PBA Galleries

Two autograph letters, signed. Each 4 pages. 25x20 cm (9¾x8").

The author writes his niece, the first letter describing his voyage to Cuba and his impressions of Havanna. The second letter, from Stockton, California, describes his passage across Panama where he was struck with "the dreaded Isthmus Fever", rough passage to San Diego where the ship was "condemned as unseaworthy" and where he was employed in the construction of a grist mill, his eventual arrival in San Francisco "A person on arriving at San Francisco is struck with wonder at the improvements made in 2 years and every comfort can be found here for families that are found in the whole world - and the Hotels and Gambling rooms are vast, rich , and I think no Atlantic city can show more architectural taste and display.", employment constructing "quartz rock machinery" in Mariposa "the most romantic region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains". He promises further description of mining life in future letters. Scarce gold rush era correspondence.