Lot
168 
San Francisco, Cal. (San Francisco). Cds (Williams SAF-350) on 1851 folded letter to New York with matching "10" rate handstamp, miner's letter to his sister, "I am, as I wrote Father, now living among the Indians and it is more probable that will be my residence for the next three years…, I am nearly east from Sacramento City about forty miles, where whenever you think of me, you may imagine me surrounded by at least twenty wild savages, all assembled from different rancherias or camps for the purpose making their purchases or to make some request of there 'Minnim Nishiman hook', or grand Indian Captain, as they have learned to call me or for some other equally interesting purpose." plus a lengthy description of the San Francisco fire in 1851 and vivid description of the Vigilance Committee and the hangings performed by them, "There has been a day here almost equal to that of the great fire - crime has been progressing to such an extent and went unpunished so long that the people have at last formed themselves into what they term a Vigilance Committee for the purpose of stopping the progress of crime. They today made a descent upon the Jail and took from it two prisoners and in twenty minutes they were suspended [between] heaven and earth before the gaze of the thousands of the excited multitude. A full account of it you will find in the papers as well as an official hanging at Sacramento of three robbers.", cover tear at top sealed with scotch tape creating stain, Very Fine, a great historical letter. Estimate $500 - 750.
The letter refers to the infamous actions taken by the Committee of Vigilance on Aug. 24th, 1851 (the date of this letter), who broke into the San Francisco jailhouse and kidnapped prisoners, S. Whittaker and R. McKenzie, and hanged from the second story of the Committee's rooms. Sam Brannan, the leader of the Committee, addressed the crowd who had gathered after the hangings, stating that the committee could not act otherwise.
Realized: $1,300