein runs at an angle, or Is reached below in that way, a little car runs down a steep track, held and drawn by a heavy rope and steam engine; while other shafts 4T1NENT, ito mines in our prof r it became occasion our intelligent future go down into every Over in Austin, we his regard. We were But that is nothing, ;; you. can't begin to you better have staid , the reply; show us I, and then let us see trange. So we mount- live cavalcade of local >eculators, and genteel rent over and around lugh mills, everywhere ng naturally great sim- lony everywhere. By vindled one-Lalf. The lozen, we had but three y were reduced to one, :d not only his strength I to show us. We had ind had a day to spare! shafts are but fifty or ;nded by a simple rope ommon hand windlass ; the same contrivance, often the case, the vein led below in that way, a rack, held and drawn by jine ; while other shafts T INTO THE GOULD AND CURRV MINE. 317 are provided with ladders, winding around, or set perpendicularly up and down. The latest, and safest and readiest contrivance for descending a perpendicular shaft is a cage or box, let down by a rope with steam power, but provided with sharp, opening arms that, in case the rope breaks, will catch into the walls with such power as to hold the cage and its load. Its certainty was proven to us by cutting the rope with an ax, when the cage sent out its fingers ar.d clung midway in its passage. We reached the insides of other mines by long tunnels, running into the veins from the surface, far down the hill-sides on which they were located. The dee-est worked mine on the Pacific Coast is in Amador County, this State, and is eight hundred feet down ; but some of those over in Nevada are fast approaching this depth; and the latter have the most extensive chambers below the surface of any in the country. The Gould & Curry mine, for instance, has several miles length of tunnels and shafts, and it is a full half day's journey to travel through it entirely. We entered this mine through a long tunnel, that strikes the vein several hundred feet below the surface. There were half a dozen of us in the pro- cession, each with a lighted candle, which would go out under the out-going draft, and so we soon con- tented ourselves with grouping along in the dim, cavernous light. It seemed a very long journey, and the nerves had to brace themselves. The most stolid person, stranger to such experience, will hard- ly fail to find hft heart beating a little quicker, as ■'M J »■"■■ 318 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. he goes into these far-away, narrow recesses in the bowels of the earth. I never failed to remember the principle that "nature abhors a. vacuum," and to wonder if she wouldn't take the present occasion to close up this little one that I was in. At last we reached the scenes of the ore and the work after U ; and among these we clambered and wandered about, down shafts to this or that level, and then out on side tunnels through the vein in both directions; up again by narrow, pokerish ladders to a higher set of chambers, in and out, up and down, till we were lost in amazing confusion. Here was, indeed, a city of streets and population far under the surface of the earth. Many of the chambers or streets were deserted ; in others we found little coteries of miners, picking away at the hard rock, and loading up cars of the ore, that were sent out by the tunnels and up by the shafts to the surface above. Here, too, was a building in a AVide hall under ground, and steam engine to help on the work. Some of the chambers had closed in after being worked out of ore ; others have been filled up to prevent caving in and causing great disaster overhead; but many of the open passages were stayed or braced open still with huge frame work of timber ; more lumber, indeed, as I have told you, I believe, is used for this purpose in this single mine, than has been put into all the buildings of Virginia City itself, with its ten thousand to fifteen thousand inhabitants. And m many of the passages, such is the outward pressure into the vacuum, that these timbers, as big as a man's body, are bent and splintered almost in two. TINENT. irrow recesses in the : failed to remember ihors a. vacuum," and ; the present occasion I was in. At last we and the work after it ; i and wandered about, jvel, and then out on n in both directions; 1 ladders to a higher up and down, till we n. Here was, indeed, n far under the surface chambers or streets found little coteries of tiard rock, and loading sent out by the tunnels surface above. Here, ie hall under ground, n the work. Some of ifter being worked out id up to prevent caving r overhead ; but many stayed or braced open timber ; more lumber, believe, is used for this than has been put into .City itself, with its ten i inhabitants. And in is the outward pressure ie timbers, as big as a plintered almost in two. COMING OUT OF THE MINE. 3>9 Great pine sticks, eighteen inches square, were thus bent, like a bow, or yawned with gaping splin- ters ; and the spaces left in some places for us to go through were in this way reduced so small that we almost had to crawl to get along. Do you wonder that we began to grow weary, and thought we had seen enough? Besides, the mine was oppressively hot and close ; the mercury was up to one hundred degrees and more, and the sweat poured from us like water. One of our party grew faint and feeble, and we voted to take the near- est way out. This happened to be the most peril- ous and trying ; but we did not realize that, and our miner guide, unsensitive from experience, did not think of it. So he started us into a long shaft, running straight up and down for several hundreds of feet, dark and damp as night, with no breaks or landing places, and set us going one after another, up a perpendicular ladder fastened to its side. We only took in a sense of the thing after we had got started ; each must carry his lighted candle, hold on, and creep ahead ; a single misstep by any one, the fainting of our invalid, or of any of us, all weary and unstrung, would not only have plunged that one headlong down the long fatal flight, to be- come a very Mantilinean cold body at the bottom, but would have swept everybody below him on the ladder, like a row of bricks, to the same destination and destruction. There was, you may well believe, a stern summoning of all remaining strength and nerves, a close, firm grip on the rounds of the lad- der, a silent, grave procession, much and rapid 320 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. thought, and a very long breath, and a very fervent if voiceless prayer, when we got to the daylight and tne top. Our part of the shaft and the ladder was about one hundred and fifty ^eet; it seemed very long ; and we were content to call our day's work done when it was over. Brains won the victory over body ; but both were weary enough at the end. . ~5ut if I prolong this story : y further, you will almost-, wish I had never got out of that shaft I SO' ani of H( Tl- cis m\ ho en foi Ai m m: yo "V Sa yo ou CO in riNENT. h, and a very fervent )t to the daylight and t and the ladder was feet; it seemed very call our day's work tins won the victory ry enough at the end. J y further, you will xi of that shaft I LETTER XXVIII. SOCIAL LIFE IN SAN FRANCISCO: THE WOMEN i RELIGION AND MINISTERS. San Francisco, August 3a You must be a very indifferent sort of person, and have no friends, to escape during the first week of a visit here an invitation to drive out to the Cliff House for breakfast and a sight of the sea-lions. This is the one special pet dissipation of San Fran- cisco, the very trump card in its hospitality. A night among the Chinese houses and gambling holes is reserved as a choice tit-bit for the pruri- ently curious few ; but the Cliff and the seals are for all ages and conditions of men and women. And, indeed, this is a very pleasan% reviving ex- cursion. A drive of five or six milts, along a hard- made road over the intervening sand-hills, brings you out to the broad Pacific, rolling in and out, "wide as waters be." You strain your eyes for Sandwich Islands and China, — they are right before you ; no object intervenes, and you feel that you ought to see them. Just at the right, around the corner, is the Golden Gate ; and vessels are passing in and out the bay. A rare cliff rock places you 14* " I , I- 322 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. beyond the sands, within the ocean ; and a f,ne hotel on its very edge offers every hospitality— at a price. Out upon half a dozen fragmentary rocks, like solid castles moored in the ocean below and before, are the seals and the pelicans. The rocks are cov- ered and alive with them. You remember Barnum s seals at New York and Boston, don't you?— great sleek and slimy amphibious calves,-all bodies, small heads and short, webby feet,-bobbing up and down in their water tanks, and most making you weep with their large, Uquid human eyes, like a hunger- ing, sorrowing woman's ? Well, here is their native water and rock; from these rocks they were cap- tured, and here by twenties and fifties you see their relations. Crawling up from the water, awkwardly and blunderingly like babe at its first creeping, they spread themselves in the sun all over the rocks twenty and thirty feet high sometimes, and he there asif comatose; anon raising the head to look abo^. and utter a rough, wide-soundmg bark; ol.cn two or three, by reason of a fresh squatter on their ter- ritory, get into combat, and strike and bite languidly at one another, barking and grumbling meanwhie like long-lunged dogs; and again, tired of discard or weary of heaven, they plunge, with more of spring than they do anything else, back into the deep se. An opera-glass brings them close to you upon the hotel'pia-a, and there is a singular fascm^-; - sitting and watching their performances They je of all sizes from fifty pounds weigh up to two hun dred and three hundred. Sea gulls and pelicans the latter huge and awkward in flight as turkeys. in tl- ri s\ fc ri b u f( ri a ITINENT. cean ; and a ♦'.ne hotel ospitality — at a price, igmentary rocks, like ;ean below and before, i. The rocks are cov- lu remember Barnum's :on, don't you ?— great lives,— all bodies, small -bobbing up and down lost making you weep m eyes, like a hunger- ell, here is their native : rocks they were cap- ind fifties you see their I the water, awkwardly t its first creeping, they ,un all over the rocks, sometimes, and He there ; the head to look about inding bark ; olicn two ih squatter on their ter- strike and bite languidly i grumbling meanwhile I again, tired of discord nge, with more of spring back into the deep sea. n close to you upon the I singular fascination in jerformances. They are is weight up to two hun- Sea gulls and pelicans, ard in flight as turkeys. THE PACIFIC BEACH— "SOCIETY. 323 dispute possession of the rocks ; resting in great flocks, or with loud flaps flying around and around, overlooking the water for passing food. Weary of these sights, the visitor seeks neighbor- ing charming coves among the rocks below, and lies there out of the wind, watching the rolling waves rising and breaking over the island rocks, and sweeping in up the seducing sands to toy with his fefct. And again, mounting horse or carriage, he rides swiftly and smoothly along the neighboring broad beach of hard sand for several miles; the unbroken, wide-reaching, long-rolling ocean is be- fore his sight; and his horse's feet dance in merry race with the incoming surf ;— and thus solemnly awed with ocean expanse, alteriiate with dainty titillation of amused senses, he closes his charming half day at the Cliflf. "Society" in this representative town of the Pa- cific Coast is somewhat difiicult of characterization. It holds in chaos all sorts of elements ; the very best, and the very worst, and all between. There is much of New York in it, much of St. Louis and Chicago, and a good deal that is original and local ; born of wide separation from the centers of our best social civilization; of the dominating materi- alism and masculineism of all life here; of compar- ative lack of homes and families and their influences. There are probably more bachelors, great, lusty fel- lows, who ought to be ashamed of themselves, living in hotels or in "lodgings," in this town, than in any place of its size in the world. There is want of femininity, spirituality in the current tone of the ft' i.*m ACROSS THE CONTINENT. place ; lack of reverence for women ; fewer women to reverence, than our eastern towns are accustomed to. You hear more than is pleasant of private scandals ; of the vanity and weakness of women ; of the infideUty of wives. "It is the cussedest place for women," said an observant Yankee citizen, some two or three years from home, and not forget- ful yet of mother, sister and cousin.— "a town of men and taverns and boarding-houses and billiard- saloons." Yet there seem to be plenty, of women,— such as they are; and Montgomery Street will otfer the promenader as many pretty and striking faces, per- haps more in proportion, than Washington Street or Broadway. But the dominating qtiality, like mercy, is not strained ; it savors of the mannish- ness, the materialism, the "fastness" and the "loud- ness" of the country; and paradoxical as it may appear, by contrast with eastern society, the men seem of a higher grade than the women,— better for men than the latter as women. Nor is this in- consistent with reason ; the men, dealing with great practical necessities and duties, are less harmed, on the whole, by the dominant materialism of life here, than the women, whose pressing responsibilities are lower and fewer;— as a fine, delicate blade is more roughened in cutting the way through bram- ble and brush than a tough and broader edge. All which is not only natural, but inevitable. In all new countries, where the first fight is for life and wealth with rough nature, the masculine qual- ity must ever be dominant ; and the feminine ele- wm INENT. HOW THE LADIES DRESS. 325 men ; fewer -Aromen wns are accustomed pleasant of private weakness of women ; It is the cussedest vant Yankee citizen, ome, and not forget- lousin, — "a town of -houses and billiard- ty of women, — such Street will offer the d striking faces, per- i Washington Street inating qtiality, like 'ors of the mannish- ness"and the "loud- aradoxical as it may em society, the men the women, — better nen. Nor is this in- en, dealing with great s, are less harmed, on iterialism of life here, ssing responsibilities fine, delicate blade is le way through bram- id broader edge, al, but inevitable. In first fight is for life :, the masculine qual- and the feminine ele- ments must be influenced by it, more than they in- fluence it in turn. The senses rule the spirit. All civilization, all progress tends to the increase of the feminine element in our nature, and in life ; con- trast the centuries, and we see it creeping in every- where, in men and women alike, in religion, in in- tellectual culture, in art, in social intercourse, — • softening, refining, hallowing, — the atmosphere of all modern life pictures. Women, who possess and represent this blossom of our civilization, are by no means wanting here, — no more perfect speci- mens have I ever met anywhere ; tender, tasteful, true ; and gaining in aggregate influence over so- ciety day by day ; but yet not to-day representing or making what is called " society." The ladies generally dress in good taste. Paris is really as near San Francisca as New York, and there are many foreign famil'es here. But the styles are not so subdued as in our eastern cities ; a high- er or rather louder tone prevails ; rich, full colors, and sharp contrasts; the startling effects that the Parisian demi-monde seeks, — these are seen dor"i- nating here. In costliness of costume, too, there n* apparent rivalry among the San Francisco ladies. Extravagance is lamented as a common weakness among them, and leading, where fortune is so fickle as here, to many a worse one often. Perhaps in no other American city. would the ladies invoice so high per head as in San Francisco, when they go out to the opera, or to party, or ball. Their point lace is deeper, their moire antique stiffer, their skirts a trifle longer, their corsage an inch lower, their f fi 1 ■; , is 326 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. diamonds more brilUant.