A Yankee Trader In The Gold Rush; The Letters Of Franklin .

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A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of FranklinA. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. WhiteA YANKEE TRADER INTHE GOLD RUSHTHE LETTERS OFFRANKLIN A. BUCKTHE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE OF 1851A YANKEE TRADER INTHE GOLD RUSHTHE LETTERS OFFRANKLIN A. BUCKCOMPILED BYKATHERINE A. WHITEWITH ILLUSTRATIONSBOSTON AND NEW YORKHOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANYA Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

The Riverside Press Cambridge1930COPYRIGHT, 1930, BY MARY SEWALL CARRALL RIGHTS RESERVED INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCETHIS BOOK OR PARTS THEREOF IN ANY FORMThe Riverside PressCAMBRIDGE MASSACHUSETTSPRINTED IN THE U. S. A.ILLUSTRATIONSTHE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE OF 1851 Frontispiece SAN FRANCISCO IN 1849 46 J STREET,SACRAMENTO, ON NEW YEAR's DAY, 1853 58 MARYSVILLE: VIEW FROM THENORTH SIDE OF THE PLAZA 60 CELEBRATION OF WASHINGTON's BIRTHDAY INSAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 23, 1852 96 WEAVERVILLE AFTER A SNOWSTORM 112YREKA 114 THE FIRE IN SACRAMENTO, NOVEMBER, 1852 124INTRODUCTIONBY MARY SEWALL BUCK CARRDAUGHTER OF FRANKLIN A. BUCKTHIS New England youth, Franklin A. Buck, has painted for us a glowing picture of a day longsince passed—a day replete with adventure and romance. As we peruse these fascinating letters,we sense the courage and indomitable spirit inherited from his Colonial forbears. Sterling menA Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

and women were those ancestors who were responsible for the founding of the Colonies. Smallwonder that their descendants should be imbued with that Wanderlust that ever beckoned towardthe Golden West.This lusty youth, graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, was a direct descendantof two famous families: Colonel Jonathan Buck, a man of ardent temperament and iron will,founded the town of Bucksport, Maine, the birthplace of the author. The Buck family trace back toone Sir Hugh Buck, who was Master of the Rolls under King James and Queen Elizabeth.Colonel Dummer Sewall, his great-grandfather, founded Bath, Maine. Both were Revolutionaryheroes, and Colonel Sewall, a brilliant scholar, and leader of his community, was elected a delegateto the First Continental Congress. He left a magnificent collection of three hundred letters which aregreatly prized by the Sewall family—the shipbuilders of Bath, Maine.This flair for letter-writing, the keeping of diaries, etc., seems to be a direct throw-back to thefamous Judge Sewall whose letters and diaries are so well known and widely read.viiiWith such a splendid background, no wonder my father inherited a strong, rugged character andbrilliant mentality. He was always foremost in his community to uphold the glory and honor of hiscountry—intensely patriotic, imbued with the highest ideals, and a great lover of music, literature,and art. Grand Opera was his special predilection.The noble sister, Mary Sewall Bradley, was a woman of admirable character and attainments.Seldom does a brother express so much affection for a sister as is found in these letters.If the publication of this very intimate correspondence, touching so vitally the early history ofCalifornia, shall serve to keep alive the interest in those glamorous days, and awaken a morethorough appreciation of the brave pioneer men and women who have given to us this GoldenEmpire of the West, I shall feel that I have added my bit to the effort that is being made to bring theearly California history to the public of to-day.A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

MARY SEWALL BUCK CARRA YANKEE TRADER INTHE GOLD RUSHTHE LETTERS OFFRANKLIN A. BUCKA YANKEE TRADER INTHE GOLD RUSHNEW YORK, November 24, 1846DEAR SISTER:It is hard for me to write my thoughts. If I was with you I could talk more in five minutes than Ican write on two sheets of paper. But I must begin to practise at this kind of work more than I havedone.In regard to myself, I am very glad I left B. Here is the place to find business of all kinds and as myfriends here interest themselves for me I think there is a prospect of my doing something. There isquite a change between living in the two places but I like a city the best. I shall make New Yorkmy home for the present. Tim Smith has introduced me to all his friends. I like his Cousin Bill verymuch. I walk up to see him at his uncle's on Sundays and go to church with him in the afternoon. Ihave made some acquaintances in Brooklyn and like the people very much but I had rather board inNew York and shall go in the Spring. I visit at Alfred's and Sarah's and Bigelow's very often. Johnand I go down to Sarah's about twice a week and have a good game of whist. That's forbidden fruitin Bucksport but here it is quite different. Public Opinion is not quite so strong against dancing,whist and the theatre here.A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

