1849 CA Gold Rush Letter Detailing Hardships & Possible Murder!

An autograph letter signed by the father of California Gold rusher, dated 1849. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Northboro', dated June 6, 1849. Signed "Joel Bartlett" and addressed to Mr. Houghton. Bartlett informs Houghton of his son's many hardships that the group has endured during their exploits in Monterey, Mexico, including a possible murder, before setting off from Mazatlan (on the coast of Mexico) for San Fransisco. Bartlett concludes the letter with the hope that Houghton has heard from his own son, who likely was in the same company as Bartlett's son. The letter is a fantastic insight into the experiences of those who traveled to California to seek their fortunes. With flattened mail folds. Dampstaining throughout has caused some ink bleed in places. Light toning throughout. Very good overall.

In part:
"…I think they have been highly favoured to get so far in good health. If they have seen hard times, which he says is no stranger to them since they left Monterey, their journey has been rough & dangerous. The Co. divided at Monterey again 3 men from N. York and a guide formed one party which left 5 in the other. They have been their own guide % interpreter through the journey with the exception of one day in the Mountains & left the first night taking a horse and blanket. They lost one horse which lost his footing & fell 400 feet upon the rocks…N York men told them that the guide & a Dr. Wilkes went our hunting. The guide returned at dark alone & said the Dr. started 1/2 an hour first & must be lost. They waited until morning the guide took a horse, gun & pistol & went to find him & never returned. They expect he murdered & rob'd him. They afterwards heard of the Mexican at Monterey with plenty of Gold…"

News of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, California, in January 1848, brought approximately 300,000 people to California over the next seven years. The New York Herald was the first to report the discovery of gold on the East Coast of the United States in August 1848, but several months passed before more reliable reports appeared, beginning the peak of the Gold Rush in 1849. There was no easy way to get to California from the East Coast, but hundreds of thousands of people made the voyage in search of riches. Frequently groups of prospectors would travel in large companies to offset the expenses of the voyage but also to provide mutual protection.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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