Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
2006.101.0001Scope and Content
Three page letter written from Benicia on July 29, 1853 by E.D. Clary to his daughter Miss Clementine Burrell.
Letter reads:
Benicia, Cal. July 29, 1853
Dear Clem,
Your letter of the 3 June was duly received and should have answered it before but waited in expectation of hearing from your mother per last mail but none came nor have I received any from her since date of May 3 -- nearly three months since!! Should I receive none by the mail due next week, you may tell her and all my friends (if I have any) not to write me again until they hear from me, as I am nearly worn down with constant writing at the desk and do not know what day I may pull up stakes and travel nor to what place, still would like to make a little money to help me off with.
I was fortunate enough to win the first match in the grand raffle week before last, valued at $350 a fine(?) gold hunting chronometer with ruby and diamonds jewels and diamonds stem.
This is the 2 won, and one given me, besides a fine gold chain weighing $35 all of which have cost me about $100 including expenses going down. I went down on Saturday evening and Sunday morning took a trip across the Bay to Contra Costa some ten miles from the city and while going from the landing the first person I met was George Hobart and my business being to look at the country he conductedout to Marshell Curtis Ranch and must say am delighted with the soil and country generally and am going over again next week (if I can get my papers off) for the purpose of purchasing a Ranch. Mr. Curtis pointed one out to me which he thought could be obtained for about $2000 --- which amount I can raise.
Having written home several times, requesting them to make some enquiries about farm, and write me, but no notice has been taken of my requests any more than the garden seeds for which there was ample time for them to reach me in order to plant them this season and where I expected to realize some 3 or $4000 shall get as many cents so much for promptness. Your mother mentions in her last that Frank had taken Dickinson's garden on shares --- profitable business when the whole would not sell in your market for more than $10. Besides the garden at home is capable of producing all the vegetables necessary for the family the whole year if properly managed at least I could do it. There are three alternatives for me those are either to buy a small farm here, go to the Sandwich Islands and settle, or go home if I can find such a place --- at my rate must quit my present occupation for it is using me up fast. I met Joseph Hill when down all well and believe doing well says Ed is homesick and thinks of going home this season -- now while writing my come in and informs me of a loss of about $350 -- wood burnt in consequence of the grass taking fire well never mind will make it up some way the next news I expect to hear of the loss of the vessel in which I have an interest one sixth only having sold 1/6 and shall sell the other so soon as she reaches Port and that we look for daily -- am not making much in my outside business at present not having to time to speculate any but as it is get from $75 to $100 per week besides my pay taking in interest money and my sixth of the vessel is clear gain and some money of her earnings passed to my credit and not paid the first red cant for her an old acquaintance hailed me when about to take the boat to come up and offered me $800 for my 6th which I think shall accept if I cannot get &1000 and pocket the slugs of which I have now being in the safe useless, twenty eight, could loan it at 3 percent per month which would bring me $42 per month but not knowing what hour I might leave concluded to let them remain. Should I make up my mind to return to the states shall either take a clipper ship or the Nicaragua route for as to crossing Panama again unless the rail road is complete is out of the question.
When your mother replies to my letter requiring a statement of affairs perhaps she may get a small slip of paper but not until then. Tell Henry I have not seen Herman Bancroft in several times that I visited the city although called repeatedly and that the ___ was a "slave" it being in two parts and only a few feet of the center fine meshy the sim lines old __ -- sold it immediately for less than cost.
I must close with my kind love to all
Your affectionate father,
E. D. Clary
Miss Clemetine Burrell
Cartisvill, Mass.Collection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection
