Squire Ensworth's Letters to Mr. Whaley
August-September, 1860
San Diego, Ca.
August 22, 1860
Dear Sir:
Yours of the 17th is rec'd and contents noted (is not that the mercantile phrase?)
As to the house, in a day or so, I shall go up there to live. On the 16th, the day Doyle quit, I went up and looked about, and found all things in usual order, with the exception that some glass is out, which I believe I mentioned to you in a former letter. But the rats are awful and I had poison put out and left the inside doors open so they could go from one room to the other without the use of their teeth.
The taxes will be paid. The improvements were valued at $2500. Have you no county scrip to put in for County taxes? As to the two pieces of city scrip, at present there is no money in the treasury.
You say you "hope the hay scales are paying well," On looking at my book I find that the last weighing was done on the 10th of July. So you can see that your hopes (as is frequently the case with us all) are a long ways behind the reality. By and by I will send you an account of moneys rec'd and expended etc. etc.
I received the newspapers for which you have my thanks. As to wishing to see any particular paper during the present political crises "No Sir, No Sir." I ignore all politics - I pass over them. About two thirds of the leaders on either side should be hung. They are all dishonest, and are making our country a byword among nations of the earth. I will content myself by going to the polls and voting, but will not spend my time in reading their lies.
I have not much, if any, news. Mrs. Minter (ex-Machado of ex-Wrighting) had a daughter the other night. Jack Hinton has taken the Marron Ranch for five years, for the use of which he loans them, without interest, $6000, secured on the ranch by mortgage, & payable at the end of five years. This is about the same as buying it.
My Respects to Your Family
A. S. Ensworth
September 6, 1860
Dear Sir:
Tomorrow the boat arrives and I will leave this open, and if I receive a letter from you, I can reply to it.
The other day I moved my few "household goods" up to your house, & set them up. I wish to call your attention to the bad condition of the roof. Mr. Doyle and others tell me that last winter it leaked quite badly. I have been up & examined it, I find the mortar so cracked that it will not afford much protection to the wood work. You may recollect a Mr. Field, who arrived here on the same boat that carried you to San Francisco. He has remained here in the tinkering business ever since. On yesterday, I got him to look at the roof and measure it. He says it is 42 ft. by 30, and that it will take 8 boxes of tin, 30 lbs. of solder, 2 sacks of charcoal and one pint of myriadic acid to cover it. He will take off the old cement and cover it for $90, you find the above materials. It will then want cement and a coat of paint. This man has put on several tin roofs and they seem to do well. I thought I would mention it to you early, for it seems a great pity to leave the building as it is now, exposed to the rain. For we are threatened with an early winter. If you intend to do anything in this matter this fall, I would do it at once, as that old gentleman, the oldest inhabitant predicts a long and hard winter. Light showers having already fallen in the mountains. It has rained heavily.
September 7 (Noon)
I have just rec'd and read your letter of the 3rd. For the roof you suggest tar instead of tin. It may be that tar and sand would do, but you must judge yourself, better send tar or tin by next boat. You speak of the windows, I have paid for mending and settling windows. I looked in the granary for glass, but found none. So many things are in there that it may have been covered up. I will...to the keys of the doors - There are rats in the granary, but neither myself or mason have been able to find how they got in. I am fast getting rid of them about the premises.
The papers are received for which I am obliged.
Our District Court commences on the 10th last. Hayes arrived by this boat so drunk that it was with difficulty he got out of the carriage without help. Glorious times ahead for business. Two tons of Witherby's quartz go up on this boat.
Truly
A. S. Ensworth
N. B. News came into town last night that Moses Mannasse, out on his rancho near Lassiter's, had a quarrel with an Indian servant of his, and shot him dead - particular circumstances not known. Pendleton will marry the Estudillo girl (the one that was educated up in Santa Clara.) He is now fixing up his house.
September 23, 1860
San Diego
Mr. Thomas Whaley
San Francisco
Having got rid of the District Court (The Judge left sober on the steamer of yesterday) I have given your letter a deliberate read & will reply by overland, as John Minter will go home in the morning & I can send it (my reply) to the mail by him.
The tar is received & shall be put on as well as I can boss the job. As to the keys, of which you made mention several times, I find all the keys in the doors of the house and yard, with the exception of the locks in the second story. Both Mr. Doyle and his man Mason, say they know nothing about them. I find two large padlocks (& one on the corral gate, with key) but no keys to them. As to the rats about the establishment - I have not yet got rid of them, although I have a good cat. I have been quite liberal in the use of strick. I keep at it.
Now as to your "proposition" about the goods. At first glance it struck me quite unfavorably, & in my hurry yesterday, I answered you somewhat curtly, that I know nothing about merchandising. Upon more mature reflection (wait until I mend this pen) I have come to the conclusion that it would not be a bad idea. As you say, my law business does not take one tenth of my time, and if nothing else, it would afford me something to look after (I hear a rat up there) & I might make some few dollars without running any risk of loss. But there is trouble in the way which will prevent me from doing it for sometime. Up until quite lately, I continually refused to contest with Kurtz and A. B. Smith for the Legislature. Being continually solicited by the best, most respected & all the leading men in (I hear a rat) the county I finally consented. Now if I should be unfortunate enough to beat them, what would become of all the packages of goods? You would say turn them over to Donohoe - But I would not wish to commence the thing, and do that so soon. I would rather delay until my return from Sacramento. So, you see, how I am situated in this regard - For as to success in my election I have but little fear. Antonio Serrano has just been in & says he will start for Los Angeles tomorrow morning, and I will send this by him. But as I said before, I like, upon reflection, the prospect.
I don't know as I have much news. Pendleton, I think, is about to marry Ohave Estudillo. At all events he is fixing up his house - The house in the rear of Gila House, having bought Witherby's share. Hinton loans $6000 on the Marron Ranch & for the use of the money, secured by mortgage, has the ranch for five years. Bob Kelley is at work for him, stock of all kinds is low. Moses Mannasse has been covered with attachments three feet deep, is entirely broken up. Cherly Brindly is about to marry Blue Eyes at the Punta. At this term judgment for $27,500 was obtained by Soto against Rose, Ferrell, Gerson, S. Goldman, Morse, Schneider and wife and the mortgages foreclosed.
The account in my book I will draw off, and send you by next boat and then you can see what I have rec'd and what I have done with it.
The packages of papers I rec'd & I'm much obliged to you for them - the tax receipt I will also send by next boat.
Truly Yours etc.
A. S. Ensworth
San Diego, Ca.
Sept. 27, 1860
Mr. Thomas Whaley
San Francisco
Dear Sir,
I enclosed herewith you will find a tax receipt for payment of the taxes on your property for the year 1860, and also a copy of our account as it stands in my day book, which shows that I now have in my hands belonging to you the sum of $41.50.
Had you better instruct me to buy town lots with this? They are now so cheap that I can buy a great many with this money, particularly if I buy only out lots, and by the time your little boy is 30 or 40 years old who knows but what they may be worth several millions.
I am now putting on the tar. The man engaged at it suggests a few feathers might help the job. I think it will be tight.
Most Truly etc.,
A. S. Ensworth
P. S. I have sold a few bricks to Pendleton and Witherby, but have not yet rec'd the money.
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