Sutter, John August

Autograph letter signed ("J. A. Sutter" with an elaborate paraph), also signed internally ("Maj. Genl. J.A.S.") and with initials after an 8-line autograph postscript, 5 1/2 pages (9 7/8 x 7 3/4 in.; 252 x 192 mm) on 3 sheets of blue paper, Hock Farm, 1 December 1853, to Edward M. Kern; small light stain to final sheet. Half blue morocco portfolio.

"You would be astonished to see California now. ..." A long and chatty letter, precipitated by one of Sutter's many convoluted financial difficulties and clearly revealing the always precarious position of "Anglo California's pioneer of pioneers," as Richard Dutton, Sutter's principal biographer, described him.

Edward Kern was an artist and erstwhile aide to John C. Frémont, one of Sutter's principal antagonists, but the two men were able nonetheless to form a warm and long-lasting friendship. Sutter opens his letter by writing of his troubles in having a portrait of himself completed by Charles Frederick; the artist wants him to sit in "full Dress Uniform" (Sutter was by this time a Major General of the California militia). Sutter plans on having a lithograph made of the portrait for distribution to friends, with two copies designated for Kern. With these preliminaries dispensed with, Sutter comes to the crux of his letter, seeking clarification on a transaction he made during the Bear Flag Revolt when he and Kern were uneasily serving alongside each other at Sutter's Fort.

"I come with a request to you, for a Certificat, to prove the truth, & your Signature acknowledged by a Notary Public. ... About two years ago Hiram Grimes wrote to me that he held a Note of mine $2632.75 delivered to him by Sinclair, in the Note is expressed after the Gov't. of the U.S. pay the Amt. to me. Now you will remember, that when I wanted to get the Cattle from him, he would give it direct to the Gov't., but did not like much to let me have it, but that as you and [Sheriff George] McKinstry told him, that you would see it paid so soon the Money came and we secured the Money and I have paid it to Sinclair, (at the time he & Grimes would not have trusted me with) $100. I think you will remember this all, and several times I did send Mr. McKinstry to Sinclair to get my Note back, and all times he had an excuse and at last he declared that he must have lost the Note, and now it comes to light, that he gave it this Note, which has been paid to young Grimes by their Settlement, Now I declare I have to pay enough to pay my honest debts, I dont want to pay double, and for this I ask you for this favor, to send me this Certificat so early as possible, in which you will state that you has been at the time the Military Commandt of the fort."

Sutter writes a long description of an uncoming militia assembly and military ball and also sends news about his family. With scarcely concealed pride he informs Kern of the many changes that have taken place in California since his leave-taking. "You would be astonished to see California now, San francisco, Sacramento ... the Streets are graded from 6 to 8 feet high, it is not much more now as a Year, the whole City was burned, ... and now it is really astonishing, how this City stand now again with magnificent Brick buildings, and some with Granite of our Mountains like my old Millstones. They have a great Water works and in a few days every house is supplied with Water. Marysville 8 Miles above Hock farm ... is now a very important City the 3d. in the State, No. 1 San francisco No. 2 Sacramento No. 3 Marysville. We have now the Telegraph, from San francisco, to San José, Stockton, Sacramento & Marysville, and to a great Many of our Mountain towns."

Sutter is equally proud of his own accomplishments, but he remains wary of what the future holds for early settlers like himself. "I have now very fine Gardens and a Vignard, with Artesian Wells. We the Landholders are suffering very much about the slow proceedings of the Land Commissions. ... The Squaters are close to my fields, all is squatted over, so long it is not decided I am in debt, and cannot sell a foot of Land at present, our Govt. did not act right with us Californians."