[Footnote 1:  When Mr. Francis was appointed U.S.  Consul by President Lincoln, he stored his flies of The Springfield, Illinois, Journal, and upon his return from Victoria, B.C., found the files almost destroyed by attic rodents, and my mother’s earlier contributions in verse and prose, as well as her letters while en route to California were practically illegible.]

CHAPTER IV

FOURTH OF JULY IN AN EMIGRANT PARTY—­OPEN LETTER OF LANSFORD HASTINGS—­GEORGE DONNER ELECTED CAPTAIN OF PARTY BOUND FOR CALIFORNIA—­ENTERING THE GREAT DESERT—­INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF FOOD—­VOLUNTEERS COMMISSIONED BY MY FATHER TO HASTEN TO SUTTER’S FORT FOR RELIEF.

On the second of July we met Mr. Bryant returning to prevail on some man of our company to take the place of Mr. Kendall of the bridle party, who had heard such evil reports of California from returning trappers that his courage had failed, and he had deserted his companions and joined the Oregon company.  Hiram Miller, who had driven one of my father’s wagons from Springfield, took advantage of this opportunity for a faster method of travel and left with Mr. Bryant.

The following evening we encamped near the re-enforced bridle party, and on the morning of the Fourth Messrs. Russell and Bryant came over to help us to celebrate our national holiday.  A salute was fired at sunrise, and later a platform of boxes was arranged in a grove close by, and by half-past nine o’clock every one in camp was in holiday attire, and ready to join the procession which marched around the camp and to the adjacent grove.  There, patriotic songs were sung, the Declaration of Independence was read, and Colonel Russell delivered an address.  After enjoying a feast prepared by the women of the company, and drinking to the health and happiness of friends and kindred in reverent silence, with faces toward the east, our guests bade us a final good-bye and godspeed.

We had on many occasions entertained eastward-bound rovers whose varied experiences on the Pacific coast made them interesting talkers.  Those who favored California extolled its excellence, and had scant praise for Oregon.  Those who loved Oregon described its marvellous advantages over California, and urged home-seekers to select it as the wiser choice; consequently, as we neared the parting of the ways, some of our people were in perplexity which to choose.

On the nineteenth of July we reached the Little Sandy River and there found four distinct companies encamped in neighborly groups, among them our friends, the Thorntons and Rev. Mr. Cornwall.  Most of them were listed for Oregon, and were resting their cattle preparatory to entering upon the long, dry drive of forty miles, known as “Greenwood’s Cut-off.”

There my father and others deliberated over a new route to California.