cam_hparker_2311_f002_005.2

of the Golden State. --- It is feared that a much
worse disaster has befallen a California Steamship
belonging to Vanderbilts Line the Independence.

She left from San Juan the first week in Feb. with from
six to eight hundred passengers for this port & should
have arrived here about Feb 20th, but the Golden Gate
passed her Feb 13th about 2000 miles from here since
which time she has not been seen nor heard of &
it is feared that she has gone to the bottom of the
ocean together with all on board. It is hoped however
that such is not the case, but that her non-appearance
has been occasioned by the breakage of some parts of her
machinery, obliging her to put into some port below here,
& in order to ascertain for a certainty her situation
the Steamer Sea Bird has been sent out in search
of her & it is to be hoped that she is still safe, for it is
horrible to think that six or eight hundred persons should
be hurled in an instant as it were from life & health
to eternity & a watery grave. I will write no more on the
subject as I have already occupied a good share of my sheet
by so doing, but I will send you a Steamer Paper con-
taining full particulars .. I was happy to hear that you
were all well with the exception of bad colds which of course
you cannot well avoid being afflicted with at this season
of the year, but it will soon be warm weather again
when I hope you will all come out bright & well --

I am well & hearty as usual, have lived through the
rainy season & my room is now quite comfortable as I am
not troubled with the rain driving in on to my bed &