Log 401 William Lord Stevens on the ship TRESCOTT, from Mystic CT to San Francisco CA A journal of the ship Trescott 1850 Written on board of her on her passage from Mystic Connecticut to San Francisco By William Lord Stevens of Conn Stonington [end of page 01.gif] One winters morn in a suny bay A noble ship at anchor lay Her signal gay now floats on high Which tells her sailing time is nigh For from A foreign Land their came Great tales of welth with none to claim From month to month the storys told That California filled with Gold Now ships and passengers prepare To go and try their fortunes their Among the foremost of the fleet The Trescott Ship was fitted neat A skillful Captain next was found Who oft Cape Horn had sailed around And proved himself well skilled to trace This watery path from place to place The snow white topsails now are set The crew all Strangers now have met The Anchor hoisted to the bow And she begins the waves to plough A dangerous reef now lies before Our pilot oft has sailed it ore Though a skillful man was at the wheel Uppon this reef we grazed our heel But still unhamed her way did cleave Until the Pilot took his leave Then with smooth sea and pleasent gale Our Captain spread each stich of sail Then like A thing of life she flew Our homes no longer we can view We strain our eyes but in its place A long dark cloud all we can trace But before the day had turned to night This cloud had vanished from our sight And nought is left but sky and ocean blue Which our good ship was plowing through But few that night their eyes did close [end of page 02.gif] For thoughts of home before them rose Of friends and kindred left behind For welth in foreign land's to find That night past slow and lonesome by Att last the daylight hit the sky The breese was blowing fresh and strong With Topsails reefed we skim along Now woe to those who never ore Old Ocean waves have sailed before For the strange motion of the waves A horrid sickness to them gave And now wele[?] look uppon the crew A finer set you never knew Our Captain first from Mystic came In station short of stout built frame A sailor he and well dose know To guide his Ship in heavyest blow Next in command Just Mark the name Bill Bliven from New London came In whose sleek face and vacent eyes To Live[?] ere folly did despise Next in command is the second mate From Mystic came in Blue Law State A man well liked by all the crew Who knew and how and what to do Our third mate next whose jolly voice When heard in spirit makes all rejoice Our Docter next A man whose mind Is stored with learning of all kind Though young in years his skill is great Decended from the cheif of State He oft does bost that he may claim A Linage of illustrious name* Now from the cabin we forward go The seaman's names we soon will know ??? Burrows first before us come Herculean both in strength and frame ??? Burrows next though small and slim *Perry [end of page 03.gif] In spareness few can equal him Next Dewey we will kindly scan None know him but to praise the man Groton they claim as their birth place Whose Ledyard did the British face at when at last he was forced to yeald Was basely murdered on the field A Henry Morris next we will scan A low Deceatful ignorant man Our Cooper next a Whaleman he Who oft before has crossed the sea Simons his name sole endowed Of such may parents well be proud In haveing from dame nature won The bliss of having such a son Our carpenter next claims my time Timothy Lane just in his prime He knows his traid as his work will show And does it well but Thundering slow Next Stephen Baker hese always gay Paid Fifty Dollars to work his way A lively man you nere can trace A sign of anger in his face A William Harding with Baker came Hes young in years of slender frame Next Peter Tufts hese free and kind A better shipmate hard to find George Prentice and Ned Avery to With William Falkner are of the crew And Thomas Ash who is young and smart On bord of the ship can do his part Next last not least Bill Stevens stands But him Ill leave to abler hands For in this World you will find but few That can this Stevens justic do These forteen men make up our crew Of passengers their is fifty two Now on we sail each day we sail [end of page 04.gif] Until in the latitude of twelve we came But their a dreadful cry did hear Which struck the boldest heart with fear A cry of fire through the Ship ran Which terror struck to every man Now up each hatch a heavy cloud Of smoke arose now voices loud But above them all one calm arose And bade the crew the hatches close No sign of fear did the Captain show But straite to the cooking range did go Which set at home in careless haste So very near the deck was placed That from the heat the fire caught Which all this fright and trouble brought From bricks and morter the range we drew And soon the fire we did subdue The fire was quenched but not the fright When we set the waches for the night Again all right with breeze' fine Until two degrees north of the line But their in calms some days we lay And we lowered the boats to pass away The time which past most horrid slow And in one our Docter bold did go Now Docter Hazzard could not swim Which they all knew so to plague him A wicked plan these rogues did lay The boat to capsize on this day And this wicked deed was duly done And the risk of drownding all did run For twice our Docter deep sunk down And many thought that he would drown But God ordained that he should live And to the sick and suffering give But his bever hat and compass wet Learnt him a lesson he wont forget ??? now with the breeze strong [end of page 05.gif] Again our good ship drives along We crossed the line where Neptune came On bord and took each strangers name On on we sail ore ocean blue Till in the Lattitude of Forty two But here the wind did haul ahead And dark clouds the rain in torrents shed The Thunders loud and deafening roar No mortal eares ere heard before The lightening flashes sharp and near Filled every one on bord with fear For hours the rain its torrents shed The thunders roar the lightening sped Flashes near and bright and every blast Like reede's(?) bent are our quivering masts With winds ahead and gales so strong But slowly now we get along At length one morning cold we see Old Staten land far off our lea Whose rock bound coast and mountains white With snow was plainly in our sight But on still on we quickly go Through squalls of rain of hale and snow Now off Cape Horn our good ship lies To beat around in vain she tries For many dayes in gales we lay Until we take the wind from another way, Were round the Cape but the north wind blow We still pass on though very slow For Tulca(?) that Glorious Place Where live the fairest of human race Now once again free winds we take And soon the cost of Chilli make Now with winds fair we make our way Through waters smooth up Conception bay And when at night the sun went down We all saw Turkawana(?) town It rained that night and squaly blew [end of page 06.gif] At nine O clock when we came to But soon the ship and sails all right We set the watches for the night Next morn as soon as twas fairly light That noble town was plain in sight Turkawana(?) is a glorious place The females is farrest of human race With dance halls large and woman fair No city can with thee compair What though thy houses are rough and low What though through mud your forced to go The people are all kind and free With smiles the Girls will welcome thee Then wonder not midst scenes so gay