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Letter from Augustin Hibbard to [William Hibbard] 1854 April 12

Creator

Augustin Hibbard

Recipient

[William Hibbard]

Transcription

Coloma April 12th 1854

Dear Brother

Yours of Jany [January] 12th came duly to hand but I have been so busy getting in my [craps] fencing [al], that I have allowed a longer time than I should to pass without answering it. I trust that you found your trip to Europe to be one of both pleasure and profit. There is something peculiarly interesting in visiting countries, and viewing objects that have by their associations with past ages and occurrences become subjects of Historical interest, and had I a fortune I should certainly spend a few years in so doing. You mention that you thought of going out of the Hardware business and turning your attention intirely (entirely) to the Mannfacture [manufacture] of Rubber Goods. Of course I cannot pretend to give you any advice on the subject, for I know nothing about it. I will only say “be prudent,” keep your business within the limits of your cap[p]ital [capital] as much as possible, for you may rely upon it that although business now is in a more flourishing condition than perhaps it ever was before in Canada, yet there is a crash ahead which will surely come, and that to, when least expected. The fact is, the country is going ahead too rapidly, and must meet with a check, and fortunate, will those be who will have their affairs in a state to meet it when it comes. And I hope and trust that you will be one of the number. I have rec’d [received] No

No letters from any of the family since yours. I wrote to Frances some two months since and requested her to write me immediately on rec’t [receipt] of it, I directed my letter to Manchester ST and as you informed me that she had ret’d [returned/retired] to Montreal, I presume that she never got it I shall write to her again soon. Your advice to return to Canada, my inclinations, strongly prompt me to follow, but I know that it will not be best for me to do so at present, however much I may desire to be with you all once more. I cannot realize that more than five years have passed since I left you, and I am sure that should I be spared to be with you again, the only things that can convince me of the time that has elapsed, will be the little ones that have sprung into existence during my absence. You expressed a wish to know something about my affairs, therefore I will begin by saying that by the blessing of God I am in the enjoyment of the best of health, and, am generally in good spirits. I think that I shall do very well with my farm this year. My crops all look very well. I have my farm of 100 acres with 20 under fence, a span of good Horses, a fine spring wagon for selling vegetables which cost $200. [and] my farming utensels [utensils] and am clear of debt. I am doing a little in the nursery line this season. I shall have between 10 & 12 thousand apple and peach trees, and 3 of [Locus] trees. These if they do well will bring me from 50 cents to 1.00 a piece next season. I have 150 Grape vines of a choice quality, which were set out this season and are growing finely. I have done my plouhing [plowing] and sowing, and in fact all my work so far this season, myself, so you will see that I have got to be quite a farmer. And I afsure [assure] you that I like

the work very much. Although at certain seasons one must work very if they wish to make anything as the price of labour [labor] still continues very high, wages being from 50 to $100 per month. It costs me $80. [per] to keep myself and horses.

I consider the climate of this country to be one of the finest in the world, the seasons are so very regular we have five months during which we get no rain, but the weather, although rather warm in the heat of the day is on the whole very agreeable as the mornings and evenings are delightful we never have any sultry nights here, the atmosphere is so clear and bracing that the moonlight nights are splendidly glorious. Of the remaining seven months, we have about two (and sometimes three) months of heavy rains. They are Dec, [December] Jany [January] & March. Feby [February] being invariably a fine month. The other four are always delightful. A vast deal has been said about the awful rainy season of California but I can afsure [assure] you that it is nothing to be compared to even the fall in Canada. Any person not too far gone with consumption, in Canada would I think be certain of a cure by taking a trip to this part of the world. You mentioned that my old friends sometimes enquired after me, give them by [my] best regards. Should you see Mr. La Flem remember me particularly to him and tell him that I have taken great pains to ascertain something definite about his son but have [but have] been unable to learn anything farther than that he went to Origon [Oregon]. If he has ret’d [returned] home, let me know, I saw Geo [George] & Chs [Charles] Perry two weeks ago, also Chs [Charles] [Kurezyn], they were all well, and, in good spirits. Give my love to all, with a kiss to Sarah (for me) And I remain your affect. [affectionate] Brother Augustin Hibbard

Location

Coloma, [Calif.]

Date Original

4-12-1854

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Source

MSS2.H621 HIBBARD, AUGUSTIN GOLD RUSH LETTERS

Owning Institution

University of the Pacific Library Holt-Atherton Special Collections.

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Recommended Citation

Hibbard, Augustin, "Letter from Augustin Hibbard to [William Hibbard] 1854 April 12" (1854). Gold Rush Life. 13.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/grcc/13