SWB to wife, Hannah, before journey to California. Poem praising God's
work.
1849 March 28
Scope and Content Note
Memorandum of agreement regarding shares in Fremont Mining & Trading
Co.
1849 April 10
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife concerning life insurance as Brown prepares to set sail for
California.
1849 April 15
Scope and Content Note
SWB to son, Mason, detailing commencement of journey, seasickness,
etc.
1849 May 9
Scope and Content Note
SWB to family from Rio de Janeiro, including pen and ink sketches of Cape
Verde Islands, as seen from the Bark Selma.
1849 June 14
Scope and Content Note
Short vignette of Brown's experiences as a physician in Connecticut,
"Reminiscences No. 2: The Factory Girl, By a Voyager 'Round Cape Horn".
Brown hoped his wife could get it published.
1849 August
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife, recounts trouble with drunken, abusive officers on ship.
1849 August-September
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife, describing coast of Chile, visits there with friends from
Connecticut. Calls journal he's keeping a "daily record of events,
thoughts and feelings".
1849 October 1
Scope and Content Note
SWB to board of directors of Fremont Mining & Trading Company,
detailing disciplinary action taken against crew members in July.
1849 October 7
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife from San Francisco harbor, describing port and city.
1849 October 18
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife regarding cost of living in San Francisco
1849 October 20
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife describing Benicia, Sacramento Valley. Outlines advantages of
life in California--good climate, terrain, outlawing of slavery.
1849 November 9
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife on cost of living.
1849 November 20
Scope and Content Note
SWB to friend, providing excellent physical description of San Francisco.
Observations on housing, lynch law, prices, population statistics
1849 November 29
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife from diggings on American River. Poignant episode with
Indians. Vivid description of primitive living conditions of miners.
1850 January 8
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife in despair. Has not heard from her; reports on devastating
flood of Sacramento.
1850 January 25, February 1
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife concerning his resignation from executive board of Fremont
Mining & Trading Co. Resolves to mine only long enough to secure a
stake. Plans to set up medical practice in San Francisco.
1850 February 16
Scope and Content Note
SWB to son, written on lettersheet with view of San Francisco, Feb. 1850.
Gold going for $16 an ounce.
1850 August 14
Scope and Content Note
SWB to wife details trouble in Sacramento. Land speculators allegedly
bought deed from Capt. Sutter which included city of Sacramento. Riots
break out as "squattors" refuse to leave their land.
1859 May 25
Scope and Content Note
Document indicating Brown was postmaster in Petaluma.