February 25 1853? (date from letter text)

portion of letter to George

 

On the 30th of June we struck the Sweet Water, a small pure stream cold as ice. The first of July we passed Independence Rock - a huge pile of Granite. We were now almost in the pass of the mountains and gradually rising to the summit of the range which separates the waters which flow into the Atlantic from those which fall into the Pacific.

On the 4th of July I sat upon a bank of snow whilst my horses were feeding beside it. From beneath its edge flowed a stream of pure water. The evening of the 4th we had a storm of snow and sleet and a frost on the morning of the 5th. This day we crossed the height of land and camped at evening at waters which find their outlet in the Pacific Ocean.

Now I will leave off for the present my Narrative. Far! far! behind me is the Fatherland, before me is another county, another set of inhabitants and I must pass through different scenes from what I’ve been in the habit of seeing. In my next letter I will continue my history. A long time ago I wrote to you asking if you could send me the New York Tribune. I have now been some time expecting an answer to that letter. Perhaps you did not receive it. I have not written home in some time. Will you let them at home know that I’ve written to you. I cannot often write.

I shall yet a while remain here. I think there is no place on this coast that I can do better at. Within the last six months I have earned above all my expenses five hundred dollars. I see nothing to hinder me from doing as well for the next six months and perhaps for a twelvemonth. Business however is getting duller and wages poorer on all this coast.

I think in all probability I shall never return to the East to stop. Although there are many privations here, yet I somehow like the Country better and better and well I know should I return that I should very soon become discontented there. I have a house in Victoria, the principle place on the Island, and two town lots on which I shall put up building when other people have done building. I must do some business beside mechanical labor. It’s a slave’s life everywhere.

I think to take a claim on the American side this season. I will build a house, plant an orchard and raise some stock. I don’t know but I shall turn Cooper and make barrels and trade Salmon from the Indians. It is now the 25th of Feb. and the winter was past a month ago. We have a few frosty nights yet but the days are as pleasant as one could wish.

I have undertaken to put up the frame of a mill which I shall commence in a day or two. I have been working on a school house since Sept. - the second one on the Island. It is a two storey house and large, calculated for a dwelling for the teacher as well as a school. I might perhaps like to remain here long and do well but the English hate the Americans because they are better calculated to make money than themselves and it is unpleasant to live among people who hate one, for which reason I do not wish to make this a permanent residence. Will you write to me immediately. And now I’m done.

Yours ever with respect

Whit. Chase