The ceremony of installing the pastor over the Pilgrim's Church came off last Thursday. Thesinging was very good. They have got a fine organ in this church. Next to Trinity it is the largest inthe country. The best singing I have heard was at George Reatt's choir. He 2 beats Mason. The firsttreble singer is the best voice I ever heard. I wish our choir in B. could hear them once.They have as much quarrelling in the choir here as at home. Bigelow and his wife have left becauseUncle Richard said he had as leave hear it thunder as hear her sing. Others will not sing withoutpay. As they do not hire any singers they are jealous of each other, get mad and sit below. In factsingers are the same all over the world.I have to work hard now but as soon as the canal closes it will be easy. I suppose you are froze upat home by this time. It begins to be cooler here but there is not much snow here in the winter. Nosleigh riding for me this winter. All the riding I have is in the omnibus when I go up Broadway. It ischeap. You can go three miles for six cents.The next journey you take come out here. Don't stop at Boston. That's small compared to this. Ifyou want to see the fashions come out here and walk up Broadway at four in the afternoon and Iwill show you the two belles and all the lions of the day. Next year I shall expect to see you here.NEW YORK, January 10, 1847I have sat down to converse with you once more through the medium of the mail and like allpersons when they don't know how to begin, commence with the weather. We have had just aboutsuch weather as you have in April or the first of January. The thermometer stood only six degreeslower in Brooklyn than it did the fourth of July last, but it has changed for the worse since andnow snows. We have not had any sleighing yet. Don't want to see any snow here. It only makes itmuddy. We have Christmas and New Year's here as holidays. No business done at all.A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

On Christmas the Catholics and Episcopalians have a 3 great time trimming the churches withevergreens and have a service all day. I attended three churches. Trinity Church looked splendidand they had fine music.New Year's Day all the male part of the city call on the female. Wherever you go you will find allthe girls dressed out in their best, sitting up very prim, to receive the young men. In the other parloryou will find a splendid table set out, well furnished with all the good things of this life, wine notexcepted. About ten o'clock the streets begin to be filled with men going the rounds. The ‘uppercrust’ go in carriages, of course, but there are plenty left to go afoot. They continue to call till ten atnight or till they get so corned (which is generally the case) that they are obliged to retire.On New Year's night it reminded me of the time when musters were in fashion down East. Aboutthe time they were coming home, running into the stone walls, singing and shouting and fighting,the streets here presented just such a picture. There is no such thing as Temperance known here. Allclasses of the community imbibe and liquor is sold openly at every eating house and oyster saloonin the city. It is well I don't love it.I have joined a musical society which Smith has the direction of. He has got his piano here and wemeet once a week at his uncle's. There are eighteen ladies and gentlemen belonging to it. They areall very pleasant acquaintances. We gave a private concert the other night. The house had two largeparlors and we occupied one. The audience, consisting of about one hundred, the other. It passed offvery well. Some of the members are very good singers and were called out on several of the piecestwice.After the singing was over we sat down to a first rate supper. After supper we had dancing andgames of all kinds. The dancing I could not join in, which was owing 4 to my bringing up.Everyone knows how to dance here and it is always an introduction in company. I feel mortifiedenough to think I never learned. We left at half past one, which was considered early as the mostof the company staid till three. You can't get up such a society in Bucksport because they all wantA Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

