Quarto bifolium (ca. 25x19,5 cm or 9 ¾ x 7 ¾ in). 3 pp. Brown ink on bluish laid paper; maker’s blind-stamped monogram in the left upper corner of the first leaf. Foldmarks and minor creases, but otherwise a very good letter written in a legible hand.

An interesting content-rich early San Francisco letter, written by a young resident of New Orleands to his parents, shortly upon his arrival to to the city “on the mail steamer Sonota, which left the Isthmus Dec. 1st and made the passage up from Panama in her usual time without any accident, the health of the passengers being excellent, and but one death in fact occuring on the entire trip from New York.” In the text, the compiler mentions the move to San Francisco of the family of the former Governor of Mississippi, Henry S. Foote (1804-1880, in office: 1852-1854, lived in California in ca. 1855-1859 before returning to Mississippi) and his visit to “Dr. Scott’s Church” – Calvary Presbyterian Church at the corner of Fillmore and Jackson Streets (founded in July 1854). Its first pastor was Dr. William Anderson Scott (1813-1885) who had previously served in the First Presbyterian Church of New Orleans. Overall an interesting original letter adding to the history of immigration from the southern states to San Francisco in the 1850s.

Excerpts from the letter: “We had about 800 passengers in all inclusive of our New Orleans folks who joined us at the Isthmus. Among the number of the latter were several members of the Gov. Foote’s family. I had the good fortune to make their acquaintance & spent many agreeable hours in the society of the ladies, especially with Miss Arabella. Moonlight promenades under the circumstances were verry [sic!] agreeable. My kind friends here in San Francisco I have no doubt will enlarge much upon the fact of my having been a sort of charge de affairs in the disembarking of the aforesaid family. There is no foundation for any story whatever.

And here I must tell something which will most agreeably astonish you. Miss [M. Cross?] that was is so no more having become vastly indignated at that last letter of mine and revenged herself by marrying (with the most immediate despatch) an old friend of mine, [Mr. le Wilson Hill?] Esq. She was married about 8 days ago. Thus you see I am again free and fortune has not yet entirely deserted me. After a rather melodramatic & rather unpleasantly practical experience I have arrived at the conclusion that the most absurd episodes in my life have been the consequence of a lamentable misunderstanding of female character. The subject is too deep for me & I fear I shall have no time now for any further duty of it.

My friends in San Francisco are all in fine health and send their love. I have had a flattering welcome from my Nevada acquaintances whom I met here. Have heard nothing definite from my business matters. Shall be able to write in refference [sic!] to them by next mail. The rainy season is setting in and business is looking up considerably. Mr. Anderson is pastor of the 1st Church in the city & has a salary of $300 pr. month. Was at Dr. Scott’s Church yesterday where I saw the largest & finest looking audience I ever saw in any Presbyterian Church in America. I think there were certainly as many as 1000 or 1100 persons. <…>”