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Painted Post Bar 49er Letter

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Stock & Bond - Mining Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Painted Post Bar 49er Letter
SOLD
250.00USD+ (57.50) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2015 Dec 13 @ 12:50UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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Someone named William is going to San Francisco, so he is writing this letter. (That means it travelled to the East Coast via clipper ship). Smith has been in the mines for 11 weeks' He has averaged $23 a day [mining] after expenses. So has each man he is working with' 2/3 of the money was earned in the last four weeks when they made a dam in the river which threw the water from one side of a rift in the river. Has proved quite rich, so much so that they averaged about $45 per man the last four weeks. "Hope to make a little more, but it is rather a lottery". Hundreds are discouraged and are turning their steps homeward. Others have not the means to get home. Many are determined to stay as long as they can make money. Some are getting rich fast, "but I think very few have done better than we have the last four weeks". "Burt and myself with a rocker earned $279.80 last Friday and $240 last Saturday." Last week we made $1,100..Although gold is plenty it is scattered all over the country and requires labor to process it and the hardest kind of labor "to such as a strong constitution only can endure". He knows to active, energetic, intelligent men who arrived at the same time as he did who make no more than $4 a day after expenses. The labor is very hard, "Such as Paddy's work on the canal." Certain regulations have been adopted by the miners in the area respecting their rights and claims. These are "Scrupulously regarded." "I am writing on a valise by a opium candle." "Provision is plenty here and at rates which appear reasonable to miners - but would by high to you. He gives many examples like 100 pounds of flour $30, beans 30c a pound, vinegar $3 per gallon, etc. Mansell has a touch of scurvy which he probably caught in their long voyage from Panama. They are heading to Sacramento tomorrow where they can get more vegetables. They will also purchase tickets for December on a steamer to head home. On the North Fork of the Sacramento River or the American Branch. Great content, no tears, easy to read. City: Painted Post Bar State: California Date: September 17, 1849 hwac# 33391