IinvestedmyearningsinthissurveyinthreelotsinSacramentoCity，onwhichImadeafairprofitbyasaletooneMcNulty，ofMansfield，Ohio。Ionlyhadatwomonths’leaveofabsence，duringwhichGeneralSmith，hisstaff，andaretinueofcivilfriends，weremakingatourofthegold—mines，andhearingthathewasenroutebacktohisheadquartersatSonoma，Iknockedoffmywork，soldmyinstruments，andleftmywagonandmuleswithmycousinCharleyHoyt，whohadastoreinSacramento，andwasonthepointofmovinguptoaranch，forwhichhehadbargained，onBearCreek，onwhichwasafterwardestablishedCamp\"FarWest。\"Heafterwardsoldthemules，wagon，etc。，forme，andonthewholeIthinkI
cleared，bythosetwomonths’work，aboutsixthousanddollars。I
thenreturnedtoheadquartersatSonoma，intimetoattendmyfellowaide—de—campGibbsthroughalonganddangeroussickness，duringwhichhewasonboardastore—ship，guardedbyCaptainGeorgeJohnson，whonowresidesinSanFrancisco。GeneralSmithhadagreedthatonthefirstgoodopportunityhewouldsendmetotheUnitedStatesasabearerofdispatches，butthishecouldnotdountilhehadmadetheexaminationofOregon，whichwasalsoinhiscommand。Duringthesummerof1849therecontinuedtopourintoCaliforniaaperfectstreamofpeople。Steamerscame，andalinewasestablishedfromSanFranciscotoSacramento，ofwhichtheSenatorwasthepioneer，chargingsixteendollarsapassage，andactuallycoiningmoney。Otherboatswerebuilt，outofmaterialswhichhadeithercomearoundCapeHornorwerebroughtfromtheSandwichIslands。Wharveswerebuilt，houseswere。springingupasifbymagic，andtheBayofSanFranciscopresentedasbusyasceneoflifeasanypartoftheworld。MajorAllen，oftheQuartermaster’sDepartment，whohadcomeoutaschief—quartermasterofthedivision，wasbuildingalargewarehouseatBenicia，witharowofquarters，outoflumberatonehundreddollarsperthousandfeet，andtheworkwasdonebymenatsixteendollarsaday。I
haveseenadetailedsoldier，whogotonlyhismonthlypayofeightdollarsamonth，andtwentycentsadayforextraduty，nailingonweather—boardsandshingles，alongsideacitizenwhowaspaidsixteendollarsaday。Thiswasarealinjustice，madethesoldiersdiscontented，anditwashardlytobewonderedatthatsomanydeserted。
Whilethemassofpeoplewerebusyatgoldandinmammothspeculations，asetofbusypoliticianswereatworktosecuretheprizesofcivilgovernment。GwinandFremontwerethere，andT。
ButlerKing，ofGeorgia，hadcomeoutfromtheEast，schemingforoffice。HestaidwithusatSonoma，andwasgenerallyregardedastheGovernmentcandidateforUnitedStatesSenator。GeneralRileyasGovernor，andCaptainHalleckasSecretaryofState，hadissuedaproclamationfortheelectionofaconventiontoframeaStateconstitution。Induetimetheelectionswereheld，andtheconventionwasassembledatMonterey。Dr。Semplewaselectedpresident;andGwin，Sutter，Halleck，ButlerKing，Sherwood，Gilbert，Shannon，andothers，weremembers。GeneralSmithtooknopartinthisconvention，butsentmedowntowatchtheproceedings，andreporttohim。Theonlysubjectofinterestwastheslaveryquestion。TherewerenoslavestheninCalifornia，saveafewwhohadcomeoutasservants，buttheSouthernpeopleatthattimeclaimedtheirshareofterritory，outofthatacquiredbythecommonlaborsofallsectionsoftheUnioninthewarwithMexico。
Still，inCaliforniatherewaslittlefeelingonthesubject。I
neverheardGeneralSmith，whowasaLouisianian，expressanyopinionaboutit。NordidButlerKing，ofGeorgia，evermanifestanyparticularinterestinthematter。Acommitteewasnamedtodraftaconstitution，whichinduetimewasreported，withtheusualclause，thenknownastheWilmotProviso，excludingslavery;
andduringthedebatewhichensuedverylittleoppositionwasmadetothisclause，whichwasfinallyadoptedbyalargemajority，althoughtheconventionwasmadeupinlargepartofmenfromourSouthernStates。ThismatterofCaliforniabeingafreeState，afterward，inthenationalCongress，gaverisetoangrydebates，whichatonetimethreatenedcivilwar。TheresultoftheconventionwastheelectionofStateofficers，andoftheLegislaturewhichsatinSanJoseinOctoberandNovember，1849，andwhichelectedFremontandGwinasthefirstUnitedStatesSenatorsinCongressfromthePacificcoast。
