I present it here as he wrote it.
"The night before going to sea, I take a blue pill (5 to 10 grains) in order to carry the bile from the liver into the stomach.

When I rise on the following morning, a dose of citrate of magnesia or some kindred substance finishes my preparation.

I take my breakfast and all other meals afterward as if nothing had happened." I have used this prescription in my own case with success, and have known it to benefit others.] The voyage from New York to San Francisco has been so often 'done' and is so well watered, that I shall not describe it in detail.

Most of the passengers on the steamer were old Californians and assisted in endeavoring to make the time pass pleasantly.

There was plenty of whist-playing, story telling, reading, singing, flirtation, and a very large amount of sleeping.