Sketches of Travels in South America, Mexico and California

Most of Schaeffer's travels take place in various gold fields, where he experiences California gold fever, life at the mines in winter, journeys through the mountains, experiences in Nevada and Mexico, and an Indian pow wow. But he also describes shipboard life and various places where he made shore excursions, such as Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco. His description of San Francisco in 1849-50 is also colourful: "With the exception of a few old stone and adobe houses, the town seemed to contain nothing but tents and boarded houses ... Let us enter the blue tent on the corner, known as the El Dorado Saloon. Around the several tables are seated gamblers surounded by all kinds of adventurers. - The Mexican, American, Native Californian, English, Dutch, French, Irish, &c. &c., clad in varied habiliments" (p. 27). Sabin 77485, Cowan p. 570.