Letter from William B. Peters in San Francisco to Miss Emily Howland in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York. Written in French; translation included. On pictorial lettersheet titled "City of San Francisco" with view of the city and bay with ships in the harbor signed by J. Clark (Baird 31). View image: Peters sends New Year greetings to "Dear Mademoiselle Emilie", reminding her that "two years ago, I was with you and your friends, one year later I was in an old three-masted ship, the toy of storms, this year I am in California, judge for yourself which I might prefer." He tells of his current living arrangements with two comrades and comments on sharing the gold rush experience with men from all parts of the world: "You would be amused if you could be here a few days and see the thousand and one types of costumes and manners of the people of different nations who have been called here by the gold-fever." Peters continues: "The passion that dominates almost everyone in California is gambling. Every evening till midnight, you can see the Spaniard and the American, the Indian and the Chinese, the tattooed Savage and the little French master crowding a table of Faro or Monte or Rouge et Noir, earn or lose the fruit of their labor in the space of one hour or one minute." He gives an anecdotal account of a sailor wagering all and also admits to gambling a bit himself. Closing with further wishes for the coming year, Peters asks that Emily be so kind as to write him a note as he was planning on remaining in San Francisco for the winter before heading off for the gold fields.
