Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-11-22
San Francisco, Sept. 3, ls49.

we ar
rived here about two hours after the las,
mail closed we sent boat on board the
steamer, but the Captain refused to take
our letters. and this has caused one months
delay in your hearing from us. suppose
yol have heard something Of our leaking,
but not so bad as it really was. The third
night out, while the ship was laboring hard
in gale, we found her leaking badly all
hards were mustered and divided into four
watches, each to stand at the pumps six
hours, and work steadily. This was kept
up until March 25th, when we arrived at
St. Vincent You must think for yourself
what an excitement there was among 80
many in such scrape; some were for put
ting back, others for going on, knowing if
once in Newpor, harbor again, she never
would come out on this expedition. We
soon found that our leak was mostly above
water-mark, and was caused by desire to
cave little copper. While lying in port
the bark Velascoe, Of Boston, with tho
Pawtucket Company on board, came in for
wood she sailed on the l4ih of February
che left ST. Vincent on the 20tk Of March,
and has not yet arrived here. We left the
9th Of April, having on board 2 bullocks,
Is goats, and lot Of pigs and hens. We
sold old bread enough to pay all port char
ges. and came off with twenty-five cents in
cash on hand, after the trade We have
spoken several ships for California, but
none have been able to keep up with US
One bark from Philadelphia that cal ed her
self the fastest vessel out, was Overhauled
by us, and in order for her to keep even,
we had to haul up fore and main sails, and
finding that would not do We backed top
sails, and was in the act Of dropring anchor
wien she came crawling up. We have
had long passage, i, is uue, hut ii is not
the ships fault, for she IS as good sea-
boat as ever noated, and good saller-
We have had nothing but headwinds aud
gales the whole passage. We were out
1913 days, and you may think this long
passage, but there are several ships here
,ha, were out 225 days. The Grey Eagle
came out in ll3 days, one Of the shortest
nassapes made. There are about 400 sail
ofvesse.s, of all nations, at anchor here ;
soamen's wages are $50, per month
The weather in the city is rather uncom-
Portable in the morning wo wear thin coats,
and by two o'clock. the wind comes in so
sharp that over-coa,s are necessary, as well
az binder for keeping the dust out of our
ewes. II is not very healthy in the city at
present the climate is better at tho Mines.
We see more Yankees than any other ma
ton. There is no end to the Gambling 1;
men who, Judging from their looks, you
would not suppose had cent, may be seen
throwing down Mexican dollars, from So,
to 500. There are good regulations here
there is no occasion for firearms Of any des
crip,ion. Goods are stored in the streets
and men 90 TO the Mines leaving thel
trunks half hurried in the banks, with ~
fear Of robbery. All thcy have to do will
a fellow who steals here, is to bring hin
I'D in front Of the Parker House, where th'
Alcalde will he Id court on him, and pro
nounce senten,e Of death as quick as a flash
Ihave not had time to gather much new
az we start for the Mines sooner than
expected.