American Historical Ephemera and Photography

BUSHNELL, Horace. Autograph letter signed ("Horace Bushnell") to his friend "Thomas." San Francisco, [CA], 24 September 1852. 4pp, 8 x 12 1/2 in. (creasing at folds, toning). An adventurous fortune-seeker describes his voyage to California and experiences there during the early years of the California Gold Rush.

A lengthy and illustrative letter which describes the journey to California, first across the "Isthmus" and then by steamer to San Francisco. The author relates sights and sounds encountered while traveling through the isthmus jungle, including riding mules and an encounter with native inhabitants. Arriving in San Francisco on the 12th of July, Bushnell proceeds to explore the city, find work, and mine for gold. Along the way, he encounters multiple friends from home who are likewise trying their luck in the California gold fields. The letter reads, in small part: "I take up my pen to let you know that am in the place that I have long desired to be....we arived in San Francisco the 12 Day of July the docks were crouded with men the dock was a mild long as I past up the streets thare was musick in this house and musick in this and fiting thare and a big lump of Gold thare and rumors pulling us by the arm to go with him to such a house and & I new not wich way to turn my head....after we had work 8 days and found nothing Saturday knight came we sat down to take enventory and devide the profits we found that we ware out $160.00 so we resolved to go to work by the Day till the rany season commenced ...I went back to san Francisco to work on a steamboat that runs up to Sacramento I am making six times as much as you can at home....But I shood not advise you to come not on account of not making money but sickness evry steamer that comes in heere most all are sick a grate many dye on the way and are thrown overboard...."

A wonderful account which captures the excitement, and the challenges, experienced by gold-seekers during the California Gold Rush.