"We have seen the elephant and are satisfied with him," wrote a gold miner, V.H. Porter, to his uncle, James C. Howard, in this Gold Miner's letter
being offered on eBay. According to the seller, the letter is dated September 8, 1850, and was sent from Sacramento, Calif., stampless cover. There are three pages, including integral address leaf.
The seller's description continues, …writes from about 70 miles from Sacramento City. Discusses crossing the plains and arriving at "Hang-Town, or Placer-Ville..." Talks about the difficulties of crossing the plains, long distances, having to swim the Humboldt River to get feed for their teams, "a great many drowned in the act", etc. Mentions Beare River and the American River. They have been somewhat successful in digging for gold and lists amounts found. However, "The prospect is not as good in California as the most of folks have expected."
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