| 190 Sutter's post, in California, on the 26th of April last, and arrived here on the 9th inst. I am on my way to meet our emigration; I am now one thousand miles on my road, and I think I shall meet them in a couple of weeks. I shall start on my journey again in the morning with two of my men and part of my animals, and leave one man here and the rest of the horses to recruit until I return, and then it is my intention to reach California in twenty days from this post.
"We crossed the snowy mountains of California, a distance of forty miles, with eleven head of horses and mules, in one day and two hours, a thing that has never been done before in less than three days. We traveled on foot and drove our animals before us, the snow from twenty to one hundred feet deep. When we arrived through [though] not one of us could scarcely stand on our feet. The people of California told us we could not cross them under two months, there being more snow on the mountains than had ever been known before; but God knows best, and was kind enough to prepare the way before us. About a week before we entered the mountains it was extremely warm, which made the snow settle and work together, then it turned cool and there fell about eighteen inches more of light snow, which kept the old snow from melting during the heat of the day, and made the traveling for our horses much better; we were enabled to get along much faster. During our journey we have endured many hardships and fatigues in swimming rivers, and climbing mountains, not being able to travel the regular route owing to the high waters.
"Had I time and paper I might give you quite an interesting account of the country and our travels throughout. We passed the cabins of those people that perished in the mountains, which by this time you have heard of. It was a heartrending picture, and what is still worse it was the fruit of their idleness, covetousness, ugliness, and lowmindedness, that brought them to such a fate. Men must reap the fruit of their folly and own labors. Some of the particulars you will find published in the Star."-Millennial Star, vol. 9, p. 305.
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