Servitus Needham letters to Levi Comstock

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  Etienne Pariset letters

  Manuscripts

  The two letters are written in French. The one dated 1821 (HM 81236) has been badly damaged and is difficult to read. The letter dated 1827 is to someone named "Berthevin" (HM 81237).

  mssHM 81236-81237

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  J.H. (John Holmes) Magruder letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  This series of six letters are written by John Holmes Magruder during his journey from New York to California in hopes of finding gold. In HM 16723, dated 1849, January 1 and written to his brother Thomas and his sister Olivia, John is restless, eager to get his sailing journey underway, and is excited by the prospects of finding gold in California. HM 16724 (1849, March 9) describes John's voyage over sea to Santa Catarina Island, and reports from California continue to be encouraging. In his next letter (HM 16725, 1849, June 27), John writes while on board the whaling vessel Tahmaroo, bound for California. He describes in detail what he saw of Brazil and Santa Catarina, and says that there are still positive reports of gold being found in California, but that Sacramento and San Francisco are "infested with gamblers, robbers and black legs from every nation." HM 16726, dated 1849, September 11, and written to his brother Ogden, finds John in Sacramento, where he has begun his search for gold, despite having been stricken with fever. He does not expect to be back for a few years. In HM 16727, to Thomas, and dated 1849, September 17, John is still recovering from fever, but hopes to be back to his search in a few weeks. The next letter (HM 16728) is addressed to Thomas, and dated 1851, October 7. John believes he will settle in California permanently, and has become interested in local politics. He is in business with his brother Lloyd, but aside from reporting that things are well, he gives no further details.

  mssHM 16723-16728

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  H.O. Comstock letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  These manuscripts are three letters written by H.O. Comstock to his family, describing his journey from New York to California. The first letter is dated 1849, February 17 (HM 24501) and addressed to "Father", and finds the younger Comstock in good spirits, setting sail from New York in fine weather aboard the brig "Empire." The ship is bound for Vera Cruz, Mexico, which Comstock believes should be reached in about fifteen days, and then on to Cape Horn, and finally to California. In HM 24502 (1849, March 1-12, and addressed to "Father, Mother, Brother, & Sister"), Comstock is 360 miles out from Vera Cruz. The sea voyage has been very cold, cramped, and unpleasant, but he is in good health, and he describes the journey at length. The "Empire" reaches Vera Cruz on March 12. Comstock and the other travelers are relieved to exit the ship, and he marvels at a castle built on a coral reef, and other details of the Mexican coast, such as the buildings, flora, and fauna. He finds the local fare to be exotic and delicious. He thinks the Mexicans all look similar, with the same hair, skin, and noses, and the noise of animals and watchmen keeps him awake at night. He writes that so far, he and his companions "have not found half the difficulty so far that we expected & unless we find hardship more than is common, we shall have nothing but a pleasant jaunt through to the country." He promises to write again once he reaches San Francisco. Comstock writes to his parents from San Francisco in HM 24503 (1849, June 5) that he has "arrived at the 'Promised Land' with health unimpaired." He is thankful that his voyage has been uneventful, compared with others that he has heard of which were fraught with misfortune. On April 28, Comstock visited San Blas, which he describes as "a miserable little village, composed chiefly of mud huts," and finds San Francisco much more agreeable. He describes the city and its inhabitants in considerable detail, as he wishes to give his father "a true account (as far as I am able)," and includes description of gold mines. He wishes he could write to family letters individually, but has not had time. As he closes, Comstock writes that he is heading for the mines, and says he may not write or receive letters for six months, until his return to San Francisco.

  mssHM 24501-24503

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  Levi Eckley letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  Levi Eckley wrote these three letters to his family during his stay in California during the 1850s. Two of the letters (HM 49649, dated 1850, May 26 and HM 49650 (incomplete), dated 1851, November 13) were addressed to "George", possibly Levi's brother, and HM 49651 (dated 1853, May 3) was written to Helen Eckley, possibly his sister. In the letters to George, Levi Eckley writes of his experiences digging for gold outside Coloma and Ophir in California. He also suggests that George come out to California for six months while Levi goes back home, speculating they might make enough money in that time to open a small business in St. Louis or California. In the letter to Helen, Levi writes of plans to relocate his family to California.

  mssHM 49649-49651

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  Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood

  Manuscripts

  Sweetser is conducting business in Sacramento, CA, at the time of these three letters, written to his colleagues during 1850-1851. Dated 1850, December 25, the first letter (HM 4185), Sweetser reports a Whig mayor has been elected to the city. The city has also learned tha California has been admitted to the United States, and a senator must now be elected. HM 4186, written 1851, January 14, sees Sweetser telling of his first trip to San Francisco, and he remarks "I think that if I had settled there that I should have done better." He reiterates his standing from previous letters that he has not been supplied with goods suitable to the market; if he had, then his profits would increase. There has been much excitement over a new discovery of gold. Included in this letter are two printed views of Sacramento. In the third letter (HM 4187, dated 1851, January 29) , Sweetser writes once more of the difference of opinion between himself and his colleagues regarding conduct of business. A boat exploded in the bay outside the city, resulting in several casualties. Included is a drawing depicting the stages of the experiences of the typical California miner.

  mssHM 4185-4187

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  Lloyd Magruder letters to Thomas C. Magruder

  Manuscripts

  In these three letters to his brother, Lloyd Magruder writes of his experiences searching for gold in California during the mid-19th century. All three letters were written from the town of Marysville, California. In the first letter, HM 16729, dated 1855, September 17, Lloyd writes he has been elected Justice of the Peace for Marysville. He also campaigned successfully for the office of County Clerk. He also reports that he is a new father of a seven-month-old boy. The next letter, HM 16730, is dated 1861, October 13. Lloyd is still in Marysville, and has just finished assisting with the California census, for which he is awaiting payment from Washington, D.C. While he has not done as well as he'd hoped, he did spend some time in Sacramento as part of the Legislature. His daughter is now thirteen. The final letter of this group, HM 16731, was written 1862, April 28, and contains details concerning delivery of the payment due Lloyd from the Census Bureau. Lloyd writes that he is heading for the Salmon River Mines in Washington Territory.

  mssHM 16729-16731