Swiss-born California pioneer who arrived in California in 1839 and later constructed Fort Sutter, a frontier trading post. By 1844, Sutter was enjoying prosperity but four years later, the discovery of gold and the Gold Rush altered his fortunes. Sutter lost his workmen and his livestock as prospectors overran his land. Within three years he was bankrupt and died in poverty in 1880. ALS signed “J. A. Sutter,” one lightly-lined pale blue page, 7.75 x 10, December 17, 1856. Letter to Colonel Warren in Sacramento on the status of work being done on his property. In full: “Your favor of the 6th inst came duly to hand, and I am very sorry that I had no time to keep my promise, because never in my life I was more occupied as at present, being the whole day outside, sometimes two miles below and sometimes one mile above the house, and all time on foot, with my laborers of the Workes which are done now chiefly by the Indians I will inform you in my next. And so you can imagine that in the evening when I come home I feel somewhat fatigued; but now today is a rainy day, and I will just commence at once, and when interrupted I make it up in the Night, and send it tomorrow to Marysville, and from there [by] Express or Mail. I would have employment for a few months for a good Horticulturist.” Intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and lightly trimmed edges, otherwise fine condition. Letter is housed in a custom clamshell box, gilt-lettered on the spine.
Seven years after the gold rush decimated his property, Sutter turned to farming as a livelihood. The work resulted in his feeling “somewhat fatigued,” and also frustrated by the work ethic of the Native Americans in his employment. He would later say the Indians would work for a week and then take a week off, using their wages to buy cheap whiskey and become drunk and disorderly in Marysville, the town Sutter references here. Native Americans would also only work if they were paid cash—opposed to a few years earlier when clothing and provisions would suffice. He also feared that his employees were staling from his fields, orchards, and vineyards, leading the California pioneer to later hire only white men. Many farmers including Warren, the original recipient of this letter, sympathized with Sutter’s plight and respected his contributions to California agriculture, honoring him with an appointment as vice president of the California Agricultural Society. In the end, neither such accolades, “a good Horticulturist,” hard work, nor employees of any color or creed could save him from falling into poverty. Interesting content as Sutter came to realize that his dream of a perfect society at Sutter’s Fort would never be achieved. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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