1852 – A letter describing the overwhelming support for a Whig candidate for the state assembly from the Horse Shoe Bar mining community

Califonia. Envelope or Cover. Very good. A two-page letter without mailing envelope sent by “Edwin” to James Hicks at an unknown location, probably in Vermont from the content. In nice shape with a 3” split along one mailing fold.

In this very well-written letter, Edwin, a Democratic, described the overwhelming bipartisan support of the Whig candidate, “White,” (not Thomas Jefferson White) is receiving from the miners and merchants of Horse Shoe Bar. It reads in part

“When I arrived and saw how White was circumstanced I regretted, indeed, you were not here. For you could have been of much service to him and profit to yourself without great hardships. He has often pondered the subject whether he should go home and bring out his family. [If he did,] he would, no doubt, treasure up more wealth in three years than could at home in fifteen years. He was calculating upon returning home this fall, but [the voters] have been raising mischief with his calculations. At a Whig convention, held at Auburn, a few days since, he received the unanimous nomination for Representative to the State Assembly from Placer Co. He will certainly be elected; the Whigs are unanimous for hm, and, as we Democrats had one of the best of men run off by the wine-pullers, we are also determined to support him. We have three hundred voters in the precinct and he will have nearly every vote. . .. The emoluments and honors of the office afford too fine a climax to his enterprising career for his friends to allow him to neglect it. He will draw $16 per day through the session. Now, he may, safely calculate on clearing a thousand dollars, and perhaps much more. The election takes place about the 11 Nov, The Legislature sits 1st January, and will continue the session some three or four months, [Afterwards, he] can return to Vermont and set up the trade. Mrs. White must strive to sustain the resolution which many ladies have patriotically adopted – her country first, then husband next. I wish she and my wife would first make the trip out here. I think we would all spend a few months very cozily, and then W. and I would be so docile! We would return just when our ladies suggested. But I am thinking if they were here and saw how much greater the facilities were here, for obtaining a competency that should sustain us comfortably through old age, and educate our children for their own enjoyment, and usefulness to community, they would be for detaining us till we pleaded to return.

“You should have been here to see [White’s] performance at the Convention. . .. He came out in front of the audience, and made a few remarks in the most graceful manner and received a round of cheer. . .. I feel a little pride in having old Vt. Represented in Cal. The weather is fine. It is busy times on the river. White’s friends are spouting like a shoal of Whales."

. As recorded in the California State Assembly Journals for 1852-1853, and no doubt to Edwin’s surprise, White did not win the election. While he may have been the overwhelming choice of Horse Shoe Bar, that was not the case in the rest of the precinct. The coattails of Franklin Pierces’ landslide defeat of Winfield Scott carried White’s opponents to victory.

A terrific, well-written letter documenting local politics in one mining camp.

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