Manuscripts

V. A. VanCosen letter to brother and friends

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Description: In this letter to his "Dear Brother, and Friends," V. A. VanCosen is reflective upon his time out West, and recounts a critical incident in the history of the city of San Francisco, the assassination of activist journalist James King of William. The killing incited tumult in the city and ultimately resulted in the formation of the second San Francisco Vigilance Committee.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1856, June 12.
Call number: mssHM 83422
Creator: VanCosen, V. A(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Cowan's Auctions Eric C. Caren sale, Lot 153, September 2017.

James Henry Rogers letter to William Augustus Fritz

Manuscripts

In this letter addressed "Dear Brother," Rogers informs Fritz of the murder of newspaper editor James King by rival editor James P. Casey in San Francisco, and the ensuing excitement in the city regarding the capture of Casey and fellow conspirator Charles Cora, with the eventual involvement of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance. The two-page letter is written on pages three and four of a four-page pamphlet, with the first page containing a printed account of the incident, entitled "The Revolution of the People: Surrender of James P. Casey & Charles Cora To the Vigilance Committe, on Sunday, May 18th, 1856," beneath an engraving signed by Charles P. Huestis.

mssHM 19468

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Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood

Manuscripts

In these two letters written during February 1851 (HM 4189 written the 14th, HM 4190 dated the 26th), Sweetser writes of a damaged crate of goods shipped to him, business details, and his inquiry into the circumstances surrounded the death of a Mr. Gliden. He reports that business in general has taken a downturn, and writes of the potential profits should they all decide to sell the business and the land where it is located. In HM 4190, Sweester writes a fight between a gambler and a miner that resulted in the death of a bystander from a gunshot wound. Eight hours after the incident, the miner responsible for firing the fatal shot was put to death by public hanging; an example, Sweester reports, of the speed of California justice.

mssHM 4189-4190

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Minor King letter to Minor Meeker

Manuscripts

In this letter to his cousin, Minor King reminisces about the past, writing of family members and mutual acquaintances. He reports that he is currently 56 years old and has had eleven children by his wife of thirty-four years. He writes at length of his children, who are scattered throughout the United States. He presents his view of slavery, and of the current national government. He also writes of the fewd between newspaper editors James P. Casey and James King, which resulted in the murder of King by Casey in broad daylight in the streets of San Francisco, and the ensuing gathering of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance outside the jail where Casey and his fellow conspirator were being held. Casey and Cora were eventually brought out, subjected to trial, and executed, which caused such a stir that the military was called in to restore order. Judge David S. Terry arrived from Sacramento to provide legal assistance, but took advantage of his presence in the city to try and protect his notorious gambler of a brother, and Terry ended up committing murder himself, and, as Minor King writes, "he will be Banished from this State under the Penalty of Death if he has the audacity to return." Minor King also writes of other recent misdeeds in San Francisco, and apologizes to Meeker for his "so long account of our troubles."

mssHM 16532

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Joseph Cross letters

Manuscripts

Two autograph letters from Joseph Cross to his parents. The first letter, dated Dec. 7, 1806 (HM 62947), was written from Fort Michilimackinac. Cross describes an expedition in which he and a group of soldiers searched for and rescued nine soldiers who went missing while taking supplies to Fort Saint Joseph. Cross found the men on a "desart island," starving to death and contemplating "the horrid plan of killing and eating one of their number." He then proceeds to list the adventures that he had since his last letter home, including traveling "396 miles up Lake Michigan among the Indians," descending "the celebrated Falls of St. Mary in an Indian canoe," being shot at by two Indian "centinels" and "blown up in a gun room" after the stored ammunition caught on fire. He was injured in the last incident, but "owing to the skill and great attention of our Surgeon and good health and constitution" made full recovery, "without a scar."

mssHM 62947-62948

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J. Call letter to "Dear parents, brothers and sisters,"

Manuscripts

This letter was written by J. Call from San Francisco. In it, he describes his overland journey from the East coast to California. He details a cholera break out that killed many, a buffalo hunt, trading with Native Americans, and his arrival to California. He also describes life in California and the mines.

mssHM 83170

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J. I. Stickney letter to his family

Manuscripts

Stickney enthusiastically describes the city of San Francisco and the activities of its inhabitants. He considers California the greatest place he has ever been. With lithograph view of San Francisco on first page.

mssHM 4194

V. A. VanCosen letter to brother and friends

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James Henry Rogers letter to William Augustus Fritz

Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood

Minor King letter to Minor Meeker

Joseph Cross letters

J. Call letter to "Dear parents, brothers and sisters,"

J. I. Stickney letter to his family