Octavo ca. 24,8x19,4 cm (7 ¾ x 9 ¾ in). 2 pp. Brown ink on bluish wove paper. Fold marks, slightly age-toned, several ink splotches, but overall a very good letter written in a legible hand.

Historically important original autograph manuscript letter illustrating living conditions in Sacramento during the first years of Gold Rush.

In the letter to “Dear Mother,” the author compares the current mining situation in Sacramento to previous years and talks about reduced paychecks, rising emigration, and a healthy climate in the mines. Despite skyrocketing prices for American stock & provisions (butter, flour, pork, fresh eggs), he describes the region as full of opportunity, where “money is very plenty and easily obtained.” The author also mentions friends heading to the Yuba River for mining expeditions and discusses his “dreary” overland journey to Sacramento. In the rest of the letter, he writes about the prosperous state of the Methodist Church, his recent profitable sale of a horse, and other Sacramento pioneers, including “Ed Smith,” “Grant & Julius Hubbard,” “Levi Jenks,” and “Mr. Seymour Dodge.”

Overall, historically interesting private letter from the early years of California Gold Rush.

Excerpts from the letter:

God in his providence has permitted me again to reach this city in health and safety. We did not get here until the eleventh inst. It was a long dreary journey but nothing so hard as in 50. We had plenty of provisions and therefore took our own time for it. My health is good. Van + Louisa are at work here in a public house so is Middleson + wife since I came through have been travelling through the farming country. This is a great country and no mistake money is very plenty and easily obtained. I wish you had come through as we talked of. Van + wife like well. They were not fortunate with their team but they will soon outgrow it if they have their health. This country is very healthy more so below in the big valleys there in the mines. The emigration is coming in fast but the crowd has not yet come in. American stock sells high. I sold Lucy the Barnes horse with the little strail wagon for $24. Well mother how are you getting along I have thought of you a great many times of course but I heard nothing since I left until last evening when I recd a letter from – she informed me of the arrangement made with your house. I think you done well. Delos has gone to the Yuba river on a mining expedition he went with Ed Smith, Grant + Julius Hubbard of Oswego. They wished me to go with them but I was not ready - - - go yet. Delos was sick at Green River and was some unwell here after getting through. I was not in the city when he left. Van said he was well. Mining is not paying as well as in 50, but many are doing very well now. Provisions here are high. Flour $12 per 100#, pork $30-40. Labor is $75 a month. Fresh butter in San Francisco is $1.20 per #, fresh eggs $3 per dozen. If you had your cows & hens here you could make money easy. Cows will live all the year without hay… bot 40 cows at Hangtown this week for $40 apiece. He was offered 75 when he got here with them…. Van got no letter and Louisa was disappointed. Their baby was very healthy on the road and grew very fast. She has so changed you would not know her. The journey was hard for Louisa but… they are not sorry they came and like the county very well.  I saw here a few days ago a brother of Levi Jenks. He says the Methodist Church is in a prosperous condition.