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Minorities
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Minor King letter to Minor Meeker
Manuscripts
In this letter to his cousin, Minor King reminisces about the past, writing of family members and mutual acquaintances. He reports that he is currently 56 years old and has had eleven children by his wife of thirty-four years. He writes at length of his children, who are scattered throughout the United States. He presents his view of slavery, and of the current national government. He also writes of the fewd between newspaper editors James P. Casey and James King, which resulted in the murder of King by Casey in broad daylight in the streets of San Francisco, and the ensuing gathering of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance outside the jail where Casey and his fellow conspirator were being held. Casey and Cora were eventually brought out, subjected to trial, and executed, which caused such a stir that the military was called in to restore order. Judge David S. Terry arrived from Sacramento to provide legal assistance, but took advantage of his presence in the city to try and protect his notorious gambler of a brother, and Terry ended up committing murder himself, and, as Minor King writes, "he will be Banished from this State under the Penalty of Death if he has the audacity to return." Minor King also writes of other recent misdeeds in San Francisco, and apologizes to Meeker for his "so long account of our troubles."
mssHM 16532