On the eastern side of Sierra County, they ... passed parties of Indians, over 350 in number, belonging to two different tribes, who had been holding a "grand talk," to settle some disputes about their hunting grounds; and their council having broken up, they were now on their way to their autumnal haunts.
A few had horses, on which the happy possessors pranced in great state, while the squaws and half grown children, dragged after them the lodge-poles, on which were fastened their household gear, and in some instances, a papoose, whose glittering eyes shone out in wonderment amid the confused mass of Indian baggage.In October 1856, he led a second expedition through Calaveras County.
In his Annual Report of 1856, Brewster recommended funding the survey and construction of 6 major routes into California, as well as the building of other roads, and a railroad for commerce and transportation.
After his term as Surveyor General, Brewster traveled east to marry Julia E. Kaene, a native of Canada, on November 1, 1858, in Buffalo, New York.
He penned the following to his infant daughter during his service: ... Should I fall on the battlefield or fall a victim to the disease of camp, remember you are a soldier's daughter, to whom a legacy has been left, - a charge to so live that beyond the grave you may be reunited to brother, and mother, & the father who so dearly loved you, & who now leaves you to the God who doeth all things well.Brewster survived the Civil War, and died in California at the age of 62.