Manuscripts

John C. Gowan letter to William Barton

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Description: An autograph letter written and signed by John C. Gowan from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico to William Barton in Providence, Rhode Island in early 1888. The letter contains important observations on the development of southern California and northern Mexico. Gowan writes of the temperate climate and how it helped with his chronic medical condition; he also goes on at length about the business opportunities in southern California, particularly Pasadena. He relays news of the church he and his congregation built in Baja California, and that it is slowly growing; Gowan also provides details about the fertile land and the crops which were grown in the area. He describes the United States business development by the International Company of Mexico and the plans to build railroads, roads, and telegraph lines. The letter has a small hole burned into the second page but overall it is in good condition.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1888 March 4.
Call number

S. P. Rickard letter to "Dear Sister"

Manuscripts

Letter from S. P. Rickard to his sister in which he describes the scenery, climate, and expenses in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

mssHM 72271

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John A. Scott letter to Wilson Scott

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother, John A. Scott writes of his journey to California. He reports the roads through Wyoming are in poor condition, and rainy weather made crossing rivers dangerous and difficult. At Fort Laramie, he saw many teams planning their routes West. Sicknesses such as cholera are rampant, and he has seen many graves along the roads. Includes fragment of envelope.

mssHM 15244

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John C. Palmer diary

Manuscripts

Palmer's diary gives detailed descriptions of the towns in Mexico in which his regiment passed and in which they camped, such as Monclova and Saltillo, Mexico, as well as the people he encountered along the way including some friends he knew before the war. Palmer often complains about marching, the camp conditions, the treatment of the volunteers by the regulars, and his commanding officers. He specifically mentions Captain Albert Pike, Major Solon Borland, Major General Zachary Taylor, Brigadier General John Wool, Colonel Archibald Yell, and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Palmer gives a detailed description of his experience in the Battle of Buena Vista and of the battlefield the morning after the battle

mssHM 63638

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John Heath letters to William Heath Davis

Manuscripts

Two letters written to William Heath Davis, Jr., to New York publishing agent John Heath regarding Davis's work Sixty years in California (1889). In the first letter, dated July 6, 1889 (HM 77911), Heath replies to Davis's stated intention to visit New York and have his work "in the market" there. Heath advises Davis to talk to him before making any publishing agreements, and offers to put Davis in touch with references verifying Heath's character and credentials. The second letter, dated August 8, 1889 (HM 77912), contains Heath's reply to Davis's inquiry for ways to improve his book, which he plans to "revise & enlarge." Although Heath had not yet seen a copy of the work, he advised Davis to make it as "attractive and interesting as possible." He speculates that the greatest interest in California existed among residents of the "eastern and middle states," since he believed that emigrants from Eastern states made up most of California's population. He suggests that these readers would be more "inclined and willing to believe" Davis's statements on current conditions in California since he was not a "land grabber, nor an Emigrant Solicitor." Heath concludes by suggesting that might be able to meet with Davis should the latter visit New York. Also included with the letter are two envelopes that appear to have come from other letters.

mssHM 77911-77912

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Walter William Palmer letter to Charles Gerard Havens

Manuscripts

An autograph letter from W.W. Palmer to C. G. Havens, which describes Palmer's journey on horseback from Matamoros to Vallecillo, Nueva Leon, Mexico. He traveled to the Jesus Maria Mine, a silver mining property located in an isolated part of Mexico; Palmer describes the countryside through which he passed and commented on fears that travelers and settlers had of "Robbers," Indians, and "a thirsty wilderness." The letter bears no Mexican postal markings indicating it was privately carried to Brownsville, Texas, where it received a circular Brownsville postmark.

mssHM 84110

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George C. (George Congdon) Gorham letter to William Worth Belknap

Manuscripts

Letter sent by George C. Gorham to William Worth Belknap from San Francisco. Gorham writes of a "personal and...very small but very important matter." He writes that "a hundred votes ones way or another" may decide a 3rd District Congressional race between "an ardent Grant Republican and an original secessionist." He asks Belknap to telegraph the "Engineer officer in charge here" and ask him to appoint John Gannon as foreman of laborers on the Lime Point fortification in the San Francisco harbor. Gorham adds that Gannon only wants the position for a short time, and "does not want to retain it after the election." Gorham implores Belknap that such a telegraph would "ensure a Congressman."

mssHM 29235

John C. Gowan letter to William Barton

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S. P. Rickard letter to "Dear Sister"

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John C. Palmer diary

John Heath letters to William Heath Davis

Walter William Palmer letter to Charles Gerard Havens

George C. (George Congdon) Gorham letter to William Worth Belknap