-and more of them. -than the cosmopolite is likely to find elsewhere. AnotheJ "society" item, and we -U. pa- on- The common dining hour being five and s.xo clock, the women are denied the fhet.c go^sj^^Mng tea^ party, so peculiar to New Lngland. The lunch party" is their substitute, and a famous feature of Cinine social life it is. The hour .s from h.gh noon to two o'clock, when the men are busy at thur work, and the women have this dissipation all to themselves. Richer and more various as a meal Ire the U:nches than the teas they substitute ; the eating and attendant gossiping often absorb a whole afternoon, leaving the participants appetiteless. it >s true, for the family dinner, but with what comp n- sating nuterial for garnishing the meal for the household! I have never even so much as seen throth a crack in the door one of these Califorma femile lunch parties ; but confidential confessions lead me to gi.'. ^hem a high place m the social fea- tures and dfstractions of the life of the town And yet for high art in the line of the delicate but in- dustrious scandal-mongering and the virtuous plot- ting against masculine authority, that we are wont to attribute to these exclusive gathenngs of our dear Srs. it does still seem to me that the New England conjunction of twilight and green hyson are much more favorable. Doubtless, these Cali- fornia Eves are bolder in their habits, as becomes their life and the grosser evils they are the victims of; but how much more daintily and dehcately the stiletto and Ike tongue, the knitting-needle and the _L INliNT. nore of thcin,— than [ elsewhere, id we will pass on. ; five and six o'clock, 'hetic, gossiping tca- igland. The "lunch a famous feature of je hour is from high men are busy at their his dissipation all to re various as a meal i they substitute ; the ; often absorb a whole ants appctiteless, it is it with what compen- ig the meal for the iren so much as seen ne of these California onfidential confessions place in the social fca- lifeof thetown. And jf the delicate but in- and the virtuous plot- )rity, that we are wont ive gatherings of our tn to me that the New light and green hyson Doubtless, these Cali- leir habits, as becomes ils they are the victims ntily and delicately the knitting-needle and the THE NEW ENGLAND SPIRIT DOMINANT. 32/ eye can do their sweet work under a little softening of the shadows and the inspiration of hot tea on a stomach that has already done its duty for the day ! In affairs of public morals, and education and re- ligion, there is much activity in San Francisco, and a healthy progress in the right direction is visibly constant. The New England elements arc clearly dominant here and through the whole Pacific Coast region ; softened from their old Puritanic habits, — marrying themselves to the freer and more sensuous life of a new country with a cosmopolitan popula- tion, but still preserving their best qualities of de- cency, of order, of justice, of constant progress upward in morality and virtue. The "Pikes" were the first people all over this country,— emigrants from Missouri, to which again they had been emi- grants from the southern States, — and, joined to some direct importations from the home of the chivalry, they gave tone to society, and law, or rather want of law, to the government of city and State. But the Vigilance Committee revolution of ten years ago, — a mob in the interest of justice and orderand morality, — inaugurated a new era. That was the North against the South, — the clash of their civilizations ; and the North, seizing the in- strumentalities of violence, rose and destroyed vio- lence itself. Since then, there has been a steady, though struggling and sometimes hesitating, im- provement in the character of all the life of city and Coast. Ambition and pride in the things that are re- spectable and proper are singularly prominent ; and L 328 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. men contribute lavishly to build fine school-houses and support churches, whose lives arc not especially controlled by the influences that school-houses and churches create. The gamblers give way gracious- ly to the progress towards decency and respecta- bility, and join in outward observance of the Sab- bath, help to build churches, and nuikc orderly tho street life of the town. It is very interesting t(» watch the various stages of this progress upward, from the new mining town of one or two years' life, up to San Francisco and Portland, which arc the fullest flower of Pacific civilization. The order and decorum oT the streets of these two cities arc as perfect as those of Boston ; the San Francisco police system is admirable, and a woman may walk the streets of this city in the evening, with less danger of insult and annoyance, than in those of Springfield, even. Money is lavished, even, on the school-houses, which are the most stately and elegant buildings in town, and the schools themselves have all the "mod- ern improvements," good and bad. There is spe- cial life, too, in the churches ; the Sabbath is cer- tainly as well observed as in New York ; the con- gregations are large, day and evening ; the Sunday schools even boast of a larger attendance, in pro- portion to the population, than those of any othei city in the country ; new church edifices are con- stantly going up; and, as your eastern parishes have reason to know, there is an eag^r seeking of the broadest and best pulpit talent to fill them. The demand seems to be for smart, effective ora- INENT. 1 fine school-houses es are not especially It school-houses and s give way gracious- cency and rcspccta- icrvance of the Sab- nd nuikc orderly tho very interesting t(» lis progress upward, (f one or two years' Portland, which arc ilization. The order these two cities arc I ; the San Francisco d a woman may walk e evening, with less ice, than in those of m the school-houses, 1 elegant buildings in 'cs have all the " mod- bad. There is spe- ; the Sabbath is cer- New York ; the con- evening ; the Sunday ;r attendance, in pro- m those of any othei irch edifices are con- 'our eastern parishes 3 an eager seeking of t talent to fill them, r smart, effective ora- THE CLERGY — REV. MR. .STEnniNS. 329 tors, as well as holy men; and the churches are not easily pleased. Among the "orthodox" preachers, Rev. Dr. Wadsworlh, from I'hiUulelphia, i)erhaps ranks first ; and his society, a Presbyterian one, is probably the largest and richest of that order. He is more of a scholar than an orator, however ; but is greatly re- spected and beloved. Just now, Rev. Dr. Scudder, from Doston, is making his debut as pastor of one of the Presbyterian societies, and is drawing large houses. He has a free, popular. Ward Ueecher style of talking in the pulpit, which, if really genu ine and natural, will undoubtedly help him to per- manent popularity and usefulness here. The Con- gregational society, that bid so high for Rev. A. L. Stone, of Boston, is still in the market for a first- class preacher. Rev. Horatio Stebbins, of the Uni- tarian church, which can boast a larger parish in- come than any society in America, is, of course, chief among the liberals ; and his many New Eng- land friends will be rejoiced to know that he has won a high position already among the intellectual and religious leaders, in California society. Starr King's peculiar popularity and remarkable career here made it hard for any one to come after him in the same pulpit; nobody could fill his place; for that matter, no man was ever great enough to fill anybody's else place: but i* was early found that Mr. Stebbins could make a place for himself, and nil it too. And this he has done. His superiority m pure intellectual and spiritual qualities is con- ceded ; and I have heard prominent citizens, with 330 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. I-*" no partial kinship to his church to influence their opinion, speak of him often as the first man in in- tellect on the Coast. His first year here is now closing, and though his salary is six thousand dol- lars a year in gold, his friends have just made him up an anniversary gift of four thousand dollars (gold), by way of indicating that they know him and like him, and to repair the damages of his re- moval from the East. There is large extra demand upon all the clergy- men here for leadership in all literary and moral enterprises, in all matters, indeed, involving the public well-being. Mr. Stebbins has been particu- larly called upon for public addresses during the past season ; and there is also much impatience for his presence and preaching among the liberal relig- ious populations of the interior and of Oregon, where no societies of his faith yet exist, — so that there is an especial need of an able associate and assistant to divide his great and growing field and severe duties with him.* In the country parishes, particularly in the min- ing districts, the religious organizations are not so flourishing. The populations have decreased in many cases ; — there is nothing more desolate, in- deed, than the appearance and prospects of these interioi mining villages, the interest, which gave them sudden rise and. prosperity, all gone or nearly *Such provision has since been made by the Unitarian organi- zation in the East, and Rev. Charles G. Ames. of Albany has gone out to California for this very purpose. He has excellent qualities for such service, and will admirably supplement Mr. Stebbins' pe- culiar talents and labors. S ti n u ii tl it P cl 01 ai C m is m d< ci w ^m 1 NTINENT. irch to influence their IS the first man in in- first year here is now ry is six thousand dol- is have just made him four thousand dollars I that they know him the damages of his re- nd upon all the clergy- all literary and moral indeed, involving the bbins has been particu- c addresses during the ,so much impatience for among the liberal relig- Lterior and of Oregon, faith yet exist,— so that if an able associate and t and growing field and particularly in the min- organizations are not so ons have decreased in thing more desolate, in- ; and prospects of these he interest, which gave perity, all gone or nearly made by the Unitarian organi- es G. Ames. of Albany has gone lose. He has excellent qualities )ly supplement Mr. Stebbins' pe- A FIELD FOR MISSIONARIES. 331 spent, and nothing taking its place ;— and the ability to fill the churches and pay the clergyman is cor- respondingly reduced. The people who remain are uniformly generous and self-sacrificing in support- ing the institutions of religion, but divided up into the various sects, each with its meeting-house, and its zealous pride of doctrine, no one of them has power to support a minister creditably. Many clergymen are therefore going away, literally starved out; and numerous -districts of interior California are actually becoming missionary fields. All this Coast and its interior mining districts have great need to-day of earnest, unsectarian Christian min- isters and missionaries. The people are in the main responsive to right appeal ; they are eager to develop all the institutions and elements of the best civilization, and will contribute liberally of money, whenever they have it, in aid thereof; but it is no holiday work that invites those who would lead them. The men and women, who engage in it, should come with resolute heart, and the power and willingness to rough it in some res^ -cts, and come to stay at least five years,— not for a selfish pleasure trip to' see the country, and pay expenses by preach- ing and prospecting in the mines. This country has had enough of that sort of martyr-missionaries ; they are of most profit to the steamship companies ; but for men of the other sort, there is no more in- teresting or fruitful or pressing field of labor, the wortd over, than this New Nation of our West. In all these matters, to which I have devoted this letter,— society, manners, morals, education, re- 'I * ACROSS THE CONTINENT. llgion— the great want, the great reformer, is the Pacific Railroad. These, as much as mmcs and commerce, await the vivifying and elevat.ag mflu- ence of that great instrumentaUty. Every discus- sion of the interests and the needs of this half of our Continent ends here. All life on the Coast is a circle leading to that. Everybody here sees this, realizes it, far more painfully than you possibly can in the East. I borrow the philosophical and im- pressive words of Rev. Mr. Stebbins, in closing his sermon last Sunday, to repeat this idea to you -to show you how it is felt here, and how you ought to feel it there : — "The primeval command to ' replenish andsubdue' the earth, U promulgated anew to us on these outer borders of the world. We, upon this Coast, need, above all material advantage, as the condi- tion of a noble social life and progress, an unbroken and swift com- munication by railway and magnetic circuit with the places winch we still fondly call our Home. The social effect of such relations would be unspeakable in giving permanence and quiet to society. This longing, thav comes like the sigh of the night-wmd over the habitations of men, would be hushed. When the continental rail- way and the ocean line to China shall be complete, the London cos- mopolite will make the circuit of the globe in ninety days, and we shall be nourished by the blood of the heart of the Y?Drld. Intelli- cence will be increased, society liberalized by intercourse, and ex-, temporaneous adventure driven out by better industries as m the olden time the temple of God was cleared of money-changers by the presence of a superior spirit Men have been attracted here by the dangerous and corrupting passion for gold. The mherent ten- dencies to barbarism in that adventure can be overcome and neu- tralized only by assimilation with the best forms of society, and bringing these distant places into close proximity with civilizjtion, that the whole world may be tributary of its best things. " It is not wise for us to flatter ourselves with false appearwices or expectations. The bare historic fact is, that no fine state of hu- man i of ex theg govei will £ prodi on th of na but n plays his b porte Noth comn with manl grow made impu perm ways worU porte ment us in whicl tion that' ques no b their licve ther her : worli "I whic manl thus a ste instr TINENT. REV. MR. STEBBINS ON CALIFORNIA SOCIETY. 333 ;reat reformer, is the much as mines and : and elevati/ig influ- :ality. Every discus- needs of this half of il life on the Coast is rybody here sees this, than you possibly can philosophical and im- tebbins, in closing his t this idea to you,— to ind how you ought to lish and subdue' the earth, is r borders of the world. We, :rial advantage, as the condi- i, an unbroken and swift corn- circuit with the places which social effect of such relations manence and quiet to society. ;h of the night-wind over the . When the continental rail- be complete, the London cos- globe in ninety days, and we e heart of the v?Drld. Intelli- alized by intercourse, and ex- ^ by better industries, as in the :leared of money-changers by en have been attracted here by n for gold. The inherent ten- ire can be overcome and neu- he best forms of society, and )se proximity with civilization, y of its best things, irselves with false appearances [act is, that no fine state of hu- man society has ever existed over gold mines. And the only ground of expectation we have, that society here will prove an exception to the general law, is, that the compensating influences of a beneficent government and swift communication with the world of mankind will give us the laws, the manners and the religion which no gold- producing country has ever been able to make for itself. Man, here on these shores, contends not merely with the uhreclaimed powers of nature, as the pioneer of New England or the Mississippi valley, but nature herself is dishonest. She bribes and corrupts him, and plays a trick on all his being. She sneers at his industry, makes his business a joke, and his word a lie. The world must be im- ported here to make nature honest, and outwit her secret arts. Nothing can save us from Spanish decline and Mexic littleness but communication with the world; that rapid and sure intercourse with human society, which assimilates the interests and the life of mankind. And I make this moral predicamen*- concerning tho growth and prosperity of our State ; That the powers which have made her prosperous thus far have done their best, and that no great impulse of human affairs, having breadth and hight and depth of permanent, xmtiring progress, can be felt here until the great high- ways are opened over sea and land ; and the world, the many-sided world of industries and arts, and commerce and literature, is im- ported to us. The primeval command comes to us with the aug- mented authority of our providential vocation, and is reiterated to us in original sublimity of moral law from every mountain summit which nature raises up as a barrier to our assimilation with the Na- tion and mankind. It is only by *he introduction of new powers that we can conserve those we have. Compared wi^h this all other questions for us are idle. And the people of California can make no better investment of their time, their talents, their money, or their public spirit, — and I would that I could persuade you to be- lieve it and quit all your lesser contradictions, — than in turning all the powers of the State to overcome the barriers which lie between her and the Nation's hearthstone, between her and the heart of the world. "Human society is made for religion: — for the ends and aims which religion suggests. Whatever promotes the assimilation of mankind, whatever brings nations and peoples into communion, thus supplementing each other in the completeness of humanity, is a step in the advancing kingdom of God. This earth is a musical instrument not )'et fully strung. When every Coast shall be peo- 334 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. m ri- T>led every mountain barrier overcome, every abyss sp-.nned, and Se peoples of the earth shall flow together as in prophet.c v.s,on to the mountain of the Lord's house, and harmony of common good shall persuade the lion and the lamb; when ^^-^^f^^ Greater than conflict, and order than violence, when manners shall IZZ the races as a garment of beauty, and religion conserve soc- enrobe the ^=»^" * » soul.