The Nevada journal., 1852-05-08
Communicated.
VuluuHltAttus
SAILOR JACKS LETTER 10 his WIFE In N. 2,
BY 3. HOLMES.

SAILOR JACKS LETTER 10 his WIFE In N. 7.
BY 8. HOLMES.
Dear Cdtharine II received your
letter few days since, requesting me
to abandon the idea of mining on ac-
count of its uncertainty, and resort TO
some other employment. And fur
thcrmore, you expressed yourself rs
though you thought had been in Cal
ifornia long enough to make small
fortune Let me tell you, Catharine,
that all that's come to California do
not make fortunes-no, not one in ten.
/ am afraid that you are soaring too
lofty in your expectations; and you
are certainly aware, that should there
be downfall, the higher you soar,
the greater will be the shock when you
strike the ground Of disappointment.
As to your request in regard to min
ing, decline to comply with it, for
this reason: should l quit mining, and
then engage in some other business,
and finally go home penniless, skould
think | had not done my duty in Cal
iIornia. "Sink or swim," / am deter
mined to try and make big strike
somewhere, by launching forth on the
ocean of chance, and diving deep for
the hidden pearls that there await the
venturous and perseyering man; and
if I sink beneath its foaming perilous
waves, shall not be the first man de-
posted on its bottom, to be buried in
the quicksands Of misfortune, amidst
the sea weeds of forlorn hope. But
there is one thing in favor Of success
fully managing my bark on this wide
ocean; that is, have had some ex-
pcricnce in trying to navigate my own
yess |, which has been quite small
when compared with some of the clip
per ships that are capable of carrying
such an immense burthen. Now /
shall endeavor to make a start some
where, from some port. shall se-
lcct favorable port (mining) for my
departure, and when | think all is rea-
dy, and the wind fair, l will hoist the
sails and cndeavor to steer for the port
of Fortune, carrying as much sail as
my bark will permit, ploughing thro'
the waves of adversely, dispondency,
and fatigue, while ! stand at the helm
guided by the compass Of my own
judgment. On examining my chart
(head) | find it does not te exactly
where the port of fortune is situated !;
bul shall seek for it, for my chart
tells me, it is on the ocean of chance.
1t tells me also that there are many
dangerous places that l must pass by
in going to the port of Fortune; one
of which is a huge rock that is almost
under water, and Oh which thousands
Of vessels have been shipwrecked -
But my chart tells me where it is, and
if keep my latitude there is no dan
ger. This rock is laid down in all
charts as the Gambling Table" The
next dangerous place to passi is shall
low place where the rocks ale so near
the surface, that if | do not keep my
bark in the channel of Temperance /
shall be in danger Of being dashed in
pieces. This place is laid down as the
"Dram Shops" and near this place
may be seen the rock called "Spend-
thrift" which is ruinous to- many ships
passing in this direction. My chart
tells me to beware also of the sand-
bars of "Idleness," on which many
vessels are cast to deplore Their un.
happy condition. My chart also tells
me that in going to the port of For
tune, that l must sail around the horn
of Perseverance, and keep in the chan
mel of Economy. So when l come to
these places, / shall know that | am
sailing on the direct voyage to my dcs-
tined port And should ! be so for
tunate as to be borne on the waves,
till in the distance I can discern the
faint glimmerings of the Light House,
(fair prospects), through the dark
shades of the night, with what pleas
ure | would trim the sails, and keep
my bark pointed towards the light, till
| could plainly see where to stop, and
then drop my anchor safely in the port
of Fortune, where the bowling wave:
of poverty can never harrass my minG
for fear of their danger. Should
reach this port, with what pleasure
would hasten to seek the society O
her who lies so near my heart.
: Yours, as ever, JACK STINsoN.
CMharine Stinson.