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Sale 74: The Westpex Auction

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Monterey - Early Documents & Letters

Lots 813-822 Lots 823-829

Lot 823    

(Monterey) "Assistant Qtr. Mts. Office, San Francisco, California, April 19th 1847", dateline on blue letter reading "To whom it may concern: The bearer of this letter, Sergeant Murry of the United States Service, is the Courier conducting the mails from this place to Monterey, in compliance with the proclamation of General J.W. Kearny, the Governor of the Country, and he is directed to take all letters and despatches to the latter place free of cost- Any assistance therefore, which the bearer or his party may require on the road, all public agents are requested to render without delay in the furtherance of the public service" and signed "J.L. Folsom, Capt. Asst. Qtr. Ms. U.S.A.", Very Fine.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT CARRIED ON THE FIRST MILITARY MAIL BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND MONTEREY THAT WAS ESTABLISHED APRIL 1847.

Realized: $2,100

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Lot 824    

(Monterey) "Monterey California, April 27th 1847", dateline on Autograph Letter Signed to John Burton, Alcalde of Pueblo de San Jose, in the letter Kearny decrees that Burton stay all proceedings in the case of Gabriel Castro vs. Antonio Hermano as Burton had defied his early decree and "given judgement & issued an execution to be levied by a Sheriff against various parties of the Property of the Defendent", Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE GEN. KEARNY SIGNED LETTER AS GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA.

Gen. S.W. Kearny was Governor of California from March 1, 1847 to May 31, 1847, when Col. R.C. Mason was appointed Governor by Kearny.

Realized: $4,250

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Lot 825    

(Monterey) "Magistrates Office, Monterey Sept. 2nd 1847", dateline on blue folded letter from Walter Colton, Alcalde of Monterey addressed to John Burton, Alcalde of Pueblo de San Jose; some minor toning, F.-V.F., a scarce letter carried by Kearny's semi-monthly military mail.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Rev. Walter Colton was named Alcalde of Monterey by Commodore Stockton. Robert Semple and Colton established the "Californian", the first newspaper to be published in California Aug. 16, 1847.


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Realized: $475

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Lot 826

(Monterey) 1847 (Nov. 22) Monterey Cal, U.S. Military Agreement with Toulomne Indians, letter reading "Know all men by those present. That by and with the approval of the Governor. I do hereby authorize and direct Cornelius and Carlos, Chiefs of the Tawallame Tribe of Indians, to apprehend all Indians that they may find in the act of stealing and securing horses. And to take them the horses and to bring the Indians & Horses to this place. An that further, I will protect them and their property from any intrusion or trespass from any persons what so ever. And that by my direction, they are permitted and advised to build adobe houses- and to plow and cultivate the lands upon and between the rivers Tawallame, San Joaquin & Rio Merced. Given under my hand & seal this 22nd day of Nove. 1847, at Monterey, Upper California, Henry M. Neglee, Capt., First Dragoons, U.S. Army".
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT THAT GIVES THE INDIANS USE OF A LARGE SWATH OF LAND INCLUDING PART OF YOSEMITE.

Realized: $2,400

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Lot 827

(Monterey) 1848 (Feb. 9) Monterey Cal, Governor's Appointment of Alcalde of San Jose, blue Autograph Letter Signed reading "Know all men by these Present, That I, Richard B. Mason, Colonel 1st Regiment of Dragoons United States Army and Governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Dolores Pacheco 2nd Alcalde for and in the jurisdiction of the Pueblo de San Jose Upper California. Done at Monterey the Capital of California, this 9th day of February A.D. 1848 and the 72nd year of the Independence of the United States, R.B. Mason, Col. 1st Dragoons, Gov of California", red wax seal of Headquarters, First Dragoons, Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $3,250

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Lot 828    

(Monterey) "Monterey, Cal., Sept 15. 1849", dateline on folded letter from R.S. Garnett addressed to Captain W.G. Dana, Nepoma, N. Cal., carried by private messenger to San Luis Obispo, some interesting political content concerning the convention, "Dr. Semple of Benecia is the President of the Convention and Capt. Marcy of this place has been elected Secretary. They have acted so far with much harmony and good spirit…I think our friend stands about the best chance for the Governorship if he will accept it. There is much log-rolling for Gov. Senators and Representative in Congress; and there probably be a caucus for the purpose of nominating and settling these offices…I have been unable so far to learn what measures Com. Jones has taken to relieve my friends at the wreck, though I understand an express left this place on the 8th inst. with some communications from him for Capt. McCormick. The Com. will be here himself on Monday (the 17th) in the Savannah…Col. Fremont, who is now here, has been appointed, I understand, Commissioner to run the boundary line between us and Mexico in the place of Col. Weller. I regret this very much. It shows that they are probably not quite as well acquainted at Washington with the unwritten history of his operations out here as those who were here at the time…", the wreck referred to in this letter was the U.S. propeller Edith sent to San Pedro by Halleck to carry the delegates from So. California to the Convention; minor tape stains and address panel soiling, Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

A WONDERFUL LETTER WRITTEN BY A DELEGATE TO THE 1849 CALIFORNIA CONVENTION.

The USS "Edith" was the second steamship to arrive in San Francisco, after the California and her arrival brought with it the news that the Congress had adjourned without organizing a territorial government in California. All that the Congress had done was to pass laws for distributing mail and collecting revenue taxes in California.
With this late but disappointing news, the Army decided on June 3, 1849 to convene a constitutional convention in Monterey for the purpose of forming a government in California. Election of delegates took place on August 1, 1849. Delegates were to assemble at Monterey on September 1, 1849. The Edith was dispatched in mid-August to San Diego to pick up the delegates between there and Monterey. The Fremont reference is in regards to: During the Mexican-American War, Frémont, a major in the U.S. Army, took control of California from the California Republic in 1846. Frémont then proclaimed himself military Governor of California; however, for that he was convicted in court martial for mutiny and insubordination. The writer, Robert S. Garnette designed the Great Seal of the State of California that was accepted at the Convention.

Realized: $1,800

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Lot 829

(Monterey) 1850 (Mar. 2) Monterey Cal., Recorded Deed for Land Parcel, 4 pg. land document headed "Municipality of Monterey, State of California" with intaglio "Alcaldis Office, Monterey" circular handstamp, signed by "Philip A. Roach" Alcalde of Monterey, Very Fine and rare handstamp.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

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Lots 813-822 Lots 823-829

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