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suggesting the village was still m economic turmoil. (There would be an even larger
shipment aboard the Albion in 1858 before Mergoscia's exodus would begin to
decUne.) At the time of their departure Pietro Perini was nineteen years old and his
brother 27; both were labourers and, Uke Vincenzo, had not borrowed money for the
joumey.' The men possibly mined with Vincenzo for a time although only Pietro was
present at a mining accident which occurred in 1859 involving Vincenzo and several
compatriots. On 9 July of that year, Vincenzo wrote to his family in Mergoscia
detaUing the mishap which had claimed the life of one partner Battista Rusconi from
Mergoscia." Also working the mine had been (Giacomo) Canova, Gottardo Beretta
and Vincenzo Pedroncini, all but Canova from Mergoscia. Writing to Rusconi's family
(a large contingent of whom were also present in the Colony) Vincenzo described the
circumstances of the accident. He also reassured the family that Battista had been
given a proper burial and his debts settled; a large proportion of the letter in fact
discussed monetary matters ~ the settiing of Battista's share in the mine and the
reimbursement of funds to his family ~ a concem with financial security characterising
the ItaUan speakers' early years of settlement.
Because single events, such as flood or avalanche, had always threatened the
existence of Europe's peasantry, many immigrants were resigned to the dangers of the
goldfields; they considered that while they remained poor, the stmggle to survive
would always involve risk ~ whether it was by trying new (and possibly poisonous)
foods during famine or entering the unsafe mines of the goldfields. Vincenzo's
comment, 'fino che lavoriamo in questo mestiere siamo tutti sogetti alpericolo della
morte' " epitomised their thoughts. His letter did, however, provide some cheer to its
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