Manuscripts
J. I. Stickney letter to his family
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J. I. Stickney letter to his family
Manuscripts
Stickney enthusiastically describes the city of San Francisco and the activities of its inhabitants. He considers California the greatest place he has ever been. With lithograph view of San Francisco on first page.
mssHM 4194
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J. I. Stickney letter to his family
Manuscripts
In this letter to his wife and daughters, J.I. Stickney writes of his at the busy port of San Francisco after five months at sea. He is particularly taken with the variety and number of people in the city.
mssHM 4164
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J. J. Abbott letter to J. P. Carpenter
Manuscripts
Letter, written by J. J. Abbott to his friend and fellow teacher in Alabama, J. P. Carpenter. Abbott describes his journey to Mississippi, the city of Hudsonville, the school at which he is working, some school clubs that he founded, and his intent to attend Andover Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. Abbott also gives opinions about the South, slavery, and abolitionists.
mssHM 84005
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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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J. H. Simpson letter to Edward M. Kern
Manuscripts
Simpson informs Kern that had he heard of Kern's plans to return to St. Louis earlier, Simpson would have hired him as an assistant, and sends his regrets. He also writes that Kern should soon receive a congressional copy of the Navajo report.
mssHM 20645
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J. H. Simpson letter to Edward Meyer Kern
Manuscripts
Simpson expresses his regret that he could not have met Edward Kern before returning to Maryland, especially given the recent letter from Richard, Edward's brother. He writes of John Charles Frémont's candidacy for the U.S. Presidency, and tells of his search in Philadelphia to find members of Kern's family.
mssHM 20664