Octavo (ca. 24 x 19 cm or 9 ½ x 7 ½ in). Brown ink on creamy lined wove paper, with papermaker’s blindstamp in upper left corner. 2 pp. Docketed on verso. Fold marks, paper slightly age-toned, minor tearing on top edge along fold marks, otherwise a very good letter.

An interesting and lively letter sharing the latest news from San Francisco. The letter is written by one John G. Garrison to his “Friend Kennedy”. Garrison updates Kennedy on the arrival of one Mr. Hardy, who introduced him to many merchants in the city. He also writes on the conditions of San Francisco, as well as mentioning his stay at the International Hotel (likely San Francisco’s I-Hotel, originally built in 1854 as a luxury hotel, and rebuilt four times; currently used as senior housing) and his brief visit to Lone Mountain Cemetery (opened in 1854 and closed ca. 1940). He closes the letter by talking about goods he has ordered from J.H. Coghill & Co., a firm established in 1849 in San Francisco dealing in groceries and provisions. J. H. Coghill was a California pioneer, arriving with some of the first gold seekers in the region.

Notably, the letter contains a significant number of spelling errors.

Excerpts from the letter:
“Yours of the 5th Just being [sic] Received I am extreamly [sic] sorry to here [sic] that you have been so unfortunate as to Sprain your Ancle [sic]. Mr. Hardy arrived yesterday, as soon as I herd [sic] that the steamer had arrived I made hast [sic] to get down on the Walf [sic] to see him and see if he had a Lady with him but unfortunately he did not, he looks some what thiner [sic] then [sic] he did when he left here, he was some what [sic] surprise [sic] to find me here, in the city. shortly after we met he took me around and interdruce [sic] me to quite a number of merchants, been some what [sic] Bashfull [sic]. I did not like to go and interdruce [sic] my self [sic]. Their [sic] seems to be no change in the Markets to day [sic]. in regard to Groceries, merchants are waiting untill [sic] Traid [sic] opens and then look out as every Thing will go up. My Shoulder has improve considble [sic] since I last wrote you. San Francisco is a very windy Place it takes one man to hold a nothers [sic] Hat on his Head. I am having a fine time a riding, Mr. Coleman of the International Hotel has a very fine Horse and I have a free use of him Just when ever I like to ride him. I wrode [sic] him out to Lone Mountain Cemitary [sic] to day [sic] it is a Butifull [sic] Place for the Dead to rest, and Seep [sic] their last Seep [sic]. I behell [sic] the ocean to day [sic] for the first time for Eight Years. It looks quite natural, tell Mr. Huntly if he can make it [conveant?] by and come down. I think he would enjoy it very much. I am moved to take a Sail in a Boat to morrow [sic]. It will be quite a treat to me, You State in your letter that you are in want of some Crockery. If Mr. Hardy dose [sic] not come down and you are in want of those things, please to write—I ordered of J H Coghill for us of Cream Tartar, in Pound Papers. Thay [sic] have none in Bulk nore [sic] is their [sic] any in the city, I had to draw on J H Coghill & Co one Hundred dollars which you will please to Charge me with the amount you will no doubt will thing [sic] that I am extravegent [sic], but not so much as you may think. I have loned [sic] out fifty dollars to differant [sic] ones you may look for me Back about nex [sic] Friday.”