That time like light'ning flew away Now in two weeks our wants supplied With wood and coal and fright Beside three passengers to go All in the cabin down below One Gentleman and two Ladies gay Who for a cabin passage pay At half past three were under way And slowly sailing down the bay As the night drew near the breeze grew strong With all sail set we skim along Next morn from land our ship was clear Now we for California steer At ten O clock our Females come As yet no one has heard their name The eldest one in age and crime Has seen hard service in her time If we by looks can rightly tell She has done enough to merit hell Her age I judge is twenty eight In statue tall shes slim and strait Her hair and eyes as black as night With features long complexion light With teeth uneven and black as A coal [end of page 07.gif] And on her chin is a large hair mole And to tell her from the other dame They call her Nancy for want of a name The yonger one of medium height With eyes and hair as dark as night Complexion dark nose flat and wide And a lip thats curled with scorne and pride With cheek bones high teeth white and clear In Spanish her name is pronounced Andrear No maden modesty they show With dresses unhooked around they go On deck they laugh and talk as loud As though around them stood no crowd Now on we move now fast now slow The wind most time from north did blow So day by day each one the same As the one before we slowly came At length one morning bright and clear On deck our Docter did appearAnd in his hands a rool did bear Of cotton canvass white and fair With palm and needle in his hand Upon a cask he took his stand And there his every thought he bent To sewing canvass for a tent A passenger was passing by When this white canvass caught his eye And becaus for Hazzard he had a spite With paint he stained his canvass white The Docter he had tamely bore A thousand things he had done before But worst of all of spirit proud Hes borne the laughter of the crowd With a great effort all this he bore Till now but he could stand no more With livid lips and flashing eye A stick of wood he soon let fly With lightning speed at his old foe [end of page 08.gif] Which had it hit would have laid him low And freed him from all earthly pain Or wish to fool with man again But luckely his aim want true And overboard his wepon flew Then curses deep from his lips did flow He hastened down to meet his foe His arms entwined around his neck And tried to haul him to the deck But all in vain though angry still His strength want equal to his will His opponant finding it no joke Resolved in turn his foe to choke With iron grasp his hands he drew Till his breath grew faint and his face grew blue His eyes were starting from his head And befor his eyes was visions dread Then he with shocking voice did cry O take him off before I die And then helpe came before it was to late And saved him from a horrid fate Such scenes as this help pass away The lonesome hours of mainy a day But foure weeks past with wether fine And breezes fair we have crossed the line It chanced one night that down below To sleep the Stabord watch did go That angry words down their arose Between two sworn and mortal foes At length the yonger one did dare To use such words as none can bear That is one man unto the other For they were insulting to his Mother Our Carpenter could stand no more One bound he maide accross the floor Where all unconcious set his foe He raised his hand and delt a blow ??? lightly he this blow did deal [end of page 09.gif] For long his foe the smart would feel But not he the one to tamely stand And take A blow from freemans hands With anger then that know no bound And flashing eye he looked around Then quick as thought to his berth he flew And from thence A huge sling shot he drew A weppon that the boldest dread It's A piece of rope atached to lead If in strong hands and used with skill On A mans head is sure to kill But he in anger swung it round And down it came with hollow sound On poor Lanes head with such a blow That from A deep wound the blood did flow Down from his head in gushing tide And soon his neck and face was died But not content his foe once more With vengence brought his weppon ore And in its course it swept the light And in darkness hid this desperate fight But still uncheced it onward sped And another wound cut in Lanes head Naught seen or heard but curses loud Until some one among the crowd Who anxious was to see the fight Got out of bed and lit A light Which did A horrid sight disclose Thare face to face was these two foes Our Carpenter their upright stood His face stained ore with his own blood And siting on A chest quite near Was his old foe though pale with fear To part them now some one took care Though deep revenge poor Lane did sweare Then quick for the Docter ran the cook Who hastened down with solemn look Washed off the blood and two gashes found [end of page 10.gif]] Then with solemn vissage looked around With sober look and solemn face Pronounced them in A dangerous place With quack like skill he dressed each wound Then started aft now still all round We sought our berths and tried to sleep But Lanes dread curses loud and deep Kept us awake until the wach past by And in sleep no one had closed an eye Next day our Captain forward went And strait for the offender sent Who with slow steps to him drew near When such an cursing he did hear As mortal ears nere heard before He promised to do so no more And thanked his God it was no worse Glad to get clear with such A curse We still sail on weve crossed the line The wind still fair and wether fine But here A secret comes to light That makes more sport than any fight Our Spanish Ladies you must know Pay for A passage down below There was no spare berth down their except One in the room where the Captain slept The upper bearth was very wide So both could sleep their side by side The Captain took the one below So if he was called to quickly go Close to the door A dimijohn stood Twas filled with brandy strong and good And oft at night when all was still Our third mate went and drinked his fill He chanced to be on deck one night When the wind blew out the cabin light And after he had paused to think He swore hed go and get A drink He crept along and then for fear [end of page 11.gif] That some one might his footsteps hear He off with shoes and then did go With footsteps light straight down below With outstreched arms and careful tread And soon the door he felt ahead Then set him down upon the deck Streached out his hands and by the neck Took dinijohn in careful haste And the nose between his lips he plaiced And took A draught twas long and deep Then paused to listen all is a sleep Then took another longer drink And set it down and began to think A last he muttered I will try If Im found out I can but die Then with A laugh he shook his head Arose and went straite to the bed In wich these Spanish women lay And began with force to pull away The cloths that kept them from the cold For brandy strong had made him bold Then one awoke in A great fright But he he stooped ore and whispered light Its me my dear now pray lye still Until of you I have had my will But how she whisperd back I pray Their is no room here so go away For the Captain may perhaps awake And you know my honor is at stake Now go away or I will call The Captain up and tell him all These words did his ferce passion cool He damed her for A Spanish fool And then with step light and slow Strait to the dinijohn did go And in