to be leaders and none of the girls there have confidence to stand and sing in the front seat in thegallery in church, much more to sing a duette alone in front of an audience.I made quite a large acquaintance in the city at this party and called on all of them on New Year'swith Smith and Bill Benson and then went with them and was introduced to their friends. We madein the whole, sixty-three calls. Aunt Charlotte received about eighty and Benson's wife about onehundred.Sunday at noon I should like to step down to your house as I use to but although I am separatedfrom you by many miles in person, my mind is with you very often and you are more dear to methan when I could see you every day. Hope to see you out here another summer.NEW YORK, February 23, 1847Mr. Johnson has taken a pardner, a Mr. Hollister, who appears to be a very smart man. This willincrease his business much. I have made an arrangement to go with him and shall begin about themiddle of March or as soon as the canal opens. He will give just enough to live on. I expect to boardwith him.Aunt Charlotte had a little company last week, about twenty young persons. We all enjoyed it verymuch, especially Emaline who danced herself almost to death. Yes—dancing in a deacon's house!What would you say to that in Bucksport? You are altogether mistaken if you think dancing isgoing out of fashion. It is all the rage here. Every time I am in company it makes me mad 5 to thinkI never learned. After tea, one of the ladies played for Emma and Eliza Ripley to dance the polka.After that they all took part and kept it up till ten o'clock. The young lady who was my pardner gaveme a private lesson beforehand so that I walked through it pretty well. I shall learn one of thesedays.Tim Smith is here yet, doing nothing as usual. I should not be surprised if he went to Bucksport inthe Spring.A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

Last night John took me to the Italian Opera. He had heard it twice and was perfectly delighted.I always supposed that the Italian singing was all affectation and because it was fashionable itwas liked but I must confess in spite of myself that I never heard such music in my life. I wasmost agreeably disappointed, I tell you. You have probably seen an account of the company in thepapers. There are between thirty and forty performers in the orchestra and five principal singers.The fellow who sings bass had the greatest voice that ever I heard. The lady is very pretty and hasalso a fine voice. The opera was Lucia di Lammermoor. You have read the story, the Bride of L. Itis all acted. Only instead of being spoken it is sung in Italian. This language is much better to singthan ours. There are some parts of it coming after she has killed her husband and becomes crazy andwhen she signs the marriage contract and Ravenswood burst in and curses her that are beyond alldescription. I will send you the opera which has the story as they sing it, if you would like it.NEW YORK, May 10, 1847Last Friday was a great day here, celebrating the victories in Mexico. Grand display of flags onthe shipping and public buildings. I have sent Sewall the Herald which contains a full account ofthe proceedings. 6 The military looked finely and I had the pleasure of seeing the salute paid to theMayor and General Gaines. I should think the old man is seventy by his looks.In the evening the scene in Broadway and the Park was truly magnificent. It fairly turned night intoday. A great many of the private dwellings on Broadway had their parlor shutters thrown open,giving one a view inside splendidly lighted up. The fire works on the Astor House and the CityHall were very fine. Two bands were stationed, one on the balcony of the City Hall and one onTammany Hall. They discoursed such music during the evening as would have done you good tohear. If you could have been here and walked through the Park and up Broadway with me it wouldhave given you some idea of the people there are in this immense bee hive of human beings. Fromthe Bowling Green to Canal Street, a distance of two miles, it was one solid jam of people. Allwas fun and frolic, no fights or rows that I saw but I saw a great many people with some strangeA Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

disorder in their heads that would cause them to shout and sing and now and then the sidewalkwould fly up and hit them in the head, a disorder very prevalent in this city.It is about time for me to hear from you. I should think your last was written fast day.I prefer N.Y.Write me soon the state of things at home.NEW YORK, June 28, 1847Father leaves this afternoon at five and will tell you all the news when he gets home. I am verysorry Joseph did not come with him. It seems as though he was afraid to venture any farther thanBoston.The evenings for a week past have been most delightful, excepting the heat which is most intense.You can't endure any clothing. Cravats and vests are all out of 7 date and the Southern dress all thefashion (viz: a shirt collar and spurs).I went down to Arthur's farm last week with Tim Smith and got our full of cherries. He raisescartloads. Strawberries are about done. We have had them every night for a fortnight. I am glad tohear you are getting along so well down East. Father looks fat and is in good spirits. Tell Mother Iam greatly obliged to her for those shirts. That was more than I expected. I supposed that they haddone clothing me. However, they will be very acceptable.I send you a book which is a pretty good story. I thought of buying some present but I am too poorto get anything worth while so you must wait until I get more salary. I think just as much of you andsend it with the same feelings that I should a thousand dollars.Tim and I went to the Park the other night to hear the beautiful opera of Norma. This is a bettercompany than the one I heard last winter. Tedesco is the greatest singer I ever heard. This is all theplace of amusement I have attended in a long time and will be the last for some time. I had beenexpecting a great treat ever since I heard of them in Boston and was not disappointed. To anyonethat likes music this is the kind I think you would be perfectly charmed with if you could hear it.A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

