(San Francisco) San Francisco, Up. Cal., Sept 25th 1849. Dateline on lengthy 3-page letter to Baltimore, Md., original cover with "40" in circle rate handstamp, letter regarding the troubled 214 day passage to California, mentioning Atlantic storms of the lower coast of South America, reading a notice in the Valparaiso Reading Room regarding the ship Hebe…attempted to pass the straits of Magellan & came as far as Possession Bay on the north side of the straits where she anchored at the turn of tide on the 30th of April. The passengers & some of the crew went on shore in the boat in order to shoot some birds. The captain saw the native Patagonians gathered on the shore in great numbers, even to hundreds & many more besides were seen coming from the hills on horseback. In the meantime the wind came on to blow a gale - The Barque drifted. One of the cables of the vessel then parted & she swung round by the other towards the shore…it was necessary to cut the other cable & sailed for the Atlantic again leaving these poor men where they were & their subsequent lot a matter of the most painful doubt.; with additional hand carried letter from correspondence datelined 4 days after and 73 additional covers from the Perkins east coast correspondence (1830-70's), F.-V.F. Estimate  $750 - 1,000. $0 (Image)