Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-02-26

utel puDICHy
TO The EditoIS ofhhe Erening Post:
STOCKTON. Cal, Jan. lIth, 1852.
Dear Sirs: Allow me through the
medium OF your widely ditiused Jour
nal 10 present some important facts to
the attention Of those, who, with the de-
sign Of betterlng their condl'ion, are
, continually leaving the Atlantic states
70. The FL Dorado of the west.
In performing this voyage, few die or
suffer much on the Atlantic. Tne hut
ry and excitement of crossing the ls!h-
mus allow few to realize that any thing
seriously wrong is going on in their
systems. And almost without an ihqpi-
ry with regard to accommodations Oh
the steamers, they buy tickets and EN-
bark.
Often from four to six hundred per-
sons are crammed together wrhin the
narrow limits of n steamer. On calling
for the berths allotted Oh the ticket. IL :
! cannot be found, or has been sold 10
half dozen different men, or, at best is
! bu, miserable disgusting shell situated
in that part Of The ship where it is im-
possible to ventilate or purify the air
Then ensue janglcs and quarrels for
bcrtls, and food with occas lonal appor-
tons Of sinking beef, wormy bread,
scanty water. &c. There is, however.
no repIieve, and passengers, particular.
ly in the slcerage, are under the nee, ssi
~ Of taking such accommodations as
they can get, or none AT all.
Tie effect fall this is that Of hose
leaving Panama. fearful per centage
die and are buried at sea. OF those
sufficiently fortunate TO arrive in San
Francis o, nearly one halt are in an Cx-
/ hausted cachectc state, which, with
the occurrence oi the ordinary exciting
causes Of disease. rarely fails 10 pros
trate tie most robust frames. Many 90
into lie hosyi nj San Francisco on
IL TO &c carried thence 10 the grave
yard.
Oihcrs 90 to the more remote inland
/ towns, either TO air among strangers or
| a best 10 suffer a prolracted illness, re-
! sulting in the worst consequences 10 the
nervous sys,cm. Immediately on the
arrival Of the steamers, ! am called 10
treat more or less of those eases. Too
often only TO witness the utter useless
ness Of medical aid.
OF the passengers who left Panama in
the steamer Nor,herner in her last trip,
sixteen were thrown overheard. OF the
remainder, some twenty have since
died in San Francisco, Sacramento and
/ Stockton. And there are plenty more
! TO be seen crawling about the streets,
/ having more the appearance of dedd
than HrNg men.
Too much cunaot he said in reprehcn-
sion of those companies who, in bold
/ defiance of all law and human regard,
continue to overload their vessels in
many cases to the extent OF hundreds
! hey the limits OF their tonnage, or
accommodations.
The spectacle presented at The land
ihg of the steamers in San francisco, Is
\ often shocking TO every feeling oi hu-
manity The passenger lists, with ap-
pended notes as published in the jour
nails. are no guide in arriving at the
truth in the case.
The fact is notorious, that the Gold
EN- Gate in her last trip, brought up ov-
= er thirteen hundred passengers, and yet
she publishes the small figure Of eight
hundred.
The authorities should look to these
things and visit the offenders with the
extreme penalty OF the law. They are
I so greedy that they lose sight OF all de-
cency and humanity. A few heavy fines
would benefit them, and their fellow be-
Ings wonderfully.
|, However, having seen hundreds per-
form the Journey TO California, with i'm
punty and often with benefit to health, |
conclude that this terrible mortality is
unnecessary. With this conviction, |
would say 10 those who will consider
and receive words Of advice from many
who have paid dear for the whistle, new
or leave home, il possible, without suffi-
cicnt means TO procure incidental COM
forts, continually bearing in mind TINT
i'm passing from cool 10 hot climate,
a powerful effort ensues on the parl Of
the vital forces to rid the system of the
superabundant comhustible material IN
the blood. And that excitement oi tie
nervous syetcm-violrnt muscular cX-
errisc-intempcrate use Of ardent spirits
highly stimulating food, &c produce
violent iermentations resulting IN many
cases in dccGn position and pulrclac
ton of the vital fluids. Persons thus
affected are even dead while yet living
apparently well.
I, Never be exposed to the direct rays
of the sun. When an awning is moi 10
be had. use nm umbrella Take no cX-
ercisc which produces any schsibIy
acceleralion of the pulse. Avoid 10y all
means any thing like fatigue. Observe
regularity in eating and sleeping. Avoid
ali fatty animal food, and the fruits Of
the country
Nearly every article of Gu mary vege-
tables and all iarinaciUus substances
are wholesome.
Never take a steeragc passage on n
steamer when you have amy reason to
believe she will be crowded, II possible
TO AVOID it, II, however, Ly any com
binaton Of unfortunate circumstances
YOU should find yourself thus situated
eschew cabins, and tween decks as
much as possible while within the trof-
+ cs-A small supply Of private sior,s
will make your situation tolcrable. i'm
mediaiely on arriving oil tie coast Of
California, care should be taken TO
guard against the cold. sea- Cling coast
winds, by the addition Of Sufficient cloth
iug.
BY careful attention to tie above
hints, aud the exercise OF ordinary pru-
dence after landing nt San Frau cisco,
few need suffer serious ~ consequence
Of the voyage.
Ifby giving publicity TO the foregoing
facts and iniereBces, shall have been
: Instrumental ~ preserving thc llis or