John Henry Cornelison diary kept aboard the "Hannah Sprague"

1849-1850

John Henry Cornelison kept this diary during a trip from New York to San Francisco on board the bark "Hannah Sprague" as a member of the New York Commercial and Mining Association. Entries date from May 10, 1849 through January 14, 1850 and describe daily life on shipboard; amusements and other pastimes; other passengers; other ships passed en route; and stops at Rio de Janeiro, Talcahuano (Chile), and an inland trip to Concepción. Cornelison provides a vivid description of San Francisco, where he lived aboard the ship while awaiting return passage. The diary also contains information about the price of food (eggs, butter, and other staples); the cost of rent; descriptions of buildings; activities of inhabitants, and other specific details about San Francisco. Cornelison also includes some details about the management of the New York Commercial and Mining Association and its final dissolution. There are notes and a few sketches at the end of the diary