-then this earth shall give its sound kind." These are, indeed, solemn, majestic truths, most impressively stated. I would that they reach every soul East and West, and bring forth early, earnest fruit. CLIN SS . feft'i " ' riNENT. every abyss sp"u,nned, and ther as in prophetic vision and harmony of common lamb; when laws shall be lence ; when manners shall and religion conserve soci- nis earth shall give its sound B, and the providential pur- s the beacon lighu of man- majestic truths, most that they reach every ig forth early, earnest LETTER XXIX. CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS: COST OF LIVING: THE CURRENCY QUESTION: THE MINT. San Francisco, August 3». The climate of all this Pacific side of the Ro'-ky Mountains is one in its distinctive qualities. As a change from that of the Atlantic States, there can be no doubt of its beneficial influence upon the health, both because it is a change, and because it is less variable. It offers none of those wide sweeps of temperature that, both in degree and in sudden- ness, so try a weak constitution, and break down a strong one. Snow and ice are things unknown out of the mountains, in California, Oregon and Nevada. The summer sun is fiercer than in the Middle and New England States ; but its oppressiveness is broken by a constant vitality in the air, and uni- formly cool nights, that do not accompany your ^ July and August weather io the East. Neither the long summer drouth nor the winter rains appear to be an element of ill health or even of great dis- comfort to an invalid in themselves. The rains ai ; not oppressive save in the central valley of Oregon ; ?nd their chief inconvenience is felt in the mud in the country, as that of the summer's drouth is in J 336 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. W 'i hii! ' f < '^t the deep and sensitive dust, both making walking and riding off the pavements a great trial to clean- liness and comfort. , , • , But the evenness of the climate and the mde- scribable inspiration of the air are the great features of life here, and the great elements in its health. There is ^ steady tone in the atmosphere, like draft of champagne, or subtle presence of iron. It in- vites to labor, and makes it possible. Horses can travel more miles here in a day than at the East; and men and women feel impelled to an unusual activity San Francisco, which has the advantage of the interior in a cooler summer, probably offers more working days in the year than any other town or city in America; less occasion for loss from bad weather and consequent ill-health. But this city, though favorable to preserving health, is bad for regaining it. Its doctors say it is the easiest place to keep well in, but the hardest to get well m. They send their invalids into the country. It is too early yet to determine the permanent influences of the climate^of the Pacific Coast upon the race. The fast and rough life of the present generation here is not sure basis for calculation But the indications are that the human stock wil •be improved both in physical and nervous qual- ities The children are stout and lusty. 1 he climate invites and permits with impunity such a larVe open-air life that it could hardly be otherwise There is great freedom from lung difficulties ; but the weakness of the country is in nervoHS affections. The journey hither is a serious and tedious one. riNENT. 0th making walking . great trial to cleau- imate and the inde- are the great features sments in its health, itmosphere, like draft ence of iron. It in- lossible. Horses can ay than at the East ; pelled to an unusual Lch has the advantage mmer, probably offers r than any other town ision for loss from bad lealth. But this city, ing health, is bad for r it is the easiest place irdest to get well in". » the country, ermine the permanent the Pacific Coast upon igh life of the present ; basis for calculation. : the human stock will cal and nervous qual- tout and lusty. The with impunity such a lid hardly be otherwise, n lung difficulties ; but is in nervoi^s affections, erious and tedious one, THE FRUITS OF CALIFORNIA. 337 either by land or water, and no really weak invalid should undertake it. But persons with a tendency to weak lungs, or with a low physical system that is being sapped by our rough eastern changes in temperature, can imdoubtedly come over here with advantage, and secure a longer and a heartier life. San Francisco is no place for a weak lung in sum- mer, however; the interior valleys must then be resorted to by those thus afflicted ; but in winter this rity is as favorable a residence for health as any in the State. The abundance and variety of fruits and vegeta- bles, and their great size and vigorous health, con- tinue to be a surprise and a pleasure here. No State in the Union has such wealth in these respects as California. Nearly everything that the temperate and torrid zones unite to offer is hers by birth-right or domestication. The southern counties send up figs and oranges and bananas and tenderest of grapes; the northern, apples in abundance; and peaches, strawberries, plums, blackberries and pears come from all. And gnarled or wormy fruit is never seen ; everything is lound, fair and large. So of vegetables, — the range is wide ; only Indian corn is fastidious and requires to be humored ; and the size and perfection of shape and vigor of health are uniformly such as are seen in the East only at cattle show exhibitions and in small quantities. But the fastidious Yankee, who never forgets his home or his mother's pies and preserves, insists that the quality of the fruit and vegetables is below that of the productions of the orchards and gardens IS 22 338 ACROSS VUE CONTINENT. mii of the Middle States and New England,-that the el just a lower flavor and delicacy m them 1 Icrifici of piquancy and richness to perfecUon of Shane and bulk. It may be this is only an lUus ra- tLn of that great moral truth that Burton used to mpress upon his Chambers street theater audiences^ nhat the sassengers of infancy "^^^"^ ""^^^ ' ""^ yet I am inclined to believe there is really some- [hing in it. But he must be an ungratefu churl howLr. who is not content with the wealth and ■iety that nature offers us here for food, and at comparatively low prices, too. The table can b both better and more cheaply spread m nearly al respects here in San Francisco, than m any other Am'ertan city at this moment. Butter perhaps, is f weak point, and so is hsh; for though the fish o the Pacific are generally the same m species and appearance as those of the East, the quality is con- fcLdly and uniformly below. Everything in the markets, however, is sold by the pound; potatoes and grains and fruit, as well as meat and butter. But this is surely the fairest test. Weight is the fin St measure of the real worth of all food ; and why should it not be applied to all as to ^orr^^^^^^ The best time to see this country is in the spring. From February to June, when the rains are dwin- dling away to greet the summer drouth, and vege- tation of all sorts comes into its freshes^riche life then, according to all testimony, is the most ctrming season for the traveler. All these now bare and russet hills, these dead and drear plains are then alive with vigorous green, disputed, shaded and The unc no I luxi for all? wh{ and lian the wat Th( mo! nat sou Fel Ocl eve the voj rail I twc Pri mu da) hei or pre anc to-: riNENT. Jew England,— that id delicacy in them ; incss to perfection of lis is only an illustra- that Burton used to eet theater audiences, ;y never return;" and there is really some- an ungrateful churl, with the wealth and here for food, and at ), The table can be y spread in nearly all ico, than in any other tt. Butter, perhaps, is for though the fish of ; same in species and ;ast, the quality is con- ft. Everything in the /■ the pound; potatoes 11 as meat and butter, it test. Weight is the rth of all food; and why 11 as to some articles ? :ountry is in the spring, len the rains are dwin- amer drouth, and vege- nto its freshest, richest testimony, is the most •aveler. AH these now i dead and drear plains, ; green, disputed, shaded THE TIME TO VISIT C> LIFORNIA. 339 and glorified with all the rival and richer colors. The wild flowers of California fairly carpet all the iinrultivated ground. No June prairie of Illinois ; no garden of eastern culture can rival them. For luxuriance, for variety and depth and hight of color, fcr complete occupation of the hills and the plains, all agree that there is nothing like it to be seen any- where else in nature. Then, too, the trees are clean and fiesh ; the live oak groves are enriched to bril- liant gardens by the flowers and grass below ; and the pine and fir forests hold majestic yet tender watch over all the various new life of the woods. Those who would visit he Pacific States under the most favorable circumstances, for seeing all their natural beauty, and studying all their improved re- sources.'would do best to come around by sea in February, and go home overland in September or October. That would afford ample time to observe everything leisurely, a ' \t its best estate. After the first two or three da_yo out from New York, the voyage at this season of starting is made under mild and pleasant skies on both sides the Continent It is not easy to make any exact comparison be- tween the cost of living here and that at the East. Prices of everything, both here and there, are now much unsettled and fickle ; what might be true to- day would be wholly changed next week. Then here, there is a lack of settled and uniform habits or scales of living; an irregular, fitful ^extravagance prevails ; in luck, to-jjay, a man drinks champagne and flaunts his jewelry at the Occidental; while to-morrow, fortune frowning, he is sponging a din- ±, ACROSS THE CONTINENT. ncr and a chink from his friends, and takct, a fifty- cent lodging at the What Cheer House. Large profits are generally demanded by the tradeis; nothing is sold for less than "two bits" (twenty-five cents) ; and a fifty-eent piece is the lowest com that it is respectable to earry. or throw to the man who waters your horse. As a general rule, no statement can be more intelligent than that it costs about as much to live in San Francisco in gold as it does in Boston and New York in greenbacks load, and consequently board, is cheaper than this here ; bu dry goods and luxuries arc generally more At the best hotels, the Occidental and Cosmopolitan, he price is three dollars a day in gold, which is the same as the four dollars and fifty cents per diem in greenbacks of your first New York and Boston houses. - . The "What Cheer House" is the famous rcsor for miners and mechanics ; and it has niade several fine fortunes in furnishing meals and beds at fifty cents each. Some of the features of this establish, ment are original and noteworthy. It ^^^^^ ^'^ pecial office for receiving clothes to be washed and mended, a well chosen popular library with five thousand volumes, full files ^^ "^J^P^P^^^^^^^j nfagazines. an extensive and valuable cabmet of minerals, and a beautiful collection of stuffed birds all for the accommodation and entertammen of its guests. Its reading room is generally well-filled ^th plain, rough-looking mc«, each w|th book o newspaper in hand. The rule of the establishmen is for every guest to buy a supply of tickets fo. :1NENT. Lis, and takcb a fifty- iccr Mouse. Larf;e ed by the traders; wo bits" (twenty-five s the lowest coin that irow to the man who ;ral rulC; no statement ;hat it costs about as ) in gold as it does in :enbacks. Food, and r than this here ; but ncrally more. At the nd Cosmopolitan, the in gold, which is the fifty cents per diem in iw York and Boston " is the famous resort nd it has made several neals and beds at fifty Ltures of this establish- vorthy. It has an es- )thes to be washed and jular library with five ;s of newspapers and id valuable cabinet of lection of stuffed birds, nd entertainment of its is generally well-fiUed iie«, each with book or ule of the establishment a supply of tickets for THE SAN FRANCISCO MARKETS. 341 meals and lodgings on his arrival, and the proprietor redeems with cash what have not been used up when the customer leaves. A "drink" at an aristocratic San Francisco bar is two bits (twenty-five cents), at a more democratic establishment one bit (ten cents). There is no coin in use less than a dime (ten cents); one of these answers as "a bit;" two of them will pass for two bits, or twenty-five cents ; but the man who often offers two dimes for a quarter of a dollar is voted a " bummer." Some quotations from the retail family markets will still further illustrate the prices of food and living here : butter seventy-five cents a pound, eggs seventy cents a dozen, hams and bacon thirty cents a pound, potatoes one to two and one-half cents a pound, cauliflowers one dollar to one dollar and twenty-five cents per dozen, green peas five to ten cents a pound, apples four to ten cents a pound, peaches five to ten cents a pound, pears three to ten cents, grapes three to ten cents, new figs eight to fifteen cents a pound, dried figs twenty to forty cents, chickens seventy-five cents apiece, turkeys thirty cents a pound, ducks one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars a pair, quails one dollar and fifty cents per dozen, rabbits thirty-seven cents a pair, fresh palmon eight to twelve cents a pound, smelts ten cents a pound, sea bass five to ten cents, codfish ten to twelve cents, oranges four dollars to four dollars and fifty cents per hundred, lard thirty-three cents a pound. French and English dry goods at auction sold like this: — Brussels carpets one dollar and twenty- five cents • to one dollar and sixty-seven ACROSS THE CONTINENT. cents, velvet carpets one dolhr and sixty cents to two dollars and fifteen cents, broadcloth two dollars and forty-five cents to three dollars, black silks two dollars and fifteen cents to two dollars and eighty- five cents, plain wool delaines twenty-seven to thirty cents number five ribbons one dollar to one dollar and seven cents, satinets fifty to sixty-two cents These latter arc wholesale rates, of courie, and all the figures quoted are for specie. My readers will infer, what I think T have not ex- plicitly stated before, that the currency of these States is gold and silver. Taper money has been kept out by the force of a very obstinate public opinion and the instrumentality of State legislation. Our national currency of greenbacks are seen here simply as merchandise; you buy and sell them at the brokers, for about seventy-five cents in coin to the dollar. Of course being made a " legal tender by United States law, it is competent to pay a debt here with them; but no man who should do this orce, without the sum being made proportionately larger of course, could henceforth have any credit or standing in the mercantile community. AH large and long credits are now coupled with an express stipulation that they are on a specie footing, ar.d a law of the State, known as the "specific contract act " protects such arrangements. But public opin- ion so far, and in all the small daily transactions of trade is the great and controlling law on the subject. These Pacific States' never having had any paper monfey of their own, and producing plenty of the material for coin, with a mint for its manufacture, it J- :1NENT. r and sixty cents to roacldoth two dollars >llars, black silks two dollars and cighty- wcnty-scvcn to thirty (• dollar to one dollar ^ to sixty-two cents. OS, of couric, and all ne. [ think T have not cx- ^c currency of these iper money has been vrcry obstinate public y of State k'};islation. snbacks arc seen here buy and sell them at y-five cents in coin to made a "legal tender" impetcnt to pay a debt m who should do this made proportionately eforth have any credit community. All large oupled with an express a specie footing, and a the "specific contract ents. But public opin- dl daily transactions of lling law on the subject. ;r having had any paper iroducing plenty of the it for its manufacture, it THE "greenback question. 