Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-22
A Trip up the san Joaquin.

A Trip mp the san joaquin.
A light draught steamer called the Gipscy,
recently assembled the San Joaquin River
One of the passengers furnishes the editor of
the San joaquin Republican with the follow
ing account of their trip the first two days out,
when they had reached a point above the
mouth of the Tuolumnc.
"The steamer Gpsey left Stockton on Tues
day, March 3lst, on an expedition up the San
joaquin, under command of Captain Reniff,
assisted by Mr. Horton as mate, and J. Daniels,
clerk and genera. superintendent of cargo The
day was boisterous and quite disagreeable.-
After proceeding few miles, sharp gale
sprung up, and the wind whistled merrily from
the west, occasionally dashing the boisterous
waves against the stern of the little craft, much
to the annoyance of crew and passengers. Our
start was made late in the day. AT dark we
found ourselves at Mr. Slocum's Ferry, having
made very creditable run of twenty-five
miles. We dropped anchor just below the
ferry, and remained for the night. We found
the inmates Of Mr.. Socum's domcil very kind
and obliging. In half an hour or thereabouts,
as crew and passengers were meditating on the
chances of safe and successful trip, voice
broke in upon the general silence, which would
successfully vie with the sound of cataract,
eclipse the noise of hurricane, and easily
drown the harsh grating of saw mill. 1t
struck us like sudden clap of thunder, and
caused momentary nervousness among all
aboard. We soon learned, however, that it
was nothing more than the cook trying his vo-
cal powers in the new song, "Theres Hard
Road to Travel Over Jordan" This was fol-
lowed by the welcome announcement that sup
per was ready. In jTy, officers, crew and
passengers were "on hand and eager for the
fray" During supper we were entertained by
the good natured anecdotes Of Harry, with an
occasional interlude Of song from John, while
frequently an expression would drop from some
of the rest, peculiarly fitted for such occasions.
Supper over, and cigar handed round and
smoked, we spread our couches for nights
repose. Up to this point, the river presents
no feature that is new or interesting to the rea-
der; consequently will not speak oft
"At the dawn Of day the next morning, Jerry
had steam up, and the gallant little boat again
breasted the current From a little below this
! point, the river grows wide and apparently less
rapid. The banks also become higher, and the
country presents many pleasant and beautiful
sites for the location of ranches. Beautiful
forests of oak skirt the banks on either side,
; while rich plains spread out until lost to the
sight in the distance, covered with luxuriant
growth Of grass. Large numbers Of cattle roam
over the plains in fat and sleek condition.
This days steaming carried us some three or
four miles above the mouth Of the Tuolumnc.
+ Several excellent ferries are established along
the river from Slocum's up to this point, afford
ing excellent facilities to the travelling public
Near the mouth Of the Stanislaus, the most
! prominent object that presents itself to view,
is the ancient and renowned city Of San Joa-
quln. As we passed in front of the dilapida-
ted houses which were once occupied by in
dustrious dcnizens, but now gone to decay, the
enurc populaton, CoHoiotinb vi oho Bcnuchah
and his household, gathered upon the bank,
and greeted US with hearty "howda do
One cannot look upon this once promising site
for city, without being forcibly reminded Of
the beautiful and classical scriptural quotation,
"This world is all feeting show, to mans de-
lusion given" During this days travel but
few difficulties are presented to navigation
However, numbcrlcss bars are formed by the
washings of the current. AT a low stage Of
water these bars might present formidable OBJ
staclcs, not so much on account Of the shallow
ness of the water over them, as from the innu-
merable snags fastened in the sand. In some
bends, snags are so numerous that it requires
a steady watching at the helm to avoid them.
"At dark we tied our craft up to high
bank. While the valve was fizzing out its last
ten pounds of steam, sending its kissing noise
through the boughs of the wide spreading oaks
that shade the lawns, the cook again got his
stentorian lungs in tune, and gave us a speci-
men of his old camp-mecting favorite, "There
is room enough in Paradise" &c. He was fol-
lowed by Harry, with his little ditty, "Nip up
and dooden do" Another supper scene en-
sued, after which we retired for the second
night on the trip"
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