the contents sought to find Something to calm his troubled mind And soon his true old friend he found He raised him up without A sound [end of page 12.gif] And plaiced him to his lips once more And A larger drought took than before Then with strong heart and burning face He turned and left this dangerous place And in his way found nought to check His further progress to the deck Now safe on deck he had just found His shoes when with A welcome sound The old bell rang that all might know The watch on deck might go below With heated brain and acheing head That night he quickly sought his bed Now of this scrape no one did know Until the Captain sent for him below This Spanish lady it does appear Did for her honor greatly fear And the next morning with sober face She told the Captain what had took place And he on A coart martial bent Then straiteway for the Third mate sent Who dare not fore his life say no Did to the cabin quickly go There sat the Captain cold and stern Well sir he said I wish to learn If you yourself do rightly know Why you last night came down below Well sir he said I will tell you true The only reason that I knew A Passenger A noble youth Who I would sweare had spoke the truith Told me for eather love or spite Theyd tried to coax him down at night A mister John Shaw was his name But still I dont think him to blame I thought that I could do as well Not thinking that the Bitch would tell Call down Jack Shaw the Captain cried Ill humble down the coxcombs pride [end of page 13.gif] Down came poor Shaw with crimson face And next to Harley(?) took his place The Captain said young man I find That you have been so very kind As around the Ship the news to spread These women asked you to their bed It was a joke this young man cried And told as such although I lied Nor thought I that he would ever go To trouble them when down below The Captain then did loudly sweare That neither one had business their And if again they dared to show Their heads or sholders down below Hed thrash them as he would A dog And put it down in the ships log And then he bade them leve him straite Nor for farther orders did they wait But quickly hastened to the deck To give vent to feelings held in check But different far these two did show Their feelings for what had passed below The Third Mate with A laughing face Told all the crew what had took place And for what hed done he cared no mor Than for the clouds that passing ore But different far the other bore His fate such shame he were before Had felt or such A resk had run A he for this small lie had done He quickly hastened to his bed Nor showed again that night his head Next morning sun shone bright and clear And Shaw his spirits dull to cheer Took down A bottle and deep and long He drinked of brandy pure and strong This caused his courage to arrise Then with fulshed face and sparkling eye The bottle he did seize again [end of page 14.gif] And every drop from it did draine Which quickly flew into his head And he ded drunk was put to bed But now the wind has hauled ahead The sun his burning heat does shead Were forced to stand well into land And here for weeks we are at A stand Old Seventeen Six* we cant get by For days and weeks in vain we try For two long week with winds ahead And now we begin to greatly dread Our water will not last us there Unless we use it with more care They reckoned up what was below And found on an allowance we must go And the Captain on deck that night did say Each one should have two quarts A day And as the Ships duty they must do An extra pint gave to the crew July the Forth now came along And with it was A breeze quite strong The Sun shone out both bright and clear And all hands hailed it with a cheer In the forenoon A tent was spread Our Countrys Flag streached overhead With chairs and Tables and paintings gay He dressed the tent up for A play A carpet on the deck we spread That all might walk with noiseless tread The chairs and carpet Clancy(?) lent That we might furnish up the tent By twelve the tent and all things right The play to begin at seven at night With fireing guns and lively play The day was quickly past away The women then were very kind The shawls and dresses they did find The Curtain arose and all things right *The latitude of 17' 06 North [end of page 15.gif] Before us was A splendid sight The Lanterns hung around the tent Their light to every corner sent Their lads in Ladys dresses gay A Mister Russell and Mister Day Came on the stage beside five more And each their part with honor bore The pistols report and in the light Drawn swords and daggers flashing bright Served well to pass the time away And end in sport A holaday At ten O clock the play did close And all well pleased then sought repose From home A Captain with us came A noble man Brewster ??? name Who had on the Ocean spent his life To support at home A Loving Wife Nor did he toil so hard in vain For a handsome property did gain Then tired of such a wandering round He bought himself a piece of ground Resolved that he would stay at home And on the Ocean no more roam But when he heard the news of Gold His piece of land he quickly sold Then bought a boat and quick prepared To journey whither no one cared By fate or chance or God knows what On board the Trescott ship he got And thus he left his native land Impasioned for the Golden strand When on this side close to the line Where God allowed no wether fine He played no cards nor lay around But some employment always found His boat uppon the quarter deck stood Upon her keel blocked up with wood And as her sides was much to low [end of page 16.gif] When loded deep to safely go The three streeks(?) upon her sides did raise Which did employ him many days No cost nor labor did he spare To have her ready when he got their And when she was finished he did proclaim The Sacramento was her name But now he has impatient grown With sober face he stands alone Or walks the deck with heavy tread And cries my man how does she head On June the tenth fair winds we take And once again our course we make And now our hearts with hopes beat high Old seventeen six we have passed by At length one day at half past three An Island far we saw a lea And for it then our course did steer Till night set in with wether clear The wind departed with the day And through the night we listless lay And ship and man alike did yawn Until the coming of the morn When smiling in he morning light The land beamed full uppon our sight The wind breathed lightly ore the tide Of Ocean in his morning pride And now two boats we did prepare To try if fish were sporting thair And as to land we neirer drew We did no signs of beings vew But barren rocks of verdure shorn Uphevens(?) to the riseing morn On whose bald pate and cheereless brest No cloud would ever deign to rest Within two miles the ship came to And now each boat with A full crew Beside each had a jug of Wine [end of page 17.gif] And furnished well with hook and line In one the Captain and ten more The Third Mate at the steering oar Both Spanish woman in their to Who wished this fishing scrape to vew The other boat but ten men took Resolved for water they would look With Captain Brewster in command And starting both to pull for land As tward the land our light boat drew Three Turtles large we plain did vew They still upon the water lay But to capture them we had no way So we approached near as we dare For breakers large ware rooling thare Our anchor here we quick let go And overboard our lines did throw The fish in plenty here we found And sharkes in hundreds swarmed around And as our lines we upward drew These Devils bit our fish in two Now Captain Brewsters boat came thare And us did hooks and sinkers spare Then told the Captain hed go around on And see if water could be found But as the sun was getting low Our boat unto the Ship did go But Brewster came and with him brought A Turtle large which they had caught He said the breakers rooled so high To land his boat he dared not try No signs of water he could trace He bade the boats resume their place And as the wind was blowing fair The yards we did quickly square That night we had the fish to clean And such damed(?) decks was never seen For several weeks the wind did blow [end of page 18.gif] So that the ship her course would go And we all hoped he Trades to take At last one night a sail we make And strait for us she seemed to steer The wind was light and wether clear But darkness hid her from our sight Till eight O clock she showed her light We backed our topsail then straitway And cleared our Starboard boat away Then with the Captain and A full crew Our light boat swift toward the light flew A Spanish Brig as hey did say But three days out from Monteray And what did interest us mor She left Francisco ten days before Great tales of riches their they told For A monstrous price their cargo sold We eager listened to each word Until the Captains voice was heard In pleasant tones come man the boat When each man started at the note Our boat was maned all in high glee And like A bird skimed ore the sea At last we gained our Ship once more And now each man lays in his oar The boat was hoisted in her place And forward quick our yards we brace Now all on board went smooth and right Until California hove in sight And as our Ship to it drew near Each man hailed it with A cheer The wind was blowing strong and free And soon the harbor all could see At seven Oclock our Ship came to And now to writing Ill bid Adue [end of page 19.gif] To My Mother Dear Mother Ive wandered far from thee Ore Oceans stormy brest Ive braved the dangers of the sea For thee whom I love best But times rolled on since I left home And brought with him care and pain But hope still cheers me while I rome To meet thee once again 2 I often think of the bright days When with such tender care You taught my childlike voice to raise To God in earnest prayer But time has rooled along since then And Ive forgot to pray Ive lernt the ways of wicked men And far Ive gone astray 3 But O I would not have thee know What A load of sin I bear Twould fill youre heart with bitter woe To see me bowed down with care And often when my voice is raised In anger ferce and wild I think I hear my Mother cry Twere not at all my child 4 Dear Mother Im far far from thee With none to guide me now And if Im sick no friend with me To bathe my burning brow But oft thy warning voice I heare When Im about to sin Its mournful tones comes to my ear And warnes one back again [end of page 20.gif] 5 Long yeares have rooled at length away Since from youre side I came Although Ive sinned and gone astray I love you still the same And O I long Old Stonington Thy shores once more to tread That I may heare my Mothers voice Ask blessings on my head Wrote while on Deer Creek in California Nov. 5th 1850 {1850/11/05} [end of page 21.gif] My Home Land of my youth I sigh once more With joyous steps to tread thy shore I bring once more my friends to meet And bow me to my Mothers feet And tell my sorrows ore. 2 My youth is past old age draws nigh When thought flies back Im forced to sigh Too yeares that past when A Mothers voice Has made my drooping heart rejoice And look for hope on high 3 Woe worth the day I left that shore For distant lands to wander ore Lifes picture then was bright and fair But passing time brought pain and care I looked to God no more 4 The lessons of my youth forgot Although my Mothers voice is not Its mild sweet tones I often hear Mornfuly regret my wild carreer Although it chides me not 5 I seen(?) as though led on by fate Thought never come until to late Then sorrow comes and repentance ore The deeds I had swarn to do no more Such deed as good men hate 6 Could I hear my Mothers voice once more And tread once again my native shore Id turn me from temptations ways And try to spend my remaining days Repenting of those before April 17th Sacramento City [end of page 22.gif] Another Year 1 Another year Another year at length has onward sped And O how many of my friends are numbered with the dead I left my home two years ago to cross the raging main And left Dear friends behind I fear I near shal ??? again 2 The thoughts of gain lured me away to seek for hidden gold I find alas twas false the flattering tales they told In this wild country far from home many A grave have found But few can bost of welth they got by working in the ground 3 Another yeare Another yeare at length has onward sped roold And thousands have died within that year who came to seek for gold For the Cholery that fell disease has reached this fatal shore And many that came here to get rich will never leve here more 4 Within some small and cheerless tent no friend to him is nigh Deprived of all that makes dear thus many on one does die By strangers hands consigned to earth no funeral prayer is said Thus many a Husband, Brother, Friend is numbered with the dead 5 A mound of earth is all thats seen no monument on high To tell his name ore place of birth to those thats(?) passing by Above his grave no tears are shed no kneeling form is their No kneeling form of Wife or Friend to offer up a prayer 6 Those that still live are weak and pale bowed down with care and pain And all regret the hour they their homes in search of gain Theyve lost their helth theyve gained no gold their toil is all in vain Theyle be content without the gold if they get home again 7 Another Year Another Year has begun his weary course The rain is decending every day the wind is howling horse But who will live to see its end and leve this fatal shore But few I feare who wait for fall will ever leve here more [end of page 23.gif] 8 At home youre Strangers ??? want youre all that you can crave Think of the wanders in this land and of the Strangers Grave And when you kneel to thank your God if you ever kneel to pray Offer up one prayer for them thats toiling far away Deer Creek Dec 6th 1850 {1850/12/06} [end of page 24.gif] Happiness 1 Where can true Happiness be found Ive mixed in Pleasures giddy round Ive deeply drank of the choyest wine Ive been where wit and Beauty sined 2 All these passed off like A wild dream Making life more dark and lonely seem Ive seen the Miser horde his Gold Until his heart grew hard and cold 3 Ive been where fortunes quick were made Ive been where cards and dice were played Ive tasted of pleasures of all kinds But true happiness I nere could find 4 It is not in disepations(?) gay Their pleasures fall to quick away Its not in possessing countless welth And seldom found with helth and strength 5 Its not in Wine or Cards or Dice Or with women stained with creme and vice(?) Its not with those who happyest seem Whose smile and eye does brightest gleam 6 For the brightest eye and happyest smile The deepest greif may vail awhile It not among A joyous crowd Their joy is like A passing cloud 7 Ive sought midst pleasures whose after pain Have taught me that I sought in vain Long have I sought I now dispair Of finding this treasure rich and rare [end of page 25.gif] Pleasure Its done the dream of joys are Ore Nere to return again So hopes of joy can lure me more To mix in pleasures then{?) 