Quarto bifolium (ca. 25x19,5 cm or 9 ¾ x 7 ¾ in). 3 pp. Brown ink on bluish paper; maker’s blind-stamped monogram in the left upper corner of the first leaf; addressed and with a postal stamp on verso of the second leaf. Foldmarks, paper of the second leaf slightly age-toned, second leaf with a minor tear after opening not affecting the text, but overall a very good letter written in a legible hand.

Historically significant early original autograph letter signed by a Sacramento lawyer, providing an insight into the legal practice in the city in the 1850s. The author, William A. Thompson, was a partner in the firm of “Cross & Thompson, Attorneys and Councillors at Law” with “Office on K street, between 6th and 7th streets, opposite the Golden Eagle Hotel,” which published a series of ads in the “Daily California Statesman” newspaper in November-December 1854. Records from 1857 testify that Thompson died in March that year of consumption, having appointed his former partner, Samuel Cross, the executor of his estate, and was buried on the family plot of Mount View Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Thompson’s letter, written two years before his death, talks about his emerging practice (“just getting into that sort of business which will pay”) and life “in expectation of better times not far off.” He notes about his avoidance of “criminal practice” and preference of “much profitable litigation respecting land titles,” contemplates about the authorities’ decision regaring the Sutter Land Title (1841 Mexican Government’s Land Grant to John Augustus Sutter, revoked by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1858, but confirmed in 1864) and informs the addressee about the completion of “a splendid Court House at a cost of $200 000,00, is one of the best buildings in the state” (built in 1855, replaced in 1910). He also notes on a local “surpassingly beautiful” climate and his meeting with the addressee’s relative, a farmer from “Gun Valley, El Dorado County.” Overall an interesting, content-rich early Sacramento letter.

The recipient was “Honourable Judge R.C. Hurd” from Thompson’s hometown, Mt. Vernon (Ohio). Hon. R.C. Hurd (ca. 1816 - 1874) for a few years served in the local Common Pleas Court and was involved in several industrial enterprices in Ohio (Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and Columbus Railroad; Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railway and Ferrera Coal Company) (Judge R.C. Hurd// The Stark County Democrat. Canton, Ohio, 19 February 1874, p. 2).

Excerpts from the letter:
“I much beg you will excuse so long silence and apparent neglect on my part since leaving your office, and allow me to assure you it was not occasioned, by a wane of that due esteem and veneration, with which our relations during the space of three years spent under your instruction could not fail to inspire one, the only hapy [sic!] years of a thus far not too hapy [sic!] existence, whatever fortunes may awail me in the future, to you I must ever look back as my <…> best friend <…>

A short time since, while attending a trial in El Dorado County, I chanced to meet with Dr. J.W. Hurd, at first I did not recognize him. Until I heard the sound of his voice which so much resembles yours, that I could distinguish among a thousand, we had a long and interesting conversation, of which yourself and Mrs. Hurd & family were the engrossing topic. He is engaged in farming in company with an old acquaintance of his named C. Hix and resides near Coloma. Yesterday I saw the Dr. again in the city. He left me his address. “Gun Valley Post Office, El Dorado County” and stated he had not had any word from you for a long time, so I thought I would write and let you know where he is. Any letters you send to me, I will be very hapy [sic!] to forward directly to him by hand. He promised to call here every time he visited the city and he felt desirous of getting a letter from you & enquired particularly concerning all persons he was acquainted with in Mt. Vernon.

Times are pretty dull here at present and fast approaching the level of things in the Atlantic States, fortunes are not made here as rapidly as they used to be. With me business has been steadily on the increase since I started in the practice, and am now just getting into that sort of business which will pay, heretofore what I did was of the unprofitable [?]. I live in expectation of better times not far off. I consider my prospects now quite flatering [sic!]. I am in Court most of my time. My partner Mr. Cross, formerly of Missouri, attends entirely to the business in the office. <…> The criminal practice pays hardly any thing and in consequence I have not sought to do hardly anything in that line. The foundation is laid for much profitable litigation respecting land titles and the signal for a commencement of hostilities will be the confirmation or rejection of the Sutter title by the Boad [sic!] of Land Commission. The climate is fine here during the entire year, at this time the weather is surpassingly beautiful, it said to surpass the climate of Italy. It is possible I will make this city my permanent home although I could for the present time do much better in some of the mining towns. But once firmly established here, it will no doubt pay much better in the end, especially as the seat of Government is now permanently located at this place and this is also the place of setting of the Supreme Court.

We have just had completed a splendid Court House at a cost of $200 000,00, is one of the best buildings in the state, and is now occupied by the Legislature, which is yet in session…”