Charles A. Magnuson letter to Miss Kneebone

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  Letters regarding Charles L. Hallowell

  Manuscripts

  HM 80817: Letter written by Moses R. Stubbs from the 2nd Regiment California Volunteers Cavalry to Mr. Brittle on February 7th, 1863 from Camp Douglas, Utah. In this detailed letter, Stubbs describes the Battle at Bear River on the early morning of January 29th, 1863. "I will only say that ...the Indians were engaged early in the morning & lasted until noon there was 40 infantry & about 150 cavalry engaged of which 14 killed 6 mortally wounded 46 wounded which goes to show that it was the hardest fought Battle ever fought west of the Mississippi there being 276 warriors killed & some squas killed by accident." Stubbs also describes the events leading up to Hallowell's death, "...he was on his knees watching an Indian that was watching him both trying to get a shot at each other the Indian fired first & shot through Charles' over coat collar in an instant after Charles' carbine sent forth its deadly contents which took effect in the Indians forehead which seated his brains all around on the snow just at this instant there was an Indian jumped up off to the right of Charles & took a deliberate aim at him & shot him through & through..."

  mssHM 80817-80819

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  John Charles Frémont letter to "Mr. Wright,"

  Manuscripts

  In this letter to the otherwise unidentified "Mr. Wright" of Washington, Frémont writes thata French company called "the Belgian Miners" has arrived in San Francisco, and are under lease to him. He shall put them to work immediately "on a good vein" and writes that "their report to France will be of great importance." During his time in the South, Frémont reports that he "obtained a great deal of information relative to mines." He has found another rich vein, but is not sure of the ore it contains - he has sent a piece to England for identification - and has acquired a large amount of land that may be of considerable value. Frémont states that they have no commissioner, but hopes the President will "send out others without delay." He hopes Mr. Wright will act on his behalf in this and other matters.

  mssHM 21240

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  Charles S. (Charles Sanders) Peirce letter to Welch, Bigelow & Co

  Manuscripts

  This letter to the printers Welch, Bigelow & Co. reads as follows: "Gentlemen, I enclose herewith the proof of page 85. I still retain the proof of page 84 because you have not returned me the copy of (661) (662) and (663) which come on that page. Yours truly, C. S. Peirce." The letter was written in Washington, DC and on "U.S. Coast Survey Office" letterhead.

  mssHM 79889

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  Kate Sanborn letter to Samuel Clemens

  Manuscripts

  In this letter, Sanborn is telling Clemens to not send her "either of the books," for which she had asked. She states that "Doxey will get me...[one] and the other I shall not have time to read. I ought not to have suggested it - you are so busy. Sincerely, Kate Sanborn." The letter is dated "July 2."

  mssHM 79098

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  Charles Plummer letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  These manuscripts are a series of letters written by Charles Plummer to his family. The first four letters (HM 23343-23346) are addressed to his father, Farnham Plummer, with the final letter (HM 23347) written to his sister Elizabeth. The first letter, HM 23343 dated 1849, February 4 - July 7, also contains a table of daily observations taken by Charles during his trip to California from his home state of Massachusetts, via Cape Horn. The chart is divided by latitude and longitude, and includes barometer and thermometer readings for each date. Also included are incidental details such as landmarks sighted, other ships sighted, and Charles' health (eg. "A little unwell. Took medicine"). The letter is dated 1849, June 30 and July 4, and describes the latter part of Charles' voyage and arrival at San Francisco. He writes that the voyage by sea (as a while has been a pleasant and a lucky one." HM 23344, dated 1851, March 14, sees Charles in San Francisco, and in fine health, but concerned about how he might make some money. He describes local gold mines, each being different from the next, and says he will send home some of the "gold burning quartz" he has found. He writes of meeting Chinese and French immigrants, and asks about family back home in Massachusetts. In HM 23345 (1853, March 10), Charles wishes to hear news of home, in his father's hand in particular, for he has had none for a good while. He has made new friends, and has met a few people he knew from home. He closes his letter as follows: "I would like much to see my native town once more, and trust I may ere another frontier shall pass away." HM 23346, dated 1855, January 1, finds Charles asking once more for a letter from home. He wishes everyone a Happy New Year, and says that the day is marked in California much like it is in New York or Massachusetts, and most of the local stores are closed. He is astonished by how much liquor has been consumed in San Francisco for the occasion. Included in HM 23347 (dated 1856, August 4) is a print of the public execution of Hetherington and Brace, "The Murderers of Baldwin, Randall, West, and Marion, July 29th, 1856" outside Fort Vigilance, upon which Charles has made handwritten notes. In the letter, written to his sister Elizabeth, Charles describes being a witness at this execution, which he went to because "business was suspended all about town and I could accomplish nothing." He writes of the fruit industry in San Francisco, and how it differs in operation compared to back home.

  mssHM 23343-23347

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  James S. McMurphy letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  This is a series of six letters written by James S. McMurphy to his family documenting his journey from New England via Panama to California to seek his fortune as part of the Gold Rush of 1849-1850. The first letter in the series (HM 52732, dated before 1849, April 8) is the last page only, and written from Panama. McMurphy writes that he has been in Panama for a good time, and is thinking of working on a railroad while hoping for passage to California. He is discouraged by the dishonesty, and wishes he had chosen to travel around Cape Horn. HM 52733 is written between April 8-25, 1849, and is addressed "To the household of Robt. McMurphy." There is a marginal note which reads "Father in this letter you will find five watermelon seeds I want you to plant." James McMurphy is still in Panama. Many of his company are sick, but he has not yet fallen ill himself. He describes a native religious ceremony in which an elaborately decorated statue of the Virgin Mary was paraded through a village. This may have been in observation of Easter. He has found passage on a ship bound for San Francisco, and writes that his next letter will come from California, so if anyone plans to send him a letter, it should be addressed there. He estimates there are currently three thousand Americans in Panama, but that number will soon drop by half as they board ships for California. James' next letter, dated 1849, December 9 (HM 52734), is written from California, and addressed to "Capt. Robert McMurphy." He has purchased provisions, including potatoes to ward off scurvy. The weather has been very rainy. HM 52735, written 1850, March 15, is also incomplete, as it contains only the final page of the letter. He has been searching for gold, and discusses his supplies. HM 52736 (1850, April 3), finds James still working in California, retaining good health despite the poor weather, which has caused an interruption in his work. He considers scurvy to be the most dangerous disease in his environment, but unlike others, he has kept himself mostly free by eating potatoes daily. The warm weather has caused snow to melt, and the rise in water levels has impacted the progress of their drilling and blasting. He has heard that the government is planning a new route in Panama to help make the journey to California easier. He writes that there all types of miners from all over the country, and that many find gold, but "where you show me one man who saves his gold I will show you ten that squanders away his time and money at the Rum Shop & the Gambling Table." He has not, he writes, succumbed to such temptations. The last letter is this series is HM 52737, and dated 1850, May 11; one year to the day since James left Panama. The water level of the Sacramento River is still high from the melting snow. He is tiring of the disposition of the region, and looks forward to leaving. He writes of California becoming part of the United States, and of various details regarding other miners.

  mssHM 52732-52737