IX.
MY CALIFORNIA DIARY.
Feb. 12, 1849-Nov. 11, 1849.
[This diary was brought to light not long after the foregoing Reminiscences had appeared in “The Unadilla Times.” Dr. Halsey was urged to include it in the proposed pamphlet, but made no definite reply to the suggestion. It obviously did not occur to him that it would be interesting to others than himself—not even to members of his own family. I do not remember having ever seen it before, or been informed by him of its existence. Written as it was amid the scenes described, the propriety of including it here seems clear. Although he used a pencil, and more than fifty years have passed, the words are still as distinct and legible as when he set them down.]
Feb. 12, ’49; left Plainville; stormy; staid at New Haven till 16th one o’clock P.M.; arrived in New York 7 P.M.
Left New York Friday 23, at 9 o’clock and 20 minutes; all sea sick before night. Saturday 24th, table vacant pretty much. Good appetites are few. Wind commenced to blow up from the north-east Saturday night and continued with rain till Sunday 25th at 2 o’clock P.M., when it changed into the south-east and continued a perfect gale Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday till 9 A.M., when it went into the north-east, or rather when we struck the trade winds blowing from the north-east.
We are now, Thursday P.M. 1st March tripping it towards Chagres at the rate of 10 knots an hour.
Friday 2nd. A beautiful day and going at a nice rate; warm and balmy.
Saturday 3d. A beautiful day; we this day crossed the tropic and every man has his coat off; sun comes down hot.
Tuesday 4th. Made land this morning 6 o’clock, the Caicos Islands on our right and Turks Island on our left; a beautiful day, thermometer at 10 o’clock stood at summer heat; shirt sleeves and summer vests are out in profusion; had divine service on board to-day by a lay brother (Mr. Appleton) of New York, an aged man who with two sons and two nephews are going to California after fortunes. Had occasion to prescribe for two cases to-day on board.
Monday 5th. Another fine day; we made the passage to-day between the Islands of Hayti and Cuba; we were not near enough to either to see how they looked except that there was very high land on both. The inauguration of President Taylor was observed by cracking a few bottles of champagne furnished us by the generosity of the house of Livingston and Wells of New York. It is getting very hot for us northerners.