Manuscripts

Thomas Milliken letter to William Todd

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Description: Letter from Thomas Milliken in San Francisco to William Todd in Cherryfield, Maine. Milliken writes shortly after his initial arrival in San Francisco and records his first impressions of the city. He notes the high cost of laborers, the possibility of selling his steamboat for $35,000, and his plans to "break up the company" and become a blacksmith. He concludes that while San Francisco holds many opportunities for profit, "if I could make a fortune here in one year I hardly know that I would stay in such a Sodom as this."
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1850, May 31.
Call number: mssHM 75049
Creator: Milliken, Thomas(Opens in new tab)

Daniel Miller letter to William Miller

Manuscripts

Letter written from Daniel Miller near Petaluma, California, to his brother William in Newburn, Virginia. Miller writes of the difficulties of driving cattle over the Oregon Trail and through the Salt Lake Valley to California, and of cattle that were "likely stolen" by Mormons in Utah. He writes of stopping with the remaining cattle in the valley outside of San Francisco and of the trouble in owning land since "nearly all the country is claimed by grants made by the Mexican Government." He writes of his trip to San Francisco and details the high cost of goods in the area, but notes that he is also selling cattle for good prices. Miller also writes of gold mining and that he plans to avoid the practice since "many thousand dollars worth of [gold] dust...disappears in a few hours at the gambling tables." Miller concludes that "I have as yet not regrets about the move [to California], except the loss of our children" (Miller's three young daughters died during the journey to California).

mssHM 74319

Wm Milliken ; Lieut Co E 22d U.S.C.T

Manuscripts

A bust-length studio portrait of Union First Lieutenant William D. Milliken of the 22nd Colored Infantry Regiment, turned slightly to the left. Milliken has a full mustache and goatee that extends as far as his lapels. "Powelson ; photographer ; 58 State St. ; Rochester ; N.Y." is printed in blue on the verso.

HM 77715

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"John" letter to "my dear aunt,"

Manuscripts

Typescript of a letter sent from "John" to "my dear Aunt," written while he was at sea heading to San Francisco on board the steamer Tennessee. He writes of leaving New York on the steamer Cherokee, canoing across the Isthmus of Panama, the scenery and native people of the area, and conditions on board the Tennessee. He concludes the letter on April 16 after his arrival in San Francisco, and briefly describes lumber and mining prospects.

mssHM 73059

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Thomas A. Warbass letter to Edward D. Warbass

Manuscripts

The letter was written by Thomas Warbass in San Francisco to his brother Edward in Cowlitz County, Oregon Territory (later Cowlitz County, Washington). It discusses the organization of the brothers' coal association, the shipment of coal that Thomas Warbass was awaiting in San Francisco, and their sale of coal from Oregon in San Francisco to a man named Deeson. Warbass also asks his brother whether he could obtain a few hundred tons of coal for Deeson if Deeson sent a cargo vessel to collect it somewhere along the banks of the Columbia River. Warbass mentions the high demand for Oregon coal in San Francisco, and his anxiousness to get such coal into the market.

mssHM 69816

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Arthur H. Taylor letter to my dear Terrill

Manuscripts

Letter from Arthur Taylor in Santa Cruz, California, in which he writes of his legal actions against an anti-Chinese labor boycott. Taylor concludes that despite winning the case "I never tried to collect...I only sought to establish...that the boycott was illegal."

mssHM 74644

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George P. Becker letter to William S. Becker

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother William, George Becker gives a description of San Francisco and of his experiences since arriving. Of the city, he writes, "I do not like the place; never did, in preference to any other, and hope one of these days to be able to leave it." He calls California a place of "madness", saying that "it seems there are more cases of lunacy in this state than any two large states of the atlantic seaboard."

mssHM 16391

Thomas Milliken letter to William Todd

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Daniel Miller letter to William Miller

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"John" letter to "my dear aunt,"

Thomas A. Warbass letter to Edward D. Warbass

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