ALS signed “Jn. A. Sutter,” one page, lightly-lined, 8.25 x 10.5, February 14, 1856. Letter to Judge Orville C. Pratt. In full: “Col. Sanders request me to write a few lines to you, he wish very much to see you, and make an arrangement with you to assist him in my affairs, and so it is my wish, and the wish of my family, as we have an unbounded confidence in you. Col. Sanders was waiting for some days to get an answer from you; will you be so kind and write a few lines to him, and you will oblige me very much.” The letter has been cleanly and professionally backed, and shows some extra ink marks under signature, and light toning to edges, otherwise fine condition.
This evocative plea was made as Sutter desperately tried to save his land from “forty-niners” looking to strike it rich—at the ultimate sacrifice of his property. Although serving in a variety of state and federal positions following California statehood in 1850, Sutter was still besieged by financial problems. Though he deeded some of his property to his son, the elder Sutter spent the 1850s trying to recoup the land he had lost to squatters—efforts that were generally unsuccessful despite his new political connections. It would seem that not even Pratt, a former Oregon Supreme Court justice and successful California attorney, was able to obtain restitution. A rare and desirable letter serving as evidence of the dire financial straits suffered by the man whose property made so many others wealthy. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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