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CA - Murphys,Calaveras County - 1853 - Choice Lincoln-Negro Content and Bills of Exchange Discussion

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
CA - Murphys,Calaveras County - 1853 - Choice Lincoln-Negro Content and Bills of Exchange Discussion
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Two important letters that describes how bills of exchange work. One of the letters also has exceptional politcal and racial content regarding negroes and Lincoln. A.) Datelined Murphy's Camp, Cal Co, Cal. Sept 19/(18)53, 4 long detailed pages. Includes cover with double ring "Murphy's CAL., April 27" cancel, stamp cut from left corner. Another wonderfully descriptive letter. B.) 11/19/60, datelined Murphy's. Cutting tells his brother that he wants to send a bill of exchange for $100 seeming to not trust regular mail. "I have this day procured a bill of exchange for one hundred dollars from Wells Fargo & Company, San Francisco on Wells Fargo of New York, payable at sight to your order at the Bank of Commerce in Boston, which I shall forward through to you by WF&C Express, preferring this course to sending it by mail.

He later complains that his brother is paying too much in postage when sending him newspapers from the east.

"Thank you for (sending) two "True Flags" (a Boston newspaper 1851-1890). Why do you pay double postage when single is sufficient? The postage law on newspapers says, for each newspaper or other printed matter not exceeding 3 oz. in weight shall be sent for one cent. Your Flag package did not weigh quite 2.75 ounces-I weighed it."

he goes on to say that 2 copies of the Flag weigh less than one copy of the New York Herald, New Orleans Delta or New Orleans Picayune.

This is a letter with several subjects mentioned by Cutting to his brother, including his concern that his father is living alone, "By the way, Father writes me he is living alone-this is wrong and ought not be. His advanced age renders himliable to sudden attacks of indisposition more especially during cold weather."

He illustrates further, "Cough! How do you spell that word when you mean to convey an expression of shivering cold by articulation-but I'm flying off the handle, let me go back. Who sees to father's wardrobe now?"

This letter, colorfully written, shows Cutting's fastidious nature, as well as his love for his father and like all of the letters, is a great read.

It is clear that Cutting has very staunch opinions on politics starting with a letter dated Dec. 1860 where he discusses in one of the many letters to his brother, the recent presidential election. "we have quite an exciting time in California. No use my telling you anything about the result as the Pony (express) will have delivered the news long before this reaches you. I, as usual, am among the minority. Bell and Everett were my choice and got my vote. I cannot go the old Democratic Ticket & Party and you may bet high that I am no Black Republican." Cutting then exalts that that the election hubbub is finally over. "I am glad the elections are over. It has been nothing but politics, politics, politics all this fall. Old Abe-nigger-nigger-nigger-Old Abe-go way nigger-let the nigger alone. Freedom-freedom-now they have Old Abe elected. I suppose we shall see what we shall see-nothing more-nothing less."