"So soon as formal action is taken, you will be informed either by myself or by the secretary of our committee.
"Yours truly,
"JOHN S. HITTELL.
"A member of the Celebration Committee."
My response was that if my health would permit, and all things were satisfactory, I should be pleased to accept such an invitation. I received another letter from Mr. Hittell, under date of December 15th, in which he said:
"Mr. James S. Brown:
"DEAR SIR: This evening the celebration committee of the Pioneer Society adopted a resolution to invite you to attend the Golden Jubilee of California, as an honored guest of the Society, which will provide you with first class transportation from and to your home, and take charge of your hotel bill from the 22nd of January till the 31st of January, 1898, in this city.
"Mr. B. H. and Mr. H. B. Luther, brothers, say that they were at Coloma on the 24th of January, 1848, as boys, with their father and mother. Do you know them and remember when they reached Coloma? They say their mother, who was with them there, is still living."
Under date of December 25th, Mr. Hittell also wrote me:
"Captain James S. Brown: