The Placer herald., 1858-11-20
Letter from an old Correspondent.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 10th 1851


| arrived, so will give you short retros-
pective view of the things l have seen,
strange, marvellous, and otherwise, since l
left you.
1t is needless for me to state, that when |
embarked at San Francisco, there was no
fair eucharist that bid me stay, or Calypso
burned to impart to me youth and immor-
talty, or wise mentor to see and correct
my erring footsteps. But like all previous
voyagers found ways to while away the mono
tory of sea voyage. Although it was the
ides on which 4Eolus is permitted to unchain
his furies. and sweep over Neptune's domain,
| am happy to say we were mermitted to go
free and undsturbed-for with the excep-
tion of one day off Cape Hatteras, which
was little rough, there was hardly a ripple
to be seen upon the sea. So between sleep
ing, eating, drinking, reading, and flirting
with the "yidders," of which there was a
goody number, we managed to make twenty
two days passed pleasantly away. We had
the finest boats, the best of officers, excellent
food and the best of wine (for which we
had to pay the roundest of prices,) and but
few passengers and plenty of room; good
appet'es and no one sick; all merry and
good humored. Saw some Of the monsters
of the deep on our downward journey, spoke
the Sonora crowded with Frazerites, coaled
at Acapulco, landed at Panama, crossed the
Isthmus next morning, left Aspnwal the
next evening on the Noses Taylor for New
York, passing in the harbour the Potomac,
one of the new frigates sent down to look
after the Styr and others that dare to fire
into American vessels She gave us a salute
as we passed, manned the yards, and gave
us Yankee Doodle without the variations.
in the harbor of New York. Soon landed
was deatened by the cries of runners and
cab drivers; beset sorely with pckpockets and
other ledgerdemain tricksters. After much
trouble found myself domiciled in a fourth
story marble front ed caravansery. After a
great many jerks aud a good many jungles,
got boiled shirt and glazed hat and went
ont to see the elephant But saw so much,
and have so little room in which TO tell it,
that | will defer the story to a moment of
more leisure After spending several days
and many dollars, | wearied of Gotham aud
taking cars was soon in the city of brotherlv
love. Found itup to my ideas of handsome,
and believe it is well governed. Saw much
here to interest me: but that which had the
most engrossng interest for me was the
grave of Franklin. Yes the tomb of this
great man, the tanner of the lightnings, tho
no fair wrought marble shaft points TO the
heavens to arrest the eye of the traveller, to
tell where the great man slumbers, yet his
name is dear to all, tho few may know that
his remains lay beneath plain marble slab
in the southwest corner of Christ's Church
Cemetery, Phadelph pha. On the slab of
marble is only these simple and plain words:
"BENJAMIN AND DEBORAH FRANKLIN DIED
IN 1890"
Not far from Frankln's grave is that of
General Daniel Morgan, who by the British
was in the time of the Revolutionary war
called Old Wagner.
From Philadelphia went by way of Bal
tmore to Washington, which at some other
time | will give you a description; also of
the visit to Mount Vernon.
But for the purpose of coming at what
must interest all Calfornians, | will make
wide jump and say that the arrival of But
terfieId's Overland Mail WAS hailed by the
citizens Of this place with every manifesto
ton Of joy A'procession, music, speeches.
etc, were the order of exercises upon the first
arrival. The success of this new route,
opens bright page in the history Of Califor-
MIA. The wonderful trip was accomplished
in "a days, bringing dates to the l4th of Sep
tember from California, eight days later than
10y the steamer | became acquainted with
Mr.. Butterfeld, the President and principal
in the line and find him to be regular old
Roman lie is low in stature thick and
heavy set, and apparently man of great
powers Of endurance. His head is sivered
with the grey of years-he is upward of ff-
ty years of age, but is still man of untring
energy and determination. lie says he will
reduce the time materially from the time al
ready made. The Government may feel
proud Of the agent it has in Mr.. Butterfeld:
for he is no ordinary man. He takes the
control of this laborous enterprise in person.
TO give you some idea Of the magnitude
of this stage operation, will state that they
have over 200 stations made, and are making
more every day; some 800 men employed,
1900 horses, and over 200 coaches. The
entire distance from San Francisco is 27OO
miles. This is the cheapest and quickest
route to the West. and in a short time will
be the main route. yours,
PIKE PLAINS.
CONCERTS OF THE AUBURN Brass BAND.
The Auburn Brass Band, assisted by the
Cotlion Band and Glee Club will give a