2 Bright hopes once cheered me on through life Those hopes have all decayed And left me nought but toil and strife Thus earthly pleasures fade 3 The past seems like A pleasant dream Which working hours dispell No hope does through the future gleam To joys Ive bid farewell 4 Mans made to mourn(?) in youth we ar taught In age we find it true Each earthly pleasures dearly bought And vanishes like dew 5 Each hour of pleasure here on earth Must be paid with years of pain Then who would waste their hours in mirth Could they live life ore again [end of page 26.gif] Hope What cheers man on through lifes dark way When far from home his footsteps stray When sickness brings him near to death With no friend to watch his parting breath What cheers him on through pain and care And contents him with his huble(?) fair Its Hope whose sweet but elusive(?) voice Still bids mans drooping heart rejoice But when man has lived until hope has fled Till all he loved on earth is dead Till his friends in coldness pass him by Until home has lost its only tige(?) Till hese drank to its dregs the cup of woe And even his tears have refused to flow Whats left him then but woe and grief Then what but deth can bring relief [end of page 27.gif] To Infidels 1 O who shall dout the power of God who vew The Ocean, Sky and Stars, and shining Sun What is vile Man that he deems it true That God made these and other wonders done 2 How fallen is man now steeped in crime and sin That does the Great Redeemers power deny And tell us all these came by chance and then begin To Blasphemiously call the Book of God A lie 3 O why are such wretches suffered still on earth to live To lure the minds of youth to worse than deth O why did woman give these monsters birth Much better for the world they nere'd drawn breth 4The wildest savage in the wildest region known As nature made them Savage, Wild, Untaught Do each and all some superor being own Though Savages endowed with reverance and thought 5 Thou Infidel who lost(?) or in Christian land Go learn youre duty of the Savages on earth They will tell you that an allmighty hand Made all these things and also caused youre breth 6 Then bow before the God a home you deny And try by penitance and prayer to gain his trust That he may hear you now repenting cry And forgive youre sins before youre turned to dust 7 Misguided man if you indeed beleive what pretend If not your Foolish thus blindly to pursue A path which leads to torments without end Which will be youres if Gods own words be true [end of page 28.gif] 8 An awful doom the Infidel does wait when he shall stand At that great day before Gods judgment seat on high And trembling hear the Almightys dread command Depart ye cursed who on earth did me deny 9 Then O forsake this dangerous path before it is to late And dare not tamper with Gods mercy here But paus and think of what an awful fate Awates the Infidels then bow you down with piety and fear Worte on Deer Creek in California Nov 5 1850 {1850/11/5} on hearing an Infidel deny the truth of the Bible [end of page 29.gif] Sin Let their be the Almighty ruler said The Sun arose and ore all earth she shead A bright and dazeling light,, then man was made And plaiced in Paradise whose cooling shade Was welcome,, for with scorching rays the sun Came downe on man,, for man was then but one Then God caused man to sleep his feeling all forsook His frame,, then from his side God straitway took A rib,, and A woman form he placed her by mans side Whom he awoke,, to vew his work with reverance and pride God gave man paradise, and of all the trees but one He bade him eat the fruit,, but that he bade him ??? Nor dare to, touch, nor Eat, nor yet draw nigh, For if he eat therof hed surely die Now of all the beasts or reptiles God had made The most subtile was the Serpant,, Who quickly laid A plain to vain man, The woman he met as she passed by He told her the forbidden fruit to eat and that to die She need not fear,, She should not die for it was the tree of life She listened to his words and did eat,, and did give to man Who also eat,, and then sin first on earth began. And has incresed and multiplied till all on earth Have more ore less which they inherit now by birth Then God came in Paradise to walk and called mans name Who,d hid himself for new he,d lernt to feel his shame Then God was angry,, And he from Paradise man drove To gain his bread by toil,, and ore earth to rove The first borne sone of man was Cain and borne in sin Which showed itself when speech did first begin In fruitless murmers that he was forced to toil to gain His bread,, Then Able was borne much milder he than Cain Now Cain was a tiller of the ground but would not pray To God but Abel tended sheep and on each day He offered up A sacrafice to God and then he went To Cain and tried to persuaide at length Cain did consent To build an alter an straightway both did build Cain gathered fruit for his but Abel killed [end of page 30.gif] A lamb,, when all was ready both knelt down to pray Then fire from Heaven lit Ables pile but swept away The offering of Cain,, then jelousy did fill Cains heart,, seized A brand and struck that blow did kill His brother Abel,, then while Cain stood looking in fear Upon his brothers corps,, He did an mighty voice hear Saying Cain where is thy brother Abel Cain replied I know not I am not my brothers keeper thus he said To hide the Awful crime which he had done From God While on the ground his brothers blood did run Then God said from from out the ground your brothers blood does cry For vengence but you shall not yet die But you are cursed and when you till the ground She shall not yeild and you shall wander round The earth a Vagabond and Fugative and lest men should stray God set A marke on Cain and bade him go his way Time passed on and men had daughters fair And Lovely,, and the sones of God did with them pair From them decended Giants and men of might Who lived in Sin and scorned the way of right Now that he had made man God did repent And for their sins A Deluge ore all earth he sent But for Noha and his Family God did provide An arke in which ore water they could safely ride But time passed on again inhabitants did throng The Earth but still they scorned the good and clung to wrong Then all on earth did use one language and one speech They said lets build a tower whose top will reach To Heaven and let us make ourselves a name And build a city where we a Home can claim Lest we be scattered ore the earth but the Lord came down To view the Tower and City and on their work did frown And did confound their language and drove Them forth again ore the broad world to rove But time passed along Sin also did gain Till on the citys of Sodom and Gomorrach God did rain Brimstone and fire and from them did only save Lot and his Two Daughters who sought shelter in a cave [end of page 31.gif] But still regardless of their warnings on men do go Deeper and deeper into sin regardless of the woe That does await all that dispise A Christian life They hurry on through sin and crime and strife Till sickness comes and then in vain they try By promises and teares to make God hear their cry Behold the numerous Churches of the present day How even some of them are led astray By pride and vanity each trying to excel ??? others in the splender of their Churches as well As Preachers and Organ and many things beside Which tell of worldly feelings and of pride