Manuscripts
Charles Louis Hopkinson letter to Jane K. Hopkinson
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James Henry Rogers letter to William Augustus Fritz
Manuscripts
In this letter addressed "Dear Brother," Rogers informs Fritz of the murder of newspaper editor James King by rival editor James P. Casey in San Francisco, and the ensuing excitement in the city regarding the capture of Casey and fellow conspirator Charles Cora, with the eventual involvement of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance. The two-page letter is written on pages three and four of a four-page pamphlet, with the first page containing a printed account of the incident, entitled "The Revolution of the People: Surrender of James P. Casey & Charles Cora To the Vigilance Committe, on Sunday, May 18th, 1856," beneath an engraving signed by Charles P. Huestis.
mssHM 19468
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Minor King letter to Minor Meeker
Manuscripts
In this letter to his cousin, Minor King reminisces about the past, writing of family members and mutual acquaintances. He reports that he is currently 56 years old and has had eleven children by his wife of thirty-four years. He writes at length of his children, who are scattered throughout the United States. He presents his view of slavery, and of the current national government. He also writes of the fewd between newspaper editors James P. Casey and James King, which resulted in the murder of King by Casey in broad daylight in the streets of San Francisco, and the ensuing gathering of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance outside the jail where Casey and his fellow conspirator were being held. Casey and Cora were eventually brought out, subjected to trial, and executed, which caused such a stir that the military was called in to restore order. Judge David S. Terry arrived from Sacramento to provide legal assistance, but took advantage of his presence in the city to try and protect his notorious gambler of a brother, and Terry ended up committing murder himself, and, as Minor King writes, "he will be Banished from this State under the Penalty of Death if he has the audacity to return." Minor King also writes of other recent misdeeds in San Francisco, and apologizes to Meeker for his "so long account of our troubles."
mssHM 16532
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John Hopkinson Collection of letters and documents relating to his will and settlement of his estate
Manuscripts
This collection contains letters and documents primarily relating to John Hopkinson's will and settlement of his estate. A small number of items are correspondence sent and received by Hopkinson in the months of 1898 before his death on August 27.
mssHM 83439
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Robert Louis Stevenson letter to Francis Marion Crawford
Manuscripts
An autograph, signed, and undated letter written from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; contextual details identify the addressee as F. Marion Crawford and date the letter either 1891, February or 1893, March. The letter is addressed to "Dear Sir" and Robert Louis Stevenson admits he did not think very highly of Crawford's work when he first read it; he has now revised that opinion and praises Crawford's writing and career making this a "fan" letter from one celebrated author to another. On the verso of the letter is an extended signed postscript concerning music.
mssHM 83785
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Joseph S. Paxson diary
Manuscripts
This daily diary documents Paxson's struggle with business and gold mining. He discusses in detail his financial problems, his loneliness in the city, and his unhappiness with his living situation. Paxson also notes all the ships arriving in San Francisco and the actions of the vigilance committees. At the end of the diary is an 11-page essay about the murder of James King and the hanging of James P. Casey and Charles Cora in May. Accompanying the diary is an incomplete transcript only covering January 1 to July 14.
mssHM 68388
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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