2575

William Ralston, Bank of California Letters (3): Brereton Letter, Investors in London All Lined Up

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Mining Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
William Ralston, Bank of California Letters (3): Brereton Letter, Investors in London All Lined Up
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Things are looking very good in England for Ralston and the Bank of California. He addresses the letter, "My dear Ralston," and proceeds, "I sent you a Cablegram stating the result of my conference with friends here. I can get you all the capital you may require to almost any amount, provided you and your associates will let my friends participate with you on a fair and equal principle. All they want is to know they will not be swindled. I am satisfied if you and your friends will give John Bull a fair show you may obtain all the money you require for bona fide investments at a very reasonable rate."



This is very interesting. In May of 1875 Ralston's Bank of California was in deep troubles. They had a decade run where every investment they made turned to gold, er Comstock silver. But in the few years leading up to 1875 several things had turned sour; the Panic of 1873 in the Eastern United States, the drop in stock prices for the major Comstock mines, the San Francisco Mint wasn't coining gold or silver, the over extension of funds in the Bank of California for big water projects, etc. This had left the bank in a precarious situation. Sharon and the Bank of California needed outside investments to shore up its financial situation.



Little did anyone know that in 1875 the discovery of the Big Bonanza on the Comstock would follow the huge Gold Hill discovery. From 1875-1877 the Comstock produced in excess of $100 million. The Bank’s gambles on investments in the prior years, however, caused it great difficulty in the face of yet unknown riches.



And there are three more pages of information including a note to Brown, undoubtedly the Bank of California's cashier. Written from London and on lettersheet with blindstamp of the Oriental Club. For more on Brereton and the Oriental Club see letter 2. State: California City: San Francisco HWAC#: 48810 Date: 1875