Squire Ensworth's Letters to Mr. Whaley
March, 1861
San Diego, California
March 5, 1861
Mr. Thomas Whaley
San Francisco
Dear Sir:
As tomorrow is steamer day, I prepare you a note in anticipation of its arrival. Times are just about the same only worser. The fact is there is literally no money in this country. Since last steamer day I have sold only about $30. Hollister sells flour the same as I do ($2.12 per sk). And I do not believe, from the looks of his pile that during the last two weeks he has sold more than 3 or 4 sacks. There is no person here. It has become a ranch for sheep - Juan Machado & Hollister making use of it as such. If there is any truth in the old saying ÒDarkest Before DayÓ It must be on the eve of dawn, for it can become no darker. In my profession, I have no business, for the reason that there is none to do. During the past six months I have not made as much money by my legal business as I have spent for something to eat & you know that is not much. The Mexicans have nearly all got rid of their cattle, and such men as Hinton, Couts, Witherby have no litigation, and purchase their goods above. Mannasse (Jo) during the last month has been riding about the County collecting cattle for old debts, which he intends to start with up the Country about the 1st of April. Hinton is now at work getting his cattle off of the mountain & bringing them down to Agua Hideuda. The Estudillos will start nearly all their cattle up the country this spring and sell them to pay debts. As a specimen of the way these people are in debt (Those who have cattle left) I observe Antonio Serrano owes Jo. M & Co. $2800 and Jesus Machado owes them about $1500. Neither of them could pay these debts with all their property. Bill Williams is flat, and is living in town. B. Lopez's estate will not pay the debts. Sylvester Marron owes Jo. Mannasse more than he can pay. Soto is the only one who holds his own, and his wife was in here the other day asking for credit, and because I would not give it to her got into a great passion. Ramon Aguillo is at work for Hinton as a vacquero campo, who lives on Santa Isabel, is indebt thousands & the stock is owned by his wife. The fact is, things down this way, have come to a head.
Ondits - On Yesterday City trustees were elected - Schiller, & H. Mannasse, A. B. Smith. Mrs. Robinson has given me $3 for you. Please send me a buggy whip worth $2 - & a thermometer worth $1-1/2 to $2 - If convenient, send one with colored quick silver, as it shows clearer. I want it to hang up under the porch - Nothing like seeing how hot it is. We are having the most beautiful weather now and excellent grass. The river is yet running. Rats I think I have got rid of them - I don't believe there is one about. This has taken much perseverance and two bottles of strick. I now have 3 cats - one female and 2 toms & I intend to keep sufficiently in the cat business to keep my stock of cat goods - Do you ever see any peacocks at the market? If so see what a cock and hen can be bought for. If not too dear I've a notion of purchasing. I heard sometime ago, that a cock would cost about as much as a stud horse.
March 6, 1861
The boat is in with the letter of 2nd inst & invoice of goods. This invoice is plenty for a long time. The PR rep of Abbott and Papers are also rec'd & pens, for all of which I am obliged. The Grove and Baker Tricks went, as you suspected with the Missing package. A beautiful morning this.... one as can only be seen in San Diego. With respects to yourself & wife, I am Truly
A. S. Ensworth
San Diego, Cal.
March 19, 1861
Dear Sir:
Is the Union really busted or not? I'll write anyhow and maybe tomorrow the boat will come. I've nothing new to tell and only a little money to send. I've about 90 lbs of flour on hand & 1200 lbs of sugar, all the whiskey & so you see times aren't very brisk. I've been selling flour for $2.12 per sk, and although I've sold but little, yet more than anybody else. I don't know as I want anything - What is the use? The people have no money.
About the hay scales, I must have them cleaned and oiled for they have become imbedded in the mud and will not work. Say what I shall charge this year. The prices for weighing last year were thundering heavy and cost me more cusses than it was all worth. Fix it down lower. At any price I do not expect to do as much as I done last year.
No news, if we except the arrival of Matias Moreno at Ensenada with two hundred troops under the command of a Lt. Col. Coto. I think in 2 or 3 months they will starve out & be rambling through the country. G. P. Tebbetts wife, a few days since, had 2 boys. Can you do as well? The mother has been sick, but is now doing well, as also the boys.
I wish you would do me the favor to look around the harness makers and see what a harness for two horses would cost me - A common harness for lumber wagon - not entirely a rough & course affair - but strong, good leather - made for use and sort of decent. As there is nothing doing here in any line. I may fix up a wagon & haul something for somebody - who knows? What would be the probable cost of a common 2 horse wagon? One to haul things in and how much would all this cost to get them down here? Please send me another sack of potatoes for my own use - I shall be out before another boat. The last were excellent. Also a small box of smoked herrings for myself. They are not bad of a morning broiled, after a man has been drunk overnight - The commissary from Low. Cal is up here to purchase things. The Jews have offered to sell him a Gar at 1-1/2 per lb and flour at $2 per sk. They can't make much at this.
March 21, 1861
Boat in and package received. Express all right. I have only one arroba of sugar returned and the actual loss on that was $2 & freight. Where I sell more, the same may come back. It was full of Chinese mats doubled up leaves and trash. You say the 15th volume of Superior Courts Reports was ready. Please send it and also the 16th when ready.
The river has dried up, but it looks like rain.
Much obliged for the Bulletins.
I send you through W. F. & Co. $130.00 - of this amount $50.00 you will do me the favor to hand to C. Burbank Esqr., together with the bundle of papers herewith inclosed - get him to sign the inclosed receipt and return it to me. The remaining $80.00 you will place to the credit of the merchandise account; it being every dollar received - minus freight. I have paid express charges on this money.
Truly,
A. S. Ensworth
P. S. Since writing the last paragraph I have made a sale and some collections for bricks & you may consider that paragraph as not having been written. I send you $217.00 - of this $50. are for Burbank, $24 to be credited on private account between us & the remainder for $143 on merchandise account.
Go to April, 1861
Go back to list of all the letters