The Larkin Papers
Vol 8, pg. 5

Letter to Larkin from John Coffin Jones (excerpts)
Material in italics added by me.

There are many letters from Jones, who at one time was U.S. Consul at Hawaii. In this letter he recounts his impression of gold seekers to California and the route across Panama.

West Newton (Massachusetts) Oct. 8, 1848  

My dear Sir 

    I had almost dispaired of ever again hearing from you, when on the 14th September I had the pleasure to receive yours of the 1st of July enclosing a copy of your letter to your sons. I am much obliged to you for this communication, the more so as I am led to hope that you have concluded again to make me one of your correspondents. Your account of the gold regions is truly wonderful, but I am almost afraid you are led away by the gold mania, which appears to have attacked the good people of California and that you see things with a microscopick eye. I have never doubted but California would prove a region of gold & silver mines, but I did not imagine those precious metals would be picked up by the handfull on the verry surface of the earth. What a curse it will prove to the country....
    The tide of emigration is beginning to set towards the shores of the Pacific. In every paper almost of the day, you see accounts of parties forming to move to California; a party of one hundred have associated in Baltimore to purchase a vessel, burden her with their effects and on their arrival at San Francisco, sell her and settle there. The Western papers state that next year 50,000 will leave Ohio for California. Several vessels are now fitting out with supplies for the gold hunters. I think they will get their fingers burned.
    The first mail steamer leaves New York on the 10th for Panama, from where she is to depart for California on the first of January. The other two will be ready to start in six weeks. Three are to be stationed in the Pacific and three this side to run from N. York to Chargris. (Chagres)
   They are to go monthly and it is expected the passage will be made in thirty-five days from New York to San Diego, touching at Mazatlan. (Mexico)     

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