ShortlyafterreturningfromMonterey，IwassentbyGeneralSmithuptoSacramentoCitytoinstructLieutenantsWarnerandWilliamson，oftheEngineers，topushtheirsurveysoftheSierraNevadaMountains，forthepurposeofascertainingthepossibilityofpassingthatrangebyarailroad，asubjectthattheneliciteduniversalinterest。Itwasgenerallyassumedthatsucharoadcouldnotbemadealonganyoftheimmigrantroadstheninuse，andWarner’sordersweretolookfarthernorthuptheFeatherRiver，orsomeoneofitstributaries。Warnerwasengagedinthissurveyduringthesummerandfallof1849，andhadexplored，totheveryendofGooseLake，thesourceofFeatherRiver。Then，leavingWilliamsonwiththebaggageandpartofthemen，hetookabouttenmenandafirst—rateguide，crossedthesummittotheeast，andhadturnedsouth，havingtherangeofmountainsonhisrighthand，withtheintentionofregaininghiscampbyanotherpassinthemountain。Thepartywasstrungout，singlefile，withwidespacesbetween，Warnerahead。Hehadjustcrossedasmallvalleyandascendedoneofthespurscoveredwithsage—brushandrocks，whenabandofIndiansroseupandpouredinashowerofarrows。Themuleturnedandranbacktothevalley，whereWarnerfelloffdead，puncturedbyfivearrows。Themulealsodied。Theguide，whowasneartoWarner，wasmortallywounded;andoneortwomenhadarrowsintheirbodies，butrecovered。ThepartygatheredaboutWarner’sbody，insightoftheIndians，whowhoopedandyelled，butdidnotventureawayfromtheircoverofrocks。Thispartyofmenremainedtherealldaywithoutburyingthebodies，andatnight，byawidecircuit，passedthemountain，andreachedWilliamson’scamp。ThenewsofWarner’sdeathcastagloomoveralltheoldCalifornians，whoknewhimwell。Hewasacareful，prudent，andhonestofficer，wellqualifiedforhisbusiness，andextremelyaccurateinallhiswork。HeandIhadbeenintimatelyassociatedduringourfouryearstogetherinCalifornia，andIfelthislossdeeply。Theseasonwasthentoofaradvancedtoattempttoavengehisdeath，anditwasnotuntilthenextspringthatapartywassentouttogatherupandburyhisscatteredbones。
Aswinterapproached，theimmigrantsoverlandcamepouringintoCalifornia，dustyandwornwiththeirtwothousandmilesofwearytravelacrosstheplainsandmountains。ThosewhoarrivedinOctoberandNovemberreportedthousandsstillbehindthem，withoxenperishing，andshortoffood。Appealsweremadeforhelp，andGeneralSmithresolvedtoattemptrelief。MajorRucker，whohadcomeacrosswithPike。Graham’sBattalionofDragoons，hadexchangedwithMajorFitzgerald，oftheQuartermaster’sDepartment，andwasdetailedtoconductthisrelief。GeneralSmithorderedhimtobesuppliedwithonehundredthousanddollarsoutofthecivilfund，subjecttohiscontrol，andwiththistopurchaseatSaoramentoflour，bacon，etc。，andtohiremenandmulestosendoutandmeettheimmigrants。MajorRuckerfulfilledthisdutyperfectly，sendingoutpack—trainsloadedwithfoodbythemanyroutesbywhichtheimmigrantswereknowntobeapproaching，wentouthimselfwithoneofthesetrains，andremainedinthemountainsuntilthelastimmigranthadgotin。Nodoubtthisexpeditionsavedmanyalifewhichhassincebeenmostusefultothecountry。
IremainedatSacramentoagoodpartofthefallof1849，recognizingamongtheimmigrantsmanyofmyoldpersonalfriends——
JohnC。Fall，WilliamKing，SamStambaugh，HughEwing，HamptonDenman，etc。IgotRuckertogivetheselasttwoemploymentalongwiththetrainforthereliefoftheimmigrants。TheyhadproposedtobeginaranchonmylandontheCosumnes，butafterwardchangedtheirminds，andwentoutwithRucker。