Not that I wish to say that none are good I do not mean Any such a thing But some use as for A screin Religions name, and by pride and sin disgraced the name They beare, and thus the good must beare the blame These are vile hipocrites of such the prophets oft fortold Wolves clothed like Sheep who thus get in the fold Of such beware,, their tongues are smooth,, their words so gently flow Like to the Serpent they would lure you to crtain woe Where shall we seek when looking for the true Christain on earth I, know theirs some but fear but few Can rightly claim that name I, only say I, fear I want you all to understand that I am clear Of writing ought but what I think is strictly true And hope that in the end they `l not prove so few And now I think I'll close if any one ask why I wrote these lines I will tell them just to satisfy Their Curiosity, This evening my Bible to to me lay near Nay do not start I keep a Bible even here But as I said before my Bible near me lay An as twas evening I, took it up to pass the time away I opened it the first chapter of Genises met my sight I read awhile and then I thought I'd, write And if in all I've wrote you find one line In which I am wrong remember I am no Divine I've wrote what I believe is strictly true And with concience clear I bid you all adue Thursday evening Nov 22ond 1850 {1850/11/22} Deer Creek Ca [end of page 32.gif] Wine They Preach its A sin to drink of bright wine When it was made at A feast by A Saviour Devine They tell us its A sin good liquor to drain That it distroyes the reason and mounts(?) to the Brain So you will find it with eating if you eat to excess And if Liquor affects you you must only drink less Let A man be A Glutton and you will see him no dout Eather cursed with the Palsey or down with the Gout Just drink of Cold Water when you sweat to excess You will groan out in your Misery I wish Id drank less But give me for a drink A full glass of bright Wine It will drive away away care it will caus wit to shine It will drown all your sorrows it will give you new Life It will console you for the loss of Sweetheart or Wife Then fill up the goblet and free let wine flow If in Trouble drink deep it will drowned all your woe It will make you feel happy it will drive away care It will rais you to Bliss from the Depths of Dispair Then who would refuse in sorrow or grief To partake of A portion that will give them Relief Shall the words of fals prophets deprive us of Wine When it was made and partaken of by A Saviour Devine Away with such Preachers theyd have us forego The only Portion on Earth which will sooth care and woe [end of page 33.gif] The Gamblers 1 The wine cup was flowing the laughter was high And the fire of excitement shone forth in each eye The cards were delt out with a hearty good will And the Landlord stood smileing the Tumblers to fill 2 But more wild grew the laugher each cup fully they drain And more loud grew their curses as it mounts to their brain And more loudly they swear as they pile down their Gold For the Liquor they swallowed has made them more bold 3 Their is one sit at that Table whose voice is not high And the wine in its course he lets untasted pass by There he sits at that Table and before him behold Piled high are large heaps of both Silver and Gold 4 His dark hair was waveing round A forehead snow white His teeth white as ivory and his eye dark as night But with all of his beauty he wase vain heartless and cold He worshipped but one God and that God was Gold 5 A smile wreathed his lips and bright shone his dark eye As the revels grew loud and the stakes were raised high For he was A Gambler and to Compasion grown cold He cared not whom he ruined if he could get Gold 6 He heeds not the curse of the louses at play As he rakes up the Gold which on the table they lay He calls for raw Brandy and A glass full does drain Which affects not his play for it mounts not to his brain 7 But hark its the voice of A woman now heared In tones soft and gentle like the song of A bird For the crowd round the door like waves do divide And between them the fair form of a woman does glide [end of page 34.gif] 8 O why comes this Femail to this Hell upon earth Does she come to reproach them for their sinful mirth Lo she walks to the table without the least shame And with Gold for her sining she bets on the game 9 Now look at the Gambler see the flash of his eye He has marked her for his victim She always bets high Now the cards are delt out and shes wone the Gold Now she Stakes all her money for lucks made her bold 10 Now look at the Gambler he like A Demon does grin As he deals out the cards for he is sure to win Already he has won and with A cry of Dispair Out rushes his victim but he seems not to care 11 He deals out the Cards and the betters draw nigh Again they have lost Hark their voices are raised high They are cursing the Gambler with voice feirce and loud So he drawes out A Pistol and fires at the crowd 12 O God hear that Scream Long Peircing and high It tell by that shot that some victim must die But unmoved was the Gambler as he gathered his Gold He gazed on his victim stern angry and cold 13 Then unharmed sought his lodgins from all danger clear And as for the Law he had nothing to fear Thus in California here Gamblers may kill For the seats of the Ruler the Gamblers do fill Nevada City Dec 10th 1850 {1850/12/10} [end of page 35.gif] False Friends 1 Talk not to me of friendships claim Vain fals and hollow is the name When fortune smiles they flock around But vanish at misfortunes sound. 2 I have stood where flocked around A crowd Of these fatheless friends whose voices loud With prais and flattery filled my ear With words twas pleasant then to hear 3 But soon A Change came ore that dream Those that my truest friends did seem Grew bold and distant Stern and shye Unseen they sought to pass me by 4 Or if sudden meet A haughty bow Is all that markes their friendship now I have Traveled for years Ive wandered ore Old Oceans waves from Shore to Shore 5 I have stood where Rugged mountain frown Whose tops the Snows perpetual crown Ive sought in this cold land to find A friend in Actions speech and mind 6 Friends their I found but heartless friends When favours ceased their friendships ends I have sought beneath the burning sun In pleasant Isles to meet with one 7 Who would be A true unchanging friend Through good and bad until life should end But all in vain its but A name No Man A true stanch friend can claim [end of page 36.gif] 8 If you meet A friend look out and find A Man whose maners suit youre mind When such you find his acquaintance make And find what bait he best will take 9 Perhaps soft flattery will suit his ear For most men like their prais to hear Perhapes som man he hates if so With bitter curses load his foe 10 If he chance to Love then with loud voice You must praise the object of his choice Or if in Love you chance to fail And does bitterly against the femails rail 12 You must sweare that all the famail sex Was only formed the Males to vex You will gain in this way whats called A friend Who will help you all youre cash to spend 13 Who will be clothed and borded at youre expense And Laugh becaus youve no better sence I have done with friends they are all A curse Without them one cannot be worse 14 To enlist recruits for Hell they are sent And they fully answer their intent More Souls through friends are Dammed each day Than Hell itself can stow away [end of page 37.gif] To Mrs-- 1 In Memory still I see thy form In fancy feell