Title-leaf, blank leaf, [41]-96 pp. Letterpress title within typographic border printed separately to accompany six issues of The Friend, being Vol. 7, Nos. 6-12, continuously paged, printed in three columns. 11¼x9, later half gilt-ruled brown morocco & cloth, spine & front cover lettered in gilt, top edge gilt. First Edition, second issue.

First edition, second issue, consisting of the original sheets published in the regular issues of The Friend (Honolulu) Vol. 7, Nos. 6-12, Sept. 1-Dec. 20, 1849, with an added title page. The work is valuable for both Hawaiian and Californian connections, as well as Oregon. Eberstadt notes the work as being "among the earliest printed in the Sandwich Islands on Oregon and California.” Forbes states that “Damon’s well-written narrative is a classic, and provides an early account of life in the gold mines. He describes the primitive social conditions at the mines, and the racial tensions extant between the varied groups of gold seekers.” Kurutz gives a detailed description of the contents, “Reverend Samuel Damon, the publisher and editor of The Friend, began his excursion from Hawaii to the Pacific Coast on April 17, 1848. He recounted his trip for his newspaper. The California portion started with the November 15, 1848, issue (number 10). In June, he stayed in San Francisco and expressed disappointment with the city, writing: ‘As a city it did not fill up that “beau ideal” which I had pictured in my imagination.’ He noted the large number of people who had emigrated from Honolulu. From San Francisco, the editor headed to Benicia and wrote about the lack of accurate maps of California. On June 26, he arrived in Stockton, and on July 3, visited Sutter’s Fort. After celebrating the Fourth, Damon continued his tour and stopped at Mormon Island and Kanaka Diggings before taking a trip down the Sacramento River. He commented on the prejudice against foreign miners, lamented the wickedness of some of the miners, and hoped that New England emigrants 'will exert a salutary influence.' In number 12, the final issue, he commented extensively on the New England and California Trading and Mining Association, the Monterey Constitutional Convention, and San Francisco. He noted how the city had nearly doubled since his June visit. On July 26, he departed for Honolulu. In addition to Damon’s narrative, The Friend included other news on the mines.” Before arriving in Califorina, Damon had vantured up the Columbia River, visiting Astoria, Fort Vancouver, Portland, and toured the Willamette Valley, with discussion of the government, society, educational system, and "Books Upon Oregon." Cowan p.155; Eberstadt 134:252; Forbes 1726; Graff 994; Hill 413; Howes D44; Kurutz 168a; Smith 2243 (reprint); Streeter Sale 2564.