Squire Ensworth's Letters to Mr. Whaley
December, 1861
December 12, 1861
San Diego
Mr. Whaley
I write because I can send a letter by Express for 10 cents - No other motive. No news down here - All dead as rats - No money no trade (Save on Credit, by those who do that kind of business) No nothing - I write to advise you that I think I would not send any more goods, as you intimated you thought you should do by the next steamer. They have commenced arresting secessionists, & there is no telling how soon there may be a row of some sort down here. I have no assurance that there will be any difficulty, but some talk - talk & so long as it is confined to talk alone it will do, but talk sometimes leads to blows, and then follows stealing. Any how, as long as there is such dull sale, goods are much safer in 'Frisco.'
I wish you to send me Hallecks International Law & Laws of War - Bancroft Also Handbook Almanac & yearbooks of facts, 1862. Bancroft charge to my private account & send me the amount.
Yours
A. S. Ensworth
P. S. Please send me a paper of "Lawton's Blackberry Seed," for Ferrell.
December 24, 1861
San Diego
Mr. Whaley,
The Senator arrived late this morning bringing me your letter of this 18th instant, & the invoice of goods are landing at Playa-All Right, I suppose that at the time the Senator sailed you had not received my cautionary letter sent overland. I regret to inform you that I have not funds to remit, either on merchandise or private account, having had to borrow out of Jack Hinton's bag nearly all of freight. Jack is at the river yet. I have seen Morse and informed him what you said - or rather showed him that part of your letter relative to Willestone's pay accounts.
I have no news - everything as dull as thunder. It is rumored that the Vol. Co. now at New Town will shortly abandon that place and then we shall be flat indeed; but for the matter of that, they have never benefited me any. Dollars down here begin to look as big as new moons.
Most Truly Yours,
A. S. Ensworth
Wilcox goes up on this steamer - He has just started Magee express to the river to Captain Johnston, so I suppose something is up. Huffman & Bogert goes up what is Lyons doing? Is he coming back here again?
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