San Francisco Jan 20, 1867
Thomas B Dibblee Esq
Lompoc,
Dear Thomas,
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You letter of the 15th from Santa Inez is at hand. I will of course pay the two drafts you advise for $100 and $500.
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Relative to renting the Santa Anita at $400 p annum for 2 1/4 years, I think that arrangement a good one, and would be glad to see an income from the land. It has occurred frequently to me since such reports from all quarters of abundant feed for this year that we should, with the half of San Julian had more feed then we really needed—and so I should be sorry if you found it absolutely necessary, after renting the Sta. Anita, to go and hire Purissima & pay out the $400 for that.
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Of course, you ought to know—but with the absolute necessity of keeping down our outlay, don’t you think with Lompoc, Gaviota and half of San Julian—altogether this year giving a vast amount of feed—it would be practicably to dispense with Purissima. We must economize—if you say we cannot avoid renting Purissma, all right, But I hope it will be unnecessary. Is there no every probably we should be able to get Purissima at almost any time hereafter in case we do not have it now, and it proved afterword we did actually need it.
I do hope soon to hear that you own quarters are put in order and Mr James is dismissed.
Can you not send me a rough estimate of
this years expenses for all and everything? You can make it in one hour I am sure. I need it greatly and trust you will send it by return mail.
I must make some calculations as to prospects of the business, and now ask you to oblige me with this estimate.
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I hope the figure will show some sunshine ahead for our business. If not I shall be in despair. Do write me at once.
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By all present appearances , wool must sell very low next spring—perhaps for Col H.’s clip 16 or 17 cts. But there is a chance for everything to change, and Col H perhaps sell to the Pioneer Mills at or near 20cts when his clip comes in.
It would undoubtedly be a great point to have the Lompoc clip at at the same time with his, in order that it might all go into one sale.
If it is not here when the San Justo wool is in I am sure they will remember how very bad the clip was last year, and will put off the Col. with an excuse that they will examine the Lompoc clip when it gets here and decide about It then—so they will buy the San Justo clip and whenever the Lompoc clip arrives, will go to see it with a strong prejudice, and will either reject it or will but at a lower price—probably reject it in toto. This is almost….