those kisses warm In dreames the music of thy voice Bids my lonely heart rejoice 2 Again in dreams I tread that Shore That oft with you Ive wandered ore Again returnes those hours of bliss The fond embrace the burning kiss 3 Again I clasp you to my heart And swore no more on earth to part But the awakening hours brings more of woe Than Hell doomed Mortals ere shall know 4 That parting kiss that braid of hair Has cheered me through sickness and dispair Long years have past since I left youre side They tell me you now are Anothers Bride 5 And must another clasp that form And press those lips with kisses warm The very thought does fire my brain With madness, That if we should meet again 6 With coldness we must each other greet Far better that we never meet My native land has not now one ray To light me on my lonesome way 7 Their is not one fond hope to call me their Not one who does for the wanderer care But A short time past since I longed once more To reach once more my native shore [end of page 38.gif] 8 That Longings past henceforth my home Is in whatever land I chance to roam All Lands is the same but that dear spot Where I once loved so well but am now forgot 9 Farewell my fondest dreams are ore On earth at least we meet no mor I wish you all heaven can bestow Of joy without one shad of woe [end of page 39.gif] The Shipwreck Yon Gallant bark has spread her sail Which proudly swells before the gale Her gallant crew with spirits high To shore have bid their last good bye Brave hearts are and men of skill Who guides that Ship as suits their will And now before A favouring breeze She plows her liquid way with ease The receeding land is soon lost to vew Nought seen but sky and ocean blue The Sun sank slowly in the west No breez disturbs old Oceans breast The sails flap idley against the mast As if to woo the tardy blast The Ship swang idely on the tide The helm no more has power to guide As smooth as A Lake Old Ocean lay While around in schools the Dolphins play The Moon shone forth her silver beam Made Ocean like A Mirror seem While with A slow and measured pace The Mate the quarter deck did traice While ever and anon his eye Was cast along the cloudless sky And then along the calm smooth seas As if impatient for A breeze Around in the groups the crew did throng To listen to some tale or song Thare one A gray haired Salor old Of his boyhood days A story told How he from home had run away And for years in foreign Land's did stray He told of deeds of Blood and Crime That he had witnessed in that time For he A prisoner had been(?) to those Who count all mankind as their foes [end of page 40.gif] Pirates who crused uppon the main To plunder Ships in scerch of gain His storyes were such as Salors delight To hear to pass away the night Another to pass the hours away Sung in low voice some Lovers lay Sudden the Mates stern voice they hear Stand by the halyards see all clear Quick to his to his post each one now flies For threatening clouds ore cast the sky Let go the halyards is the command Clew up the Topsails hand boys hand While with such fury came the blast Like reeds it bent the towering mast Like paper the flapping Sails were rent While low to the blast the good Ship bent The rain in torrents now does pour Loud wild and deep the thunders roar Bright sharp and near the Lightning flash Which follows quick the Thunders crash One moment streaming ore the wave As if to show the Salors grave And then as quick to disappear And leave each heart bemoned with fear The Captain quick haistened to the deck And in fancy vews his Ship A wreck With beating heart and eager eye He scans the Dark and threatening Sky One anxious look ore Ocean cast One moment listened to the blast One moment vewd the riseing Sea Then gave his orders loud and free Nore voices nore looks did fear betray The mainmast he ordered cut away Twas done and eased of such A strain Slowly the good Ship rights again And then before the driveing gale She flies without one stick of sail [end of page 41.gif] For canvass nere from Loom was cast That would stand one moment in that blast Two men at the wheel hard work now find To keep that Ship before the wind Fore should she with that sea broach to It would be the last of Ship or Crew On on she flies like A thing of life That flew before the Temptest strife At length the daylight slow appears Instead of hope it brought fresh fears For streached acrost their cours before Each eye beholds A rock bound shore And sullen Breakers rooling high Toward which the Ships fast drawing nigh Twas A sight to Chill the Bravest heart Each knew that he with life must part No human power their ship could save Or wrest them from an Ocean Grave The lips more used to curse and sweare Was heard to murmer words of prayer Brave men were their whose paled cheek Was all that did their feares bespeak While those whose knees were bent in prayer Now knelt and prayed in wild dispair Some murmered the name of Child or Wife That was dearer to their hearts than life Some silent stood nor word nor groan There silent prayer or thoughts made known All was confusion when A sudden shock So plainly told theyd struck a rock Then each seized to A spar or roap Although theyd not one ray of hope It was vain nore rope nor Spar could save Them from the feirce and angry wave Quickly the Breakers swept the deck And left the Ship A sinking wreck While above the Tempest through the Air Rang(?) one loud Shrick of wild Dispair [end of page 42.gif] Then all was still except the roar As broak the waves along the shore Of all that crew who the night before Their tales and Songs were telling ore Not one was saved all found A Grave Benath relentless Oceans wave [end of page 43.gif] The Rev Mr. Chase' Address On Sabbath we at half past nine The Rev Mr. Chas Becaus the sinners would not pray Called God to curse this place 2 This was his prayer come listen all And see if it can be beat With trembling voice he did cry Come take the anxious seat 3 But when he found that none were their That wished their souls to save He as crazy as A bed bug grew And loud did cry and rave 4 And then such groans did fill the room As nere were heard before Some in affright did leave their seats And started for the door 5 Joe Hisch voice was heard aloud The hipocrete was their And to appear more rightous cried Almighty God heare prayer 6 Hed quite forgot the shilling peice He from the widdow stole And now comes Groaning to God As though he had A soul 7 Then Mr. Chase knelt down to pray And with loud voice and clear Cried Joe just stop your groans awhile So God my prayer can hear [end of page 44.gif] 8 O God I dare not for mercy ask For sinners of this place But when youve pitched them all to Hell Reward your brother Chase 9 And as for them to whome Ive called And theyve refused to pray Destroy their houses O my my God and sweep their welth away 10 May they be wanderers here on earth May sickness waste the frames Of all to whome Ive called this night That will not prais thy name 11 But just before they die O Lord Caus them their wills to make And leve their property to me Who labours for thy sake 12 And as for us that labour here One spoon(?) of the we crave May riches shower upon our heads They are what we long to see 13 Though Brother Sawyers black His soul is white as Snow And while in Hell these sinners groan To heaven Old Sawyer will go 14 And when you see his sable form Uppon the throne so high Youll know him by his every while And the working of his eye [end of page 45.gif] 15 Such