WhileIwasatSacramentoGeneralSmithhadgoneonhiscontemplatedtriptoOregon，andpromisedthathewouldbebackinDecember，whenhewouldsendmehomewithdispatches。Accordingly，asthewinterandrainyseasonwasathand，IwenttoSanFrancisco，andspentsometimeatthePresidio，waitingpatientlyforGeneralSmith’sreturn。AboutChristmasavesselarrivedfromOregonwiththedispatches，andanorderformetodelivertheminpersontoGeneralWinfieldScott，inNewYorkCity。GeneralSmithhadsentthemdown，remaininginOregonforatime。OfcourseI
wasallready，andothersofoursetweregoinghomebythesameconveyance，viz。，Rucker，Ord，A。J。Smith——someunderorders，andtheothersonleave。WantingtoseemyoldfriendsinMonterey，I
arrangedformypassageinthesteamerofJanuary1，1850，payingsixhundreddollarsforpassagetoNewYork，andwentdowntoMontereybyland，Ruckeraccompanyingme。Theweatherwasunusuallyrainy，andalltheplainaboutSantaClarawasunderwater;butwereachedMontereyintime。Iagainwaswelcomedbymyfriends，DonaAugustias，Manuelita，andthefamily，anditwasresolvedthatIshouldtaketwooftheboyshomewithmeandputthematGeorgetownCollegeforeducation，viz。，AntonioandPorfirio，thirteenandelevenyearsold。Thedonagavemeabagofgold—dusttopayfortheirpassageandtodepositatthecollege。
Onthe2ddayofJanuarypunctuallyappearedthesteamerOregon。
Wewereallsoononboardandoffforhome。AtthattimethesteamerstouchedatSanDiego，Acapulco，andPanama。Ourpassagedownthecoastwasunusuallypleasant。ArrivedatPanama，wehiredmulesandrodeacrosstoGorgona，ontheCrucesRiver，wherewehiredaboatandpaddleddowntothemouthoftheriver，offwhichlaythesteamerCrescentCity。Itusuallytookfourdaystocrosstheisthmus，everypassengertakingcareofhimself，anditwasreallyfunnytowatchtheeffortsofwomenandmenunaccustomedtomules。Itwasanoldsongtous，andthehipacrosswaseasyandinteresting。InduetimewewererowedofftotheCrescentCity，rollingbackandforthintheswell，andwescrambledaboardbya\"Jacob’sladder\"fromthestern。Someofthewomenhadtobehoistedaboardbyloweringatubfromtheendofaboom;funtouswholookedon，butawkwardenoughtothepoorwomen，especiallytoaveryfatone，whoattractedmuchnotice。
GeneralFremont，wifeandchild（Lillie）werepassengerswithusdownfromSanFrancisco;butMrs。Fremontnotbeingwell，theyremainedoveronetripatPanama。
SenatorGwinwasoneofourpassengers，andwentthroughtoNewYork。WereachedNewYorkaboutthecloseofJanuary，afterasafeandpleasanttrip。Ourparty，composedofOrd，A。J。Smith，andRucker，withthetwoboys，AntonioandPorfirio，putupatDelmonico’s，onBowlingGreen;and，assoonaswehadcleanedupsomewhat，Itookacarriage，wenttoGeneralScott’sofficeinNinthStreet，deliveredmydispatches，wasorderedtodinewithhimnextday，andthenwentforthtohuntupmyoldfriendsandrelations，theScotts，Hoyts，etc。，etc。
OnreachingNewYork，mostofushadroughsoldier’sclothing，butwesoongotanewoutfit，andIdinedwithGeneralScott’sfamily，Mrs。Scottbeingpresent，andalsotheirson—in—lawanddaughter（ColonelandMrs。H。L。Scott）。ThegeneralquestionedmeprettycloselyinregardtothingsonthePacificcoast，especiallythepolitics，andstartledmewiththeassertionthat\"ourcountrywasontheeveofaterriblecivilwar。\"HeinterestedmebyanecdotesofmyoldarmycomradesinhisrecentbattlesaroundthecityofMexico，andIfeltdeeplythefactthatourcountryhadpassedthroughaforeignwar，thatmycomradeshadfoughtgreatbattles，andyetIhadnotheardahostileshot。Ofcourse，Ithoughtitthelastandonlychanceinmyday，andthatmycareerasasoldierwasatanend。AftersomefourorfivedaysspentinNewYork，I
was，byanorderofGeneralScott，senttoWashington，tolaybeforetheSecretaryofWar（Crawford，ofGeorgia）thedispatcheswhichIhadbroughtfromCalifornia。OnreachingWashington，I
