1862 AMADOR CAL LETTER - THE CARIBOO GOLD RUSH - CIVIL WAR PATRIOTIC MOTTOS
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:198234 |
4 pg. letter, approx. 6-3/8" x 8", dated at Amador, California, May 11, 1862, from J.P. Fenton, to his sister. Amador, in Amador Co., Calif., is a Gold rush town, founded in 1849, with a population today of less than 200.Written on Civil War patriotic stationery, with a red & blue illustration of the flag at top left, over which the writer has written "Forever", "E pluribus Unum", and "Ne plus ultra". The writer was obviously a very patriotic supporter of the Union, as shown o...n the back page, which he filled with patriotic mottos: "Uncle Sam and his millions of Nephews can conquer the World", "Death to Tyranny", "The Union!", and "Long May the American Flag Wave over the tombs of the Traitors. Short may the time be when the American Flag will wave over every Town in the Union". Good content related to the Cariboo Gold Rush - a Gold Rush to the Cariboo region in British Columbia, which started in 1861, when word got out of gold strikes there. He writes that he intends to start for Cariboo the next morning, "with the expectation of making a pile. He writes that the General, with whom he is associated, will stay in Amador until he hears from him as to whether "the diggings are what they are represented to be". He ends with humorous comments, such as asking them not to get mad and tear this letter up if they don't get it, and writes that "I would ask you if you are married, but I forgot to do so in this. I will try and remember the next time I write to you". The letter includes: "Dear Sister, I promised to write you a letter before I went to Cariboo tomorrow morning. I start for that country with the expectation of making a pile, although I may be disappointed, but off I go. Genl. is a going to stop here until he hears from me, and then, if the diggings are what they are represented to be, he will come next Summer. They say that it is so cold a man can't work more than three months in the year. I am going to send my picture to Mother & Father that was taken a year ago, to pay them for the ones that they sent me, only I did not get them. It will cost about $150.00 to go up Cariboo from here at the cheapest rate, but Mr. Fenton is all right on that layout. Mary E. Fenton, what is your opinion of rats, with your true sentiments expressed. As for my part, I think they are a long tailed, slick, low-lifed thieving undermining set of beings. I haven't much to say, only that Gen. and myself are enjoying good health at present and intend to keep doing so. Give my best respects to all the family and inquiring friends and to some of the girls likewise. I will write to you from Cariboo if I ever get there....Tell Marcia I forgot to send my respects to her this time, but will try and send them next time. If you do not get this letter, don't get mad and tear it to pieces on that account...From Your Brother, J.P. Fentonto his Sister Dear". Folds. Fine.COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.[DD #8]