eyes as his in human head Was never seem to roll They seem to tell the sinner all The feelings of his soul [end of page 46.gif] To My Sister I know that you still love me Although Im far away And I thank the God above me That when ere I chance to stray Their is one twill not forget me Though my faults are frelly told And the time perhaps may yet be That well meet again as of old But when ere my footsteps lead me Be sure Ill love you still And however bad my deeds be That love theyll never chill I know I once did blame the When you was not to blame My anger then ovecame me I own it now with shame But henceforth I neverll blame the Whatever may betide Although virtue(?) Ive no claim to My faults Ill try to hide And now may God protect you May we live to meet again As for me I expect to Meet with ought on earth but pain [end of page 47.gif] The Talors Downfall 1 When man first sined God did ordane That all should toil their bread to gain To each he gave a genius rair That all might do a different shair 2 Some had the art to work on gold And some all kinds of wood to mold Some sailed in ships the world around While others worked to till the ground 3 At last a lot of things he found That was not fit to till the ground Their heads so hard they could not learn A traid by which their bread to earn 4 Now as they would not learn a traid And to go to sea they were affraid At last he hit on a fine plan It would take just nine to make a man 5 And as no other work they would do He thought them how to cut and sew The cloths for other folks to use And he gave them cabbage box and goose 6 Though being last of all that came This last of things must have a name And as the last he named before was salor He thought he would call this tail end talors 7 Thats is the truith none can deny That they all cheat as well as lie Besides they steal youre patches all And swere the pattern was to small [end of page 48.gif] 8 And then such cloths themselves they were That they were Lords you would almost swere But if you traid with them just mind For they are not Lords nore Gods you would find 9 I once knew a talor small Who did from a high station fall In Stonington he then did dwell And what I have heard to you I will tell 10 But yet the names I must conceal So that the law cant with me deal He had a shop it was called his own But yet he did not work alone 11 Their was a little maiden fair That worked for him and I will swere She was as handsome as any queen And they say her age was just sixteene 12 Her name stood fair on the curch books Her charicter was as good as her looks It is hard to tall which girl is best But every one knows East from West 13 The devel he is always near To lead astray such fools as hear So he this talor did persuaide To try and win this fair maid 14 Then being their with her alone He thought the deede would never be known Then with fair words and bribes to aid He soon ore come this bashful maid [end of page 49.gif] 15 Now haveing got a taste for sin She promised next day to come again They thought all safe so home they went But God to stop their singing sent 16 A man to publish forth their shame If name of man shoemakers claim For this thing lived by makeing shoes And running around to tell the news 17 It chanced his shop joined that of the draper And the partition being as thin as paper Whith his shoe knife he soon cut through And this tempting sight he plan could vew 18 He thought it over his chance was spare For coming in to get a shair So he off with apron down strap and shoe and started off to tell the news 19 He only told some two or three To come to his shop next day and see Next day they came and all did swere They would like right well to have a share 20 The sun that night had not gone down Before it was spread all round the town The men did swere and women scold They said she had sold herself for gold 21 The talor he denied it well And for a long time she would not tell Unatil they did a meeting call And their they made her confess all [end of page 50.gif] 22 Then from their curch they turned her out They said disgraice she had brought about And she no more should drink their wine For she had disgraiced their church divine 23 The talor to the church did try And he most loud did all deny But from their table they set him aside Which greatly hurt this talors pride 24 Good bye dear talor fare you well You have sealed youre doome you will go to hell Perhaps the cobler their you will meet Pray shair with him youre sulphery seat [end of page 51.gif] Spending Sunday night 1 Sitting by the window On a Sunday eve With a taper finger Resting on your sleeve Starelight eyes are casting On your face their light Bless me aint it pleasant Sparking Sunday night 2 How youre heart is thumping Gainst youre Sunday vest How wickedly it is working On this day of rest Hours seem but moments As they take their flight Bless me aint it pleasant Sparking Sunday night 3 Dad and mom are sleeping In their peiceful bed Dreaming of the things The folks in meeting said Love ye one another Minister recites Bless me dont we do it Sparking Sunday night 4 One arm with gentle pressure Lingers round her waist You squeeze her dimpled hand Her pouting lips you kiss She freely slaps your face But more in love tan spite O thunder aint it pleasant Sparking Sunday night [end of page 52.gif] 5 But hark the clock is strikeing It is two oclock I swan As sure as I am a sinner The time to go has come You ask in spiteful accents If that old clock is right And wonder if it ever Sparked on Sunday night 6 One two three sweet kisses Four five six you hook But thinking that you rob her Put back part those you took And as for home you hurry From the fair ones side Dont you wish each day was Was only Sunday night [end of page 53.gif] The Rooling Stone Since times are so hard Ill tell you sweetheart I have a mind to leave off My plough and my cart Away to California A journey to go To double oure fortunes As outher folks do While here we may labour Each day in the field And the winter consumes All the summer doth yeld 2 O husband Ive noticed With sorrowful heart That you long have neglected Your plough and youre cart Your sheep goes ramberling And disorderly run And youre new Sunday jacket Goes every day on Then stick to youre farm And youll suffer no loss Fore a stone that is rooling Can gather no moss 3 Oh wife let us go And dont let us wait For I long to be their I long to be great You may be some rich lady And who knows but I May be come rich governer So long ere I die While here we may labour Each day in the field And in winter consume All that summer doth yeld [end of page 54.gif] 4 Oh husband remember That youre land is to clear Which will cost you the Labour of mainy a year Youve horses sheep cattle And tooles for to buy And you will hardly get settled Before you will die Then stick to youre farm And you will suffer no loss For a stone that is rolling Can gather no moss 5 Then husband remember Youre land of delight Is surrounded by Indians Who murder by night Youre house may be plundered And burnt to the ground Youre wife and youre children Lay murdered all round Then stick to youre farm And you will suffer no loss For a stone that is rolling Can gather no moss 6 Oh wife you have convinced me I argure no more I never once thought Of your dying before I love my dear children Although they are small And my nice little wife More precious than all So we'll stick to our farm And suffer no loss Fore a stone that is rolling Can gather no moss [end of page 55.gif]