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"The month of October, 1849, found me on the Trinity River, at a point called "Rich Bar", without provisions, poorly clad, and worse than all in this condition at the commencement of a California winter. The company at this place numbered some forty persons, the most of whom were in much the same situation and condition as myself. Near this bar was an Indian ranch, from which the prevalence of the rain that was now pouring down as if in contemplation of a second flood, we received frequent visits. From them we learned that the ocean was distant from this place, not more than eight days' travel, and that there was a large and beautiful bay, surrounded by fine and extensive prairie lands.

The rainy season, having now to all appearances, set in, alternate rain and snow continually falling, a scanty supply of provisions for the number of persons now here, and scarcely a probability of the stock being replenished before the rains should cease, the idea was conceived of undertaking an expedition, with the view to ascertain whether the bay, of which the Indians had given a description, in reality existed.

Among the first and most active in getting up and organizing the expedition was a gentleman by the name of Josiah Gregg, a physician by profession, formerly of Missouri. He had with him all the implements necessary to guide us through the uninhabited, trackless region of country that lay between us and the point to be sought. No one seemed better qualified to guide and direct an expedition of this kind than he. Upon him, therefore, the choice fell to take command. The number of persons that had expressed a desire to join the company up to this time, were twenty-four. The day fixed upon by the Captain for setting out was the 5'th day of November. In the meantime whatever preparations were necessary, and in our power, were made. The Captain had negotiated with the chief of the rancheria for two of his men to act as guides. Nothing more remained to be done--all were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the day fixed upon, and a cessation of the rain, which was still falling in torrents.

The day of departure arrived, but with it came no change in weather, save an occasional change from rain to snow. Many of the party now began to exhibit marked symptoms of a desire to withdraw and abandon the expedition.

The two Indian guides refused to go, assigning as a reason, that the great storm we had experienced on the river, had been a continuous snow-storm in the mountains, and that the depth of the snow would present an insuperable barrier to our progress, and endanger the safety of the whole party to attempt passage. This was sufficient for those who had manifested a desire to withdraw; and the number of the company was speedily reduced to eight men, including the Captain whose determination was only the more firmly fixed, because so large a number had abandoned the expedition.

The company now consisted of the following persons; Dr. Josiah Gregg, Captain Thomas Seabring, of Ottawa, Illinois; David A. Buck, of New York; J. B. Truesdell, of Oregon; --Van Dusen; Charles C. Southard, of Boston; Isaac Wilson, of Missouri, and L. K. Wood of Mason County, Kentucky.

Owing to this great diminution in the number of the party, it became necessary before setting out to examine the condition of our commissary department, from which it was ascertained that the stock of provisions has suffered even greater diminution than had the company in point numbers. The articles were flour, pork, and beans, and of these scarcely sufficient for ten days' rations. Notwithstanding this, an advance was determined upon, and, accordingly, we broke up camp.