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Gold Rush letters from Downieville, Cal., 1853

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Title: Two Autograph Letters Signed by Jonathan Bassett, from Downieville, California, to Harriet Bassett in Moscow, Maine
Author: Bassett, Jonathan
Description: Each letter 3 pages on 4-page lettersheet, with address and Downieville postmark on 4th page. 9¾x7½.Interesting letters from the mines, though Bassett's spelling can charitably be described as ingenious: "...Moses...is at Santa Clara & gon to farming john is at grass valey mining they was all well the last time i heard from them a short time ago i am to work 1 mile from Downarsville in company with 3 others the prospect looks faverable to make wages this somer & nothing more good digans ar giting scarse so meney flocking in that the ground is all cover chinees without number digan in every place where they can git 1 dollar per day it don't cost them so much to liv as it dos the gantes (?) it costs more then aney one thinks fore to live here from 1 dollar to 1.50 per day wheather you ar to work or not & that hant half of the expense tools clothing medason &c we can git every thing that we want to Downersville but we hav to pay fore it..."
Heading: (Gold Rush)Place Published: Downieville, Calif.
Publisher:
Date Published: March 21 & April 25, 1853