Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Volney Erskine Howard letter to Littleton Quinton Washington
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Manuscripts
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
Cutts writes of the trial of John C. Frémont and the possible effect it might have on the United States government.
mssHM 29511
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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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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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Manuscripts
Letter to Henry Huntington asking for his aid to enable the Pasadena Boy Scouts to aid French boys to attend summer camp. She relates that the atmosphere created in the Boy Scout organization is extremely beneficial to boys in the devastated areas and to France in general. She goes on to relate the good work the Committee had undertaken under the direction of Miss Jesse Carson and is enclosing a copy of the report in hopes that he has time to read it. Mrs. Seager writes that she would appreciate any aid of suggestions Mr. Huntington might have and gives Mrs. Howard Huntington as a reference concerning the work of the Committee. Mrs. Seager writes that she will be away all summer in New England on Committee business, but her correspondence will be handled by Dr, George E. Hale's secretary. She asks for a short interview with Mr. Huntington when she returns in the fall. Letter is on American Committee for Devastated France letterhead.
mssHM 47841
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Manuscripts
In this letter to the otherwise unattributed "Ben and Sue", the author, identified only as "Ed" by signature, writes of mutual acquaintances, and of the failure of his railroading venture. He also criticizes the Vigilance Committee at length, saying it operates "against the interests of the entire country" and that "you probably receive glowing accounts of their movements and most deplorable tales of those of their opponents but you must not believe all that you see in print in regard to the matter." He goes on to say that "a more corrupt, venial, and chameleon like press does not exist in the universe than that of San Francisco."
mssHM 19479
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Manuscripts
This private letter concerns one of the most exciting new developments of the day, the emerging railways. Badnall writes, "I flatter myself...my attachment to mechanical pursuits might be brought into useful play, and more especially s I cannot help having a strong presentiment that...the undulating Railway would soon obtain a preeminence which would ensure a lucrative Business..." Bandall goes on to suggest that if they did go into business together, Stephenson might remain at Manchester and Badnall reside in Birmingham. He ends with some remarks on centrifugal force, a subject upon which he and Stephenson had obviously corresponded.
mssHM 83606