Author: [Bank of California]
Title: BANK Of CALIFORNIA TELEGRAPHIC ORDER, Dated October 16, 1865
Description: San Francisco: The Bank of California, 1865. Buff paper printed in grey and black ink, handwritten in brown and red ink. Single sheet, printed recto only. Orange George Washington 2 cent stamp to left-hand corner. Oblong format: 4" x 8-1/2". Moderate wear to paper (age-toning, rubbing and creasing). Ink slightly fading. Withal, a VG example. "Received from Geo. Howes & Co, Twelve Hundred & Twenty 79/11 Dollars the same being for our telegraphic order this date on our New York Office to pay Henry J. Hallet from Howes US Gold coin, Eleven Hundred Seventy Seven 50/100 Dollars." Total is $1,220.79 - quite a large sum in 1865! The Bank of California was opened in San Francisco on July 4, 1864, just a year before this note was printed. It was the first commercial bank in the Western United States, the second-richest bank in the nation (getting all the West Coast wealthy patrons it wanted), and considered instrumental in the development of the American West. The Bank stood at the corner of California and Sansome streets in San Francisco and was said to be "one of the handsomest structures on the coast." At the heigh of the BofCA's power, owner Ralston and his "Ring" as his associates were known, were able to exert monopolistic influence over sections of commerce and industry in San Francisco and in Virginia City.

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