Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
John Miller letter to "Mr. Dickerson"
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Manuscripts
Letter written from Daniel Miller near Petaluma, California, to his brother William in Newburn, Virginia. Miller writes of the difficulties of driving cattle over the Oregon Trail and through the Salt Lake Valley to California, and of cattle that were "likely stolen" by Mormons in Utah. He writes of stopping with the remaining cattle in the valley outside of San Francisco and of the trouble in owning land since "nearly all the country is claimed by grants made by the Mexican Government." He writes of his trip to San Francisco and details the high cost of goods in the area, but notes that he is also selling cattle for good prices. Miller also writes of gold mining and that he plans to avoid the practice since "many thousand dollars worth of [gold] dust...disappears in a few hours at the gambling tables." Miller concludes that "I have as yet not regrets about the move [to California], except the loss of our children" (Miller's three young daughters died during the journey to California).
mssHM 74319
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Manuscripts
In this letter to the otherwise unidentified "Mr. Wright" of Washington, Frémont writes thata French company called "the Belgian Miners" has arrived in San Francisco, and are under lease to him. He shall put them to work immediately "on a good vein" and writes that "their report to France will be of great importance." During his time in the South, Frémont reports that he "obtained a great deal of information relative to mines." He has found another rich vein, but is not sure of the ore it contains - he has sent a piece to England for identification - and has acquired a large amount of land that may be of considerable value. Frémont states that they have no commissioner, but hopes the President will "send out others without delay." He hopes Mr. Wright will act on his behalf in this and other matters.
mssHM 21240
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Manuscripts
Whittaker congratulates Miller on his tales, calling them "some of the boldest flights of imagination I ever saw as any man could conceive of" and lauding Miller for his "fixed reputation as among the first of novelists." He writes of the situation in Oregon: "Gold discoveries and Gold excitements - Gold Humbug - form the staple of our local news." He also writes of the state of local and national politics, in the wake of the Civil War.
mssHM 20707
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Manuscripts
In this annual letter to Lord Palmerston regarding trade returns, Miller writes that "the Transit Trade at Honolulu has increased considerably in consequence of the great demand for Goods which has been created by the discovery of the Gold Region of California." The quantity of coffee and sugar being produced is increasing, and being shipped to markets on the American west coast. He also writes of the status of colonists in the Sandwich Islands, including British, American, and French subjects. Typescript of original held by the Territorial Archives of Hawaii.
mssHM 16736
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Manuscripts
Mr. Sweetser writes of business dealings with Sacramento property, and how he has been advised to work the gold mines. He reports there was a local fire recently and that "all combustible property is not safe here."
mssHM 4163
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Manuscripts
Randolph writes of abolitionists and supporters of slavery, and asks that Hoffman "will lend me your aid in procuring the support of the latter." He asks Hoffman to contact Senator Phelps of San Francisco, whom Randolph describes as "a man of influence."
mssHM 19011