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Title

Letter from Augustin Hibbard to Brother [William Hibbard], 1863 June 2

Creator

Augustin Hibbard

Recipient

Brother [William Hibbard]

Transcription

Victoria V I June 2d 1863

My Dear Brother

How I wish that it was in my power to fill up this sheet with something satisfactory to myself as well as to you, but I cannot it is still the same old story, of struggling and hoping, of that hope defered [deferred], which maketh the heart sick. I had hoped to have had a good summer trade (and may yet, late in the season) but the price of labour [labor] has taken such a rise that all building is stoped [stopped] for the present. Masons, Bricklayers, Carpenters, and all other labourers have taken a stampeed [stampede] for the mines, and I have almost been tempted to go myself. There would have been a good deal of building in Brick, and Stone, this summer had not labour [labor] become so scarce and high, but as it is, I am afraid that I shall not make anything this year. We are selling but very little lime at present, and the profits barely enable us to continue improvements we have commenced, but which are as yet unfinished. Is it not strange that notwithstanding my anxiety to make a fortune here and all my exertions to do so, that apparently, I could not have steered clearer if I had tried, of the of the opportunities that have occurred by which other have accomplished that end. Had

Had I even invested the funds I had on my arrival here in 1860, in city lots, I would to day be worth at the least, fifty thousand dollars. Real Estate has increased in value, over 500 per cent within the last two years. When I think of these things, I must say, that I feel somewhat disheartened, although people here consider me extremely fortunate in having secured the Lime Quarry, and often say to me, ah Hibbard, you are a lucky fellow to have secured such a good thing you can afford to wait, for you have a sure fortune in your hands, [but] they do not know as I do, the urgent necessity I have for making money out of it immediately, or how much I have been disapointed [disappointed] at every things moving so much slower than I anticipated they they would, but I know, as well they do, that a fortune can, and will, be made out of it. If Masons, and, Carpenters were to be had here, at the same wages they worked for last summer, we would now be making from 1,000 to $1200, per month clear. I expected to have received [some] from you, some more of the blank notes to sign. I am afraid that you are tired of sending them. What a relief it will be to me when I shall be able to repay you for your kindness to me. I would like to write you more fully at this time but the mail leaves to soon for me to do so this time, but I write again soon

You affec [ti] [affectionate] brother

Augustin

Location

Victoria, V. I. [Vancouver Island]

Date Original

6-2-1862

Images

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Source

MSS2.H621 HIBBARD, AUGUSTIN GOLD RUSH LETTERS

Owning Institution

University of the Pacific Library Holt-Atherton Special Collections.

Copyright Statement

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Recommended Citation

Hibbard, Augustin, "Letter from Augustin Hibbard to Brother [William Hibbard], 1863 June 2" (1862). Gold Rush Life. 31.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/grcc/31