foundthatMr。EwingwasSecretaryoftheInterior，andIatoncebecameamemberofhisfamily。ThefamilyoccupiedthehouseofMr。Blair，onPennsylvaniaAvenue，directlyinfrontoftheWarDepartment。IimmediatelyrepairedtotheWarDepartment，andplacedmydispatchesinthehandsofMr。Crawford，whoquestionedmesomewhataboutCalifornia，butseemedlittleinterestedinthesubject，exceptsofarasitrelatedtoslaveryandtheroutesthroughTexas。IthenwenttocallonthePresidentattheWhiteHouse。IfoundMajorBliss，whohadbeenmyteacherinmathematicsatWestPoint，andwasthenGeneralTaylor’sson—in—lawandprivatesecretary。Hetookmeintotheroom，nowusedbythePresident’sprivatesecretaries，wherePresidentTaylorwas。Ihadneverseenhimbefore，thoughIhadservedunderhiminFloridain1840—’41，andwasmostagreeablysurprisedathisfinepersonalappearance，andhispleasant，easymanners。Hereceivedmewithgreatkindness，toldmethatColonelMasonhadmentionedmynamewithpraise，andthathewouldbepleasedtodomeanyactoffavor。Wewerewithhimnearlyanhour，talkingaboutCaliforniagenerally，andofhispersonalfriends，PersiferSmith，Riley，Canby，andothers:AlthoughGeneralScottwasgenerallyregardedbythearmyasthemostaccomplishedsoldieroftheMexicanWar，yetGeneralTaylorhadthatblunt，honest，andsterncharacter，thatendearedhimtothemassesofthepeople，andmadehimPresident。Bliss，too，hadgainedalargefamebyhismarkedskillandintelligenceasanadjutant—generalandmilitaryadviser。Hismannerwasveryunmilitary，andinhistalkhestammeredandhesitated，soastomakeanunfavorableimpressiononastranger;buthewaswonderfullyaccurateandskillfulwithhispen，andhisordersandlettersformamodelofmilitaryprecisionandclearness。
CHAPTERIV。
MISSOURI，LOUISIANA，ANDCALIFORNIA
1850—1855。
HavingreturnedfromCaliforniainJanuary，1850，withdispatchesfortheWarDepartment，andhavingdeliveredtheminpersonfirsttoGeneralScottinNewYorkCity，andafterwardtotheSecretaryofWar（Crawford）inWashingtonCity，Iappliedforandreceivedaleaveofabsenceforsixmonths。Ifirstvisitedmymother，thenlivingatMansfield，Ohio，andreturnedtoWashington，where，onthe1stdayofMay，1850，IwasmarriedtoMissEllenBoyleEwing，daughteroftheHon。ThomasEwing，SecretaryoftheInterior。Themarriageceremonywasattendedbyalargeanddistinguishedcompany，embracingDanielWebster，HenryClay，T。H。Benton，PresidentTaylor，andallhiscabinet。ThisoccurredatthehouseofMr。Ewing，thesamenowownedandoccupiedbyMr。F。P。Blair，senior，onPennsylvaniaAvenue，oppositetheWarDepartment。WemadeaweddingtourtoBaltimore，NewYork，Niagara，andOhio，andreturnedtoWashingtonbythe1stofJuly。GeneralTaylorparticipatedinthecelebrationoftheFourthofJuly，averyhotday，byhearingalongspeechfromtheHon。HenryS。Foote，atthebaseoftheWashingtonMonument。Returningfromthecelebrationmuchheatedandfatigued，hepartooktoofreelyofhisfavoriteicedmilkwithcherries，andduringthatnightwasseizedwithaseverecolic，whichbymorninghadquiteprostratedhim。Itwassaidthathesentforhisson—in—law，SurgeonWood，UnitedStatesArmy，stationedinBaltimore，anddeclinedmedicalassistancefromanybodyelse。Mr。Ewingvisitedhimseveraltimes，andwasmanifestlyuneasyandanxious，aswasalsohisson—in—law，MajorBliss，thenofthearmy，andhisconfidentialsecretary。Herapidlygrewworse，anddiedinaboutfourdays。
Atthattimetherewasahighstateofpoliticalfeelingpervadingthecountry，onaccountofthequestionsgrowingoutofthenewTerritoriesjustacquiredfromMexicobythewar。Congresswasinsession，andGeneralTaylor’ssuddendeathevidentlycreatedgreatalarm。IwaspresentintheSenate—gallery，andsawtheoathofofficeadministeredtotheVice—President，Mr。Fillmore，amanofsplendidphysicalproportionsandcommandingappearance;butonthefacesofSenatorsandpeoplecouldeasilybereadthefeelingsofdoubtanduncertaintythatprevailed。Allknewthatachangeinthecabinetandgeneralpolicywaslikelytoresult，butatthetimeitwassupposedthatMr。Fillmore，whosehomewasinBuffalo，wouldbelessliberalthanGeneralTaylortothepoliticiansoftheSouth，whofeared，orpretendedtofear，acrusadeagainstslavery;
or，aswasthepoliticalcryoftheday，thatslaverywouldbeprohibitedintheTerritoriesandintheplacesexclusivelyunderthejurisdictionoftheUnitedStates。Events，however，provedthecontrary。
