Elisha Oscar Crosby letter to J. Wilcoxson

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  Elisha Oscar Crosby letter to J. Wilcoxson

  Manuscripts

  This letter refers to the land-grant litigation taking place in California during the late 1850s. Crosby refers to John A. Sutter, Henry Wager Halleck, and John Bidwell in his letter.

  mssHM 60664

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  Elisha Oscar Crosby letter to Hiram T. Graves

  Manuscripts

  Crosby contests his suspension from the Knights Templar for "non payment of dues." He states that he "handed the full amount of fees for initiation, to one of the Sir Knights who attended my preparation and initiation." He defends himself by explaining his financial situation at the time and currently, and by listing his various political contributions in California during his career. He relates that he had to end his political career due to problems with his vision. He hopes that he has provided a sufficient case for reinstatement, and would like to remain in good graces in case his son becomes a Knight Templar one day.

  mssHM 21251

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  Memoirs and reminiscences

  Manuscripts

  Crosby writes of events in his life, beginning with his birth in New York on July 18, 1818. After spending his early days on his parents' farm, he studied law and became an attorney in 1841. In 1843, he became "Attorney of the Supreme Court of the State of New York." In this capacity, Crosby began to become aware of the tension between California and Mexico, and upon learning of the opportunities for lawyers in California, he decided to relocate there in 1849. The discovery of gold in California urged his decision. He traveled by steamship, and writes of his journey, including a stop in Cuba. He landed in Panama and traveled up the Chagres River, then across to the Pacific Ocean, where he took another steamship to San Francisco, arriving in late February, 1849. Many of the passengers had traveled to search for gold; as Crosby writes, "There was a general disposition to get away from the city, to the gold mines." Crosby prospects himself at several locations. He describes the events leading up to the California constitutional convention in Monterey, as well as details of the convention itself. He describes the convention as "a very harmonious body and I think the members only had the interest of the people at heart." Crosby also relates his experiences as part of the "Land Commission," the function of which was "to Settle Private Land Claims in California," as well as his experiences serving as an ambassador to Guatemala. Crosby claims to have been given "secret instructions" by the President to see if Guatemala might be suitable for the relocation of the recently freed American slaves, but is skeptical that this plan would work. He describes the country and its inhabitants at length, for he feels "there is a great misapprehension among our people with regard to those tropical countries." Crosby relates of the social order of San Francisco, especially events connected to "a very noted cortezan" known as "the Countess." This manuscript appears to be a copy, for it is written in several different hands, and appears to be incomplete, as it ends abruptly.

  mssHM 284

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  Lafayette Maynard letters to Duff Green

  Manuscripts

  In the letters to his father-in-law, Maynard talks about his experiences in the Mexican War on the U.S. Steamer Mississippi. He mentions the surrender of Alvarado and Veracruz; Commodore Matthew C. Perry; General Santa Anna; Major General Winfield Scott; and Secretary of War William L. Marcy. In the two letters dated 1850, Maynard talks about his life in San Francisco. He talks in detail about social conditions in California; gold miners; law and order in the gold camps; and the weather and climate. He also describes the following California cities: Benicia, Martinez, Sacramento and Sutter. Included with the letters are copies of three items regarding the surrender of Alvarado including the log of the Steamer Scourge.

  mssHM 68443-68456

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  J.H. (John Holmes) Magruder letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  This series of six letters are written by John Holmes Magruder during his journey from New York to California in hopes of finding gold. In HM 16723, dated 1849, January 1 and written to his brother Thomas and his sister Olivia, John is restless, eager to get his sailing journey underway, and is excited by the prospects of finding gold in California. HM 16724 (1849, March 9) describes John's voyage over sea to Santa Catarina Island, and reports from California continue to be encouraging. In his next letter (HM 16725, 1849, June 27), John writes while on board the whaling vessel Tahmaroo, bound for California. He describes in detail what he saw of Brazil and Santa Catarina, and says that there are still positive reports of gold being found in California, but that Sacramento and San Francisco are "infested with gamblers, robbers and black legs from every nation." HM 16726, dated 1849, September 11, and written to his brother Ogden, finds John in Sacramento, where he has begun his search for gold, despite having been stricken with fever. He does not expect to be back for a few years. In HM 16727, to Thomas, and dated 1849, September 17, John is still recovering from fever, but hopes to be back to his search in a few weeks. The next letter (HM 16728) is addressed to Thomas, and dated 1851, October 7. John believes he will settle in California permanently, and has become interested in local politics. He is in business with his brother Lloyd, but aside from reporting that things are well, he gives no further details.

  mssHM 16723-16728

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  George J. Abbott letter to Rev. Abiel Abbott

  Manuscripts

  George J. Abbott opens the letter with some brief news about a family visit to Cincinnati, Ohio. Abbott then discusses a visit from the Winnebago Indian delegation to Washington, D.C. He writes, "Washington has been enlivened by the visit of Winnebago Indians, whom, the Government wishes to remove for the third time from lands solemnly and inviolably guaranteed to them on the faith of Treaties" (p. 1). He continues with a description of negotiations lasting four days between three American negotiators and the chief orator of the Winnebago Indians named Little Hill. "They held out for very good terms, and obtained them, considering it was weakness dealing with power" (p. 1). Next, he describes the feelings of a respected chief. This chief tells the commissioners, "...their hearts were saddened by what he had told them of their decreasing number and of the near extinction of their race. When he spoke of the Great Father's disregard of his children & of the Great Spirit, a smile ran round the room - as every body thought it was a remark true as it was keen" (p. 2).

  mssHM 80951