Written in ink on small 4-page lettersheets, with envelopes. Each letter 4 pp. with cross-writing adding to the length.

Interesting and revealing letters written by the wife of Carlile Pollock Patterson, sometime officer in the U.S.Navy, prominent captain with the Pacific Mail Steamship company, Gold Rush era businessman, and future superintendent of the U.S. Coast Survey. The letters are dated Oct. 23 and Dec. 22, no years given but undoubtedly 1852 - by 1853 Lizzie was in San Francisco. Lizzie writes to her brother at Harvard, "I will be all ready for my California expedition in January... Mr. Patterson has made all preparations... God will unite us all..." And later, "It seems that I would never get through all I have to do for my California life... I sail on the 20th, of that there is little doubt... will meet Mr. P. on the Isthmus. I will have two servants and a most competent main servant who knows all about the Isthmus..." An interesting pair of letters from the wife of a prominent California pioneer, about to embark on the great adventure of the age.