IattendedGeneralTaylor’sfuneralasasortofaide—decamp，attherequestoftheAdjutant—Generalofthearmy，RogerJones，whosebrother，amilitia—general，commandedtheescort，composedofmilitiaandsomeregulars。AmongtheregularsIrecallthenamesofCaptainsJohnSedgwickandW。F。Barry。
HardlywasGeneralTaylordecentlyburiedintheCongressionalCemeterywhenthepoliticalstrugglerecommenced，anditbecamemanifestthatMr。FillmorefavoredthegeneralcompromisethenknownasHenryClay’s\"OmnibusBill，\"andthatageneralchangeofcabinetwouldatonceoccur:WebsterwastosucceedMr。ClaytonasSecretaryofState，CorwintosucceedMr。MeredithasSecretaryoftheTreasury，andA。H。H。StuarttosucceedMr。EwingasSecretaryoftheInterior。Mr。Ewing，however，wasimmediatelyappointedbytheGovernoroftheStatetosucceedCorwinintheSenate。ThesechangesmadeitnecessaryforMr。Ewingtodiscontinuehouse—
keeping，andMr。Corwintookhishomeandfurnitureoffhishands。
IescortedthefamilyouttotheirhomeinLancaster，Ohio;but，beforethishadoccurred，somemostinterestingdebatestookplaceintheSenate，whichIregularlyattended，andheardClay，Benton，Foots，KingofAlabama，Dayton，andthemanyrealoratorsofthatday。Mr。Calhounwasinhisseat，buthewasevidentlyapproachinghisend，forhewaspaleandfeebleintheextreme。IheardMr。
Webster’slastspeechontheflooroftheSenate，undercircumstancesthatwarrantadescription。ItwaspubliclyknownthathewastoleavetheSenate，andenterthenewcabinetofMr。
Fillmore，ashisSecretaryofState，andthatpriortoleavinghewastomakeagreatspeechonthe\"OmnibusBill。\"Resolvedtohearit，IwentuptotheCapitolonthedaynamed，anhourorsoearlierthanusual。ThespeechwastobedeliveredintheoldSenate—chamber，nowusedbytheSupremeCourt。Thegalleriesweremuchsmallerthanatpresent，andIfoundthemfulltooverflowing，withadensecrowdaboutthedoor，strugglingtoreachthestairs。
Icouldnotgetnear，andthentriedthereporters’gallery，butfounditequallycrowded;soIfearedIshouldlosetheonlypossibleopportunitytohearMr。Webster。
IhadonlyalimitedpersonalacquaintancewithanyoftheSenators，buthadmetMr。CorwinquiteoftenatMr。Ewing’shouse，andIalsoknewthathehadbeenextremelyfriendlytomyfatherinhislifetime;soIventuredtosendintohimmycard，\"W。T。S。，First—Lieutenant，ThirdArtillery。\"Hecametothedoorpromptly，whenIsaid，\"Mr。Corwin，IbelieveMr。Websteristospeakto—day。\"Hisanswerwas，\"Yes，hehastheflooratoneo’clock。\"
IthenaddedthatIwasextremelyanxioustohearhim。\"Well，\"
saidhe，\"whydon’tyougointothegallery？\"Iexplainedthatitwasfull，andIhadtriedeveryaccess，butfoundalljammedwithpeople。\"Well，\"saidhe，\"whatdoyouwantofme？\"IexplainedthatIwouldlikehimtotakemeontheflooroftheSenate;thatI
hadoftenseenfromthegallerypersonsonthefloor，nobetterentitledtoitthanI。Hethenaskedinhisquizzicalway，\"Areyouaforeignembassador？\"\"No。\"\"AreyoutheGovernorofaState？\"\"No。\"\"AreyouamemberoftheotherHouse？\"Certainlynot\"\"Haveyoueverhadavoteofthanksbyname？\"\"No！\"\"Well，thesearetheonlyprivilegedmembers。\"IthentoldhimheknewwellenoughwhoIwas，andthatifhechosehecouldtakemein。
Hethensaid，\"Haveyouanyimpudence？\"Itoldhim，\"Areasonableamountifoccasioncalledforit。\"\"Doyouthinkyoucouldbecomesointerestedinmyconversationasnottonoticethedoor—keeper？\"
（pointingtohim）。Itoldhimthattherewasnottheleastdoubtofit，ifhewouldtellmeoneofhisfunnystories。Hethentookmyarm，andledmeaturninthevestibule，talkingaboutsomeindifferentmatter，butallthetimedirectingmylookstohislefthand，towardwhichhewasgesticulatingwithhisright;andthusweapproachedthedoor—keeper，whobeganaskingme，\"Foreignambassador？GovernorofaState？MemberofCongress？\"etc。;butI
caughtCorwin’seye，whichsaidplainly，\"Don’tmindhim，payattentiontome，\"andinthiswayweenteredtheSenate—chamberbyaside—door。Oncein，Corwinsaid，\"Nowyoucantakecareofyourself，\"andIthankedhimcordially。
