Octavo (ca. 23.5x19 cm or 9 ¼ x 7 ½ in). Brown ink on creamy wove paper (bifolium). 2 pp. Fold marks and minor creases, paper slightly age-toned and soiled, a couple of small tears on folds, otherwise a very good letter.

A fascinating letter providing insight on conditions in Sacramento during the California Gold Rush. Written by Sacramento local H. O. Henry to his friend John up north who is presumably participating in the Gold Rush. Henry wishes his friend well and discusses selling lots he owns as well as a lawsuit threat from a man named Fay. He talks about the current conditions of the city, such as the water levels of the river, after the flooding in January. He mentions K Street, the re-election of former Sacramento Mayor James Richmond Hardenburg (1850-1851, 1853), and the loss of the steamers Independence, S.S. Lewis, and Tennessee. Overall, an interesting first-hand account of Sacramento during the California Gold Rush.

Excerpts from the letter (spelling original):

“I was glad to hear from you a few days through our friend George. I certainly hope you may succeed in your mining operations this season. I have had some of the dam’dest luck since you left here out of jail. Still I hope to live through it. If it should be that you should want the money you left with me, before you come down to the city I want you to give me as much notice of it as possible. Lardner and myself have partly bargained to sell two of the lots, the two upper ones—still we may not sell them. Fay has been up from San Francisco in regard to the one he claimed. He threatened to sue but don’t try it yet. I have but little fear of him. The water has been nearly as high as when you were here. The St’s are yet awful and businesses dull as be damned. I am at present stopping in a store on K St. Kent is not coming out here this summer. He wants Cahoon to settle up all his for him. He writes Cahoon that he has made more money since he went home than he made in California.

Please let us hear from you as often as possible. George I believe has got your letters and I presume will send them up to you. No particular news. Hardenburgh is again mayor. Steamers Independence, S.S. Lewis & Tennessee are all totally lost. This I presume you learned before this. Do you get papers often up there? Give my respects to the Bays and Mr. Banister.”