John C. Bull letters : to Elizabeth S. Bull, Hanover, Mass., 1845-1847.

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Bull, John C. (John Clark),. John C. Bull letters : to Elizabeth S. Bull, Hanover, Mass., 1845-1847.

John C. Bull letters : to Elizabeth S. Bull, Hanover, Mass., 1845-1847.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/773124353

Four handwritten letters with integral address leaves from a 36-year old man working aboard a ship docking in California ports to his sister. The letters contain mostly personal expressions of affection for his siblings, wife, and children back home, along with some observations of conditons in California and the Mexican-American war. The address leaves contain some modern annotations in pencil such as added return addresses and significant comments gleaned from information in the letter itself . Dec. 9, 1845. Handwritten letter (3 p.) datelined "Barque Tasso, Sta. Pedro [i.e. San Pedro], California, Dec. 9th 1845" and endorsed on address leaf with "Per Ship Admittance." Written over a period of time from Dec. 9, 1845 to Jan. 18, 1846 while sailing from San Pedro to San Francisco. Containing mostly personal reflections and observations with a postcript explaining he is mailing the letter now because his ship will be sailing from San Francisco on Jan. 24, 1846. Oct. 21, 1846. Handwritten letter (3 p.) datelined "Barque Tasso, San Francisco, California, Oct. 21st, 1846" carried on the barque, Don Quixote which "sails in a day or two for the Sandwich Islands ...to be forwarded to the U.S. by the first vessel...." Bull writes that the effects of "the war [i.e. Mexican-American War]" is causing a delay of a year in his return home, and requests that a daguerrotype of his wife Mellisa be sent to him "as it is becoming quite fashionable for Husbands and Lovers to take them to sea...." Jan. 20, 1847. Handwritten letter (3 p.) datelined datelined "Sta. Diego [i.e. San Diego], California, January 20th, 1847. This will be forwarded by the U.S. Prize, Malek Adehl, which sails with government dispatched in a day or two." Entered the mails at New Orleans with partial strike of their large "10" rate handstamp. Expresses his hope of returning home to Massachusetts in the winter of 1848 but cautions, "before that time do not look for me,..." Mar. 5, 1847. Handwritten letter (3 p.) datelined "Bark [sic] Tasso, Monterey, California, March 5th, 1847." Carried by the barque "Don Quixotte" [sic] Bull observes that he has now been gone from home for two and a half years. Also contains news about General Kearny's Proclamation and other federal government and military actions being taken to form a territorial govenment in California. Includes typescript transcription of the letter.

4 folders.

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