Manuscripts
James Henry Rogers letter to William Augustus Fritz
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Charles Louis Hopkinson letter to Jane K. Hopkinson
Manuscripts
In this letter addressed to his Aunt Jane, Charles Louis Hopkinson asks if he might come and live with her in order to go to school, and she would receive twenty dollars a month from Charles' mother. He also writes of the murder of James King by James P. Casey, and the imprisonment of Casey and conspirator Charles Cora, prompting the involvement of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance. The episode caused much excitement. The first page of this pictorial letter sheet is a sketch of the surrender of Casey and Cora; the letter is on pages two through four.
mssHM 40687
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Joseph S. Paxson diary
Manuscripts
This daily diary documents Paxson's struggle with business and gold mining. He discusses in detail his financial problems, his loneliness in the city, and his unhappiness with his living situation. Paxson also notes all the ships arriving in San Francisco and the actions of the vigilance committees. At the end of the diary is an 11-page essay about the murder of James King and the hanging of James P. Casey and Charles Cora in May. Accompanying the diary is an incomplete transcript only covering January 1 to July 14.
mssHM 68388
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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
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Willaim T. Reynolds letter to Mrs. William T. Reynolds
Manuscripts
Letter was written in a Gregory's Express pocket letter book, printed in 1851. Reynolds describes San Francisco and the recent activites of the vigilance committee in the city. He also discusses the possibility of his wife traveling to San Francisco to join him and how she may obtain money through the offices of Page, Bacon & Co
mssHM 56914
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Seventy years in California : typewritten manuscript
Manuscripts
A typewritten manuscript, unsigned and untitled; the title is taken from the printed edition: "Seventy years in California" : privately printed in San Francisco by Taylor & Taylor (1923). The manuscript contains penciled marks and dates, though the author of the notations is not clear; the text of the manuscript covers the years 1831 November to 1849 December. The memoir describes Green's early childhood in New York City and his early years in San Francisco, California. He goes into detail about the murder of James King, the emergence of the Committee of Vigilance, Northern California gold mines, fighting fires, and the corrupt politics of the era; notable people mentioned in the manuscript include: David C. Broderick, James P. Casey, James King, and David S. Terry.
mssHM 84053
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Henry James and others letters
Manuscripts
This material includes (1 letter) by Alice James (HM 66107), (9) by Henry James (HM 66108-66116), and (1) by William James (HM 66117).
mssHM 66107-66117