Auction # 75 - The Sescal Sale

(Monterey) "Monterey Sept. 22nd 1828". Dateline on letter from John B.R. Cooper to Father Dana concerning trade reading in part, "…Dear Dana…have no hopes of getting any thing or assistance from you and such a number also of these fellows owing me that set me almost mad bu the days for trusting is past and gone a trade may be kept up between you and me advantageous too us both I will procur for you what spare and timber of any dimensions you may want at the price or expences getting them down to the beach, you paying the freight to there I will take what licor you can procur down there at what price they may be able to pick up in the Missions and Pueblanas it is a shure sale in Monterey and generally very quick…" and signed "Yours Truly, John B. R. Cooper"; professionally framed, Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

AN EARLY 1828 MONTEREY LETTER FROM JOHN B.R. COOPER TO FATHER DANA.

John Bautista Rogers Cooper (1791-1872) was raised in Massachusetts in a maritime family, he came to the Mexican territory of Alta, California as master of the ship, Rover, and was a pioneer of Monterey, California when it was the capital of the territory. Marrying into the family of the Mexican territorial governor, he acquired extensive land holdings in the area prior to the Mexican-American War.