IfoundaseatclosebehindMr。Webster，andnearGeneralScott，andheardthewholeofthespeech。Itwasheavyintheextreme，andIconfessthatIwasdisappointedandtiredlongbeforeitwasfinished。Nodoubtthespeechwasfulloffactandargument，butithadnoneofthefireoforatory，orintensityoffeeling，thatmarkedallofMr。Clay’sefforts。
TowardtheendofJuly，asbeforestated，allthefamilywenthometoLancaster。Congresswasstillinsession，andthebilladdingfourcaptainstotheCommissaryDepartmenthadnotpassed，butwasreasonablycertainto，andIwasequallysureofbeingoneofthem。
Atthattimemynamewasonthemuster—rollof（Light）CompanyC，ThirdArtillery（Bragg’s），stationedatJeffersonBarracks，nearSt。Louis。But，astherewascholeraatSt。Louis，onapplication，IwaspermittedtodelayjoiningmycompanyuntilSeptember。Earlyinthatmonth，IproceededtoCincinnati，andthencebysteamboattoSt。Louis，andthentoJeffersonBarracks，whereIreportedfordutytoCaptainandBrevet—ColonelBraxtonBragg，commanding（Light）CompanyC，ThirdArtillery。TheotherofficersofthecompanywereFirst—LieutenantJamesA。Hardie，andafterwardHaekaliahBrown。Newhorseshadjustbeenpurchasedforthebattery，andwewerepreparingforwork，whenthemailbroughttheordersannouncingthepassageofthebillincreasingtheCommissaryDepartmentbyfourcaptains，towhichwerepromotedCaptainsShiras，Blair，Sherman，andBowen。IwasorderedtotakepostatSt。Louis，andtorelieveCaptainA。J。Smith，FirstDragoons，whohadbeenactinginthatcapacityforsomemonths。MycommissionboredateSeptember27，1850。Iproceededforthwithtothecity，relievedCaptainSmith，andenteredonthedischargeofthedutiesoftheoffice。
ColonelN。S。Clarke，SixthInfantry，commandedthedepartment;
MajorD。C。Buellwasadjutant—general，andCaptainW。S。Hancockwasregimentalquartermaster;ColonelThomasSwordswasthedepotquartermaster，andwehadourofficesinthesamebuilding，onthecornerofWashingtonAvenueandSecond。SubsequentlyMajorS。VanVlietrelievedColonelSwords。IremainedatthePlanters’Houseuntilmyfamilyarrived，whenweoccupiedahouseonChouteauAvenue，nearTwelfth。
Duringthespringandsummerof1851，Mr。EwingandMr。HenryStoddard，ofDayton，Ohio，acousinofmyfather，weremuchinSt。
Louis，onbusinessconnectedwiththeestateofMajorAmosStoddard，whowasoftheoldarmy，asearlyasthebeginningofthiscentury。HewasstationedatthevillageofSt。LouisatthetimeoftheLouisianapurchase，andwhenLewisandClarkemadetheirfamousexpeditionacrossthecontinenttotheColumbiaRiver。
MajorStoddardatthatearlydayhadpurchasedasmallfarmbackofthevillage，ofsomeSpaniardorFrenchman，but，ashewasabachelor，andwaskilledatFortMeigs，Ohio，duringtheWarof1812，thetitlewasformanyyearslostsightof，andthefarmwascoveredoverbyotherclaimsandbyoccupants。AsSt。Louisbegantogrow，hisbrothersandsisters，andtheirdescendants，concludedtolookuptheproperty。Aftermuchandfruitlesslitigation，theyatlastretainedMr。Stoddard，ofDayton，whointurnemployedMr。
Ewing，andthese，aftermanyyearsoflabor，establishedthetitle，andinthesummerof1851theywereputinpossessionbytheUnitedStatesmarshal。Thegroundwaslaidoff，thecitysurveyextendedoverit，andthewholewassoldinpartition。Imadesomepurchases，andacquiredaninterest，whichIhaveretainedmoreorlesseversince。
WecontinuedtoresideinSt。Louisthroughouttheyear1851，andinthespringof1852IhadoccasiontovisitFortLeavenworthonduty，partlytoinspectalotofcattlewhichaMr。Gordon，ofCassCounty，hadcontractedtodeliverinNewMexico，toenableColonelSumnertoattempthisschemeofmakingthesoldiersinNewMexicoself—supporting，byraisingtheirownmeat，andinameasuretheirownvegetables。IfoundFortLeavenworththen，asnow，amostbeautifulspot，butinthemidstofawildIndiancountry。TherewerenowhitessettledinwhatisnowtheStateofKansas。Weston，inMissouri，wasthegreattown，andspeculationintown—lotsthereandthereaboutburntthefingersofsomeofthearmy—officers，whowantedtoplanttheirscantydollarsinafruitfulsoil。