343 was very natural, though unquestionably selfish and luipatriotic, for them to resist the debasement and supersedurc of their currency by the legal tender notes, which the general government resorted to for means to carry on the war. Their motive in excluding them was, of course, to protect their busi- ness operations from the dangerous derangements, often spreading a wide financial ruin, that arc the common accompaniments of a cheap and abundant currency. But since only activity and prosperity are seen to have resulted in the eastern States, — while depression and dullness have been creeping over affairs in these States,— there has been a grad- ual change in public sentiment on the subject. Out of San Francisco, and especially in Oregon and Nevada, there is evidently a preponderating feeling now in favor of introducing the national currency. The principal arguments for it are, that the States here ought to share in all the responsibilities of their sisters in the East ; if the paper money con- fers benefits, they should be enjoyed here; if bur- dens, they too should be assumed by those that arc proud to belong to the national Republic. The friends of the introduction also argue that it would make money more abundant and cheaper, and largely increase the tendency of eastern capitalists to make heavy investments on this Coast, and so give new life and prosperity to all business here. But San Francisco, as the center of all the busi- ness and financial operations of these States, holds all firmly to the present state of things. Her merchants and bankers have prgspered all along; 344 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. many of them are foreigners, and represen*: foreign capital ; and they are not only content to keep the business of the country on a specie basis, but are determined that it shall be so kept. They argue that these States do not need capital so much as labor ; not money so much as emigration ; and that while, as matters have now turned out, it might have been well to have accepted the government paper at the start, and gradually come to its in- fluence upon prices and business, as we did in the East, if would create great confusion and disorder to make the revolution at the present time, when there is a difference of fifty per cent, between the two currencies, and the prices based up,on them; and, consequently, that it is better to continue as they have begun, and await the return of the cur- rency of the East to the coin standard. The question is being vigorously discussed ; it is, indeed, the only live issue in the politics of these States ; but so far San Francisco holds dominance over all the interior, and keeps out the greenbacks. The tendency of opinion and affairs is against her, however ; and the day for a change may not be so far distant as it superficially seems. The bankers evidently intend to control the subject ; and when they find they must yield, they will lead, and be the first to introduce the paper money. As it now stands, however, the question is a difficult and per- plexing one to manage practically. It is even doubtful if the government could spare enough currency from the East to answer for the business of these States, so far away from the financial and ± •INENT. nd represen*: foreign content to keep the specie basis, but are ) kept. They argue [ capital so much as imigration ; and that turned out, it might )ted the government lally come to its in- less, as we did in the )nfUsion and disorder e present time, when )er cent, between the £S based upon them; better to continue as :he return of the cur- standard, rously discussed ; it is, 1 the politics of these :isco holds dominance ps out the greenbacks. I affairs is against her, change may not be so seems. The bankers the subject ; and when ey will lead, and be the r money. As it now ,n is a difficult and per- ractically. It is even it could spare enough inswer for the business from the financial and THE MINT AT SAN FRANCISCO. 345 government centers that they cannot draw supplies in one or two days, as all your eastern commercial points can. Certainly it will require the co-opera- tion of the government at Washington and of the State governments here, with all the facilities of the bankers of this city, to introduce ihe change now without great interruption to the p\ ogress of trade and possible ruin to many delicatt Interests. Utah and Colorado have the paper money of the East in use ; but all the States and Territories this side of them employ only gold and silver, in sym- pathy with the fountain head of San Francisco. Of all the government institutions in San Fran- cisco, the Mint is the most interesting and impor- tant. Ali'eady it is the great manufj^ctory of coin in the Nation, and its comparative importance in this respect is destined to increase. It coins now about twenty millions of gold and silver a year, against five millions coined at all the other govern- ment mints in the country, including the parent mint at Philadelphia. The coinage here for June and July was nearly three millions a month, and the aggregate for this year is likely to go up to twenty- four millions. Mints elsewhere on the Pacific Coast, and in the mining regions, are utterly unnecessary. There is one at Denver in Colorado, but it has nothing to do, — the gold of the Colorado and Mon- tana mines goes right by it, in dust or bars, to New ' York and Philadelphia. Efforts are making to get mints in Nevada and in Oregon, but they would only prove a waste of money. No local clamor of politicians, seeking home popularity or coutractors' IS* 346 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. jobs for friends, should induce Congress to yield to ' such demands. Two mints are only needed for the whole country, at New York or Philadelphia, and at San Francisco. The metals, as soon as mined, drift at once to the commercial and financial centers ; there only can their true value be known,— there only the use to which commerce may choose to put them Sometimes, she demands their exportation in bars, and again in coin. Besides, the business of coining is an intricate and delicate one, requiring large responsibilities, expensive establishments, and men of both science and integrity. It should not be needlessly cheapened and scattered. Govern- ment may well have assay offices in all t^e mining districts, actipg as branches of the mints, to receive the metals, and give coin or exchange for their full value, minus the bare cost of manipulating, m order to accommodate especially the poorer and smaller miners ; but the multiplication of mints, I repeat, is an unnecessary, wasteful, and dangerous operation. The Mint here is now in charge of one of the best merchants of the city, Mr. R. B. Swain, but it has no adequate accommodations. It is crowded into the back and upper rooms of an old and ordi- nary block in the principal business street. But provision has been made by Congress for a distinct and appropriate building. The metals are received at the Mint in all manner of half-worked forms, in dust, nuggets, rough bars, silver and gold mixed together, and more or less dross with all. l^acti parcel is kept distinct, first assayed, to discover its exact value, and then worked over, the dross c^- f pell wat pro tail exp eitl val I froi of wh ste the of wil for As INENT. Congress to yield to only needed for the Philadelphia, and at I soon as mined, drift d financial centers; 3 be known, — there ;e may choose to put ds their exportation sides, the business of licate one, requiring I estabUshments, and ;rity. It should not scattered. Govcvn- :es in all t^ie mining the mints, to receive xchange for their full lanipulating, in order e poorer and smaller 1 of mints, I repeat, is dangerous operation. charge of one of the r. R. B. Swain, but it tions. It is crowded IS of an old and ordi- business street. But Congress for a distinct he metals are received half-worked forms, in ilver and gold mixed dross with all. Each issayed, to discover its :d over, the dross exr i THE world's balancing-house. 347 pelled, and the silver and gold separated. Fire, water and chemicals are the means employed. The processes are simple enough and exquisitely enter- taining, as you follow them with eye and intelligent explanation. The results are returned to the owner either in solid bars, bearing official stamp of their value, or in freshly made coin. Much gold and silver are already exported direct from here to China to settle the balances of trade of both New York and London merchants ; and when the Pacific Railroad is done, and the line of steamships to China is running, San Francisco, as the center of the gold and silver producing region of the world, and the half-way house of commerce, will become the great financial and balancing center for all the trade between Europe and America, and Asia. LETTER XXX. THE MINING QUESTIONS AGAIN: GENERAL REVIEW. San Francisco, September i. I MUST go back to the Mines for a renewed word of caution to the East. You are tempted there vvith all sorts of seductive ventures in the way ot mining in these Pacific States. There are many men, both there and here, busy in workmg up a furore for investments in this business Every steamer carries speculators and adventi.rer. to the East, with mines to sell,-good, bad anu nidiffer- ent,-but mostly uncertain. These have often been, and are likely to be, made the basis of jomt stock companies of mammoth capitals, yet low- priced shares : their prospects set belorc the pubhc in flaming advertisements, studded with stunmng statements as to the assay of the ore and the as- sured prospects of the company. It is sate to ad- vise people ^ -'t no trust in such enterprises. I is sale to t .: . that the money made by them will be made out of the stock-buyers, and not out of the mines, and shared by the officers of the company and their friends. Very likely, the latter are in the first instance swindled in the purchase of the mines, and that they are only repeating, in another form anc pla fen dis eve ycc ] mi gei of by he on of sh( pe po dii inl nij th; in^ en at th to pa sc m wi ol ha T CAUTION TO CAPITALISTS. 349 XX. .GAIN : GENERAl- RANCisco, September i. 5 for a renewed word I are tempted there itures in the way of s. There are many isy in working up a is business Every d adventi^rers to the od, bad and iiidiffer- These have often ide the basis of joint th capitals, yet low- , set before, the pubUc udded with stunning f the ore and the as- ,ny. It is safe to ad- such enterprises. It ey made by them will ers, and not out of the Eicers of the company y, the latter are in the purchase of the mines, iting, in another form and before a larger audience, the game that has been played on them. Most of the mines now being of- fered to the eastern public are so remotely located, distant from markets, from wood and water, that, even if valuable in themselves, they cannot for many years to come be worked to advantage and profit. No investments, I repeat, should be made in mines in this region, except after the most intelli- gent and complete study of the whole subject, and of the merits of the special enterprise offered, either by the capitalist himself, or by some one in whom he can place the most implicit confidence. Not only the mine itself should offer assured evidence of value, and of favorable location, but the capitalist should also be assured of its management here by persons of both intelligence and integrity. This point is as vital as the other, and as difficult, more difficult indeed, to be secured. These qualities of intelligence and integrity are rare here, and com- mand a high price. They can generally do better than to work for other people. Eastern capitalists, investing largely,— and it is certainly best to invest enough to command their personal attention, or not at all,— will always find it wise to send out one of their own number, or a person equally dt pendable, to oversee the expenditures and direct the financial part of their operations, and let him find here that scientific and practical knowledge on the subject of mining, that he cannot of course possess. This he will obtain in mining engineers of repute, and in old practical miners, the latter most often men who have been foremen or overseers in mines or mills. ..1.. 350 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. The discoverers and prospectors of mines are a class by tliemselves, and are rarely the right men to work a mine for ether people. I find my conviction of distrust of indiscriminate investments in mining, and my growing conserva- tism on the whole subject, abundantly confirmed by the experience and testimony of others. There is but one voice among the oldest and best business men of this city,— men who have gone through all the mining excitements of the Coast and shared in them all,— and that is in fullest sympathy with what I have written. Mr. Charles Allen of Boston, the reporter for your Massachusetts Supreme Court, who has followed our party through the Nevada silver and the California gold mining districts, ex- amining them and their operations with even more of strictness and detail, in behalf of eastern clients and capitalists, than we did, I find has written home almost exact transcripts of my conclusions, without any knowledge of what these were. We find them fully confirmed, too, by the printed opin- ions ot Professor Whitney of the California State Geological Survey, on record here. Mr. William Ashburner, who has been the mineralogist of that survey, and is now the confidential mining engineer of some of th- most important enterprises and in- terests on this Coast, — and who is from Stockbridge, (Mass.,) and the son-in-law of Mr. Jonathan E. Field of that town,— acts confidently and cautiously on the same principles, and all his experience justi- fies their soundness. There is no higher or more intelligent authority on these subjects than he. .J NENT. DOUBLE INJURY OF DECEPTION. 351 of mines are a class ; right men to work St of indiscriminate growing conserva- dantly confirmed by )f others. There is t and best business ve gone through all Coast and shared in sympathy with what Mien of Boston, the tts Supreme Court, hrough the Nevada mining districts, ex- ions with even more ilf of eastern clients I find has written ( of my conclusions, lat these were. We by the printed opin- the California State here. Mr. William mineralogist of that itial mining engineer it enterprises and in- 3 is from Stockbridge, of Mr. Jonathan E. dently and cautiously 1 his experience justi- is no higher or more subjects than he. None of those who hold these views belittle the mineral wealth of these States. Those who know most about it have, indeed, the largest ideas of its extent and its value. But even thus utterly unable to measure these riches and the amounts to be drawn from them for the use of the world, they have learned how fickle are their individual deposits, how incomplete and uneconomical are present modes of extracting and working them, how remote from supplies arc their best fields, and how difficult, al-. most impossible, has been and still is the reduction of the business of mining to order and legitimacy. Those, too, who have the true interests of these States at heart, who foresee their future, and would have their progress steady and sure, cannot but look upon the invitation of eastern capital hither under false expectations and by deceptive enter- prises, with equal sorrow and indignation. The fraud and the injury are as great to the West as the East. Every dollar swindled out of the Atlantic States by speculating adventure on the Pacific loses at least two dollars on the great balance-sheet to this section. It will keep that much, at least, back from legitimate enterprise and investment here. There is field enough on this Coast and the way hither for all the capital and all the labor the East can spare, — legitimate, honorable, profitable field ; and so every dollar, every hand turned from this to unremunerative, baseless enterprise, is indeed a double fraud. Sound theories and healthy habits as to mining are fast becoming dominant here ; few enterprises, controlled by old miners and long resi- 352 ACROSS tHE CONTINENT. dents, are not now meeting with some deyree of success, or carried on with a fair integrity. Only eastern creduUty and passion, fed of course by reck- less cupidity here, can repeat on a large scale the lamentable experience through which this wisdom has been gained. I warn all whom my words may reach against feeding or yielding to the passion ; for they peril in it both their consciences and their cash, and bring injury to the best interests of Cali- fornia and her sister States. The results of the geological survey of Califor- nia, under Professor Whitney, just now beginning to come before the public, will aid materially in the dissemination of reliable knowledge on all subjects connected with the State's wealth and the opportu- nities for its development. That survey is one of the most comprehensive and thorough scientific la- bors of the description ever attempted in this coun- try • so far as known, its results have challenged the admiration of scientific men everywhere ; both its intelligence and its integrity are unimpeachable ; and the State of California owes it to her best m- terests and to her reputation the world over to carry the work through on the high scale with which it has been commenced, disregarding the suggestions of prejudiced ignorance, the clamor of baffled speculation, and the appeal of a narrow economy. No money can be so well expended by California as in telling the world exactly what she is, in whole and in detail ; and this is the work that Professor Whitney has carried forward lo its near, triumphant completion. L takii equ£ peri ore ton, of ( not ture com SUC( 1 Cal; Ciil of 1 roai in r whi tine poo spo son imj ist ces mil rat fut the wo ly J„ NENT. th some dei^ree of .ir integrity. Only 1 of course by reck- n a large scale the which this wisdom lom my words may ,ng to the passion; msciences and their :st interests of Cali- il survey of Califor- just now beginning aid materially in the ledge on all subjects 1th and the opportu- hat survey is one of lorough scientific la- cmpted in this coun- alts have challenged :n everywhere; both y are unimpeachable ; ires it to her best in- 1 the world over to the high scale with ed, disregarding the orance, the clamor of appeal of a narrow ; so well expended by )rld exactly what she i this is the work that d forward lo its near, ■I NEW MINING DISTRICT IN CALIFORNIA. 