Beschreibung:

One page letter on p.3 of 4-page letter sheet, with the price current (dated December 31, 1851) being on the first page. 26.6x21.3 cm (10½x8¼"). A very rare combination, an informative listing of prices of goods currently available in San Francisco, apparently at the emporium of Sweetser & Hutchings, on a letter sheet containing a quite interesting letter from Sweetser to his brother back east. The goods priced range from breadstuffs and building materials to liquors and drugs, with Gold Dust, Mexican Dollars, and Small Gold Coin. In his letter, Sweetser writes that "Business has been very dull here, but there is every prospect of a fine business soon. The miners are getting more gold this season than ever. Emmigrants are coming here in large numbers - the steamer "Golden Gate" arrived this morning from Panama with 850 passengers, and reports 1000 more there waiting passange up. This is destined to be a great country, and I have no desire to return so long as my living is dependent upon active business, but if I should ever be so successful as to get a 'pile'... I shall return to the Eastern States..."