Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood | Collections | The Huntington

Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood | Collections | The Huntington

You might also be interested in

Image not available
Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
In these three letters, dated 1850, June 16 (HM 4167), June 28 (HM 4168), and July 12 (HM 4169), Albion Sweetser writes of various business dealings with Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Blood, particularly of the delivery of packages and bills. In HM 4167, Sweetser mentions a "great fire" at San Francisco that caused millions of dollars in property damage. HM 4168 finds Sweetser engaged in the construction of a three-story church building of his own design, located in Sacramento. Sweetser reports in HM 4169 that he has opened the firm of Sweetser & Pratt, architect and builder, though proper building material is scarce.
mssHM 4167-4169
Image not available
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
Image not available
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
Image not available
Albion C. Sweetser letter to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
Albion Sweetser writes to his colleagues of planking being done in the city of Sacramento. He had thought of submitting a plan himself, but someone else got the job first. He has not yet sold the house, but there is someone interested. There will be an election for a new mayor on the 14th, as the previous one has passed away. Sweetser wishes to know if his colleagues would like him to sell out his store, but either way, he plans to stay in California.
mssHM 4183
Image not available
Albion C. Sweetser letter to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
In this letter to his business partners, Albion Sweetser writes of various business details. He reports that many banks in San Francisco have failed or are on the verge of failing, and that many miners have given up the search for gold. Sweetser writes of the miners: "I know of hundreds that have been here a year or more and no better off than they were when they came." As so many are short of cash, Sweetser finds his own business has slowed, but he hopes to start a store anyway. Also includes separate note in Sweetser's hand that appears to be a postscript for the letter.
mssHM 4175
Image not available
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