353 Looking back oyer our mining experiences, and taking the average testimony of each district as equally reliable, I find myself impressed with the su- perior richness of the Colorado gold mines. Their ore averaged as uniformly one hundred dollars a ton, as that of Nevada, either Austin or Virginia, or of California does fifty dollars. The extraction is not as complete because of the more intricate na- ture of the precious deposits ; but means to over- come this, though perhaps at enlarged cost, seemed successfully initiated while we were there. There has been opened a new mining district in California the present season, in the extreme west- cm part of Nevada County, among the higher hills of the Sierras, and near the line of the Pacific rail- road, whose ores resemble those of Colorado, both in richness and in peculiarity of combinations, and which, already attracting great attention, seems des- tined to become both popular and profitable. The poorer portions of the ore of one mine are sold on the spot at forty dollars a ton ; and the rest are taken some distance to be worked. But the first and most important step in the successful treatment of all of it is believed to be roasting, which is not a common pro- cess in California. A single chunk of ore from this mine was so fat with wealth that it yielded at the rate of over thirty-nine hundred dollars to the ton ! There is even increased doubt and anxiety as to the future of the Comstock Ledge in Nevada, which is the great mineral deposit of the Continent, if not the world. The mines are turning out bullion more rich- ly than in early summer ; but they are spending large 23 354 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. sums for explorations for new deposits, with results that arc, on the whole, disheartening. Dividends are dccreasins and stopping; assessments coming ; and the stocks arc ahoul half the rates in the spring. The "-old and copper mines down in Arizona, along the Colorado Kivcr, as it runs between thi... Territory and California, are also coming mo^e into favor and development. That river offers conven- ient and cheap access to them ; and the chief ob- stacles, as yet, are the lack of steam communication, the barrenness of the neighboring country, and the hostility of the Indians. Mr. Charles L. Strong, the famous superintendent of the famous Gould & Curry mine in Virginia, until within two years, has just returned from an exploring expedition in that direction, and reports most valuable discoveries of mines, which he has taken up in behalf of some heavy New York capitalists, whom he represents. From Idaho we hear already ol deserted villages and impoverished gold-diggings ; successful mining there is fast falling back on the quartz leads ; and as a consequence the occupation of the "wandering Jews,"' the pioneers in gold-hunting, is gone. The experience of the East with oil wells is a fit parallel to the mining experience of the Pacific States. The excitement, the speculation, the lucky hits of the few, the losses and disappointments of the many, the sud- den creation of a town with all the elements of civili- zation, and its almost as sudden desertion for new and more favored localities,— in all these features and in many incidental ones, the history of one experience is counterpart and repetition of that of the other. C( profi mosi and howi lie ii fron- calk dev( no 1 Eas fron a m cess trod cess plet 1 silv the of i the and and upc qui ties cle; ore the onl Ne INENT. eposits, with results ing. Dividends are iments coming ; and itcs in the spring. 1 down in Arizona, t runs between tha.- io coming mc-e into river offers conven- ; and the chief ol)- cam communication, ing country, and the Charles L. Strong, the famous Gould & vithin two years, has \g expedition in that luable discoveries of p in behalf of some tiom he represents. ^ ol deserted villages ;s ; successful mining he quartz leads ; and on of the "wandering mting, is gone. The 1 wells is a fit parallel 2 Pacific States. The z lucky hits of the few, 3 of the many, the sud- the elements of civili- 1 desertion for new and 1 these features and in :ory of one experience of that of the other. COPPER AND QUICKSILVER. 3S5 Copper and quicksilver are to be added to the profitable mineral productions of California. The most brilliant success has attended the discovery and working of both these valuable metals, each, however, in a single locality. The copper mines lie in the foot-hills of the Sierras, a day's ride west from Stockton, and the town they have built up is called appropriately Copperopolis. They are being developed very extensively and with much profit; no less than three thousand tons of the ore goes East and to England every month ; and an increase from these and other mines to twenty thousand tons a month is predicted by another year. The suc- cessful smelting of the ore for the metal is not in- troduced here yet, except on a small scale. The pro- cesses abroad are so much cheaper and more com- plete that it pays better to ship the rough ore direct. The great mines of Cinnabar, from which quick- silver is extracted, are those of New Almaden, on the inside of the Coast hills, about sixty miles south of San Francisco; and they hnvc become one of the most curious and interesting objects for visit and inspection in all California. Their discovery and successful working have had a marked influence upon the mining interests of the country, since quicksilver is universally used, and in large quanti- ties, to separate the gold and silver from the parti- cles of dross with which they are bound up in the ore, and the production of the article throughout the world is quite limited. Spain, Peru and Austria only have mines of it besides California ; and the New Almaden now controls the prices for the world. 356 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. f Its present production is four thousand l> five thou- sand flaslo. , and ket. omise, as other copper o u greater or less ex- e the distinctive and metals. In crossing Denver to Salt Lake 2nces of generous cin- )ints along the North 3 are probably destined quicksilver, : its petroleum, also: te as to its existence ; for it ; and much wild East has been drawn basis of its discovery exists, in greater or less Dther, in one or two of .*'*> '^^y^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. :/j 1.0 I.I I^|2j8 |25 !^ m . 140 111112.0 2.2 6" L25 lliu IIIIII.6 "^W^ '/ ■ST Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSftO (716) 872-4503 ». ^ '^J^ •^ MMT' »M» vrac-wnnFT^n^ ««i,iq»'»- ' CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques THE PETROLEUM FEVER — OIL VS. WINE. 35/ the distant Coast counties, may no longer be dis- puted ; but it yet remains to be proven whether it exists under successful commercial circumstances, that is, whether it will pay. I believe there is no well-authenticated case of a flowing well yet ; I am sure much more money has been put into the wells than has been taken from them ; and I am positive that the only money yet made from petroleu-i on the Pacific Coast has been made by the land-own- ers and the speculators. The oil fever has clearly a better basis and a more healthy promise in the East than at the West ; and yet, under the influence of rhetorical representations by speculators and their agents, two companies of eastern capitalists have put up large sums of money, and bought a quarter of a million of acres of supposed oil lands in the southern counties of California. Their search for the oil has not had brilliant success yet ; and one of the companies has adopted the very sensible plan of turning their land to good account by planting it with grape vines and going into the manufacture of wine. This is not the entertain- ment to which they invited themselves, but it cer- tainly promises better resiUts. They propose to set out ten millions of vines within two years ; and the other company in the same position will probably follow suit with both vines and olives. This is an odd turn for a petroleum speculation to take, but it is fortunate for the true interests of California, and if well followed up will prove remunerative to the victims of the oil fever, — and Professor Silliman's rhetorical report. 1 LETTER XXXI. THE FAREWELL FESTIVITIES : POLITICS AND FOL- ITICIANS. San Francisco, September 2. There is something of pathos in the very word parting. Few can confront the fact, can break any experience, from which life has been taken, or to which Ufe has been given, without a flutter in the heart. But this is my last letter from the Pacific Coast. This morning ends the record of the " Col- fax party" on this shore : we are closing that wealth of experience which it is difficult to believe has been made ours in only four months' time : host and hostess gather to whelm us with final generosity ; to give coup de grace to a summer of such hospi- tality, both of sense and c. ' '% as was never ours before. Do vou wonder we are all a trifle senti- mental ; and that I would coin my daintiest phrase for the final adieux? Yet the themes left on my note-book are prosaic and practical ; and poetry fit to the occasion is felt better than written. Besides, these emotions, voiced to Atlantic shore, would reach unsympathizing ears. So you shall not know these words that are utter, d, these scenes that are transpiring, in hotel parlor and steamer saloon, this mor belo "du C wit! a pi coul on 1 and Fai try thei and the cid( whi inv nov Go Scl the gra of pre las chi me by 1 XXI. POLITICS AND rOL- RANCisco, September 2. nos in the very word e fact, can break any IS been taken, or to hout a flutter in the tter from the Pacific e record of the " Col- re closing that wealth ficult to believe has onths' time : host and with final generosity ; mmer of such hospi- 't, as was never ours are all a trifle senti- n my daintiest phrase le themes left on my ictical ; and poetry fit lan written. Besides, ^.tlantic shore, would So you shall not know these scenes that are id steamer saloon, this THE LAST WEEK IN SAN FRANCISCO. 359 morning, as guest and host are parting. They belong to those things that should always be taken "during the effervescence." Our final visit in San Francisco has been crowded with most agreeable attentions, both of a public and a private character. Not half that were proffered could be enjoyed. Excursions to the country, and on the bay ; visits to public institutions of the city and neighborhood; the seeing of the Mechanics' Fair, a fine exposition of the manufacturing indus- try and art ambition of California; addresses here, there, everywhere ; private breakfasts an*.' dinners ; and a grand final and farewell ball and banquet by the bankers and merchants of the city, at the Oc- cidental Hotel, — this has been the entertainment to which Mr. Colfax and his companions have been invited during the last week. But all are over now, — the Speaker has made his farewell speech; Governor Bross has addressed the last Sunday School ; the brass band is hushed, — "And silence, like a poultice, comes, To heal the blows of sound ; — " the final phot6graph is taken, — and rare photo- graphs, indeed, both of faces and scenery, do skill of the artist and clearness of the air combine to produce on this Coast : the tongue has wagged its last good-bye; and the hour of waving handker- chiefs is passing! Conspicuous among the more private entertain- ments of the week was a dinner party to Mr. Colfax by the leading banker of the city, and to which 36o ACROSS THE CONTINENT. were gathered from twenty to thirty of the most noted and notable bankers and business men of the Coast, heads and managers of the great enterprises of the Pacific. It was a rare collection of strong men, real kings in this Israel, and no city of the Atlantic could marshal a superior. The dinner it- self was a triumph, was high art itself, in its way. It was said to have never had its equal before in San Francisco; and I certainly never sat through its superior, for richness and rarity, both in its ele- ments and their serving, anywhere. The farewell ball and banquet was a brilliant fete of a more public character. Tv^o or three hundred ladies and gentlemen joined in the festival; the hotel was surrendered to its accommodation ; the tickets were no less than twe..ty-five dollars in gold ; and in aggregate and in detail, in preparation and achievement, it was as elegant and- as flattering an entertainment and social compliment as ever city tendered or citizen received. There is more catho- licity of feeling as to such amusements among church people here than in the East; dancing is not a sin, even, among the San Francisco orthodox; and the guests were greeted at this ball by the leaders in every good word and work in the town, who, men and women, made them5;elves gay with its pleasures, and contributed to its brilliancy with their beauty and grace. I had a home pride m recognizing, in the most womanly of the women and the most beautiful of the belles, a daughter and grand-daughter, respectively, of our good old, half- century pastor of Springfield First church, the late t INENT. » thirty of the most business men of the the great enterprises collection of strong , and no city of the rior. The dinner it- art itself, in its way. ,d its equal before in ly never sat through arity, both in its ele- here. et was a brilliant fete rv^ro or three hundred in the festival; the accommodation; the ty-five dollars in gold ; il, in preparation and it and* as flattering an ipliment as ever city There is more catho- amusements among the East ; dancing is 1 Francisco orthodox; d at this ball by the ,nd work in the town, them5;elves gay with I to its brilliancy with had a home pride in imanly of the women belles, a daughter and of our good old, half- i First church, the late THE RESCUE FROM DISUNION. 