Title:

Letters to H.A. Avery: San Francisco, Calif. : ALS, 1852 Oct. 13 & 28

Creator/Contributor:

Orrin, Edmund, 19th cent, creator

Creator/Contributor:

Avery, H. A.

Letters from Orrin (or Orvin?) to H.A. Avery in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio report on life in San Francisco, mutual friends, and business affairs. Although the letters do not focus on mining, mention is made of a Mr. Moulton whose machine was attracting notice from the gold miners. Oysters brought from Oregon and "planted" in the bay at great expense are discussed, as is their mysterious, complete destruction. He lists their abundant fresh produce, also telling of salmon so plentiful and fresh that he regrets that he has eaten too much and grown sick of it. He reports on business affairs, mentioning the quantities of food supplies that have been received (for example, 50,000 pounds of butter, 700 dozen oysters, etc.) and the profits expected. He also states that he is earning 3 percent interest by loaning his money out. Other topics are widespread unemployment, the cost of board and washing, and the number of formerly respectable men who have become scoundrels in California. His criticism extends also to the women who he claims are even worse than the men. He ends by praising the number of public institutions which have been established in San Francisco, and predicting a successful future for the wealthy state of California.

Date:

1852 (issued)

Subject:

n-us-ca

Gold mines and mining -- California

Food supply -- California -- San Francisco

Oyster culture -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area

Oysters -- California

San Francisco (Calif.) -- Social life and customs

California -- Social life and customs -- 19th century

Includes 2 covers addressed to H.A. Avery, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, postmarked "San Francisco, Cal., 1 Sep" and "...16 Oct". Also includes an undated note to Dike(?) from H. Cook(?) which makes mention of Avery.

print

2 letters (8 pgs.)

English

BANC MSS 89/97 c

BANC MSS 89/97 c

Origin:

California