Give my respects to Ed Kirk and tell him I should like to hear from him, yourself ditto. Sarah isalready now to have you come out here and make a visit. Arthur thinks of going down East thissummer. John cut his whiskers off yesterday, and I remain yours perspiringly.NEW YORK, August 27I began to think it had been a long time since I had heard from you. Hope this will find youenjoying the same health as myself, which is first-rate, except 8 occasionally on Mondays. I eata very light dinner at an eating house during the week but on Sundays Sarah gets up a first-ratedinner. John generally comes round and we go into it strong, finishing off with melons, peaches andall kinds of fruit. It's no wonder that I have a slight pain in the stomach the next day.I have hardly been out of the city this summer. On the fifth of July I took a trip to West Point. Hada fine time. Last week went on a picnic just out of Brooklyn in a grove, with the Thompsons. Youremember Henrietta visited Fanny D. last summer. There are five young ladies in the family andthere were about forty in the party. We rode out and after skylarking (these city girls run perfectlywild when they get a chance) round until dark, walked in by moonlight. Speaking of moonlight,we are having the most lovely nights that ever I saw and we have promenades and persons to enjoythem, which is one half, you know.The other expedition which I made was to Coney Island, laying about ten miles from the city downto Sandy Hook. Here is a most splendid beach to go in bathing; a large pavilion with all the ‘fixins'for eating and drinking, bowling alleys and pistol gallerys. It is the watering place for the poormillion of New York. We poor devils who can't afford to go to Saratoga or Newport and suchplaces. Thank Heaven we can go down here for a shilling and enjoy all the comfort in the way of acool breeze and a swim in the surf, that are to be had anywhere. The weather has been delightful, ascool as down East.NEW YORK, November 3, 1847A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.067

We are having sad times at the house. You know Mr. Johnson was complaining before you left butdid not give up until a week ago last Thursday. Last Saturday he was 9 taken very sick, so muchso that Dr. Spear was alarmed about him. I came over in the morning and got the best doctor in thecity, Dr. Paine, to consult with him. Monday his disease took a new form and went into his brain.He was raving crazy all night. Yesterday they adopted a new mode of treatment: shaved his headand blistered it, and he now is in a very critical situation. They are to hold a consultation at noonand they think they will be able to decide about his case. It must soon come to a crisis one wayor the other. I have talked with the doctors and they think the chances are against him, but mensometimes live after doctors give them up, you know, and I can't believe yet that he is going to die.I hope not.I am glad you enjoyed your journey home. We had a fine day in the city the day you went upthe river. You want to land at West Point in order to see anything of it and go up on the plain. Isupposed Boston would look small after leaving New York—don't wonder you were disgusted withit. It won't compare with Brooklyn to live in. I wish with Joseph that you were settled down out hereand hope he will make up his mind to come out here at some future time and go into business. Ienjoyed your visit as much as you did and can now write to you with more interest about things thatyou have seen.I suppose it is quite a change from walking Broadway and dining at your nabob cousin's at fiveo'clock and going to such churches as Trinity, to go back to housework and to your humble churchin Bucksport. It is too bad, as you say, that you don't have a l

A Yankee trader in the gold rush; the letters of Franklin A. Buck. Compiled by Katherine A. White A YANKEE TRADER IN THE GOLD RUSH THE LETTERS OF FRANKLIN A. BUCK THE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE OF 1851 A YANKEE TRADER IN THE GOLD RUSH THE LETTERS OF FRANKLIN A. BUCK COMPILED

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