Date: 8/30/1852
Place: Martinez Cal
From: Chitt
To: All of you
[This letter is unusual in that the writing starts
horizontally and when the entire sheet (15 3/16 by 9 11/16 inches folded in the
middle to make four pages) is covered, Chitt turned the page to continue
writing over the first page vertically. Thus he managed to cover the equivalent
of nearly eight pages with text. Click here to see a
photocopy of the first (also fifth) page.]
Martinez
Cal Aug 30th 1852
To All of you
Your
favor of 13th July was rec here this morning the first letter I have
had from the States since leaving St. Joseph Mo. you acknowledge the receipt of
my letter from Fort Laramie. I wrote after that from Soda Springs on Bear river
which you have no doubt received ere this. I also wrote from Hangtown by last
mail and left in Ann's hand to be accompanied by one from her and hope they
have safely come to hand. We had I suppose as pleasant a trip across the Plains
as a majority of emigrants and made better time, being 102 days from St. Joseph
to Hangtown. (83 days traveling) after writing you from Ft. L. we traveled to
head waters of Sweet Water river which was high. Stopped and built a raft and
Ferried one week. (Made good California wages) Chg $150 for
crossing a wagon. Stream 3 rods wide but very swift had all we could do and
during the time we stopped our teams had a good rest so we could pass all teams
that left us at the river. dont know of but one company that passed us there
that beat us in and they killed ½ or more of their cattle in keeping ahead.
Feed on the plains was unusually good this year tho there is many places where
there never is any. The fore part of the Emigration generally got along without
much trouble. as almost always the case. and if you know of any of my friends
who want to cross the plains tell them to start first and keep moving as fast
as they can and keep their teams up. but the great danger is in traveling too
fast in the start. let your teams be your guide as to that, keep their strength
and flesh for the last 500 miles. They will need it
there! When we left Mo. river there was not a spear of grass on the main
Prairie but by hunting for it in ravines and swampy places we found plenty
while many others who would not look for it ran their animals down on the first
end of the road and consequently seen hard times before seeing California. The
latter part of the Emigration have suffered much from Cholera Small pox &c.
We passed considerable Small Pox on the first part of the road but saw no
cholera. The disease is reported to be in San Francisco. but Doct Carothers and
I just came from there and Physicians say it is severe form of Billious remittant
fever. The health at Panama is now better than usual at this season of the
year. I saw the remainder of the regiment of soldiers left at the Isthmus on
account of Cholera. They arrived two or three days ago. the disease having
entirely disappeared among them. We stopped in Hangtown 3 days at Mr Harken's.
left Ann and the children there while Parker and I came down to Mr. Elam
Brown's (12 miles from here). Sold our three cows on the way. Cost in the
States 2 at $15_ & 1 at $8_. Sold 3 for $200_.
2 of them was near giving out or we could have got $275_ to $300_.
I sold my horse yesterday at $150_ cost $80_ by keeping
him untill he was fat he would have brought at least $300 but to buy grain
& hay would eaten his head off in 6 weeks. We have on hand yet two yoke of
oxen worth $200_ &1 wagon $200_ which I am waiting
here to sell. They are at Mr. Brown's where I will go tonight costing nothing
to keep them. If you could see the miles of oats they are raising your eyes
would stare. This is virtually their winter here and no doubt the time when the
ground recovers its productive qualities yet Vegetables which has never saw
adrop of rain look as green and thriving as ever they do in the States. Nature
seems to have fitted this Country for the farmer. He puts in his crop in the
spring as we do. (Plows in the fall as soon as the rain falls enough to make
the ground wet enough) and then leaves it to do anything he pleases (no weeds
to pester) untill harvest and then he need be in no hurry. no rain to spoil
grain. do not cut any hay here. For anything we raise in Ohio this Country is
far superior to that in point of quantity and quality except Corn and that
would make a sorry show beside a Buckeye corn field. Just enough raised for
roasting, Ears them they have from spring to fall. No fruit raised in this
vicinity yet but young orchards are being planted and I have no doubt but they
will do well as the finest Pears I ever tasted grow in abundance down the coast
30 or 40 miles from here. Dr. Carothers and myself have visited the Pairco bay
and San Francisco all of the past week. His Boys have a fine Steam Saw Mill and
the best trackt of timber in the lower Country which you no doubt are aware is
very scarce and in great demand. I should think their chance to make a pile
was very good, and they certainly deserve it. and have my best wishes for their
success. Thad P‑ and Dr. Carothers talk of going to the States soon. I
made many pleasant acquaintances in San Francisco. it is a great place and is
improving rapidly tho just at this time business is quite dull, but is always
the case at this season. in 2 or 3 weeks trade will revive. They are building
rapidly and their structures going up lately are and have been of the most
durable character, being generally of brick and fire proof so
that the city which has been so frequently scourged by that most dangerous
element is likely to stand for ages. The harbor you no doubt have read a
description of from more worthy pens than mine. Yet had I time I would give you
a description in full because one cannot help but look upon the Forest of Masts
and myriads of Flags from all nations anchored in this beautiful Bay without
feeling proud that there is a safe harbor on this generally rock bound coast,
where all vessels may be in safety protected by Uncle Sam. This
is their coldest and most disagreable season of the year on the coast an
overcoat feeling very comfortable nights and mornings to one just from the heat
of the upper country. But soon the rains will commence and the vegetation starts
and the weather will be warm and pleasant such as we have in April and as a
general thing the rain about like our April showers. at Mr. Browns I think is
the most agreeable climate I ever saw. There you get a pleasant breeze every
day and never too cool as is sometimes the case down nearer the Ocean. They
never have any snow here and it is never cold enough to freeze the ground.