361 venerable and venerated Dr. Osgood. I note, also, as excellent example for eastern evening routs, among which I never saw it, the serving of hot beef-tea, with just a smack of claret in it, as a con- stant refreshment during the evening. It is a most grateful and delicate substitute for the accustomed spirit end tea and coffee, that leave such wreck of nerves the next day ; and it did not on this occasion interfere with the grand banquet of the night, that was the crowning feast of the week. The politics of these Taclfic States are now in hearty sympathy with these which are dominant in the East. Their rescue from the d^nger of co- operation with the southern rebellion, ir the temp- tation to take advantage of the opportu lity and set up a kingdom by themselves, seems to ha v'e been al- most miraculous, certainly was very iia. row. There were strong elements and many circumstances that were leading, or likely to lead, these States in one direction or the other. Had they been enjoying then a vigorous and sure prosperity, the temptation and clamor for independence would, indeed, have been dangerous. But there was here, as in the East, a sudden and contagious uprising of the peo- ple for the government and the Union, that swept all discussion before it, and saved these States from anarchy, and the Republic a unit. So marked was the revolution that it seemed almost the work of one man. Rev. T. Starr King, whose voice was first and warmest and truest. Rut he was rather the leader than the creator of the public feeling; it would have found other prophets, had he been want-, 16 363 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. iirr and groped and stumbled somehow to tho same conclusions. Yet his clear, magnetic voice ana kindling spirit gave expression and conviction to the slumbering, half-aroused feeling; and to his memory be great glory indeed. California, Nevada and Oregon are now appar- ently as fixed and decided in the possession of the republican or Union party, as the average of the States of the East. The type of their public men is also much improved by the change from the old democratic and pro-sbvcry rule. The lack of per- sonal and political integrity, and of consequent in- fluence, on the part of their representatives in Cc.igress, has confessedly been a chief reason for the want of consideration which these States and their interests have suffered from at the han.l., of the rovernment. They have never seemed to have the c'omprehension to see and say what was wanted by their constituents, or the influence to secure it. The new men are not generally conspicuous for in- tellectual ability ; men of that stamp here have too -ften prostituted their character for gain or pleasure, or are too much absorbed in the great business en- terprises of the country to give themselves up to public affairs; but the present representatives at Washington and governors of the States are almost uniSrm'v gentlemen of high personal mtegnty, great f .od sense, and large practical qualities for these trusts. Gove .ors Blasdell of Nevada Low of il is State, and Cibbs of Oregon are all of this stamp. They inspire faith and coftfidence, and give •firm hope for States led by them. F amc Stc ord( Stat tie and con inh( his vict po'v sonj ciati •Uni in h will spic brot Coll sym its i agai aire; feat. who by t B cept polit cy, i for ; mchow to the same agnctic voice aucl and conviction to cling; and to his on arc now appar- e possession of the the average of the of their public men :hange from the old ;. The lack of per- d of consequent in- reprcsentatives in 1 a Qhief reason for ch these States and •cm at the han.ib of lever seemed to have say what was wanted ifiuence to secure it. y conspicuous for in- stamp here have too r for gain or pleasure, tie great business en- vc themselves up to nt representatives at the States are almost 1 personal integrity, practical qualities for sdell of Nevada, Low Dregon are all of this d coftfidence, and give lem. THE I'ACIFIC SENATORS — STAk^ KING, 363 Perhaps the most influential, intellectual mind among the Pacific congressmen is that" of Senator Stewart of Nevada. He shows qualities of the first order, comprehending tli< affaiis of his section, anu stating them with vigorous effect. Mr. Conness, ti California senator, is a disciple of Proderick, and possesses great perseverance and force, and a conceded integrity in public affairs, but does not inherit the breadth and commanding qualities of his predecessor and patron. He is too much the victim of his hatreds and his self-conceit for largest power ; he is rather the leader of a faction than the senator of a State, liis unworthy democratic asso- ciate, McDougal, is speedily to be succeeded by a •Union man, the canvass for whose selection is now in hot progress. It is impossible yet to say who will be chosen. In intellectual gifts, the most con- spicuous candidate has been Mr. John B, Felton, brother of the late President F'elton of Harvard College, and a leading lawyer here ; but his lack of sympathy with the Union, when it was in peril and its fate doubtful, and his share in private schemes against the public welfare and the public purse, have already stamped his impudent pretensions with de- feat. There are half a dozen other candidates, from whom a creditable choice can hardly fail to be made by the next winter's Legislature. But there is a manifest lack of men of quick per- ceptions and strong grasp and influence among the politicians of these States. This senatorial vacan- cy, seeking fitting occupant, would be the occasion for Starr King, were he living; his transference M 3^4 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. from the pulpit to public life would have been a fitting thing, and greatly to the credit of Cahiurnia. It is interesting to note the sacred fame this nun has left here ; there is none more sacred m all Cali- fornia history; he is the saint of the Pacific shore. Those who knew him at the East cannot under- stand it; nor what he was here. He had, m this position and under the occasion of the war and the doubtful course of California, a new I^^P^^^"^' ^ ;^- crcation as man and orator ; and his personal nflu- cnce and political power,-the revolution and devel- opment o'f public opinion that he led.-are among the curious and impressive circumstances in per ^°^lS:r;endsthreenewmenof^-o^tothe House this year. Mr. McRuer from the San l^r^n Cisco district, is an intelligent merchant of Maine and Scotch origin, and is sure to command influ- ence in WashingJon. General Bidwell from the north, is a farmer of broad acres and capacity, and Mr Higby is a lawyer from the interior. Nevada also has a new senator to choose the next yet' in place of General Nye. who will proba- b y not b; returned again. The politics of Oregon J. in daneer of a counter revolution, through a arg em gfatl^ this season from Missouri Iowa anf Illinol the majority of whom wi be o^ em- nrratic southern sympathizing. This emigrauon num Wrom seven to ten thousand, men. women ^nd ch Idren. and will prove a valuable con tr.but.n to the State's population and fundamental sou es of wealth, though it imperil the tone of her politics. Mr pir pai Ik ele icy qu; US( len inj wo bci er W wi ch. re] St ne fee a tO' Tl ac du is CO an lai ist W( [ENT. rould have been a rcclit of California, red fame this man ; sacred in all Cali- r the Tucific shore. Last cannot under- ;. He had, in this of the war, and the new baptism, a rc- l his personal influ- livolution and devel- hc led,— are among rcumstances in per- len of -'orth to the from the San Fran- merchant of Maine ; to command influ- al Bidwell from the es and capacity, and 3 interior. nator to choose the Nye, who will proba- he politics of Oregon •evolution, through a from Missouri, Iowa ihom will be of dem- ag. This emigration nousand, men, women valuable contribution I fundamental sources lie tone of her politics. LOYALTY A PASSION. 365 Mr. Ncsmith, the senator, whose time is about ex- piring, will hardly be the choice again of cither party, for he holds close communion with neither. He is accredited with advocating McClellan before election, and supporting Mr. Lincoln and his pol- icy afterwards. Not a great man, he has sterling qualities of sense and honesty, and has proven a useful legislator. To him is attributed that excel- lent saying that, on coming to Washington and see- ing the august Capitol and the dignified Senate, he wondered how he came to be sent there ; but after being there a few weeks, his wonder was still great- er how the rest of them got there ! Farther north, Washington Territory has testified her sympathy with the new thought and life of the nation, by the choice of a sterling Union man and pronounced republican to Congress. The loyalty and the patriotism of these Pacific States are surely not less vigorous than those nearer the center of national life. With many the feeling here seems more a passion, a fashion, than a principle, and it is often intolerant and rough towards those who are • suspected of opposition. There has, indeed, been less freedom of speech and action in national politics in Nevada and California, during the last year, than in New England. This is explainable, however, by the intenser life of the country, the more passionate habit of the people, and the fact that the supporters of General McClel- lan here were almost invariably genuine secession- ists in heart and often in manifestation. The lines were drawn here more narrowly and distinctly than 366 ACROSS THE C0>NT1NENT. in the East, whore many truly loyal and pat no .c men were found voting with the democrats. But if intolerance and injustice arc ever excusable when more so than for a Union endangered, and barely rescued, as it seemed here, from the unholy power of its enemies? I must linger on the shore for an almost forgotten paragraph about the Indians of the Pacific States. Th;y dkl not vex our travel this side the Rocky Mountains, as their brethren did on the other; bv.t we saw them constantly in our journeys through the interior. In Utah and Nevada, a poor, dirty, squalid race; apparently inoffensive and inccjmpe- tent; beggars and poor servants. " Ca^itoa and Oregon and Washington, subdued and a shade civilized, industrious in small degree, farming a lit- tle fishing a good deal,-hewers of wood and draw- ers of wa'er.-but fading out fast. Along the Co- lumbia, they were squatted in "T ^'-^", ^'^ ^ but bank laying in their annual supplies of salmon, but Sg for ?he most part back in the mountains. There is a little war with the Indians in northern Nevada, and the Apaches down in Arizona a stal- wart and fighting race, are making serious trouble so that troops have been sent to subdue them bu for the rest of the Pacific Coast, the ---"t^ "/ the Indian tribes are apparently peaceable and dis- posed to continue so. The testimony is universa in these States that the whites have originated most of the troubles with the Indians. The great Ore- gon Indian war of some years ago «'as clearly pro- voked by whites, as a means of speculating in sup- pile lust inti ma; goc mo rev on arii cas the wh apt on tra bu the zat bC; pa ou du ad ENT. 1 THE INDIANS, AND THE "SLANG. 367 lyal and i)atnotic : democrats. lUit ;r excusable, when leered, and barely the unholy power m almost forpotten the Pacific States, is side the Rocky on the other ; but • journeys through vada, a poor, dirty, sive and incompc- its. In California ibelued, and a shade igrec, farming a lit- of wood and draw- ist. Along the Co- umbers by the river plies of salmon, but in the mountains. Indians in northern n in Arizona, a stal- ling serious trouble, :o subdue them ; but ast, the remnants of ly peaceable and dis- istimony is universal have originated most ins. The great Ore- ago was clearly pro- )f speculating in sup- plies for carrying on the war against them. The lust of coarse white men for their women; the introduction of whiskey among them; abuse an' maltreatment in various ways arc the origin of a good many Indian outrages, and these lead into al- most necessary wars of extermination. The Indian revenges indiscriminately ; when he turns, he falls on innocent as likely as on guilty; and so wars arise, and go on. Often, doubtless, too, is this the case, l-iast and West : mean and sordid whites stir the Indian's blood, teach him the ways of mischief, wherein ignorance and barbarity have made him an apt scholar, and robbery, murder and war ensue in order. The path of government duty ifi difficult to trace through such crossing links of criminality; but tlie ends of keeping the lines of travel open, the telegraph unbroken, emigration safe, and civili- zation progressing, are certain. These things must be, even if they oblige the government to antici- pate the natural extermination of time. But this ought not to be necessary, and need not, if our In- dia^n department were both vigorously and wisely administered. The slang phrases and idioms, original and in use among the people of these States, are very odd, and some of them quite expressive. Few or none of those I noticed in Colorado are known here. Each section has a set of its own. "You bet" is one of the most common here ; it is a strong affirmation or approval, as the " That's so " of the East. " Get " or "You get" is go, go along, clear out; drivers shout this to their horses. "Get up and Git," and 368 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. "Get up and Dust," arc enlarged, emphasised forms of the same. "You can't prove it by me" is also very common for doubt or disapproval or ignorance ; and "None of it in mine" is declination of proffer, and the like, and was probably borrowed from the declination to take "bitters" or any extra fillip in one's drink. "Bilk" stands for a humbug, an im- poster, a "poor coot." "On iv." is a much-used, condensed, epigrammatic phrase, with varying ap- plications. It signifies, in that line, after something especial, determined, in earnest, and the like. As applied to a woman, it generally means that she is in a wicked way. " Weaken " and " To weaken " are very expressive, meaning failing strength, courage or purpose. A man "weakens" is that he is backing down or backing ^nt The mines furnish many new phrases : " Pan out" for turning out or amount- ing to ; as, a man will "pan out" good or bad, or an enterprise "pans out" much or little. "Peter out" is coming to nothing, failing, giving out altogether. "Show" and "color" come from the evidences of gold found in washing sand, and are applied to per- sons and things and undertakings. "Corral," from the Spanish word for cattle-guard or high fence, is applied to catching, cornering, getting into control. Thus I heard a man in Nevada say the Montgomery street brokers had " corralled" all the stock of a cer- tain mine, and could, therefore, put it up or down as they pleased. But I am lingering beyond my dat-e on these themes. The last gun of the steamer is fired ; the farewell banners of good-will and affection are fad- 1 t... mi ap Pa for St; ior lin Er of du thi no lENT. emphasi..ct'_forms it by me" is also oval or ignorance ; lination of proffer, )orrowed from the any extra fillip in a humbug, an im- " is a much-used, I, with varying ap- ne, after something and the like. As means that she is d" To weaken "are strength, courage or that he is backing ines furnish many ling out or amount- ' good or bad, or an little. "Peter out" iring out altogether, n the evidences of i are applied to per- gs. " Corral," from ,rd or high fence, is getting into control, lay the Montgomery 11 the stock of a cer- Dut it up or down as my dat-e on these teamei is fired ; the tid affection are fad- 1 home: CALIFORNIA'S FUTURE. 369 ing from view ; the Golden Gate grows wide at our approach ; the Golden City sails out into the broad Pacific sea ; and we turn our eyes and our thoughts forward for Home. But California and her sister States enlarge upon the inward, the backward vis- ion. It runs quickly and surely to a world-encirc- ling commerce, a world-embracing civilization, an Empire that shall be the glory and the culmination of the American Republic. The share and the duty of the present generation, East and West, in this progress, is the Pacific Railroad. Let them not linger over that ! ' 16* OA 1 LETTER XXXII. . THE VOYAGE HOME BY STEAMSHIP AND THE ISTHMUS. New York, September 23, 1865. No one's knowledge of California life is complete, who does not go or come by the steamship and Panama route. It offers as strange and interesting and instructive experience as any other feature of our summer journeyings over the Contment It is the main, almost sole route for business and pleas- ure travel between the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts. Two or three thousand persons pass each way by it every month. Where one goes overland, hundreds take this route. There is no ocean steamship route in the world, over which so many people have passed and are passing; none on which the service is so well performed as it has been on a part of this, and promises to be henceforth on the whole; none that introduces the traveler to such novelties of climate and scenery and peoples,-none which aflfords so va- ried and unique experiences with nature and human nature It is as odd and anomalous as nearly every- thing else is that belongs to California and the Pa- cific Coast. The stamp of originality imprints itself on all the features of that country and its civilization. ( dai lat thr mi sie ag( im Co ka: coi m( stc ier dr. hu dri de ve tei CO mi ro se he se de in ur m ar ke YOUR COMPANIONS ON THE VOYAGE. 