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San Francisco, 1857 Handwritten Letter Regarding Business Opportunities

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:120.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
San Francisco, 1857 Handwritten Letter Regarding Business Opportunities
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San Francisco, California, 1857. Handwritten, several page letter from William B. Freeman (may be a similar last name), to a potential business partner. Possibly related to Wells, Fargo & Co. Dark brown cursive text on off-blue paper, Embossed "Bath" seal at top left corner. The beginning of the letter discusses a "Sherwood matter" in which the Sherwood in question left his wife and son in San Francisco, and was expected to be absent for 60 or 70 days. Interestingly, Freeman states that Sherwood won "something handsome on Gwinn's election," and goes on to say that Sherwood has "evidently has not acted well in this matter." The rest of the letter discusses how Freeman's business has been prospering, as he has been able to purchase various goods at low rates and on "easy terms." He wants to leverage the contacts of the potential partner he is writing to in order to expand the business. Fascinating first-hand account of a business during the Gold Rush Era in San Francisco. The Gwin mentioned is likely William M. Gwin (October 9, 1805 - September 3, 1885), an American medical doctor and politician who served in elected office in Mississippi and California. In California he shared the distinction, along with John C. Fremont, of being the state's first US senators. Before, during, and after the Civil War, Gwin was well known in California, Washington, DC, and the Southern United States as a determined Confederate sympathizer. VF condition with very little signs of wear, aside from slight toning along fold lines.