IrodeonhorsebackovertoGordon’sfarm，sawthecattle，concludedthebargain，andreturnedbywayofIndependence，Missouri。AtIndependenceIfoundF。X。Aubrey，anotedmanofthatday，whohadjustmadeacelebratedrideofsixhundredmilesinsixdays。ThatspringtheUnitedStatesquartermaster，MajorL。C。Easton，atFortUnion，NewMexico，hadoccasiontosendsomemessageeastbyacertaindate，andcontractedwithAubreytocarryittothenearestpost—office（thenIndependence，Missouri），makinghiscompensationconditionalonthetimeconsumed。Hewassuppliedwithagoodhorse，andanorderontheoutgoingtrainsforanexchange。ThoughthewholeroutewasinfestedwithhostileIndians，andnotahouseonit，Aubreystartedalonewithhisrifle。Hewasfortunateinmeetingseveraloutward—boundtrains，andthere，bymadefrequentchangesofhorses，somefourorfive，andreachedIndependenceinsixdays，havinghardlyrestedorsleptthewholeway。Ofcourse，hewasextremelyfatigued，andsaidtherewasanopinionamongthewildIndiansthatifaman\"sleepsouthissleep，\"aftersuchextremeexhaustion，hewillneverawake;and，accordingly，heinstructedhislandlordtowakehimupaftereighthoursofsleep。
Whenarousedatlast，hesawbytheclockthathehadbeenasleeptwentyhours，andhewasdreadfullyangry，threatenedtomurderhislandlord，whoprotestedhehadtriedineverywaytogethimup，butfounditimpossible，andhadlethim\"sleepitout\"Aubrey，indescribinghissensationstome，saidhetookitforgrantedhewasadeadman;butinfacthesustainednoilleffects，andwasoffagaininafewdays。ImethimafterwardofteninCalifornia，andalwaysesteemedhimoneofthebestsamplesofthatboldraceofmenwhohadgrownuponthePlains，alongwiththeIndians，intheserviceofthefurcompanies。Hewasafterward，in1856，killedbyR。C。Weightman，inabar—roomrow，atSantaFe，NewMexico，wherehehadjustarrivedfromCalifornia。
IngoingfromIndependencetoFortLeavenworth，IhadtoswimMilkCreek，andsleepallnightinaShawneecamp。ThenextdayI
crossedtheKaworKansasRiverinaferryboat，maintainedbytheblacksmithofthetribe，andreachedthefortintheevening。Atthatdaythewholeregionwasunsettled，wherenowexistmanyrichcounties，highlycultivated，embracingseveralcitiesoffromtentofortythousandinhabitants。FromFortLeavenworthIreturnedbysteamboattoSt。Louis。
Inthesummerof1852，myfamilywenttoLancaster，Ohio;butI
remainedatmypost。Lateintheseason，itwasrumoredthatIwastobetransferredtoNewOrleans，andinduetimeIlearnedthecause。DuringapartoftheMexicanWar，MajorSeawell，oftheSeventhInfantry，hadbeenactingcommissaryofsubsistenceatNewOrleans，thenthegreatdepotofsuppliesforthetroopsinTexas，andofthoseoperatingbeyondtheRioGrande。Commissariesatthattimewereallowedtopurchaseinopenmarket，andwerenotrestrictedtoadvertisingandawardingcontractstothelowestbidders。ItwasreportedthatMajorSeawellhadpurchasedlargelyofthehouseofPerrySeawell&Co。，Mr。Seawellbeingarelativeofhis。WhenhewasrelievedinhisdutiesbyMajorWaggman，oftheregularCommissaryDepartment，thelatterfoundPerrySeawell&
Co。sopromptandsatisfactorythathecontinuedthepatronage;
forwhichtherewasagoodreason，becausestoresfortheuseofthetroopsatremotepostshadtobepackedinaparticularway，tobeartransportationinwagons，orevenonpack—mules;andthisfirmhadmadeextraordinarypreparationsforthisexclusivepurpose。
Sometimeabout1849，abrotherofMajorWaggaman，whohadbeenclerktoCaptainCasey，commissaryofsubsistence，atTampaBay，Florida，wasthrownoutofofficebythedeathofthecaptain，andhenaturallyappliedtohisbrotherinNewOrleansforemployment;
andhe，inturn，referredhimtohisfriends，Messrs。PerrySeawell&Co。Thesefirstemployedhimasaclerk，andafterwardadmittedhimasapartner。Thusitresulted，infact，thatMajorWaggamanwasdealinglargely，ifnotexclusively，withafirmofwhichhisbrotherwasapartner。