37 1 ill. MSIIIP AND THE , September 23, 1865. lia life is complete, he steamship and ige and interesting ly other feature of e Continent. It is jusiness and pleas- id Atlantic Coasts, pass each way by it overland, hundreds ?an steamship route people have passed ;h the service is so 1 a part of this, and e whole ; none that novelties of climate which aflFords so va- h nature and human lous as nearly every- difornia and the Pa- nality imprints itself y and its civilization. Going to Europe by steamship is ten or twelve days on a rough sea, out sight of land, in the same latitude and climate, in company with two hundred to three hundred people at the outside, who are pretty much like yourself, or at least with whose idiosyncra- sies you are more or less familiar. To many this voy- age is only a dreary confinement to rolling berth ; an imprisonment, without the security of penitentiary. Coming from California by steamer is to this as a kaleidoscope to common spectacles. You have for companions one thousand, more or less, — and oftener more than less, — of the all-est sorts of people. The steamship is larger, more commodious and conven- ient than any other elsewhere. There are two hun- dred or more first class passengers, perhaps three hundred second class, and four hundred to five hun- dred steerage. The latter are quartered forward, deck and hold, and are limited to that portion of the vessel. The first and second classes occupy the cen- ter and stern of the ship, and have many rights in common. Both eat in the same saloon, but their meals are served at different hours. The state- rooms of the first class are on deck ; the berths of the second class are below : perhaps the chief distinction, however, is that the first class dine at four, and the second at one. They mingle very much together on deck, and morals and manners are generally as good in one set as the other. The food is good, even lux- urious, and nearly equal to first class hotel fare : beef, mutton, pork and poultry are carried on board alive, and the butcher has his daily slaughtering to do, to keep this army of hungry boarders in meats. 372 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. The crowd is the only source of standing disrom' fort We are as thick as flies in August ; four and five in a state-room ; we must needs divide into eat- ing battalions, and go twice for our meals: would we have chairs to sit in shade around the decks, we must buy and bring them: there is no privacy; gamblers jostle preachers; commercial women di- vide state-rooms with fine ladies; honest miners in red flannel sit next my New York exquisite in French broadcloth :— and as for the babies, they fairly swarm,— the ship is one grand nursery; and like the British drum-beat, the discordant music of their discomfort follows sun, moon and stars through every one of every twenty-four hours. There were at least one hundred of them on our ship ; and new and kinder notions of old King Herod prevailed among suffering passengers. The new historian Froude makes saint and anchorite of wife-changing, woman-killing Henry the Eighth: why should not some ambitious rival, gaining new light from the California voyage, make public benefactor of baby- slaughtering Herod ? We go out the Golden Gate into the Pacific ocean, and turn down along the shore. It is three thou> sand miles, or fourteen days, from San Francisco to Panama ; from latitude thirty-eight degrees to seven degrees, from temperate to tropic. There is rarely any rough sea in this part of the trip; for most of the way, the steamer keeps in sight of the land ; some captains on the route make straight lines and go across the mouths of gulfs and bays and other indentations of water into land,— and so sometimes mc Ca co; sei kc for of CO m( sal oft sn ho up bo sic foi fee CO in ba to ric fla so Sti flc br loi at vi; iNT. DOWN THE PACIFIC COAST. 373 Standing disc om' August ; four and \s divide into cat- )ur meals: would md the decks, we e is no privacy; ercial women di- honest miners in ''ork exquisite in the babies, they xnd nursery; and scordant music of and stars through lurs. There were )ur ship ; and new Herod prevailed 'he new historian ; of wife-changing, 1 : why should not ew light from the enefactor of baby- 3 the Pacific ocean, It is three thou- 1 San Francisco to tit degrees to seven :. There is rarely e trip ; for most of sight of the land ; ; straight lines and ,nd bays and other —and so sometimes meet severer sea and storm ; but our accomplished Captain Bradbury of Golden City finds economy of coal, equal progress, and greater pleasure to pas- sengers in following the Coast around, — and so we kept company with rock and mountain and verdure for at least eleven of our fourteen days. For much of the way, we were- within rifle shot of land ; we could see the different kinds of trees, houses and men, and study geography to perfection ; it was like sailing down a broad river or through a pond, for often, by days together, the water was as mirror for smoothness ; and only once or twice, and for a few hours then, were sensitive stomachs upbraided and upheaved for Neptune's sake. Indeed, it is steam- boating, rather than steam.shipping, on the Pacific side ; and the boats can be and are larger, — up to four thousand tons in capacity and four hundred feet in length, — than on the Atlantic, with wide and convenient guards along the deck, that are forbidden in rougher seas. The Coast hills along California make rough and barren work of the shore view ; but as we get down to Mexico, the hills open and become clothed with rich green. The weather, never cold, grows hot ; flannels come off"; the fortunate in white linen blos- som out in spotless garb; the close and crowded state-rooms turn out their sleepers on to the cabin floors, the decks, everywhere and anywhere that a breath of air can be wooed; babies lie around loosely and au nature/; you have to pick your way at night about tb o open parts of the ship, as tender visitor to battle-field at Gettysburg. The languor P r 374 ACROSS THK CONTINENT. of the tropics comes over yoi' all; perspirOvion stands in great drops, or flows in rivulets from the body ; a creamy, hazy feeling possesses the senses ; vvorV mg is abandoned ; reading becomes an effort ; card-playing ceases to lure ; dreaming, dozing and scandal-talking grow to be the occupations of the ship's company,— possibly scandal-making, for the courtesans become bold and flaunt, and the weak and impudent show that they are so. Half way down, at the end of first week, we stop at Acapulco, the chief Mexican port on the Pacific Coast, founded by Spain, and famous in the days of her prosperous American commerce. It lies beautifully, under the hills, back of an island, which forms exquisite and safe bay. Here we. taste of tropical life on shore ; here we sample the Mexicans and Mexican Republic. It is a pitiful civilization that they present, and not very inspiring of sympa- thy or hope. The Mexican population is several thousands, and there are only two or three families of whites. The Mexicans are a mulattoish race, an apparent cross between Indians and negroes, with here and there a vein of Spanish blood. Indolence and incompetency mark their life and character. The principal local industry appears to be the sup- plying of the passengers on the steamships, that stop here, going either way. for coal and provisions, with fruits and fancy shell-work. The houses arc low, adobe, and with thick walls, and whitewashad on the outside ; the streets no wider than a gener- ous city sidewalk ; the plaza or church square opens broad but barren,— and here is the market-place, wh( sim of' dre goc Ai anc ser all: roll the tra eve an( cei tht At bu inf in{ th( th( fei on mi in ha he fo! hi th .J NT. all; perspirOvion rivulets from the tisses the senses ; 2comcs an effort ; ming, dozing and ccupations of the 1-making, for the nt, and the weak so. rst week, we stop ort on the Pacific nous in the days immerce. It lies f an island, which [iere we. taste of nple the Mexicans pitiful civilization ispiring of sympa- lulation is several a or three families nulattoish race, an and negroes, with blood. Indolence ife and character. ;ars to be the sup- e steamships, that oal and provisions, The houses arc , and whitewashed dder than a gener- tiurch square opens the market-place, THE EVENING AT ACAPULCO. 375 where, from little stands or on the pavement, the simple wares and food and fruits and fancy shells of the people, are offered for sale by gross women, dreary old hags, or precocious girls ; and chaffering goes on day and evening with citizen and stranger. A few of us landed and spent the evening on shore ; and it was a weird scene that the market-place pre- sented under rude and scant torch-light. Occasion- ally we found a comely girl among the stands, with rounded arm and bright eye, and such usually got the best bargains from our party. A trick of the trade is to make you a present of some petty article, even to force it upon you, with flattering manner and speech, — and then to expect gallant and rjunifi- cent return in coin. This is type of tropical trading the world over, and in all ages, I believe. Did not Abraham or other of the old prophets buy land for burial pla* for his kindred under such embarrass- ing circumstances ? Close and heavy was the even- ing's heat ; and the people, not busy trading with the Yankees, laid around loose in hammocks, or on the floors of piazza, thinly raimented, stolid, indif- ferent and indolent. Mr. Colfax and some of his friends went to call on Geneml Alvarez, the Mexican (Juarez) com- mander of all this region, and by the help of an interpreter had some talk with him. The general has reputation as one of the best men of his party ; he seemed substantial and sensible in mind ; and for his body was a big, burly negro. We met at his place a younger and livelier representative of the Mexicans, a member of the Liberal Congress, i— i 376 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. who spoke with zeal and intelligence of his country and its cause, and was disposed to upbraid Mr. Col- fax a trifle for not more heartily espousing their side against Maximilian, in his California speeches. Such men as these two inspire some interest and fuith in their country ; but the general effect of all we saw and learned at Acapulcc was not very en- couraging. Without our aid, dire:iy or indirectly, we were assured by American residents, there was little hope for the Mexican rcsistants to Maximil- ian's authority. The interference of the United States in some form or another was his fear and their faith. Acapulco itself alternates in posses- sion between the two parties. A French man-of- war comes into the harbor ; General Alvarez and his followers retreat into the back country ; and the Frenchmen possess a barren town. Thev go away, a '' the Mexican leaders come back, Eitlier way, there is little Hifference in affairs ; there is no com- merce save such a.^ the American steamships make, and this goes on uninterruptedly. Though Aca- pulco is the largest town in the west of Mexico, its chief Pacific port, theie is no" " single road out from it to the interior ; there is no ingre^ or egress save on foot or horseback ; no other means of com- munication between it and the capital. The town has no wheeled vehicle of higher pretensions than a wheelbarrow. What can be done for a people who, with two hundred years and more of contact with civilization, can do no more for themselves ? It was season of religious festivity v/hen we were there ; and a third distinguished personage we met at Al- vai wh chi for fol sti: sid coi cig toi sei foi M( so an ch Oi fri pli St( tic .St( th: icc pa op pli in W( on ENT. nee of his country > upbraid Mr. Coi- y espousing their ilifornia speeches. lOme interest and ineral effect of all was not very en- ;:iy or indirectly, sidcnti), there was tants to Maximil- ;e of the United was his fear and irnates in posses- A. French nian-of- leral Alvarez and country ; and the 1. Thev go away, ack. Eitiier way, ; there is no com- i steamships make, y. Though Aca- vest of Mexico, its ". single road out o ingre^ or egress her means of com- apital. The town r pretensions than done for a people d more of contact or themselves } It hen we were there ; age we met at Al- TRADINO WITH THE MEXICANS. 377 varez's head-quarters was a fat old mulatto priest, who had rome in from the interior to preside at the church ceremonies, and had brought along with him for Christian solace and refection, for himself and followers, a couple of hundred rare fighting cocks! When we returned to the steamer, there was still a crowd of little boats along and under her sides, filled with Mexicans of all ages, sexes and conditions of raiment; with their stocks of fruits, cigars, eggs and shells; fitfully lit up with pine torches ; and engaged in noisy traffic with the pas- sengers on the decks far above. It was not possible for many of the passengers to go on shore, and the Mexicans were not allowed to come on to the ship ; so with mingled shoutings of English and Spanish, and bj' the help of baskets and long ropes, the ex- change of com and commodities went on for hours. Oranges and bananas and limes were the principal fruits, and were alike fresh and cheap ; and large sup- plies were taken in by both passengers and the ship's steward. It was interesting and exciting interrup- tion to the monotony of the voyage to make this stop at Acapulco ; and to passengers coming down the Coast, it gives the first close observation of trop- ical life and vegetation. Here were the groves of palm, of banana, of cocoa-nut ; here, luxuriant in the open air, the broad leaves and rich colors of many plants that are seen in the temperate latitudes only in hot-houses ; here, fresh from trees, on the trees, were the delicious fruits that come tg us at homo only after long voyages, and often stale and tasteless. . On down the 'Coast again, by Mexico, out of S78 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. I si^'ht, of course, but not out of thought '>f its mammolh volcano, I'opocatapctl, the hii^hest known mountain of North America, (seventeen thousand seven hundred and eighty-three feet) ; across the gulfof Tehuantepec; by Guatemala; by its wonder- ful and beautiful volcnnic mountains, peaceful now, but exquisite in outline, perfect in cone-shapes, and rising to thirteen thousand and fourteen thousand feet in hight ; by San Salvador ; amused with the lively little flying fishes that single or in shoals skipped from wave to wave, flashing in the sunlight, as dexterous boy skips bright stone over the water, and awed with tropical lightning that made the heavens all aglow with wide and frequent flashes ; by Nicaragua, where the opposition line of steamers, as yet weak, stop, and their passengers cross to Atlantic waters ; then Costa Rica ; steering easterly all this while to keep the tapering Continent ; last New Granada; and on early morning at close of fortnight, rounding into the wide, warm bay of Panama, where the narrow neck of land, that con- nects and divides two seas and two Continents, confronts us. It is a charming scene, as we go by the richly-green islands of the bay, one with thriv- ing-looking town at its base, another holding sa- credly exclusive the sad burial-place for strangers and travelers, another the depot for the steamships, others undisputed with luxuriant and grasping na- ture, and anchor, amid all, in front of the quaint old city of Janama. The harbor itself is center for wide commerce North and South, gathering here to cross the Isthmus, and reach Aiherican :vnd Euro- pcai ligh V The two was cen eag up, cab ton dop bea gra the ev fe\ wl: sij ENT. )f thought (f its :hc highest known vcntcen thousand feet) ; across the ila ; by its wonder- ins, peaceful now, 1 cone-shapes, and fourteen thousand amused with the ingle or in shoals ng in the sunlight, ine over the water, fig that made the :1 frequent flashes; )n line of steamers, \ssengers cross to I ; steering easterly ng Continent ; last orning at close of ide, warm bay of : of land, that con- d two Continents, scene, as we go by jay, one with thriv- nother holding sa- place for strangers for the steamships, it and grasping na- front of the quaint )r itself is center for h, gathering here to Liherican :vnd Euro- DEATH ON SHIPBOARD. 