The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-21
Correspondence from California Emigrants,
en route.
NEv YoRK Anril N 1910

NEw York, April 20. lse
To THE EDITORS OF THE HERALD
GENTLEMEN We received, per Europa, a letter
from Capa n :J.W. Richardson, of the ship Brook
lyn which left this port the 18th January, with
passengers, for California
II was put on board Hamburg ship bound
Q letter from Capt. Brockeman, ofthat ship being
forwarded by the kindness of the United States
Consul, at Falmouth, England.
Yours, &c, E. RICHARDSON & Co.
The following is an extract from Capt. Richard
SHIP BROOKLYN, February Is, l849 J
Lat. 81 north; long "a IS west :
GENTLEMEN:
1t is with pleasure that I embrace this opportuni-
~ to inform you OF the safe arrival OF the ship at
this place, and of the good health of all board
Our winds, on Leaving New York, were mostly
from the westward, with frequent rains and heavy
sea- but you will see by situation, we have not
think I shall not he compelled to stop on this
SIDE of the Cape, but shall yet have ample time to
make up my mind.
at all, although we have experienced some very
heavy winds and sea. We lost the northeast trade
winds two days since, and have now light air
from the southwark, and am now in hopes 1t will
ffeshen up to steady southeast trades, when we
shall proceed on our way towards the Cape.
Before we reach the Cape, we shall have clear
daeks, and large room IN the hold tor baggage.
While | write the wind freshens from the south
ward, and somewhat doubt if | am able to send
this.
You need entertain no fear but the ship Brook
Ign will carry her passengers through with as
little trouble any other ship, and hope quick.
remain yours, in haste,
wv. RICHARDSON.
Mexico, 18th March, ls49.
Notes of Travel in Merico.
As wrote you last, we left Vera Cruz in COM
pany of Twenty-Five and overlook an American
20 Gisfin nf VIZ ind that
such number could not travel fast enough, Sc
parated from them at Jaapa, and, with an acquant-
ance, proceeded on our road to this city, and ar
rived on Sunday last, without any accident There
exists no doubt on my mind that we shall be at
tackled by parties OF ladrOnes, congregated on the
road from here to Guadalaxara, and thence to Ma
Zatan. Still we shall proceed-and that as fast as
possibe-and prove to los Mejicaaos that it will
not be safe for them to attack Americans.
The accounts here are till more encouraging
than those in New York when we left; a gentle
man of the house of Messrs. Mcintosh having
confidently told gentleman of our party, that in
the United States we could not form any idea of
the vast extent of gold to be found in California.
Being on the eve of departure, conclude by as.
surlng you that to California we will 60, and
nothing will stop on the road. ..-t
VERA Cruz, March %, 1949.
Transit through Merico-No Interference.
On the arrival of the brig Empire, Capt. Baxter,
a few days since, from your city, to my consign-
ment, some of her passengers, as well as some of
the passengers Of the brig Isabel, from your city,
now in port, to my consignment also, said that pas
sengers bound to California, via Mexico, informed
them that there was report in circulation that
the authorities ofthis place had given much trouble,
and forbid the landing of persons bound to Calfor-
mia, with firearms and other implements for their
voyage.
beg leave to inform you, and the travelling pub
lie, that such is not the case-quite the contrary
The Mexican authorities offer every facility and
protection to our countrymen, in forwarding them
pay is fifty cents for permit to land their baggage
and IN no case have any OF their goods been more
than examined and arms, tools, and everything
have been allowed to pass free; have forwarded
without any trouble. We have an abundance Of
horses and mules here the former at $50, the lat
YER at $45 to $50.
send you the Arco-Iris of this place, and shall
be pleased to receive your valuable paper.
JONAS P. LEVY.
CITY OF Mexico, March Is, lS49.
Letter from Member of the Lsln~d City Mining
again take the opportunity Of writing you few
lines We were
thirteen days coming from Vera Cruz to Mexico
We did not start for two days after the time men,
toned in my last, and arrived here last Tuesday,
and will start on our journey tomorrow morning
for Mazatlan. 1t is believed here that there is as
much gold as thought there was in California
After starting from Vera Cruz with $32 horses
we were obliged to change them, as they would
not stand the climate well; but as it does not
change again, think these will carry us through.
The living on the route has cost each man about
six shilings per day, but think we can live cheap
now We expect to get to Mazatlan in thirty
days, and from there by vessel to San Francisco in
about twelve more.
l would not advise any one to start from Vera
Cruz with less than $500. We have seen no dam
ger yet to us, for the Mcxicans lazy, in
dolent people. At the place stopped at over
night, before getting here, had my carbine stolen
by Mexican officer. The village contains about
two hundred inhabitants, and has guard of twen-
ty-fve men,. Seven of us, well armed and mount
ed, scared them so that they were glad to give up
the carbine and get clear of us. They are the big
gest thieves in the world.
Coming from Vera Cruz, we had to climb noun
tain after mountain for five days. Then we were
about seven thousand feet above Vera Cruz. We
had three or four days of travel over level road,
and the rest was part mountain and plain Coming
along, has been beautiful to the different bat
tie scenes. The National Bridge is a terrific place
Imagine yourself in narrow pass, surrounded by
perpendicular cliffs from four to five hundred feet
in height, and cannon pouring forth death and de-
struct!on from their sunm1ts; then imagine your
i
scenery along the road is splendid and magnificent;
every few steps, as it would seem, you see the
ruins of antiquity, destroyed by our troops. The
churches here are magnificently grand, in art,
workmanship and wealth, and surpass in richness
any ever saw; but for workmanship have seen
nothing to come up to St. Michaels. The city of
Mexico is very large, and has many magnificent
buildings; but they are all Of the same style as
those at Vera Cruz, built of stone and mud, and
look like prisons. In the halls of Montezuma
saw a statue of Charles vi. on horseback, which
is tremendous 1t is twenty feet in height.
Dayton, Hodgkins and Van Yorks send their re-
-4pects to all.
Mr.. Charles Dickie lost his nude at Jalapa, but
did not miss it before we had gone some fifteen
miles, as II was in the charge of Mexican. He
went back to Jaapa but could not find ii, and sent
us word that he was gong back home; so expect
you will see him before this arrives.
LArER FROM YUCATAN.-The schooner Stranger,
Captain Tobln, arrived yesterday from fSisal, hav-
ing called Fl ON that port on the 4th inst The In