[WESTERN AMERICANA] -- [CALIFORNIA]. A group of 2 items identified to B.J. Conrad, incl. ALS on illustrated letter sheet featuring Weaverville, CA, and US passport to travel in the Chinese Empire.

CONRAD, B.J. Autograph letter signed ("B.J. Conrad"), to his mother. Trinity River, July [1854].

2 pages, 4to, 8 1/2 x 10 3/4 in., on lettersheet featuring engraving on conjugate leaf, separations on old creases, some losses and chips at edges, toning.

The conjugate leaf features a lithograph of the Gold Rush town Weaverville, CA. COQUARDON, A, artist. BRITTON & REY, San Francisco, lithographer. A Correct View of Weaverville, Trinty Coy. Cal. With manuscript note to lower margin: "Residence of B.J. Co[nrad] in the year 1854.

Conrad writes to his mother informing her of his good health and reports of his daily life at work in the mines. He mentions that he has a copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Passport No. 39. United States Consulate, Tianjin, 11 September 1874. 9 x 7 in. partly printed document (toning along old creases). Completed in manuscript for B.J. Conrad to "travel freely and without hindrance or molestation in the Chinese Empire" who was "Desirous of proceeding to Peking + the Great Wall." Signed by U.S. Consul Sheppard. [With:] Corresponding passport in Chinese. [Beijing], 1 August 1874 (Tongzhi 13). 5 1/4 x 9 in. partly printed passport (separation and toning along old folds). Completed in manuscript with updates to the form. With large official seal stamped in red.