Six French Letters: Captain John Augustus Sutter to Jean Jacques Vioget 1842 - 1843

First Edition Thus; Number 102 of an edition limited to 155 copies for private distribution. 8vo. (xi) 40pp. Linoleum cut of Sutter's Fort facing title page. Printed on white laid Strathmore Text paper in Intertypes Baskerville and Regal type. Original blue paper boards with paper label to cover and spine in publisher's plain blue-green paper dustjacket. Previous owner name of "Roy W. Cloud" is most likely the former State Executive Secretary of the California Teachers Association. Minor wear and age toning to dustjacket; a near fine copy of this nicely produced and uncomon title. The original six French letters by Sutter to Jacques Vioget were owned by Mr. Austin Peterson who granted the C. K. McClatchy School students the privilege to translate, edit and publish the letters for private distribution. The Foreword provides background on Sutter and Vioget and their business interactions in the early 1840's. Vioget had just finished a survey of the small village of San Francisco upon the request of the alcalde, Francisco de Haro (my great-great-great grandfather). Hearing of Vioget's reputation, Sutter hired him to conduct a survey of his property. "The contents of the letters reveal much of Sutter's real character and the beginnings of his struggles to stave off his many creditors and to protect his property from encroachment by greedy immigrants." - Foreword. The letters were written from Sutter's Fort in "New Helvetia" (New Switzerland). The letters are faithfully translated into English - both forms are represented in this volume. Includes a list of the Nugget Editions Club members and the names of the eighteen students who produced this title under their instructor, George T. Smisor.…