Oneday，asGeneralTwiggswascomingacrossLakePontchartrain，hefellinwithoneofhisoldcronies，whowasanextensivegrocer。
ThisgentlemangraduallyledtheconversationtothedownwardtendencyofthetimessinceheandTwiggswereyoung，sayingthat，informeryears，allthemerchantsofNewOrleanshadachanceatgovernmentpatronage;butnow，inordertoselltothearmycommissary，onehadtotakeabrotherinasapartner。GeneralTwiggsresentedthis，butthemerchantagainaffirmedit，andgavenames。AssoonasGeneralTwiggsreachedhisoffice，heinstructedhisadjutant—general，ColonelBliss——whotoldmethis——toaddressacategoricalnoteofinquirytoMajorWaggaman。Themajorveryfranklystatedthefactsastheyhadarisen，andinsistedthatthefirmofPerrySeawell&Co。hadenjoyedalargepatronage，butdeserveditrichlybyreasonoftheirpromptness，fairness，andfidelity。ThecorrespondencewassenttoWashington，andtheresultwas，thatMajorWaggamanwasorderedtoSt。Louis，andIwasorderedtoNewOrleans。
IwentdowntoNewOrleansinasteamboatinthemonthofSeptember，1852，takingwithmeaclerk，and，onarrival，assumedtheoffice，inabank—buildingfacingLafayetteSquare，inwhichweretheofficesofallthearmydepartments。GeneralD。Twiggswasincommandofthedepartment，withColonelW。W。S。Bliss（son—in—lawofGeneralTaylor）ashisadjutant—general。ColonelA。
C。Myerswasquartermaster，CaptainJohnF。Reynoldsaide—de—camp，andColonelA。J。Coffeepaymaster。ItookroomsattheSt。LouisHotel，keptbyamostexcellentgentleman，ColonelMudge。
Mr。PerrySeawellcametomeinperson，solicitingacontinuanceofthecustomwhichhehadtheretoforeenjoyed;butItoldhimfranklythatachangewasnecessary，andIneversaworheardofhimafterward。Isimplypurchasedinopenmarket，arrangedfortheproperpackingofthestores，andhadnottheleastdifficultyinsupplyingthetroopsandsatisfyingtheheadofthedepartmentinWashington。
AboutChristmas，Ihadnoticethatmyfamily，consistingofMrs。
Sherman，twochildren，andnurse，withmysisterFanny（nowMrs。
Moulton，ofCincinnati，Ohio），wereenrouteforNewOrleansbysteam—packet;soIhiredahouseonMagazineStreet，andfurnishedit。Almostatthemomentoftheirarrival，alsocamefromSt。
LouismypersonalfriendMajorTurner，withaparcelofdocuments，which，onexamination，provedtobearticlesofcopartnershipforabankinCaliforniaunderthetitleof\"Lucas，Turner&Co。，\"inwhichmsnamewasembracedasapartner。MajorTurnerwas，atthetime，actuallyenrouteforNewYork，toembarkforSanFrancisco，toinauguratethebank，inthenatureofabranchofthefirmalreadyexistingatSt。Louisunderthenameof\"Lucas&Symonds。\"
Wediscussedthematterveryfully，andheleftwithmethepapersforreflection，andwentontoNewYorkandCalifornia。
ShortlyafterarrivedJamesH。Lucas，Esq。，theprincipalofthebanking—firminSt:Louis，amosthonorableandwealthygentleman。
HefurtherexplainedthefullprogrammeofthebranchinCalifornia;thatmynamehadbeenincludedattheinsistanceofMajorTurner，whowasamanoffamilyandpropertyinSt。Louis，unwillingtoremainlonginSanFrancisco，andwhowantedmetosucceedhimthere。Heofferedmeaverytemptingincome，withaninterestthatwouldaccumulateandgrow。Healsodisclosedtomethat，inestablishingabranchinCalifornia，hewasinfluencedbytheapparentprosperityofPage，Bacon&Co。，andfurtherthathehadreceivedtheprincipaldata，onwhichhehadfoundedthescheme，fromB。R。Nisbet，whowasthenatellerinthefirmofPage，Bacon&Co。，ofSanFrancisco;thathealsowastobetakeninasapartner，andwasfullycompetenttomanageallthedetailsofthebusiness;but，asNisbetwascomparativelyyoung，Mr。LucaswantedmetoresideinSanFranciscopermanently，astheheadofthefirm。Allthesematterswerefullydiscussed，andIagreedtoapplyforasixmonths’leaveofabsence，gotoSanFrancisco，seeformyself，andbegovernedbyappearancesthere。Iaccordingly，withGeneralTwiggs’sapproval，appliedtotheadjutant—generalforasixmonths’leave，whichwasgranted;andCaptainJohnF。
Reynoldswasnamedtoperformmydutiesduringmyabsence。