Quarto bifolium (ca. 25x20 cm or 9 ¾ x 7 ¾ in). 2 pp. Brown ink on creamy wove 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, second leaf slightly soiled and with a minor hole after opening not affecting the text; overall a very good letter written in a legible hand.

An interesting early northern California letter, written to “Mr. Charles de Lorimier,” a resident of “Linda, Yuba County,” by his friend, who took a sea voyage back to the East Coast in the spring of 1853. The author talks about the conditions of his voyage to New York via Panama (by an overland trail as the Panama Railroad would be completed in 1855) and thence to “DeBuque” (likely, Dubuque, Iowa). He then mentions the house in their mutual property in Linda, which de Lorimier can claim as his own, and several local residents – “Joe Carrick,” “Becker” and the “Muggins.” Overall a nice early original piece of correspondence between Yuba County pioneers.

The text of the letter: “Friend Charley, we left on Wednesday 16th at 8 o’clock, left the Golden Gate at 10, with a moderate breeze, but just enough to make all hands ‘squeamish’ – the Col. Dave and Wm. could not help feeding the fish. Arrived at San Diego on Friday morning, all hands getting their sea legs aboard. We have a very comfortable lot of traveling companions, some very pleasant ladies and a right jovial crowd. We average about 290 miles per day – and expect to be in Panama in 13 days from starting. Good sherry from our old friend Joe Carrick. The order of the day, we have whist, all-fours, yuka &c., promonading [sic!] the ladies, telling yarns, the time flies apace.

Hoping you are all in good health and comfortable at Linda. Do not forget to attend to Becker’s case and make all hands toe the line. I forgot to say that if you agree to take the house at once you will not require any transfer from me as you can say it is your property being in possession. We will be at DeBuque about the 1st of May. I shall write from New York upon our arrival. Tell Catherine we did enjoy that cake and wash it down with sherry. I keep sonny under control, he puts on extras sometimes. <…>

P.S. My kind remembrances to all enquiring friends, and may you get along with the Muggins’s in their own fashion…

Arrived at Acapulco @ 4 this morning, Wednesday, just going ashore to cruise, all well.”