379 pcan centers ; but a bad bar forces the slow use of lighters for passengers and freight. We left the steamer one less than came upon it. There was a death among the steerage passengers, two days before reaching Panama; but the body was brought on, and lies now in the lonely strangers' cemetery out in the bay. Poor fellow! He was eager to go " home " to die. That hope buoyed him up, as it keeps alive a feeble, struggling lady in the cabin: but disease was too strong for even this tonic,— and now he lies buried, afar from kindred, dependent upon strangers for the last offices, and bearing, painted on the simple board above his grave, these more sympathetic than coherent lines, the composition of one of the ship's guard :— Death chanced to roam o'er the ocean'.s breast. And spied a hapless wandcr- -er wanting rest, Who from the western land of gold returning To see his childhood's home was yearning. But unpitying death, with resistless stroke. The casket of his soul broke ope, And set forth to another home From whence again it ne'er will roam. We spent the day from early morning till late evening upon the Isthmus. By grace and gold, a few passengers were landed at once at Panama, which gave us several hours there for breakfast, for sight-seeing, for shopping, before the great crowd J t^imm 380 ACROSS THE CONTINKNT. of our company, the baRK-'RC and the fast freight couUl be transhipped, and the trains for their con- veyance over to Aspinwall be made ready. Panama we found to be only an improvement over Acapulco ; it mingled more modern quality with its as ancient features ; the streets were broadc*r ; the houses of two stories ; and carta and rickety omnibuses, and a fiuc carriage or two, as well as retail stores by Jews or Yankees, and large warehouses under ICng- lish or American superintciulence, showed the in- novations and elevations of commerce. There was a flavor of Spanish about everything, however ; the food, the churches, the stores, the town generally ; decayed, effete, luxuriant, tropical Spanish. The natives were a good deal mixed, wearing all the mulatto shades; the women flaunting in narrow, sleazy white gowns, rich with wide negro ruffles and furbelows; and the children rollicking in single, short, wide chemises, or unblushing and bold with utter freedom of covering. The churches, ancient, cheap and moss-grown, won no veneration except for their antiquity ; they told of no interest in re- ligion ; of nothing but a tawdry, vulgar fanaticism ; a lazy, cock-fighting priesthood, and an indifferent parish. We found the bats flying about in the arches above and behind the altar, and priests and boys firing guns at them among the poor tinselry of the worship, with results more damaging to "bell, book and candle" than birds. The things to buy here at Panama are fine linen lawns for ladies' dresses ; they are delicate and pretty, and, Panama being a free port, cheap; besides which they are ra c cit.» in c war pon / star wai ble ma< to ( rail the imj and noj bot tra ses rid( are of pos froi oth ] sta eye thr fiei Sp da^ IF. NT. ul the fast freight I'ins fur their euii- le ready. Tanania :nt over Acapulcd ; with its as ancient lyage, on both Coasts, is side no land is seen :uba, and none again till 5 New York is neared. ■vice, on both sides the into the hands of the npany, heretoiore con- on the Pacific Coast, eiight by all California le Pacific Company is )f our American steam it has been successful, the world are larger or Lo service more satisfac- J. THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY. 387 tory to the public. They have within a year put three new and mammoth, vessels on the Pacific portion of the line, and new and larger and better steamers than have ever been employed on this side will be at once placed in the service to connect with them. A uniform excellence in accommodations will be maintained on both sets of steamers ; and for the fir.st time in the history of California emigration and commerce, their facilities will be somewhat commensurate to their extent and importance, and the voyage will invite rather than deter the traveler. For the past few months, the tide of travel has been greater from than to California;; the larger prosperity of the East has invited home the unsuc- cessful there; but this is n- ikely to continue. The general flow must be the oiher way. And with these more agreeable facilities, and a widening curi- osity and interest in the region of the Pacific Coast, there will soon grow up a large pleasure travel from the Atlantic States to those of the Pacific. The public and the Pacific Steamship Company are both fortunate in the new arrangement, and the pros- perity of the latter is likely to be still more conspic- uous. The owners and chief managers are in New York ; though all its heavy interests and property have been till now on the Pacific Coast ; and now it has added still further to its undertakings the pro- posed line of steamships between San Francisco and China. Larger and stauncher ships, if possible, will be built for this service, than are run on the Coast ; the line is to commence wi.h 1867 ; and the event will mark a new era in the commercial history 388 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. of the Pacific and the RepubUc. So fortuni.te has this steamship company jDcen, though it lost one of its best vessels (the Golden Gate) three years ago by fire, that its three new ships o© the Pacific Coast, costing a million of dollars each, were all built out of the profits of insuring its own property. Its steamers will henceforth run three times a month between California and New York, and the fares for passengers are established at three hundred and fifty dollars for first-class, two hundred and fifty dol- lars for second, and one hundred and twenty-five dollars for steerage. These rates seem high ; but they include board and the passage across the Isth- mus, and are really but a little higher in proportion than the steamship rates to Europe, while the ex- penses in the latter service are much less. All the coal, for instance, used by the Pacific steamers, has to be carried way around Cape Horn from the East. No adequate source of supply has yet been devel- oped on the Pacific Coast. ' The point where relief and improvement are most needed, it seems to me, on this great thoroughfare of continental travel, is in the over-crowding of the steamers. I know they must carry large numbers in order to support such fine vessels and such an expensive service ; but they surely do not need to carry more than can be comfortably accommodated with state-rooms and berths. There should be a limit set to the number going on each steamer, which for no reason should be exceeded. If three steamers a month will not accommodate the pas- sengers applying, then run four or five, — one a day. if ne exce is ir pan) theii will passi ble£ capa all w Thei ture close thet the\ are c the : amel racy straii to m comi and cent garn ceas( tunit gone nent, degr( .1 mmmmmr'-xrrr )^9i9>mmm f m |^ . '^^' m < i *^m ^mm l^m»mlmmmmlmm NENT. . So fortuni.te has lough it lost one of ,te) three years ago to the Pacific Coast, I, were all built out own property. Its iree times a month rk, and the fares for three hundred and mdred and fifty dol- ed and twenty-five :es seem high ; but ige across the Isth- ligher in proportion irope, while the ex- much less. All the 'acific steamers, has Horn from the East, las yet been devel- provement are most great thoroughfare ver-crowding of the :arry large numbers 'essels and such an rely do not need to ably accommodated There should be a J on each steamer, exceeded. If three ommodate the pas- or five, — one a day, THE UNHEALTHY CROWD ON THE STEAMERS. 389 if necessary. First-class passengers ought not to exceed three to a state-room ; that is a crowd ; more is indecent. If the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany would preserve their reputation and continue their substantial monopoly of this great traffic, they will have to make reform here, — to put no more passengers on their boats than they have comforta- ble accommodations for ; to have boats of uniform capacity on each side the Isthmus, and to insure to all who take tickets through just what they fay for. There is moral unhealth in this heterogenejus mix- ture of humanity that flows back and forth in such close communion from California. The strong and the true are only made wiser for the experience ; but the vain and the weak, the susceptible and unsettled are only and often contaminated. Everything that the Steamship Company and its officers can do to ameliorate these inevitable incidents of such democ- racy of ompany in such pent-up quarters ; to re- strain and punish the wicked ; to protect the weak; to make the long and tedious voyage on shipboard comfortable an^! tasteful to all, seems to have been and to be done, except this of preventing an inde- cent over-crowding of state-rooms and saloons. — But the summer's journey is ended; and my garrulity over its experiences and observations must cease. It has been a rare experience ; a rare oppor- tunity, happily achieved by and for us all. We have gone together from ocean to ocean, across a Conti- nent, up and down a Continent ; from longitude one degree to longitude thirty-four degrees ; from lati- 390 ACROSS THE CONTINENT. tude fifty degrees to latitude seven degrees ; travel- ing in all some twelve thou^nd miles, half by sea, nearly a third by stage, and the balance by railroad and river ; crossing the great mountain ranges of the Continent ; exploring the forests, the mines, the commerce of a new world ; seen and learned the field of a new empire ; enjoyed the most generous of hospitality in every possible and imaginable form ; and are back in our homes in a trifle more than four months from the day of leaving them. All without the accident of a finger's scratch ; all without break- ing for a moment the harmony of our personal circle. We part here ; we lay off the robes of honored guests, that were so unexpectedly laid upon us, and so richly endowed through all our long journey ; we return to our accustomed lives ; but we come back with fuller measure of the American Republic and larger faith in its destiny. For myself, this summer bear.« greatest increase for my knowledge and my life ; it will be perpetual pleasure to have had it ; it will be great glory to have contributed in any degree by these letters to a knowledge by the American People of the real breadth and capacity, the necessities and the possibilities of the American Nation. It Th Centi volun New of it i theS made ment we fir firme( Th Bmon plaini to nir three briRh tincti a jier inoth featiii see it andn lU when Aniei nent and r here, artd I and t evcrj in so Pi Thi Bosi U ^-i- NENT. en degrees; travel- miles, half by sea, balance by railroad nountain ranges of rests, the mines, the ;n and learned the le most generous of i imaginable form; rifle more than four them. All without ; all without break- ■ our personal circle. IS. of honored guests, pon us, and so richly journey ; we return ve come back with Republic and larger f, this summer bear.« :dge and my life ; it ve had it ; it will be i in any degree by he American People ', the necessities and in Nation. By the Same Author. The Switzerland of America. COLORADO: Its Parks and Mountains. A SUMMER VACATION IN CAMP AND SADDLE WITH VICE-PRESIDENT COLFAX. By SAMUEL BOWLES, AUTHOR or "across THE CONTIMINT." A volume of 175 pages — Price One Dollar. From Ihi Prt/aei. Thbsb letters of a Summer Vacation, in saddle and camp, among the great Central Parks and Mountains of America in Colorado, are gathered into this volume in order both to satisfy and stimulate the public interest in a region of our New West destined to a peculiar placo in the future of America. We saw enough of it in our stage ride acnws the Continent in 1865 to suggest that it would become the Switzerland of America ; Bayard Taylor, a wider traveler and closer observer, made a more familiar tour in 1866, and more formally pronounced the same judg- ment ; and now, after a new visit, and an intimate acquaintance with all its details, we find our original enthusiasm more than rekindled, our original thought con- firmed. The distinctive physical feature of Colorado Is he wide elevated Pai'ka, lying among her double and treble folds of the continental range of mounuins, — great plains, like counties in Illinois and Iowa, or states in New England, six thousand to nine thousand feet above the sea-level, surrounded by mounuins that rise fi-om three to five thousand fe^t higher ; plains, green with grass, dark with proves, bright with flowers; mounta' s, dreary with rocks, white with snow. The dis- tinctive charm is the atmosphere, so clear and pure and dry all the while, as to be a iwrpetual feeling, rather tlian vision, of beauty ; invigorating every sense, softly snothmg every pain, lending a glory to landscape a.id life alike, clothing every feature of nature with beauty, and giving the eye of evcrj- spectator the power to see it,— this is the indescribable thing that lifts Colorado out of other lackings, and more than compensates, in the comparison, for what is peculiar to Swilierland. Hcic, v.here the great backbone of the Continent rears and rests itself; here, where nature sets the patterns of plain and mountain, of valley and hill, for all America : here, where spring the waters that wash two-thirds the western Conti- nent and feed both its oceans : here, where mountains are fiit with gold and silver, and prairies glory in the glad certainty of future harvests of com and wheat. — here, indeed, is the center and the central life of America,— fountain of its wealth and health and Iwauty. Swilierland is pleasure and health ; Colorado is these and use besides,— the use of beauty, and the use of profitable work united. I beg every traveler by the Pacific Railroad not to "|>as8 i; by on the other side ;" for, in so doing, he would offend the best that is in him. Published by Samuel Bowles & Company, Springfield, Mass. ; The American Nbws Company, New York; Lee & Shefard, Boston. Ur* Copie* sent by mail, pottage paid, on receipt of price. Daily ^ Semi- Weekly, and Weekly. The Springfield Republican, A NEW ENGLAND FAMILY JOURNAL OF News, Politics, Literature and Social Life. rl'BLISHED BY SAMUEL BOWLES & COMPANY, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. To picture the progress of the varied and busy life of New England, ai to rep- resent its inquisitive and active thought on all questions that concern the comfort and the elevation of society ; to make, indeed, a part of that life and that thought, — this is the scope and aim of TiiK Springpiild Republican newspaper. 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The promine.it features of Thb Republican, as a Newspaper and Family Jour- nal, are, completeness and promptness, intelligence and system in the preparation and publicatior. of News of every description — seeking to give not only the fact Editorial nd- > •'"'d from Ei.ropc, — letters of travel, letters of fact, letters oi" opinion and criticism ; Reviev.s and Extracts from New Books; s[>ecial summaries of intnlligence in the Literary, Art and Religious worlds ; Stories, Sketches, Etsaya, Poetry, bits of Biography, Science, Agriculture, Mechanics, etc, from original contributors, or from the choicest magazines and literary journals of America and Europe. No other new&pa|>er proper gives so much space as Thr Republican to all this latter wide variety of Literary and Family Reading. Dr. J. G. Holland (Timothy Tit- comb) is writing letters ft-om Europe for The Republican : and " Warkington " (W. S. Robinson) contributes regidarly to iti columns from Boston. 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The Daily Republican is furnished at three cents and ^ a year ; The Semi-Weekly at $4 a year, or f 3 in dubs ; and The Weekly at fa, or f 1.75 in dubs. 1 Pr Caiat.* a'14l,/#SV4«bl^/S ' ^'a *1^ W V «#■ «* V v**^ ^»^^^*b ■|'**«'»* v^^bvii*^ ««« ^m V V •■X'* «#lia^ *aiv BHVi but the meaning and moral of every event ; free, candid and piquant Ediloria Discussion' of all public occurrences, men and things ; intelligent and indcpend ent Corrrspondence from Boston, New York and Washington, the far West, am B( ELE Thi Sprini EngU Th( chinei Evi iimpli Bin BLi reUU. Ph( by ma Bo( Le< Inl Binde the be Ord Me Housi ance ( at she orderi detad ^publican, ' JOURNAL d Social Life. tfPANY, >f New England, ai to rep> I* that concern the comfort r that life and that thought, ;bi.ican newspaper. Con- ;irehcn!iive of New England enlightenment ; as an expo- vanced, on qucstioni of po- :r and development, and of irt of its conductors to main- ] widen the character of the for all cktMCS of our people. 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Act exempting crUin manu^cture. from Interna ?r.o.eth.r with a Guid. w-d Hand-Book to all th. Int.mal Revenue U». Irint^EdLand Annotated byCHARLESN.EMERSON.Co»««lor. «t-Law and AweMor Tenth MawachuMtt. DUtnct M.dium Octavo. Paper Cover.. Price 50 cent.. fi The above book., .ent by mail, poatage paid, on receipt of th. price «»v«e4 SAMUEL BOWLES & COMPANY, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. s ^ Company. >lorado, ER, r Jmrwl, and Bditfr rf \ which ii to give «11 the in- It hitlorical, descriptive and le early letlUraent and de- !«:rib«» the pliynical peculi- retourcet and productions, ilic •tatiilie* wlih regard to einiloDCf, melhotU of treat- large and well defined Map 'S nue Guide, REVENUB OFFICKKS, VX-PAYKK, INTERNAL REVENUE lacco, and for other purposes, n manu&ctures from Internal 1 tbe Internal Revenue Lawa S N. EMERSON, CounaeUw receipt of th* price aQnesed S & COMPANY, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. i j i j i itf*W!WKW-aH