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Letter from Augustin Hibbard to [William Hibbard] 1861 Dec. 25

Creator

Augustin Hibbard

Recipient

[William Hibbard]

Transcription

Victoria VI [Vancouver Island] –[ Dec 25^th/61

Dear Brother

This is Christmas day and as I take my pen to write you a few lines. Wishing you a merrie time and a happy New Year, my mind travels back to years, and I am again taking my Christmas dinner at St. Andrews surrounded by the loved ones at home, it is a pleasing illusion, and I suffer myself to enjoy it for awhile, but as I dismiss it, God knows, how much I wish that it was a reality. I wrote you a few hurried lines by the last mail, and had barely time to do that the Steamer remained here so short a time My health, thank God, is very much improved, and I earnestly hope that He will, in his divine goodness and mercy grant me that health and energy, which I so much stand in need of. We are no in the midst of our rainy season, but as yet have had no

snow, although a little ice occasionally.

I am very busy now preparing for next seasons trade, and the prospect is, that the demand for our Lime will be large. There is now no doubt but that we shall have a large accession to our population in the spring, and many parties are now making preparations to build stone and brick houses. I have made one shipment of our Lime to San Francisco, and it is pronounced superior to any other in that market. I have had a good deal to contend with, which I might have avoided had I had any previous experience in the business. But I think that my difficuties [difficulties] are now principly [principally] over with, and that I shall have a market for all that I can manufacture, which I think will be for next season, about 100 Bbls [barrels] per day. I feel confident that I am building up a good and lucrative business that will last longer than we will remain in this world. It has been far more expensive starting it than I had any idea it would be, but experience is an expensive teacher, and we must try and make our profit out of her lessons.

The war does not affect business out here to any extent, nor do I think it will, unless there is difficulty between England and the States. Most branches of business, have very much improved in the last six weeks, and the universal opinion is that the country will now progress rapidly. I trust it will, for I have long waited for it to do so.

Let me hear from you often, and I assure you that I will try and be a more prompt correspondent. Direct your letters to me in Victoria. Give much love to all and with a smacking kiss for the wife and children. I will wish you a happy and prosperous New Year, and remain ever

You Affectionate

Brother

Augustin

Location

Victoria V I [Vancouver Island]

Date Original

12-25-1861

Images

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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] 1861 Dec. 25" (1861). Gold Rush Life. 22.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/grcc/22