Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Edwin F. Littlefield letter to Alvah Littlefield
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Manuscripts
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
Edwin Littlefield writes that he has arrived safely in San Francisco. He has received the cargo, and thinks it will be suitable for the current market, despite his opinion that "the majority of people here have left their honor & principles at home."
mssHM 4181
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Manuscripts
Edwin reports that he traveled to Sacramento and sold some of the herbs sent by Alvah. He hopes to sell the rest soon, though he describes business in general as dull. The rest of the letter is concerned with shipments of various goods.
mssHM 4188
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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
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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
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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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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