seldom see any ice, then not more than ¼ of an inch in thickness. I am writing
in great haste as you may perceive as the mail closes at Noon. letters may be
in time tomorrow for the Steamer but should there be any delay, would not go.
Yet should I not be in time for to days mail I will try tomorrow and hope they
will be in time. I intend to write to Uncle Elias by next Steamer. Parker has
gone back to Hangtown and I expect to go up in a few days. we talk of Stopping
there a while and go into an operation which I will explain in my next. Harris
says if I think it advisable for any move to come to write. I have just fairly
got here and if you were here and take a Birds eye view
you would think every thing was over done and that there was no chance to make
a living and many very many who come by water and by land would go home could
they raise the means. but many are without anything and have to stay. others
who have enough have seen the "Elephant" are satisfied to go home with an empty
purse. For my part I have enough to keep me here a while and then to get home
but I shall not give it up so shall spend what I have and more too before
giving up California. I have friends enough here and have encouragement to hang
on. Have not tried to do any thing yet. want to see the country first. As I
have just been to Dinner I will tell you what we had. Roast Beef, Fresh Found
Salmon, Potatoes, Squash, Tomatoes, Cheese, Beets the finest I ever saw,
Onions, Soup, & Pie &c which for California is some Pumpkins. I expect
to see some rare sport. There is a lot of 100 head spanish Cattle standing
before the door waiting for the Ferry to cross the Bay to Benicia. They
stampeded just now and gave the six Spaniards that had charge of them all they
could do to stop them. One in particular ran and lead the rest and it was with
difficulty the swiftest horse could head it. at last one came up Lasso in hand as
they always ride. You see it whisling in the air. The Bullock was caught by the
Spaniards unerring aim. his horse knows all about it and as soon as the Lasso
is thrown he stops suddenly & braces himself and the animal turns as fine a
Summersalt as you could wish to see. He threw this one 4 times in as many
minutes and then it was considerably sobered. I want to write to Uncle Sam
today and I must close. I will write you again soon and will try each time to
give you something in regard to this every where acknowledged Wonderful Country
where some are making money fast or loosing. Expenses are high and if a man is
not making something he is loosing. Pratt is in the northern mines. Morrow and
Green both left us on the other side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Don't know
where they are and care less. Considerable trouble here in regard to land
Claims in this vicinity. Squatters are causing trouble and before the question
is settled there will be trouble enough. The Squatters are a desperate gang and
I am afraid in some parts we shall have anti‑rent wars. in fact on the
coast of the Bay opposite San Francisco, they burnt a squatters house by order
of a vigilance committee. Do write to me often and give me all the news. I am
very thankfull for one sheet filled by all a letter comprised of a sheet from
each one would have been a much greater treat. do not fail
to write, give all the news. Please
give my love to all friends who inquire for me and love to all
Very truly yours, N. C. Fasset
I shall mail your letter to
Ann. Send your letters to this place untill I write you to change. Write so
your letters will reach New York by 1st & 15th each
when the regular Mail closes for California. When I first came down here 10
days ago I expected to get lots of letters, but the P. M. answered No. Oh
dear if you could only imagine the disappointment you would pity me. I
know. went away and came in late last night and this morning and got your
letter of 13th inst. and that is the only letter I have received
since leaving St. Joseph, Mo
Chitt