The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-19

STEAMER DAP IN SAN FRANCISCO.

From the san Francisco Correspondence Of The Chicago Journall
Twice a month, the 5h and the goth, San Francisco,
which is never without some foolish excitement, gets
gradually worked up to a crisis. The departure of the
eastern mail is a great event here. Evcrybody-man,
woman, child, native, foreigner, merchant, miner, gen
eral dealer, laborcr, nondescript adventurer, and recent
immigrant all are deeply interested. The people who
live here are not yet independent, either in business or
in homo and atlcctionate feelings, Of the connexion Of
their native countries hence an immense amount Of
correspondence is written aud forwarded every two weeks.
There is little business done the day before the mai
leaves, and scarcely any on the forenoon of its departure.
Not only is time consumed in attending to the indisIen-
sable remittances, but numerous business letters must
be answered, the state of the markets described, account
sales made out, and suggestions given to foreign mel,
chants for particular shipments. The purely business
letters may be the most important and urgent pecunia.
rly, but those between the resident and his or her friends
are the most interesting. To all the opportunity Is In.
valuable of telling of their various movements, specula'
tons, hopes, fears, health and comfort, and to express
all their a0ectionate wishes and love towards those most
dear to them. @ Q o O 0
Follow the crowd on the cvcntful day the merchant
has despatched his letters, his expresses, his r%cmittanccs,
and has now a little leisure, SO he takes a stroll down to
the picrhead to see some old friends of. The mail bags
are closed, and the anxious correspondent with home
may now begin to count the weary weeks and days before
he receives the fond answer. He also can spare an hour,
and dreamily wcnds his way to see the noble ship set sail
that bears the mail, his letters included. The express
wagons that bear II million and a half of treasure are on
the way. The loafer and the compulsory idle man like
wise attend, because they have nothing else to do. Gen
eral business is in a measure suspended or lazly conduct.
ed, until the steamer is actually gone. The baggage Of
the passengers is being conveyed on board. Some adieus
have already taken place, but the most are to be made
upon the wharf or the ships deck. The Golden City is
already beginning to be crowded above and below, while
with flushed faces and scarcely steady steps, many are
proving among the heaps of packages and boxes, search
ing for their own they hustle about, and after some
thick speechifying and unnecessary questions, discover
their trunks and secure their traps as closely as possible.
One-half of the passengers are still on the wharf, talking
fast and lurricdly with friends, and preparing to take the
last farewell. On board are a majority of those who have
only come to see some friends oil. Small groups cluster
wherever there is a standing place on the different decks
the bottle Is produced, and the last drop taken. Cham
payne freely flows among the state cabin snobs, and rum
or ready mixed cock tails among the nobs all over the
ship.
But the leviathan begins to blow and heave uneasiy,
eager to be of. The escape steam pipe seems too narrow
a throat for the angry breath of the monster, and loudly
threatens to burst, and the mighty hulk quivers at the
sound the claInor strengthens on deck the mate begins
to move about and shout the men leap to obey his OF
ders. The chief engineer and his aids are at their posts.
awaiting the word Of command from the captain, who al
last condescends to enter on the scene of action 0 RAPID
shutting is heard baggage is unceremoniously tumbled
aside sailors handle the hawsers those. remaining rush
hastily to the wharf the last drop has been drunk I'm
last good-by given the wharf is dcnsely crowded win
spectators, while the voyagers everywhere occupy the dh'
fercnt decks of the magnificent ship.
And now the ship begins TO move. At this moment
the interest OF the spectators is at its height. Hats, caps
handkerchiefs, and banis are eagerly waved, and a mui-
titude of cheerful voices bid a long farewell. The travel
lers gaily show like demonstrations of interest and friend
ship a few tears invest the eyes OF the more sensitive
With one general impulse three hearty cheers are gwen
by the ~forsaken, which the departing as heartily return
AS the loud huzzas die away, and the sullen crash OF TIC
paddles is beginning to be distinguished, smoke Bor
served near the bow of the ship, and at almost the same
instant the boom Of a cannon is heard, which thunaes
and rc-thunders among the cliffs of Clark's Point, anu
the steamer has fairly started on her journey, Then, WIN
a long drawn breath, a genuine sigh, or a laugh, the mul
titudc hustle and hurry OFF 10 their respective honieso'
places of business, to forget all about the event aud uo
emotions, until some subsequent steamer dy recalls 'lsn
to mind by circumstances of a similar nature.