Lot
2006 
Los Angeles, Cal. - Judge Benjamin Hayes Correspondence (Los Angeles), 4 folded lengthy letters from 1850-51 written to friend (1st letter) and wife in Liberty, Mo. during his early his career as an attorney and judge in Los Angeles; first 3-page letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, May 29th, 1850" entered the mails with "San Diego, Cal., Jun 4" cds, to St. Louis and forwarded to Liberty with red "St. Louis, Mo., Jul 18" cds and manuscript "40" & "for 5/45" total rate, letter tells of arrival to Los Angeles and his election…I left home Sept 10th - reached this place Feb 3d. At the election of April 1st was elected County Attorney…sometimes I give sound decisions, probably sometimes, certainly, unsound ones, for I had a fellow whipped the other day, beyond doubt contrary to Mexican law. Justice seems to require it., with other interesting details regarding the legal system in Los Angeles, sending for his letters in San Francisco, publication comprehending the best road from Santa Fe to the California mines, etc., second 3-page folded letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, June 1st, 1850" entered the mails with red New - York, 10cts, Jul 8 integral rate cds, letter regarding his busy practice and lamenting over not having his wife in Los Angeles with him, third 2-page folded letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, Jany 20th, 1851" with orange-red "San Francisco, Cal., Feb 1" cds and matching "40" rate handstamp, letter regarding sending his wife out to Los Angeles and taking her to places beyond…There is a pretty little island just opposite our port (Santa Catalina)…A short sail, upon a quiet sea, would take us to Lima or the Sandwich Islands, fourth 7-page folded letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, Feby 21th, 1851" regarding the securing of a draft in San Francisco to be sent out to his wife by steamer soon for her trip out, takes of the troublesome crossing of the Isthmus, various things to bring on trip out, mentions San Pedro "the port of Los Angeles", various steamer sailings including the Panama and the Constitution, etc.; some cover edge staining and edge wear, F.-V.F. overall. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
The rush to mine gold from the hills of northern California brought many professionals to the new territory in addition to the prospectors. Benjamin Hayes was a lawyer living in Missouri in 1849 when he decided to make the overland journey to California. There he became a leader of the Los Angeles bar. His wife, Emily, eventually made the trip out to Los Angeles in 1851. As Catholics living in Southern California, the Hayeses boasted a wide circle of friends among their Hispanic neighbors and a special interest in the Missions and Mission Indians.
Realized: $3,500