Manuscripts
Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
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Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
These three letters are from Albion C. Sweetser to his two business partners, Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood. They are dated 1850, July 27 (HM 4171), August 25 (HM 4172), and September 14 (HM 4173). Sweetser writes of various business details, reporting that competition is strong but he is doing the best he can. He thinks the towns would benefit from female influence, which he feels is sorely lacking. There is unrest amongst squatters in Sacramento, who have taken possession of vacant lots of land which are in fact owned by others. It became necessary for militia to be called in, and the town was placed under martial law, but by September, order has been restored. He reports that the gold miners are now barely finding anything, but claim to have struck it rich. He has heard of the death of President Zachary Taylor.
mssHM 4171-4173
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Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
Albion C. Sweetser wrote these three letters to his business associates, A. Blood and Alvah Littlefield, while he was conducting business in Sacramento in 1850. In HM 4179, written October 28, Sweetser reports that he has been selling in his shop the herbs and other goods he was sent, but one of the boxes was damaged. Business has started to slow. He remarks that if he had been sent "the right kind of articles - say West India goods and provisions" such as shoes, business would be better, and suggests that such goods could still be sent in time for the "full trade" in the following August. Society in general, he reports, is much improving, despite the sickness of "colery" that has begun to spread. HM 4178, dated November 13, sees Sweetser still in good health, but the "colery" has gotten worse, causing many to flee from the city. He took his business to the mines and met with better success than in the city. HM 4180, dated November 27, also includes a small note in Sweetser's hand, apparently a postscript to the letter. Sweetser reports that there has been progress in the building of the church, and that the "colery" has faded, after claiming one out of every eight people in the city. In spite of this, he would be happy to stay in California on behalf of his partners, but he asks again to be sent provisions that are in demand rather than cheap jewelry and hairbrushes.
mssHM 4178-4180
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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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Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
In these two letters written during February 1851 (HM 4189 written the 14th, HM 4190 dated the 26th), Sweetser writes of a damaged crate of goods shipped to him, business details, and his inquiry into the circumstances surrounded the death of a Mr. Gliden. He reports that business in general has taken a downturn, and writes of the potential profits should they all decide to sell the business and the land where it is located. In HM 4190, Sweester writes a fight between a gambler and a miner that resulted in the death of a bystander from a gunshot wound. Eight hours after the incident, the miner responsible for firing the fatal shot was put to death by public hanging; an example, Sweester reports, of the speed of California justice.
mssHM 4189-4190
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Albion C. Sweetser letter to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
Mr. Sweetser writes to his business partners that he has heard nothing from them, and that he is working hard digging. He advises against sending goods to Sacramento to sell because of fluctuations in the market. Of the city itself, he writes "one year ago, this place was a wilderness and now it is liberally covered with buildings from 1 to 2 stories high." He hopes to be involved with the building of a new church in Sacramento.
mssHM 4165
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Albion C. Sweetser letter to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
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