Manuscripts
Daniel Miller letter to William Miller
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William Miller letter to Henry John Temple Palmerston
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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John Miller letter to "Mr. Dickerson"
Manuscripts
In this letter, John Miller writes that he has advised an unidentified young man, and asks "Mr. Dickerson" to send the information the young man desires.
mssHM 29253
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William P. Reynolds letter to Edward J. Reynolds
Manuscripts
In this letter to his brother, W.P. Reynolds writes of his experiences driving cattle between San Francisco and Los Angeles. He says "the cattle market has never in my experience been so depressed in California as this year." He also comments on an "instrument" that Edward has apparently invented, and advises him to apply for a patent. He also writes of relatives and mutual acquaintances.
mssHM 4221
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Daniel B. Robinson letter to Mary Ann Robinson
Manuscripts
These manuscripts are a series of letters from Daniel Robinson to his sister Mary and brother James. In HM 19765 (1847, November 14), a letter to his sister, Daniel Robinson writes of his travels and contacts in the middle United States. HM 19766, dated 1849, March 12, also to Mary, Daniel writes he has delayed responding to her last letter due to a lack of interesting things to say. His main wish is to gain his fortune, and plans to accompany a group bound for the gold mines of California, and plans to leave Illinois in a week's time. He promises he will travel safely, and will write from time to time. The last letter to Mary in this sequence is dated 1850, October 31 (HM 19767), and Daniel has reached California, and has purchased "a lot of cattle" with several friends from Illinois. He would describe his journey if he had time, but plans to return to Illinois in the following spring. The final four letters are from Daniel to James, his brother. HM 19768 is dated 1849, April 12, and was written in St. Joseph, Missouri, where Daniel plans to stay for a month. The letter describes Daniel's trek to California, across overflowing rivers and many rough roads. The next letter (HM 19769) is dated May 3, and Daniel has left St. Joseph. His party had to wait two days for their chance to cross a river, as there were four hundred teams waiting for their turn. He saw several familiar Illinois faces in St. Joseph. On May 28, Daniel writes again to James (HM 19770). Their cattle broke free from their corral and scattered; they managed to recover some, but several were lost. Daniel learns that over four thousand teams have passed this way, bound for California. The final letter in this series is HM 19771, and is written from Sacramento City, California, dated 1849, October 3. Daniel reports the final leg of their journey was rather unpleasant, due to poor weather coupled with exhaustion. He says "there seems to be no extent to the amount of gold in California, and common laborers can get from two to three hundred dollars per month." His team has sold their wagons and cattle for mules and and mining equipment. He has heard many tales of gold, and expects to make his fortune soon. Of his journey to California, Daniel writes "I can safely say it is one of the most disagreeable trips a man can make." Included are three newspaper clippings from Illinois newspapers reprinting letters of Illinois travelers bound for California, two undated photos of Daniel Robinson, and a handwritten note addressed to "Mr. Tighe" and signed "Ruth Van Tuyl" regarding the photos and letters of Daniel Robinson.
mssHM 19765-19771
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William P. Reynolds letter to Edward J. Reynolds
Manuscripts
In this letter to his brother Edward, William P. Reynolds writes that he considers surveying to be the most profitable civil engineering opportunity in California. Since moving to Los Angeles, William writes, he is "always as busy as a bee."
mssHM 4213
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William P. Reynolds letter to Edward J. Reynolds
Manuscripts
William writes that his plans to bring Edward to California have been delayed, as William has not yet had a chance to purchase a tract of land for farming and cattle. Nonetheless, he writes, "in a short time Sonoro & Chihuahua will belong to the U.S." and so there will be plenty of opportunity for surveying; William recommends that Edward "follow the study in its higher branches." He also recommends drafting and that Edward "be a more skillful penman."
mssHM 4217